Market Newsdesk

TYLER, Texas, Jan. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Southside Bancshares, Inc. (“Southside”) (NASDAQ:SBSI), the holding company of Southside Bank, has been named one of the Top 10 Banking Powerhouses in America by Bank Director. The 2021 RankingBanking study of performance powerhouse banks (the “Study”) also ranked Southside as one of the top three banks in America for creating long-term value, named the board of directors the best in Texas, and identified Southside as the best bank to work for in Texas.

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, there are currently just over 5,000 federally-insured banking institutions in America. Bank Director, the leading information resource for directors and officers of financial institutions nationwide, partnered with Crowe LLP, a public accounting firm with a global presence, to identify the very best banks.

“We are extremely proud to be recognized as one of the top 10 performance powerhouse banks by Bank Director,” said Lee R. Gibson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southside Bancshares, Inc. “This recognition is a true reflection of our long-standing commitment to add value to our customers, employees, shareholders, and the communities we serve.”

The Study was designed to be overarching, ranking banks in order to determine the specific institutions that have built enviable value and contain the building blocks of long-term performance for their shareholders. This historic evaluation examined and compared specific details crucial to a successful bank. Banks were initially selected based on total shareholder return generated over a 20-year period ending June 30, 2020, and then examined and ranked in 10 categories based on company data over a five-year period ending December 2019.

About Southside Bancshares, Inc.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Tyler, Texas, with approximately $7.19 billion in assets as of September 30, 2020. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Southside Bank, Southside currently operates 57 branches and a network of 79 ATMs/ITMs throughout East Texas, Southeast Texas, Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin. Serving customers since 1960, Southside Bank is a community-focused financial institution that offers a full range of financial products and services to individuals and businesses. These products and services include consumer and commercial loans, mortgages, deposit accounts, safe deposit boxes, treasury management, wealth management, trust services, brokerage services and an array of online and mobile services.

To learn more about Southside Bancshares, Inc., please visit our investor relations website at https://investors.southside.com. Our investor relations site provides a detailed overview of our activities, financial information and historical stock price data. To receive e-mail notification of company news, events and stock activity, please register on the E-mail Notification portion of the website. Questions or comments may be directed to Lindsey Bailes at (903) 630-7965, or [email protected].

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements of other than historical fact that are contained in this press release and in other written material, documents and oral statements issued by or on behalf of the Company may be considered to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of and subject to the safe harbor protections of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date.  These statements may include words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “likely,” “intend,” “probability,” “risk,” “target,” “objective,” “plans,” “potential,” and similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements are statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, plans, expectations, objectives, goals, anticipations, assumptions and estimates about the Company’s future performance and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.  For example, discussions about trends in asset quality, capital, liquidity, the pace of loan and revenue growth, the Company’s ability to sell nonperforming assets, expense reductions, planned operational efficiencies, earnings, successful integration of completed acquisitions and certain market risk disclosures, including the impact of interest rates, tax reform and other economic factors, are based upon information presently available to management and are dependent on choices about key model characteristics and assumptions and are subject to various limitations.  By their nature, certain of the market risk disclosures are only estimates and could be materially different from what actually occurs in the future.  The most recent factor that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements include the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial position, operations and prospects, including our ability to continue our business activities in certain communities we serve, the duration of the pandemic and its continued effects on financial markets, a reduction in financial transactions and business activities resulting in decreased deposits and reduced loan originations, increases in unemployment rates impacting our borrowers’ ability to repay their loans, our ability to manage liquidity in a rapidly changing and unpredictable market, additional interest rate changes by the Federal Reserve and other government actions in response to the pandemic, including additional quarantines, regulations or laws enacted to counter the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, under “Part I – Item 1. Forward Looking Information” and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors,” the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, under “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company disclaims any obligation to update any factors or to announce publicly the result of revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments.

Contact: Ashley Fettig
[email protected]

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J., Jan. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Elucida Oncology, a biotechnology company pioneering the next frontier in targeted cancer therapy, announced today it has closed a $44 million Series A-1 financing.

“Over the past two years, Elucida Oncology has successfully evolved to forge two paths in the world of precision oncology with its proprietary C’Dot platform. As our collaborators at leading research institutions continue to push the boundary of C’Dots’ potential in diagnostics and surgical applications, we believe that we have built the foundation to deliver the next frontier in targeted cancer therapy with our novel C’Dot-Drug-Conjugates (CDCs). Through their unique Target or Clear™ properties that have the potential to markedly increase the delivery of potent drugs to difficult-to-treat tumors with reduced systemic exposure, CDCs are designed to overcome the limitations of antibody-drug-conjugates and more traditional drug carriers. We are thankful for the support of existing as well as new shareholders and are pleased to have closed this financing to provide us the funding to move our lead CDC therapeutic candidate into the clinic, which we anticipate in the second half of 2021,” stated Geno Germano, CEO and President of Elucida Oncology.  

In addition to general corporate development purposes, proceeds from the financing will be used to complete IND enabling studies for the company’s lead CDC program, expand the management team and laboratory capabilities, and generate additional pre-clinical efficacy data in several tumor models.

Elucida Oncology previously raised $28 million in a Series A round in 2018, bringing the total investment in the company to $72 million.

About Elucida Oncology

Elucida Oncology, Inc., is a biotechnology company pioneering the next frontier in targeted cancer therapy with its first-in-class, ultra-small C’Dot drug delivery platform. The company’s C’Dot-Drug-Conjugates, or CDCs, are novel therapeutics formulated to substantially increase the concentration of highly potent drugs in difficult to treat tumors with minimal systemic exposure due to their unique Target or Clear™ properties. CDCs are designed to enable precise tumor targeting and deep tumor penetration resulting in enhanced efficacy with reduced off-target toxicity, thereby addressing the limitations of antibody-drug-conjugates and more traditional drug carriers. For more information on Elucida Oncology, Inc., please visit www.elucidaoncology.com.

Contact Info:
[email protected]

Miami Beach, FL, Jan. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blink Charging Co. (Nasdaq: BLNK, BLNKW) (“Blink” or the “Company”), a leading owner, operator, and provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment and services, today announced that Michael D. Farkas, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the Needham Virtual Growth Conference on Wednesday, January 13 at 8:30 AM ET. Mr. Farkas and management will also be available throughout the day for virtual one-on-one meetings.

A webcast of the presentation will be available to the public at:

https://wsw.com/webcast/needham103/blnk/2231658

About Blink Charging

Blink Charging Co. (Nasdaq: BLNK, BLNKW) is a leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment and has deployed over 23,000 charging stations, many of which are networked EV charging stations, enabling EV drivers to easily charge at any of the Company’s charging locations worldwide. Blink Charging’s principal line of products and services include its Blink EV charging network (“Blink Network”), EV charging equipment, and EV charging services. The Blink Network uses proprietary, cloud-based software that operates, maintains, and tracks the EV charging stations connected to the network and the associated charging data. With global EV purchases forecasted to rise to 10 million vehicles by 2025 from approximately 2 million in 2019, the Company has established key strategic partnerships for rolling out adoption across numerous location types, including parking facilities, multifamily residences and condos, workplace locations, health care/medical facilities, schools and universities, airports, auto dealers, hotels, mixed-use municipal locations, parks and recreation areas, religious institutions, restaurants, retailers, stadiums, supermarkets, and transportation hubs. For more information, please visit https://www.blinkcharging.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements, along with terms such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and other comparable terms, involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief, or current expectations of Blink Charging and members of its management, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including those described in Blink Charging’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Except as required by federal securities law, Blink Charging undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed conditions. 

Blink Media Contact 


[email protected]

Blink Investor Relations Contact 


[email protected]

Joe Morton and Tracey Moore to Host A-List Celebrity Guests and Theater Students 

for In-Depth Discussions on the BIPOC Experience in Entertainment

Exclusive Premiere on Crackle Plus Networks Juneteenth 2021

COS COB, Conn., Jan. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), one of the largest operators of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, today announced Landmark Studio Group’s development of a new Crackle Plus original series, Inside the Black Box, created by esteemed acting coach Tracey Moore, multi-award-winning veteran television, film, and stage actor Joe Morton (Scandal, The Good Wife, The Politician, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, Godzilla, King of the Monsters,), multi-Emmy®-Award nominated producer and creative consultant Rachel Weintraub (The View, The Gayle King Show), and TV and radio veteran David Kolin.

“Black Box” is an industry reference to an experimental theater space consisting of simple black walls and 99 seats. The series will spotlight the world’s greatest BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists, from actors and directors to producers, writers and musicians, reflecting on how their skin tone influenced their journey to success. Filmed in a theater setting, the series features an A-list roster of talent, including Debbie Allen, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Phylicia Rashad, Shonda Rhimes, Sherri Shepherd, Tamara Tunie, and more, with an audience filled with young aspiring artists. Each one-hour episode, hosted by Mr. Morton and Ms. Moore, will be filled with revealing conversation, exciting performance, workshops and discussions about the role race plays in the entertainment industry.

The unique interactive aspect of Inside the Black Box is a significant differentiating component offering at-home audiences an opportunity to participate in the forum via mobile through script reading, Q&As, and auditioning for a chance to win roles in key sponsor ads.

Slated for production in late Q1 2021 and anticipated to premiere exclusively on Crackle Plus networks on Juneteenth 2021 (June 19, 2021), Inside the Black Box is executive produced by Ms. Moore, Mr. Morton, Ms. Weintraub, Mr. Kolin, Scott Weinstock, Bob Maurer (Impractical Jokers, Project Dad) and Landmark’s (Wally’s Wonderland, Safehaven, Trigger Point) David Ozer and Tim Rouhana.

“Inside The Black Box is an innovative, interactive, interview show that brings fresh perspectives and insights on the entertainment industry through the experiences of people of color,” said Mr. Morton.

“I’m grateful and excited to have a phenomenal team to produce Inside the Black Box, a platform for people of color to honestly share their stories of trials and triumphs in the entertainment business,” stated Ms. Moore.

“Inside the Black Box delivers a new spin on the interactive interview show with each 60-minute episode delivering a live-wire ‘themed’ discussion. We are thrilled to work with Tracey, Joe, David, Rachel and the entire production team and roster of incredible talent we plan to secure to participate in this unique and engaging series,” said Landmark’s CEO Mr. Ozer.

Ms. Moore is a renowned acting coach, casting director, and producer. Throughout her dynamic career, she has been involved in the careers of high-profile talent, including Cardi B, Busta Rhymes, Jamie Hector, Adam Rodrigues and Naturi Naughton. Ms. Moore’s “Spirited Actor” monologue and scene study workshop is legendary, and she conducts private coaching sessions with a client roster that includes Common, Eve, Missy Elliott, Ludacris and more.

Mr. Morton is an Emmy® Award winner and recipient of multiple NAACP Image Awards for his role in Shonda Rhimes’ critically-acclaimed ABC hit drama series, Scandal. He is also known for his remarkable work in Eureka, for which he also received a NAACP nomination for directing. Mr. Morton’s other notable credits include Lone Star, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Of Mice and Men, Speed, Apt Pupil, What Lies Beneath, Ali, Stealth, American Gangster, God Friended Me, Proof, Grace and Frankie, and many others.

A 10-time Emmy® Award-nominated producer and creative consultant under her company, Appropriately Selfish, LTD., Ms. Weintraub began her career in daytime television at King World Productions. She served as producer for eight seasons for ABC’s The View; was the Co-Executive Producer of The Gayle King Show for OWN; and was an original Senior Producer for the launch of CBS This Morning. Ms. Weintraub produces the America Recovers podcast with Brad Lamm & Mackenzie Phillips for Westbrook Audio. Additionally, she served as the Chief Creative Officer for The Vernā Myers Company; a Baltimore based inclusion and diversity consulting firm.

A 30+-year TV and radio veteran, who first became an on-air talent on the shows Good Day New York and A Current Affair on Fox, David Kolin began his television producing career in 1989 as an executive producer with MTV Networks. He has since produced numerous content for TV and radio including HBO, The Food Network, National Geographic Channel, Fox, and more.

ABOUT CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL ENTERTAINMENT

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE) operates streaming video-on-demand networks (VOD). The company owns Crackle Plus, which owns and operates a variety of ad-supported and subscription-based VOD networks including Crackle, Popcornflix, Popcornflix Kids, Truli, Pivotshare, Españolflix and FrightPix. The company also acquires and distributes video content through its Screen Media subsidiary and produces original long and short-form content through Landmark Studio Group, its Chicken Soup for the Soul Originals division and APlus.com. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is a subsidiary of Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC, which publishes the famous book series and produces super-premium pet food under the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand name.

ABOUT LANDMARK STUDIO GROUP

Landmark Studio Group, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment company, is a fully-integrated entertainment company, which aims to create compelling, engaging and entertaining content for global distribution utilizing internal distribution channels, including Crackle Plus and Screen Media Ventures, or in partnership with third party platforms. Recent projects include the feature film Willy’s Wonderland, starring Nicolas Cage; the action film series, Trigger Point; and the television series, SafeHaven, as well as projects in active development to be produced in 2021 and beyond, including the original dramedy series, Flagrant, starring Michael Rapaport. Landmark Studio Group is headquartered in New York with offices in Los Angeles.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks (including those set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020) and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. Investors should realize that if our underlying assumptions for the projections contained herein prove inaccurate or that known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from our expectations and projections.

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Taylor Krafchik
Ellipsis
[email protected]
(646) 776-0886

MEDIA CONTACT
Kate Barrette
RooneyPartners LLC
[email protected]
(212) 223-0561

FOR LANDMARK STUDIO GROUP:
Michelle Orsi
Three.Sixty Marketing + Communications
[email protected]
310.418.6430

Austin, Texas, Jan. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lightspeed Systems® (Lightspeed), the leading K-12 online safety and effectiveness solutions provider, was announced as a winner in The Best of 2020 awards from Tech & Learning for its innovative analytics solution, Lightspeed Analytics™. Winners were evaluated based on their value, uniqueness in the market, and ability to solve specific challenges for educators and administrators. 

In schools’ rapid adoption of new devices and online tools – especially amidst school closures leading to an increase in online learning environments – Lightspeed Systems solutions have enabled schools to maintain and scale safe and effective learning at a distance. With the increase in online activity, data insights from Lightspeed Analytics proved to be a critical tool for district leaders and IT teams needing visibility to drive successful online learning programs. 

Launched in 2019, Lightspeed Analytics provides total visibility into online learning and student engagement with real-time, actionable data into the use of applications and online resources. Customizable dashboards and granular data sets in Lightspeed Analytics allow schools to evaluate student engagement with online resources; identify redundant or unused licenses to optimize ed-tech ROI; pinpoint areas for professional development and increased effectiveness; and surface rogue applications in use to maintain student data privacy. 

“We’re honored to be recognized by Tech & Learning in The Best of 2020 awards for Lightspeed Analytics,” shared Eileen Shihadeh, Chief Marketing Officer, Lightspeed Systems. “We are driven by our mission of being a trusted partner to schools, helping them solve new challenges, answer the tough questions, and most importantly right now, maintain learning continuity. We’re humbled by the recognition of our efforts.” 

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About Lightspeed Systems
 

With over 20 years providing technology to meet the needs of schools, Lightspeed Systems is the pioneer and market leader in online student safety and effectiveness. The purpose-built Lightspeed ecosystem of cloud-based solutions – tailored to meet today’s evolving challenges – provides schools worldwide with reliable filtering, analytics, and device management tools for school leaders and educators. Lightspeed Systems is a proven partner for schools, serving over 20 million students in 39 countries and 28,000 schools globally, including 6,500 school districts in the United States. 

To learn more, visit lightspeedsystems.com. 

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• Bestof2020 Badge