Tunnl, the AI-powered audience intelligence platform serving enterprise brands and Fortune 500 marketers, today called attention to what its CEO describes as one of the largest sources of avoidable waste in enterprise marketing: budgets being spent against audiences that were never real to begin with.

The claim is backed by recent industry data. DemandScience's 2026 State of Performance Marketing report, which surveyed 750 senior marketing leaders at companies with revenues between $100 million and $5 billion, found that 87% of organizations say their marketing investments produce unreliable or inflated intent signals, clicks, downloads, and behavioral scores that don't translate to actual purchase intent.

The company says marketers have never had more ways to build audiences, but many of those audiences are assembled from synthetic sources, proxies, assumptions, and platform signals rather than direct understanding of the people brands are trying to reach. As a result, campaigns can become highly optimized against segments that bear only a loose relationship to the original research and strategy, creating hidden inefficiencies that compound across media spend. 

The Hidden Tax on Every Marketing Budget

"Millions in marketing spend are going to the wrong audiences" said Sara Fagen, CEO and co-founder of Tunnl. "Most enterprise marketing budgets carry a hidden tax: the gap between what your research told you and what your media team can actually act on. That's where the money goes, when you spend on audiences that aren’t who you actually intend to reach."

Fagen, who spent more than two decades in data-driven persuasion in campaign politics and as a co-founder of Resonate and Deep Root Analytics before co-founding Tunnl in 2021, says enterprise marketers are increasingly running into a structural problem that fragmented technology has made worse.

Why the Problem Is Accelerating

The company points to some of the drivers behind the acceleration. The market research industry is racing to layer AI on top of legacy approaches, often producing audience descriptions that sound credible but aren't grounded in verified data. And CMOs are under harder ROI pressure than at any point in the past decade.

Gartner's 2026 CMO Spend Survey shows the pressure is mounting. CMO confidence in delivering ROI dropped to 43% this year, down from 56% in 2025, the steepest year-over-year drop in any confidence measure the survey tracks.

"Marketing doesn't usually fail because people choose the wrong channels," Fagen said. "It fails because somewhere between insight and execution, the audience changes. Teams end up optimizing campaigns against assumptions instead of the people they originally set out to reach." 

Tunnl's Approach

Tunnl's platform connects survey research, audience targeting, activation, and campaign measurement in a single pipeline. The company's audience modeling is built on real human survey respondents matched to a proprietary identity graph that verifies each respondent is a real person, not a bot.

Tunnl now serves multiple Fortune 500 brands and works on business challenges across sectors including technology, software, cpg, marketing, and others.

"You can't reduce waste by adding more vendors," Fagen said. "You reduce it by closing the gap between what you learn and what you do with what you learn."

What CMOs Can Do Now 

Fagen says enterprise marketers can address the waste problem by auditing three things to start: how much of their research is actually tied to real addressable audiences, how many sources of truth their teams are working from, and whether the channels they rely on for impact are being selected and balanced through an audience-informed media mix before dollars are committed. 

"If the answer to any of those three is 'we don't really know,' that's where the budget is leaking," she said.

About Tunnl

Tunnl is an AI-powered audience intelligence platform that connects survey research, audience targeting, insights, activation, and campaign measurement all in one closed loop experience. Founded in 2021 by data and political strategy veterans Sara Fagen, Brent Seaborn, and Alex Lundry, Tunnl serves Fortune 500 brands, media agencies, trade associations, and advocacy organizations navigating high-stakes communications environments. The company is headquartered in Arlington, VA. For more information, visit www.tunnldata.com.

Media Contact

Jamie Kingsley
j.kingsley@theprgenius.com

Puppy Yoga USA, the premium wellness studio network behind some of the country's most-booked puppy yoga experiences, today announced expanded summer 2026 class programming across all four of its U.S. locations: Old Town in Chicago, Midtown in Manhattan, South Lake Union in Seattle, and the Financial District in San Francisco.

The expanded summer schedule introduces additional weekend sessions, breed-specific class rotations, and private group bookings at each of the company's four studio locations. Sessions follow the company's 60-minute format — 30 minutes of beginner-accessible yoga led by a certified instructor, followed by 30 minutes of cuddle time and photography with the class puppies.

"Demand for in-person wellness experiences has grown significantly across our four markets in the last twelve months," said CEO and founder of Puppy Yoga USA. "Our summer 2026 programming reflects what our guests have been asking for — more breed variety, more private bookings for groups and corporate teams, and more accessibility for first-time visitors."

Puppy Yoga USA works exclusively with vetted breeder partners to support puppies through their critical socialization window between eight and sixteen weeks of age. Each puppy attends a limited class schedule, is supervised by handlers throughout the session, and rotates out of programming as it ages out of the developmental window. The company published a full overview of its operating model and welfare protocols on its editorial blog earlier this year.

Summer 2026 classes are bookable across the company's four city studios. Tickets are non-refundable but transferable, and private group sessions are available for parties of eight or more.

About Puppy Yoga USA

Puppy Yoga USA hosts premium puppy yoga sessions at four studios across the United States: Chicago (Old Town Studio, 848 W. Eastman St.), New York (Midtown Manhattan Studio, 435 5th Ave., Fl. 6), Seattle (South Lake Union Studio, 308 9th Ave. N.), and San Francisco (Financial District Studio, 222 Columbus Ave., Unit 220). The company operates a breeder-partnership model focused on supporting puppy socialization during the critical developmental window. Learn more at puppyyogaus.com.

Media Contact

Max Li
help@puppyyogaus.com

TAILG, a leading electric mobility company, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Kenya regarding the Green Mobility Centre of Excellence (GM-CoE), launching the “Green Ride Africa” initiative.

The two parties have established a strategic partnership to jointly implement flagship projects for green, low-carbon mobility. Through multidimensional collaboration — including technology innovation, ecosystem development, and industry incubation — they aim to accelerate the transition toward sustainable transportation in Africa and support the achievement of regional Sustainable Development Goals.

This signing marks a significant milestone in TAILG’s global green strategy and represents another important initiative by TAILG — following seven years of deepening its commitment to green initiatives in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) — to collaborate with the United Nations system, participate in global low-carbon governance, and contribute to sustainable development in Africa and around the world.

“Green Ride Africa” draws its name from the concepts of “green and low-carbon” and “roaming freely on the open road.” Building on the UNDP’s African Electric Mobility Pilot Project, the initiative promotes the transition from gasoline to electric power for two- and three-wheeled vehicles, while integrating local photovoltaic and energy storage infrastructure. By leveraging clean energy for transportation, it aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve people’s mobility, and support sustainable development across Africa and benefit local communities.

UNDP acts as the UN's implementing agency at the national level in many ways, working with partners in numerous countries to promote sustainable development, eradicate poverty, advance gender equality, strengthen good governance, and promote the rule of law. Based on its long-term observation of TAILG’s actual performance and contributions to the development of clean transportation, UNDP selected TAILG as a partner for the GM-CoE project. TAILG's participation as a corporate partner in the development of the green mobility sector is at the core of this collaboration.

The signing of this MOU establishes a comprehensive framework for long-term, stable, and structured cooperation among all parties. The parties have clearly identified the joint establishment, operation, and large-scale development of the GM-CoE as a key starting point for continuously driving the growth of Africa’s green and low-carbon mobility industry. As a key partner of UNDP in green mobility projects, TAILG is fully involved in project operations and governance, the establishment of an innovation system, the implementation of ecosystem projects, and international technical exchanges, thereby creating a professional and sustainable platform for Africa’s green technology innovation industry.

Currently, green mobility has become a core focus area for sustainable development in Africa. The transition to low-carbon transportation in Africa relies not only on the iterative upgrading of vehicles but also urgently requires the cultivation of local scientific and technological innovation capabilities, the refinement of a green industrial ecosystem, and technical solutions tailored to local contexts.

This strategic partnership will fully integrate UNDP’s global platform resources, international governance experience, and regional empowerment capabilities with TAILG’s integrated electric mobility solutions across product development, manufacturing, and supply chains and global implementation experience. It aims to precisely address the genuine needs of Africa’s low-carbon transition, systematically stimulate local scientific and technological innovation, and establish a new, replicable, and scalable model for green transportation development in Africa.

According to the memorandum of cooperation, the two parties will establish a full-chain cooperation system centered on “strategic guidance, technological empowerment, innovation incubation, and market implementation” to address the actual needs of the African market. TAILG will participate deeply as a partner in the construction of the Green Technology Center, providing top-level strategic guidance for the development of Africa’s green mobility industry and establishing a regular mechanism for international industrial exchange and collaborative cooperation.

At the same time, the parties will jointly launch a series of specialized initiatives, including a green mobility innovation challenge, technical exchanges, and startup incubation. Leveraging TAILG’s core technological expertise in electric two- and three-wheeled vehicle technology, full-lifecycle battery management, and smart charging and battery-swapping infrastructure — as well as its global supply chain network — the partnership will provide full-cycle support for local green mobility innovation solutions in Africa, covering technology iteration, scenario testing, pilot validation, and commercial deployment. The two parties will establish a regular communication and coordination mechanism to coordinate resource allocation, manage project risks, and resolve implementation bottlenecks, ensuring that all cooperative outcomes are efficiently implemented and delivered on schedule. In terms of industrial ecosystem collaboration, TAILG’s strategic partner, Sunwoda Depower Energy, will provide support for batteries and energy storage systems, and will work with TAILG to advance the development of standards for integrated solar-storage-charging-swapping solutions, battery recycling, and battery passports.

As a partner in the UNDP’s Green Mobility initiative, TAILG possesses strong global industrial capabilities, with an annual production capacity exceeding 15 million units. Its products and services reach more than 70 countries and regions worldwide, and the company has established seven R&D and manufacturing bases. TAILG boasts a comprehensive industrial capability spanning core R&D, smart manufacturing, system integration, and global operations and maintenance, providing robust technical, production, and supply chain support for the implementation of green projects overseas.

TAILG President Michael Yao stated: “Innovative development in green transportation must always adhere to the three principles of practicality, inclusivity, and localization. This strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme marks an important milestone in TAILG’s global growth and sustainable development journey. In the future, TAILG will leverage its new energy two-wheeler technology to jointly advance green mobility, gasoline-to-electric conversion, and carbon reduction projects in Africa. Through concrete actions, we will implement the Sustainable Development Goals, share China’s low-carbon transportation solutions, and jointly promote the long-term development of the region’s green economy. Through continuous technological innovation and industrial practice, we will protect the ecological environment, contribute to global sustainable development, and help the Earth go further.”

This strategic partnership represents a key move by TAILG to put global sustainability principles into practice and deepen its presence in the green mobility market. In the future, TAILG will continue to collaborate with authoritative United Nations agencies and local partners around the world. With cutting-edge technology, exceptional products, and the ability to co-build ecosystems at its core, TAILG will continue to drive the widespread adoption, localization, and industrialization of green electric mobility. By harnessing the momentum of green transportation to fuel regional green economic growth, TAILG will continue to contribute to global dual carbon goals and sustainable development efforts.

About TAILG

TAILG Technology Group, founded in 2003, is a comprehensive company that covers the entire industry chain, including the R&D, production, and sales of electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, as well as services for sharing, charging, and battery swapping. Driven by the ambitious goal to "Recreate TAILG Abroad", it has established seven global R&D and manufacturing bases, including in Vietnam and Indonesia, with an annual production capacity exceeding 15 million units and exports to more than 70 countries and regions. For more information, visit www.tailg.com.

Media Contact

brand@tailg.com.cn

Qure.ai today announced the promotion of Amy Casey, a former Microsoft and Nuance leader, to Executive Vice President of Sales for North America and the appointment of Malika Shrivastava, a former Google executive, as its first Chief Marketing Officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company scales its commercial operations to meet growing demand for healthcare AI in the United States.

The appointments reflect Qure.ai's continued investment in scaling its U.S. business and strengthening the commercial capabilities needed to support growing demand for AI-powered healthcare solutions. With FDA clearances spanning 26 findings and a growing footprint in the United States, the company is expanding its leadership team as healthcare organizations increasingly adopt AI to improve clinical workflows, enable earlier diagnosis and address capacity constraints.

"Healthcare is entering a defining era where AI will fundamentally reshape how care is delivered, improving outcomes while addressing longstanding gaps in access and efficiency," said Prashant Warier, CEO and co-founder of Qure.ai. "The United States represents one of our most important growth markets, and we are making deliberate investments in leadership to support our next phase of expansion. Amy brings extensive experience leading enterprise software sales across the U.S. healthcare ecosystem, while Malika brings a proven track record of building brands and scaling businesses globally, including in the U.S. market.” 

As Executive Vice President of Sales for North America, Casey, who joined Qure.ai a year ago, will lead Qure.ai's commercial strategy and customer engagement across the region. Casey has played a key role in expanding Qure.ai's presence in the United States and brings more than two decades of experience leading enterprise software sales, strategic account management and commercial growth across the U.S. healthcare market. Prior to joining Qure.ai, she spent 16 years across Microsoft and Nuance, leading national accounts and helping health systems modernize clinical and operational workflows through technology adoption.

"Qure.ai is at the forefront of applying AI to solve some of healthcare's most pressing challenges, from early disease detection to population health management," said Casey. "I am excited to lead Qure.ai's U.S. operations as the company delivers meaningful clinical impact at scale, and I look forward to partnering with health systems and healthcare organizations across North America to accelerate the adoption of AI solutions that deliver meaningful clinical and operational outcomes."

As Qure.ai's inaugural Chief Marketing Officer, Shrivastava will lead the company's global marketing organization, overseeing brand, communications, product marketing, and market development. She brings over 15 years of experience building and scaling iconic brands, launching new products, driving go-to-market strategy, and expanding businesses across markets and stages of growth. Prior to joining Qure.ai, she led growth and go-to-market strategy at Glance (InMobi Group), where she scaled the India business and spearheaded expansion into the United States. Earlier, she held marketing leadership roles at Google, shaping growth for products including Android, Play, Chrome, and Pixel, and at Procter & Gamble, where she managed leading brands such as Always (Whisper) and Pampers across India and Southeast Asia.

Commenting on her appointment, Shrivastava said, "Qure.ai represents a rare combination of technological innovation, meaningful real-world impact, and a deeply mission-driven culture. As healthcare systems around the world increasingly adopt AI to improve access, quality, and efficiency of care, Qure is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. I am excited to build on the strong foundation created by the team and help make Qure a brand that is not only recognized for its innovation, but deeply loved, trusted and respected by healthcare providers, partners, policymakers, and future talent globally." 

Qure.ai's AI solutions are deployed in more than 105 countries and have impacted over 45 million lives worldwide. In the United States, the company continues to expand its footprint and build strategic relationships across the healthcare ecosystem, supporting providers and industry partners in adopting AI at scale.

About Qure.ai

Qure.ai is a global AI company innovating solutions in healthcare for early detection and care management. Qure's solutions power early detection of lung nodules, neurocritical findings and infectious diseases to support clinicians and propel developments in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. The company empowers healthcare workers and health systems by helping to identify pathology quickly, prioritize treatment planning, and ultimately improve quality of patient lives. Qure.ai has deployments in over 107 countries, with regional offices in New York, London and Mumbai. It is a TIME100 Most Influential Company of 2025. For more information, visit www.qure.ai/aira.

Media Contact

Amrutha Joseph
amrutha.joseph@qure.ai

Geely Auto Group is building momentum in China’s premium new energy vehicle market as the ZEEKR 9X earns top owner endorsement in its price tier. According to the 2026 First-Half New Energy Vehicle Brand Health Study from China-based consultancy LandRoads, the ZEEKR 9X recorded a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 83.9, the highest among vehicles priced above RMB 500,000 (approx. USD 73,000).

LandRoads’ findings, drawn from responses by more than 10,000 new energy vehicle owners, underscore strong owner satisfaction and brand health for the ZEEKR 9X, indicating its positive reception in China’s highly competitive high-value vehicle segment.

LandRoads’ analysis associated ZEEKR’s improving owner recommendation with several aspects of its recent brand and user strategy, including greater transparency around product updates, a more stable pricing approach, and more direct communication with customers. These priorities are intended to strengthen owner confidence at a time when rapid product renewal and frequent pricing changes across the automotive industry can affect customer expectations and perceptions of long-term product value.

ZEEKR has also recorded five consecutive months of both year-over-year and month-over-month sales growth in China. Its flagship models, including the ZEEKR 009, ZEEKR 9X, and ZEEKR 8X, now account for close to half of the brand’s sales, supporting a gradual shift in its product mix toward higher-value segments.

ZEEKR is continuing to expand its international presence. The brand has entered more than 50 countries and regions across Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Latin America, supported by a growing network of sales, delivery, and aftersales operations.

ZEEKR’s current international product portfolio includes the ZEEKR 001, ZEEKR 009, ZEEKR X, ZEEKR 7X, and ZEEKR 7GT. The company is also preparing for the first international deliveries of the ZEEKR 9X in selected Middle Eastern markets during the second half of 2026.

About Geely Auto Group

Geely Auto Group is a leading global automotive company headquartered in Hangzhou, China. Part of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Geely Auto Group develops and manufactures passenger vehicles under the Geely, Lynk & Co, and ZEEKR brands. Geely Auto achieved cumulative sales of 3,024,567 units in 2025, exceeding the full-year sales target with a year-on-year growth of 39%. New energy vehicle (NEV) sales reached 1,687,767 units, a year-on-year increase of 90%. With a strong focus on technology innovation, electrification, and sustainable mobility, Geely Auto Group operates world-class R&D centers and manufacturing facilities across China, Europe, and key international markets. The Group is committed to delivering safe, high-quality, and intelligent vehicles enabled by advanced technologies such as hybrid powertrains, full-electric architectures, smart connectivity, and autonomous driving systems. As a global company, Geely Auto Group continues to expand its international presence through strategic partnerships, localized operations, and industry-leading platforms. Geely strives to create mobility solutions that are greener, smarter, and more accessible, driving forward the future of sustainable transportation. For more information, visit global.geely.com.

Media Contact

Janet Chen
media@geely.com

Hisense, a leading brand in global consumer electronics and home appliances, is engaging football fans throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with a series of interactive technology experiences at Sponsor Fan Experience (SFE) areas and FIFA Fan Festival™ venues across tournament host cities.

For football fans, a visit to the FIFA Fan Festival™ could begin with the thrill of stepping up for a virtual penalty shootout, followed by capturing a personalized Champion Frame moment inspired by iconic World Cup celebrations. While every fan's journey is unique, Hisense is creating opportunities for visitors to do more than watch the tournament — they can become part of it.

At the Sponsor Fan Experience areas, fans can explore a range of football-inspired challenges powered by Hisense technologies. The “Three Colors Match-3” game on the 116-inch RGB MiniLED UXS TV invites fans to use gesture controls to match red, green, and blue icons while experiencing the capabilities of RGB MiniLED technology. The VR Penalty Kick Master experience, powered by the XR10 flagship Laser Projector, places participants in the excitement of a World Cup penalty shootout on a giant-screen display. Visitors can also test in football quizzes on a Hisense premium refrigerator with a smart screen or compete in FIFA gaming challenges. Together, these experiences demonstrate how Hisense technologies can make entertainment more immersive, interactive, and engaging.

At FIFA Fan Festival™ venues, fans can participate in football-themed activities designed for all ages. The AI-powered Champion Frame challenge on the 116UXS RGB MiniLED TV allows participants to recreate iconic tournament moments and receive personalized digital player cards. Additional attractions include Football Darts, RGB Football Whack-a-Mole, and tabletop football games, combining football fun with engaging interactive experiences.

Beyond the tournament venues, similar fan-focused activations, product showcases, and experiential events are taking place across in markets around the world, bringing consumers closer to the company’s latest innovations. As fans around the world celebrate FIFA World Cup 2026™, Hisense welcomes everyone to experience the technologies that are transforming the way people watch, play, and enjoy the game.

About Hisense

Founded in 1969, Hisense is a globally recognized leader in home appliances and consumer electronics with operations in over 160 countries, specializing in delivering high-quality multimedia products, home appliances, and intelligent IT solutions. According to Omdia, Hisense ranks No. 1 globally in the 100-inch and over TV segment (2023-2026Q1). As The Origin of RGB MiniLED, Hisense continues to lead the next-generation RGB MiniLED innovation. As the official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Hisense is committed to global sports partnerships as a way to connect with audiences worldwide. For more information, visit www.hisense.com.

PuroAir, a leader in advanced home air purification, today announced that two of its products, the PuroAir 240 HEPA Air Purifier and the PuroAir 100i Smart HEPA Air Purifier, have been named in the top 5 of the Best Air Purifier category of the Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards 2026.

PuroAir’s mission is to improve indoor air quality for living spaces of all sizes. Its air purifiers are designed to filter airborne pollutants such as dust [1], pollen [2], smoke [3], pet dander [2], and other common indoor particles [3]. The company’s product innovations include its 3-layer filtration system, which includes a HEPA filter and PuroAir's proprietary CarbonTech™ layer, a blend of activated carbon engineered to provide advanced filtration.

The Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards recognize standout businesses, brands, and products across a wide range of consumer categories. Winners are determined through a public voting process in which readers select the companies and organizations they believe deliver exceptional quality, value, and customer experience.

"Winning Newsweek's Readers' Choice™ Award for Best Air Purifier for a third time is an incredible honor because it reflects the voices of the people who use our products every day," said Kelly D'Elena, Vice President of Marketing, PuroAir.

“We're especially proud that this year's recognition includes the PuroAir 100i, our newest and most compact HEPA air purifier, which launched this past spring. It's incredibly rewarding to see customers embrace it so quickly and recognize the quality and performance we've worked hard to deliver. Their trust motivates us to keep innovating and making cleaner, healthier indoor air more accessible for every home."

The 2026 program highlights leading companies and products across numerous categories, including Home Goods, where the PuroAir 240 HEPA Air Purifier ranked #2 and the PuroAir 100i Smart HEPA Air Purifier ranked No. 4 for Best Air Purifier 2026.

“Each year, the Readers’ Choice™ Awards celebrate the best of the best, as chosen by the people who matter most — our readers,” said Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham. “We’re proud to recognize those organizations that continue to raise the bar for quality, innovation, and customer experience.”

In addition to this year’s Newsweek “three-peat”, PuroAir air purifiers have been frequently cited by top media sources for their effectiveness in improving household air quality in multiple categories, including best air purifier for small spaces, best air purifiers for kids with allergies, best air purifier for wildfire smoke, best air purifier for mold, best air purifier for pets, and best air purifier for pollen.

Alongside its product innovation, PuroAir is deeply committed to social impact, with recent philanthropic efforts supporting wildfire relief in Los Angeles, Giving Tuesday campaigns, donations to schools and underserved communities, its recent strategic partnership with the American Lung Association, and the PuroAir 12 Days of Giving campaign, which awards air purifiers, filters, and bundles to deserving individuals and organizations.

To learn more about PuroAir, please visit getpuroair.com.

[1] Tested to reduce inanimate dust-mite matter, non-living matter, or allergens from non-living sources (e.g. pet dander allergens, cockroach matter allergens, dust mite allergens) based on independent testing in an ISO 17025-certified lab on inanimate particles.

[2] Tested to reduce Fel d 1, Alt a1, Der f1, Can f1 and pollen in an ISO 17025-certified lab.

[3] Based on independent testing in an ISO 17025-certified lab and typical residential ventilation rates. Results may vary.

About PuroAir

PuroAir is a leader in delivering superior air purification products. As one of the most trusted names in air purification and healthy indoor air quality, PuroAir is committed to innovation and advancements in air purification technology. PuroAir is dedicated to promoting environmentally sustainable business practices and supporting communities through health-focused philanthropy. Please visit getpuroair.com for more information.

About Newsweek

Newsweek is the global digital news organization built around the iconic 93-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people monthly with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia. For more information, visit www.newsweek.com.

Media Contact

Brian McDermott
Public Relations
brian.mcdermott@getpuroair.com
+1 866-552-9322

Kelly D'Elena
Vice President of Marketing
kelly@getpuroair.com
+1 866-552-9322

Lucra, the leading social competition platform, today announced the acquisition of Bracketology, the free-to-play fantasy gaming and prediction platform built for competitive reality TV fans. Lucra is acquiring a platform that found and grew its audience entirely on its own and will now embed its gamification and rewards SDK into the reality TV experience for millions of the genre’s most passionate and engaged fans.

Bracketology's roots trace back to Bach Bracket, a fantasy football-style game built around The Bachelor and The Bachelorette that developed a devoted following before growing into Bracketology, a centralized, multi-show platform covering the full reality TV landscape. What started as a niche passion project became one of the most organically successful fan engagement products in entertainment, attracting partnerships with Us Weekly, FOX, and other major brands entirely on the strength of the engaging gameplay and its passionate community. Monthly active users exceeded 100,000 during the peak reality TV season last fall.

Lucra has spent years proving that competitive play makes any experience more engaging. Reality TV fandom is one of the most competitive, invested, and still underserved audiences in entertainment, and Bracketology already owns it. Over sixty percent of Bracketology's player base is women, a demographic that most gamification platforms have never meaningfully reached. Lucra is now positioned to serve that audience at scale, providing a loyalty experience they've never had within a product they already love.

“Most platforms spend years and millions of dollars chasing what Kaitlyn and Jonah achieved by simply making something people genuinely wanted. They built a million-person community around reality TV without a marketing budget, without outside help, and with minimal spend on paid acquisition. That's the kind of energy we’re excited to bring onto the Lucra team," said Dylan Robbins, founder and CEO of Lucra. "The learnings go both ways. Kaitlyn and Jonah understand community-building and organic growth in ways that will make Lucra sharper across every client we serve.” 

Under Lucra's ownership, the Bracketology brand continues as a standalone product. Lucra will embed its free-to-play rewards SDK across the entire Bracketology player base, giving reality TV watchers something tangible to compete for across every bracket and lineup submitted. Custom mobile mini games will expand the experience beyond weekly episode airings, creating engagement touchpoints throughout the week. Co-founders Kaitlyn Hurley and Jonah Fialkow join the Lucra team, with Hurley stepping into the role of Director of Bracketology.

"I started Bach Bracket because I couldn't find anything that matched the way Bachelor Nation actually watches — obsessively, competitively, together," said Kaitlyn Hurley, CMO of Bracketology and incoming Lucra Director of Bracketology. "Jonah and I spent years building that energy into something real: a platform that grew to over half a million players because the community genuinely loved it. Joining Lucra means we finally have the tools to give those fans what they've always deserved — real rewards for their loyalty, richer experiences between episodes, and a competitive layer that matches the intensity they already bring. We built something special from nothing. I can't wait to see where we take it as part of the Lucra team."

Fans can get in on the action today with fantasy games for "Big Brother Season 28" and "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro," both premiering this week. Download the free Bracketology app to join leagues and make your picks. Lucra’s free-to-play rewards SDK will roll out to the full Bracketology player base in the back half of the season, bringing even more ways for fans to engage.

About Lucra

Lucra is a plug-and-play SDK that integrates into apps or websites, enabling peer-to-peer competitions with real-money or rewards. It handles compliance, payments, fraud prevention, and settlement out of the box, so partners can instantly offer gamified experiences without building or managing complex infrastructure themselves. Top entertainment, hospitality, and consumer brands, including Five Iron Golf, Puttshack, Backyard Sports, ChessKings, TouchTunes, and more, use Lucra's white-label technology to power tournaments and challenges, build loyalty, and drive new revenue. Learn more at www.playlucra.com. 

About Bracketology

Bracketology is the leading free-to-play fantasy gaming and prediction platform for reality TV fans, with 1.2 million players in its database and partnerships with major entertainment brands including Us Weekly and FOX. Built on a foundation of entirely organic growth, Bracketology gives fans a competitive way to engage with their favorite shows — filling out brackets, making predictions, and competing against friends and the broader community throughout each season. Download the Bracketology app to play fantasy games for all your favorite reality TV shows.

Media Contact

Lindsay Linhart
Brand Strategist, Lucra
lindsay@playlucra.com

A new study from the National Center for Energy Analytics (NCEA) finds that powering America’s largest electric grid primarily with wind, solar, and battery storage is “physically implausible, cost-prohibitive, and unjustifiable based on goals to reduce CO2 emissions.” The research publication, Batteries and the Grid: Hype, Hope, and Economic Reality, was authored by energy economists Jonathan Lesser, PhD, NCEA Senior Fellow, and Mitchell Rolling, NCEA Visiting Fellow and director of research at Always On Energy.

Despite rapid growth in battery deployment, the study notes that all U.S. grid-scale batteries combined could meet average national electricity demand for only about 15 minutes — far short of the storage needed to backstop an intermittent grid. 

The authors modeled PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest grid operator, servicing more than 67 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia, using PJM’s own long-term demand forecast through 2045. They compared three ways of meeting that demand: First, a renewables-only (RO) grid of wind, solar, batteries, and existing nuclear with all coal and gas retired; second, a natural gas and nuclear (NGN) grid; and third, an NGN+B scenario that adds batteries to gas and nuclear to cover peak demand. 

Key findings:

• A $4 trillion cost. Over 20 years, a renewables-only grid would cost PJM ratepayers more than $4 trillion, roughly six times the cost of a natural gas and nuclear grid, even after accounting for fossil fuel savings.
• Wind and solar require ten times the capacity. To cover the intermittency of wind and solar, including multiday wind and solar droughts, the renewables-only grid would need about ten times more total generating capacity by 2045 than gas and nuclear.
• Storage capacity remains tiny relative to domestic demand. At the start of 2026, every grid-scale battery in the U.S. combined could supply only about 15 minutes of average national electricity demand.
• The transition would cost thousands of dollars per ton of CO2, far above the federal government's own social cost of carbon (about $180/ton in 2025 to about $320/ton in 2045). On a cost-benefit basis, the approach fails.
• A massive land footprint. Building the wind capacity alone would require an area nearly 20% larger than all PJM states combined.
• Over 1.5 billion tons of raw materials mined and processed for batteries, much of it sourced overseas under weaker environmental standards.

According to data from the study modeling PJM demand through 2045, the total 20-year cost to ratepayers varies significantly by scenario:

• Renewables Only (wind, solar, batteries + existing nuclear): $4.02 trillion
• Natural Gas + New Nuclear: $668 billion
• Natural Gas + Nuclear + Batteries (for peak demand): $768 billion

“The physics and arithmetic simply don’t support the promises being made about a wind, solar, and battery grid,” said Jonathan Lesser, PhD, senior fellow for NCEA and the report’s lead author. “When you model it honestly against real demand, you find a system that costs at least $4 trillion through 2045, requires ten times the capacity, and still can’t guarantee the lights stay on due to the inherent intermittency of wind and solar.”

The study warns that if policymakers and regulators “refuse to recognize these physical and economic realities, they will continue to impose significant harm on consumers and the economy, while providing few benefits — if any.”

To learn more, read the full report, "Batteries and the Grid: Hype, Hope, and Economic Reality."

About National Center for Energy Analytics (NCEA)

The National Center for Energy Analytics is a think tank devoted to data-driven analyses of policies, plans, and technologies surrounding the supply and use of energy essential for human flourishing. Through objective analyses of energy policies and their implications, NCEA aims to inform policymakers, industry leaders, and the public on critical energy issues. For more information, visit energyanalytics.org.

Media Contact

Melrose PR
NCEA@melrosepr.com

ZEEKR 7GT, a premium model under Geely Auto Group, has been awarded a five-star safety rating under Euro NCAP's (European New Car Assessment Programme) 2026 assessment protocol, becoming one of the first vehicles to successfully navigate these revised and more demanding safety standards, particularly notable for post-crash safety (95%) and crash protection (93%).

The recognition is driven by Geely Auto Group's core philosophy of putting user safety first, backed by a comprehensive safety ecosystem that spans R&D, validation, manufacturing, and the full product lifecycle. Empowered by AI-driven innovations, Geely has secured top marks in more than 80 prestigious global safety evaluations.

To support this global safety strategy, Geely continues to invest in safety R&D and has expanded to five global testing clusters with 16 bases, including the Geely Europe Testing Base in Frankfurt and the world’s largest Geely Comprehensive Safety Testing Center. For the ZEEKR 7GT assessment, more than 70 supporting technical reports were submitted to Euro NCAP. These materials helped demonstrate that the vehicle’s safety performance was robust and repeatable across a range of operating conditions, rather than being limited to individual test scenarios.

In the electric vehicle sector, Geely has engineered a multidimensional testing matrix for battery safety under extreme operational scenarios, consistently raising the bar for product safety redundancy. Beyond its internal metrics, Geely actively opens its core safety patents and technical resources to the broader industry, fostering collaborative innovation and elevating collective safety standards across the global automotive sector.

With the inclusion of the ZEEKR 7GT, Geely Auto Group’s brands now have nine models that have earned five-star Euro NCAP ratings, including the Geely E5, Geely Starray EM-i, Lynk & Co 08 EM-P, Lynk & Co 02, Lynk & Co 01, ZEEKR 7X, ZEEKR X, and ZEEKR 001. Complemented by four ANCAP five-star models and eight ASEAN NCAP-certified vehicles, Geely’s strong performance across major global rating systems underscores its safety capabilities across diverse brands, product lines, and regional markets. By accelerating advanced safety innovation, Geely intends to drive sustainable development for the automotive industry while creating safer, smarter, and more trustworthy mobility experiences for global users.

About Geely Auto Group

Geely Auto Group is a leading global automotive company headquartered in Hangzhou, China. Part of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Geely Auto Group develops and manufactures passenger vehicles under the Geely, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr brands.

With a strong focus on technology innovation, electrification, and sustainable mobility, Geely Auto Group operates world-class R&D centers and manufacturing facilities across China, Europe, and key international markets. The Group is committed to delivering safe, high-quality, and intelligent vehicles enabled by advanced technologies such as hybrid powertrains, full-electric architectures, smart connectivity, and autonomous driving systems.

As a global company, Geely Auto Group continues to expand its international presence through strategic partnerships, localized operations, and industry-leading platforms. Geely strives to create mobility solutions that are greener, smarter, and more accessible, driving forward the future of sustainable transportation.

For more information, visit global.geely.com.

Media Contact

media@geely.com

SEBO, a German-engineered vacuum manufacturer with a nearly fifty-year history of commitment to building the best vacuum possible, has been recognized for the third year in a row in the Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards for Best Vacuum, with the SEBO FELIX taking first place in the 2026 awards.

The recognition reflects a broader shift in consumer priorities toward products that are built to last and designed to perform consistently, year after year.

"Winning this award for the third consecutive year is incredibly meaningful because it reflects the trust consumers place in SEBO," said Adam Riccardi, CEO of SEBO America. "We're proud to build products that deliver exceptional performance, stand the test of time, and continue to earn that trust year after year."

Founded in Germany in 1978, SEBO has earned a reputation for precision engineering and for products designed to be maintained rather than discarded.

The FELIX is engineered as a complete cleaning system rather than a single-feature product. Effective vacuuming depends on more than suction alone; carpet agitation, airflow, filtration, maneuverability, and floor adaptability work together to deliver consistent results across both carpet and hard flooring.

Key features that differentiate the SEBO FELIX include:

• Triple-layer filtration that captures fine dust, allergens, and microscopic particles before they return to the home — an appealing feature for allergy sufferers and pet owners.
• Premium bagged technology offers cleaner disposal, more consistent airflow, and improved long-term reliability, as homeowners rediscover the advantages of a well-designed bagged system.
• Serviceable design with replaceable components and straightforward maintenance, engineered for years of dependable performance and translating into both long-term savings and a more sustainable approach to ownership.

The award reinforces SEBO's position that exceptional products succeed through reliable performance and thoughtful engineering rather than short-lived innovation.

The Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards recognize standout businesses, brands, and products across a wide range of consumer categories. Winners are determined through a public voting process in which readers select the companies and organizations they believe deliver exceptional quality, value, and customer experience.

The 2026 program highlights leading companies and products across numerous categories, including Home Goods.

“Each year, the Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate the best of the best, as chosen by the people who matter most — our readers,” said Newsweek Editor-in-Chief, Jennifer H. Cunningham. “We’re proud to recognize those organizations that continue to raise the bar for quality, innovation, and customer experience.”

About SEBO

Founded in Germany in 1978, SEBO is a leading manufacturer of premium vacuum cleaners known for exceptional performance, innovative engineering, and long-lasting reliability. Designed with durability, advanced filtration, and repairability in mind, SEBO vacuums are built to deliver years of dependable cleaning while supporting healthier indoor environments. With a commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, SEBO continues to set the standard for high-performance home cleaning. Learn more at sebo.us.

About Newsweek

Newsweek is the global digital news organization built around the iconic 93-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people monthly with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia. For more information, visit www.newsweek.com.

Media Contact

cole@sebo.us

Remote Quality Bookkeeping today announced the opening of a new office in Attleboro, Massachusetts. The firm has also named Joseph Kisamore a partner. The two moves extend the company's presence in the Northeast and add senior leadership to the practice.

The firm serves approximately 250 clients across the country. It works from its headquarters in Ogunquit, Maine, and its new Massachusetts office. Remote Quality Bookkeeping was founded in 2000. It provides remote bookkeeping, payroll, tax, and CFO services to small businesses, franchises, and nonprofits.

The expansion arrives at a turning point for the accounting software many of those clients rely on. Intuit stopped selling new subscriptions for several QuickBooks Desktop versions in the United States after September 30, 2024. The company is expected to end support for the product by May 2027 as it moves customers toward cloud-based tools.

Desktop Software Remains Widely Used

Desktop accounting software still has a large user base. Industry estimates put the share of QuickBooks users who prefer desktop versions at roughly 67%, or about 4.6 million businesses. Intuit holds more than 80% of the small-business accounting software market. 

For firms built around desktop workflows, the change is disruptive.

"It felt like a kick in the gut," said Mark Kilduff, founder and CEO of Remote Quality Bookkeeping, describing his reaction to the phaseout. "We've relied on the desktop product for decades, and now we're being pushed into a system that doesn't function the same way."

Kilduff said the move to QuickBooks Online slows down work that spans many clients and datasets.

"In desktop, I can isolate issues and analyze data in minutes," he said. "In the online version, it can be significantly more time-consuming to do the same work."

Added Capacity to Support the Transition

The firm manages hundreds of clients across multiple platforms. That work requires staff who can move between systems and keep each client's records accurate. As clients navigate the QuickBooks Desktop transition, the new Attleboro office and Kisamore's expanded role give the firm more capacity to support them. 

Kilduff said the firm will keep helping clients adapt to new systems. It will also keep looking for tools that fit the way accountants work.

"The challenge," he said, "is finding a solution that actually works for the people doing the work."

About Remote Quality Bookkeeping

Remote Quality Bookkeeping is a national remote bookkeeping and accounting firm. It was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Ogunquit, Maine, with an additional office in Attleboro, Massachusetts. The firm provides bookkeeping, payroll, tax, forensic accounting, document management, and CFO services to small business owners, franchise operators, and nonprofits. Learn more at myrqb.com.

Media Contact

Remote Quality Bookkeeping
sales@myrqb.com
+1 866-567-4258

Dottie Herman, vice chair of Douglas Elliman, is expanding her advisory work to support investors and developers navigating complex real estate projects, including hotel-to-residential conversions and other adaptive reuse opportunities. The move reflects growing demand for strategic guidance as market conditions continue to shift in major cities such as New York.

Responding to Changing Market Needs

Interest in repurposing commercial properties has increased in recent years, and Herman has been working closely with clients who are considering large-scale conversions. These projects tend to involve more than just a simple purchase. Zoning approvals, financial reviews and long-term planning all play a role before anything can move ahead.

In many cases, Herman’s job begins early in the process. She helps clients think through whether a deal makes sense and what challenges may come up along the way. Rather than handling transactions directly, she focuses on giving clients a clearer picture before they commit.

A Consulting Approach Built on Experience

Much of Herman’s advisory work has grown naturally through relationships she has built over time. Many clients come through referrals, while others follow her weekly newsletter, where she shares observations about the market and answers common questions.

Herman’s current projects include collaborating with investors who are exploring commercial properties in New York City. Some are looking at hospitality assets and weighing whether a shift to residential use could function in today’s environment.

Expanding Media and Public Engagement

In addition to consulting, Herman stays connected to a broader audience through her radio shows. She has hosted “Eye on Real Estate” for over a decade, where listeners call in to ask questions about market trends, financing and property decisions.

Herman’s second show, “Real Talk,” takes a different approach. It focuses on personal experiences, career changes and real-life challenges. Many guests share stories about shifting direction later in life, which has resonated with a wide audience.

A New Book Focused on Lessons in Business

Herman is also finishing a book that reflects on her career and the lessons she has picked up along the way. The focus is not limited to real estate. Instead, it looks at decisions, setbacks and moments that shaped how she approaches business.

The goal is to offer insights that readers can apply in their own work, regardless of industry. The book highlights how experience, both good and difficult, can influence long-term thinking.

Industry Involvement and Emerging Models

Beyond her advisory and media efforts, Herman continues her involvement in board service, including her role with Adelphi University. She is also connected to newer real estate models that give buyers the option to purchase partial ownership in second homes.

These arrangements differ from traditional timeshares. Buyers hold equity in the property, and ownership can be transferred if plans change. The model has started to gain attention among those looking for more flexible ways to invest.

Continued Focus on Strategic Growth

Herman’s advisory guidance comes at a time when many investors are rethinking how properties can be used. Some are looking for ways to reposition assets, while others are trying to better understand shifting demand.

Herman’s role continues to center on helping clients sort through those decisions. By offering a practical view of what works and what may not, she helps clients move forward with more confidence. Furthermore, she will continue to have an impact in both real estate and business as she actively advises clients and shares insights drawn from decades of experience.

About Dottie Herman

Herman’s role continues to center on helping clients sort through those decisions. By offering a practical view of what works and what may not, she helps clients move forward with more confidence. Furthermore, she will continue to have an impact in both real estate and business as she actively advises clients and shares insights drawn from decades of experience. For more information, follow Dottie Herman on LinkedIn.

About Marquis Who's Who

Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the first edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms worldwide. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, marquiswhoswho.com.

Media Contact

Marquis Who’s Who
info@marquiswhoswho.com

ZenoX Media, the performance marketing agency that has generated over $236 million in advertising results for 160 e-commerce brands, today announced the release of Scaley AI, a fully autonomous Google Ads platform trained on real media buyer conversations and campaign data.

Scaley AI is not a dashboard with suggestions. It is a fully autonomous system that handles campaign creation, budget allocation, and real-time performance tracking with very little manual intervention. The platform automatically applies performance labels to products, ensuring campaigns stay optimized based on live data rather than periodic human reviews. An integrated AI bot, trained on more than 200 standard operating procedures and client Slack communication from ZenoX Media's work with clients, answers Google Ads questions instantly and makes optimization decisions on the fly.

"Most automation tools provide generic recommendations that don't account for the nuances of individual business models," said Christopher Krassnig, founder of ZenoX Media. "Scaley AI's training comes from real client work across more than ten different niches, so the suggestions reflect what actually works in live campaigns, not theoretical best practices. Early results show an average of 27% more sales and 21% higher return on ad spend within the first 30 days of use."

The platform addresses a gap in the Google Ads automation market. While Madgicx focuses primarily on Meta advertising, few tools concentrate specifically on Google Ads optimization. Scaley AI allows e-commerce brands and dropshippers to access ZenoX Media's proprietary Predictive KPI Signal Scaling methodology without requiring full agency management.

ZenoX Media has scaled more than 160 brands across fashion, electronics, and other e-commerce categories. The agency's track record includes taking one client from zero to $118,000 in monthly revenue within 60 days. Others now generate seven-figure monthly revenues through Google Ads alone, with results documented in detailed Trustpilot reviews from clients across multiple industries.

"We solve the bad scaling loop where brands increase budgets, watch their ROAS collapse, then scale back down," Krassnig added. "Scaley AI systematizes the Predictive KPI Signal Scaling framework we've developed and refined with more than 200 e-commerce brands, measuring real statistical performance signals before committing budget. This allows more businesses to break through that ceiling without guesswork."

The platform targets brands seeking to build internal performance marketing capabilities rather than outsourcing permanently. ZenoX Media is also preparing to roll out coaching services for teams looking to develop in-house Google Ads management.

Scaley AI operates on a subscription model, with users able to connect multiple Google Ads accounts. The platform provides one-click application of recommended optimizations while maintaining human oversight for final decisions. The system delivers real-time campaign adjustments based on data intelligence, with complete campaign autonomy that eliminates the manual intervention required by most automation tools.

About ZenoX Media

ZenoX Media is a performance marketing agency specializing in Google Ads for e-commerce brands. The agency has generated over $236 million in advertising results across 160 clients internationally. Founded by Christopher Krassnig, ZenoX Media solves scaling problems that prevent e-commerce businesses from growing sustainably through its proprietary Predictive KPI Signal Scaling framework, which measures statistical performance signals before allocating budget to scale. The company delivers a holistic, full-funnel strategy covering product pricing, landing pages, creatives, and audience targeting. For more information, visit zenoxmedia.com.

Media Contact

hello@scaleyai.com

At 6:00 a.m. on June 28, the starting gun officially flagged off the Giro d’Italia RIDE LIKE A PRO China Tour Xiamen Open Race 2026 at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center. Thousands of cyclists surged past the starting line, heading north along Island Ring Road like a pink storm sweeping across the city.

This marks the historic debut in Xiamen for the 117-year-old Giro d’Italia brand, and the first time for the city to host a world-class premier road cycling race. The 77-kilometer closed-circuit course traversed five administrative districts, seamlessly weaving together Xiamen’s most iconic coastal landmarks. Major urban thoroughfares underwent full traffic closure for a cycling competition for the first time in history.

As the ceremonial horns sounded, Xiamen took center stage. A lineup of distinguished heavyweights — including SUN Weimin, President of Chinese Cycling Association; RUAN Dunliang, Director-General of Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Sports; Michele Napoli, CEO of RCS Sports and Events DMCC; and legendary cyclist Chris Froome — jointly flagged off the race. The event comprised four competition categories, bringing together professional riders and cycling enthusiasts from numerous countries and regions to compete on the same stage.

“Riding across the cross-sea bridge was absolutely exhilarating!” exclaimed XUE Fuwen from Winspace Xiamen, pumping his fists in the air as he crossed the finish line. XUE captured the Men’s Elite championship with a stunning time of 1:37:08. His teammate WANG Qiang followed closely to secure third place, bringing immense honor to the local cycling community. In the Women’s Elite category, ZHANG Tingting from Bigrock claimed the crown with a powerful sprint finish at 1:56:25.

“As a local Xiamen team, we were deeply motivated to secure this championship on our home turf. Thanks to our flawless teamwork, we made it happen,” said Wang Qiang, captain of Winspace, in a post-race interview. He expressed his hope that Xiamen will continue to host more cycling events in the future, promising that local teams will always compete with full dedication and strive for excellence.

The debut of the legendary Giro d’Italia further expands the landscape and ecosystem of high-level sports in Xiamen. Though the race has concluded, the passion remains unquenched. This romantic and exhilarating pink storm has officially added another dazzling luster to Xiamen’s golden reputation as an "International Coastal Sports City."

Media Contact

Nancy Tsoi
nancy.tsoi@renxisports.com

KOR Protocol, the platform building the creative asset clearinghouse, today announced a $7.5 million Series A, capital provided by 1kx and Blockchain Capital at a $100 million valuation. KOR is also supported by existing investors and strategic partners across entertainment, technology, and venture capital.

AI has collapsed the cost of production, but the barrier to being discovered, distributed, and paid has never been higher. Independent talent now has the tools to make professional work, but not the coordinated system to turn that work into opportunity. KOR is building the clearinghouse for this market: an end-to-end system of action where output can be registered, talent can be guided by AI agents, opportunities can be routed to the right labels, agencies, MCNs, brands, curators, and platforms, and payments can move faster and more transparently across the ecosystem. 

KOR is starting with entertainment because it is where the mismatch is most visible. Entertainment has the largest attention flows, the highest upside outcomes, and one of the clearest gaps between what gets consumed and who captures the value. AI has commoditized tools and knowledge work, but it cannot commoditize original creativity, cultural gravity, or the ability to command attention. Yet much of the entertainment industry still relies on manual scouting, fragmented platform data, slow deal flow, and outdated payment systems. KOR is designed to rebuild that infrastructure for the AI era.

The Series A reflects growing demand for better systems around talent discovery, rights management, licensing, and payments. The funding will help KOR expand its products, grow its library of licensed music and entertainment content, deepen its industry partnerships, and bring more creators, rights holders, and entertainment businesses onto the platform.

Ritty Quin was appointed CEO late last year to lead the company’s next phase of growth across the technology engine and the creator economy. A PhD holder and UCL alumnus, he began his career at ByteDance before moving into marketing roles across the technology space. Quin is also a YouTube Partner and electronic music producer signed to Live Nation Asia. He has generated over 30 million impressions as a creator, appeared on Beatport’s Top 100 House Charts and BBC Radio 1 Dance, and headlined Creamfields Asia in 2025. 

“AI has removed many of the barriers to creating professional work, but it has not fixed what happens next,” said Quin, CEO of KOR. “As both an artist and an operator, I know how difficult it is to translate strong work and audience momentum into distribution, partnerships, and sustainable revenue. KOR is building the system that connects those pieces by helping talent get recognized earlier, reach the right opportunities, and build lasting careers.”

Since launch, KOR has built meaningful traction across its ecosystem, surpassing 1 million lifetime sign-ups, established relationships with more than 1,000 creative and rights partners, and generated more than $2 million in gross revenue. Current partners and collaborators include globally recognized brands and franchises including Black Mirror, Beatport, mau5trap, Imogen Heap, Banijay Group, KDDI, and more. The company sees this as early evidence that creators and entertainment businesses are looking for better systems to manage the next phase of the talent economy.

KOR’s platform focuses on three parts of the creator journey: producing and registering work, finding the right audience and commercial partners, and turning that momentum into revenue. It helps establish origin, authenticity, ownership, and clearance for creative work, while using audience insights and workflow tools to connect talent and content with relevant opportunities. The platform also helps creators and commercial partners manage licensing, payments, commissions, revenue sharing, and other financial processes more efficiently.

KOR’s product suite includes Pacer, KORUS, VRSNS, Streamline, and KOR Hubs. Pacer is an AI-powered workspace that helps artists and their teams manage release strategy, audience insights, fan engagement, partner outreach, and campaign execution. It brings information from across an artist’s career into one place and helps turn that information into a clear plan of action. KORUS is a music creation and remix platform that allows artists to release official music packs for fans and creators to reinterpret with permission. The platform is designed to make collaborative music more accessible while ensuring that original artists and rights holders retain control and participate in the value created. VRSNS, Streamline, and KOR Hubs provide additional tools around content creation, audience intelligence, community building, and direct monetization.

The funding will support KOR’s next phase of growth as it expands its products, develops new partnerships across music and entertainment, and brings more creators and commercial partners onto the platform. KOR’s long-term goal is to become the place where emerging talent meets opportunity: helping creators get discovered earlier, enabling entertainment businesses to identify stronger signals, and giving the next generation of artists, filmmakers, DJs, and digital creators a clearer path from making work to building sustainable careers.

About KOR Protocol

KOR Protocol is building the clearinghouse for talent in the AI era. The platform helps creators, artists, rights holders, and entertainment businesses move from creation to discovery, distribution, and monetization in one coordinated environment. Through products including Pacer, KORUS, VRSNS, Streamline, and KOR Hubs, KOR connects emerging talent with the labels, agencies, brands, platforms, and communities that can help scale their work. To learn more, visit korprotocol.io.

Media Contact

aakanksha@korprotocol.io

Lucra, the leading social competition platform, today announced a partnership with EX Sports, the sports engagement and gaming platform focused on Tier 2 and Tier 3 sports communities worldwide. EX Sports will deploy Lucra's mini-games product across its platform, activating between 30 and 50 sports-focused mini-games across multiple verticals over the next three to four years — one of the largest deployments of Lucra's mini-games product to date.

Lucra's mini-games product gives sports properties, media platforms, and entertainment brands a turnkey way to embed competitive gameplay directly into their existing fan experience with no engineering lift required. Lucra handles all payments, compliance, fraud prevention, and reward fulfillment out of the box, allowing partners to go from contract to live competition in weeks. For EX Sports, the integration delivers a scalable engagement layer across its platform and partner ecosystem — giving fans a reason to interact, compete, and earn rewards every day, not only during live events.

EX Sports was founded on the conviction that Tier 2 and Tier 3 sports communities are consistently overlooked by mainstream media and gaming platforms. The company entered the Web3 gaming sector in 2022 and built sports-based gaming experiences tied to live streaming events, generating strong engagement during broadcasts. But that experience also revealed a crucial insight: even the most passionate fan communities won't fight through complex onboarding. Traditional sports fans are difficult to convert into standalone Web3 ecosystems, and the window between live events is where fan attention is hardest to hold. The Lucra partnership is EX Sports' answer to both problems.

Through Lucra's accessible, plug-and-play competition infrastructure, fans watching or following live events through EX Sports and its partner network can participate in skill-based competitions, live predictions, and loyalty challenges without friction. Earned rewards are redeemable as gameplay credits and ecosystem benefits that keep fans active between events — addressing what EX Sports sees as one of the largest unsolved opportunities in sports media: maintaining meaningful fan engagement outside the live broadcast window.

"Most sports media companies still monetize attention only during the event itself," said Dylan Robbins, founder and CEO of Lucra. "EX Sports has spent years figuring out what actually keeps Tier 2 and Tier 3 sports fans engaged between live events. Our platform gives them the competition and rewards infrastructure to build loyal communities and create continuous engagement loops, not just a spike on game day."

For EX Sports, the Lucra partnership accelerates the U.S. expansion of its platform, including the wider rollout of the Urbanballer ecosystem. By deploying Lucra's mini-games product, EX Sports gains a competition and loyalty engine built around accessibility and retention — low barriers to entry, continuous engagement loops, and reward mechanics that compound across games, creator communities, and live event activations.

"We've spent years learning what actually keeps sports fans engaged between live events, and the answer always comes back to removing friction," said Toli Makris, CEO of EX Sports. "Our early Web3 experiences showed us that even passionate fan communities won't fight through complex onboarding. Lucra's mini-games product lets us meet fans where they already are and give them a simple, rewarding reason to compete and come back. That's exactly the gap we've been building toward closing."

The partnership is also designed to be complementary to EX Sports' longer-term strategy. The company is in discussions with strategic gaming partners in the Middle East around the development of AAA sports gaming titles connected to existing and future sports IPs with a focus on building premium long-term gaming franchises by 2030. Where that initiative focuses on depth and franchise development, the Lucra partnership focuses on scale, accessibility, and continuous fan engagement today — building the engaged user base, behavioral data, and loyalty infrastructure that strengthens the broader platform as it grows.

The first mini-games are live in the EX Sports app, with an expanded library of sports verticals rolling out through the end of 2026. Download the EX Sports app for Apple or Android to play today.

About Lucra

Lucra is a plug-and-play SDK that integrates into apps or websites, enabling peer-to-peer competitions with real-money or rewards. It handles compliance, payments, fraud prevention, and settlement out of the box, so partners can instantly offer gamified experiences without building or managing complex infrastructure themselves. Top entertainment, hospitality, and consumer brands, including Five Iron Golf, Puttshack, Backyard Sports, ChessKings, TouchTunes, and more, use Lucra's white-label technology to power tournaments and challenges, build loyalty, and drive new revenue. Learn more at www.playlucra.com. 

About EX Sports

EX Sports is a sports engagement, gaming, and media platform focused on underserved sports communities and next-generation fan participation models. The company combines live events, streaming, gaming, creator ecosystems, and loyalty infrastructure to create interactive sports experiences globally. Learn more at www.ex-sports.io.

Media Contact

Lindsay Linhart
Brand Strategist, Lucra
lindsay@playlucra.com

Super.com, the savings super app for everyday Americans, today announced $65 million in Series D funding led by TPG, valuing the company at $1.2 billion. The new capital will accelerate the app’s mission to put more money back in the pockets of millions of Americans.

An App Built For The People Who Need It Most

Super.com’s model is built around a simple truth: the best rewards programs have historically been reserved for those who need them least — the highest earners with the highest credit scores. The Super.com app flips that script, offering rich, tangible benefits to everyday Americans regardless of income or credit history.

Millions of Americans have trusted Super.com on their savings journeys — and since 2016, the app has put more than $1 billion back in their pockets in direct savings. NASCAR recently named Super.com its official savings partner, showcasing the Super.com savings app to its 70 million fans. This partnership introduces the app to one of the most mainstream American consumer audiences, with strong overlap to the value-conscious households that Super.com is built to serve. 

Super+: The Membership Companion That Multiplies What Super.com Does

The Super.com app’s flagship Super+ has grown to nearly 1 million members. Think of Super+ like a Costco membership with over 15 benefits focused on saving, earning, credit building, and more — all for a single low monthly fee that delivers compounding value across the full Super.com app.

The model mirrors how Amazon Prime relates to Amazon or Uber One to Uber: the underlying app is open to everyone, and the membership is the multiplier for customers who use it most. Members get up to 40% off hotels with member-only rates, an additional 10% cashback on hotel bookings up to $100 a month, and discounts on flights, theme parks, entertainment, and everyday purchases. The membership also unlocks additional financial tools: a secured charge card that earns cashback on everyday purchases, cash advances, and a full suite of credit-building tools. With one single membership, members unlock the full range of benefits — and many find it pays for itself through just one benefit in the very first month.

“Costco proved millions of Americans will pay for a membership that genuinely saves them money. Amazon Prime proved they’ll pay for one that makes their lives easier. Super.com is building both — for the everyday household, where every dollar matters most. This Series D helps us put that app in front of every American," said Hussein Fazal, CEO and co-founder, Super.com.

Expanding Member Value and Savings Personalized By AI 

The Series D capital will be deployed to deliver more value to Super+ members — expanding the ways they can save, earn, and improve their financial lives. Super.com is actively investing in new categories of products that put more money back in members’ pockets across the moments that matter to everyday households.

Super.com is also accelerating its AI investments to deliver a deeply personalized membership experience. The newly redesigned app now surfaces the next best thing a member can do to save money every time they open it. A member who just booked a flight sees hotel deals, tours, and activities in the city they're headed to. A member who just took out a cash advance is shown ways to earn money or build their credit. The result is a membership that gets smarter and more valuable the more a member uses it — and this is just the beginning.

“TPG looks to invest in innovative companies that are reshaping and enhancing the consumer experience through technology. Super.com is purpose-built for value-conscious consumers, providing access to meaningful benefits and rewards through a single, easy-to-use platform. We’re proud to partner with the company in its next stage of growth," said Arun Agarwal, Partner, TPG.

A Breakout Year, A Strengthened Bench

2025 was a breakout growth year for Super.com. The company became profitable and grew revenue over 50%, surpassing $200 million in net revenue diversified across recurring and transactional revenue streams. Its Super+ membership is now approaching 1 million members and continues to grow with over half of U.S. hotel bookings now coming from Super+ members. 

Super.com also added significant senior talent to the team. Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify, joined as a board observer and advisor. Ryan Fujiu, former CPO at Bird and head of driver growth at Uber, joined to lead product. Michele Lee, formerly general counsel at Pinterest, joined as Super.com's general counsel. All three bring experience scaling companies through their next chapters of growth.

"Super.com is one of the most exciting companies I have put my capital and conviction behind. Hussein and his team are doing what the best entrepreneurs do — taking what's been reserved for the wealthiest and putting it in the hands of everyday households. That's a category-creating bet, and it's the reason why I joined the board," said Harley Finkelstein, President, Shopify.

Advisors

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as sole placement agent to Super.com on the transaction. Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as legal counsel to Super.com.

About Super.com

Super.com is the savings super app for everyday Americans. The app helps customers save across travel, entertainment, financial services, and daily spending. The Super+ membership supercharges the app. Members get 10% cashback on hotels, unlock financial tools like cash advances and credit building, and much more. Since 2016, Super.com has delivered more than $1 billion in savings. Learn more at www.super.com.

Media Contact

Super.com Communications
press@super.com

CHEQ, the leading identity, security, and intelligence platform for the open web, announced that Udi Mokady, founder of CyberArk and one of the most recognized architects of modern identity security, has been elevated to chairman of the board. The appointment marks a deepened commitment by Mokady to CHEQ’s mission at a pivotal moment, following the company's announcement of CHEQ Agent Intent, the industry's most comprehensive solution for securing the agentic web.

Mokady founded CyberArk in 1999 and built it into the global standard for privileged access management and identity security, establishing it as one of the most consequential companies in the history of cybersecurity. He is known not only as a visionary in the field, but as a builder of lasting organizations: companies that put customers at the center and create cultures that people are proud to be part of. CyberArk was acquired by Palo Alto Networks in February 2026 for $25 billion.

One of the most influential leaders in cybersecurity, Mokady has in recent years invested in a range of emerging ventures and served on several leading technology company boards. He joined CHEQ’s board in December 2023. His elevation to chairman reflects his growing conviction in CHEQ’s strategic direction and the urgency of the problem the company is solving. As chairman, he will advise on the company’s strategy and operational model as it scales.

"I have spent my career building and backing companies that solve the most important problem in cybersecurity: trust at scale," said Mokady. "Trust starts with identity — ensuring that every identity has legitimate credentials and access is fundamental to protecting every organization. The agentic web is the next frontier of that challenge, and CHEQ is the team addressing it head-on. CHEQ is solving a real business problem that every organization must contend with. As AI agents proliferate across the open web, CHEQ provides both the intelligence and the security guardrails that give organizations the visibility and control to embrace this new era with confidence. I'm excited to step into the chairman role at this defining moment."

CHEQ's platform combines the world's largest independent identity graph for fraud and trust, observing 6 billion authenticated user activities daily across 3 million websites and apps, with non-human detection across the entire customer journey. Earlier this month, CHEQ launched CHEQ Agent Intent, laying out the company's vision for trust, identity, intent, and control across every entity on the open web: human, bot, and AI agent alike.

"Few people understand the trajectory of cybersecurity better than Udi," said Guy Tytunovich, founder and CEO of CHEQ. "His decision to take on the chairman role tells you everything you need to know about where we are heading. CHEQ is building the trust infrastructure for the agentic web, and Udi's counsel and partnership will help us do it at the scale this moment demands. We are honored to have him at the table."

The appointment marks a pivotal moment for CHEQ as the company continues to scale to address the accelerating proliferation of AI agents acting on behalf of users — a challenge that demands bold leadership and a new class of solutions. Today, more than 15,000 organizations rely on CHEQ to secure the entities interacting with their digital experiences, whether human, bot, or AI agent, at a moment when telling one from another has never mattered more.

About CHEQ

CHEQ is the leading identity, security, and intelligence platform for the open web, trusted by the world's leading brands across industries including cybersecurity, financial services, retail and ecommerce, and technology. More than 15,000 companies, from the Fortune 50 to industry innovators, rely on CHEQ to secure their websites, protect their marketing investments, and govern who interacts with their digital experiences. CHEQ's platform combines the industry's only triple-layer traffic, trust, and identity intelligence engine with the world's largest independent identity graph for fraud and trust. Founded in 2016, CHEQ is a global organization with offices in New York, London, Tokyo, and Tel Aviv. For more information, visit cheq.ai.

About Udi Mokady

Udi Mokady is the founder of CyberArk, which he led from inception in 1999 through its IPO on the Nasdaq and 11 years as a public company, until its acquisition by Palo Alto Networks for $25 billion in 2026, one of the largest cybersecurity acquisitions in history. Across his tenure as CEO and executive chairman, Mokady established CyberArk as the global standard in identity security and privileged access management, building it into one of the most important cybersecurity companies of its generation. Beyond his operating career, he invests in emerging businesses, serves on the boards of multiple technology companies, and works closely with entrepreneurs to build and scale organizations. He is recognized internationally as one of the most influential leaders in cybersecurity.

Media Contact

lorie@aciostrategies.com

As millions of fans tune in for soccer's biggest matches, SKYN® is introducing a different kind of post-match analysis.

Today, SKYN launches Heat Map, the second chapter in the brand's summer campaign that borrows the visual language of sports broadcasting to tell a very different kind of story. Where broadcasters use heat maps to track player movement on the pitch, SKYN's Heat Map visualizes the chemistry, anticipation, and emotional intensity that unfold between couples after the game.

Heat Map transforms football's iconic heat map into a new visual language for attraction, chemistry, and human connection.

Inspired by the way broadcasters use heat maps to track where the action happens on the pitch, Heat Map shifts the focus to the chemistry, anticipation, and emotional intensity that unfold beyond the game.

Throughout the campaign, SKYN content mirrors the familiar language of football coverage, complete with pre-match build-up, tactical analysis, expert commentary, and post-match breakdowns. But instead of tracking player movement, Heat Map visualizes the emotional journey between couples on the path to "scoring."

"Football fans are obsessed with analyzing where the action happened. We wondered what would happen if you applied that same lens to attraction, seduction and connection," says Gian Carlo Lanfranco, co-founder and co-CCO, L&C. "Heat Map takes one of the sport's most iconic visual codes and turns it into a story about chemistry — the glances, the anticipation, the tension, and the moments that can turn a match night into something more. It's football analysis reimagined through the lens of human connection."

The campaign is rooted in a simple observation: the conversation doesn't end when the match does. Fans spend hours scrolling highlights, debating key moments, and reliving the action across social media.

"'Feel Everything' is about celebrating the emotions, sensations, and connections that make experiences meaningful," says Marta Toth, VP Global Marketing & Innovation, SKYN. "Soccer naturally creates for fans all around the world the kind of anticipation, excitement, and emotional investment that SKYN champions, making it a powerful cultural space for the brand to show up in an authentic way. Heat Map extends that idea by exploring the chemistry and connection that can happen beyond the match, reinforcing our belief that the best experiences are the ones you fully feel, when you 'Feel Everything.'"

The campaign will roll out across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok with content timed to coincide with many of the summer's biggest soccer matches. Each execution uses the visual language of sports broadcasting to tell a different kind of story, blending soccer culture, entertainment, intimacy, and human connection.

As a brand built around helping people feel more, SKYN continues to find new ways to participate in culture's biggest moments while staying true to its core belief: the best experiences happen when you feel everything.

About SKYN

SKYN is on a mission to reimagine intimacy — designing condoms, lubricants and massagers that center shared pleasure, comfort and connection. With SKYNFEEL®, a technologically advanced and patented soft non-latex material, designed to adapt smoothly & seamlessly to the body for the most natural fit and feeling, the brand invites people to experience more — without compromise. SKYN is a brand of LifeStyles Healthcare, a global leader in the sexual wellness sector, owned by the Chicago based private-equity firm Linden Capital Partners.

Media Contact

emma@lc-nyc.com