Latest news with #BruceCook
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Flags for the Fallen final day: wreath laying, flyover
POOLER, Ga. (WSAV) – This Memorial Day, 26,000 World War II veterans who never returned home were honored with a flag at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Airforce as part of an annual four-day observance known as Flags for the Fallen. On its final day Monday, a C-130 flew over the museum in addition to a wreath laying ceremony in the museum's garden. At the museum, fallen soldiers were not the only ones honored, but those who made it home, such as 99-year-old Bruce Cook, a WWII fighter pilot of the 379th Bomb Group. 'I flew in this pretty small space here, and the only flight gear I had was a chest flight parachute,' said Cook, gesturing to the tiny cockpit he once flew in. Cook sat next to the very plane he flew in Great Britain while fighting the Nazis, on the display in the museum. He was an honorary dignitary along with fellow fighter pilot Kenneth Beckman, 102. 'I didn't know anything about what to expect other than all the German fighter pilots and the potential of not coming back,' said Cook. Retired Colonel Brent Bracewell, the museum's Chairman Elect of the Board of Trustees is instrumental in the annual observance. 'We have a saying here: You die twice. Once when your heart stops beating and once when your name is said the last time. We never want to say their names the last time,' said Bracewell. For the brave men and women still living, education about Memorial Day's meaning is of utmost importance, especially according to Cook. 'It kind of bothers me that today people now don't really realize what it means, and I wish it could be better promoted to the younger people of what it really means. That would mean a whole lot to me,' he said. Bracewell shared the same sentiment, and therefore encouraged the celebration of Memorial Day. 'You know, people go, well, they're out celebrating, they're barbecuing, they're spending time with their family. Please do that because I think if these fallen heroes would speak from the grave they would say: don't remember me with the tears. Just remember me,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
05-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
SportBusiness: Sponsorship Works Award to Capgemini for Ryder Cup partnership
LONDON, Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The award aims to recognise the most creative and impactful sponsorship activations in the international sports landscape Capgemini's sponsorship campaign for the latest edition of the Ryder Cup has won the inaugural Sponsorship Works Award from SportBusiness. Capgemini is a global partner of the Ryder Cup until 2027. 'Outcome IQ', part of the company's innovative technology-based sponsorship activation at the most prestigious team golf tournament, was selected through a public vote among three finalists. The customised tool, which combines artificial intelligence (AI) with in-depth knowledge of the game, provided a comprehensive analysis of play, enabling fans to review past player performances and predict how different team pairings might play out during the actual competition. SportBusiness launched the Sponsorship Works Award last year to recognise the most creative and innovative sponsorship activations in the global sports industry. Sponsorship Works Award: A prize for innovation Capgemini's campaign outperformed strong competition from a targeted Paddy Power campaign at the World Darts Championship and an initiative by Orange France and Havas Play at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Capgemini was supported by the agency rEvolution, as well as internal partnership and technology teams from the Ryder Cup, in launching 'Outcome IQ'. The SportBusiness Sponsorship editorial team and event partner SponsorLab selected the top three activations based on criteria such as 'creativity and innovation' and 'performance against results,' while also considering other, less tangible qualities. SponsorLab is an online performance management platform designed to help brands, agencies and rights holders establish more effective partnerships. A model example of technological integration in sport The company's founder and CEO, Bruce Cook, shared his critical perspective on the winner, seeing it as a highly successful example of technological integration. 'It's really difficult to create a new piece of tech that isn't just a gimmick but is meaningful for both the fans and the media, especially with something like the Ryder Cup where all the focus is on the red and blue scores,' he said. He then added: 'Capgemini's AI-powered 'Outcome IQ' probability graphics featured 41 times in the broadcast coverage and only had a contractual obligation for 15 times. That says it really enhanced the broadcasts while achieving a huge reach in terms of media exposure. Their external PR and digital content also proved incredibly effective alongside a strong staff engagement programme. A very comprehensive campaign,' he added. The judging panel shortlisted candidates from 27 different case studies published by SportBusiness Sponsorship in 2024. These case studies provided a detailed analysis of the planning, execution and results of some of the most innovative campaigns delivered by agencies and rights holders across the industry. The future of Sponsorship Works
