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Cloud Conventions Introduces SafetyNet to Create a Virtual Backup Plan for Live Events

Convey Services

Cloud Conventions today introduced SafetyNet ™, a new program to provide a virtual event backup options for associations, tradeshows, event managers or trade groups that have a live event scheduled now or in the near future. SafetyNet provides a standby virtual event platform that can be activated if needed when attendance for a live event declines or if there is a requirement to pivot to an all-virtual program. A SafetyNet platform can be brought online in a matter of days without technical support or programming. Cloud Conventions is a sophisticated event management platform that redefines the attendee and exhibitor experience with a strong focus on delivering virtual and hybrid events, regardless of size or budget. “It seems like a repeat of 2020 as event managers, associations and other trade groups are struggling to decide if they should cancel their live event, shift to virtual or hybrid, or take other precautions to make attendees and exhibitors feel safe,” said Carolyn Bradfield, CEO of Cloud Conventions. “Any group hosting live events today needs a virtual backup plan that can be activated to ensure attendees and sponsors can participate in industry sessions, continuing education and still make connections that they would miss when they can’t attend in person.” SafetyNet maintains a low-cost Cloud Conventions virtual platform on standby behind a private login until required. It is hosted on a custom URL, is fully branded, customized and organized to host live or on-demand sessions, exhibitor and sponsor booths or provide a resource center for all event-related content. Attendees can be imported from a live event registration system and have their record transferred to SafetyNet including demographics and event access permissions. Sponsors are assigned a virtual booth template and configured to go live without technical assistance, in a matter of hours. “Now that live events have partially returned, many groups ask themselves if virtual events are worth it, so they only focus on their in-person event, often to their detriment,” added Bradfield. “A 2020 study of 1,000 respondents, ‘ Association Trends: From Disruption to Opportunity’ produced by Community Brands, details that having a virtual option for membership participation has changed from a nice-to-have to a must have. Some live events scheduled for the fall of 2021 are being abruptly cancelled due to on-going COVID risks. This is clearly an indicator that the pandemic is far from over. A SafetyNet option is the best insurance that the show will go on, no matter what.” SafetyNet is offered for a low, setup fee to create a fully branded and configured virtual environment. If the organizer chooses to go live with a hybrid or all-virtual event, the setup fee applies to the event package. Show managers can choose as much or as little assistance from Cloud Conventions to bring their event online quickly with all the features needed to educate and engage attendees. Having a virtual option guarantees a rewarding experience for attendees, better ROI for sponsors and ensures smoother event operation for organizers. Explore SafetyNet at: https://cloudconventions.com/page/139455/safetynet. About Cloud Conventions Cloud Conventions from Convey Services is Cloud Conventions is an enterprise virtual/hybrid event management platform that redefines the exhibitor and attendee experience to allow companies to provide easy access to in-depth product information, showcase their brands with graphics and videos, create calls to action and generate immediate sales leads. Used around the world for large managed events and smaller self-directed meetings, conferences and corporate kickoffs, Cloud Conventions automates exhibitors and virtual booths, continuing education, speaker sessions and reminders, invitations and email communication, while at the same time producing detailed analytics on attendee, session and exhibitor activity. Cloud Conventions supports multiple languages and currencies, internal, external and single-sign on registration, and supports all conferencing carriers and platforms. Trade Associations and event managers can explore all of the Cloud Conventions solutions by visiting https://cloudconventions.com or contacting info@cloudconventions.com or call 888-975-1382. Cloud Conventions™, Community™, SafetyNet™, Cloud Kickoffs™, Conduct™, One-Touch Email Share™, Hub & Spoke™, 360° Virtual Exhibit Hall & Lobby Experience™ and ListLock™ are trademarks of Convey Services LLC Contact Details Bruce Ahern +1 770-580-0810 bahern@conveyservices.com Company Website https://cloudconventions.com

August 19, 2021 10:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Sharp, A New Sports Betting App Focused on Empowering Bettors Through Advanced Education, Officially Launches

Sharp

Sharp announced today that its sports betting app officially launched in both the App and Google Play stores. Sharp is a first-of-its-kind sports betting app, providing an all-in-one platform experience of multimedia content, tools and solutions developed specifically to educate and empower sports bettors to make smarter decisions and manage their actions. Sharp is the amalgamation of two industry giants, Win Daily and DFS Army. With more than 10-years experience combined, in understanding the needs, wants and pain points of sports bettors, the app unites Win Daily’s exceptional media content and DFS Army’s development of proprietary technology to create the ultimate sports betting educational experience. The Sharp app is currently free for download on Android and iOS. The anchor feature of the app is “Sharp Academy.” Sharp Academy is a multimedia masterclass that will teach all skill levels different aspects of sports betting. Led by sports betting expert John Alessia, Sharp Academy will produce daily content (podcasts, live streams and articles) providing tips, advice and strategies aimed at breaking down sports betting to its foundational elements. Sharp Academy will be free for the first 1,000 downloads of the Sharp app. “Even as sports betting explodes across America, there is a significant segment of the market that is still sitting on the sidelines because they aren’t educated on how to bet, what to look for or what success over time looks like,” said Sharp co-founder and CEO Kevin Epstein. “Apps leveraging innovative technology focused on user education and self-management are already second nature to consumers looking to strengthen their personal financials or health and fitness regimen - sports betting should be no different. With Sharp, we’ve created the ultimate platform of tools and content that we wish we had when we started sports betting.” Sports betting experts and company executives Alessia, Epstein and Jason Mezrahi will all produce content for the app. Additional noted sports betting experts contracted to create content for the platform will be announced at a later date. “In bringing together Win Daily and DFS Army, we bring decades of expertise that fuses the best sports betting content and experts with world-class proprietary technology that will continue to evolve and innovate as the industry grows and expands,” said Mezrahi, co-founder and COO of Sharp. “Users can expect rich daily content across the spectrum of sports and intuitive tools to help provide historical perspective on personal bets and real-time statistics to help make the best decisions for the bettor. There has been a dearth of sports betting educational products in the market and we’re excited for users to begin seeking value from the Sharp platform.” Additional app features include: Bet tracking technology Odds checking Team and player prop projections For more information please visit: https://sharp.app/ To download the app: App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sharp-app/id1557592668 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sharpapp ABOUT SHARP APP Founded in 2020, by sports betting and fantasy experts and executives from Win Daily and DFS Army, Sharp is a first-of-its-kind sports betting app. Sharp provides an all-in-one platform experience of multimedia content, tools and solutions developed specifically to educate and empower sports bettors to make smarter decisions and manage their actions. Follow Sharp on social media - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Contact Details HPL Digital Sport Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://sharp.app/

August 19, 2021 09:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Airbnb.org Program Offers Free, Temporary Housing to Disaster Victims

YourUpdateTV

Communities across the US are in the midst of hurricane and wildfire season. When disasters like this strike, many people find themselves in need of temporary housing and space to figure out what’s next. Airbnb.org’s emergency response program helps connect people to temporary places to stay in times of need. Recently, Kristen Berlacher, the Head of Airbnb.org Programs, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to discuss this initiative and share tips on how to be better prepared for disasters and how to help impacted communities. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/OD7JPciKRbE The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since 2012, the program has responded to hundreds of disasters and helped find temporary housing for evacuees and relief workers around the world. Airbnb helped people in times of crisis through the Open Homes initiative. Airbnb.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the next chapter. The program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees and asylum seekers, and most recently, frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. How it Works: Airbnb.org will allow hosts on Airbnb to provide free and discounted stays to people impacted by emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. These stays, which provide alternative accommodation and shelter options, are especially helpful to government and nonprofit partners in a year where the COVID-19 pandemic has made housing vulnerable people in traditional congregate shelters extremely challenging. Hosts who support Airbnb.org by offering free stays or making recurring donations will receive a special badge on their profile to recognize their generosity and commitment to communities in need. Anyone who finds joy in helping others, who believes in kindness and is interested in helping by opening their homes or donating to this cause, can learn more at airbnb.org/join About KRISTEN BERLACHER: As Head of Airbnb.org Programs, Kristen leads a global team that supports Airbnb.org’s efforts to help people impacted by natural disasters, refugees and frontline responders fighting the spread of COVID- 19. With a background in tech-enabled social impact, philanthropy and nonprofit management, Kristen, as an employee of Airbnb, oversees strategic partnerships, government relations, response operations and community engagement for Airbnb.org with the goal of leveraging Airbnb’s unique assets to provide innovative housing solutions and livelihood opportunities for vulnerable populations around the globe. Prior to Airbnb, Kristen led Hyatt Hotel Corporation’s global philanthropy programs focused on economic empowerment, disaster response and employee volunteerism. Before Hyatt, Kristen served as Deputy Director for Working in the Schools, a nonprofit focused on literacy programming for vulnerable youth. Kristen holds a BA in Leadership Studies from the University of Richmond, VA About Airbnb.org: Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.’s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org’s charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a programme that allows Hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the programme has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and most recently, frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, Hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 75,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform. 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

August 17, 2021 05:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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COMCAST NAMES JOHN KELLER SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE MOUNTAIN WEST REGION

Comcast Colorado

Comcast today announced John “J.D.” Keller as the new senior vice president for the company’s Mountain West Region, succeeding Amy Lynch who was named Comcast West Division’s senior vice president of Customer Experience and Customer Operations. In this role, Keller is the top executive responsible for customer experience, sales, operations, and financial performance for the region. Keller will report to Rich Jennings, president of Comcast’s West Division, and will oversee Comcast’s operations serving Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Tucson, AZ and parts of Idaho with more than 2.5 million residential and business customers and managing more than 2,500 employees. Keller previously held the role of senior vice president for the Comcast Twin Cities Region, a position he held for four years. Under his leadership, the region experienced strong growth, operational excellence, and continued commitment to advancing digital equity in our communities and enhancing customer experience. Keller came to Comcast from the security services industry, where he served in several senior leadership roles, and lead that company’s largest region with more than 4,000 employees. “My family and I are excited to be moving to the Denver area, and I’m looking forward to leading the Comcast Mountain West team,” said J.D. Keller, senior vice president, Comcast Mountain West Region. “I’m eager to collaborate with local business, community, education and nonprofit leaders to create meaningful change in our communities and connect people to more of what they love.” “J.D. is a strong, innovative leader at Comcast dedicated to our employees and operational excellence,” said Rich Jennings, Comcast West Division president. “His track record for bringing teams together as well as his focus in and on the community will serve us well guiding this important, multi-state region.” A native of Utah, Keller earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Leslie Oliver +1 303-810-6326 leslie_oliver@comcast.com Company Website https://colorado.comcast.com/

August 17, 2021 11:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Feppy Bilingual Immersion Subscription Box for Kids Celebrates One-Year Anniversary with New Video Audiobook Feature

FeppyBox

-- FeppyBox features innovative immersive, curated bilingual storytelling for kids ages 3-6 -- -- New Video Audiobook Feature Enhances Pronunciation in English and Spanish -- FeppyBox, a bilingual children’s education subscription box designed to immerse children 3-6 years-old in Spanish and English language learning, is celebrating its one-year anniversary with the launch of a new video audiobook feature. The new Feppy video audiobook feature brings the magic of storytelling alive, and demystifies pronunciation in a foreign language, further immersing families in a bilingual world. The Feppy video audio books are included as exclusive access to all FeppyBox subscribers to help with pronunciation of Feppy stories each month. The award-winning bilingual immersion FeppyBox is beloved by families and makes learning in Spanish and English fun. Through a monthly subscription of curated content, inclusive of bilingual books, songs, games, and now video audiobooks, FeppyBox makes it easier for parents to raise their children bilingually, in a fun way designed to feel more like playing than learning. Studies have shown that the best time to learn a second language is between birth and the age of seven. During those forming years the brain is developing to absorb information in an unconscious way. While many bilingual children’s programs are designed to teach preschool curriculum, the FeppyBox difference lies in providing turn-key curated content to immerse kids in a second language, with innovative storytelling that instills lifelong values, taking out the guesswork for parents and caregivers. Founded in 2020, Feppy, a mix of “Happy” and “Feliz” (Spanish for “happy”), is a unique bilingual early childhood immersion brand offering award-winning books, music, videos and play, in a curated monthly subscription box. “We’re excited to be celebrating our one-year anniversary, and are excited to continue to find new ways to encourage creativity, promote connection and make the Feppy experience that much more fun.” said Ronit Shiro, Founder and CEO of Feppy. “At Feppy, the combination of our FeppyBox books and their video audio version was a natural next step, and we are thrilled with the positive response from our subscribing families. From them, we have learned that with the right tools, one doesn’t have to be bilingual to raise a bilingual child,“ added Ronit. Feppy’s curated content includes enhanced visual and auditory storytelling, making it inclusive to all types of learners. All children absorb and learn language in different ways, whether they tend to be more visual, auditory, kinesthetic or tactile. Below is a sneak peek at Feppy’s unique bilingual childhood immersion recipe. Each monthly FeppyBox contains: -- Feppy’s Award-Winning Books: Feppy Book is an original story in both English and Spanish, and exclusive access to its audio videobook. The video not only offers unlimited learning time, but it also supports pronunciation. The spark of bilingualism happens when a kid connects the content in both languages. -- Feppy Music: Feppy Music includes bilingual lyrics to adapted versions of traditional children’s songs with rhythm twists: Merengueton, Salsa/Trap, Reggaeton/Vallenato, Electro Mambo, and other Latin rhythms. Curated Feppy music lists can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and most music streaming platforms. -- Feppy Parents: Feppy Parents is a unique parent guide to support ongoing immersive learning. -- Feppy Play: Feppy Play is a hands-on activity that encourages play-based learning and highlights themes from the Feppy story. Every item in FeppyBox is fully bilingual, so parents don’t need to know both languages to share Feppy with their children. Here is how it works: -- Parents subscribe to FeppyBox without a contract and can cancel anytime. -- FeppyBox arrives at their door monthly to create fun experiences for children to become bilingual. -- Pricing: A monthly subscription is $29.99, or $39.99 for DobleFeppyBox, which contains one extra set of play materials for a sibling or friend. -- Shipping: Shipping is free in the United States. About FeppyBox Designed to raise the next generation of open-minded, resilient global citizens, FeppyBox is an award-winning, kid-friendly and truly bilingual English and Spanish subscription box for kids ages 3-6. Founded in 2020, Feppy’s early childhood curated content is inclusive of bilingual books, songs, games, and video, and has been named “Best in Family-Friendly Media, Products, and Services” by the Mom's Choice Awards and “Parent's Favorite Product” by the Tillywig Toy & Media Awards. For more information, please visit www.FeppyBox.com and follow @feppybox on Instagram and Facebook. Contact Details TORO Agency - PR and Cultural Marketing Ceci Toro ceci.toro@thetoroagency.com Company Website https://feppybox.com

August 17, 2021 10:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Roberto Clemente VIP Experience Sponsored By AARP

Atlantino LLC

Organizers of the virtual Roberto Clemente VIP Experience, slated for Thursday, August 26th at 7 pm ET, announced today that AARP will be the presenting sponsor for the Roberto Clemente VIP Experience. Much of what is known about Roberto Clemente is centered on his Hall of Fame baseball career, his ethnicity, or his untimely passing while engaged in philanthropic activities. However, little attention is given to the man behind the game. Drawing from the behind-the-scenes book Clemente: The True Legacy of an Undying Hero, authored by Roberto’s late wife Vera alongside his family, this VIP Experience will showcase a conversation with several key individuals in Roberto Clemente’s life, including his sons, Luis and Roberto Jr., as well as Hall of Famers Orlando Cepeda and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez. Bestselling Author & Motivational Speaker, Maria Marin, will also make an appearance to give a voice to Vera Clemente, who passed in 2019. Immediately following the conversation, virtual attendees will have a chance to have their questions answered by Luis Clemente during a live Q & A session from the Discover Puerto Rico offices in Old San Juan. The event will take place on August 26 th, 2021, between 7:00 and 8:00 pm ET. Registration is required to access the event. Event producers, Atlantino, will utilize the Run The World virtual gathering platform, which will allow up to 20,000 attendees to participate in this live once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each attendee will receive a special digital insignia created to commemorate the life of Roberto Clemente in time for Hispanic Heritage Month. To register for this free event, please click HERE. “This is an exciting opportunity to share with thousands of Roberto Clemente fans the life of my father, Roberto Clemente, his dreams, his goals, his passion both on and off the field. By focusing this experience on the book written by my mother and the family, it gives the family great pride to participate in this momentous occasion,” stated Luis Clemente, son of Roberto Clemente. “Roberto Clemente’s legacy is one of service, integrity, and grace. AARP is proud to sponsor the Roberto Clemente VIP Experience. He inspires us all to continue to fight so that all Latinos can live their lives with possibility.” - Yvette Peña, VP of Hispanic/Latino Audience Strategy, AARP Strategic partners, producers, and media allies for this event include Run The World, FizzyLabs, and Discover Puerto Rico. About AARP AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media. About Atlantino LLC Over the past 36 years, Ralph and Joseph Paniagua have built Atlantino into a powerhouse sponsorship and activations platform for Latino sports, entertainment, experiential, and digital. Through Atlantino and the company’s Latino Baseball and Latino Boxing media properties, Ralph has spearheaded Fortune 100 brand activations with more than 18 Major League Baseball teams, the Roberto Clemente Foundation, and more recently Golden Boy. Contact Details Atlantino LLC Ralph Paniagua +1 917-446-3346 ralph@atlantino.com Company Website https://www.runtheworld.today/app/c/clementevipexperience

August 13, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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2021 PORTLAND FILM FESTIVAL, PRESENTED BY COMCAST, GOES VIRTUAL WITH 250+ INDEPENDENT FILMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD OCTOBER 6 – NOVEMBER 8

Comcast Oregon / SW Washington

Named “one of the coolest film festivals in the world,” by MovieMaker Magazine, the 2021 Portland Film Festival presented by Comcast for the fifth year, is going virtual again this year and packing its program with hundreds of independent film screenings, director’s chats, networking events as well as educational workshops and panels. As one of Oregon’slargest film festivals, The Portland Film Festival will be available around the world online this fall from Wed., Oct. 6 through Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. Comcast’s Xfinity customers with Xfinity X1 or Xfinity Flex will have easy and free access to a collection of films and livestream events. “Independent voices are vital to our culture and in more need of support than ever. It’s our festival’s mission to bring a broad diversity of independent voices together in one place and we’re proud to be able to do that again this year,” said Josh Leake, Portland Film Festival’s Founder and Executive Director. “It was a tough decision to go solely virtual, but we feel that it’s the best decision for everyone’s health and well-being. And, thanks to our partnership with Comcast, we are able to present more independent voices to a larger audience through Xfinity X1 and Flex than we’ve ever reached before.” The 2021 Portland Film Festival will feature stories by and about women, the Asian community, the Black community, the Indigenous community, the Latinx community, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, veterans, among many other important and compelling stories. Programming will be announced in the coming weeks. “It’s important that we represent diversity and independent voices on screen and behind the camera at our festival,” said Joe Stevens, Portland Film Festival’s Director of Programming. “As an Afro-Indigenous programmer, my goal is to share a collection of diverse voices through our festival and bring more awareness to the importance of diversity in the film industry. The people who tell and shape the story behind the camera are just as important as those who portray the characters on screen.” Tickets and passes for the 2021 Portland Film Festival go on sale today here. Currently, all films and events will be accessible virtually and prices range from $10 for one film to $100 for an all-access pass. Xfinity X1 and Flex customers across the nation will have free access to a collection of films and livestream events by simply saying “Portland Film Festival” into the Xfinity Voice Remote for the duration of the festival. “This year, Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Flex customers will be able to access free, curated films created by a diverse array of talented, independent filmmakers from home via our award-winning Xfinity Voice Remote,” said David Tashjian, Regional Senior Vice President of Comcast Oregon/SW Washington. “We support and applaud the Portland Film Festival for their commitment to amplifying independent voices.” ABOUT COMCAST CORPORATION: Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. AVOUT THE PORTLAND FILM FESTIVAL: The Portland Film Festival is one of Oregon’s largest film festivals, and was named “one of the coolest film festivals in the world,” by MovieMaker Magazine. It is a non-profit, year round organization dedicated to nurturing filmmakers and audiences, and to celebrating the power of a good story. The Festival focuses on the people, ideas, technology, skills and artistry behind filmmaking, and provides both entertaining and educational opportunities for the public. Supporting sponsors in addition to the Festival’s presenting sponsor, Comcast, include Koerner Camera Systems, Gearhead Production Rentals, Oregon Governor’s Office of Film & Television, City of Portland Film Office, Boys & Girls Club of Portland, Ryan Artists, SAG- AFTRA, Portland Mortgage and Pepsi, among many others. Contact Details Comcast Amy Keiter +1 503-310-3879 amy_keiter@comcast.com Portland Film Festival Heather Villanueva +1 503-753-9193 heather@portlandfilm.org Company Website https://corporate.comcast.com/

August 12, 2021 01:05 PM Pacific Daylight Time

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The TikTok viral diaper brand adored by moms adds 800 additional Walmart stores in the USA thanks to hugely successful launch in 2020

Rascal + Friends

Globally adored diaper brand Rascal + Friends has been added to another 800 Walmart stores across the United States, thanks to last year’s hugely successful launch in Walmart stores throughout Texas. Rascal + Friends’ expanded Walmart reach across the US now includes distribution in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio and Oklahoma, as well as Walmart.com. Celebrated by parents and their little ones around the world, Rascal + Friends have set a new standard in baby essentials. Earlier this year parents took to TikTok to show the impressive absorbency of the diapers, pouring cup after cup of water in them with no leaks. The videos went viral as more and more families switched to Rascal + Friends. What sets Rascal + Friends diapers apart? Well, pretty much everything. Parenting outlets like Motherly, Red Tricycle and The Everymom have praised the brand on everything from their affordable prices and clean ingredients, to their ability to keep even the biggest messes contained. They offer seriously good performance, with innovative features like a 3D core for an increased absorbency area, custom-designed grip tabs, a unique deep pocket design, high back waistband, breathable back sheet and double leak guard. Rascal + Friends was born when a New Zealand mother of four identified the need for a premium diaper that checked all the boxes: premium yet affordable, exceptional performance and gentle on the most delicate skin. After testing hundreds of designs and unique features they set about creating an affordable diaper that didn’t compromise on quality and performance. With no nasties and boasting premium features, R+F diapers are designed to help prevent sneaky leaks and blowouts, while looking great too!. Keeping Rascal + Friends affordable was also key. “Diapers are a high turnover product that babies wear pretty much 24/7, so as well as ensuring little ones are comfortable and dry and parents are confident, we wanted to keep our diapers affordable,” says Matt Banfield, COO. “We’ve partnered with Walmart to distribute Rascal + Friends to help keep our prices affordable and our products accessible,” says Banfield. “Starting from just 17 cents per diaper, it’s our goal to provide seriously good diapers to as many people as possible, without breaking the bank.” Born in clean, green New Zealand, being both free of harmful chemicals and as environmentally conscious as possible are also of major importance for Rascal + Friends. Their products are certified by OEKO-TEX’s stringent Standard 100 materials certification, confirming the materials used are 100% free from harmful substances. Their products are also certified cruelty free and vegan by PETA! The brand is constantly evolving and fully dedicated to continually developing even better products that are also better for the planet. Finally, Rascal + Friends is all about community. Passionate about sharing its affordable-yet-premium baby products with families across the globe, the Rascal + Friends team take genuine joy in seeing happy little Rascals wearing their diapers and hearing success stories from happy parents via their social media channels. That’s where the ‘Friends’ part comes in! Last year Rascal + Friends donated more than 130,000 diapers between Hope Supply Co. in Dallas and the Houston Diaper Bank to help families during COVID. “This has been an incredibly tough time for families in need, so it was a priority for us to support our friends in Texas, who have welcomed us so warmly,” says Rascal + Friends CEO, Nick Mowbray. The donation came about from a conversation between Mowbray and award-winning actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. “Blake and Ryan contacted us about donations to charities and hospitals across the United States, so our Texas team suggested these diaper banks in Dallas and Houston that do incredible work in their communities,” says Mowbray. The final piece (for now!) in the Rascal + Friends puzzle are its Sensitive Wipes, made from natural and soothing ingredients such as moisturizing aloe, soothing chamomile and anti-inflammatory pomegranate extract. The perfect finishing touch for the happiest baby bums in town. Rascal + Friends premium diapers and sensitive wipes are available exclusively at Walmart. Premium diapers are available in sizes 1-6 across Bulk, Jumbo and Super Jumbo RRP $7.97, $19.97 and $39.97. Sensitive Wipes are available in a Single pack (72 wipes), Multi-pack (216 wipes), Carton (648 wipes) and Jumbo Box (1296 Wipes), for $2.97, $5.97, $15.97, and $29.97. For a full list of Walmart stockists please visit: https://www.rascalandfriends.us/stockist For more information on Rascal + Friends please visit: https://www.facebook.com/rascalandfriendsUSA www.rascalandfriends.us https://www.tiktok.com/@rascalandfriends?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1 Contact Details Charlotte Hennington +1 469-387-6095 charlotte@teamrascals.com

August 11, 2021 01:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time

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Palm Communities Unveils 50-Unit Affordable Housing Community

Palm Communities

Palm Communities announces the grand opening of Cedar Glen II, an affordable housing community in Riverside, California, that will assist rent-burdened families and provide permanent supportive housing for special needs individuals. Palm’s affordable housing community supports Riverside County’s Housing First goals as an approach to successfully connect people experiencing homelessness to services and permanent housing. “Preserving and increasing the quality of life for Riverside residents is one of my top priorities,” said Jim Perry Riverside City Council, Ward 6. “Strong public and private partnerships to provide affordable housing and services are imperative to reduce and prevent homelessness in the community. Permanent supportive housing options like Cedar Glen II is one way the city is investing in long-term infrastructure to support, improve and enrich the economic and social opportunities for Riverside residents.” Cedar Glen II is the second phase of a broader affordable development community. It is the fifth community in which Palm Communities and Riverside County have partnered to provide permanent supportive housing in the area. Additionally, this is the first community in Western Riverside County to utilize “No Place Like Home” funds from the State of California, specifically targeting individuals and families who have been homeless. “Restoring private-sector jobs, improving local infrastructure, and investing in affordable housing are ideal opportunities to increase economic development in Riverside,” said Kevin Jeffries, Riverside County Board of Supervisors, 1st District. “It is essential that quality permanent supportive housing opportunities are built to keep the positive trajectory of growth for our neighborhoods, businesses and families.” Located at 9830 County Farm Road, the community offers one- and three-bedroom apartments. The service-enriched community includes a clubhouse, kitchen, free computer lab, tot-lot, basketball/futsal court, and a walking circuit with exercise equipment. Additionally, residents will have access to on-site case management and connectivity to other services in the community. “California is experiencing an extreme shortage of nearly one million affordable rental housing units for low-income renters. Riverside is ramping up its efforts to meet this demand, and we are thankful to the Riverside City Council and the County Board of Supervisors for supporting the development of Cedar Glen,” said Dan Horn, President, Palm Communities. “Affordable housing is making a clear difference in the lives of our residents and improving the communities in which we build.” Palm has been developing tax credit communities in Riverside County for nearly 40 years and has partnered with the county since 2010 to provide permanent supportive housing. Palm was also the first affordable housing developer to leverage the county’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds. Cedar Glen II is leased up and will be fully occupied by August 2021. For more information about our properties and availability, please visit Our Communities! About Palm Communities Palm Communitie s is an affordable housing developer in California specializing in housing for families, seniors, and those with special needs. For over 41 years, and with nearly 2,000 multi-family units, Palm Communities builds and maintains strong collaborative relationships with public agency partners, business partners, lenders, and non-profits. Palm focuses on quality for generations and believes that affordable housing is one first step to provide residents with the best opportunity to improve their life outcomes. Contact Details Palm Communities Lauren Horn +1 760-285-4230 Lhorn@palmcommunities.com Company Website https://www.palmcommunities.com

August 10, 2021 11:15 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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