Education

Higher Education Preschool Primary/Secondary
News Release Digital Asset Direct

Volatus Aerospace Reports Preliminary Proforma Unaudited Revenue of Approximately C$38M for FY 2022 and Revenue Guidance of Approximately C$52M for FY 2023

Volatus Aerospace Corp.

Volatus anticipates unaudited proforma gross profit margin of approximately 31% in 2022 compared to 26% in 2021. Consequently, management is pleased to report preliminary full-year 2022 gross profit margin consistent with its original guidance. Volatus Aerospace Corp. (“ Volatus ” or “the Company ”) (TSXV:VOL) (OTCQB:VLTTF) is pleased to announce preliminary, unaudited proforma Net Revenue and Gross Profit results for the three-month period ended December 31, 2022 and year ended December 31, 2022 (“FY-2022”) and Revenue and Gross Profit guidance for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 (“FY-2023”). Volatus expects to report positive financial results underpinned by geographic and sector expansion. Based on preliminary unaudited proforma results for FY-2022 prepared by management, Volatus expects to report FY-2022 revenue of approximately C$38 million and FY-2022 Gross Profit of approximately C$11.6 million with an expected gross profit margin of approximately 31%. Additionally, Volatus is providing financial guidance targets for FY-2023. Volatus expects to report FY-2023 Revenue of approximately C$52 million and FY-2023 Gross Profit of approximately C$16.6M million with a gross profit margin of 32%. Factors contributing to the expected increases in revenue, gross profit and gross profit margin in FY-2023 include changes in product mix, conversion of existing active sales pipeline opportunities into sales, larger geographical presence, access to new markets and new products, commercialization of Volatus’ technologies such as Aerieport and ISR drones, and the scaling of operations in the defence segment. For greater clarity, the gross profit margin is derived solely by subtracting the costs of goods sold from total revenue and dividing such number by total revenue. Q4-2022 and FY-2022 Preliminary Results For the three-month period ended December 31, 2022 (“Q4-2022”) and FY-2022, on a preliminary unaudited proforma basis (as discussed in further detail below), management reports the following highlights: Q4-2022 unaudited proforma Net Revenue is expected to be between C$7 million and C$8 million. Without accounting for the proforma adjustment, Volatus expects to report unaudited revenue between C$6.5 million and C$7 million. The FY-2022 unaudited proforma Net Revenue is expected to be approximately C$38 million. Q4-2022 proforma Gross Profit is expected to be between C$2 million to C$2.5 million and FY-2022 unaudited proforma Gross Profit is expected to be approximately C$11.6 million. Organic revenue growth for FY-2022 compared to FY-2021 was approximately 45% as a result of access to new markets, entry in the defence segment, the sale of equipment, and continued growth in the service and training segment. Volatus expects to end 2023 with positive EBITDA on a run rate basis subject to maintaining the Company’s current growth, the level of investment expenditure, and the timing of its customer orders. Business Update At the end of FY-2022, Volatus has: Sold equipment and services on 3 continents. Expanded geographically in Latin America and the United Kingdom. Developed and began commercializing 4 proprietary technologies. Completed 5 acquisitions. Expanded our defence and public safety businesses. Subsequent to Q4-2022 Completed the acquisition of Empire Drone. Received a domestic service licence from the Canadian Transportation Agency to provide drone cargo services. Gross Profit Margin. The Company derives gross profit margin by subtracting costs of goods sold from total revenue and dividing such number by total revenue. “Despite macro-economic challenges and supply chain constraints, the Volatus team has continued to demonstrate strong execution in 2022. We issued a revenue guidance note of C$38M through a news release on February 16, 2022, and I am extremely proud of achieving our target,” said Abhinav Singhvi, CFO of Volatus Aerospace. “Continued geographic expansion, enhanced capabilities, accelerating industry adoption and cross-selling are expected to drive growth for the foreseeable future.” The Company cautions that the above results are preliminary in nature and unaudited, as the Company’s audit for FY-2022 has not yet been completed. Actual results for FY-2022 may differ materially from the estimates disclosed in this news release due to the completion of the Company’s financial closing procedures, final adjustments, review by the Company’s auditors and other developments that may arise between now and the time the financial results are finalized. Actual results for FY-2023 may differ materially from the estimates disclosed in this news release due to, among other things, supply chain challenges, the inability of strategic suppliers and resellers to perform their obligations, rapid changes in the industry, increased competition, regulatory changes and hurdles, and the inability to expand in different markets due to geo-political risks. These estimates are not a comprehensive statement of the Company’s financial results for Q4-2022, FY-2022 and FY-2023 and should not be viewed as a substitute for full financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), and these estimates are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved for Q4-2022, FY-2022 and FY-2023. A number of economic, market, operational and financial assumptions were made by the management of Volatus in preparing its forward guidance, including, but not limited to, the conversion ratio of the Company’s sales pipeline, success in the bidding of RFQs, the ability to change the product mix and the Company’s ability to maintain a competitive position, retain and increase recurring revenue with customers, scale relationships with strategic suppliers, maintain gross margins and retain its sales force. The preliminary results provided in this press release constitute forward-looking information and future-oriented financial information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. The purpose of this future-oriented financial information is to provide readers with an understanding of the Company’s ability to scale and maintain its competitive position and such future oriented financial information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Please see the section below entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Future Oriented Financial Information”. The preliminary results have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, management of the Company. The Company’s auditor, MS Partners, has not reviewed the preliminary results. Neither MS Partners nor any other independent accountants express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect to the preliminary results. The Company will provide additional discussion and analysis regarding its fourth quarter revenue, gross profit, and EBITDA when the Company reports it Q4-2022 and FY-2022 results on April 17, 2023 after the close of markets. Non-IFRS Measures and Other Financial Measures This news release contains references to EBITDA and gross profit margin, which are not defined under IFRS. Management believes the presentation of these metrics gives useful information to investors and shareholders, as they provide increased transparency and insight into the performance of the Company. The data presented is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Readers should not place undue reliance on non-IFRS measures and should instead view them in conjunction with the most comparable IFRS financial measures EBITDA. The Company defines EBITDA as IFRS net loss excluding interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense. EBITDA should not be construed as alternatives to comprehensive loss or income determined in accordance with IFRS. EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company believes that EBITDA is a meaningful financial metric as it measures cash generated from operations which the Company can use to fund working capital requirements, service future interest and principal debt repayments and fund future growth initiatives. About Volatus Aerospace: Volatus Aerospace Corp. is a leading provider of integrated drone solutions throughout North America and growing into Latin America and globally. Volatus serves civil, public safety, and defense markets with imaging and inspection, security and surveillance, equipment sales and support, training, as well as R&D, design, and manufacturing. Through our subsidiary, Volatus Aviation, we are introducing green and innovative drone solutions to supplement and replace traditional aircraft and helicopters for long-linear inspections such as pipeline, energy, rail, and cargo services. Volatus is committed to carbon neutrality; the fostering of a safe, equitable and inclusive workplace; and responsible governance. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking information” and “future oriented financial information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating and financial performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and future oriented financial information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information and future oriented financial information includes information regarding: (i) the Company’s expectations of net revenue, gross profit, gross profit margin and other financial projections for Q4-2022, FY-2022 and FY-2023; (ii) the business plans and expectations of the Company; and (ii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information and future oriented financial information is based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and operating plans, strategies, or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information and future oriented financial information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and future oriented financial information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information and future oriented financial information reflect the Company’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to it and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Factors that could also cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information and the future oriented financial information are described under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated June 30, 2022, which is available on SEDAR at www.SEDAR.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information and future oriented financial information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information and financial oriented financial information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and future oriented financial information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Source: Volatus Aerospace Corp. TSXV: VOL Contact Details Abhinav Singhvi +1 514-447-7986 abhinav.singhvi@volatusaerospace.com Company Website https://volatusaerospace.com

February 21, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image

Focus on Food Security: Seven Talented Women Scientists from the Global South Awarded the 2023 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards

Elsevier

Seven researchers have been awarded the 2023 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for their contributions to research that is helping meet the challenge of food security and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger, which focuses on agricultural productivity and sustainable food production. The winners’ research explores a wide range of ways that food insecurity can be tackled, from crop disease resilience to improved child nutrition, and indigenous plant use to increase productivity. The prize also acknowledges the scientists’ commitment to leadership, mentoring and engagement within their communities, including the use of innovative technologies in their research. Jennifer Thomson, President of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) said “Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could achieve SDG2, Zero Hunger? Our amazing awardees for 2023 are trying to do their bit to bring this about – and what a ‘bit’ that is! Just read about the research they are doing in their regions of the developing world and I am sure you will be as impressed as I was when we selected them as the winners. We wish them every success in their endeavors.” This year’s winners are: Renuka Attanayake, of the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka: plant and molecular biology; crop disease identification and management Carla Fabiana Crespo Melgar, of the Universidad Mayor de San Andres, Bolivia: biotechnology and microbiology; increasing agricultural productivity Haneen Dwaib, of the Palestine Ahliya University, Palestine: nutrition and dietetics; obesity and dietary interventions Eugenie Kayitesi, of the University of Pretoria, South Africa: food science and technology; improved use of indigenous plant-based foods Gabriela Montenegro-Bethancourt, of the Maya Health Alliance, Guatemala: life sciences and nutrition; maternal mortality and child malnutrition Munkhjargal Tserendorj, of the Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Mongolia: veterinary medicine, animal and food hygiene; diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases Yeyinou Laura Estelle Loko, Université Nationale des Sciences, Technologies, Ingénierie et Mathématiques, Benin: entomology, plant genetic resources and crop protection; insect pests and resistant crops “With these awards, our vision is to celebrate these impressive women scientists who are helping to make real progress towards the UN SDGs,” explained Ylann Schemm, Executive Director of the Elsevier Foundation. “We know that a quarter of all women are engaged in agriculture, which makes them more vulnerable to both climate change and resource scarcity. By focusing on food security in 2023, we want to spotlight the important research undertaken by women who are inspiring role models for communities most affected by this issue.” First awarded in 2013, the award is given in partnership by the OWSD and Elsevier Foundation. OWSD chairs a panel of distinguished scientists to select the winners, and the Foundation awards a cash prize for each winner of USD $5,000, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the 2024 5 th Global Food Security conference to provide them with vital networking opportunities. The winners will also have the opportunity to publish their work in STAR Protocols, an open access, peer-reviewed journal from Cell Press which offers structured, transparent, accessible, and repeatable step-by-step experimental and computational protocols from all areas of life, health, earth and physical sciences. Past Award winners have been invited to meet their country’s presidents, and have been celebrated by local, national and international media, while other winners have gone on to receive other prestigious awards and fellowships including L’OREAL-UNESCO’s For Women in Science Fellowships. --- Notes for editors Photos and reference sheets for each award winner, with a more extensive biography and description of their work, are available upon request, please contact the Elsevier Newsroom at newsroom@elsevier.com. For interview requests, journalists can contact Rebecca Clear, Corporate Responsibility Communications Director at r.clear@elsevier.com. Short bios of the 2023 winners: Prof Renuka Attanayake, Sri Lanka Renuka Attanayake is a plant pathologist working on crop disease identification and management in Sri Lanka. Her projects include the optimization of a rapid detection method of coconut phytoplasma in Sri Lanka, and the identification of genetic diversity of white mold pathogen on cabbage and black mold on onions. With her work, she is contributing to the development of resistant inducer treatments and farmers' education to reduce the negative effects of some of the most common crop diseases in her country. Dr Carla Fabiana Crespo Melgar, Bolivia Carla Fabiana Crespo Melgar is a biochemist focused on increasing agricultural productivity as a crucial step to alleviate hunger. With her research, she is investigating the potential of using beneficial microorganisms and application protocols as biocontrollers, biofertilizers, bioinoculants and growth promoters for crop production in Bolivia and the region, with the aim of exploring ways that they can be produced locally by communities or small companies, once the technology and application protocols are validated. Dr Haneen Dwaib, Palestine Haneen Dwaib has a background in Nutrition and Public Health, and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. She is investigating dietary interventions to tackle obesity as a case of disguised hunger, since the lack of a decent, well-balanced diet causes deficits in the majority of micronutrients and occasionally macronutrients. Her research focuses on studying the gut microbiota and to find non-invasive early detection biomarkers of premature cardiovascular dysfunction and adipose tissue inflammation in pre-diabetic laboratory rats. Prof Eugenie Kayitesi, Rwanda Eugenie Kayitesi is a food scientist, who is trying to improve nutrition, diet diversity and food security in Africa developing unique products from underutilized food sources, as well as improving their nutritional composition and health promoting constituents. The core of her research relates to indigenous, underutilized African plant-based foods, such as legumes, cereals, green leafy vegetables and fruits. Her work has highlighted the importance of using readily available and affordable food crops to create food products with improved nutritional, functional and sensory quality. Gabriela Montenegro-Bethancourt, Guatemala Gabriela Montenegro-Bethancourt is a nutritionist and food scientist whose work contributes to strengthen primary health care in rural Guatemala. She works in the most impoverished communities in Guatemala’s to provide health care in Mayan languages and contribute to reducing maternal mortality and child malnutrition, overcoming barriers to the treatment of complex medical conditions, providing optimal care to children and adults with chronic conditions, and promoting access to clean water. Her research is designed to take into consideration nutrition’s broad strategic possibilities, such as empowering women, increasing the availability of nutrient-rich foods, improving access to health services, and design effective policies. Dr Munkhjargal Tserendorj, Mongolia Munkhjargal Tserendorj is a Veterinary Doctor with a PhD in Animal and Food Hygiene, who is helping Mongolia to control economically important tick-borne diseases. She has conducted national and international projects for strengthening capacities in the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases, especially vector-borne diseases, leading to the development of effective strategies to decrease severe economic losses in the small ruminants' population in Mongolia. Data from these studies is now used as base information for initiating prevention and control programs. Dr Yeyinou Laura Estelle Loko, Benin Yeyinou Laura Estelle Loko is an Entomologist with a PhD in plant genetic resources and crop protection committed to the reduction of losses caused by insect pests. She develops control methods that respect human health and the environment, favoring the use of naturally resistant varieties, medicinal plants with insecticidal properties, entomopathogenic microorganisms, and predators. She is also working on the development of a digital toolbox and an intelligent monitoring system adapted to smallholder farmers for effective pest management in Benin. To find out how the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award helps shape our understanding of the Global South, find out more about 2022’s winners here. About OWSD The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world. Headed by eminent women scientists from the South, OWSD has more than 9,000 members and runs various programs, including a PhD fellowship programme with over 360 successful graduates from Least Developed Countries and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as an Early Career fellowship programme providing research grants of up to USD$50,000 in addition to leadership training. OWSD is the only international forum to unite women scientists from the developing world with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership. OWSD is affiliated with The World Academy of Science (TWAS), a program unit of UNESCO, and is based in Trieste, Italy, with national chapters throughout the developing world. www.owsd.net About The Elsevier Foundation The Elsevier Foundation is a corporate not-for-profit 501(c)(3), funded by Elsevier, a global information analytics business specialized in science and health. Since 2006, the Elsevier Foundation provides over $1.5 million USD a year in grants to knowledge-centered institutions around the world, which address the UN Sustainable Development Goals through tech-enabled innovations in inclusive health and research. The Foundation offers a comprehensive matching gift and volunteering fund to enable employees to work with Foundation partners and support their communities. The Elsevier Foundation is part of Elsevier’s larger corporate responsibility program which centers on our unique contributions to sustainable development in gender, health, climate and reducing inequalities. elsevierfoundation.org About Elsevier As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making for customers across the global research and health ecosystems. In everything we publish, we uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity. We bring that same rigor to our information analytics solutions for researchers, health professionals, institutions and funders. Elsevier employs 8,700 people worldwide. We have supported the work of our research and health partners for more than 140 years. Growing from our roots in publishing, we offer knowledge and valuable analytics that help our users make breakthroughs and drive societal progress. Digital solutions such such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath support strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and health education. Researchers and healthcare professionals rely on our over 2,700 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell; our over 43,000 eBook titles; and our iconic reference works, such as Gray's Anatomy. With the Elsevier Foundation and our external Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Board, we work in partnership with diverse stakeholders to advance inclusion and diversity in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world. Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.elsevier.com Contact Details Elsevier Rebecca Clear +44 7919 396403 r.clear@elsevier.com OWSD Giulia Signori-OWSD Communications communications@owsd.net Company Website https://www.elsevier.com/

February 21, 2023 03:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Comcast Plans Major Network Expansion in Texas

Comcast Houston

Comcast announced today it will significantly expand its next-generation network, the Xfinity 10G Network, in a major way across several southeast Texas counties in 2023. The media and technology company said it will invest more than $100 million to install at least one thousand miles of new fiber-rich highways that will reach up to 80,000 homes and businesses by the end of this year. The planned expansions add to Comcast’s ongoing $2.8 billion investment in Texas over the last three years. Network expansion efforts will begin in Kingwood, Pinehurst, Prairie View, Waller, New Caney and Conroe. Construction will continue in other communities that have ongoing network infrastructure builds in the Houston area. Construction has started in Kingwood, which will be the largest expansion of the year; it is expected to be complete by the end of 2023 and will reach nearly 24,000 Kingwood homes and businesses. These locations will have the foundational next-generation network in place to begin deploying DOCSIS 4.0, setting the stage for the introduction of new symmetrical multi-gigabit Internet options. “We will bring our fiber-rich network to twice the number of homes and businesses this year compared to the number we passed last year,” said Ralph Martinez, Senior Regional Vice President of Comcast’s Texas Region. “Southeast Texas’ rural and suburban communities have been growing fast, and we are building out our next-generation Comcast network in tandem with the growth. We will continue to expand to even more rural communities in the next few years.” Once complete, Comcast, the nation’s largest provider of 1.2 Gigabit per second speeds, will give consumers access to reliable and fast Xfinity Internet and Xfinity Mobile service that outperforms its competitors. Comcast engineers have also developed multiple artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies that make the network faster and more reliable while delivering up to 100 Gbps for Comcast Business customers. In addition, Comcast’s next-generation technology provides multiple layers of security that automatically detect and block hundreds of thousands of cyber events every second, and a Smart Network that automates many core network functions and dramatically reduces the number of outages. “Access to reliable internet and telecommunications services is something that we cannot go without in our day-to-day activities,” said Houston Mayor Pro-Tem and Kingwood resident, Dave Martin. “Comcast and their new construction project in Kingwood is a perfect example of a business working to bridge the gap to connect more people to much-needed services while increasing accessibility to much-needed services and their dependability. I appreciate Comcast’s partnership and commitment to District E.” Comcast is also committed to addressing digital equity in communities we serve, through Project UP, the company’s $1 billion dollar commitment to help tens of millions of people connect to the internet and build futures of unlimited possibilities. Last year, Comcast Texas invested more than one million dollars to help local community organizations provide personalized digital skills training, offer workforce development/readiness workshops and other tech education to students, adults, and people with disabilities. The funding also supports ongoing efforts to build awareness about connectivity programs like Internet Essentials and the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which offers eligible households up to $30/month credit, or up to $75 for households on tribal lands, for home Internet. Comcast proudly participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program, and offers Internet Essentials Plus, a $29.95/month home Internet service that is effectively free for eligible households, once the ACP credit is applied. Interested customers can visit Xfinity.com/ACP or call 1-800-Xfinity to learn more about this program and find out if they qualify. For more construction details and updates, visit ComcastTexas.com/Expansion. Powered by the Xfinity 10G Network Comcast’s next-generation network and Internet experience are powering homes 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: 10 million+ Xfinity Internet customers subscribe to gigabit speed products, and Ookla rated Xfinity the fastest Internet provider at the end of 2022*. Symmetrical gig speeds to the first homes are planned for later 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 xFi 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 business 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 xFi 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. For local businesses, Comcast Business offers a suite of connectivity, communications, networking, cybersecurity, wireless, and managed solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. 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 provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to 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. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Ookla’s SpeedtestTM Market Index report shows that Xfinity delivered the fastest median download speeds to its Internet customers in the United States for the final quarter of 2022. Contact Details Comcast Steve Campion +1 832-920-2001 Steve_Campion@Comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

February 20, 2023 10:08 AM Central Standard Time

Video Image

San Diego Is Getting A New Cultural District, And Newschool Of Architecture & Design Is Helping Plan And Design It

Ambow Education Holding

The Newschool of Architecture and Design (Newschool), long a globally recognized private university of architecture and design located in downtown San Diego, is getting its students involved in the city’s recent program to turn a designated district in the city into a Black Arts Cultural District. Newschool prioritizes educating its students through involvement in real-world projects and teaching them social awareness by involving them in programs that make a difference. Founded in the mid-80s, Newschool’s vision is to provide elite professional programs in architecture, construction management, and design, and the college has become a leading, globally ranked design college. Though retaining its name, ownership of Newschool has been transferred to Ambow NSAD Inc., a subsidiary of Ambow Education Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: AMBO). Ambow Education is an educational group that offers both educational and career enhancement services. Newschool’s involvement in the San Diego district’s planning is not the first time its students have been involved in specific, real-world projects where the students can gain vital experience and confidence. Other projects involving Newschool include the development of Portland's Ford District, where the college got 60 students to help develop contemporary urban design and architecture plans as part of a sustainable vision for the Ford district in Portland. Another time, 70 Newschool students followed criteria set out in the official National City Downtown Specific Plan to design over 40 city blocks worth of buildings for downtown National City, helping renew the poorest areas of the city. Stepping Up For Black Arts Cultural District An exciting project that the Newschool is currently involved in is the development of a Black Arts Cultural District, which will be in the Encanto district of San Diego. The plan for the development was approved last summer by the San Diego City Council. The district, which will run along eight blocks of Imperial Avenue from 61st Street, will celebrate the contributions made by members of the Black community and will highlight Black arts and culture. Involved in spearheading this project is Carolyn Smith. Smith is a born-and-raised Encanto resident and a trusted leader of the community. She is working in collaboration with local city politicians to deliver on this visionary project. Two classes of students, organized into studio sections, from the Architectural Program of Newschool are participating in the district program. They are led by Daniela Deutsch, the Head of Architecture Programs and the primary instructor for the project. Other Newschool faculty as well as multiple regional architects will be serving as mentors or jurors throughout the design process. Together, they are helping design and plan the vision that will transform the eight blocks into the cultural district. The program will also include an adaptive reuse project, turning the building of a former Boys and Girls club in Encanto’s Wiedeman Park into a Black Arts Cultural Center. The Encanto Black Arts and Culture District will be a designated cultural district, becoming the fourth area designated a “cultural district” by the city. It will join Balboa Park, Oceanside, and Barrio Logan as a place where tourists and the community can gather to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the Black community to San Diego. The designation also means the city will contribute funding toward improving storefronts, landscaping, and helping small businesses. Click here for more about the Newschool of Architecture and Design, and for more information on Ambow Education Holdings, visit its website. Content originally published on Benzinga.com here. Ambow Education Holding Ltd. is a leading cross-border career educational and technology service provider, offering high-quality, individualized services and products. With its extensive network of regional service hubs complemented by a dynamic proprietary learning platform and distributors, Ambow provides its services and products to students in China and United States of America. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Kevin Derrivan kderrivan@amboweducation.com Company Website https://www.ambow.com/

February 17, 2023 12:32 PM Eastern Standard Time

News Release

6 Best Coursework Writing Services For Academic Excellence 📚

Halvorson Media Group

If you're looking for the best coursework writing service, then you should read this article. Find out the best coursework writing services that will help you get the grades you need. If you're like most students, you probably feel the pressure of coursework piling up. The good news is that there are 6 best coursework writing services that will take the burden off your shoulders: 1. PaperHelp - Superior overall 🥇 2. CheapPaper - Excellent reputation 💯 3. Evolution - Ideal for a ton of freebies 💡 4. 99papers - Fast and cheap work results; 5. SpeedyPaper - Best for large-scale tasks; 6. Essaybox - High-quality writing solutions. How to choose the best coursework writing service To get the most out of your coursework writing service, it is essential to be aware of the many factors that can influence your choice. Customer reviews, pricing policies, turnaround times, and a proven track record of delivering top-notch content should all be considered. Also, look for a professional team of writers and experienced editors who can guarantee high-quality results at every stage of the process. Why choose these companies We have selected these 6 best professional writing companies because they have a team of professional writers who are experienced in various disciplines and can provide coursework assistance. Their writers also have extensive research skills and take the time to make sure they understand all your instructions. They offer a range of services tailored to the needs of the project at hand, so you can be sure that your coursework will be done correctly and efficiently. Overall, these professional writing services provide reliable coursework for all types of clients and can ensure the timely completion of complex projects. Professional coursework writing services Reliable and trustworthy coursework writing services help students with their coursework quickly and easily. These professional online coursework helpers can meet tight deadlines and leave no room for late submissions or rushed work of low quality. With their expert writers, these coursework essay writing service providers understand their customers’ needs of their clients and deliver high-quality papers. 1. PaperHelp - Superior overall 🥇 Paperhelp is the perfect academic essay writing service when it comes to ordering coursework. It is easy to buy coursework from Paperhelp because they offer a wide range of academic support in various subjects to complete your assignment satisfactorily. The company has an experienced team of professional writers who make sure that every academic paper you order is perfectly written. Customer service is always available. All in all, Paperhelp is the perfect partner if you are looking for reliable and affordable academic writing services that will help you pass any exam or term paper. Pros: Low price: Paperhelp writing service offers cheap coursework help for students that costs about $10. Additional services: Paperhelp’s coursework writing service offers convenient features like secure payment methods, customer service support, and even delivery insurance for the timely completion of assignments. Useful mobile app: This software has a user-friendly design that makes it easy to submit new orders and keep track of ongoing tasks. Cons: There have been cases where users have been disappointed due to incompletely delivered orders and factual inaccuracies. Sluggish, ESL support staff: customer service staff are not native English speakers and are too busy to respond within 15 minutes. 2. CheapPaper - Excellent reputation 💯 If you are looking for a reliable and affordable writing service, check out CheapPaper coursework writing service. Customers can take advantage of their extensive custom essay and coursework writing services at extremely low prices. Their writers are highly qualified and can deliver high-quality material to meet any deadline. In addition, they also provide a plagiarism checker to ensure that all written materials are as original and authentic as possible. If you are buying coursework from CheapPaper, you can be sure that your work is in safe hands - they guarantee full customer satisfaction with every order. Pros: Numerous options: Work delivered on time and customized to your specifications. Professional coursework writers: CheapPaper has expert writers, able to handle any coursework. Speed of work: Commitment to delivering quality content on tight schedules makes them perfect for any type of academic paper, from simple book reports to detailed dissertations. Excellent feedback: The company has excellent reviews from students who have used its services. Cons: There is no chat representative: It is not possible to consult directly on-site for a short time. Problems with the coursework website: There are grammatical, spelling, and syntactical errors throughout the website. 3. Evolution - Ideal for a ton of freebies 💡 If you are looking for an experienced coursework writing service, you can rely on Evolution Writing Service. Professional coursework writers are experts in the industry and have been helping students with their coursework for years. The company specializes in custom coursework services and can help you with topics such as research papers, term papers, dissertations, book reviews, and much more. The teams are experts in a variety of subjects, from literature to biology. Pros: Service works with many topics: The writing service can help identify sources or create a hypothesis and methodology when dealing with complex topics. Payment options: PayPal and all major credit cards are accepted by EvolutionWriters. You can feel completely safe giving your financial information to EvolutionWriters, as the company uses a reputable third-party payment processor. As far as we know, the company has not experienced any system breach. Low price: compared to their competitors, the cost is quite affordable. They charge about $10 per page for an undergraduate paper, $16 for a graduate paper, $19 for a professional paper, and $41 for an admission paper. Cons: Unsatisfied comments: Unfortunately, students have sometimes expressed dissatisfaction with the ordered work due to missed deadlines or errors in the text. 4. 99papers - Fast and cheap work results For students looking for the most reliable and best coursework writing service, 99Papers is a perfect choice. With their online coursework help, customers can find professional and experienced coursework writers who know how to deliver quality work for any assignment. Specific requirements are followed meticulously and included in the assignment, so you know that all requirements have been met. Customers' needs of the clients come first, which makes it easy to find a suitable coursework writer to fit your project. All you need to do is provide your instructions and they will take care of the rest while ensuring customer satisfaction throughout the process. The trustworthy customer service answers all questions and offers helpful advice when you need it most. Pros: Professional coursework writers: 99papers has experienced writers. Delivery: Flexible delivery times can be an ideal solution for busy students who need reliable coursework support. Promo code for 10% off your first purchase at 99papers.com: get a 99papers coupon as a new customer to lower the price. There is a rewards program that will give you back 15% of the money you spend on incentives. Low price: coursework help service charges a low price of $9 for its work. Cons: Some report that their editing services are not always up to par, which could be concerning for those seeking professional help with the structure or grammar of their essays. Inadequate customer service: support staff took a long time to respond to messages and sometimes gave pre-written answers that didn't address the specific request. 5. SpeedyPaper - Best for large-scale tasks If you are looking for an efficient writer or a last-minute writing service, Speedypaper is the perfect website for you. With its team of highly professional and experienced writers, Speedypaper guarantees top-notch results within tight deadlines - allowing you to submit excellent coursework just in time. At the same time, Speedypaper offers competitive prices and discounts of up to 25%, which makes their services even more attractive. In addition, every order includes a free plagiarism report, which guarantees that all papers are 100% authentic. Pros: Excellent coursework writers: Professional writers specialize in a wide range of writing genres, from academic essays to resumes, business plans, and more. Offers several advantages: Fast turnaround times, secure payments, and expert advice make them the perfect partner for busy professionals and businesses seeking professional writing services. Great online support: The support staff was always available and answered questions quickly. Reviews: Professional coursework writing service has really great feedback. Cons: Limited customer service accessibility, poor communication with clients' accounts, and occasional misspellings or errors in their online deliveries. 6. Essaybox - High-quality writing solutions Essaybox offers comprehensive academic writing services, from essays to dissertations. When you choose this coursework help platform, you get high-quality help for all types of academic papers, including research papers, creative writing, project reports, and case studies. EssayBox writing service offers comprehensive solutions for every writing need. It proactively supports its clients with helpful tips and guides for better essay and dissertation writing. The main goal is to deliver quality projects on time. From ensuring secure payments to round-the-clock customer service, EssayBox writing service shows transparency in its operations, making it a trusted brand when it comes to writing services. Pros: Expeditious paper completion: The writing service is designed in such a way that you can finish your project quickly and with high quality. Many topics and difficulty levels are offered: Whether it is about current affairs, social issues, art, culture, science, or technology, you can buy cheap coursework for any purpose. The coursework website is clear and easy to navigate: From the first page of the EssayBox website, you can quickly find the information you need. Cons: You can get a plagiarism report if you pay extra: To get a plagiarism report, you have to pay an extra $9.99. Lack of transparency regarding the writers' qualifications: On the website in the tab of the profiles of the authors of the work there is very little information about the professionals who do their work. FAQ Section Why should you use a coursework writing service? Coursework writing service provides professional writers who understand the requirements of your courses and ensure that your assignment is both accurate and successful. Quality writers think critically to find research-backed arguments or solutions to questions or problems in your coursework, saving you time and effort. In addition, professional writers have the necessary skills to logically structure your coursework, check for grammatical and spelling errors, and create unique content within strict deadlines. They can also help you look at a topic from different angles or expand on certain areas as required by your professor. Can students examine the papers' quality before buying writing assistance? Absolutely! As a student, you should always be able to research and get an idea of the quality of an online writing service before using it. Luckily, these 6 best coursework writing services offer potential clients the opportunity to view sample papers to get a better idea of the quality of the company in question. Many also offer the ability to view ratings and reviews from previous clients to get other customers' opinions of the service. Are the top coursework writing services you recommend safe to use? Yes, the best coursework writing services are safe to use. Here are some reasons why: The companies that provide these services are professional and experienced. They know how to handle confidential information and will keep your information secure. These homework help services have a good reputation. They have been in business for many years and have helped thousands of students with their assignments. You can be sure that they will do a great job for you. They offer a money-back guarantee. This means that you can get your money back if you are not satisfied with the work. Overall, using this best coursework writing service is a safe and easy way to get help with your assignments. Do these coursework writing services firms plagiarize? No! Coursework help services from this article will write a unique paper for you. If you use the coursework website we recommend, you'll probably never face any plagiarism problems. Conclusion To find the best coursework writing service, you need to consider a few things, such as the level of experience, affordability, customer reviews, and guarantees. We have compiled a list of the six best coursework writing services that meet these criteria. We hope that this list will help you choose the best coursework writing service. Contact Details Halvorson Media Group Edward +1 929-491-3157 edward@halvorsonmediagroup.com Company Website https://halvorsonmediagroup.com/

February 15, 2023 07:28 AM Eastern Standard Time

Volatus Aerospace Receives Canadian Transportation Agency License for Drone Cargo Services

Volatus Aerospace Corp.

Volatus Aerospace Corp. (TSXV: VOL) (OTCQB: VLTTF) ("Volatus" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has been issued a Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) License for domestic service, all-cargo aircraft. This license builds on the existing capabilities authorized by CTA licenses held by Volatus subsidiaries Partner Jet Inc. (Volatus Aviation) and Synergy Aviation. The addition of this license allows the Company to build its drone cargo capability under the Volatus brand in preparation for the anticipated Transport Canada/FAA regulatory changes. “Positioning Volatus with this license is an important step toward our long-term vision of drone cargo operations, when we are scheduled to take delivery of the first 3.8 tonne Natilus Kona uncrewed regional feeder aircraft (announced in a press release on January 25, 2022 ),” says Glen Lynch, CEO of Volatus Aerospace Corp. “It is still early days for large, commercial drone cargo and our primary revenues for the next few years will continue to come from data, analytics, intelligence and equipment sales.” “Today, our cargo business is limited to smaller drones, which are practical for inter-island, remote areas, industrial sites, medical and offshore applications. These current use cases continue to build our experience and reputation as an operator of cargo drones,” added Michael Hill, Regional Director for Volatus. About Volatus Aerospace: Volatus Aerospace Corp. is a leading provider of integrated drone solutions throughout North America and growing into Latin America and globally. Volatus serves civil, public safety, and defense markets with imaging and inspection, security and surveillance, equipment sales and support, training, as well as R&D, design, and manufacturing. Through our subsidiary, Volatus Aviation, we are introducing green and innovative drone solutions to supplement and replace traditional aircraft and helicopters for long-linear inspections such as pipeline, energy, rail, and cargo services. Volatus is committed to carbon neutrality; the fostering of a safe, equitable and inclusive workplace; and responsible governance. About Natilus: Natilus was founded in 2016 to commoditize the air cargo transport industry by designing and manufacturing one of the world’s first autonomous aircraft for efficient and sustainable freight transport. This new fleet of blended wing body (BWB) autonomous freight aircraft will increase volume by 60% and lower costs by 60%, while reducing carbon emissions by 50%. Natilus aircraft use existing ground infrastructure and standard air cargo containers to produce an innovative turnkey solution for customers. The first in a family of aircraft, the Natilus Kona, is expected to carry up to 4.3 metric tonnes of freight, fly as far as 900 nautical miles, and cruise at 220 knots. To date, Natilus has an order book of $6B for 460+ aircraft. Volatus has the rights to the first aircraft production slot. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information regarding: (i) the business plans and expectations of the Company; and (ii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and operating plans, strategies, or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to it and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the commercialization of drone flights beyond visual line of sight and potential benefits to the Company; and meeting the continued listing requirements of the TSXV. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Source: Volatus Aerospace Corp. TSXV: VOL Contact Details Abhinav Singhvi +1 514-447-7986 abhinav.singhvi@volatusaerospace.com Company Website https://volatusaerospace.com

February 15, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image

Minuteman Press International Founder & CEO Bob Titus Reflects on 50 Years in Business

Minuteman Press International Inc

In 2023, Minuteman Press International is proud to celebrate 50 years in business! The first Minuteman Press center opened in Plainview, NY in 1973. Roy Titus, founder of Minuteman Press along with his son Bob Titus, decided to open the shop after running a successful operation for Parent’s Magazine. While working with other printers for Parent’s Magazine, Roy realized that the printing industry was a huge market that had untapped potential. In 1973, that first Plainview shop served as a quick printing operation that filled the need for 1-color, short-run orders that needed to be done fast. From there, Roy tapped into the potential of the industry, creating the first one-stop Minuteman Press design, marketing, and printing center. Products and capabilities expanded, and over the past 50 years, Minuteman Press has continued to be at the forefront of the printing industry as leaders and innovators. It all started with that first Plainview shop in 1973, where Roy, along with his son Bob and childhood friends Jim Galasso and Dave Scadin, laid the foundation for the worldwide franchisor that Minuteman Press International is today. Bob Titus, who remains our CEO today, shares his thoughts, experiences, and memories of what it was like laying the groundwork in 1973. What was it like working in the Plainview shop in 1973? Bob Titus: “Jimmy Galasso and I ran the shop together, and a couple of months later we brought in Dave Scadin. I have known both of them since I was 6-years-old. I came home from college, and Jimmy was working at a sporting goods store. He came to our house and when my dad offered him the job, he said yes. We needed someone else down the road, and that’s when Dave joined us after working for the Town of Oyster Bay. Originally, Dave was making deliveries for us, but one day our press broke. Dave came into the shop and told us to get out of the way. He fixed the press and from that point forward he was our press operator. Over the years, we’ve had 36 people from Oyster Bay High School and St. Dominic’s High School work with us. It all stemmed from us as childhood friends working together and then expanding from there. It’s been an incredible ride.” What was it like working with your dad Roy Titus? How did you get started running the shop? Bob Titus: “My dad and I didn’t work in the shop together but he would come in and give us great ideas. He was really smart, and did things like start our marketing program and add pickup and delivery as a service to our customers. For me, this all started with my dad hiring an old-time printer named Tom, who taught me and Jimmy Galasso how to run the press and do bindery work. One day, a real estate customer came into the Plainview shop and my dad happened to be there. They wanted flyers printed and delivered down the street to their office once the job was done. Tom said we don’t do delivery, and my dad stepped in and said that yes, we’ll deliver the job once it’s finished. Tom said we wouldn’t want to get into delivery, and Roy disagreed. My dad saw this as a great service we could provide that would make it easy for customers to do business with us. He also decided that we don’t have to wait for customers to come in, and that we can go to the customers ourselves. At the time, the huge commercial printers were looking for home run clients, and they were not going door to door. We started going door to door, starting in the retail area, and we were picking up business.” “The two biggest things we did to really get the shop going strong were: Marketing to the customers, going to them and not waiting for them to come to us; Adding pickup and delivery options at a time where others just weren’t doing that. My dad always told us to never say no to the customer. No matter what the customer wants, get it for them.” -Bob Titus How did Minuteman Press originally grow from there into a franchise? Bob Titus: “First, our Plainview shop went from an AB Dick 1-color press to an older Multi-Graphic Press that really improved the quality of the work we were doing. When we opened the second Farmingdale store, we purchased a new Multi-Graphic Press along with our first 3M camera that lead to us implementing the franchise model for other shops. We found that the 3M company invented a plastic plate camera where the plastic plates would cost about the same as a paper platemaker. The plastic plates allowed for metal plate quality that wouldn’t stretch and allowed for 2-color printing. The salesman told us the camera could help us produce 2, 3, and 4-color printing with plastic plates that don’t stretch like paper plates, and he was right. The cameras did everything the salesman said they could do. We first hired Mike Jutt as our press operator for the Farmingdale shop, where we first used the press with the 3M camera. He did a great job and the Farmingdale center became the prototype for the Minuteman Press franchise. When we started franchising, we asked Mike to create the training program to teach the owners our system. He created and implemented the training program, and he’s done an absolutely fabulous job for 50 years. Mike ultimately became our Executive VP & Director of Training, and is still going strong today.” “I want to share one quick story from our Farmingdale shop. This speaks to the importance of being involved in the community and joining local clubs and organizations. At that time, Farmingdale merchants held their Hardscrabble Day. Families would come to the event and one year, they needed to hire a clown at the last minute. My dad volunteered to pay for the clown, who would blow up balloons for the kids and put smiles on their faces. The families were happy, the merchants saw us as saviors for stepping in to help, and many of them started using us for their printing. That $50 investment and ‘saving the day’ lead to a lot of business.” -Bob Titus “Because the press and camera worked so well in Farmingdale, my dad ordered another one for our Plainview shop, and then a third one. When the head honchos at 3M saw that we had purchased 3 cameras in 6 months, they paid us a visit to see what we were doing. On their end, they were having trouble selling the cameras because other printers were reluctant to change. They said we had a terrific idea for using these cameras and suggested we franchise. 3M really believed in our concept and our program, and so they offered financing to new owners. They allowed the owners to form a shell corporation so that they wouldn’t have personal liability. We then went to a franchise show at the NY Coliseum, just looking to put people into business in the Tri-State Area, and we would support those owners. At that show, we had one prospect who wanted to open in Boston, and another one who wanted to open in Los Angeles. At first, we said no to going out of state, but they were persistent. At that point, my dad reached out to six quality people who had worked for him in the past, who had sons that were around my age. My dad felt this would be a great business for a father and son, and he was able to hire them. He had them go to six different cities - Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles – and hire a press operator. They ran these Minuteman Press shops with the press and 3M cameras, and followed our business model. Then, they franchised and supported the new stores that opened around them while also working in their own shops. As these cities expanded with more franchises, we could no longer run our own stores while supporting the new owners. That is when we made the decision to sell those original shops we owned and support the owners full-time. We had the press operator, the marketing person, and the regional vice president for those locations, and that’s how our local support teams were originally formed. Ultimately, we sold hundreds of 3M cameras, and they also were able to sell the ancillary materials needed for those cameras. This really helped us get going as a franchise, and the company-owned stores became profitable very quickly because of the new marketing program we introduced. As we generated more and more business and sold those satellite stores, that’s how we created the support teams that laid the groundwork for our regional teams today.” What are some the key ways that Minuteman Press has evolved over the years? Bob Titus: “One of the biggest changes we’ve ever made was when my dad introduced the royalty cap to our owners around 1977-78. The owners thought we were crazy, but what happened is that this really incentivized our owners to sell more and more. At the time, we saw owners who were making 15K/month at the time start selling 20, 30, 40K, 50K. My dad sent them a letter and told them to act as if you’re paying the full royalties, and use that money to reinvest and build the business. Many of our owners bought into this idea. They appreciated the royalty cap but also understood how important it was to hire that extra marketing person, or add that piece of equipment, etc.” Other key changes Bob noted are: We originally created manual price lists that went from 50 to 1,000 copies, for 1-color printing on 8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14, or 11 x 17. Eventually, we decided to develop pricing software. Our original pricing software was on a Tandy 1000 from Radio Shack. It was developed by an owner in Dallas, Texas, who had a computer background and previously worked for EDS (Electronic Data Systems). We then hired IT people to create our first software program. This laid the groundwork and planted the seeds to what is the incredibly dynamic FLEX pricing and management software today. When copiers were invented in the 1970s, people wrongly predicted that all of the printers would go out of business. Instead, when Xerox machines were introduced, printers bought the machines and grew their sales. To this day, our partnerships with Xerox and Konica-Minolta have been a tremendous asset to our owners. Everything we’ve done / added from a products and services standpoint has worked. We would add new products based on what our owners would be farming out. That’s how we added apparel and promotional products, as it just made sense to add those based on what they were selling. Other key changes and points of growth include direct mail / EDDM, digital printing, wide format printing. “We started this business by filling a void for our clients. To this day, we continue to fill that void in different areas that make sense and meet their needs.” -Bob Titus Is there anything else you’d like to share? Bob Titus: “My dad was president of Minuteman Press for the first 20 years, and we were in pure growth mode in terms of opening new franchise locations. We expanded from the USA into Canada, and I even ran the Toronto office for two years. For the next 25 years of our history, I was president of the company. We expanded even further internationally to the UK, Australia, and South Africa. I felt that my job was to improve on existing services and add services that made the most sense for our owners. We would conduct studies and see what’s next, then implement new items to benefit our owners. Everything we did and still do, we always try to think of how we can best help them. For over 3 years now, my son Nick has been president of the company. He took over for me just 3 months before the pandemic. Looking back on it now, this is one of the best decisions we made to elevate him to president when we did. There is no way I could have carried us through the way he did. Everything he did and everything our team did was just tremendous. There were daily communications, the Bounce Back program, and so much hard work and dedication. His vision helped all of us adapt. Even though I already knew this, it just assured me that everybody’s in great hands.” Bob concludes: “Looking back, I think of the longtime owners that helped us build the company. And then I think of every owner out there who has since helped us build, whether they realize it or not. We are all like family, and we’re in this together. Let me also say that what makes me feel so gratified is when the business is turned over from parents to their kids. It’s always such a great feeling to see a business that people worked really hard to build carry through to the next generation. I know that from experience, as both a son and as a dad. Over 50 years… it’s certainly been an incredible ride.” For more information on Minuteman Press products and services and to find your local Minuteman Press franchise, visit https://minuteman.com. To learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities, visit https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

February 14, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image

Since Elon Musk’s Takeover, Twitter Has Seen a Rapid Rise in Gen-Z, Neo-Nazi Antisemitism, New Study Shows

Combat Hate Foundation

A study by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) has demonstrated that extremist elements have viewed Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter as an opportunity to rejoin the social media platform en masse. The study also indicates that a sea change is taking place on Twitter with respect to the proliferation of extremist antisemitic content. Much attention has been paid to Kanye “Ye” West’s antisemitic tirade, and indeed NCRI/CAM’s data finds his remarks triggered a significant increase of 136% in toxic comments, threats, and identity attacks in tweets pertaining to Jews on the platform. Furthermore, the data suggests that the influx of extremist activity onto Twitter began far before West’s statements, with an organized effort of extremist communities like the Gen Z, neo-Nazi “Groypers,” led by white supremacist Nick Fuentes. The report finds they acted as a vanguard: anticipating, planning for, and capitalizing on Musk’s acquisition of Twitter to popularize and disseminate hateful content. They did so with the expectation that Musk would provide a more hospitable platform for their brand of extremist content, joining Twitter at a rapid rate. This report comes on the heels of Twitter briefly reinstating Fuentes’s account in late January, the only mainstream social media platform that has allowed his activity. Within hours of being reinstated, Fuentes’ second tweet was a video showcasing “ye24” and “Death Con 3,” a nod to West’s October tweet where he said he was going to go “death con 3 on the Jewish people.” Using machine learning, natural language processing, open-source investigation of social media content, graph and time series analysis, and econometric techniques, NCRI examined how an antisemitic transformation has taken shape on Twitter and how these changes might relate to physical-world, antisemitic incidents. Combining CAM's expertise in identifying emerging antisemitic trends with NCRI's proprietary technology, insights are drawn from vast amounts of data across social media platforms in near-real time to uncover contemporary antisemitism on social media, and its real-life consequences. Neo-Nazi Groyper accounts joined the platform first in response to Musk joining the board of the company, then surged to their highest levels (~2,000% growth) on April 15th, with the announcement of his purchase offer. Notable spikes also accompanied Musk’s formal acquisition of the platform (~1,000%) and the reinstatement on Twitter of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Baseline levels of new Groyper accounts continuing to join the platform have also surged and remained elevated by over 200%, suggesting sustained growth in Gen-Z neo-Nazi Groyper activity on Twitter. “Since Elon Musk acquired Twitter, it has become not only a safe space for hate, especially antisemitism, but also a vector for its spread,” said Sacha Roytman Dratwa, CEO of CAM. “Many white supremacists and other extremists have perceived it as a place where there is permission to incite, and even a single tweet from someone like Nick Fuentes or Ye has to the power to sow seeds of hate for years to come. It is a very real and tangible threat.” Since Twitter accepted Musk’s offer in April, monthly references to tropes about “Soros” and “Globalists,” which are often antisemitic, have nearly doubled. This is of great concern, as the NCRI/CAM now characterizes online antisemitism as an upstream predictor of real-world incidents. In fact, these impacts have emerged in tandem with a surge in real-world antisemitic activity, and the data suggests key antisemitic conspiracy terms on Twitter both correlated with and were useful for forecasting these activities. “There is almost a horseshoe effect mobilizing against the Jewish people, with white supremacists, Black Hebrew Israelites, Islamists, and others working together on the only cause that unites them -- a hatred of Jews,” said Joel Finkelstein, Chief Science Officer and Director at NCRI. One example was from November last year when Christopher Brown (@vrilgod) replied to a heated argument on Twitter about the history of the transatlantic slave trade with the claim “Jews owned the ships.” Later that same day, Brown was arrested at New York City’s Penn Station carrying a “large 8-inch military-style knife, a blade longer than 4 inches, a Swastika arm patch, and a ski mask,” in connection to threats against a synagogue in the city. The tweet was subsequently uncovered, after being deleted, on the NCRI’s platform. Brown -- a white male linked to online neo-Nazi groups -- had used a trope common to the Black Hebrew Israelites. His quip on Twitter and subsequent planned terror attack shows the convergence of different racial hatreds in new, unexpected ways that appear to be growing in popularity and attention, with a rash against Jews taking place in the physical world. To view the full CAM/NCRI report on Twitter and its responsibility for a rise in antisemitism, click here. The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) is a global coalition engaging more than 650 partner organizations and two million people from a diverse array of religious, political, and cultural backgrounds in the common mission of fighting the world’s oldest hatred. CAM acts collaboratively to build a better future, free of bigotry, for Jews and all humanity. Contact Details JDA Worldwide +1 615-473-0794 Press@jdaworldwide.com Company Website https://combatantisemitism.org/

February 08, 2023 01:32 PM Eastern Standard Time

Image

Alan Schneider Celebrates 15 Years as Owner of Minuteman Press Franchise in Northvale, NJ

Minuteman Press International Inc

The Minuteman Press franchise in Northvale, NJ has been operating for over 40 years. Alan Schneider and his wife Nadine are celebrating 15 years as owners and share their insights and reflections. Minuteman Press in Northvale, NJ is located at 202 Livingston Street, Northvale, NJ 07647. Congrats on 15 years! What does this milestone mean to you and what are the keys to your success and longevity? Nadine and Alan: “This is a tremendous milestone for us. Although we have hit this milestone in our tenure, the shop has been in business for over 40 years in this community. We are well known and very involved in the town. For years, people were saying the printing industry was dying. Then the pandemic hit and I think everyone feared a little bit for the future. However, I have to say that I never expected the bounce back from the pandemic to be such a boon for business. I think people realized that community is important, supporting local business is important, and although online marketing has a place, it’s not the only game in town. Print is still king. The keys to our success and longevity are: providing a warm and friendly place to do business; being knowledgeable about our products and services; letting our clients know that their success is important to us and we are here to help them; caring about our clients as people—not just as customers; and, most importantly, reliability and integrity.” What are some of the key ways you’ve grown your business? Nadine and Alan: “Believe it or not, the pandemic was a blessing for our business. It forced us to take critical look at how we were operating. We took a hard look at our numbers, and strategized on what we could do better in both operations and marketing. On the operational side, we cut out some of the fat and streamlined things where needed.” Alan: “My wife, Nadine, has an MBA in marketing and has owned a marketing and graphic design business for 15+ years. She joined me in our Northvale, NJ location and is providing all the graphic design services. Not only was this a strategic financial/operational move, it was the best marketing move we could have made. We are now truly a marketing, design and printing company – a one-stop shop!” Nadine and Alan: “Our clients are provided with a free consultation on the best ways to market their business. We do the strategy, design and printing. When the clients see the results, they come back for additional products and services—and they tell their friends! The savings we realized from our reduction in payroll was also reinvested in the business by increasing our participation in the SEO/Internet marketing program. We are starting to see an uptick in our internet leads! A couple of other cool things… Last year, we expanded our marketing strategy by promoting ourselves as a local family business. Our holiday cards now feature our family photo – myself, Nadine, and our 4 grown children. The theme is, Family is everything. We appreciate you being part of ours. I can’t tell you how many compliments we received on that card. People feel like they know our family, and always ask how our kids are doing. This year, we will be planning a marketing program to celebrate my birthday on October 26 th. Why? Because we found out that it’s also National Printing Day! We are going to have a lot of fun with that. We also do a lot of in-person networking by being active in our home and business communities. We are BNI members and directors, are involved with many not-for-profits, serve on the boards of the local Chambers of Commerce, and are Auxiliary Police Officers in our hometown. We are always visible helping the community in whatever way we can.” What are your high-demand products and services? Nadine and Alan: “We do a ton of direct mail, particularly EDDM. Although the program has been around for years, it’s really been gaining traction since the pandemic. Once our clients see how well direct mail works for them, they either expand their reach or frequency…or both. We help them build their customer lists as a result of their EDDM efforts, then assist them with targeted direct mail programs to these new customers. We are proud to say that many of our clients credit us with helping them build their businesses through direct mail. They refer to us as the direct mail experts! We also began heavily promoting branded apparel. It’s featured in the front of our store, and we make a point of mentioning it to our clients when they come into the shop. Once we learn about their business, we suggest what types of apparel and promotional items they may want to consider to boost their brand awareness.” What are your key growth areas? Nadine and Alan: “Again, direct mail and apparel are huge for us. Design as well. Our previous graphic designer was more of a layout/production person. Nadine is a true creative. Everything we do for a client now has a marketing strategy behind it, and a creative, eye-catching design. Clients who come in with their ideas are truly blown away by how we bring their visions to life. One successful campaign for a client usually snowballs into more business—and more referrals! But our true measure of success is knowing how we are helping our clients grow their businesses.” How would you best describe your community? Nadine and Alan: “Northvale, NJ is one square mile in area, right on the New York State border. The community is comprised of mostly residential homes, a small downtown with shopping and a handful of light industrial/manufacturing. Since it’s a small-town area, we focus on serving the local trades, retail stores, restaurants, professional services and industrial businesses. We have also built a client list outside of our small regional area by creating relationships with professionals that can provide us with ongoing business.” Why do you think printing remains so vital to businesses today? What are the benefits of print? Nadine and Alan: “Several years ago, email marketing became extremely popular because it was free. Today, in-boxes are flooded with messages that are deleted before they are even opened. A wasted marketing effort, even though it is ‘free.’ With print, your message is tangible. A direct mail piece in someone’s mailbox is handled – even if it is eventually discarded. Someone saw it, and handled it. Print is the ultimate conversation-starter. Hand someone a brochure, mail them a postcard, or even embroider your company name on your polo – and you are now visible to them. The most successful businesses rely on print for the majority of their marketing, so it is definitely here to stay.” What was your background before franchising? Alan: “I owned a food distribution company prior to owning a Minuteman Press. I wanted something new, but I still wanted to be a business owner. I chose Minuteman Press because of the company’s reputation for training and support of its franchisees. Also, printing is a consumable business which means repeat business.” What has the support from Minuteman Press International been like for you? Nadine and Alan: “Pick up the phone, send an email, and someone is there to help. The conventions are invaluable. We always come back learning something new, whether it’s from corporate or fellow owners. We look forward to seeing everyone, and meeting new people. It’s like a family reunion! We’ve also come back with new vendors to try which really had an impact on our business.” What are the biggest rewards of owning your business? Nadine and Alan: “Being an integral part of other people’s businesses and helping them achieve their goals. Also, being part of the community.” What advice would you give to others? Nadine and Alan: “Be professional and be persistent!” Minuteman Press in Northvale, NJ is located at 202 Livingston Street, Northvale, NJ 07647. For more information, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/nj/northvale/ 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

February 06, 2023 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image

1 ... 33 34 35 36 37 ... 94