News & Opinion

The NAB Show 2023 marked another significant milestone for innovation and excellence in broadcast and media technology. Among the many participants, two companies, represented by Bob Gold & Associates (BG&A), emerged as notable award winners, highlighting their contributions to the industry's advancement.   Yuvod stood out, securing the TV Tech NAB Best of Show award, a recognition that shines a spotlight on products with the potential to redefine the industry. This award emphasizes innovation, design, and utility. Yuvod’s Platform-as-a-Service Streaming Solution was recognized as a pivotal new technology in media and entertainment technology, offering a unique, turnkey OTT solution that empowers any streamer, broadcaster or communication service provider (CSP) to rapidly deploy, scale and customize their content.   Varnish Software, another BG&A client, achieved remarkable success by winning not one, but two significant awards. Alongside the TV Tech NAB Best of Show award, Varnish Software was also honored with the IABM BaM award. This latter accolade is reserved for products that demonstrate real impact on the industry, offering solutions that address current challenges while paving the way for future advancements. Varnish Software's work with its partners Intel and Supermicro set a new industry record for content delivery performance. The massive breakthrough unlocks entirely new possibilities for video service providers and the live event industry to deliver flawless live streamed events to massive audiences worldwide, in a more economical and sustainable way.   These achievements at NAB 2023 not only underscore the innovative spirit and technological leadership of Yuvod and Varnish Software but also subtly reflect the strategic guidance and industry expertise provided by Bob Gold & Associates. Through targeted PR efforts and a deep understanding of the broadcast and media technology landscape, BG&A has proven adept at positioning its clients for recognition at the highest levels.   The awards won at NAB 2023 serve as a testament to the collaborative efforts between BG&A and its clients, showcasing a joint commitment to excellence and innovation. As the industry continues to evolve, these recognitions will become even more vital to highlight highly impactful innovations and truly stand out.

In a strategic maneuver to broaden its telecommunications portfolio, Cox Communications initiated a nationwide launch of its mobile service and establish itself as a key player in the competitive US mobile market. The company leveraged the expertise of Bob Gold & Associates to ensure a successful unveiling of its mobile service at two pivotal industry events: CES 2023 in Las Vegas and Mobile World Congress 2023 in Barcelona.   The collaboration between Cox Communications and Bob Gold & Associates was driven by several core objectives: - Generate substantial buzz and secure media coverage for Cox Mobile's nationwide launch. - Position Cox Mobile executives as thought leaders within the telecom sector. - Engage effectively with key media outlets and influencers, ensuring Cox Mobile's launch received extensive coverage.   Launch Announcement at CES 2023   At CES 2023, Bob Gold & Associates executed a strategic media engagement plan, which included hosting a private media breakfast. This event featured a panel with Cox Mobile executives Cox Mobile Senior Vice President Tony Krueck, and Catherine Borda de Castro, AVP Connectivity & Convergence who discussed the service's launch, key industry trends, and Cox Mobile's future roadmap. This setting facilitated meaningful dialogue between Cox executives and leading journalists, laying the foundation for comprehensive launch coverage.   Engagement at Mobile World Congress 2023   The campaign's momentum continued at MWC 2023 in Barcelona, where the firm organized a "Cocktails and Conversation" event. This function, highlighted by the "Converge with Cox Mobile" panel discussion, further elevated Cox Mobile's profile among an international audience. The panel, moderated by Sue Marek and featuring Cox AVP, Strategic Partnerships Daniel Graham and Cox AVP Mobile and Converged Products R.K Gopinath along with Catherine Borda de Castro, offered insights into Cox Mobile's vision and discussed industry trends. Attracting top tier reporters, analysts, and partners, the event facilitated in-depth discussions about Cox's strategic direction and contributions to the industry.   The media strategy executed by Bob Gold & Associates yielded notable achievements: - The campaign secured earned placements in prestigious publications, including Cablefax, CNBC, Light Reading, Mobile World Live, Multichannel News, and TV Technology. - The CES and MWC events played a crucial role in fostering industry engagement and discussions, contributing to the successful launch of Cox Mobile.   Setting the Standard for Effective Media Engagement at Industry Events   The nationwide launch of Cox Mobile, backed by strategic media events and communications, not only underscored Cox Communications' ambitious entry into the mobile market but also underscored its commitment to innovation and customer service. The success of this campaign serves as a testament to the effectiveness of strategic media engagement, thought leadership, and event execution by Bob Gold & Associates and exemplifies how well-planned PR strategies can significantly impact market entry and brand positioning in a highly competitive industry.

In a groundbreaking achievement that's setting the tech world abuzz, Varnish Software, in collaboration with Intel and Supermicro, has shattered previous records in content delivery network (CDN) throughput. This Swedish caching specialist has not only pushed the boundaries of speed and efficiency but has done so with a keen eye on sustainability, boasting an almost hard-to-believe throughput of 1.17 Gbps per Watt from a single edge server. This achievement marks a significant leap forward in the quest for more sustainable and cost-effective live streaming and video delivery solutions.    For those intrigued by the intricacies of high-performance streaming technologies and the sustainability of digital infrastructures, this development is not to be missed. Varnish's breakthrough promises to reshape how we think about and manage large-scale content delivery, blending cutting-edge technology with environmental consciousness.    Catch the full story and dive deeper into this exciting breakthrough here. 

?Recently the Daily Ad Brief spoke with Bob Gold & Associates President Bob Gold as part of their weekly Marketing Champions series. Bob shared his thoughts on industry trends and challenges and what makes our PR agency unique. Watch the video here.

Bob Gold & Associates (BG&A), the internationally recognized, data-driven public relations and marketing agency now in its 25th year, was recently named a winner in multiple categories in the 58th Annual PRism Awards, including ‘Campaign on a Shoestring Budget’ and ‘Integrated Communications’. Presented by the Los Angeles chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-LA), the PRism Awards is the premier awards program recognizing excellence in public relations strategic campaigns, tactical programs and professional merit.    “I am very proud of our team and what they have been able to accomplish,” said Bob Gold, President and Founder of Bob Gold & Associates. “We always strive to provide creative and highly tailored communications solutions to our clients that deliver meaningful and data-driven results.”    BG&A was recognized in the ‘Campaign on a Shoestring Budget’ category for its work with the McCoy Law Firm, with contributions by Bob Gold; Chris Huppertz, Vice President of Communications; Andrew Laszacs, Senior Account Manager; and Kelly Makepeace, Account Coordinator. McCoy engaged the agency to swiftly produce a buzzworthy public news conference based on a lawsuit McCoy filed on behalf of the biological family of two children allegedly murdered by their foster parents. Securing significant local and national new coverage, BG&A was successful in helping expose the failure of state and local child protection agencies and their ineffective adherence to family reunification processes.     For the ‘Integrated Communications’ category, BG&A won for its wholistic rebranding campaign for the trade association, the National Content & Technology Cooperative (NCTC) – formerly the National Cable Television Cooperative. This included developing a new logo, brand guide, messaging, sizzle reel and executing a PR launch campaign leading into the association’s largest annual trade expo and conference. Bob Gold; Chris Huppertz, Vice President of Communications; Beth Braen, Vice President of Client Services; Robert Brownlie, Account Executive and Sandra Stanisa, Account Coordinator collaborated with Martin von Ruden, CEO of Capital M. Co. to craft a new identity that would imbue trust and confidence in NCTC, reflecting the association’s new mandate to introduce innovative technology and services to help its members grow and keep pace with future industry trends.    The 58th Annual PRism Awards were held on October 13, 2022 at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica. PRSA-LA is comprised of nearly 600 agency, in-house and independent public relations professionals representing Los Angeles-area corporations, academic institutions, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.    Read More here.

The internationally recognized, data-driven public relations and marketing agency, Bob Gold & Associates (BG&A) is thrilled to announce that we recently celebrated 25 years of helping launch and grow nearly 250 clients ranging from hi-tech startups and associations to Fortune 500 companies.   Since our founding in 1997, Bob and his team have established themselves as a premier communications agency for leading hardware and software tech companies alike, expanding far beyond our roots in cable TV to encompass industries including media and entertainment, streaming, IoT, AdTech, enterprise software, blockchain and communication service providers.   “Whether clients are on the upswing or are in trouble, we have stepped up and helped shape their message and meaning to their community,” said President and Founder, Bob Gold. “For a quarter century, we always put our clients’ interests first.  Honesty is so rare today.  We pride ourselves on pushing back, and not being ‘yes folks.’ It is the only way to ensure their company, brand and reputation meet the future head on.”   We stay relevant in order to propel clients’ businesses forward, providing creative solutions and highly tailored communications programs that deliver meaningful results. This not only includes offering a variety of timely and much-needed services, but also creative services to support rebranding efforts and introduce disruptive technologies.   Current and recent clients include next generation smart home services, NFTs for the metaverse, AI-powered energy management, lab-made cheese, social justice campaigns, streaming channels, and highly touted individual shows.   The company’s proprietary BG&A Insight™ is a unique, data-driven approach to PR and brand management that has helped the firm meet every client’s unique needs by implementing proactive and personalized PR campaigns tackling all five pillars offered in the program.   Bob Gold & Associates has received numerous accolades and awards. Most recently, the firm was recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies for 2021. Recently, we have been selected among the Top California Public Relations Firms by DesignRush. The agency was also recognized as a top place to work by Cablefax Magazine in 2019. That same year, Bob Gold was named Communications Professional of the Year by the Los Angeles Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Gold was inducted into the Cable TV Pioneers in 2007.   Special Thanks to our friends and partners in the media who have supported and celebrated with us. CableFax Daily highlighted our anniversary! When (Bob) Gold Turns Silver - It’s been 25 years since Bob Gold founded his PR and marketing firm Bob Gold & Associates after getting his start in the industry at HBO and Prime Ticket. As a communications pro, he’s had a bird’s-eye view of cable’s transformation during that period. “This is the 1980s all over again—in terms of connected TVs being the new cable system, in terms of bundling that’s coming together. What’s really interesting is that cable was the brand that everyone loved to hate. It was expensive, you had no choice, and it was bad customer service. So direct-to-consumer streaming was like this cure. Nobody hates that cable operator anymore,” he told CFX. That might be a bit of PR wishful thinking, but cable certainly has come a long way from the days of the evil “cable guy.” The PRWeek Podcast featured our very own Bob Gold! Longtime agency owner talks about celebrating his film’s quarter-century in business, legendary moments in entertainment communications and sports TV rights. Palos Verde Magazine spotlights Bob in the feature story on page 16 -- Rolling Hills Resident and Owner Bob Gold & Associates, Celebrates 25 Years in Business and Discovers a New Chapter in his Book of Life BG&A Founder Bob Gold reminisces about 2+ decades in cable and telecom with Jeff Baumgartner in a recent Light Reading Podcast   Stroll Rolling Hills magazine celebrates Rolling Hills resident Bob Gold on the 25th anniversary of Bob Gold & Associates with a treasure trove of photos starting on page 12.

Hollywood’s most unlikely hero, Danny Trejo, comes to life as a playable character inside the multiplayer open world survivor game, SCUM. In addition, Epik Prime Marketplace will offer Trejo’s first ever NFT collection, titled “The Many Faces of Danny Trejo.”   Epik, the leading global licensing agency immersing major brands into AAA games, in a collaboration with Gamepires’ SCUM, will offer fans the ability to select Trejo as a character with customizable options and accessories to navigate through the multiplayer survival game. Voiced by Trejo himself, the avatar is modeled after his iconic 1990s roles that launched his career.   “I’ve been fortunate to work on some incredible projects throughout my career, but seeing myself in a badass game like ‘SCUM’ has got to be one of the highlights,” said Trejo in a statement. “Working with Epik and Gamepires has been an awesome collaboration. This partnership is an opportunity to engage with fans on a different level.”   READ MORE Danny Trejo to Appear as Playable Character in Survival Video Game, Trilby Beresford, The Hollywood Reporter SCUM: The One and Only Danny Trejo is Now a Playable Character, Jason Nieva, Player.One

Viamedia, the country’s leading independent provider of ad-sales representation to Cable TV Systems saw a record-setting 42% increase in ad spending for Q1 Midterm political advertising.  The triple-digit -- and higher-- growth was seen across all political categories -- including House, Senate, gubernatorial, local races and issues especially in Battle Ground states.   The data was culled from political advertising purchased on more than 60 multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) of various sizes in more than 70 markets.   David Solomon, President & CEO at Viamedia noted, "We have robust insights into the local ad trends around the country. What we’re seeing, so far this season, underscores the reliability of political advertising directed primarily at linear television platforms.”   The company also saw a significant spike in digital political advertising, driving the portion of spending on digital to 18% of the total in first-quarter 2022 – though the digital spending remains dwarfed by linear TV spending.   READ MORE: Viamedia Sees 42% Increase in 1Q Political Ad Spend, Jon Lafayette, Broadcasting & Cable Inside the Beltway: A haven for conservative news, Jennifer Harper, The Washington Times

Commit, the leading global tech services company focused on custom software and IoT solutions recently released an in-depth report on the 2022 State of Tech Staffing. The survey polled 200 US senior leaders at hi-tech start-ups who had received a Seed, Round A, or Round B investment round of $1M or more over the past six months and included CTOs, CEOs and leadership in HR, Recruitment or Talent, as well as VPs in R&D, Engineering or Technology.     The report addresses the many critical challenges and opportunities faced by tech start-ups today when staffing for success – from talent supply and demand issues to the benefits of remote work, talent sourcing and much more.    Findings that surfaced included that outsourcing for software development at start-ups is expected to increase by 70% between 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, 99% of senior technology and HR leaders today recognize the benefits of remote teams, with 3 of every 4 (75%) seeing an increase in productivity from their remote staff, a clear indication that concerns about remote teams are all but gone.    “The increasing gap between supply and demand for developer talent, along with emerging trends like the growing gig economy, more remote work and the great resignation are driving a need and opportunity to rapidly outsource skilled talent,” said Max Nirenberg, Chief Revenue Officer and Managing Director of Commit USA. “This is especially true for startups, who now face enormous growth potential but struggle to scale quickly and efficiently.”    READ MORE: Software Development Outsourcing To Grow 70% by 2023: Report | Toolbox Tech HR Tech Series