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Spiceology Teams Up With Marley Kitchen to Launch Taste-Good, Feel-Good Line of Seasonings

Spiceology

Spiceology, a leading spice and flavor company, is announcing its collaboration with Marley Kitchen, the food-driven brand created by members of Bob Marley's family to share the soul and spirit of the Caribbean. Now available for purchase, the line of Caribbean-inspired seasonings was developed with the culinary support of Cedella Marley and the Marley Family. “We’re advocates for experimenting with flavor while nourishing the mind, body and soul, and one of the most important aspects of that comes down to what we put in our bodies,” said Cedella Marley of Marley Kitchen. “We knew we wanted to work with Spiceology to bring our interpretation of the flavors of the Caribbean to life because of their commitment to high-quality ingredients and lack of fillers. We value this as a family and a community and felt confident that working with Spiceology would help us bring our flavors to tables around the world.” Inspired by some of Bob Marley’s favorite dishes and his health-forward focus on food, the new blends, One Love, One Heart and One World, were intended to be paired with whole foods, grains and vegetable-forward dishes. One Love ($14.95): Hemp Heart & Honey Ginger Butter Blend - This warm and sweet blend offers flavor notes of earthiness from Hemp Hearts and Turmeric, richness from Butter Powder, and a warm sweetness from Honey Granules, Cinnamon, Vanilla, and Ginger; this blend is ideal for granola, yogurt, lamb, rice pilafs, quinoa, hummus, compound butter, and Jamaican toto bread. One Heart ($14.95): Jamaican Curry Blend - Drawing inspiration from traditional Jamaican curries and African flavors, this blend is warm but not spicy, complex yet approachable. With strong notes of Coriander, Mustard, Cumin, and Ginger, this blend was designed to elevate chicken, fish, lentils, and legumes. One World ($14.95): Cardamom Coconut BBQ Blend - With the perfect balance of sweetness, citrus and heat and inspired by traditional Berbere blends of Africa, this blend’s layers of warm and tropical ingredients were thoughtfully added in, including Turmeric and Coconut Sugar. Try this on lentils, legumes, fish, stews, and chicken. “While creating these blends, we prioritized ingredients like Hemp Hearts, Ginger, Fenugreek, and Turmeric,” said Chef Tony Reed, Senior Director of Innovation and Partnerships. “These are ingredients with amazing flavor that are good for you, while also bringing the flavors of the Caribbean to life. Whether you’re making granola or a curry, these blends offer flavor profiles that might be new to many home cooks and some chefs and will be fun to experiment with.” The blends can be found on Spiceology.com and are available in individual 9 oz glass jars and a 3-pack of 2 oz glass jars. For more information, see here. ABOUT SPICEOLOGY Founded in 2013, Spiceology is the fastest-growing spice company in America and is on a mission to bring the magic back to spices, the world’s first currency. The chef-owned and operated, one-stop spice shop develops innovative blends and offers over 400 ingredients that are ground fresh in small-batches and shipped fresh to consumers and chefs. Spiceology’s “experiment with flavor” ethos is not only embraced through excellent ingredients and unique combinations, but also through responsible business practices designed to create a better world with diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of the workforce. Spiceology products can be found on spiceology.com, in specialty retailers and grocers, in restaurants around the US, and as far away as Australia and Dubai. Visit spiceology.com for more information or to place an order, or follow Spiceology on Facebook and Instagram. For recipe inspiration, visit here. ABOUT MARLEY MERCHANDISING LLC. The Marley brand honors the timeless values of Bob Marley by uniting people around the world under the banner of One Love. Marley Merchandising, LLC, a wholly owned Marley family entity, owns, licenses and markets a portfolio of Marley consumer brands globally, including: House of Marley®, Marley Beverage Co™, Marley Natural®, Marley One™, Marley Kitchen®, Marley Coffee®, and Bob Marley®. For more information, visit bobmarley.com and @bobmarley on social media. Contact Details Spiceology Cassidy Levine +1 908-770-7880 cassidy@spiceology.com Company Website https://spiceology.com/

March 02, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Corporate Watchdog Calls for Disney to Be as Tough on China as They are on Russia

National Legal & Policy Center

Following the announcement on Monday by The Walt Disney Company that it would halt all new movie releases in Russia following that nation’s invasion of Ukraine, National Legal and Policy Center is calling on the entertainment conglomerate to apply its indignance to equally menacing China. NLPC owns stock in Disney, and has a resolution before its fellow shareholders that will be presented and voted upon at the company’s annual meeting next Wednesday, March 9. The resolution calls for Disney to annually produce a report that outlines its due diligence – or explains its lack thereof – as it pertains to evaluating the human rights impacts of its business and associations with foreign entities. The board of directors of Disney – a multi-billion-dollar corporation – opposes the measure, calling it a “misplaced premise” that is “neither a necessary nor productive use of the Company’s resources.” Despite being called upon by human rights groups to back off from its coziness with the oppressive regime in the Far East, Disney has persisted in its relationship in order to maintain its access to the vast and lucrative Chinese market. Now that Vladimir Putin has initiated an invasion of Ukraine in an unprovoked power grab, Disney CEO Robert Chapek is showing he has a backbone, and that the company has limits to the degrees of evil and aggression it will accept from its international partners. Paul Chesser, director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project, hopes Disney’s response to Russia’s belligerence will also cause Chapek to revisit the company’s relationship with China. “The global community, including much of the corporate world, is outraged by Russia’s assault on its neighbor – and rightfully so,” Chesser said. “We applaud Disney and other companies that have said they will punish Putin with their own measures, but now we ask: What about China?” News reports indicate that China supports Russia’s violent colonialism, appearing to be the only major nation on Putin’s side. China is also a threat to many of its surrounding countries, especially Taiwan, where it continually flaunts its military might to demonstrate its control over the island. The authoritarian government has also been accused of genocide against the Muslim-minority Uighurs in the province of Xinjiang, imposition of a brutal crackdown and imposition of control over Hong Kong, oppression of the Tibetans, and subjugation of the Chinese people overall to its communist control. Despite China’s unacceptable conduct, Disney is among several corporations that have embraced a relationship with the tyrannical regime. Previous CEOs have groveled to Chinese prime ministers in the past, seeking to have access to their market restored after some films offended the dictators. Disney took a back seat in an ownership deal with the government to build the Disney Resort in Shanghai, and the company’s subsidiaries eagerly censor their own offerings to comply with the regime’s demands. And for the 2020 release of the live-action film “Mulan,” Disney even gave thanks for the assistance provided by the provincial government in Xinjiang, which is responsible for many of the evils against the Uighurs. “Disney is doing the right thing by withholding its entertainment offerings in response to Russia’s unjustified war,” Chesser said. “But China could be considered at least an equal aggressor, against both its own people, its neighbors, and even far-away nations. “It’s time for corporations to stop rewarding such behavior. We urge Disney to implement transparency about its relationship with the Chinese regime, and better yet, to impose its own sanctions until the communist government improves its human rights record.” The full text of NLPC’s shareholder resolution for The Walt Disney Company can be viewed here. Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Paul Chesser +1 703-237-1970 pchesser@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

March 01, 2022 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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

Restaurant Delivery Software Provider VROMO Partners With Restaurant SaaS, Host Kitchen Tech Startup KBox Global

VROMO

Restaurant operators and host kitchens looking to make their delivery operations more efficient and profitable can now take full advantage of a lucrative new partnership between the restaurant delivery software provider VROMO and Kbox Global, a UK-based startup that turns underused commercial kitchen spaces into takeout delivery hubs. Together, the companies will optimize digital sales and create a more efficient delivery model for host kitchens, generating much-needed new revenue streams for restaurant operators. VROMO automates the entire delivery solution with a wide range of features, including route optimization, order stacking, driver ETA and live order tracking. The solution seamlessly integrates delivery service providers with restaurant operations for the fastest, most efficient delivery, resulting in exceptional customer experience. The system is designed for in-house delivery but offers a hybrid solution. This means restaurant brands can “overflow” orders to a range of third-party fleets such as DoorDash drivers when volume exceeds the restaurant’s driver capacity. Operators never have to reject an order, third-party fleet partners receive additional volume, and all parties benefit from the VROMO ecosystem of cohesive restaurant and food delivery operators. “Our goal is to become the No.1 delivery management software for restaurant brands, and we’ll do this by offering the best software solution and the most comprehensive range of third-party delivery fleets to our partners around the globe. We look forward to growing this partnership with Kbox because of their unparalleled focus on the operator's experience. Their tech solutions were built by operators, for operators, and we look forward to them bringing these insights to the U.S. market,” said VROMO CEO Brian Hickey. Salima Vellani, CEO of Kbox Global, commented, “We are delighted to partner with VROMO ahead of our rollout to hundreds of new locations across the U.K., Australia and the U.S. Having looked at several delivery software tools, we found VROMO to be the standout product, and we are confident that together we can create the most efficient delivery model possible for our operators.” This partnership marks a major milestone for both companies and aligns with the increasing popularity of digital ordering for both in-restaurant and off-premise. Throughout 2021 and early into 2022, VROMO signed several international-partnership deals to enhance its offering for both restaurant and third-party delivery partners. In recent months, the company has announced partnerships with DoorDash, Deliverect, Square, Stuart and the RMDA. About VROMO VROMO provides a customizable delivery management solution for the restaurant sector. The software automates the entire delivery management operation and enables restaurants to use a combination of in-house delivery staff, drivers from marketplace platforms and/or drivers from local Delivery Service Partners. Visit http://www.vromo.io/ for more information. You can also find VROMO on LinkedIn. About Kbox Built by operators for operators, the Kbox suite of software enables any foodservice operation to be digitized for off-premise and on-premise ordering. In one easy-to-use solution, Kbox provides customer-led in-venue, takeaway, first-party and third-party delivery solutions for any foodservice operator. With machine learning powering the platform, Kbox’s proprietary menu-optimization solution enables operators to increase revenues, reduce wastage, improve labor efficiency and potentially even add additional revenue streams through virtual brands. The Kbox solution is powering kitchens in the U.K. and Australia and is now bringing its industry-leading solution to the U.S. More on how Kbox works, including a tech demo, is available here — see how you can say goodbye to multiple devices, manual entry, mistakes and lengthy admin processes. Contact Details Center Reach Communications Tracy Henderson +1 720-989-3530 tracy@centerreachcommunication.com Company Website https://vromo.io/

March 01, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Tim Hortons Roll Up To Win™ is here and this year, every Roll is a win

Tim Hortons

This year, Tim Hortons iconic Roll Up To Win promotion is all digital and every Roll is a win. From March 7 through April 3, 2022, Tim Hortons guests will earn one digital Roll for every eligible menu item purchased when scanning for Tims Rewards using their Tim Hortons app, physical Tims Rewards card or placing an order online. * Eligible menu items include any Hot or Cold Beverage (excluding espresso shot, fountain drinks and Ready to Drink beverages). Guests can reveal their Rolls to win great prizes on their Tim Hortons app or at the Roll Up To Win website. “We’re so excited to introduce the all-digital Roll Up to Win this year,” said Ricardo Azevedo, Regional President for Tim Hortons U.S. “By making the promotion entirely digital, we’re able to offer bigger and better prizes for our valued loyalty guests.” This year’s grand prizes include a 2022 Bronco™ Big Bend™, week-long stays at select Hilton® resorts in Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Curaçao, Samsung TVs and Galaxy Books, Skullcandy earbuds, PKG Daily Essentials and Xbox Series S gaming consoles. Guests also have the chance to win over 600,000 FREE Tim Hortons coffee and donuts offers, and Tims Rewards points. For the full list of prizes, details, and more promotion information, visit RollUpToWin.com. Roll Up To Win is open to registered Tims Rewards members in the United States (excluding Florida). *NO PURCHASE REQUIRED. Must have a free Tims Rewards account. Open to members in the 50 U.S. & D.C, except FL, ages 18+. Digital Roll can be earned through 4/3/22 (mail-in requests post marked by 4/4/22). Must use App or Rewards website to reveal prize by 4/24/22. See Official rules at rolluptowin.com for mail-in method of entry, all entry requirements, odds & prize descriptions. VOID IN FL & WHERE PROHIBITED. Sponsor: Tim Hortons USA, Inc., 5707 Blue Lagoon Drive, Miami, FL 33126. About Tim Hortons Tim Hortons® is one of North America's largest restaurant chains operating in the quick service segment. Founded as a single location in Canada in 1964, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of guest tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks (including lattes, cappuccinos, espresso, teas and our famous Iced Capp® beverages), fresh baked goods, hot breakfast sandwiches, breakfast snacking items, and other food products. Tim Hortons has more than 4,800 system wide restaurants located in Canada, the United States and around the world. More information about the company is available at www.timhortons.com. Contact Details Alison Brod Marketing & Communications Adrianna Lauricella +1 212-230-1800 tims@abmc-us.com Company Website https://www.timhortons.com/

March 01, 2022 07:02 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Gio Nation Collaborates With Grammy Nominated Hit Maker Gemini

360PRWire

Rising pop musician & social media model, Gio Nation, recently had the golden opportunity to collaborate with Grammy-nominated producer, Gemini for his latest few projects. Together they co-produced & engineered four of Gio Nation’s highest rated songs including, “I Don't Need You Anymore” & “You Know What I’m Talkin’ Bout”. Gio’s music continues to engage diehard pop music fans worldwide while also appealing to fans who may not be familiar with his music. “From the moment I met Gemini, we just hit it off. We were definitely on the same wavelength. I feel seen, heard and understood by him and this is really important when you collaborate with someone, “ said Gio, talking about his experience working with the producer. Once again, Gio’s verbal gymnastics instantly impressed. With vivacious energy and a vibrant personality, he shocks pop music with a jolt of his signature electricity. The songs survey every corner of Gio’s heart where he gets real about the complications of falling in love. Becoming successful in the music industry requires a lot of hard work and struggles. With a history of vulnerable struggles and battles with mental health, Gio managed to find his way through hard times and produce music pulling through every step of his life. “Gio’s music is like something that doesn’t exist and that is why it’s unique. His music is similar to other hit songs but still has its own uniqueness so I think it has a good chance of blowing up,” commented Gemini Muziq on Gio’s musical talent and capabilities, while highlighting his experience collaborating with the art. Collaborating with one of the most famous personalities in the industry gave Gio a chance to showcase the worth of his music to the world. About Gemini Muziq Gemini Muziq, Aka Hagay Mizrahi is an American musician, record producer and songwriter. His professional music career began in Israel and expanded worldwide after which he relocated to Los Angeles in 2009. Gemini came into music prominence in 2016 when he engineered sound for Poo Bear ( Jason Boyd ) for the theme song “Purpose” and co-produced the song “blessing in a curse” on the album “Poo Bear presents Happy Bearthday Music”. The album was released under universal music and featured famous artists such as Justin Bieber, J Balvin, Jlo and more. About Gio Nation Gio Nation is an American singer-songwriter and producer from America. Growing up in a lower middle class family in Connecticut, Gio discovered his passion for writing and performing at the age of 7. He began songwriting at the age of 15 when he picked up his first guitar. Heavily influenced by pop culture, Gio made his music debut in collaboration with Gemini Muziq where he released three of his debut singles. FIND GIO NATION AT! Instagram: @gionationempire Facebook: Gio Nation Tiktok: gionationempire Twitter: @gionationempire YouTube Channel: gionationempire Website: www.gionationempire.com Gio Nation is an American singer-songwriter and producer from America. Growing up in a lower middle class family in Connecticut, Gio discovered his passion for writing and performing at the age of 7. He began songwriting at the age of 15 when he picked up his first guitar. Heavily influenced by pop culture, Gio made his music debut in collaboration with Gemini Muziq where he released three of his debut singles. Contact Details Gio Nation Gio +1 804-305-5501 gionationempire@gmail.com Company Website https://gionationempire.com/

February 25, 2022 06:20 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Swirl Films Announces New Leadership Additions Beginning in 2022

Swirl Films

Swirl Films, Inc., the leading independent film and television production company with a core focus in diversity inclusion, announces new leadership to start 2022. Gray Television, a broadcasting company with local television stations in 113 markets, is a majority investor in Swirl Films. “We are thrilled with the momentum we are building already in 2022, especially with these two fantastic additions to our team,” said Eric Tomosunas, CEO of Swirl Films. “Swirl Films is well-positioned for continued growth and to continue to deliver incredible content to our clients.” The new hires at Swirl Films include: Angela Plasschaert, newly appointed COO, joins Swirl Films from A&E Studios, where she focused on role-built processes and procedures across the company. Celebrating over three decades in the entertainment industry, Angela’s newest position will work to execute the overall strategy and growth plan for the company, while being very involved in creating original content for scripted and non-scripted productions. Before accepting her role at A&E, Angela obtained a wealth of experience in physical production, producing content that aired on many cable and TV networks. In the early 2000s, Angela’s talents were called on to navigate the world of reality TV, an unscripted environment that brought many new challenges. She began advising on mega hits such as Fear Factor, Jackass and Mythbusters. This new industry led her to start the very first Entertainment Risk Consulting firm in the United States, specializing in high-risk production. Abbey Sibucao (formerly MacDonald) is the new SVP of Scripted Development for Swirl Films where she will lead the development function for all original scripted programming that will play an important role in the continued growth of Swirl’s expansive slate of film and series across all broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. She was previously VP of Current Programming & Development at Bounce TV, where she oversaw projects from initial development through production and continued to service the content for current programming. Sibucao started her career at New Wave Entertainment where she focused on talent management and production. Sibucao also has her own firm, A10 Talent Management. She will continue to work with her current clients while working at Swirl Films. Both Plasschaert and Sibucao will report directly to Tomosunas. Swirl Films provides the full suite of production services from script to screen for movies, biopics, scripted series, award shows and documentaries. Networks and Streamers rely on the company for their efficient production services model and ability to adapt to the ever changing content landscape. Last year, Gray Television’s sport and entertainment production unit Tupelo Honey, purchased the majority stake in Swirl Films’ ATL Film Studios. “The recent investments we’ve made in Swirl Films are a reflection of our support and belief in the future of the film industry in Georgia,” said Hilton H. Howell, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Gray Television. “These new leadership additions allow Swirl Films to support its current and future client base.” Eric Tomosunas founded Swirl Films in 2001. Swirl Films has produced projects including the wildly popular original drama series, Saints & Sinners, and produced high-quality films and series for TV One, BET, Bounce, Lifetime, Hallmark, Reel One, Netflix & Up TV. Swirl Films provides services and content across various areas of production spanning from script to screen, for movies, biopics, scripted series, award shows and documentaries. Swirl Films owns and operates its own 100,000 square foot film studio, ATL Film Studios, outside of Atlanta. Gray Television, Inc. is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Gray is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States. Our television stations serve 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. This portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station. We also own video program companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Honey, and PowerNation Studios, as well as the studio production facility Third Rail Studios. For additional information, please visit www.gray.tv. Contact Details Swirl Films Eric Tomosunas, CEO +1 470-355-0610 Gray Television Rick Burns, Vice President, Corporate Relations +1 323-493-0123 Company Website https://www.swirlfilms.com/

February 23, 2022 12:49 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Simplifying Social Media for Small Business Owners: Tips on How Local Businesses Can Stand Out in 2022

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/mQc2Uxrk-EU Small business owners have already had to get creative in so many ways in the past few years. According to a survey from Adobe, 74% of small business owners are facing creative burnout. One way to reset and refresh their business is by improving their social media presence. For a small business owner who may already be feeling stretched creatively, social media can seem daunting or time intensive. Natalie Zfat partnered with Adobe Creative Cloud Express on a media campaign to provide small business owners with helpful tips to better reach customers and get their business back on its feet. No matter their budget or confidence level for graphic design, here are some of the tips she shared to easily create standout graphics, photos, and videos in no time: Inspiration can strike at the oddest times. Creative Cloud Express allows you to create quick, easy content on the fly – with thousands of high-quality templates to customize your Instagram Stories, video cover slides, timeline carousels and more. Carousels outperform single-image Instagram posts. According to research by SocialInsider, the average engagement rate increases by 2% when using all 10 carousel slides, and carousels with a mix of video and images see the highest engagement rate per post at 2.33%. Filling the carousel with gorgeous content is easy when you use Creative Cloud Express, which lets you easily search through Adobe Stock images and leverage more than 20,000 fonts. Did you know that social media posts with video have 48% more views? Creative Cloud Express makes it super easy to edit and customize videos (even if video editing isn't your forté). It's no secret that social media users scroll quickly, and it can be tricky to stand out. 82% of small business owners know that a creative design will drive business, but 45% cite that they don’t have either the time, tools or skills to bring their ideas to life. One way to “stop the scroll” is with compelling animation and imagery. Creative Cloud Express lets you incorporate animated elements easily and create beautiful, thumb-stopping imagery that will catch your audience's eye. Something as simple as a colorful, animated shape layered behind text - or a funny GIF or sticker - will help your message stand out and allow you to inject more of your personality. And the best part: You don’t have to be a designer to get it done. Use “Quick Actions” powered by Adobe Sensei to remove backgrounds from photos, trim and merge videos, convert videos to GIF, and more. Integrate your brand's aesthetic across multiple platforms for a cohesive experience. Creative Cloud Express allows you to build your brand by uploading logos, colors and more. This makes it easy to seamlessly adapt your brand creative for social media, email marketing, website and more. The Shared Libraries feature in particular makes it easy for anyone and everyone on your team to work from a cohesive bank of templates to achieve that brand consistency. The Instagram algorithm is ever-changing, but we know that content that inspires shares and saves does particularly well, especially when that content is in video form. 74% of small business owners acknowledge that they are facing major hindrances to their creativity right now. To maximize engagement, aim for content that is beautiful, funny or educational. Infographics and video tutorials (“How To’s”) are a great way to do this - and Creative Cloud Express offers stunning, customizable graphs, charts and other great visuals that lend themselves to shareable content. Think of your social media profile as your storefront. 55% of small business owners say their online presence is more critical to their success than a physical store. Is your bio fully fleshed out? Is it clear what you're offering your audience? Creative Cloud Express allows you to create beautiful, robust profiles, with thousands of high quality templates for banner images, profile photos, Instagram Highlight covers and more – all customizable with your brand colors and typography. Don't have a brand book (yet)? Dip into Creative Cloud Express’ Stock and Fonts database for thousands of unique, stunning imagery and font styles for marketing materials like logos, flyers, banners, and more. To learn more about Creative Cloud Express and its different graphic design features go to: adobe.com/express About Natalie Zfat: According to Mark Cuban, “Natalie Zfat doesn’t mess around.” Natalie Zfat is a social media expert, speaker and host who has partnered with some of the most iconic brands in the world, including Samsung, Facebook, CNBC and LinkedIn. Curating original social media content, strategy and campaigns, Natalie gains millions of impressions for the brands she advocates for. When she’s not with her clients, Natalie loves sharing her social media thought leadership in her Forbes column, on television and at conferences and universities, including the New York Times, CBS, Carnegie Mellon, NYU Stern School of Business, SXSW and CES. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 22, 2022 04:34 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Restaurant Industry Year in Review: QSR Average Check Soars, Traffic Lags

Revenue Management Solutions

Revenue Management Solutions today released its analysis of US quick-service restaurant (QSR) performance for 2021. Overall, traffic continued its post-pandemic decline, but the global data solutions provider believes double-digit increases in average check will remain — and demonstrate a fundamental change in consumer behavior. To accurately assess the underlying trends of restaurant performance, RMS compared 2021 sales and traffic to pre-pandemic 2019 data. On average, sales were up 8.1% over 2019, and average check increased by a remarkable 22.9%. Traffic, on the other hand, remains low, down 12% as compared to 2019, and continued a negative trend in the second half of the year. Surprisingly, 2021 traffic also was even with or slightly lower when compared to the highly volatile 2020. “Consumer habits are fundamentally different,” notes RMS Director of Research and Consumer Analytics Francois Acerra. “Traffic is down, but the relative increases in average check indicate that QSRs haven’t lost customer segments. Instead, we believe that quick-service restaurant customers have permanently changed their behaviors — visiting less frequently than pre-pandemic yet spending more per visit.” RMS is among the only restaurant data providers to deconstruct average check and the story it tells about how consumers dine now. In its estimation, sales and traffic data still matter, but average spend has emerged as a leading indicator for overall performance. “Given the intense pressure on margins caused by rising commodity prices and labor shortages, analysts may give credit to price increases for the overall rise in average check,” said Acerra. “But when we dug deeper into the numbers, it’s clear that a behavior change is also driving up average check. In short, consumers are ordering more food, and for larger parties. We’ve noticed that the increase in basket size is partly due to more guests being on the same check and that, in fact, the share of single-party orders has declined.” In 2021, the quantity per transaction — or how many items were purchased in a single order — was up 14.3% compared to 2019. Compare that to average net price, which was up 7.5%, and it’s clear that net sales performance was sustained by average check growth. “As QSRs make it increasingly easier to order off-premise with the rollouts of mobile applications and loyalty programs, they provide a convenience to customers that may take the sting out of higher prices,” said Acerra. This is true for efficient drive-thrus as well, notes RMS. In the company’s November 2021 survey of more than 800 US restaurant consumers, 76% reported making a restaurant drive-thru visit at least once a week, compared to 63% that reported dining in. Delivery, which has become a flashpoint for customers and operators, has steadily decreased since its peak in 2020. Just 49% of survey respondents reported using delivery at least once per week in November 2021, a steady decline from 60% in November 2020. “Wait times, poor customer service and order inaccuracy — not price — are being cited in our surveys as the top reasons for dissatisfaction,” said Acerra. “QSRs that can overcome challenges and deliver meals quickly, accurately and with a smile will deliver value to customers and potentially outweigh necessary price increases.” RMS has meticulously monitored consumer sentiment and behavior since March 2020, supplementing its 25-year experience and rich data insights with quarterly consumer surveys, university-sponsored research and anecdotal information. For more data insights and 2022 predictions, visit revenuemanage.com. About Revenue Management Solutions Now more than ever, Revenue Management Solutions (RMS) is committed to supporting restaurants through these ever-changing times. Today, more than 50 major brands in 40-plus countries trust RMS. Its data-driven analytics and tech-enabled solutions are designed to optimize sales, menus and a brand’s financial health. RMS provides actionable insights to more than 100,000 restaurant locations worldwide to help them make informed business decisions that drive profitability and combat inflation and increasing wages. The company holds five US patents on menu pricing and customer segmentation and supports ongoing academic research efforts. For more information on how RMS helps its clients, visit www.revenuemanage.com. Contact Details Tracy Henderson +1 720-989-3530 tracy@centerreachcommunication.com Rebecca Wilkins +1 214-437-9096 Company Website https://www.revenuemanage.com

February 17, 2022 08:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

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