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TIMMY GARDE, CHIEF INNOVATION LEADER AND HEAD OF LIFE SCIENCES AT LEVLANE, NAMED ONE OF THE 2021 PM360 ELITE 100

LevLane

PM360, the premier information resource for marketing decision makers in the pharmaceutical, biotech, diagnostics, and medical device sectors, has named Timmy Garde, Chief Innovation Leader and Head of Life Sciences at LevLane, as one of the 2021 PM360 ELITE 100 in the Disruptor category. Now in its seventh year, the PM360 ELITE ( E xceptional • L eaders • I nnovators • T ransformers • E ntrepreneurs) represent the most influential people in the healthcare industry today. Garde was also named to the PM360 ELITE 100 in 2017. Garde, who started the Life Sciences group at LevLane, has a long history of accomplishments in the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences marketing arena. Timmy’s experience goes beyond just the marketing – he’s always focused on what is coming next. That mindset was key in major wins for the agency and his clients. “It’s truly a privilege and humbling to receive this award,” said Garde. “As I always say, I couldn’t do this without the incredible team we have at LevLane. This year was a difficult one for our entire country, but in spite of that, we were able to deliver some of the best results we’ve ever seen for our clients. Things move so fast in this world, staying one step ahead is not always easy, but we’ve made it a hallmark of our team and it’s paid off.” The PM360 ELITE Awards were established in 2015 to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on the healthcare industry throughout their careers. More than 500 submissions were received and nominees were evaluated and selected by the PM360 editorial staff based on their accomplishments; testimonials from their bosses, clients, and colleagues; and supporting evidence that reflects the impact of their efforts. A total of 100 winners were selected across 19 categories, including Creative Directors, COVID Heroes, Data Miners, Digital Crusaders, Disrupters, Drug Researchers and Developers, Entrepreneurs, Launch Experts, Leaders of the Future, Marketing Teams, Master Educators, Mentors, Patient Advocates, PR Gurus, Sales MVPs, Strategists, Talent Acquisition Leaders, Tech-know Geeks, and Transformational Leaders. “As the pandemic surged across the globe in 2020, all eyes were on the healthcare and life sciences industries in search for answers, treatments, vaccines, and hope—and the very best in our industry were able to deliver all of that,” says Anna Stashower, CEO and Publisher of PM360. “While every year our ELITE winners demonstrate the power of the life sciences to impact lives, this year’s winners had to do so by overcoming unprecedented challenges in record times. Their incredible work helped to navigate HCPs, patients, and doctors through this pandemic and get us to where we are now as restrictions are slowly being lifted and we start to return to more of the things we love.” The winners were profiled in PM360 ’s May 2021 issue. You can read their profiles online at https://www.pm360online.com/the-2021-pm360-elite-100. Additionally, the 2021 ELITE 100 will be celebrated during a virtual event on June 22 nd at 7 PM EST. A special keynote address from Uber ELITE Winner Stéphane Bancel, CEO, Moderna will kick-off the celebration. Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://www.pm360online.com/elitetickets2021. # # # About PM360 PM360 is the premier, must-read magazine for marketing decision makers in the pharmaceutical, biotech, diagnostics, and medical device industries. Published monthly, PM360 is the only journal that focuses on delivering the full spectrum of practical information necessary for product managers and pharmaceutical marketing professionals to succeed in the complex and highly regulated healthcare environment. The journal’s targeted and insightful editorial focuses on issues that directly impact critical decision making, including planning and implementation of cutting-edge strategies, trends, the latest technological advances, branding/marketing, advertising/promotion, patient/professional education, sales, market research, PR, and leadership. Additionally, the “360” in the title signifies the span of this critical, how-to info with personal and career insights for an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. By providing the full circle of enriching content, PM360 is truly an indispensable tool for busy and productive marketing professionals to stay at the top of their game. About LevLane LevLane is an award-winning, full-service, independent advertising agency in Philadelphia, PA that has been building brands that people love for nearly 40 years. Contact Details LevLane Liz Weir +1 610-401-4825 lweir@levlane.com Company Website https://www.levlane.com

May 18, 2021 07:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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HPL Cyber Survey Finds Enterprise Cybersecurity Purchases are Driven by The Vendor’s Reputation, Not Cost or Expertise

HPL Cyber

A new survey of more than 250 corporate IT professionals conducted in March 2021, conducted by YouGov on behalf of HPL Cyber, indicates that the growth of the cybersecurity industry has led to increased clutter among vendors vying for IT professionals’ attention and share-of-wallet. In fact, the research revealed almost 30% of respondents don’t know the name of their current cybersecurity provider, and 68% are overwhelmed by the sheer number of cybersecurity vendors. “The cyber market is awash in brands that sound the same and use indistinguishable sales and marketing strategies,” said Ted Birkhahn, President of HPL Cyber. “This presents a real challenge for IT professionals who are under increasing pressure to sift through the clutter to find the right partner and solutions that best protect them from ever-evolving threats.” The research found the number one factor when it comes to purchasing cyber security products was brand reputation (41%), which outweighs other factors including cost, expertise and even third-party referrals. Nearly one-third (30%) of respondents cite a lack of brand awareness as one of the biggest barriers when purchasing from cyber vendors. What’s more, when making cybersecurity purchasing decisions, 55% say that case studies, webinars and news articles are more effective than traditional fear-based marketing. When deciding to make a purchase, articles published in cyber, tech and business publications ranked first on the list of resources used (33%) followed by proof of concept. Factors near the bottom of the list when deciding to make a purchase included advertising and cold calling. The Cyber Buyer’s Conundrum Buyers are overwhelmed, underfunded and face intense pressure to protect their organization’s assets from evolving cyber threats. Most respondents are concerned about an imminent cyber attack (95%); additionally, more than half of respondents (52%) cite fear of data loss, followed by 37% indicating a loss of reputation. But only 16% claim they purchase cybersecurity solutions after an attack, noting that the cluttered marketplace, being wary of “ fast-talking salesmen selling snake oil ” and “ a lack of product effectiveness and lack of documentation,” as major impediments on the path to purchase. “Sales and marketing teams in the cyber industry require a fresh approach in how they target, message their ability to solve their customers’ cyber defense challenges -- especially in the wake of a cyber incident where vulnerability is high and time is of the essence,” said Charles Sirois of HPL Cyber. “Buyers are skeptical and they need support throughout the buying cycle to better assess the reputation of the vendor, the value proposition of the product, and the alignment of the proposed solution to the problems they are trying to solve.” Additional Survey Findings: The survey also asked buyers about what they perceive as their company’s most pressing cybersecurity gaps and weaknesses. Email attacks topped the list (30%) followed by outdated systems and insider threats. The field is crowded and while most buyers purchase directly from cyber vendors, others still use managed services providers or third-party consultants: 82% of respondents purchase cyber products directly from Cyber vendors all or some of the time and if companies do not purchase directly, half (50%) use managed service providers followed next by consultants and advisors (41%). More than half (55%) of respondents said business enablement marketing (thought leadership, case studies, etc.) is more effective than fear-based marketing, signaling that while fear can be used as an effective motivator, it should be more significantly balanced with smart, insightful thought leadership that educates, informs, and provides thoughtful solutions. If the pendulum swings too far to fear-based approaches, it will likely damage credibility and reputation of the cybersecurity brand. For more information on the Survey, please contact Ted Birkhahn at tedb@hotpaperlantern.com. Research Methodology The Hot Paper Lantern Cybersecurity Survey was conducted by the independent research arm within HPL Cyber, in collaboration with YouGov. The survey was conducted online, with a total sample size of 252 U.S. cybersecurity buyers. The survey was administered in March 2021. About HPL Cyber HPL Cyber is a specialty area within HPL focused on helping cybersecurity companies grow. We help brands break through and achieve greater relevance through a combination of deep expertise in the cybersecurity industry, a unique comprehension of buyers’ perceptions and purchasing behavior, and a marketing formula with proven success. Please visit our website for more information: https://www.hplcyber.com Contact Details HPL Cyber Matthew Panichas +1 212-931-6190 mpanichas@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.hplcyber.com/

May 18, 2021 07:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CSG Advances MTN’s Digital Ecosystem for Next Era of Growth and Business Transformation

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced a multi-year extension to its long-standing relationship with MTN South Africa, the largest mobile network operator in Africa. As part of this new agreement, CSG is advancing and enhancing MTN’s digital ecosystem. This includes migrating MTN’s enterprise and consumer customers to a new end-state systems architecture that will drive future growth and enable rapid delivery of innovative products and services. “MTN is at the forefront of a technological revolution, driving innovation that is reshaping the mobile experiences in South Africa,” said James Kirby, head of CSG’s EMEA business. “We look forward to continuing this iterative journey with MTN and executing on our strategy to digitally transform their business.” As MTN’s technology provider of choice for more than two decades running, CSG has led the continued transformation of MTN’s ecosystems, driving significant milestones in their journey to becoming a fully digital operator. This includes: Improved customer engagement: CSG has streamlined MTN’s processes from back-office billing to its retail store, helping them meet the demands of today’s digital customer while continuously evolving and enhancing their customer experience. Enhanced network operations: CSG’s combination of transformed technologies and a future-proof architecture has enabled MTN to foster connectivity to more customers than ever before. New revenue growth: CSG provides MTN with the agility to quickly monetise and manage communication services, resulting in expanded products and services to users and partners alike. “Continuous investment in advanced technology is critical to MTN delivering a superior customer experience, while providing the agility needed to foster growth and innovation in today’s digital economy," said Phinda Ncala, Executive: Information Technology, MTN South Africa. "As our trusted technology provider for well over a decade, we work with CSG to help lead our digital evolution and accelerate our journey to becoming a fully digitalised operator." CSG leads efforts to digitally transform business models for hundreds of customers worldwide, providing innovative managed services that automate business processes while controlling risk and costs. Through its transformation of customers’ enterprise IT and business operations, CSG gives them the ability to focus on core business functions, reducing capital and operating expenditures, while increasing the reliability, scalability, security, and overall performance of their business and network operations. # # # About CSG For more than 35 years, CSG has simplified the complexity of business, delivering innovative customer engagement solutions that help companies acquire, monetise, engage, and retain customers. Operating across more than 120 countries worldwide, CSG manages billions of critical customer interactions annually, and its award-winning suite of software and services allows companies across dozens of industries to tackle their biggest business challenges and thrive in an ever-changing marketplace. CSG is the trusted provider for driving digital innovation for hundreds of leading global brands, including Airtel Africa, América Móvil, AT&T, Charter Communications, Comcast, DISH, Formula 1, Hutchison 3 Indonesia, Inmarsat, Mastercard, Maximus, Microsoft, Mobily, MTN, New Leaf Service Contracts, State of California DMV, TalkTalk and Telstra. To learn more, visit our website at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2021 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names that are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: Tammy Hovey Global / North America / Asia-Pacific Public Relations +1 (917) 520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Kristine Østergaard Europe / Middle East / Africa Public Relations +44 (0)79 2047 7204 kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Tammy Hovey +1 917-520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

May 18, 2021 03:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

The Significant Burden of Migraine Disease

YourUpdateTV

The National Headache Foundation announced findings from a new survey, Preventing Migraine Attacks: A Current Perspective, which characterizes the experiences of people living with migraine and highlights the physical and emotional barriers to preventive treatment. Recently, Jill Dehlin, Chairperson for the National Headache Foundation (NHF) Patient Leadership Council – and someone who suffers from migraines – teamed with YourUpdateTV on a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss this debilitating disease. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/xavJfPIoufU The survey found half (50%) of people with migraine are extremely dissatisfied with their current ability to control their disease and report a range of emotions as a result, including frustration (39%), exhaustion (29%), stress (19%) and anxiety (15%). Despite the variety of options currently available to treat and prevent migraines, most people with migraine still aren’t able to completely control their disease and the negative effects and feelings that come with it. In fact, most responders (84%) currently taking a preventive treatment wish there was a better treatment option. According to Jill Dehlin, “migraine is the second most debilitating disease worldwide and it impacts all facets of a person’s life, causing significant emotional and physical distress. So many people with migraine live in fear every day because they don’t know when an attack will hit…In this survey, many people reported feeling they are chasing an unreachable goal to get their migraine disease under control, highlighting the need for new preventive treatment options, as well as resources to educate and empower them to take control of their disease.” The survey also explored how migraine disproportionately affects women and people of color to better understand their unique experiences and address challenges. For nearly half of women with migraine disease (48%), hormonal changes related to menstruation, menopause or childbirth triggered worsening of their migraine disease. Black and Hispanic people with migraine reported being more likely to feel worry, fear, and anxiety at the thought of taking a preventive treatment. But when asked about treating their disease overall, 77% of Black and 73% of Hispanic responders say they wish they had sought care sooner. For more information, visit: headaches.org About The National Headache Foundation: Founded in 1970, the National Headache Foundation is the oldest and largest foundation for individuals living with migraine disease and headache disorders. The NHF is the premier educational and informational resource for those in the headache community, health care professionals, and the public. The four pillars of the NHF are education, awareness, advocacy, and research. NHF works to inform policymakers, at the national and state levels, and the general public of the need to help patients get access to safe and appropriate care. Through its WorkMigraine program, the NHF reaches out to employers throughout the US to provide education for their staff and support in their efforts to minimize the cost and impact of chronic headaches. The Foundation works to educate and encourage the 40 million Americans with migraine and chronic headaches to become self-advocates with their healthcare practitioners, insurers, employers, and families. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 17, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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COMCAST SEEKS COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR WIFI-CONNECTED “LIFT ZONES” IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA

Comcast Arizona

As students and families across Southern Arizona look forward to summer break, Comcast is equipping multiple locations across the greater Tucson area with WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” before the end of 2021. As part of its ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet so they can fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy, Comcast is providing robust, free WiFi in nonprofit, community, and city partner locations. The Lift Zone initiative provides free connectivity inside partner centers for the next three years. Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson was one of the first Lift Zones installed in Southern Arizona. The Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse has utilized their Lift Zone to keep students connected to important resources during the past school year and will continue to be a critical connection point for students throughout the summer. “Equipping our Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse with a Lift Zone has made a huge difference in the lives of the students we serve,” said Adam Ortiz, Clubhouse Director. “While some of our students have an internet connection at home, staying at home during the summer days often isn’t possible. The clubhouse is a safe space where students can come to connect to the internet, and with each other.” Comcast is currently accepting nominations for potential Lift Zone sites across Southern Arizona. Community partners can visit https://arizona.comcast.com/lift-zones/ to learn more and nominate their organization. “Access to the Internet is a critical component of digital equity, and we’re proud to partner with key community organizations in making that possible through our Lift Zones,” said Chris Dunkeson, Area Vice President, Comcast. “There is no single answer to address the digital divide, but we’re working hard to bridge the gap for as many students and families in our Southern Arizona service footprint as possible.” Lift Zones complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which has helped connect millions of low-income people to the Internet at home, including 11,600 in Southern Arizona. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of Comcast’s recent $1 billion commitment over the next 10 years to help further close the digital divide and give even more low-income students and families the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed Internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed Internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Julianne Phares +1 505-218-0961 julianne_phares@cable.comcast.com Company Website https://arizona.comcast.com/lift-zones/

May 17, 2021 01:30 PM Mountain Daylight Time

Comcast Business Teams Up with Novva Data Centers to Help Shape the Future of Data Storage in Utah

Comcast Utah

Comcast Business today announced that Novva Data Centers — a data center provider offering wholesale and multi-tenant colocation infrastructure services — has selected Comcast Business to provide dual 100G fiber routes using fully diverse pathways to its West Jordan facility, as well as a 40G Ethernet Dedicated Internet (EDI) connection. The Comcast Business technology will help Novva power its data center with a fully redundant path fiber-based backbone for fast, reliable connectivity to the Comcast Business network for its customers. “The collaboration between Novva and Comcast Business is indicative of the robust infrastructure and technological innovation that Utah can offer,” said Theresa A. Foxley, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. “Our state has much to offer the data center industry, as well as companies that need a high-performance presence in the computing cloud.” The demand for data and its applications continually increases and managing data can be a high-cost issue for many companies. Novva is designed to be a low-cost option and offers reliable, fast and flexible solutions for its clients. Set to open in May 2021, Novva Data Center’s West Jordan data center needed a trusted industry partner to help the company provide fast and reliable connections while it grows its data footprint. Comcast Business’ services will help Novva with improved latency and speeds, as well as the peace of mind that comes with redundancy, thereby bolstering the data center company’s ability to respond to the explosion of data, the Internet of Things (IoT) and other trends that are continuing to push the data colocation space. “Data is a ‘trust business,’ and that’s reflected in our partnership with Comcast Business. We trust the speed, network and the infrastructure that’s being built out,” said Wes Swenson, Founder and CEO of Novva Data Centers. “The industry recognizes Comcast as a significant player when it comes to IP routing. On top of that, our clients trust Comcast Business and have already asked for their solutions, making the partnership a simple decision for us.” With a strong technology backbone from Comcast Business, Novva Data Centers can look to the future of innovation and growth. The company has already engineered more sustainable facilities that can function without water year-round and use solar energy. In addition, Novva Data Centers plans to shift to a fully automated model and build artificial intelligence functions into their management software to monitor cooling equipment, generators, power spikes, security and more. The company also plans to expand its portfolio of campuses further over the next few years in various markets, including San Francisco. “This partnership with Novva is a significant example of how Comcast Business services can support a full spectrum of industries on a broader scale through partnerships with data centers,” said Robert Thompson, vice president of Comcast Business for the company’s Mountain West Region. “We are excited to help shape the future of data storage and use with businesses seeking to innovate and transform their industries.” For more information, please visit https://business.comcast.com/. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest-growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. Contact Details Comcast Deneiva Knight +1 520-345-9792 deneiva_knight@comcast.com

May 17, 2021 08:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Franchise in Richmond, Kentucky Adapts and Grows During Pandemic as Essential Local Business

Minuteman Press International Inc

Pete Cummings and Chuck Bentley have owned their Minuteman Press printing and marketing franchise in Richmond since May 2014. While the COVID-19 pandemic was certainly the biggest challenge for people and local businesses everywhere, Pete and Chuck managed to remain open as an essential business, adapt their products and services to what local businesses needed during the pandemic, and position themselves for sales growth both during and after the pandemic as a result of their hard work. Pete says, “At the outset of the pandemic we were as alarmed as anyone else over not only what this could do to our business but our community and even the country as a whole. The prospect of slogging through months of economic slowdowns did cause us some anxiety in the beginning. However, we remained optimistic and determined to take advantage of any unique opportunities that the pandemic presented to those of us in the print world.” He continues, “It quickly became apparent that those businesses allowed to remain open would need COVID-related printing and signs in order to both safely assist customers as well as stay in compliance with state and local ordinances. We discovered that some organizations had been allotted grant money from the Federal Government to help with pandemic-related safety requirements. We honed in on those agencies to let them know we were open as essential business and local to them. They responded well to our outreach efforts and we ended up doing a considerable volume of business printing floor decals, signs, logo-imprinted face masks, and other safety-related products. Almost every business that chose to remain open had similar pandemic-related printing needs and we wanted to do everything possible, especially for our local small businesses, to provide them everything we could to help them navigate these unchartered waters.” “We primarily grew our business in 2020 through the expanded offering of signage, floor decals, posters, direct mail, and other essential printed items. We are anticipating that 2021 will see continued growth as more and more local businesses reopen and come back online.” -Pete Cummings, co-owner, Minuteman Press franchise, Richmond, Kentucky Supporting Local Businesses During and After the Pandemic Over the past year, Minuteman Press in Richmond has continued to reach out to local businesses as they reopen. Pete says, “We’ve seen a positive response from local business owners. Many of them seem as glad to see that we are still operating and succeeding as we are trying to help them achieve their own successes through these challenging times. I think in some ways we have had a galvanizing effect for local businesses as we are all in this together. It’s that ‘can-do spirit’ that can really lift others up and we are thankful to be a part of it.” As more restrictions continue to be lifted and other local businesses reopen and recover, Pete and Chuck are ready to help them with custom printing products and marketing services. Pete says, “Because we have stayed open the entire time, Minuteman Press has the experience of helping all different types of businesses at all different phases of the pandemic. We have proven to be a valuable partner and we are excited to provide our business community with as many resources as possible to enhance their marketing and sales efforts.” Pete continues, “Now that the tide is turning on the pandemic, we are encouraging clients to resume their direct marketing efforts. As conferences and events resume, we are promoting all of our capabilities including imprinted table throws, retractable banners, trade show displays, conference-related signage, and promotional products.” Direct mail was another key area of growth that Minuteman Press in Richmond experienced during the pandemic. Pete is excited about the future prospects of direct mail as well. He says, “Surviving and flourishing during the past year has required some adaptation. Last year, direct marketing became very challenging with social distancing becoming the norm. To continue growing we looked to direct mailings as an additional revenue stream. Based on the success we saw from these efforts, we have decided to fully embrace direct mail. We would certainly encourage other businesses to utilize direct mailings as a way to ‘connect’ with potential customers as they ramp up and reopen.” “ Contrary to what some would have one believe, printing is not dead. The increased demand for direct mailings can partly be explained by the ‘contact-free’ environment of the pandemic era. With that said, I believe it also underscores how printed advertising campaigns, when utilized effectively, can yield significant results for our customers. We have also diversified our offerings with signs, promotional items, and apparel. This provides our customers with the convenience of getting everything done under one roof through someone they trust will give them the level of service and quality they expect. So, the printing industry has evolved but those who evolve with the industry will see continued success.” -Pete Cummings Meet the People Behind the Business As Pete and Chuck celebrate seven years in business this month, they reflect on their journey as well as their experiences as Minuteman Press franchise owners. One interesting thing to note is that Pete and Chuck come from two very different backgrounds and did not have any printing experience until joining the Minuteman Press family. Pete explains, “I worked at a bank for roughly ten years after graduating from college and then owned/operated an outpatient pediatric rehabilitation center, offering Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy to children. We were out of our home state of Kentucky at this time and once we had children we decided to return home. The same opportunities did not exist to operate a rehab center but I had small business ownership in my blood at that point and was actively looking for a good opportunity.” He continues, “Chuck was a school teacher for ten years and he was growing restless. He began looking for a business opportunity that would allow for more financial freedom for his family. He mentioned this to his uncle, Garry Conley, who just so happened to own a Minuteman Press franchise in London, Kentucky along with Chuck’s Aunt, Amy Conley. We sat down with Garry and he did a pretty good job explaining the benefits. It was evident he was running a profitable operation so we listened intently and after meeting with our Regional Vice President Gary Nowak, we decided to take the plunge.” “We opened in 2014 with zero customers and have seen steady growth every year since. Our rate of jobs quoted to jobs earned is very strong. We built the business, especially in the early years, heavily using direct marketing along with the Minuteman Press Internet Marketing program. Sometimes asking people for the opportunity to earn their business is all it takes to open the door to that first job. And once we get that first opportunity, we will almost always turn that person into a repeat customer either in the near future or somewhere down the road. Providing a quality product along with good, friendly service goes a long way.” -Pete Cummings As Pete reflects on the past seven years and especially 2020 when the pandemic first hit, he is thankful to be part of the Minuteman Press franchise family. He says, “We are very grateful for the efforts Minuteman Press International made fairly early on in the pandemic to help keep franchisees flourishing. There’s no question that things could have turned out differently. From continued guidance on how to operate as an essential business to initiating the free Bounce Back program to support local businesses, it was all instrumental in helping us navigate this unprecedented time.” When asked about the rewards of owning a business, Pete answers, “Financial freedom and the feeling that we can control our own destinies for us are the biggest rewards to business ownership. We can’t be the victim of a company downsize or see our jobs shipped overseas. We certainly work hard to achieve success but those efforts are going towards building something that directly benefits our families.” As for what advice he would give to local businesses right now, Pete sums it up best by saying, “Don’t lose heart. I know it has been a tough year but as more and more sectors of the economy ramp things up again, economic opportunities will return.” Pete Cummings and Chuck Bentley’s Minuteman Press franchise is located at 202 Wayne Dr., Ste. A; Richmond, KY 40475. For more information, call 859-314-1172 or visit their website: https://www.richmondky.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

May 17, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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TONI BECK NAMED VICE PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS FOR COMCAST IN HOUSTON

Comcast Houston

Comcast today announced that Toni Beck has been appointed vice president of External Affairs for the company’s Houston Region. In this role, Beck will be responsible for managing all external affairs activities for the region, including government affairs, communications, community, media, and public relations. Toni has more than 25 years of senior-level experience and has held numerous communications roles throughout her career, most recently as vice president, Communications and Community Relations at NextDecade Corporation. Prior to that, Beck was vice president Communications and Community Relations at Waste Management. “As I learned about Comcast’s focus on providing best-in-class customer experience, a culture where employees can thrive, and closing the digital divide, therefore, ensuring our communities where we live and work are even better than they are today, I knew this was a company that was making a real difference,” said Beck. “I look forward to furthering the Houston team’s work and shining a light on our products and services which continue to change lives for the better.” “We are excited to have Toni join our Comcast Houston team,” said Ralph Martinez, regional senior vice president, Comcast Houston. "She has a proven track record as a results-driven external affairs executive and motivational leader. Her commitment and expertise will be instrumental in telling Comcast’s story to external stakeholders.” Beck received a Bachelor of Social Science Degree in Political Studies from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 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 Michael Bybee +1 281-605-9658 Michael_Bybee@cable.comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

May 17, 2021 07:00 AM Central Daylight Time

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Salem city wide fiber optic broadband deal worth $35 million

SiFi Networks

To allow its citizens to reap the benefits of a 100% fiber optic internet, the city of Salem, MA, signed a contract attracting over $35 million of private investment to create a citywide, fully fiber-based broadband network. The network will be built by fiber infrastructure developer, SiFi Networks and its construction partners. The project will be privately funded by SiFi Networks, with no taxpayer subsidy. With projects like this, the company will transform the US broadband model by operating citywide networks that can be used by multiple service providers, mobile carriers and even the municipality itself. SiFi Networks currently has agreements with cities in six different states to fund, build and operate fiber optic networks. The company has an initial $450 million of capital committed for the coming months with access to an unlimited pool of infrastructure capital to roll out the strategy to hundreds of cities in the coming years. A recent study by the University of Tennessee suggests that competitive fiber networks stimulate financial growth and deliver substantial choice for consumers, with 40% of all jobs created in Hamilton County during the study period attributed to fiber infrastructure. Better connectivity facilitates access to remote learning platforms, e-health applications and home-working, something that has proven crucial during the global pandemic. Faster broadband will also incentivize business, stimulate the city’s economy and support the creation of new jobs — leading to new revenue streams and increased average income levels. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will also benefit from a shared network because they can run their services on state-of-the-art fiber without the expense of having to build and maintain their own infrastructure. “We’re excited that SiFi and their team will be starting construction on their high-speed fiber network this spring,” said Salem Mayor, Kim Driscoll. “Having a high-speed fiber internet alternative can improve the quality of life for residents, spur greater economic growth and facilitate the installation of smart city technologies. Enhancing access and options for high-speed internet is especially essential during our response and recovery from COVID-19, as we strive to close the digital divide, help more residents access vital online services for work, education and family connections, and simply provide greater choices for our residents and businesses.” Unlike in most European and Asian countries, open access broadband is not common in the US, where the exclusive ownership of broadband networks led to the creation of monopolies that dominate the telecommunications market, inflating prices and depriving consumers of choice. To overcome these issues, the City of Salem selected SiFi Networks to build a privately-funded, independently-operated fiber network. This will guarantee unprecedented broadband quality for all — regardless of average income levels or demographics — and realize what SiFi Networks calls a FiberCity®. In 2019, SiFi Networks began constructing the citywide network in Fullerton, CA, enabling citizens with fast fiber broadband speeds, a greater choice of internet service providers, and the possibility to implement smart city applications such as AI-based traffic control, environmental monitoring, smart lighting and more. Ben Bawtree-Jobson, CEO of SiFi Networks, explained that these benefits will extend to the whole community: “Traditionally, service providers who are also infrastructure providers look for a quick return on investment, so they tend to limit the construction of fiber networks to areas with a higher density of wealthy consumers. “This has exacerbated the country’s staggering digital divide. SiFi Networks has a different business model. We are interested in long-term investments, so we build citywide. We believe that excellent connectivity helps level the playing field.” “SiFi Networks has already identified more than 200 cities that could become FiberCities® in the future and bring fiber to over ten million households across the US,” said Bawtree-Jobson. “We are excited about changing America’s telecommunications landscape and eliminating the digital divide wherever we build our FiberCities®.” For more information on the benefits offered by FiberCities®, visit https://sifinetworks.com. For further information contact: Sara Pickstock, SiFi Networks 55 Madison Ave, Morristown, NJ, 07960 Telephone: +1 (888) 766 9475 www: https://sifinetworks.com e-mail: sara@sifinetworks.com Press enquiries: Jessica Phillips or Zafar Jamati – Stone Junction Ltd 1 St Mary's Place, St Mary's Grove, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 2AW Telephone: +44 (0) 1785 225416 e-mail: jessica@stonejunction.co.uk or zafar@stonejunction.co.uk www: www.stonejunction.co.uk About SiFi Networks: SiFi Networks is a privately owned business, funding and deploying competitive 100% fiber networks citywide, across the USA, owning the asset and operating it. A SiFi Networks’ FiberCity® is sustainably built to ensure a future-proof, reliable and robust fiber infrastructure, offering an impeccable level of service to its service providers. As North America’s leading privately-owned open access fiber optic network developer operating in the last mile – we are delivering networks which are inspiring freedom of choice and excellent customer service. Contact Details SiFi Networks Sara Pickstock +1 888-766-9475 sara@sifinetworks.com Company Website https://sifinetworks.com/

May 17, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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