Tampa Bay Buccaneers Name Esports Entertainment Group as Its Official Esports Tournament Platform in Multi-Year Deal

 

Newark, New Jersey and Tampa, Florida–(Newsfile Corp. – September 2, 2021) – Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMBL) (NASDAQ: GMBLW) (or the “Company”) has signed a partnership agreement with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be the NFL franchise’s official esports tournament platform provider. As part of the new multi-year agreement, the Company will operate co-branded esports tournaments annually for the Buccaneers utilizing its Esports Gaming League (“EGL”) platform.

“We are thrilled to further expand our reach in the NFL through our partnership with the Buccaneers as our industry-leading tournament platform continues to gain strong traction among top-tier professional sports franchises,” said Grant Johnson, CEO of Esports Entertainment Group. “Our robust tournament platform will help the Buccaneers and their marquee players such as Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski strengthen connections with their fans, while providing new avenues for engagement.”

As a proud partner of the Buccaneers, the Company will leverage player imagery within the Buccaneers’ local market and will also work with the Buccaneers to promote the tournaments in extensive ongoing digital marketing efforts spanning social, email, mobile, and online channels.

“We are always looking for ways to engage and build stronger connections with all segments of our fanbase and esports tournaments offer an exciting, new way to continue growing that connection,” said Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford. “The Esports Entertainment Group’s Buccaneers Gaming Tournaments will be very popular with our fans of all ages and a fun way to compete in an entertaining and social environment with gamers throughout our fan base.”

“The Buccaneers join a growing number of leading teams in the NFL, NHL, NBA, that recognize the quality of our robust platform and its ability to meet the demanding needs of large-scale, high-profile deployments,” said Magnus Leppäniemi, President of Esports at Esports Entertainment Group.

The Company’s esports tournament platform enables live and online events and tournaments where gamers can compete and enjoy a wide range of content relating to esports and video games on a proprietary technology platform. Services include full turnkey esports events, live broadcast production, game launches, and online branded tournaments.

About the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in their 46^th year as members of the National Football League and compete in the National Football Conference’s South Division. They were purchased by the late Malcolm Glazer in 1995 and are currently owned by the Glazer Family. Established in 1976, the Buccaneers have totaled six division championships, two conference championships and two Super Bowl Championships, including Super Bowl LV that was played on their home field at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers are also very active in the community, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation and the Glazer Vision Foundation. For more information, visit www.buccaneers.com.

About Esports Entertainment Group
Esports Entertainment Group is a full stack esports and online gambling company fueled by the growth of video-gaming and the ascendance of esports with new generations. Our mission is to help connect the world at large with the future of sports entertainment in unique and enriching ways that bring fans and gamers together. Esports Entertainment Group and its affiliates are well-poised to help fans and players to stay connected and involved with their favorite esports. From traditional sports partnerships with professional NFL/NHL/NBA/FIFA teams, community-focused tournaments in a wide range of esports, and boots-on-the-ground LAN cafes, EEG has influence over the full-spectrum of esports and gaming at all levels. The Company maintains offices in New Jersey, the UK and Malta. For more information visit www.esportsentertainmentgroup.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. The safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 protects companies from liability for their forward-looking statements if they comply with the requirements of the Act.

Contact:
U.S. Investor Relations
RedChip Companies, Inc.
Dave Gentry
407-491-4498
dave@redchip.com

Media Inquiries
brandon.apter@esportsentertainmentgroup.com

Investor Relations Inquiries
Jeff@esportsentertainmentgroup.com

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Name Esports Entertainment Group as Its Official Esports Tournament Platform in Multi-Year Deal

 

Newark, New Jersey and Tampa, Florida–(Newsfile Corp. – September 2, 2021) – Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMBL) (NASDAQ: GMBLW) (or the “Company”) has signed a partnership agreement with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be the NFL franchise’s official esports tournament platform provider. As part of the new multi-year agreement, the Company will operate co-branded esports tournaments annually for the Buccaneers utilizing its Esports Gaming League (“EGL”) platform.

“We are thrilled to further expand our reach in the NFL through our partnership with the Buccaneers as our industry-leading tournament platform continues to gain strong traction among top-tier professional sports franchises,” said Grant Johnson, CEO of Esports Entertainment Group. “Our robust tournament platform will help the Buccaneers and their marquee players such as Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski strengthen connections with their fans, while providing new avenues for engagement.”

As a proud partner of the Buccaneers, the Company will leverage player imagery within the Buccaneers’ local market and will also work with the Buccaneers to promote the tournaments in extensive ongoing digital marketing efforts spanning social, email, mobile, and online channels.

“We are always looking for ways to engage and build stronger connections with all segments of our fanbase and esports tournaments offer an exciting, new way to continue growing that connection,” said Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford. “The Esports Entertainment Group’s Buccaneers Gaming Tournaments will be very popular with our fans of all ages and a fun way to compete in an entertaining and social environment with gamers throughout our fan base.”

“The Buccaneers join a growing number of leading teams in the NFL, NHL, NBA, that recognize the quality of our robust platform and its ability to meet the demanding needs of large-scale, high-profile deployments,” said Magnus Leppäniemi, President of Esports at Esports Entertainment Group.

The Company’s esports tournament platform enables live and online events and tournaments where gamers can compete and enjoy a wide range of content relating to esports and video games on a proprietary technology platform. Services include full turnkey esports events, live broadcast production, game launches, and online branded tournaments.

About the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in their 46^th year as members of the National Football League and compete in the National Football Conference’s South Division. They were purchased by the late Malcolm Glazer in 1995 and are currently owned by the Glazer Family. Established in 1976, the Buccaneers have totaled six division championships, two conference championships and two Super Bowl Championships, including Super Bowl LV that was played on their home field at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers are also very active in the community, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation and the Glazer Vision Foundation. For more information, visit www.buccaneers.com.

About Esports Entertainment Group
Esports Entertainment Group is a full stack esports and online gambling company fueled by the growth of video-gaming and the ascendance of esports with new generations. Our mission is to help connect the world at large with the future of sports entertainment in unique and enriching ways that bring fans and gamers together. Esports Entertainment Group and its affiliates are well-poised to help fans and players to stay connected and involved with their favorite esports. From traditional sports partnerships with professional NFL/NHL/NBA/FIFA teams, community-focused tournaments in a wide range of esports, and boots-on-the-ground LAN cafes, EEG has influence over the full-spectrum of esports and gaming at all levels. The Company maintains offices in New Jersey, the UK and Malta. For more information visit www.esportsentertainmentgroup.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. The safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 protects companies from liability for their forward-looking statements if they comply with the requirements of the Act.

Contact:
U.S. Investor Relations
RedChip Companies, Inc.
Dave Gentry
407-491-4498
dave@redchip.com

Media Inquiries
brandon.apter@esportsentertainmentgroup.com

Investor Relations Inquiries
Jeff@esportsentertainmentgroup.com

 

Esports Entertainment Group Partnering with Real Cricket 20 to Provide Software Integration for First Global Tournament

 

Newark, New Jersey–(Newsfile Corp. – September 2, 2021) – Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMBL) (NASDAQ: GMBLW) (or the “Company”) is partnering with Real Cricket 20, the world’s top mobile cricket game, and Sports in Esports Ltd, to provide software integration services for the dafaNEWS Ecricket World Series, the first global Ecricket tournament. Over 37,000 players have pre-registered for the event in the first week.

“We are extremely excited to have Real Cricket 20 as our first game utilizing our new software development kit esports tournament technology,” said Esports Gaming League (EGL) General Manager Glen Elliott. “It helps games become an esport by creating a matchmaking and ranking system within the game.”

The partnership will also mark the launch of EGL+, a new feature from EGL that enables mobile game developers to embed an easy-to-use esports competition platform into their game environment to help drive player engagement. Additionally, the Company will be involved with the game’s virtual items and season passes.

“We believe that Real Cricket 20 has redefined cricket games on mobile,” said AnuJ Mankar, Sr. Vice President of Nautilus Mobile, who publishes the game. “The game offers a complete cricket experience, with features that include real-time multiplayer and spectator mode. We look forward to working with the entire team team to drive the Ecricket World Series to gamers and esports fans globally.”

The event includes eight weeks of qualifying and its field will be narrowed down to eight players who will compete for a grand prize of $10,000.

“As fans of esports, it is vital cricket joins the gaming elite. We have created a competition that will break all barriers to online sports gaming,” said Chris Cockerell, Co-Founder of Sports in Esports ltd. ” We will be working with cricket associations and clubs across the globe to bring them into the world of gaming and esports with a dual focus of skilled competition and education.”

Real Cricket 20 has over 100 million downloads and 1.2 million daily active users. The tournament is set to get underway at the beginning of September.

About Sports in Esports Ltd

A London based company dedicated to bringing sports related games to fans around the globe. Our team has vast experience in gaming, online and TV production. Using modern day technology, our goal is to align conventional sports with gaming and invite all demographics to participate in the sports we enjoy.

About Nautilus Mobile

‘Real Cricket™’ from Nautilus Mobile has become one of the most popular brands for cricket lovers. In both the Indian and worldwide markets, we provide our fans with the finest smartphone and mobile cricket simulation. With over seven esteemed brand alliances, Real Cricket team provides players with perfection.

About Esports Entertainment Group

Esports Entertainment Group is a full stack esports and online gambling company fueled by the growth of video-gaming and the ascendance of esports with new generations. Our mission is to help connect the world at large with the future of sports entertainment in unique and enriching ways that bring fans and gamers together. Esports Entertainment Group and its affiliates are well-poised to help fans and players to stay connected and involved with their favorite esports. From traditional sports partnerships with professional NFL/NHL/NBA/FIFA teams, community-focused tournaments in a wide range of esports, and boots-on-the-ground LAN cafes, EEG has influence over the full-spectrum of esports and gaming at all levels. The Company maintains offices in New Jersey, the UK and Malta. For more information visit www.esportsentertainmentgroup.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. The safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 protects companies from liability for their forward-looking statements if they comply with the requirements of the Act.

Contact:
U.S. Investor Relations
RedChip Companies, Inc.
Dave Gentry
407-491-4498
dave@redchip.com

Media Inquiries
brandon.apter@esportsentertainmentgroup.com

Investor Relations Inquiries
Jeff@esportsentertainmentgroup.com

Item 9 Labs Corp. Secures $19 Million Construction-Financing Loan with Pelorus Equity Group for Expansion of Cultivation & Lab Sites in Arizona & Nevada

 

Financing to Fund Master Site Expansion in Arizona, including Acquisition of the 45 acres of Adjacent Land Next to the Company’s Existing 19,200 sq. ft. Facility Capacity of Arizona Operations to be Enhanced by 33x

PHOENIX, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) (the “Company”), a vertically integrated, cannabis dispensary franchisor and operator that produces premium, award-winning products, has entered into a $19 million construction-financing loan with Pelorus Equity Group (“Pelorus”), the leading provider of value-add bridge commercial real estate loans to cannabis businesses and owners with cannabis-related real estate.

The proceeds will be used to expand the master site development of the Company’s cultivation and lab site in Coolidge, Arizona (the “Arizona Facility”) as well as completion of its existing 20,000 square foot facility in Pahrump, Nevada (the “Nevada Facility”) . The Company has been cultivating and manufacturing a range of premium Item 9 Labs cannabis products at the Arizona Facility since 2017. The Nevada Facility will become operational in early 2022.

Of note, this transaction is not dilutive to shareholders as there is no equity being issued.

Arizona Master Cultivation Site Expansion

The proceeds from Pelorus’ high-performance loan will be used to finance the acquisition of 45 acres of land adjacent to the Company’s existing 19,200 sq. ft. Arizona Facility. The Company currently owns the 5 acres that house the existing facility, which includes two steel buildings. The master site development consists of six additional steel buildings (just under 10,000 sq. ft. each) – one will be for expansion of the lab and support space for finished product, and the other five will be for indoor cultivation – as well as 16 greenhouses and 6 headhouses (or greenhouse support buildings). Once complete, the Item 9 Labs site will comprise 640,000-plus sq. ft. of operations space. This includes 5 acres of outdoor cultivation, which comes at an opportune time as the city of Coolidge passed regulations for outdoor cultivation earlier this year.

“Finalizing this agreement puts Item 9 Labs Corp. in a prime position to grow with Arizona’s emerging adult-use market and continue leading in the space,” said Andrew Bowden, Chief Executive Officer of Items 9 Labs. “To put the magnitude of this deal into perspective, we’ve achieved seven consecutive quarters of revenue growth and have regularly broken monthly sales records from just our 19,200 square foot facility. Imagine what another 620,000 square feet will do.”

The Item 9 Labs product catalogue spans 75-plus active cannabis strains and more than 150 differentiated cannabis vape products as well as premium concentrates and Orion vape technologies. Currently, Item 9 Labs is the most in-demand brand at more than 60% of Arizona’s dispensaries, according to LeafLink. Industry analysts expect Arizona’s total legal marijuana market will near $1.5 billion in the next three years.

Phase 1 construction will begin in early October and is estimated to be completed in mid-2022. Development of phase 1 consists of three steel buildings and two greenhouses. This initial expansion adds 9,600 sq. ft. for indoor cultivation, 9,600 sq. ft. of lab and packaging and a 9,600 sq. ft. head house to support the addition of the two 18,000 sq. ft. greenhouses. Upon completion, Item 9 Labs will increase its premium flower output by 30-35% and reduce its reliance on third-party sourced material for lab productions by 40-50%. Item 9 Labs anticipates hiring 60-70 people across cultivation, processing and packaging positions to support new operations from the initial phase.

Nevada Cultivation Site Expansion

Item 9 Labs will also use the proceeds to complete its 20,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility in Pahrump, Nevada that currently is approximately 60% completed. The expansion includes 4,450 sq. ft. for flower, 990 sq. ft. of vegetation space, 400 sq. ft. for clones, 300 sq. ft. for dry curing and 615 sq. ft. of space for genetics. The facility also includes more than 2,500 sq. ft. of post-processing and lab space, along with the opportunity for a joint venture with a commercial kitchen space of 1,100 sq. ft. The remainder of the building is ancillary rooms such as water rooms, offices, locker rooms and break rooms. Upon completion in late 2021, the Company will cultivate and manufacture to partner dispensaries across the Silver State.

“We’re thril led to partner with Item 9 Labs on these exciting new commercial real estate expansion and build-out projects in Arizona and Nevada – two rapidly growing adult-use states with high demand,” said Dan Leimel, CEO of Pelorus Equity Group and manager of the Pelorus Fund. “Our team was pleased to quickly approve the Company’s loan, so that it can continue to bring consumers the premium products they are known for, generate new streams of revenue and drive value for their shareholders. We look forward to working closely with Item 9 Labs and other cannabis operators on additional state-of-the-art projects as we rapidly expand our portfolio.”

Item 9 Labs Corp. CFO Bobby Mikkelsen said, “Pelorus moved quickly on our complex transaction and were able to help navigate multiple hurdles on the way to closing when other previous potential lenders failed to perform. With the Pelorus team by our side, supporting our growth plans, we’re in a sound position to complete our expansion and capture more market share.”

About Pelorus Equity Group
Pelorus Equity Group is the leading provider of value-add bridge commercial real estate loans in the multi-billion dollar cannabis industry. The company’s Pelorus Fund, a private mortgage real estate investment trust (“mREIT”), offers a range of innovative transactional solutions addressing the diverse needs of real estate investors and portfolio managers, and its flexible acquisition and bridge lending programs are the direct result of our involvement in more than 5,000 transactions of varying size and complexity. Since 1991, our principals have participated in more than $1B of real estate investment transactions using both debt and equity solutions. We draw on our extensive experience to rapidly understand an opportunity, structure a logical solution and execute a timely close. For more information, visit https://www.pelorusequitygroup.com/.

About Item 9 Labs Corp.
Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) is a vertically integrated cannabis operator and dispensary franchisor delivering premium products from its large-scale cultivation and production facilities in the United States. The award-winning Item 9 Labs brand specializes in best-in-class products and user experience across several cannabis categories. The company also offers a unique dispensary franchise model through the national Unity Rd. retail brand. Easing barriers to entry, the franchise provides an opportunity for both new and existing dispensary owners to leverage the knowledge, resources, and ongoing support needed to thrive in their state compliantly and successfully. Item 9 Labs brings the best industry practices to markets nationwide through distinctive retail experience, cultivation capabilities, and product innovation. The veteran management team combines a diverse skill set with deep experience in the cannabis sector, franchising, and the capital markets to lead a new generation of public cannabis companies that provide transparency, consistency, and well-being. Headquartered in Arizona, the company is currently expanding its operations space by 650,000+ square feet on its 50-acre site, one of the largest properties in Arizona zoned to grow and cultivate flower. For additional information, visit item9labscorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks and effects of legal and administrative proceedings and governmental regulation, especially in a foreign country, future financial and operational results, competition, general economic conditions, proposed transactions that are not legally binding obligations of the company and the ability to manage and continue growth. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this news release include the introduction of new technology, market conditions and those set forth in reports or documents we file from time to time with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to revise or update such statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Media Contact:
Item 9 Labs
Jayne Levy, VP of Communications
Email: Jayne@item9labs.com

Investor Contact:
Item 9 Labs
800-403-1140
Email: investors@item9labs.com

SOURCE Item 9 Labs Corp.

Will Disney Owned ESPN Fetch $3 Billion From Sports Betting?

 

Major sports-betting companies have been offered the opportunity by ESPN to license its brand. The large sports media network is a division of Walt Disney and has recently held talks with players that own major sportsbooks. On that list are DraftKings and casino operator Caesars Entertainment.

Cost

The price tag is massive. According to the Wall Street Journal and other sources, they seek to license the ESPN brand, over several years, for $3 billion. The idea is that Disney could profit from the licensing arrangement while the gaming companies could gain wider recognition with larger audiences as a result of ESPN’s footprint.

Is the $3 billion price tag too steep for any company that would be interested in immediately gaining this level of brand strength, marketing, and media coverage? That remains to be seen. Eilers & Krejcik serves as a research firm focused on the gaming equipment, sports, and interactive gaming sectors of the industry; according to their data, sports betting is on track to generate revenue of about $4 billion in the U.S. in 2021.

Brand Considerations

There is no guarantee Disney’s ESPN will find a suitor to accept its terms. Gaming companies that are large enough to consider the offer have already built respectable brand names of their own – perhaps brand recognition that better resonates with their audiences. 

The ESPN brand has already incorporated gambling and betting lines into some of its studio programming and even offered betting-themed shows. But it has not launched its own sportsbook, which would mean handling payouts to winners and collecting money. They currently even have marketing partnerships with both Caesers and DraftKings; however, any deal now would come with an exclusive marketing commitment that would require the sports-betting firm to spend a specified amount of money advertising on the ESPN platform.

Take-Away

Not many years back, gambling was rarely mentioned on sports media outlets. During football games, if an announcer mentioned a point spread at all, it was not taken far enough for the untrained ear to tie it to gambling. It would be mentioned more in a way that suggested the outcome of the game may have been misjudged. There is now new thinking at the media outlets. TV broadcasts of some sports today play ads from leading U.S. sportsbooks such as DraftKings (DKNG), or FanDuel. In many instances, odds for games are shown on television.

As mentioned, there are also sports betting TV shows. ESPN has been involved here with a show dedicated to sports gambling called the “Daily Wager.” Viacom has a gambling show called “SportsLine Edge.” This change in acceptance of what are still considered “vices” is allowing a lot of money to change hands. As with other vices, once they’re mainstreamed, they often prove to be relatively stable businesses as people turn to their products in good economic times as well as bad.

Suggested Content:

Esports Investors Now Better Able To Evaluate Industry

How to Invest in Esports

C-Suite Interview With Esports Entertainment, GMBL (YouTube)

Industry Report – Are Media Investors Too Pessimistic?

 

Sources:

https://ekgamingllc.com/news/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/espn-explores-sports-betting-deal-worth-at-least-3-billion-11630089962

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/have-you-noticed-how-much-gambling-talk-there-is-on-sports-tv-how-we-got-here-11616166093

 

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Item 9 Labs Corp. Secures $19 Million Construction-Financing Loan with Pelorus Equity Group for Expansion of Cultivation & Lab Sites in Arizona & Nevada

 

Financing to Fund Master Site Expansion in Arizona, including Acquisition of the 45 acres of Adjacent Land Next to the Company’s Existing 19,200 sq. ft. Facility Capacity of Arizona Operations to be Enhanced by 33x

PHOENIX, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) (the “Company”), a vertically integrated, cannabis dispensary franchisor and operator that produces premium, award-winning products, has entered into a $19 million construction-financing loan with Pelorus Equity Group (“Pelorus”), the leading provider of value-add bridge commercial real estate loans to cannabis businesses and owners with cannabis-related real estate.

The proceeds will be used to expand the master site development of the Company’s cultivation and lab site in Coolidge, Arizona (the “Arizona Facility”) as well as completion of its existing 20,000 square foot facility in Pahrump, Nevada (the “Nevada Facility”) . The Company has been cultivating and manufacturing a range of premium Item 9 Labs cannabis products at the Arizona Facility since 2017. The Nevada Facility will become operational in early 2022.

Of note, this transaction is not dilutive to shareholders as there is no equity being issued.

Arizona Master Cultivation Site Expansion

The proceeds from Pelorus’ high-performance loan will be used to finance the acquisition of 45 acres of land adjacent to the Company’s existing 19,200 sq. ft. Arizona Facility. The Company currently owns the 5 acres that house the existing facility, which includes two steel buildings. The master site development consists of six additional steel buildings (just under 10,000 sq. ft. each) – one will be for expansion of the lab and support space for finished product, and the other five will be for indoor cultivation – as well as 16 greenhouses and 6 headhouses (or greenhouse support buildings). Once complete, the Item 9 Labs site will comprise 640,000-plus sq. ft. of operations space. This includes 5 acres of outdoor cultivation, which comes at an opportune time as the city of Coolidge passed regulations for outdoor cultivation earlier this year.

“Finalizing this agreement puts Item 9 Labs Corp. in a prime position to grow with Arizona’s emerging adult-use market and continue leading in the space,” said Andrew Bowden, Chief Executive Officer of Items 9 Labs. “To put the magnitude of this deal into perspective, we’ve achieved seven consecutive quarters of revenue growth and have regularly broken monthly sales records from just our 19,200 square foot facility. Imagine what another 620,000 square feet will do.”

The Item 9 Labs product catalogue spans 75-plus active cannabis strains and more than 150 differentiated cannabis vape products as well as premium concentrates and Orion vape technologies. Currently, Item 9 Labs is the most in-demand brand at more than 60% of Arizona’s dispensaries, according to LeafLink. Industry analysts expect Arizona’s total legal marijuana market will near $1.5 billion in the next three years.

Phase 1 construction will begin in early October and is estimated to be completed in mid-2022. Development of phase 1 consists of three steel buildings and two greenhouses. This initial expansion adds 9,600 sq. ft. for indoor cultivation, 9,600 sq. ft. of lab and packaging and a 9,600 sq. ft. head house to support the addition of the two 18,000 sq. ft. greenhouses. Upon completion, Item 9 Labs will increase its premium flower output by 30-35% and reduce its reliance on third-party sourced material for lab productions by 40-50%. Item 9 Labs anticipates hiring 60-70 people across cultivation, processing and packaging positions to support new operations from the initial phase.

Nevada Cultivation Site Expansion

Item 9 Labs will also use the proceeds to complete its 20,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility in Pahrump, Nevada that currently is approximately 60% completed. The expansion includes 4,450 sq. ft. for flower, 990 sq. ft. of vegetation space, 400 sq. ft. for clones, 300 sq. ft. for dry curing and 615 sq. ft. of space for genetics. The facility also includes more than 2,500 sq. ft. of post-processing and lab space, along with the opportunity for a joint venture with a commercial kitchen space of 1,100 sq. ft. The remainder of the building is ancillary rooms such as water rooms, offices, locker rooms and break rooms. Upon completion in late 2021, the Company will cultivate and manufacture to partner dispensaries across the Silver State.

“We’re thril led to partner with Item 9 Labs on these exciting new commercial real estate expansion and build-out projects in Arizona and Nevada – two rapidly growing adult-use states with high demand,” said Dan Leimel, CEO of Pelorus Equity Group and manager of the Pelorus Fund. “Our team was pleased to quickly approve the Company’s loan, so that it can continue to bring consumers the premium products they are known for, generate new streams of revenue and drive value for their shareholders. We look forward to working closely with Item 9 Labs and other cannabis operators on additional state-of-the-art projects as we rapidly expand our portfolio.”

Item 9 Labs Corp. CFO Bobby Mikkelsen said, “Pelorus moved quickly on our complex transaction and were able to help navigate multiple hurdles on the way to closing when other previous potential lenders failed to perform. With the Pelorus team by our side, supporting our growth plans, we’re in a sound position to complete our expansion and capture more market share.”

About Pelorus Equity Group
Pelorus Equity Group is the leading provider of value-add bridge commercial real estate loans in the multi-billion dollar cannabis industry. The company’s Pelorus Fund, a private mortgage real estate investment trust (“mREIT”), offers a range of innovative transactional solutions addressing the diverse needs of real estate investors and portfolio managers, and its flexible acquisition and bridge lending programs are the direct result of our involvement in more than 5,000 transactions of varying size and complexity. Since 1991, our principals have participated in more than $1B of real estate investment transactions using both debt and equity solutions. We draw on our extensive experience to rapidly understand an opportunity, structure a logical solution and execute a timely close. For more information, visit https://www.pelorusequitygroup.com/.

About Item 9 Labs Corp.
Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) is a vertically integrated cannabis operator and dispensary franchisor delivering premium products from its large-scale cultivation and production facilities in the United States. The award-winning Item 9 Labs brand specializes in best-in-class products and user experience across several cannabis categories. The company also offers a unique dispensary franchise model through the national Unity Rd. retail brand. Easing barriers to entry, the franchise provides an opportunity for both new and existing dispensary owners to leverage the knowledge, resources, and ongoing support needed to thrive in their state compliantly and successfully. Item 9 Labs brings the best industry practices to markets nationwide through distinctive retail experience, cultivation capabilities, and product innovation. The veteran management team combines a diverse skill set with deep experience in the cannabis sector, franchising, and the capital markets to lead a new generation of public cannabis companies that provide transparency, consistency, and well-being. Headquartered in Arizona, the company is currently expanding its operations space by 650,000+ square feet on its 50-acre site, one of the largest properties in Arizona zoned to grow and cultivate flower. For additional information, visit item9labscorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks and effects of legal and administrative proceedings and governmental regulation, especially in a foreign country, future financial and operational results, competition, general economic conditions, proposed transactions that are not legally binding obligations of the company and the ability to manage and continue growth. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this news release include the introduction of new technology, market conditions and those set forth in reports or documents we file from time to time with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to revise or update such statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Media Contact:
Item 9 Labs
Jayne Levy, VP of Communications
Email: Jayne@item9labs.com

Investor Contact:
Item 9 Labs
800-403-1140
Email: investors@item9labs.com

SOURCE Item 9 Labs Corp.

ACCO Brands Strengthens Leadership to Fuel Growth

 

Names Tedford President and Chief Operating Officer; Hires Bernstein to lead North America Segment

LAKE ZURICH, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) today announced that Tom Tedford, currently Executive Vice President and President, ACCO Brands North America, has been named President and Chief Operating Officer, effective September 1, 2021. In his new role, Tedford will have full responsibility for the sales, marketing and operations of all the company’s businesses and products worldwide, and will continue to report to Boris Elisman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

“Under Tom’s leadership, ACCO Brands North America has successfully managed channel, product line and technology transitions, as well as trade wars and pandemic-related challenges,” said Elisman. “During his stewardship, we gained share in our core brands, grew sales in consumer-oriented channels, maintained strong operating margins, and won several ‘Best Employer’ and ‘America’s Safest Company’ awards. His track record of success, coupled with his deep understanding of our business, will serve us well as he takes on his new global responsibilities,” Elisman continued.

“I am very excited to take on this new role and accelerate the strategic transformation of our business toward faster growing consumer-centric categories,” said Tedford. “We have tremendous opportunities for growth worldwide, both in our existing categories, as the world recovers from the pandemic, and in new categories, as we expand our recently acquired PowerA business to new customers and geographies.”

ACCO Brands also announced that Roxanne Bernstein will join the Company on September 7 as Executive Vice President and President, ACCO Brands North America. Bernstein has deep and broad experience in marketing, strategy and general management in consumer and food businesses. Most recently, she served as President of Crystal Farms Dairy Company, a subsidiary of Post Holdings. Bernstein has held management positions of increasing responsibilities with Post Consumer Brands, Heritage Home Group, Cessna Aircraft Company and Kraft Foods. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Colorado State University.

About ACCO Brands Corporation

ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) is one of the world’s largest designers, marketers and manufacturers of branded academic, consumer and business products. Our widely recognized brands include Artline®, AT-A-GLANCE®, Barrilito®, Derwent®, Esselte®, Five Star®, Foroni®, GBC®, Hilroy®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Quartet®, Rapid®, Rexel®, Swingline®, Tilibra®, Wilson Jones® and many others. Our products are sold in more than 100 countries around the world. More information about ACCO Brands, the Home of Great Brands Built by Great People, can be found at www.accobrands.com.

Christine Hanneman
Investor Relations
(847) 796-4320

Julie McEwan
Media Relations
(937) 974-8162

Source: ACCO Brands Corporation

 

Esports Entertainment Group’s VIE.bet Esports Betting Brand Named Primary Sponsor of Brazil’s SG esports

 

Newark, New Jersey–(Newsfile Corp. – August 30, 2021) – Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMBL) (NASDAQ: GMBLW) (or the “Company”), an esports entertainment and online gambling company, announced today that their VIE.bet esports betting brand has become official partners of SG esports, a Brazilian professional gaming organization. SG esports will don the VIE logo as their primary jersey sponsor throughout the partnership, which includes The International 10 in October, with a prize pool of $40 million.

“We are excited to announce this partnership with SG Esports. The organization and their team has done a great job qualifying for The International this October,” said Bux Syed, Director of VIE.bet. “We’re looking forward to working closely with SG Esports to further expand our growth in Brazil and the rest of Latam.”

The partnership consists of two Dota 2 teams, a CSGO team and SG esports’ entire influencer/streamer roster.

“We are honored to share a long-term partnership with Esports Entertainment Group and their Vie.bet brand,” said Mateus Cysne Barbosa, CEO of SG esports. “Vie.bet represents what we want for the world of betting and electronic sports — professionalism and transparency. These are the qualities we look for in our partners.”

Brazil is the number three country in the world in terms of Esports enthusiasts with an estimated 12.6 million in 2021.

About Esports Entertainment Group

Esports Entertainment Group is a full stack esports and online gambling company fueled by the growth of video-gaming and the ascendance of esports with new generations. Our mission is to help connect the world at large with the future of sports entertainment in unique and enriching ways that bring fans and gamers together. Esports Entertainment Group and its affiliates are well-poised to help fans and players to stay connected and involved with their favorite esports. From traditional sports partnerships with professional NFL/NHL/NBA/FIFA teams, community-focused tournaments in a wide range of esports, and boots-on-the-ground LAN cafes, EEG has influence over the full-spectrum of esports and gaming at all levels. The Company maintains offices in New Jersey, the UK and Malta. For more information visit www.esportsentertainmentgroup.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. The safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 protects companies from liability for their forward-looking statements if they comply with the requirements of the Act.

Contact:
U.S. Investor Relations
RedChip Companies, Inc.
Dave Gentry
407-491-4498
dave@redchip.com

Media & Investor Relations Inquiries
Jeff@esportsentertainmentgroup.com

 

Esports Entertainment Group’s VIE.bet Esports Betting Brand Named Primary Sponsor of Brazil’s SG esports

 

Newark, New Jersey–(Newsfile Corp. – August 30, 2021) – Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMBL) (NASDAQ: GMBLW) (or the “Company”), an esports entertainment and online gambling company, announced today that their VIE.bet esports betting brand has become official partners of SG esports, a Brazilian professional gaming organization. SG esports will don the VIE logo as their primary jersey sponsor throughout the partnership, which includes The International 10 in October, with a prize pool of $40 million.

“We are excited to announce this partnership with SG Esports. The organization and their team has done a great job qualifying for The International this October,” said Bux Syed, Director of VIE.bet. “We’re looking forward to working closely with SG Esports to further expand our growth in Brazil and the rest of Latam.”

The partnership consists of two Dota 2 teams, a CSGO team and SG esports’ entire influencer/streamer roster.

“We are honored to share a long-term partnership with Esports Entertainment Group and their Vie.bet brand,” said Mateus Cysne Barbosa, CEO of SG esports. “Vie.bet represents what we want for the world of betting and electronic sports — professionalism and transparency. These are the qualities we look for in our partners.”

Brazil is the number three country in the world in terms of Esports enthusiasts with an estimated 12.6 million in 2021.

About Esports Entertainment Group

Esports Entertainment Group is a full stack esports and online gambling company fueled by the growth of video-gaming and the ascendance of esports with new generations. Our mission is to help connect the world at large with the future of sports entertainment in unique and enriching ways that bring fans and gamers together. Esports Entertainment Group and its affiliates are well-poised to help fans and players to stay connected and involved with their favorite esports. From traditional sports partnerships with professional NFL/NHL/NBA/FIFA teams, community-focused tournaments in a wide range of esports, and boots-on-the-ground LAN cafes, EEG has influence over the full-spectrum of esports and gaming at all levels. The Company maintains offices in New Jersey, the UK and Malta. For more information visit www.esportsentertainmentgroup.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. The safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 protects companies from liability for their forward-looking statements if they comply with the requirements of the Act.

Contact:
U.S. Investor Relations
RedChip Companies, Inc.
Dave Gentry
407-491-4498
dave@redchip.com

Media & Investor Relations Inquiries
Jeff@esportsentertainmentgroup.com

ACCO Brands Strengthens Leadership to Fuel Growth

 

Names Tedford President and Chief Operating Officer; Hires Bernstein to lead North America Segment

LAKE ZURICH, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) today announced that Tom Tedford, currently Executive Vice President and President, ACCO Brands North America, has been named President and Chief Operating Officer, effective September 1, 2021. In his new role, Tedford will have full responsibility for the sales, marketing and operations of all the company’s businesses and products worldwide, and will continue to report to Boris Elisman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

“Under Tom’s leadership, ACCO Brands North America has successfully managed channel, product line and technology transitions, as well as trade wars and pandemic-related challenges,” said Elisman. “During his stewardship, we gained share in our core brands, grew sales in consumer-oriented channels, maintained strong operating margins, and won several ‘Best Employer’ and ‘America’s Safest Company’ awards. His track record of success, coupled with his deep understanding of our business, will serve us well as he takes on his new global responsibilities,” Elisman continued.

“I am very excited to take on this new role and accelerate the strategic transformation of our business toward faster growing consumer-centric categories,” said Tedford. “We have tremendous opportunities for growth worldwide, both in our existing categories, as the world recovers from the pandemic, and in new categories, as we expand our recently acquired PowerA business to new customers and geographies.”

ACCO Brands also announced that Roxanne Bernstein will join the Company on September 7 as Executive Vice President and President, ACCO Brands North America. Bernstein has deep and broad experience in marketing, strategy and general management in consumer and food businesses. Most recently, she served as President of Crystal Farms Dairy Company, a subsidiary of Post Holdings. Bernstein has held management positions of increasing responsibilities with Post Consumer Brands, Heritage Home Group, Cessna Aircraft Company and Kraft Foods. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Colorado State University.

About ACCO Brands Corporation

ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) is one of the world’s largest designers, marketers and manufacturers of branded academic, consumer and business products. Our widely recognized brands include Artline®, AT-A-GLANCE®, Barrilito®, Derwent®, Esselte®, Five Star®, Foroni®, GBC®, Hilroy®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Quartet®, Rapid®, Rexel®, Swingline®, Tilibra®, Wilson Jones® and many others. Our products are sold in more than 100 countries around the world. More information about ACCO Brands, the Home of Great Brands Built by Great People, can be found at www.accobrands.com.

Christine Hanneman
Investor Relations
(847) 796-4320

Julie McEwan
Media Relations
(937) 974-8162

Source: ACCO Brands Corporation

Monday, August 30, 2021

Item 9 Labs Corp (INLB)
$19 million Construction-Financing Loan for Arizona and Nevada Expansion

Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) is a vertically integrated cannabis operator and dispensary franchisor delivering premium products from its large-scale cultivation and production facilities in the United States. The award-winning Item 9 Labs brand specializes in best-in-class products and user experience across several cannabis categories. The company also offers a unique dispensary franchise model through the national Unity Rd. retail brand. Easing barriers to entry, the franchise provides an opportunity for both new and existing dispensary owners to leverage the knowledge, resources, and ongoing support needed to thrive in their state compliantly and successfully. Item 9 Labs brings the best industry practices to markets nationwide through distinctive retail experience, cultivation capabilities, and product innovation. The veteran management team combines a diverse skill set with deep experience in the cannabis sector, franchising, and the capital markets to lead a new generation of public cannabis companies that provide transparency, consistency, and well-being. Headquartered in Arizona, the company is currently expanding its operations space by 650,000+ square feet on its 50-acre site, one of the largest properties in Arizona zoned to grow and cultivate flower. For additional information, visit item9labscorp.com.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Construction Loan.  Late last week, Item 9 Labs entered into a $19 million construction-financing loan with Pelorus Equity Group, a leading provider of value-add bridge commercial real estate loans to cannabis businesses. The loan is a significant step in Item 9 Labs’ strategy to build out its cultivation capabilities in the fast growing Arizona and Nevada markets.


Use of Proceeds.   The proceeds will be used to finance the acquisition of 44 acres of adjacent land next to Item 9 Labs’ current 19,200 sq. ft. facility in Arizona and be used to finance the master site development. The Phase 1 expansion will add 9,600 sq. ft. for indoor cultivation, 9,600 sq. ft. of lab and packaging, and a 9,600 sq. ft. head house to support the addition of …

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary.  Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Monday, August 30, 2021

1-800-Flowers.com (FLWS)
Keeping What It Got And Then Some

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is the leading provider of gourmet and floral gifts for all occasions. For nearly 40 years, 1-800-FLOWERS® has been helping deliver smiles for customers with gifts for every occasion, including fresh flowers, premium, gift-quality fruits, and other gourmet items from Harry & David®, popcorn and specialty treats from The Popcorn Factory®; cookies and baked gifts from Cheryl’s®; premium chocolates and confections from Fannie May®; gift baskets and towers from 1-800-Baskets.com®; premium English muffins and other breakfast treats from Wolferman’s; carved fresh fruit arrangements from FruitBouquets.com; and top quality steaks and chops from Stock Yards®. The Company’s BloomNet® international floral wire service provides a broad range of quality products and value-added services designed to help professional florists grow their businesses profitably.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Fiscal Q4 results in line with expectations on strong revenue growth. Total company revenues increased a solid 16.6% to $486.9 million, better than our $472.0 million estimate. The revenue performance was notable given that it was on top of the 61% revenue growth in the prior year quarter, which benefited from enhanced ecommerce growth during the height of the Covid pandemic. Adjusted EBITDA of $30.2 million was in line with expectations.


Favorable foundation for growth.  We believe that the enhanced revenues during Covid set the stage for favorable revenue growth going forward as the company markets to the new customers, increases its loyalty based customers, Passport, and develops new products …

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary.  Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Schwazze (SHWZ)
The Acquisition Beat Goes On

Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. is now operating under its new trade name, Schwazze. Schwazze is executing its strategy to become a leading vertically integrated cannabis holding company with a portfolio consisting of top-tier licensed brands spanning cultivation, extraction, infused-product manufacturing, dispensary operations, consulting, and a nutrient line. Schwazze leadership includes Colorado cannabis leaders with proven expertise in product and business development as well as top-tier executives from Fortune 500 companies. As a leading platform for vertical integration, Schwazze is strengthening the operational efficiency of the cannabis industry in Colorado and beyond, promoting sustainable growth and increased access to capital, while delivering best-quality service and products to the end consumer. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

More Cultivation Expansion. Schwazze has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Brow 2 LLC. Denver-based Brow 2 operates a 37,000 sq. ft. building, including 27,000 sq. ft. of canopy, for indoor cultivation and related equipment. Brow 2 adds high-quality flower cultivation capacity and new strain genetics to Schwazze’s portfolio. The price for the acquisition is $6.7 million to be paid in cash at closing, which is expected before the end of the third quarter of 2021.


More to Come? We believe Schwazze will continue to target expansion on the cultivation side as ownership of production provides the Company with a controlled source of differentiated product for both its retail and wholesale operations as well as a better overall margin profile than outsourced product.  Schwazze’s integrated operating capabilities provide a cost advantage over mom and pop operators …

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary.  Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.