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The Stop Gas Station Heroin coalition is sounding the alarm after reviewing a new animal study commissioned by CBD American Shaman, a Missouri-based company that sells “7” products in stores across the country.

The study, which tested the effects of increasing doses of two lab-made substances — “7” (7-hydroxymitragynine) and “Pseudo” (mitragynine pseudoindoxyl) — was funded to support the company’s bid for FDA drug approval. But the research methods and results raise serious red flags for consumers of Gas Station Heroin.

First, a clear conflict of interest occurred in conducting this study: CBD American Shaman has been illegally selling 7 products as dietary supplements since 2022, and the research was released by Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART), a group with a financial stake in 7 and Pseudo products.

Second, the study suggests these drugs may be far more dangerous than their labels imply: CBD American Shaman tells consumers that 7.5 milligrams, or half a tablet, is a safe serving. But based on the study’s own data, that amount may be more than 25 times higher than what would be considered safe for human consumption.

Using standard FDA methods to translate the effects seen in dogs to humans, Stop Gas Station Heroin estimates that just 0.3 milligrams could cross the threshold for risk. Yet many consumers of these products are unknowingly ingesting significantly greater amounts. Moreover, the study points to clear risks of addiction and dependency with misuse.

“These are not natural products. They are chemically altered, unapproved pharmaceutical drugs being marketed as herbal remedies,” said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of Stop Gas Station Heroin. “You can’t just slap a ‘dietary supplement’ label on a drug and skip the safety trials.”

CBD American Shaman and other purveyors of Gas Station Heroin have marketed 7 and Pseudo products as supplements formulated to cure, treat, and mitigate disease — namely, chronic pain and opioid use disorder — even though the products have never been approved by the FDA for any medical use.

If companies like CBD American Shaman want to sell these substances legally, they must demonstrate the drugs’ safety and effectiveness through a rigorous series of clinical trials and submit the results to the FDA as part of the New Drug Approval process. Until then, Stop Gas Station Heroin is calling for the immediate removal of these synthetic street drugs from store shelves.

About Stop Gas Station Heroin

Stop Gas Station Heroin is a national coalition that aims to educate consumers about harmful synthetic drugs and advocate for smart regulation that distinguishes between legitimate, natural botanicals and dangerous, synthetic drugs, combined with enforcement of current federal laws around unapproved drugs. To learn more, navigate to stopgasstationheroin.com.

Media Contact

Colby Wilson
info@stopgasstationheroin.com

Brighthive, a leader in data infrastructure and artificial intelligence solutions, today proudly announced it has earned ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification, the world’s first international standard for AI management systems. This milestone demonstrates Brighthive’s deep commitment to responsible AI development and deployment, reinforcing trust with customers, regulators, and partners.

Published in December 2023, ISO/IEC 42001:2023 outlines rigorous requirements for establishing, implementing, and continuously improving an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS). It provides a trusted framework addressing ethical use, transparency, bias mitigation, accountability, and lifecycle governance of AI systems.

“Achieving ISO 42001 certification isn’t just a badge — it’s proof we are using AI deliberately, ethically, and safely,” said Suzanne El‑Moursi, co-founder and CEO of Brighthive. “Our customers rely on us not only to harness insights but to do so responsibly. This certification reassures them that every Brighthive platform deployment is governed under the most exacting international standards.”

Key highlights of Brighthive's ISO 42001 certification:

• Comprehensive AI governance: Policies, controls, and management processes that enforce explainability, bias detection, and accountability throughout the AI lifecycle
• Structured risk management: Formal risk assessments, AI impact evaluations, and continuous monitoring embedded into standard operating procedures
• Lifecycle oversight: Governance spanning data ingestion, model development, deployment, monitoring, and retirement — in line with PDCA (Plan‑Do‑Check‑Act) principles
• Third‑party assurance: Independent auditing confirming sustainable and compliant AI practices across the organization

Brighthive joins a growing group of forward‑looking organizations earning ISO 42001 certification — including industry titans such as Microsoft — demonstrating a collective movement toward robust AI governance.

What this means for Brighthive customers:

• Regulatory alignment: Supports compliance with emerging regulations such as the EU AI Act
• Trust & transparency: Enhances confidence among stakeholders with audit-ready practices and ethical use of AI
• Market differentiation: Demonstrates leadership in enterprise AI governance, setting BrightHive apart in a crowded field

About ISO/IEC 42001:2023

ISO/IEC 42001:2023 is an international standard issued jointly by ISO and IEC. It defines the requirements for an AI Management System (AIMS), enabling organizations of all sizes to manage AI ethically and responsibly across industries — including critical sectors like finance, healthcare, and government.

About Brighthive

Brighthive is an AI-powered enterprise data management and analysis platform, powering everyone across an enterprise with a full data management workflow. Powered by seven specialized data agents that work together seamlessly to manage all critical data management tasks — from ingestion, governance, querying and visualization — Brighthive equips every team inside the enterprise with a complete platform that mimics the technical capabilities of human data teams, empowering everyone in the enterprise to be self-servicing to visualize data insights faster and help companies transform work to be data informed work. To learn more, visit www.brighthive.ai.

Media Contact

Hello Brighthive
hello@brighthive.io

As demand grows in the travel industry for solutions that fill unsold inventory without discounts, NaviStone—trusted by top travel brands to drive bookings—is doubling down on this space with the addition of Lisa Ertmann as director of travel industry partnerships.

NaviStone helps marketers identify high-intent travelers and reach them at the exact moment they’re considering a trip. With real-time intent signals, precision audience modeling, and a white-glove strategic approach, brands are empowered to act faster, fill more inventory, and convert more guests while others are still reacting.

Ertmann brings more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry, with a background that spans both the travel advisor and supplier sides. She spent the last decade at Norwegian Cruise Line in a series of marketing and business development roles, building strong relationships and programs that delivered real value.

“What drew me to NaviStone was the company’s data-driven, transparent approach to marketing and the way it partners so closely with brands,” said Ertmann. “It’s not just a platform. It’s a partner in solving real problems with speed, strategy, and incremental results.”

In her new role, Ertmann will work closely with travel and hospitality brands and trade partners to convert intent into bookings, increase repeat visits, and optimize revenue. That might mean filling unsold inventory without relying on last-minute discounts, or targeting specific audiences who are browsing but not yet booking. Whatever the need, her focus will be helping brands turn consumer behavior into business growth faster.

“Lisa’s passion for travel, her deep industry knowledge, and her commitment to strong relationships make her the ideal leader to grow our presence in the travel space,” said Larry Kavanagh, CEO of NaviStone. “More importantly, she understands the urgent challenges travel marketers face today, like how to move inventory without margin erosion, and how NaviStone’s intent-first solutions can help solve them.”

As travel demand continues to grow, the challenge is no longer just getting seen. It’s getting remembered. Ertmann sees major opportunity in embracing both digital and physical channels, including one that’s experiencing a resurgence: direct mail.

“A well-crafted direct mail piece can really stand out while inboxes overflow and digital ads lose their impact,” she said. “It’s tangible, personal, and especially effective for connecting with travelers looking for their next adventure. With our ability today to model behavior and reach consumers in near real time, direct mail has reemerged as a powerful, strategic channel to drive bookings.”

At the core of NaviStone’s advantage is its ability to act as a true navigator that can help brands make sense of their data, define the right audience, and execute with speed. “I’ve worked with a lot of marketing platforms,” Ertmann said. “NaviStone gets it right because they use data to build stronger relationships and solve real problems, like unsold inventory, with precision and agility.”

With consumer expectations at an all-time high, NaviStone remains committed to helping travel and hospitality brands stay ahead. That means delivering solutions that are not just personalized, but purpose-built to elevate the guest experience. Not just fast, but effective at reaching the right guest with the right message and filling inventory. Ertmann’s hire reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering strategic, high-impact marketing solutions that drive results in an increasingly competitive market.

About NaviStone

NaviStone is a martech platform that unlocks and activates audiences brands are missing out on today. By combining website behavior with modeling, NaviStone enables marketers to deliver highly personalized media and messaging at the exact moment a consumer is considering a purchase. This approach increases return on marketing spend up to 70%.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, NaviStone is trusted by leading brands across travel, retail, home services, and more. The company has been recognized as a Best Employer in Ohio, a Best Places to Work in Cincinnati, and a TechOhio Startup Culture Award winner.

For more information, visit www.navistone.com.

Media Contact

Nikki Shenk
nshenk@navistone.com

Kratom Consumer Advisory Council (KCAC) today released a comprehensive white paper challenging recent claims that products containing isolated 7-hydroxymitragynine (also known as “7”) are safe for widespread, uncontrolled consumer use. The white paper, "Have '7' Products with 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) Been Proven to Be Safe?" directly refutes assertions made in a July 7 press release by the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART), which KCAC says misrepresented findings from a report HART itself commissioned from healthcare consulting firm Marwood Group.

KCAC Chair Dr. C. Michael White, Pharm.D., FCP, FCCP, FASHP, and Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Connecticut, issued a stark warning:

“It is dangerously misleading to suggest that 7 products are safe for public sale without medical oversight. Marwood Group’s own report, despite being commissioned by HART, clearly concludes that synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine is a potent opioid agonist with high abuse potential, rapid tolerance development, and physical dependence in animal models. HART’s attempt to erase key parts of the report after publication, including these risk statements, is an alarming act of public deception that endangers consumers.”

The KCAC white paper cites the following key concerns from the Marwood Group report that HART initially published and then quietly removed:

• Synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine is over 10 times more potent than morphine and acts on the same opioid receptors known to cause euphoria, addiction, and respiratory depression.
• Repeated use leads to rapid tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms, none of which are seen with the kratom leaf’s main alkaloid, mitragynine.
• No clinical trials exist demonstrating the safety or efficacy of synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine products for any medical condition.
• Marwood’s disclaimer clearly states that synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine should not be used to self-treat or self-diagnose, directly contradicting HART’s public promotion of these products.

The KCAC paper refutes Marwood Group’s assertion that 7-hydroxymitragynine has a lower risk of respiratory depression. They used a surrogate marker called beta-arrestin recruitment to say the risk was lower without looking at actual animal studies where breathing was assessed and shown to be depressed, just like with morphine. It also provides a balanced perspective on anecdotal experiences with 7 products where consumers report widespread recreational use for euphoria and suffering from severe addiction.  

“We’ve seen this playbook before, downplaying the risks of potent opioids while encouraging unregulated use. The opioid crisis of the 2000s began with similar false assurances,” said Dr. White. “We must not repeat history with synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine. These products must be evaluated through rigorous clinical trials and carefully controlled, not sold like candy at gas stations.”

The white paper also highlights KCAC’s support for the FDA’s July 15 warning letters against firms illegally marketing synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine products and making unsubstantiated medical claims.

KCAC calls on regulators, lawmakers, and the media to take a clear-eyed view of the risks posed by synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine products and urges a halt to the sale of these potent synthetic derivatives outside of clinical or research settings.

The full white paper, “Have ‘7’ Products with 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) Been Proven to Be Safe?” is available here.

About Kratom Consumer Advisory Council (KCAC)

Kratom Consumer Advisory Council (KCAC) is an independent board made up of a clinician-scientist and consumers that uses the strongest available evidence to produce position statements that promote evidence-based policy. The KCAC is supported by the Global Kratom Coalition which advocates for regulations that protect consumers and curbs the sale of adulterated or synthetic products falsely marketed as kratom. For more information, visit globalkratomcoalition.org/kcac.

Media Contact

Dr. C. Michael White
cwhite1@wm.com

The Stop Gas Station Heroin coalition today commended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for issuing warning letters to companies marketing "7" — a dangerous semi-synthetic alkaloid often disguised as a natural dietary supplement.

This action marks a critical step toward curbing the spread of "Gas Station Heroin" — a term used to describe a range of often imported lab-made substances that include tianeptine, nitrous oxide, semi-synthetic and synthetic alkaloid products, and intoxicating hemp products.  

7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is only naturally present in trace amounts in dried kratom leaves. Bad actors synthetically mass produce high-concentration, ultra-potent 7-OH isolates in tablets, capsules, powders, and gummies. These chemically manipulated products are misleadingly marketed as natural dietary supplements or food. In reality, they act like prescription opioids and not botanicals, posing serious health risks such as respiratory depression, addiction, and overdose. 

The FDA’s warning letters underscore what scientists and public health experts have long known: Gas Station Heroin products are not supplements. They are unapproved, mislabeled street drugs designed to mimic the effects of opioids and other narcotics.

As the FDA notes, Gas Station Heroin products are often aggressively advertised online and in retail locations with deceptive claims about their safety and effectiveness, particularly to individuals seeking to get high or prescription alternatives for pain relief, anxiety, or opioid withdrawal.

Stop Gas Station Heroin applauds the FDA for using its enforcement authority to hold these illicit companies accountable and to protect American consumers from the growing threat posed by synthetic drugs.

About Stop Gas Station Heroin

Stop Gas Station Heroin is a national coalition that aims to educate consumers about harmful synthetic drugs and advocate for smart regulation that distinguishes between legitimate, natural botanicals and dangerous, synthetic drugs, combined with enforcement of current federal laws around unapproved drugs. To learn more, navigate to stopgasstationheroin.com.

Media Contact

Colby Wilson
info@stopgasstationheroin.com

The Stop Gas Station Heroin coalition today commended the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations for unanimously approving the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

This Senate funding bill and its House counterpart, approved in committee last month, show bipartisan support for closing the unregulated, intoxicating hemp loophole — correcting a legal gray area created by the 2018 Farm Bill and slowing the spread of Gas Station Heroin in American communities.

"Gas Station Heroin" refers to a range of foreign lab-made synthetic substances that include tianeptine, nitrous oxide, semi-synthetic and synthetic alkaloid products, and intoxicating hemp products such as Delta-8, Delta-9, Delta-10, and HHC. At issue here is this latter category of intoxicating hemp and its legal definition.

According to the 2018 Farm Bill, the federal government classifies hemp as cannabis and its derivatives with no more than 0.3% Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on a dry weight basis. Delta-9-THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, responsible for the euphoric high associated with marijuana use. 

Critically, the Senate funding bill would decrease the delta-9-THC limit for hemp-derived products to zero. The government’s current definition of hemp permits the manufacture and distribution of products containing non-delta-9 intoxicating cannabinoids — including delta-8, delta-10, and HHC — as long as their delta-9 content remains below the statutory threshold.

The narrow standards of the 2018 Farm Bill have resulted in a regulatory loophole exploited by manufacturers and retailers of intoxicating, hemp-derived products sold in convenience stores, gas stations, and smoke shops across the country.  

These chemically altered, highly concentrated products are concocted with imported extracts from overseas labs and rake in significant revenue for the international Gas Station Heroin syndicate, a multi-billion-dollar enterprise exploiting legal loopholes to drive addiction and profit while endangering Americans.

The Senate funding bill restores the original intent of the 2018 Farm Bill, which was never meant to create a loophole for synthetic THC, while protecting legitimate hemp farmers from rogue actors flooding the market with lab-made Gas Station Heroin.

Moreover, the bill would mark the most consequential federal intervention in cannabinoid policy in years, preempting and superseding a growing patchwork of state laws by establishing a uniform federal prohibition on synthetically manipulated and intoxicating hemp derivatives.

This important legislation underscores that natural botanicals are not the same as harmful synthetic substances. Although whole plant products have been used safely for centuries, bad actors are now isolating basic compounds from plants and chemically altering them in labs to create hyper-potent drugs that are poisoning consumers.

Stop Gas Station Heroin applauds Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee John Hoeven, and Senator Mitch McConnell for their leadership in combating the Gas Station Heroin crisis by seeking to close the hemp loophole.

About Stop Gas Station Heroin

Stop Gas Station Heroin is a national coalition that aims to educate consumers about harmful synthetic drugs and advocate for smart regulation that distinguishes between legitimate, natural botanicals and dangerous, synthetic drugs, combined with enforcement of current federal laws around unapproved drugs. To learn more, navigate to stopgasstationheroin.com.

Media Contact

Colby Wilson
info@stopgasstationheroin.com

EIOTCLUB, a Seattle-based leader in IoT connectivity, announces the launch of its advanced eSIM designed to deliver instant online activation, multi-network access, and borderless coverage for enterprise and individual users.

This new global eSIM solution eliminates the hassle of physical SIM cards by enabling users to activate their plan within minutes and connect in over 200 countries and regions.

With flexible prepaid plans ranging from 30 to 360 days, EIOTCLUB’s eSIM starts at just $5. It’s a great fit for both short-term travelers and long-term users who need flexible, reliable data — from vacations to remote work.

EIOTCLUB’s eSIM connects to the best local network automatically in every country it covers—no roaming fees. You can keep your original number to receive texts and verification codes as usual, while the eSIM adds reliable local data wherever you go. It’s a simple way to stay connected during international travel without changing how you use your phone.

EIOTCLUB’s travel eSIM offers a seamless solution for staying connected while abroad—perfect for business travelers, tourists, students, and remote workers alike. With support for 4G and 5G networks, it delivers strong performance in areas with reliable cellular coverage, making it a great fit for most urban, suburban, and well-covered rural regions.

What sets EIOTCLUB apart is its focus on simplicity and control. From the moment you purchase your eSIM online, setup is effortless—just scan a QR code to activate, with no shipping delays or physical SIM cards to worry about. This hassle-free “Scan-to-Start” experience means you can be up and running in minutes, no matter where you are.

Managing your plan is just as straightforward. EIOTCLUB’s intuitive mobile app puts everything at your fingertips—track data usage, top up your balance, or update billing preferences with just a few taps. This level of ease empowers users to stay in control of their connectivity, even while on the move.

Behind this user-friendly experience is a flexible, transparent Pay-as-You-Go model that helps eliminate unexpected roaming fees. Whether you're checking into a hotel in Tokyo or working from a café in Lisbon, you know exactly what you're paying for—nothing more.

EIOTCLUB is also built for long-term convenience. With partnerships across more than 100 leading IoT hardware manufacturers, its connectivity solutions are increasingly integrated directly into smart devices, providing reliable service without the need for constant manual setup.

It’s no surprise, then, that over 2.58 million users worldwide trust EIOTCLUB to keep them connected across borders. The combination of affordability, broad compatibility, and automatic network switching creates a reliable, stress-free experience wherever life takes them.

The new global eSIM is available now. Users can explore plan options, check device compatibility, and activate their prepaid eSIM instantly through the company’s official website.

To take advantage of eSIM technology, devices like smartphones or tablets must be equipped with a built-in eSIM chip module (eUICC). However, many older models—such as those running Android 9 or earlier—lack this capability. To bridge this gap and extend eSIM benefits to a broader range of users, EIOTCLUB developed a Physical eSIM Card that includes an integrated eUICC chip. When inserted into a compatible device, it functions just like a native eSIM, allowing users to download and manage eSIM profiles without needing hardware upgrades.

This innovative solution not only makes global connectivity more accessible for individual users but also offers significant advantages for businesses managing large-scale IoT deployments. With compatibility across 95% of global hardware, including industrial routers, GPS trackers, and remote monitoring equipment, the Physical eSIM Card enables seamless plug-and-play integration. Industries such as security monitoring, smart vehicles, wearables, drones, and robotics benefit from reduced setup costs, minimal downtime, and reliable connectivity—helping them stay focused on performance without worrying about infrastructure limitations.

For more information on how to stay connected with a reliable eSIM solution, visit EIOTCLUB's website and follow EIOTCLUB on Facebook, Instagram (@eiotclubofficial), YouTube, and TikTok (@eiotclub).

Join the growing community that counts on EIOTCLUB to make IoT and global connectivity simpler than ever before.

About EIOTCLUB

EIOTCLUB is a Seattle-based leading mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) specializing in IoT connectivity solutions that serve more than 2.5 million users worldwide. From industrial-grade SIMs and eSIM solutions to rugged devices and satellite support, EIOTCLUB partners with top hardware manufacturers to make the IoT easier, more reliable, and ready for the future. For more information, visit www.eiotclub.com.

Media Contact

Casso Cheung
business@eiotclub.com

The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) today applauded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for issuing warning letters to firms marketing “7,” a potent and dangerous novel product that is being illegally sold across the country. (See FDA press release here).

This decisive action by the FDA draws a much-needed line between responsibly used, traditionally consumed kratom leaf and the synthetic or highly concentrated products, like 7, that pose a clear threat to public health.

“The FDA’s move is a critical step in protecting consumers,” said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. “We have long warned that products like 7 are driving harm and putting lives at risk. The FDA's action sends a clear message: these dangerous products have no place in the marketplace.”

While 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a naturally occurring alkaloid in kratom leaf, it is present only in trace amounts in its natural state. The products targeted by the FDA are chemically manipulated to contain dangerously high levels of semi-synthetic 7-OH, significantly increasing the potential for harm. These products have been linked to serious adverse events and are highly addictive.

The Global Kratom Coalition supports rigorous enforcement against these deceptive and harmful products and urges lawmakers and regulators to distinguish clearly between natural kratom and synthetic or adulterated substances.

“The future of kratom depends on responsible regulation,” Lowe added. “We commend the FDA for taking action today and urge continued vigilance in order to protect consumers.”

About Global Kratom Coalition

Media Contact

Patrick George
info@globalkratomcoalition.org
+1 916-202-1982

Charleston Literary Festival has announced the Charleston Literary Festival Cato Fellowship Prize is returning for its second year and applications are now open.

After last year’s success with over 140 applicants and two esteemed winners—one of whom went on to win the prestigious American Mosaic Journalism Prize and one whose work was selected to be a part of an elite international exhibit for artists and writers—the Charleston Literary Festival Cato Fellowship Prize is back for another dynamic year.

The mission of the prize is to support and nurture emerging voices in North Carolina and South Carolina. Charleston Literary Festival team and board are excited to see this year's exceptional applicants. Applications are now open and will close on August 25—applicants can apply via the festival’s website.

The Cato Fellowship Prize will be awarded to two people in October 2025—writers of fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry are encouraged to apply.

During this year’s Charleston Literary Festival, running from November 7–16, 2025, the two winning fellows will receive full access to Charleston Literary Festival’s author conversations and receptions, free accommodations in downtown Charleston, networking and collaborative opportunities beyond the festival, a dedicated festival session to showcase their work, and a stipendiary of $7,500 each to allow them to further their writing career as they see fit.

Marion Cato, philanthropist and author, shared her happiness in the results of the first year of the program, “I am thrilled that so many gifted writers are interested in the Cato Fellowship Prize. I am confident that the experience encourages the creative process of the talented Fellows. It is gratifying to be able to help provide the opportunity for gifted writers each year.”

A long-time advocate for education, the late Wayland H. Cato Jr. had a lifelong passion for reading and learning. The Catos believe that the world would be a better place if exceptional writers were nurtured and encouraged.

“Thanks to the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Wayland Cato, we are so excited for the second year of the Charleston Literary Festival Cato Fellowship Prize. The Fellowship is a testament to the immense talent across the South. We are excited to bring two emerging writers to the festival again this year to attend transformative conversations and further their own craft," said Sara Peck, director of the Cato Fellowship Prize.

Charleston Literary Festival’s mission is to bring authors and audiences together to experience the transformative power of great literature, ideas, and creativity. The Cato Fellowship Prize reflects the importance of literature and the urgency to support it by fostering the next generation of writers in the Carolinas. The prize exists to nurture and encourage exceptional emerging writers so that they may positively impact and transform the world around them.

Last year, essayist Latria Graham and poet Dasia Moore were awarded the inaugural prizes. Read more about the 2024 winners on the Charleston Literary Festival's website.

Since winning the inaugural Cato Fellowship Prize, both Latria Graham and Dasia Moore have been further recognized for their work. Latria Graham won the American Mosaic Journalism Prize for excellence in long-form, narrative or deep reporting about underrepresented and/or misrepresented groups in the U.S. Dasia Moore's project, "Francophile," was included in an exhibit featuring international artists and writers. The exhibit, "For Real For Real," is curated by Claudia Rankine and co-hosted by daadgalerie and The Racial Imaginary Institute in Berlin.

“We’re so delighted to build on the success of last year’s inaugural prize. The Charleston Literary Festival Cato Fellowship Prize honors extraordinary emerging literary talent rooted in the Carolinas. This region holds rich storytelling traditions—through this Fellowship Prize, we’re spotlighting the voices and perspectives that make the Carolinas so vital to the broader literary landscape,” added Sarah Moriarty, executive director of Charleston Literary Festival.

About the Cato Fellowship Prize 

Open to writers in North Carolina and South Carolina, the Cato Fellowship Prize will be awarded to two writers of fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry who demonstrate a commitment to bettering their craft and exhibit a love of writing and reading.

The Charleston Literary Festival Cato Fellowship Prize will provide:

• Immersive access to all 45+ events and private receptions during Charleston Literary Festival, running November 7–16, 2025 (view the first list of authors here)
• Accommodations in Downtown Charleston to stay and write for the 10-day duration of the festival
• $7,500 stipendiary
• Dedicated workspace in Dock Street Theatre
• Featured bio on the Charleston Literary Festival website and social media
• Featured full-length session onstage at Dock Street Theatre to showcase their work during Charleston Literary Festival
• Publication of the final piece in response to Charleston Literary Festival Cato Fellowship experience on the Charleston Literary Festival website
• Networking and collaborative opportunities beyond the duration of the festival

Who should apply? 

The Cato Fellowship Prize is open to any fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry writer who is a current resident of North Carolina or South Carolina. Students enrolled in a college or university program in North Carolina or South Carolina are also eligible to apply. Applicants are required to be a U.S. citizen or resident with an active visa and at least 21 years old on November 7, 2025. Applicants should be in the early stages of their writing careers, i.e., have not published more than one book-length work with a major or independent publisher. However, previous publication is not a requirement if they have demonstrated a commitment to developing their writing, whether fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry, by providing evidence of, for example:

• work published in a magazine or journal, online or in print
• work published in an anthology
• attendance at a creative writing course
• an early stage of a manuscript
• a draft book proposal

Direct link to application for the Cato Fellowship Prize: charlestonliteraryfestival.slideroom.com/

Charleston Literary Festival

• Tickets: The full list of 50+ authors who will feature at the festival in November will be announced and all tickets will go on sale on September 4, 2025.
• Overview: For more information about the festival schedule and event details, please visit CharlestonLiteraryFestival.com or follow us on Instagram @charlestonlitfest.
• Stay in the know: To make sure you stay up to date, sign up for our newsletter at CharlestonLiteraryFestival.com.
• Journalists: Visit our press center: CharlestonLiteraryFestival.com/press

About Charleston Literary Festival

Media Contact

Russell Powell
russell@rpowellpr.com

Professional headshot photographer Chris Gillett is marking a major milestone: 10 years of creating standout portraits for lawyers, executives, and leaders across Texas and beyond. Once a top-rated trial attorney himself, Gillett now spends his days helping his clients present their best selves through expertly crafted headshots that project confidence, professionalism, and humanity.

“The strongest headshots express authenticity, and although AI can imitate, it can’t feel. And art without feeling isn’t art, it’s decoration. People still want to see the real you. That’s never going out of style,” Gillett said.

Gillett has worked with the elite of Houston's professional community including the past two Presidents of Shell North America Bruce Culpepper and Gretchen Watkins and the incoming president Colette Hirstius.

He specializes in a unique blend of expression and confidence coaching during photoshoots, capturing leadership, warmth, and credibility in a single frame. His work is sought after by attorneys and business professionals who understand the impact of a powerful headshot in today’s digital-first world.

“I want my clients to look strong, capable, and real. Your headshot is a visual handshake. If it doesn’t make people want to work with you, it’s not doing its job,” Gillett said.

His journey into photography began after a disastrous personal experience with a generic corporate headshot.

“I looked like a deranged night stalker. That photo launched me on a mission to figure out how to do it right and to help others avoid the same fate,” he said

Now widely recognized as one of Houston’s best legal headshot photographers, Gillett has worked with thousands of professionals across law, business, and medicine, using state-of-the-art equipment and deep knowledge of facial expression coaching to help each client shine.

As AI-generated portraits become more common, many photographers fear being replaced.  But Gillett doesn’t see it that way.

"I've had clients tear up because they couldn't believe they could really look that good. AI can never do that. Plus, I'm not a fan of professional catfishing,” he said.

There’s another reason Gillett feels confident entering his second decade of professional photography.

“AI needs real content to function. It feeds off what humans create. But more importantly, it can’t read the room. It doesn’t know when a client is nervous, or when to crack a joke to get a genuine smile. It can’t coach confidence. Only a human can do that,” Gillett said.

He believes the growing presence of AI in photography will actually increase the demand for authentic, human-made headshots, especially in industries that rely on trust and personal connection, like law and business.

About Chris Gillett

Chris Gillett is a Houston-based headshot photographer and expression coach specializing in professional portraits for attorneys, executives, and leaders. A former trial lawyer and adjunct law professor, Gillett combines legal insight with creative skill to deliver portraits that inspire confidence and credibility. He holds a JD from South Texas College of Law and a BA from Austin College. His work has earned him recognition as one of Texas’s most trusted photographers for legal and corporate headshots. For more information, visit liketherazor.com.

Media Contact

Amanda Orr
amanda@orrstrategygroup.com

GrowerIQ, a global leader in cannabis compliance and enterprise resource planning (ERP) technology, has been formally validated as an official METRC integrator across 10 U.S. jurisdictions. This includes some of the country's most tightly regulated cannabis markets: California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Guam.

This milestone represents a significant step forward in GrowerIQ's ability to support licensed producers navigating the complexities of U.S. compliance frameworks. The validation allows GrowerIQ to directly integrate with METRC's regulatory tracking system, enabling future clients in these jurisdictions to sync data securely, streamline reporting, and maintain accurate inventory records, all from within the GrowerIQ platform.

GrowerIQ's AI-powered ERP is purpose-built for cannabis businesses, uniting cultivation, manufacturing, quality assurance, and CRM into a single operational system. With METRC integration completed, the platform is now positioned to help producers eliminate third-party middleware, reduce manual entry, and scale compliantly across METRC-participating states.

"Securing METRC validation in these 10 jurisdictions reinforces our commitment to making compliance seamless," said Andrew Wilson, CEO of GrowerIQ. "We know how difficult it is for producers to adapt their operations around inflexible tools. That's why GrowerIQ is built to match your SOPs, not rewrite them."

As U.S. cannabis markets evolve, operators need reliable infrastructure that can adapt quickly to shifting regulations. GrowerIQ's ongoing compliance development, including integrations with METRC and BioTrack, reflects the company's continued investment in helping producers stay ahead of regulatory demands and focus on product excellence.

About GrowerIQ

AI-powered GrowerIQ is the operational backbone ERP that unites the fragmented systems required by cannabis production facilities around the world. The company now powers country-level traceability and facilities in more than 24 countries and seven languages. For more information, visit groweriq.ca.

Media Contact

Andrew Wilson
info@groweriq.com
+1 855-892-7500

The Netty Awards, a premier awards program celebrating excellence in the modern tech landscape, is pleased to announce that VoxScan by Artemis Immersive has been named a nominee in the Best Legal Tech Innovation category.

VoxScan is redefining how medical evidence is presented and understood in personal injury and medical malpractice cases. This groundbreaking platform transforms ordinary medical imaging into fully interactive 3D models, empowering attorneys to deliver clear, compelling visual evidence that resonates with juries and drives better outcomes.

“VoxScan empowers personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys with cutting-edge tools to transform how medical evidence is presented and understood,” said Adam Isley, founder and CEO of Artemis Immersive. “By simplifying complex medical data into impactful visuals, attorneys can improve settlement outcomes, save time and resources, and reduce reliance on expert witnesses. Many states face availability challenges with expert witnesses, and as a result, injury victims suffer even more in the process of recovery of damages. We’re dialed-in on what's best for injury victims and patients.”

Designed specifically for patients, injury victims, and non-medical audiences, VoxScan prioritizes ease of use and clarity. Unlike traditional scan viewers built exclusively for radiologists and imaging specialists, VoxScan leverages advanced technologies — including AI-powered models and interactive anatomy visualizations — delivered through a popular game engine. This approach makes previously cost-prohibitive innovations accessible to legal teams and the clients they serve.

Measurable Impact

The platform’s success is evident in both research and real-world applications:

• 96% of surveyed users preferred VoxScan over traditional imaging solutions.
• 94% felt VoxScan would make them more comfortable with a loved one’s medical procedure.
• 92% agreed it made medical conditions easier to understand.
• A leading radiologist praised the software’s ability to “isolate many different types of organs from the background … so that if a specific injury or disease needs to be described, you can do so clearly.”

Driving Industry Change

A patient who used VoxScan shared, “Looking at MRIs was very confusing for me. The 3D image was much easier to understand conceptually. As a patient, I leave with a clearer understanding of what’s happening to my body.”

By bridging the gap between complex medical imaging and patient comprehension, VoxScan not only elevates the legal process but also empowers individuals to advocate for themselves and actively participate in their care.

About Netty Awards

The Netty Awards are a leading awards program celebrating excellence in technology, marketing, design, and more. Backed by industry experts and extensive media coverage, the awards have recognized global brands, Fortune 500 companies, and emerging disruptors alike. Last year's winners include DoorDash, Mattel, Chick-fil-A, Shell, and Texas A&M University, reflecting the awards' broad influence across various sectors. With thousands of industry professionals engaging annually, the Netty Awards continue to be a trusted benchmark for recognition and success in the digital age. To learn more, visit nettyawards.com.

About Artemis Immersive

Artemis Immersive is an award-winning spatial software studio focused on disrupting the current healthcare model by redesigning the patient journey and physician workflow to lay the foundation of the next generation of healthcare.

We design, build, and test immersive medtech software and experiences; accessible across VR headsets, desktops, and mobile devices; enabled by our growing toolkit of modular technologies, applications, and healthcare experts.

Our interactive 3D experiences address the communication gap that exists not only between patients and doctors, but also between providers of different specializations, insurance providers, attorneys, caregivers, and more.

For more information, visit artemisimmersive.com.

Media Contact

Media Relations
press@nettyawards.com

Holostenko & Partners, a leading Ukrainian digital marketing agency, has announced the launch of its new global crisis-response framework for Google Ads campaigns, specifically designed to help businesses maintain profitability during times of economic disruption and market instability.

The strategy is based on insights developed over more than 15 years of work across Ukraine, Germany, the United Kingdom, the USA, and other countries. With over 500 successful projects and recognition as a Google Premier Partner (top 3%), the company has a proven track record in handling performance marketing in complex and unstable conditions.

The company's specialization is Google Ads contextual advertising, SEO, targeting with deep analytics and detailed set up tags. Deeply working with promotion and PPC for online store + Google Shopping, concert advertising, services ads.

"During crises — war, devaluation, or recession — most businesses either freeze their ad budgets or rely too heavily on automation. But this often leads to rising costs and lost momentum," explains Yevgen Kholostenko, founder of Holostenko & Partners. "We’ve developed a manual control approach that focuses on analytics, market behavior, and human oversight, which outperforms automation in volatile environments."

Key components of the crisis strategy include:

• Manual monitoring of campaigns and performance KPIs instead of overreliance on smart bidding;
• Deep auction analysis to understand ad competition and pricing anomalies;
• Campaign budget modeling based on conversion value and ROI;
• Use of alternative communication channels such as cold outreach, email, and social media;
• Adjusted targeting and audience testing during market contractions;
• Maintaining advertising momentum to avoid post-crisis growth loss.

The strategy emphasizes that pausing ad campaigns during a crisis can irreversibly damage growth potential, making it harder for businesses to recover market share afterward.

Holostenko & Partners applies these principles not only in Ukraine — where businesses face unique challenges due to war and economic instability — but also globally in developed markets where economic slowdowns affect performance-driven campaigns.

“We believe digital advertising must remain adaptive, data-driven, and guided by experienced marketers — especially in turbulent times,” adds Kholostenko.

About Holostenko & Partners

Holostenko & Partners is a digital marketing agency specializing in performance-driven Google Ads, SEO, and analytics. With over 15 years of experience and more than 500 successful projects worldwide, the agency helps eCommerce, service, and media businesses grow through deep expertise in PPC and data strategy. Recognized as a Google Premier Partner (top 3% globally), Holostenko & Partners is headquartered in Odesa, Ukraine, and works with clients across the U.S., United Kingdom, Germany, and beyond. To learn more, visit holostenko.ua/en.

Media Contact

Yevgen Kholostenko
evgen@holostenko.ua
+380 96 558 7514

Math Magic has officially launched Hitem3D, the world’s first AI-powered tool for 3D content creation that supports ultra-high-resolution models up to 1536^3. Users can upload a single image to instantly generate detailed 3D models, complete with texture support and downloads in multiple file formats.

By comparison, most similar tools worldwide currently offer a maximum resolution of only 1024^3. Thanks to Math Magic’s proprietary algorithms and technical breakthroughs, Hitem3D can deliver up to 1536^3 resolution. “This seemingly small difference is actually like upgrading from a GIF to an HD video,” commented an industry researcher.

According to Bo Zhang, product lead at Hitem3D, the tool helps designers without 3D modeling skills quickly turn creative ideas into high-precision models that meet production requirements. “Complex models like mecha, which used to take a senior modeler four to five working days, can now be generated by Hitem3D in under three minutes with hand-crafted detail,” Zhang said.

Future plans include adding retopology, multi-view generation, and 3D part segmentation to further reduce creation barriers and improve efficiency.

Previously, similar tools could only generate lower-resolution models because existing 3D generation techniques lost critical data during processing, leaving rough shapes and thin details. Users then had to spend significant time refining models to restore detail. Hitem3D’s ultra-high-resolution output brings WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) to AI 3D creation.

“We pioneered direct 1536^3 resolution generation from an image, allowing unprecedented restoration of fine and micro structures. For example, if you upload a macro photo of an ant, Hitem3D can even capture the tiny bristles on its legs,” Zhang said.

Math Magic designed a unique sparse convolutional network and fully symmetric 3D VAE architecture, eliminating potential modal conversion errors. Compared to conventional models, reconstruction error (Chamfer distance) is reduced by 40%. Sparse computation lowers FLOPs by 50%, cutting training and inference costs while ensuring high-quality latent space representation for production models.

On platforms like YouTube and X, many 3D creators shared positive reviews, praising its high accuracy and fine structural reproduction. Several 3D artists reported over 90% efficiency improvements in the first modeling stage, giving digital models more realistic micro-level texture and unlocking new productivity across markets such as 3D printing, product and industrial design, game development, and film production.

For more information, visit Hitem3D's website or watch the overview video.

About Math Magic

Math Magic is the developer of Hitem3D, a 3D generation tool powered by its proprietary high-resolution AI model, Sparc3D. With just a single reference image, users can instantly generate studio-ready 3D assets with industry-leading quality, making 3D creation faster, easier, and more accessible. This breakthrough solution empowers game developers, designers, and 3D artists to streamline their creative workflows and bring ideas to life efficiently from concept to deployment. For more information, visit hitem3d.ai.

Media Contact

Celine Su
contact@email.hitem3d.ai

The Stop Gas Station Heroin coalition reviewed the beagle study commissioned by CBD American Shaman, a Missouri-based company that reports generating the majority of its revenue from the sale of “7” products in over 200 retail locations, to evaluate the effects of escalating oral doses of their formulations of 7 (semi-synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine), and Pseudo (semi-synthetic mitragynine pseudoindoxyl).

Commissioned to support an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission, the study’s clear conflicts of interest are as alarming as its findings. Consider that CBD American Shaman, the sponsor of the research, has falsely marketed and sold these products as dietary supplements since 2022. Moreover, the study was released by the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART), an advocacy group comprised of members with a vested interest in 7-OH products.

This study raises serious concerns about the safety of 7 and Pseudo products, especially with regard to CBD American Shaman’s marketed “serving size” of 7.5 mg per serving, or half a tablet. More concerning is that in reality users consume significantly greater amounts of these products, and misuse risks include tolerance and addiction.

Critically, the study’s findings suggest that doses of more than 0.3 mg exceed a conservative threshold for human safety. This figure is based on adverse effects observed in dogs at 10 mg doses, scaled to a human-equivalent dose using FDA-recommended methods.

In other words, CBD American Shaman’s marketed serving size is more than 25 times greater than what could be considered reasonably safe based on the study’s own preclinical data, and many more times greater if measured against normal consumption of these products.

Lastly, what HART is ignoring, irrespective of the science they put forward, is that 7 and Pseudo have been chemically formulated and put into the market with the intent to cure, treat and mitigate disease; that is in relation to chronic pain, and opioid use disorder. Despite marketing their products as natural botanicals, they are producing unapproved new pharmaceutical drugs, which is illegal.

In order to protect Americans, they should be conducting rigorous peer reviewed science that is published in a journal and vetted as a part of a robust IND submission that proves the efficacy and safety of 7 and Pseudo in comparison to the prescription drugs they are attempting to mimic. Without this critical research and approval from the FDA for prescribed use of 7 and Pseudo, these products should not be on the market.

The study’s design, results, and implications are expanded upon below:

The original study design sought to give 10, 20, 40 mg of 7-OH or mitragynine psuedoindoxyl twice daily for 7 days for beagles ranging from 8–10.2 kg. However, at the lowest dose of 10 mg, a Serious Adverse Event (SAE) occurred causing the study to be halted).

What does this mean?

• A 10 mg dog for a ~10 kg dog dose ≈ 0.5 mg/kg in humans, or ~32.4 mg in a 60 kg human, potentially enough to cause a similar SAE. [1]
• Based on this data, using a reasonable safety factor of 100 (per FDA guidance), the results would mean the maximum dose they could administer is 0.3 mg for humans. This maximum dose of 0.3 mg is equivalent to about 4% of the suggested serving size, and 2% of a single tablet sold by American Shaman.

After the SAE, the sponsor adjusted its protocol to 1/10 of the original doses (1, 2, 4 mg per day in dogs), which is 1/20 of the daily dose. However, even at doses at 1 mg, 2 mg and 4 mg per day, adverse events (AEs) were still 2.5–2.7x more common than placebo. Specific AEs include GI disturbances, including blood and mucus in feces. All episodes of drooling appeared in dogs only after the daily dose was escalated to 4 mg.

What does this mean?

• 1 mg, 2 mg and 4 mg doses in dogs can be converted to Human Equivalent Dose (HED) of 0.05 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg.
• For a 60 kg human, the dose that can cause adverse events could be as low as 3.24–12.96 mg.
• The sponsor (CBD American Shaman)’s current human product doses, as well as many 7 and Pseudo products in market already far exceed the Human Equivalent Dose that could cause an adverse event, and many times more than what would be considered a safe dose.

Missing pieces in research design and unfinished reports:

The presented study of 7 and Pseudo in dogs was incomplete, missing key safety endpoints, and inappropriately designed to assess safe use of the test articles. Some of these are described below

• Short duration: Only seven days of exposure per dose, not representative of daily chronic use observed in real-world conditions.
• Within-group dose escalation confounds data: The middle and high doses were only given to dogs acclimated to lower doses of the test article.
• No assessment of opioid-related side effects like respiratory depression.
• No assessment of abuse potential or behavioral changes expected with opioid exposure.
• While allegedly collected, no report of clinical chemistry, hematology, or urinalysis data.
• The study was not peer-reviewed nor published in a reputable scientific journal. In fact, it was still in draft format.

In Summary

The study is incomplete, shows significant public health risk with these products, and it doesn’t justify extrapolating to humans to establish the safety of 7 or Pseudo, especially when:

• The beagles had serious adverse events at very low doses in the original study design and had adverse events in the redesigned studies starting at 1/10 of the dosage of the initial study design’s first dose.
• The set dosing data for humans for products already being sold are based on a leap of faith, not robust safety data.
• Beagle-to-human extrapolation is already a cautious stretch; human sales go far beyond what the model supports. Dosages currently sold in the market have already exceeded the HED that can cause Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) based on the study.
• With reported risk addiction due to 7 being 22 times more potent opioid receptor binding affinity than morphine, many consumers will take more than the 32.4 mg limit that links to serious adverse events and expose themselves at lower doses to high risk of adverse events.

Final Thoughts

What HART is ignoring, irrespective of the science they put forward, is that 7 and Pseudo have been chemically formulated and put into the market with the intent to cure, treat and mitigate disease — namely chronic pain and opioid use disorder. They have intentionally produced a novel drug and are currently marketing it without FDA approval, which is a clear violation of federal law. They should be doing more science as a part of a robust Investigational New Drug (IND) and New Drug Application (NDA) submission that not only proves the efficacy and safety of 7 and Pseudo but also shows that they are better than the drugs they seek to replace (Oxycontin, Percocet, etc.). Until such time that they have done this and gained approval from the FDA for prescribed use of 7 and Pseudo, these products should not be on the market, and should certainly not be available for $6 a pill at your local smoke shop or convenience store.

To learn more about Stop Gas Station Heroin and its mission, navigate to stopgasstationheroin.com.

Sources

[1] Human Equivalent Dose (HED) = Animal Equivalent Dose (AED) x 0.54. This is based on conversion mentioned in study design and also standard dose conversion.

About Stop Gas Station Heroin

Stop Gas Station Heroin is a national coalition that aims to educate consumers about harmful synthetic drugs and advocate for smart regulation that distinguishes between legitimate, natural botanicals and dangerous, synthetic drugs, combined with enforcement of current federal laws around unapproved drugs. To learn more, navigate to stopgasstationheroin.com.

Media Contact

Colby Wilson
info@stopgasstationheroin.com

Genus AI, a leader in AI-driven growth solutions for D2C and e-commerce brands, is excited to announce the launch of Sage, a first-of-its-kind AI Growth Agent built to transform how brands scale across digital channels.

Sage is redefining e-commerce growth with an intelligent AI agent that unifies creative generation, product catalog management, digital campaigns, customer insights, and order data. Built for brands of all sizes, Sage can power the entire digital growth engine — enhancing product catalogs, optimizing campaigns, and providing real-time visibility into the customer lifecycle. It’s now available to brands leveraging Shopify and Meta platforms.

In a landscape where digital growth is more vital than ever, Genus AI continues to stand apart by democratizing access to secure enterprise-grade AI technology. The platform currently generates more than 20 million product catalog images and videos each month and is projected to drive over $500 million in revenue from AI-generated campaigns in 2025.

Already trusted by leading brands like Chubbies, Parks Project, Annie Selke, Awe Inspired, Peter Thomas Roth and many others, Genus AI empowers e-commerce teams to unlock scalable growth without compromising brand identity or operational control.

“With Sage, we’re introducing a fundamental shift in how brands harness AI to drive growth,” said Dr. Tadas Jucikas, founder and CEO of Genus AI. “Our mission is to empower businesses with intelligent tools that enhance product catalogs, generate high-performing creatives, and run more efficient campaigns across every digital channel. Sage has the potential to do all of this autonomously, marking the beginning of a new era in e-commerce growth.”

Genus AI is committed to making advanced AI accessible to brands of any size. Later this year Sage will be available via MCP (Model Context Protocol) for AI to AI workflows where brands can automate entire pipelines of deep customer insights, product catalog ad generation and digital campaign optimization in a secure and reliable environment.

As Genus AI continues to expand Sage’s capabilities, the company is paving the way for the next generation of AI-driven agentic solutions that will redefine digital commerce.

To learn how Sage can transform your e-commerce growth, visit: genus.ai/ask-sage

About Genus AI

Genus AI is a vertical AI platform designed to accelerate growth for D2C and e-commerce brands across all digital channels. The platform streamlines product catalog management, generates dynamic product images and videos, and recommends high-performing seed audiences — enabling brands to scale efficiently via digital channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X, Google, Reddit, Criteo and others. Genus AI’s mission is to make advanced AI accessible to brands of all sizes and empower their growth in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. For more information, visit genus.ai.

Media Contact

Press Team
genus@genus.ai

UZCARD, a leader in financial infrastructure development, encompasses all payment components such as issuing, acquiring, card network, payment gateway and aggregator functionalities. It leads the strategic progress of Open Banking roads in Uzbekistan and its ongoing impact on the country’s fintech sector. Leveraging centralized payment processing systems, Uzbekistan is emerging as a Central Asian success story in implementing a secure, scalable, and competitive Open Banking environment.

Open Banking allows consumers to access and share their financial data across platforms via open APIs, enabling third-party developers to build tailored services that aggregate information from multiple institutions. In Uzbekistan, this model is supported by nationwide infrastructure and compliance with personal data protection laws, creating a “bank-agnostic” environment for users.

“With centralized systems like UZCARD, consumers can link their accounts across all local financial institutions in a seamless and secure way. This dramatically reduces customer acquisition cost, boosts competition, and enables a new generation of fintech innovation,” said David Melikidze, CEO of UCMG (UZCARD Management Group).

Unlike in traditional banking systems where financial institutions limit cross-platform access, Uzbekistan’s centralized processing hub provides an integrated foundation for Open Banking. This infrastructure not only benefits consumers but also empowers fintech companies to develop and scale new financial products without requiring large marketing budgets or prolonged acquisition efforts.

Technology Driving Open Banking

Open Banking relies on several core technologies:

• APIs for seamless, secure data exchange;
• Tokenization for protecting sensitive transaction information;
• Centralized processing systems that handle data exchange and payments via interconnected servers, ensuring reliability and speed.

This approach is enabling financial innovation by allowing customers to manage their finances, switch providers easily, and access highly personalized services.

Implications for Emerging Fintech Markets

In markets such as Uzbekistan, the lowered barriers to entry are already fostering a vibrant fintech scene. Startups can integrate with UZCARD to offer services like multi-bank account views (balance aggregation), spending analytics and categorization, transaction initiation and embedded financial products directly within third-party applications. As these capabilities expand, they reduce the relevance of traditional banking interfaces while increasing financial inclusion and diversity.

Looking Ahead: Open Banking Beyond Finance

UZCARD forecasts that Open Banking’s infrastructure and principles will soon extend to adjacent sectors, including:

• Insurance: where consumers can easily compare and switch between policies.
• Healthcare: where medical records can be securely shared among institutions, improving continuity of care.

These developments will further empower consumers by enabling data portability across services and industries.

“Open Banking is not just a technological shift; it’s a new standard for how people interact with their financial and personal data,” added Melikidze.

About UZCARD

Founded in 2004, UZCARD is a national payment system of Uzbekistan that is developed and maintained by JSC (Unified All-Republican Processing Center). The system provides for the issuance and processing of bank cards, used for non-cash payments, transfers and cash withdrawals in Uzbekistan's official national currency, the Uzbek sum. UZCARD unites 35 commercial banks in the country and 33 payment aggregators. UZCARD cardholders can make payments for goods and services through POS and E-POS terminals, use ATMs and infokiosks (self-service terminals), as well as conduct transactions through mobile applications and internet banking systems nationwide. For more information, visit uzcard.uz.

Media Contact

David Melikidze
info@uzcard.uz
+998 71 200 28 28

Inception Research Institute, part of Inception Fertility (Inception), today announced a new partnership with Frame, the collaborative care platform transforming access to reproductive and fertility care, to launch a landmark study focused on one of the most urgent challenges in fertility care: the emotional burden of treatment and its impact on patient retention.

Infertility is one of the most emotionally distressing experiences a person can face — on par with the psychological toll of a cancer diagnosis. Yet despite its intensity, most patients navigate fertility treatment without the emotional support they need. Emotional overwhelm — not cost or access — is the primary reason patients drop out, even with full insurance coverage. With more than half of patients discontinuing treatment, this study highlights a critical, often overlooked solution: addressing emotional needs to help more people stay in care and reach their goal of building a family.

“At Inception, we believe that the patient experience is just as important as the clinical protocol,” said Dr. Alice Domar, chief compassion officer at Inception and director of the Inception Research Institute. “Infertility is one of the most emotionally complex experiences someone can go through. Partnering with Frame — an organization that not only understands that but is deeply committed to studying it — is incredibly exciting. I’ve waited a long time to see this level of innovation in patient experience backed by a commitment to rigorous research.”

The six-month study will include patients across six of Inception’s Prelude Fertility clinics and will randomly assign half of the participants to immediate use of Frame to compare to a control group receiving standard care. Key outcomes will include patient retention, time to treatment, and psychological well-being.

“At Inception, the patient experience is our top priority,” said TJ Farnsworth, founder and CEO of Inception Fertility. “We invest in research and partnerships like this because we believe emotional support is not a nice-to-have — it’s a must-have. This study is about taking action to better serve our patients in every way, not just medically, but as whole people.”

Frame’s virtual care and AI-powered concierge model supports patients and providers across the entire fertility journey — from OB/GYNs and primary care to fertility clinics. The platform offers personalized virtual care and emotional support, holistic education, and end-to-end navigation from the first questions about fertility through treatment.

“We’re honored to partner with Inception and the Principal Investigator, Dr. Domar, to bring deeper insight into what patients really need during one of the hardest times in their lives,” said Jessica Bell van der Wal, co-founder and CEO of Frame.

“As a former infertility patient, I know firsthand the stress doesn’t stop at diagnosis — it continues through every appointment, decision, and outcome. That’s why we built Frame: to ensure patients feel supported emotionally and to rigorously measure what works. This study reflects our commitment to learning from real patient experiences, validating the impact of emotional support, and helping more people stay on the path to building their families.”

About Inception Fertility Research Institute

Established in 2022, the Inception Research Institute advances the field of reproductive medicine by addressing the industry’s most urgent needs—including pharmacological innovation, device development, professional advancement, access to care, and studies exploring how controllable factors such as emotional health and lifestyle habits affect treatment outcomes.

The Institute supports research across The Prelude Network™ — Inception’s national network of top-tier fertility clinics — by centralizing services such as IRB applications, contract review, and patient recruitment. Research conducted through the Institute has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals and presented at global forums such as ASRM and ESHRE, including a landmark 15-year study on egg freezing.

With the largest number of current studies in North America focusing on improving the patient experience, enhancing patient-centered care, researching the relationship between stress and treatment outcome, and investigating the most effective stress-reduction strategies, the Inception Fertility Research Institute continues to be an industry leader.

For more information, visit inceptionfertility.com/inception-research-institute.

To learn about active studies led by the Inception Research Institute, visit fertiltystudies.com.

About Frame

Founded in 2021, Frame is transforming the fertility journey by helping patients get the answers and guidance they need — faster. Designed for OB/GYNs, primary care physicians, and fertility specialists, Frame combines AI-powered tools, care navigation, and patient education to streamline the fertility journey — improving outcomes while easing the burden on clinical teams. Frame partners with over 5,000 OB/GYN, primary care and reproductive endocrinologists or other specialists nationwide. Learn more at www.frameyourfuture.com.

Media Contact

Mia Humphreys
mhumphreys@kruppagency.com

In June 2024, Devoteam announced the acquisition of Ubertas Consulting, a leading UK-based AWS consultancy. The move strengthened Devoteam’s presence across the United Kingdom and Ireland, expanding its reach to deliver exceptional services in cloud, data, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to a client base across industries and public institutions.

The strategic and targeted acquisition created Devoteam UK, an integrated organisation that is positioned to scale and meet the rising demand for AWS solutions across the EMEA region, empowering businesses to achieve their digital transformation goals. It reflects Devoteam’s growth trajectory and commitment to deliver unparalleled Cloud solutions and provide enhanced customer value through expanded knowledge and deep industry expertise.

The Ubertas Consulting acquisition has been the latest in a number of high profile acquisitions from 2017 to 2024 as Devoteam expands its services and geographic footprint. Globally, the company has also developed key strategic partnerships with not only AWS, but Google Cloud, Microsoft and ServiceNow alongside a broader ecosystem of partners, as it continues to offer tailored and specialised services to each.

The strategic partnership announcement with ServiceNow demonstrated even more growth plans across the EMEA region and followed the acquisition of Eraneos in the Netherlands last year. Stanislas de Bentzmann, founder and CEO of Devoteam, recently attended the AWS Summit in London with an objective to reinforce Devoteam’s knowledge and understanding of the latest innovations in the cloud computing space.

Speaking at the recent launch of Devoteam UK, Bentzmann discussed the company’s strategic plans, partnerships and hopes for further growth across Europe despite wavering support from the United States:

“Some things we cannot disclose yet; however, we can share that we are in the ongoing process of developing our footprint in the EMEA region to support our customers there in the best way possible, which involves concentrating talent density.

We have plans to reinforce our talent pool with a strong management team, similar to what we’ve achieved here in the UK by bringing Ubertas Consulting into Devoteam. We seek strong expertise with in-depth AWS knowledge to solidify our presence with the highest level of expertise in the market, as we have achieved by merging AWS and ServiceNow with Devoteam, consistently expanding to service our clients optimally.

We are organised to support our strategic partnerships with four of the well known tech providers (Microsoft, ServiceNow, AWS and Google). We see NVIDIA as our fifth partner shortly. We then focus on these five strategic partners, all of whom are experts with a strong and reputable presence in their respective markets. They all possess the necessary know-how and are well-positioned for expansion.

More importantly, each partner will leave with a comprehensive understanding of each other's expertise and capabilities. We will adapt, bond, and understand our strengths to address the market better than ever before.

The goal is that the five teams come together as one united force with greater capabilities. A melting pot of diverse expertise and know-how from different regions, where each of the five was already a dominant force.

We have combined Google, AWS, and ServiceNow in the UK. We are now developing AWS and ServiceNow as a combined force that we can heavily promote and achieve great success with. DataBricks is another layer that is very strong. They possess exceptional data management skills, combined with cloud capabilities, to deliver the most optimal data to AI tools.”

Much of the talk at AWS Summit centered around how Microsoft vowed to protect its European operations, even if U.S. President Donald Trump tries to block the continent from using its cloud services.

A  bullish Bentzmann said that the situation brought on by the Trump administration demonstrates that UK and European companies must acknowledge more complexities in the immediate future:

“The U.S. cloud is the leading cloud in Europe. Due to the differences in the Chinese cloud, Europeans have been more trusting of the U.S. cloud so far. Even if we were a little surprised and uncomfortable with the Patriot Act signed by President Trump during his first term, we trust the U.S. tech and the U.S. Cloud. And that's what you can see, that the Chinese cloud is so small. There is now a growing awareness that we should be more cautious, as we can see that it's a risk we may not have fully appreciated over the last few years.

We see two kinds of sovereign clouds. The one like Thales with a product called S3NS in this larger organization. They are building a cloud solution on Google technology, but run by Thales data centers. So, it's Google technology run by a European organisation, and it's secured in that way so that nobody can access customers’ data. So that's one answer. There is another one, run by Microsoft, called Cloud for Sovereignty, which gives access keys to the data only to the customers. 

However, this might not be entirely comfortable for customers, as technology provides robust security. However, they still doubt what will happen in the event of a conflict between Microsoft and the customer.

So that's a second option. The third one is that you can see complete local solutions such as OVHcloud and Numspot emerging on the market. Are they sufficiently innovative? The answer is so far no, they are not a solution. We have some in France and in Germany, but they don’t invest enough in technology, and innovation is limited due to limited means.

This adds complexity for the customers. For a company like Devoteam, complexity means customers are looking for advisors like ourselves. So, the fact that we are talking with our large customers about not moving to the U.S. cloud anymore, but instead splitting or dividing up what you need to keep, and how you can build your own private cloud, or go to a sovereign cloud, which means they will need us because all this dimension implies additional complexity, and that's good for business.

And the question is everywhere on the table, in all geographies, in all countries. In European countries. And not only in Europe, but also in the Middle East.”

Despite this, Bentzmann does see positives emerging with support from established and new companies. 

“You know that when something becomes more expensive, more space is created for newcomers. I believe it's a plus, and I also don’t think Microsoft, Google, or Amazon want to lose their European customers. No, that's not a game they want to play. On the contrary, they are in the game to increase their market share.”

About Devoteam

Devoteam is a leading consulting firm focused on digital strategy, tech platforms and cybersecurity. By combining creativity, technology and data insights, we empower our clients to transform their business and unlock the future. With more than 25 years of experience and 10.000 employees across Europe and the Middle East, Devoteam promotes responsible technology for people and works to create better change. For more information, visit www.devoteam.com.

Media Contact

Anthony Burr
anthony.burrmedia@gmail.com

Adaptaphoria by Global Can Beverage (GCB), the fast-rising brand redefining the THC beverage market, is rolling into summer with unstoppable momentum. The next stop on its high-energy road tour is the Hemp Beverage Expo, taking place from July 9 to 11 at the Omni Atlanta Hotel. This premier executive-level gathering, dedicated exclusively to hemp-infused beverages, is the perfect stage for showcasing Adaptaphoria’s bold and functional lineup.

Catch Adaptaphoria at Booth 613

Following a powerful showing at 101 Distributors’ record-breaking Customer Tradeshow, Adaptaphoria is poised to keep the buzz going strong. At that event, 101 Distributors GA (Stone Mountain, GA) secured a major order that will rapidly expand Adaptaphoria distribution into Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama, Florida — a clear testament to the brand’s industry-leading taste, quality, and market demand.

“Everyone was raving about the taste, low calories, and low sugar content. Adaptaphoria is right on target with shifting consumer trends, and we are here to support our customers’ needs,” said Mr. Patel, of 101 Distributors GA.

Expanding Reach Across the Southeast

This partnership brings Adaptaphoria’s signature experience to more shelves and more consumers throughout the Southeast and beyond, reinforcing the brand’s growing influence and traction with both retailers and fans.

Created by a Proven Visionary

Founded by serial entrepreneur Cameron Forni, Adaptaphoria is already outpacing the legendary success of his previous cannabis unicorn, Select, which was acquired by Curaleaf ($CURLF) to create the world’s largest cannabis brand. The all-stock deal, which peaked just north of a billion CAD during the close.

"Adaptaphoria is disruptive; we are bringing new customers into the category and giving non-drinkers a better way to socialize and rejoin the fun!" said Forni.

Forni spent years researching and analyzing the market and formulation with his team to chart a new course in the booming THC beverage market, creating a product that’s sophisticated, health-conscious, and ready for today’s mindful social drinker.

"When I realized we had achieved what we did with Select, I was filled with gratitude. That same feeling returns now with excitement for this partnership. After experiencing the joy, volume, and sheer demand at 101’s Vendor Event, we’re energized for what’s next,” added Forni.

The Social Spark for a New Generation

At the heart of Adaptaphoria is a mission to inspire real connection, spark entrepreneurship, and help end loneliness, one can at a time. Its USDA Farm Bill-compliant, delta-9 THC-infused functional seltzer offers a clean, clear-headed lift without alcohol’s downsides, perfect for anyone cutting back on booze and sugar but still craving a true happy hour vibe.

Adaptaphoria isn’t just a drink — it’s a movement. Each stop on the tour expands the brand’s footprint, from shelf space to community space.

Monthly Gatherings to Grow the Movement

To bring its vision to life, Adaptaphoria will be hosting monthly gatherings in each launch city — curated experiences designed to unite top entrepreneurs, creators, and athletes for evenings of connection, collaboration, and inspiration. Expect stories, laughter, and momentum-building moments.

We begin this journey in Miami, Florida, with the founders of none other than Maison Mura, a name synonymous with refinement, elegance, and exceptional taste. With a reputation for stocking only the most luxurious brands and impeccable products, Maison Mura embodies the very essence of excellence. Known as the “house of good moments” and boasting 290+ five-star Google reviews, it is an extraordinary honor to host our inaugural launch party in such a distinguished space.

We’ll be announcing the event date soon. Don’t miss it, follow @maisonmura.wine for exclusive details.

Visit us at Booth 613 at the Hemp Beverage Expo, July 9–11, at the Omni Atlanta Hotel.

Expand your network. Expand your mind. Expand the movement. #TimeToAdapt

About Adaptaphoria

Adaptaphoria by Global Can Beverage (GCB) crafts premium hemp-derived THC-infused beverages with adaptogens and phytonutrients for modern consumers seeking a mindful, elevated way to unwind and connect. Led by cannabis pioneer Cameron Forni, Adaptaphoria is setting a new standard in alternative social drinks, offering sophisticated, innovative, and unforgettable experiences. For more information, visit adaptaphoria.com.

Media Contact

Eugenio Garcia
press@hgs.world