Matt Birk, React LLC’s new Commissioner of Sports

“The missing piece in sports advertising has always been how to engage people with both the games and the advertising partners,” Birk said. “Super Squares® addresses these challenges for live and even repeat broadcasts and ePro games.”

TAMPA, Fla. (PRWEB)
April 10, 2020

With live sports around the world on hold, and billions of dollars in potential sports advertising waiting, one advertising technology start-up is hiring legendary sports business talent and is building new ways to engage audiences sitting bored at home.

This week, React LLC (“React”), the creator of sports engagement game Super Squares®, announced the hiring of Matt Birk, former NFL Director of Football Development, Harvard University lineman, and player with the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens. Birk will serve as Commissioner of Sports, overseeing React’s outreach and negotiations with leagues and networks in North America. He will also provide React’s fan engagement teams with expertise drawn from Birk’s recent foray into eSports and related video gaming culture. (Note: The ePro Sports moniker relates to traditional sports played via video games.)

The multi-patented Super Squares app was already poised to support football and hockey in 2020, but React is now exploring adding basketball, baseball, racing and soccer on an expedited basis. Recently awarded U.S. and pending international patents also allow for a skill-based “fantasy” version, in the works for late 2020.

Super Squares® is positioned as a “modern twist” on the popular “squares” or “box” games played by tens of millions of fans during mass viewing events like the Super Bowl®. The live, free-to-play score-matching quiz show enables millions of fans to sync to real time sports broadcasts of all types (even replays and eSport versions) and awards cash and prizes ranging from gift cards to new cars. During breaks in real-time broadcasts of any kind, Super Squares players earn points for successfully answering questions about both the game and the commercials that play on their smart phones (or TV, when integrated with broadcasters). Players earn bonus points when their “Super Square” – a set of four score combinations – match one or both team’s stats at the end of a period of play.

“Live sports were already in the middle of immense disruption before this virus, with the proliferation of second screens, streaming services, sports betting, the popularity of eSports, and more,” said Frank Maggio, Chief Executive Officer of React LLC. “Amid these quarantines, it’s more important than ever to provide solutions that immediately help the leagues and brands, and to build new ways for networks to engage fans. Our current and upcoming free and wagering apps inject much-needed adrenaline back into sports, and rewards fans for being immersed in real-time sports – and that includes repeat games.”

Maggio said Birk’s experience as both a player and NFL executive makes him the absolute best person to be the company’s first Commissioner, and to help reactivate fans everywhere. Birk’s most recent experience extends across the markets of video gaming, celebrity, and pop culture. “The missing piece in sports advertising has always been how to engage people with both the games and the advertising partners. Lots of fans get distracted during commercial breaks or when they fast-forward a recorded game,” Birk said. “Super Squares® addresses these challenges for live and even repeat broadcasts and ePro games. I believe the leagues and sports networks will embrace React’s vision and real-time engagement now, more than ever. The future of sports technology and gaming is yet to be written, and with what I know is coming next, we have the platform and IP to set tomorrow’s standards.”

React ran successful Tampa Bay beta tests of the Super Squares platform in 2018, and developed Version 2.0 for hosting on the Google Cloud Platform. The app scales to over 5 million simultaneous players. Privately held, React is now completing its third round of fundraising to expand and market the platform to sports leagues, advertising brands, and fans. In the coming weeks and months, React will be announcing a series of new products, and new hires from across the sports and entertainment industries.

About React

Founded by adtech and media measurement maverick Frank Maggio, React LLC is an experiential advertising technology and entertainment company that thinks of “advertising as a sport™.” By adrenalizing advertising™, React excites audiences with rewarding, branded two-screen experiences during the most viewed and attended sporting and media events in the world. Super Squares® is React’s first reactive product to exploit its multi-patent and trademark IP portfolio. The company’s commitment to “respect, protect, and reward consumers when they pay attention” honors user privacy by never selling or sharing personally identifiable information. Details about React can be found at http://www.react.net, and information on the Super Squares app and upcoming events are available at http://www.SuperSquares.com.

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Matthew Rudikoff, Economic Development Specialist for the City of Peekskill and Executive Director of the Peekskill Industrial Development Agency (Photo Credit: Joan Heffler Photography)

Peekskill’s a happening place and my goal is to work with all the existing stakeholders that have made Peekskill’s recent dramatic progress possible – while paving the way for an even stronger, future resilient and sustainable economic community in which the whole population benefits.

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. (PRWEB)
April 09, 2020

The City of Peekskill announces the appointment of Matthew D. Rudikoff to lead Peekskill’s Office of Economic Development within the City Planning Department. Rudikoff was also named Executive Director of the Peekskill Industrial Development Agency (PIDA). The mission of the dual position is to leverage public and private resources to strengthen, stabilize and expand the City’s economy: businesses, nonprofit organizations and the workforce.

“Peekskill’s a happening place and my goal is to work with all the existing stakeholders that have made Peekskill’s recent dramatic progress possible – while paving the way for an even stronger, future resilient and sustainable economic community in which the whole population benefits,” Rudikoff stated.

Prior to the City of Peekskill, Matthew Rudikoff spent more than two decades as president of MDRA, Inc., a highly regarded regional economic development, planning and environmental consulting firm working for a diverse group of public, private and nonprofit clients. He also served as Development Director for the City of Poughkeepsie as well as Federal / State Liaison Officer for the New York City Model Cities administration.

“Matthew is going to be a great asset to our city,” said Peekskill Mayor Andre Rainey. “In such a short time, I can already sense he’s very energetic, motivated and looking for ways to develop new strategies to support our business community. He certainly has excellent customer service skills, a high level of organization, great communication, and is a proactive thinker. I look forward to the years to come working with him.”

The two most immediate goals for Rudikoff: one, protect and advance Peekskill’s economy and citizens to weather the COVID19 contagion and two, for the 2020 Census to document Peekskill’s phenomenal growth as a diverse and sustainable community – achieving a City population of over 25,000.

“I urge everyone to follow COVID social distancing and other directives to minimize the virus’ spread and damage to citizens, families and our economy. On a far more positive note, please respond to the 2020 Census – either online, by phone, or by mail. An accurate count is crucial for securing federal funding for infrastructure, parks and other important programs. Be active – respond to the Census and help spread the word – not spread the virus!”

“The Peekskill Industrial Development Agency is pleased to welcome Matthew as our new Executive Director,” said Deborah Post, Chairperson of PIDA. “He has already proven to be a great asset as we work to utilize the Agency’s economic development tools to aid Peekskill through the Coronavirus pandemic and future growth.”

Rudikoff was the founding chairman of the Dutchess County Hospitality Industry Council, staff director of the Poughkeepsie Partnership and chairman of its BID Formation Committee, member of the Beacon Economic Development Task Force, Conference Committee Co-Chairman, Mid-Hudson Patterns for Progress, staff director of the Poughkeepsie Overall Economic Development Plan Committee and frequent presenter and panelist at many planning and economic development conferences. Rudikoff is currently a member of the Ulster County Planning Board.

“The Peekskill Business Improvement District will continue working with Matthew as we all come together to focus on the City of Peekskill’s fiscal recovery once this health and economic emergency subsides,” said Brian Fassett, President of the Peekskill BID. “With our stronger and renewed sense of community, we can help Peekskill recover through smart, sustainable development while still preserving our existing businesses and our wealth of environmental, historical and artistic assets.”

“Having an Economic Development Specialist in place is so important as Peekskill navigates these uncharted waters,” said Deb Milone, President of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce. “We are working together through this crisis and, as recovery takes place, we look forward to bringing new business and development to Peekskill.”

The aim of the City of Peekskill Economic Development Office is to help consolidate and stabilize the City’s recent growth, noted Rudikoff. “This means new partnerships, completing pending projects, connecting the downtown and waterfront, and creating ‘new-economy’ employment opportunities weaving-in arts, media and tech. We’re committed to fostering a local economy ‘new-venture’ entrepreneurial atmosphere – growing Peekskill’s destination power, business diversity and market strengths.”

Rudikoff continued, “The next generation of Peekskill’s new projects will build on that solid base – being even more sustainable, job generating and successful; linking government services and strengthening the local economy for the benefit of everyone in Peekskill – its businesses, agencies, visitors and future residents.”

Rudikoff holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from SUNY New Paltz and a Masters in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University.

The City of Peekskill is located at 840 Main Street in Peekskill, N.Y., and can be reached at 914-737-3400 or by visiting http://www.cityofpeekskill.com.

About the City of Peekskill

The City of Peekskill is a thriving, historic community located on the banks of the Hudson River. Just under one hour north of New York City, Peekskill is culturally and economically vibrant with abundant natural resources due to its location on the river and at the gateway to the Hudson Highlands. The waterfront, with over three miles of continuous parkland, is a regional destination with a variety of active and passive recreation, as well as breathtaking views of the Hudson River. While Peekskill’s waterfront parks, walking trails and dog park remain open during the coronavirus pandemic, guidelines for social distancing are enforced. The downtown area features an array of dining establishments currently offering take out, curbside pickup or delivery. The City recently passed a local ordinance allowing for free 15 minute parking in front of restaurants exclusively for the pick up of food and beverages. Home to a growing arts community, Peekskill is also a hub for new-generation technology and multimedia. For more information, visit http://www.cityofpeekskill.com.

“We are very excited to have Paul leading all our technology and innovation initiatives,” said Jim Oberman, CEO of Payroc. “He comes to Payroc with a treasure of experience and success in payments.”

TINLEY PARK, Ill. (PRWEB)
April 09, 2020

Payroc announced today that Paul Vienneau has joined Payroc LLC as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Vienneau joins Payroc after serving at TSYS as CTO of Merchant Solutions, with the successful acquisition and integration of Cayan, where he served as CTO since 2012.

A long time tech expert, and a force in the fintech world for almost a decade, Vienneau previously held various tech leadership positions at Invensys, NxStep Technologies, and NaviNet, He also has experience in mergers and acquisitions within his previous roles, and is skilled in how to adapt and handle the transitional processes for these events.

“We are very excited to have Paul leading all our technology and innovation initiatives,” said Jim Oberman, CEO of Payroc. “He comes to Payroc with a treasure of experience and success in payments,” Oberman added. “Moreover, his people and leadership skills are unique and outstanding, and we are blessed to have him”.

Bringing over 20 years of experience leading technology operations, Vienneau will oversee Payroc’s technical environment and set a meaningful technology strategy to achieve Payroc’s goals, analyzing consumer needs, current market trends, and potential partnerships, as well as driving the product and business-planning process throughout cross-functional teams in the company.

“Payroc is on a promising glide path towards disrupting the payments space, and I feel confident that my experiences and lessons learned, coupled with those of our amazing team members, position us for success,” said Vienneau. “With the rapid evolution and innovation driving payments today, I can think of no better group of individuals who are best poised to tackle the opportunities ahead.”

About Payroc

Payroc is a high-growth merchant acquirer, processor and payment facilitation powerhouse operating in 46 countries, processing $23 billion in annual charge volume for more than 55,000 merchants. The company offers best-in-class sales enablement and merchant processing technology on a global basis, delivering proprietary, innovative and full-service merchant acquiring solutions together with key card brand network payment sponsorship registrations.

Payroc, through its affiliate companies Payroc LLC, Payscape, NXGEN and Winterland, a Canadian Payroc subsidiary, is a registered Visa third party processor (TPP), Mastercard third party servicer (TPSV) and a registered independent sales organization and merchant services provider (ISO/MSP), payment facilitator and encryption support organization for Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio-chartered bank, Cincinnati, Ohio. The company is also a registered ISO/MSP for Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Wells”), Concord, Calif., and is an Elavon payments partner and registered as an ISO/MSP of Elavon, Inc., Ga., a wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank Minneapolis. The company’s Canadian business unit is a registered ISO/MSP of Wells and Peoples Trust Company, Vancouver, Canada. For more information, please visit payroc.com or telephone 844-PAYROC-4.

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