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Audio Publishers Association Announces Winners of 29th Annual Audie Awards

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Bono’s Surrender Receives Audiobook of the Year; Billie Fulford-Brown Receives Best Fiction Narrator Award; Dion Graham Wins Best Non-Fiction Narrator Award

BONO’S SURRENDER RECEIVES AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR
AT THE AUDIO PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION’S 2024 AUDIE AWARDS®    

Billie Fulford-Brown Receives Best Fiction Narrator Award;
Dion Graham Wins Best Non-Fiction Narrator Award

Leslie Jones, Mary Louise Kelly, Jon Klassen, Audra McDonald, Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep, and Patrick Stewart Among this Year’s Winners

LOS ANGELES, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Last night, the Audio Publishers Association (APA) unveiled the winners of the 2024 Audie Awards® at its premier awards program which recognizes distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment. The annual ceremony took place at the Avalon Hollywood in LA and was hosted by Academy Award nominated screenwriter and actor Nia Vardalos. Additionally, Lake Bell (2024 Audie Award finalist), Felicia Day (2024 Audie Award winner), and Samira Wiley (2021 Audie Award finalist) served as presenters.

Bono’s Surrender, which he authored and narrated, published by Penguin Random House Audio, earned the top honor of the evening, Audiobook of the Year. Billie Fulford-Brown was awarded the Best Fiction Narrator Award for Hazel Gaynor’s The Last Lifeboat, which was published by Penguin Random House Audio. Dion Graham won Best Non-Fiction Narrator Award for Jonathan Eig’s King: A Life, which was published by Macmillan Audio. Fulford-Brown and Graham’s wins in these categories mark the first for the newly established categories which replaced the Best Male Narrator and Best Female Narrator categories – two of the top awards that recognize the importance of performance in audio storytelling – to reflect the APA’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

2024 AUDIE AWARD WINNERS:

AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR
Surrender
Written and narrated by Bono
Published by Penguin Random House Audio

AUDIO DRAMA
Third Eye
By Felicia Day
Performed by Felicia Day, Neil Gaiman, Sean Astin, LilyPichu, London Hughes, Wil Wheaton, Hudson Yang, Danny Pudi, Alan Tudyk, and Christopher Judge
Published by Audible Originals

AUTOBIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
Making It So
Written and narrated by Patrick Stewart
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio

BEST FICTION NARRATOR
Billie Fulford-Brown for The Last Lifeboat
By Hazel Gaynor
Published by Penguin Random House Audio

BEST NON-FICTION NARRATOR
Dion Graham for King: A Life
By Jonathan Eig
Published by Macmillan Audio

BUSINESS/PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Light We Carry
Written and narrated by Michelle Obama
Published by Penguin Random House Audio

EROTICA
Anger Bang
By Avery Flynn
Narrated by Kirsten Leigh and Lance Greenfield
Published by Recorded Books

ESPAÑOL — SPANISH LANGUAGE
El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha
By Miguel de Cervantes
Narrated by Israel Elejalde, Pedro Casablanc, Pepe Viyuela, Víctor Clavijo, María Agúndez, Íñigo Álvarez de Lara, Eugenio Barona, Sol de la Barreda, Laura Carrero del Tío, David Carrillo, Raúl García Arrondo, Óscar Goikoetxea, Eugenio Gómez, Rebeca Hernando, Paula Iwasaki, Arturo Lopez, Ariana Martínez, Antonio Martínez Asensio, Íñigo Montero, Juan Ochoa, Pepe Ocio, Javier Portugués “Portu”, Ignacio Rengel, Diego Rousselon, Asier Sola, Charo Soria, Fernando Soto, and Elsa Veiga.
Published by Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial S.A.U.

FAITH-BASED FICTION OR NON-FICTION
Dark Fall
By Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson
Narrated by MacLeod Andrews
Published by Tyndale House Publishers

FANTASY
The Dragon Reborn
By Robert Jordan
Narrated by Rosamund Pike
Published by Macmillan Audio

FICTION
Tom Lake
By Ann Patchett
Narrated by Meryl Streep
Published by HarperAudio

HISTORY/BIOGRAPHY
Goodbye Christopher Robin: A.A. Milne and the Making of Winnie-the-Pooh
By Ann Thwaite, preface by Frank Cottrell-Boyce
Narrated by Simon Vance
Published by Tantor Audio, a division of Recorded Books

HUMOR
Leslie F*cking Jones
Written and narrated by Leslie Jones, foreword by Chris Rock
Published by Hachette Audio

JUDGES CATEGORY
(UK-Produced Audiobook Sponsored by the UK Publishers Association, Audio Publishers Group)
Someone Else’s Shoes
By Jojo Moyes
Narrated by Daisy Ridley
Published by Penguin Random House Audio UK

LITERARY FICTION & CLASSICS
The Iliad
By Homer, translated by Emily Wilson
Narrated by Audra McDonald
Published by Audible Studios

MIDDLE GRADE
What Happened to Rachel Riley?
By Claire Swinarski
Narrated by Ferdelle Capistrano, Alexandra Hunter, Karla Serrato, Gail Shalan, Reena Dutt, Caitlin Davies, Andrew Eiden, and Kirby Heyborne
Published by HarperAudio

MULTI-VOICED PERFORMANCE
No Two Persons
By Erica Bauermeister
Narrated by Barrie Kreinik, Braden Wright, Carol Jacobanis, Cassandra Campbell, Gabra Zackman, George Newbern, Jesse Vilinsky, Max Meyers, Rachel L. Jacobs, and Stephen Graybill
Published by Macmillan Audio

MYSTERY
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
By Jesse Q. Sutanto
Narrated by Eunice Wong
Published by Penguin Random House Audio

NARRATION BY THE AUTHOR(S)
It. Goes. So. Fast. – The Year of No Do-Overs
Written and narrated by Mary Louise Kelly
Published by Macmillan Audio

NON-FICTION
Poverty, by America
By Matthew Desmond
Narrated by Dion Graham
Published by Penguin Random House Audio

ORIGINAL WORK
Exodus: The Shanghai Jews
By Kate McAll
Performed by Edyta Brychta, Michael Canavan, Shannon Cochran, Arye Gross, Anna Mathias, Alan Shearman, André Sogliuzzo, and Joanne Whalley
Published by L.A. Theatre Works

ROMANCE
The True Love Experiment
By Christina Lauren
Narrated by Jonathan Cole and Cindy Kay
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio

SCIENCE FICTION
Cassandra in Reverse
By Holly Smale
Narrated by Kristin Atherton
Published by HarperAudio

SHORT STORIES/COLLECTIONS
Wild and Precious: A Celebration of Mary Oliver
By Mary Oliver, with the contributions by Sophia Bush, Ross Gay, Samin Nosrat, Rainn Wilson, and Susan Cain
Narrated by Sophia Bush
Published by Pushkin Industries

THRILLER/SUSPENSE
All the Sinners Bleed
By S.A. Cosby
Narrated by Adam Lazarre-White
Published by Macmillan Audio

YOUNG ADULT
This Terrible True Thing
By Jenny Laden
Narrated by Gail Shalan
Published by Blackstone Publishing

YOUNG LISTENERS
The Skull
By Jon Klassen
Narrated by Fairuza Balk and Jon Klassen
Published by Dreamscape Media

ABOUT THE AUDIE AWARDS®
The Audie Awards® is the premier awards program in the United States recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment. Publishers and rights holders enter titles in various categories for recognition of achievement. Finalists are selected, and from that group of finalists one winner is awarded. The Audie Awards® is a registered trademark of the Audio Publishers Association. To learn more about the 2024 finalists visit http://www.audiopub.org/2024audies.

ABOUT THE AUDIO PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION
The Audio Publishers Association (APA) is a not-for-profit trade organization whose primary goals are to promote awareness of the audiobook industry, gather and disseminate industry statistics, encourage high production standards and represent the interests of audiobook publishers. Since 1986, the APA has worked to bring audio publishers together to increase interest in audiobooks. For more information about the APA, please visit https://www.audiopub.org/.

ASSETS
Audie Awards logo here; courtesy of the Audio Publishers Association.
Arrivals: https://shutterstock.stockpress.co/s/audiearrivals
Show: https://shutterstock.stockpress.co/s/audiesshow
Backstage: https://shutterstock.stockpress.co/s/audiebackstage

Media Contact

Michele Cobb, Audio Publishers Association, 4013549100, mcobb@audiopub.org , https://www.audiopub.org 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/audio-publishers-association-announces-winners-of-29th-annual-audie-awards-302080264.html

SOURCE Audio Publishers Association

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Apas Port Launches $20M Vehicle Loan Initiative with HARVEST FLOW on Plume Network to Empower Financial Inclusion in Emerging Countries, Starting in Cambodia

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NEW YORK, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Apas Port Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based Web3 company dedicated to deploying “kando”—a Japanese term for deep emotional engagement—into the digital realm, has announced the launch of HARVEST FLOW, a social impact-driven cryptocurrency lending platform. Committed to “social action”ーdelivering stable returns alongside meaningful social impact, HARVEST FLOW’s inaugural project is a $20 million initiative offering loans to TukTuk and four-wheel vehicle drivers in Cambodia who don’t have access to the financial system. This venture is set to operate on Plume Network, the leading Layer 1 blockchain specialized in Real-World Asset Finance (RWAfi), offering the necessary infrastructure to transform HARVEST FLOW’s vision of financial inclusion into scalable action.

Bridging Real-World Challenges Through Blockchain Innovation

HARVEST FLOW’s mission is to empower underserved communities and small businesses by granting access to affordable financing solutions. By leveraging blockchain technology, the platform addresses critical societal issues such as poverty alleviation and economic development, creating pathways for stable financial growth while delivering measurable social impact.

The initial focus of this initiative is to provide affordable financing options for TukTuk and four-wheel vehicle drivers in Cambodia—vital tools for local livelihoods. The project not only supports job creation but also enhances financial inclusion in emerging economies.

Why Plume Network?

As the first fully integrated L1 modular blockchain tailored for RWAfi, Plume Network provides the foundation for scalable, secure, and transparent financial ecosystems. With over 180 projects onboarded in its private devnet, Plume enables seamless tokenization and distribution of RWAs through its composable, EVM-compatible infrastructure.

How Plume Powers HARVEST FLOW:

End-to-End Tokenization: Streamlines the conversion of vehicle loans into blockchain-based assets.Investor Transparency: Advanced tools to track and visualize the social and financial impact of investments.Global Scalability: Infrastructure designed to handle the growing demands of HARVEST FLOW’s multi-region projects.DeFi Integration: Unlocks liquidity through decentralized finance primitives within the Plume ecosystem.

IoT-Backed Innovation for Loan Security

HARVEST FLOW’s projects are uniquely supported by embedded IoT technology within TukTuk engines, ensuring an exceptionally low loan default rate while building investor confidence.

Justin Chen, Head of Asset Strategy at Plume Network, noted: “This project highlights the power of combining blockchain and IoT devices to create innovative financial products that drive real-world impact. We’re excited to see HARVEST FLOW’s success on Plume and the positive change it will bring to the urban motility market in Southeast Asia.”

Looking Ahead

Starting with the vehicle mobility sector through 2025, HARVEST FLOW plans to expand into other sectors addressing social challenges and needs beyond 2026. This approach aims to ensure sustainable growth while delivering meaningful societal benefits, powered by Plume’s blockchain technology.

Masaki Minamide, director of HARVEST FLOW, stated: “Plume’s infrastructure empowers us to amplify our impact and support communities in need while offering our investors transparent and reliable returns. With this launch, we continue our mission to combine blockchain technology with meaningful social action.”

For more information, visit Plume Network or contact press@plumenetwork.xyz.

About Plume Network
Plume is the first fully integrated L1 modular blockchain focused on RWAfi, offering a composable, EVM-compatible environment for onboarding and managing diverse RWAs. With 180+ projects on its private devnet, Plume provides an end-to-end tokenization engine and a network of financial infrastructure partners, simplifying asset onboarding and enabling seamless DeFi integration for RWAs.

About HARVEST FLOW
Founded in April 2023, Apas Port Co., Ltd. is a Web3 production company with a mission to deploy “kando” (deep emotional impact) globally. The company leverages blockchain technology to connect carefully curated content with a co-creative community, acting as a “passport” to a new world of Web3 experiences.

X: https://x.com/HarvestFlow_io
Website: https://www.harvestflow.io/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/apas-port-launches-20m-vehicle-loan-initiative-with-harvest-flow-on-plume-network-to-empower-financial-inclusion-in-emerging-countries-starting-in-cambodia-302339001.html

SOURCE Plume Network

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South Clackamas Business Resource Center Launches Digital Community Platform

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The Business Resource Center (BRC) of South Clackamas County unveils a new digital platform featuring an innovative business mapping system developed by COBID-certified IronGlove Studio. The website integrates advanced mapping technology with resource management tools to serve local businesses across nine communities, offering free consultations and scholarship opportunities for eligible residents.

OREGON CITY, Ore. and SOUTH CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore., Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ —  The Business Resource Center of South Clackamas County (BRC) is proud to announce the launch of its new website, https://brcscc.org, developed by Oregon City-based IronGlove Studio, LLC. The launch marks a significant expansion of its online presence and services, representing a major step forward in the BRC’s mission to support and empower local businesses and community members in the South Clackamas area.

This initiative offers an unbiased and equitable opportunity for every small business in the South Clackamas region to connect, discover, and grow through access to training, resources, and support.

Who is the Business Resource Center of South Clackamas County

The Business Resource Center (BRC) of South Clackamas County is a vital hub for small business support, resources, and training opportunities, dedicated to fostering economic growth and development in the region. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and operating until December 31, 2024, or until funding is exhausted, the BRC provides free consultations, training programs, and scholarships to empower small business owners in Gladstone, Oregon City, Beavercreek, Canby, Molalla, Mulino, Colton, Eagle Creek, and Estacada. Through initiatives like its comprehensive website and Local Business Map, the BRC connects entrepreneurs with the community, creating opportunities for growth and promoting sustainable, community-based economic development.

Key Offerings

Free Business Resource Consultations: Local entrepreneurs can access expert advice and guidance at no cost, ensuring they are not alone in their small business journey.

Exclusive Scholarship Opportunities: The BRC offers scholarships for Clackamas Community College’s Career & Technical Education programs, covering up to $3,500 per semester for eligible students in select zip codes.

Local Business Map: As part of its marketing initiative, the BRC features an innovative Local Business Map developed by IronGlove Studio. This custom solution integrates advanced mapping technology with COBID certification filters, enabling small businesses to connect with one another while providing valuable demographic insights for community stakeholders.

Website Performance

Since its soft launch in August 2024, the BRC website has quickly become a vital resource for the South Clackamas business community. The platform has attracted nearly 3,000 visitors, with users spending an average of 4 minutes engaging with the site’s resources and information. The site’s success is particularly evident in its scholarship program, which has already received 82 applications, including 6 from Spanish-speaking community members, demonstrating the BRC’s commitment to serving our diverse business community.

Strategic partnerships with Here is Oregon and Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory allowed us to create targeted social media campaigns that have helped drive over 2,000 visitors to the site, resulting in more than 7,000 total pageviews. Visitors are actively engaging with the platform’s resources, averaging 2.7 actions per visit, including accessing business resources, downloading materials, and utilizing the local business map.

The platform, developed by IronGlove Studio, LLC of Oregon City, a COBID-certified firm, showcases innovative integration of WordPress with proprietary Angular mapping technology. “The BRC website demonstrates how enterprise-level solutions can be scaled down to serve community needs,” says Derek Neuts, Owner of IronGlove Studio. “By incorporating advanced features like COBID certification filters and demographic reporting capabilities, we’ve created a platform that not only connects consumers to businesses but also provides valuable insights for community development.”

Community Support

The BRC extends its gratitude to its advocates, partners and supporters, including the previous Oregon State Senator Bill Kennemer, previous Oregon State Representative (now Senator) — Mark Meek, the Chambers of Commerce for Canby, Estacada, Molalla and Oregon City, the Cities of Colton and Gladstone and the Hamlets of Beavercreek and Mulino.

“The launch of our comprehensive website marks a significant milestone in our commitment to supporting the South Clackamas County business community,” said Shatrine Krake, Director of Communications at the Business Resource Center of South Clackamas County. “This initiative offers an unbiased and equitable opportunity for every small business in the South Clackamas region to connect, discover, and grow through access to training, resources, and support.”

For more information or to schedule a free business consultation, visit https://brcscc.org.

Media Contact

Shatrine Krake, Director of Communications, Business Resource Center of South Clackamas County, 1 503-656-1619, shatrine@brcscc.org, https://brcscc.org/

Technical Development Contact: Derek Neuts, IronGlove Studio LLC, 1 503-501-4645, contact@ironglove.studio, https://www.ironglove.studio

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/south-clackamas-business-resource-center-launches-digital-community-platform-302338692.html

SOURCE Business Resource Center of South Clackamas County

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Tickets to the $1 Billion Mega Millions Draw available this Christmas Eve on Jackpot.com

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One lucky winner could take home game’s seventh billion-dollar prize during Christmas Eve drawing

New Jackpot.com customers can claim a free Mega Millions ticket on their first play with promo code XMAS

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With Christmas Day just hours away, lottery players across the country are preparing for an extraordinary opportunity to take home Mega Millions’ seventh-largest Jackpot as a winner has not won the grand prize in the last 29 drawings, dating back to September 10th when a Texas resident took home $810 million.

2024 has already been a record-breaking year for the lottery as it hit the ground running with a massive $842.4 million Powerball win on New Year’s Day. Shortly after, a second lucky winner took home a staggering $1.13 billion Mega Millions prize in March, followed by a $1.326 billion Powerball jackpot in April, all of which signify some of the largest prizes ever awarded.

2025 represents a significant year for Mega Millions players, as the game as they know it will undergo a variety of changes come April. The game will feature larger starting jackpots, expedited rollover growth, and better odds. Lottery courier services like Jackpot.com eagerly await these welcome changes, which will not only enhance gameplay, but also elevate player experience(s).

“There’s a lot to like about the upcoming changes to Mega Millions,” said CEO and co-founder of Jackpot.com, Akshay Khanna. “Whether you’re a casual player or avid lottery user, the faster-growing jackpots, improved odds, and built-in multipliers will offer an entirely new feel to the game – hopefully one that encourages new players to get in on the action. That said, we have a one billion-dollar prize just before Christmas and potentially the ultimate present for one lucky winner, a life-changing gift at that.”

While tonight’s drawing occurs on Christmas Eve, the Mega Millions jackpot has been won just once on the “Eve.” Back in 2002, a $68 million jackpot was won in New York, unfortunately going unclaimed.

Currently available in Colorado, Massachusetts, Arkansas, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Arizona, New Jackpot.com customers can get in on the fun this holiday by scoring a free Mega Millions ticket on their first play by using promo code XMAS.

Amid the Mega Millions frenzy, Jackpot.com remains committed to upholding responsible gaming protocols through the integration of modern conveniences and safety guardrails, one of the standout features of digital lottery platforms. Through responsible gaming protections including spend limits, default limits on daily deposits, access to local and national responsible gambling resources, self-exclusion, self-suspension and automated notifications that offer help should problematic behavior arise, Jackpot.com ensures safe and secure transactions and play. The platform is also the only lottery courier service to launch with iCap certification from the National Council on Problem Gambling.

To get started, download the Jackpot.com Lottery App on the iOS or Android App Stores, or visit www.jackpot.com to learn more.

About Jackpot.com

Jackpot.com allows customers to order official state lottery tickets from their mobile phone, tablet, or computer. Currently available in Colorado, Massachusetts, Arkansas, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Texas, Jackpot.com is expanding its safe and secure lottery courier service to additional markets across the US. An Associate Member of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), Jackpot.com has invested significantly in responsible gaming safeguards, with default spending limits and other features built in throughout the experience, earning it iCap certification from the National Council on Problem Gaming. To learn more, visit www.jackpot.com or download the iOS or Android app.

Jason Heller
Senior Vice President
212.584.4278| 5WPR.com
3 Park Avenue, Floor 19
New York, NY 10016

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tickets-to-the-1-billion-mega-millions-draw-available-this-christmas-eve-on-jackpotcom-302339022.html

SOURCE Jackpot.com

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