News & Opinion

  At Bob Gold & Associates, we love celebrating success with our clients. We're excited to announce that Curacao, a leading West Coast retailer and the premier Hispanic-serving big-box store, has won gold in the MarCom Awards for its unforgettable, star-studded Chula Vista grand opening event!   This recognition underscores the dedication and creative vision that defined Curacao’s latest milestone event, which brought together the community for a day of vibrant festivities, unbeatable deals, and heartfelt connections. The grand opening wasn’t just a new beginning for Curacao in Chula Vista; it was a celebration of culture, community, and commerce—all perfectly executed with the support of our award-winning PR strategies.   The MarCom Awards honor excellence in marketing and communication, recognizing the creative achievements of communications professionals across various industries. Sponsored by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), this year’s MarCom Awards drew over 6,500 submissions from 54 countries. Winning this prestigious award places Curacao among top-tier brands that consistently deliver innovation and impact in their campaigns.   Curacao was honored with a Gold MarCom Award in the Strategic Communications – Communications/Public Relations – Special Events category for their community-focused extravaganza held to celebrate the grand opening of their new store located in Chula Vista, California. From live entertainment and family-friendly activities to exclusive bargains and deals, the event reflected the vibrant spirit of Chula Vista and was a true testament to Curacao’s commitment to its customers and the communities it serves.   At BG&A, we’re proud to have supported Curacao in crafting a media campaign that amplified the event’s impact. 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 combined traditional and digital media engagement strategies, securing significant coverage across local and national outlets and ensuring that the message resonated with diverse audiences.   MarCom Award judges recognized the high standard of excellence set by the key outcomes the Curacao and BG&A teams were able to achieve, including coverage on major Spanish-language television networks, a robust online presence via social media and partnerships with local civic leaders, and increased foot traffic and local buzz around the Chula Vista store.   With the success of the Chula Vista store grand opening and this incredible recognition, Curacao is poised for even greater achievements in the future. At BG&A, we’re excited to continue supporting Curacao’s journey as they redefine the retail experience for their customers and communities.   Congratulations to Curacao on this well-deserved win and thank you for allowing us to play a role in this milestone moment!

Viamedia to Manage Advertising Sales for Greenlight Community Broadband, Wamego Telecommunications Company, FTC Ad Sales, West Carolina, Empire Access, Golden Belt Telephone and Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative   Viamedia, the country’s largest independent advertising digital and linear rep firm, today announced it has signed agreements to manage advertising sales for seven new service providers, expanding its reach across North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas, New York and Pennsylvania.   Viamedia will manage advertising sales operations for Greenlight Community Broadband in North Carolina, Wamego Telecommunications Company (WTC) and Golden Belt Telephone in Kansas, FTC Ad Sales, West Carolina and Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative in South Carolina and Empire Access in New York and Pennsylvania. Viamedia aims to drive local economic growth by equipping businesses in Raleigh, Topeka, Columbia, Greenville, Elmira, Charleston, Wichita, Hutchinson 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 80 cable operators across 68 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 agreements are a testament to our commitment to empowering local businesses with the advertising tools they need to thrive,” said David Solomon, CEO of Viamedia. “By providing advanced advertising solutions and unmatched precision in audience targeting, we’re helping these businesses reach their customers and uplift their communities. Our technology and resources are designed to foster economic growth, strengthen connections between businesses and their audiences and create a lasting impact in these 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 26 states across 68 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.  

Curacao Launches Doorbusters and Early Deals All November, Plus Four-Day Shopping Extravaganza: Stress-Free Savings with Flexible Payments   Curacao, one of the largest retailers on the West Coast, is launching its highly anticipated month-long Black Friday sales event, packed with unbeatable offers, steep discounts, and a comprehensive price beat guarantee that can’t be found anywhere else. Throughout the entire month of November, shoppers can access exclusive in-store and online deals across top brands and essential products, ensuring substantial savings.    Curacao’s price beat guarantee ensures customers always get the best deals. If a competitor offers a lower price for the same item, Curacao will beat it by 10% of the difference, even after purchase. Rainchecks are also available for out-of-stock items.    In addition to month-long Early Deals through December 1, unbelievable exclusive Doorbuster Deals will be available during select hours on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, Black Friday, November 29, Giant Saturday, November 30 and Super Sunday, December 1. Curacao’s timed specials allow shoppers to strategically plan their visits and maximize savings on the products they want most, making for a more efficient and focused shopping experience.    “We’re turning every day into Black Friday with unbeatable prices, unmatched customer service and our exceptional value,” said Teylez Perez, Vice President of Marketing at Curacao. “Our price beat guarantee means we ensure our customers’ wallets don’t feel the pinch, promising the absolute best savings found anywhere in-store and online.”    Curacao’s month-long Black Friday deals include:    Event-Long Deals (Now through December 1)  Clemens Twin Captains Bed with Trundle and Storage Drawer: $299.99 (compared to $597.00 elsewhere)  Gabby Pillowback Swivel Glider by DaVinci: $59.99 (compared to $299.00 elsewhere)  JBL Tune 770NC Wireless Over-The-Ear Headphones: $69.99 (compared to $199.99 elsewhere)  Rugged Racers 12” Kids Bike: $29.99 (compared to $84.00 elsewhere)  Urbanista 51538 Atlanta Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds: $59.99 (compared to $119.00 elsewhere)  Xbox Series S 512 GB Console with JBL Quantum 360X Gaming Headset: $329.99 (retail value of $430.00)    Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 28)  Astoria 9” Coil Queen Mattress: $99.99 (reg. $599.00) (8:00 – 11:00 am)  Huffy Kids Inline Scooter: $9.99 (reg. $49.00) (8:00 – 11:00 am)  HP 14” Cloudbook: $99.99 (reg. $249.99) (8:00 – 11:00 am)  Ray-Ban R426 Classic Sunglasses: $39.99 (reg. $191.00) (8:00 – 11:00 am)  Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Console with Madden NFL 25: $449.99 (reg. $569.98) (8:00 – 11:00 am)  Michael Kors Kayci Rose Gold 3-Hand Watch: $79.99 (reg. $250.00) (1:00 – 4:00 pm)    Black Friday (Friday, November 29)  LG 75” UT70 SERIES UHD 4K SMART TV: $499.99 (reg. $749.99) (6:00 – 11:00 am)  Huffy 12” Frozen 2 Girls Bike: $9.99 (reg. $42.00) (6:00 – 11:00 am)  Apple iPad Mini 6th Generation 64GB: $399.99 (reg. $499.99) (6:00 – 11:00 am)  Dyson V12 Detect Slim Vacuum: $299.99 (reg. $649.99) (1:00 – 4:00 pm)  JBL Party Box Encore Essential Speaker: $149.99 (reg. $399.99) (6:00 – 9:00 pm)  Oster Classic 2-in-1 White 7-Speed Blender: $19.99 (reg. $69.99) (6:00 – 9:00 pm)    Giant Saturday (Saturday, November 30)   GE 4.8 cu. ft. Freestanding Natural Gas 5-Burner Gas Range: $299.99 (reg. $599.99) (8:00 – 11:00 am)  Samsung 65” UHD 4K Smart TV: $379.99 (reg. $469.99) (1:00 – 4:00 pm)  Apple 13” MacBook Air M3 Chip with 8GB and 256GB SSD: $799.99 (reg. $1,099.99) (1:00 – 4:00 pm)  Toi Blue Butterfly 4-Piece Luggage Set: $69.99 (reg. $199.99) (1:00 – 4:00 pm)  JBL Flip 6 Portable Waterproof Speaker: $49.99 (reg. $130.00) (6:00 – 9:00 pm)  RC Aston Martin Vantage Kids Ride On: $59.99 (reg. $189.99) (6:00 – 9:00 pm)    Super Sunday (Sunday, December 1)  Meta Quest 3S 128GB VR Headset & Strap: $299.99 (reg. $369.98) (8:00 – 11:00 am)  Owen Queen Bed: $99.99 (reg. $300.00) (8:00 – 11:00 am)  Appliance 18 cu. ft. Top Mount Refrigerator: $399.99 (reg. $699.00) (8:00 – 11:00 am)  Ring Video Doorbell: $59.99 (reg. $99.00) (1:00 – 4:00 pm)  Samsung 43” UHD 4K Smart TV: $99.99 (reg. $269.99) (1:00 – 4:00 pm)  Marc Jacobs The Medium Tote: $199.99 (reg. $325.00) (6:00 – 9:00 pm)    Curacao opens the door to the world of credit for millions of people with its flexible financing options, including the Curacao Credit card, Credit Shield debt protection and convenient money transfer services to ensure a premier shopping experience.    Shoppers can experience savings of over $200,000 across Curacao’s vast array of electronics, home appliances, fashion, furniture, and more. With extended store hours on Black Friday and exclusive in-store surprises, Curacao invites customers to enjoy a premier shopping event that prioritizes quality, affordability, and unbeatable deals.    Discover more and explore Curacao’s month-long Black Friday catalog here.    About Curacao and The Curacao Foundation  Since its founding in 1978, Curacao has been guided by its mission to improve customers’ lives by extending credit options to hardworking, low-to-moderate-income individuals needing high-quality home and tech products, travel, export and money transfer services at low monthly payments. At Curacao, customers can buy price-protected top brands and services on interest-protected credit while supporting the community. In addition, Curacao allocates a percentage of every purchase to support the advancement of its local communities through the Curacao Foundation. Curacao is an omnichannel retailer and lender serving customers online, over the phone, and in person in English and Spanish in Arizona, California, and Nevada.    Curacao is headquartered at 1605 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015. For more information, visit icuracao.com.    Established in 2002, The Curacao Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to building a future in which communities are financially strong, socially empowered, respected, and included. The Curacao Foundation has worked with over 100 charities, organizations and institutions focusing on financial literacy, health, well-being, education, and immigration all within a 10-mile radius of a Curacao retail location. In addition, the foundation supports community partner organizations through general operation and program grants.    For more information, visit icuracao.com and foundation.icuracao.com. 

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.