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15 Best Secret Santa Apps: Gift Exchange Generator Tools For Memorable Christmas

Halvorson Media Group

Choosing The Best Secret Santa Organizer For A Truly Special Christmas Looking for ways to breathe life into the Christmas gift exchange? Try setting up the good old Secret Santa game. Whether you will be exchanging presents with your colleagues or in a close family circle, this lovely ritual will help to ensure everyone feels valued and included. And with our selection of the 15 best Secret Santa generator services, you can find a tool that will help to get things organized. So pick an app of your liking, invite your friends, and get prepared for a truly memorable Christmas! To save you time and effort, we have carefully scanned dozens of gift exchange generator services and apps available in the market today. Here are our top 3 recommendations. Our #1 recommendation is My Santa, a versatile Secret Santa app that has all the features necessary to organize an outstanding Christmas event. What Is Secret Santa and Why Do You Need An App for It? [ How To Do A Secret Santa ] Secret Santa is a simple and enjoyable game that allows saving some money and ensures each person in a group gets the present. So, here is how it works: A group of colleagues, roommates, friends, relatives, or whoever else, agrees to participate in the game. They write their names on a piece of paper and put them into a container. Each person draws a name from the container to find out who they shall prepare a gift for. The participants can set the basic rules such as the date, by which the presents must be ready, and the budget. They might provide wishlists or even agree upon a particular gift type such as digital only, gifts with meaning, or charitable donations. The game begins and everyone tries to find the best possible gift for the assigned person. By the due date, each participant must receive their secret present. Set Up Your Perfect Secret Santa Event with My Santa Sounds pretty straightforward, doesn’t it? But what if the participants want to play remotely? Or what if you need to send a digital present such as a subscription but do not know the email of the assigned person? A Secret Santa organizer service takes care of minor issues like this and ensures they do not spoil the whole fun. These services allow you to invite participants through social media, create a Secret Santa list with emails and phone numbers, add wishlists, and much more. Simply put, Secret Santa name randomizer services — at least, those from our top 15 selection — let you enjoy the best part of the gift exchange ritual without being distracted by organizational matters. 5 Features of the Best Online Secret Santa Generator But how, you may wonder, do we know the services on our list are the top ones? Well, here are the four criteria we have kept in mind while compiling this selection. Maybe, they’ll come in handy when you are choosing your best Secret Santa app. Price Setting up a gift exchange game is, among all else, about saving some money so the best Secret Santa generator should be free. Or, it might have paid plans but, in that case, it must have a free one, too. And the latter should offer a decent feature set so that you only pay if you want some exclusive pro perks. Feature set The best gift exchange generator is the one that helps you get things organized. With this in mind, we expect it to have a basic set of options such as setting up the due date and the budget as well as some advanced features such as wishlists and personalized gift recommendations. Access My Santa’s Free Advanced Features To Plan An Idea Event Interface What’s the use of advanced app features if you don’t understand how they work? The best Secret Santa app should, thus, have a simple user-friendly interface that feels intuitive and will appeal to different age groups. Visual design Christmas is probably the loveliest holiday in the year with a whole host of heart-warming symbols. In addition to being functional, the best online Secret Santa generator must have an eye-pleasing visual design for you to feel the magic vibe of Christmas time. 8 Awesome Secret Santa Organizer Services Worth Trying #1 My Santa — Best Secret Santa gift exchange generator overall💖 When it comes to functionality, My Santa is the absolute leader on our list. Besides the standard due date, budget, and name drawing, it has a whole set of advanced features including three modes of gift exchange: in-person, virtual, or mixed; real-time reports to track the progress of each present exchange; wishlists, where you upload links to particular items; personalized gift recommendations for each participant and hints where these gifts can be bought. The best part of it is that it only takes you a few seconds to set up an account and start the game. And if your group is 10 people or fewer, you can enjoy the service for free. For bigger companies, the price will vary between $9-$19, which is not expensive either. Add to this a charming winter-themed interface, user-friendly design, and prompt customer service, and you get a perfect organizer tool to make your Christmas unforgettable. Find Out More About My Santa’s Plans And Pro Features We especially love two currencies (euro and dollars) for budget settings; an opportunity to manage several games at a time; participants can be invited via Whatsapp and Facebook; secret chats to exchange messages; progress reports to keep an eye on how it is going; playful design and intuitive interface. We wish they made the service totally free; added the feature to prevent certain pairings. #2 Elfster — Best feature set for a free Secret Santa organizer ✨ Another great Secret Santa gift exchange generator on our list, Elfster is a beautifully designed platform that offers all features necessary for a successful gift exchange game. In addition to classic options such as spending limit, due date, and wishlists, Elfster allows setting up draw restrictions and the exchange type (by mail or at a party). Besides the great functionality, the platform is perfect for drawing inspiration. Elfster’s shop has all sorts of lovely gifts which you can buy as a present or add directly to your wishlist. Overall, Elfster offers the best feature set you can get from a Secret Santa gift exchange generator for free today. Best suited for those who seek maximum functionality free of charge #3 Pikkado — Best old-school Secret Santa name randomizer 🎉 Pikkado is a unique Secret Santa list generator that brings together fairly good functionality and a very simple, somewhat old-fashioned design. Thus, its group creation form looks like one of those you could see at the onset of the Internet era. In the meantime, when setting up an event, you, all of a sudden, discover the service has all the necessary features in place. It allows you to determine the budget, specify the due date, and set up all sorts of draw restrictions. In addition, Pikkado enables you to set up and manage several events at a time and write anonymous emails to participants. The latter is especially helpful if you need to find out important details about a person without disclosing yourself. All in all, it is a good free service that will appeal to people of different ages with its smart and simple design. Best suited for families and mixed-age groups #4 SecretSanta.com — Best variety of gift exchange games Powered by Elfster, the service provides all features and functions you might expect from the best Secret Santa generator: prevent same pairings, set pairing exclusion rules, assign several recipients to each participant, and much more. All features are free and easy to use. What makes the platform stand out from other Secret Santa apps on our list is that it offers different gift exchange formats. Besides the classic Kris Kringle game, you may likewise enjoy Yankee Swap and White Elephant. This should appeal to those who are not new to the gift exchange ritual and would love to add more fun and novelty to it. There is also a great blog with Christmas history, facts, and inspirational ideas. Best suited for those who want to recharge the classic gift exchange game #5 Sneaky Santa — Best source of inspiration and cool gift ideas Another beautifully-designed platform on our list, Sneaky Santa is the best gift exchange generator for those who seek good functionality coupled with inspirational ideas and recommendations. Adding wishlists, contacting one another via a chat, drawing names, and preventing certain pairings — all this and a lot more is available for free here. Whereas great functionality is what every best Secret Santa app on our list features, there is something that makes Sneaky Santa stand out. Thus, we particularly adore this site for its heart-warming blog with cool gift ideas such as 10 Gift Ideas for Homeowners or Gifts Under $25 For A Virtual Office Christmas Party. They are even present on Zazzle with cute Christmas souvenirs such as mugs and cards. Best suited for those who seek inspiration and great gift ideas #6 Secret Santa Organizer — Best for a simple design & lovely interface We choose this organizer because it has a good design, plenty of features, and is simply lovely. There is some unique charm about this platform that will make you choose it again and again. Setting up an event here is super simple and free. All you need to do is to fill in a simple form with the date, location, budget, participants, and their emails. You can also add a personal message to greet the participants. With all its simplicity, the organizer has as many as 12 interface languages available. It also has some advanced features such as excluding certain combinations, unlimited amount of participants allowed, and the opportunity to reuse your wishlist for new events. The service is, thus, a perfect fit for anyone who wants it simple, effective, and, meanwhile, atmospheric. Best suited for those who want a mixture of simplicity and effectiveness #7 Giftster — Best for shopping your family’s and friends’ wishlists This Secret Santa list organizer is, first and foremost, about ensuring your presents are meaningful and wanted rather than organizing the gift exchange as such. The service is primarily focused on the wishlist feature. Once you’ve started a group and added at least one participant there, you can start shopping for the person’s wishlist. Gifster will show you which items have been already bought so that there is no risk two people will buy the same present. The service is, thus, an ideal solution for those who want guarantees their presents will be appreciated. The interface is cute and the overall design is simple and intuitive. And because there are no due dates or budget limits, Gifster is a great way to make the process of shopping for gifts more enjoyable and stress-free. Best suited for choosing meaningful and wanted presents #8 My Wishlist — Best for cool wishlists for all occasions As the name implies, the service specializes in generating and sharing wishlists. You can add items from any webshop, create a wishlist for any occasion, and reserve items on your friend’s Secret Santa list, to ensure there will be no double gifts in your company. You can also use the platform as a simple Secret Santa name generator without email. You won’t find any advanced event setting features here but you can still use it to draw names and manage exclusions. The platform is very simple to use and free of charge. Best suited for sharing all sorts of wishlists More Downloadable Secret Santa Apps That Might Be of Help For those looking for downloadable Secret Santa apps that allow you to manage the gift exchange on the go, we have compiled a selection of seven great Secret Santa organizer tools. Check the table below to find your best Secret Santa generator! Contact Details Edward +1 929-491-3157 edward@halvorsonmediagroup.com Company Website https://halvorsonmediagroup.com/

December 01, 2022 12:47 PM Eastern Standard Time

Sara Wingate Bako Honored by University of South Carolina College of HRSM with 2022 Distinguished Alumni and Friends of the College Award

YourUpdateTV

Sara Wingate Bako earned her degree in retailing from the University of South Carolina in 2004. Today she serves as president of London Times, a division of Maggy London Group. Four University of South Carolina alumni have been recognized by the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management for their leadership and accomplishments in their field. The College of HRSM Distinguished Alumni and Friends of the College Awards are presented annually and celebrate industry professionals, organizations and friends of the college who are making an impact on the industry or who are helping to advance the College of HRSM’s education excellence. Congratulations to Sara Wingate Bako, 2022 College of HRSM Distinguished Alumni and Friends of the College award winner. Sara Wingate Bako earned her degree in retailing from the University of South Carolina in 2004. Today she serves as president of London Times, a division of Maggy London Group – a women’s designer apparel brand specializing in dresses. Throughout her distinguished career, Bako has remained engaged with her alma mater – providing mentorship and career development opportunities for students and serving on the Industry Advisory Board for the Department of Retailing. Career Highlights Prior to joining Maggy London in 2022, Bako spearheaded the launch and oversaw management of three brands; Cupio, Cupio Blush, and Adyson Parker. Bako has held numerous executive positions with companies such as Takeout Inc., HMS Productions, and NYC Alliance. Her retailing career started in 2005 in the executive training program with Macy’s where she went on to become a buyer before moving to New York City to pursue wholesale and merchandising. She is a member of two exclusive leadership groups, Chief and the Women in Retail Leadership Circle. HRSM Distinguished Friend of the College Award: Contemporary Services Corporation Established in 1967, Contemporary Services Corporation, CSC is the world leader in crowd management and event security. CSC’s esteemed clientele base includes more than 180 stadiums, arenas, and theaters, over 110 universities and scholastic institutions, nearly 50 convention centers, and numerous clients within the professional ranks of MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, and NASCAR. CSC has also provided services for the world’s most prestigious special events, including Collegiate Bowl Games, NCAA Final Four Tournaments, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, Kentucky Derby, 32 Super Bowls, 10 Olympic Games, 5 Presidential Inaugurations, 4 Papal Visits, and 2 FIFA World Cups. CSC operates 49 branch locations throughout the United States and Canada and has a long-standing partnership with the University of South Carolina. Numerous South Carolina graduates are currently working in various managerial positions with CSC. CSC provides South Carolina students with unique opportunities to gain event experience at the largest sporting events, including the Super Bowl, MLB All-Star Events, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, Players Championship, Presidents Cup, Kentucky Derby and many more. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 01, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Holiday Gadget Guide

News Media Group, Inc.

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

December 01, 2022 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

CSG to Present at Sidoti’s Virtual Winter Conference

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced that the company will present at Sidoti’s Virtual Winter Conference on Thursday, December 8, 2022. The presentation will be held at 2:30pm EST and will feature comments from CSG chief executive officer Brian Shepherd. The conference presentation will be available via webcast here. About CSG CSG empowers companies to build unforgettable experiences, making it easier for people and businesses to connect with, use and pay for the services they value most. Our customer experience, billing and payments solutions help companies of any size make money and make a difference. With our SaaS solutions, company leaders can take control of their future, and tap into guidance along the way from our more than 5k-strong experienced global CSG services team. Want to learn more about how to be a change maker and industry shaper like our 1,000-plus clients? Visit csgi.com to learn more. Copyright © 2022 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: John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Tammy Hovey +1 917-520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

November 30, 2022 02:01 PM Mountain Standard Time

Analysts Reiterate Bullish Stance on Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR), Collectively Raise Target Price to Average of $11.00

Benzinga

As the calendar turns to December, many investors take time to reflect on the year and look for new opportunities for the year ahead and beyond. Overall, 2022 was a very tough year for the stock market. As of this writing, the S&P 500 has returned -17%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is -7% and the Nasdaq leads the year in losses with a return of nearly -30%. Once-reliable mega-cap technology darlings like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) have seen a stunning fall from grace in 2022. Apple is down 21% YTD, Amazon has dropped nearly 45% and Google has declined over 34% through the first eleven months of 2022. However, not all stocks have fallen prey to the market’s “doom and gloom” mentality. Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR) is one stock that has rebounded after a tough start to 2022 and is now posting a positive gain for 2022, as of this writing. Given the company's strong recent third-quarter 2022 financial results and its continuation of impressive growth, Asure is bucking the overall market and outperforming major indices, as the company’s business model thrives in the current economic environment. Asure Software Thriving Amid Current Economic Environment Asure’s suite of SaaS solutions helps provide comprehensive back-office support for small and medium businesses (SMBs). These services help to streamline important operations such as HR, payroll, employment benefits, taxes, and more, which helps SMBs to cut costs and save money. Not to mention, Asure’s services can help SMBs be more effective in competing for top employee talent, as it allows SMBs to offer enticing employment benefits typically offered by larger businesses. Furthermore, Asure has continued to build relationships with other firms to help bolster its services. Equifax (NYSE: EFX) and its Work Number services help clients quickly verify income and employment history. Asure has also linked up with PrismHR to boost its payroll tax management services and its FlexTax platform. This allows Asure to market its FlexTax platform to PrismHR’s 80,000 registered client base. In recent months, Asure has worked closely with its CPA partners to help develop new technologies to help streamline the demand for Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) filings. This helps CPAs and back office workers to streamline the ERTC filing process and focus on higher-value client work instead. Another major milestone for Asure was its recent expansion of 401(k) plan operations for SMBs. By adding 80+ retirement provider integrations, Asure provides SMBs with the tools to help attract higher-quality employees by offering more comprehensive retirement benefits. The added integrations are compatible with Asure’s payroll system, which helps to streamline enrollment, reduce dual entry and ensure compliance. Throughout 2022, analysts covering Asure stood fast and did not succumb to downgrades. After following the company’s immaculate rebound during the second half of 2022, Asure’s analysts are stepping up their bullish outlook on the HR tech and payroll services company. Let’s take a deeper look into what analysts are saying about Asure: ASUR: Breaking Down the Six Analysts Covering the Stock As of the end of November 2022, the six analysts covering Asure Software have a collective rating of "strong buy" with an average 12-month price target of $11.00, which represents a potential upside of nearly 39% from its current price. The analysts covering Asure are very talented and maintain strong backgrounds. In fact, five of the six analysts have a rating of four stars or higher by TipRanks.com. Let's meet the individual analysts: Richard Baldry: Roth Capital Mr. Baldry is an experienced analyst at Roth Capital. Throughout his analyst career, Baldry has maintained a success rate of 66% (183 out of 278 ratings successful) with an average return per rating of 22.80%. Mr. Baldry is the most bullish of the analysts covering Asure Software. Eight months ago, Mr. Baldry gave Asure a $16.00 price target and a “buy” rating. This implies a potential upside of over 101% from its current price. Jeff Van Rhee: Craig-Hallum Jeff Van Rhee is a five-star analyst based out of Craig-Hallum. Mr. Van Rhee has a success rate of 64%, as 83 ratings were proven to be successful out of 129 picks throughout his career. The average return per rating is an impressive 27.30%. Mr. Van Rhee holds a $10.00 price target for Asure with a "buy" rating attached. This target implies a potential upside of nearly 26% from current prices. Vincent Colicchio: Barrington Vincent Colicchio is a five-star analyst working with Barrington. Over the course of his analyst career, Mr. Colicchio has maintained a rating success rate of 60% (207 successful ratings out of 344 total). Overall, the average return per rating during this time comes out to 11.60%. Mr. Colicchio maintains a $12.00 price target on Asure with a "buy" rating. This implies a potential upside of nearly 51% from its current price. Bryan Bergin: Cowen & Co. Bryan Bergin is a four-and-a-half-star analyst working with Cowen & Co. Mr. Bergin holds a 58% success rating (109 successful ratings compared to 189 total). Furthermore, Mr. Bergin’s average return per rating is 9.80%. Mr. Bergin holds the lowest price target on Asure at $8.00, which implies a potential upside of 0.63% from current levels. However, the analyst has reiterated his “buy” rating on the stock. Eric Martinuzzi: Lake Street Eric Martinuzzi is a four-star analyst out of Lake Street. For his career, Mr. Martinuzzi has had a success rate of 44% (76 successful ratings out of 174 total) and an average return per rating of 5.80%. Mr. Martinuzzi holds an $11.00 price target on Asure and recently reiterated his "buy" rating on the stock. This implies a potential upside of over 38% from current levels. Joshua Reilly: Needham Joshua Reilly is a half-star analyst out of Needham. The youngest analyst of the bunch, Mr. Reilly has a success rating of 30% (22 successful ratings out of 74 total) and an average return per rating of -6.90%. Mr. Reilly holds a “buy” rating on Asure with a price target of $14.00. This implies a potential upside of over 76% from its current price. Overall, there is a lot to be bullish about on Asure Software. The company’s resilience in 2022 has been nothing short of impressive. With 2023 shaping up to be very similar to 2022 with economic uncertainty and volatility, Asure stands to potentially have a very good year in 2023. The proof is in the analysts covering the company and management's guidance outlook for the next year. On a revenue guidance basis, Asure estimates total revenue coming in between $98 million and $102 million for the full-year 2023. For the full-year 2022, management sees total revenue between $90 million and $90.5 million on adjusted EBITDA between $10.5 million and $11 million. This implies a revenue growth range between 9-13% year-over-year for 2023, as margins are expected to increase between 14% and 16%. No matter the economic environment, SMBs will always look for ways to help streamline back-office operations and cut costs. With high inflation and economic uncertainty, the need for SMBs to cut costs and streamline becomes a necessity. This is why Asure Software could stand to potentially benefit in the year ahead and beyond. 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 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 âforward-looking statementsâ within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Companyâs plans and objectives, projections, expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Companyâs industry, managementâs 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 Analysts Reiterate Bullish Stance on Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR), Collectively Raise Target Price to Average of $11.00 First Appeared on Spotlight Growth. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 30, 2022 11:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

Going, Going, Gone: New Study Reveals Workers Flip The Script on Traditional Work

MBO Partners

The signal finding of the MBO Partners 2022 State of Independence report is the continued surge in independent work, with more than half of all Americans now freelancing or have freelanced at some point in their careers. Upended by the pandemic, 64.6 million Americans now pursue independent work, a dramatic 69% growth since 2020. There have never been more payroll jobs in the U.S.: 153 million, and there have never been more people working independently. Across the board, the old stereotypes and tropes about independent freelancers and workers are being upended. Independents are growing in number, becoming more centered in the economy, and forming connections to one another and to companies large and small. Further, the old tension of payroll jobs draining the independent workforce has been eradicated as workers get comfortable with owning their economic reality by creating their own jobs. “Beyond the pandemic and macroeconomic climate, the underlying factor driving the thrust in independent work is institutional mistrust,” said Miles Everson, CEO, MBO Partners. “We don’t trust institutions to have our best interests at heart and our proof points have mounted as we have faced the challenges of the past few years. As we have come to question our view of security, workers have realized that creating a job is no greater risk than having a traditional job.” The annual State of Independence in America report is the country’s longest-running end-to-end study of the American independent workforce, now in its 12 th year. This year’s study showed six key insights about the independent American workforce, including: Demand is boosting supply. The number of Full Time Independents, those regularly working more than 15 hours per week, soared 27% to 21.6 million, up from 15.3 million in 2019. By 2025, more than half of all Americans will be independent or will have worked independently at some point in their careers – a massive tipping point in the conversation about the future of work. Happier, healthier, and more financially secure. People are increasingly turning to independent work to regain control and autonomy over their life and their career. And they’re happy doing it, with 76% reporting that they are “very satisfied,” 87% saying they are happier, 80% reporting better health, and 67% feeling more financially secure than their traditionally employed counterparts. Test driving independence grows in popularity. The number of Occasional Independents— people who earn money periodically by working at least once a month as an independent— more than tripled from 2020 to 2022, rising from 15.8 million to 31.9 million. These workers do so by and large to supplement income (the side hustle is real) but also to build a bridge to a larger independent career, to fill a passion, and more. Younger workers call the shots. While Millennials (ages 27-42) are the largest independent cohort, Gen Z (ages 18-26) are coming into the scene in larger numbers vs. opting for a traditional career. Together, these two groups make up half of the independent workforce and are predicted to be the dominant force by 2023. What does this mean? As younger workers take their careers into their own hands, the workforce must evolve to match where the workers go, and that work is independent. Independents are becoming increasingly diverse. Between 2019 and 2022, the proportion of white independents fell from 84% to 77%, while African Americans doubled from 7% to 14%. Among the creator economy, those who earn money by creating and distributing digital content, the percentage is even higher, 20%. With hustle, there is flow. As the number of independents rise, more are reporting higher incomes, with some 4.4 million earning more than $100,000 in 2022. That’s up 16% from last year, and it comes on the heels of a 27% increase in 2021, due in part to the economy’s recovery from the pandemic. To obtain a copy of the full 2022 State of Independence study, please visit https://www.mbopartners.com/state-of-independence/. About MBO Partners® MBO Partners is a direct sourcing platform that enables enterprises and independents to work efficiently together. Its unmatched experience and industry leadership enable it to operate on the forefront of the independent economy and consistently advance the next way of working. For more information, visit mbopartners.com Contact Details Karen Swim +1 586-461-2103 karen@wordsforhirellc.com Company Website https://mbopartners.com

November 30, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

What Are Politicians Really Saying In Their Speeches? See How FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) Uses AI Bot Margaret For Some Clues

Benzinga

Margaret, the artificial intelligence (AI) bot, has a knack for interpreting presidential mannerisms. Dubbed a specialist in ‘Trump-speak,’ Margaret has an internal record of the former president’s distinctive use of syntax, phrases and sentence structures. The bot, for example, reportedly knows the extent of Trump’s vocabulary, how many words he speaks per minute, what body part he moves when he’s angry and other distinct mannerisms. By carefully measuring his distinct features, Margaret is possibly capable of gauging Trump’s stress levels during political speeches, predicting what he might say in public before he does and even suggesting when he might be lying. In short, the bot is a bona fide expert on former president Trump. She knows his tics, tells, tendencies and habits. How, you may be wondering, did she get there? Teaming up with a computer expert with a Ph.D. in machine punctuation, Bill Frischling fed his AI bot over 40 years’ worth of Trump-like speech gleaned from Trump’s interviews, public letters, tweets and television appearances. The result is an 11-million-word data mine, a proverbial treasure chest of the Trump lexicon, which Margaret was taught to decipher and understand. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. When Frischling first started working on his AI bot, it crashed while transcribing Trump’s speech commemorating the anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea. The speech – with all of Trump’s syntax, sub-clauses, trail-offs and mannerisms that make up his distinctive style – caused the bot to malfunction. Now, some might say, the bot knows more about Trump than most Americans do. FiscalNote Acquires FactSquared: The Details The interesting news is that this technology is now available to consumers. FactSquared, the company responsible for Margaret’s creation, is now a part of FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE), a specialist in data collection provides insight into regulatory processes in the U.S. Margaret can reveal incredible things about U.S. presidents after digesting so much information. For example, Frishling told the Los Angeles Times that Trump doesn’t appear stressed when he’s lying. Frischling has taken his work with Trump and extended it to important political candidates. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, he proposes that certain members of Congress “tend to forecast when they are about to make a policy shift, focusing more on their public comments on a given topic and altering their language.” It’s clear that such information, which gives stakeholders a hint at what the future may hold, could create a huge edge over competitors. Speaking of the acquisition, CEO Tim Hwang said: “Receiving timely and accurate read-outs of comments made by our public officials is a crucial service to our clients. FactSquared’s commitment to innovative rigor in the transcripts space will not only further strengthen the robust set of products and services we provide clients, but also drive meaningful technological innovation as we continue expanding the breadth and depth of our offerings globally.” FactSquared has evolved its AI prowess to include information on current U.S. President Joe Biden and even corporate earnings calls. The two additions are available on the factba.se website, which was cited over 4,000 times by local and global media sources. Through FiscalNote, any customer can now unlock AI’s predictive capabilities to see through political guises and uncover the truth. Learn more about FiscalNote here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 30, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

CORRECTION: Expansion of Pipeline to Mental Health

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Nearly half of U.S. psychologists in a new survey say they cannot meet the growing demand for services and three-quarters say they have longer waiting lists than before the pandemic. “This new survey confirms what we have already heard from patients: people are having a hard time accessing the mental health services they need,” said Dr. Michele Nealon, Psy.D., President of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. “It is critical now more than ever to expand the pipeline for mental health professionals and promote integrated behavioral health into primary care.” The 2022 COVID-19 Practitioner Impact Survey of almost 2,300 psychologists by the American Psychological Association found that demand for treatment of anxiety and depression remained high for the third consecutive year, along with increased demand for treatment of stressor-related disorders, and substance use disorders. Six in 10 practitioners said they had no more openings for new patients, nearly half (46%) said they had been unable to meet treatment demand and nearly three quarters (72%) have longer waiting lists than before the pandemic. On average, psychologists reported being contacted by more than 15 potential new patients seeking care per month. Nearly eight in 10 psychologists (79%) said they had seen an increase in the number of patients with anxiety disorders since the start of the pandemic, and 66% had seen an increase in the demand for treatment for depression. Almost half (47%) said they had seen an increase in demand for substance use treatment (compared to 43% last year) and 64% had seen an increase in demand for trauma treatment (compared to 62% last year). 2021). Additionally, two-thirds of psychologists reported seeing an increase in symptom severity among patients in 2022. “The social, emotional, and economic effects of a pandemic are still with us and will be for quite some time. In addition, the stressors associated with inflation, social and racial inequities, political upheaval, and international tensions are creating an unsettled nation. At a time when mental health services are needed the most, we are struggling the most to meet those needs,” said Dr. Nealon. “Policy makers have to make a bigger investment in financial and programmatic support to ensure that everyone who seeks psychological services can find a professional who can understand and help them.” The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is a non-profit majority minority institution, educating 6,000 students at seven campuses in major metro areas around the national. Two of three identify as students of color, including a significant number of first-generation college students. About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: Integrating theory with hands-on experience, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology provides education rooted in a commitment to innovation, service, and community for thousands of diverse students across the United States and globally. Founded in 1979, the nonprofit, regionally accredited university now features campuses in iconic locations across the country (Chicago, Southern California, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Dallas) and online. To spark positive change in the world where it matters most, The Chicago School has continued to expand its educational offerings beyond the field of psychology to offer more than 30 degrees and certificates in the professional fields of health services, education, counseling, business, and more. Through its engaged professional model of education, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and an extensive network of domestic and international professional partnerships, The Chicago School’s students receive real-world training opportunities that reflect their future careers. The Chicago School is proud to be a part of TCS Education System, a nonprofit, integrated system of colleges and universities that works collaboratively to advance student success and community impact. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. Contact Details Vivien Hao +1 323-893-4743 vhao@thechicagoschool.edu

November 29, 2022 06:18 PM Eastern Standard Time

Jon Harper Appointed as Chief Client Officer for Assembly Europe

Assembly

Global omnichannel media agency Assembly has elevated Jon Harper to a new role as Chief Client Officer for its European business. The role is the first of its kind for Assembly in the region, signaling the increasing importance of Client Experience & Leadership within the agency. Over the course of Jon’s 6-year tenure with Assembly, he has worked with clients including Lenovo, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Converse with great success, building strong relationships across the board. With his new appointment, Harper will be leading every step of the client relationship journey in the business for Europe. “Assembly has grown and evolved to become a true global force beyond digital media, leading the agency to win large omnichannel deals and expanding existing client relationships. Through this, we have identified the need to go further to support clients with a broader set of solutions at a high service level in order to promote growth in a constantly evolving media landscape. Our aim is to ensure clients have the best data, tech, and talent in the industry,” said Jon Harper, Chief Client Officer, Assembly Europe. Part of achieving this has been the creation of the Client Experience and Leadership pillar (CEL), led by Harper in Europe and other leaders across Assembly’s business. This ongoing investment focuses on driving new standards of creativity and improving the agency’s viewpoint on clients’ needs. This has included “brand immersion days” and stepping outside of standard client-agency interactions through hosting Q&A sessions all the way through to getting back to the basics by visiting brand stores and speaking to front-of-house staff to truly know the heart of each brand the agency works with. Jon added, “We firmly believe that everyone is a part of client services within the agency. That’s why we’re training everyone to be immersed in our clients’ brands – my goal is for all of our teams to have more dedicated client service time and to roll out our new global CEL toolkit to assist with this.” Assembly Europe’s Managing Director, Kate O’Mahony commented, “We are delighted about Jon’s elevation to Chief Client Officer. His rich experience and willingness to go above and beyond when it comes to getting to know our clients has proven fruitful. With Jon leading this division, we will continue to drive proactive relationships and deliver higher levels of innovation in connecting Assembly with our existing and future clients.” ABOUT ASSEMBLY: Assembly is the modern global omnichannel media agency, bringing data, talent, and technology together to find the change that fuels growth for the best brands on the planet. Our approach connects big, bold brand stories with integrated, global media capabilities that deliver performance and drive large-scale business growth. Our work is powered by our proprietary, in-house technology solution, STAGE, and led by our global talent base of over 1,600 people around the world. We’re purpose-driven at our core and pioneers in social and environmental impact in the agency world. Assembly is a proud member of Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing. Contact Details Assembly Gunilla Huddleston, VP of Marketing, Europe gunilla.huddleston@assemblyglobal.com Company Website https://www.assemblyglobal.com/

November 29, 2022 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time