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News Release Digital Asset Direct

COVID-19 crisis will lead to a new period of rapid, transformative growth and prosperity: Studio 44 reveal 10 key insights for business leaders

Stockwood Strategy

As we recover from the COVID pandemic, environmental, social and technological trends are converging, leading to rapid, disruptive and transformative change, the likes of which we have not experienced for more than a generation, argues Simon Sear, CEO and founder of Studio 44. Leaders need to ensure that they and their organisation are ready to innovate and transform. Sear said: “The COVID crisis will lead to a new period of rapid, transformative growth and prosperity just like the First World War led to the roaring twenties, the Second World War to the golden age of capitalism and the recession of the late 1970s to the expansive growth of the 1980s. Spring always follows winter.” Combining with this natural economic cycle are major tailwinds, such as society’s demand for more progress on racial and gender equality, social mobility and mental wellbeing, Studio 44 argues. Governments and wider society have reached a tipping point on progress with environmental sustainability, while technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), hyper-automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) are supercharging change. These converging trends will result in rapid, disruptive and transformative change, the likes of which we have not experienced for more than a generation. Sear added: “Economists are predicting record growth and leaders need to ensure that their organisations are bold, more agile and quicker to change than at any time in history in order to deliver competitive performance in terms of cost efficiency, revenues and return on capital” Studio 44 has identified ten key insights by working with leaders during the challenging times of COVID, ranging from experimentation to mindset, technology to organisational culture. Sear concluded: “The crisis has highlighted many insights into how leaders can prepare for this next phase of growth and the journey ahead. They are at a once in a generation inflection point, opportunity is coming, and they need to ensure that they and their organisation are ready to innovate and transform.” Here is a summary of Studio 44’s top ten insights: Create a common mission: Often, in non-crisis times, organisations pay lip service to their mission. It’s written down, but no one really buys it. If the crisis did one thing very well, it was to provide a focus. The need for speed: The pace of change had been increasing, but the crisis supercharged this. Leaders need to focus their organisation on being able to respond quicker and with more agility than ever before. Change the corporate mindset: Many companies have long-held beliefs that limited their ability to respond and transform assumptions that need to be put in the bin. Make bold investments: The successful businesses of the last 12 months were the ones that had historically invested in new ways of working and bold new propositions. Experiment: In a decade that will be defined by rapid change and transformation, inexpensive, fast experimentation needs to be in the DNA of an organisation. Allocate your best people to your best opportunities: The pace of change is becoming ever faster and the war for talent continues to heat up. Leaders need to balance the need for transparency and fairness with quickly getting the right people in the right roles to optimise the chances of an organisation’s success. Teach more than new digital skills: In building on the successes of working from home and a period of change and disruption, it's crucial to teach employees new cognitive strategies and behaviours to enable them to adapt. Break the silos: During the COVID crisis innovative leaders gathered a multi-skilled team, incentivised them all for success in the same way and gave them the space to make it happen. Many leaders are now thinking about how they can maintain this kind of operating model and not return to older ways of working and the inefficiencies they create. Keep communicating: The pace of disruption and uncertainty in the next decade means that people will often feel unsettled and will seek reassurance. These are the same needs team members faced during the COVID crisis. Practice stakeholder capitalism: Leaders need to take a cooperative model into the next period of transformation. They need to take a long-term view, to have a strategy that not only ensures financial performance in the short term, but invests, and is seen to invest, in longer-term positive outcomes for all stakeholders. About Studio 44 Studio 44 is creating the future. It is a next generation consultancy that helps senior business leaders create step-out growth, disrupt markets and transform their culture and ways of working. It brings together smart people from tech, the arts, business and science with a common mission to create growth for clients with a focus on people and the planet. By bringing diverse thinking and the spirit and energy of a start-up to corporate clients Studio 44 radically shifts the operating model of a traditional consultancy. Contact Details Studio 44 Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://studio44.io/

May 19, 2021 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Digital transformation evades businesses that mismanage data

Stockwood Strategy

Data is poorly understood, inadequately valued and badly managed by global businesses costing them and their investors billions of dollars every year, according to a report published today by Anmut, the data valuation specialists. This is a big problem because it means most businesses are running on data that isn’t fit for purpose. The Anmut Data Leadership Report compiled data and anecdotal evidence from almost 100 Chief Data Officers from organisations headquartered on five continents whose collective annual revenues total over $1 trillion. The report finds that 91% of business leaders believe data is critical to the success of their businesses. However, only one in three (34%) of their companies manage their businesses’ data assets with the same disciplines as other business assets. These companies spend their allocated data management budget on creating value from their data that in turn helps them scale their businesses and develop their strategies. The remaining two thirds (66%) are using half of their data budgets to fix problems and errors identified within the data itself. According to the report, the average global business spends between 4% and 7% of annual operating expenses on managing its data. For a global financial services brand, that amounts to as much as $1.5-3 billion annually. “Time and again we’re seeing international businesses and household name brands coming under fire for reasons that seem preventable with hindsight,” says Herman Heyns, CEO of Anmut. "Those that succeed do so because they really understand the value of their data, and therefore prioritise and manage it well." Three quarters of respondents (76%) say their businesses are investing in large-scale data and digital transformation strategies. And, 63% say data is more critical than technology to achieve business transformation. Yet, Anmut's report also finds that technology investment regularly overshadows data investment. Technology gets three times the attention (73%) and five and a half times (88%) the budget as data. This is in spite of the fact that technology is dependent on reliable data to run well. Heyns adds: “The preference to invest in technology over data throws up a fascinating question about what digital transformation really means for businesses all over the world. Digital transformation is a term that’s used everywhere, in every annual report and corporate strategy document. Digital transformation is what companies do to become data-driven. The advances many companies make might be digital in name, but to create the transformation they're aiming for, they cannot lose sight of the data.” Chief Data Officers (CDOs) interviewed for the report regularly cite the challenge to make data something that everyone in their businesses understands, values and knows how to manage. The report finds that one third of company boards (33%) don’t consider data a ‘material asset’. 9 in 10 CDOs (87%) say putting a monetary value on data would enable people within the business to manage that data better. Heyns adds: “A critical issue for businesses’ data leaders is winning senior buy-in. When the board doesn’t appreciate the value of data to a company’s future performance, it’ll lack investment further down the business. That’s where data valuation comes into play. When the value of data assets are set out in pounds and pence, data can be thought of as a business asset. Then it climbs up the food chain, gets taken more seriously, impacts C-suite decision-making more readily, and receives greater investment. When data is treated like any other asset by assigning a monetary value to it, businesses can make better strategic decisions.” Anmut, whose clients include Smith & Nephew and Highways England, advises international companies across all sectors on how to manage, measure and value the data within their businesses. Intangible assets make up 90% of the total market value of the world’s largest companies. Anmut’s most conservative estimates put data at 20% to 30% of that. With only a third of companies managing that value well, it’s not a surprise that companies who do manage data well - the FANGS - have become the most valuable companies in history in the shortest time. In March, the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) published its report: Increasing Data Access across the UK Economy in which they commit to creating a framework within which the government may have the ability to make interventions into private and third sector organisations to unlock the full value of their data. DCMS follows governments in several leading economies including the US and Germany that are taking the lead to enforce better data management in business. About Anmut Consulting Anmut is the only data asset management company that makes the value of data unignorable, comparable and manageable for businesses investing in digital transformation. Anmut believes in the power of data-driven decisions to make people’s lives better, be they customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, local communities or future generations. Contact Details Anmut Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.anmut.co.uk/

May 19, 2021 04:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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iTradeNetwork Launches Advanced Food Traceability Tools Now Providing Instant Notification For Food Contamination

iTradeNetwork

Speed is critical when removing unsafe food from the supply chain to prevent illness and save lives. Since the beginning of May alone, there have been eight food safety recall events in the US. According to the US Department of Agriculture, about 48 million episodes of foodborne illness and 3,000 deaths occur per year in the US. The most common foodborne pathogens cause an estimated annual burden of $14 billion to $36 billion. iTradeNetwork (ITN), the global provider of supply chain management solutions and traceability for the food and beverage industry, has added new capabilities that instantly identify specific recalled products and simultaneously notify suppliers and buyers. These traceability tools help remove recalled products from the supply chain more quickly, whether they are in route from supplier to buyer, at a distribution center or at the final point-of-sale/consumption. These functions are unique in the industry and built on the strength of iTradeNetwork's 8,000 customers and integrated FDA/CDC alerts. “Food safety has never been more important,” explained iTradeNetwork’s CEO Rhonda Bassett-Spiers. “Our new traceability tools allow for instant and simultaneous notification about food recalls and provides the food’s exact location across the entire supply chain with surgical precision. Traceability also reduces food waste, saves money and protects brands. It is not overstating to say that this innovation will contribute to saving lives and livelihoods.” HOW IT WORKS iTradeNetwork’s new advanced traceability modules include: Incident and Recall Management: FDA/CDC alert integration is a new standard for the industry, combining system-level monitoring with machine learning accessible online or through a mobile app. Growers/suppliers and retailers can be notified of a food safety incident the moment it is suspected and isolate affected products whether they are pre-shipment, in-transit or in-store. This allows for immediate action to protect consumers and brand integrity. Recalls can be issued within seconds to protect customers and save lives. Label-less Trace: For protein providers, suppliers of lower risk produce commodities and high-volume produce operations not currently using PTI or item labeling, this technology enables alerts, notifications and food safety incident management based on purchase order data, not labels. iTradeNetwork is in a unique position to provide unparalleled supply chain visibility, processing millions of transactions annually for its network of more than 8,000 global customers. EDUCATIONAL WEBINARS iTradeNetwork is hosting a series of educational webinars to provide further information about traceability. Register here: Next-Level Traceability: A Live Solution Showcase Series Transforming Traceability: The Urgent Need for Food Safety Solutions Wednesday, May 19, 11am PST Traceability Without Labels: A Food Safety Breakthrough Solution for Fresh Produce Tuesday, May 25, 11am PST Traceability Without Labels: A Breakthrough for Protein-Related Recalls Thursday, May 27, 11am PST Label Traceability/Incident Alert & Recall Management Tuesday, June 1, 11am PST Palletized Advanced Shipment Notice (ASN) Traceability Solution Thursday, June 3, 11am PST ### ABOUT ITRADENETWORK iTradeNetwork, Inc. is the leading global provider of supply chain management solutions for the food and beverage industry, with more than 8,000 active customers. Suppliers and resellers connect on iTradeNetwork’s technology platform to create active partnerships and easily transact. The platform also provides one-stop-shopping for freight, food traceability, fresh inspection and supply chain compliance, which creates efficiencies for buyers and sellers alike. For more information, visit: www.itradenetwork.com. Media please note: Visual assets, including photos, are available. To interview ITN's CEO Rhonda Bassett-Spiers or for other interview requests, please contact Robin Carr at (415) 971-3991 or itn@landispr.com. Contact Details Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 itn@landispr.com Company Website https://www.itradenetwork.com/

May 18, 2021 09:03 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Lack Of Long-Term Care Planning Forces Retirees To The Poverty Level For Assistance by Jennifer Lang Financial Services

Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC

Contact Details Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC. Jennifer Lang +1 877-487-8926 mail@jenniferlangfinancialservices.com Company Website https://www.jenniferlangfinancialservices.com

May 18, 2021 10:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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TRUST SCIENCE PLEDGE CALLS FOR PUBLIC TO ENGAGE IN SCIENTIFIC LITERACY

International Day of Light Steering Committee

After a year in which scientific breakthroughs are helping countries return to a sense of normality, a new pledge offers the general public a path to draw attention to the importance of scientific literacy. The Trust Science pledge, a worldwide campaign to promote support for the scientific process and acknowledge the many benefits of science for society is a first step to recognizing the vital role science plays in improving quality of life and combatting scientific misinformation. Scientific literacy, or the understanding of science, its methodology, observations and theories, starts with appreciating the wonder and advancements of science. One current example is the progress made with vaccines, but the past year has seen many other scientific developments, specifically in light science. These include advances in high-speed communications enabling families to stay connected through videoconferencing, faster access to online media content and breakthroughs in astronomy and planetary exploration such as NASA’s Perseverance Rover landing on Mars in February. With the rise of disinformation, declaring support for the scientific process provides a concrete way to stand up for science and the benefits it brings to society. The pledge, launched in celebration of the UNESCO International Day of Light on 16 May, aims to promote support for the scientific process and to acknowledge the many benefits of science for society. Nobel and Breakthrough laureates, scientific leaders, CEOs and everyday citizens worldwide have signed the pledge, taking a significant step in building scientific literacy and trust in the scientific method. “We all share responsibility for seeking out trustworthy scientific information,” said Dr. Jess Wade, a physicist working in the Department of Materials at Imperial College London. “Before sharing information about a scientific claim, we can check the source of claims, research the credibility of the author and double-check the facts with fact-checking organizations.” The pledge complements other strategies for identifying fact from fiction. A first step in achieving scientific literacy is the careful questioning of any statement that is positioned as a scientific fact. Below are three ways the general public can check the validity of something they may have read, heard or seen online as a fact: 1. Embrace initial skepticism and check the source of the claims. 2. Watch out for rhetoric. A credible author will cite facts and sources and the results of scientific research rather than “science” itself. 3. Double-check the facts with fact-checking organizations. The Trust Science campaign is organized by the IEEE Photonics Society, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and The Optical Society (OSA), together with the International Day of Light Steering Committee. To sign the pledge and to learn more, please go to https://www.trust-science.org Contacts For questions about how you can engage with the campaign, please contact: info@trust-science.org For media inquiries, please contact: pr@trust-science.org Social media: please share using #TrustScience and #LightDay2021 Social media links: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter About the International Day of Light The International Day of Light (IDL) is a worldwide initiative that provides an annual focal point for the continued appreciation of light and the role it plays in science, culture and art, education and sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications and energy. The International Day of Light is administered from the International Basic Science Programme (IBSP) of UNESCO by a Steering Committee that includes representatives from a broad range of international partners: the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the American Physical Society (APS), Bosca, the China International Optoelectronic Exhibition (CIOE), Chinese Optical Society (COS), the European Centres for Outreach in Photonics (ECOP), the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), the European Physical Society (EPS), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the IEEE Photonics Society (IPS), the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), lightsources.org - the international network of accelerator based light sources, Light: Science and Applications, The Optical Society (OSA), Tampere University, SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics, SESAME, Signify, Tampere University, Thorlabs, Transitions, the Université de Franche-Comté and Velux. For information about the International Day of Light, please visit www.lightday.org Contacts for IDL: John Dudley and Joseph Niemela 2021 Steering Committee Chairs Email: contact@lightday.org Bethany Downer 2021 Communications Coordinator Email: contact@lightday.org Media Contact for Trust Science: pr@trust-science.org About IEEE Photonics Society The IEEE Photonics Society is the professional home for a global network of scientists, engineers and allied professionals who advance laser, optoelectronics, and photonics technology. As a technical society representing the IEEE, it is a vital part of the world’s largest technical professional organization of more than 400,000 members dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, educational activities, and humanitarian initiatives, the IEEE Photonics Society provides its members in more than 160 countries the opportunity to grow professionally and stay on the forefront of transformational breakthroughs in photonics. PhotonicsSociety.org About SPIE SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 255,000 constituents from 183 countries, the not-for-profit society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions, and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. In 2020, SPIE provided more than $5 million in support of education and outreach programs. www.spie.org About The Optical Society Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and business leaders in light science and technology. The society serves over 432,000 customers and 22,000 members from more than 100 countries who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the field. OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts through world-renowned publications. For more information, visit osa.org. Contact Details pr@trust-science.org +1 703-907-0010 pr@trust-science.org Company Website https://www.trust-science.org

May 18, 2021 09:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Faith for All Premier Collection Revolutionizes Fashion Through Faith

Faith for All

The first collection of its kind, Faith For All, is an inspiring showcase at the intersection of fashion and faith. Faith For All magnifies the things closest to your heart, allowing you to hold on to your faith wherever life takes you. Irwin Sternberg is an award-winning creator of the iconic Jerry Garcia Neckwear. He presents a lifestyle company, Faith For All. Capturing brilliant, never-before-seen images of authentic faith-based symbols and icons, Sternberg redesigns limited-edition collections of bracelets, masks, apparel, and lighting fixtures. These unique and beautiful designs, microscopic images, of faith-based symbolic icons contain verses such as the Masada Rock, The Dead Sea, Holy Water, Frankincense, Wine, and more. Stunning and subtle, these images emphasize the universal nature of spirituality. It’s worth noting that Sternberg, a marketing visionary and philanthropist, has generated millions of dollars over the years for such dynamic charities as The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Mothers Against Drunk Driving - MADD, The Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research (founded by Jim Valvano) and many other. Sternberg’s life highlight occurred alongside the Dalai Lama, who presented Sternberg with a Tibetan prayer scarf. Together they honored the contributions toward Tibetan health care through Sternberg’s Ties for Tibet collections. "This blending of fashion and faith has been running through my mind for the better part of my life, and it's glorious to see it come to fruition," Sternberg reflected. “Faith for All will empower people to wear and surround themselves with their faith...” The use of photomicrography to capture beautiful abstract explosions of crystallized patterns and colors from authentic images of spiritual icons unite science, education, and health. "I've known Irwin for over 20 years. He has a wonderful knack for creating the unique to energize people, drawing them in and inspiring them," says Martin Savage, longtime CNN broadcaster. "His latest breakthrough merging fashion and spirituality comes at a time when many in the world need to feel uplifted. It's a great idea, and I'm not surprised - Irwin's got a million of them." Faith For All tells unique stories that re-contextualize how people express their beliefs, showing each spiritual icon’s universal relevance. And how the meaning of each spiritual icon holds. These subtle, understated expressions of faith allow the wearer to feel the beauty of their spirituality. Each new Faith for All collection will honor different religions with their meaningful icons. Of course, Faith For All products also raise funds for worthy causes, the Covid-19 response fund and Biobus, a mobile laboratory that helps students discover, explore and pursue the field of science. Contact Details Faith For All Paul Wortley +1 201-819-5427 Paul@FaithforAll.com Company Website http://www.faithforall.com/

May 18, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Jock MKT Secures $10 Million in Series A Funding to Accelerate its Growth as the Stock Market for Sports

Jock MKT

Jock MKT (Jock Market), the sports gaming app that combines the best of daily fantasy sports and retail stock trading, announced it has raised $10 million in Series A funding. The round was led by New York-based venture capital firm Left Lane Capital, along with continued participation from existing investors, including Will Ventures and Ryan Moore, a current board member of DraftKings and Accomplice founding partner. Founded in 2017 and launched in 2020 by Co-Founder and CEO Tyler Carlin, Jock MKT has created a new and innovative daily fantasy sports gaming format. Jock MKT is a fantasy sports gaming app where users can make real money buying and selling virtual shares of athletes. Their main differentiator is their cash market format – this unique offering gives users more flexibility and optionality versus typical daily fantasy contests. Users can join at any time and for any dollar amount. They can buy and sell shares of athletes in real-time, cash out early by selling to another user in-game or hold to the end and receive fixed Jock MKT payouts tied to final player rankings based on overall fantasy scoring. Each cash market starts with an “Initial Player Offering,” or an IPO, where users have their first opportunity to bid on shares prior to any contest. Jock MKT’s skill-based gaming format combines the best of daily fantasy sports products with the user interface and mechanics of stock trading and retail investing apps. The result is a unique and engaging second screen game that attracts both dedicated sports fans and retail investors alike. Jock MKT officially launched with the NFL, NBA, and the PGA Tour in September of 2020, as many sports returned to their respective playing schedules amidst the pandemic. They added the NHL and MLB in 2021 at the start of each season. “We look forward to establishing Jock MKT as the main trading platform for fantasy sports,” said Tyler Carlin, Co-Founder and CEO of Jock MKT. “This funding marks a big milestone for the team, and we’re excited to expand our product offerings to additional platforms. We’ll be looking to add more sports and features to Jock MKT, plus expand into Canada and other states in the near term.” “Jock MKT has a unique and novel product offering relative to its daily fantasy sports peers,” said Matthew Miller from Left Lane Capital, who has joined the Jock MKT Board of Directors. “We’ve been incredibly impressed by Tyler and his team, and we look forward to taking this journey in building a next-generation sports trading platform to create stronger engagement between sports fans and teams/players.” “We have evaluated dozens of opportunities in the daily fantasy sports and sports gaming category, and Jock MKT has proven to be an outlier in their strength of product, user engagement and growth,” said Harley Miller, Managing Partner at Left Lane Capital. Jock MKT is well-positioned to capture evolving sports engagement trends as fans seek new ways to follow their favorite teams and players. One of the key indicators of Jock MKT’s success is the length of time spent and engagement in the app. Users spend more than 1.5 hours in the app per cash market – more than half the duration of an average NBA or NHL game – and the largest cash market to date was the 2021 Master’s Tournament. This funding will enable Jock MKT to continue building out its innovative product offering, expand into all 44 eligible states and Canada, and hire across the entire organization to support accelerating growth. About Jock MKT Headquartered in Boston and launched in 2020, Jock MKT ( JockMKT.com ) is a skill-based fantasy gaming platform where users can make real money – every minute, every second, of every game. Inspired by a traditional stock exchange, Jock MKT allows users to buy and sell shares of athletes in real-time. Jock MKT was co-founded by Tyler Carlin and investors include Left Lane Capital, Will Ventures, Ryan Moore, Brandon Adams, Benjie Cherniak, Tim McSweeney, and Alumni Ventures Group. Available in the U.S. in 35 states, Jock MKT offers gaming options for events tied to the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and PGA Tour. About Left Lane Capital Left Lane Capital is a New York-based 'breakout' growth equity firm that invests in high-growth internet & consumer technology companies that build long-lasting customer relationships. For more information, please visit www.leftlanecap.com. Contact Details Eric Nemeth nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://jockmkt.com/

May 18, 2021 08:57 AM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

Entertainment Leaders Call on Celebrities and Influencers to Stop Spreading Misinformation about Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Creative Community for Peace

More than 130 leaders from the entertainment industry have signed a joint statement, released by the non-profit entertainment industry organization Creative Community For Peace, which calls on fellow entertainers and executives to use their platforms to combat misleading and one-sided accounts of the conflict in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The open letter urges those in the entertainment community to use their voice to call for the de-escalation of violence and the end to divisive rhetoric while also acknowledging the pain and loss impacting all parties involved in the conflict. The joint statement comes amid a wave of violence in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, including indiscriminate rocket attacks targeting metropolitan areas throughout Israel as well as Israel’s retaliatory response in Gaza. Gene Simmons (Artist/ KISS ), Sherry Lansing (Former CEO of Paramount Pictures), Michael Bublé (Artist), Haim Saban (Chairman & CEO, Saban Capital Group), Meghan McCain (Co-Host, The View ), Orly Agai Marley (President, Tuff Gong Worldwide), David Draiman (Frontman, Disturbed ), Selma Blair (Actress), Diane Warren (Songwriter, Producer), and Ben Silverman (Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Propagate Content) are among nearly 130 signers of the joint statement, which was made public Friday. “We are deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Israel and the Palestinian Territories,” the statement reads. “The loss of life and violence is heartbreaking. We call on the leaders of all parties to end the violence, urge calm, and work toward de-escalation.” The statement’s signers are among the first in the entertainment industry to publicly promote peace while also opposing a surge of deceptive media narratives that have dominated the news cycle since tensions escalated nearly a week ago. “We also call on our colleagues and friends in the entertainment community to stop posting misinformation and one-sided narratives that only work to inflame the conflict instead of bringing about peace,” the statement continues. “Misinformed and fallacious memes being posted by those far away from the conflict are being taken for truth,” said Ari Ingel, Director of Creative Community for Peace. “This distorted version of reality is being spread online and then amplified by influencers, which only fans the flames of hatred and has real life consequences.” Creative Community for Peace aims to promote the arts as a means for peace while fighting antisemitism in the entertainment industry and on prominent media platforms. To learn more about their cause, visit www.creativecommunityforpeace.com. For a full list of signatories, click here. ** Note – The signers of this statement do so as individuals on their own behalf and not on behalf of their companies or organizations. All organizations and companies listed are for affiliation purposes only. FULL STATEMENT We are deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The loss of life and violence is heartbreaking. We call on the leaders of all parties to end the violence, urge calm, and work toward de-escalation. We also call on our colleagues and friends in the entertainment community to stop posting misinformation and one-sided narratives that only work to inflame the conflict instead of bringing about peace. While we may have differing opinions on the conflict, it is never okay for Hamas to publicly call for the killing of civilians, use civilians as human shields, and rain down missiles indiscriminately on civilian populations with no care about who is killed—Arab or Jew. When lives are at stake, we all bear responsibility to unite rather than divide. Incendiary language only benefits those at the extremes who have no interest in peace. Our thoughts are with all Israelis and Palestinians who are experiencing unfathomable levels of fear and violence, and hope for the day when both peoples can live side by side in peace. ABOUT CREATIVE COMMUNITY FOR PEACE: Founded by entertainment industry executives, Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) is a non-profit organization comprised of prominent members of the entertainment industry who have come together to promote the arts as a means to peace, to counter antisemitism within the entertainment industry, and to galvanize support against the cultural boycott of Israel. CCFP is apolitical and does not stand for any government official or party. Instead, CCFP believes in artists and their ability to affect lives and effect positive change in the world. For more information please visit: creativecommunityforpeace.com Contact Details Zack Zimmerman zack@miller-ink.com Company Website https://www.creativecommunityforpeace.com/

May 17, 2021 01:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Meow Wolf Announces Collaborating Artists For Denver Exhibition

Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf, the Santa Fe-based arts and entertainment company, announced the names of the 110 Colorado artists collaborating on Meow Wolf Denver, their highly-anticipated third permanent installation. More than 300 creatives are working to bring Meow Wolf Denver to life this fall. “Fasten your seatbelts, Meow Wolf Denver is our most ambitious project to date! With hundreds of creatives working on this massive endeavor, including overwhelming talent from local Denver-based artists, we can’t wait for guests to experience the magic confined within these uniquely shaped walls,” said Ali Rubinstein, CCO and Co-CEO of Meow Wolf. “Starting this fall, guests can explore four floors of exhibition space, with portals transporting them to worlds beyond their wildest imagination.” Opening this Fall, Meow Wolf Denver will span four floors with hundreds of installations of interactive art and include food and beverage services, retail space, and a 488 person capacity venue. Meow Wolf is looking forward to welcoming locals and tourists alike to the unique installation which adds to the exciting repertoire of what Colorado has to offer. The most narratively complex installation to date, Meow Wolf Denver worked with a variety of artists across multiple mediums to create an experience that will truly transport visitors to other worlds. These muralists, sculptors, fiber artists, and technologists came together to create a one-of-a-kind installation that will leave visitors appreciating what it really means to experience art. The exhibition includes the work of 110 Colorado-based artists with diverse backgrounds including 51% identifying as female, 20% identifying as LGBTQ+ and 38% of the Artist collaborators are People of Color based on optional survey answers. With its Denver installation, Meow Wolf celebrates both established and emerging artists, each with their own unique stories to tell. Visitors can look forward to the works of Kayln Heffernan and collaborator Gregg Ziemba with their work “Wheelchair Space Kitchen”; Cal Duran and David Ocelotl Garcia with their work “Earth Spirits of the Subconscious Mind”; Molina Speaks with their “Indigenous Futurist Dreamscape Lounge”; Mongolian collaborators Eriko Tsogo, Jennifer Tsogo, Tsogo Mijid, and Batochir Batkhishig on their work “Mongovoo Temple”; and the “Aquakota” nightclub, conceptualized by the late artist Colin Richard Ferguson Ward and completed by his collaborators Peniel Apantenco and Kim Shively in his memory. The complete Meow Wolf Denver collaborating artist lineup can be found below: Individual Collaborating Artists & Duos from Colorado: Adam Christopher Andi Todaro Ashley Frazier, Michael Sperandeo Brandan Styles "Bzurk”, Ellie Rusinova Brian Corrigan Cal Duran, David Ocelotl Garcia Cami Galofre Chris Bagley Christopher Owen Nelson, Sam Carlson Christopher Short Collin Parson Corrina Espinosa Dan Taro David Farquharson Dice 51 Douglas A. Schenck “DAS” Dylan Gebbia-Richards Frankie Toan Ian McKenna Jaime Molina, Pedro Barrios Jennifer Pettus Jess Webb Jodi Stuart, Libby Barbee Joseph Lamar Joshua Goss JUHB. Justin Camilli Justin Gitlin aka Cacheflowe Kalyn Heffernan, Gregg Ziemba Katy Zimmerman, Erika Wurth Kia Neill Kristin Stransky Laaiaim Mayer Lauri Lynnxe Murphy LORDSCIENCE UNIVERSAL Lumonics Marjorie Lair, Kyle Vincent Singer Maya Linke Myah Sarles Nicole Banowetz Nolan Tredway Ramón Bonilla Reed Fox, Ben Weirich Sabin Aell, Randy Rushton Scott Hildebrandt Sean Peuquet Shayna Cohn Sigrid Sarda Sofie Birkin Thomas Scharfenberg Viviane Le Courtois Wanderweird Wynn Earl Buzzell Jr. Collaborating Artist Groups from Colorado Andrew Novick, Pamela Webb, Robert Ayala bearwarp Chad Colby, Lexis Loeb, Hayley Kirkman Charles Kern, Ty Holter, Ben Jackson, Rachel Bilys, Brett Sasine Demiurge LLC: Joe Riche and Wynn Buzzell Eriko Tsogo, Jennifer Tsogo, Tsogo Mijid, Batochir Batkhishig F. Ria Khan, Armon Naein, Blake Gambel, Calvin Logan, Charles Candon, Harrison Bolin, Luke Collier, Maria Deslis, Sky Johnson, Sofia Rubio-Topete Ladies Fancywork Society Merhia Wiese, Annabelle Wiese, Maggie Wiese, Eunseo Zoey Kim, Dan Griner Mike Lustig, Mitch Hoffman, Tim Omspach, Nathan Koral, Evan Beloni, Ryan Elmendorf, Scott Wilson, Charlis Robbins Molina Speaks, Stevon Lucero, DJ Icewater, Felix "Fast4ward" Ayodele, Diles, Emily Swank Oren Lomena, Alaine "Skeena" Rodriguez, Alius Hu Peniel Apantenco, Kim Shively, Colin Richard Ferguson Ward, (In memoriam) Sam Caudill, Sean Louis Rove, Juancristobal Hernández Secret Love Collective: Katy Batsel, Lares Feliciano, Colby Graham, Piper Rose, Frankie Toan, Katy Zimmerman, Lauren Zwicky, Genevieve Waller The Church of Many: Andrea Thurber, Elsa Carenbauer, Anna Goss, Maddi Waneka and Emily Merlin Waffle Cone Club: Kyle Vincent Singer, Scott Kreider, Marjorie Lair Also Featuring Collaborating Artists and Groups Everything is Terrible! Kevin Bourland Michael Lujan Moment Factory Nina Mastrangelo Scott Geary, Wayne Geary, Gary Ashkin Last year, Meow Wolf was recognized in Fast Company 's 2020 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, garnering the #1 spot for Live Events. The company recently opened its second permanent installation in Las Vegas, Omega Mart which opened in February 2021. In addition to Omega Mart, Meow Wolf also re-opened their cult-favorite original experience, House of Eternal Return in March. Additional information on Meow Wolf’s first two exhibitions and tickets for the experiences are available online at https://meowwolf.com/. To receive further updates on Meow Wolf Denver, sign up at https://meowwolf.com/visit/denver Recognized in Fast Company's 2020 list of The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies, Meow Wolf is a Santa Fe-based arts and entertainment company that creates immersive, interactive experiences to transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration. The company's first location in Santa Fe opened in 2016 and showcases the THEA Award-winning, international sensation, House Of Eternal Return, where two million visitors have now discovered a multidimensional mystery house with secret passages, portals to magical worlds, and surreal, maximalist and mesmerizing art exhibits. In 2019, Meow Wolf expanded beyond Santa Fe and opened Kaleidoscape, the world’s first artist-driven ride at Elitch Gardens in Denver. Meow Wolf recently opened their second permanent installation, Omega Mart, at AREA15 in Las Vegas and their third permanent installation in Denver slated to open in fall 2021. Meow Wolf is proud to be the only certified B-Corporation in the themed entertainment industry, with a team dedicated to social impact and building a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Contact Details Jive PR + Digital Jacki St. Thomas +1 310-625-7799 jacki@jiveprdigital.com Company Website https://meowwolf.com/

May 17, 2021 07:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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