News Hub | News Direct

Communications

Advertising Communications Graphic Design Internet Marketing Media Publishing SEO
Article thumbnail News Release

Retirees Fight to Strengthen Clawback Policy, Limit Executive Golden Parachutes at Verizon

The Association of BellTel Retirees

Members of the non-profit Association of BellTel Retirees, Inc. have two shareholder proposals for the 2023 Verizon (NYSE:VZ) shareowner meeting, aimed at strengthening the senior executive clawback policy while limiting executive golden parachutes. The annual meeting will be in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 11. The BellTel Retirees have a long and successful history of shareowner advocacy at Verizon, acting as an integral check for better governance practices. Since 2003, they have achieved 12 changes to corporate governance, including three by majority vote (2013, 2007, 2003). The Association of BellTel Retirees is proposing Item #8, a Shareholder Ratification of Annual Equity Awards policy (Aka: “Golden Parachute”) which recommends shareowner approval of any new and renewed senior executive compensation packages that would include severance or termination payments exceeding 2.99 times base salary plus target short-term bonus. A nearly identical retiree proposal achieved a 44% vote in 2022. This measure seeks to strengthen the current policy, which Verizon adopted following a successful 2003 BellTel-backed proposal that achieved 59% of shares voted. Retirees believe much more scrutiny is needed over exit packages, reflective of the one currently available to CEO Hans Vestberg. As disclosed in the 2023 Proxy, Mr. Vestberg could receive $31.6 million, or more than six (6) times his 2022 base salary plus a short-term bonus, upon termination following any change in company control. The second retiree proposal, by BellTel Chairman Thomas M. Steed, which achieved 37% in 2022, would amend Verizon’s Senior Executive Compensation Clawback Policy (Item #7). The current policy allows cancellation or recoupment of cash and equity compensation when executives engage only in “willful misconduct” resulting in a material restatement of the corporation’s financial results. BellTel believes the company’s current policy wording is too vague and lenient to ever be effective. Proposal #7 urges enhancing the standard from “willful misconduct” to “conduct” that can cause financial or reputational risk to the company. “The executive clawback policy governing senior executives, should reflect the same expectations that all other employees of Verizon are duty-bound to follow. There should not be a double standard,” said Steed, who submitted the proposal. “Since employees can be disciplined or dismissed for failing to execute their duties, senior executives should certainly not be rewarded for harm they cause to the company’s brand or reputation, or actions that result in Verizon needing to pay penalties or restitution.” Retiree and employee shareowners whose shares are held within a Verizon savings/401k plan are required to vote by no later than May 8, 2023. Contact Details Butler Associates Sabrina Petrafesa +1 646-213-1366 spetrafesa@butlerpr.com Butler Associates Thomas Butler +1 646-213-1802 TButler@ButlerPR.com Company Website https://belltelretirees.org/

March 29, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Theorem Inc Wins Gold for Content Marketing / Blog Series and Platinum for Creativity (Web Design) / Website At AVA Digital Awards

Theorem Inc

Theorem Inc., a full-service flexible digital media and marketing solutions provider, was honored with a Gold AVA Digital Award in the Content Marketing / Blog Series category and a Platinum award in the Creativity (Web Design) / Website category. This marks the second consecutive year that Theorem has been selected as an AVA Digital Awards Winner. The AVA Digital Awards, sponsored and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, recognize outstanding achievements by creative professions involved in the concept, direction, design and production of media that is a part of the evolution of digital communication. Winners were selected from over 200 categories in audio, video and web-based production. Founded in 2002 by CEO Jay Kulkarni, Theorem provides end-to-end agile digital marketing services for some of the world's leading brands. Its unique approach is pioneering the future of full-service, flexible marketing solutions. The team continuously works to optimize their website to provide end-users with a seamless and user-friendly experience. Theorem’s blog content is aimed at providing valuable insights on industry trends and new Theorem offerings to site visitors. “It’s an honor to be recognized by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals for our website design and blog” Kulkarni said. “Achievements like this remind us why we do what we do and continue to motivate us to provide valuable insights to the industry.” Details about the AVA Digital Awards are available at www.avaawards.com About Theorem Founded in 2002, Theorem provides end-to-end agile digital marketing services for some of the world's leading brands. Theorem takes legacy services and pivots these approaches to develop future-proof, modern marketing solutions for clients and partners. Creating end-to-end solutions designed to solve client challenges, through our extensive knowledge of and agile approach to digital marketing technology and strategies. Theorem is pioneering the future of full-service flexible marketing solutions. Theorem’s expertise saves their clients time, reduces their costs and increases their revenue. For more information, visit www.theoreminc.net. Contact Details Kerriann Becker +1 631-235-7796 kerriann@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://theoreminc.net/

March 29, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

News Direct Expands Its Groundbreaking Sponsored Content Product, “Idea Marketplace”, Into Multiple New Business-focused Categories

News Direct

In early January of this year, News Direct launched its experimental sponsored content service, called Idea Marketplace. It was intended to provide options to content marketers to gain exposure for content that was not suited for mainstream wire distribution but nonetheless sought to leverage the strong domain authority of newsdirect.com to find an audience. But what began as a pilot program has now grown into a full-fledged phenomenon. Since the first guest post on January 10 th, more than 1,000 pieces of content have been published across 36 individual categories and subcategories as diverse as iGaming, Cannabis and Marketing Insights. This explosive success has been achieved due to the significant traction guest posters have received in search engine results. Given the effectiveness and popularity of the product, News Direct is expanding its menu of categories to include those that focus on thought leadership-oriented topics, white papers, research reports and investment commentary. News Direct offers bundled packages as well as category exclusives and is positioned to create, upon request, additional new categories that could benefit from the broad exposure Idea Marketplace provides. Gregg Castano, News Direct CEO, commented, “While we knew that News Direct had built tremendous domain authority via our primary distribution platform, we were very pleasantly surprised to see how that also crossed over into our sponsored content venture. Customers have been highly impressed and exceedingly satisfied with the results they’ve seen, quite often finding their content ranked at or near the top of page one Google results. We believe we can provide such outcomes in countless other market segments.” About News Direct News Direct provides news and content distribution for PR, IR, Corporate Communications and Marketing professionals. Our automated digital platform delivers a completely reimagined, intuitive, cloud-based workflow, industry-leading security via cloud isolation encryption, transparent, flat-rate pricing and standalone multimedia distribution. News Direct's custom-designed software has produced the industry's most technologically advanced user experience resulting in the most dynamic, efficient and flexible platform available today. To learn more visit newsdirect.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. Contact Details News Direct Corp. News Direct Media Relations sponsoredcontent@newsdirect.com Company Website http://www.newsdirect.com

March 28, 2023 02:41 PM Coordinated Universal Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

A Global Email and Web Hosting Provider Has Been Hacked Multiple Times Now — Tech CEO Alain Ghiai Explains Why This Keeps Happening And How Sekur Private Data Provides An Alternative

Sekur Private Data Ltd

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Popular web hosting mogul GoDaddy reported a huge data breach in late 2022. Hackers had stolen source code and installed malware on servers due to a cPanel breach. According to reports, the incidents were part of a multi-year campaign, especially alarming to GoDaddy’s client base. CEO Alain Ghiai of Sekur Private Data Ltd. (OTCQX: SWISF) (CSE: SKUR) (FRA: GDT0) recently spoke to New to The Street to share his thoughts on these data hacks and how Sekur is different. Ghiai shares that GoDaddy operates on open-source technology. For those that are unfamiliar, open-source software is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify and enhance. In other words, the software design is publically accessible. Programmers who have access to a computer program’s source code can change or hack anything they have available. The majority of Big Tech is open source because at the turn of the century when Web 2.0 was expanding, open source allowed developers to share code and create usable solutions to expand technology. These days open source is considered a vulnerability. The multi-year GoDaddy data breach drives this point home. That’s why Ghiai preaches the importance of closed-source software and why his company, Sekur, stands out from the crowd when it comes to privacy and security. Proprietary or closed-source software is the opposite of open source. These networks and programs have a source code that can only be modified by the person, team or organization who created it and maintains exclusive rights to it. Sekur is an example of a proprietary or closed source. Sekur is a US-listed cybersecurity and internet privacy company that provides private and secure communications and data management. It uses military-grade encryption security and combines it with its proprietary encryption and Swiss data privacy laws. Since its wholly-owned servers are hosted in Switzerland, all user data is protected by the Swiss Federal Data Protection Act (FADP) and the Swiss Federal Data Protection Ordinance. The company’s use of some of the strongest privacy protection in the world for individuals and entities makes its Swiss-hosted services attractive. Additionally, it uses its own servers and does not host its software with any Hyperscaler, or big tech hosting companies, and does not sell or lend any of its user’s data, guaranteeing full privacy. Sekur is a closed-loop platform with multiple layers of privacy and security. Its products like SekurMail, SekurMessenger and SekurVPN offer users complete privacy because their code is unavailable for the manipulation that causes hacks. In the 10 years that Sekur has existed, they have had zero ransom instructions from hackers. Sekur has successfully built a brand that prides itself on state-of-the-art technology allowing for secure and private communication. This article was originally published on Benzinga here. Sekur Private Data Ltd. is a Cybersecurity and Internet privacy provider of Swiss hosted solutions for secure communications and secure data management. The Company distributes a suite of secure cloud-based storage, disaster recovery, document management, encrypted e-mails, and secure communication tools. Sekur Private Data Ltd. sells its products through its websites www.sekur.com and www.sekursuite.com, and approved distributors, and telecommunications companies worldwide. Sekur Private Data Ltd. serves consumers, businesses and governments worldwide. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Corporate Department corporate@sekurprivatedata.com Company Website https://sekurprivatedata.com

March 28, 2023 09:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video
Article thumbnail News Release

House Budget Chairman Introduces a Constitutional Path for Voters to Approve a State-drafted and Inflation-fighting Fiscal Responsibility Amendment

Federal Fiscal Sustainability Foundation

The Federal Fiscal Sustainability Foundation (FFSF), a coalition of nonpartisan advocates concerned about the impacts of inflation and out-of-control national debt, applaud House Budget Committee Chairman Jody Arrington’s introduction of House Concurrent Resolution 24. This legislation calls for an Article V Convention for proposing a Fiscal Responsibility Amendment to the United States Constitution and stipulates ratification by a vote of We the People.” On Wednesday, March 29 th, former Comptroller General and FFSF Co-Founder David Walker will testify before the House Budget Committee at a Hearing entitled, “ Fiscal State of the Union.” Walker will discuss the “ Fiscal Way Forward ” ( 10:00 AM Eastern in 210 Cannon House Office Building) which includes adopting a federal fiscal responsibility constitutional amendment designed to constrain debt/GDP to a reasonable and sustainable level. HCR 24 calls on Congress to set the time and place for an Article V “Convention for proposing Amendments” and requires amendment ratification by a vote of the people in “ three fourths (38) of the States via State Ratifying Conventions. The resolution also designates the House Clerk as responsible for confirming from congressional records whether, at any time, at least two-thirds (34) of the states “ had unrescinded continuing Applications on any national issues (plenary) plus the single issue of fiscal responsibility. ” Chairman Arrington originally introduced this legislation as HCR 101 in July of 2022 requiring Congress to perform its ministerial duty under Article V of the U.S. Constitution which states: ‘The Congress,...on the Application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments…to the United States Constitution… The Concurrent Resolution states in part: “beginning in 1979, when Congress appears to have failed in its constitutional duty to count Applications and call a ‘‘Convention for proposing Amendments,’’ the Nation’s debt has increased to more than $31 trillion from $860 billion, while the value of the dollar has declined by over 75 percent.” Hon. David M. Walker, former Comptroller General of the United States, stated, “I commend Rep. Jodey Arrington for his leadership in introducing a resolution designed to restore federal fiscal sanity and uphold the Article V rights of the states to propose and the people to ratify an Inflation-fighting Fiscal Responsibility Amendment. The time has come to end the dereliction of duty by Congress and defuse our ticking debt bomb.” Ken Cuccinelli, former Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, and former Attorney General of Virginia said, “We must use the Constitution to restore the boundaries of power in Washington. The process this resolution calls for is state driven from beginning to end, requiring a vote of the people to ensure its safety. If Congress fails to approve the resolution as Article V appears to mandate, a mandamus action will likely be pursued in Federal Court.” Admiral William Owens, United States Navy (ret.) and former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, “Our country seriously needs a strong reminder of both the states’ equal right with Congress to propose Amendments and the seriousness of acting fiscally in the best interests of our country and our national security.” Dr. Barry Poulson, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Colorado stated, “The United States is out of step as more than 90 countries are using fiscal rules today. The “Swiss Debt Brake,” for example, was approved in 2001 by an 85% vote of the people. It slowed total annual spending growth, excluding social security, resulting in Switzerland being ranked as having the highest GDP per capita and the lowest borrowing cost of any AAA rated Country. It is time for citizens to decide how much government they want and are willing to pay for.” “On behalf of my granddaughters, I want to thank U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington for taking this important step to correct Congress’ constitutional failure in 1979 to call the Convention for proposing Amendments. Most importantly, the Resolution would prohibit any proposed Amendments from being added to our Constitution without a majority vote of the people for yes-pledged delegates in three-quarters of the State Conventions,” stated David Biddulph, Co-Founder of the Federal Fiscal Sustainability Foundation. The Concurrent Resolution is a significant victory in the fiscal responsibility coalition’s “ StopInflating.US ” campaign for a state-drafted, voter-approved, inflation-fighting Fiscal Responsibility Amendment to the United States Constitution as soon as November 5, 2024. ### Please visit: StopInflating.US To learn more about the calls for an Article V Convention for proposing Amendments or to schedule an interview with a Federal Fiscal Sustainability Foundation spokesperson, contact Mae James at 386-423-4744. Contact Details Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website https://letusvoteforfra.org/

March 28, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Orange Tree Employment Screening Accelerates Momentum with Expansion of Senior Leadership Team

Orange Tree Employment Screening

Orange Tree Employment Screening, a technology-driven services company in the background screening industry, today announced that it has expanded its leadership team to include three new senior roles. Justin Jovle will serve as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO), while Bridget George will be the new Vice President of Client Services, and Brooke Boeser will help guide company expansion as the new Vice President of Marketing. The new hires will help the company continue to accelerate its strong growth while delivering unparalleled client service. “Over the past 18 months, Orange Tree has grown significantly, both organically and through acquisition. To continue this growth, it is important to strategically expand our leadership team,” said Renee Ernste, CEO of Orange Tree. “We are not stopping here. We have expansion plans which require expertise to enable the successful integration of the companies we’ve purchased and to support future acquisitions.” In addition to growing via acquisition and new sales, Orange Tree recently released an innovative online buying experience which provides buyers new levels of choice and pricing transparency. Available to all businesses, the online platform is targeted to the midmarket and small business customer who wants help in choosing the best solution with full visibility to pricing previously reserved for only enterprise businesses. “The buyers’ preferences have changed, and we are delivering what today’s customer expects and deserves,” said Jeff Ernste, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. “Customers want to buy solutions tailored to their needs, in a way and at a time that is convenient for them, and with full transparency to the pricing and terms of their program. We are delivering a solution which aligns precisely with their needs. “The strategic decision to bring in tested leadership and launch a game-changing online buying platform means that Orange Tree’s growth momentum is just beginning,” concluded Ernste. About Orange Tree Employment Screening For more than 30 years, Orange Tree has provided technology-enabled background screening, drug testing, and occupational health services that are fast, easy to use, and can be tailored to the unique needs of each employer. Orange Tree streamlines hiring decisions, integrates with HCM and ATS platforms, and empowers employers in Healthcare, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Retail, Staffing, and other major industries to quickly fill open positions while delivering an engaging candidate experience. Learn more at www.orangetreescreening.com. Contact Details Razor Sharp PR Ray Young +1 512-694-6097 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://www.orangetreescreening.com/

March 28, 2023 08:30 AM Central Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

NAVEX 2023 Global Incident Management Benchmark Study Reveals Shifts in Workplace Culture and Reporting Trends

NAVEX Global

NAVEX, the leader in integrated risk and compliance management software, has released its 2023 Hotline & Incident Management Benchmark Report. The bellwether annual benchmark report provides valuable insight into the workplace culture of 52 million employees across 3,430 organizations, examining the trends of 1.52 million reports from across the globe. "We use NAVEX's annual benchmark report to help inform our risk management strategy," says FedEx Chief Compliance Officer Justin Ross. "As an industry leader, we do our best to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest incident reporting and risk management trends. The insight this report provides helps us do just that." “NAVEX has long been the gold standard for risk and compliance data analytics in the industry. This annual benchmark study is derived from the world’s largest incident reporting database by far,” says Carrie Penman, NAVEX chief risk and compliance officer. “Our expanded analytics in 2023 allowed for a deeper examination of the issues and behaviors that are most impactful to today’s workplaces. Chief among them is workplace civility, which is likely driven by increased societal tension generally.” This year’s analysis of the data revealed four key themes and several notable findings: Reporting at an all-time high, but reporters proceeded with more caution. This year’s analysis revealed the highest median level of Reports per 100 Employees (1.47) in the history of this report. Further, 21% of organizations received five or more Reports per 100 Employees, a positive finding. However, data also showed a return to higher levels of anonymous reporting (56%), indicating more reporter concern about providing their name. HR-related reports are still the majority, but more granular analysis reveals workplace stresses. The median organization had nearly 54% of its reports in the HR, Diversity & Workplace Respect category, up from 50% in 2021. Reviewing the reporting frequency across deeper issue types offers more insight into organizational stresses and behaviors – particularly an increase in workplace civility concerns involving abusive or disrespectful behavior. The data also shows the frequency of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and substance abuse reports in 2022 all increased. These metrics are important to watch as a measure of cultural health and potentially a measure of mental health risks. People want to talk live, but a written web-based report is more likely to be substantiated. While general communications modes move more to texting and instant messaging, this year's data shows an increase in telephonic helpline reports, from 31% in 2021 to 34% in 2022. Hybrid work models have made it easier for employees to make a telephone report from home and more challenging to report in person. However, more thoughtful written reports, submitted via the web, are more likely to be substantiated than phone reports. In 2022, the median Substantiation Rate for web reports was 39% compared to 33% for phone. Size matters – smaller organizations have higher reporting rates; mid-size companies are experiencing some challenges. The 2022 analysis reveals that smaller organizations with fewer than 2,500 employees registered the highest Reports per 100 Employees at 2.99. In contrast, the largest organizations, with over 100,000 employees, had a much lower rate of only 1.20 Reports per 100 Employees. Mid-sized companies with 2,500-49,999 employees had the lowest rate of all, with fewer than 1.0 Reports per 100 Employees. Organizations with 2,500 to 5,999 employees recorded the highest rate of anonymous reporting at 60%. "Data is at the heart of making smart decisions about risk management and spotting potential problems throughout the organization. This is particularly important for issues affecting workplace culture. NAVEX's integrated data platform provides industry-leading insights and a unique window into the performance of their risk and compliance program, which in turn helps them achieve the business outcomes that matter most," says A.G. Lambert, NAVEX chief product officer. Additional notable findings include: The frequency of bribery and corruption reports increased in 2022, as did product quality and safety reports. Conflicts of interest reporting dropped significantly but is still in the top five. Data privacy and protection also made the top five. While overall Substantiation Rates remained steady at 41%, the five issue types with the highest frequency of substantiation were: global trade (76%), imminent threat to a person or property (75%), environment (71%), Data privacy and protection (68%), misuse or misappropriation of assets (67%) and health and safety (65%). More than half of organizations have a median Case Closure Time under 30 days. The largest organizations had the shortest Case Closure Time. Notable, and perhaps concerning, is a median of 18% of cases were closed on the same day they were received. This finding indicates instances that may have been forwarded to a different department and resolved prior to complete resolution, implying that a case classified as "closed" for compliance does not necessarily denote closure for the organization. For more insights on the 2023 Incident Management Benchmark Report, join Justin Ross, FedEx chief compliance officer, Carrie Penman, NAVEX chief risk & compliance officer, and Anders Olsen, NAVEX senior data scientist, for an informative webinar where they will discuss the results of this year’s analysis in detail. Register here or, read our blog, Don’t Miss Out – World’s Leading Hotline Webinar & Report Released March 28. NAVEX is trusted by thousands of customers worldwide to help them achieve the business outcomes that matter most. As the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software and services, we deliver solutions through the NAVEX One platform, the industry’s most comprehensive governance, risk and compliance (GRC) information system. For more information, visit NAVEX.com and our blog. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Contact Details NAVEX Scott Levesque +1 617-388-5773 scott.levesque@navex.com Company Website https://www.navex.com

March 28, 2023 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Comcast will Invest $280 Million this Year to Upgrade its Network, Expand Internet Service, and Support Communities in Oregon and Washington

Comcast Washington

Comcast today announced it will invest $280 million this year to offer multi-gigabit Internet speeds to more than four million locations, expand broadband and video services to more than 60,000 additional homes and businesses, and provide donations and in-kind services to communities throughout Oregon and Washington. Network Investment and Expansion Comcast’s investment will significantly expand and evolve the availability of the Xfinity 10G Network across the Pacific Northwest in 2023. Once complete, these locations will have the foundational next-generation network in place to introduce new multi-gigabit Internet options. Comcast is expanding fiber-rich network improvements that will offer Oregon and Washington customers upload speeds up to 10 times faster than the fastest they have now. And the network upgrade will extend throughout Comcast’s service area in Oregon and Washington to every community, zip code, and neighborhood served by the network. The first phase of network enhancements is happening now and initially will offer a maximum download speed of 2 Gbps, combined with upload speeds up to 200 Mbps, which is five to 10 times faster than Comcast’s existing upload speeds. Comcast expects that 40 percent of the company’s network in the Pacific Northwest will offer multi-gig Internet speeds by the end of 2023. Comcast will also expand its network to deliver Xfinity Internet and TV services and Comcast Business Internet services to nearly 60,000 additional homes and businesses, including the rural communities of Eagle Creek, Estacada, Mt. Angel, and Silverton in Oregon, and Battleground, Chattaroy, Key Peninsula and Sumas in Washington. The network expansion is the latest example of Comcast’s investment to connect more households and businesses in the Pacific Northwest to its Internet services that deliver fast speeds, more reliability, broader coverage in the home, and greater capacity to support customers’ growing Internet usage. Comcast expanded service to 54,788 additional homes and businesses last year in Oregon and Washington. Further, the company has invested $1B in technology and infrastructure investments in Oregon and Washington during the previous three years, including network expansion and upgrades. Community Investment The $280 million investment by Comcast this year will fund contributions, foundation grants, free Internet connectivity, employee volunteerism and giving campaigns, broadcast services, laptop donations, and more to make a positive impact in communities throughout Oregon and Washington. Throughout the year, the company will collaborate with non-profit partners, including Boys & Girls Clubs, Goodwill, Urban League, YWCA, and others to advance digital equity and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Pacific Northwest. The funding will also support ongoing efforts to build awareness about connectivity programs like Internet Essentials and the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which offers eligible households up to $30/month credit, or up to $75 for households on tribal lands, for home Internet. Comcast proudly participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program and offers Internet Essentials Plus, a $29.95/month home Internet service that is effectively free for eligible households, once the ACP credit is applied. Interested customers can visit Xfinity.com/ACP or call 1-800-Xfinity to learn more about this program and determine if they qualify. “The Washington State Broadband Office is pleased that Comcast is expanding its service to numerous locations in Washington that have previously been without needed broadband service. Not only is Comcast providing expanded access, but they are also partnering with non-profits to provide training and devices that assist people in using broadband services. The company’s investments and collaboration with community partners are essential to ensuring that broadband service is a reality for residents and businesses in Washington.” “Our investment is helping to build a network of the future and get more rural communities in Oregon and Washington connected to the Internet,” said Rodrigo Lopez, Senior Regional Vice President of Comcast’s Pacific Northwest Region. “In addition to delivering the network of tomorrow and more broadband in more places, we are also investing to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities in the Pacific Northwest.” For more information on Comcast in Oregon, visit https://oregon.comcast.com/. For more information about Comcast in Washington, visit https://washington.comcast.com/. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Contact Details Comcast in Washington Jack Follman Jack_follman@comcast.com Comcast in Oregon Rachael Arnold rachael_arnold@comcast.com Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

March 27, 2023 08:55 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Asure Software's Comprehensive HCM Platform And Strategic Partnerships Help Small Businesses Navigate Economic Uncertainty

Benzinga

By Spotlight Growth In an age of economic uncertainty and volatility, the Human Resources technology and Human Capital Management (HCM) industries are going through drastic changes. With a tight labor market and increasing inflation, workplace issues have become a priority, not only for small businesses and their employees but also for government officials and investors. The increased availability of employee self-service portals is one of the most remarkable developments in HR technology. Such portals make it possible for personnel to access data promptly and efficiently from any location. This accessibility is likely to remain and grow through 2023, as companies strive to maintain their most talented staff while negotiating economic uncertainty with talent management initiatives. The ever-shifting nature of economic policy - from fiscal, regulatory, and monetary policies - is a huge source of instability that has a palpable effect on consumer confidence and economic agent behavior. This uncertainty creates turbulent markets, affecting businesses of all sizes. Companies must stay ahead of the curve by investing in cutting-edge solutions and strategies to manage their workforce efficiently and position for lasting success. Optimizing and effectively engaging an organization's human capital has been demonstrated to have a profound influence on many organizational KPIs, such as productivity, employee turnover, product quality, work safety, and customer satisfaction. As a result, there is a growing emphasis on the relationship between human resource management (HRM) and human capital management (HCM). HRM centers its attention on the fundamental HR tasks of keeping employee records and administering benefits, yet HCM takes it to the next level, encompassing HRM functions as well as analytical and performance management strategies. One HCM provider that has been a bright spot for its investors and clients amid the economic turmoil is Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR). Asure's Recent News Over the past couple of weeks, the U.S. and global banking sector has come into focus, as three U.S. banks close alongside UBS's (NYSE: UBS) fire-sale takeover of rival Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS), a Swiss banking institution that had a rich history of over 170 years in business. The failure of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has prompted bank runs and instability across the global banking system, as consumers rush to advert losing deposits that exceed the FDIC's $250,000 insurance limit. Despite the government's attempt to cool the panic by providing backing for all deposits at qualified institutions, investors are still selling off banks at a rapid clip. This is important for Asure Software because the company recently confirmed that it did not have any deposits at the troubled banks SVB or Signature Bank. This has helped the HCM provider side-step excessive market volatility and remain less than $1.00 off its 52-week highs. Outside of the banking issues, tax day is right around the corner in the United States. Mark your calendars for April 18, 2023, which is when taxes or the request for a six-month extension are due. Asure's recent partnerships with H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) and Intuit's (NASDAQ: INTU) TurboTax will help its small business clients offer streamlined tax preparation for its employees. Asure's partnership with ZayZoon, a provider of earned wage access and employee financial wellness services, will also be key for its client base amid the economic uncertainty. During times of economic stress, the need for financial wellness, education, and coaching becomes imperative. These services can help employees to remain focused on their current financial situation without causing unnecessary panic or stress. These key partnerships and integrations are just what Asure's small business clients need to continue optimizing their human capital. As we touched upon at the beginning of this article, small businesses must adopt new and innovative technologies and services to help retain top talent and to remain competitive when searching for new employees. Asure gives small businesses the tools needed to secure and attract top employees. ASUR Valuation and Growth Outlook As of this writing, Asure Software has six Wall Street analysts covering its stock. The six analysts all have impressive backgrounds, with ratings between 4 and 5 stars, according to TipRanks. These analysts currently have a consensus rating of "strong buy" with an average 12-month price target of $18.17, which implies an additional potential upside of 31.57% from Asure's current price of $13.81. While we have covered Asure's analysts' estimates on an overall basis, let's dive into the current analyst consensus estimates for revenue, EBITDA, EBIT, and EPS growth: Asure Software's current valuation and growth consensus estimates for FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2025 provide insight into the company's financial performance and potential future growth. The valuation metrics include EV/Revenue, EV/EBITDA, EV/EBIT, and Price/Earnings, while the growth metrics focus on Revenue Growth, EBITDA Growth, EBIT Growth, and EPS Growth. For FY 2023, Asure Software's valuation metrics are estimated as follows: EV/Revenue is 2.81x, EV/EBITDA is 17.95x, EV/EBIT is 25.24x, and Price/Earnings is 47.06x. In terms of growth, the company is expected to experience a 10.6% increase in revenue, a 40.7% increase in EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization), a 52.2% increase in EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes), and a 28.0% increase in EPS (earnings per share). Moving on to FY 2024, the valuation metrics are projected to be: EV/Revenue at 2.57x, EV/EBITDA at 15.03x, and Price/Earnings at 35.24x. The growth estimates for this year include a 9.4% increase in revenue, a 19.4% increase in EBITDA, and a 33.6% increase in EPS growth. Lastly, for FY 2025, the valuation metrics are anticipated to be: EV/Revenue at 2.33x, EV/EBITDA at 13.19x, and P/E at 30.80x. The growth projections for this year consist of a 10.2% increase in revenue, a 13.9% increase in EBITDA growth, and a 14.4% increase in EPS growth. Overall, Asure Software's valuation and growth current consensus estimates indicate a positive outlook for the company's financial performance in the coming years, with increasing revenue, EBITDA, EBIT, and EPS growth. ASUR Financial Outlook Asure Software's current consensus estimates for FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2025 provide insights into the company's expected financial performance in the coming years. The revenue projections for these fiscal years are $106.01 million, $116.02 million, and $127.90 million, respectively. This indicates a steady revenue growth of 20.64% over the three years. In terms of EBITDA, the estimates for FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2025 are $16.61 million, $19.83 million, and $22.60 million, respectively. This also shows a consistent increase in EBITDA across the three fiscal years. The current analyst consensus EBITDA estimates implies growth of over 36% between 2023 and 2025. Lastly, the EPS (Earnings Per Share) estimates for Asure Software are $0.29 for FY 2023, $0.39 for FY 2024, and $0.45 for FY 2025. These figures suggest a 55.17% increase in the company's earnings per share over the three years. Overall, the current consensus estimates for Asure Software indicates a positive outlook for the company's financial performance in the coming years, with consistent growth in revenue, EBITDA, and EPS. In conclusion, Asure Software's efforts to build a comprehensive, cloud-based HCM platform, as well as partner with other major firms to improve its product and service offerings, are greatly paying off for the company and its investors. After a breakout in 2022, Asure has captivated the attention of Wall Street with its resilience and its quality HCM platform, which is needed now more than ever for small businesses that want to cut costs and streamline their operations amid the economic uncertainty. Disclaimer: Spotlight Growth is compensated, either directly or via a third party, to provide investor relations services for its clients. Spotlight Growth creates exposure for companies through a customized marketing strategy, including design of promotional material, the drafting and editing of press releases and media placement. All information on featured companies is provided by the companies profiled, or is available from public sources. Spotlight Growth and its employees are not a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker Dealer or a member of any association for other research providers in any jurisdiction whatsoever and we are not qualified to give financial advice. The information contained herein is based on external sources that Spotlight Growth believes to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Spotlight Growth may create reports and content that has been compensated by a company or third-parties, or for purposes of self-marketing. Spotlight Growth was compensated five thousand dollars cash by Asure Software for the creation and dissemination of this content by the company. This material does not represent a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Certain statements contained herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans and objectives, projections, expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. The above communication, the attachments and external Internet links provided are intended for informational purposes only and are not to be interpreted by the recipient as a solicitation to participate in securities offerings. Investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors and may not be permissible in certain jurisdictions. Spotlight Growth and its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may have bought or sold or may buy or sell shares in the companies discussed herein, which may be acquired prior, during or after the publication of these marketing materials. Spotlight Growth, its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may sell the stock of said companies at any time and may profit in the event those shares rise in value. For more information on our disclosures, please visit: https://spotlightgrowth.com/disclosures/. The Post " Asure Software's Comprehensive HCM Platform and Strategic Partnerships Help Small Businesses Navigate Economic Uncertainty " First Appeared On Spotlight Growth. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

March 27, 2023 09:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

1 ... 130131132133134 ... 353