Zack Mukewa and Jon Hammond join firm as principals following arrival of new CGO, Melissa Green

NEW YORK, July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sloane & Company, a leading strategic communications firm within the Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) network, today announced the appointment of two senior executives to lead newly created global practice areas and accelerate the firm’s next phase of growth. Zack Mukewa joins as Principal and Head of Capital Markets and Strategic Advisory, while Jon Hammond steps in as Principal and Head of Media, Sports, Entertainment, and Technology.

Their hires underscore the firm’s ambitious growth plan and align with Stagwell’s broader target of reaching $5 billion in annual revenue by 2029.

“Sloane has ambitious plans to scale our growth in the coming years, and with Zack and Jon on our team, I am bullish about our future,” said Darren Brandt, CEO of Sloane & Company. “These strategic hires mark a pivotal step forward as we scale our operations, expand our market presence, and continue delivering exceptional value to our clients.”

“Zack and Jon bring distinct, high-value capabilities at a time when our clients are facing unprecedented complexity and transformation,” said Melissa Green, Chief Growth Officer at Sloane & Company, who stepped into the newly created role in March. “These hires are deliberate investments in two of the most strategically important growth vectors for our firm—and for the future of client service in our industry.”

Mukewa will lead the buildout of Sloane’s Capital Markets and Strategic Advisory practice, offering board-level counsel to public and private companies navigating investor relations, market transactions, and capital strategy. A veteran of global markets with nearly two decades of experience, Mukewa most recently scaled a capital markets advisory team from $2 million to $6 million in revenue within three years and led 16 capital events in 2024 alone.

“Sloane is trusted in the market for its ability to help clients navigate complex, high-stakes issues,” said Mukewa. “At a time when capital strategy and financial storytelling are central to long-term value creation, we’re building an advisory platform designed to deliver clarity and competitive advantage—across market cycles.”

Hammond will lead the firm’s new cultural strategy offering, advising brands, leagues and organizations, media properties, and talent on how to harness storytelling, influence, and innovation to drive growth and deepen engagement. He brings decades of experience from senior roles at the NBA, Condé Nast, and Time Inc., and for the past seven years, has been operating his own consultancy working with leading media companies, sports organizations, athletes, and brands with a track record of launching high-impact platforms and advising some of the most influential names in sports and entertainment. In addition, he brings extensive crisis communications expertise that will be leveraged across all practice areas.

Story Continues

By DAVID KLEPPER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The phone rings. It’s the secretary of state calling. Or is it?

For Washington insiders, seeing and hearing is no longer believing, thanks to a spate of recent incidents involving deepfakes impersonating top officials in President Donald Trump’s administration.

Digital fakes are coming for corporate America, too, as criminal gangs and hackers associated with adversaries including North Korea use synthetic video and audio to impersonate CEOs and low-level job candidates to gain access to critical systems or business secrets.

Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence, creating realistic deepfakes is easier than ever, causing security problems for governments, businesses and private individuals and making trust the most valuable currency of the digital age.

Responding to the challenge will require laws, better digital literacy and technical solutions that fight AI with more AI.

“As humans, we are remarkably susceptible to deception,” said Vijay Balasubramaniyan, CEO and founder of the tech firm Pindrop Security. But he believes solutions to the challenge of deepfakes may be within reach: “We are going to fight back.”

AI deepfakes become a national security threat

This summer, someone used AI to create a deepfake of Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an attempt to reach out to foreign ministers, a U.S. senator and a governor over text, voice mail and the Signal messaging app.

In May someone impersonated Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles.

Another phony Rubio had popped up in a deepfake earlier this year, saying he wanted to cut off Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service. Ukraine’s government later rebutted the false claim.

The national security implications are huge: People who think they’re chatting with Rubio or Wiles, for instance, might discuss sensitive information about diplomatic negotiations or military strategy.

“You’re either trying to extract sensitive secrets or competitive information or you’re going after access, to an email server or other sensitive network,” Kinny Chan, CEO of the cybersecurity firm QiD, said of the possible motivations.

Synthetic media can also aim to alter behavior. Last year, Democratic voters in New Hampshire received a robocall urging them not to vote in the state’s upcoming primary. The voice on the call sounded suspiciously like then-President Joe Biden but was actually created using AI.

Their ability to deceive makes AI deepfakes a potent weapon for foreign actors. Both Russia and China have used disinformation and propaganda directed at Americans as a way of undermining trust in democratic alliances and institutions.

Steven Kramer, the political consultant who admitted sending the fake Biden robocalls, said he wanted to send a message of the dangers deepfakes pose to the American political system. Kramer was acquitted last month of charges of voter suppression and impersonating a candidate.

“I did what I did for $500,” Kramer said. “Can you imagine what would happen if the Chinese government decided to do this?”

Scammers target the financial industry with deepfakes

The greater availability and sophistication of the programs mean deepfakes are increasingly used for corporate espionage and garden variety fraud.

“The financial industry is right in the crosshairs,” said Jennifer Ewbank, a former deputy director of the CIA who worked on cybersecurity and digital threats. “Even individuals who know each other have been convinced to transfer vast sums of money.”

In the context of corporate espionage, they can be used to impersonate CEOs asking employees to hand over passwords or routing numbers.

Deepfakes can also allow scammers to apply for jobs — and even do them — under an assumed or fake identity. For some this is a way to access sensitive networks, to steal secrets or to install ransomware. Others just want the work and may be working a few similar jobs at different companies at the same time.

By DAVID KLEPPER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The phone rings. It’s the secretary of state calling. Or is it?

For Washington insiders, seeing and hearing is no longer believing, thanks to a spate of recent incidents involving deepfakes impersonating top officials in President Donald Trump’s administration.

Digital fakes are coming for corporate America, too, as criminal gangs and hackers associated with adversaries including North Korea use synthetic video and audio to impersonate CEOs and low-level job candidates to gain access to critical systems or business secrets.

Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence, creating realistic deepfakes is easier than ever, causing security problems for governments, businesses and private individuals and making trust the most valuable currency of the digital age.

Responding to the challenge will require laws, better digital literacy and technical solutions that fight AI with more AI.

“As humans, we are remarkably susceptible to deception,” said Vijay Balasubramaniyan, CEO and founder of the tech firm Pindrop Security. But he believes solutions to the challenge of deepfakes may be within reach: “We are going to fight back.”

AI deepfakes become a national security threat

This summer, someone used AI to create a deepfake of Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an attempt to reach out to foreign ministers, a U.S. senator and a governor over text, voice mail and the Signal messaging app.

In May someone impersonated Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles.

Another phony Rubio had popped up in a deepfake earlier this year, saying he wanted to cut off Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service. Ukraine’s government later rebutted the false claim.

The national security implications are huge: People who think they’re chatting with Rubio or Wiles, for instance, might discuss sensitive information about diplomatic negotiations or military strategy.

“You’re either trying to extract sensitive secrets or competitive information or you’re going after access, to an email server or other sensitive network,” Kinny Chan, CEO of the cybersecurity firm QiD, said of the possible motivations.

Synthetic media can also aim to alter behavior. Last year, Democratic voters in New Hampshire received a robocall urging them not to vote in the state’s upcoming primary. The voice on the call sounded suspiciously like then-President Joe Biden but was actually created using AI.

Their ability to deceive makes AI deepfakes a potent weapon for foreign actors. Both Russia and China have used disinformation and propaganda directed at Americans as a way of undermining trust in democratic alliances and institutions.

Steven Kramer, the political consultant who admitted sending the fake Biden robocalls, said he wanted to send a message of the dangers deepfakes pose to the American political system. Kramer was acquitted last month of charges of voter suppression and impersonating a candidate.

“I did what I did for $500,” Kramer said. “Can you imagine what would happen if the Chinese government decided to do this?”

Scammers target the financial industry with deepfakes

The greater availability and sophistication of the programs mean deepfakes are increasingly used for corporate espionage and garden variety fraud.

“The financial industry is right in the crosshairs,” said Jennifer Ewbank, a former deputy director of the CIA who worked on cybersecurity and digital threats. “Even individuals who know each other have been convinced to transfer vast sums of money.”

In the context of corporate espionage, they can be used to impersonate CEOs asking employees to hand over passwords or routing numbers.

Deepfakes can also allow scammers to apply for jobs — and even do them — under an assumed or fake identity. For some this is a way to access sensitive networks, to steal secrets or to install ransomware. Others just want the work and may be working a few similar jobs at different companies at the same time.

SEGG Media (NASDAQ: SEGG, LTRYW), a technology company at the intersection of sports, entertainment and gaming, announced that Lottery.com and Sports.com-sponsored drivers Callum Ilott, Louis Foster and Sebastian Murray will compete at the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Foster, driving the #45 Droplight Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, enters the event with an average starting position of 8.4 over the last five races and aims to convert his strong qualifying pace into points. Ilott returns to the circuit where he secured his career-best IndyCar finish of P5 in 2023, while Murray makes his comeback to INDY NXT after being medically cleared following a crash at Mid-Ohio. SEGG Media leadership will be on-site to advance its Young Drivers Academy Program as part of its long-term commitment to developing elite racing talent across INDYCAR and international series.

To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/m2lRS

About SEGG Media Corporation

SEGG Media is a global sports, entertainment and gaming group operating digital assets such as Sports.com and Lottery.com. Focused on immersive fan engagement, ethical gaming and AI-driven live experiences, SEGG Media is redefining how global audiences interact with the content they love.

NOTE TO INVESTORS:?The latest news and updates relating to SEGG are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/SEGG

About TinyGems

TinyGems is a specialized communications platform with a focus on innovative small-cap and mid-cap companies with bright futures and huge potential. It is one of 70+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, TinyGems is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, TinyGems brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. TinyGems is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.

To receive SMS alerts from TinyGems, text “Gems” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.TinyGems.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the TinyGems website applicable to all content provided by TinyGems, wherever published or re-published: https://www.TinyGems.com/Disclaimer

TinyGems
Austin, Texas
www.TinyGems.com
512.354.7000 Office
Editor@TinyGems.com

TinyGems is powered by IBN

COMTEX_467628603/2801/2025-07-28T13:24:02

Boise State Esports is entering a new era – one built on the foundation of eight years of innovation, growth and competitive excellence. The program is officially graduating from the College of Innovation and Design to become part of Boise State Athletics. What began as a grassroots effort is now a nationally recognized powerhouse – poised to expand its reach, deepen its impact and create even more opportunities for student-athletes in the years ahead.

It all started in 2017, and in the most humble of spaces: a classroom. But it was never a small idea. The program was born from the vision of Chris “Doc” Haskell – also nicknamed the “Grandfather of Esports” – and backed by the innovation-focused spirit of the College of Innovation and Design.

Haskell joined forces with Brett Shelton, a professor of educational technology to explore the possibilities of competitive gaming in higher education. Together, they pitched the idea to the College of Innovation and Design. Gordon Jones, then-dean of the college saw the potential immediately – a program true to the college’s mission of investing in the future and building from bold ideas.

With the college’s support, the program launched under the Department of Educational Technology, but transitioned fully to the College of Innovation and Design in 2018, just one year after its founding. The program’s physical journey mirrored its growth. From a shared computer lab in the Education Building, it moved to a temporary home on the second floor of Albertsons Library. Then, in 2019, construction was completed on the now-iconic Boise State Esports Arena.

The downtown arena was originally a shared space with the Venture College. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Venture College shifted to virtual operations and the Esports program expanded to take over the entire arena – marking another key milestone in its growth.

Over the past eight years, Boise State Esports has grown into one of the winningest esports programs in the country. With more than 1,500 competitive matches under its belt, the program boasts multiple national titles, dozens of conference championships and a global reputation for excellence.

Eight Years of Milestones

• 2017: The program launches with a League of Legends match in the Student Union Building. Early broadcasts are run out of Doc Haskell’s office.
• 2018: Boise State enters regular-season play and competes in an exhibition match in Las Vegas against UNLV.
• 2019: The Boise State Esports Arena is completed, welcoming fans and competitors alike.
• 2020: The program thrives despite pandemic disruptions. Boise State becomes one of the first universities to broadcast Valorant.
• 2021: The Broncos enjoy their best season yet, winning the Mountain West and a Madden national championship.
• 2022: Boise State becomes a national powerhouse, claiming championships across the country, especially in Overwatch.
• 2023 (Spring): Boise State competes at worldwide championships and hosts high-profile tournaments on campus.
• 2023 (Fall): A new state-of-the-art broadcast studio is added to the downtown arena. Boise State hosts the NACE Starleague national championships.
• 2024: Multiple teams make it to May Madness finals, bringing home four Mountain West Championships and securing national recognition in Rocket League, Overwatch, Valorant, and CFB25. 

An innovation incubator

The College of Innovation and Design has been more than a host – it has been an incubator and accelerator for the esports program. From the very beginning, the college offered the program a home, the flexibility to grow and access to the kind of support needed to thrive in uncharted territory.

In 2017, collegiate esports was still a new idea. Boise State was one of the first universities in the country to take the leap, and the college believed in that vision and invested early. Their support allowed the program to experiment, evolve and ultimately establish stability. The addition of funding from Idaho Central Credit Union allowed the program to begin offering scholarships, creating access for more students to participate.

Today, many universities are trying to replicate what Boise State built. But the College of Innovation and Design was there first – acting as the launchpad for what has become a nationally renowned program. The college’s history of fostering successful initiatives, such as Games, Interactive Media, and Mobile Technology, Human-Environment Systems, and Leadership Certificates, is part of what makes the College of Innovation and Design special. Esports is now the first non-credit-bearing program to successfully “graduate” – a major milestone for the college.

In the past year, the esports program has received institutional support from the president’s office and expanded its professional staff, further cementing its place as a core part of Boise State’s innovation ecosystem.

Tyler Perry played a hand in Ryan Coogler securing a groundbreaking deal.

Award-winning director Coogler released “Sinners” in theaters on April 18. According to Forbes, the horror film, which had a $90 million production budget and featured Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and Miles Caton, garnered $365.9 million worldwide. The film marked a reset for Coogler, who previously worked on sequels for “Black Panther” and “Creed.”