Portage, Ind., Transforms the Municipal Payment Experience for City Residents and Staff with New Cloud Technology

Portage, Ind., Transforms the Municipal Payment Experience for City Residents and Staff with New Cloud Technology

Partnership with government cloud innovator CityBase provides 24/7 self-service kiosks and online technology for safer, easier, and more efficient bill payment

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CityBase, a leading provider of government and utility payment technology, today announced an agreement with the City of Portage, Indiana, to adopt improved payment technology that provides residents with safer, easier ways to pay their bills. An initiative of the Office of the Clerk-Treasurer, new self-service kiosks and online payments will allow people to securely pay their bills 24/7 while eliminating person-to-person contact during the COVID-19 pandemic. CityBase is a business unit of GTY Technology Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: GTYH) (“GTY”), which provides SaaS/Cloud solutions for the public sector.

“This is a win-win solution for citizen experience and operational efficiency,” said Nina Rivas, Clerk-Treasurer for the City of Portage. “We’re resolving an immediate need to make payments safer in a pandemic for both residents and City employees. And we’re making long-term improvements to our payment system that will streamline revenue management for the City and promote convenience for our residents. We partnered with CityBase because their technology makes payments easier for everyone.”

The new technology will go live in early 2021 and includes intuitive online payments and two self-service payment kiosks that will be accessible 24/7, located at Portage City Hall at 6070 Central Ave Portage, Ind. The payment technology includes a back-office revenue management system that drastically simplifies the research, reporting and reconciliation process.

City utility bills including trash, sewer and stormwater are the first payments that will be compatible with the new technology. The City is providing a free way for people to pay their utility bills by eliminating service fees for cash, check, and recurring credit card payments.

The City was allocated CARES Act funding for the new payment technology as a COVID-related expense, since it provides a no-contact way for people to make payments. The cloud-based technology enables staff to securely maintain government operations while working remotely.

“We love working with public sector innovators like Clerk-Treasurer Rivas,” said Mike Duffy, CEO and Founder of CityBase. “She is committed to improving the government experience for all residents, including those who must pay their bills in cash due to preference or need. She is helping to usher in a new era for Portage, where both residents and employees will feel the benefits of human-centric technology and streamlined processes right away.”

CityBase has worked with neighboring Indianapolis and Marion County since 2017, where they helped the city-county transform their website indy.gov into a digital city hall. They recently partnered with Lawrence, Ind., to introduce contactless kiosk payments there.

About CityBase

CityBase makes government and utility technology that modernizes and unifies the way people find, apply, and pay for services. More than 100 government agencies, utilities, cities, and counties use CityBase technology to provide hassle-free payments and digital services to their customers and staff. CityBase integrates payment functionality, business processes, and communications onto a central, cloud-based platform that consumers can access through the web, mobile, kiosk, or point of sale. Learn more at thecitybase.com.

About GTY Technology Holdings Inc.

GTY Technology Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:GTYH) (“GTY”) brings leading public sector technology companies together to achieve a new standard in stakeholder engagement and resource management. Through its six business units, GTY offers an intuitive cloud-based suite of solutions for state and local governments, education institutions, and healthcare organizations spanning functions in procurement, payments, grant management, budgeting, and permitting: Bonfire provides strategic sourcing and procurement software to enable confident and compliant spending decisions; CityBase provides government payment solutions to connect constituents with utilities and government agencies; eCivis offers a grant management system to maximize grant revenues and track performance; OpenCounter provides government permitting software to guide applicants through complex permitting and licensing procedures; Questica offers budget preparation and management software to deliver on financial and non-financial strategic objectives; Sherpa provides public sector budgeting software and consulting services.

Kate Nesbitt

Alloy Communications

[email protected]

240-630-2653

KEYWORDS: Indiana Illinois United States North America Canada

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Other Government Finance Consulting Public Policy/Government Accounting Professional Services Other Technology Software Networks Internet State/Local Data Management Other Policy Issues

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Phunware Receives Privacy Shield Certification

Phunware Receives Privacy Shield Certification

AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHUN) (the “Company”), a fully-integrated enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides products, solutions, data and services for brands worldwide, announced today its receipt of the Privacy Shield certification.

The EU-US and Swiss-US Privacy Shield Frameworks were designed by the United States Department of Commerce, the European Commission and the Swiss Administration to provide companies on both sides of the Atlantic with a mechanism to comply with data protection requirements when transferring personal data from the European Union (EU) and Switzerland to the United States in support of transatlantic commerce.

The transfer of personal data outside of the EU and Switzerland is governed by EU and Swiss law, which generally prohibit personal data from being transferred to countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) unless adequate levels of protection are ensured. The Privacy Shield Frameworks and the Standard Contractual Clauses (or EU Model Clauses) are two mechanisms designed to provide this level of data protection.

“At scale, our Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS) Customer Data Platform (CDP) curates data from approximately one billion active devices each month, so data privacy is of critical importance to us,” said Luan Dang, CTO and Co-Founder of Phunware. “In addition to being compliant with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), receiving our Privacy Shield certification is another example of our ongoing commitment to the stringent privacy and protection of consumer data.”

Click here to learn more Phunware’s Privacy Policy and click here to learn more about the Company’s data ontology and knowledge graph.

Safe Harbor Clause and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “expose,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Future developments affecting us may not be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings that we make with the SEC from time to time. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. These risks and others described under “Risk Factors” in our SEC filings may not be exhaustive.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In addition, even if our results or operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.

About Phunware, Inc.

Everything You Need to Succeed on Mobile — Transforming Digital Human Experience

Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHUN), is the pioneer of Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS), an award-winning, fully integrated enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides companies the products, solutions, data and services necessary to engage, manage and monetize their mobile application portfolios and audiences globally at scale. Phunware’s Software Development Kits (SDKs) include location-based services, mobile engagement, content management, messaging, advertising, loyalty (PhunCoin & Phun) and analytics, as well as a mobile application framework of pre-integrated iOS and Android software modules for building in-house or channel-based mobile application and vertical solutions. Phunware helps the world’s most respected brands create category-defining mobile experiences, with more than one billion active devices touching its platform each month. For more information about how Phunware is transforming the way consumers and brands interact with mobile in the virtual and physical worlds, visit https://www.phunware.com, https://www.phuncoin.com, https://www.phuntoken.com, and follow @phunware, @phuncoin and @phuntoken on all social media platforms.

Phunware PR & Media Inquiries:

[email protected]

T: (512) 693-4199

Phunware Investor Relations:

Matt Glover and John Yi

Gateway Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (949) 574-3860

KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Software Technology Mobile/Wireless Hardware

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BAE Systems Continues Advanced Seeker Production for Next-Generation Precision-Guided Missile

BAE Systems Continues Advanced Seeker Production for Next-Generation Precision-Guided Missile

NASHUA, N.H.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
BAE Systems received a $60 million contract from Lockheed Martin to manufacture and deliver additional advanced missile seekers for the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). The seeker comprises long-range sensors and targeting technology that help the stealthy missile find and engage protected maritime targets in challenging electromagnetic environments.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201208005024/en/

BAE Systems’ LRASM seeker comprises long-range sensors and targeting technology that help the stealthy missile find and engage protected maritime targets in challenging electromagnetic environments. (Photo: BAE Systems)

BAE Systems’ LRASM seeker comprises long-range sensors and targeting technology that help the stealthy missile find and engage protected maritime targets in challenging electromagnetic environments. (Photo: BAE Systems)

“Our warfighters need resilient, long-range precision strike capabilities to compete with modern adversaries,” said Bruce Konigsberg, Radio Frequency Sensors product area director at BAE Systems. “We’re proud to partner with Lockheed Martin in delivering this distinct competitive advantage to U.S. warfighters.”

LRASM combines extended range with increased survivability and lethality to deliver long-range precision strike capabilities. LRASM is designed to detect and destroy specific targets within groups of ships by employing advanced technologies that reduce dependence on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, network links, and GPS navigation in contested environments.

This LRASM seeker contract continues the transition of the program from Accelerated Acquisition to Low Rate Production. BAE Systems has delivered more than 50 systems to date that have demonstrated excellent technical performance over multiple test events. The company also is working to make the seeker system smaller, more capable, and more efficient to produce.

BAE Systems’ LRASM seeker technology builds on the company’s decades of experience designing and producing state-of-the-art electronic warfare technology, and its expertise in small form factor design, signal processing, target detection, and identification.

Work on the LRASM sensor will be conducted at BAE Systems’ facilities in Wayne, New Jersey; Greenlawn, New York; and Nashua, New Hampshire. For additional information, visit: www.baesystems.com/lrasm.

Mark Daly, BAE Systems

Mobile: 603-521-2381

[email protected]

www.baesystems.com/US

@BAESystemsInc

KEYWORDS: New Hampshire United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Contracts Maritime Air Engineering Satellite Transport Aerospace Manufacturing Defense

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BAE Systems’ LRASM seeker comprises long-range sensors and targeting technology that help the stealthy missile find and engage protected maritime targets in challenging electromagnetic environments. (Photo: BAE Systems)

Adweek Honors IPG Agencies with Top Industry Honors


FCB is Global Agency of the Year



The Martin Agency is U.S. Agency of the Year

New York, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) today announced that two of its agencies were named as Adweek Agencies of the Year; FCB was named Global Agency of the Year and The Martin Agency was named U.S Agency of the Year.

FCB was recognized for its growth throughout the global network, its strategic focus on collaboration across borders, and its ongoing commitment to inclusivity. Adweek highlighted work from FCB for global clients, including the Mumbai Police, Kimberly Clark and #metoo. The Martin Agency was recognized for its year-long momentum and commitment to diversity — continuing to drive results while helping clients grow their businesses with breakthrough creative. Adweek featured client work The Martin Agency produced for Old Navy, OREO and DoorDash, among others.

“This is a great day for IPG,” noted Michael Roth, Chairman and CEO, Interpublic. “We have always believed that strong agency brands are key to our success – they are the primary points of entry for clients, and agencies are where people want to develop their careers. In an era of remote working, culture has never harder to maintain or more important. By supporting and investing in our agency brands, we ensure that our network remains vital in new business, drives high levels of industry recognition, and builds a sustainable competitive advantage. The news today for FCB and The Martin Agency demonstrates clearly that we’re on the right track. Congratulations to our agencies, their people and clients,” he continued.

# # #

About Interpublic

Interpublic is values-based, data-fueled, and creatively-driven. Major global brands include Acxiom, Craft, FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding), FutureBrand, Golin, Huge, Initiative, Jack Morton, Kinesso, MAGNA, McCann, Mediahub, Momentum, MRM, MullenLowe Group, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick. Other leading brands include Avrett Free Ginsberg, Campbell Ewald, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, ID Media and The Martin Agency. For more information, please visit www.interpublic.com.

# # #

Contact Information

Tom Cunningham
(Press)
(212) 704-1326

Jerry Leshne
(Analysts, Investors)
(212) 704-1439



FOMO CORP.’S PURGE VIRUS, LLC PARTNERS WITH RENOWNED HVAC CONTRACTOR FOR INSTALLATION AND SALES OF DISINFECTION TECHNOLOGIES

Chicago, IL, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FOMO CORP. (US OTC: ETFM) announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Purge Virus, LLC (https://purgevirus.com) has partnered with PVBJ Inc. (http://pvbjinc.com), an enterprise, institutional and government HVAC contractor for installation and sales referrals. Under the strategic alliance, each Company has the right of first refusal to provide their respective products and services to the other. For its accounts that require HVAC and clean air installations, Purge Virus will turn to PVBJ to execute the project. Similarly, for its accounts that require disinfection solutions, PVBJ will turn to Purge Virus to assess the most appropriate technology and supply it to PVBJ as part of its offering.

Since its inception in 2007, PVBJ has served over 3,600 customers that typically have multiple properties. The Company currently has 2,500 active customers with substantial repeat business, including a leading national telecommunications provider based in the northeast, the world’s leading non-alcoholic beverage company, the nation’s largest homeowner’s association management company, and numerous government accounts.

Paul Benis, CEO of PVBJ Inc., graduated from the Technical Career Institute of New England in 1992 specializing in HVAC management. He has agreed to serve on FOMO’s Advisory Board joining Charles Szoradi, CEO, Purge Virus, LLC; John Kelly, CEO, PPE Source International, LLC, a Purge Virus strategic partner; and Dr. Wayman Baker, FOMO’s EVP of Corporate Development and Investor Relations, who are other Advisory Board members.

“As COVID-19 persists, we are seeing an increase in the requests for disinfection technology from our customers. Employees want to feel safe at work and are counting on their employers to provide a safe work environment. The expertise from Purge Virus to assess the right type of devices to go in our customers’ HVAC ducts and air handling units (AHUs) adds value for us and our customers. Beyond COVID-19, we see disinfection as a ‘new normal’ to reduce the healthcare costs and risks associated with unhealthy indoor air for years to come,” said Paul Benis, CEO, PVBJ.

“To date we have sourced regional HVAC service providers for site analysis and installation. PVBJ has the experience and ability to put ‘boots on the ground’ through their own staff or using contractors anywhere in the nation. PVBJ also has a large roster of past, current, and prospective accounts that may require the technology we provide,” said Charlie Szoradi, CEO, Purge Virus.

About PVBJ Inc.

PVBJ is a complete 24/7 service and sales company specializing in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. The company has a team of highly skilled and certified technicians with advanced diagnostics and tools to service any commercial HVAC system. PVBJ’s seasoned staff also provides engineering services to determine the most cost-effective solutions for clients.

For additional information on opportunities to work with Purge Virus, LLC and/or PVBJ Inc., contact:

Mr. Thomas Cleary
National Sales Director
Purge Virus, LLC
[email protected]

About FOMO CORP.

FOMO CORP. is a publicly traded company focused on business incubation and acceleration. The Company invests in and advises emerging companies aligned with a growth mandate. FOMO is developing direct investment and affiliations – majority- and minority-owned as well as in joint venture formats – that afford targets access to the public markets for expansion capital as well as spin-out options to become their own stand-alone public companies.

Forward Looking Statements:

Statements in this press release about our future expectations, including without limitation, the likelihood that FOMO CORP. will be able to meet minimum sales expectations, be successful and profitable in the market, bring significant value to FOMO CORP.’s stockholders, and leverage capital markets to execute its growth strategy, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and our actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. FOMO’s business strategy described in this press release is subject to innumerable risks, most significantly, whether the Company is successful in securing adequate financing. No information in this press release should be construed in any form shape or manner as an indication of the Company’s future revenues, financial condition, or stock price.

CONTACT:

Vik Grover
CEO
FOMO CORP.
(630) 286-9560
[email protected]



BIIB Investor Alert: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC Reminds Biogen Inc. Shareholders of Class Action and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm

NEW YORK, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Attorney Advertising — Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Biogen Inc. (“Biogen” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BIIB) and certain of its officers, on behalf of shareholders who purchased or otherwise acquired Biogen securities pursuant between October 22, 2019 and November 6, 2020, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm’s site: www.bgandg.com/biib.

This class action seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the larger dataset did not provide necessary data regarding aducanumab’s effectiveness; (2) the EMERGE study did not and would not provide necessary data regarding aducanumab’s effectiveness; (3) the PRIME study did not and would not provide necessary data regarding aducanumab’s effectiveness; (4) the data provided by the Company to the FDA’s Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee did not support finding efficacy of aducanumab; and (5) as a result, defendants’ statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint you can visit the firm’s site: www.bgandg.com/biib or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Investor Relations Analyst, Yael Hurwitz of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 212-697-6484. If you suffered a loss in Biogen you have until January 12, 2021 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff.  Your ability to share in any recovery doesn’t require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a corporate litigation boutique.  Our primary expertise is the aggressive pursuit of litigation claims on behalf of our clients.  In addition to representing institutions and other investor plaintiffs in class action security litigation, the firm’s expertise includes general corporate and commercial litigation, as well as securities arbitration.   Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contact:
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
Peretz Bronstein or Yael Hurwitz
212-697-6484 | [email protected]



CAST urges retailers to promote inclusivity and accept all modes of payment this holiday season

Despite the extremely low risk of COVID-19 transmission through the handling of currency, some retailers continue to discourage or outright refuse cash as a payment method

MONTREAL, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As businesses, consumers and communities continue to struggle with the second wave of the pandemic, the Canadian Association of Secured Transportation (CAST) urges retailers to accept cash as a form of payment.

“Early in the pandemic, many businesses started refusing cash for fear of COVID-19 transmission. But by the spring, the evidence was clear that cash poses no greater risk than bank cards. Unfortunately, and despite this, some retailers persist in discouraging cash as a payment method or refuse it outright,” stated Steven Meitin, President of the Canadian Association of Secured Transportation.

Mr. Meitin added, “Bank notes are legal tender in Canada, and many citizens rely on cash to obtain essential goods and services, which has become more important than ever in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing social and economic repercussions. No consumer should be refused the right to pay with cash. Unfortunately, in Canada, there is no law or regulation that protects this right, and that needs to change.”

“Cash is inclusive and universally accessible. To deprive Canadians of this payment option is to penalize a large segment of the population, including some of the most vulnerable people in our society who may be unbanked or underbanked, who prefer the security of cash or who rely on cash for income. Let’s ensure that those among us who rely on cash to purchase goods in these difficult times – no matter the reason – aren’t unduly punished and that they have access to the goods they need this holiday season,” Mr. Meitin concluded.

The importance for retailers to accept cash was reiterated by the Bank of Canada on a number of occasions since the beginning of the pandemic. It stated that it “strongly advocates that retailers continue to accept cash to ensure Canadians have access to the goods and services they need. Refusing cash purchases outright will put an undue burden on those who depend on cash and have limited payment options.” Their full statement is available here.

For more information regarding the low risks related to COVID-19 transmission in the handling of cash we invite you to consult our press releases published May 6, 2020 and July 8, 2020.


About the Canadian Association of Secured Transportation:


The purpose of the Canadian Association of Secured Transportation (CAST) is to promote and advocate for the interests of Canadian providers of secure transportation of valuables, to provide a venue for beneficial dialogue among members, and to encourage the advancement and excellence of industry standards across Canada and abroad. www.cast-acts.ca

Media Contact:

Steven Meitin
President, Canadian Association of Secured Transportation (CAST)
[email protected]
www.cast-acts.ca



22nd Century Receives Order for 3.6 Million New SPECTRUM® Variable Nicotine Cigarettes for U.S. Government-Supported Research

The Company’s Research Cigarettes Continue to Fuel Studies Adding to the Vast Body of Research Supporting a National Nicotine Standard for Combustible Cigarettes

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE American: XXII), a leading plant-based, biotechnology company that is focused on tobacco harm reduction, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in coordination with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and others, has submitted an order to 22nd Century for 3.6 million variable nicotine research cigarettes. The Company’s research cigarettes will continue to fuel numerous independent, scientific studies to validate the enormous public health benefits identified by the FDA and others of implementing a national standard requiring all cigarettes to contain minimally or non-addictive levels of nicotine.

The selection of SPECTRUM® cigarettes for use in ongoing research is not connected to 22nd Century’s Modified Risk Tobacco (MRTP) application for the Company’s reduced nicotine content VLN® cigarettes. 22nd Century believes that authorization of the Company’s MRTP application is imminent, and it plans to launch VLN® cigarettes within just 90 days of authorization. 22nd Century continues to maintain a dialogue with the FDA, and the Company believes the agency is in the final stage of review. At this time, the Company has no outstanding requests for information from the FDA, and the Company is confident it has satisfied every FDA requirement for the agency to make a final decision about our application.

“Mitch Zeller, director of the CTP at the FDA recently presented at the Food and Drug Law Institute’s Tobacco and Nicotine Products Conference and was asked whether the FDA is still considering moving ahead with the agency’s plan to reduce nicotine content in cigarettes to non-addictive levels,” said James A. Mish, chief executive officer of 22nd Century Group. “Zeller confirmed that the FDA remains ‘absolutely committed to everything that was in that plan.’ The continuation of studies to validate the role of reduced nicotine content cigarettes in public health and their potential to reduce and even eliminate tobacco-related diseases and death demonstrate the FDA’s continued commitment to tobacco harm reduction.”

Mish added, “We are proud to partner with public health researchers and look forward to the next step in the FDA’s plan to reduce the nicotine content of all cigarettes sold in the U.S. to minimally or non-addictive levels. 22nd Century remains the leader in reduced nicotine content tobacco products. We believe when the FDA mandate ultimately goes into effect, we will be well-positioned to capitalize on this tremendous opportunity, and we are committed to licensing our technology to make it possible for every cigarette manufacturer in the U.S. to comply with the standard.”

Published in 2017, the FDA’s ground-breaking Comprehensive Plan for Tobacco and Nicotine Regulation aims to set a product standard for cigarettes that achieves “minimally or non-addictive” levels of nicotine. Featuring 95 percent less nicotine, the Company’s VLN® cigarettes, once authorized, would serve as a vanguard for the FDA’s proposed plan. Importantly, the FDA projects that reducing nicotine levels in all combustible cigarettes to just 0.5 milligrams of nicotine per gram of tobacco, a level already achieved by VLN®, would help five million adult smokers quit one year after implementation, save over eight million American lives by the end of the century, and protect future generations from becoming addicted to cigarettes in the first place.

The FDA authorization of VLN® will make 22nd Century the first, and likely the only, company in the world to ever achieve a MRTP designation for a combustible cigarette. Once authorized, the company will rollout VLN® to convenience stores, pharmacies, and other retail tobacco outlets in the U.S. paired with a compelling marketing campaign to introduce adult smokers to the world’s lowest nicotine content cigarette. 22nd Century plans to position VLN® in the premium price segment of the cigarette market and expects it to deliver corresponding margins.

With more than 34 million smokers in the U.S. and more than 1 billion smokers worldwide, the FDA’s authorization of 22nd Century’s MRTP application has the potential to create significant demand for the Company’s VLN® cigarettes. 22nd Century believes that achieving just one-quarter of one percent (0.25 percent) market share with this disruptive product could over time drive the Company’s market capitalization more than 10 times higher. In addition, the Company believes that the FDA’s authorization of 22nd Century’s MRTP will open multiple licensing opportunities for 22nd Century’s proprietary reduced nicotine technology in the U.S. and globally.

About
SPECTRUM®

SPECTRUM® research cigarettes were developed in collaboration with FDA, NIDA (a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). To date, 22nd Century has provided more than 28 million proprietary SPECTRUM® research cigarettes for numerous independent scientific studies, funded largely by the FDA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other U.S. federal government agencies. The studies, using 22nd Century’s reduced nicotine content tobacco cigarettes, show that smokers who use the Company’s products: (i) reduce their nicotine exposure and dependence, (ii) smoke fewer cigarettes per day, (iii) increase their number of smoke-free days, and (iv) double their quit attempts – all with minimal or no evidence of nicotine withdrawal or compensatory smoking.

About 22nd Century Group, Inc.

22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE American: XXII) is a leading plant biotechnology company focused on technologies that alter the level of nicotine in tobacco plants and the level of cannabinoids in hemp/cannabis plants through genetic engineering, gene-editing, and modern plant breeding. 22nd Century’s primary mission in tobacco is to reduce the harm caused by smoking through the Company’s proprietary reduced nicotine content tobacco cigarettes – containing 95% less nicotine than conventional cigarettes. The Company’s primary mission in hemp/cannabis is to develop and commercialize proprietary hemp/cannabis plants with valuable cannabinoid profiles and desirable agronomic traits.

Learn more at xxiicentury.com, on Twitter @_xxiicentury and on LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward

Looking Statements

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements typically contain terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “consider,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “explore,” “foresee,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “preliminary,” “probable,” “project,” “promising,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those explicit or implicit in forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are set forth in “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 11, 2020 and on Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. All information provided in this release is as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Communications & Investor Relations Contact:
Mei Kuo
Director, Communications & Investor Relations
Phone: 716-300-1221
[email protected]



Dole Adds Three More Flavors and New Mix-Friendly Bowl to Its Ready-to-Eat Bowl Salad Line

DOLE

®

FreshTakes™
Ready-To-Eat
Bowl
Salad

expand
with
Chicken Club BLT, Backyard BBQ and Avocado Ranch
with Chicken

S
alad kit leader
is also featuring a
proprietary new bowl 
that makes spilled lettuce a thing of the past

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dole Fresh Vegetables has enhanced its popular line of DOLE® FreshTakes™ Bowl Salads with three on-trend new flavors and proprietary new packaging that allows salad lovers to mix – and enjoy! – their Dole fresh lettuces, toppings and dressings in the same bowl without spilling.

The salad kit leader has launched three new FreshTakes varieties featuring premium white-meat chicken to bring the total number of bowl salads in the line to nine. Prompted by positive retail and customer feedback, the single-serve, RTE salad bowl line rolled out nationally in May 2020 after a successful 2019 debut in the East. Dole’s single-serve, RTE bowl salads combine clean-label ingredients and Dole’s signature dressings and toppings to deliver a superior eating experience, differentiating them from other RTE offerings.

The three additional DOLE® FreshTakes™ Bowl Salads are now available in supermarkets nationwide in October for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $3.99.


  • DOLE



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    FreshTakes™


    C


    hicken Club BLT


    Bowl


    Salad

    : DOLE® Iceberg and Green Leaf lettuces topped with roasted white-meat chicken, uncured bacon pieces, grape tomatoes, whole-grain cheese garlic croutons and Dole’s Buttermilk Ranch Dressing.

  • DOLE



    ®



    FreshTakes™


    Backyard BBQ Salad with Chicken


    Bowl


    Salad

    : DOLE® Iceberg and Green Leaf lettuces and Red Cabbage topped with grilled, white-meat chicken, fire-roasted corn, mild cheddar cheese, crispy onions, carrots and Dole’s BBQ Ranch Dressing.

  • DOLE



    ®



    FreshTakes™


    Avocado Ranch Salad with Chicken


    Bowl


    Salad

    : DOLE® Iceberg and Green Leaf lettuces and Red Cabbage topped with grilled, white-meat chicken, black beans, Monterey Jack and Colby Cheese blend, tortilla strips, carrots and Dole’s Avocado Ranch Dressing.

To allow salad lovers to enjoy every FreshTakes™ ingredient, Dole’s innovation team developed a unique new salad bowl that replaces the customary curved side design with straightened walls to give users more space for mixing, tossing and enjoying their salad without spilling. The new bowl features an eco-friendly, clear-construction design that showcases the fresh greens and premium ingredients, and is paired with a full-size fork.

“Since the very first bowl salad, salad lovers have been challenged to mix together all the lettuces, toppings and dressings in the bowl provided without losing any of the good stuff,” said Lisa Overman, Dole’s director of brand marketing for North America. “When Dole set out to create the world’s best RTE bowl salads, we knew we needed to concentrate not only on superior flavor varieties and ingredients, which are Dole hallmarks, but also on a better salad bowl design that results in a more rewarding salad eating experience.”

All nine DOLE® FreshTakes™ Salad Bowls now feature the exclusive bowl.

The six FreshTakes™ Bowl Salads introduced In May include Classic Chicken Caesar, Santa Fé Style, Turkey & Bacon Country Cobb, Café Style Chef, Savory Spinach Dijon and Cranberry & Candied Walnut flavor varieties.

A global packaged salad and salad kits leader, Dole offers 95 different packaged salad varieties including its popular Chopped! Salads, Slawesome!® Kits, Premium Salad Kits, FreshTakes™ Ready-to-Eat Salads, and other salad mixes and slaws.

For more details on DOLE® FreshTakes™ Bowl Salads or to place an order, contact your Dole sales rep.

For all Dole fresh fruit and vegetable products plus recipes and nutritional resources, visit www.dole.com and Dole’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest pages.


About Dole Food Company, Inc.


Dole Food Company, Inc., is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education and research. For more information, please visit www.dole.com.


Media Contacts

:
Bob Ochsner
Rocket Science for Dole
(949) 233-0984

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/92d95496-457b-49c2-8e86-ab2fbe317b8e

 



El Pollo Loco Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Throwback to Original Logo

Special Edition Retro-Designed Gift Cards and Anniversary Offer

COSTA MESA, Calif., Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — El Pollo Loco, Inc. (“El Pollo Loco” or “Company) (Nasdaq: LOCO), the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain, is commemorating its 40th anniversary by paying homage to its heritage story and signature L.A. Mex cuisine with a special edition e-gift card offer.

El Pollo Loco’s story began in Sinaloa, Mexico with a young enterprising man, a family recipe and a dream to serve authentic, Mexican style fire-grilled chicken. Pancho Ochoa sold everything and began selling his chicken to the local community in the shell of his former shoe store. Instantaneously, his customers fell in love with it. Ochoa’s success and a belief in the American Dream emboldened him to make the journey stateside in 1980 and open the first El Pollo Loco in Los Angeles on Alvarado Street. It quickly became a local favorite for its fresh, citrus-marinated chicken. That first U.S. restaurant still stands, serving the same delicious chicken people fell in love with 40 years ago.

Today, the same spirit, commitment to family and the highest-quality food, and of course, citrus-marinated chicken are the common thread that connects more than 475 El Pollo Loco locations in 6 states across the country to the original that started it all in the heart of Los Angeles.

To honor and celebrate this momentous forty-year milestone, starting December 8 through December 9, customers will receive a $10 bonus e-gift card with the purchase of a limited edition $40 e-gift card. These special gift cards were designed to include the bright and retro logo from forty years ago and imagery from the first El Pollo Loco restaurant. The original logo and the first menu will also be featured across El Pollo Loco’s social media channels for one day only, on December 8.

“As we reflect on the evolution of the brand over the past 40 years, we’re most proud of our unwavering commitment to preserving our heritage, our franchisees and employees who built this brand one customer at a time, and the impact we have made in the communities we serve,” said Bernard Acoca, President & Chief Executive Officer at El Pollo Loco. “Looking ahead, we have big ambitions with purpose to do good and to continue bringing people together through the power of food.”

El Pollo Loco thanks its customers and employees for 40 years of familia. Watch the anniversary video here.

For more information and to purchase the limited-edition e-gift card, please visit elpolloloco.com/gift-cards.

About El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco (Nasdaq:LOCO) is the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant with a mission to bring people together around food, family, and culture in the communities it serves. El Pollo Loco is renowned for its handcrafted L.A. Mex food, an innovative blend of traditional Mexican cuisine and better-for-you eating, that Los Angeles is known for. Since 1980, El Pollo Loco has successfully opened and maintained more than 475 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Louisiana while remaining true to its Mexican-American heritage. El Pollo Loco continues to grow and evolve, nourishing connections to tradition, culture, and one another through fire-grilled goodness that makes us feel like familia. For more information, visit us at www.elpolloloco.com.

Like: www.facebook.com/ElPolloLoco
Follow on Twitter: @ElPolloLoco 
Follow on Instagram: @ElPolloLoco
Subscribe: www.youtube.com/OfficialElPolloLoco
Join Loco Rewards: www.elpolloloco.com/rewards
Join our Team: www.elpolloloco.com/careers

MEDIA CONTACT:

Hannah Gray
Edible
323-206-0800
[email protected]

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/44bf4124-9c53-41b7-9de0-fcc14ad944e9

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a83da628-094a-47a3-a914-d095bc41a84d