Technology

Marketing Expert at UMD Smith Breaks Down Historic Olympic Viewership

Published

1 month ago

August 22, 2024

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Aug. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NBCU’s record-breaking Olympic viewership, driven by the allure of Paris and expert streaming strategies, marks a pivotal moment in sports media. Marketing professor Bobby Zhou at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business notes, “The reception to these Olympic Games symbolizes a craving and desire from viewers for a moment of peace and joy.”

As Team USA delivered the gold medal count win at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, NBC Universal also took home top honors in viewership ratings.

Recently published Nielsen ratings and internal NBC data indicate an average audience of 30.6 million viewers tuned in for one of the world’s most significant media events across its linear TV properties and streaming service Peacock.

The results are in stark contrast to the 16.9 million viewers who tuned in for the Tokyo Games and similar to the Rio and London Games, with 27.5 million and 30.3 million viewers, respectively.

So, what were the difference makers this time around? Zhou credits three main factors: an enticing Paris backdrop, ideal time zones for viewers and the Olympics’ innate potential to create a moment of unity.

The first factor points to Paris’s position as a global center for art, fashion and culture and its reputation as one of the most “romantic” cities in the world (the Paris Games set a new record for the most marriage proposals ever at an Olympics with nine reported engagements) that naturally was set to draw eyes. The second factor has a more discernable and straightforward impact on viewership figures—the six-hour time difference played well with Western audiences.

However, the third factor, the Olympics establishing a “moment of unity” for the world, is an underappreciated aspect concerning viewership, says Zhou.

“Compared to three or four years ago, there’s so much that’s happened and continues to happen worldwide,” says Zhou. “We are looking at ongoing wars in different regions, division among groups and ethnic backgrounds, climate change and the battle against infectious diseases like Covid-19. The reception to these Olympic Games symbolizes a craving and desire from viewers for a moment of peace and joy.”

Equally instrumental in generating high viewership figures was NBCU’s implementation of its streaming service, Peacock, for Olympic coverage. NBCU reports that the 23.5 billion minutes streamed of the Paris Olympics is a 40% increase from all prior Summer and Winter Olympics combined. At its essence, those figures support major audience trends with sports, drawing viewers in droves to streaming services in an effort to not miss important action, says Zhou.

“Sports is some of the last remaining content online where folks just have to watch it live,” says Zhou. “There is so much uncertainty and excitement embedded within that. People need to tune in to know if their team or athletes are winning.”

Peacock’s multi-viewing capacity also deserves recognition, according to Zhou. The streaming service managed up to 3,200 events throughout the Games, and its Gold Zone, a “live whip-around show that features the most exciting Olympic moments,” nearly quadrupled its viewership over the two weeks, attracting one in five viewers. Additionally, over a quarter of Olympics viewers on Peacock watched via Multiview, with half of the time spent in the featured live events and half watching in the quad box view.

“This is where the contemporary platform for digital content stood out. Gold Zone synthesizing the most exciting moments across different sports provided a transformational platform to educate viewers about things they otherwise would never have been exposed to,” Zhou says.

Eyeing the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics and the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, Zhou believes NBCU’s task is to retain viewership and build on the momentum it generated this summer. The company must continue to leverage Peacock by showing off the most exciting moments from the Games and bringing interesting individual stories to life, he says.

“Consumers love stories. They want to know how an athlete proposed to their partner at the Games or the obstacles someone overcame just to compete in Paris,” says Zhou. “But the key is curation. How can NBCU and Peacock identify the most relevant, exciting and interesting content and keep it front and center with audiences? That’s the way forward.”

About the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

Contact: Greg Muraski, gmuraski@umd.edu

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marketing-expert-at-umd-smith-breaks-down-historic-olympic-viewership-302228874.html

SOURCE University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business

Technology

DANAconnect and eSource Capital Launch PayrollTrace for Digital Payroll Compliance

Published

3 hours ago

September 22, 2024

PayrollTrace is an innovative, secure platform for paperless payroll receipt delivery, ensuring regulatory compliance and real-time traceability.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — DANAconnect, the leading company in automated business communications, in collaboration with eSource Capital, a prominent Google Cloud Partner in Latin America, announce the launch of PayrollTrace, an innovative platform designed for the secure and efficient digital delivery of payroll receipts, ensuring regulatory compliance and complete traceability in every transaction.

Paul Kienholz, CEO of DANAconnect, highlighted: “PayrollTrace is the next step in automating critical business processes, enabling companies to eliminate paper and manage payroll receipt deliveries with full confidence and transparency, while ensuring regulatory compliance.”

PayrollTrace automates the delivery of payroll receipts through multiple channels, including email and SMS, completely eliminating the use of paper or reliance on email. This solution not only simplifies human resources processes but also ensures regulatory compliance with verifiable technical reports that allow companies to manage and audit receipt deliveries in real time.

Juan Aguilera Franceschi, Managing Partner at eSource Capital, added: “Our partnership with DANAconnect allows us to offer companies in the region a robust solution that optimizes payroll management. PayrollTrace provides the security and flexibility companies need to manage payments efficiently and sustainably.”

The partnership between DANAconnect and eSource Capital combines DANAconnect’s strength in omnichannel business communications with eSource Capital’s expertise in cloud digital transformation. Together, they aim to provide businesses across the Americas with a comprehensive solution that not only optimizes payroll delivery but also ensures compliance with local regulations, guaranteeing that every transaction is backed by complete audits.

About DANAconnect

DANAconnect is a North American company and a leader in communication automation for financial companies through its omnichannel platform. It sends communications to more than 10% of the population of the Americas every month, ensuring secure deliveries, traceability, and large-scale regulatory compliance.

About eSource Capital

eSource Capital is a leading Google Cloud partner in Latin America, specializing in digital transformation and cloud solutions. With a focus on Google Workspace and Google Cloud, eSource Capital helps companies optimize their operations in the digital environment.

Media Contact

Fabiana Arroyo, DANAconnect Corp., 1 8556003262, info@payrolltrace.com, https://www.payrolltrace.com

Twitter, LinkedIn

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/danaconnect-and-esource-capital-launch-payrolltrace-for-digital-payroll-compliance-302254651.html

SOURCE DANAconnect Corp.

Technology

Siemon Announces Optical Patching Solutions for GenAI Networks Using NVIDIA Accelerated Computing

Published

9 hours ago

September 22, 2024

Siemon announces it is offering its full range of optical patching solutions to work specifically with NVIDIA AI infrastructure for generative AI networks.

WATERTOWN, Conn., Sept. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Siemon Company, a global leader in network infrastructure solutions, today announced it is offering its full range of optical patching solutions to work specifically with NVIDIA AI infrastructure for generative AI networks. Large complex GPU clusters can benefit from using structured cabling patch panels versus point-to-point cabling. Siemon acts as a trusted advisor to customers by providing expert advice and best practice recommendations for design & deployment of NVIDIA AI Infrastructure.

“Siemon is very familiar with NVIDIA reference architectures and has worked with many customers to design and deploy NVIDIA clusters… Siemon offers a full range of AI-ready fiber cabling, DAC, and AOC solutions that support 400G, 800G, and 1.6T applications.”

As part of the solution integration, Siemon has joined the NVIDIA Partner Network (NPN) as a Solution Advisor Consultant. NPN Solution Advisor Consultants provide consultation services and expert advice to customers looking to implement NVIDIA-based solutions or technologies. Siemon joins the network to offer its expertise in addressing the unique infrastructure and cabling challenges presented by accelerated computing.

NVIDIA optical reach specifications are calculated assuming two optical patch panels are used in the link and assuming each employ two optical connectors, which makes for a total allowance of four optical connectors in the link. The Siemon optical patching solutions meet NVIDIA requirements and provide customers with flexibility and ease of management.

Media Contact

Brian Baum, Siemon, 1 8609454200, brian_baum@siemon.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/siemon-announces-optical-patching-solutions-for-genai-networks-using-nvidia-accelerated-computing-302254640.html

SOURCE Siemon

Technology

AMSimpkins & Associates Awarded Wisconsin Technical Purchasing Consortium Contract RFB 25-002TP – for Identity Verification Solutions

Published

10 hours ago

September 22, 2024

AMSimpkins & Associates has been awarded the Wisconsin Technical Colleges Purchasing Consortium (WTC-PC) contract for Identity Verification Solutions. This partnership includes providing their advanced S.A.F.E. (Student Application Fraudulent Examination) platform to 16 Wisconsin technical colleges, enhancing security and safeguarding against fraudulent student applications. With a focus on higher education, AMSA aims to support these institutions in maintaining the integrity of their admissions processes and preventing identity fraud. This collaboration underscores AMSA’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions tailored for the education sector.

ATLANTA, Sept. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — AMSimpkins & Associates is proud to announce its selection by the Wisconsin Technical College System Purchasing Consortium (WTC-PC) to provide Identity Verification Solutions through the S.A.F.E. platform. The WTC-PC comprises 16 independent, publicly funded two-year technical colleges across Wisconsin, including Blackhawk Technical College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Fox Valley Technical College, and Milwaukee Area Technical College, among others.

“We are honored by the Wisconsin Technical College Consortium’s trust in AMSA. This partnership further emphasizes our commitment to providing secure, innovative identity verification solutions that support the needs of educational institutions in protecting their students and operations.”

With a focus on preventing identity fraud, AMSimpkins & Associates’ comprehensive solutions will strengthen the security measures across admissions, enrollment, and financial aid processes, ensuring secure verification and compliance with federal and state regulations. S.A.F.E. will now support Wisconsin’s higher education system, offering its cutting-edge technology to streamline operations and safeguard student data.

“We are honored by the Wisconsin Technical College Consortium’s trust in AMSimpkins & Associates,” said Maurice Simpkins, President and Founder. “This partnership further emphasizes our commitment to providing secure, innovative identity verification solutions that support the needs of educational institutions in protecting their students and operations.”

As part of this agreement, AMSimpkins & Associates will deliver comprehensive services, including system integration, training, and ongoing support to ensure seamless implementation. S.A.F.E.’s capabilities are designed to evolve with growing threats of fraudulent activities, keeping institutions one step ahead in securing student identities.

Institutions in the Wisconsin Technical College System:

Blackhawk Technical CollegeChippewa Valley Technical CollegeFox Valley Technical CollegeGateway Technical CollegeLakeshore Technical CollegeMadison Area Technical CollegeMid-State Technical CollegeMilwaukee Area Technical CollegeMoraine Park Technical CollegeNicolet Area Technical CollegeNorthcentral Technical CollegeNortheast Wisconsin Technical CollegeNorthwood Technical CollegeSouthwest Wisconsin Technical CollegeWaukesha County Technical CollegeWestern Technical College

The S.A.F.E. platform’s advanced identity verification services will play a pivotal role in securing sensitive data and ensuring a safe and fraud-free environment for Wisconsin’s technical colleges and their students.

For more information about AMSimpkins & Associates and the S.A.F.E. platform, please visit amsa-highered.com.

Media Contact

LAQWACIA SIMPKINS, AMSimpkins & Associates, 1 6786824193, LSIMPKINS@AMSA-CONSULTING.COM, amsa-highered.com

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/amsimpkins–associates-awarded-wisconsin-technical-purchasing-consortium-contract-rfb-25-002tp—for-identity-verification-solutions-302253867.html

SOURCE AMSimpkins & Associates