Market Newsdesk

WARWICK, N.Y., Jan. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Ozop Energy Solutions
. (OZSC), (“Ozop” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Allen Sosis as the new Director of Business Development for its subsidiary Ozop Energy Systems, Inc.

Mr. Sosis has over 20 years in solar and renewable energy, ranging from all aspects of engineering, procurement, and construction on both the residential and commercial sides of the business. With a degree in economics, he spent 2 years as a minor league baseball player before venturing out into real estate, eventually crossing over into solar energy with Solar Tech, increasing sales by 200% in the first year. He negotiated JV agreements and managed relationships with key partners which included, Quanta Renewable, Sun Edison, British Petroleum, and Solar Power Partners (SPP). His career includes business development for companies such as Clear Skies Solar, Demansys, AMK Energy Services, Energy Mngt Systems, Sensware, and Source Renewables, creating many of these companies’ sales infrastructure from financing to technology development.

“Allen is a walking Rolodex of contacts in renewable energy. Within his first week as a consultant, he established our supply chain and produced a pipeline showing $48 million in potential component sales for projects underway by a who’s who of energy companies.” stated Brian P Conway, Chief Executive Officer of OZSC. “He’s proven to be a highly competent professional with the energy and vigor needed to successfully launch this new division.”

“I look forward to working together with Ozop Energy and PCTI in developing Ozop Energy Systems into a global leader of supply chain solutions within the renewable energy market.” said Allen Sosis, “With the coming growth surge in renewable energy, we expect to capture a substantial share of these emerging and maturing sectors.”

For more information on PCTI please follow on the link, www.pcti.com.

Please be aware that our social media accounts can be used from time to time for additional material events.

https://twitter.com/OzopEnergy

https://www.facebook.com/OzopEnergy/

The Waypoint Refinery (discord.com)

About Ozop Energy Solutions
, Inc.

Ozop Energy Solutions (http://ozopenergy.com/) invents, designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes ultra-high power chargers, inverters, and power supplies for a wide variety of applications in the defense, heavy industrial, aircraft ground support, maritime and other sectors. Our strategy focuses on capturing a significant share of the rapidly growing renewable energy market as a provider of assets and infrastructure needed to store energy.

About Power Conversion Technologies, Inc.

Power Conversion Technologies, Inc. (www.pcti.com) invents, designs, develops, manufactures and distributes standard and custom power electronic solutions. Founded in 1991 and located in East Butler, Pennsylvania, the Company’s mission is to be the global leader for high power electronics with a standard of continued innovation.

About Ozop Energy Systems, Inc.

Ozop Energy Systems is a leading Manufacturer and distributor of Renewable Energy products in the Energy Storage, Solar, Microgrids, and EV charging Station space. We are always among the first to receive the newest technology, products, and application techniques. We offer a broad portfolio of Renewable Energy products at competitive prices with a commitment to customer satisfaction from selection, to ordering, shipping, and delivery.

Safe Harbor Statement

“This press release contains or may contain, among other things, certain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the company’s plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential” or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ significantly from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the company’s control). The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.”

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Investor Relations Contact

The Waypoint Refinery, LLC
845-397-2956
www.thewaypointrefinery.com

Guilford, CT, Jan. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hyperfine Research, Inc. has received 510(k) clearance from the US FDA for its deep-learning image analysis software. These Advanced AI Applications measure brain structure and pathology in images acquired by the category-defining Swoop™ Portable MR Imaging System through tools featuring automatic measurement of ventricular volume, brain extraction, brain alignment, and midline shift — a clinical measure of brain injury.

Included as part of Swoop™’s standard software package, Advanced AI Applications work with Swoop™ to transform the system into a true bedside clinical decision support platform for evaluating brain health and injury. In just minutes after Swoop™ scanning, Advanced AI Applications analyze and return annotated and segmented brain images, providing clinicians of all levels of expertise with quantitative markers for decision support and immediate feedback for diagnostic insight.

“With this powerful tool now built into the Swoop™ system, we are making MR imaging not only accessible at the bedside but making it easier for providers to move quickly from scan to a recommended course of treatment,” commented Dr. Khan Siddiqui, Chief Medical Officer of Hyperfine.  “The data provided by Hyperfine’s deep learning software will liberate users of our MR technology by providing simple, accessible information in just minutes.”

ABOUT MR IMAGING and the Swoop™ Portable MRI System

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to produce detailed pictures of the body’s internal structures that are clearer, more detailed, and more likely in some instances to identify and accurately characterize disease than other imaging methods. However, fixed MRI systems can be inconvenient and inaccessible for providers and patients, particularly when time is critical. Transport to the MR suite demands complicated scheduling coordination, moving patients, and, often, 4- to 6-hour patient backlogs — all of which compromise the utility of MRI as a diagnostic tool in time-sensitive settings, such as intensive care units and emergency rooms. Furthermore, high capital investments, electrical power needs, and significant maintenance requirements present barriers to adoption across all populations, acutely so for developing countries and rural geographies.

Hyperfine’s Swoop™ Portable MR Imaging System is designed to address the limitations of current imaging technologies and make MRI accessible anytime, anywhere, to any patient. Swoop™ wheels directly to the patient’s bedside, plugs into a standard electrical wall outlet, and is controlled by an Apple iPad^®.  Designed as a complementary system to traditional MRIs at a fraction of the cost, images that display the internal structure of the head are captured by Swoop™ at the patient’s bedside, with results in minutes, enabling critical decision-making capabilities across a variety of clinical settings

About Hyperfine Research

Hyperfine lives to make MR imaging available to everyone.  The Swoop™ Portable MR Imaging System is the result of a total rethink of MR’s potential in the healthcare landscape. What if MR imaging didn’t require a dedicated suite, extensive training or expensive upkeep? Let’s use the wonders of high-field MRI for the appropriate patients, and deploy Swoop™ at the point-of-care for everyone else.  Hyperfine received market-ready FDA clearance for its portable MR imaging for the brain and head of patients of all ages in August 2020.  Since its launch in the fall of 2020, Swoop has been honored repeatedly, as one of two finalists for the Best New Radiology Vendor of 2020 by Aunt Minnie, the winner of the  American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) 2020 incubatED Medical Device Innovation Challenge, and with a Best Practices Product Innovation Award from Frost & Sullivan, and most recently as a 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree from CES.  Hyperfine is part of 4Catalyzer, a health technology incubator with facilities in CT, NY, CA and Taiwan. www.hyperfine.io.

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Attachment

• swoop image for use oct 2020 small

Chris Ward
Hyperfine
1-866-SWOOP-MR
[email protected]

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Jan. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Samsung Electronics Canada today announced the launch of its next-generation earbuds: Galaxy Buds Pro. These earbuds feature premium sound, crystal clear call quality, Intelligent ANC and enhanced connectivity across your Galaxy devices – all packed into a modern and sleek design. Galaxy Buds Pro represent the most premium earbuds offering by Samsung to-date, built to help you get the most out of your work, entertainment, and everything in between.

“As people look for technology that can help them adapt to new routines and lifestyles, the market for true wireless earbuds has expanded substantially, and consumer expectations have risen,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “With Galaxy Buds Pro, we’re making a big statement with a small device, offering users a one-of-a-kind audio experience that makes even everyday tasks truly epic.”

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ab0a37a6-67ab-4659-8621-08989522f66e

Crystal Clear Sound & Call Quality

A premium earbud experience always starts with sound. Whether you use your earbuds to play music while working out, listen to podcasts, or attend conference calls while working from home, audio quality is what matters most. Galaxy Buds Pro delivers powerful, clear sound, sporting an 11-millimeter woofer for deeper bass and a 6.5-millimeter tweeter for a crisp treble with minimum distortion. This delivers the best audio experience for earbuds by Samsung yet – a dynamic, balanced sound. So, whether it’s a rhythmic hip hop groove or intricate classical melody, you can enjoy your music just as the artist intended.

But earbuds aren’t just for entertainment anymore – they’ve become crucial for work communication, and call quality is now more important than ever. Galaxy Buds Pro separate your voice from unwanted sounds with three microphones and a Voice Pickup Unit (VPU), ensuring you are heard as clearly as possible. One of the outer microphones also has a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), further eliminating background noises. In addition, Samsung has integrated its new Wind Shield technology into Galaxy Buds Pro. While a less protrusive shape minimizes the wind contact area, a specially designed chamber and mesh filters out wind interference. Your voice comes through loud and clear, even if you’re stuck in windy weather.

Most Intelligent ANC on Any Samsung True Wireless Earbuds

The Galaxy Buds Pro experience is about hearing more of what you love, and less of what you don’t. That’s why Galaxy Buds Pro have the most Intelligent ANC capabilities of any Samsung true wireless earbuds¹ yet. When you need to focus on work—or tune out from the world around to relax—you can reduce the background noise by up to 99 percent², fine-tuning to your preferred level. And with Ambient Sound, you can choose to amplify nearby sounds by more than 20 decibels, meaning you can adjust and personalize your sound level according to your needs. With four Ambient levels, this feature is ideal for busy multitaskers – those working from home, while looking after a child or those who want to take a run through the city while staying alert for oncoming traffic.

What’s more, ANC and Ambient Sound automatically work together, adapting to your surroundings to optimize your audio experience through Voice Detect. This brand-new feature allows Galaxy Buds Pro to recognize when you’re speaking³ so they can automatically switch between cancelling nearby sounds and amplifying them. They will also turn down your music when you want to talk, even if you are using Ambient Sound or have ANC turned off. This technology allows you to hear and communicate more effectively and makes Galaxy Buds Pro a worthy companion for daily use.

A More Seamless Galaxy Experience

Galaxy Buds Pro are an integral extension of the Galaxy ecosystem – our most seamless earbuds yet. Now, you can automatically toggle your earbuds connection between your Galaxy smartphones and tablets based on your usage – no manual adjustments required⁴. For example, if you’re watching a video on your Galaxy Tab S7 and then receive a call on your Galaxy S21 5G, the all-new Auto Switch feature will pause the video and let you easily answer the phone using Galaxy Buds Pro. Once the call is over, your earbuds instantly switch back to your tablet and the video resumes playing.

Galaxy Buds Pro also expand your audio experience by connecting with other Galaxy devices – especially Galaxy S21 5G. With 360 Audio featuring Dolby Head Tracking technology⁵, you can enjoy realistic and immersive sound on your Galaxy Buds Pro wherever you go, which enables you to stay at the centre of the scene. For vloggers, you can clearly capture your voice and surrounding sound by synchronizing the mics on your Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy S21 5G.⁶ Galaxy Buds Pro also boast Game Mode⁷, so when reduced audio latency is paired with the powerful performance and immersive display of the Galaxy S21 5G, you can take your gaming experience to the next level.

No matter how you use your Galaxy Buds Pro, you can do so without worrying about battery life. When fully charged, you get up to 8 hours of playback, with an additional 20 hours of reserve power available in the wireless charging case. Even when using ANC, you can still enjoy 5 hours of playback with 13 hours more available in the case⁸. If you end up running out of juice, you can gain approximately one hour of playtime after just five minutes of quick charging⁹.

New Stylish & Purposeful Design

Galaxy Buds Pro aren’t just great to use, they also look great. Taking inspiration from Galaxy Buds Live’s innovative and iconic shape, Galaxy Buds Pro feature an updated, more ergonomic form factor and come in three stunning colours, including Phantom Violet, Phantom Black and Phantom Silver. The shape of the canal-type earbuds improves sound quality and looks less protrusive and more natural when placed in your ears. This new design also reduces the contact area between your ear and the bud, improving comfort and minimizing any clogged-up feeling.

In addition, Galaxy Buds Pro are designed to give you added peace of mind. They are protected with an IPX7 water resistance rating¹⁰, the highest standard of water resistance in the Galaxy Buds line yet. Galaxy Buds Pro were also built to help cut down on waste – using 20 percent environmentally conscious Post-Consumer Materials (PCM).

Availability

Offered in three stunning colours to match your Galaxy S21 5G: an incredible Phantom Violet, and timeless Phantom Black and Phantom Silver, the Galaxy Buds Pro are available online on Samsung.com/ca, at Samsung Experience Stores, as well as across major retails partners in Canada starting today, for $264.99 (our regular price).

In regions where in-store shopping is not available, we offer curbside, storefront¹¹ and centralized pick-up. Reserve online at https://shop.samsung.com/ca/ and arrange your pick-up from a Samsung Experience Store. Retail locations can be found at:

• CF Sherway Gardens
• CF Toronto Eaton Centre
• Metropolis at Metrotown
• Montreal Eaton Centre
• Scarborough Town Centre (Samsung Kiosk)
• West Edmonton Mall
• Yorkdale Shopping Centre

For the first time in Canada, from January 14, 2021 to March 1, 2021, eligible customers can receive a $25 credit through the national headphone trade-in program¹² by exchanging their old wired and wireless headphones when purchasing the Galaxy Buds Pro.

For more information about the latest Samsung Galaxy devices including specifications, please visit news.samsung.com/ca/ or Samsung.com/ca.

Galaxy Buds Pro Specifications

¹³

Galaxy Buds Pro
Colour	Phantom Violet, Phantom Black, Phantom Silver
Dimensions & Weight	Earbud: 19.5 x 20.5 x 20.8 mm, 6.3g Charging Case: 50 x 50.2 x 27.8 mm, 44.9g
Speaker	2-way (11mm woofer + 6.5mm tweeter)
Microphones	3 mics (2 outer + 1 inner) + Voice Pickup Unit + Wind Shield
ANC & Ambient Sound	ANC: Cutting external background noise by up to 99%, 2 adjustable levels Ambient Sound: Amplifying up to +20dB, 4 adjustable levels Voice Detect
Battery Capacity	Earbuds: 61 mAh Charging Case: 472 mAh
Play Time	5 hours / Total 18 hours (ANC on) 8 hours / Total 28 hours (ANC off)
Talk Time	4 hours / Total 14.5h (ANC on) 5 hours / Total 17.5h (ANC off)
Charging	1-hour play time with 5-minute quick charging14 Qi certified wireless charging
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.0® Codec: Scalable (Samsung proprietary), AAC, SBC
Sensor	Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Hall, Touch, Voice Pickup Unit(VPU)
Compatibility	Android 7.0 or higher, with more than 1.5GB of RAM
Water Resistance	IPX7

About Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.

Samsung Electronics Canada inspires Canadians to reach their full potential through a transformative ecosystem of products and services that deliver innovation and distinct design to every aspect of their connected lives. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, virtual reality and wearable devices, tablets and digital appliances. Dedicated to helping make a difference in the lives of Canadians, Samsung’s award-winning corporate giving initiatives support public education and health-related issues in communities across the country. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com/ca.

Follow Samsung Canada at facebook.com/SamsungCanada, or Instagram @samsungcanada or Twitter @SamsungCanada.

____________________________

¹ Galaxy Buds Pro can distinguish between noise and human voices. Switch temporarily to Ambient Sound and reduce media volume when you speak so you can hear conversations without taking out your earbuds. Galaxy Buds Pro have the most intelligent ANC capabilities of any Samsung True wireless earbuds yet.


² ANC on Galaxy Buds Pro received UL Verification for cutting external background noise by up to 99 percent at 118.43Hz. Features including ANC are enabled through a Bluetooth connection or the Galaxy Wearable app on Android, available through the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store.
³ Features including Ambient Noise Cancellation and Ambient Sound require a Bluetooth connection to a compatible device. Advanced settings such as Ambient Noise Levels available only on Android devices running Android 7.0 or higher & 1.5GB RAM or above. Enabled through Bluetooth connection or the Galaxy Wearable app on Android, available through Google Play Store.
⁴ Available only on Android devices running Android 7.0 or higher & 1.5GB RAM or above. Enabled through Bluetooth connection or the Galaxy Wearable app on Android, available through Google Play Store. 
⁵ The availability of the feature may vary by device and application. Available in the Advanced tab of the Galaxy Wearable app. When paired with Dolby Atmos, sounds are heightened further with greater clarity, detail, and depth.
⁶ The feature is available on Galaxy smartphones or tablets with One UI 3.1 or above, which can be turned on and off in the Advanced tab of the Galaxy Wearable app. The availability of the feature may vary by device and application. Connect your Galaxy Buds Pro to your Galaxy smartphone and go to Camera app > Swipe and select ‘More’ on the bottom selection menu > Choose ‘Pro Video’ and click the Mic button at the bottom > Select ‘BT Mix’ among Mic options. You can check a level of audio inputs at the top left in real time.
⁷ Requires Android P OS or higher & Gaming Optimizing ver. 2.1.02 or above; running on Samsung Scalable Codec. Available in the Labs menu of the Galaxy Wearable app.
⁸ Based on laboratory testing. Actual battery life may vary and depend on usage conditions such as function settings, playback file type and Bluetooth signal strength.
⁹ Based on laboratory testing. Audio playback time tested by pairing the pre-production Galaxy Buds Pro to a recently released Galaxy smartphone with defaults settings (Ambient Sound function off). Samsung travel adapter used for charging. Actual battery life and charging time may vary by usage conditions, number of times charged and many other factors.
¹⁰ Rated to IPX7 for submersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes based on international standard ISO 60529. Not advised for beach or pool use. Charging case is not water resistant. If the earbuds are damaged, they are not guaranteed to be water resistant. If the earbuds or your hands are wet, they must be dried thoroughly prior to handling.
¹¹ Storefront only available at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Subject to change.


¹² Certain conditions apply. Receive a trade-in credit of $25 when you: (1) purchase Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro between January 14th, 2021 and March 1, 2021 from a participating authorized Canadian carrier or retailer, a Samsung Experience Store, or online at http://www.samsung.com/ca/; and (2) complete the trade-in of your old headphones (i) at time of purchase if purchasing from a Samsung Experience Store, or (ii) by March 15th, 2021 if purchasing from a participating carrier or retailer or online at Samsung.com/ca. Offer is limited to one (1) trade-in headphone per Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. Proof of purchase required. Selection and availability may vary. While quantities last. No rain checks. No cash value. Offer is subject to change or cancellation without notice. Offer is open to Canadian residents only. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise specifically agreed to by Samsung in writing or by the participating Canadian authorized carrier or retailer. See full Terms and Conditions available at www.samsung.com/ca/promotions for more details and how to redeem your credit.


¹³ All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice. 
¹⁴ Some features may not be available on non-Samsung devices. Availability may vary by market, operator or connected device.

CONTACT:

Simon Langlois
North Strategic, Public Relations
Tel: 438.870.0327
[email protected]

Exceleration Music Unveils a World-Class Executive Team, a Partnership with Alligator Records, a Strategic Alliance with The Ray Charles Foundation, and The Relaunch of Candid Records

NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Five of the independent music industry’s most influential executives have come together in a new venture aimed at enhancing the future of independent labels and artists. Started by Glen Barros (former CEO of Concord Music Group), Exceleration Music has developed into a partnership of global music industry leaders who invest in the future of independents from a wide range of culturally important genres. In addition to Barros, Exceleration is led by Dave Hansen (Executive Chairman of Merlin, the digital licensing partner for independents, and previous GM of Epitaph Records), Charles Caldas (the first CEO of Merlin), Amy Dietz (previously GM of independent music distribution leader Ingrooves) and John Burk (GRAMMY-winning producer and former President of Concord Records).

Backed by substantial investment capital and based on its core founding values of integrity, fairness, openness, humility and excellence, Exceleration plans to leverage its partners’ extensive expertise and deep understanding of the independent music culture to make tailored investments in independent music rights and the individuals that create them. In doing so, Exceleration will offer personalized solutions to entrepreneurs seeking capital to achieve growth as well as those trying to achieve liquidity or an honorable exit which preserves and enhances the legacies of both the entrepreneurs and their artists alike.

“We believe in and are devoted to investing in independent music,” comments Barros, “and, with this team, we are well-positioned to deliver a complete package of financial, operational and strategic value to our investment partners, all of which comes with great reverence for the music they’ve created and the brands they’ve built.”

As a key step in implementing its strategy, Exceleration has announced its investment in the legendary independent blues and roots label, Alligator Records, as well as a partnership with its founder, Bruce Iglauer, who will continue at the helm of the label as he has been for the last 50 years. Iglauer and his Chicago-based team will continue to handle A&R, artist signings, new release production, project marketing, publicity, and promotion for an aggressive lineup of new recordings by the label’s existing roster as well as those by newly-signed artists, while Exceleration handles financial, operational, and administrative functions for the label. Both partners will also collaborate on marketing initiatives designed to build upon the label’s great legacy.

With Alligator’s addition to the Exceleration family, it joins Candid Records, the venerable jazz label acquired by Exceleration at the beginning of 2020. While Candid was essentially a dormant label when acquired, Exceleration has plans to relaunch the label later in 2021 with a full slate of new releases and special catalog re-issues from Candid’s storied past.

In addition to its plans for Alligator and Candid, Exceleration has also entered into an alliance with The Ray Charles Foundation by which they will jointly issue special releases from the Ray Charles vaults, most of which have not been widely available on digital music services for the past decade.

In summing up how Exceleration has come together, Glen Barros states “When I started the company, I decided to go with a ‘first who, then what’ strategy. With our industry becoming more and more commoditized, I wanted to put people first — people who care about independent music and share similar values. Quite frankly, I am completely amazed and truly blessed by how this strategy has developed. To have partners like John, Amy, Charles, and Dave is truly a dream come true. But it goes beyond this, to the great investors we’re working with, the team we’re assembling, our professional advisors, and now the opportunity to work with Bruce Iglauer at Alligator and Valerie Ervin at the Ray Charles Foundation. With a dedicated group like this, I know we’re going to do great things for the indie community and have a lot of fun along the way.”

About Exceleration Music’s Founding Partners


Exceleration’s partners, each of whom have spent their entire professional careers within the independent music community, understand what it means to be a music entrepreneur; the unique culture, the passion, the pride, the values, the music, the vision and the remarkable history of the sector runs deep in the history of each of the partners.

Glen Barros

Glen has spent the majority of his career as the CEO of Concord Music Group, having taken the helm shortly after managing the acquisition of the company from its founder in 1994. Over Glen’s 25 years at Concord, the company grew from a small but revered jazz label into one of the largest and most respected independent music companies in the world, working within numerous musical genres.

Charles Caldas

Charles was the first CEO of Merlin, the global digital music licensing agency for independent labels. He oversaw the organization from its launch in 2008 through its expansion into a multi-billion dollar global organization, representing companies from over 60 markets and striking deals with the world’s leading digital music platforms including Facebook, Spotify, TenCent, Soundcloud, YouTube, and many more. Charles was also featured on Billboard’s Global Power 100 in 2018 and 2019.

John Burk

John is an acclaimed record executive and record producer with great industry recognition, including GRAMMY awards for Album and Record of the Year. John spent over 25 years as a creative force within Concord, ultimately serving as the President of the Concord Records label. He has also worked extensively with The Recording Academy and currently serves as a National Trustee.

Amy Dietz
Amy has a varied background within the music industry, kicking off her career at a record store and an indie label before serving as advertising manager at Alternative Distribution Alliance, rising to VP of Label & Artist Development. As General Manager of Ingrooves, Amy oversaw day-to-day operations of one of the most successful independent music distributors in the world. She has also served on the boards of A2IM and Music Biz. Amy has been featured in Billboard’s Digital and Indie Power Player lists, as well as being named a Top Women Exec for 2020.

Dave Hansen
As the current Executive Chairman of Merlin and Founding Partner of Independent Record Pressing, Dave has worked on behalf of independent labels for his entire career. He was the GM of Epitaph and Anti- Records for over 20 years and created Insomnia Records, the mail order company for independents, in the early 90s after launching his career as a partner at Dr. Dream Records. For 10 years, Dave has been an active board member for Merlin, as well as serving two terms as an elected board member for A2IM.

About Alligator Records


Chicago-based Alligator Records, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, is the most successful independent blues and roots rock label in the world. Founded and still headed by Bruce Iglauer, the label’s catalog has grown to over 350 releases (over 100 produced or co-produced by Iglauer), including multiple Grammy and Blues Music Award winners. Alligator artists tour worldwide, headlining festivals and club performances. Rolling Stone says, “Prestigious, scrappy independent Alligator Records has reached dizzying heights in celebrating the blues,” while The New York Times says, “With muscular, no-frills production, Alligator catches the blues as it melds with soul, rock, gospel, country and zydeco, partying away the pains of love. Alligator is the leading record label for the blues, and has succeeded where the giants have failed.”

About Candid Records


Candid Records was founded in 1960 by renowned arranger and bandleader, Archie Bleyer, when he enlisted the legendary jazz journalist, Nat Hentoff, to capture the essence of cutting edge jazz and blues in New York City. This initial effort lasted less than one year but, in that time, Candid managed to produce 35 classic recordings by artists such as Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln, Otis Spann, and Cecil Taylor. The label then remained relatively dormant until the late 1980s when the well-known British record executive, Alan Bates, acquired the Candid catalog and resurrected the imprint. Over the next 30 years, Alan added nearly 250 albums to the label by both jazz luminaries and new sensations, such as Jamie Cullum and Stacey Kent. Exceleration Music acquired the label in 2020 and plans to proudly build upon its great legacy.

About The Ray Charles Foundation
Ray Charles is a true musical icon, who forever changed the face of American music. Ray’s groundbreaking blend of Gospel and R&B earned him the title The Genius of Soul, and his foray into Country and Western shattered both musical and racial barriers, which he continued to do throughout his incredible career. His numerous awards include 8 honorary doctoral degrees, 17 GRAMMY Awards, the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, The President’s Merit Award, Kennedy Center Honors, National Medal of the Arts, and Playboy Awards. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #10 on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” and #2 on their list of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.” Before his passing, Ray established The Ray Charles Foundation, dedicated to providing support in the area of hearing disorders and the empowerment of young people through education by offering support to educational institutions and non-profit education programs. Ray Charles said: “The inability to hear is a handicap; not the inability to see.” The vision of The Ray Charles Foundation is to instill in the youth of America that “there is no challenge too great one cannot overcome.”

For media inquiries:
Dawn Kamerling
The Press House
[email protected]
www.thepresshouse.com

Sydney, Australia, Jan. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Influence+United charter member, IZEA Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: IZEA), is broadening Influence+United’s global presence to Australia and New Zealand by welcoming Hoozu, the leading influencer marketing company, to the alliance.

Founded in 2015 out of Sydney, Australia, Hoozu provides its clients with a full service Influencer Marketing offering, from profiling through to production of high performing on brand ad content.

“Australian consumers are youthful, tech savvy, and have the purchasing power to increase revenue for brands. Those consumers rely on influencers to help drive their buying decisions and to connect them with the brands they represent,” said Ted Murphy, IZEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “As brands integrate influencers into their media buys, it’s imperative that they have a solution that is not only localized, but also global. We’re excited to partner with Hoozu to expand Influence+United’s footprint to Australia and New Zealand.”

“There is an immense opportunity to implement a unified global approach to influencer marketing that’ll secure better rates, quality and performance for our clients.” says Hoozu CEO and Founder Nathan Ruff. “Joining Influencer+united allows us to offer our local clients far greater support into new territories and markets, and offer a more comprehensive service by sharing data and knowledge.”

The Influence+United alliance seeks to take the stress of globalization and streamline the entire executional journey — from proposal to results — for the world’s foremost companies. The alliance will serve as the easiest way to execute a unified influencer marketing campaign with trusted leaders who are localized in presence, but global in scope.

# # #

About Influence+United
Influence+United is the leading, global Influencer Marketing alliance designed for modern brand marketers. Our member companies work side by side to seamlessly develop actionable and localized campaign concepts, strategies, and investment approaches that provide the expertise and scalability required across the creator economy.

Founded in September 2020, Influence+United seeks to bring together the foremost companies from the Influencer Marketing industry around the world. Collectively, the alliance has exposure to over 3 billion global citizens and geographical expertise for over 90% of multi-continent brand organizations.

More information can be found on the alliance’s website: http://influence-united.com

# # #

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “would” or other comparable terms. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding expectations of sales activity, revenue and margins based on bookings, plans to increase the size of our sales team, the financial impact of investments in our software business, and continuation of new IZEAx customers and their effect on future sales.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, as a result of various factors, including, among others, the following: competitive conditions in the content and social sponsorship segment in which IZEA operates; failure to popularize one or more of the marketplace platforms of IZEA; changing economic conditions that are less favorable than expected; and other risks and uncertainties described in IZEA’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. IZEA assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in expectations, except as otherwise required by law.

Attachment

• Influence+United

Martin Smith
IZEA Worldwide, Inc. 
Phone: +1 (407) 543-6100
Email: [email protected]

TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — i3 Interactive Inc. (“i3Interactive” or the “Company”) (CSE: BETS) (FRA: F0O3) is elated with the steady rise of the online gaming sector in India. BLITZPOKER, launched in August 2020, has already distinguished itself as a top destination for poker players. Despite its new entrant status, BLITZPOKER has shown early and impressive growth in a highly competitive space by offering a best-in-class product, industry leading and frequently copied marketing, as well as world class customer service & rewards programs. The early contribution to India’s online poker community has been a concerted effort and a source of pride for the BLITZPOKER team.

Since its launch last August, BLITZPOKER has welcomed the participation of tens of thousands of poker players from across the country. With its exciting tournaments and attractive freerolls, combined with sharing special rewards for India’s celebration of Diwali and most recently its unique and very successful 12 days of Christmas holiday giveaway, the platform has grown to become one of India’s biggest and most exciting online poker destinations.

To close the year BLITZPOKER’s December numbers hit all-time highs in almost every key metric. Most important to the BLITZPOKER team is the acquisition and retention of new and existing players, showing the exciting marketing combined with industry leading product and customer service is having the desired effect of providing an engaging, exciting and fair offering to all BLITZPOKER players.

In 2021 the company will continue to invest in the online poker ecosystem, with further product improvements to go along with further investment in marketing, community development and partnerships with prominent personalities and influencers, consolidating its plan to become the number one poker destination and continue to develop the online poker industry in general in India.

BLITZPOKER, owned by i3 Interactive Inc, is part of one of the largest poker networks in the world with over a million registrations. In line with i3’s business model of building a gaming entertainment portfolio globally leveraging its high-value celebrity influencer model, i3 has decided to compound the early market entry success in India with further investment exploration in both its BLITZPOKER product as well as other online gaming opportunities. i3’s initial launch in India through acquisition, rebrand and launch of the poker operation now known as BLITZPOKER, is on pace for another record month in January.

Statement by BLITZPOKER Management: “Since its launch, BLITZPOKER has been very well received by the Indian poker community. As a result of this early success, we will continue to invest in poker as well in the wider online gaming ecosystem. We appreciate and respect the customer feedback for high quality products combined with meaningful brand engagement and exciting market positioning. Brands that resonate with players continue to prove their value and BLITZ is committed to continuing to exceed expectations on its path to becoming the number one online skill-based gaming destination in India.”

Change of Name

i3 is also pleased to announce that, pursuant to a directors’ resolution, it will change its name to “International Gaming Technologies Inc.” (the “Name Change”).

There will be no change to the symbol. The Company’s common shares will continue to trade under the ticker “BETS” on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”). Upon the Name Change taking effect, the CSE will publish a bulletin announcing the effective date of the Name Change and it is anticipated that the common shares will begin trading under the new name by the end of January. The Name Change is subject to CSE and regulatory approval.

No action is required to be taken by shareholders with respect to the name change. Outstanding share certificates are not affected by the name change and do not need to be exchanged.

ABOUT I3 INTERACTIVE INC.

The Company is in the business of providing customers with an online and mobile gaming platform which will provide sports fans worldwide with a unique and highly-engaging social gaming product, and sports betting and casino product offering. In an effort to break into the various emerging global markets, i3 has secured partnerships with key social media influencers.

For additional information on the Company:

Chris Neville
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: (902) 240-4221
Email: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “likely” and “intend” and statements that an event or result “may”, “will”, “should”, “could” or “might” occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this press release include statements relating to the projections for growth in the Indian online gaming market, the successful acquisition of BLITZPOKER and the timing of its acquisition, regulatory approval of the acquisition, the projections for growth in BLITZPOKER’s profit and popularity. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, (i) the costs of compliance with and the risk of liability imposed under the laws of the jurisdictions in which the Company is operating or will operate (the “

Operating Jurisdictions

”) including gambling laws and regulations, sports betting laws and regulations and mobile or online gambling and sports betting laws and regulations, (ii) negative changes in the political environment or in the regulation of mobile and online sports betting or gambling and the Company’s business in the Operating Jurisdictions, (iii) risks relating to COVID-19 (iv) negative shifts in public opinion and perception of the gambling industry, (v) significant competition in the industry, (vi) risks of product liability and other safety-related liability as a result of usage of the Company’s planned gambling and betting products, (vii) loss of intellectual property rights or protections, (viii) cybersecurity risks, (ix) constraints on marketing products,(x) fraudulent activity by employees, and (xi) risk of litigation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Readers are further cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such forward-looking statements (including, but not limited to, the assumption that , (i) the Company’s financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events, (ii) there will continue to be a demand, and market opportunity, for the Company’s product offerings, (iii) the Company will be able to establish, preserve and develop its brand, and attract and retain required personnel, and (iv) current and future economic conditions will neither affect the business and operations of the Company nor the Company’s ability to capitalize on anticipated business opportunities) although considered reasonable by management of the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and result in actual results differing materially from those anticipated, and as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements, forward-looking financial information and other metrics presented herein are not intended as guidance or projections for the periods referenced herein or any future periods, and in particular, past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results of the Company in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast or projection of the Company’s future results. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, M1 Finance, The Finance Super App™, announced $3 billion in client assets on its platform. M1 previously announced $2 billion in client assets just four months ago, and $1 billion in client assets less than one year ago. This is a huge milestone in M1’s mission of empowering people to improve their financial well-being.

“The financial services industry has seen disruption for some time, but our incredible growth is far beyond the trend,” says Brian Barnes, M1 Finance founder and CEO. “It’s about our team’s relentless pursuit to create the best personal finance platform for building long-term wealth, meeting medium-term financial needs, and managing short-term spending. The speed at which we’ve tripled client assets is a clear example of the trust and belief people have in our vision.”

The $3 billion milestone comes during a time when more people are seeking to make smarter financial decisions. M1 is experiencing daily record numbers of new account sign-ups, signing up approximately three times more users now versus this time last year. The company is also experiencing record brokerage account transfer numbers, recently hitting over $700 million in total account transfers from competing brokerages.

According to Barnes, it’s not just new clients driving this growth. M1 is increasing wallet share with existing clients as they move even more money to M1 and grow their contributions.

“Our clients are engaged investors, but they’re not active traders. They rely on M1 to automate their positive financial habits, and our long-term philosophy makes us stand out. We’re building the tools that make smart financial decisions effortless, integrated, and consistent,” says Barnes. “There are a lot of trends in the personal finance space, but we innovate according to our values.”

This milestone follows closely on the heels of Smart Transfers, a recently launched automation feature for M1 Plus members and a key part of M1’s vision of empowering people to improve their financial well-being. Integrated with M1’s existing suite of products, M1 Invest, M1 Borrow, and M1 Spend, M1 Plus members use Smart Transfers to save time and make every dollar work harder according to their goals. 

While innovating new features like Smart Transfers and experiencing record growth in client assets and sign-ups, M1 has continued to stay focused on the client experience. Since the beginning of 2020, M1 has grown its client success team by 5x and outgrown its new headquarters, among other milestones.

“We’ve grown our team to ensure we’re not just there when our clients ask for help, but to anticipate their needs and empower them to be fully self-directed in their financial wellness journey,” says Christine LaFrance, Head of Client Success at M1.

The next big area of focus for M1 will be continuing its work in building an integrated, holistic personal finance platform. The team expects to double headcount in the next year and is planning for even more in automation, seamless integration, control, and the client experience. To learn more about M1 Finance, visit www.m1finance.com.

About M1 Finance

M1 Finance is The Finance Super App™ that helps people manage and grow their money with control and automation – for free. With over $3 billion in client assets, M1 has empowered over 500,000 investors to open accounts and improve their financial well-being through investing, digital checking, and portfolio lines of credit. M1 was named 2020 Best for Low Costs and 2020 Best for Sophisticated Investors by Investopedia.

Learn more at www.m1finance.com.

Disclosures

All investing involves risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest, and past performance does not guarantee future performance. Borrowing on margin can add to these risks, and you should learn more before borrowing. Borrow rates subject to change. M1 does not provide investment advice, and this is not an offer or solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell any security, and you are encouraged to consult your personal investment, legal, and tax advisors.

Brokerage products are: Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value

M1 refers to M1 Holdings Inc., and its affiliates. M1 Holdings is a technology company offering a range of financial products and services through its wholly-owned, separate but affiliated operating subsidiaries, M1 Finance LLC and M1 Spend LLC. M1 Plus is an annual membership that confers benefits for products and services offered by M1 Finance LLC and M1 Spend LLC.

Brokerage products and services offered by M1 Finance LLC, an SEC registered broker-dealer and Member FINRA / SIPC.

M1 Spend checking accounts furnished by Lincoln Savings Bank, Member FDIC. M1 
Visa® Debit Card is issued by Lincoln Savings Bank, Member FDIC. 

Media Contact: Jillian Smith, [email protected]

 

Morristown, NJ, Jan. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BCN, a New Jersey-based communications technology solution provider for businesses has expanded its cloud voice portfolio to include Hosted PBX and SIP Trunk solutions delivered using a netsapiens SNAPsolution platform.   The netsapiens platform technology currently supports over 1.5 Million active application end-points. BCN first announced its technology partnership with netsapiens, a provider of unified communications (UCaaS) platform solutions for service providers, in the second quarter of 2020. 

The new BCN Cloud Voice platform solution delivers geographic redundancy via a fully integrated and meshed 3-node configuration which is indispensable in meeting the critical high availability goals for IP telephony services. For businesses relying on IP-based communications, high availability built around redundant data center nodes is a requirement for service providers in the market place.

Recognizing the needs of today’s workforce, a standard component of the solution is the BCNmobile app which gives customers the ability to manage their communications anywhere, anytime, on any device. In essence bringing the features of the BCN Cloud Voice platform directly to their mobile devices as a Unified Communications solution.

A wide selection of industry-leading Polycom and Yealink IP phones for the desktop round out the BCN Cloud Voice solution.

“For 27 years BCN has acted on the needs of our partners and customers while applying the time, energy, and resources needed to ensure that the BCN experience is second to none,” says Richard M. Boudria, Jr., Chairman and CEO of BCN. “With this latest announcement, we continue to build a portfolio that allows us to create the technology solutions that meet today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow’s.

“Our ultimate goal is to ensure that our existing customers, and all of our new customer opportunities, have access to BCN’s Cloud Voice services platform technology to allow us to deliver IP-based voice solutions that move their business forward,” says Julian Jacquez, President and COO of BCN. “The BCN Cloud Voice portfolio is designed to offer breadth and flexibility that allows our customers to transition from TDM to IP-based voice services whenever they are ready and their business needs requires such.”

The BCN Cloud Voice portfolio will now include solutions that can be delivered over the netsapiens’ IP voice platform technology, a Broadsoft-based IP voice solution offering and, as recently announced, a POTS replacement service powered by EPIK technology.

About BCN

BCN is a closely held and operated communications technology solutions provider with the flexibility and experience to address every customer need uniquely, creating tailored solutions based on the portfolios of over 75 wholesale network and technology partners. In addition, BCN provides customers with one monthly invoice for all services and a state-of-the-art portal to manage their BCN business.

For 27 years, BCN has delivered best-in-class solutions domestically and internationally to business customers. For more information, please call us at 888.866.7266 or email us at [email protected]. www.bcntele.com

Jeanne Duca
BCN
9083675965
[email protected]

MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey^® (PMMS^®), showing that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 2.79 percent.

“As Treasury yields have risen, it is putting pressure on mortgage rates to move up,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “While mortgage rates are expected to increase modestly in 2021, they will remain inarguably low, supporting homebuyer demand and leading to continued refinance activity. Borrowers are smart to take advantage of these low rates now and will certainly benefit as a result.”

News Facts

• 
  30-year fixed-rate mortgage
  averaged 2.79 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending January 14, 2021, up from last week when it averaged 2.65 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.65 percent.
• 
  15-year
  
  
  fixed-rate mortgage
  averaged 2.23 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.16 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.09 percent.
• 
  5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage
  (ARM) averaged 3.12 percent with an average 0.4 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.75 percent. A year ago at this time, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.39 percent.

The PMMS^® is focused on conventional, conforming, fully amortizing home purchase loans for borrowers who put 20 percent down and have excellent credit. Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following link for the Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

Freddie Mac makes home possible for millions of families and individuals by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Since our creation by Congress in 1970, we’ve made housing more accessible and affordable for homebuyers and renters in communities nationwide. We are building a better housing finance system for homebuyers, renters, lenders, investors and taxpayers. Learn more at FreddieMac.com, Twitter @FreddieMac and Freddie Mac’s blog FreddieMac.com/blog.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Angela Waugaman

703-714-0644

[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/65b17d83-7f01-47e5-b82e-5adf5375e984

ATLANTA, Jan. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PRGX Global, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRGX), a global leader in recovery audit and spend analytics services, announced its recent webinar, “Valuable Use Cases for Enriched Advanced Analytics In S2P,” is now available here.

The amount of data companies store, categorize and analyze grows significantly each year. However, an over-abundance of data can quickly lead to analysis paralysis and make it difficult to capture critical insights and drive process improvements. That is why it is important for data to be properly aggregated, cleaned and classified so auditors can track patterns and anomalies that help them identify and correct spend leakage.

In “Valuable Use Cases for Enriched Advanced Analytics in S2P,” two PRGX data and technology experts discussed how advanced analytics and data enrichment can help companies overcome common source-to-pay challenges. Featuring two real-world use cases, the webinar demonstrates how improved data visibility and fact-based analytics enhance business value and overall results.

“Whether it is applied to factors such as True Net Cost or Days Payable Outstanding, data enrichment and advanced analytics have the power to transform how companies track, categorize and analyze spend data,” said Daniel Ebert, Senior Manager of Analytics for PRGX. “And while spend analytics are helpful on their own, pairing them with a recovery audit or contract compliance program creates new opportunities to identify other potential profit leakage and correct it at its source.”

The webinar, which was hosted on Nov. 4, 2020, is available here.

About PRGX

PRGX helps companies spot value in their source-to-pay processes that other sophisticated solutions didn’t get to before. Having identified more than 300 common points of leakage, we help companies reach wider, dig deeper, and act faster to get more value out of their source-to-pay data. We pioneered this industry 50 years ago, and today we help clients in more than 30 countries take back $1.2 billion in annual cash flow. It’s why 75% of top global retailers and a third of the largest companies in the Fortune 500 rely on us. For additional information on PRGX, please visit www.prgx.com.

Media Contact:
Jacob Hamilton
Arketi Group
[email protected]