News Hub | News Direct

Lifestyle

Beverage: Coffee/Tea/Non-Alcoholic Beverage: Spirits/Beer/Wine Casino/Gaming Fashion Food/Cooking/Baking Health & Fitness Home Goods Hospitality Leisure Activities & Hobbies Parenting Pets Photography Seniors Travel & Tourism
Article thumbnail News Release

Road Scholar Looks Toward a New Horizon: Unveiling Exclusive Voyages Aboard World’s Largest Sailing Ship

Road Scholar

Today Road Scholar, the not-for-profit world leader in educational travel for older adults, unveils eight new programs aboard Tradewind Voyages’ SV Golden Horizon, the largest square-rigged sailing vessel in the world. Golden Horizon was designed as a near-replica of the 1913-built ship, France II, but undertook its maiden voyage just last year. The luxury vessel features three pools, five bars, a library, spa, gym, formal dining room, restaurant and more. All 140 cabins have ocean views, and internet and wine with dinner are included for every guest. “Road Scholars who join us aboard Golden Horizon in 2023 will be learning in luxury,” said Road Scholar’s Chief Program Officer, Maeve Hartney. “The heritage ship offers a special charm and sense of nostalgia with all the modern boutique-style amenities.” Road Scholar’s eight new programs include a voyage across the Mediterranean from Greece to Sicily, Malta, Sardinia and Spain. All eight programs for 2023 are full charters— meaning participants who enroll in these exclusive voyages will have the ship all to themselves. The charter programs also include airfare from many major cities. Not-for-profit Road Scholar’s educational mission is reflected in these new programs. Onboard experts will lead studies in art, history, culture and more on small-group field trips in historic ports from Greece to Croatia. The programs are the newest in Road Scholar’s collection of Adventures Afloat onboard floating classrooms around the world. Road Scholar has been offering shipboard learning adventures since 1998, including expedition, small-ship, riverboat and ocean voyages. Road Scholar recommends this program for active adventurers. As it’s modeled after a historic sailing ship, the SV Golden Horizon does not have an elevator on board, and field trips on land will require walking 3-5 miles per day over city streets and cobblestone paths. Road Scholar currently requires all participants and Group Leaders to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the ship will undergo expanded health and safety measures. “ Golden Horizon was designed with sustainability in mind,” says Alan McGrory, Tradewind Voyages’ CEO. “Because the ship is a sailing vessel, the captain takes advantage of local winds and currents as much as possible, so the engines— though eco-friendly— are rarely used. This means a quieter ride and a more environmentally conscious way to explore the globe.” Passengers can also expect fresh, simply prepared meals, according to Tradewind Voyages’ “eat well, be well” philosophy, with lots of options for vegans or vegetarians. Road Scholar’s inaugural charter aboard Golden Horizon launches in May 2023. See the programs and learn more at www.roadscholar.org/horizon. Contact Details Road Scholar Kelsey Knoedler Perri +1 617-521-5301 Kelsey.Perri@roadscholar.org Company Website https://www.roadscholar.org/press

June 01, 2022 10:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

SIGMA Announces 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary Lens, a Wide-Angle Zoom with Uncompromising Optical Performance in a Compact Body

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary, the latest high-performance zoom lens in the SIGMA Contemporary line, and a perfect companion to the current 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C. The new 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is designed to achieve optimal balance for a wide-angle zoom lens. An expressive ultra-wide angle of view, incredibly sharp optics, bright constant aperture, and robust yet lightweight construction all come together in one easy-to-use package. Available for Sony E-mount and L-Mount systems, this full-frame, mirrorless zoom lens is equally suitable for both still photography and video use. With inner zoom and focusing mechanisms, a high-speed stepping motor, and a convenient front filter thread, this lens offers premium imagery and video quality in a compact, balanced body, ideal for use on a gimbal. Paired with the similarly compact 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary lens (sold separately), users have the flexibility to handle a wide variety of compositions, all at F2.8 brightness, and all with outstanding clarity, contrast, and focusing performance. The SIGMA 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary lens will be available in the U.S. at SIGMA Authorized Dealers for a retail price of $899 in late June 2022. Learn more about the SIGMA 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/16-28mm-f2-8-dg-dn-c Exclusively for mirrorless cameras | Compatible with full-frame cameras C | Contemporary SIGMA 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Effortless freedom. A high performance compact ultra-wide zoom with a constant F2.8 aperture. Uncompromising optical performance within a compact body Convenient form-factor allowing more freedom and usability Exceptional build quality with intuitive ergonomics Supplied accessories: Petal-type lens hood (LH756-01), Front Cap (LCF-72 III), Rear Cap (LCRII) Available mounts: 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 #SIGMA1628mmContemporary #SIGMAContemporary #SIGMADGDN The full-frame SIGMA 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary combines exceptional optical quality, a bright F2.8 constant aperture and a robust and lightweight body, opening up new possibilities for L-Mount and Sony E-mount shooters who need professional results in a compact package. With its excellent field curvature correction, the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is able to achieve exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness, which is essential for most wide-angle applications. It boasts five FLD elements and four aspherical lens elements to ensure optimal image quality with minimal aberrations. The lens has an inner zoom mechanism that keeps overall length consistent throughout the entire zoom range, helping it feel balanced in the hand. The inner zoom also means the lens' center of gravity stays fairly constant, so it's perfect for gimbal use. A front filter thread allows filters to be attached more easily. The lens boasts an exceptionally compact form-factor, weighing in at just 450g and measuring just 100.6mm in length*, which makes it a highly practical optic that is portable enough for everyday shooting. It's especially appealing for landscape, wedding and travel photographers who need to carry their kit for long periods. *size and weight measurements given for L-Mount version Lightweight, versatile and extremely capable, SIGMA's 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary offers photographers effortless freedom at the ultra-wide end. [Key Features] 1. Uncompromising optical performance within a compact body Optimized with the latest optical design technology, the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is a high-performance optic that delivers exceptional image quality despite its compact size. The two large-diameter aspherical lens elements and five ideally arranged FLD glass elements (whose characteristics mirror that of fluorite) keep the lens light and compact while effectively suppressing the lateral and vertical chromatic aberrations that often diminish the image quality of other ultra-wide lens designs. The lens also utilizes the advanced digital correction capabilities of modern cameras to enable it to achieve such impressive image quality from such a small body. An F2.8 constant aperture gives a shallow depth-of-field for blurry out-of-focus areas, which is especially useful when shooting close-ups. The bokeh is smooth and circular thanks to the nine rounded diaphragm blades, which means the background never distracts from the in-focus subject. SIGMA has also taken extensive measures to counter ghosting and lens flare, which are caused by reflections inside the lens barrel. The Super Multi-Layer Coating ensures that the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary delivers punchy, high contrast results even in the most difficult of backlit conditions. 2. Convenient form-factor allowing more freedom and usability The new 16-28mm has a front filter thread built in, which allows neutral density and polarizing filters to be attached more easily. This is especially useful for landscape photographers and film-makers. By using a stepping motor to control the AF actuator, the autofocus of the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is both fast and silent, making it ideal for shooting photography and video in quiet environments. The inner zoom mechanism allows the lens to maintain the same length throughout the entire zoom range and with almost no shift to its balance point. The resulting stability will be appreciated by anyone looking to use the lens with a gimbal, or for hand-held or vlog-style video shoots. The inner zoom mechanism also greatly contributes to the lens' favorable physical dimensions: at a length of 100.6mm, a diameter of 77.2mm and a weight of only 450g*, its compactness rivals wide-angle zooms with slower maximum F4 apertures. *size and weight measurements given for L-Mount version Paired with the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary, photographers are able to cover ultra-wide to medium telephoto focal lengths with only two lenses. Their combined weight of only 920g makes for an extremely versatile, compact lens system with uniform F2.8 brightness. 3. Exceptional build quality with intuitive ergonomics The lens is constructed using specially selected lightweight materials including Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), a polycarbonate with a thermal contraction rate similar to that of aluminum. This enables the lens to function at peak performance even in environments with harsh temperature differences, as the metal and plastic parts contract and expand at similar rates. The precision of each individual component and the simple beauty of the finished product are made possible thanks to the craftsmanship and expertise of SIGMA's staff, the company's unparalleled manufacturing technology and the rigorous quality control at SIGMA's only production base in Aizu, Japan. Compact and lightweight, the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary lens is a sophisticated but versatile photographic tool that offers photographers and film-makers the perfect blend of portability and performance. [Additional Features] Lens construction: 16 elements in 11 groups, with 5 FLD and 4 aspherical lens elements Inner zoom Inner focus system Compatible with high-speed autofocus Stepping Motor Compatible with front filter (72mm) Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections and auto correction functionality may vary depending on the camera model. On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with "ON" or "OFF" in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to "ON" (AUTO). Support for DMF and AF+MF Super Multi-Layer Coating Focus Mode switch Petal-type lens hood (LH756-01) Mount with dust and splash-resistant structure Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (L-Mount only) Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately; L-Mount only) Designed to minimize flare and ghosting 9-blade rounded diaphragm High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount "Made in Japan" craftsmanship Every single lens is evaluated with SIGMA's proprietary MTF measuring system Learn more about SIGMA's craftsmanship here: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/ [Key Specifications] The figures below are for L-Mount Lens Construction: 11 groups, 16 elements (5 FLD, 4 aspherical elements) Angle of view: 107.0° - 75.4° Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm) Minimum aperture: F22 Minimum focusing distance: 25cm / 9.9 in. Maximum magnification ratio: 1:5.6 Filter size: 72mm Dimensions (Max. Diam. x Length): 77.2 x 100.6mm / 3.0 x 4.0 in. Weight: 450g / 15.9 oz. [Product Barcode] L-Mount: 00-85126-20665-9 Sony E-mount: 00-85126-20669-7 [Accessories: Supplied] Product Name / Barcode FRONT CAP LCF-72 III: 00-85126-92963-3 PETAL-TYPE LENS HOOD LH756-01: 00-85126-93990-8 REAR CAP LCR II (L-Mount): 00-85126-93725-6 REAR CAP LCR II (Sony E-mount): 00-85126-92987-9 [Accessories: Optional] Product Name / Barcode SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 for L-Mount: 00-85126-87869-6 SIGMA WR CERAMIC PROTECTOR 72mm: 00-85126-93181-0 SIGMA WR PROTECTOR 72mm: 00-85126-93095-0 SIGMA PROTECTOR 72mm: 00-85126-93108-7 SIGMA WR UV FILTER 72mm: 00-85126-93069-1 SIGMA WR CIRCULAR PL FILTER 72mm: 00-85126-93082-0 [Contact] For further information, please contact your local authorized SIGMA Service Station listed here: 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/c022_16_28_28/ About SIGMA Corporation Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with over 30 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. ### For information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog for helpful information about our products. Follow SIGMA America on social media! SIGMA Photo: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram SIGMA Cine: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Contact Details SIGMA Corporation of America Jack Howard +1 631-201-7381 sigma.pr@sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigmaphoto.com/

June 01, 2022 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

“It’s Worth the Wait” - Justin Bieber shows his commitment to his Tim Hortons collab and perfecting his Biebs Brew in new 60-second commercial

Tim Hortons

The new 60-second commercial for Justin Bieber’s next Tim Hortons collab has dropped, with Justin reconnecting with his Tims partner Pam and showing his devotion to co-developing the perfect Biebs Brew. Justin is the last one in the Tims office and pulling an all-nighter so he can be the first to try Biebs Brew, which is made with 100 per cent premium Arabica beans and is slowly steeped for 16 hours to enhance the bold and smooth flavor. The first part of the Tims x Justin Bieber collab was focused on Justin putting his own spin on his favorite treats at Tim Hortons: bite-sized Timbits donuts. For the second collab, Justin and Tims decided to develop a new twist on what the iconic brand is best known for: brewing the perfect cup of coffee. In product brainstorms with the Tims team, Justin shared that he prefers his coffee on ice, which led to working on a new flavor of Tim Hortons Cold Brew. Also inspired by a slight sweet tooth and his love for hints of delicious vanilla flavoring in his coffee, Justin and our beverage innovation team developed a creamy French Vanilla flavor to go with our Cold Brew. Biebs Brew is the perfect blend of those two beloved Tims flavors. "We couldn't stop at Timbiebs, we needed a Biebs Brew too. And we are bringing both to Tims next month,” said Justin. "Doing a Tim Hortons collab had always been a dream of mine. I grew up on Tim Hortons and it's always been something close to my heart." All three Timbiebs flavors – Chocolate White Fudge, Sour Cream Chocolate Chip, and Birthday Cake Waffle flavours – will return to Tims restaurants in Canada and the United States along with Biebs Brew on June 6. Guests in the US can get a $5 Biebs Bundle*: a large Biebs Brew and a 10-pack of Timbiebs for $5 when ordered through the Tims app. In the US, Tims restaurants will also be bringing back limited quantities of Timbiebs merchandise for guests, including the beanie, fanny pack, and tote bag that were developed in collaboration with Justin. When guests buy any Tims x Justin Bieber merch they get 50% off a second item**. “Timbiebs was a huge success – truly beyond all of our expectations – and what made it so great was the authenticity of the partnership,” said Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer for Tim Hortons. “Even before the Timbiebs collaboration, Justin had often shared with fans how he’d grown up with Tim Hortons and was obsessed with the brand. His commitment to working with us to develop a natural and authentic twist on the Tims experience is what made Timbiebs a hit and we know guests are going to love Biebs Brew and his take on Tims Cold Brew.” * No substitutions. Valid on bundle only, if items are added à la carte, promotional price will not apply. Ends 7/5/22. Add'l terms apply: timhortons.com/offer-terms. ** Buy 1 item at reg. price, get 1 for 50% off, while supplies last. No substitutions. Tax extra. Cannot be combined w/ any other offer, including food & beverage offers. Not valid on digital orders. “Justin Bieber” and “Biebs” are trademarks of Bieber Time Holdings, LLC. TM & © Tim Hortons, 2022. “Worth the Wait” was developed by creative agency GUT Toronto and The French Shop. CREDIT LIST Tim Hortons Axel Schwan - Regional President Hope Bagozzi - Chief Marketing Officer Solange Bernard - Sr. Director, Marketing Communications Dibba Iran-Parasti - Director, Marketing Communications Anthony Campos - Sr. Manager, Media Michael Oliveira - Director, Communications Meghan Giffin - Manager, Communications Ashley Hum - Sr. Analyst, Marketing Communications Jay Pritchett - Director, US Marketing Rebecca Eidelstein - Director, US Marketing Communications Pamela Estupinan - Sr. Manager, US Marketing Communications Samantha Owen - Sr. Manager, US Media & CRM Elizabeth Knox - Manager, US Marketing Communications Justin Bieber SB Projects Allison Kaye - President Jules Ferree - Executive Vice President GUT Accounts Laura Cavalcanti - Account Supervisor Ryan O’Hagan - Business Director Ali Joyaa - Account Executive Gurpriya Seth - Account Coordinator Production Kelly Mark - Senior Producer Athena Kouverianos - Director of Production Vivian Poon - Producer Strategy Dino Demopoulos - CSO Gvantsa Dataushvili - Senior Strategist Emily Barnes - Director of Content Strategy Chantal Legge - Content Supervisor Will Ramos - Social Strategy Director Creative Brynna Aylward - Executive Creative Director, Creative Lead Matthew Kenney - Creative Director Frederick Nduna - Creative Director Sophia Kossoski - Senior Art Director Laura De Santis - Senior Copywriter Daniel Zhang - Art Director Chris Vena - Copywriter Monica Herrera - Designer Alex Allen - Associate Creative Director Andy Tamayo - Associate Creative Director Beth Barnes - Creative Resource Manager Junia Parodi - Creative Manager TFS Client Service Thomas Dayon - Account Director Gabrielle Papineau - Account Manager Sabrina Desjardins - Account Manager Creative Team Joëlle Fournier - Managing Director, Adaptation Valérie Forget - Adaptation Director Brigitte Hébert-Carle - Adaptation Copywriter Production Julie Lorazo - Producer MTL Vendors La Majueure - Sound Recording and Mixing Denise Charest - Casting Media Monks Christina Ho - Team Lead Daisuke Kazuya - Senior Account Manager Lajor Cole-Etti - Senior Account Manager Gustavo Manrique - Project Lead Luke Rocks - Account Manager Tiffany Ko - Account Manager Sonio Kulkarni - Associate Account Manager Horizon Sheri Rogers - SVP, Business Solutions David Mear - Director, Business Solutions Tim Harris - Associate Director, Business Solutions Cobi Zhang - Director, Media Investment & Activation Tanya Cross - Associate Director, Media Investment & Activation ALISON BROD MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Adrianna Lauricella - Vice President Erika Berg Henty - Account Supervisor Tatum Treffeisen - Senior Account Executive Kate Beeks - Account Coordinator Craft Lisa Pasquin - President Ali Azzopardi - Vice President Brontë Wright - Account Manager Duncan Peng - Account Manager Kayla Mclean - Account Executive Robert Van Horne - Account Executive Emily Callahan - Account Coordinator Daisy Kling - Account Coordinator Red Apple Creative Nik Postinger - Audio Producer Luke McPeake - Engineer Holly Williams - Interim Client Success Executive Boy in the Castle Production Crew Colin Tilley - Director Jamee Ranta - EP/Producer Cora Johnson - Head of Production Clark Jackson - Line Producer Elias Talbot - Director of Photography David Cho - Production Supervisor Kevin Chang - Production Coordinator Nike Phillipides - 1st AD Mitchell Dillon - 2nd AD Kyle Schifflett - 2nd 2nd AD Colleen Smith - Improv Coach Camera Department Quaid Baca - 2nd Unit DoP Travis Montgomery - CAM OP Trevor Taylor - 1st AC - A cam Sharla Cipicchio - 1st AC - B cam Bryce Platz - 1st AC - C cam Seth Craven - 2nd AC - A cam Andy Kennedy - 2nd AC - B cam Sam Petroc - DIT Electric Department Brian “Red” Hickman - Gaffer Adam Flores - BB Electric Matt Hall - Electric Michael Koepke - Electric Alfredo Rodriguez - Electric Tomas Magana - Driver Grip Department Adama Shambour - Key Grip Jay Lopez - BB Grip Richie Warren - Grip Marissa Castrejon - Grip Randy Crisco - Grip Issac Cedano - Grip Art Department Brandon Mendez - Production Designer Duane Russell - Construction Coordinator Crystal Griego - Art Coordinator Dean Styers - Art Director Robb Duncan - Prop Master Benjamin Minty - Art Lead Richard Roraback - Set Dresser James Enrich - Set Dresser Armando Nunez - Set Dresser Joshua Ponce - Set Dresser Alfonso Ariana - Art Driver Jevon Dismuke - Art PA Priscilla Medina - Art PA Tim Madison - FX Operator VTR and Audio Rul Yacob - Boom Operator Ignacio C. Martinez - VTR Ignacio Martinez - Mixer Talent Eileen O’Connell - English Team Member Thomas Derasp-Verge - French Team Member Pierce Mayer - Stand-in Mike Fishbein - Talent Solutions Rep Grayson Music Ryan Kondrat - Director Chris Masson – Engineer Brian Bernard - Engineer Kelly McCluskey - Executive Producer Rich Hamilton - Music Supervisor Rooster Paul Proulx - Editor Jordan Giles - Editor Mariam Fahmy - French Editor Melissa Kahn - Executive Producer Soch Nwakaeze - Assistant Editor Austin Blackmore - Assistant Editor The Vanity Andrew Exworth - Colourist Jordan Benegbi - Colour Assistant Brock Cruess - Colour Assistant Michael Medeiros - Lead VFX Artist Adam Silcox-Vanwyk - Lead VFX Artist Sean Cochrane - VFX Artist Naveen Srivastava - VFX Artist Scott Olthoff - VFX Artist Noah Matikainen - VFX Artist Kalem Cahill - VFX Artist Andrew Farlow - VFX Artist Asher DiGiuseppe - VFX Artist Nicole Labbe - Producer Stephanie Pennington - Executive Producer About Tim Hortons Tim Hortons® is one of North America's largest restaurant chains operating in the quick service segment. Founded as a single location in Canada in 1964, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of guest tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks (including lattes, cappuccinos, espresso, teas and our famous Iced Capp® beverages), fresh baked goods, hot breakfast sandwiches, breakfast snacking items, and other food products. Tim Hortons has more than 4,800 system wide restaurants located in Canada, the United States and around the world. More information about the company is available at www.timhortons.com. Contact Details Alison Brod Marketing + Communications Adrianna Lauricella +1 212-230-1800 tims@abmc-us.com Company Website https://www.timhortons.com/

June 01, 2022 06:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL IS BACK IN 2022 WITH THE HIGHEST PRIZE MONEY IN PROFESSIONAL PICKLEBALL - $100,000 FOR EACH EVENT TO THE WINNING TEAM

Major League Pickleball

* 48 of the world’s best professional players line-up at Dreamland for MLP 2022 Austin fromJune 3rd-5th, kicking-off the three-event competition for this season’s Pritchard Cup, televised by CBS Sports * New MLP Team Owners unveiled joining Gary Vaynerchuk, Brené Brown, Marc Lasry, and James Blake * Additional MLP events announced in 2022 for Newport Beach, California, and Columbus, Ohio Austin, TX (May 31, 2022) – Major League Pickleball (MLP), the elite pickleball league showcasing the world’s best professional pickleball players in a unique mixed-gender team format, today announced its full line-up of teams, owners, events, and sponsors, as it prepares to kickstart its second season at MLP 2022 Austin from June 3rd-5th. In addition to Austin, additional MLP 2022 signature events will take place in Newport Beach, CA, from August 5th-7th, and Columbus, OH, from October 14th-16th. The winning team at each event will receive the highest prize money in professional pickleball: $100,000 ($25,000 per winning player). CBS Sports will exclusively televise the Austin final on June 5th, helping MLP serve as a platform to attract new pickleball fans and players to America's fastest growing sport. Each MLP 2022 signature event will take place over three days with all 12 MLP teams competing to win The Pritchard Cup, first awarded to Team BLQK at MLP’s inaugural event at Dreamland in November 2021. Last Saturday's draft at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows, NY populated the 12 teams with 48 of the world’s best professional players on four-person teams. This unique draft format enabled Team Owners to pick gender equitable teams of two men and two women players. There are three pools of four teams. After pool play, the top six teams will move on to a single elimination bracket. The quarterfinals and the semifinals will be livestreamed on MLP digital channels, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The 12 teams will compete this year under an exciting roster of new owners including David Kass & Doug Ulman (The Bus), Molly Joseph & Travis Rettenmaier (Florida Smash ), and Zubin Mehta (Mad Drops Pickleball Club ) who join Gary Vaynerchuk’s team ( The 5s). David Kass will also host MLP 2022 Columbus in a new indoor pickleball venue later this year. “I could not be more excited to announce Newport Beach and Columbus as our next two signature events in addition to MLP 2022 Austin. And it’s my honor to welcome our new team owners to our iconic Major League Pickleball team owner group,” said Steve Kuhn, Creator and Founder of Major League Pickleball. "Adding to Austin, Newport Beach and Columbus, we now also have Pickleball Night in America, our regular Tuesday night pro pickleball series, which is moving around the country, taking pro pickleball into great locations across the USA and giving pickleball fans over 60 events a year of pickleball action to tune into. That’s hundreds of hours of opportunities to showcase the sport we all love as well as the amazing pro players.” New Sponsors for MLP 2022 include: Franklin balls, Skechers footwear, Ora Organic nutrition products, Knockaround sunglasses, and ProXR paddles. 2022 MLP TEAMS AND PLAYERS: ATX Pickeballers ● Jade Kawamoto ● Sara Ansboury ● Dylan Frazier ● Altaf Merchant BLQK (Defending Champions) ● Irina Tereschenko ● Parris Todd ● Zane Navratil ● Rafa Hewett Chimeras ● Andrea Koop ● Megan Fudge ● Rob Cassidy ● Daniel DeLaRosa CLEAN ● Michelle Esquivel ● Regina Franco ● Dekel Bar ● Joey Farias Florida Smash ● Maggie Remynse ● Lee Whitwell ● JW Johnson ● Travis Rettenmaier Hard Eights ● Jorja Johnson ● Susannah Barr ● Andrei Daescu ● John Cincola Jackrabbits ● Jackie Kawamoto ● Mary Brascia ● AJ Koller ● Wes Gabrielsen Lions ● Bobbi Oshiro ● Corrine Carr ● Thomas Wilson ● Chuck Taylor Mad Drops Pickleball Club ● Vivienne David ● Olivia McMillan ● Adam Stone ● Julian Arnold Ranchers ● Anna Bright ● Maggie Brascia ● DJ Young ● Austin Gridley The 5s ● Simone Jardim ● Lina Padegimaite ● Rob Nunnery ● Erik Lange The Bus ● Lauren Stratman ● Milan Rane ● Kyle Yates ● Eden Lica #### About Major League Pickleball Major League Pickleball (MLP) is the elite professional pickleball competition that sees teams of two women, two men, compete in a unique format that has set new standards in the fastest growing sport in America. MLP’s first-ever event, which took place in November, 2022, raised the bar for pro pickleball, introducing broadcast and event production innovations that saw MLP awarded the title “Event of the Year” by The Dink. In addition to MLP’s goal to create engaging new platforms to showcase the best professional female and male pickleball players worldwide, MLP is also focused on helping build the grassroots of the sport, attracting both new participants and fans to pickleball in the USA and worldwide. For more information on Major League Pickleball, go to MajorLeaguePickleball.net and follow Major League Pickleball on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube. Contact Details Red Knot Mauricio Villarreal +1 919-808-8848 mauricio@redknotcomms.com Red Knot Larry Fink +1 702-249-8586 larry@redknotcomms.com Company Website https://www.majorleaguepickleball.net/

May 31, 2022 01:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

New Cannabis Testing to Help Growers Manage, Prevent Microbial Outbreaks

MCR Labs

Local cannabis testing laboratory MCR Labs has released a new testing suite designed to diagnose microbial issues and determine the best path forward for successful remediative measures. This new service can prevent future outbreaks by allowing cultivators to monitor their grow environment closely for any potential contamination sources, avoiding a full-on outbreak altogether. “It’s really a game changer for growers, as microbial outbreaks are not an ‘if’ but a ‘when’ issue,” said Jonathan Wani, MCR’s director of Business Development. “The biggest value for them is identifying the specific species behind the outbreak. Once you know what species you’re working with, you can develop a targeted remediation plan that’s going to be much more effective than a generic remediative method.” Environmental Monitoring is the latest addition to MCR’s arsenal of plant health services, following the release of Speciation and Plant Nutrition. These tools are meant to provide cultivators with actionable data on their grow to aid in the production of happy, healthy plants. “What we don’t want to do is just fail producers on these mandatory microbiological screens and leave them hanging,” said Michael Kahn, CEO & Founder of MCR Labs. “We’re here to assist cultivating a healthy plant, and therefore a safe product for the consumer.” MCR Labs is licensed as an independent testing laboratory in both the Medical and Adult Use Marijuana programs, which are overseen by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). The lab also offers their services to home growers, patients, researchers, or curious consumers. About MCR Labs: MCR Labs is one of the longest operational cannabis testing laboratories on the East coast with facilities operating in several legal cannabis markets. We are ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited providers of analytical cannabis product testing and R&D services committed to assisting licensed marijuana establishments, patients, researchers, entrepreneurs, and advocates. Our team of chemists and pharmaceutical scientists are dedicated to advancing public health and safety through leading-edge chemical analysis of cannabis products and offering unparalleled guidance and support for partners, regulators, and the communities we serve. For more information visit http://mcrlabs.com. Contact Details MCR Labs Alexandra Gomes +1 508-782-9772 alexandra@mcrlabs.com Company Website http://mcrlabs.com

May 31, 2022 12:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail Digital Asset Direct

Dads and Grads Gift Ideas

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group, Inc. Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

May 31, 2022 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video
Article thumbnail News Release

SleepX approved by the Helsinki Committee to conduct clinical trial with the SleepX PRO smartphone application

Appyea

SleepX, a subsidiary of AppYea (OTC: APYP) focusing on the development of accurate wearable monitoring solutions to treat sleep apnea and snoring, announces it received approval from the Helsinki Committee to begin its planned clinical trial on the SleepX PRO application. This follows the company’s recent update that it intends to test the SleepX Pro application at a hospital sleep lab. The trial is the first step towards applying for an FDA approval under the first-of-its-kind medical device category for contactless detection of sleep apnea to be performed through the Artificial Intelligence (AI) analysis of breathing during sleep. SleepX Pro, which is designed to diagnose sleep apnea using only a smartphone, requires no physical contact with the subject. Global Smart Sleep Tracking Products Market to Garner a Revenue of USD 11,234.55 Million by 2028 and Grow with a CAGR of 17.50% during 2020-2028; Surge in Concern for Sleep-Related Disorders to Drive the Market Growth, according to Kenneth Research (May 16, 2022). “Poor sleep is associated with the compromised immune system, heart problems, reduce physical and mental performance, mood problems, obesity and many other health problems”, said Neil Kline, Founder & former CEO of the American Sleep Association, and a AppYea Board Member. “Unfortunately, most people with sleep disorder breathing problems, like sleep apnea, are undiagnosed and untreated. Our goal in this unique technology is to raise the awareness to the problem and to improve people’s they can live healthier and more fulfilling lives.” “SleepX PRO makes for a unique, quick and friendly diagnosis tool that will prevent subjects from having to spend nights at sleep labs while saving the healthcare system and insurance companies hundreds of millions of dollars”, said Boris (Bary) Molchadsky, President and CEO of SleepX, and Chair at AppYea. “We plan to make our diagnosis solution highly accessible so people get tested easily. SleepX is an Israeli research and development company recently acquired by AppYea. The company had developed a unique product for monitoring and treating sleep apnea and snoring. The technology is protected by several international patents and the company plans to start serial production in 2022. The company currently focuses its activities on the development and commercialization of its flagship product DreamIT. Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release includes forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth herein. No statement herein should be considered an offer or a solicitation of an offer for the purchase or sale of any securities. Although APYP believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements, which involve assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend," or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties, including but not limited to adverse economic conditions, intense competition, entry of new competitors and products, adverse federal, state and local government regulation, inadequate capital, unexpected costs and operating deficits, increases in general and administrative costs, unanticipated losses, financial condition and stock price, inability to carry out research, development and commercialization plans and other specific risks. APYP does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement. Neither APYP nor SLEEPX are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. Contact Details Asaf Porat +1 800-674-3561 info@appyea.com Company Website http://www.appyea.com

May 31, 2022 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

XPOINT ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP OF CANADIAN GAMING SUMMIT

Xpoint Technology

Xpoint, the leading geolocation technology company specializing in sports betting, iGaming and gambling in North America, has announced that it is a sponsor of the forthcoming Canadian Gaming Summit (CGS). Taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Center from June 7 – 9, CGS is Canada’s premier gaming event, and an important annual opportunity for the Canadian and wider North American gaming industry to meet in-person. The announcement that Xpoint is sponsoring the 25 th edition of CGS comes shortly before Xpoint will be live for the first time in the Canadian market with a partner whose online gaming platform will go live in early June. Xpoint has also recently announced its first-ever awards nominations, in the prestigious SBC North America Awards 2022, in the categories of Rising Star in Sports Betting and Rising Star in Casino, further signs of Xpoint’s ongoing establishment and growth in Canada and the USA as the most innovative, partner-focused geolocation technology suppliers working the North American gaming industry. “I’m delighted we have been able to take up the opportunity to partner with CGS, the most prestigious Canadian gaming industry event of the year,” commented Marvin Sanderson, Xpoint CEO and Co-Founder. “This is a very exciting time for Xpoint, in particular in Canada where our first partner will soon be live in Ontario, which means that, just eight months after we unveiled Xpoint for the first time in Las Vegas, we’ll able to celebrate being live in the Canadian market with everyone who attends CGS.” Xpoint’s innovative geolocation solutions provide technology that enables sportsbooks and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operators to meet their regulatory obligations, helping engage with their customers safely and securely. Xpoint Verify is the real money gaming operator’s geolocation product of choice, while Xpoint Lite is specifically designed for DFS operators. Xpoint’s innovation is not just in product design and delivery, it is also inherent in the company’s ability to work with its partners to turn location-based data into business assets, transforming a utility into a business benefit. To find out more, go to www.xpoint.tech. ABOUT XPOINT Xpoint provides essential geolocation security solutions and intelligent location-based marketing insights to the global sports betting and iGaming industries. Xpoint’s innovative Verify and Lite platforms ensures partners meet their regulatory geo-compliance obligations, and deliver enhanced value through the generation of location-based data that can drive marketing programs. Recently nominated two 2022 SBC North America Awards, Xpoint was founded in 2019 and officially unveiled in Las Vegas in 2021, and is led by the company's CEO and Co-Founder Marvin Sanderson - a global sports betting and iGaming industry leader. With North American offices in Toronto, Canada and Miami, Florida, Xpoint is changing the global geolocation market, bringing innovation to an industry that has, to date, viewed geo-compliance as utility, not a new business opportunity. For more information, visit xpoint.tech and follow LinkedIn and Twitter for regular updates. Contact Details Xpoint Tom Webb +1 512-952-9369 tom.webb@xpoint.tech Company Website https://xpoint.tech/

May 30, 2022 09:00 AM Central Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

RAK Ceramics to Unveil New Global Design Hub in London

RAK Ceramics UK

RAK Ceramics PJSC (Ticker: RAKCEC: Abu Dhabi), one of the largest ceramics brands in the world, announced today the opening of its first global Design Hub in London. Located at 100 St John Street, in the heart of London's design quarter for designers, architects and developers, the RAK Ceramics Design Hub is one of the largest in the area, with 7,276 square feet over two floors. The space allows visitors to explore limitless design possibilities for their projects and showcases a wide range of RAK Ceramics bathroom ranges, kitchen taps, and brassware. The location also offers meeting facilities and a dedicated area showing the brand's extensive range of tiles, including mega slabs, which can be used for cladding, tiling, surfacing, and as unique decorative pieces. The RAK Ceramics Design Hub will be an interactive and immersive environment designed to inspire creativity and includes a working kitchen display, working tap display, Virtual Worlds 4D Theatre and a Grab and Go sample area. Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO, RAK Ceramics said "London is the obvious choice to launch our first global Design Hub concept. The UK is an increasingly important market for RAK Ceramics, and London is home to many of the world's leading designers, architects, and project specifiers. The RAK Ceramics Design Hub is a unique concept where the design community can experience the innovative possibilities of our products.” Many signature products will be displayed, including a new collection from world-renowned fashion designer ELIE SAAB along with products from designers Maurizio Scuttella, Debiasi & Sandri, and Patrick Nourget. Commenting on the design hub concept, Leonardo De Muro, VP of Marketing & Communications, RAK Ceramics said: "The RAK Ceramics Design Hub is a unique concept in our retail portfolio which allows us to bring together the design community, showcase unique products, and create a brand experience that is both inspiring and informative." The official launch of the RAK Ceramics Design Hub will take place on May 24, 2022, during the Clerkenwell Design Week. To celebrate its opening, designers Maurizio Scuttella, Federico Sandri, and Patrick Nourget will be hosting a series of special talks at the RAK Ceramics Design Hub from May 24-26, 2022. Further information can be found on the Clerkenwell Design Week website at: www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com. Commenting on the opening, Alvin Biggs, Managing Director, RAK Ceramics (UK), said: "We are proud that London has been selected as the location for RAK Ceramics' first global Design Hub, and we look forward to welcoming the international design community to showcase RAK Ceramics' global product innovations." Media Press Kit A media press kit including a digital copy of this press release, approved company images, corporate profiles and product ambiences are available for download at the following URL: https://airtable.com/shrM86xtITKgSZBaf About RAK Ceramics RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramics brands in the world. Specialising in ceramic and gres porcelain wall and floor tiles, tableware, sanitaryware and faucets, the Company has the capacity to produce 118 million square metres of tiles, 5 million pieces of sanitaryware, 24 million pieces of porcelain tableware and 1 million pieces of faucets per year at its 21 state-of-the-art plants across the United Arab Emirates, India and Bangladesh. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, RAK Ceramics serves clients in more than 150 countries through its network of operational hubs in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Asia, North and South America and Australia. RAK Ceramics is a publicly listed company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in the United Arab Emirates and as a group has an annual turnover of approximately US$1 billion. Further information is available online at www.rakceramics.com Contact Details RAK Ceramics Group Steven Allen +971 7 246 7400 steven.allen@rakceramics.com UK Press Enquiries Fiona Pavely, Shelan Communications Limited Fiona.pavely@shelan.co.uk Company Website https://www.rakceramics.com/

May 30, 2022 04:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

1 ... 293294295296297 ... 414