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The Outset Brings a New Beginning to Skincare

The Outset

Today, globally recognized actor Scarlett Johansson and her co-founder, entrepreneur, and beauty/fashion executive Kate Foster Lengyel, announced the highly anticipated US launch of The Outset, a modern collection of consciously clean, minimalist skincare essentials free from trends, harsh ingredients, and gender/age stereotypes. Anchored in purpose, The Outset celebrates The Start of You™ from product to mission, an ethos of optimism and empowerment also woven into philanthropic efforts that foster new beginnings for people and the planet. After years of serving as the face of several luxury beauty brands, Johansson made the conscious decision to step back from endorsements and immerse herself in the business of beauty with the ultimate goal of developing her own brand that represented her vision and values, but more importantly, answered unmet consumer needs. She spent five years educating herself on the industry, formulations, product development and brand identity, and partnered with Foster to conduct in depth market research to better understand what consumers wanted. With a vision to create a modern classic in skincare, Johansson and Foster were validated by what they learned and set out to develop an accessible approach to prestige beauty that is clean, reliable and democratic, proving that less is not only more, but what is in demand. The full range includes a thoughtfully curated collection of five skincare essentials that can be used as a full regimen or paired with your existing skincare, as these formulas will not compete with other active ingredients. Products are all under $55 and available on TheOutset.com beginning March 1, 2022. “I wanted to create and represent a brand that felt true to me, something real and intimate that others could see themselves in, too,” said Johansson. “The Outset was inspired by my own skincare ritual - a consistent routine of cleansing, prepping and moisturizing that keeps my skin on track and camera ready. I’ve found that great skin starts with the basics, and consumers we spoke with similarly expressed a desire to return to the essentials.” No matter where you are on your skincare journey, The Outset offers a simplified skincare solution that allows you to begin again. In a world of overcomplicated skincare routines and active ingredients that can irritate, The Outset believes that less is more and takes the guesswork out of skincare by offering skin-friendly, effective formulas that can be used by all. “The Outset provides benefit-driven formulas that don’t disrupt the skin barrier and instead work to preserve skin for the future,” said Foster. “Through our research, we found that 96% of prestige beauty consumers are generally happy with their skin and are more focused on preservation rather than transformation. The Outset is where simplicity and purpose meet; we help consumers find freedom in the uncomplicated through non-toxic yet effective formulas that nourish skin of all genders and generations.” Inside every product is The Outset’s signature Hyaluroset™ Complex, a clean ingredient blend that acts as a botanical alternative to hyaluronic acid. This nourishing powerhouse complex provides immediate and lasting hydration, plumping the skin to help reduce the look of fine lines while improving radiance. THE COLLECTION The Cleanser / Gentle Micellar Antioxidant Cleanser ($32) The Prep Serum / Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum ($46) The Moisturizer / Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturizer ($44) The Night Cream / Restorative Niacinamide Night Cream ($54) The Eye Cream / Smoothing Vitamin C Eye + Expression Lines Cream ($42) At the heart of the line is the Daily Essential Regimen, a simple 3-step effort inspired by Johansson’s own daily routine: (01) Cleanse, (02) Prep and (03) Moisturize. This minimalist and clean approach is represented via a tightly curated and refillable skincare system that includes The Cleanser, The Prep Serum and The Moisturizer to soothe, hydrate, and rebalance the skin. The Outset excludes 2,700 potentially harmful ingredients to meet only the highest clean beauty standard, a “free from” list that is twice as long as standard beauty brands. Any ingredients that are incomplete, questionably sourced or unsatisfactory were banned. The Outset is fragrance-free, vegan, gluten-free, and nut allergen free, dermatologist and allergy tested, suitable for sensitive skin, and Leaping Bunny certified. Designed with sustainability in mind, the packaging incorporates glass, bio-resin and/or post-consumer recycled materials where possible, and product cartons are made with FSC certified materials. The brand is also a member of 1% for the Planet and has pledged to donate 1% of annual sales to support nonprofit organizations focused on the environment. “The Outset means a new beginning, which feels more relevant than ever at a time when we are all starting over and pressing the reset button,” said Johansson. “It took years for us to build a brand that was backed by quality and purpose, and I’m thrilled to finally share The Outset with the world. It’s an exciting beginning for me, as well.” For more information, images or quotes, please contact: BPCM Laura Schroeder, Director, Clean Beauty & Wellness, lschroeder@bpcm.com About The Outset: The Outset creates purposeful skincare products that are consciously clean and mindfully designed to elevate your everyday. Envisioned by Scarlett Johansson and her co-founder Kate Foster Lengyel, The Outset believes that clean and effective skincare should be universal, accessible and essential. Driven by values of radical simplicity, conscious minimalism, and universal optimism, The Outset helps people embrace the elemental and find freedom in the uncomplicated. The Outset is where you begin, again. theoutset.com | @theoutset on Instagram and TikTok About Scarlett Johansson: Scarlett Johansson is Founder and Chair of The Outset, a new clean beauty brand focused on simplicity via consciously clean ingredients and mindfully designed products. A Tony and BAFTA winner and two-time Academy Award nominee, Johansson is the highest grossing female actor of all time. She was most recently seen in the final installment of the Avengers film series, Avengers: Endgame, and reprised her role as “Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow” in the highly anticipated stand-alone film Black Widow. She earned Academy Award nominations for her work in Marriage Story, directed by Noah Baumbach, and in Taika Waititi's JoJo Rabbit. Other recent roles include Sing and Sing 2, Avengers: Infinity War, Lucy, Under the Skin, Ghost in the Shell, Isle of Dogs and Her, which earned her a Best Actress Award at the Rome Film Festival. A champion for giving back, Johansson has served as Global Ambassador for Oxfam and RED, and has actively supported philanthropic organizations including USA Harvest, Feeding America, AmfAR, Meals on Wheels, Solar Responders, Soles4Souls, and Planned Parenthood. About Kate Foster Lengyel: Kate Foster Lengyel is co-founder and CEO of The Outset. Foster is an entrepreneur and executive from the beauty and fashion industries. Her first foray into entrepreneurship was as founder and CEO of a digital platform focused on word-of-mouth product recommendations, which was acquired by media powerhouse Meredith Corporation in January 2020. Foster’s knowledge of e-commerce, marketing and brand strategy was built through a career of leadership roles at companies including the beauty division of Victoria’s Secret and Juicy Couture. Foster holds three degrees: an MBA from Columbia Business School, an MPS from the Fashion Institute of Technology concentrating in Beauty Marketing and Management and an AB from Colgate University. Foster volunteers her time as a mentor for Colgate’s Entrepreneurship Program and resides in Brooklyn with her husband and their two children. Contact Details Laura Schroeder lschroeder@bpcm.com

March 01, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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The Kohlbecker Brothers are leading Industrial Architecture into the Digital Age

Stockwood Strategy

In 2022, Kohlbecker Gesamtplan GmbH is celebrating 90 years of leading in Industrial Architecture and pushing boundaries in digitizing the industry. Making use of cutting-edge technology, the company has become Europe’s leading general planner and emphasizes on sustainability while working towards a carbon neutral footprint. Ever since the company was founded by Karl Kohlbecker in 1930, three generations of Kohlbecker men have dedicated themselves to be responsible for countless automotive structures on a global scale. Their reputation has brought them costumers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Jaguar Landrover, Magna Steyr, and HK Motors. Kohlbecker Gesamtplan has not only worked for clients from the automotive industry, but the company has also contracted with HARIBO, the Jumeirah Group, the Sochi Winter Olympics as well as rebuilding Berlins iconic “Potsdamer Platz. Of course, as decades past, there was an intrinsic need to adapt, modify, innovate and finally revolutionizing the way architects work to keep the company’s edge over their competitors. Together, the charismatic duo is guiding their ninety-year-old family business into a bright future of sustainable, responsible, and digitized practices. Kohlbecker has quickly become one of Europe’s leading general planners having built its success by pushing digital capabilities. Kohlbecker’s reputation has seen it win ambitious, complex projects for manufacturing and production factories. Kohlbecker remains family-run with its lead principals, tech-savvy brothers Mat t hias and Florian, heavily invested in integrating technology – from AI and VR to robotics – into its core service offering. The architecture and engineering market is now heavily driven by technological advancements due to increasing project complexity. Digital tools, from machine learning to fabrication technologies; artificial intelligence to Big Data have become increasingly ubiquitous and pervasive within architecture. In midst of a global pandemic changing the rules and necessities of how social and business practices are executed, Kohlbecker has launched AVAT AR, their proprietary tech Platform which aims to increase project efficiency by 20%. AVAT AR acts as a “Digital Twin” for clients and project managers at Kohlbecker to virtually interface throughout the planning and management of any given construction project. Kohlbecker’s practices have proven to generate significant productivity increases, as well as potential cost savings. Kohlbecker’s AVAT AR technology has been used in large scale redevelopment projects with clients including a recent Project for German car manufacturer Audi in Asia. “ Not only was travel largely impossible due to the pandemic, it was also made unnecessary by our digital way of working,” shares Florian Kohlbecker. “ This made it possible to orchestrate a global team and a high-performance project without any face-to-face meetings. In the first 13 weeks of the undertaking, more than 251,000 miles of business travel were saved, thus preventing 110 tons of CO2 emissions (the equivalent of more than 115 soccer fields of forest being saved), which would have required 35,000 trees to absorb in the same period. This led to the over $300k being saved as well. “ The company will be showcasing AVAT AR at the Expo 2020 Dubai, with Florian Kohlbecker being on stage to run through facts and how technology might just be the answer to saving the planet. Today, Kohlbecker is well on track with a yearly revenue of over USD 30M. It’s lead principals Matthias and Florian Kohlbecker have successfully led the business to exceptional growth, including year-on-year growth for the past three years despite the coronavirus pandemic. Contact Details Kohlbecker Gesamtplan GmbH Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://kohlbecker.de/

March 01, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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iTradeNetwork Offers Two Introductory Webinars on OrderMaestro—The Foodservice Industry’s Best-In-Class Ordering And E-Commerce Platform

iTradeNetwork

iTradeNetwork, the food and beverage industry’s largest network, will be hosting two webinars to introduce its new solution—OrderMaestro, a branded mobile ordering experience that streamlines and automates ordering and inventory for the foodservice industry. Each webinar is designed for a specific OrderMaestro customer segment—distributors or operators—and will be hosted by Mike Anderson, iTradeNetwork’s Vice President of Sales Solutions. Webinar details: OrderMaestro for Operators | March 10, 2022, at 2 p.m. EDT / 11.a.m. PDT OrderMaestro for Distributors | March 17, 2022, at 2 p.m. EDT / 11 a.m. PDT OrderMaestro solves the unique, complex challenges that distributors and operators are facing today. With thousands of competitors on the market, OrderMaestro gives distributors a competitive advantage by delivering a best-in-class e-commerce solution that customers love. For operators, not only does OrderMaestro make their teams faster and more productive with a simplified ordering experience, but it also gives them the visibility to maximize purchasing compliance and uncover new contracting opportunities across geographies, categories and operating units. OrderMaestro customers increase productivity, reduce costs and drive revenue growth with a host of valuable features. Webinar attendees can look forward to learning more about how operators and distributors can: Combat labor shortages with an intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app - no formal training required. Use smart barcode scanning and voice recognition technology to place an order or take inventory in as little as 3 clicks. Collect rich, comprehensive data on the products that are being purchased across their organization or customer base. Build in-app promotion programs that create new sources of revenue and even distributor loyalty programs. Collaborate in real time with alerts and in-app messaging and save the hours spent communicating through phone calls and emails. Take inventory from a mobile device in any environment, online or offline. About iTradeNetwork iTradeNetwork, Inc. is the leading global provider of supply chain management solutions for the food and beverage industry. Built upon deep industry expertise, a rich data foundation and the industry’s most extensive trading partner network, iTradeNetwork’s collaborative solutions allow distributors, manufacturers, operators, retailers, suppliers and wholesalers of all sizes to reduce cost, grow revenue and strengthen trading partner relationships. Today, iTradeNetwork’s growing customer list includes thousands of companies globally. For more information, visit: https://www.itradenetwork.com/. Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 itn@landispr.com Company Website https://www.itradenetwork.com/

March 01, 2022 06:03 AM Pacific Standard Time

ManiMe and Coca-Cola® Kick off Three-Year Partnership with Limited-Edition Custom-Fit Gel Manicures

ManiMe

ManiMe, the pioneer of custom-fit, stick-on gel manicures, and Coca-Cola have agreed to a three-year partnership. To kick off, the two brands will launch a limited-edition collection of custom-fit gel manicures. The ManiMe and Coca-Cola Collection will feature six unique nail art designs that celebrate Coca-Cola's iconic brand. Each design is a fresh perspective on Coca-Cola’s colors and iconography. The ManiMe and Coca-Cola Collection will be available at http://manime.co/coca-cola, starting on Feb. 28, 2022, while supplies last. A Sign of Good Taste: a matte black mani gets upgraded with raised gel features that showcase how Coca-Cola® is spelled in different languages and recognized worldwide. Happiness in a Sip: a mix of bold Coca-Cola® Red and White checkers makes for the mix-and-match mani of our dreams. Always Coca-Cola®: a collage of Coca-Cola’s® most recognizable script makes for a beautiful print for your nails. Drink Coca-Cola®: a classic Coca-Cola® Red solid mani with the option to add accent nails featuring iconic Coca-Cola® branding. Red, White & You: a swirling motif of Coca-Cola® Red and White mimics the curvature of Coca-Cola® iconic glass bottles and gives you the instantly refreshing mani. Open Happiness: a silver-foil cuticle detailing on a grey base imitates cans of Coca-Cola® and Coke®. “The collaboration with Coca-Cola marks a milestone for ManiMe as it will be our most significant, longest-standing collaboration and has the potential to expand our reach into new demographics and markets. We are so inspired to be working with a brand with such an established history,” said Jooyeon Song, ManiMe CEO, and founder. “The opportunities and gel designs are truly endless as we begin to plan the next three years of our partnership with The Coca-Cola Company’s portfolio of brands.” This partnership is the first time Coca-Cola will be working with an emerging startup beauty brand rather than one with a global or regional presence. It reflects Coca-Cola's continued investment in brands shaping the future of the consumer experience, which centers around personalization. “We appreciate The Coca-Cola Company’s ability to recognize the important role of customization for our respective industries,” said Laure Murciano, ManiMe Chief Marketing Officer. “Through our partnership, ManiMe and Coca-Cola will bring a new level of innovation to the beauty industries, all while delighting consumers with recognizable and wearable nail art designs.” ManiMe and Coca-Cola share the same love of personalization. ManiMe provides custom-fit, stick-on gel manicures through its patented 3D-modeling technologies while Coca-Cola provides refreshing experiences for consumers globally with its food and beverage products. “Throughout the years, Coca-Cola has created iconic visual assets that take our brand beyond the food & beverage industry and into the realm of our customers' everyday lives. In partnership with ManiMe, we can now offer the unique opportunity for our fans to capture these iconic moments directly on their fingertips,” said Katie Wilhelm, Associate Licensing Manager, North America, The Coca-Cola Company. Learn more about the inspiration behind the ManiMe and Coca-Cola Collection at http://manime.co/coca-cola. The ManiMe and Coca-Cola Collection can be purchased at http://manime.co/coca-cola at $25 per gel set. About ManiMe: ManiMe is the leading beauty tech company that produces custom-fit, stick on gel manicures and pedicures alongside a growing portfolio of personal care products. ManiMe is the only brand creating bespoke vegan, non-toxic, and cruelty-free gels. With its patented 3D modeling, machine learning, and laser cutting technologies, ManiMe is transforming the consumer experience and emerging as a beauty innovator. For more information, visit manime.co. Contact Details Rell Marketing & Communications Kaitlyn Palocsko kaitlyn@incommn.co

February 28, 2022 08:33 AM Eastern Standard Time

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amika Taps Assembly to Lead Integrated Media Program Aimed at Growing Its Passionate Communities of Haircare Enthusiasts

Assembly

Global omnichannel agency, Assembly, has been chosen by prestige haircare brand, amika, to lead its integrated media program, with an emphasis on driving sustained awareness and building brand equity. amika has emerged as a go-to haircare brand through its ‘ all hair is welcome ’ positioning, which represents 10 unique collections of haircare for every hair type, texture, and style. amika has called on global data-driven agency, Assembly, as its partner in expanding its community of brand enthusiasts through its distinct, disruptive, and impactful messaging connected to purpose and inclusivity. “amika is a brand that has authentically lived its core values of kindness and inclusivity while doing good for the planet far before it was ‘cool’ or even an expectation from consumers,” said Kim Davis, Vice President at Assembly. “This is one of those best of both world partnerships where we get to bring the latest in media innovation to a brand that’s as committed as we are to nurturing people and the planet. We’re looking forward to developing an out-of-the-box channel strategy that maximizes brand awareness for amika.” amika was built with purpose at its heart by creatives, stylists, and product enthusiasts alike, and encourages a diverse and creative culture that’s fueled by radical thinking. In placing people and the planet at its core, the brand has maintained its mission of bringing progress to the beauty industry. “The name ‘amika’ means friend—to hair, hairstylists, the planet, our communities, and each other—and it’s truly embedded into everything we do. We want our customers to know us for not only our high-quality products, but our commitment to making a positive impact on people and the planet," said Chelsea Riggs, amika’s Brand President. “We were impressed by Assembly’s integrated approach across the funnel to help accomplish our goals and we were immediately aligned in our vision.” This year marks a strategic shift in digital media investment for amika, with an increased focus on driving awareness and new customer acquisition. Assembly will partner with amika to develop a full-funnel multi-channel strategy to achieve these goals. The team’s focus for the year includes strengthening paid social investment, a renewed focus on paid media influencer integrations, and continued momentum in search and display. Assembly and amika will also work together to introduce new high-impact channels to amika’s mix, including CTV, TikTok and localized OOH. “We’re flexible and agile, which gives us an opportunity to test and learn in new channels and platforms where we know our customers are spending their time. We have some big brand and product moments coming up this year, and we’re also excited to see how measurement helps support all of the work we’re doing in increasing the focus on brand awareness and consideration,” said Kelley Martin, amika’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. 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 1,500 of the industry’s top talent, who bring unmatched global omnichannel media expertise + data, technology, and business consulting capabilities that help brands find the change that fuels growth. Assembly is a proud member of Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing. Visit www.assemblyglobal.com for more information. About amika: A friend to hair, hairstylists, to her, him, them and you. The name amika means friend in the language Esperanto & represents our belief in the power of community and the beauty of diversity. Straight out of Brooklyn, where creativity and hustle are a way of life, we’re a collective of creatives, hairstylists, chemists, and product enthusiasts. We only make products that make us proud. 10 collections for every hair type, texture and style. Visit www.loveamika.com for more information, and follow @amika on Instagram. Contact Details Assembly Sara Pollack, VP of Marketing +1 917-438-4922 sara.pollack@assemblyglobal.com Company Website https://www.assemblyglobal.com/

February 23, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Jewellery World Awards honours industry leaders

Jewellery World Awards (JWA)

DUBAI, UAE - Media OutReach - 23 February 2022 - The Jewellery World Awards (JWA) unveiled the Recipients during a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Jewellery, Gem & Technology Dubai (JGT Dubai). Organised by Informa Markets Jewellery (IMJ), JWA is the only business awards programme for the international jewellery industry covering the whole supply chain from mines to market. Navrattan Kothari (fourth from right) Recipient of JWA 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award Letitia Chow, chairperson and founder of JWA at IMJ remarked, “The jewellery industry has once again demonstrated its resilience and ability to adapt with what we witnessed at this year’s JWA. With the achievements and success stories shared by the recipients, we are inspired by their vision, innovative approach and thirst for excellence to move forward even in times of adversity.” The evening’s highest accolade was given to Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Navrattan Kothari, who has shown compassionate and driven leadership in the past six decades. Aside from transforming his family business into a global conglomerate, he has also been dedicated to supporting the local communities where KGK Group operates in. The Recipients are: 1. Lifetime Achievement Award Navrattan Kothari 2. Brand of the Year – Retail Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, Hong Kong 3. Industry Innovation of the Year Diamonds On Call Limited, Hong Kong Emerald Jewel Industry India Limited, India Picup Media, Hong Kong Shenzhen Link Gold Technology Co Ltd, China 4. Manufacturer of the Year – Diamond KGK Group, Hong Kong 5. Manufacturer of the Year – Jewellery Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company, Vietnam 6. Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – APAC CHJ Jewellery, China YLG Bullion Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore 7. Outstanding Small Enterprise of the Year (50 full-time employees and below) Brilliant Cuts Pvt Ltd, Sri Lanka 8. Outstanding ESG Performance of the Year Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd, China 9. Young Entrepreneur of the Year (age 40 and below) Do Minh Duc, DOJI Gold & Gems Group JSC, Vietnam Joyee Zhao, BOJEM, China James Courage, one of the principal judges of JWA said, “Judging from the participants’ responses and initiatives, one can say that the industry continues to push the boundaries in order to safeguard the welfare of its employees and satisfy its customers — even in the harshest conditions. Their ability to innovate, adapt and meet the market’s needs is testament to our Honourees’ resilience, passion, drive and humanity.” Albert Cheng, also a principal judge added, “In the past 18 months, all our Honourees showcased resiliency, flexibility and rapid digitisation to battle the negative effects of COVID-19. On behalf of the judging panel, I salute all Recipients who have succeeded in these unprecedented times.” Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group (CTF), said, “We are honoured and proud to be a Headline Partner of JWA for 10 straight years. We look forward to collaborating with our peers and driving the industry towards more milestones and achievements in the future.” Lin Qiang, President & Managing Director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE), who also is one of the judges noted, “The global jewellery industry is clearly recovering from the effects of the pandemic. The Chinese diamond business, for one, had a robust rebound. Such growth largely results from the unremitting efforts made by our colleagues in the industry. JWA continues to serve its purpose as a stage for celebrating these achievements and more.” JWA is supported by Headline Partners CTF and SDE, and Honoured Partners KGK Group and Guangdong GD Land Group Limited. JGT Dubai, jointly organised by IMJ and the Italian Exhibition Group, is supported by official partner, DMCC. Contact Details JWA Marketing +852 2516 2184 marketing@JWAwards.com

February 23, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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35-Year Printing Business SprintPrint Converts to Minuteman Press Franchise in Madison, Wisconsin

Minuteman Press International Inc

For 35 years, Phil Van Kampen and his wife Liz built their family-owned independent printing business SprintPrint into a multimillion dollar company by doing what they’ve always done for their customers. “We make printing easy,” says Phil. With the business doing well and retirement on the horizon, Phil has decided to sell the business to the Kenney family: Chrispin, Lynn, and their son CJ. Moving forward, SprintPrint will be rebranded as Minuteman Press in Madison as part of the Minuteman Press Conversion Program. The business will remain at their location at 2790 South Fish Hatchery Road. The Kenney family also owns a Minuteman Press franchise in Waunakee, which they have owned since 2013. Selling the Business As Phil approached retirement and was looking to sell the business, he wanted to make sure that there would be minimal disruption for both his clients and his employees that helped make SprintPrint a success. Phil says, “We had 12 employees, with at least half of them being with us for over 20 years. I wanted to make sure they were taken care of even after I sold the business.” Phil continues, “Originally, we were approached by another company but all they wanted was to buy our customer list. We were also contacted by a business broker and found that their commission rate was expensive. They also seemed to have no sense of urgency as if we wouldn’t be a priority, and so we decided not to go forward with them.” Eventually, Phil found the right partner to sell his business in Minuteman Press International. Phil explains, “After we decided not to use the business broker, Liz came home with a flyer from Minuteman Press that we received in the mail. I called Steve Szymanski, who is the Midwest Regional VP, and we talked for over an hour. I simply trusted him, liked what he had to say, and so we moved forward.” “The Minuteman Press Conversion Program was exactly what we needed to sell our business. There was no charge, no commission, and no broker fees. I also liked the fact that Minuteman Press would aid the new owner in running the business, and that I could retire without worrying about my customers and employees. In fact, my wife Liz is staying on to work with them because she isn’t ready to retire and loves her job. Steve Szymanski helped coordinate the sale and made it work, and it has been an easy transition for all involved.” -Phil Van Kampen, Retired Owner, SprintPrint, Madison, Wisconsin Meet the New Owners Lynn Kenney is the majority owner of the newly acquired business that is being rebranded as Minuteman Press in Madison. Lynn shares, “For the last 17 years, I’ve been working for the post office as a rural carrier. I also have a background in accounting and payroll in my early career working at Excalibur in Las Vegas.” For the Kenney family, the acquisition of SprintPrint simply made sense. Lynn explains, “My husband, Chrispin, was interested in expanding our current business while also building the business with our son CJ. We look forward to offering the same quality and experience customers have relied on in the past. In addition, we will be offering expanded products and services to existing and future customers.” “I believe good communication, accountability, education, and execution are the keys to running a successful family business. After 9 years of building our first location, we are looking forward to building another successful Minuteman Press franchise with our son CJ and creating great relationships in the Madison community.” -Lynn Kenney, New Co-Owner, Minuteman Press, Madison, Wisconsin CJ Kenney graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison in December 2021 with a degree in Communication Arts. After graduating, CJ knew that he wanted to take the next step forward with the family business. “I’ve been working with my parents at their center in Waunakee for eight years, since I was in high school. I did whatever they needed me to do. I ran deliveries, I helped with in-house apparel and production, and I loved going to BNI meetings and customer calls with my dad.” CJ continues, “I love talking to people, and I learned a lot from my dad. It always seems like he knows what to say and how to build relationships. I love this business because we can meet so many people that become friends in addition to working with them as clients. I just felt like this was the right track to take for my career and for the family business.” “With SprintPrint, we saw some tremendous expanding points for our business. Phil and Liz built a fantastic business over 35 years that will help us grow our in-house wide format printing services for the production of banners, signs, and posters. They also have a fantastic staff and clients I am excited to work with them as we begin this new chapter as Minuteman Press in Madison.” -CJ Kenney, New Co-Owner, Minuteman Press, Madison, Wisconsin History of the Business Before opening SprintPrint in 1987, Phil worked for another large printing chain based in Madison for 10 years. He says, “I decided to leave and start my own business. I knew what I wanted to do, and I decided I wanted to work for myself. We started the business and I made sure we differentiated ourselves as a quick printer focused on B2B clients rather than walk-ins.” Like many other business owners, Phil grew SprintPrint by building long-term relationships and becoming the face of the business. He also provided products that made sense and helped him stand out. Phil says, “One thing that set us apart early on is that we got into the mailing side of the business, invested in the equipment and the expertise, and became a one-stop source for in-house printing and direct mail.” After six years in business, SprintPrint moved to a 6,000 sq. ft. facility, then added onto the facility in 1997. “This is the same location at 2790 South Fish Hatchery Road that Minuteman Press is taking over, which I am very excited about because it makes for an even easier transition.” Over the past ten years, SprintPrint has continued to evolve and grow. “The biggest change over the past decade was getting into large format printing, which has been a huge benefit to our clients. During the pandemic, we experienced growth in large format, and direct mail held steady. We always try to make printing easy, and the past few years have been no different.” During the pandemic, SprintPrint continued to operate as an essential business and meet the needs of their clients. Phil says, “We have many long-term customers for 30 years or more with well-established businesses. They were able to weather the storm and continue marketing, and we were there to help them adapt and pivot as needed.” Retirement and Advice for Others Now that the sale is complete, Phil is looking forward to his well-earned retirement. “I’ve taken up woodworking as a hobby, and it is very relaxing to be able to enjoy each day.” Phil summarizes his experience with Minuteman Press and shares his advice for others who are looking to sell their printing business: “As owners of SprintPrint, my wife Liz and I had decided in the last year that, after 35 years, it was time to sell our business. It was of utmost importance that our employees were taken care of – we were looking for someone who would run the business in place and retain our staff. We originally explored selling it ourselves or working with a broker, which was not working out for various reasons. We then contacted Steve Szymanski, Regional Vice President of Minuteman Press International, to explore our options with their firm. We found their system to be very attractive as there was no cost to us to market our company for sale, and we could exit the business entirely upon sale. Minuteman Press was able to find a buyer that was the best fit for how we wanted to leave the industry. We could not be more pleased with the whole process. We would highly recommend working with them to any print shop owner looking to sell their business.” Learn more about Minuteman Press in Madison, WI by visiting their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/wi/fitchburg. For more information on how to sell your printing business through Minuteman Press International’s Conversion Program, call 1-800-645-3006 or visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions. Contact Details Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

February 22, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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NBA All-Star LaMelo Ball and Memorigin partners to launch new watch brand Melofaith LaMelo Ball's first-ever RARE Tourbillon watch

Memorigin

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 22 February 2022 - The 20-year-old NBA All-Star LaMelo Ball made his appearance in the NBA All-Star Game held on last Saunday February 20. Basketball fans are eagerly awaiting his impressive performance. LaMelo Ball is currently playing for the Charlotte Hornets, after embarking on his NBA career since 2020. In just two years, he has clinched numerous awards: ESPY’s Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, NBA Rookie of the Year, and NBA All-Rookie Team. He is the also the 4th-youngest player to appear in the All-Star Game, earning him widespread attention as an elite young star. NBA stars have always been looked to as more than just athletes, but instead as fashion faces which drive global trends forward. LaMelo Ball, who has always been passionate about fashion, launched his own designer lifestyle clothing brand LaFrance last year, and this year, he is adding another accolade to his resume by launching an international collaboration with Memorigin, a Hong Kong-based tourbillon watch brand, with the creation of a new high-end watch brand "Melofaith". Melofaith introduces its first high-end fashion item - the "RARE Tourbillon", designed in complete LaMelo Ball style. Using a strong fiery red as the primary color, the watch features a unique tonneau-shaped case and a stylish red camouflage rubber strap, breaking the tourbillon’s traditional notion of polished, genteel elegance. The skeleton dial is presented in street graffiti style and features numerous symbols of LaMelo Ball, including his first tattoo - the word "FEAR" and "GOD" on his wrist at the age of 16 - as well as a doodle of his name "Melo". There is also a silhouette of LaMelo Ball in profile and the “number 1 with wings” symbolizing him as the "Golden Child". The watch is available in two versions, the regular version with a more subdued PVD tonneau-shaped steel case in black and the diamond version with a tonneau-shaped steel case inlaid with 226 diamonds, making it a dazzling timepiece that suits different people. The watch is equipped with a hand-wound tourbillon movement with a 40-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The word "MELOFAITH" is engraved on the tourbillon, which makes the watch stand out without compromising its stability. The brand, named "Melofaith", is coined from LaMelo Ball's religious beliefs - his faith is his source of strength, inspiring him to face the challenges of every game with determination and perseverance. LaMelo Ball hopes to share his philosophy with fans through the creation of his brand. With religion being his spiritual pillar, faith and confidence are two indispensable elements that have allowed him to develop into an outstanding athlete. About RARE Tourbillon Watch Retail price: USD 6,800 Model No. MO 0822 Case Black PVD coated barrel-shaped stainless steel case Watch size: approx. 58 x 46mm Watch thickness: approx. 18.25mm Both sides sapphire crystal Water resistance: 5ATM Movement Flying tourbillon 155 pieces of subassembly module and 18 jewels Frequency: 28800 oscillations/hour Features 40 hours power reserve The tourbillon located at 6 o'clock rotates at a speed of 60s for one circle Manual winding mechanism Dial LaMelo Ball-themed dial LaMelo Ball's tattoo design Graffiti style painting Strap Camouflage rubber strap About RARE Tourbillon Watch (Diamond version) Retail price: USD 20,000 Model No. MO 0822 Case Diamond-embedded barrel-shaped stainless steel case Watch size: approx. 58 x 46mm Watch thickness: approx. 18.25mm Both sides sapphire crystal Water resistance: 5ATM Diamond/Gem Setting White diamond quantity: approx. 226pcs approx. 1.9carats Movement Flying tourbillon 155 pieces of subassembly module and 18 jewels Frequency: 28800 oscillations/hour Features 40 hours power reserve The tourbillon located at 6 o'clock rotates at a speed of 60s for one circle Manual winding mechanism Dial LaMelo Ball-themed dial LaMelo Ball's tattoo design Graffiti style painting Strap Camouflage rubber strap About Memorigin Memorigin is the first Hong Kong brand which only produces Tourbillon. The marvelous oriental sculpture merging with western top art of watchmaking creates a Tourbillon watch which has strong Hong Kong cultural character and is a blend of oriental and western cultures. Memorigin uses its in-house movement with its production process strictly controlled so that craftsmanship and quality are sanctioned by international professionals. All Memorigin watches are used with high quality materials from different countries; it has been arranged meticulously from a small part to the complete watch. Memorigin Tourbillon watches are designed by Hong Kong top designers and collectors with innovative concepts. Besides the traditional elegant style, it also adds cultural elements into the design, leading the oriental art to be international. In additions, Memorigin has a unique word carving technology: words can be engraved on the movement and can be preserved forever that the watch becomes unique and memorable. Official web site: www.memorigin.com Tel: (852) 29760108 Address: Room 803-804, 8/F, Chai Wan Industrial City Phase 1, No. 60 Wing Tai Road #Memorigin Contact Details Ms. Ivy Kung +852 2976 0108 ivy_kung@memorigin.com Ms. Christie Chan +852 2976 0108 christie_chan@memorigin.com

February 22, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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SIGMA Announces Release of Three F1.4 Prime Lenses for Fujifilm X Mount Cameras

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 launch of interchangeable lenses for Fujifilm X Mount mirrorless cameras. This addition allows users to enjoy high-performance, high-quality SIGMA lenses in native mount on their X Mount system. Initially, three F1.4 prime lenses ( 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary ), which are currently available in four mounts (Sony E-mount, Canon EF-M mount, Micro Four Thirds mount and L-Mount) will be simultaneously released in X Mount, and the lineup will expand in the future. Specifically, the recently-released SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary lens, currently available for Sony E-mount and L-Mount, is tentatively scheduled for a December 2022 release. As a lens manufacturer, we will continue striving to meet the expectations of our customers with an expanded lineup of lenses and mounts for mirrorless cameras. These three F1.4 prime lenses for X Mount will be available at SIGMA Authorized Dealers nationwide in April 2022. Learn more about the SIGMA 16mm / 30mm / 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary lenses: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/mirrorless-f1-4-trio #SIGMAXMount [Lineup] For detailed product information, please refer to the following: SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary Petal Type Lens Hood (LH716-01) supplied Product information: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c017_16_14/ SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary Lens Hood (LH586-01) supplied Product information: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c016_30_14/ SIGMA 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary Lens Hood (LH582-01) supplied Product information: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c018_56_14/ [Main Specifications and Features] Control algorithm including AF drive and communication speed optimization has been developed specifically for X Mount interchangeable lenses. In addition to realizing high-speed AF, the lens also supports AF-C (Continuous AF) and in-camera aberration correction*. The mount is rubber-sealed to cater for use in a variety of environments. *Available on supported cameras only. [Specifications] Mount Conversion Service is available to convert other mounts of SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary and SIGMA 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary to X Mount. [Contact] For further information, please contact your local authorized SIGMA Service Station listed here: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/world-network/ [Information] SIGMA Corporation: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/ SIGMA X Mount Special Page: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/magazine/m_series/others-lenses/fujifilm-x-mount/sigma_xmount_lenses/ 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 nearly 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 SIGMA Jack Howard +1 631-585-1144 SIGMA.PR@Sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigma-global.com/en/

February 21, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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