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AmeriLife Now Offers SimpliNow℠ Legacy from AIG

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing annuity, life and health insurance solutions, today announced that its agencies and affiliates are now offering SimpliNow Legacy SM from AIG (issued by American General Life Insurance Company), a simplified issue whole life insurance product specifically designed for middle-market American seniors. SimpliNow Legacy was designed to help policyholders lessen the burden of final expenses--including unpaid debt, medical bills or other household costs--on their loved ones. The product offers a unique limited-pay feature and death benefit coverage ranging from $5,000-$35,000. SimpliNow Legacy was created with middle-market Americans (ages 50 to 80 with a household income of $75,000 or less) in mind, including seniors, to help provide this growing demographic an additional layer of financial protection. For agents, SimpliNow Legacy was built for speed. This product features an instant-decision underwriting process, no post-sale paperwork, and the ability to draft credit card payments in real-time to instantly issue policies. This process includes: Electronic applications that tell agents early-on the type of coverage their clients can receive Instant underwriting decisions 100% of the time and early in the application process, with no additional underwriting, ever Instant issue capabilities for IGO and current dated apps paid with credit cards SimpliNow Quoter allows agents to easily quote their clients’ premiums before or during the application process “In the U.S., the median cost of a funeral is around $9,000*, and many older Americans are doing what they can to avoid passing those expenses onto their loved ones,” said Pat Fleming, Executive Vice President of Product Innovation and Corporate Actuary for AmeriLife. “We’re proud to be one of AIG’s exclusive partners in offering a groundbreaking product that provides consumers with the confidence that their final expenses will be addressed. The speed of the process at the point-of-sale is something that will help our agents work quickly and efficiently to help their clients secure coverage that will aid in preserving their legacies.” For more information on SimpliNow Legacy, visit www.amerilife.com to get in touch with an AmeriLife agency or affiliate. ### About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide financial solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a national distribution network of over 300,000 agents and advisors, more than 40 marketing organizations, and 50 agency locations. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. *Source: National Funeral Directors Association. Policies issued by American General Life Insurance Company (AGL), Houston, TX. Policy Forms: ICC21-21445, 21445, 21445-5, 21445-10, 21445-35, 21445-42, ICC21-21447, 21447, 21447-5, 21447-10, 21447-35 and 21447-42. Rider Numbers: ICC21-21468, 21468, 21468-5, 21468-10, ICC21-21469, 21469, 21469-5, 21469-10, ICC21-21470, 21470, 21470-5, 21470-35 and 21470-42. Issuing company AGL is responsible for financial obligations of insurance products and is a member of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. AGL does not solicit, issue, or deliver policies or contracts in the state of New York. Products may not be available in all states and product features may vary by state. Please refer to the policy. This is not a preneed insurance contract or agreement. Benefits are payable to the beneficiary or beneficiaries as directed by the owner of policy. Premiums paid may exceed amount of coverage. For an estimate of the year the premiums may exceed the amount of coverage, divide the face amount by the annual premium. SimpliNow Legacy offers a limited death benefit in the first two years of the policy. Should death occur in the first two years, a death benefit will be equal to 110% of the premiums paid. In the event of suicide, the death benefit is limited to a refund of premiums paid less any outstanding loan amount. THIS POLICY DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT ITS PROCEEDS WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO PAY FOR ANY PARTICULAR SERVICES OR MERCHANDISE AT TIME OF NEED OR THAT SERVICES OR MERCHANDISE SHALL BE PROVIDED BY ANY PARTICULAR PROVIDER. American General Life Insurance Company 2929 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX 77019, United States © 2022 American General Life Insurance. All Rights Reserved. AGLC201559 Contact Details AmeriLife Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

February 15, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

COMCAST’S SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAM EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY TO ALL WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS HIT HARDEST BY THE PANDEMIC

Comcast Houston

Comcast RISE, a small business support program that’s helped more than 500 Houston-area businesses with grants and no-cost marketing services and technology makeovers, is now expanding eligibility to all women business owners who have been impacted by the pandemic. All women business owners — regardless of race or ethnicity— can now apply through June 17, 2022 at www.ComcastRise.com. Comcast RISE, which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment, is a multi-year commitment to support small businesses owned by people of color through advancing digital equity — a concept that recognizes everyone’s life circumstances are different and underrepresented small businesses should have access to the digital and marketing tools necessary to be successful in a digital world. The expansion of eligibility comes after Comcast RISE celebrated its one-year anniversary. Nationally, the program provided more than $60 million in grants, no-cost marketing and technology services to more than 6,700 small businesses owned by people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian Americans, among others. Of the 6,700 Comcast RISE recipients to date, nearly 70% are businesses owned by women of color, which spurred Comcast to take a deeper look into the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. According to a study by the National Association of Women Business Owners, 42% of businesses in the U.S. are owned by women, with more than 1,800 new businesses being started every day. That’s nearly five times the national average. However, according to the same study, women-owned businesses are growing at only half the rate of those run by men, namely because women struggle to access capital and other resources to help them succeed. In 2021, Houston-area woman-owned small businesses like All Real Radio, LAMIK Beauty, and Connect The Dots PR, were awarded either grants and/or digital tools needed to thrive and support their respective communities. The business owners serve as ambassadors to the program. Over the next 10 years, Comcast is committing $1 billion to programs, like Comcast RISE, and partnerships to reach an estimated 50 million people with the skills, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. In addition to women-owned businesses, all businesses owned by people of color are encouraged to apply for the chance to receive no-cost consulting, media and creative production services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, or technology upgrades from Comcast Business. 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. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, 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 Foti Kallergis +1 832-986-0196 Foti_Kallergis@comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

February 15, 2022 07:02 AM Central Standard Time

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The Botanist Debuts First-Ever Tv Commercial, “The Spirit of Community,” at Super Bowl LVI In Support of Local Restaurants and Bars Nationwide

YourUpdateTV

The Botanist Islay Dry Gin introduces its first-ever television commercial, “The Spirit of Community,” debuting at the Super Bowl, to drive awareness for local bars and restaurants who continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC), the campaign urges all Americans to take action to help the IRC in its efforts to refill the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and promote positive change for the industry. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/ud_lZY0ZiMA The Botanist hails from Bruichladdich Distillery on the Scottish Isle of Islay, one of the few distilleries in the world to be B Corp certified. The distillery believes in using business as a force for good, putting people and purpose in line with profit. The Botanist’s ongoing partnership with the IRC is rooted in its people-centric values, a demonstration of how its community extends far beyond Islay and into the bar and restaurant industry in the U.S. The goal of “The Spirit of Community” campaign is to raise awareness of the critical support still needed for the 500,000 independent restaurants and bars that remain at risk of closure – 90,000 of which initially closed during the first year of the pandemic. Through the campaign, The Botanist and the IRC are mobilizing Americans to show support for the bar and restaurant community in this continued time of hardship. “Local bars and restaurants across the U.S. have been supporting The Botanist since our first distillation on Islay over a decade ago,” said Ian McLernon, President and CEO at Rémy Cointreau Americas. “Thus it was natural for The Botanist, a brand that is an integral part of the community on the island of Islay, to leverage our first-ever TV commercial to help support the community of hospitality staff working at local bars and restaurants across the U.S. during their time of need. Now more than ever, we must do what we can to save the establishments we know and love. Our hope is that our campaign’s debut at the Super Bowl helps amplify the vital message of our partners at the Independent Restaurant Coalition.” The Botanist is proud to bring its community-focused spirit to life through its first-ever commercial debuting on the biggest night in television. The 30-second spot will urge Americans to take action and support their favorite local bars and restaurants. Created by documentary film production company Blacksmith & Jones, the commercial features real-life bar and restaurant staff, amplifying the continued need for support and encouraging viewers to get involved. “Local bars and restaurants are the fabric of our communities across the country. These beloved establishments are still facing potentially insurmountable hardships,” said Tom Colicchio, Founding Member of the Independent Restaurant Coalition. “Our industry is on life support right now, and the only way to avoid massive closures is for swift action to be taken by our elected officials. We are grateful to The Botanist for recognizing the spirit of our community and using their platform to help raise awareness of our industry’s struggles during a monumental event like the Super Bowl.” “Hospitality is at the heart of every independent restaurant and bar,” explained Erika Polmar, Executive Director of the Independent Restaurant Coalition. “While you will surely be welcomed with a warm smile as you’re seated in your favorite corner booth, beneath the surface restaurant owners continue to struggle with nearly two years of losses and little financial assistance. Hundreds of thousands of restaurants are at risk of closing permanently, threatening widespread job loss, a massive supply chain disruption, the loss of community gathering spots, and the destruction of family-owned businesses. It’s partners like The Botanist who are helping us fight to keep those businesses and dreams alive.” The Botanist’s “The Spirit of Community” creative will air in 18 TV markets nationwide and digitally across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The Botanist chose to run the ad in some of the America’s most influential food and drink cities, including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago, and Miami. The campaign teaser is live now on YouTube. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVG15dSOCjY. To learn more about how to get involved to support your favorite local bars and restaurants visit saverestaurants.com. About Karen Grill: Karen Grill is The Botanist Islay Dry Gin Brand Ambassador. A beverage industry professional in Los Angeles for 12 years, Karen is originally from New Jersey, where she began her career in hospitality at 15. Karen has spent time behind some of Los Angeles' most notable bars and has competed in several bartending competitions throughout her bartending career, earning herself numerous national and global bartending titles. Named Zagat's '30 Under 30' Culinary Game Changer in 2016, Karen is committed to the education and support of the national bartending community in every capacity. About The Botanist: Founded in 2011, The Botanist Islay Dry Gin is distilled and hand-crafted at Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay, a remote island off the west coast of Scotland. It is the first and only Islay Dry Gin – a rare expression of the heart and soul of this wild Scottish isle. Hailing from one of the only B Corp certified distilleries in the world, The Botanist believes in using business as a force for good, putting people and planet in line with profit. The craft liquid is distilled with a unique combination of 22 wild Islay botanicals which are hand-foraged locally and sustainably on the island by The Botanist's professional forager, James Donaldson. The Islay botanicals are slow simmer distilled with pure Islay spring water in a unique Lomond Still, affectionately nicknamed Ugly Betty, by Head Distiller Adam Hannett. The result is a smooth yet complex gin that speaks of Islay. www.thebotanist.com | Instagram @TheBotanistGin_US |Twitter @TheBotanist_US About the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC): The Independent Restaurant Coalition was formed by chefs and independent restaurant owners across the country who have built a grassroots movement to secure vital protections for the nation’s 500,000 independent restaurants and the more than 11 million restaurant workers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. About Blacksmith & Jones: Production company Blacksmith & Jones is a motion picture concern focused on story driven filmmaking. Founded by Trevor Jones and Greg Swartz, the company recently produced the documentary feature film The Water of Life. About Rémy Cointreau: All around the world, there are clients seeking exceptional experiences; clients for whom a wide range of terroirs means a variety of flavors. Their exacting standards are proportional to our expertise – the finely-honed skills that we pass down from generation to generation. The time these clients devote to drinking our products is a tribute to all those who have worked to develop them. It is for these men and women that Rémy Cointreau, a family-owned French Group, protects its terroirs, cultivates exceptional multi-centenary spirits and undertakes to preserve their eternal modernity. The Group's portfolio includes 13 unique brands: Rémy Martin and Louis XIII cognacs, Cointreau liqueur, Champagne Telmont, METAXA Greek spirit, Mount Gay rum, St-Rémy brandy, The Botanist gin, and our collection of single-malt whiskies (Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore from Islay, Westland from Seattle and Domaine des Hautes Glaces from the French Alps). Rémy Cointreau has a single ambition: becoming the world leader in exceptional spirits. To this end, it relies on the commitment and creativity of its 1,900 employees and on its distribution subsidiaries established in the Group's strategic markets. Rémy Cointreau is listed on Euronext Paris. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 11, 2022 06:26 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Canadians projected to consume 76 million wings for Super Bowl LVI

Chicken Farmers of Canada

Every year, Chicken Farmers of Canada fields the same question: Will there be enough chicken wings in Canada for the Super Bowl? The answer – is yes. In fact, Canadians will consume 76 million wings during the game this year! Chicken continues to be the first choice of Canadians and has been for over a decade. Not much has changed, and chicken wings remain at the top of the list when it comes to Super Bowl food. “Wings are a great choice for the big game, whether you are making them at home or have the means to order them in from your favourite local restaurant,” said Benoît Fontaine, Chair of Chicken Farmers of Canada. “Canadians want Canadian chicken and we do everything in our power to make sure there is enough fresh, safe, high-quality chicken available.” Canadians care deeply about their food, about knowing where it comes from and that what they’re serving to their family is of the highest quality. Around 93% of Canadians seek out foods of Canadian origin, and over half will be doing that more than ever. 76 million wings is equal to: 2.4 years, if each wing is counted as one second Roughly 3,800 km if laid end-to-end, the distance to drive from Quebec City to Calgary About 27,142 wings per chicken farmer (there are 2,800 in Canada) Consumers are reminded to ask for the Raised by a Canadian Farmer logo at their favourite grocer or restaurant and buy the wings that are raised with care, quality, and freshness in mind. So, get your favourite Canadian wings, safe in the knowledge that there are plenty to go around. Enjoy the game! For great game day wing recipes and other appetizer to make your Super Bowl experience great, visit www.chicken.ca! Contact Details For more information, please contact Marty Brett, Senior Corporate Communications Officer +1 613-566-5926 mbrett@chicken.ca Company Website https://www.chicken.ca/

February 10, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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SIGMA Announces 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary, the 7th and Widest Lens in the All-Metal I series of Premium Compact Primes

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary lens, part of SIGMA's I series. This new lens is the widest in the I series released to date. Equipped with a metal, knurled, petal-type lens hood, this ultra-wide prime is compatible with 62mm threaded front filters. It is also an addition to the fast F2 aperture group of I series lenses alongside the 24mm F2 DG DN | C, 35mm F2 DG DN | C, and 65mm F2 DG DN | C. All F2 I series lenses feature a distinctive arc-type AF/MF switch and stylized barrel design near the "Made in Japan" marking. The fast F2 maximum aperture and total optical performance makes this a natural choice for astrophotography, along with landscapes, cityscapes, street photography, low-light interiors, and other nighttime situations. Due to its wide focal length and compact size, this 20mm lens is also an ideal choice for handheld vlogging and video streaming. And the ability to mount front filters, such as neutral density filters, for video and long-exposure landscapes on such a fast-aperture ultra-wide will be appreciated by many content creators. The SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary lens will be available in the U.S. at SIGMA Authorized Dealers for a retail price of $699 on February 25, 2022. Learn more about the SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/20mm-f2-dg-dn-c Exclusively for mirrorless cameras | Compatible with full-frame cameras C | Contemporary SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN Dynamism in the palm of your hand I series | Premium Compact Primes for mirrorless users New standards of optical performance for the Contemporary line Exceptional I series build quality with a compact form-factor Supplied accessories: Magnetic metal lens cap (LCF62-01M), Petal-type lens hood (LH656-03), Front Cap (LCF-62III), Rear Cap (LCRII) Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount * The appearance and specifications of the product are subject to change. * This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation. * L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG. #SIGMA #SIGMA20mmF2Contemporary #SIGMAContemporary #SIGMAContemporaryPrime #SIGMADGDN #Iseries #SIGMAIseries Exceptional optical performance and superb build quality give photographers the joy of creating images – introducing the new ultra-wide SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary This all-new full-frame premium compact prime for mirrorless systems is the latest addition to SIGMA's I series lineup, combining a bright maximum aperture of F2, an ultra-wide 20mm focal length and stunning optical performance. The lens boasts an exceptionally small form factor, weighing in at just 370g and measuring just 72.4mm in length*, which makes it a highly practical optic that is portable enough for everyday shooting. It's ideal for landscapes, wide-angle portraits, weddings and interiors, and is particularly well-suited to astrophotography owing to its very well-controlled sagittal coma flare. It is the fourth I series lens with an F2 aperture, joining a 24mm, 35mm and 65mm, which together make a well-matched lens set for L-Mount and Sony E-mount users. *Figures are for L-Mount Remarkably, the 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary is almost identical in size and weight to the very compact SIGMA 24mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary. A sleek, all-metal design, with a signature I series magnetic lens cap, a manual aperture ring and exceptional production quality means using this lens is a highly intuitive and satisfying experience, making the photo-taking process even more enjoyable. This sharp and beautifully built I series prime, the SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary captures the essence of the I series, bringing a new level of user experience―the pleasure of owning and using a lens. [Key Features] 1. I series | "Premium Compact Primes" for mirrorless users The SIGMA I series features full-frame compatible lenses that offer new value to mirrorless systems. The combination of superb optical performance with a level of compactness that is perfectly suited to smaller and lighter modern mirrorless cameras will bring you new opportunities for a perfect shot. SIGMA is aware that in today's world we have a wide range of camera choices, especially with the increase in mobile phone ownership. But with many photographers looking for something more than something that simply captures images when they choose to own a camera and lens, I series lenses offer the ultimate combination of superb optical performance, outstanding usability and compact form-factor. SIGMA's excellence in development and production technologies has been built up since our founding in 1961 and became increasingly sophisticated with the introduction of the SIGMA Global Vision brand in 2012. With this as a base, SIGMA has given careful thought to the quality of the products, the feeling of using it and the pleasure of owning it. This is how the I series was born. 2. New standards of optical performance for the Contemporary line The 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary achieves the highest level of optical performance even at the widest aperture setting of F2 from the center of the image to the periphery. Based on the latest optical design technology, the lens construction includes three high-precision glass-molded aspherical lens elements, one SLD element, and one FLD element to suppress a range of optical aberrations. The result is clear and sharp images even in the extreme corners of the frame. By focusing on the suppression of sagittal coma flare, which is difficult to correct in post-processing, accurate reproduction of very bright points of light has been achieved. This also provides extremely detailed results across the entire image, especially important for night sky photography. The lens' optical design, as well as its Super Multi-Layer Coating and Nano Porous Coating (NPC), ensures very minimal flare and ghosting even when shooting into bright light sources. This makes it much easier to photograph backlit subjects and still achieve punchy, high contrast results. 3. Exceptional I series build quality with a compact form-factor All I series lenses have an all-metal construction. The precision-cut aluminum parts not only give the barrel a sleek, stylish finish, but provide superb durability that improves the quality of the entire product. Metal materials are also used in internal structures that slide with the operation ring for added robustness. These high-precision components crafted with SIGMA's cutting-edge metalworking technology are also used in SIGMA's CINE LENS lineup for professional cinematographers and provide a tactile, ergonomic feel that make the lens a pleasure to use. The cover ring between the focus ring and the aperture ring has hairline processing that is also used for the rear cylinder of the Art line. This covering functions as a finger hold when attaching or detaching the lens. [Additional Features] Lens construction: 13 elements in 11 groups, with 1 FLD, 1 SLD and 3 aspherical lens elements Inner focus system Compatible with high-speed autofocus Stepping motor Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction *Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections may vary depending on the camera model. Supports DMF and AF+MF Nano Porous Coating Super Multi-Layer Coating Aperture ring Focus mode switch Petal-type lens hood (LH656-03) Magnetic metal lens cap (LCF62-01M) Mount with dust and splash resistant structure Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (for L-Mount only) Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only) Designed to minimize flare and ghosting Every single lens undergoes SIGMA's proprietary MTF measuring system 9-blade rounded diaphragm High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount "Made in Japan" craftsmanship Learn more about SIGMA's craftsmanship here: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/ [Key Specifications] [Product Barcode] [Accessories: Supplied] [Accessories: Optional] [Contact] For further information, please contact your local authorized SIGMA Service Station listed here: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/world-network/ [Information] SIGMA Corporation: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/ Product information: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c022_20_2/ SIGMA I series special page: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/special/i-series/ About SIGMA Corporation Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with nearly 30 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. ### For information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog for helpful information about our products. Follow SIGMA America on social media! SIGMA Photo: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram SIGMA Cine: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Contact Details SIGMA +1 631-585-1144 SIGMA.PR@Sigmaphoto.com

February 09, 2022 07:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Pickswise Curates the “Top 10 Super Bowl Betting Moments & Controversies” List

Pickswise

Pickswise, the fastest growing independent sports betting content provider in North America, today announced the creation of the “Pickswise Top 10 Super Bowl Betting Moments and Controversies” ahead of Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. The list takes a deep dive into some of the most notable betting events of the past 20 years, exploring everything from spectacular plays that drastically swung the balance of the game to wholly unique Super Bowl situations, including Gatorade confusion and national anthem controversies. The Top 10 Super Bowl betting moments and controversies 10. Patrick Mahomes’ victory kneel down chaos (Super Bowl LIV) 9. Philly Special - Foles & Eagles trick Pats (Super Bowl LII) 8. Controversial Gatorade bath (Super Bowl XLVI) 7. Malcolm Butler goal line interception - Patriots vs Seahawks (Super Bowl XLIX) 6. Devin Hester opening kickoff touchdown return (Super Bowl XLI) 5. Christina Aguilera and Gladys Knight National Anthem controversies (Super Bowl XLV) & (Super Bowl LIII) 4. Steelers come back to beat Cardinals (Super Bowl XLIII) 3. Kurt Warner leads the longshot Rams (Super Bowl XXXIV) 2. Underdog Giants ruin Patriots perfection (Super Bowl XLII) 1. Patriots 28-3 comeback, win in OT vs Falcons (Super Bowl LI) “The Super Bowl is the pinnacle of sports betting since almost every aspect of the event can be bet on, from the coin toss to the final score. All these moments are then amplified as an estimated 24 million Americans will bet nearly $5 billion on the game,” said Jared Smith, lead betting analyst at Pickswise. “It was important for us to develop an inclusive list showcasing how fortunes have swung on everything from the Patriots historic comeback in Super Bowl LI to Gladys Knight causing a stir by hitting some extra notes in Super Bowl LIII. Anything and everything can happen during the Super Bowl, which makes it so compelling and exciting.” In addition to the list of memorable betting moments, Smith and Pickswise host Lauren Jbara have provided key analysis to this year’s most popular Super Bowl betting markets, found on Pickswise’s Super Bowl Hub. “Our Super Bowl Hub serves as a one-stop destination for all those looking to make a more informed decision come Super Bowl Sunday,” said Jbara. “With breakdowns on everything from sides and totals to key props and betting trends, we have been able to put all a bettor needs ahead of the big game in one place.” Pickswise is owned by Spotlight Sports Group, a world-leading technology, content and media company specializing in sports betting and fantasy sports. ABOUT PICKSWISE Pickswise is a digital platform that provides free wagering research, insights and analysis from experts in every major sport. Based in New York and part of Spotlight Sports Group, Pickswise is one of the fastest-growing publishers of sports betting content in the U.S. For more information, visit Pickswise.com. ABOUT SPOTLIGHT SPORTS GROUP Spotlight Sports Group (owned by Exponent Private Equity) is a leading technology, content and media business specializing in sports betting. Evolved from the Racing Post Group, Spotlight Sports Group engages millions of people directly through Racing Post, Pickswise, Free Super Tips, Fantasy Alarm and myracing. The company also has decades of experience in powering growth and conversion for the world’s biggest sportsbooks and media companies, delivering best-in-class technology and expert scalable content experiences in more than 70 languages. Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.pickswise.com/

February 08, 2022 08:31 AM Eastern Standard Time

How The US is Leading the World to End COVID

YourUpdateTV

After two years of dealing with COVID issues, everyone is sick of arguing about masks and wants the supply chain fixed, the economy to rebound and kids to stay in school. The United States has been the global leader in the fight donating more than a half a billion vaccine doses and hundreds of millions of dollars. More needs to be done, and it’s in the hands of Congress to pass an emergency plan to End COVID Now. YourUpdateTV spoke to Michelle Nunn, President & CEO of CARE USA and Dr. Angela Wakhweya, CARE USA Senior Director, Health Equity and Rights Team to discuss how the US is leading the world to end COVID. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/vbbO4zX15Qw An emergency plan being considered by Congress will put billions of dollars into vaccines that could help reduce the risk of new variants developing that could threaten the United States and finally allow us to get back to normal. END COVID NOW is up with new advertisements across the country starting today, Lead The World and Variants are running nationwide on TV and cable as well as digital and streaming platforms. The Campaign to End COVID Now says This pandemic isn’t going away. Instead, it is a chronic disaster for everyone – families, communities, the whole country. The solution is straightforward and staring us in the face – we must achieve global immunity through ensuring everyone in the world has access to vaccines as quickly as possible. If not, we will continue to see variant after variant spread through our neighborhoods, disrupting and threatening our lives and our children’s lives. To learn more, visit EndCovidNow.com About the Campaign to End Covid: The End Covid Now campaign was formed by public health experts, scientists, and other concerned Americans to pressure our nation’s leaders and pharmaceutical companies to ensure future variants don’t shut down America. The plan to end COVID-19 consists of investing more money in vaccine manufacturing, sharing the vaccine formula so other countries can manufacture and distribute them, and working with allied countries to get more people vaccinated so Americans are safe from future variants. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 07, 2022 12:03 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Loveland, Colorado's Sweetheart Festival Brings Free Family Fun Valentine’s Day Weekend Feb. 11-12

Loveland Chamber of Commerce

Spend Valentine’s Day weekend in the nation’s Sweetheart City at the Loveland Sweetheart Festival from 5-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11, and 1-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Downtown’s Foundry Plaza will come alive with a special effects light show, live entertainment, the Palace of Sweets, kids zone, Tunnel of Love, interactive art projects, Loveland Pub and Beer Hall, Sweetheart Classic 4-miler race, and the Little Miss Valentine and Little Mr. Cupid contest. The festival, an extension of Loveland’s 76-year history of celebrating love through its internationally-recognized Valentine Re-Mailing Program, features something for everyone – families, couples, beer, and chocolate lovers, running lovers, art lovers, and forever loves. Things to See and Do Travel through the Tunnel of Love Interact with performers including a stilt walker, LED hula hoopers, and fire show Watch live music and entertainment Enjoy the light show and pyrotechnics See heart-shaped ice sculptures and giant inflatable heart Explore history through the Loveland Museum Valentine history pop-up exhibit Purchase delectable eats at the Palace of Sweets from “B” Sweet Cupcakes, Cupcake Gypsies, Loveland Chocolate, and Red Branch Bakery Enjoy the Loveland Pub Beer Garden featuring Grimm Brothers, Loveland Aleworks, Crow Hop, Sweetheart Winery, and the OBC Wine Project Sign the graffiti ice wall Pose at the neon photo-op stations Cheer on the Little Miss Valentine and Mr. Cupid Contest Participate in the Loveland Sweetheart Classic 4 Miler race Purchase and engrave love locks at the Visitors Center Shop Enjoy vendors and food trucks Enter to win Avelo Airlines tickets to Burbank, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada Bring the kids for fun and games including: Meet and greets with a princess and other characters Face painting Colorado Eagles shoot booth hockey games Ice penguin ring toss Loveland Parks & Recreation brick creation station The full schedule of events is available at visitlovelandco.org/sweetheartfestival/. Follow the event on Facebook at Facebook.com/LovelandSweetheartFestival. About Visit Loveland The mission of Visit Loveland is to enthusiastically promote, market, and sell Loveland, Colorado as a destination for meetings, conventions, and individual travelers, fostering economic development and benefiting and supporting members and the overall business community. It is Visit Loveland’s goal to promote tourism, conventions, and related activities within the city by marketing the city and sponsoring destination and community events. Learn more at VisitLovelandCO.com. About the Loveland Chamber of Commerce Founded in 1902, the Loveland Chamber of Commerce is northern Colorado’s “driving force for business.” Comprised of more than 750 local companies, the chamber offers a vast array of educational and networking programs to help its investors, both large and small, gain the skills and resources necessary to thrive and prosper in today's economy. As a founding member of the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance (NCLA), the chamber also serves as an advocate for business, working on behalf of entrepreneurs to lead and influence local, state, and federal policy on issues affecting the unique interests of business in northern Colorado. For more information on the Loveland Chamber, please call 970-667-6311 or visit loveland.org. Contact Details Visit Loveland Colorado Cindy Mackin +1 970-290-8810 Cindy.Mackin@CityofLoveland.org Company Website https://visitlovelandco.org

February 07, 2022 08:10 AM Eastern Standard Time

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New Research Finds the Collaborative Care Model is Associated with Reductions in Racial Disparities in Mental Health Care for Pregnant People

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

The collaborative care model, an evidence-based health intervention that is often used in primary care, has been shown to improve health outcomes for people with depression. It is a team-based approach where a physician collaborates with other professionals, including mental health practitioners, to proactively manage a patient’s mental health. The collaborative care model is not commonly used in obstetrics despite the fact that mental health conditions are one of the leading contributors to poor pregnancy outcomes. In a new study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting™, which is being held virtually, researchers will unveil findings that suggest that implementing the collaborative care model during pregnancy not only is associated with improvements in the screening and treatment of depression in pregnancy, but is also associated with reductions in racial disparities in these important steps in mental health care. Researchers analyzed data from 4,710 pregnant and postpartum people who self-identified as either Black or White. Individuals were divided into two groups (before and after implementation of the collaborative care model) and results were analyzed by race. The primary goal of the research was to evaluate how often pregnant people were screened for depression. When a pregnant person screened positive for depression, the researchers also looked at how often treatment was recommended. In the first group, researchers examined data from August 2015 to September 2016 before the collaborative care model was implemented. In the second group, researchers looked at data from September 2017 to February 2019 after the collaborative care model was implemented. The study found that before the collaborative care model was implemented, there were significant disparities between Black and White pregnant people on screening for depression. After collaborative care was implemented, results showed the disparities between the two groups were eliminated. Similarly, for pregnant people who screened positive, implementation of the collaborative care model was associated with elimination of racial disparities in the recommendation for treatment. “In primary care, the collaborative care model allows mental health care to be seamlessly integrated into physical health care,” says one of the study’s authors Emily S. Miller, MD, MPH, a maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist and assistant professor at Northwestern University in Chicago. “In the field obstetrics, however, this model is not often utilized. What’s exciting about our research is that it demonstrates that we can implement a model — collaborative care — that has been used in primary care for years and apply it to the field of obstetrics to not only improve screening and treatment for depression, but also to promote equity.” The next step, say researchers, is to implement the collaborative care model in obstetrics care across the United States to help improve health outcomes for pregnant people with depression. The abstract has been published in the January 2022 supplement of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG ) and can be accessed at no cost on the AJOG website. To view the presentation of this abstract or other Pregnancy Meeting™ abstracts and events, visit the SMFM website or contact Karen Addis at karen@addispr.com or 301-787-2394. ### Contact Details Karen Addis +1 301-787-2394 KAREN@ADDISPR.COM Company Website https://www.smfm.org/

February 05, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time