PHOENIX, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Blackpearl Group Limited (NZX:BPG) has appointed Christie Kerner as its Chief Operating Officer (COO) to support the company’s strategic go-to-market (GTM) strategy and drive its next phase of growth in the US market. With over 30 years of experience scaling companies of all sizes, leading global teams and driving operational excellence, Kerner will play a pivotal role in strengthening Blackpearl Group’s leadership team as it accelerates expansion.

“The US is our primary market and local expertise is key to our success. To do this, we need to secure world-class talent with the chops, experience and proven ability to align company operations with trajectory,” comments Nick Lissette, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blackpearl Group.

With extensive experience in both high-growth startups and profitable, long-term businesses, Kerner brings a rare ability to balance ambition with structure. “Her leadership will be instrumental in ensuring Blackpearl Group scales effectively while preserving the ingenuity and agility that set us apart,” adds Lissette.

Leading from the US – scaling with vision

Kerner will be based in the US and will work to closely align the company’s US and NZ teams. Her focus will be on building the infrastructure needed to support long-term success. “We’re sitting on a launchpad right now – our trajectory is set and my role is to refine our strategies, remove barriers and shape the rocketship for sustainable growth,” she says.

“Scaling isn’t just about growth though – it’s about ensuring the right people are in the right seats, that priorities are aligned and that we’re disciplined in execution,” explains Kerner. “I focus on creating an environment where people thrive – because when they do, the businesses will thrive.”

A track record of leadership and impact

With a Master’s in Management and Leadership, Kerner’s career spans senior leadership roles across startups, corporates and academia where she is renowned for her ability to balance aggressive growth with sound fiscal strategy, ensuring businesses scale effectively while maintaining strong foundations.

Kerner has been instrumental in shaping the growth-stage startup ecosystem in the US, helping companies as they scale toward $200M+ in revenue. As a board member of StartupAZ and Founder of the Founders Collective, she has championed high-growth founders navigating this critical phase and has scaled international programs with Startup Grind.

Kerner has also built and exited multiple companies and served as an Entrepreneur in Residence advising founders on growth, leadership and decision-making. Previously, she led the Center for Entrepreneurship at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business (the largest public university in the US) and was Executive Director of Student Entrepreneurship across ASU.

“This experience aligns seamlessly with Blackpearl Group’s trajectory as it moves beyond $11M in ARR and into its next stage of growth,” adds Lissette.

A billion-dollar vision

“AI and emerging technologies can disrupt markets overnight,” notes Kerner, adding that “Success lies in building resilience and that’s rooted in an ability to innovate on an ongoing basis.”

Blackpearl Group leverages a portfolio approach to product development within a rapidly evolving tech landscape, reflected in the development of Bebop, the company’s AI-powered sales intelligence tool, in a single quarter. Bebop is a game-changer for SMEs, offering powerful sales intelligence at a fraction of the cost of competitors like ZoomInfo, Kaspr and Apollo. The beta launch of Bebop follows the success of Pearl Diver, Blackpearl Group’s flagship prospect identification platform. Pearl Diver is a marketing intelligence platform which offers businesses a way of off-setting their reliance on traditional pay-to-play ad platforms.

“Under Nick’s progressive leadership, we have the potential to be a billion-dollar company. Importantly, we’re not building that success around a single product – we’re creating a portfolio of solutions that balance high-risk innovation with consistent, long-term performance,” she adds.

“Christie shares a belief that’s been fundamental to our success so far: it’s time to stop playing small. This appointment brings together ambition, strategy and the discipline to execute at scale and I’m excited to see its effects,” concludes Lissette.

About Blackpearl Group (NZX: BPG)

Blackpearl Group is a market-leading data technology company that pioneers AI-driven, sales and marketing solutions for the US market. 

Specifically engineered for small-medium-sized businesses (SMEs), Blackpearl Group consistently delivers exceptional value to its customers. Our mantra is simple: ‘Creating Motivating Opportunities.’ 

Blackpearl creates the opportunities that motivate action. We create high-impact products that pivot at speed to serve what businesses really need, kick-starting action – turning data into dollars. 

Founded in 2012, Blackpearl Group is based in Wellington, New Zealand, and Phoenix, Arizona. blackpearl.com 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blackpearl-group-announces-us-based-coo-to-drive-aggressive-growth-strategy-302419103.html

SOURCE Blackpearl Group Limited

SEOUL, South Korea, April 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As the social atmosphere emphasizes the importance of mental health care and depression prevention, the number of companies providing related services is increasing. HiTouch, a recently launched mobile app for measuring happiness, is attracting attention.

HiTouch is an innovative app that allows users to easily measure their happiness with the touch of a cellphone once a day. It’s easy to use and can be used as an HR solution for both individuals and companies.

HiTouch allows users to diagnose and continuously manage their well-being based on data that is accumulated daily. This can help prevent negative emotions such as stress and depression.

The app provides a four-step systematic happiness management cycle consisting of happiness measurement, happiness diagnosis, self-happiness management, and communication, and is designed to be integrated into an individual’s daily life and corporate culture.

HiTouch’s main features include a happiness measurement function that easily measures happiness daily and a function that compares and analyzes happiness among various groups such as teams, companies, countries, and age groups. In addition, HiTouch has a happiness diary, community features, and a point earning system to help you keep track of your emotional state and encourage and communicate with family, friends, and coworkers.

While happiness surveys and organizational culture assessments typically cost companies at least a few million won to tens of millions of won, HiTouch is free to use. The company hopes to help companies take a step towards becoming a ‘great workplace”.

https://metadata14.com/touch/participate_form.php

Individuals can download and use it for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

*Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/kr/app/hitouch-happiness-index/id6741422515?uo=2

*Google Play Store: 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.metadata.hitouch&pcampaignid=web_share

In the future, HiTouch will continue to update and add new features to allow users to manage their happiness in a more detailed and personalized way. The idea is not just to measure happiness, but to empower users to actively manage their happiness and create a better life.

“We believe that small daily acts of happiness will contribute significantly to the protection of individual mental health and the creation of a happy organizational culture,” said a HiTouch official, “and we look forward to establishing HiTouch as a practical happiness management solution for both individuals and organizations.”

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hitouch-a-mobile-app-that-improves-the-happiness-of-individuals-and-organizations-302418096.html

SOURCE HiTouch

Driven by robust ESG values, BLUETTI teamed up with Leave No Trace to drive responsible outdoor recreation through engaging training, educational programs with innovative clean energy solutions.

LAS VEGAS, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In the wake of escalating global climate change and extreme weather events, BLUETTI, a leading innovator in clean energy solutions, is proud to announce a partnership with Leave No Trace, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering responsible outdoor practices. This collaboration marks a pivotal step in the shared ESG commitment, as it integrates clean solar-powered solutions into outdoor adventures for more sustainable outdoor recreation and lifestyle.

“More than ever, our mission is crucial: to support responsible nature exploration through clean energy solutions that minimize our environmental footprint,” stated James Ray, spokesperson for BLUETTI. “Our alliance with Leave No Trace is born from a deep resonance with their core principles of sustainability. Through BLUETTI’s solar solutions, we’re taking tangible steps to care for our planet, working alongside Leave No Trace to minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and more.”

“At Leave No Trace, our mission is to educate and inspire communities to protect the outdoors. As our teams travel from place to place sharing these vital practices, staying powered up is essential.” says Leave No Trace Executive Director, Dana Watts. “Partnering with BLUETTI ensures that we can continue delivering impactful education while minimizing our footprint, no matter where our journey takes us. We’re proud to partner with a company that shares our commitment to responsible and sustainable outdoor practices.”

Powering Leave No Trace Traveling Teams with Clean Energy

Since 1999,  Leave No Trace’s Training and Educational Team has transformed trails, campsites, and public lands into interactive outdoor classrooms, engaging thousands of hikers, campers, and environmental advocates across the U.S. 

This year, the team continues its mission to educate and inspire outdoor enthusiasts. To enhance their fieldwork, traveling educators are utilizing the BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 solar generator as a vivid example of responsible energy use in nature.

Operating at a whisper-quite 16dB, the Elite 200 V2 significantly reduces noise pollution compared to traditional generators that emit around 60dB. This low-noise solar generator ensures minimal disturbance to wildlife and fellow adventurers, making it ideal for camping and other outdoor activities. Additionally, the solar generator provides a clean, , smoke-free alternative to gas generators, allowing team members to power coffee makers and cooking equipment while reducing wildfire risks in the upcoming wildfire season. To further reduce carbon footprint, team members will install Charger 1 Alternator Charger to capture excess power from their car’s alternator for fast recharging. Along with the 200W Portable Solar Panel, they can recharge their power stations using the sunlight, ensuring smooth travels across the United States.

Making Clean Energy the New Trail Marker

Charge clean, leave no trace. As outdoor life increasingly relies on energy solutions, these two green pioneers are on a shared journey, redefining sustainable energy use for nature exploration. BLUETTI is furthering sustainable energy practices outdoors while expanding the reach of Leave No Trace principles, jointly exploring effective energy practices to preserve the purity of natural landscapes and a healthier planet. 

About BLUETTI

From product design to corporate social responsibility, BLUETTI is a committed advocate for sustainability embodying ESG initiatives. Through projects like LAAF (Light An African Family), BLUETTI is helping communities in Africa access affordable, sustainable energy, empowering families who need it most. This blend of craftsmanship, reliability, and a focus on real-world needs is what makes BLUETTI trusted in over 110 countries and regions.
For more information, visit BLUETTI at https://www.bluettipower.com/, or follow BLUETTI Facebook / BLUETTI X.

About Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing Leave No Trace programs, education, training and outreach in all 50 states and more than 100 countries around the globe. Utilizing the power of science, education for all and stewardship to support and protect nature, Leave No Trace is on a mission to ensure a sustainable future for the outdoors. Learn more at: www.LNT.org.

Media Contact 
Ellen Lee
BLUETTI PR Team
ellelee@bluetti.com

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SOURCE BLUETTI POWER INC