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Charlotte life plan community innovates outreach with digital communications platforms

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — For decades, retirement communities appealed to prospective residents through traditional methods of marketing. A fixture of their communications strategies was pricey in-person informational luncheons that involved catering, printed and mailed invites, plus years of reliance on expensive four-color brochures. All that changed when Covid came along and in-person events stopped abruptly.

Southminster, a life plan community in South Charlotte, took a hard look at its existing marketing approaches and saw they were generating somewhere around a 2-4% return on those efforts. One thing became immediately clear: adopting a stronger digital presence would not only be more cost-efficient, but also produce better results.

Today the sky’s the limit on what executives at Southminster feel they can accomplish. The community has hired Elizabeth Banks as its new Content Creator, building on the community’s success in promoting residents as “Granfluencers” on TikTok and elsewhere on social media. Earlier this year, a TikTok video of Southminster’s Halloween Costume Contest racked up seven million views!

“I am totally focused on managing Southminster’s social media platforms, including Cubigo content and will assist with public relations and blog content on our website,” Banks said. Cubigo is a cloud-based platform that transforms the quality of life for older adults across the world. At Southminster, it connects prospects, residents, families, and staff through a comprehensive suite of services like Activities, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Dining, Transportation, and more. Overall, the platform increases the ability to communicate important information real-time, thus improving resident experience.

Southminster also partners with a focused public relations firm to reach reporters and publications as they gather information from digital and online sources. “One of our recent media releases focused on the fact that there’s a lot of competition for exceptional apartments on life plan campuses among baby boomers,” said Stewart Wiley, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Southminster. “Many people join two or three lists at prospective life plan communities, so when they are ready to move, they have more options. Getting on ‘the list’ gives you access to perks even before you move in.”

Focused PR efforts in 2024 alone encompassed promotion of the Southminster Olympic Games, a Parkinson’s play, and partnerships with Memory and Movement Charlotte, a new School of Excellence in Dementia Care and other topics through outreach to members of the media. The website Southminster.org continues to evolve and grow to meet the needs of both residents, prospects and the greater community, while email campaigns and digital marketing help educate new audiences.

According to Susanne Shaw, Southminster’s Communications and Public Relations Manager, the leadership team’s expanded approach is making a major difference. “Since 2022, when we hired a full-time social media specialist, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in our social media followers and engagement,” she said.

For example, from January to March 2023, Southminster picked up 54 new Instagram followers achieving a reach of nearly 21,000 people, along with its reach of nearly 10,000 on Facebook. By September 2024, even non-Facebook followers had topped 5,200 with an organic reach of 309. Overall, social media is ideal for showing what life in a life plan community is really like, breaking outdated stereotypes about nursing home residents and activities. It also encourages engagement with the community’s website as data confirms. Since 2022:

1) Leads generated from website inquiries has increased 27% growing from 35.7% to over 45.4%.

2) Deposits made to join the future residency list, The Compass Club, have increased 87% over the same period.

3) Web inquiries converting to Compass Club depositors have grown from 2.8% to now averaging 6.8% per year, each of the last three years.

Get in touch and find out more about how a retirement community dedicated to life enrichment is leading the way to reach seniors, their adult children and even their grandchildren in all the places they live in our digital world.

About Southminster
A leader in the field of aging, Southminster is a non-profit, charitable Life Plan community, providing innovative living solutions to aging across a full continuum of care. Dedicated to overall well-being, Southminster embraces living life with purpose by valuing independence and privacy, inspiring creative passions, encouraging lifelong learning, and motivating each individual’s plan for wellness to its highest potential. For more information on Southminster, please visit www.southminster.org.

Contact:
David Jewell
The Jewell Agency
704.996.0165
dj@thejewellagency.com

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IdentityIQ Expands Access to Identity Protection and Financial Wellness Tools with New Spanish-Language Experience

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New Spanish-language version brings identity protection, credit monitoring and financial health resources to more than 41 million Spanish-dominant speakers in the U.S.

TEMECULA, Calif., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IdentityIQ, a leading provider of identity theft protection, credit monitoring and financial wellness solutions, today announced the launch of new plans now in Spanish, expanding access to comprehensive identity and credit protection to more than 41 million Spanish-dominant speakers in the United States.

The new Spanish-language experience gives consumers the ability to enroll, access their member dashboard and manage their financial health entirely in Spanish. The launch also supports B2B partners serving Spanish-speaking customers with a localized partner experience.

“Financial protection shouldn’t depend on language,” said Rick Eggleton, chief revenue officer for IDIQ, which operates the IdentityIQ brand. “Our Spanish-language offering gives millions of consumers greater access to the tools they need to protect their identity, credit and financial health.”

The Spanish-language plans include IdentityIQ’s most comprehensive suite of identity protection and financial wellness tools, including credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, identity theft alerts, credit score tracking, optional rent and utility payment reporting, credit education and other financial health resources.

The launch addresses a significant gap in the financial services marketplace, where language barriers can limit access to tools that help consumers monitor their credit, detect potential identity theft and build stronger financial profiles.

“This is more than translating a product,” Eggleton said. “It’s about making identity protection and financial wellness easier to understand, easier to access and more relevant to Spanish-speaking consumers.”

The launch reflects IdentityIQ’s broader commitment to making identity protection and financial wellness more accessible to underserved communities. By offering its core services in Spanish, IdentityIQ is helping remove language barriers that can make it more difficult for consumers to understand and actively manage their credit and financial health.

The Spanish-language launch also expands opportunities for IdentityIQ’s B2B partners to provide identity protection and financial wellness benefits to Spanish-speaking customers and employees.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to understand and take control of their financial wellness,” Eggleton said. “Expanding our premium plan in Spanish is an important step toward making that possible for millions of consumers.”

For more information on IdentityIQ’s Spanish-language plans and its comprehensive identity protection, credit monitoring and financial wellness solutions, visit https://www.identityiq.com.

About IdentityIQ

IdentityIQ®, offered by IDIQ®, is a leading provider of identity theft protection, credit monitoring and financial wellness solutions. IdentityIQ helps consumers monitor and protect their identities, credit and personal information through comprehensive monitoring, alerts and recovery support services.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/identityiq-expands-access-to-identity-protection-and-financial-wellness-tools-with-new-spanish-language-experience-302866626.html

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BKF Appoints Andrew Esposito Chief Financial Officer

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People-focused AEC industry veteran appointed to support strategic growth

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BKF, the premier AEC firm in the Western United States, today announced the appointment of Andrew Esposito as Chief Financial Officer, a strategic addition to its executive leadership team as the firm continues to invest in growth, expand its market presence, and pursue new opportunities across the region.

A proven financial and operational leader, Esposito brings extensive experience guiding organizations through periods of expansion while maintaining a strong focus on culture, performance, and long-term value creation. As CFO, Esposito will lead BKF’s financial strategy and operations, helping position the firm for its next chapter of growth while supporting the company’s commitment to employees, clients, and strategic partners.

“Andrew brings a rare combination of financial acumen, operational insight, and people-centered leadership to BKF,” said CEO Darren Riegler. “He understands that the most successful organizations are built on a foundation of trust, shared values, and disciplined growth. His experience and perspective will help us continue expanding our impact, strengthening our partnerships, and creating long-term value for our people and our partners.”

Most recently, Esposito served as CFO at WSP USA, where he had end-to-end responsibility for the finance operations of an approximately $8 billion business. During his tenure, he helped scale the finance organization through a threefold increase in revenue and headcount. He also played a senior role in more than a dozen acquisitions and carve-outs totaling approximately $5 billion in transaction value.

“Strong financial performance and strong organizations are built together,” said Esposito. “From the beginning, I was drawn to BKF’s culture, energy, and strong sense of purpose, as well as its reputation for innovation, client focus, and sustained growth. I’m excited to work alongside the leadership team to build on that momentum, support the firm’s long-term success, and help advance our shared vision of becoming the preeminent infrastructure firm in the Western U.S.”

The appointment comes as BKF continues to execute its growth strategy, building on the successful merger with MNS and acquisition of Lotus Water to expand its capabilities and deliver greater value across the full project lifecycle.

About BKF

For more than 110 years, BKF has partnered with public and private clients to plan, design, and deliver infrastructure projects that strengthens communities throughout the Western United States. With more than 800 people across 20 offices, BKF provides planning, engineering, surveying, program and construction management, and consulting services for transportation, water, government, and land development projects.

Our mission is simple: Do great work, grow a thriving business, and delight our clients. We believe great infrastructure starts with strong relationships, collaboration, and a shared vision for building a better future. Together with our clients, BKF tackles the region’s most complex challenges and creates lasting impact in the communities where we work.

For more information, visit bkf.com

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The World Is Invited: Edison Awards Opens Nominations for Its 40th Anniversary Year

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A Global Icon of Innovation Marks Four Decades — And Calls On Innovators Everywhere to Step Forward

FORT MYERS, Fla., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Forty years ago, a handful of bold ideas changed how the world lives, works, and moves. Today, the Edison Awards, one of the world’s most recognized names in innovation, throws open its doors for its landmark 40th anniversary, inviting innovators, entrepreneurs, and enterprises on every continent to put their breakthroughs on the world stage.

“We are seeing extraordinary innovation emerge from every region of the world, and our 40th year is a chance to recognize just how far this global community of innovators has brought us and how much further we’ll go together,” said Frank Bonafilia, CEO of the Edison Awards.

Starting September 1, 2026, nominations open for the 2027 Edison Best New Product Awards™. Whether it’s a five-person startup team working out of a garage or a Fortune 500 R&D powerhouse, the invitation is the same: bring the innovation you’re proudest of and let the world see it. Nominations close December 15, 2026, with winners revealed in March 2027.

“Forty years ago, the Edison Awards set out to celebrate the innovators bold enough to reimagine what’s possible and that mission has only grown more urgent, and more global, with every passing year,” said Frank Bonafilia, CEO of the Edison Awards. “This anniversary year is shaping up to be our most exciting yet. We are seeing extraordinary innovation emerge from every region of the world, and our 40th year is a chance to recognize just how far this global community of innovators has brought us and how much further we’ll go together.”

Four Decades of Naming What’s Next

Since 1987, the Edison Awards has celebrated the products and ideas that went on to define entire industries in health, sustainability, mobility, and technology. Forty years in, the program isn’t slowing down: it’s expanding, honoring nominees from startups to global enterprises, from every corner of the map.

Two New Awards Built for a Global Stage

Two new honors join the program: The Global Excellence Award, for the best innovation across five regions North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia-Pacific and The Innovation at Scale Award, honoring standout innovation from Startup/Emerging (under 10 employees) to Global Enterprise (5,000+ employees).

2027 Award Categories

Commercial Technology, Consumer Solutions, Critical Human Infrastructure, Cultural Impact & Education, Energy & Climate Resiliency, Engineering & Robotics, Health, Medical & Biotech, Lifestyle, Entertainment & Design, Manufacturing & Logistics, Materials Science, Public Safety, Security & Digital Integrity, Software Solutions, Transportation, Aerospace & Flight, and Water, Food & Agriculture.

The Call Is Open — Here’s How to Answer It

Early Bird: September 1 – October 15, 2026. General: October 16 – December 15, 2026.

Eligible products launched January 2025–January 2027, judged on Concept, Value, and Impact.

Be counted among them. Submit your nomination at www.edisonawards.com.

About The Edison Awards: Established in 1987, the Edison Best New Product Awards™ honor excellence in product and service innovation transforming how we live, work, and play. Inspired by Thomas Edison’s legacy, the program recognizes game-changing solutions worldwide, offering global recognition, credibility, and connections that drive growth.

Media Contact

Frank Bonafilia, Edison Awards, 1 7732305744, fbonafilia@edisonawards.com, https://edisonawards.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-world-is-invited-edison-awards-opens-nominations-for-its-40th-anniversary-year-302864733.html

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