Press Release
Small U.S. Shopify Merchants Turn To TheBuzzBlast For Earned Media As Ad Costs Climb
NY, USA, 11th May 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — A growing share of small U.S. e-commerce sellers are reallocating marketing budget away from paid social platforms and toward earned media coverage, citing rising ad costs and the diminished targeting precision that followed Apple’s 2021 App Tracking Transparency changes. The shift has been particularly visible among independent merchants operating on Shopify, the e-commerce platform that hosts a substantial portion of small online retailers across the United States.

BuzzBlast, a U.S. public relations firm, focuses on press placement for small Shopify-based businesses — a segment historically underserved by traditional PR agencies that prioritize venture-funded brands and larger retail clients.
“There’s a real coverage gap in this space,” said John, Chief Editor of BuzzBlast. “A small candle maker in Ohio or a coffee roaster in Nevada has just as compelling a story as a venture-backed brand, but they don’t have a fifty-thousand-dollar PR retainer to make it heard. We built our practice around helping those founders earn press they can actually afford.”
The firm works with merchants across categories including food and beverage, apparel, beauty, home goods and gifting, helping them secure coverage in lifestyle, trade and local press. Many of the firm’s clients are first-time founders or family-run operations launching products without in-house communications staff.
Industry observers have noted a widening communications gap between well-funded direct-to-consumer brands and the broader population of small online sellers. While larger e-commerce companies routinely retain agencies for product launches and brand campaigns, smaller merchants typically rely on word-of-mouth and paid advertising — channels that have become increasingly cost-prohibitive as platforms like Meta and Google have raised ad rates and tightened targeting capabilities.
BuzzBlast’s pricing model and client mix are oriented around that gap. The firm builds release campaigns and media outreach for owners running stores generating modest annual revenue, rather than the seven- and eight-figure brands that dominate larger agency rosters.
Small merchants face particular challenges getting reporters’ attention, both because of the volume of pitches landing in journalists’ inboxes daily and because newsroom contractions have reduced the number of writers covering small business and independent retail. Firms specializing in the segment have begun developing relationships with editors at regional outlets, lifestyle publications and trade press where small-merchant stories tend to find traction.
The shift toward earned media among small online retailers has also been driven by changes in consumer behavior, with shoppers increasingly relying on editorial coverage, product reviews and founder stories when evaluating independent brands.
CONTACT: For more information BuzzBlast at https://www.thebuzzblast.com.
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
Pocket Tonic Leads NET Korea’s Global Solid Beverage Expansion
Pocket Tonic, the effervescent solid tonic water brand by NET (South Korea), is driving the company’s global food-tech expansion with a new Hydration line, Halal certification, and overseas commercialization strategy.
South Korea, 11th May 2026 – NET, a South Korean food-tech company specializing in solid beverage technology, is accelerating its global expansion with its solid tonic water brand, Pocket Tonic, and a new Hydration line. Building on its product validation in Korea, growing overseas market interest, Halal certification obtained in Korea, and selection for the 2026 Global Startup Academy, NET is positioning itself as a food-tech company capable of introducing a new solid beverage category to international markets.

Pocket Tonic is an effervescent solid tonic water product that releases carbonation and aroma when dropped into water. With only water, consumers can instantly create a tonic-based beverage anywhere. Its refreshing citrus flavor and clean sweetness make it suitable for cocktails, highballs, non-alcoholic drinks, mocktails, and other beverage occasions. Each tube contains ten tablets and can produce up to approximately two liters of tonic-based beverages. Its sugar-free and low-calorie concept, portability, and storage efficiency differentiate it from conventional bottled tonic water.
NET sees Pocket Tonic not simply as a single product, but as the first example of its broader solid beverage platform. By converting beverage functions into a compact tablet format, the company aims to address the weight, volume, storage, and logistics limitations of liquid beverages while offering consumers a new way to prepare drinks whenever and wherever they need them.

The company is also preparing to expand its product portfolio with a new Hydration line. While Pocket Tonic is positioned for cocktails, highballs, mocktails, and premium mixer occasions, the Hydration line is being developed for everyday hydration needs. Through both product lines, NET aims to offer a premium beverage experience and a daily beverage experience at the same time, expanding the range of consumption occasions where solid beverages can be used.
This product strategy is designed to address both B2B and B2C opportunities. Pocket Tonic can be used by bars, restaurants, hotels, resorts, cafés, catering operators, and event venues as a signature drink ingredient or interactive menu item. The Hydration line, meanwhile, is expected to target broader consumer touchpoints such as online commerce, convenience channels, fitness, travel, outdoor activities, and lifestyle retail. Through this approach, NET aims to help solid beverages move beyond an alternative format and become a new beverage category in global markets.

NET has continued to validate its global market potential through overseas programs, exhibitions, tasting sessions, and buyer meetings in markets including Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. These activities have generated positive feedback on Pocket Tonic’s taste, convenience, portability, and solid beverage format. While earlier activities focused on consumer response and market validation, NET is now moving toward more concrete commercialization strategies, including distribution discussions, B2B partnerships, localized packaging, and market-specific product planning.
The solid format of Pocket Tonic and the Hydration line offers clear advantages for international markets. Compared with liquid beverages, solid beverage products can reduce weight and volume burdens, improving export, storage, and distribution efficiency. They are also easy to use in small retail spaces, hotels, resorts, bars, outdoor events, travel channels, and on-the-go consumption occasions. The process of dropping a tablet into water and watching the beverage form also creates a visual and interactive experience that helps the product stand out from conventional drinks.
NET’s selection for the 2026 Global Startup Academy marks an important milestone in its overseas commercialization strategy. Through the program, the company is refining its global market entry plans by considering country-specific consumer preferences, pricing structures, distribution channels, certification requirements, and localization needs. Rather than simply exporting products, NET aims to build a scalable international business model based on product adaptability, regulatory readiness, and long-term local partnerships.
As part of its preparation for global markets, NET has obtained Halal certification in Korea. This certification provides an important foundation for entering Muslim consumer markets and strengthens the company’s ability to respond to diverse overseas requirements. NET plans to continue reviewing country-specific certification recognition, local registration, labeling, import procedures, and other market entry requirements as it expands into new regions.

In Southeast Asia, NET is reviewing a two-track strategy that combines Pocket Tonic and the Hydration line in selected markets, including Indonesia. Pocket Tonic would target premium mixer, mocktail, and non-alcoholic beverage occasions, while the Hydration line would address daily hydration needs. This approach allows the company to respond to different consumption environments, from hospitality and beverage service channels to everyday consumer use.
NET is also strengthening its understanding of the U.S. market. The company plans to attend the Summer Fancy Food Show 2026 in New York to explore trends in the U.S. specialty food market, premium beverage category, mixer market, and buyer landscape. Through this market research, NET aims to assess how Pocket Tonic and the Hydration line can be positioned for U.S. consumers, distributors, retailers, and hospitality partners.
In the U.S. and other English-speaking markets, growing interest in home cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, low-sugar and low-calorie drinks, portable food and beverage formats, and lifestyle-oriented wellness products may create opportunities for NET’s solid beverage platform. Pocket Tonic offers a compact and visually engaging alternative to bottled mixers, while the Hydration line can be positioned for travel, sports, outdoor activities, and daily hydration occasions.
NET plans to expand beyond Pocket Tonic and the Hydration line into a broader portfolio of solid beverage products, including café beverages, cocktail mixers, non-alcoholic drinks, and functional-concept beverages. In global markets, the company will focus on flavor localization, local-language packaging, certification readiness, and B2B recipe content in order to position itself not only as a product supplier, but also as a brand offering a new beverage experience.

“Pocket Tonic is not simply tonic water in a solid form. It represents a new way to enjoy beverages more lightly and conveniently,” said Yeseong Kim, CEO of NET. “In 2026, we aim to expand the global commercialization potential of solid beverages through Pocket Tonic and the new Hydration line.”
“With our selection for the Global Startup Academy and Halal certification as part of our foundation, we are preparing to respond to different market needs more systematically,” Kim added. “We will continue building global partnerships and market-specific strategies so that solid beverages can become a natural part of everyday consumption around the world.”
NET will continue expanding global touchpoints for Pocket Tonic and the Hydration line through international food and beverage events, accelerator programs, buyer meetings, and local partnerships. The company also plans to strengthen its online sales channels and brand content in Korea while pursuing global expansion and domestic brand awareness at the same time.
About NET
NET is a South Korean food-tech startup developing new beverage experiences through solid beverage technology. Its flagship product, Pocket Tonic, is an effervescent solid tonic water that releases carbonation and aroma when dropped into water. Starting with Pocket Tonic and the Hydration line, NET aims to expand its technology into café beverages, cocktail mixers, non-alcoholic drinks, and functional-concept solid beverage products.
Media Contact
Organization: NET (South Korea)
Contact Person: Yeseong Kim
Website: https://pockettonic.imweb.me
Email: Send Email
Country:South Korea
Release id:44835
Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only. Product details related to Pocket Tonic, including ingredients, flavor, usage, serving suggestions, and performance, are based on company information and may change without notice. The product is intended for general beverage use and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.
The post Pocket Tonic Leads NET Korea’s Global Solid Beverage Expansion appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
Easy Global Banking Releases Global Offshore Banking Index 2026 Ranking 24 Jurisdictions
Easy Global Banking has published the GOBI 2026, a composite index scoring 24 offshore banking jurisdictions across 15 indicators and five pillars. Singapore leads at 88.6, followed by Switzerland at 87.2.
Chur, Switzerland, 11th May 2026 — Easy Global Banking, the international banking consultancy operated by BMA Business Solutions GmbH (UID CHE-422.832.034), today published the Global Offshore Banking Index 2026 (GOBI 2026). The index scores 24 offshore banking jurisdictions using 15 indicators grouped into five equally weighted pillars: Economic Strength, Sovereign & Banking Stability, Regulatory & Compliance, Tax & Legal Environment, and Operational Accessibility.

Singapore received the highest composite score at 88.6 out of 100, classified as Premier Tier. Switzerland scored 87.2, also Premier Tier. Luxembourg placed third at 84.2, earning Tier 1 classification. The complete dataset, pillar-level scores, and methodology documentation are available at the Global Offshore Banking Index.
GOBI 2026 — Top 10 Jurisdictions by Composite Score
The top 10 jurisdictions in the GOBI 2026 are Singapore (88.6, Premier), Switzerland (87.2, Premier), Luxembourg (84.2, Tier 1), Netherlands (83.0, Tier 1), Ireland (82.8, Tier 1), Jersey (82.8, Tier 1), Hong Kong (81.6, Tier 1), Liechtenstein (80.8, Tier 1), UAE / Dubai (80.4, Tier 1), and Isle of Man (79.8, Tier 1). Two jurisdictions achieved Premier classification; eight earned Tier 1. Scores below 75.0 fall into Tier 2 or Tier 3 categories, as documented in the full index.
Scoring Summary
Singapore’s score was driven by an Operational Accessibility rating of 90 — the highest recorded in the GOBI 2026 — and a Regulatory Compliance rating of 92. Non-resident account eligibility criteria and documentation requirements across Singapore’s licensed banks are published in Easy Global Banking’s Singapore bank account research for non-residents.
Switzerland recorded the highest Sovereign & Banking Stability score in the index at 98 out of 100. The Swiss banking sector holds Assets Under Management equivalent to approximately five times the country’s GDP. Switzerland’s Operational Accessibility score was 65, reflecting higher minimum deposit thresholds and documentation requirements. Procedural standards and institution-level requirements are documented in Easy Global Banking’s research on opening a Swiss bank account.
The Cayman Islands received a Sovereign Stability score of 98, equal to Switzerland. The UAE earned Tier 1 classification with an Economic Strength score of 82 and a Regulatory Compliance score of 88. Panama (63.2) and Seychelles (58.4) were classified as Tier 2, with score reductions attributed to Basel AML Index ratings and Greylist deductions. Vanuatu (48.6) and Marshall Islands (45.0) placed lowest among the 24 jurisdictions assessed.
Quote
Asel Mamytova, Managing Director of BMA Business Solutions GmbH and founder of Easy Global Banking:
“The GOBI was designed to surface what actually determines a successful account opening — regulatory compliance depth, operational accessibility, and institutional stability. Those three pillars decide whether an application is approved and whether assets remain protected over a 10-year horizon. Singapore wins on accessibility; Switzerland wins on permanence. The right answer depends on the applicant’s profile, not on rankings alone.”
Methodology
The GOBI 2026 applies min-max normalisation to a 0–100 scale across all 15 indicators. Each of the five pillars carries equal weight at 20 percent. Data sources include the IMF World Economic Outlook, IMF Financial Soundness Indicators, BIS Locational Banking Statistics, OECD Global Forum, Basel Institute on Governance, PwC Tax Summaries, IBFD Database, World Bank, World Justice Project, Heritage Foundation, and proprietary GOBI research. The structural model follows the Global Financial Centres Index and the Financial Secrecy Index.
Distribution
The Global Offshore Banking Index 2026 is published as an open-access research resource. The index will be updated annually under documented version control (current: Methodological Stability v1.2). Journalists, academics, and financial professionals may cite and reference the index with attribution to Easy Global Banking.
About Easy Global Banking
Easy Global Banking is the client-facing advisory practice of BMA Business Solutions GmbH, registered in Chur, Switzerland. Founded by Asel Mamytova, the practice provides jurisdiction assessment, bank selection, and compliance documentation services for individuals and businesses opening offshore bank accounts globally. The research function of BMA Business Solutions GmbH produces the Global Offshore Banking Index and maintains annual reference datasets, including Swiss private banks ranked by Assets Under Management and private banks in Singapore ranked by AUM.
All information published by Easy Global Banking and BMA Business Solutions GmbH is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice.
Media Contact
Organization: Easy Global Banking
Contact Person: Asel Mamytova
Website: https://www.easyglobalbanking.com/
Email: Send Email
Contact Number: +41796577870
Address:Sagenstrasse, 22
City: Chur
Country:Switzerland
Release id:44842
The post Easy Global Banking Releases Global Offshore Banking Index 2026 Ranking 24 Jurisdictions appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
Aether Network Secures $2.1 Million in Strategic Private Round Led by Top-Tier Venture Firms
0Venture, ERC20 Capital, Coin Ventures, Launchpad_TON, TONchainCapital, and Dubai_block back next-generation AI infrastructure network; Token Terminal joins as analytics partner.
Singapore, 11th May 2026 – Aether Network (@NetworkAethers), a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) focused on artificial intelligence and intelligent decentralized tools, today announced the successful closure of a $2.1 million private funding round.

The round was backed by a distinguished consortium of venture capital firms and ecosystem partners:
Investor
Focus Area
Pioneering VC focused on DeFi and crypto innovation
ERC20 Capital (@Erc20__capital)
Investor in blockchain and AI infrastructure
Coin Ventures (@coin_ventures / CoinNest Ventures)
VC supporting blockchain and digital assets
Launchpad_TON
Top launchpad for TON ecosystem fundraising and tools
TONchainCapital
Investment and innovation partner in the TON ecosystem
Dubai_block (Dubai Blockchain Lab)
Hub for RWAs, AI, and next-gen blockchain solutions
Token Terminal Joins as Strategic Analytics Partner
In a separate but complementary development, Token Terminal — the leading provider of fundamental blockchain data and multi-chain analytics — has entered into a strategic partnership with Aether Network.
Effective May 6, 2026, the partnership enables Token Terminal to integrate Aether Network’s modular blockchain infrastructure, including its cross-chain bridge system and interoperability modules. This integration will provide decentralized finance users and institutional investors with seamless access to on-chain data across multiple blockchain ecosystems.
Token Terminal will leverage Aether Network’s infrastructure to enhance:
- Execution efficiency for cross-chain data queries
- Secure communication protocols across blockchain networks
- Data accessibility for multi-chain analytics services
Existing Ecosystem Integrations
Beyond the capital raise and Token Terminal partnership, Aether Network continues to expand its ecosystem through strategic integrations with:
- LexAI Network — Expanding AI infrastructure and intelligent decentralized tools
- ArtGis Finance — Integrating AI-powered Web3 infrastructure and blockchain solutions (available via phemex.com)
Strategic Allocation of Funds
The $2.1 million private round investment will be deployed to:
- Scale Decentralized AI Compute — Expanding GPU-as-a-service capabilities for enterprise-grade AI workloads
- Launch Intelligent Tooling — Deploying SDKs and AI agents for predictive smart contract analytics and automated optimization
- Expand TON Ecosystem Presence — Leveraging Launchpad_TON and TONchainCapital to integrate with Telegram’s Web3 ecosystem
Statements from Investors
A representative from 0Venture commented: “Aether Network’s approach to decentralized AI infrastructure addresses a critical bottleneck in the current technology cycle. We are proud to back this team as they build the foundational layer for intelligent decentralized applications.”
ERC20 Capital added their support for the network’s vision of democratizing AI compute, while Dubai_block emphasized the alignment with Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for blockchain, RWA tokenization, and AI regulation.
Coin Ventures stated: “The convergence of AI and blockchain represents the next frontier of digital asset innovation. Aether Network is uniquely positioned to lead this charge.”
About Aether Network
Aether Network (@NetworkAethers) is building decentralized infrastructure for artificial intelligence, intelligent decentralized tools, and cross-chain data processing. The network provides high-performance computing power and interoperability solutions for the next generation of Web3 applications.
Media Contact
Organization: Aether network
Contact Person: Support@aethernetwork.io
Website: https://aethernetwork.io/
Email: Send Email
Country:Singapore
Release id:44865
Disclaimer: This press release is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal, or regulatory advice.
The post Aether Network Secures $2.1 Million in Strategic Private Round Led by Top-Tier Venture Firms appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
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