Tag: PR Newswire

2^nd annual Fortune list has Singapore’s Trafigura at No. 1, as the energy sector dominates; Malaysia’s NationGate claims fastest growing by revenue

Ranks of female CEOs at Southeast Asia 500 companies increases to nearly 40, up 28% from last year

Indonesia has the most companies, 109, on the Southeast Asia 500 but Singapore companies lead in revenue, profits, and assets

SINGAPORE, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Fortune today unveils the 2025 Southeast Asia 500 rankings, the second annual list of the largest companies in the region, ranked by revenue for the 2024 fiscal year. Fortune’s focus on Southeast Asia comes as the region emerges as a resilient growth engine for the global economy, playing an increasingly important role in global supply chains, capturing manufacturing capacity shifting from China due to heightened tariffs and trade tensions.

The seven countries in last year’s inaugural Southeast Asia 500 list—Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Cambodia—return in 2025, and continue to make their mark on the region’s economy. Indonesia leads with 109 companies, while Thailand follows with 100. Malaysia has 92 companies on the list, surpassing Singapore’s 81. Vietnam’s presence on the list has grown to 76, while the Philippines contributes 40 and Cambodia rounds out the list with two.

Singapore-headquartered commodities trader Trafigura earned the No. 1 spot on the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 for a second year, generating more than $243 billion in revenue in 2024, followed by Thailand’s PTT (No. 2), Indonesia’s Pertamina (No. 3) and Singapore’s food and agribusiness powerhouses—Wilmar (No. 4) and Olam (No. 5). The top five companies generated nearly $516 billion in revenue, or 28% of all 500 companies combined.

Together, the top 10 generated $660 billion—36% of the list’s total revenue—while the top 20 accounted for $836 billion, nearly half the combined revenue of all 500 companies. Notably, Singapore-based companies generated $637 billion in 2024, underscoring the city-state’s role as a regional business hub and accounting for just over a third of the Southeast Asia 500’s total revenue. Collectively, companies on the 2025 list generated $1.82 trillion in revenue in 2024, up from $1.79 trillion the year before. The minimum revenue threshold to be included on the 2025 list was $349.4 million.

“Fortune’s interest in the region reflects Southeast Asia’s growing importance as an engine of global growth,” says Clay Chandler, Executive Editor, Asia. “The region has become a crucial manufacturing and export hub, which is drawing significant capital flows. This momentum has been further fueled by Trump-era tariffs, which have reshaped global trade dynamics and driven a shift towards Southeast Asia.”

Energy – whether resource extraction, power generation, or electrical transmission—is the dominant sector on the 2025 list, accounting for almost a third of its total revenue. Thai oil refiner and energy company, Bangchak, breaks into this year’s top 20 with a 47% jump in revenue. Financial firms represent Southeast Asia’s second-largest sector. Significantly, thirteen banks and financial firms are among the top 20 most profitable companies with Singapore’s DBS leading—both in terms of revenue and earnings—for a second year.

In his introduction to the new list in the June/July issue of Fortune Asia magazine, editor, Asia, Nick Gordon notes, the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 provides “a snapshot of a region ready to take advantage of global supply chain shifts and booming industries like mining, EVs, and AI—even as U.S. tariff policy threatens to roll back some of last year’s gains.”

Fast-growers in revenue terms included newcomers to the list—Malaysian precision manufacturing company NationGate, Indonesian mining and energy firm, Petrindo Jaya Kreasi and Vietnam’s transport infrastructure and automotive services company, Tasco JSC, as well as returning companies such as the Philippines’ online gaming firm, Digiplus Interactive, and travel and transportation companies like Singapore aviation catering and logistics firm SATS, Changi Airport Group and Airports of Thailand. In 2024, the top 20 fast-growers captured strong tailwinds from rebounding tourism, resource demand (coal, nickel, energy), digital transformation, and industrial growth in Southeast Asia.

In a positive sign for female leadership in the region, Fortune’s analysts noted there are 37 female CEOs leading Southeast Asia 500 companies, up from 29 reported last year. There are also 37 women holding the position of chairman. This growth in diversity, alongside the ten CEOs in their 30s, underscores the region’s evolving leadership landscape. The average age of the chief executives leading the 500 companies is 58. In total, the 2025 Southeast Asia 500 companies employ more than 6.3 million people.

The 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list and stories are available internationally on Fortune.com/asia and on newsstands across Asia starting today, June 17. The list and rankings can be viewed at https://fortune.com/asia/ranking/southeast-asia-500/2025/.

About Fortune

Fortune is a global multi-platform media company built on a legacy of trusted, award-winning reporting and information for those who want to make business better. Independently owned, Fortune tells the stories of the world’s biggest companies and their leaders as well as a new generation of innovators who are moving business forward. Digitally and in print, Fortune measures corporate performance through rigorous benchmarks, and holds companies accountable, in regions around the world. Its iconic rankings include Fortune 500, Fortune Global 500, Most Powerful Women, and World’s Most Admired Companies. Fortune builds world-class communities by convening industry thought leaders for exclusive summits and conferences, including the Fortune Global Forum and Brainstorm Tech. For more information, visit fortune.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fortune-unveils-2025-southeast-asia-500-302482289.html

SOURCE Fortune

LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Scientology Network’s DESTINATION: SCIENTOLOGY, the weekly travelogue series that takes viewers inside Scientology Churches all around the world and discovers what makes each one unique, presents an episode featuring Columbus, Ohio, premiering on June 16, 2025.

DESTINATION: SCIENTOLOGY airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Scientology Network.

ABOUT DESTINATION: SCIENTOLOGY, COLUMBUS

Columbus, Ohio, is a classic all-American city powered by pride, passion and team spirit. The state capital and one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, it’s known as “The Biggest Small Town in America”—a place defined by Midwestern warmth, where the community rallies year-round behind the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Located on Dublin Road just minutes from downtown Columbus, the Church serves a wide region that extends beyond state lines—including western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Indiana—acting as a hub for outreach and service across Central Ohio and beyond.

In this episode, viewers will see how the Church stands as a partner to the community, helping residents reach their goals in the ultimate game of life. The program spotlights the Church’s humanitarian efforts and local partnerships that uplift people of all backgrounds. Along the way, viewers will also experience the city’s vibrant culture—from football traditions to the many creative ways locals celebrate the buckeye nut—and see why Columbus is a city on the rise.

The Scientology Network debuted on March 12, 2018. Since launching, the Scientology Network has been viewed in over 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists; showing the Church as a global organization; and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. The network also showcases documentaries by independent filmmakers who represent a cross section of cultures and faiths but share a common purpose of uplifting communities. Scientology Network’s innovative content has been recognized with more than 125 industry awards, including Tellys, Communitas and Hermes Creative Awards.

Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church’s global media center in Los Angeles, the Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lifes-a-gameand-the-buckeyes-are-out-to-win-it-on-destination-scientology-columbus-302483019.html

SOURCE Church of Scientology International

Brand also launches new digital campaign, “Keeping It Real,” which puts the city’s stories and people front and center, featuring art by local artist George F. Baker III and a community vote to support hometown organizations

TAMPA, Fla. and STAMFORD, Conn., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Deer Park^® Spring Water has unveiled a new limited-edition bottle to celebrate the city of Atlanta as it prepares to host the 95th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard^® on July 15. Designed by local artist George F. Baker III, the new 25 fl. oz aluminum bottle celebrates Atlanta’s creativity and spirit of community, offering baseball fans – and fans of the spring water brand which has hydrated the eastern seaboard since 1873 – a chance to support three local organizations who are making a difference every day for the people of this great city. The limited-edition bottles, with a distinct design inspired by Atlanta’s skyline, are currently available wherever Deer Park^® Spring Water is sold. The creative campaign surrounding one of the biggest sports events of the summer will also include the unveiling of a community mural in the Summerhill neighborhood, designed by George.

“Atlanta has given me so much, and I’m honored to collaborate with Deer Park to create art that reflects our incredible community, culture and creativity,” said George F. Baker III (Instagram: @gfb3). “Atlanta fans show up loud, proud, and full of heart, and that spirit lives in every part of this project, from the bottle to the mural and beyond. It’s an honor to be part of something that celebrates not just All-Star Week, but the people who make this city feel like home.” 

With deep roots in “The A,” Deer Park^® Spring Water is tapping into the excitement of the upcoming game with a digital content series called “Keeping it Real,” which spotlights the people who give Atlanta its distinct edge. Conceived and produced by The Lab, the in-house creative agency at Primo Brands, the series features interviews with a variety of figures, including George, and Austin Riley of the Atlanta Braves, who is also a Deer Park^® Spring Water ambassador this season. 

Supporting the Heroic Work of Local All Stars
Through a fan-driven vote, Deer Park^® Spring Water will give back to local organizations who provide vital services to Atlanta’s communities by making donations totaling $95,000 to three standout community organizations, each selected for their commitment to strengthening Atlanta:

• Food Well Alliance: A collaborative network of local leaders working together to build equitable and thriving community gardens, urban farms, and orchards across metro Atlanta. 
• Boys & Girls Club of America: For more than 165 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis after school and during the summer.
• Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB): With Austin Riley as a partner, this nonprofit organization helps veterans lead healthier lives through fitness events, training, and programs. 

The public will vote for their organization of choice, and all three will be honored during a special celebration during All-Star Game festivities.

“Atlanta isn’t just hosting the MLB All-Star Game – it’s home to a community of All-Stars who make the city so special through their creativity, their energy, and the love of their city,” said Kheri Tillman, Chief Marketing Officer, Primo Brands. “As a graduate of Spelman College, a historically black women’s liberal arts college in Atlanta that is dedicated to its community, this activation is special. Our MLB partnership is meant to lift up the communities we serve, and this campaign is the latest example of that promise in action. Only a brand with roots as deep as Deer Park^® Spring Water can show up in this way for Atlanta, by Atlanta, and we’re honored to celebrate the people who keep this city real, give back through their passions and make a real impact.”

One percent of sales from the purchase of Deer Park^® aluminum bottles will be donated to organizations focused on conserving and preserving watersheds for future generations; we do this through a partnership with 1% for the Planet, a global network of businesses aimed at making a positive impact on the environment.

Fans can find the limited-edition bottles now, and vote for their organization of choice, until June 30. The “Keeping it Real” series is currently on the brand’s Instagram handle, @deerparkwtr, and at deerparkwater.com.

About Deer Park^® Spring Water

Deer Park^® Spring Water has been proudly refreshing America for over 150 years, with its roots tracing back to 1873 and the original spring—Boiling Spring, MD, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. What began as one historic source has grown into a trusted brand that now responsibly sources and bottles spring water from multiple locations across the Eastern seaboard. 

Learn more about our brand at www.deerparkwater.com, and follow us on Instagram @deerparkwtr. 

Deer Park^® Spring Water is part of Primo Brands, a leading North American branded beverage company focused on healthy hydration. 

About Primo Brands 

Primo Brands is a leading North American branded beverage company focused on healthy hydration, delivering responsibly sourced diversified offerings across products, formats, channels, price points, and consumer occasions, distributed in every U.S. state and Canada. 

Primo Brands has a comprehensive portfolio of highly recognizable and conveniently packaged branded water and beverages that reach consumers whenever, wherever, and however they hydrate through distribution across retail outlets, away from home such as hotels and hospitals, and food service accounts, as well as direct delivery to homes and businesses. These brands include established “billion-dollar brands” Poland Spring^® and Pure Life^®, premium brands like Saratoga^® Spring Water and The Mountain Valley^® Spring Water, regional leaders such as Arrowhead^®, Deer Park^®, Ice Mountain^®, Ozarka^®, and Zephyrhills^®, purified brands including Primo Water™ and Sparkletts^®, and flavored and enhanced brands like Splash Refresher™ and AC+ION^®. Primo Brands also has an industry-leading line-up of innovative water dispensers, which create consumer connectivity through recurring water purchases. 

Primo Brands operates a vertically integrated coast-to-coast network that distributes its brands to more than 200,000 retail outlets, as well as directly reaching consumers through its Direct Delivery, Exchange and Refill offerings. Through Direct Delivery, Primo Brands delivers responsibly sourced hydration solutions direct to home and business customers. Through its Exchange business, consumers can visit approximately 26,500 retail locations and purchase a pre-filled, multi-use bottle of water that can be exchanged after use for a discount on the next purchase. Through its Refill business, consumers have the option to refill empty multi-use bottles at approximately 23,500 self-service refill stations. Primo Brands also offers water filtration units for home and business customers across North America. 

For more information, please visit www.primobrands.com. 

About Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most historic professional sports league in the United States and consists of 30 member clubs in the U.S. and Canada, representing the highest level of professional baseball. Led by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., MLB has achieved back-to-back attendance gains for the first time in 12 years with an overall increase of +11% and 80% of Clubs welcoming more fans over the last two seasons following extensive rule changes that have improved the quality of play on the field. With the 2024 season featuring the best time of game in 40 years and the most stolen bases in 109 years, MLB viewership increased across all its national media partners, grew international viewership by +18%, set another record for MLB.TV streaming with more than 14 billion minutes watched and earned League of the Year honors from Sports Business Journal and the CLIOS. As the league increased its marketing efforts and promotion of star players, MLB has significantly increased its younger fan base as evidenced through viewership, social media, ticket purchasing, and participation metrics.

Through its MLB Together social responsibility efforts, MLB remains committed to making a positive impact in the communities of the U.S., Canada and throughout the world. With the continued success of MLB Network, MLB digital platforms and local media production and distribution, MLB continues to find innovative ways for its fans to enjoy America’s National Pastime and a truly global game. To learn more about MLB, please visit www.mlb.com.

About Boys and Girls Club of America
For more than 165 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,500 Clubs serve more than 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and LinkedIn. 

About Food Well Alliance: 

Food Well Alliance (FWA) is a collaborative network of local leaders working together to build equitable, thriving community gardens, urban farms, and orchards across metro Atlanta. FWA’s mission is to provide resources and support to local growers to connect and build healthier communities. Their vision is for an Atlanta that is locally grown and community connected. Since their founding in 2015, FWA has engaged thousands of people annually around the issues of local food and provided more than $15 million in
direct resources. FWA currently supports more than 300 growing spaces in the five-county Atlanta metro area: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton counties- with orchard plantings and service extending into the full Atlanta Region. Learn more about their work and how you can get involved @foodwellalliance or foodwellalliance.org.

About Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB):

Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and America’s leading health and wellness community for the military-connected community. Team RWB’s events and programs empower Veterans and Service Members to build a healthy lifestyle focused on four pillars: physical health, mental health, genuine relationships, and a sense of purpose. With over 250,000 members and supporters across the nation, Team RWB is enriching lives and local communities through both in-person events and dynamic in-app programming. Visit teamrwb.org to get involved. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/deer-park-spring-water-celebrates-atlanta-with-limited-edition-bottle-brand-pledges-95k-for-community-organizations-during-2025-mlb-all-star-week-302482899.html

SOURCE Primo Brands Corporation

Visit www.OpportunityAtOportun.com to Download the Presentation

NEW YORK, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Findell Capital Partners, LP, (together with its affiliates, “Findell,” “we” or “us”) one of the largest stockholders of Oportun Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: OPRT) (“Oportun” or the “Company”), today released an investor presentation highlighting the urgent need for additional independence and consumer finance industry expertise in the Company’s boardroom.

In the presentation, Findell outlines what it sees as the legacy Board of Directors’ (the “Board”) failure to effectively oversee management and instill accountability:

• CEO Raul Vazquez turned Oportun’s simple lending business into a money-losing fintech platform – destroying nearly $1.5 billion of stockholder capital in the process – by exploding its cost per loan, massively increasing its net charge-offs and pursuing disastrous acquisitions, including the approximately $211 mm purchase of Hello Digit, Inc.

• As a result of these strategic missteps, the Company’s revenue and earnings deteriorated, leading to a roughly 76% collapse in the stock price from September 2019 through March 2023.

• Oportun has severely underperformed its closest public peer, OneMain Holdings, Inc., in terms of net charge-offs, OpEx ratio and stock price performance.

• Management’s long-term targets for return on assets (“ROA”) and return on equity (“ROE”) are subpar and conceal the Company’s weak annual percentage rate and overly high leverage.

• Not a single legacy Board member has lending experience, let alone subprime lending experience. Several directors also appear to us to have conflicts of interest based on their previous working relationships with each other and with Mr. Vazquez, as described in the presentation.

• Despite the Company’s poor performance under their oversight, the legacy directors have remained on the Board for years – even when failing to receive a majority of votes in favor of their election – and continue to control the Board’s committees and other leadership positions.

Findell also notes how the addition of independent lending expertise has benefited Oportun over the past two years and details the Company’s opportunities for value creation:

• Our engagement – including the appointment of Scott Parker and Richard Tambor, two Findell-identified directors with lending expertise – led to positive operating and governance changes, including a 61% reduction in OpEx per loan and a more than 206% total stockholder return.

• The election of independent director candidate Warren Wilcox, who has highly relevant expertise in subprime lending and a deep understanding of Oportun’s business, will help eliminate the legacy directors’ control of the Board and lead to better oversight of the Company.

• Oportun has ample room to reduce its corporate overhead by $80 mm and run at an OpEx ratio of less than 12%, which would bring the Company more in line with competitors.

• The Company should remove its self-imposed 36% interest rate cap, which has driven significant underperformance and prevented Oportun from serving large swaths of customers.

• Oportun should target pre-tax ROA of 8-10% while maintaining a conservative leverage ratio to yield >40% ROE.

• Findell believes Oportun could achieve more than $22 per share¹ if it reasonably reduces annual operating expenses to $325 mm by the end of 2026 and does not dilute stockholders any further.

***

We urge stockholders to vote FOR the election of Warren Wilcox and AGAINST the reelection of failed CEO Raul Vazquez on the WHITE proxy card. Visit www.OpportunityAtOportun.com to learn more.

Contact:

Findell Capital Management, LLC
88 Pine Street, 22nd Fl.
New York, NY 10005
info@findell.us 

OR

Saratoga Proxy Consulting LLC
John Ferguson
info@saratogaproxy.com 

______________________________
¹ Assuming a pre-tax ROA of 8-10%, $3 billion in outstanding loans and a market multiple of 6-7X earnings.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/findell-capital-releases-presentation-on-oportun-financial-302482852.html

SOURCE Findell Capital Management, LLC

Launching at IPW 2025, the “Never Done. Never Outdone.” campaign is an invitation to experience a Chicago that is endlessly creative, relentlessly driven, and always ready to surprise you.

CHICAGO, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Choose Chicago today announced the global launch of a new marketing campaign to position Chicago as a premier global destination for leisure travel, meetings, and events. The new “Never Done. Never Outdone.” campaign was informed and influenced by a year-plus long brand strategy effort consisting of over 300 community and industry listening sessions, focus groups, sentiment surveys, social listening research, and brand showcases.

“Never Done.  Never Outdone.” honors the spirit of our city—always evolving, always pushing forward, and never satisfied with the status quo. The campaign launches during peak season and as Chicago hosts the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2025, the largest inbound international travel trade show in the country. With $5.5 billion of future travel booked across this four-day show, this is Chicago’s moment to tell our story to the global tourism community.

“I could not be more proud to launch Choose Chicago’s new marketing campaign: ‘Never Done. Never Outdone.'” said Kristen Reynolds, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. “This message is steeped in community and stakeholder feedback and speaks to the continued evolution of our city and our new era of visitor, business and economic domination. I’m grateful for the time and dedication that my team took to listen to our residents, local businesses, and clients and I’m confident that the result will be a campaign that resonates with visitors and locals alike to drive economic vitality through every Chicago neighborhood.”

“From world-class dining, to beautiful lakefront views, to vibrant neighborhoods ready to explore, Chicago is an ideal destination for visitors from all across the world,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Choose Chicago’s new ‘Never Done. Never Outdone.’ campaign is a true testament to all our city has to offer. This new effort will support our already thriving tourism economy, all while supporting countless jobs in cultural, culinary, and hospitality industries across the State of Illinois.”

“I am proud of the work our colleagues at Choose Chicago have done in developing this new campaign,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Work like this can only be born out of meaningful collaboration and engagement, and they’ve taken great care to include the perspectives of a diverse cross-section of community voices in the research that went into the campaign. I’m confident it will ultimately share an authentic depiction of our city and convey the open-minded, welcoming spirit of Chicagoans.” 

“Never Done. Never Outdone.” is a campaign unlike any other Choose Chicago has launched in the past. Unlike previous campaigns, which focused primarily on attracting leisure travelers, this campaign is designed to speak to and inspire all audiences, including potential leisure visitors as well as meeting and event planners, the creative community, international sports fans, the economic development community, and most importantly, Chicago residents.

“‘Never Done. Never Done.’ reflects a mindset that’s deeply original, bold, open-minded, and grounded in community — values that are central to who we are and how we show up,” said Lisa Nucci, Chief Marketing Officer at Choose Chicago. “As a life-long Chicagoan, it has been an honor to work on this project and inspiring to see the way our partners in the tourism and hospitality industry and the civic sector have been so involved and invested from day one. Through hundreds of hours of listening sessions, preview events, and informal conversations, one thing was consistently apparent to me: Chicagoans truly love their city. That love and civic pride is really at the heart of ‘Never Done. Never Outdone.'”

The “Never Done. Never Outdone.” campaign was officially revealed to the international audience today at IPW. The launch includes the release of a campaign video featuring Grammy- Award winning poet and artist and local Chicagoan J. Ivy. The campaign will run in key local, regional, national, and international markets, targeting both leisure travelers and meeting and event planners. Advertising will begin locally to build campaign engagement and civic pride, then expand to other markets to help drive future leisure and business travel to Chicago.

“I can’t imagine a better note to end my tenure on than the launch of a new marketing campaign for Chicago,” said Glenn Eden, Choose Chicago’s Board Chair. “‘Never Done. Never Outdone.’ is so much more than an ad campaign; it is a testament to Chicagoans’ love for their city—to the people and communities that give our food its flavor and make our neighborhoods come to life. I couldn’t be prouder of the work the team has put into this important initiative, and I know it will help introduce our city to millions of future visitors from around the world.”

Chicago residents can expect to see “Never Done. Never Outdone.” advertisements on city information panels and highlighted in social media activations in the coming weeks. Nationally, Choose Chicago prioritizes ad placements based on historical seasonal demand from top inbound leisure markets, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York City. Internationally, ad placements and spend will also be primarily allocated to key leisure markets based on demand, including Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Choose Chicago will continue to engage members and community partners in the campaign efforts to infuse reasons why Chicago is “Never Done. Never Outdone.” into content and events.

Choose Chicago collaborated with a creative collection of agencies for the brand and campaign work including MMGY Global, Envisionit (digital and creative partner), Agents of Slang (creative partner), October Productions (production partner), Word and Soul (creative partner), and Chu Batsaihan (creative partner).

###

About Choose Chicago: Choose Chicago is the official destination marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global tourism and meetings destination—the city that’s Never Done and Never Outdone. Choose Chicago leverages the city’s unmatched assets to enrich the community by attracting meetings, events, and leisure visitors, helping to attract over 55 million visitors annually and generating $20 billion in economic impact. Follow @choosechicago and tag #neverdonechi on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X/Twitter. For more information, visit choosechicago.com

Campaign Assets Available
Marketing Campaign Video

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/choose-chicago-launches-new-community-driven-marketing-campaign-to-amplify-civic-pride-and-position-chicago-as-a-premier-global-destination-302482834.html

SOURCE Choose Chicago

“In-Depth Analysis of the MENA Electric Vehicle Market: Forecasting Trends, Technological Advances, and Regulatory Policies from 2024 to 2029″

BOSTON, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — According to the latest study from BCC Research, the “EV Regional Analysis Market: Middle East and North Africa” is expected to reach $14.5 billion by the end of 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2% from 2024 to 2029.

This report offers a comprehensive analysis of the electric vehicle (EV) market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and provides insights into market size based on EV registrations, sales, and infrastructure developments across major countries. The report looks at the technological advances, regulatory policies, investment trends, and consumer adoption patterns that are shaping the MENA EV market. Additionally, it examines the economic impact, business opportunities, and sustainability initiatives driving the industry’s growth. The competitive landscape is also highlighted, profiling major players in EV manufacturing, charging infrastructure, battery technology, and mobility solutions, while identifying market drivers, challenges, and regional dynamics influencing the growth of electric mobility in the MENA region.

Turkiye is excluded from the MENA EV market report because it is typically considered to be part of Europe and Central Asia due to its economic ties, regulatory framework, and alignment with European automotive industry standards. Turkiye’s established domestic EV industry, including brands like Togg, adheres to EU standards and policies, which differentiates it from the MENA market dynamics. This distinction underscores the unique market conditions and regulatory environments that separate Turkiye from the MENA region in the context of EV market analysis.

The factors driving the market’s growth include:

Government Policies and Incentives: Governments in the MENA region are promoting the adoption of EVs through policies and incentives. These include subsidies, tax exemptions, and reduced tariffs to make EVs more affordable for consumers. For example, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have introduced significant incentives and are partnering with global players to enhance EV infrastructure.

Growing Investment in EV Manufacturing and Infrastructure: There is a substantial increase in investment in EV manufacturing and infrastructure across the MENA region. Saudi Arabia is investing in establishing EV manufacturing facilities and expanding their charging infrastructure. This includes partnerships with international companies and significant financial commitments to boost local EV production.

Increasing Consumer Awareness and Demand: Consumer awareness and demand for EVs are on the rise in the MENA region. Factors such as rising fuel costs, environmental concerns, and government incentives are driving this shift. In the UAE, for instance, EV sales are projected to grow steadily.

Growth in Charging Infrastructure and Smart Energy Solutions: The development of charging infrastructure and smart energy solutions is crucial for the widespread adoption of EVs. The MENA region is seeing significant advances in this area, with Egypt and Saudi Arabia investing in extensive networks of charging stations. Additionally, smart energy solutions, such as integrating renewable energy sources with EV charging, are being implemented to ensure sustainable growth.

Corporate Fleet Electrification and Ride-Hailing Adoption: Corporate fleet electrification and the adoption of EVs in ride-hailing services are also market drivers. Many companies in the region are transitioning their fleets to EVs to reduce operational costs and carbon emissions. Ride-hailing services are increasingly incorporating EVs into their fleets, supported by government policies and the growing availability of charging infrastructure.

Request a sample copy of the electric vehicle (EV) market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region report.

Report Synopsis

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SOURCE BCC Research LLC

DÜSSELDORF, Germany, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On 8 October 2025, the global plastics and rubber industry will turn its attention to Düsseldorf as K 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for the sector, opens its doors. Held every three years, the event attracts over 200,000 visitors from around 160 countries for eight days of innovation, business, and political dialogue. Executives, start-ups, NGOs, and government representatives regard the fair as a barometer for the current state and future direction of the global plastics economy.

Circular Economy Despite Times of Crisis

High energy costs, volatile raw material prices, and geopolitical tensions are currently placing significant strain on the European plastics industry. Still, K 2025 exhibitors will present innovations advancing the shift toward a circular economy, such as new recycling technologies, AI-driven production systems, and high-performance plastics made from bio-based materials.

“K is like a World Expo for plastics,” says Dr. Christine Bunte from Plastics Europe Deutschland, the association of plastics manufacturers. “It showcases the evolution of the European plastics industry and its growing importance for major sectors like packaging, automotive, electrical and electronics, healthcare, and construction. Our goal is to shift away from fossil resources toward a climate-neutral circular economy, and K 2025 will highlight many examples of how this transformation can be achieved.”

Special Exhibition: Plastics Shape the Future

The special exhibition “Plastics Shape the Future”, curated by Plastics Europe Deutschland and Trade Fair Düsseldorf, showcases a dynamic seven-day program covering innovation, competitiveness, policy frameworks and regulation, new technologies and trends, climate action, and the fight against microplastics. Formats range from science slams and start-up pitches to the “Women in Plastics” networking event, expert talks, panel discussions, keynote speeches, and guided tours.

See full press release: https://plasticseurope.org/de/2025/06/16/world-expo-for-plastics-duesseldorf-becomes-the-center-of-the-global-plastics-industry/

– Picture is available at AP –

Bettina Dempewolf
Telefon: +49(0)1719713962
E-Mail: bettina.dempewolf@plasticseurope.de

SOURCE PlasticsEurope Deutschland e.V.

ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — New Energy Works is excited to welcome structural and architectural DfMA designer, business development leader, and Passive House specialist Steven Hessler, to our team.

Hessler brings a wealth of experience to our bi-coastal businesses in New York and Oregon providing proven success in design collaborations, heavy timber, high performance building envelopes, project management and client development.

New Energy Works has spent the better part of three decades developing a balance of craft, efficiency, and engineering with a focus on collaboration and integration of services.

Hessler’s skills and objectives align perfectly with the New Energy Works ethos, thus creating a deft combination of shared objectives and collective goals.

Eric Fraser, President of New Energy Works is excited by Hessler’s hire, “We have had the distinct pleasure of coordinating with Steve for many years and know that he brings extensive knowledge and experience in high performance buildings, traditional timber framing, and mass timber to our team. He is a strong and willing collaborator with the heart of a teacher, who will help promote our brand, educate our clients, and build upon our reputation for designing and building efficient and high craft wood-based buildings. We are thrilled to welcome Steve to our team.”

The Building Systems Specialist role builds on Hessler’s profound experience as a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), project manager in sustainable residential construction and DfMA designer for heavy and mass timber buildings, high-performance enclosures, and cross functional collaborations.

With an expertise in project management and client development philosophies. Hessler brings together technical insight, design-phase collaboration, and prefabrication strategies to build and deliver resilient, lyrical buildings.

Hessler says, “I feel really comfortable in the three main spaces of timber framing, CLT, and enclosures and look forward to filling a need for our clients in an integrated way by providing a model that can help an architect, builder, and client clearly understand what the scope of a project is and how these different systems can work together.”

Design + Build expert, interpreter, and speaker, Steven Hessler, like us, is a wood guy through and through who has always been fascinated by the artistry and functionality of heavy timber and woodworking.

New Energy Works clients will be the recipient of Hessler’s multitude of experience and know-how from decades in the field – from design to build, mill to jobsite and idea to fruition.

Focused on a unified approach, Hessler is not only an advocate to architects and builders, but a resource for our clients by providing them a linear path to understanding the scope of their project and how all the different systems can work together toward success.

Hessler has proven he is adept at developing partnerships while bridging the gap between an architect’s design intent, the factories that head up production, and then passing that information on to the end user by simplifying their build to its fundamental elements.

Hessler will act as a liaison between all of the different spokes of the New Energy Works design + build wheel in both an educative and consulting role. He will work diligently to further expand our collaborations and nurture the long-lasting relationships with our clients that we value so much.

About New Energy Works

From their design studios, production shops, and mills in New York & Oregon, New Energy Works designs, crafts, and builds sustainable timber frame custom homes, commercial buildings, and high-performance enclosures throughout North America.

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SOURCE New Energy Works

CARMEL, Ind., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Baker Hill is on a mission to empower financial institutions to lend better, faster, and more. Over the past six months, BKR has rapidly expanded and enhanced its platform to help financial institutions tackle four mission-critical areas: Commercial Real Estate (CRE), CECL compliance, AI-driven compliance and agricultural spreading and financial analysis. These innovations are transforming how financial institutions manage risk, meet regulatory demands, and scale operations—all while staying profitable and agile in today’s market. 

CRE Gets Smarter: Baker Hill Radius
Baker Hill Radius brings intelligent property analytics to the forefront, offering real-time visibility into your CRE portfolio’s risks and opportunities. More than just monitoring exposure, Radius helps institutions maximize returns with speed, precision, and confidence through one single portal experience.

CECL Made Simple: Baker Hill CECL 
CECL compliance is complex – but it doesn’t have to be. Baker Hill CECL with enhanced modeling, removes the guesswork and optimizes the utilization of the financial institution’s data to have a clear view into expected credit loss. The platform streamlines expected credit loss modeling and reporting, making it easier for institutions to stay compliant, and focused on strategic growth—not spreadsheets. 

AI to the Rescue: Baker Hill Comply  
Regulatory pressure is rising—and most compliance teams are stretched thin. Enter Baker Hill Comply—your AI-powered compliance assistant. Baker Hill Comply uses AI to deliver an expert compliance assistant super powering compliance teams to get their jobs done while spending less time and money on consultants, lawyers, and more. Tasks that used to take days or weeks are now done in minutes. It’s faster, smarter, and dramatically more efficient, giving compliance officers time to lead rather than chase paperwork. 

Agricultural Spreading and Financial Analysis
This partnership will allow financial institutions that leverage FINPACK’s advanced agricultural analysis tools to work with Baker Hill NextGen^®, empowering financial institutions to make faster, more informed credit decisions for ag borrowers. Lenders will benefit from robust financial projections, stress testing, and benchmarking data from FINPACK, while gaining efficiencies within the intuitive, streamlined workflow of Baker Hill’s loan origination platform. 

Leading Innovation
With these four pillars—CRE, CECL, Compliance & Agricultural Spreading & Financial Analysis – Baker Hill continues to drive innovation that’s redefining what’s possible for financial institutions across the country. 

About Baker Hill

Baker Hill is the most advanced lending platform for growing & innovative financial institutions. For more than 40 years, we’ve walked alongside banks and credit unions. Our goal has always been to help institutions lend faster, lend better and lend more.

For more information, visit www.bakerhill.com.

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SOURCE Baker Hill

Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power collaborate on the world’s largest hydrogen fuel blending demonstration to date on an advanced class gas turbine;
Latest test builds on 2022 test as company continues to advance innovative R&D, cleaner natural gas technologies to serve Georgia electric customers

ATLANTA, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power have successfully completed a second trial blending hydrogen and natural gas fuels at both partial and full load on an M501GAC natural gas turbine at Georgia Power’s Plant McDonough-Atkinson in Smyrna, Georgia. The demonstration project is the first to validate 50%* hydrogen fuel blending on an advanced class gas turbine, and the largest test of this kind in the world to date, with the 50% blend providing an approximately 22% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 100% natural gas. Several tests were conducted prior to the 50% blend demonstration including multiple blend percentages that ranged from 5% to 50%, and testing occurred across several weeks in May and June.

Last year, the existing gas turbine was converted from steam-cooled to air-cooled, which includes J series combustion technology with proven high hydrogen co-firing capability. The conversion provides the benefits of faster startup times, increased turn down capability and decreased maintenance expenses, while also supporting the ability for this successful landmark hydrogen blend testing.

Georgia Power, the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company, collaborated with Mitsubishi Power for the landmark testing as part of a continued commitment to new research and development (R&D) to advance reliable and affordable energy for customers, while reducing carbon emissions across its generation fleet. In fact, Georgia Power has reduced its carbon emissions by more than 60% since 2007. This test follows the first 20% by volume hydrogen blending test at Plant McDonough-Atkinson completed in 2022.

Learn more about Georgia Power’s landmark hydrogen blending project.

The Plant McDonough-Atkinson facility, located less than ten miles from downtown Atlanta, has served electric customers for more than 80 years and was fully converted to natural gas in 2012 and expanded to power up to 1.7 million homes. It currently operates with six advanced, large-capacity M501G and M501GAC series gas turbines, which deliver high performance and high efficiency, as well as three steam turbines running in three blocks of 2-on-1 combined-cycle configuration and two gas/oil fueled combustion turbines.

“Natural gas serves a critical role in our generation mix, providing flexibility, baseload power and quick response to customer demand, and will continue to be an important fuel as we plan to meet the energy needs of a growing Georgia through a diverse portfolio of generation resources,” said Rick Anderson, senior vice president and senior production officer for Georgia Power. “At Georgia Power, innovative testing such as this is just one way we help ensure we can deliver reliable and affordable energy for customers for decades into the future, and reduce our overall emissions. Investments we’re making in our fleet and power grid today will benefit future generations, and I’m very proud of the team at Plant McDonough-Atkinson and Mitsubishi Power for their dedication to this project and safely completing this test.”

Mitsubishi Power completed the hydrogen blending on one M501GAC gas turbine unit, with an approximate one-on-one output of 283 MW. Mitsubishi Power provided full turnkey service for this project including engineering, planning, hydrogen blending hardware, controls, commissioning and risk management. Mitsubishi Power partnered with Certarus to source and manage the hydrogen supply and logistics.

“It has been a privilege to partner with Georgia Power on this landmark project.,” said Mark Bissonnette, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Power Generation at Mitsubishi Power Americas. “Building on the success of our earlier tests, we have achieved a 50% hydrogen blend in an advanced-class gas turbine, showcasing the capabilities of our state-of-the-art technology. This is a significant milestone for both companies to help Georgia Power reduce carbon emissions across its generation fleet.”

Southern Company’s industry-leading R&D organization served as technical consultants on the project. The team is engaged in research focused on low-carbon hydrogen power generation, production, delivery, transportation, infrastructure and energy storage.

Natural Gas Supports Energy Needs of a Growing Georgia
Natural gas currently provides 40 percent of Georgia Power’s annual energy generation and has long been a bedrock fuel for the company. Georgia Power continues to work with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to ensure it can reliably and economically meet the energy needs of a growing Georgia through the longstanding Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process. The company is currently developing three new Mitsubishi Power simple cycle combustion turbine resources, capable of utilizing hydrogen, at Plant Yates in Coweta County as approved by the Georgia PSC in the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update.

In addition to new natural gas generation, Georgia Power is also investing in existing power plants to better serve Georgia. Notably, the company has proposed upgrades to ten natural gas turbines – both combined cycle and simple cycle – at Plant McIntosh in the 2025 IRP. These enhancements are expected to add an additional 268 megawatts of capacity, helping to meet the projected energy demands from existing infrastructure. Combined with new renewable generation resources such as solar, these initiatives highlight Georgia Power’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions while fostering a resilient and reliable energy future and meeting the increasing energy needs of the state.

To learn more about how Georgia Power is meeting the needs of customers through a diverse, balanced energy portfolio, and the IRP process, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com. 

* The ratio of hydrogen content indicates volume ratio.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America’s premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company’s promise to 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power offers rates below the national average, focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

About Mitsubishi Power
Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc. (Mitsubishi Power) headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida, employs more than 3,000 power generation, energy storage, and digital solutions experts and professionals. Our employees are focused on empowering customers to affordably and reliably combat climate change while also advancing human prosperity throughout North, Central, and South America. Mitsubishi Power’s power generation solutions include gas, steam, and aero-derivative turbines; power trains and power islands; geothermal systems; PV solar project development; environmental controls; and services. Energy storage solutions include green hydrogen, battery energy storage systems, and services. Mitsubishi Power also offers intelligent solutions that use artificial intelligence to enable autonomous operation of power plants. Mitsubishi Power is a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI). Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, MHI is one of the world’s leading heavy machinery manufacturers with engineering and manufacturing businesses spanning energy, infrastructure, transport, aerospace, and defense. For more information, visit the Mitsubishi Power Americas website and follow us on LinkedIn.

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SOURCE Georgia Power; Mitsubishi Power