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International Rights Groups Raise Alarm Over Freedom of Religion and Expression in South Korea

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August 8, 2026

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International Rights Groups Raise Alarm Over Freedom of Religion and Expression in South Korea

PRWire:

SEOUL, South Korea, 8 August 2026 — Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), together with CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), which has accredited ECOSOC status at the United Nations, FOREF, CESNUR and Bitter Winter, held a press conference today at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Freedom of Expression in South Korea. The issues addressed included concerns about the treatment of elderly religious leaders in pretrial detention, including questions of proportionality, humanitarian considerations, and due process. The organizations called on South Korean authorities to review the detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee and to ensure that the legal and administrative response to religious minorities remains neutral, proportionate, and consistent with South Korea’s international human-rights obligations, including with respect to 83-year-old Mrs. Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation.

The issues discussed today form part of a broader pattern of Freedom of Religion or Belief concerns in South Korea. Concerns have also persisted regarding Segero Church in Busan, which has reportedly continued to face harassment and official scrutiny even after Pastor Son Hyun-bo was released from detention.

Reporting has also raised questions about conscientious objection, public hostility toward a mosque project in Daegu, and religious accommodation in educational settings. Over the past decades, HRWF has documented the imprisonment of hundreds of Jehovah’s Witnesses in South Korea as conscientious objectors, and although alternative civilian service was later introduced, critics maintain that it has been implemented in a punitive manner rather than as a genuine rights-respecting alternative, notably because it requires 36 months of service in correctional facilities, twice the length of regular military service. Recent court decisions have also upheld key features of that system against constitutional challenge.

Opening the conference, Hans Noot, Associate Director of HRWF, said the issues at stake “lie at the heart of democratic society,” warning that when religious communities are stigmatized, peaceful gatherings are restricted, and dissent is treated as a problem to be contained, the consequences “extend far beyond any single group or case.” He said the conference was not about defending any one theology or movement, but about “defending a principle: that fundamental rights apply equally to all.”

Thierry Valle, President of CAP Liberté de Conscience, addressed the legality of Chairman Lee’s detention under international law. Referring to South Korea’s ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1990 and the Convention against Torture in 1995, he questioned whether placing a 95-year-old in pretrial detention is consistent with those obligations. He stressed that the presumption of innocence must prevail over any presumption of guilt.

There are alternative more proportionate and more humane measures respecting the presumption of innocence and human dignity in democratic countries. And he cited precedents including Cardinal Joseph Zen’s 2022 release on bail in Hong Kong and Vietnam’s decision to place Buddhist Patriarch Thich Quang Do under house arrest rather than in prison.

Michael Langhans, Executive Director of FOREF Germany, presented a legal analysis questioning whether pretrial detention for Chairman Lee of the Shincheonji Church was necessary given evidence already sufficient for an indictment, and whether that evidence was gathered neutrally rather than through a narrative framing the defendant’s community as a “sect” or “cult.” He argued that the case raises a broader question for lawmakers: whether measures meant to protect fair elections can be applied without nullifying the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to freedom of religion.

Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, shared his thoughts on the effects of ongoing persecution and its possible ramifications for minority faiths. He noted three recent scholarly investigations conducted in selected Shincheonji congregations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia, each finding worrisome increase in hostility toward the otherwise peaceful and cooperative religious movement. He stressed that Shincheonji is not simply a South Korean minority church but a global religious movement with congregations worldwide. The disproportionate persecution in South Korea affects the lives of those congregants abroad, whose freedoms for expressing and practicing faith, enshrined in ICCPR Articles 18 and 19, are inalienable rights and must be considered during this current process.

Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of CESNUR and Editor-in-Chief of Bitter Winter, said South Korea “has crossed a worrying line” by arresting Chairman Lee, arguing that international standards such as the Mandela Rules would call for house arrest rather than imprisonment for a 95-year-old accused of a non-violent offence. He said the charges, tied to ordinary political participation by members of a religious minority, “appear legally and conceptually overstretched,” and warned that the case fits a broader pattern of pressure against minority faiths in the country.

The organizations called on South Korean authorities, the media, and the international community to examine these developments with close attention to due process, proportionality, and the equal protection of fundamental rights, and made further documentation available to support continued reporting.

At the conclusion of the press conference, the scholars in attendance signed an official letter calling on the Government of the Republic of Korea to immediately release Chairman Lee from custody.

Media Contact

Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF)

intern1@hrwf.org

HRWF YouTube
Note: The full proceedings of the Press Conference can be watched on HRWF YouTube

Additional Articles
Link here in English and Korean

2. Speakers and Organising Institutions

Hans Noot

Hans Noot holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Behavior from Brigham Young University. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has directed international educational and civil-society programmes across the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Ireland, the Czech Republic, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe. He currently serves as Associate Director and a Board Member of Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) and as Director of the Gerard Noodt Foundation for Freedom of Religion or Belief. A widely published commentator on freedom of religion or belief, he regularly represents his organisations before international institutions and policymakers, and his written work is cited across a range of human-rights and religious-freedom publications.

Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF)

Human Rights Without Frontiers International (HRWF Int’l) is a leading non-profit association dedicated to shaping European and international policy in ways that strengthen democracy, uphold the rule of law, and protect human rights globally. Its influence extends across a robust network of associated member organisations spanning Denmark, France, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Moldova, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Since its inception, the organisation has been guided by Executive Director Willy Fautré, a respected and long-standing human rights activist with decades of experience on the international stage. HRWF Int’l conducts rigorous research, field missions, analysis, and monitoring of a wide range of human rights concerns in countries around the world, drawing on an extensive international network of correspondents who provide the NGO with reliable, first-hand information from the ground.

Thierry Valle

Thierry Valle has built a career of more than two decades in international human-rights advocacy, with a particular focus on freedom of conscience and freedom of religion or belief. He has lectured extensively on these subjects at conferences and academic and policy venues around the world, and has represented his organisation in formal submissions and oral interventions before the United Nations Human Rights Council and European Union institutions. He currently serves as President of CAP Liberté de Conscience, an organisation holding special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and is recognised within the field as an experienced voice on the legal and policy frameworks that protect freedom of conscience internationally.

CAP LC

Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience

CAP Freedom of Conscience is a respected secular European NGO holding United Nations Consultative Status, established in 1995 and dedicated to defending the fundamental Right of Freedom of Religion and Belief. It plays an active role in combating all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief, alerting European and international bodies and driving meaningful policy engagement on these issues. CAP Freedom of Conscience carefully collects testimonies of discrimination and human rights violations affecting religious or belief communities, disseminating them to international bodies in order to raise awareness, inform decision-makers, and generate vital debate on the protection of Freedom of Religion and Belief. As a member of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB) and the European Network of Religion and Belief (ENORB), and as a participant in the Civil Society Platform of Fundamental Rights created by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, CAP Freedom of Conscience is firmly embedded within the leading European networks shaping the future of religious freedom.

Michael Langhans

Michael Langhans is a German legal expert specialising in family and child-custody law, with particular expertise in cases requiring family-court psychological assessments. A graduate of the University of Augsburg, he studied under former German Federal Constitutional Court Justice Johannes Masing, building a legal career on complex custody and family-law disputes before extending his expertise into freedom of religion or belief. He now serves as Executive Director of FOREF Germany, the newly established German section of the Forum for Religious Freedom Europe, leading its legal and advocacy work in the country.

FOREF Germany

FOREF Germany is the newly established German section of the Forum for Religious Freedom Europe (FOREF), an independent, secular human-rights organisation with roots stretching back to 1998. Launched in December 2025 through a partnership between FOREF co-founder Peter Zoehrer and German legal expert Michael Langhans, FOREF Germany brings deep, specialised legal expertise in family and custody law directly to the defence of religious minorities in the country. With the relaunch of its German-language platform in March 2026, the organisation is positioned to become a leading voice for freedom of religion or belief in one of Europe’s most influential nations.

Prof. Massimo Introvigne

Massimo Introvigne is an Italian sociologist of religion, author, and intellectual-property attorney whose scholarship spans more than four decades. He has authored approximately 70 books and over 100 academic articles in the sociology of religion, and is widely regarded as one of the field’s foremost international authorities — described by fellow academics as “one of the major names in the study of new religions” and as being “among the world’s leading scholars of new religious movements.” He co-founded CESNUR (Center for Studies on New Religions) in 1988 and has served as its Managing Director since, and is also Editor-in-Chief of the daily magazine Bitter Winter. His research has been presented before academic conferences, parliamentary bodies, and international organisations including the OSCE.

CESNUR Center for Studies on New Religions

CESNUR, the Center for Studies on New Religions, was founded in 1988 and is recognised as the oldest scholarly organisation devoted exclusively to the academic study of new religious movements and religious pluralism. In more than three decades of activity, it has convened scholars from leading universities across Europe, North America, and Asia, with over 1,000 papers presented at its international conferences and seminars — many going on to appear in leading international journals, alongside CESNUR’s own peer-reviewed Journal of CESNUR. The organisation is directed by Managing Director Massimo Introvigne, one of the most widely published scholars in the sociology of religion, and also publishes Bitter Winter, a daily magazine on religious liberty and human rights that is regularly cited by journalists and policymakers researching religious minorities worldwide.

Bitter Winter

Bitter Winter was launched in May 2018 as a pioneering online magazine dedicated to religious liberty and human rights in China, published by CESNUR, the Center for Studies on New Religions, headquartered in Torino, Italy. Since December 1, 2020, Bitter Winter has expanded with a dedicated international section covering religious liberty worldwide, and continues to grow its coverage into new countries and emerging issues with each passing year. Being published by CESNUR gives Bitter Winter a particularly sharp, well-informed lens on religious liberty issues connected with new religious movements, while its broader mission ensures thorough coverage of all forms of religion and belief — making it an increasingly trusted and cited resource for readers following religious freedom developments around the globe.

Dr. Márk Nemes

Dr. Márk Nemes is a Hungarian historian and philosopher specialising in the theory of religion. He completed his PhD in Philosophy at the University of Szeged’s Málnási Bartók György Doctoral School in 2025, and was awarded the prestigious Hungarian National Eötvös Scholarship in recognition of his research. He holds a full-time researcher and research-coordinator position at the Hungarian Academy of Arts’ Research Institute for Art Theory and Methodology in Budapest, where his work explores the intersections of art, aesthetics, and religiosity. In 2025 he was appointed Deputy Director of CESNUR, and he is a co-founder of CESAR (Central European Symposium for the Academic Study of Religion), a research network supporting early-career scholars of religion across Central and Eastern Europe.

CESNUR Center for Studies on New Religions

CESNUR, the Center for Studies on New Religions, was founded in 1988 and is recognised as the oldest scholarly organisation devoted exclusively to the academic study of new religious movements and religious pluralism. In more than three decades of activity, it has convened scholars from leading universities across Europe, North America, and Asia, with over 1,000 papers presented at its international conferences and seminars — many going on to appear in leading international journals, alongside CESNUR’s own peer-reviewed Journal of CESNUR. The organisation is directed by Managing Director Massimo Introvigne, one of the most widely published scholars in the sociology of religion, and also publishes Bitter Winter, a daily magazine on religious liberty and human rights that is regularly cited by journalists and policymakers researching religious minorities worldwide

Health Insurance Impact on Breastfeeding Care

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August 6, 2026

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Health Insurance Impact on Breastfeeding Care

PRWire:

A $3 billion problem: cutting lactation care costs more than it saves

A change to how a single lactation visit is reimbursed effectively halves payment for care delivered to both parent and baby, threatening access to the most highly credentialed lactation providers.

FALLS CHURCH, Virginia – Beginning September 1, 2026, the nation’s largest health insurer will halve payment for skilled lactation care, a change the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE), the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), warn will limit new families’ access to care.

The insurer, which covers millions of members across the country, is changing how a single lactation visit is reimbursed so that it no longer recognizes the care provided to both the breastfeeding parent and the infant. A single visit assesses and treats two distinct patients, the parent and the child, each with their own examination and record.¹

Maternal and infant breastfeeding challenges are often interconnected. Given this interdependence, a lactation consultation assesses and treats both members of this dyad. Yet in the absence of payers who pay healthcare professionals for the full complement of necessary services provided, or a companion code corresponding to the pediatric side of lactation support, payment for this Affordable Care Act recommended preventive service will be effectively reduced by about 50 percent.

The need for lactation and breastfeeding care is already acute. While 86 percent of children in the United States are ever breastfed, a majority of dyads encounter difficulties in the first week, and only about 30 percent are still exclusively breastfed at six months, far below the level recommended by leading pediatric, obstetric, and public health guidelines.^2,3,4,5,6 Skilled lactation support is what helps parents bridge that gap.^7,8,9,10

Josie Margulis, a New York City mother of two, shares, “My second baby was prenatally diagnosed with congenital heart disease. I had a totally uncomplicated breastfeeding experience with my first child and thought that feeding my second would be one thing I wouldn’t have to worry about. My daughter’s medical issues were much more complex when she was born, and she was in and out of the ICU for the first three months of her life. I had continuous support of inpatient and outpatient IBCLCs over those first few months. I am so proud of myself for giving the vital nourishment only my body could give to my baby and grateful to the IBCLCs who guided us through that unexpectedly complicated time.”

The consequences of losing that support are measurable:

Pediatric health: breastfeeding is associated with reduced risk of acute and chronic diseases, including ear infections, gastrointestinal infections, pneumonia, eczema, asthma, obesity, Type I and Type II Diabetes, childhood leukemia, SIDS, and a devastating gastrointestinal complication that occurs in premature infants called Necrotizing Enterocolitis.¹¹
Maternal physical health: lactation is associated with reduced risk of Type II Diabetes, breast, and ovarian cancer.¹¹
Maternal mental health: one 2022 meta-analysis found that parents who did not exclusively breastfeed had roughly 89 percent higher odds of postpartum depression.¹²
Cost: suboptimal breastfeeding has been estimated to cost the United States more than $3 billion a year in excess medical costs (in 2014 dollars), and global analyses put economic losses in the hundreds of billions. When combining the US medical, non-medical, and premature death-related cost of not breastfeeding, this number exceeds $25 billion in 2026 dollars.¹³
Workforce: companies with worksite lactation support report retention rates as high as 94 percent, versus a national average of about 59 percent. The savings are also measurable—one insurer’s lactation program saved over $300,000 in health care and absenteeism expenses, and reduced prescription rates 62 percent.¹⁴

International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are the most highly credentialed lactation care professionals, completing extensive clinical training and rigorous board certification.^15,16 Many practices operate on thin margins, and lactation support professionals, including IBCLCs, have already begun telling families they cannot continue under the new terms. Cutting reimbursement in half, at the very moment demand is highest, will mean more parents left without skilled help.

Scotty Thomson, registered nurse and IBCLC from Alabama, comments, “As payers continue to layer more restrictive billing policies for IBCLCs, the reduction in reimbursement makes it impossible to sustain our businesses and this affects families’ access to care.”

IBLCE calls on the health plan to reverse this change, and on payers broadly to ensure that reimbursement reflects the full scope of care delivered to both parent and infant.

There is a straightforward fix. IBLCE urges the payers to either support a companion code that reimburses the child’s care, or properly reflect the rate on the available code so it reflects that one visit treats two interdependent patients. Fair reimbursement and evidence-based care does not have to mean unlimited cost, but a roughly 50 percent cut, with no offsetting increase, goes further than sustainability requires, and it risks higher spending on the poorer outcomes that follow when families lose access to this care.

Bayyinah Muhammad, Certified Nurse Midwife, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, IBCLC, and Immediate Past Chair of the IBLCE Board of Directors, says, “Insurers are treating a visit for two patients as if it were a visit for one, and families are the ones who will pay for it. When skilled lactation care disappears from a network, it does not come back quickly. We are urging this plan to reverse course before that happens.”

IBLCE urges affected families, clinicians, and employers to make their concerns known before the September 1 effective date.

Media availability

IBLCE can arrange interviews with lactation experts and policy specialists and, on request, connect reporters with board certified lactation consultants and families affected by the change. Additional data and background available on request.

About IBLCE

The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) is the independent international credentialing organization for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and lactation supporters, currently including over 39,000 IBCLCs across 137 countries and upholding rigorous, evidence-based standards.

About ACNM

The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is the professional association that represents Advanced Practice Midwives (APMs), including Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs) in the United States.

About AWHONN

The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to improving the health of women and newborns and strengthening the nursing profession. AWHONN represents the interests of 250,000 nurses working in women’s health, obstetric, and neonatal nursing across the United States.

References

International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. (2018, December 12). Scope of practice for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) Certificants. https://iblce.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/scope-of-practice-2018.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2026, July 31). National and state breastfeeding rates: Data results. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/survey/results.html
Wagner, E.A., Chantry, C.J., Dewey, K.G., & Nomssen-Rivers, L.A. (2013). Breastfeeding concerns at 3 and 7 days postpartum. Pediatrics, 132(4), e865-e875. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-0724
World Health Organization. (2003). Global strategy for infant and young child feeding. https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/a70b1144-75b7-4b25-b3a9-bd5ee5098e95/content
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG committee opinion No. 756: Optimizing support for breastfeeding as part of obstetric practice (2018). Obstetrics & Gynecology, 132(14), e187-e196. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002890
Meek, J.Y., Noble, L. , & Section on breastfeeding. (2022). Policy statement: Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 150(1). https://10.1542/peds.2022-057988
Patnode, C.D., Senger, C.A., Coppola, E.L, & Iacocca, M.O. (2025). Interventions to support breastfeeding. Updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA, 333(17), 1527-1537. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.27267
Chetwynd, E.M., Wasser, H.M., & Poole, C. (2019), Breastfeeding support interventions by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Human Lactation, 35(3), 424-440. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334419851482
D’Hollander, C. J., McCredie, V. A., Uleryk, E. M., Kucab, M., Le, R. M., Hayosh, O., Keown-Stoneman, C. D. G., Birken, C. S., & Maguire, J. L. (2025). Breastfeeding support provided by lactation consultants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 179(5), 508–520. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.6810
Gavine, A., Shinwell, S.C., Buchanan, P. Farre, A., Wade, A., Lynn, F., Marshall, J., Cumming, S.E., Dare, S., & McFadden, A. (2022). Support for healthy breastfeeding mothers with healthy term The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10(10). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001141.pub6
Ip, S., Chung, M., Raman, G., Chew, P., Magula, N., DeVine, D., Trikalinos, T., & Lau, J. (2007). Breastfeeding and maternal and infant health outcomes in developed countries. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK38337/
Alimi, R., Azmoude, E., Moradi, M., & Zamani, M. (2022). The association of breastfeeding with a reduced risk of Postpartum Depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Breastfeeding Medicine, 17(4), 290-296. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.0183
M., & Reinhold, A. (2010). The burden of suboptimal breastfeeding in the United States: A pediatric cost analysis. Pediatrics, 125(5), e1048-e1056. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2009-1616
S. Department of Health and Human Services. The business case for breastfeeding. Health Resources and Services Administration. https://womenshealth.gov/sites/default/files/documents/bcfb_business-case-for-breastfeeding-for-business-managers.pdf
IBCLC Commission. (n.d.). Start your IBCLC Journey. https://ibclc-commission.org/how-to-become-an-ibclc/
IBCLC Commission. (2026, March 31). Candidate information guide for initial, repeat, and inactive candidates who plan to apply for the IBCLC® examination. https://ibclc-commission.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026_March-31_Candidate-Information-Guide_FINAL.pdf

Video

Contact: Sarah Cox – Associate Director, Brand & Communications – 703-560-7330 – scox@iblce.org

Rigs Rated Launches With 100 Fitment-First Accessory Guides for Trucks, SUVs and 4x4s

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July 20, 2026

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Rigs Rated Launches With 100 Fitment-First Accessory Guides for Trucks, SUVs and 4x4s

PRWire:

Rigs Rated, a new accessory review site for truck, SUV and 4×4 owners, has launched with 100 vehicle-specific buying guides covering 25+ models. Every guide is written for a single vehicle and includes fitment tables by year and cab type, so an owner can see at a glance whether a tonneau cover, seat cover, roof rack, winch or lift kit works on their exact rig.

Most accessory roundups rank products in the abstract and leave the buyer to figure out compatibility on their own. Rigs Rated flips that. Each guide narrows to one model, compares five picks, and makes a clear call on who each product suits and who should skip it.

“Every truck owner has bought a part that looked perfect in a top-ten list and then didn’t fit their cab or bed,” said Dale Harper, founder of Rigs Rated. “We start from the vehicle, not the product. If it doesn’t fit your year and trim, we tell you before you spend the money.”

Launch coverage spans popular platforms including the Ford F-150, RAM 1500, Toyota Tacoma, Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner and Tesla, across trucks, SUVs, Jeeps and EVs. Each vehicle gets multiple guides, from running boards and dash cams to recovery winches and overland roof racks.

Rigs Rated is reader-supported through affiliate links, and its editorial policy states that recommendations never change based on commissions.

About Rigs Rated: Rigs Rated publishes fitment-first accessory guides for trucks, SUVs and 4x4s, written model by model with honest specs and year-by-year compatibility. Learn more at https://rigsrated.com.

Grand Metropolitan Hotels initiates separation from VZB Joint Venture and focuses on operational growth

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July 17, 2026

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Grand Metropolitan Hotels initiates separation from VZB Joint Venture and focuses on operational growth

PRWire:

International hotel group strengthens its independent growth strategy through brand development, hotel management and digital solutions for the hospitality industry.

Grand Metropolitan Hotels is further sharpening its strategic focus for the next phase of growth. The Group’s operational business is centred on hotel management, branding, franchising and affiliations, as well as the development of proprietary brands and digital solutions. Grand Metropolitan Hotels remains committed to the continued expansion of this independent business model. At the same time, the Group has initiated the separation from Grand Metropolitan Hotels Holding B.V., the Dutch investment holding company jointly owned with the Versorgungswerk der Zahnärztekammer Berlin (VZB).

Grand Metropolitan Hotels generates its operating revenues primarily through hotel management, franchise and affiliation agreements. The Group develops and acquires proprietary hotel brands and strategic investments. Its portfolio includes, among others, TOP INTERNATIONAL Hotels, Voile d’Or Hotels & Resorts, Signature Hotels, Park Avenue Hotels, as well as additional brands and investments. These activities form the operational core of the Grand Metropolitan Hotels Group.

Another strategic focus is the development of digital and AI-powered solutions for hotel operations. Grand Metropolitan Hotels combines these technology initiatives with its management, branding and affiliation services to create integrated and scalable solutions for the hospitality industry.

Grand Metropolitan Hotels Holding B.V., based in the Netherlands, is an investment holding company within the Group’s former corporate structure. The Smura Family Holding currently owns approximately 70 percent of the company, while VZB is the minority shareholder. The interests in TOP INTERNATIONAL Hotels, Voile d’Or Hotels & Resorts, Signature Hotels and the Group’s other brands and investments are held entirely within the Grand Metropolitan Hotels Group. The Grand Metropolitan Hotels Group itself is exclusively owned by the Smura Family Holding.

From the perspective of Grand Metropolitan Hotels, the joint venture has failed. Grand Metropolitan Hotels offered to acquire VZB’s shareholding in Grand Metropolitan Hotels Holding B.V.; however, no agreement could ultimately be reached. In addition, VZB did not approve a proposed capital increase put forward by Grand Metropolitan Hotels. Likewise, VZB declined the offer to acquire GMH’s shareholding. As a result, Grand Metropolitan Hotels considers the investment holding company to be blocked in key financing and structural decisions. The Group therefore regards the basis for continuing the joint venture in its current form as no longer existing and has initiated the separation process.

“We proposed a commercially sound solution for separating the shareholders. No agreement could be reached regarding the acquisition of VZB’s shareholding, and the proposed capital increase did not receive the required approval. As a result, the investment holding company has, in our view, reached a deadlock. We therefore consider the joint venture to have failed, have initiated the separation process and will continue to develop our operating business independently,” said Martin R. Smura, Chairman of the Grand Metropolitan Hotels Group.

“The Dutch investment holding company represents a clearly defined business case and should not be confused with the Grand Metropolitan Hotels Group as a whole. We are now creating clarity and focusing on the independent development of our Group and its brands.”

As part of this process, the members of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board of Grand Metropolitan Hotels Holding B.V. collectively stepped down from their positions with effect from 3 July 2026.

The separation relates solely to the Dutch investment holding company. Grand Metropolitan Hotels will continue all other activities across its core business areas, including hotel management, branding, franchising, affiliations, brand development and technology. The legal and corporate restructuring of the joint venture will continue separately from the Group’s operating business under the guidance of its appointed legal advisers.

About Grand Metropolitan Hotels

Grand Metropolitan Hotels is an international hotel management and brand group operating an asset-light business model. The Group provides hotel owners and investors with services in the areas of branding, hotel management, franchising, affiliations and digital solutions for hotel operations. Its portfolio includes TOP INTERNATIONAL Hotels, Voile d’Or Hotels & Resorts, Signature Hotels, Park Avenue Hotels, Grand Metropolitan Hotels, Private Selection Hotels, as well as additional brands and strategic investments. The Grand Metropolitan Hotels Group is wholly owned by the Smura Family Holding.

Riverbend Capital Advisors Extends GIPS® Verification for Ninth Consecutive Year

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July 15, 2026

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PRWire:

CHICAGO, IL – July 16, 2026 Riverbend Capital Advisors (“Riverbend”), a Registered Investment Advisor specializing in the municipal fixed income market, is pleased to announce that it has extended its Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®) verification for the periods January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2025, marking nine consecutive years of verified compliance. The verification was independently conducted by The Spaulding Group and covers Riverbend’s firm-wide policies and procedures for composite and pooled fund maintenance, as well as the calculation, presentation, and distribution of investment performance.

The GIPS Standards, globally recognized as the standard for industry best practice for investment performance reporting and presentation, represents a set of standardized ethical guidelines that aim to provide transparency and comparability in investment performance reporting.

“Maintaining GIPS verification underscores our dedication to the highest standards of performance reporting and reinforces the confidence our clients place in us,” said Tom Hession, Managing Partner of Riverbend Capital Advisors.

“Achieving another year of adherence to GIPS standards reflects our commitment to providing clients with performance reporting that is transparent, consistent, and independently verified.”

GIPS verification involves an in-depth review of a firm’s policies, procedures, controls, and investment results data. By meeting the verification requirements, firms reinforce their commitment to ethics, transparency, and integrity in reporting investment performance to clients.

GIPS® is a registered trademark owned by CFA Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse or promote this organization, nor does it warrant the accuracy or quality of the content contained herein.

About Riverbend Capital Advisors
Riverbend Capital Advisors is a boutique fixed income manager specializing in the U.S. municipal bond market. Riverbend employs a proactive, tactical investment approach designed to capitalize on market inefficiencies and deliver consistent value to clients. Custom portfolios are tailored to each client’s tax profile, risk tolerance, and investment goals, with the flexibility to accommodate state-specific and taxable mandates. Riverbend proudly manages capital for a diverse client base, including high net worth individuals, financial advisors, and family offices, combining institutional-caliber expertise with boutique-level attention.

Contact
Alicia Camarda
Marketing & Communications Analyst
alicia@riverbendcapitaladvisors.com
312-948-5100

Promatics Technologies Celebrates the Global Recognition of SRB, Reinforcing the Impact of Purpose-Driven Digital Innovation

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July 15, 2026

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Promatics Technologies Celebrates the Global Recognition of SRB, Reinforcing the Impact of Purpose-Driven Digital Innovation

PRWire:

The financial education platform developed in partnership with Promatics receives international recognition for innovation, educational excellence, and sustainable social impact.

Promatics Technologies, USA | 15-07-2026 – There are moments that reaffirm why we do what we do. For Promatics Technologies, SRB’s recent international recognition is one of them. Seeing a product we helped bring to life being acknowledged for its innovation, educational excellence, and social impact is both a proud milestone and a testament to the power of meaningful collaboration.

Smarter Richer Braver (SRB), a financial education platform we had the privilege of designing and developing alongside our client, has received recognition from three distinguished institutions, underscoring the growing importance of accessible, engaging, and technology-driven financial education.

SRB has recently been honoured with:

2026 Global Recognition Award for Innovation
Special Commendation at the MAIA Awards, recognising excellence in financial education
Shortlisting at the MAJRA Sustainability Awards, recognising projects creating meaningful and sustainable social impact in the UAE

For the SRB team, these recognitions validate a mission focused on helping individuals build confidence and capability through practical financial education.

For us at Promatics Technologies, they represent something equally significant: the opportunity to contribute to a product that is creating measurable value and gaining recognition on a global stage.

As a digital product engineering company, we have always believed that exceptional products are about much more than clean code or feature delivery. They are about understanding the people who will use them, simplifying complexity, and designing experiences that inspire engagement and trust.

SRB embodied this philosophy from the very beginning.

Working closely with the SRB team, our experts across product strategy, UX/UI design, mobile engineering, and quality assurance collaborated to transform an ambitious idea into an intuitive mobile experience. From learner journeys and interactive dashboards to seamless functionality and scalable architecture, every decision was guided by a shared commitment to creating meaningful outcomes.

What makes these recognitions particularly meaningful is that they acknowledge the product experience itself.

According to recent market insights, the global financial literacy education market was valued at USD 12.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 28.6 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 9.3%. This growth reflects increasing awareness around financial wellbeing, stronger institutional focus on financial education, and the accelerating adoption of digital learning experiences.

As financial literacy becomes a global priority, there is an increasing need for innovative platforms capable of delivering engaging, accessible, and scalable educational experiences. SRB is part of this broader movement—leveraging technology to help individuals develop practical life skills that extend far beyond traditional classrooms.

Yash Kapoor, Project Manager at Promatics Technologies, said:
As technology partners, there are few moments more rewarding than seeing a product you’ve helped build receive recognition for the impact it creates. From day one, the SRB team brought clarity of purpose and a genuine desire to make financial education more engaging and accessible. We are proud to have contributed to that journey and delighted to see the platform earning recognition from respected institutions around the world.

At Promatics Technologies, we partner with startups, enterprises, and mission-driven organisations to build digital products that solve meaningful problems and create lasting value. Whether it is an education platform, healthcare solution, marketplace, or enterprise application, our approach remains the same: combine strategic thinking, user-centric design, and engineering excellence to deliver experiences people genuinely value.

SRB’s journey reinforces a belief that continues to guide our work: when visionary organisations collaborate with the right technology partner, digital products can do more than meet business objectives; they can shape industries, improve lives, and earn the trust of users and institutions alike.

These recognitions are, first and foremost, a testament to SRB’s mission and commitment to advancing financial education. At the same time, they serve as an encouraging reminder of the role technology partnerships play in turning bold ideas into products capable of making a real difference.

As SRB continues to empower learners and expand its impact, we look forward to supporting organisations around the world in building the next generation of digital experiences that inspire change and create measurable outcomes.

About Smarter Richer Braver (SRB)

Smarter Richer Braver (SRB) is a financial education platform dedicated to equipping individuals with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to make informed financial decisions. Through engaging digital experiences and learner-centred design, SRB is helping shape a more financially empowered generation.

About Promatics Technologies

Promatics Technologies is a leading digital product engineering company specialising in mobile app development, web application development, enterprise software solutions, AI-driven products, and emerging technologies. With over a decade of experience delivering innovative digital solutions for clients worldwide, Promatics combines product strategy, UX excellence, and scalable engineering to transform ambitious ideas into impactful digital experiences.

Media Contact

Promatics Technologies
Email : Info@promatics.com
Contact No : +1 (607) 821-7766
Website : https://www.promaticsindia.com/

Detention of a 95-Year-Old Religious Leader Damages Korea’s Reputation: European Scholars of Religion Call for the Release of Chairman Lee Man-hee

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July 10, 2026

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Detention of a 95-Year-Old Religious Leader Damages Korea’s Reputation: European Scholars of Religion Call for the Release of Chairman Lee Man-hee

PRWire:

Concerns Raised at European Academy of Religion’s International Conference Held in Rome—Strong Appeals Over Violation of International Law

European scholars of religion are making strong appeals to the South Korean government to release Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old Chairman of Shincheonji Church, who remains in detention.

Chairman Lee was detained on 24 June on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act and was indicted on 30 June. The Joint Police–Prosecution Investigation Headquarters alleges that, between July 2021 and January 2024, he directed the mass registration of approximately 50,000 church members into a particular political party.

In response, Shincheonji Church stated that individual members freely participated in political activities and that both Chairman Lee and the church have faithfully cooperated throughout the entire investigation process, including the searches and seizures. The church also expressed deep regret, stating that detaining Chairman Lee, an elderly man aged 95, amounts in effect to a form of physical punishment.

Scholars of Religion State that Detaining an Elderly Person Over Non-violent Allegations Violates International Law

The European Academy of Religion (EuARe), a non-profit academic network connecting scholars and institutions of religious studies across Europe, held its Ninth Annual Conference in Rome, Italy, on 3 July, where the circumstances surrounding Shincheonji Church were addressed. During the session titled “Shincheonji, a Korean New Religion in Global Context,” European scholars of religion presented their respective academic papers on Shincheonji Church. The recent situation in South Korea, including the detention of Chairman Lee, was also shared with participants.

At the conference, Dr. Massimo Introvigne, a sociologist of religion and the Founder and Managing Director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), commented on the detention of Chairman Lee as follows:

“In all European Union countries, legislation mandates that, those older than 80, only exceptionally, should be put in jail; they should be under house arrest if needed, and only for violent crimes, if there is a risk of actual violence connected with blood crimes. Here, of course, there are no blood crimes, and the accusations are violations of electoral law.”

“And what Korea is doing to this elderly religious leader is in violation of international law, including the United Nations’ so-called Mandela Rules, which mandate that preliminary detention should be, in general, not the rule, and only in an extremely limited number of exceptional cases may be applied to elderly prisoners. So what is happening is an unmitigated scandal, which hides a political and religious vendetta.”

Eric Roux, an interfaith advocate and President of the European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom (EIFRF), who also participated in the session, reiterated the injustice of detaining an elderly person.

“A man of 95 years old being put in jail is not something that you can reconcile with the objective of respecting human dignity. Even if what you pretend he has done is true, you would not put a man of this age in prison as is the case now. So I would suggest that this be reviewed very fast to avoid something that would be very detrimental to the reputation of South Korea, which is please, get that man out of jail and do it now.”

Human Rights Expert Describes the Detention as Unthinkable in a Democratic Country

Human rights lawyer Alessandro Amicarelli expressed concern, citing South Korea’s democratic tradition. He is a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, a barrister in Italy, and Chairman of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB).

“As a human rights lawyer, I always considered South Korea a true democracy where human rights are upheld like a foundation of the democracy. Unfortunately, what’s happening now is truly shocking. … We cannot accept that a religious leader in a democratic country, at the age of 95, has to be under this kind of pressure.”

“What we’re seeing right now, … it looks like South Korea is departing from its own Constitution, its own human rights foundation. For this reason, I’m very happy to support Shincheonji in your fight against abuse and persecution in South Korea and anywhere in the world.”

Shincheonji Church emphasized that the detention of Chairman Lee has gone beyond academic interest and is now being raised as an international human rights issue.

The international human rights organizations United for Human Rights and Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP-LC; Coordination of Associations and Individuals for Freedom of Conscience) submitted a joint written statement on the human rights issues faced by Shincheonji Church to the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 25 May (Document No. A/HRC/62/NGO/236; circulated on 10 June). In the statement, the two organizations assessed that “the situation has intensified” in South Korea and noted that framing members’ registration with a political party as evidence of “religion–politics collusion” is inconsistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees every citizen the right to participate in political life.

The two organizations further stated: “In December 2025, the President ordered the creation of a joint police–prosecutor task force explicitly targeting Shincheonji… Senior officials have publicly referred to Shincheonji as a ‘criminal organization,’ statements incompatible with the presumption of innocence.” They also added, “We [urge] the Government of the Republic of Korea to reaffirm its commitment to freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and state neutrality.”

Shincheonji Church noted that “As support and petitions from prominent figures in the international community continue to grow regarding the detention of Chairman Lee Man-hee, pressure on the South Korean government and the judiciary is also mounting.” It further said, “The prompt release of Chairman Lee is a matter of safeguarding freedom of religion and human rights, which are core values of democracy.”

Stigma Across Borders: Concerns Grow Over Discrimination Against Shincheonji Members Abroad

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July 9, 2026

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Stigma Across Borders: Concerns Grow Over Discrimination Against Shincheonji Members Abroad

PRWire:

International human rights group CAP LC submits written statement to U.N. Human Rights Council, urging that administrative and judicial decisions be based on verifiable evidence

Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, said on July 9 that the international human rights organization CAP LC, the Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience, had submitted a joint written statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council expressing concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

In the statement, CAP LC focused less on the controversy surrounding Shincheonji Church of Jesus itself than on the standards by which such matters are assessed. The group expressed concern that negative perceptions and unverified materials formed in South Korea, if disseminated abroad, could have a serious impact not only on public opinion in other countries but also on administrative and judicial decisions.

CAP LC therefore urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the statement showed that if unfounded stigma were allowed to gain international acceptance, other religious minorities could also be judged in the same manner, underscoring the responsibility of states to protect the rights of all religious minorities.

CAP LC, which holds special consultative status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council, or ECOSOC, is an international NGO that has consistently raised internationally watched cases involving religious freedom. It has previously brought before the United Nations issues including the persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over violations of religious freedom stemming from the Japanese government’s request for a dissolution order against the Unification Church, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the fact that such an international NGO had issued a statement on the matter demonstrated that the case involving the church was not merely a domestic controversy in South Korea, but one that was also drawing attention in light of international human rights standards.

Stigma Without Evidence: Cases Across Countries Point to Social Discrimination

The statement cited cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries, saying that negative perceptions of Shincheonji Church of Jesus members had gone beyond public opinion and led to administrative proceedings and interference with individuals’ social lives.

In the United Kingdom, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji Church of Jesus’ application for registration, describing the church as a “cult,” a term whose legal definition remains unclear. CAP LC pointed out that the use of such terms without a clear legal basis in official administrative procedures can produce a strong social stigma.

In Germany and other German-speaking countries, cases have been reported of members facing workplace discrimination amid negative public sentiment driven by certain media outlets and church figures. CAP LC said a critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists was a major factor in deepening such discriminatory perceptions.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus said such cases were not limited to isolated instances of harm identified in some countries. It said unfounded stigma and unverified claims were causing disadvantages for individual members in their workplaces, families and broader social lives, and called for administrative and judicial decisions in each country to be based on clear legal standards and verifiable evidence.

Rights Concerns Raised Over Detention of Elderly Leader Amid Party Membership Probe

The statement also shed light on controversy in South Korea over political participation. CAP LC criticized claims by some political forces that the party membership of Shincheonji Church of Jesus members amounted to “religion-politics collusion,” saying that political participation should not be treated as grounds for suspicion solely because those involved are members of a particular religion.

On that basis, CAP LC called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, the principle of non-discrimination and the state’s religious neutrality.

Amid these concerns, South Korea is conducting an investigation into allegations related to church members’ party membership. On June 24, a court issued an arrest warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee, citing concerns including possible destruction of evidence. On June 29, the government joint investigation headquarters indicted Lee while in detention on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act.

While the final determination of the charges will be made through the trial process, Shincheonji Church of Jesus maintains that this case, too, should be handled in accordance with due process and objective evidence, rather than social perceptions or political controversy. The church said this position was also in line with the concerns raised in CAP LC’s statement.

The necessity and proportionality of detention during the investigation have also emerged as issues. Shincheonji Church of Jesus maintains that the necessity and proportionality of detention should be subject to stricter scrutiny, given that Lee, born in 1931 and now 95, is of advanced age, has actively cooperated with the investigation, and that key materials have already been secured through searches and seizures.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the cases of discrimination cited in CAP LC’s statement and the investigation in South Korea raised a common question: what standards should state judicial and administrative authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities?

The church said the issue went beyond controversy over a particular religious group and served as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are being equally protected in domestic and international procedures. It also said this was why the international community was watching the case — to determine whether legal grounds and the principles of due process are being consistently upheld in South Korea’s investigation and in administrative and judicial decisions in other countries.

Ultimately, the church said, how the case is resolved would serve as a test of the strength of social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities, beyond the matter of a single religious organization.

Detained at 95: South Korea’s Prosecution of a Religious Leader Draws International Alarm

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July 9, 2026

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Detained at 95: South Korea’s Prosecution of a Religious Leader Draws International Alarm

PRWire:

International criticism is mounting over the detention and prosecution of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old leader of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and over recent public remarks by South Korea’s Minister of Justice, Jeong Seong-ho.

On June 30, Minister Jeong announced on his social media account that Chairman Lee had been indicted while in detention, writing that “strict criminal punishment corresponding to its responsibility is inevitable.” He closed the post by quoting Matthew 7:15: “Beware of false prophets.” Shincheonji Church of Jesus is a Christian denomination founded in South Korea in 1984.

Dr. Massimo Introvigne, an Italian sociologist of religion, has published two articles in the religious-freedom and human-rights outlet Bitter Winter addressing this situation: the first on June 24, 2026, criticizing the detention of Chairman Lee at the time of his arrest; and a second on July 2, 2026, raising detailed criticism of Minister Jeong’s public remarks.

Detention of the 95-Year-Old Chairman: ‘Jailing an Elderly Religious Leader Violates International Standards’

Chairman Lee was taken into custody on June 24 on charges including violation of the Political Parties Act, and was formally indicted while still in detention on June 30. Investigators allege that between July 2021 and January 2024, Lee organized the enrollment of roughly 50,000 Shincheonji members into the People Power Party (PPP) in an effort to influence the party’s presidential and parliamentary primaries.

Dr. Introvigne argued that placing an elderly religious leader in detention over a case that does not involve violence or other serious crimes falls short of the proportionality standards required under the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the “Mandela Rules”) and the principles articulated by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

He linked the case to that of Han Hak-ja, the 83-year-old leader of the Unification Church (the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification), who was being held in a separate case, warning that “this is not an issue confined to a single religious group — a pattern is emerging in which physical detention is repeatedly used against elderly religious leaders.”

Immediately after the detention, Shincheonji Church of Jesus responded that “Chairman Lee and the church have fully cooperated with every stage of the investigation, including the search and seizure operations,” calling the detention “in effect a physical punishment imposed on a 95-year-old suspect.”

■ Justice Minister’s Public Remarks Targeting a Specific Religion: ‘A Conflict With State Neutrality’

What Dr. Introvigne found particularly troubling was the timing of Minister Jeong’s statement. Jeong made his public call for “strict criminal punishment” on the very day Chairman Lee was formally indicted while in detention. Introvigne noted that when the official who oversees the justice and prosecution system publicly declares the need for punishment just as a case is beginning, it risks being seen as prejudging the outcome.

Dr. Introvigne also pointed out that a public official’s use of a Bible verse that could cast the defendant in a negative light may conflict with the state’s principle of religious neutrality. Because a sitting Minister of Justice’s public statements are likely to be read as more than personal opinion — effectively as the government’s official position — he argued that such remarks warrant far greater caution.

■ The Central Issue Will Be Whether Coercion Occurred

The legal question at the heart of the case is not that members joined a political party, but whether they were coerced into doing so. Prosecutors say the evidence points to an organized, forced-enrollment campaign, while Shincheonji Church of Jesus maintains that members were not compelled by force or directive.

Dr. Introvigne predicted that the trial will hinge on what evidence and legal reasoning are used to prove coercion. He argued that “these charges risk criminalizing ordinary civic participation simply because the individuals belong to a religious minority,” adding that “Shincheonji members, like any other South Korean citizens, have the right to join a political party and support a candidate.”

■ “A Stain on South Korea’s Democratic Credentials”

Dr. Introvigne said the case is being closely watched in international religious-freedom circles not simply as a question of guilt or innocence for one religious group, but as a test of “whether a democratic state applies the same standards of rule of law and human rights to religious groups that are controversial or classified as minorities.”

If statements by senior government officials appear to influence judicial independence, a defendant’s right to a defense, or the political freedom of believers, the damage extends beyond the fairness of a single case — it can undermine confidence in the state’s commitment to the rule of law and human rights. A genuine democracy, he said, must guarantee the same procedures and rights to minority groups as to everyone else.

Dr. Introvigne described the situation as “a stain on South Korea’s democratic credentials” and said it is “a matter the world should pay attention to.”

Campaign Creators Earns HubSpot’s Software Industry Accreditation

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June 26, 2026

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Campaign Creators Earns HubSpot’s Software Industry Accreditation

PRWire:

Recognition validates Campaign Creators as a top option to help software companies design HubSpot around the full customer lifecycle, connecting acquisition, onboarding, customer success, renewals, expansion, and recurring revenue into one connected system.

San Diego, California — June 25, 2026 — Campaign Creators, a HubSpot Elite Solutions Partner, has earned HubSpot’s SaaS Industry Accreditation, recognizing its ability to help software companies architect HubSpot around the full customer lifecycle—from acquisition and activation to onboarding, customer success, renewals, expansion, and recurring revenue. With this latest accreditation, Campaign Creators has reached the maximum number of HubSpot Industry Accreditations awarded to a single Solutions Partner, a milestone that reflects the company’s continued investment in specialized, industry-focused HubSpot expertise.

Software companies need more than just one sales process to grow. Customers go through trials, onboarding, subscriptions, customer success, support, renewals, and expansion. HubSpot works best when all these stages connect in one system, so every team can see the full customer journey.

Campaign Creators earned the accreditation by showing strong results and expertise for software companies. The proof included real client projects, documented customer success after setup, and helpful articles showing how software companies can connect customer activity, onboarding, customer success, subscriptions, recurring revenue, and reporting through HubSpot.

Campaign Creators also holds SOC 2 Type II certification. Together with this new accreditation, it places the firm among a small group of HubSpot partners known for software expertise across HubSpot’s global partner network.

The award reflects Campaign Creators’ approach to working with software companies: build the structure first, then add automation; understand the customer journey first, then build campaigns; connect operations first, then focus on growth. The organization helps software companies build a connected revenue and customer lifecycle system. Every team shares the same customer information, every customer gets a more consistent experience, and leaders get better visibility into the business.

For software companies setting up HubSpot or improving their current system, this means more confidence in:

Structuring HubSpot around the complete customer lifecycle
Supporting free trial, freemium, demo, and sales-assisted buying journeys
Connecting product usage data, Product-Qualified Leads (PQLs), customer activity, marketing, sales, customer success, and support
Building onboarding pipelines that reduce time-to-value and help customers reach product adoption faster.
Tracking customer health, renewal dates, churn risk, and expansion opportunities from one connected system
Connecting HubSpot with Stripe, Chargebee, NetSuite, QuickBooks, and other subscription or finance tools to keep customer, billing, and revenue data aligned
Using HubSpot Service Hub to connect customer support, onboarding, customer success, ticketing, and lifecycle reporting

“Winning a customer is only the beginning,” said Bob Afsari, CEO of Campaign Creators. “Software companies grow through successful onboarding, product adoption, customer success, renewals, and expansion. Every team needs the same view of the customer so they can give a better experience and make better decisions. This accreditation shows our ability to build systems that help software companies connect every stage of the customer lifecycle into one complete operating model.”

Companies in SaaS keep facing pressure to improve customer retention, grow annual recurring revenue (ARR) and monthly recurring revenue (MRR), and reduce churn. Reaching these goals depends on connected teams, reliable customer data, and clear visibility across the whole customer lifecycle. The accreditation shows Campaign Creators’ ability to help software companies build HubSpot systems made for how Software companies grow today.

Learn more about HubSpot for software companies:

https://www.campaigncreators.com/hubspot-for-saas-companies

About Campaign Creators
Campaign Creators is a HubSpot Elite Solutions Partner that designs and operationalizes HubSpot systems for organizations with growing technical and operational complexity. With capabilities spanning architecture, CRM infrastructure, integrations, migrations, and cross-hub execution, Campaign Creators helps organizations build more connected systems that support better communication, stronger adoption, and scalable growth.