GREENWICH, Conn. and AUSTIN, Texas and LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Generation Partners (www.generation.com) today announced the sale of its majority ownership position in Captivate Holdings LLC (“Captivate” or the “Company”), the leading operator of digital video elevator and lobby advertising in North America, to National CineMedia, Inc. (“NCM”) (NASDAQ: NCMI), the largest cinema advertising platform in the U.S.

Founded in 1997, Captivate operates a digital out-of-home media network comprised of more than 26,000 screens located in commercial office buildings and residential properties across 170 U.S. and Canadian DMAs. Through its premium network and real estate signage platform, Captivate reaches modern professionals where they work and live, connecting brands to influential audiences while helping buildings elevate everyday communication.

Generation acquired Captivate in 2013 through a proprietary process, driven by its thesis in the digital out-of-home space. Following the acquisition, Generation recruited a new management team led by CEO Marc Kidd and Chairman Mark Shapiro and executed a long-term strategic plan for over a decade, transforming Captivate into the industry leader it is today. As part of this strategy, Captivate embarked on a significant capital investment program to modernize technology, enable high-quality video, facilitate programmatic access to advertisers, and expand the network to additional Class A office buildings and multi-family residential buildings.

“Captivate has been a highly successful investment for our firm, exemplifying Generation’s long-term, thesis-driven strategy to partner with experienced entrepreneurs to build exceptional companies. Over the past 13 years, we have worked alongside Captivate’s leadership team to transform the Company into a premier platform in the digital out-of-home advertising space. We are proud of what we have accomplished over the past decade and believe NCM is well-positioned to continue Captivate’s success and support its long-term growth and expansion,” commented John Hawkins, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Generation Partners. He added, “The Captivate management team, led by CEO Mark Kidd and CRO Leigh Lowery, has done an absolutely outstanding job growing the Company and developing the vision and leadership that are the very foundation of Captivate’s caring, yet high-performance culture.”

Mark Jennings, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Generation added, “Hawk and I founded Generation 31 years ago to create a unique platform to partner with entrepreneurs over longer time horizons and create truly meaningful companies that are built to last. We poured our hearts and all of our firm’s resources and energy into Captivate and navigated significant headwinds to the business when the pandemic hit. Captivate’s strength today is a testament to the grit and resilience shown by management, Generation, our investors, as well as the power of strong conviction. Captivate’s leading position also reflects Generation’s disciplined, low-leverage approach to growth. We had very modest debt levels when the pandemic hit, consistent with our approach of driving returns through core business growth, rather than through financial leverage. We are proud of the Company, the team and the strong culture we have all built at Captivate.” 

Mr. Jennings and Mr. Hawkins both added, “We are grateful to all of our limited partners for entrusting us with their capital for longer time frames. We truly believe this creates a special environment for teams to attract the best talent and execute their long-term vision.”

Marc Kidd, CEO of Captivate, commented, “Generation has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best and most experienced growth equity firms. They have been exceptional stewards of this business, providing a stable, long-term foundation for our team through expert strategy and hands-on leadership. They carefully aligned our goals and constantly drove the Company to invest in the people, technology and infrastructure needed to build a long-term competitive advantage.” He added, “I’m excited for Captivate to join NCM to embark on its next phase of growth.”

Advisors
Solomon Partners is serving as financial advisor and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is serving as legal counsel to Captivate. BofA Securities is serving as exclusive financial advisor and Hogan Lovells Cadwalader is serving as legal counsel to National CineMedia.

About Generation Partners
Founded in 1995, Generation Partners is a private equity firm which invests in high-growth service businesses and specializes in professionalizing these companies to scale through several hundred million in revenue. We are business builders who employ a structure in our investments which facilitates longer hold periods and appeals to experienced entrepreneurs. Generation targets equity investments of $10 million to $100 million, pursues both majority and minority equity positions, and generates returns through core business growth rather than through financial leverage. Our professionals have decades of experience sharing best-practice business processes to help managers create high-performance teams and build the foundation necessary to produce exceptional growth. Generation Partners has offices in Greenwich, CT; Los Angeles, CA; and Austin, TX. For more information on Generation Partners, please visit www.generation.com.

About Captivate
Captivate Network, Inc. is the premier digital out-of-home video network that delivers 100% viewable, fraud-free, brand-safe media in impactful locations across North America, reaching high-value audiences where they work and live. From the biggest stories to today’s weather, traffic updates to building amenity announcements, we’re the daily source of information that sparks conversation, piques curiosity and makes an impact. We reach millions through our curated video network in premier office buildings and luxury residential real estate, fostering powerful connections between brands and decision makers, properties and affluent consumers. With unique access to high-value audiences in captive environments, our advanced targeting, premium video activations, and measurement solutions help brands reach their goals. Influence the Influential with Captivate. For more information, visit: www.captivate.com.

About National CineMedia

National CineMedia, Inc. (NCM, NASDAQ: NCMI) is the largest cinema advertising platform in the U.S. With unparalleled reach and scale, NCM connects brands to sought-after young, diverse audiences through the power of movies and pop culture. A premium video, full-funnel marketing solution for advertisers, NCM enhances marketers’ ability to measure and drive results. NCM’s Noovie® Show is presented exclusively in 44 leading national and regional theater circuits including the only three national chains, AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (a subsidiary of Cineworld Group PLC). NCM’s cinema advertising platform, including Spotlight, consists of approximately 22,000 total theater and lobby screens in over 1,750 theaters in 183 Designated Market Areas (all of the top 50). NCM is the managing member and owner of 100% of National CineMedia, LLC (NCM LLC). For more information, visit www.ncm.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/generation-partners-announces-sale-of-captivate-network-to-national-cinemedia-nasdaq-ncmi-302848954.html

SOURCE Generation Partners

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Roberto Vida Obong has been prominently featured in The Inner Circle and recognized as a Lifetime Member for his outstanding contributions to Veteran advocacy, crisis intervention, and public service leadership.

Mr. Obong has built a distinguished career rooted in service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to those who have served our Nation. His work centers on comprehensive threat assessment, crisis intervention, and coordinated care initiatives aimed at supporting Veterans across the globe.

Through his leadership in Disability Benefits Education Services (DBES), Mr. Obong provides critical resources to Veterans, including education on compensation and pension benefits, support for disabled individuals, mental health peer engagement, and crisis response coordination. His efforts ensure that Veterans receive accurate information, access to essential resources, and meaningful, peer-driven support.

Recognized for his expertise in crisis management, Veteran advocacy, and strategic leadership, Mr. Obong leads an organization that follows a mission-driven model—reinvesting proceeds directly into programs designed to enhance the stability, wellbeing, and long-term success of Veterans and their families. His work reflects a deeply rooted commitment to ensuring that no Veteran is left without support.

Mr. Obong’s career spans nearly three decades of military and public service. He served honorably in the United States Marine Corps as a Warrant Officer, completing nine combat deployments before retiring in 2018. Following his military service, he continued to protect and serve as a law enforcement officer and later as a Special Agent and Threat Assessment Officer with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Security and Law Enforcement.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University and has earned professional certifications in Behavioral Threat Assessment and Cybersecurity. His leadership and service have been recognized through honors including the NextGen Public Service Award and the Courageous Champion Award, affirming his significant impact in both the Veteran and public service communities.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Mr. Obong is passionate about composing music. Looking ahead, he remains focused on expanding the reach of his organization to serve more Veterans nationwide while continuing to build programs that address critical and evolving needs within the Veteran community.

Guided by a philosophy centered on saving lives and serving others through lived experience, Mr. Obong continues to empower Veterans by providing genuine, peer-driven support that creates lasting, life-changing impact.

Contact:
Katherine Green
516-825-5634
editorialteam@continentalwhoswho.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-inner-circle-acknowledges-roberto-vida-obong-as-a-lifetime-member-302848921.html

SOURCE The Inner Circle

The New Research Points To A Rise Of The Validation Economy As AI Reshapes the Consumer Journey

NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New research from global media, data, and creative agency Croud reveals consumers may be far more ready for AI-powered commerce than brands realize. According to the latest Croud Consumer Index, The Expansion of the Validation Economy: How to Win in a World of AI-Mediated Consumer Journeys, 69% of Americans are open to AI purchasing on their behalf, and 3 in 4 would use AI-powered instant checkout in at least one category.

Based on a nationally representative survey of more than 2,000 U.S. consumers, the report finds AI is reshaping every stage of the customer journey, from discovery to decision, fundamentally changing how brands earn attention, trust, and conversion.

The research identifies three major shifts redefining modern commerce:

Discoverability: 73% of AI users research via LLMs before deciding on a specific brand or product, allowing AI to shape consideration before preferences have been formed.Validation: 39% of AI users validate AI recommendations across four or more sources before buying, with more than one-third turning to YouTube–signaling that reviews, creators, social platforms, and brand-owned content determine whether AI recommendations convert into purchases.Automation: Half of consumers are comfortable allowing AI to purchase across three or more categories, reinforcing growing consumer confidence in AI-assisted commerce.

“Ironically, AI is making the consumer journey more human, not less. As consumers increasingly rely on AI to discover more options, they’re placing significant value on human validation before making a purchase,” said Val Davis, Croud’s U.S. CEO. “That shifts the role of creators, communities, reviews, and brand storytelling from awareness to a critical driver of conversion.”

While the report finds that low-risk, routine purchases such as groceries and household essentials dominated the categories in which AI users were likely to trust AI-automated checkout, fashion shoppers stood out with unique behavioral patterns:

AI-assisted fashion shoppers spend 56% more than non-users, demonstrating AI’s potential to drive higher-value purchasing behavior in certain categories.AI users are 23% more likely to search by style or aesthetic, signaling a shift from traditional keyword searches toward more conversational, intent-driven discovery.

“AI shoppers research with intention, search by need and aesthetic over brand, and ultimately spend more,” said Dani Jordan, Global CMO at Croud. “This creates a critical window for brands to influence decisions in the validation journey, before preferences lock in. To win, brands must show up consistently discoverable, distinctive, and trustworthy, not just to human shoppers, but to the machines guiding them.”

The findings align with Croud’s work to help brands adapt to AI-powered discovery. Health and wellness brand Thorne, for example, recently partnered with Croud to shift from a keyword-first search strategy to one focused on intent, context, and AI visibility, contributing to a 30% year-over-year increase in organic revenue and a 66% LLM mention rate.

“What stood out to us wasn’t just that consumers are using AI to discover products, but that trust still has to be earned beyond the AI recommendation,” said Rajiv Ragu, VP of Growth at Thorne. “We’ve seen firsthand that success in AI search isn’t about optimizing for one platform. It’s about building authoritative content and a trusted brand presence that consumers and AI systems alike can rely on.”

The full report, The Expansion of the Validation Economy: How to Win in a World of AI-Mediated Consumer Journeys, is available for download at https://croud.com/resources/croud-consumer-index-validation-economy-us.

About Croud

Croud is a global media, data, and creative agency delivering a return on intelligence. We have a proven track record of delivering returns to brands that compound over time, driven by our data-driven brand and performance heritage, advanced technologies, and global talent.

Our capabilities span brand planning, strategy, integrated and retail media, social, creative and data, strengthened by acquisitions including Born Social, Metageni and specialist luxury marketing expertise. Our proprietary operating system, CroudOS, powers media and creative intelligence, supported by AI-driven technologies in data analytics, automation and effectiveness, and predictive modelling.

Founded in 2011 to reinvent the agency model, Croud combines 600+ in-house experts with a flexible global network of 2,900 specialists. Backed by ECI Partners and chaired by former Publicis Groupe Global COO Steve King, we work with brands such as Audible, Nespresso, and Timberland to deliver truly incremental growth.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/croud-consumer-index-reveals-69-of-americans-would-let-ai-buy-for-them-without-approval-302848958.html

SOURCE Croud