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HKBU launches Turing AI Orchestra as next milestone in human-AI art co-creation

Hong Kong Baptist University

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 9 August 2022 - Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has announced the launch of the world’s first “Turing AI Orchestra” today (9 August) as the next milestone in its visionary plan to broaden the scope and explore potential opportunities in art co-creation by humans and artificial intelligence (AI). The Turing AI Orchestra is the world’s first AI ensemble. By applying state-of-the-art AI technology, the Orchestra aims to achieve a new form of symbiotic artistic creation and performance between humans and AI systems. The announcement of the launch of the Orchestra was made at the “ Human, Machine, Art, Creativity: International Symposium ” co-organised by HKBU and the Hong Kong Productivity Council, at which world-renowned researchers and artists from academia and industry gathered to discuss the development of human-AI symbiotic art creativity. Mr John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the HKSAR; Mr Xu Jie, Deputy Director-General, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China; Dr Zhang Zhihua, Director-General, Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, graced the occasion and gave video addresses. Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government also gave an opening address in person. Other officiating guests of the opening ceremony included Professor James Tang Tuck-kong, Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee; Ms Zhu Yihua, Deputy Director-General, New Territories Sub-office of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Mr Mohamed Butt, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Productivity Council; Dr Clement Chen, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU; Ms Rosanna Choi, Treasurer of the Council and the Court of HKBU; Professor Alexander Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU; Professor Guo Yike, Vice-President (Research and Development) of HKBU; Ms Christine Chow, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary of HKBU; and Professor Johnny M Poon, Associate Vice-President (Interdisciplinary Research) of HKBU. In his address, Chief Executive Mr John Lee Ka-chiu said: “Hong Kong Baptist University, with its commitment in discovering and nurturing new technologies and big ideas, is a leading force in comprehensive research and development for arts technology. The pioneering and innovative project Building Platform Technologies for Symbiotic Creativity in Hong Kong is funded by the Research Grants Council. It is one of China's biggest artificial intelligence technology research projects. It seeks to radically advance human and AI interaction and contribute to the sustainability of our arts ecosystem.” In his welcoming speech, Dr Clement Chen said: “With the emerging trend of applying technology to art creation, our scholars at HKBU are also pushing the frontiers of art-tech to transform the creation of art and culture. We are also impressed and encouraged by the increased amount of support offered by the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the HKSAR Government’s drive to promote and develop art-tech. Against such a backdrop, our important initiatives will definitely support and spearhead the development of art-tech in Hong Kong and enable the SAR to assume a leading position in art-tech on the global stage.” In his address, Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government said: “Leveraging the advanced development in the AI technologies, art creations can be transformed and propelled to the next level, bringing new experiences to audiences and significant socio-economic benefits to the city. I must say, the Hong Kong Baptist University has best demonstrated how AI can be a creative force in performing music, cross-media art and dance at its Symphony Orchestra Annual Gala Concert held last month. It truly marks a milestone in the history of arts tech, showing the harmonious collaboration between human and machine.” Outlining the concept of the Turing AI Orchestra (TAIO), Professor Guo Yike said that it offers an open platform for artists and scientists from around the world to collaborate within a dynamic and innovative environment, and it will produce groundbreaking AI research that will disrupt the world of art. “The Turing AI Orchestra also echoes one of the project tasks stated in the project proposal – building a Digital Art and Policy Network, for symbiotic creativity collaboration and related policy innovation. It is envisaged that TAIO, as a vibrant and sustainable development base, can help us put our vision, philosophy and technology into practice via creative performances in the context of active international collaboration. By using Blockchain technologies, TAIO will realise the world’s first Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO) ecosystem for art creation through collaboration between scientists and artists. TAIO will promote transdisciplinary whole-person education to the next generation in Hong Kong. It will propel strategic policymaking by the Government to guide Hong Kong’s cultural and creative industries development going forward, thus contributing toward building Hong Kong to be an international cultural exchange and Intellectual Property trading hub,” said Professor Guo. Apart from launching the TAIO and introducing ongoing HKBU initiatives in human-AI symbiotic art creativity, today’s Symposium also covered topics including the enabling technologies of symbiotic art creation and manifestation, the aesthetics and cognitive values of symbiotic art creativity, the new trend of the art economy with the ecosystem of Metaverse, new issues raised by the new forms of art in society, and the impact on art community stakeholders, among others. Following the first human-AI collaborative performance of its kind in the world at the Annual Gala Concert of the HKBU Symphony Orchestra on 14 July, today’s Symposium is another key deliverable of the “ Building Platform Technologies for Symbiotic Creativity in Hong Kong ” research project supported by HK$52.84 million in funding from the Theme-based Research Scheme under the Research Grants Council. Contact Details Wong Suk-ling +852 3411 2119 hkbunews@hkbu.edu.hk

August 09, 2022 07:57 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Yoodli Announces $6M Funding for AI Platform to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking

Yoodli

Yoodli, a startup building an artificial intelligence platform to help people communicate more effectively, announced that it has raised $6 million in a seed round co-led by Madrona Venture Group and Cercano Management (formerly Vulcan Capital). Other investors include J4 Ventures, Ascend, Jeff Richards from GGV Capital, Dave Rosenberg (founder of Mulesoft), and renowned communication experts Renn Vara and Maureen Taylor. Yoodli is already being used by thousands of professional speakers, coaches, students, and corporate professionals to get data-driven insights on their speaking presentations. “Effective communication is the single determinant of success in the workplace and more broadly in life,” said Craig Valentine, Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking. “I’ve been working with clients for over 20 years, but Yoodli has completely transformed my coaching business. I’m now able to work with many more clients at once while saving up to 10 hours per week! I ask my clients to record their practice sessions on Yoodli, improve with AI feedback, and then share their speeches with me for asynchronous work. AI will not replace speech coaches but is certainly helping us be more efficient.” Yoodli makes preparing for a speech or interview fun and judgment-free. The platform provides an instant transcript and real-time analysis on your use of filler words, non-inclusive language, pacing, body language, and much more. It also makes it easy to collaborate with friends and coaches on upcoming presentations. Want to test your ability to think on your feet or strike up a conversation with a stranger? Try the one minute ‘Spin a Yarn’ challenge, which throws out fun words to blend into a compelling impromptu speech. The seed round brings Yoodli’s total funding to $7.1 million. The new funds will be used to support Yoodli’s product development, as well as sales and marketing expansion. Patrick Ennis, who has decades of experience as a scientist, engineer, businessman, and venture capitalist at Madrona, ARCH Venture Partners, Intellectual Ventures, and Bell Labs, will be joining the Yoodli Board of Directors. “We are delighted to support Yoodli’s journey,” Ennis said. “The fear of public speaking has affected humanity throughout history and across cultures. At Madrona, we see the massive impact that Yoodli will have by improving communication for everyone.” Yoodli’s founders, Esha Joshi and Varun Puri, are deeply familiar with the fear of public speaking and teamed up to start Yoodli at the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence in June 2021. Yoodli’s team includes engineers and product managers from Facebook, Apple, Google, and an advisory board consisting of TEDx coaches, top AI researchers, among others. Yoodli uses natural language processing, computer vision, and speech algorithms to help users get detailed feedback on speeches recorded on the platform. The speeches are private to the user but shareable to friends, coaches, and others if external feedback is desired. Becoming a good public speaker is no small task, and to prove that point Yoodli has analyzed the speeches of famous celebrities, tech execs, and politicians. Even some of the world’s most prominent figures are not perfect when it comes to speech delivery. Elon Musk, for example, might have a limited word count on Twitter, but he used over 70 filler and hedging words (“really,” “basically”, “actually”) in a 5-minute window during a 2014 commencement speech. Check it out at https://app.yoodli.ai/share/gfYhf3qU. Yoodli allows you to record and playback your speech with filler words removed, and then provides simple, strategic and customized tips to help you refine and improve your public speaking skills. The platform is free and can be accessed at www.yoodli.ai. About Yoodli: Yoodli is an AI-enabled communication skills improvement platform that records users as they deliver presentations, and then points out tips such as where they could speak more clearly, cutting back on "ums" and filler words, as well as improving their use of eye contact and gestures. Users can also solicit feedback from colleagues and get connected to an expert coach. The company was founded in 2021 and is based in Seattle, Washington. Contact Details Forrest Carman +1 206-859-3118 forrestc@owenmedia.com Company Website https://www.yoodli.ai/

August 08, 2022 09:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Rachael Gazdick at Young Entrepreneurs of the World

1BusinessWorld

Contact Details Media Enquiries +1 212-220-6677 info@1businessworld.com Company Website https://1businessworld.com

August 07, 2022 11:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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A SUMMER SNAPSHOT OF BACK-TO-SCHOOL TRENDS

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/9s0kNEPgHg4 The heat is on as parents prepare to help their kids get to the head of the class for the upcoming school year. With pandemic issues still top of mind, they continue to seek fun ways to engage with their children, including vacation time, playtime, and sweet treats. Back-to-school shopping also remains a top priority with eighty-four percent of consumers expecting to see an increase in prices for popular items like clothing, school supplies, and electronics. The National Retail Federation finds this will likely lead to a hyper-focused approach to spending, including comparative online shopping, scouting out deals, and using more coupons. Bethany Braun-Silva has a summer snapshot of back-to-school trends, including the latest way for students to take notes and retain information. SWEET REWARDS: The start of a new school year can be stressful — not only for parents but for kids, too. Braun-Silva has one special and sweet way to reward and keep kids motivated as they head back to school, and it’s with something everyone loves: chocolate. For the first time in the U.S., Cinnabon has swapped the cinnamon for chocolate with its new Chocolate BonBites. “They taste fantastic,” says the lifestyle expert, adding, “These bite-sized rolls — filled with ooey-gooey chocolate and topped with chocolate and cream cheese frosting — make the perfect after-school snack and are available for a limited-time either in Cinnabon bakeries or through delivery, which is super convenient for a parent on the go. Get them before they’re gone!” The brand is offering an exclusive offer: a FREE 4-count of Chocolate BonBites with any purchase of $15 or more by using the code CHOCOLATE in the Cinnabon app today. For more information, visit https://www.cinnabon.com/?utm_medium=pr Direct link: https://www.cinnabon.com/?utm_medium=pr Social media handles: Facebook.com/cinnabon Instagram.com/cinnabon TikTok.com/@cinnabon Twitter.com/cinnabon Hashtags: #ChocolateBonBites, #chocolate LEARN WHILE TRAVELING: With remote schooling still an option in a few regions, families are exploring new destinations with special travel deals and in-suite virtual learning essentials. Braun-Silva mentions that there are ways to incorporate hybrid schedules into late summer and early fall travel plans. Learning remotely is one educational trend expected to continue for the first part of the upcoming school year. The lifestyles expert says now is a great time for parents to blend vacation season and at-home schooling together. Braun-Silva highlights how family getaways are an opportunity for kids to catch up on early reading assignments at the pool or on the beach, adding, “In my family, we even play spelling games and go over the times table. It helps make learning fun.” Braun-Silva admits environment plays an important part when choosing a destination, accommodations, and family activities. She says, “Howard Johnson by Wyndham is perfect! They have hundreds of locations, really fun mid-century modern rooms that my kids adore—plus free Wi-Fi—perfect for working or learning remotely. They offer a free light breakfast and a great rewards program, Wyndham Rewards.” Travelers can book now and earn a free night after just two stays. For more information, go to HoJo.com. Direct Link: HoJo.com Social media handles: Facebook - www.facebook.com/hojo Instagram - @HoJo Hashtags: #GoHappyGoHoJo STEALS & DEALS: Twenty-five percent of back-to-school shoppers have already begun with an uptick projected over the next two months. Braun-Silva says the coming weeks are all about finding the steals and deals. One helpful way to save time and money is by using the PayPal Honey desktop extension—an online shopping tool that helps discover deals and cash back. She points out that it is trusted by millions, and automatically searches for available coupons and applies the best working ones at checkout. This extension also helps find offers featuring Cash Back. Customers are able to redeem points for cash and other rewards h on eligible purchases, so they can take their money further while shopping for all their back-to-school needs. “It’s fast and seamless to install the PayPal Honey extension on your desktop in just a few clicks,” says Braun-Silva, “You can start saving on many of your favorite sites from tech to fashion to school supplies. PayPal Honey gives you the confidence you’re shopping smart and it’s the perfect way to find great deals for back-to-school” For more information, visit joinhoney.com. Direct link: https://www.joinhoney.com/explore STUDY ANYWHERE, ANYTIME: It has been found that writing notes by hand helps with focus, memory, and understanding information. That’s something Five Star® gets and has an innovative way to turn handwritten notes into a digital study tool. The lifestyles expert says the Five Star® Study App makes it easier for students to study anywhere, anytime. “It’s very user-friendly,” she points out, adding “The triangles on the left side of the paper allow the app to ‘flag’ important notes to turn them into digital flashcards, and the four corners enables scanning.” This is the evolution of how students consume and retain information. They get all the tried-and-true benefits of handwritten notes from compatible Five Star products and then turn them into a personal study aid. Find the Five Star study app in the Apple or Google Play app store and learn more at FiveStarBuiltStrong.com. For more information, visit fivestarbuiltstrong.com Direct link: https://www.fivestarbuiltstrong.com/notetaking-study-app/ Social media handles: Facebook: @FiveStar Instagram: @meadfivestar Twitter: @meadfivestar Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

August 03, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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A Million Dollars Will ‘Level Up’ Thousands of Houston Area Residents Out of Digital Divide

Comcast Houston

If you’ve ever played a popular 80’s video game, then you know about the disadvantages your character has right out of the gate. You can’t jump as high or as far, and it’s easier to lose the level and have to start all over again. But in the first few seconds, there’s usually always a chance to ‘level up’ your character. Instantly, you can jump higher and farther, run faster and if you encounter an enemy, you still have another chance at winning the level. There are thousands of Houston area residents who — from a digital perspective — aren’t ‘leveled up” and therefore struggle to participate in the digital economy. Some Houstonians still don’t know how to surf the web, write emails or create a resume. Others don’t even have a reliable and fast internet connection in their homes. The digital divide is still big. According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Communities Survey, one in ten households, or 687,086 households, in the greater Houston area do not have an internet subscription or do not have a computer. They want to ‘level up’, and they are about to get it. Comcast, the Houston area’s largest internet service provider, is giving more than one million dollars this year to local organizations that help students, adults and people with disabilities ‘level up’ their computer, career development and tech education skills. The million-dollar investment will also support ongoing efforts to build awareness about low-cost or no-cost connectivity programs like Internet Essentials and the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). “These investments are a part of Comcast’s ongoing efforts to make a real difference in southeast Texas by giving families an opportunity to thrive in this digital age,” Ralph Martinez, Comcast Houston’s Regional Senior Vice President, said. “The Internet is where life happens. It allows students to expand their educational aspirations and it empowers parents to explore better job openings so they can ultimately deliver a better quality of life for their families.” So far, Comcast has given grants to eight Houston area organizations. More announcements will be made later this year. United Way | Funding will be used to provide tech experts (Digital Navigators) to help people in need of digital skills training. BakerRipley | Funding will support computer skills, software, email and internet safety training for low-income adults in the Houston area. Comp-U-Dopt | Funding will support students participating in Early Adopters, STEAM Team and Learn2Earn, which brings technology education to area youth. Comp-U-Dopt will also use the funding to provide tech experts (Digital Navigators) to help people in need of digital skills training. Easter Seals of Greater Houston | Funding will support the development of a curriculum for people with disabilities to help them successfully learn to use digital technology to gain and maintain employment. The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston | Funding will help high school students gain technical and leadership skills through the Workforce Readiness Program. AAMA | Funding will be used to purchase technology and equipment to support students through the training program at the Work and Learn Center, with an emphasis on digital literacy and design. Dress for Success | Funding will be used to provide Houston-area women with the resources needed to obtain long-term employment through access to job readiness training, digital skills workshops, computers and mobile labs. AVANCE-Houston | Funding will support adult literacy program and continue to build pathways to economic mobility for families in the community. “We are passionate about doing our part to help close the digital divide and committed to helping establish a more equitable foundation for learning, working and succeeding,” Martinez said. Comcast remains steadfast in its efforts to connect people to moments that matter, to connect families to opportunities in Southeast Texas. For more than a decade, the company has offered Internet Essentials to help low-income Americans access reliable, high-speed internet. Comcast is now a proud champion of the federal government’s new Affordable Connectivity Program. ACP gives qualifying households up to $30 towards their monthly internet bill. With ACP, Comcast’s Internet Essentials internet service is free. As more Houston area residents get the ‘level up’ they need, just like in their gameplay, they will have more chances to keep advancing—better jobs, better education, innovation, opportunities and yes, more fun and better gaming. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Houston Steve Campion +1 832-920-2001 Steve_Campion@comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

August 02, 2022 08:40 AM Central Daylight Time

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The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis Online Program Earns Accreditation

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis- Online program is now accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board (ABAI). “The Chicago School is proud that the ABAI has validated the high quality of our staff and faculty,” said Dr. Michele Nealon, President of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. “Our faculty and administrators now have access to professional development and leadership opportunities that will enable them to continue providing the best education possible.” The ABAI is the governance body responsible for the accreditation of training programs in behavior analysis at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The accreditation process included site visits, self-study and assessment, along with a host of other reports and evaluations. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis- Online program is one of 24 master’s programs accredited by the ABAI and is one of only two online accredited programs. About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Integrating theory with hands-on experience, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology provides education rooted in a commitment to innovation, service, and community for thousands of diverse students across the United States and globally. Founded in 1979, the nonprofit, regionally accredited university now features campuses in iconic locations across the country (Chicago, Southern California, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Dallas) and online. TCSPP continues to expand its educational offerings beyond the field of psychology to offer more than 30 degrees and certificates in the professional fields of health services, nursing, education, counseling, business, and more. Through its engaged professional model of education, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and an extensive network of international partner institutions, The Chicago School’s students receive real-world training opportunities that reflect their future careers. The Chicago School is a proud affiliate of TCS, a nonprofit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. Contact Details Vivien Hao +1 323-893-4743 vhao@thechicagoschool.edu

August 02, 2022 06:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Amesite Reports Partnering With Conner Prairie To Launch Next-Generation Educational Tools

Amesite Inc.

Amesite Inc. (NASDAQ: AMST) is an artificial intelligence (AI) software company offering a cloud-based learning platform and custom course creation for businesses, universities, nonprofits and government agencies. Amesite boasts many strategic partnerships, but its collaboration with Conner Prairie, a living history museum in Indiana, has garnered attention. Amesite says it has implemented plans to deliver eLearning solutions, powered by its online ecosystem, with an anticipated public launch in Fall 2022. Amesite’s online Learning Community Environment™ system will offer K-12 programs for teachers, parents, life-long learners and students. The system is reportedly up-to-date with the latest of Amesite’s technology, including powerful AI solutions to deliver low-cost, scalable and customized educational content. As a partner, Conner Prairie will have autonomy on curating and developing branded content in line with its current research and resources. At its disposal are advanced technology tools within an intuitive design framework. Participants will have the opportunity not only to learn but also engage with Conner Prairie’s information content presented through Amesite. True to the Amesite way, knowledge will be delivered in a digital, easy-to-use and collaborative format. About Conner Prairie Conner Prairie is a living museum in Indiana and one of the largest attractions in the Midwest region, with over 400,000 annual visitors. Conner Prairie plays an important societal role in Indiana as a knowledge resource and innovator of science, history, art and nature. The market size of the museum industry in the United States, perhaps surprisingly, reached $15.4 billion in 2021, denoting a 19 percent increase over the previous year's figure of $12.9 billion. This sector's market size was forecast to rise further in the following year, with an estimated six percent growth. Conner Prairie is fundamentally about learning and contextualizing how society has grown and evolved throughout history. Numerous educational tools are used to give visitors a truly immersive and collaborative experience. Conner Prairie is also dedicated to modernized learning tools and digital education programs, especially in an effort to foster the relationships between remote visitors and members that are not on-site. Amesite says its digital learning software solutions will allow for deeper collaboration with Conner Prairie and the educational community. Amesite will deliver its entire ecosystem of education software solutions for Conner Prairie. This will enable Conner Prairie to create customized, branded digital learning courses and materials for the global community, giving users the opportunities to learn from anywhere, anytime. Conner Prairie emphasized the importance of having a partner that cares about learning and the last mile, which it found with Amesite. According to Norman Burns, President and CEO of Conner Prairie, "Since 1934, Conner Prairie has followed founder Eli Lilly's intention to make Conner Prairie a place where history and learning can occur in ways that books cannot teach," he said. "The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to find new ways to meet schoolchildren and educators where they were, despite health, geographical or financial barriers. Through our partnership with Amesite, we are furthering our mission to inspire curiosity and foster learning by providing engaging and individualized experiences for everyone." Burns added that "we are excited to partner with Amesite to create this new innovative digital learning platform that will expand our capabilities to deliver best-in-class online learning experiences to our global community. It is yet another example of how Conner Prairie is changing the way the world views and uses museums." About Amesite Amesite is a SaaS educational company employing what it says is the most advanced AI-driven online learning platform in the industry. Its solutions include end-to-end infrastructure for customized, branded learning content creation and online course creation. Amesite’s platform is integrated with Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) Azure Cloud, allowing for enhanced scalability and speed. Amesite is a player in the multi-billion-dollar online learning market for business and education. Other key players within this space include Coursera Inc. (NYSE: COUR) and Powerschool Holdings Inc. (NYSE: PWSC). Learn more about Amesite’s solutions here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Amesite Inc., an artificial intelligence driven platform and course designer, provides online products in the United States. The company uses machine learning to offer a mass customized experience to learners. Its customers include businesses, universities and colleges, K-12 schools, and non-profit organizations. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Amesite, Inc. +1 734-876-8141 info@amesite.com Company Website http://www.amesite.io

August 01, 2022 04:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Million-Dollar Owners Thomas and Denise Batliner Share Keys to Business Growth in Louisville, KY

Minuteman Press International Inc

Thomas and Denise Batliner have owned their Minuteman Press franchise located at 3905 Bardstown Road since November of 2005. With over 16 years in business, Thomas shares the following insights that helped he and Denise grow their business in Louisville and become members of the Minuteman Press International President’s Million-Dollar Circle. On this accomplishment, Thomas says, “Denise and I believe marketing efforts, customer service, networking, and a little luck have been vital to our success and longevity. We would like to place special emphasis on customer service. At Minuteman Press in Louisville, we focus on treating the customer as we would like to be treated. We believe anyone who walks through the door can be our next biggest customer, and hospitality may make or break the possible relationship.” He continues, “Over the past 16+ years in business, Denise and I have grown the business by developing relationships with new customer bases. More specifically, we gained these relationships through acquisitions. For example, in August of 2012, we purchased an independent printer. This acquisition almost doubled our 2011 sales in addition to our everyday marketing and networking. Then, in December of 2020, we purchased an independent promotional products company. Like our 2012 acquisition, we almost doubled the past year’s sales. Our new customers are the key to our success, and we appreciate their continued business and loyalty.” From the US Navy to Owning a Printing Business Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press, Thomas Batliner served in the US Navy. He shares, “We didn't start Minuteman Press until 2005 when I was 38 years old. Before reaching this point, I served in the United States Navy for three years where I specialized in aviation hydraulics (AMH3). This military experience reinforced the work ethic instilled in me at a young age while farming with my family and has played a vital role in driving my determination to stay in the printing industry.” Thomas continues, “Furthermore, after being honorably discharged, I was a tool and die specialist by trade before being promoted to an estimator at a plastics manufacturer, Beach, Mold, and Tool, now known as NYX. While in this role, I earned an associate degree in Business. But most importantly, I decided I wanted to drive my career and become an entrepreneur. Minuteman Press matched this goal because of the low initial investment, and the business presented the new challenge I was seeking.” “Minuteman Press International supported me from the beginning before I had any professional knowledge about the printing industry. For instance, at the initial home office training, I learned basic facts about paper stocks and more information regarding machine availability and capabilities. Lastly, our office utilizes FLEX, the workflow software developed by Minuteman Press that constantly evolves to add effective apps that drive marketing value.” – Thomas Batliner, owner, Minuteman Press, Louisville, KY Leveraging Local Business Relationships & Benefits of Printing Today When asked what it has been like to own a business in Louisville for over 16 years, Thomas shares, “We are in an urban area and serve a diverse community. There are people from many varying backgrounds, and we have learned about different cultures from around the world. Additionally, we are part of a community where nearby business owners help and look out for one another. For instance, a nearby competitor has helped us continue production during machine downtime and meet customer demand. To return this favor, we have been known to share our resources if this competitor is short-staffed. Because of this dynamic, we believe it is important to develop healthy relationships with everyone in the community, even those with competing business goals.” Thomas explains why printing remains so vital today, sharing, “We believe printing remains vital today because it secures a company’s mission. In terms of management, it also provides different avenues for documentation. To illustrate, when a business provides a digital or physical copy of an employee handbook to its staff, it can better document and communicate expectations and other important information.” He adds, “The main benefit of print is that it can be found everywhere, from the menu you use at your favorite restaurant menu to the branded t-shirt you buy at the store. Because of print's presence, companies always need it. Even during uncertain times like the pandemic, manufacturing facilities, hospitals, and a variety of other companies needed printed materials promoting safety warnings and best practices.” “Our highest demand products and services include envelopes, every door direct mail (EDDM), and wide format printing, a powerful visual medium used for larger files such as blueprints and banners. Our customers value these products and services because they can reach a larger audience. In addition to our highest demand products, key growth areas for our business are promotional products and branded apparel. For example, the customers from our acquisition of the promotional products company have driven sales and we have added a new product line that existing customers can access.” –Thomas Batliner Rewards of Owning a Business & Advice to Others As Thomas and Denise reflect on their accomplishments, there are a couple of items that really stick out. Thomas says, “The biggest personal reward for Denise and me was the ability to put both of our children through college as traditional four-year students. Lauren, our oldest, is now a critical care nurse and Erica, our youngest, is a sourcing and supply chain professional.” He adds, “Aside from this personal reward, our biggest professional reward was receiving our plaque for the Minuteman Press International President's Million Dollar circle. After 16+ years of business, it was an honor to achieve such a high sales goal and to meet others who have accomplished the same or more.” Thomas shares the following advice to today’s aspiring business owners, saying, “The advice I would give to someone looking to own a business is ‘do your homework.’ You need to choose something you can be passionate about and enjoy daily. Despite the hard work ahead of you, because there are some long days and weeks, it can be very rewarding.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Louisville, Kentucky, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/ky/louisville20/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

August 01, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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FORMER CONGRESSMEN FRANK R. WOLF (R-VA) AND TONY P. HALL (D-OH) JOIN ATHENAI TO ANNOUNCE FRANK WOLF-TONY HALL FELLOWS PROGRAM

Athenai Institute

The Athenai Institute, a non-partisan, student-founded 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to removing the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from colleges and universities throughout the country, unveiled the Frank Wolf-Tony Hall Fellows Program. Athenai will select 8 politically engaged undergraduate leaders from around the country to serve as the vanguard of its campaign for university divestment from entities tied to the Chinese government and its human rights abuses. The program will combine education with advocacy, equipping students with the skills and expertise they will need to become lifelong leaders. The Fellows Program is named for former members of Congress Frank R. Wolf, a Republican who represented Virginia’s 10th Congressional District between 1981 and 2015, and Tony P. Hall, a Democrat who represented Ohio’s 3rd Congressional District between 1979 and 2002. While in office, Congressmen Wolf and Hall were staunch and politically courageous advocates for human rights whose commitment to doing what was right transcended party lines. Now, Athenai is proud to have their support as it seeks to bring these same values to campuses around the country. As part of the program, fellows will work directly with Athenai’s national leadership to advocate for universities to eliminate their entanglements with the Chinese government and its proxies, including investments held through their endowments, contracts with businesses, and research partnerships. Fellows will also participate in biweekly virtual seminars hosted by experts in key aspects of Athenai’s mission as part of the organization’s Agora Program. After completing the program, fellows will become part of Athenai’s alumni network, providing regular opportunities for young leaders who share a commitment to human rights, free inquiry, and the independence of our academic institutions to network through Athenai and partner organizations as they begin their professional careers. “On campuses across the country, momentum is building for our student-driven divestment movement,” said John Metz, Athenai’s President. “This new program is a major step forward in holding institutions of higher education accountable and ensuring that universities feel the growing pressure to live up to their stated ideals. The Fellows Program represents Athenai’s biggest investment yet in the next generation of leaders who will speak truth to power and demand that our leading educational institutions disentangle themselves from the CCP.” “The Athenai Institute is carrying the torch of human rights and democracy into the next generation,” said Former Congressman Frank R. Wolf. "Their work to empower college students to create change on a bipartisan basis could not be more important." “While serving in Congress and as an Ambassador, I sought to show America's commitment to building hope in the world,” said Former Congressman Tony P. Hall, who served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture from 2002 to 2006. "Today, the students of the Athenai Institute are part of that same mission. I am proud to stand with these students as they seek to effect change on their campuses and around the world." Details about the program can be found on Athenai’s website. ### Athenai is a non-partisan, student-founded 501(c)(3) formed in May 2020 to remove the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from American college campuses. Athenai advocates for student governments and university administrations to close Confucius Institutes, divest of investments and other financial entanglements with the Chinese government, and establish policies and mechanisms to prevent the CCP from encroaching on academic discourse and the independence of academic institutions. To support Athenai's work, please visit https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/athenaiinstitute. For more information or to schedule an interview with an Athenai spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357. Contact Details Athenai Institute John Metz +1 804-615-5838 john.metz@athenai.org Company Website https://athenai.org/

July 28, 2022 12:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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