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tonies introduces Toniebox Lite: growing the globally loved audio ecosystem for children

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Toniebox Lite delivers tonies’ core listening experience in a smaller, lighter format at a more accessible price point: $79.99 USD and $99.99 CADComplementing flagship device Toniebox 2, Toniebox Lite expands tonies’ portfolio to create a versatile multi-device audio ecosystem that brings the benefits of listening to more families at more placesPre-orders in North America start today, first in-store availability in August – market introduction in the UK, Australia and New Zealand in fall 2026

PALO ALTO, Calif., July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — tonies SE (“tonies”), the globally leading interactive audio platform for children, today announces the launch of the Toniebox Lite – a compact and lightweight device that brings tonies’ core listening experience at an accessible price point, and available for pre-order in North America today, July 27, on tonies.com and walmart.com in the US and tonies.ca and walmart.ca in Canada. Certified for children aged 1+ and compatible with every Tonie, it gives families immediate access to tonies’ platform of curated audio-first content.

Introducing the next device with Toniebox Lite is the first proof point of tonies’ strategy to build an ecosystem consisting of multiple devices, a rich above-the-box portfolio and accessories that enable experiences across the full breadth of family life. Toniebox Lite complements tonies’ flagship Toniebox 2, which combines the company’s full content portfolio with screen-free gaming through Tonieplay and a suite of enhanced features that support daily family routines. Launched just a year after Toniebox 2, Toniebox Lite further reflects tonies’ commitment to accelerating its innovation cadence and extending its platform to best meet diverse family needs.

Tobias Wann, CEO of tonies, says: “As parents increasingly seek mindful alternatives to passive screen time, we see a tremendous opportunity to champion the power of listening, spark imagination, foster independence and curiosity. To bring the benefits of audio to even more families, we are building a growing ecosystem that for the first time includes multiple devices – each of them designed for different family needs, while being connected by the same trusted world of stories, songs, characters, and play experiences. With Toniebox Lite, we open the door to that world for more families than ever.”

Ginny McCormick, CXO of tonies, says: “Childhood rarely stands still. It unfolds across family vacations, visits with grandparents, and everyday adventures in between. Toniebox Lite’s simple, portable design allows families to bring the tonies experience wherever childhood happens. For existing families, it expands how and where they can enjoy our platform. For new families, it offers an introduction to the benefits of playing, learning, growing up ears-first. And for tonies, it is another step in our mission to shape the future of childhood through listening.”

Toniebox Lite: the core tonies listening experience, made accessible

Toniebox Lite delivers the signature tonies experience: screen-free, child-operated, and instantly intuitive, designed in a smaller and lighter form. Toniebox Lite is compatible with all Tonies ever released: the content library of more than 1,500 Tonies and more than 3,500 digital titles spans beloved global licensing partners alongside tonies Originals productions. As with Toniebox 2, Toniebox Lite offers parents the opportunity to co-pilot their children’s experience through the tonies app, where they can control playback, set volume limits and access digital content easily.

The evolution into an ecosystem around multiple devices

With Toniebox Lite and Toniebox 2, tonies evolves into a true multi-experience ecosystem: a range of devices, each with a distinct profile, all running on one unified platform and one vast portfolio of curated content. Toniebox 2 remains the flagship, offering the full tonies experience including interactive Tonieplay gaming, the dynamic light ring as well as unique bedtime features such as the sleep timer, sunrise alarm and bedtime mode. Toniebox Lite complements it by delivering the core listening experience in a smaller and more portable form.

Innovation alongside the growing needs of families

The launch of Toniebox Lite represents the next step in tonies’ mission to bring the benefits of listening to more children and families around the world. Alongside its expanding device portfolio, tonies continues to invest in new content experiences, from My First Tonies and interactive Tonieplay games to landmark partnerships with beloved brands including Bluey and Pokémon.

Toniebox Lite launches first in the United States and Canada. Pre-orders begin today, with first deliveries through tonies.com, walmart.com, as well as in-store at Walmart starting on August 22. Further North American channels will follow through September and October. Available at launch, kids across all markets will also be able to personalize their Toniebox Lite with a range of colorful covers that also add an additional layer of cushioning for everyday adventures. 

Pre-order is live now at tonies.com and walmart.com in the US and tonies.ca and walmart.ca in Canada.

About tonies

tonies® is the globally leading interactive audio platform for children redefining how children starting as early as 1 play, learn, and grow independently without screens. Since its founding in Germany in 2014, around 12.2 million Tonieboxes and over 165 million Tonies have been sold worldwide.

On average, children engage with tonies for ~280 minutes per week, making it a trusted everyday companion that brings the joy and magic of interactive audio entertainment and education into family life worldwide.

The intuitive and award-winning ecosystem – centered around Toniebox 2 and Toniebox Lite – offers a portfolio of around 1,500 Tonies, about 20 Tonieplay games and more than 3,500 digital titles via mytonies (library and app) – ranging from tonies® Originals to licensed content from around 350 partners including Disney, Warner Bros., NBC Universal, Mattel, Marvel, Paramount, Hasbro, Universal, Sony Music.

tonies is rapidly expanding its platform globally. Besides DACH, central growth regions include tonies’ largest market, North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand, with Tonieboxes now active in over 100 countries. tonies employs more than 630 people, achieved EUR 630 million in group revenue in FY 2025 (+31% yoy), and is listed in the SDAX segment of Frankfurt Stock Exchange (tonies SE). tonies guides for FY 2026 group revenue above EUR 760m (+20% in constant currency) and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 9 to 11%.

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SOURCE tonies®

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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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