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All Ears for Spotify: The Rise of Audiobooks and Where You Can Listen

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/_mhl8ZVreR8 The rise of audiobooks in sales and the number of listeners cannot be ignored anymore. Audiobooks offer an entertaining, engaging way to finally get around to all the books you’ve always meant to read, a new way to experience the stories you already love and a great way to discover your next favorite book. A recent Spotify survey found that 41% of audiobook listeners prefer audiobooks over physical books because of cognitive benefits like improving their memory or keeping their mind active. The demographics leading in listening were Gen Z and Millennials, with 72% of 18–34-year-olds listening to audiobooks. On November 7th a nationwide media tour was conducted with Xavier "X" Jernigan, Spotify AI DJ x Head of Cultural Partnerships, discussing the exciting news from Spotify as they announce that audiobooks are now available to Spotify Premium subscribers in the US, introducing tens of millions of new listeners to audiobooks. Adding audiobooks into Premium means that US subscribers will have access to 15 hours of monthly listening time from a catalog of more than 200,000 audiobooks - as part of their existing Premium subscription. Spotify users are now getting even more from their Premium subscription: an on-demand catalog of more than 100 million tracks and over 200,000 audiobooks, as well as more than 5 million podcasts. The Spotify Premium audiobook catalog includes many of the world’s most beloved titles as well as new releases: including over 70% of bestselling titles. This includes books from all of the Big 5 publishers and many independent publishers and authors - including beloved titles from classics like Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights to modern sensations like Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us. For more information visiT: newsroom.spotify.com/audiobooks Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 01, 2023 10:32 AM Eastern Standard Time

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BEVEL, THE PIONEERING MEN’S PERSONAL CARE BRAND, NAMED OVERTIME ELITE’S OFFICIAL GROOMING PARTNER

Bevel

Leading men’s head-to-toe grooming brand Bevel, is proud to announce the brand’s partnership with Overtime Elite, (OTE), as the official grooming partner starting with the new season. OTE is a eight-team basketball league that offers a unique pathway to the next level for elite 17-19 year-old players from around the world. While playing in the league, players receive cutting-edge training and academics, as well as unparalleled resources both on and off the court to prepare them for college and professional basketball. Putting the needs and priorities of OTE players at the forefront of the partnership, Bevel will be unveiling the new Bevel Shop, an OTE Player’s Only Barbershop inside OTE Arena in the heart of Atlanta, providing head-to-toe grooming and personal care to the athletes. Furthermore, Bevel products will be provided to all players to use on and, especially, off the court. Bevel’s partnership with OTE is a continuation of the brand’s track record of ensuring the authentic voice of Black culture and community are heard, served, strengthened, and uplifted. The partnership will include an educational grooming workshop for the OTE players with an elite Bevel Barber. The workshops will aim to inform the next generation of hoopers, how to start and maintain their head-to-toe grooming routines with the best products created specifically for their needs, on the road and at home. “Being the official grooming partner of Overtime Elite (OTE) allows us to introduce Bevel’s award-winning, barber-approved line of head-to-toe grooming products to this rising generation of hoopers and their fans,” said Damon Frost, CEO, Walker & Company Brands (makers of BEVEL). "We’ve partnered with Overtime several times before and the entire Bevel team is profoundly excited to run it back.” "We are thrilled that Bevel has joined the league as our official grooming partner,” said Jack Jenkins, VP, League Partnerships, Overtime. “The Bevel Shop at OTE Arena features carefully designed products and provides players with an elevated grooming experience, allowing them to feel their best on and off the court. We couldn't be more excited to tip off season three with Bevel on board." The Bevel x OTE partnership kicks off with the first game of the new season at the OTE Arena, Atlanta - and will be live streamed on Amazon Prime - on Friday, December 1 st, 2023, starting at 5:45pm ET, which will also feature a performance by Veeze. Renowned for delivering premium hair, beard, shave, skin, and body care that prioritizes the needs of Black and brown men since its launch in 2013, the Black-founded and led brand has revolutionized grooming industry standards and is on a mission to make their innovative and solution-oriented products and tools accessible to all men with curly, textured hair, and melanin-rich skin. Some of the Bevel products that will be used by OTE players throughout the season and in the Bevel shop include: Bevel 3-in-1 Hair Oil ($11.95; 3.4oz): This award-winning hair oil is a nourishing infusion of natural oils formulated with Jojoba, Avocado, Castor and Tea Tree Oil to provide scalp moisturization, hair strengthening and strand thickening. Bevel 2-in-1 Pomade ($11.95; 3.4oz): From unruly beards to messy hair, this lightweight, butter-based pomade is a solution to unwanted frizz and flyaways while locking in moisture for all-day hold. Bevel Face & Beard Wash ($11.95; 4oz): This face and beard wash cleanses, unclogs pores and revitalizes tired-looking skin to reveal a healthier glow. Bevel 2-in-1 Exfoliating Toner Pads ($13.95; 45 pads): Formulated with 10% Glycolic Acid, these toner pads reduce the look of dark spots and the occurrence of ingrown hairs to give skin the perfect balance of tone and texture. Bevel Body Wash in Supreme Oak ($9.95; 16oz): Featuring a warm and rich blend of sweet almond, layered with luxurious notes of bourbon and birch, this body wash exfoliates for a deep cleanse, leaving skin feeling moisturized and renewed. Bevel products can be found on GetBevel.com, Amazon.com, Target.com, Target stores, Walmart.com, Walmart stores, UltaBeauty.com, and Ulta stores. About Walker & Company Brands Walker & Company Brands, recently acquired by Procter & Gamble, is a family of brands designing health and beauty solutions for people of color. Our vision is to build the world's most consumer-centric health and beauty products company, inspiring unprecedented customer loyalty. With the introduction of the first brand Bevel, Walker & Company launched in 2013. Bevel provides grooming products for Black men, including a full Skin Care regimen, a Shave System, and the Bevel Trimmer, and services designed to help reduce skin irritation and razor bumps. To learn more about Walker & Company Brands, visit www.walkerandcompany.com. About Overtime Elite Overtime Elite is an eight-team league with teams based in Atlanta and other cities around the country. The teams feature some of the top 17-19 year old basketball players globally, both professional and amateur. OTE, owned and operated by Overtime, brings fans as close as possible to the action through broad digital distribution on social accounts with nearly 100 million followers and a streaming deal on Amazon Prime Video. OTE provides two paths - a professional, salaried path and a scholarship path for amateurs, and every player gets the same access to world-class coaching, state-of-the-art training facilities and integrated data and analytics, in addition to a rigorous and customized academic program at OTE Academy. OTE is sponsored by adidas, Bevel, Gatorade, GMC, State Farm and Topps. Contact Details First and Last PR Stephanie Scott-Bradshaw and Hellen Ongaro Bevel@firstandlastpr.com Company Website https://getbevel.com

December 01, 2023 08:04 AM Eastern Standard Time

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QYOU Media Reports Q3 FY 2023 Results

QYOU Media

Contact Details Doug Barker +1 437-992-4814 shareholder@qyoutv.com Company Website https://www.valuethemarkets.com

December 01, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Mirriad Advertising has "huge momentum" after contract signing

Mirriad Advertising PLC

Mirriad Advertising PLC (AIM:MIRI, OTCQX:MMDDF) CEO Stephan Beringer speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive after the virtual product placement and in-content advertising pioneers announced the signing of an agreement with a top three entertainment network in the US. Beringer starts by explaining the unique nature of the business, discussing how traditional advertising, characterised by interruptive ads during video content, is losing its effectiveness. He highlights the rise of streaming services, where ads are minimal or non-existent, posing challenges for content creators and advertisers in monetising and reaching mass audiences. Mirriad's innovative solution involves virtual product placement, seamlessly integrating brands into the content itself, enhancing viewer experience without interruptions. Beringer also emphasises the customisable nature of their advertising technique. This approach allows different viewers to see different products within the same content, based on their location or profile, a significant leap from traditional product placement. This strategy aligns more with media buying, offering advertisers immediate, audience-specific impressions. Discussing the company's strategic pivot to the U.S., Beringer explained its importance, given the massive advertising market size and the potential for scaling advertising innovations from the U.S. He notes Mirriad's progress in the U.S., saying that he sees the company as carrying "huge momentum" at the moment. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

December 01, 2023 07:24 AM Eastern Standard Time

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The Gotta-Have-It Gifts for the holiday season!

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

December 01, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Pizzeria Uno Celebrates its 80th Anniversary as the Birthplace of Chicago’s beloved Deep Dish Pizza

UNO Pizzeria & Grill

This December, Pizzeria Uno (known informally as Uno’s) will celebrate its 80 th anniversary which also commemorates the 80 th birthday of the introduction of Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. Pizzeria Uno and its iconic location at the corner of Ohio and Wabash in downtown Chicago are universally regarded as the birthplace of Deep Dish pizza which has become a staple of the Chicago and American food landscape. To mark the occasion, Pizzeria Uno will host an 80 th Anniversary party at its downtown Chicago location on December 4 th at 6PM. The invite-only party will include entertainment, giveaways, pizza-making demonstrations and, of course, plenty of deep dish pizza for sampling. Included on the guest list is former Chicago Bear player and current sports radio host Tom Waddle. “I have been a long-time fan of Pizzeria Uno. It started back in my days at Boston College in Boston where I used to frequent the locations there with my then girlfriend who is now my wife. It’s such an iconic brand and the deep dish pizza has always been amazing. To think that it all started in this small brownstone building here in Chicago 80 years ago is amazing”. The deep dish story is an integral part of the rich Chicago food scene. In 1943, former University of Texas football star Ike Sewell and his friend WWII G.I. Ric Ricardo opened the flagship Pizzeria Uno Restaurant at its current location in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. As legend has it, the deep-dish pizza was born when the two experimented in the kitchen creating a “pizza pie” or the thick upside-down pizza that became known as the Chicago deep dish pizza. It wasn’t long before people were lining up at the door, so Sewell opened a second restaurant in response to Pizzeria Uno’s popularity, Pizzeria Due, which is one block away. In 1963, Ike then opened the historically relevant Su Casa, a Mexican restaurant, as a passion project. The legend of Pizzeria Uno was introduced to the rest of the US and the world starting in 1978 when entrepreneur Aaron Spencer, a Massachusetts resident and prominent businessman, purchased the franchise rights to the restaurant and brand. Spencer opened the first franchise location in Boston with an expanded menu to attract an even broader crowd. The restaurant added locations to as many as 20 states and multiple countries. Pizzeria Uno deep dish pizza is currently enjoyed in over 80 locations worldwide. Pizzeria Uno General Manager, Robert Komar, is proud of the mark that Pizzeria Uno has left on the food scene in Chicago. “To come to work each day knowing that this building here on the corner of Ohio and Wabash is the birthplace of deep dish pizza is an incredible feeling. Deep dish pizza, which is woven into the fabric of the Chicago and American food culture, is such an iconic part of this city. People come from all over the world to experience it here in this beautiful building. We are so proud to be part of the legacy here and will continue to serve up deep dish for another 80 years.” About UNO Pizzeria & Grill Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation includes approximately 80 company-owned and franchised UNO Pizzeria & Grill restaurants located in 18 states, and the District of Columbia, India, and Saudi Arabia. UNO is all about connecting people over pizza – from its famous Chicago Deep Dish, which UNO invented in 1943, to its Chicago Thin Crust, to its gluten-free and vegan pizzas. Contact Details Chris Dellamarggio +1 339-613-7641 cdellamarggio@unos.com Company Website https://www.unos.com/

November 30, 2023 02:05 PM Eastern Standard Time

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ATA to Hold Virtual Roundtable in Response to Film Translators

American Translators Association

A free virtual event held during Universal Human Rights Month will address the challenges depicted in the film Translators and provide insights into the repercussions of asking children to work as interpreters for people with limited English proficiency (LEP) and the trauma it can cause. The American Translators Association (ATA), the premier association of translators, interpreters, and language professionals in the world, will hold a free online roundtable to discuss concerns over the depiction of children as interpreters in the film Translators, directed by Rudy Valdez and presented by U.S. Bank. A diverse panel of language services industry experts, including researchers, language access advocates, and former child interpreters, will provide insights into the issue, explaining how the film missed a unique opportunity to address the trauma child interpreters can experience and how people who need professional interpreters can avail themselves of their federally protected rights to access them. The panel will discuss a review of the film and the issues it presents, analyze the challenges of offering “meaningful” language access for LEP individuals, and suggest solutions to avoid placing the language brokering burden on children. The free virtual event will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. EST in English, with Spanish and ASL (American Sign Language) interpreting and live professional captioning. Register here to receive a Zoom link to attend. A recording of the event will be made available afterwards on ATA’s website. ATA encourages advocates, journalists, and leaders to participate and help spread the word about this important issue. If you have any questions about this event, please contact us by emailing ATA’s Advocacy Committee at advocacy@atanet.org. About the American Translators Association The American Translators Association (ATA) is the largest professional association of interpreters and translators in the United States, with thousands of members in over 100 countries who work in over 90 languages. Members include translators, interpreters, teachers, project managers, web and software developers, language company owners, hospitals, universities, and government agencies. ATA’s mission is to promote the recognition of professional translators and interpreters, to facilitate communication among its members, to establish standards of competence and ethics, to provide its members with professional development opportunities, and to advocate on behalf of the profession. Contact Details American Translators Association Kelli Baxter, Executive Director +1 703-683-6100 kelli@atanet.org Company Website https://www.atanet.org/

November 30, 2023 12:20 PM Eastern Standard Time

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StreaksAI going for growth after "year of product development"

StreaksAI PLC

Streaks AI PLC CEO Phil Blows speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive London after the AI Chatbot Creator Platform released its interim results for the six months to 31 August 2023. Blows explains that Streaks AI has developed a platform allowing influencers, businesses, and individuals to create and monetize digital avatars. This year, the company expanded its product line from one to four, including Streaks Gaming, Streaks Social, Streaks Idol, and Streaks Companion. Streaks Social enables influencers to create digital avatars for personalised fan interactions and monetization through affiliate links. Streaks Idol, targeting future influencers, offers technology for creating fully digital chatbots. Streaks Companion, differing from the others, lets users create personal chatbots for various purposes like mentoring or language learning. The company has seen significant growth, with over 15,000 customers and 127,000 conversations. Blows highlights the company's focus on business development rather than further product expansion, aiming to capitalise on the rapidly growing AI market which is projected to reach $1.3 trillion in ten years. He emphasises Streaks AI's uniqueness as a UK-based AI company in the FTSE main market, blending best-in-class AI technologies into an easy-to-use platform. Blows envisions a future where Streaks AI leads in providing engaging experiences through advancements like AI headsets, positioning the company at the forefront of AI development. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

November 30, 2023 08:11 AM Eastern Standard Time

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TECH THE HALLS WITH SMART GADGETS

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/KS8odvozlYQ Holiday shoppers are back in the spirit of spending. A record 95% of consumers plan to shop for the holiday season this year, up from 92% in 2022 and 88% in 2021. Though most consumers expect higher prices, those surveyed plan to budget and spend an average of just over $1,600. Close to 200 million consumers plan to buy tech products and services as presents during the holiday season. High-definition headsets and earbuds top tech gadget wish lists, followed by smartphones, smart speakers, video game consoles, smart portable projectors, and watches. Humphrey has compiled a list of her favorite holiday tech upgrades. EARBUDS: Humphrey highlights how technology is always at the top of holiday wish lists and one of the most popular gifts this year is a set earbuds. “A clear standout is 1MORE,” says Humphrey, adding, “What I love about these earbuds is how the S30 and S50 produce remarkably well-balanced sound with exquisite attention to even the most subtle of details.” Whether walking, running, or biking, the S50 is designed with the user’s safety in mind. Its open-air design does not block the surrounding environmental sound, allowing the user to hear peripheral sounds of cars and crowds. Both of these sports earbuds do not compromise on quality at a fraction of the cost compared to competitors. Direct links: S50: https://tinyurl.com/6z9k8vur S30: https://tinyurl.com/4xnefhfj Amazon S50: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCS51B91?maas=maas_adg_777D26015056852418238427A96BE730_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas S30: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCS6P45V?maas=maas_adg_600BB059CAAF7F6F8DC3E9E03470220A_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas Social media handles: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1MOREGlobal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1moreglobal/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/1MoreGlobal PROTECTIVE CASES: Protecting tech gadgets is a necessity says Humphrey, adding, “I always turn to OtterBox.” The Symmetry Series for MagSafe and Defender Series Pro XT are the perfect accessories for new iPhone 15 devices. Both of these cases are slim, protective and MagSafe compatible. “For stylish protection, you can also pair both of these with the OtterBox MagSafe Foli,” Humphrey highlights. The Symmetry Series for MagSafe and Defender Series Pro XT are the perfect gift for anyone looking for an iPhone upgrade.” Direct links: tmobile.com Social media handles: @otterbox SMART DEVICES & DEALS: A record 95% of consumers plan to shop for the holiday season this year. The majority are seeking out the best deals. T-Mobile is bringing back one of its most popular deals this holiday! Consumers can get four lines for only $100 a month on Essentials w ith AutoPay discount using eligible payment method. Plus taxes & fees. T-Mobile customers can save $480/year compared to AT&T and $240/year compared to Verizon. Humphrey says shoppers should check out their tech bundle, “You can get a free smartphone, watch, and qualifying accessory from leading brands like Samsung to Google and more when you combine T-Mobile’s holiday promotions, all via 24 monthly bill credits, plus tax. That could save a customer more than $1,000. Plus, T-Mobile has even more deals for both new and existing customers on the latest tech for the whole family this holiday season!” Major perks come with being a T-Mobile customer like free streaming services, free in-flight wi-fi and more on their best plans that add up to over $270 in added value each month for families. Shoppers can also take advantage of deals on the latest tech, including free smartphones from Samsung, Google and Motorola including the Samsung Galaxy S23, Google Pixel 8, Motorola Razr+, and the newly refreshed SyncUP KIDS Watch on Us with three free watch bands when you add a new watch line and pick up in store, all with 24 monthly bill credits, plus tax. Direct link: t-mobile.com/offers Social media handles: Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Instagram X (Twitter): X Hashtags: #TMobile #HolidayMode HEATERS: Now that the colder months are upon us, Humphrey says there is a way to heat things up at home or the office. “I really like the GoveeLife Smart Space Heater Lite, say goodbye to physical controllers! Users can enjoy smart control of their heaters in the Govee app, as well as voice control compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant,” adds Humphrey. It's updated heatbooster design warms up quickly in 2 seconds, delivering almost immediate warmth for users. This heater is designed with safety at the forefront, optimizing stability in the event of unit tip-over, as well as overcurrent and high temperature protection. Direct link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ79ZLMP Social media handles: Facebook Address: @Govee Instagram Handle: @goveeofficial Twitter Handle: @GoveeOfficial Hashtags: #GoveeLifeSmartHeater #Heater #SmartAppliances #SmartHeater REWARDS DEALS: One in four people say they plan to wait to buy a gift until they find the best sale or offer. Humphrey says people can leverage rewards and cashback to become a smart holiday shopper. “This holiday season you can shop smarter and stretch a gifting budget by maximizing rewards and earning cashback with PayPal,” Humphrey points out, adding, “Discover cashback offers in the PayPal app that you can easily save and automatically apply when you checkout.” Additionally, consumers can earn more rewards by installing the PayPal Honey shopping extension which automatically discovers coupons and cashback deals online to help save for the holidays. Direct link: https://www.paypal.com/us/digital-wallet/ways-to-pay/rewards-points Social media handles: @PayPal Hashtag: #PayPal Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

November 29, 2023 04:03 PM Eastern Standard Time

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