TILE Shareholder Notification: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC Notifies Interface, Inc. (TILE) Investors of Class Action and Encourages Shareholders to Contact the Firm

NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Attorney Advertising — Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Interface, Inc. (“Interface” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: TILE) and certain of its officers, on behalf of shareholders who purchased or otherwise acquired Interface securities pursuant between March 2, 2018 and September 28, 2020, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm’s site: www.bgandg.com/tile.

This class action seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Interface had inadequate disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; (2) consequently, Interface, inter alia, reported artificially inflated income and earnings per share (“EPS”) in 2015 and 2016; (3) Interface and certain of its employees were under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) with respect to the foregoing issues since at least as early as November 2017, had impeded the SEC’s investigation, and downplayed the true scope of the Company’s wrongdoing and liability with respect to the SEC investigation; and (4) as a result, the Company’s public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint you can visit the firm’s site: www.bgandg.com/tile or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Investor Relations Analyst, Yael Hurwitz of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 212-697-6484. If you suffered a loss in Interface you have until January 11, 2021 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff.  Your ability to share in any recovery doesn’t require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a corporate litigation boutique.  Our primary expertise is the aggressive pursuit of litigation claims on behalf of our clients.  In addition to representing institutions and other investor plaintiffs in class action security litigation, the firm’s expertise includes general corporate and commercial litigation, as well as securities arbitration.   Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contact:
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
Peretz Bronstein or Yael Hurwitz
212-697-6484 | [email protected]



Huron Recognized as 2020 ‘Best Firm to Work For’ by Consulting Magazine for Tenth Consecutive Year

Huron Recognized as 2020 ‘Best Firm to Work For’ by Consulting Magazine for Tenth Consecutive Year

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Global professional services firm Huron (NASDAQ: HURN) today announced that it has been named one of Consulting magazine’s ‘Best Firms to Work For’ in 2020. This is the 10th consecutive year Huron has been recognized by Consulting magazine.

“Being recognized by Consulting magazine 10 years in a row is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire Huron team as they help our clients address their most complex issues,” said James H. Roth, chief executive officer of Huron. “Our collaborative and inclusive culture continues to shine during this challenging time as we demonstrate our agility, innovation and resilience in supporting our clients, our company and each other.”

The annual Consulting magazine survey was completed by more than 11,000 consultants from 300 firms across the country. Firms were rated by their teams in six areas of employee satisfaction, including culture, compensation and benefits, work-life balance, client engagement, career development and firm leadership.

Huron is a highly collaborative, values-driven organization that is committed to fostering an inviting and inclusive work environment where everyone belongs and embraces each other’s differences. The Huron team draws on the strength of its diversity to bring new perspectives to help our clients address their evolving needs.

The rankings were announced during a virtual ‘Best Firms to Work For’ awards ceremony on Nov. 12, 2020.

Learn more about careers at Huron here.

ABOUT HURON

Huron is a global consultancy that collaborates with clients to drive strategic growth, ignite innovation and navigate constant change. Through a combination of strategy, expertise and creativity, we help clients accelerate operational, digital and cultural transformation, enabling the change they need to own their future. By embracing diverse perspectives, encouraging new ideas and challenging the status quo, we create sustainable results for the organizations we serve. Learn more at www.huronconsultinggroup.com.

Allie Bovis

312-212-6714

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Illinois United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Consulting

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BOK Financial takes action on diversity and inclusion

CEO Steve Bradshaw joins national coalition to advance equality in business community

TULSA, Okla., Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BOK Financial (NASDAQ: BOKF) CEO Steve Bradshaw has committed to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workplace by signing the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ Pledge. 

CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. Bringing together more than 1,000 CEOs of America’s leading organizations, the commitment outlines actions that participating companies pledge to take to cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected.

“As a company, you ask yourself what we can do to effect positive change. It starts with what we have the most control over, and that is our culture,” said BOK Financial CEO Steve Bradshaw. “Organizational leaders must make their voices and actions matter, and BOK Financial’s commitment is our way of doing just that.”

Bradshaw’s leadership will ensure that BOK Financial is an organization where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected and where employees feel encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion.

To learn more about the pledge, visit CEOAction.com.

About BOK Financial Corporation

BOK Financial Corporation is a more than $40 billion regional financial services company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma with more than $80 billion in assets under management and administration. The company’s stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the Global Select market listings (BOKF). BOK Financial Corporation’s holdings include BOKF, NA; BOK Financial Securities, Inc., BOK Financial Private Wealth, and BOK Financial Insurance, Inc. BOKF, NA operates TransFund, Cavanal Hill Investment Management and BOK Financial Asset Management, Inc. BOKF, NA operates banking divisions across eight states as: Bank of Albuquerque; Bank of Oklahoma; Bank of Texas and BOK Financial (in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri); as well as having limited purpose offices Nebraska, Milwaukee and Connecticut. Through its subsidiaries, BOK Financial Corporation provides commercial and consumer banking, brokerage trading, investment, trust and insurance services, mortgage origination and servicing, and an electronic funds transfer network. For more information, visit www.bokf.com.

Media contact:
Cody McAlester
[email protected]



Hyatt and Banyan Cay Development Announce Plans for Banyan Cay Resort & Golf, a Destination Hotel

Hyatt and Banyan Cay Development Announce Plans for Banyan Cay Resort & Golf, a Destination Hotel

New resort will mark the first Destination Hotels property in Florida

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a franchise agreement with Banyan Cay Development (BCD) to develop Banyan Cay Resort & Golf, a Destination Hotel. Expected to open in late 2021, this property will mark entry of the Destination Hotels brand into Florida and will be the first full-service Hyatt-branded property in Palm Beach County, an internationally recognized resort and leisure destination.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201119005236/en/

Exterior view of Banyan Cay Resort & Golf (Photo: Business Wire)

Exterior view of Banyan Cay Resort & Golf (Photo: Business Wire)

With 150 guestrooms, Banyan Cay Resort & Golf will offer independent-minded travelers a 5,000 square-foot spa and fitness center, tennis pavilion, swimming pools, and three food and beverage venues, including signature restaurants and golf clubhouse dining. With over 10,000 square feet of planned indoor meeting and events spaces, guests will also have ample space to host private functions, conferences, and gatherings. Offering guests experiences they crave on and off property, Banyan Cay Resort & Golf will be situated just six miles from pristine beaches and conveniently located near West Palm Beach International Airport.

“At Hyatt, we prioritize thoughtful growth in locations that matter most to our guests, World of Hyatt members and customers, and we are excited to introduce Hyatt’s high-quality and distinct experiences to West Palm Beach,” said David Tarr, senior vice president, development, Americas, Hyatt. “We look forward to collaborating with Banyan Cay Development to expand the Destination Hotels brand footprint and provide travelers with a unique, upscale resort option.”

Resort guestrooms and suites will provide an oasis of peace, quiet and privacy, designed in a refined and modern Palm Beach aesthetic. Situated by the resort’s tropical pool and offering scenic views of Banyan Lake, Banyan Cay Resort & Golf will also offer 22 private resort villas, including bell service, daily housekeeping, room service, private kitchens and spacious living and dining areas.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Hyatt on plans to introduce the first golf resort in the city of West Palm Beach and provide guests with an elevated stay experience that embodies the laid-back elegance and spirit of southern Florida,” said Domenic Gatto, founder of Banyan Cay Development. “With its longstanding reputation in stand-out resort offerings, the Destination Hotels brand is perfectly suited to help guests discover all that the resort will offer.”

Banyan Cay Resort & Golf is home to a 130-acre Jack Nicklaus signature golf course and clubhouse, which is currently open and operating. The golf course offers 18-holes of thoughtful play with gently rolling fairways, landforms, various water features, and sod-wall bunkers that provide both aesthetics and complexity. To date multiple events, charity tournaments and qualifiers for major PGA sanctioned tournaments, including the Honda Classic and the US Open, have been hosted on the Banyan Cay Golf Course. Not only has the Banyan Cay Golf Course been selected to host prestigious PGA events, but it is expected to host many more events of similar caliber in the future.

For more information about the Destinations Hotel brand, please visit: https://www.destinationhotels.com/

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

About Destination Hotels

Destination Hotels is a diverse collection of independent hotels, resorts and residences that are individual at heart yet connected by a commitment to embody the true spirit of each location. Ranging from upscale to luxury, each property is purposefully crafted to be a place of immersive discoveries, authentic design, and warm and welcoming service. As honored hosts, Destination Hotels connects guests to both people and place—offering a sense of belonging that invites all to make our destination yours. For more information, visitdestinationhotels.com. Follow Destination Hotels on Instagram: @destinationhotels, Twitter: @Destination, and Facebook: Destination Hotels.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company offering 21 premier brands. As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s portfolio included more than 950 hotel, all-inclusive, and wellness resort properties in 67 countries across six continents. The Company’s purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to attract and retain top employees, build relationships with guests, and create value for shareholders. The Company’s subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences, vacation ownership properties, and fitness and spa locations, including under the Park Hyatt®, Miraval®, Grand Hyatt®,Alila®, Andaz®, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Destination®, Hyatt Regency®,Hyatt®,Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Thompson Hotels®, Hyatt Centric®, Caption by Hyatt, Joie de Vivre®, Hyatt House®,Hyatt Place®,tommie™, UrCove, Hyatt Residence Club® and Exhale® brand names, and operates the World of Hyatt® loyalty program that provides distinct benefits and exclusive experiences to its valued members. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

About Banyan Cay Development

Banyan Cay Resort & Golf offers West Palm Beach a new luxury resort and residential experience. Featuring Jack Nicklaus’ 300th Signature Golf Course, state-of-the-art golf practice facilities, West Indies-inspired Club House, and a Destination Hotel coming in late 2021, members, residents and future guests alike are sure to have a refined, relaxing experience. The central location in one of South Florida’s biggest travel hotspots, offers the best of both worlds—a respite away from the crowds all while being only a short drive from Palm Beaches numerous attractions. For more information, visit banyancay.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, the short- and longer-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including on the demand for travel, transient and group business, and levels of consumer confidence; actions that governments, businesses, and individuals take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or any resurgence, including limiting or banning travel; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or any resurgence, on global and regional economies, travel, and economic activity, including the duration and magnitude of its impact on unemployment rates and consumer discretionary spending; the ability of third-party owners, franchisees or hospitality venture partners to successfully navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pace of recovery following the pandemic or any resurgence; general economic uncertainty in key global markets and a worsening of global economic conditions or low levels of economic growth; the rate and the pace of economic recovery following economic downturns; levels of spending in business and leisure segments as well as consumer confidence; declines in occupancy and average daily rate; limited visibility with respect to future bookings; loss of key personnel; domestic and international political and geo-political conditions, including political or civil unrest or changes in trade policy; hostilities, or fear of hostilities, including future terrorist attacks, that affect travel; travel-related accidents; natural or man-made disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, oil spills, nuclear incidents, and global outbreaks of pandemics or contagious diseases or fear of such outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; our ability to successfully achieve certain levels of operating profits at hotels that have performance tests or guarantees in favor of our third-party owners; the impact of hotel renovations and redevelopments; risks associated with our capital allocation plans and common stock repurchase program and quarterly dividend, including a reduction in or elimination of repurchase activity or dividend payments; the seasonal and cyclical nature of the real estate and hospitality businesses; changes in distribution arrangements, such as through internet travel intermediaries; changes in the tastes and preferences of our customers; relationships with colleagues and labor unions and changes in labor laws; the financial condition of, and our relationships with, third-party property owners, franchisees, and hospitality venture partners; the possible inability of third-party owners, franchisees, or development partners to access capital necessary to fund current operations or implement our plans for growth; risks associated with potential acquisitions and dispositions and the introduction of new brand concepts; the timing of acquisitions and dispositions, and our ability to successfully integrate completed acquisitions with existing operations; failure to successfully complete proposed transactions (including the failure to satisfy closing conditions or obtain required approvals); our ability to successfully execute on our strategy to expand our management and franchising business while at the same time reducing our real estate asset base within targeted timeframes and at expected values; declines in the value of our real estate assets; unforeseen terminations of our management or franchise agreements; changes in federal, state, local, or foreign tax law; increases in interest rates and operating costs; foreign exchange rate fluctuations or currency restructurings; lack of acceptance of new brands or innovation; general volatility of the capital markets and our ability to access such markets; changes in the competitive environment in our industry, including as a result of industry consolidation, and the markets where we operate; our ability to successfully grow the World of Hyatt loyalty program; cyber incidents and information technology failures; outcomes of legal or administrative proceedings; violations of regulations or laws related to our franchising business; and other risks discussed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our annual report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2020, which filings are available from the SEC. These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of our forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Siân Rylander

Hyatt

+1 312 780 5797

[email protected]

Jennifer Williams

Banyan Cay Resort

+1 561 557 5840

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Illinois United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Lodging Destinations Travel

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Exterior view of Banyan Cay Resort & Golf (Photo: Business Wire)

Mortgage Rates Drop, Hitting a Record Low for the Thirteenth Time this Year

MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 2.72 percent, the lowest rate in the survey’s history which dates back to 1971.

“Weaker consumer spending data, which accounts for the majority of economic growth, drove mortgage rates to a new record low,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “While economic growth remains unstable, strong housing demand continues to have a domino effect on many other segments of the economy.”

News Facts


  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage
    averaged 2.72 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending November 19, 2020, down from last week when it averaged 2.84 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.66 percent.

  • 15-year


    fixed-rate mortgage
    averaged 2.28 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.34 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.15 percent.

  • 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage
    (ARM) averaged 2.85 percent with an average 0.3 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.11 percent. A year ago at this time, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.39 percent.

The PMMS® is focused on conventional, conforming, fully-amortizing home purchase loans for borrowers who put 20 percent down and have excellent credit. Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following link for the Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

Freddie Mac makes home possible for millions of families and individuals by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Since our creation by Congress in 1970, we’ve made housing more accessible and affordable for homebuyers and renters in communities nationwide. We are building a better housing finance system for homebuyers, renters, lenders, investors and taxpayers. Learn more at FreddieMac.com, Twitter @FreddieMac and Freddie Mac’s blog FreddieMac.com/blog.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Angela Waugaman

703-
714-0644

Angela_Waugaman
@
F
reddie
M
ac.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0b4ab642-3a35-4767-83c5-5a4491eddb86



Northern Trust Expands Banking Team in Austin

Northern Trust Expands Banking Team in Austin

Monica Fernandes brings deep experience in commercial, private equity and real estate banking

AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Northern Trust Wealth Management has appointed Monica Fernandes as Senior Banking Advisor responsible for leading the firm’s Austin-based lending and deposit business. She will head the team in driving growth through the delivery of banking solutions that enhance outcomes for businesses and investors across Central Texas. Leveraging the vast resources of Northern Trust, Fernandes will be an integral leader and partner in the dynamic economic growth in Austin through her work in customizing loans, deposits and treasury solutions that help clients to achieve their strategic goals.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201119005154/en/

Monica Fernandes (Photo: Business Wire)

Monica Fernandes (Photo: Business Wire)

“The Central Texas region is growing rapidly and the needs of our clients are evolving,” said Jennifer Gravenor, President of Northern Trust in Austin. “Monica is a trusted advisor, highly-skilled lender and proven leader. Her addition reinforces our firm’s commitment to serving the robust and growing entrepreneurial community in Austin, and bolsters the vast capabilities of our team. Monica’s commitment to cultivating authentic relationships grounded in advice and integrity aligns perfectly with Northern Trust’s advice-based approach. We are pleased to have her take this leadership role and bring her expertise and innovative approach to our banking business.”

With almost 20 years of experience in the banking industry, Fernandes has a comprehensive background in commercial, private equity and real estate banking. She is passionate about not only serving clients, but also the Austin community at large. She is the 2020 Chair of the Greater Austin Business Awards for the Austin Chamber and also serves on its Programs committee. She is active on multiple Boards, currently serving as Vice Chair and Treasurer for the Austin Parks Foundation Board and Co-Treasurer and Board Member of the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas.

“Northern Trust shares my passion for delivering personalized advice to help drive successful results not only for businesses and their investors, but also the individuals and families behind those companies,” said Fernandes. “I am excited to join the leadership team of a firm with such a strong legacy of acting in the best interest of clients, as well as an entrepreneurial spirit and culture that promotes innovation.”

Northern Trust Wealth Management offers holistic wealth management services for affluent individuals and families, family offices, foundations and endowments, and privately held businesses. It is recognized for its innovative technology, service excellence and depth of expertise and ranks among the top 10 U.S. wealth managers, with $318.5 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2020. The Northern Trust Company is an Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking to corporations, institutions, affluent families and individuals. Founded in Chicago in 1889, Northern Trust has a global presence with offices in 22 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and across 22 locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of September 30, 2020, Northern Trust had assets under custody/administration of US $13.1 trillion, and assets under management of US $1.3 trillion. For more than 130 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader for exceptional service, financial expertise, integrity and innovation. Please visit our website or follow us on Twitter.

Northern Trust Corporation, Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A., incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Please read our global and regulatory information.

Alaina Kleinman

(312) 444-4065

[email protected]

http://www.northerntrust.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Commercial Building & Real Estate Finance Construction & Property Consulting REIT Banking

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Monica Fernandes (Photo: Business Wire)

OP.GG and Spoon Launch The First Interactive Esports Audio Live Stream

The companies will host a weekly series featuring key gaming insights and professional esports athletes

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Spoon, the world’s leading audio live stream platform, today announced it has partnered with OP.GG, the leading site for online player and team statistics, insights, and leaderboards, to produce the weekly live-streamed series, “GGnoRE.” The interactive series will bring together fans and professional esports athletes across the biggest titles in gaming for an hour each week.

“Launching the series with Spoon gives us another key touchpoint to connect with our esports community,” said Sangrak Choi, CEO of OP.GG. “The platform’s interactive format and focus on audio bridges professional athletes and the broader gaming community together to celebrate the art of the sport, engage in authentic conversations, and connect with the human being behind the keyboard.”

Spoon and OP.GG are introducing an industry-first interactive audio live stream, giving esports enthusiasts another medium to celebrate the sport. For Spoon’s first venture into original programming, the platform will utilize its unique audio-only approach to provide an inclusive, judgement-free environment for both streamers and listeners. Tapping into OP.GG’s esports analysis and gaming community, “GGnoRE” will discuss top teams, strategies, and tournament performances.

“It’s an exciting time for the esports community,” said Fernando Pizarro, Vice President of North America for Spoon. “We’re witnessing a huge marriage between the gaming and live streaming communities today, and there has never been a better time to invest in gamer-first content––making this a great first foray for us into original programming.”

“GGnoRE” will take place on Spoon’s live streaming audio app to provide a relaxed, natural conversation using solely the magic of voice. “GGnoRE” goes beyond just the stats. It dives into the life journeys and experiences of the players, team managers, and the esports industry more broadly.

Spoon has tapped veteran entertainment producer Clint Sears to launch its latest venture. “Interactive media has certainly seen a rise across the industry and I’m thrilled to help spearhead the first-of-its-kind show,” said Clint Sears, executive producer of “GGnoRE.” “Spoon’s audio platform is a breakthrough for user-driven entertainment, and its content provides unparalleled interactivity that users, especially in the burgeoning esports community, love.”

To participate in the weekly live stream, audience members can download the Spoon app and visit spoonrad.io/GGnoRE, or tune into spooncast.net and join the “GGnoRE” live stream from the homepage. From there, they can listen in, chat, and engage with other listeners as well as with the host, actor Ben Stillwell (Grey’s Anatomy, Teen Wolf), and the show’s guest star.

Listeners can also find a recording after the fact, distributed anywhere podcasts are available, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

About Spoon

Spoon is an audio-based live streaming app that has created a one-of-a-kind interactive audio experience. With real talk devoted to the topics people care about, Spoon Streamers are able to connect with audiences across the globe in meaningful ways and earn a salary through the platform’s unique integrated tipping model. Available across South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Middle East, North Africa, and the United States, Spoon boasts a global presence of nearly three million users worldwide, and is based out of Seoul, South Korea. Spoon has raised $57M in financing from investors including KB Investment, Goodwater Capital and Softbank Ventures.

About OP.GG


OP.GG
provides game statistics services for League of Legends, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Overwatch, Fortnite, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Siege and serves more than 40 million audiences across the globe. With 3 professional esports teams under their umbrella, recently launched gamer matching service, and other services and products related to gaming and analytics in the queue, OP.GG is actively pursuing the expansion to assist gamers and better gaming experience.

Media Contact

LaunchSquad for Spoon
[email protected]



Buildkite Expands Integration with GitHub, Introduces New Workflows

New onboarding experience gives teams greater control and visibility, accelerates build speed and scale

MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Buildkite announced it has expanded its integration with GitHub and introduced a new onboarding experience. With this deeper integration between Buildkite and GitHub, any GitHub user can now quickly tap into Buildkite’s continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) platform and begin running fast, secure, and scalable pipelines on their own infrastructure.

With more and more organizations accelerating their digital-first efforts, more teams are turning to Buildkite’s CI/CD platform to test, build, and release software as fast as possible and at global scale. With Buildkite’s new integrations with GitHub, teams can easily access Buildkite’s CI/CD platform, gain greater build control and visibility, and quickly accelerate the speed and scale of their pipelines. Additionally, Buildkite was the first to introduce a hybrid CI/CD platform, giving businesses complete control of their source code. The new Buildkite onboarding experience increases the transparency, giving teams even greater visibility into their security.

“CI/CD is today’s most critical factor in business success, but many CI/CD providers have limited scale, which inevitably hold teams back,” said Lachlan Donald, CEO and co-founder, Buildkite. “Buildkite’s platform is designed to play well with others and gives enterprises the unlimited scale and flexibility required to handle today’s increasingly complex software challenges. This deeper integration with GitHub creates an entirely new onboarding experience and lets teams quickly unleash the speed, scale, and impact they need to succeed.”

With the new Buildkite app in GitHub, integrating the new platform is now easier and more secure. Additionally, a repository from any connected GitHub account can be selected as a source when creating Buildkite pipelines, streamlining the path from code to build.

For more information about Buildkite, please visit: https://buildkite.com/

About Buildkite

Buildkite is the fastest and most secure way to test and deploy software at any scale. The company’s continuous integration and continuous development (CI/CD) platform allows teams of all sizes run fast, secure and scalable pipelines on their own infrastructure. Founded in 2013, the company was the first to introduce a self-hosted agent model and now supports over 1,000 customers across the world. For more information, please visit https://buildkite.com/

Contact

Highwire PR for Buildkite
[email protected]



Financial Venture Studio Closes First Fund with $13 Million to Invest in Early Stage Fintech Startups

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Financial Venture Studio, a venture firm focused on early stage fintech startups in the US, today announced the final close of its inaugural fund, FVS Fund I. The Fund closed with over $13 million in commitments from an array of leading institutional investors, including pension and institutional funds, insurance companies and commercial banks, as well as family offices and notable individuals from the venture capital ecosystem.

Financial Venture Studio invests in great teams that it believes can improve the way that Americans conduct their financial lives. Selected companies receive an investment, as well as a bespoke six-month networking program, designed to help companies navigate critical elements of the financial services industry. To date, the firm has invested in 18 companies through three cohorts of its program, as well as a handful of other later-stage fintechs, including Dave, Point, Propel, and Digit.

Financial Venture Studio was founded in 2018 by Ryan Falvey and Tyler Griffin, who met through their work together at the $30 million Financial Solutions Lab, an accelerator funded by JPMorgan Chase through the nonprofit CFSI. Griffin had previously founded payments company Prism Money, which he sold to PayNearMe.

The firm has had two exits from its investments since inception: the sale of Sheltr to Hippo Insurance, and the sale of Joust Banking to ZenBusiness. Seventy-five percent of the program’s alumni have raised a total of nearly $60 million in follow-on capital from notable venture firms including QED, Valar, Andreessen Horowitz, Kleiner Perkins and Matrix, among others.

“Since selecting our first cohort of fintech startups two years ago, we have proven our program’s strength in helping early stage founders navigate some of the most critical parts of being successful in fintech,” said Ryan Falvey, co-founder and Managing Partner. “Our emphasis on building a network designed to accelerate growth has captured the attention of many top co-investors, some of whom have gone on to provide Series A funding rounds for our companies.”

“As a former fintech founder, I know all too well the difficulty in connecting with the right people, whether bank partners or influencers. I also know the importance of making early connections in the regulatory area, making the right technical architecture choices, and forging early relationships in the capital markets,” said Tyler Griffin, co-founder and Managing Partner. “Our program provides the access and insights needed in these critical areas to help fintech startups grow truly transformational companies.”

Cathrine Andersen, the Danish co-founder and CEO of Roger, selected for the first FVS cohort, found her experience in the program invaluable. “This is probably the most valuable program you can do as an early stage fintech anywhere in the world. Our participation took us where we wanted much quicker than we could have on our own,” she said. Roger has since raised a Series A led by QED Investors.

“The FVS program was hugely helpful in our journey of starting, building, and selling Sheltr,” said Andrew Wynn, co-founder and CEO of Sheltr, which was acquired by Hippo Insurance shortly after completing the FVS program. “The team’s expertise, connections and programming are all best in class. However, their willingness to spend a ton of time working with—and sometimes for—us is what really stood out to us about this program and this team.”

One of the firm’s Limited Partners is Brian Plum, CEO of Blue Ridge Bank. “As a community bank that seeks partnerships with fintech startups, we have seen a lot of companies,” Plum said, “The FVS team has an uncanny ability to pick the best of the best of them, and help make them better. I’m excited by the Fund’s strong early performance, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Highlights from the FVS
portfolio include:



  • Agentero

    , a SaaS company that uses robust data to empower independent insurance agents with the information they need to boost revenue, save time, and deliver a superior customer experience



  • Anvil

    , an end-to-end platform that automates paperwork processes using a no-code workflow builder or developer-friendly APIs, replaces endless forms with intuitive workflows that gather information once and share it wherever it needs to go, enabling digital transformation



  • Copilot

    , a personal finance app that learns from its users and their relationships with money, delivering hyper-personalized insights that help consumers effortlessly understand and better manage how they spend, save, and invest



  • Everlance

    , an app used by more than 1 million people to track mileage, expenses, and tax withholding; users range from the self-employed to Fortune 500 companies



  • Flex

    , which enables people to pay rent on a schedule that works for them, alleviating costly late fees traditionally levied on late rent payments



  • Ha




    rvest Platform

    leverages AI to increase the net worth of consumers by reducing debt and improving creditworthiness through automation; the company also helps users access the credit they need by providing lenders with alternative data



  • HoneyBee

    , a SaaS-based solution that enables midsize employers to create a financial safety net for their teams, so employees can access financial counseling on demand, plus no-cost, 0% interest rainy day funds to cover unplanned expenses



  • NestEgg

    , an AI property manager that makes it easy for independent landlords to manage a portfolio of properties of any size in minutes each month, offers financial services that boost cash flow and bring owners together with contractors and other professionals to provide safe, happy homes for renters



  • Pillar Life

    , a digital platform that helps people protect and care for loved ones by making it easy to organize all important information in one place, from financial accounts to legal documents and medical records.



  • Point,

    a mobile banking platform, has reimagined banking with a debit cards reward program that rivals the best of elite credit cards, for a new generation of card users who prefer debit



  • Roger

    , a solution driving the next big shift in accounting and B2B payments with a SaaS platform that enables clients to automate accounts payable and other manual workflows to save time and money while cutting down on fraud



  • Token Transit

    , a pre-COVID company building for the post-COVID future of transit, where payments are contactless, and legacy transit authorities can access robust route and rider data to dramatically increase efficiencies



  • Zaam

    , an end-to-end SaaS solution for onboarding business customers onto financial platforms, helps financial companies improve customer onboarding, increase revenue from higher conversion rates, and reduce operational costs

About Financial Venture Studio

Financial Venture Studio invests in great early stage teams who are seeking to improve how Americans conduct their financial lives. From more efficient savings to superior investments to faster payments and better information, the promise of today’s financial products has never been greater. Learn more about the firm’s portfolio and unique approach at www.finventurestudio.com.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/66ea93c7-14b8-4639-851d-bf5254864362


https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3902c509-b091-4c4c-98a0-66f64e6b8337



Media Contact:
Kathy Osborne for Financial Venture Studio
[email protected]

Virginia Hospital Center Selects Phunware for Comprehensive Mobile Healthcare Solution

Virginia Hospital Center Selects Phunware for Comprehensive Mobile Healthcare Solution

AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHUN) (the “Company”), a fully-integrated enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides products, solutions, data and services for brands worldwide, has secured a new Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS) win that will give Virginia Hospital Center Health System (VHC) in Arlington, Virginia, a new digital front door on mobile in support of more than 850,000 square-feet of indoor medical space.

“VHC is excited to work with Phunware to bring a myriad of services into one cohesive mobile app to the VHC community,” said Mike Mistretta, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Virginia Hospital Center. “This technology will provide ease of access for our patients from scheduling appointments, getting care through remote telehealth services and messaging providersto helping patients navigate to scheduled appointments throughout the VHC campus. Our goal is to provide an enhanced level of convenience and care to our patients.”

Virginia Hospital Center Health System (VHC) is a 394-bed not-for-profit teaching facility in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. VHC was recently designated a Newsweek 2020 Best Maternity Care Hospital, received a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and once again named a Leapfrog Top Hospital in 2019. The Hospital is a proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and is designated as a Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Phunware’s digital front door not only enables feature-rich mobile application solutions for healthcare providers, but it also offers seamless integrations with Electronic Health Records (EHRs) such as Epic. This holistic approach eliminates the pain of having to manage dozens of point solutions while simultaneously offering staff, patients and visitors a far more simplistic, cohesive and integrated healthcare experience. Additional capabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Mobile engagement for contextual notifications, including appointment reminders
  • Real-time “blue dot” indoor positioning, including mapping, navigation and wayfinding
  • Beacon Maintenance to ensure optimal performance of MaaS Location Based Services (LBS)
  • Epic MyChart integration with Face ID biometric login medical record access
  • Mobile bill pay
  • Staff directory
  • Analytics

“A native, digital front door on mobile is exactly the kind of cutting edge innovation that providers need to implement in order to reimagine their continuum of care in a mobile-first world,” said Alan S. Knitowski, President, CEO and Co-Founder of Phunware. “We are thrilled to be working with the forward-thinking leadership team at Virginia Hospital Center on their digital transformation initiatives to not only enhance their patient experience on mobile, but also to improve their operational efficiencies, financial performance and clinical outcomes as well.”

Click here to learn more about how Phunware facilitates digital transformation in healthcare by enabling a digital front door for any hospital, clinic or medical organization.

Safe Harbor Clause and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “expose,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Future developments affecting us may not be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings that we make with the SEC from time to time. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. These risks and others described under “Risk Factors” in our SEC filings may not be exhaustive.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In addition, even if our results or operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.

About Phunware, Inc.

Everything You Need to Succeed on Mobile — Transforming Digital Human Experience

Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHUN), is the pioneer of Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS), an award-winning, fully integrated enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides companies the products, solutions, data and services necessary to engage, manage and monetize their mobile application portfolios and audiences globally at scale. Phunware’s Software Development Kits (SDKs) include location-based services, mobile engagement, content management, messaging, advertising, loyalty (PhunCoin & Phun) and analytics, as well as a mobile application framework of pre-integrated iOS and Android software modules for building in-house or channel-based mobile application and vertical solutions. Phunware helps the world’s most respected brands create category-defining mobile experiences, with more than one billion active devices touching its platform each month. For more information about how Phunware is transforming the way consumers and brands interact with mobile in the virtual and physical worlds, visit https://www.phunware.com, https://www.phuncoin.com, https://www.phuntoken.com, and follow @phunware, @phuncoin and @phuntoken on all social media platforms.

About Virginia Hospital Center

Virginia Hospital Center Health System (VHC) is a 394-bed not-for-profit teaching facility in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. VHC was recently designated a Newsweek 2020 Best Maternity Care Hospital, received a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and once again named a Leapfrog Top Hospital in 2019. The Hospital is a proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and is designated as a Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Phunware PR & Media Inquiries:

[email protected]

T: (512) 693-4199

Phunware Investor Relations:

Matt Glover and John Yi

Gateway Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (949) 574-3860

KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Mobile/Wireless Hospitals Software Practice Management Networks Managed Care Health Data Management

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