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THE HEADLINER PROJECT launched today with Will Smith, bringing the genuine artistry of a Hollywood icon to ambitious companies across six markets.

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Put a Hollywood Star in Your Company’s Advertising

TOKYO, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Eclairer Inc. today officially launched THE HEADLINER PROJECT, a corporate advertising program featuring award-winning actor, musician, and producer Will Smith with applications open in six markets: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Australia, India, and Indonesia.

Background 
In an age where generative AI enables anyone to produce information and content, trust in who delivers the message has become more valuable than ever.

That is precisely why authenticity has never been more valuable. Now that synthetic faces and generated voices can be produced with ease, this project deals in the real and nothing else: authentic photography and film of a genuine, acclaimed actor, captured with Hollywood’s production craft. What elevates a brand is not imitation, but authenticity itself. Meanwhile, countless companies with outstanding products and services remain unable to deliver their value to the market, held back by barriers of brand power and recognition. Through Smith’s reach and expressive power, the program communicates the true value of companies to the world and supports the creation of new business opportunities.

About THE HEADLINER PROJECT 
THE HEADLINER PROJECT is a corporate advertising service that enables companies to deploy advertising creative featuring Will Smith. Engaging a global star typically requires substantial upfront investment ̶ contract fees, shooting, and production costs. Under this program, those initial costs are covered by the project, allowing companies to use official Will Smith assets for a usage fee.

The service provides curated official creative ̶ cinematic, story-driven photo and video assets ̶ that companies can feature as their own main visuals. All assets are designed for advanced adaptation, including background removal and tone adjustment, enabling seamless integration into each brand’s visual world. Creative can be deployed across both online and offline media, from web advertising, social media, and landing pages to large-scale OOH, transit advertising, and in-store visuals.

The six selected markets span Asia and Oceania ̶ all regions where economic growth and the digitalization of advertising are advancing rapidly, yet where global-star endorsements have long been within reach of only a handful of major corporations. Smith’s work has been widely loved across these regions for decades, and his rare power as a “universal language” that transcends countries and languages will support companies taking on these markets.

Key Features
1. World-class brand value, remarkably seamless ̶ The program eliminates the complexity of direct Hollywood negotiations, intricate international licensing contracts, and the risk of heavy upfront investment. Companies can feature Smith’s official creative as their own main visual, instantly elevating brand credibility and scale to a global standard. Hollywood talent contracts ̶ once within reach of only major corporations ̶ are now accessible to far more companies.

2. Curated creative assets that tell a story ̶ A quality-first selection of cinematic, emotionally rich photo and video assets, spanning business scenes to evocative storytelling moments, delivers commanding presence as a corporate asset. All assets are real photography and film; no synthetic or AI-generated likeness is used. This protects Smith’s own image and the cinematic quality that underpins it. Voice-over assets recorded by Smith are also available, enabling creative that builds deep emotional resonance.

3. Advanced customization, fully integrated into your brand world ̶ The program provides curated official photo and video assets formally licensed by Smith’s team. Cinematic, finely crafted creative can be used as your main visual with all rights already cleared. Assets are designed for advanced adaptation ̶ background removal, tone curve adjustment, and layout integration ̶ enabling full alignment with your brand’s visual world.

4. Omnichannel presence across online and offline ̶ Deploy seamlessly across digital channels (web advertising, social media, landing pages) and physical media (large-scale OOH, transit advertising, in-store main visuals), with usage across six markets.

Comment from the Project Lead (Itsuo Teruya) 
“No matter how exceptional a business is, if no one knows about it, it may as well not exist. THE HEADLINER PROJECT is a platform designed to amplify the value of ambitious companies with world-class reach ̶ turning value the world hasn’t discovered into value the world knows. We look forward to writing new growth stories together with companies ready for their next stage.” 

Profile : Will Smith

Will Smith is one of the defining entertainers of his generation: an Academy Award–winning actor, multi-platinum recording artist, best-selling author, and producer whose work moves effortlessly between blockbuster spectacle and genuine heart. He made history as the winner of the first-ever Grammy for rap, going on to earn four in total, before launching hip-hop further into the mainstream and headlining era-defining films like Independence Day, Men in Black, and Bad Boys – culminating in a Best Actor win for King Richard.

In recent years he’s carried that same curiosity into the real world with National Geographic, venturing across all seven continents in Pole to Pole with Will Smith and exploring the planet’s wonders in Welcome to Earth; pushing his own limits while inviting audiences along for the discovery. Beyond the screen, he’s a dedicated entrepreneur and philanthropist, building businesses and backing causes with the same ambition he brings to his art. With new films on the horizon, Smith remains what he’s always been: a storyteller who keeps finding bigger worlds to explore.

Service Overview

Name: THE HEADLINER PROJECTLaunch: October 1st 2026, 8:00 AM JSTMarkets: Japan / South Korea / Taiwan (China) / Australia / India / IndonesiaHow to Apply: https://headliner-project.com/

*All applicants are subject to a corporate review by the project office.

Operating Company

Company: Eclairer Inc.Website: https://eclairer.co.jp/

Media Contact 
Momo Takase / E-mail: contact@headliner-project.com

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Angel Aligner Upgrades Torque Ridges to “Pressure Points” in Europe

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New Feature Improves Torque Control by Leveraging Pressure Points and Trimline Options

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /CNW/ — Angelalign Technology Inc. (6699.HK) (“Angel”) http://www.angelaligner.com, a global trailblazer in orthodontic clear aligner technology, today announced the launch of Pressure Points in the European market, an upgraded feature that replaces the company’s current Torque Ridges. The upgrade reflects Angel’s continued commitment to innovation focused on solving orthodontists’ clinical challenges.

Pressure Points is the result of Angel’s ongoing research initiatives, which concentrate on improving clinical predictability and effectiveness. The feature will initially launch for torque corrections in a single configuration and is expected to expand to rotation and intrusion.

From Torque Ridges to Pressure Points

Angel Aligner’s high trimline options provide a clinical tool for more effective torque expression by covering the entire tooth surface and up to 2mm of the gingiva.

Hand-made dimples have long been used to help aligners apply targeted force to teeth for correction of torque and rotation by clinicians. Building on observations from its research, Angel engineered Pressure Points to make the force application more predictable than current methods.

The new Pressure Points has been engineered to deliver:

Predictable force application: The simplified dimple shape allows for the force to be applied at or close to the center of the pressure point.Greater tooth contact: A 25% increase in tooth surface contact in the single pressure point configuration allows better control of tooth movement when a scalloped trimline is used.Accuracy and scalability: Pressure Points opens the way for more digital accuracy and scalability than hand-made pressure points.

Continuing a Legacy of Clinical Innovation

Pressure Points is now available to orthodontists in Europe with global distribution planned.  

Engineering research and clinical feedback will guide the introduction of further innovations and additional configurations.

In addition, Angel plans to give orthodontists who use Pressure Points more control of patients’ treatment plans.

“Our commitment to research and to delivering innovative solutions for our customers and their patients began many years ago, including with the launch of the angelButton™. Today, we continue that journey with the launch of our upgraded solution, Pressure Points,” said Xavier Cherbavaz, General Manager and Vice President, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, Angelalign Technology Inc.

To learn more, visit angelaligner.com/eu and www.angelaligner.com.

About Angelalign Technology Inc.

Founded in 2003 and publicly listed since 2021, Angelalign Technology Inc. provides clear aligner solutions to clinically focused professionals and patients in over 60 countries. Having surpassed two million cumulative cases and with about a US$2 billion market capitalization, the company focuses on clinical innovation and professional support to help experts achieve extraordinary outcomes. Learn more at angelaligner.com.

Media Contact:
Sue Kolb
Angelalign Technology Inc.
sue.kolb@angelaligner.com

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SOURCE Angelalign Technology Inc.

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OceanBase and MB Bank Enter into Strategic MOU to Accelerate Database Modernization and Infrastructure Resilience

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SINGAPORE, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OceanBase and MB Bank (Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank), a leading Vietnamese banking institution recognized for its digital transformation capabilities and a brand value of more than USD 2 billion, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a database modernization partnership. 

Under the collaboration, OceanBase will provide its industry-leading database technology to support MB Bank’s data infrastructure modernization initiatives, strengthen system resilience and business continuity, and enhance the scalability and performance of its IT infrastructure. MB Bank aims to advance its technology capabilities and build a robust, reliable, and future-ready infrastructure to support its digital banking and business transformation. Under this partnership, OceanBase will serve as the underlying database technology provider, while MB Bank retains full control over its data management and daily business operations.

According to “e-Conomy SEA 2025”, a joint report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company, Vietnam’s digital economy grew by 17% in 2025, making it the second fastest-growing digital economy in Southeast Asia. Moreover, according to Vietnam’s National Statistics Office, the digital economy’s share of GDP rose steadily from 12.87% in 2021 to 14.02% in 2025, equivalent to approximately US$72.1 billion. The Vietnamese government has further set an ambitious target to raise this figure to 30% of GDP by 2030. As Vietnam’s banking sector rapidly evolves in this digital-first economy, the need for modern, highly resilient database solutions has become paramount.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hoc, Deputy CEO of MB Bank, said, “At MB Bank, we continuously invest in strengthening the resilience and modernization of our technology infrastructure to support sustainable growth and deliver reliable services to our customers. Through this collaboration with OceanBase, we look forward to exploring advanced data infrastructure capabilities that can further enhance business continuity, operational resilience, and readiness for our future digital needs.”

Evan Yang, CEO of OceanBase, noted, “We are excited to partner with MB Bank. Vietnam is emerging as a powerhouse in Southeast Asia’s digital economy, and its banking sector is at the forefront of this transformation. Through this collaboration, we hope to leverage OceanBase’s proven distributed database technology to better support the modernization of banking systems in Vietnam and across the broader Southeast Asian market, supporting financial institutions to build future-ready data infrastructures.”

About OceanBase

OceanBase is a distributed database launched in 2010. It provides strong data consistency, high availability, high performance, cost efficiency, elastic scalability, and compatibility with mainstream relational databases. It handles transactional, analytical, and AI workloads through a unified data engine, enabling mission-critical applications and real-time analytics.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.oceanbase.com/

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/oceanbase-and-mb-bank-enter-into-strategic-mou-to-accelerate-database-modernization-and-infrastructure-resilience-302896734.html

SOURCE OceanBase

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IAB Hong Kong’s C26 Returns as Hong Kong’s Largest AI and Marketing Event, Exploring How AI Is Reimagining Business

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Flagship conference to bring together 50+ global and regional leaders exploring how AI is reshaping marketing, media, commerce and customer engagement

Tickets available at: bit.ly/JoinIABC26

HONG KONG, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Artificial intelligence is moving from experimentation to scaled execution across the global marketing industry. According to IAB’s 2026 Outlook Study, five of the top six marketer focus areas in 2026 are AI-driven, reflecting how rapidly AI is becoming core infrastructure for marketing strategy and business growth.

Against this backdrop, IAB Hong Kong announced the return of C26: Business Re-imagined, positioned as Hong Kong’s largest AI and marketing event, taking place on 20 October 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The flagship conference will bring together 50+ speakers, 20+ sessions, and 20+ exhibitors and workshops, convening global and regional leaders across brands, technology, media, platforms, agencies and solution providers to explore how AI is reshaping brand building, content creation, commerce and customer experience.

Under the theme “Business Re-imagined”, C26 will focus on the next stage of AI transformation: moving beyond the adoption of new tools to rethinking how businesses create value, redesign workflows and lead with human judgment in an increasingly AI-powered environment. Through keynotes, executive panels, brand case studies and technology showcases, the conference will offer practical perspectives on how companies can turn AI innovation into measurable business impact.

Brian Hui, Chairman of IAB Hong Kong, said: “As IAB Hong Kong marks its 10th anniversary, C26 captures a defining moment for the digital marketing industry as AI redefines what is possible in this sector. By connecting innovators, technologists and marketers from Hong Kong, Mainland China and around the world, it also reinforces Hong Kong’s distinctive role as a place where ideas and expertise converge, creating new possibilities for our industry.”

Arthur Chan, C26 Organising Committee Chair, said:  “Business Re-imagined reflects where the market is heading. AI is no longer just about doing things faster — it is changing how value is created, how work gets done and how brands remain relevant in an increasingly automated environment. This year’s C26 is built around three key areas: growth beyond speed, the shift from AI conversation to AI execution, and the continued importance of human leadership. Together, these themes reflect the questions every business leader now needs to answer: where can AI create new value, how will agentic workflows reshape operations, and how do we keep people, creativity and trust at the centre of transformation?”

Global and regional leaders to headline C26

The keynote stage will set the tone for C26, with global, regional and local leaders sharing perspectives on the forces shaping the industry’s next chapter. Speakers include Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder and Executive Chairman of S4 Capital and one of the world’s most influential advertising and marketing leaders; Caroline Laird, Senior Director, Google Technical Services & Consulting, who will share regional perspectives on how AI is advancing platform innovation, marketing effectiveness and brand growth; Shailley Singh, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Product Management, IAB Tech Lab, who will offer global insights into the digital advertising infrastructure, standards and responsible innovation needed to scale AI-powered marketing; and Edward Bell, General Manager Brand, Insights and Marketing Communications, Cathay, who will share how a leading consumer brand is using AI to create smarter and more connected customer experiences.

Beyond the keynote stage, C26 will feature senior representatives from Adobe and Meta, alongside Chinese Mainland innovators including Alibaba, BytePlus, iFLYTEK, JD Technology, Huawei and iQIYI. Hong Kong and regional brand leaders from Cigna Healthcare,DFI Retail Group,Hang Seng Bank, HKBN, HKT, Langham Hospitality Group, Manulife, MTR, One Cool AIFX, Perion, PwC, SCMP, Starbucks, Visa, and V+Short will also share real-world perspectives on how AI and digital innovation are being applied to improve customer experience, marketing effectiveness, operational efficiency and business growth. Solution showcases from Bravo Media,EternityX, Google, Omnichat, and HKT will further demonstrate practical AI applications for marketing and enterprise transformation.

Across keynotes, executive panels, brand case studies and solution showcases, these leaders will address the topics defining the next phase of AI-powered marketing. Discussions will cover agentic commerce, including how AI agents may change consumer discovery and purchasing journeys; agentic advertising, including how AI-led workflows are transforming media planning, buying, optimisation and reporting; and AI governance, as companies scale adoption while maintaining accountability, transparency and brand safety.

The urgency of this agenda is underscored by recent industry data: according to DoubleVerify’s 2026 APAC Global Insights Report, over 500 million impressions of low-quality AI-generated content were identified in the first half of 2026 alone, while AI bots generated 10 times more clicks than humans in unprotected digital campaigns — costing brands both budget and trust.

The programme will also examine fast-growing areas including retail media, GEO and AI search, outbound marketing and AI-generated content, connecting these trends to the practical questions facing business leaders: how to grow across markets, improve marketing performance, build more responsive customer engagement and keep creativity and human judgment at the centre of AI transformation.

Explore next-generation AI marketing solutions

The C26 Exhibition Zone will bring together leading AI, advertising technology and digital marketing providers, including BytePlus, DoubleVerify, Magnite, StackAdapt, admanGO, Appier, AnyMind, Teads, Digital Zoo, Ingenium Digital, MindWorkz, Votee, WOGI and JoJo Ventures, among others. The zone will offer a closer look at how solutions across advertising intelligence, AI-powered analytics, SEO/GEO, content production, customer engagement and omnichannel media are moving from standalone tools into integrated marketing workflows, helping brands better understand what practical AI adoption can look like in real business settings.

C26 will also feature hands-on workshops. IAB Tech Lab Agentic Bootcamp will explore buyer and seller agents, data governance, automation, compliance and cross-market deployment, while sharing AI agentic advertising frameworks and emerging industry standards. Humantyze will demonstrate how enterprises can use Tencent WorkBuddy AI Agent to reimagine workflows and improve operational efficiency and execution.

Brands and creators to confront the realities of AI-era collaboration

Through the “IAB Chat: Creators Meet Brands in the AI Era” session, C26 will bring brands and creators face to face for an honest dialogue. Representatives from Hang Seng Bank and MTR will join the discussion alongside leading content figures such as digital content creator Ming Jai, AI expert Rannes Man, and Xiaohongshu marketing expert Vivian Evans to unpack how AI is transforming brand–creator collaboration.

With live voting on stage, brands and KOLs will compare views on briefs, creative control, authenticity, data and results — surfacing the uncomfortable truths behind partnerships in the AI era.

Developing the next generation of AI-ready marketing talent

An education-focused panel will bring together university representatives and industry leaders, including global marketing communications group WPP, to explore what employers now expect from AI-ready marketers and how academia and business can work more closely to develop future talent with the commercial judgment, adaptability and responsible AI capabilities needed to succeed.

Event Registration and Participation

Registration for IABHK C26 is now open — secure your spot today and join the new wave of AI-driven marketing! For details and registration: https://bit.ly/JoinIABC26

For enquiries, please contact: Email:c26@iabhongkong.com

Click here to watch the event trailer: https://youtu.be/6oX8qqwgdeE

Speakers including:

Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder & Executive Chairman, S4 CapitalCaroline Laird, Senior Director, Google Technical Services & Consulting, GoogleShailley Singh, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Product Management, IAB Tech LabEdward Bell, General Manager, Brand, Insights and Marketing Communications, CathayAlan Chan, General Manager, Hong Kong and Taiwan, AdobeJoe Chang, Regional Director, BytePlusSarah Tam, Chief Customer Officer, Marketing & Partnership, Cigna Healthcare Hong KongAlan Chan, General Manager, Starbucks Hong Kong and Shake Shack, Coffee Concepts (Hong Kong)Chandana Sunder, Group Retail Media Director, DFI Retail GroupJordan Cheung, Chief Marketing Officer, Hang Seng BankBruce Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer, HKTYang Yang, Director, Advertising Business Integrated Operation Department, Huawei Consumer Cloud Service, HUAWEIEvangeline Song, General Manager, Commercial & Strategic Partnerships (APAC & Middle East), iQIYISean Seah, SVP Strategy Technology Innovation, Langham Hospitality GroupCelia Ling, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Greater ChinaPhil Lam, Singer and Songwriter, Sony MusicClarissa Tanoesoedibjo, CEO, V+ShortLutricia Kwok, Head of Marketing Hong Kong & Macau, Visa

PR Newswire is the Official Press Release Distribution of the IAB HK.

About C26
Four years since the rise of generative AI, the conversation has matured from initial implementation to fundamental business transformation. At the forefront of this evolution is the IAB HK C26 AI Marketing Conference, Hong Kong’s premier gathering for marketing professionals, business leaders, and technology innovators. Under the theme “Business Re-imagined”, the conference moves beyond incremental efficiency to explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping commerce, leadership, and creativity. Through a curated series of dynamic keynotes, executive panels, and practical case studies, C26 illuminates the path for leaders to transition from AI potential to measurable, structural business impact.

About IAB Hong Kong
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, IAB Hong Kong (IAB HK) is a not-for-profit association that serves as Hong Kong’s bridge between East and West in digital marketing — connecting the city’s advertising ecosystem to a global network spanning 45 markets through the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB).

Representing over 130 member companies across media, ad tech, platforms, agencies, brands, and research organisations, IAB HK is recognised as one of the most credible and influential digital marketing associations in the city. Through initiatives such as the annual IAB HK Digital Awards, professional education programmes, and industry research, IAB HK drives standards, talent development, and marketing innovation. Founding members include comScore, Meta, Google, the South China Morning Post, and Yahoo, with PwC as a strategic partner. For more information, please visit www.iabhongkong.com.

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SOURCE IAB HK

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