News Hub | News Direct

Entertainment

Animation Dance E-Sports Entertainment/Celebrity Film Music Radio Restaurants Sports Television Theater Video Virtual Reality
Article thumbnail News Release

ElementalTV Surpasses 1B+ CTV Ad Impressions in First Year of Business; Company Debuts ELM, a New Proprietary CTV Ad Platform, to Accelerate Expansion

ElementalTV

ElementalTV, an emerging media technology company and a division of Adoppler, has generated more than one billion connected TV (CTV) advanced ad impressions in its first year in the market, as the company pursues its mission to provide leading brands, advertisers and publishers with the tools necessary to unlock the full potential of the CTV ad experience. Today, ElementalTV immersive ad experiences reach 57% of CTV households in the U.S. and, after just one year of providing its proven CTV advertising solutions to some of the world’s top brands and content partners, ElementalTV is now debuting its new, proprietary Engagement Lift Media (ELM) platform to a wider marketplace. The ELM platform is the first and only fully vertically integrated platform, offering advanced ad decisioning, a demand-side platform (DSP), creative optimization, transcoding and stitching capabilities. This unified offering enables ElementalTV’s partners to deliver cost-effective, next generation CTV ad experiences, from localizing national video ad creatives via its innovative SmartFrame technology, to adding dynamic messaging within ad units, and contextual ad targeting. “CTV is the fastest growing medium today, but its ad experience is suboptimal,” says Omer Latif, CEO at ElementalTV. “We built our platform to reimagine the future of CTV advertising -- to create innovative and smart tech solutions for brands, to help publishers realize the full value of their content, and to pioneer a new and improved viewing experience for growing CTV audiences worldwide. Our approach is bold and breaks barriers. Through the ELM platform’s product suite, we enable our partners to leverage the addressability of digital to evolve audience engagement to a new standard.” The success over the past year and increasing demand for the new ELM platform are behind ElementalTV’s decision to accelerate the scaling of its business, including broadening its strategic partnership with top programmatic firm MPW Digital. The partnership with MPW Digital expands the company's efforts to introduce advertisers to the next generation of advanced CTV advertising capabilities and formats. “Our next phase of growth requires having the right partners who share our vision of being true pioneers and innovators in CTV advertising technology,” says Albert Yu, VP Analytics & Monetization at ElementalTV. “MPW Digital has been on this journey with us and we’re excited to have them play a critical role in our expansion.” “Over the past year we've seen ElementalTV’s ability to rapidly innovate and grow. It has been exciting to see their SmartFrame technology add value to advertisers' CTV campaigns,” says Marcus Weiss, COO at MPW Digital. “This is just the beginning and we’re looking forward to serving as a close extension of their team as they advance into the next phase of commercialization of ELM and continue to transform the CTV ad experience.” ElementalTV, a division of Adoppler, was started in 2020 to focus on technology solutions for CTV, creating breakthrough ad experiences for CTV audiences while delivering innovation and added value to advertisers and publishers. Today, through the ELM platform, ElementalTV is delivering more than 100 million advanced ad impressions per month. To learn more about ElementalTV and its solutions, visit www.elementaltv.com. About ElementalTV: Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Pasadena, CA, ElementalTV is pioneering the next generation of CTV ad innovation. ElementalTV pushes the boundaries of how technology can immerse an audience’s advertisement experience. Its proprietary vertically integrated platform, ELM, combines a wide range of capabilities including advanced ad decisioning, demand-side platform (DSP), creative optimization, transcoding, and stitching to allow for seamless, next generation ad experience. To learn more, visit elementaltv.com. Contact Details Kite Hill PR Angelina Kaliszak angelina@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.elementaltv.com/

October 19, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Premier Rugby Sevens Hosts Landmark Inaugural Event – Sets Sights on 2022

Premier Rugby Sevens

Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s) officially launched their new league on Oct. 9, marking several firsts within the sports industry and rugby community. As the first U.S. sports league to launch with men and women earning equal pay, PR7s also broke gender barriers in the rugby community as the first professional women’s rugby league in North America. Supported by six league sponsors, 18 games were broadcast live in a single day via Fox Sports in the United States, TSN in Canada, and Facebook Watch around the world. “This is only the beginning,” said Owen Scannell, CEO of Premier Rugby Sevens. “What started as an idea early in the pandemic became a reality on Saturday thanks to a team of incredibly talented staff, athletes, coaches, broadcast partners, sponsors, and fans. We will reveal our 2022 plans soon and look forward to growing PR7s into a league that offers both women and men an opportunity to compete at the highest level. Thousands of fans experienced the excitement live in the stadium and thousands more consumed it live on televisions, tablets, and cell phones thanks to our partners at Fox Sports and TSN. An incredible foundation is in place and we’re ready to grow our league with more cities and events next year.” Fifteen Olympians from the 2020 Olympic Games competed in the inaugural event. With 120 total players, six men’s teams and four women’s teams debuted in Memphis. Led by rugby legend Perry Baker, the Experts won the first PR7s men’s championship. And as one of the most dominant players in the world, Alev Kelter led the Loonies to the first women’s championship. Competing in games that last 14 minutes, the two champions played four times each en route to their titles on Saturday. Full game results can be view at PRSevens.com/results. Samurai Sportswear, Kane Innovations, Inc., Sperry Rail, Inc., Campbell Clinic, Ghost River Brewing Co., and Memphis Tourism sponsored the inaugural event. The partnerships included jersey logos for Kane Innovations and Sperry Rail. Ghost River Brewing sponsored the daylong festival. PR7s features six men’s teams and four women’s teams that play multiple games in one location on a single day. Team brands include the Loonies (men and women), the Loggerheads (men and women), the Experts (men and women), the Headliners (men and women), the Locals (men), and the Team (men). The league’s first captains featured stars from both the Men’s and Women’s U.S. Olympic Rugby Sevens teams, including Perry Baker (Experts men), Danny Barrett (Team men), Abby Gustaitis, (Loggerheads women), Alev Kelter (Loonies women), Matai Leuta (Locals men), Folau Niua (Headliners men), Naya Tapper, (Headliners women), Stephen Tomasin, (Loonies men) and Kevon Williams (Loggerheads men). About Premier Rugby Sevens Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s) is a groundbreaking professional sports league in North America that debuted on Oct. 9, 2021, on Fox Sports and TSN. PR7s is the first league of its kind with both women’s teams and men’s teams under one umbrella with equal pay. With a focus on accessibility and entertaining content for fans, the league showcases the electrifying sport of rugby sevens through a single-day touring format in cities across the United States and Canada. To learn more about Premier Rugby Sevens, go to PRSevens.com and follow the league on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Contact Details Eric Nemeth eric.nemeth@prsevens.com Company Website https://prsevens.com/

October 14, 2021 09:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Lensbaby Announces “Shoot Extraordinary” Photography Conference

Lensbaby

Lensbaby, the leader in award-winning creative effect camera lenses, is excited to announce its 2021 virtual photography conference taking place Dec. 7-9. Join us for the Lensbaby “Shoot Extraordinary” Photography Conference 2021 on December 7th! Click here to register and claim your free spot today. Registered conference attendees will be automatically entered to win prizes including a grand prize worth over $2500. For 16 years, Lensbaby has been an ally of the unusual, and an advocate for the unique — this three day conference will be a testament to our passion for blazing your own trail. With 16 speakers and top Lensbaby educators from around the globe, there is something for everyone. Conference attendees can expect to learn the ethos of the Lensbaby “Shoot Extraordinary” motto, while learning the nuances and uncommon qualities of its photo and video lenses. For a full list of course topics, visit our 2021 virtual photography conference page. How Do You #SHOOT EXTRAORDINARY with Lensbaby? Register for your FREE ticket to our virtual photography event where you'll have access to three days of Lensbaby and creative photography education. About Lensbaby // Lensbaby creates tools that enable photographers and videographers to find their unique visual voice. For over 16 years, they have been manufacturing high-quality creative effects lenses, optics and accessories out of their Portland, Oregon headquarters. Lensbaby sells its products on its website as well as through a worldwide network of retailers and distributors. For more information, visit www.lensbaby.com Lensbaby, “Shoot Extraordinary” ### Learn more and register for free here. For a look into what to expect, you can check out the Lensbaby 2020 Photography Conference here. Contact Details VP Sales and Marketing, Lensbaby Michael Anthony Michael@lensbaby.com PR & Marketing, M&P Digital Creative Agency Andrea Larson andrea@mcmillanphillips.com Company Website https://lensbaby.com/

October 13, 2021 11:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Graton Resort & Casino Names Industry Veteran William Becker Vice President of Food and Beverage

Graton Resort & Casino

Graton Resort & Casino has named William Becker as vice president of food and beverage. Becker will oversee all food, beverage and restaurant facilities at the 65-acre resort. “William will spearhead culinary innovations at Graton and we’re excited to implement his strategy and expansion ideas in our restaurants and lounges,” said Lana Rivera, vice president and general manager at Graton Resort & Casino. “Graton Resort & Casino is a premier Sonoma County destination, and our guests enjoy the wine country experience they expect when they walk through our doors. William’s 20-plus years of experience helps us to continually exceed guest and team members’ expectations in food and beverage.” “Graton Resort & Casino is truly a place where creativity in food and beverage can bloom and the team here is amazing,” said Becker. “I look forward to leading a new era of excellence for a destination that is already highly acclaimed for its dining, resort, gaming and amenities.” Guests at Graton Resort & Casino have a complete range of dining options to satisfy every appetite, in addition to multiple lounges: 630 Park Steakhouse - fine-dining steak and seafood, with an extensive wine list Tony’s of North Beach and Tony’s Slice House - Italian fare with pastas, pizzas, antipasti, and salads all prepared from Tony’s famous recipes. Tony’s was recently awarded “Best Pizzeria in America” by Forbes. Daily Grill - classic, fresh American fare Boathouse Asian Eatery - fresh Asian cuisine Marketplace - fast-casual dining Lounges and bars: Sky Lounge, G Bar, Lobby Bar, Pool Bar, 8 Bar and 630 Park Bar (located in the 630 Park Steakhouse) “We are so pleased to have William Becker join our wonderful team,” said Greg Sarris, tribal chairman for Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. “We have done an excellent job thus far earning us a Four Diamond rating and William Becker is the man who can take us even higher to the next level of excellent service.” For more information on Graton Resort & Casino or to book a stay, visit www.gratonresortcasino.com. ### MEDIA, PLEASE NOTE: To request further information and interviews or for additional images, please contact Robin Carr at graton@landispr.com or (415) 971-3991. About Graton Resort & Casino Located in Sonoma County, Graton Resort & Casino has a commanding presence among the rolling hills of Northern California's wine country. Owned and operated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Graton Resort & Casino features table games, the latest slot machines, upscale and casual dining, plus entertainment options for visitors and locals alike. For more information, please visit www.gratonresortcasino.com. Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 graton@landispr.com Company Website https://www.gratonresortcasino.com/

October 12, 2021 04:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Jamie Lee Curtis to Receive The 2021 Shatterproof Brian Mendell Memorial Award

Shatterproof

Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis across the United States, is presenting the 2021 Shatterproof Brian Mendell Memorial Award to actress, Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis will receive the award at The Shatterproof Chairman’s Reception will be held virtually on October 20, 2021, at 6:30 PM ET. Shatterproof was founded by Gary Mendell in 2013 after losing his son Brian Mendell to the disease of addiction. This year’s Chairman’s Reception is taking place on the 10-year anniversary of the death of. The Shatterproof Brian Mendell Memorial Award is given to someone who is making change to end addiction stigma through their work and by using their voice. Curtis embodies this with her 22 years in recovery from substance use disorder. She uses her platform as well-respected member of the entertainment industry to speak out bravely concerning addiction and openly sharing her story. “Jamie Lee exemplifies leadership in recovery and her leadership powerfully impacts breaking down stigma. By openly and honestly sharing her journey from addiction to a full, vibrant life in recovery, she is sharing a message of courage and hope. Shatterproof is honored to have Jamie receive this year’s award on the ten-year anniversary of the passing of my son,” said Gary Mendell, founder & CEO, Shatterproof. “I am humbled and honored to receive The 2021 Shatterproof Brian Mendell Award. Shatterproof is doing life-saving work that is making systemic changes to how people talk, treat and recover from addiction. It is so important that those of us in recovery share our stories to help end the unjust shame and stigma that surrounds this health crisis,” said Jamie Lee Curtis. The Shatterproof Chairman’s Reception is open to all who will to join us as the organization gathers as a community to celebrate a year of groundbreaking progress, and honor Golden Globe winning actress, Jamie Lee Curtis for her contributions to the cause. The emcee will be Craig Melvin of NBC News’ TODAY and author of Pops: Learning to be a Son and a Father. Registration for the event is still open at www.chairmansreception.org. About Shatterproof: Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. Shatterproof harnesses the models of business, the rigor of science and the power of a national movement to create change and save lives through three pillars of work: revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas and supporting and empowering our communities. To learn more visit www.Shatterproof.org. Contact Details Kirsten Seckler +1 203-247-0615 kseckler@shatterproof.org Company Website https://www.shatterproof.org/

October 12, 2021 09:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Panasonic Introduces New Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera Series to Elevate Content Creation and Streamline Remote Production Workflows

Panasonic Professional Imaging & Visual Systems

From conferences to church services, from live-event broadcasts to reality TV shows, the past year has seen a significant increase in productions produced remotely. To meet the professional video industry’s expanding need to produce content online and offline, Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America (Panasonic) is introducing a new line of integrated Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras that deliver superb image quality and efficient streaming for home office, corporate, education and live content creation environments. “It’s important to ensure the right technology exists to support engaging and efficient content creation for audiences regardless of whether they are in person or remote,” said Jim Jensen, senior category manager, remote production systems, Panasonic. “Panasonic is leading the way by offering a new, compact PTZ camera line and a full ecosystem to support end user workflows.” Delivering Stunning Picture Quality and Efficient Operation The company’s new integrated PTZ camera line-up consists of five new models. Three models ( AW-UE40, AW-UE50 and AW-UE80 ) are compact, dome shaped and offer a new direct drive system for precise, accurate panning and zooming and to assure quiet operation (NC25* or lower), so they can be installed in virtually any video shooting situation. The new 4K models also combine a best-in-class 74.1-degree viewing angle and a 24X optical zoom to capture the entire space from the back of the room. Outputs include 3G-SDI (UE80 and UE50 only), HDMI and IP for the flexibility to integrate with a variety of workflow infrastructures. In addition to RTMP and RTMPS streaming, the UE80/UE50/UE40 also support NDI®|HX2 and SRT to assure stable and safe video streaming. As the top-of-the-line model, the UE80 offers exclusive features including 4K 60p resolution; high bandwidth 100Mpbs NDI for transmitting high-quality, low latency video; and FreeD protocol support for incorporating realistic virtual studio sets and elements into remote productions. Supporting High Quality Streaming in Remote Work and Education Environments As professionals continue to work from home and find their web cameras to be insufficient for long-term use, the new AW-HE20 and AW-UE20 PTZ cameras offer an affordable solution for companies looking to support remote employees with high quality video streaming. Perfect for small offices, huddle rooms, and home offices, the HE20 features Full HD, while the UE20 supports 4K/30p providing users with options for HD or 4K picture quality. Sporting a new design, the HE20 and UE20 feature a wide 71-degree viewing angle, a 12x optical zoom and outputs include SDI, HDMI, USB and IP for increased compatibility in corporate and education environments. New Accessories Streamline Live Production Workflows Panasonic has also announced the release of the AV-UHS5M6G NDI I/F unit for the compact AV-UHS500 SDI/HDMI live switcher. This new unit will enable the UHS500 12G/3G SDI switcher to support high quality, low latency video transmission of NDI and NDI|HX. It also provides direct IP connectivity to NDI enabled computers and video devices, reducing setup time and facilitating remote production of live video in temporary venues and other event spaces. Panasonic is also releasing the new AK-HRP1010GJ studio remote operation panel to succeed the popular AK-HRP1000GJ remote operation panel for its AK- series of studio cameras and select PTZ and camcorders. The AK-HRP1010GJ features key improvements including an LCD touch panel and simplified menu structure for easier navigation and operation, a nine-pin D-sub connector for easier system integration and SDXC SD card slot for increased compatibility. On Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 1pm ET, Panasonic is hosting a virtual event, “The Future of Remote Production,” which will preview its new line of 4K and HD SRT-enabled PTZ cameras and remote production accessories. To register for the event, visit: https://na.panasonic.com/us/event/2021-future-of-technology-webinar To learn how Panasonic’s comprehensive PTZ camera line and software can elevate your live content creation while providing a more flexible workflow, visit our website: https://na.panasonic.com/us/provideo *Surveyed by Panasonic About Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, delivers game-changing technology solutions that deliver customized experiences to drive better outcomes -- for our customers and our customers' customers. Panasonic designs and manufactures reliable, flexible and dependable products and solutions to help create, capture and deliver information of all types, especially where, when and how it is needed. The complete suite of Panasonic professional solutions for government and commercial enterprises of all sizes addresses unified business communications, mobile computing, security and surveillance, retail point-of-sale, office productivity, audio and visual systems (projectors, displays & digital signage) and professional video production. To learn more and Panasonic's business products and solutions visit: https://na.panasonic.com/us/audio-video-solutions. About Panasonic Corporation of North America Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is committed to creating a better life and a better world by enabling its business-to-business customers through innovations in Sustainable Energy, Immersive Entertainment, Integrated Supply Chains and Mobility Solutions. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation. One of Interbrand's Top 100 Best Global Brands of 2020, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. Learn more about Panasonic's ideas and innovations at http://www.panasonic.com/. Connect with Panasonic Professional Imaging & Visual Systems: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube Connect with Panasonic North America: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube Contact Details Racepoint Global for Panasonic Amanda Clardy +1 919-439-8037 PanasonicVisual@racepointglobal.com Jim Wickizer Panasonic +1 201-360-7189 Jim.Wickizer@us.panasonic.com

October 12, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Panasonic Announces Agile I/O Feature for KAIROS Platform to Enhance Live Productions

Panasonic Professional Imaging & Visual Systems

Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America (Panasonic) today announced the development of Agile I/O, a new feature to its KAIROS IT/IP video processing platform to provide AV professionals with additional input and output capacity to create larger and more complex productions. Available in early 2022 as a free upgrade, the feature expands the platform’s capacity, unlocking more ways to enhance live productions with the same hardware. Equipping customers with the power to bring unconstrained creativity to life, Panasonic provides a tailored solution with KAIROS that fully and seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure and future technology to push the boundaries for immersive experiences. The new software upgrade will allow KAIROS to more efficiently utilize the 100Gb ST 2110 network and other KAIROS Core inputs and outputs by better management of network bandwidth. This can provide users with additional sources for HD and 4K content and access to more connected sources in the multi-view. “Whether it’s a three-camera production operated by a novice or an international media event crafted by an A-list technical director, today’s AV projects demand an all-purpose, easy-to-use live platform that’s flexible and easily integrates sources from anywhere, in any format, on any screen without rigid hardware constraints,” said Mike Bergeron, senior category manager, production systems, Panasonic. “KAIROS and the new Agile I/O function are testaments to Panasonic’s commitment to becoming a true partner for production professionals operating at all levels. The future-proof system is designed to work with legacy solutions to capitalize on previous AV investments, and scale as needed to support technologies not yet imagined, all while enabling professionals to create memorable live productions for both live and remote audiences.” The KAIROS next generation live production platform enables AV professionals to flexibly scale up-and-down deployments for any level of need or complexity by supporting seamless broadcasting on numerous devices and feeds, in any source, format, scale, screen and mix, aiming at no loss of quality. More than a switcher, the platform can also perform routing and screen management functions. With multiple screen layouts built through one simple interface, KAIROS helps AV professionals elevate experiences for both live and virtual productions. Ideal for AV consultants, designers and integrators, KAIROS offers a future-proofed, customizable solution that supports any type of live production scenario for markets such as house of worship and corporate. For churches, KAIROS elevates worship services by managing multiple displays and screens that show various views of the service to captivate both in-person and remote congregants alike. For corporate environments, KAIROS ensures natural real-time conversation during employee annual meetings with a remarkable one-frame latency on premises by enabling AV source connections and screens across multiple meeting rooms, locations and even home offices. Panasonic offers a variety of audio and visual solutions and services, including studio cameras, projectors, video walls, displays, microphones and engineering services that integrate with and support KAIROS to provide a holistic solution for AV professionals. On November 4 at 1:00 pm ET, Panasonic is hosting a virtual event, “The Future of Video Switching & Processing,” which will explore the unique benefits of KAIROS, and preview the new Agile I/O software. To register for the event, visit: https://na.panasonic.com/us/event/2021-future-of-technology-webinar For more information about KAIROS, visit https://na.panasonic.com/us/KAIROS. To learn more about KAIROS Family Solutions for House of Worship, visit https://na.panasonic.com/us/kairos-family-solutions-house-worship. For details about KAIROS Family Solutions for Business, visit https://na.panasonic.com/us/kairos-family-solutions-business. About Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, delivers game-changing technology solutions that deliver customized experiences to drive better outcomes -- for our customers and our customers' customers. Panasonic designs and manufactures reliable, flexible and dependable products and solutions to help create, capture and deliver information of all types, especially where, when and how it is needed. The complete suite of Panasonic professional solutions for government and commercial enterprises of all sizes addresses unified business communications, mobile computing, security and surveillance, retail point-of-sale, office productivity, audio and visual systems (projectors, displays & digital signage) and professional video production. To learn more and Panasonic's business products and solutions visit: https://na.panasonic.com/us/audio-video-solutions. About Panasonic Corporation of North America Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is committed to creating a better life and a better world by enabling its business-to-business customers through innovations in Sustainable Energy, Immersive Entertainment, Integrated Supply Chains and Mobility Solutions. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation. One of Interbrand's Top 100 Best Global Brands of 2020, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. Learn more about Panasonic's ideas and innovations at http://www.panasonic.com/. Connect with Panasonic Professional Imaging & Visual Systems: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube Connect with Panasonic North America: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube Contact Details Racepoint Global for Panasonic Amanda Clardy +1 919-439-8037 PanasonicVisual@racepointglobal.com Panasonic Jim Wickizer +1 201-360-7189 Jim.Wickizer@us.panasonic.com

October 12, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Vine Line Joins FreshEdge

Rotunda Capital Partners LLC

FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, acquired Vine Line, a fresh produce distributor located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Vine Line operates out of a 67,147 square-foot state-of-the-art facility built in 2013. The addition expands FreshEdge’s footprint further into Michigan and provides space and logistical support to better serve its growing customer base. Vine Line joins a growing family that includes Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Indianapolis Fruit, Get Fresh, McCartney Produce, Leonardo’s Produce, Valley Produce, Garden Cut, CIBUS Fresh and Papania’s. FreshEdge now operates with 1,485 employees, approximately 670,000 square feet of warehouse space, and a fleet of more than 650 trucks. “We are excited for Vine Line to join our family of ‘Best in Class’ fresh food distribution companies that are supported by our group of vertically integrated value-added operations,” said Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge. Terms of the deal, which closed on October 7, 2021, were not disclosed. The transaction strengthens the combined business’s presence in western Michigan and enables continued expansion into Michigan. “We welcome the Vine Line team and are excited to have them join FreshEdge,” said Greg Corsaro, president and COO of FreshEdge. Liza Alvarez will lead Vine Line as president, and the company’s operations will carry on from its current facility in Comstock Park, Michigan. FreshEdge is backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, a lower middle market private equity firm focused on investments in founder and family held companies. Rotunda seeks to provide opportunities for management teams to reach strategic, financial, and operational objectives. Rotunda entered the food business in 2017 with the acquisition of Indianapolis Fruit and Piazza Produce. FreshEdge was created in 2019 when Get Fresh joined the platform. Vine Line represents FreshEdge’s sixth acquisition since Rotunda’s initial investment. Together, Rotunda and FreshEdge intend to continue expanding FreshEdge by welcoming more companies into the group—all focused on high quality produce and specialty food products, along with exceptional service—to create a unique team of complementary entities. About FreshEdge FreshEdge was formed in 2019 through the combination of Get Fresh Produce (founded 1982) and the IF&P Foods family of companies, primarily composed of Indianapolis Fruit (founded 1947) and Piazza Produce (founded 1970). Collectively, the three leading fresh food distribution companies have nearly 150 years of combined experience serving the grocery and food service industries. In addition, FreshEdge includes two Garden Cut branded fresh-cut processing facilities, a tomato re-packer, a USDA fresh kitchen (CIBUS Fresh), and two transportation companies. FreshEdge’s fleet resource includes more than 650 trucks servicing the Midwest and beyond from eleven facilities totaling approximately 667,000 square feet of warehouse space. Today, FreshEdge is one of the largest independent fresh food distributors in the United States and a category leader in providing both the foodservice and retail industries with fruit, vegetables, proteins, fresh grab-n-go offerings, dairy, floral, and specialty products. About Rotunda Capital Partners Rotunda Capital Partners is a private equity firm that invests equity capital in established, lower middle market companies. Rotunda partners with management to build data-driven growth platforms within its targeted sectors, including value-added distribution, asset light logistics and industrial/business services. Founded in 2009, the firm has a long history of helping management teams achieve their goals for growth. The Rotunda team actively provides guidance and draws on deep industry and financial relationships to contribute to the successful execution of Rotunda’s companies’ strategic plans. The firm has offices in Bethesda, MD and Evanston, IL. For more information, visit www.rotundacapital.com. Contact Details FreshEdge Greg Corsaro +1 317-981-3440 gcorsaro@freshedgefoods.com Rotunda Capital Partners Jill Lafferty +1 847-280-1295 jill@rotundacapital.com Company Website https://www.rotundacapital.com

October 12, 2021 07:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

iTradeNetwork Launches OrderNStock Inventory, Adding Complete Portability and One-Cart Shopping to Perishables Online Inventorying and Ordering

iTradeNetwork

Institutional food operators often use traditional processes to procure products and take inventories. These processes include using tools such as pencils, paper, clipboards and scurrying to a desktop computer to enter data. These operators may have to do these tasks multiple times when they have food stored in different locations and make purchases across different supply chain management solutions for the food and beverage industry. iTradeNetwork today launched a reimagined mobile platform, OrderNStock Inventory, for ordering and inventory management that can be used offline and in low light conditions. It also allows orders to be placed across many different suppliers using one shopping cart. The app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. “Doing more with less, faster and more efficiently matters more than ever in the supply chain. What iTradeNetwork has done with our new mobile procurement platform OrderNStock Inventory is make it easier for our customers to get immediate value with a customized, branded ordering experience,” stated Nathan Romney, chief product officer. “Winning in today’s market requires a fundamental transformation of how we work, and we’ve added features like voice and text search, inventory management with simple barcode scanning and offline synchronization to automate and simplify as much of the ordering and inventory process as possible.” How It Works iTradeNetwork’s OrderNStock Inventory mobile app includes the following new features: Ordering: use order guides to browse all supplier catalogs Product Search: use text, voice and barcode scanning to quickly find specific items Order History: easily access previous orders Shopping Lists: quickly reorder menu plans or individual items from saved templates Real-Time Inventory: connect directly to distributors inventory to validate orders Stock Taking: take inventory while offline Smart Barcode Scanning: quickly search items from your inventory for reordering ABOUT ITRADENETWORK iTradeNetwork, Inc. (ITN) is the leading global provider of supply chain management solutions for the food and beverage industry. Built upon deep industry expertise, a rich data foundation and the industries’ most extensive trading partner network, iTradeNetwork’s collaborative solutions allow distributors, manufacturers, operators, retailers, suppliers and wholesalers of all sizes to reduce cost, grow revenue and strengthen trading partner relationships. Today, iTradeNetwork’s growing customer list includes more than 8,000 companies globally. For more information, visit: www.itradenetwork.com. Media please note: Visual assets, including photos, are available. To interview ITN’s CEO Rhonda Bassett-Spiers or for other interview requests, please contact Robin Carr at (415) 971-3991 or itn@landispr.com. ### Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 ITN@landispr.com Company Website https://www.itradenetwork.com/

October 11, 2021 10:43 AM Pacific Daylight Time

1 ... 203204205206207 ... 254