ADACEN, Inc., Secures $335 Million in Private Funding

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, Oct 6, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – ADACEN, Inc., a developer, integrator, and provider of energy-efficient high-performance compute, colocation, and on-premises data centers, is delivering tailored solutions for critical infrastructure sectors. Accelerated and secured by deep subject matter experts, machine learning (ML), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), ADACEN’s products and services comprise data management, predictive analytics, and cybersecurity solutions in seamless applications.

Further, ADACEN is demonstrating a niche ability to produce integrated data resilience, cybersecurity, colocation, and critical infrastructure applications at scale and has jumped to the forefront of high-performance compute (HPC), delivering solutions for industries ranging from federal and local government to university and commercial hyperscale data centers, to healthcare, to public utilities and generating stations to name a few. Underpinned by bespoke, organic nation-state quality cybersecurity capabilities developed by ADACEN SPEAR and best-in-breed cyber specialists, ADACEN is redefining what it means to defend critical infrastructure market segments at the edge.

Fueled by strategic partnerships and strong contract positions, ADACEN is squarely positioned for accelerated growth and expansion facilitated by a deep presence in the public and private sectors, domestically and globally. Notably, ADACEN has been awarded contracts with several national labs and exclusive distribution partnerships. As a result, ADACEN is anchored by investment-grade credit quality revenue streams spread across multiple market segments and is diversifying and strengthening its balance sheet, asset base, and portfolio of holdings, allowing ADACEN the latitude to move unconstrained within its target market as it seeks to deploy data-resilient critical infrastructure, and cyber security solutions enhanced by high performance compute, high-density storage, ML, and AI.

ADACEN’s CEO and Chairman of the Board, Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, says:

“I’m immensely proud to be on the ADACEN team. The data center industry has several challenges that must be addressed. They use too much power, they use too much space, and they use too much water for cooling. And most importantly, they are vulnerable to attack and disruption. ADACEN has solved those problems. For the last two years, we have proven the potential, reliability, and performance of our technology and security solutions. We’ve built an incredible team of thought leaders and doers with deep experience in critical infrastructure delivery, defense, intelligence, commercial delivery, data security, and finance. Our data center solutions are needed today – and we are positioned to deliver immediately. If the data center industry had a chance to have a “do-over,” they would adopt the ADACEN solution – immediately.”

Luca Taylor, ADACEN COO and President of ADACEN SPEAR, ADACEN’s cybersecurity division, comments:

“When I first saw ADACEN completely redefining the concept of a data center, I had one of those Matrix moments where time slowed with the realization there was no security paradigm for this approach. All the old security models were simply insufficient. We had to create something new, adaptable, and capable of protecting the workloads we’re enabling at the edge. As a former Computer Network Operator and Technical Director at the NSA, I know what sophisticated actors are capable of. Nation states and cybercriminal gangs alike have access to AI, and they know how to use it. We are prepared. I am so excited and honored to be a part of this incredible team and mission! We’re changing how our clients and partners contemplate computing, bringing capabilities to the edge they’ve never seen. Critical workloads and data will exist close to the business workstreams or mission sets they support. Complex chains of decisions will increasingly be made without human interaction. Security must be woven into the fabric of such disruptive, radical change. ADACEN and SPEAR are the disruptive change we so badly need, and the peace of mind is secure and protected by design. It is truly thrilling to operate beyond the bleeding edge.”

Tim Kosiba, Former Deputy Director NSA Georgia:

“In my years of service at the NSA – including leading Tailored Access Operations and as Deputy Director NSA Georgia – I saw firsthand the rate of change in technology allowing for high performance compute, the need to make best use of the power, space and cooling you had, and how the security of data centers, edge devices and data itself had to be thought out before you deployed new systems.” Tim Kosiba continues: “What I love about what ADACEN is doing. They brought in some of my old teammates to design a security system (SPEAR) that ensures holistic security is built in from the beginning. They quietly but professionally did years of test and evaluation on their technology, proved it all, and have won the ability to do business with our most demanding federal customers. Their tech is green, resilient, reliable, and highly effective in producing super compute capabilities at the edge – and they have the data to prove it. ADACEN is a total game changer when it comes to resilient, green, high-performance compute data center solutions – with security built in from the beginning vice a bolt-on afterthought.”

Richard McCrea, Senior Investment Advisor at Solvenz, had this to say:

“We are excited to support ADACEN in its development and delivery of next-generation data center, cybersecurity, and AI solutions. ADACEN bridges a unique union with the DOE, DOD, AHA, Public Utility Co-op organizations, and National Laboratories, to name a few. Mandated from the top down, ADACEN specialists are brought in to evaluate vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and implement solutions that materially improve security and resilience, giving ADACEN a clear competitive edge that is irreplicable but wholly transportable across many market segments and industrial sectors.” Richard McCrea goes on to say, “As a direct investor and risk underwriter for the last twenty years, we have noticed many great companies run by brilliant and innovative individuals with great ideas who pave the way for transformative inventions and innovations, but the ability to establish and influence the maturation of the target market and deliver solutions and products at scale are the primary drivers of sustained growth and success.”

ABOUT ADACEN:

ADACEN was formed in 2019 to redefine what a data center is, democratize super-compute, edge compute, and extending and defending data center capabilities to individual users, entities (including small and large businesses), public utilities, hospitals, universities, research laboratories, US government, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and allied military services. ADACEN develops and commercializes “Data Center Solutions,” defined as any combination of the physical facilities or dedicated space within a facility, “on-premises” at a customer’s facility or office, the supporting infrastructure, and systems used to house, power, cool, and utilize computer systems, data storage, associated components and to provide network operations, security operations, data protection, incident response, data recovery, and continuity of operations solutions for same. These include but are not limited to liquid immersion, hybrid immersion, and air-cooled heat management systems; compute and storage hardware and software; and any other cabling, wiring, power management, and interface necessary for operation, in addition to other services and activities as may be allowed under the Company’s foundational documents. For more information, visit https://www.ADACEN.com

ABOUT SOLVENZ:

The U.S.-based Solvenz Group of companies in was formed in 2008 with initiatives of de-risking investments in alternative asset classes in domestic and foreign territories. The Solvenz Group of companies, along with its regulated investment funds in Luxembourg, are postured for strong growth and are continually expanding its reach into other esoteric asset classes. Currently, Solvenz attributes its success and growth to ongoing rigorous analytical studies and effective de-risking solutions. For more information, visit https://www.SOLVENZ.com

THE STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE, CONCERNING PREDICTIONS OF ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND MANAGEMENT’S PLANS AND OBJECTIVES CONSTITUTE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MADE, PURSUANT TO THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. THESE STATEMENTS INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FACTORS WHICH COULD CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH DIFFERENCES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS AFFECTING THE OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS BUSINESS OPERATIONS, THE IMPACT OF COMPETITION, THE SUCCESS OF PRODUCTS IN THE MARKETPLACE. THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE INVOLVE SUBJECTS ONLY AS OF THE DATE HEREOF AND THE COMPANY DISCLAIMS ANY INTENT OR OBLIGATION TO UPDATE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

Contact Information

Rahdika Sud, VP, Customer Relations, rsud@adacen.com

Directors’ Symposium 2023: Transform for a Better Tomorrow

Hong Kong, Oct 6, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – During the Directors’ Symposium 2023 of The Hong Kong Institute of Directors (“HKIoD”) recently held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, speakers from diverse industries expressed their vision and strategies to “Transform for a Better Tomorrow” to over 200 directors and corporate leaders in attendance.

Guest of Honour at the Symposium was the Financial Secretary, The Hon Chan Mo-po Paul GBM GBS MH JP. Speaking on the theme of the Symposium, he said: “Hong Kong’s medium to long-term future will be vested in how well we will transform ourselves for the better. … That requires us to look into and reinforce our own strengths, while proactively finding new points of growth to drive our economic momentum.” In updating the participants on government initiatives and policy plan, he summarised by saying, “We envision Hong Kong to be an international green technology and green finance centre.”

The Symposium featured in total nine speakers and six hosts in five talks and two panel discussions covering transformation in the digital era, an overview of the economic outlook, the global director perspectives, regulatory review and transformation for sustainability.

Speaking from the HKIoD perspective, Dr Christopher To, Chairman of HKIoD, noted, “In the midst of a waning COVID-19 pandemic, companies and boards of directors continue to face persistent challenges and long-term macro issues.” He cited that in the latest World Competitiveness study by the Institute of Management Development, Hong Kong’s global competitiveness has experienced a decline, with a slip to 7th place from its previous rank of 2nd. Similarly, digital competitiveness and talent ranking have both dwindled. On the other hand, Dr To noted that there are positive indications, such as Hong Kong’s improved standing in the Smart City Index at 19th place and its remarkable 3rd rank in the Sustainable Trade Index.

“To navigate these challenges and capitalize on emerging prospects,” Dr To opined, “hard work, agility, and adaptability are crucial. Notably, successful business transformations have yielded growth and financial turnarounds, as underscored in Innosight’s study of the ‘Top 20 Business Transformations of the Last Decade’ featured in the Harvard Business Review. The board of directors assumes a pivotal role in steering the company toward a brighter tomorrow. Preparation and a willingness to embrace transformation are essential for businesses to not only survive but thrive amidst adversity and seize new opportunities.”

In her speech, Dr Carlye Tsui, CEO of HKIoD commented: “For corporate transformation towards sustainability, the board itself needs to undergo a transformation first.” She cited the 2022-2023 Global Network of Director Institutes (“GNDI”) survey that sheds light on global directors’ perspectives for future development. Findings from this survey highlight that boards focusing on the next two years have identified critical areas for corporate success, including long-term strategy, business continuity and resilience, human capital, ESG matters, and digital transformation. “Furthermore, there are three major improvement areas that warrant attention: board and management dynamics, board performance, and board operation,” noted Dr Tsui.

“To ensure readiness for the next 3 to 5 years, the boards should bridge expertise gaps in areas such as cyber risk, digital innovation, global economics, geopolitical issues, and ESG. These are areas that should no longer be left to specialists and that should be addressed on the board agenda,” remarked Dr Tsui. The GNDI study highlighted that it is crucial to emphasize the need for board norms to evolve, including the utilization of directors with specific skills and an enhanced board evaluation process. Additionally, effective strategic dialogue between the board and management, improved analysis and decision-making through data analytics, and the incorporation of forward-looking KPIs are paramount. “Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, the survey inspires us on the top actions for boards to prepare,” Dr Tsui supplemented. “These actions include expanding to encompass technology and sustainability, delivering on the interests of multiple stakeholders, adopting a purpose-driven and impact-oriented approach, promoting diversity, and dedicating equal time to both financial and non-financial goals.”

During the Symposium, a poll was conducted among participants on questions relevant to the theme. Significant findings from the participants included:

— 35% believe that Hong Kong’s economy next year will remain the same as this year, while 28% believe that it will be 30% better next year.

— 30% have started digital transformation and 25% are actively engaged in it.

— 49% are in good progress and 9% have achieved good results of business transformation.

— 35% boards are geared for the next 3-5 years and 33% are addressing priorities for the next 2 years.

— Regarding the most lacking board quality, 29% are in diversity while 27% are in continuing professional education.

— 78% feel able to raise challenges or ask questions when something is not right.

— On the ESG journey for a sustainable future, 42% have good strategy in place, while 13% have good achievements.

The 2022-2023 Global Director Survey focuses on “The Future of Board Governance”. The survey report is downloadable.

About The Hong Kong Institute of Directors

The Hong Kong Institute of Directors is Hong Kong’s premier body representing directors to foster the long-term success of companies through advocacy and standards-setting in corporate governance and professional development for directors. A non-profit-distributing organisation with membership consisting of directors from listed and non-listed companies, HKIoD is committed to providing directors with educational programmes and information service and establishing an influential voice in representing directors. With international perspectives and a multi-cultural environment, HKIoD conducts business in biliteracy and trilingualism. http://www.hkiod.com

HKIoD is a member institute of the Global Network of Director Institutes (“GNDI”), which provides a global voice and sharpens leading practices for boardroom leaders on governance matters that cut across national boundaries. Established in 2012, GNDI now comprises 24 institutes representing more than 150,000 directors. http://www.gndi.org

HKIoD is Host of the Hong Kong Chapter of Climate Governance Initiative (“CGI”), a global network set up in 2019 to mobilise and equip directors in taking climate action to future proof their businesses. CGI works in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.

Media Enquiries:

Strategic Public Relations Group Limited

Brenda Chan

+852 2114 4396

brenda.chan@sprg.com.hk

Could Vegan Pet Food Help Save the Planet?

WINCHESTER, ENGLAND, Oct 6, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Studies show plant-based diets lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and use less land and water. Food energy savings mean more people can be fed. This has triggered calls for vegan diets – but not for our pets. Yet a new major study published in leading scientific journal PLOS ONE has demonstrated very large environmental benefits associated with nutritionally-sound vegan diets – for dogs and cats, as well as people.

After analysing pet food ingredients in detail, Veterinary Professor Andrew Knight calculated that the world’s dogs and cats consume seven billion land animals annually, as well as billions of fish. If all the world’s dogs went vegan, it would save more GHGs than those emitted by the UK, land larger than Mexico, and could feed 450 million additional people – more than the entire EU. If all the world’s cats went vegan, it could feed 70 million additional people – more than the entire UK. And if all the world’s people went vegan, it would save more GHGs than all those emitted by the entire EU, land larger than Russia – the world’s largest country, combined with India, and would feed around 5.3 billion additional people – two thirds of the Earth’s current population.

Until recently, vegan diets were not seriously considered for dogs and cats – who are biologically omnivores and carnivores respectively. In the last two years however, many new vegan pet foods have been developed by companies using plant-based ingredients supplemented with vitamins, amino acids and minerals, to ensure all necessary nutrients are included. New studies have shown good health and behavioural outcomes for dogs and cats using such diets. There are now 9 such studies in dogs, and 3 in cats. The most recent very large-scale study showed positive health outcomes in vegan cats, following a similar canine study in 2022. These have driven rapid growth with the vegan dog food market valued at USD 14 billion by 2023, and expected to reach USD 26 billion by 2033.

Said Professor Knight, “This is game-changing. We’ve long known that plant-based diets are better for the planet, but have not seriously considered pet food. However, pet food clearly has profound environmental impacts. Conversely, very large environmental benefits can be achieved by nutritionally-sound vegan pet food. Large-scale studies have also shown that health outcomes for both dogs and cats are as good or better. And studies of feeding behaviour have demonstrated that average dogs and cats enjoy vegan pet foods as much as those made from meat.”

He concluded: “Pet owners who care about the environment or their animals’ health should consider nutritionally-sound vegan pet food. However, to safeguard health, it is important that people feed only commercial diets labelled as nutritionally complete, produced by reputable companies with good standards.”

Contact Information
Andrew Knight
Veterinary Professor of Animal Welfare
andrew.knight@winchester.ac.uk

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Rover Metals Adds 2,400 Acres to Let’s Go Lithium Project, NV, USA

Vancouver, BC, Oct 5, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Rover Metals Corp. (TSXV:ROVR)(OTCQB:ROVMF)(FSE:4XO) (“Rover” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce that it has added 2,400 acres of new claims to its Let’s Go Lithium (“LGL”) project, bringing the total project size to approximately 8,300 acres.

LGL Project Expansion

Management of the Company, working with McGinley and Associates, dba UES (“UES”), identified additional prospective ground contiguous to the existing claim block this summer. Further to the Company’s news release of September 7, 2023, Culter, and Ingraffia prospected and sampled the new claim area as part of this summer’s expanded Phase 1 Exploration Program. Multiple hectorite-like clay outcrops and high-grade lithium surface samples were encountered in the staking area. The Company believes that the project expansion will take advantage of a deeper hydrologic water flow system in the area. Management will be including the new claims into its Plan of Operations submission to the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) which it plans to file in short order.

Judson Culter, CEO at Rover Metals, states, “The addition of 2,400 acres to the LGL project gives us the flexibility of abandoning certain existing mining claims that border the ACEC boundary of Ash Meadows. We never intended to mine or develop near to Ash Meadows, and moving the core of the LGL project further away from Ash Meadows sends a clear message that Rover is committed to developing the project in a manner that is sustainable for the surrounding area. UES, are helping Rover to ensure that there will be no impact to the critical water tables in the Amargosa basin. Rover and UES have obtained a copy of the environmental assessment study that the neighbouring mine, operated by Lhoist North America, is operating under. Management at Rover feels confident that sustainable lithium mining can be supported in the Amargosa Valley.”

A Call for Battery Recycling Partnerships and Joint Ventures

The eastern Amargosa Valley has been slated for solar farm energy development by the BLM. Solar energy, in addition to the existing hydro energy infrastructure in the area, allows for new development opportunities like EV raw materials battery recycling. Rover is seeking inbound requests to partner with recycling technology companies. Please contact info@rovermetals.com with inquiries. The LGL project is a one and half hour drive from the city of Las Vegas, one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S.

About Rover Metals

Rover is a publicly traded junior mining company that trades on the TSXV under symbol ROVR, on the OTCQB under symbol ROVMF, and on the FSE under symbol 4XO. The Company has a diverse portfolio of mining resource development projects with varying exploration timelines. Its critical mineral projects include lithium, zinc, and copper. Its precious metals projects include gold and silver. The Company is exclusive to the mining jurisdictions of the U.S. and Canada.

You can follow Rover on its social media channels:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rovermetals
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rover-metals/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoverMetals/ for daily company updates and industry news, and
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsHsfag1GFyp4aLW5Ye-YQ?view_as=subscriber for corporate videos.

Website: https://www.rovermetals.com/

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Judson Culter”
Chief Executive Officer and Director

For further information, please contact:
Email: info@rovermetals.com
Phone: +1 (778) 754-2617

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause Rover’s actual results, performance, achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur. There can be no assurance that such statements prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any factor could cause actual results to differ materially from Rover’s expectations. Rover undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates, opinions, or other factors, should change.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.

GMG Announces New Chief Financial Officer

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia–(ACN Newswire – October 5, 2023) – Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. (TSXV: GMG) (“GMG” or the “Company”) is pleased to advise that Brandon Leong has been appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective 17^th October 2023. The Company would like to thank Scott Richardson who has been Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 31 July, 2023 and has led the finance team through the recent capital raise and year end audit process as well as implemented a number of improvement initiatives and will work through to the end of January 2024 to ensure a smooth handover to Brandon.

Brandon comes with CFO role experience drawing on over 20 years of financial leadership roles including as CFO, Deputy CFO, Financial and Commercial Director and Financial Advisory roles in publicly listed, private companies and advisory firms – including PWC in Australia and United States of America, CPB Contractors (Construction), Aurizon (Rail), Holcim (Construction Materials) and various other companies. Brandon is a Chartered Accountant, has a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor Arts from the University of Queensland, as well as an Executive Masters of Business Administration from University of Oxford. Brandon is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

GMG’s CEO Craig Nicol stated, “I’m looking forward to working with Brandon in the commercial, finance and capital markets areas of the Company to support GMG’s ongoing commercial development and finance needs. I expect his leadership work in Australia and USA in very large multi-billion dollar transactions will support the progress of the company through a range of planned near term milestones including ramping up Thermal XR sales, meeting our Battery development milestones, and starting up our new graphene manufacturing expansion plant over the next 6 months. I also want to thank Scott for his very focused attention on delivering a number of key outcomes in the short time period that he has been at GMG to date and I look forward to continue working with him.”

GMG’s 4 critical business objectives remain to:

Produce Graphene and improve/scale the production process
Build Revenue from Energy Savings Products
Develop Next-Generation Battery
Develop Supply Chain, Partners & Project Execution Capability

About GMG
GMG is a clean-technology company which seeks to offer energy saving and energy storage solutions, enabled by graphene, including that manufactured in-house via a proprietary production process.

GMG has developed a proprietary production process to decompose natural gas (i.e. methane) into its elements, carbon (as graphene), hydrogen and some residual hydrocarbon gases. This process produces high quality, with low cost inputs, scalable, ‘tuneable’ and low/no contaminant graphene suitable for use in clean-technology and other applications. The Company’s present focus is to de-risk and develop commercial scale-up capabilities, and secure market applications.

In the energy savings segment, GMG has focused on graphene enhanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC-R”) coating (or energy-saving paint), lubricants and fluids. In the energy storage segment, GMG and the University of Queensland are working collaboratively with financial support from the Australian Government to progress R&D and commercialization of graphene aluminium-ion batteries (“G+AI Batteries”).

For further information please contact:

Craig Nicol, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of the Company at craig.nicol@graphenemg.com, +61 415 445 223
Leo Karabelas at Focus Communications Investor Relations, leo@fcir.ca, +1 647 689 6041

www.graphenemg.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “intends”, “expects” or “anticipates”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would” or will “potentially” or “likely” occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as “forward‐looking statements”, are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding the effective date on which Mr. Richardson will be leaving the Company, the effective date on which Mr. Leong will become the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the contributions Mr. Leong will make to the company in his capacity as CFO, the duration of Mr. Leong’s service as CFO, the maturation of the Company into commercial production, the timing and success of starting up the Company’s new graphene manufacturing expansion plant.

These forward‐looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things risks relating to the effective date on which Mr. Richardson will be leaving the Company, the effective date Mr. Leong will become the CFO, Mr. Leong’s contributions as CFO differing from management’s current expectations, the Company not maturing into commercial operations on the expected timelines, if at all, the Company failing to achieve its planned milestones around starting up GMG’s new graphene manufacturing expansion plant on the timelines contemplated, if at all..

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, assumptions regarding the effective date on which Mr. Richardson will be leaving the Company, the effective date Mr. Leong will become the CFO, the positive impact that Mr. Leong, as the CFO, will have on the Company’s development, the Company maturing into commercial production, the timing and content of milestones around the Company’s new graphene manufacturing plant.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183029

ORIGYN Technology Empowers Creation of Digital Certificates for Metalor Gold Bars

NEUCHATEL, SWITZERLAND, Oct 5, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – ORIGYN Foundation, the Swiss nonprofit dedicated to creating powerful biometric digital certificates that prove authenticity, identity and ownership of valuable assets, today announced a collaboration with Metalor to certify the authenticity and ownership of select physical gold bars.

ORIGYN’s Digital certification enables the gold industry, in collaboration with Metalor and Yumi.io marketplace, to redefine how businesses and consumers certify, transact and own precious metals. The ORIGYN Digital Certificate powers this process through unprecedented certificate storage and security, as well as the underlying non-fungible token (NFT) technology that ties physical objects immutably to asset data and digital experiences.

Metalor, one of the world’s most trusted gold refiners since 1852, refines gold in accordance with the highest industry standards. Metalor sources gold from selected countries and sustainably refines the precious metal into 99.99% pure gold bars from one of the five Metalor refineries all LBMA-certified across three continents. The end result is a traceable gold bar-complete with grading, weight, certification and sourcing information-all stamped directly on the physical asset. Now, leveraging ORIGYN’s powerful certification technology for select gold bars, this information will be securely recorded in a permanent, immutable digital certificate.

ORIGYN offers the most powerful digital certificate solution in the market, storing up to 3.5GB of data. This includes documents and technical information, as well as multimedia elements such as video, high-resolution images and entire applications.

ORIGYN Digital Certificates are stored entirely on the blockchain, meaning they cannot be tampered with, lost or falsified. They also enable a host of value-added services, including applications to engage with consumers, insurance information, warranties, lost and stolen alerts, financing and collateralization, bequeathals, proof of heritage, appraisal history, services records and more.

ORIGYN’s digital certificate continues to uncover novel use cases across industry in response to the growing demand for digital certification. In the case of gold certification, the newly launched gold project, GLD NFT, is now selling the digitally-certified Metalor gold bars on Yumi.io marketplace, increasing access to and transparency across the gold market.

The certificate for the GLD NFT project includes two high-resolution images of the gold bar, its unique serial number, technical information on weight, purity, dimension and hardness, stock audit verification from globally recognized auditors and a certificate of authenticity.

“Digital certificates have the power to transform entire industries and revolutionize investment opportunities by providing secure, transparent and accessible ways to verify ownership and authenticity. By leveraging blockchain technology, ORIGYN is at the forefront of this transformation, creating a new standard for how physical assets are bought, sold, owned and transacted,” said ORIGYN Co-Founder Gian Bochsler, who also spearheads the independent GLD NFT project. “We believe this technology has the potential to unlock tremendous value and opportunities across the entire precious metals sector.”

Contact Information:

Silvia Biestro silvia@origyn.ch

The Story of Fosun and the Nobel Prize

Hong Kong, Oct 5, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Following pioneering breakthroughs in basic science, companies are often needed to carry out technological innovation and commercialization to turn scientific breakthroughs into products that improve the living conditions of mankind.

At around 17:45 on 2 October 2023, Beijing time, the winners of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023 were announced. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023 was awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, two scientists who have long been dedicated to the research of mRNA technology, for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications in mRNA.

What is nucleoside base modification? You may not be familiar with it, but we all know about the mRNA vaccine that saved countless people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scientific breakthroughs made by the two Nobel Laureates this year in 2005 played a crucial role in the research and development (R&D) of the world’s first mRNA vaccine by BioNTech, a German Biotechnology company during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

It is no exaggeration to say that this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is an award for the development of the first mRNA vaccine. While scientific breakthroughs serve as the foundation for successful vaccine development, the contribution of enterprises is equally important. There is a global company rooted in China that can be considered as the hero behind the successfully R&D of mRNA vaccine.

The company is Fosun, the first company to reach a cooperation in the R&D of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with BioNTech, a German biotechnology company during the pandemic. In fact, the story of Fosun and the Nobel Prize goes beyond the development of mRNA vaccine.

Artesunate was developed by Guilin Pharma, a subsidiary of Fosun, on the basis of Tu Youyou’s, a renowned Chinese scientist and Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine in 2015, discovery of artemisinin. To date, artesunate has treated nearly 56 million severe malaria patients worldwide, most of whom are children in Africa.

Targeting the development of mRNA vaccine within one month of the outbreak

Let us start with the story of Fosun and the first mRNA vaccine.

On 23 January 2020, Wuhan imposed a closed-loop management system due to the severe epidemic situation. While Fosun launched a global anti-epidemic operation and urgently deployed global anti-epidemic materials to China, it capitalized on its cutting-edge vision and sound judgment to focus the R&D of mRNA vaccine, hoping to leverage this innovative technology to develop an effective vaccine against the virus.

The epidemic was severe at the time. On 29 January, less than a week after Wuhan imposed a rigorous management system, Fosun Pharma urgently communicated with the German company BioNTech on the R&D of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The two parties quickly reached a consensus and established a collaborative partnership in mid-February to work jointly on the development of the mRNA vaccine. On 13 March, Fosun Pharma and BioNTech officially entered into a cooperation agreement and jointly announced it three days later, which was three days before the cooperation between BioNTech and Pfizer of the United States.

According to the strategic cooperation agreement reached by Fosun Pharma and BioNTech in March 2020, the two Companies will work jointly on the development of COVID-19 vaccines based on BioNTech’s mRNA technology platform in China. The Companies will collaborate to conduct clinical trials in China leveraging Fosun Pharma’s extensive clinical development, regulatory, and commercial capabilities in the country.

During the course of global joint R&D, Fosun Pharma also cooperated with the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences to complete animal testing of multiple mRNA vaccine candidates, and conducted in-depth cooperation with BioNTech in clinical research, pharmacological data science, pharmacovigilance and other areas. It also took the lead in carrying out phase I and phase II clinical trials in Chinese mainland. The successful development of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine embodies the wisdom of the Chinese scientific research teams and is one of the model projects of Sino-German scientific cooperation.

In November 2020, good news came amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic: the final analysis of the phase III clinical trial of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine showed that it was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 infections. Subsequently, the vaccine was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA), becoming the first mRNA vaccine for emergency use.

On 23 August 2021, BioNTech announced that the Biologics License Application (BLA) for COMIRNATY (mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) for use in individuals 16 years of age and older to prevent COVID-19 infection was approved by the U.S. FDA. COMIRNATY is the first COVID-19 vaccine to be granted approval by the FDA, and also the first officially approved COVID-19 vaccine in the world with complete phase III data.

Since the beginning of 2021, COMIRNATY (mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) has been successively launched in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan region, building an immune barrier for the regions. As of the end of May 2023, more than 40 million doses of COMIRNATY were administered in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan region and COMIRNATY became one of the most widely used vaccines in the aforementioned regions.

A “Chinese drug” that has treated more than 56 million severe malaria patients

Let us move on to the story of Fosun and artemisinin.

Malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS are among the three major infectious diseases in Africa. In sub-Saharan Africa, every 2 minutes, a child in the world dies from malaria. The discovery of artemisinin has enabled mankind to discover a new weapon against malaria, and has also brought hope to Africa’s battle with malaria.

The discovery and development of artemisinin marks a major event in the history of malaria prevention and treatment, and represents a major breakthrough after quinoline-containing antimalarial drugs. Chinese scientist Tu Youyou was awarded China’s Highest Science and Technology Award and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2015 for the discovery of artemisinin.

Many people do not know that Guangxi in China is rich in Artemisia annua, and Guilin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Guilin Pharma”), a member company of Fosun Pharma located in Guilin, Guangxi, has made a significant contribution to the decline in global malaria morbidity and mortality. Based on the discovery of artemisinin, Guilin Pharma successfully developed artesunate in 1977, which solved the problem of water solubility of artemisinin compounds and increased the efficacy of malaria treatment by seven folds, becoming China’s no.1 new drug.

Fosun, which has continued the efforts of Tu Youyou’s team, played an important role in promoting the internationalization of innovative artemisinin-based drugs. In 2004, Fosun Pharma saw the international strategic value of the new drug and embarked on the journey of continuous innovation and internationalization of artesunate products through the restructuring of Guilin Pharma. Fosun is committed to bringing high-quality, affordable antimalarial drugs to the African people and working with the African people to build a malaria-free world.

Under the guidance of World Health Organization (WHO) experts, Artesun, artesunate for injection received WHO Prequalification (WHO PQ) in 2010. In early 2011, WHO revised the Guidelines for the Treatment of Malaria and changed the first-line treatment from quinine to artesunate for injection for adults and children with severe malaria.

Over the past 20 years, thanks to the widespread use of a variety of new-generation malaria prevention tools and treatments, including Artesun, artesunate for injection, malaria mortality in Africa has dropped by approximately 37.3% between 2000 and 2020 (data source: WHO’s official website). According to WHO data, the average life expectancy in African countries had increased by 9.4 years since 2000, reflecting the important contribution of China-developed artemisinin-based antimalarial drugs.

Today, Artesun, artesunate for injection has become the international gold standard for the treatment of severe malaria and the preferred drug for the treatment of severe malaria recommended by the WHO. As of the end of 2022, Artesun, artesunate for injection, also known as the “anti-malarial miracle drug from China”, has treated more than 56 million severe malaria patients around the world, most of whom are African children under the age of 5.

As an innovation-driven pharmaceutical company, Fosun Pharma continues to improve the R&D of artesunate products. In June 2023, the second-generation artesunate for injection self-developed by Fosun Pharma, Argesun became the first artesunate injectable presented with a single solvent system to receive WHO PQ and has already been registered in 16 countries, further improving the accessibility of high-quality innovative antimalarial drugs and saving more lives.

“China opportunities” for pharmaceutical innovation and R&D

The story of Fosun and the two Nobel Prizes gives us another perspective on the relationship between scientific research and business. Following pioneering breakthroughs in basic science, companies are often needed to carry out technological innovation and commercialization to turn scientific breakthroughs into products that improve the living conditions of mankind. Through cooperation of scientists, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and bioengineers; scientific research, development, and clinical trials; Germany, China, the United States, we have jointly created the breakthrough of a new generation of vaccines and effectively responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Fosun, it is Tu Youyou’s discovery of artemisinin that led to the development of artesunate, a malaria treatment with seven-fold increased efficacy, and its anti-malarial efforts in Africa; it is the discovery of nucleoside base modifications in mRNA that led to the development of mRNA vaccines; and after responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA technology is expected to lead to the emergence of vaccines for influenza and even various types of cancer, bringing greater health benefits for all people.

Fosun has always been regarded as a company with diversified businesses. In fact, since its establishment in 1992, the health segment has been the core area in which Fosun continues to develop. After the R&D of PCR hepatitis B reagents brought Fosun the “first bucket of gold”, innovative R&D has also become Fosun’s development strategy and core competitiveness.

For more than 30 years, Fosun has been focusing on cutting-edge medical fields and continues to promote the development and commercialization of innovative technologies and products through independent R&D, cooperative development, license-in, and in-depth incubation. After years of high-intensity investment, coupled with a cutting-edge vision of globalization, Fosun has established multiple R&D teams around the world to promote R&D day and night, and has finally continued to reap innovative achievements in recent years.

In addition to artesunate and mRNA vaccines, Fosun Pharma’s innovative products cover core therapeutic areas such as tumors, immunology, central nervous system, and chronic diseases. In the first half of 2023, Fosun Pharma had a total of 5 innovative drugs (indications) and 10 generic drugs approved for launch.

HANSIZHUANG (serplulimab injection), the first biopharmaceutical innovative drug self-developed by Fosun Pharma, became the world’s first monoclonal antibody drug targeting PD-1 for first-line treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer and has been approved for multiple indications. China’s first CAR-T cell therapy product, Yi Kai Da (ejilunsai injection), has also obtained approval for second-line indication in China, which will benefit more Chinese lymphoma patients.

In the field of professional treatment, Intuitive Fosun, a joint venture of Fosun Pharma, continues its efforts to realize localization of medical treatment. The da Vinci Surgical System will be locally manufactured in Shanghai.

Fosun, which has long embraced globalization and promoted technology innovation and R&D, is becoming an important innovation force among Chinese enterprises. At present, the constantly improving innovative drug R&D and regulatory ecosystem in China, the continuous convergence of drug regulatory system with international standards, together with favorable policies for innovative drugs are driving growth for innovative companies like Fosun, which will foster more Chinese innovation and Chinese opportunities in the future.

China Energy Summit & Exhibition Commenced in Beijing, China Accelerating Asia’s Energy Transition with LNG, Gas, Hydrogen & Ammonia

BEIJING, Oct 5, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The opening ceremony of the China Energy Summit & Exhibition was held on the morning of September 20, 2023, at the China World Hotel in Beijing. The summit and exhibition was hosted until the 21st September 2023 and brought together hundreds of industry leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and innovators to collectively explore the relevant opportunities and challenges facing the energy industry in China, Asia, and globally.

At the opening ceremony, Marcus Magee, Vice President of dmg events, delivered a welcome speech. He emphasised that the energy sector is currently undergoing a revolutionary transformation, and it is imperative for all parties to collaborate in addressing carbon reduction and promoting a new energy landscape. He also expressed his hope that this event would provide a fresh platform for the energy industry to facilitate practical and progressive energy transformation.

Following, Zheng Jun, Vice President of PetroChina International, shared his insights on the green development transformation strategy. He emphasised the global issues such as energy security, climate change, and the low-carbon economy that are driving the energy industry to accelerate its transition to green energy. PetroChina places a high priority on low-carbon transformation and has formulated an overall plan consisting of three stages: clean substitution, energy continuity, and green transformation. He also highlighted that as a developing country, China is highly sensitive to energy costs, and high energy costs are not conducive to China’s economic development.

“PetroChina is well aware of this responsibility, and we are committed to promoting decarbonisation, energy diversification, and ensuring the supply of affordable energy. We are determined to lead in sustainable development,” said Zheng Jun, Vice President of PetroChina International. Additionally, he mentioned PetroChina’s efforts in low-carbon energy sources such as natural gas and biofuels and emphasised the core importance of ensuring energy supply security.

Luo Daqing, Vice President of the Sinopec Economics & Development Research Institute (EDRI), provided a detailed overview of the vital role of green hydrogen in sustainable energy transformation at the opening ceremony. He emphasised that energy transformation is imperative, and green hydrogen plays a crucial role in areas such as non-fossil energy substitution, energy storage, and power supply. Luo Daqing also elaborated on the applications of hydrogen energy in industries, transportation, and power generation, highlighting the critical role of technological innovation in the development of green hydrogen. He stated, “The development of green hydrogen depends on competitiveness and cost reduction, which is primarily a technological challenge under the dual carbon goals.”

Furthermore, he called for collaborative efforts between industries and technologies.

Xie Dan, the Customer General Manager of PipeChina, shared insights during the event on the theme of opening up oil and gas pipeline infrastructure to promote energy transformation and development. He emphasised that the State Grid Corporation is committed to fostering an oil and gas market system with multiple upstream resource providers, multiple channels of supply, efficient unified pipeline transportation in the middle, and full downstream market competition. Xie Dan discussed the group’s progress and achievements in infrastructure construction, strategic planning, innovative service products, digital transformation, and encouraged collaboration among stakeholders to advance green and low-carbon energy transformation.

Ms. Li Yalan, the President of the International Gas Union (IGU), delivered a keynote address, themed “The Role of Natural Gas in Advancing Sustainable Energy Transition.” She outlined the direction of future sustainable energy systems and discussed the challenges of energy transformation, including the energy trilemma, differences in energy application levels, the lengthy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and challenges in energy storage technology. In this context, she highlighted the crucial role of natural gas as the world’s third-largest energy source in the energy transition. Natural gas offers advantages in pollution reduction, emissions reduction, energy security, and improved energy accessibility, and she described it as a “stabiliser and regulator” in the new energy system. Additionally, Ms. Li presented the stance of the International Gas Union, emphasising the importance of the integration of natural gas with renewable energy in overcoming energy issues and addressing climate change.

H. E. Eng. Mohamed Hamel, the Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), provided further insights into the importance of natural gas and the current global energy situation. He emphasised the critical role of energy in socio-economic development and commended China’s progress in the energy market. He highlighted global energy challenges, including issues of energy inequality and insufficient clean energy. He particularly emphasised the role of natural gas in sustainable development goals, especially as a clean energy alternative that contributes to environmental protection and economic benefits. He stated, “By 2050, natural gas will surpass coal in its role within the energy mix.”

Furthermore, he discussed technological advancements and applications, as well as the integration of natural gas with other energy sources to address climate change. He called for enhanced international cooperation to tackle global energy challenges collectively.

During the concluding fireside chat session, Dr. Yang Lei, Vice President of the Energy Institute at Peking University, and Mr. Vijay Krishnan, the Asia Pacific Managing Director of Rystad Energy, shared their perspectives on energy transition and energy security. The discussion focused on European energy security challenges, practical policy considerations for energy transition, and China’s actions and challenges in energy transition. Both emphasised the crucial roles of natural gas and hydrogen in future energy scenarios, as well as the potential for their synergistic development. They also agreed on the significance of application scenarios in reducing the cost of hydrogen energy and the necessity of policy encouragement and scaling up. Vijay Krishnan stated, “Policies need to encourage end-users to use hydrogen more. To achieve this, local deployment of hydrogen needs to increase sales and scale, which is something the entire industry needs to consider.”

The China Energy Summit & Exhibition continued to host a series of specialised keynote addresses, interviews, and panel discussions. The core topics include LNG market prospects, the roles of hydrogen and ammonia in meeting energy demand and energy security, climate technology, green finance, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), policies and regulations, and building a stable and reliable supply chain in the post-pandemic era.

About dmg events

dmg events is the organiser of China Energy Summit and Exhibition. The company hosts over 80 global energy events annually, attracting more than one million attendees worldwide. dmg events is home to the world’s most extensive portfolio of energy exhibitions and conferences, with flagship events including ADIPEC, Gastech, Global Energy Show, Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES), and Future Energy Asia, among others.

As dmg events continues to expand its business and activities throughout Asia, the China Energy Summit and Exhibition will remain a prominent platform in the industry calendar and a significant part of the dmg events global energy event portfolio.

For more information, please visit www.dmgevents.com.

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PRSA Members Celebrated for Their Career Dedication and Accomplishments

NEW YORK, Oct 5, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – PRSA will mark the achievements of five of its members with awards for their outstanding contributions and service to the communications profession during ICON 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee, Oct. 15-17. The award winners were nominated by their peers and selected by PRSA’s Honors and Awards Committee.

“These awards are PRSA’s way of congratulating and thanking these inspiring individuals who consistently demonstrate the qualities of leadership, mentorship, and the power of education,” said Michelle Egan, APR, Fellow PRSA, 2023 PRSA Chair, “We are honored to recognize them for their service at ICON 2023 in Nashville.”

Gold Anvil Award – Gary D. McCormick, APR, Fellow PRSA

PRSA’s highest individual award, which recognizes lifetime achievement in public relations.

Following more than three decades of experience creating award-winning campaigns for corporate, nonprofit and government clients, Gary McCormick formed GMc Communications in 2016. Prior to this, he was director of corporate communications for Scripps Networks Interactive, parent company of cable networks HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel, and Great American Country. He also supported the promotion of HGTV Dream Home, HGTV Urban Oasis and HGTV Smart Home; identified opportunities for reciprocal marketing for HGTV and DIY Network; and was the director of public relations for DIY Network and Fine Living TV Network.

McCormick joined Scripps after 17 years pioneering public participations programs in support of multiple federal government clients. He developed and managed the government’s largest communications programs for such technical and controversial programs as chemical weapons disposal and storage of high-level nuclear waste, His experience also includes work for two nationally recognized public relations firms, as well as in radio, television, and print media.

McCormick served as PRSA’s Chair and CEO in 2010 and president of the PRSA Foundation in 2006 and 2007. He served on the national board of advisors for The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations at the University of Alabama from 2007 to 2020 and has been co-chair of the Champions for PRSSA since 2003. McCormick was recognized for his contributions to public relations education as the 2015 recipient of its Patrick Jackson Award for Distinguished Service to PRSA and the 2006 Honoree of the PRSA Educators Academy David Ferguson Award. In 2011, he was inducted into the inaugural class of his alma mater’s Hall of Fame in Journalism and Public Relations at Colorado State University.

Patrick Jackson Award for Distinguished Service to PRSA – Anthony W. D’Angelo, APR, Fellow PRSA

Named in honor of the late Patrick Jackson, APR, Fellow PRSA, this award recognizes a member who has significantly advanced PRSA by working to support Chapters, Districts and the overall organization, inspiring fellow practitioners, both professionally and personally.

Anthony D’Angelo’s career has included public relations leadership roles in the corporate, agency and not-for-profit sectors. He was named interim chair of Newhouse School’s Public Relations Department earlier this year and also received their Excellence in Teaching Award in 2023, as well as an Excellence in Research, Writing and Creativity Award.

D’Angelo has over 30 years of experience as a PRSA volunteer leader, including serving as Chair in 2018. He has also been Secretary, Nominating Committee Chair, and has led the Advocacy Committee for the past several years, among other important roles within the organization. D’Angelo was inducted into the College of Fellows in 2008.

His writing and commentary on public relations and strategic communications have been featured in The New York Times, BusinessWeek, the Financial Times, USA Today, CNBC, NPR, Reuters, Forbes, Sports Illustrated, Newsweek and other outlets, and he was a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal’s “Crisis of the Week” column. He was editor-in-chief of a book published by PRSA in September 2022, “75 Years of Impact and Influence: People, Places & Moments in Public Relations History,” and is co-author of a textbook on public relations writing to be published in 2024.

Outstanding Educator Award – Alisa Agozzino, Ph.D., APR

This award recognizes and celebrates those who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of public relations education through college or university teaching.

Alisa Agozzino is an Associate Professor of Public Relations at Ohio Northern University. As the PR program head, she has taught over 16 different classes within the major and developed a social media minor for any major on campus. Agozzino has received numerous awards for teaching, including the international Pearson Award for Innovation in Teaching with Technology.

Agozzino’s research interest lies in social media tools within the public relations field, and her current research agenda examines how social media impacts different industries. Her work has been published in nearly 30 academic and trade publications such as the Public Relations Review, Journal of School Public Relations, “Building Online Communities in Higher Education Institutions” book, “Casing Public Relations” book, “PR News Writer’s Guidebook,” and the “Encyclopedia of Social Media and Politics.”

For the past 10 years, Agozzino has served as a PRSSA adviser, and been an active member of the PRSA Educators Academy since 2008. She also serves Central Ohio PRSA as a Leadership Assembly delegate, social media chair, treasurer, and in 2024 will be the chair. Central Ohio PRSA also recognized her with the Walt Siefert Award for Outstanding Service to PRSSA.

Additionally. PRSA’s East Central District awarded Agozzino with the Platinum Award for service to PRSSA. She has also been recognized as the PRSSA Faculty of the year. Next month, she will be awarded yet again with The Plank Center’s Bruce K. Berger Educator Mentor award.

Atlas Award for Lifetime Achievement in International Public Relations — Rachana Chowdhary

This award recognizes a public relations practitioner who has made extraordinary contributions to the practice and profession of public relations in an international environment over the span of their career.

Rachana Chowdhary is an esteemed entrepreneur, visionary, and leader in the media and marketing industry. As the Founder and CEO of MediaValueWorks, a full-service marketing agency she founded in 2013 dedicated to delivering tailor-made, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions for clients of all sizes, Chowdhary has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of media solutions and PR and digital strategies.

With a remarkable blend of innovation, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of market trends, Chowdhary has successfully built MediaValueWorks into a powerhouse of integrated marketing services, driving results for numerous clients across various industries.

Upon completing her formal education, Chowdhary embarked on her professional journey by joining a prominent media house, The Times of India group. Her dedication, innovative ideas, and sharp insights quickly caught the attention of industry peers and clients alike.

Recognized as an industry thought leader, Chowdhary is often invited to speak at prestigious marketing conferences, where she shares her insights on the latest trends, the future of marketing, and the impact of technology on consumer behavior. Her articles and opinion pieces have been published in leading marketing publications, contributing to the growth and advancement of the media industry.

D. Parke Gibson Award – Chuck Wallington, Ph.D.

This award recognizes a PR professional who has helped increase awareness of PR within multicultural communities and participated in the promotion of issues that meet the special informational and educational needs of diverse communities.

Chuck Wallington has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for Cone Health, a healthcare company based in Greensboro, North Carolina, since August 2019. Reporting to the CEO, he is one of nine members of Cone Health’s senior leadership team responsible for setting the business strategy for the organization.

He joined Cone Health in 2011 as the Vice President of Marketing & Communications and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2014. Since joining the organization, he has built an award-wining team of professionals focused on providing strategic marketing and communications support for the organization’s business goals.

Prior to Cone Health, Wallington served as Vice President of Communications at American Express. In this role, he was responsible for internal and external communications for American Express customer service centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and India. Before his time at American Express, for 11 years Wallington held a variety of public relations roles with Nabisco and the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

About PRSA

PRSA is the leading professional organization serving the communications community through a network of more than 400 professional and student chapters in the U.S., Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico. Guided by its Code of Ethics, PRSA empowers its members to succeed at every stage of their careers through a wide breadth of premium professional development programs, exclusive networking events and leadership opportunities. Signature events include the Anvil Awards, and ICON, the premier annual gathering for communications professionals and students. For more information, visit www.prsa.org.

Media Contact:

Rod Granger
Director, Content and Integrated Communication
Tel: 212-460-0307, Email: rod.granger@prsa.org

Source:
PRSA Members to be Celebrated for their Career Dedication and Accomplishments

Electronics Asia Conference 2023 to Highlight IoT, AI/ML, Automotive, and Wireless Developments Driving Semiconductor Industry Growth in Asia

TAIWAN, Oct 5, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Following the success of its inaugural edition, the second Electronics Asia Conference (EAC), a virtual conference and exhibition organized by AspenCore, the publisher of EE Times Asia, EE Times India, and EDN Asia, is set to take place from October 17 to 19, 2023. With the theme “Strengthening Asia’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Ecosystem,” EAC 2023 aims to highlight the latest technology trends, innovations, and strategic insights within the electronics and semiconductor industry in Asia.

The global semiconductor industry reversed its five straight quarters of decline by registering a 3.4% revenue growth in the second quarter of 2023, according to Omdia. Driving the turnaround are the wireless segment, the automotive electronics sector, and artificial intelligence (AI), mainly due to growing demand for generative AI and data processing chips in the server space.

According to International Data Corp. (IDC), spending on AI—including software, services, and hardware for AI-centric systems—in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to reach $78.4 billion in 2027, reflecting a shift toward adopting cutting-edge technologies to transform operations and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing market.

Meanwhile, the increasing adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies is fueling the automation and digitalization trends in the industrial space, thereby stimulating demand for Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded systems, as more manufacturers embrace smarter manufacturing.

These key trends are among the many developments driving Asia’s electronics and semiconductor supply chain.

EAC 2023 will put the spotlight on technology innovations that are driving the latest developments and new applications in sectors including IoT, AI/ML, embedded systems, industrial automation, smart manufacturing, the wireless sector, and the electronics and semiconductor supply chain. The event will feature a virtual fairground, an exhibition hall, and a conference space, similar to a live exhibition and conference.

Confirmed companies presenting at the virtual conference include Arm, Applied Materials Inc., Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), Cadence Design Systems Inc., Cambridge GaN Devices, Chip 1 Exchange, GaN Systems Inc., Infineon Technologies AG, Merck Electronics, Molex, Navitas Semiconductor, proteanTecs, NXP Semiconductors, MosChip Technologies Ltd, Mouser Electronics Inc., Silicon Laboratories Inc., SCHURTER Group, STMicroelectronics, Synopsys Inc., Tektronix, and Texas Instruments Inc.

For more information and to register, visit https://ve.eetasia.com/eac2023.

About AspenCore

AspenCore is a unique collection of brands and products that have set the standard in meeting the demands of today’s engineers.

We reach over 15 million technologists, designers, engineers, and managers. We connect this electronics community to reliable news, authoritative analysis, industry trends, and daily information on new technology.

Our brands include EE Times, Electronic Products, EPSNews, ESM China, IoT Times, Power Electronics News, EDN, EEWeb, Electro Schematics, Elektroda.pl, Embedded.com, Planet Analog, and more.

For more information, visit https://aspencore.com.

Contact Person:
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Marketing Manager
Taiwan/ASEAN Marketing and Circulation Department
T: +886 227591366 Ext. 103/222
E: celia.shih@aspencore.com