Connect with us

Technology

Pool Skimming Robot Sales to Provide Free Swim Lessons to Arizona Kids in Foster Care

Published

on

TEMPE, Ariz., July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Tempe-based Pivot Solar-Breeze (PSB), maker of the solar-powered pool skimming robot Ariel, is pleased to announce that it will donate up to $10,000 to Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF) in support of swim lessons for Arizona children in foster care. For every Ariel unit purchased via arielpool.com in July and August, PSB will contribute $20 towards the fundraising goal.

AFFCF funds a variety of social, athletic and educational activities for children in foster care that are not otherwise funded by the state or other programs. In the last 12 months, AFFCF has invested over $114,000.00 in statewide swim lessons for children in foster care. AFFCF has eight preferred swim lesson partners which provide discounts on private and semi-private swim lessons to children in foster care from 16 Arizona locations.

“When you are a child in foster care, it seems like everybody around you knows it. When they get to put their little swimsuits on and hop in a pool with other kids at Hubbard Family Swim, they feel like a ‘normal’ kid for that amount of time during the week,” said Kris Jacober, Executive Director of AFFCF. Through AFFCF, each child may only participate in one fully-funded activity at a time, but learning how to swim is the exception. If a child wants to participate in both basketball and swim lessons, AFFCF will fully cover both.

“Learning how to swim and behave safely around a pool is an important experience for all, and we are pleased to support those lessons for children who are living through difficult circumstances,” said Paul Sim, Vice President of Pivot-Solar Breeze. “Every child deserves the opportunity to have fun in a swimming pool, and to learn how to do it safely.” Drowning is the single leading cause of accidental death for children ages one to four years old and 3,500 will likely drown this year in the U.S. alone.

Ariel works around the clock skimming the surface of the pool, relieving pool owners and pool professionals of hand-skimming. The robot retails for $628.00 and customers may enjoy $100.00 off when using the code ‘heyariel’ at checkout. To learn more about Ariel by Solar-Breeze, visit www.solar-breeze.com. To learn more about Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation, and to submit an application to have swim lessons funded, visit https://www.affcf.org/.

About Ariel by Pivot-Solar Breeze

Tempe-based Pivot-Solar Breeze is the maker of Ariel, an autonomous pool skimming robot. Ariel produces clean pools by combining the force of solar-power and intelligent technology to elegantly travel a pool’s surface collecting debris. After placing the Ariel unit in the pool and turning her on, she effortlessly operates around the clock to remove dirt, leaves, pollen, dust, hair, oil and more before the debris decays and sinks to the bottom. Ariel owners enjoy a net-free world, less bacteria and algae growth, less filtration and sanitization needs, and less pool pump runtime. Pivot-Solar Breeze is dedicated to introducing pool people to a board line of advanced and eco-friendly pool maintenance solutions. Leveraging patented technology in the solar-powered robotic pool accessories space, its market presence spans 48 states and 20 countries.

About Arizona Friends of Foster Children

The Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating positive childhood experiences for youth in foster care and preparing them for successful adulthoods through programming and scholarships. The AFFCF began in 1983 with a donation of less than $30, which allowed a young boy the opportunity to take flute lessons. Since that first act, the AFFCF has made more than 70,000 awards totaling more than $13 million to children in foster care in Arizona. Awards funded by AFFCF include athletic registration and equipment, lessons, summer camp, prom dresses, tutoring, apartment set ups and more. The AFFCF Keys to Success program provides career development services, education support and employment services for youth ages 16-24 who are transitioning out of foster care. The AFFCF post-secondary scholarship program funds scholarships for youth attending colleges, universities and vocational education programs. To support this important work for the more than 13,000 children currently in Arizona foster care, visit www.affcf.org.

Media contact: Taylor Cole, taylor.cole@besoundpr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pool-skimming-robot-sales-to-provide-free-swim-lessons-to-arizona-kids-in-foster-care-301590269.html

SOURCE Pivot-Solar Breeze

Continue Reading

Technology

KarbunWise Introduces Fast, Cost-Effective LCA Platform for the LEED v5 Era at Greenbuild 2026 in New York

Published

on

By

NEW YORK  , Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As global property developers, architects, and manufacturers face rigorous new green building standards and cross-border carbon scrutiny, KarbunWise, an enterprise climate technology and advisory firm, announced its formal participation in the Greenbuild International Conference + Expo 2026 in New York City.

Exhibiting under this year’s Greenbuild theme, “Invest for Impact,” KarbunWise has launched a modern, cost-effective software to enable real estate developers, AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) firms, and industrial manufacturers to automate complex Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) with verifiable, audit-grade accuracy.

With the rollout of LEED v5, Whole-Building Life Cycle Assessments (WBLCA) and embodied carbon tracking have evolved from optional bonus credits into non-negotiable prerequisites. This is likely to scale the adoption of LCAs, and KarbunWise offers an alternative to legacy incumbent players that are expensive and not customer-centric. KarbunWise’s product translates Building Information Modeling (BIM) data and factory-floor inputs directly into submission-ready WBLCA models (aligned with MRp2 and MRc2 credits).

Representing KarbunWise at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center were the founders, Arjun Vijayaragavan and Divya Sukumar. “For years, carbon accounting and life cycle assessments were treated as passive, check-the-box exercises. Today, with LEED v5 mandating embodied carbon baselines and global supply chains enforcing strict transparency, carbon data has become commercial infrastructure. Bringing our platform to North America at Greenbuild marks a pivotal step in our mission to make sustainability data as trusted and audit-ready as financial data for 10,000 enterprises worldwide.” said Arjun Vijayaragavan, Founder & CEO of KarbunWise.

To accelerate adoption across US project teams, KarbunWise also announced a major Greenbuild show initiative: free first-year platform access for qualifying architecture firms, consultants, and developers visiting Booth #1044 during expo, backed by continuous 24/7 technical support from certified LCA practitioners.

Already trusted by more than 100 organisations across the UK, Middle East, and India, including listed conglomerates, leading bedding manufacturers, and global infrastructure contractors, KarbunWise’s platform connects over 200,000 verified LCA datapoints across international databases, including USLCI, Ecoinvent, and ÖKOBAUDAT.

About KarbunWise:

Founded in 2023, KarbunWise is an enterprise climate technology and advisory firm building the trust layer for global sustainability. The company combines an integrated, cloud-based software platform with deep consulting expertise to transform complex carbon and ESG data into audit-ready proof for regulators, enterprise buyers, and investors.

Mediacontact-
team@karbunwise.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/karbunwise-introduces-fast-cost-effective-lca-platform-for-the-leed-v5-era-at-greenbuild-2026-in-new-york-302918347.html

SOURCE KarbunWise

Continue Reading

Technology

Curios Launches Video-on-Demand Tools for Filmmakers as Vimeo On Demand Shuts Down

Published

on

By

The direct-to-fan marketplace gives independent filmmakers a new home to sell films, series, and memberships, with help migrating from Vimeo

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Curios, the direct-to-fan entertainment marketplace, has launched a full set of video-on-demand tools for independent filmmakers and video creators. The launch gives creators affected by the closure of Vimeo On Demand a new place to sell their work directly to audiences, keep their sales revenue, and hold on to the customer relationships they have spent years building.

Vimeo is phasing out its On Demand service in stages. New uploads were blocked on August 22, 2026, and new purchases and subscriptions stopped on September 21, 2026. Final seller payouts were processed on September 24, and the platform will shut down completely on November 20, 2026. On that date, all Vimeo On Demand storefronts and purchase pages go offline, and viewers lose access to the films and series they previously bought or rented.

For filmmakers, the impact is immediate. Sales have already stopped, so every week without a new storefront means lost revenue. And with Vimeo only allowing sellers to export buyers who opted in to updates, many creators risk losing touch with a large part of their audience.

“Every time a platform shuts down, creators get a painful reminder that they never really owned their audience,” said Grant Powell, founder of Curios. “Filmmakers on Vimeo On Demand did everything right, and they’re still losing their storefront. We launched Curios so that can’t happen. You sell directly, you keep your revenue, and every buyer’s contact details are yours to keep, whatever happens next.”

A complete home for independent film

Curios gives filmmakers flexible ways to sell, including full support for TVOD and SVOD, with possible plans for AVOD in the future. Creators can sell titles to own permanently (Electronic sell-through / EST), for one-time rental (Download-to-rent / DTR), offer pay-per-view (PPV) access for events and premieres, and run subscription memberships covering an entire catalog, a single series, or selected titles.

Pre-orders, timed releases, and limited quantities help build excitement around a launch. Bundles and deluxe editions, automated upsells and cross-sells, coupons, and an affiliate program help filmmakers grow each sale and reach new audiences. Free claims let creators give away trailers, extras, or short films in exchange for viewers’ email addresses.

Filmmakers decide whether each title is streaming-only or downloadable. Buyers watch in the Curios mobile app, where films and series sit alongside ebooks, audiobooks, and music. To help creators get started, Curios has also published pricing guidance for film, suggesting typical ranges of $9.99 to $29.99 for titles sold to own.

Better economics and full access to buyers

Curios takes no commission on sales, so creators keep their full sale price. They pay for platform access through a Curios subscription, with a free plan available and no credit card required to sign up. As merchant of record, Curios collects and files sales tax and VAT worldwide, removing a major administrative burden for independent creators.

Filmmakers on Curios receive the contact details of every buyer, along with sales, traffic, and viewing analytics, so they can see how audiences engage with their work and market future releases directly.

Moving from Vimeo On Demand in three steps

Curios has published an automatic importer, and a step-by-step migration guide for Vimeo On Demand sellers. Filmmakers simply connect with Vimeo account to Curios, then Curios automatically migrates their original files, trailers, extras, and artwork directly from Vimeo. Finally, they replace their old Vimeo On Demand links with a single Curios link and let their fans know where to find them.

Curios will also import a filmmaker’s existing Vimeo buyers who opted in to updates. Imported customers will find the films they already own waiting in their Curios library, ready to watch, so viewers who were about to lose access can keep enjoying the work they paid for. Customer lists from other platforms can be imported as well.

Curios is continuing to expand its video tools, with caption and subtitle uploads, region restrictions, country-specific pricing, and smart TV apps currently in development.

Filmmakers can create a free account and read the full migration guide at studio.curios.com.

About Curios

Curios is a direct-to-fan entertainment and content marketplace helping creators publish, promote, sell, and distribute their work directly to audiences. Built for authors, musicians, filmmakers, comedians, and creators of all kinds, Curios supports digital and physical formats in one place.

Creators keep 100% of every sale, retain full ownership of their work, and get direct access to customer data. As merchant of record, Curios handles sales tax, along with customer support, content delivery, fraud disputes, and fast payouts, giving creators the infrastructure to sell direct without having to build it themselves.

Media Contact

Grant Powell, Curios, Inc, 1 3102952129, support@curios.com, https://www.curios.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/curios-launches-video-on-demand-tools-for-filmmakers-as-vimeo-on-demand-shuts-down-302917739.html

SOURCE Curios, Inc

Continue Reading

Technology

Violet PR Wins Five PRSA-NJ Awards for Campaigns Driving Economic Growth and Innovation

Published

on

By

Award-winning media relations initiatives generated hundreds of news stories for clients

MONTCLAIR, N.J., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Violet PR, a national public relations agency specializing in economic development and place branding, has earned five awards from the Public Relations Society of America’s New Jersey Chapter (PRSA-NJ). Together, the campaigns generated more than 425 earned media placements in national, international, regional and niche outlets.

The winning programs ranged from launching a major fitness facility and promoting the growing film industry in New Jersey to showcasing Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal, navigating international trade uncertainty in Topeka, Kan., and positioning the Brooklyn Navy Yard as an innovation hub.

“These awards reflect the range of challenges our team helps clients navigate – including building support for emerging industries and elevating major infrastructure investments,” said April Mason, CEO and founder of Violet PR. “Whether we’re promoting a new airport terminal or helping a community navigate international trade uncertainty, our job is to uncover the stories that matter, connect them with influential audiences and deliver results that support our clients’ broader goals.”

For the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), Violet PR’s “Hollywood East: New Jersey Takes Center Stage” campaign earned PRSA-NJ recognition in the “Community Relations” category. Working with the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission and NJEDA, the agency helped build support for the state’s expanding film and television industry by highlighting its economic impact, career opportunities and benefits for local businesses and communities. Over 10 months, the campaign generated 38 earned media placements and more than 336 million impressions.

Violet PR also earned an “Events” award for “Building More Than Muscle: Launching a New Jersey Success Story,” developed for Iron Culture’s new flagship gym in West Orange, N.J. The campaign promoted the grand opening of the $10 million fitness facility, bringing together elected officials, business leaders and community members while generating 45 earned media placements.

The Montclair, N.J.-headquartered agency also won a “Media Relations” award for its campaign, “Brooklyn Navy Yard: From Shipyard to Innovation Engine,” which spotlighted the historic waterfront campus’s transformation into a hub for advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship and innovation. The campaign generated 85 earned media placements, reaching an audience of 662 million.

The agency’s national work was recognized as well. The “Ready for Takeoff: Commemorating Pittsburgh’s New Airport Opening (2025)” campaign for Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) earned an award in the “Public Affairs” category. Violet PR executed a strategic communications campaign surrounding the opening of PIT’s new terminal, securing more than 200 earned media placements across national news, business, travel and aviation outlets, with a combined audience reach exceeding 525 million.

In Topeka, Kan., Violet PR’s “The U.S. City Bridging Borders: How Topeka Tackled Tariffs” campaign was recognized in the “PR on a Shoestring Budget” category. As rising U.S.-Canada tariffs threatened up to 20% of local jobs, the agency transformed a complex international trade issue into a compelling story about the economic ties between Kansas and Canada. With a budget of just $10,000 over two months, the campaign secured 57 media placements, with an estimated reach of 224 million.

“What makes these awards especially meaningful is that they recognize five very different campaigns, each requiring a tailored strategy, creative thinking and close collaboration with our clients,” said Christina Forrest, vice president, Violet PR. “We take pride in developing strategic campaigns that deliver meaningful results for our clients, and we’re grateful to PRSA-NJ for the honor.”

The PRSA-NJ Pyramid Awards recognize excellence in public relations and communications, honoring the strategy, creativity and impact of agencies and in-house teams across New Jersey and beyond.

Violet PR continues to earn national recognition for its growth and economic development industry expertise. The agency ranked No. 96 on O’Dwyer’s 2026 list of independent public relations firms following 22.6% year-over-year growth in 2025 and has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list for three consecutive years. Violet PR opened its second office in New York City this year.

About Violet PR

Violet PR is an award-winning public relations firm, recognized nationally as a top agency specializing in economic development, commercial real estate and place branding. The agency partners with cities, states, regions, developers, destinations and mission-driven organizations to build visibility through earned media, thought leadership, social media and strategic storytelling.

Founded in 2010, Violet PR helps clients attract investment, business growth, visitors and talent through earned media campaigns. For more information, visit www.violetpr.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/violet-pr-wins-five-prsa-nj-awards-for-campaigns-driving-economic-growth-and-innovation-302918369.html

SOURCE Violet Public Relations

Continue Reading

Trending