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Agog Strengthens Field of Immersive Media for Good with $6.5M in Early Grants and New Open Call for Climate-Impact Projects

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New call for proposals offers up to $1M in grants to support creators and nonprofits using immersive media to drive climate action and civic engagement

LOS ANGELES, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Agog: The Immersive Media Institute, a philanthropic organization focused on extended reality (XR) for social good, announced today that it has distributed nearly $6.5 million in grants to date, supporting creators, nonprofits, and field-building efforts that use immersive media to deepen public understanding of urgent social and environmental challenges. Agog is now opening its support to a wider pool of creators through its first public open call, offering up to $1 million for climate-focused immersive storytelling and projects.

Since publicly launching in 2024, Agog has worked to strengthen the ecosystem for immersive storytelling by funding projects, supporting creator labs and development programs, partnering with nonprofits, and bringing together artists, technologists, and cultural leaders. The open call reflects a deepening of Agog’s investment in exploring how immersive media can bring climate stories to life in more immediate, experiential ways.

“After more than three decades working as a journalist focused on climate change, I believe immersive storytelling is a powerful way to help people connect with what’s happening now — and imagine and build what a better future could be,” said Chip Giller, co-founder and executive director of Agog and founder of climate news organization Grist. “Immersive media represents a step change in communications. These technologies put you in the story itself, allowing you to experience it viscerally as a participant. Using them, you can travel to Greenland to experience melting ice sheets, visit low-lying islands in the Pacific threatened by sea-level rise, or even embody a tree growing from a seed to a towering old growth. It’s wild — and the changes in these media are happening fast. We hope this open call encourages more people to learn about immersive media and put it to use in the fight for a livable climate.”

“Climate change is a challenge so immense that it can be hard to grasp, even as it affects every one of us,” said Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of Agog. “Immersive storytelling has the ability to bring the effects of climate change — whether it’s melting glaciers, raging storms, or disappearing coastlines — not only before our eyes but all around us, reaching all of our senses. As Agog deepens its focus on climate storytelling, we hope that this powerful technology can, by helping us all experience these changes, spur us to action for our communities and our planet.”

Agog’s grantmaking supports immersive impact storytelling across climate change, racial equity, Indigenous knowledge, and journalism, alongside broader ecosystem investments. Climate-focused projects include “Out of the Ashes,” a virtual reconstruction of communities impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. Work in racial equity includes support for wider distribution of “The Book of Distance,” a critically acclaimed virtual reality (VR) documentary exploring memory, migration, and state-sanctioned racism. Agog has also invested in Indigenous-led storytelling through projects like “OurWorlds” and a funding initiative with the Indigenous Screen Office, supporting community-led narratives, language revitalization, and land-based knowledge. In journalism, Agog has supported efforts like the Experiential Journalism Lab at the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley Journalism, training emerging reporters to develop immersive, experience-driven forms of storytelling grounded in rigorous reporting.

Beyond individual projects, Agog has invested in the infrastructure that allows this work to grow — from creator labs and residencies with partners like PHI, Black Public Media, and Electric South to incubators such as WORLDING and Reality Hack at MIT, in addition to wider distribution initiatives. Together, these efforts support projects from concept to audience engagement and impact.

“Immersive media has the power to have a generational impact on our society, the land, and humanity,” said idris brewster, founder of Agog grantee Kinfolk Tech. “Agog has recognized the power of and need for this technology, and its support has made this kind of storytelling possible for Kinfolk Tech and many other creators and organizations.”
 

A New Phase: Climate Futures + Immersive Media Open Call

Agog’s 2026 open call, Climate Futures + Immersive Media, supports projects that use immersive media to engage people more deeply in climate issues and expand pathways for participation and action.

The initiative invites proposals from XR creators and mission-driven organizations new to immersive media, with a focus on projects that move audiences from awareness to action. The review committee will consist of Agog leadership and climate and XR experts, including Myriam Achard, chief of new media partnerships and PR at PHI; Jerome Foster II, sustainability and social impact consultant; Anthony Leiserowitz, Ph.D., director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication; and Jacqueline Patterson, founder and executive director of The Chisholm Legacy Project.

Areas of interest for the open call include:

Climate storytelling and civic participationCommunity power and resilienceAccess, equity, and climate justicePlanetary connection and well-beingFuture-building and world design

The open call will support projects across a range of stages and formats, from early concept to more developed work. Agog is particularly interested in projects that use smart glasses, augmented reality, spatial sound, and mixed reality to help people experience climate challenges and solutions in more immediate, embodied ways. Agog will award grants in denominations ranging from $25,000 to $200,000. In addition to funding, selected projects may receive mentorship and opportunities for partnership and distribution.

Applications close June 12. agog.org/opencall2026/ 

Agog: The Immersive Media Institute

Agog: The Immersive Media Institute is a philanthropic organization founded by Chip Giller and Wendy Schmidt that is dedicated to helping creators and nonprofit leaders use extended reality — including virtual, augmented, and mixed reality — to imagine and build a more connected, just, and compassionate world. Agog operates as a field builder and creative partner, supporting immersive storytellers whose work addresses urgent social and environmental challenges.

CONTACT: Alex Capriotti
alex@agog.org

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agog-strengthens-field-of-immersive-media-for-good-with-6-5m-in-early-grants-and-new-open-call-for-climate-impact-projects-302769688.html

SOURCE Agog: The Immersive Media Institute

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Technology Drives the Future of Travel: JETOUR Continues to Expand Its “Travel+” Ecosystem

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WUHU, China, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Expectations for travel are evolving: vehicles are no longer simply a means of reaching a destination, but travel companions that bring people closer to nature, serving as a “mobile third space.”

JETOUR continues to advance its “Travel+” strategy, integrating technological innovation, product development, and ecosystem building into real travel scenarios. From October 20 to 23, the 2026 JETOUR Global Technology Experience Day, themed “Future Travel Starts Now,” takes place across Wuhu, Anhui and Moganshan, Zhejiang, featuring technology experiences, on-road driving, outdoor living, and conservation activities.

Technological Innovation: Expanding the Possibilities of Travel

Backed by the Group’s expertise in AI, intelligent driving, smart cabins, and AiMOGA Robotics, JETOUR turns cutting-edge technology into experiences users can genuinely feel. The XWD Fully Automatic Intelligent 4WD, with 7+X one-touch modes, tackles mountain roads, gravel, and water crossings, while the GAIA All-Terrain Intelligent Architecture adapts to diverse terrain and C-DM hybrid technology balances performance with efficiency. On October 21, models with these technologies take on mountain-road test drives at Moganshan.

A Diverse Product Lineup: Enriching the Travel Experience

The G700 combines premium comfort with hardcore off-road capability, while the T1 and T2 suit both urban driving and light off-road adventures. Roof tents, onboard refrigerators, and other ecosystem equipment turn the vehicle into an all-round companion. JETOUR also hosts a camping market and a Starry Night Forum, bringing product features into real travel settings.

Ecosystem: Extending the Value of Travel

Travel is about understanding cultures and protecting nature as well as exploration. Participants visit Xiazhu Lake in Zhejiang for a crested ibis conservation initiative. Globally, JETOUR supports cheetah conservation in Africa, turtle conservation in Malaysia, harpy eagle conservation in Panama, and protection of Pakistan’s national animal, the markhor.

JETOUR has also partnered with Chile’s Colo-Colo, FIBA, and the Malaysia Marathon, broadening engagement with local culture, sport, and communities — giving “Travel+” an ever richer meaning.

JETOUR now joins travelers worldwide across city, mountain, and wetland, exploring new possibilities through the deeper integration of technology and travel.

ABOUT JETOUR

Launched in 2018, JETOUR follows the “Travel+” strategy and has entered over 100 countries and regions, with 2,000+ sales and after-sales outlets. Its lineup includes the T Series for light off-road and the G Series for the premium luxury off-road market, covering urban commuting, family road trips, outdoor camping, and long-distance journeys.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/technology-drives-the-future-of-travel-jetour-continues-to-expand-its-travel-ecosystem-302918650.html

SOURCE JETOUR

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Technology Drives the Future of Travel: JETOUR Continues to Expand Its “Travel+” Ecosystem

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WUHU, China, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Expectations for travel are evolving: vehicles are no longer simply a means of reaching a destination, but travel companions that bring people closer to nature, serving as a “mobile third space.”

JETOUR continues to advance its “Travel+” strategy, integrating technological innovation, product development, and ecosystem building into real travel scenarios. From October 20 to 23, the 2026 JETOUR Global Technology Experience Day, themed “Future Travel Starts Now,” takes place across Wuhu, Anhui and Moganshan, Zhejiang, featuring technology experiences, on-road driving, outdoor living, and conservation activities.

Technological Innovation: Expanding the Possibilities of Travel

Backed by the Group’s expertise in AI, intelligent driving, smart cabins, and AiMOGA Robotics, JETOUR turns cutting-edge technology into experiences users can genuinely feel. The XWD Fully Automatic Intelligent 4WD, with 7+X one-touch modes, tackles mountain roads, gravel, and water crossings, while the GAIA All-Terrain Intelligent Architecture adapts to diverse terrain and C-DM hybrid technology balances performance with efficiency. On October 21, models with these technologies take on mountain-road test drives at Moganshan.

A Diverse Product Lineup: Enriching the Travel Experience

The G700 combines premium comfort with hardcore off-road capability, while the T1 and T2 suit both urban driving and light off-road adventures. Roof tents, onboard refrigerators, and other ecosystem equipment turn the vehicle into an all-round companion. JETOUR also hosts a camping market and a Starry Night Forum, bringing product features into real travel settings.

Ecosystem: Extending the Value of Travel

Travel is about understanding cultures and protecting nature as well as exploration. Participants visit Xiazhu Lake in Zhejiang for a crested ibis conservation initiative. Globally, JETOUR supports cheetah conservation in Africa, turtle conservation in Malaysia, harpy eagle conservation in Panama, and protection of Pakistan’s national animal, the markhor.

JETOUR has also partnered with Chile’s Colo-Colo, FIBA, and the Malaysia Marathon, broadening engagement with local culture, sport, and communities — giving “Travel+” an ever richer meaning.

JETOUR now joins travelers worldwide across city, mountain, and wetland, exploring new possibilities through the deeper integration of technology and travel.

ABOUT JETOUR

Launched in 2018, JETOUR follows the “Travel+” strategy and has entered over 100 countries and regions, with 2,000+ sales and after-sales outlets. Its lineup includes the T Series for light off-road and the G Series for the premium luxury off-road market, covering urban commuting, family road trips, outdoor camping, and long-distance journeys.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/technology-drives-the-future-of-travel-jetour-continues-to-expand-its-travel-ecosystem-302918650.html

SOURCE JETOUR

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Best AI Tools for Marketing Content (2026): CapCut Recognized for Faster AI-Powered Video and Image Creation by Better Business Advice

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NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Better Business Advice has recognized CapCut in its 2026 coverage of the best AI tools for marketing content, highlighting its collection of AI-powered features for creating and editing videos, images, audio, and other campaign assets. The recognition reflects growing interest in tools that help transform creative concepts into usable marketing materials while reducing the manual work involved in production.

Best AI Marketing Tools

Seedance 2.0 – an AI video generation model that creates videos from text prompts or imagesSeedream – an AI image generation model that creates high-quality visuals from text prompts

AI-powered content creation is changing how businesses develop digital marketing campaigns. From promotional videos and product imagery to social media graphics and branded audio, organizations face growing demand for creative assets across multiple digital channels. Tools that simplify production and support faster experimentation are becoming an increasingly important part of modern marketing workflows.

CapCut offers a range of AI-assisted capabilities covering several stages of content creation. These include text-based video generation, AI image generation, background removal, image expansion, music generation, and photo animation. Together, the tools provide options for producing marketing assets for social media, digital advertising, product promotions, and other online campaigns.

AI Video Generation Supports Promotional Campaigns

Video is an important format for communicating product information, presenting services, and building audience engagement. However, producing video content regularly can require significant planning, editing, and creative resources.

CapCut’s Seedance 2.0 AI video generator supports prompt-based video creation. Users can describe a creative concept and generate video content that serves as a starting point for further development.

The capability can support promotional videos, product showcases, educational content, and social media campaigns. It also gives creators a way to explore different visual approaches during the planning stage before refining the selected direction.

For businesses producing content across multiple channels, AI-assisted video generation can help reduce the effort required to develop initial concepts. Generated material can then be reviewed and edited to align with campaign objectives, brand guidelines, and platform requirements.

Image Generation Helps Develop Marketing Concepts

Visual assets influence how products, services, and campaigns are presented to audiences. Developing suitable imagery often involves several rounds of brainstorming and creative testing before a final direction is selected.

CapCut’s Seedream AI image generator enables users to create images from text prompts. The tool can support concept drafts, campaign planning, and experimentation with different visual styles.

For example, a seasonal marketing campaign may require several approaches to backgrounds, compositions, and visual themes. AI-generated drafts can help illustrate those options before resources are committed to final production.

CapCut’s GPT Image 2 provides another option for generating images from natural language instructions. The feature can support the development of promotional graphics, campaign imagery, and other visual assets.

These tools help shorten the early stages of creative development by making it easier to turn written ideas into visual references. Human review remains important to ensure the resulting assets accurately represent the product and meet the campaign’s requirements.

Image Editing Simplifies Asset Preparation

AI image generation is only one part of preparing content for publication. Existing photographs and graphics often need adjustments before they can be used across marketing channels.

CapCut’s AI background removal tool helps separate subjects from their original backgrounds. This can be useful when preparing product images, promotional graphics, and other assets that require a different visual setting.

The AI Image Extender addresses the challenge of adapting images to different layouts. By generating content beyond an image’s original boundaries, the tool can help users adjust compositions for different formats without relying entirely on cropping or stretching.

These capabilities can support the preparation of visuals for social media posts, website banners, digital advertisements, and product promotions. They also provide options for repurposing existing creative assets instead of producing entirely new images for every placement.

AI Audio and Photo Animation Expand Creative Options

Marketing content often combines visuals, movement, and sound to communicate a message. Producing these elements separately can add complexity to the creative process.

CapCut’s SeedMusic AI audio generator supports AI-assisted music creation based on creative prompts. Generated music can be used as a starting point for videos, promotional campaigns, and other multimedia projects, subject to appropriate review and usage requirements.

The platform’s Photo-to-3D tool offers another way to adapt still images into more dynamic visual content. This capability can help transform existing photography into animated presentations for product showcases, social media, and digital promotions.

By supporting audio creation and image animation alongside video and image tools, CapCut provides additional options for developing varied marketing materials.

A Connected Workflow for Marketing Content

CapCut’s collection of AI-powered features supports several stages of campaign production within one creative environment. A project could begin with concept images generated through Seedream, followed by visual development with GPT Image 2. Background removal and image expansion can then help prepare assets for different placements.

Selected visuals can be incorporated into video projects using Seedance 2.0, while SeedMusic offers an option for developing accompanying audio. Photo-to-3D can provide another format for repurposing existing images.

Not every campaign requires all these capabilities. Their practical value depends on the content format, production requirements, and intended audience. Reviewing generated assets for accuracy, visual consistency, and suitability remains essential before publication.

Better Business Advice’s recognition of CapCut reflects the growing role of AI-assisted production in digital marketing. As businesses continue to develop content for multiple channels, tools that support video creation, image generation, editing, and multimedia production can help simplify creative workflows while leaving room for human direction and quality control.

The full article can be read at the Better Business Advice website.

About CapCut

CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.

About Better Business Advice: Better Business Advice covers the news and strategies driving modern business success. The information provided by Better Business Advice does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are for general informational purposes only. As an affiliate, Better Business Advice may earn commissions from services mentioned in the links provided.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-tools-for-marketing-content-2026-capcut-recognized-for-faster-ai-powered-video-and-image-creation-by-better-business-advice-302918030.html

SOURCE BetterBusinessAdvice.com

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