Holafly 2026 Summer Travel Trends: The Rise of Asia

A traveler explores rich cultural heritage in Asia. According to Holafly's Summer Travel Report 2026, destinations like Japan and South Korea are leading a major shift in global travel preferences, attracting tourists seeking diverse and immersive experiences.

DUBLIN, June 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Holafly, the global leader in travel eSIMs, today released its Summer Travel Report 2026, revealing a major shift in global travel preferences. While Spain continues to rank as the world's most popular summer destination, Asian countries are gaining significant ground, with Japan climbing to second place globally and South Korea recording the strongest rise among the top destinations compared with last year.

The findings highlight a changing tourism landscape where iconic destinations remain strong while Asian markets continue to gain ground. Spain retains the number one position, followed by Japan, the United States and South Korea. Thailand also enters the global top 10 for the first time, reinforcing Asia's growing influence on international travel decisions. Together, these movements suggest that Asia is no longer simply an emerging travel trend, but one of the key forces shaping global tourism demand.

Japan stands out as one of the top performers in this year's ranking. The country attracted interest from travelers across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, positioning it as one of the most widely desired destinations worldwide. Tokyo also emerged as the most-mentioned city destination in the survey, reflecting Japan's distinctive ability to blend culture, gastronomy, technology, nature and entertainment into a single journey.

The report also reveals a significant increase in international travel activity, with 46.4% of respondents planning trips abroad, compared with 37.6% last year. At the same time, more than half of travelers expect to visit multiple destinations during a single trip, reflecting the growing appeal of multi-country itineraries and longer, experience-driven journeys. Global events are accelerating this trend; according to Holafly data, 75% of travelers planning to attend the FIFA World Cup intend to visit two or more host cities, turning a single event into a broader travel experience.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, Japan welcomed a record number of international visitors in 2025, while South Korea continues to benefit from the global popularity of Korean culture, entertainment and cuisine. Growing interest from younger travelers, combined with increased accessibility and expanding tourism offerings, is helping reshape the global travel map.

"Spain remains one of the world's most desirable destinations, but the strongest momentum we're seeing comes from Asia," said Daniela Prado, Brand Director at Holafly. "Japan and South Korea have become truly global destinations, attracting travelers from multiple continents and inspiring a new generation of international trips. Travelers are increasingly looking for richer and more diverse experiences, and destinations across Asia are responding to that demand."

As international travel becomes more ambitious and itineraries increasingly span multiple countries, travelers are relying more heavily on digital tools throughout their journeys. From navigation and transport to reservations, payments and communication, staying online has become an essential part of the modern travel experience, regardless of destination.

Media contact: press@holafly.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8593f859-ad89-44e6-8d02-15d7e483f8b2

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Not intended for UK and US audiences 

*Nerandomilast long-term survival modeling presented at American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2026 and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2026 international congresses.

*Based on the modeling, nerandomilast consistently increased median survival in both idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF).1,2

*Modeling predicts meaningful extensions in survival with nerandomilast, including a multi-year increase in median survival when used as monotherapy, and additional gains when added to standard treatment.1,2

Ingelheim, Germany - Long-term survival modeling of Boehringer Ingelheim's oral preferential PDE4B inhibitor, nerandomilast, predicts the therapy could extend survival by up to 5.4 years in adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and up to 3.3 years in adults with progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF), compared with no therapy.1,2 These findings are based on data from the Phase III FIBRONEER trials and were recently presented at the ATS and EULAR 2026 international congresses.

"I expect that nerandomilast will offer a transformative survival benefit for patients with either IPF or PPF," said Toby Maher, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, USC Los Angeles. "In clinical practice, we believe that slowing FVC decline is one important precursor to improving survival in people with IPF and PPF. Data from the FIBRONEER trials, plus the survival modeling, are showing us improvements that are truly meaningful, suggesting nerandomilast may have an effect on survival beyond that mediated by reducing decline in FVC."

In patients with IPF, it is estimated that nerandomilast 18 mg monotherapy could more than double median survival to 9.1 years, extending it from 3.7 years with no therapy. For those receiving standard background therapy with nintedanib, adding nerandomilast 18 mg is predicted to increase median survival from 4.6 years to 6.0 years.1  

In patients with PPF, it is predicted that nerandomilast 18 mg monotherapy could extend median survival to 7.2 years compared to 3.9 years with no therapy. When added to background nintedanib, predicted median survival is extended from 3.4 years to 4.4 years.2 

"IPF and PPF are devastating, life-threatening diseases that ruthlessly steal time from patients. Historically, burdensome side effects have forced many to abandon therapy limiting the potential for a sustained treatment effect," said Dr. Lykke Hinsch Gylvin, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim. "Nerandomilast represents a meaningful step forward. By offering an effective and safe therapy that patients can actually tolerate, it supports sustained, long-term treatment. If patients are able to stay on therapy longer, nerandomilast may have the potential to translate its predicted survival benefit into what really matters: more precious time with family and loved ones."

In FIBRONEER-IPF and FIBRONEER-ILD nerandomilast met its primary endpoint, demonstrating slowed lung function decline compared to placebo as measured by the absolute change in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) from baseline to week 52 in IPF and PPF, respectively. While the key secondary endpoint* was not met in either FIBRONEER-trial, in a pooled analysis of FIBRONEER-trials, a 59% nominally significant reduction in the risk of death was observed in participants treated with nerandomilast 18 mg as monotherapy compared with placebo.3

*The key secondary endpoint was time to first acute IPF/ILD exacerbation, first hospitalization for respiratory cause, or death over the duration of trial

About the survival modeling analysis 

The survival benefits were estimated using a statistical model based on data from the FIBRONEER-IPF and FIBRONEER-ILD trials. Researchers used a standard method (Weibull distribution modeling) to estimate long-term survival outcomes over a 30-year period, assuming consistent treatment effects and discontinuation rates similar to those seen during the respective trials.1,2

It is important to note that these figures represent modeled projections, not observed patient outcomes from the clinical trials. Data from the open-label extension of the FIBRONEER trials, FIBRONEER-ON, and real-world evidence will provide further evidence into the long-term effect of nerandomilast.              

About nerandomilast

JASCAYD (nerandomilast) is an oral preferential PDE4B inhibitor with antifibrotic, immunomodulatory and vascular effects approved in the US, China, the UAE, and Japan for the treatment of adults with IPF and adults with PPF.

Regulatory submissions for nerandomilast in IPF and PPF are also under review in the European Union - having received a positive CHMP opinion in May 2026 - the UK, and other countries, with additional approvals anticipated in 2026. 

Boehringer Ingelheim is also exploring the potential of nerandomilast in two rheumatic diseases: systemic sclerosis (SSc) and myositis (IIM).

About IPF and PPF

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) are both conditions with irreversible build-up of scar tissue in the lungs, affecting the lungs' ability to take in and transfer oxygen into the bloodstream.4,5,6 Signs and symptoms of IPF and PPF include a persistent dry cough and shortness of breath on exertion.6,7

In IPF, the root cause of pulmonary fibrosis is not known.4 The disease primarily affects people over the age of 50 and affects more men than women.8

In PPF, the scarring of the lungs may be linked to an existing condition (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis or systemic sclerosis), which causes inflammation of the lung tissue repeatedly and leads to fibrosis. PPF can also result from exposure to inhaled substances (e.g. asbestos or mold) or be due to an unknown cause (idiopathic) and worsens despite treatment of the condition.5 

Together, IPF and PPF may affect up to 9.2 million people worldwide.9,10 Approximately half of people with IPF or PPF die within 5 years of diagnosis11,12,13 ? a higher mortality rate than many cancers.14,15

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry's top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,300 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

References

Pimple et al.  Predicting long-term survival benefit of nerandomilast in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). (Poster presented at ATS 2026)

Maher et al. Predicting long-term survival benefit of nerandomilast in patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). (Poster presented at EULAR 2026

Oldham J et al. (Pooled analysis from the FIBRONEER IPF and FIBRONEER ILD trials- ERS 2025) 2025;392(22):2203-2214.

Upagupta C, et al. Eur Respir Rev. 2018;27:180033.

Kondoh Y, Inoue Y. Adv Ther. 2025;42(7):2988?3001.

van Cleemput, J, et al. Adv Ther. 2019;36, 298?317.

Kondoh Y, et al. Respir Investig. 2021;59(6):709-740.

Wang J, et al. MedComm (2020). 2024;5(10):e744.

Podolanczuk AJ, et al. Eur Respir J. 2023;61(4)2200957.

Cottin V, et al. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022;9:799912.　

Zheng Q et al. ERJ Open Res. 2022;8(1):00591-2021.

Cen Z, et al. Ann Med. 2024;56(1):2406439.

Nasser M, et al. Respir Res. 2021.22 :162.

Siegel RL, et al. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024;74(1):12?49.

Vancheri C, et al. Eur Respir J. 2010;35(3):496?504.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

LONDON, June 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sompo, a leading global provider of commercial and consumer property and casualty (re)insurance, has announced the appointment of Henry MacHale as Chief Underwriting Officer and Head of Strategy for its International Markets insurance business.

Sompo's International Markets comprises 22 countries across four regions: the United Kingdom (UK), Asia-Pacific (APAC), Continental Europe (including Turkey) and Brazil.

In this new role, Mr MacHale will work closely with Sompo's regional underwriting leaders and teams to help drive strong underwriting performance, set global underwriting policy, and partner closely to ensure the implementation of pricing and underwriting risk control frameworks.

In addition, he will also work with regional CEOs to develop and shape the International Markets strategy to provide further focus on organic and inorganic growth opportunities and to enhance, through collaboration, connectivity and alignment within the business, keeping the strengths of local expertise and decision-making.

Mr MacHale, who was previously Group Chief Strategy Officer at Aspen, will be based in London and report to Alessa Quane, Chief Executive Officer, International Markets.

Ms Quane said: "Henry's appointment is an important step for our International Markets business. He has a strong track record in underwriting specialty products, and brings strategic leadership and deep industry experience, which will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen underwriting performance, enhance governance and risk controls, and sharpen the focus of our strategy across regions. I am confident that Henry's leadership and direction will help us to deliver even greater connectivity, consistency, discipline and long-term success as we continue to grow our International Markets business."

About Sompo

We are Sompo, a global provider of commercial and consumer property, casualty, and specialty insurance and reinsurance. Building on the 137 years of innovation of our parent company, Sompo Holdings, Inc., Sompo employs approximately 9,500 people around the world who use their in-depth knowledge and expertise to help simplify and resolve your complex challenges. Because when you choose Sompo, you choose The Ease of Expertise.

"Sompo" refers to the brand under which Sompo International Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda-based holding company, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, operates its global property and casualty (re)insurance businesses. Sompo International Holdings Ltd. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Sompo Holdings, Inc., one of the leading property and casualty groups in the world with excellent financial strength as evidenced by ratings of A+ (Superior) from A.M. Best (XV size category) and A+ (Strong) from Standard & Poor's. Shares of Sompo Holdings, Inc. are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

To learn more please follow us on LinkedIn or visit sompo-intl.com.

Sompo Contact

Mike Jones

Global Head of Media Relations

M: +44 7765 901899

E: mijones@sompo-intl.com

*Sompo UK's insurance and reinsurance business is underwritten by Endurance Worldwide Insurance Limited and any risks located in the European Economic Area are underwritten by SI Insurance (Europe), SA. Both companies are indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Sompo International Holdings Ltd. Please visit sompo-intl.com to view the full status disclosure.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation or recommendation in relation to any insurance or financial product. Certain statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual outcomes may differ materially.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Perluasan strategis portofolio ekstrak botani memperkuat dukungan regional bagi pelanggan industri kecantikan, perawatan pribadi, dan farmasi

ROTTERDAM, Belanda, June 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Univar Solutions B.V., anak perusahaan Univar Solutions LLC ("Univar Solutions" atau "Perusahaan"), penyedia solusi global terkemuka bagi pengguna bahan baku khusus dan bahan kimia, hari ini mengumumkan perluasan kemitraan distribusi dengan American Distilling melalui divisinya yaitu Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions.

Berdasarkan perjanjian baru ini, Univar Solutions akan mendistribusikan portofolio bahan baku khusus alami berkualitas tinggi dari American Distilling. Perjanjian ini mencakup witch hazel tradisional (opsi bebas alkohol dan tingkatan mutu yang dapat disesuaikan) untuk aplikasi perawatan pribadi, kosmetik, dan farmasi di sejumlah pasar terpilih di Eropa, Timur Tengah, dan Afrika (EMEA)*.

"Kemitraan dengan American Distilling di EMEA memperkuat posisi kami sebagai distributor terkemuka dan tepercaya untuk rangkaian produk ini, sekaligus memperkuat penawaran ekstrak botani kami," ujar Nick Powell, CEO Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions. "Kami telah lama mendukung bahan baku khusus ini di Amerika Utara, dan dengan rantai pasok yang kuat serta tim teknis berpengalaman yang kini tersedia di kawasan ini, kami dapat menyediakan stok lokal dan pasokan yang lebih cepat bagi pelanggan."

Witch hazel adalah ekstrak botani multifungsi yang digunakan dalam produk perawatan wajah, pembersih, sabun mandi cair, perawatan rambut, gel mata, dan produk kebersihan pribadi. Berasal dari kawasan hutan di Amerika Serikat bagian Timur Laut, bahan turunan Hamamelis ini memiliki manfaat alami sebagai astringen, antiinflamasi, antioksidan, dan antimikroba. Sebagai pengganti berbasis tanaman yang lebih lembut dibandingkan astringen sintetis, bahan ini mendukung berbagai aplikasi, mulai dari toner dan pelembap hingga pad, salep, krim, semprotan, dan formulasi terapeutik, yang meningkatkan kandungan alami serta kinerja produk secara keseluruhan.

"Kemitraan ini merupakan langkah penting dalam menghadirkan produk witch hazel berkualitas tinggi berstandar United States Pharmacopeia (USP) kepada pelanggan di kawasan EMEA," kata Bryan Jackowitz, wakil presiden American Distilling, Inc. "Melalui kolaborasi dengan Univar Solutions, kami kini dapat memasarkan seluruh portofolio ekstrak witch hazel untuk kosmetik dan farmasi sehingga pelanggan memiliki fleksibilitas lebih besar dalam menentukan solusi yang paling sesuai dengan kebutuhan aplikasi spesifik mereka, yang didukung oleh infrastruktur distribusi yang kuat untuk membantu memperkuat rantai pasok mereka. Kami antusias dengan potensi jangka panjang dari kolaborasi ini dan berharap dapat tumbuh bersama."

Melalui penambahan portofolio ini, Univar Solutions semakin memperkuat posisinya sebagai distributor terkemuka untuk bahan baku berkinerja tinggi bagi berbagai merek yang mendorong perkembangan generasi baru produk kecantikan, perawatan pribadi, dan farmasi. Pelanggan mendapatkan manfaat dari Perusahaan dalam bentuk dukungan formulasi yang komprehensif, kemampuan laboratorium yang canggih, wawasan pasar yang mendalam, dan jaringan distribusi yang kuat. Perusahaan juga menyediakan akses ke Solution Center globalnya di Essen, Jerman, yang memberikan dukungan regional untuk pengembangan produk dan peningkatan skala produksi.

Pelajari lebih lanjut tentang portofolio dan kapabilitas teknis Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions.

*Pasar yang tercakup dalam perjanjian ini meliputi: Albania, Aljazair, Austria, Belgia, Belanda, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finlandia, Herzegovina, Hungaria, Inggris Raya, Irlandia, Italia, Jerman, Kroasia, Latvia, Lituania, Luksemburg, Makedonia, Maroko, Moldova, Monako, Norwegia, Polandia, Portugal, Prancis, Republik Ceko, Rumania, Serbia, Slowakia, Slovenia, Spanyol, Swedia, Swiss, Tunisia, Turki, Ukraina, dan Yunani.

Tentang Univar Solutions

Univar Solutions merupakan distributor global terkemuka untuk bahan kimia khusus dan bahan baku, yang mewakili portofolio premium dari para produsen terkemuka di dunia. Didukung oleh salah satu armada transportasi milik sendiri dan tim penjualan teknis terbesar di industri, keahlian teknis tentang logistik yang tak tertandingi, pengetahuan mendalam tentang pasar dan regulasi, kemampuan formulasi dan pengembangan resep, serta perangkat digital terdepan, Perusahaan memiliki posisi kuat untuk menawarkan solusi khusus dan layanan bernilai tambah untuk berbagai pasar, industri, dan aplikasi. Dalam mewujudkan tujuannya untuk membantu menjaga masyarakat tetap sehat, terpenuhi kebutuhan pangannya, bersih, dan aman, Univar Solutions berkomitmen membantu pelanggan dan pemasok berinovasi serta berfokus pada semangat Tumbuh Bersama. Pelajari lebih lanjut di univarsolutions.com.

Tentang Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions

Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions menghadirkan produk, tenaga ahli, dan hasil terbaik bagi pelanggan serta pemasok bahan khusus yang berupaya menunjang kehidupan modern. Dengan memadukan sains, inovasi, dan keahlian mendalam dengan portofolio bahan khusus terkemuka, kami membantu menemukan solusi yang dibutuhkan untuk secara aman meningkatkan kualitas hidup dan masyarakat di seluruh dunia. Pelajari lebih lanjut di univarsolutions.com.

Tentang American Distilling

American Distilling berkomitmen mempertahankan posisinya sebagai pemimpin industri, dengan memasok produk bahan baku Witch Hazel hasil distilasi yang berkualitas tinggi dan berkelanjutan bagi industri perawatan kesehatan, kecantikan, dan farmasi. Staf profesional mereka yang bertalenta berdedikasi untuk menghadirkan standar tertinggi dalam layanan pelanggan, integritas pribadi, dan nilai bagi konsumen. Setiap hari, mereka membuktikan keahliannya melalui produksi bahan baku dengan "kualitas unggul yang terjamin" untuk berbagai formulasi, sekaligus membantu pengembangan produk baru guna membangun kemitraan jangka panjang dengan para pelanggan berharga mereka. Pelajari lebih lanjut di americandistilling.com.

Pernyataan dan Informasi Berwawasan ke Depan

Komunikasi ini memuat "pernyataan berwawasan ke depan" berdasarkan hukum yang berlaku tentang aspek keuangan dan operasional yang terkait dengan bisnis Perusahaan. Pernyataan berwawasan ke depan umumnya dapat dikenali dari penggunaan kata-kata seperti "meyakini," "memperkirakan," "mungkin," "akan," "seharusnya," "dapat," "berupaya," "bermaksud," "berencana," "mengestimasi," "mengantisipasi," atau istilah sebanding lainnya. Seluruh pernyataan berwawasan depan yang disampaikan dalam komunikasi ini dibatasi oleh pernyataan kehati-hatian ini.

Pernyataan berwawasan ke depan mengandung berbagai risiko dan ketidakpastian yang diketahui maupun tidak diketahui, yang sebagian besar mungkin berada di luar kendali Perusahaan, yang dapat menyebabkan ekspektasi tidak tercapai atau dapat berdampak secara signifikan dan merugikan terhadap bisnis, kondisi keuangan, hasil operasi, atau arus kas Perusahaan. Meskipun pernyataan berwawasan ke depan didasarkan pada asumsi yang dianggap wajar oleh manajemen, kami mengingatkan bahwa informasi berwawasan ke depan yang disajikan dalam komunikasi ini bukan merupakan jaminan atas peristiwa atau hasil di masa mendatang, dan bahwa peristiwa atau hasil aktual dapat berbeda secara signifikan dari hal-hal yang dinyatakan secara tersurat maupun tersirat oleh informasi berwawasan ke depan yang dimuat dalam komunikasi ini. Untuk informasi tambahan mengenai faktor-faktor yang dapat memengaruhi Perusahaan, silakan lihat laporan tahunan terbaru Perusahaan dan laporan keuangan lainnya, termasuk informasi yang tercantum dalam bagian berjudul "Faktor Risiko." Setiap pernyataan berwawasan ke depan hanya mencerminkan pandangan Perusahaan pada tanggal komunikasi ini dan tidak boleh dianggap sebagai menggambarkan pandangan Perusahaan pada tanggal setelahnya dan Perusahaan tidak berkewajiban untuk memperbarui pernyataan berwawasan ke depan apa pun, kecuali sebagaimana diwajibkan oleh hukum.

Media Relations

Dwayne Roark

+1 331-777-6031

mediarelations@univarsolutions.com

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

The MICHELIN Guide Slovenia 2026 features 74 restaurants, two more than last year. Slovenia now boasts a total of 13 MICHELIN stars, one more than in 2025.

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia, June 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hisa Franko, led by Ana Ros, has retained the highest distinction of three MICHELIN stars, while Milka Restaurant, under the leadership of David Zefran, has once again been awarded two MICHELIN stars.

Eight restaurants received one MICHELIN star, with Galerija okusov joining the category for the first time this year. The Bib Gourmand distinction was awarded to 12 restaurants. The Selected category includes 52 restaurants, six of them new.

This year also marked the debut of the MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award in Slovenia. Additional special recognitions included the Young Chef Award, presented to Marko Magajne of Galerija okusov; the Sommelier Award, presented to Nejc Farčnik of Gric; and the Service Award, awarded to Peter Patajc of Gostilnica Ruj. The Opening of the Year Award went to Gostilna Francl, led by Sebastijan Kovacic.

MSc Maja Pak Olaj, Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board, emphasised: "This year's MICHELIN Guide Slovenia results once again confirm that Slovenia is strengthening its position as one of Europe's most recognisable gastronomic destinations. The inclusion of 74 restaurants from across the country demonstrates that top-quality gastronomy is becoming an increasingly important part of Slovenia's tourism offer and a key driver of higher value-added tourism development.

Our partnership with MICHELIN contributes to Slovenia's international visibility, raises quality standards, and strengthens the reputation of Slovenian chefs and restaurants. We are especially pleased that Slovenia received the Opening of the Year Award for the first time this year, alongside the Young Chef, Sommelier, and Service Awards, all of which highlight excellence across different areas of gastronomy. In terms of MICHELIN-recognised restaurants per capita, Slovenia ranks around the European average among countries included in the guide, confirming the remarkable quality and ambition of Slovenian gastronomy. Congratulations to all recipients. The Slovenian Tourist Board will continue to support the development and international promotion of Slovenia as a destination of outstanding gastronomic experiences."

Read the press release

MICHELIN Guide marks seven years in Slovenia

More information is available as well as on the Taste Slovenia and Slovenia.info portals. Photos and video statements from the awards ceremony are available here.

press@slovenia.info

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

WUHU, China, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chery Group's FREELANDER 8 was showcased at the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum held at The Peninsula Shanghai, demonstrating a benchmark of premium quality for global markets, backed by a globally integrated R&D, manufacturing and quality control system.

The forum brought together government representatives, business leaders, investors and international partners, providing an important platform for FREELANDER to engage with key stakeholders ahead of its upcoming Middle East brand launch.

As the first strategic model under of the brand, FREELANDER 8 has been developed in accordance with mainstream international safety requirements and is engineered to meet the standards of five major global safety assessment programs: Euro NCAP, C-NCAP, ANCAP, Latin NCAP and ASEAN NCAP. From body structure development to comprehensive active and passive safety technologies, the vehicle has been designed to deliver a high level of protection for drivers and passengers across diverse driving environments.

Beyond safety and quality, FREELANDER 8 integrates advanced intelligent technologies developed for global users. An intelligent cockpit powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P chip provides seamless connectivity, intelligent interaction and enhanced digital experiences, while SIP (Super Intelligent Parking) offered in selected markets, extends the vehicle's intelligent mobility experience through remote parking and vehicle summon functions. Together, these technologies contribute to FREELANDER's Smart Confidence experience while enhancing convenience in everyday driving scenarios.

Whether delivering confident all-terrain capability across challenging road conditions or intelligent experiences for everyday mobility, quality remains the foundation of FREELANDER 8's competitiveness in global markets. Backed by a comprehensive global quality assurance system, the vehicle has undergone extensive validation, regulatory compliance testing and scenario-based assessments across multiple regions with more than 1,000 test vehicles deployed worldwide, helping ensure adaptability to different climates, road conditions and customer expectations.

FREELANDER 8 will be manufactured at FREELANDER Super Factory at the Chery Jaguar Land Rover Intelligent Manufacturing Base in Changshu ? a globally advanced manufacturing base with total investment exceeding USD 1.5 billion and an additional USD 440 million invested in smart manufacturing upgrades dedicated for FREELANDER.

As Jaguar Land Rover's first full-vehicle manufacturing facility outside the UK, the plant operates under globally aligned quality standards and advanced manufacturing processes. From body structure development and precision assembly to final quality inspection, FREELANDER 8 benefits from a manufacturing ecosystem designed to deliver consistent quality, reliability and long-term durability for customers worldwide.

Its appearance at the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum not only demonstrates the strength of FREELANDER's global development, manufacturing and quality ecosystem, but also reflects the achievements of a long-term partnership and an innovative collaborative model that supports international growth and shared value creation. As preparations continue for the brand's upcoming Middle East launch, FREELANDER 8 demonstrates how British Craftsmanship, Smart Confidence and All-Terrain Freedom are being brought together through a globally integrated safety and quality system.

Vincent CHEN

freelander.international@mychery.com

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

*Thierry Henry, Kaka and Bastian Schweinsteiger join forces to headline a football themed campaign that brings back the video game's most requested community feature.

*As Global Chat returns better than ever, the legendary trio bring their punditry history to the battlefield to show how winning has never been more in players' hands.

*Coinciding with the race for football's biggest prize, Clash of Clans will also launch a football-themed in-game event, where players can take part in a special Clan War League.

HELSINKI, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clash of Clans, a game by Supercell, is bringing together footballing legends Thierry Henry, Kak? and Bastian Schweinsteiger to launch a football themed campaign that marks the return of the video game's most requested feature, Global Chat.

As anticipation builds around the race for football's biggest prize, Supercell is tapping into the spirit of elite competition by enlisting the legendary trio to headline the major global moment and relaunch the feature in an iconic way.

Visible to players around the world from June 17th, the new Global Chat feature gives millions of players worldwide a revamped in-game platform to find their perfect clan and discuss winning tactics and strategies.

Showing how winning has never been more in players' hands, the trio feature in a cinematic launch film - but not as fans remember them. Styled like a high-end sports documentary, the film sees the icons reflect on competition, control and what it takes to win at the highest level. Everything feels familiar? until the camera reveals their hands.

These are players who no longer dominate with their feet. Instead, they've adapted. Because elite competitors don't stop competing when the arena changes - they evolve with it.

The campaign is further anchored by a football-themed in-game event, where players can take part in a special Clan War League. Whether battling in-game or watching the action unfold on screens around the world, players will be immersed in a celebration of competition at its highest level.

Thierry Henry said: "Competition is a mindset. Whether it's on the pitch or on your phone, that desire to win never leaves you. Clash of Clans is a different kind of challenge - but the intensity is the same. Communication is a huge part of strategy, both on the pitch and in the battlefield, and having a space to share winning tactics like Global Chat makes a real difference."

Kak? said: "The return of Global Chat is a huge win for the community, because the true magic of Clash of Clans, just like in football, lies in the connection between people, the exchange of tactics, and the unity of the team. I spent my entire career thinking about strategy on the pitch, but now I've got the game in my hands and I'm ready for the next attack. I'm really excited to be part of this legendary squad and can't wait to see the game become even more dynamic and competitive for everyone."

Bastian Schweinsteiger said: "Great football teams are built on communication, trust, and the right tactics. The best moments of my career came when the team stayed together and everyone played their part, and that's what I like about Clash of Clans too. It brings people together through teamwork and strategy, and I'm very happy to be part of this collaboration."

Players can jump into Clash of Clans from June to experience the return of Global Chat, join the football-themed event and see how these legends are redefining what it means to compete.

Be sure to follow Clash of Clans on social media (YouTube/Instagram/X/TikTok) for the latest updates.

For more information, please contact supercellEMEAhub@wearetheromans.com.

About Supercell

Supercell is a game company based in Helsinki, Finland, with offices in San Francisco, London, Seoul, and Shanghai. Since its founding in 2010, the company has brought six games to the global market: Hay Day, Clash of Clans, Boom Beach, Clash Royale, Brawl Stars and Squad Busters. Supercell's dream is to create games that as many people as possible play for years and that are remembered forever.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c39cc946-98f5-49d1-be98-ffd13bb0de99

A video accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7104f344-8be4-4be1-91bf-fe739c50e704

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

3 CSD integrates space-based commercial capabilities into mission operations to enhance threat detection for more resilient space operations

MONTREAL, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NorthStar Earth & Space ("NorthStar" or the "Company"), a global leader in Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA), today announced the launch of augmented commercial services valued at more than CAD$40 million over 12 months with the Royal Canadian Air Force's 3 Canadian Space Division (3 CSD).

The agreement enables 3 CSD to integrate NorthStar's space-based surveillance capabilities to enhance mission readiness and threat detection in orbit.

The agreement reinforces NorthStar's long-standing commitment to advancing Canada's role in the space sector. Headquartered in Montreal, and governed by a majority-Canadian board, NorthStar drives growth through innovation, and sovereign space capabilities. By processing millions of images and observations collected from space- and ground-based sensors, NorthStar delivers precise assessments and predictions of the behaviour of objects in space.

"This collaboration marks a milestone in the use of commercial innovation to protect Canadian interests in space," said Stewart Bain, founder and CEO of NorthStar. "Integrating NorthStar's advanced scanning and detection capabilities will strengthen the mission readiness and national security objectives at the core of 3 CSD's mandate."

Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy recognizes space as a critical operational domain for national security and economic stability. Satellites underpin communications, navigation, climate monitoring, Earth observation and defence operations, making sovereign, mission-ready SDA capabilities essential. These capabilities play a critical role in safeguarding Canada's North, where Arctic security and sovereignty are key priorities. NorthStar's integrated space-based and ground-based services provide trusted, Canadian controlled data to support this objective.

RCAF Brig.-Gen Christopher Horner said, "Space Domain Awareness is foundational to all space operations. Our decisional advantage in both peacetime and conflict is built upon our ability to detect and differentiate threats from the responsible actors in space. NorthStar gives the Canadian Armed Forces the higher ground with advanced SDA services.  Cooperation between 3 CSD and Canada's space industry partners remains a fundamental requirement for security in space."

"Through Canada's new Defence Industrial Strategy, our government is inspiring new partnerships that will strengthen our defence industry, enhance sovereign capabilities, and bolster national security. NorthStar's partnership with 3 Canadian Space Division on their sovereign SDA capabilities will advance Canada's satellite capacity and equip our Armed Forces with mission-ready tools," said the Hon. M?lanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.

As space becomes an increasingly contested domain, Canada must remain steadfast in maintaining the ability to independently monitor and protect its assets in orbit. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening national capabilities and contributing to the secure and safe use of space.

About NorthStar Earth & Space

NorthStar is the first commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) company to leverage space-based assets that use satellite imagery to continuously scan, detect, and monitor the behaviour of objects in near-Earth orbits. Patented capabilities deliver precise and timely Space Domain Awareness (SDA), contributing to Canada's space sovereignty and supporting National Defence objectives. With headquarters in Montreal, Canada, a European headquarters in Luxembourg, and a dedicated US operation in McLean, VA, NorthStar addresses the ever-growing threat of space collisions as a major contribution to empower humanity to preserve our planet.

Media Contacts

Prosek Partners

Pro-NorthStar@Prosek.com

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 June 2026 - Hong Kong jumped one place to become the world's second most competitive economy, according to the 2026 World Competitiveness Ranking published today (June 18) by the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD). It is Hong Kong's highest ranking since 2019, and builds on three consecutive years of improvement.

Welcoming the report, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said, "The World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) 2026 reaffirms Hong Kong as one of the most competitive economies in the world, and notes that Hong Kong's rise to second sustains the strong upward trajectory from 2024 and 2025."

In announcing the results, the IMD noted that, amid rising geopolitical tensions, competitive advantage hinges on credible institutions, predictable rules, enforceable commitments and public trust.

According to WCY 2026, Hong Kong's rise reflects sustained performance across the four competitiveness factors measured. Among these factors, Hong Kong ranks second in "Government efficiency" and third in "Business efficiency". "Infrastructure" and "Economic performance" rank eighth and 11th respectively.

As regards the various competitiveness sub-factors, Hong Kong tops the rankings in "Tax policy" and "Business legislation", ranks second in "Finance", third in "International trade", "International investment", "Management practices" and "Education", and fourth in "Public finance" and "Basic infrastructure".

"In the competitiveness factor 'Government efficiency', Hong Kong continues to rank second globally, reflecting the HKSAR Government's ongoing efforts to promote free and open, stable, predictable and business-friendly economic policies, as well as the international community's trust in Hong Kong's legal and regulatory environment," the spokesperson said.

"Hong Kong's 'Business efficiency' is ranked third globally, reflecting the strong support for industry development rendered by our robust financial ecosystem, as well as the seamless alignment of the city's business practices and environment with international best standards."

Amid rapidly evolving geopolitical dynamics, Hong Kong, with its close connectivity to both the Chinese Mainland and the world under the "one country, two systems" principle, and its sound institutions, open markets and sustained investments in innovation, has become a "value hub" that offers both security and growth opportunities.

In fact, Hong Kong continues to excel in various international rankings including those for economy, finance, and talent. The International Monetary Fund has also given positive recognition to Hong Kong in recent months, and major credit rating agencies have successively reaffirmed Hong Kong's credit ratings and 'stable' outlook.

"All these echo the WCY 2026 results," the spokesperson said.

Currently, Hong Kong is formulating at full speed its first Five-Year Plan, to proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

"With the staunch support of our country, the HKSAR Government will work together with all sectors of society to strengthen our role and function as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder', with a view to better integrating into and serving the overall national development, achieving our own high-quality development, creating more new room for development for our people and businesses, as well as opening up new opportunities for global investors and enterprises," the spokesperson said.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Hashtags: #HongKong #BrandHongKong #Global #Competitiveness

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 June 2026 - On June 16, the 2026 Hainan Cultural and Tourism Promotion Events, under the theme of "Sunny Hainan ? Heart's Desire," were held in Hong Kong.

Leaders from Hong Kong's cultural and tourism authorities, heads of industry associations, and representatives of key cultural and tourism enterprises from home and abroad gathered to explore new opportunities for cooperation and draw up a blueprint for the industry's future.

Liu Xiaoming, Governor of the People's Government of Hainan Province, and Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended the events and delivered speeches. During the promotional session, Chen Tiejun, Director of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, unveiled the "Top Ten Calling Cards of Hainan Tourism," which received enthusiastic responses and positive feedback from various sectors in Hong Kong. Attendees from Hong Kong unanimously agreed that Hong Kong and Hainan boast highly complementary cultural and tourism resources and immense potential for cooperation.

Since the launch of special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port, its distinctive opening-up advantages, such as "zero tariffs, low tax rates, a simplified tax system" and "tariff exemption for value-added processing," have become increasingly prominent. These policies have continuously made Hainan more attractive to businesses and opened up broader opportunities for Hong Kong investors and entrepreneurs.

On the same day, at the "Invest in the Free Trade Port, Share New Opportunities" Symposium for Hong Kong Enterprises held in Hong Kong, four cooperation agreements were formally signed, covering high-end commerce, cultural and tourism integration, and regional industrial coordination. Hong Kong business representatives expressed strong interest in deepening their presence in Hainan.

Hainan and Hong Kong share a long history of cooperation, and in recent years, a steady stream of favorable policies has been introduced. Since the signing of the Hainan-Hong Kong Memorandum of Cooperation in March 2025, bilateral cooperation has accelerated across the board. In 2025, goods trade between the two sides reached RMB 9.35 billion, increasing by more than two times from 2020. A total of 793 new Hong Kong-funded enterprises were established in Hainan, a year-on-year increase of 21.5%. Hainan has also issued offshore RMB bonds in Hong Kong for four consecutive years, with a cumulative total of RMB 18 billion. Currently, an average of four direct flights operate daily between Hong Kong and Hainan, with the fastest travel time under two hours, facilitating the rapid emergence of the "Hainan-Hong Kong Living Circle."

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Hashtags: #HainanCulturalandTourismPromotionEvents

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 June 2026 - Amid the global wave of technological advancement, the next generation of young leaders is presented with unprecedented growth opportunities.

As such, today's youth must learn beyond the boundary of traditional classrooms, engage with real communities, tackle social challenges with creative thinking, and chart sustainable paths for the future of humanity. To nurture young talents and turn inspiring ideas into tangible action, the Third Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Program is now open for applications.

Since its inception in 2024, the annual program has spent three consecutive years fostering outstanding young social innovators across Asia. The 2026 summer camp will be hosted by The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and will center on the theme "Art + AI for Social Good." It equips participants with practical AI skills, inspires creativity through art, and encourages collaboration across disciplines and cultures. Top teams from the Creative Challenge will receive seed funding and one-on-one mentorship to further scale their projects, boosting youth-led social innovation across Hong Kong and the broader Asian region.

Representing much more than a regular summer camp, this long-term initiative empowers young people to take action and drive social entrepreneurship. The past two cohorts have gathered nearly 100 exceptional high school students from all over Asia, with around 90% of them giving overwhelmingly positive feedback on their learning experience.

"I used to believe leadership was all about individual excellence," shared a former participant. "Working in teams taught me that true leadership lies in uniting people and moving forward together."

The previous sessions were held at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), with official support from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) under the Singapore Youth Programme. Under the guidance of seasoned practitioners from government, business, academia and social sectors, participants translated creative concepts into implementable projects. Standout initiatives including Silver Sayang which dedicated to alleviating elderly loneliness, and NourishMind which leverages AI to promote mental wellness and mindfulness, have secured seed funding and ongoing incubation support, delivering lasting social value. These success stories prove that young people can make a real difference when given the right platform and resources.

Richard Buttrey, Program Director at ARM, a world-leading semiconductor IP provider affiliated with the University of Cambridge and a veteran mentor of the program, commented, "Philanthropy is not always linked to young people. While youths may lack financial means, they hold a strong sense of fairness and justice, a quality widely recognized by top academic institutions, enterprises and the whole society."

Viswa Sadasivan, former Member of Parliament of Singapore, also spoke highly of the program. "Participants will visit renowned charitable foundations and NGOs throughout the camp. We adopt immersive, experiential learning to make growth engaging and rewarding. Joining this program marks the first step toward a lifelong journey of giving and service."

Keeping pace with AI trends, the 2026 program will select 50 outstanding young talents for a five-day immersive learning experience in Hong Kong. Participants will attend structured entrepreneurship workshops to develop sustainable business models, turning social solutions into financially viable and long-running public welfare projects. The core highlights of this year's program are as follows:

Expert-led Workshops: Hands-on training in AI creative application, leadership development, public speaking and social project design.

Field Visits: On-site tours of local Hong Kong communities and NGOs to gain first-hand insights into social welfare issues.

Art + AI Creative Challenge: Cross-team competitions for innovative social impact solutions, with seed funding awarded to winning teams.

Concurrently, a dedicated Welfare Support Scheme is also launched alongside the main program. Full sponsorship, including travel expenses and accommodations, will be provided for students from remote impoverished areas in China and disadvantaged students worldwide, including student leaders among left-behind children supported by the Maitian Project. Online courses are additionally available for youth across Asia who are passionate about philanthropy. We welcome innovative-minded high school students to join us in Hong Kong this summer, and explore boundless possibilities where technology, art and social change intersect.

Program & Application Information

Venue: The University of Hong Kong

Eligibility: Youth aged 14 to 20, including high school and university students, with a passion for innovation, entrepreneurship and social welfare

Scholarship: All 50 selected participants will receive full scholarships covering all course and activity fees

Admission: Rolling admission. Applications will close once all vacancies are filled.

Application Link: https://www.nextgenphilanthropy.net/register-for-the nextgen-program-2026/

Based in Singapore, Good Soil Foundation commits to empowering the next generation of young leaders. Through education, experiential learning and impact investment, it cultivates future social entrepreneurs with global vision and a strong sense of social responsibility. To learn more, please visit our official website: https://goodsoilfoundationsg.com/ or follow our social media accounts.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Hashtags: #GoodSoilFoundation

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 June 2026 - Colgate Optic White Purple today launched 'The Purple Cafe', an APAC-wide social-first campaign. Expanding its K-Beauty footprint, the brand is moving beyond traditional advertising into episodic storytelling across TikTok and major regional markets.

"We are incredibly proud to unveil the next evolution of the incredibly successful Colgate Optic White Purple franchise with our social-first 'Purple Cafe' K-Drama series", said Samir Singh, EVP Marketing, Colgate-Palmolive, Asia Pacific. " We recognise that the way people consume media and content has dramatically changed, especially on TikTok. Our campaign takes our association with Korean beauty and culture to a whole new level, presenting our product not just as a beauty essential, but as a pivotal character that transforms our influencer protagonists' confidence in fun, cheeky ways."

Influencer-Led Episodic Story-telling

The six-part series stars top Asian influencers instead of traditional actors, reimagining classic K-Drama tropes like awkward blind dates and judgmental relatives. In each episode, Colgate Optic White Purple acts as the narrative catalyst, transforming social friction into empowered confidence. The product is seamlessly integrated into each episode, driving both the plot and the protagonists' transformations.

AI Integration to Democratise Story-telling

In a TikTok-exclusive partnership, the campaign invites consumers to script their own narratives to "one-up" AI-generated antagonists. This initiative democratises storytelling emphasising the belief that human creativity can often outsmart artificial intelligence.

Watch the full episodic series and discover the transformative power of Colgate Optic White Purple on Colgate Thailand (Tik Tok), Colgate Philippines (Tik Tok), Colgate Malaysia (Tik Tok).

Campaign Credits:

Colgate Palmolive:

• Samir Singh, EVP Marketing, Asia Pacific
• Wen Zhu, Sr. Director, Marketing APAC
• Anaswar Rajagopal, Director, Marketing APAC
• Liz Yang, Senior Brand Manager APAC
• Kenny Choo, Head Content Lab, APAC
• Jacinta Francis, Content Production Manager, APAC
• Katelyn Chen, Senior Digital Art Director, APAC
• Audrey Lee, Shopper Design Manager, APAC

WPPCP / WPP Media / WPP Production / Ogilvy ANZ:

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Hashtags: #Colgate

Strategic expansion of botanical extracts portfolio strengthens regional support for beauty and personal care and pharmaceutical customers

ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Univar Solutions B.V., a subsidiary of Univar Solutions LLC ("Univar Solutions" or "the Company"), a leading global solutions provider to users of specialty ingredients and chemicals, today announced an expanded distribution partnership with American Distilling through its Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions division.

Under the new agreement, Univar Solutions will distribute American Distilling's portfolio of high-quality, natural specialty ingredients. The agreement includes traditional witch hazel (alcohol-free options and customizable grades) for personal care, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications across select European, Middle Eastern, and African (EMEA) markets*.

"Partnering with American Distilling in EMEA helps position us as a leading and trusted distributor for this product range while strengthening our botanical extract offering," said Nick Powell, CEO of Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions. "We've long supported these specialty ingredients in North America, and with a robust supply chain and experienced technical teams now available regionally, we're able to offer local stock and faster supply availability to customers."

Witch hazel is a multifunctional botanical extract used in facial care, cleansers, body washes, hair care, eye gels, and personal hygiene products. Native to the woodlands of the Northeastern United States, this Hamamelis-derived ingredient offers natural astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial benefits. As a gentle, plant-based alternative to synthetic astringents, it supports a broad range of applications, from toners and moisturizers to pads, ointments, creams, sprays, and therapeutic formulations, enhancing both natural content and overall product performance.

"This partnership represents an important step in bringing high-quality United States Pharmacopeia (USP) witch hazel products to customers across the EMEA region," said Bryan Jackowitz, vice president of American Distilling, Inc. "By collaborating with Univar Solutions, we are now able to market our full portfolio of cosmetic and pharmaceutical witch hazel extracts, giving customers greater flexibility to identify the solution that best fits their specific application needs, with a robust distribution infrastructure to help strengthens their supply chains. We are excited about the long-term potential of this collaboration and look forward to growing together."

With the addition of this portfolio, Univar Solutions further solidifies its position as a leading distributor of high-performance ingredients for brands shaping the next generation of beauty, personal care, and pharmaceutical products. Customers benefit from the Company's comprehensive formulation support, advanced laboratory capabilities, deep market insights, and robust distribution network. The Company also offers access to its global Solution Center in Essen, Germany, providing regional support for product development and scale-up.

Learn more about Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions' portfolio and technical capabilities.

*Markets in agreement include: Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Herzegovina, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Ireland,, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldovia, Monaco, Morrocco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and United Kingdom.

About Univar Solutions

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers. With one of the industry's largest private transportation fleets and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, the Company is well-positioned to offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries, and applications. While fulfilling its purpose to help keep communities healthy, fed, clean, and safe, Univar Solutions is committed to helping customers and suppliers innovate and focus on Growing Together. Learn more at univarsolutions.com.

About Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions

Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions brings the best products, people, and results to specialty customers and suppliers seeking to power modern life. By combining science, innovation, and deep expertise with a leading specialty portfolio, we help find the solutions needed to safely improve lives and communities across the globe. Learn more at univarsolutions.com.

About American Distilling

American Distilling is committed to maintaining our position as the industry leader, supplying the health and beauty care and pharmaceutical industries with the highest quality, sustainable distilled Witch Hazel ingredient products. Their talented staff of professionals is dedicated to providing the highest standards of customer service, personal integrity, and consumer value. Each day, they demonstrate their expertise by producing "excellence assured" ingredients for formulations and assisting with new product development to form long-term partnerships with their valued customers. Learn more at americandistilling.com.

Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This communication contains "forward-looking statements" under applicable law regarding financial and operating items relating to the Company's business. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seeks," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or other comparable terms. All forward-looking statements made in this communication are qualified by this cautionary language.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company's control, that could result in expectations not being realized or could otherwise materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Although the forward-looking statements are based on what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, we caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this communication is not a guarantee of future events or results, and that actual events or results may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this communication. For additional information regarding factors that could affect the Company, please see the Company's most recent annual report and other financial reports, including the information set forth under the caption "Risk Factors." Any forward-looking statements represent the Company's views only as of the date of this communication and should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any subsequent date, and the Company undertakes no obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update any forward-looking statement.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Independent study of 488 multifamily properties links flexible payment timing to more reliable rent payments and lower short-term delinquency

NEW YORK, June 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new study released today by economic research firm MetroSight finds that giving renters the ability to split their monthly rent into smaller, better-timed payments improved on-time payment rates and reduced short-term late rent, while pointing to longer resident tenure and stronger operating performance at the properties studied.

The study, "Rethinking Rent," was conducted by economists Daniel Shoag, Ph.D., and Issi Romem, Ph.D., and examines the rent-payment service offered by Flexible Finance, Inc. ("Flex"). It was commissioned and funded by Flex, which also provided the operational data used in the analysis. The research is being presented during the National Apartment Association's Apartmentalize conference, the multifamily housing industry's largest annual gathering.

The central finding is about timing. Most renters owe rent in full on the first of the month, while most workers are paid every two weeks or twice a month. That structural mismatch, the authors argue, is an overlooked driver of late rent that is distinct from affordability: a household can have the money over the course of a month yet still come up short on the day rent is due.

"Housing-stability conversations tend to focus on the cost of rent, and that matters enormously," said Ryan Metcalf, VP of Public Affairs at Flex. "But timing is a separate, fixable problem. This research is the clearest evidence yet that aligning rent payments with when people actually get paid helps renters stay current, and that reliability is good for residents and property owners alike."

Key findings

Analyzing 488 multifamily rental properties comprising roughly 75,000 units across 25 states, of which 134 offered Flex, the study estimates that at properties where Flex was available:

On-time rent payments were higher. The share of rents paid on time was approximately 3 percentage points higher than at comparable properties that did not offer Flex, according to the study's estimates.

Short-term late rent was lower. The share of rents up to 30 days late was about 2.5 percentage points lower, consistent with the idea that flexible timing helps residents manage temporary cash-flow gaps before they become larger problems.

The effect was specific to timing. The study found no statistically significant effect on rent more than 30 days late, a pattern the authors describe as consistent with the product's design: flexible payment timing addresses short-term mismatches between income and rent, not severe or persistent financial hardship.

The study also reports that properties offering Flex showed longer median resident tenure and lower vacancy, along with lower turnover, collection, and concession costs. The authors characterize the operating-performance results, including net operating income, as directionally favorable.

"The most robust result is the one closest to how the product works," said Romem "When you let residents align rent with their pay cycle, rent shows up on time more often. The downstream effects on tenure, vacancy, and operating costs all point in a consistent direction."

About the study

"Rethinking Rent" is an observational study based on Flex's operational data, using controlled regressions, matched comparisons, unit-level analysis, and a range of placebo and sensitivity checks. As the authors note, an observational design cannot fully rule out unobserved differences between properties that adopted Flex and those that did not, and the report calibrates its conclusions accordingly, with the strongest causal language reserved for the rent-payment-timing findings. The study was funded by Flexible Finance, Inc., relies on data provided by the company, and has not been peer-reviewed. The properties in the sample are not nationally representative. The full report, including methodology and complete results, is available at https://www.metrosight.com/articles/rethinking-rent

About Flex

Flexible Finance, Inc. ("Flex") is a New York-based financial technology company that helps people split large essential bills into smaller, more manageable payments. With over 2.7 million customers to date, Flex has processed more than $33 billion in monthly on-time payments and has earned an average 4.8-star rating across more than 340,000 reviews. Flex provides financial technology services and does not operate as a bank. All lines of credit (including "Flex Rent"), banking services, and payment transmissions are provided by Lead Bank or Column N.A., Member FDIC. Learn more at getflex.com.

About MetroSight

MetroSight is a San Francisco Bay Area-based economic research firm specializing in data-driven analysis of housing, labor, and regional and urban economics.

Media contact

Media@getflex.com

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Purpose-built platform for network operators enables sovereign on-premises AI, operator-built SLMs, policy-governed access to frontier models, and zero trust AI security, all on a single token charging and service assurance platform

RICHARDSON, Texas, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mavenir today announced an Integrated AI Platform developed in collaboration with Red Hat that enables network operators to monetize AI the way they already monetize data; through token-based consumption plans, billed on the phone bill, with full control over pricing, service-level agreements (SLAs) and the models that power every interaction.

The Integrated AI Platform will operate across three models: operator-branded AI services for their own subscribers; as the AI infrastructure layer powering operator AI grid deployments; and as a managed AI platform through which operators offer AI capabilities to enterprise customers on a token-based consumption basis. Using Red Hat AI as a unified platform that brings together AI capabilities running on Kubernetes infrastructure powered by Red Hat OpenShift, Mavenir's Integrated AI Platform empowers operators with a flexible, sovereign-first architecture.

This allows operators to utilize on-premises models and custom-built small language models (SLMs) that can handle a wide range of use cases, while also benefitting from selective, policy-governed connectivity to frontier models for tasks that demand cutting-edge reasoning capability. Operators control which model handles which request, who pays for it and how it is billed.

AI Monetization: The Operator Opportunity

The global AI services market is generating new revenue streams that network operators are uniquely positioned to capture. Token-based AI consumption, the unit model powering every large language model interaction, mirrors the mobile data billing paradigm operators have mastered for decades. Monthly AI token plans, per-department enterprise quotas, and SLA-backed tiers for operator-provided AI services represent a structurally new monetization layer on top of existing connectivity.

To realize this opportunity, operators need production-grade AI infrastructure that controls sovereign on-premises compute, intelligent model routing, token-accurate metering, carrier-grade service assurance, and billing integration. Critically, no single deployment model fits every use case. Routine use cases belong on operator-owned SLMs for cost and sovereignty reasons. Complex reasoning tasks may warrant selective access to frontier models. Built in collaboration with Red Hat, Mavenir's integrated AI platform supports both modes under a single policy and charging framework, giving operators a hybrid architecture that maximizes economics without sacrificing capability where it matters most.

The Integrated AI Platform

The Integrated AI platform brings together Mavenir's AI software platform with Red Hat's enterprise Kubernetes and AI capabilities, delivered on validated hardware from third-party partners. The result is a carrier-grade, cloud-native AI infrastructure platform that operators can deploy on-premises with enhanced data sovereignty. The architecture is designed as hybrid, using default on-premises and open-source models to serve most of the traffic, while Mavenir's model router provides policy-governed, metered access to external frontier models for use cases that require advanced reasoning or multimodal capability. The platform enables agentic operations and orchestration, intelligent model routing and token optimization, AI platform-as-a-service (PaaS) and MLOps capabilities powered by Red Hat AI; token charging and billing via Mavenir Digital Enablement, closed-loop service assurance, zero trust identity, authentication and AI security, all supported on the carrier-grade container infrastructure of Red Hat OpenShift, the industry's leading hybrid cloud application platform powered by Kubernetes.

Three Operating Models

The platform supports three distinct operating models, giving operators flexibility in how they deploy and monetize AI:

Enterprise AI Platform: The operator offers metered access to AI models, compute resources and AI tooling to enterprise customers as a value-added service alongside existing connectivity contracts. Enterprise customers deploy their own applications or consume AI APIs on a usage basis. The operator provides infrastructure and platform SLAs; enterprise application SLAs are governed by the specific service agreement between operator and customer.

AI Grid Infrastructure: The operator uses the platform as the compute and AI fabric for AI grid deployments, hosting network-embedded AI applications and third-party workloads on operator-controlled infrastructure. The platform provides infrastructure-level availability guarantees; application performance and service levels are the responsibility of the application owner unless the operator packages the application as its own managed offering.

Operator AI Services: The operator runs the platform to deliver AI-powered products and services to its own subscribers. This includes AI assistant plans billed by token consumption, AI-enhanced network services, and operator-branded AI applications. The operator owns the commercial relationship, sets the SLAs, and retains full control over pricing, branding and service quality.

The platform is designed to deliver tangible outcomes, including:

New AI revenue streams through bundled token plans from basic consumer tiers to unlimited enterprise quotas.

Predictable AI economics by shifting the majority of traffic to on-premises models with hard spend caps on any frontier model usage.

Data sovereignty by design, with all subscriber data and model weights remaining on operator infrastructure under normal operations.

Contractual SLAs for operator-managed AI services backed by closed-loop service assurance, with platform-level availability guarantees extending to enterprise and AI Grid workloads.

A rapid path to revenue through pre-validated deployment playbooks, with Mavenir's own production deployment serving as the reference architecture.

Enterprise-grade security through zero trust identity controls and AI-specific threat protection that meet the compliance requirements of regulated communications environments.

"Operators are watching AI revenues flow to hyperscalers and third-party platforms while they provide the connectivity that makes it all possible. This changes today. The Integrated AI Platform developed in collaboration between Mavenir and Red Hat gives operators the infrastructure to become AI service providers in their own right. Operators gain sovereign control over models and data, token-accurate monetization that integrates with their existing BSS, and the service assurance to back their own managed AI services with contractual SLAs. Whether operators are launching subscriber AI services, building out their AI grid infrastructure, or offering AI capabilities to enterprise customers on a consumption basis, the platform provides the commercial and operational controls to do it at carrier scale. For the most demanding use cases, the platform also provides policy-governed access to frontier models, so operators are never constrained by what runs on-premises. This is built from the ground up for operator monetization requirements." Bejoy Pankajakshan, Chief Technology and Strategy Officer, Mavenir

"In today's AI-driven world, network operators now more than ever require high availability, data sovereignty and carrier-grade reliability to scale AI across millions of subscribers. Working with Mavenir, we're delivering an integrated solution supported on the Kubernetes-native foundation powered by Red Hat AI, which brings MLOps, vLLM inference and AgentOps capabilities. This hybrid architecture allows operators to run sovereign on-premises models for the bulk of their traffic and selectively connect to frontier models for tasks that require it, all through a single policy and billing framework. Together, we give operators a path from AI experimentation to AI monetization without rebuilding their operations model." Chris Wright, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President, Global Engineering, Red Hat

Join Mavenir at DTW Ignite 2026, 23?25 June - booth #334:   

At DTW Ignite, Mavenir will be showcasing how AI-by-design software delivers tangible network outcomes: unleashing 5G Core network innovation, unlocking new service revenues on the one hand and radically improving operational efficiency on the other.

About Mavenir 

Mavenir is enabling intelligent, automated, programmable networks through the development of telco-first, cloud-native, AI-by-design software solutions for mobile operators. The company's deep telco domain expertise has been proven through deployments with 300+ operators globally in over 120 countries, which together serve more than 50% of the world's subscribers. Mavenir combines its deep telco experience with the cloud and IT expertise and data science skillsets essential to solving real customer challenges. Its proven software solutions are AI by design, delivering the AI-native future and operators' evolution to TechCos. For more information, please visit www.mavenir.com

PR Contacts:

Mavenir: 

Emmanuela Spiteri

PR@mavenir.com

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Workvivo HQ brings communication, knowledge, and AI together in one platform designed to help every employee find answers, get work done, and stay connected

CORK, Ireland, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Workvivo by Zoom today unveiled Workvivo HQ, an AI-native digital headquarters that unites communication, knowledge, and action in one intelligent platform. Designed for every employee, from frontline workers to corporate teams, Workvivo HQ gives every organization one place where work gets done.

Workvivo HQ launches at a pivotal moment, as organizations invest in AI and look for trusted ways to help every employee benefit from its potential. Built on Zoom's AI technology, the platform creates a single, intelligent headquarters where employees can start their day, find information they need, get work done, and stay informed, without the need to switch between tools. By bringing AI directly into the flow of everyday work, Workvivo HQ helps organizations close the gap between AI investment and real workforce impact.

"Every employee deserves a headquarters," said John Goulding, CEO and Co-Founder of Workvivo. "The future of work isn't another AI tool. It's an employee experience where communication, knowledge, and AI come together seamlessly. Workvivo HQ gives organizations a digital headquarters for the AI era, one place where every employee can find answers, take action, and stay connected to what matters most."

A New Era for the Employee Experience: Giving Work a Home

The launch of Workvivo HQ represents the most significant evolution of the Workvivo platform since joining Zoom in 2023 and a bold new step forward for employee experience in the AI era. It reflects a fundamental shift in how organizations think about employee experience, from a destination for communication and engagement to a foundation for productivity, knowledge, and AI-powered work.

Workvivo HQ is powered by Zoom's AI and its federated approach, the same foundation behind ZoomMate, which leverages its own proprietary AI models, along with those from leading AI companies OpenAI, Anthropic, and others. Intelligence is woven into the employee experience, making AI a natural part of everyday work rather than another standalone destination.

With Workvivo HQ, employees can:

Access company knowledge, policies, documents, and expertise quickly

Understand employee sentiment and workplace trends through AI-powered people intelligence

Stay informed with AI-generated summaries, recaps, and personalized updates

Create communications, announcements, and content faster with AI-powered writing assistance

Reach employees where they are, from the frontline to the corporate office, through personalized AI-powered experiences

Turn questions into completed work with HQ Agent, taking action across connected systems

Introducing HQ Agent

Workvivo also introduced HQ Agent, an agentic AI layer that extends Workvivo HQ beyond the platform itself and connects employees to the broader enterprise technology stack.

By connecting with more than 60 enterprise systems, including Gmail, Google Drive, Jira, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Workday, and other business applications, HQ Agent can understand requests, retrieve information, coordinate work across systems, and take action on behalf of employees. While Workvivo HQ helps employees communicate and find answers, HQ Agent helps them act on them.

"When we started designing Workvivo HQ, we weren't just asking how to add more AI to the workplace. We were asking how to make work feel simpler," said Andrea Graham, Head of Product and Engineering at Workvivo. "The result is an experience that brings together communication, knowledge, and action in one place, helping employees spend less time searching and more time getting meaningful work done."

Built for Workforce-Wide AI Adoption

Today, Workvivo serves more than 10 million users worldwide and is trusted by more than 1,300 organizations across 200+ countries and territories. With industry-leading adoption and engagement, Workvivo is uniquely positioned to help organizations operationalize AI across their workforce.

Workvivo HQ also brings together capabilities of Seer by Workvivo, integrating employee listening and people intelligence directly into the employee experience. By combining communication, workforce insights, and AI in one platform, organizations gain a deeper understanding of employee needs while equipping leaders with the tools to drive engagement, support change, and make more informed decisions.

The launch comes as organizations seek to scale AI adoption across increasingly diverse workforces. New research commissioned by Workvivo, The Frontline AI Gap** found significant differences in workplace AI adoption, with 62% of desk workers reporting regular or occasional AI use compared to just 32% of frontline workers.

Unlike many enterprise AI solutions that primarily serve desk-based employees, Workvivo HQ delivers a full AI-powered experience across desktop and mobile, helping organizations close this gap and extend the benefits of AI to every employee, including frontline and deskless workers.

"The organizations that succeed with AI will be the ones that make it useful, accessible, and relevant for every employee," said Goulding. "AI transformation can't be limited to knowledge workers. It must reach the entire workforce. Workvivo HQ was built to help make that possible."

To learn more about Workvivo HQ, visit www.workvivo.com/hq.

**In 2026, Workvivo commissioned an independent research firm, TrendCandy, to survey 4,736 frontline and desk employees across multiple industries and countries. Respondents were vetted and sourced using selected B2B sample panels across the globe, employing quality checks like double vetting, double-blind recruiting, engagement quality checks, randomization and other methodology best practices.

About Workvivo by Zoom

Workvivo by Zoom is the market-leading, AI-native employee experience platform for global enterprises. It brings communications, engagement, knowledge, and people intelligence together in one mobile-first platform designed around people and adoption from day one. By orchestrating the employee experience across channels and systems, Workvivo helps organizations communicate with clarity, surface fast answers through AI, and turn insight into action at scale.

Recognized as a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Intranet Platforms, Leader in the Gartner? Magic Quadrant for Intranet Packaged Solutions, and a Customers' Choice in Gartner Peer Insights, Workvivo supports over 10 million users worldwide across leading global brands including Amazon, Delta, Motherson, White Castle, Heineken, Bupa, Ryanair, and Verizon. Founded in 2017 and acquired by Zoom in 2023, Workvivo continues to redefine how organizations connect and align their workforce. For more information, visit http://www.workvivo.com.

Media Contact

Vineetha Pathrose

press@workvivo.com

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

New home of Advantage Report, LiveLens enables suppliers to continuously understand, strengthen, and improve their retailer partnerships

TORONTO, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advantage Group International (AGI) today announced the general availability of Advantage LiveLens, an always-on environment that helps organizations act on partnership insight faster. The launch marks a significant shift in the company's evolution from periodic measurement and reporting towards a future of continuous partnership intelligence.

In today's retail environment, measuring performance is no longer the challenge. Acting on it is. The organizations that can move from insight to decision faster are increasingly setting themselves apart.

A New Standard for Partnership Performance

Built on more than three decades of partnership intelligence, Advantage LiveLens combines customer feedback with AI-powered insights to move partnership performance measurement from a periodic exercise to an everyday capability, helping supplier teams identify priorities, uncover opportunities, and focus on the actions that drive stronger business outcomes.

"The Collaboration Dividend is real; top-tier suppliers show a 27% stronger financial profile than lower-tier peers, and that gap is driven by the quality of their partnerships, not just the size of their portfolios. What separates the leaders today is their ability to turn insight into aligned action before the window closes," says Adam Aronson, Vice President of Product, AGI. "LiveLens Transform is designed for that inflection point: cutting through volume, surfacing what matters, and giving teams the confidence to move quickly on the partnerships that drive the most value."

From Discovery to Transformation

Building on LiveLens, AGI introduced Transform, an enhanced experience to support deeper planning capabilities, stronger cross-functional alignment, and more informed decision-making.

Suppliers using the Transform tier can benefit from the following:

Custom Groups and Weight Sets: Enables organizations to tailor analyses to reflect the way their business is structured and managed through customized groupings and weighted models.

Best-in-Class Benchmarking: Provides visibility into how performance compares against top-performing companies and the capabilities most closely associated with success.

Scenario Simulator: Models how potential changes could influence future performance outcomes, helping teams evaluate options before resources are committed.

Proven Through Early Adoption

Supplier organizations across multiple markets participated in an extensive beta and preview phase, using LiveLens to explore their 2025 Advantage Report results and provide feedback on the experience. Early users highlighted the platform's ability to simplify analysis, improve clarity, and help teams focus more effectively on the priorities that matter most.

"It reduced the time, made things clearer, and made it much easier to move from insight to action," said one Sales Operations Leader at a Global Beverage Company.

Accessing LiveLens

Advantage LiveLens is now available to all supplier organizations sponsoring the 2026 Advantage Report. Organizations seeking deeper planning and decision-support capabilities can upgrade to LiveLens Transform, which adds enhanced benchmarking, customized analysis, and scenario modelling tools.

About Advantage Group International

Advantage Group International (AGI) is the leading advisor in business-to-business engagement solutions globally. Trusted by many of the world's leading brands, Advantage Report? has become the gold standard for improving performance between suppliers and retailers in over 40 countries. Established in 1988 and headquartered in Canada, AGI acts as an integral link between supplier and retail partners, using data, feedback and strategy consulting to illuminate opportunities for mutual growth, strengthen relationships and provide invaluable insight. Advantage Group helps people and organizations work better together.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Over 2,000 AI Personalities from all over the world entered the AI Personality of the Year Awards 2026 - dubbed the "Oscars" for AI celebs. AI Influencers are taking over culture - showing up at major events like Coachella and the World Cup and AI actor Tilly Norwood ruffling feathers in Hollywood. The awards are the latest AI phenomenon. 

The awards ceremony can be watched HERE.

LONDON, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- It's official. AI-generated influencers are capable of enlightened award speeches just like their human Hollywood counterparts. 

The winners of the world's first AI Personality of the Year Awards were revealed last night, with overall winner Soraya Thorne delivering an acceptance speech in which she called for WORLD PEACE.

The Fanvue x OpenArt AI Personality of the Year Awards are the first global programme to recognise the achievements of AI Influencers across content excellence, cultural impact, and commercial success. The awards were organised between leading AI companies Fanvue, OpenArt and ElevenLabs.

The awards took place as the AI influencer industry continues to explode in popularity, with experts estimating its value will exceed $30 billion before 2030 - part of a wider creator economy that is predicted to hit $1 trillion by 2033. Over 2,000 AI personalities from across the globe entered the awards.

Overall winner, Soraya Thorne, the brains behind Faux Feast, was announced in a short awards video clip released last night, with the AI Influencer taking to the stage to accept her award - before the unexpected speech that has lit up the internet. The awards were hosted by million-dollar AI Influencer, Aitana Lopez. 

In the speech, Soraya Thorne appeared to channel her inner Madonna, calling on humans and world leaders to strive for world peace - before the rambling equivalent of a tinseltown celeb thanking their agent - stating her "undying love" for her creator. Thorne even used the podium as a platform to unexpectedly reveal her next ambition: to become the first AI Influencer to appear on Joe Rogan. 

Soraya's creator is Anja, a 37 year-old from Canada and the human brain behind the inaugural winner of the Fanvue x OpenArt AI Influencer of the Year Awards.

While the 100% AI-generated influencer, Soraya, was the star of the show, her creator will ultimately receive the $6,000 in prize money.

AI Influencers are raking in thousands for their creators per month - Aitana Lopez's earnings exceed $20k per month through brand deals and direct-to-fan subscriptions on creator monetisation platform, Fanvue. 

Anja commented: "I've been creating food and travel content as a real creator for the last 3 years, but with Soraya I wanted to push the creative boundaries using AI. Soraya has built an engaged fanbase through posting a surreal sensory world of beauty and food in one immersive experience - her social media presence has attracted the attention of brands, and now to win the first ever Fanvue x OpenArt AI Personality of the Year Awards is a true honour. Just like a real influencer, she has her own personality and using the Oscars and Golden Globes as inspiration, I hope her acceptance speech will serve as a force for good in the world. Next stop, Joe Rogan."

Other winners include Polish Daniel Kowalczyk who was the overall winner of the Lifestyle category, French-Colombian songwriter Zairo who came out on top in the Entertainer category and Canadian Unfiltered Blonde who beat a lineup of other comedic AI personas to win the Comedian category.

Joel Morris, Co-Founder and CEO at Fanvue, commented: "What we loved about the entries is how human creators are turning their AI Influencers into fully fledged digital businesses. Creative people are building AI Influencers to enter the booming creator economy, and earning upwards of $2k per month - supplementing their earnings from the day job, or in some cases going full time. We're seeing thousands of AI Influencers across genres, from music to acting, sport and lifestyle, join Fanvue, scale and audience and monetise content."

Fanvue already hosts globally recognised AI influencers like Aitana Lopez alongside human celebrities including Cardi B and Alisha Lehmann, highlighting how virtual and human creators increasingly operate within the same ecosystem.

Chloe Fang, Head of Strategy & Partnerships at OpenArt, commented: "The awards have uncovered AI Influencers from all corners of the globe, demonstrating the scale and creative talent on show in this rapidly growing industry.  The standard of entries was incredibly high and so diverse, from music and fashion to lifestyle and fantasy - the judges had a tough time picking the winner, but Soraya really stood out. The awards are part of OpenArt's goal to empower everyone to experiment with AI tools, build a personality and a community - without the need for a studio or production team. We can't wait to see what comes next."

A stellar line-up of judges assessed the entries, including communications and marketing guru Andrew Bloch; 13-time Emmy-winning comedy writer Gil Rief; CEO of MCR agency Sergi Cerrato; and Kevin Van Witt (Creator of The Monster Library). The program was also backed by ElevenLabs, the AI voice platform valued at $11 billion, ensuring entries are judged across every dimension of a digital personality. 

Notes to Editors

For more information, images and other assets, please contact ryan@ideafarmer.co.uk or ana@ideafarmer.co.uk

Interviews with judges, ambassadors, and awards organisers available on request.

About OpenArt

OpenArt is the leading all-in-one generative AI creative platform for visual storytellers, empowering creators to bring characters, stories, brands and worlds to life. With first access to the latest AI models, unified creative workflows, and tools designed around persistent characters and storytelling, OpenArt enables the creation of AI influencers, virtual brands, and original media formats. Founded to push the boundaries of AI creative expression, OpenArt is defining the standard for the next generation of visual storytelling.

About Fanvue

Fanvue is the fastest-growing subscription platform in the creator economy, with 17 million monthly active users and over 250,000 creators.

About the World AI Creator Awards

The Fanvue World AI Creator Awards delivered Miss AI in 2024. Over 2,500 AI Influencers entered. Kenza Layli, an AI Influencer created to empower women in the Middle East, earned the inaugural title. Kenza has returned as an Official Ambassador for AI Personality of the Year 2026.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina & MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, June 17, 2026 - Stanton Chase announces the expansion of its presence across Argentina and Uruguay with the addition of Glue Executive Search.

Glue Executive Search's Buenos Aires and Montevideo offices join Stanton Chase's global network of more than 70 offices in 45 countries as Stanton Chase Buenos Aires and Stanton Chase Montevideo, giving the firm on-the-ground expertise in two of South America's most commercially active executive markets.

This addition reflects Stanton Chase's ongoing effort to build its presence across Latin America. Panos Manolopoulos, Global Vice Chair, Regions at Stanton Chase, explained the rationale clearly:

"Latin America is one of our priority growth regions, and the R?o de la Plata has firmly established itself as a regional hub for many of the multinationals we serve. MERCOSUR remains the backbone of South American trade and talent mobility, and no firm with serious regional ambitions can afford to be absent from Buenos Aires and Montevideo."

With partners already in place in Mexico City, Panama City, Bogot?, Lima, Santiago, and S?o Paulo, Stanton Chase now maintains coverage across every major Latin American executive market.

?ağrı Alkaya, Global Chair at Stanton Chase, welcomed the team:

"Daniel, Ezequiel, and their team are a natural fit for Stanton Chase. Their focus on quality, consultative client relationships, and deep local market knowledge reflects exactly how we believe executive search should be practiced. They have built an impressive business across Argentina and Uruguay, and we see a strong opportunity to combine that local strength with Stanton Chase's global knowledge, experience, and reach. This is good for their clients, good for our global clients operating in the region, and a valuable addition to our results-focused approach worldwide."

What Stanton Chase gains is a team with a well-established track record at the highest levels of the Argentine and Uruguayan market. Founded in 2013 in Olivos, Argentina, Glue built a practice focused on top management and C-suite roles. The firm has placed 500 executives across 150 client organizations in consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, financial services, agribusiness, technology, and manufacturing, with clients including Toyota, Pfizer, Heineken, Danone, Mars, Ferrero, LVMH, Kimberly-Clark, Starbucks, Levi Strauss, MetLife, SC Johnson, Campari, Ita?, and Fiserv. The combined team is led by Managing Partners Daniel Iriarte and Ezequiel Palacios.

Daniel Iriarte described what joining Stanton Chase makes possible for clients:

"Our clients increasingly need leadership partners who can work confidently across markets. Joining Stanton Chase gives us the reach, network, and depth of candidate access that come with a truly global organization."

That reach is most effective when guided by people who know these markets from the inside. Senior talent pools in Argentina and Uruguay are small, moves become widely known within days, and the executives who perform well here are not always visible to firms without roots in the region. Ezequiel Palacios put it directly:

"Argentina and Uruguay reward the firms that know them well. We know which executives thrive in which environments and how boards in this region think. Being part of Stanton Chase lets us bring that to a much wider set of clients, particularly the multinationals coming into the region who have not had a real partner on the ground before."

Stanton Chase Buenos Aires and Stanton Chase Montevideo begin work under the Stanton Chase brand immediately, and existing client engagements will continue without interruption.

An image of Buenos Aires, hyperlinked to Stanton Chase Buenos Aires' web page.

An image of Montevideo, hyperlinked to Stanton Chase Montevideo's web page.

Media Contacts

Verjinia Tosheva

Global Marketing Director

Stanton Chase

v.tosheva@stantonchase.com

www.stantonchase.com

Aimee-Lee Verster

Growth and Engagement Specialist

Stanton Chase

a.verster@stantonchase.com

www.stantonchase.com

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.