November 2025 – Page 9

A Future Reimagined Through Choice, Trust and Empowerment

Posted on November 25, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

For Franz Nolan, hearing the words “kidney failure” brought back difficult memories. His father’s long struggle with kidney disease made the idea of dialysis feel overwhelming.

“I’d just die,” he told his wife, Sheree.

But Sheree, a DaVita facility administrator, refused to let that be the end of the story. She saw a different future for Franz — one built not on fear, but on knowledge, choice and trust. She asked him to try just one treatment. He agreed.

The impact was immediate: For the first time in a long time, Franz felt better. That single treatment opened the door to a conversation about what life could look like. With the support of Franz’s nephrologist, he explored home hemodialysis (HHD), a modality that offered the control and flexibility he craved. It was a chance to fit treatments into his life, not the other way around.

The path wasn’t without uncertainty. But with Sheree’s unwavering support and comprehensive training from their DaVita care team, apprehension gave way to confidence. Franz and Sheree were partners in this journey, and they did not feel alone on the path.

Today, Franz is back to doing what he loves. He serves his community as a firefighter and chaplain, spends meaningful time with Sheree, and pursues the passions that bring him joy. At home, he works in the yard, takes his dog for walks and enjoys movie nights with his wife — activities he once feared he would have to give up after his diagnosis. Driven by his commitment to helping others, Franz also travels to support communities affected by emergencies and natural disasters, offering care and support to those in need. His impact continues to ripple outward, reaching both his hometown and places far beyond. The transformation is undeniable. With more energy and a profound sense of independence, he isn’t just living; he’s thriving.

Franz has also gained a new perspective on his father’s experience. Franz had watched his father undergo dialysis treatments in-center for 17 years and witnessed the strength and patience that it required. Starting dialysis himself, Franz now realizes that his father’s choice was a difficult one — but it was also a choice to live: “He wanted to live,” Franz says. “I understand that now; I didn’t understand it then.”

For Sheree, the experience has shaped her perspective as both a DaVita teammate and a care partner, infusing her work with a deeper empathy. She understands the weight of her patients’ fears because she has carried them too.

“I show up big for my patients. I do try to empathize and encourage a lot.” Sheree explains. “It’s educating and helping them to get resources, as far as transplant and home dialysis, [it’s about] encouraging them that this is something that they can do.”

This commitment emphasizes trust, education and empowerment to enable patients to take an active role in managing their health. For individuals like Franz, it creates the pathway to understanding their options and find the confidence to work with their nephrologists and engage in treatments that support their needs and goals.

It’s about helping people reclaim their sense of independence after a kidney failure diagnosis and reimagine what their future can be.

FranklinWH aPower S Wins “Best-in-Show” in Solar Power World’s 2025 Top Products Awards

Posted on November 25, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FranklinWH Energy Storage Inc., a leader in residential energy storage solutions, is proud to announce that its newly launched home battery, the aPower S, has been selected as a Best-in-Show winner in the Residential category of Solar Power World’s 2025 Top Products contest.

The annual Top Products awards program from Solar Power World honors the most innovative and installer-friendly technologies in the solar and storage industry, with a particular emphasis this year on solutions that improve ease-of-use during installation and commissioning. The recognition of the aPower S underscores FranklinWH’s commitment to elevating installer experience and delivering homeowner value.

What Sets the aPower S Apart

FranklinWH’s value that product innovation should be market-oriented and technology-driven is what enables aPower S to gain a competitive edge：

With a leading-edge usable storage capacity of 15 kWh and the ability to manage up to 20 kW of PV input power, a single aPower S unit meets the growing demands of modern homes.
Its direct DC solar integration system architecture and backward compatibility minimize the need for extra equipment and simplify future expansions.
Designed with top-quality components, advanced thermal design and a long-term warranty, it delivers unrivaled reliability and performance, with flexible scalability.

“Being chosen as a Best-in-Show winner by Solar Power World is a tremendous validation of our efforts,” said Gary Lam, CEO & Co-Founder of FranklinWH. “The aPower S was built to meet the evolving energy demand for homeowners: higher loads, more intelligent energy use, and long-term resiliency. This award reflects our team’s dedication to creating storage solutions that aren’t only technically advanced. They’re designed to be truly practical for installers and meaningful for homeowners.”

As the home energy storage market continues to accelerate, FranklinWH plans to continue expanding manufacturing capacity, installer partnerships and ecosystem integration. The company views this award as both an endorsement of what the aPower S already achieves and a motivation for future innovation.

FranklinWH’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing further strengthens this momentum. With its new domestic production facility now in place, the company is ramping up its capacity to innovate faster, maintain greater market stability, and shorten delivery timelines for installers and homeowners.

About FranklinWH

FranklinWH Energy Storage is the manufacturer of the FranklinWH System, a next-generation home energy management and storage solution. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, FranklinWH’s team brings decades of experience across energy system design, manufacturing, sales, and installation. The company is AVL-listed with multiple financial institutions and continues to empower homeowners to achieve true energy freedom. Learn more at franklinwh.com.

Media Contact:
Media@franklinwh.com

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SOURCE FranklinWH Energy Storage Inc.

A Young Mind, an Improbable Idea and the First Paper Made in Space

Posted on November 25, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

APPLETON, Wis., November 25, 2025 /3BL/ – Product innovation is part of what drives Georgia-Pacific‘s business across all of our segments. But our Consumer Products business has an interesting innovation backstory with NASA and a manufacturing first 212 miles above Earth, resulting in an extraordinary achievement; the first—and only —sheets of paper produced in space aboard the NASA Space Shuttle Columbia in January 1986.

Three years before, Daniel Hebert, a student at Appleton West High School in Appleton, Wisconsin, designed an experiment to explore the effects of gravity on the papermaking process. He submitted his proposal to NASA as part of the Shuttle Student Involvement Project for Secondary Schools competition. After his proposal was accepted, Daniel collaborated closely with scientists from The Neenah Technical Center (NTC), operated by James River Corporation at the time. The Center is now part of the Georgia-Pacific consumer products business still based in Neenah, Wisconsin.

Daniel and the scientists designed a handheld apparatus for making paper in microgravity (the near weightlessness experienced on the Shuttle). The experiment was conducted simultaneously on January 14, 1986, aboard Columbia in space and at NTC on Earth. This groundbreaking endeavor exemplified a cross-sector partnership that combined educational ingenuity with scientific expertise, showcasing the potential of collaboration between students and industry professionals.

Over the past year, significant research and work have taken place to preserve and celebrate this historic achievement, including interviewing five individuals involved in the original project, and collecting a wealth of primary source materials such as the actual device flown aboard the shuttle, sheets of paper created as part of the experiment, early sketches, engineering drawings, and more.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the experiment in January 2026, artifacts will be showcased in an exhibit at Appleton’s the History Museum at the Castle. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the unique device that produced the paper in space, along with other rare memorabilia from the collaboration. This exhibit celebrates improbable ideas and honors the enduring contributions of the surrounding community to the advancement of scientific discovery, both historically and continuing to the present day.

Learn more about the exhibit and the History Museum at the Castle here.

View original content here.

What if the Real Leverage Point for Sustainability Isn’t the Brand, It’s the Factory?

Posted on November 25, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Our industry often leads with brand leadership, but the real transformation is happening where few cameras point: the factory floor.

While regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) push companies toward accountability and disclosure, the real test is how those mandates ripple through global supply chains, and how factories respond.

Across sourcing regions like China, and APAC more broadly, a quiet revolution is taking place. In a series of Cascale country reports – spanning Bangladesh, Vietnam, and most recently China – we examined the role of factories in ushering in a greener economy. Factories are investing in renewables, adopting circular design principles, and harnessing digital tools to optimize energy and resource use. These are not incremental changes, they’re innovative shifts in mindset. Factories, and the people that empower them, are starting to see sustainability not as a compliance cost, but as a competitive advantage.

Factories, a Data-Rich Story Engine

Factory leaders are proving that innovation and impact can coexist at the very heart of production. In our travelogues among other methods, we’ve documented global real-life examples of this innovation, visiting manufacturers such as Artistic Milliners and Diamond Fabrics (part of the Sapphire Group) — both respective leaders in their field.

This is just scratching the surface.

After more than two decades in communications, one truth stands out: brands cannot lead alone. Systems, standards, and shared metrics matter more than slogans. The real power lies in collective frameworks (the very essence of the Higg Index) that enable transparency, comparability, and trust. They give manufacturers and brands a common language for progress, and a way to prove that progress is real.

And this is where storytelling matters. Because the data tells us what’s changing, but the story tells us why it matters. Translating measurement into meaning is how we move audiences, shift perception, and inspire action. The challenge for communicators today isn’t just to celebrate impact, but to frame it in a way that’s credible, grounded, and human. And in the crosshairs of AI, this couldn’t be more important.

A Collective Role to Play

At Cascale, we’re working to bridge that gap, and this recognition of the manufacturer’s role is the foundation for the upcoming Cascale Forum: Colombo, an event built on collaboration and leadership in driving sustainability progress: connecting measurement with meaning, ensuring that data becomes a catalyst for transformation, not just a line in a report. Because when manufacturers lead and brands listen, the industry moves faster, further, and with more integrity.

So the next time someone asks where the future of sustainability lies, don’t just point to the latest brand campaign. Point to the place where ambition meets action – the factory floor. If you are a brand marketer or sustainability practitioner, it’s your responsibility to tell the whole story.

And if you are a manufacturer looking to craft genuine narratives that go beyond the green hype, we invite you to share your challenges openly and elevate your successes (by way of case studies or interviews on Source of Good). In every convening point, we will continue to ensure your voice is central to the conversation.

Have a story to share? Reach out.

PMI U.S. Launches “Thanks for Giving” to Honor Community Service in California

Posted on November 25, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Campaign Highlights Generosity and Commitment to Improving Lives

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses (“PMI U.S.”) today announced the launch of “Thanks for Giving,” a call to action inspiring Californians to recognize and support the charitable organizations and individuals working every day to build stronger communities. As Americans pause to recognize Thanksgiving and #GivingTuesday, the Thanks for Giving campaign highlights the spirit of generosity that drives impact year-round, while celebrating the extraordinary service of charitable partners—from national nonprofits to local organizations working tirelessly in communities across the nation.

“#GivingTuesday started as a single day of goodwill, but the true impact comes when generosity—and accountability with those investments—becomes part of our everyday behavior,” said Marian Salzman, Senior Vice President, PMI U.S., who was a driving force behind creating GivingTuesday in 2012. “At PMI U.S., generosity isn’t limited to a season. Since 2022, our giving has exceeded $35 million, and our employees have increased their participation in community programs by 400 percent. Saying thank you is powerful. But living it—365 days a year, with transparency and purpose—is even more meaningful.”

In 2025, PMI U.S. contributed nearly $1.5 million to 49 organizations in California, supporting communities in need and the company’s core giving pillars, including nearly $450,000 for economic empowerment initiatives; more than $55,000 toward veterans and military support; and over $1 million dedicated to disaster relief and prevention. With that support, organizations are enabled to further drive meaningful community-level change to improve lives.

“The $1 million donation from Philip Morris International U.S. (PMI U.S.) made it possible for the County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) to purchase a new Type 3 wildland engine for the West Altadena community that was significantly impacted by the January 2025 Eaton Fire. PMI U.S.’s generosity ensured the LACoFD was able to place this additional wildland engine in an area that needed it most,” said Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. “Additionally, a portion of the donation was also used to support residents deeply affected by this natural disaster along with LACoFD members whose homes were destroyed or damaged. Donation proceeds also went to the LACoFD’s Chaplains Benevolent Fund and Firefighters’ Memorial Committee to assist the families of our fallen members.”

“With the $20,000 PMI U.S. donated to our group in 2025, we’re able to deliver more ‘We Care’ packages to service members far from home,” said Paula Cornell, President and Founder, For The Troops. “This support not only provides essential comforts for those protecting our country, it strengthens the sense of community and connection that reminds our troops they are never alone.”

The “Thanks for Giving” campaign also spotlights the WeCare program, which empowers PMI U.S. employees to nominate nonprofits for company-funded donations. In 2025, it directed over $1,860,000 million to over 400 local organizations across 44 states and the District of Columbia. This brings PMI U.S.’s total contributions since 2022 to more than $35 million nationwide.

As a result, PMI U.S. employees helped direct over $72,000 in company-sponsored funds to support organizations across the state. “PMI U.S.’s support strengthened Pets In Need’s work to protect the human-animal bond in our community,” said John Magbual, Marketing Supervisor at Pets In Need. “Through their WeCare Grants, we are expanding access to essential veterinary care and safety-net services that keep pets healthy and with the families who love them. This partnership delivers direct, measurable impact for animals and the people who rely on us.”

Thanks for Giving is part of PMI U.S.’s pragmatic philanthropy—a better approach to corporate giving built on listening, investing for impact, and bringing others together to support those who are doing meaningful work every day. Learn more about PMI U.S.’s approach to philanthropy here.

PMI U.S.: Invested in America
Philip Morris International Inc.’s U.S. businesses are invested in America’s future and advancing a smoke-free nation. The businesses are committed to providing the approximately 30 million legal-age consumers who smoke cigarettes with better, smoke-free alternatives and to ensuring the products are marketed responsibly. From PMI’s global headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, and other locations nationwide, PMI U.S. contributes leadership, jobs, investment, and innovation in the U.S. The U.S. businesses employ more than 3,000 people across America and operate product manufacturing facilities, including in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Wilson, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.uspmi.com.

References to “PMI” mean the Philip Morris International family of companies. “PMI U.S.,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to one or more PMI U.S. businesses.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pmi-us-launches-thanks-for-giving-to-honor-community-service-in-california-302625689.html

SOURCE PMI US Corporate Services, Inc.

Veteran Employee Profile: Spotlighting Robert Bartlett’s Journey from Survivor to Advocate

Posted on November 25, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Robert Bartlett’s is a story of incredible perseverance, proving that even when you think all hope is lost, strength and purpose can rise from the darkest moments.

Bartlett’s family has served this country since its birth at Valley Forge. Deeply committed to the same spirit of service, he chose to join the Army through its Delayed Entry Program after the start of the War on Terror.

“At 30 years old, I enlisted in the Army to become a noncommissioned officer,” he said. “Supporting my fellow soldiers was deeply fulfilling, but the greatest privilege was contributing to a mission larger than myself in defense of our nation.”

Bartlett served in the Army as a cavalry scout sniper and deployed to Iraq soon after joining. There, he faced hardship and tragedy that would profoundly influence the path ahead.

“In 2005, an explosively formed penetrator bomb left me in critical condition,” he said. “In the years that followed, I faced death three times — and was given just as many chances to keep living.”

After four and a half years of surgery and treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bartlett medically retired as a staff sergeant in 2009. Through dedicated care and unwavering determination, he achieved a recovery few thought possible.

Though the road to recovery was long and painful, it placed him among people and experiences that would shape his future in ways he couldn’t yet see. Those same connections at Walter Reed would eventually guide him to a career with CACI.

“While at Walter Reed, I made friends with a few leaders from CACI through a fly-fishing program,” he said. “In 2014, they offered me a job with the company where I was given the opportunity to support my fellow servicemembers.”

Today, Bartlett continues his mission with CACI as a talent acquisition veteran engagement specialist, educating and advocating for active military members, veterans, and their spouses to align their skills today with their ambitions for tomorrow.

“At CACI, I work with military-affiliated individuals to help them better understand the federal contracting landscape and ensure their resumes get the attention they deserve,” he said. “With resources like these, it’s no surprise that more than a third of our workforce represents the military community.”

Bartlett works with a passionate team of talent acquisition professionals, and together they drive the company’s military branding efforts, manage related awards and internal metrics, and represent the company at career fairs to attract top talent.

CACI has worked hard to foster an accessible, approachable culture where every team member feels supported. Bartlett embodies those same principles through his dedication to helping fellow veterans find new purpose after service.

“Integrity is about doing the right thing for those who once did the same for us,” he said. “When we help those who risked their lives for our country, we give them a reason to keep moving forward. Sometimes, a new opportunity can change — or even save — a life.”

CACI is committed to supporting members of the military community for the invaluable experience and perspective they bring to advancing national security. Continue your mission with CACI.

About CACI

CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) is a national security company with 25,000 talented employees who are Ever Vigilant in expanding the limits of national security. We ensure our customers’ success by delivering differentiated technology and distinctive expertise to accelerate innovation, drive speed and efficiency, and rapidly anticipate and eliminate threats. Our culture drives our success and earns us recognition as a Fortune World’s Most Admired Company. We are members of the Fortune 500™, the Russell 1000 Index, and the S&P MidCap 400 Index. For more information, visit us at caci.com.

# # #

Corporate Communications and Media:
Lauren Presti
Executive Director, Media Relations and Digital Communications
(703) 434-5037, lauren.presti@caci.com

NEWLY LAUNCHED HAMBURG-SAVANNAH GREENBOX CONSOLIDATION SETS THE STANDARD FOR LOW-CARBON SHIPPING

Posted on November 25, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

GreenBox Cuts Maritime Emissions by 90 Percent

ATLANTA, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As sustainability reporting requirements expand across major trade markets, importers are being held to higher standards of transparency and action on Scope 3 emissions. Achieving decarbonization targets depends on reliable data, transparent reporting, and logistics models built with sustainability in mind. Through its new GreenBox Consolidations program, Green Worldwide Shipping (Green) incorporates sustainability into the shipment process, taking environmental responsibility from policy to practice.

Green launches Hamburg–Savannah consolidation with built-in certified fuel cuts, slashing maritime emissions by 90%.

“Our relationships across Europe continue to influence how we innovate globally. GreenBox Consolidations represent more than a new service. They reflect our ongoing commitment to measurable decarbonization and transparency, even in a volatile market. By embedding certified maritime fuel insets into every Hamburg-Savannah consolidation shipment, we are reducing emissions in our value chain and advancing our long-term goal to become one of the most sustainable freight forwarders in the world.”
Thomas Jorgensen, CEO | Green Worldwide Shipping

HOW DOES THE HAMBURG–SAVANNAH SERVICE REDUCE MARITIME EMISSIONS BY 90 PERCENT?

The GreenBox Consolidations program connects Hamburg, port of loading Bremerhaven, and Savannah through a weekly ocean service powered by Green’s Sustainable Maritime Fuel certificates (SMFc). Each 40-foot-high cube container accounts for 9,138 TEU nautical miles of shipping activity, which Green matches with low-emission fuel certificates procured through their participation in the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA). ZEMBA is a global coalition of cargo owners driving commercial adoption of zero-emission shipping through demand aggregation. The alliance uses a book and claim model to enable zero-emission shipping claims across all trade lanes, including those linking the European Union and the United States.

These certified maritime fuel insets reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90 percent on a lifecycle basis compared to conventional bunker fuel and directly support the scale-up of zero-emission maritime energy.

WHAT MAKES THE GREENBOX PROGRAM DIFFERENT?

Green Worldwide Shipping’s consolidation service builds certified sustainable fuel insets directly into the shipment process at no extra cost to shippers. The result is a verifiable emissions reduction achieved within the transportation activity itself, not through an out-of-sector offset. Importers gain a transparent framework they can apply immediately without changing routes, transit times, or carrier relationships.

HOW IS VERIFICATION MANAGED FOR ESG AND SCOPE 3 REPORTING?

Each GreenBox shipment is documented with verifiable data linking cargo movement to certified emission reductions. Shippers receive a formal statement monthly confirming their impact, and Green retires each participant’s share of SMFc in the Katalist registry for ESG and Scope 3 reporting. This approach provides companies with auditable data that supports regulatory reporting and demonstrates measurable progress toward sustainability objectives.

HOW DOES GREEN EXTEND LOW-CARBON PERFORMANCE BEYOND THE PORT?

Sustainability continues after the vessel docks in Savannah. Drayage from the port to Green’s nearby gateway warehouse is handled exclusively by SmartWay Partner carriers who are pursuing freight efficiency through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program. By pairing low-emission ocean transport with certified domestic carriers, Green enacts its low-carbon commitment across every leg of the journey.

WHAT MAKES GREENBOX A MODEL FOR GLOBAL DECARBONIZATION?

GreenBox Consolidations reflect a deliberate shift in how logistics providers and shippers approach sustainability. Rather than treating Scope 3 transport emission reduction as a future goal, the program integrates it into a dependable weekly service that delivers measurable outcomes today while helping scale up zero emission shipping for increased availability tomorrow.

Through collaboration with ZEMBA, SmartWay, and carriers using certified low-emission fuel, Green Worldwide Shipping advances a transparent, data-driven model for sustainable logistics that supports transport decarbonization goals and aligns with tightening environmental standards in the United States, the European Union, and beyond.

Learn more and make your freight matter at https://www.greenworldwide.com/services/greenbox-consolidations/

Media Contact: For media inquiries contact web@greenworldwide.com

WHO IS GREEN WORLDWIDE SHIPPING?

Green Worldwide Shipping^® is a private, wholly owned and independent third-party logistics firm founded in 2008 on the basic principles of respect, dedication, and best-in-class customer service.

Green’s growing team of supply chain experts, located in over 16 offices across the U.S., offer services in international freight forwarding, Customs brokerage, regulatory trade compliance, warehousing, distribution, project cargo, AOG/Time Critical, sustainability logistics, and supply chain visibility for some of the world’s leading global brands.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newly-launched-hamburgsavannah-greenbox-consolidation-sets-the-standard-for-low-carbon-shipping-302625809.html

SOURCE Green Worldwide Shipping

Wrap up more than a story: Aflac’s “Beyond Words” is the perfect gift that gives back

Posted on November 25, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

COLUMBUS, Ga., Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Looking for a holiday gift that warms hearts and makes a real difference? Aflac’s new children’s book, “Beyond Words,” does just that. This imaginative tale about empathy and kindness isn’t just a bedtime favorite — it’s a way to support children battling cancer and blood disorders. With 100% of net proceeds benefiting the Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation, every copy you place under the tree helps fund lifesaving research and care.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/aflac/9353751-en-aflac-childrens-book-beyond-words-supports-childhood-cancer-foundation

Written by bestselling author Sheri Fink and featuring a foreword by research astronaut Kellie Gerardi, “Beyond Words” follows Buddy the bear cub on a heartwarming adventure. Buddy wants to comfort his friend Bunny, who’s in the hospital, but struggles to find the right words. Through an imaginative journey into space, Buddy learns that sometimes the greatest gift isn’t what you say — it’s what you do.

A gift that truly gives back

Here’s the holiday magic: 100% of net proceeds from “Beyond Words” benefit the Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation, funding research and treatment for children with cancer and blood disorders. So when you slip this book under the tree, you’re not just giving a story — you’re giving hope.

For more than 30 years, Aflac has supported families through its partnership with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, contributing nearly $200 million to research and care. And, since 2018, Aflac has also provided comfort through its beloved My Special Aflac Duck®, a robotic companion gifted free of charge to more than 41,000 children ages 3 and up with pediatric cancer or sickle cell disease. This book is the latest chapter in that legacy of compassion and a reminder that kindness knows no bounds.

Perfect for stockings and storytime

Available in hardcover ($21.99) and softcover ($12.99), “Beyond Words” makes an affordable, meaningful gift for kids and families. Plus, every copy includes a QR code for free downloadable coloring sheets featuring Buddy and his cosmic crew — ideal for cozy afternoons. And if you’re traveling for the holidays, the audiobook narrated by Gerardi brings Buddy’s adventure to life on the go.

As you wrap gifts this season, consider one that goes beyond ribbons and bows — give a story that inspires empathy, fuels imagination and helps fund lifesaving care. Because sometimes, the best gifts truly go beyond words.

Visit Aflac.com/BeyondWords to learn more.

Contact Stephanie A. Wilken for b-roll at SWilken@aflac.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wrap-up-more-than-a-story-aflacs-beyond-words-is-the-perfect-gift-that-gives-back-302625628.html

SOURCE Aflac

GoDaddy Advances Trusted AI Agent Identity With ANS API and Standards Site

Posted on November 25, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published on GoDaddy

TEMPE, Ariz., November 25, 2025 /3BL/ — GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) today announced major progress on its Agent Name Service (ANS), the company’s trusted identity naming system for AI agents. Since first unveiling the initiative last month, GoDaddy has opened public access to the ANS API for developers to build and test integrations and launched the ANS Standards site publishing the latest open API specification and guidance for interoperable agent identity.

ANS brings internet-scale trust to the rapidly growing agentic ecosystem by pairing human-readable names with cryptographically verifiable identity and policy, enabling developers and platforms to discover, verify and govern agents across protocols.

“The agent economy on the open web needs a backbone of trust,” said GoDaddy Chief Technology Officer for Product & AI, Travis Muhlestein. “With ANS, we’re extending decades of experience operating domain names, DNS, and certificate infrastructure to make it easy for anyone to name an agent, verify it cryptographically, and have it work across ecosystems.”

What’s new today

ANS API is live for builders. Developers can generate keys, explore endpoints, and test ANS registration, discovery, and lifecycle operations. For instructions on getting API key, visit www.AgentNameRegistry.org.
ANS Standards site is now available. Our ANS software architecture document and related developer information is available at the public GitHub site getstarted.godaddy/ans.
Continued progress since launch. Building on community and partner input, ANS incorporates a protocol-agnostic adapter layer designed to work alongside emerging standards (e.g., A2A, MCP) while using familiar PKI/X.509 for verifiable identity and DNS-style discovery.

Why ANS?

Trusted identity: Enrollment issues agent certificates and status, enabling cryptographic checks before agents exchange data or act.
Interoperability without lock-in: An open adapter layer translates agent records into the formats used by popular agent frameworks.
Operational rigor: Registration, renewal, and revocation flows provide the lifecycle controls required for production deployments.

Get started

Developers can visit www.AgentNameRegistry.org to obtain a GoDaddy API key. They can also explore the latest ANS spec, implementation guidance and join in the work.

About GoDaddy

GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.    

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

Marco’s Pizza Asks Guests to Round-Up and Make Their Change Matter During Cyber Week

Posted on November 25, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Donate to The Marco’s Pizza Foundation Black Friday – Giving Tuesday and Receive a Free Small Cheese Pizza Coupon

TOLEDO, Ohio, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brands, encourages guests to give back in a meaningful way this holiday season to support their communities. During one of the busiest shopping weeks of the year, Black Friday (Nov. 28) through Giving Tuesday (Dec. 2), guests who make a contribution to The Marco’s Pizza Foundation at checkout will receive a free small cheese pizza coupon, redeemable at participating locations anytime in December.*

Local Junior Achievement programs help equip students with the skills and confidence to pursue big futures.

The Marco’s Pizza Foundation supports four key pillars: hunger prevention, schools & education, workforce development and entrepreneurship. Since October 2024, the Marco’s Pizza Foundation has supported Junior Achievement USA (JA) and its local chapters.

“Every day, we see how even small acts of generosity can spark meaningful change,” said Raven Fisher, Executive Director of The Marco’s Pizza Foundation. “Cyber Week gives our guests a simple way to make a big impact; supporting students, strengthening communities, and helping local Junior Achievement programs reach even more young people.”

JA USA helps equip students with essential financial literacy, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship skills through hands-on learning experience. The nationwide collaboration helps unite the Marco’s Pizza brand, its franchisees, and the communities it serves around a shared mission. A portion of funds collected by the Marco’s Pizza Foundation during Cyber Week will be directed to local Junior Achievement chapters to support community programs.

“During the holiday season, families are looking for meaningful ways to give back, and what better way than investing in the next generation,” said Stephanie Moseley, President of the Marco’s Pizza Foundation and Multi-Unit Franchisee. “Local Junior Achievement programs help equip students with the skills and confidence to pursue big futures.”

The initiative is part of the Foundation’s mission to bring people together to nurture and nourish the communities they call home. Since launching in 2022, the Foundation has united Marco’s Pizza franchisees, team members, and guests around a shared commitment to making a meaningful local impact.

“Marco’s Pizza is built on a culture of community, and our Foundation continues to expand the reach of that mission,” Moseley added. “Whether a guest donates a few cents or a few dollars, every contribution fuels programs that help improve the lives of children, families, and future entrepreneurs.”

Guests can donate at checkout online, in-app, or in-store during the promotion period. Upon donating, they will receive a coupon for a free small cheese pizza, redeemable on orders placed at participating locations in December.*

For more information about this offer, Marco’s Pizza, and to find your nearest location, visit www.marcos.com or download the Marco’s app available on the App Store or Google Play.

To learn more about the Marco’s Pizza Foundation mission, please visit https://www.marcos.com/foundation/.

ABOUT MARCO’S PIZZA
Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco’s Pizza is one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the United States. Marco’s was founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale (“Pat”) Giammarco and thrives to deliver a high-quality pizza experience, known for its dough made from scratch and its three fresh signature cheeses. The company has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate over 1,200 stores in 35 states with locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Mexico. Notably, Marco’s was recognized as America’s Favorite Restaurant in the Limited-Service Pizza category by Nation’s Restaurant News using Technomic Ignite Consumer 2024 data^ꝉꝉ. Other recent accolades include being recognized by QSR as one of the “16 Best Franchise Deals for 2025”, ranking No. 49 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2025 “Franchise 500” ranking, earning a coveted spot as the only top 5 pizza chain to rank on Newsweek’s 2025 “America’s Best Customer Service” in pizza chains list, earning a spot on QSR’s Top 50, and being featured on Nation’s Restaurant News’ prestigious “Top 500” ranking.

*Purchase Required. Use code: GIVE2025. Coupon must be presented at the time of redemption and is limited to one small cheese pizza to the holder. Only valid 12/1/25 through 12/31/25 at participating stores. No cash value, no substitutions, non-transferable. Not valid through 3rd-party delivery apps. Additional toppings/delivery fee/tax extra (varies by store). Delivery orders must meet stated minimum. Other restrictions may apply – see store or marcos.com for details.

^ꝉꝉAccording to Technomic’s 2024 America’s Favorite Restaurants data, Marco’s Pizza secured the top spot in the Limited-Service Pizza category with a 53.4% composite top-box rating, indicating the share of recent guests who gave the brand the highest possible rating for each of the guest experience attributes. Data for America’s Favorite Chains comes from Technomic Ignite Consumer, which collects information about how brands impact consumers and how consumers interact with those brands, via online surveys. See here for more information: www.technomic.com/ignite-consumer.

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SOURCE Marco’s Pizza