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SIGMA Announces 24mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary I series lens

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, in conjunction with SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki), announces the release of the SIGMA 24mm F2 DG DN | Contempary “I series” lens in the US market. The new premium compact prime lens for full-frame mirrorless camera systems will be available for $639.00 through authorized US retailers in late September 2021. See the bigger picture. I series | Premium Compact Primes for mirrorless users New standards of optical performance for the Contemporary line Exceptional I series build quality with a compact form-factor Available mount: L-Mount, Sony E-mount * The appearance and specifications of the product are subject to change. * This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation. * L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG. #SIGMA #SIGMA24mmF2Contemporary #SIGMAContemporary #SIGMAContemporaryPrime #SIGMADGDN #Iseries #SIGMAIseries The all-new 24mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary delivers exceptional edge-to-edge rendering power in an ultra-compact, all-metal body. This impressive, wide-angle, I series prime is now available for L-Mount and Sony E-mount systems. The 24mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary premium compact prime is the latest prime lens to be added to SIGMA's growing I series range. It joins four existing I series lenses as well as the new 90mm F2.8, offering superb optical performance, a bright F2 aperture, an all-metal build and a manual aperture ring. Designed from the ground up for mirrorless systems it feels perfectly-balanced on modern full-frame bodies, and boasts exceptional resolving power that can keep up with the latest ultra-high-resolution cameras. The lens' advanced optical design produces sharp, high-contrast results from the center of the frame to the far corners, and together with its F2 aperture and wide angle-of-view it's an excellent choice for night sky photography, events and interiors. Owing to its compact size the lens can be carried around effortlessly, which makes it perfect for day-to-day use. The high quality, all-metal construction, which is found on all of SIGMA's I series models, makes the experience of owning and operating this lens extremely satisfying. This new full-frame 24mm F2 prime is designed for photographers who need a sharp, fast, robust, wide-angle optic that will not weigh them down. It is available for L-Mount and Sony E-mount systems. [Key features] 1. I series | Premium Compact Primes for mirrorless users The SIGMA I series features full-frame-compatible lenses that offer mirrorless users a new and better alternative, both in the experience of shooting with the lens and in the impressive results it is able to achieve. One of the key advantages of mirrorless cameras is their smaller form-factor, and this new 24mm optic is designed to be perfectly matched to these more compact systems without sacrificing performance. This combination of superb optical quality with exceptional portability, not previously possible with DSLR systems, will bring new opportunities to this and future generations of photographers. Simultaneously, SIGMA is aware that, in this day and age when we have such huge diversity when it comes to what we use to photograph, as represented by smartphones, people look for something more than a mere act of "taking pictures" when they choose to own a camera and lenses. SIGMA's excellence in development and processing technologies has been built up since it was founded in 1961, and has become further sophisticated with the introduction of the SIGMA Global Vision in 2012. With this as a base SIGMA has given careful thought to how photographers use and enjoy their lenses, including optical design, advanced functionality, build quality and the experience of picking up and using the lens, and with all of this carefully considered the I series was born. 24mm, 35mm and 65mm - three lenses with F2 brightness in the lineup 2. New standards of optical performance for the Contemporary line The SIGMA 24mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary, like the SIGMA 35mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary and the SIGMA 65mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary, combines the highest level of optical performance even at its maximum aperture of F2 and a well-balanced body. The lens uses two SLD glass elements and one FLD glass element to correct axial chromatic aberration, which is a particular concern with bright lenses. It also incorporates two high-precision glass-molded aspherical elements, made possible by the processing technology of SIGMA's sole production facility in Aizu. This has enabled the total number of lens elements to be kept down and the size and weight of the lens to be reduced, while providing excellent correction of various aberrations. In anticipation of wide-angle lens applications, SIGMA's optical designers have ensured the lens resolution is extremely high, and is uniform from the center to the periphery of the image. Sagittal coma flare is also well suppressed, giving the lens a high degree of rendering power that makes it ideal for night sky photography. The AF drive system incorporates a quiet, high-speed stepping motor. This allows photographers to capture every detail of the spacious 24mm scene with light AF. 3. Exceptional I series build quality with a compact form-factor All I series lenses have an all-metal construction. The precision-cut aluminum parts not only give the barrel a sleek, stylish finish, but provide superb durability that improves the quality of the entire product. Metal materials are also used in internal structures that slide with the operation ring for added robustness. These high-precision components crafted with SIGMA's cutting-edge metalworking technology are also used in SIGMA's cine lens line-up for professional cinematographers and provide a tactile, ergonomic feel that make the lens a pleasure to use. The cover ring between the focus ring and the aperture ring has hairline processing that is also used for the rear cylinder of the Art line. This covering functions as a finger hold when attaching or detaching the lens. [Additional features] Lens construction: 13 elements in 11 groups, with 1 FLD, 2 SLD and 2 aspherical lens elements Inner focus system Compatible with high-speed autofocus Stepping motor Compatible with lens aberration correction * Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections may vary depending on the camera model. Support DMF and AF+MF Super Multi-Layer Coating Aperture ring Focus Mode switch Petal-type lens hood (LH656-02) Magnetic metal lens cap (LCF62-01M) Mount with dust and splash resistant structure Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only) Designed to minimize flare and ghosting Every single lens undergoes SIGMA's proprietary MTF measuring system 9-blade rounded diaphragm High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount “Made in Japan” craftsmanship To learn more about SIGMA's craftsmanship, please visit SIGMA website at: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/ [Key specifications] The figures below are for L-Mount: Lens construction: 11 groups, 13 elements (1 FLD, 2 SLD, and 2 aspherical lenses) | Angle of view: 84.1° | Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm) | Minimum aperture: F22 | Minimum focusing distance: 24.5cm / 9.7 in. | Maximum magnification ratio: 1:6.7 | Filter size: φ62mm | Dimensions (Max. Diameter x Length): φ70mmx72mm / φ 2.8 in. x 2.8 in. | Weight: 365g / 12.9 oz. [Barcode] L-Mount: 0085126 403690 Sony E-mount: 0085126 403652 [Accessories: Supplied] Name of product / barcode: Magnetic metal lens cap SIGMA FRONT CAP LCF62-01M: 0085126 938659 FRONT CAP LCFIII 62mm: 0085126 929817 PETAL-TYPE LENS HOOD LH656-02: 0085126 939533 REAR CAP LCR II (L-Mount): 0085126 937256 REAR CAP LCR II (Sony E-mount): 0085126 929879 [Accessories: Optional] Name of product / barcode: SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 for L-Mount: 0085126 878696 SIGMA WR PROTECTOR 62mm: 0085126 930936 SIGMA PROTECTOR 62mm: 0085126 931063 SIGMA WR UV FILTER 62mm: 0085126 930677 SIGMA WR CIRCULAR PL FILTER 62mm: 0085126 930806 Magnetic metal lens cap holder SIGMA LENS CAP HOLDER CH-11: 0085126 938666 [Contact] For further information, please contact your local authorized SIGMA Service Station listed at the link below: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/world-network/ [Information] SIGMA Corporation | https://www.sigma-global.com/en/ Product information | https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c021_24_2/ Contact Details SIGMA Corporation Jack Howard ext. 1015 +1 631-585-1144 SIGMA.PR@sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigma-global.com/en/

September 09, 2021 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Way We Travel Now: Airbnb Looking Ahead, Looking Back

YourUpdateTV

As summer winds down and the seasons begin to change, now is the time to look back at how Americans spent their summer traveling and what they are looking forward to experiencing in the fall. Recently, Communications Leads for North America at Airbnb, Liz DeBold Fusco, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to share the most recent travel trends. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/aBehaUcamIE Not surprisingly, outdoor escapes with the family were the top summer travel trend, and as we come to the end of the summer, longer trips and reunions have become a go to. One of the biggest trends was the great escape to rural, with destinations near national and state parks among the top places to stay. Few weeks ago, Airbnb reached their biggest night ever in the US with more than 4 million guests using the platform. This has created a lot of opportunities for the Airbnb host community. This past summer, US Hosts on Airbnb collectively earned more than $1.3 billion – with some hosting while they were away to pay for their vacation to some offering one-of-a-kind unique stays, like treehouses and yurts. With the remote work trend continuing into fall, so does the increase in trips extending beyond just a weekend. Longer weekend trips with families lasting three to four days are up 70 percent, with weekday stays increasing from 63 to 65 percent. Guests’ rising and diversified interest in mid-sized cities extends beyond the weekend and is focused on fall scenery. Searches for stays in large and mid-sized cities make up about a third of searches each for fall, compared to more than half for stays in just large cities in fall 2019. Big events are also coming back, and more guests are eager to head back to stands and seats once again. In fact, a number of those top trending destinations for Labor Day Weekend and beyond are large and mid-sized cities. This is due to welcome-back iconic competitions and major music festivals, like the Made in America Festival in Philadelphia and Astroworld in Houston. You can always go to airbnb.com to find places to stay, Online Experiences to try. Or, if you are looking to share your space this fall or ahead of a big event, you can become a host at Airbnb.com/host. About Liz DeBold Fusco: Liz DeBold Fusco is a Communications Leads for North America for Airbnb. Prior to that, she was a Vice President at SKDKnickerbocker, a national public affairs firm, where she provided strategic communications guidance to organizations ranging from the NAACP and Demos to The Rockefeller Foundation and AT&T. Liz has also worked for Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray as well as the New York State Attorney General. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 08, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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REALTORS®’ Guidance on Current Renovation Trends That Boost Home Value

YourUpdateTV

Any homeowner or hopeful homebuyer knows it can be confusing to determine which renovations are worth their time and money and which ones are best left undone. How do you boost the return on investment of a house? How much will it cost? What should you focus on? The complexities and uncertainties surrounding these questions highlight the need to work alongside a local real estate expert. Americans spend $400 billion annually remodeling their homes, but many find the idea of taking on a remodeling project themselves too overwhelming. In fact, 35% of U.S. homeowners would rather move to another home than remodel their current home. How do real estate agents help home buyers/sellers? Community – Know local, county, and state property taxes; decipher public property information. Financial – Coordinate with lenders; research mortgage rates and terms; schedule appraisals and inspections Legal – Manage attorney reviews; navigate all require stated and federal forms; handle closing documents Expert real estate agents save home buyers time and help take stress out of the process. In fact, 91% of home buyers say they would engage their real estate agent again or recommend them to others. To learn more about REALTORS® and to find a real estate agent – www.realtor.com For tips and ideas on home renovations - https://www.houselogic.com/ About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 08, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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FantasyStand, A Unique ‘Beat The Threshold-Style’ Fantasy Game, Officially Launches

FantasyStand

FantasyStand, a new desktop beat-the-threshold style fantasy game, has officially launched for the 2021 NFL season. Users can immediately create an account and start playing football contests at https://fantasystand.com/. FantasyStand blends an against-the-house and beat-the-threshold style game with the traditional elements of building a team through a salary cap. At the beginning of each contest Fantasy Stand will let users know what the point threshold is for that week. If the users’ team beats the point threshold set by FantasyStand, they win. “Traditional fantasy sports can be extremely frustrating. A user could form an amazing line-up, outscore thousands of users and still not win. Every week the goalposts are hidden and that was a problem I wanted to solve,” said Joe Brown, founder of FantasyStand. “We feel that our against-the-house and beat-the-threshold model provides a level of transparency in an industry where users are building fantasy teams blindly, not knowing what they need to achieve to win. By giving our users the point threshold ahead of our contests, they can confidently build their strongest team to win and ultimately have a great time doing so.” Fantasy Stand features include: Multiple contests will be offered weekly with buy-ins starting at $5 and going up to $500. Users play against the house, not each other. If you beat the given threshold, you win. (ex. Bet $100, Win $100) Additional prizes may include 10% of the total contest pot for the highest scoring user in that contest. Currently the NFL is the only sport available on the platform. FantasyStand has plans to launch basketball contests for the upcoming 2021-2022 NBA season. FantasyStand is available for desktop and mobile use via the website. An app is in development for launch in 2022 to enhance the mobile experience. Following the launch of the platform, FantasyStand will be raising a Friends and Family round of funding. The round will be used to invest in marketing, technology development and additional state licensing. FantasyStand currently operates in 25 states and will continue to add new states to its roster in 2022. For more information to create a FantasyStand account please visit: https://fantasystand.com/ ABOUT FANTASYSTAND Founded in 2020 by entrepreneur and founder Joe Brown, FantasyStand is bringing fun and transparency back to fantasy sports. FantasyStand blends an against-the-house and beat-the-threshold style game with the traditional elements of building a team through a salary cap. By blending the best of both worlds, FantasyStand is providing users a new, fun and entertaining fantasy experience. For more information to create a FantasyStand account please visit: https://fantasystand.com/ Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://fantasystand.com/

September 08, 2021 10:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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ECI Development, Community Build Announce 400-Key Sustainable Tourism Village in El Salvador

ECI Development

ECI Development, a leading provider of responsibly developed properties in Central and South America, and The Community Build, a US-based non-profit that serves communities in El Salvador, today announced plans to develop a sustainable tourism village in El Salvador. The village will provide authentic tourist experiences that celebrate and conserve local heritage and culture and will grace the Pacific coast of El Salvador near the town of El Zonte, nicknamed “Bitcoin Beach,” known for its world-class surf beaches and Bitcoin economic ecosystem. The Community Build’s 40-acre property located near El Zante, and ECI Development’s village design, engineering, marketing, and construction, as well as property and rental management post-completion, will produce a tourism village that serves equally Salvadorians and North Americans. “There is currently a shortage of hotel rooms and homes for sale along the El Salvadorian coast. The residences we will develop will serve the Salvadorian and North American marketplace for both ownership and rentals,” said Michael Cobb, CEO of ECI Development. “Because of the central location along the best surf beaches in El Salvador, and the close proximity to the town of El Zonte, the property is perfect for the development of a sustainable eco-tourism village.” The eco-sustainable village will have 400-450 addresses with multiple price points and models for both rent and ownership, offering luxury condos, affordable condos, and tiny homes ranging from $150,000 to $1 million. El Salvador is the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender with a law that takes effect today, September 7. In light of this world first, ECI Development will offer property discounts when buyers use Bitcoin as opposed to fiat currency or financing. “We expect the tourism village to create sustainable jobs for young people in the city and surrounding area, helping boost the local economy and preventing migration to San Salvador, the capital and the country's most populous city,” said Mike Peterson, the founder and President of Missionsake, of which The Community Build is an initiative. “We also want to become the standard-bearer for Bitcoin transactions in real estate for this country and the world, ushering in a new level of comfort for the broader society to utilize Bitcoin in their daily lives.” About ECI Development ECI Development is a real estate development company that has been responsibly developing properties within communities in Nicaragua, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, and Argentina for more than 20 years. Visit www.ecidevelopment.com for more information. About The Community Build The Community Build is a non-profit organization born in 2017 designed to help foster the growth and education of the youth in El Zonte, El Salvador. The Community Build is an initiative of Missionsake. Missionsake exists to help develop the spiritual, mental, physical, and relational health of the missionary community in El Salvador and also of the local communities in which they serve. Visit thecommunitybuild.com for more information. Contact Details Razor Sharp PR Ray Young +1 512-633-6855 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://www.ecidevelopment.com/

September 07, 2021 02:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Meningitis Vaccines: What Parents of Adolescents Should Know

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/OpbXUBrzUA4 According to the CDC, COVID-19 disrupted routine well-child visits for many children over the last year. As a result, too many children have fallen behind on receiving recommended vaccines – and that includes adolescents and young adults. If young adults are not receiving these recommended vaccinations, they are now vulnerable to infectious, potentially deadly diseases. So are the campuses and communities they live in. One vaccine that often gets left behind is Meningitis B, which is recommended for adolescents 16-23 years old. There are two types of meningitis vaccines – MenACWY and MenB. Few have received the MenB vaccine, yet it’s responsible for 100% of meningococcal meningitis outbreaks on college campuses since 2011. One issue? A lack of communication from pediatricians and family physicians. A recent study found that 49% of pediatricians and 69% of family physicians did not discuss the MenB vaccine during routine visits for 16-18-year-olds. That’s one reason why research shows that nearly 80% of parents did not know about the MenB vaccine, and why more than 78.2% of 17-year-olds have not received at least one dose of the Meningitis B vaccine. As kids head back to school, it’s important that parents take the time to check what vaccinations their teens and young adults have received and proactively talk to their healthcare provider about what other vaccines they need – including both the MenACWY and MenB meningitis vaccines. For more information visit: https://meningitisbactionproject.org/ About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 02, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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President Zelensky of Ukraine pays tribute to the Babyn Yar massacre victims at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center

Today President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine honored the victims of the Babyn Yar massacre of World War II during his visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. “Victims of the Holocaust were at least six million Jews. Among them - one and a half million, one in four from Ukraine," said President Zelensky and shared the story of his own family members who died in the Holocaust. "There were four brothers. Three of them, as well as their parents, wives, children, and all relatives, were shot by the German occupiers who invaded Ukraine. The fourth brother was at the front lines at the time. He went through World War II, contributed to the victory over Nazism and returned home four years later. Two years later he had a son, 31 years later - a grandson, and 40 years later his grandson became president of Ukraine. Now he is in front of you," the head of state said. President Zelensky visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum alongside prominent leaders of major Jewish organizations in the United States. "Over two days on 29-30 of September 1941, the Nazis killed nearly 34,000 people in Babyn Yar. Over the next two years, according to various estimates, up to 200,000 people. It is our undisputed duty to honor their memory. Unfortunately, for a long time, this was not obvious. In Soviet times, a sports complex and shooting range were built there. And since 1991, Babyn Yar has become not a place of memory, but a place of oblivion. We have been actively changing this for the last two years. At the end of 2020, I signed the Decree "On measures for the further development of the National Historical and Memorial Reserve 'Babyn Yar.'" This memorial complex is a cure for historical complexes." "Conceptually new objects have already been created there, which tell the story of the tragedy in the modern language of modern technologies for modern generations,” shared President Zelensky. Babyn Yar has become a powerful symbol of the 'Holocaust by Bullets,' the estimated 2.5 million Jews who were murdered near their homes in similar Nazi mass shootings across Eastern Europe, 1.5 million of them in Ukraine alone. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar massacre. Human rights activist Natan Sharansky, Chair of the supervisory board of the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center, stated, “ Now is the time to right the historic wrong of Babyn Yar, for the sake of Ukraine, the Jewish communities and the world. The untold stories of these victims must be shared, and this year we will honor their memories to ensure history is not repeated.” Commemorations will culminate in a formal event including global leaders on Oct. 6, 2021, at the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center in Kyiv, Ukraine. About the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center The Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center is a non-governmental charity whose purpose is to preserve and cultivate the memory of the Holocaust and the Babyn Yar tragedy in Ukraine by turning the Babyn Yar area into a place of remembrance. The Foundation's mission is to worthily honor the memory of the victims of the tragedy and to contribute to the humanization of society through preserving and studying the history of the Holocaust. Contact Details Priya Ramanathan +1 312-368-7537 pramanathan@apcoworldwide.com Company Website https://babynyar.org/en

September 01, 2021 04:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Finalists Announced for 21st Annual March of Dimes Heroines of Washington Awards

March of Dimes

March of Dimes has announced the finalists for its 21 st Annual Heroines of Washington Awards. The Heroines of Washington Awards, presented by Peraton, recognize and honor professional women in the D.C. Metro area for their dedication to community service. The March of Dimes Heroines of Washington Awards gala will take place in person on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, from 6:00–9:00 pm at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner. This year’s finalists represent a diverse group of women who continued their commitments to volunteerism in addition to their successful careers during a year with tremendous challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The women nominated and awarded come from a variety of industries including healthcare, real estate, the public sector, and more. 2021 Heroines of Washington Finalists: Hilah Zia, Children’s National Hospital Lydia Russo, Lydia Real Estate Daniela Fiore, Carahsoft Stephanie Kinsey, Cognosante Sarah Kinling, The MITRE Corporation Sandy L. Chung, Health Connect IPA Beth Robertson, NFP Julia Fantacone, Altarum Carly Mitchell, Guidehouse Kerry-Ann Hamilton, KAH Consulting Group Shaza Andersen, Trustar Bank Debbi Jarvis, Howard University Nicole Monteforte, Booz Allen Hamilton Meredith Mark, PwC Liz Jones, Northampton School District Irma Becerra, Marymount University Selvi Clark, Booz Allen Hamilton Nancy Bossard, Long and Foster Lisa Benjamin, Newmark Knight Frank Chaise Schmidt, Cushman & Wakefield Kymber Lovett-Menkiti, Keller Williams Capital Properties Dr. May Kinnard-Brown, The MITRE Corporation Ashley Irwin, SolarWinds Judy Douglas, Peraton Michele Bolos, NT Concepts, Inc. “Every year I continue to be amazed by the professional women in the DMV who continue to go above and beyond to support our community,” said Jennifer Felix, ASRC Federal president and CEO. “In a year fraught with extremely difficult circumstances, volunteers were truly a shining light, and the March of Dimes Heroines of Washington Awards is one of the few opportunities for us to celebrate their incredible work.” This year’s awards mark a return to the Heroines of Washington's in-person gala. All finalists will be honored, and winners will be announced during the gala event on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner. Along with the awards presentation at the gala, there will be a dinner and silent auction. Guests will include directors, CEOS and other high-level individuals and leaders from local organizations, businesses and government. Event sponsors include Peraton, ASRC Federal, M&T Bank, PwC, ManTech, KPMG, and Carahsoft. All funds raised by the Heroines of Washington Awards help support March of Dimes programs, research, community services, education and advocacy to advance research that supports the health of all moms and babies. Since 2001, March of Dimes has honored over 126 “Heroines” and raised more than $3.6 million to support the March of Dimes mission. For tickets or to learn more about the awards gala, please visit: marchofdimes.org/heroines. About March of Dimes March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. To participate in our annual signature fundraising event, visit marchforbabies.org. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Contact Details Emily Ergas (Sage Communications) +1 972-261-4306 eergas@aboutsage.com Bevan Bello (March of Dimes) +1 571-257-2300 bbello@marchofdimes.org Company Website http://www.marchofdimes.org/marylandmetrodc

September 01, 2021 09:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Spotlight Sports Group Acquires Alarm Sports Network, Leading US Fantasy Sports Operator

Spotlight Sports Group

Spotlight Sports Group announced today the acquisition of FA Media LLC (Alarm Sports Network), a leading fantasy sports technology and media company, in an all-cash transaction. Spotlight Sports Group is a world-leading technology, content and media company specializing in sports betting and fantasy sports. Alarm Sports Network provides white-label proprietary technology solutions and free-to-play contests for blue-chip media and sports content providers. It also develops engaging content for its popular consumer sports platforms: Fantasy Alarm, DFS Alarm and Wager Alarm. The addition of these services to Spotlight Sports Group creates an all-encompassing sports betting and fantasy sports offering. Spotlight Sports Group is recognized for its sports betting expertise on direct-to-consumer platforms like Pickswise, one of the fastest-growing sports betting content providers in North America, and Racing Post in the UK and Ireland. Spotlight Sports Group also supplies sports betting technology, tooling and actionable content to drive user engagement for the world’s leading sportsbooks and media owners. “This acquisition immediately accelerates our growth across North America with the addition of proprietary technology and authoritative, scalable content. We are delighted to be joining forces with a vastly experienced management team steeped in fantasy sports and sports betting expertise. ASN will also broaden our business-to-business footprint through partnerships with Yahoo, FTN Network, SiriusXM and others,” said Alan Byrne, CEO of Spotlight Sports Group. “This is a transformative deal for Spotlight Sports Group. It allows us to combine the skills and expertise which have fueled our digital growth in the UK and Ireland with the talent and flair of the team at ASN in order to have a significant impact on the all-important US market.” Key highlights from the deal include: Spotlight Sports Group will retain the expertise of the Alarm Sports Network team: co-founders Dan and Al Williams, former NBC executive and Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association Hall-Of-Famer Rick Wolf and former FOX Sports & EA Sports executive Ed Bunnell. Alarm Sports Network, who developed the technology to help drive user engagement and revenue at sports media companies like FTN Network, Yahoo, Bally Sports and The Nation Network, will fold into Spotlight Sports Group’s brand. ASN brands Fantasy Alarm, Wager Alarm, DFS Alarm and Fantasy Rundown join Pickwise in a new look direct-to-consumer brand roster for sports bettors and fantasy players across North America. Spotlight Sports Group will integrate the ASN team, growing the Group’s staff to more than 500 people. “This deal creates a powerhouse sports betting and fantasy sports business, proven to drive revenue with engagement-led solutions. Using our unique mix of product technology, expert content and authoritative brands, we will continue to deepen our relationships with our partners to help them grow and monetize their audiences,” said Rick Wolf, President Alarm Sports Network. “We are tremendously excited to become part of Spotlight Sports Group, working together to help solve challenges and drive innovation for our partners in the fast-evolving sports media and affiliate landscape,” added Dan Williams, Co-Founder. For more information on Spotlight Sports Group please visit: https://www.spotlightsportsgroup.com/en_us/ ABOUT SPOTLIGHT SPORTS GROUP Spotlight Sports Group (owned by Exponent Private Equity) is a leading technology, content and media business specializing in sports betting. Evolved from the Racing Post Group, Spotlight Sports Group engages millions of people directly through Racing Post, Pickswise, Free Super Tips and myracing. The company also has decades of experience in powering growth and conversion for the world’s biggest sportsbooks and media companies, delivering best-in-class technology and expert scalable content experiences in more than 70 languages. ABOUT THE ALARM SPORTS NETWORK Alarm Sports Network’s (ASN) mission is to create products, services and content that entertain and inform so that sports fans can learn, play and win whether it is fantasy sports or sports betting. This has been achieved through three digital platforms: Fantasy Alarm, Wager Alarm and DFS Alarm. ASN platforms cover all 10 major US sports (including Esports) offering a mix of free and premium content. The business-to-business division supplies media companies with a range of tools from data modelled projections for player performance to full turnkey white-label platforms and free-to-play contests. Contact Details Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.spotlightsportsgroup.com/en_us/

September 01, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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