2020 Water Ski & Wake Sports Hall of Fame Award of Distinction Recipients Announced


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“Each of these outstanding individuals has established themselves among the absolute best in our sport,” said Tracy Mattes, USA-WWF Executive Director, “and, we look forward to immortalizing their incredible accomplishments on May 2nd.”

The legacies and contributions of Award of Distinction honorees April Coble-Eller, Gene Davis (posthumously), Nikki Lee, Don Mixon Jr., and Eddie Roberts will now live forever as they join our sport’s greatest in the Hall of Fame.

The five recipients will be honored along with 2020 Hall of Fame inductees Shaun Murray, Mandy Nightingale and Joe Ray during the 38th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, May 2 at Walt Disney’s newly-designed Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Fla.

“Each of these outstanding individuals has established themselves among the absolute best in our sport,” said Tracy Mattes, USA-WWF Executive Director, “and, we look forward to immortalizing their incredible accomplishments on May 2nd.”

April Coble-Eller

The many career highlights for Coble-Eller, who won 30 national water ski titles, included winning the 1990 Junior Worlds (slalom and overall), 1992 Collegiate Nationals (slalom and overall), 1996 Moomba Masters (overall), 1997 Masters (overall), 2010 Malibu Open (slalom) and 2014 35+ Worlds (slalom). She was selected USA Water Ski & Wake Sports’ Female Athlete of the Year in 1990, 1997 and 2008, and USA Water Ski & Wake Sports’ National Coach of the Year in 2004.

Gene Davis

Davis, who passed way after a brief illness in January 2019, was a jumper in local, regional and national competitions. He was a senior judge and was a very sought-after technical controller for record tournaments, including the Masters, Water Ski National Championships and Water Ski World Championships. He was chairman of the American Water Ski Association’s Technical Committee for many years, a past AWSA president, the executive vice president of AWSA’s Southern Region from 1997-2002, and was instrumental in bringing the technical standards up to their current standards and has taught many the tricks of the trade.

Nikki Lee

Lee is a longtime AWSA tournament official and board member. She has served as chief judge at numerous international events over the past 30 years, including the 2003 Pan American Games, 2004 World University Games, 2009 World Games, 2011 Water Ski World Championships and 2017 Under 21 Water Ski World Championships, in addition to the Masters, U.S. Open and IWWF Water Ski World Cup. She was a member of the AWSA and USA Water Ski & Wake Sports board of directors from 1990-2005 and served on the AWSA International Activities, Rules and Awards committees. She was a recipient of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports’ Award of Merit, the organization’s highest honor for volunteerism, in 2010.

Don Mixon, Jr.

Mixon Jr. won the 1981 Junior Boys national barefoot slalom and overall titles and his scores were high enough to put him into the Open Men Division at the tender age of 13. As an Open Men competitor, he competed in every Barefoot Nationals until 1996, with the exception of the 1995 national championships due to injury. He was a member of every U.S. Barefoot Team from 1984 to 1996. He contributed points in every world championships he competed in and his contributions helped the U.S team win gold at every world championships in which he was a team member. As an individual competitor, he captured the silver medal in slalom at the 1985 and 1994 Barefoot Worlds. A slalom specialist, he set the world slalom record four times. He also was the first barefooter to do a front-to-back positional turn before his back slalom pass and the first barefooter to do a wake 360 turn (unwrapped) in a tournament. He won the Open Men national slalom title in 1985 and 1994, and the Open Men national jumping title in 1996.

Eddie Roberts

Roberts’ involvement in the industry dates back to the 1960s. He helped establish O’Brien, H.O. Sports and Radar Skis to world preeminence. He was responsible for many notable innovations in water ski and wakeboard equipment. He also volunteered immeasurable hours at tournaments, clinics, clubs and trade shows promoting the sport. A well-known personality in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California water ski communities, his encouraging and jovial demeaner has been an inspiration to water sports enthusiasts of all ages.

Visit our website http://www.usa-wwf.org for more.

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Illinois-Based Marketing Firm Helps Shape the Future of Social Media


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One of the biggest changes to Facebook and other platforms over the last two years is the heavy restrictions they have placed on what can and cannot be in paid ads.

Effective digital marketing is a must in today’s marketplace, and Aurora-Illinois based Strategic & Creative Marketing Inc. (S/C) is at the forefront of the movement. With noticeable expertise in creating paid social marketing campaigns, top online leaders have from Facebook and LinkedIn reached out to S/C’s Director of Social and Digital Marketing, Tami Wloch, requesting her input on their national advisory panels. As a result, Wloch’s contributions and feedback are shaping the direction of social media, while simultaneously providing a strategic advantage to all of her clients.

Currently, Wloch serves on advisory panels for some of the biggest names in social media, including Facebook and LinkedIn. Within this advisory role, she offers customer feedback, product evaluations, and consumer input. This uniquely positions her to gain insight into today’s best social media practices. In turn, Wloch applies this insider knowledge to S/C clients, giving them a leg up in the world of digital marketing.

“One of the biggest changes to Facebook and other platforms over the last two years is the heavy restrictions they have placed on what can and cannot be in paid ads,” Wloch said. “My team and I get updates often from my Facebook contacts about what isn’t allowed. Because of this, about 90% of the time, when we create a post or graphic for a client, it passes the ‘test’ and starts running. Most of the time when clients try to create their own graphics, they do not know the ‘rules’ and their post is rejected with no explanation. If we do get an odd rejection, I can reach out to my Facebook reps and they can approve the post almost immediately, so it starts running.”

Due to their unique insider knowledge, the S/C team crafts dynamic content that achieves better business recognition and product consumption for their clients. This expertise has earned them numerous successful placements in top online platforms, including, CNN, BuzzFeed, Daily Wire, USA Today, BBC News, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, RetailMeNot, and Oprah.com.

With demonstrated results, S/C continues to achieve extremely successful audience engagement for both business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing.

For a 100-year-old law firm client, with zero prior digital marketing experience, S/C generated nearly 25,000 digital impressions in its first month of social media advertising. Today, this same firm regularly receives a 6-7% engagement rate, which has ultimately increased their company’s brand recognition and community engagement.

S/C accomplished similar results in their business-to-consumer marketing approach, where they aided a home inspection company owner in increasing his online visibility by 7,000 views in just a few weeks. Today, his company regularly achieves 8-15% audience engagement.

“The average engagement rate on social media is .05% so our numbers are huge in comparison,” Wloch said.

“It’s absolutely important for every company to maintain a social media presence,” Wloch emphasized. “And now with recent changes on the platforms and increased restrictions, organic posts are not reaching audiences as they did in the past. So, businesses must implement ad buys to reach targeted audiences on social media. We are experts in using the AI (Artificial Intelligence) software to reach the exact individuals that clients want to speak to! We pride ourselves in crafting the right message and reaching the right audience to increase awareness and sales for our clients.”

For more information, visit scmarketinginc.com.

About Strategic & Creative Marketing Inc.:

Aurora, Illinois-based Strategic & Creative Marketing Inc, is a full-service marketing firm established in 2001, and experienced at working with small, medium and Fortune 500 companies. The firm holds a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification and a Women Owned Small Business Certification (WOSB) issued by Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). The firm’s team has created and implemented national, regional and local marketing and recruitment marketing campaigns. Creative tactics are based on carefully-crafted marketing plans and strategies first, and include print and on-air ads, social media paid ads and organic campaigns, trade shows, emails, video, public relations and promotions. Owner and President Susan MacNicol leverages 25 years of corporate marketing experience in the U.S. and globally to ensure that campaigns are integrated, backed by data and have the most compelling message reaching the right target market through the most effective tactics. MacNicol and Director of Social and Digital Marketing Tami Wloch speak and train locally and globally on all aspects of Marketing, including Social Media, Employment Branding and more. For more information, visit https://www.scmarketinginc.com. ###

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Ownership of Yankee Publishing to Transfer to Employees


Yankee Publishing Inc., a family-owned business for 84 years, announced the sale of 30% of its shares to the company’s employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan or ESOP.

The company, with 85 employees based in offices in Dublin and Manchester, New Hampshire, publishes Yankee, The Old Farmer’s Almanac, New Hampshire Magazine, Family Tree Magazine, and other publications and websites.

The third- and fourth-generation shareholders of Yankee Publishing wanted a plan that would provide the opportunity for shareholders to sell their shares while preserving the independence of the company.

“If we had sold the assets of the company to different buyers, it would have been very disruptive,” said Jamie Trowbridge, President and CEO. “The family members would not accept a solution that resulted in the business being broken up and our employees losing their jobs.”

The ESOP was the best solution, Trowbridge said, because the ownership of the company will be gradually transferred to employees. The family members plan to sell all of the company’s stock to the ESOP over time. No change in management or operations will be caused by the sale.

An ESOP is a company-sponsored retirement plan governed by the same IRS regulations that pertain to 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plans. Employees earn shares in the ESOP over time and are paid for them after they retire or leave the company. Employees do not pay for the shares. The company pays for the shares out of its profits.

“We’re very excited to announce that Yankee Publishing is an employee owned company,” said Trowbridge. “Our employees have always been very dedicated, and they are essential to our success, now and in the future.”

About Yankee Publishing Inc.

Headquartered in Dublin, New Hampshire, Yankee Publishing Inc. (YPI) is an independent publisher of magazines, websites, books, calendars and other periodicals including Yankee: New England’s Magazine, which was founded in 1935. YPI also publishes the nation’s oldest continuously produced periodical, The Old Farmer’s Almanac. McLean Communications, which publishes New Hampshire magazine and other publications about New Hampshire, is a wholly owned subsidiary. YPI recently acquired Family Tree magazine, whose editors work out of an office in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.

For more info on Yankee please visit: http://www.NewEngland.com

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United Methodist Agency CEO Opens Up About His Breakdown


Everyone needs to keep their soul hydrated and healthy in order to lead well.

Everything was fine … until it wasn’t. Junius Dotson’s new book, Soul Reset, details a candid account of the former pastor’s journey through grief, depression, burnout, emotional breakdown, and his journey to wholeness. Dotson’s journey has led him on a path of sharing principles and practices with leaders who have the awesome responsibility of guiding people. Whether you are leading a corporate team, a congregation, or your family, everyone needs to keep their soul hydrated and healthy in order to lead well.    

“It took an actual breakdown for me to realize that I needed a soul reset,” says Dotson, the General Secretary/CEO of Discipleship Ministries, an international agency of the United Methodist Church. “Understanding that anxiety, depression, and the inability to be vulnerable are leading causes of many problems we face, including suicide, it was imperative for me to come clean as a pastor and person of faith about my wake-up call,” Dotson adds. “My refusal to confront what was facing me created insurmountable anxiety in my life that turned into full-blown depression, and it nearly took me out.”

The title, Soul Reset, echoes the “return to factory settings” option on a computer. Sometimes when a computer – or a life – gets so filled with clutter and extraneous matter, the best solution is a hard reset, a process that restores the device to its original setting.

“It [a breakdown] could happen to the best of us,” explains Dotson. “I bought into the myth that what it took to be a strong leader was to never allow myself to be vulnerable.”

Dotson starts the Soul Reset book tour in Dallas, September 6–8. The appearances include half-day leadership summits, signings, and speaking to leaders and congregations about a plan to reset and reorder their lives around spiritual practices and principles. “We are going to have difficult seasons,” Dotson says. “But learning to walk through those challenging times requires us to be connected to a source greater than ourselves,” he said. The book tour and speaking schedule are available at SoulReset.org.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A recognized visionary leader in church revitalization, the Rev. Junius B. Dotson is the General Secretary (CEO) of Discipleship Ministries, an international agency of The United Methodist Church. Prior to his present position, Rev. Dotson served as pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, where he was instrumental in transforming the church into a 3,500-member multicampus congregation. Soul Reset is published by Upper Room Books, part of Discipleship Ministries.

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Why It Is Important for Car Owners to Obtain Online Car Insurance Quotes


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“Getting online quotes will help drivers find better deals and plan their insurance budget,” said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Compare-autoinsurance.org has released a new blog post that explains the main benefits of getting car insurance quotes online.

For more info and free quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/why-drivers-should-online-car-insurance-quotes/.

Living in the age of the Internet has certain perks and advantages. Many of them are reflected in the way we shop for products and service. Buying online grants unprecedented flexibility and customization.

Drivers who want to get coverage or to switch carriers should use online car insurance quotes. They offer the following advantages:

  • They can help drivers save money. Comparing online quotes will help drivers find affordable deals. It is possible to save hundreds of dollars, even thousands of dollars in the case of high-risk drivers.
  • Get in touch with multiple insurance companies. Most people only go to the big established companies, and in that way miss the newly established companies that could offer better deals in order to attract new customers. Today, using online car insurance quotes, it is easier to find those newly established companies.
  • A very convenient way to get estimates. Drivers can get quotes from the comfort of their homes. All they need is an internet connection and a device capable to browse and display online insurance quotes (devices like smartphone, tablet, notebook, PC, etc.). A physical insurance agency has a fixed schedule, while online insurance quotes are available 24/7.
  • Get multiple estimates. Clients can get each quotes individually, or use brokerage websites to get multiple estimates on a single results page. The user has to fill up an online form and will get multiple insurance quotes from insurance companies available in his area. This will save precious time.
  • Accurate estimates. Filling complex questionnaires with accurate data provided by the customer leads to similar real-life insurance rates. The more honest a customer is, the better is the quote estimate.


For more details and free online quotes, please visit http://compare-autoinsurance.org.

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

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Distilling Digital for Improved Profitability Topic of Vendavo Webinar with Forrester on Sept 18


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Attendees will decipher the definitions of digitization, digitalization and digital transformation and hear how each has an impact on organizational profitability.

What it means to convert data into action with digitization, digitalization and digital transformation will be outlined by Vendavo, a leading provider of commercial excellence solutions, in a webinar, Distilling Digital: A Guide to Profitability through Commercial Excellence and Customer Experience on Tuesday, Sept 18 at 8am PT | 11am ET | 5pm CET.

The free, one-hour event will feature Joe Cicman, Senior Analyst, Forrester and a member of their digital transformation team, Jordan Hahn, Senior Product Manager, Vendavo and Mitch Lee, Profit Evangelist, Vendavo. Attendees will decipher the definitions of digitization, digitalization and digital transformation and hear how each has an impact on organizational profitability. They will also learn:


  • Key capabilities you can expect through digital efficiency
  • A framework for prioritizing and staging a transformation project
  • How to make improvements in customer service with informed negotiations and faster solutioning
  • Change management considerations for internal and external coordination


Registration is open now.

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About Vendavo

Vendavo powers the shift to digital business for the world’s most demanding B2B companies, unlocking value, growing margin and accelerating revenue. With the Vendavo Commercial Excellence platform, companies develop dynamic customer insights and optimal pricing strategies that maximize margin, boost sales effectiveness and improve customer experience. With an annual margin improvement totaling more than $2.5 billion across companies in chemicals, distribution, high-tech and manufacturing, Vendavo delivers cutting-edge analytics and deep industry expertise that help companies stay one step ahead. Vendavo is headquartered in Denver, CO and has offices around the globe. Learn more at Vendavo.com.

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Top Personal Injury Firm Rebrands Itself Zimmerman & Frachtman


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Bob Zimmerman and Joshua Frachtman

Baker & Zimmerman, a leading personal injury law firm in South Florida, has rebranded itself Zimmerman & Frachtman. The new name reflects the firm’s continued leadership under Founding Partner Bob Zimmerman and an elevated role for Partner Joshua Frachtman.

Since co-founding the firm 25 years ago, Zimmerman has expanded it into a dozen offices throughout South Florida that have delivered more than $440 million in settlements and verdicts for its clients.

No other staff changes are taking place at any level, ensuring a completely seamless transition for all clients and members of the team.

Frachtman, who was named partner in 2016, is widely considered a rising star in the personal injury arena, having amassed deep experience on a wide range of cases involving catastrophic automotive injuries, wrongful death, and other personal injury cases.

“I could not be more thrilled to welcome Josh into the leadership of our firm,” said Zimmerman. “Like the entire team at Zimmerman & Frachtman, he is relentless when it comes to assisting our clients and ensuring that they receive the justice and restitution they deserve.”

Before cementing his reputation as one of the nation’s top civil trial attorneys, Zimmerman was an officer in the Navy Judge Advocate General Corps at the rank of Lieutenant, and received the National Defense Service Medal and Navy Commendation Medal for his service in Operation Desert Storm.

Zimmerman is well-known today for being an active and philanthropic member of the local community. The firm proudly supports the Anthony Rizzo Foundation created by the local baseball standout who became a World Champion with the Chicago Cubs. The firm also supports In Jacob’s Shoes, which ensures that underprivileged children have appropriate footwear that enables them to go to school prepared and with dignity. In addition, each holiday season the firm invites the community to a benefit celebration of the iconic holiday lights that adorn the firm’s building.

Frachtman, born and raised in South Florida, is a graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the University of Florida, and Nova Southeastern University Law School.

“It is truly a dream come true to join Bob in leading a local business that has served so many people within the very area where I grew up,” said Frachtman, who lives in Parkland with his wife and two young children. “Through Zimmerman & Frachtman I will have the opportunity to step into a larger role, not only here at the firm, but also in this community we all love.”

About Zimmerman & Frachtman:

Zimmerman & Frachtman is South Florida’s leading personal injury law firm. Over the past 25 years, the firm’s trial attorneys have recovered more than $411 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. While we are quite proud of our past accomplishments, we remain true to the ideals of compassion, tenacity, consistency, discipline and respect for others. We look forward to achieving results for our present and future clients with unwavering commitment to our ideals.

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Honorees of the Prestigious 2019 Blavatnik Regional Awards for Young Scientists Announced


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These remarkable young scientists are making important contributions to scientific research and discovery early in their careers.

The Blavatnik Family Foundation and the New York Academy of Sciences announced today the three Winners and six Finalists of the 2019 Blavatnik Regional Awards for Young Scientists. Supporting outstanding postdoctoral scientists from academic research institutions across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut since 2007, the Blavatnik Regional Awards recognize outstanding researchers in three scientific disciplinary categories: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, and Chemistry. One Winner in each category is awarded $30,000 in unrestricted funds; two Finalists in each category receive $10,000 each in unrestricted funds.

In 2019, the Blavatnik Regional Awards received 137 nominations from 20 academic institutions in the tri-state area. The 2019 Blavatnik Regional Awards Winners are:


  • Life Sciences: Laura Duvall, PhD, nominated by The Rockefeller University (now at Columbia University). Dr. Duvall’s discovery of two key molecules in mosquitos that inhibit blood-feeding and breeding has worldwide implications for controlling mosquito populations and the spread of diseases such as Dengue and Zika. At the time of nomination, Dr. Duvall was a trainee of the 2007 Blavatnik Regional Awards Faculty Winner, Prof. Leslie Vosshall of The Rockefeller University.
  • Physical Sciences & Engineering: Netta Engelhardt, PhD, nominated by Princeton University (now at Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Dr. Engelhardt’s research at the interface of general relativity and quantum field theory is answering complex questions about the fundamentals of our universe, including the remarkable explanation for the origin of black hole entropy. Her work strives to understand how the fabric of the universe at large-scale is encoded in quantum gravity.
  • Chemistry: Juntao Ye, PhD, nominated by Cornell University (now at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China). Improving synthetic efficiency while lowering the cost of synthesis is a primary goal for pharmaceutical industries. Dr. Ye invented several new methods that allow for converting readily available chemicals into value-added and pharmaceutically relevant products in a highly efficient and economical manner, while reducing chemical byproduct waste. These methods could improve the efficiency of synthesizing complex and bioactive compounds, thereby accelerating the pace of drug discovery.


In recognition of the outstanding achievements of the 2019 Blavatnik Regional Awards honorees, Len Blavatnik, Founder and Chairman of Access Industries and the Blavatnik Family Foundation, and member of the President’s Council of the New York Academy of Sciences stated, “These remarkable young scientists are making important contributions to scientific research and discovery early in their careers. We hope that the recognition this Award provides will both encourage and assist these brilliant young scientists as they pursue their innovative work to find solutions to mankind’s most challenging problems.”

“The cutting-edge discoveries being recognized this year cover an incredibly disparate breadth of work in quantum gravity, drug discovery, control of mosquito populations and underwater photographic imagery. These are the advances that will change our world,” said Ellis Rubinstein, President and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences and chair of the Blavatnik Awards’ Scientific Advisory Council. “The creativity, passion and dedication of these rising stars in science is an inspiration.”

2019 Blavatnik Regional Awards Finalists

The following postdoctoral researchers have been named Finalists in their respective categories:

Life Sciences

  • Carla Nasca, PhD, nominated by The Rockefeller University — recognized for the discovery of acetyl-L-carnitine (LAC) as a novel modulator of brain rewiring and a possible new treatment for depression that acts by turning on and off specific genes related to the neurotransmitter glutamate.
  • Liling Wan, PhD, nominated by The Rockefeller University (currently transitioning to the University of Pennsylvania) — recognized for identifying a previously unknown function of a protein called ENL, which has the ability to read epigenetic information on our chromosomes and activate genes that perpetuate tumor growth. Elucidating the structure and mechanism of ENL has guided ongoing development of drugs to treat cancers.


Physical Sciences & Engineering

  • Derya Akkaynak, PhD, nominated by Princeton University — recognized for significant breakthroughs in computer vision and underwater imaging technologies, resolving a fundamental technological problem in the computer vision community — the reconstruction of lost colors and contrast in underwater photographic imagery — which will have real implications for oceanographic research.
  • Matthew Yankowitz, PhD, nominated by Columbia University (now at the University of Washington) — recognized for groundbreaking experimental work modifying the electronic properties of a new class of two-dimensional materials, known as van der Waal materials. van der Waal materials have garnered tremendous interest due to their incredible electronic properties and the promise they show for use in next-generation optoelectronic and electronic devices, future computing, and telecommunications technologies. Dr. Yankowitz’s work has led to the discovery that applied pressure can be used to induce superconductive properties in multi-layer graphene, and has significantly advanced a new area of research recently coined “twistronics.”


Chemistry    

  • Yaping Zang, PhD, nominated by Columbia University — recognized for innovatively using electrochemistry and electrical fields in conjunction with scanning tunneling microscopy techniques to drive chemical reactions. This work provides a deeper understanding of the reaction mechanisms and opens new avenues for the use of electricity as a catalyst in chemical reactions.
  • Igor Dikiy, PhD, nominated by the Advanced Science Research Center at The Graduate Center, CUNY — recognized for completing the first study of G-protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) fast sidechain dynamics using NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy to shed light on the molecular mechanisms of cell signaling. GPCRs control a variety of processes in the human body and are targets for over 30% of all FDA-approved drugs. Elucidating the mechanisms of GPCR signaling will enable researchers to design more effective drugs.


Honoring the Blavatnik Regional Award Winners and Finalists

The 2019 Blavatnik Regional Awards Winners and Finalists will be honored at the New York Academy of Sciences’ Annual Gala at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York on Monday, November 11, 2019.

About the Blavatnik Family Foundation

The Blavatnik Family Foundation is an active supporter of world-renowned educational, scientific, cultural, and charitable institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, and throughout the world. The Foundation is headed by Len Blavatnik, a global industrialist and philanthropist and the Founder and Chairman of Access Industries, a privately held U.S. industrial group with global strategic interests in natural resources and chemicals, media and telecommunications, real estate, and venture capital. See more at http://www.blavatnikfoundation.org.

About The New York Academy of Sciences

The New York Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organization that since 1817 has been committed to advancing science, technology, and society worldwide. With more than 20,000 Members in 100 countries around the world, the Academy is creating a global community of science for the benefit of humanity. The Academy’s core mission is to advance scientific knowledge, positively impact the major global challenges of society with science-based solutions, and increase the number of scientifically informed individuals in society at large. Please visit us online at http://www.nyas.org and follow us on Twitter at @NYASciences.

To follow the progress of the Blavatnik Awards, please visit http://www.blavatnikawards.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@BlavatnikAwards).

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Stellar Award-Winning God’s House of Hip Hop Owners Announce 20/20 Summer Fest Slated for July 17 & 18, 2020 in Los Angeles at Banc of California Stadium


https://www.prweb.com/

20/20 Summer Fest logo

It’s not a conference. It’s not a seminar. There are no workshops. This is just straight ‘festival music ministry’ from Christian and Gospel Hip Hop artists from the United States and around the world.

God’s House of Hip Hop Nominated for 11 The Spin Awards, 1 Steeple Awards, and 2 Kingdom Choice Awards

Multi-Platinum CHH Artist Aulsondro “Novelist” Hamilton aka Emcee N.I.C.E. and Chantal “Chanie G” Grayson Executive Produce CHH and Gospel Hip Hop Festival

Los Angeles will be the top vacation destination for Christian Hip Hop, Latin Christian Hip Hop and Gospel Hip Hop fans next summer as 75 of the genres’ favorite artists will convene for the first ever 20/20 Summer Fest scheduled for Fri., July 1 and Sat., July 18 at the Banc of California Stadium, 3939 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA.

Multi-Platinum Christian Hip Hop artist Aulsondro “Novelist” Hamilton aka Emcee N.I.C.E. and Chantal “Chanie G” Grayson, co-owners of the Stellar Award-Winning God’s House of Hip Hop (GH3 Radio) station powered by Dash that boasts 10 million monthly listeners, have finalized the deal with the Banc of California Stadium. Festival lineup announcements will begin in January 2020.

The news comes amid the August 20 one year anniversary of God’s House of Hip Hop (GH3 Radio). Emcee N.I.C.E. and Grayson debuted the station with 16 shows last year to rave reviews. The station made history in April, receiving the Stellar Awards’ first “ Gospel Hip Hop Station of the Year” recognition. The accolade also earned the distinction as Dash Radio’s first station to receive a major award. Dash Radio features more than 80 stations hosted by celebrities and influencers including Kylie Jenner, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Dave Navarro, Tyler The Creator among others.

The festival expected to attract 30,000 attendees is a must for Christian Hip Hop fans says Emcee N.I.C.E. “Faith, Love & Music! An experience for the spiritual heads rooted in faith, filled with love, that enjoy hip hop music,” he says. “It will be an environment where people can fellowship amongst like minded believers and turn up for the culture. It’s not a conference. It’s not a seminar. There are no workshops. This is just straight ‘festival music ministry’ from Christian and Gospel Hip Hop artists from the United States and around the world.”

20/20 Summer Fest marks the first Christian, Latin and Gospel Hip Hop festival of this scale. “As an artist myself, too many times there are Christian music festivals around the country that are meagerly inclusive of our culture where maybe one, two or three slots are available for a CHH or Gospel Hip Hop artist,” N.I.C.E. explains. Given the climate of the energy around the country and the success of CHH and GHH music in motion pictures, television shows, and gaming, N.I.C.E. feels it’s long been time for the world to come together with music that inspires and heals. “Music is a universal language that can aid in the healing process and through faith, love, and music, 20/20 Summer Fest will be one that reinforces your beliefs.”

This sentiment is also reflected in the festival 20/20 Summer Fest title, Grayson explains. “Without sounding cliche, 20/20 Summer Fest is the realization that through your faith perfect vision exists,” she says. “God’s plan for you is pure. I want our guests to be present and feel the essence of being alive and witness great hip hop with lyrics that serve as a compass for the lost and weary and or reassurance for those that are standing on solid ground.”

God’s House of Hip Hop has received a number of distinctions during its inaugural year. The station earned 11 The Spin Awards nominations in the following categories: Best New Station (God’s House of Hip Hop), Best Radio Show (RezNation), Best Radio Show (God’s Calamari and the God Squad), Internet Radio Host of the Year (Emcee N.I.C.E. and Rezurrection), Internet Radio Personality of the Year (Emcee N.I.C.E. and Rezurrection), Internet Radio Station of the Year (God’s House of Hip Hop), Radio Station of the Year (God’s House of Hip Hop) and Voice of the Year (Emcee N.I.C.E. and Rezurrection). The ground-breaking station was honored with a Steeple Awards nomination for Urban Inspirational Artist of the Year (Emcee N.I.C.E.) and two Kingdom Choice Awards nominations.

About Emcee N.I.C.E.

Coming from El Paso, TX, Aulsondro “Novelist” Hamilton p/k/a Emcee N.I.C.E. is the curator and co-owner of CHH (Christian Hip Hop) and Stellar Award-winning Gospel Hip Hop radio station God’s House of Hip Hop (GH3 Radio) powered by Dash, based out of Los Angeles, CA. He launched his music career as a Christian rapper, only to find that the genre was closed for progressive Gospel. Later, he forged a path as a secular artist and found much success working with the likes of Nas and Tupac (posthumously), on motion picture soundtracks, and as co-creator and co-star as Novelist in the 3D animated music series “Da Jammies,” formerly on Netflix, currently on KidGenius TV, Comcast/Xfinity XOD, Amazon Prime and ROKU. Returning to Gospel Hip Hop, Emcee N.I.C.E. released his debut CHH album “Praise” in 2017, achieving chart-topping success across multiple platforms, most notably on the Billboard charts. His single from the album, “I Got Angels” inspired by legendary gospel icon Richard Smallwood, peaked at #1 on the Hot Single Sales Chart as well as Billboard’s Gospel Digital Song Sales Chart. “Praise” reached #1 on the Top Gospel Album, along with his collaboration with Grammy award winner Fred Hammond, titled “Glory to God,” from his sophomore CHH album “Iron Dove.”

About Chantal Grayson

Chantal “Chanie G” Grayson is an entrepreneur, real estate broker and author. Grayson is a co-owner of the award-winning GH3 Radio – God’s House of Hip Hop station. As a real estate broker, Grayson has brokered several multi-million dollar transactions and has additionally provided consulting for several non-profit organizations throughout the greater Los Angeles area, assisting with business formation, branding, and marketing. She has authored books, “Love at First Sight Positive Affirmations for Young Girls of Color,” “Paths to Success Leverage: College Admissions, Financial Aid and the Art of Applying” and “Don’t Hate My Football IQ: The Gridiron Simply Explained.” She has a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on technology from California State University Dominguez Hills, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of California Santa Barbara, and her GRI designation in Real Estate.

About Banc of CA Stadium and LAFC

Designed by Gensler, Banc of California Stadium is the home of Major League Soccer’s latest expansion team, Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). The 22,000-seat development is the first open-air stadium to be built in Los Angeles in over 30 years. Located in Exposition Park, Banc of California Stadium brings more than $350 million in private investment to Southern Los Angeles.

Banc of California Stadium offers premium amenities and hospitality spaces throughout the venue including a chef-driven international food hall, event rooftops and specialty bars. Perfect for any sized event including conferences, socials, and festivals, the stadium is equipped with state of the art technology and the best sight-lines of it’s type with a 34-degree seating slope creating a close-up experience for fans.

About Dash

Dash Radio was created by the world’s biggest DJs who became fed up with the limitations of regular FM radio (and hate internet playlists that pose as radio powered by soulless computers). Together, they formed Dash with one goal: to provide the best radio platform in the world. This means all the variety you ever wanted with zero commercials… oh ya, all live 24/7, for free.

Dash Radio works hard to provide the best radio experience in the world (seriously, there are live DJs in the studio right now 24/7) but please tell them what you want to hear, add, or change as they are constantly evolving. If you like what you hear and want to help them grow, tell your friends to join the evolution of radio. Thanks for being down with Dash on day one.

Connect With GH3 Radio

https://twitter.com/gh3radio

https://www.instagram.com/gh3radio/

https://www.facebook.com/gh3radio/

http://www.GH3Radio.com

https://dashradio.com/gh3

Connect With Emcee N.I.C.E.

https://twitter.com/EmceeNICELA

https://www.instagram.com/emceenicela/

https://www.facebook.com/EmceeNICEMusic/

Connect With Dash Radio

https://twitter.com/dash_radio

https://www.instagram.com/dashradio/

https://www.facebook.com/dashradio/

https://dashradio.com/

Connect With 20/20 Summer Fest

https://Twitter.com/2020SummerFest

https://instagram.com/2020summerfest

https://www.facebook.com/2020summerfest

http://www.2020SummerFest.com

Connect With Banc of California

https://twitter.com/BancStadium

https://www.instagram.com/bancofcaliforniastadium/

https://www.facebook.com/BancofCaliforniaStadium/

https://www.bancofcaliforniastadium.com/





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Chicago Area Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Production Company Releases Video of Immersive VR Experience for Medical Training and Treatment of Medical Disease


“The ability to shrink the user down and put them inside the body–it makes for a very engaging experience, and that’s what ends up making it even more educational.”

Virtual Reality content creation company and studio, 321 Next Reality, http://www.321nextreality.com – 773-542-0730 , based in Chicago, has released a video featuring a VR experience showcasing Crohn’s Disease. The video highlights an interactive VR simulation, during which “players” interact using a virtual reality headset to play a VR game called “Attack of the Crohn’s.” The cheeky name for the interactive VR experience is intended to resonate with audiences within the Crohn’s community–audiences who want to know more about the why’s and how’s associated with this particular intestinal ailment. Training and education for many of today’s top industries are being transformed using cutting edge immersive technology, such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality.

View video of VR project – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkqnNZ_pVNA&t=65s

View on website http://www.321nextreality.com

View all projects in video gallery https://321nextreality.com/video-gallery/

Today, some of the largest and most well-know companies such as Walmart, Boeing, UPS, BMW, Lowe’s and Marriott Hotels, to name a few have launched programs utilizing this technology with success. From experiential marketing, prototyping and customer service employee training, brand building, and trade show activations, companies are now fully utilizing the power of augmented, virtual, and mixed reality. Some recent examples include:


  • Walmart, the country’s largest private employer, is using virtual reality headsets to test which employees have the aptitude for middle management positions.
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed a new training center that will aid in onboarding new manufacturing employees in a virtual reality environment.
  • Johnson & Johnson launched a new surgical training program for doctors and nurses using VR headsets
  • Farmer’s Insurance trains its agents how to appraise damages using mixed reality technology
  • Ford designers work in real-time with co-workers living across the country using various mixed reality technology.

But Crohn’s is relatively uncommon. And the public sometimes has a hard time grasping and understanding this particular condition. The original impetus for this custom VR content was, in part, an information campaign. An educational whiteboard video commissioned by a pharma client caught on in the Crohn’s and Colitis communities. Once that video went viral, the same pharmaceutical client wanted to build on their success by creating even more attention-getting media. The team at 321 Next Reality ( https://321nextreality.com ) knew that VR for education and VR for healthcare training made perfect sense. They set out working on the virtual reality expansion of their whiteboard video, called “Attack of the Crohn’s.” As is illustrated in the released video, the simulated VR experience is a perfect avenue to make the complex origins and mechanics of any medical, technical, or other complex concept easy to understand and training fun and easy.

View Youtube video of project – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkqnNZ_pVNA&t=65s

“Making this VR immersive activation was a really easy decision,” said Sal Pecoraro of 321 Next Reality. “The ability to shrink the user down and put them inside the body–it makes for a very engaging experience, and that’s what ends up making it even more educational.” Pecoraro went on to discuss the video itself, which shows aspects of the the VR experience intermixed with conference-goers enjoying that experience. The video was an essential way to show the impact on people who stopped to use the VR experience. “Everyone who put that headset on ended up grinning from ear to ear.”

And that highlights the utility of virtual reality and mixed reality, both as a marketing tool and as an educational platform. From a marketing standpoint, having any content that can capture the attention of targeted demographic groups in an incredibly crowded media marketplace is a significant asset. Virtual reality, due to its relative novelty, will turn heads no matter what. But to have any kind of staying power, it needs to be executed properly. As the video released by 321 Next Reality illustrates really well: VR and AR typically work best when they follow the same basic rule as any other marketing: content is king. That’s why 321 Next Reality has developed a well-earned reputation for creating quality VR content.

The video released by 321 Next Reality is designed to showcase not only the engagement generated by the VR content, but also the level of graphic power and technology involved. In part because of the release of VR gaming systems such as HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, consumers have very high expectations when it comes to the quality and interactivity of VR experiences. One of the reasons why VR technology is being utilized so much–these stories are so beautiful and gorgeous to look at. In part, that’s because the technology has really reached a place where we can be quite artistic with it.

The video about the Crohn’s disease VR experience is making the rounds on YouTube, but it’s no substitute for the real thing. That said, it certainly does whet the appetite of a public eager for new media to consume. If you want to see the video released by 321 Next Reality, check out their YouTube page. If you want to know more about VR for education or VR for healthcare, contact 321 Next Reality directly.

http://www.321nextreality.com

About 321 Next Reality: Founded in Chicago, IL, 321 Next Reality is a the Midwest’s premiere virtual reality, augmented reality, 360 video, mixed reality, and immersive experience company. 321 Next Reality works with corporate customers on projects that include live show integration, brand launches, promotional events, trade show set-ups, and real world gaming. To get in touch with the team at 321 Next Reality, contact Mark Smith by email or phone.

Located in Chicago

Cinespace Chicago Film Studios

321 Next Reality

2558 W. 16th Street, 5th Floor

Chicago, IL 60608

To get in touch with the team at 321 Next Reality, contact us by email or phone.

Main Chicago Offices: 773-542-0730

Info@321NextReality.com

Mark@321NextReality.com

321 Next Reality is a Chicago based company providing Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, and other Experiential Digital Activations for corporate, training, education, and creative clients.

http://www.321NextReality.com

Contact us at info http://www.321NextReality.com

321 Next Reality Capabilities:

Virtual Reality (VR)

Augmented Reality (AR)

Mixed Reality (MR)

XR

Immersive Experiences

180 Videos

360 Videos

Application Design

UI Integration

Content for Mixed Reality

3D Projection Mapping

3D Holographic Production

3D Content Production

Temporary and Permanent Installation

Custom Interactive Design Capabilities

Consultation on all aspects of Interactive Processes

In-House 2D and 3D Animation Team

Full Chicago Studio Location

Asset Reconfiguration for Brand Consistency

On-Site Setup, Mapping, and Event Operation

Full Production Crew

180-degree Video Production

360-degree Video Production

Agency Consulting

Industries Embracing Virtual Reality: training, marketing, education, entertainment, branding, business, learning, development, hospitality, real estate, healthcare, manufacturing, medical, gaming, architecture, and more.

For more information, please visit http://www.321NextReality.com

or call 773-542-0730.

http://www.321NextReality.com



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