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Media and Democracy Project Debunks FOX Opposition in Broadcast License Challenge; Highlights ‘Overwhelming, Uncontested, and Irrefutable’ Evidence of Character Violations

Raynor Ave.

Founding President of Fox Broadcasting Company, Jamie Kellner, Joins Growing Coalition Seeking FCC Hearing into FOX Broadcast License New filings argue FOX cannot be relied upon to deal truthfully with the public, election lies “shock the conscience,” and Murdochs lack character to remain public interest broadcast licensees MAD Reply (PDF) | Duggan-Kristol Supplement (PDF) | Kellner Informal Objection (PDF) Today, three blockbuster filings were submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of the Media and Democracy Project’s (MAD) petition challenging the broadcast license renewal application for FOX Corp-owned television station FOX 29 Philadelphia (WTXF). The filings include MAD’s formal reply to Fox Television Stations (FTS) opposition submitted earlier this month. MAD is joined by a growing bipartisan coalition filing informal objections calling for an FCC hearing to fully consider the fitness of FOX Corporation (FOX) and the Murdochs to continue as licensees of the public airwaves. Informal objections were filed by former PBS President and FCC Commissioner Ervin S. Duggan, former Weekly Standard Editor William Kristol, and founding President of Fox Broadcasting Company Jamie Kellner. Media and Democracy Project Formal Reply The lies about the 2020 election that aired on Fox News, authorized at the highest levels of FOX’s corporate structure to retain FOX’s conservative viewer base and reverse failing ratings, represent a severe breach of the FCC policy on licensee character qualifications, MAD reaffirmed today in a legal response to their effort to call for an evidentiary hearing into the matter. In the reply, MAD took the opportunity to fact check and debunk various “strawman” arguments made by FTS in defense of WTXF. MAD argues that not only does the FCC have the authority to convene a hearing, but it has an obligation to do so built on decades of precedent. According to MAD, “Never in the history of the Commission has the agency been confronted with a license renewal applicant whose parent was found by a court of law to have repeatedly presented false news.” On whether MAD has made the case that FOX is not qualified to be an FCC licensee and the policy violations are sufficient to require an evidentiary hearing, the filing stated: “FOX knew – from the Murdochs on down – that Fox News was reporting false and dangerous misinformation about the 2020 Presidential election, but FOX was more concerned about short-term ratings and market share than the long-term damage caused by its spreading disinformation.” “What is astounding is the Opposition’s [FOX’s] utter failure to reckon with the findings of false statements in Dominion that raise substantial and material questions of FOX’s character qualifications to be an FCC licensee.” "FOX has demonstrated a willingness to lie to preserve its corporate profits. FOX’s lies concerning the outcome of the 2020 election caused a great injury to the American people and the institutions of our democracy. FOX’s willingness to lie demonstrates a fatal character flaw." Responding to accusations that holding FOX accountable violates the First Amendment, MAD writes: “This is not a First Amendment case. Rather the issue here concerns a corporation that, with the full knowledge and approval of its management, lied to millions of Americans. The question before the Commission is not whether FOX had a right to lie, rather it is about the consequences of those lies and the impact on FOX’s qualifications to remain an FCC licensee.” Beyond citing FOX’s willingness to lie as demonstrating a fatal character flaw, MAD highlights numerous instances of “material misrepresentations” in the WTXF renewal application itself. These violations and the station’s false certifications in FCC licensee records are “further evidenc[e of] its propensity for untruthfulness and FOX’s poor character.” MAD ends its filing by saying, “[a]s such, the Communications Act obligates the Commission to designate these vital questions to be answered in an evidentiary hearing.” A copy of the MAD’s formal reply to FOX’s opposition is available here. Duggan-Kristol Informal Objection Supplement Ervin S. Duggan and William Kristol joined MAD in responding to the “gaping holes” found throughout FOX’s opposition. The media veterans reiterate their call for an evidentiary hearing, saying: “Every application for a broadcast license renewal is not only a test for the applicant, but also for the FCC itself. In considering this application, the Commission inevitably will reveal whether it is serious about its regulations, or merely pretending; whether its standards are genuine, or mere shibboleths; whether its regulatory spine is strong, or made of mush.” The filing points out that the FCC Media Bureau already refuted FOX’s argument in 2012 that the parent company has no involvement in a station’s operations: “During the last television renewal cycle in 2012, FTS argued that the conduct of its parent company and of affiliates not directly involved in station operations cannot impact a station’s license renewal application, even if that conduct violates the FCC’s policy statements on licensee character. The Fox Reply takes essentially the same tack. But since the Media Bureau went out of its way to say that it did not endorse that position ten years ago, FTS now clothes its position in a new cloak of legalisms and technicalities that have no more merit than its previous bald assertion.” On FOX’s First Amendment defense, the pair said: “[D]espite the Fox Reply’s strenuous efforts to obscure the point through First Amendment rhetoric, the character and public-interest standards of the FCC are in fact standards of behavior, not speech. And in invoking the Commission’s character standards, MAD through its petition is asking the FCC to weigh FOX’s behavior, not asking the Commission to evaluate or sanction the content of its speech.” Duggan and Kristol say this of FOX’s claim that Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch’s role in perpetuating election falsehoods has no bearings over their ownership of WTXF: “If a broadcast licensee shows poor judgment or questionable character in managing a business that -- but for FCC licensure -- is identical in core objectives and operational particulars to the operation of a broadcast station, that bad judgment and suspect character should speak loudly to the Commission. In fact, it should speak much louder than the direct licensee misconduct in more attenuated contexts, or employees’ misconduct in unrelated businesses, that have provoked the FCC to designate hearings or seek to deny license renewals in the past.” A copy of the Duggan-Kristol informal objection supplemental is available here. Jamie Kellner Informal Objection Former Fox Broadcasting Company (FBC) President Jamie Kellner joined others in calling on the FCC to designate a hearing. Kellner is a well-respected former television executive who was present at the creation of Fox Broadcasting Company. He was hired by Rupert Murdoch in 1986 to serve as the broadcasting arm’s founding president and chief operating officer and helped FOX establish a foothold as America’s long-sought fourth over-the-air broadcast television network. In his filing Kellner says, “[m]y amazing colleagues and I worked hard to establish the Fox brand in television and to help Rupert Murdoch become an established force in American Network television.” He goes on to say: “While I was President of FBC we started a news division that provided daily feeds of national and international news stories for the Fox-owned and affiliated television stations for inclusion in their locally produced newscasts. Unlike the news feeds provided today by Fox News Channel, our news feeds did not prominently feature advocates like Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell spouting nonsensical lies about a Presidential election.” A copy of the Kellner informal objection is available here. The Media and Democracy Project: MAD is a non-partisan, all-volunteer, grassroots civic membership organization fighting for a more informative and pro-democracy media operating in the public interest. MAD aims to improve our national discourse so that American voters can engage in informed decision-making. As part of that goal, MAD has an interest in the responsibility of journalists and media to report fully, accurately, and fairly on the electoral process and the outcome of elections. Additional information is available at www.MediaAndDemocracyProject.org. Ervin S. Duggan is a veteran of the Lyndon Johnson White House, a former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, and former President of PBS. William Kristol is a veteran political analyst and commentator. He served in senior positions in the Ronald Reagan administration and the George H.W. Bush White House. For two decades, he edited The Weekly Standard magazine, and is now editor at large of The Bulwark and a director of the educational and advocacy group, Defending Democracy Together. Jamie Kellner was the Founding President of Fox Broadcasting Company, having also founded The WB Network and served as CEO of Turner Broadcasting System, overseeing networks like CNN, TNT, and TBS. Contact Details Raynor Ave. Aaron Alberico +1 202-744-0786 aalberico@raynoravenue.com Company Website https://www.raynoravenue.com/

August 22, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Franchise Review: Jim Sweeney ‘Talks Shop’ on Growing Sales With Booming Apparel Business in Houston, Texas

Minuteman Press International Inc.

Jim and Jane Sweeney are the owners of the Minuteman Press franchise in Houston, Texas for the last 29 years; they first joined Minuteman Press in June of 1994. Jim and Jane have done a tremendous job building their business over the years. Most recently, they have truly excelled in growing their apparel sales. Jim summarizes: “ The past 2 years have certainly been interesting. We are currently (as of July of 2023) running 30.5% ahead of 2022 sales, which was up 35% over 2021. It seems like the world (or our world anyway) came out of its 2-year long malaise in 2022.” In the below interview, Jim shares more specific details about his center’s booming apparel business and how he and Jane’s Minuteman Press franchise in Houston have accomplished such strong growth in their apparel sales. Their center is located at 1040 Hercules Ave (Clear Lake City); Houston - Clear Lake City, TX 77058. How have you grown your business in general over the past two years? Jim Sweeney: “During the early pandemic we pivoted to personal protection products, which naturally led to custom face masks. While Jane was busy actually sewing 1000 face masks, I was providing custom logo cloth masks to hospitals, medical offices, service providers, and schools. We sold about 40,000 custom masks during that time, and we either heat pressed them or sent them to a local screen print vendor. We also donated a lot of masks to schools, non-profits, etc. Finally, in 2022, our traditional printing was finally starting to climb back to pre-pandemic levels. Promotional products also grew as trade shows and marketing calls became more the norm. We also had a big spurt of large format work, but that actually slowed down a bit after that initial spurt. EDDM printing has also become a larger portion of our print sales. Once we registered as EDDM providers on the USPS website, we definitely saw a very large increase in direct mail in general. Business Card printing has always been big for us, and the addition of the Graphic Whizard slitter, cutter, creaser has made it even more profitable. Our marketing efforts consists of: heavy community involvement; direct mail postcards, especially this year with the Deal of the Month art provided by MMP corporate; SEO/SEM on the Minuteman.com website, and social media, specifically as it relates to Direct to Film Transfer sales.” How have you grown your apparel business? What have you done to get your apparel sales going? Jim Sweeney: “We really started getting serious about apparel about 8 years ago when we purchased a commercial embroidery machine. Then, about 5 years ago, Jane put together a great lobby presentation. This area features apparel, large format, and promotional items of interest. We added dye sublimation capabilities with the Epson F570, and then we added DTG printing for one- offs (we eventually sold the DTG printer). During this time, we were using a lot of screen printed transfers, mostly from 613 originals or FM expressions. The issue became turnaround time. It would take up to 2 weeks to receive those transfers, and then of course we had to press them. We purchased a second, and then a third Stahls’ heat press during this time. That is when we decided to move in to the Direct to Film (DTF) printing business. After going through several desktop converted printers to try to print our own transfers, about 2.5 years ago we purchased our first large format, dual printhead DTF printer and finisher. In addition to producing transfers for our in-house use, we have enough capacity that we sell transfers to other printers, screen printers, sign shops and Facebook Group/Etsy owners. We added additional capacity with a 4 head DTF printer in January of this year (we will most likely be adding a third printer in the third quarter this year).” Jim continues: “Wholesale Transfer printing is now approximately 20% of our monthly sales; we ship all over the country, with a daily capacity for printing thousands of transfers. Adding embroidery and our in-house t-shirt sales makes apparel approximately 30% of our monthly revenue.” “Concurrently with this growth in transfer sales, the embroidery business was taking off. We regularly receive orders for 10-50 polos or button-down shirts for embroidery. We landed a grocery store chain and 2 local hospitals, and the orders became 150-200 shirts at a time. This past fall we completed a $24,000 jacket embroidery order, and we just delivered $32,000 jacket order to that same client, a hospital. Of course, we use a trusted local vendor for larger quantities of jackets.” Jim adds: “Our apparel business continues to grow weekly with more, and larger, in-house turn-key t-shirt sales really ramping up.” What are 3 tips for other owners on growing their apparel business? Jim Sweeney: “1. We feel that the #1 thing that is continuing to drive our apparel sales, in addition to the wholesale transfer sales, is our lobby display. Several years ago, we put this display of apparel samples, promotional items, and some of our large format samples in our shop. Whenever a new, or even an existing customer comes into the shop, invariably they are drawn to this display. About 1 in 5 people who walk into the shop asks about something that they see on that display. We turn about 85% of those inquiries into sales. 2. It also helps that our CSR is very knowledgeable about all aspects of apparel, as she is about all of our products and services. Our CSR/production manager, our daughter Allison, was the store manager at our Galveston location (which we sold in August of 2022), and has worked in every aspect of our business over the years. I realize that not everyone can be this lucky, however, that does not stop you from training and providing your staff with the tools that they need to do their jobs well. SanMar has great apparel catalogs with swatch samples, and you can put together a simple apparel website using their marketing tools. Of course, it also goes without saying that everyone on your staff should be wearing logo shirts, to further showcase your capabilities. 3. If you have the opportunity, attend a local apparel industry trade show, an ASI show, and most especially the MMP International World Expo. Educate yourself, request samples, purchase a good heat press, start small, with your own shirts, then visit your current clients to show them your new capabilities. Apparel is a perfect tie in to all of the other services that our shops provide to our clients. Apparel sales spur printing sales, just like printing sales should spur apparel sales.” At least once or twice a year, this hospital does a bulk purchase of 430 t-shirts for all the staff members. The purchase might include jackets, rain jackets, backpacks, other specialty items, or t-shirts. We’ve provided $200,000 or more in just apparel and high-end promo items to the hospital in the last 3 years. This hospital then referred us to the hospital Can you provide an example of a client who has used you for apparel? Jim Sweeney: “One of our regular ordering apparel clients is a local specialty hospital. In addition to their hospital facility, they also own or partner with 15 other physical therapy centers in the Houston region. We started out providing them with the usual printing and large format products, then contracted with them to provide new building signage for each of the outlying offices, and then grew into apparel with them. We have them set up on 2 Stahl’s Spirit Sale websites. One of them is for employees to purchase branded apparel, and the other is for the hospital to purchase apparel for new employees. In addition to standard corporate apparel, each department has their own branded t-shirt. Is there anything else you’d like to share? Jim Sweeney: “Apparel is an easy sell. Wear your logo. Talk it up. Ask for referrals. Don’t be afraid of it just because you haven’t done it before.” For more information on Jim and Jane Sweeney’s Minuteman Press franchise in Houston/Clear Lake, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/tx/houston27/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

August 22, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Bearish On Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) Before Earnings? Check Out This Unique ETF

Benzinga

By Rachael Green, Benzinga Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) seems to have become something of a bellwether of the larger AI industry. The chipmaker makes the graphics processing units (GPUs) that well-known AI tech like ChatGPT use to run, and the company is widely expected to cash in on the emerging technology. As a result, NVDA shares have been trending up since the fall of last year and are currently up more than 200% year-to-date. But some investors aren’t convinced the stock can keep up this momentum indefinitely – at least not without some bumps in the road. For those who may see a bubble, those bumps could translate into profitable trades if played right. Here are a few reasons some traders are bearish on NVDA. Unprecedented Demand Growth Could Exceed Nvidia’s Manufacturing Limits While few are questioning the demand for Nvidia’s GPUs, rumors of a looming GPU shortage could inadvertently have a snowball effect on new AI research. AI technology takes a significant amount of time and money to develop. The hardware, the massive quantities of data, and the specialized expertise needed to create AI that lives up to the hype don’t come cheap—and then there’s the sunk time in developing and training the AI that could have been spent on R&D with a little more certainty. So if developers can’t be reasonably certain that the GPUs they need will even be available, some companies might decide to hold off on their AI projects until supply is a little more stable. Right now, NVDA’s growth has a lot of future revenue potential built into it so news that the chip maker might not be able to scale production fast enough to make enough chips to meet rising revenue forecasts could be enough to push shares down at least temporarily. Nvidia Chip Shortage Would Create An Opening For Competition Nvidia seems to be dominating the AI space right now, but it’s far from the only chip maker in the game. Some of its most-watched competitors include Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD), Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), Cerebras, and Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL). If Nvidia faces a hiccup in production as it tries to scale production to meet this unprecedented demand, that could open the door just enough for these competitors to gain a foothold in the market. AMD is developing a family of chips that will compete with Nvidia on performance. Unlike Nvidia, AMD also offers an open software ecosystem called ROCm, giving developers a lower-cost, more flexible entry point into AI development. This could make it a key competitor among smaller developers and startups in particular. Intel, on the other hand, is already one of Nvidia’s strongest chip-making competitors though it’s still lagging behind Nvidia when it comes to GPUs specialized for AI. Intel acquired Habana in 2019, getting the Israel-based developer’s line of Gaudi AI chips as part of the deal. So far, the Gaudi chips aren’t as fast as Nvidia’s latest GPUs, but they are competitive on price and do offer enough performance for some lighter-duty AI tasks. The company is also working on Sapphire Rapids, a server CPU with built-in accelerators to handle generative AI. Nvidia might have the edge now while it’s the only major player in the game, but as these competitor products roll out, it’s going to get harder for the chip maker to hold onto its lead—especially if it’s already struggling to scale production. Trade NVDA Dips With The AXS NVDA Bear Daily ETF For investors who are near-term bearish on Nvidia or are looking for a short-term hedge on their existing long position, consider using the AXS 1.25x NVDA Bear Daily ETF (NVDS). NVDS is a leveraged ETF designed by AXS Investments to seek 125% of the inverse of NVDA’s daily performance. This leverage can help magnify the performance of each trade so that even smaller, short-lived dips have the potential to generate meaningful gains for traders. Use of this ETF also avoids having to source a borrow on NVDA from your broker which can be a hassle at times. At the same time, leveraged ETFs do come with additional risk and NVDS is not intended to be held for longer than a day. So it’s especially important that traders do their research and understand how to incorporate the leveraged ETF into their overall trading strategy. But when used carefully, NVDS could be a great tool for turning your bearish assumptions about Nvidia into potential yield. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 22, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time

ESE Entertainment Enters Strategic Partnership With BlackPines, To Sell 70% Stake In GameAddik To BlackPines For About $9 Million

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga ESE Entertainment (OTCQX: ENTEF) (TSXV: ESE) is a leading global technology company that operates primarily in the gaming and esports industry. In the gaming industry, ESE provides crucial technology solutions to video game developers, publishers and brands, and the company is actively involved in fan engagement services globally. It also operates its own e-commerce channels. However, the company is most well known for its involvement in the esports industry. A prominent player in the global gaming and esports industry, ESE recently announced an all-cash transaction – the company has reached an agreement with an affiliate of BlackPines Capital Partners Ltd. to sell 70% of the shares of its subsidiary, GameAddik. The remaining 30% of GameAddik's shares will still be owned by ESE. As part of the deal, BlackPines will pay ESE a total of $9,100,000 in cash for the purchase, with some adjustments to the final amount. Additionally, 15% of the payment will be held back initially to cover any potential indemnification obligations from ESE. This holdback will be released to ESE in two portions, with one portion after 6 months and the other after 12 months, depending on any outstanding claims. "We couldn't be more excited about our investment in GameAddik and partnership with ESE Entertainment," said Darren Huston, CEO & Founder of BlackPines. "We have an ambitious plan to invest in and grow the business, and to help an already outstanding team deliver industry-best marketing ROIs to a growing roster of PC game industry customers.” Darren Huston has a strong background and expertise in the technology and travel industries, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision. One of the most notable successes in Darren Huston's career was his tenure as the CEO of Priceline Group, one of the world's largest online travel companies. Under his leadership, the company experienced significant growth and expansion, solidifying its position as a global leader in the travel industry. Through strategic acquisitions and innovative business strategies, Huston successfully steered Priceline Group towards sustained profitability and market dominance. Another remarkable highlight of Darren Huston's successful career was his role as the CEO of Booking.com, a subsidiary of Priceline Group. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in transforming Booking.com into one of the world's leading online hotel reservation platforms. Under his guidance, the company focused on enhancing the user experience, and the platform witnessed tremendous growth, capturing a significant share of the online hotel booking market. His involvement in the ESE transaction is notable for the company’s positive outlook. Konrad Wasiela, CEO of ESE shared his thoughts on the transaction, sharing, "This transaction and partnership with BlackPines marks a significant milestone in ESE's growth trajectory. We're aligning our growth path with a proven technology executive and entrepreneur with world-class exits. We're confident that this partnership will propel GameAddik, and ESE as a whole, into a period of growth. The synergy will empower GameAddik to harness its full potential, further enabling ESE to deliver premier services to the gaming community. As we retain a strategic stake in GameAddik, we'll continue to be a part of its journey, ensuring this partnership fuels mutual growth and success in our industry." This agreement marks an important step for ESE as it continues to strategically navigate its business operations and partnerships in the gaming industry to drive continued growth. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 22, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Shapeways Transforms Multi-Billion-Dollar Manufacturing Industry; Its Proprietary Software Empowers On-Demand Production

Benzinga

By David Willey, Benzinga Shapeways Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHPW), a leading digital manufacturing company, is positioned to transform the global manufacturing industry. The company has advanced its mission by providing on-demand manufacturing services at scale, simplifying complex production processes via proprietary software. Shapeways also provides its digital manufacturing software platform to other companies, enabling them to digitize operations, grow revenue, increase profitability, and expand their manufacturing capabilities. The global manufacturing market is challenged with slow, inflexible processes focused on mass production, and often fails to meet evolving customer needs. Shapeways addresses these challenges by enabling customers to access high-quality, on-demand manufacturing services. This not only speeds up time-to-market but also reduces cost, and offers flexibility for adapting to changing requirements. By leveraging software, Shapeways has digitized the end-to-end manufacturing process and is helping other manufacturers do the same as they reshape the global manufacturing industry. Manufacturing Solutions Shapeways operates in the global digital manufacturing market, worth $276 billion in 2020 according to Allied Market Research, and predicted to reach $1.3 trillion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5% over the decade. The company’s mission is to integrate modern technology into the global manufacturing framework, introducing fresh perspectives and practical solutions for optimizing the entire manufacturing process–beginning with product development. Shapeways recognizes major challenges in the manufacturing industry, mainly stemming from a sluggish response to shifting market needs. Traditional manufacturing's focus on mass production often restricts the options available to clients. To counter this, Shapeways introduces transformative solutions like additive manufacturing to enhance flexibility and adaptability. According to a Smithers report, “ The Future of 3D Printing to 2027,” the additive manufacturing industry, where Shapeways plays a key role, was worth $5.8 billion in 2016 and is predicted to reach $55 billion in 2027 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23% during the forecast period. To date, the company has manufactured over 24 million unique parts delivered to more than 1 million customers in over 180 countries. Shapeways reports strong customer relationships, with a less than 1% complaint rate and a 98% on-time delivery rate for its manufactured parts. Software Solutions The Shapeways-owned OTTO software offering is a comprehensive manufacturing software suite that enables other manufacturers to digitize their operations, leading to increased revenue, improved profitability, expanded capabilities, and greater customer satisfaction. Shapeways deploys this software offering through its MFG.com brand, serving as a key software solution connecting buyers with sellers of custom parts. MFG.com reduces costs, streamlines supply chains, and delivers services that improve value for everyone involved in the manufacturing equation. Shapeways is creating scalable, high-margin recurring revenue through its MFG customer base. The company’s reported earnings for Q1 2023 included more than 50% quarter-on-quarter growth in its Software-as-a-Service bookings, consistent customer retention, and a customer lifetime value of over $4,200. Shapeways also just announced an enhancement of its MFG brand with a positive response. The company has further expanded its offerings with MFG Materials, and the launch of a 3D Model Viewer created to improve the quoting experience and generate more leads for manufacturers. Read more about what Shapeways is doing in the manufacturing and software industries. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 22, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Imagine Joining All Cryptocurrency Networks Into A Super-Network That Is Cross-Chain And Protocol-Driven — Swopblock Is Doing Just That

Benzinga

By James Wells, Benzinga Learn more about and invest in SwopBlock via Wefunder In an ideal scenario, all cryptocurrency blockchains would be interconnected, providing users with a seamless experience across chains and apps. Yet, interoperability still remains a significant challenge. Emerging technologies aim to interlink blockchains and streamline asset and information movement. Swopblock, a cross-chain trading protocol, is at the forefront, aspiring to be the most decentralized medium of cross-chain trading. The following article will explore how Swopblock aims to consolidate liquidity within the decentralized exchange (DEX) world in an entirely decentralized fashion. Decentralized DEXs: Confronting Current Limitations And Siloed Blockchains DeFi Llama reports over 200 different blockchain networks, with Ethereum, Tron, and Binance Smart Chain commanding over 75% of the market. Despite progress in interoperability, these blockchains mainly operate separately, leading to talent and resources focusing on competing networks instead of a unified system. The siloed nature of blockchains is primarily problematic for end-users, as cross-chain trading proves challenging. This is due to most DEXs' lack of multi-chain support, absent of access to various altcoin swaps. For instance, Uniswap, the leading DEX by trading volume, only supports 7 EVM-compatible networks. Hence, more users are opting for cross-chain exchanges to simplify asset transfers and navigation across chains. However, these exchanges address the interoperability problem by pooling liquidity across multiple blockchains which exposes user's assets to external hacking and internal theft. Swopblock: Unleashing A New Era In Cross-Chain Trading Swopblock, an open-source, proof-of-relay (PoR) protocol, allows peer-to-peer, self-custodial, cross-chain trading. It lets users transact directly from their wallets without giving their crypto keys to any intermediary. Unlike native blockchain-restricted DEXs, Swopblock enables both retail users and institutions to seamlessly transfer assets, including Ethereum, Bitcoin and more. The Swopblock protocol is powered by its Liquidity Stream, the underlying infrastructure that channels market volume. SWOBL, the native asset of the protocol, serves as a free-flowing medium of exchange that provides 100% of the market volume necessary for autonomous cross-blockchain trading between peers. A New Era Of Infrastructure: Swopblock's Impact While other decentralized cross-chain exchanges like THORChain, Open Ocean, and RocketX exist, Swopblock revolutionizes the industry through total decentralization. This is realized by ensuring 100% liquidity distribution across all user wallets. Such distribution reduces the hacking risks associated with liquidity pools, bridges and pipes, as they often hold significant cash, making them prone to exploits and attacks. In 2022 alone, over $2.8 billion of crypto was lost due to hacks and exploits, with crowd looting and bridge exploits being common examples. The Utility Of SWOBL In addition to complete decentralization, 100% liquidity distribution across all user wallets allows for equitable value accrual across the entire ecosystem. As trading volume rises, so does SWOBL demand, benefiting all users, traders, or investors who hold SWOBL. Swopblock is currently raising funds for its official launch, rewarding early investors with additional SWOBL in four phases based on their investment size and timing. Early exposure could be a profitable choice for investors who believe in the future of Swopblock's superior technology. Looking Ahead: Exploring The Future Of DEXs With Swopblock Swopblock is a powerful solution to the existing limitations of the DEX landscape. It proposes a fully decentralized, self-custodial, cross-chain trading method that helps users autonomously navigate blockchain networks. As crypto adoption grows, Swopblock's unique decentralized strategy could leverage this demand. Learn more about and invest in SwopBlock via Wefunder This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 22, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time

San Francisco Business Times Names Landis Communications Inc. (Landis) the Top 2022 Bay Area Corporate Philanthropist as a Percentage Of Profits

Landis Communications

The San Francisco Business Times named Landis Communications Inc. (Landis) the top Bay Area corporate philanthropist for 2022, based on a percentage of profits and biggest increase in percent of profits donated from 2021 to 2022. In addition, for the fourth year in a row, the newspaper ranked the San Francisco-based integrated marketing communications agency in the top 100 Bay Area corporations for overall corporate giving. Of those top Bay Area corporations (including Salesforce, PG&E, Gilead, Levi Strauss, Clorox), Landis, at 45.48%, had the highest percentage of annual profits donated to charitable organizations. The second biggest donor, Salesforce, clocked in at 5.38%. The agency previously made the Bay Area Corporate Philanthropists List in 2021, 2020 and 2019. “We are committed to running a values-aligned company,” commented Landis President/CEO Sean Dowdall. “To Landis, ‘values-aligned’ means we seek to produce work and represent clients that help make our communities a better place for all – now and in the future. For example, we believe in a healthy environment, technology that helps people, social justice and the enrichment of our society through quality healthcare, education and the arts. We are proud to support and represent organizations such as ODC, Joe Goode Performance Group, Live at the Orinda, Bay Area Cabaret, Peninsula Open Space Trust, Save the Redwoods League, and World Wildlife Fund, to name a few. We also support LGBTQ+ organizations such as Project Open Hand, the SF LGBT Center, PRC and numerous other social services organizations, particularly in San Francisco.” The San Francisco Business Times also has ranked Landis for many years as a top Bay Area LGBTQ+-owned agency, as well as a top family-owned agency. Landis remains one of the few independent public relations and marketing communications agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area and represents clients in various industry sectors, including environmental, technology, healthcare and hospitality organizations. ABOUT LANDIS COMMUNICATIONS INC. (Landis): Landis’ motto is: “We believe in ideas that create change. We craft compelling stories. And, we communicate.” Celebrating 33 years in business, Landis is an award-winning, full-service, integrated public relations, marketing communications, digital and social media agency. The agency offers a unique mix of expertise in corporate, consumer, technology, B2B, B2C, healthcare, environmental, arts/culture and nonprofit marketing communications. Ragan’s ACE Awards named Landis America’s #1 Small Agency and America’s #1 Healthcare PR Agency. Landis also is the San Francisco/Silicon Valley member agency of the Public Relations Global Network, with 60+ agency affiliates worldwide. For further information, visit Landis online. ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS TIMES’ CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY AWARDS: For 23 years the San Francisco Business Times has published the Corporate Philanthropists List. The list features 100 top corporate philanthropists in the Bay Area ranked by local cash giving. Each year the list is unveiled at the San Francisco Business Times’ Corporate Philanthropy Awards event. The Corporate Philanthropy Awards program was founded in partnership with Northern California Grantmakers. A portion of the proceeds goes to NCG to fund the Corporate Philanthropy Institute, with the mission to educate more companies about effective giving and best philanthropy practices. The aim is to honor those who give the most and in doing so to help raise the bar and inspire more giving. MEDIA, PLEASE NOTE: To request further information, interviews or additional images, please contact Brianne Murphy Miller at brianne@landispr.com or (650) 575-7727. ### Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Brianne Murphy Miller +1 650-575-7727 brianne@landispr.com Company Website https://www.landispr.com/

August 22, 2023 06:02 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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NAVEX Enhances Communication with AI-Driven Translations

NAVEX Global

NAVEX, the leader in integrated risk and compliance management software, announces the launch of a new NAVEX One platform shared service: dynamic machine translations. This first-to-market addition in the governance, risk and compliance (GRC) space will empower organizations operating across different countries to overcome language barriers, enabling accurate risk and compliance-related communication between employees, third parties and program administrators. NAVEX understands the challenges organizations face in maintaining accurate communication when dealing with sensitive data arising from risk and compliance tasks. Many organizations struggle with language barriers, hindering effective collaboration. With varying language skills among responders, the potential for misunderstandings and misinterpretations can be detrimental to decision-making and compliance efforts – especially in time-sensitive cases. "NAVEX is pioneering the future of machine translations within the GRC space, directly tackling the complexities of multilingual communication," stated A.G. Lambert, chief product officer at NAVEX. "The integration of secure machine translation into NAVEX One makes it simple for GRC professionals to translate disclosures, assessments, and responses, leading to better communication and faster resolution." The introduction of dynamic machine translations addresses these issues and improves communication efficiency. With advanced artificial intelligence technology, this shared service allows end users to translate directly from the NAVEX One user interface. How machine translations work In the past, administrators encountered the repetitive task of manually copying text, relying on external translation tools, and then painstakingly inputting the translations to proceed with their workflow. However, with the introduction of the machine translations shared service built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), administrators are now equipped to address important matters promptly and efficiently, leading to quicker resolution rates. Moreover, administrators can assess third-party entities proficiently, regardless of the languages they speak or the answers they provide. The user-friendly NAVEX One interface makes translating disclosures, evaluations, and responses easy, promoting smooth communication and understanding. "By relying on the broadest and deepest set of cloud services on AWS, including Amazon Translate, NAVEX is able to use machine translations within the governance, risk and compliance space, directly tackling the complexities of multilingual communication,” stated Venky Nagapudi, Senior Product Management Leader, Amazon Translate, AWS. “The work between NAVEX and AWS makes it easy to translate disclosures, assessments, and responses, leading to better communication and faster resolution." Key benefits of NAVEX One machine translations include: Multilingual support: The system supports 75 languages, facilitating seamless communication with stakeholders worldwide. Accurate and reliable: Powered by advanced neural network technology, the feature ensures precise translation of critical information. Streamlined workflow: The translation functionality integrates seamlessly into existing GRC workflows, saving time and effort for administrators and responders. Cost-effective translations: Organizations can deliver faster results and decrease operational costs by reducing the need for external translation services. Data privacy: Advanced technical and physical measures, including encryption at rest and in transit, are used to prevent unauthorized access or sharing of content. Incorporating a dynamic machine translation service highlights NAVEX's continued commitment to fostering innovative solutions throughout the NAVEX One platform. By seamlessly integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, NAVEX continues to empower companies to overcome language obstacles, promoting cross-cultural teamwork and elevating the effectiveness of GRC processes. As NAVEX continues to leverage AI and ML, it cements its position as a leader in cutting-edge technology within the GRC space. The NAVEX One GRC – Information System Multilingual Machine Translation marks a bold stride in NAVEX’s innovative journey following the recent launch of the NAVEX Compliance Assistant. NAVEX's unwavering commitment to AI/ML innovation propels the governance, risk, and compliance landscape into a new era. By harnessing the power of AI, NAVEX is reshaping the compliance landscape, streamlining intricate processes, and automating tasks. This first-to-market shared service accelerates and enhances compliance initiatives while fostering clarity across your organization. Navigate the future of compliance with your AI-powered ally, simplifying employee compliance in ways that redefine ease and efficiency. For more information, visit the NAVEX One Platform. And read our blog. NAVEX is trusted by thousands of customers worldwide to help them achieve the business outcomes that matter most. As the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software and services, we deliver solutions through the NAVEX One platform, the industry’s most comprehensive governance, risk and compliance (GRC) information system. For more information, visit NAVEX.com and our blog. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Contact Details Scott Levesque +1 617-388-5773 scott.levesque@navex.com Company Website https://www.navex.com

August 22, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

COMCAST EXPANDING TO 3,400 HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN SPRING HILL, KS

Comcast Greater Kansas City

Comcast announced that 50% of Spring Hill residents can now sign up for its smart, fast and reliable fiber-rich network. This expansion brings residential broadband speeds faster than 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) and business speeds up to 100 Gbps to 3,400 additional homes and businesses in the area by early 2024. As part of this work, the company is also investing $9 million in a 2-year project to expand its fiber-rich network infrastructure over 75 miles in the area. "Spring Hill welcomes Comcast's investment in our community. A broadband expansion project like this strengthens workforce development, education and employment,” said Spring Hill Mayor Joe Berkey. “A robust broadband infrastructure allows Spring Hill to attract businesses seeking to locate or expand their operations here. I am grateful for Comcast’s commitment to expanding broadband access in our growing community.” In the last three years, Comcast has invested nearly $40.3 million in the State of Kansas including capital expenditures, employee wages and benefits, taxes and fees and charitable giving. The company has invested more than $11.4 million in technology and infrastructure, including upgrades to their network to deliver innovative, reliable and affordable broadband service to everyone in the Comcast footprint in Kansas. “Ensuring all Spring Hill residents and businesses have access to reliable, high-speed internet is a top priority for Comcast,” said Kalyn Hove, Regional Senior Vice President for Comcast. “As the world we live in becomes increasingly digital, we remain focused on not only bringing our broadband network to Spring Hill homes and businesses, but also on future-proofing our network to meet the ever-increasing appetite for education, business and entertainment.” Powered by the Xfinity 10G Network Comcast’s network and Internet experience are powering homes and businesses today and into the future: Ultimate Capacity: Xfinity customers connect nearly 1 billion devices across the company’s network annually. The Xfinity 10G Network with the next-generation Xfinity gateways deliver the most advanced WiFi technology carrying three times more bandwidth to power streaming, gaming, videoconferencing, and more, simultaneously. Fastest Internet: More than a third of Xfinity Internet customers subscribe to gigabit speed products, and symmetrical gig speeds are coming to the first homes this year. Unprecedented Coverage: The latest Xfinity Gateway provides a more reliable connection throughout the home. Customers can get wall-to-wall WiFi coverage with a powerful Xfinity WiFi Boost Pod that extends coverage to hard-to-reach areas, with plans for an offering of increased support for in-home WiFi through a “boost guarantee” later this year. Most Reliable Connection: Comcast is scaling the nation’s largest and most reliable network – the Xfinity 10G Network – that passes 60 million homes and businesses and counting. The company plans to launch a new device that is “storm ready” with cellular and battery backup to help keep customers connected even when the power goes out. Ultra-Low Latency: The Xfinity 10G Network and the latest Xfinity Gateway are a powerful combination that deliver ultra-low latency for those moments when response times matter most like video games, a fast-growing category with Xfinity households averaging more than one gaming console per home. Spring Hill residents will also be able to take advantage of the company’s Internet Essentials program that provides low-cost, high-speed broadband for income-constrained households. Since its inception in 2011, the program has connected more than 6,400 Kansas residents. Comcast also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides qualifying households with a $30 monthly credit toward internet and mobile services. "Our region is making great strides toward digital equity thanks to engaged community members and dedicated partners like Comcast,” said Janet McRea, Miami County Economic Development Director. “It is important for us to have reliable, affordable connections in our communities. In addition, we must have collaborations like the ones offered by Comcast that help customers utilize those connections to access vital services to move our local economy." For local businesses, Comcast Business offers a suite of connectivity, cybersecurity, managed solutions and Comcast Business Mobile products designed specifically for their employee’s needs. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable and Internet provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading providers to larger organizations in the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. Supporting local communities has been core to Comcast’s DNA. In 2023, Comcast will sponsor several community events with the City of Spring Hill and the Spring Hill Recreation Commission including the Spring Hill Fishing Derby, Big Truck Day and Breakfast with Santa. As a sponsor of the Spring Hill Fall Festival, Comcast’s staff has been able to connect directly with residents to provide information about the services they offer. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Jill Hornbacher Jill_Hornbacher@comcast.com Venice Communication Jayne Siemens jsiemens@vencomm.com Company Website https://corporate.comcast.com/

August 22, 2023 07:00 AM Central Daylight Time

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