BioSpecifics Announces Completion of Acquisition by Endo Pharmaceuticals

PR Newswire

WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ: BSTC), a biopharmaceutical company that originated and continues to develop collagenase-based therapies with a first-in-class collagenase-based product marketed as XIAFLEX® in North America, today announced the successful completion of its acquisition by Endo International plc (Endo) for approximately $658.2 million in equity value.

Endo’s all-cash tender offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of BioSpecifics’ common stock at a purchase price of $88.50 per share expired one minute after 11:59 p.m., New York time, on December 1, 2020. Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the depositary and paying agent for the Offer, reported that approximately 6,159,975 shares of BioSpecifics’ common stock were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, representing approximately 82.8% of the outstanding shares of BioSpecifics’ common stock on a fully diluted basis. All of the conditions to the Offer have been satisfied, and on December 2, 2020, Endo accepted for payment, and will as promptly as practicable pay for, all shares validly tendered and not validly  withdrawn.

The acquisition was completed on December 2, 2020 through a merger of Beta Acquisition Corp., Endo’s wholly-owned indirect subsidiary, with and into BioSpecifics, with BioSpecifics continuing as the surviving entity, in accordance with Section 251(h) of the Delaware General Corporation Law without a vote of BioSpecifics’ stockholders. In connection with the merger, shares of BioSpecifics that were not tendered prior to the expiration of the Offer were converted into the right to receive consideration of $88.50 per share. As a result of the completion of the merger, BioSpecifics’ common stock will be delisted from The Nasdaq Global Market.

About BioSpecifics Technologies Corp.
BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company discovered and developed a proprietary form of injectable collagenase (“CCH”), which is currently marketed by the Company’s partner, Endo, as XIAFLEX® in North America for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease. Endo announced that it received FDA approval of CCH for the treatment of moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks of adult women; Qwo™ is expected to be available commercially in the U.S. starting in the first half of 2021. The CCH research and development pipeline includes several additional potential indications including adhesive capsulitis and plantar fibromatosis. For more information, please visit www.biospecifics.com.

About Endo International plc
Endo International plc (NASDAQ: ENDP) is a specialty pharmaceutical company committed to helping everyone they serve live their best life through the delivery of quality, life-enhancing therapies. Endo’s decades of proven success come from a global team of passionate employees collaborating to bring the best treatments forward. Together, Endo boldly transforms insights into treatments benefiting those who need them, when they need them. Endo has global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and U.S. headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.endo.com.

Forward-Looking Statements 
The statements included above that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words or phrases such as “believe,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “seek,” “plan,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the planned completion and timing of Endo’s payment for the tendered shares, the delisting of the Company’s common stock, the intent, belief, and current expectations of the Company and members of its senior management team and Board of Directors, potential indications, research and development plans, indications in development, and the occurrence and timing of the commercial launch of Qwo™. Risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ from expectations include, without limitation: business effects, including the effects of industry, economic or political conditions outside of the Company’s control; transaction costs; actual or contingent liabilities; the timing of regulatory filings and action; the ability of Endo to achieve its objectives for XIAFLEX® and Qwo™; the market for XIAFLEX® in, and timing, initiation, and outcome of clinical trials for, additional indications; the potential of XIAFLEX® to be used in additional indications; Endo modifying its objectives or allocating resources other than to XIAFLEX® and Qwo™; adverse impacts on business, operating results or financial condition in the future due to pandemics, epidemics or outbreaks, such as COVID-19; and risks and uncertainties pertaining to the Company’s business, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2020, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biospecifics-announces-completion-of-acquisition-by-endo-pharmaceuticals-301183768.html

SOURCE BioSpecifics Technologies Corp.

PURA Highlights ALKM Cannabis Co Packing Plans For $2 Trillion Market Opportunity

PR Newswire

DALLAS, Dec. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Puration, Inc. (USOTC: PURA) today highlighted plans for its recently announced partnership with Alkame Holdings Inc. (USOTC: ALKM). As part of PURA’s overall hemp lifestyle brand strategy, PURA has acquired a five percent stake in ALKM as part of a strategic partnership. ALKM already bottles PURA’s EVERx CBD Sports Water and now PURA plans to substantially expand its co packing relationship with ALKM.

In January of this year, PURA launched an acquisition campaign as a forerunner initiative to the first step of its hemp lifestyle brand transition. The company leveraged its own experience and organic core competencies to acquire CBD infused beverage, edible and topical businesses. 

PURA targeted CBD product acquisitions that could be enhanced with PURA’s patented technology. PURA owns a license to a U.S. Patented cannabis extraction process backed by extensive university medical research. The license, issued by NCM Biotech, is exclusive for beverages, edibles and cosmetics among other uses. NCM Biotech is focused on medical research and Puration has access to that research.

Since launching the acquisition campaign in January, the company has acquired a CBD confections business, a CBD pet products business and CBD sun care business. Combined with its existing beverage industry product line, PURA’s combined horizontal market opportunity ranges across over $2 trillion in market value:

Sexual wellness $39 Billion Projected Market Value 

Confections $232 Billion Projected Market Value 

Pet Products $202 Billion Projected Market Value 

Sun Care $12.6 Billion Projected Market Value 

Non-Alcoholic Beverage $1.6 Trillion Projected Market Value

Look for a series of updates coming soon on new PURA products to be produced by ALKM.

For more information on Puration, visit http://www.purationinc.com.

Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: 

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies’ contracts, the companies’ liquidity position, the companies’ ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 

Contact:

Puration, Inc.
Brian Shibley
[email protected]
+1 (800) 861-1350

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pura-highlights-alkm-cannabis-co-packing-plans-for-2-trillion-market-opportunity-301183763.html

SOURCE Puration, Inc.

ORBCOMM Closes on New Term Loan Facility and Redeems All Outstanding Senior Secured Notes

ROCHELLE PARK, N.J., Dec. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ORBCOMM Inc. (NASDAQ: ORBC), a global provider of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, today announced that it has entered into a $200 million five-year term loan facility (the “Term Loan”) and a $50 million revolving credit facility. Concurrently, the Company completed the redemption of all of its outstanding 8.00% senior secured notes (the “Notes”) and ended its previous $25 million revolver facility.

“As part of the next phase of ORBCOMM’s evolution, we’ve taken actions to strategically improve the Company’s capital structure by replacing the previous high-yield notes with this term loan at a significantly lower interest rate,” said Marc Eisenberg, ORBCOMM’s Chief Executive Officer. “With multiple acquisitions and a comprehensive integration effort behind us, as well as lower interest expense, we are in a great position to execute on our business plan, reduce debt levels and focus on organic growth.”

The Term Loan and revolving credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin based on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio and will mature on December 2, 2025. The proceeds of the Term Loan, together with $20 million from the new revolving credit facility and cash on hand, were used to redeem the Company’s outstanding Notes pursuant to their terms at 104% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, December 2, 2020. Upon completion of this redemption, none of the 8.00% Notes remained outstanding.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., acted as Administrative Agent, Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner for the financing. Funding was provided through a syndicate of banks.

Additional details regarding the terms of the new facilities are discussed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About ORBCOMM Inc.

ORBCOMM is a global leader and innovator in the industrial Internet of Things, providing solutions that connect businesses to their assets to deliver increased visibility and operational efficiency. The company offers a broad set of asset monitoring and control solutions, including seamless satellite and cellular connectivity, unique hardware and powerful applications, all backed by end-to-end customer support, from installation to deployment to customer care. ORBCOMM has a diverse customer base including premier OEMs, solutions customers and channel partners spanning transportation, supply chain, warehousing and inventory, heavy equipment, maritime, natural resources, and government. For more information, visit www.orbcomm.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for future events and include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements, including those concerning the Company’s expectations, are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results, projected, expected or implied by the forward-looking statements, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, specific consideration should be given to various factors described in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other documents, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements or cautionary factors, except as required by law.

Contacts  

Investor Inquiries:
 

Media


Inquiries


:
Aly Bonilla  Michelle Ferris
Vice President, Investor Relations   Senior Director, Corporate Communications
ORBCOMM Inc.  ORBCOMM Inc.
703-433-6360  703-433-6516
[email protected]    [email protected] 



Playboy Releases Three and Nine Month Financial Results Through September 30, 2020

Playboy Releases Three and Nine Month Financial Results Through September 30, 2020

Third Quarter 2020 Revenue up 86% YOY to $35.0 million, Net Income of $1.3 million

Third Quarter 2020 Adjusted EBITDA up 130% YOY to $7.4 million

YTD Revenue Up 78% YOY, Driven by Growth of Direct-to-Consumer Business

Announces Post-Merger Parent Company Name Change to PLBY Group, Inc., Signaling

Brand and Business Expansion

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company” or “Playboy”), one of the largest and most recognizable lifestyle brands in the world, today provided three and nine month 2020 financial results through September 30, 2020. The Company also today announced a change of its parent company name after the completion of its proposed business combination with Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: MCAC) (“Mountain Crest”) from Playboy Group, Inc. to PLBY Group, Inc. to reflect its expansion into a leading global pleasure and leisure platform.

Ben Kohn, CEO of Playboy, commented, “I’m thrilled with our performance for the three and nine month periods through September 2020. Revenue grew 86% year over year in the third quarter reflecting the strength in our Direct-to-Consumer segment as well as robust performance from our Licensing segment, including great traction with our PacSun and Missguided collaboration lines and from our Asia style & apparel business.”

Kohn continued, “As we look toward the remainder of 2020, we expect to meet or exceed our recently increased full year 2020 financial projections of $137 million in revenue and $28 million in Adjusted EBITDA1 as the fourth quarter is seasonally our strongest, this year being no exception as we’ve experienced a strong Halloween and early holiday shopping season.”

“As we look ahead to 2021, we are encouraged by the strong traction in our digital commerce offerings, our pipeline of licensing deals and recently launched owned-and-operated products, and the recovery of some of our Covid-related losses in our Gaming and Apparel businesses that we anticipate will come back online as those supply chains normalize. In addition, with interest rates at historic lows, and our pro forma net debt anticipated under $100 million at the close of our merger with Mountain Crest, we have begun debt refinancing discussions and expect to benefit from the financial flexibility that comes with the committed capital, a strong balance sheet and a leverage ratio that we anticipate to be under 2x based on our initial anticipated 2021 forward Adjusted EBITDA of $40 million.”

Three and Nine Month 2020 Financial Results Through September 30, 2020

The Company’s third quarter 2020 net revenues were $35.0 million, representing growth of $16.2 million or 86% over the same period in 2019. This growth was primarily driven by Direct-to-Consumer revenue, which increased $15.1 million, and Licensing revenue, which increased $2.0 million, from the year ago period. In the third quarter 2020, the Company generated net income of $1.3 million compared to a net loss of $3.4 million in the same period in 2019, representing a $4.7 million improvement, and Adjusted EBITDA was $7.4 million, up $4.2 million or 130% over the same period in 2019.

On a nine month basis, net revenues were $101.3 million, representing growth of $44.4 million or 78% over the same period in 2019. This growth was primarily driven by Direct-to-Consumer revenue, which increased $40.0 million, and Licensing revenue, which increased $7.0 million, from the year ago period. Net loss for the first nine months of the year improved by $12.8 million, from a net loss of $17.6 million to a net loss of $4.8 million in 2020. Adjusted EBITDA in the first nine months of 2020 was $21.8 million, up $12.3 million or 129% over the same period in 2019.

Kohn continued, “The third quarter was particularly exciting for us as we launched Playboy owned-and-operated Sexual Wellness products, saw strong crossover between our brands with a successful Playboy Midsummer Night’s Dream lingerie collection on Yandy, and made strategic hires in digital product and data science, a key part of our long-term growth plan to drive superior lifetime value of our customers across multiple brands and consumer touchpoints.”

“Additionally, given this strong brand crossover and our robust incubation and M&A pipeline, we’re excited to announce our new corporate positioning as PLBY Group, a signal of our ambition to build the leading platform for pleasure and leisure brands and businesses around the world. We are immensely privileged to have as our cornerstone the original lifestyle brand, Playboy, with its immense global reach and consumer products and experiences that help people around the world enjoy their lives more fully,” Kohn concluded.

Reflecting its expansion into a leading global pleasure and leisure platform, the Company’s new name following the Mountain Crest merger, PLBY Group, Inc., will serve as a holding company that owns, incubates and acquires brands and businesses in four key addressable markets: Sexual Wellness, Style & Apparel, Gaming & Lifestyle, and Beauty & Grooming. Management anticipates that the corporate name change will take effect in the first quarter of 2021.

Please visit the IR section of Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp’s website at www.mcacquisition.com/ to access today’s prepared remarks from Playboy management.

About Playboy

Playboy is one of the largest and most recognizable global lifestyle platforms in the world, with a strong consumer business focused on four categories comprising The Pleasure Lifestyle: Sexual Wellness, Style & Apparel, Gaming & Lifestyle and Beauty & Grooming. Under its mission of Pleasure for All, the 67-year-old Playboy brand drives more than $3 billion in global consumer spend and sells products across 180 countries. Playboy is one of the most iconic brands in history.

About Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp

Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Mountain Crest’s efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region, although the Company intends to focus on operating businesses in North America. Visit https://www.mcacquisition.com/.

Important Information About the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed business combination described herein (the “Business Combination”), Mountain Crest intends to file relevant materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which includes the preliminary proxy statement filed with the SEC on November 10, 2020, and a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, when available. Promptly after filing its definitive proxy statement relating to the proposed business combination with the SEC, Mountain Crest will mail the definitive proxy statement and a proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting relating to the Business Combination. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF MOUNTAIN CREST ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION THAT MOUNTAIN CREST WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MOUNTAIN CREST, PLAYBOY AND THE TRANSACTION. The definitive proxy statement, the preliminary proxy statement and other relevant materials in connection with the Business Combination (when they become available), and any other documents filed with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by visiting the investor relations section of https://www.mcacquisition.com/.

Participants in the Solicitation

Mountain Crest and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Mountain Crest’s stockholders with respect to the Business Combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in Mountain Crest, and additional information regarding the interests of such participants are included in the preliminary proxy statement for the proposed Business Combination, and is available at www.sec.gov. Information about Mountain Crest’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Mountain Crest common stock is set forth in Mountain Crest’s prospectus, dated June 4, 2020, and in the preliminary proxy statement, as modified or supplemented by any Form 3 or Form 4 filed with the SEC since the date of such filing. Other information regarding the interests of the participants in the proxy solicitation is included in the preliminary proxy statement pertaining to the proposed Business Combination, and will be included in a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, when it becomes available. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

Playboy and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Mountain Crest in connection with the proposed Business Combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed Business Combination is included in the preliminary proxy statement for the proposed Business Combination, and will be included in a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, when it becomes available.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Mountain Crest’s and Playboy’s actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates, and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Mountain Crest’s and Playboy’s expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the proposed business combination, the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the proposed business combination, and the timing of the completion of the proposed business combination.

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. In addition, certain financial information, data, projections and statements included herein assume no redemptions by Mountain Crest shareholders in connection with the proposed business combination, and the actual amount of any such redemptions could cause such assumptions and financial information, data, projections and statements to differ materially from those set forth in this release. Most of these factors are outside Mountain Crest’s and Playboy’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive merger agreement (the “Agreement”); (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Mountain Crest and Playboy following the announcement of the Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; (3) the inability to complete the proposed business combination, including due to failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of Mountain Crest and Playboy, certain regulatory approvals, or satisfy other conditions to closing in the Agreement; (4) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Agreement or could otherwise cause the transaction to fail to close; (5) the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Playboy’s business and/or the ability of the parties to complete theproposed business combination; (6) the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of Mountain Crest’s shares of common stock on Nasdaq following the proposed business combination; (7) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the proposed business combination; (8) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of Playboy to grow and manage growth profitably, and retain its key employees; (9) costs related to the proposed business combination; (10) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (11) the possibility that Mountain Crest or Playboy may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (12) risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Playboy; (13) risks related to the organic and inorganic growth of Playboy’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; (14) the amount of redemption requests made by Mountain Crest’s stockholders; and (15) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the final prospectus of Mountain Crest for its initial public offering and the proxy statement relating to the proposed business combination, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and in Mountain Crest’s other filings with the SEC. Mountain Crest cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Mountain Crest and Playboy caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Mountain Crest and Playboy do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in their expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Some of the financial information contained in this release, such as Adjusted EBITDA, has not been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Mountain Crest and Playboy believe that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating historical or projected operating results and trends in and in comparing Playboy’s financial measures with other similar companies, many of which present similar non-GAAP financial measures to investors. Management does not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation or as an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. The principal limitation of these non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses and revenue that are required by GAAP to be recorded in Playboy’s financial statements. In addition, they are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgments by management about which expense and revenue items are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. In order to compensate for these limitations, management presents historical non-GAAP financial measures in connection with GAAP results. You should review Playboy’s audited and unaudited financial statements and reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to historical net income (loss), the closest GAAP measure, which are included in this release and the preliminary proxy statement filed by Mountain Crest on November 10, 2020 with the SEC. However, not all of the information necessary for a quantitative reconciliation of the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is available without unreasonable efforts at this time.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination. This press release shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.


1 Adjusted EBITDA is a Non-GAAP financial measure. Please see the tables at the end of this release for a reconciliation of historical Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and the discussion below under “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

2020

2019

 

 

 

Net revenues

$ 35,004

$ 18,782

Costs and expenses

 

 

Cost of sales

(15,695)

(8,565)

Selling and administrative expenses

(14,827)

(9,186)

Related-party expenses

(257)

(250)

Total costs and expenses

(30,779)

(18,001)

Operating income

4,225

781

Nonoperating income (expense):

 

 

Investment income

2

85

Interest expense

(3,417)

(3,531)

Other income (expense), net

72

(46)

 

 

 

Total nonoperating expense

(3,343)

(3,492)

Income (loss) before income taxes

882

(2,711)

Benefit from (provision for) income taxes

384

(650)

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)

1,266

(3,361)

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling

interest

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) attributable to

 

 

Playboy Enterprises, Inc.

$ 1,266

$ (3,361)

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

2020

2019

 

 

 

Net revenues

$ 101,335

$ 56,871

Costs and expenses

 

 

Cost of sales

(50,548)

(25,390)

Selling and administrative expenses

(41,349)

(33,001)

Related-party expenses

(757)

(750)

Total costs and expenses

(92,654)

(59,141)

Operating income (loss)

8,681

(2,270)

Nonoperating income (expense):

 

 

Investment income

30

182

Interest expense

(10,073)

(10,884)

Other income (expense), net

73

(87)

Total nonoperating expense

(9,970)

(10,789)

Loss before income taxes

(1,289)

(13,059)

Provision for income taxes

(3,470)

(4,499)

Net loss and comprehensive loss

(4,759)

(17,558)

Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

Net loss and comprehensive loss attributable to Playboy

 

 

Enterprises, Inc.

$ (4,759)

$ (17,558)

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

September 30,

2020

December 31,

2019

ASSETS

(Unaudited)

 

Current assets:

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 15,872

$ 27,744

Restricted cash

968

963

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $284 and $302, respectively

6,581

6,153

Inventories, net

11,959

11,750

Contract assets, current portion

1,262

611

Licensed programming costs

480

502

Stock receivable

4,445

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

8,272

6,111

Total current assets

49,839

53,834

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

5,222

5,932

Trademarks and trade name

336,386

335,934

Goodwill

504

504

Other intangible assets, net

2,518

3,052

Contract assets, net of current portion

6,940

7,391

Other noncurrent assets

12,153

12,004

Total assets

$ 413,562

$ 418,651

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

 

Accounts payable

$ 9,180

$ 7,859

Payables to related parties

7

5

Accrued salaries, wages, and employee benefits

3,998

4,603

Deferred revenues, current portion

15,931

9,857

Long-term debt, current portion

4,052

3,182

Convertible promissory notes

13,500

13,500

Other current liabilities and accrued expenses

16,872

22,143

Total current liabilities

63,540

61,149

 

 

 

Deferred revenues, net of current portion

34,997

41,734

Long-term debt, net of current portion

156,157

157,810

Deferred tax liabilities, net

74,469

72,288

Other noncurrent liabilities

1,568

576

Total liabilities

330,731

333,557

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

(208)

(208)

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019; 5,646,993 shares issued and 3,681,185 shares outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019

36

36

Treasury stock, at cost: 1,965,808 shares at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019

(38,455)

(38,455)

Additional paid-in capital

198,962

196,466

Accumulated deficit

(77,504)

(72,745)

Total stockholders’ equity

83,039

85,302

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest, and stockholders’ equity

$ 413,562

$ 418,651

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

2020

2019

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

Net loss

$ (4,759)

$(17,558)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

Depreciation of property and equipment

1,169

1,602

Stock-based compensation

2,496

6,655

Amortization of other intangible assets

534

828

Amortization of deferred financing fees

89

15

Loss (gain) on disposals of assets

8

(20)

Deferred income taxes

2,181

485

Increase in trademarks and trade name

(452)

(408)

Decrease (increase) in licensed programming costs

22

(124)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

Receivables, net

(428)

2,246

Inventories, net

(209)

(18)

Contract assets

(200)

271

Prepaid expenses and other assets

(2,310)

(694)

Accounts payable

1,321

(524)

Payable to related party

2

(3,261)

Accrued salaries, wages, and employee benefits

(605)

(582)

Deferred revenues

(663)

8,967

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

(4,279)

(916)

Net cash used in operating activities

(6,083)

(3,036)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

(474)

(3,915)

Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment

7

21

Stock receivable

(4,445)

Net cash used in investing activities

(4,912)

(3,894)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

Repayment of long-term debt

(775)

(3,044)

Payment of financing costs

(97)

Net cash used in financing activities

(872)

(3,044)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

(11,867)

(9,974)

Balance, beginning of period

28,707

34,545

Balance, end of period

$ 16,840

$ 24,571

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash consist of:

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 15,872

$ 23,610

Restricted cash

968

961

Total

$ 16,840

$ 24,571

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

$ 3,331

$ 3,754

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

$ 10,175

$ 8,305

GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2020

2019

2020

2019

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$ 1,266

$ (3,361)

$ (4,759)

$ (17,558)

Adjusted for:

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

3,417

3,531

10,073

10,884

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

(384)

650

3,470

4,499

Depreciation and amortization

530

1,062

1,703

2,430

EBITDA

4,829

1,882

10,487

255

Adjusted for:

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

407

627

2,496

6,655

Reduction in force expenses

24

136

2,801

1,184

Non-recurring items

379

3,230

762

Management fees and expenses

257

250

757

750

Nonoperating expenses (income)

153

(39)

124

(95)

Transaction expenses

1,764

1,880

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 7,434

$ 3,235

$ 21,775

$ 9,511

 

Investors

[email protected]


Media

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Home Goods Other Retail Finance Specialty Banking Professional Services Fashion Retail

MEDIA:

IN RE ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 

 

DERIVATIVE LITIGATION
 

 

 
 

 Case No. 18-cv-00439


SHORT FORM NOTICE OF PROPOSED DERIVATIVE SETTLEMENT

TO:     ALL RECORD HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (“ORMAT” OR THE “COMPANY”) COMMON STOCK AS OF DECEMBER 2, 2020 (THE “RECORD DATE”)

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the above-captioned consolidated derivative action (the “Consolidated Derivative Action”) is being settled on the terms set forth in a Stipulation of Settlement, dated July 10, 2020 (the “Stipulation” or “Settlement”).1  Under the terms of the Stipulation, as a part of the proposed Settlement, Ormat will adopt certain corporate governance enhancements.  These reforms are designed to address the claims asserted in the Consolidated Derivative Action and enhance Ormat’s internal controls over accounting and compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations regarding financial reporting.

The full Board reviewed the derivative settlement parameters, and exercising its business judgment and mindful of its duties to stockholders, approved the Settlement.

IF YOU WERE A RECORD OR BENEFICIAL OWNER OF ORMAT COMMON STOCK AS OF DECEMBER 2, 2020 PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY AS YOUR RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED BY PROCEEDINGS IN THE ABOVE REFERENCED LITIGATION.

On March 22, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., the Court will hold a hearing (the “Settlement Hearing”) in the Consolidated Derivative Action, either in person, telephonically or via video.  The purpose of the Settlement Hearing is to determine (i) whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate (ii) whether a final judgment should be entered and the Consolidated Derivative Action should be dismissed with prejudice pursuant to the Stipulation; and (iii) such other matters as may be necessary or proper under the circumstances.

Any Ormat stockholder that objects to the Settlement shall have a right to appear and to be heard at the Settlement Hearing, provided that he, she or it was a stockholder of record or beneficial owner as of December 2, 2020.  Any Ormat stockholder who satisfies this requirement may enter an appearance through counsel of such stockholder’s own choosing and at such stockholder’s own expense, or may appear on their own.  However, no stockholder of Ormat shall be heard at the Settlement Hearing unless, no later than February 22, 2021, such stockholder has filed with the Court, a written notice of objection containing the following information:

  1. Your name, legal address, and telephone number;
  2. The case name and number (In re Ormat Technologies, Inc. Derivative Litigation, Case No. 18-cv-0049);
  3. Proof of being a Ormat stockholder as of the Record Date, December 2, 2020;
  4. The date(s) you acquired your Ormat shares;
  5. A statement of each objection being made;
  6. Notice of whether you intend to appear at the Settlement Hearing (you are not required to appear);
  7. Copies of any papers you intend to submit to the Court, along with the names of any witness(es) you intend to call to testify at the Settlement Hearing and the subject(s) of their testimony; and
  8. The identities of any cases, by name, court, and docket number, in which the objector or his, her, or its attorney has objected to a settlement in the last three years.

Only stockholders who have filed and delivered valid and timely written notices of objection will be entitled to be heard at the Settlement Hearing unless the Court orders otherwise.

If you wish to object to the proposed Settlement, you must file the written objection described above with the Court on or before February 22, 2021.

Any Ormat stockholder as of December 2, 2020 who does not make his, her or its objection in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to have waived such objection and shall be forever foreclosed from making any objection to the fairness, reasonableness or adequacy of the Settlement as incorporated in the Stipulation and/or to the separately negotiated attorneys’ fees and expenses to Plaintiffs’ Counsel, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, but shall otherwise be bound by the Judgment to be entered and the releases to be given.

Inquiries may be made to Plaintiff’s Counsel:
Thomas J. McKenna, Gainey McKenna & Egleston, 501 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10017, telephone: 212-983-1300, facsimile:  212-983-0383

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT REGARDING THIS NOTICE
DATED:  December 2, 2020

____________________

1 This notice should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the text of the Stipulation, which has been filed with the United States District Court for the District of Nevada.  A link to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC containing the text of the Stipulation may be found on the Company’s website at the Investor Relations page at https://investor.ormat.com/corporate-profile/default.aspx.  All capitalized terms herein have the same meanings as set forth in the Stipulation. 

Ormat Technologies Contact:
Smadar Lavi
VP Corporate Finance and Head of Investor Relations
775-356-9029 (ext. 65726)
[email protected]



Hapbee Announces Launch of A Subscription-Based Wellbeing Wearable, Providing Members the Ability to Choose ‘How They Feel’

PR Newswire

Proprietary, Research-Backed Band Delivers Control and Peace of Mind with the Click of a Button 

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ – Hapbee Technologies, Inc. (TSXV: HAPB) (“Hapbee” or the “Company”), a wellness technology company and creator of the Hapbee wearable band (pronounced Happy), is pleased to announce the e-commerce launch of the Company’s consumer wellness product.

Hapbee’s proactive wearable lets you choose how you feel using proprietary ultra-low frequency technology backed by 15 years of research and development with partner EMulate Therapeutics. The Hapbee band delivers signals to the body that the brain recognizes – without depending on substance ingestion.

Members wear Hapbee around their head or neck, sync it with the supported app (IOS and Android accessible) and hit play for a desired sensation (signal) of their choice.

Hapbee currently offers six unique signals, including:

  • Alert – Like a cup of coffee in the morning, get an energy boost to your day
  • Happy – Instead of pouring a drink, get your buzz on, feel loose and let go
  • Calm – Manage stress and find that perfect zen mode
  • Relax – Take it easy, settle back, and let the tension ease away
  • Focus – Keeps you tuned in while accomplishing your goals and “to-do’s”
  • Sleepy – An alternative way to put your mind to rest and wind down after the day

After an incredibly successful Indiegogo campaign earlier this year, the Company implemented blinded studies with closed-beta testers (individuals who experienced 3 or more plays of each signal for 30 minutes or more) with a 100 percent identification success rate between Hapbee signals and a no-signal sham. Studies also showed new users could feel Hapbee’s signals 75 percent of the time, while onboarded users felt them 100 percent of the time, learning curve to recognizing sensations. Read more about the science behind Hapbee and the aforementioned studies at https://hapbee.com/science.

“The feedback from our early adopters and supporters demonstrated the extensive need for this technology in the consumer marketplace,” states Hapbee CEO Scott Donnell. “Our ultimate goal is to create more awareness around the importance of mental fitness for everyone. We are thrilled that we can now share the Hapbee experience with more people and lead the way in this revolutionary wearable wellness space.”

Hapbee is available for purchase at Hapbee.com. The Company is currently in the research and development phases of creating future signals and plans to roll these out in 2021.

About Hapbee Technologies Inc.        
Hapbee Technologies, Inc is a wellness technology company specializing in ultra-low frequencies with proprietary patented technology that records small magnetic fields from solvent substances. The wearable Hapbee band delivers safe, comfortable, sensation ‘signals’ to the body at the click of a button, enabling you to ‘choose how you feel’. At its initial launch, Hapbee provides the signals: Alert, Calm, Happy, Relaxed, Sleepy or Focused.

Following an over half a million Indiegogo launch, which totaled 3713 percent over campaign goal, Hapbee has been featured in: Yahoo!News, Gadgets and Wearables,  Psychology Today, Gizbot, Gadget FlowNews Break, LaunchPad, Best Living Tech, Dude I Want That, Mercom Capital, among more. Learn more at Hapbee.com.

Forward-Looking Information Disclaimer

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, “forward-looking statements”), including those identified by the expressions “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “should” and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This news release contains forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Any statements about Hapbee’s business plans or its upcoming development targets – including development of the Hapbee wearable product and usage of user data to refine the overall Hapbee user experience – are all forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve its goals.

Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, failure to obtain regulatory approval, the continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, changes in legislation and regulations, increase in operating costs, equipment failures, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, litigation, the loss of key directors, employees, advisors or consultants and fees charged by service providers. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described in Hapbee prospectus dated October 26, 2020, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management’s reasonable assumptions, there be no assurance that the listing of the common shares of the Company will occur. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hapbee-announces-launch-of-a-subscription-based-wellbeing-wearable-providing-members-the-ability-to-choose-how-they-feel-301183643.html

SOURCE Hapbee Technologies Inc.

Carrie Underwood, Maddie & Tae, and Runaway June To Appear in ‘Cracker Barrel Sounds of the Season’ Holiday Feature

Guests and fans are invited to tune in and celebrate the gift of shared traditions Dec. 16

PR Newswire

LEBANON, Tenn., Dec. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® announced today it will present “Cracker Barrel Sounds of the Season,” a musical, family-friendly holiday feature with performances by superstar Carrie Underwood, with Maddie & Tae and Runaway June. The special holiday feature will debut on Cracker Barrel’s YouTube and Facebook pages on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT and then will continue to be available throughout the holiday season. For a sneak peek, click here.

 

In the holiday feature, Cracker Barrel brings legendary and rising female country music artists together through lively conversations, holiday games and special musical performances to showcase how they are continuing their favorite traditions with their loved ones this year – at a time when many people are reimagining seasonal celebrations. The “Cracker Barrel Sounds of the Season” feature reunites Underwood with the all-female tour mates she brought onto her “Cry Pretty Tour 360” last year.

“Being a part of this special collaboration with Cracker Barrel and my friends, Maddie & Tae and Runaway June, is a fun way to celebrate the holiday season,” said Carrie Underwood. “Music lifts spirits and is a big part of our holiday traditions, which are as important as ever this year.”

During the holiday event, fans will be treated to a special performance from Underwood’s first-ever Christmas album My Gift – available at Cracker Barrel stores and online, along with special collaborations with Maddie & Tae and Runaway June. For those wanting to embrace the classic comfort of holiday music all season long, artist performances will be available across Cracker Barrel’s social media channels throughout December and all three artists’ new Christmas music will be played in Cracker Barrel stores nationwide.

“We are excited to be teaming up with Cracker Barrel and our friends to share how we are continuing our favorite traditions with loved ones this year and to share special performances with our fans and Cracker Barrel lovers,” said Maddie & Tae. “All three of us have released our first Christmas album/EP and original Christmas songs this year, and it’s incredibly special to have Cracker Barrel bring us all together to celebrate musical holiday traditions and to be able to make them our own in this way.”

Holidays are a time to disconnect and bond with families, friends and loved ones, and our hope is that ‘Cracker Barrel Sounds of the Season’ provides the opportunity to do so,” said Runaway June. “We are so appreciative of Cracker Barrel, whose commitment to supporting women in country music continues with this campaign, for letting us be a part of bringing the joyful sounds of the holidays to homes nationwide.”

“As this year comes to a close, we want to do something extra special for those craving the comforts of familiar holiday traditions,” Cracker Barrel Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Jennifer Tate said. “Our hope is that ‘Cracker Barrel Sounds of the Season’ will bring joy to families amid these uncertain times and provide a way for loved ones to connect this holiday season – whether celebrating near or far.”

More details on how to celebrate the holidays with Cracker Barrel can be found at www.crackerbarrel.com.

About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) shares warm welcomes and friendly service while offering guests quality homestyle food and unique shopping – all at a fair price. By creating a world filled with hospitality and charm through an experience that combines dining and shopping, guests are cared for like family. Established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn., Cracker Barrel and its affiliates operate more than 660 company-owned Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations in 45 states and own the breakfast and lunch focused fast-casual Maple Street Biscuit Company® restaurants. For more information about the company, visit crackerbarrel.com.

About Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood emerged from the promise of her 2005 American Idol win to become a true multi-format, multi-media superstar, spanning achievements in music, television, film, and now books, as a New York Times bestselling author.  She has sold more than 64 million records worldwide and has recorded 27 #1 singles, 14 of which she co-wrote, while continuing to sell out arena tours across North America and the UK.  Her 2018 release, Cry Pretty, is her seventh album to be certified Platinum or Multi-Platinum by the RIAA, including her Greatest Hits: Decade #1.  On September 25 of this year, Carrie released her eighth album, My Gift, her first-ever Christmas album, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country, Christian and Holiday charts in its first week and marked her eighth straight release to debut at #1 on the Billboard Country chart. My Gift also debuted #1 on the UK country chart (her fifth #1 on the chart) and #1 on the Canadian country chart. Additionally, HBO Max will stream an exclusive, all-new holiday special this December, with Carrie performing songs from My Gift with a live orchestra and choir.  The Max Original special will be executive produced by Gary Goetzman and Tom Hanks for Playtone, along with Underwood.  She also starred as Maria von Trapp in NBC’s three-hour 2013 holiday blockbuster, the Emmy®-winning The Sound of Music Live!, whose airings attracted 44 million viewers, and she returns this Fall for her eighth season as the voice of primetime television’s #1 program, NBC’s Sunday Night Football.  Last November, she hosted the CMA Awards for the 12th consecutive year. Underwood has won over 100 major awards including 7 GRAMMY® Awards, 15 ACM Awards including three for Entertainer of the Year (the first female in history to win twice and, as of 2020, the only female ever to win three times), 22 CMT Music Awards where she continues to hold the record for the most award wins ever for the show, 7 CMA Awards, and 15 American Music Awards with her 7th win for Favorite Female Artist – Country and 6th win for Favorite Country Album for Cry Pretty, breaking the AMA record for Most Wins in the Favorite Country Album Category. Carrie is the most followed country artist on Instagram and most followed female country artist on Twitter, Facebook and TikTok. She is a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry and founder/lead designer for her fitness and lifestyle brand, CALIA by Carrie Underwood.  In March  2020, HarperCollins/Dey Street books published Carrie’s first book, FIND YOUR PATH: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life, a fitness lifestyle book in which she shares her belief that fitness is a lifelong journey, providing a common-sense approach to staying active, eating well, and looking as beautiful as you feel, 52 weeks a year.  That same month, Carrie also launched her new fitness app, fit52, which is a holistic wellness platform designed to encourage and support users on their personal wellness journey, and is available on https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1475006543?pt=120313718&ct=fit52%20Press%20Release&mt=8the App Store and on Google Play.

About Maddie & Tae
Award-winning duo Maddie & Tae are drawing praise for their No. 1 debuting The Way It Feels album release with Rolling Stone saying the new music is “anchored around their stellar vocal pairings and some of the tightest harmonies on Music Row.” Together as longtime friends and music collaborators, Maddie Font and Taylor Kerr co-wrote 14 of the album’s 15 tracks including the Platinum-certified No. 1 country radio hit, “Die From A Broken Heart,” which Esquire calls “their finest moment yet.” The pair also co-wrote two brand new holiday songs to join a collection of classics for their first ever holiday project- We Need Christmas. Maddie & Tae first broke out in 2013 with their brilliant counter to bro-country, the Platinum-selling smash, “Girl In A Country Song,” which took Country radio by storm, skyrocketing to the top of the charts and quickly going PLATINUM. The duo became only the third female duo in 70 years to top the Country Airplay charts, also earning trophies from the Country Music Academy and Radio Disney Music Awards along with multiple ACM, CMA and CMT Award nominations. Maddie & Tae have received widespread praise from Associated Press, Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, The Tennessean, The Washington Post, Glamour and others. The celebrated duo has toured with country music’s hottest stars including Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley and more. For additional information, visit www.maddieandtae.com

About Runaway June
Lauded by Billboard as the “Next Hot Trend in Country Music” and likened to The Chicks for a new generation,’ Runaway June’s organic three-part harmonies and ringing strings have established them as a top new group with its “inescapable talent” (AXS.com). The BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records act is comprised of the vocal stylings and musicianship of Naomi Cooke (lead vocals; guitar); Natalie Stovall (vocals; fiddle/guitar); and Jennifer Wayne (vocals; guitar).  The trio is receiving rave critical notices from the likes of Billboard, Rolling Stone Country, The Huffington Post, People and dubbed by CMT as “Next Women of Country.” It has also appeared on national TV including the CMA Awards, ACM Awards, CMT Awards, TODAY, and GMA. They also will be part of the renowned Luke Bryan’s Proud To Be Right Hear tour in 2021 touring across the U.S. The trio has been celebrated for its brand of organic and melodic Country music. It is the first all-female trio in over sixteen years to score a top five hit at Country radio. The band also has scored nods from the industry with nominations at the 2019 CMT Awards and at the 2019 ACM’s for New Vocal Duo or Group of The Year. Runaway June was also selected for CRS New Faces Class of 2020. Its debut album, Blue Roses was released last year making Rolling Stone‘s and PasteMagazine‘s end of year lists as one of the best Country and Americana albums of 2019. Its newest single “We Were Rich” is at Country radio now. For more information, visit: www.RunawayJune.com

Media Contact:

Media Relations
615-235-4135
[email protected] 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carrie-underwood-maddie–tae-and-runaway-june-to-appear-in-cracker-barrel-sounds-of-the-season-holiday-feature-301183275.html

SOURCE Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

IIROC Trading Halt – VRB

Canada NewsWire

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 2, 2020 /CNW/ – The following issues have been halted by IIROC:

Company: Vanadiumcorp Resource Inc.

TSX-Venture Symbol: VRB

All Issues: Yes

Reason: At the Request of the Company Pending News

Halt Time (ET): 8:55 AM

IIROC can make a decision to impose a temporary suspension (halt) of trading in a security of a publicly-listed company. Trading halts are implemented to ensure a fair and orderly market. IIROC is the national self-regulatory organization which oversees all investment dealers and trading activity on debt and equity marketplaces in Canada.

SOURCE Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) – Halts/Resumptions

Senmiao Technology Announces Strategic Cooperation with Meituan, China’s Leading E-commerce Platform for Services

PR Newswire

CHENGDU, China, Dec. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Senmiao Technology Limited (“Senmiao”) (Nasdaq: AIHS), a provider of automobile transaction and related services targeting the online ride-hailing industry in China as well as an operator of its own online ride-hailing platform, today announced initial results from its first month of operations in Chengdu following a strategic cooperation with Shanghai Lutuan Technology, an affiliate of Meituan-Dianping (“Meituan”, (HK: 3690)), the largest on-demand delivery service in China.

Over the past several weeks, Senmiao has focused on building out a total solution for ride-hailing drivers in Chengdu, which includes financing arrangements, leasing, rentals, integration of safety features, and most recently, the launch and development of Xixingtianxia, Senmiao’s proprietary online ride-sharing platform. The Company has signed agreements with affiliates of BYD Company Limited (electric vehicle manufacturer) for purchase of electronic vehicles, and has now begun to integrate services with popular apps in China, such as Gaode Map and now Meituan.

As China’s leading e-commerce platform for services, Meituan is focusing on its “Food + Platform” strategy to build a multi-level technology service platform, covering the whole process from demand to supply in people’s daily lives. Potential riders utilizing Meituan’s application can also request transportation on the application. Under Senmiao’s collaboration with Meituan, when a rider using Meituan searches for taxi/ride-hailing services on the platform, the platform provides this rider a number of online-ride sharing companies for selection, including Senmiao’s platform, Xixingtianxia. If selected by the rider or by the Meituan application, the order will then be distributed to registered drivers on Senmiao’s platform for viewing and acceptance. Senmiao earns commissions for each completed order based on a certain percentage of the value of the order and settle its commissions with Meituan on a weekly basis.

In November, Senmiao saw the number of daily rides utilizing Meituan in Chengdu average approximately 110,000 orders, with an acceleration in driver acceptance following the integration of aggregation platforms such as Meituan. Senmiao saw its daily market share of total online ride-hailing orders on Meituan in Chengdu increase from 3% to 14% during the month.

Xi Wen, Senmiao’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We have been pleased with the rapid driver adoption of our platform over the past few weeks, which we feel is largely due to the strategic roll-out of partnerships with companies such as Meituan. We have stayed focused on becoming a leader in our core markets, and so far have reported excellent growth in Chengdu. We have long-believed in the theme of increased digitalization of transportation, and are evolving from solely providing financing options to drivers interested in ride-sharing to working with leading partners in creating an entire ecosystem for the market. The initial results are evidence that this strategy is beginning to show tangible results.”

Senmiao intends to launch its Xixingtianxia platform in Changsha, China in the coming weeks.

About Senmiao Technology Limited

Headquartered in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Senmiao provides automobile transaction and related services including sales of automobiles, facilitation and services for automobile purchase and financing, management, operating lease, guarantee and other automobile transaction services as well as its own ride-hailing platform aimed principally at the growing ride-sharing market in Senmiao’s areas of operation in China. For more information about Senmiao, please visit: http://www.senmiaotech.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements (including those relating to the operation of Senmiao’s ride-sharing platform and the collaboration with Meituan as described herein) are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those detailed from time to time in the Senmiao’s filings with the SEC, and represent Senmiao’s views only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing Senmiao’s views as of any subsequent date. Senmiao undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in events or circumstances. 

For more information, please contact:

At the Company:
Yiye Zhou
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +86 28 6155 4399

Investor Relations:
The Equity Group Inc.                                                                      In China
Adam Prior, Senior Vice President                                                  Lucy Ma, Associate
(212) 836-9606                                                                                +86 10 5661 7012
[email protected]                                                                       [email protected]

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/senmiao-technology-announces-strategic-cooperation-with-meituan-chinas-leading-e-commerce-platform-for-services-301183690.html

SOURCE Senmiao Technology Limited

Athene to Participate in Goldman Sachs 2020 US Financial Services Virtual Conference; Live Webcast Available

PR Newswire

PEMBROKE, Bermuda, Dec. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Athene Holding Ltd. (“Athene”) (NYSE: ATH) will participate in the Goldman Sachs 2020 US Financial Services Virtual Conference on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. On that day at 2 p.m. ET, Jim Belardi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in an analyst-led fireside chat.

A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Investors section of Athene’s website at ir.athene.com. For those unable to listen to the live webcast, a replay will be available on Athene’s website shortly after the event.

Any questions regarding the webcast may be addressed to Athene’s Investor Relations group at [email protected].

About Athene Holding Ltd.
Athene, through its subsidiaries, is a leading retirement services company that issues, reinsures and acquires retirement savings products designed for the increasing number of individuals and institutions seeking to fund retirement needs. The products offered by Athene include:

  • Retail fixed, fixed indexed and index-linked annuity products;
  • Reinsurance arrangements with third-party annuity providers; and
  • Institutional products, such as funding agreements and the assumption of pension risk transfer obligations.

Athene had total assets of $191.1 billion as of September 30, 2020. Athene’s principal subsidiaries include Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company, a Delaware-domiciled insurance company, Athene Annuity and Life Company, an Iowa-domiciled insurance company, Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company of New York, a New York-domiciled insurance company and Athene Life Re Ltd., a Bermuda-domiciled reinsurer.

Further information about our companies can be found at www.athene.com.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains, and certain oral statements made by Athene’s representatives from time to time may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such statements. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of Athene’s management and the management of Athene’s subsidiaries. Generally, forward-looking statements include actions, events, results, strategies and expectations and are often identifiable by use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “might,” or “continues” or similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ include, without limitation: the accuracy of Athene’s assumptions and estimates; Athene’s ability to maintain or improve financial strength ratings; Athene’s ability to manage its business in a highly regulated industry; regulatory changes or actions; the impact of Athene’s reinsurers failing to meet their assumed obligations; the impact of interest rate fluctuations; changes in the federal income tax laws and regulations; the accuracy of Athene’s interpretation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; litigation (including class action litigation), enforcement investigations or regulatory scrutiny; the performance of third parties; the loss of key personnel; telecommunication, information technology and other operational systems failures; the continued availability of capital; new accounting rules or changes to existing accounting rules; general economic conditions; Athene’s ability to protect its intellectual property; the ability to maintain or obtain approval of the Delaware Department of Insurance, the Iowa Insurance Division and other regulatory authorities as required for Athene’s operations; and other factors discussed from time to time in Athene’s filings with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020 and its other SEC filings, which can be found at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov.

All forward-looking statements described herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized. Athene does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.

Media:

Karen Lynn

+1 441 279 8460
+1 515 342 3910
[email protected]

Tory Flynn

+1 515 342 4958
+1 441 279 8502
[email protected]

Investor Relations:

Noah Gunn

+1 441 279 8534
+1 646 768 7309
[email protected]

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/athene-to-participate-in-goldman-sachs-2020-us-financial-services-virtual-conference-live-webcast-available-301183697.html

SOURCE Athene Holding Ltd.