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Marketplacer Helps FINN Give Refurbished Electronics A Second Life

Marketplacer

Marketplacer, a global technology platform that enables brands, retailers, suppliers, communities, and innovators to build and grow successful online marketplaces at scale, is proud to announce today that one of the most well-known brands in Norway - FINN - is experiencing record growth on its new Marketplacer-powered e-commerce site for used smartphones and accessories, FINN Nybrukt. Based in Oslo, Norway, FINN is the country’s largest online marketplace, allowing consumers to purchase anything from cars to houses to general merchandise. In February 2023, the company expanded these offerings with the launch of FINN Nybrukt, a new e-commerce marketplace for used smartphones and accessories, where buyers can choose from a variety of pre-owned, refurbished phones, and sellers can help their used phones find a second “life” and avoid the landfill, which is a key mission for FINN. Essentially functioning as a boot-strapping startup within the larger Schibsted family of brands, the team at FINN considered building an e-commerce platform on its own. Instead, the team decided that its business objectives would be better served by choosing a technology partner that it could collaborate with in order to meet its business objectives. FINN chose Marketplacer because the company’s fast, flexible and easily-scalable marketplace platform technology aligned perfectly with FINN’s accelerated time-to-market target. “FINN was already a household name in Norway, but what the team was looking to do with FINN Nybrukt was a new adventure,” said Marketplacer CEO and Co-Founder Jason Wyatt. “We have a deep understanding of the different needs and approaches start-ups have compared to their more established corporate counterparts. FINN knows how to sell almost anything and we know how to create the infrastructure to make it happen and how to make it happen fast.” Ultimately, FINN was able to launch its new Marketplacer-powered e-commerce platform in less than six months and the site continues to experience a tremendous uptick in interest over the first few months of operations. In fact, while July is traditionally a slow month for sales in Norway, FINN Nybrukt saw an all-time high in sales. “We are always looking for new business models for marketplaces and the demand for refurbished electronics is hot,” according to Emilie Høstmark, team lead for refurbished electronics at FINN/Schibsted’s Nordic Marketplaces division. “Since so many people have used electronics, giving them a simple way to re-circulate them not only makes economic sense, but also helps the environment by reducing e-waste. The partnership also enables us to scale and expand into other countries across the region which was a key consideration for us.” Following the success of its refurbished smartphones marketplace, FINN plans to expand into additional categories, including tablets, smartwatches and AirPods, with the potential to further expand into gaming equipment and more. The company is also looking to expand geographically, leveraging its sister marketplaces across the Nordic region. The FINN Nybrukt marketplace is live and interested sellers in the Nordics can find more information here. About Marketplacer Marketplacer is a global technology Software as a Service (SaaS) platform equipped with all the tools and functionality needed to build successful and scalable online marketplaces, at speed. To date, Marketplacer has helped build and deploy over 100 Marketplaces connecting over 13,000 businesses worldwide. The Marketplacer platform exists to make growth simple, from implementing marketplace strategies such as shipment from drop-ship sellers, adding new categories or third-party range extension, through to consolidating markets and rolling out modern revenue models such as recurring memberships that allow businesses to grow faster and beyond the constraints of capital inventory. Born and bred from the award-winning BikeExchange, the biggest online marketplace for anything and everything bike, founders Jason Wyatt and Sam Salter saw the opportunity to license the online software platform and apply it to new marketplaces. Marketplacer is responsible for the creation of online e-commerce solutions and business transformations of companies around the world. Visit www.marketplacer.com for more information. About FINN FINN.no is Norway's largest online marketplace with almost 500 employees and was founded in 2000. Ever since, FINN has gained enormous popularity among Norwegians, its reputation is one of Norway's strongest and almost every Norwegian has a relationship with FINN. Every year Norwegians spend an average of almost 33 hours on FINN.no. and more than 14 million ads are published. FINN has the #1 position in the markets they are in and connects millions of buyers and sellers. Whether it is to buy or sell products, looking for a house or a new job, browse cars or boats, or dreaming of the next holiday - FINN offers the opportunity to realize dreams and make sustainable choices. As part of Schibsted Nordic Marketplaces, which consists of strong, local marketplaces across the Nordics, FINN also has a cross-Nordic perspective and view. Contact Details Marketplacer Press Inquiries: Michael Herrera michael.herrera@marketplacer.com Company Website https://www.marketplacer.com/

September 12, 2023 12:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

VT Markets Is The New Multi-Award Winning Brokerage Catering To The MENA Region

Benzinga

In recent years, Forex and contract for difference (CFD) trading have seen a tremendous surge in popularity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This growth can be attributed largely to increased market accessibility, technological advancements and the desire for diversified investment opportunities. One of the main drivers of the growing popularity of Forex and CFD trading in the MENA region is the increasing accessibility to global financial markets. Traditionally, access to such markets was limited to institutional investors or high-net-worth individuals. However, with the emergence of online trading platforms and the widespread availability of internet services, retail traders in the MENA region can now easily participate in the global financial market. This shift has democratized trading and opened up new opportunities for individuals seeking to diversify their investment portfolios. Low corporate tax rates and clear regulations have attracted many brokers to the region, and companies like VT Markets are catering and contributing to this growth in the MENA region. VT Markets is a well-known and respected broker that offers multi-asset trading services to retail traders worldwide, with a focus on Forex and CFD. Based in Australia, this brokerage has established itself as a trusted name over the last decade by providing innovative products and services that cater to the needs of traders. With over 200,000 clients from over 160 countries, the company has cemented its reputation by facilitating an average daily trade volume of over 4 million trades each month. Traders can sign up for an account with VT Markets in a matter of minutes. The development of user-friendly trading platforms and mobile applications has made it easier for traders to access and trade financial markets on the go. Platforms like VT Markets provide real-time market data, charting tools and educational resources that enable traders to make informed investment decisions. VT Market has successfully created a trustworthy and user-friendly platform that caters to the needs of all traders, particularly those in the MENA region who are new to trading. The demand for mobile app trading has been soaring, with a staggering $22 billion in revenue generated in the year 2022 in the U.S. alone. Forex trading has reached new highs, with a daily turnover of $7.5 trillion globally in 2022, up from $6.6 trillion in 2019. There are approximately 10 million Forex traders globally. Interestingly, more than 50% of Forex traders favor trading through mobile devices or apps. Recognizing the demand for mobile apps, VT Markets provides a range of platforms to cater to different preferences, including the renowned MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms, along with WebTrader, WebTrader+, and their proprietary VT Markets app. The company was honored with the title of Best Multi-Asset Broker in South Africa 2023 by World Business Stars Magazine, solidifying its reputation as a reliable broker. VT Markets’ excellence in Forex trading was also acknowledged by World Business Stars Magazine, which awarded the company Best Forex Platform in UAE 2023. Notably, the company was also recognized as the Best Multi-Asset Broker in the MENA region for 2023 by International Business Magazine, further highlighting its appeal and recognition among traders in the Middle East and North Africa. These awards highlight VT Market's commitment to providing exceptional services and platforms to its clients. Learn more about VT Markets by visiting its website. 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

September 11, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time

QYOU Media’s Q TV Empowers Viewers To Find “A Creator in Every Home”

QYOU Media

Contact Details Doug Barker +1 437-992-4814 iain@digitonic.co.uk Company Website https://www.valuethemarkets.com

September 08, 2023 11:12 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Open Letter to Leaders of the European Union: Hold Amit Shah Accountable

Human Rights Transparency Trust

Human Rights Index, a platform dedicated to raising awareness about human rights issues worldwide, has published the following open letter urging a call to action for global democratic leaders with regard to the policies and actions of India’s Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah: “As leaders from around the globe gear up for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Dehli, attention is drawn to India, a significant force in international politics and the global economy. Central to India's contemporary political scene is Amit Shah, a man whose political ambitions, beliefs, and far-reaching influence demand careful examination and consideration. Amit Shah's rise to power, his control over India's law enforcement agencies, his handling of protests, and his stance on issues such as national security, surveillance, and minority rights paint a picture of a leader with a complex and often controversial legacy. Shah's support for policies that may undermine minority rights, his alleged involvement in personal scandals and abuses, and his influence over law enforcement have led to questions about transparency, accountability, and potential abuse of power. His remarks that Western standards of human rights do not apply to India have alarmed human rights advocates globally. The upcoming G20 summit presents an opportunity for the international community to engage with India on these critical issues. It is a moment to call for reforms, to scrutinize Shah's track record, and to consider the broader implications of his leadership for regional and global security. Consider those who will look to us to defend human rights, in any language, society or culture across the globe. Let this be a call to action for world leaders, human rights organizations, and concerned citizens to take a hard look at India's human rights track record with Shah as a key advisor to Prime Minister Modi. The world must not turn a blind eye to the warning signs. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now. The G20 summit must serve as a platform for constructive dialogue and accountability, ensuring that the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law are upheld. International leaders must call Amit Shah to account for his actions and not let the G20 Summit pass without remaining true to the values that bind us as a global community.” A comprehensive report detailing the influence, impact, and concerns raised by stakeholders around the world regarding the actions and politics of Amit Shah is available for download here. The Human Rights Index is a platform dedicated to raising awareness about the complex crisis faced by refugees in India. Its mission is to bring attention to the history of discrimination and violence faced by religious and ethnic minorities in India. Through research and advocacy, it aims to promote human rights and support those affected by persecution. Contact Details Human Rights Index Press Team +44 7584 421001 comms@hrindex.fund

September 08, 2023 10:12 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Mark Barnes Shares Keys to Tripling Sales & Growing Into Million-Dollar Business in Bakersfield, CA

Minuteman Press International Inc.

In the three and a half years since Mark Barnes purchased the Minuteman Press franchise in Bakersfield, CA located at 4500 Easton Drive, he has more than tripled his sales. Mark shares, “Before the acquisition in December of 2019, the prior year’s sales totaled just under $500,000. Our current 12-month sales (as of August of 2023) is just over $1.75 million.” In 2023, Mark became one of the newest members of the Minuteman Press International President’s Club for top performers (based on 2022 yearly sales). Mark shares his keys to growing the business as well as his journey to Minuteman Press in Bakersfield. He also gives his thoughts on the printing industry today, what it’s like owning a business in Bakersfield, the ongoing franchise support he’s received from Minuteman Press, and more. What does it mean to you to be a member of the Minuteman Press President’s Club? Mark Barnes: “Making the President’s Club has always been a goal from the very beginning! We knew it wouldn’t be easy and it would take a lot of hard work and a little time, but we knew with the right team, and the right approach, it was only a matter of time before we got it. 3 years in, and we made it!” What are the 3 biggest keys to your sales growth and success? Mark Barnes: “Our sales growth success has been through a variety of factors. I feel like we have taken an ‘all of the above’ approach. We incrementally increased our ad spend, and tested and adjusted as necessary We took a focused approach on our networking opportunities We added product lines and revenue streams to our offering mix, and we have looked for strategic partnerships that made sense We were already doing wholesale print for what you might consider our competitors, but we are equipped and positioned to do more, better, with our facility and equipment mix, so when we realized there was some untapped potential to expand on that, we actively pursued those opportunities as well. If we don’t get the account directly, due to, perhaps, a relationship, we will look to get them indirectly through wholesaling to our competition that can’t offer what we can.” What are your high-demand products and key growth areas? Mark Barnes: “We have many high-demand products and services. Our high growth areas have been direct mail marketing and compliance mailings, programs for events, signs, branded apparel, and “operational” things like blueprints. Promotional items have also played a large role.” Why do you think printing remains so vital to businesses today? Mark Barnes: “Print remains vital because it drives behavior. Think about your daily life, do you stand in the wine aisle and judge a wine by its label when looking for a decent wine? Imagine if all of those labels were blank and you just had rows of bottles, how would you ‘know’ what to choose? You wouldn’t. If this is you, you are relying on print to drive your behavior. Maybe you casually look at a speed limit sign to adjust your driving speed, those are printed folks, and you have just relied on print to change your behavior in that moment. Print is ubiquitous and has been around all of us our entire lives; for that reason, print has an inherent trust built in because we rely on it day in and day out, and we don’t even realize it. I have had people ask me if print was dying and I asked, ‘Why because the credit card companies want you to go ‘green’ by paying your bills online?’ They certainly do this, but they turn around and send you all of these offers for new credit cards via direct mail, because they know direct mail works to drive revenues and new acquisitions. Need more proof that print is here to stay? Just ask the savvy marketers that rely on us for their campaigns, and even their clients’ campaigns. Spend a day in our office and you will see how high emotions can run when a marketer has waited until the last minute for something, or when blueprints are needed to submit plans by a deadline, and then ask yourself why these people bring us food and snacks as a way of saying thank you. How many businesses have their clients bringing them food? Print is vital – and everyone from marketers to admins that need to make sure they have the things they need for their team – understands this.” How would you best describe your business community in Bakersfield? Mark Barnes: “I would put our business community up against any in the nation. We have a robust and growing business community in both our local Bakersfield area and our county as a whole. In fact, this entire region is that way. The San Joaquin Valley where we are located feeds the world when it comes to many fruits and vegetables and nuts. The scale of the reach of businesses here blows my mind. Maybe more importantly, our business community is active and involved, supports one another, and I am honored to have developed personal relationships with so many of the business owners and leaders here. Many have become friends, and even mentors (whether they realize it or not).” What was your previous background and why did you choose Minuteman Press? Mark Barnes: “I was in the corporate world in the oil and gas industry for nearly 15 years. Prior to acquiring Minuteman Press, I was the Regional Manager for an oil and gas manufacturer and supplier of key products for the industry. I was tasked with leading a turnaround effort in that role where the company was looking to regain market share. I earned the trust of the tenured staff, got some wins early, and then we added a completely new product line that I had background with from a previous career. After getting market share with that product line, we then identified other locations to expand. We opened a new location a few hours away, secured the business we were going after there, and began due diligence on the next location. I was traveling back and forth to our manufacturing facility in Texas and learned a ton about manufacturing processes in general, being lean, and I felt like there was a lot of overlap with Minuteman Press. Minuteman Press is a manufacturer and I felt like there were a lot of similarities – the processes, the tenured staff in place, the reputation and book of business in place, and I felt like Minuteman Press was simply producing ‘a different widget’ and that the transition would be relatively smooth as a result. Of course, we didn’t account for a global pandemic three months after taking over, supply chain issues, employee shortages, and those things. With that said, because of my corporate experience and with the support of Minuteman Press, we were well-equipped to manage through these challenges when they did come up. As you can see, we managed through them relatively successfully. We continue to learn and improve as we go. That’s what it’s all about, continuous improvement.” What has the franchise support from Minuteman Press been like for you? Mark Barnes: “The support from Minuteman Press has been great. Obviously, something like the pandemic presented many challenges for all businesses, but being new in business for myself, the support we received was critical. They rolled out new programs; they provided marketing support and operational support when we needed it; and my favorite part has been the best practice training we continue to get regionally. Every 3-6 months, we have the 54 owners in my region get together and exchange best practices on just about everything from marketing, operations, product/service mix, staffing, accounting, etc. This has been vital as the different owners have their own experiences and insights that we get to learn from. They are also at different locations in the region so we get to see how they have their operation set up and it just goes a long way with exposure to new ideas or confirming what we are already doing. The President’s Club meeting was also important because those owners were top performers and the advice and conversations there, along with the new relationships established, have elevated us even further.” What are the biggest personal and professional rewards of owning your business? Mark Barnes: “The biggest personal reward of owning my own business is simply fulfilling the long-standing desire to own my own business. I’ve always been entrepreneurial and I feel so good every single day that I am in control of my own destiny. I love that I’m able to help provide for staff that can then provide for their families, and that we are able to help our business partners provide for their families (because at the end of the day we are helping businesses grow or become more efficient, and that improves their own lives by extension). Even when things are hard or stressful, that feeling overrides all of that for me, and I feel lucky. Professionally, I’m just proud to have developed great new friendships and mentorships in the business community here. I’ve been able to give back in various ways; I’m on the board of a non-profit, I’m on the board of the Bakersfield Rotary, and these have led to wonderful opportunities to give back but also to learn from such strong and high level leaders; I’m just very fortunate.” What are 1 or 2 key pieces of advice would you give to other owners? Mark Barnes: “My biggest piece of advice for other Minuteman Press owners is to think big. We look at ourselves as commercial printers, marketers and designers. We are not a quick copy model; we are a commercial level organization helping other organizations achieve their business goals by being a trusted and valued partner of theirs. We look to align ourselves with organizations as partners – the Robin to their Batman – supporting them from recruiting employees and marketing their value propositions in the marketplace to supporting their operations internally with critical items used in the day-to-day operation of the enterprise. We don’t need the limelight; we just aim to add value to the full life cycle of a given day in their operation. As our clients succeed, we will succeed… so we have a vested interest in their success and making sure we are acting as a good partner in every way we can.” Minuteman Press in Bakersfield is located at 4500 Easton Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93309. For more information, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/ca/bakersfield/ 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

September 08, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Cybersecurity Tech Company Sekur Reports Increased Traffic And Conversion Rates After Launching Revamped Website

Benzinga

By Rachael Green, Benzinga This month, Sekur Private Data (OTCQB: SWISF) (CSE: SKUR (FRA: GDT0) announced the launch of its updated website, featuring all new product pages for its leading secure and private communications solutions: SekurVPN, SekurMessenger and SekurMail. The move is part of Sekur’s larger 2023 strategy to increase sales by growing brand awareness and driving more traffic to their site. “We are now seeing the beginnings of the strategy bearing fruit and are very encouraged to stick to our strategy,” said Sekur CEO Alain Ghai. “Our site visits are increasing, and our conversion rate is increasing as well.” The Revamped Website Better Showcases The Security And Privacy Features Of Each Sekur Solution The new website provides dedicated pages for each of Sekur’s major security and privacy solutions, giving consumers better information on how each solution works and what separates it from other products on the market. SekurVPN, for example, offers the world’s first commercially available Swiss-hosted, data mining-free, non-bigtech hosted, private encrypted virtual private networks (VPNs) on the market. Where other providers often rely on third-party hosting or bundle their VPN service with third-party add-ons like anti-virus software or ad blockers, therefore sharing users’ data with third-party service providers, Sekur’s VPN solution is truly private. It’s hosted exclusively on Sekur’s own Swiss-based servers and doesn’t tack on any third-party services. That exclusivity is key in a market where data mining and data leaks are serious issues. While VPNs are meant to protect a users’ data, some VPN providers, including a Meta (NASDAQ: META) subsidiary that was fined $20 million earlier this year, have been caught tracking browsing history and sharing other sensitive data that users thought they were keeping protected by using the VPN. Even when the VPN provider itself isn’t data mining, those third-party services that get bundled with the VPN might. This can make it challenging to truly guarantee a secure and private connection. By leaving out the add-on services and relying only on its own data servers, Sekur is able to guarantee users that their traffic and other data are not being monitored, logged or shared. Launched in April, the new SekurVPN service adds to the company’s portfolio of successful services including SekurMail and SekurMessenger. Both are also hosted entirely on Sekur’s Swiss-based servers to ensure no Big Tech or other third-party companies have access to that data. SekurMessenger is a mobile messaging app that offers multilayer encrypted messaging and the ability to communicate securely and privately even with people who don’t have the app. No phone number or other identifying information is required to register, and an optional self-destruct feature lets you program your messages to automatically self-destruct after a specified amount of time. An enterprise version is coming in Q4, offering mass onboarding and archiving of employees’ data for compliance purposes and the possibility of creating a complete private intra-company messenger service. SekurMail is a similar service but for email, giving your emails the same multilayer encryption and data privacy as the messenger app. Users can add password protection to individual emails so that only those with the password can read the email. It also offers a similar self-destruct option that can be programmed to delete the email after a certain expiration date or to delete it once it’s been opened a certain number of times. An enterprise version is also coming in Q4, offering mass onboarding and other email protections for C-level executives and management staff. Looking ahead, Sekur said it plans to market all its solutions to the 30 million small businesses and enterprises across the United States, starting with a series of digital marketing campaigns slated to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. 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

September 08, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

The Best AI PR Agencies You Must Know

Benzinga

By James Wells, Benzinga Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize a variety of industries. A technology with this much potential naturally prompts strong reactions from the public. Some reactions are positive. Others are hesitant and apprehensive about technology many aren’t familiar with yet. This is where public relations (PR) agencies come in. While everyone has encountered or used AI technology before whether they know it or not, a portion of the public still hasn’t made up their minds on it. PR agencies specializing in AI play a crucial role in educating your audience about the ins and outs of the technology as it relates to your product or service and demonstrating the benefits AI can bring to the table. Additionally, to increase brand awareness and credibility, a knowledgeable AI PR agency can land great coverage for your company and the knowledge leaders who are part of your team. SlicedBrand: Deep Understanding Of AI & Strategic Storytelling AI-focused PR agency SlicedBrand has a true passion for AI and many clients in the space – from Aimi’s generative music platform to HubKonnect’s AI platform that helps restaurants and other retail stores transform data into corresponding Local Store Marketing (LSM) campaigns. SlicedBrand’s team is well-versed in machine intelligence and learning, natural language processing, the inner workings of AI technology and more. This deep knowledge helps SlicedBrand craft stories that are easily digestible for the media and the general public. SlicedBrand focuses on the importance of strategic storytelling to the media, which serves a dual purpose. First, it enables the agency to navigate the complexities of emergent technologies effectively. Second, it cultivates strong relationships between brands, publications and their audience. The team identifies key narratives, formulates compelling pitches, and secures targeted media coverage. This focus amplifies client visibility and has benefitted a diverse range of companies, including industry giants like Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), Xayn, Airobotics, CloudSight, Unbabel, Wasteless, Zebra Medical Vision, Syte, UVeye, and more. You can see their great work with top AI companies here. Key Features & Benefits: Brand Messaging & Media Relations: SlicedBrand makes sure to push creative and timely brand messaging to its extensive network of media contacts and key influencers. The wealth of journalistic experience of CEO Ayelet Noff, a tech writer since 2006, ensures that AI stories are spread to the right audiences in the right way. Thought Leadership: SlicedBrand identifies critical AI industry dialogues, positioning their clients as thought leaders. This tactic draws from their extensive experience working with thousands of diverse companies across numerous sectors of technology. Commentary and Podcasts: As the world turns to AI experts for understanding and advice, SlicedBrand helps AI specialists find the right platform to position themselves whether it’s through sharing their insights in an article or placement on a podcast. Speaking Opportunities: Years of experience in the technology sector have given SlicedBrand a unique insight into the network of international events that push the AI industry forward. Utilizing its strong connections with event organizers, SlicedBrand places its clients exactly when and where they need to be to share their vision and connect with other innovators and leaders. Edelman: Creativity & Global Leadership In The AI Sector As the world's largest PR agency, Edelman excels in the health, technology, and public affairs sectors. Established in Chicago in 1952, Edelman now operates more than 60 offices across the globe. Unlike SlicedBrand, which leverages strategic storytelling strategy to distill complex concepts within tech-centric and emerging sectors, Edelman aids clients in maintaining agility in the evolving tech landscape. Edelman prides itself on creativity and innovation, expanding its team to over 600 creatives and planners in recent years. Founder Richard Edelman substantiates the firm's commitment to evolve into an integrated marketing services player that remains at the forefront of emerging trends such as AI. Key Features & Benefits: Market Leadership: Edelman's extensive experience with both Fortune 500 companies and tech startups places it at the cutting edge of innovation and success in the AI and technology sector. Global Outreach: Thanks to its diversified involvement across various industries, Edelman equips companies to cultivate their brand and reputation on a global scale. Weber Shandwick: Data-Driven Insights & Ethical AI-focused agency While SlicedBrand champions a storytelling approach, Weber Shandwick, another key player, leans toward a quantitative, data-driven strategy, possibly lacking the personal touch and journalistic savvy inherent in SlicedBrand's operation due to SlicedBrand CEO’s deep roots in journalism. Nonetheless, Weber Shandwick is committed to promoting its clients' ethical data acquisitions that ensure an unbiased analysis and compliance with complex regulatory landscapes. This commitment positions Weber Shandwick strongly within the AI sphere, especially during a time when AI-driven misinformation is rampant, making high-quality data more essential than ever. Weber Shandwick’s expansive team of over 150 members is comprised of data scientists, market researchers, and engineers. This diverse set of expertise combined with their unique technology and deep, client-centric knowledge allows Weber Shandwick to address a wide range of business challenges using data science. Key Features & Benefits: Data-Driven Insights: Weber Shandwick's AI capabilities enable them to analyze billions of data points from thousands of sources. By quickly executing complex procedures and integrating multiple models, they deliver meaningful, actionable insights for AI startups at the technological forefront. Narrative Intelligence: Recently, Weber Shandwick entered into a partnership with Blackbird.AI, harnessing the power of narrative intelligence. The partnership equips Weber Shandwick with AI models and network visualizations to monitor bots, activists, and evolving narratives – enhancing their PR capabilities when working with top AI startups. Embracing Tomorrow's Possibilities: AI Public Relations PR agencies have a tremendous role to play for each AI company that they work with. In addition to educating mainstream users, they actively work to counter the partially negative narrative associated with the technology. While each is known for its own secret sauce, SlicedBrand, Edelman and Weber Shandwick all push for a main goal – positive client coverage. In an industry so hot and ever-evolving, it’s important to bring on an agency that is in the thick of the AI movement already. Choose the professionals to get professional PR results. 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

September 07, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time

FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) Accelerates Towards Profitability As Q2 Earnings Showcase Healthy Revenue Growth, Expects Adjusted EBITDA Profitability Earlier Than Expected

Benzinga

By Jad Malaeb, Benzinga FiscalNote Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NOTE) has once again exhibited its prowess with the release of its Q2 2023 earnings report. The company's consistent growth is evidenced by notable financial achievements, strategic strides and technological innovations. Below are some highlights from FiscalNote’s results: Revenue: The company witnessed a notable 21% increase in revenue compared to the same period last year, highlighting its unwavering dedication to driving growth and delivering value to its stakeholders. Subscription revenue – which comprises approximately 90% of total revenue – also grew 21% year-over-year. Gross Profit: FiscalNote maintained a solid gross profit margin of 80% on a non-GAAP adjusted basis, a testament to its efficient operational management and commitment to sustainable growth. Adjusted EBITDA Loss: The company narrowed its Adjusted EBITDA loss to $4.3 million as it continues to accelerate toward profitability, with company guidance indicating positive Adjusted EBITDA of $0.2 million to $1.0 million in Q3 2023. FiscalNote reports that it has implemented efficiency programs that are expected to significantly benefit Adjusted EBITDA in the 2H of 2023. Cash + Cash Equivalents: With cash and cash equivalents totaling $38.1 million and approximately $94 million of additional debt capacity, FiscalNote seems well-positioned to support its current growth plans and M&A opportunities without requiring additional capital raises to achieve its plan. Tim Hwang, CEO of FiscalNote, expressed his satisfaction with the company's performance, saying, "We are pleased to report another quarter of strong financial results, reflecting our dedication to innovation and client-focused solutions. Our team's hard work and commitment have contributed to these impressive numbers." The results reflect ongoing demand for FiscalNote’s trusted, AI-enabled policy and market intelligence that empowers organizations to mitigate risk and navigate their businesses. FiscalNote's dedication to innovation is evident in its advancements in AI technology. The company has strategically partnered with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) new AI-powered Bing, leveraging Microsoft's Azure cloud platform to deliver even more powerful insights and predictive analytics to clients. The company's AI innovations extend to its breakthroughs in natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms. These advancements have enabled FiscalNote to provide clients with deeper insights into regulatory trends and developments, empowering them to make informed decisions in complex and rapidly changing environments. In addition to technological advancements, FiscalNote has achieved several noteworthy operational and business milestones: Global Expansion: FiscalNote has expanded its global reach by establishing a presence in key international markets, enabling it to better serve clients across the world and provide tailored solutions to regional regulatory challenges. Strategic Acquisitions: The company's strategic acquisitions have bolstered its portfolio and strengthened its capabilities, allowing it to offer a comprehensive suite of solutions to clients seeking to navigate regulatory complexities. Enhanced Client Engagement: FiscalNote's dedication to superior customer service has led to the development of innovative AI-driven tools such as FiscalNoteGPT that empower clients to access real-time regulatory information, ensuring they remain well-informed and agile in their decision-making. For more information about FiscalNote's Q2 2023 financial results, view the official press release here. 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

September 07, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time

WagerWire Announces Marketplace Integration Partnership with Betr

WagerWire

WagerWire, a marketplace technology and media company serving sportsbooks and bettors, announced today it has signed a technology integration and media partnership deal with industry innovator Betr. As part of the partnership, WagerWire’s proprietary tech, which empowers bettors to buy and sell active sports bets and fantasy entries, will be fully integrated with Betr’s platform in the future, allowing for trading inside both Betr and WagerWire’s mobile apps. WagerWire transforms traditional bets into assets that can be bought and sold at any time, unlocking new ways to strategize, speculate and profit. The partnership serves to further differentiate Betr’s core user experience in an industry inundated with commoditized products, while placing WagerWire’s innovative offering at the forefront of the sports betting industry. The deal positions Betr, who is rapidly advancing towards product parity with incumbent operators, to vault ahead of the field by becoming the first to combine the trifecta of microbetting, traditional, and secondary markets. “While secondary markets are commonplace for things like concert tickets, trading cards, and even fashion, it has yet to exist at scale in sports betting – until now.” said Zach Doctor, Co-Founder and CEO of WagerWire. “We have great admiration for what Joey Levy, Jake Paul and the entire team at Betr have accomplished as both a gaming operator and media company.” “WagerWire’s technology creates a new category that supercharges the fan experience. Sports betting should be as fun and exciting as the sports themselves,” Doctor continued. “This can only be achieved through a holistic approach that pairs an intuitive and gamified product with engaging media and an impassioned community. I’m proud to say Betr shares this vision.” An independent survey earlier this year found that if a sportsbook offered their users the option of a secondary marketplace, 76% would place more bets and 72% would place larger ones, growing the overall pie. Additionally, 84% would place more parlays and 80% would place more futures, improving the book’s overall bet mix in these profitable categories. The same survey found 90% of bettors would rather sign up for a sportsbook offering a secondary betting marketplace, and 76% would spend more time inside that sportsbook’s app. “We are excited to partner with the WagerWire team, who shares our perspective that there is a significant opportunity to enhance the sports betting user experience through product innovation,” said Joey Levy, Founder and CEO of Betr. “We are looking forward to integrating their technology into our new V1 sportsbook platform being built on top of the recently acquired Chameleon platform, which remains on track to go live next year.” The partnership also extends to both companies’ rapidly growing media divisions. In just their first 10 months, Betr Media and the WagerWire Media Network surpassed 1.3B and 250M impressions on social media, respectively. The two already rank among the most engaged sports communities on the internet, with both being finalists for Best Sports Betting Content at the 2023 Hashtag Sports Awards, which Betr went on to win. WagerWire’s technology fits hand in glove with Betr’s social ethos, creating new ways for fans to ride bets together and share in the action with their favorite influencers as well as their friends. The companies will kick off the partnership by co-producing their first original video series this year with other projects to follow. WagerWire first came onto the scene when it announced its seed round in 2022 with backing from the likes of Miami Marlins co-owner Roger Ehrenberg (IA Sports Ventures and Eberg Capital), 305 Ventures, NBA All-Star Richard Jefferson, and SimpleBet co-founder Scott Marshall, among others. Betr was co-founded in 2022 by Joey Levy and Jake Paul and is backed by Roger Ehrenberg and Florida Funders as well as NFL players Dez Bryant, Ezekiel Elliot and other high profile personalities. Betr recently announced the closing of a 35M Series A2 round. About WagerWire WagerWire empowers bettors to take control of their action and treat their bets as assets that can be bought and sold at any time. WagerWire’s proprietary marketplace technology can be directly embedded into sportsbook apps, and also powers the WagerWire app that serves as an aggregated marketplace of bets across partner sportsbooks. WagerWire also has a Media Network that generates daily content “By Fans, For Fans”. You can find WagerWire @WagerWire on Twitter and LinkedIn, or @WagerWireLive on TikTok and at WagerWire.com. WagerWire is dedicated to providing users with a responsible gaming environment. If you think you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, resources are available. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. About Betr Founded in 2022 by Joey Levy and Jake Paul, Betr is a leading sports betting and sports media company through Betr Gaming and Betr Media, respectively. Betr Gaming is an online sports betting and gaming business focused on a unique product experience with a simplified user experience that is catered to the casual sports fan, enabling Betr to capture more of the underpenetrated online gaming addressable market. Betr Gaming began with a microbetting-only online sports betting (OSB) product, allowing users to bet on individual plays and events – such as pass or rush on the next play in football or the outcome of the next pitch in baseball, and is expanding its OSB product offering to include additional markets with full sportsbook capabilities, as well as planning to expand into other real money gaming verticals. Betr Media is the fastest growing sports betting media brand in the United States that has grown to over 1.6 million followers, 1.6 billion impressions, and 84 million engagements across its social channels since publicly launching in August 2022. Betr is creating a unique flywheel by investing in content creators to drive brand awareness and affinity, which drives more audience and engagement with the Betr brand, allowing Betr to monetize its user base through a suite of gaming products which then enables further investment in content and brand affinity. For more information on Betr, visit betr.app or follow @betr on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. To learn more about responsible play, please visit betr.app/responsibility. Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern Bailey Irelan birelan@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.wagerwire.com/

September 07, 2023 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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WagerWire Announces Marketplace Integration Partnership with Betr