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Printing is at an inflection point, and the industry has yet to wake up to it. Many printing companies are struggling with the new reality. Digital printing alone is already a $14.9 billion market, and it is projected to account for more than half of all print volume in 2025.

This is no longer a transition. It is the new normal, and traditional offset print simply cannot keep up without long lead times, overhead inventory costs while you wait for delivery, plus lost opportunities in-store.

Nowadays, businesses don't print “just in case;” they print exactly what they need, when they need it. Many print companies, including HelloPrint, have already become more flexible and are working in partnership with brands to ensure they can move quickly without biting off more than they can chew on the budget or timeline.

What Digital Printing Actually Is (And Why It’s Not New)

Unlike offset printing, which requires plates, films, and various processes to set up, digital printing sends files directly from the computer to the press. This means you can send a piece of work electronically without preparing an entire print run.

The difference, really, is this. You need 500 logo folders by Friday. With offset printing, you’d have a minimum wait of 2 to 3 weeks and spend over $3,000 on plate setup and press adjustments alone. And with digital printing, there are no setup fees, and the order arrives by Friday. Same folder, same look, but production speeds are five times faster and costs are much lower for small to medium runs.

Since 2018, the claim that digital equals low quality has ceased to be true. Nowadays, digital presses can achieve up to 2,400 DPI resolution and are comparable in quality to offset printing for most businesses (except in the most specialized applications).

Market Reality: $14.9 Billion and Growing

What businesses are buying marks a seismic shift in how they think about where and how long print inventory is stored, as well as the timing of campaigns. Their inventory costs go down by 80% when companies buy 250 rather than 5,000. Storage costs disappear. The risk of inventory sitting in unsold quantities on a warehouse floor falls away.

As businesses have begun to learn that flexibility and speed are more valuable than volume discounts increasingly, we believe digital will capture over 50% of total print volume in the long term. Average order size fell by 60% over three years according to HelloPrint customer data, while order frequency went up by 140%. Companies aren't printing less. They're printing smarter.

Digital printing eliminates the generation of inventory that offset introduced. It drove businesses to exorbitant print runs in order to recoup the setup costs, resulting in warehouses filled with material that would often become obsolete before even being used.

Why E-Commerce Is Leading the Shift

Digital printing is adopted quickly by e-commerce companies because they are fast changing to embrace the shift. Packaging forms the foundation of an unboxing experience that elicits social shares and drives repeat purchases. However, this experience needs to remain new and meaningful, and to stay that way, packaging designs must adapt to seasonal campaigns, new releases, and continual testing within the market.

With digital printing, an eCommerce brand can create three variants of packaging, each having 200 units, gauge customer reaction to these packaging designs, and scale the winning design.

Product labels and marketing inserts require regular updates. Ingredient changes, regulatory changes, and promotions are put on a weekly basis. Many of the ways digital printing keeps up with e-commerce operations, offset printing just cannot.

Speed is not as important as risk reduction. With 500 units, the entire launch strategy changes because you do not have to blindly commit to 5,000 units you can test the market with just 500 units.

Debunking Outdated Perceptions on Quality

It is a myth that digital printing is of poor quality, and this thinking needs to end. With modern digital presses, you can get high-quality prints for up to 10,000 runs. Most new models use high-end CMYK or extended-gamut processes to deliver stunning detail and color. In many cases, there is no difference in quality between digital and offset printing.

For extremely high volumes, offset printing still makes sense when the initial investment is distributed across many prints, or under certain conditions, namely Pantone matching on uncoated paper. But this is increasingly rare as shorter and more flexible print runs grow in demand.

New digital presses can print at 2,400 DPI, with color remaining consistent from the first sheet to the last. The easiest way to get an idea of the quality is simply to compare side by side with some samples of offset prints. The difference is much less than one might think in many cases and can even be indistinguishable at times.

Why Speed Matters More Than You Think

Speed isn’t just a matter of convenience, as it gives you a big competitive advantage. An order comes Monday morning, and custom packaging arrives on Wednesday, and it's fulfilled by Thursday. That kind of turnaround lets businesses respond quickly to the market, capitalize on viral moments, and optimize campaigns with real-time performance data.

A slow printing process can wreck the whole campaign. A retail promo linked to a holiday weekend that shows up three days too late has already missed its opportunity. This is not a problem with digital printing which is typically produced on the day of order. That speed lets brands make their launch windows, instead of standing by and watching them whiz by.

Speed also lowers the overall project cost by eliminating project management overhead, expediting fees, and emergency shipping costs. By offering standard turnaround in 3 to 5 business days, HelloPrint puts an end to rush Fees and overnight shipping costs that make printing prices higher than the cost of the printing itself.

Making the Switch: What Businesses Should Consider

There are three questions you should ask yourself to determine whether digital printing is right for you. So, for example, what percentage of your orders are under 2,000 units? This needs to be higher than 70% because if digital is too low, you are likely saving money only today. Secondly, how much of an issue are timing constraints with your current printing setup? Third, how much additional value does customization or versioning add to your business?

There is also no need for companies to completely abandon offset. The brilliant tactics deploy each strategy to where its strength resides. Offset economics still favor massive catalog runs. With digital production, everything else, starting with packaging, marketing collateral, and point-of-sale materials, is progressively more sensible.

Total cost of ownership is what matters, not per-unit pricing, when making a decision.

The Market Has Spoken

The massive change in the printing world is not the result of hype. The reason it happened is that digital printing solves real problems. It reduces initial costs, lets printers run smaller and more intelligent print runs, simplifies inventory control, and mitigates the risk of wasted stock.

So we already know that digital printing is the future. Now the question you need to ask yourself is: if your current printing process is costing you money in the form of having stock on the shelf, missing deadlines, or a lack of flexibility. It is not the largest print-run that is winning in this market. They are the ones who can respond the quickest.

Media Contact

Martijn van der Pas
martijn@backlink.nl

Thomson Reuters (TSX/Nasdaq: TRI), a global content and technology company, today announced the launch of the Trust in AI Alliance. Convened through its innovation research center, Thomson Reuters Labs, the Trust in AI Alliance brings together leading AI researchers and engineers from across industry and academia with a shared mission: to advance the development of trustworthy, agentic AI systems.

As artificial intelligence systems become more autonomous, ensuring safety, accountability, and transparency has become increasingly critical, particularly in high-stakes professional environments. The Trust in AI Alliance was created to address this challenge by enabling collaboration among the technical leaders driving AI innovation, with a focus on defining what it means for agentic AI systems to be worthy of trust.

With its mission centered on advancing trust in AI, the Trust in AI Alliance is designed to move beyond discussion and toward action. Participants will share insights, identify common challenges, and help shape shared approaches to building reliable, accountable AI systems. With a focus on engineering trust directly into AI architectures, insights and key themes from each session will be shared publicly to inform the broader industry conversation around trustworthy AI. The Trust in AI Alliance's first session will focus on what it takes to engineer trust into agentic AI systems used in high-stakes professional environments.

"As AI systems become more agentic, building trust in how agents reason, act, and deliver outcomes is essential," said Joel Hron, Chief Technology Officer at Thomson Reuters. "The Trust in AI Alliance brings together the builders at the forefront of this work to align on principles and technical pathways that ensure AI serves people and institutions responsibly, and at pace."

Founding participants include senior engineering and product leaders from Anthropic, AWS, Google Cloud and OpenAI, alongside experts from Thomson Reuters. Together, the companies will explore approaches to reliability, interpretability, and verification — key factors in ensuring that advanced AI systems earn and maintain human confidence.

Thomson Reuters Labs is uniquely positioned to convene this dialogue, building on decades of experience operating at the intersection of technology, human expertise, and trust. The organization's global role across legal, tax, and regulatory domains offers a practical foundation for exploring how AI can be both innovative and accountable in complex, high-stakes environments.

"Trust in AI systems is essential as advanced technology takes on more autonomous actions in high-stakes settings and industries," said Scott White, Head of Product, Enterprise at Anthropic. "The Trust in AI Alliance is focused on the practical work of making these systems reliable enough to earn the confidence of the millions of professionals who depend on them."

"Building trusted agents requires grounding models in 'enterprise truth,' connecting them to the fresh, verifiable data that businesses run on," said Michael Gerstenhaber, Vice President of Product Management for Vertex AI at Google Cloud. "Thomson Reuters efforts to bring the industry together and define shared standards will give organizations the confidence to deploy these intelligent systems in high-stakes environments."

"We believe in advancing AI that serves people and organizations responsibly," said Zach Brock, Engineering Lead at OpenAI. "Partnering with Thomson Reuters creates an opportunity to collaborate on the shared technical and ethical questions that will shape AI's long-term role in society."

By connecting leading AI researchers, engineers, and institutional thought leaders, Thomson Reuters Labs aims to help shape the frameworks, standards, and shared understanding needed to build confidence in the next era of AI.

About Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters (TSX/Nasdaq: TRI) informs the way forward by bringing together the trusted content and technology that people and organizations need to make the right decisions. The company serves professionals across legal, tax, accounting, compliance, government, and media. Its products combine highly specialized software and insights to empower professionals with the data, intelligence, and solutions needed to make informed decisions, and to help institutions in their pursuit of justice, truth, and transparency. Reuters, part of Thomson Reuters, is a world-leading provider of trusted journalism and news. For more information, visit tr.com.

Media Contact

Ali Hughes
Director, Technology and Innovation Communications
ali.hughes@thomsonreuters.com

Newly uncovered medical records suggest Sinai-Grace Hospital may have known one of its nurses was allegedly sexually assaulting patients at its hospital long before it has publicly claimed. Although the hospital insists it first learned of the misconduct in late September 2025, attorneys have discovered a patient chart that links 47-year-old William Figueroa-Berrios to an incident with a patient more than one year earlier. The record indicates she refused his request to completely undress for an EKG procedure and she subsequently asked for a female nurse.

“This isn’t a minor discrepancy — this is more than a year-long gap between what Sinai-Grace is telling the public and what its own records show,” said Bryce Hensley, Gould Grieco & Hensley founding partner. “If staff documented concerns about this nurse in patient records, then the questions become: Why was he still treating patients? Who ignored it? Was it buried? What was done in response? Many of our clients suffered because the hospital didn’t step in when it should have and were seen after this disturbing incident.”

The revelation comes as Gould Grieco & Hensley PLLC files lawsuits on behalf of 14 additional patients against Figueroa-Berrios, Sinai-Grace Hospital, and its parent companies, Tenet Healthcare Corporation and VHS of Michigan — almost all of which took place after the date of the newly-discovered patient chart. These new plaintiffs describe a similar pattern of sexual assault under the guise of medical care that includes digital penetration, groping, harassment, and coerced and unnecessary undressing.

“This should never happen to any patient in any hospital,” said Nicholas Wainwright, Gould Grieco & Hensley attorney. “The hospital permitted these women to be isolated with this predator, whose behavior followed a similar pattern of taking advantage of women in need of medical care. It raises very serious questions about how this could happen inside a medical institution like Sinai-Grace.”

The lawsuits allege Sinai-Grace catastrophically failed in its duty to protect patients. Attorneys say the hospital was negligent from the start — hiring Figueroa-Berrios without proper screening, failing to train him on patient-safety protocols, and allowing him to treat patients with limited supervision. According to the complaint, the hospital ignored prior incidents and investigations, failed to act on information that should have raised immediate red flags, and did not enforce the basic safeguards meant to prevent sexual abuse in clinical settings. 

Chaperone policies, reporting procedures, and oversight requirements were left unenforced, creating an environment where a predator could move freely and operate undetected. These institutional failures, the lawsuits argue, didn’t just allow the abuse to happen — they enabled a pattern of assaults involving over a dozen patients.

“We believe there are far more survivors out there who were never told what happened to them or who have been too afraid to come forward,” said Jennifer Cascio, Gould Grieco & Hensley partner. “When a hospital like Sinai-Grace ignores warning signs and gives a predator access to patients, the number of survivors is rarely limited to the ones we already know about. We are deeply concerned that hundreds more may have been put at risk.”

If you or a loved one were sexually abused while under Figueroa-Berrios’ medical care during his tenure at Sinai-Grace Hospital between 2024-2025, please contact GGH.

About Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC

Gould Grieco & Hensley (GGH) is a boutique national personal injury firm dedicated to advocating for victims of abuse and catastrophic injuries in high-stakes litigation. We pride ourselves on being Innovators of Law and Providers of Justice. Our attorneys have litigated and won cases nationwide, representing thousands of individuals, including thousands of survivors of rape, sexual assault, and childhood sexual abuse in many of the highest profile abuse cases across the country. These cases include claims against private and public institutions such as University of Michigan (Dr. Robert Anderson), Michigan State University (Dr. Larry Nasser), Endeavor Health (Dr. Fabio Ortega), professional sports teams, private and public schools, elite private boarding schools, orphanages, foster care programs, hospitals, mental health facilities, Fortune 500 companies, wealthy individuals (Jeffrey Epstein), and numerous religious institutions and related entities. Recent successes include participating in global settlements valued at nearly $3 billion, with over $400 million recovered on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation in the past 18 months. In addition to securing record recoveries, GGH attorneys have also worked with clients to fight for and secure policy changes, helping protect future generations of children and adults from abuse and exploitation. For example, as part of a recent $21.3 million settlement in the hotel abuse case last year (one of the largest settlements in the country for an individual survivor), the firm also successfully secured policy and training changes for thousands of hotels improving hotel pre-employment screening and safety for hotel guests and employees nationwide. For more information, visit gghlaw.com.

Media Contact

Zoe Chipalla
zchipalla@sgghlaw.com
+1 872-345-0523

Cardtonic has launched Pil, a B2B spend management platform developed to support reliable business payments for advertising, subscriptions, and large online transactions.

Many businesses struggle with payments for ads or subscriptions that fail unexpectedly. Large transactions often need to go through instantly, yet network issues or failed cards can make that difficult. Beyond operational disruption, tracking and managing expenses in a single place remains a challenge for many companies.

Cardtonic encountered similar issues while managing its own business payments. Repeated payment failures highlighted broader structural gaps in how business spending was handled. Addressing those challenges led to the development of Pil, a platform designed specifically to support business spending with greater reliability and control.

“Businesses don’t want upgraded consumer tools. They need systems designed for recurring spend, approvals, accountability, and visibility. That’s exactly how Pil was built,” said Emmanuel Sohe, CEO of Cardtonic.

Product Overview

Pil is a B2B spend management platform built by Cardtonic to reflect the operational realities of business payments.

Many existing virtual dollar cards are designed for retail use. While they may support personal subscriptions or occasional online payments, business spending involves recurring transactions, higher values, and time-sensitive payments across multiple teams. When these payments fail, the impact often extends beyond inconvenience and can disrupt core operations.

“These differences between retail virtual dollar cards and business-grade spending were experienced firsthand at Cardtonic,” said Sohe.

With Pil, businesses can create multiple virtual dollar cards, label them by purpose, and separate spending for advertising, tools, and subscriptions. This structure is intended to improve expense management, reduce confusion, and maintain clearer oversight.

Pil is also designed for team use. Businesses can invite teammates, assign cards, and set spending limits, enabling collaboration across departments while maintaining financial control.

The platform supports funding flexibility. Pil accounts can be funded using naira, cedis, or stablecoins such as USDT, allowing businesses in different regions to manage payments through a single system.

Pil has been developed as a stand-alone product rather than an extension of Cardtonic. This approach reflects the distinct infrastructure, compliance requirements, and long-term investment needed to support business payments effectively.

Development and Funding

As part of its development process, Cardtonic raised $2.1 million from investors to support Pil. According to Cardtonic Co-Founder Faturoti Kayode, building reliable financial infrastructure for businesses requires sustained technical investment, liquidity, and compliance strength.

“Building reliable financial infrastructure for businesses requires strong compliance, liquidity, and deep technical investment,” Kayode said.

The funding is intended to support system stability, regulatory compliance, and liquidity management. The objective is to address real-time business payment challenges without introducing additional complexity or risk.

Business Applications

Pil is intended to give businesses better control over their spend. The platform is structured to provide improved reporting, card management, and team-level controls.

By reducing uncertainty around payments, Pil allows businesses to focus on operational priorities such as campaign execution, expense oversight, and growth planning. Over time, the platform is designed to support simpler and more structured spending management across teams and departments.

Outlook

Pil reflects Cardtonic’s response to practical challenges encountered in managing business payments. The platform incorporates operational lessons, internal use cases, and a structured approach to addressing recurring payment failures.

With Pil, businesses are positioned to plan, execute payments, and manage spending with greater confidence and reduced disruption.

About Cardtonic

Cardtonic is a fast-growing fintech super-app enabling payments beyond borders through alternative channels such as virtual dollar cards and digital assets. The platform serves more than 1.5 million users, providing frictionless access to global payments, secure gift card exchange, international bills, and digital connectivity via eSIMs.

With a strong culture of discipline, speed, and customer trust, Cardtonic gives Africans the freedom to transact globally without relying solely on limited traditional banking rails. For more information, visit cardtonic.com/read.

Media Contact

Partnerships Team
clients@memoir-communications.com

CryptoProcessing by CoinsPaid has launched Pay with Wallet, a new feature in the invoice payment form that allows customers to pay invoices using Trust Wallet and MetaMask with fewer steps and reduced manual entry.

“Invoice payments should feel instant. Pay with Wallet removes copy‑paste and manual entry, so users can confirm the transaction with confidence,” comments Igor Skirnevskii, chief product officer at CoinsPaid.

With Pay with Wallet, CryptoProcessing by CoinsPaid streamlines the payment journey across devices:

• On mobile: after tapping 'Pay,' you can choose one of the wallets to pay with. Then, it opens the crypto wallet app with currency, recipient address, and payment amount pre‑filled.
• On desktop: clicking 'Pay' generates a QR code that the customer scans with a phone camera to open the wallet app with pre‑filled details.
• If the wallet app is not installed: the user is automatically directed to App Store/Google Play to download the wallet application.

The goal is simple: remove friction at the point of payment, reduce errors caused by manual entry, and improve completion rates for invoice payments.

What It Solves

Manual copy‑paste and data entry are common causes of failed or incorrect payments. By opening the wallet with pre‑filled payment parameters, CryptoProcessing by CoinsPaid reduces friction and helps users complete payments more reliably.

“This is a small button with a big effect," added Skirnevskii. "We’re making invoice payments faster and reducing the everyday risk of manual input. Every extra step loses users. This update cuts the payment flow down to tap or scan, then confirm,  which helps reduce mistakes and supports better conversion.”

Pay with wallet is now available in the invoice payment form, with initial support for Trust Wallet and MetaMask.

About CoinsPaid

CoinsPaid is an Estonia-licensed crypto payment provider that offers ready-to-use, tailored solutions for businesses. With over 10 years of experience and a strong track record, the company operates internationally, helping merchants expand into new markets and scale globally. CoinsPaid is fully compliant with KYB/AML regulations and has successfully passed multiple independent cybersecurity audits. For more information, visit coinspaid.com.

Disclaimer

To see disclaimer statement, visit coinspaid.com/disclaimer-statement.

Media Contact

Support Team
info@coinspaid.com

Campervan Reykjavik, an Iceland-based vehicle rental company, reports a measurable increase in early booking activity for summer 2026 tied to the total solar eclipse scheduled for August of that year, signaling a shift in how far in advance travelers are committing to transportation in destinations with limited public transit infrastructure.

According to booking data observed by Campervan Reykjavik, demand for campervan rentals during the summer of 2026 is materializing significantly earlier than historical norms. The company reports that travelers planning to attend the eclipse are securing vehicles months — and in some cases years — ahead of arrival, prioritizing flexible, road-based travel options that allow access to rural observation areas.

Similar booking behavior is being observed across the broader mobility operations managed by the same group. Reykjavik Cars, a sister brand operating under the same ownership and management as Campervan Reykjavik, has also recorded increased early interest in conventional car rentals for the same period, indicating that the demand shift extends beyond campervan travel and into the wider vehicle rental market.

Industry representatives note that fixed-date global events such as solar eclipses introduce a fundamentally different planning dynamic compared to seasonal tourism. Because the timing and visibility of the August 2026 eclipse are known years in advance, travelers face less uncertainty and are committing to core trip components — particularly transportation — much earlier than usual.

In Iceland, where many key destinations lie outside urban centers and are inaccessible by public transportation, rental vehicles function as essential infrastructure rather than ancillary services. As a result, changes in vehicle reservation patterns often surface before shifts become visible in accommodation or attraction bookings.

Company data suggests that this early demand is not driven by supply shortages but by altered consumer behavior. Travelers appear increasingly focused on securing mobility first, then building itineraries around a guaranteed transportation base. Campervans, which combine lodging and transport, have seen especially strong interest among long-haul travelers planning extended stays around the eclipse window.

From a strategic standpoint, the trend presents new challenges for mobility providers. Traditional forecasting models — largely built on short-term booking cycles and seasonal averages — may underestimate demand associated with long-range, time-specific events. Fleet planning, capital allocation, and pricing strategies must now account for signals emerging well outside conventional planning horizons.

The effect may also extend beyond rental companies themselves. Increased road travel typically distributes visitor spending across a wider geographic area, supporting fuel stations, local retailers, campsites, and rural service providers. For smaller economies, this dispersion can help reduce pressure on urban centers while strengthening regional tourism resilience.

While the full economic impact of the August 2026 solar eclipse will not be measurable until closer to the event, early booking behavior indicates a broader structural shift in how travel demand forms around rare, high-visibility phenomena. Mobility providers operating in geographically dispersed destinations may increasingly serve as early indicators of these changes.

About Campervan Reykjavik

Campervan Reykjavik is an Iceland-based vehicle rental company specializing in campervan rentals for travelers seeking flexible, self-guided road travel. The company operates a modern fleet designed for year-round travel across Iceland and serves international visitors planning independent itineraries. For more information, visit www.campervanreykjavik.com.

About Reykjavik Cars

Reykjavik Cars is a car rental company based in Iceland, offering a range of vehicles suited for both urban and rural travel. The company serves leisure and business travelers and focuses on providing reliable transportation solutions for exploring Iceland beyond major cities. For more information, visit www.reykjavikcars.com.

Media Contact

Pablo Pozuelo
Communications Manager, Campervan Reykjavik
info@campervanreykjavik.com
+354 539 0605

Against the backdrop of fission-like technological advancement, the crisis of human survival has become a central concern in global academia. British physicist Stephen Hawking and Chinese scholar Hu Jiaqi, as representative thinkers in this field, have both issued serious warnings about the risks of runaway technology. While their core judgment that “technology may threaten human survival” resonates, and some of Hawking’s key points align closely with propositions Hu Jiaqi made years earlier, there are significant differences in the breadth of their crisis perception, the depth of their root-cause analysis, the systematic nature of their solutions, and the intensity of their practical promotion. Together, they constitute multiple dimensions in the study of technological risks.

The difference in the scope of their crisis focus represents the most evident divergence in their thinking. Hawking's warnings about existential risks exhibit a distinct "single-point focus", centering primarily on two threats: uncontrolled AI and contact with extraterrestrial civilizations. In 2014, Hawking explicitly stated that AI technology would ultimately develop self-awareness and surpass humans because its development speed far exceeds that of biological evolution. In 2017, he further called for a world government to regulate AI to avoid human extinction. Additionally, he cautioned against contact with aliens, fearing that a higher civilization could deliver a devastating blow to humanity. This focus stems from his background as a physicist, prioritizing the breakthrough risks inherent in technology itself and potential external threats, with relatively limited warnings regarding crises in other frontier fields like synthetic biology and nanotechnology.

In contrast, Hu Jiaqi’s perception of the crisis presents a "panoramic coverage" characteristic. As early as in his 2007 book, "Saving Humanity," he systematically pointed out that the technological crisis is not confined to a single domain but is a universal risk permeating all frontier technologies, including AI, synthetic biology, and nanotechnology. He emphasized that technology has magnified humanity's destructive capacity by orders of magnitude — from nuclear bombs to genetically engineered toxins, to self-replicating nanobots — and that unrestrained breakthroughs in any field could become the trigger for extinction. This comprehensiveness stems from his over 40 years of interdisciplinary dedication to the issue of human survival. He focuses not only on technology itself, but also on the synergistic effects of risks across different technological domains. His views highly correspond with the 2013 research findings of the University of Oxford’s Future of Humanity Institute, which were published six years after his systematic exposition.

Regarding their understanding of the root causes of the crisis, their depth and dimensions of analysis differ markedly. Hawking's reflections lean more towards the "objective uncontrollability" at the technological level, positing that the accelerating pace and uncertainty of technological development are the core sources of the crisis, with less exploration into the deep influences of human nature and social systems. He likened AI to "either the best or the worst thing ever to happen to humanity," with his warning logic primarily built upon the inherent laws of technological evolution — that once technology surpasses a certain threshold, humans will lose control. While this perception accurately touches upon the direct trigger of the risk, it does not delve deeply into the underlying drivers of unrestrained technological development.

Hu Jiaqi, on the other hand, constructs an analytical framework centered on the dual root causes of human nature and institutions. He believes the essence of the technological crisis is an "evolutionary imbalance" — humanity's technological capabilities have exploded, but the wisdom and restraint to wield this technology have not kept pace. At the level of human nature, greed, selfishness, and short-sightedness drive humanity to endlessly extract the benefits of technology while selectively ignoring its potential risks. At the institutional level, the "prisoner's dilemma" caused by divided national governance traps countries in disorderly technological competition, with none willing to proactively limit or control technology for fear that "lagging behind means being beaten." This analysis of dual root causes explains both the subjective motivations for technological loss of control and points out the structural flaws in global governance. It is more penetrating than Hawking's single-dimensional analysis and lays a theoretical foundation for subsequent solution proposals.

The systematic nature of their solutions and the intensity of their practical efforts are the core manifestations of their ideological differences. Although Hawking proposed the directional suggestion of "forming a world government to regulate AI," he did not address specific implementation paths nor construct a corresponding social governance system. His warnings were mostly disseminated through public speeches and media interviews, remaining at the level of "ideational awakening," lacking dedicated organizational and practical promotion. The influence of his ideas relied more on the radiating influence of his personal academic reputation. This limitation meant that while his propositions could attract widespread attention, they struggled to transform into substantive global action.

Hu Jiaqi, however, developed a complete, tripartite solution integrating "technology limitation/control, global unification, and social reconstruction." He explicitly stated that the ultimate path to saving humanity is achieving the Great Unification of global politics, establishing a world regime that transcends national self-interest to break the "prisoner's dilemma" at the institutional level. Regarding technological control, he advocates universalizing existing safe and mature technologies to secure people's livelihoods while permanently sealing off high-risk technologies and related theories. At the societal level, he champions building a peaceful, friendly, equitably prosperous, and non-competitive society, promoting ethnic and religious integration. More importantly, he translates theory into practice: after publishing "Saving Humanity" in 2007, he wrote to 26 human leaders urging attention to the crisis; over the subsequent 18 years, he wrote to human leaders 12 times, sending a total of one million letters. In 2018, he founded "Humanitas Ark," uniting over 13 million supporters worldwide to continuously promote the dissemination of these ideas and cross-national coordination. This closed loop of "theoretical construction — practical promotion" elevates his thought far beyond mere academic discussion into an actionable manifesto with real-world influence.

Notably, their ideas exhibit a distinctive “sequential resonance”. Hu Jiaqi articulated his core arguments well before Hawking: his warning about the risks of contact with extraterrestrials predated Hawking’s by three years; his discussion of AI posing an existential threat came seven years earlier; and his advocacy for a world government preceded Hawking’s by a full decade — with remarkably consistent reasoning and illustrative examples. Hu Jiaqi has openly stated that Hawking’s views were “insufficiently deep, comprehensive, and thorough” — an assessment that aptly captures the essential gap between their perspectives. Hawking’s contribution lay in leveraging his stature as a world-renowned scientist to bring awareness of technological existential risks into the global mainstream. In contrast, Hu Jiaqi’s value resides in constructing a more complete theoretical framework and practical roadmap, offering humanity actionable strategies to confront these crises.

As technological risks become increasingly prominent today, the thoughts of Hawking and Hu Jiaqi are not contradictory but complementary. Hawking's focused warnings, with the authority of a world-renowned scientist, rapidly awakened public awareness, while Hu Jiaqi's systematic thinking provides the theoretical underpinning and practical blueprint for thoroughly addressing the crisis. Their differences essentially reflect diverse explorations of the human survival issue from different academic backgrounds and research perspectives. A deep and discerning analysis of these differences can help us understand the complexity of the technological crisis more comprehensively and offer richer intellectual resources for global technology governance. Only by combining precise risk prediction, profound root-cause analysis, and systematic solutions can we truly safeguard humanity's future.

Today, Havven, the next-gen social digital ecosystem built for the unapologetic, announced its official platform launch scheduled for February 4, 2026. Backed by the Mannx/Moonshotnx accelerator, Havven is entering the market, not as another "paywall platform," but as a high integrity sanctuary engineered specifically for the alternative, LGBTQ+, and kink communities currently marginalized by mainstream technology.

For years, adult creators and alternative communities have been treated as a "liability" by legacy social media, subjected to shadowbans, arbitrary censorship, and predatory algorithms. Havven is built on a different premise: What makes you different makes you the main event.

Havven arrives with a proprietary "Safety by Design" architecture that solves the industry's two biggest crises: privacy and piracy. By leveraging cutting edge AI in combination with proof of identity, Havven implements a frictionless, privacy preserving age verification system that ensures 100% regulatory compliance without ever compromising sensitive user data. 

This commitment to security is further fortified by our industry-first Anti-Piracy Fortress, a suite of proprietary screenshot and screen-recording deterrence technologies designed to actively prevent the "leakage" that currently costs creators millions in lost revenue annually. 

Together, these innovations move beyond simple moderation to create a high-integrity ecosystem where creator identity and digital assets are shielded by a true technical moat, ensuring that safety is the platform's standard, not an afterthought.

Alongside these safety measures, Havven will also employ a combination of both AI-driven and human moderators in an effort to uphold the standards the platform has set for itself. Images depicting anyone under the age of 18 will be strictly banned with no appeals, as well as any content that focuses on violence. The goal is safety for everyone on and off the platform.

In addition to fostering a truly inclusive community, Havven is disrupting the standard 80/20 revenue model by offering an industry leading 83/17 split, putting more capital directly into the hands of creators. 

Following the social platform launch on February 4, 2026, the ecosystem will expand in March with the debut of the Havven Marketplace. A unified commerce engine allowing creators to sell physical goods, digital assets, and professional services in one seamless environment. Doing so makes Havven the first safe privacy centered platform to offer creators a place to sell, consumers a place to buy, and everyone in the alternative and fringe communities a place to connect.

"Traditional social media wasn't built for us; we were the punchline, the risk, and the glitch," says Derek Hanjora, Havven CEO. "Havven is the escape from the traditional. We’ve built a fortress where identity isn't a data point to be sold, but a soul to be celebrated. With the support of Moonshotnx, we are proving that you can build a venture scale business that prioritizes human safety and radical inclusion over predatory algorithms."

Havven invites creators, dreamers, and seekers to stop trying to fit into a frame that wasn't built for them and join the revolution of authenticity.

Registration for the launch is now open and can be accessed at Havven.me. 

About Havven

Havven is the world’s first "Safety by Design" social ecosystem, engineered as a secure digital sanctuary for the 18-plus creator economy and alternative communities. By integrating a high-integrity social feed with proprietary anti-piracy technology — including advanced screenshot and screen-recording deterrence — Havven provides a secure home for the LGBTQ+, kink, and alternative populations currently marginalized by mainstream platforms. Currently a member of the prestigious Mannx/Moonshotnx accelerator, Havven is redefining digital commerce through its unified marketplace and creator-first 83/17 revenue model. Our mission is to move beyond the transactional nature of legacy paywalls to build a global sanctuary where identity is celebrated, and safety is the standard. For more information, visit www.havven.me.

Media Contact

Patty Howard
CMO, Sanctuary Innovations
patty@sanctuaryinnovations.com
+1 301-560-4247

As millions of Americans take part in Dry January, VIVAZEN® is encouraging people to rethink the month not as a restriction, but as an opportunity to feel sharper, more energized, and more present in daily life.

Interest in Dry January continues to grow as people become more mindful of how alcohol can affect sleep, next-day energy, and productivity. Public health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to emphasize moderation and intentional consumption as part of an overall wellness approach

“Dry January doesn’t have to be about deprivation,” said Bryan Derr, COO of VIVAZEN. “For a lot of people, it’s simply a chance to notice how much better they can feel when they start their day clear-headed, focused, and ready to go.”

As people step away from alcohol, many look for alternatives that support energy and concentration during busy workdays and demanding schedules. VIVAZEN Energy & Focus products are designed for adults who want steady energy and clarity without the highs and lows that can come from alcohol-centered routines

“We hear it all the time,” Derr added. “People tell us they’re more productive at work, more engaged at home, and just feel more like themselves when they take a break from drinking. Dry January gives them permission to try something different — and sometimes that experiment sticks.”

Why Dry January appeals to so many people:

• Many participants report better sleep and more consistent energy 
• Reduced alcohol intake can support focus and mental clarity
• A short reset often helps people make more intentional choices long-term

“Dry January isn’t about making a big statement,” said Derr. “It’s about small changes that add up: choosing clarity over fog, energy over sluggishness, and habits that help you feel your best moving forward.” 

VIVAZEN encourages adults to approach Dry January as a personal reset, one that supports productivity, focus, and everyday performance well beyond the first month of the year.

About VIVAZEN

For over a decade, VIVAZEN has delivered trusted, high-quality botanical supplements that provide people with functional wellness without compromise. Rooted in centuries of herbal wisdom and backed by modern innovation, VIVAZEN is a functional, feel-good alternative for those who want to live — and feel — on their own terms. Join the millions who trust VIVAZEN to Feel Great™ naturally. For more information, visit feelgreatbotanics.com.

Media Contact

Media Contact
press@vivazen.com

Bowery Clinic today announced expanded, physician-led protocols centered on two clinically studied peptides that act upstream of growth hormone: Tesamorelin (a growth hormone–releasing hormone analog) and Sermorelin (a GHRH 1–29 analog historically marketed as Geref). Bowery’s approach is built for patients seeking serious, medically supervised support for body composition, recovery, and metabolic health - grounded in the biology of the growth hormone (GH)-IGF-1 axis and informed by peer-reviewed data.

Unlike direct growth hormone administration, these therapies aim to stimulate endogenous, pulse GH signalling - an important distinction in how clinicians think about risk management, dosing strategy, and monitoring.

Why the GH–IGF-1 axis matters

Growth hormone is secreted in pulses from the pituitary and influences multiple downstream pathways, including IGF-1 production, substrate utilization (fat vs. glucose), tissue repair signaling, and body composition. In practice, “optimizing the axis” is not about chasing a number—it’s about aligning symptoms, labs, and measurable outcomes with safe physiology.

Bowery Clinic’s protocols emphasize:

• careful candidate selection
• baseline + follow-up lab monitoring (including IGF-1 and metabolic markers)
• conservative titration
• clear stop rules if risk outweighs benefit

Tesamorelin: the most clinically defined option in this category

Tesamorelin has the most established clinical profile among GH-axis peptides. It is FDA-approved (as EGRIFTA / EGRIFTA WR) for reduction of excess abdominal fat (visceral adipose tissue) in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy, with important limitations (not indicated for weight loss; long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established).

Key clinical evidence

1. Visceral fat reduction and cardio-metabolic markers (HIV lipodystrophy)

A multi-center randomized trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine reported that daily Tesamorelin over 26 weeks reduced visceral by roughly 20% and improved lipid measures in HIV-infected patients with central fat accumulation.

2. Visceral fat reduction and metabolic/endocrine associations

Further work in Clinical Infectious Diseases examined how visceral adipose tissue reduction relates to endocrine and metabolic changes during Tesamorelin therapy in HIV-associated abdominal adiposity.

3. Liver fat and ectopic fat (HIV populations; investigational context)

A JAMA study evaluated effects of Tesamorelin on visceral and liver fat in HIV, supporting a broader scientific discussion of ectopic fat changes when endogenous pulsatile GH is increased.

A randomized, double-blind multicenter trial in Lancet HIV reported reductions in hepatic fat fraction in HIV-associated NAFLD, positioning tesamorelin as a studied (though not universally labeled) option in a complex metabolic subgroup.

How Bowery frames Tesamorelin for patients: Tesamorelin is the most defined GH-axis peptide because it has an FDA-approved indication, standardized manufacturing in its approved products, and a deep published literature in specific populations.

Sermorelin: a clinically studied GHRH analog with a different regulatory history

Sermorelin is a synthetic fragment of GHRH (1–29). It was previously FDA-approved as Geref (including pediatric and diagnostic indications), but the branded product was discontinued and moved to the Orange Book’s discontinued drug product list; FDA later determined it was not withdrawn for safety or effectiveness reasons.

This regulatory history matters: it’s one reason Sermorelin is commonly encountered today via individualized compounding rather than as a currently marketed FDA-approved brand.

Key clinical evidence

1. Restoring GH/IGF-1 signalling in older adults (GHRH 1–29 analog studies)

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism evaluated long-term administration of a GHRH (1–29) analog in older men and women, reporting endocrine-metabolic effects consistent with stimulating the somatotropic axis.

2. Cognitive endpoints studied with GHRH (1–29 NH2)

Work published in JAMA Neurology discusses randomized clinical trials of GHRH (1–29 NH2) administration in older adults (including those with mild cognitive impairment), examining cognitive outcomes alongside somatotropic effects.

Related PubMed records describe a 6-month GHRH intervention in healthy older adults with cognition as a primary focus.

How Bowery frames Sermorelin for patients: Sermorelin is best considered a clinician-managed, individualized GH-axis support option where dosing, timing, and monitoring determine whether benefits emerge—and whether risk remains acceptable. Its evidence base is real, but the modern supply pathway often involves compounding, which makes clinic standards and sourcing discipline more important, not less.

Bowery Clinic’s clinical standard: outcomes first, physiology always

Bowery Clinic’s GH-axis programs are structured like medical care-not a trend:

• Physician oversight and documented goals (body composition, recovery, metabolic markers)
• Baseline evaluation and exclusion criteria
• Ongoing monitoring (IGF-1, fasting glucose/HbA1c as appropriate, lipids; additional labs case-by-case)
• Clear criteria for pausing or discontinuing therapy if adverse signals appear
• Transparent discussions of what is known, what is uncertain, and what is off-label vs on-label

Tesamorelin’s FDA labeling highlights important limitations.

Safety and suitability: who should be cautious

GH-axis modulation is not appropriate for everyone. These therapies require medical evaluation and monitoring. Patients with certain histories (for example, some malignancies or conditions where GH/IGF-1 elevation could be concerning) may not be candidates. Tesamorelin’s prescribing information includes specific warnings and limitations that must be reviewed with a clinician.

Availability

Bowery Clinic’s Tesamorelin and Sermorelin programs are available through clinician evaluation with a defined monitoring plan and outcome tracking. Candidates are assessed individually, with care plans tailored to history, labs, and goals.

To learn more or request a clinical consult, patients can contact Bowery Clinic for an intake and physician review. Bowery Clinic provides peptide telehealth services to patients in New York, Florida, Michigan, Arizona, Washington, Illinois, New Jersey, California, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.

Bowery Clinic works exclusively with licensed 503A compounding pharmacies to ensure every medication meets the highest safety, purity, and sterility standards. We do not use or endorse research-grade peptides in any form, as they are not manufactured for human use and lack the regulatory protections required for safe medical treatment.

About Bowery Clinic

Bowery Clinic is a concierge telehealth clinic offering physician-led, personalized care focused on metabolic health, recovery, and longevity. We provide peptide-based therapies for energy, inflammation, muscle recovery, cognition, and skin and hair health, all sourced from licensed pharmacies. For more information, visit boweryclinic.com.

Disclaimer

The statements in this press release have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The products referenced are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

This announcement is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Tesamorelin has an FDA-approved indication for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Any other uses are considered off-label and should be evaluated by a licensed clinician based on an individual patient’s risk-benefit profile.

Media Contact

Peter Arian
members@boweryclinic.com

Seed Group, a company of The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, has entered into a strategic partnership with Oongalee, a Canada‑founded fintech and hospitality technology company.

The partnership marks Oongalee’s official market entry into the UAE following its proven success in Canada, where it operates the country’s largest interactive tabletop media network across more than 400 restaurants and 14,000 screens, delivering over 20 million guest interactions annually. With the strategic support of Seed Group, Oongalee aims to position the UAE as the launching pad for its next phase of global growth.

Founded in 2019, Oongalee is a fintech‑based interactive restaurant assistant that combines purpose‑built tabletop hardware, integrated payments, media, and real‑time data to deliver measurable value directly at the table. The company caters to restaurant operators seeking increased efficiency and revenue optimisation, as well as advertisers and media planners looking to engage diners during extended visits. Its network generates over five billion annual impressions across more than 400 locations and is trusted by global advertisers.

"Oongalee’s approach introduces a practical layer of innovation to the hospitality and media landscape," commented Hisham Al Gurg, CEO of Seed Group and The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum. "The platform’s ability to modernize table-side service while enabling targeted, measurable advertising reflects a thoughtful response to real operational and marketing challenges. We see clear value in solutions that improve efficiency for restaurants and provide brands with accountable engagement, aligning well with the UAE’s digitally driven economy."

"Canada validated our model and our technology, but the UAE is where our global vision accelerates," stated Karan Sareen, co‑founder and CEO of Oongalee (UAE). "Partnering with Seed Group gives us the strategic backing, credibility, and access needed to scale with impact. Our focus has always been on building technology that genuinely improves the guest experience while delivering real commercial value for operators. Bringing Oongalee to the UAE is a significant milestone as we work towards building the world’s largest interactive fintech‑powered media network."

The collaboration is set to advance the hospitality and out-of-home advertising sectors, reinforcing Dubai’s importance as a testbed for smart dining and media innovation. It also supports broader initiatives in the MENA region to enhance customer experiences, stimulate private-sector growth, and attract technology-led business models.

About Oongalee

Oongalee is building the world’s first connected hospitality platform, turning every table into intelligent infrastructure for media, AI, and commerce. Headquartered in Canada and expanding globally, Oongalee operates one of the world’s largest interactive hospitality media networks, combining patented hardware, proprietary software, and real-time data intelligence. The platform helps hospitality operators increase revenue, streamline service, and elevate guest experiences, while enabling brands to engage audiences through measurable, action-driven media. With a rapidly growing footprint across restaurants, entertainment venues, and high-traffic hospitality environments, Oongalee is redefining how physical spaces connect, monetize, and perform, powering the future of connected hospitality. For more information, visit oongalee.com. 

About Seed Group

For over 20 years, Seed Group has formed strategic alliances with leading global companies representing diverse regions and industries. These companies have propelled their business interests and goals in the Middle East and North Africa region through the support and strong base of regional connections of the Seed Group. The Group’s goal is to create mutually beneficial partnerships with multinational organizations and to accelerate their sustainable market entry and presence within the MENA region. Seed Group has been a key point in the success of all its partners in the region, helping them reach their target customers and accelerate their businesses. The Private Office was established by Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum to directly invest in or assist potential business opportunities in the region, which meet The Private Office’s criteria. For more information, visit seedgroup.com.

ECI Group (ECI) welcomes retired Ernst & Young Partner, Joseph King, to its Board of Managers, where he will also serve as Chairman of the firm's Audit Committee.

"ECI is excited to welcome Joe King to our Board, where we will welcome not only his skills as a 25-year partner at Ernst & Young, but also as a recognized leader in the business and philanthropic communities in Atlanta and in other major cities where he worked," said ECI Group CEO Seth R. Greenberg. "We are proud of the accomplishments of our Board and our team and know that Joe's values, professional insights, and experiences will complement us as we realize our goal as a best-in-class, fully integrated multifamily platform."

Joe King retired in 2025 after serving at Ernst & Young for almost 40 years, most recently as Senior Partner and a member of the firm's Professional Practice Group. King previously led the firm's Growth Markets Group and the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Programs. King began his career in 1987 in the firm's national offices in the Accounting Research department, where he did extensive research on corporate disclosures.

From 1993 to 1995, King was a resident at EY's National Accounting Group (New York), working on national and international accounting matters. King has also served some of the Southeast's largest technology clients throughout his career. King was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1987. King is a graduate of the Ernst & Young / Kellogg Graduate Program at Northwestern University and the EY/INSEAD Leadership Program. King is also an Eagle Scout and served on the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business Board of Governors, the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Parents Board at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Governing Board of the Cherokee Town and Country Club. He currently serves on the board of The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.

About ECI Group

For more than 50 years, ECI Group has been one of the most highly regarded, privately owned real estate organizations in the United States. The firm is fully integrated, with development, construction, investment, and property management groups that have garnered national recognition for innovation and performance in the multifamily industry. With a portfolio of more than 7,500 units located throughout the Southeast and Texas, ECI is strategically positioned to continue to be a leader in the multifamily industry. For more information, visit www.ecigroups.com.

Media Contact

Karen Widmayer
KW Communications, LLC
karenwidmayerpr@gmail.com
+1 301-661-1448

Pyrotecnico, the Pittsburgh-area, New Castle–based live events production company known for its 135-year legacy in fireworks, produced a custom drone light show during halftime of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Monday Night Football playoff game at Acrisure Stadium on January 12.

The halftime drone show celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Terrible Towel, one of the most iconic symbols in professional sports. Featuring 600 drones, the aerial performance lit up the sky above the south end of the stadium.

Designed to honor the history and cultural impact of the Terrible Towel, the show featured Steelers branding, marquee plays, imagery honoring broadcaster Myron Cope, and visuals tracing the towel's legacy from its origins to its enduring place in Steelers Nation. The synchronized soundtrack included music, iconic game calls, and Myron Cope's original explanation of the Terrible Towel, creating an immersive, emotional experience for fans in the stadium and watching nationwide.

"This show was about more than technology, it was about storytelling," said Rocco Vitale, President of Pyrotecnico and sister company Live Events. "The Terrible Towel represents pride, tradition, and community. Our goal was to bring that story to life in a new way while honoring everything it stands for."

The production reflects Pyrotecnico's continued expansion beyond fireworks and traditional special effects. Over the past year, the company has significantly invested in its drone light show capabilities, operating its own proprietary fleet of drones and managing every aspect of production in-house: from creative concept and animation design to flight execution and post-show teardown.

With deep experience in professional sports environments, including five consecutive years providing pyrotechnics for the Super Bowl, Pyrotecnico is uniquely equipped to deliver complex, high-profile productions under the demands of live broadcast and packed stadiums.

As a locally rooted company with locations across the country, Pyrotecnico's role in the Steelers' playoff halftime show underscores its evolution into a full-scale live events production partner alongside Live Events, while staying true to its Pittsburgh-area heritage.

"For us, producing this show in our home region — celebrating a symbol that means so much to Pittsburgh — was especially meaningful," added Vitale. "It's a powerful example of how tradition and innovation can come together to create unforgettable moments."

About Pyrotecnico

Pyrotecnico brings five generations of experience and over 135 years of creating oohs and aahs for audiences of all sizes. Backed by imaginative and hardworking people, Pyrotecnico amplifies excitement with fireworks, drone light shows, and special effects for sports, festivals, touring, theme parks, colleges and universities, corporate and community celebrations nationwide.  With headquarters in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and additional locations across the U.S., Pyrotecnico serves clients coast to coast, powered by a dedicated team committed to bringing people together through the power of awe-inspiring moments and unforgettable events. For more information, visit pyrotecnico.com.

Media Contact

Jodi Dague
Director of Marketing
jd@liveevents.com
+1 724-612-5313

MediDrive, a leading US healthcare transport and logistics innovator specializing in Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT), today announced a strategic investment in SPRYT, the Irish health-tech company behind Asa, an award-winning AI receptionist platform improving patient access and attendance.

This investment reflects MediDrive's commitment to building the most intelligent, connected ecosystem in healthcare transport — one where scheduling care and getting to care happen seamlessly in a single experience. As MediDrive expands its national footprint and technology leadership in NEMT, SPRYT's AI platform provides a natural extension of that mission.

A Unified Experience: Scheduling Care and Scheduling Transport in One Step

Through this partnership, MediDrive's Transportation Management System will integrate directly with Asa, giving patients the ability to schedule and manage transportation — whether by car, shuttle, or non-emergency medical vehicle — at the same time they book their appointment.

For health systems, the combined solution drives measurable improvements: fewer missed appointments, streamlined operations, and stronger engagement across diverse patient populations.

For payers who provide transportation benefits, the integration of SPRYT and MediDrive delivers new levels of efficiency and visibility. By linking AI-driven appointment scheduling with automated ride coordination, payers gain:

• Higher appointment adherence, which improves outcomes and reduces avoidable downstream costs.
• More predictable utilization of transportation benefits, with fewer last-minute or unnecessary trip requests.
• Reduced administrative burden, as AI-driven communication and automated workflows replace manual outreach and scheduling.
• Improved member experience, especially for high-need and chronically ill populations who depend on reliable access to care.

With complete transparency across scheduling, communication, and ride logistics, payers can more effectively manage network performance and ensure their members receive the care they are entitled to.

"SPRYT has built one of the most compelling AI platforms in healthcare, redefining how patients connect with care," said Alan J. Murray, president and CEO of MediDrive. "Integrating our nationwide transport network with their AI engine creates a powerful opportunity to improve access to care at scale. Together, we can eliminate one of the biggest barriers in healthcare — getting patients to the appointments they've already said 'yes' to."

Global Momentum Backed by Proven Results

Asa has delivered significant impact across the seven National Health Service (NHS) regions of England, improving attendance by more than 160%. SPRYT is currently deploying its technology across major US health systems, with pilots underway in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and multiple European markets.

"MediDrive brings unmatched expertise in healthcare logistics and national-scale transportation," said Neill Dunwoody, co-founder and COO of SPRYT. "By combining our AI-powered engagement with MediDrive's transport capabilities, we're closing the gap between intention and attendance. This partnership completes the last mile of patient access."

SPRYT's platform currently supports more than 1.9 million patients and has earned top industry recognition, including Ireland's Overall National Enterprise Award 2025, HIMSS Pitchfest Winner, and UK MedTech Startup of the Year.

About MediDrive

MediDrive is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of Americans by providing compassionate, reliable transportation to medical appointments. Specializing in Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT), MediDrive combines advanced technology with exceptional service to address the complexities of patient transportation, a key social determinant of health. Serving Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and various healthcare provider programs nationwide, MediDrive is committed to delivering top-tier on-time performance and customer satisfaction through its AI-driven, scalable platform. For more information, visit medidrive.com. For current updates, follow MediDrive on LinkedIn. 

About SPRYT

SPRYT is a healthcare technology company headquartered in Ireland. Its AI receptionist, Asa, automates how patients book, reschedule, pay for, and manage medical appointments through WhatsApp, SMS, and other messaging channels — without apps, websites, or waiting on hold. Asa uses conversational AI, behavioral science, and predictive analytics to improve attendance, reduce admin time, and help the world show up to care. 

Media Contact

Jim Tenny
MediDrive
jim.tenny@medidrive.com
+1 917-520-3614

WellQor, one of the nation's largest multi-state psychology practices delivering care through telehealth, today announced its 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of providing high-quality, clinically supervised mental health care. Founded as a clinician-led practice, WellQor has grown deliberately by prioritizing clinical oversight, therapist support, and measurable outcomes rather than rapid, volume-driven expansion.

Over the past decade, WellQor has earned consistently strong feedback from both patients and clinicians, including a 4.7 rating on Google, a 4.5 provider rating on Indeed, and a 4.9 rating on Glassdoor. These reviews reflect the organization's emphasis on continuity of care, clinical accountability, and a supportive professional culture.

"Teletherapy works best when it's treated as healthcare, not a marketplace," said David Schwam, CEO of WellQor Management. "From the beginning, we chose to build WellQor as a real psychology practice, with the clinical leadership, systems, and accountability needed to support both patients and clinicians."

A True Psychology Practice, Not a Platform

Unlike many widely advertised virtual therapy brands, WellQor operates as a multi-state psychology practice and employs its clinicians as W-2 employees rather than independent contractors. This structure enables consistent supervision, shared clinical standards, and continuity of care, while fostering collaboration and long-term clinician engagement.

WellQor invests heavily in its clinical workforce, including company-funded continuing education, regular group case consultation sessions with clinical leadership and peers, and Clinician Connect, a proprietary platform that supports real-time collaboration, consultation, and peer support across a fully remote workforce.

Clinical Oversight Embedded in Care

Each WellQor patient is supported by a team that includes a dedicated patient liaison, licensed psychotherapist and oversight from a doctoral-level Clinical Director. Clinical Directors are directly responsible for diagnostic accuracy, establishing medical necessity, developing and approving treatment plans, monitoring progress, and determining appropriate discharge criteria — bringing a level of accountability that is uncommon in virtual mental health care.

Measurable Outcomes

WellQor tracks patient progress using their proprietary WellQor Emotional Vitals™, a session-by-session outcomes measurement system embedded into care. Analysis of more than 3,800 patients shows that over 70% experience measurable improvement, with average symptom reductions of over 30% across anxiety, depression, stress, and anger-related conditions.

"These outcomes are the result of supported clinicians, consistent oversight, and treatment guided by data — not algorithms," said Dr. David Giella PsyD, Clinical Director.

About WellQor

WellQor is a national, multi-state psychology practice providing clinically supervised teletherapy services. Through a collaborative, team-based model and consistent outcomes measurement, WellQor delivers evidence-based mental health care that emphasizes accountability, continuity, and meaningful patient progress. Learn more at wellqor.com.

Media Contact

Ryan Thoms
rthoms@wellqor.com
+1 646-687-4619

Nulo, the premium pet food brand dedicated to fueling healthier, happier lives for pets and the people who love them, today unveiled the release of a new 30-second television spot titled “Journey to Glory,” part of the second iteration of its award-winning* “Fuel Incredible” campaign. 

Developed in partnership with Nulo’s in-house creative team and directed by Kelly Lipscomb of Widespread Creative, the spot highlights a roster of Team USA athletes — Madison Chock and Evan Bates, Alex Ferreira, Brenna Huckaby, Maddie Mastro, Kristen Santos-Griswold and Jordan Stolz — preparing for competition in Milan-Cortina, accompanied by their beloved pets. The creative will begin airing nationally on NBC on January 7, with additional placements across NBC and Peacock appearing throughout this year’s Winter Games. 

“Fuel Incredible has always been about celebrating the emotional bond between athletes and their pets, highlighting the unconditional support and companionship pets provide through every challenge and triumph,” said Michael Landa, Nulo founder and CEO. “With ‘Journey to Glory,’ we’re proud to extend that story into this next chapter of inspiration, showing how athletes prepare to compete on the world stage with the help of invaluable mental and emotional support they receive from their four-legged family members.”

Building on the campaign’s successful launch tied to the 2024 Paris Games, “Fuel Incredible” continues Nulo’s mission to showcase the meaningful role pets play in the lives of elite athletes. The heartfelt new spot reinforces how pet companionship supports performance, resilience and wellbeing beyond the arenas of training and competition.

The new creative captures moments of daily life and preparation with U.S. athlete ambassadors and their pets, emphasizing the connection between physical performance and emotional support. The “Fuel Incredible” campaign spans broadcast, digital and social channels to reach sports fans and pet parents alike.

For more on Nulo athletes and their pets, visit nulo.com/be-inspired or follow their journeys to Milan-Cortina on Instagram.

* Winning award submissions from Nulo’s Fuel Incredible campaign include: 2025 Digiday Streaming & Video Award Best Ad “Every Dream They Hold”; 2025 Cynopsis Sports Media Awards, Marketing Campaign category; Muse Creative Awards Platinum Winner — Video-Sports, Video-Pets & Advertising-Advertising Campaign; 2024 MarCom Awards Platinum Winner in Strategic Communications, Advertising/Marketing & Video/Audio categories.

About Nulo

Nulo is on a mission to fuel the inner athlete in every pet. With a wide range of ultra-premium food formats available in more than 6,500 pet specialty retailers nationwide, Nulo ensures pets enjoy the best in digestive and immune health, skin and coat care, mobility, and weight management. Recognized as one of Forbes Magazine's "Most Innovative Brands at Retail," Nulo's offerings are rich in animal-based proteins and low in carbs, crafted to keep pets thriving alongside their human companions. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Austin, TX, Nulo continues to inspire pet parents and athletes alike. For more information, visit www.nulo.com.

Media Contact

Taylor Strategy
nulo@taylorstrategy.com

Truemed, the leading platform enabling qualified health purchases with Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), today announced a strategic partnership with ThrivePass, the leading platform for lifestyle benefits, rewards and recognition, COBRA and tax-advantaged accounts.

This collaboration builds on Truemed's mission to make true medicine more accessible and affordable, while leveraging ThrivePass's strength as the fastest growing TPA for LSA, Rewards, COBRA and Tax-advantaged benefit accounts. The result: employees gain greater choice and affordability, and employers strengthen engagement with a benefits experience that goes beyond traditional healthcare.

Key Advantages of the Partnership:

• Streamlined Access: Qualified customers who receive a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a licensed practitioner may be able to use HSA/FSA dollars for interventions such as wearable devices, nutrition counseling, stress-management programs, and other health interventions available through Truemed.
• Seamless Shopping: ThrivePass's platform will integrate with Truemed to provide a streamlined process to obtain an LMN through Truemed's network of independent licensed healthcare providers. Truemed's clinical rigor and integrated documentation standards help employees and employers comply with IRS guidelines while reducing their administrative burden.
• Comprehensive Benefits Experience: Employers can offer a single, unified platform that combines lifestyle benefits with tax-advantaged healthcare, creating a differentiated employee experience.
• Future-Ready Flexibility: The partnership positions both organizations to adapt to evolving employee expectations, while reinforcing a commitment to proactive health and well-being.

"This partnership with ThrivePass represents a step forward in making root-cause healthcare accessible and affordable to more employees," said Justin Mares, CEO of Truemed. "By combining our compliance-driven LMN process with ThrivePass's diverse benefits marketplace, we're empowering employers to deliver meaningful benefits in a way that is both flexible and future-ready."

"At ThrivePass, our mission is to make benefits personal," said Ryan Tacke, CEO of ThrivePass "Partnering with Truemed allows eligible employees to use pre-tax dollars for more of their healthcare needs. This partnership extends our commitment to giving employees the ability to invest in their health goals with the same ease and choice they enjoy across our platform."

Learn more at www.truemed.com/a/thrivepass.

Truemed is for qualified customers. See terms at www.truemed.com/disclosures.

About Truemed

Truemed partners with consumer health brands to accept HSA/FSA payments for root-cause healthcare expenses. By streamlining medical qualification and compliance, Truemed enables individuals to invest in medically necessary products and services using pre-tax dollars.

About ThrivePass

ThrivePass is a holistic benefits platform that empowers employees to choose from a wide range of experiences and services—from professional development to fitness, wellness, and beyond. ThrivePass helps employers deliver flexible, personalized benefits that drive engagement and satisfaction.

Media Contact

Tom Dahl
Head of Enterprise Partnerships
tom@truemed.com

American Packaging Corporation (APC) is showcasing its RE™ Design for Recycle High Barrier Paper pouch, a sustainable solution engineered for brands looking to boost shelf impact while reducing environmental footprint. The new pouch is ideal for single‑serve seasoning packets as well as larger format dry‑mix products, offering a combination of protective performance, recyclability, and standout graphics.

Designed for Recyclability and Product Protection

• PVDC‑free construction
• Grease and aroma resistance for flavor integrity
• High MVTR and OTR barriers to protect freshness and extend shelf life
• Eco‑friendly design contributing to reduced environmental impact
• High‑definition print capability for vivid, eye‑catching graphics on shelf

The pouch is suitable for a wide range of dry products—including seasonings, coffee, baking mixes, drink enhancers, cookies, and cereal bars—making it a versatile solution for brands prioritizing sustainability.

Learn More

To explore customization options or request product samples, visit www.americanpackaging.com.

About American Packaging Corporation

Founded in 1902, American Packaging Corporation is a recognized leader in the flexible packaging industry. Family-owned, APC distinguishes itself by investing in state-of-the-art facilities and capabilities, delivering packaging innovation, promoting sustainable products and practices, and focusing customer delight. Today, APC operates six Centers of Excellence in the United States and employs approximately 1,300 talented, motivated professionals. For more information, please visit americanpackaging.com.

Media Contact

Teri Meadow
American Packaging Corporation
TMeadow@AmericanPackaging.com

Talon Air, a leading Long Island-based jet charter and aircraft fleet management company, has been acquired in a private transaction that closed on January 2, 2026.

The new ownership group is led by current CEO James Chitty, Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Piazza and an investment group specializing in aviation. Talon Air has been an affiliate of Vista, who became a shareholder as part of its acquisition of Apollo Jets in 2021. James Chitty, who continued to run the business through a period of significant growth under the global group, will now run Talon as a fully independent business.

The vision is to focus on new partnership opportunities with private jet brokers and suppliers to the industry while providing continuity for its employees, aircraft owners and charter customers. "This is an exciting new chapter for our airplane owners as well as our dedicated team of employees, who provide the highest level of customer support and service," said Chitty.

"By aligning ownership with leadership, Talon Air will continue to build upon the rapid growth in managed aircraft and charter hours achieved in 2025, by investing in new growth opportunities," Chitty added. In 2025, Talon Air added 12 aircraft to its management operations, in the fourth quarter, including 9 in December.

About Talon Air

Talon Air, based out of Republic Airport in Farmingdale, NY, is among the top 15 charter operators in the United States, managing a fleet of approximately 40 midsized, super-midsized and heavy jets including Gulfstream IVSP, Gulfstream 450, Gulfstream V, Global 5000 and 6000. With the highest independent industry-recognized safety ratings (ARG/US Platinum Elite, Wyvern Wingman, and IS-BAO III Certification), the company maintains an FAA approved repair and maintenance station. Talon Air also offers jet charter services and the sale or acquisition of jets. For more information, visit www.talonairjets.com.

Media Contact

Katherine Heaviside
Epoch 5
kheaviside@epoch5.com
+1 631-427-1713

Mark L. Smith
Epoch 5
msmith@epoch5.com
+1 631-356-7097

Engine Data Science, LLC, a leading data and analytics platform purpose-built for the retail and CPG ecosystem, today announced the hiring of Chris Oswald as Chief Technology Officer. In this role, Chris will lead Engine's global technology strategy, platform innovation, and engineering organization as the company continues to expand its enterprise offerings.

Chris brings deep experience designing and operating enterprise-grade data platforms in highly complex environments where scale, reliability, and precision are critical. His leadership will support Engine's continued investment in building a dependable, high-performance platform that enables CPG teams to execute more effectively at retail.

Chris brings deep experience designing and operating enterprise-grade data platforms in highly complex environments where scale, reliability, and precision are critical. His leadership will support Engine's continued investment in building a dependable, high-performance platform that enables CPG teams to execute more effectively at retail.

"I believe Engine's offerings to the CPG industry are truly class-leading," said Chris. "I'm proud to join the Engine team and help evolve the platform, advance innovation, and leverage next-generation capabilities, including AI, across our product offerings to better connect data to business outcomes for our customers."

Most recently, Chris served as Vice President of Software Engineering at J.B. Hunt, where he led large engineering teams and oversaw highly scalable systems supporting one of the world's most complex logistics networks. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Software Engineering at Atlas Technology Group, where Nick and Chris previously worked together, partnering with Fortune 500 customers to deliver modern, data-driven solutions.

Chris's addition strengthens Engine's technology foundation and reinforces the company's commitment and continued investment in a trusted, market-leading analytics solution for retail and CPG organizations.

About Engine Data Science

Engine Data Science, LLC is a data-technology and analytics company focused on helping CPG brands and retail partners turn complex data into actionable insights. Purpose-built for the realities of retail execution, Engine's platform integrates retailer, syndicated, and proprietary data to enable faster, more confident decision-making across the organization. For more information, visit www.engine.net.

Media Contact

Pat Lockridge
COO, Engine Data Science
pat.lockridge@engine.net
+1 479-418-6595