Ned Secures $4.2 Million To Revolutionize Cash Flow Lending Tech

Photo Credit: NedHelps.com

As we look to 2025, cash flow underwriting is set to unlock billions in capital for America’s 31 million small businesses, 10 million of which currently struggle to secure financing due to traditional, asset-heavy lending models. By focusing on a business’s revenue streams and cash flow rather than collateral, lenders can extend credit to strong, asset-light companies that would otherwise be overlooked. Already, we’re seeing positive impacts: lenders adopting cash flow underwriting are deploying more capital, supporting retail and service-oriented businesses, and empowering growth in local economies. This shift has the potential to drive job creation, innovation, and resilient small business communities across the U.S., catalyzing a thriving small business landscape.  

Ned, an end-to-end lending technology SaaS solution that brings cash flow transparency to small business lending, enables lenders to qualify more borrowers and deploy more capital effectively. The FinTech startup was referred to MAG PR by Forum Ventures, eager to make a splash with their seed funding announcement and establish a baseline for their thought leadership platform.

The Challenge: Bringing the Importance of Back-End Tech to the Forefront 

Dave Silverstein, Founder & CEO of Ned, shared his primary visibility goal from the start: Leverage the funding news to validate the value that Ned brings to the table—helping lenders shine a light on business performance to qualify borrowers and deploy pent up billions— especially on the precipice of a major economic shift.

Our team deliberated on potential media targets and got to work on our mission to secure an exclusive. Our objective was to lead with a deep-dive on the funding news, drive a full media campaign to follow for additional pick-ups, and spend the remaining weeks heads-down on thought leadership-related pitching to continue the momentum through our project term.

MAG PR Strategy: Lead with the Breaking (Tier 1) Exclusive

After a swift review of the press release which had already been developed and pre-approved by leading investors, MAG PR built the media list and conducted embargo outreach to select journalists we believed had the interest and bandwidth to commit to an exclusive and break the funding news.

Key Outcomes: Top Tier Coverage & Amplification

MAG PR secured Ryan Lawler, a leading fintech journalist at Axios, to break the story with an exclusive published on October 22, 2024. Ryan’s coverage provided a compelling narrative that extended beyond the press release and positioned Ned as a disruptor in the fintech space.

Following the exclusive, MAG PR launched a full-court press with our broader media list, resulting in additional coverage in:

  • Fortune’s Term Sheet

  • StrictlyVC (TechCrunch editor’s newsletter)

  • Axios Pro Rata

  • FinTech Collective

  • This Week in FinTech

  • FinSMEs, and more.

To sustain momentum, MAG PR integrated Ned into relevant thought leadership conversations, emphasizing Dave’s founder journey and Ned’s mission. Opportunities include:

  • Authority Magazine: A feature story on Dave’s leadership journey.

  • FinTech Impact Podcast: A guest appearance slotted for Q1 to share insights into cashflow lending innovation.

  • Financial Technology Today: An op-ed on addressing small business financing challenges.

  • Digital Executive Podcast: A podcast appearance booked for late December complemented by a written op-ed.

By leveraging Ned’s funding milestone to create a ripple effect of media opportunities, MAG PR successfully positioned Ned as a forward-thinking innovator in fintech, building credibility and opening doors for future growth.

“MAG PR provided support at a critical inflection point for Ned. After closing our first equity financing, we were able to refine our narrative and drive first-time market awareness that resulted in meaningful business development opportunities. Where scrappiness and speed are key in the startup journey, MAG PR is the type of partner that knows how to force accelerate.”
— Dave Silverstein, Founder & CEO, Ned

TOTE Launches First Retail Platform for Seamless Fitting Room Try-Ons

TOTE is a retail tech startup that bridges the gap between online shopping and in-store experiences, and has been building on its strong momentum and success since rolling out its product last year. The company quickly gained traction in the retail industry, partnering with 80+ stores across 50+ brands, ranging from independent boutiques to large retailers with 10+ store locations, including well-known names such as Simkhai, Billy Reid, Bandier, Still Here, Sabah, Ramy Brook, Susan Alexandra, and more.

TOTE redefines the shopping experience by allowing customers to select items on a brand's website and have them waiting in a fitting room to try on in-store. Online-only retailers can also leverage the platform to book virtual styling sessions, or to send shoppers to their stockists' locations. With onboarding that takes less than 24 hours, TOTE seamlessly integrates with brands' ecommerce frontend and their store inventory on the backend. Retailers have access to a dashboard where they can manage fitting room bookings and see purchasing and revenue data. On top of its core offering, TOTE built its own artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithm to power recommendations based on the color, patterns, and general aesthetic of what a shopper already wants to try on. The product also offers a store flow management solution to track how shoppers move through stores and fitting rooms as well as individual employee profiles for clienteling.

As consumer expectations continue to shift towards convenience, personalization, and sustainability, the company is well-positioned to lead the charge in the retail industry. Recently, TOTE was referred to MAG PR by a VC partner, with the goal to execute a targeted 45-day press launch project to bolster its fundraising efforts. 

The Challenge: Generating Brand Recognition & Credibility

TOTE had built a cutting-edge platform and a strong customer base. However, despite their product’s unique value proposition, the company’s media exposure was extremely limited. Their challenge was twofold: 

  • Lack of Brand Awareness—TOTE needed to break through to key retail and tech media outlets to establish themselves as a leader in retail technology.

  • Positioning for Growth—As TOTE prepared to scale, they needed a consistent, streamlined narrative to connect with media, potential investors, and new customers.

The Strategy: Landing a Breaking News Exclusive

TOTE partnered with MAG PR to execute a targeted media outreach strategy. The goal was to secure an exclusive with a top tier retail outlet, with comprehensive, impactful coverage to follow. MAG PR’s approach included:

  1. Strategic Planning: Identifying key media targets and aligning outreach efforts with TOTE’s messaging goals.

  2. Pre-announcement Communication: Crafting compelling press materials, including a detailed press release, embargoed pitch, and media kit, to provide journalists with all necessary information ahead of the embargo lift.

  3. Exclusive Coverage Management: Locking in a top tier journalist to cover the story with a deep-dive feature.

  4. Day-of Coordination: Ensuring seamless execution on the announcement day, with real-time support to manage any unexpected issues.

  5. Post-announcement Media Relations: Developing creative, thought-leadership focused pitches to shop around after the news broke to continue the momentum.

Key Outcome: Top-Tier Coverage & Brand Awareness

MAG PR successfully managed to secure an exclusive with WWD, ensuring a deep dive feature was locked in with a top-tier retail-focused media outlet. From there, we led a full-court press once the news broke to generate widespread coverage once the embargo lifted. The press release highlighted key aspects of TOTE’s value proposition, product features, the company’s mission, customer references, and plans for scalable growth.

The strategic outreach resulted in significant media coverage across influential publications, amplifying TOTE’s message and reaching a highly targeted audience. Key results included:

  • Top-Tier Coverage: An exclusive with WWD and other coveted industry outlets including media opportunities with the Wall Street Journal, Retail Brew, Authority Magazine, Yahoo! News, the e-Commerce edge podcast, and more.

  • Top-of-Funnel Awareness: The Retail Brew article in particular directly correlated to an inbound lead from a Fortune 500 global retailer.

  • Website Traffic Increase: TOTE’s site benefitted from a 243% jump in traffic.

“Working with the MAG PR team was a great experience. Not only did they land key placements for TOTE, but they explained and simplified the world of PR for us, which was extremely helpful as we navigated things for the first time. I’m really excited to continue working with them on our longer term PR strategy going forward.”
— Daniel Nickel, Founder & CEO, TOTE

New Forum Ventures Report Reveals Strategic Enterprise Adoption of AI Agents on the Horizon

The rise of agentic AI represents a transformative shift in enterprise technology, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for automation, efficiency, and innovation. Defined as large language model (LLM)-powered systems capable of reasoning and executing complex tasks independently, AI agents have the potential to revolutionize business operations across industries. However, despite significant venture capital investment, enterprise adoption of agentic AI remains in its infancy.

To understand the factors shaping this emerging technology, our client Forum Ventures developed and executed a survey targeting 100 senior enterprise IT decision-makers in the U.S., supplemented by interviews with leading AI innovators and investors. Their report uncovered critical key findings on adoption drivers, challenges, and readiness disparities, which formed the foundation of our successful media relations campaign.

The Challenge: Breaking Through the AI Buzz

The primary challenge was breaking through the crowded and saturated AI media landscape to position the AI Agents Survey report as an essential resource for B2B early-stage startups, enterprise decision-makers and investors. Competing for attention alongside a flurry of AI-related announcements, our goal was to:

  1. Secure top-tier media coverage in highly relevant, targeted outlets.

  2. Highlight the report's unique insights with a smarter vs. louder voice that resonated with our target audiences.

  3. Generate meaningful awareness and engagement from key startup, enterprise and venture capital audiences.

MAG PR Strategy: Garnering Early Interest via Embargoed News

To address these challenges, MAG PR implemented a multi-faceted media strategy that included:

  1. Survey Development and Strategic Insight Framing: Collaborating closely with Forum’s (awesome) marketing team, MAG PR shaped survey questions and weighed in on the most compelling findings to ensure the report resonated with media. We identified the readiness disparity and hybrid adoption strategy as pivotal takeaways.

  2. Embargo Media Outreach: Employing a strategic embargo, we pre-pitched key findings to a curated list of targeted reporters, generating interest and securing commitments for coverage ahead of the public release.

  3. Expert Storytelling and Personalization: Leveraging thought leaders interviewed for the report, we tailored pitches to align with each journalist’s beat, weaving in broader AI industry trends to enhance relevance.

  4. Expanding the Campaign's Reach: Beyond technology and AI-focused outlets, we pitched to venture capital and business media to emphasize the report's strategic enterprise implications.

Key Outcomes: Top Tier Coverage & Amplification

MAG PR's media relations strategy drove exceptional results, achieving:

  • Top Tier AI and Tech press opportunities/coverage in TechCrunch, VentureBeat, Techstrong, Vator News, Unite AI, AI Innovator, SiliconANGLE and VKTR.

  • Three features in Venture Capital Journal’s “AI Agents” series, showcasing the report's relevance to investor audiences.

  • High-profile business coverage including a Q&A with LinkedIn News, a feature in LA Voice, and a briefing with Forbes that is set to convert to coverage.

“MAG PR has been instrumental in elevating Forum’s brand and thought leadership over the past year…The team’s strategic guidance and media expertise, exemplified by the standout success of the AI Agents survey campaign, have consistently delivered impactful results.”
— -Alexis Clarfield-Henry, VP of Marketing, Forum Ventures

Seven Starling Closes Oversubscribed $10.9m Series A Funding Round to Expand Access to Specialized Women’s Mental Healthcare

Photo Credit: Seven Starling

Seven Starling is a leading virtual provider of women's behavioral health services. Its holistic clinical model combines specialized therapy, peer support, and medication management to effectively address the unique mental health challenges women face during critical periods such as infertility, miscarriage and loss, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood. 

The statistics highlight the market need: Shockingly, 94% of women do not seek help for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders due to high barriers including a shortage of therapists, limited in-network coverage, and high stigma surrounding these conditions. These conditions affect one in five women during the motherhood journey, yet only 20% are screened for mental health issues, and 75% of those who need treatment do not receive it. Seven Starling aims to change these statistics by partnering with OBGYNs and major health plans to deliver personalized, effective mental health solutions.

Recently, Seven Starling faced the critical task of announcing their Series A funding round, where they secured an impressive $10.9 million. To ensure this pivotal news reached the right audience and generated the impact it deserved, Seven Starling was referred to MAG PR by a platform leader at Pear VC for a focused program. The challenge was not just about announcing the funding but ensuring the information was disseminated widely and effectively across top-tier health tech, business, and investment media. 

The Challenge: Maximizing Media Coverage + Ensuring a Seamless Process

Seven Starling faced the critical task of announcing the closure of an oversubscribed Series A funding round of $10.9M. The funding, led by RH Capital with participation from Pear VC, Magnify Ventures, and others, aimed to expand access to women's mental healthcare. Given the market need, it was crucial for Seven Starling to amplify this milestone, highlighting their commitment and the significant support from investors. By collaborating with MAG PR, they aimed to navigate the complexities of media outreach and create a seamless announcement process that would resonate with stakeholders and the broader community.

The Strategy: Laser-Focused Media Outreach

Seven Starling partnered with MAG PR to execute a highly targeted media outreach strategy. The goal was to secure comprehensive coverage across top-tier health tech, business, and investment publications. MAG PR’s approach included:

  1. Strategic Planning: Identifying key media targets and aligning outreach efforts with Seven Starling’s messaging goals.

  2. Pre-announcement Communication: Crafting compelling press materials, including a detailed press release, exclusive request pitch, and media kit, to provide journalists with all necessary information ahead of the embargo lift.

  3. Exclusive Coverage Management: Locking in a top tier journalist to cover the story with a deep-dive feature.

  4. Day-of Coordination: Ensuring seamless execution on the announcement day, with real-time support to manage any unexpected issues.

Key Outcome: Widespread Media Coverage & Brand Amplification

MAG PR meticulously managed to secure an exclusive with Axios, ensuring a deep dive feature was locked in with a top-tier media outlet. From there, we led a full-court press once the news broke to generate widespread coverage once the embargo lifted. The press release highlighted key aspects of the funding round, the company’s mission, and its plans for the newly acquired capital.

The strategic outreach resulted in significant media coverage across influential publications, amplifying Seven Starling’s message and reaching a broad audience. Key results included:

  • Top-Tier Coverage: A deep-dive exclusive feature with Aaron Weitzman of Axios

  • Casting the Targeted Net: Additional features in leading health tech, business, and investment outlets, highlighting Seven Starling’s innovative approach and the importance of its mission.

  • Investor and Stakeholder Engagement: Enhanced visibility attracted attention from potential investors and strategic partners, further solidifying Seven Starling’s position in the market.

  • Brand Amplification: The coverage not only showcased the successful funding round but also reinforced Seven Starling’s brand as a pioneering leader in women’s mental health care.

Some top coverage highlights include:

  • Axios (exclusive and Seven Starling’s chosen outlet!)

  • Fortune Term Sheet

  • WSJ VC Pro: Health Pulse

  • FemTech Insider

  • BizWomen

  • Axios Pro Rata 

  • HIT Consultant

  • DC Inno (Washington Business Journal)

  • MedCity News

  • ImpactAlpha

  • FemTech Insider

  • MM+M 

"It was a pleasure to work with the MAG PR team! Not only did they flawlessly execute on our funding announcement goals, but they were excellent communicators and handheld us through the process which made the day-of stress free and seamless. As a busy founder & CEO, I couldn't recommend working with this boutique agency enough.”

-Tina Beilinson Keshani, co-founder and CEO of Seven Starling

German Bionic Strengthens U.S. Market Position with Targeted Media Relations

Photo Credit: German Bionic

In a world where technological advancements include self-driving cars and thousands of practical use cases for AI, barriers still exist that impede human potential. Physical limitations, occupational hazards, and even mundane tasks can hinder productivity and quality of life. Traditional solutions often fall short, lacking the synergy between human intuition and technological precision. 

Now, picture a world where limitations are redefined—where robotic exoskeletons and AI augment our physical capabilities much like how ChatGPT has enhanced our cognitive abilities. This isn't science fiction; this is the future. And German Bionic, a leading robotics firm, is at the forefront of this change. 

German Bionic is the world’s first company to deliver connected exoskeletons for the workplace, applying self-learning and artificial intelligence to support lifting movements and prevent poor posture, and thereby becoming an intelligent link between humans and machines. The German Bionic smart power suits and wearables protect the health of workers and markedly reduce the risk of accidents and injury to improve work processes.

However, to realize its vision of delivering this technology on a global scale, German Bionic faced the challenge of expanding its footprint in the competitive US market. With products aimed at revolutionizing logistics and healthcare sectors, German Bionic needed a strategic partner to enhance its visibility and establish a strong presence. They turned to MAG PR for their expertise in earned media and strategic communications.

The Challenge: Breaking Through the Noise in the US Market

Entering the busy and rapidly evolving US market, filled with numerous tech advancements and a myriad of competing innovations, presented a significant challenge for German Bionic. Despite the company’s groundbreaking work with intelligent robotic exoskeletons and advanced artificial intelligence, they needed to stand out amidst a crowded landscape of logistics and healthcare technologies. The challenge was not only to capture the attention of key stakeholders, but also to build credibility and establish a strong presence in a market saturated with technological innovations and established players.

The company needed to effectively:

  • Raise brand awareness among key stakeholders in logistics and healthcare.

  • Secure media coverage to highlight the unique benefits of their robotic exoskeletons.

  • Establish thought leadership and build credibility within the industry.

  • Leverage participation in major conferences to maximize exposure.

The Strategy: Utilizing a Comprehensive, but Tailored PR Strategy

MAG PR crafted a comprehensive public relations strategy tailored to German Bionic's goals. Key elements included:

Media Outreach and Earned Media

MAG PR focused on creating compelling pitches that highlighted the innovative aspects of German Bionic's products. By targeting top-tier media outlets in both logistics, tech, healthcare and other sectors, MAG PR secured significant coverage that showcased the company's technological advancements and industry impact.

Conference Support

Understanding the importance of industry events, MAG PR provided robust support for German Bionic at major conferences like CES and FRUIT LOGISTICA. This included pre-event media outreach, on-site media coordination, and post-event follow-ups to ensure sustained visibility and engagement.

Thought Leadership

MAG PR positioned German Bionic’s executives as thought leaders through a series of strategic placements in industry publications and expert commentary. This approach not only built credibility but also fostered trust among potential customers and partners in both the US market and beyond.

Key Outcome: A Comprehensive Strategy = An Expanded Market Presence

The collaboration between German Bionic and MAG PR yielded impressive results:

  • Increased Media Coverage: German Bionic featured in leading industry publications and mainstream media, amplifying their message and reaching a broader audience.

  • Enhanced Conference Presence: Successful participation in industry events led to increased brand recognition and valuable networking opportunities.

  • Established Thought Leadership: German Bionic’s executives became recognized voices in the industry, enhancing the company’s reputation and influence.

Some top coverage highlights include:

  • Techcrunch

  • Fortune Term Sheet

  • The Verge

  • Engadget

  • Yahoo! News

  • Grocery Business

  • New Atlas

  • Healthcare Business Today

  • Highways Today

  • Tech Times

  • Automation Magazine

  • The Robot Report

  • HIT Consultant

  • Food Logistics

  • Supply and Demand Chain Executive

The widespread media attention amplified the company's message, reaching a broader audience in the U.S. Enhanced visibility at key industry conferences facilitated direct engagement with stakeholders, providing valuable networking opportunities and showcasing German Bionic's cutting-edge technology in action. Establishing thought leadership through strategic placements and speaking opportunities bolstered the company's credibility and trustworthiness, positioning its executives as industry visionaries. These combined efforts exceeded expectations and created a robust foundation of recognition and influence.

Photo Credit: German Bionic

"Working with MAG PR has been incredible. They truly took the time to understand our unique product and crafted compelling pitches that resonated with our target media areas. Their expertise and dedication landed us multiple high-value opportunities, significantly boosting our visibility and growth as we expanded into the US market. We couldn't be happier with the results and highly recommend MAG PR for their exceptional service and strategic approach.”  -Meghan Kennelly, Head of Global Marketing, German Bionic.

OncoveryCare Leverages Earned Media to Amplify Rebrand & Funding News in HealthTech Sector

Co-Founders Dr. Justin Grischkan and Hil Moss, Photo credit: OncoveryCare

OncoveryCare, formerly known as VivorCare, recently embarked on a transformative journey in the competitive HealthTech sector. They rebranded, secured a strategic regional partnership, and closed their seed funding round, all while remaining focused on their mission: To address the gap in the cancer care continuum, providing a structured and comprehensive approach to survivorship care. 

The statistics tell the full story: The population of cancer survivors in the US is projected to double from 11 million in 2008 to 22 million by 2030. This growth is driven by the rising incidence of cancer and improved survival rates due to advancements in treatment. Yet, despite this increase, cancer survivors face significant post-treatment needs, including management of cardiotoxicity, cancer-related fatigue, complex screening and monitoring protocols, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression related to their diagnosis and treatment. Despite these needs, survivorship care is often fragmented and unstructured.

Referred by the lead investment team at .406 Ventures, OncoveryCare sought the expertise of MAG PR to maximize the impact of their pivotal news and help them stand out in a crowded landscape. Our strategic approach to media relations not only achieved their immediate goals, but also set the stage for ongoing thought leadership and visibility.

The Objective: Elevating OncoveryCare’s Market Position

OncoveryCare faced the dual challenge of rebranding while simultaneously announcing a $4.5 million seed funding round and a strategic partnership with Tennessee Oncology. The primary objectives were to enhance brand visibility, communicate the company’s innovative cancer survivorship care model, and position OncoveryCare as a leader in the health tech space. The referral from .406 Ventures underscored the importance of a well-coordinated media strategy to amplify these significant milestones and ensure widespread recognition.

The Strategy: Embargo Media Relations and Thought Leadership

MAG PR developed a comprehensive media strategy centered around an embargoed announcement, ensuring that key information was released to top journalists under strict confidentiality. This approach built anticipation and allowed for synchronized release across high-impact platforms, maximizing media coverage.

Following the embargo lift, our team engaged in follow-up pitching to secure thought leadership opportunities, keeping OncoveryCare’s voice prominent in industry discussions. This multi-phase strategy ensured sustained media exposure and established OncoveryCare as a thought leader in post-treatment cancer care.

Key Outcomes: Targeted, Impactful Media Coverage

Humble Brag: Our team knocked it out of the park. OncoveryCare secured extensive coverage including a perfect mix of top-tier, regional and industry outlets, enhancing their visibility and driving significant traffic to their newly rebranded website. Some top coverage highlights include:

  • Fortune 

  • Crunchbase News

  • WSJ 

  • StrictlyVC

  • Vator

  • FinSMES

  • Axios

  • Pulse 2.0

  • StartupHealth

  • Sourcery

  • Nashville Business Journal

  • Boston Business Journal / BostInno

  • HIT Consultant

  • Oncology News Central

  • MM+M

  • Modern Healthcare

  • OncoDaily Medical Journal

  • OncoDaily

This widespread media coverage significantly heightened OncoveryCare’s visibility, reinforcing their position as an innovator in cancer survivorship care. The thought leadership pieces further cemented their role as an emerging “category creator” in this crucial area of healthcare, fostering new opportunities for partnerships and industry collaborations.

Conclusion: Strategic Media Relations Fuel Ongoing Success

The collaboration between OncoveryCare and MAG PR underscores the power of strategic media relations in elevating a brand’s profile during critical growth phases. Through a well-executed embargo strategy and persistent follow-up efforts, we successfully amplified OncoveryCare’s funding news, partnership announcement, and rebrand, positioning them for continued success in the healthtech industry.

"I so enjoyed working with the team at MAG PR. They were extremely helpful both on the strategy side—helping me understand approach, target list, etc.—as well as on the execution side, especially when we were in the midst of the announcement going live. Their partnership really helped us to get some momentum going!" -Hil Moss, CEO & Co-Founder, OncoveryCare

Family Engagement Lab Boosts Visibility in Education Sector with Strategic PR

Photo Credit: Family Engagement Lab

In today's digital age, the success of any organization, especially in the education sector, relies heavily on its online presence and media coverage. Family Engagement Lab (FEL), a prominent nonprofit fostering family engagement in education, recognized the importance of strategic public relations to amplify its impact. Partnering with MAG PR has proven to be a game-changer thus far, as we’re strategically navigating the media landscape to help elevate FEL's visibility and reach.

The Challenge: Garnering Attention in a Crowded Space

Family Engagement Lab is a leader in the advancement of learning-centered family engagement serving PreK-12 school systems. Their signature tool, FASTalk, provides a consistent cadence of curriculum-aligned learning activities via text message in the family’s home language designed to give caregivers the information they need to support their child’s learning at home. FEL embarked on a journey to enhance its brand recognition and outreach efforts in October 2023. This marked the beginning of a collaboration with MAG PR. With a shared vision of advancing education through effective communication, both parties joined forces to propel FEL's mission to new heights.

Despite its innovative approach and valuable offerings, with more than 50,000 students/families having benefited from using FASTalk, FEL realized the importance of elevating its brand visibility to reach new audiences. However, in a landscape inundated with educational initiatives and platforms, breaking through the noise is challenging for companies operating in this space – even for those with existing traction like FEL. Recognizing this hurdle, FEL sought MAG PR's expertise in crafting a compelling narrative and securing impactful media placements.

Photo Credit: Family Engagement Lab

The Solution: Utilizing a Multifaceted Approach to Secure Placements

MAG PR embarked on a multifaceted approach to position FEL as a thought leader in family engagement within the education sector. Leveraging our extensive network and industry insights, we crafted a compelling narrative highlighting FEL's unique contributions and successes. Through tailored pitches and strategic storytelling, we aimed to capture the attention of Tier 1 outlets and high-visibility PreK-12 education publications and media platforms.

Within a short span of time, MAG PR secured key placements for FEL in prominent, hyper-targeted education outlets covering the PreK-12 space. Some sample client coverage includes:

Notably, coverage in District Administration Magazine, secured by our firm in November 2023, has generated a significant increase in referral traffic to the FEL website. 

The Impact: Tangible Results and Growth

FEL kicked off its public relations initiatives alongside a few other awareness building marketing programs. The combination of these efforts has led to a 223% increase in website traffic, reflecting the heightened visibility and engagement facilitated by MAG PR's strategic approach. Moreover, the exposure garnered through media placements opened doors for FEL to explore new partnerships and collaborations with like-minded organizations, further amplifying its impact in the education landscape.

By leveraging targeted media outreach, FEL continues to break barriers and further elevate its visibility within the education community. As FEL advances its mission to foster family engagement in education, the strategic foundation laid by MAG PR will undoubtedly drive further growth and facilitate more meaningful connections in the journey ahead.

“In a short period of time MAG PR has helped secure key placements for Family Engagement Lab in Tier 1 outlets and high-visibility PreK-12 education publications. We’re seeing the positive impact of our work together in numerous ways, including driving meaningful increases in our site traffic and surfacing new opportunities for partnering with other like-minded organizations.”

-Elisabeth O'Bryon, Chief Impact Officer and co-founder of Family Engagement Lab

Beyond the Funding Frenzy: Navigating Sustained Success for Seed-Stage Startups

In the fast-paced world of seed-stage startups, securing funding is a monumental achievement. It's the moment when the spotlight shines brightly on these emerging ventures, who are often marking their grand entrance into the media landscape. However, what many first-time founders fail to recognize is that this spotlight dims fast. To ensure sustained success and longevity in the competitive B2B tech space, it's crucial to go beyond the initial splashy funding announcement.

The key to enduring success, well beyond the pre-commercialization stage, lies in building an intentional thought leadership platform. This platform is not just about occasional media appearances; rather, it's a strategic, creative, and streamlined narrative that weaves personal and corporate branding into a cohesive story. This narrative creates a drumbeat of highly targeted coverage, generating impactful awareness in the long run. 

Research from Gartner finds that 83 percent of a B2B purchasing decision occurs before the buyer engages with the provider. Thought leadership helps you garner the attention of decision makers and buyers early in the process, creating meaningful touchpoints and engaging users from awareness through demo or purchase. 

Yet, the journey towards establishing a thought leadership platform is not an overnight task. It requires a multifaceted approach, including a killer content strategy that peels back the curtain to showcase the credibility of the founding team and internal subject matter experts (SMEs). This is achieved through consistent knowledge sharing and market education. By positioning your team as industry leaders through insightful content, you not only build trust but also establish your startup as a go-to source for industry insights. 

Moreover, a realistic cadence of newsworthy announcements is essential. However, it's crucial to note that not all updates need to be on the wire. Strategically sharing information about the important happenings within your company—whether it's attracting top talent, forming new partnerships, or signaling potential future investments—can be done through various channels. This approach ensures that your audience stays informed about your progress without feeling bombarded by incessant announcements.

Another key component is the active involvement of trained spokespersons in trending media discussions. This isn't a one-time affair but an ongoing commitment to weigh in with unique perspectives and engage in discussions alongside other notable industry leaders. By inserting your thought leaders into relevant conversations, you not only enhance your startup's visibility but also position your team as experts in the field.

In the B2B tech space, where competition is fierce and trends evolve rapidly, thought leadership is the linchpin for sustained success. It's not just about making noise; it's about crafting a narrative that resonates with your target audience, builds trust, and positions your startup as an influential player in the industry.

While funding news is undoubtedly thrilling, it's crucial for seed-stage startups to recognize that sustained success demands more than a momentary spotlight. Building an intentional thought leadership platform is the key to longevity. Through a combination of a killer content strategy, a realistic cadence of newsworthy announcements, and active participation in industry discussions, startups can forge a path towards enduring success in the dynamic B2B tech landscape.

DEEPHOW LEVERAGES PR PRECISION & AI TO TRANSFORM SKILLED WORKFORCE TRAINING IN MANUFACTURING

In the dynamic realm of B2B tech startups where innovation is the currency, DeepHow, an AI-powered video platform for skilled workforce training in manufacturing, sought a partner to amplify its voice and position itself as a thought leader. Following a warm referral from Sierra Ventures, DeepHow welcomed MAG PR as its new agency-of-record in May 2023. 

Dive into this case study to explore how we have successfully met DeepHow's primary PR objectives, and continue to drive measurable positive outcomes that are directly contributing to the company’s growth.

THE CHALLENGE: CRAFTING A NEW AI NARRATIVE IN MANUFACTURING

DeepHow's challenge was multifaceted: elevate brand credibility, establish and execute an authentic thought leadership platform, and drive qualified top-of-funnel awareness. Given the niche nature of their business, reaching the right audience in the manufacturing domain was crucial.

THE SOLUTION: NAVIGATING NICHE TERRITORY WITH PRECISION

Recognizing DeepHow's unique position, MAG PR devised a focused media relations strategy targeting the top vertical and horizontal trade outlets as a starting point. By securing coverage in key industry publications, the agency laid the foundational bricks of coverage to build a narrative that continues to resonate within the manufacturing & human resources communities—driving qualified top-of-funnel awareness and site traffic.

MAG PR continues to position DeepHow's executives as thought leaders in the manufacturing space through contributed article placements, ongoing briefings offering expert commentary, podcast appearances and more. This approach has not only elevated DeepHow's brand credibility but also established the company as a go-to source for industry insights.

KEY OUTCOMES: CONSISTENT, MEANINGFUL TRACTION FOR DEEPHOW

The impact of MAG PR's partnership with DeepHow has been both tangible and transformative:

  • Monthly Site Traffic Surge: DeepHow experienced a substantial increase in monthly site traffic, indicative of heightened industry interest and engagement.

  • Uptick in Inbound Sales Leads: The strategic media placements not only garnered attention but also translated into tangible business leads, contributing to DeepHow's growth trajectory.

  • Elevating Brand Credibility & Recognition: DeepHow's customers and prospective users actively reference media coverage in their discussions, showcasing the enduring impact of the PR campaign on the brand perception.

Sample client coverage:

In summary, MAG PR's success with DeepHow to date serves as a testament to our prowess in crafting targeted narratives for niche industries. By understanding the nuances of DeepHow's manufacturing domain and strategically leveraging trade media out of the gate, MAG PR not only met but has exceeded the program objectives—propelling DeepHow to new heights of visibility, credibility, and influence within the manufacturing sector. We’re excited to continue onward in partnership in 2024 and beyond!

“MAG PR has been instrumental in elevating DeepHow's media presence, securing numerous published pieces in targeted outlets like VentureBeat since Q2 of 2023, and expertly positioning us as industry thought leaders. Their strategic approach and deep tech industry knowledge make them an invaluable partner in public relations.”

-Courtney Steele, Director of Marketing, Deephow

Inspirit Transforms STEM Education with Immersive XR Learning Tech

Video Credit: Inspirit and Snap, Inc.

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, staying ahead of the curve is essential. Inspirit, a seed-stage EdTech startup based in Atlanta, is at the forefront of revolutionizing education through its Innovative Learning Hub, a digital platform offering a one-stop-shop of immersive XR STEM learning content designed for middle- and high-school students nationwide. 

THE CHALLENGE

Inspirit's vision has always been clear – to transform education by integrating virtual and augmented reality technologies into cross-platform, accessible immersive learning experiences for students. Sierra Ventures introduced Inspirit to MAG PR in 2023 with the collective launch goals to: 

  • Generate brand recognition

  • Elevate market credibility

  • Drive top-of-funnel awareness

MAG PR customized a targeted PR program, including a formal press launch, followed by thought leadership-focused media pitching and a joint case study announcement with Snap, Inc.

THE SOLUTION

Inspirit’s Launch: A Vision Realized

Inspirit burst onto the educational scene with a clear vision: to redefine classroom learning through immersive XR technology. Their launch was more than just an introduction; it was a statement. MAG PR led an embargo-first press launch and secured notable coverage out of the gate in relevant outlets like AR Post, EdTech Review, Pulse 2.0, Immersive Learning News, and listed as the “App of the Week” by The Learning Counsel. 

Inspirit Unveiled: Founder-Driven Thought Leadership

Immediately following the launch, MAG PR drove proactive media campaigns with built-in content support that resulted in key thought leadership pieces published in notable outlets like Today’s Modern Educator, Bizwomen, Authority Magazine and Hypepotamus.

Collaboration with Snap: Elevating Credibility & Awareness

Inspirit then worked to develop a joint case study in collaboration with Snap. MAG PR played a crucial role in sustaining the startup’s momentum by working closely with Snap’s communications team to collectively execute a media relations strategy tied to the use case announcement. 

From the embargoed release plan to a Satellite Media Tour, the campaign resulted in key features across TechCrunch, Mashable, Adweek, Game is Hard, AR Insider, Metaverse Insider, numerous broadcast channels across the U.S., and more.

Interested in working with MAG PR? Contact us today to schedule a no-pressure 30-minute consultation!

Beyond Funding: How Differential Ventures is Harnessing Thought Leadership to Drive Industry Impact & Influence

The venture capital (VC) landscape is constantly evolving, shaped by technological advancements, economic trends, and shifting investor preferences. The demand for funding from emerging startups is high, leading to fierce competition among venture capitalists to identify and invest in the most promising opportunities. 

Differential Ventures, a leading NYC-based seed-stage VC fund investing in AI, machine learning, and data science focused startups, recognized the need to establish a stronger thought leadership position within the industry. The firm aimed to highlight its unique investment strategies, industry expertise, and track record in order to stand out in the competitive venture capital landscape. The firm partnered with MAG PR to develop a strategic public relations program that would elevate their thought leadership and position them as industry influencers, while simultaneously supporting their portfolio companies.

THE CHALLENGE:

Differential Venture’s primary marketing and PR objectives included:

  • Establish the firm as a recognized thought leader in the technology investment sector;

  • Showcase the firm's competitive differentiators and its innovative approach to startup investments;

  • Increase brand awareness and recognition within the tech startup ecosystem;

  • Develop a robust content strategy that resonates with both entrepreneurs and portfolio companies; and

  • Foster meaningful engagement with media, industry peers, and potential partners.

THE SOLUTION & OUTCOMES:

MAG PR became Differential Ventures’ agency of record in early 2021. The agency devised a comprehensive program to address Differential Ventures’ challenges and objectives. The program has included:

  • News-Driven Announcements: MAG PR has played a pivotal role in helping Differential Ventures effectively communicate its achievements and milestones to its target audience, stakeholders, and the wider industry at large through well-crafted and distributed media alerts and press releases.

  • Media Relations: MAG PR built targeted media lists comprising leading industry publications, influential journalists, and tech/VC/finance bloggers/writers. The agency initiated proactive outreach to offer exclusive interviews, insights, and expert commentary from Differential Ventures’ executive team.

  • Thought Leadership Placements: Collaborating closely with Differential Ventures’ key executives, MAG PR generated a consistent drumbeat of thought leadership article placements. These pieces focused on industry trends, market insights, and the firm's unique perspectives on successful startup investments.

  • Competitive Differentiation Campaigns: The agency conducted an in-depth analysis of Differential Venture’s' investment strategies, portfolio companies, and success stories. This information was used to craft compelling narratives, case studies, and pitches that highlighted the firm's differentiators and showcased its ability to identify high-potential startups. These campaigns also increased media awareness and helped build positive public-facing profiles of many of Differential Venture’s portfolio companies.

Since partnering with MAG PR, Differential Ventures has effectively amplified its media presence and positioned itself as a thought leader in the competitive venture capital landscape. Through thoughtfully published content, news-driven announcements, and proactive media outreach, the firm achieved its goals of further establishing its credibility, enhancing visibility and showcasing its key differentiators, and driving meaningful engagement within its industry. Differential Ventures has received extensive media coverage, including features in prominent tech, VC, and finance/investment publications and the firm’s executives continue to be sought after for interviews and expert opinions. 

Most recently the firm has been covered by TechCrunch, The Information, Diginomica, Forbes, Fast Company, Wall Street Journal, Pitchbook, VentureBeat, among other outlets and numerous podcast opportunities. 

MAG PR has also driven several PR projects (short- and long-term) for its portfolio companies like Agnostiq, Metafold, Seek AI, Private AI, Knockri, and more.

"MAG PR has been incredibly helpful to us in elevating our public relations. Their team is in constant communication with us—connecting us with leading industry outlets and working with us to create relevant content of the highest quality. In addition to working with us to develop original content, MAG has helped us after round announcements, amplifying both our and our portfolio company's brand.” -Nick Adams, founding partner at Differential Ventures

Metafold Announces $1.78M to Advance Mass Adoption of Industrial 3D Printing

Photo Credit: Metafold

Run-of-the-mill desktop computer-aided design (CAD) and engineering (CAE) software was developed for traditional manufacturing methods and relies on every engineer having access to an expensive, high-performance workstation. Meanwhile, 3D printing has unlocked new opportunities to innovate with complex shapes not possible to manufacture with these conventional methods. This gap between 3D printing hardware capabilities and the software to take advantage of all their potential has prevented wide usage and adoption of 3D printing for production applications. 

In response, Toronto-based Metafold developed an ultra-precise, lightning-speed geometry computation engine for outputting accurate designs for 3D printing complex parts, and has since gained rapid traction within a number of key manufacturing markets (i.e. biotech and retail, supporting its customers’ need to design, test, and produce highly optimized structures). 

On the heels of closing $1.78M USD in seed funding, Metafold was referred to MAG PR by its lead investor—Differential Ventures—who were collectively eager to announce the exciting news in a strategic and impactful way. Their ultimate mission is to inspire the widespread adoption of industrial 3D printing.

THE CHALLENGE:

Metafold’s primary marketing objectives included:

  • Elevating brand recognition and market credibility as a venture-backed, growing startup in the Manufacturing Tech/3D Printing space. 

  • Driving a successful fundraising announcement with goals for coverage in Toronto, funding, manufacturing tech, and 3D printing-focused media—with a call-out to secure a feature in BetaKit, the leading Toronto outlet coveraging startup innovation.

THE SOLUTION & RESULTS:

For the one-off project, MAG PR developed a strategic roadmap for Metafold’s funding release, with the goal to not only share the round details, but also help to further differentiate their unique manufacturing technology. MAG PR activated a media embargo strategy, engaging pre-distribution of the news with a VIP group of targeted press contacts to lock in stories ahead of the announcement. 

In just 45 days, our execution resulted in 482 total press mentions including 12 highly targeted, long-form features, with a total potential reach of 225M+. In addition to landing BetaKit, industry-related coverage also dropped in outlets like 3D Printing Industry, 3DPrint.com, Develop3D, Connected World, Design World, Industrial Automation Magazine, Manufactur3d and more.

On the funding media front, we secured mentions in every major newsletter and rundown including Fortune, Axios, StrictlyVC, Venture Capital Journal, Private Capital Journal, Pulse 2.0, and FinSMES. 

“Lauren and Nina at MAG PR were great to work with -- very proactive and organized. The communication throughout the process was impeccable!”

-Dr. Elissa Ross, Co-Founder & CEO, Metafold

KeepWOL Takes the HR Tech Space by Storm

The pandemic caused a tremendous shift in how people perceive the purpose and significance of their careers at large, which has demanded a change in the way that HR leaders shape and define organizational culture. From the “Great Resignation” to “Quiet Quitting”, the benefits of remote work versus in-person collaboration, actionable DEIB initiatives, and all of the hot button trends that have arisen in between, one thing is crystal clear: the future of work is an ever-evolving journey, not a destination.

KeepWOL, a game-centric talent development startup whose platform combines live multiplayer games, AI technology, and end-to-end learning integration to deeply understand how employees think (and what influences their decisions), was determined to emerge from stealth, make their mark, and shake up the outdated Learning & Development market.

The bootstrapped company took a smart business risk by onboarding MAG PR in 2021, despite having limited marketing resources at the time—on a mission to drive targeted top-of-funnel awareness to establish credibility and increase brand recognition in a crowded marketplace.

The Challenge:

KeepWOL’s primary marketing objectives included:

  • Achieving brand recognition and credibility as a bootstrapped newcomer to an oversaturated HR Tech market;

  • Fundraising and attracting potential investors; 

  • Generating intentional top-of-funnel awareness for the KeepWOL platform to nurture their new business funnel.

The Solution and Results:

In 2021, MAG PR first developed an impactful launch campaign, aiming to properly introduce CEO Lauren Fitzpatrick Shanks and KeepWOL to the media for the very first time. Lauren’s leadership backstory is both fascinating and inspiring, and the local + HR trade media were eager to cover her professional journey and vision for the brand at large right out of the gates.

After building a strong foundation of coverage and awareness, MAG PR stayed closely aligned with KeepWOL’s business development and fundraising goals, leveraging use case stories to exemplify the measurable success she was able to achieve in early pilot programs, which led to coverage in noteworthy outlets, including: 

  • Forbes

  • TechTarget

  • VentureBeat

  • Recruiting Daily

  • BenefitsPRO

  • Society of Human Resource Management

  • Unite AI

  • Employee Benefit News

  • WorkLife (Digiday)

  • Training Magazine

  • HR Magazine

  • HR Future

  • + numerous HR-focused podcasts and virtual events

Most recently in 2023, MAG PR is helping KeepWOL navigate the last mile of their first fundraising round, which is still under wraps.

From fostering open communication to avoiding costly disruptions, the benefits and applications of using KeepWOL are endless. We’re honored to serve as their agency-of-record, supporting their company growth while they work to transform the world of talent development and workplace cultural intelligence.

"Since we began working with MAG PR a few years ago, we have been consistently impressed with their passion, creative thinking, and results-driven approach. The team works tirelessly to not only deliver outstanding results, but to go above and beyond. We have been able to raise our profile and cut through a crowded HR tech space which has led to elevated brand credibility, interest from potential investors, and targeted lead-gen opportunities. MAG PR is a savvy, go-getting, and dynamic PR agency with a big heart. They are the perfect extension of our team and we look forward to our continued partnership.” -Lauren Fitzpatrick Shanks, Founder & CEO, KeepWOL

Agnostiq Puts an Early Stake in the Ground, Paving the Road to Quantum Commercialization

The quantum computing market is still in its early stages, with tremendous potential for growth and development in the future. While key industry players are working to create more powerful and efficient quantum computers, we’re seeing parallel growth and interest in the potential applications of quantum computing. 

Major hardware and cloud providers are investing heavily in HPC systems to power the next generation of AI applications. AWS recently enabled larger scale cloud HPC workloads, while Microsoft recently announced its AI supercomputer on the cloud, and Nvidia announced its new specialized DGX Quantum system, a major step towards quantum-accelerated supercomputing. As more workloads require HPC, and as new computing modalities such as quantum become a major part of HPC, tools will be required to help enterprises unlock their full potential.

Agnostiq, the Toronto-based startup developing software tools that make quantum and high performance computing resources more accessible to enterprises/developers, falls into this disruptive category. The company was referred to MAG PR by its investors after securing a seed round—on a mission to put an early stake in the ground as a reputable industry leader and pave the road to quantum commercialization.

The Challenge:

Agnostiq’s primary marketing objectives included:

  • Achieving brand recognition and credibility in its early stages as a new and unique industry player within the quantum computing space;

  • Generating intentional top-of-funnel awareness for Covalent, their open-source workflow orchestration platform designed to help users manage and execute tasks on heterogeneous compute resources. 

The Solution and Results:

In 2021, MAG PR developed a strategic roadmap that first leveraged Agnostiq’s $2M seed round announcement to formally introduce the company to media, while establishing credibility and market validation. The first campaign was a measurable success, resulting in key placements via InsideHPC, EnterpriseAI, Quantum Daily, HPCwire, BetaKit, and more.

Since then, in alignment with Agnostiq’s marketing goals and heads-down product focus, MAG PR has continued to drive a news-driven program in perfect timing, executing on several release campaigns.

Notably, MAG PR led the release of an industry-related Benchmark Report and an AWS-related partnership announcement, both of which resulted in an explosion of coverage across all relevant, targeted trade & tech outlets including VentureBeat, TechRepublic, New Stack, and more.

Most recently in 2023, MAG PR steered Agnostiq’s seed extension funding announcement which resulted in blown-out features in SiliconANGLE, BetaKit, Quantum Computing Report, HPCwire, mentions in every notable funding newsletter [i.e. Axios, Fortune, WSJ, etc.], and more.

Having gained incredible traction over the last couple of years, Agnostiq is shaping the future of quantum and high-performance computing and contributing to one of the most transformative technologies of our time.

“Over the past few years MAG PR has been a natural extension of our team, helping us grow our brand and effectively communicate advanced technologies like quantum and high performance computing." -Elliot MacGowan, Co-Founder & COO, Agnostiq


Seek AI Gains Rapid Traction in Red-Hot Generative AI Space Using Strategic PR to Amplify Brand

For startups, it can be difficult competing in a market dominated by mature corporations or flooded with other novel solutions. When a robust customer funnel has not been established and product-led growth has yet to be achieved, visibility can mean the difference between success and failure for tech startups. A public relations strategy can help startups gain visibility – differentiating a market entrant and elevating their brand. Consider these statistics:

  • 80% of business decision-makers would rather gather their information through articles, than through advertisements [Content Marketing Institute]

  • PR is 90% more successful in influencing customers than advertising [Forbes]

As Seek AI learned, a solid PR strategy can be a breakthrough for a company exiting stealth mode and “seeking” to gain market traction.

The Challenge:

Seek AI was referred by a venture capital firm and onboarded MAG PR as its first agency-of-record to drive a powerful media relations program. Seek’s primary marketing objectives included:

  • Introducing the brand as a new and unique industry player in the generative AI space, as they emerged from stealth via top-of-funnel awareness

  • Elevating brand credibility and targeted exposure following their $7.5M seed round [TechCrunch was named a top priority]

The Solution and Results:

Following an accelerated onboarding, MAG PR developed a strategic roadmap reflecting a clear workback plan for Seek’s formal press launch, with the goal to introduce the brand as a new key player in the generative AI space emerging from stealth. On a mission to produce the “buzz” effect, MAG PR activated a media embargo strategy, engaging pre-distribution of the news with a VIP group of targeted press contacts to lock in stories ahead of the announcement. 

Our execution resulted in 99 total press mentions including 9 highly targeted features, with a total potential reach of 97M+. SiliconANGLE broke the news first, followed by Forbes, Datanami, InsideBIGDATA, and others worthy of recognition.

Just 90 days later, MAG PR achieved another round of positive results – this time planning and executing Seek’s $7.5 million seed funding announcement allowing ample time for editorial review under embargo terms. The campaign resulted in blown-out features in TechCrunch, Business Insider, and BuiltIn NYC, plus mentions in every relevant funding-related newsletter, like Fortune Term Sheet, Axios Pro Rata, WSJ VC Pro, and more. 

Our strategic PR efforts helped Seek AI gain rapid traction in the red-hot generative AI space, one of the most anticipated future spends among technology leaders. The company’s natural language interface enables business users to ask questions and receive faster answers, at the same time reducing the burden of repetitive coding for data teams.

“As an early-stage tech company emerging from stealth, we brought on MAG PR as a strategic partner to guide us through our launch and fundraising efforts—and we couldn't be happier with the measurable success of our program to date! MAG PR has both the media relationships and storytelling chops to help you stand out in a crowded market. Their boutique agency excels at landing impactful headlines and bylines in well known-known publications that bolster share of voice and top-of-funnel awareness. They helped us gain exposure for our product and boosted our brand's credibility. We highly recommend MAG PR for any early-stage company looking to put their stake in the ground as an industry leader." - Sarah Nagy, CEO & Co-Founder, Seek AI


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