Packaging Redesigns See 4% Average Volume Lift, NIQ Finds

 CHICAGO - Thursday, 20. August 2026

Liquid I.V., Hostess, Back to Nature, and five other brands named 2026 NIQ Design Impact Award winners

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ), a global leader in consumer intelligence, today named the winners of its ninth annual Design Impact Awards, recognizing eight package redesigns that combined stronger shopper experiences with measurable commercial performance. Across nearly a decade of NIQ Design Impact Award winners, recognized redesigns have been associated with an average volume increase of approximately 4%.

The 2026 NIQ Design Impact Award Winners*:

Aval French Cider (Parent Company: Aval Cider; Country: USA)

Liquid I.V. (Parent Company: Unilever; Country: USA)

Root & Splendor (Parent Company: Root & Splendor; Country: USA)

Hostess Cakes (Parent Company: The J.M. Smucker Company; Country: USA)

Back to Nature (Parent Company: Barilla Group; Country: USA)

John West Tuna Chunks (Parent Company: Thai Union; Country: UK)

Country Fresh Ice Cream (Parent Company: DairyMaid; Country: South Africa)

Rustica Pizza (Parent Company: McCain Foods; Country: USA)

"The Design Impact Awards reinforce the critical role packaging plays in influencing shopper decisions and driving business growth," said Andrea Fraboni, Vice President & Global Leader, Pack & Design Solutions, NIQ. "Packaging has seconds to do its job. The strongest redesigns make products easier to notice, understand and choose while preserving the distinctive brand cues consumers recognize. This year's winners demonstrate that packaging design isn’t simply aesthetic. When done well, it can be a meaningful driver of shopper engagement and business growth."

Following a review of submissions from around the world, NIQ's Pack & Design experts evaluated entries against key packaging principles and the role packaging plays throughout the shopper journey. NIQ's proprietary Retail Measurement Services (RMS) data was used to identify brands that achieved measurable sales growth following the launch of their updated package designs.

While this year's winning redesigns spanned categories ranging from beverages and household products to frozen foods and snacks, they shared a common objective: making the shopper journey easier. Through stronger shelf visibility, clearer information hierarchy, simplified communication, and more distinctive branding, each redesign helped shoppers notice, understand and choose products with less effort.

NIQ's Pack & Design Solutions practice helps manufacturers identify, evaluate and optimize packaging that drives shopper engagement and business performance. By combining neuroscience-based methods, including Real System 1 (EEG) research, with behavioral and survey-based approaches, NIQ provides actionable insights that help brands validate packaging concepts and make more confident design decisions.

To learn more about the winning redesigns, the packaging principles behind their success, upcoming regional presentations, and NIQ's Pack & Design solutions, visit the NIQ Design Impact Awards webpage.

*All products and company names are trademarks of their respective holders. No affiliation or endorsement is expressed or implied.

About NIQ

NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) is a leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete and trusted understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. By combining an unmatched global data footprint and granular consumer and retail measurement with decades of AI modeling expertise, NIQ builds decision systems that help companies turn complex data into confident action.

With operations in more than 90 countries, NIQ covers approximately 82% of the world’s population and more than $7.4 trillion in global consumer spend. Through cloud-based platforms, advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, NIQ delivers The Full View™—helping brands and retailers understand what consumers buy, why they buy it, and what to do next.

For more information, please visit www.niq.com.

NIQ-General

© 2026 Nielsen Consumer LLC. All Rights Reserved.

 

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NETFORCE Accelerates Its U.S. Industrial Expansion as a New Intermediate-Force Market Takes Shape

  BALARUC, France - Thursday, 20. August 2026 AETOSWire  

Backed by two granted and active U.S. patents, a fully industrialized technology and commercial commitments spanning more than 50 countries, the French company is now seeking leading U.S. industrial and strategic partners to help shape the future of this emerging market.

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time, major U.S. federal agencies are beginning to structure procurement around a new category of intermediate-force equipment, giving officers an additional option between verbal presence and higher levels of force. NETFORCE believes companies establishing themselves at this early stage will benefit from a significant first-mover advantage as this category expands nationwide. This is precisely the market NETFORCE anticipated years ago, having invested heavily in research, industrialization and international intellectual property well before the category attracted attention.

NETFORCE enters the U.S. market backed by two granted and active U.S. patents — US 11,236,973 B2 (granted 2022, protected through 2038) and US 12,222,193 B2 (granted 2025, protected through 2041). Together with the E-StunGlove® trademark, these assets form part of an international IP portfolio spanning 107 countries, securing NETFORCE's technological leadership across the world's leading security markets.

Unlike conventional conducted-energy devices designed primarily for physical intervention, the GIE – E-StunGlove® was built around a three-step doctrine — Engage, Deter, Act — to prevent escalation before intervention becomes necessary. The officer first engages verbally, maintaining natural hand movement; before any physical contact, the glove then deters by generating a visible electric arc and audible warning, creating an opportunity to de-escalate; only when intervention is unavoidable does the officer act, with the electrical pulse becoming part of a graduated, proportionate response. The platform also offers cut-resistant protection, operation through multiple layers of clothing, and scalable connected features such as body-camera activation and automated incident reporting.

NETFORCE has already signed commercial commitments covering more than 50 countries, with deployments to the corrections administrations of Morocco and Senegal, and authorization in Switzerland under a framework comparable to that applied to conducted-energy devices.

NETFORCE's ambition extends beyond exporting a French innovation: the Company is seeking U.S. industrial and strategic partners to support its North American development and, ultimately, establish domestic manufacturing. Beyond institutional markets, it also sees long-term potential in the U.S. civilian personal-protection sector, subject to applicable regulations.

“What is happening in the United States is a very powerful signal,” said Laurent Mollinari, Founder & CEO of NETFORCE. “We anticipated this evolution years ago. Today, we hold two granted and active U.S. patents, a fully industrialized technology developed in France, and commercial commitments covering more than 50 countries. Our American ambition now goes further than exporting a product — we want to build long-term partnerships with leading U.S. players to industrialize our technology here, while staying deeply rooted in France.”

About NETFORCE

NETFORCE is a French technology company specializing in next-generation intermediate-force solutions. It developed the GIE – E-StunGlove®, a patented conducted-energy glove entirely designed, developed and industrialized in France. Its IP strategy extends across 107 countries, including the United States, positioning NETFORCE among the pioneers of this emerging category.

Investors & Strategic Partnerships

As NETFORCE accelerates its international expansion, the Company has initiated a capital increase reserved for a limited number of investors to finance its industrial and commercial growth. NETFORCE welcomes discussions with leading U.S. industrial companies, technology innovators, institutional partners and qualified investors sharing its ambition for the next generation of intermediate-force solutions.

 

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Laurent Mollinari — Founder & CEO, NETFORCE

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Esri Expands World Imagery with Airbus High-Resolution Basemap Coverage for 2,000 Cities Worldwide

 REDLANDS, Calif. - Thursday, 20. August 2026 AETOSWire  

New Airbus Imagery Enhances World Imagery Basemap as Part of Broader Expansion Announced at 2026 Esri User Conference

Esri is enhancing its World Imagery basemap through new agreements with Airbus, Vantor, and Nearmap, announced during the 2026 Esri User Conference.

Airbus will begin delivering 30 cm basemap imagery for approximately 2,000 cities worldwide starting in the second half of 2026.

Airbus basemaps provide highly accurate, color-consistent, nearly cloud-free coverage designed to deliver fresher and more detailed urban imagery.

Additional enhancements include expanded metropolitan coverage from Nearmap and continued global basemap updates from Vantor.

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--At the 2026 Esri User Conference (UC), the global leader in location intelligence announced a significant enhancement to its World Imagery basemap through a new agreement with Airbus. The collaboration will enable Esri to provide ArcGIS users with high-resolution imagery coverage for approximately 2,000 cities around the world through the addition of the new Airbus, Nearmap, and Vantor imagery. The added data is part of an enhanced imagery initiative for the World Imagery Basemap, the most widely used map service in ArcGIS, and was highlighted during this year’s Esri UC Plenary.

Beginning in the second half of 2026, Airbus will deliver 30 cm imagery designed to provide more current and detailed visual context for ArcGIS users worldwide. Airbus imagery is highly accurate, color-consistent, and provides nearly cloud-free coverage with minimized haze and seasonal variation between contiguous images.

As part of the broader World Imagery enhancement program announced at the 2026 UC, Esri also finalized agreements with Nearmap and Vantor. Nearmap’s 20 cm vertical imagery will be integrated and regularly updated across 200 metropolitan areas in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, while Vantor will continue providing the global imagery foundation for World Imagery, including committed refreshes for hundreds of cities and upgrades to 15 cm imagery in select major urban areas.

“Airbus Defense and Space has been delivering accurate and consistent imagery for more than 35 years and we are excited to take this next step collaborating with them,” said Deane Kensok, chief technology officer for ArcGIS content at Esri. “The enhanced imagery Airbus brings to Esri’s collection of basemap data will better help to support the mapping and analysis workflows of organizations across government, commercial, nonprofit, and academic sectors."

To learn more about World Imagery and the latest enhancements to ArcGIS Living Atlas, visit livingatlas.arcgis.com and read What's New in World Imagery – July 2026.

About Esri

Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in hundreds of thousands of organizations globally, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofit institutions, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial technology and analytics, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions that leverage a geographic approach to solving some of the world's most complex problems by placing them in the crucial context of location. Visit us at esri.com.

Copyright © 2026 Esri. All rights reserved. Esri, the Esri Globe logo, The Science of Where, ArcGIS, esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of Esri in the United States, the European Union, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of their respective mark owners.

 

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NTT DATA and Palo Alto Networks Sign Global Strategic Alliance to Accelerate Secure AI Transformation

 

TOKYO & LONDON & SANTA CLARA, Calif. -

First-of-its-kind global alliance combines AI-powered security innovation with enterprise-scale consulting and managed services

Helps organizations navigate Frontier AI with integrated governance, threat intelligence and cybersecurity expertise

Backed by co-innovation, shared engineering, coordinated global delivery and more than 2,000 Palo Alto Networks-certified professionals

 

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- NTT DATA, a global leader in AI, digital business and technology services, and Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) today announced a multi-year strategic alliance designed to help organizations securely adopt AI, modernize cybersecurity, simplify complex technology environments and build cyber resilience for the AI era.

As Palo Alto Networks first strategic alliance of this kind with a global systems integrator, the agreement, which targets $1 billion in joint business by the end of three years (2029), combines Palo Alto Networks AI-powered cybersecurity platforms with NTT DATA's consulting, engineering and managed services.

Leveraging joint engineering, co-innovation and coordinated global delivery, the alliance will help clients assess cyber risk, deploy AI securely and continuously optimize security. Through these joint solutions, clients will gain a unified approach that seamlessly spans cybersecurity strategy, implementation and managed services.

Building on the companies’ Frontier AI collaboration, the alliance brings together Palo Alto Networks Unit 42® threat intelligence with NTT DATA’s global cybersecurity expertise, AI governance and managed services. Backed by joint investments, more than 2,000 certified experts as well as dedicated Forward Deployed Engineers, the alliance will deliver a seamless approach to streamline deployments and speed client outcomes. Through direct engineering collaboration, NTT DATA will gain early access to new platform features, further accelerating the delivery of AI security services to clients.

Initial solutions will address the most pressing cybersecurity challenges facing clients in highly regulated and critical industries, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and the public sector, across six strategic transformation areas:

Autonomous Security Operations Center (SOC) – Modernize security operations with Agentic AI and managed services that help organizations detect, investigate and respond faster to increasingly sophisticated, machine-speed cyber threats while reducing operational complexity.

AI governance – Embed governance, security and risk management throughout the AI lifecycle, helping organizations manage emerging AI risks and confidently scale AI innovation with greater accountability, transparency and control.

Identity security – Protect human, machine and AI agent identities, including workloads and devices, through an Identity Security Framework designed to discover, manage, secure and govern identities across the enterprise.

Zero Trust & SASE – Helps secure users, applications and data across an increasingly complex attack surface through a unified Zero trust and secure edge architecture, leveraging AI-driven threat detection and prevention.

Resilient cloud – Enables organizations to improve visibility, compliance and autonomous risk reduction across multi-cloud environments with AI-enabled security posture management and stronger governance.

Firewall modernization – Modernize firewall environments to reduce complexity, improve visibility and strengthen enterprise security.

“AI is reshaping both business and cybersecurity, making deep ecosystem collaboration more important than ever," said Nikesh Arora, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Palo Alto Networks. "Expanding our alliance with NTT DATA allows us to operationalize platformization at true global scale, helping enterprises eliminate legacy complexity and move fast without sacrificing safety."

"AI is redefining every aspect of the enterprise, but it is also transforming the threat landscape at unprecedented speed. Organizations need a new approach to cyber resilience that combines AI-driven security, deep industry expertise and global scale,” said Abhijit Dubey, Chief Executive Officer and Chief AI Officer, NTT DATA, Inc. "Together with Palo Alto Networks, we're bringing AI-powered cybersecurity innovation together with NTT DATA’s consulting, engineering and managed services capabilities to help clients securely accelerate AI adoption and stay ahead of evolving threats.”

NTT DATA brings world-class cybersecurity expertise to the collaboration, backed by over 7,500 cybersecurity professionals, 70+ delivery centers and 20+ Cyber Defense Centers. Paired with Palo Alto Networks AI-powered platforms and Unit 42 threat intelligence, the alliance delivers the technology, expertise and global reach enterprise organizations need to securely deploy AI across complex environments.

About NTT DATA

Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world’s leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. Our consulting and industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 70 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D. Visit us at nttdata.com

About Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), the global AI cybersecurity leader, protects our digital way of life with a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity solutions and platforms across Network, Cloud, Security Operations, AI and Identity. Trusted by 70,000+ customers and powered by Unit 42 threat intelligence, our AI-driven platforms eliminate complexity, empowering enterprises to modernize with confidence and securing the speed of innovation. Explore the future of security at www.paloaltonetworks.com.

Palo Alto Networks, Unit 42, and the Palo Alto Networks logo are registered trademarks of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. in the United States or in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, statements regarding the benefits, impact, or performance or potential benefits, impact or performance of our products and technologies or future products and technologies. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and there are a significant number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this release. We identify certain important risks and uncertainties that could affect our results and performance in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time-to-time, each of which are available on our website at investors.paloaltonetworks.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

 

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Lori Bosio

Lori.bosio@nttdata.com

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Xceedance Appoints Insurance and Technology Executive Adrian Spieler to Board of Directors

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Xceedance, a global provider of technology-driven business solutions for the insurance industry, today announced the appointment of Adrian Spieler to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Spieler brings more than 30 years of experience across reinsurance, insurance, and asset management to the Xceedance board. He has served as Chief Operating Officer at Convex Insurance, a leading specialty insurer and reinsurer, since its launch in 2019. Before Convex, he spent 17 years at Swiss Re in a series of senior leadership positions, and later served as Group Chief Administrative Officer at Catlin and as Chief Enterprise Operations Officer and Chief Platform Officer, Insurance, at XL Catlin. As a member of the Xceedance Board of Directors, he will provide strategic guidance, set organizational goals, and measure success as the organization continues its high-growth trajectory.

“Technology-enabled transformation is reshaping the insurance and reinsurance industries,” said Spieler, “and I am delighted to be joining the Board of Directors of Xceedance at such an exciting stage in the company’s growth. I look forward to drawing on my experience across underwriting, operations, and platform strategy to help guide Xceedance’s continued success.”

“Adrian’s deep operational and technology expertise across the re/insurance value chain makes him an exceptional addition to our board,” said Arun Balakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer at Xceedance. “His insights will be invaluable as we continue to scale our business and expand our footprint across global re/insurance markets.”

About Xceedance

Xceedance provides business solutions to the global insurance industry, enabled by technology platforms, advanced data and analytics, and the transformation of operating models through AI and deep domain expertise. With 5,500+ team members across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC, our technology-enabled delivery model blends insurance domain knowledge with next-generation technologies to deliver localized solutions and digital-first platforms. We empower 350+ diverse clients—including commercial, personal, and specialty lines re/insurers, mutuals, program administrators, brokers and agents, and Lloyd’s of London entities—to optimize non-distribution and non-capital functions, navigate market challenges, and accelerate profitable growth.

For more information, visit www.xceedance.com.

 

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Media Contact:

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the10company

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KAGA FEI Expands Its Software-Embedded Bluetooth Low Energy Module Lineup with ES4L15MA1 and EC4L15MA1

  (BUSINESS WIRE)--KAGA FEI Co., Ltd., a global provider of advanced short-range wireless modules, announced today the development of the ES4L15MA1 and EC4L15MA1 Bluetooth Low Energy modules with embedded software for wireless communication.

These products are versions of KAGA FEI’s ES4L15BA1 and EC4L15BA1 wireless modules with embedded software, which use Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF54L15. Because the modules include the functions required for Bluetooth Low Energy communication, device manufacturers can develop products in a shorter period without having to develop wireless communication software from scratch. The modules help reduce software development workloads, shorten product development cycles, and lower development costs for a wide range of IoT devices.

The need for wireless connectivity in IoT applications is growing across markets such as industrial equipment, housing equipment, and healthcare devices. At the same time, many device manufacturers face shortages of Bluetooth software engineers and longer development cycles. Demand is therefore increasing for modules with pre-integrated wireless communication functions that can be easily controlled by external devices via serial commands.

Product Features

Supports simultaneous connection with up to eight devices

The modules support simultaneous connections to multiple Bluetooth Low Energy devices. With simultaneous connection to up to eight devices, they are suitable for applications that efficiently manage multiple devices, such as sensor networks and equipment monitoring systems.

Command-based control

KAGA FEI’s proprietary software is controlled via serial commands. Users can configure connections, control communication, and use various Bluetooth Low Energy functions simply by sending commands. The modules also support sending and receiving user-defined text data, enabling easy two-way communication between devices, making them well-suited for replacing wired serial links with wireless connections.

Built-in antenna and pre-certifications

The modules feature a built-in antenna, eliminating the need for antenna design. They have obtained Bluetooth SIG qualification and certifications for Radio Law MIC (Japan), FCC (USA), and ISED (Canada), helping reduce certification time and costs.

 

Product Availability

ES4L15MA1

Sample: January 2027

Start of mass production: February 2027

EC4L15MA1

In mass production

About Trademarks

The product names and other proper nouns mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

KAGA FEI website

https://www.kagafei.com/jp/eng/

Disclaimer

Product specifications, service content, etc. stated in the news release are as of the date of announcement and are subject to change without notice.

 

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Americas: info@us.kagafei.com

EMEA: continect@eu.kagafei.com

Korea: kfk-info@kr.kagafei.com

Others: ml-module_contact@jp.kagafei.com

Mary Kay Accelerates Beauty Innovation and Digital Transformation

 DALLAS - Wednesday, 19. August 2026 AETOSWire Print 

Celebrating Milestone Initiatives Positioning Mary Kay For Consumers Today and Tomorrow

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Mary Kay Inc. (“Mary Kay”), global iconic leader in beauty and entrepreneurship, announced today transformative business milestones, inviting the next generation to engage with a modernized Mary Kay.

Statement from Ryan Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Mary Kay:

“We are re-defining the moment for Mary Kay. We are investing in technology and research to create seamless digital experiences while preserving the personal connections and sense of community that have always set Mary Kay apart. From the launch of Mary Kay My Shop to next-generation product innovation and purpose-driven impact, each milestone reflects the momentum behind our transformation. Building on more than 60 years of entrepreneurial legacy, we are reimagining how consumers engage with Mary Kay, meeting them wherever they connect, shop and share, while expanding opportunities for our Independent Beauty Consultants to thrive in a fast-moving digital world. Led by transformational leaders across the organization, Mary Kay is turning bold ambition into strategic growth, creating lasting value for generations of stakeholders.”

To learn more about the transformational leadership team, visit Mary Kay’s global website.

MARY KAY MY SHOP: TRANSFORMING HOW ONLINE SHOPPERS ACCESS THE BRAND EXPERIENCE

Mary Kay My Shop is a digital evolution that optimizes consumers' buying experiences to meet the needs of a digitally native generation who expect convenience, choice and seamless interactions. My Shop not only streamlines purchasing Mary Kay products directly online, it also makes it easy to connect with an Independent Beauty Consultant for personalized service.

My Shop is a cloud-first integrated platform that also equips Independent Beauty Consultants with new personalized online storefronts connected to Mary Kay’s e-commerce, payment, fulfillment and social media capabilities, allowing them to meet customers where they are, whether in person, online, or through social platforms. That flexibility is essential in today’s marketplace, where mobile commerce accounts for over 62% of beauty sales. To explore, visit the Mary Kay website.

Launched in the United States and Germany in 2025, My Shop expanded to Canada, Mexico and Spain in summer 2026 and is being progressively rolled out across global markets.

SMART, INCLUSIVE BEAUTY INNOVATION MEETING NEXT-GEN ROUTINES

Mary Kay is defining modern beauty with a portfolio designed for the way consumers live and get ready today. The Mary Kay lineup spans intelligent skin care, inclusive complexion innovation and makeup made for effortless self-expression and wellness solutions that complement any beauty routine, meeting next-gen consumers wherever they are in their beauty journey and daily lives.

Skin care first: Mary Kay Clinical Solutions® Barrier Restore 1:1:3 uses a patented ratio of fatty acids, ceramides and cholesterol to support the skin barrier, while Mary Kay® Hydrating Cream Mask offers no-rinse moisture on the go. TimeWise® 3D Foundation delivers a true-to-you match performance in 36 skin tone-true shades and skin-first performance.

An iconic eye duo: From bold definition to effortless removal, Lash Love Fanorama® Define+Lift Mascara and Mary Kay® Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover help beauty lovers create, express, and easily refresh any look.

Responsible product packaging and ingredient sourcing: Mary Kay is reducing plastic intensity, increasing recycled content and advancing recycle-ready packaging, including a TimeWise® Targeted-Action® Toning Lotion bottle with 94% post-consumer recycled. Mary Kay also supports responsible Shea and Palm oil sourcing through the Global Shea Alliance and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. Explore Mary Kay’s 2026 Sustainability Report here.

Beauty Tech: To personalize product recommendations and enhance customer experience, Mary Kay’s AI-powered Foundation Finder uses advanced artificial intelligence to scan a customer’s face on their mobile phone and provide personalized foundation shade recommendations in just seconds with precise detection of 151 facial feature points.

Available around the world, Mary Kay’s Foundation Finder has already garnered top-tier recognition.

MARY KAY GLOBAL SOCIAL SQUAD: ACTIVATING A GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF EMERGING SOCIAL CREATORS

Launched in March 2026, the Mary Kay Global Social Squad is a strategic pilot empowering a new generation of digital storytellers and strengthening connections with beauty lovers worldwide.

The program empowers Independent Beauty Consultants to become authentic social creators, sharing product education, beauty inspiration and the latest beauty trends through relevant, high-quality content. The inaugural pilot brings together more than 70 creators in 15 markets across four regions: North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Europe.

By investing in creator education and community, Mary Kay is building a social-first network that expands brand and product discovery, bringing Mary Kay closer to consumers around the world.

ENTREPRENEURIAL RENAISSANCE

Appealing to Next-Gen Entrepreneurs: Built on Mary Kay Ash’s belief in the power of women supporting women, Mary Kay connects consumers and entrepreneurs who want to grow, give back and be part of something bigger than themselves. Purpose-driven and blending digital and personal connection, the Mary Kay business opportunity aligns with Gen Z’s entrepreneurial ambitions, tech fluency and strong desire for community. Gen Z represented 9% of U.S. businesses started in 20251. More than half of Gen Z adults have seriously considered starting a business, highlighting a powerful appetite for flexible paths to entrepreneurship2.

Social First Events: Mary Kay continues to invest in iconic sales force events such as “Seminar” and “Leadership Conference” bringing the Mary Kay community together across markets to celebrate business achievements and strengthen meaningful connections. Events are also evolving into social-first, tech-enabled experiences built for beauty entrepreneurs. More than events, these are launchpads for the next generation, equipping independent sales force members with social media expertise, e-commerce education and smart digital tools to connect, grow and lead.

PURPOSE IN ACTION: PINK CHANGING LIVES®

A global beauty leader, Mary Kay fosters a vibrant community rooted in purpose, trust and belonging, resonating across generations and creating cultural relevance among the next generation.

That purpose extends into communities through Pink Changing Lives®, Mary Kay’s global social impact program, which since 2008 has contributed more than $230 million in monetary and in-kind support to enrich the lives of women and their families by advancing cancer research, supporting survivors of domestic violence and creating opportunities for economic empowerment worldwide.

TOP TIER GLOBAL BRAND RECOGNITION

Mary Kay was named the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care and Color Cosmetics in the World3 by Euromonitor International for four consecutive years (2023-2026).

Mary Kay ranked #2 on Forbes 2026 Best Customer Service list moving up from #93 in 20254. Mary Kay is the only Beauty brand in the Top 15 and the only direct-selling company in the Top 50.

Mary Kay ranked #8 out of 5,500 brands on Forbes’s 2026 Best Brands for Social Impact5 moving up from stellar #9 achieved in 2025. Mary Kay is the only beauty brand in the Top 15 and the only direct selling company on the list.

Mary Kay ranked #13 on Happi’s Top 50 U.S. Companies 2026 Report6.

DID YOU KNOW:

63% of the Executive Team, 64% of Research and Development Scientists, 79% of the Global Brand and Global Creative Team, 63% of our Global Workforce, and 60% of Leadership Positions in Mary Kay’s Top 10 Markets are held by women7.

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in 40 markets. For over 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

____________________

1

For the First Time Ever, Gen Z Entrepreneurs Outnumber Baby Boomers in New Business Starts, According to New Report from Gusto

2

The 2026 LendingTree study

3

“Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care 2026 Edition, Value Sales at RSP, 2025 Data”

4

Alan Schwarz (October 14, 2025). Forbes - Best Customer Service 2026. https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-customer-service/

5

Alan Schwarz (March 17, 2026). Forbes - Best Brands For Social Impact 2026. https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-brands-social-impact/

6

Happi’s Top 50 Report. https://www.happi.com/top-companies-reports/top-50-us-companies/

7

Women Representation and Leadership at Mary Kay (May 2026).

 

 

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Contacts

Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications

Newsroom.marykay.com

972.687.5332 or media@mkcorp.com