Struggling with Technology?
We’ve been delivering technology as a service for over 25 years. We offer personalized service to small business, non-profits and public institutions.
What We Do
Initial consultations are always free.
We specialize in technology architecture, project development and training. Don’t sweat the tech.
~ Reach out today.
Solve. Secure. Evolve.
Scott Rakestraw has been delivering technology as a service for nearly 4 decades. After earning a Bachelor Degree in Communication, specializing in mass media, Scott’s early career was a mix of radio, publishing and television supporting technology for font-line team members and senior corporate executives
Scott has worked for major media outlets including, Mediabase Research, Cox Broadcasting, Paramount Television Stations and CBS Television. He has also been a team leader in publishing, serving as the Research Director at Monday Morning Replay and the Senior Technical Support Analyst for Gale Research (now Cengage).
“Working in the media was a great place to learn how the world and the world of business operates- how to work with a team to accomplish a mission.” says Rakestraw. “I learned many things living in the corporate world but I was always searching for some meaning to the work.”
The search lead Scott directly into to public service roles. He has served as Telecommunications Manager for The Library Network and as a Senior Technology Project Manager for public libraries. He founded “Save Your Breath.org” in 1998 and to help fine organizations, specifically non-profits implement and deliver technology solutions.
“People get overwhelmed by technology. When you have the right partner, you’ll never have to ‘Sweat the Tech’.”
“SaveYourBreath.org” is a Michigan based consulting firm specializing in Technology Project Management, Solution Design, System Architecture and Staff Development.
Blog
Blue Books
You might be surprised to know that when some folks ask for books at my library, there are times when they only remember the color of the cover and not the title. I’m sure the reasons for this vary widely. I’m simply more interested in the ‘value equation’. ~ What can I learn from this …
“AI Sherpa”
If you love and listen to radio anytime (almost anywhere) over the last 20+ years, I can almost promise that you’ve been exposed to the creative genius of Fred and Paul Jacobs. These gentlemen have been thought leaders and top level consultants to the industry since I was a little baby DJ at Central Michigan …
Who’s “Watching” Radio?
If you are or have been employed in the entertainment business, it might be you. Tens of thousands of industry employees, particularly those who work for media companies who have exposure radio properties with stock as part of the compensation plan have watched these accounts implode in recent years. Six years ago, Audacy Inc. Chief …
News
River of News*
Digital Content Next Official Website
- Attracting audiences to political newsby Matthew Powers—Professor, University of Washington, Seattle on January 30, 2025 at 12:17 pm
Covering the actions of state legislatures has long been viewed as the journalistic equivalent of forcing people to eat broccoli. Such political news may be part of a citizen’s “healthy”... The post Attracting audiences to political news appeared first on Digital Content Next.
- DCN’s media industry must reads: week of January 30, 2025by Michelle Manafy, Editorial Director – DCN on January 30, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Here are some of the best media stories our team has read so far this week The post DCN’s media industry must reads: week of January 30, 2025 appeared first on Digital Content Next.
- Gen Z is changing the media landscape. Can you keep up?by Esha Walia – Finance and Journalism Student, Northeastern University on January 29, 2025 at 12:16 pm
The news may have started as a print business, but over time, it’s morphed into television, radio, and all things digital. In fact, The New York Times derived more than... The post Gen Z is changing the media landscape. Can you keep up? appeared first on Digital Content Next.
- How AI is reshaping the entertainment industryby Rande Price, Research VP – DCN on January 28, 2025 at 12:16 pm
Today’s headlines about artificial intelligence (AI) describe it as a transformative force reshaping entertainment and technology. Companies across the spectrum are adopting AI to streamline operations, enhance content production, marketing,... The post How AI is reshaping the entertainment industry appeared first on Digital Content Next.
- Informed personalization: editors in charge, trust at stakeby Tarjei Gilbrant, CEO – Kilkaya on January 27, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Today’s audiences spend time endlessly scrolling social media, but the trusted media experience must be different. Readers turn to established news organizations because they trust the source. They expect responsible... The post Informed personalization: editors in charge, trust at stake appeared first on Digital Content Next.
Adweek Feed Breaking News in Advertising, Media and Technology
- Glen Powell Stars as Goldilocks in Ram Super Bowl Teaserby T.L. Stanley on January 31, 2025 at 11:46 pm
Glen Powell is going on a joyride, hijacking a truck, and putting the pedal to the metal. In the first teaser for Ram's upcoming Super Bowl 59 ad, the red-hot Hollywood actor sets up a testosterone-charged retelling of The Three Bears fairy tale and dons a flowing blonde wig for the Stellantis brand. He's...Goldilocks? Apparently...
- Verizon Punts Super Bowl Spot in Favor of Grammys Ad to Create Buzzby Bill Bradley on January 31, 2025 at 9:28 pm
Verizon and Beyonce essentially won the Super Bowl in 2024 with an ad that included a mysterious teaser campaign and an album announcement. This year, however, the company opted out of the game because it was crazy in love with a different idea. Rather than compete against the noise of Super Bowl 59 ads, Verizon...
- Paul D’Arcy Named Chief Marketing Officer at Molocoby David Cohen on January 31, 2025 at 9:10 pm
Former Dell and Indeed head marketer Paul D'Arcy has joined advertising solutions provider Moloco as chief marketing officer. D'Arcy had previously been CMO at Miro, a digital workspace collaboration tool, since September 2020. Prior to that, he spent nearly eight years as senior vice president and head of marketing at jobs platform Indeed, where he...
- Ticker: ABC News Moves 2 More Shows to New Hudson Square HQby Mark Mwachiro on January 31, 2025 at 9:05 pm
Top of the Ticker: ABC News' overnight and early morning programs, World News Now and Good Morning America First Look, have made the move to their new space at 7 Hudson Square, per NewsCast Studio. Both shows join The View in the recently-opened Robert A. Iger building, named after the head of Disney. The media...
- Dove Prints Special Edition of ‘Sports ReIllustrated’ Ahead of Super Bowl 59by Rebecca Stewart on January 31, 2025 at 8:27 pm
Sports Illustrated has become Sports ReIllustrated ahead of the Super Bowl, in partnership with Dove as part of its ongoing "Body Confident Sport" program. Honor Dayagao' Smoke, a 10-year-old wrestler from the Tonawanda Reservation, is the cover star of the historic promo issue of the magazine, which will be available to subscribers as part of...
- Google Lets AI Users Ask Local Businesses For Anythingon January 31, 2025 at 4:29 pm
Lead-gen Search Labs experiment "Ask for Me" allows Google AI users to call businesses on their behalf to ask about availability or cost of a service.
- NFL Post-Season Ad Spend Up 22%on January 31, 2025 at 1:22 pm
National TV ads from five linear TV networks and simulcast network airings of 11 games totaled $624.5 million, according to EDO Ad EnGage estimates - up from $514.0 million a year ago.
- Short-Term Kicks: More Super Bowl Ads To Nosh On?on January 31, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Last year's Super Bowl Advertising Benchmark Index showed the average ad-effectiveness score for all Super Bowl '24 ads hit a 97 index - below the 100 ABX Index for in-game ads.
- Netflix Draws A-List Talent For 'What's Next' In 2025on January 31, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Netflix this week laid out its slate of new content for the coming year, highlighting partnerships and projects with A-list creators and stars.
- Google Confirms 'Voluntary Exit' Offer To Employees Working On Pixel, Androidon January 30, 2025 at 8:58 pm
The announcement is aimed at Google's U.S. employees working on Platforms & Devices and does not apply to Search, AI or other groups. Alphabet's new CFO said "driving further efficiencies" was a key priority for 2025.
The Honest Broker A trustworthy guide to music, books, arts, media & culture by Ted Gioia
- "The Infrastructure of the Recording Industry Is About to Fail”by Ted Gioia on January 30, 2025 at 7:23 pm
The entire Hollywood ecosystem is tottering on the brink
- What Can Music Do Today?by Ted Gioia on January 28, 2025 at 8:20 pm
Here's the final chapter of my new book 'Music to Raise the Dead'
- 16 YouTube Videos I'm Watching This Weekby Ted Gioia on January 26, 2025 at 7:44 pm
Here’s my latest round-up of YouTube videos.
- Old Media Finally Wakes Up from a Comaby Ted Gioia on January 24, 2025 at 8:05 pm
The empire strikes back—or at least it will try
- Google Is Now the East India Company of the Internetby Ted Gioia on January 21, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Long ago, another company tried to control global connectivity—it had an unhappy ending