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How Computerized Cars Have Changed Auto Repair in Today’s World

AutoTech IQ

In the not-so-distant past, all auto technicians needed was a good understanding of a car’s engine. They would listen to and feel the car’s engine, and most often, they could diagnose and fix a problem. But today’s cars are more complex, and the average technician has to rely on diagnostic and test equipment to understand what’s going on under the hood. Today’s cars have hundreds or even thousands of computer chips that are all controlled by software. Cars have evolved so much that some people believe that in the near future, an increasing number of cars will be powered by self-driving software. Trends Computerized Cars Are Setting Remember when automatic car windows replaced the roll-up model? Auto technicians all over the world had to switch from a mindset of fixing a busted manual knob to fixing one that is not only driven by a motor but also controlled by a computer. As cars become more computerized, auto repair shops have to stay current on more technology. High-Tech Features Mean Specialists Are Needed for Repairs In today’s auto repair world, technicians have to use complex diagnose and test equipment instead of focusing on just replacing fluids and car parts. That’s because cars aren’t so much mechanical machines anymore. Instead, they are often thought of as computers on wheels. Gone are the days when people could work on their own cars. Today, specialized software is needed to find the glitch in the car’s system before it can be repaired. Complicated Network Systems Are More Interconnected Than Ever Before The cars of yesterday had individual, mechanical working parts that, together, made them run. But today’s cars are interconnected in ways that old-school technicians could never imagine. Vehicles today utilize advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and their computers are extremely complex, yet they all communicate seamlessly with each other. For instance, Tesla’s onboard AI chip is smarter than the US Air Force’s F-35 fight jet and is packed with 150 million times more computer power. Because of the technological advances in vehicles, it’s extremely important for technicians to have a thorough understanding of how to properly calibrate the systems so drivers remain safe on the road. Costs Are Rising Because of the Complexity of High-Tech Vehicles Because of the complexity of computerized cars, the number of visits to auto repair shops has radically decreased but the cost per visit is going up and changing the way auto shops do business. For instance, car owners sporting European models can’t just go to any repair shop, they need technicians who specialize in their make and model of vehicle. This makes car repairs on a budget a thing of the past. The increased need for specialized equipment and technicians has driven up the cost of running a shop, and as cars continue to become more computerized, that isn’t likely to change. Auto shops also have to have specialized equipment to help diagnose issues. If these shops don’t specialize in one vehicle make and if they don’t have the equipment, they will hire diagnosticians who will help diagnose the issues. This also drives up the cost of doing business. Why Digital Inspections Are Essential for Computerized Car Owners Because cars are so complex and rely on computers, service intervals have increased dramatically. The frequency of shop visits is going down which requires tracking the vital sign of your vehicle regularly. What you know from your doctor’s visit is also true for your vehicle. Digital inspections are the tool to track the car’s vital signs. They allow technicians to check the car's computer system and overall health and pinpoint the source of a potential problem. When a service advisor emails a customer a digital report that outlines the problem and details the optimal fix, it instills a sense of trust in consumers because of images and videos educating the customer plus recommendations giving the customers options. Gone are the days when consumers are pressured into making a decision on the phone without understanding the true nature of the problem. Digital inspections eliminate the risk of paying for an unnecessary repair. Instead, these inspections pinpoint the problem and educate the customer about options on how to fix it. How To Find an Auto Repair Shop You Can Trust Are you ready to have more of a partnership with your auto repair shop rather than having to trust a phone call without any real evidence? If so, AutoTechIQ can help. AutoTechIQ connects you with an auto repair shop in your area that focuses on your education about the best options based on Digital Vehicle Health Inspection results. This allows you to work with shops to find the best (and most long-term economical) solution when your car needs repair. It also ensures that your shop is held accountable and does not suggest repairs that are not needed. To find an auto repair shop that makes use of this technology, use the Shops Near You function on AutoTechIQ’s website and schedule an appointment with an auto shop that wants to earn your trust. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only. Contact Details AutoTech IQ +1 866-678-8505 support@AutoTechIQ.com Company Website https://www.autotechiq.com/

December 19, 2022 03:54 PM Eastern Standard Time

News Release

Have You Noticed How Your Auto Repair Shop Has Changed?

AutoTech IQ

Just a few decades ago, the vast majority of cars had mechanically controlled engines and transmissions, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) were a brand-new thing, and everything was gas or, to a much lesser degree, diesel-powered. The best fuel efficiency for an affordable car was 18 miles per gallon (mpg), and the best-selling cars were Honda Accord, Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Cavalier. Once a vehicle was out of warranty, most car owners would take it to an independent auto repair shop. The leading factors for choosing a shop were the distance to the client's home or work, customer service quality and service price compared with a dealership. Since then, much has changed, but some has not. Today, car owners still take their vehicles to independent auto repair shops for the same reasons. But the technology built into cars has changed dramatically. Much of the operations are computerized, creating a fuel efficiency of 35 mpg and higher for cars that are not hybrid or electric. That technology shift created new challenges and opportunities for independent auto repair shops, changing many aspects of their business. Challenges and Opportunities for Independent Auto Repair Shops Because of the complexity of computerized cars, tools in auto repair shops now include diagnostic devices with ever-increasing depth giving technicians the ability to pinpoint the cause of a problem. And just like your home computer prompts you to update its software applications, modern cars’ software can be updated. Because dozens of complex computers in a car interact with each other, they require trained staff and authorized programming tools. Some dealerships imply that only factory-trained techs lay hands on the complex cars they service, but independent auto repair shops with a built-in training program aren’t lagging behind them. The digital transformation is in full swing for car technology and auto shop service advisers are improving communications with on-the-go car owners. That communication isn't restricted to appointment scheduling by text or email. Advisers can educate their customers without having them on the phone or at the counter. The perfect example is sending a state-of-health report to car owners illustrating, with edited images and videos, what work needs to happen now and what can wait. Why is Digital Transformation a Game Changer? The ease of use has made digital tools such as smartphones, desktop computers and tablets the dominant way to communicate. The ability to send information without interrupting the recipient at home or work takes the stress out of many interactions that could otherwise lead to a loss of focus, productivity and control. The ability to digest information on the recipients' schedule gives them control and creates a sense of empowerment to make confident decisions based on the options at hand. For example, the customer can ask questions digitally and get second opinions before approving work. Before contacting the shop, AutoTechIQ.com offers vehicle owners the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the symptoms the car is exhibiting. Articles like “ My Car Smells Like Burning Rubber ” offer a simple three-step path to: Confirm the symptom Add info for the shop with a simple click Request an appointment at an AutoTechIQ-certified shop You don't need a ride after dropping off your vehicle at the auto shop in the morning. Instead, an assigned employee picks it up and drops it off at your home or work after it’s repaired. You can schedule everything through text messages or with a digital app on your phone that will provide status notifications about the repair progress throughout the day. Instead of interruptions at work, you receive a link to your vehicle's state-of-health report. Then, you can study it on your timeline and ask questions before approving the proposed work — all through texts or chat messages. Increased Level of Professionalism Have you noticed that many shops don’t fly by the seat of their pants anymore? Today’s successful auto repair shops are professional businesses focusing on you — the customer — for the lifetime of your vehicle and beyond. Car repair and maintenance businesses have transitioned to professionally run establishments focused on the education and longevity of their customers’ vehicles instead of the transactional business model of repairing the issue at hand. Seasoned shop owners realize that they can replicate their customer service in other locations and establish a multilocation business providing consistent, high-quality service across the same area. Companies like Transformer Institute help shop owners — especially multilocation owners — seize the opportunity of providing higher-quality service to car owners, exceeding what wrenching technicians typically offer. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only. Contact Details AutoTech IQ +1 866-678-8505 support@AutoTechIQ.com Company Website https://www.autotechiq.com/

December 19, 2022 03:29 PM Eastern Standard Time

Giving the Gift of Home Services

YourUpdateTV

The last few years have changed the value we put in our homes and how we see our homes as we spend more time there. And fittingly homeowners have taken on a lot of work to make their homes better suited to them. Recently, Angie Hicks, Chief Customer Officer of Home Services at Angi and Co-Founder of Angie’s List, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss giving the gift of home services. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/eFgMPqhKR6k According to Angi’s new State of Home Spending report, the top improvement projects completed in 2022 by American homeowners were: Painted an interior space - 33.6%; Remodeled a bathroom - 28.9%; Installed new flooring - 27.8%; Installed a smart home device - 22.9%; Painted/stained home exterior - 22.9%; Remodeled a kitchen - 21.4%; Installed new landscaping - 20.0%; Added/replaced windows - 18.2%; Repaired a roof - 18.1% In addition to all of that remodeling and improvement work, 38% of US homeowners completed routine home maintenance. These projects include tasks like landscaping, yard work, interior cleaning, gutter cleaning, window washing and more. This holiday season, people will be looking for cost effective gifts and gifting home projects is a great way to stay on budget and show your friends and family how much you care. In fact, from a recent study by Beyond Finance, 4 out of 5 people said inflation has affected their holiday spending plans, with 53% saying they plan on buying fewer or less expensive gifts. Taking on projects, either DIY or by hiring a pro is like self-care for your home and this holiday season is a perfect time to gift that care. With budget on the brain, here are a few great DIY home projects. Lawn care - gift your family or loved ones bi-monthly lawn mowing, repaint a space, plant a garden, tackle some existing projects. You can also hire a pro to come in and complete some work too. A great gift would be to hire a cleaner following the holidays to start the year with a clean home or hire a handyman for a few hours to tackle that honey-do list. Or if you are looking for an easy gift for that homeowner friend or relative who always seems to be doing work, the gift of Angi Key, our membership program, is perfect. At $30 a year, this membership program not only offers a discount on services booked through Angi, but also comes with an Angi Home Specialist, a dedicated advisor to help with any home needs. For more information, visit Angi.com About Angie Hicks Since 1995, Angie Hicks has been dedicated to helping consumers get the real scoop on local service companies and health providers. Inspired by the frustrations her co-founder had trying to find reliable contractors in suburban Columbus, Ohio, she started Angie's List 'now Angi' to help homeowners find who they should hire and who they should avoid. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 16, 2022 01:43 PM Eastern Standard Time

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FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR HIBBETT AND PUMA PARTNER ON GENEROUS CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA DONATION

Hibbett, Inc.

Hibbett, Inc., leading Birmingham-based premium footwear and athletic-inspired fashion retailer, today announced a donation to Children’s of Alabama in partnership with leading global sports brand company, PUMA. The donation of $20,000 and more than $30,000 worth of apparel, footwear and toys were presented to the hospital staff on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. For the third consecutive year, donations from Hibbett and PUMA will benefit the Care Closet in Social Services, Child Life's Sugar Plum Shop and the CHIPS Center, which all focus on providing family centered care for patients and their families. The Care Closet is utilized by social workers from every division at Children's on a daily basis, and shoes and clothing items are frequently needed, but not always readily available. On average, the team provides more than 400 families in crisis with essential items each year. The Care Closet donations allow those who arrive at the hospital with a child after an emergency to pick up essentials they may need for their child or themselves such as apparel and footwear, toiletries and more, free of charge. The Sugar Plum Shop provides an average of 260 patient families with gifts to help ease the burden of being in the hospital during the holiday season annually, while Children's Hospital Intervention and Prevention Services (CHIPS Center) promotes hope and healing for those affected by child abuse and neglect. The specialty-trained staff at the CHIPS Center provides more than 2,850 counseling sessions for children and families in need each year. “We are grateful to our partners at PUMA for helping us support the great work of Children’s of Alabama and the Care Closet, Sugar Plum Shop & CHIPS Center, for the third year in a row,” said Sarah Sharp-Wangaard, VP Marketing, Hibbett. “No one facing a child’s illness or accident should have to worry about basic supplies in a time of need and thanks to the staff and social workers at Children’s, they won’t have to.” “This partnership with Hibbett and Puma has provided valuable funding and resources for the Social Services team to be able to connect with patients and patient families when they are at their most vulnerable,” said Emily Hornak, Cause Marketing and Corporate Partnerships director, Children’s of Alabama. “The Care Closet allows for patients and patient families to receive clothes, shoes and other necessary items when they may have had to come to Children’s of Alabama urgently and unexpectedly. We are grateful to Hibbett and PUMA for their ongoing partnership with our mission.” The donation of 3,363 items was presented to Children’s of Alabama by Hibbett and PUMA on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. The shipment contained approximately 375 pairs of footwear, 1,988 items of clothing and 1,000 Poppit toys. About Hibbett, Inc. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Hibbett is a leading athletic-inspired fashion retailer with 1,126 Hibbett and City Gear specialty stores located in 36 states nationwide as of October 29, 2022. Hibbett has a rich history of convenient locations, personalized customer service, and access to coveted footwear, apparel and equipment from top brands like Nike, Jordan, and adidas. Consumers can browse styles, find new releases, shop looks, and make purchases online or in their nearest store by visiting www.hibbett.com. Follow us @hibbettsports and @citygear on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. About Children’s of Alabama Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children, offering inpatient and outpatient services throughout central Alabama. Ranked among the best pediatric medical centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s provided care for youngsters from every county in Alabama and 42 other states last year, representing more than 684,000 outpatient visits and more than 15,000 inpatient admissions. With more than 3.5 million square feet, Children’s is one of the largest pediatric medical facilities in the United States. More information is available at childrensal.org. About PUMA PUMA is one of the world’s leading Sports Brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For more than 70 years, PUMA has relentlessly pushed sport and culture forward by creating fast products for the world’s fastest athletes. PUMA offers performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running and Training, Basketball, Golf, and Motorsports. It collaborates with renowned designers and brands to bring sport influences into street culture and fashion. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 16,000 people worldwide, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany. https://about.puma.com/ Contact Details Wendy Yellin pr@hibbett.com Company Website https://www.Hibbett.com

December 16, 2022 10:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

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QUEEN OF VERSAILLES REIGNS AGAIN FINDS SECOND WINDOW ON HBO MAX

Full Scope PR

HBO Max announced the second window run of the hit series Queen of Versailles Reigns Again. The series premiered earlier this year on discovery+ and will be available to stream again in a second window run, beginning Wednesday, December 14 on HBO Max. The series follows Jackie Siegel as she reveals the renovation journey of her family’s famous 90,000 square-foot home. In 2012, the world was introduced to Jackie Siegel and her quest to build the largest single-family home in America in the hit documentary The Queen of Versailles. After a stock market plummet nearly killed her dream home, Jackie and her family are ready to return to their famous 90,000 square-foot home. Offering the first glimpse inside the home since the documentary premiered a decade ago, the series will chronicle a vast renovation project, including the completion of five kitchens, a 35-car garage, 150-person dining room, ballroom and the family’s very own British-style pub. As an intriguing fixture in pop culture, Siegel has made headlines with mainstream media and has appeared on hit television shows like Bravo’s Flipping Out, Below Deck Mediterranean, Watch What Happens Live, ABC’s Nightline & The Doctors. Siegel is also a dedicated philanthropist and founded the Victoria’s Voice Foundation in honor of her late daughter, Victoria, who passed of a drug overdose at 18-years-old. The tragedy has trajected her family into a new life purpose: to save lives through drug prevention programs. The foundation aims to bring drug prevention education into the schools, offer healthy social media opportunities for young people, and assist first responders in receiving and administering Narcan to overdose victims. The former Mrs. Florida America is also involved in the national Mrs. America organization and many of the contestants have become outspoken advocates of Victoria ’ s Voice. Queen of Versailles Reigns Again is produced by AMPLE Entertainment. About AMPLE Entertainment Founded by Ari Mark and Phil Lott, AMPLE Entertainment is a production company dedicated to hands-on, filmmaker led premium content. Since launching six years ago, the company has produced multiple series, specials and documentaries including The Invisible Pilot (HBO) with Adam McKay, 9 Months with Courteney Cox (Facebook), Could You Survive The Movies? (YouTube Originals), Murder in the Heartland (Discovery+), Lost Gold of World War II (History), The Lost Women of NXIVM (Investigation Discovery), Cold Case Files (A&E, Netflix), Queen of VersaillesReigns Again (Discovery+) among many more. The company is developing and producing a slate of premium films and series, including the natural-history film Kangaroo Valley (Netflix), the feature documentary After the Fyre with Fremantle Media, and several unannounced premium stranger-than-fiction limited series. Ample has won Emmy Awards for their YouTube series Could You Survive the Movies? and 9 Months with Courteney Cox for Facebook. In 2020, the company launched Ample Nature, the first dedicated Los Angeles-based natural-history unit. Contact Details Full Scope PR Jack Ketsoyan +1 323-321-2004 jack@fullscopepr.com

December 15, 2022 10:31 AM Pacific Standard Time

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Gift Guide for the 2022 Holiday Season

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/2Gwzr4rYqQA A new survey finds holiday shoppers are planning to spend more than $800 on average this season. Trends Editor for Daily National, Mike Bako has compiled some of his favorite items to help consumers navigate the holiday hustle and bustle. MONEY MANAGEMENT Money is top of mind this year. In fact, Google trends data shows searches for financial matters are up more than 350%. Before buying anything, Bako says, “It’s important to know how you’re going to pay for all those gifts.” The trends editor highlights the convenience of Square and Afterpay, saying, “They are the perfect way to shop your favorite brands and avoid interest and revolving debt. As the leading Buy Now Pay Later platform, Afterpay offers consumers the ability to split approved purchases into four interest-free bi-weekly payments.” With Afterpay, consumers are able to unlock access to the things they want and need without using expensive credit cards. Consumers can schedule payments to sync up with their paychecks and receive text and email reminders to make sure the funds are in their accounts. With Square, shoppers can choose Afterpay's Buy Now Pay Later as an option in-person and online at their favorite businesses, while still having flexibility and control of their money. Visit the entire Shop Directory on the Afterpay app and www.afterpay.com. Social media handles: Instagram: @square and @afterpayusa GEAR & GADGETS Some of the biggest trends of the year come from social media and platforms like TikTok. Bako says, “That means content creators of all ages will love the GoPro HERO11 Black. It's one of my favorites!” The GoPro HERO11 Black delivers the highest resolution with 5.3K video and 27 megapixel photo, highest 10-bit color depth, highest level of video stabilization with HyperSmooth 5.0 and widest field of view ever featured on a GoPro HERO camera. Bako adds, “Sharing memories on-the-go has never been easier with HERO11 Black’s auto highlight video feature, which automatically creates highlight reels of your footage with the GoPro Quik app and a GoPro Subscription, which comes with unlimited cloud storage.” GoPro HERO11 helps people get creative with their shots. The camera is rugged and waterproof to 33ft right out of the box or creators can try the built-in Night Effects that let them practice night photography from light painting to capturing star trails with just the press of a button. This season, the HERO11 Black is being bundled with GoPro’s favorite adventure-ready accessories for just $399.98 with a GoPro Subscription, a steal for only $50 more than the standalone camera. Find out more at GoPro.com. Direct Link: https://gopro.com/en/us/shop/cameras/hero11-black/CHDHX-111-master.html Social media handles: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gopro/ Instagram: @gopro Twitter: @GoPro SMART TECHNOLOGY Tech gadgets continue to rank high on many wish lists and Bako says shopping tech is always about the latest and greatest smartphones. “Here’s something that caught my eye! T-Mobile is bringing back a deal so good it hasn’t been seen in years. Four lines for $25 a line per month with autopay for unlimited talk, text and data including 5G access. That means you can switch a whole family of four to T-Mobile’s Essential Plan for just $100 a month… and get access to the nation’s largest, fastest and most reliable 5G network!” T-Mobile also has a selection of FREE 5G smartphones with savings up to $800 off, including the latest Samsung Galaxy 5G smartphones. For more information, visit t-mobile.com/offers. Social Media Handles: Facebook Address: @TMobile Instagram Handle: @TMobile Twitter Handle: @TMobile SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS CONSUMER One of the fastest growing trends has been the rise of the socially conscious consumer who values sustainability over things. The trends editor highlights how TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Box picks up where local recycling programs stop. “Picture it – Christmas morning, the mountains of gift wrap and plastic packaging thrown everywhere, and it’s time for the cleanup. This year instead of throwing it all away, and having it end up in a landfill, incorporate the Holiday Decorations - Zero Waste Box, and the Plastic Packaging Zero Waste Box into your festivities and do your part to recycle everything from coffee capsules to broken holiday decorations and all the plastic packaging you can’t recycle in your blue bin,” adds Bako. There is a Zero Waste Box for almost any type of trash. For more, visit TerraCycle.com. Social Media Handles: @zerowasteboxes @TerraCycle Hashtags: #RecycleEverything Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 15, 2022 01:15 PM Eastern Standard Time

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A Holiday Gift Selection Curated by Industrial Designers: Kearney’s PERLab Releases Its Annual Gift Guide

Kearney

· 20 items across 6 gifting categories selected from a product engineer’s viewpoint · What makes these gifts so cool? Descriptions of/reasons for each choice · Key criteria: inclusivity and sustainability · High tech values prevail, even in apparel and footwear categories Today global management consulting firm Kearney’s Product Excellence and Renewal Lab ( PERLab ), the firm’s industrial redesign practice, released its annual Holiday Gift Guide 2022, a connoisseur-worthy roundup of the season’s hottest tools, toys and togs selected from an industrial designer’s perspective. The guide assesses 20 top products across six archetypal recipient categories, with succinct descriptions as well as rationale for suitability along criteria such as design, inclusiveness, sustainability, and technological wizardry. “Despite inflationary belt tightening, this holiday season still holds a fascination with getting the perfect gift for that ultra-discriminating loved one,” said Bharat Kapoor, Kearney partner and global lead of PERLab. “After unending debates and loads of products to choose from, we’ve selected an extraordinary array of the gifts we loved the most, across a half-dozen categories, which we think would awe any lucky recipient.” PERLab’s Holiday Gift Guide 2022 includes gifts for a wide range of design-conscious people, including: - The Fitness Fanatic - The Homebody - The Tech Connoisseur - The Adventurer - The Discerning Child - The Beauty Product Aficionado “This season I honor my own background, growing up in a family business surrounded by electronics and gadgets. I could never resist taking apart products and building them back,” noted Bharat Kapoor. “So it’s a childhood dream come true to be running PERLab, where our engineers and designers spend every day taking products, deconstructing them, and reimagining them around principals of good design, sustainability and inclusivity. Symbolic of this, our gift guide bears the hallmarks of our PERLab approach, as we share our list of the most impressive high-design and high-tech products we’ve come across. In doing so, we especially hope to instill an interest in the design of great products in younger generations.” # # # A copy of the PERLab Holiday Gift Guide 2022 is available here. About PERLab Kearney’s Product Excellence and Renewal Lab ( PERLab ) is the firm’s industrial redesign practice. PERLab helps our clients make the products that customers fall in love with. It's a design-driven approach to gross margin transformation that offers end-to-end capabilities – we can support growth at any point in a product’s life cycle. Our experts in product design, product development, sustainability, user experience, industrial design, IoT, consumer insights, product engineering, packaging design, and manufacturing excellence help organizations disrupt markets and leapfrog the competition. PERLab has studios in Chicago, Stuttgart, and Bengaluru, with clients ranging from Fortune 500 to PE portfolio companies. Kearney is a leading global management consulting firm. For nearly 100 years, we have been the trusted advisor to C-suites, government bodies, and nonprofit organizations. Our people make us who we are. Driven to be the difference between a big idea and making it happen, we help our clients break through. Contact Details Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.kearney.com

December 15, 2022 10:53 AM Eastern Standard Time

ADDING A LITTLE “YAY” TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON Meaghan Murphy – Author of Your Fully Charged Life and Lifestyle Expert Provides Tips to Enhance the Holidays

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/3imJXHAmsTQ It’s the time of year to celebrate with friends and loved ones. Lifestyle Expert and Author or Your Fully Charged Life, Meaghan Murphy has a few ways to add a little “YAY” to the holiday season. DRESS FOR THE OCCASSION Trends experts predict robust spending and larger gatherings over the coming weeks. Murphy says a great way to get started is to set the overall tone. “Think about the ambiance… lighting, decorations, and mood music. However, you also want to look the role,” she adds, “So, if you’re like me and planning to host your friends and family this holiday, I suggest shopping J.Jill to find your perfect holiday hosting outfit.” This Wearever Draped-Front Midi Dress is the perfect dress for any hosting occasion. It has flattering crossover draping and the midi length makes it perfect with tights and boots. Murphy says, “These garments also make the perfect gifts for the favorite women in your life, or yourself,” she continues, “I love the Pure Jill Reversible Sherpa Jacket. One side is a plush faux suede and the other is plush cozy Sherpa, so it's like having two coats in one. A blanket scarf is the epitome of cozy, and this one has a brushed texture for added softness.” J.Jill also has extended sizing, XS – 4X online and XS – 2X in-store. Visit your local J.Jill store or JJill.com to find your favorite pieces. Social media handles: Facebook: @ jjillstyle Instagram: @ jjillstyle GET CONNECTED This is the season to connect with friends and loved ones and Murphy says everybody loves a holiday greeting card, or e-card that shows up in your email. But these days, it’s really about using technology to engage with those around us. “That’s why I love the Nextdoor app,” says Murphy, “It’s a neighborhood network that connects you to your neighbors online and in the real world.” Nextdoor’s purpose is to cultivate a kinder world where everyone has a neighborhood they can rely on—and that’s especially important during the holiday season. “Whether you're hosting a cookie exchange, donating to a local charity, or looking for hidden gem boutiques to shop small, Nextdoor is your neighborhood holiday hub. This is a great way to sell things, organize events, and spread the word locally. Download the app or head to nextdoor.com to join your neighborhood,” says Murphy. For more information go to https://nextdoor.com/. Social media handles: @Nextdoor RECIPE LIFESAVERS The lifestyle expert says it’s important to prepare the menu ahead of time, adding “Over the next few weeks there’s a lot going on and a lot to plan. Think about the guests invited to your party and if there are any dietary restrictions. If you aren’t sure, it’s alright to ask within the invitation.” She always recommends starting with some easy apps and meals. One tip is to use frozen meatballs in a holiday recipe. “I grab Farm Rich Meatballs at my local grocery and stock my freezer. This time of year, I like to make pomegranate glazed meatballs. It usually takes about 15 minutes prep time and 30 minutes to cook… the end result is fantastic,” says Murphy. She highlights the many different ways frozen meatballs can enhance a dish. “You can also add them to easy to make turkey meatball soup and cola glazed recipes,” Murphy says, “Personally, I really love adding them to a charcuterie tray. All of these dishes are warm, hearty, and satisfying. Your guests will absolutely love them.” For more information and easy to make recipes, go to FarmRich.com Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 15, 2022 09:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Bumble Shares What to Expect from Dating in 2023

YourUpdateTV

Bumble, the women-first dating and social networking app, has released its top trends that will define dating in the new year, based on its global survey conducted amongst more than 14,000 Bumble members. Recently, Shan Boodram, Bumble’s Sex and Relationship Expert, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the rising trends that will shape dating in the new year. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/2fXJC2SaVpc When it comes to dating in 2023, Bumble suggests we should expect… 1. Open casting: It's time to do away with the tall, dark and handsome requirements. Unlike ‘typecasting,’ which narrows the search for our physical "type," more than 1 in 3 (38%) respondents worldwide are now ‘open casting’ - i.e., dating beyond their type. 2. Love-life Balance: There’s been a significant shift in how we think about and value work. Gone are the days when job titles and demanding workdays are seen as status symbols. More than half of respondents worldwide (52%) are actively creating more space for breaks and rest, and more than 1 in 10 (13%) will no longer date someone with a very demanding job. 3. Wanderlove: With many people now working remotely, this flexibility in location has also broadened who and where people date, with 1 in 3 (33%) global respondents saying that they are now more open to travel and relationships with people who are not in their current city. 4. Cash-candid dating: The rising cost of living has led to more honest and open conversations about money and dating, with 1 in 4 (28%) global respondents setting financial boundaries for their dating lives. This doesn't mean that people are dating any less, but rather that they’re changing how they date, with a majority (57%) sharing that they are more interested in casual dates than something fancy or expensive. 5. New Year, New Me(n)/Modern Masculinity: Conversations about gender norms and expectations have been front and center. Over the last year, 3 in 4 (74%) men worldwide on Bumble say they have examined their behavior more than ever and have a clearer understanding of ‘toxic masculinity’ and what is unacceptable. Additionally, half (49%) of men agree that breaking gender roles in dating and relationships benefit them, too. 6. Ethical Sex-ploration: How we talk, think about, and have sex is changing. Globally, more of us are approaching sex, intimacy, and dating in an open and exploratory way (42%), and sex is no longer taboo. However, this doesn’t mean we’re all having more sex. 34% of respondents worldwide are not having sex, and they are fine with this. Below are some tried and true tips as you’re preparing to date ahead of the new year and into Dating Sunday, which is typically known as the busiest day for the online dating industry and is expected to occur on January 8, 2023. "Whether you're new to online dating or a seasoned veteran and your profile just needs a refresh, these tips can help enhance your profile, all while representing your authentic self," says Boodram. ● Make your first photo stand out: The best images are recent and also show a slice of your life; if your dog is the center of your world, include a cute snap of you and the pup. Eye contact can also foster the feeling of connection and establish a sense of trust, so show off your smile, your eyes (without sunglasses), and your whole face (without a filter). ● Get specific about yourself. In your bio, try highlighting aspects of your life that make you stand out. If you like to cook, what’s your favorite dish to make? Give specific examples or anecdotes to set yourself apart from other daters, and use these details to create a more colorful narrative of what you’re like. ● When connecting with others, “positivity” and “empathy” go a long way when dating. In fact, data shows that these two are the most important traits for Bumble members worldwide according to those who adopted the “Values and Traits” Interest Badge on the app in 2022.2 For more information, visit Bumble.com or download the app. About Shan Boodram: Shan Boodram is a certified sex educator, dating coach and intimacy expert. Boodram is host of the top podcast, "Lovers and Friends" and the best-selling author of “The Game of Desire.” She was previously a resident expert on Netflix's “Too Hot to Handle” in addition to starring in Peacock’s show “Ex-Rated with Andy Cohen". She is an ambassador for AIDS Healthcare Foundation and WomensHealth.gov, and a member of the American Sexual Health Association. About Bumble app: Bumble, the women-first dating and social networking app, was founded by CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014. Bumble connects people across dating (Bumble Date), friendship (Bumble BFF) and professional networking (Bumble Bizz). Bumble is built on the importance of equitable relationships and how crucial they are to a healthy, happy life. They've built their platform around kindness, respect, and equality – and their community plays an important part in that. Bumble holds its users accountable for their actions and strives to provide them with an experience free from hate, aggression, or bullying. Bumble is free and widely available in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store and the web. Unless otherwise noted, research was conducted by Bumble using internal polling between 12th October - 1st November 2022 with a sample of 14,300 Bumble users around the world, including the United States. 2 Based on proprietary insights from the Bumble app Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 14, 2022 01:27 PM Eastern Standard Time

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