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iHuman Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

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BEIJING, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — iHuman Inc. (NYSE: IH) (“iHuman” or the “Company”), a leading provider of tech-powered, intellectual development products in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.  

Third Quarter 2024 Highlights

Revenues were RMB239.4 million (US$34.1 million), compared with RMB261.5 million in the same period last year.Gross profit was RMB163.9 million (US$23.4 million), compared with RMB186.6 million in the same period last year.Operating income was RMB20.7 million (US$2.9 million), compared with RMB40.4 million in the same period last year.Net income was RMB25.1 million (US$3.6 million), compared with RMB51.9 million in the same period last year.Average total MAUs[1] reached a record-high of 29.12 million, a year-over-year increase of 14.8%.

[1] “Average total MAUs” refers to the monthly average of the sum of the MAUs of each of the Company’s apps during a specific period, which is counted based on the number of unique mobile devices through which such app is accessed at least once in a given month, and duplicate access to different apps is not eliminated from the total MAUs calculation.

Dr. Peng Dai, Director and Chief Executive Officer of iHuman, commented, “In the third quarter, we continued to see robust user demand for our products, driving average total MAUs to another record high of 29.12 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 14.8%. This growth underscores the effectiveness of our product strategy focused on innovation, overseas market expansion, and responsiveness to evolving market dynamics.

Domestically, we further strengthened our market leadership by enhancing our product portfolio with the launch of iHuman Chinese Reading. This new offering aims to cultivate an interest in Chinese reading, enhance literacy and verbal skills, and deepen children’s understanding of the Chinese culture. Developed by the same team behind our highly acclaimed iHuman Chinese app, iHuman Chinese Reading continues our proud tradition and commitment to excellent content and innovative design. The course features a leveled reading system that facilitates gradual progress in Chinese proficiency and offers a rich variety of content formats, such as ancient Chinese poems, interactive storybooks, and online study tours.

Building on our foundation, we expanded our content library by strengthening ties with influential industry players and leveraged our advanced technology to create richer and more immersive experiences for children. For instance, through our previously announced strategic partnership with Children’s Fun Publishing Co. Ltd., a leading children’s book publisher in China, we recently launched a new “Frozen” theme within iHuman Little Artists, where children can color their favorite Frozen characters and scenes, upload their artwork, and watch them come to life in a narrated storybook. This integration provides children with a creative way to experience the popular Frozen story while offering a highly interactive reading and drawing experience.

We also continued to roll out updates across other app products. For example, we added two new themes to iHuman Magic Thinking: “Sudoku” and “Thinking Logic.” “Sudoku” introduces children to Sudoku rules and mathematical concepts through short, animated stories and interactive challenges, and “Thinking Logic” engages them with a detective story series designed to sharpen judgment, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

On the international front, we enriched our portfolio with fresh content and features to boost user engagement and expand our global reach. Aha World received several updates, adding even more fun and adventure to its ever-expanding fantasy world. Children can now explore the “Love Animal Shelter,” where they can adopt, wash, and care for adorable virtual pets and enjoy an immersive and joyful pet ownership experience. For those captivated by the mystical, we introduced themes like “Magic School” and “Magic Street,” which take children on enchanting adventures and introduce magical shops filled with delightful surprises. These efforts have further boosted Aha World’s popularity. By the end of September, Aha World achieved over 502 million cumulative views across various social media platforms and attracted more than 1.4 million followers globally, reflecting its growing appeal among young users worldwide. 

Looking ahead, we remain focused on enhancing our diverse portfolio across markets to better promote children’s holistic development while advancing our sustainable growth initiatives,” concluded Dr. Dai.

Ms. Vivien Weiwei Wang, Director and Chief Financial Officer of iHuman, added, “In the third quarter of 2024, we achieved our eleventh consecutive quarter of profitability, with net income reaching RMB25.1 million. This sustained financial strength enables us to continue expanding our impact across diverse channels and customer segments. For instance, our animation studio, Kunpeng, broadened its product lineup with the launch of a new animated series, “Rainbow Crew,” in October. The new series swiftly gained traction following its release, topping the charts for children’s shows on leading streaming platforms, including Tencent Video, iQIYI, and Youku.

Beyond consumer-facing products, we have also built a robust B2B model that currently supports nearly 10,000 kindergartens and institutions across China. Our tailored content resources and solutions empower these institutions with a comprehensive suite of diverse, ready-to-use products that effectively meet the developmental needs of young children, promoting the high-quality development of kindergartens and institutions. Recently, we have opened an experience center in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, which combines education, entertainment, hands-on experience, and some unique features. Designed as a one-stop demonstration hub for institutional customers and vendors, the center is organized into six key areas—core content, specialty content, extended services, a multi-functional hall, indoor play spaces, and outdoor activity zones—showcasing our interactive products and innovative approach to supporting early childhood development in a kindergarten setting. This hands-on experience enables institutions to gain a deeper understanding of how our offerings can seamlessly integrate into their educational environments. Moving forward, we will leverage our solid financial foundation and innovative product ecosystem to deepen our impact in both the consumer and business segments, reinforcing our industry-leading position and creating value for our shareholders.”

Third Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

Revenues

Revenues were RMB239.4 million (US$34.1 million), a decrease of 8.4% from RMB261.5 million in the same period last year, primarily due to more conservative consumer spending. 

Average total MAUs for the quarter were 29.12 million, an increase of 14.8% year-over-year from 25.36 million in the same period last year, primarily due to the effective execution of our user acquisition strategy and ongoing product innovation.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues was RMB75.5 million (US$10.8 million), compared with RMB74.9 million in the same period last year.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit was RMB163.9 million (US$23.4 million), compared with RMB186.6 million in the same period last year. Gross margin was 68.4%, compared with 71.4% in the same period last year. The slight decrease in gross margin was mainly due to our increased focus on the offline component in the integrated online-offline product strategy to enhance the attractiveness of the product.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were RMB143.2 million (US$20.4 million), compared to RMB146.2 million in the same period last year.

Research and development expenses were RMB59.3 million (US$8.5 million), a decrease of 10.4% from RMB66.2 million in the same period last year, primarily due to savings in payroll related expenses.  

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB60.9 million (US$8.7 million), an increase of 12.7% from RMB54.0 million in the same period last year, primarily due to increased strategic spending on promotional activities, brand enhancement, and overseas expansion.

General and administrative expenses were RMB23.0 million (US$3.3 million), a decrease of 11.8% from RMB26.1 million in the same period last year, primarily due to savings in payroll related expenses, share-based compensation expenses, as well as other administrative expenses. 

Operating Income

Operating income was RMB20.7 million (US$2.9 million), compared with RMB40.4 million in the same period last year.

Net Income

Net income was RMB25.1 million (US$3.6 million), compared with RMB51.9 million in the same period last year.

Basic and diluted net income per ADS were RMB0.48 (US$0.07) and RMB0.47 (US$0.07), respectively, compared with RMB0.98 and RMB0.95 in the same period last year. Each ADS represents five Class A ordinary shares of the Company.

Deferred Revenue and Customer Advances

Deferred revenue and customer advances were RMB298.9 million (US$42.6 million) as of September 30, 2024, compared with RMB318.6 million as of December 31, 2023.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were RMB1,168.6 million (US$166.5 million) as of September 30, 2024, compared with RMB1,213.8 million as of December 31, 2023.

Extension of Share Repurchase Program

Given its confidence in the Company’s business prospects, the board of directors (the “Board”) has authorized an extension of the Company’s existing share repurchase program, as authorized in December 2021 and extended to remain effective to the end of December 2024, by another twelve months through December 31, 2025. Pursuant to the extended share repurchase program, the Company’s proposed repurchases may be made from time to time through open market transactions at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on the market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The timing and dollar amount of repurchase transactions will be subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-18 and Rule 10b5-1 requirements. The Board will continue to review the extended share repurchase program periodically, and may authorize adjustments to its terms and size. The Company expects to continue to fund the repurchases under the extended share repurchase program with its existing cash balance.

Exchange Rate Information

The U.S. dollar (US$) amounts disclosed in this press release, except for those transaction amounts that were actually settled in U.S. dollars, are presented solely for the convenience of the reader. The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US$ in this press release is based on the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of September 30, 2024, which was RMB7.0176 to US$1.00. The percentages stated in this press release are calculated based on the RMB amounts.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

iHuman considers and uses non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per ADS, as supplemental metrics in reviewing and assessing its operating performance and formulating its business plan. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). iHuman defines adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per ADS as operating income, net income and diluted net income per ADS excluding share-based compensation expenses, respectively. Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per ADS enable iHuman’s management to assess its operating results without considering the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which are non-cash charges. iHuman believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors in understanding and evaluating the Company’s current operating performance and prospects in the same manner as management does, if they so choose.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, which possibly do not reflect all items of expense that affect our operations. Share-based compensation expenses have been and may continue to be incurred in our business and are not reflected in the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures iHuman uses may differ from the non-GAAP measures used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about iHuman’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Among other things, the description of the management’s quotations in this announcement contains forward-looking statements. iHuman may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: iHuman’s growth strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; its ability to continue to attract and retain users, convert non-paying users into paying users and increase the spending of paying users, the trends in, and size of, the market in which iHuman operates; its expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products and services; its expectations regarding its relationships with business partners; general economic and business conditions; regulatory environment; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in iHuman’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and iHuman does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

About iHuman Inc.

iHuman Inc. is a leading provider of tech-powered, intellectual development products in China that is committed to making the child-upbringing experience easier for parents and transforming intellectual development into a fun journey for children. Benefiting from a deep legacy that combines over two decades of experience in the parenthood industry, superior original content, advanced high-tech innovation DNA and research & development capabilities with cutting-edge technologies, iHuman empowers parents with tools to make the child-upbringing experience more efficient. iHuman’s unique, fun and interactive product offerings stimulate children’s natural curiosity and exploration. The Company’s comprehensive suite of innovative and high-quality products include self-directed apps, interactive content and smart devices that cover a broad variety of areas to develop children’s abilities in speaking, critical thinking, independent reading and creativity, and foster their natural interest in traditional Chinese culture. Leveraging advanced technological capabilities, including 3D engines, AI/AR functionality, and big data analysis on children’s behavior & psychology, iHuman believes it will continue to provide superior experience that is efficient and relieving for parents, and effective and fun for children, in China and all over the world, through its integrated suite of tech-powered, intellectual development products.

For more information about iHuman, please visit https://ir.ihuman.com/.

For investor and media enquiries, please contact:

iHuman Inc.
Mr. Justin Zhang
Investor Relations Director
Phone: +86 10 5780-6606
E-mail: ir@ihuman.com 

Christensen
In China
Ms. Alice Li
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: alice.li@christensencomms.com  

In the US
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
E-mail: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com 

 

 

iHuman Inc.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”)

except for number of shares, ADSs, per share and per ADS data)

December 31,

September 30,

September 30,

2023

2024

2024

RMB

RMB

US$

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents 

1,213,767

651,684

92,864

Short-term investments

–

516,910

73,659

Accounts receivable, net

60,832

66,376

9,459

Inventories, net

16,518

16,882

2,406

Amounts due from related parties

1,810

2,099

299

Prepayments and other current assets

89,511

102,036

14,540

Total current assets

1,382,438

1,355,987

193,227

Non-current assets

Property and equipment, net

6,169

3,893

555

Intangible assets, net

23,245

21,121

3,010

Operating lease right-of-use assets

3,648

2,376

339

Long-term investment

26,333

26,333

3,752

Other non-current assets

8,662

10,937

1,556

Total non-current assets

68,057

64,660

9,212

Total assets

1,450,495

1,420,647

202,439

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Accounts payable

22,139

25,761

3,671

Deferred revenue and customer advances

318,587

298,896

42,592

Amounts due to related parties

4,428

20,719

2,952

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

143,677

116,382

16,584

Dividend payable

–

30,139

4,295

Current operating lease liabilities

1,927

1,683

240

Total current liabilities

490,758

493,580

70,334

Non-current liabilities

Non-current operating lease liabilities

1,933

735

105

Total non-current liabilities

1,933

735

105

Total liabilities

492,691

494,315

70,439

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share,
    700,000,000 Class A shares authorized as of
    December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2024;
    125,122,382 Class A shares issued and 119,704,787
    outstanding as of December 31, 2023; 125,122,382
    Class A shares issued and 117,107,067 outstanding as
    of September 30, 2024; 200,000,000 Class B shares
    authorized, 144,000,000 Class B ordinary shares
    issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and
    September 30, 2024; 100,000,000 shares
    (undesignated) authorized, nil shares (undesignated)
    issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and
    September 30, 2024)

185

185

26

Additional paid-in capital

1,088,628

996,089

141,942

Treasury stock

(16,665)

(23,579)

(3,360)

Statutory reserves

8,164

8,164

1,163

Accumulated other comprehensive income

17,955

13,828

1,970

Accumulated deficit

(140,463)

(68,355)

(9,741)

Total shareholders’ equity

957,804

926,332

132,000

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

1,450,495

1,420,647

202,439

 

 

iHuman Inc.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”)

except for number of shares, ADSs, per share and per ADS data)

For the three months ended

For the nine months ended

September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

2023

2024

2024

2024

2023

2024

2024

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

Revenues

261,496

215,107

239,407

34,115

767,692

689,517

98,255

Cost of revenues

(74,871)

(63,372)

(75,541)

(10,765)

(224,667)

(205,805)

(29,327)

Gross profit

186,625

151,735

163,866

23,350

543,025

483,712

68,928

Operating expenses

Research and development expenses

(66,168)

(57,219)

(59,307)

(8,451)

(191,253)

(184,449)

(26,284)

Sales and marketing expenses

(53,994)

(51,263)

(60,863)

(8,673)

(134,993)

(167,121)

(23,815)

General and administrative expenses

(26,070)

(24,426)

(22,998)

(3,277)

(78,787)

(75,148)

(10,709)

Total operating expenses

(146,232)

(132,908)

(143,168)

(20,401)

(405,033)

(426,718)

(60,808)

Operating income

40,393

18,827

20,698

2,949

137,992

56,994

8,120

Other income, net

19,507

9,410

8,024

1,143

33,721

26,444

3,768

Income before income taxes

59,900

28,237

28,722

4,092

171,713

83,438

11,888

Income tax expenses

(7,984)

(3,574)

(3,579)

(510)

(24,077)

(11,330)

(1,615)

Net income

51,916

24,663

25,143

3,582

147,636

72,108

10,273

Net income per ADS:

   – Basic

0.98

0.47

0.48

0.07

2.79

1.37

0.20

   – Diluted

0.95

0.45

0.47

0.07

2.70

1.33

0.19

Weighted average number of ADSs:

   – Basic

52,747,426

52,496,541

52,283,334

52,283,334

52,834,352

52,502,206

52,502,206

   – Diluted

54,772,536

54,295,419

54,011,420

54,011,420

54,753,124

54,332,011

54,332,011

Total share-based compensation expenses included in:

Cost of revenues

67

26

22

3

235

88

13

Research and development expenses

1,160

348

225

32

2,940

1,030

147

Sales and marketing expenses

147

45

39

6

585

130

19

General and administrative expenses

1,105

392

329

47

3,557

1,022

146

 

 

iHuman Inc.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”)

except for number of shares, ADSs, per share and per ADS data)

For the three months ended

For the nine months ended

September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

2023

2024

2024

2024

2023

2024

2024

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

Operating income

40,393

18,827

20,698

2,949

137,992

56,994

8,120

Share-based compensation expenses

2,479

811

615

88

7,317

2,270

325

Adjusted operating income

42,872

19,638

21,313

3,037

145,309

59,264

8,445

Net income

51,916

24,663

25,143

3,582

147,636

72,108

10,273

Share-based compensation expenses

2,479

811

615

88

7,317

2,270

325

Adjusted net income

54,395

25,474

25,758

3,670

154,953

74,378

10,598

Diluted net income per ADS

0.95

0.45

0.47

0.07

2.70

1.33

0.19

Impact of non-GAAP adjustments

0.04

0.02

0.01

0.00

0.13

0.04

0.01

Adjusted diluted net income per ADS

0.99

0.47

0.48

0.07

2.83

1.37

0.20

Weighted average number of ADSs – diluted

54,772,536

54,295,419

54,011,420

54,011,420

54,753,124

54,332,011

54,332,011

Weighted average number of ADSs – adjusted

54,772,536

54,295,419

54,011,420

54,011,420

54,753,124

54,332,011

54,332,011

 

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Suunto Launches Race 3S: Next-Generation Performance Watch in a Compact Titanium Case

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Suunto’s next-generation performance watch brings up to 38 hours of dual-band GPS battery, a 2,000-nit AMOLED display, and free worldwide offline maps in a 56 g build, debuting alongside Suunto’s new AI Coach.

VANTAA, Finland, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Suunto launches Suunto Race 3S, a new-generation flagship performance watch. Built for smarter training, with features designed especially for trail running, Race 3S brings together up to 38 hours of dual-band GPS battery, a 2,000-nit AMOLED display, and a full set of intelligent trail tools at just 56 g. It is a watch built to go further and move lighter, so a long day in the mountains stays simple.

First launched in 2023, the Race series established Suunto’s position as the choice for athletes who train with intention and perform when it counts. Suunto Race 3S carries that standard into a compact 46 mm case sized to sit well on smaller wrists, and holds on to long-lasting battery life, a flagship display, and the complete trail toolkit alongside it.

“People have more performance data at their fingertips than ever, but turning all that information into something useful can be a challenge,” said Daniel Das Bhowmik, VP Product at Suunto. “We built Race 3S to carry long-lasting battery life in a case compact and light enough to forget, and we’re launching it alongside Suunto AI Coach to make things simple again: turning questions and personal data into clear, actionable answers.”

Battery for the Long Haul

No runner should plan a race around a battery bar. Suunto Race 3S gives them room to plan the race instead: up to 38 hours in dual-band GPS mode (up to 32 hours with the always-on display on), compared with up to 30 hours on Race S, with full positioning accuracy switched on the entire time. Additional battery modes reach further still, including a smartwatch mode with up to 12 days of battery life for everyday wear.

For runners used to planning a session around what the watch has left, that is up to eight more hours of pacing, navigation, and heart rate on the wrist than Race S. Training runs finish the way they were planned, races carry data all the way to the line, and the charger stays at home.

A Compact Build With Flagship Performance

The best watch on a long climb is the one a runner stops noticing. At 56 g with the silicone strap, 38 g for the watch head alone, Suunto’s Race 3S sits close to the wrist at roughly the weight of two energy gels, with a compact fit that works well for smaller wrists, too. A titanium bezel and sapphire crystal lens handle rock, scrub, and repeated impact.

Inside, the new-generation Apollo 510 processor drives faster response across maps and menus, and an upgraded optical heart rate module with six LEDs and four photodetectors behind 2.5D curved sensor glass holds accuracy through arm swing, sweat, and cold. Pair a Suunto heart rate belt to enable ZoneSense and it reads true intensity straight from the body’s response.

Suunto AI Coach Debuts With Race 3S

Race 3S marks the debut of Suunto AI Coach, an AI-powered conversational coaching experience in the Suunto app. It turns your Suunto data into insight, guidance and action, helping you understand your data, know where you stand and decide what to do next.

Ask Suunto AI Coach anything about your training, and it answers clearly and in context, with guidance and visuals such as charts, tables and maps, plus next steps whenever you want them. When you want to act, it creates structured workouts, training plans and routes; workouts and routes can then be saved in the Suunto app and synced to your watch. Customers who purchase and pair Suunto Race 3S can get three months of Suunto AI Coach free by activating their watch through the Suunto app by 31 December 2026.

Precision in Every Terrain, Free Maps Worldwide

When the trail disappears under canopy or into a canyon, the line on the wrist stays put. Positioning offers better overall performance, notable through forests, canyon walls, and switchbacks. Free worldwide offline maps now add contour lines and place names for an instant read on where you stand. They download straight to the watch and run entirely on board, subscription-free, so the terrain travels with the runner wherever the trail goes.

A Race Strategy Set Before the Gun

The hardest racing decisions arrive when a runner is least equipped to make them. Suunto Race 3S makes them early instead. Climb Guidance shows what the trail does next, climb or descent, updated in real time, so effort can be placed in advance: know a descent is coming, and save the legs for the climb after it.

Race Planner will build a personalized pacing plan from the route, the weather, and a runner’s race goal, with real-time guidance to hold pace on race day.*

A Display You Can Read in Full Sun

Mid-race data only counts if it can be read mid-stride. The 1.32-inch LTPS Hybrid AMOLED reaches 2,000 nits, more than three times the brightness of Race S, at 466 × 466 resolution. In midday glare above the treeline or on a 4 a.m. start in the dark, pace, distance, and the next turn stay readable at a glance.

Everything You Run With, on One Wrist

64 GB of onboard storage holds maps, routes, training data, and offline music.** It offers over 100 sport modes, including running, cycling, swimming, gym work, and multisport. Race 3S is available in three colorways: Orchid, Feather, and Black.

*Race Planner is planned for launch via a future Suunto app and firmware update. Features, availability, and timing are subject to change. Please refer to the latest official information from Suunto.

**Available via an over-the-air software update following product launch. Availability timing is subject to official announcement.

Read more about Suunto AI Coach at https://us.suunto.com/pages/suunto-ai-coach

Availability:
EMEA: October 15th
CHINA: October 15th
NAM: October 29th
APAC: October 29th

Race 3S will be sold through Suunto’s direct-to-consumer channels and authorized outdoor and running retail partners across North America, Europe, and key Asia-Pacific markets.

Pricing: EUR 499 / USD 599

Colors: Purple, Grey, Black

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About Suunto

Suunto is a Finnish brand, established in 1936. It was founded by Finnish inventor Tuomas Vohlonen, who pioneered a new standard for navigational precision. That same year, his innovation – a field compass – was stronger, steadier, and more accurate than any other handheld navigational tool of its time. It was the first of many Suunto products built to withstand the harsh conditions of our native Finland.

In the near century since, Tuomas’s spirit of innovation has continued to chart Suunto’s course. From some of history’s first dive computers and high-altitude wrist altimeters to today’s GPS watches, Suunto remains a trusted companion for outdoor adventurers across the globe.

Supporting explorers, athletes, and weekend warriors alike remains our core mission – providing the tools to dive deeper, climb higher, and push the limits of human potential.

www.suunto.com

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/R E P E A T — Media Advisory – Minister Hodgson to hold media callback following his visit to the United Kingdom/

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OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 20, 2026 /CNW/ — The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, will hold a callback with Canadian media to discuss the outcomes of his visit to London, U.K., for London Metals Exchange (LME) Week on October 19 and 20, 2026.

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Time: 1 p.m. EDT

All accredited media are asked to pre-register for the callback by emailing media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca. Details on how to participate will be provided upon registration.

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S4 Capital’s Monks Accelerates Regional Growth Strategy in EMEA and APAC Expanding Nirvik Singh’s Remit to APAC, Names Ash Smith Executive Vice President, Asia Pacific and Fay Denis du Peage Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand

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LONDON, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Monks, the purely digital, unitary operating brand of S4 Capital plc, today announced an evolution of its regional leadership across EMEA and Asia-Pacific. As global brands demand more agile, connected and AI-enabled marketing models, Monks is expanding its integrated Marketing and Technology Services footprint to help multinational clients operate at speed and scale across both regions.

Positioned as a change agent for modern enterprise brands, Monks unifies three core capabilities—Intelligence, Creation and Orchestration—through its flagship Monks.Flow platform to build brands as living systems. Across Asia Pacific, this evolution allows Monks to deliver end-to-end marketing transformation, helps clients accelerate media performance, eliminate operational silos and orchestrate intelligent marketing that turns real-time data into measurable business impact.

To lead this next chapter, Monks has expanded the leadership remit of Nirvik Singh to lead both EMEA and Asia Pacific, reporting to Bruno Lambertini, CEO of Marketing Services. Working alongside Nirvik, Ash Smith joins Monks as Executive Vice President, Asia Pacific, effective 13 November 2026. Fay Denis du Peage has been appointed Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, effective immediately.

Nirvik recently stepped down as a Non-Executive Director from the S4 Capital Board to join Monks as CEO of Marketing Services, EMEA. In the new expansion of his role to APAC, he will integrate oversight for Marketing Services across both regions, recognizing the connected growth opportunities and delivering greater value and scale for clients.

Nirvik brings more than 35 years of experience in the industry, most recently as Global Chief Operating Officer and President International at Grey Group. Nirvik has spent decades running multi-region businesses and partnering with enterprise brands including Procter & Gamble, The Coca-Cola Company, Volvo and Haleon to navigate complex market dynamics and deliver commercial impact.

Reporting to Nirvik, Ash Smith will focus on accelerating regional business growth, strengthening client partnerships and scaling Monks’ product and solutions capabilities across Asia Pacific. Ash brings more than 18 years of experience across Australia, Europe, China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, spanning product development, client solutions, innovation and business leadership. Throughout his career, he has focused on combining human intelligence, data and technology to create value for brands, translating local and regional market insights into innovative solutions and business growth.

Prior to joining Monks, Ash served as Chief Product and Solutions Officer for JAPAC at Tag, a Dentsu company, where he led the talent, products and technology needed to address complex client challenges, including driving Tag’s AI and innovation agenda. Previously, as Managing Director for Southeast Asia, he built strategic client partnerships and developed integrated, scalable solutions by bringing together expertise from across the network, delivering strong business growth.

Over his career, Ash has worked with leading global brands across technology, CPG, luxury and automotive, building long-term partnerships and delivering solutions that drive real-world impact. He has also shared his perspectives at industry forums, most recently NRF and ATS.

“We are excited to welcome Ash to our leadership team in Asia Pacific as we continue to scale our integrated offering and deepen our partnerships with clients across the region. His experience spanning client leadership, product, solutions and innovation will be valuable as we bring together creative, media, production, data and technology to deliver greater agility, efficiency and real-time relevance for brands. As we continue to advance our unitary model and the capabilities enabled by Monks.Flow, Ash will play an important role in translating our regional ambitions into meaningful outcomes for our clients and our business,” said Nirvik Singh, CEO, Monks EMEA and APAC.

Ash joins Monks as the company continues to evolve its integrated Marketing and Technology Services offering, bringing together creativity, media intelligence, production, data, and technology to help brands compete in an increasingly complex and fast-moving market. Through Monks.Flow, its flagship AI ecosystem for marketing orchestration, Monks is connecting insights, creativity, and execution to enable real-time relevance and turn marketing into a growth engine. Ash’s experience in product and solutions leadership, AI innovation and integrated client partnerships will support the continued development and deployment of these capabilities across Asia Pacific.

“The best agencies don’t just make work, they solve problems. When people and technology come together in the right systems, we can move faster, think bigger and unlock growth for brands in ways that weren’t possible before. That means bringing media, creative, production and data to the table as one team, not a set of silos. Our job is to put clients at the centre of everything we do and help them win through new ideas and experiences,” said Ash Smith, incoming EVP, Monks Asia Pacific.

Based in Sydney, Fay Denis du Peage will report to Ash Smith and lead Monks’ growth and market development across Australia and New Zealand. She will focus on strengthening the local offering, deepening client partnerships and bringing together Monks’ capabilities across creative, media, data and technology.

Fay brings experience across media, data, digital and operations from her career at Monks and MightyHive. She steps into the role after serving as Senior Vice President, Media, APAC, where she has helped strengthen Monks’ regional media proposition and drive greater integration across data, technology and media.

“AUNZ is a sophisticated and fast-moving market, and there is a significant opportunity for Monks to bring more of our capabilities together around the challenges our clients are facing, empowering them to become Real-Time Brands. The future of marketing isn’t about one discipline working in isolation—it’s about connecting media, creativity, data and technology with AI to create better outcomes in real time. My focus will be on making that capability even more relevant and accessible to clients, while building on the strength of our local teams and partnerships. I’m excited about what we are about to create together in the market,” said Fay Denis du Peage, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, Monks.

“Nirvik and Ash bring complementary leadership experience and a strong understanding of what clients need in an increasingly complex and fast-changing market. With Nirvik’s expanded regional leadership and Ash’s expertise in client solutions, product, and innovation, we are strengthening our ability to drive growth, connect capabilities, and deliver greater value for clients across our markets. Fay’s appointment is an important step in strengthening our presence across AUNZ, with Australia as our largest APAC market. I would also like to thank Kenny Griffiths for his leadership and the valuable contributions he has made to Monks,” said Bruno Lambertini, CEO, Marketing Services, Monks.

Media Inquiry

Evelyn Hsu
VP, Marketing and Communications, APAC
Evelyn.hsu@monks.com

About Monks

Monks is the global, digital-first, data-driven, unitary operating brand of S4 Capital plc. With a legacy of innovation and specialized expertise, Monks combines an extraordinary range of global Marketing and Technology Services to redefine how brands interact with the world. Through Monks.Flow, its flagship AI ecosystem for marketing orchestration, Monks transforms marketing into a growth engine, collapsing timelines and connecting brands to culture in real time. By deploying bespoke intelligent agents across disciplines and delivering culturally relevant, high-impact creative and digital solutions, Monks solves key critical business challenges across the entire brand enterprise to help brands sustain long-term impact.

Monks was named a Contender in The Forrester Wave™: Global Marketing Services and a leader in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Global Digital Marketing Agencies. It ranks among Cannes Lions’ Top 10 Creative Companies (2022-25) and remains the only partner featured in AdExchanger’s Programmatic Power Players list every year (2020-24). Named Adweek’s first AI Agency of the Year (2023) and The One Show’s inaugural AI Pioneer Organization (2025), Monks was also awarded Business Intelligence Group’s 2026 Excellence in Artificial Intelligence Award in the Human-Machine Interaction Team category. Additionally, Monks.Flow earned AI-based Marketing Solution of the Year at the 2026 AI Breakthrough Awards and a 2026 Global Generative AI Award in the Agentic Marketing Innovation category. Finally, Monks achieved a record-breaking number of FWAs and continues to hold the most of any partner.

About S4 Capital

S4 Capital is a purely digital advertising and marketing services business built for global, multinational, regional and local clients, as well as millennial-driven influencer brands. The business operates through two data- and digital-media-driven practices: Marketing Services and Technology Services, emphasising ‘faster, better and more efficient’ execution in an always-on, consumer-led environment. Its unitary structure positions the Company as a systems integration partner delivering real-time relevance in the post-agency era.

The Company has approximately 6,200 people in 34 countries, with approximately 82% of net revenue across the Americas, 12% across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and 6% across Asia-Pacific. The longer-term objective is a geographic split of 60%:20%:20%. Marketing Services accounted for approximately 91% of net revenue and Technology Services 9%. The target allocation is a practice split of 75%:25%.

Sir Martin Sorrell was CEO of WPP for 33 years, building it from a £1 million ‘shell’ company in 1985 into the world’s largest advertising and marketing services company, with a market capitalisation of over £16 billion on the day he left. Prior to that, Sir Martin was Group Financial Director of Saatchi & Saatchi Company Plc for nine years.

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