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Digital Domain Partners with Mr. Song Hoi See, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group to Launch “Digital Human Hospitality Services”

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Innovative Partnership Aims to Revolutionize Global Hospitality and Airport Services Through Advanced Digital Solutions with First Launch Event at Taoyuan International Airport

HONG KONG, July 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Digital Domain Holdings Limited (“Digital Domain”, stock code: 547) and Mr. Song Hoi See, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group, are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking joint venture to initiate the business of digital human hospitality services. This new entity aims to redefine the global hospitality and airport services landscape with innovative digital human technology and AI.

The joint venture will function as a separate entity, utilizing the strengths of its parent company’s core business in Hollywood visual effects technologies to provide industry leading innovations. This venture combines Digital Domain’s cutting-edge digital human technology with Mr. Song’s extensive expertise in global hospitality and airport services through Plaza Premium Group. Together, they will offer intelligent, interactive, and highly personalized services to meet the various aspects of changing needs for modern travelers.

Today, Digital Domain held the “The Next Frontier in Travel” press conference at Taoyuan International Airport. Distinguished guests, including Taoyuan City Mayor, Mr. Chang San-Cheng, Digital Domain CEO, Mr. Daniel Seah, Plaza Premium Group Founder and CEO, Mr. Song Hoi See, and Taoyuan International Airport Corporation Ltd. Chairman, Mr. Yang Weifuu attended the event and delivered speeches.

Strategic Vision and Expertise Unite

This collaboration represents the convergence of two industry leaders:

Digital Domain: With over 30-years experience in creating some of the most breath-taking visuals for Hollywood films, the veteran VFX studio is now ready to take some of its innovative technologies, originally developed over the years for film, beyond the big screen. This joint venture cements the company’s first significant branch into the commercialization of VFX technologies outside the realm of media and entertainment. Specifically, the studio’s Oscar winning digital human technologies refined over decades of expertise and Hollywood film-making experience will be further refined and perfected to provide real-time services in hospitality and travel industry through expert guidance and collaboration with Plaza Premium Group.  Mr. Song Hoi See (Founder & CEO of Plaza Premium Group): A visionary in global airport and travel hospitality, Mr. Song Hoi See brings unparalleled leadership and insight from his role as Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group. With over two decades experience in the industry, Mr. Song and his expert team in travel hospitality are based in Hong Kong and operates in over 80 airports with over 250 locations. They are not only the largest independently run pay-in lounge operation in the world but also white labeling for 13 other brands globally. Mr. Song brings not only his extensive knowledge in the travel and hospitality industry to the table, but also his vast network of connections for opportunities of digital human services to expand to, both within and in surrounding industries.

Revolutionizing Hospitality and Airport Services

The collaboration will establish new industry standards by combining cutting-edge real-time digital human technologies with traditional hospitality services in the areas of travel, hotels, tourism offices, duty-free and other concessions, call centers etc. Through enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency, the joint venture will aim to create a seamless combination of digital innovation and personalized service across all hospitality sectors.

Leadership and Innovation at the Helm

Mr. Song Hoi See’s involvement is a significant asset to the joint venture. His visionary leadership and extensive experience with Plaza Premium Group will guide the partnership toward achieving its goal of revolutionizing the hospitality and travel sectors around the world. Daniel Seah, CEO of Digital Domain, stated, “Mr. Song Hoi See’s expertise will be key in identifying and executing upon industry leading opportunities with our technologies, but equally if not more importantly, Mr. Song’s values and passion are what I believe will be the foundation of this successful partnership and the success of this venture.”

In partnering with award winning VFX house, Digital Domain, Mr. Song Hoi See remarks, “Digital Domain, as a Hollywood based studio, is considered by many, to be a pioneer in Digital Human Technology. Through their proven experience and leadership in Digital Human Technology, we aim to leverage their experience in delivering an innovative, and immersive customer service in airports and hospitality sectors world-wide.”

Driven by shared commitment to excellence and innovation, this strategic collaboration marks a new chapter in the hospitality and airport services industry. The joint venture is dedicating itself to transforming customer experiences and setting new standards for service and efficiency.

Notably, today’s press conference featured a surprise appearance by the virtual Teresa Teng along side Daniel Seah, CEO of Digital Domain. Their interaction leads to the introduction of a brand new proof of concept highlighting the potential of AI powered virtual human services for travelers to interact with in the near future.

Aligned with the theme “Next Stop, the Future,” the conference showed a glimpse of what an airport VIP lounge equipped with a virtual ambassador informational kiosk could be like for future travelers. Driven by artificial intelligence-related technologies, the virtual human kiosk provided essential assistance such as elaborating PPL lounge offerings, route navigation, and airport vicinity inquiries, all while adding a personable response to human-computer interaction in real-time situations.

Embracing the added value of AI in the tourism and travel service industry, Taoyuan City Government and Taoyuan International Airport also provided co-organizational support for this press conference. Mr. Chang San-Cheng, Mayor of Taoyuan City, emphasized: “Currently, Taoyuan Airport has developed an ecosystem spanning from production and manufacturing, data storage, and now to AI applications, beyond advancing AI services at Taoyuan Airport, this collaboration aims to enhance global awareness of Taoyuan International Airport using AI technology, for instance, using virtual technology to showcase local celebrities welcoming guests at the concierge desk or recreate famous Taiwan attractions at the airport, creating an immersive experience that leaves visitors with a deeper appreciation of Taiwan and Taoyuan International Airport, this initiative seeks to elevate Taoyuan International Airport’s global ranking.”

Digital Domain is refining its virtual human solutions for use in smart kiosks. The company plans to collaborate with local manufactures through cross-border licensing and remote technical support. This effort aims to promote and expand AI virtual human technology across various settings such as airports and hotels. Taoyuan International Airport is optimistic about the potential of integrating such technologies and supports the development and implementation. Mr. Yang Weifuu, Chairman of Taoyuan International Airport Corporation, stated: “Through the collaboration between Digital Domain and Plaza Premium Group, a new AI virtual assistant service has made its global debut at the Plaza Premium Lounge at Taoyuan International Airport. This innovation not only enhances the passenger experience but also marks a significant step toward Taoyuan Airport becoming a smart airport. I believe that with every new smart service that has been introduced it will progressively improve the user experience, making travel more convenient. Thank you to Digital Domain and our strategic partner Plaza Premium Group for selecting Taoyuan Airport for this launch and to everyone for their trust and support of Taoyuan International Airport. Let’s look forward together to the advanced travel experiences that AI virtual customer service will bring!”

Photos download:
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About Digital Domain

Digital Domain Holdings Limited (“Digital Domain”) is the pioneer of creating transportive experiences. Throughout the last 30 years, Digital Domain has grown to lead the visual effects industry, expanding globally the arm of virtual humans and visualization. Digital Domain’s rich legacy consists of hundreds of feature films and episodes, thousands of advertisements, game cinematics, and experimental immersive experiences. A creative force in cutting-edge technologies, Digital Domain has brought exceptional artistry to Academy Award-winning blockbusters of Titanic, What Dreams May Come, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Marvel Cinematic Universe titles crushed all-time worldwide box office, such as the Avengers franchise, and Stranger Things made a splash with Season IV.

As the first independent visual effects studio to successfully enter Greater China, Digital Domain has further paved the way towards virtual race since 2016. Leaning into technologies of artificial intelligence and virtual reality allows Digital Domain to create photorealistic and emotionally expressive virtual humans, all in real-time, as well as provides an advanced medium for human-computer and human-human interactions in diverse virtual scenarios.

Digital Domain is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock code: 547). Digital Domain has locations including Los Angeles, Vancouver, Montreal, Beijing, Shanghai and Hyderabad.

Digital Domain official website – WWW.DIGITALDOMAIN.COM 

About Plaza Premium Group as Strategic Partner

Plaza Premium Group, headquartered in Hong Kong and established in 1998, is a pioneering global airport hospitality services provider. With a mission to Make Travel Better, the group introduced the world’s first independent airport lounge concept.

Today, PPG operates the largest network of international airport lounges worldwide and offers a 360-degree airport experience with 13 brands under its portfolio, spanning over 1,600 touchpoints across more than 80 international airports and 30 countries & regions worldwide.

From airport lounge brands – Plaza Premium Lounge & Plaza Premium First, to terminal hotels – Aerotel & Refreshhh by Aerotel, to concierge services – ALLWAYS, a range of airport dining concepts, global reward and membership program – Smart Traveller, and travel experience ECOsystem – oneTECO, the group is at the forefront of transforming airport experience for the better through innovative and human-led solutions. PPG’s commitment extends beyond its own brands, as it also provides lounge management and hospitality solutions to leading airlines, alliances, and corporates worldwide. Partnerships include renowned names such as American Express, Capital One, Cathay Pacific Airways, SkyTeam, Star Alliance, Visa, and many more.

Plaza Premium Group has over 80 accolades demonstrating its exceptional achievements and commitment to service excellence. Notably, the group has received the prestigious “World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge” award at the World Airline Awards by Skytrax for eight consecutive years from 2016 to 2024. TTG Asia also recognized the group as the “Best Airport Lounge Operator” in 2018, 2019 and 2023. In 2020, it achieved the “ISO 9001:2015” certification for its Hong Kong Headquarters. Furthermore, the group’s Founder and CEO, Mr. Song Hoi-see, was awarded the “Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year” and “Master Entrepreneur of the Year Malaysia” in 2018.

With a team of over 5,000 dedicated talents, PPG serves more than 20 million global passengers annually. Through a continuous pursuit of innovation and excellence, the group is experiencing exponential growth globally.

To learn more: https://www.plazapremiumgroup.com/ 

Connect with us: FB, IG, @plazapremiumlounge and WeChat @PlazaPremiumGroup

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SOURCE Digital Domain Holdings Limited

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Genesis Wealth Welcomes Veteran $725MM JPMorgan Advisor

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Latest addition underscores Genesis Wealth’s drive to become a preferred destination for highly experienced breakaway advisors as new office opens in Chicago’s North Shore

CHICAGO, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Genesis Wealth, a leading wealth management platform and non-OSJ branch office within LPL Financial, today announced the addition of a veteran advisor, Alan Feutz, CFP®, from JPMorgan Securities, who has previously overseen $725 million in client assets. Feutz, who joins Genesis Wealth as Partner and Wealth Advisor, is based in Deerfield, IL, and brings 26 years of industry experience. He currently serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients. The move continues Genesis Wealth’s recruiting momentum among experienced bank-based advisors.

Feutz has built a reputation for delivering highly personalized wealth management and long-term client relationships grounded in trust and transparency. Focused on customized wealth planning for affluent households, he attributes the strength of his practice to attentive listening and guiding clients through all market environments – an approach enhanced by serving a smaller number of households to deepen engagement and deliver highly personalized advice.

“We are delighted to welcome Alan to our young and burgeoning firm,” said Kosta Tanglis, Founder and Managing Partner at Genesis Wealth. “This transition further validates Genesis Wealth’s platform and supported independence model, as experienced advisors increasingly seek a better way to serve clients while maintaining the infrastructure and support they need to grow.”

The transition reflects growing demand among experienced advisors for supported independence models that allow greater flexibility, autonomy and client customization. For advisors seeking more freedom from traditional bank constraints, the Genesis platform enables deeper planning relationships and tailored advice. Feutz’s decision reinforces Genesis as a destination for breakaway advisors and validates the Genesis platform and advisor-first structure.

“Alan shares our commitment to personalized planning and client care,” said Genesis Wealth Managing Director Jack Kennedy. “The advisors joining Genesis Wealth are looking for more than independence – they want a platform that empowers them to deliver customized advice while being surrounded by partners who share the same client-first mindset.”

New Genesis Office Opens in Chicago’s North Shore

The addition of Feutz also marks Genesis Wealth’s expansion into Chicago’s North Shore, one of the Midwest’s most established wealth management markets. Recently recognized by Forbes as one of Illinois’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors for 2026, Feutz will operate from Genesis Wealth’s newly opened North Shore office in Deerfield.

Designed to support the firm’s continued growth, the approximately 10,000-square-foot office accommodates more than 20 advisors and staff and features private advisor offices, a large conference room equipped with hybrid meeting technology, oversized digital displays and dedicated collaboration spaces. The office also includes an employee lounge and ergonomic workspaces designed to support productivity and client engagement.

Located in the heart of Deerfield, the office will initially be home to Feutz and his client service team, Genesis Wealth founding advisor Joel Feiger and his team, as well as Managing Director Jack Kennedy. The location establishes a strategic presence in Chicago’s North Shore while creating capacity for future advisor recruitment and expansion throughout the region.

ABOUT GENESIS WEALTH

Genesis Wealth (GW) is a partner in the growth and success of bank-based advisors who are ready to transition to fully supported independence, operating through LPL Financial as its broker-dealer and Registered Investment Adviser (RIA). Founded in January 2024, GW officially launched under the Genesis Wealth brand in July 2025 and its advisors currently service more than $3 billion in client assets. Genesis Wealth’s high-caliber, growth-oriented advisors are enriched by and strengthen the collective culture and enterprise value of the firm. For more information about Genesis Wealth, please visit the firm’s site at genesiswealth.com

MEDIA CONTACT

Mitch Manning

424 317 4858

mmanning@haventower.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/genesis-wealth-welcomes-veteran-725mm-jpmorgan-advisor-302804654.html

SOURCE Genesis Wealth

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79% of Global Data Center Capacity Faces Elevated Climate Risk

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New research from First Street finds the world’s largest and fastest-growing data center markets are concentrated in locations exposed to flooding, extreme heat, wildfire, wind and drought risk.

NEW YORK, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A new First Street analysis finds that climate risk is emerging as a critical factor in data center investment performance, with physical hazards increasingly shaping operating costs, infrastructure reliability, financing conditions, and long-term asset values across global markets.

The research, Climate Risk in Global Data Center Markets: Implications for Investment and Performance, examines 97 global data center markets and finds that many of the industry’s largest and fastest-growing hubs are concentrated in locations facing elevated exposure to flooding, extreme heat, wildfire, wind, and drought. As trillions of dollars flow into digital infrastructure to support cloud computing and artificial intelligence, the analysis suggests climate risk is becoming a key determinant of which markets can deliver durable returns.

Global data center capacity has expanded rapidly over the past decade and is expected to nearly double again by 2030. Yet while investors have traditionally focused on power availability, connectivity, land access, and demand growth, climate risk remains largely absent from many underwriting and valuation frameworks despite its direct influence on uptime, operating costs, insurance availability, and infrastructure reliability.

By analyzing climate exposure across global data center markets, First Street finds:

54% of global data center capacity is located in markets exposed to chronic climate stress, including extreme heat and drought, which increase cooling costs, reduce efficiency, and put operating margins under pressure.79% of global capacity faces elevated acute climate hazards, including flooding, wind, and wildfire risks that can disrupt operations, increase downtime, and drive insurance and repair costs.Chronic exposure varies significantly across major investment markets. Exposure reaches 89% of capacity in APAC, compared with 50% in the Americas and 46% in EMEA, creating meaningful differences in operating performance.The industry’s largest growth markets rank among its most climate-exposed. Major hubs including Northern Virginia, Johor, and Marseille sit in the highest climate-risk tier globally, while lower-risk Nordic markets rank among the least exposed.

The findings suggest that climate risk is increasingly differentiating data center markets that may appear similar based on traditional investment metrics but face very different long-term operating conditions.

“Where you build a data center determines a large share of what it will cost to run for the next 20 or 30 years. Climate is a big part of that: cooling, water, and reliability all depend on location,” said Dr. Jeremy Porter, Chief Economist at First Street. “But most valuations still focus on growth and treat climate as a secondary concern.”

“Most underwriting for real assets still uses historical data, but the climate is no longer behaving the way the historical record would predict. As heat, drought, and water stress increase, outdated models simply don’t offer a complete view of risk anymore,” said Matthew Eby, Founder and CEO of First Street. “Investors who incorporate these factors into underwriting and capital allocation decisions will be better positioned to identify resilient markets and avoid mispriced risk.”

The full report is available at firststreet.org/research.

To learn more or to request a demo, visit firststreet.org or reach out to bd@firststreet.org

About First Street:

At First Street, we are on a mission to connect climate and financial risk. For nearly a decade, our scientists have created transparent, peer-reviewed physical climate risk models that quantify the financial impacts of perils such as flooding, wildfire, and extreme wind events for every property in the world. In December 2024, we launched the First Street Enterprise Suite, a global software platform that transforms our models into actionable financial signals for decision-makers worldwide. First Street is the standard for Climate Risk Financial Modeling, empowering asset owners, asset managers, governments, real estate investors, corporations, and millions of homebuyers every day to make climate-informed decisions.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2776647/FirstStreet_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/79-of-global-data-center-capacity-faces-elevated-climate-risk-302804656.html

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iLEAD Schools and School Pathways Expand Their Partnership with the Launch of iLEAD Flex in Lancaster

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With the California moratorium on the creation of new non-classroom-based (NCB) charter schools lifted this year, iLEAD is expanding into new communities, using the School Pathways SIS Suite to run its operations.

CHICO, Calif., June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — iLEAD Schools, a California network of tuition-free public charter schools serving TK–12 learners through classroom-based, hybrid, online, and independent home study models, announces the expansion of its charter network into Lancaster, California, adding a new charter school in their network beginning in 2026. The announcement builds on iLEAD’s longstanding partnership with School Pathways and its continued use of the SIS Suite, which has supported the network’s operations and compliance since 2021.

A New Opening for Flex-Based Charter Schools

Since the statewide moratorium on new nonclassroom-based charters concluded on January 1, 2026, mission-driven networks like iLEAD have been moving quickly to bring their programs to communities that have long lacked access to flexible, learner-centered options. For iLEAD, the moment reflects over a year of preparation. The decision to open in Lancaster was driven by the needs of families in the Antelope Valley, where a combination of school closures and strong community demand made the case for iLEAD Flex clear.

With California’s oversight standards for flex-based programs continuing to evolve, iLEAD’s investment in purpose-built compliance infrastructure, anchored by the School Pathways SIS Suite, positions the network to launch and grow responsibly.

“School Pathways has been a great partner in our beginning stages of growth. Their team is responsive, collaborative, and always willing to troubleshoot challenges as they arise, helping us build strong systems and processes as we expand,” said iLEAD Chief Integration Officer Cassandra Coleman. “We value the relationships we have built with their team.”

A Flexible Learning Model for Every Family

iLEAD Flex will open in August 2026, a community where iLEAD already has a strong presence. The TK–12 campus introduces a new level of flexibility to that community, offering families a choice between full classroom-based instruction, Independent Study, or hybrid options on campus each week.

Each pathway is designed to be adaptable as a student’s needs evolve, and all three are grounded in iLEAD’s established educational approach, which includes hands-on project-based learning, a social-emotional curriculum, and individualized instruction to meet the needs of every unique child. At the high school level, iLEAD Flex students will have access to dual enrollment with the local community college, allowing them to earn college credits at no cost while completing high school requirements. The campus is also developing Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways in partnership with local businesses and community leaders to build leadership and career readiness skills.

iLEAD Flex is expected to open with approximately 750 learners, bringing iLEAD’s total network enrollment to nearly 7,000 students. The launch is part of a longer growth plan that includes iLEAD Innovate, the network’s next planned campus, which would be their first school outside of Los Angeles County and is expected to open in fall 2027.

School Pathways and the iLEAD Partnership

The partnership supports iLEAD’s broader ten-year goal of positively impacting 10,000 learners across California with sustainable launches of new schools over the coming years. From guiding the scope and launching iLEAD Flex on a compressed timeline to maintaining clean data, streamlined CALPADS reporting, and efficient workflows across the organization, School Pathways has supported iLEAD’s growth at every stage with consistent, responsive support. As the network continues to grow, iLEAD also plans to leverage School Pathways’ AI-powered features to manage enrollment and administrative workloads, allowing staff to focus on serving learners and families.

School Pathways brings more than 20 years of experience partnering with charter and non-traditional schools across California and currently works with 300+ schools statewide. The integrated SIS suite includes a student lottery system, online registration, Student Information System, and a platform for Independent Study program management, all built specifically for hybrid, virtual, and non-traditional learning environments.

For iLEAD, the platform supports the full range of the network’s needs across all learning modalities, including:

Enrollment management with online registrationCALPADS reporting and state compliance for Independent Study programsLearning agreements, student activity tracking, and program documentationFamily and educator access to real-time student records and progress

“The lift of the moratorium marks a meaningful turning point for flex-based education in California and for the schools that have been doing this work with intention,” said School Pathways CEO Kacie Jester. “iLEAD is a strong example of a network that invested in the right systems, maintained compliance through a challenging regulatory period, and is now in a position to grow. We’re proud to support them, and to be the platform that schools across California trust to make that kind of expansion possible.”

About iLEAD Schools

iLEAD Schools is a network of tuition-free public charter schools in California committed to helping every learner become a lifelong learner, empathetic citizen, authentic individual, and design thinker. With classroom-based, hybrid, online, and independent home study options serving grades TK–12, iLEAD provides personalized, project-based learning experiences that celebrate each student’s individuality and inspire them to lead. For more information, visit ileadschools.org.

About School Pathways

School Pathways is a California-based education software company with more than 20 years of experience serving charter and non-traditional schools. We provide solutions for virtual, hybrid, and Independent Study programs that simplify school operations and foster student success in a variety of learning environments. In addition to a Student Information System better-built for non-traditional learning environments, we offer software that enables our clients to manage online learning agreements, student activity tracking, re-engagement communications, audit preparation, adult education, and more. For more information, please visit schoolpathways.com.

Media Contact:
Elena Chow
Growth Marketing Manager
elena@schoolpathways.com

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SOURCE School Pathways

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