Author: DECOSTA Global

Los-Angeles based pop singer, Aleem, made his Canadian debut in Toronto earlier this summer.  He received a warm reception, climbing the Hot Tracks list on iTunes in Canada after the release of his first single off the LP, Find Out. Due to his talent and success, Aleem was asked to walk the runway and perform at Toronto Men’s Fashion Week [TOM*FW] held this week, August 17 – 20, 2016.

Aleem will be walking the runway for Gotstyle at the MENSFASHION4HOPE show, which will be held at Mattamy Athletic Centre, 50 Carlton Street, West at 8:00 pm on Thursday, August 18, 2016. Aleem will also be performing his first single off his debut LP Open Letters, Find Out, during the Emerging Menswear Designer Awards (EMDAs) at 10:00 pm on Saturday, August 20, 2016. After TOM*, Aleem will kick off a three city tour to close out the summer.

Aleem teamed up with renowned producers to work on his EP, including Ryan Stewart and Jon Levine, who have worked with Carly Rae Jepsen and Selena Gomez, respectively. The album contains five singles.

Born in Chicago, Aleem’s distinct and original sound comes from musical influences ranging from hip hop and jazz all the way to funk and punk music. In 2015, Aleem was the opening act for American Idol standout Joshua Ladet at the SXSW Festival. When he’s not recording music, Aleem works in partnership with Best Buddies International.

About Aleem

Aleem is a singer/songwriter whose soulful music feature memorable hooks, sparkling harmonies and inventive rhythms. His expressive voice and guitar playing combine to tell stories about love, heartbreak, joy, loneliness and self-discovery. Aleem shows musical influence from a wide range of artists, including John Mayer, The Script and Bruno Mars.

Aleem began his professional music career when he contacted Grammy Award-winning producer Craig Bauer in hopes of a potential collaboration. Impressed by Aleem’s home-recorded tracks, Bauer invited him to his studio to co-write Aleem’s debut LP, Open Letters.

For more information visit:
http://www.aleemmusic.com/

Like Aleem on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AleemMusic

Follow Aleem on Twitter:

@AleemMusic

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Available for interviews:
Aleem

Los-Angeles based pop singer, Aleem, is making his Canadian debut in Toronto in Summer 2016.  Aleem will host a private listening party on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at The Spoke Club (600 King Street West, M5V 1M3) in downtown Toronto to promote his debut LP Open Letters.

Aleem has teamed up with renowned producers to work on his upcoming LP, including Ryan Stewart and Jon Levine, who have worked with Carly Rae Jepsen and Selena Gomez, respectively. The album contains five singles; the first single off the LP, Find Out, was released on June 1, 2016.

Born in Chicago, Aleem’s distinct and original sound comes from musical influences ranging from hip hop and jazz all the way to funk and punk music. In 2015, Aleem was the opening act for American Idol standout Joshua Ledet at the SXSW Festival.

After his Canadian listening party August 10th, Aleem will kick off a three-city tour with dates in late summer 2016. His first appearance is scheduled for August 20, 2016, opening for Soul Asylum at the Milwaukee Zoo A La Carte.

When he’s not recording music, Aleem works in partnership with Best Buddies International, an organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates one-on-one friendships and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. During his show at Summerfest in Milwaukee on July 13, Aleem invited one of his Best Buddies, Jacob, onto the stage with him.

About Aleem

Aleem is a singer/songwriter whose soulful music feature memorable hooks, sparkling harmonies and inventive rhythms. His expressive voice and guitar playing combine to tell stories about love, heartbreak, joy, loneliness and self-discovery. Aleem shows musical influence from a wide range of artists, including John Mayer, The Script and Bruno Mars.

Aleem began his professional music career when he contacted Grammy Award-winning producer Craig Bauer in hopes of a potential collaboration. Impressed by Aleem’s home-recorded tracks, Bauer invited him to his studio to co-write Aleem’s debut LP, Open Letters.

For more information visit:
http://www.aleemmusic.com/

Like Aleem on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AleemMusic

Follow Aleem on Twitter:

@AleemMusic

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Available for interviews:
Aleem

On Friday, June 24, 2016, Toronto-based security and protection company Regal Security Inc. has partnered with the YMCA of Greater Toronto to provide youth in the city with career and employment opportunities. In partnership with the YMCA’s youth employment services program, Regal is committed to providing jobs for recent graduates and other young individuals throughout the GTA.

“Our relationship with the YMCA is young, but we will grow this relationship over time,” says Carrie Cowton, Director of Operations. “The YMCA has programs to assist youth with their working careers and we have opportunities for them as well. This is a good fit for both Regal and the YMCA.”

Regal is a regular exhibitor at job fairs across the city. As the company celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year, it also has plans to expand beyond the GTA and expects to grow across all of Ontario, and eventually the rest of Canada, in the next few years. With the expansion, Regal expects to be able to provide a larger number of jobs to youth throughout the province.

Not only is Regal committed to providing youth with employment, but the company is also dedicated to connecting its clients to its employees to foster a greater working relationship.

“These events are great for putting people together,” says Nick Vetere, CEO. “We want to let our clients know how much we appreciate them by organizing a fun event where everyone can get to know each other and learn more about our company. This is a good chance for our employees and clients to network and build lasting relationships.”

Regal Security Inc. has organized two client appreciation events. The first one, held at Speducci Mercatto, was geared toward Regal’s male clientele. Around 60 clients and employees got the chance to make sausages the old fashioned way in a workshop led by award-winning chef Gabriele Paganelli. The second event was held at LUXE Appliance Studio for Regal’s female clientele. The guests who attended were able to enjoy a fun afternoon of gourmet cooking lessons focused on summer recipes led by executive chef Nikko Jacino.

About Regal Security

Regal Security Inc. is operated by security industry professionals and understands the attention to detail necessary to provide the highest level of service in the fields of concierge and security. Regal security guards are known as Everyday Superheroes™. They are friendly, well-trained and proud as they go above and beyond the call of duty to uphold Regal’s high standards and guiding principle of Strength and Honor. Regal Security Inc. provides a variety of security services including concierge, front desk management, CCTV surveillance, mobile security, patrols, on-site guarding, access control, security training and much more.

Regal’s Everyday Superheroes™ are selected and trained to protect the clients’ assets, property, employees, tenants, and residents using a custom-designed security solution for every client. Regal Security guards are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and immediate response and resolution are just a phone call away.

Like Regal Security Inc. on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Regal-Security-Inc-1428969430746429/timeline/

Follow Regal Security Inc. on Twitter and Instagram:
@RegalSecurity

Visit the Regal Security Inc. website:
http://www.regalsecurity.ca/

Follow Pennant Media Group on Twitter:
@PennantMedia

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Available for interviews:
Nick Vetere, CEO
Carrie Cowton, Director of Operations
Gary Del Bianco, VP Business Development

Canada’s fashion, beauty and lifestyle publication HOLR Magazine kicks off the summer with a brand new website makeover. Relaunched in May, www.holrmagazine.com boasts a sleek new design, in time for the magazine’s next issue.

HOLR’s May/June edition features acclaimed actor Anhony Anderson, star of ABC’s hit show Black-ish. In his interview, Anthony gives readers insight into his 20-year journey in Hollywood, which was rooted in his humble beginnings as a youth growing up in Compton, California. Anthony reflects on his life, then and now, as he continues to navigate through the entertainment industry and Hollywood.

Since its launch, HOLR Magazine has grown nationally and is now a multiplatform publication. Readers can now enjoy the magazine on the cross-digital magazine newsstand Magzter, which offers its services to thousands of magazines. HOLR will be available for free on Magzter for the remainder of 2016. Magzter is available for download on all mobile and tablet devices.

With a focus on fashion, lifestyle and beauty, HOLR Magazine serves men and women across the richly diverse communities of Canada. The bi-monthly publication is a go-to source on the topics that matter most to readers. HOLR features the latest in fashion, beauty, entertainment and travel, as well as advice for navigating relationships, careers, education and more.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart newsstands and Chapters/Indigo bookstores nationally, the leaders in Canada’s retail drug store marketplace and book, gift and specialty toy retailers, respectively, HOLR aims to celebrate, inspire and connect an audience that is passionate, supportive and actively seeking diverse content. With arresting visuals delivered in a high-gloss format, HOLR will have readers talking.

For more information, visit:

http://www.holrmagazine.com/

Like HOLR Magazine on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/HOLRMagazine

Follow HOLR Magazine on Twitter:

@HOLRmagazine

Follow HOLR Magazine on Instagram:

Instagram.com/holrmagazine

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Available for interviews:

Ingrie Williams, Editor-in-Chief

Neil Shelton, Publisher

On Thursday, June 16, 2016, Toronto-based security and protection company Regal Security Inc. is hosting its first annual Women’s Appreciation Event. The event will take place at the LUXE Appliance Studio (334 King Street East, M5A 1L3) from 2 PM to 6 PM. Guests will be able to enjoy an afternoon of gourmet cooking lessons focused on summer recipes led by Executive Chef Nikko Jacino. Also making a guest appearance will be Interior Designer Kate Davidson who will share home décor tips for summer entertaining.

Regal previously held a client appreciation event at Speducci Mercatto for their male clientele. Around 60 clients got the chance to make sausages the old fashioned way in a workshop led by award-winning chef Gabriele Paganelli.

“These events are great for putting people together,” says Nick Vetere, CEO. “We want to let our clients know how much we appreciate them by organizing a fun event where everyone can get to know each other and learn more about our company. This is a good chance for our employees and clients to network and build lasting relationships.”

Based in the Greater Toronto Area, Regal Security Inc. celebrates its 10^th Anniversary this year. The company has plans to expand beyond the GTA and expects to grow across all of Ontario, and eventually the rest of Canada, in the next few years. Regal currently operates mostly in residential buildings. Part of the expansion process includes plans for Regal Security to lend its services to an increased number of corporate, commercial and industrial properties.

Committed to giving back to the community, Regal Security Inc. also recently announced its charitable initiative with the YMCA of Greater Toronto. Regal has partnered with the YMCA’s youth employment services program to provide jobs for recent graduates and other young individuals throughout the GTA. Dedicated to providing career opportunities to youth and other job seekers, Regal is a regular exhibitor at job fairs across the city. As the company expands, Regal expects to be able to provide a larger number of jobs to youth throughout the province.

About Regal Security

Regal Security Inc. is operated by security industry professionals and understands the attention to detail necessary to provide the highest level of service in the fields of concierge and security. Regal security guards are known as Everyday Superheroes™. They are friendly, well-trained and proud as they go above and beyond the call of duty to uphold Regal’s high standards and guiding principle of Strength and Honor. Regal Security Inc. provides a variety of security services including concierge, front desk management, CCTV surveillance, mobile security, patrols, on-site guarding, access control, security training and much more.

Regal’s Everyday Superheroes™ are selected and trained to protect the clients’ assets, property, employees, tenants, and residents using a custom-designed security solution for every client. Regal Security guards are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and immediate response and resolution are just a phone call away.

Like Regal Security Inc. on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Regal-Security-Inc-1428969430746429/timeline/

Follow Regal Security Inc. on Twitter and Instagram:

@RegalSecurity

Visit the Regal Security Inc. website:
http://www.regalsecurity.ca/

Follow Pennant Media Group on Twitter:

@PennantMedia

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Available for interviews:
Nick Vetere, CEO
Carrie Cowton, Director of Operations
Gary Del Bianco, VP Business Development

Visual artist Shaan Taseer will make his Canadian debut with his new exhibit Love in the Time of Mufti Naeem at the Promenade Gallery (0943B Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga) on Saturday, May 14, 2016. The official opening of the exhibition begins at 4 PM and the exhibition will remain open until May 30, 2016.

Inspired by the current cultural wars in Pakistan, the solo exhibition will feature around 20 pieces of art. The exhibit is named after Mufti Naeem, the Chancellor of Jamia Binoria International, a religious seminary in Karachi, Pakistan, who is notorious for his views on religious policing. Shaan Taseer’s art exhibit is a reflection of a society that is fighting the forces of talibanization, in a time where the citizens are under religious assault and being stripped of their civil rights.

“Through my art, I am telling the story of a society that is being talibanized slowly yet is fighting back bravely,” says Shaan Taseer. “I let the city tell this story.”

Shaan’s watercolours are inspired by his travels. Through silent cities his art consistently shows the affect of human culture on society. Shaan Taseer is an activist and a philanthropist, helping the victims of religious extremism in his home country. He has led protests on the streets of Pakistan against the Taliban, and has lost friends in this fight, as well as his late father, Salmaan Taseer, the slain Governor of Punjab.

The town of Richmond Hill graciously provided Shaan Taseer with a cultural grant for this art exhibition. Love in the Time of Mufti Naeem opens on May 14, 2016 at 4 PM at the Promenade Gallery in Mississauga. The exhibit will remain open Tuesday to Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. until May 30, 2016.

About Shaan Taseer

Shaan Taseer is a self taught artist, activist and philanthropist, and a Chartered Accountant.

In his works he paints the metaphorical and silent city, documented from his travels around the world, often undisturbed by human presence, seeking to engage the viewer’s imagination with abstract interplays of light and shadow, and strong color vocabulary.

Son of Salmaan Taseer, the late slain Governor of Punjab in Pakistan, Shaan has been personally affected by extremism. Violence and extremism are recurring themes throughout his work, captured through the city and often juxtaposed with elements of pop-culture.

Shaan Taseer has exhibited in Chowkandi Gallery Karachi in March 2015 and the Affordable Art Fair in New York in September 2015. This is his debut show in Canada.

Like Shaan Taseer on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/shaan.taseer

Visit Shaan Taseer’s website:
http://www.shaantaseer.com

Follow Pennant Media Group on Twitter:

@PennantMedia

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Available for interviews:
Shaan Taseer

On Tuesday, April 19, 2016, British Columbia-based production companies Sociable Films and Rare Little Bird Pictures in association with CocoMilk Productions are launching their collaborative web series Paranormal Solutions Inc., a single-camera, paranormal-adventure-comedy. Paranormal Solutions Inc. combines the high stakes, creature-filled storylines and impressive visual effects of traditional sci-fi programming with the wit and dry humour of primetime comedy.

Paranormal Solutions Inc. follows Jared (David Milchard, Streamy Award Winner, Best Actor in a Comedy), the straight-laced co-founder of Paranormal Solutions Inc. who is looking to rebrand the company to no longer specialize in ghosts exclusively by creating the slogan, “We believe in EVERYTHING!” Sarah (Julia Benson), Jared’s ex and co-founder, is not completely on board with the rebranding idea, but appreciates the new business that’s drummed up. With their team, Jared and Sarah document their attempts to capture, authenticate and expel the spirits, and respond to other supernatural happenings in the Pacific Northwest.

A comedy first and foremost, Paranormal Solutions Inc. also aims to be a legitimate destination for hardcore sci-fi fans. The core of the series asks the question, “If we were to encounter this for real, what would we actually do?” With the setting of the story identical to modern day lives with the only exception of monsters being real, comic situations arise. The heroes of the series have to face real consequences such as who deals with cleanups after buildings are destroyed and whether killing a werewolf counts as homicide. By approaching a paranormal world from this point of view, the series creates a dark, insightful, situational comedy.

The first season of the series will consist of eight 10-minute standalone episodes. Each episode deals with a different paranormal phenomenon with a comic twist, and each main episode will spawn two companion episodes connected to the narrative. In total there will be 10 videos a week of extended world building content allowing the viewer to explore different elements of the show and the characters.

Paranormal Solutions Inc. is a joint project by production companies Sociable Films and Rare Little Bird Pictures. At the helm of the project are David Milchard, Nicholas Carella and Michelle Ouellet, who are producers, stars and writers of two of the most successful web series to come out of Canada – The True Heroines and Convos With My 2-Year-Old.

The series will premiere on brand new YouTube Channel CocoMilkTV operated by CocoMilk Productions, Matt Clarke (creator of Convos With My 2-Year-Old) and David Milchard.

About Paranormal Solutions Inc.

Paranormal Solutions Inc. is a joint venture by British Columbia-based production companies Sociable Films and Rare Little Bird Pictures in association with CocoMilk Productions, and is funded by the Independent Producers Fund and Telus Optik Local. Also playing a part in the production of the series are BiG RiG Productions, which provides the series with an inventory of cameras and lighting gear, and Pixel Assembly, a small visual effects house based in Vancouver.

About Sociable Films

Sociable Films is a boutique film production company based in Vancouver, BC, that boasts an impressive and critically acclaimed body of work since being founded by Nicholas Carella, Ali Liebert and Michelle Ouellet in 2011. Its work includes award-winning the feature film Afterparty, short films When I Saw You and This Feels Nice, and the web series The True Heroines.

About Rare Little Bird Pictures

Rare Little Bird Pictures, founded by Christina Sicoli and David Milchard, aims to create “a medley of oddities” specializing in offbeat humour. Projects include Lucille in Love, 60 Seconds with Sicoli and the upcoming feature films Help Needed and Small Cop. David Milchard is also producer, director and star in the hit YouTube series Convos With My 2-Year-Old.

About CocoMilk Productions

Founded by Matt Clarke and David Milchard, CocoMilk Productions is behind Convos With My 2-Year-Old and the bold new YouTube Channel CocoMilkTV. Awards for best web series include the Canadian Comedy Award, Banff Rockie Award, ScreenChart, Hollyweb Festival (Best International) Streamy Award nomination and others. CocoMilk is launching a Patreon page where fans can support the new series and formats they will be producing.

Like Paranormal Solutions Inc. on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/paranomalsolutionsinc

Follow Paranormal Solutions Inc. on Twitter and Instagram:

@PSIseries

Watch the Paranormal Solutions Inc. trailer:

https://youtu.be/Y-QWbtLtpv0

Subscribe to CocoMilkTV on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrO_2GfTzohb_A8kbTTtvPw

Follow CocoMilkTV on Twitter and Instagram:
@CocoMilkTV

Like CocoMilkTV on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CocoMilkTV/

Follow Pennant Media Group on Twitter:

@PennantMedia

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Available for interviews:
David Milchard
Nicholas Carella
Michelle Ouellet

Canadian actor Kate Drummond co-stars as Nikki Bender, best friend of Brooke Shields’ Abby Knight, in new murder mystery series Flower Shop Mystery. A Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original, the first installment of the series, Flower Shop Mystery: Mum’s the Word, will premiere on Canada’s W Network on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 9 p.m.

Based on the bestselling series by Kate Collins and directed by Bradley Walsh, Flower Shop Mystery: Mum’s the Word first premiered in the United States on Sunday, January 17, 2016, and made network history by becoming the most watched January original premiere in Hallmark. The story follows Abby Knight (Brooke Shields), a former lawyer turned florist who starts her life over after the death of her husband. After a black SUV rams into her vintage car, Abby tries to track the driver down only to get caught up in a murder mystery where her good friend is the prime suspect and everything links back to the hit and run. The series also stars Beau Bridges and Brennan Elliott.

The second movie of the series, Flower Shop Mystery: Snipped in the Bud, will premiere in the U.S. on Sunday, April 24, 2016, and the third installment, Dearly Depotted, is currently in post-production. Kate will be back in North Bay to start shooting the fourth and fifth movies of the series in Fall 2016.

Kate also stars as the driven and intimidating biomedical engineer Dr. Jessica Kandel in Ubisoft’s latest video game Tom Clancy’s The Division, which was released on March 8, 2016 and broke multiple Ubisoft sales records in its first 24 hours with more than one million copies of the game sold. The game also set records for the highest single-day sales of full game downloads for Ubisoft across all the platforms on which it is available – PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One.

No stranger to the industry, this full performance capture role is not Kate’s first in a hit video game and most definitely will not be her last. She also starred in the main role of Anna Grimsdottir in Ubisoft’s internationally acclaimed video game Splinter Cell: Blacklist and she also just wrapped yet another lead role in an undisclosed game title.

Kate will also be appearing as Agent Lucado, a recurring character in the new SEVEN24 Films series Wynonna Earp. The contemporary thriller about a modern day gunslinger and paranormal crime fighting has a cast and crew that is exclusively Canadian and premiered April 4, 2016 on CHCH. The series will also air on Syfy in the United States. Kate’s Agent Lucado will show up mid-season, with her first appearance scheduled for Saturday, June 4, 2016.
Kate made her writing and directorial debut recently with feature film, Go Fish. Starring Gillian Wetherald, Rocky Keller, Shaina Silver-Baird and Mark Ettlinger, the film is currently in post-production and has an anticipated release in 2016.

Also on the lineup for Kate is the lead role of Taylor working opposite Ian Matthews (Bitten, Orphan Black) in Jonathan Bensimon’s short film County Time funded by BravoFACT. Written by Josh Peace (You Might As Well Live, Up in Cottage Country), the film is based on his experiences living in Huron County, and his time spent with some larger than life characters.

Kate is a former elementary school teacher of over a decade who switched careers late in life and is an advocate for people following their dreams like she has. On May 8, 2014, Kate was the opening speaker at TEDx in Oshawa, where she told her story of Chasing Dreams and Beginning Again. Her presentation has connected her globally with many people who are also on their path to reaching their goals.

Kate is also committed to philanthropic work, organizing Toronto’s first Street Store in 2014. Only the fourth of its kind in Canada, the store is a community-based pop-up shop where quality clothing and other items donated by the community, were given to the homeless and needy in a dignified, retail setting. Held for one day, more than 300 homeless took part and all leftover items were donated to Engage and Change, further helping the city’s homeless.

About Kate Drummond

Kate Drummond is a highly sought after Canadian actor whose diverse work experience includes film, television, voiceover, stage and video games. She has appeared in numerous television series and movies, and is currently co-starring with Brooke Shields and Beau Bridges in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ newest Flower Shop Mystery Series, which pulled the largest debut audience in network history with its January 2016 premiere of Mum’s The Word. She will also be appearing as a recurring guest star in the upcoming Syfy series Wynonna Earp premiering in both Canada and the United States in April 2016. Not confined to film and television, Kate has acted in numerous hit video games, most notably the roles of Anna Grimsdottir in Ubisoft’s internationally acclaimed video game Splinter Cell: Blacklist and Jessica Kandel in its newest release Tom Clancy’s The Division. Some of Kate’s other credits include original Hallmark movies Lead With Your Heart alongside Billy Baldwin and Good Witch. Most recently, Kate has made appearances in series and movies such as the Oscar-nominated Room, The Informant, CAT. 8, Beauty and the Beast, Being Human and Covert Affairs.

As a former elementary school teacher who became an actor later in life, Kate is an advocate for people following their dreams. In May 2014, Kate was the opening speaker at TEDx in Oshawa, where she told her story of Chasing Dreams and Beginning Again. The presentation has connected her globally with many people who are also on their path to reaching their goals. Along with her acting career, Kate is an active member of her community, working with charities such as Gamers for Sandy Hook, Habitat for Humanity, the Breast Cancer Foundation, OSPCA and KidSport Ontario. She organized Toronto’s first Street Store in 2014, a community-based pop-up shop where quality clothing and other items donated by the community were given to the homeless and needy in a dignified, retail setting. Held for one day, more than 300 homeless took part and all leftover items were donated to Engage and Change, further helping the city’s homeless.

Like Kate Drummond on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ActorKateDrummond

Follow Kate Drummond on Twitter:

@KateDrummond_

Watch Kate’s TED Talk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOsD2N96CU0

Follow Pennant Media Group on Twitter:

@PennantMedia

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Available for interviews:
Kate Drummond