News & Opinion

Viamedia will Represent Advertising Sales for SVEC, MTCO, Cunningham Telephone & Cable and Hart Telephone Company, Supporting Local Businesses Across Tennessee, Illinois, Kansas and Georgia   Viamedia, the country’s largest independent advertising digital and linear rep firm, today announced it has signed agreements to manage advertising sales for four new service providers, expanding its reach across Tennessee, Illinois, Kansas and Georgia.   Viamedia will manage advertising sales operations for Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) in Tennessee, MTCO in Illinois, Cunningham Telephone & Cable in Kansas and Hart Telephone Company in Georgia. Viamedia aims to drive local economic growth by equipping businesses in Chattanooga, Peoria-Bloomington, Wichita, Greenville and nearby areas with targeted, impactful advertising across various platforms to maximize reach and effectiveness.   Viamedia’s continued expansion underscores its growing influence in local advertising, managing sales and operations for 76 cable operators across 65 of the top designated market areas (DMAs) nationwide. Viamedia’s technology delivers a seamless ad experience, from targeted linear TV spots to integrated digital campaigns, offering unparalleled transparency, performance insights and audience engagement.   “These new partners expand our reach into key markets, enabling us to support local businesses with advanced advertising platforms that were previously beyond their grasp,” said David Solomon, CEO of Viamedia. “By combining our cutting-edge technology with the dedication these providers have to their communities, we’re making a meaningful impact on local economies and strengthening the connections between businesses and their customers across multiple regions.”   Viamedia offers comprehensive operational management of all aspects of the advertising sales business, including regional and national sales, with the companies it collaborates with. Viamedia’s full-service partnerships include immediate deployment of sales tools, training, research, automation and marketing, along with a specialized sales management team focused on efficiently selling fractionalized market shares with multi-platform insertion capabilities.   About Viamedia Viamedia is the nation’s largest independent champion for video service providers’ advertising needs. The company places over 1 million ads daily in more than 130 zones in 28 states across 65 markets nationwide, aggregating all types of TV audiences and providing a single point of sale to more than 6,000 local, regional, and national advertisers. Its mission in a fractured media market is to make advertising easy. It provides a comprehensive portfolio of audience and impression-based local video cross-media advertising solutions that bridge the gap between linear TV and digital programmatic advertising.   Viamedia offers a complementary suite of impression-based digital products for streaming, mobile, display, email, search, social and more. Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, the company’s success is built on its people, processes and proprietary software. For more information, please visit https://viamediatv.com.   About SVEConnect SVEConnect, powered by Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative, is a not-for-profit fiber broadband company offering high-speed internet, phone and television programming to Marion County, Tennessee members.   About MTCO MTCO installed its own 75-mile Fiber-Optic Link between its offices in Metamora and Marseilles. It advances on to the Chicago area to enhance our network for cutting-edge services, content, and bandwidth needs. We continue to expand our fiber optic footprint throughout our service areas to deliver the innovative solutions our customers expect.   About Cunningham Telephone & Cable Serving the Republic and Solomon Valley areas for over 75 years, Cunningham Telephone & Cable is dedicated to providing high quality service to our customers. We are a local, independently owned company providing telecommunications services to much of Mitchell, Cloud, Republic and Jewell counties in North Central Kansas. Whether it is telephone, internet or video service, our trained staff will help take care of your needs. With headquarters in Glen Elder and branch offices in Beloit, Belleville and Concordia, our local offices and staff provide cutting-edge technology and fast, dependable service.   About Hart Telephone Company Hart Telephone Company, based in Hartwell, Georgia, is a trusted provider of high-quality telecommunications services dedicated to connecting the communities of Hart County and the surrounding areas. Since its founding in 1903, Hart Telephone Company has focused on delivering reliable, customer-focused solutions, including telephone, internet, and other communication services for both residential and business customers.

New Implant and Needle-Free Solution, CardioID, Uses AI and ML to Surpass Accuracy of Conventional Heart Monitoring   NEC X, the Silicon Valley venture studio backed by NEC’s portfolio of advanced technologies and global businesses, today announced a new investment in General Prognostics Inc. (GPx), a fast-growing MedTech startup revolutionizing chronic disease monitoring and management.   The investment coincides with GPx joining the Elev X! Boost program, an individually tailored venture program for ambitious startups that are ready to scale. The program offers a unique blend of capital, strategic partnerships, and integrations with NEC X’s expansive tech ecosystem to propel startups to global success.   Through Elev X! Boost, GPx will refine the accuracy of its debut product, CardioID, the world’s first implant and needle-free remote blood monitoring solution for heart failure patients, while growing revenue, expanding into new markets and securing additional funding. The system, developed by GPx, extracts biomarkers from wearable devices, such as heart rate, heart rate variability, step count, and voice data, and employs machine learning to develop predictive models that surpass the accuracy of traditional implant-based monitoring solutions.   “GPx’s innovative approach to heart monitoring and chronic disease management is a perfect fit for the NEC Group’s vision of leveraging advanced technology to improve quality of life,” said Shintaro Matsumoto, President and CEO of NEC X. “By joining forces with GPx, we aim to enhance their predictive algorithms and capabilities. Together, we can transform the healthcare industry.”   GPx aims to improve the lives of individuals with chronic diseases by providing personalized, predictive monitoring solutions. Conventional heart failure monitoring typically relies on invasive implants, limiting its use to patients with severe conditions. CardioID addresses this gap by offering non-invasive, real-time monitoring without the need for surgery or frequent blood tests, significantly expanding access to continuous care for the majority of heart failure patients who are unable to receive implant-based monitoring.   “NEC X’s investment and strategic partnership are invaluable as we work to expand our mission of providing personalized healthcare solutions to millions of patients,” said Sean Matsuoka, Co-Founder of GPx. “This collaboration will not only help us improve the performance of our technology, but also accelerate our growth and ability to help patients with chronic diseases worldwide.”   GPx’s leadership team, composed of graduates from MIT and Harvard, offers deep expertise across engineering, legal, product management, and sales in healthcare and medical devices. Its co-founders Sean Matsuoka and Javier Echenique have held leadership roles at Caresyntax, M3, McKinsey & Company, Sony Corporation, Jana Care, Medtronic, and Volcano. Additionally, the startup’s founding advisor, Sidhant Jena co-founded and served as CEO of Jana Care and held R&D leadership roles at Medtronic.   The investment in GPx is part of NEC X’s broader strategy to support healthcare innovation. By fostering partnerships with startups like GPx, NEC X aims to address critical challenges in healthcare, such as improving access to monitoring for chronic disease patients and reducing the burden on healthcare systems. The investment will support GPx’s growth and development as they prepare to scale their operations and bring CardioID to market.   About General Prognostics Inc.   General Prognostics (GPx) is revolutionizing remote chronic disease management with the world's first bloodless blood tests. Headquartered in Boston, MA, GPx is dedicated to transforming the standard of care of chronic diseases and enabling patients to better understand their condition, much like the continuous glucose monitor has transformed diabetes care.   For more information about GPx and their innovative healthcare solutions, visit https://www.gpx.ai.   About NEC X  NEC X is an innovation powerhouse and curator of disruptive startups backed by the global technology leadership of NEC. Leveraging 125 years of IT and network technologies expertise, NEC X’s startup-focused approach transforms visionary ideas into commercial successes that revolutionize how we work and live. Since its inception in 2018, NEC X has helped launch and grow more than 100 startups.   Their Silicon Valley programs – Elev X! Ignite and Elev X! Boost – equip early-stage startup founders with the tools to fast-track their tech development and adoption. Elev X! fuels startup success from inception to launch, connecting innovators with NEC’s 45,000 patents; global network of partners, mentors and advisors; reach into 55+ international markets; and $8 billion R&D ecosystem.   For more information, visit https://nec-x.com and https://www.elev-x.com.   About NEC Corporation NEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.   For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.

Pilot Equips Users with Extended Programming Forecasting in Its Latest Release Carson City, Nevada – November 7, 2024—ShowSeeker, the ad tech company behind Pilot—the premier cloud-based, all-in-one campaign and order management platform —proudly announces the launch of its latest advancement: Predictive Programming. The first of its kind to go to market at scale and deploy to an active user base, Predictive Programming equips users with advanced programming data that enables them to generate custom proposals well into the future. “Predictive Programming is a leap forward in leveraging machine learning to solve common problems in advertising,” says Nick Anaclerio, Senior Vice President of Product Strategy. “It brings our clients a level of foresight and efficiency they won’t find anywhere else.”   The Technology Historically, programming data from providers such as Nielsen’s Gracenote is limited to a 56-day confirmed window. ShowSeeker’s Predictive Programming overcomes this limitation, allowing users to forecast and schedule programming data 12 to 14 months in advance. The technology behind Predictive Programming is powered by machine learning (ML). A subset of AI, ML allows the system to learn and improve from experience using algorithms to analyze large amounts of data. The immense work ShowSeeker put behind the data preparation that fed into these models, however, was key to the technology's success.   “Using the right data was fundamental in our work,” says Steve Falk, Vice President of IT and Architecture. “This was as much a data grooming effort as anything else and we quickly learned that minute changes to input had big changes to output - greatly affecting the confidence of the results.” This work, coupled with regular data updates, ensures that Predictive Programming provides the most current and reliable insights. The data continuously improves as ShowSeeker refines training, evaluates results, and makes targeted adjustments—ultimately providing an ~80% accuracy rate.   Key Benefits Predictive Programming offers sellers a clearer picture of their client’s advertising campaigns beyond the standard scheduling windows and surpasses the capabilities of any other platform. Fully integrated within Pilot, Predictive Programming enables users to access its capabilities seamlessly without interrupting their current workflows, underscoring ShowSeeker’s commitment to efficiency and innovation in campaign management.   About ShowSeeker Since its founding in 2003, ShowSeeker has established itself as a leading provider of campaign management, planning, and workflow solutions for the media industry. ShowSeeker simplifies the ad sales buying and planning process for video service providers with an easy-to-use, cloud-based platform that facilitates every step from proposal generation to campaign performance tracking. Its tools help optimize and better monetize campaign management by automating tasks, reducing manual workloads, and increasing operational efficiencies. Integrated data insights ensure ad buys are targeted, effective, and highly customizable, ultimately driving better ROI for buyers and sellers alike.

We are delighted to announce that Bob Gold & Associates was honored with not one, but three distinguished awards at the PRSA-LA’s 60th Annual PRism Awards including Best in Show; Strategic Program in Events & Observances, Corporate/Business and Tactical Program – Media Relations, Sports & Entertainment. These accolades further cement the company’s standing as a trailblazer in the PR industry, particularly noted for our specialized expertise in telecommunications, media, and technology. It is the ongoing commitment to excellence that propels our clients' narratives and successes, reaffirming our position at the forefront of strategic public relations.   Held at the stunning Audrey Irmas Pavilion in the heart of Koreatown on October 24, the event celebrated exemplary achievements in public relations strategic campaigns, tactical programs, and professional merit across the Los Angeles region.   Bob Gold & Associates took center stage at this year’s PRism Awards, claiming the prestigious Best in Show award—an honor reserved for the most exceptional PR campaign of the year. This coveted recognition celebrates strategic brilliance, creative vision, and measurable impact. Winning Best in Show underscores BG&A's commitment to delivering bold, innovative campaigns that drive real results and resonate on every level.   BG&A was also honored in the Strategic Program in Events and Observances category for its work with Curacao, the largest big-box department store dedicated to serving Hispanic customers in the Southwest. This category highlights a one-time program of limited duration designed to generate awareness with key audiences.   Curacao pulled out all the stops for a star-studded grand opening festival to celebrate their newest store location opening in Chula Vista, California. The all-day celebration included stunning blockbuster bargains, a spectacular entertainment program, and a display of their valued partnerships and robust community connections.   Bob Gold & Associates was engaged to generate exposure and media attention; introduce Curacao’s exciting brand to the surrounding Chula Vista community; and emphasize the benefits, value, and impact Curacao’s new storefront will bring to the local area.   The award-winning team led by CEO Bob Gold, Associate Director Andrew Laszacs, Associate Account Executive Kelly Makepeace and Hispanic Media Strategist Marco Antonio Gonzalez, CEO, ¡MaGO! PR worked closely with the Curacao marketing department to drive awareness and attention to the store opening event, secure significant media coverage, generate broad community awareness, and draw attendees to the grand opening celebration. By meeting and exceeding measurable goals, the campaign sought to generate excitement and emphasize the importance of Curacao entering the community for the first time, positioning the store as a valuable partner in the Chula Vista area. The combination of media attendance, expansive coverage in local TV news outlets and Spanish-language publications and amplified digital engagement underscored the success and impactful nature of our comprehensive media strategy.   Our work with FTW360 on the project, Driving NIL Opportunities and Equality for Student-Athletes: Utah 360°’s App Launch & Vehicle Giveaway shone brightly in the Tactical Program – Earned Media Relations – Sports & Entertainment category. This category honors programs and events driven entirely by media relations. Bob Gold along with VP & GM Chris Huppertz, Andrew Laszacs, Associate Director and Albert Heape, Account Executive, worked with For The Win 360° and the Utah Crimson Collective to celebrate and announce one of the largest NIL deals in collegiate sports history while promoting the launch of a new NIL streaming app, Utah 360°.   The BG&A team was tapped to support this monumental undertaking, helping produce two major events and providing comprehensive PR support to empower University of Utah athletes while engaging students, alumni, fans, donors and sponsors. Our efforts generated viral attention, securing 522 original stories, reaching 46.58 million readers and generating over $35,000,000 in advertising value, including on-air coverage from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and tweets from Pat McAfee.   A big congratulations to all the winners of the 60th PRism Awards! Your groundbreaking work continues to raise the bar in the world of public relations.   While everyone here at BG&A celebrates these remarkable achievements, it is our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of PR excellence and ensuring our clients' success that remains unwavering.

ShowSeeker, the ad tech company behind Pilot® — the premier cloud-based, all-in-one campaign and order management platform — announced today that Nick Anaclerio has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Product Strategy.   “Nick has been a key member of our leadership team since day one of joining the company in November 2017,” said Dave Hardy, CEO of ShowSeeker. “Over the past seven years, under Nick’s guidance, our product offerings have grown exponentially, and we are thrilled with the dedication and tireless effort Nick brings to solving the biggest issues facing the ad tech landscape.  Nick is truly a brilliant strategist and frequently sees a clear path of resolution to challenges our clients encounter.  I’m personally grateful to Nick for stepping up and tackling projects above and beyond the core discipline of product leadership.”   During Anaclerio’s tenure, ShowSeeker has expanded from a team of 10 in 2017 to more than 75 today, including more than three dozen software engineers, seven Quality Assurance professionals, three Designers, four Product Managers, and several dozen sales and support staff -- with more growth on the horizon.   ShowSeeker has grown from the industry’s #1 trusted programming content research tool to the leading ad tech platform, revolutionizing the video ad sales ecosystem. Now providing the only true Single Order Management platform for MVPDs and Broadcasters, ShowSeeker is poised to launch Predictive Programming in late 2024. More accurate predictive ratings algorithms will follow in early 2025.   “I’m very proud of each and every member of this amazing team, and I’m especially proud of our senior leadership team,” Hardy continued. “We have assembled an array of tier-one leadership talent with decades of experience to bring our customers the best products available. Our long-standing product commitment to a cloud-based solution handling everything ‘From Proposal to Performance’ now applies to ‘Any Glass, Any Time, Anywhere,’ as we lead the way as the Nation’s fastest-growing ad tech platform.”   Reflecting on ShowSeeker’s journey, Hardy added, “Leading a team of ad tech rockstars is one of the most rewarding parts of my long career. But I take no credit for the incredible velocity and precision at which we have moved over the past number of years.  This is a total team effort, and our technology leaders, like Nick, get all the credit for creating a platform that has gained the trust of some of the largest companies in our business.  Please join me in congratulating Nick on this important promotion and recognizing his accomplishments here at ShowSeeker.”     About ShowSeeker Since its founding in 2003, ShowSeeker has established itself as a leading provider of campaign management, planning, and workflow solutions for the media industry.   ShowSeeker simplifies the ad sales buying and planning process for video service providers with an easy-to-use, cloud-based platform that facilitates every step from proposal generation to campaign performance tracking. Its tools help optimize and better monetize campaign management by automating tasks, reducing manual workloads, and increasing operational efficiencies. Integrated data insights ensure ad buys are targeted, effective, and highly customizable, ultimately driving better ROI for buyers and sellers alike.

NEC X, the Silicon Valley venture studio backed by NEC’s portfolio of advanced technologies and global businesses, is now accepting applications for Elev X! Ignite, its venture studio program that transforms early-stage founders into seed-ready startups with unmatched support, resources and up to $200K of equity funding.   Startups have until December 20, 2024, to apply for the upcoming cohort, Batch 13, which will commence in early 2025, following a multi-phase selection process.   “Elev X! empowers ambitious founders with bold ideas to create a lasting impact," said Shintaro Matsumoto, President and CEO of NEC X. "Each new cohort brings a fresh wave of innovation to solve pressing real-world challenges. These startups are pushing the frontiers of technology, creating solutions that address critical market needs and contribute to a better society. Batch 13 represents an opportunity to take these transformative ideas and provide the support they need to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive landscape.”   NEC X has continued to experience rapid growth, both in the number of Elev X! applicants, as well as its robust network of tech experts and entrepreneurs. Today, the NEC X network encompasses more than 6,000 entrepreneurs worldwide. NEC X has also expanded with new corporate partnerships, providing additional resources and invaluable startup support, including Sumitomo Life, SOMPO Digital Lab and Yazaki Innovations.   Applications for Elev X! Ignite increased by 23% from Batch 11 and more than doubled year over year since 2023, underscoring the value of NEC X's unique blend of support, funding and market access. In addition, SPIN, NEC X’s monthly startup-investor pitch and networking event series, has drawn more than 500 participants since launching in June, offering another gateway for startups to connect with investors.   Why Join Elev X! Ignite   Elev X! Ignite is unlike any traditional venture studio, offering a unique blend of strategic collaboration, engineering expertise, extensive R&D resources, comprehensive support services and funding to accelerate transformative startups. This customized program is ideal for entrepreneurs and founding teams in the ideation or prototyping phase. It is designed to fast-track innovations that synergize with NEC’s technologies and businesses, have a clear vision and the potential for substantial market impact.   While entrepreneurs from all industries are eligible, NEC X has particular strength and focus on B2B software and SaaS startups innovating in the fields of AI, climate and agriculture, marketing, public safety, and healthcare.   During the six- to nine-month program, startups work closely with NEC X’s innovation team, researchers, industry experts, coaches, mentors and advisors to refine their product and market fit. This collaborative journey includes conducting customer discovery and validation, developing compelling Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), verifying Proof-of-Concept (POC), and engaging paying customers and investors.   Since its founding in 2018, NEC X has helped launch and grow more than 130 startups.   How to Apply   Qualified candidates are those working on new business ideas, developing problem-solution hypotheses, or prototyping MVPs. It is not required to have launched a product or generated revenue. Submissions will be evaluated on innovation, market potential and scalability.   Approximately 30 applicants will advance to its first phase called “Business Design,” a fee-free and equity-free pre-program of workshops and mentorship, followed by a selection of six to nine startups to join Elev X! Ignite.   For application information, materials and deadlines, click here.   For more information about Elev X!, please visit: https://elev-x.com.

Willow Sports is Available on Sling Freestream, Fubo, DistroTV, Plex, Free Live Sports, YuppTV and KaroStream for Free   Willow, offering more live, streaming and on-demand cricket than any other sports service, today announced the launch of Willow Sports, North America’s cricket-focused Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channel. Starting today, Willow Sports offers fans free access to live marquee matches, classic games and much more.   Willow Sports is available on major streaming platforms, including Sling Freestream, Fubo, DistroTV, Plex, Free Live Sports, YuppTV and KaroStream, where viewers can catch select ICC Women’s T20 World Cup matches beginning on October 13, 2024.   “Over the past year, cricket’s popularity has skyrocketed in North America, largely fueled by USA’s stunning victory over Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the second season of Major League Cricket,” said Todd Myers, COO of Willow. “With this growing enthusiasm, Willow Sports will bring cricket further into the spotlight, offering free access to some of the most exciting matches and tournaments. American cricket fans have never had greater access to the second most popular sport in the world.”   Willow Sports launches with a diverse lineup featuring select live matches from major competitions such as the IPL and ICC events, including the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, beginning with coverage of the highly anticipated match between the dominant defending champions Australia and 2020 runners-up India on Sunday, October 13 at 10 am ET. With an unmatched slate of live women’s matches, Willow Sports is the true home of women’s cricket in America. Viewers have access to unforgettable performances from top athletes, along with full-length replays and highlights of iconic moments like Virat Kohli’s record-breaking century and the USA’s remarkable victory over Pakistan.   This announcement comes on the heels of a wave of success for Willow, having recently partnered with several streaming services and regional sports networks, including Fubo, YES Network, ROOT Sports, NBC Sports Bay Area, Monumental Sports and Bally Sports.   Willow is the home of cricket in North America and the only platform that reaches more than 5 million South Asians in the U.S. and Canada. The service connects advertisers and brands with an affluent and well-educated audience of passionate fans of cricket, the most popular sport of the fastest-growing demographic in the U.S., the Asian Indian community.   For more information on Willow Sports and how to access the channel, please visit www.willow.tv.

Applications for NEC X Elev X! Ignite Batch Program Increased by 23% from Cohort 11; More Than Doubled Year Over Year    NEC X, the Silicon Valley venture studio backed by NEC’s advanced technologies, has revealed the seven new standout startups selected for the Elev X! Ignite cohort, Batch 12.    Since 2018, NEC X has helped fuel the launch and growth of over 130 innovative tech startups, transforming their visionary ideas into scalable successes. The latest ventures were picked from a pool of 300 applicants for their industry-defining potential in areas such as climate and agriculture, software and app development, wireless network and IoT connectivity, recruitment and staffing, and more.    Elev X! Ignite reimagines the venture studio framework by offering a distinctive combination of collaboration, funding, engineering expertise, extensive R&D resources, and holistic support services. This tailored program accelerates entrepreneurs through the critical ideation and prototyping stages, equipping them to scale their innovative technologies in global markets.    NEC X has experienced rapid growth since launching its Elev X! programs, evidenced by a 23% increase in applications since Batch 11 in Q2 2024. Each new cohort not only marks a rise in applications, but also in the quality of ideas and disruptive technologies submitted.    “Our continued growth and quality of applicants underscores the unique opportunities we create, turning groundbreaking concepts into viable solutions through an unparalleled collaborative experience,” said Shintaro Matsumoto, President and CEO of NEC X. “Our selected startups exemplify forward-thinking innovation with the power to address critical challenges making a measurable difference in both their sectors and the world around them.”    The startups of Elev X! Ignite Batch 12 include:   AppShip – Automates enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation and knowledge maintenance by layering AI over ERP and CRM systems like SAP or Salesforce.   CEQAbase – Environmental impact reporting software delivers significant processing gains in project investigation, analysis and document preparation to meet regulatory requirements.   CodeIntegrity – Automates software quality assurance, reduces technical debt and boosts productivity, allowing engineers to focus more on innovation.  DASflect – Enhances wireless network performance using easy-to-install reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, enabling faster, more reliable connections at lower costs and complexity.  LandWise Analytica – Promotes sustainable agriculture through data-driven AI algorithms, advanced land sustainability maps and tailored land use recommendations.  Pairenthesis – First-of-its-kind AI-native data insights platform empowers businesses to achieve data excellence and accelerate decision-making—without writing any code – simplifying data import, cleaning and visualization to effortlessly unlock actionable insights.  PolarisJobs – Revolutionizes sales team recruitment with AI-powered screening and interviewing, reducing hiring time by up to 70% and enabling HR teams to focus on top candidates.    Elev X! members benefit from NEC X’s vibrant ecosystem of unique resources and services tailored to transform and launch early-stage companies. This encompasses funding opportunities, tailored mentorship, access to leading technologies, exclusive workshops, skills training, strategic partnerships and more.     This powerful combination of support, tools and resources empowers startups to create a strong Minimum Viable Product (MVP), validate their Proof-of-Concept (POC), attract paying customers, secure seed funding and, ultimately, succeed in today’s competitive market.    Recent graduates include Verdi, Chekable, Multitude Insights, Qualitative Intelligence and many more.    Applications for the upcoming cohort, Batch 13, will open in November 2024. For more information about Elev X! Programs, click here.    About NEC X  NEC X is an innovation powerhouse and curator of disruptive startups backed by the global technology leadership of NEC. Leveraging 125 years of IT and network technologies expertise, NEC X’s startup-focused approach transforms visionary ideas into commercial successes that revolutionize how we work and live. Since its inception in 2018, NEC X has helped launch and grow more than 100 startups.   Their Silicon Valley programs – Elev X! Ignite and Elev X! Boost – equip early-stage startup founders with the tools to fast-track their tech development and adoption. Elev X fuels startup success from inception to launch, connecting innovators with NEC’s 45,000 patents; global network of partners, mentors and advisors; reach into 55+ international markets; and $8 billion R&D ecosystem.   For more information, visit https://nec-x.com and https://www.elev-x.com.?    About NEC Corporation  NEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.     For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com/.    NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. ©2024 NEC Corporation. 

BG&A’s Vice President and General Manager Will Discuss Strategies on Scaling Fiber Operations and Delivering Superior Customer Experience   Bob Gold & Associates, a 27-year-old boutique PR & Marketing services agency focused on Technology, Media and Telecom, today announced that Vice President and General Manager, Chris Huppertz, will be a featured speaker at the Broadband Nation Expo, taking place October 9-11 at the Gaylord Convention Center in Washington, D.C.   Broadband Nation Expo is the premier event bringing together industry experts, government officials and service providers to discuss the future of broadband in the United States, as well as pertinent solutions and strategies to bridge the digital divide.   Chris will moderate a fireside chat titled "Making Sense of the Converged Broadband and Entertainment Landscape" on Thursday, October 10. The session will feature two dynamic industry leaders from CSG – Reid Jenkins, Vice President, Strategic Business; and Rick Fernandez, Director, Product Management – as they discuss strategies and solutions for scaling fiber networks, improving operational efficiency and leveraging customer experience and AI to differentiate in an increasingly competitive market.   “The broadband industry is evolving at a breakneck pace, with service providers facing unprecedented challenges in scaling operations while meeting skyrocketing customer demands,” said Chris Huppertz. “As networks become more complex and competition intensifies, traditional strategies are no longer sufficient. Providers need innovative solutions to not only deploy fiber efficiently, but also deliver seamless customer experiences.”   Chris Huppertz brings over a decade of experience in public relations and marketing for telecommunications, media and technology companies. Chris’s deep understanding of emerging tech, combined with a charismatic leadership, makes him a sought-after advisor for clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.   Stay connected with the Broadband Nation Expo at https://www.broadbandnationexpo.com and on LinkedIn and X.   About Bob Gold & Associates Bob Gold & Associates is a data-driven PR and marketing agency focused on technology, media and telecom, and is recognized for its creative strategies, engaging storytelling and communications programs that propel businesses forward. Established in 1997, the agency has earned numerous accolades, including founder Bob Gold being named PRSA-LA's 2019 Communications Professional of the Year and induction as a Cable TV Pioneer, and ranks among the top 100 Best PR Agencies in America by Forbes in 2021.   Through its proprietary BG&A Insight™ methodology, the firm develops uniquely tailored strategies for each client, focusing on data and analysis to thrive in today's digital-first world. As a strategic partner, BG&A extends its expertise across the full spectrum of communications needs. The agency's global reach is facilitated through its offices in Los Angeles, New York City, Denver and Portland in addition to being a co-founder of WIN PR Group, a global network of hi-tech PR firms. For more information, visit www.bobgoldpr.com.   About Broadband Nation Expo Broadband Nation Expo unites broadband service providers and industry partners with academic, local, state and federal government leaders to focus on solving complex broadband-related issues. In collaboration with the Telecommunications Industry Association, the 2024 event takes place October 9-11 in Washington, D.C. Fierce Network is the official media partner of Broadband Nation Expo.