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Size Inclusivity in Fashion

YourUpdateTV

Over the course of the last year, women’s clothing brand, J.Jill, set out to better understand what women want from fashion and the shopping experience. In response, J. Jill is celebrating the launch of Welcome Everybody, a fully inclusive shopping experience online and in stores, that celebrates the totality of women everywhere. Recently, VP of Design at J.Jill, Elliot Staples, and Size Inclusive Style Expert, Rochelle Johnson, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss size inclusivity and the new Welcome Everybody campaign. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/x8xDhhQv9sU The Welcome Everybody campaign is a fully inclusive campaign that clearly communications J.Jill’s significant offerings and aligns with our mission of celebrating the totality of women The campaign was created to create a fully inclusive shopping experience, following extensive listening and market research with customers. Their visual campaigns will be refreshed with a range of models and influencers, such as Rochelle, showcasing a range of sizes and body types to ensure each customer can feel represented in J. Jill campaigns. Women are not just one size fits all, as we know almost 70% of women in the US are size 14 and above. It is important that brands not only understand that but stand behind that and design their product for women of all shapes and sizes. While J.Jill has always catered to this market, they are continuing to evolve and include more inclusive sizing throughout their product offering. Plus size fashion has historically been an underrepresented category in the fashion space and those who have not met the ideal size standards have been limited in fashion options. As Rochelle looks toward the season ahead, in terms of fashion, it’s really all about transitional items that get you from day to night. As a mom of two, anything that makes my morning easier such as ultra- premium fabrics that make my outfits feel luxe. The entire collection boasts beautiful details, easy silhouettes, and soft luxurious fabrics that J. Jill is so well known for. For more information, visit jjill.com About Elliot Staples Senior Vice President of Design, Product Development About Rochelle Johnson Rochelle Johnson, an influential voice in the size inclusivity space. With a dedicated following of over 411K followers on Instagram, Rochelle is an influential voice within the body inclusivity community. Through her social media and blog, Beauticurve, which she started almost 10 years ago, Rochelle refers to her platform as a one stop shop for all curvy girls to live a life of affordable style, lavish home decor, luxury, laughter and self-love. Known for her fashion expertise, Rochelle is working with J.Jill to continue to evolve how they represent all women in their product and in-stores. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

August 11, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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This Electric Toothbrush Has 6 Cleaning Modes For Reportedly Brighter Smiles

Benzinga

Toothbrushes have come a long way since Babylonians and Egyptians started brushing their teeth with frayed twigs around 3000 BCE. The first more modern toothbrush with a handle carved from cattle bone and a brush made from swine bristles was produced in England around 1780. Natural bristles were used until DuPont de Nemours Inc. (NYSE: DD) invented nylon, which started the development of the truly modern toothbrush in 1938 and the first electric toothbrush in 1939. Although electric toothbrushes date back more than 80 years, they have seemingly not achieved widespread adoption. The global electric toothbrush market size was estimated to be worth $4.3 billion in 2022 and projected to increase to just over $6 billion by 2027, according to Statista. Electric toothbrushes clean teeth, gums and tongue by using rotation or side-by-side movement of the head. Electric toothbrushes are an effective way to remove plaque and reduce gingivitis, and studies show they are more thorough at cleaning teeth than traditional manual toothbrushes. But the moderate adoption rate of the devices arguably demonstrates that consumers need to be educated and provided compelling value propositions to buy them. Cost is a major constraint to the market, and people don’t see them as an attractive addition to their bathroom countertops. Better Brushing? Enter Brüush (NASDAQ: BRSH). While most electric toothbrushes provide 500 strokes per minute, Brüush says its model provides up to 31,000 strokes per minute, attacking plaque 100 times more vigorously than a manual toothbrush. Brüush has six cleaning modes for every type of brusher. The Brüush lithium-ion battery is built to last four weeks on a single charge, and the compact magnetic case makes traveling with the device convenient. The Brüush toothbrush, which comes in five colors with three brush heads and a USB power adapter and charger, retails for $79. And if you sign up for a subscription, Brüush will send you three new brush heads every six months for $18 — that’s just $6 per brush head. Replacing brush heads for Koninklijke Philips N.V.’ s (NYSE: PHG) Sonicare can cost as much as $43 for a three-pack, and the price of Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) Oral-B line of brush heads reaches as high as $40 for a three-pack, depending on the model. Brüush estimates that 70% of its customer base is between ages 18 and 45 years old, a group that’s under-penetrated compared to baby boomers in terms of using an electric toothbrush. This age group also consists of the first digital generation when it comes to shopping, possibly a positive for a company where its website accounts for the majority of sales. Visit Brüush’s website to learn more about the company and its products. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 11, 2022 09:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time

This E-Commerce-Focused Holding Company Reports Taking Advantage Of E-Commerce Growth In The Philippines

Society Pass Incorporated

E-commerce dates to 1948 during the Berlin Blockade crisis when people ordered goods via telex. The debut of the World Wide Web in 1991 and the development of a web browser in 1993 shifted e-commerce from telex to the internet. The global increase in smartphones and the accessibility of fast internet connectivity over the years has significantly accelerated the growth of the industry, as more people can purchase goods via mobile devices such as tablets and even wearables. China, home of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE: BABA) and the U.S., where Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) and eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) reside, have been the top countries where e-commerce has grown at a healthy rate. But things might be changing. Southeast Asia is expected to experience the largest worldwide growth in e-commerce with an increase of 20.6% in 2022, according to Insider Intelligence. Only four countries, including the Philippines, will surpass the combined growth rate of Southeast Asia. E-Commerce In The ICT Hub Of Asia The Philippines — dubbed the information and communications technology (ICT) hub of Asia — ranks first in 2022 e-commerce sales, surpassing the U.S. by 10%. E-commerce in the Philippines has grown from $6.78 billion in 2017 to nearly $21 billion in 2022, with expectations of reaching $32.7 billion in 2025. Consumer preference for shopping online and the increasing internet penetration are behind the growth in e-commerce sales in the Philippines, where people spend an average of 10 hours per day online. The government also has taken various initiatives to bolster the sector. The Philippine E-commerce Roadmap 2022 was launched in January 2021 to encourage the use of e-commerce by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and increase online shopping confidence. "Rising consumer preference for online shopping, the increasing number of online merchants, proliferation of alternative payment solutions and government support will support e-commerce sales in the Philippines. The market is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 17% over the next five years," Global Data Banking and Payments Senior Analyst Shivani Gupta said. The Fastest Growing E-Commerce Model? In addition to buying and selling goods on leading platforms such as Lazada and Sea Ltd. ’s (NYSE: SE) Shopee Philippines, Filipinos shop on social media platforms. The social commerce market is expected to reach nearly $682 million this year thanks to the growing number of people flocking to social media platforms to buy products. Companies like Belo Medical Group and Shopee Philippines are using social media platforms such as TikTok to increase sales. Penetrating The E-Commerce Market In The Philippines Society Pass Inc. (NASDAQ: SOPA) says it is on track to infiltrate the fastest-growing e-commerce market in Southeast Asia through acquisitions. Established in 2018, Society Pass (SoPa) has quickly scaled up its operations in Southeast Asia and South Asia through its e-commerce platforms and acquisitions. The company has acquired a number of companies, including the restaurant delivery app Mangan.ph, Gorilla Networks, a next-generation Web3 mobile virtual network operator, and #HOTTAB Biz, a business management platform. The acquisition of online grocery shopping and delivery platform Pushkart.ph is expected to increase SoPa’s revenue by 891% over last year. Pushkart boasts having more than 125,000 users and 20,000 mobile app downloads. Pushkart is looking to expand its presence beyond metro Manila. The company recently announced plans to expand in cities across the Cavite and Pampanga provinces, which have a population of over 6 million people. Pushkart President and CEO Michael Lim said this is the beginning of the company’s goal to expand to other parts of the country and across Southeast Asia. Sopa recently acquired Mangan.ph (“Mangan”), the leading local restaurant delivery service in the Philippines. Founded in 2017, Mangan delivers restaurant food from over 1,200 partner restaurants through its over 200 rider network to its over 500,000 registered users. Thus far, Mangan has generated more than 100,000 mobile app downloads and accumulated over 80,000 social media followers. Operating in Pampanga, the culinary capital of the Philippines, Mangan’s geographic reach extends to 16 other cities including Angeles City, San Fernando, Clark, Dau, Mabalacat, Guagua, Lubao, Tarlac, Bataan, Magalang, Pasig, Cabanatuan, Baguio, Lipa Batangas, Antipolo City, Dagupan City. The newly acquired business will be integrated into SoPa’s F&B vertical, Push Delivery Pte Ltd, along with Pushkart and #HOTTAB. As a loyalty and data marketing ecosystem, Society Pass operates multiple e-commerce platforms across its key markets in SEA. Its business model focuses on analysing user data through the expected launch of its Society Pass loyalty platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points, which seamlessly connects consumers and merchants across multiple product and service categories to foster organic loyalty. Since its inception, SoPa has amassed over 1.6 million registered consumers and over 5,500 registered merchants/brands on its platform. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture with cutting edge components to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.Society Pass provides merchants with #HOTTAB Biz and #HOTTAB POS – a specialized POS technology solution, a comprehensive system for payment, loyal customer management, user profile analytics, and convenient financial support packages for small and medium-sized enterprises.In addition, SoPa operates Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform, Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines, Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, blockchain/web3-enabled mobile virtual network operator.For more information, please check out: http://thesocietypass.com/. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Dennis Nguyen: Founder, Chairman & CEO +1 877-440-9464 dennis@thesocietypass.com Company Website https://thesocietypass.com

August 10, 2022 03:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time

CleverTap Raises US$105M in Series D Funding Round Led by CDPQ

CleverTap

CleverTap, a leading global B2B SaaS platform for customer engagement and retention today announced it has signed definitive agreements to raise US$105M in a Series D funding round led by CDPQ, a global investment group who committed US$75M, with participation from IIFL AMC’s Tech Fund, along with existing investors Tiger Global and Sequoia India. The funds will be used to support CleverTap’s global expansion and enhance the development of its world-class solutions and technology. Founded in Mumbai in 2013 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, CleverTap’s customer engagement and retention SaaS platform leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to offer a comprehensive user engagement suite that enables brands to build valuable, long-term relationships with their customers. CleverTap’s subscription-based solution has been adopted by a loyal customer base of 1,200 brands in 100 countries representing 10,000 apps across industries including Fintech, eCommerce, Subscription, On Demand, and Streaming media. In June 2022, CleverTap completed the acquisition of San Francisco-based Leanplum, a leading multi-channel customer engagement platform, further strengthening its footprint in North America and Europe. In the same month, it also unveiled TesseractDB™, the world’s first purpose-built database designed to dramatically improve user engagement and retention for digital consumer brands. “Our vision has been to reshape the way businesses engage with their consumers and bring the tech to MarTech. The addition of long-term investors CDPQ and IIFL AMC Tech fund to CleverTap’s existing backers, Sequoia India, Accel, Tiger Global, and Recruit Holdings is a great endorsement of the successful business we have built, the innovation we bring to the market and the growth potential CleverTap holds,” said Sunil Thomas, Co-founder and Executive Chairman, CleverTap. “The fresh funds will help fuel our plans to further strengthen our presence in key geographies and expand our teams. The last few months have been quite exciting for us with the Leanplum acquisition and unveiling of TesseractDB™. And now with the new institutional investors coming on board we have all that we need to grow at a faster rate while consolidating our position as the global leader in the retention space.” “CleverTap has established itself as a partner of choice for its clients by helping them generate significant incremental revenue. Its subscription-based platform offers a single and reliable source of information that allows brands to maximize the lifetime value of their existing customers by engaging them in a highly personalized way” said Martin Laguerre, Executive Vice-President and Head of Private Equity, CDPQ. “As consumer brands are increasingly focused on customer retention and prioritize tools offering tangible return on investment, we believe CleverTap is well positioned to maintain its global growth trajectory and help more businesses enhance their customer experience.” “CleverTap is a fast-growing SaaS company that not only has recurring revenue streams and top tier financial metrics, but also a scalable business model with large addressable markets” added Meng Ann Lim, Managing Director, Direct Private Equity for Asia Pacific, CDPQ. “This investment is in line with our strategy to work with innovative companies that enable rapid digital transformation, especially in the Asia-Pacific region where high smartphone penetration is facilitating the digitalization of the economy at a rapid pace.” “Enterprises are increasingly looking to engage with customers in a real time and in a personalized manner across digital channels. CleverTap’s full stack approach to customer engagement allows them to perform user analytics and run personalized customer campaigns on a real-time basis which enables companies to improve user retention and understand user journeys across channels” said Chetan Naik, Fund Manager and Senior Executive Vice-President, Private Equity at IIFL AMC. “CleverTap has built a unique product suite and analytics capabilities that runs over a proprietary database. CleverTap is one of the fastest growing SaaS companies with best-in-class revenue retention rates. We are excited to partner with them in their journey of creating a leading global customer retention platform out of India.” “The latest fundraise reaffirms customer and market belief in CleverTap and our growth potential. This fundraise will help us elevate our growth trajectory and further enable us to innovate better and faster while staying ahead of the curve,” said Sidharth Malik, Chief Executive Officer, CleverTap. “The paradigms of user engagement are changing, and as industry leaders we are best positioned to help businesses adapt to this ever-evolving consumer landscape. Our recent acquisitions helped us expand our foothold in North America and Europe, and enhance our leadership in verticals such as on-demand and subscription.” As part of the transaction, CDPQ will join CleverTap’s Board of Directors upon closure of this funding round. IIFL AMC’s investment is subject to approval from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). ABOUT CLEVERTAP CleverTap is the World’s No.1 retention cloud that empowers digital consumer brands to increase customer retention and lifetime value. CleverTap drives contextual individualization with the help of a unified and deep data layer, AI/ML-powered insights, and automation enabling brands to offer hyper-personalized and delightful experiences to their customers. 1,200 customers in 100 countries and 10,000 apps, including Gojek, ShopX, Canon, Electronic Arts, TED, English Premier League, TD Bank, Carousell, AirAsia, Papa John’s, and Tesco, trust CleverTap to achieve their retention and engagement goals, growing their long-term revenue. Backed by leading investors such as Sequoia India, Tiger Global, Accel, CDPQ, IIFL and Recruit Holdings, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with offices in Mumbai, Singapore, Sofia, São Paulo, Bogota, Amsterdam, Jakarta, and Dubai. For more information, visit clevertap.com or follow on LinkedIn and Twitter. ABOUT CDPQ At CDPQ, we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public pension and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at December 31, 2021, CDPQ’s net assets totalled CAD 419.8 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com, follow us on Twitter or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages. CDPQ is a registered trademark owned by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and licensed for use by its subsidiaries. ABOUT IIFL AMC IIFL Asset Management (IIFL AMC) is a part of IIFL Wealth and Asset Management. IIFL AMC is an alternates-focused asset management and has been playing a pivotal role in the growth of the AIF industry in India. A disciplined and active management approach combined with research-led strategies allows IIFL AMC to tap into India’s potential for delivering on its commitments and long-term growth. The AMC’s diversified suite of mutual funds, PMS, alternative investment funds, credit funds and venture capital funds span public and private equities as well as fixed income securities and real estate. IIFL AMC’s distinctive products bring out the entrepreneurial edge, agility and speed of execution of a boutique asset management business, while providing gold standards of corporate governance of a large corporation with a long-term focus. Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements in this press release may represent CleverTap's belief in connection with future events and may be forward-looking statements, or statements of future expectations based on currently available information. CleverTap cautions that such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties that could result in the actual outcome being absolutely different from the results anticipated by the statements mentioned in the press release. Factors such as the development of general economic conditions affecting our business, future market conditions, our ability to maintain cost advantages, uncertainty with respect to earnings, corporate actions, client concentration, reduced demand, liability or damages in our service contracts, unusual catastrophic loss events, war, political instability, changes in government policies or laws, legal restrictions impacting our business, impact of pandemic, epidemic, any natural calamity and other factors that are naturally beyond our control, changes in the capital markets and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different, from those anticipated by such statements. CleverTap does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness or updated or revised status of such statements. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will CleverTap and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or any related damages. Contact Details Sony Shetty sony@clevertap.com Company Website https://clevertap.com/

August 10, 2022 11:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Assembly Hires Gaby Sethi as Global Head of Impact

Assembly

Global omnichannel agency and Ad Age Purpose-Led Agency of the Year, Assembly, has brought on Gaby Sethi as our new Global Head of Impact. Gaby will strengthen the agency’s social and environmental impact proposition and lead a comprehensive strategy globally to deliver meaningful and measurable impact, with a key initiative being the agency’s achievement of B Corp certification. Gaby joins Assembly with an impressive background in the impact space, having most recently led OVO Foundation, the philanthropic arm of OVO Energy. With Purpose – inclusive of People, Impact, and BI E&D (Belonging, Inclusion, Equity, Diversity) – being a key aspect of Assembly’s global approach, the role is critical to the agency’s ability to drive meaningful change for all stakeholders, all around the world. On joining Assembly, Gaby shared, “I loved that delivering impact and supporting communities was already core to Assembly’s DNA. And at just a few weeks in, I already feel incredibly supported by leadership and the whole agency, as I set out to shape a new vision for Impact.” “It’s proof that Assembly is genuinely committed to being a purposeful business.” Assembly started off 2022 as Ad Age’s first-ever Purpose-Led Agency of the Year, a recognition gained in celebration of the agency’s global 1,200 Moves for Impact completed in 2021, led by former Head of Impact Hanna Kubbutat-Byrne, as well as our dynamic work with clients which placed sustainability at the heart of media strategy and execution. The goal, looking forward, is to build a more connected community globally who are driving toward common sustainability and social impact goals, in addition to investing in strategic partnerships and developing new ways to engage clients in the agency’s impact efforts. Gaby added, “Assembly are total experts in growing the world’s largest brands. We have an important opportunity to work with clients who are, likewise, purpose-led and are helping create solutions to the world’s biggest problems. Together alongside our clients, we can achieve exponential impact.” Global CEO of Assembly, James Townsend, commented, “We have huge strides to make, in an environment where both our talent and clients are asking us to commit to and deliver positive environmental and social impact. Gaby will help us more clearly define and evolve our ways of working to ensure we can meet our goals, while keeping purpose at the core of our progressive company.” ABOUT ASSEMBLY: Assembly is made of the ingredients of the modern agency, bringing together data, talent, and technology to deliver a connected set of solutions for media + more to the best brands on the planet. We’re home to more than 1,600 of the industry’s top talent, who bring unmatched global omnichannel media expertise + data, technology, and business consulting capabilities that find change and fuel growth for brands worldwide. Assembly is a proud member of Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing. Visit www.assemblyglobal.com for more information. Contact Details Assembly Sara Pollack, VP of Marketing +1 917-438-4922 sara.pollack@assemblyglobal.com Company Website https://www.assemblyglobal.com/

August 10, 2022 04:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

What's Cool for School

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

August 09, 2022 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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EUCAST Engages Castle Placement in Private Equity Offering

EUCAST

EUCAST Global, an advanced wireless LTE, CBRS, and 5G telecommunication company announced it has engaged Castle Placement to lead its capital raising initiative. EUCAST provides wireless communication systems that allow users to access the internet whenever and wherever they want. Its advanced equipment, comprising base stations, application servers, core network, and network management systems, allows users in remote and underserved communities to access the internet. EUCAST also provides private network solutions for businesses that share confidential information and digital twin capabilities. EUCAST is working to equip private and public entities to launch private networks, expand coverage, providing high availability and low latency solutions for users and devices alike. In the private sector, EUCAST will be providing manufacturing, industrial, oil and gas, and mining industries with a turn-key complete coverage private network solution using CBRS and 5G spectrum on their sites. The company provides stationary and portable wireless communication systems that allow users to access the internet whenever and wherever they want – bridging the immediate need for digital technology without the process of installing complicated, costly, and time-consuming infrastructure tower projects or deep fiber extensions. EUCAST 5G base stations are also critical for the deployment of smart poles as part of the smart city initiatives that is happening throughout the U.S. In the public sector, EUCAST offers communication service opportunities for rural areas, including schools and medical facilities, as well as sovereign tribal communities and nations that have been largely ignored by the large telecommunication carriers. Both federal and state governments have identified the lack of broadband access as a significant problem and are deploying funds to provide digital equity in America. EUCAST recently adapted its network in a box technology for drone deployment which will allow for recovery of urgent communication capabilities in the event of emergencies or service interruptions where no communication coverage is available. “EUCAST technology is a solution for service disruptions,” Gary Sumihiro, EUCAST Executive Vice President and Board Member explained. “Our technology allows for continuous communication among users even in the event of emergencies and carrier service interruptions – with a complete network that fits into a backpack, car or ship version, and now drones. We are excited to be working with Castle Placement and bring these opportunities to expand our U.S. operations.” EUCAST is in discussions with many companies and public entities for the deployment of their technology. Castle Placement will be assisting EUCAST on its private equity offering. Specific information on investment opportunities is available here: https://castleplacement.com/portfolio/eucast-global/. “EUCAST solutions should be attractive to investors today," explained Harish Pillai at Castle Placement. “EUCAST’s proven technology solves digital equity issues and enables communications that were previously considered impossible. As more public and private sector entities engage, it is becoming abundantly clear, from farming, security, production, and emergency response, the possibilities are significant. We look forward to inviting our investors to be a part of this opportunity." EUCAST Global is part of the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance and recently announced a partnership with the University of Denver. ### About EUCAST Global EUCAST Global provides end-to-end advanced wireless access solutions including base stations, control servers and gateway, core network, network management systems, and user devices. EUCAST has been a leading force in the advanced wireless access technology marketplace for more than a decade. Please visit https://eucastglobal.com/. For more information or to schedule an interview with a Colorado-based EUCAST spokesperson, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com. To contact EUCAST Global directly please email contact@eucastglobal.com or globalsales@eucastglobal.com. About Castle Placement: Founded in 2009, Castle Placement raises equity and debt capital for private middle-market companies across a broad spectrum of industries. Highly experienced investment bankers and a robust, data-driven, innovative technology platform - including artificial intelligence/machine learning - match great companies with global institutional investors. Castle Placement's proprietary app, CPGO, connects companies with investors in real-time. Over 600,000 accredited investors and 65,000 private equity, venture capital and strategic investors, family offices, pension funds, foundations, endowments, sovereign wealth funds, hedge funds, and lenders. For more information, please visit https://castleplacement.com/. Contact Details Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website http://www.eu-cast.com/

August 09, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

The Trajectory Of Growth In E-commerce In Southeast Asia — A Case Of Indonesia

Society Pass Incorporated

Countries in Southeast Asia are experiencing serious growth in e-commerce. E-commerce sales are expected to reach nearly $90 billion this year, up about $16 billion from last year, according to eMarketer. E-commerce in the region is projected to pass the $100 billion mark by 2023, a significant increase from $37.22 billion in 2019. Unlike other geographies that are forecasted to experience moderate growth, Southeast Asia might witness a 20.6% increase, the largest globally. Behind Southeast Asia is Latin America, which would be the only region to hit the 20% threshold this year. Which Countries In Particular? E-commerce sales in four countries are projected to grow faster than in all of Southeast Asia this year, and two of them — the Philippines and Indonesia — are in the region. The Philippines ranks first with a growth rate of 25.9%, while Indonesia comes third at 23%. The other countries are India with 25.5% and Brazil, which is expected to grow by 22.2%. Why Indonesia? Indonesia’s e-commerce adoption is one of the largest in the world. In 2020, up to 90% of internet users between ages 16 and 64 purchased something online. Indonesians are “among the world’s most passionate adopters of digital technology”. According to the consulting firm McKinsey & Co., an average Indonesian spends four hours per day on the internet using a handheld device — twice the time spent by a U.S. resident. With 99.15 million users, the country has the fourth-largest population of Meta Platforms Inc. ’s (NASDAQ: META) Instagram users and the largest in the Southeast Asia region. The country also is among the largest for number of Twitter Inc. (NASDAQ: TWTR) users at 18.45 million. E-commerce In Indonesia Of Indonesia’s 278.3 million people 138 million do their shopping online, according to a report by the Institute of Southern Asian Studies. The e-commerce industry accounts for 72% of the total value of the digital economy. Indonesia’s e-commerce sector is expected to reach almost $63 billion in 2022, according to Statista. By 2025, the market is projected to reach $90 billion. The e-commerce market seemingly runs on two models: e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Tokopedia and Bukalapak and social commerce, which involves buying and selling goods on social media platforms. E-commerce platforms account for 60% of all transactions while 40% of shopping is conducted via social commerce. Society Pass Inc. (NASDAQ: SOPA) is an example of an acquisition-focused e-commerce holding company that could be looking to become the Goliath of e-commerce in Indonesia and overall Southeast Asia. The company operates in six verticals: loyalty, lifestyle, food and beverage, telecom, digital media, and travel. It reports connecting millions of consumers and merchants in the region. SoPa Rolls Out Loyalty App On June 27, SoPa announced the launch of a beta version of its loyalty app that enables customers to earn and redeem points at different retailers while building customer loyalty for merchants. The company reports that the app helps merchants generate more revenue by retaining existing customers, attracting new ones, reducing customer turnover and synching customer data through personalized advertising campaigns. “The Southeast Asian retail sector is at the cusp of a massive transformation powered by the data-driven meta economy. We designed a gorgeous user interface backed by sophisticated backend infrastructure to kickstart a virtuous cycle of revenue generation and loyalty creation, where Society Pass and Society Points generate more revenues for merchants,” SoPa Founder, Chairman and CEO Dennis Nguyen said at the launch of the beta application. SoPa reported plans to modify and integrate the app with select customers and merchants across Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore in the second quarter of the year. The company expects to fully launch the app by the end of the year, when customers will be able to pay for goods and services in-store, in-app or online. As a loyalty and data marketing ecosystem, Society Pass operates multiple e-commerce platforms across its key markets in SEA. Its business model focuses on analysing user data through the expected launch of its Society Pass loyalty platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points, which seamlessly connects consumers and merchants across multiple product and service categories to foster organic loyalty. Since its inception, SoPa has amassed over 1.6 million registered consumers and over 5,500 registered merchants/brands on its platform. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture with cutting edge components to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.Society Pass provides merchants with #HOTTAB Biz and #HOTTAB POS – a specialized POS technology solution, a comprehensive system for payment, loyal customer management, user profile analytics, and convenient financial support packages for small and medium-sized enterprises.In addition, SoPa operates Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform, Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines, Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, blockchain/web3-enabled mobile virtual network operator.For more information, please check out: http://thesocietypass.com/. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Society Pass Dennis Nguyen: Founder, Chairman & CEO +1 877-440-9464 dennis@thesocietypass.com Company Website https://thesocietypass.com

August 08, 2022 12:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time

SIGMA Announces 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, the World’s First and Only 20mm F1.4 Lens Designed Exclusively for Mirrorless

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, a full-frame, wide-angle prime lens designed exclusively for mirrorless cameras. It is the first and only lens of this specification, joining its predecessor – the 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art – as the only 20mm F1.4 lenses available for full-frame platforms. With superb optical clarity from corner to corner, outstanding build quality with a dust and splash-resistant structure, and new details that consider the needs of discerning users, the new SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is optimized for astrophotography, while offering performance that makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, wide-angle prime lens. In addition to its impressive imaging capabilities and premium Art line features, the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art introduces a Manual Focus Lock, which allows the user to set focus manually and lock it in place, especially useful for time-lapse shooting or long exposures. A new Lens Heater Retainer keeps this useful astrophotography weather accessory firmly in place while in use. A Rear Filter Holder provides an opportunity to use rear-mounted filters for various effects without causing distortion or vignetting. And a convenient front filter thread allows users to also utilize commonly available 82mm filters. The new SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens will be available for both Sony E-mount and L-Mount systems in the U.S. at SIGMA Authorized Dealers for a retail price of $899 in late August 2022. Learn more about the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/20mm-f1-4-dg-dn-a Exclusively for mirrorless cameras | Compatible with full-frame cameras A | Art SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN An Art Level 20mm F1.4. The ultimate lens for astrophotography. Highest optical performance on a new level Designed for perfect results even in the most demanding conditions Superb build quality and usability with uncompromising attention to detail Supplied accessories: Case, Petal-type lens hood with lock (LH878-04), Front Cap (LCF-82 III), Rear Cap (LCR II), Guide Plate (GP-21) Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount * The appearance and specifications of the product are subject to change. * This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation. * L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG. #SIGMA #SIGMA20mmF14Art #SIGMAArt #SIGMAArtPrime #SIGMADGDN Outstanding optical quality and a range of invaluable features – The ultimate astrophotography lens from the 20mm F1.4 pioneer. The F1.4 series represents the SIGMA Art line, which pursues the highest optical performance and rich expression. The full-frame SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is a mirrorless version of the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art; the one and only lens* with its unique specification of maximum aperture of 1.4 and an ultra-wide angle of 20mm. This lens offers overwhelming optical performance and unlimited potential for ultra wide-angle creativity at a compact physical size. The exceptional F1.4 brightness and the breathtaking sharpness across the entire image even at maximum aperture make this lens the ultimate choice for astrophotography. In nightly darkness and focused to infinity, the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art captures stars in the sky as clear, precise pinpoints of light. State-of-the-art optical design and the large, high-precision double-sided aspheric glass front element made it possible to add a front filter thread without any compromises regarding optical performance or size. The addition of other invaluable features such as a rear filter holder and a variety of useful switches further increases the creative possibilities and easy usability of the lens. Its incredible sharpness and very bright aperture, coupled with the compact body and thoughtful features, make the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art the ultimate lens for astrophotography and an ideal companion for any photographically demanding situation. * As an AF interchangeable lens for mirrorless cameras that covers 35mm full-frame (as of August 2022, by SIGMA) [Key Features] 1. Highest optical performance on a new level The SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art delivers exceptionally detailed results that easily satisfy the high demands of professional photography and other high-end applications. With 17 glass elements arranged in 15 groups, including two SLD, three aspherical glass elements and the largest class double-sided aspherical glass element in SIGMA's history, the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art rigorously suppresses various optical aberrations such as sagittal coma flare or image distortion to produce highly-detailed images with exceptional sharpness and accuracy from the center to the furthest corners, allowing photographers to make use of the entire field of view afforded by its ultra-wide viewing angle. This ultimate astrophotography lens is the culmination of the unparalleled manufacturing technology of SIGMA's sole production base in Aizu, Japan, as well as the company's know-how and experience with large-aperture wide-angle lenses, such as the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art, the SIGMA 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art and the SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN | Art. 2. Designed for perfect results even in the most demanding conditions SIGMA's outstanding design and high-precision manufacturing capabilities made it possible to equip the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art with a front filter thread despite its very large F1.4 aperture and 20mm ultra-wide viewing angle. The lens also comes with a rear filter holder, allowing photographers the freedom to combine multiple filters to suit a huge variety of shooting situations for near-unlimited creative potential at an ultra-wide viewing angle — for example, using a front filter to reduce light pollution and a softening filter on the rear to take impressive photographs of nightly landscapes with star-filled skies. The new MFL (Manual Focus Lock) switch to turn off the focus ring makes it easier to concentrate on the shoot without worrying about accidentally changing the focusing distance. Further, the lens also equips a lens heater retainer, meaning that lens heaters used to prevent internal condensation as the temperature drops on longer night shoots will stay securely attached to the barrel without protruding into the image and causing unsightly vignetting. With its brilliant optical power and its full range of useful features despite its compact and lightweight body, the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is the ultimate choice when photographing the night sky. 3. Superb build quality and usability, uncompromising attention to detail Its dust- and splash-resistant structure* 1 and the water- and oil-repellent coating on the front glass element make the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art safe to use during longer outdoor shoots, especially during the night. Thoughtful features such as a focus mode switch, a customizable AFL* 2 button, and an aperture ring lock switch enhance the lens usability. An aperture ring click switch can be used to turn the aperture ring click on and off, allowing photographers to enjoy the sound and feel of the click, as well as smooth aperture operation during video recording. The robust body is built from a combination of aluminum and Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), giving it a sleek finish, and the included petal-shaped lens hood is equipped with a lock mechanism to keep the hood securely fastened to the lens, and the rubberized grip area makes attaching and removing the hood a quick and easy process. Manufactured in Japan with an uncompromising approach towards every single detail, the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art offers photographers an exceptional experience with high-end results even in the most difficult conditions, thanks to its outstanding optical performance, exceptional build quality perfect for professional use, brilliant and precise ergonomics, and a range of useful features. *1 Although this construction allows the lens to be used in light rain, it is not the same as being waterproof. *2 Only on compatible cameras. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used. [Additional Features] Lens construction: 17 elements in 15 groups, with 2 SLD and 3 aspherical lens elements Inner focus system Compatible with high-speed autofocus Stepping Motor Front filter thread (82mm) Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections and auto correction functionality may vary depending on the camera model. On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with "ON" or "OFF" in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to "ON" (AUTO). Support for DMF and AF+MF Compatible with AF assist (Sony E-mount only) Super Multi-Layer Coating Water- and oil-repellent coating Aperture ring Aperture ring click switch Aperture ring lock switch AFL button Programmable function only on compatible cameras. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used. Manual Focus Lock (MFL) switch Rear filter holder Lens heater retainer Focus mode switch Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (L-Mount only) Petal-type lens hood with lock (LH878-04) Dust- and splash-resistant structure Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately, L-Mount only) Designed to minimize flare and ghosting Every single lens is evaluated with SIGMA's proprietary MTF measuring system 11-blade rounded diaphragm High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount "Made in Japan" craftsmanship Learn more about SIGMA's craftsmanship here: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/ [Key Specifications] The figures below are for the L-Mount version: Lens Construction: 15 groups, 17 elements (2 SLD, 3 aspherical elements) Angle of view: 94.5° Number of diaphragm blades: 11 (rounded diaphragm) Minimum aperture: F16 Minimum focusing distance: 23cm / 9.1 in. Maximum magnification ratio: 1:6.1 Filter size: 82mm Dimensions (Max. Diam. x Length): 87.8 x 111.2mm / 3.5 x 4.4 in. Weight: 635g / 22.4 oz. [Product Barcode] L-Mount: 0085126 414696 Sony E-mount: 0085126 414658 [Accessories: Supplied] Product Name / Barcode FRONT CAP LCF-82 III: 0085126 930028 PETAL-TYPE LENS HOOD LH878-04: 0085126 939960 REAR CAP LCR II (L-Mount): 0085126 937256 REAR CAP LCR II (Sony E-mount): 0085126 929879 [Accessories: Optional] Product Name / Barcode SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 for L-Mount: 0085126 878696 SIGMA WR CERAMIC PROTECTOR 82mm: 0085126 931834 SIGMA WR PROTECTOR 82mm: 0085126 930974 SIGMA PROTECTOR 82mm: 0085126 931100 SIGMA WR UV FILTER 82mm: 0085126 930714 SIGMA WR CIRCULAR PL FILTER 82mm: 0085126 930844 About SIGMA Corporation Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with over 30 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. For information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog for helpful information about our products. Follow SIGMA America on social media! SIGMA Photo: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram SIGMA Cine: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Contact Details Jack Howard +1 631-201-7381 sigma.pr@sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigmaphoto.com/

August 08, 2022 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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