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Two Stations, One Mission: Uniting Art and Conservation in a Continuing Journey

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《ART FOR THE EARTH: An Exhibition for Conservation》 

HONG KONG, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Building on the success of “ART FOR THE EARTH: An Exhibition and Auction for Conservation”, an initiative spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to raise awareness about endangered species and their habitats, the next chapter of this meaningful journey is set to take place from 4th to 12th December 2024, at two MTR stations – Hong Kong Station and Tai Koo Station. This continuing exhibition aims to unite art and conservation, inspiring action to protect and conserve endangered species and their habitats in the Asia-Pacific region.

Following the momentum of the exhibition and auction held in September and October, this new exhibition showcases fourteen meticulously crafted, one-of-a-kind handcrafted doll art pieces by renowned artist Ning Lau, each representing unique and threatened species and habitats. Made from upcycled fabrics, Ning’s creations emphasize sustainability and highlight the importance of reusing materials to reduce waste – underscoring the need for a more sustainable future.

At Hong Kong Station, the exhibition features artworks themed around the Ocean and Sky. Meanwhile, Tai Koo Station presents creations inspired by species and habitats from the Land, offering a complementary perspective on the natural world.

To further enhance the experience, an interactive augmented reality (AR) game has been introduced to connect the two exhibitions. Visitors can scan QR codes at the exhibition stations to enter a virtual world, explore endangered species and their habitats, and experience the entire exhibition virtually. This immersive platform allows participants to uncover fascinating facts, interact with digital environments, and engage with the conservation message beyond the physical displays.

In addition to this, another AR game has been launched across all MTR stations on the urban lines. Passengers can interact with digital panels, scan QR codes, and engage with an entirely new experience focused on endangered species and their conservation stories. This expansion ensures that the conservation message reaches a broader audience, making it an accessible and engaging part of commuters’ daily journeys.

The Art for the Earth initiative continues to leverage art as a powerful medium to promote the protection of endangered species and their habitats. By combining physical exhibitions, virtual experiences, and interactive technology, this campaign fosters a deeper connection between people and nature while raising awareness about the importance of conservation.

All of the handcrafted dolls featured in the exhibition have already been sold. Sincere gratitude is extended to the generous doll owners who have kindly allowed their dolls to be exhibited, ensuring the conservation message continues to reach a wider audience.

Special thanks are also extended to MTR advertising, managed by JCDecaux Transport, for their invaluable support in making this exhibition possible, and to Ning Lau for her sustainable creations and Prissy Tang for her vivid illustrations of endangered species.

Members of the public are invited to join this mission to celebrate and protect the planet’s precious biodiversity. Visit the exhibitions at Hong Kong Station and Tai Koo Station from 4th to 12th December, 2024, and explore the endangered species AR game at any Urban Lines MTR station for a fun, interactive way to learn about endangered species. Join the journey and make a difference for our planet!

For media photos, please download from the LINK

“Art for the Earth: An Exhibition and Auction for Conservation” Exhibition:
Venue: MTR Hong Kong Station and Tai Koo Station
Date:     4 – 12 December 2024
Time:     09:00 – 22:00

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping to make cities more sustainable. Working in more than 81 countries and territories, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. TNC has been in Asia Pacific for almost 30 years with projects in Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mongolia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. In 2019, TNC was awarded the Lui Che Woo Prize for Sustainable Development. To learn more, please visit: The Nature Conservancy (tnc.org.hk) or follow TNC HK 大自然保護協會 and @tnc_hk

About Ning Lau

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Ning earned her BA (Hons) in Fashion Design from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Initially establishing her career in the luxury fashion sector, Ning transitioned to the art of doll making in 2015, channeling her enduring love for dolls into a full-time vocation. Following her pursuit of culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris last year, she is currently undertaking a Master’s degree in Expressive Arts Therapy at The University of Hong Kong, delving into the nexus between creative expression and psychological healing.

Ning crafts hand-sewn dolls from scratch, imbuing them with whimsical and distinctive personalities that mirror contemporary life. Each doll is meticulously hand-painted and uniquely serialised, accompanied by an autographed certificate, rendering them highly collectible art pieces. Her exhibitions and collaborations, along with her inspiring journey, have garnered extensive coverage in numerous local and international publications and digital media.

Exhibitions & Collaborations:

2023: M+ limited edition for Madame Song exhibition2021: Hong Kong Tatler limited collection2020-2021: Hong Kong Ballet virtual ambassador program and limited collection2019: Solo exhibition “You and Me” in Tokyo2019: “Dream and House” exhibition in Hong Kong2017: Collaboration with fashion designer Vika Gazinskaya showcased at TSUM in Russia2017: “I Love Hong Kong” doll collection with Design Gallery of HKTDC2016: HKTDC “Fashionally Collection” at Hong Kong Fashion Week2016: “Susan & Friends” exhibition at The Peak Galleria2015: Shu Uemura X Kitsune limited cosmetics collection2015: JOYCE Christmas collection2015: First doll exhibition “Lazy Susan”

To learn more, please visit: https://ninglau.com/ and @ninglau

About Prissy Tang

Prissy Tang, a fashion-styled pet portraitist, brings a unique approach to her art. Her passion lies in creating personalized and captivating artwork that celebrates the special bond between pets and their loving owners with a bit of fashion flair, thanks to her background as a fashion illustrator for an American fashion magazine. Prissy is now on a mission to elevate the art of pet portraiture and comfort pet owners who have experienced loss. Her fine portraits are infused with such soul that they often move her clients to tears. She aims to capture not just the physical appearance of the pets but also their inner spirit, creating a unique essence that brings joy and healing to pet owners’ broken hearts. Prissy’s distinctive approach to pet portraiture exemplifies a commitment to creating timeless, tastefully elegant artwork that celebrates the unique bond between pets and their owners. Her dedication to infusing each portrait with grace, allure, empathy, and individuality, combined with her expert command of anatomy, sets her apart as a unique pet portraitist who delivers an exceptional and captivating experience for pet-loving clients.

Won the 2nd Prize for “PAWtrait Artist of the Year 2023” in a nationwide competition organized by Dogs Today Magazine, a popular pet magazine in the UK.To date, she has also garnered an appreciative audience of more than 10 million pet and art lovers worldwide, as tracked by TailWindapp.com, a marketing group in the US.In July 2024, she was one of 21 brave women authors whose anthology, “Life by Design: Creating Leverage, Lifestyle, and Legacy, Vol III,” was ranked by Amazon as a Bestseller in three categories.

To learn more, please visit: PETPRISSY.COM and for enquiries, please contact here.

#ArtfortheEarth #TNC #tnchk #NingLau #LinMinChen #PrissyTang

#EndangeredSpeices #EndangeredHabitat #Exhibition #Conservation

#大自然保護協會 #瀕藝共生 #環境保育 #藝術展 #瀕危物種 #瀕危棲息地

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SOURCE The Nature Conservancy

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leap-group-relaunches-humanview-a-growth-intelligence-system-built-to-explain-why-customers-behave-the-way-they-do-302918557.html

SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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