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Monster Energy’s Frederico Morais Takes First Place at the Portugal Cup of Surfing

Monster Energy

What a performance! Monster Energy congratulates Frederico Morais on winning the MEO Portugal Cup of Surfing in the coastal town of Ericeira on Friday. In a nail-biting final, the 28-year-old from Cascais, Portugal, rose to the top of an international leaderboard including current World Champion Italo Ferreira in an event organized by the World Surf League (WSL). Contested as an invite-only event, the MEO Portugal Cup of Surfing was part of the two-stop WSL Euro Cup of Surfing 2020. Broadcast live via web stream, the closed-to-the-public competition featured twelve male and twelve female elite surfers on the waves of Ribeira de Ilhas beach in Ericera from September 28 to October 2. Previously, riders had battled for points in the French Rendez-Vous of Surfing 2020 on September 23. The WSL donated prize money from both events to charity. When the competition hit the powerful Atlantic swells in Ericeira, hometown hero Morais left no doubt that this was his local spot. Having honed his skills on the Atlantic coast of Portugal his whole life, Morais worked the right-hand point at Ribeira de Ilhas with power and precision. Morais rode his final wave with four stylish turns, attacking the break with floaters and snaps before hitting a perfect tail slide at the top of the wave. When all was said and done, the judges named Frederico “Kikas” Morais the winner of the event, thereby ending current WSL World Champion Italo Ferreira’s nearly one year-long winning streak. “It’s amazing to win at home, I just feel so special! Mostly winning against the actual World Champ and also really good surfing in the semi-finals against Kanoa Igarashi. It’s been a really fun week, a lot of good waves, a lot of good surfing,” said Morais upon winning the Portugal Cup of Surfing. This weekend’s victory continues a strong season for Morais. In 2019, the Monster Energy team rider qualified for the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) and was selected to represent Portugal in the shortboard surfing event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games (now postponed until 2021). In 2017, Morais was named Best European Male Surfer of the Year by surfing association EuroSima and emerged as the best European performer at the 2019 ISA World Surfing Games. Definitely keep an eye on what’s next Morais! Download photos for editorial use. For more on Morais and Monster Energy’s surfing athletes visit www.monsterenergy.com . Follow Monster Energy on YouTube , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter . ### About Monster Energy Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com . Contact Details Kimberly Paige Dresser +1 949-300-5546 kim.dresser@indiepragency.com Company Website https://www.indiepragency.com

October 05, 2020 07:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Monster Energy’s James Gallagher Scores Round-One Submission Victory Against Cal Ellenor at Bellator Europe 9 in Milan

Monster Energy

The “Strabanimal” strikes again! Monster Energy congratulates James Gallagher on winning the main event fight against Cal Ellenor at Bellator Europe 9 inside Allianz Cloud Arena in Milan, Italy, on Saturday night. In a dominant performance, the 23-year-old from Strabane, Ireland used his Jiu-Jitsu martial arts expertise to end the bantamweight division fight via submission at 4:31 minutes of Round 1. Aired on Channel 5 and streamed live on YouTube, Bellator Europe 9: Gallagher vs. Ellenor was part of a double event package in Milan alongside Bellator 247 on Thursday night. Both fight nights were contested as closed-to-the-public events amid extensive COVID-19 safety protocols for staff, officials and fighters. Saturday night’s showdown between Gallagher and Ellenor had been a long time in the making. The highly anticipated fight was announced and cancelled three times since the original booking more than one year ago due to injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it was finally time to settle the score. Gallagher stepped into the Octagon on a three-fight winning streak after submitting Roman Salazar within a mere 35 seconds at Bellator 227 in 2019. But he was in for a challenge: Gallagher’s opponent in Milan, Ellenor, scored an impressive victory in his Bellator debut in February 2019 and had never been stopped via KO or submission in his entire career. That was about to change on Saturday night. Ellenor started the fight by taunting Gallagher with low kicks to the leg. But the Irishman retaliated with a punishing body kick and took Ellenor down to the mat within 20 seconds of the fight. What happened next was textbook Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu all the way to the last moment: Gallagher established control over his opponent with a body triangle lock from the back, keeping the fight on the ground while wearing down the Englishman with hands and elbows to the head. Ellenor made several attempts at taking the fight back to standing, but Gallagher never ceased control. His opponent fought off a neck crank at two minutes, but Gallagher kept tightening the squeeze while looking to secure a final chokehold. He found it with less than one minute to go in the first round and locked in a rear naked choke, ultimately forcing Ellenor to tap out for the first time in his professional career. Referee Todd Anderson from Canada stopped the fight at 4:31 minutes of Round 1, pronouncing Gallagher the winner by submission. “I came in here the best I’ve ever been. They say it’s all talk but I’ve had me mouth shut for months and I still come out here and do it. Silence to the whole division. Silence!” said James Gallagher upon winning the headline fight at Bellator Europe 9 in Milan on Saturday night. “I’m just extremely proud of myself! I’ve worked hard. I’m 23 years old. Everyone counts me out, but I count myself in every time!” Saturday night’s victory in Milan marks the fourth consecutive win for James Gallagher, who trains out of SBG Ireland. Gallagher (11-1 MMA) now has eight first-round finishes to his name and has earned nine out of his eleven MMA victories via submission. Asked who he will fight next in his ringside interview after the fight, Gallagher insisted: “Give me a big bag of money and I’ll fight any one of them. I’m the toughest in this whole thing, no one can stop me.” Ending his post-fight interview, Gallagher said: “Give me that belt! It’s mine!” Download High Res Photos for Editorial Use. James Gallagher counts amongst Monster Energy’s elite MMA athletes along with Juan “The Spaniard” Archuleta, Phil Davis , Dominick “Dominator” Cruz , Sergio “The Phenom” Pettis, Michael Chandler , Valerie Loureda, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson , A.J. McKee, Aaron Pico, Gaston Bolanos , Rose Namajunas , Jon “Bones” Jones , Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone , Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal , Chris “The All American” Weidman , Daniel Cormier , Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley , Yair Rodriquez, Tony Ferguson, Joanna Jędrzejczyk , and Jessica-Rose Clark . For more on Monster Energy’s MMA athletes visit www.monsterenergy.com . Follow Monster Energy on YouTube , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter . ### About Monster Energy Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com . Contact Details Kimberly Paige Dresser +1 949-300-5546 kim.dresser@indiepragency.com Company Website https://www.indiepragency.com

October 05, 2020 05:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Convey Services Launches Virtual Event Platform Exclusively for Sales & Annual Conferences

Convey Services

Convey Services , a SaaS solutions company, today expanded its Cloud Conventions product line by launching Cloud Kickoffs™ , an online portal solution exclusively for sales and annual conference management. Cloud Kickoffs brings elements of a live sales kickoff or conference into a virtual environment to promote engagement, make connections and support team interaction. It’s content-rich experience maximizes the effectiveness of virtual events for yearend or sales kickoff programs. “Canceling live annual meetings or sales kickoffs has become a reality, but it doesn’t mean that those events can’t be effectively executed virtually,” said Carolyn Bradfield, CEO of Convey. “In many ways you can achieve better, more focused results without the time and expense of bringing everyone together physically. Using Cloud Kickoffs, the management team can align the organization around a common strategy, allow remote teams to foster relationships and at the same time deliver and reinforce critical training. Cloud Kickoffs helps you deliver the tools needed to succeed and provides access to training and content long after the live event is over.” Cloud Kickoffs manages live and on-demand education, brings teams together for forum and roundtable discussions, promotes one-on-one connections and offers a platform for networking and social interaction. After a Cloud Kickoffs event is over, the portal can retain its structure, extend the life of content and training and easily be repurposed for virtual sales events throughout the year. A virtual kickoff event can be fully managed by Convey or by your sales or marketing team. “Sales staff or association members look forward to annual conferences because they value the insights, connections and opportunity to walk away energized with a clear focus for the coming year,” added Bradfield. “Cloud Kickoffs provides an efficient solution to bring teams together virtually, saving tens of thousands on logistics planning, travel and entertainment.” Cloud Kickoffs comes complete with templates for branding, delivering email messaging, creating attendee dashboards, setting-up live and virtual sessions and gamification while always tracking attendee engagement. It’s designed for the non-technical user and doesn’t require any coding or development. Participating partners and sponsors can have virtual booths that remain intact or can be refreshed for future events. Each portal has online training and a support database to answer frequently asked questions. Sales and event managers can experience Cloud Kickoffs by visiting https://cloudkickoffs.com or explore all of the Cloud Conventions solutions by visiting https://cloudconventions.com or contacting info@cloudconventions.com . About Cloud Conventions Cloud Conventions is a Virtual Trade Show and Conference Platform from Convey Services that brings new capabilities to a marketplace looking for solutions to replace the thousands of live trade shows, annual conferences and association meetings cancelled in the wake of COVID-19. Originally launched as ConveyLive, Cloud Conventions automates exhibitors and virtual booths, attendee registration, speaker sessions and reminders, invitations and email communication, while at the same time producing detailed analytics on attendee, session and exhibitor activity. Trade Associations and event managers can explore all of the Cloud Conventions solutions by visiting https://cloudconventions.com or contacting info@cloudconventions.com or call 888-975-1382. Cloud Conventions™, Cloud Kickoffs™, Conduct™, One-Touch Email Share™, Hub & Spoke™, 360° Virtual Exhibit Hall & Lobby Experience™ and ListLock™ are trademarks of Convey Services LLC Contact Details Bruce Ahern +1 770-580-0810 bahern@conveyservices.com Company Website https://cloudconventions.com

October 01, 2020 11:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Monster Energy’s Nyjah Huston Takes X Games Gold in First-Ever X Games Real Street Best Trick Competition

Monster Energy

Monster Energy congratulates skateboard team rider Nyjah Huston on earning X Games gold in the inaugural X Games Real Street Best Trick contest. In the video contest judged on single tricks from ten of the world’s best street skateboarders, the 25-year-old from Laguna Beach, California, took first place with a Caballerial backside noseblunt to fakie on legendary Clipper ledge in San Francisco, filmed by veteran skateboard filmmaker Ty Evans. Viewers can go online and watch Huston’s never-been-done Caballerial backside noseblunt to fakie down the Clipper ledge on the X Games website . To view Nyjah's gold medal video click here. Originally launched with the X Games Real Street competition in 2010, the main goal of the X Games Real series is to showcase the essence of a rider’s unique talent. Two-person teams of riders and videographers film progressive tricks on authentic terrain, outside of contest arenas. Now in its eleventh year, the 2020 slate of Real Series competitions included Real Ski, Snow, Street, BMX and Moto. Instead of a full 90-second video part, Real Street Best Trick asked ten street skateboarders to capture their single best trick on video for a chance to win X Games gold. “It’s always sick to participate in something new like this and that’s why I was down to do it. This is the first time it’s ever happened – just one banger trick in the streets!” said Huston about the competition. The panel of X Games judges consisted of seasoned skateboard industry insiders: Iconic pro skateboarders Jamie Thomas and Stevie Williams joined filmer/director Chris Ray and Thrasher Magazine Editor-In-Chief Michael Burnett to choose the winners of Real Street Best Trick. On September 27, the winning athlete-and-filmer teams were announced in the special episode “World of X Games: Real Street Best Trick” aired on ESPN2. The one-hour show was hosted by skateboard media personality Gary Rogers and featured behind-the-scenes footage from all video shoots, supplemented by athletes, filmers and judges interviews. When it came to convincing the judges, Monster Energy’s Huston had just the move to shut down the competition. The street skating phenomenon also chose his spot well: “Clipper was definitely the spot for this trick. I used to watch Clipper in all the skate videos I saw growing up,” said Huston. Located on a San Francisco school yard, the Clipper hubba ledge has been a well-known proving ground since the late 1990s and early 2000s, when riders like Heath Kirchart, Frank Gerwer and Darrell Stanton etched their names into the spot’s history with never-been-done (NBD) moves. However, adding another NBD initially proved difficult for Huston. For several years, the iconic spot had been rendered unskateable by defensive architecture. Once Huston learned that a session was possible again, he did not hesitate to enlist legendary skateboard filmer and director Evans to head up to San Francisco. Huston felt confident about his noseblunt variation – it already won him X Games Best Trick in Minneapolis 2019 – and had perfected the move at his private skate facility. But taking the Caballerial backside noseblunt to fakie down the steep Clipper ledge took some persistence. Finally, after more than 15 tries to nail the perfect posture and body position, Huston added the trick to Clipper ledge spot history. Make sure to watch Huston’s gold-winning NBD on the X Games website . “Rolling away from a trick on a legendary spot like that means a lot. That trick has been on my mind for so long, I have to go and get it done. At least I have to battle out and try it,” said Huston about the filming mission to San Francisco. When the judges finalized their scores, Huston received the Real Street Best Trick gold medal, engraved with a ‘hammer’ icon. Speaking on Huston’s skateboarding, X Games judge Jamie Thomas said: “The stuff he continues to do is mind-blowing. There are a lot of things that he does, where he is probably the only human on the planet that can do it.” Winning Real Street Best Trick gold brings Huston’s X Games count to 19 medals in total (13 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze). Known as the most competitive street skateboarder in history, Huston is the current SLS World Champion after claiming his third back-to-back title in 2019. He started his 2020 season with second win at Tampa Pro after bringing home the trophy in 2014. The official U.S. Skateboarding Olympics team member is looking to represent the United States at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and is currently the only athlete ever to win X Games gold medals on five continents. Download high res photos for editorial use. Also making a strong entry into the first-ever Real Street Best Trick contest, 13-year-old Monster Army recruit Filipe Mota flexed his technical street skating skills on a well-known SoCal schoolyard rail. “I never thought I would be in the X Games. It’s a big opportunity to be here with the best skaters. I’m so happy for it,” said Mota, who recently appeared alongside Huston in a Monster video edit , about the competition. For his entry, the upcoming Brazilian rider filmed a highly technical combo rarely seen in real street environments: A big flip frontside boardslide shove-it down a nine-stair. As the spot, Mota chose the well-documented rail at Hubert Howe Bancroft Middle School in Los Angeles. The rail was rendered unskateable by metal knobs from the late 2000s until recently; just in time for Mota to add his NBD trick. Watch Mota’s X Games Real Street Best Trick video here on the X Games website captured by videographer Vitor Borger. Viewers can also watch all X Games Real Street Best Trick ‘behind-the-scenes’ edits, in which the rider/filmer teams detail the making of their videos, online now: Check out Huston’s battle with the Clipper hubba ledge and see young Mota take his tech skills to real street architecture . Congratulations to our winning team riders and filmers. Also thanks to the team at X Games for keeping the stoke alive with this video competition. For more on Huston , Mota and Monster Energy’s skateboarding team visit www.monsterenergy.com . Follow Monster Energy on YouTube , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter . ### About Monster Energy Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com . Contact Details Kimberly Paige Dresser +1 949-300-5546 kim.dresser@indiepragency.com Company Website https://www.indiepragency.com

September 30, 2020 05:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Boarding for Breast Cancer Announces 13th Annual [VIRTUAL] Skate the Coast Presented by Suja Organic for Breast Cancer Prevention and Awareness

B4BC

Boarding for Breast Cancer ( B4BC ), a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation providing breast cancer education, prevention and survivor support programs, announced they will be hosting their 13th Annual Skate the Coast fundraising event presented by Suja Organic in a virtual format on October 25, 2020. B4BC is inviting friends, family and partners to skate-bike-roll their local trail, path, or neighborhood in honor of breast cancer awareness and prevention, while promoting B4BC’s mission of a healthy, active lifestyle. Skate the Coast fundraising goal is set at $50,000 and participants are invited to raise a minimum of $25 to join the virtual event . Every year, Skate the Coast raises awareness for breast cancer with a 19-mile cruise on skateboards from the Santa Monica Pier to Redondo Beach. This year, amid the adversities of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virtual event will significantly expand the scope to a worldwide level. “We are turning a challenge into an advantage by inviting our entire global community to our virtual Skate The Coast event where they can be active in any way that fits their lifestyle and support our event,” said Lisa Hudson, President and Co-founder of Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC), adding: “Be it 19 miles or just a few laps around your block get outside, ‘Be Healthy, Get Active, Ride,’ and help us raise funds for B4BC’s education, prevention and survivorship programs.” Registration comes with a B4BC face covering and a chance to win in the annual raffle. This year’s raffle prizes will include items from Suja, Yeti, Traeger Grills, Blendtec, The North Face, Pura Vida, Vans, GoPro, Smith, Gnu, Nikita, Dakine, Arbor, VonZipper, Globe, Impala Skates, Sector 9, Tahoe Longboards, SunBum, Show me your Mumu, Bravo Skateboards and many more. As B4BC’s biggest fundraising event, Skate the Coast is dedicated to breast cancer awareness and prevention while promoting the nonprofit’s mission of a healthy, active lifestyle. Since its inception, Skate the Coast alongside partner event Skate the Lake has attracted over 1,500 participants, fundraised over $700,000, and gained media coverage from national and local media. Virtual participation will be highlighted through B4BC’s social channels using the hashtag #skatethecoast and tagging @b4bc. Check out the 2018 Skate the Coast video here to see what the magic of this event is all about! Media representatives can find shareable social assets and event photos for download here . For event registration click here and visit B4BC.ORG for more information. Make sure to also follow@b4bc on social media for updates. ### About B4BC: Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that advocates early detection and a healthy, active, and conscious lifestyle as the best means of breast cancer prevention. Founded in 1996, B4BC empowers young people to make positive choices that promote lifelong wellness through grassroots events, educational outreach, sustainability, and survivorship support programs. About Skate the Coast: Skate the Coast is a 19-mile skate-bike-roll that promotes an active lifestyle while raising awareness and funds for Boarding for Breast Cancer’s (B4BC) education, prevention and survivorship programs. This unique event, which runs along a 19-mile coastline route from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach, CA, with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop, is a part of B4BC’s summer long Skate Series that also includes The Annual Skate the Lake, a 28-mile skate along a portion of beautiful Lake Tahoe. The series attracts skaters young and old and of all abilities to push for the cause! Since their inception, Skate the Coast and Skate the Lake have collectively attracted over 1,500 participants, fundraised over $700,000, and gained media coverage from national and local media. Contact Details Kimberly Paige Dresser +1 949-300-5546 kim.dresser@indiepragency.com Company Website https://www.b4bc.org

September 30, 2020 01:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time

Homegrown: UK premium CBD brand, Infused Amphora launches

Infused Amphora

British premium CBD wellness brand Infused Amphora launches today. Their product range includes a variety of vape cartridges designed to address and capture the needs and moods of society. Everything from tackling anxiety, muscular aches and stress to helping inspire, calm and focus minds. The cartridges were designed in collaboration with Vessel Brand, an industry leading California-based vape hardware company. The launch features four premium CBD-infused cartridges: INSPIRE : delivers an earthy and herbal vibe with lilac undertones, and a lemon-pepper nose. Allowing you to brainstorm, be unique, think differently or create a masterpiece. PEACE : combines a sweet woody flavour with a tickle of green peppercorn and a clean grapefruit finish. You will feel the embrace of a warm hug that removes the edge off stress. MEND : allows you to slip into a relaxing bath of sweet stone fruits, savoury herbs and a pine finish. Find relief from tension and release muscular aches and pains. ZZZ : offers the sensation of walking through a forest after the rain. Like the perfect cup of tea to be taken at bedtime - hints of juniper and lemon. Infused Amphora’s CBD products enhance health, wellness and help achieve personal lifestyle goals through their pesticide-free, non-intoxicating and THC-free CBD cartridges. All products contain two simple ingredients, 100% organic CBD distillate and plant-sourced terpenes. Products retail at £35 and are launching with a 20% discount at £28 each, for a limited time. All Infused Amphora products are rigorously third-party lab-tested* for content and purity. Angus Taylor, CEO of parent company, Infused Products International LTD, commented: “Infused Amphora is about creating an unmatched customer experience by offering easy to understand products that deliver a specific and predictable experience such as athletic recovery, sleep, inspiration, and tranquility. We are aiming to grow this international brand to 24 exciting products in 2021. We’re on track to build our own supply chain and will be able to quickly move high quality products to market that meet the needs of our customers. We will use the UK as a launch pad to expand and enter additional international markets, such as Brazil and India, next year”. On the partnership with Vessel Brand, Angus Taylor added: “As Infused Amphora thoughtfully considered its entry into the UK market, we intentionally sought out the best-in-class market partner, Vessel Brand, a company with complimentary visions of supporting mental and physical health through an exceptional customer journey. Premium CBD is at the core of our customer experience, it’s a crucial step of many that also includes third-party testing to guarantee compliance, education, premium hardware technology and unparalleled customer service.” James Choe, CEO and Co-Founder Vessel Brand, Inc. commented: "We are honoured to partner with Infused Amphora because of their dedication to quality product and their willingness to challenge the industry status quo by designing a better experience for every customer. We’re seeing countless CBD-related brands hitting the market but majority of them are battling for the customer’s attention with the same commodity offering, or in some cases, a step up with fancy packaging. “The customer experience needs to push well beyond this. ‘Premium’ in our eyes, has little to do with a price point and everything to do with delivering on a brand promise - the customer experience doesn’t end at the point of quality consumable product, that is just the beginning. The thoughtfulness to extend the experience to the battery that powers your oil, the control you have over your consumption, the way you charge and store your oil, and how you feel when you interact with their support team - that is what makes their offering compelling and that shared philosophy is what makes our partnership so strong” added James Choe . * Each product comes with a Certificate of Analysis from an accredited testing lab. Notes to the Editor For further information please contact the Amphora press office: Bilal Mahmood on b.mahmood@marketfinance.com or +44 (0) 20 3640 7759 and +44 (0) 771 400 7257. About Infused Amphora Infused Amphora is a premium CBD wellness brand formulated in the UK. It is owned by Infused Products International LTD, a global health-and-wellness product business. Infused Amphora is dedicated to providing all-natural, symptom-targeting and high-quality CBD products. Elevating users on their wellness journeys, each product is designed with a specific purpose, whether it’s sparking creativity, relieving stress, calming their thoughts before bed, or soothing muscle aches & pains. With only two simple ingredients (CBD distillate sourced from 100% organically grown hemp and plant-based terpenes to supply that beneficial entourage effect) we keep our customer’s health as our top priority. All of our products have zero harmful additives & solvents, are nicotine-free, pesticide-free, and THC-free to ensure no intoxicating effects, just pure bliss in every breath. Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@marketfinance.com Company Website https://www.infusedamphora.com/

September 30, 2020 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Survey: Majority of Sports Bettors & Fantasy Players Show No Platform Loyalty as Users Scale Back Dollars Waged and Participation due to COVID-19

Hot Paper Lantern

HPL Digital Sport (HPLDS), a specialty group within Hot Paper Lantern focused on helping fantasy sports and betting brands become more relevant, found in a recent snap survey of more than 600 sports bettors and fantasy players, that three out of five (60 percent) sports bettors and fantasy players aren’t loyal to one platform. The survey also found, despite the impacts of COVID-19, that 75% of users said their interest in sports betting and fantasy sports had stayed consistent or increased, while a quarter reported a decrease in interest. However, the harsh reality is that users are scaling back their participation. Forty percent of respondents said that they have scaled back the amount they bet, 31% reduced the number of bets they make and 30% cut back on the amount of fantasy sports sites on which they play. “It’s not surprising that sports bettors and fantasy sports players are spending less due to the pandemic,” said Ed Moed, CEO of HPLDS. “What’s concerning is very few sportsbooks or fantasy platforms have built any real user loyalty. Especially as both start ups and existing players infringe on marketshare by launching innovative new offerings in emerging markets and hundreds of millions of dollars go to waste on user acquisition that doesn’t yield results. It’s critically important that platforms understand that there is a loyalty gap and they need to change the way they engage with users.” Given the increased volume of platforms and operators to choose from, HPLDS asked what may sway users into becoming loyal players or bettors with one particular platform. Survey participants overwhelmingly look to who they trust and how will they associate more personally with a specific brand: 36% - If the ads or promotions sent to me were more personal, witty or connected with me beyond promotional codes (e.g., put in $20 and you get a bonus $20 to bet with, refer a friend and get $100 bonus for your account, etc.) 29% - If friends and/or family referred me to play or bet there 27% - If the company developed relevant content for me (e.g., videos, articles, podcasts, etc.) that I can learn from or entertain myself on social media channels 24% - If I knew that the company is giving back to communities or organizations 20% - If the company clearly looked and communicated how it is different from all the others 14% - If celebrities or well-known sports industry experts communicated great things about it Given the intense frequency of sports betting and fantasy sports ads during the leadup to the NFL football season, less than half (49%) of respondents reported that sports betting or fantasy sports ads prompted them to bet or play. “Users stated two to one that friends/family referrals are more important in building loyalty and trust than celebrity and expert endorsements. How many platforms are actually thinking of leveraging the right influencers?” said Ed Moed. “We’re experiencing a sea of advertising sameness that doesn’t allow one brand to stand out from a message, content, or sophisticated design standpoint. Users are bombarded with the same generic content, from the same media and social channels resulting in too much wasted money.” For more information please visit https://hpldigitalsport.com/ . About HPL Digital Sport: Hot Paper Lantern Digital Sport is a specialty group within Hot Paper Lantern (HPL) that works with fantasy, sports betting and e-sports brands to build greater brand relevance, gain a competitive edge and acquire new audiences. The group’s unique value proposition is how it integrates specific services such as: strategic branding, customer research/analytics, digital marketing, public relations and social media strategy, experiential and creative design to maximize building brand, while acquiring customers for its clients. Contact Details Mike Adorno +1 917-399-3743 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://hpldigitalsport.com/

September 23, 2020 09:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time

US companies spending billions each month to return staff back to work

Huma

Getting businesses back up and running and employees back to work is critical to the US economic recovery. However, there’s confusion between employers and anxiety for workers returning to work. Digital health and therapeutics company Huma asked 5,000 US employees and 2,000 US employers about their views on returning to work. Only one in five businesses feel suitably informed on the specific policies/procedures they need to ensure a safe working environment for their employees. Yet employers are spending loads of money to reopen workplaces safely. Employers estimate that they will spend $3.4 billion per month overall, and $61.23 per employee each month to ensure employee health and safety. Nearly 9 in 10 employers (86%) have instituted new hygiene protocols, updated workplace layouts, and have a smaller workforce. While employers are readying the workplace, they have not planned for managing COVID-19 cases. Few employers have made accommodations for managing COVID-19 exposure. Only one-fifth of employers have updated sick leave policies (22%) or communications policies for exposure (19%). Economic realities are scaring employees more than health and safety risks Shockingly, two-thirds of employees believe their health and safety could be compromised in the workplace. Despite these fears, most employees are eager to get back to work, with over half of workers (52%) ready to get back to work today. Of those employees who have already returned to their workplace, only one in four (27%) employees are confident in the measures in place to ensure their safety and wellbeing. What’s driving employees’ concerns are interactions with other people, with respondents citing their co-workers’ hygiene (17%) and commuters (25%) as two of the three factors they were worried about, along with the workplace environment (21%). What causes the greatest fear for nearly three-quarters (72%) of employees is their coworker’s hygiene, which they rank as the single most significant factor in COVID-19 transmission at the workplace. Managing employee health for a safe workplace Employers have invested in the physical workplace, but have not put systems in place to manage employee health and COVID-19 case communications to ensure safer workplaces. Overwhelmingly, two-thirds (67%) of employees would be willing to do a daily symptom check-in with their employers, and the majority (75%) would be comfortable with employers tracking their symptoms. Moreover, nine in ten businesses (87%) are comfortable monitoring their employees' symptoms. This research shows that there’s a willingness on both sides to manage employee health, yet few are doing so. Dan Vahdat, founder and CEO of Huma, commented : “What this research identifies are the concerns of employers and employees in managing health and safety at the workplace during the COVID-19 era. Employers are spending millions to create a safe work environment, but not on solutions to manage employee health.” “Employers need new solutions and guidance on how to manage their health and wellbeing of their employees and provide assurance that they are prepared for COVID-19. Without new solutions to help manage workplace safety, businesses and the economy are going to take longer to recover.” Digital health and therapeutics company Huma is helping businesses and employees return to work safely. Huma Health Shield gives employees an easy-to-use mobile app to confidentially self-report their symptoms, track vital signs, and see their exposure risk. Employers have access to a secure web-based portal to see their workforce’s overall health while still protecting employee privacy. Ends Notes the editor Research findings based on a survey of 5,000 US employees and 2,000 US companies conducted in September 2020. About Huma Huma partners with scientists, technologists, and healthcare professionals to understand, treat, and ultimately prevent ill health. Giving knowledge and power to those with medical conditions, while saving clinicians time, energy, and valuable resources. Because, by collectively benefiting from the data we individually generate, we can all live our longest, fullest lives. www.huma.com Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 bilal.mahmood@huma.com Company Website https://huma.com/

September 16, 2020 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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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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