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Iowa State Football Picks HearMeCheer to Bring Cyclones Fans at Home Right into the Action at Jack Trice Stadium against Louisiana This Saturday

HearMeCheer

The Iowa State Cyclones kick off their 2020 college football season this Saturday, September 12 against the University of Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns at Jack Tice Stadium. Normally a packed stadium would cheer on the Cyclones, but with COVID-19 safeguards and precautions in place, Iowa State has turned to HearMeCheer to bring their fans at home right into the action. As live sports continue to return to American television, COVID-19 social distancing guidelines preclude fans actually being in the stands in most states. HearMeCheer’s patented technology allows fans watching the games at home to cheer into the microphones in their smartphones, tablets and computers and be heard live inside stadiums, arenas, ballparks as well as on radio and television broadcasts from those sites. According to Elias Andersen, the founder and CEO of HearMeCheer , “We are excited by our first opportunity to work with football, and college sports, this weekend with the Iowa State Cyclones game. HearMeCheer has been proven as a great fan engagement platform for Top Rank boxing on ESPN from the beginning of the summer, for the New York Red Bulls at their home games since late August, for the Royal Belgian Football Association earlier this week, and now we will bring the Iowa State fans into the action at Jack Tice Stadium this Saturday. We know HearMeCheer can keep college sports fans and alumni engaged in every game, everywhere.” Andersen and his growing company believe HearMeCheer is a software platform that can increase fan engagement. HearMeCheer takes audio from fans watching at home and aggregates the sounds into one audio stream, which is provided to broadcasters and to feeds in ballparks, stadiums, and arenas. The sound from fans is converted into crowd noise using low-latency algorithms. Previously an Electrical Engineering major at the University of Toronto, the 20-year-old Andersen decided to leave college this past January to devote his attention to his start-up, ChampTrax, full-time. While pitching Major League Baseball teams the young company’s sports analytics platform at spring training sites in Arizona this past March accompanied by co-founder Jason Rubinstein, the pivot to develop HearMeCheer happened while Andersen was on an airplane returning to Toronto as the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the sports world. About HearMeCheer: HearMeCheer is an innovative fan engagement platform developed by the team at ChampTrax. The Toronto-based company has created an app that allows sports fans at home to actively engage with their favorite teams playing in ballparks, arenas, and stadiums around the world. HearMeCheer collects live fan noise, cheers, sounds and reactions into a live audio stream that is used by sports teams, leagues, and broadcasters in live game coverage. Additional information is available at http://www.HearMeCheer.com . Contact Details Jim DeLorenzo +1 215-266-5943 jim@jhdenteprises.com Company Website http://www.jhdenterprises.com

September 11, 2020 11:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Join Us Today for a Webinar on PR & Marketing Strategies for Raising Capital

REQ

Join us today, Thursday, September 10th at 4:00pm EST as REQ’s EVP of PR, Elizabeth Shea, and special guest, Parag Sheth of Outcome Capital will discuss how to position your company to be successful when pursuing a capital raise. In this session, we'll discuss: How to craft the PR and marketing strategies that position your company to be successful for a capital raise How to think creatively about value proposition and growth strategies How to navigate the current marketplace A little more about our speakers: Elizabeth Shea is EVP of Public Relations for REQ bringing more than 20 years of experience in the tech PR space, helping many companies navigate the messaging and strategies of both capital raises and merges and acquisitions. Parag Sheth is a Managing Director at Outcome Capital and serves as a Board Member of Mindshare and the Northern Virginia National Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth for over three years. He is a venture capital investor and a trusted advisor and business partner to companies in all stages of the growth spectrum. Click Here to Register About REQ A leading digital marketing and brand management company, REQ outpaces changes in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape by bringing brand marketing, reputation management, advocacy, and business results to new heights. It delivers a comprehensive suite of solutions and technologies that define, connect, and protect brands — serving global companies and leaders in technology, healthcare, government, real estate, hospitality, retail, and finance. The company has been named to both the Inc. 500 and Deloitte Fast 500 lists as one of the fastest-growing companies in America and has received over 200 creative, performance, and workplace awards. For more information, visit https://req.co/ Contact Details Lisa Throckmorton +1 703-287-7803 lthrockmorton@req.co Company Website https://req.co/

September 10, 2020 11:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SIGNARAMA RETURNS AS TITLE SPONSOR FOR 2020 WORLD AXE THROWING LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Signarama

Signarama , the world’s leading sign franchise, is excited to announce that it is the official title sponsor of the World Axe Throwing League’s (WATL) 2020 Championship event for a second year. Referred to as the 2020 Signarama World Axe Throwing Championship, the event will take place December 4-6 at Bad Axe Throwing in Atlanta, Georgia. “Signarama‘s sponsorship isn’t just about putting our logo on a program name, it’s our way of connecting with the loyal, engaged and diverse audience that make up our customer base. Last year, we were blown away by the response of the World Axe Throwing League Championship. As this sport continues to grow and reach new audiences, we look forward to sharing the fun and action with everyone on December 6," said A.J. Titus, President of Signarama. The 2020 Signarama World Axe Throwing Championship will air live on ESPN3 on December 6 at 2 p.m. ET. Viewers will have the unique opportunity to watch the final six competitors throw live, including the chance to win the title of World Champion and the prize pool of $50,000. This year, WATL will also televise the World Championship for Big Axe competition and Duals where two competitors throw on the same target and compete against another two competitors. If you miss the action on December 6, check out the replay on December 13 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. What started as a mission to create a forum for axe throwing facilities to establish official rules and regulations, the World Axe Throwing League has grown to 28 countries, over 266 affiliates and more than 300 locations worldwide since its inception. Today, the League is the largest professional association for axe throwing in the world. "We're excited to have Signarama be this year's title sponsor for a second year. With their ongoing support, we are confident that this will be the best televised event we’ve ever produced," said Mario Zelaya, Commissioner of the World Axe Throwing League. Signarama is part of a successful system of franchise brands under the United Franchise Group (UFG), and based in West Palm Beach, Florida. UFG has more than 1,600 franchisees in 80 countries worldwide. For more information about the 2020 Signarama World Axe Throwing Championship, visit worldaxethrowingleague.com . ABOUT WORLD AXE THROWING LEAGUE The World Axe Throwing League (WATL) is the global governing body of urban axe throwing. WATL was founded in 2017 by representatives from Canada, the United States of America, Brazil and Ireland. It has 25 axe throwing nations with affiliates. It organizes international tournament events such as the US Open, Canadian Open and most notably the World Axe Throwing Championship. ABOUT SIGNARAMA Signarama, the world’s largest sign franchise, offers branding and messaging solutions in addition to comprehensive sign and graphic services to consumers and commercial customers – from business signs, vehicle wraps, and digital signs, to advertising and marketing services. Signarama is part of a successful system of business-to-business franchise brands and development services under the United Franchise Group (UFG). As part of a $49-billion-plus worldwide sign market, Signarama has been at the forefront of the sign industry for over three decades. With more than 700 locations in 60 countries. For more information, visit signarama.com . Contact Details Brittny Fuchs +1 561-812-6032 bfuchs@ufgcorp.com Company Website https://signarama.com/

September 10, 2020 11:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Fully Promoted® Now Offering Unique New Product to Combat Germs and Bacteria

Fully Promoted

Fully Promoted ®, the world’s largest branded products and marketing services franchise, announced today it will now offer nanoDefense ® products. The product line is comprised of recognizable, replaceable film that has a proprietary coating which activates in the presence of light to create a self-cleaning service. The surface engineered to repel contaminants allowing it to easily be wiped clean with water, but more importantly ingredients are actively involved in destroying organic compounds. The nanoDefense ® products are intended to be used by businesses on high touch surfaces in lighted areas, where the coating can work to remove viruses, bacteria, and contaminants. Fully Promoted recommends using the products on doors, elevator buttons, restrooms, touchscreens, self-service items and on mass transit. “Offering the nanoDefense ® products to our customers is another way that Fully Promoted is helping businesses get back to business,” said Mike Brugger, Fully Promoted brand President. “Businesses will find comfort in knowing that high touch points throughout their facilities are combating the growth and spread of contagions. Employees will be equally comfortable knowing that their work environment is safer.” In addition to offering nanoDefense ® , Fully Promoted offers a vast selection of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) that will help businesses get back to business. Most recently, Fully Promoted launched social distancing bracelets for networking events. The color-coded wristbands indicate an individuals preferred level of interaction. A member of the United Franchise Group, Fully Promoted can access more than half a million promotional products . For more information about Fully Promoted, the nanoDefense ® products, or to receive a product sample, contact your local Fully Promoted store. About Fully Promoted Fully Promoted has 300 locations across the globe. The brand operates a full-service branded products and marketing service business and is the place to attract customers. From promotional products and embroidery to expert printing services, Fully Promoted can help take businesses to the next level. Fully Promoted also offers an office-based model allowing franchisees to operate their business using a developed network of resources. To find the Fully Promoted nearest you, visit www.FullyPromoted.com , and for franchising opportunities, visit www.FullyPromotedFranchise.com . Contact Details Brittny Fuchs +1 561-812-6032 bfuchs@ufgcorp.com Company Website http://www.fullypromoted.com/

September 09, 2020 10:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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New survey shows strained PR pro – journalist relationship

News Direct

Today, News Direct and PRWeek released survey results on the current state of media outreach to gain better and more timely insights into the PR pro –journalist relationship. Among the key findings, only one out of 10 journalists “always” trust the information contained in press releases -- reflecting a deficit of trust that is fundamental to the dynamic between communicators and journalists. This is the first in a series of articles that will delve deeper into the primary challenges that journalists and communicators face and offer solutions on ways to work together more effectively. The relationship between PR professionals and journalists has endured for more than half a century. From print to digital news formats, a 24/7 news cycle and the ubiquity of social media, the relationship has evolved, yet the fundamentals remain the same. “Despite the very real challenges that exist in the PR pro - journalist relationship, there’s also common ground, which is why the relationship, when it works best, is symbiotic. Our goal at News Direct is to bridge these two ecosystems to enable both journalists and PR professionals to do their best work,” said Gregg Castano, Founder and CEO, News Direct. Castano continued, “Survey findings indicate that with the right tools, knowledge and insights, PR pros can help journalists do their jobs more effectively. Working together, they can deliver information and content to audiences that inform, excite and inspire.” Below are key insights from the survey results: Avoid pitching mistakes : With the pitch at the core of media relations, it’s crucial that PR pros get it right, yet 89% of journalists report that they miss the mark by not researching the publication before pitching. Among other pitfalls for corporate communicators to avoid are excessive follow-up, providing outdated content and not giving enough lead time on a story. The power of a pithy headline : A full 94% of communications pros and 91% of journalists rank the press release headline as the most important in capturing audience attention, with media pros specifically seeking a “catchy but informative headline that’s not exaggerating.” Both parties also agree that the introductory paragraph is the second most critical element. Strengthen the relationship : Nearly 42% of journalists say PR pros do not make their jobs easier, and over 25% say the relationship has regressed over the last five years. One key to improving the dynamic is newswire services, a source both communications and media professionals trust for their legitimacy of content, efficiency and reach. Multimedia is a must : Comms pros are doing a better job of sharing more multimedia content than they did three years ago, according to 80% of PR pros and nearly 70% of journalists. PR professionals need vendor partners that can help them expand their distribution of this content efficiently. In fact, nearly 60% surveyed say they would benefit from using a newswire to share multimedia assets. A need for greater value and security : Over 40% of comms pros note, when using a wire service, that they do not have enough targeting options to distribute content to the audiences they need. Further, over 40% report they don’t have a sense of the ROI on their efforts with online outlets, underscoring the need for more discrete measurement tools. Additionally, both PRs (80.4%) and journalists (74.2%) agree that maintaining data security is important during the media outreach process. The survey was conducted in May 2020 among 200 communications and media professionals in the United States. About News Direct News Direct is redefining the content and news distribution industry – and we’re doing it from the ground up. That’s because the News Direct platform was designed and built from the ground up, to reinvent content delivery, re-engineer workflow, revitalize metrics and ROI, and bring security and pricing into the 21st century. News Direct is purpose-built. Client-focused. Dedicated to modern media outreach, and to the PR and IR professionals who need a platform to make them the best they can be. To learn more visit newsdirect.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter and Facebook . Contact Details Ally O'Hara +1 212-404-6609 aohara@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.newsdirect.com/

September 09, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Venture X® Coming to Holyoke, Massachusetts

Venture X

Venture X , a professional, flexible workspace community for freelancers, entrepreneurs and businesses, is excited to announce its newest location will be opening in Holyoke, Massachusetts in early 2021. This 16,000 square foot workspace at 98 Lower Westfield Rd., will be located at the intersection of I-91 and I-90, adjacent to the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside. Venture X is a global coworking community with locations throughout the United States and Canada, as well as internationally. The workspaces are well appointed with many amenities, frequently sanitized and cognizant of social distancing. They offer a variety of options from virtual offices to dedicated desks to private individual and team offices. Venture X caters to professionals looking for a business casual work environment where they can always feel comfortable bringing their clients. The Venture X membership is diverse and includes entrepreneurs, creative professionals, freelancers, remote workers, startups, non-profits, small businesses, and teams from Fortune 500 companies. “As a fourth generation Barowsky from Holyoke, I am very proud and excited to bring the Venture X concept to our area,” said Ned Barowsky, Owner. “I believe that Venture X will be a great asset to the Holyoke market and will fill a need as Holyoke and the surrounding communities are lacking premium coworking space.” Venture X Holyoke will be located within a building owned by Barowsky at the busiest intersection in Western Massachusetts on the access road to the Holyoke Mall. The property has recently been updated with an additional 90 parking spaces added for a total of 300. “We are thrilled to be opening our second Venture X location in Massachusetts and our first in the Western part of the state,” said Jason Anderson , president of Venture X. “The Venture X brand is growing exponentially, and we look forward to providing professional, coworking options to Holyoke and the surrounding communities.” In addition to office space, Venture X offers event space and meeting room rentals for the day or by the hour for members and non-members. Additional details on Venture X’s workspace options and services are available at https://venturex.com/memberships/ . About Venture X Venture X is a shared workspace and community that is a blend of boutique hotel and modern office styles, with a high level of design that feels professional and welcoming. We are designing beautiful spaces and developing an environment and community that people love coming to work every day. Venture X is part of a successful group of affiliated companies and brands under the United Franchise Group (UFG) and has been recognized by Inc. as one of the best co-working spaces in the United States. For more information about locations visit  www.VentureX.com  and for information about franchise opportunities visit  www.venturexfranchise.com .  About United Franchise Group Led by Founder and CEO Ray Titus, United Franchise Group is home to an affiliated family of brands, including Signarama, Fully Promoted, Experimax, Jon Smith Subs, SuperGreen Solutions, Transworld Business Advisors, Accurate Franchising, Venture X, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, Network Lead Exchange and Resource Operations International (ROI). With over three decades in the franchising industry and more than 1,600 franchisees throughout the world, United Franchise Group offers unprecedented leadership and solid business opportunities for entrepreneurs. Contact Details Brittny Fuchs +1 561-812-6032 bfuchs@ufgcorp.com Company Website https://venturex.com/

September 09, 2020 09:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Hot Paper Lantern Partners with YVote to Get the Youth Vote Out in Election 2020

Hot Paper Lantern

Democracy thrives on participation in the election process but, historically, the country’s youth has failed to show up at the polls. In fact, there are approximately 22 million young people (18-24) eligible to vote in the 2020 election, yet less than 50% of the them have voted in previous elections. This is why Hot Paper Lantern is partnering with YVote to help the organization raise awareness of its mission and drive participation among young people in the voting process. YVote is a non-profit organization that helps young people understand the importance of voting, being involved in the political process, and participating in elections through an issue-based approach. “Statistics show that teenagers who vote when they turn 18 years-old are more likely to vote regularly in elections throughout their lives, so it’s imperative that we teach young people about the importance of voting and empower them with the knowledge, tools and network to overcome voter suppression and engage in the political process,” said Sanda Balaban , founder of YVote/Next generation Politics. “As a non-profit, we are thrilled to be working alongside seasoned communications professionals at Hot Paper Lantern in an effort to raise as much visibility as possible in YVote and the importance of youth voting.” Hot Paper Lantern will provide YVote with strategic communications support and mentoring, including messaging and content development, digital and social media marketing, and media relations. “Involvement in the political process is one of the great issues of our time, and YVote has built an engine that is helping young people overcome the obstacles they face on the path to voting,” said Ted Birkhahn , President of Hot Paper Lantern. “We believe the power of communications will accelerate YVote’s mission and have a direct impact on voter turnout in the upcoming election.” To learn more or to help support YVote, please visit: https://yvoteny.org/ For more information about Hot Paper Lantern, please visit: https://hotpaperlantern.com/ Contact Details Ted Birkhahn +1 917-774-8697 tedb@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://hotpaperlantern.com/

September 09, 2020 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Royal Belgian Football Association Helps Their Fans Cheer on the Red Devils from their Home for the Belgium vs. Iceland Match Today Via the Innovative Startup HearMeCheer

HearMeCheer

Today at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, the Royal Belgian Football Association Red Devils will play against Iceland in an empty stadium. But to avoid it being a “silent” match, the Red Devils are calling on their fans to support them en masse, from their living rooms. RBFA has partnered with innovative start-ups HearMeCheer and FanFest to bring the full stadium experience to their loyal fans in their living rooms and beyond, as well as on the field for the Red Devils. “The Devils will have to play in empty stadiums for some time, which is why we needed to find a manner in which we could engage our fans in the game and get the full stadium experience to them,” said Manu Leroy, Marketing & Communication Director for the Royal Belgian Football Association . “We found two innovative start-ups via the international virtual incubator HYPE Sports Innovation. HearMeCheer transmits live cheers, while FanFest allows supporters to chat with friends via their computers about the match as if they were in the stadium or a café. ” HearMeCheer will bring the full King Baudouin Stadium experience on your TV instead of a sterile, pre-recorded audio track. The app from the Canadian start-up captures the cheers, chants, and encouragement of Belgian fans in front of their television. The app mixes supporters’ sounds and transmits them live as a background to the comments on Belgian broadcasters VTM and RTBF, the channels that will broadcast the match against Iceland. “If you want to cheer the Red Devils on to victory from your living room, go to https://hln.hearmecheer.com/games/2020-nations-league-belgium on Tuesday evening,” said Leroy. “As a start-up, we are honored that we can help fans of the highest-ranking team in the world in one of the most popular sports,” said Elias Andersen, founder and CEO of HearMeCheer . “Now that the Red Devils have to play in empty stadiums in the time of COVID-19, our innovation helps the Royal Belgian Football Association create the feeling of a full stadium. It makes the experience much more enjoyable for the players on the field and the supporters at home in front of their TV set. “ HearMeCheer is built to bring together fans and teams in a new way, bringing the stadium experience into their home while bringing the fan experience into the stadiums so that the players know their fans are still with them,” Andersen added. “The opportunity for HearMeCheer to work together with the Royal Belgian Football Association gives everyone the chance to be part of this exciting match no matter where in the world they are watching, and lets the Red Devils hear their fans that inspire their on-field performance. The RBFA is actively engaging their fans in this COVID-19 world, as play resumes without fans in the stands. They are being proactive and innovative, and their willingness to work with a young startup company like ours is further proof that RBFA and other teams need fan engagement platforms like HearMeCheer to keep their fans in the game.” About HearMeCheer: HearMeCheer is an innovative fan engagement platform developed by the team at ChampTrax. The Toronto-based company has created an app that allows sports fans at home to actively engage with their favorite teams playing in ballparks, arenas, and stadiums around the world. HearMeCheer collects live fan noise, cheers, sounds and reactions into a live audio stream that is used by sports teams, leagues, and broadcasters in live game coverage. Additional information is available at http://www.HearMeCheer.com . Contact Details Jim DeLorenzo +1 215-266-5943 jim@jhdenteprises.com Company Website http://www.jhdenterprises.com

September 08, 2020 12:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Cybersecurity Marketing Society Produces Conference Tailored to Helping Cybersecurity Marketers Learn & Grow Skills

Merritt Group

The Cybersecurity Marketing Society (the Society), a community where marketing professionals in the cybersecurity industry come together to network and learn, announced today its new virtual learning conference, CyberMarketingCon 2020. The event is open for registration and will take place virtually from September 21st-25th 2020. CyberMarketingCon was created by the founders of the Society, Aileen Casmano, Gianna Whitver, and Maria Velasquez, cybersecurity marketing professionals who wanted to design an event that brings peer-to-peer learning opportunities to an industry that is highly technical and somewhat complex when it comes to marketing. The founders leveraged their best assets and connections to recruit outstanding speakers for the event -- their member base -- which has grown to over 150 members since the society’s launch in March 2020. "Cybersecurity marketing is the wild west. There are thousands of companies all claiming they can prevent, detect, and remediate any kind of attack, and security professionals are justifiably skeptical of vendor claims. This event presents a great opportunity to learn from experts that have gone beyond the FUD and share how cybersecurity marketers are able to succeed by being creative and not just chasing more (cyber) ambulances,” said Nathan Burke, CMO of Axonius and member of the Society. The speaker lineup consists of 15+ marketing professionals of varying career stages and company disciplines. Session topics range from demand generation strategies to product marketing and management alignment and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Some noteworthy speakers include Tim Wilson , Co-founder of Dark Reading , Kathleen Booth , VP Marketing of Attila Security , and Nathan Burke , CMO of Axonius . “There are plenty of cybersecurity conferences, but none that focus on marketing. An event like CyberMarketingCon 2020 is long overdue. I’m looking forward to getting an inside look at how some of the top marketing leaders in the cybersecurity industry are driving results,” commented Kathleen Booth, VP Marketing at Attila Security and member of the Society. Those interested in registering for CyberMarketingCon can sign up here by September 20th . The official event hashtag is #CyberMarketingCon2020. Information on the sessions and speakers can be found on the event website here . CyberMarketing con is proud to have five sponsors supporting the event: Merritt Group Inc. , Hyer Tech Solutions , The CyberWire , Hacker Valley Media, and Sutter’s Mill Specialties . About the Cybersecurity Marketing Society The Cybersecurity Marketing Society (the Society) is a community for marketing professionals in the cybersecurity industry to network, mindshare, and grow professionally with like-minded people. It was founded in 2020 with the goal of bringing continuous community, resources, and education to a complicated, constantly changing industry. To learn more about the Society and to become a member, visit the website at www.cybersecuritymarketingsociety.com . Contact Details Katie Pesek +1 703-390-1505 pesek@merrittgrp.com Company Website https://www.merrittgrp.com/

September 08, 2020 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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