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LifeRx.md is pleased to announce that it now accepts CareCredit, offering patients a new, flexible way to manage healthcare expenses. In addition to existing payment options like HSA (health savings accounts) and FSA (flexible spending accounts), CareCredit makes it easier than ever for patients to prioritize their health without financial strain.

“At LifeRx.md, we believe healthcare should be accessible and affordable,” said Mitch Horn, CEO of LifeRx.md. “By adding CareCredit, we’re giving patients more control over how they manage their health costs, so they can focus on getting the care they need without the stress of upfront payments.”

CareCredit is a healthcare credit card designed specifically for health and wellness expenses. It allows patients to spread out the cost of various treatments and services over time, making it easier to invest in their health.

What you can use CareCredit for:

• Medication costs and shipping: Patients can use CareCredit to cover the cost of their prescribed medications and shipping and handling charges at LifeRx.md.
• Consultation fees and follow-up appointments: For consultation or follow-up appointment fees, you can additionally use CareCredit if your card has a Visa or Mastercard logo. Otherwise consultation fees must be paid separately.

How does CareCredit work?

• Simple application process: Applying for CareCredit is quick and easy, with instant approval decisions available online.
• Accepted for health services at LifeRx.md: Patients approved for CareCredit can use it to pay for a range of services at LifeRx.md, including weight management solutions, treatments prescribed by our healthcare providers, and shipping and handling costs. Please note that consultation fees must be paid separately using a Visa or Mastercard.
• Flexible financing options: CareCredit offers promotional financing options, allowing patients to start their treatments right away with flexible, manageable payments.

LifeRx.md provides services without the need for insurance, ensuring that patients can access care with flexible payment plans tailored to fit their financial situation. To learn more about using CareCredit at LifeRx.md or to explore the services offered, visit LifeRx.md.

About LifeRx.md

LifeRx.md is dedicated to providing personalized, expert care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. With a range of health and wellness services, LifeRx.md empowers patients to take control of their well-being, offering flexible payment solutions that make healthcare more accessible. To learn more, visit LifeRx.md.

Simplified Clinical Data Systems is pleased to announce the next step in the drive for Zero Data Entry™ in clinical trial data collection. Available for immediate release is seamless integration with Microsoft/Nuance’s Dragon Medical One speech-driven clinical documentation companion. Dragon Medical One, as the industry’s #1 rated conversational AI workflow assistant and documentation companion, gives clinicians a hands-free option for completing electronic Case Report Forms (eCRFs) using a tool with which they are already familiar.

This significant development compliments previous enhancements to its Clinical Discovery Platform that include AI-driven medical Text Analytics (from Microsoft) and direct data capture from electronic health record systems. John Schwope, president of Simplified Clinical, states, “This latest product enhancement further demonstrates our unwavering commitment to reduce clinical research cost/timelines, improve data quality, and minimize the administrative burden placed on research coordinators and investigators.”

As a member of Microsoft’s AI Cloud Partner Program, Simplified Clinical is combining its 20 year history of delivering client-driven clinical research data management systems with the latest from Microsoft Azure/Cloud for Healthcare. The integration with Dragon Medical One further solidifies this partnership and a shared vision for the future of clinical research. 

Mr. Schwope added, “Our relationship with Microsoft started many years ago and continues to deliver significant value to our clients and their investigational partners. We are excited to bring the future of clinical research to our sponsors, investigators, and coordinators to help improve patient care."

For more information about Simplified Clinical’s expanded interoperability capabilities and how it can benefit your clinical trials, please visit SimplifiedClinical.com.

About Simplified Clinical

Simplified Clinical pioneers clinical trial software innovation, supported by a strategic partnership with Microsoft Azure/Cloud for Healthcare. Our commitment to AI, cloud computing, and interoperability standards like FHIR® drives efficiencies and unlocks new possibilities in clinical research. Leveraging Azure’s infrastructure, we accelerate data collection and analysis, offering sponsors unparalleled value. With a vision for zero/near-zero data entry, we're shaping the future of healthcare technology, benefiting patients, clients, and stakeholders. For more information, visit SimplifiedClinical.com.

Prohaska Consulting, the award-winning global digital consultancy, today announced the launch of ProNews, a collective of publishers delivering high-quality news content and filling a unique space for advertisers to reach more news consumers in a brand-safe environment.

In an exclusive partnership with one of the world's largest supply-side platforms (SSPs), Index Exchange, this offering creates a streamlined way to reach highly desired news audiences. ProNews is now available as a marketplace atop Index Marketplaces, a flexible platform that leverages Index Exchange's programmatic infrastructure, streamlining access to quality publishers.

“ProNews is the natural evolution of our efforts over the past year, bringing together news publishers, agencies, and advertisers to solve the challenges associated with advertising on news and to drive revenue back into the category,” said Matt Prohaska, CEO & Principal, at Prohaska Consulting. “It started with our award-winning initiative The Rebranding of News. It is all about boosting direct revenue for the most important and respected publishers in the industry, and delivering the incomparable news audience to advertisers in those brand-safe environments, without the overuse and overblocking from brand safety technologies.”

ProNews will offer curated inventory in quality news content from a collection of premium publishers. The offering will enable buyers to complement single publisher ad buys with an array of top-tier, high-quality news publishers in PG/PMP deals, and deliver their audience above the fray of the open auction. ProNews will use semantic and contextual filtering, plus publishers’ solutions for brand safety, including the publisher-driven blocking of inappropriate content.

“We’re excited by the opportunities that ProNews brings to the table,” said Stephani Estes, Chief Media Officer at Goodway Group. “We believe in the value of news audiences and their ability to drive results for our clients. Too much of the industry has taken an overly cautious approach to reaching this audience when it’s possible to do that in brand-safe environments.  We think ProNews is a vehicle that can bring them back.”

The digital media industry has been awash in discussion and efforts to combat disinformation, support credible journalism, and address overzealous brand safety measures. This includes significant research published by the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB), and leading global agency group Stagwell which point to news content creating a highly favorable environment for brands. Among the data points that support news as the place to be for advertisers:

• 94% of news consumers have a neutral or positive perception of brands advertising in quality news content (2024 IAB News Survey)
• 88% of news consumers have a neutral or positive perception of brands advertising in quality serious/breaking news content (2024 IAB News Survey)
• Among GenZ, purchase intent for brands whose ads were placed next to articles on inflation and the U.S. economy was 66%​ (2024 Stagwell, Future of News Study)

“Our partnership with ProNews reflects our shared commitment to supporting quality journalism,” said Andrew Casale, president and CEO of Index Exchange. “By leveraging our supply-side infrastructure, we are creating an environment where premium publishers can thrive, and marketers can confidently connect with trusted news audiences at scale.”  

“We’re building a collective of the industry’s best publishers, offering the best audience, and clearly the best advertisers will gravitate there,” said Prohaska. “Everyone knows it’s a challenge for the industry to address, and we’re aiming to tackle it in the same way we solve problems for our clients. By using our collective experience and bringing partners together.”

Sales efforts will be led by Prohaska Consulting’s Magnify division, a custom-assembled team of industry veterans with extensive networks. For more information on ProNews, visit www.pronews.co.

About Prohaska Consulting

Prohaska Consulting is an award-winning global digital consultancy that provides strategic advisory services to clients across the marketing technology landscape. Described by clients as “connectors, disruptors, and data leaders,” Team Prohaska has helped more than 600 companies (brands, publishers agencies, tech, trade groups, and more) grow revenue, create business opportunities, and increase operational effectiveness & efficiency. The company is globally headquartered in New York City, with more than 100 full-time, fractional, and active freelance teammates around the world. Learn more at www.prohaskaconsulting.com.

About Index Exchange

Index Exchange is a global advertising supply-side platform enabling media owners to maximize the value of their content on any screen. We’re a proud industry pioneer with over 20 years of experience connecting leading experience makers with the world’s largest brands to ensure a quality experience for consumers. To learn more, visit: www.indexexchange.com.

On September 23, the Dominican police and prosecution missed the third court-mandated deadline to deliver evidence discovery in the ongoing case against Jonathan Lehrer—the first being in March followed by July and now September. In an incident that ignited widespread public and media attention, U.S. citizen Jonathan Lehrer was arrested and charged with the murder of Daniel Langlois with no evidence or eyewitness to the crime. Police claim Lehrer was a person of interest and arrested due to an ongoing lawsuit that Langlois brought against Lehrer concerning the usage of a road on Lehrer’s property. Lehrer has now been in Dominican prison since December 2023 with no evidence brought against him.

Even though the Dominican police, led by both Chief of Police Davidson Valerie and Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Jeffrey James, publicly claimed as early as February they have ample evidence to easily close the case, they have not been able to provide any evidence (forensic or witness) in more than nine months that legally demonstrates a tie between Jonathan Lehrer and the crime. The discovery evidence demanded by the magistrates include other elements like the autopsy report, crime scene photos, international expert investigation reports, financial reports, DNA analysis report, vehicle forensic report, GSR and lab reports of tested clothing samples, and supporting chain of custody documentation—all of which the police have stated they have but have refused to share with the defense to date. State Magistrates and the High Court of Dominica have mandated three different deadlines for said evidence discovery and the prosecution has missed every deadline with impunity as Jonathan remains in jail, without even a preliminary hearing.

“The police acted very irresponsibly, very unprofessional and I believe without regard for the law, as they arrested me without any evidence. They acted so quickly, it seems impossible that they could have investigated any other options to this case—to them it was me or nothing. That’s just not how investigations are done,” stated Jonathan Lehrer via his attorney. “They basically arrested me on pure suspicion and subsequently gave multiple statements implicating me at press conferences (as early as February) stating they had all the evidence they needed to close the case. The police portrayed me as guilty to everyone, including the international community, the press, and the people of Dominica. Since those press conferences, they have failed at every court-mandated step to provide any evidence and are now, going on ten months later, complaining to the State that they need more and more time to gather additional evidence. In the meantime, I’m left in a maximum security prison. I’m very ill and I’m being denied medical facilities for needed treatments. There is a good chance that I will die in here and they all know it—one has to wonder if that’s the police endgame.”

Jonathan has been incarcerated in Dominican jail where he is suffering from multiple health issues—most notably the significant possibility of prostate cancer. The Minister of National Security, Raymond Blackmoore, and the Acting Superintendent of Prisons, Jeffrey Edmund, continue to deny any access to treat the possible prostate cancer claiming there is no definitive diagnosis for the disease, but there are no resources on Dominica to make the diagnosis and Lehrer was not allowed to leave the island under Dominican custody to get a definitive answer on the matter. Jonathan has also been denied any access to outside medical assistance, including requested phone calls with prostate cancer specialists.

Moreover, Raymond Blackmoore continues to refuse any and all press access to Jonathan even though the Dominican Constitution (in Section 10) states individuals have a right to "receive and communicate ideas and information without interference." Even worse, while a U.S. citizen is kept in prison without evidence for more than ten months, the U.S. Embassy and State Department have refused to step in on the matter.

Jonathan Lehrer is represented by Pilgrim & Associates.

About KCT Chambers

KCT Chambers is a law chambers located in Bridgetown, Barbados. It was established out of a desire to help individuals and entities capitalize on opportunities, enforce rights, resolve existing challenges and preempt future ones. We believe in practical and legally grounded solutions and are guided by the core principles of accessibility, integrity and diligence. In order to achieve these objectives we apply a progressive, responsive and client-centred approach which is built upon detailed analysis of legal rights and obligations and the provision of clear, timely and consistent advice. For more information, visit https://kctchambers.com.

About Andrew O. G. Pilgrim Q.C.

Mr. Pilgrim is the founder of Pilgrim & Associates, the largest law chambers in Barbados to have a focus on criminal litigation. With over 25 years in practice, he is renowned throughout Barbados and the English-speaking Caribbean for his passionate and inspired representation of his clients. He has leveraged his wealth of knowledge and exceptional oratorical and analytical skills in a plethora of cases which have led to landmark decisions of the Court of Appeal of Barbados and the Caribbean Court of Justice.

The Female Quotient (The FQ), an experience and media company advancing gender equality in the workplace, today is launching a new social awareness campaign featuring girls from 10–17 years old proclaiming they have the power to be in the career they want when they grow up. This is in collaboration with Être, a mentorship ecosystem closing the confidence gap by bringing girls directly into companies and face to face with female leaders. An F1 driver, a Supreme Court justice, a CEO, and an Olympic medalist are some of the variety of careers the girls not only want, but understand they have the power from within to be. The #iamINPOWERED print and digital campaign debuts on October 10 followed by print and digital media beginning on October 11, International Day of the Girl.

"Today and everyday, girls should know they aren’t ‘empowered’, they are ‘inpowered," said Shelley Zalis, founder and CEO of The Female Quotient. "Let’s lose ‘empower’ from our vocabulary. Power isn’t something given, it’s something girls already possess."

To launch this campaign, The Female Quotient will be launching the word “inpowered” on its social channels on October 11, with a call to action for it’s community of 5.5 million women in business to start shifting the vernacular from "empowered" to "inpowered" and is also rallying support to have Merriam-Webster add the word to the official dictionary.

#GirlsAreInpower also kicks off with a mentoring event featuring 25 Être girls and 15 women leaders from The FQ community representing over a dozen industries, with another mentoring event following the next day. The two mentoring events on October 10 and 11 are filled with pairing and sharing activities between girls and women business leaders from companies including Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, Clear Channel, and NYU Tandon School of Engineering. The agenda includes pairing sessions in girls’ areas of interest and speed sessions to explore careers the girls might not otherwise have been exposed to, such as cybersecurity and AI.

"At Être, we understand that girls’ confidence isn’t built in isolation; it is bolstered and strengthened through meaningful connections," said Illana Raia, founder and CEO of Être. "Our most recent Être survey revealed a troubling 20% drop in girls’ confidence between the ages of 13 and 18, a critical time for their development. But the survey also showed that 91% of girls today say they believe higher confidence is directly related to mentorship."

"By creating opportunities for girls to engage face-to-face with inspiring female leaders early," Raia continued, "we’re not just bridging the confidence gap—we're nurturing a generation of girls that know their potential. Not enough girls have access to mentorships. Creating these mentor moments early—before that confidence drop can start—we’re changing girls' outlook on the power they have, one boardroom at a time."

The Être girls featured in the campaign include published authors, TED-Ed speakers, broadcast journalists, artists and athletes - all pursuing powerful dreams while navigating middle school and high school with epic mentors at their sides.

"The word empower is something that is used so often in relation to women and girls yet you never hear 'empower boys' or about an empowering event for men," said Caroline Dettman, Chief Marketing and Creative Officer at The Female Quotient. "'I am INPOWERED’ is a reminder to us all to check our biased language and most importantly, to come together as women in business and celebrate the power inherent in women and girls. Together, we change the world."

The FQ will feature the campaign in the New York Times and The Guardian US. Clear Channel and Outfront will feature the print and video campaign on Times Square Billboards, along with The FQ’s social channels including Instagram and Linkedin. The FQ is currently the fastest growing digital media business, and the campaign is expected to engage the 5.5 million followers within The FQ community.

About The Female Quotient

The Female Quotient (The FQ) is a woman-owned business creating experiences, media and research for conscious leaders and companies committed to advancing women in the workplace. As an engine of equality, The FQ offers visibility and connections for women at a global scale. The FQ’s signature Equality Lounge® has changed the business agenda at tentpole business conferences including CES, Davos, Cannes Lions and more. As the Business of Equality®, The FQ’s mission is to change the equation and close the gender gap. For more information on the Business of Equality®, visit thefemalequotient.com and join the equality conversation on social @femalequotient on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Être

Être is a mentorship ecosystem that brings girls directly into companies and face to face with female leaders. Launched in 2016 by former corporate attorney Illana Raia, Être paves the way for girls’ futures by ushering them into the boardroom. Être has empowered tens of thousands of girls to sit in boardroom chairs, raise hands in UN council chambers, stand on Spotify stages and ring NASDAQ bells, and has garnered the likes of nationally recognized icons including Gloria Steinem, Tyra Banks and Lilly Ledbetter. Être has been highlighted by Forbes, TODAY, NASDAQ and recognized by Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas in 2021 and 2022. For more information visit www.etregirls.com.

The Real Feel, the first real-time human sentiment and insights platform for people and businesses, today announced that it has officially launched in the U.S.

Revolutionizing the way organizations understand human sentiment, The Real Feel polls Americans each week about how they are feeling. Through its platform, visual heatmap, and AI capabilities, it can now break down sentiment across gender, age group, race, political party, and other demographic attributes. The platform has already collected sentiment data from its first week, revealing intriguing trends, including the happiest demographic, the saddest demographic, and the happiest weekday. All data is packaged into weekly reports and files available for purchase.

The Real Feel's ability to collect and analyze real-time sentiment data across various demographic groups provides unique and valuable insights into the emotions and opinions of Americans. This data will be crucial for organizations' understanding of macro trends, as well as consumer behaviors and preferences across different segments of the population, especially as the 2024 Presidential Election approaches.

The company, founded by Lisa Hu, a three-time entrepreneur, is leveraging her experience in technology and media to bring this first-to-market solution to fruition. "We are thrilled to launch The Real Feel at such an important moment. Organizations of all types need better access to real-time sentiment data to make informed decisions—whether it's launching a product that customers will love, passing laws that truly reflect what people want, or decoding the behavior of specific demographics and understanding why. Our goal is to create a more nuanced understanding of how people are feeling and tie the data to decision-making across various industries."

The Real Feel will expand its reach and gather sentiment data tailored to different private and public sectors, as well as develop deeper trend reporting and future analysis tools to provide more valuable insights.

For more information, please visit The Real Feel at https://www.therealfeel.ai.

About The Real Feel

Founded in 2024, The Real Feel is the first real-time human sentiment and insights platform for people and businesses. By capturing and analyzing sentiment data in real time using polling and AI, we enable individuals to track their feelings and provide businesses with detailed, anonymous insights to inform better decisions. Our diverse customer base includes data and marketing intelligence companies, financial institutions, tech firms, brands, agencies, government institutions, and media organizations. For more information, visit therealfeel.ai.

Botanic Tonics, maker of the popular feel free, announced today that it has achieved a significant milestone in the competitive convenience store market. feel free has now surpassed 5-hour Energy in its first major national convenience store chain partner, marking a pivotal moment for the company and the broader herbal supplement industry. This achievement is based on NIQ sales data for the four weeks ending September 28, 2024. 

This rapid ascent and displacement of a long-established brand is particularly noteworthy given that 5-hour Energy has been a staple in convenience stores for over 20 years, while Botanic Tonics entered the market just three years ago, and in this national chain only 4 months ago. This success speaks volumes about changing consumer preferences and the strong appeal of Botanic Tonics' premium plant-based herbal supplements. 

"Dethroning 5-hour Energy, a 20-year industry giant, in just four months showcases the sheer force of our innovative approach. We're not just competing; we're completely reshaping the market," said Cameron Korehbandi, CEO of Botanic Tonics. "Our single SKU, feel free, is outperforming 5-hour Energy's entire lineup of over 30 product variations. This isn't a one-off success—we're replicating this achievement across 13 business units of this national retailer, as well as in our independent and chain partnerships nationwide. It's irrefutable evidence that consumers are demanding change, and feel free is spearheading that revolution. We're not merely succeeding; we're poised to fundamentally transform the entire convenience store landscape." 

Botanic Tonics' flagship product, feel free CLASSIC, has gained popularity for its use of natural ingredients, including kava root, kratom leaf, and other botanicals. The company has distinguished itself through its commitment to transparency, quality, and consumer education. 

"Our year-over-year growth has been nothing short of explosive, with our store count skyrocketing from 10,000 to 27,000 in just one year," said Chris Elebesunu, Senior Vice President of Sales at Botanic Tonics. "This remarkable expansion isn't just about numbers—it's a clear vote of confidence from consumers who are choosing feel free over established brands."

This milestone comes just days after Botanic Tonics announced its position as a top 10 manufacturer in the energy category for total convenience store sales. The company's rapid growth continues, with its products now available in over 27,000 stores nationwide, including placement in two of the top five national convenience store chains. 

"We're going toe-to-toe with industry giants in the convenience store space and coming out on top," Elebesunu added. "As the fastest-growing brand in our category, we're attracting attention from national retailers who don't want to miss out on this momentum. Our success proves we're not just filling a gap in the market—we're reshaping it entirely. And the truly exciting part is that we are just getting started." 

Commitment to Quality, Safety and Consumer Education 

Botanic Tonics manufactures its products in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified production plant in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The company has invested heavily in safety testing, quality control measures, and clinical research to ensure product efficacy and safety. 

As Botanic Tonics continues to grow and capture market share, it remains committed to responsible manufacturing practices, clear labeling, and consumer education. The company supports appropriate regulation of the kratom industry and continues to advocate for consumer safety through robust labeling requirements and responsible manufacturing standards.

Disclaimer: Consume responsibly. Adults 21 years of age and older only. To learn more, visit our Consumer Education page.

About Botanic Tonics

Botanic Tonics is a plant-based herbal supplement company headquartered in Broken Arrow, OK. Established in 2020, it produces kava-forward tonics under its feel free brand. Its signature product, feel free CLASSIC, is crafted with ancient functional plants to provide mood lift, energy, and focus. Botanic Tonics’ products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility and actively supports consumer safety regulations through transparent labeling and educational resources. Learn more at https://botanictonics.com.

Medialister, a new platform aimed at simplifying the management of sponsored content, officially launched this month. Designed for brand managers, media buyers and content marketers, Medialister connects brands with news media outlets to facilitate editorial ad placements.

Developed by PRNEWS.IO, a fast-growing PR-tech company, the platform offers access to over 100,000 media outlets, delivering extensive reach and data-driven insights. With Medialister, brands can better optimize their investment in sponsored content, making it easier to manage and measure their paid media efforts.

Cost-Effective Paid Content Solutions

Initially focusing on news text content, Medialister plans to expand its capabilities to include other media formats such as podcasts, newsletters, social media, influencers, billboards and print media in future updates. The platform serves as a comprehensive project management system, facilitating each stage of the paid content process from placement to publication, thereby ensuring greater control and efficiency for users.

“Medialister is designed to address the inefficiencies and high costs traditionally associated with branded content”, said Alexander Storozhuk, Medialister founder. “Our platform offers a predictable and cost-effective approach, enabling brands to effectively reach their target audience while providing media outlets with stable revenue streams and simplifying complex sales processes.”

Medialister connects brands with various media outlets, offering an array of editorial formats, from sponsored articles and expert interviews to integrated brand stories and advertorials. The system simplifies negotiating and managing these partnerships, ensuring that brands and media outlets can collaborate effectively to reach their target audiences.

Commitment to Value and Efficiency

Medialister was founded by Alexander Storozhuk, a Ukrainian entrepreneur, and his longtime associate Alexander Nigmatulin. The duo previously launched PRNEWS.IO, a successful PR content distribution platform that serves 30,000 clients in 96 countries.

The effectiveness of PRNEWS.IO’s solutions is highlighted by its client and publisher partners. Sergey Galanin, Director of SEO at Phonexa, shared his positive experience: “Our experience with PRNEWS.IO has been highly efficient. They deliver results quickly, offer a range of tailored PR solutions and remain cost-effective. The platform has been a valuable asset in supporting our overall communication strategy.”

Ruth Robson, Key Account Director at Reach plc, the UK’s and Ireland’s largest commercial news publisher, added: “I have always found working with PRNEWS.IO a positive and personable experience; they keep the client's needs central to everything they do.”

The positive feedback from industry professionals further underscores PRNEWS.IO’s commitment to delivering value and efficiency—qualities that Medialister continues to embody as it makes its entry into the market.

“Through Medialister, brands can become part of the narrative, reaching readers within the content they are already engaged with. This goes beyond traditional display ads, offering a more nuanced and impactful approach to advertising,” adds Nigmatulin.

About Medialister

Medialister is a sponsored content platform that connects brands with news media outlets to facilitate editorial ad placements. With access to over 100,000 media outlets, we deliver extensive reach and data-driven insights, enabling brands to easily manage and measure paid media and optimize their investment in sponsored content. For more information, visit https://medialister.com.

The Global Kratom Coalition objects to the position put forward by American Kratom Association and the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) that 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) products be regulated in the same way as kratom.

In an AKA/HART press event, all panel members stated that 7OH products are for pain relief and opioid use disorder. Unapproved new drug claims of this kind are already being made by HART members as seen in the recent Kratom Advocacy Podcast. GKC emphasizes that such claims cause 7OH products to be drugs as defined by the FDA and therefore unlawful to sell without prior FDA drug approval.

Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) Executive Director Matthew Lowe responded to the AKA’s announcement: "The GKC believes that 7OH products should be treated as controlled substances. These semi-synthetic products, that are more potent than morphine, pose significant potential public health risks and are being marketed as drugs. Rebranding does not mitigate the danger of selling a pure opioid without restriction. 7OH isolates should be regulated as any other drug product would be. It is my opinion that today’s announcement is a clear effort to create a loophole in existing state laws to open the flood gates to unregulated 7OH products to be sold freely in smoke shops."

"Our position remains that 7OH products should be deemed controlled substances. If 7OH producers, represented under the banner of HART and AKA, want to be regulated, they should first seek new drug approval from FDA, as federal law requires."

Dr Chris McCurdy, a leading kratom scientist, testified in recent Kratom Congressional Hearing (28:43 to 31:21) that the 7OH found in 7OH isolate products is distinctly different from the scant amount of 7OH that is found in dried kratom leaf. He identified several unknown compounds in these products stating that “we have no idea what they are. Meaning we have no idea what the harm could be or the risk…which is concerning for all of us as scientists”. As such, the GKC agrees that these products are not kratom. They are novel substances that have not been seen before and are being administered in humans for the first time. Dr McCurdy also recently called for these products to be controlled substances, which the GKC also agrees with.

GKC urges policymakers to respect the differences between the dietary ingredient kratom, which has a long history of safe use, and unapproved drugs like 7OH. Proper regulation and enforcement are necessary to ensure the public’s safety and to prevent bad actors from marketing untested and dangerous substances.

About the Global Kratom Coalition

The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers.

HearstLab is excited to announce that Milan Laser Hair Removal is sponsoring their next $100,000 pitch competition in Atlanta, GA on November 12, 2024. This will be the 10th event of the series, following events in cities around the world ranging from London to San Antonio, TX, and Santa Monica, CA. Previous financial and in-kind event sponsors include ULTA, Microsoft, and SuperGoop.

The pitch competition series, started in 2022, is designed to specifically find and fund early-stage female founders. To date, HearstLab has invested millions of dollars through these pitch events alone, making it one of the biggest competitions for female founders in the world. Sponsors like Milan Laser enable HearstLab and its ecosystem to support more women every year, professionally and personally.

As the nation’s largest laser hair removal provider, Milan Laser mission is to provide exceptional care. Milan’s treatments are safe for all skin tones and with their unlimited treatments, you pay one price and get as many sessions as you need to achieve smooth, lasting results.

"We are pleased to partner with HearstLab on this initiative," said Colleen Papek, President of Milan Laser Hair Removal. "We've consistently prioritized providing outstanding outcomes for our clients. This partnership enables us to broaden our reach, potentially bringing our life-changing services to an even wider audience."

About HearstLab

HearstLab provides cash investments and services to early-stage, women-led start-ups. Its mission is to close the gender gap in VC funding for women by helping founders build sustainable and highly scalable businesses. Hearst’s ecosystem of 360+ businesses includes iconic media brands ranging from Cosmopolitan to SF Chronicle. To learn more about HearstLab, visit HearstLab.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.

About Milan Laser Hair Removal

Milan Laser Hair Removal is the nation’s largest laser hair removal provider with over 380+ clinics nationwide. Founded in Omaha, Nebraska in 2012 by two medical professionals, Milan Laser’s mission is simple: to help their customers feel their most confident by providing exceptional care with industry-leading laser technology that’s safe and effective for all skin tones. Milan Laser stands apart with their exclusive industry-first Unlimited Package™. Enjoy as many treatments as needed with no hidden costs and free touch-ups at any location nationwide. For more information on Milan Laser Hair Removal, visit https://milanlaser.com/, or follow them on Instagram.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is reinforcing its strategic partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to support sustainable and inclusive industrial development. This collaboration aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. As part of its ongoing efforts, the Kingdom aims to bridge the development gap between nations and boost industrial competitiveness. This partnership will also focus on stimulating investment and adopting advanced technologies in key industrial sectors.

These efforts align with the Kingdom’s preparations to host the Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum in partnership with UNIDO in October 2024. This forum, held in Saudi Arabia for the first time, will be a premier international platform for exchanging ideas and experiences. It aims to support the growth of the Kingdom’s industrial sector, address economic challenges, and promote sustainable development under the umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030.

UNIDO: A Key Partner in Addressing Industrial Challenges

Despite the Kingdom's launch of various national strategies and initiatives to enhance the industrial sector and the overall economy, the sector still faces several operational challenges, such as diversifying industrial activities, improving local practices, increasing integration with global value chains, developing human capital, promoting localization, achieving sustainable sector growth, upgrading infrastructure, and adopting modern technologies.

Areas for Future Cooperation with UNIDO

UNIDO plays a significant role as an international organization providing technical cooperation and knowledge-based assistance through consultations, policies, and joint initiatives to overcome the challenges facing the development of the Kingdom’s industrial sector. Eight critical areas for future cooperation with UNIDO have been identified, such as developing policies and aligning them with global standards, enhancing institutional capacity for timely political decision-making, and facilitating foreign investment by promoting technology, innovation, partnerships, and advanced technology transfer. It also aims to lead sustainable industrial practices through international cooperation and to develop human resources and the workforce by exchanging global skills, ultimately boosting competitiveness and innovation within Saudi Arabia’s economy.

Enhancing Industrial Development in the Kingdom

The Kingdom is keen to achieve sustainable industrial development aligned with Vision 2030 by implementing various policies and initiatives focusing on diversifying the national economy and reducing reliance on oil. This collaboration with UNIDO aims to accelerate digital transformation in the industry, develop human capital, and strengthen integration with international markets to achieve a significant leap in the quality of national industries and increase the sector's attractiveness to local and international investors.

The Kingdom Set to Host the Industrial Policy Forum

The Kingdom is preparing to host the Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum, providing a dynamic environment for exchanging ideas and experiences with industry leaders and experts worldwide. The forum aims to develop effective and innovative industrial policies that keep pace with global sector developments. It also seeks to strengthen international cooperation to support sustainable industrial development and drive industrial growth, considering local and international challenges. The forum is expected to produce fruitful outcomes supporting the Kingdom’s efforts to build a strong, advanced industrial sector, contributing to economic diversification and achieving comprehensive and sustainable development.

About the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims to further strengthen of the mentioned sectors and contribute to their ongoing development in accordance with the Saudi Vision 2030. It strategically chose these two sectors to diversify the national economy and increase their overall national contributions through a national industrial program and logistics services to establish the Kingdom as a leading industrial and mining powerhouse, as well as a global platform for logistics services. For more information, visit https://mim.gov.sa.

About United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with a unique mandate to promote, dynamize and accelerate industrial development. UNIDO’s vision is a world without poverty and hunger, where industry drives low-emission economies, improves living standards, and preserves the livable environment for present and future generations, leaving no one behind. To learn more, visit https://www.unido.org.

78% of veterans say they feel the public perception of veterans is positive and 64% of vets have faith in our military. 54% of veterans say they would encourage family members to join the military today. Surveyed veterans also give the VA a “C” grade while seeking less bureaucracy and red tape.

The findings come from a poll conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of Veterans Help Group, one of the nations leading advocates for disabled Veterans. The poll was commissioned in an effort to put veterans and disabled veterans issues in the forefront of the national conversation so that during this time of transition their voices are heard and their concerns are taken seriously.

“Veterans are an important voice in our country. Their insight on issues that impact their lives and families is not only good for public conversation but also helps us to continually improve the way we serve disabled vets,” said Joe Waring, a board member of Veterans Help Group.

“All of us at Veterans Help Group are committed to working with anyone who can ease the process and help clear a path to get disabled veterans the access to the benefits they deserve,” added Matt Sauerwald, President, Veterans Help Group.

Highlights of Findings

What is the biggest concern facing veterans and their families today? A large plurality (42%) say it's the treatment of veterans, 28% say it is the economy, and 12% say it's debt. Other issues are in single digits, including immigration at 7%, crime at 3%, and national defense and education, each at 2%.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (the VA) gets a "C" grade from America's veterans, scoring an overall 2.1 GPA on a traditional 4-point GPA scale. Liberal veterans grade a little more generously (a C+), while conservatives give lower scores in the C− range.

What is the single greatest thing the VA could do to improve the lives of families of disabled veterans? Respondents are split between two main options, with 37% saying it would be having less bureaucracy and red tape and 31% calling for better access to care. 17% say more money would be most helpful; 14% say it would be more help for family members.

Veterans were next asked how much faith they had in each of the following institutions. Those saying they had "a great deal" or "significant" faith in each, ranked from most to least, with only the military producing strong numbers:

• 64%: The military
• 33%: The Social Security Administration 
• 29%: The Supreme Court of the United States
• 28%: The institution of the office of the President of the United States, regardless of who the specific President is at any given time 
• 26%: The Department of Veterans Affairs
• 11%: Congress

Is the U.S. heading the right or wrong direction? 64% wrong, 32% right.

The questions switched from veteran issues to issues of national interest.

Veterans were shown a list of concerns facing the country today and asked to select up to three as being the largest items of concern. Percentage selecting each item, ranked from highest to lowest:

• 44%: High cost of living / inflation
• 41%: Immigration
• 31%: The economy
• 24%: Government / Poor leadership
• 17%: Healthcare – access and affordability
• 16%: Federal budget debt / deficit
• 16%: Crime
• 14%: Abortion 
• 13%: Environment / Climate change
• 11%: Treatment of veterans

Which presidential candidate do you feel will be best at addressing the issues facing our country? 52% Donald Trump, 42% Kamala Harris, 7% not sure.

Who do you feel will win the presidential election? 47% Donald Trump, 42% Kamala Harris, 12% not sure.

About the Poll / Filtering

SurveyUSA interviewed 900 US veterans adults age 18+ online from September 19, 2024 through September 22, 2024, using non-probability sample, pre-screened for former U.S. service members, provided by Lucid Holdings LLC of New Orleans. Of the veterans, 19% (174 individuals) were identified as being disabled veterans; 37% (330 individuals) were identified as retired veterans; 44% (396 individuals) were identified as being discharged veterans who were neither disabled nor retired. The pool of adult survey respondents was weighted to targets provided by the Pew Research Center and the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics for gender, age, and ethnicity.

More details can be found here.

About Veterans Help Group

Veterans Help Group is a national advocacy business that focuses exclusively on getting veterans and their families the disability benefits they deserve. The group serves all 50 states and is also actively involved in partnering with non-profits that support our veterans. To learn more, visit https://veteranshelpgroup.com.

The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) expresses deep concern over the increasing presence of nefarious actors who are selling unapproved drugs under the guise of labeling them as dietary supplements. 

Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition, voiced his concerns about these developments:

“We have seen this in the past through the sale of illegally marketed misbranded dietary supplements that contain drugs like Tianeptine and Phenibut. We are now seeing the same thing through the marketing and proliferation of synthesized isolate 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) products that are misbranded as kratom and misbranded as dietary supplements. I want to be clear, 7OH products are not kratom, they are pure opioids masquerading as dietary supplements. These products should be controlled substances.”

7OH isolate products contain novel substances that are not found anywhere in nature. The 7OH found in these products is chemically different from the scant amount of 7OH that is found in dried kratom leaf. There are several novel substances in these products for which there is no history of use, nor is the GKC aware of any scientific data that supports their safety. Therefore, these products should be subject to the FDA’s New Drug Application (NDA) process. The GKC is not aware of any approved, let alone filed, NDAs for this substance.

Significantly, leading scientists have repeatedly warned that it is extremely likely that these novel compounds are physically and psychologically addictive with a high potential for abuse, and should be controlled substances.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act, in many cases, prohibits or limits the sale of these synthetic 7OH products, yet they remain widely available. The Global Kratom Coalition believes policymakers and regulators must not be coerced into treating 7OH products as synonymous with kratom. Nor should they provide a pathway for these products to be sold as dietary ingredients.

The GKC remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that kratom is regulated responsibly and that dangerous synthetic products are kept off the market.

About the Global Kratom Coalition

The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers.

Botanic Tonics, LLC, maker of the popular feel free product, announced today that it has achieved a significant milestone in the competitive energy drink market.

According to NIQ data starting for the four weeks ending September 7, 2024, Botanic Tonics now ranks as a top 10 manufacturer in the energy category for convenience based on store sales, accomplishing this feat in just three years since the company's inception.

This rapid ascent in the market is further highlighted by the company's extensive distribution network, with products now available in over 27,000 stores nationwide.

Notably, Botanic Tonics has secured placement in two of the top five national convenience store chains, underscoring the growing consumer demand for its innovative, kava and kratom-based tonics and supplements designed to provide mood lift, energy, and focus.

"We are honored to have reached this milestone so quickly," said Cameron Korehbandi, CEO of Botanic Tonics. "Having spent four years at the original category creator, I know firsthand how monumental of an achievement this is for our company and our team. Our success is based on the efficacy of our products and the trust our customers place in us. We've worked hard to create high-quality, botanical-based energy solutions using kava and kratom that resonate with consumers seeking alternatives to traditional energy drinks. This achievement, coupled with our widespread availability in major convenience store chains, motivates us to continue innovating and expanding our reach in the market."

Botanic Tonics' flagship product, feel free CLASSIC, has gained in popularity for its use of natural ingredients, which contains both kava root and leaf kratom. The company has distinguished itself through its commitment to transparency, quality, and consumer education.

"This milestone is the result of a carefully constructed and executed national expansion plan," said Chris Elebesunu, Senior Vice President of Sales at Botanic Tonics. "We're now proudly represented in two of the top five national convenience store chains, with more to follow. The level of growth we've experienced and our rapid climb up the ranks clearly demonstrates that consumers are seeking innovative options beyond the traditional sugary drinks that have defined this category for too long. Our success shows that there's a strong demand for healthier, botanical-based alternatives in the market."

Botanic Tonics manufactures its products in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified production plant in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The company has invested heavily in safety testing, quality control measures, and clinical research to ensure product efficacy and safety.

As Botanic Tonics continues to grow, it remains committed to responsible manufacturing practices, clear labeling, and consumer education. The company supports appropriate regulation of the kratom industry and continues to advocate for consumer safety through robust labeling requirements and responsible manufacturing standards.

About Botanic Tonics

Botanic Tonics is a plant-based herbal supplement company headquartered in Broken Arrow, OK. Established in 2020, it produces kava-forward tonics under its feel free brand. Its signature product, feel free CLASSIC, is crafted with ancient functional plants to provide mood lift, energy, and focus. Botanic Tonics’ products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility and actively supports consumer safety regulations through transparent labeling and educational resources. Learn more at https://botanictonics.com.

Sightly, a pioneer in real-time marketing and intelligence and a member of the exclusive YouTube Measurement Program, is excited to announce its partnership with Adelaide, the leader in attention-based media quality measurement. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in understanding media quality within the YouTube ecosystem.

The partnership aims to deepen Adelaide's insights into how contextual factors influence viewer attention and brand outcomes on YouTube. By integrating Sightly's expertise in the YouTube space with Adelaide's omnichannel attention metric, AU, this collaboration will provide an unparalleled understanding of media quality in video advertising.

“This partnership between Adelaide and Sightly represents an exciting opportunity to expand our understanding of the impact of our clients’ video campaigns within the YouTube environment,” said Ed McElvain, Chief Product Officer at Mediahub. “By applying Adelaide’s attention measurement to Sightly’s deep understanding of contextual targeting in the YouTube landscape, we can empower brands with greater depth of ad quality insights for optimizing campaign effectiveness.”

Looking ahead, Sightly and Adelaide will explore advanced solutions to help Sightly clients strategically optimize campaigns toward high-quality, high-AU media. Coupled with Sightly's Brand Mentality platform—which enables advertisers to align brand messaging with relevant content in real time—this partnership empowers brands to ensure they reach their audience at the most critical moments with the highest-quality media.

“Collaborating with Adelaide opens up new avenues for our clients to leverage attention-based insights in their YouTube campaigns,” said Annalise Curvelo, VP of Partnerships at Sightly. “Our Brand Mentality technology enables our clients to keep up with the speed of today's culture through the lens of their brand, and we're excited to help brands understand the impact this real-time approach to marketing has on audience attention in YouTube and beyond."

“Partnering with Sightly allows us to expand the reach and impact of our AU metric in video environments where capturing attention is key to driving brand outcomes,” said Jordan Weiers, Senior Director of Partnerships & Business Development at Adelaide. “Together, we’re equipping advertisers with the media quality and contextual insights needed to optimize their investment strategies on YouTube and maximize campaign performance.” 

This first-of-its-kind partnership is set to redefine how brands approach advertising on YouTube, making it easier to understand and leverage attention to drive meaningful results. 

For media inquiries, please contact marketing@sightly.com.

Learn more about how Sightly’s Brand Mentality platform can transform your marketing strategy by scheduling a demo today.

About Sightly

Sightly is the leader in real-time marketing and intelligence, helping businesses everywhere make the most authentic and profitable decisions dynamically, moment by moment. Brand Mentality, Sightly's proprietary platform and technology, transforms a brand's unique DNA into a real-time algorithm, enabling marketers to react to trending moments with speed and authenticity. Through strategic data partnerships and cutting-edge AI, Sightly helps agencies and brands analyze and act on social listening data and emerging news through the lens of their brand, fueling automated action across brand intelligence & trend analysis and real-time activation. To learn more, visit https://www.sightly.com.

About Adelaide

Adelaide is the leader in attention-based media quality measurement. Our mission is to bring increased transparency and fairness to advertising by supplying the market with a precise, omnichannel media quality metric connected to business outcomes. Adweek has called Adelaide’s AU "the attention economy’s most widely recognized metric." Proven to predict full-funnel outcomes more accurately than any existing metric, AU helps the world’s largest brands make smarter investment decisions, activate attention data programmatically, and drive better performance. Adelaide is named after the global epicenter of evidence-based marketing in southern Australia and headquartered in New York City. For more information, visit adelaidemetrics.com.

Join for a pivotal virtual press event where a significant policy announcement will be made regarding Kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products. This agreement, endorsed by the American Kratom Association (AKA) and the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART), marks a milestone in efforts to ensure safe and regulated access to kratom and 7-OH products across the U.S. The discussion will center on clarifying the regulatory perspective of 7-OH and kratom products, aiming to set a clear, consumer-focused framework.

Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Time: 11:00 a.m. ET

Location: Zoom online event (registration required) – click to register

Participants

• Mac Haddow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy, American Kratom Association
• Jonathan Miller, General Counsel, Healthy Alternative Recovery Trust
• Jim Carroll, Former Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

Agenda

• Introduction by Mac Haddow
• Overview of the agreement by Mac Haddow, Jonathan Miller, and Jim Carroll
• Discussion on regulatory perspectives and consumer safety
• Q&A session

Who Should Attend

• Journalists covering health policy, FDA, HHS, and kratom or other natural products
• Regulatory officials and health policy experts
• Kratom industry stakeholders

Registration

Media representatives are requested to identify themselves in advance and will be promoted to panelists at the start of the event. Please click here to register via Zoom.

About American Kratom Association (AKA)

The American Kratom Association (AKA), a consumer-based non-profit organization, advocates to protect the freedom of consumers to safely consume natural kratom as a part of their personal health and well-being regimen. AKA represents the nearly 20 million Americans who consume kratom safely each year. For more information, visit www.americankratom.org.

A new study released by the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) finds that slight reallocations of existing media budgets to Out of Home (OOH) advertising can lead to substantial gains in return on ad spend (ROAS) and key brand metrics.

“These findings reveal the powerful role OOH plays in the current media mix and demonstrate that OOH has been an under-invested media channel,” said Anna Bager, President and CEO of OAAA. “OOH performs well throughout the consumer funnel, and the analysis shows how brands can leverage that power by shifting just a few percentage points of their media allocation to OOH and generate impressive returns on their investment.”

Benchmarketing, a strategic marketing effectiveness consultancy and part of the Omnicom Media Group, employed advanced econometric modeling to assess the impact of incremental OOH budget increases on ROAS and key brand metrics in three sectors: Automotive, CPG Food, and Retail Grocery.

Entitled Media Plan Optimization: Analysis of Incremental Increase to OOH Share, the report finds that, without increasing existing media plan budgets for the Automotive, CPG Food and Retail Grocery categories, marketers can significantly increase their overall ROI on ROAS and key brand metrics such as awareness, consideration, and purchase intent, by increasing budget allocation to OOH by just a few percentage points, and decreasing allocation to media channels that are overspent beyond the point of optimization, typically  TV and digital.

The research supports a measured, incremental approach to budget reallocation. By applying small, strategic increases to OOH spending, advertisers can achieve near-optimal media performance without making drastic changes to or increasing their overall budget allocations. Notably, the study found that the initial incremental increase in OOH generated the largest portion of the total media plan optimized revenue and gain in brand metric scores.

The report provides an in-depth analysis of how incremental reallocations to OOH affect campaign performance, including the below key insights.

Modeling Analysis: Budget Shifts to OOH Yield High ROAS Gains

• Automotive: An increase of OOH allocation from 1% to 2% in the Automotive vertical can lead to an overall media plan revenue gain of $52.1 million or 75% of the total optimization improvement.
• Retail Grocery: An increase of OOH allocation from 8% to 14% in the Retail Grocery vertical can lead to an overall media plan revenue gain of $16.04 million or 61% of the total optimization improvement.
• CPG Food: An increase of OOH allocation from 5% to 6% in the CPG Food vertical can lead to an overall media plan revenue gain of $2.42 million or 70% of the total optimization improvement.

As the advertising landscape continues to evolve, OOH is an increasingly critical channel for impacting consumer behavior throughout the funnel by driving increased sales, brand awareness, consideration, and purchase intent. Marketers are encouraged to leverage the insights from this study to optimize their media plans, enabling greater effectiveness and return on investment.

For more information about specific category spend, please contact Cassady Nordeen at cassady@purposenorthamerica.com.

About the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA)

The Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) is the national trade association for the entire out of home (OOH) advertising industry. OAAA represents over 850 members, including leading media companies, advertisers, agencies, ad-tech providers, and suppliers. OOH media includes billboards, street furniture, transit, place-based media, and digital formats (DOOH) across every sector of the channel. OAAA is the unifying voice for the industry, the authoritative thought leader, and the passionate advocate for advancing OOH advertising in the United States. The legislative unit of OAAA advocates for the responsible growth of OOH with federal, state, and local governments. OAAA-member media companies donate over $500 million annually in public service advertising. Founded in 1891, OAAA is headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in New York City. For more information, visit https://oaaa.org.

The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) announced today that the organization will seek to reintroduce legislation to regulate kratom in California in the 2025 session. The GKC also announced that the proposed Kratom Safety for Californians Act would include important changes from the legislation introduced last year.

The GKC seeks to enact regulations through registration and enforcement structures to ensure that only safe, high-quality kratom products are sold in the state of California. These regulations will set forth manufacturing, testing, labeling, and product standards that are essential to creating a safe marketplace for kratom, where consumers are protected from potentially dangerous products. Furthermore, the proposal contains a registration fee to ensure the regulations aren’t a burden to the State’s budget.

The GKC also announced they have identified nearly 500 California kratom consumers who will be called to weigh in on a local level. The organization seeks to grow the number of California kratom advocates supporting legislation to more than 1,500 by the end of 2025.

“We believe it is important to bring Californians to the table to tell their stories about kratom,” said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the GKC. “By presenting legislators and California Governor Newsom with research-based evidence on both the potential benefits and risks of kratom through real-life stories, we can demonstrate that responsible kratom use has a place as a positive part of Californian’s wellness routines while creating common sense age restrictions, labeling and serving sizes.”

The organization will also launch a comprehensive campaign to advocate for responsible kratom regulation in California.

"Armed with real Californians telling their kratom stories, adjustments to the legislation, and addressing cost issues, we believe we have the momentum to make the Kratom Safety for Californians Act a reality," continued Lowe. "Our campaign aims to revive this critical conversation and push for comprehensive legislation that protects consumers and supports legitimate businesses."

The campaign will educate lawmakers, law enforcement officials, and the public about the urgent need for kratom regulation. Key components of the proposed regulatory framework include:

• Clear product standards and limitations
• Ensure processors are following Federal manufacturing standards
• Age restrictions to prevent youth access
• Clear enforcement mechanisms
• Registration requirements for kratom processors
• Registration fee for all kratom products, which will fund the registration program and the enforcement thereof
• Clear enforcement mechanisms

"The current unregulated kratom market poses significant risks to consumers and hampers the growth of responsible businesses," added Lowe. "By implementing sensible regulations, California can protect public health, support economic growth, and set a gold standard for kratom oversight nationwide."

The coalition's efforts will include stakeholder engagement, media outreach, public awareness initiatives, town halls, educational webinars, and other activities to foster dialogue and gather input from various communities across California.

The campaign draws parallels between the current kratom landscape and the early challenges faced by the hemp industry, emphasizing the need for proactive regulation to avoid similar pitfalls.

"We urge California lawmakers to revive and pass comprehensive kratom legislation in the next session," Lowe concluded. "The time to act is now to ensure that we learn from the mistake made with hemp by putting consumer protection first.

For more information about the campaign and the Global Kratom Coalition's efforts, please visit www.GlobalKratomCoalition.org. or contact info@globalgratomcoalition.org.

About the Global Kratom Coalition

The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting and expanding access to kratom worldwide. The coalition focuses on advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations that protect consumers.

Zarvista Capital Markets, formerly known as ZaraFX, has officially announced a strategic rebranding as part of its ongoing evolution to provide enhanced services, broaden its market presence, and strengthen its global trading platform. This rebrand is a significant milestone in the company’s five-year journey of growth and innovation.

Why the Rebrand?

The rebranding from ZaraFX to Zarvista Capital Markets reflects the company’s forward-thinking vision and its broader ambitions within the financial markets. As the company continues to expand its global presence, the name Zarvista symbolizes the firm’s dedication to offering expansive opportunities, enriched client experiences, and a more dynamic approach to trading.

The new name, Zarvista Capital Markets, maintains the strong foundation and legacy of ZaraFX. The "Zar" pays tribute to the original brand, which earned a trusted reputation in the financial community, while "Vista" represents the broader horizons and new opportunities that Zarvista Capital Markets aims to deliver to its clients globally.

Strategic Expansion with Mauritius License Acquisition

As part of Zarvista Capital Markets' strategic expansion, the Group has successfully acquired an investment dealer license in Mauritius. This acquisition strengthens the company’s regulatory framework and further enhances its ability to serve clients in new and emerging markets. The Mauritius license is a key milestone in the company’s goal to provide a secure, regulated, and globally compliant trading environment for its diverse client base.

What Clients Can Expect

Capital Markets will continue to deliver the innovative, secure, and client-centric services that have been the bedrock of ZaraFX's success, while the rebrand enhances rather than changes the company’s core mission.

The key benefits of the rebrand include:

• Expanded Global Reach: Zarvista Capital Markets is increasing its presence in key financial markets, enabling traders to tap into new opportunities worldwide.
• New and Improved Features: Over the coming months, Zarvista Capital Markets will introduce enhanced features designed to enrich the trading experience and provide more tailored solutions for clients.
• Same Reliable Platform: All existing accounts, trading instruments, and client services will continue seamlessly, ensuring a smooth transition with no disruptions to the client experience.

A Vision for the Future

The rebranding is part of Zarvista Capital Markets' broader vision to not only meet the current needs of traders but also to anticipate the future challenges and opportunities of the financial markets. The company is committed to leveraging advanced technologies, expanding market access, and maintaining a secure, transparent trading environment for its global client base.

"Zarvista Capital Markets is a reflection of our ambition to become a truly global leader in the financial markets," said Jamsheer Veetil, CEO of Zarvista Capital Markets. "Our mission, vision, and values remain unchanged. We are committed to delivering the highest standards of service and innovation to our clients, as we look toward a future filled with growth and opportunity."

Mission and Core Values

The rebrand aligns with Zarvista’s mission: To empower traders globally by providing a secure, innovative, and user-centric trading platform that delivers tailored solutions, fosters community engagement, and ensures exceptional support and service.

At the heart of Zarvista Capital Markets are core values that drive everything the company does:

• Integrity: Ensuring honesty and ethical conduct in all interactions.
• Innovation: Continuously providing cutting-edge solutions to traders.
• Security: Protecting clients' investments with rigorous security measures.
• Transparency: Operating with complete openness in all dealings.
• Customer-Centricity: Keeping clients’ needs and satisfaction at the forefront of every decision.

Looking Ahead

Zarvista Capital Markets is positioned to become a premier global trading platform, renowned for its reliability, innovation, and customer-first approach. The company’s renewed vision ensures that it will continue to deliver secure, transparent, and efficient trading solutions for traders looking to achieve their financial goals.

About Zarvista Capital Markets

Zarvista Capital Markets is a leading global trading platform that provides secure, innovative, and user-centric solutions to traders around the world. With a commitment to integrity, innovation, and transparency, Zarvista Capital Markets offers clients access to a wide range of financial markets, including currencies, commodities, indices, metals, and cryptocurrencies.  For more information, visit https://zarvistacm.com/

Vinat, an Austin-based sister-founded wine startup that sells thoughtfully made and curated European wines, today reassured its customers that the company's holiday supply will not be impacted by the ongoing port strike affecting import and export operations across the country.

"The best part of our day is hearing how our customers incorporate Vinat wines into their celebrations. Thanks to our proactive planning and strong relationships with our partners, we're happy to reassure our customers that we are fully prepared to meet the demand going into the holiday season," said Sarah Mack, CEO and co-founder of Vinat. 

Vinat's commitment to quality and reliability remains unwavering. All wine selections are readily available. Customers and partners can rest assured that there will be no interruptions in supply or product availability. "Our top priority is to maintain the trust and satisfaction of our customers," Sarah Mack continued. "The holidays can be stressful and stocking out of your favorite Vinat wines is one less thing to worry about."

For more information about Vinat and its wines, please visit https://drinkvinat.com/ or contact the Vinat team at hello@drinkvinat.com.

About Vinat

Vinat is a sister-founded wine company transforming the wine buying experience with inspiration from the skincare industry to match how professional women want to shop. Vinat’s suggests easy pairings, such as popcorn with its Valevino Skinny Dip Prosecco, and unconventional wine pairings, including books, binge-able TV shows, and Spotify playlists customized to each wine. The wines are available on www.drinkvinat.com and are produced in Italy and Slovenia (priced between $20 and $24 per bottle).