Send2Press Newswire

Jazz Fest Pompano Beach Returns for a Spectacular 5th Year

Pompano Beach Arts — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:00:55 +0000

POMPANO BEACH, Fla., Apr 03, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Pompano Beach Arts proudly announces the return of Jazz Fest Pompano Beach for its milestone 5th year, taking place Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, 2026. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, this free, two-day festival brings together world-class headliners and an exceptional showcase of South Florida's own homegrown talent, alongside outstanding cuisine and vibrant community spirit along the shoreline. V.I.P. is almost SOLD OUT.

Over the past five years, Jazz Fest Pompano Beach has evolved from a cultural initiative into a premier destination event, attracting tens of thousands of attendees from across South Florida and beyond. This year's sponsors who include the Broward Cultural Division; Champion Porsche and the Judith Ann Linnell Foundation, along with continued support from the City Commission, ensure the festival plays a key role in driving economic growth while enhancing the city's cultural landscape and quality of life.

A WORLD-CLASS LINEUP

This year's festival delivers an extraordinary lineup of award-winning headliners, rising stars, and standout local talent. Saturday night opens with the elegant and soulful sounds of flutist Kim Scott, followed by the high-energy, signature saxophone stylings of Richard Elliot. Headlining the evening is Brian Culbertson, whose dynamic, genre-blending performance promises an electrifying close to the night.

On Sunday, the Beach Mainstage features The Purple Project: Reimagining the Music of Prince, presented by Latin Grammy-nominated pianist Martin Bejerano. This innovative tribute delivers a bold jazz-fusion take on Prince's iconic catalog.

The evening continues with contemporary jazz favorite Walter Beasley, known for his smooth, soulful sound, before culminating in a high-powered finale from Ghost-Note, the acclaimed funk-fusion ensemble known for their explosive performances.

Guiding the weekend's energy is host Drew Heyman, Y100's Music Director and a beloved South Florida personality, bringing his signature charisma and connection to the community and the festival stage.

LOCAL TALENT TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT

Jazz Fest Pompano Beach also celebrates the region's rich musical talent with a dedicated Local Stage.

Saturday, April 18 (1 PM - 5 PM):

* Haley Cove

* Garçon de Kilimanjaro

* Nicole Kidd

Sunday, April 19 (12 PM - 4 PM):

* The Fella Band

* Kizie The Violist

* Inner Court

BEACHSIDE TASTE OF POMPANO

Festivalgoers can explore the lively Beachside Taste of Pompano, featuring a curated selection of local culinary favorites including Lucky Fish; Oceanic; The Beach House; Baresco; How You Brewin?; Falafal Beach Grill; The Briny Pub; Taco Station; Carlucci's; Lola's on the Water and Zoe's Beachside Grill; and Stingers. From savory bites to sweet treats, there's something to satisfy every craving.

ADMISSION & VIP EXPERIENCE

General admission is free; however, registration is encouraged for concessions, security and safety planning. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for comfortable seating; and to take Ride Share as parking challenges are to be expected.

For an elevated experience, VIP Passes are available for SUNDAY and include:

* Premium up-front seating on portable flooring

* Access to a private VIP bar

* Exclusive Jazz Fest 2026 swag bag

JOIN THE CELEBRATION

Jazz Fest Pompano Beach 2026 promises two unforgettable days of music, community, cuisine, and coastal charm. From smooth jazz to funk-infused performances, the festival offers something for every music lover.

For more information and to register, visit: Jazz Fest Pompano Beach on the website: https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/events/jazz-fest

ABOUT POMPANO BEACH CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

The mission of the Cultural Affairs Department, operating as Pompano Beach Arts, is to provide cultural programming that includes visual arts, digital media, music, film, theater, dance, and public art for the enjoyment and enrichment of residents and visitors to Pompano Beach, Broward County, and the greater South Florida area.

The department programs and manages the City's premier cultural arts venues, including the Pompano Beach Cultural Center; Ali Cultural Arts Center including The Hive Black Box Theater; Bailey Contemporary Arts; and the Blanche Ely House Museum. The department also oversees the City's Public Art Program and the Artists in Residence (AiR) initiative. Learn more: https://www.pompanobeachfl.gov/government/cultural-affairs-department

News Source: Pompano Beach Arts

Related link: https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/jazz-fest-pompano-beach-returns-for-a-spectacular-5th-year/

Spodak Dental Group Introduces Affordable In-Office Membership Plan as Alternative to Rising Insurance Costs

Spodak Dental Group — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:05:53 +0000

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Apr 02, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- As healthcare costs continue to rise and many individuals reconsider their insurance options, Spodak Dental Group is offering a simple, transparent solution for maintaining dental health without the burden of traditional insurance. This is particularly helpful for those affected by increasing Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums.

The SDG Plan, Spodak Dental Group's in-office membership program, is designed for individuals and families seeking quality dental care at a predictable, affordable price. For just $31 per month for adults, members receive comprehensive preventive care and exclusive discounts on additional treatments, all without the complexities, limitations, or unexpected costs often associated with traditional dental insurance.

"At Spodak Dental Group, we understand that many people are making difficult financial decisions when it comes to healthcare," Erika Pusillo, Spodak Dental Group CEO. "The SDG Plan was created to remove barriers to care and provide a straightforward, stress-free alternative that puts patients first."

The Spodak Dental Group team knows that dental treatment can be expensive, and their goal is to help their family of patients keep their teeth for a lifetime, all while finding comfortable solutions for helping them fit any recommended dental treatment into their financial lifestyle. This is why the SDG Plan was created.

The SDG Membership Plan is not insurance, it's better. Enrollees can expect to receive more benefits than limitations, and includes:

* Low monthly cost of $31 for adults

* Coverage for essential preventive services

* Significant savings on additional dental treatments

* No deductibles, no waiting periods, and no annual maximums

* No claims, approvals, or insurance paperwork

With more individuals opting out of traditional insurance plans due to rising premiums, the SDG Plan offers a practical and accessible way to maintain oral health without compromise.

Spodak Dental Group remains committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care while adapting to the evolving needs of the community.

Patients ready to take control of their dental care are encouraged to enroll in the SDG Plan today and experience the benefits of affordable, hassle-free dentistry.

Call/text (561) 303-2413 or visit https://www.SpodakDental.com/ for more information and to sign up.

The Spodak Dental Group, an Inc. 5000 honoree, has evolved to become South Florida's premier, comprehensive dental facility, and comprises a world-class association of dental professionals poised to provide full-service dental care second-to-none in both scope and skill. The Spodak Dental Group team includes General and Restorative Dentists, Endodontists, Periodontists, Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Master Ceramic Artists and Anesthesiologists, as well as one of the nation's only in-office dental labs.

News Source: Spodak Dental Group

Related link: https://www.spodakdental.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/spodak-dental-group-introduces-affordable-in-office-membership-plan-as-alternative-to-rising-insurance-costs/

GHIRP to Host 5-Year Anniversary Spring Festival Amid Threats to Immigrant Legal Services and Growing ICE Presence

Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project (GHIRP) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:33:44 +0000

HOUSTON, Texas, Apr 02, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project (GHIRP) will host its 5-Year Anniversary Spring Festival Fundraiser on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Dan Electro's in Houston. The event will bring together community members and advocates to celebrate five years of impact while raising urgently needed funds to defend immigrants across the Galveston-Houston area.

This year's Spring Festival comes at a pivotal and deeply challenging moment. Across Texas and the nation, immigrant communities are experiencing an expanded and increasingly aggressive ICE presence, while funding for legal services programs face growing threats. Together, these forces are pushing more children, survivors, and families into deportation proceedings without access to basic due process.

Legal representation is often the deciding factor between safety and separation, but access to attorneys and legal information remains alarmingly scarce. Nationwide, tens of thousands of people face immigration court each year without an attorney. In Texas, the gap is even more severe. As of the most recent data available (December 2025), only 27.8% of immigrants in deportation proceedings in Texas had legal representation, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC). National research consistently shows that immigrants with attorneys are up to 5x more likely to be successful in their case than those forced to navigate the system alone, underscoring how devastating the lack of counsel can be.

GHIRP exists to close that gap. The team provides free, high-quality legal services to immigrants, including survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other crimes; detained and unaccompanied immigrant children; and individuals seeking protection from deportation. Immigrants in the United States do not have the right to a government-appointed attorney, even when their freedom, safety, or family unity is at stake. Without representation, many are forced to navigate one of the most complex legal systems alone, often with life-altering consequences.

"Now more than ever, our community needs strong, well-resourced organizations standing up to protect immigrants confronting an immigration system that is becoming more punitive and less humane," said Chiqui Sánchez Kennedy, Executive Director of GHIRP. "As enforcement expands and funding for supportive programs is threatened, the need for legal representation is growing more urgent every day."

Over the past five years, GHIRP has built a proven model of holistic, trauma-informed legal representation, helping children, survivors, and families navigate one of the most complex immigration legal systems in the world. GHIRP's mission is to build a resilient, diverse community by providing comprehensive representation and holistic legal services to immigrants in the Galveston-Houston area.

The Spring Festival Fundraiser is designed to be both a celebration and a call to action. This family-friendly event will feature live music, multicultural food, kids' activities, raffles, and community performances, while reminding attendees that private and unrestricted donations from the community are increasingly essential to fill dangerous funding gaps and keep life-saving legal services available to those in need.

Proceeds from the event will directly support GHIRP's free legal services, helping ensure that immigrants in our community are not forced to face detention and deportation proceedings alone.

Event Details:

* Dan Electro's, 1031 E 24th St, Houston, TX 77009

* Saturday, April 25, 2026

* 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

* Tickets, sponsorships, and donations: https://ghirp.org/events/spring-festival-2026-fundraiser/

About GHIRP

The Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project is a nonprofit organization of dedicated lawyers and legal professionals committed to providing high-quality legal services to immigrants in the Galveston-Houston area. GHIRP offers comprehensive representation and holistic legal support to protect the dignity, safety, and rights of immigrants.

GHIRP's mission is to build a resilient, diverse community by providing comprehensive representation and holistic legal services to immigrants in need.

Website: https://ghirp.org/

Donate: https://ghirp.org/donate/

EVENT POSTER IMAGE: https://ghirp.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GHIRP-Spring-Festival-Sponsorhip-Guide-Digital-Final-2-6-2.png

News Source: Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project (GHIRP)

Related link: https://ghirp.org/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/ghirp-to-host-5-year-anniversary-spring-festival-amid-threats-to-immigrant-legal-services-and-growing-ice-presence/

Joshua Fagerness Wins Let It Ride 5, Rises to Third in USA EUC National Championship Standings

USA EUC — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:00:58 +0000

BOULDER CITY, Nev., Apr 02, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Joshua Fagerness of Rochester, Washington crossed the finish line first at Let It Ride 5, held March 27-29 at Boulder City, Nevada. USA EUC - the national sanctioning body for competitive electric unicycle racing - announced the results of the event, the third stop on the 2026 USA EUC National Championship Circuit, following King of the Motos and King of the Hammers.

EUC - electric unicycle - is a self-balancing single-wheeled electric vehicle built for performance. Modern competition models feature full suspension and can reach speeds exceeding 50 mph, placing them firmly in motorsport territory despite their compact form.

The EUC Pro Men podium was separated by just over three seconds across all three positions:

* 1st place -- Joshua Fagerness -- 1:37.001

* 2nd place -- Justin Davis -- 1:40.012

* 3rd place -- Zac Darnell -- 1:40.018

Let It Ride 5, organized by WheelZen Rides owner Joe Cantalicio, drew approximately 60 competitors and 40 spectators to the Nevada desert for the fifth annual event. Riders competed from across the United States, including Washington, California, Nevada, and Hawaii.

The course, known for its technical desert terrain and a signature obstacle called the "Monstah" - a steep, loose descent that has reshaped itself each year as riders push its limits - presented a physical and mental challenge that set the tone for the entire weekend. Cantalicio, who has been building and expanding the course by hand for several years, described his design philosophy plainly: "I don't put anything on the course that I don't ride myself."

Fagerness's path to the podium was not straightforward. He drove overnight from Washington state, arriving in Las Vegas hours before race day. His teammate, Isaac Bonaventure, had sustained a concussion in a crash the previous day and spent the night in the hospital. Fagerness was with him through it, then showed up to race - only to miss qualifying. He had to win a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), a sudden-death round for riders who failed to qualify outright, just to reach the final. He entered that final on a taped knee and left with the win.

Pre-race favorite Zac Darnell of Folsom, California had posted the fastest qualifying time and was making his third appearance at Let It Ride. Darnell took the lead off the start in the final, but lost the line on a descent of the Monstah, allowing Fagerness to thread through and take a lead he would not give back. Justin Davis crossed the line second. Darnell recovered to finish third.

Zac Darnell leads the USA EUC National Championship standings with 15.55 points, followed by Justin Davis at 19.39 and Fagerness at 25.58. In USA EUC championship scoring, lower points indicate better standing. Fagerness, who podiumed at King of the Motos and won Let It Ride 5, is among the most in-form riders heading into the next event.

Davis, who finished second in the race and sits second in the national standings, remained focused on the championship. "I'm not going to stop racing and ripping and pushing the sport forward," Davis said after the race. "If these guys want to win, they know they're going to have to get through me."

Fagerness, who has been riding an electric unicycle for less than two years, rode a KingSong F18 to victory. He described his approach to the final in direct terms: "I knew in order to win it was going to take everything I had. So I just gave it everything I had."

Let It Ride 5 was the third stop on the 10-event USA EUC National Championship Circuit. The circuit continues with Westworld Nationals at Arizona Bike Week in Scottsdale, Ariz., April 10-12, 2026.

Full results and season standings are available at https://www.usaeuc.com/

A press kit including additional photos and athlete information is available upon request at press@usaeuc.com.

ABOUT USA EUC:

USA EUC is the national sanctioning body for competitive electric unicycle (EUC) racing in the United States. Electric unicycles are self-balancing single-wheeled electric vehicles with full suspension, capable of exceeding 50 mph. The organization operates a 10-stop national championship circuit featuring events at major motorsports venues across the country. USA EUC is a property of Amped Electric Games. Learn more at https://www.usaeuc.com/

ABOUT AMPED ELECTRIC GAMES:

Amped Electric Games is the media and sanctioning umbrella for competitive personal electric vehicle sports in the United States, overseeing USA EUC, USA FLT, and USA PEV. https://www.ampedelectricgames.com/

ABOUT KINGSONG:

KingSong is a leading manufacturer of electric unicycles, producing high-performance competition and recreational models, including the KingSong F18. https://www.kingsong.com/

ABOUT WHEELZEN RIDES:

WheelZen Rides, founded by Joe Cantalicio, is a Las Vegas-based electric unicycle dealer and the organizer of Let It Ride, an annual EUC racing event held in Boulder City, Nevada. Now in its fifth year, Let It Ride has grown into one of the premier events on the USA EUC National Championship Circuit. https://www.wheelzenrides.com/

News Source: USA EUC

Related link: https://www.usaeuc.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/joshua-fagerness-wins-let-it-ride-5-rises-to-third-in-usa-euc-national-championship-standings/

Hearing Loss Is a Brain Health Issue: Six Risks and What to Do About Them

AgingIN — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:00:57 +0000

BALTIMORE, Md., Apr 02, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Hearing loss affects one in three adults over age 65 and is a leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide. In its latest Brain Bytes micro-cast, AgingIN, a national leader advancing innovation in eldercare, features neuroscientist Kelly Tremblay, PhD, who highlights growing evidence that reframes hearing loss as a critical, and often overlooked, brain health issue.

"A powerful connection exists between hearing and brain health. Hearing is not just about sound. It is about cognition, connection, and long-term independence," Tremblay says. "The good news is that hearing loss is not inevitable. In many cases, it's preventable, detectable, and manageable."

Over the past decade, research has advanced rapidly, reshaping how experts understand brain health. The focus is shifting from extending lifespan alone to actively protecting healthspan, and hearing is emerging as a key factor in maintaining cognitive vitality.

"Untreated hearing loss can lead to social withdrawal, early retirement, and reduced independence. Addressing it early helps individuals stay connected, active, and cognitively engaged," continues Tremblay.

SIX DAILY STEPS TO PROTECT HEARING AS WE AGE:

1. Rethink hearing loss as a brain health issue.

Hearing loss does not just affect the ears. When the brain receives less sound input, the areas responsible for processing sound become damaged. Over time, this reduced stimulation prevents the brain from conveying and interpreting sound in a clear, meaningful way,even when sounds are made louder. Some research studies report hearing loss as a possible risk factor for dementia.

2. Do not assume hearing loss is inevitable.

A common misconception is that hearing loss simply comes with age. Tremblay emphasizes that lifestyle factors such as repeated exposure to loud noise, along with certain medical treatments, play a major role. Prevention starts earlier than most people think, beginning in our youth.

3. Watch for subtle early warning signs.

Hearing loss develops gradually, making it easy to miss. Often, others notice the changes before you do - because you might misunderstand what they said, or ask them to repeat themselves. Key indicators include difficulty following conversations, assuming others are mumbling and not speaking clearly, sensitivity to loud sounds (hyperacusis), and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

4. Practice better "hearing hygiene" every day.

Protecting hearing is an ongoing habit. Reducing exposure to loud environments, being mindful of headphone volume, and addressing medical issues early can help preserve hearing over time. Small daily choices can have a long-term impact.

5. Get your hearing tested.

Testing is more accessible than many people realize. In addition to clinical evaluations, new options are available, such as online tools, mobile apps, and community-based screenings. Early detection is critical, not only to rule out medical concerns but also to maintain brain engagement.

6. Use the tools that keep you connected.

Hearing aids and assistive technologies can significantly improve your quality of life. Even though they don't restore your hearing, because the ear and brain have been deprived of sounds for many years, they can still be very helpful. Traditional hearing aids and newer over-the-counter amplifiers can help you stay engaged in conversations, which is essential for brain health.

AgingIN continues the conversation at its annual conference, "Peak Purpose: Redefining How We Live and Age," in Denver, August 10-13, where Tremblay will discuss the latest research on brain health and hearing with Dr. Shelly Chadha of the World Health Organization. https://aginginnovation.org/events/annual-conference/

Brain Bytes, hosted by neuroscientist, audiologist, and World Health Organization advisor Dr. Kelly Tremblay, delivers quick, evidence-based insights that make brain science accessible and actionable. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience as a professor, researcher, advocate and clinician, Dr. Tremblay simplifies complex topics related to aging and brain health and shares them so people can age well.

ABOUT AGINGIN

AgingIN is a global nonprofit dedicated to being the catalyst for person-directed living and empowered cultures in the community of one's choice. Their consulting, technical assistance, and education services empower aging services providers to implement lasting change and transformation that is meaningful and measurable. Formerly known as the Center for Innovation, AgingIN was born from the merging of two of the most influential voices in eldercare transformation: Pioneer Network and THE GREEN HOUSE® Project. For more information and to listen to the full episode of Brain Bytes: Why Hearing Health Is Brain Health, visit: https://aginginnovation.org/.

News Source: AgingIN

Related link: https://aginginnovation.org/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/hearing-loss-is-a-brain-health-issue-six-risks-and-what-to-do-about-them/

Kitsap Credit Union selects FirstClose’s home equity lending platform

FirstClose — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:00:14 +0000

AUSTIN, Texas, Apr 02, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that Kitsap Credit Union has selected FirstClose to support its home equity lending operations with a bundled, end-to-end digital tool.

With the implementation of FirstClose's bundled home equity platform, Kitsap Credit Union is continuing its focus on making banking easier, faster, and more reliable for its members. The platform will enable the credit union to streamline and manage critical valuation, verification and settlement-related services through a single workflow. By reducing manual touchpoints and consolidating third-party services, the platform is designed to help accelerate turn times, improve consistency and deliver a more efficient and seamless experience for both staff and members.

Kitsap Credit Union, a $2.5 billion-asset institution headquartered in Bremerton, Washington, will leverage a bundled suite of services that includes flood certification, automated valuation models, desktop and hybrid appraisal products, property condition reports and integrated title services. The platform provides greater visibility across the lending process while supporting faster application-to-order timelines.

"Kitsap Credit Union's decision reflects a growing need among credit unions to move faster without compromising service," said Tedd Smith, CEO of FirstClose. "Our platform brings multiple services together into a single, orchestrated workflow, helping lenders reduce complexity and deliver a more consistent, member-friendly home equity experience."

The agreement supports Kitsap Credit Union's operational goals around efficiency, scalability, and member experience, while providing a technology foundation that adapts as lending volumes and market conditions evolve. FirstClose's home equity tools are part of the company's broader platform designed to help lenders reduce costs, improve operational consistency and shorten closing timelines.

About FirstClose

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, FirstClose, Inc. provides fintech solutions to HELOC and mortgage lenders nationwide. The company's mission is to increase profitability and reduce costs for mortgage lenders. FirstClose makes this possible through offering systems and relationships that enable lenders to assist their borrowers more effectively, reduce closing costs, and ultimately shorten closing times. For more information, visit firstclose.com.

About Kitsap Credit Union

Kitsap Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative with 14 branches and over 325 employees serving communities across Washington state. As a not-for-profit organization, we put people over profit, focusing on our members' financial well-being and the prosperity of the communities where we live and work. We offer a full range of modern banking services, but our foundation is built on trust-based relationships and personalized service.

Our mission is simple: to empower members and strengthen communities through trusted, personalized financial support. By powering life's opportunities, we help our members move forward with confidence. Guided by trust, service, and community, we work together to build stronger financial futures because empowering our members means uplifting the entire community, today and for generations to come.

News Source: FirstClose

Related link: https://www.firstclose.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/kitsap-credit-union-selects-firstcloses-home-equity-lending-platform/

New Report: Entrepreneurs Are Overwhelmed by AI. Tony Robbins, Dean Graziosi and Igor Pogany Launch Free AI Advantage Summit to Help Them Catch Up

Dean Graziosi — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:30:19 +0000

PALM BEACH, Fla., Apr 01, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial intelligence is transforming industries at a pace few people feel prepared for. For many entrepreneurs, small business owners and professionals, the rise of AI has created a growing sense of urgency... and overwhelm, says Dean Graziosi, multiple New York Times bestselling author and entrepreneur.

New tools launch every week. Headlines promise revolutionary breakthroughs. And many people quietly wonder whether they are falling behind.

To address this growing challenge, Tony Robbins, Dean Graziosi and AI educator Igor Pogany have announced the return of the AI Advantage Summit, a free global virtual event designed to help everyday entrepreneurs understand and practically apply artificial intelligence in their work and businesses.

The AI Advantage Summit will take place April 23-25, 2026, bringing together leading experts in AI, entrepreneurship and innovation to show attendees how to use artificial intelligence to save time, create leverage and unlock new opportunities.

"People don't lack ambition," said Dean Graziosi. "What they lack is clarity. The AI conversation online often makes this technology feel complicated and intimidating. Our goal is to simplify it so people can start using AI to improve their lives right now."

The Summit will feature a diverse lineup of innovators and thought leaders including Ray Kurzweil, Zack Kass, Arthur Brooks, Rachel Woods, Dallas Clounch, Lior Weinstein, Renee Marino and Molly Mahoney, alongside hosts Tony Robbins, Dean Graziosi and Igor Pogany.

Rather than focusing on technical theory, the event is designed to help people see how artificial intelligence can be applied in practical, everyday ways.

Sessions will explore how AI is already helping entrepreneurs automate tasks, improve productivity, generate ideas and create entirely new business opportunities.

Registration is now open at: https://aiadvantagesummit.com/

"AI is one of the most powerful tools humanity has ever created," said Tony Robbins. "But tools only matter if people know how to use them. When individuals understand how to harness AI effectively, it can become a powerful ally that amplifies their creativity, productivity and impact."

Igor Pogany, Head of AI Education for AI Advantage, will guide many of the practical demonstrations and educational sessions throughout the event.

"Our mission is to remove the intimidation factor," said Pogany. "People don't need to become programmers or technical experts to benefit from AI. They just need clear guidance on how to start using the tools available today."

TURNING AI OVERWHELM INTO AI ADVANTAGE

The AI Advantage Summit was created to help people move from confusion and hesitation into confident action.

Over three days, attendees will discover:

* Which AI tools actually matter for their work and business

* Simple ways to save hours each week by automating repetitive tasks

* How entrepreneurs are already using AI to improve productivity and creativity

* Practical frameworks for implementing AI immediately

* New opportunities emerging in the fast-growing AI economy

By the end of the event, participants will have a clear roadmap for how to begin integrating artificial intelligence into their professional and personal lives.

A GLOBAL EVENT DESIGNED FOR THE AI ERA

Unlike traditional conferences that focus on theory or technical jargon, the AI Advantage Summit was designed specifically for entrepreneurs, professionals and everyday innovators who want to use AI as a practical advantage.

The event will stream globally and is structured as three focused hours per day, allowing attendees to participate without disrupting their work schedules.

The Summit is part of the broader AI Advantage movement, founded by Robbins and Graziosi to help people navigate the rapidly changing AI landscape through practical education, expert insights and community support.

The event is completely free to attend live.

Interested participants can reserve their seat now at AIAdvantageSummit.com.

Early registrants will also receive exclusive updates and preparation resources leading up to the event.

News Source: Dean Graziosi

Related link: https://www.deangraziosi.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/new-report-entrepreneurs-are-overwhelmed-by-ai-tony-robbins-dean-graziosi-and-igor-pogany-launch-free-ai-advantage-summit-to-help-them-catch-up/

Argyle’s Thomas Rasmuson named 2026 HousingWire Rising Star

Argyle — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:00:56 +0000

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., Apr 01, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Argyle, the leading provider of direct-source income, employment and asset verifications, today announced that its Director of Sales Thomas Rasmuson has been named a 2026 Rising Star by HousingWire. The annual HousingWire Rising Stars award recognizes standout professionals under 40 who are making a significant impact on the housing industry through leadership, innovation and measurable business results.

Rasmuson was recognized for his contributions to Argyle's rapid growth in the mortgage market and his role in helping lenders modernize income, employment and asset verification workflows. Over the past year, he has led the expansion of key enterprise relationships and worked closely with lenders to replace manual, document-heavy processes with scalable, data-driven solutions powered by direct-source, consumer-permissioned data.

"Thomas has been instrumental in helping lenders rethink how verification should work in a modern mortgage workflow," said John Hardesty, senior vice president of revenue at Argyle. "He combines deep industry knowledge with a relationship-first approach, consistently delivering meaningful outcomes for our customers while helping push the industry forward."

In addition to driving new business, Rasmuson partners closely with cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation and long-term customer impact. His work has helped lenders achieve measurable improvements, including reduced loan cycle times, lower operational costs and stronger borrower experiences.

"I'm honored to be recognized alongside so many talented professionals across the industry," said Rasmuson. "This recognition reflects the work our team is doing to help lenders adopt more efficient, borrower-friendly verification processes. There's a real opportunity to improve how this industry operates, and I'm excited to be part of that transformation."

Rasmuson's leadership extends beyond sales, as he actively contributes to Argyle's broader go-to-market efforts and partner ecosystem. He also serves as a thought leader within the mortgage community, helping educate lenders on modern verification strategies and the shift toward automated, consumer-permissioned data.

About Argyle:

Argyle is the leading provider of direct-source, consumer-permissioned income, employment and asset verifications, making it fast and easy to gain secure and reliable access to the most complete real-time datasets stored in consumers' payroll and bank accounts. With Argyle, lenders automate verification workflows to save time, reduce fraud and compliance risks, lower costs and build better product experiences. As an authorized report supplier for Fannie Mae's Desktop Underwriter(r) validation service and an approved service provider supporting Freddie Mac's Loan Product Advisor(r) asset and income modeler (AIM), Argyle empowers mortgage lenders to auto-retrieve paystubs and W-2s, understand consumers' ability to pay and improve loan quality-all at up to 80% less cost. Argyle's commitment to innovation is backed by investors including Bain Capital Ventures, Checkr, Mastercard and SignalFire.

For more information on Argyle's industry-leading verification platform, visit https://www.argyle.com/.

News Source: Argyle

Related link: https://www.argyle.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/argyles-thomas-rasmuson-named-2026-housingwire-rising-star/

Class Valuation’s Amanda Standley named to HousingWire’s Rising Stars list

Class Valuation — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:00:30 +0000

TROY, Mich., Apr 01, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), today announced that Amanda Standley, vice president of business development for Bluebird Valuation, a Class Valuation company, has been named a 2026 HousingWire Rising Star. The HousingWire Rising Stars award recognizes emerging leaders under 40 in mortgage and real estate who are leading change and making a meaningful impact on their organizations. This year, 75 young professionals were named to the list.

Standley, 31, has quickly established herself as a key contributor to Class Valuation’s growth, particularly following the company’s acquisition of Bluebird Valuation. Over the past year, she has helped bridge sales and operations, ensuring clients receive consistent, high-touch service while navigating platform changes and evolving workflows.

Since March 2025, Standley has driven $1.7 million in annual contract value across 104 deals and generated 125 new business opportunities, representing a significant share of her team’s overall production. She also played a critical role in supporting clients through the transition to Class Marketplace, Class Valuation’s appraisal management platform, helping maintain continuity and strengthen adoption during a period of change.

In addition to driving new business, Standley has been instrumental in strengthening key client relationships, including leading one of the company’s largest accounts. Through consistent communication and hands-on support, she has expanded engagement at the branch level and helped increase client adoption and order volume across multiple markets.

Outside of her professional role, Standley is actively involved in her community, serving as director of recruiting for a nonprofit youth football program and mentoring students on recruiting, resumes and personal accountability. She also volunteers as a small-group leader in her church’s youth program.

“Amanda represents the next generation of leaders in valuation; someone who not only drives growth but does so by building trust, solving real problems and delivering for clients at every level,” said John Fraas, CEO of Class Valuation. “Her ability to connect operational execution with client needs has made a measurable impact on our business and on the lenders we serve.”

For a complete list of HousingWire 2026 Rising Stars winners, please visit the HousingWire website.

ABOUT CLASS VALUATION:

Class Valuation is a leading nationwide appraisal management company (AMC) renowned for its commitment to fast turn times, exceptional quality and unparalleled client service. The company leverages a powerful combination of skilled professionals, innovative products, streamlined processes and advanced technology to empower lenders in fulfilling homeownership dreams. Consistently recognized by top mortgage lenders for its outstanding performance, Class Valuation has also earned accolades as a top workplace and received numerous industry awards. Founded in 2009, Class Valuation is headquartered in Troy, Michigan. For more information, please visit https://www.classvaluation.com.

News Source: Class Valuation

Related link: https://www.classvaluation.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/class-valuations-amanda-standley-named-to-housingwires-rising-stars-list/

Floify’s Sydney Barber honored with HousingWire’s Rising Stars award

Floify — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:00:29 +0000

BOULDER, Colo., Apr 01, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that Sydney Barber, 33, head of product, has been named a 2026 HousingWire Rising Star. Barber joins 74 other young professionals on this year's list.

Barber's recognition highlights her growing influence in mortgage technology and product development. Since joining Floify in 2019, she has overseen design and delivery of next-generation capabilities across the platform, including no-code configuration, ADA-compliant borrower interfaces, income and employment verification and direct integrations with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's automated underwriting systems.

She led the development of Dynamic Apps, a no-code feature that enables lenders to tailor loan applications by loan type. That was followed in 2025 with Dynamic AI, an AI-driven capability that prioritizes document collection before the loan application, allowing AI-driven data extraction and validation to pre-populate borrower applications. In 2026, she introduced Dynamic Apps 2.0, which enables lenders to tailor application flows by loan type, such as HELOC, ag, construction, non-QM and more.

Beyond product development, Barber is known for her hands-on leadership style and commitment to mentorship. She works closely with customers and internal teams to identify challenges and deliver practical solutions while also investing in organizational success to ensure consistent execution in a complex regulatory environment. Under Barber's product leadership, Floify has achieved a 98.2% customer satisfaction rating, reflecting a sustained focus on usability, performance and real-world lender needs.

Outside of her professional role, Barber volunteers with Habitat for Humanity in Boulder and serves as a volunteer judge for the Colorado Future Business Leaders of America.

"Sydney's ability to translate complex lending requirements into intuitive, scalable technology has been instrumental in Floify's growth," said Joshua Steffan, SVP and group general manager at Porch Group and interim president and general manager of Floify. "She leads with both technical expertise and empathy for the customer, delivering solutions that drive real efficiency for lenders while improving the borrower experience."

For a complete list of HousingWire 2026 Rising Stars winners, please visit the HousingWire website.

ABOUT FLOIFY:

Floify is a fully configurable point of sale (POS) platform that streamlines the loan process with a secure application, communication and document portal between lenders, borrowers, referral partners and other mortgage stakeholders. Its Dynamic AI feature reimagines the mortgage application process by moving document collection and AI-driven data extraction to the very beginning of the process, allowing borrowers to upload key documents and have applications prepopulated with verified information, accelerating pre-approvals and simplifying the borrower experience. Floify is a subsidiary of Porch Group, Inc. ("Porch Group") (NASDAQ: PRCH). For more, visit https://floify.com/ or find us on social media at Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter / X.

News Source: Floify

Related link: https://floify.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/floifys-sydney-barber-honored-with-housingwires-rising-stars-award/

Kappler’s 50th anniversary on April 1 is no joking matter

Kappler Inc. — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:00:56 +0000

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala., Apr 01, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Protective apparel manufacturer Kappler®, Inc. marks its 50th anniversary on April 1, with a twist of corporate irony around the company's April Fools' founding date in 1976. As millions of emergency responders and safety professionals can attest, Kappler's innovative chemical suits are no joking matter.

Based in Guntersville, Alabama, Kappler turns 50 as a technology leader that continues to redefine the concept of worker protection. From the company's earliest hazmat suits to recent innovations for biological, fire retardant and thermal protection, Kappler has led a critical industry with unmatched quality and user training.

Founded by George Kappler Jr., the company is led today by President and CEO Laura Kappler-Roberts.

"In 1976 no one expected my father's small company sewing disposable coveralls would evolve into a technology-based leader in life-saving apparel," Kappler-Roberts said. "The company's development of broad-based chemical protective fabrics literally redefined hazmat protection on a global basis."

From six sewing machines and eight employees Kappler grew into a complex business that boasts almost 30 patents for composite fabrics, seaming techniques and other aspects of protective technology.

"Innovation is the backbone of the company. It is how we have survived and will be the key to thriving for the next 50 years," Kappler-Roberts said.

Along with the innovative products themselves, Kappler also developed a reputation as the industry's unmatched training expert. From ASTM testing methods to National Fire Protection Association chemical suit standards, Kappler developed user education programs and tools that made complex technical concepts easy to understand.

Kappler also developed HazMatch®, the first digital selection tool for protective clothing. Beyond suit type and size details, HazMatch provides extensive third-party chemical test results and other technical data that help users understand not just the suit but the hazard scenario itself. The platform is a tangible example of the company's long-time tagline: "Know What You're Getting Into."

In reflecting on the company's 50-year history, George Kappler recalled how they had to do a lot of pioneering work in the early days to explain exactly what the company did.

"We started saying 'Kappler keeps bad stuff off people' and that eventually became the company's mission statement," Kappler said.

"We make protection for people who do hazardous jobs. At the end of the day, when they put on our suit they're putting their life in our hands. That's a responsibility we take very seriously."

To learn more visit: https://www.kappler.com/

About Kappler:

Founded in 1976, Kappler is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of protective fabrics and apparel for chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear hazards (CBRN). Garments range from partial-body protection to NFPA* Certified total-encapsulating, gas-tight suits. From superheated steam to below-zero temperature applications, Kappler's innovative fabrics address protection for a wide range of thermal hazards.

Currently holding over 26 U.S. patents, Kappler continues to research and develop new products that serve the fire, military, hazmat, emergency response, industrial and healthcare markets worldwide.

A family and woman-owned company registered to ISO 9001 since 1996, Kappler is a leading innovator in chemical and other barrier fabrics, garment design, specialty products and user education and training. Kappler makes its products at its U.S. corporate headquarters and manufacturing campus, located in Guntersville, Alabama.

*National Fire Protection Association

News Source: Kappler Inc.

Related link: https://www.kappler.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/kapplers-50th-anniversary-on-april-1-is-no-joking-matter/

Dark Matter Technologies introduces Ask Aiva, an AI assistant embedded in the Empower LOS

Dark Matter Technologies — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:00:41 +0000

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Apr 01, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced Ask Aiva®, a conversational AI assistant natively embedded within the Empower® loan origination system (LOS) that allows lenders to query their origination environment in plain language, receive instant answers to see how those answers were derived. Available now to Empower clients, Ask Aiva is unveiling at Horizon 2026, the company's annual user conference.

"The data lenders need to answer important operational questions has been just out of reach-buried in their own systems," said Sean Dugan, CEO of Dark Matter Technologies. "Ask Aiva changes that by allowing users to ask questions of their origination environment and receive answers they can act on, with the ability to trace those answers back to the source."

The assistant is built on a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) architecture that searches connected data sources in real time, retrieves relevant context and generates responses in plain language. What distinguishes Ask Aiva is the ability for users to click directly into results to view the source data and underlying logic behind each answer, addressing a common limitation of AI tools that lack transparency and auditability into their outputs. It also delivers immediate answers within Empower, eliminating the need for support tickets and reducing wait times for system assistance.

"The industry has seen a surge of AI tools that operate as bolt-ons, requiring users to leave their core systems and trust outputs without clear visibility into how they're generated," said Vikas Rao, chief technology officer at Dark Matter Technologies. "We built Ask Aiva differently. As one of the first AI experiences woven into the fabric of a mortgage LOS and deployed at scale, it gives lenders the ability to trace every answer back to its source, all within the system where they already work."

Future releases will expand Ask Aiva's capabilities to include additional lender-specific content sources, enabling institutions to incorporate underwriting guidelines, product matrices and internal policies, as well as broader support across Dark Matter's loan officer, borrower, broker and seller portals. Additional enhancements will introduce borrower-facing capabilities and extend Ask Aiva across Dark Matter Technologies' product suite.

For information or to request a demonstration, visit https://www.dmatter.com or contact your Dark Matter Technologies account representative.

ABOUT DARK MATTER TECHNOLOGIES:

Operating with the nimble nature of a startup and the disciplined maturity of one of the industry's leading providers, Dark Matter Technologies delivers powerful technology with unparalleled automation and relentless innovation to leading mortgage lenders, servicers and companies nationwide. For more information, visit https://www.dmatter.com.

News Source: Dark Matter Technologies

Related link: https://www.dmatter.com

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/dark-matter-technologies-introduces-ask-aiva-an-ai-assistant-embedded-in-the-empower-los/

Friday Harbor integrates with Calyx Path Platform to bring AI pre-underwriting directly into the flow of the loan

Friday Harbor — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:00:25 +0000

SEATTLE, Wash., Apr 01, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Friday Harbor today announced a new integration with the Calyx Path Platform that brings AI-powered pre-underwriting directly into the flow of the loan. Instead of waiting until underwriting to uncover issues, lenders can now review borrower documents, surface potential problems and resolve them earlier while maintaining consistent, reliable loan data throughout the lifecycle.

Friday Harbor equips loan officers to structure smarter deals with dynamic pre-underwriting capabilities like Income and Asset Sandbox. Originators can test scenarios against program guidelines to qualify more borrowers and place them in the right products with greater confidence. The platform is built to handle the complexity of real-world loan files, so loan officers spend less time chasing paperwork and more time on what moves the needle: client relationships, referral partner growth and pipeline management.

At the same time, Friday Harbor enables loan officer assistants, processors and other fulfillment team members to review borrower documents and loan data as files are assembled. The platform flags income calculation errors, missing verifications and guideline conflicts, then presents a clear resolution path so teams can correct issues before the loan file reaches underwriting. Cleaner files arriving at the underwriting desk translate into fewer conditions and fewer file touches for underwriting teams.

"Cleaner files mean lower costs and faster closings," said Friday Harbor CEO Theo Ellis. "When lenders apply underwriting intelligence earlier in the origination process, they reduce costly rework, improve pull-through and compress the time needed to get to closing. Underwriters spend less time chasing conditions and more time making real risk decisions, ultimately increasing underwriting productivity per FTE."

The Calyx Path Platform is a data-centric mortgage platform designed to coordinate the lifecycle of a loan from application through closing. Built on a unified data model and workflow engine, the platform reduces manual handoffs, maintains consistency across the loan and allows work to move forward with fewer interruptions.

"Lenders are looking for ways to improve file quality earlier without adding more friction to their process," said Jeff Davis, director of sales at Calyx. "By bringing pre-underwriting intelligence directly into the flow of the loan, teams can catch issues sooner and reduce the amount of rework later. It greatly aligns with our move toward a more coordinated, data-driven lifecycle where the loan can move forward with fewer interruptions."

To learn more about the integration between Friday Harbor and Calyx Path Platform, visit https://fridayharbor.ai.

About Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor is an AI pre-underwriting platform that helps lenders identify and resolve potential issues earlier in the origination process. By analyzing borrower documents, appraisals and income calculations against investor guidelines and lender overlays, the platform helps teams deliver cleaner files, achieve fewer underwriting touches and improve individual productivity. For more information, visit https://fridayharbor.ai/.

About Calyx

Calyx provides technology for mortgage lenders, brokers and financial institutions through the Calyx Path Platform, designed to coordinate the lifecycle of a loan from application through closing. By reducing manual steps, maintaining consistent and reliable data across the loan and connecting key parts of the mortgage process, the platform helps lenders move faster, lower costs and deliver a more predictable borrower experience. For more information, call (800) 362-2599 or visit https://www.calyxsoftware.com.

News Source: Friday Harbor

Related link: https://fridayharbor.ai/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/friday-harbor-integrates-with-calyx-path-platform-to-bring-ai-pre-underwriting-directly-into-the-flow-of-the-loan/

‘Money Buddies’ Debuts First Two Episodes on April 1 in Celebration of Financial Literacy Awareness Month

Alliance Group — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:24 +0000

ATLANTA, Ga., Mar 31, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- This Financial Literacy Awareness Month, kids and families are invited to meet the Money Buddies, a lovable and irreverent cast of puppet characters on a mission to make learning about money fun, memorable, and easy to understand. Created and powered by Alliance Group, Money Buddies officially debuts the first two episodes of its seven-episode educational series on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, on the Money Buddies YouTube channel and at Money-Buddies.com. After the April 1 launch, one new episode will premiere each Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. ET for the following five weeks.

Money Buddies was created to help address financial illiteracy at its source by teaching kids about money at an early age, when lessons are most likely to stick. Through humor, music, colorful characters, and age-appropriate storytelling, the series is designed to "edutain" children while introducing them to basic and essential personal finance concepts.

At the center of the program is the BUDDIES system, which teaches kids the seven pillars of personal finance:

Build, Use, Deposit, Defend, Invest, Enjoy, and Share.

Each of the snappy 7-10 minute episodes focuses on one pillar of the BUDDIES system, with a different Money Buddies character hosting and teaching each lesson in their own unique style. The series also features real-life kids in skits and activities alongside the puppet stars, and employs a mix of live action, animation, and effects to keep the content engaging for kids.

"We see Money Buddies as more than just a video series," said Travis Grenier, the executive producer and co-creator. "The long-term vision is to create a movement -- one that helps kids, serves families, and strengthens communities by making financial education more accessible, engaging, and impactful. And we're having an absolute blast making it. Maybe too much fun. I can't wait to see how these episodes are received once they're out there."

The launch also comes as early momentum continues to build around the program. Money Buddies has already made a live appearance alongside Super Bowl champion and children's literacy advocate Malcolm Mitchell at Hebron Christian School in Georgia. Through a growing partnership with Mitchell and his Share the Magic literacy initiative, Money Buddies is gaining exposure to educators, school systems, and community leaders, creating exciting opportunities to expand its reach far beyond Georgia.

"Money Buddies is a passion project for us," said Samuel Howe, CMO of Alliance Group and co-creator of Money Buddies. "We've always known that there was a dire need for - and lack of - basic financial education in our school systems. Money Buddies helps us finally deliver that education to kids. When kids learn how money works early in life, they grow up more confident, more capable, and better prepared to lead their households financially as adults."

The first two episodes premiere Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with additional episodes dropping weekly on Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. ET.

To watch and follow the series, visit the Money Buddies YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@money-buddies and learn more at www.money-buddies.com.

ABOUT MONEY BUDDIES

Money Buddies is a children's financial literacy initiative created by Alliance Group. Through a cast of fun, memorable puppet characters, Money Buddies teaches kids the fundamentals of personal finance using the BUDDIES system: Build, Use, Deposit, Defend, Invest, Enjoy, and Share. The mission of Money Buddies is to help children build a healthier, stronger relationship with money from an early age.

News Source: Alliance Group

Related link: https://www.AllianceGroupLife.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/money-buddies-debuts-first-two-episodes-on-april-1-in-celebration-of-financial-literacy-awareness-month/

Argyle announces integration with Vesta to embed direct-source verifications within the loan origination system

Argyle — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:00:12 +0000

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., Mar 30, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Argyle, a leading provider of direct-source, consumer-permissioned income, employment and asset verifications, today announced a new integration with Vesta, an AI-native loan origination system (LOS) and agent platform built to automate and accelerate mortgage operations.

The integration allows lenders to order, view and refresh Argyle's verification of income, employment and assets directly within the Vesta LOS. By embedding direct-source verifications inside the core origination workflow, lenders can reduce manual processes, eliminate system toggling and streamline file management from application through underwriting.

With real-time payroll and banking connections available natively within Vesta, lenders can increase automation rates, lower verification costs and improve operational efficiency, all without introducing additional vendor complexity.

"Verification is one of the most operationally intensive parts of the mortgage process," said John Hardesty, senior vice president of revenue at Argyle. "By integrating directly into Vesta's LOS, we're helping lenders automate more of their pipeline within the systems they already use every day."

"We're excited to partner with Argyle to bring embedded, direct-source verification capabilities to our mutual customers," said Mike Yu, CEO of Vesta. "With verification costs top of mind for many lenders,this integration highlights Vesta's commitment to providing a flexible, interoperable platform that meets the evolving needs of the industry."

The integration will be available beginning March 30, 2026. Argyle and Vesta are already launching with their first mutual customers and look forward to expanding access in the coming months.

To learn more about Argyle's verification platform, visit https://www.argyle.com/.

About Argyle:

Argyle is the leading provider of direct-source, consumer-permissioned income, employment and asset verifications, making it fast and easy to gain secure and reliable access to the most complete real-time datasets stored in consumers' payroll and bank accounts. With Argyle, lenders automate verification workflows to save time, reduce fraud and compliance risks, lower costs and build better product experiences. As an authorized report supplier for Fannie Mae's Desktop Underwriter(r) validation service and an approved service provider supporting Freddie Mac's Loan Product Advisor(r) asset and income modeler (AIM), Argyle empowers mortgage lenders to auto-retrieve paystubs and W-2s, understand consumers' ability to pay and improve loan quality-all at up to 80% less cost. Argyle's commitment to innovation is backed by investors including Bain Capital Ventures, Checkr, Mastercard and SignalFire.

For more information on Argyle's industry-leading verification platform, visit https://www.argyle.com/.

About Vesta:

Vesta is the AI-native loan origination system and agent platform for mortgage, powering banks, independent mortgage banks, and fintech lenders. Built on a modern, cloud-native system of record, Vesta gives lenders a single source of truth-every loan, borrower, property, and document is versioned, auditable, and accessible via API-so teams and agents operate from the same trusted context. Vesta blends deterministic rules and configurable workflows with autonomous agents that can interpret documents, call domain tools (e.g., income and asset calculators, conditions, disclosures, pricing and fee workflows), and orchestrate work across teams and third parties with traceable outcomes and human oversight. The result is faster cycle times, lower cost per loan, and a scalable "agent factory" operating model. Founded in 2020, Vesta is backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Bain Capital Ventures, Conversion Capital, Index Ventures, and Zigg Capital. Learn more at www.vesta.com.

News Source: Argyle

Related link: https://www.argyle.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/argyle-announces-integration-with-vesta-to-embed-direct-source-verifications-within-the-loan-origination-system/

CCHR: Time to End the Psychotropic Pill Epidemic – National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day Exposes America’s Hidden Medication Crisis

Citizens Commission on Human Rights — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:00:39 +0000

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Mar 30, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- On March 24, National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day spotlighted a preventable public health crisis: adverse drug events (ADEs)-injuries, side effects, and errors from medication use, including psychiatric drugs-are estimated to cause more than 250,000 deaths each year in the United States. This would make ADEs the third leading cause of death, ahead of stroke and respiratory disease. However, these deaths are not shown as a single category in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rankings because ADEs are not coded as one unified cause. Established in 2021 by the American Society of Pharmacovigilance (ASP), the awareness day highlights this issue and calls for national action.[1] For more than five decades, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) has maintained a public awareness campaign on psychotropic drug risks.

In 2013, CCHR launched a Psychiatric Drugs Side Effects online database to help consumers access information on adverse reactions and withdrawal effects. The organization also files Freedom of Information Act requests for state-level psychiatric prescription data under Medicaid.

CCHR obtained IQVia Total Patient Tracker data and campaigns for stronger FDA Medication Guides (MedGuides)-fact sheets providing essential safety information in plain language. Pharmacists must distribute these for certain prescriptions, but CCHR is calling for this requirement to extend to prescribing doctors, with patients required to sign acknowledgment of receipt.

A 2021 study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found deaths in which psychotropic drugs played a contributing-though not underlying-role have risen. Analyzing U.S. mortality data from 1999 to 2019, researchers identified 51,446 psychotropic-drug-implicated deaths, divided into medical deaths (33,885) from natural causes where drugs contributed, and external deaths (17,561) from accidents or injuries linked to impairment.[2]

The annual rate of medical psychotropic-drug-implicated deaths increased 2.5-fold (from 0.31 to 0.78 per 100,000), while external deaths rose fivefold (from 0.12 to 0.58 per 100,000). Increases include psychostimulants and benzodiazepines.

The FDA's MedWatch system encourages reporting of adverse events, which can lead to labeling changes, Black Box warnings, or other protections. However, a 2006 systematic review found up to 94% of adverse drug reactions go unreported, delaying safety signal detection and risk assessment.[3]

Compounding the crisis, national mortality data show benzodiazepine-involved overdose deaths increased approximately 7.6-fold from 1999 to 2024. Researchers from the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and the University of British Columbia noted 50% more deaths annually from psychiatric drugs than from heroin.[4]

The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse reported overdose deaths involving antidepressants rose from 1,749 in 1999 to 5,863 in 2022 and remained steady in 2023 with 5,783 deaths.[5] In the UK, a review of nearly 8,000 coroners' inquests found 2,718 deaths by hanging, 933 involving overdose, and 979 suicides, concluding antidepressants are "ineffective for many people."

IQVia 2020 data reveals 76,940,157 Americans were taking prescription psychotropic drugs, including 6.1 million aged 0-17, of whom 418,425 were aged five or younger.

Antidepressants were used by 45,204,771 people of all ages, including 2,154,118 aged 0-17 and 35,216 aged 0-5. Side effects include suicidality, aggression, psychosis, cardiac arrhythmias, serotonin syndrome, sexual dysfunction, and emotional blunting.[6] Withdrawal affects approximately 56% of users and is often mistaken for relapse.[7] Symptoms include "brain zaps," cognitive impairment, anxiety, irritability, emotional blunting, and akathisia-a severe restlessness linked to potential violence.[8]

Antipsychotics were prescribed to 11,154,803 people of all ages, including 829,372 aged 0-17 and 30,632 aged 0-5. These drugs have serious and often irreversible risks, including diabetes, cardiovascular complications, hormonal and sexual dysfunction, agitation, aggression, emotional instability, social withdrawal, suicidal ideation, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (which can also occur during withdrawal). Severe long-term effects include tardive dyskinesia (TD), affecting 20-50% of long-term users, and tardive psychosis.[9] Withdrawal effects include nausea, tremors, anxiety, agitation, irritability, aggression, sleep disturbances, and decreased concentration.[10]

ADHD/Stimulant Drugs were used by 9,585,203 people of all ages, including 3,155,441 aged 0-17 and 58,091 aged 0-5. Methylphenidate (Ritalin) has a mode of action similar to amphetamine and cocaine. Side effects include addiction, new-onset mania, hallucinations, delusions, aggression, hostility, suicidal thoughts, behavioral dysregulation, and misuse, abuse, and dependence potential.[11] Homicidal ideation has been reported with atomoxetine (Strattera), including in 2025 safety updates.[12] Withdrawal effects include depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, agitation, psychomotor slowing, vivid dreams, and increased suicide risk.[13]

Anti-anxiety Drugs (including Sedatives and Benzodiazepines) were taken by 31,229,150 people of all ages, including 1,153,351 aged 0-17 and 233,125 aged 0-5. Benzodiazepines should not be taken longer than four weeks due to rapid dependence risk.[14] They are associated with serious neurological and behavioral side effects, including memory impairment, confusion, disorientation, disinhibition, and suicidal ideation. Paradoxical reactions-agitation, hostility, aggression, or hallucinations-may occur.[15] Withdrawal can begin within 3-6 weeks and includes perceptual disturbances, depersonalization, paranoia, irritability, and aggression. Symptoms can last for years.[16]

CCHR, a non-profit mental health industry watchdog, demands immediate reforms to protect vulnerable populations, especially children and veterans, from preventable harm. Lives depend on moving from psychotropic pills to prevention and safer mental health care. Established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and professor of psychiatry Thomas Szasz, CCHR is dedicated to exposing psychiatric abuse and protecting patient rights.

To learn more, visit: https://www.cchrint.org/2026/03/27/psychotropic-pill-epidemic-national-adverse-drug-event-awareness-day/

Sources:

[1] https://stopadr.org/blog/predicting-adverse-drug-event-prevalence-a-data-driven-approach;

[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8355085/

[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16689555/; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37277678/

[4] CDC WONDER Multiple Cause of Death database (1999, 2024), queried by year using ICD-10 code T42.4 (Benzodiazepines) and restricted to overdose deaths, https://wonder.cdc.gov/

[5] https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates#Fig10

[6] https://psychopharmacologyinstitute.com/publication/antidepressant-induced-emotional-blunting-diagnosis-mechanisms-and-management-2/

[7] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460318308347

[8] https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/the-truth-about-ssri-antidepressants?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=748806&post_id=184750716&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=18l5a7&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5472076/

[10] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352853222000165?via%3Dihub

[11] "Methylphenidate (A Background Paper)," U.S. DEA, Oct. 1995; "Concerta (methylphenidate HCl)," Drug Label, FDA

[12] Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, "Product Information safety updates - April 2025," 22 May 2025; "Atomoxetine: New warnings about serotonin syndrome and homicidal thoughts," Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, 7 Feb. 2025

[13] DSM-III-R (APA, Washington, DC, 1987), p. 136

[14] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-66589042

[15] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/017794s044lbl.pdf; https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262809#side-effects; https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychiatric-bulletin/article/benzodiazepines-and-disinhibition-a-review/421AF197362B55EDF004700452BF3BC6

[16] http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzcha03.htm; https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/benzo-withdrawal

News Source: Citizens Commission on Human Rights

Related link: https://www.cchr.org/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/cchr-time-to-end-the-psychotropic-pill-epidemic-national-adverse-drug-event-awareness-day-exposes-americas-hidden-medication-crisis/

‘My Ripple Effect’ Inspires Everyday Heroes: New Faith Film Starring Dean Cain, Kevin Sorbo and Eddie McClintock Premieres April 1

JC Films and Joshuacord — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 17:48:08 +0000

TAMPA, Fla., Mar 27, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- What if the smallest act of kindness could change the world? That's the question at the heart of "My Ripple Effect," a bold new faith and family film from JC Films and Joshuacord - hitting screens this week and starring fan favorites Dean Cain, Kevin Sorbo, Eddie McClintock and Michael Sigler.

"My Ripple Effect" follows a recently divorced dad (Dean Cain) who encounters a mysterious man named Raphael (Kevin Sorbo) at an abandoned church, and discovers his life has far more meaning than he ever imagined. Together with his best friend (Eddie McClintock), he embarks on a journey that reveals how ordinary people and everyday moments can create long-lasting, generational impact.

This isn't just a movie about characters on a screen. It's a story about all of us - parents, students, pastors and neighbors - who wonder if our small efforts really make a difference, and what God can do with one obedient "yes." By the end of this story, viewers will question not just 'What if?' but, 'What if God uses this moment to change my world?'"

The film is the product of a unique partnership between Jason Campbell, writer, director and executive producer at JC Films, and Patrick Carberry, founder of Joshuacord, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and support for persecuted Christians around the world.

"My Ripple Effect" follows ordinary people whose everyday choices set off extraordinary waves of change - a timely reminder that no act of faith, courage or compassion is ever wasted.

For Carberry, the message is personal.

"We all impact each other for good or for evil," he says. "This film is an invitation. Your prayers, your voice and your giving are ripples that reach people you may never meet, especially our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world, reminding them that they are seen, known, and deeply loved."

Carberry founded Joshuacord 15 years ago to shine a light on the ongoing persecution of Christians globally. The organization's previous film, "Christians in the Mirror" (2019), featured on-the-ground interviews with persecuted believers and religious leaders in Syria, India, Iraq, South Sudan and Egypt.

"We want our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East, Asia and Africa to know they are not alone," says Paul Jallo, president of Jallo Oil and senior vice president of Joshuacord, who also serves as Executive Producer of the film alongside Campbell. "God has given me more than I deserve, and I want to pay it forward with 'My Ripple Effect.'"

The film's message echoes the famous words often attributed to Irish statesman Edmund Burke: "Evil prevails when good men do nothing." Campbell and Carberry see this as a call to purpose. They believe audiences are ready to move beyond watching from the sidelines and begin responding with prayer, conversation and faithful steps that create real change, one ripple at a time.

"My Ripple Effect" will be available on The Trinity Broadcasting Network, YouTube's Christian Movies channel and major streaming platforms including Amazon and Hulu.

Watch. Share. Create Your Ripple.

MORE INFORMATION

"My Ripple Effect": https://www.myrippleeffect.org/themovie

Joshuacord: https://joshuacord.org/

JC Films: https://www.jcfilms.org/movies

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MULTIMEDIA

Watch the Trailer: https://www.jcfilms.org/movies/my-ripple-effect

News Source: JC Films and Joshuacord

Related link: https://www.jcfilms.org/movies

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/my-ripple-effect-inspires-everyday-heroes-new-faith-film-starring-dean-cain-kevin-sorbo-and-eddie-mcclintock-premieres-april-1/

The Mortgage Collaborative to send advocacy committee to Washington for policy meetings

The Mortgage Collaborative — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:00:26 +0000

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Mar 27, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, will send its Advocacy Committee to Washington, D.C. on April 16 to meet with federal policymakers and housing agencies to discuss mortgage lending, regulatory reform and housing affordability.

The meetings are designed to advance member-driven priorities and bring the collective voice of banks, credit unions and independent mortgage banks to federal housing agencies. Committee members will engage directly with policymakers to provide feedback on key regulatory and policy issues, including implementation of recent federal housing initiatives, credit costs, regulatory modernization, artificial intelligence frameworks, agency approval processes and housing affordability.

"These meetings allow us to bring the real-world experiences of our members directly to policymakers," said Amy Azorandia, SVP of mortgage compliance and systems at First Trust Bank and chair of TMC's Advocacy Committee. "This trip is an opportunity for TMC to represent our members' interests at the highest levels, advocate for reduced regulatory barriers and reinforce the essential role our lenders play in expanding access to sustainable homeownership."

The visit includes an in-person National Advocacy Committee meeting and meetings with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Ginnie Mae and Fannie Mae. The trip is scheduled for the day following the Mortgage Bankers Association's National Advocacy Conference, in which many TMC Advocacy Committee members and lender members are participating, with timing coordinated to maximize industry visibility and engagement while maintaining separate meetings.

"Consistent engagement with policymakers is critical as regulatory priorities continue to take shape," said Jodi Hall, president and CEO of The Mortgage Collaborative. "Our focus is on advancing practical, lender-agnostic solutions that reduce unnecessary complexity, support responsible lending and ensure independent mortgage banks and community lenders can continue expanding access to homeownership."

TMC's Advocacy Committee was formed in 2023, starting as a small breakout group at the organization's March conference before conducting its first advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., later that year. The committee returned to Washington in 2024 but paused travel in 2025 due to the transition in federal administration and scheduling issues with key agencies. In 2025, under the leadership of TMC Lender Member Chair Sarah Gonzalez, the committee formalized its charter, defining its mission, meeting schedule and member expectations. The upcoming visit will be the committee's third trip to Washington as it continues to foster relationships with policymakers and advocate for independent mortgage lenders. To learn more, visit TMC's advocacy page at https://mortgagecollaborative.com/advocacy-committee/.

About The Mortgage Collaborative

The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC) is a membership-driven organization that empowers mortgage lenders across the United States through networking, education and advocacy. TMC fosters an environment of collaboration and innovation, ensuring its members succeed regardless of market conditions. For more information, visit mortgagecollaborative.com

News Source: The Mortgage Collaborative

Related link: https://www.mortgagecollaborative.com

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/the-mortgage-collaborative-to-send-advocacy-committee-to-washington-for-policy-meetings/

GeekyAnts Launches AI Pods to Close the Enterprise AI Production Gap

GeekyAnts — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:35:35 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Mar 26, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- GeekyAnts, a global technology consulting and product development company, today announced the formal launch of GeekyAnts AI and AI Pods, a two-tier delivery program built to take enterprise AI systems from proof of concept to production, addressing the infrastructure and accountability failures that have stalled most AI pilot programs in 2026.

According to EY, 82 percent of enterprises are running active AI proofs of concept. Gartner estimates that more than half of those pilots never reach full deployment. The failure point is rarely the model. It is the operational layer that the model depends on to function reliably, securely, and within compliance boundaries.

"Building an agent that works in a demo is no longer the hard problem, as the tooling for that is widely available and improving every quarter," said Kumar Partik, CEO of GeekyAnts. "The hard problem is building the operational layer that makes it work in production: across real transaction volumes, inside regulated data environments, and under the scrutiny of a compliance audit the demo never anticipated. That is exactly what we built AI Pods to solve."

THE PRODUCTION GAP

Building a working AI agent takes days, sometimes hours, with the tooling available today. Taking it to production is a different problem entirely. The agent itself is roughly ten percent of the work. The remaining 90% is infrastructure: deployment pipelines, latency benchmarks under real-world load, token-cost guardrails, monitoring for output drift, human-in-the-loop checkpoints, governance frameworks that survive a compliance audit, and the observability tooling that tells an engineering team what the system is actually doing at any given moment.

In financial services, the gap has a specific shape. A real-time fraud detection system that performs accurately in a test environment degrades silently in production because no monitoring layer was built to catch decision drift over time. A pilot that processed 50 transactions a day falls under 1.2 million because the underlying infrastructure was never stress-tested under production load. And in a regulated environment, a system that cannot generate a forensic audit trail for every decision it makes is not a production system. It is a liability. Compliance review halts the deployment. The initiative gets deprioritized. The AI budget gets questioned.

In healthcare, the failure mode is equally predictable. Clinical documentation systems and patient triage tools built on AI require accuracy at a level that no generalist engineering team can validate without a purpose-built evaluation framework. A system with 80 percent accuracy in a demo is a 20 percent error rate in a patient record. Healthcare AI that cannot demonstrate its decision trail, its accuracy benchmarks, and its monitoring layer will not clear a security or legal review. Most do not.

The root cause is organizational as much as technical. Enterprise engineering teams are evaluated on shipping a prototype that impresses in a review meeting, not on building the operational layer that keeps it running a year later. Infrastructure design gets deferred because it slows the demo cycle. A senior AI engineer with LLM orchestration and observability experience costs $180,000 or more in base salary, requires three to six months to recruit, and represents a single point of failure if they leave mid-project. The delivery model breaks before production code ships.

HOW AI PODS WORK

GeekyAnts has structured its AI delivery program around two tiers. GeekyAnts AI is a full-stack consulting and delivery practice for enterprise AI transformation. AI Pods is a pre-configured embedded team model for organizations that need continuous delivery capacity rather than a project engagement. Both tiers operate on the same production standard: infrastructure is not a second phase. It is designed from day one.

The structural differentiation is in the accountability model. AI Pods engagements are priced by outcome, by feature shipped, migration completed, or integration live, and not by hours billed or tokens consumed. Every custom agent configuration and RAG knowledge base built during an engagement is the client's property from day one, not held on the vendor's infrastructure. And GeekyAnts backs its AI-generated code with a six-month warranty: if a severity-one defect traceable to a Pod's output surfaces within six months of delivery, the company fixes it at zero cost. In an industry where liability for AI-generated code failures typically transfers to the buyer at handoff, that warranty is not a standard term.

PRODUCTION RESULTS

A fintech client running a real-time transaction monitoring system built through an AI Pod reached 92 percent fraud detection accuracy across 1.2 million daily transactions, with sub-second response latency. The system shipped with token cost guardrails, a defined audit trail for every decision, and a monitoring layer that tracks output drift without manual intervention. The engagement moved from proof of concept to production in four weeks on a fixed-outcome model.

A second engagement, for an enterprise SaaS client running vendor risk and compliance workflows, reduced vendor onboarding time by 65 percent through an AI-powered intelligence platform automating risk scoring, compliance tracking, and contract monitoring. The platform was built audit-ready by design, so procurement teams could approve vendors faster without sacrificing the documentation trail required for regulatory review. Delivery completed in twelve weeks, on time, with zero launch blockers.

GeekyAnts AI and AI Pods are active across fintech, healthcare, and enterprise SaaS engagements in North America. Engineering and technology leaders working through a specific use case, whether an AI feature stalled in prototype, a system without a monitoring layer, or a compliance review that halted a deployment, can reach the team at geekyants.com

ABOUT GEEKYANTS

GeekyAnts is a global technology consulting and product development company headquartered at 315 Montgomery Street, 9th and 10th Floors, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA. The firm builds and ships production-grade AI systems and software for enterprise clients across North America and Europe, specializing in agentic AI, ML model development, AI strategy, and embedded delivery through AI Pods. GeekyAnts holds a 4.9-star rating on Clutch based on 112 or more verified client reviews and created NativeBase, one of the most widely used open-source React Native UI libraries in the world.https://www.geekyants.com

CONTACT INFORMATION

US Office
GeekyAnts Inc.
315 Montgomery Street, 9th & 10th Floors
San Francisco, CA 94104, USA
+1 845 534 6825
info@geekyants.com
www.geekyants.com/en-us

India Office
GeekyAnts India Pvt Ltd
No. 18, 2nd Cross Road, N S Palya, 2nd Stage,
BTM Layout, Bangalore - 560076, Karnataka, India
+91 80 4305 8884

UK Office
GeekyAnts UK Ltd
SPACES Finsbury Park
17 City North Place, London N4 3FU, England, UK
+44 1702 655221

News Source: GeekyAnts

Related link: https://www.geekyants.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/geekyants-launches-ai-pods-to-close-the-enterprise-ai-production-gap/

New Industry Research Reveals Direct Mail’s Influence As Digital Performance Volatility Continues

Franklin Madison Direct — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:40:57 +0000

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Mar 26, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- As marketers navigate fluctuating digital costs and crowded online environments, new industry research shows direct mail standing out for its consistency, engagement, and ability to drive measurable action. Commissioned by Franklin Madison Direct and conducted by research firm Circlebox, the 2026 Direct Mail Marketing Benchmark Report analyzes national survey data from U.S. marketers and consumers to assess direct mail performance and its role within today's omnichannel strategies.

The findings highlight a channel evolving beyond performance validation, with marketers focusing less on volume and more on targeted execution, personalization, and coordinated digital experiences. Key findings from the 2026 report include:

* Direct mail performance remains strong: 98% of marketers say their direct mail performance improved or held steady over the past 12 months, with more than half reporting gains.

* Consumer engagement is sustained: 79% of consumers engage with the mail they receive.

* Targeting remains a challenge: Marketers cite data access and targeting precision as their most persistent pain points.

* Mail drives real action: About one in five consumers report making a purchase in the past year as a result of receiving relevant direct mail.

* Confidence is growing: 95% of marketers plan to maintain or increase their direct mail investment over the next 12 months, an increase from last year, making it one of the few channels with clear budget momentum.

The 2026 Direct Mail Marketing Benchmark Report is available for download at https://franklinmadisondirect.com/e-books/direct-mail-report/

About Franklin Madison Direct

Franklin Madison Direct is a leading direct response advertising agency, providing performance-driven marketing solutions to help consumer and insurance brands reach their best audience and achieve exceptional growth. Franklin Madison Direct is ranked as a top marketing agency in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. https://franklinmadisondirect.com/

News Source: Franklin Madison Direct

Related link: https://franklinmadisondirect.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/new-industry-research-reveals-direct-mails-influence-as-digital-performance-volatility-continues/