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ENEOS AT THE 2021 SEMA SHOW

ENEOS

ENEOS — Japan’s largest oil company, and supplier of motor oil and transmission fluids to the majority of Asian vehicle manufacturers — is returning to the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas this week to meet and interact with automotive enthusiasts and customers. The lubricant specialist will be located in booth # 21203 at the front of Central Hall. Attendees will be able to explore a reimagined booth, which features a distinctive ENEOS road map aimed at highlighting the company’s core strengths. It includes an area dedicated to the company's crucial OEM relationships, which have allowed ENEOS to share its latest technology with the world’s car makers. The company is the leading expert in synthetic oil formulation, creating some of the thinnest, most efficient lubricants for the very latest gasoline and hybrid engines as well as their transmissions and differentials. As part of its expanding OEM relationships, ENEOS has created a new EV Fluid Line, which is designed to help increase the efficiency and durability of current and future electric vehicle components. And like its conventional motor and transmission oils, which are available to retail customers, the EV Fluid Line will initially be available to car makers as part of its OE Fill Program, with an aftermarket line in development. Full details about the EV Fluid Line are available from the ENEOS SEMA booth or at eneos.us The remaining stops on the ENEOS road map are at Performance and Transmission stations. These focus on the wide range of lubricants dedicated to the majority of current and older vehicles. Of particular interest is the ENEOS Racing Series motor oils, which are designed for use by weekend track day enthusiasts or dedicated racers. The Racing Street Series is engineered to work with emissions equipment and ensures extended high-temperature running, superior protection at initial start-up, and greater performance thanks to significantly reduced friction; benefits that have been proven to improve horsepower when used against its competitors. ENEOS Racing Pro Series oils are designed for dedicated race cars that do not require emissions equipment. The formulation provides the same protection as the Street series but at higher temperatures and for extended track sessions, ensuring maximum protection for the racing community. ENEOS also produces OE-quality lubricants for all transmission types, including automatic and CVT, thanks to its extensive OE partnerships. ENEOS carries two transmission product lines: ENEOS IMPORT SERIES for exact transmission specifications; and ENEOS ECO Series for extremely broad coverage of automatic and CVT transmissions in market today. For more information about the full ENEOS product lines, please visit eneos.us FORMULA DRIFT Thank you, Dai – Hello Fredric! ENEOS has been a sponsoring partner of Formula DRIFT and competing teams for many years. The company currently supports 2011 FD Champion Dai Yoshihara in the PRO Championship, and Rich Whiteman in the PROSPEC class. However, after competing at the highest level for more than 18 years, Dai is retiring from the series to focus on other motorsports activities. While we’re extremely sad to see Dai leave Formula DRIFT, ENEOS is planning to continue supporting Dai as he embarks on new projects. And we can exclusively announce that ENEOS will partner with the newly crowned Formula DRIFT Champion, Fredric Aasbo and Papadakis Racing for the 2022 season. This is extremely exciting for ENEOS because the company works closely with Toyota at the engineering and development level, and its synthetic lubricants will be the perfect addition to Fredric’s Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra. "At Papadakis Racing, we're fortunate to work with top tier companies in the automotive industry," said Papadakis Racing team owner Stephan Papadakis. “ We first put ENEOS to the test with our NASCAR-engined Scion tC and already know it’s a great product line. With that knowledge, we’re excited to bring ENEOS on board for our 1000hp Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra in Formula DRIFT next year.” ENEOS will work closely with Papadakis Racing over the winter and looks forward to Fredric’s defense of his Championship title throughout the 2022 season of the Formula DRIFT PRO series. HONDA-POWERED BMW Star of the ENEOS SEMA booth # 20213 is a 1985 BMW 318i built by Formula DRIFT PRO driver and owner of DevSpeed Motorsports, Faruk Kugay. To help make the vehicle unique, Faruk undertook an engine swap using the 2.0L four-cylinder engine from the Honda S2000. Codenamed F20C, the potent VTEC engine develops 240hp without requiring forced induction. The purpose of the swap was to provide the BMW with a more powerful yet lightweight engine that compares favorably to even the E30 M3’s 2.3L 16v engine. For this application, DevSpeed resisted the temptation to fit aftermarket tuning equipment, preferring instead to create a CARB-legal conversion that will provide a healthy performance increase without running into emissions problems As such, the engine is equipped with a CARB-legal AEM air intake and Borla Performance stainless steel exhaust system fitted after the BMW’s catalytic converter. Among the other upgrades to accommodate the swap is a custom wiring harness, tucked radiator, aluminum mounts and new installation hardware. The F20C is lubricated by ENEOS Racing Street 0W-50 motor oil to provide the optimum combination of wear protection and performance. Further highlights of the ENEOS BMW 318i F20C include the S2000’s six-speed transmission with a BMW limited-slip differential to aid traction when Faruk utilizes the car for track days and drift events. Both these drivetrain elements are lubricated by ENEOS oils. To improve mechanical grip, DevSpeed chose the Pandem V1.5 widebody kit. Designed and manufactured in Japan, it continues the JDM theme for this DTM classic. The wider Pandem fenders accommodate sticky Toyo Proxes RA1 tires, which are sized 255/40 front and 275/40 ZR17 rear. This is a significant increase over the stock E30. The Toyo Tires are mounted on motorsport-themed 17” Rotiform IGS wheels, which are a generous 9.5” wide at the front and 11” rear. Suspension is controlled by multi-adjustable KW Variant 3 coilovers, and the 36 year-old E30 bodyshell is reinforced with Garagistic components and a custom Devspeed four-point internal roll bar to deal with the increased cornering forces. Braking power has been considerably improved with equipment from the later E36 M3, including its larger front calipers and rotors thanks to specialized adapters. In addition to the widebody fender conversion, the ENEOS BMW 318i F20C also has the distinctive rear window, raised trunk lid and Evo II rear wing of the E30 M3, which helped to both improve airflow and increase downforce. There is also a carbon fiber roof panel, which allowed DevSpeed to delete the stock sunroof and lower the center of gravity. Inside, there are MOMO racing seats, steering wheel and shift knob as well as a motorsport-style dashboard and seat delete panels, adding to the weight reduction measures. As we mentioned, DevSpeed Motorsports will utilize the ENEOS BMW 318i F20C for track days and drift events, and Faruk will be able to drive the car legally on the street in California once it passes inspection after the SEMA Show. TECH SPEC 1985 BMW 318i with Honda S2000 F20C engine swap ENEOS BMW 318i F20C Engine: 2001 Honda S2000 F20C 2.0L four-cylinder 16v VTEC with CARB-legal AEM intake, Borla Performance stainless steel Type S cat-back exhaust, MPC hardware, Ryno Wiring mil-spec harness, ENEOS Racing Street 0W-50 motor oil, Chase Bays tucked radiator, Garagistic aluminum mounts Power: 240hp at 8300rpm / 153 lb-ft at 7500rpm Transmission: Honda S2000 six-speed transmission, Exedy clutch, 3.73:1 BMW limited-slip differential, ENEOS 75W-90 gear oil, custom driveshaft, Garagistic secondary diff mount, diff stud kit, aluminum transmission mounts, and front subframe spacers Suspension/Chassis: KW Variant 3 coilovers with adjustable compression and rebound, E30 M3 front spindles, E36 318Ti rear trailing arms with Garagistic reinforcement, Garagistic chassis and subframe reinforcements, Delrin bushings, power steering delete and camber/castor modification, four-point custom roll bar, E30 325i Convertible front shock tower reinforcement Braking: E36 M3 front brake conversion with custom brake hat adapters, E36 M3 rear brakes with SRS caliper adapters, Chase Bays dual master 6:1 boosterless conversion and stainless steel lines throughout Wheels & Tires: Rotiform IGS 17x9.5” front, 17x11” rear wheels finished in anthracite, 255/40 R17 front, 275/40 R17 rear Toyo Proxes RA1 tires Exterior: 6666 Customs / TRA Kyoto Pandem V1.5 widebody fenders, front spoiler, rear bumper, side skirts, CATuned E30 M3 Evo II rear wing, carbon fiber roof and front grilles, E30Garage Norway M3-style steel C-pillar conversion, E30 M3 trunk lid, Glass-On-The-Go E30 M3 rear glass, Frenchie Smiley headlights, @E30taillights, MPC hardware Interior: MOMO front seats, harnesses, steering wheel and shift knob, custom dashboard with Landmark Grafix 3M anti-glare wrap, rear seat delete panels Thanks / Sponsors: ENEOS, DevSpeed Motorsports, AEM, Borla Performance, CATuned, Chase Bays, Diverse Motorsports, Exedy, Foreign Parts Specialties, Garagistic, GReddy, Hanson Distributing Company, KW Suspension, Landmark Grafix, MOMO, MPC Motorsport, Rotiform, Ryno Wiring Solutions, Toyo Tires, @E30taillights HONDA ACTY Sticking with the JDM theme, ENEOS will also display a very unusual Honda Acty pickup built by Neil Tjin from Tjin Edition. The Kei truck was imported from Japan and has been put into service as a stylish delivery vehicle carrying ENEOS oil products and a distinctive SUPER73-ZX e-bike, which was customized to match the van. The many features and highlights of the Tjin Edition Honda Acty include the following: Mag factory wing, front bumper and fender flares FLP metal rear wing and custom side panels Seafoam green paint 13” Enjoy wheels painted yellow Custom upholstered Status seats and steering wheel Custom LED headlights, Rigid fog lights, reversing lights and third brake light Custom oil pan for mid-mounted three-cylinder 660cc liquid-cooled engine Rear-wheel drive Custom SUPER73-ZX e-bike with matching Seafoam green frame, yellow wheels and seat cover This small, maneuverable, economical Acty pickup is the ideal runaround for busy cities like Tokyo and Los Angeles. Its peppy three-cylinder engine makes light work of city streets and avoids the gas pump for as long as possible. The engine is mid-mounted to provide ample legroom for the occupants. Painted in a distinctive Seafoam green paint with contrasting 13” yellow Enjoy wheels and Status racing seats, the Tjin Edition Honda Acty will put a smile on your face every time you see it. Once the driver arrives at his destination, he's able to unload the custom SUPER73-ZX e-bike from the cargo bed. Painted in the same Seafoam green with yellow highlights to match the Acty's interior, the ZX was launched a few months ago to rave reviews. The e-bike features a lightweight aluminum frame and a removable battery that can provide an estimated 50 miles of range (depending on conditions). The ZX also features four riding modes and can be set to four riding classes to comply with local bylaws, all through the SUPER73 smart phone app. TESLA MODEL 3 PIKES PEAK In addition to sponsoring Dai Yoshihara’s Formula DRIFT season, ENEOS has been a long-time supporter of his Pikes Peak attempts, which culminated in a 2020 Unlimited Class win. For 2021, ENEOS and Dai again partnered with Evasive Motorsports to return to the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC). However, the Toyota 86 they had built and prepared for previous years was replaced by a brand new project: the Turn 14 Distribution / Toyo Tires / ENEOS / Evasive Motorsports Tesla Model 3 Pikes Peak race car. With ENEOS announcing its new line of six dedicated EV fluids, the combination of Dai, Evasive, and a new Tesla race car was a tantalizing prospect. However, despite numerous pre-event test sessions, the car suffered an electrical problem as it left the starting line. Undeterred, all parties plan to return to the PPIHC in 2022 to make another attempt to set an EV Production Car track record time in the Exhibition Class. Full details on the car can be found here: eneos.us/blog/eneos-returns-to-pikes-peak-with-dai-yoshihara-evasive-motorsports-and-a-tesla-model-3/ The Turn 14 Distribution / Toyo Tires / ENEOS / Evasive Motorsports Tesla Model 3 Pikes Peak car will be exhibited at SEMA 2021 by Turn 14 Distribution in booth # 21503 in Central Hall. EDITOR’S NOTE High-resolution images of the DevSpeed / ENEOS BMW 318i F20C, Tjin Edition Honda Acty and SUPER73-ZX can be found here for editorial use: dropbox.com/sh/igyyszt4ur61zfi/AABvsPTiRVIIIUTS8F3trQGKa?dl=0 Images of the Turn 14 Distribution / Toyo Tires / ENEOS / Evasive Motorsports Tesla Model 3 Pikes Peak are available here for editorial use: dropbox.com/sh/dkqgsmrz03p6bjo/AACyd_-aCEz7l4P5-2AsUDjna?dl=0 FOLLOW ENEOS USA facebook.com/ENEOSUSA instagram.com/ENEOSUSA twitter.com/ENEOSUSA youtube.com/ENEOSUSA eneos.us MEDIA CONTACT Satomi Yamashita ( media@eneos.us ) Greg Emmerson ( greg@theidagency.com ) ABOUT ENEOS Established in 1888 and headquartered in Tokyo, ENEOS is Japan’s largest oil company, with manufacturing and sales facilities throughout the world. With a unique position in its home market, ENEOS has worked with Asia’s automakers and leading race teams for decades, creating advanced lubricants with their vehicle engineers to provide optimum fuel economy with maximum power and long-term protection. ENEOS also recently announced a new line of products for future electric vehicle applications, helping to ensure the newest EV technology is operating as efficiently as possible. For more information, please visit eneos.us Contact Details Satomi Yamashita media@eneos.us Company Website https://www.eneos.us

November 02, 2021 05:55 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Recording Artist Guild (RAG) Selects BEASY to Empower and Enable Musicians for the Metaverse

Beasy, LLC

Blockchain Made Easy, LLC (dba BEASY) and Recording Artist Guild (RAG.ORG) announced today that RAG.ORG and Lookhu.com have signed a multi-year enterprise licensing agreement with BEASY to deliver the utility of blockchain to RAG’s more than 20,000 members. “We’ve sought tirelessly to understand and deliver the benefits of blockchain to our members for years and although we succeeded in some ways, we lacked consistency and the ability to scale.” said Byron Booker, Chairman and Founder of RAG. “We’ve been talking with everyone who’s anyone at the intersection of blockchain and entertainment, and while solutions have advanced, BEASY stands out as our winner. BEASY’s solution puts enterprise grade software and the power to legally trade and enforce ownership in the hands of the artist. It’s easy to use, works with all our systems, supports NFT transactions on credit cards and allows us to do so within our brand identity,” he added. “We’re incredibly grateful and excited to be working with RAG. We started building BEASY three years ago for organizations just like RAG to help their communities realize their dreams. And now our dream is coming true as well.” said Bob Kramich, Founder and CEO of BEASY. For RAG creators or sellers, BEASY provides a complete metaverse identity management solution in one simple package through which they can: Mint, rarify and sell their own digital assets on any NFT marketplace, or directly from their web sites. Accept credit cards as a payment method for NFTs. Smarten, manage and control song contracts including fractional ownership splits. Easily onboard friends as fans which expands their serviceable obtainable market and prepares fans to participate in upcoming NFT drops. Establish and manage their official Sovereign Digital Identities including their digital name, official credentials and accomplishments. Manage their Official Partner Network. Maintain the true state of receivables owed and paid across multiple contracts and multiple mediums, no matter how many or how fractional the ownership or micro payment due. Customize, scale and continuously improve using enterprise-grade BaaS software. Rapidly team with a variety of business partners and sell and go to market. For buyers and fans, BEASY makes it possible to participate in the digital asset economy without using cryptocurrencies. As most NFT sites require buyers to use cryptocurrencies, the BEASY Wallet allows RAG fans to buy NFTs using credit cards. The buyer benefits from ease of use and the creator benefits from the expansion of their serviceable obtainable market (SOM). At its highest level, BEASY mainstreams the adoption of blockchain to improve the economic situation of individuals, businesses and communities. “BEASY is not a blockchain game and BEASY is not an NFT marketplace,” explains Kramich. “BEASY is Blockchain-as-a-Service software that is easy to install and use and acts as a combined personal notary and digital asset control center. With BEASY, influencers and creators can participate in multiple blockchain-based games and sell NFTs on any NFT marketplace while preserving the true state of how much is owned and owed across all mediums - no matter how fractional the ownership or how micro the payment. What’s more is that sellers, while operating in main blockchain networks, can do so without forcing themselves or their clients to ever purchase cryptocurrencies. We allow people to use the assets and the networks without forcing them to use the underlying cryptocurrency. Our aim is to do this to any Dapp and any network, to bring crypto-based solutions to the next billion users.” # # # About BEASY Blockchain Made Easy ™️, LLC is a Massachusetts-based technology and professional services company empowering retail and business customers with the ability to deploy customized blockchain-based strategies through easy-to-use blockchain software products. The company’s core product, BEASY Authentication ™️, is a multi-blockchain platform and associated wallet solution allowing users to seamlessly create, sell, and track digital goods in addition to a broad range of other applications such as digital identity management, fractional and whole digital asset ownership, royalties management, contract-to-smart contract management and more. BEASY does this without requiring owning or managing any cryptocurrency on major compatible blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Matic and more. BEASY is committed to making blockchain adoption easy. For more information, go to www.BEASY1.com About RAG.ORG Recording Artists Guild (RAG), a non-profit focused on empowering recording artists since 2009 provides its thousands of members with tools, resources, and technology to help monetize their skills and IP while bringing them exposure and a platform to make their voices heard. About Lookhu Lookhu ( www.lookhu.com ) is a cord-cutter’s dream, delivering unlimited streaming TV channels, exclusive series, and live events worldwide. Lookhu offers influencer driven a la carte channels within specific genres including MMA, Comedy, Spanish, Faith, and more for free, subscription and or on-demand. About Talynt Talynt is an NFT marketplace that focuses on providing a robust marketplace for creators offering Phygital NFTs with live events. Talynt offers exclusive NFT collections from notable celebrities and limited campaigns from TokenOfRespect.com, ApeRockStars.com, CryptoRoadies.com, NFTV.life and more Media Relations Contacts: BEASY, LLC. Contact: David Kaupp SVP, Head of Marketing info@beasy1.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeasyInc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beasy-blockchain-made-easy-llc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beasy1859/ RAG and Lookhu Contact: Melissa Jones press@lookhu.com Contact: Mellissa Jones press@rag.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragworld/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RAGWORLD/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RAGWORLD Blockchain Made Easy, LLC is a Massachusetts-based technology and professional services company empowering retail and business customers with the ability to deploy customized blockchain-based strategies through easy-to-use blockchain software products. The company's core product, BEASY Authentication, is a multi-blockchain platform and associated wallet solution allowing users to seamlessly create, sell, and track digital goods in addition to a broad range of other applications such as digital identity management, fractional and whole digital asset ownership, royalties management, contract-to-smart contract management and more. BEASY does this without requiring owning or managing any cryptocurrency on major compatible blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Matic and more. BEASY is committed to making blockchain adoption easy. For more information, go to www.BEASY1.com Contact Details BEASY, LLC David Kaupp +1 978-360-6698 info@beasy1.com RAG and Lookhu Melissa Jones press@rag.org Company Website https://www.beasy1.com

November 01, 2021 04:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Beaubble Raises Over $2M To Date With Latest Funding Round

Beaubble

Leading beauty community-driven brand and platform, Beaubble, announces today that they have raised over $2M to date for the company during their latest round of funding with lead investor Bling Capital along with Graph Ventures, Goodwater Capital, Steve Chen (Co-Founder and Former CTO of YouTube), Jung-ju Kim (Founder of Nexon and Partner at Collaborative Fund), and more. Co-founded by Jun Young (Jordan) Lim, Beaubble is the first truly community-driven digital beauty studio that co-launches brands and products with talent (including influencers, celebrities and models, content creators, and more). Talent partners with Beaubble to actively engage her audience in developing new products, encouraging fans to share feedback on formulation and provide input on design via conference calls and conversations on beaubble.com in addition to existing social media channels. With this innovative process, Beaubble is democratizing the product development process and equipping consumers to decide what they want from their beauty brands, not the other way around. Beaubble also utilizes pre-order product drops to more accurately measure demand and bypass retailers to fulfill directly to consumers. By allowing demand to shape supply, Beaubble is able to avoid overproduction and reduce waste in beauty. In March 2020, the platform co-created the luxury skincare line Monday Born alongside beauty influencer Teni Panosian. Bling Capital, a San Francisco Bay Area based venture capital investment firm, led the company’s recent seed financing. Bling Capital primarily invests in consumer tech, internet, mobile, marketplace, data, fintech, SaaS, and automation sectors. Founder Ben Ling served in senior operating roles at Google, Facebook, and YouTube prior to working at Khosla Ventures as General Partner and then launching Bling Capital. He has backed ten+ unicorn startups with early stakes in Airtable, Lyft, Palantir, and Square among others. Ling comments, "The future of beauty will be driven by influencers and community — no longer through department stores and malls. Further, consumers will be deeply involved in product creation and working with influencers for more authentic experiences and products. Beaubble enables influencers to create world-class products with their communities, while abstracting away the complexities of creating and launching new products." Beaubble plans to use the funding to elevate the brand’s platform, increase community outreach and support its rapid growth in influencer launches and collaborations. Including two new lines with model Elsa Hosk and content creator Ellie Thumann that launched October 21st, Beaubble has at least five more partnerships and collaborations that will be announced by early 2022. "The need to displace legacy business models and channels with innovative techniques and approaches is further accentuated now. We believe Beaubble has a place in that new post-crisis world, and we are thrilled to benefit from the advice and experience of seasoned consumer investors and tech luminaries as we help bring about truly inclusive, community-driven beauty." - Jordan Lim, Co-Founder of Beaubble Contact Details OGAKI Malinda Torres mtorres@ogakidigital.com Company Website https://beaubble.com/home

November 01, 2021 09:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Spiceology Lands on Shelves at Ace Hardware, Making Ace The Helpful FLAVOR Place

Spiceology

Spiceology Inc., the fastest growing spice company in America, has announced a partnership with Ace Hardware that enables Ace retailers to carry the leading spice company’s innovative signature blends and collaboration products, further bolstering the nationwide retailer's reputation as a flavor and grilling destination. The entire 23 item Spiceology planogram can now be ordered through the Ace Retail Service Center. In the first 30 days, over 400 franchises stocked their shelves with Spiceology. In the last five years, Ace has seen a 36% growth in BBQ, and expects to see this trend continue. The addition of Spiceology is another step toward being a trusted resource for every type of griller and home cook. “At Ace, we consider ourselves an important part of each of our local communities, and we want to provide our customers with everything they need to make their homes a better place,” said Paige Roszkowski, BBQ Fuel & Accessories Associate Merchant. “We are not just a hardware store anymore, and we’ve reworked our focus internally to give growing sections of the business the deserved attention, including our grilling sections. We’ve seen immense growth in the BBQ space, and we’re excited to have Spiceology on our shelves, showing that premium quality blends should be a staple in everyone’s household.” According to Ace CMO Kim Lefko, in 2020, Ace attracted younger shoppers, more new home buyers, and more women than ever before. And while Ace carries other grilling spice blends, the addition of Spiceology’s diverse and easy-to-use blends highlights the company’s expansion from the grill to the kitchen. As a premium spice and flavor company, Spiceology’s products are made with Grade A ingredients and are ultra-versatile for whatever you are grilling, cooking or creating. Spiceology’s flavor experts develop innovative and easy-to-use blends and recipes, empowering Ace customers to go from home cook to home chef with just a few tablespoons. “We’re changing the way people eat and experience flavor,” said Maria Emmer-Aanes, Vice President of Retail and Grocery at Spiceology. “We admire Ace’s connection to the community, and we are excited to have our products available for their customers, showing just how important it is to have high-quality ingredients in your home to experiment with flavor. Just as Ace stores are a one-stop shop for a growing and more diverse clientele, our ultra-versatile spice blends can be the new go-tos customers reach for in the kitchen and around the grill.” Spiceology - AceNet Direct (Vendor #56309). ABOUT SPICEOLOGY Founded in 2013, Spiceology is the fastest-growing spice company in America and is on a mission to bring the magic back to spices, the world’s first currency. The chef-owned and operated, one-stop spice shop develops innovative blends and offers over 400 ingredients that are ground fresh in small-batches and shipped fresh to consumers and chefs. Spiceology’s “experiment with flavor” ethos is not only embraced through excellent ingredients and unique combinations, but also through responsible business practices designed to create a better world with diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of the workforce. Spiceology products can be found on spiceology.com, in specialty retailers and grocers, in restaurants around the US, and as far away as Australia and Dubai. Visit spiceology.com for more information or to place an order, or follow Spiceology on Facebook and Instagram. For recipe inspiration, visit here. ABOUT ACE HARDWARE Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with more than 5,200 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 70 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; Colon, Panama; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com. Contact Details Cassidy Levine +1 908-770-7880 cassidy@spiceology.com Company Website https://spiceology.com/

October 28, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Love, Bonito raises US$50MILLION in Series C funding to fuel category and international expansion

Love, Bonito

Southeast Asia’s largest omnichannel womenswear brand has its eyes set on evolving into a purpose-driven female ecosystem that supports Asian women around the world at every life stage Fundraising round led by Primavera Capital Group with participation from Adastria and Ondine Capital The funds will be used to bolster efforts in existing omnichannel markets and accelerate high growth international markets including Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines and the United States (US) SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 27 October 2021 - Love, Bonito today announced the close of its Series C funding round, raising a total of US$50Million. The round was led by Primavera Capital Group, a global investment firm whose previous investments include Alibaba, ByteDance, Yum China and Mead Johnson China. Adastria and Ondine Capital participated in the round too. Love, Bonito’s current investors include Openspace Ventures and Kakaku.com. Proceeds from the fundraising will enable the brand to bolster efforts in existing omnichannel markets and supercharge international expansion in markets that collectively are experiencing triple digits year-on-year (YoY) growth. These key markets include Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines and the US. Furthermore, the company is exploring categories outside of fashion as part of its plan to create a female ecosystem. (Above: Love, Bonito Senior Leadership Team) Supercharging International Expansion Since its launch in 2010, Love, Bonito has achieved impressive growth, expanding into 10 key markets which include those in Southeast Asia, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, and East Asia markets, namely Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan as well as Australia and the US. To date, Love, Bonito has achieved overall growth of over 120 per cent YoY in international markets, and overall growth of 208 per cent for its online sales. The company believes the Asian diaspora communities have extremely high potential, especially in the US, where online revenue growth exceeded 1,200 per cent YoY as of September 2021. With the latest funding, the brand will double down efforts within markets such as Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia that have omni-channel presence, while other markets such as Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines and the US will see an expansion in omni-channels, new business verticals, strengthening of local community engagement and key collaborations, as well as the continuous optimisation of user experiences. “I am more excited than ever for what is to come in the next decade,” said Rachel Lim, Co-Founder of Love, Bonito. “The growth we see today would not have happened without #TeamLB and our #LBCommunity who consistently strive to support women in the different seasons of their lives. Being in the business of women has been our mission since day one, and we are finally venturing outside of fashion to bolster our offerings.” Business of Women vs Business of Fashion In line with the brand’s mission to empower the everyday Asian woman, plans are in place to increase offerings within the fashion line to include active apparel and accessories. The brand is also looking to venture into a content platform (LiBrary) as well as exploration into new categories (LaB) which will include wellness. The category and product expansion strategy is informed and driven by data and community feedback garnered from several platforms, including the brand’s soon-to-be-launched artificial intelligence that delivers personalisation at scale for women globally, through data and machine-learning models. Other existing platforms that contribute to the insights and knowledge gathering include: LBCommunity+: Love, Bonito’s loyalty programme that provides customers an all-access community and rewards experience LBCreate: Love, Bonito’s social impact programme with the mission to bring women’s issues to the forefront and create actionable steps for the future "We have built a strong foundation in understanding the everyday Asian woman in order to be pre-emptive in catering to her needs,” said Dione Song, CEO of Love, Bonito. “We are primed to become a true life partner for our community of women, in and beyond fashion. We have yet to see a womenswear brand from the region stand proud on the world stage amongst industry heavyweights and we want to be the first brand to achieve that, by being purpose-driven, community-focused and innovative. “We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our existing and new investors who bring deep consumer investment experience and recognise the potential of the Asian consumer, both within and outside of the region,” added Dione. Lead investor Primavera provided a statement: “Love, Bonito has proven itself to be a one-of-a-kind, purpose-driven brand for women across all life-stages. Consumers are drawn by what the brand stands for and its mission to empower women around the world. Primavera is deeply impressed by how much the team has achieved over the last decade and looks forward to tapping into our understanding and experience in the global consumer sector to help elevate Love, Bonito to the next level. We are thrilled to join Dione and the rest of the team on this path-breaking journey.” Love, Bonito’s first external institutional investor, Openspace said: “From day one, we believed in what the brand could achieve as a business led by women, for women. We are thrilled to now work alongside esteemed investors like Primavera to help write the brand’s next chapter.” Series B lead investor Kakaku.com added: “We are delighted to be on the global stage with Love, Bonito, and will continue to support the brand’s data and tech strategies, especially on their entry into the Japanese market.” In the next phase of its growth, Love, Bonito aims to shake up the fashion industry by creating a more meaningful impact on its community across all life stages. The brand is setting its sights on creating a thoughtful and well-rounded female ecosystem, supporting different facets of women’s needs within Asian countries and reaching further into the Asian diaspora communities across the globe. About Love, Bonito Designing for the key moments and milestones of a woman’s life, Love, Bonito’s comprehensive assortment features stylish and comfortable pieces for the modern Asian woman at home, work and play. Love, Bonito is the largest vertically integrated, omni-channel women’s fashion brand in the region today. We remain committed to relationship building and nurturance, imbuing soul into innovation with thoughtful design and dedicated community outreach. For more information, please visit https://www.lovebonito.com/sg/about-us Contact Details Ogilvy Ada Tong +65 9297 0748 ada.tong@ogilvy.com Love, Bonito Jacqueline Lui +65 9068 4123 jacqueline.lui@lovebonito.com

October 27, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

YourUpdateTV

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that have been found to impact a person’s chances of developing certain cancers, including breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. Recently, 23andMe scientist, Ruth Tennen, and customer, Gina Burris, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the first and only FDA-authorized, direct-to-consumer test that detects select BRCA1/BRCA2 variants*. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/ziqp10R_j_A The genes are called BRCA because the link between these genes and breast cancer was discovered first. The genes themselves do not cause cancer. They actually help prevent it by repairing DNA breaks that can lead to cancer. Sometimes, changes in the BRCA genes occur that prevent them from functioning properly. These changes are called genetic variants or mutations. Variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can be passed down through families, increasing the risk of developing certain cancers. Many people with a BRCA variant, both women and men, are unaware of their risk and what they can do about it. While it is true that having certain BRCA variants can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer, most cases of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers aren’t caused by inherited BRCA variants. And not every individual who inherits a BRCA variant will develop cancer. 23andMe offers a genetic test for three variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to its Health + Ancestry Service customers. This genetic test detects three selected variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes – BRCA1 185delAG; BRCA1 5382insC; and BRCA2 6174delT – that are among the most studied and best understood. These three variants are most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. (They can be found in people of other ethnicities, though this is rare.) If you have one of these three variants, you have an increased risk of developing certain cancers. For more information, visit 23andMe.com/brca *The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks, including the 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants). Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. The test is not intended to diagnose any disease and does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing any type of cancer. It is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatments. Warnings & Limitations: The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health RIsk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of the 185delAG and 5382insC variants in the BRCA1 gene and the 6174delT variant in the BRCA2 gene. The report describes if a woman is at increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, and if a man is at increased risk of developing breast cancer or may be at increased risk of developing prostate cancer. The three variants included in this report are most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and do not represent the majority of BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in the general population. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in this report does not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed in a clinical setting before taking any medical action. About Gina Burris: Gina Marie Burris lives in a small riverside community in western Pennsylvania. She is a children’s book author and blogger. At the age of 46 with no known family history of breast or ovarian cancer Gina discovered (via a 23andMe health report) she carries a BRCA variant. After making this discovery, Gina worked closely with a team of medical professionals and made the decision to take a preventative path. Since November 2020 Gina has undergone a bi-lateral salpingo-oophorectomy and double mastectomy straight to reconstruction. After finding refuge in the stories of survivors, previvors and patients, Gina felt compelled to share her own story, so she turned to the place she feels most comfortable, her keyboard. Gina’s blog www.rivergirlreflections.com follows her journey from early in the process through today. She has found a way to bring truth, grace, and a little humor to a serious situation. Gina aspires to bring awareness to what life with a BRCA variant looks like in today’s world. She has a passion for speaking freely about her experience and strives to be a small part of an educational community which shifts the wording in some common breast cancer awareness conversations. About Ruth Tennen: As a product scientist at 23andMe, Ruth develops new genetic health reports with the goal of helping 23andMe customers access, understand, and benefit from the human genome. Ruth received her bachelor's degree in molecular biology from Princeton University and her Ph.D. in cancer biology from Stanford University. Before joining 23andMe, she served as a science policy fellow at the State Department, helping promote science education and entrepreneurship in Africa, and as a lecturer at Stanford, teaching courses on experimental design, bioethics, and cancer. Ruth loves learning about and talking about science, and throughout her career, she has worked to inspire budding scientists by mentoring and teaching students at local schools, hospitals, and museums. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

October 26, 2021 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Luxy Hair Becomes First Hair Extension Brand To Launch AI Technology Tool

Luxy Hair

Luxy Hair, the highest-rated clip-in hair extensions brand worldwide, announces its partnership with AlgoFace, Inc. to launch the Virtual Hair Color Match Tool. Known for providing high-quality, 100% Remy human hair extensions and top-tier customer service, Luxy Hair, part of the Beauty Industry Group (B.I.G.), is the first hair extension brand to launch an Artificial Intelligence technology tool. The Virtual Color Match Tool takes the guesswork out of shopping for hair extensions, making the experience simple, seamless, and personalized. “The AlgoFace team built the B.I.G. hair color finder with cutting edge proprietary technology developed in-house that includes illumination correction, hair segmentation, and hair color classification using supervised learning techniques,” explains Taleb Alashkar, co-founder and CTO of AlgoFace. “The technology is fast, accurate, inclusive, and works on all hair colors and styles.” One of the most challenging aspects of shopping online for hair solutions is finding the appropriate color match. With this technology-driven tool, the customer has the option to take an instantaneous photo or upload an existing one to be immediately matched with the perfect color from an assortment of 35 options available on the website. While other beauty brands have tapped into AI and virtual try-on technology, no other hair extension brand on the market is using AI technology to solve the consumers' top concerns. “This is Luxy's initial foray into the world of AI, and it's only the beginning,” explains Amy Sveda, President of Luxy Hair. “We are working with AlgoFace to evolve our existing technology to include virtual try-on and will continue to find ways in which to deliver a more personalized, immersive experience for our customers. Our goal is to democratize the category of hair extensions. Simplifying the purchasing journey through technological advancements is a necessary step in achieving that goal.” The virtual color match tool is accessible via mobile or laptop and noticeably reduces the amount of time that customers have to spend trying to select their best hair color match. Luxy Hair is currently AlgoFace’s only hair partner and the two will continue to learn, refine, build, evolve, and expand as it relates to virtual interactions. The Virtual Color Match Tool can be found on www.luxyhair.com. We are happy to arrange an interview with Luxy Hair’s President, Amy Sveda, to offer more insight and information about the color match tool and partnership with AlgoFace. ABOUT LUXY HAIR: The #1 rated hair extensions brand in the world, Luxy Hair is on a mission to take the guesswork out of beautiful hair by creating hair for days. Made from 100% ethically sourced Remy human hair, Luxy Hair creates premium quality hair extensions for all of life’s moments—from routine to remarkable. Having amassed over 250K customers in more than 165 countries, along with a combined social media following of over 4 million, Luxy Hair is renowned for its exceptional customer service and engagement. A do-it-yourself solution that’s quick and easy to use, Luxy Hair is for anyone, any day, anywhere. ABOUT ALGOFACE: AlgoFace builds AR and AI technology that knows what’s unique in every person. Through precise tracking of 209 facial landmarks, AlgoFace technology enables a deeper understanding of the human form, to detect and recognize people more accurately, more easily, and more clearly. AlgoFace works with leading brands, agencies, and OEM partners to power face AI applications. Headquartered in Carefree, Arizona, they are a diverse team of passionate innovators with deep-rooted knowledge in computer vision, augmented reality, and applied artificial intelligence applications. For more information, please visit www.algoface.ai. Contact Details Six One Agency Camryn Carlson camryn@six-one.com Six One Agency Ilana Donner ilana@six-one.com AlgoFace Jeffrey Freedman jeffrey@algoface.ai Company Website https://www.luxyhair.com/

October 26, 2021 08:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

National Guard Veteran Darin Overstreet Transitions to Owning Minuteman Press Franchise in Aurora, Colorado

Minuteman Press International Inc

Darin Overstreet, co-owner of the Minuteman Press franchise located at 14190 E. Jewell Ave., Suite 1, has retired from the Colorado National Guard where he served as Chief Public Affairs Officer for the Joint Task Force - Centennial. Today, Darin, who also served in the U.S. Air Force, runs Minuteman Press in Aurora along with his wife Anne. Together, Darin and Anne provide local businesses and non-profits with design, printing, marketing, and mailing services. During his time of service, Darin was an integral part of several missions both at home and abroad. He shares, “We (the National Guard) did both federal and state missions that could take us anywhere from The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to El Salvador to right here in Colorado. In 2013, one mission that particularly hit home was the Colorado floods. The flood ripped through a dozen counties, and I was part of the Colorado National Guard’s Joint Staff. We coordinated everything from sandbagging and evacuations to helping people in flooded areas. After the floods, our team was brought in to help rebuild the highway that leads to Estes Park, Colorado. We were able to get the roads paved and, during the rebuild, I coordinated with the media including interviews, public relations, photography, video, and writing articles.” Darin continues, “I am most proud of the fact that I was part of team that truly made a difference and helped people when they needed us most. Over 15 years, our Public Affairs team received 75 National Military awards. I really enjoyed community relations, which is something I am still doing today in a different capacity with Minuteman Press, our Veteran-owned family business in Aurora.” Applying Military Skills to Business Ownership With Minuteman Press in Aurora, Darin has found the perfect opportunity to apply the skills he acquired during his years of military service. He says, “There are so many lessons and experiences I have taken with me – community relations, messaging, public relations, photography, and building relationships with so many different types of people. As the Director of Community Outreach, I was already connecting people who may not otherwise meet and I learned the value of simply helping others by providing service.” Darin adds, “90 percent of our clients are other local business owners like me. If I see that they can benefit from one another, I make meaningful connections and I see working with my clients as a two-way street. I love working with them on all of their marketing promotions and social media, and just building relationships. I want to serve and strengthen my community just as I did when I was in the National Guard.” One other benefit that Darin sees in the transition to business ownership is his ability to endorse and promote businesses, which was not the mission of the National Guard. He says, “Now, I can promote other businesses and help them, and I love being an active part of the Aurora community in this way. For example, during the pandemic I’ve been working to promote local artists. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photo/Video, and so I’ve been art-adjacent all my life. With Minuteman Press, I am able to help these incredible artists print on demand and promote their stories.” Buying the Business During the Pandemic and Operating as an Essential Business Darin and Anne bought their business in June 2020 and have remained open and operating throughout the pandemic as an essential business. They have seen high demand for a wide variety of products as businesses continue to ramp up their marketing efforts. Darin says, “We’ve seen high demand for direct mail and Every Door Direct Mail. We help businesses reach out to targeted geographic and demographic areas so they can tell their customers about operations changes, new guidelines, and of course, special offers.” He continues, “Throughout the pandemic, popular items have included large format printing (banners, posters, and signage), updated restaurant menus, stickers, and dye sublimation (face masks and apparel). We’ve also helped clients come up with special offers for subscription boxes featuring relevant printed and promotional items that their customers will appreciate and remember.” When asked why he chose Minuteman Press, Darin answers, “I looked at other franchises but I’ve always been interested in printing. I have a passion for art, photo and video, and with this business I feel like I can help others bring their visions and branding to life. When I visited Minuteman Press at the Denver Franchise Expo, they were very professional and straightforward. They told me about how the franchise model worked including their training, ongoing support, and capped royalties. I also found the startup costs reasonable and felt they had the knowledge and resources to really help us operate this business.” Darin also credits the local support team in Colorado for being there every step of the way. “Regional Vice President Jack Panzer and Area Manager Todd Golberg are there for us whenever we need them and it is a tremendous benefit to us to have their continued guidance and reassurance.” Minuteman Press in Aurora is located at 14190 East Jewell Avenue, Unit 1, Aurora, CO 80012. Contact Darin and Anne Overstreet at 303-751-5007 or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/co/aurora21 Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Franchise Business Review has also named Minuteman Press International a Top Franchise for Veterans. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

October 25, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Spiceology Brings Flavor to Make It Pop-In@Nordstrom and Nordstrom Holiday Gift Shops

Spiceology

Spiceology, the fastest growing spice company in America, announced that as of October 22, 2021 and just in time for in-person holiday shopping, select spice blend variety packs can now be purchased via Nordstrom’s limited-time Pop-In@Nordstrom and select Nordstrom Gift Shops across the country. Pop-In@Nordstrom is an ongoing series of pop-up shops curated by Olivia Kim, Nordstrom’s Vice President of Creative Projects and Home. Nordstrom’s Holiday Gift Shops offer an engaging shopping experience that displays the most giftable products in the store through the end of the year, with on-site photo booths and other interactive displays. “As a brand with a predominant online presence, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to enter select Nordstrom locations this holiday season,” said Maria Emmer-Aanes, VP of Retail & Grocery Sales at Spiceology. “We are humbled to help shoppers across the country fall in love with in-store shopping again, browse Spiceology’s most giftable and loved products, and give a gift of good taste.” Products available at both Make It Pop-In@Nordstrom and the Nordstrom Gift Shops include Spiceology’s fan-favorite gift sets and variety packs: Derek Wolf 6-Pack Beer Rub Sampler ($70) - Fire up the grill and your tastebuds with the perfect sampler 6-pack. This 2-in-1 product acts as both a rub and marinade. Just simply add your favorite beer to get the perfect BBQ marinade. 4-Pack Rub Collection ($48) - Spiceology’s four best-selling spice rubs in one giftable collection. From the company’s very first blend Smoky Honey Habanero, to fan-favorite Greek Freak, there's a blend in this 4-pack for any occasion. Popcorn Seasoning Variety Pack ($36) - These unique blends are the perfect party pleaser and greatest for family movie night. The sweet and savory seasonings bring a new level of joy to popcorn. “We take a unique approach to the retail experience, and we immediately saw a connection with the way Spiceology’s brand aligns with our fun, yet practical approach to holiday gifting,” said Olivia Kim, Vice President of Creative Projects and Home at Nordstrom. “We value and carefully curate the experience that each Pop-In and Holiday Village brings to our customers, from offering the most giftable products on our shelves to a fun, interactive in-store photo booth. Spiceology’s high-quality, vibrant and fun gift sets will excite our shoppers that are looking for trusted options.” Spiceology can be found at the below locations through the end of the year: Pop-In@Nordstrom: Downtown Seattle (Seattle, WA) Bellevue Square (Bellevue, WA) NYC Flagship (New York, NY) Michigan Avenue (Chicago, IL) South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa, CA) Northpark (Dallas, TX) Domain Northside (Austin, TX) Nordstrom Holiday Gift Shops: Downtown Seattle (Seattle, WA) Bellevue Square (Bellevue, WA) Washington Square (Tigard, OR) Cherry Creek (Denver, CO) NYC Flagship (New York, NY) Michigan Avenue (Chicago, IL) Oakbrook (Oak Brook, IL) Mall of America (Bloomington, MN) South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa, CA) Brea Mall (Brea, CA) Topanga (Canoga Park, CA) Fashion Valley Center (San Diego, CA) Fashion Square (Scottsdale, AZ) Century City (Los Angeles CA) Valley Fair (San Jose, CA) Tysons Corner (McLean, VA) King of Prussia (King of Prussia, PA) Northpark (Dallas, TX) The Shops at La Cantera (San Antonio, TX) Domain Northside (Austin, TX) International Plaza (Tampa, FL) For more information, visit Spiceology.com or follow along on Instagram: @spiceology. ABOUT SPICEOLOGY: Founded in 2013, Spiceology is the fastest-growing spice company in America and is on a mission to bring the magic back to spices, the world’s first currency. The chef-owned and operated, one-stop spice shop develops innovative blends and offers over 400 ingredients that are ground fresh in small-batches and shipped fresh to consumers and chefs. Spiceology’s “experiment with flavor” ethos is not only embraced through excellent ingredients and unique combinations, but also through responsible business practices designed to create a better world with diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of the workforce. Spiceology products can be found on spiceology.com, in specialty retailers and grocers, in restaurants around the US, and as far away as Australia and Dubai. Visit spiceology.com for more information or to place an order,or follow Spiceology on Facebook and Instagram. For recipe inspiration, visit here. ABOUT NORDSTROM: At Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN), we exist to help our customers feel good and look their best. Since starting as a shoe store in 1901, how to best serve customers has been at the center of every decision we make. This heritage of service is the foundation we’re building on as we provide convenience and true connection for our customers. Our digital-first platform enables us to serve customers when, where and how they want to shop – whether that’s in-store at more than 350 Nordstrom, Nordstrom Local and Nordstrom Rack locations or digitally through our Nordstrom and Rack apps and websites. Through it all, we remain committed to leaving the world better than we found it. Contact Details Spiceology Cassidy Levine +1 908-770-7880 cassidy@spiceology.com Company Website https://spiceology.com/

October 25, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time