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iTradeNetwork Welcomes Bianca Buckridee as Vice President, Product Marketing

iTradeNetwork

iTradeNetwork, the global provider of supply chain management solutions for the food and beverage industry, announced Bianca Buckridee as its new vice president of product marketing. Prior to joining iTradeNetwork, Buckridee worked for Blue Yonder, BMC Software, The Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and SunTrust Banks in progressively responsible customer service operations and product marketing roles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Southeastern University. In this role, Buckridee will be responsible for building and scaling the product marketing function, especially how teams interface with product positioning and messaging. She plans to embed storytelling into iTradeNetwork’s “DNA” to share diverse and meaningful perspectives. “Product marketing is vital to enabling sales and accelerating adoption,” explained Buckridee. “We are the connective tissue across the organization. We have an incredibly strong mission here at iTradeNetwork and I hope to give a voice to all of our users across their journey with us.” ABOUT ITRADENETWORK iTradeNetwork, Inc. is the leading global provider of supply chain management solutions for the food and beverage industry, with more than 8,000 active customers. Suppliers and resellers connect on iTradeNetwork’s technology platform to create active partnerships and easily transact. The platform also provides one-stop-shopping for freight, food traceability, fresh inspection and supply chain compliance, which creates efficiencies for buyers and sellers alike. For more information, visit: www.itradenetwork.com. Media please note: Visual assets, photos and interviews are available by contacting Robin Carr at (415) 971-3991or itn@landispr.com. ### Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 itn@landispr.com Company Website https://www.itradenetwork.com/

June 30, 2021 09:27 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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STEAM Brand Osmo Participates in Ace Presents the Kerry Wood Celebrity Golf Invitational Benefiting Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago; Makes Product Donation to Hospital

Osmo

Award-winning STEAM brand Osmo participated in the June 28 Ace Presents the Kerry Wood Celebrity Golf Invitational, where its charitable arm, Osmo Cares, gifted its bestselling Creative Kit for iPad to over 200 celebrity golfers and Lurie Children’s Hospital patients’ families. In addition, Osmo Cares gifted 48 Creative Kits for iPad directly to the hospital, for their patients to enjoy. The Celebrity Golf Invitational, which takes place at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois, is a key fundraising event for Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, raising over $1 million on a single day. This year’s event included high-profile celebrity golfers Kerry Wood, Mark Rypien, Ryan Dempster, Jim McMahon, Toni Kukoc, and many others. ( images ) “We love events that support important organizations that provide life-saving medical services and treatments for children,” says Karen O’Dell, Osmo Director of PR and Osmo Cares. “By providing gifts to participants at this celebrity golf invitational as well as kits to Lurie Children’s Hospital, we hope to bring smiles and joy to many Chicago-area children and families, and provide healthy screen time that inspires kids’ appetite to explore STEAM learning.” Osmo’s combined donations are valued at approximately $18,500. “The Ace team is proud to partner with the award-winning STEAM brand Osmo to raise money for Lurie Children’s hospital in Chicago. Working together with great companies like Osmo to help sick kids and their families is the bedrock of what the Ace Foundation is all about,” stated Kane Calamari, President of the Ace Foundation. Says Susan Ruohonen, EdD, Senior Director of Family Services at Lurie Children’s Hospital, “Through this generous donation, so many children and their families will have this unique opportunity to explore STEAM learning and be inspired through curiosity, creativity and innovation. Thank you for providing this avenue of discovery and imagination for our patients and their families at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.” Osmo’s Creative Kit for iPad, used at home and in classrooms across the U.S., features award-winning games that inspire learning, drawing, creativity, and more. It contains the Osmo Base for iPad, Creative Board, 4 erasable markers, a fuzzy eraser pouch, stackable storage for each game, and three best-selling game apps (Monster, Newton, Masterpiece). Osmo Cares Since 2016, Osmo Cares has made over $600,000 (USD) in product donations to nonprofit and charitable organizations in the U.S., and established over 50 partnerships with family service and autism awareness organizations. Osmo was named one of Time Magazine’s 25 Best Inventions in 2014; and its Osmo Learning System received the 2021 EdTech Digest Award in the “Curriculum and Instruction Solution” category. In 2018, Osmo received a Best AI-based Solution for Education Award for its proprietary reflective AI technology. About the Ace Hardware Foundation As the official charitable division of Ace Hardware Corporation, the Ace Hardware Foundation helps enhance the vision of being the “Helpful Place” in local communities across the country and around the globe through charitable giving. The Ace Foundation provides support and philanthropic opportunities to its consumers, retail store owners, vendors and team members to give back to local communities through fundraising efforts for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Ace Hardware has been a national partner for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for the last 30 years, raising over $140 million during that time. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com. About Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. It is the pediatric training ground for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Last year, the hospital served more than 220,000 children from 48 states and 49 countries. About Osmo Osmo is an award-winning STEAM brand whose products are used in over 50,000 classrooms and 2.5 million homes. It is building a universe of hands-on play experiences that nourish the minds of children by unleashing the power of imagination. The company brings physical tools into the digital world through augmented reality and its proprietary reflective artificial intelligence. Founded in 2013 by ex-Google engineers Pramod Sharma and Jerome Scholler, the Osmo Play System fuses digital gameplay and physical interaction to create fun and nutritious play experiences designed for all kids. Osmo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Learn more at playosmo.com. For information about its educational division, Osmo for Schools, visit schools.playosmo.com. Contact Details Carolyn Kamii +1 310-251-0550 carolynkpr@gmail.com Company Website http://www.playosmo.com

June 29, 2021 04:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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ROCKI and Black Dog Music Partners Announce Music NFT Partnership

Black Dog Venture Partners

ROCKI and Black Dog Music Partners have announced that they are teaming up to provide artists with more opportunities to monetize their music via blockchain and NFT technology. In addition, Black Dog CEO Scott Kelly has joined the advisory board of ROCKI. Scott Kelly, CEO of Black Dog Music Partners commented, “ ROCKI has built the leading platform for musicians and bands to take full advantage of blockchain and NFT technology to expand their fan base and make more money. Our access to independent artists and labels, fans, top brands and NFT investors will create a dynamic partnership. ” Bjorn Niclas, ROCKI’s Co-Founder & CEO said: “We’re extremely excited about this partnership with such an established and well-known partner in the music space. We look forward to working closely with Black Dog Music Partners and onboarding their talent roster to the ROCKI platform.” About ROCKI ROCKI is the next generation of music streaming services. Powered by the ROCKS token, it is the first platform that rewards both the artists for their streams and the listeners for listening. ROCKI is a music streaming service and music NFT platform (built on BSC) designed to solve some of the most fundamental problems of the music industry - creating new revenue streams for artists. ROCKI allows artists to earn the ROCKS cryptocurrency for their streams, coupled with the world’s first hybrid subscription model in both Fiat and Crypto using a User-Centric payment system that pays the majority of the subscription revenue from a listener directly to the artists they are streaming. More about ROCKI: Try ROCKI beta at https://rocki.app/ ROCKI Medium Blog https://medium.com/rockiapp ROCKI Twitter https://twitter.com/RockiApp ROCKI Telegram https://t.me/Rockiapp ROCKI Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rockiapp/ About Black Dog Music Partners Black Dog Music Partners provides independent musicians with the special resources they need (through their affiliate partnerships, credibility, and relationships) to help them succeed within the music industry. We also help artists generate revenue through royalty payments and licensing opportunities. Black Dog Music Partners is a portfolio company of Black Dog Venture Partners. Learn more at https://blackdogmusicpartners.com. About Black Dog Venture Partners Black Dog Venture Partners is a business accelerator that provides access to funding through our network of 13,000 investors, business development through our network of 40,000 business partners, sales/marketing and executive coaching services for disruptive companies. Learn more at https://www.blackdogventurepartners.com Contact Details Scott Kelly +1 480-206-3435 Scott@blackdogventurepartners.com Company Website https://www.blackdogventurepartners.com/

June 28, 2021 06:11 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Updating Video: CIPIO Appoints Serial Data & AI Entrepreneur Sundeep Sanghavi as CEO & Silicon Valley Media Tech Veteran Dipak Patel as CMO to Humanize Digital Subscriptions.

CIPIO.ai

CIPIO, an AI company that is Humanizing Subscriptions TM, today announced the appointment of Sundeep Sanghavi as its CEO and Dipak M. Patel as CMO & EVP of Strategic Initiatives. Sanghavi, a seasoned entrepreneur who has successfully founded, built, and sold four Big Data and AI companies and has invested in multiple digital oriented startups, including CIPIO. He is renowned for his obsession with data and pioneering successful AI-led business transformations across industry verticals, including global subscription and services related enterprises. Patel, prior to joining CIPIO, was most recently chartered to create and execute innovation and go-to-market models for TiVo’s IP business. And, as the Co-Founder & CEO of Zeality, Inc., Dipak built the industry’s first immersive media streaming platform. Over 25 years in Silicon Valley, Dipak has held numerous executive, go-to-market, advisory, and board positions, including G-Technology, Western Digital’s premier Media Technology storage solutions. “We’re experiencing exponential growth by onboarding great partnerships like Zype, InteliVideo, and Jonas Fitness. Globally, there are billions of subscriptions that need to be activated. To meet the demand, we’re adding powerhouse leaders like Sundeep and Dipak to our already stellar team.” said Growson Edwards, Co-Founder, and COO of CIPIO. “As experienced investors, founders, & executives, they both understand what it takes to build and scale AI, big data, and media tech companies. The CIPIO team is excited to reframe the world around Humanizing Subscriptions TM.” The global pandemic sent the world’s population into a scramble to find new ways to experience media & entertainment, teach & learn, and lead healthy lifestyles. These drivers led to a 300% growth in digital subscription activation globally. “As digital subscription growth continues to skyrocket, we believe every subscription needs a brain,” expressed Dipak M. Patel, CMO, CIPIO. “Without one, subscriptions become disposable because they’re not able to see and hear us, learn from us, and respond to our needs and feelings. We are Humanizing Subscriptions TM by giving every single subscription a brain.” By Humanizing Subscriptions TM, CIPIO empowers digital organizations to enhance the experience throughout the subscriber’s journey, including conversion from free to premium, proactively retain, and optimization of content acquisition costs. “I am obsessed with how data can truly serve humanity. Over the past year, we’ve seen a need to connect people in new ways,” said Sundeep Sanghavi, CEO, CIPIO. “As an investor and founder of multiple AI companies, CIPIO presents an opportunity to a game-changing influence on how the world interacts with their digital experiences. I’m excited to join a phenomenal team of technologists, market makers, and influencers that shares our passion for Humanizing Subscriptions TM.” About CIPIO CIPIO provides the leading patent pending AI technology platform that Humanizes Subscriptions TM for digital organizations. By bringing together human, machine, and domain data, CIPIO arms organizations with capabilities to sense, learn, predict and recommend digital experiences to strengthen the subscriber and subscription relationship. CIPIO impacts both the top and bottom line financials for some of the world’s leading brands such as Zype, InteliVideo, and Jonas Fitness. To learn more about CIPIO, visit www.cipio.ai Contact Details CIPIO Media Relations +1 925-548-7779 anita@cipio.ai Company Website https://cipio.ai/

June 24, 2021 02:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Spotlight Sports Group Names Dan Pozner Vice President of Content

Spotlight Sports Group

Today, Spotlight Sports Group, owner of Pickswise, the fastest growing independent sports betting content provider in North America, announced Dan Pozner as its new Vice President of Content. Pozner will be responsible for enriching and expanding Pickswise’s preeminent sports betting content across video, audio, data and editorial channels. He is also tasked with cultivating a new roster of talent including guest contributors, video hosts and sports betting experts. Pozner joins Spotlight after a decade at NBC Sports, where he most recently served as the Director of Gambling Content. Seizing upon the growth opportunities for legalized betting in America, Dan played a pivotal role in helping NBC Sports develop and launch its sports betting capabilities through free-to-play games, unique multi-platform content and the editorial integration of odds on linear television. “The American sports betting market continues to change rapidly, but the one constant is a strong demand for quality content that educates, informs and inspires bettors,” said Harry von Behr, managing director of Spotlight Sports Group. “Dan’s experience in building betting brands and creating successful content, including podcasts and managing partner bookmaker relationships, is an enormous asset to Pickswise as we continue to grow into one of America's top sports betting sites.” Pozner brings additional leading industry experience to Spotlight’s expanding American-based team, including newly hired sports betting experts from PointsBet, DraftKings and Vixio Gambling Compliance. “The landscape for sports betting content in America is extremely competitive with media companies, experts and influencers all competing for the attention of this growing and engaged audience” said Pozner. “I was immediately drawn to Pickswise’s aggressive approach to expansion in the US market through educating and entertaining sports bettors with free, accessible data-driven insights without the need for a paid subscription. Pickswise is the ultimate first-step destination for sports bettors looking to make stronger and more informed bets and I’m looking forward to expanding and innovating Pickswise’s growing and trusted content portfolio.” For more information on Spotlight Sports Group please visit https://www.spotlightsportsgroup.com/en_us/. ABOUT SPOTLIGHT SPORTS GROUP Spotlight Sports Group delivers distinctive sports betting experiences through their own brands and partnerships with the world's biggest betting operators and media owners. Global growth is driven by delivering premium independent sports betting content, marketing partnerships and publisher solutions. Evolved from the Racing Post, Spotlight Sports Group, through Pickswise is now the fastest growing independent sports betting content provider in the US. Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.spotlightsportsgroup.com/en_us/

June 24, 2021 10:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Bumble research reveals how the pandemic has changed dating heading into the ‘summer of love’

YourUpdateTV

Bumble, the women-first dating app and social networking platform, has revealed how the pandemic has shaped the way that single people are dating this summer and beyond as restrictions are beginning to ease and more people are becoming fully vaccinated within the United States every day. Recently, Head of Editorial Content at Bumble, Clare O’Connor, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the survey results and what they suggest about the future of dating. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/w8s692FKpII Following a year of social distancing measures, 91% of survey respondents believe that there is no longer a stigma attached to meeting someone online or through a dating app since the pandemic began. Even more, an overwhelming two-thirds (65%) think that it’s possible to fall in love with someone that they’ve never met in person before. According to the study, the most popular reason why survey respondents enjoy going on virtual dates is that they find it safer to engage with a match virtually before meeting in person. However, that isn’t the only benefit: 1 in 3 (31%) like virtual dates because it saves them time and money, and 1 in 4 (26%) appreciate that they only have to get partially ready (“half-glam”) when going on a video date. Additionally, over half (51%) of Bumble’s community surveyed said that they are updating and refreshing their dating profile right now. For more tips and insights on navigating this new dating landscape, visit bumble.com/finally. Bumble is free and available worldwide in the App Store and Google Play. About Clare O’Connor: Clare O'Connor is Bumble's Head of Editorial Content, working on building out a content platform at the women-first social networking company. Prior to joining Bumble, she spent more than seven years as a staff writer at Forbes, most recently covering women entrepreneurs and workplace equality. During graduate school at Columbia University's School of Journalism, she worked at CNN's Anderson Cooper 360. She was born and brought up in Bermuda About Bumble: Bumble, the women-first social networking app, was founded by CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014. Bumble connects people across dating (Bumble Date), friendship (Bumble BFF) and professional networking (Bumble Bizz). No matter the type of relationship, women make the first move on Bumble. Bumble is built on the importance of equitable relationships and how crucial they are to a healthy, happy life. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 23, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Names Israel Philharmonic Music Director’s Chair with $1 Million Pledge

American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Today, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation has announced a $1 million pledge to the Israel Philharmonic to establish the Music Director’s Chair. The chair is currently held by the Israel Philharmonic’s Music Director, Lahav Shani. “The naming of this chair by The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation is a vote of confidence in the Israel Philharmonic and its position at the forefront of classical music,” says Richard S. Ziman, Trustee of The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation and board member of the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (AFIPO). “This transformative gift will enable the Philharmonic to emerge from COVID reenergized and to expand upon its invaluable cultural impact as Israel’s foremost ambassador of goodwill.” Rosalinde and Sir Arthur Gilbert were passionate art collectors and astute businesspeople who committed their efforts to significant charitable endeavors locally in Southern California and in the State of Israel. The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation was created to promote education, tolerance, social services and the arts. “The naming of the Music Director’s chair signifies a pivotal point in the Philharmonic’s history,” says Martin H. Blank, Jr., Trustee of The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation and board member of the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (AFIPO). “As the young, dynamic Lahav Shani assumes his post as the Orchestra’s first new Music Director in 50 years, we are excited to see the Israel Philharmonic expand its cutting-edge approach.” For more information about The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation: www.thegilbertfoundation.org About American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra: American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (AFIPO) supports the world-class Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), enabling the IPO to enrich diverse audiences around the world in its role as Israel’s preeminent cultural ambassador. AFIPO’s vision is to inspire the human spirit through transformative music education programs and extraordinary performances that celebrate Israel and the arts. For more information, please visit www.afipo.org Contact Details Miller Ink Zack Zimmerman +1 818-326-0897 zack@miller-ink.com Company Website https://afipo.org/

June 22, 2021 12:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Toy Junkies Creates Peer-to-Peer Rental Marketplace for Recreational Sports Enthusiasts

Black Dog Venture Partners

Toy Junkies announces the creation of their proprietary peer-to-peer consolidated rental software catering to the adventure sports market — this online platform allows sports enthusiasts to list their “toys” for rent or rent “toys” from vendors. It will also provide the opportunity for travel hosts and event planners to have access to “toy” rentals listed on the website at a discounted rate. The company also announced that it has retained Black Dog Venture Partners for Business Development and Strategic Partnerships. Toy Junkies’ strategy is to offer an even playing field for vendors of all sizes anytime, anywhere in the world. Its online, secure environment provides verified background checks and access to a unique recreational sports enthusiast community. Toy Junkies will transform the online rental experience. Scott Kelly, CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners, commented, “The Toy Junkies’ team has 100+ years of combined experience in the adventure sports marketspace and this new peer-to-peer platform is just what that market is looking for. I am excited to work with Lori and the Toy Junkies team to create the next marketplace for adventure! ”. Lori Lancaster, CEO of Toy Junkies commented, “We are very excited to partner with Black Dog Venture Partners. I am confident that our team has produced a unique proprietary software that will change the online reservation experience.” Learn more at ToyJunkies.com About Black Dog Venture Partners Black Dog Venture Partners is a business accelerator that provides access to funding through our network of 13,000 investors, business development through our network of 40,000 business partners, sales/marketing and executive coaching services for disruptive companies. Learn more at https://www.blackdogventurepartners.com Contact Details Black Dog Venture Partners Scott Kelly +1 480-206-3435 Scott@blackdogventurepartners.com Company Website https://www.blackdogventurepartners.com/

June 22, 2021 06:11 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Quarter4 Closes $1.6M Seed Funding Round

Quarter4

Quarter4, an easy-to-use, AI-driven predictive sports data and analytics provider for sports, media and betting companies, today announced the closure of its seed funding round, raising $1.6 million (USD). The round will be used to acquire strategic talent to expand Quarter4’s technical and sales teams. The company plans to double its headcount by the end of 2021. Quarter4 is currently using deep learning neural networks to grow their proprietary AI technology. In addition to acquiring talent, the funding from this round will aid in the technological expansion of Quarter4’s business-to-business services, including doubling its industry-leading predictions to two million predictions-per-day by September 2021, which will incorporate NFL forecasts. Quarter4’s technology team is also expanding its data reporting capabilities to include predictive probabilities for live in-play betting and odds and market analysis. The round was led by Shore Capital Sports & Entertainment, an advisory and investment firm with offices in Toronto and New York. As part of its strategic investment, Shore Capital Sports & Entertainment will also take an active role assisting Quarter4 with business development, strategic partnerships as well as financial advisory services. Scott Secord, Managing Partner, will also join the Board of Directors for Quarter4. Mr. Secord is the former President/CEO of Gaming Nation Inc., a publicly traded company on the TSXV, which was acquired in 2018 by a private equity firm. Prior to Gaming Nation, Mr. Secord held the position of President/CEO of Pointstreak Sports Technologies Inc. from 2009 until 2015. “Quarter4’s technology is exciting because it spans across the sports landscape providing incredible data and rich insights for sports betting, sports media and sports broadcasting companies,” said Scott Secord. “The opportunities in the sports and gaming industry seem limitless, but we understand that the strength of this market lies in the quality of the data powering the industry. Our investment in Quarter4 shows our commitment to continually improving how data is delivered to sports companies across the globe.” Terry McInally, Chief Compliance Officer of Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, will join Secord on the Quarter4 Board of Directors. He previously served as Partner and National Gaming Practice Leader at Richter Advisory Group, the National Gaming Practice Leader for PwC and an executive at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). “We’ve seen exceptional demand for our market-leading analytics in the past year. Sportsbooks and gaming companies, sports leagues, technology and data providers as well as broadcast and media partners need valuable data to make smarter decisions and create richer content for their respective audiences,” said Kelly Brooks, co-founder and CEO of Quarter4. “This investment allows us to scale our capabilities and work directly with leading partners like Scott and Terry to create cutting edge technology solutions to continue to shape the global gaming industry.” For more information please visit Quarter4.io. ABOUT QUARTER4 Quarter4 is a revolutionary artificial intelligence platform that generates thousands of daily predictions called 4Qasts. The easy-to-use sports technology delivers proprietary insights, related to team and player performance, in just seconds. Quarter4 provides sportsbooks, data providers, media agencies and sports bettors with predictive data that is unique, personalized and non-biased. Contact Details Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://quarter4.io/

June 22, 2021 09:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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