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The Retirement Planning Group Acquires $180 Million Watters Financial Services

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Father-son practice based in Paramus, New Jersey, represents third acquisition for The Retirement Planning Group, Cetera’s employee-based RIA

Three employees serving approximately 130 clients to join The Retirement Planning Group, which oversees more than $2 billion in assets under management  

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Cetera Holdings, the parent company of Cetera Financial Group (collectively, Cetera), the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, announced today that Cetera’s employee-based RIA, The Retirement Planning Group (TRPG), has acquired Watters Financial Services. With approximately $180 million in assets under management*, as of March 31, 2024, the father-son team at Watters Financial Services is based in Paramus, New Jersey and led by Tim Watters, CFP®, and Colin Watters, CFP®, (father and son, respectively). The experienced team delivers wide-ranging wealth management services to more than 130 clients. Through the acquisition, three full-time professionals will become TRPG/Cetera employees.

“We are pleased to welcome Tim, Colin and the dedicated Watters team to TRPG,” said Kevin Conard, CEO at TRPG. “The Watters team shares our values and commitment to clients and we are confident they will find TRPG a great home for their business and their clients. We anticipate that TRPG will continue to attract independent advisors looking to spend more time with their clients and less time running their business and encourage today’s client-centric independent advisors to consider TRPG.”

“As we contemplated the future of our business, we knew we wanted to increase our focus on what matters most: serving our clients,” said Tim Watters. “Joining Kevin and the TRPG team has empowered this shift by alleviating many of the time consuming and cumbersome burdens of operating a financial planning business.  We look forward to a bright future for our business and our clients together with TRPG.”

The acquisition marks the third for TRPG since being acquired by Cetera. TRPG acquired Dightman Capital Group, Inc. in February and closed an acquisition of Lee Financial Group Hawaii in June. TRPG now oversees more than $2 billion in assets under management.

Click here to learn more about TRPG and click here for more information about Cetera Holdings.

About The Retirement Planning Group 

The Retirement Planning Group (TRPG) is Cetera’s employee-based RIA and an SEC registered investment advisory firm headquartered in Leawood, KS. With over 2,000 clients and $2 billion in assets under management, as of March 31, 2024, TRPG is one of the fastest growing companies in the Kansas City area. TRPG helps clients and their families nationwide navigate every financial decision they face throughout their lives by providing comprehensive wealth management services, including retirement planning, portfolio and investment management, tax planning, tax preparation and filing by our in-house tax team.

About Cetera

Cetera is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub where financial advisors and institutions optimize their control and value creation. Breaking away from a commoditized and homogenous IBD model, Cetera offers financial professionals and institutions the latest solutions, support, and services to grow, scale, or transition with a merger, sale, investment, or succession plan. Cetera proudly serves independent financial advisors, tax professionals, licensed administrators, large enterprises, as well as institutions, such as banks and credit unions, providing an established and repeatable blueprint for scalable growth.

Home to more than 12,000 financial professionals and their teams, Cetera oversees more than $505 billion in assets under administration and $213 billion in assets under management, as of March 31, 2024. In a recent advisor satisfaction survey of nearly 35,000 reviews, Cetera’s Voice of Customer (VoC) program vigorously measures advisor experience and satisfaction 24/7. Currently, it’s ranked 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Visit www.cetera.com, and follow Cetera on LinkedInYouTubeTwitter and Facebook.  

“Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser, and the following FINRA/SIPC members: Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Located at: 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA  92101.

* Value approximated based on asset holding details provided to Cetera.

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SOURCE Cetera Financial Group

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Meiyume (Group) LTD Achieves EcoVadis Gold Rating for 2026, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainable Beauty

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HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Meiyume (Group) LTD has achieved the EcoVadis Gold rating for 2026, with the company being in the 96th percentile globally and among the top-performing companies for sustainability.

EcoVadis evaluates companies across environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The Gold rating reflects Meiyume’s strong performance and continued commitment to embedding sustainability across its supply chain.

A supplier’s commitment to sustainability is increasingly important to brands, as they work to meet rising regulatory requirements and evolving consumer expectations for transparency and responsible practices. In this landscape, choosing the right partners is essential. Partners like Meiyume play a key role in enabling more responsible, future-ready solutions while helping to strengthen sustainability standards across the supply chain.

A Holistic Sustainability Strategy: Meiyume’s 5Ps Framework

Meiyume’s sustainability approach is guided by its 5Ps framework: Product, Process, Places, People, and Principle, ensuring a comprehensive integration across the business:

Product – Advancing sustainable innovation in formulations and packaging

Process – Strengthening responsible sourcing and supply chain practices

Places – Enhancing operational efficiency and environmental performance

People – Fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace

Principle – Upholding strong governance and compliance standards

Sustainability as an Ongoing Journey

While the EcoVadis Gold rating marks an important milestone, Meiyume views sustainability as an ongoing journey. The company remains committed to strengthening its sustainability performance and supporting beauty and personal care brands in achieving their sustainability goals.

About Meiyume:

Formerly LF Beauty, Meiyume offers end-to-end beauty solutions—packaging, ODM, OEM —grounded in sustainability and insights. Powered by it’s Beauty Intelligence Platform and a global sourcing network, Meiyume brings visions to life with agility, intelligence, and responsibility.

https://meiyume.com/
2/F HK Spinners Industrial Building, Phases I & II, 800 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

SOURCE Meiyume

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Marketna: Launching Smart Arabic Platform for Digital Classified Ads

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DUBAI, UAE, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — “Marketna” has announced the launch of its new digital classified advertising platform for the Arab world, available through its mobile app and website.

With the slogan “Easy Buy and Sell,” Marketna is a platform connecting buyers and sellers across various sectors, including cars, property, electronics, home furniture and appliances, jobs, and services, enabling users to advertise and sell almost anything.

 

 

The platform, enhanced with artificial intelligence technologies, aims to simplify the online advertising process through a secure and user-friendly environment.

Marketna offers its services in both Arabic and English, currently covering nine Arab countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Lebanon. Expansion is underway to include Syria, Iraq, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, along with the addition of French as a supported language.

This initiative comes as part of Marketna’s vision to become a leading digital e-commerce platform across the Arab world, with a focus on the quality of user experience.

Marketna aims to build an inclusive online community that connects the region’s markets, thereby boosting the prosperity of the Arab digital economy.

Smooth and Easy Classified Ad Creation and Publishing

Marketna is built on four core pillars that make the buying and selling experience unique:

Speed and Simplicity: One-step registration and three-step ad postingSafety and Trust: Focus on protecting user data and privacyPremium Service: Fast ad approval and exceptional customer supportGreater Outreach: Maximum exposure to the target audience

Supporting Individuals and Business Owners

The platform offers individual sellers additional features through a “Premium” membership, granting ongoing benefits such as the ability to publish unlimited ads, extended ad validity, priority in search results, and a special seller badge.

Through a “Business” account, which can be created in just a few minutes, Marketna provides dedicated accounts for small, medium, and large business owners, enabling them to advertise cars and real estate in a professional way.

New users, both individuals and merchants, can post their basic ads for free, and receive exclusive discounts to boost their ads upon upgrading to a “Premium” or “Business Plus” membership, allowing them to reach a larger pool of potential buyers.

An Optimal User Experience via the Marketna Smart App

The Marketna Classified Ads Smart App is available for Android devices on the Google Play Store, allowing users to browse ads and post listings from anywhere, at any time, with the ability to communicate directly through in-app chat.

The app features a simplified, modern, and responsive interface. An iOS version for Apple devices is coming soon, with the goal of supporting all users.

For more information about Marketna and its services, visit the official website at https://marketna.com.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2963238/Marketna_Classified_Ads.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2963239/Marketna_Logo.jpg

 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marketna-launching-smart-arabic-platform-for-digital-classified-ads-302758903.html

SOURCE Marketna

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2026 Hong Kong Corporate Gift Purchasing Trends Report: BeGiftHK Reveals “Specialization and Wellness” as the New Standard for Corporate Gifting

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HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BeGiftHK, a leading professional corporate gift company in Hong Kong, today officially released the “2026 Corporate Gift Purchasing Trends Report.” The report highlights that following profound changes in corporate culture in the post-pandemic era, the Hong Kong B2B gift market has officially moved away from the “low-price, high-volume” model. It has been replaced by a new purchasing logic centered on “Employee Wellness” and “Brand Specialization.”

Pickleball Customization: The New Corporate Sports Social Favorite of 2026

The most prominent trend highlighted in the report is the strong rise of “sports social gifts.” Data shows that in the first quarter of 2026, inquiries for Pickleball customization equipment surged by 210% compared to the same period last year.

A spokesperson for BeGiftHK analyzed: “In 2026, a corporate gift is no longer just an object; it is a brand touchpoint. Due to its low entry barrier and high participation across all age groups, Pickleball has become the top choice for large enterprises for hosting Team Building and ESG promotion activities. The professional-grade T700 carbon fiber paddles we provide, combined with high-quality customized designs, successfully transform the act of gifting into a highly social brand experience.”

Technology Defines Authority: Full-Color UV Digital Printing Enhances Corporate Image

Regarding the craftsmanship requirements for gift customization, purchasers in 2026 have demonstrated unprecedented attention to detail. The report indicates that over 85% of multinational organizations and financial enterprises prioritize the precision of printing technology when selecting a Hong Kong corporate gift company.

BeGiftHK has addressed the limitations of traditional screen printing, such as the inability to render gradients and high-precision logos, by introducing cutting-edge “Full-Color UV Digital Printing” technology. This commitment to professionalism has led BeGiftHK to frequently receive high praise as a “Souvenir Recommendation of the Year” in various commercial evaluations.

ESG Transformation: From “Green Products” to “Social Responsibility”

The report concludes by emphasizing that ESG factors have permeated every stage of the purchasing decision. In 2026, the demand for “Recycled PET (RPET)” materials and “Sustainable Sports Solutions” among Hong Kong enterprises consistently accounted for over 40% of the market share. Through its robust supply chain accumulated over years of deep cultivation in the Hong Kong market, BeGiftHK not only provides eco-friendly materials but also assists organizations in planning gift solutions with social impact, integrating “ESG narratives” into every exquisite gift box.

Rooted in Hong Kong, Defining the Future

As an established authoritative brand in the market, BeGiftHK, with its keen market insights and excellent execution, has successfully provided one-stop corporate gift customization services for numerous NGOs, educational institutions, and Fortune 500 companies. Looking ahead, the company will continue to drive industry innovation, creating the most valuable brand souvenirs for Hong Kong organizations with a more professional and forward-looking vision.

About BeGiftHK

BeGiftHK is a professional gift solution provider headquartered in Hong Kong. The company is committed to providing customers with closed-loop gift customization services, including design, production, quality inspection, and logistics, through innovative technology and a unique industry perspective. With the core concepts of “Professionalism, Design, and Value,” BeGiftHK is a designated gift partner for many large-scale events and corporate anniversary celebrations in Hong Kong.

Media Inquiries, please contact:

Contact Person: BeGiftHK Customer Service DepartmentCompany Name: Ideas Promotion Ltd (BeGiftHK)Phone: +852 3490 6532Email: info@ideaspromotion.com.hkWebsite: https://begifthk.com

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SOURCE BeGiftHK

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