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INFLUENTIAL BRANDS AWARDS CELEBRATES 14 YEARS RECOGNISING BRAND LEADERSHIP, WORKPLACE EXCELLENCE, SUSTAINABILITY AND VISIONARY LEADERSHIP IN ASIA

SINGAPORE, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — To be held in Singapore in March 2026, Influential Brands® will celebrate its 14th Anniversary recognising business leadership in Asia. This special occasion will gather prominent brands, employers and companies that are taking the lead on branding, employer and sustainability excellence. A special segment will be placed for the Top CEO award that will recognise business leaders forging the path for their business’s success. 

With an awardee portfolio of over 500 of the most influential companies in Asia, Influential Brands® is widely recognised as the catalyst of growth that celebrates the “Champions of Excellence” and fosters business opportunities among the best companies in Asia.

Influential Brands®, headquartered in Singapore, follows an award criteria based on quantitative and qualitative market research to understand consumers’ preferences, employees’ expectations and sustainability requirements as part of the process to identify the awardees.

Mr Jorge Rodriguez, Managing Director of Influential Brands® said, “We are honoured to be the award platform of choice adopted by some of the most progressive companies in Asia.

Their testimonials reflect the positive impact we make in their business, and we thank them for their trust on us. Our community comprises of the most reputable companies in Asia including AirAsia (Malaysia), Bangkok Bank (Thailand), BYD (China), Chow Tai Fook (China), CBVH (Cambodia), DBS (Singapore), Frasers Property (Thailand), Grab (Singapore), Indofood (Indonesia), Marina Bay Sands (Singapore), Telkomsel (Indonesia), Samsung (South Korea), Sunway Malls (Malaysia), Toyota (Japan), Shiseido (Japan), Shopee (Singapore), Security Bank (Philippines), among other prominent Brands.

Through collaborations with such a diverse pool of business leaders, we take pride in supporting them establish a successful business that generates value and is recognized for their significance and excellence.”

Each Category Award follows a specific Criteria based on quantitative and qualitative data analysis gathered via ongoing surveys covering more than 25,000 consumers / shoppers and more than 50,000 employees across Asia.

Award                                                  Criteria

Top CEOs                                           Leadership and Management

Top Employers                                   Meaningful culture and positive employee engagement

Top Brands                                         Brand leadership and consumer preference

Top Sustainability Companies            High standards on sustainability and reporting

Top Brand, Top Employers and Top Sustainability Companies Awardee Alumni
Top Brand, Top Employers and Top Sustainability Companies Awardee Alumni

Beyond profits: Business Leaders embracing sustainable leadership for good

The Asia’s Top CEO Award is an special recognition are given to a select group of prominent business leaders who are exemplary in their respective industries, with strong leadership and with the ability to influence business in Asia. Over the years, we have recognised business leaders whose management approach prioritise long-term success and well-being by integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations into decision-making. 

Influential Brands’ Top CEO Awardee Alumni.
Influential Brands’ Top CEO Awardee Alumni.

2026 Regional CEO Summit to welcome Business Leaders from all over Asia

The last edition of the CEO Summit was held in Singapore and Bangkok in March 2025 to recognise and honour pioneers in various industries who have made a profound impact on their customers, consumers, employees and the environment.

Top Sustainability Award: Showcasing Leadership on Sustainability

The awards selection process is grounded in the Global ESG Monitor (GEM) methodology, offering a comprehensive perspective on sustainability practices with a primary aim of assessing and benchmarking the quality of sustainability reporting reflected meaningfully through comprehensive ESG disclosures in Annual Reports and Non-Financial Reports.

The Awardees conferred with the title of Top Sustainability Companies 2024 in Singapore include City Developments Limited and UOL Group. Both companies have demonstrated impressive leadership in sustainability, setting an inspiring standard through the transparent and impactful reporting of its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts. 

Top Employer Award: Commitment towards employee engagement and positive workplace culture

Backed by a robust anonymous employee survey with the participation of more than 25,000 employees, 9 companies are crowned “Asia’s Top Employers”. These organisations have not only exceeded industry standards but have also demonstrated a profound commitment to fostering meaningful employee engagement, establishing a strong alignment between employee and company culture, and implementing pertinent HR practices in the digital age.

The Awardees are: United Overseas Bank (Bank), Singapore Land Group Limited (Property), NTUC LearningHub (Education), National University Health System (Healthcare), PlayFACTO School (Pre-School), JAG Engineering (Engineering), Office Planner (Furniture), Boys’ Town (Non-Profit Charity) and Thailand’s Tops (Supermarket) are lauded by their own employees through anonymous surveys as excellent employers.

Top Brand Award: Leading the way winning the hearts of consumers

Backed by a robust market survey across Asia with the participation of 10,000 consumers, prominent brands are named the “Top Influential Brands”. From consumers, grocery shoppers to frequent travellers, the survey provides a comprehensive view of consumers’ preference in key markets in Asia.

The awardees by region and country are:

  • Asia: AirAsia, Barilla, Gong Cha, Haagen-Dazs, MindChamps.
  • Singapore: AOz, Bioskin, BYD, Chan Brothers Travel, Chew’s, Din Xiao Er, elemen, FairPrice Group, Farmpride, Gardens by the Bay, Huttons, in:genius by Nascans, Jewel Changi Airport, Koufu, Marina Bay Sands, MoneyMax, mulberry, My First Skool, NTUC LearningHub, Odyssey, PlayFACTO School, PropNex, Ryan’s Grocery, SongHe, TungLok, Unisoy.
  • Thailand: Auntie Anne’s, Bangkok Life, Café Amazon, Cotto, Fun-O, Good Mate, Lamina Digital, Lotus’s, Maepranom, Muang Thai Life Insurance, Mister Donut, S&P, Thai Life Insurance, Three Lady Cooks, Tivoli.
  • Malaysia: Big Onion Catering, CB, Famous Amos, MoneyMax, Souper Tang.
  • Philippines: Autohub Group, BonChon, Security Bank.
  • China: Beijing Tong Ren Tang, Chow Tai Fook.
  • Cambodia: Cheang Bak Van Hong Jewellery
  • Vietnam: CafePHO

Thailand’s Top CEO Award: Inspiring visionaries shaping the future of business

The main highlight of the event in Thailand was the recognition of the Top CEOs who were assessed based on their capacity to expand their business (local and international), financial performance, innovation and personal integrity.

CEO Summit Thailand, Influential Brands, in collaboration with Neo Target Co., Ltd., hosted a prestigious awards ceremony in Bangkok on March 6 to honour Thailand’s most prominent corporate leaders of the year.
CEO Summit Thailand, Influential Brands, in collaboration with Neo Target Co., Ltd., hosted a prestigious awards ceremony in Bangkok on March 6 to honour Thailand’s most prominent corporate leaders of the year.

The event was presided over by Mr Omsin Chiwaphruek, former Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office of Thailand, who also officiated the award presentations. 

Among the distinguished brands and leaders recognised were Cotto, Mae Pranom, SCG JWD Logistics, and two prominent female CEOs—Ms Benjamas Apinunrungroj, CEO of GCS Group Corporation Co., Ltd., and Asst. Prof. Dr Wimalyn Bovenizer, Executive President of Phoenix QC Co., Ltd.—both of whom attended the 2025 Asia CEO Summit & Award Ceremony in Singapore. At the event in Singapore, Ms. Carol Fong, Group CEO, CGS International Securities Singapore Pte Ltd was conferred with the title of Asia’s Top CEO.  

The Top CEO Award (Thailand) also recognised Mrs Churaiporn Wijackanawong, Executive Director of Q-Advertising Co., Ltd.; Mr Chai Chaiyawan, Director & CEO of Thai Life Insurance Public Company Limited; and Mr Sara Lamsam, CEO of Muang Thai Life Assurance Public Company Limited.

Mr Jorge Rodriguez, Managing Director of Influential Brands® said, “It is our honour to recognise Business Excellence in Asia. We are looking forward to celebrate ASEAN business leaders at the CEO Summit and Gala Event in March 2026. 

SquaredFinancial unveils referral program with rewards up to $1,000 per client

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Technology-driven trading platform, SquaredFinancial, has launched its referral program, to accelerate client growth, drive trading volume, and offer real value to its global community of traders.

SquaredFinancial harnesses advanced technology and client-first approach to boost customer retention rates by increasing clients’ revenue, while ensuring a seamless and rewarding experience.

 

SquaredFinancial unveils referral program
SquaredFinancial unveils referral program

 

Under the new program, existing clients can earn flexible payouts of up to $1,000 for every friend they refer who meets the program’s verification, funding, and trading criteria. This initiative presents traders with an additional way to grow their income alongside their trading activity.

The SquaredFinancial referral program is built on mutual benefits. Referrals are welcomed with incentive bonuses when they open their account and deposit, while referrers are rewarded for their endeavours, trust, and loyalty.

Thousands of traders trust SquaredFinancial. By referring friends, traders are helping them navigate the markets seamlessly while enhancing their own trading journey with added rewards.

Start referring today.

About SquaredFinancial

Founded in 2005, SquaredFinancial is a fintech and multi-asset trading firm providing regulated, technology-driven investment solutions. The company serves a global client base, offering intuitive platforms for investors and professional-grade liquidity and technology services for brokers. With a focus on innovation, transparency, and long-term relationships, SquaredFinancial is built to support the future of finance.

 

 

From Debt to Pride: How Integrated Farming Changed One Man’s Life

Anouthikone “Top” Sepaseuth, the founder of Ai Oun Farm.

In Luang Prabang’s Chomphet district, Ai Oun Farm stands as proof that determination can change the course of a life. 

Baidu Wenku and Netdisk Launch GenFlow 2.0, Deploying Over 100 AI Agents Simultaneously

BEIJING, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Baidu Wenku and Netdisk, Baidu’s AI-powered productivity apps, have introduced GenFlow 2.0, a general AI agent featuring more than 100 parallel agents working in collaboration and real-time pause-and-intervene control. Since its debut, GenFlow 2.0 has gained rapid traction with its innovative architecture.

Baidu Wenku and Netdisk Launch GenFlow 2.0, Deploying Over 100 AI Agents Simultaneously
Baidu Wenku and Netdisk Launch GenFlow 2.0, Deploying Over 100 AI Agents Simultaneously

Built on Baidu Wenku’s proprietary Multi-Agent Parallel Architecture, GenFlow 2.0 cuts complex task processing from hours to under three minutes by orchestrating more than 100 AI agents simultaneously — delivering unmatched speed and scalability compared with current solutions. Tasks such as drafting a full marketing campaign, designing accompanying visuals, and preparing a conference presentation can now be completed in a single, continuous workflow in minutes.

Unlike most AI agents that operate as black boxes where users only see inputs and final outputs, GenFlow 2.0 gives users full control during execution — allowing tasks to be paused at any stage, instructions modified, and results edited — providing a highly transparent and controllable human-AI collaboration experience.

To ensure accuracy and depth, GenFlow 2.0 autonomously accesses Baidu Scholar’s 680 million peer-reviewed academic publications, Baidu Wenku’s 1.4 billion professional documents, and user-approved Baidu Netdisk files. Combined with the retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and multi-agent cross-validation, GenFlow 2.0 reduces hallucinations and delivers exceptional accuracy and reliability.

GenFlow 2.0 supports an expansive range of multimodal outputs, including copywriting, visual design, slide creation, research report generation, animation production, and coding. Baidu Wenku’s 97 million monthly active AI users—home to the world’s largest AI-powered PPT user base—demonstrate the platform’s proven execution stability and output quality.

Now fully integrated into Baidu Wenku and Baidu Netdisk, which serve over one billion users, GenFlow 2.0 is also MCP-compatible and natively embedded at the OS level on leading Chinese smartphone brand HONOR — enabling seamless access across devices.

While foundation model capabilities are important, long-term leadership will increasingly rely on engineering execution and product innovation. GenFlow 2.0 stands out with rapid product iteration, deep localization, and precise market alignment, enabled by its multi-agent architecture and uniquely controllable interaction model.

For more information about GenFlow 2.0, please visit wenku.baidu.com.

Regent Hong Kong Celebrates Prestigious Win as “Best Brand Hotel” at Virtuoso Travel Week 2025

A variety of high-resolution images are available via the link. Regent Hong Kong Digital Access

HONG KONG, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Regent Hong Kong is thrilled to announce its recognition as the “Best Brand Hotel” at the 2025 Virtuoso Travel Week, held in Las Vegas from August 9–15. This distinguished award, determined by Virtuoso’s global network of esteemed travel agencies, advisors, and preferred partners who set the benchmark in luxury travel, highlights Regent Hong Kong’s unrivaled service, inspired design, and its role as a beacon of refined hospitality along Victoria Harbour.

Perched on the edge of Victoria Harbour, Regent Hong Kong has redefined modern luxury since its transformative relaunch in 2023. Designed by visionary Chi Wing Lo, the hotel seamlessly blends serene interiors with breathtaking views of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline, offering guests a tranquil haven amidst the city’s vibrant energy.

“Virtuoso Awards celebrate those who are shaping the future of luxury travel through integrity, outstanding service and unforgettable experiences,” said Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch. “These annual awards celebrate the exceptional members and partners who bring our shared purpose to life: enriching lives through human connection and the power of travel. Regent Hong Kong exemplifies the innovation, collaboration, and unwavering commitment that define our network, and they deserve to be recognized for their dedication that elevates the Virtuoso network and the industry as a whole.”

“We are deeply honoured to be named the ‘Best Brand Hotel’ by Virtuoso’s esteemed network of travel advisors,” said Michel Chertouh, Managing Director of Regent Hong Kong. “This recognition reflects the passion and professionalism of our team, who consistently craft unforgettable moments through thoughtful design, intuitive service, and curated experiences. We are grateful to our loyal guests and the global travel community for embracing our vision of discreet luxury on Victoria Harbour.”

This accolade follows a series of global honours for Regent Hong Kong, including being named the #1 City Hotel in Asia, #1 City Hotel in Hong Kong for the second consecutive year, and #14 among the world’s best hotels in the 2025 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards readers’ survey. These achievements reflect the hotel’s unique ability to balance urban dynamism with serene luxury, offering guests Personal Havens—peaceful spaces to pause and savour the moment.

MLK Listed on Binance Alpha, Spotlighting Its Global Loyalty Platform Potential

– MLK listed on Binance Alpha on August 16, highlighting service reliability and growth potential

– MiL.k aims to become a leading global blockchain project by offering a user-centric, differentiated service

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MiL.k Partners, the operator of the blockchain-based loyalty integration platform MiL.k, announced on August 18 that its utility token MLK has been officially listed on Binance Alpha.

MLK Listed on Binance Alpha, Spotlighting Its Global Loyalty Platform Potential
MLK Listed on Binance Alpha, Spotlighting Its Global Loyalty Platform Potential

Binance Alpha, a feature within the Binance Wallet that highlights promising Web3 projects, introduced MiL.k (MLK) on Binance Alpha on August 16, stating that trading competitions and other promotional events would be launched in conjunction with the listing.

MiL.k allows users to integrate and exchange reward points from various companies using blockchain technology. By resolving inconsistencies in data and policies across loyalty companies, MiL.k has set a new standard for reward utilization, driving innovation in the market. MiL.k built strong partnerships with major Korean conglomerates such as OK Cashbag (The loyalty platform of SK Group), L.POINT (The loyalty platform of Lotte Group), CU (The largest convenience store in Korea), Megabox (Top multiplex), and NOL (The No.1 online travel agency in Korea), as well as global partners like AirAsia (Global airline).

Additionally, to expand its presence in global blockchain ecosystem, MiL.k has formed strategic partnerships with leading global Web3 projects such as The Sandbox (The global metaverse) and Galxe (The Web3 super app) aiming to offer new experiences and benefits to global users.

Jayden, CEO of Milk Partners, commented, “This listing on Binance Alpha reflects our ongoing efforts to innovate the loyalty sector and grow MiL.k into a service that delivers real-world value. We will continue to focus on providing user-centered, differentiated services and evolving as a globally recognized blockchain project.”

Earlier this year, MiL.k completed a migration to Arbitrum One, a leading Ethereum Layer 2 solution, to align with the rapidly evolving Web3 environment. This move was aimed at enhancing its technical infrastructure and strengthening connectivity with the global blockchain ecosystem.

Stella International Secures ‘AA’ MSCI ESG Rating In Back-to-Back Upgrade

HONG KONG, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stella International Holdings Limited (“Stella” or the “Group”; SEHK: 1836), a leading developer and manufacturer of quality footwear and leather goods, is pleased to announce that it has received an upgraded MSCI ESG Rating of ‘AA’, up from its previous ‘A’ rating – marking its second consecutive annual upgrade.

The MSCI rating upgrade recognises the Group’s progress in environmental performance, particularly in Raw Material Sourcing and Product Carbon Footprint management. Stella’s scores across all six key ESG issues in the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods sector now exceed the industry average, reflecting steady improvements in recent years.

In Raw Material Sourcing, MSCI identified Stella’s ongoing efforts to strengthen supply chain sustainability as a key driver, including the achievement of 100% Leather Working Group (LWG) certification among core leather suppliers in 2024. In Product Carbon Footprint, improvements were supported by enhanced data transparency and management – underpinned by the completion of annual Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon inventories with ISO 14064 certification, public disclosure of emissions data, and initiatives such as supply chain localisation to support longer-term decarbonisation.

Recognising that there is still more work ahead, the Group further strengthened its climate change commitment in 2025 by setting Near-term Science Based Targets (SBT) covering all three scopes of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These targets are currently under review by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and will be publicly disclosed once validated.

Mr. Chi Lo-Jen, Chief Executive Officer of the Group, said, “This upgrade is a testament to our enhanced sustainability disclosures and proactive management of key ESG issues, but we remain mindful that sustainability is a long-term journey. We will continue to focus on improving transparency while working closely with our partners to deliver steady, measurable progress.”

MSCI ESG Research provides MSCI ESG Ratings on global public and a few private companies on a scale of CCC (laggard) to AAA (leader), according t‑o exposure to industry-specific ESG risks and the ability to manage those risks relative to peers.

For further details on the Group’s ESG initiatives please visit our website at https://www.stella.com.hk/esg-reports.html.

About Stella International Holdings Limited

Stella International (SEHK: 1836) is a leading developer and manufacturer of quality footwear and leather goods. A trusted partner to many of the world’s most sought-after brands, it offers a unique proposition of unparalleled craftsmanship, production flexibility, and strong speed-to-market and commercialization capability, supported by a broad, diverse and proven manufacturing base across China and Southeast Asia.

Stella International was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2007. It is a constituent of the Hang Seng Composite Index and the MSCI Hong Kong Small Cap Index, and eligible to be traded on the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect.

For further information, please contact:

Macy Leung
Head of Investor Relations
Email: macy.leung@stella.com.hk

Flipster Unveils the First Zero-Spread Model in Crypto Perpetuals Trading

Eliminates the hidden price gap costing traders more than they realize

PANAMA CITY, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Flipster, a fast-growing crypto perpetuals trading platform, has unveiled the industry’s first true zero-spread trading model, making it the first crypto exchange to eliminate the hidden price gap, known as the spread, that quietly drains trader profits.

Flipster Unveils the First Zero-Spread Model in Crypto Perpetuals Trading
Flipster Unveils the First Zero-Spread Model in Crypto Perpetuals Trading

With this structural shift, Flipster becomes the first exchange to offer one price execution with no markup on major perpetual pairs — delivering a new level of pricing transparency on perpetual trading that no other crypto exchange has offered.

Hidden Costs Most Traders Miss

Most exchanges charge a visible trading fee on every order. But what many traders don’t realize is that these posted fees are just part of the real cost. The bigger and often overlooked cost is the spread: the hidden gap between the price to go long and the price to go short.

When traders open a position, they cross that gap. When they close it, they cross it again. This creates a built-in round-trip cost that isn’t displayed upfront, yet quietly chips away at returns on every trade.

It adds up fast, especially for active, high-frequency or high-volume traders. In many cases, the spread can cost more than the trading fee itself.

For example, a trader placing a $100,000 trade may pay a visible fee of $50 at a 5 basis point rate. But if there’s also a 2 basis point spread, that’s another $40 in hidden cost just from entering and exiting the position. Add slippage, and the total cost can easily end up being two to three times higher than the posted fee.

Flipster eliminates this invisible markup by offering zero spreads on major pairs, fundamentally redefining how liquidity and execution are structured. It means quoting a single unified price rather than a split bid/ask, something most exchanges simply are not built to do.

Security That Matches Performance

Flipster is built with the same high-grade protection used by leading global financial institutions. The platform is ISO 27001 certified, adheres to internationally recognized security standards, and deploys multi-layer safeguards to protect user assets. Wallet security is reinforced with technology that removes single points of failure, while its 24/7 monitoring systems detect and neutralize threats in real time. With security embedded in every layer, Flipster ensures that assets remain protected through all market conditions.

The Only Exchange with Zero Spread and Active Yield

What you see is what you trade.

Zero spread on 20+ Major Perpetual Pairs. Traders access one unified market price. No markup. No hidden slippage.

Earn while you trade.

Locked or flexible, capital works without interruption. Flipster is the only exchange that lets traders earn and trade at the same time.

See what trading without compromise feels like. Try it yourself at flipster.io

About Flipster

Flipster is the zero-friction exchange for crypto traders who demand the ultimate perpetual trading experience. With ultra-tight spreads, balances that earn while trading, and up to 100x leverage, it delivers precision and performance for those who move fast and trade faster. In 2024 alone, Flipster’s trading volume grew 856% year-on-year, solidifying its position as one of the fastest-growing crypto perpetuals trading platforms. Learn more at flipster.io or follow X.