Birdelo 2.0: A "New" PR-Tech Platform That’s Actually Been 15 Years in the Making

While PR-tech startups are having their moment, Birdelo is reminding the industry it got there first.

Originally launched in 2008 under a different name, the platform now known as Birdelo quietly solved a problem that has only recently become trendy: how to make brand-to-media collaboration more seamless. Now, with its AI-enhanced relaunch as Birdelo 2.0, co-founders Nikki Carlson and Kailynn Bowling are drawing attention to the system’s early roots—and why that matters in today’s fragmented media landscape.

“We built the original version in 2008 because we were living the pain points ourselves,” said Carlson. “We didn’t see a solution in the market—so we built one.”

Back then, Carlson and Bowling were wearing multiple hats—running ChicBlvd Magazine, launching the consumer tech brand ChicBuds, and scaling their PR firm ChicExecs. The problem? No centralized tool existed for sharing brand assets, samples, and pitches with journalists. The duo built one internally and quietly used it to power their firm for over a decade.

Fast forward to 2024, and PR-tech has become a buzzword. Yet Birdelo 2.0 isn’t just jumping on the AI bandwagon—it’s built on battle-tested infrastructure, now supercharged with automation and smarter matchmaking.

What’s New in Birdelo 2.0?

The platform now connects nearly 100,000 brands with major media outlets through a simplified interface designed to serve journalists and PR teams alike. Editors can access story ideas, affiliate-ready product links, hi-res imagery, and samples all in one place—without the usual back-and-forth emails.

Media outlets already leveraging the system include CNN, The Today Show, InStyle, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, GQ, and E! News—a testament to Birdelo’s quiet relevance over the years.

This isn’t a beta-stage product with bugs to iron out. It’s a refined system with over a decade of iteration behind it. The proof? A 2011 video demo of the original platform (then called the ChicExecs Media Networking System) and an 8-year-old YouTube case study showing the tool in action with Madison Media.

Birdelo’s timing couldn’t be better. As the lines blur between editorial and branded content, and journalists grow more selective in the pitches they accept, having a unified system to facilitate authentic, streamlined collaboration is invaluable.

But Birdelo isn’t chasing the hype. “This isn’t a new concept,” Bowling emphasized. “It’s a reimagining of something that’s already worked—for years.”

The startup narrative often favors flash over function. But Birdelo’s story flips the script: function first, flash later. And with AI now part of its DNA, Birdelo 2.0 is positioned to scale its quiet advantage into something far louder in today’s noisy PR-tech race.

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Grossman Marketing Group Acquires Cooley Group, Strengthens Local Roots with National Reach

In a strategic move to deepen its capabilities and broaden its geographic footprint, Grossman Marketing Group has acquired Cooley Group, a Rochester, NY-based provider of custom promotional, print, and fulfillment services.

While many acquisitions focus solely on size or scale, this one is rooted in something far more resilient: shared values. Both companies are family-owned, people-first, and community-driven—traits that have helped them thrive in a crowded marketing services industry.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Cooley Group to the Grossman family,” said David Grossman, Co-President of Grossman Marketing Group. “We both believe our greatest asset is our people—and that’s the foundation of this partnership.”

From Upstate New York to Nationwide Reach

Founded in 1945, Cooley Group has built a stellar reputation in the Northeast for client service, workplace culture, and industry leadership. Named a Top 100 Distributor by PPAI and a Best Company to Work For in New York four years running, Cooley brings both pedigree and performance.

With deep experience in sectors like healthcare, higher education, professional services, food and beverage, and manufacturing, Cooley complements Grossman’s own industry reach—and gives Grossman added strength in key growth markets.

Post-acquisition, Cooley will continue operating under its existing name as a division of Grossman Marketing Group, retaining its full team and offices in Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Albany, and the Hudson Valley.

Why It Matters: Capabilities, Culture, and Continuity

Grossman isn’t new to this game. Over the past decade, the company has steadily expanded through targeted acquisitions, focusing not just on capabilities, but on cultural fit. That’s why this merger clicks.

“For 80 years, we’ve helped clients showcase their brands while staying true to our local roots,” said Phil Yawman, President of Cooley Group. “But clients’ needs are changing, and we need access to more resources to keep pace. Grossman brings that—and more.”

Among those resources: Grossman’s award-winning technology stack, advanced e-commerce platforms, global logistics, and sustainability leadership. That includes SwagCycle, an industry-first program for giving branded products a second life via donation or recycling. So far, it’s redirected over $11 million in branded items from landfills and into the hands of nonprofits or reuse systems.

The Bigger Picture: A People-First Marketing Powerhouse

With Cooley now onboard, Grossman’s value proposition only gets stronger. It further positions the company as a national player with local roots—a rare blend in an industry that’s increasingly being swallowed by conglomerates or sidelined by startups.

“This is about expanding what’s possible for our clients,” said Ben Grossman, Co-President of Grossman Marketing Group. “And we’re doing it while preserving the culture and community focus that make both companies strong.”

Grossman’s growing portfolio now supports some of the world’s most recognizable organizations across sectors like higher education, healthcare, tech, and pro sports—all while maintaining its fourth-generation, family-owned ethos.

It’s not just a merger. It’s a reinforcement of what modern marketing clients want: innovation with integrity, scale with service, and growth that doesn’t forget its roots.

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Conduent Supercharges EBT Security: Locking Features, Chip Cards, and Mobile Wallets Aim to Fight Fraud at Scale

As fraud tactics grow more sophisticated, so do the tools to stop them. Conduent Incorporated, a key player in tech-driven public service infrastructure, has unveiled major upgrades to its Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) solutions. These include user-controlled account locks, AI-driven fraud detection, EMV chip card readiness, and plans for mobile wallet support — all aimed at protecting recipients of government aid like SNAP from unauthorized access.

With its latest rollout, Conduent isn't just offering upgrades. It's pushing the EBT ecosystem into a future where fraud prevention is proactive, intuitive, and mobile-friendly.

Giving Users the Power to Lock Down Their Benefits

At the heart of the update is a seemingly simple—but powerful—feature: the ability for recipients to lock or unlock their EBT accounts. Available via the ConnectEBT mobile app and web portal, users can block all purchases or limit transactions to their home state, instantly shutting down out-of-state misuse attempts.

Currently deployed in 12 states — including Georgia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania — the lock/unlock capability is gaining traction as agencies look to empower users while tightening fraud controls.

“Our EBT lock-and-unlock feature is one of many solutions Conduent is delivering to combat fraud that threatens taxpayer funds,” said Anna Sever, President of Government Solutions at Conduent.

Anti-Fraud Intelligence Built-In: Meet VeriSight

This account control tool is part of Conduent’s VeriSight Anti-Fraud Suite, a layered security platform already used by several U.S. state agencies. VeriSight leverages real-time behavioral analytics to spot red flags — like repeated IVR calls from a single number — and automatically flag or block suspicious behavior.

In addition to voice channel monitoring, Conduent’s ConnectEBT app also offers real-time usage alerts, giving benefit recipients an early warning system against unauthorized transactions.

Coming Soon: EMV Chip Cards and Wallet Integration

Looking ahead, Conduent is preparing to support EMV chip-enabled SNAP cards, a shift that mirrors the broader payment industry’s evolution away from magnetic stripes. These chip cards significantly reduce the risk of cloning and point-of-sale fraud — a growing threat in public assistance programs.

Conduent is also future-proofing access with mobile wallet integrations, including support for Apple Pay and Google Pay. That move not only adds convenience for users, but aligns with rising consumer expectations for digital payment flexibility.

Why It Matters: Securing the Frontline of Public Assistance

Each year, Conduent helps disburse $85 billion in government payments, supports 2.3 billion customer interactions, and processes nearly 13 million tolling transactions per day. But public benefit programs like SNAP sit at the core of its social impact work.

In an era when fraudsters target vulnerable populations and public resources with increasing sophistication, giving recipients more control, agencies more visibility, and systems more intelligence isn’t just a technical upgrade — it’s a mission-critical necessity.

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Marketing Firms Are Ditching Spreadsheets for Smarter Bookkeeping. Here’s Why.

As U.S. marketing and creative agencies shift to digital delivery, decentralized teams, and fast-paced client demands, one function is struggling to keep up: accounting. In an industry defined by campaign pivots, fluctuating vendor costs, and project-based billing, traditional bookkeeping is falling flat.

More firms are turning to specialized accounting & bookkeeping services—like those from IBN Technologies—to bring structure, accuracy, and insight into their financial workflows. The goal? Free up internal bandwidth and enable leadership to focus on what really matters: strategy, creativity, and client outcomes.

When Billing Chaos Meets Creative Speed

Ad agencies aren’t built like traditional businesses—and their books shouldn’t be either.

With every new client or campaign comes a flood of financial complexity:

• Time-based invoices

• Freelance contracts

• SaaS subscriptions

• Ad platform charges

• Performance bonuses

• And constant revisions to everything

In-house finance teams often find themselves buried in reconciliations, delayed reports, and misclassified expenses. Spreadsheets break. Generic accounting software falls short. And leadership loses financial visibility at precisely the moment it’s most needed.

IBN Technologies: Bookkeeping Built for Agencies

Enter IBN Technologies, a firm with 26+ years of experience and a sharp focus on the financial intricacies of marketing, branding, and creative agencies.

What makes IBN different isn’t just automation—it’s domain expertise. Their systems are purpose-built to handle the fluid nature of agency operations and provide real-time insights that help leaders make better decisions.

IBN’s marketing-centric bookkeeping includes:

• Retainer, project, and time-based invoice recording

• Ad platform and bank feed reconciliation

• Vendor tracking for media, tech, and freelance

• Payroll and commission handling

• Campaign-level P&L segmentation

• CPA collaboration and tax prep

• Seamless integration with tools like QuickBooks Online, Xero, and agency software

The result? Better billing accuracy, faster closes, and fewer financial surprises.

From Clutter to Clarity: Real-World Results

IBN’s clients include marketing agencies across the U.S.—from nimble design studios to large performance marketing teams.

One creative firm reduced admin workload by 30%, redeploying staff from back-office duties to client delivery. Another branding agency passed a financial audit with zero corrections—thanks to clean, compliant books maintained by IBN.

This isn’t just outsourced accounting. It’s an operational upgrade.

Why Outsourced Bookkeeping Is the New Growth Lever

As agencies diversify services—from content creation to influencer partnerships to SaaS reselling—the complexity of billing and reconciliation scales quickly. And so do the risks of delay, error, or lost revenue.

Bookkeeping tailored to agency workflows gives firms a competitive edge:

• Faster financial reporting

• Confident client billing

• Smarter budgeting

• Healthier cash flow

• Less admin, more creative execution

IBN Technologies provides that edge.

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BitNile Unveils Strategic Roadmap for $NILE Token to Power Solana-Based Web3 Ecosystem

BitNile.com, the Web3-focused subsidiary of Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), is taking a major leap into blockchain-powered entertainment. The company has announced a sweeping strategic roadmap for $NILE, its native utility token built on the Solana blockchain, designed to anchor a suite of crypto-enabled mobile games, validator nodes, and real-time blockchain applications.

Currently boasting an estimated $103 million market cap (with 99% of the token held by BitNile), $NILE is poised to become the core digital asset driving user engagement, in-game economies, and validator incentives across the company’s new Web3 initiatives.

From Token to Ecosystem: What $NILE Will Power

BitNile isn’t content with a passive coin. The roadmap positions $NILE as a multi-functional asset embedded in the company’s entire Web3 entertainment architecture. Here’s what’s on deck:

• Mobile Gaming Integration: A portfolio of crypto-enabled games will soon launch on Google Play and Apple’s App Store, using $NILE for in-game rewards, NFT licenses, and leaderboard-based achievements.

• Validator Node Participation: BitNile plans to establish a network of validator nodes where players and users can participate in verifying game-based blockchain events—earning $NILE as a reward for contributing to the ecosystem’s integrity.

• Blockchain Utility: From user-to-user rewards to developer incentives, $NILE will be integrated across various apps connecting players, content creators, and developers in a shared, token-powered economy.

Although currently traded via decentralized exchanges, BitNile aims to expand accessibility and visibility for $NILE as adoption grows, especially in the second half of 2025.

“We’ve made a significant investment in BitNile.com and believe $NILE can serve as the backbone of a new Web3 entertainment community,” said Joe Spaziano, CEO of BitNile. “Gaming, engagement, and real-time crypto rewards are where we see the next phase of user experience unfolding.”

Backed by Hyperscale Data’s Expanding Tech Portfolio

BitNile’s moves are part of Hyperscale Data’s broader vision to evolve into a digital infrastructure powerhouse. While its roots lie in data center operations and digital asset mining (via its subsidiary Sentinum), Hyperscale is actively growing into AI, Web3, and blockchain-driven verticals.

This includes the anticipated divestiture of Ault Capital Group (ACG)—its diversified holding subsidiary—by the end of 2025. Post-divestiture, Hyperscale plans to focus exclusively on high-performance data centers and services that support AI and blockchain ecosystems.

The company’s combined focus on infrastructure, token economics, and application layers reflects a growing trend: vertical integration within Web3, where the same entity develops the hardware, builds the app layer, and controls the token economics.

The Bigger Picture: Solana, Scalability, and Real-Time Rewards

Choosing Solana, one of the fastest and most scalable Layer 1 blockchains, is a calculated move. Solana’s low fees and high throughput make it well-suited for microtransactions, dynamic gaming environments, and real-time validator events—precisely the use cases BitNile wants to dominate.

If BitNile delivers on its roadmap, $NILE could join a new class of utility tokens that go beyond hype to deliver real, usable value within a closed-loop, gamified economy.

With Solana’s performance architecture, BitNile’s validator plans, and mobile gaming integration on the horizon, $NILE isn’t just another crypto—it’s a bid to mainstream Web3 through entertainment.

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ViViEN™ 2.0: Ecosystems' AI Agent Aims to Make B2B Sales About Outcomes, Not Just Products

In an era where B2B buyers want value, not just features, Ecosystems is doubling down on its mission to help providers and customers speak the same language. The pioneer of the Customer Value Management (CVM) category just rolled out ViViEN™ 2.0, the latest evolution of its Virtual Value Engineer—a collaborative AI agent built to bring structure, intelligence, and transparency to the B2B go-to-market (GTM) motion.

Rather than pitch decks or static value props, ViViEN 2.0 creates a real-time, interactive workspace where providers and customers co-create, quantify, and track business value—from first call to renewal. And it’s not just an idea—it’s already in the hands of users at companies like HP, New Relic, and over 1,500 members of the Customer Value Community.

What Makes ViViEN™ 2.0 a GTM Game-Changer

Forget clunky spreadsheets and scattered notes. ViViEN™ 2.0 sits inside your CRM and does the heavy lifting—synthesizing call transcripts, sales documents, and external intel to surface tailored value insights before your first meeting.

“It turns scattered insights into a conversation on outcomes and business value that resonates with every stakeholder,” said Mark Crawford, VP of GTM Strategy at New Relic.

Here’s what’s new and notable in ViViEN™ 2.0:

• AI-Guided Personalization: Pulls data from across sources to auto-generate industry-specific engagement materials, customized to each customer’s business challenges and goals.

• Dynamic Collaboration: Sales reps and customers co-edit value stories in a shared workspace, with real-time feedback loops replacing static documents.

• Outcome-Based Value Quantification: Uses industry benchmarks and financial data to quantify value credibly—no more guessing or inflated ROI calculators.

• Post-Sale Alignment: ViViEN™ bridges the gap between pre-sale promises and post-sale delivery, tracking actual results and supporting renewals with proof of performance.

• Continuous Learning Engine: Every deal makes ViViEN™ smarter. It refines suggestions over time, building a proprietary knowledge base of what drives customer value across industries.

This isn’t just AI layered onto sales ops. It’s a rethink of how value is defined, delivered, and discussed.

“ViViEN™ 2.0 is just the beginning,” said Michael Plaskow, Chief Product Officer at Ecosystems. “We’re unleashing AI to fundamentally rewire how value is co-created in every B2B relationship.”

The Strategic Impact: Why This Matters

At a time when B2B buyers demand proof, personalization, and partnership, ViViEN™ 2.0 provides all three—at scale. For sales teams, it shortens cycles and boosts win rates. For customer success, it fuels retention by keeping outcomes front and center. And for customers? It delivers the holy grail: a buying experience that feels collaborative, measurable, and aligned.

HP’s Barry O’Sullivan put it best:

“ViViEN™ researches insights before a single conversation begins. Then sellers and customers refine that message together—turning insights into outcomes.”

AI That Doesn’t Just Assist—It Accelerates

While most sales tech claims to “support” reps, ViViEN™ 2.0 aims to drive the conversation. It automates research, personalizes content, enables transparent value discussions, and learns as it goes—essentially becoming a living, learning value engine.

With adoption underway across leading enterprise GTM teams, ViViEN™ 2.0 is redefining what it means to “sell on value.”

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Volca Secures $5.5M to Bring AI Automation to the Home Services Industry
Startup aims to transform manual workflows into revenue engines for contractors.

The home services sector is getting a serious tech upgrade. Volca, an AI-powered marketing platform purpose-built for contractors and service professionals, has raised $5.5 million in seed funding led by Pathlight Ventures, with support from MetaProp, GTMFund, Recall Capital, and angels from Stripe, Ramp, Figma, Plaid, and more.

The round positions Volca to tackle one of the most underserved—and high-potential—corners of the U.S. economy: the $526 billion and growing home maintenance and improvement market. Backed by AI, Volca is helping plumbers, HVAC techs, electricians, and other tradespeople finally automate their growth—starting with one of the most reliable business engines out there: referrals.

Turning Word-of-Mouth into a Workflow

Volca’s core product is a smart, SMS-based referral system that connects with CRMs like ServiceTitan, allowing contractors to run fully automated referral programs from start to finish. Using AI, Volca personalizes messages, tracks leads, matches jobs to existing systems, and even handles secure payouts for successful referrals—all via text.

That means no more manually chasing leads, updating spreadsheets, or managing clunky third-party apps. It’s referral marketing as a revenue loop, not just a side channel.

“Volca isn’t just streamlining operations — it’s building a heat-seeking missile revenue engine for home services,” said Mahdi Raza, Co-founder at Pathlight Ventures.

Millions in Revenue and Counting

The approach is already paying off. Volca claims to have built millions in referral pipeline for its customers, with some seeing $70,000+ in net new revenue per month driven purely by Volca-powered automations.

“Since we started using Volca four months ago, we’ve made over $160K in new sales through referral automations,” said Nathan Shafer of Shafer Heating and Cooling. “It’s been a game-changer.”

Built by Operators Who’ve Been There

Co-founders Brendan Kazanjian and Brandon (Don) Rabovsky are longtime friends who bring both tech and trade credibility to the table. Don’s deep referral marketing expertise met Brendan’s firsthand experience in the family construction business—a mix that gave rise to Volca’s founding vision: build smarter tools for a market that’s long been overlooked by Silicon Valley.

“The trades power our economy, but operators are buried under manual work,” said Kazanjian. “We want to give them back time, revenue, and peace of mind.”

The Bigger Vision: AI for Every Revenue Function

While referrals are Volca’s initial wedge, the platform is evolving into a full-stack AI growth engine for home services businesses. The roadmap includes:

• Intelligent lead generation

• AI-powered communications

• Post-sale automations like upsells, review requests, and retention tools

The long-term goal? Help service pros scale without burning out. Volca plans to expand its NYC-based team across engineering, product, and customer success.

“We’re not just building software — we’re rethinking how the next generation of contractors grow,” said Kazanjian.

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Entrust and PlaySafe ID Partner to Make Online Gaming Safer, Smarter, and More Human
New ID verification system aims to eliminate bots, cheaters, and predators—without sacrificing player anonymity.

The online gaming world is about to get a lot more secure. Entrust, a global leader in identity-centric security, has announced a strategic partnership with PlaySafe ID, the platform designed to purge bots, cheaters, and predators from gaming communities. The collaboration will underpin PlaySafe ID’s secure onboarding process with Entrust’s high-assurance identity verification technology—bringing a much-needed layer of accountability to digital avatars.

At its core, the partnership is a bold move to restore trust, fairness, and safety in online gameplay—an industry increasingly plagued by fraud, toxicity, and regulatory scrutiny.

How It Works: Human-First, Privacy-First

The new system is designed to be simple, secure, and privacy-preserving. When users sign up for a PlaySafe ID, they’re prompted to upload a government-issued ID and take a short video selfie. Entrust then runs a dual check:

1. Authenticity of the ID document

2. Biometric match between the selfie and ID

This process confirms that the person is real, alive, and the rightful owner of the ID—thwarting common fraud tactics like stolen identities, photos, or deepfakes.

Once verified, the user is issued an anonymized digital PlaySafe ID—a universal credential for accessing PlaySafe-protected games and matchmaking exclusively with other verified users. Importantly, none of the personal identity data is tied to gameplay, meaning verified players remain anonymous in the game world—but not to fraud detection.

“Gaming should be fun, fair, and safe for everyone,” said Andrew Wailes, CEO of PlaySafe ID. “This partnership with Entrust ensures our process is secure, scalable, and built around user privacy.”

Addressing a Growing Threat—and New Regulation

Online games have long been a haven for bad actors: cheating, bot farming, and inappropriate behavior run rampant in many open environments. But the stakes are getting higher. The UK’s Online Safety Act, going into effect in July 2025, includes child protection requirements that will mandate identity controls on platforms accessed by minors.

PlaySafe ID’s system helps gaming platforms proactively align with these upcoming regulations by offering identity verification without revealing identities—a delicate balance between compliance and privacy.

“Fraudulent activity in gaming is growing in scope and sophistication,” said Samuel Steg, Head of Compliance for Identity Verification at Entrust. “Our technology helps ensure that users are real, verified humans—without turning games into surveillance tools.”

What It Means for Gamers, Developers, and Platforms

The Entrust–PlaySafe ID partnership creates a frictionless KYC (Know Your Customer) process purpose-built for the gaming world. For players, that means safer matchmaking. For developers and publishers, it offers:

• Regulatory readiness (especially for child safety laws)

• Protection against bots and bad actors

• A trust layer that boosts community engagement

PlaySafe ID is already in talks with major gaming platforms, with integration launches expected later this year.

As the online gaming ecosystem matures—and regulators catch up—solutions like PlaySafe ID represent a new standard for trust in digital spaces, without compromising the core of what makes gaming great: freedom, fun, and fair play.

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