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Mortgage Financiers & Crypto Securities Reclaim Their Spots As Most Actively Traded Securities On OTC Markets In June

Benzinga

Reflecting the expected conditions of a bear market, many of the world’s indices saw a decrease in price throughout June. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA: SPY), for example, declined 8.26% in June, a very similar decline to the one seen in April. The SPY’s maximum decline since its peak in January is 24%, falling within the standard definition of a bear market. The Fidelity NASDAQ Composite Index ETF (NASDAQ: ONEQ) and the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSEARCA: DIA) displayed similar weakness, showing declines of 8.7% and 6.78%, respectively, in June. Despite the decline in market indices and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), OTC Markets Group Inc. ’s (OTCQX: OTCM) regulated markets experienced a slight increase in total monthly dollar volume, recording $45.2 billion in June compared to $44.5 billion in May. Additionally, the operator saw former cryptocurrency and mortgage financiers return to the helm of the Most Actively Traded Securities list on two of its regulated markets. Both the OTCQX Best Market and the OTCQB Venture Market maintained a significant international presence, with over half of the top most-traded securities across both markets composed of international operators. Crypto Reclaims The Helm Of The OTCQX Best Market Most-Active Securities The OTCQX Best Market recorded $9 billion in trading volume in June, a decrease from May’s $11 billion. Despite the decrease in volume, former leaders have begun to reclaim their place among the Most Active Securities list. Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (OTCQX: GBTC), for example, has reclaimed its spot as the most-traded security on the OTCQX Best Market, followed by May’s leader Roche Holding AG (OTCQX: RHHBY) and Grayscale Ethereum Trust (OTCQX: ETHE). Additionally, the OTCQX’s top 10 most-active securities experienced a slight reshuffle in June, welcoming Experian PLC (OTCQX: EXPGY) and Tesco PLC (OTCQX: TSCDY) in place of AXA SA (OTCQX: AXAHY) and Sprott Physical Uranium Trust Fund (OTCQX: SRUUF). International operators, once again, maintained a strong presence on OTCQX, comprising 23 of the top 30 securities, down from 24 in May. France’s BNP Paribas SA (OTCQX: BNPQY) and Germany’s Infineon Technologies AG (OTCQX: IFNNY) and adidas AG (OTCQX: ADDYY) were again on the OTCQX top 10 most-active securities, while Mexico’s Wal-Mart De Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCQX: WMMVY) and Australia’s Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (OTCQX: FSUGY) made it among June’s top 30 most-active securities. Other notable movers: Danone (OTCQX: DANOY) claimed fourth place on the OTCQX’s list of most-traded securities, experiencing a 160% change in trading volume from last month. The OTCQB Venture Market Welcomes Back Mortgage Financiers The OTCQB Venture Market recorded $603 million in trading volume in June, a decline from May’s $896 million figure. June introduced two new entities to the OTCQB’s Top 10 Most-Traded Securities list. Biotech operator CytoDyn Inc. (OTCQB: CYDY) and aerospace and defense company Applied Energetics Inc. (OTCQB: AERG) represent the new faces on the list. Similar to May, the OTCQB Venture Market witnessed a number of novelties in June. In addition to two new companies, all three of the top most-traded securities in the market changed. Mortgage financiers Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) and Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) reclaimed their positions as the first- and third-most traded securities and Lake Resources (OTCQB: LLKKF) claimed its spot as the second most-traded security. All three former “Most Active Top 3s” – Northwest Biotherapeutics Inc. (OTCQB: NWBO), Sysorex Inc. (OTCQB: SYSX) and Netlist Inc. (OTCQB: NLST) – remain on the OTCQB’s Venture Market Top 10 Most Active Securities list, potentially hinting at sustained investor interest. Twelve international securities landed a spot among the top 30 most-traded securities. Of these 12 securities, eight are Canadian, two are Australian, one is English, and one is from Hong Kong. Other notable movers: Wiki Soft Corp. (OTCQB: WSFT) climbed to 12th place in the most-active group and recorded a $6.6 million rise in trading volume compared to last month. Sharing Economy International Inc. (OTCQB: SEII) experienced a $3.7 million increase in trading volume compared to May, climbing to 19th place on the OTCQB’s Top 30. The OTCQX And OTCQB Top 10 Below are the top 10 most actively traded securities on the OTCQX Best Market and OTCQB Venture Market in June. OTCQX Top 10: OTCQB Top 10: 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 03, 2022 02:04 PM Eastern Daylight Time

A Million Dollars Will ‘Level Up’ Thousands of Houston Area Residents Out of Digital Divide

Comcast Houston

If you’ve ever played a popular 80’s video game, then you know about the disadvantages your character has right out of the gate. You can’t jump as high or as far, and it’s easier to lose the level and have to start all over again. But in the first few seconds, there’s usually always a chance to ‘level up’ your character. Instantly, you can jump higher and farther, run faster and if you encounter an enemy, you still have another chance at winning the level. There are thousands of Houston area residents who — from a digital perspective — aren’t ‘leveled up” and therefore struggle to participate in the digital economy. Some Houstonians still don’t know how to surf the web, write emails or create a resume. Others don’t even have a reliable and fast internet connection in their homes. The digital divide is still big. According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Communities Survey, one in ten households, or 687,086 households, in the greater Houston area do not have an internet subscription or do not have a computer. They want to ‘level up’, and they are about to get it. Comcast, the Houston area’s largest internet service provider, is giving more than one million dollars this year to local organizations that help students, adults and people with disabilities ‘level up’ their computer, career development and tech education skills. The million-dollar investment will also support ongoing efforts to build awareness about low-cost or no-cost connectivity programs like Internet Essentials and the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). “These investments are a part of Comcast’s ongoing efforts to make a real difference in southeast Texas by giving families an opportunity to thrive in this digital age,” Ralph Martinez, Comcast Houston’s Regional Senior Vice President, said. “The Internet is where life happens. It allows students to expand their educational aspirations and it empowers parents to explore better job openings so they can ultimately deliver a better quality of life for their families.” So far, Comcast has given grants to eight Houston area organizations. More announcements will be made later this year. United Way | Funding will be used to provide tech experts (Digital Navigators) to help people in need of digital skills training. BakerRipley | Funding will support computer skills, software, email and internet safety training for low-income adults in the Houston area. Comp-U-Dopt | Funding will support students participating in Early Adopters, STEAM Team and Learn2Earn, which brings technology education to area youth. Comp-U-Dopt will also use the funding to provide tech experts (Digital Navigators) to help people in need of digital skills training. Easter Seals of Greater Houston | Funding will support the development of a curriculum for people with disabilities to help them successfully learn to use digital technology to gain and maintain employment. The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston | Funding will help high school students gain technical and leadership skills through the Workforce Readiness Program. AAMA | Funding will be used to purchase technology and equipment to support students through the training program at the Work and Learn Center, with an emphasis on digital literacy and design. Dress for Success | Funding will be used to provide Houston-area women with the resources needed to obtain long-term employment through access to job readiness training, digital skills workshops, computers and mobile labs. AVANCE-Houston | Funding will support adult literacy program and continue to build pathways to economic mobility for families in the community. “We are passionate about doing our part to help close the digital divide and committed to helping establish a more equitable foundation for learning, working and succeeding,” Martinez said. Comcast remains steadfast in its efforts to connect people to moments that matter, to connect families to opportunities in Southeast Texas. For more than a decade, the company has offered Internet Essentials to help low-income Americans access reliable, high-speed internet. Comcast is now a proud champion of the federal government’s new Affordable Connectivity Program. ACP gives qualifying households up to $30 towards their monthly internet bill. With ACP, Comcast’s Internet Essentials internet service is free. As more Houston area residents get the ‘level up’ they need, just like in their gameplay, they will have more chances to keep advancing—better jobs, better education, innovation, opportunities and yes, more fun and better gaming. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Houston Steve Campion +1 832-920-2001 Steve_Campion@comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

August 02, 2022 08:40 AM Central Daylight Time

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Hong Kong Baptist University at the forefront of human-AI symbiotic art creation with innovative performance

Hong Kong Baptist University

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 2 August 2022 - A pioneering and bold attempt to apply artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the performing arts was carried out by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) in a public concert held on 14 July in Hong Kong. The HKBU Symphony Orchestra and an AI virtual choir perform a newly arranged choral-orchestral version of the song Pearl of the Orient, with an accompanying cross-media visual narrative based on the lyrics and music created by an AI media artist. The innovative performance was the first human-AI collaboration of its kind in the world, and it showcased how AI can be a creative force that can perform music, create cross-media art, and dance. The performance was powered by the AI technologies developed by HKBU scientists under the “ Building Platform Technologies for Symbiotic Creativity in Hong Kong ” research project. The concert, dubbed “A Lovers’ Reunion”, was the Annual Gala Concert of the HKBU Symphony Orchestra, and it was conducted by its music director, Professor Johnny M Poon. The research project is led by Professor Guo Yike, Vice-President (Research and Development) of HKBU, and supported by HK$52.84 million (US$6.77 million) in funding from the Theme-based Research Scheme under the Research Grants Council. Its deputy project coordinator, Professor Johnny M Poon, is the Associate Vice-President (Interdisciplinary Research) and the Founding Dean of HKBU’s School of Creative Arts. The project team also comprises computer scientists from HKBU’s Augmented Creativity Lab. The unique mix of scientists and artists in the project team enables them to merge their cross-disciplinary knowledge and come up with sparkling ideas on how to unleash the endless possibilities of art creation with the infusion of cutting-edge technologies. At the Concert, the project team presented a performance that marked the first time in the world that an AI choir had combined with an AI-generated visual storyteller to perform interactively with a conductor and an orchestra. The HKBU Symphony Orchestra shared the stage with an AI virtual choir to perform a newly arranged version of the song Pearl of the Orient with the voices of 320 virtual performers. The AI virtual choir was “trained” by HKBU researchers using the generative models of singing that they built by extracting and disentangling key contributing features of vocal singing from a collection of songs recorded by professional singers. An AI media artist learnt from the lyrics of the Pearl of the Orient, and it created a stunning cross-media visual narrative of the song according to its interpretation of the underlying meaning of the lyrics. Unlike the conventional AI machines that import images as a reference for the algorithms to mimic, it used textual lyrics as the sole input so that it can associate the underlying meaning of the lyrics with an appreciation of the beauty of Hong Kong. Another highlight of the Concert was a ballet performance featuring AI virtual dancers in Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé, accompanied live by the HKBU Symphony Orchestra. With the help of professional dancers from the Hong Kong Dance Company, the AI virtual dancers interpreted the underlying emotional and aesthetic connections between the music and the dance. The dance movements, inspired by a newly discovered species of box jellyfish in Hong Kong, were then choreographed. Please click here to view highlights of the performance, and click here for more production details of the performance. The AI-driven performance is one of the many milestone deliverables of the “Building Platform Technologies for Symbiotic Creativity in Hong Kong” research project, and others include an art data repository, a generative AI algorithms system, a research theatre, a digital art and policy network, and some unique and creative application projects, to name but a few. Another important initiative HKBU is organising is the “Human, Machine, Art, Creativity: International Symposium” in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 9 August. “AI is revolutionising numerous fields of knowledge, and it is playing a more and more significant role in many creative processes like music, visual arts and architecture. The Symposium will gather world-renowned researchers from academia and industry, crossing different expertise areas, to jointly discuss emerging topics in human-AI symbiotic art creativity,” said Professor Guo. The Symposium will cover topics including the enabling technologies of symbiotic art creation and manifestation, the aesthetics and cognitive values of symbiotic art creativity, the new trend of the art economy with Web 3.0, new issues raised by the new forms of art in society, and the impact on art community stakeholders, among others. Interested parties can visit the Symposium’s website for more details. Contact Details The Communication and Public Relations Office, HKBU Wong Suk-ling +852 3411 2119 hkbunews@hkbu.edu.hk

August 02, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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RoboHero Launches a Mobile Game with a Metaverse Dimension

RoboHero

RoboHero is proud to announce the addition of two new systems that will make each gamer’s experience even more immersive: a PvE and a PvP system. With these new systems, gamers will be able to battle villains not just by themselves but with friends. The team is not far from releasing a game demo video that will highlight the main features of the project. While players wait for the game release, this video will certainly answer many questions of the online community. And what’s more, RoboHero will be one of the first mobile games to introduce a metaverse dimension into its gameplay. Consequently, the world will not just be limited to a smartphone screen but will extend far beyond. The RoboHero app has received a major update with a new section called RoboHero University. This allows users to answer questions regarding RoboHero in order to receive rewards. The top 100 players in the game receive rewards. In addition, the game demo video is almost ready. RoboHero will finally be able to show its users what the game will look like. The Game Announcement Having rebuilt society after a catastrophic event, intelligent robots are fighting a war over the resources they require to live. BioRobots fight against each other in a digital world of action, adventure, and intrigue. There are two gaming modes: “PvE,” which means playing against the computer “PvP,” which means playing against another person. Each player must have a wallet full of tokens to participate in either game mode. Player against Player (PvP) and Player versus Environment (PvE) are fundamentally different types of play. If players are looking for an easier game, they may equip their RoboHero with special equipment. There are 127 hexagons on the fight map. In addition, the system places ten random structures on the map. In order to win the fight, players must either defeat their opponent or take control of six of their structures. A Game Offering Bonuses to Its Community In RoboHero, gamers can enjoy several perks and bonuses. Among these, the team mentioned: Players can purchase insurance for PVP battles to protect their robots from damage. Each RoboHero group has developed its own special gear to improve the abilities of those who wear it. Each player can claim ROBO tokens in the story mode and native tokens in the PVP mode. NFT Lands play an essential role in the RoboHero, where PVP fights occur. NFT Mines are present throughout the world of RoboHero and are used to craft weapons and armor. It is possible to get a new robot through breeding. The Watch2Earn application allows players to receive SCRAP points for watching ads and enter the game with a new robot. About RoboHero RoboHero is a revolutionary app that allows users to take advantage of the moments that everyone tends to waste during the day. Through watching ads, users can gain SCRAP points and use them to get their first playable NFT character in the game. RoboHero also offers a special educational section, or "RoboHero University." In RoboHero, a metaverse realm enhances the project's gameplay in a mobile game. In the long run, this feature has the potential to be a game changer for RoboHero. In the metaverse, RoboHero provides a clever method for saving money at first and earning them afterwards. Using this software, players don't have to worry about making the initial investment in P2E games. In many cases, players must pay hundreds of dollars to even have a chance at the game. They're not even sure if they'll stick around for the long haul after this huge investment. RoboHero goes a different route by allowing players to earn cryptocurrency as they progress through the metaverse. With two gameplay systems, gamers may now achieve success in the game by experiencing two fundamentally distinct gaming experiences. In RoboHero, players may benefit from various extras, such as insurance for PvP fights, which guards against robot damage. In addition, the game provides players with various unique items that improve the abilities of those who own them. Everyone who plays this game can expect an entertaining and engaging experience. The project's website and the social media platforms listed below provide more details about this intriguing new game. Twitter | Discord | Medium | Reddit Contact Details RoboHero Aleksandra Wasaznik aleksandra@wemakeit.pl

August 01, 2022 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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LiveArt and Huang Yuxing Announce Exclusive NFT Collection Available this Fall

LiveArt

LiveArt announced today an upcoming partnership with Huang Yuxing (b. 1975, Beijing) to co-create “Meta-morphic: the Genesis of Huang Yuxing,” an exclusive NFT drop by the contemporary artist. Already renowned for his dexterous paintings, Huang will expand on his physical work and enter the digital realm through this genesis collection of generative NFTs. Each NFT will evolve and unlock alongside a collector’s participation. This NFT drop is produced and published by LiveArt, which launched in early 2021 by a team of former Sotheby’s and Christie’s leaders to bridge the physical and digital art worlds. The collaboration between two leading forces in the art world will bring their collective creativity to the rapidly maturing world of digital art. "Meta-morphic is my first generative NFT project. This new medium allows a new kind of exploration of recurring motifs in my work - minerals, bubbles and rivers - and the themes of nature and of time that are hallmarks of my artistic journey," said Huang Yuxing about the collaboration. Huang Yuxing is widely recognized for paintings that reflect and preserve the process of their creation. His work’s exceptional synthesis of styles has broad appeal, with imagery that calls back to traditional Chinese landscape painting rendered in an ultra-contemporary neon palette that verges on abstraction. Huang’s works have already passed the $8-million mark at auction, most recently via the sale of his epic riverscape Seven Treasure Pines (2016–19) which sold for HK$64.8 million ($8.3 million), more than 13 times its high estimate, a record sum for a Chinese artist born after 1970. “We are thrilled to be working with Huang Yuxing on his ‘Genesis’ NFT collection,” said Marisa Kayyem, head of LiveArt NFT division. “ Yuxing’s arresting work brings together tradition and innovation, not limited by constraints or boundaries. He is an ideal partner in LiveArt’s mission to support creators in exploring blockchain as an artistic medium, bring traditional collectors into the digital space, and expose crypto collectors to breakthrough contemporary artists.” “Meta-morphic: the Genesis of Huang Yuxing” will be available this fall exclusively at LiveArt. Visit https://liveart.io/meta-morphic to receive updates about the collaboration. About LiveArt LiveArt is a premium platform that connects the art world with Web3. With unique technology built by art industry leaders, LiveArt brings creators, collaborators, and collectors into the metaverse. Artists can mint their works in the Creator Hub with powerful rights management and unbreakable resale royalties. The LiveArt White Label Suite enables galleries, museums, and brands to launch and manage their own Web3 projects and work with the LiveArt NFT Studio and our partners to curate and market drops. And the LiveArt Developer Lab empowers the most advanced coders to work with our innovative Web3 technology. LiveArt provides the ultimate bridge between the physical and digital art worlds – blending technology, innovation and deep knowledge of the art market. Our $ART token facilitates the community and governance around the LiveArt marketplace while providing insider access to the art world. Holders of the $ART token are eligible for exclusive rewards and access to digital and physical art, advance notice of drops, and membership in the LiveArt DAO. About Huang Yuxing Huang Yuxing (b. 1975, Beijing) is widely recognized among his generation for his ability to create paintings that reflect and preserve the process of their creation. Colors, brushstrokes, and traces of the artist’s hand endure on his canvases after being continuously overlaid and blended. The meticulous brushstrokes and intense colors that pervade his works are grounded in the traditional Chinese realist technique, ‘Gongbi Zhongcai’, while building upon these principles through a signature contemporary style that continues to evolve. Huang’s artistic practice is marked by exceptional depth: while his works may at first recall an Expressionist style, they are deeply rooted in a detailed construction of landscape and human form that effuses vibrant color and reflects the experience of creation. Huang’s works are marked by a sharp and clear contrast between the vitality of color and the harsh realities of life. Rivers, bubbles, treasures, sunrises, and sunsets are recurring motifs in his works that are presented with dazzling visual effect, yet embody the artist’s extensive study of individuals, nature, life, politics, and beyond. Contact Details LiveArt PR press@liveart.io Company Website https://liveart.io

July 29, 2022 01:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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BLENDED PRESENTED BY MY WINE SOCIETY DEBUTS BOTTLE POPPING FESTIVAL IN TAMPA, FL ON NOVEMBER 19 + 20, 2022

Blended Festival

Blended Festival Presented by My Wine Society has announced the inaugural launch of its two-day music, art, wine and culinary extravaganza in Tampa, Florida. Prepare to get corked on Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20, 2022 at Perry Harvey Park, centrally located in the heart of downtown. The spirited festival will conclude its multi-city tour after wrapping up stops in Nashville, Austin and San Diego and enter its final leg in Tampa, Florida. The wine-centric festival enters its 3-year anniversary and has proudly teamed up with local Tampa partners Justin Savich of Simplicity Funding & Holdings, and Dor Haim of One of Us, to bring the event to the Florida market. In addition to Tampa staples Savich and Haim, the festivals veteran team CEO Sean Evans, Event director Kalika Moquin, Director of Marketing, Kristy Rumsey, along with strategic partners Ghost Energy, Jaja Tequila, E11even Vodka, and Las Vegas Hospitality Group, In The Moment, have aligned forces to produce this year’s Tampa activation. Expect multiple stages, a 100-foot wine tent, culinary stage, VIP village, wellness retreat and an array of “instagrammable moments” throughout the festival. Exclusively for Tampa the team has assembled an eclectic lineup with some of the hottest names in entertainment including Grammy Award-winning musical duo The Chainsmokers, electronic music duo Loud Luxury, Grammy Award-wining hitmaker Nelly, Hip-hop favorite Rich The Kid, musical sensation Bryce Vine and musical producer and DJ Elderbrook to headline the festivities and deliver an unforgettable weekend. Let’s get the bottles popping! My Wine Society has partnered with the nation’s leading wineries to offer wine flights and bubbles for party-goers throughout the weekend. Executive Sommelier for Blended Festivals, Matthew Lindsey aka The Lord of Wine, will host curated tastings highlighting tasting notes of the finest wines and champagnes inside the wine pavilion at the festival. The festival also features a full bar, and VIP table service for those looking for a more white glove experience. No music festival would be complete without the food. The culinary experience is one of the fan-favorite highlights of the Blended experience. Food truck row and pop-ups from Tampa's premier dining destinations will showcase local culinary favorites. Blended turns up the heat with their high-energy crowd demonstrations and competitive cooking competitions live from the culinary stage. “Simplicity Funding is looking forward to bring downtown Tampa the first one of a kind event that encompasses Wine, Culinary, Art, and the top music of today” says CEO Justin Savich. “And proud to be partnered with Dor Haim of One of us, who has been an important part of the boots on the ground movement in bringing live events to the market, and across the US”. Following the Tampa debut, the group is preparing an expansion that includes bringing the festival to 4 additional Florida markets. “We want to host a traveling event in multiple Florida cities that combines music, food, craft cocktails, and wine, offering an elevated experience to todays festival goer” Savich continued. “A party I would want to bring my friends and family to. We are excited to introduce Blended to Tampa, as we feel it’s a the perfect debut and on brand with we’re striving to achieve throughout the South East” Official ticket and hotel packages are available. For general admission (18+), VIP, VIP+, and all-inclusive tickets (21+), VIP table reservations (21+), and additional information, visit www.blendedfestival.com. For updates, follow @BlendedFest on Instagram and Facebook. Contact Details Beth Bartolini beth@brelevantpr.com Company Website https://www.blendedfestival.com/

July 28, 2022 10:53 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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BLENDED FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY MY WINE SOCIETY RETURNS TO SAN DIEGO ON OCTOBER 8 + 9, 2022

Blended Festival

Blended Festival Presented by My Wine Society has announced the return of its two-day music, art, wine and culinary extravaganza in San Diego for its third-consecutive year. Prepare to get corked on Saturday October 8 and Sunday, October 9, 2022 at Spanish Landing Park (3900 N Harbor Drive). The spirited festival returns to its city of origin after successfully making waves in Nashville and Austin for their second-consecutive year. The wine-centric event has expanded their national footprint by entering their fourth city in Tampa, Florida arriving in mid-November to conclude this year’s tour. Helmed by My Wine Society owner, Sean Evans, Partner John Bazzo, Director of Live Events and Entertainment, Kalika Moquin and Director of Marketing, Kristy Rumsey, along with strategic partners Ghost Energy, Octavio Tequila, Melograno Cocktails and Las Vegas Hospitality Group, In The Moment, have aligned forces to produce this year’s activation. Expect multiple stages, a 100-foot wine tent, culinary stage, VIP village, wellness retreat and an array of “instagrammable moments” throughout the festival. Exclusively for San Diego the team has assembled an eclectic lineup with some of the hottest names in entertainment including Atlanta Hip-hop legend T.I., electronic music duo Galantis, renowned Alternative-rock group Everclear, multi-platinum DJ, producer and live instrumentalist, Timmy Trumpet. Las Vegas resident party starter Brody Jenner along with local DJs and more musical acts to be announced set to deliver an unforgettable and action packed weekend. Let’s get the bottles popping! My Wine Society has partnered with the nation’s leading wineries to offer wine flights and bubbles for party-goers throughout the weekend. Executive Sommelier for Blended Festivals, Matthew Lindsey aka The Lord of Wine, will host curated tastings highlighting tasting notes of the finest wines and champagnes inside the wine pavilion at the festival. No music festival would be complete without the food. The culinary experience is one of the fan-favorite highlights of the Blended experience. Food truck row and pop-ups from San Diego's premier dining destinations showcase local culinary favorites. Blended turns up the heat with their high-energy crowd demonstrations and competitive cooking competitions live from the culinary stage. “We're curating the elevated Blended experience with the aim of creating fun and long-lasting memories for festival-goers,” said Kalika Moquin, Blended festival director. “Whether you’re there for the music, food, wine, specialty drinks, or all of it, we offer something special for everyone. And, this year, we're expanding our programming to reflect the most current trends.” Official ticket and hotel packages are available. For general admission (18+), VIP, VIP+, and all-inclusive tickets (21+), VIP table reservations (21+), and additional information, visit www.blendedfestival.com. For updates, follow @BlendedFest on Instagram and Facebook. Contact Details Blended Festivals Beth Bartolini beth@brelevantpr.com Company Website https://www.instagram.com/blendedfest/

July 28, 2022 10:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Cloudrise announces $10M in total funding

Cloudrise

Cloudrise, a tech-enabled services firm focused on securing data wherever it resides, is pleased to announce it has completed financing to raise the company’s total to-date funding to $10 million. Since launching the company in October of 2019, Cloudrise has worked with 100s of global customers, including numerous Fortune 500 enterprises, on their data protection and cloud security projects. During this time, Cloudrise has continued to exceed all stated financial targets and is investing significantly to expand service delivery and research and development teams, while raising the bar for data protection. To help further growth and innovation, Cloudrise secured additional funding in July from Three Kings Capital, with add-on capital from existing investors Stormbreaker Ventures and the Greater Colorado Venture Fund. With success comes the need to add more talent to Cloudrise’s Board of Directors, and Bill Ryckman, Managing Principal at Three Kings Capital, will join the Cloudrise board. "We are very pleased to be partnering with Cloudrise and its proven management team led by Rob Eggebrecht," Ryckman said. "Cloudrise is a well-known leader in the data protection market, with particular expertise in the cloud, and a reputation for delivering exceptional service. As more and more businesses embrace the cloud, Cloudrise has become an integral partner to a diverse set of clients across the country and around the world, helping to keep their data safe from cyber criminals. With its high-quality team and technology-enabled platform, Cloudrise is well-positioned to serve our collective mission on a much wider scale.” Cloudrise co-founder and CEO Rob Eggebrecht is excited about the future ahead for the company. “Our latest funding venture is a major milestone, allowing Cloudrise to fast-track industry-changing initiatives for how professional services are delivered in the cyber industry via our tech-enablement approach,” Eggebrecht said. “The current status quo for delivering professional services in the cyber industry is outdated, inefficient, and does not scale to the world of cloud computing in global enterprises today. While organizations are contending with the exponential growth of data and an excessive amount of cyber security application/platforms, traditional service providers are stuck in a mindset of a help-desk, ticket-driven world, attempting to throw more people at the problem.” Instead of throwing more time and resources at complex data security challenges, Cloudrise leverages a proprietary service delivery platform to increase efficiencies, enable better collaboration, and reduce time needed to deliver high-value outcomes. By bundling software and humans, Cloudrise delivers tech-enabled services that allow customers to realize an immediate impact for their business. Cloudrise continues to build on what has been a groundbreaking 2022, in which the company announced: The acquisition of CyberOrchard, an information security managed service organization located in the United Kingdom Jason Bird, CyberOrchard’s founder and CEO, as CTO at Cloudrise Cloudrise named as Netskope’s Global Services Partner of the Year Placement on the Managed Security 100 on CRN’s Managed Service Provider 500 list for 2022 ‘Best Solution in Data Security’ at Global InfoSec Awards by Cyber Defense Magazine Hiring Rob Zillioux as CFO The opening of a new global headquarters facility in Grand Junction, Colorado About Three Kings Capital Three Kings Capital is a mission-driven, family office-backed private equity platform that invests exclusively in cyber security companies. Its mission is to protect the world's assets, critical infrastructure, and personally identifiable information from cyber threats. Aided by an Advisory Board of government and private sector cyber security experts, Three Kings seeks to enable and partner with mission-driven companies at any stage of development. Its permanent, flexible capital base allows Three Kings to invest in any type of security within the capital structure. Three Kings is headquartered in New York City but seeks investment opportunities from around the country and certain other parts of the world. For more information, please visit www.ThreeKingsCapital.com. About Cloudrise Cloudrise is a technology-enabled services firm, specializing in delivering data security services customized to meet organizations’ business needs. Drawing from 20+ years of experience in the field, we have tailored our services to be laser-focused on securing organizations’ data wherever it resides. Cloudrise helps organizations elevate their data protection and privacy programs through assessments, technology enablement, and managed services. Cloudrise can be found at www.cloudrise.com or on LinkedIn. Contact Details Cloudrise Robert McLean +1 800-917-7619 sales@cloudrise.com Company Website https://cloudrise.com/

July 28, 2022 05:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

7 Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Financial Advisor

Benzinga

Choosing a financial advisor is a major life decision that can determine your financial trajectory for years to come. A 2020 Northwestern Mutual study found that 71% of U.S. adults admit their financial planning needs improvement. However, only 29% of Americans work with a financial advisor.1 The value of working with a financial advisor varies by person and advisors are legally prohibited from promising returns, but research suggests people who work with a financial advisor feel more at ease about their finances and could end up with about 15% more money to spend in retirement.2 Consider this example: A recent Vanguard study found that, on average, a hypothetical $500K investment would grow to over $3.4 million under the care of an advisor over 25 years, whereas the expected value from self-management would be $1.69 million, or 50% less. In other words, an advisor-managed portfolio would average 8% annualized growth over a 25-year period, compared to 5% from a self-managed portfolio.3 SmartAsset’s no-cost tool simplifies the time-consuming process of finding a financial advisor. A short questionnaire helps match you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors that serve your area, legally bound to work in your best interest. The whole process takes just a few minutes, and in many cases you can be connected instantly with an advisor for a free retirement consultation. Advisors are rigorously screened through our proprietary due diligence process. Being aware of these seven common blunders when choosing an advisor can help you find peace of mind, and potentially avoid years of stress. 1. Hiring an Advisor Who Is Not a Fiduciary By definition, a fiduciary is an individual who is ethically bound to act in another person’s best interest. Fiduciary financial advisors must avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any potential conflicts of interest to clients. All of the financial advisors on SmartAsset’s matching platform are registered fiduciaries. If your advisor is not a fiduciary and constantly pushes investment products on you, use this no-cost tool to find an advisor who has your best interest in mind. 2. Hiring the First Advisor You Meet While it’s tempting to hire the advisor closest to home or the first advisor in the yellow pages, this decision requires more time. Take the time to interview at least a few advisors before picking the best match for you. 3. Choosing an Advisor with the Wrong Specialty Some financial advisors specialize in retirement planning, while others are best for business owners or those with a high net worth. Some might be best for young professionals starting a family. Be sure to understand an advisor’s strengths and weaknesses – before signing the dotted line. 4. Picking an Advisor with an Incompatible Strategy Each advisor has a unique strategy. Some advisors may suggest aggressive investments, while others are more conservative. If you prefer to go all in on stocks, an advisor that prefers bonds and index funds is not a great match for your style. 5. Not Asking about Credentials To give investment advice, financial advisors are required to pass a test. Ask your advisor about their licenses, tests, and credentials. Financial advisors tests include the Series 7, and Series 66 or Series 65. Some advisors go a step further and become a Certified Financial Planner, or CFP. 6. Not Understanding How They are Paid Some advisors are “fee only” and charge you a flat rate no matter what. Others charge a percentage of your assets under management. Some advisors are paid commissions by mutual funds, a serious conflict of interest. If the advisor earns more by ignoring your best interests, do not hire them. 7. Not Hiring a Vetted Advisor Chances are, there are several highly qualified financial advisors in your town. However, it can seem daunting to choose one. Our no-cost tool makes it easy to find a qualified financial advisor. The entire matching process takes just a few minutes. Click here to get matched with up to three financial advisors who serve your area. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

July 27, 2022 02:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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