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Cyvatar Named Finalist in Computing Security Excellence Awards 2021

Cyvatar

Cyvatar today announced that it has been chosen as a finalist in Computing’s Security Excellence Awards 2021 for the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Security Solution Award. Computing celebrates the achievements of the IT industry's leading security companies, solutions, products, and personalities that keep every other part of the industry operating. Award categories include product- and project-related recognition, organizational achievements, and accolades for outstanding individual success. Computing selected Cyvatar for its cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) platform, designed with SMEs in mind. SMEs are increasingly at the mercy of ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and other cyber threats, but unlike larger orgs, most SMEs don’t have the budget or expertise to invest in comprehensive in-house security programs. Moreover, they struggle to show value from the security tools they do buy. Cyvatar CSaaS democratizes cybersecurity, making the best protection accessible and affordable for any SME regardless of budget, even if they have no cybersecurity expertise in-house. Customers can select the membership and pricing that meet their desired business outcomes in seconds; a freemium model ensures they can achieve tangible results fast with no out-of-pocket costs--an industry first. And they can cancel anytime--another industry first. “We don’t throw technology over the wall and expect our customers to figure it out themselves the way many product companies do,” said Corey White, Cyvatar co-founder and chief executive. “We deliver all three pillars of cybersecurity—the teams, technology solutions, and best practices—to SMEs that would not otherwise be able to implement them. Our subscription model ensures they don’t end up buying solutions they can’t use or don’t need, and our platform lets them see at a glance what’s going on in their environment to give them the best cyber prevention available.” Cyvatar offers its proprietary ICARM™ (install, configure, assess, remediate, maintain) methodology to deliver smarter, more efficient solutions, allowing SMEs to achieve security compliance and cyber-attack prevention faster and more effectively. ICARM ensures SMEs won’t get crushed under the weight of too many products, and guaranteed outcomes mean they get maximum value from their technology spend. Choose the Cyvatar membership with the best outcomes for your business today. About Cyvatar Cyvatar is committed to effortless cybersecurity for everyone. As the industry’s first subscription-based, cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) company, it’s our mission to transform the way the security industry builds, sells, and supports cyber solutions. We empower our members to achieve successful outcomes by providing expert practitioners, market-leading technologies, and proven best practices to guarantee business results. Our approach is rooted in a proprietary ICARM (installation, configuration, assessment, remediation, maintenance) methodology that delivers measurable security solutions for superior compliance and cyber-attack prevention, all bundled into a fixed monthly subscription that members can cancel anytime. Cyvatar is headquartered in Irvine, California, with locations around the world. Begin your journey to security confidence at cyvatar.ai and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact Details Cyvatar Dan Chmielewski +1 949-231-2963 dchm@madisonalexanderpr.com Company Website https://cyvatar.ai/

October 28, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Spiceology Lands on Shelves at Ace Hardware, Making Ace The Helpful FLAVOR Place

Spiceology

Spiceology Inc., the fastest growing spice company in America, has announced a partnership with Ace Hardware that enables Ace retailers to carry the leading spice company’s innovative signature blends and collaboration products, further bolstering the nationwide retailer's reputation as a flavor and grilling destination. The entire 23 item Spiceology planogram can now be ordered through the Ace Retail Service Center. In the first 30 days, over 400 franchises stocked their shelves with Spiceology. In the last five years, Ace has seen a 36% growth in BBQ, and expects to see this trend continue. The addition of Spiceology is another step toward being a trusted resource for every type of griller and home cook. “At Ace, we consider ourselves an important part of each of our local communities, and we want to provide our customers with everything they need to make their homes a better place,” said Paige Roszkowski, BBQ Fuel & Accessories Associate Merchant. “We are not just a hardware store anymore, and we’ve reworked our focus internally to give growing sections of the business the deserved attention, including our grilling sections. We’ve seen immense growth in the BBQ space, and we’re excited to have Spiceology on our shelves, showing that premium quality blends should be a staple in everyone’s household.” According to Ace CMO Kim Lefko, in 2020, Ace attracted younger shoppers, more new home buyers, and more women than ever before. And while Ace carries other grilling spice blends, the addition of Spiceology’s diverse and easy-to-use blends highlights the company’s expansion from the grill to the kitchen. As a premium spice and flavor company, Spiceology’s products are made with Grade A ingredients and are ultra-versatile for whatever you are grilling, cooking or creating. Spiceology’s flavor experts develop innovative and easy-to-use blends and recipes, empowering Ace customers to go from home cook to home chef with just a few tablespoons. “We’re changing the way people eat and experience flavor,” said Maria Emmer-Aanes, Vice President of Retail and Grocery at Spiceology. “We admire Ace’s connection to the community, and we are excited to have our products available for their customers, showing just how important it is to have high-quality ingredients in your home to experiment with flavor. Just as Ace stores are a one-stop shop for a growing and more diverse clientele, our ultra-versatile spice blends can be the new go-tos customers reach for in the kitchen and around the grill.” Spiceology - AceNet Direct (Vendor #56309). ABOUT SPICEOLOGY Founded in 2013, Spiceology is the fastest-growing spice company in America and is on a mission to bring the magic back to spices, the world’s first currency. The chef-owned and operated, one-stop spice shop develops innovative blends and offers over 400 ingredients that are ground fresh in small-batches and shipped fresh to consumers and chefs. Spiceology’s “experiment with flavor” ethos is not only embraced through excellent ingredients and unique combinations, but also through responsible business practices designed to create a better world with diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of the workforce. Spiceology products can be found on spiceology.com, in specialty retailers and grocers, in restaurants around the US, and as far away as Australia and Dubai. Visit spiceology.com for more information or to place an order, or follow Spiceology on Facebook and Instagram. For recipe inspiration, visit here. ABOUT ACE HARDWARE Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with more than 5,200 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 70 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; Colon, Panama; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com. Contact Details Cassidy Levine +1 908-770-7880 cassidy@spiceology.com Company Website https://spiceology.com/

October 28, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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2021 Jewellery World Awards names Honourees

Jewellery World Awards (JWA)

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 27 October 2021 - Organised by Informa Markets Jewellery since 2012, the Jewellery World Awards (JWA), formerly known as JNA Awards, unveiled its highly anticipated roster of Honourees for its 2021 edition. Following this announcement, the 2021 JWA also staged its three-part webinar series under "Leading Through Changes and Uncertainty," sponsored by Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ). The esteemed panel of independent judges spent the last few weeks reviewing and assessing entries from 10 countries and regions, across five continents. In the end, 33 entries were shortlisted as Honourees from a highly-qualified pool of entries. Letitia Chow, Chairperson and founder of JWA at Informa Markets Jewellery, said, "Despite the ongoing challenges brought by the pandemic, we are encouraged by the responses and number of participants this year, with a third being first-time entrants. Through this programme, we hope to highlight and bring out the positives of the trade, as we continue to promote the core values of innovation and excellence." The judging panel includes James Courage, former Chief Executive of Platinum Guild International and former Chairman of the Responsible Jewellery Council; Albert Cheng, CEO of Singapore Bullion Market Association and International Advisor of Shanghai Gold Exchange; Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange; Dr. Mark Lee, Research Director of Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy; and Nirupa Bhatt, Senior Advisor to the Gemological Institute of America India. "Entrants this year have showcased the industry's ability to protect and support the workforce in the time of COVID-19. Their innovative approach in utilising online channels to reach out to customers also has helped them navigate these challenging times," Courage shared. Cheng said, "I am happy to see that most participants reported steady sales revenues in the past three years, except for a slight dip in 2019. Indeed, the jewellery industry has demonstrated resilience in the time of the pandemic. I am also pleasantly surprised with their prompt and creative responses in tackling obstacles, as well as with their ability to identify and pursue new opportunities." "As one of the judges, I noticed how important the JWA is to the international jewellery industry. Whether they're startups or large enterprises, those who participated made each category highly competitive with their unique strategies and breakthroughs – making it very difficult for the panel to choose this year's Honouree," Lin remarked. Dr. Lee noted that "COVID-19 further accelerated the industry's digital transformation, and proved itself essential, not just for growth, but also for survival. I was impressed to see the candidates' passion, innovative approach and their contributions despite the challenging conditions before them. Innovation and sustainable strategies are very important in this rapidly changing world, and this year's entrants brought these to the forefront at JWA." Bhatt also commended the entrants' efforts in engaging customers and their use of technology. "Not only is the industry resilient, it is also unstoppable when it comes to reaching out to its customers. As seen in this year's entries, technology is a big enabler, especially in the last two years when manufacturers in the jewellery business continued to engage consumers by incorporating technology into their marketing strategies," she said. The 2021 JWA Ceremony and Gala Dinner will be held at JGT Dubai (Jewellery Gem Technology Dubai) on 21 February 2022, Monday. The 2021 JWA is supported by Headline Partners Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group and Shanghai Diamond Exchange, alongside Honoured Partners KGK Group and Guangdong Land (Shenzhen) Ltd. For full list of JWA 2021 Honourees: please visit www.JWAwards.com/results. #JewelleryWorldAwards Contact Details Informa Markets JWA Marketing +852 2516 2184 marketing@JWAwards.com

October 27, 2021 08:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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HowToBet.com's NFL Analysis Highlights Key Trends in October and November

HowToBet.com

HowToBet.com, an educational gambling website created to help fans learn how to bet on sports, casino games, and more, has identified new key trends in the NFL for fans interested in betting on games in October and November. On the money lines, underdogs have performed fairly well. In week one, the underdogs (plus money teams) went 8 to 8, followed by 5 to 11 and 9 and 9 performances during week two and week three, respectively. In terms of the point spread, the underdogs have fared well, with many big spreads and many close games. HowToBet.com evaluates data as it becomes available to provide more insight into underdog trends as the season progresses. There have been some results regarding home-field advantage thus far. After week three of the NFL season, there were 13 teams that remained unbeaten at home: five of them were 2 to 0 and eight were 1 to 0. Five teams were 1 to 1, while 13 teams were winless at home: six were 0 to 2, and seven were 0 to 1. According to this story on ESPN.com, the week three game between the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions was the most one-sided wager of the early season ― an unexpected statistic as the latter of the two teams currently sits at the bottom of the NFC North, still winless after three weeks of play. At the time of kickoff, 98% of all money line wagers were on the Ravens at -400: those include all parlays as well. As the game neared a close, most of those bets were on the brink of losing before Justin Tucker (placekicker for the Baltimore Ravens) kicked a record-breaking 66-yard field goal to win the game 19 to 17 in the last second of the contest. In doing so, he saved countless parlays and straight bets. It is expected that the total number of bets placed in the U.S.in September will be a record-breaking figure. Arizona only recently joined the sports betting scene and has already reported record-shattering numbers. New Jersey, the undisputed king of sports betting, posted over $650 million in wagers during August, with no NFL contests in motion at the time. New Jersey is projected to be the first state in the U.S. to break $1 billion in wagers in a given month during this NFL season. This would be a staggering accomplishment for the garden state, to say the least. As more and more states legalize sports betting, these kinds of records will be continuously toppled until the industry settles. The best paying single bets have undoubtedly been the props or a money line upset. So far in 2021, there have been four games that underdogs of +240 or more won: week 1, Pittsburgh (+240) beat Buffalo, week two, Las Vegas (+260) beat Pittsburgh, and Tennessee (+250) beat Seattle, and week four, Los Angeles Chargers (+240) beat Kansas City. All of those games had potential payouts of $340 on a $100 wager at the minimum. " NFL online betting has experienced a significant upswing in popularity this year," said Cristian Campan, Product Owner of HowToBet.com. "Our insider analysis and betting tips are helping newcomers and gambling veterans alike boost their odds week after week. We are a prime resource for any fans looking to learn how to bet with their heads and maximize their chances for success this season." The most lucrative NFL games for bettors are the ones they win. With the bonus offers now, such as PointsBet's $1,500 risk-free points bet wager (promo code: HOWTOBET), bettors can possibly win up to 20 times their wager. Winnings could be as high as $30,000. Please visit HowToBet.com for more online betting tips. About Raketech Raketech was founded as an online poker affiliate that focused on lead generation for the Scandinavian market. Today, Raketech is an award-winning iGaming affiliate company with its sights set on areas that the team finds fun, exciting, and important. Raketech also powers HowToBet.com, a reliable, user-friendly, educational gambling site providing "Data-Driven Betting Guides" in all its forms. Contact Details HowToBet.com Cristian Campan +45 50 30 42 66 cristian.campan@raketech.com Company Website https://www.howtobet.com

October 27, 2021 08:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Puzzle & Casino Games Are the Most Played by American Mobile Users

OnlineUnitedCasinos.com

In June, London-based data research and analytics group, YouGov, released a study concerning the most played mobile gaming genres in the US and UK markets. The research conducted between May 2020 and May 2021 showed that people still play mobile games with pretty much the same degree of regularity as they did during 2020, even after the pandemic shock has mostly worn off. The US currently has 139 million mobile gamers, and the UK has 20 million. Games account for 43% of all downloaded apps, with 62% of users installing one within a week of getting a new smartphone. 2.6 billion people use their mobile devices to play games, with residents of Asia accounting for 48% of this figure. Android apps by far command this sphere, with 78% of the market share. The data accumulated through the YouGov survey revealed that puzzle games dominate the US and UK markets. In the latter region, action titles trailed behind mobile puzzles. Amongst American mobile gamers, card and casino games were the second most popular option, according to the iGaming news site OUSC. When categorizing puzzle apps, the YouGov study encompassed titles like Bejeweled Blitz and Candy Crush Saga in this genre. One in seven Brits stated that they play these games frequently, and the same held for one in six US smartphone gamers. Under the card and casino categorization, fall options like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, slots, and poker games. These use free-play chips and feature in-app purchases. One in nine Americans surveyed said that they play them a few times during a month. This type of software aims to mimic that available at online casinos, which provide money prizes. Action games also ranked high in playability in both markets. These mostly got consumed by Generation Z members, who listed titles like Cut the Rope, and Subway Surfers as their preferred action choices. In the US, one in five Generation Z Americans surveyed stated that they love partaking in gaming fun, enjoying titles from this genre. Yet, only one in fourteen US Generation X members reiterated the same sentiments. That group claimed that it is partial to puzzle apps, and statistics showed that they were more than twice as likely to partake in card and casino action on their phones than their Generation Z counterparts. Naturally, gender and demographic differences were also evident amongst those surveyed, with subtle differences displayed clearly in both territories, the US and UK. However, even gender-based preferences ran parallel in these two markets. Across the board, females preferred puzzle and word and number games. Men shared this sentiment, but not with the same propensity. Per the poll, they were also twice as likely to play action games compared to women, displaying a similar affinity for titles in the adventure genre. Females claimed a total disinterest in these gaming options, as only 4% said they installed such apps. Interestingly, Baby Boomers showed a disproportionately high interest in hidden object games compared to other generations. In essence, these are a sub-genre of puzzle games, where players must locate an item hidden within a given space. The methodology used in YouGov’s research mainly relied on rolling surveys and data collection rather than single questionnaires. Its accumulated information for this and other studies stems from online interviews with people of all races, genders, ages, education levels, and religions. Equal representation was paramount in reaching conclusive and accurate results. YouGov is a London-based analytics and research data group founded in 2000 by Nadhim Zahawi and Stephan Shakespeare. In 2005, YouGov became a public company, and it got listed on the London Stock Exchange under its Alternative Investment Market sub-section. Its research aims to feature demographically accurate sample sizes that it draws from a panel of twelve million people in countries around the globe. Their online methods are more cost-effective than telephone or face-to-face options. The Pew Research Center claims that YouGov continuously outperforms the competition in the data research field, displaying far greater accuracy than any other entity active in this sector. Their surveys get referenced from media companies worldwide, and they have remained the most quoted market research source in Great Britain. Contact Details OnlineUnitedCasinos.com David Trujillo +57 315 2586249 david@onlineunitedstatescasinos.com Company Website https://www.onlineunitedstatescasinos.com/

October 27, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Love, Bonito raises US$50MILLION in Series C funding to fuel category and international expansion

Love, Bonito

Southeast Asia’s largest omnichannel womenswear brand has its eyes set on evolving into a purpose-driven female ecosystem that supports Asian women around the world at every life stage Fundraising round led by Primavera Capital Group with participation from Adastria and Ondine Capital The funds will be used to bolster efforts in existing omnichannel markets and accelerate high growth international markets including Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines and the United States (US) SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 27 October 2021 - Love, Bonito today announced the close of its Series C funding round, raising a total of US$50Million. The round was led by Primavera Capital Group, a global investment firm whose previous investments include Alibaba, ByteDance, Yum China and Mead Johnson China. Adastria and Ondine Capital participated in the round too. Love, Bonito’s current investors include Openspace Ventures and Kakaku.com. Proceeds from the fundraising will enable the brand to bolster efforts in existing omnichannel markets and supercharge international expansion in markets that collectively are experiencing triple digits year-on-year (YoY) growth. These key markets include Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines and the US. Furthermore, the company is exploring categories outside of fashion as part of its plan to create a female ecosystem. (Above: Love, Bonito Senior Leadership Team) Supercharging International Expansion Since its launch in 2010, Love, Bonito has achieved impressive growth, expanding into 10 key markets which include those in Southeast Asia, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, and East Asia markets, namely Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan as well as Australia and the US. To date, Love, Bonito has achieved overall growth of over 120 per cent YoY in international markets, and overall growth of 208 per cent for its online sales. The company believes the Asian diaspora communities have extremely high potential, especially in the US, where online revenue growth exceeded 1,200 per cent YoY as of September 2021. With the latest funding, the brand will double down efforts within markets such as Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia that have omni-channel presence, while other markets such as Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines and the US will see an expansion in omni-channels, new business verticals, strengthening of local community engagement and key collaborations, as well as the continuous optimisation of user experiences. “I am more excited than ever for what is to come in the next decade,” said Rachel Lim, Co-Founder of Love, Bonito. “The growth we see today would not have happened without #TeamLB and our #LBCommunity who consistently strive to support women in the different seasons of their lives. Being in the business of women has been our mission since day one, and we are finally venturing outside of fashion to bolster our offerings.” Business of Women vs Business of Fashion In line with the brand’s mission to empower the everyday Asian woman, plans are in place to increase offerings within the fashion line to include active apparel and accessories. The brand is also looking to venture into a content platform (LiBrary) as well as exploration into new categories (LaB) which will include wellness. The category and product expansion strategy is informed and driven by data and community feedback garnered from several platforms, including the brand’s soon-to-be-launched artificial intelligence that delivers personalisation at scale for women globally, through data and machine-learning models. Other existing platforms that contribute to the insights and knowledge gathering include: LBCommunity+: Love, Bonito’s loyalty programme that provides customers an all-access community and rewards experience LBCreate: Love, Bonito’s social impact programme with the mission to bring women’s issues to the forefront and create actionable steps for the future "We have built a strong foundation in understanding the everyday Asian woman in order to be pre-emptive in catering to her needs,” said Dione Song, CEO of Love, Bonito. “We are primed to become a true life partner for our community of women, in and beyond fashion. We have yet to see a womenswear brand from the region stand proud on the world stage amongst industry heavyweights and we want to be the first brand to achieve that, by being purpose-driven, community-focused and innovative. “We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our existing and new investors who bring deep consumer investment experience and recognise the potential of the Asian consumer, both within and outside of the region,” added Dione. Lead investor Primavera provided a statement: “Love, Bonito has proven itself to be a one-of-a-kind, purpose-driven brand for women across all life-stages. Consumers are drawn by what the brand stands for and its mission to empower women around the world. Primavera is deeply impressed by how much the team has achieved over the last decade and looks forward to tapping into our understanding and experience in the global consumer sector to help elevate Love, Bonito to the next level. We are thrilled to join Dione and the rest of the team on this path-breaking journey.” Love, Bonito’s first external institutional investor, Openspace said: “From day one, we believed in what the brand could achieve as a business led by women, for women. We are thrilled to now work alongside esteemed investors like Primavera to help write the brand’s next chapter.” Series B lead investor Kakaku.com added: “We are delighted to be on the global stage with Love, Bonito, and will continue to support the brand’s data and tech strategies, especially on their entry into the Japanese market.” In the next phase of its growth, Love, Bonito aims to shake up the fashion industry by creating a more meaningful impact on its community across all life stages. The brand is setting its sights on creating a thoughtful and well-rounded female ecosystem, supporting different facets of women’s needs within Asian countries and reaching further into the Asian diaspora communities across the globe. About Love, Bonito Designing for the key moments and milestones of a woman’s life, Love, Bonito’s comprehensive assortment features stylish and comfortable pieces for the modern Asian woman at home, work and play. Love, Bonito is the largest vertically integrated, omni-channel women’s fashion brand in the region today. We remain committed to relationship building and nurturance, imbuing soul into innovation with thoughtful design and dedicated community outreach. For more information, please visit https://www.lovebonito.com/sg/about-us Contact Details Ogilvy Ada Tong +65 9297 0748 ada.tong@ogilvy.com Love, Bonito Jacqueline Lui +65 9068 4123 jacqueline.lui@lovebonito.com

October 27, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Shatterproof and The Hartford Release Largest and Most Expansive Addiction Stigma Survey Ever Fielded

Shatterproof

Today, Shatterproof and its collaborator The Hartford published the largest, most expansive survey ever fielded on addiction stigma of nearly 8,000 U.S. residents. The findings are striking. More than three-quarters of the American public believe that a substance use disorder (SUD) is not a chronic medical illness and over half of respondents hold the belief that SUDs are caused by bad character or lack of moral strength, according to the national research. The Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index, a first-of-its-kind measurement tool, was designed to assess attitudes about substance use and people who use substances. It used more than 50 validated stigma measures to gauge perceptions of those with a SUD, including the degree to which they have internalized this exclusion. The Index is designed to track progress regularly and hold our nation accountable for continual improvement. The lack of understanding about addiction by the general public creates a desire for social distance. According to the survey, nearly half (45%) of the public is unwilling to live next to or be close friends with someone with a SUD. Similarly, 45.8% of respondents don't want a person in recovery marrying into their family – highlighting how these beliefs entrench deep feelings of exclusion and shame for individuals with a SUD throughout their lives, regardless of their recovery status. “What’s at stake is real. For millions of people across the country, fighting pervasive stigma is a matter of survival,” said Gary Mendell, CEO of Shatterproof. “We must change the way our institutions operate, the way we view our friends and neighbors, and how those with a SUD view themselves. We must end discrimination, strengthen the road to recovery, and offer hope of a bright future. And measuring our progress is essential.” Dr. Melissa Anderson, MD, PharmD, a Shatterproof Ambassador from Kentucky and a person in long-term recovery, has experienced stigma in both the health care and workplace settings. Following a severe dog bite incident, she found herself as a patient in the hospital system where she’d previously been employed as both a pharmacist and a resident physician. “Former co-workers greeted me with jeers, joking that the ‘doctor-turned-junkie’ was back. During my 8-hour ER stay, I did not receive the standard of care for my injuries - neither antibiotics nor analgesics were administered, after I requested non-opioid agents, despite standard facility protocols and the easily-observed severity of my injuries,” said Dr. Anderson. “It was made abundantly clear from both their actions and language team that this health care team felt the disease of addiction, even one in recovery, made me an individual less deserving of compassion and care. That was July 2015 and I have not been a formal recipient of health care since.” Nearly half (44%) of health care professionals surveyed endorsed the harmful belief that medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is substituting one drug for another. This is compared to the about 41% of the public that expressed the same belief. Moreover, one in four health care professionals do not agree that more providers should offer MOUD to increase accessibility. “The work to end addiction stigma is far from over, and we are proud to partner with Shatterproof on establishing this important research that will drive future public policies and workplace practices,” said Christopher J. Swift, chairman and CEO of The Hartford, a leading workers’ compensation and disability insurer and founding partner of Shatterproof. “We believe efforts involving all levels of government, the business community, and neighborhood organizations are necessary to end the ongoing addiction crisis, create open and inclusive cultures, and break down stigma that impedes human achievement.” Nearly a million people have been lost to addiction in the last two decades and in 2020 alone, more than 93,000 Americans died of an overdose, representing the most overdoses ever recorded. More than 20 million American adults suffer from the disease of addiction per year. Addiction is a treatable disease, but due to stigma most people do not seek the help they need and equally tragically, internalize feelings of shame and lose hope that they can recover and lead healthy, full lives. Creation of the Index was supported by Ipsos alongside Dr. Brea Perry and Dr. Anne Krendl from Indiana University. ### About Shatterproof: Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. Shatterproof harnesses the models of business, the rigor of science and the power of a national movement to create change and save lives through three pillars of work: revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas and supporting and empowering our communities. To learn more visit www.Shatterproof.org Contact Details Shatterproof Holly A Jespersen +1 646-334-1024 hjespersen@shatterproof.org Frontwood Strategies Nell Callahan +1 202-262-0721 Company Website https://www.shatterproof.org/

October 27, 2021 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

EVOLUTION OF UK RESTAURANT BUSINESS

Revenue Management Solutions

Revenue Management Solutions, a global enterprise providing sales and profitability solutions for over 100,000 restaurants in more than 40 countries, has released its findings from a survey of more than 400 UK diners, examining consumer intent to dine out and the factors affecting their decisions. Traffic down in city centres Nearly half of all respondents report they are commuting to an office or workplace again. Yet, fewer UK respondents are back in the office when compared to Germany and France. In a similar survey conducted by RMS in Germany, 64% of respondents are back at work, and another 11% can choose between home and work. In France, 62% are commuting, and 12% enjoy a hybrid. According to Philipp Laqué, Managing Director for the UK at RMS, the huge shift away from city centres and commuting forced 8% of all UK restaurants to close (10,000 units, roughly) as of the end of Q2. Reasons for optimism Still, Laqué projects a more optimistic future and agrees with predictions that the UK will experience a complete recovery of the out-of-home (OOH) market by the end of 2022. “Consumers are ready for hedonistic experiences.” Indeed, ‘socialising with friends’ was the key motivator to dine out for survey respondents, followed by ‘lazy meals.’ Comparatively, French respondents cited ‘good food’ and ‘socializing with friends’ as the reasons to dine out more or much more. In Germany, ‘lazy evening meals’ ranked as the top reason to dine out more. In all three countries, business lunches were likely to decrease substantially. Increased spending A significant 43% of survey respondents reported increasing restaurant spending by more than 15% in the past three months. Whilst 31% of those spending more are using restaurants more often, delivery fees and higher prices factor into the increased spend. A majority of respondents believe most of the pressures on restaurants are justifiable reasons for rising prices, particularly the impact of increased wages and rising food costs. Increased spending and a renewed desire to eat out are a blessing for brands, Laqué said, but it’s complicated. “People are falling in love with restaurants again, but now we face paralyzed supply chains and Brexit, creating a perfect storm,” Laqué says. “Customers have higher expectations of food quality and service, whilst supply chains are unstable and availability of hospitality workers is scarce.” Longevity lies in new approaches Diversification seems to be the way forward, at least for some brands. In RMS’ survey, 43% of people are still working more from home. As a result, says Laqué, parameters for a convenient location have shifted from being next to a travel or office hub to being easily accessible from their homes, making residential areas outside London more attractive for food-service providers. Respondents also report a big uptick in QSR and value meal purchases. Almost 1 in 2 reported purchasing a combo meal from a quick-service restaurant in the past month. For Gen Z and millennials, that number sails to 70%, and of 68% families grabbed a combo meal from a QSR in the past month. The combination of convenience and value may explain why major US QSR brands are eyeing the UK for growth. Most recently, McDonald’s announced it would open 50 units in the short term, Wendy’s announced it will build 400 UK units, and Popeye’s opened its first London location in September, the first of a planned 350 units. Overall, says Laqué, “the UK is staged for growth, but brands will need to adjust to address a shift in traffic patterns and consumer behaviour — which may remain permanent — to succeed.” About Revenue Management Solutions RMS provides numerous data-driven solutions and services to the restaurant industry, all designed to help brands drive sales and profitability while maintaining traffic and enhancing brand value long-term. RMS works with more than 50 major brands in more than 40 countries, with its patented processes of revenue management used in more than 100,000 restaurant locations globally. The company holds five US patents on menu pricing and customer segmentation and supports ongoing academic research efforts. For more information on how RMS helps its clients, visit www.revenuemanage.com. Contact Details Tracy Henderson +1 720-989-3530 tracy@centerreachcommunication.com Company Website https://www.revenuemanage.com

October 27, 2021 02:05 AM Central Daylight Time

STATHERO LAUNCHES THE ABILITY TO PARLAY DAILY FANTASY SPORTS AND MULTIPLY WINNINGS FOR HEAD-TO-HEAD CONTESTS ACROSS ALL MAJOR SPORTS

StatHero

StatHero, the quickly-growing Daily Fantasy Sports app with unprecedented winning percentages and an emphasis on skill over luck, has added a PARLAYS component to their flagship head-to-head DFS game. StatHero is the ONLY independent fantasy sports company playable in 34 states and lets DFS players go H2H against house lineups instead of in short-odds contests with unknown users. It’s a never-before-seen innovation for the fantasy sports and sports betting hybrid. StatHero players clock a well over 50% winning percentage and it has led to a 400% month-over-month growth in deposits. Players are betting an average of $1,700 a year, which is THREE TIMES the average spend of industry leading apps DraftKings and FanDuel. PARLAYS allows players to choose two or three H2H lineups with a handful of players and multiply their payouts. Win a 2-team parlay? Double your money. Win a 3-team parlay? Win 5X your money! PARLAYS can be played in MLB, NFL, NBA, PGA Tour, NHL, and NCAA Football and is available on iOS and Android. Jason Jaramillo, Founder of StatHero: “With StatHero’s PARLAYS gameplay, daily fantasy players have larger odds to double down on their fantasy skill. Our team has worked tirelessly to provide players with something that has never been seen before in the fantasy space. When people take a look at what we’re doing, they’re going to really notice how different we are.” StatHero house lineups are displayed ahead of time, so players have the ability to study the lineups they’ll be going against, or even buy insurance against potential injuries before gametime. This gives players a greater opportunity to flex their skills. But the gaming app’s design is simple enough for a casual player to jump right in and take advantage of StatHero’s unique gameplay and unheard of payouts in this industry. The low barrier to entry is a defining feature of StatHero and the contest gameplay mirrors the spirit of traditional fantasy sports, so players get deeper into the games. This is a function of StatHero’s commitment to innovation and development and PARLAYS are just the next of many steps for the platform. About STATHERO Combining the best of fantasy sports and sports gaming, StatHero is a first of its kind daily fantasy sports platform. The company has exploded in growth since founded in 2019 in large part due it’s simple gameplay, low commitment and instant gratification. Stathero uses the familiar fantasy sports based format to allow players to compete against posted lineups across a variety of professional sports and game types including Survivor Pools, Head-to-Head and Fantasy Parlays. Their patent pending gameplay gives players an advantage unlike any other in fantasy sports. It’s truly daily fantasy the way it was meant to be played - one-on-one. For more information, visit: www.stathero.com and follow us on Twitter @StatHeroHq. Contact Details Dianne Quirante +1 323-654-0001 dianne@emcbowery.com Company Website https://stathero.com/

October 26, 2021 02:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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