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We specialize in technology architecture, project development and training. Don’t sweat the tech.
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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 build a team to accomplish goal.” says Rakestraw. “In the corporate world 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 Texas based consulting firm specializing in Technology Project Management, Solution Design, System Architecture and Staff Development.
Blog
Radio’s Next Great Format May Have Nothing to Do With Traditional Radio
Dave Van Dyke’s [Bridge Ratings Media Research] recent essay suggests that radio’s next great format could be “the wisdom of its own audience“. Using AI to organize thousands of listener responses that local personalities can turn into programming is a great concept. I just don’t think it’s strong enough. As a technologist, I’ve argued three …
Continue reading “Radio’s Next Great Format May Have Nothing to Do With Traditional Radio”
Better Than Health Insurance…
My first job after college was at a small radio station south of Phoenix, AZ. We needed a swing man. Someone to cover weekend shifts. We found a local guy with a great voice who understood the station, knew the market and was willing to work for the ‘beans and rice’ wage we were going …
It Was “a great day for all of us”.
At a company meeting some years ago, the CEO stood up and read a list of my accomplishments for all to hear. My career in technology started on a help desk. The company was moving content from print into database software, and over the years I built several projects that measurably improved customer service. Everyone …
News
River of News*
* This “River of News” is syndicated from 3rd party sites. We are not responsible for this content. “River” content is presented for your convenience and entertainment and may not be suitable for all purposes.
Digital Content Next Official Website
- Publishers are diversifying reach, but are they reducing risk?
by Julie Jochims – Media Industry Analyst, Arc XP at The Washington Post on October 20, 2026 at 11:24 amEvery publisher strategy deck now has a slide on diversification, and the reasoning is sound. Google referrals are shrinking, so publishers are building audiences elsewhere. But much of that diversification... The post Publishers are diversifying reach, but are they reducing risk? appeared first on Digital Content Next.
- Media’s shifting profits raise questions about future growth
by Rande Price, Research VP – DCN on October 19, 2026 at 2:23 pmMedia companies face a difficult growth equation. Expanding content and audience reach does not necessarily translate into stronger financial returns, particularly when consumers have little additional attention to give and... The post Media’s shifting profits raise questions about future growth appeared first on Digital Content Next.
- News podcasts offer a surprising path to rebuilding trust
by Theresa Cramer, Founder – Quiet Corner Communications on October 15, 2026 at 11:32 amPublishers are accustomed to hearing bad news about trust in journalism. But Gallup’s latest findings offer a glimmer of improvement: 33% of Americans now express confidence in the news media,... The post News podcasts offer a surprising path to rebuilding trust appeared first on Digital Content Next.
- DCN’s media industry must reads: week of October 15, 2026by Michelle Manafy, Editorial Director – DCN on October 15, 2026 at 11:26 am
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 October 15, 2026 appeared first on Digital Content Next.
- Higher prices lift spending as subscription habits shiftby Rande Price, Research VP – DCN on October 12, 2026 at 3:00 pm
DCN’s Q3 2026 Digital Subscription Tracking Report finds that household subscription spending continues to rise, largely because of higher prices. Estimated average monthly spending reached $176.44, up 14.5% year over... The post Higher prices lift spending as subscription habits shift appeared first on Digital Content Next.
Adweek Feed Breaking News in Advertising, Media and Technology
- Tilly Norwood Tells Allby Mark Stenberg on October 21, 2026 at 7:00 pm
This story was originally published in On Background with Mark Stenberg, a free, weekly newsletter that explores the key themes shaping the media industry. You can sign up for it here.
- Meta Beats Q3 Expectations With Strong Earningsby Tekendra Parmar on October 21, 2026 at 6:35 pm
The company says its AI investments are already paying off for advertisers
- Walmart Embraces AI Agents That Shop on Behalf of Customersby Mitchell Parton on October 21, 2026 at 5:55 pm
The retailer is setting the rules AI shopping agents will have to follow.
- ADWEEK’s TVNewser Introduces the New and Improved Daily Cable News Ratingsby mmwachiro on October 21, 2026 at 4:48 pm
TVNewser’s daily ratings posts return in a new and interactive format.
- PepsiCo and AB InBev Vet Takes CMO Post at Troubled Diageo North Americaby Robert Klara on October 21, 2026 at 3:06 pm
Sebnem Erim joins as the North American division turned in the spirits giant's weakest results in 2026
- Clarification: iSpot MLB Ad-Spend Estimates: 2025 Included RSNs, Playoffs, 2026 Omitted RSNson October 22, 2026 at 12:10 am
In the story MLB Ad Volume Falls, Revenue Sinks To $342M, published in Television News Daily on Oct. 19, advertising revenue estimates from iSpot for the 2025 MLB regular-season games and playoffs (through League Champion Series (LCS) but not the World Series) included ad data/airings/impressions from regional sports networks (RSNs). This consisted of live games, re-broadcasts, and non-live programming. However, new estimates for the 2026 regular season and playoffs do include advertising data from the RSNs -- which has shifted to "digital only" classification. Under its new parameters for only "live national, linear games" -- without RSNs -- iSpot estimated for advertising revenue (for the regular season through LCS) was $319.96 million, coming from 43,333 airings resulting in 31.9 billion impressions. This compares to the 2025 season, where iSpot estimated an advertising spend of live, national linear games (no RSN ad data) is $358.76 million -- coming from 52,028 airings, resulting in 40.8 billion impressions.
- YouTube Expands Affiliate Program Via Global Retaileron October 21, 2026 at 8:51 pm
YouTube is expanding its shopping affiliate program by partnering with AliExpress, an ecommerce platform owned by Alibaba and based in China that allows creators to earn from relevant product tags.
- Influencers Are Winning Over Gen Z, But Adam Sandler Has Last Laughon October 21, 2026 at 4:51 pm
Consumers increasingly trust influencers, but traditional celebrities still command broader appeal.
- Microdramas Are On The Rise - Will Market Forces Decide?on October 21, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Two-thirds of the top 20 microdramas released outside China in Q3 this year were AI-generated. What explains this global media phenomenon?
- Fox Springs 'Simpsons' Surprise: Apu Is Back!on October 21, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Exiled "Simpsons" character Apu returned Sunday night in an episode that directly addressed the controversy that canceled the character in 2017.
The Honest Broker A trustworthy guide to music, books, arts, media & culture by Ted Gioia
- 14 YouTube Videos I’m Recommending Right Now
by Ted Gioia on October 20, 2026 at 3:46 amHere's what I've been watching lately.
- Let’s Kill the Four-Chord Song
by Ted Gioia on October 16, 2026 at 6:45 pmThe audience has lost interest in it—but what comes next?
- Don’t Trust People Who Talk Like This
by Ted Gioia on October 14, 2026 at 3:17 amThe beginning of wisdom is calling things by their right names.
- People Are Rejecting Screens—and Returning to Communal Events
by Ted Gioia on October 10, 2026 at 6:06 pmThe inmates are breaking out of digital prison
- Why Everybody Loves Glen Campbell
by Ted Gioia on October 6, 2026 at 3:12 amIn 1960, a country boy named Glen Campbell showed up in Los Angeles with a guitar, a pompadour hairdo, and a lean, hungry look....