News Hub | News Direct

CSG Accelerates Growth, Expands Career Opportunities and Community Partnerships Across India with Flexible, Employee-Centered Work Philosophy

CSG

CSG (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced the continued growth of its workforce in Bangalore, India, the largest office across the more than 20 countries where the company operates. CSG’s India technology centers of excellence, employ over 1,500 world class technologists, of which 500 were hired in the last year. The company continues to significantly invest and grow in India with up to 500 new hires to come in the next 18 months. Today, the office serves as a primary center for CSG product development, technology innovation and research. “At CSG, we create career opportunities where every day our employees can pursue their passions, show up as their true selves, and deliver unmatched value and results for our customers," said Sudhansu Panigrahi, head of India operations at CSG. "To unlock the full potential of our people, we’ve cultivated a culture that values authenticity and encourages every employee to dream big, fail fast, and constantly evolve. CSG is committed to delivering game-changing technologies that lead to extraordinary outcomes for our customers, and our growing team across India is at the heart of driving our innovation." CSG is reimagining what today’s workplace is like and how it should be, for both current employees and new hires. The company’s workplace of the future philosophy supports work-life integration and employees' diverse needs, providing flexibility and personal choice so employees can do their best work from anywhere in India. Today, CSG employees can work from their home offices, one of the CSG offices or a mix of both, letting them flourish in a workspace most conducive to their productivity and supporting each employee’s needs. Additionally, the company continues to emphasize and promote personal wellness and well-being by providing the resources and means to enable worldwide collaboration and personal connection across its over 5,000 employees. CSG’s commitment to inspire and deliver impact extends beyond its corporate walls and into the communities where its people live and work. In India, CSG works with the Udayan Shalini Fellowship Program (USF) and Prerana Nurturing Merit, two local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to empower women through higher education, mentoring, training and employability. CSG’s focus on gender diversity and equitable gender representation in the workplace, has led to over 40% of new hires and 36% of the total CSG India employee base being women. CSG plans to engage with additional NGOs and expand its community partnerships in the future. CSG employees are also encouraged and supported with volunteer paid time off to give back to their communities in ways that are meaningful and impactful to each individual. To learn more about careers at CSG and our company culture, visit CSG careers. About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For nearly 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2021 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. CSG Contacts Jordy Spitale Public Relations 1 (504) 615-8820 Jordy.spitale@csgi.com John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Tammy Hovey +1 917-520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

October 04, 2021 08:00 PM Mountain Daylight Time

OPPO launches ColorOS 12 based on Android 12

OPPO

SHENZHEN, CHINA - Media OutReach - 5 October 2021 - Following Google release of Android 12, OPPO just released its new ColorOS 12 operating system (global version) based on Android 12, making it one of the first OEMs to release Android 12, available first on the OPPO Find X3 Pro in Indonesia and Malaysia. Serving as a pilot version of ColorOS 12, this edition will offer you a glimpse of how the new ColorOS iteration looks and feels. OPPO plans to unveil the full details of ColorOS 12 (global version) with an online event on Oct. 11 at 9am GMT, during which OPPO will disclose the inclusive and customizable design, rich features and strong performance, and the rollout timeline of ColorOS 12. Aiming to cover as many of its users as possible, OPPO is planning to cover 110+ devices and 150 million users across the world, making it the fastest and widest reaching ColorOS update in OPPO history. For the very first time, OPPO is also announcing a major update policy. Specifically, for the OPPO devices releasing from 2019 and onwards the company will guarantee three major Android updates for its flagship Find X Series devices 1, and two Android updates for the Reno/F/K Series and an Android update in some of the A Series models 2. Together with four years of regular security patch updates for the Find X/ Reno/ F/K Series, and three years for the A Series. 1 Excluding the Find X Lite and Neo models, which will be applied to two Android updates. 2 The policy is not applicable to the carrier models. Contact Details OPPO Ricca Huang riccahuang@oppo.com OPPO Lucas Yan yansu@oppo.com

October 04, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

#Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare - Sim&Cure Announces the Appointment of Dan Raffi as Chief Operating Officer and Board Member

Sim&Cure

Sim&Cure, leading medtech start-up providing a unique software solution combining Digital twin and AI technologies to secure neurovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms, announces the appointment of Dan Raffi as Chief Operating Officer and member of the Board of Directors. We are excited to announce that Dan Raffi, PharmD, MBA has joined Sim&Cure as our new Chief Operating Officer on October 1 st. Dan is a veteran of the healthcare industry, with a track record of over 10 years at an executive level. Dan has held various leadership positions in big pharmaceutical companies such as Allergan (AbbVie) and Medtronic, a worldwide leader in medical devices. Dan brings with him extensive experience in leadership and in managing unique business transformations. Mathieu Sanchez, Sim&Cure CEO states“Bringing a seasoned leader like Dan will ensure the next phases of our transformation and will help us to reinforce our leadership in innovation using Digital twin and AI in endovascular procedures.” Until recently, Dan was the Vice President of Global Marketing for Medtronic Neurovascular and previously led the Neurovascular division in Europe, Middle East, & Africa & Russia for 3 years. Over his past 7 years in Neurovascular, Dan developed unique and disruptive partnership at international level with governments and with many external partners like MT2020, RapidAI, Viz.Ai and Sim&Cure. “I’ve been watching Sim&Cure for the past 7 years and I never forgot my first support to the company. There were 3 employees working in a “garage” (a kind of French Dream!). In 7 years, Sim&Cure established unique computational and AI algorithms which position their products as THE cutting-edge technology in endovascular procedures. This technology is already the standard of care across the globe as it reduces the procedure time, improves the safety and performance for patients and reduces the procedure cost for hospitals and healthcare systems. In the coming decade, AI will be the next revolution in the healthcare industry, and this is one of the reasons I decided to join Sim&Cure.” said Dan Raffi. In his role, Dan will collaborate with Christophe Chnafa, Chief of Innovation & Strategy Officer, to define the product portfolio roadmap to reinforce Sim&Cure’s leadership, to expand the geographic footprints of the company, and finally to define the next generation of partnerships with the rest of the industry and hospitals. “This phase is a critical moment for Sim&Cure and I can lean on very well established, dynamic, agile teams. I know many of them after 7 years of collaboration and it is obvious that these teams are ready to overachieve the needs of healthcare providers and the expectations of investors. We have all the attributes to be successful and, as an entrepreneurial leader, it is a privilege to join a team with this level of expertise and agility” said Dan Raffi. We are #HIRING If you are interested in joining a human adventure in artificial intelligence, we are #hiring, so please send an email with your resume to Pierre Puig @ p.puig@sim-and-cure.com – HR Director About Sim&Cure Founded in 2014 and located in the vibrant medtech ecosystem in Montpellier, France, Sim&Cure is an AI startup focused on improving endovascular surgery. The first focus of the company is the treatment of cerebral aneurysms with a proprietary software suite Sim&Size (a CE marked and FDA cleared Class IIa medical device) that has already been used to treat more than 7000 patients in 350 hospitals. The company employs 45 people and anticipates a phase of strong growth with additional recruitment in 2022 to continue to improve patient care. Learn more about Sim&Cure: www.sim-and-cure.com Learn more about Mathieu Sanchez https://www.linkedin.com/in/Mathieu-sanchez-4a764637/ Learn more about Dan Raffi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-raffi-7491171b/ Learn more about Christophe Chnafa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophe-chnafa Contact Details Dan Raffi d.raffi@sim-and-cure.com

October 04, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

100 Oakland Small Businesses Owned by People of Color to Each Receive a $10,000 Grant from Comcast RISE Totaling $1 Million

Comcast California

Small Businesses Can Also Receive a Technology Makeover or Marketing Services Comcast RISE to support 13,000 small businesses owned by people of color nationwide, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian American owners, among others, by the end of 2022 The Comcast RISE Investment Fund will award $1 million in grants to 100 Oakland small businesses (1 to 25 employees) owned by people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic and Asian American, among others. Comcast RISE – which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment – has awarded marketing and technology services to 228 businesses in California so far. To help drive outreach and awareness about Comcast RISE opportunity and provide additional support and training, Comcast has also awarded a $50,000 grant to the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made today during a virtual press conference with the Mayor of Oakland, Libby Schaff; California Assembly Member, Mia Bonta; Alameda County Assessor, Phong La; President & CEO of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, Cathy Adams; and Owner of Mannequin Madness in Oakland and previous Comcast RISE recipient, Judi Townsend. “The economic effects of the global pandemic have been felt worldwide including significant impacts here in Oakland,” said Barbara Leslie, president & CEO, Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “We know that our small, local, woman-owned and people of color businesses – that are responsible for creating the beautiful tapestry we call home – have been disproportionately impacted by COVID. We applaud Comcast’s vision, through the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, to ensure that small businesses that exist today will be a part of Oakland’s economic and social fabric tomorrow and many years to come.” “Like many others, my small business was impacted by the pandemic. Thanks to the Comcast RISE program, I can reach new audiences,” said Judi Townsend, owner of Mannequin Madness and Oakland resident. Townsend benefited from the program twice, once with the production and placement of a TV commercial and then with a technology makeover. “The application process was much more straightforward than other grants. I encourage my fellow eligible business owners to apply for the grant and technology or marketing makeovers.” The Comcast RISE Investment Fund monetary grants are intended to help small businesses owned by people of color grow as they navigate the challenges of the pandemic. The Investment Fund is the latest extension of Comcast RISE, the multi-year, multi-faceted initiative launched in 2020 to provide small businesses owned by people of color the opportunity to apply for marketing and technology services from Comcast Business and Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable. Through Comcast RISE, the company also announced it will support 13,000 small businesses, owned by people of color, with monetary grants; a TV campaign, production of a TV commercial or consulting services from Effectv; or computer equipment, internet, voice or cybersecurity from Comcast Business by the end of 2022. Oakland is one of six cities nationwide that was selected to award a $10,000 grant to 100 local businesses from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, for a total of $6 million across 600 businesses. “When we launched Comcast RISE, we knew a profound need existed in many of the communities we serve,” said Kristeen Cominiello, Vice President of Comcast Business, Comcast California. “We now have seen firsthand how the program’s marketing and technology resources benefit the business owners who are working hard to rise above what happened in 2020. Today, with Oakland being chosen as a Comcast RISE Investment Fund grant city, we are so excited to see how this infusion of funding will further propel businesses. We know the impacts will be meaningful and far reaching.” Comcast RISE is part of an expanded Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitment that Comcast announced last summer, as well as a coordinated cross-company effort to address digital inequities through sustainable programming and investments such as Internet Essentials and Lift Zones. In addition, grant recipients will receive a complimentary 12-month membership to the coaching program from Ureeka, an online platform for entrepreneurs, to help them build skills, gain more customers and become financially stable. Comcast RISE was formed in late 2020 to give small businesses owned by people of color, from bakeries and barber shops to childcare centers and cleaning services, the tools needed to not just survive, but thrive. Comcast RISE Marketing and Technology Services In addition to the Investment Fund, Comcast RISE provides the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color nationwide to apply for one or more of the following support focus areas with the opportunity to receive one. Marketing Services: The following services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, and its creative agency, Mnemonic, are designed to help recipients with their marketing and media campaigns, including: Media: A linear TV media campaign to run over a 90-day period. Creative Production: Turnkey 30-second TV commercial production, plus a media strategy consultation and a 90-day linear TV media campaign. Consulting: Advertising and marketing consultations with local Effectv marketing, research and creative teams to gain insights on how to drive business. Technology Makeovers: The state-of-the-art equipment and technology upgrade from Comcast Business includes computer equipment as well as internet, voice and cybersecurity services for up to a 12-month period. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for tech makeover services.) Monetary Grants: In the first round, Comcast RISE announced $5 million in grants to 500 businesses across five metropolitan areas including Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta and Houston. Each business received $10,000 to invest in its own growth and sustainability. The grants were awarded in May. In September 2021, Comcast RISE announced that $10,000 grants will be awarded to 600 small businesses in Houston, Miami, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C., providing $6 million additional dollars to hundreds of small businesses owned by people of color, bringing the total to $11 million in grants awarded as part of the Comcast RISE Investment Fund. All small business owners can visit the Comcast RISE destination on Xfinity X1, which features aggregated small business news, resources, Comcast RISE recipient stories and more. The destination is designed to help businesses grow by empowering them through inspiration, education and entertainment. Just say “Comcast RISE” into the X1 voice remote. Comcast’s Ongoing Commitment to Advancing Digital Equity Comcast RISE is part of Comcast’s ongoing efforts to advance digital equity and help to provide underrepresented small business owners with access to the digital tools and funding they need to thrive. Over the next 10 years, Comcast has committed $1 billion to programs and partnerships that will reach an estimated 50 million people with the skills, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. For more information or to apply (starting Oct. 1, 2021) for either the grant program or marketing and technology services visit www.ComcastRISE.com. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 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. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, visit www.business.comcast.com or call 866- 429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About Effectv Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, helps local, regional and national advertisers use the best of digital with the power of TV to grow their business. It provides multi-screen marketing solutions to make advertising campaigns more effective and easier to execute. Headquartered in New York with offices throughout the country, Effectv has a presence in 66 markets with nearly 35 million owned and represented subscribers. For more information, visit www.effectv.com. Contact Details Comcast California Adriana Arvizo +1 925-200-1919 Adriana_Arvizo@comcast.com Fiona Hutton & Associates Jon Koriel +1 714-686-4097 jkoriel@fionahuttonassoc.com

October 01, 2021 10:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Image

STARTING TODAY, SMALL BUSINESSES IN KING AND PIERCE COUNTIES MAY APPLY FOR $10,000 GRANTS FROM COMCAST RISE

Comcast Washington

Comcast today announced that small businesses owned by people of color in King and Pierce Counties, may now apply for a $10,000 grant from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund. Comcast will award $1 million in grants to 100 eligible businesses in these two counties, as well as technology and marketing resources to eligible businesses statewide. Comcast RISE Investment Fund Starting today, October 1, and through October 14, eligible businesses can apply for Comcast RISE monetary grants, and, or marketing and technology services at www.ComcastRISE.com. Winners will be notified in November. Local small businesses seeking more information about the $10,000 grants, may learn more about the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, eligibility requirements, and how to apply by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXVAf3-Mxys&t=21s The Investment Fund is an extension of Comcast RISE, the multi-year, multi-faceted initiative launched in October 2020 to support small businesses owned by people of color and provide the resources and tools they need to thrive for years to come. The Comcast RISE Investment Fund is focused on small businesses that have been in business for three or more years with 1-25 employees. Comcast RISE Marketing and Technology Services In addition to the Investment Fund, Comcast RISE, which stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment,” provides the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color nationwide to apply for one or more of the following support focus areas with the opportunity to receive one. Marketing Services: The following services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, and its creative agency, Mnemonic, are designed to help recipients with their marketing and media campaigns, including: Media: A linear TV media campaign to run over a 90-day period. Creative Production: Turnkey:30 TV commercial production, plus a media strategy consultation and 90-day media placement schedule. Consulting: Advertising and marketing consultations with local Effectv marketing, research, and creative teams to gain insights on how to drive business. Technology Makeovers: The state-of-the-art equipment and technology upgrade from Comcast Business includes computer equipment as well as Internet, Voice, and Cybersecurity services for up to a 12-month period. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for technology makeover services.) Monetary Grants: In round one, which was announced in April of 2021, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund provided $5 million in grants to 500 small businesses owned by people of color in five cities: Philadelphia/Chester, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Detroit. The Comcast RISE Investment Fund will now provide an additional $6 million in grants to 600 small businesses owned by people of color in six cities: Miami, Houston, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C. All eligible applicants will receive a monthly Comcast RISE newsletter with educational content, and all small business owners can visit the Comcast RISE destination on the X1 platform featuring aggregated small business news, tips, insights, and more. Just say “Comcast RISE” into the X1 voice remote. To help drive awareness about the program and provide additional support and training in King and Pierce Counties, Comcast is partnering with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Latino Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA). Comcast’s Ongoing Commitment to Advancing Digital Equity Comcast RISE is part of an expanded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) commitment that Comcast announced in June 2020, as well as an ongoing cross-company effort to address digital inequities. Over the next 10 years, Comcast is pledging $1 billion to programs and partnerships that will connect an estimated 50 million people with the skills, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest-growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, visit www.business.comcast.com or call 866- 429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About Effectv Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, helps local, regional and national advertisers use the best of digital with the power of TV to grow their business. It provides multi-screen marketing solutions to make advertising campaigns more effective and easier to execute. Headquartered in New York with offices throughout the country, Effectv has a presence in 66 markets with nearly 35 million owned and represented subscribers. For more information, visit www.effectv.com. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Andy Colley Andy_Colley@Comcast.com Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

October 01, 2021 08:25 AM Pacific Daylight Time

CSG Systems International to Hold Third Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call on November 3

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) invites you to participate in a conference call on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 5:00pm ET to discuss the company's third quarter 2021 earnings results. The conference call will feature CSG president and chief executive officer Brian Shepherd and CSG chief financial officer Rollie Johns. To reach the conference, call 1-888-440-4531 and use the passcode 6134021 Click here to join a webcast of CSG’s earnings call in live or archived format. # # # About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For nearly 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2021 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contact: John Rea Investor Relations CSG +1 (210) 687 4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details John Rea +1 210-687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

October 01, 2021 06:30 AM Mountain Daylight Time

Virgin Money London Marathon using Restrata technology to help keep elite athletes COVID-Safe

Restrata

As the Virgin Money London Marathon returns to the city’s streets this Sunday, Restrata, a global contact tracing specialist, will be helping to keep the elite runners COVID-Safe with their cutting-edge technology. Already adopted by businesses and venues, as well as being used at international sporting tournaments, Restrata Platform is now being used to help ensure the world’s top marathoners arrive at the starting line in Greenwich for the 41 st London Marathon. In addition to daily Covid testing, the 100 elite athletes scheduled to take part in the Virgin Money London Marathon, including defending champion and world record holder, Brigid Kosgei, as well as their support staff, are wearing a Restrata tag in the elite hotel. This device means that if a positive case of Covid is recorded, it’s fast and simple to identify who else has shared the same space, at the same time, so that the necessary safety measures can be put in place to prevent any spread of the virus. Restrata Platform was initially designed to protect workers in the energy and industrial sector and ensure their safety. Having been further developed and successfully implemented at cricket tournaments for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Indian Premier League (IPL) and the English Cricket Board (ECB), Restrata is proud to be part of bringing back large-scale sporting events in a safe, controlled way. Botan Osman, CEO, Restrata, comments: “Supporting the Virgin Money London Marathon this year is incredibly exciting for Restrata. As an international business much of our work is carried out overseas, so with the final stage of the race just a short sprint from our London office, and being a Londoner myself, this project is close to our hearts. “Helping to keep the elite team and their support staff safe with Restrata Platform and our contact tracing technology will ensure that the runners enter the race in top form and with 100% confidence. We're delighted to be able to support Hugh Brasher and his team in staging such a prestigious sporting event.” Hugh Brasher, Event Director of London Marathon Events, adds: “London Marathon Events is delighted to be working with Restrata to ensure we have accurate data to keep our elite athletes safe and healthy as they prepare for the Virgin Money London Marathon. “In this uncertain world, the Restrata technology gives us certainty in planning for some incredible racing between our elite athletes and para-athletes on Sunday 3 October at the 41st London Marathon.” About Restrata Founded in 2006, Restrata has been a pioneer in smart tech solutions that help multi-nationals safeguard their people, strategic assets, and physical infrastructure in some of the most challenging operating environments in the world. Restrata Platform is an integrated safety, security, and mobility cloud-based software. It is designed to manage the safety of people across sites, offices, and countries around the globe. In response to the pandemic, Restrata developed a COVID-Safe module within the Platform, creating a technology-enabled bio-secure environment for the safe return to operations in any industry. The Restrata Platform is already operational across offices, companies, venues, and international tournaments around the world. And in our uncertain world, The Restrata Platform can flex to address most safety and security concerns, leaving you and your workforce as protected and resilient as possible. restrata.com About the London Marathon The London Marathon was first held on 29 March 1981 and the millionth finisher in the history of the event crossed the line in 2016. The 40th Race took place on Sunday 4 October 2020 with elite races on a biosecure closed-loop circuit around St James's Park and 37,966 runners around the world running the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon on the course of their choice any time from 00:00:00 to 23:59:59 BST. Participants were able to download the Virgin Money London Marathon app powered by TCS to record their run. All finishers received a New Balance finisher's t-shirt and medal. In 2019 the Virgin Money London Marathon raised £66.4 million for charity, setting a new Guinness World Record for an annual one-day charity fundraising event for a 13th successive year. This brought the total raised for charity since 1981 to more than £1 billion. London Marathon Events gifts its surplus each year to The London Marathon Charitable Trust. Since 1981, The London Marathon Charitable Trust has awarded grants totalling in excess of £93 million to more than 1,490 projects in London and across the UK. Contact Details Fox Agency Chloe Murray +44 7961 116568 chloe@fox.agency Company Website https://www.restrata.com

October 01, 2021 05:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

Gen Z Responds, Demands More From Facebook and Big Socials

LookUp.Live

Facebook’s attempt during today’s Congressional hearing to defend its inaction to protect children from online harms fell short on transparency and accountability. Digital natives, tired of being the guinea pig for big social media companies, are taking their message to the global stage at the Youth 4 Youth iSummit, October 14-17th, 2021. Hosted by LookUp.live, a by-youth-for-youth social venture, in partnership with the creators of the Netflix docu-drama, The Social Dilemma, more than 100 youth activists, entrepreneurs, and innovators are confirmed to speak on topics ranging from digital addiction, suicide, ethical AI, sexual exploitation, and the undeniable impact of Instagram and Tik Tok on young girls mental health. A sampling of youth speakers includes: Maddie Freeman, who after losing several friends to suicide in high school, launched NoSo November to educate youth about social media’s impact on mental health/suicide. John Grady of Screen Allies will lead a panel of ethical engineers in a discussion around the definition, benefits, and need for more human-centered technologies. Smith Alley, Founder of Live Life Bigger, will speak to the effects of the addictive nature of social media and pornography on children and teens. Emma Lembke, Co-Founder of LogOff Movement, alongside her co-founder of Tech[nically] Politics, Aliza Kopans, will speak to current legislative efforts to regulate tech and how youth can get involved. Sanat Mohapatra, Founder of Unmasked, a mental health app, will speak to the importance of creating supportive, anonymous mental health communities. The Y4Y iSummit is a catalyst for uniting and mobilizing youth advocates and their allies who are taking bold actions to create a healthy, more inclusive, and responsible digital world. Nearly 700 youth advocates representing 35+ countries registered last year for what was believed to be the largest known gathering of youth changemakers committed to this global movement. Attendance at the Y4Y iSummit, which will be hosted live, virtually, and free around the clock in the US, UK, and India, is expected to double this year. In addition to the Children’s Screentime Action Network adult ally panel, which includes several parents who have lost their children to cyberbullying suicide or a social media challenge, a host of global leaders have stepped up in support of this movement including English Premier League star, Nedum Onuoha, Deval Patrick, Co-Chair of the Future of Tech Commission and former Governor of Massachusetts; Marissa Meizz, founder of No More Lonely Friends; Amanda LaCount, hip hop dancer, choreographer, and plus size model; Jenk Oz, the UK’s youngest CEO and social entrepreneur; and John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at Harvard’s Insitute of Politics and author of Fight: How Gen Z Is Channeling Their Passion and Fear to Save America. Senator Edward Markey will issue a call to action in support of this youth-led movement and the KIDS Act. Susan Reynolds, Co-Founder of LookUp.live, believes that youth-led and youth-designed solutions are key to fixing the broken digital ecosystem so it benefits the whole of society - especially youth. "Adult-designed solutions to a problem they don’t fully understand or - as in the case of the big social companies - have chosen not to fix, have had limited success. The Y4Y iSummit will amplify youth voices and showcase youth-designed solutions to creating a digital world in which they can thrive." Why it Matters The digital transformation of society is happening at a rapid pace yielding many undeniable social and economic benefits: mental health and wellbeing communities and support are more available online, access to information and economic opportunities have improved, as has the use of artificial intelligence to advance the sustainable development goals. Yet, our disruptive and ubiquitous digital ecosystem and attention economy are wreaking havoc on the social, emotional, and developmental fabric of our youngest generations - those born digital. Consider the following: Fact - Children who are cyberbullied are 3X more likely to commit suicide; Fact - Non-fatal self-harm for girls 10-14 has increased 189% since 2009 - coinciding with the launch of Instagram; Fact - Nearly 1 in 3 teen girls have been asked by adults for nudes online; Fact - 50% of youth surveyed say they feel addicted to their phones. One of the most important facts, however, is that Facebook’s own internal research, which was recently exposed in The Wall Street Journal Facebook Files, indicates that the company knows that Instagram is damaging youth mental health. Still, Facebook continues to push toward the launch of Instagram for Kids under 13. About the Organizers The Y4Y iSummit is made possible by LookUp and the creators of the Netflix Docu-drama, The Social Dilemma, in partnership with Center for Humane Technology, Children’s Screentime Action Network, AGL Communications, Digital Wellness Institute, Thred. and the JW Brick Foundation. Founded in 2019, LookUp is a youth-led 501(c)3 social venture dedicated to helping young people thrive in the digital world. Through our flagship programs and events, we discover, empower, and mobilize youth leaders who are taking action to raise awareness, inspire, and design a healthy, more inclusive, and responsible digital world. Exposure Labs is the film & impact production company behind The Social Dilemma a film that blends documentary investigation and narrative drama to disrupt the disruptors, unveiling the hidden machinations behind everyone’s favorite social media and search platforms. Attend: Those interested in attending any or all of the Y4Y iSummit should register HERE. Contact Details LookUp.Live Julie Barrett O'Brien +1 617-834-9227 info@lookup.live Company Website https://www.lookup.live

September 30, 2021 05:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

AFSA Welcomes Chopra Confirmation

American Financial Services Association

Today the U.S. Senate confirmed Rohit Chopra as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The following statement should be attributed to Bill Himpler, President and CEO of the American Financial Services Association (AFSA), the nation’s oldest and largest national trade association singularly focused on the consumer credit industry: “Over the years, AFSA and its members have had the opportunity to work with Rohit Chopra both during his time as a Commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission and his prior stint as a senior leader at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In engaging with our industry, Mr. Chopra has always been gracious with his time and in considering the views of the consumer credit industry. We congratulate Mr. Chopra on his CFPB Senate confirmation and look forward to working constructively with him on pro-consumer policies that ensure access to credit.” About AFSA Based in Washington, D.C., the American Financial Services Association (AFSA) is the national trade association for consumer credit, committed to protecting access to credit and consumer choice. Its 450 members include traditional installment lenders, vehicle finance companies, consumer and commercial finance companies, mortgage lenders and servicers, payment card issuers, industrial banks, and industry suppliers. For more information, visit www.afsaonline.org. Contact Details Dan Bucherer +1 301-503-6061 dbucherer@afsamail.org Ed McFadden +1 703-402-5036 emcfadden@afsamail.org Company Website https://www.afsaonline.org

September 30, 2021 04:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video