Creative agency brings back honesty around banking and what ‘free checking’ should actually mean

SEATTLE, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DNA&STONE, the full-service agency that leads with Radical Empathy, today announced the launch of “Free on the Street,” a new campaign on behalf of BECU, Washington’s largest not-for-profit credit union. The work tackles an all too familiar truth: the word “free” gets used everywhere, yet almost never means what it says, especially when it comes to banking.

BECU has set out to change the reality of “free checking” with this comedic campaign from DNA&STONE. For decades, consumers have learned to be skeptical of anything labeled “free.” “Free on the Street” leans directly into that skepticism, showing everyday moments where free is promised, but rarely delivered. In contrast, BECU’s free checking accounts are exactly what it claims to be: free checking with no monthly maintenance fees or hidden conditions. In short, there is absolutely no catch.

“What we love the most about working with a company like BECU is that they show up with the same belief that we build this agency on: people deserve the truth,” said Matt McCain, DNA&STONE. “Not the polished version or the marketing version, but the human version of the truth. ‘Free on the Street’ comes from that shared commitment. It’s a simple idea, but it’s rooted in something very real: when you treat people with honesty, they actually listen.”

At the core of the campaign is DNA&STONE’s Radical Empathy philosophy, which showcases raw and candid reactions that are grounded in everyday experiences. By embracing the real-world pessimism when it comes to banking and financial institutions, DNA&STONE was able to position BECU as a brand willing to speak plainly and actually deliver on the promises they put forth.

“As a member-owned, not-for-profit credit union, BECU exists to improve the financial well-being of our members and communities. That starts with being transparent about the products and services we offer. ‘Free on the Street’ shines a light on the skepticism many people have developed around the word ‘free’ and reminds them that banking can be simpler, more honest and focused on delivering real value,” said Felicia Lipson, VP Acquistion Marketing.

“Free on the Street” will run across broadcast, CTV, radio and streaming audio and digital display with 15 and 30-second spots.

For more information on DNA&STONE and their roster of work, please visit https://www.dnaandstone.com/.

About DNA&STONE

DNA&STONE is a full-service creative agency that is grounded in a proprietary strategic approach called Radical Empathy, DNA&STONE goes beyond just understanding, to feeling the experiences, perspectives and root causes that drive consumers and clients, resulting in work with deep emotional intelligence. DNA&STONE was recently named Ad Age Small Agency of the Year in 2025 and was shortlisted in Adweek’s 2025 Agency of the Year Awards. Clients include BECU, Amazon, Providence, MCU, and NBC News. To learn more about us, please visit www.dnaandstone.com. 

THE TEAM

DNA&Stone:

Matt McCain, FounderAlison Forsythe, Creative DirectorJason Fong, Creative DirectorChase Condrone, Sr. CopywriterAngela Dai, Sr. Art DirectorRob Scherzer, Director of InnovationKenny Carpenter, Associate ProducerMaddy Giordano, Director of Integrated ContentAnnMarie Banasik, Account SupervisorTifany Hedges, Associate Director, Project ManagementRenee’ Baltazar, Director of Integrated Media and Comms Planning

Production Company – Thinking Machine

Alon Simcha, Executive ProducerMegan Brotherton, DirectorBuzzy Cancilla, Line Producer

Post House – Cosmos Street

Arniesha Williams, ProducerAndrew Corrales, Editor

Contact:
Gabriella Schatz
gabriella@gjspublicrelations.com

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SOURCE DNA&STONE

LANGHORNE, Pa., Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TEN Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: XHLD) (the “Company”) through its subsidiary, TEN Events, Inc. (“TEN Events”), a provider of event planning, production, and broadcasting services, today announced that it will host its first Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”).

The Annual Meeting will be held on October 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, via live webcast and not at any physical location. The record date for determining those stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be the close of business on September 4, 2026. Because the Annual Meeting is the Company’s first annual meeting (and the Company did not hold an annual meeting in 2025), deadlines for the submission of stockholder proposals and nominations are set out below.

Deadline for Rule 14a-8 Stockholder Proposals

Stockholder proposals eligible to be included in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy for the Annual Meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), must be received at the Company’s principal executive offices a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and send its proxy materials, which the Company has expects to be not later than September 4, 2026.

Deadline for Rule 14a-19 Notice

Stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice to the Company at the Company’s principal executive offices not later than September 4, 2026 to be considered timely under Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act.

About TEN Holdings, Inc.

The Company, through its subsidiary, Ten Events, Inc., is a technology company headquartered in Pennsylvania that provides a virtual and hybrid event and webinar platform, supported by production and managed services for enterprise customers. The Company’s event technology platform enables organizations to plan, produce, and broadcast virtual and hybrid events, including webinars, town halls, investor communications, and continuing education programs, while its production and managed services support customers throughout the event lifecycle. To learn more, visit www.tenholdingsinc.com. For more information, please contact:

Investor Relations Inquiries:

Skyline Corporate Communications Group, LLC

Scott Powell, President

1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor

New York, New York 10036

Office: (646) 893-5835

Email: info@skylineccg.com 

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SOURCE TEN Holdings, Inc.

NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — B&R Technology Merger Corp. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BRTMU), announced today that the underwriter of its previously consummated initial public offering has partially exercised its option to purchase an additional 3,500,000 units at the public offering price of $10.00 per unit, resulting in additional gross proceeds of $35,000,000. The underwriter has forfeited their remaining option to purchase up to 1,375,000 additional units.

After giving effect to this partial exercise of the over-allotment option, the total number of units sold in the public offering increased to 36,000,000 units, resulting in total gross proceeds of $360,000,000 for the Company’s initial public offering.

Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-third of one redeemable warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share of the Company at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and warrants are expected to be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “BRTM” and “BRTMW,” respectively.

Citigroup acted as sole book-running manager for the offering.

The offering was made by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus may be obtained from Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 (Tel: 800-831-9146), or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

A registration statement relating to the securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and became effective on July 20, 2026. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” including with respect to the initial public offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds thereof. No assurance can be given that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s offering filed with the SEC. Copies of these documents are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Investor Contact:

David York,
Clark Callander
Steve Fletcher
B&R Technology Merger Corp.
info@bandrtechnology.com

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SOURCE B&R Technology Merger Corp.