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Are Societal Norms Just Misconceptions? Circles.Life Survey Reveals Older Generations’ Surprising Supportiveness, Paving the Way for a Faster, More Progressive Future

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SINGAPORE, June 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — It’s popular belief that Singapore’s infatuation with a hyper-competitive culture breeds significant pressure to excel both academically and professionally. Apart from the influence of culture and family, there’s a rigid definition of what success looks like, and it feels like everyone is expected to conform to these norms — those who deviate risk facing social stigma and exclusion.

This misalignment between personal aspirations and societal expectations hinders those trying to forge unconventional paths. A recent survey by Circles.Life, conducted in partnership with Milieu Insights, confirms what we suspected — 1 in 3 Singaporeans felt pressured to conform, with 40% of youths aged 16-34 feeling constrained by parental expectations.

Based on the survey of over 1,500 respondents representing the nation’s population, the study also provided a more nuanced understanding of Singaporeans’ pursuit of progress and the barriers they face. Take mental health, for instance, where nearly half of individuals aged 16-34 reported struggling to balance it with work or study commitments. Additionally, more than half of youths aged 16-24 refrain from discussing mental well-being with friends or family.

It’s clear that many Singaporeans, particularly the younger generation, are open-minded and inclusive, showing a positive attitude toward society. Young adults are increasingly open to discussing mental health and sex education, with 46% of those aged 16-24 believing sex education should begin as early as primary school. They are also more willing to engage in conversations about and around sex with friends and family. Plus, a good number of Singaporeans support diversity and think it’s important for equal representation across gender, age, and occupation in the media and in mainstream education to break through long-standing stereotypes.

But here’s where it gets interesting — the study shows that the older generation (aged 40 and above) are surprisingly progressive on a number of issues. Older Singaporeans overwhelmingly believe that mental and physical illnesses should be treated equally. Moreover, 40% of Singaporeans, including older generations, believe and hope that society will become more accepting of diverse individuals in the next 10 years. The vast majority (80%) of those aged 44 and above think that success is defined by perseverance and hard work in life rather than paper qualifications.

“While it may be a surprise, this finding only proves that not everyone sees eye-to-eye when it comes to societal expectations. This further underscores the need to keep these conversations alive, and to challenge false perceptions and tackle these issues together. It’s the only way we’ll progress as a society and truly reach our potential,” said Ebony Ngieng, Senior Marketing Manager,  Circles.Life.

These findings underscore a simple truth: it’s time to shift away from measuring success solely by tangible achievements or material possessions and to move beyond the burden of social stigma. To meet the evolving pursuits and values of Singaporeans, Circles.Life’s latest ‘Do Your Own Thing’ (DYOT) campaign is here to help challenge conventional norms so Singaporeans can live life on their own terms. Here are its four pillars:

Pillar

Description

Every Win Matters

Addressing the intense academic pressure faced by students
and promoting a balanced approach to success.

Don’t be Embarrassed

Challenging the stigma around natural urges and encouraging
open discussions without shame.

Many Roads to Success

This celebrates the idea that success comes in many forms,
highlighting individuals who pursue their passions, whether they
follow a conventional path or choose something unique like
becoming a hawker. It emphasises that it’s not just about the
career choices made; it’s about finding fulfilment and success in
what one loves to do.

Break The Stigma

Promoting mental health awareness and reducing the stigma
around seeking help, equating mental health to physical health.

As an innovative digital telco, Circles.Life has consistently sparked conversations across Singapore by empowering people to challenge norms and conventions, particularly through their groundbreaking initiatives. They made waves as the pioneer Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) to introduce no-contract plans featuring affordable high-data options, the innovative loyalty rewards program (Circle of Joy), and a true borderless plan enabling flexible data usage not just in Singapore but also in other countries.

“These initiatives really embody a mission to continue challenging the status quo and empower everyone to embrace authenticity and follow their dreams.Through celebrating diversity and promoting open dialogue, our goal is to foster a more empathetic and inclusive society. #DoYourOwnThing serves as a platform to spark vital discussions and empower users with mobile plans that go beyond data, offering VPN, mental health therapy, and 5G support,”  added Ebony.

Sparking conversations and challenging norms has never been easier with Do Your Own Thing’s latest solutions.

Plan

What’s Included

Family Plan

Simplifies managing users’ digital needs by allowing one Primary
account holder to share data, talktime, and SMS with up to five
Sub-accounts, all on a single bill.

 

Users have access to 300GB data with up to 1TB rollover,
unlimited incoming calls, and 3000 minutes of outgoing talktime,

all shared across your family’s SIMs. It includes free 5G access
and exclusive benefits from the Circle of Joy rewards program.

5G Plan with VPN access
and subsidised mental
consultations

Get access to true 5G with 99% coverage as well as additional
lifestyle benefits – free 2 months ExpressVPN subscription,
subsidised mental health consultation with licensed therapists
from AloeMind and access to Circle of Joy reward programme.

For more information on the plans, visit www.circles.life/sg/do-your-own-thing.

About Circles.Life

Founded in 2014, Circles is a global technology company reimagining the telco industry with its SaaS platform, helping telco operators launch and operate successful digital brands. Today, Circles is partnering with operators in 15 countries across 6 continents with the mission to deliver digital experiences to millions of people through our businesses.

With Circles.Life, our digital lifestyle brand, we empower and delight customers across the world by offering digital experiences that go beyond traditional telco services; and are active in countries such as Singapore and Australia.

Circles is backed by global investors such as Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia), Warburg Pincus, EDBI and Founders Fund – renowned institutions with a track record of backing category creators.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/are-societal-norms-just-misconceptions-circleslife-survey-reveals-older-generations-surprising-supportiveness-paving-the-way-for-a-faster-more-progressive-future-302161625.html

SOURCE Circles.Life

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Victory Live Named Official Data and Analytics Provider of the Capital One Orange Bowl

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Partnership provides ticketing technology and analytics support ahead of the 2027 College Football Playoff Semifinal

ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Victory Live, a leader in ticketing technology and analytics, today announced a partnership with the Orange Bowl to serve as the Official Data and Analytics Provider of the Capital One Orange Bowl.

Under the agreement, Victory Live will provide ticketing data and analytics tools to support the Orange Bowl’s operational planning and ticketing strategies.

The Capital One Orange Bowl is scheduled to host a College Football Playoff Semifinal on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2027, at Hard Rock Stadium.

“The Orange Bowl has a proud history in college football and a lasting impact on South Florida,” said Sam Soni, founder and CEO of Victory Live. “We look forward to supporting the organization with technology and data insights to assist their ticketing operations. With a College Football Playoff Semifinal ahead, this is an exciting opportunity to work together on an event that means so much to fans and the community.”

About Victory Live

Founded in 2021 by Sam Soni, Victory Live is a technology platform specializing in sports and entertainment event management, ticketing software, data insights, and multi-channel distribution. Its end-to-end solution, Victory Live One, helps manage millions of tickets for live event rightsholders and ticket sellers across sports, concerts, and theatre. Victory Live’s marketplace is the industry leader in B2B ticket distribution and connectivity solutions. Learn more at www.victorylive.com. 

Press Contact:

Eric Nemeth
nemeth@ericpr.com
www.victorylive.com/

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SOURCE Victory Live

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Eastern Michigan University offers $4,000 scholarships to students who join marching band

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YPSILANTI, Mich., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Eastern Michigan University is offering eligible students a $4,000 scholarship to join the university’s Marching Band, giving students the opportunity to participate in one of EMU’s signature traditions while pursuing any academic major.

The scholarship provides $1,000 per year for four years and is available to all students who meet the marching band requirements. Students do not need to major in music to qualify.

“I’m thrilled that President Kelly and the executive leadership team have elected to pursue this opportunity at Eastern because it gives us an opportunity to attract more students and reward them for the countless hours they spend participating in a life-changing activity that they love,” said J. Nick Smith, associate director of bands and director of Athletic Bands at Eastern.

EMU’s Marching Band reflects the university’s broad academic community. Only about 40% of its members are music majors, while students in disciplines across the university make up the rest of the membership.

“As a two-time alum, I’m proud of our band and its continuous momentum over the years,” said EMU President Brendan Kelly. “EMU’s college experience is about finding and building community — that’s what our marching band is all about. I’m thrilled we can offer this scholarship to students who want to be a part of a movement they’ll remember and be proud of among people with shared interests for the rest of their lives.”

Known as the “Pride of the Peninsula,” EMU’s Marching Band has a 132-year history and provides students with opportunities to perform at athletic events and other university and community events. The ensemble also offers diverse musical and performance experiences, including collaborations with groups such as internationally known piano-rock duo and EMU alumni Drew & Kin and Grammy Award-winning artists such as The Temptations, featuring EMU alum Jawan M. Jackson, who joined the group in 2022.

Participation in the band also provides students with experiences that extend beyond the field.

“Students who participate with us develop deep ties to their education, lifelong friends, lessons in leadership, professionalism, time management, high expectations and advanced musicianship and marching skills,” said Smith. “We pride ourselves on providing our students life-changing experiences that develop their core being so that, upon graduation, they have a diverse set of skills that are immediately applicable to their careers.”

Students interested in joining the EMU Marching Band and applying for the scholarship should:

Apply to and be admitted to Eastern Michigan University: emich.edu/apply/Complete the marching band membership form: https://tiny.emich.edu/emumbAttend orientation and register for marching band.Receive the scholarship through their financial aid package once all requirements are completed.

The scholarship is available to students regardless of their intended major. For more information about the EMU Marching Band and scholarship opportunities, visit the band webpage. To view the band’s past performances, visit the band’s YouTube page.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eastern-michigan-university-offers-4-000-scholarships-to-students-who-join-marching-band-302912922.html

SOURCE Eastern Michigan University

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Green Ammonia Market to Reach USD 5.10 Billion by 2035 as Renewable Hydrogen Contracts Support New Production

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LONDON, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The global green ammonia market was valued at USD 150.8 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 5.10 billion by 2035, according to Credence Research. The report states a 42.22% compound annual growth rate for 2025-2035. Asia Pacific held the largest regional share at 60.2% in 2025, while Latin America is the fastest-growing region at a modeled 54.11% annual rate. Market sizes, segment shares and regional allocations are Credence Research estimates.

Key Takeaways

Credence Research estimates market value at USD 150.8 million in 2025 and USD 5.10 billion by 2035, with a reported 42.22% CAGR for 2025-2035.Asia Pacific held 60.2% of modeled 2025 value. Latin America has the fastest forecast regional growth at 54.11%.Alkaline water electrolysis represented 73.6% of 2025 technology value.Fertilizers accounted for 68.3% of 2025 application revenue, the largest end use.Solid oxide electrolysis has the highest modeled technology growth at 63.37% annually, from a small base.Marine fuel is projected to grow fastest among applications, but its starting commercial base remains limited.

Scope & Segmentation – Green Ammonia Market

The market measures the selling value of ammonia made with electrolytic hydrogen powered by renewable electricity, including relevant renewable output from retrofitted fertilizer plants. It covers fertilizer, chemical feedstock, power and prospective marine fuel uses. It excludes conventional ammonia, blue ammonia made with fossil hydrogen and carbon capture, stand-alone electrolyzers, renewable generation equipment and downstream fertilizer products beyond the contained ammonia value.

By technology: Alkaline water electrolysis; Proton exchange membrane electrolysis; Solid oxide electrolysis.By application: Fertilizers; Industrial and chemical feedstock; Power generation; Marine fuel; Other uses including hydrogen carriers and refrigeration.

Read the full report and request a sample: https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/green-ammonia-market      

Why This Report Matters

Developers can separate announced electrolyzer capacity from renewable ammonia that has a committed buyer and a credible delivery schedule.Fertilizer companies and importers can evaluate the commercial importance of certification, fixed-price contracts and renewable electricity availability.Investors can assess why some projects advance with binding offtake while others remain exposed to cost gaps, policy changes and financing delays.

Market Overview

Green ammonia is produced using hydrogen generated from water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, followed by conventional ammonia synthesis. It can serve fertilizer and chemical demand without changing the basic molecule, but production costs and emissions depend on the power supply and plant operation.

Early commercial output is concentrated in China and a small number of European plants. Indian supply contracts and international offtake agreements are expanding the project pipeline. Marine fuel is a longer-term opportunity, with demand dependent on vessel technology, bunkering infrastructure and shipping regulation.

Market Insights

Alkaline water electrolysis represented 73.6% of 2025 technology value.Fertilizers accounted for 68.3% of 2025 application revenue, the largest end use.Solid oxide electrolysis has the highest modeled technology growth at 63.37% annually, from a small base.Marine fuel is projected to grow fastest among applications, but its starting commercial base remains limited.Asia Pacific represented 60.2% of 2025 value, reflecting early Chinese plant output and demand.

Key Attributes

Attribute

Details

Historical reference

2018-2025 (source report)

Base year

2025

Market size, 2025

USD 150.8 million

Market size, 2026 (source estimate)

USD 415.2 million

Market size, 2035

USD 5.10 billion

Reported CAGR and measurement interval

42.22% (2025-2035)

Largest regional share

Asia Pacific (60.2%, 2025)

Fastest-growing region

Latin America (54.11%)

Segments covered

Technology, Application

Geographic coverage

North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa

Market Segmentation

The segmentation below follows the current report taxonomy and separates products, applications and buyers to avoid overlapping revenue definitions.

By technology: Alkaline water electrolysis; Proton exchange membrane electrolysis; Solid oxide electrolysis.By application: Fertilizers; Industrial and chemical feedstock; Power generation; Marine fuel; Other uses including hydrogen carriers and refrigeration.

Market Drivers

Fertilizer producers can reduce reliance on fossil-based hydrogen by purchasing certified renewable ammonia or replacing a portion of their own feedstock. Long-term supply contracts can make the economics more predictable for producers and buyers.

Large renewable energy resources and improving electrolyzer supply support new plants in China, India and prospective export hubs. Project economics still depend heavily on utilization and electricity costs.

Cross-border contracts create a clearer financing route than nonbinding project announcements. Importers that require renewable fuel certification can anchor investments in production and shipping logistics.

Regional Analysis

The following regional shares represent Credence Research estimates of 2025 market value. They are not independently audited supplier sales totals.

Asia Pacific | 60.2% share in 2025

Operating Chinese plants and Indian fertilizer procurement programs underpin the largest base. Japan and South Korea are potential import markets for certified supply.

Europe | 26.7% share in 2025

Pioneer projects and stringent certification requirements support premium demand, while high energy costs encourage some buyers to seek imports.

Middle East and Africa | 8.0% share in 2025

Saudi Arabian and other coastal projects seek to pair renewable power with export infrastructure, but project schedules remain important.

North America | 3.3% share in 2025

Electrolytic ammonia remains a small share of supply, with some producers favoring carbon capture on conventional plants.

Latin America | 1.8% share in 2025

Chile and Brazil have strong renewable resources and potential fertilizer or export demand, producing the fastest modeled regional growth from a small base.

Market Challenges

Renewable ammonia generally costs more to produce than conventional ammonia. Intermittent wind and solar power complicate operation of the synthesis loop and can require storage or grid balancing.

Many proposed projects lack binding buyers, permitting or funding. Uncertain global shipping rules can delay marine-fuel demand, so developers often prioritize fertilizer and chemical customers first.

Future Outlook

The strongest near-term projects are likely to be those with verified renewable electricity, certification and binding offtake. China remains an early production center while India and Gulf projects could expand exports later in the decade.

Marine fuel demand may eventually diversify the customer base, but the timeline is uncertain. Investors should distinguish operating tonnage from proposed capacity and account for power variability, shipping costs and policy risk.

Competitive Landscape

Envision Energy, State Power Investment Corporation and China Energy Engineering are linked to operating Chinese renewable ammonia projects. AM Green, ACME Group and NEOM Green Hydrogen Company are export developers, while Yara and Iberdrola participate in European pioneer projects. Air Products is a NEOM co-owner and contracted offtaker, not simply an independent ammonia producer. Fortescue is excluded from the active producer list because it canceled selected hydrogen projects in 2025. No reliable comparable company-by-company green ammonia revenue ranking is available.

Key Players

Envision EnergyState Power Investment CorporationChina Energy EngineeringAM GreenACME GroupNEOM Green Hydrogen CompanyYara InternationalIberdrolaAir Products (offtaker and co-owner)

Recent Developments

Feb. 27, 2026: Envision announced a commercial shipment of green ammonia from its Chifeng facility in China to LOTTE Fine Chemical in South Korea. The company described the cargo as an end-to-end renewable ammonia delivery.

Jan. 12, 2026: Uniper and AM Green signed a binding long-term agreement for up to 500,000 metric tons a year of certified renewable ammonia from India, with initial deliveries expected from 2028.

Report Coverage

The study analyzes market size, the base-year product and application mix, regional demand, technology adoption, competitive positioning, constraints and dated industry developments. It also examines commercialization, customer economics and the factors that could change the pace of adoption through 2035.

Forecasts and regional shares are proprietary Credence Research model estimates. Company announcements and regulatory materials are used for industry context; they do not independently validate the modeled global revenue totals. The report’s market definition and exclusions should be considered when comparing it with broader adjacent industries.

Read the full report and request a sample: https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/green-ammonia-market

Related Reports

Green Hydrogen MarketBlue Ammonia MarketRenewable Methanol MarketSustainable Aviation Fuel MarketHydrogen Storage Market

About Us

Credence Research Inc. is a global market intelligence and consulting firm founded in 2015. It provides quantitative market research, competitive intelligence and strategic advisory services to organizations assessing new products, investment decisions and regional opportunities. The firm combines primary and secondary research with industry interviews and structured market models.

Its research spans industrial technology, semiconductors, energy, health care, consumer markets and other sectors. Credence Research evaluates market size, segmentation, growth drivers, supply-chain risks, regional policy and competitive positioning to help clients make evidence-led decisions.

Contact Us

Credence Research Inc.
Tower C-1105, S 25, Akash Tower
Vishal Nagar, Pimple Nilakh, Haveli
Pune – 411027, India
Europe: +44 7453 598 606 | North America: +1 6282 627 656
Email: sales@credenceresearch.com

Website: Credence Research

 

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