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Independent Proxy Advisory Firm, ISS, Recommends DDC Shareholders Vote FOR the DDC Transaction Resolution

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VAUGHAN, ON, Aug. 12, 2024 /CNW/ – Drone Delivery Canada Corp. (“Drone Delivery Canada” or “DDC”) (TSXV: FLT) (OTCQX: TAKOF) (Frankfurt: A3DP5Y) (Frankfurt: ABBA.F), is pleased to announce that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”), a leading independent proxy advisory firm, has recommended that holders (the “DDC Shareholders”) of common shares in the capital of DDC (“DDC Common Shares”) and variable voting shares in the capital of DDC vote FOR the ordinary resolution (the “DDC Transaction Resolution”) approving the issuance by DDC of up to such number of DDC Common Shares as may be required to be issued in connection with the acquisition by DDC of all of the issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of Volatus Aerospace Corp. (“Volatus”) by way of a proposed plan of arrangement under Section 182 of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “Transaction”) as contemplated by the business combination agreement between DDC and Volatus dated as of May 20, 2024, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

Upon closing of the Transaction, DDC and Volatus have agreed that the combined company will continue under the name “Volatus Aerospace Inc.” rather than “Volatus Aerospace Corp. as previously disclosed.

By joining forces, Volatus and DDC plan to immediately begin commercialization efforts, which is intended to enhance shareholder value by forging a robust, financially sound enterprise focused on immediate and long-term revenue with a clear path to sustainable growth and market leadership.

ISS is a leading independent corporate governance analysis and proxy advisory firm that provides proxy voting recommendations to institutional shareholders. The independent recommendation of ISS is intended to assist its shareholder subscribers in making choices regarding proxy voting decisions. ISS made its independent recommendation after carefully reviewing the facts regarding the DDC Transaction Resolution.

“The endorsement from ISS underscores the value and benefits of the proposed Transaction. This recommendation validates our belief that this Transaction is in the best interests of DDC and our stakeholders,” said Steve Magirias, Chief Executive Officer of DDC.

DDC Board Recommendation

The board of directors of DDC unanimously recommends that DDC Shareholders vote FOR the DDC Transaction Resolution.

Full details of the proposed Transaction and voting instructions are set out in the joint management information circular of DDC and Volatus dated July 12, 2024 (the “Information Circular”) and related proxy materials in respect of the annual general and special meeting of DDC Shareholders (the “DDC Meeting”).

The Information Circular, and the form of proxy or voting information form, as applicable, in connection with the Transaction and the DDC Meeting are available on DDC’s website at: https://dronedeliverycanada.com/investors/ and under DDC’s SEDAR+ profile on www.sedarplus.ca.

Vote Today

DDC Shareholders are encouraged to read the Information Circular and vote well in advance of the proxy deadline of 1:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Annual General and Special Meeting Details

DDC will hold the DDC Meeting in-person at the offices of Bennett Jones LLP, 100 King St W Suite 3400, Toronto, ON M5X 1A4 on August 19, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. (Toronto time).

Securityholder Questions and Assistance

DDC Shareholders who have questions or require assistance with voting may contact Carson Proxy, DDC’s proxy solicitation agent:

Carson Proxy

North American Toll-Free Number: 1-800-530-5189

Local and Text: 416-751-2066

Email: info@carsonproxy.com

About DDC

DDC, based in Vaughan, Ontario, is a leader in the drone logistics sector, recognized for its advanced operational capabilities and extensive experience in managing complex drone operations. Having completed more than remotely operated 7,000 flights, the company is expanding its offering to manage the operation of remotely piloted aircraft in both the cargo and drone service sectors globally.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, including statements relating to the Transaction, including in respect of the impact of the Transaction and DDC’s expectations regarding the value and benefits of the proposed Transaction. All information that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terms such as “forecast”, “projected”, “assumption” and other similar expressions or future or conditional terms such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “will”, “would”, and “should”. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on certain factors and assumptions made by management of DDC based on their current expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs regarding their business and DDC does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet management’s expectations. While management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to them, they may prove to be incorrect. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance and by their nature involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those risks described in the Information Circular and DDC’s management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 (both of which are filed under DDC’s SEDAR+ profile on www.sedarplus.ca), that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. Although DDC has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, other factors may cause actions, events or results to be different than anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could vary or differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. DDC does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Drone Delivery Canada Corp.

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Walmart Has 23.6% of U.S. Grocery Sales – But Costco Owns the AI Answer – 5W Grocery Retail AI Visibility Index 2026

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Walmart Owns 21% of U.S. Grocery — But Costco Owns the AI Answer 

NEW YORK, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 5WPR, the premier AI communications firm in the United States, today released the U.S. Grocery Retail AI Visibility Index 2026 — the 11th installment in 5W’s AI Visibility Index research series, and the first to rank American grocery retailers by how frequently they are cited inside AI-generated answers.

The headline finding rewrites the category league table.

Walmart, with approximately 21 percent of U.S. grocery market share — the largest in the country — ranks fourth in AI citation share. The retailer cited most often when American shoppers ask ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews where to buy their groceries is Costco. Trader Joe’s ranks second. Whole Foods ranks third. Aldi, H-E-B, and Wegmans are all punching far above what their physical footprint would predict.

“Market share is a lagging indicator. AI citation share is a leading indicator,” said Ronn Torossian, Founder and Chairman of 5W. “The grocers who close that gap in 2026 will define the category in 2030. Most grocery CMOs we talk to are running 2019 playbooks against 2026 consumer behavior.”

5W researchers ran more than 80 consumer-intent queries across 12 sub-categories — best overall grocery store, cheapest, highest-quality produce, best private label, best organic, best meal planning, best bulk, best delivery, best customer service, best regional, and others — across the four leading consumer AI platforms. Each retailer was scored on citation frequency, position within the answer, sentiment, and sub-category dominance.

The top 10: Costco, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Walmart, Kroger, Aldi, H-E-B, Publix, Wegmans, and Target.

Key structural findings:

Market share no longer predicts AI citation share. Walmart’s roughly 21 percent share translates to an estimated 8 to 10 percent AI citation share across premium query categories. The decoupling is the single largest such gap in American retail.Private label is the highest-leverage citation asset a grocer owns. Kirkland, Trader Joe’s, 365, Good & Gather, and Great Value are cited directly by name in AI answers at rates that exceed most national CPG brands.Regional loyalty translates directly into regional AI dominance. Regional chains outperform national chains in their home markets by 3x or more.Reddit and TikTok are under-priced citation surfaces. Perplexity pulls a majority of its answers from community sources. ChatGPT and Claude weight Reddit heavily.

The report also identifies six 2026 dynamics reshaping the category, including the new GLP-1 grocery basket, Aldi’s expansion as a citation-compounding program, and Walmart’s CEO transition from Doug McMillon to John Furner — effective February 1, 2026 — as a brand-narrative inflection point.

The full Index, including ranks 11 through 25 and sub-category breakdowns, is available as a free download at 5wpr.com/research.

About 5W

5W is the AI Communications Firm, building brand authority across the platforms where decisions now happen — ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews — alongside earned media, digital, and influencer channels. 5W combines public relations, digital marketing, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and proprietary AI visibility research, helping clients measure and grow their presence in AI-driven buyer research. 

Founded more than 20 years ago, 5W has been recognized as a top U.S. PR agency by O’Dwyer’s, named Agency of the Year in the American Business Awards®, and honored as a Top Place to Work in Communications in 2026 by Ragan. 5W serves clients across B2C sectors including Beauty & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, Technology, and Nonprofit; B2B specialties including Corporate Communications and Reputation Management; as well as Public Affairs, Crisis Communications, and Digital Marketing, including Social Media, Influencer, Paid Media, GEO, and SEO. 5W was also named to the Digiday WorkLife Employer of the Year list.

For more information, visit www.5wpr.com.

Media Contact
Chris Bergin
cbergin@5wpr.com

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SOURCE 5W Public Relations

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ICAT Logistics Appoints Youssef Annali as Chief Financial Officer

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Transportation and logistics finance leader joins as ICAT accelerates its next phase of growth

DALLAS, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ICAT Logistics announces the appointment of Youssef Annali as Chief Financial Officer. Annali brings more than two decades of senior finance leadership across global logistics and supply chain businesses, and joins as the company scales its platform, team, and operational capabilities globally. 

Annali joins ICAT from OIA Global, a $1.4 billion revenue supply chain management leader, where he served as CFO for four years overseeing Finance, Corporate Development, Strategy, Legal, Compliance, and Real Estate. Prior to OIA, he spent eleven years at CEVA Logistics—one of the world’s largest freight and logistics providers—rising to CFO & EVP Finance for North America, where he held financial accountability for a business generating over $4.5 billion in annual revenue and more than 14,000 employees. Earlier in his career, he served in senior finance roles at Abbott, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Annali has a consistent track record of building finance functions that support strategic growth and has deep experience across financial planning, M&A, treasury, and corporate restructuring. He holds a Post-Master’s in Finance and Control from the University of Amsterdam and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Groningen.

“Youssef has led high-performing finance teams at the highest levels of global logistics. He brings the operational depth and strategic mindset our platform demands as we enter the next phase of growth,” said Brad Stogner, CEO of ICAT Logistics.

“ICAT has built something genuinely differentiated—a specialized platform operating in verticals where precision and domain expertise are non-negotiable. The foundation is strong, and the opportunity ahead is significant. I look forward to working with the team to accelerate that momentum,” said Youssef Annali, Chief Financial Officer of ICAT Logistics.

About ICAT

ICAT is the world’s leading specialized logistics company, delivering customized solutions and deep vertical expertise to industries where failure is not an option. With 65 offices and operating capabilities in 190 countries, ICAT serves customers across Live Events, Luxury, Technology, Defense & Aerospace, Life Sciences, and Financial Institutions—sectors defined by uncompromising performance standards. ICAT’s proprietary, AI-powered technology platform provides end-to-end visibility and predictive intelligence, enabling precise execution for the most demanding operations.

ICAT is backed by New Atlas Capital following its acquisition of the Company in 2024.

Contact Information

ICAT Logistics, Inc.
8840 Cypress Waters Blvd, Ste 325,
Coppell, TX, 75019
marketing@icatlogistics.com

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SOURCE ICAT Logistics, Inc.

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HelloNation Article Highlights Poughkeepsie’s Focus on Youth Investment, Neighborhood Parks and Sustainable Reuse

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The article examines how redevelopment projects and youth programs are reshaping community life across Poughkeepsie.

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does long term community growth look like when a city invests in both people and public spaces? HelloNation has published a HelloNation article that provides the answer through a detailed look at how Poughkeepsie is combining youth investment, neighborhood improvements and adaptive reuse projects to support residents and strengthen the city’s future.

The article explains that Poughkeepsie is undergoing a period of reinvention centered on infrastructure upgrades, youth programming and redevelopment along the city’s Northside. According to the article, local and county leaders are working to create spaces where residents can learn, gather and build stronger community connections. The article notes that these efforts are intended to improve quality of life while helping the city grow in a more sustainable and inclusive way.

A major focus of the article is the planned Youth Opportunity Union, also known as the YOU, a large multipurpose youth facility backed by Dutchess County. The HelloNation article describes the project as a 19,000 square foot center that will include childcare services, wellness support, tutoring areas, teaching kitchens and both indoor and outdoor recreation spaces. The article explains that the project reflects a larger regional effort to increase opportunities for children and teenagers in underserved communities.

The article also highlights additional youth centered investments connected to sports, education and recreation. According to the article, Dutchess County has awarded grants to local organizations serving young people between the ages of 6 and 17. The article further explains that Poughkeepsie’s City Parks program has introduced mini grants designed to support renovations and activities in neighborhood parks, including Pershing Avenue and Malcolm X parks.

Beyond youth programs, the article details how the city is working to improve transportation and neighborhood infrastructure. The HelloNation article explains that Poughkeepsie launched its first five year paving plan in 2025, beginning with major roadway improvements on Main Street and other corridors. The article states that these upgrades are intended to improve safety, durability and daily conditions for residents while supporting broader redevelopment goals throughout the city.

Another important part of the article focuses on adaptive reuse and environmental redevelopment on the Northside. The article describes how Scenic Hudson plans to transform the former Standard Gage Factory into the Northside Hub, a redevelopment project designed to serve as both a nonprofit headquarters and a community gathering space. According to the article, the project will feature solar powered operations, office space, public parkland and community facilities near the Walkway Over the Hudson and Dutchess Rail Trail.

The article also explains that Poughkeepsie’s selection as the Mid Hudson winner in New York’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative adds additional momentum to current redevelopment efforts. The HelloNation article notes that the funding will support new downtown projects that build on existing investments in youth programs, infrastructure and adaptive reuse. Together, these efforts are presented as part of a broader strategy to create long term stability and opportunity for local residents.

The article concludes that Poughkeepsie’s emerging identity is closely tied to projects that strengthen neighborhoods while supporting future generations. Poughkeepsie Puts Youth, Neighborhood Parks and Sustainable Reuse at the Center of Renewal features insights from HelloNation Staff Writer, community development coverage of Poughkeepsie, New York, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. HelloNation maintains partnerships with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the United States First Responders Association.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hellonation-article-highlights-poughkeepsies-focus-on-youth-investment-neighborhood-parks-and-sustainable-reuse-302765999.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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