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100 Oakland Small Businesses Owned by People of Color to Each Receive a $10,000 Grant from Comcast RISE Totaling $1 Million

Comcast California

Small Businesses Can Also Receive a Technology Makeover or Marketing Services Comcast RISE to support 13,000 small businesses owned by people of color nationwide, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian American owners, among others, by the end of 2022 The Comcast RISE Investment Fund will award $1 million in grants to 100 Oakland small businesses (1 to 25 employees) owned by people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic and Asian American, among others. Comcast RISE – which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment – has awarded marketing and technology services to 228 businesses in California so far. To help drive outreach and awareness about Comcast RISE opportunity and provide additional support and training, Comcast has also awarded a $50,000 grant to the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made today during a virtual press conference with the Mayor of Oakland, Libby Schaff; California Assembly Member, Mia Bonta; Alameda County Assessor, Phong La; President & CEO of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, Cathy Adams; and Owner of Mannequin Madness in Oakland and previous Comcast RISE recipient, Judi Townsend. “The economic effects of the global pandemic have been felt worldwide including significant impacts here in Oakland,” said Barbara Leslie, president & CEO, Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “We know that our small, local, woman-owned and people of color businesses – that are responsible for creating the beautiful tapestry we call home – have been disproportionately impacted by COVID. We applaud Comcast’s vision, through the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, to ensure that small businesses that exist today will be a part of Oakland’s economic and social fabric tomorrow and many years to come.” “Like many others, my small business was impacted by the pandemic. Thanks to the Comcast RISE program, I can reach new audiences,” said Judi Townsend, owner of Mannequin Madness and Oakland resident. Townsend benefited from the program twice, once with the production and placement of a TV commercial and then with a technology makeover. “The application process was much more straightforward than other grants. I encourage my fellow eligible business owners to apply for the grant and technology or marketing makeovers.” The Comcast RISE Investment Fund monetary grants are intended to help small businesses owned by people of color grow as they navigate the challenges of the pandemic. The Investment Fund is the latest extension of Comcast RISE, the multi-year, multi-faceted initiative launched in 2020 to provide small businesses owned by people of color the opportunity to apply for marketing and technology services from Comcast Business and Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable. Through Comcast RISE, the company also announced it will support 13,000 small businesses, owned by people of color, with monetary grants; a TV campaign, production of a TV commercial or consulting services from Effectv; or computer equipment, internet, voice or cybersecurity from Comcast Business by the end of 2022. Oakland is one of six cities nationwide that was selected to award a $10,000 grant to 100 local businesses from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, for a total of $6 million across 600 businesses. “When we launched Comcast RISE, we knew a profound need existed in many of the communities we serve,” said Kristeen Cominiello, Vice President of Comcast Business, Comcast California. “We now have seen firsthand how the program’s marketing and technology resources benefit the business owners who are working hard to rise above what happened in 2020. Today, with Oakland being chosen as a Comcast RISE Investment Fund grant city, we are so excited to see how this infusion of funding will further propel businesses. We know the impacts will be meaningful and far reaching.” Comcast RISE is part of an expanded Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitment that Comcast announced last summer, as well as a coordinated cross-company effort to address digital inequities through sustainable programming and investments such as Internet Essentials and Lift Zones. In addition, grant recipients will receive a complimentary 12-month membership to the coaching program from Ureeka, an online platform for entrepreneurs, to help them build skills, gain more customers and become financially stable. Comcast RISE was formed in late 2020 to give small businesses owned by people of color, from bakeries and barber shops to childcare centers and cleaning services, the tools needed to not just survive, but thrive. Comcast RISE Marketing and Technology Services In addition to the Investment Fund, Comcast RISE provides the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color nationwide to apply for one or more of the following support focus areas with the opportunity to receive one. Marketing Services: The following services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, and its creative agency, Mnemonic, are designed to help recipients with their marketing and media campaigns, including: Media: A linear TV media campaign to run over a 90-day period. Creative Production: Turnkey 30-second TV commercial production, plus a media strategy consultation and a 90-day linear TV media campaign. Consulting: Advertising and marketing consultations with local Effectv marketing, research and creative teams to gain insights on how to drive business. Technology Makeovers: The state-of-the-art equipment and technology upgrade from Comcast Business includes computer equipment as well as internet, voice and cybersecurity services for up to a 12-month period. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for tech makeover services.) Monetary Grants: In the first round, Comcast RISE announced $5 million in grants to 500 businesses across five metropolitan areas including Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta and Houston. Each business received $10,000 to invest in its own growth and sustainability. The grants were awarded in May. In September 2021, Comcast RISE announced that $10,000 grants will be awarded to 600 small businesses in Houston, Miami, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C., providing $6 million additional dollars to hundreds of small businesses owned by people of color, bringing the total to $11 million in grants awarded as part of the Comcast RISE Investment Fund. All small business owners can visit the Comcast RISE destination on Xfinity X1, which features aggregated small business news, resources, Comcast RISE recipient stories and more. The destination is designed to help businesses grow by empowering them through inspiration, education and entertainment. Just say “Comcast RISE” into the X1 voice remote. Comcast’s Ongoing Commitment to Advancing Digital Equity Comcast RISE is part of Comcast’s ongoing efforts to advance digital equity and help to provide underrepresented small business owners with access to the digital tools and funding they need to thrive. Over the next 10 years, Comcast has committed $1 billion to programs and partnerships that will reach an estimated 50 million people with the skills, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. For more information or to apply (starting Oct. 1, 2021) for either the grant program or marketing and technology services visit www.ComcastRISE.com. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, visit www.business.comcast.com or call 866- 429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About Effectv Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, helps local, regional and national advertisers use the best of digital with the power of TV to grow their business. It provides multi-screen marketing solutions to make advertising campaigns more effective and easier to execute. Headquartered in New York with offices throughout the country, Effectv has a presence in 66 markets with nearly 35 million owned and represented subscribers. For more information, visit www.effectv.com. Contact Details Comcast California Adriana Arvizo +1 925-200-1919 Adriana_Arvizo@comcast.com Fiona Hutton & Associates Jon Koriel +1 714-686-4097 jkoriel@fionahuttonassoc.com

October 01, 2021 10:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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STARTING TODAY, SMALL BUSINESSES IN KING AND PIERCE COUNTIES MAY APPLY FOR $10,000 GRANTS FROM COMCAST RISE

Comcast Washington

Comcast today announced that small businesses owned by people of color in King and Pierce Counties, may now apply for a $10,000 grant from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund. Comcast will award $1 million in grants to 100 eligible businesses in these two counties, as well as technology and marketing resources to eligible businesses statewide. Comcast RISE Investment Fund Starting today, October 1, and through October 14, eligible businesses can apply for Comcast RISE monetary grants, and, or marketing and technology services at www.ComcastRISE.com. Winners will be notified in November. Local small businesses seeking more information about the $10,000 grants, may learn more about the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, eligibility requirements, and how to apply by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXVAf3-Mxys&t=21s The Investment Fund is an extension of Comcast RISE, the multi-year, multi-faceted initiative launched in October 2020 to support small businesses owned by people of color and provide the resources and tools they need to thrive for years to come. The Comcast RISE Investment Fund is focused on small businesses that have been in business for three or more years with 1-25 employees. Comcast RISE Marketing and Technology Services In addition to the Investment Fund, Comcast RISE, which stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment,” provides the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color nationwide to apply for one or more of the following support focus areas with the opportunity to receive one. Marketing Services: The following services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, and its creative agency, Mnemonic, are designed to help recipients with their marketing and media campaigns, including: Media: A linear TV media campaign to run over a 90-day period. Creative Production: Turnkey:30 TV commercial production, plus a media strategy consultation and 90-day media placement schedule. Consulting: Advertising and marketing consultations with local Effectv marketing, research, and creative teams to gain insights on how to drive business. Technology Makeovers: The state-of-the-art equipment and technology upgrade from Comcast Business includes computer equipment as well as Internet, Voice, and Cybersecurity services for up to a 12-month period. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for technology makeover services.) Monetary Grants: In round one, which was announced in April of 2021, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund provided $5 million in grants to 500 small businesses owned by people of color in five cities: Philadelphia/Chester, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Detroit. The Comcast RISE Investment Fund will now provide an additional $6 million in grants to 600 small businesses owned by people of color in six cities: Miami, Houston, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C. All eligible applicants will receive a monthly Comcast RISE newsletter with educational content, and all small business owners can visit the Comcast RISE destination on the X1 platform featuring aggregated small business news, tips, insights, and more. Just say “Comcast RISE” into the X1 voice remote. To help drive awareness about the program and provide additional support and training in King and Pierce Counties, Comcast is partnering with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Latino Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA). Comcast’s Ongoing Commitment to Advancing Digital Equity Comcast RISE is part of an expanded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) commitment that Comcast announced in June 2020, as well as an ongoing cross-company effort to address digital inequities. Over the next 10 years, Comcast is pledging $1 billion to programs and partnerships that will connect an estimated 50 million people with the skills, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest-growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, visit www.business.comcast.com or call 866- 429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About Effectv Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, helps local, regional and national advertisers use the best of digital with the power of TV to grow their business. It provides multi-screen marketing solutions to make advertising campaigns more effective and easier to execute. Headquartered in New York with offices throughout the country, Effectv has a presence in 66 markets with nearly 35 million owned and represented subscribers. For more information, visit www.effectv.com. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Andy Colley Andy_Colley@Comcast.com Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

October 01, 2021 08:25 AM Pacific Daylight Time

CSG Systems International to Hold Third Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call on November 3

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) invites you to participate in a conference call on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 5:00pm ET to discuss the company's third quarter 2021 earnings results. The conference call will feature CSG president and chief executive officer Brian Shepherd and CSG chief financial officer Rollie Johns. To reach the conference, call 1-888-440-4531 and use the passcode 6134021 Click here to join a webcast of CSG’s earnings call in live or archived format. # # # About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For nearly 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2021 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contact: John Rea Investor Relations CSG +1 (210) 687 4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details John Rea +1 210-687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

October 01, 2021 06:30 AM Mountain Daylight Time

Virgin Money London Marathon using Restrata technology to help keep elite athletes COVID-Safe

Restrata

As the Virgin Money London Marathon returns to the city’s streets this Sunday, Restrata, a global contact tracing specialist, will be helping to keep the elite runners COVID-Safe with their cutting-edge technology. Already adopted by businesses and venues, as well as being used at international sporting tournaments, Restrata Platform is now being used to help ensure the world’s top marathoners arrive at the starting line in Greenwich for the 41 st London Marathon. In addition to daily Covid testing, the 100 elite athletes scheduled to take part in the Virgin Money London Marathon, including defending champion and world record holder, Brigid Kosgei, as well as their support staff, are wearing a Restrata tag in the elite hotel. This device means that if a positive case of Covid is recorded, it’s fast and simple to identify who else has shared the same space, at the same time, so that the necessary safety measures can be put in place to prevent any spread of the virus. Restrata Platform was initially designed to protect workers in the energy and industrial sector and ensure their safety. Having been further developed and successfully implemented at cricket tournaments for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Indian Premier League (IPL) and the English Cricket Board (ECB), Restrata is proud to be part of bringing back large-scale sporting events in a safe, controlled way. Botan Osman, CEO, Restrata, comments: “Supporting the Virgin Money London Marathon this year is incredibly exciting for Restrata. As an international business much of our work is carried out overseas, so with the final stage of the race just a short sprint from our London office, and being a Londoner myself, this project is close to our hearts. “Helping to keep the elite team and their support staff safe with Restrata Platform and our contact tracing technology will ensure that the runners enter the race in top form and with 100% confidence. We're delighted to be able to support Hugh Brasher and his team in staging such a prestigious sporting event.” Hugh Brasher, Event Director of London Marathon Events, adds: “London Marathon Events is delighted to be working with Restrata to ensure we have accurate data to keep our elite athletes safe and healthy as they prepare for the Virgin Money London Marathon. “In this uncertain world, the Restrata technology gives us certainty in planning for some incredible racing between our elite athletes and para-athletes on Sunday 3 October at the 41st London Marathon.” About Restrata Founded in 2006, Restrata has been a pioneer in smart tech solutions that help multi-nationals safeguard their people, strategic assets, and physical infrastructure in some of the most challenging operating environments in the world. Restrata Platform is an integrated safety, security, and mobility cloud-based software. It is designed to manage the safety of people across sites, offices, and countries around the globe. In response to the pandemic, Restrata developed a COVID-Safe module within the Platform, creating a technology-enabled bio-secure environment for the safe return to operations in any industry. The Restrata Platform is already operational across offices, companies, venues, and international tournaments around the world. And in our uncertain world, The Restrata Platform can flex to address most safety and security concerns, leaving you and your workforce as protected and resilient as possible. restrata.com About the London Marathon The London Marathon was first held on 29 March 1981 and the millionth finisher in the history of the event crossed the line in 2016. The 40th Race took place on Sunday 4 October 2020 with elite races on a biosecure closed-loop circuit around St James's Park and 37,966 runners around the world running the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon on the course of their choice any time from 00:00:00 to 23:59:59 BST. Participants were able to download the Virgin Money London Marathon app powered by TCS to record their run. All finishers received a New Balance finisher's t-shirt and medal. In 2019 the Virgin Money London Marathon raised £66.4 million for charity, setting a new Guinness World Record for an annual one-day charity fundraising event for a 13th successive year. This brought the total raised for charity since 1981 to more than £1 billion. London Marathon Events gifts its surplus each year to The London Marathon Charitable Trust. Since 1981, The London Marathon Charitable Trust has awarded grants totalling in excess of £93 million to more than 1,490 projects in London and across the UK. Contact Details Fox Agency Chloe Murray +44 7961 116568 chloe@fox.agency Company Website https://www.restrata.com

October 01, 2021 05:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Gen Z Responds, Demands More From Facebook and Big Socials

LookUp.Live

Facebook’s attempt during today’s Congressional hearing to defend its inaction to protect children from online harms fell short on transparency and accountability. Digital natives, tired of being the guinea pig for big social media companies, are taking their message to the global stage at the Youth 4 Youth iSummit, October 14-17th, 2021. Hosted by LookUp.live, a by-youth-for-youth social venture, in partnership with the creators of the Netflix docu-drama, The Social Dilemma, more than 100 youth activists, entrepreneurs, and innovators are confirmed to speak on topics ranging from digital addiction, suicide, ethical AI, sexual exploitation, and the undeniable impact of Instagram and Tik Tok on young girls mental health. A sampling of youth speakers includes: Maddie Freeman, who after losing several friends to suicide in high school, launched NoSo November to educate youth about social media’s impact on mental health/suicide. John Grady of Screen Allies will lead a panel of ethical engineers in a discussion around the definition, benefits, and need for more human-centered technologies. Smith Alley, Founder of Live Life Bigger, will speak to the effects of the addictive nature of social media and pornography on children and teens. Emma Lembke, Co-Founder of LogOff Movement, alongside her co-founder of Tech[nically] Politics, Aliza Kopans, will speak to current legislative efforts to regulate tech and how youth can get involved. Sanat Mohapatra, Founder of Unmasked, a mental health app, will speak to the importance of creating supportive, anonymous mental health communities. The Y4Y iSummit is a catalyst for uniting and mobilizing youth advocates and their allies who are taking bold actions to create a healthy, more inclusive, and responsible digital world. Nearly 700 youth advocates representing 35+ countries registered last year for what was believed to be the largest known gathering of youth changemakers committed to this global movement. Attendance at the Y4Y iSummit, which will be hosted live, virtually, and free around the clock in the US, UK, and India, is expected to double this year. In addition to the Children’s Screentime Action Network adult ally panel, which includes several parents who have lost their children to cyberbullying suicide or a social media challenge, a host of global leaders have stepped up in support of this movement including English Premier League star, Nedum Onuoha, Deval Patrick, Co-Chair of the Future of Tech Commission and former Governor of Massachusetts; Marissa Meizz, founder of No More Lonely Friends; Amanda LaCount, hip hop dancer, choreographer, and plus size model; Jenk Oz, the UK’s youngest CEO and social entrepreneur; and John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at Harvard’s Insitute of Politics and author of Fight: How Gen Z Is Channeling Their Passion and Fear to Save America. Senator Edward Markey will issue a call to action in support of this youth-led movement and the KIDS Act. Susan Reynolds, Co-Founder of LookUp.live, believes that youth-led and youth-designed solutions are key to fixing the broken digital ecosystem so it benefits the whole of society - especially youth. "Adult-designed solutions to a problem they don’t fully understand or - as in the case of the big social companies - have chosen not to fix, have had limited success. The Y4Y iSummit will amplify youth voices and showcase youth-designed solutions to creating a digital world in which they can thrive." Why it Matters The digital transformation of society is happening at a rapid pace yielding many undeniable social and economic benefits: mental health and wellbeing communities and support are more available online, access to information and economic opportunities have improved, as has the use of artificial intelligence to advance the sustainable development goals. Yet, our disruptive and ubiquitous digital ecosystem and attention economy are wreaking havoc on the social, emotional, and developmental fabric of our youngest generations - those born digital. Consider the following: Fact - Children who are cyberbullied are 3X more likely to commit suicide; Fact - Non-fatal self-harm for girls 10-14 has increased 189% since 2009 - coinciding with the launch of Instagram; Fact - Nearly 1 in 3 teen girls have been asked by adults for nudes online; Fact - 50% of youth surveyed say they feel addicted to their phones. One of the most important facts, however, is that Facebook’s own internal research, which was recently exposed in The Wall Street Journal Facebook Files, indicates that the company knows that Instagram is damaging youth mental health. Still, Facebook continues to push toward the launch of Instagram for Kids under 13. About the Organizers The Y4Y iSummit is made possible by LookUp and the creators of the Netflix Docu-drama, The Social Dilemma, in partnership with Center for Humane Technology, Children’s Screentime Action Network, AGL Communications, Digital Wellness Institute, Thred. and the JW Brick Foundation. Founded in 2019, LookUp is a youth-led 501(c)3 social venture dedicated to helping young people thrive in the digital world. Through our flagship programs and events, we discover, empower, and mobilize youth leaders who are taking action to raise awareness, inspire, and design a healthy, more inclusive, and responsible digital world. Exposure Labs is the film & impact production company behind The Social Dilemma a film that blends documentary investigation and narrative drama to disrupt the disruptors, unveiling the hidden machinations behind everyone’s favorite social media and search platforms. Attend: Those interested in attending any or all of the Y4Y iSummit should register HERE. Contact Details LookUp.Live Julie Barrett O'Brien +1 617-834-9227 info@lookup.live Company Website https://www.lookup.live

September 30, 2021 05:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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AFSA Welcomes Chopra Confirmation

American Financial Services Association

Today the U.S. Senate confirmed Rohit Chopra as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The following statement should be attributed to Bill Himpler, President and CEO of the American Financial Services Association (AFSA), the nation’s oldest and largest national trade association singularly focused on the consumer credit industry: “Over the years, AFSA and its members have had the opportunity to work with Rohit Chopra both during his time as a Commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission and his prior stint as a senior leader at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In engaging with our industry, Mr. Chopra has always been gracious with his time and in considering the views of the consumer credit industry. We congratulate Mr. Chopra on his CFPB Senate confirmation and look forward to working constructively with him on pro-consumer policies that ensure access to credit.” About AFSA Based in Washington, D.C., the American Financial Services Association (AFSA) is the national trade association for consumer credit, committed to protecting access to credit and consumer choice. Its 450 members include traditional installment lenders, vehicle finance companies, consumer and commercial finance companies, mortgage lenders and servicers, payment card issuers, industrial banks, and industry suppliers. For more information, visit www.afsaonline.org. Contact Details Dan Bucherer +1 301-503-6061 dbucherer@afsamail.org Ed McFadden +1 703-402-5036 emcfadden@afsamail.org Company Website https://www.afsaonline.org

September 30, 2021 04:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Software Reliability a Key Concern During 2021, Haystack Analytics Review Finds

Haystack Analytics

Engineering productivity company Haystack Analytics has today published a review 1 into software development industry performance in 2021. The review investigated benchmarks and common trends between multiple industry reports, finding that software development is becoming an increasingly competitive field with the proportion of “high” and “elite” performing teams growing, whilst the proportion of “low” performing teams has dropped. The report also found growing concern about software reliability. One study conducted jointly by Haystack Analytics and Survation found that 57% of software engineers agreed “to a great extent” or “to a moderate extent” with the phrase "Software reliability at my workplace concerns me”. The review also points to another report produced by Google’s DORA team showing that even among engineering teams considered to be “elite” performers, only 10% fully implemented the Site Reliability Engineering practices they investigated. As more of our day-to-day lives become dependent on technology and as software plays a growing role in critical national infrastructure, it is important to understand how such challenges can be addressed. The report’s author, computer scientist Junade Ali, said: “The results are clear - psychological safety is paramount to preventing burnout, delivering better business outcomes and improving software reliability. The ability to balance the competing forces of risk and reward are an essential skill in engineering, empowering engineers to use their professional judgement with psychological safety is vital to addressing the issues we currently face in software reliability. For businesses to grow, engineers must be able to take calculated risks, using their professional judgement. No risk, no reward.” The review found that multiple studies and industry best practice have converged on the idea that psychological safety is essential to addressing issues of software reliability. The review highlighted research that found that low performing teams were 2.2 times more likely to have a culture that discourages risk than their high performing counterparts. Another study found that teams which excel at modern operational practices were also 1.8 times more likely to report better business outcomes. Ali continued: “Messengers should not fear getting shot and success through calculated risks should be rewarded. Feedback should be taken, not just given. Defensive cultures, where leaders cannot admit to their mistakes or the limits of their knowledge, should serve as a red flag to engineers going through the recruitment process. Strong engineering leaders have the humility to accept their own humanity.” 1 EngProd 2021: A Review on the State of Developer Productivity. About Haystack Analytics Haystack was founded in 2020 by Julian Colin and Kan Yilmaz for tech teams to learn more about roadblocks to their work, improve productivity and importantly identify burnout issues with developers. Haystack helps build elite developer teams by providing engineering metrics and alerts proven to drive performance, improve software reliability and prevent developer burnout. Through their integration with GitHub, Haystack is able to provide live data insights that illustrate the entire delivery process from commit to deploy, being able to highlight bottlenecks like code review and team productivity. Using this feedback loop, Haystack users have increased production deployments by 58% and achieved 70% faster cycle times on average. In less than 12 months since launch, Haystack is being used by more than 7,000 developers at elite developer teams in GoDaddy, Microsoft, The Economist, Indiegogo and Truebill among others as revenues have increased by an average of 36% month on month. In June 2021, Haystack announced it had secured a US$1.2m funding round after graduating from Y Combinator’s W21 batch. To explore Haystack, please visit: www.usehaystack.io or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. Also, you can watch our videos on YouTube. Contact Details Haystack Analytics Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 bilal@usehaystack.io Company Website https://www.usehaystack.io/

September 30, 2021 12:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Why Women Are Driving Mobile Gaming’s Popularity and Competition Worldwide

YourUpdateTV

Mobile gaming has shot to the top of the video game industry, now representing 60% of the market, and growing. While the traditional video games industry still remains a male-dominated category, one of the fastest growing segments in mobile gaming is growth largely being driven by women, who love to compete. According to Skillz, the leading mobile games platform that powers over two billion tournaments every year, nearly 60% of players on its platform are female. What’s more, 64% of women today say they prefer mobile games over other platforms. Skillz mobile games platform that’s accessible to everyone, connects players in fair, fun and meaningful competition, with the chance to win world-class prizes in the games they love to play. Skillz offers hundreds of FREE casual mobile games across a variety of genres such as puzzle, board, word games, and more. The company recently introduced Big Buck Hunter: Marksman, a new competitive mobile game based on an iconic arcade franchise that women have been playing and competing on for over two decades. In celebration of its release, a two-day live and virtual Skillz-powered Mobile Division Tournament featuring the Big Buck Hunter: Marksma n game will debut at this year’s 14th Annual Big Buck Hunter World Championship being held October 1-2, 2021 in Chicago. Players of all skill levels around the world can compete for a chance to win a $5,000 grand prize. The Big Buck Hunter World Championship draws the best Big Buck Hunter arcade game players competing in an epic two-day double-elimination tournament for a piece of the $100,000 prize. Over 20,000 Big Buck Hunter players attempted to qualify for the tournament this year. During a nationwide media tour on September 29 th, in conjunction with YourUpdate TV and D S Simon Media, Sara Erlandson, a four-time Big Buck Hunter World Champion and George Petro, Founder of Play Mechanix and developer of one of the most popular games women love to compete and play discussed: How mobile gaming is evolving as a major growth category. What is the motivation driving women like Sara Erlandson to become avid mobile gamers and more importantly, inspiring them to compete professionally. What makes mobile gaming so appealing, especially for women, and how can players compete with free apps like Skillz competitive mobile games platform. The thriving social community and camaraderie behind the Big Buck Hunter video game franchise, comprising millions of fans around the world who travel far and wide every year to compete. What’s happening both live and virtually at this year’s 14th annual Big Buck Hunter World Championship October 1-2. How can gamers participate, get involved, and find out more information. 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 30, 2021 10:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CSG’s Channing Jones Makes Impact with Innovative Inclusivity Programs, Leading to 2021 Cablefax Diversity List Honor

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced that its chief diversity and social responsibility officer, Channing Jones, has been selected as an honoree on the Cablefax Diversity List 2021. This achievement, after less than twelve months in her role, is a testament to Jones’ commitment to help CSG become a more diverse, equitable and inclusive company. It also recognizes her innovative approach to building an inclusive culture and equitable workforce by nurturing the talent of people of all backgrounds. “To drive impactful innovation, businesses should ensure that their products contribute to a more equitable society and be conscious about developing meaningful solutions that reflect this mindset,” said Channing Jones, CSG chief diversity and social responsibility officer. "The foundation of this is to ensure that the entire global leadership team makes diversity and inclusivity the priority that they need to be. It is a privilege to be among leaders at CSG who are committed to this journey of inclusion, growth and innovation and an absolute honor to be included in the 2021 Cablefax Diversity List.” Spearheaded by Jones, CSG is reaching beyond the company to expand its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) impact in collaboration with customers, vendors, and community partners and creating new opportunities for employees and the communities in which it operates globally. Most recently, Jones and her team expanded CSG’s partnership with Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative in South Africa to broaden the organization’s Women in Business program nationwide. The program empowers female ICT entrepreneurs to defy social norms and up-skill their technological acuity to drive business growth and promote inclusion. "Our people and our culture are the foundation of CSG’s long-term success and future growth,” said Brian Shepherd, CSG president and CEO. “The data is clear. The companies with the most talented, most inspired, and most diverse team win big. As a global technology leader with customers and employees all around the world, diversity and inclusion are vital to everything we do. Channing’s passion to help us create a truly level playing field, root out biases, foster belonging, and propel a more inclusive future makes her critical to our executive leadership team as we grow into the best version of CSG possible." # # # About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For nearly 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services, and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2021 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: Kristine Østergaard +44 (0)79 2047 7204 kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Kristine Østergaard +44 7500 518412 kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

September 30, 2021 08:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time