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Promise Acquires Curious Refuge to Empower and Discover Generative AI Storytellers Worldwide

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LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Promise, the pioneering film and TV studio built for the Generative AI era, announced its acquisition of Curious Refuge, the premier AI film school dedicated to empowering the next generation of storytellers. This acquisition marks a major milestone in Promise’s mission to foster global innovation in the Generative AI space, creating an environment where learning, creativity, and imagination can thrive.

Pioneering film and TV studio, Promise,  announces its acquisition of Curious Refuge, the premier Gen AI film school.

Since its launch in 2020, Curious Refuge has become a vital resource for mentoring and educating emerging and established artists, equipping them with the knowledge to explore the vast creative potential of Generative AI. Through workshops, courses, and partnerships with Hollywood organizations and guilds, Curious Refuge has cultivated a uniquely supportive ecosystem, elevating the skills of over 4,000 people from 171 countries and helping talent across the entertainment industry lean into this new era of storytelling. As Gen AI ushers in a new movement of creativity and filmmaking, Curious Refuge has established itself as a home base for learning, experimentation, and artistic growth.

“Curious Refuge has demonstrated that Generative AI is more than just a tool—it’s an artform that sparks new forms of collaboration, unlocks creativity, and brings extraordinary visions to life,” said George Strompolos, Co-Founder and CEO of Promise. “By joining forces, Promise and Curious Refuge will lead the creation of a vibrant creative community, connecting artists, filmmakers, and industry leaders who are inspired to harness the power of Generative AI.”

This acquisition underscores Promise’s commitment to producing cutting-edge films and series while cultivating a creative talent pipeline that also benefits the broader entertainment industry. It also opens the door for Curious Refuge creators to be considered for roles on future Promise film and TV projects, bridging the gap between emerging talent and compelling storytelling.

“We’ve always been inspired by new ways to express creativity, and through Curious Refuge, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing the unbridled imagination that flourishes when bold ideas meet the right tools,” said Caleb & Shelby Ward, who serve as co-founders of Curious Refuge. “Curious Refuge has always been a safe space for creators to explore and embrace these advanced tools without fear of the unknown. This acquisition allows us to deepen our investment in the global community of storytellers while leveraging Promise’s industry connections to link our creators to exciting film and TV opportunities.”

With investment backing from Peter Chernin’s The North Road and Andrew Chen at Andreessen Horowitz, Promise is actively collaborating with leading Gen AI artists, Hollywood talent, and rights-holders to produce a multi-year slate of films, series, and innovative formats. Founded in late 2024 by Fullscreen CEO George Strompolos, former YouTube content executive Jamie Byrne, and acclaimed Gen AI innovator Dave Clark, Promise is committed to creating a creative environment that champions original stories for global audiences. Together, Promise and Curious Refuge aim to shape a future where technology and human ingenuity work in harmony to push the boundaries of creativity, empower bold voices, and reimagine what’s possible in storytelling.

About Promise

Promise Advanced Imagination, Inc. is a studio built from the ground up in the era of Generative AI to produce films, series, and explore new forms of entertainment for a variety of distribution platforms. Founded in 2024, the company collaborates with Gen AI artists, Hollywood talent, and third-party rights-holders to deliver a diverse slate of innovative storytelling to global audiences. Learn more at www.PromiseStudios.com.

About Curious Refuge

Curious Refuge is the premier online school and creative community for AI-powered storytelling, helping artists, studios, brands, and creators worldwide learn how to bring their boldest ideas to life with this transformative technology. Through interactive courses and a vibrant community, Curious Refuge is championing a new era of creativity.

SOCIAL MEDIA:
URL: www.PromiseStudios.com. www.CuriousRefuge.com
X: @Promise_AI, @gstrompolos, @CuriousRefuge
Linked In:
Promise, George Strompolos, Curious Refuge 

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SOURCE Promise

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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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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.

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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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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

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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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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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