HEINEKEN USA has introduced a first-of-its-kind collaboration with OpenTable that allows diners to nominate a designated driver (DD) while making a restaurant reservation. The initiative expands the company's There's No Such Thing As Fine to Drive campaign and is based on new research showing that 71% of Americans would be more likely to arrange a safe ride home if prompted during the booking process. By integrating the reminder into reservations, the partnership aims to encourage responsible planning while recognizing designated drivers—whom 58% of survey participants described as the "hero" of the evening.

"HEINEKEN has a longstanding global ambition to brew the joy of true togetherness, which means ensuring moments of connection are always enjoyed responsibly and removing barriers to moderation," said Anne de Graaf, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at HEINEKEN USA.

"By celebrating the designated driver, we're reinforcing that choosing not to drink doesn't mean missing out on the experience. Heineken 0.0 delivers the social connection without alcohol, and this partnership with OpenTable highlights that responsible choices deserve recognition from the moment a reservation is made."

Reece Jones, General Manager of OpenTable Media, added that the company is committed to creating meaningful connections between diners and restaurants. He noted that partnering with HEINEKEN USA through OpenTable's media solutions provides a unique opportunity to encourage responsible alcohol consumption directly within the reservation journey.

Key Survey Findings
The research also revealed several insights into consumer attitudes toward responsible drinking:

Pilot Program Launches in Houston
The partnership will debut this summer as a pilot program in Houston, Texas, a city where driving is a primary mode of transportation. Local survey results highlighted the need for the initiative, with 34% of Houston respondents saying they realized they were more intoxicated than expected only after getting behind the wheel. Additionally, 36% admitted they had driven after drinking because they believed they were the "most sober" person in their group.

Participating Restaurants
The pilot will operate every weekend from July 31 through October 4 at ten participating Houston restaurants:

Rewards for Designated Drivers
Customers reserving a table through a dedicated OpenTable landing page can identify a designated driver during the booking process, making them eligible for special rewards.

Research found that 64% of respondents would be more willing to serve as the designated driver if restaurants covered the cost of non-alcoholic beverages. To encourage participation, HEINEKEN USA will provide complimentary Heineken 0.0 beverages for eligible designated drivers at participating Houston locations. The company is also partnering with SafeRides.org, a nonprofit organization that has provided more than 300,000 safe rides since 2003, to offer discounted rideshare vouchers for future outings.

Nationwide, 37% of survey participants said complimentary or discounted rideshare vouchers would make them less likely to drive after drinking. Through this collaboration, HEINEKEN USA aims to reward those who prioritize the safety of their friends and communities while making responsible choices more accessible.

Americans for Safe and Effective Medicines (ASEM) has been established as a national advocacy organization focused on safeguarding patients from the risks associated with illegal large-scale drug compounding, counterfeit medications, and deceptive marketing practices. The organization also aims to hold companies and individuals accountable for practices that may compromise patient safety. Its launch coincides with the release of its first national survey, which found that while 84% of consumers prefer GLP-1 medications that have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), only 17% are aware that compounded GLP-1 products do not undergo FDA approval.

Compounded GLP-1 products continue to be widely promoted through telehealth providers, medical spas, online vendors, and other distribution channels. These marketing practices often fail to clearly distinguish FDA-approved medicines from compounded alternatives, leading many patients to mistakenly assume that all such products meet the same regulatory standards for safety, effectiveness, and quality.

Fred Mills, Chief Policy Officer at ASEM, stated that many patients are making treatment decisions without receiving complete information about the products they use. He noted that ASEM was created to address a marketplace where consumer misunderstanding has become commercially advantageous. According to Mills, pharmaceutical compounding was originally intended to address the unique needs of individual patients rather than serve as a large-scale commercial enterprise.

Survey Highlights: Consumer Expectations vs. Awareness
The organization's survey identified a substantial gap between consumer expectations and their understanding of compounded GLP-1 medications:

Report Highlights Risks Associated with Mass Compounding
In addition to the survey, ASEM released a report titled The Shortage is Over. The Risks Are Not: How Illegal Mass Compounding Is Undermining Patient Safety—And What Must Happen Next. The report argues that temporary compounding practices permitted during the GLP-1 drug shortage have expanded into a largely unregulated commercial market for compounded GLP-1 products. According to the report, these products are distributed outside many of the regulatory safeguards that apply to FDA-approved medicines.

Drawing on FDA inspection records, product recalls, warning letters, and state regulatory enforcement actions, the report concludes that patient safety is being compromised by several factors, including:

Kim.cc, an AI-driven customer support platform serving more than 200 e-commerce brands worldwide, has released its AI Customer Support Sentiment Report based on a June 2026 survey of 1,000 consumers across the United States. The report highlights a growing consensus among customers regarding the appropriate role of artificial intelligence in customer service and where human assistance remains indispensable.

One of the report's most significant findings is that 35% of respondents experience immediate frustration when they discover they are interacting with an AI-powered support system. While consumers generally appreciate AI handling straightforward inquiries such as order tracking, delivery updates, and frequently asked questions, they continue to prefer human representatives for situations that require empathy, critical thinking, or nuanced decision-making.

Key findings from the survey include:

"Customers are not opposed to AI in customer service," said Sachin Jaiswal, Founder and CEO of Kim.cc. "What they reject are poor service experiences. Brands must strike the right balance by combining AI efficiency with human expertise. Customers appreciate automation when it helps them save time, but they also expect the option to connect with a real person when situations require it."

The findings suggest that businesses should adopt a blended customer service model that combines automation with human support. Consumers value AI for handling simple, repetitive requests because it improves speed and efficiency. However, they do not believe AI should completely replace human interaction.

By automating routine and low-complexity inquiries, companies can free their customer service teams to focus on more sensitive, complex, and context-driven issues where human judgment and empathy remain essential.

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