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Global Product Placement Spending Grew 12.3% in 2023 to $29.6B, Slowing from 14.3% in 2022 Due to Impact of Strikes; Spending to Post Strong, But Slower, Growth in 2024

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Global product placement spending grew 12.3% in 2023 to $29.63 billion, decelerating from the 14.3% gain posted in 2023, caused primarily by the impact of the US writer and actor strikes, which shuttered production studios for months and delayed releases of new TV, film, videogame and music video content, according to new research released today by PQ Media.

STAMFORD, Conn., July 25, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Global product placement spending grew 12.3% in 2023 to $29.63 billion, decelerating from the 14.3% gain posted in 2023, caused primarily by the impact of the US writer and actor strikes, which shuttered production studios for months and delayed releases of new TV, film, videogame and music video content, according to new research released today by PQ Media. Product placement spending worldwide is on pace to grow at a slightly slower 12.1% to $32.98 billion this year, which would mark the fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth, following the worst decline ever in pandemic-struck 2020, according to the 10th edition of PQ Media’s Global Product Placement Forecast 2024-2028.

“Product placement has grown substantially during the past two decades because brand marketers have become more willing to invest in the creative integration of their products in storylines that will garner them strong brand awareness, while creating positive brand associations.”

While the US market was impacted the most by the Hollywood strikes, global markets were affected as well, due to the increase in international partnerships in recent years. Nevertheless, the four-year growth streak has placed product placement on a path to end 2024 nearly double the size it was back in 2018, as brand integration opportunities have greatly expanded across multiple media platforms and channels.

While the overall TV platform still commanded the lion’s share of product placement spending globally at 70.1% in 2023 and movies remain the second-largest platform (11.9%), various digital media and recorded music channels have driven the multi-year streak of double-digit growth – both in the overall global market and the US, which remains the world’s largest market – including social media & blogs, influencer sites, virtual (artificial intelligence) placements, music videos and podcasts, among others.

In the US, which accounted for 56.2% of the global market for product placement in all media, total spending rose 11.9% in 2023 to $16.54 billion, decelerating notably from the 15.1% growth posted in 2022. Five of the six media platforms grew at double-digit rates, with print media being the exception, while digital media grew the fastest at 15.1%, fueled, in part, by the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) placement opportunities from media companies like Amazon Prime and NBCUniversal’s Peacock, according to the new PQ Media report.

AI placements differ slightly from virtual brand integrations, like those placed via companies like Mirriad, as AI software allows viewers to click on integrated products and be sent to an e-commerce site to purchase the product. However, most brands are still hesitant to use the new AI tech because many of the product placements are cameos (appearing in the background), rather than brand integrations in which the actors hold the products towards the camera and/or discuss them favorably in the dialogue. There are also copyright issues if the original producers of the content are not contacted in advance for permission to use an AI placement.

The biggest issue to impact the product placement market in 2023 and 2024 were the concurrent writer and actor strikes, which led to production studios shutting down for months in the US, causing delays in domestic and international content releases that featured US-based actors and/or writers. In broadcast TV, for example, the annual new episode premiums of programs with product placements for the 2023-24 season were limited to reality shows during the important September-to-November time period, such as “The Golden Bachelor.”

New episodes of scripted programs with product integrations were pushed back to “mid-season” replacements in February 2024, such as “CSI: Las Vegas.” In the film business, studio shutdowns forced movies with product placements scheduled for release in 2023, such as “Challengers,” to be pushed back to 2024, impacting the distribution of movies with product integrations already scheduled for 2024 release, such as the sequel to “Dirty Dancing.” Production shutdowns also impacted the music video channel and actor commitments led to delays in the release of select videogame titles.

“Product placement has grown substantially during the past two decades because brand marketers have become more willing to invest in the creative integration of their products in storylines that will garner them strong brand awareness among target consumers, while creating positive brand associations and generating sales lift. While these key growth drivers will continue to favor product placement, some concerns have emerged, as expressed by PQ Media’s Global Opinion Leader Panel, that the number of placement opportunities will decline going forward, as evidenced by the 14% drop in the number of scripted programs produced for the 2023-24 season – only the second decline since ad-supported cable networks began producing original programming in 2007,” said PQ Media President & CEO Patrick Quinn. “While the strikes contributed to decrease, this downtrend was anticipated before the strikes because streaming services and cable nets had already begun to cancel low-performing programs, as profit margins dwindled due to cord-cutting and streaming video subscriptions appeared to be peaking.”

Product placement in TV remains, by far, the largest media platform category worldwide, valued at $20.62 billion in 2023. The hottest streaming TV series are driving the double-digit growth in product placement in the overall TV category, such as the 106 products placed in “The Brothers Sun” on Netflix. Meanwhile, movie integrations, the second largest platform category, generated $3.50 billion globally last year. While the number of new films produced in North America has increased from 333 in 2020 to 504 in 2023, this still pales in comparison to film production prior to the 2020 pandemic, as 792 films were released in 2019. Nevertheless, 25% of the 504 films released in 2023 featured 10 or more product placements, led by “Gran Turismo” and “Dumb Money.”

Digital media was the fastest-growing placement category in 2023, rising 15.1%, followed by films (up 13.1%), and music (up 13.0%). Brands have ratcheted up podcast integrations, such as “Electric Easy” often opening with placements like characters trying Bud Light. The print media and videogame categories posted decelerated single-digit growth in 2023.

While the US accounted for well over half of product placement spend in 2023, the rest of the world is gaining ground, with Brazil and Mexico both exceeding $2 billion in spending, Australia investing over $1 billion, and Germany and the United Kingdom approaching $1 billion.

About the Report:

PQ Media’s Global Product Placement Forecast 2024-2028, the 10th edition of the industry’s recognized performance benchmark. The Forecast is the only source to consistently define, size, analyze and project the growth of product placement spending in media. The new edition has expanded to cover 6 major media platforms and 19 media channels across all top 20 global markets. Below is a breakdown of the report’s expanded coverage of media platforms and channels:

Television/Video – Broadcast TV, Cable TV, Streaming TV;Filmed Entertainment – Theatrical Films, Streaming Films;Digital Media – Pure-Play Digital Sites, Social Media & Blogs, Influencer Sites, Virtual Placements;Videogames – Console/PC Games, Mobile Games, Internet Games;Print Media – Magazines, Newspapers, Books;Recorded Music – Music Videos, Broadcast & Streaming Radio, Podcasts, Lyrics

The Core PDF Report & Analysis delivers 264 slides of exclusive market data and insights, which is enhanced by the Deep-Dive Excel Databook that provides 5,625 datasets and over 250,000 datapoints by country, media platform and channel, covering the 2018-2028 period with five-year forecasts, exclusive rankings of the largest and fastest growing media platforms and global markets, and in-depth profiles of each major country. To Download a Free Executive Summary and Sample Datasets click: https://www.pqmedia.com/product/global-product-placement-forecast-2024-2028/.

About PQ Media:

PQ Media delivers strategic intelligence, data and analysis to the world’s leading media, entertainment and technology organizations through syndicated market intelligence reports, custom drill-down research services, and on-demand strategic consulting. PQ Media uses a proprietary econometric methodology to define, segment, size, analyze and project the growth of several hundred traditional, digital and alternative media by country, platform, channel and demographic. PQ Media also publishes the annual Global Media Forecast Series 2024 (10th edition), with each report covering one of the three aforementioned industry KPIs – Advertising & Marketing Spending; Consumer Media Usage & Exposure; and Consumer Spending on Media Content & Technology.

Media Contact

Patrick Quinn, PQ Media, 1 2039215249, pquinn@pqmedia.com, https://www.pqmedia.com

Leo Kivijarv, PQ Media, 1 2032737081, lkivijarv@pqmedia.com, https://www.pqmedia.com

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SOURCE PQ Media

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B&R Technology Merger Corp. Announces the Separate Trading of its Class A Ordinary Shares and Warrants, Commencing September 10, 2026

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NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — B&R Technology Merger Corp. (Nasdaq: BRTMU) (the “Company”) announced today that, commencing September 10, 2026, holders of the units sold in the Company’s initial public offering may elect to separately trade the Company’s Class A ordinary shares and warrants included in the units. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. The Class A ordinary shares and warrants that are separated will trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbols “BRTM” and “BRTMW,” respectively. Those units not separated will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “BRTMU.”

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About B&R Technology Merger Corp.

B&R Technology Merger Corp. is a blank check company, also commonly referred to as a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company’s strategy allows for an initial business combination in any business or industry or at any stage of its corporate evolution, its primary focus is on technology growth businesses that has artificial intelligence (“AI”) tailwinds.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may include, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements regarding possible business combinations and the financing thereof, and related matters, as well as all other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Company Contact
David York
Clark Callander
Steve Fletcher
B&R Technology Merger Corp.
info@bandrtechnology.com

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SOURCE B&R Technology Merger Corp.

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Georgia Power encourages customers to take action during National Preparedness Month

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Company highlights important safety information and resources to help customers prepare for emergencies 

ATLANTA, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the peak of hurricane season approaches, Georgia Power is reminding its 2.8 million customers to be prepared for emergencies. In support of National Preparedness Month, the company is once again partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency throughout September.

While the state has not yet experienced a major hurricane or tropical storm this season, National Preparedness Month encourages advance preparation for all types of potential emergencies in homes, businesses and communities. 

Georgia Power continues to invest in a stronger, more resilient electric grid that improves reliability for customers on both blue-sky days and during severe weather. Through Smart Grid technology, automation and self-healing capabilities, the company can identify outages faster, reroute power remotely and restore service more efficiently. In 2025 alone, Grid Investment Program projects improved reliability for more than 535,000 customers and, together with self-healing technology, prevented 108 million customer outage minutes while playing a critical role during hurricane season.

Georgia Power encourages all customers to take proactive measures to safeguard their homes and families before disasters strike, including:

Build an emergency kit – Gather enough supplies to sustain everyone in your household for several days, including food, water, medications, and other essentials. Be sure to consider the unique needs of each family member and pet, especially if an evacuation becomes necessary. It’s also a good idea to prepare a grab-and-go emergency kit with essential items so you can evacuate quickly if needed. Have an emergency plan – Develop an emergency plan and discuss it with your family and close friends before an emergency. Establish how you will communicate, where you will meet and what steps you will take if you need to evacuate or shelter in place. Planning ahead can help reduce stress, save valuable time and minimize costs during an emergency. Understand your risks – Understand your risks by learning about the hazards and emergencies most likely to affect your area. Knowing what could happen where you live, work and travel can help you make informed decisions and take the right steps to protect yourself, your family and your property. Visit the company’s Storm Center page for more information on preparing your home, building an emergency kit, and knowing your risks. 

Staying informed during emergencies such as hurricanes, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms is critical, and Georgia Power offers the following resources to help customers stay connected and informed: 

Outage Alerts – Customers subscribed to the free Georgia Power Outage Alerts service will receive personalized notifications and updates via text message. Check that your contact number is up to date to receive the latest information. Outage & Storm Center – Available at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Storm, customers can visit this site to ensure their contact information is updated to receive Outage Alerts, report and check the status of outages, and access useful safety tips and information. Customers can also report and check the status of an outage 24 hours a day by contacting Georgia Power at 888-891-0938. Outage Map – Housed within the Outage & Storm Center, Georgia Power’s interactive Outage Map provides near real-time information, allowing users to see where outages are occurring across the state and track estimated restoration times. The map is updated regularly from teams in the field. Georgia Power Mobile App – Download the Georgia Power mobile app for Apple and Android devices to access storm and outage information on the go. Social Media – Follow Georgia Power on FacebookInstagram and X for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more. 

Safety Tips for Customers and Crews 

Watch for Georgia Power crews working across the state. If you must be on the roads, please move over one lane for utility vehicles stopped on the side of the road; it’s Georgia law. Never touch any downed or low-hanging wire. If going out, watch for and avoid down wires. They can be deadly. Never pull tree limbs off power lines yourself or enter areas with debris or downed trees, as downed power lines may be concealed. Customers should call 911 or Georgia Power immediately if they see a fallen or low-hanging power line. Take care if using a portable generator. Follow all manufacturer instructions, avoid using generators in enclosed spaces and be mindful of electrical safety. Visit our website for more generator safety tips

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America’s premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company’s promise to 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power offers rates below the national average, focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power). 

 www.georgiapower.com

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SOURCE Georgia Power

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Nelnet Accessibility Services Now on Civic Marketplace

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State and local agencies can now access Nelnet’s accessibility assessment, remediation, and compliance services through a cooperative contract that requires no new request for proposal (RFP) ahead of approaching Department of Justice (DOJ) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II compliance deadlines.

LINCOLN, Neb., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nelnet Government Services today announced that its cooperative purchasing contract, awarded through the Alliance for Innovation (AFI), is now accessible through Civic Marketplace. By listing on Civic Marketplace, Nelnet gives local governments, public schools, and other public agencies nationwide a streamlined way to discover and procure its ADA Web Accessibility Consulting and ADA Web Accessibility Consulting and Design services.

As an awarded supplier through the AFI cooperative program, Nelnet’s services have already been competitively solicited and awarded in accordance with public procurement requirements. Through Civic Marketplace, eligible public agencies can access Nelnet’s services and pre-negotiated cooperative pricing without conducting a separate RFP, providing a faster path from accessibility need to implementation.

What Agencies Can Access

Accessibility Assessments: Expert-led audits of websites, applications, and documents that surface Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 barriers and produce a clear compliance roadmap.Remediation Services: Hands-on repair of websites, mobile apps, documents, and video so digital content works for people using assistive technology.Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) and Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) Reporting, Training & Ongoing Support: Standards-based compliance documentation, staff training, and Accessibility Team as a Service (ATaaS) for continuous governance as content changes.

“Every resident deserves digital services that work for them, and every agency deserves a partner who can help them get there without adding a lengthy procurement process,” said Marc Thorson, Lead Accessibility Architect at Nelnet. “Making our accessibility team available through Civic Marketplace means agencies can start real compliance work now, well ahead of the deadlines bearing down on them.”

Why This Matters

Under the Department of Justice’s ADA Title II rule, state and local government websites, apps, and digital content must meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. The DOJ recently extended the compliance deadlines, giving larger public entities until April 26, 2027, and smaller public entities and special districts until April 26, 2028. But auditing, remediating, and retraining staff across years of legacy content takes longer than many agencies expect, and the deadline marks when compliance is required, not when the work should start.

Most agencies don’t need a seven-figure platform overhaul to get there. Many compliance gaps close for a fraction of that cost through focused assessment and remediation work, without the year a standalone RFP process usually consumes.

“Digital accessibility is a growing operational priority for local governments, and many agencies need specialized expertise to address it effectively,” said Michael Wilkes, President and CEO of the Alliance for Innovation. “Bringing Nelnet into our cooperative portfolio gives public agencies access to proven capabilities in an area that is becoming increasingly important to how governments operate and serve their communities.”

Nelnet has already put that model to work in state and local government: its accessibility team embedded with Colorado’s Office of Information Technology to bring the myColorado app, used by more than 1 million residents for driver’s licenses, DMV services, and benefit application, into WCAG 2.1 AA compliance.

Access This Contract Now on Civic Marketplace

Nelnet’s digital accessibility services are available now through Civic Marketplace. To explore the contract and begin procurement, view the Nelnet contract listing on Civic Marketplace, or contact Nelnet at AccessibilityWorkRequest@nelnet.net.

About Nelnet Government Services

Nelnet Government Services (NYSE: NNI) helps public sector organizations achieve and maintain digital accessibility compliance while creating more inclusive experiences for the people they serve. Our U.S.-based accessibility team partners with agencies to assess, remediate, monitor, and govern digital content, websites, applications, and documents. Through accessibility assessments, remediation services, training, reporting, and ongoing compliance support, we help agencies build sustainable accessibility programs that reduce risk, increase access, and improve service delivery. See Nelnet’s digital accessibility services at Nelnet.com.

About Alliance for Innovation

AFI is a nonprofit association of governments dedicated to fostering innovation and excellence in local government. AFI assists local governments in implementing innovative solutions to enhance efficiency, service delivery, and community impact. The organization emphasizes strategic thinking, emerging technologies, and best practices to equip public agencies with the knowledge and support to address evolving challenges.

AFI offers various programs, including innovation academies, workshops, and a comprehensive knowledge network that allows local governments to share success stories and lessons learned. It hosts annual conferences and webinars that unite municipal leaders, industry experts, and academic researchers to explore trends in governance, sustainability, civic engagement, and operational improvements. By promoting a culture of innovation, AFI empowers local governments to be more adaptive, resilient, and responsive to the needs of their communities, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for citizens nationwide.

About Civic Marketplace

Civic Marketplace is the AI procurement platform built for local governments and free for every SLED entity to use. By removing cost as a barrier, we make it easier for cities, counties, and school districts to modernize how they buy goods and services without adding strain to already tight budgets.

Our platform connects government buyers to a network of pre-approved suppliers, ensuring every contract meets compliance and quality standards from the start. We’re especially committed to expanding access for historically underutilized businesses, helping local governments support regional suppliers and strengthen the communities they serve.

Procurement doesn’t have to be slow, complicated, or expensive. Civic Marketplace is backed by venture investment and built to prove it. Learn more at civicmarketplace.com.

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SOURCE Nelnet Government Services

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