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CSG Forte Joins Forces with Velosimo, Creates Seamless No-Code Integrations for Govtech Agencies

CSG

ALLEN, Mar. 29, 2022 – CSG Forte, a CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) company and the leader in complete and customizable digital payments, today announced a strategic partnership with Velosimo, the only provider of no-code, cloud-native, technology connectors. This partnership enables government agencies to easily connect and augment their technology stacks with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software vendors via a single processing partner. "The ongoing pandemic has escalated the need for governments to provide contactless services, and in turn is driving the need for governments to offer complete payment services online for citizens and work-from-home employees," said Kris Trujillo, CEO, Velosimo. "It's phenomenal to add CSG Forte’s industry leading digital payments solutions and expertise in secure online transactions to the Velosimo portfolio. The combination of Velosimo’s revolutionary no-code, off-the-shelf connectors with CSG Forte delivers a connected experience for government agencies that increases efficiencies, improves service, and lowers costs through rapid and reliable interoperability of software systems.” With CSG Forte's award-winning payment gateway and Velosimo's no-code integrations, government agencies can now: Offer citizens secure ACH (automated clearing house), electronic check and credit and debit card payments online and on-site at government agencies Maintain no-hassle reconciliation, payment troubleshooting, service and convenience fees Reduce costs by eliminating manual, error-prone reconciliation and lower credit card provider fees “Velosimo’s technology is second to none and seamlessly connects critical govtech software applications better than anyone in the market,” said Jeff Kump, head of payments, CSG Forte. “A major pain point for government agencies is having multiple ACH and credit card processors. By connecting front-end and back-end govtech software vendors to a single integrated solution, CSG Forte and Velosimo's partnership eliminates the challenges of balancing, reconciling and automating processes for govtech agencies allowing them to create experiences that exceed industry standards.” Learn more about CSG Forte’s innovative, secure payment solutions that help businesses and government agencies reduce transaction costs, mitigate risk, and increase efficiencies. About Velosimo Velosimo provides cloud-native, off-the-shelf, and no-code integration connectors explicitly built for government and the distinct scenarios of inner-system use by staff and citizens, with connector management and deep insight into all connected systems transactions on the Velosimo Connect integration platform as a service (iPaaS). Velosimo also provides a revolutionary, low-code environment for rapid custom connector development by Government Technology Companies, System Integrators, and government agencies. The Velosimo Marketplace showcases the burgeoning collection of quickly-enabled, off-the-shelf, certified integration connectors from Velosimo and their partners. Government agencies are turning to Velosimo as their escalated move towards online, touchless service drives the need for predictable systems interoperability and modern, uninterrupted user experiences. About CSG Forte CSG Forte, a CSG company, delivers scalable digital payments for smarter and faster business growth. Our world-class, award-winning technology offers a unified end-to-end payments platform that easily adapts to changing needs and empowers companies to transform their payments operations into a competitive business strategy. With CSG Forte, companies can process omnichannel payments and offer agnostic payment acceptance, shifting payments from a line-item expense to a profit center. CSG Forte manages billions of payments annually for over 81,000 merchants across government, telecom, insurance and other industries. For 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. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit www.forte.net and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2022 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. Contacts: Jordy Spitale CSG +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

March 29, 2022 06:35 AM Mountain Daylight Time

THEOREM INC WINS BRONZE STEVIE® AWARD IN 2022 STEVIE AWARDS FOR SALES & CUSTOMER SERVICE

Theorem Inc

Theorem Inc., a full-scale, flexible digital media and marketing services provider, was presented with a Bronze Stevie® Award in the Most Valuable Response by a Business Development Team category in the 16th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the world’s top honors for customer service, contact center, business development and sales professionals. The Stevie Awards organizes eight of the world’s leading business awards programs, also including the prestigious American Business Awards ® and International Business Awards ®. More than 2,300 nominations from organizations in 51 nations of all sizes and in virtually every industry competed this year. Over 150 worldwide professionals in eight specialized judging committees determined the winners. The competition included more than 90 categories for customer service and contact center achievements. Founded in 2002, by CEO Jay Kulkarni, Theorem provides end-to-end agile digital marketing services for some of the world's leading brands. Its unique approach is pioneering the future of full-service, flexible marketing solutions. Last year, the company launched its Theorem Cares initiative as an ongoing strategy to support its global employees and make a positive global impact. From improving vaccine accessibility in India to implementing a business continuity plan with employee wellness as the focus. The Stevie Award judges generously praised Theorem’s COVID-19 efforts stating, “Theorem’s vaccination initiative and transportation re-purposing for Indian employees is especially notable. We appreciate how Theorem not only served its employees, but the communities as well. All this while trying to keep business operating during the pandemic – a significant balancing act.” “Theorem is honored to be recognized for our agility and attentiveness to the individual needs of our employees and their communities across the globe,” Kulkarni said. “We were able to ensure our teams and their families had the resources they needed to stay as safe and healthy as possible. I am so proud of our amazing team around the world, who deserve all the credit for this award.” “The nominations we received for the 2022 competition illustrate that business development, customer service, and sales professionals worldwide, in all sorts of organizations, have continued to innovate, thrive, and meet customer expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Gallagher Miller. “The judges have recognized and rewarded their achievements, and we join them in applauding this year's winners for their continued success. We look forward to recognizing them on May 11.” Details about the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the list of Stevie winners in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Sales. For more information about Theorem Cares, click here. About Theorem Founded in 2002, Theorem creates, delivers and optimizes digital marketing campaigns for some of the world's most successful brands. By offering scaled technology, media, operations, marketing, CRM, and creative solutions under one roof, Theorem can provide flexible, full-service marketing solutions to their clients. Theorem’s consultancy teams and operational expertise helps brands simplify, streamline and automate complex digital tasks. This value exchange saves clients time, reduces their costs, and increases their revenue. For more information, visit www.theoreminc.net. Contact Details Maggie Stasko maggie@kitehillpr.com

March 29, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Omnichannel Engagement Is Becoming a Centerpiece of Customer Experience Strategy for Many Organizations, According to Dash Research

Dash Network

Although brands have been transforming their customer experience (CX) models over the last several years, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated many organizations’ plans for deploying omnichannel engagement strategies, according to a new report from Dash Research. An omnichannel strategy is a cross-channel strategy that gives a seamless and integrated experience to users across multiple channels. Unlike multichannel strategies, where each channel is managed individually, omnichannel engagement strategies streamline all customer touchpoints under a single platform, with a consistent and continuous experience for the user. “To enable omnichannel engagement, companies must remove data silos and capture and analyze customer interactions at scale,” says principal analyst Keith Kirkpatrick. “With these insights, organizations can uncover pain points, concerns, or challenges, and take action to improve omnichannel CX and drive increased customer retention and loyalty.” Kirkpatrick adds that there are five key market drivers for the growth of omnichannel engagement strategies: Poor levels of customer support A growing shift to digital interactions Changing demographics of customers The COVID-19 impact on sales, service, and support CX as a competitive differentiator Like any technology or approach, however, there are technical and operational barriers to complete market adoption. Dash Research’s analysis indicates that the most notable barriers to adopting and incorporating an omnichannel engagement strategy within the enterprise are: Technical challenges with implementing disparate software and workflow processes A lack of an agreed-upon and supported omnichannel vision Training and personnel issues Privacy issues Dash Research’s report, “Omnichannel Customer Engagement”, examines the market issues, drivers, and barriers for the use of platforms, software applications, and services that enable the deployment of omnichannel engagement strategies for CX. Several case studies illustrating the various ways omnichannel engagement is being used by end users are included in the report, along with best practices, software selection criteria, and recommendations for deploying omnichannel engagement strategies. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website. About Dash Research Dash Research, the market intelligence arm of Dash Network, provides in-depth research and insights on the worldwide CX market including a comprehensive assessment of technology solutions, business issues, market drivers, and end-user dynamics across industry sectors. Dash Research’s global market coverage combines qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide a complete view of emerging business opportunities surrounding contact center technologies, customer data & analytics, customer data platforms, customer insights & feedback, customer relationship management, personalization & optimization, and employee experience. For more information, visit www.dashresearch.com or call +1.720.603.1700. Dash Network is an independent, integrated B2B research, events, and digital media platform focused on best business practices and technology solutions for the global Customer Experience (CX) market. The company provides a unique, CX-focused, full-service content and marketing solution, designed to enable industry participants’ strategic planning and go-to-market initiatives, while simultaneously extending the market reach of corporate brands and product messaging to a global audience of CX practitioners. For more information, visit www.dashnetwork.com or call +1.720.603.1700. Contact Details Clint Wheelock +1 720-603-1700 press@dashnetwork.com Company Website http://www.dashnetwork.com

March 29, 2022 05:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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John Deere Celebrates and Supports Modern Agriculture

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/13ONFt-E4F0 Farmers and ranchers are employing technology and innovation to feed the world. So, how is this being done and what equipment are they using? Smart technology in John Deere equipment helps farmers produce more with less, creating more successful crops while having a smaller impact on the land and environment. John Deere was in Washington, D.C., on National Ag Day, to advocate on behalf of U.S. farmers and ranchers A nationwide media tour was conducted featuring John Deere ag equipment on the National Mall and highlighted Deere’s purpose for being there in DC -- to discuss the technology and innovation farmers are employing today to feed the world. The world’s population is set to grow to nearly 10 billion people by 2050, so the global food demand will increase by 50%. There are projections that the population may grow to 10.9 billion by 2100. To reduce hunger and serve a growing population, we need to increase agricultural productivity by 60 to 70%. The only way to create greater food production while using less and protecting the environment is through smart machines that automate an increasing portion of the difficult job of farming to create more consistency, precision, and efficiency. It’s incredibly important to farmers to protect the quality of their land and the environment, as they depend on the land and the world’s other resources to survive and thrive. The more precisely and efficiently famers can use inputs like chemicals, the more sustainable and profitable their operations are. For more information visit: Deere.com or if you’re a Farmer, Contact Your Local John Deere Dealer About John Deere: John Deere manufactures nearly 100 distinct lines of equipment, for agriculture, turf, construction, and forestry. We’re a leading manufacturer of combines and other precision ag machines. Our customers have a deep connection to the land and so do we. Our Sustainability Goals focus on reducing our use of energy and water; recycling our waste; and designing products with a reduced environmental impact. For generations, farmers have cared for their land in ways that preserve it. They strive to make the most of every seed and kernel, every drop of nutrient and fuel, and every hour of work to ensure their business remains productive and profitable. Farmers work to protect their watersheds, preserve the health of their soil, and steward the other environmental resources needed to sustain their crops and their livelihoods. John Deere’s solutions empower farmers to achieve these aspirations. These solutions help farmers do their jobs more precisely and productively through advanced technology as well as make better decisions based on data. We work relentlessly to help them optimize inputs and maximize output. Our vision is to ensure our customers are the most profitable and sustainable in the world. John Deere precision technologies are delivering the ultimate sustainable outcome — farms that are more profitable and less intensive on the soil, water, and air. Since the beginning, we’ve been developing advanced tools and technologies that help farmers achieve this ultimate outcome. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 28, 2022 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Minuteman Press Franchise in Irvine, CA Achieves Record Monthly Sales Driven By Apparel and Promotional Products Growth

Minuteman Press International Inc

Frank Matsumoto is the owner of Minuteman Press located at 18 Technology Drive, Suite 171, in Irvine, California. Frank has owned the business since 2010 and recently achieved record monthly sales. Frank says, “My growth was sparked by increases in apparel and promotional products sales. This made up 60% of my business while wide format printing was also a growth driver for us.” For nearly 12 years, Frank has built his brand by building relationships and following the Minuteman Press franchise business model to market his business. “I personally visit other local businesses to get to know other people and so they can get to know me. It also gives me the chance to see what they are doing in terms of promotional products as behind every counter are items like cups, pens, and t-shirts. Everywhere I go, I make sure to wear branded Minuteman Press apparel and I come prepared with our branded product catalogs. It starts with me wearing my own branded apparel and showing them our products, and then it goes – and grows – from there.” “As soon as I educate clients on our ability to go beyond printing, their mindset changes and suddenly they realize they can use our services for their apparel and promotional needs.” -Frank Matsumoto, owner, Minuteman Press franchise, Irvine, CA One client that has taken full advantage of Minuteman Press’ printing, apparel, and promotional products capabilities is HI-CHEW ™. Frank says, “We started our relationship on a phone call for a rush order of postcards. I visited with them, introduced myself, and secured the order. At first, we did a run of 25,000 die-cut postcards. This turned into a reorder for 75,000 and then later over 100,000 die-cut postcards featuring HI-CHEW™ products and coupons.” Frank continues, “Thanks to fulfilling that first order and then building that relationship, the number of items we’ve provided for HI-CHEW™ has grown considerably over the past four years. At the end of 2021, we did their string backpacks, sunglasses, laminated tote bags, t-shirts, 13,000 hand sanitizers, keychains, and stickers on their specialty buckets. We also provide branded apparel for their employees and for customer giveaways.” “There’s no way to replace the touch and feel of a promotional item or printed piece. It is simply good business to use print as a marketing tool to reach your target audience and help increase brand awareness as well as ROI.” -Frank Matsumoto Over the past two years, Minuteman Press in Irvine has remained open and operating throughout the pandemic as an essential business. During that time, Frank ramped up his marketing across all channels. He says, “We used mailers, built up our social media, and solidified our presence by generating positive Google reviews. We have earned a 5-star rating with nearly 100 reviews, and we are proud to receive such amazing customer feedback.” Today, as more business events return to Irvine, Frank has seen an uptick in trade show supplies. Frank says, “Orders for trade shows can include everything from booth displays, banners, and table throws to apparel and promotional products. For all of these items, Minuteman Press is here to help.“ “Irvine has one of the largest business hubs in Orange County. There are a lot of opportunities here, and I also am in a business complex building relationships each day with other business owners. I’ve used a combination of direct marketing, promotional mailers, email marketing, social media marketing, and networking through my BNI group to grow over the years.” Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press, Frank worked in sales. “I was looking at several franchises and did my due diligence. I really liked the structure of Minuteman Press, as well as the B2B nature of the business. I didn’t want to rely on walk-ins like a general retail store, and I love the Monday-Friday business hours. It gives me the freedom and flexibility to do things like pick up my daughter from school and take her to her fencing class while still being able to build my business.” Frank appreciates the ongoing local support he’s received from Minuteman Press since buying the business. “Whenever I need something, Dan Byers and the regional team is here to help me. I also like the FLEX software we use to manage all of the different aspects of the business.” When asked what the biggest lesson he’s learned over the past 12 years as a business owner, Frank answers, “What comes to mind is one of the first things that was taught during the Minuteman Press training program. There was a sign that said, ‘If you don’t market, you won’t make it.’ Over the years, and especially over the past two years, I can say that marketing has been huge for our sustained growth and success.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Irvine, CA, visit their website: https://www.irvine.minutemanpress.com. 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

March 28, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Contact Center Customer Experience Software and Services Revenue Will Surpass $18 Billion by 2026, According to Dash Research

Dash Network

Today’s business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) organizations have been evolving their call centers into contact centers, which are designed to take a more active role in delivering great customer experience (CX) via an omnichannel engagement strategy that focuses on improving the overall experience of the customer across all touchpoints, rather than just traditional call center key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics. According to a new report from Dash Research, this approach is leading to the purchase of new software and services that not only incorporate basic customer data, but also integrate customer journey information to help provide the most appropriate level of service (which can range from a self-service tool to a voice conversation or other digital interaction with a live agent specialist). The end goal, of course, is to ensure that the customer’s sales, support or administrative engagements with the company are efficient, convenient, and successful. Dash Research projects that the market for contact center software and services will reach $18.1 billion by 2026, increasing from $13.8 billion in 2019, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%. The CX market intelligence firm’s analysis indicates that contact center software is likely to be purchased by organizations that have adequate financial resources to deploy each year, as most contact center software is now being sold via an “as a service” subscription model. Additionally, companies that have a dedicated focus on improving the overall CX are also prime candidates for purchasing new technology, as they realize that single-channel, primarily voice-based CXs are rarely preferred by customers. “Providing excellent and consistent experiences can and will be bolstered by investments in contact center applications, platforms and services,” says principal analyst Keith Kirkpatrick. “But overall improvements in CX ultimately depend on an organization taking an assessment of its current CX policies and procedures, listening to customers, identifying the level of service is wants to provide, and then implementing specific operational and behavioral changes.” Kirkpatrick adds that the key adoption drivers of software for contact centers include: An increase in digital engagement from B2C and B2B customers A mandate for more efficient contact center labor and resource allocation A desire to deploy a multichannel or omnichannel engagement strategy A push to generate revenue via contact centers A demand to improve the overall CX However, despite the increasing appetite for deploying new technology tools to improve the efficiency, speed, and effectiveness of contact centers, organizations face several barriers to implementation, including: Technical integration challenges Issues with data quality and data availability Data governance, privacy, and security concerns Return on investment (ROI) considerations Agent dissatisfaction and turnover Support and training Dash Research’s report, “CX for Contact Centers”, examines the market issues, drivers, and barriers for CX and CE software platforms, software applications, and services that incorporate or facilitate the personalization and/or optimization of CXs. Several case studies illustrating the various ways personalization & optimization efforts are being deployed by end users are included in the report. The scope of the market forecasts includes software that is deployed by Dash Research’s ecosystem of companies that spans 20 industries, 5 world regions, and 3 offerings (software platforms, software applications, and professional services). The forecast takes 2019 as a base year, forecasts market value from 2021 through 2026, and segments the market by offering, geography, and function (CX versus CE). An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website. Dash Research, the market intelligence arm of Dash Network, provides in-depth research and insights on the worldwide CX market including a comprehensive assessment of technology solutions, business issues, market drivers, and end-user dynamics across industry sectors. Dash Research’s global market coverage combines qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide a complete view of emerging business opportunities surrounding contact center technologies, customer data & analytics, customer data platforms, customer insights & feedback, customer relationship management, personalization & optimization, and employee experience. For more information, visit www.dashresearch.com or call +1.720.603.1700. Contact Details Clint Wheelock +1 720-603-1700 press@dashnetwork.com Company Website http://www.dashnetwork.com

March 28, 2022 05:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Going Back to Work: Who Will You Miss More? Your Family or Your Dog?

YourUpdateTV

With more people returning to the office, there’s a lot of anxiety and stress around what to do with four-legged family members who have become accustomed to having their pet parents at home. Recently, international dog trainer, Tom Davis, partnered with Wag! on a satellite media tour to talk about the type of care and training required to keep our pets happy. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/noALR-no8ig Over the past 2 years, many people adopted puppies and dogs during the pandemic. Right now, and over the next few weeks, millions of people will be returning to offices and workplaces for the first time. This transition period raises several issues for dogs: increased stress and anxiety, as well as lack of exercise and social play. In honor of National Puppy Day (March 23rd), Wag! conducted a national survey* and found that out of the 1,001 respondents, 62% percent have adopted a dog in the last two years during the pandemic. 41% of those dog parents returning to work said that they’ll miss their dogs even more than their kids or spouses. Out of those new dog parents, 76% are nervous about pet care challenges upon returning to work in- person. Some other key highlights include: Dogs are the best medicine: 93% say parenting a dog has provided them mental health support, while 48% say that dog parenting has decreased their anxiety. Puppy love is real: 37% say that the most surprising thing about parenting a new puppy was the overwhelming amount of love for their new friend Pet insurance is the single biggest challenge for new dog parents: 63% of respondents expressed surprise at how much time, effort and money was required for pet insurance, more than any other challenge of becoming a new pet parent. Dogs and parents can both suffer behavioral issues/anxiety being separated from each other. Services like Wag!, which connects Pet Parents with local Pet Caregivers for dog walking and longer drop-ins for play time, can give your dog the much-needed stimulation, and peace-of-mind for pet parents. Like human health insurance, it’s important to also get insurance for our pets. Pets are our family, and their health is just as important. WagWalking.com is a great resource for more information on pet insurance and wellness. For more information on the survey and Wag! check out WagWalking.com About Tom Davis: Tom Davis is an international dog trainer who specializes in dog training based on canine behavior, and he is known for taking in some of the hardest behavior modification training cases. His natural ability to understand and connect with dogs allows him to breakthrough problems, such as reactivity and disobedience. Tom knows that educating people about their dogs, and changing negative behaviors, is what he was put on this Earth to do. Tom spends the first several hours of his weekdays with his online dog training students, who are located across the United States and all over the world. Several times per month, Tom boards a plane to work with out-of-state clients, including professional athletes, musicians, actors and politicians. And most of his summers are spent studying with wolves in Colorado, allowing him to understand the canine with full complexity. Tom is also an official mentor trainer for the Animal Behavioral College, where his responsibilities include fine-tuning and mentoring graduating seniors. He plays a critical role in ensuring each student has the capability and canine skills to successfully graduate and enter into their professional career. About Wag!: Wag! is the #1 app for pet parents, offering options for 5-star dog walking, pet sitting, expert pet advice, and training from local pet caregivers nationwide. Wag!'s community of 400,000 pet caregivers are pet people, and it shows. Making pet parents happy is what Wag! does best. With safety and happiness at the forefront, pet caregivers with Wag! have a trusted record of experience with nearly 12 million pet care services across all 50 states, resulting in more than 96% of their reviews earning 5 stars. Survey Methodology Summary: * This sample of 1001 U.S. adults (18 years or older), all of whom are dog parents of at least one dog adopted, purchased or gifted to them within the past 2 years, was surveyed between February 14, 2022 and February 17, 2022. DKC Analytics conducted and analyzed this survey with a sample procured using the Pollfish survey delivery platform, which delivers online surveys globally through mobile apps and the mobile web along with the desktop web. No additional weighting has been applied to the sample. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 23, 2022 02:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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STATHERO’S $50,000 FREE-TO-PLAY “PICK‘EM MADNESS" IS THE ULTIMATE NCAA BASKETBALL DAILY FANTASY SPORT CONTEST — WITH NO BUSTED BRACKETS!

StatHero

Amidst all of this weekend’s busted brackets, StatHero players ended in the positive, taking home victories 57% of the time. StatHero PICK’EM MADNESS, the latest innovation from the StatHero team, pits the stars of the NCAA Tournament matchups against each other in a unique DFS and sports betting skill-based hybrid. Gone are the cumbersome hours spent pining over brackets, because StatHero’s PICK’EM is the easiest and fastest way to get action on college hoops throughout the NCAA tournament. StatHero will giveaway $50,000 in bonus PICK’EM MADNESS during the Sweet 16 to get first time fans engaged in this new way to enjoy the NCAA Tournament. They are coming back with MORE FREE contests for the Elite Eight and Final Four rounds as well. Coming off a 600% YoY increase during the Super Bowl, StatHero gives DFS players the advantage to go up against their pre-posted lineups instead of the same long-odds contests, funky props, or thousands of opponents. StatHero’s format has become THE game-changing force in the DFS space with players betting THREE TIMES the average spend of industry leading apps DraftKings and FanDuel. Jason Jaramillo, Founder of StatHero: “StatHero’s disruption is based simply on giving players a greater opportunity to flex their skills and have more fun. Player experience will always be StatHero’s #1 priority. StatHero’s team common vision is to be the gaming differentiator, which increases player spend, simply based on winning more. So many fans are conditioned to just fill out brackets and have rarely — if ever — won anything. We wanted to give fans a chance to win something on every single game without the need to run to the table and that’s what we delivered.” In addition to the PICK’EM MADNESS contests, StatHero also has dozens of March Madness lineups displayed ahead of time that fans can comb through to take on against their own selections head-to-head. All contests keep the focus on the matchups and players that fans know best, so they can take control back from the handicappers and never have to think about busted brackets again. For media/press inquiries, please contact: Dianne Quirante, dianne@emcbowery.com. About STATHERO Combining the best of fantasy sports and sports gaming, StatHero is a first of its kind daily fantasy sports platform. The company has exploded in growth since founded in 2019 in large part due it’s simple gameplay, low commitment and instant gratification. Stathero uses the familiar fantasy sports based format to allow players to compete against posted lineups across a variety of professional sports and game types including Survivor Pools, Head-to-Head and Fantasy Parlays. Their patent pending gameplay gives players an advantage unlike any other in fantasy sports. It’s truly daily fantasy the way it was meant to be played - one-on-one. For more information, visit: www.stathero.com and follow us on Twitter @StatHeroHq. Contact Details Dianne Quirante +1 323-654-0001 dianne@emcbowery.com Company Website https://stathero.com/

March 23, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Houston Mother Gives ‘Inside Look’ at Staying Connected to the Internet During the Pandemic

Comcast Houston

HOUSTON, TX — A Houston mother is one of the millions of low-income Americans who will now be able to get free, fast and reliable Comcast broadband service, thanks to the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) — a federally-funded program that gives eligible households a credit of up to $30 per month towards the cost of broadband service. “When the pandemic first happened, that’s when everything got pretty chaotic,” Jamila Byrd, a Houston mother of two, said. “You don’t really think about how important the Internet is until you don’t have it anymore.” According to the White House, an estimated 42 million Americans are in the same or similar situation as Byrd; they don’t have access to high-speed internet at home. The hardship, often referred to as the “digital divide”, was exacerbated by the pandemic when families had to virtually learn and work from home. “We had to go to friends’ houses, my sister’s house, so my kids could do assignments,” Byrd said. “It takes away a lot of time from us being together as a family. It’s tough for everybody.” The goal of the program is to help low-income households connect and stay connected to high-speed internet for work, school, healthcare and more. Eligible households that enroll in the program get up to a $30 monthly credit ($75 for eligible Tribal land households). Customers can use the monthly credit towards Xfinity Internet and mobile services. Eligible households are those that qualify for programs like the Federal Pell Grant, National School Lunch Program, SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance and other government programs. “The Affordable Connectivity Program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Comcast is proud to actively support,” Houston Regional Vice President of External Affairs Toni Beck said. “As a company and society, it is imperative that we work together to help people connect to the transformative power of the internet both at home and on the go. At Comcast, we’re doing just that.” In response to the ACP, Comcast introduced a new plan called Internet Essentials Plus that offers twice the download speed – up to 100 Mbps – of the traditional Internet Essentials service, a cable modem and a WiFi router for $29.95 per month. With the $30 ACP credit, Internet Essentials Plus is effectively free for qualifying families. Customers who are looking for home internet and top-rated mobile service can now have both at an affordable price. Internet Essentials customers paying $9.95 per month can add one line of Unlimited Xfinity Mobile ($45 per month) for $24.95 per after applying the ACP credit. In February, during a White House event, Vice President Kamala Harris, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, and Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu announced more than 10 million households are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, the nation’s largest-ever broadband affordability program. Byrd was recently approved for the ACP credit. “I’m grateful for this program,” Byrd said. “If I had to use one word to describe our household environment right now, it’s unity. It brings us together. It helps us to be able to do the things that we need to do, and then we have more time for family time.” To learn more about the ACP, eligibility or to apply go to Xfinity.com/acp or call 1-844-389-4681. 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 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. Contact Details Foti Kallergis +1 832-986-0196 Foti_Kallergis@comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

March 23, 2022 07:02 AM Central Daylight Time

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