FEATURED NEWS
- July 13, 2026Travel & Leisure
Nauty 360 Announces Continued Growth Across Nine International Coastal Markets with Enhanced Private Yacht Booking Experience
Nauty 360 today announced the continued expansion of its private yacht booking services across nine international coastal destinations while reinforcing a standardized booking experience designed to provide greater transparency and faster reservation confirmations for travelers seeking private boating experiences. The announcement reflects the company's ongoing growth strategy as demand for private and personalized travel experiences continues to increase across destinations in the Caribbean, Latin America, Mexico, and the United States. Since its founding in 2018, Nauty 360 has expanded from its original operations in Cartagena, Colombia, to serve customers in Cartagena, Miami, Cancún, Tulum, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Casa de Campo, Punta Cana, and Fort Lauderdale. The company stated that the expanded service model focuses on providing a consistent customer experience across every destination by standardizing key booking elements. Every reservation includes a licensed captain and fuel, while booking confirmations are provided within two hours, helping travelers understand exactly what is included before completing a reservation. "Our objective has always been to make private yachting more accessible through a booking process that is transparent and straightforward," said Juan Carlos Moniz, Founder of Nauty 360. "As the company continues to grow internationally, maintaining consistent service standards across every destination remains a priority." Supporting Consistent Service Standards Across Multiple Markets As Nauty 360 has expanded into multiple coastal destinations, the company has implemented standardized operating procedures intended to provide a similar customer experience regardless of booking location. Captains operating through the platform maintain certifications required within their respective jurisdictions, including DIMAR certification in Colombia and United States Coast Guard certification for operations in Miami. The company stated that these requirements support local regulatory compliance while helping deliver consistent service across markets. The standardized booking process also provides customers with clear information regarding included services before confirming reservations, reducing uncertainty that can occur during the planning process. Responding to Evolving Travel Preferences The company stated that the continued expansion reflects increasing consumer interest in private travel experiences that offer flexibility and personalized itineraries. Customers use Nauty 360's services for a range of occasions, including family vacations, anniversary celebrations, milestone birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette gatherings, snorkeling excursions, fishing trips, island hopping experiences, sunset cruises, and private day charters. By maintaining consistent booking standards across destinations, the company aims to simplify the reservation process while allowing travelers to customize their experiences according to local attractions and individual preferences. Company Growth Since Launch Since launching operations in 2018, Nauty 360 has served more than 11,700 customers across its international markets. The company reports maintaining an aggregate customer rating of approximately 4.9 stars across its supported destinations. In addition to its operational growth, Nauty 360 was recognized by Forbes as part of the publication's "30 Promesas 2020" list, highlighting emerging businesses demonstrating growth potential within the region. The company stated that maintaining consistent service quality while expanding internationally has remained a central operational objective throughout its development. Ongoing Focus on Booking Transparency As part of the announcement, Nauty 360 reaffirmed its commitment to providing a booking experience centered on transparent pricing, clearly defined service inclusions, and timely reservation confirmations. According to the company, these operational standards are intended to simplify the planning process for travelers while supporting confidence throughout the reservation experience. The company expects to continue strengthening its presence across its existing destinations while further enhancing the customer booking experience through operational improvements that emphasize consistency, efficiency, and service transparency. About Nauty 360 Founded in 2018 by Juan Carlos Moniz, Nauty 360 is a private yacht and boat booking company serving travelers across Cartagena, Miami, Cancún, Tulum, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Casa de Campo, Punta Cana, and Fort Lauderdale. The company provides private boating experiences supported by standardized booking practices, licensed captains, and transparent service inclusions. Learn more about Nauty 360 , explore or book your next private boating experience. Follow the company's latest updates on Instagram , connect through LinkedIn , or contact help@nauty360.com for media and business inquiries.
- July 13, 2026Technology
Mentient Launches Brand Monitoring for the AI Era, Scanning Reddit and Forums Where Reputations Are Now Decided
Brand reputation is being decided on Reddit and in AI answers, where keyword alerts rarely look When buyers ask AI which vendor to pick, ChatGPT and Google's AI Overviews name only three or four brands. Mentient, opening to general availability today, monitors the Reddit threads, forums, and reviews those answers are built from. The conversations that decide a company's reputation have moved off Google. Buyers now form opinions inside Reddit threads, YouTube comments, niche forums, and the AI answers they read before they ever reach a website. Gartner reported in 2026 that 70% of enterprise buyers use AI for vendor research. When one of those tools answers the question “which vendor should I pick,” ChatGPT and Google's AI Overviews name only three or four brands, and they assemble that shortlist from the open web most monitoring tools never read. The behavior changed fast. The share of US consumers using AI at the product discovery stage reached 35% in 2026, up from 13.6% two years earlier. Adobe Analytics measured the same current from a different angle: AI-driven traffic to US retail sites on Cyber Monday 2025 ran 670% ahead of the year before. Buyers are asking a model before they open a search box, and the model's answer is only as good as the sources behind it. Those sources are unevenly generous. Perplexity tends to cite around thirteen brands in an answer and Gemini roughly eight, while ChatGPT and Google's AI Overviews settle on three or four. On the platforms most buyers reach for first, the distance between making the list and missing it comes down to a handful of mentions on the right threads. A brand absent from those upstream conversations is absent from the answer, and it never learns why. Legacy tools were built for press releases and indexed news. They match a keyword and count it, so they miss the mention that never uses your exact brand name and read a sarcastic “oh good, another outage” as praise. Reddit is where much of this plays out, and it carries outsized weight: ChatGPT's training data leans on it heavily, and Perplexity crawls community threads and cites them inline. In a single scan of one mid-size agency's brand, Mentient surfaced 244 mentions that Google Alerts had never sent, most of them buried in comment threads and listicles. Mentient reads instead of matching. Mentient's AI takes each mention in full and returns a plain-English read on sentiment, topic, and urgency. “Ten years ago, your reputation lived on the first page of Google. Today it lives in a Reddit thread you were never tagged in and an AI answer you will never be shown,” said Pooja Agrawal , founder and CEO of Mentient . “Businesses do not need louder alerts. They need to understand what is being said about them, in context, while there is still time to respond.” The platform scans Reddit across all public subreddits, along with news sites, blogs, review platforms, forums, developer communities such as Hacker News and Stack Overflow, and YouTube, around the clock. Mentient's AI reads each mention in full and scores its sentiment, topic, and urgency in plain English. Crisis Detection learns a brand's normal rate of negative mentions and sends a separate alert when negativity climbs above that baseline, usually while a thread is still small enough to answer well. When a reply is warranted, an AI drafter suggests an on-brand response the user reviews and sends. Mentient never posts on anyone's behalf. “Alerts tell you something happened. They do not tell you whether it matters,” said Pooja. “We built Mentient so a small team can see the difference between a passing complaint and the start of a real problem at a glance, and so the final word always belongs to a person.” Mentient is available now at mentient.io. Plans start at $65 a month, setup takes about five minutes, and there is no sales call. The shift is not slowing. As more buying decisions run through AI systems that summarize the open web, the brands that know what that web is saying about them, early and in context, will be the ones that shape the story. Mentient's aim is to give every company that ability, the kind that used to require an enterprise contract and a full-time analyst, at the price of a tool. About Mentient Mentient is brand monitoring built for companies without a PR department. It continuously scans Reddit, news sites, blogs, forums, review platforms, developer communities, and YouTube for mentions of your brand and competitors. Instead of keyword matching, AI reads each mention in context and classifies sentiment, topic, and urgency in plain English. Crisis detection flags unusual spikes in negative mentions the moment they form, alerts arrive by email or Slack, and an AI reply-drafter suggests on-brand responses you review and send yourself. Plans start at $65/month, and setup takes about five minutes, no sales call required.
- July 13, 2026Business
Allianz General makes home protection smarter with multi-year coverage and exclusive rewards
Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad (Allianz General) continues its 25th anniversary celebration by making home protection smarter and more rewarding with the Smart Home Cover Multi-Year Plan, offering three years of uninterrupted coverage and a complimentary 2-in-1 Hotpot & Barbecue Grill Cooker for eligible policies starting 1 July 2026. Allianz General’s Smart Home Cover is a comprehensive home insurance solution designed to provide customers with smarter, more flexible home coverage tailored to their needs, ensuring peace of mind for homeowners, tenants and landlords. With the Multi-Year Plan, customers can enjoy three years of uninterrupted protection with a single premium payment, eliminating the hassle of annual renewals while benefitting from lower premiums. “Allianz General is committed to delivering value and convenience to our customers. With this campaign, the Smart Home Cover Multi-Year Plan not only ensures long-term protection for your home but also rewards our customers with an exclusive gift,” said Sean Wang, Chief Executive Officer of Allianz General. With the increasing risks of natural disasters and unforeseen events, safeguarding one’s home is no longer optional, but a high priority. Allianz General’s Smart Home Cover goes beyond basic home insurance, offering a comprehensive, all-in-one solution that includes protection for home structure, contents and even additional benefits such as Mortgage Loan Installment Protection, HomeFix and Landlord Insurance. Customers who opt for the Multi-Year Plan will not only enjoy lower premiums and uninterrupted three-year protection, but also free reinstatement for the first two valid losses paid under the HouseOwner or HouseHolder components. To redeem the complimentary exclusive gift, customers can follow the steps below: 1. Contact an authorised Allianz General agent to purchase a Smart Home Cover Multi-Year policy with minimum gross premium of RM1,000. Only new policies are eligible; customers who previously held an annual Smart Home Cover policy and subsequently converted to the Multi-Year option during renewal will also be eligible for the complimentary gift. 2. Provide a valid mobile number and email address to the servicing agent during policy issuance. 3. Receive one (1) complimentary 2-in-1 Hotpot & Barbeque Grill Cooker within 30 working days from the policy issuance date, upon confirmation of delivery address via email. The campaign will run from 1 July 2026 until the total number of cookers given away reaches 1,000 units. The giveaway is on a first-come first-served basis. For more information on Allianz General’s Smart Home Cover Multi-Year Plan and this campaign, please visit: https://www.allianz.com.my/personal/home-motor-and-travel/home/smart-home-cover.html
- July 12, 2026Business
AVIDLOVE Introduces Summer Lingerie Collection Featuring Lightweight Fabrics and Versatile Designs
With changing seasonal lifestyles and growing demand for comfortable, stylish apparel, lingerie brand AVIDLOVE has introduced a summer collection designed around lightweight materials, flexible styling options, and everyday comfort. The collection features a range of lace lingerie, wireless bras, and fashion tops that combine functional design with contemporary aesthetics. Designed for various wearing scenarios, the pieces highlight breathable fabrics, refined details, and adaptable silhouettes suitable for both daily wear and seasonal occasions. Designing for Comfort, Style, and Everyday Versatility As consumers increasingly look for clothing that balances comfort and personal style, AVIDLOVE focuses on creating lingerie pieces that integrate practical features with modern design elements. The brand’s approach emphasizes soft fabrics, thoughtful construction, and versatile styles that allow wearers to express their individual preferences. From lace details to seamless designs, each piece is developed with attention to fit, comfort, and visual appeal. Featured Summer Styles from AVIDLOVE AVIDLOVE 3-Piece Lace Lingerie Set The AVIDLOVE 3-Piece Lace Lingerie Set combines classic lace patterns with lightweight construction. Featuring delicate lace fabric, butterfly-inspired sleeve details, and a satin waistband, the set is designed to provide a refined appearance while maintaining comfort. With more than 15,000 units available, the style reflects continued consumer interest in lace lingerie that combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. AVIDLOVE Wireless Lace Bra The AVIDLOVE Wireless Lace Bra focuses on all-day comfort through a soft fabric blend of 89% nylon and 11% spandex. The wire-free and unlined construction provides a lightweight wearing experience, while the lace design and deep V-neckline add a modern visual element. The versatile design makes it suitable for different outfits, including casual everyday clothing and relaxed home settings. AVIDLOVE Sheer Lace Fringe Crop Top Expanding beyond traditional lingerie categories, the AVIDLOVE Sheer Lace Fringe Crop Top incorporates fashion-oriented elements into seasonal styling. The piece features sheer mesh lace, a deep V-neckline, and fringe detailing to create a distinctive summer look. The design can be styled with beachwear, denim, or other casual outfits, offering consumers more options for seasonal fashion combinations. AVIDLOVE Continues to Explore Evolving Consumer Preferences Through its latest summer collection, AVIDLOVE continues to focus on combining comfort, design innovation, and versatile styling. By responding to changing consumer preferences for functional yet fashionable apparel, the brand aims to provide products that fit diverse lifestyles and occasions. For more information, please visit the AVIDLOVE website and Amazon storefront, or connect with AVIDLOVE on Facebook and Instagram. For more information, please visit the AVIDLOVE website and Amazon storefront , or connect with AVIDLOVE on Facebook and Instagram.
- July 12, 2026Health
Astral & Root Announces ETHERIC, A Transparent Neurowellness Supplement Built For High Pressure Professionals
A Veteran Built Announcement In Neurowellness Astral & Root, a veteran-owned neurowellness company founded by Adam Jacobs, has announced ETHERIC, a 34-ingredient daily powder stick pack developed to support nervous system regulation, focus, stress recovery, and daily resilience for people who operate under sustained pressure. The announcement introduces ETHERIC as the flagship product for Astral & Root and highlights the company’s broader focus on transparent supplement labeling, practical neurowellness education, and support for high pressure professionals. The product is a dietary supplement and is not positioned as a treatment, cure, diagnostic product, or prevention tool for any disease or medical condition. Adam is an active servicemember with 14 years of military service. He is also a service-disabled veteran, a former financial services leader, an MBA graduate, and the author of The Neurowellness Series, a 464 page book focused on brain health, cognitive performance, and neural resilience available on Amazon . Why Nervous System Regulation Became The Focus ETHERIC was developed around the idea that nervous system regulation is often overlooked in conversations about performance, daily stress, shift work, and recovery. The nervous system helps coordinate how the body responds to pressure, rest, attention, and environmental demands. “Everyone talks about stress management. Nobody talks about the signal layer, the actual electrical system running underneath everything,” said Adam. “Your nervous system is a transmission network. When there is static from years of sustained pressure, every system downstream suffers. Sleep, focus, mood, recovery, it all degrades. ETHERIC is designed to clear that static.” The brand’s message is focused on people in roles where sustained alertness and responsibility may continue beyond the workday, including military members, veterans, law enforcement professionals, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, nurses, and parents. A Formula Built Around Full Label Disclosure ETHERIC contains 34 ingredients organized into seven synergy stacks. These stacks are designed to support areas such as cholinergic function, hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis regulation, neuroplasticity, cellular energy, dopamine synthesis, calm focus, and bioavailability. The hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, often called the HPA axis, is part of the body’s stress response system. The formula includes four branded clinical extracts: KSM 66 Ashwagandha, BacoMind Bacopa, Cognizin CDP Choline, and PrimaVie Shilajit. It also includes NMN, short for nicotinamide mononucleotide, at 500 milligrams as the hero ingredient. ETHERIC is delivered as a cherry flavored powder stick pack intended for daily use. A central part of the announcement is Astral & Root’s label transparency. The company states that every ingredient is fully disclosed with its exact milligram dose and that ETHERIC contains no proprietary blends. This approach is reflected in the brand promise, “Every ingredient disclosed. Every dose is intentional.” “We do not hide doses behind proprietary blends. We have not used celebrity endorsements. We do not market to everyone,” said Adam. “We built this for the people who never fully get to power down, military, law enforcement, firefighters, nurses, EMS, and the parents who carry it all home.” Industry Recognition Astral & Root, the veteran-founded neurowellness brand, has been named Best Neurowellness Supplement in the United States of 2026 by Best of Best Review , a nomination-based awards platform that recognizes companies for product quality, innovation, and consumer focus. After finding that prescription medication masked his symptoms, Adam spent years studying the nervous system, adaptogens, and functional mushrooms - work that led both to the Astral & Root product line and to his Amazon-published The Neurowellness Series. That research shapes how the company builds its products: every ingredient is disclosed on the label and every dose is chosen deliberately, so customers can see exactly what they're taking and why. It's an approach rooted in the belief that when the nervous system is in balance, sleep, mood, and everyday resilience can follow. Neurowellness With A Service Based Foundation Astral & Root was created with a founder story rooted in military service, operational pressure, and a personal interest in nervous system support. Adam built the company while continuing to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard, bringing together his experience in military leadership, financial services management, and neurowellness research. The company is certified as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business and as a Small, Women Owned, and Minority Owned business through the Commonwealth of Virginia. Astral & Root is also registered on SAM.gov for federal procurement eligibility. These certifications support the company’s positioning as a veteran-owned supplement brand with consumer and institutional relevance. ETHERIC’s name is drawn from the idea of the ether as a signal layer. Astral & Root uses that concept to describe the nervous system as a communication network that may be affected by chronic pressure, irregular schedules, and extended states of alertness. The brand’s tagline, “Clear the static. Come back to yourself,” reflects that theme while keeping the product framed as a daily neurowellness supplement. The Little Roots Project Adds An Education Mission Astral & Root is also introducing a social impact component through the Little Roots Project. The company states that three percent of every Astral & Root sale funds free nervous system wellness education for children around the world. “Three percent of every sale funds the Little Roots Project, free nervous system wellness education for children all over the world,” said Adam. “Because the cost of this work is not carried by the person in uniform alone. It is carried by every family member who watches them walk out the door.” With ETHERIC, Astral & Root is entering the supplement market with a defined position: transparent labeling, disclosed doses, neurowellness education, and support for people in high pressure roles. "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease." About Astral & Root Astral & Root is a veteran-owned neurowellness company founded by Adam Jacobs, an active servicemember and a service-disabled veteran. The company develops dietary supplements and educational resources focused on nervous system regulation, transparent supplement labeling, and support for people in high pressure roles. Its flagship product, ETHERIC , is a 34-ingredient daily powder stick pack with every ingredient and exact milligram dose disclosed on the label. Astral & Root is certified as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business and as a Small, Women Owned, and Minority Owned business through the Commonwealth of Virginia. More information is available at Astral & Root , and the company can be reached at hello@astralandroot.com . Astral & Root is also available on Instagram , Facebook , TikTok , and LinkedIn .
- July 12, 2026Public Services
Unitism Launches to Help Governments Fund Public Services
A New Kind of Organization Amid Growing Global Housing and Fiscal Challenges Unitism announced the launch of its organization dedicated to helping governments, nations, and cities develop public revenue systems based on the value of land and natural resources rather than relying primarily on taxes on wages, labor, and productive enterprise. The announcement comes as housing affordability, rising real estate prices, and fiscal pressures continue to shape policy discussions across many parts of the world. Founded by Martin Adams, author of Land: A New Paradigm for a Thriving World , Unitism brings together an international team of economists, researchers, policy analysts, urban development specialists, and data scientists who focus on land value economics, housing systems, public finance, and long term policy implementation. Unitism describes itself not as an advisory firm in the traditional sense but as an implementation partner. Governments hire the firm to achieve a result, and the team remains engaged — through measurement, policy design, legislation, and administration — until the new system is live and working. The firm has skin in the game: its engagements are defined by outcomes, not deliverables. Connecting Housing Affordability and Public Finance According to Unitism, many of today’s economic challenges share a common structural cause. Rising housing costs, increasing inequality, and pressure on government finances are often addressed independently through separate policy initiatives. Unitism’s approach instead examines how land value created collectively by communities can become a sustainable source of public revenue. The organization’s work centers on helping governments evaluate how land values, which increase through public investment, infrastructure, population growth, and community development, can contribute to funding public services while reducing reliance on taxes applied to wages, employment, and productive investment. “We live in a world of incredible abundance; and yet most people don't have the money to fully participate in that abundance. Why?” said Martin Adams, founder of Unitism. A Focus on Practical Government Implementation Unitism’s work spans four principal areas including research and economic analysis, policy design, education and training, and implementation. Its research capabilities include measuring land value, modelling economic rent, housing affordability analysis, revenue forecasting, and distributional modelling that evaluates how proposed reforms may affect households and businesses. The organization’s policy design work includes land value taxation systems, community land trusts, natural resource revenue sharing frameworks, and assessment methodologies designed to support long term implementation. Beyond policy development, Unitism sees reforms through to completion via transition roadmaps, stakeholder engagement strategies, public communication support, and ongoing monitoring as reforms move from legislation into practice. Building Upon Established International Experience Rather than proposing an entirely new economic framework, Unitism draws upon examples of policies that have operated in various forms for decades across multiple jurisdictions. The company notes that Singapore has long funded significant portions of its housing system through publicly held land, while Alaska and Norway distribute portions of natural resource wealth directly to citizens. Additional jurisdictions including Canberra have adopted approaches that shift taxation away from productive activity and toward land values. This historical experience forms part of the evidence base that informs Unitism’s consulting engagements with governments seeking long term fiscal reform. “Everything an economy produces gets divided three ways: into rent, into wages, and into returns on real investment. Land doesn’t produce anything, so every extra dollar bound up in rent and mortgage payments is a dollar that can no longer show up in a paycheck or fund a productive business. When rent grows, everything else shrinks,” Adams said. Combining Academic Research with Policy Delivery Unitism states that its model differs from traditional advisory organizations by combining academic research with hands-on implementation throughout the policy process — and by staying accountable for the outcome rather than the analysis. Its multidisciplinary team includes professors of economics, philosophy, and political sociology, PhD researchers specializing in land rents and housing systems, analysts developing microsimulation models alongside national statistical agencies, urban development experts, and data scientists. According to the company, this structure enables governments to move from economic measurement and policy analysis through legislative design, stakeholder engagement, and implementation with a single specialist team that sees the work through from start to finish. The company also emphasizes that its mission is centered on practical implementation rather than solely producing research or policy recommendations. Expanding Public Access to Economic Education In addition to government consulting, Unitism operates an open educational platform designed to make economic concepts accessible to policymakers, researchers, students, and the public. Resources available through the platform include plain language educational guides, peer reviewed research, interactive economic tools, a city simulation game based on published research, and the complete online edition of Land: A New Paradigm for a Thriving World . The company says these resources are intended to encourage broader understanding of how land value influences housing affordability, investment, public finance, and long term economic development. “Ask why wages feel stagnant and businesses struggle to invest, and you'll find the same answer: the money is already spoken for. The more of a community’s income that gets absorbed by rent and land prices, the less is left over to pay workers and to reward the people who actually build things. Rent doesn’t create wealth, it’s first in line to collect it,” Adams said. “And that cost compounds, because rent is paid before anything else, every dollar it absorbs is a dollar that can't go into wages or into returns on productive investment. Communities that share their land value flip this around. Work and enterprise keep more of what they create, because the value nobody earned is no longer allowed to eat the value everybody did.” About Unitism Unitism works with governments, nations, and cities to design and implement revenue systems based on community created land value and natural resources instead of relying primarily on taxes on work and productive enterprise. The firm provides research, policy design, education, and implementation support while publishing free educational resources, peer reviewed research, interactive economic tools, a city simulation game, and the complete online edition of Land: A New Paradigm for a Thriving World . Learn more at Unitism . Media inquiries may be directed to press@unitism.com . Follow Unitism on Facebook , X , LinkedIn and Bluesky for updates and additional resources.
- July 11, 2026Business
Cisumverse Continues Global Expansion, Partnering with Primal Live to Extend Asia’s Music Ecosystem into Europe
Global music industry service platform Cisumverse recently announced that it has officially entered into a strategic partnership with Primal Live, a well-known independent music organization based in Liverpool, UK. The two parties will establish the " Go Asia" Award within Primal Live's annual independent music competition. This initiative offers outstanding British independent musicians long-term opportunities for development across Asia, providing comprehensive support that includes performing at Asian music festivals, building international fan communities, and accessing resources for regional tours, music releases, and merchandise development. This collaboration further builds out Cisumverse's global network of music partners and marks the platform’s official integration with the UK's independent music ecosystem, bridging a new path for industry cooperation between Asia and Europe. Rising British country music artist John Roche is the first artist to benefit from this partnership, securing the inaugural Go Asia Award following an outstanding performance in Primal Live's annual competition. He will perform by invitation at the Star Nest Music Festival—hosted by CisuMusiC in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 8, 2026—and will become the first British musician to establish an official fan community on the CisuMusiC App. Positioned as a dedicated service platform for the global music industry, Cisumverse anchors its model on AI, blockchain, and digital technologies. By combining traditional Web2 music industry assets with innovative Web3 frameworks, the platform utilizes music festivals, Livehouse tours, official fan hubs, and an integrated media network. Cisumverse focuses on delivering value-added services that span the entire lifecycle of an artist's professional growth, serving music organizations, creators, and fans alike while helping its partners unlock sustained commercial value and international scale. Over the past year and more, Cisumverse has forged deep ties with numerous music organizations and industry stakeholders worldwide. This network includes GOGO 2020, Man and Women, Zenith Glocal Academy, Cisum Music Korea, and TikTok Korea in South Korea; GO ON G in Thailand; INQ International in Vietnam; SWYM Label in Malaysia; EARDrms Corp in the Philippines; FansiCo and Friendly Dog in Taiwan; United Entertainment in Mainland China; and Highway Star in Brazil. The platform has successfully driven international visibility for independent musicians and bands from various countries, including South Korea's 2Z and THE THE BAND; Thailand's H3F and murrph.; Vietnam's Chivan (Vu Thanh Van), MINH, and Nghich; Malaysia's KEETH and Ivan; and Mainland China's Red East. This alliance with Primal Live represents another major extension of Cisumverse’s global ecosystem. Xu Xiaofeng, Founder and CEO of Cisumverse, noted: " The UK has long been recognized as one of the world’s most influential homes of independent music. Many British artists have built strong audiences in Europe and North America, yet Asia remains a market with significant untapped potential. Through this partnership with Primal Live, we hope to create a long-term platform that enables British musicians to connect with audiences across Asia, fostering deeper collaboration between the creative communities of both regions." Andrew Sampson, Founder and CEO of Primal Live, stated: " Partnering with Cisumverse gives our artists access to exciting opportunities in Asia that would otherwise be difficult to establish independently. We believe this collaboration will help more British independent musicians build international careers and reach new audiences." Looking ahead, Cisumverse will continue to expand its global partner network, connecting music organizations and content ecosystems across Asia, Europe, and beyond. While empowering Asian musicians to step onto the international stage, the platform will also introduce more outstanding overseas talent to Asia, driving the two-way flow of global music resources to collectively generate greater industry value.
- July 11, 2026Health
Wellness Device Maker BeechBand Extends Reach Across Six Markets With Updated Wearable
BeechBand, a wellness wearable company operating across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, has updated its flagship device with an extended eight-hour battery, the company announced following a July 2026 release. Shipments to customers are scheduled to continue through the third week of July. Photo Courtesy by BeechBand The update replaces a prior battery configuration that lasted approximately three hours before requiring a forty-five minute recharge. BeechBand said the longer battery life was designed to support its recommended usage pattern, in which customers are advised to wear the device at least eight hours a day, seven days a week, for twelve weeks. The updated device is priced the same as its predecessor and comes with a 100-day return policy, according to the company. BeechBand's largest customer base is in the United States, with the United Kingdom as its second-largest market and smaller customer bases in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The company employs nine 19 people and maintains a private online community of nearly 18,000 members, alongside a public social media following of approximately 5,500 people over 50,000 across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. The company's product is built around a tapping mechanism originally developed by its founder, Carl, based on his own experience with young-onset Parkinson's. BeechBand has said Carl used tapping himself while searching for relief and found it helped restore his ability to speak. A friend Co-founder Nick Whiteley subsequently proposed adapting the technique into a wearable device, and BeechBand says the resulting product went through several rounds of prototyping before reaching customers. The company has said Carl wore an early version of the device consistently for thirteen months. BeechBand has said the way it communicates about the product, including Carl's personal history, is developed with attention to applicable regulatory guidance in the United Kingdom, given the wellness-related nature of the claims associated with the device. The company said this reflects the markets in which it operates and the sensitivity of the claims involved. BeechBand has also said a second new device is planned for release in September 2026 January 2027, though further information about that product has not yet been disclosed. The company has described its current focus as building awareness in the United States and the United Kingdom, which it identifies as its two most important markets, while continuing to serve existing customers in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. About BeechBand is a wellness wearable company built around a tapping mechanism developed by founder Carl following his own experience with young-onset Parkinson's. The company serves customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and employs 19 people.
- July 11, 2026Business
Renegade Insurance Receives 2026 Global Recognition Award For Digital-First Innovation In Agency Growth
Renegade Insurance has received a 2026 Global Recognition Award in the Innovation category for its digital-first property and casualty insurance platform, which has altered how independent agencies own, grow, and exit their businesses in a structured manner. The recognition reflects a detailed assessment of market impact, disruption of established practices, adoption levels, user feedback, and an intellectual property portfolio that collectively met stringent grading standards. The evaluation panel concluded that Renegade Insurance’s innovation work is of a notably high standard, and that its model clearly illustrates how a traditional sector can change while preserving rigor and trust. Photo Courtesy of Renegade Insurance The award follows years in which the insurance sector changed little, with dense policies, slow manual processes, and disjointed customer experiences that affected agents and policyholders alike, yet were often treated as inevitable features of the environment. Renegade Insurance entered this context with the premise that these conditions arose from design choices, and it built its platform to remove unnecessary steps between customers, agents, and coverage so that actions such as quoting and binding policies could be completed in minutes. The result is a system in which processes that previously required paper forms and phone queues have been replaced by an interface designed for how professionals work and communicate today, reinforcing the case for wider adoption of digital-first approaches. Breaking The Old Model Renegade Insurance addressed legacy processes by treating architecture as a core strategic decision, recognizing that technology and operational structures needed to align for agents to benefit from practical, lasting improvements. Founder and chief executive officer Rashik Adhikari brought experience from Citi and Oppenheimer, along with training from Harvard Business School, and used that background to apply financial discipline and structured decision-making to a sector that had often relied on habit rather than detailed analysis. Co-founder and chief operating officer Doug Rowe contributed mergers and acquisitions expertise and practical operational knowledge, and he helped build a framework in which agency growth, integration of new offices, and daily operations can scale while maintaining coherent processes and accountable ownership. The technology stack at Renegade Insurance does not rely on older systems hidden beneath a modern interface, because the company chose to design proprietary tools specifically to address persistent operational gaps that hindered agents and staff. These tools include systems that streamline quoting and servicing, structures that handle the complexity of multiple carrier appointments, and controls that give agency owners visibility into the health of their books in a form that feels direct rather than abstract. Intellectual property arising from this approach creates a meaningful barrier for incumbents seeking to quickly copy the model, since the value lies in how the systems operate together as a cohesive structure rather than in any single feature, supporting a distinct position for the platform. Innovation In Support Of Agents Renegade Insurance built its offerings around the agency lifecycle and designed three core programs to meet agents at different stages of their progression, while keeping ownership and support aligned with practical needs. The franchise program gives licensed agents and qualified career changers a path to ownership starting at $20,000, and participants receive an 80 percent commission on new business. Renegade Insurance handles back-office functions that would otherwise consume significant time and resources. This arrangement lowers barriers to entry without requiring agents to manage administrative burdens alone, and it allows producers to focus on building relationships, refining local strategies, and responding to client requirements. The mergers and acquisitions arm buys agencies and books directly, and it offers cash at close with no broker fees, earnouts, deferred pay, or clawbacks so that owners can exit with clear terms that recognize the value of their work. A third program allows agents to retain ownership of their books while transferring day-to-day servicing, renewals, and client support to Renegade Insurance’s operations team, enabling producers to prioritize growth and relationship management instead of administrative maintenance. These programs operate within a network of direct appointments with regional and national carriers and managing general agents across personal, commercial, and specialty lines, and that breadth gives agents the ability to compete effectively in diverse local markets while relying on a consistent structural foundation. Final Words Internal operations at Renegade Insurance reflect the same orientation toward practical improvement, with teams regularly seeking ways to make processes clearer, faster, and more accurate to better support agents and customers. Staff have reviewed communication and employee data systems to verify active status across phone infrastructure and operational tools, and they moved beyond simply identifying inconsistencies by taking responsibility for organizing and correcting information so that records align across platforms. Teams also prepared detailed comparisons of employee-based and contractor-based workforce structures that covered costs, compliance, and operational impact, and this analysis allowed leadership to weigh staffing and cost-management options with specific evidence rather than general impressions. Customer and producer feedback has helped validate these choices and shows how innovation efforts translate into the daily experience for clients and agents who rely on the platform. One verified customer described Renegade Insurance as offering courteous and helpful service across interactions. The feedback emphasized that staff took time to reassure, inform, and resolve concerns instead of pushing transactions through with minimal contact. Alex Sterling of Global Recognition Awards stated, “Renegade Insurance earned a 2026 Global Recognition Award because its commitment to innovation is evident in its technology and the way it empowers agents, serves customers, and treats continuous improvement as a core obligation rather than an occasional project.” About Global Recognition Awards Global Recognition Awards is an international organization that recognizes companies and individuals for their meaningful contributions to their industries.
- July 11, 2026Technology
SumatoSoft Reveals Insights on IoT ROI: Median Payback Period Just 12 Months
SumatoSoft has released a comprehensive study titled "IoT ROI in 2026 Payback Benchmarks and a Quantification Framework from 36 Deployments," providing valuable insights into the return on investment (ROI) for organizations implementing Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The research focused on 36 validated deployments across various sectors, revealing that the median payback period for these initiatives is 12 months. According to the findings , 72% of the organizations surveyed experienced a complete payback within the first year of implementation. Notably, 36% of these deployments achieved payback in just 9 months. Some cases, particularly within healthcare infection control and construction quality inspection, reported a break-even point in approximately 4 months. These results underscore the rapid financial returns that can be realized from IoT investments, regardless of industry. The study also emphasizes the non-financial benefits resulting from IoT deployment. A significant 58% of respondents reported enhanced trust and transparency among clients and auditors, while 44% indicated improved operational predictability. Additionally, 42% of participants highlighted increased staff confidence and execution discipline as critical outcomes linked to their IoT initiatives. These insights are particularly relevant for organizations considering or currently engaged in IoT projects, as they provide a clear framework for understanding potential financial and operational advantages. The research underscores the value of IoT investments not only in financial terms but also in fostering organizational trust and efficiency. For those interested in leveraging IoT technologies to enhance their operations and streamline processes, SumatoSoft invites stakeholders to review the full findings of the study . The comprehensive data can serve as a guide for decision-making and strategy enhancement in the adoption of IoT solutions.
- July 11, 2026Others
Americas Cardroom Launches Inaugural $10 Million Run Up Series this Sunday
Americas Cardroom is launching its inaugural Run Up Series this Sunday, July 12, introducing a five-week online poker series with more than $10 million in guaranteed prize pools. The series runs through August 17 and includes 163 poker tournaments with buy-ins suited to a variety of bankrolls. Among the highlights are a $1 Million Guaranteed Mystery Bounty Multi-Flight tournament and Americas Cardroom's biggest leaderboard competition ever, offering $100,000 in added prizes. The featured Mystery Bounty poker tournament carries a modest $66 buy-in. Daily Day 1 flights begin July 12 and continue through August 17 before Day 2 is played on Monday, August 17. Alongside the guaranteed prize pool, players will compete for Mystery Bounties, including a top bounty valued at $100,000. The Run Up Series also features three Main Events closing out the series with Day 1 on Sunday, August 16 and Day 2 on Monday, August 17. The schedule includes guaranteed prize pools of $750,000, $400,000, and $200,000 across buy-ins ranging from $33 to $1,050. In addition to tournament prizes, players will earn leaderboard points throughout the poker series. The $100,000 leaderboard competition awards cash, Venom NLH and PLO tournament tickets, and Venom Mega Satellite ticket packages to top finishers across both High and Low leaderboards. With more than $10 million guaranteed and tournament options for a wide range of players, the Run Up Series adds another major series to the Americas Cardroom calendar. About Americas Cardroom Americas Cardroom is one of the world's leading online poker destinations, serving players since 2001. Known for major tournament series, innovative promotions, and a commitment to the poker community, the company is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026 while continuing to expand its tournament offerings and deliver world-class online poker experiences to players across the globe.
- July 11, 2026Business
Beacon Design Collective Wins VEGA Award Gold for Métis Children's Book and Reveals Project Discoveries About the Demands of Culturally Responsive Design for Indigenous Organisations
The Beacon Design Collective Inc. has been awarded a VEGA Award Gold in the Digital Illustration Editorial category for its work on Being Métis Makes Me Happy, a children's book commissioned by the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Children and Family Services and designed to nurture cultural awareness and pride among young Métis children and their families. The project was directed by Creative Director Dani Vachon, writing support by Matthew Turner, illustration by Carlie Russelle, and senior design by Anile Prakash and Jaz Rodriguez. Senior Illustrator Russelle has published reflections on what the project revealed about the structural demands of culturally responsive design for Indigenous organisations. What the Project Required In Russelle's account, the brief for Being Métis Makes Me Happy required significantly more than a standard design engagement. It required a genuine understanding of Métis culture, artistic traditions, and the visual language through which identity is expressed and transmitted across generations. That understanding, she notes, could not be assumed or approximated. It had to be developed through sustained collaboration with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government throughout the project. The studio chose a cut-out paper style for the illustrations, selected to resonate with the handmade crafts central to Métis tradition, including beadwork and hand weaving. Key cultural symbols including the woven sash were incorporated throughout. Two-page immersive spreads were designed to keep the storytelling dynamic and engaging for young readers while remaining rooted in the cultural identity being celebrated. The Broader Principle Russelle Identifies Russelle distinguishes between surface-level cultural representation, in which cultural markers are added to otherwise generic work, and genuine culturally responsive design, in which the cultural context shapes every creative decision from the outset. Indigenous communities, in her assessment, can identify the difference immediately. Genuine culturally responsive design, she argues, begins with listening and requires treating the client organization as the expert on its own identity. The external creative partner's role is to facilitate that expression with skill and humility, not to interpret or impose a framework over it. A brand or communications piece that misrepresents or flattens cultural identity does not simply fail aesthetically. It causes harm. At Beacon, this approach is described as the basis of every project the studio undertakes in the Indigenous sector. The studio's client work in this space includes projects for Métis Nation Alberta and other Indigenous and government organisations across Canada. About The Beacon Design Collective The Beacon Design Collective Inc. is an award-winning, carbon-negative creative studio based in Vancouver, British Columbia, specializing in culturally responsive design, nonprofit branding, and impact communications. The studio has been recognized with a VEGA Award Gold for Illustration and named a Top Branding Company 2024 by Clutch. For more information visit beaconcollective.com. Carlie Russelle is Senior Illustrator and Graphic Designer at The Beacon Design Collective Inc. For more information visit The Beacon Design Collective Inc. has been awarded a VEGA Award Gold in the Digital Illustration Editorial category for its work on Being Métis Makes Me Happy, a children's book commissioned by the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Children and Family Services and designed to nurture cultural awareness and pride among young Métis children and their families. The project was directed by Creative Director Dani Vachon, writing support by Matthew Turner, illustration by Carlie Russelle, and senior design by Anile Prakash and Jaz Rodriguez. Senior Illustrator Russelle has published reflections on what the project revealed about the structural demands of culturally responsive design for Indigenous organisations. What the Project Required In Russelle's account, the brief for Being Métis Makes Me Happy required significantly more than a standard design engagement. It required a genuine understanding of Métis culture, artistic traditions, and the visual language through which identity is expressed and transmitted across generations. That understanding, she notes, could not be assumed or approximated. It had to be developed through sustained collaboration with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government throughout the project. The studio chose a cut-out paper style for the illustrations, selected to resonate with the handmade crafts central to Métis tradition, including beadwork and hand weaving. Key cultural symbols including the woven sash were incorporated throughout. Two-page immersive spreads were designed to keep the storytelling dynamic and engaging for young readers while remaining rooted in the cultural identity being celebrated. The Broader Principle Russelle Identifies Russelle distinguishes between surface-level cultural representation, in which cultural markers are added to otherwise generic work, and genuine culturally responsive design, in which the cultural context shapes every creative decision from the outset. Indigenous communities, in her assessment, can identify the difference immediately. Genuine culturally responsive design, she argues, begins with listening and requires treating the client organization as the expert on its own identity. The external creative partner's role is to facilitate that expression with skill and humility, not to interpret or impose a framework over it. A brand or communications piece that misrepresents or flattens cultural identity does not simply fail aesthetically. It causes harm. At Beacon, this approach is described as the basis of every project the studio undertakes in the Indigenous sector. The studio's client work in this space includes projects for Métis Nation Alberta and other Indigenous and government organisations across Canada. About The Beacon Design Collective The Beacon Design Collective Inc. is an award-winning, carbon-negative creative studio based in Vancouver, British Columbia, specializing in culturally responsive design, nonprofit branding, and impact communications. The studio has been recognized with a VEGA Award Gold for Illustration and named a Top Branding Company 2024 by Clutch. For more information visit beaconcollective.com . Carlie Russelle is Senior Illustrator and Graphic Designer at The Beacon Design Collective Inc. For more information visit beaconcollective.com .
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- Joseph Carrizales Annouces Guide To Factors Influencing Industrial Property Values in Romulus Michigan
- Onslaught Sports Introduces Footwear Innovation Designed to Increase Workload During Everyday Movement
- Abacus Finance Expands Lower-Middle Market Lending Capacity With Team Expansion and AUM Growth
- Expatfile Helps Americans Abroad Navigate Tax Complexities with Simpler Expat Tax Software
- SPK Staffing Announces National Expansion and Strategic Corporate Rebranding Initiative
- Boston Card Exchange Releases 2026 Sports Card Market Insights Highlighting Top Rookie and Vintage Investment Trends
- As More Families Explore Flexible Education, Multisori Expands Access to Montessori Homeschool Curriculum
- 2026 Brings Major Medicare Part D Changes: Key2Medicare Is Helping Colorado Beneficiaries Understand What It Means for Their Costs
- Shieldly Premier Insurance Solutions Highlights Personalized Life Insurance Consultations to Help Families Review and Strengthen Coverage
- As Real Estate Co-Ownership Conflicts Rise, Underwood Law Firm Helps California Property Owners Navigate Partition Actions

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