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World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (#WLSL2024) Kicks Off First Day of Summer with Global Event Teaching Kids and Parents How to Be Water Aware

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More Than 600 Waterparks, Swim Schools and Pools in 19 Countries Taught an Estimated 43,000 Kids Vital Swim and Water Safety Skills to Combat Increased Drowning Risk Following the Pandemic

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The 15th Annual World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, coordinated by the World Waterpark Association, brought together thousands of water safety advocates on six continents to send a united message on the first day of summer: Swimming Lessons Save Lives.

Drowning, the single leading cause of death for kids ages 1-4, is on the rise in the U.S. for the first time in decades and making swimming lessons more accessible can save lives, according to a new study from the U.S. C.D.C. released last month. In early June, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s annual report on drowning and submersion echoed those findings, showing fatal drownings for children under the age of 15 increased by 12 percent in 2021 compared to 2020. Lack of access to pools, delayed swimming lessons, significant growth in the number of backyard pools and spas and changes in how people recreate around water are all contributing factors.

“The recent increase in drowning rates makes our mission more urgent than ever,” said Rick Root, president of the World Waterpark Association. “We want parents to understand that formal swimming lessons and an understanding of basic water safety principles are paramount for their child’s safety.”

Aquatic facilities, including waterparks, swim schools, local community pools, and even beachfronts, participated providing free swimming and water safety lessons to more than 43,000 kids during the one-day event.  The lessons took place in 19 different countries, including Australia, Bahamas, Benin, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mexico, Qatar, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay.

“Today is the first day of summer, and we’re kicking it off with the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson right here at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon,” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, director of external affairs for Walt Disney World, who hosted this year’s single largest WLSL event. “We invited seven different non-profits from throughout central Florida and we have 1,000 students participating with us this morning. We want to expose as many kids as we can to these life-saving skills.”

Ryan Murphy, an ambassador for Goldfish Swim Schools who qualified for his third Olympic team by sweeping the Backstroke events at the U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials last week, is a passionate learn-to-swim advocate. “Simply enrolling your child in formalized swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88%,” said Murphy. “It helps mitigate risk. Having kids take part in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson at Goldfish Swim Schools all around the country is a great way to introduce them to swimming and the importance of water safety.”

“Within the lessons, we work on various safety skills,” said Kirsten Conrad, general manager of the Kansas City Goldfish Swim Schools. “We talk about things like being safe around the pool, what you should do when you see someone in trouble in the water, why it’s important to have lifeguards around, and all of those pieces so that kids are aware of water safety beyond the walls here at Goldfish.”

“Swimming is a skill that every person should have,” said parent Duwayne Moore, whose son Brian participated in the event. “All kids should know how to swim, period.”

About: The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL.org) is a global drowning prevention event designed to raise awareness about the risks associated with water and the critical importance of teaching kids to swim. Launched by the World Waterpark Association (waterparks.org) in 2010, the WLSL program is celebrating its 15th Anniversary, having served more than 400,000 participants in 54 countries through its team of Host Locations.

WLSL b-roll/soundbites available at: https://bit.ly/3xiWnix

Contact: Beth Root
Email: 379509@email4pr.com
Phone: 913-544-5734

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SOURCE World’s Largest Swimming Lesson

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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October 24, 2026

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leap-group-relaunches-humanview-a-growth-intelligence-system-built-to-explain-why-customers-behave-the-way-they-do-302918557.html

SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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October 24, 2026

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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3 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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