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SMARTIES™ Vietnam Announces 2026 Shortlist, Celebrating 187 Standout Entries

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HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SMARTIES™ Vietnam has officially announced its 2026 Shortlist, recognizing 187 entries that have distinguished themselves through this year’s rigorous judging process and moved one step closer to the coveted SMARTIES™ trophies. This year’s award brings together 150 senior marketing leaders and industry experts across judging panels, reinforcing the scale and professional rigor behind SMARTIES™ Vietnam 2026.

187 Entries Making Their Mark in 2026

The SMARTIES™ Vietnam 2026 Shortlist, presented by the Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA), brings together 187 entries spanning a wide range of industries, each offering a distinct response to the increasingly complex challenges facing marketers today. Across creativity, data, technology and consumer engagement, the shortlisted work captures how marketing is being applied to create tangible impact for businesses.

This year’s Shortlist features a strong showing from leading brands including Abbott, BYD, Coca-Cola, FPT Play, Google, Grab, Heineken, L’Oréal, MSD, Nestlé, Nutifood, Samsung, Suntory PepsiCo, Unilever and Vietnam Airlines, among many others. It also reflects the work of leading media and creative agencies including Dentsu Creative, Hakuhodo, LEO, MullenLowe Mishra, Omnicom Media, PMAX, Purpose.Ant, TMRW, WPP Media and Zenith.

Reflecting on the progress seen across this year’s entries, Rohit Dadwal, CEO of MMA APAC and Global Head of SMARTIES Worldwide, shared:

“Vietnam continues to distinguish itself within the global SMARTIES™ community through its ability to combine technology and data with a deep understanding of local culture and consumers. This year’s shortlisted work demonstrates how marketers are translating that combination into creative solutions that address real business challenges and deliver measurable impact.”

4 Channels – 25 Categories: A Broader View of Modern Marketing

The range of work represented across this year’s 187 shortlisted entries extends across 4 channels and 25 categories. From customer experience, technology and data to emerging platforms and new approaches to engagement, the awards offer a broader view of how marketing is adapting to a changing marketplace and rising consumer expectations.

Beyond the 25 award categories, SMARTIES™ Vietnam 2026 will also recognize excellence through 15 Industry Awards, extending recognition across campaigns, brands, agencies, technology enablers, publishers and other players that have made a notable mark on this year’s awards.

The broader scope of SMARTIES™ also reflects the expanding role of marketing and the many ways it creates value for brands, businesses and the wider market, capturing a more complete picture of marketing excellence today.

13 Years of Celebrating Excellence and Shaping the Standards of Marketing in Vietnam

Over 13 years in Vietnam, SMARTIES™ has established itself as one of the country’s leading international marketing awards, while growing alongside an industry undergoing profound transformation. Across each season, SMARTIES™ has witnessed the boundaries between creativity, media, data and commerce become increasingly interconnected, reshaping what marketing excellence means today.

Excellence is no longer defined by the ability to capture attention alone, but by the ability to turn ideas into solutions that contribute to sustainable business growth. This principle has remained at the heart of SMARTIES™ for more than a decade.

The credibility of the 2026 awards is further reinforced by 150 industry leaders and experts across the judging panels, comprising 100 Qualifying Jury members and 50 Grand Jury members. Their breadth of expertise and experience brings depth and perspective to the judging process, while ensuring that every campaign is assessed against the standards SMARTIES™ has upheld throughout its journey in Vietnam.

Each campaign is evaluated across strategy, creativity, execution and business impact, providing a comprehensive view of both the quality of the work and the impact it delivers.

Ms. Phan Bich Tam, Managing Director Vietnam and Cambodia & Board Member Vietnam, MMA Global – APAC, emphasized:

“For 13 years, SMARTIES™ Vietnam has celebrated marketing that turns creativity into measurable business value. This year’s Shortlist reflects the growing ambition and strategic maturity of Vietnam’s marketing community. It also shows how brands and agencies are applying innovation with greater discipline to address real business challenges. Congratulations to every team recognized.”

SMARTIES™ Awards Gala

On October 29, SMARTIES™ Vietnam 2026 Gala Night will reveal and celebrate the outstanding campaigns, brands and agencies of this year’s competition.

More than the moment when the SMARTIES™ trophies find their winners, Gala Night brings the marketing community together to celebrate the campaigns and teams that have transformed consumer understanding, strategic thinking and creativity into meaningful value for brands and businesses.

View the complete list of SMARTIES Vietnam 2026 Finalists

The industry will gather to celebrate the winners at the SMARTIES™ Vietnam 2026 Awards Gala on October 29, 2026, at GEM Center, Ho Chi Minh City.

Reserve your attendance at the Gala Night.

PR Newswire is the Official Press Release Distribution Partner of SMARTIES™ Vietnam 2026.

About the Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA)

The Marketing + Media Alliance is the global non-profit community of CMOs advancing marketers’ ability to create value, with 825+ members across 16 countries. mmaglobal.com

About SMARTIES™

SMARTIES™ is the prestigious marketing awards program hosted by MMA, recognizing excellence in marketing effectiveness and innovation. The SMARTIES Awards celebrate campaigns that push creative boundaries while delivering measurable business impact. With programs spanning local, regional, and global markets, SMARTIES has become the industry’s most respected benchmark for marketing that drives real growth.

Media Contact:
Ms. Ngoc Vu
Email: ngoc.vu@mmaglobal.com

MMA Vietnam
mmavn@mmaglobal.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/smarties-vietnam-announces-2026-shortlist-celebrating-187-standout-entries-302884936.html

SOURCE MMA Vietnam

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SpryPoint Names Tara Davidson Its New Chief People Officer

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Addition to executive team underscores SpryPoint’s investment in the people and culture behind its rapid growth

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE and ATLANTA, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — SpryPoint, a leading provider of cloud-native software for utilities, today announced that Tara Davidson has joined the company as Chief People Officer, effective August 31, 2026. Davidson will sit on SpryPoint’s executive leadership team, reporting directly to CEO Kyle Strang.

“I don’t see culture and growth as a trade-off; I see people strategy as business strategy.”

Davidson brings a track record of building people functions that scale alongside fast-growing organizations, with deep experience partnering with executive teams and boards on the talent, culture, and organizational strategy needed to sustain growth. She joins SpryPoint as the company has grown from roughly 75 to more than 375 employees, a trajectory that has made people strategy a board-level priority.

“Utilities trust SpryPoint because our people show up for them every day with the expertise and care this industry deserves,” said Kyle Strang, CEO of SpryPoint. “As we’ve grown, it’s become clear that our team is our real differentiator – not just the software we build. Tara has spent her career building the kind of culture and talent strategy that lets a company grow without losing what makes it work. She’s going to help us make sure that as SpryPoint scales, we keep getting stronger, not more diluted.”

“What drew me to SpryPoint is the stage we’re at. This kind of rapid growth is exactly the inflection point where a company either builds the people infrastructure to scale deliberately, or lets what made it special get diluted along the way. I don’t see culture and growth as a trade-off; I see people strategy as business strategy. My approach is to treat things like how we hire, develop, and support our teams with the same rigor we’d apply to any other growth lever, because in a software-as-a-service business, engaged, well-supported employees are directly connected to the client experience we deliver,” said Davidson.

In her role, Davidson will lead SpryPoint’s people strategy across talent acquisition, organizational development, culture, and total rewards, with a mandate to build the infrastructure that lets SpryPoint’s employees deliver an exceptional experience for utility customers and communities across North America.

About SpryPoint

Founded in 2011, SpryPoint builds and delivers integrated, cloud-native software solutions to empower utilities to serve customers better, operate more efficiently, and provide new levels of business visibility and data-driven decision-making. Today, more than 100 utilities across the Americas rely on SpryPoint to modernize billing, customer engagement, and field operations to transform their business. In 2025, SpryPoint was recognized as a Deloitte Technology Fast 50™ company in Canada and a Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ company in North America. For more information, visit www.sprypoint.com or contact info@sprypoint.com.

Media Contact

Jordan Vardell, SpryPoint, 1 (855) TRY-SPRY, info@sprypoint.com, https://www.sprypoint.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/sprypoint-names-tara-davidson-its-new-chief-people-officer-302882952.html

SOURCE SpryPoint

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Beyond Boston TV Series Spotlights Greater Boston Real Estate, Lifestyle and Community on REAL Shows Network

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Locally hosted series led by Danny O’Connell highlights the homes, businesses, people, and communities that define Greater Boston and Southern New Hampshire.

BOSTON, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — REAL Shows Network (RSN), the national television platform dedicated to elevating real estate and lifestyle storytelling, has added Beyond Boston, a new locally hosted series serving Greater Boston and Southern New Hampshire, to its lineup. The real estate and lifestyle TV series is hosted by local real estate professional Danny O’Connell and produced by RSN’s Emmy-nominated, Telly Award-winning team.

Viewers can learn more about the series and watch episodes of Beyond Boston at realshows.tv.

Born and raised in Dracut, Massachusetts, O’Connell comes from a family with deep roots in real estate. His parents have each been licensed for nearly three decades, and O’Connell entered the business himself at age 18. Together, the family-run team works with everything from first-time homebuyers and new construction to investment properties, foreclosures, commercial real estate, and luxury homes.

Each episode of Beyond Boston features O’Connell:

Highlighting distinctive homes, neighborhoods, and communities across Greater Boston and Southern New HampshireSharing stories from local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leadersExploring a wide range of real estate, from new construction and investment properties to luxury homesBringing a family-focused, approachable perspective to the buying and selling experience

“Real estate has always been a family business for us, and our philosophy is simple: our family helping yours,” said Danny O’Connell, host of Beyond Boston. “We work with all types of clients and properties, and we’re not afraid to get our hands dirty to help get the job done. My goal has always been to make the process as easy, stress-free, and fun as possible. Through Beyond Boston, I’m excited to share the homes, businesses, people, and communities that make this region such a great place to live and work.”

O’Connell’s connection to real estate began early. As a kindergartner, he overheard his teacher mention that she needed to buy a house, brought her one of his father’s business cards the next day, and helped make an introduction that ultimately led to multiple real estate transactions over the years. That early family connection to the business continues today through the team’s full-service approach to real estate, property management, and construction.

Beyond Boston is part of REAL Shows Network’s growing lineup of locally branded series that highlight communities across the United States.

As part of RSN’s national network of locally branded shows, Beyond Boston gives its host a full 30 minutes to build a recognizable, personality-driven brand while authentically representing Greater Boston, Southern New Hampshire, and the communities the O’Connell family serves. The show also provides local businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and community leaders a high-quality platform to share their stories through cinematic, lifestyle-driven segments.

Rooted in RSN’s mission of positive media, Beyond Boston focuses on authenticity, connection, and the people and experiences behind real estate. It gives viewers a closer look at the homes, communities, businesses, and personalities that shape life throughout the region. High-resolution images and video clips from Beyond Boston are available upon request.

About Danny O’Connell

Danny O’Connell is a real estate professional from Dracut, Massachusetts, and part of a family-run real estate team serving Greater Boston, Southern New Hampshire, and beyond. Licensed since age 18, O’Connell works with buyers, sellers, investors, first-time homebuyers, new construction, foreclosures, commercial properties, and luxury real estate. He also operates property management and construction businesses and leads a networking group for young entrepreneurs and business owners.

About REAL Shows Network

REAL Shows Network (RSN) is a national TV network for top real estate professionals and influential local leaders, giving select hosts in each market the exclusive opportunity to lead a full 30-minute show that showcases their expertise, partners, and community. Created by an Emmy-nominated, Telly Award-winning production team, RSN delivers cinematic, lifestyle-driven storytelling and strategic media exposure that builds authority, deepens community connection, and elevates positive stories in each market. For more information, visit realshows.tv.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beyond-boston-tv-series-spotlights-greater-boston-real-estate-lifestyle-and-community-on-real-shows-network-302885027.html

SOURCE REAL Shows Network

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The Inner Circle acknowledges Robert “Dean” Day, as an Inner Circle Five Year

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COOKEVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Robert “Dean” Day is acknowledged as an Inner Circle Five Year for his contributions to Fiber Optic Infrastructure.

Robert Dean Day has built a distinguished career in the broadband industry, recognized for his leadership, technical expertise, and long standing contributions to fiber optic infrastructure across the southeastern United States. With decades of experience in outside plant fiber optic operations and direct sales, Mr. Day has played a meaningful role in advancing broadband connectivity and supporting large scale telecommunications growth.

Throughout his career, Mr. Day demonstrated expertise in fiber optic equipment, broadband solutions, and team leadership. His responsibilities included managing outside plant fiber optic initiatives, overseeing direct sales efforts, coordinating calls and email communications, and directing teams to ensure consistent performance and client satisfaction. His collaborative leadership style and commitment to continuous learning have been hallmarks of his professional approach.

One of Mr. Day’s most notable accomplishments was serving as chief negotiator at Nortel, where he successfully led the procurement of an eight point six billion dollar agreement with MCI WorldCom. This achievement highlighted his ability to manage complex negotiations and deliver results at the highest levels of the telecommunications industry.

Mr. Day held roles with organizations such as Calix and most recently retired from CableSouth Construction in January of this year. His career has been recognized with numerous honors, including President’s Club distinctions, Salesman of the Year, and the Panhandle Phone Ten Years of Safe and Courteous Beverage Cart Driving Award.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Tennessee Technological University and remains actively affiliated with the Tennessee Broadband Association and the Fiber Broadband Association.

Outside of his professional career, Mr. Day enjoys University of Tennessee football, card collecting, attending games, and visiting historical sites. As he enters retirement, he looks forward to continued learning and engagement with fellow executives, guided by a philosophy centered on curiosity, collaboration, and shared success.

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

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-inner-circle-acknowledges-robert-dean-day-as-an-inner-circle-five-year-302885031.html

SOURCE The Inner Circle

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