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Agora Data Named One of Used Car Industry’s Most Influential Companies

Agora

Agora Data has received recognition in the AR500, a compilation from Auto Remarketing Magazine featuring the used car industry’s most influential companies in 2021. Agora’s selection is due to its innovative impact on the Buy Here Pay Here (BHPH) market and its commitment to solving some of the most well-known challenges in the industry. “The BHPH dealer is one resilient and brilliant entrepreneur,” Steve Burke, CEO of Agora Data said. “Our vision is to remove capital and technology obstacles these dealers face every day – and as a result, catapult their businesses forward.” Agora’s most recent history-making move was closing the industry’s first crowdsourced subprime securitizations in December 2020 and May 2021. Burke went on to say, “Large dealer groups and online retailers empowered with technology from Silicon Valley in addition to having access to money from the capital markets, are taking away market share from the neighborhood BHPH dealer. Until now, the BHPH dealer had limited defenses. Agora provides the technology and capital, making it the first and only option for a BHPH dealer to increase their market share and grow their business safely without giving up control or equity.” Crowdsourced securitizations were unheard of a year ago. Agora overcame the overwhelming obstacles and looked forward to pioneering more solutions that solve age-old problems for BHPH dealers. Burke continued, “We are energized this breakthrough in low-cost funding and access to abundant capital will reshape the future for dealers, finance companies, capital markets, and even consumers – who benefit when savings are passed down to them.” David Zapata of CarsMart in Berrien Springs, Mich., is one of the hundreds of dealers leveraging Agora’s analytics and capital solutions. “I see my business like a hard-working mule, very resilient. That represents my business. Something sturdy you can work with, but a mule is slow. It can get you from point A to point B, but it’s not going to be in a timely manner,” Zapata said. “Working with Agora, it’s like we’ve been given a carriage and two horses. Now I can take my business, load more into it and have a quicker way to get there.” For BHPH dealers or finance companies wanting to learn more about Agora’s industry-disrupting capital solutions or to participate in upcoming securitizations, visit us at https://bit.ly/3BHbtuw. About Agora Data, Inc: Founded in 2017, Agora Data’s platform delivers a suite of tools to empower Buy Here Pay Here dealers and finance companies to maximize their success. Agora is disrupting and influencing the industry by connecting its dealers and finance company members to Wall Street and other capital resources previously only available to large dealer groups. Agora Data’s family of auto finance products provide a wide range of critical funding paths so originators can obtain the cash they need to fuel growth. Powered by Agora’s proprietary, radical, AI-infused technology platform, originators now have access to robust data analytics and planning resources to help optimize the performance of their portfolio. Agora Data made history by closing the first-ever Crowdsourced Subprime Auto Securitization in 2020 and followed that up with its second transaction in early 2021. For more information, visit agoradata.com or contact us at 877-592-4672. Contact Details Shelly Vandeven +1 682-282-4130 media@agoradata.com Company Website https://agoradata.com/

September 09, 2021 09:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

ThriveFantasy Partners with NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers for 2021 Season to be Daily Fantasy Sports Partner

ThriveFantasy

ThriveFantasy, the leading player prop daily fantasy sports, announced today it has signed on as a proud daily Fantasy Sports partner of the Los Angeles Chargers. The partnership provides Chargers fans with opportunities to participate in Thrive’s customized daily fantasy contests throughout the season. Of equal importance, ThriveFantasy will donate $25,000 to the Chargers Impact Fund to help those within the greater Los Angeles community who are most in need. “The Chargers are a great organization in so many ways,” says Adam Weinstein, founder and CEO of ThriveFantasy. “This partnership allows us to both give back to those who need it most, at a time when so many are hurting, as well as offer creative ways to help the Chargers engage their fanbase.” ThriveFantasy was created to give everyday fans a better chance at winning by challenging them to pick Chargers-only contests within its app to offer Chargers fans the chance to win tickets to Chargers Games at SoFi Stadium. Fans can visit their mobile app store to download the ThriveFantasy app today. “We’re excited to welcome ThriveFantasy into the Chargers family, especially as fantasy sports continues to grow in popularity. We also thank them for this wonderful donation to the Chargers Impact Fund which will truly help so many in the Los Angeles Community,” said A.G. Spanos, Chargers President of Business Operations and the Chargers Impact Fund. “Thrive will give our fans a unique and engaging way to interact with their favorite team and, in this case, win cash prizes and tickets to Chargers Games at SoFi Stadium.” In the coming months, Chargers fans can download the ThriveFantasy app and keep an eye out for: Match first time deposits up to $100 Custom Chargers-only contests throughout the 2021-2022 season About ThriveFantasy ThriveFantasy is a Daily Fantasy Sports and Esports App for Player Props. Thrive eliminates the countless hours of research users have to spend, by only focusing on the top-tier athletes that have the biggest impact on the game. Follow ThriveFantasy on Instagram (@ThriveFantasy), Twitter (@ThriveFantasy) and Facebook (ThriveFantasy). Download the app today via the App Store and Google Play. App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/thrivefantasy/id1240062484 Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appster.p2f&hl=en_US About the Chargers Impact Fund The Chargers Impact Fund is committed to helping families thrive in and around Southern California. The Fund focuses on four pillars in the community – youth empowerment, supporting families, animal welfare and emergency response – to help families thrive in their community. Over the years, the Fund has awarded more than $12 million in direct community assistance, including more than $6 million to public schools for badly needed physical fitness, nutrition and athletic programs and equipment. Today, in partnership with Chargers fans, volunteers and donors, the Chargers Impact Fund continues to honor Alex and Faye Spanos’ legacy by helping to build strong support structures for youth, families, and their communities across Southern California. For more information on the Chargers Impact Fund, please visit www.chargers.com/community/impact-fund/. Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern for ThriveFantasy Michael Adorno madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.thrivefantasy.com/

September 09, 2021 09:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

SIGMA Announces 90mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary I series lens

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, in conjunction with SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki), announces the release of the SIGMA 90mm F2.8 DG DN | Contempary “I series” lens in the US market. The new premium compact prime lens for full-frame mirrorless camera systems will be available for $639.00 through authorized US retailers in late September 2021. Exclusively for mirrorless cameras | Compatible with full-frame cameras Capture every inspiring moment. I series | Premium Compact Primes for mirrorless users New standards of optical performance for the Contemporary line Exceptional I series build quality with a compact form-factor Supplied accessories: Magnetic metal lens cap (LCF55-01M), Hood (LH576-02), Front Cap (LCF-55III), Rear Cap (LCRII) Available mount: L-Mount, Sony E-mount * The appearance and specifications of the product are subject to change. * This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation. * L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG. #SIGMA #SIGMA90mmF28Contemporary #SIGMAContemporary #SIGMAContemporaryPrime #SIGMADGDN #Iseries #SIGMAIseries Introducing SIGMA's all-new, mid-telephoto I series prime for mirrorless systems. This compact 90mm F2.8 optic is versatile, well-built and offers stunning optical performance, making it perfect for portraits, close-ups, weddings and events. A brand new 90mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary premium compact prime has been added to SIGMA's growing I series range. It joins four existing I series primes as well as the all-new 24mm F2, offering superb optical performance, a bright F2.8 aperture, an all-metal build and a manual aperture ring. Designed especially for mirrorless systems it feels well-balanced on modern full-frame bodies, and boasts exceptional resolving power that can keep up with the latest ultra-high-resolution cameras. With its versatile mid-telephoto focal length, the lens is the longest I series lens yet, but still remains remarkably compact and light so is ideal for day-to-day use. It is fully-optimized for mirrorless systems with ultra-fast and accurate AF performance, and it boasts outstanding optical capabilities. The rich, smooth bokeh makes for attractive backgrounds, which is perfect for portraits, and the minimum focusing distance of 50cm allows photographers to get closer to their subject. With its versatile mid-telephoto focal length, the lens is the longest I series lens yet, but still remains remarkably compact and light so is ideal for day-to-day use. It is fully-optimized for mirrorless systems with ultra-fast and accurate AF performance, and it boasts outstanding optical capabilities. The rich, smooth bokeh makes for attractive backgrounds, which is perfect for portraits, and the minimum focusing distance of 50cm allows photographers to get closer to their subject. This high-quality, everyday lens is able to bring scenes to life with its beautiful rendering and ultra-sharp optics, all in a portable, robust and tactile lens body. [Key features] 1. I series | Premium Compact Primes for mirrorless users The SIGMA I series features full-frame-compatible lenses that offer mirrorless users a new and better alternative, both in the experience of shooting with the lens and in the impressive results it is able to achieve. One of the key advantages of mirrorless cameras is their smaller form-factor, and this new 90mm optic is designed to be perfectly matched to these more compact systems without sacrificing performance. This combination of superb optical quality with exceptional portability, not previously possible with DSLR systems, will bring new opportunities to this and future generations of photographers. Simultaneously, SIGMA is aware that, in this day and age when we have such huge diversity when it comes to what we use to photograph, as represented by smartphones, people look for something more than a mere act of "taking pictures" when they choose to own a camera and lenses. SIGMA's excellence in development and processing technologies has been built up since it was founded in 1961, and has become further sophisticated with the introduction of the SIGMA Global Vision in 2012. With this as a base SIGMA has given careful thought to how photographers use and enjoy their lenses, including optical design, advanced functionality, build quality and the experience of picking up and using the lens, and with all of this carefully considered the I series was born. 2. New standards of optical performance for the Contemporary line The SIGMA 90mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary boasts exceptional optical performance with a ultra-high resolving power to match the latest high-resolution mirrorless cameras. The lens is built using the very latest optical technology, and includes five SLD glass elements. This helps to reduce axial chromatic aberration that cannot be corrected in-camera, allowing the lens to achieve high resolution and clear image quality with no color bleeding. A high-precision glass molded aspherical lens provides both high resolution and beautiful bokeh. Photographers can enjoy shooting with soft, large bokeh without coloration and this is something that only a full-frame lens is able to deliver. The lens also utilizes the camera's optical correction functionality, which is an advantage of mirrorless systems, SIGMA's optical designers were therefore able to concentrate on correcting aberrations that can only be corrected by the optical design, thereby improving rendering performance and reducing the size and weight of the lens. With a minimum focusing distance of 50cm and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:5, close-up macro-style photography is possible. The lens highlights the subject, allowing photographers to focus in on fine details or create more abstract compositions. The AF drive system incorporates a quiet, high-speed stepping motor, making it suitable for still images as well as video recording. 3. Exceptional I series build quality with a compact form-factor All I series lenses have an all-metal construction. The precision-cut aluminum parts not only give the barrel a sleek, stylish finish, but provide superb durability that improves the quality of the entire product. Metal materials are also used in internal structures that slide with the operation ring for added robustness. These high-precision components crafted with SIGMA's cutting-edge metalworking technology are also used in SIGMA's cine lens line-up for professional cinematographers and provide a tactile, ergonomic feel that make the lens a pleasure to use. The 90mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary shares the same φ64mm maximum diameter and 55mm filter size as the 24mm F3.5 DG DN | Contemporary and the 45mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary, making them a natural trio, especially for filmmakers who use filters more regularly. With a combined weight of only 735 grams / 25.9 oz.*, these three lenses (wide-angle, standard, mid-telephoto) can be used in tandem as part of a high-spec and compact camera system that covers a wide range of shooting situations. * The figures are for L-Mount. [Additional features] Lens construction: 11 elements in 10 groups, with 5 SLD and 1 aspherical lens elements Inner focus system Compatible with high-speed autofocus Stepping motor Compatible with lens aberration correction * Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections may vary depending on the camera model. Support DMF and AF+MF Super Multi-Layer Coating Aperture ring Focus Mode switch Round-type lens hood (LH576-02) Magnetic metal lens cap (LCF55-01M) Mount with dust and splash resistant structure Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only) Designed to minimize flare and ghosting Every single lens undergoes SIGMA's proprietary MTF measuring system 9-blade rounded diaphragm High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount “Made in Japan” craftsmanship To learn more about SIGMA's craftsmanship, please visit SIGMA website at: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/ [Key specifications] The figures below are for L-Mount: Lens construction: 10 groups, 11 elements (5 SLD and 1 aspherical lens) | Angle of view: 27.0° | Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm) | Minimum aperture: F22 | Minimum focusing distance: 50cm / 19.7 in. | Maximum magnification ratio: 1:5 | Filter size: φ55mm | Dimensions (Maximum Diameter x Length): φ64mm x 59.7mm / φ2.5 in. x 2.4 in. | Weight: 295g / 10.4 oz. [Barcode] L-Mount: 0085126 261696 Sony E-mount: 0085126 261658 [Accessories: Supplied] Name of product / barcode Magnetic metal lens cap FRONT CAP LCF55-01M: 0085126 938680 FRONT CAP LCFIII 55mm: 0085126 930066 LENS HOOD LH576-02: 0085126 939526 REAR CAP LCR II (L-Mount): 0085126 937256 REAR CAP LCR II (Sony E-mount): 0085126 929879 [Accessories: Optional] Name of product / barcode SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 for L-Mount: 0085126 878696 SIGMA WR PROTECTOR 55mm: 0085126 930912 SIGMA PROTECTOR 55mm: 0085126 931049 SIGMA WR UV FILTER 55mm: 0085126 930653 SIGMA WR CIRCULAR PL FILTER 55mm: 0085126 930783 Magnetic metal lens cap holder SIGMA LENS CAP HOLDER CH-11: 0085126 938666 [Contact] For further information, please contact your local authorized SIGMA Service Station listed at the link below: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/world-network/ [Information] SIGMA Corporation | https://www.sigma-global.com/en/ Product information | https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c021_90_28/ Contact Details SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA Jack Howard +1 631-585-1144 SIGMA.PR@sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigma-global.com/en/

September 09, 2021 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SIGMA Announces 24mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary I series lens

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, in conjunction with SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki), announces the release of the SIGMA 24mm F2 DG DN | Contempary “I series” lens in the US market. The new premium compact prime lens for full-frame mirrorless camera systems will be available for $639.00 through authorized US retailers in late September 2021. See the bigger picture. I series | Premium Compact Primes for mirrorless users New standards of optical performance for the Contemporary line Exceptional I series build quality with a compact form-factor Available mount: L-Mount, Sony E-mount * The appearance and specifications of the product are subject to change. * This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation. * L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG. #SIGMA #SIGMA24mmF2Contemporary #SIGMAContemporary #SIGMAContemporaryPrime #SIGMADGDN #Iseries #SIGMAIseries The all-new 24mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary delivers exceptional edge-to-edge rendering power in an ultra-compact, all-metal body. This impressive, wide-angle, I series prime is now available for L-Mount and Sony E-mount systems. The 24mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary premium compact prime is the latest prime lens to be added to SIGMA's growing I series range. It joins four existing I series lenses as well as the new 90mm F2.8, offering superb optical performance, a bright F2 aperture, an all-metal build and a manual aperture ring. Designed from the ground up for mirrorless systems it feels perfectly-balanced on modern full-frame bodies, and boasts exceptional resolving power that can keep up with the latest ultra-high-resolution cameras. The lens' advanced optical design produces sharp, high-contrast results from the center of the frame to the far corners, and together with its F2 aperture and wide angle-of-view it's an excellent choice for night sky photography, events and interiors. Owing to its compact size the lens can be carried around effortlessly, which makes it perfect for day-to-day use. The high quality, all-metal construction, which is found on all of SIGMA's I series models, makes the experience of owning and operating this lens extremely satisfying. This new full-frame 24mm F2 prime is designed for photographers who need a sharp, fast, robust, wide-angle optic that will not weigh them down. It is available for L-Mount and Sony E-mount systems. [Key features] 1. I series | Premium Compact Primes for mirrorless users The SIGMA I series features full-frame-compatible lenses that offer mirrorless users a new and better alternative, both in the experience of shooting with the lens and in the impressive results it is able to achieve. One of the key advantages of mirrorless cameras is their smaller form-factor, and this new 24mm optic is designed to be perfectly matched to these more compact systems without sacrificing performance. This combination of superb optical quality with exceptional portability, not previously possible with DSLR systems, will bring new opportunities to this and future generations of photographers. Simultaneously, SIGMA is aware that, in this day and age when we have such huge diversity when it comes to what we use to photograph, as represented by smartphones, people look for something more than a mere act of "taking pictures" when they choose to own a camera and lenses. SIGMA's excellence in development and processing technologies has been built up since it was founded in 1961, and has become further sophisticated with the introduction of the SIGMA Global Vision in 2012. With this as a base SIGMA has given careful thought to how photographers use and enjoy their lenses, including optical design, advanced functionality, build quality and the experience of picking up and using the lens, and with all of this carefully considered the I series was born. 24mm, 35mm and 65mm - three lenses with F2 brightness in the lineup 2. New standards of optical performance for the Contemporary line The SIGMA 24mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary, like the SIGMA 35mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary and the SIGMA 65mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary, combines the highest level of optical performance even at its maximum aperture of F2 and a well-balanced body. The lens uses two SLD glass elements and one FLD glass element to correct axial chromatic aberration, which is a particular concern with bright lenses. It also incorporates two high-precision glass-molded aspherical elements, made possible by the processing technology of SIGMA's sole production facility in Aizu. This has enabled the total number of lens elements to be kept down and the size and weight of the lens to be reduced, while providing excellent correction of various aberrations. In anticipation of wide-angle lens applications, SIGMA's optical designers have ensured the lens resolution is extremely high, and is uniform from the center to the periphery of the image. Sagittal coma flare is also well suppressed, giving the lens a high degree of rendering power that makes it ideal for night sky photography. The AF drive system incorporates a quiet, high-speed stepping motor. This allows photographers to capture every detail of the spacious 24mm scene with light AF. 3. Exceptional I series build quality with a compact form-factor All I series lenses have an all-metal construction. The precision-cut aluminum parts not only give the barrel a sleek, stylish finish, but provide superb durability that improves the quality of the entire product. Metal materials are also used in internal structures that slide with the operation ring for added robustness. These high-precision components crafted with SIGMA's cutting-edge metalworking technology are also used in SIGMA's cine lens line-up for professional cinematographers and provide a tactile, ergonomic feel that make the lens a pleasure to use. The cover ring between the focus ring and the aperture ring has hairline processing that is also used for the rear cylinder of the Art line. This covering functions as a finger hold when attaching or detaching the lens. [Additional features] Lens construction: 13 elements in 11 groups, with 1 FLD, 2 SLD and 2 aspherical lens elements Inner focus system Compatible with high-speed autofocus Stepping motor Compatible with lens aberration correction * Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections may vary depending on the camera model. Support DMF and AF+MF Super Multi-Layer Coating Aperture ring Focus Mode switch Petal-type lens hood (LH656-02) Magnetic metal lens cap (LCF62-01M) Mount with dust and splash resistant structure Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only) Designed to minimize flare and ghosting Every single lens undergoes SIGMA's proprietary MTF measuring system 9-blade rounded diaphragm High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount “Made in Japan” craftsmanship To learn more about SIGMA's craftsmanship, please visit SIGMA website at: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/ [Key specifications] The figures below are for L-Mount: Lens construction: 11 groups, 13 elements (1 FLD, 2 SLD, and 2 aspherical lenses) | Angle of view: 84.1° | Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm) | Minimum aperture: F22 | Minimum focusing distance: 24.5cm / 9.7 in. | Maximum magnification ratio: 1:6.7 | Filter size: φ62mm | Dimensions (Max. Diameter x Length): φ70mmx72mm / φ 2.8 in. x 2.8 in. | Weight: 365g / 12.9 oz. [Barcode] L-Mount: 0085126 403690 Sony E-mount: 0085126 403652 [Accessories: Supplied] Name of product / barcode: Magnetic metal lens cap SIGMA FRONT CAP LCF62-01M: 0085126 938659 FRONT CAP LCFIII 62mm: 0085126 929817 PETAL-TYPE LENS HOOD LH656-02: 0085126 939533 REAR CAP LCR II (L-Mount): 0085126 937256 REAR CAP LCR II (Sony E-mount): 0085126 929879 [Accessories: Optional] Name of product / barcode: SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 for L-Mount: 0085126 878696 SIGMA WR PROTECTOR 62mm: 0085126 930936 SIGMA PROTECTOR 62mm: 0085126 931063 SIGMA WR UV FILTER 62mm: 0085126 930677 SIGMA WR CIRCULAR PL FILTER 62mm: 0085126 930806 Magnetic metal lens cap holder SIGMA LENS CAP HOLDER CH-11: 0085126 938666 [Contact] For further information, please contact your local authorized SIGMA Service Station listed at the link below: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/world-network/ [Information] SIGMA Corporation | https://www.sigma-global.com/en/ Product information | https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c021_24_2/ Contact Details SIGMA Corporation Jack Howard ext. 1015 +1 631-585-1144 SIGMA.PR@sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigma-global.com/en/

September 09, 2021 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Way We Travel Now: Airbnb Looking Ahead, Looking Back

YourUpdateTV

As summer winds down and the seasons begin to change, now is the time to look back at how Americans spent their summer traveling and what they are looking forward to experiencing in the fall. Recently, Communications Leads for North America at Airbnb, Liz DeBold Fusco, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to share the most recent travel trends. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/aBehaUcamIE Not surprisingly, outdoor escapes with the family were the top summer travel trend, and as we come to the end of the summer, longer trips and reunions have become a go to. One of the biggest trends was the great escape to rural, with destinations near national and state parks among the top places to stay. Few weeks ago, Airbnb reached their biggest night ever in the US with more than 4 million guests using the platform. This has created a lot of opportunities for the Airbnb host community. This past summer, US Hosts on Airbnb collectively earned more than $1.3 billion – with some hosting while they were away to pay for their vacation to some offering one-of-a-kind unique stays, like treehouses and yurts. With the remote work trend continuing into fall, so does the increase in trips extending beyond just a weekend. Longer weekend trips with families lasting three to four days are up 70 percent, with weekday stays increasing from 63 to 65 percent. Guests’ rising and diversified interest in mid-sized cities extends beyond the weekend and is focused on fall scenery. Searches for stays in large and mid-sized cities make up about a third of searches each for fall, compared to more than half for stays in just large cities in fall 2019. Big events are also coming back, and more guests are eager to head back to stands and seats once again. In fact, a number of those top trending destinations for Labor Day Weekend and beyond are large and mid-sized cities. This is due to welcome-back iconic competitions and major music festivals, like the Made in America Festival in Philadelphia and Astroworld in Houston. You can always go to airbnb.com to find places to stay, Online Experiences to try. Or, if you are looking to share your space this fall or ahead of a big event, you can become a host at Airbnb.com/host. About Liz DeBold Fusco: Liz DeBold Fusco is a Communications Leads for North America for Airbnb. Prior to that, she was a Vice President at SKDKnickerbocker, a national public affairs firm, where she provided strategic communications guidance to organizations ranging from the NAACP and Demos to The Rockefeller Foundation and AT&T. Liz has also worked for Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray as well as the New York State Attorney General. 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

September 08, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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CSG Field Service Management Ups the Ante on Customer Experience, Recognized in the 2021 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) is transforming the way companies engage with their customers by arming today’s leading brands with future-ready, innovative solutions that drive extraordinary customer experiences. With a customer-first culture dedicated to delivering results, CSG Field Service Management. These factors combined CSG’s breadth of experience and its leading-edge capabilities in machine learning and augmented reality led to CSG Field Service Management’s first-time placement in the 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Field Service Management. “Field service management is often the ‘last mile’ of customer service that can make or break your brand and your ability to win in the marketplace,” said Alfred Binford, president of customer engagement for CSG. “CSG Field Service Management delivers both agility and game changing innovation for our customers that lead to greater cost and productivity efficiencies. More importantly, it creates higher quality customer interactions that lead to elevated customer experiences. Gartner’s ratings are deeply respected in our industry, and it is a tremendous accomplishment to be in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Field Service Management. CSG will build on this momentum with our unique domain expertise in serving communications service providers to enhance our solutions and help our growing global customer base transform ordinary customer experiences to be extraordinary.” CSG Field Service Management is a global, award-winning, multi-industry, cloud-based platform that optimizes field service operations before, during and after the day of service. The solution enables field technicians and dispatchers to make informed decisions based on real-time, predictive data that offers intelligent insights and increases customer satisfaction. These capabilities combined with automated reporting and timely, relevant customer communications help companies deliver a superior customer experience, while enabling seamless operations for both dispatchers and technicians. CSG Field Service Management supports hundreds of thousands of technicians and dispatchers every day and is the engine that processes more than 100 million work orders every year for some of the world’s largest communications service providers. With an average 4.6 out of 5 rating on Gartner PeerInsights ™, customers have commended CSG Field Service Management as “ [a] powerful workforce management solution ” matched with a great customer experience, “thorough communication and the willingness to assist. It was a phenomenal experience with the whole team that made our product successful.” For more information on CSG Field Service Management, visit https://www.csgi.com/portfolio/field-service-management/. To download the 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Field Service Management visit https://info.csgi.com/FSM-GMQ-2021-Report. # # # Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Field Service Management, Jim Robinson, Naved Rashid, 31 August 2021 Gartner and Magic Quadrant are registered trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose About CSG For more than 35 years, CSG has simplified the complexity of business, delivering innovative customer engagement solutions that help companies acquire, monetize, 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 allow 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 which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: Tammy Hovey CSG +1 (917) 520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com John Rea Investor Relations CSG +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

September 08, 2021 09:05 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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Comcast Business Supports CORE Electric Cooperative’s Goal of Delivering Low-Cost, Reliable Electricity

Comcast Colorado

Comcast Business today announced that CORE Electric Cooperative — a nonprofit electric distribution cooperative that serves more than 170,000 customers along Colorado’s Front Range region — has selected Comcast Business to provide two 1 Gig Ethernet Dedicated Internet (EDI) connections for its offices, as well as a 1 Gig Ethernet Private Line (EPL) for its main data center. The solutions will provide CORE employees with reliable connectivity to its sites, thus furthering its goal of providing reliable, cost-friendly electricity services to the communities it serves. CORE is the largest electric distribution cooperative in Colorado and one of the largest in the U.S. Its 5,000-square-mile service territory includes portions of 10 counties to the east, west and south of Denver. As a customer-owned cooperative, CORE operates on a nonprofit basis. Any earnings exceeding its expenses are invested back into the facilities used to provide electric service and are booked as member equity. Some of this equity is returned to members each year. “Our mandate is to provide reliable electricity at the lowest cost, and network uptime and reliability are key to ensuring the success of our operations,” said Josh Liss, public affairs director for CORE. “We can count on Comcast Business to provide reliable connectivity. As a result, we are truly set up for success now and in the future, even as we continue to grow and add customers to our network.” CORE’s EDI connections from Comcast Business are a cost-effective solution for the cooperative to power its networks, helping its employees stay connected and able to quickly respond to customer needs. Meanwhile, CORE’s EPL ensures redundancy at its data center site in Bennett, as well as 24/7 priority network support and monitoring from the Comcast Business team. In the future, these solutions will help CORE provide quality service to customers as it expands its focus into renewable energy. “Electricity services are an essential for all households, regardless of income, but they are not always turnkey to deliver to customers,” said Robert Thompson, vice president of Comcast Business for the company’s Mountain West Region. “We are proud to partner with CORE and help support their mission to bring affordable utilities to residents of the Front Range region.” For more information, please visit https://business.comcast.com/. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and 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. About CORE Electric Cooperative CORE Electric Cooperative is a nonprofit electric distribution cooperative that serves more than 170,000 customers inside a 5,000-square-mile service territory along Colorado’s Front Range. Its headquarters is in Sedalia, and district offices are in Bennett, Conifer and Woodland Park. # # # Media Contacts: Chloe Huard Finn Partners chloe.huard@finnpartners.com About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and 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 Business Chloe Huard chloe.huard@finnpartners.com Company Website https://business.comcast.com/

September 08, 2021 09:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

Velocity Global adds tech talent acquisition veteran Kokoro Robinson to double its global team

Velocity Global

Robinson joins Velocity Global from Stack Overflow Velocity Global to double its worldwide team of 400 over next year Robinson is a two-time Velocity Global client Velocity Global, the leading provider of global employment solutions, today announced it welcomed Kokoro Robinson as its vice president of Talent Acquisition. Robinson applies 25 years of experience building teams for high-growth technology companies. “We plan to double our team over the next year and Kokoro has spent more than two decades building global teams from Silicon Valley to push midsized companies to their next stage,” said Sarah Fern, Velocity Global chief people officer. “He has been a direct client of Velocity Global in two of his recent positions so he knows firsthand how to build global remote-first teams.” Robinson reports to Fern as the company grows its headcount that now stands at approximately 400 in 27 countries across five continents. “This is not about jobs; I look to hire owner-employees -- people with a passion for what they do and for the collective organization,” said Robinson. “Velocity Global delivers a unique global platform for companies and talent to benefit from a distributed and varied workforce. We look for individuals who want to guide that journey. We literally create the future of how the world works.” The company’s global work platform simplifies the employer and employee experience to employ any talent anywhere with just a click through its proprietary cloud-based workforce management technology, a system backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. Robinson joins Velocity Global from Stack Overflow where he led Talent Acquisition for the world’s pre-imminent question and answer website for developers, touting some 100 million active monthly users. Prior to that, he led talent acquisition for Saba Software (now part of Cornerstone OnDemand NASDAQ: CSOD) where he doubled the size of the organization while cutting in half the time-to-fill and cost-per-hire metrics. Previously he held roles with Good Technology (now part of Blackberry), where he led the charge for their diversity and inclusion. “As a former client of Velocity Global, I know firsthand how we can serve as an example of best practices to grow global, distributed teams,” said Robinson. “The survival of any company going forward relies on hiring and supporting remote global talent. What was a trend for tech companies prior to 2020 is now mainstream in every industry. Along with a talented group at Velocity Global, I get to build the team that supports this model for nearly every company in the world.” Velocity Global is hiring for roles across the organization, particularly on the Technology, Revenue, and Marketing teams. For more information on open positions, interested candidates can visit https://velocityglobal.com/about-us/careers/. About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work beyond borders. Its global work platform simplifies the employer and employee experience to employ any talent anywhere with just a click through its proprietary cloud-based workforce management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. As the largest global Employer of Record (also known as International PEO) in 185 countries and all 50 United States, more than 1,000 brands rely on Velocity Global to build global teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. The company offers additional services including Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce, and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors. Velocity Global was named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across five continents. For more information visit velocityglobal.com. Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

September 08, 2021 07:01 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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BEE Set to Take Stage at SaaStr 2021 Annual Conference to Address Industry Trend of “build-vs-buy”

BEE

BEE, a business unit of Growens and leading digital content design platform, announced today they will be speaking at this year's SaaStr Annual event, the world’s largest non-vendor B2B software conference. BEE has been an active participant of SaaStr sponsored events and this year Mariela Towers, Head of Marketing and Jules Costa, Content Manager will take the stage to talk about "Behind the Scenes of a Build-vs-Buy Decision.” SaaStr is known to be the most inclusive event in SaaS. In the past three years, 60% of speakers were women or multicultural speakers, and they strive to continue this growth through future events. BEE echoes the sentiment of diversity and inclusion and will be represented by two of their own women leaders to speak at the conference. For the first time, Towers and Costa will bring their diverse backgrounds in business and content strategy to the SaaStr conference by joining key industry conversations. "We are looking forward to the event and the opportunity to safely engage and network with fellow SaaStrs in person this year,” said Towers. “We are excited to bring a relevant conversation about leveraging third-party technology for faster speed to market, and of course can't deny that the team at BEE is really proud to participate in the movement to balance out what diversity should look like in technology.” "SaaS products continue to play a huge role in the future of work. We've seen remote collaboration become expected and, at times, crucial to sustaining business,” states Costa. “The 'make or buy' decision is one piece of getting these products to market faster." For more information on this upcoming event check out saastrannual2021.com. BEE can be found at booth 323 where the team will also be highlighting BEE Plugin, the company's embeddable email, landing page and popup builder that is integrated into over 600+ different SaaS applications worldwide. About BEE: BEE provides no-code design tools that empower everyone to quickly create content that resonates. BEE’s visual builders are used to design emails, landing pages, one-page sites, and more. They deliver fantastic design flexibility and a great user experience, combining granular control on design elements with handy features like editing content directly in mobile view. BEE is building on its vision to help democratize content design, with millions of monthly users in over 20 languages and from over 150 countries. BEE’s design tools are available online at beefree.io and embedded in 600+ SaaS applications. BEE will present on Tuesday, September 28 at 12pm PST/3pm EST. Contact Details Jules Costa communications@beefree.io Company Website https://beefree.io/

September 08, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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