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LONDON’S BIGGEST NEW TOURIST ATTRACTION ‘THE GUNPOWDER PLOT’ TO LAUNCH AT THE TOWER OF LONDON IN 2022

THE GUNPOWDER PLOT

ATTENDEES TO STEP INSIDE HISTORY’S MOST DARING CONSPIRACY IN THRILLING NEW IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE Opens 6th May 2022 in Tower Vaults at The Tower of London Tickets on presale from 16th November Presale Registration Now Gunpowderimmersive.com A thrilling new Layered Reality™ experience is launching at the Tower of London on the 6th May 2022 and it’s set to be the biggest attraction to open in the capital since the Shard. Tickets for The Gunpowder Plot go on presale from the 16th November 2021 via Gunpowderimmersive.com. Customers can sign up for the presale from today. Through this exciting experience in which live actors, virtual reality and multi-sensory special effects collide, audiences will step back in time to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, where they have an active role to play in one of the greatest stories and adventures in British history. The guests’ exhilarating mission is to infiltrate the plotters, earn their trust and then join them. The experience takes place in a purpose-designed immersive theatre space in the Vaults opposite the Tower of London, last accessible to the public two decades ago, where much of the prelude to the Gunpowder Plot took place before Guy Fawkes’ torture and eventual death. In collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces, the project brings together an incredible team including director Hannah Price (trained at RADA and the Donmar, founder of Theatre Uncut, co-Artistic Director of King’s Head Theatre alongside Mark Ravenhill, Performance Director of multiple BAFTA winning AAA games), acclaimed BAFTA-nominated writer Danny Robins (The Battersea Poltergeist, 2.22: A Ghost Story, starring Lily Allen), curator Alden Gregory (curator of Historic Buildings at the Historic Royal Palaces) and producer Tim Powell (Historic Royal Palaces). A cultural revolution has been going on with new operators providing location-based experiences, using technology, in a far more immersive way than traditional theatre. Leading this new form of entertainment is the award-winning company Layered Reality, formerly known as dotdotdot, who have delivered more than 250,000 VR experiences and transported 60,000 people back to 1898 in their critically acclaimed Jeff Wayne Musical Version of The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience. The event won the prestigious THEA Award (dubbed the “Oscars” of the entertainment world) and is among the Top 10% of attractions globally according to TripAdvisor. The company are also the creators of 2018’s multi-award-winning lucid dreaming experience SOMNAI. Key to Layered Reality’s stunning immersive experiences is layering three multimedia elements. The first is theatrical features, comprising intricate, large-scale walk-around sets, and first-class actors performing live. The second element is the newest technological advances, including virtual reality and projection mapping, ambisonics and multi-sensory SFX. The final layer to ensure you are completely immersed within the world of the experience is physical sensations: temperature, scent, taste, physical movement, touch and sound. “So when you're stepping back into 1605, all of your senses are telling you that you’re there, ” says Layered Reality CEO Andrew McGuinness of their latest adventure. “Y our eyes are seeing London as it was in 1605, you get the smells, you will for the first time see the Tower of London how it looked in 1605, and you'll go down the Thames and see it as it was at that time. That's what makes it so magical.” It’s the added elements of cutting-edge technology and the multilayered approach which make this so exciting in comparison to other immersive events, says Hannah Price. What VR enables is the creation of worlds that we could never go into; you can’t recreate the streets of 1605 London in any other way. “We’ve made a completely 360 environment: amazingly beautiful sets, incredibly detailed extra layers: does it smell right, do the textures feel right? You can look around, you can feel the wind in your face, you can feel the change between going inside and outside - everything about this is a multilayered experience so you’re going to feel like you're there.” It's also exhilarating, because instead of just observing and seeing how the action unfolds, you become a participant in that extraordinary set of events. This is your chance to step back into history and experience it. Since the pandemic for many months put a halt to in-person entertainment and socialising, people now want more than ever to come together to experience something memorable. “It’s going to be completely unforgettable because you are right in the heart of the story,” says Price. “You get to go undercover in the most infamous plot in history and you are at the centre of it and absolutely active in finding out what is happening and meeting all those famous players that were part of that extraordinary period of history. It’s right at the frontier of technology – we’ve used all the innovations that we can to make that feel as real and amazing as possible. So we're pushing boundaries in that sense as well, integrating that technology within the theatrical setting. ” In an age when people passively consume culture on demand, streaming music and television online, this new immersive project is an antidote to that but in the most modern of ways that will appeal to audiences across the generations. “ This is a very progressive, dynamic, exciting way of doing theatre and I also feel like what we are delivering is an age-old classic story, but we’re delivering it in an incredibly accessible, explosive, exciting 21st century way, ” says writer Danny Robins. “It’s like somebody made a brilliant movie version of the Gunpowder Plot and it came to life around you and exploded in your face with bits of Jacobean London flying at you.” It may be an age-old story, but the themes remain remarkably relevant today. Telling the tale of a country divided with Catholics against Protestants, as society was recovering from the plague and fearing the next outbreak, the story features parallels with today’s Brexit and Covid-19 that are all too resonant – particularly the sense of people having to choose a side. “This is a story about activism,” says Robins. “It’s about trying to change the world but realising that you're trying to do that in possibly the wrong way. It’s about young people finding themselves in a situation that they can’t get themselves out of.” The historically accurate depiction of the city and events is overseen by Alden Gregory of Historic Royal Palaces. Everything has been meticulously researched by Gregory down to how people would have sworn in Jacobean times. It may be unusual to have a curator within a theatrical team, but Gregory’s role, within the challenge of enabling the creation of a whole 360-degree world in virtual reality, is much the same as it would be for an exhibition: to ensure that the experience is true to history and creates a sense of authenticity and understanding of what the past looked like. “We’re pushing things to a whole new level, doing something that hasn’t been tried by museums before," said Gregory. "We're telling a story in an interesting new way, exploring new technology with new partners. Ultimately my role is making sure that what we do will be rooted in its history and in a sense of authenticity. We really want people to feel that they’ve been in 1605. It’s to make that experience as real as possible.” That includes shifting away from the stereotypes of a filthy London swilling with sewage and animals running around, or of crumbling buildings and decay. “ We’ve all seen computer game graphics that give an impression of what medieval London might have looked like and we want to challenge that and create a much more realistic version of the past.” Guy Fawkes and other Gunpowder conspirators were imprisoned, tortured and interrogated in the Tower of London. Telling history where it happened is a key aim of Historic Royal Palaces. “It brings a whole other dimension, ” says Gregory. “You can descend in the vaults and actually travel back in time to a version of London that people haven’t ever experienced in quite this way. It’s going to be hugely exciting. We want to give people the sense that they might have time travelled through this show. I think it will feel very authentic with those experiences of joy, confusion and fear that the conspirators felt.” The challenge in creating the experience lies in simultaneously creating an experience rooted in history and a thrilling night of entertainment that reaches a far wider audience than those drawn to historical buildings. Powell’s focus is the use of immersive technology in this show that goes beyond the limited virtual reality dabbled in by museums and attractions to date. It’s also a vast distance from watching reenactments which again offer a passive view of history rather than the sense of personal involvement. “This takes traditional re-enactments a step further, putting the visitor right at the heart of the action.’,” says Powell. “ The way Layered Reality uses the technology within the show is brilliant because it fools the body into telling the mind that you are physically there, that those characters are speaking to you directly and that encourages the belief that you are both present and able to influence the history that’s happening around you. It’s a fundamentally new way of experiencing history, because you’re not just witnessing it but actually participating in it for the first time. The multisensory elements form memories that will really feel real.” That it’s a cleverly plotted theatrical narrative also helps it become “not a cold learning exercise, but rooted in that emotional journey, with hopefully peril and fear and a bit of laughter.” Above all, it’s an experience that will be awe-inspiring for the most jaded of viewers. “ We live in an age when we don’t get that shocked or excited about things anymore, we’ve seen it all, we’ve got endless TV on offer on Netflix, but I still think VR has the ability to shock and surprise,” says Robins. “It’s this brilliant disorientation reassessing your whole view of the world. This is the immersive experience I would want to do. It’s such an exciting story, and we are doing it in a way that is going to feel incredibly fresh. You are literally in the Gunpowder Plot. What could be better than that?” Price says: “ What we’re attempting is the gold standard of immersive theatre meets the gold standard of technology telling one of the most extraordinary stories. There isn’t anything out there which tackles such a famous historical moment in such an openly theatrical and innovative way.” Arriving after many months of people being starved of entertainment during the pandemic, this thrilling new experience is needed now more than ever. McGuinness explains: “When the Shard opened it offered a view of London that you'd never seen. What we're offering is a view back into the London of the past that you could never have experienced. I think people want new memories; people feel like they didn't form memories for a while, or they were negative. They also want shared experiences, to come together with others. And they want to escape, to step into another world and be something different. This allows them to do that.” Ticketing information The Gunpowder Plot opens May 2022 in Tower Vaults at the Tower of London. Tickets go on general sale on 19 November. Register for the presale at gunpowderimmersive.com before 1pm on 12 November for an exclusive presale discount worth £10 and a chance to win VIP tickets*. Presale tickets are available from 16 November. Gunpowderimmersive.com NOTES TO EDITORS HRP Historic Royal Palaces is a team of people who love and look after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. We create space for spirits to stir and be stirred. We want everyone to feel welcome and accepted. We tell stories about the monarchs you know and the lives you don’t. We let people explore and we set minds racing. We are a charity and your support gives the palaces a future, for everyone. Registered charity number 1068852. For more information visit www.hrp.org.uk Layered Reality Layered Reality™ experiences combine the latest digital tech (Virtual Reality, projection mapping and volumetric holograms) together with live theatre (live actors, movie-scale sets, and special effects) plus real physical sensations (touch, temperature, smell, sound and music, physical movement, and taste) to create an unique immersive experience that is truly memorable. Layered Reality’s production of Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience is #8 of All London Nightlife and rated 5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor, winning multiple awards within months of opening, including Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice 2021, a THEA award (the Oscars of the industry) and Epic Megagrants Recipient (awarded by Fortnite developers, Epic Games). Layered Reality’s first experience SOMNAI also won gold at the 2018 London Design Awards and Best Use of Next Generation Technology at ScareCon Awards 2018. https://www.layeredreality.com Hannah Price Hannah is Creative Director at Layered Reality, Co-Artistic Director of The Kings Head with Mark Ravenhill, a theatre director and Founder and previous Co-Artistic Director of Theatre Uncut. She also works across immersive events, VR and video games. Her work on video game CONTROL helped earn a record breaking 11 BAFTA nominations. She was Resident Assistant Director at the Donmar Warehouse in 2012-2013. Directing credits: The Girl Who Fell, Again (Trafalgar Studios), End of the Pier (Park Theatre), Down and Out in Paris and London Live (Senate House), Permanence (Tarragon Theatre, Toronto), Escape the Scaffold (Theatre 503 & The Other Room Theatre), Run the Beast Down (Marlowe Theatre/Finborough Theatre), 1984 Live (Senate House), Rainbow Class (Bush Theatre/ Assembly Rooms), TEST (Scala Theatre, Basel), The Dead Monkey (Park Theatre), Boa (Trafalgar Studios), Cello/Fragile (Yard Theatre), Call to Prayer (Southwark Playhouse), Bud Take the Wheel, I Feel a Song Coming On (Shaw Theatre and Edinburgh Festival), That Moment (King‘s Head Theatre and National Tour), In a Very Real Sense (Soho Theatre), Portmanteau (Arcola Theatre and BikeShed Theatre, Exeter), That Moment (Kings Head Theatre) Loving Ophelia (Pleasance London). For Theatre Uncut, Hannah has directed Refugee (Teater Grob, Copenhagen), In Opposition (Paines Plough Roundabout), Knowledge is Power: Knowledge is Change (Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, and National Tour), Referendum Plays (Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh), TU Istanbul: Power and Protest (Dot Tiyatro, Istanbul International Theatre Festival and Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh), TU 2013: The Rise of the Right (The Young Vic) and The Cuts Plays (Southwark Playhouse, Soho Theatre, Latitude Festival and Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh). Associate/ Assistant Director credits: Good Canary (Rose Theatre Kingston), The Machine (Manchester International Festival & Park Avenue Armory, New York), Julius Caesar (Donmar Warehouse & St Ann's Warehouse New York), Berenice, Philadelphia, Here I Come!, The Physicists, Making Noise Quietly, The Recruiting Officer (Donmar Warehouse), Ghost Story (Sky Arts Playhouse Live). Video Games credits as Performance Director: Control (nominated for 11 BAFTAs including winner of a BAFTA for Performance), Assemble With Care (winner of EE Mobile Game of the Year BAFTA, 2020) LEGO Ninjago Movie Video Game, Steep, Warface, The Division, Dreadnought, Wild, Forza Horizon 4, The Unspoken, The Witcher, Fable, Stellaris, Laytons’s Mystery Journey, Hitman 2, Another Eden, Battletoads, Warhammer and many more, including various trailers and auditions for Side UK. Danny Robins Danny Robins is an award-winning British writer, broadcaster and journalist. Earlier this year, he created The Battersea Poltergeist, a podcast series for the BBC that combined drama and documentary to tell a real-life ghost story, starring Toby Jones and Dafne Keen. It became a global phenomenon – the #1 Drama Podcast across the whole world, with more than 3.5 million downloads and counting – sparking a bidding war for the TV rights. Danny is now adapting it with Hollywood producers Blumhouse. The series recently won the Gold Award for Best Serialised Podcast at the 2021 New York Festivals Radio Awards. Danny’s play 2:22 – A Ghost Story, a contemporary-set modern supernatural thriller starring Lily Allen, opened in the West End this August, playing to full houses and rave reviews. He has created and written various shows for TV and radio, including the BAFTA-nominated hit series Young Dracula for BBC1 and Rudy’s Rare Records and The Cold Swedish Winter for BBC Radio 4. He also presented the podcast series Haunted. His new 15 part podcast series, Uncanny, for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 4, exploring real-life ghost stories, launched on October 20th. “A contemporary Van Helsing… like Bram Stoker’s character, he’s a paranormal hunting polymath…” Sunday Times Contact Details Margaret Murray +44 7866 360858 margaret@notebynote.media Company Website http://gunpowderimmersive.com/

November 05, 2021 10:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time

ADDISON RAE DEBUTS FIRST FRAGRANCE: AF COLLECTION BY ADDISON RAE

Addison Rae Fragrance

Today, Addison Rae announced her first trio of fragrances, AF COLLECTION BY ADDISON RAE. All three scents were designed to make her growing community not only smell good, but feel good. The trio of playful, multi-functional scents are aligned with supporting both inner and outer beauty: all are clean, water-based, and backed by science. CHILL AF, HAPPY AF, and HYPED AF, will be available exclusively on addisonraefragrance.com and shoppable through TikTok and Instagram for $40 (30ml each). “Scent is so personal and can have such a powerful impact on our mood that I wanted to create a new way to experience scent; one that’s more thoughtful, supports your emotional wellbeing, and feels good on your skin. It’s what you deserve” – Addison Rae CLEAN AND KIND. The clean, green-chemistry, water-based formulas are a game-changer in the industry that results in a multi-functional fragrance collection. The clinically proven formulas – comprised of sustainably sourced ingredients, provide many wearable benefits from mood enhancement to hydration and assurance that all are alcohol-free and cruelty-free. MOOD ENHANCING. CHILL AF, HAPPY AF, and HYPED AF are created with ingredients that are proven to boost overall mood. Smell triggers an emotional response and the place in our brain that registers scent also processes feelings, moods, and emotions, making the connection between scent and feelings very powerful. Each fragrance in the AF collection contains a unique blend of clinically tested ingredients that have emotive responses, proving their mood-boosting properties. WATER BASED. This unique alcohol-free formula delivers a surprisingly hydrating mist that delivers long-lasting scent on skin. The formula also ensures it goes on super smooth and leaves skin glowing. An added benefit, given the hydration properties, it can even be used to scent your hair! FIRST-TO-MARKET PACKAGE INNOVATION. The ergonomic bottles utilize heat-sensitive technology, changing color when reacting to temperature giving an all-around, multi-sensory experience. “We are thrilled that our partnership with Addison resulted in a trio of scents that push the boundaries of what’s possible while capturing her joyous exuberance and focus on clean beauty. The first-to-market combination of innovation and playfulness within the formula and packaging perfectly captures Addison’s positive energy,” says Lori Mariano, Managing Partner at Hampton Beauty. “Our shared vision to develop a collection that speaks to a generation of consumers that want the products they purchase to look good and make you feel even better was a focus and having the collection available to shop on TikTok was always a top priority given Addison’s engaged community.” HAPPY AF A DAILY DOSE OF EUPHORIA For times when you need a little pick-me-up, HAPPY AF is the scent for all-day positive vibes. Perfect for any plans—this floral and fruity blend of pink lychee, red grapefruit, and dewy peony hits different when paired with a smile. NOTES: Pink lychee, red grapefruit, peony, violet leaves, agave nectar, rose & crystallized musk. OCCASIONS: Vacays & beach days, first dates, watching the sunset. BENEFITS: Joy-enhancing, long-lasting scent, boosts skin hydration, gentle for sensitive skin. CLEAN FORMULA: Alcohol-free, vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free. HYPED AF A DAILY DOSE OF ENERGY Think bright, zesty citrus meets clean white woods; HYPED AF is the energy you want to radiate, bottled. Maybe you missed a few hours’ sleep? Or have a deadline approaching? This magic blend of blood orange, pineapple flower, and musk prepares you to take on whatever life throws at you. NOTES: Mandarin, blood orange, pomelo, nectarine blossom, white woods, & clean musk. OCCASIONS: Dance parties, game night, leg day. BENEFITS: Energy-enhancing, long-lasting scent, boosts skin hydration, gentle for sensitive skin. CLEAN FORMULA: Alcohol-free, vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free. CHILL AF A DAILY DOSE OF CALM A moment of zen; CHILL AF is the scent to wear on a date but also to meet the parents. This dreamy blend of pear blossom, chamomile tea, and soothing sandalwood helps forget where the stress came in the first place. Cool, calm, collected. NOTES: Pear blossom, apple, red lemongrass, chamomile tea, lily of the valley, sandalwood & milky musk. OCCASIONS: Movie nights, long drives, digital detoxes. BENEFITS: Chill-enhancing, long-lasting scent, boosts skin hydration, gentle for sensitive skin. CLEAN FORMULA: Alcohol-free, vegan, cruelty free, paraben-free. About Addison Rae In just one year, Addison Rae has become one of the biggest stars in the world. Named the top-earning creator on TikTok by Forbes Magazine, Rae’s infectious personality, Louisiana charm, and overwhelming positivity have led her to be one of the most sought-after talent of her generation. Since November of 2019, she has amassed over 100 million followers across social media. Rae is currently the second most-followed individual on TikTok with over 5.5B likes and 85.2M followers. Her impressive reach goes beyond TikTok with over 40.1M followers on Instagram, 4.7M subscribers on YouTube and 4.8M followers on Twitter. In 2019 she became co-founder of the clean makeup company ITEM Beauty, was named a global ambassador for American Eagle, and launched a podcast for Spotify with her mom titled “That Was Fun.” In March 2021, Addison released her debut single “Obsessed”. Addison co-wrote the single, which was produced by a dream team of chart-topping producers, Benny Blanco, Blake Slatkin and Ryan McMahon. In August 2021, Rae made her film debut in Netflix’s HE’S ALL THAT. The film debuted at #1 in 78 countries and saw over 55 million households watch the film at least once in the first month on Netflix. About Hampton Beauty The Hampton Beauty team of highly experienced beauty industry experts bring a wealth of knowledge across all beauty categories, creative innovation, and business strategy. The company was founded to influence a new era of global beauty business development. Whether it’s fragrance, color cosmetics, or skin and body care, their strategic resources worldwide deliver the latest in product & package design and technology that breaks traditional barriers with high quality, bespoke products that engage consumers and inspire social conversation. Contact Details The Collective PR Debbie Burke-Smith debbie@thecollective-pr.com The Collective PR Jennine Hannaway Lavyne +1 917-447-1192 jennine@hannawaypr.com Company Website https://addisonraefragrance.com

November 04, 2021 12:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Adsmovil Invests in Brilla Media to Develop Original Content Properties, Boost Adsmovil Studios, and Enhance Social Media Distribution

Brilla Media

Hispanic digital media powerhouse, Adsmovil, today announced that it has made a strategic investment in Miami-based Brilla Media to develop original content properties, boost its branded entertainment studios, and enhance its social content distribution. The partnership unites the innovator of the Hispanic mobile advertising industry with the founders of the U.S. Latino social media marketing and influencer industry, Manny Ruiz and Angela Sustaita-Ruiz, co-founders of Hispanicize. “This investment underscores our commitment to better serving the Hispanic market, with top-tier, authentic storytelling and compelling, resonant narratives,” said Adsmovil CEO and founder Alberto Pardo. “Brilla’s founders bring a powerful track record for creativity and innovation that will help Adsmovil evolve faster, stronger and more strategically into the next phase of our own story.” As part of the agreement, the companies will work closely to develop innovative digital media content properties, including films and documentaries, to better serve the dynamic Hispanic cohort in its entirety - across languages and generations. All content will be created for Hispanics by Hispanics and all properties will be 100% Latino owned and operated. Brilla Media will also support all social content distribution efforts. “We are especially proud of this investment because Adsmovil is positively advancing quality storytelling, filmmaking, and marketing in the Hispanic marketplace,” said Brilla Media Co-founder Manny Ruiz. “In Adsmovil, we’ve found a partner that is committed to elevating our U.S. Latino community and building bold, creative storytelling platforms, and that’s truly exciting.” About Brilla Media Latina-owned and operated, Brilla Media provides brand marketers with premium Latinx branded storytelling, distribution, and guaranteed digital and social media engagements. Created by Angela and Manny Ruiz, the innovative entertainment company features five pillars: Brilla Media (digital and social distribution), Nuestro Studios (original storytelling), Brilla Social (influencer marketing with social media amplification), Brilla Live (festivals and virtual broadcast TV and live streams), and Brilla Purpose (social good). Brilla’s innovative management team founded the Hispanic social media marketing, Hispanic influencer marketing, and Hispanic press release wire industries. About Adsmovil Minority-owned and certified, Adsmovil ( www.Adsmovil.com ) is a leading pioneer in Hispanic mobile advertising and digital media. The company reaches almost half (48%) of the total Hispanic digital population in the U.S. across cultural diversity and acculturation levels and has direct relationships with over 2,500 digital premium publishers in the US, LATAM and Spain. Its multi-channel offering spans screens, senses and languages as well as full production capabilities, via Adsmovil Studios. The company consistently ranks #1 within ComScore’s Hispanic Ad Focus Mobile Reporting. The company was founded in 2011 by its CEO, Alberto Pardo, and its U.S. headquarters is in Miami, FL with additional offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. The company also has offices in twelve other countries in Latin America and Spain. More information can be found at www.adsmovil.com or info@adsmovil.com. SOURCE ( LATINXNEWSWIRE.COM ) Contact Details Maria Twena maria@adsmovil.com

November 03, 2021 01:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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British fintech Nimbla attracts £5.1m investment as embedded insurance takes off

Stockwood Strategy

Fintech business insurance startup Nimbla has today announced a £5.1m funding round led by Silicon Valley venture fund Fin VC with participation from Barclays Bank. The funding comes as Nimbla seeks to scale its operations with increased demand from embedded credit risk solutions through its API with banks and alternative lending platforms. Founded in 2016, the Nimbla platform has given businesses the confidence to trade with a peace of mind using invoice insurance with quotes provided within seconds. Their proprietary digital automated credit risk platform is able to process requests immediately and provide real time quotes. Nimbla has processed over 67m invoices worth £2.5b. During the pandemic, volumes of invoices tripled as economic uncertainty and supply chain concerns increased and Nimbla continued writing new business. Flemming Bengtsen, CEO at Nimbla commented: “We have been growing steadily over the past few years, ramping up our technology and team to better understand businesses, the nature of B2B debt and to make faster decisions to serve our growing customer base. 2020 was a seminal year for Nimbla, at a time of global crisis, we were there for businesses enabling them to trade with a peace of mind and giving them confidence to carry on. This funding round will enable us to expand our platform, grow the team as we enable a confident and trusted trading environment for businesses across the UK and beyond”. Nimbla has worked directly with businesses and brokers to provide invoice insurance cover and more recently has launched a new API for Banks, fintech lenders and B2B platforms to enable more business to access the service. Nimbla partnered with Barclays Bank in 2020 to give their one million small business customers the ability to take out insurance against individual invoices, rather than the whole book. “We have built a powerful and robust credit risk model, automated large parts of the process and have now launched a new API to enable others to embed seamless credit risk solutions into their platforms” added Flemming Bengtsen. On investing in funding round Henry Cashin, Head of EMEA at Fin VC, commented: “Nimbla is giving businesses the confidence to trade again. They have a proven credit risk model and its tech is being adopted by top tier banks and a host of lending platforms. We believe this will scale their reach and help more businesses benefit long term”. Looking ahead, Flemming Bengtsen commented: “UK companies have added £1.9tn debt in 2020 to their balance sheets, taking the total amount outstanding to over £6.6tn. This number was inflated by the various government loan schemes. Over half of them are carrying ‘toxic debts’ which carries enormous risk for their trade creditors, there is a huge opportunity and responsibility for Nimbla to give companies a peace of mind and insure their invoices against insolvencies”. About Nimbla Nimbla makes sure businesses get paid for their hard work, even if a customer becomes insolvent. Founded in 2016, the company is on a mission to give SMEs the confidence to trade with a peace of mind using invoice insurance. Nimbla’s digital insurance platform backed by expert risk analysts, allows businesses to check a buyer’s ability to pay and insure individual invoices against non-payment in a fast and affordable way. This will enable business owners to safeguard against insolvent customers, expand into new and existing markets and secure better borrowing terms. The platform can be accessed directly (www.nimbla.com) and through partnerships with Barclays and insurance brokers. Based in London, Nimbla aims to bring the trade credit industry into the 21st century. Challenging traditional insurance models, the cover is flexible and adapts to fit your business — whether it’s a one-off invoice or multiple transactions. Contact Details Nimbla Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.nimbla.com/

November 03, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SMEs “keep calm and carry on” despite rising costs from suppliers

Stockwood Strategy

Supply chain issues and increasing costs have impacted SMEs countrywide and yet they seem to be handling it in their usual resilient stride. Fintech business lender MarketFinance asked 1,000 SME owners 1 across the UK how they are managing rising supplier prices, what measures they have put in place and sought their long term outlook on the increasing costs of doing business. Supplier costs Four out of five (79%) SMEs have faced increased prices from suppliers over the past 6 months. An increase of cost of raw materials was the top ranked rationale for price increases by suppliers, most keenly felt by businesses in the north west of England (85%). This was followed by staff shortages, the ongoing impact of the pandemic slowdown and supply chain disruptions owing to a shortage of truck drivers. Across the UK, a quarter of SMEs reported supplier prices have almost doubled over the past 6 months. Impact A third of SMEs (32%) have been able to absorb the increased costs without passing them on to customers, suggesting that these businesses have the necessary cash reserves to handle the impact. Only a fifth (21%) are passing a portion of the increased costs onto customers. Businesses in the south west of England and Northern Ireland are least likely to absorb the costs while businesses in the north west and Yorkshire are the most likely to do so. Their customers are proving to be equally understanding of the wider supply chain situation with only a fifth (20%) challenging business owners about the price rises. Outlook Looking ahead to the festive season, SMEs feel they will be able to manage the situation but some could increase prices if the pressure gets too much. Two fifths reported they could increase their prices by as much as 10% in the run up to Christmas. Longer term, three quarters (73%) of SMEs are already preparing for the current higher prices to be the norm until at least the end of 2022. A third of SMEs (34%) have taken out loans or are using other finance facilities to manage the increased cost of doing business. Anil Stocker, CEO at MarketFinance, commented: “ The current economic environment with rising costs is presenting some headwinds and headaches for SME owners but they are proving to be as resilient as ever. The vast majority have been thinking ahead and accounted for the longer term scenario, which will hold them in good stead to do business. It’s great to see that SME owners are taking the long view and preserving their customer relationships and managing suppliers by having a finance facility in place to deal with the overhead for now. The British Business Bank announced last week that it will extend its Recovery Loan Scheme to June 2022. This extension will give SMEs easier access to more affordable finance they need to continue running and growing operations in the face of ongoing challenges such as staff shortages and supplier price increases.” 1 Research findings based on a survey of 1,000 UK companies (who are employers with a minimum turnover of £100,000) conducted for MarketFinance in October 2021 by LMRMC Research (a Market Research Society approved partner and ESOMAR corporate member). About MarketFinance MarketFinance is a fintech business lender which believes that SMEs are building the world. By making finance frictionless, they’re solving the cash flow issues getting in the way of progress. MarketFinance uses smart technology to deliver better access to faster, more affordable finance; with one-to-one help whenever businesses need it. Since 2011, MarketFinance has advanced over £2.6 billion worth of invoices and loans, enabling thousands of UK businesses to bridge today’s funding gaps and fuel tomorrow’s big ambitions. MarketFinance is an accredited Recover Loan Scheme lender and has a wide-reaching network of strategic partners including Barclays Bank UK PLC, Tide, Equals Group and Ebury. MarketFinance is backed by Barclays Bank UK PLC, Mouro Capital, Paul Forster (co-founder of Indeed.com) European venture capital fund Northzone (invested in Klarna, iZettle and Trustpilot), Viola Capital and private equity group MCI Capital (also invested in iZettle, Azimo and Gett). Contact Details MarketFinance Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://marketfinance.com/

November 02, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Recording Artist Guild (RAG) Selects BEASY to Empower and Enable Musicians for the Metaverse

Beasy, LLC

Blockchain Made Easy, LLC (dba BEASY) and Recording Artist Guild (RAG.ORG) announced today that RAG.ORG and Lookhu.com have signed a multi-year enterprise licensing agreement with BEASY to deliver the utility of blockchain to RAG’s more than 20,000 members. “We’ve sought tirelessly to understand and deliver the benefits of blockchain to our members for years and although we succeeded in some ways, we lacked consistency and the ability to scale.” said Byron Booker, Chairman and Founder of RAG. “We’ve been talking with everyone who’s anyone at the intersection of blockchain and entertainment, and while solutions have advanced, BEASY stands out as our winner. BEASY’s solution puts enterprise grade software and the power to legally trade and enforce ownership in the hands of the artist. It’s easy to use, works with all our systems, supports NFT transactions on credit cards and allows us to do so within our brand identity,” he added. “We’re incredibly grateful and excited to be working with RAG. We started building BEASY three years ago for organizations just like RAG to help their communities realize their dreams. And now our dream is coming true as well.” said Bob Kramich, Founder and CEO of BEASY. For RAG creators or sellers, BEASY provides a complete metaverse identity management solution in one simple package through which they can: Mint, rarify and sell their own digital assets on any NFT marketplace, or directly from their web sites. Accept credit cards as a payment method for NFTs. Smarten, manage and control song contracts including fractional ownership splits. Easily onboard friends as fans which expands their serviceable obtainable market and prepares fans to participate in upcoming NFT drops. Establish and manage their official Sovereign Digital Identities including their digital name, official credentials and accomplishments. Manage their Official Partner Network. Maintain the true state of receivables owed and paid across multiple contracts and multiple mediums, no matter how many or how fractional the ownership or micro payment due. Customize, scale and continuously improve using enterprise-grade BaaS software. Rapidly team with a variety of business partners and sell and go to market. For buyers and fans, BEASY makes it possible to participate in the digital asset economy without using cryptocurrencies. As most NFT sites require buyers to use cryptocurrencies, the BEASY Wallet allows RAG fans to buy NFTs using credit cards. The buyer benefits from ease of use and the creator benefits from the expansion of their serviceable obtainable market (SOM). At its highest level, BEASY mainstreams the adoption of blockchain to improve the economic situation of individuals, businesses and communities. “BEASY is not a blockchain game and BEASY is not an NFT marketplace,” explains Kramich. “BEASY is Blockchain-as-a-Service software that is easy to install and use and acts as a combined personal notary and digital asset control center. With BEASY, influencers and creators can participate in multiple blockchain-based games and sell NFTs on any NFT marketplace while preserving the true state of how much is owned and owed across all mediums - no matter how fractional the ownership or how micro the payment. What’s more is that sellers, while operating in main blockchain networks, can do so without forcing themselves or their clients to ever purchase cryptocurrencies. We allow people to use the assets and the networks without forcing them to use the underlying cryptocurrency. Our aim is to do this to any Dapp and any network, to bring crypto-based solutions to the next billion users.” # # # About BEASY Blockchain Made Easy ™️, LLC is a Massachusetts-based technology and professional services company empowering retail and business customers with the ability to deploy customized blockchain-based strategies through easy-to-use blockchain software products. The company’s core product, BEASY Authentication ™️, is a multi-blockchain platform and associated wallet solution allowing users to seamlessly create, sell, and track digital goods in addition to a broad range of other applications such as digital identity management, fractional and whole digital asset ownership, royalties management, contract-to-smart contract management and more. BEASY does this without requiring owning or managing any cryptocurrency on major compatible blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Matic and more. BEASY is committed to making blockchain adoption easy. For more information, go to www.BEASY1.com About RAG.ORG Recording Artists Guild (RAG), a non-profit focused on empowering recording artists since 2009 provides its thousands of members with tools, resources, and technology to help monetize their skills and IP while bringing them exposure and a platform to make their voices heard. About Lookhu Lookhu ( www.lookhu.com ) is a cord-cutter’s dream, delivering unlimited streaming TV channels, exclusive series, and live events worldwide. Lookhu offers influencer driven a la carte channels within specific genres including MMA, Comedy, Spanish, Faith, and more for free, subscription and or on-demand. About Talynt Talynt is an NFT marketplace that focuses on providing a robust marketplace for creators offering Phygital NFTs with live events. Talynt offers exclusive NFT collections from notable celebrities and limited campaigns from TokenOfRespect.com, ApeRockStars.com, CryptoRoadies.com, NFTV.life and more Media Relations Contacts: BEASY, LLC. Contact: David Kaupp SVP, Head of Marketing info@beasy1.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeasyInc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beasy-blockchain-made-easy-llc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beasy1859/ RAG and Lookhu Contact: Melissa Jones press@lookhu.com Contact: Mellissa Jones press@rag.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragworld/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RAGWORLD/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RAGWORLD Blockchain Made Easy, LLC is a Massachusetts-based technology and professional services company empowering retail and business customers with the ability to deploy customized blockchain-based strategies through easy-to-use blockchain software products. The company's core product, BEASY Authentication, is a multi-blockchain platform and associated wallet solution allowing users to seamlessly create, sell, and track digital goods in addition to a broad range of other applications such as digital identity management, fractional and whole digital asset ownership, royalties management, contract-to-smart contract management and more. BEASY does this without requiring owning or managing any cryptocurrency on major compatible blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Matic and more. BEASY is committed to making blockchain adoption easy. For more information, go to www.BEASY1.com Contact Details BEASY, LLC David Kaupp +1 978-360-6698 info@beasy1.com RAG and Lookhu Melissa Jones press@rag.org Company Website https://www.beasy1.com

November 01, 2021 04:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Global Climate Uprising Festival at COP26 in Glasgow in November to Raise Awareness of Environmental Challenges

LakeArts Foundation

The Global Climate Uprising Festival, produced by the LakeArts Foundation, will bring together organizations supporting the environment, education and culture to showcase their work in climate change research, advocacy and new solutions through media, art and technology to raise awareness of the global challenges facing today’s world at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, starting on Nov. 2. TongAbove, The Sustainable Glasgow Landing, Tuesday, Nov. 2 TongAbove presents a film showcasing the design and plan to rescue island nations from rising seas due to climate change. Created by Jakob+MacFarlane and Uili Lousi, Tonga-based visionary artist and environmental activist, and OHAI, a Tongan organization for climate change awareness and official representative of the Tongan Government to COP24. With the sea levels rising due to climate change, several Pacific Island states, including Lousi's homeland Tonga, are threatened with disappearing under the sea in the future. Without a way to relocate them elsewhere, they are developing a response to this extreme condition, using nature as a way forward. Partners: Jakob+MacFarlane, (France); OHAI, Government of Tonga, (Tonga), Supporting Partners: Global Climate Uprising (USA) and The City of Glasgow. The Vital Signs of the Planet Concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 19:30 (GMT) Vital Signs of the Planet Concert brings together a 100-strong symphony orchestra of young musicians from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to create a live spectacular blend of sound and cinematic visuals, including footage from NASA and The National Geographic. The concert will also include a performance by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield, who will perform her worldwide hit “Unwritten,” an uplifting message about the future. This is a special moment for global youth and the arts to speak for the planet in Glasgow at this vital time for the world. Several young, international environmental leaders from the most impacted areas of the world will address the concert audience: Agar Castro Tejada and Iniquilipi Chiari (Panama), Cedric Dzelu (Ghana), Natalie Sinclair (Scotland) and Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti (Kenya). The unique occasion is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Royal Conservatoire Orchestra, NASA, National Geographic, the Royal Family Foundation’s Earthshot Prize and the Global Climate Uprising Festival. IMAX Film, A Beautiful Planet Cinema, Science Centre, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 18:30 (GMT) The Award-winning IMAX film, “A Beautiful Planet,” is a breath-taking portrait of Earth from space, providing a unique perspective and increased understanding of our planet and galaxy as never seen before. Produced in cooperation with NASA, the film features stunning footage of our magnificent blue planet — and the effects humanity has had on it over time — captured by the astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The film is narrated by award-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence and was produced by IMAX Entertainment and Toni Myers, the acclaimed Canadian filmmaker behind celebrated IMAX documentaries Blue Planet, Hubble 3D, and Space Station 3D. Presented by the Global Climate Uprising Festival, the film contains warnings regarding climate change and environmental degradation using IMAX footage of Earth from space and time-lapse photography. It also offers positive reasons to take better care of our planet. IMAX veteran Jackson Myers, son of the film’s director, the late Toni Myers, will participate in a post-screening discussion with John Turner, who is Head of Documentaries for IMAX Corporation and oversees the development of all documentary films and non-fiction content for the IMAX global network. Partner: IMAX. The Bamboo Ark, Panama Pavilion, Euroclime Pavilion, Tramway Station, Nov. 5 to 12 The Bamboo Ark opens at the historic Tramway Station in Glasgow on Nov. 5. The Geoversity 2030 Bamboo Ark is a global and sustained campaign for biocultural leadership and living design for sustainability in harmony with nature. The debut of the Bamboo Ark taking place at COP26 in Glasgow is being led by Iniquilipi Chiari, co-founder and first president of the Guna Youth Congress, Micaela Ironshell Dominguez, co-founder and first secretary of the Indigenous Youth Council (North America) and other young Indigenous leaders as a worldwide call to action. Partners: The City of Glasgow, Global Climate Uprising City Kids Foundation. LakeArts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to working at the intersection of film, performance arts and media technology. LakeArts works closely with local, national and international communities and partners to make positive change through innovation in arts and technology. Contact Details LakeArts Foundation Bonnie Nelson Schwartz +1 202-390-1634 bnelsonschwartz@gmail.com Company Website http://www.lakeartsfoundation.org/

October 29, 2021 11:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Cyvatar Named Finalist in Computing Security Excellence Awards 2021

Cyvatar

Cyvatar today announced that it has been chosen as a finalist in Computing’s Security Excellence Awards 2021 for the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Security Solution Award. Computing celebrates the achievements of the IT industry's leading security companies, solutions, products, and personalities that keep every other part of the industry operating. Award categories include product- and project-related recognition, organizational achievements, and accolades for outstanding individual success. Computing selected Cyvatar for its cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) platform, designed with SMEs in mind. SMEs are increasingly at the mercy of ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and other cyber threats, but unlike larger orgs, most SMEs don’t have the budget or expertise to invest in comprehensive in-house security programs. Moreover, they struggle to show value from the security tools they do buy. Cyvatar CSaaS democratizes cybersecurity, making the best protection accessible and affordable for any SME regardless of budget, even if they have no cybersecurity expertise in-house. Customers can select the membership and pricing that meet their desired business outcomes in seconds; a freemium model ensures they can achieve tangible results fast with no out-of-pocket costs--an industry first. And they can cancel anytime--another industry first. “We don’t throw technology over the wall and expect our customers to figure it out themselves the way many product companies do,” said Corey White, Cyvatar co-founder and chief executive. “We deliver all three pillars of cybersecurity—the teams, technology solutions, and best practices—to SMEs that would not otherwise be able to implement them. Our subscription model ensures they don’t end up buying solutions they can’t use or don’t need, and our platform lets them see at a glance what’s going on in their environment to give them the best cyber prevention available.” Cyvatar offers its proprietary ICARM™ (install, configure, assess, remediate, maintain) methodology to deliver smarter, more efficient solutions, allowing SMEs to achieve security compliance and cyber-attack prevention faster and more effectively. ICARM ensures SMEs won’t get crushed under the weight of too many products, and guaranteed outcomes mean they get maximum value from their technology spend. Choose the Cyvatar membership with the best outcomes for your business today. About Cyvatar Cyvatar is committed to effortless cybersecurity for everyone. As the industry’s first subscription-based, cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) company, it’s our mission to transform the way the security industry builds, sells, and supports cyber solutions. We empower our members to achieve successful outcomes by providing expert practitioners, market-leading technologies, and proven best practices to guarantee business results. Our approach is rooted in a proprietary ICARM (installation, configuration, assessment, remediation, maintenance) methodology that delivers measurable security solutions for superior compliance and cyber-attack prevention, all bundled into a fixed monthly subscription that members can cancel anytime. Cyvatar is headquartered in Irvine, California, with locations around the world. Begin your journey to security confidence at cyvatar.ai and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact Details Cyvatar Dan Chmielewski +1 949-231-2963 dchm@madisonalexanderpr.com Company Website https://cyvatar.ai/

October 28, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Mirriad Taps Music Industry Veterans to Diversify Music Alliance Brand Partnerships

Mirriad

Mirriad, the leading in-content advertising company that uses AI-powered technology for brands including Conde Nast, Universal and Johnson & Johnson, today announced two new strategic hires: Martin Moor as Vice President and Head of Music & Brand Partnerships and James Goodhall as Head of Music Sales EMEA. Moor and Goodhall join Mirriad following the 2020 launch of Mirriad’s Music Alliance, a coalition dedicated to merging the marketing and music industries to offer brands, artists, and fans creative and financial opportunities through seamlessly placing brands’ content into music videos and media. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have such creative and forward-thinking minds such as Martin and James to join us as we expand our Music Alliance initiatives,” said Stephan Beringer, Chief Executive Officer, Mirriad. “As the advertising industry continues to evolve with brands looking for authentic ways to engage with their consumers, we at Mirriad are continually working to present impactful and non-disruptive in-content advertising opportunities that drive brand recognition. These additions to our team will have a tremendous impact on our future success as a company.” As the new Vice President and Head of Music & Brand Partnerships at Mirriad, Moor is responsible for music brand partnership growth within the Americas. Moor began his career at Penalty Records and served as the label’s first Director of Artists and Repertoire (A&R), launching the careers of N.O.R.E, David Banner and to working with multi-platinum artists and Grammy award-winning producers such as Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beats and Kanye West. Moor also led teams at Sony Music Entertainment, serving as Senior Director of A&R Executive for Epic Records. He has worked with leading global brands such as Adidas, Coca-Cola, Visa, Red Bull, Airbnb and Microsoft. Based in New York City, Moor will report to Mark Melvin, EVP, Sales & Brand Partnerships, US, Mirriad. Goodhall joins Mirriad as Head of Music Sales in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and is responsible for building out Mirriad’s recently developed Music Alliance program and revenue stream across the region - primarily for the UK, France and Germany. Goodhall brings 20 years of music industry experience in streaming, VOD, marketing, brand partnerships, distribution, A&R and live events to his new role. As Head of Music Sales, Goodhall will closely work with the insights and marketing teams to use evidence-based research to demonstrate the power of in-video advertising to brands. Goodhall’s career began at Amato Distribution where he ran the UK Sales division, moving on to work in successful A&R roles at Sony Music UK and Universal Music. He then worked in commercial positions at EMI Music UK and Warner Music UK, where he managed high-profile music clients Spotify, Deezer, Napster, YouTube and Vevo during his time and launched artist campaigns for the likes of Coldplay, Tinie Tempah, Dua Lipa, Jason Derulo, Gorillaz, David Guetta, Annie-Marie, and helped deliver UK chart history for Ed Sheeran, Jess Glynne, Stormzy and Emeli Sande. Goodhall has also worked with leading brands Google Play, Microsoft, Vodafone and O2. Based in London, he will report to Miles Lewis, CRO, Mirriad. “I’m especially excited to join forces with Mirriad because of the company’s focus on technology innovation and amplifying the multicultural marketplace through the Music Alliance,” said Goodhall. “I’m looking forward to working alongside empowered minority-owned music labels and artists and offering an entirely new way for brands to authentically connect with audiences in a very natural way.” “Mirriad’s exceptional work speaks for itself and I can’t wait to begin my journey centered on music and creativity,” said Moor. “The unique approach of Mirriad's tech-powered fusion of data, AI, cultural reach and limitless creativity opens up a world of possibilities for brands and musicians.” Mirriad’s new Music Alliance program partners with global leading music labels and artists to connect the creatives to Mirriad’s AI-powered tech to find the most relevant context for brands and seamlessly integrate advertisements in relevant content like music videos, which reaches audiences without disrupting or bombarding. Mirriad’s Music Alliance program already worked with placing Tecate (Heineken) in Giovanny Ayala’s music videos and Bushmills into Viceland web series content. For more information about Mirriad, please visit https://www.mirriad.com/ About Mirriad Mirriad's award-winning solution unleashes new revenue for content producers and distributors by creating new advertising inventory in content. Our patented, AI and computer vision technology dynamically inserts products and innovative signage formats after content is produced. Mirriad's market-first solution seamlessly integrates with existing subscription and advertising models, and dramatically improves the viewer experience by limiting commercial interruptions. Mirriad currently operates in the US, Europe and China. Contact Details Kite Hill Shania Roper +1 843-693-7161 shania@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.mirriad.com/

October 27, 2021 09:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time