Connect with us

Technology

New Sorenson CEO Outlines 2025 Growth Strategy

Published

2 years ago

on

Expand product portfolio for Deaf people, diversify through one-to-many language translation services, invest in AI-driven technology for automated sign language translation

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sorenson, the no. 1 global provider of communications solutions for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing and one of the largest language translation companies, today announced the company’s growth strategy for 2025. Paget L. Alves, who was named CEO in December 2024, summarized the company’s top three growth strategies: 1) expand Sorenson’s product portfolio for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing 2) diversify its business to deliver one-to-many language translation services and 3) invest in AI-driven technology to develop automated sign language translation. 

“In keeping with our long history of introducing transformative technology, today, through the acquisitions of OmniBridge and Hand Talk, we are combining two elements of the AI-technology puzzle required to make automated sign language translation a reality,” said Alves. “We will fill a significant gap for Deaf people by giving them access to tools and applications that enable them to communicate no matter the time of day or location. Simultaneously, we are diversifying our translation services portfolio by offering one-to-many language services that can instantly translate a single speaker into many languages to enable multi-lingual and multi-national demand from corporations, universities, conferences and large gatherings.”

These investments strengthen Sorenson’s position as the no. 1 communications solutions provider to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing, while establishing the company as a leader in both AI-driven automated sign language and innovative language translation technology.

Like all people, the Deaf community requires access to real-time communications 24/7. Sorenson is the leading provider of Video Relay Services (VRS) for the Deaf and the largest private employer of sign language interpreters. Sorenson’s mission in the provision of VRS is to create true functional equivalence for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities when it comes to communications. The logistical and economic realities of providing these services 24/7 and in all life circumstances creates limitations. Accordingly, Sorenson’s goal in leveraging AI-driven technology is to bridge those limitations to drive true functional equivalence for users of its services at all hours, times and locations.

“As a Deaf person and senior executive at Sorenson, I see firsthand the unprecedented opportunities to advance the services we deliver to our communities,” said Wendy Adams, Chief Relationship Officer at Sorenson. “Our Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers, employees and partners provide essential feedback that helps us to constantly evolve by addressing the issues they are facing. Our community faces several unmet needs ranging from emergencies when VRS is unavailable to downtime in between live interpreter access. These next-generation AI investments address the economic impossibilities of providing live interpreter services 24-hours a day and will improve our customers’ quality of life and their communications experience.”

A major focus for Alves is to continue a long-established track record in which Sorenson is a preferred employer that sets the standard for the communications industry. Sorenson is the largest private employer of sign language interpreters and a significant employer of Deaf professionals and the Children of Deaf Adults (coda). The company continually invests in the tools and platforms that enable its sign language interpreters to harness technology advances to generate ease and efficiency in a very demanding professional environment.

Since its founding, Sorenson has been dedicated to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. The company has an extensive track record of investing in new technologies to ensure that there is no technology divide for its customers. The VRS industry was enabled by Sorenson’s invention of the videophone. Sorenson will continue its tradition of responsible development of innovative products and services. The company is committed to leveraging AI-driven technologies that responsibly serve its customers, employees and lead in the market.

View in ASL or BSL. Read in Spanish.

About Sorenson
Sorenson is one of the world’s leading language services providers, combining patented technology with human-centric solutions. We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for underrepresented people through communication solutions for all: call captioning and video relay services, video remote and in-person sign language and spoken language interpreting, translation, real-time captioning, and post-production language services. Our company impact extends beyond the connections we support. Under Sorenson’s Impact and ESG Vision and Action Plan, we’re reviewing our carbon footprint, addressing accessibility and advancement barriers for Deaf employees, and implementing a supplier diversity program. Sorenson is a portfolio company of Ariel Alternatives LLC’s Project Black fund, which aims to scale sustainable minority-owned businesses to serve as leading vendors to Fortune 500 companies—supporting supply chain diversity. For more information on how we advance human connection, visit sorenson.com or es.sorenson.com. 

Sorenson Press Contact
Nathaniel Free
Sr. Manager of PR and Brand
Sorenson | (385) 789-4641
nfree1@sorenson.com 

FCC rules permit you to port your telephone number to the VRS provider of your choice. If you request a new number, Sorenson will provide you with one for the geographic area where you live or work. To ensure proper routing of 911 calls, it is important that you provide, and update in the event it changes, the physical address (i.e., the Registered Location) from which you are placing the call. You can update your Registered Location in your device settings or by calling (866) 756-6729. To learn how to update on your device visit https://sorenson.com/vrs/vrs/manage-account/. Emergency calls made via internet-based TRS may not function the same as traditional E911 service. For example, you may not be able to dial 911 if there is an internet-service failure or if you lose electrical power, and your 911 call may not be routed correctly if you have not updated your Registered Location. Hearing point-to-point video users will not be able to place emergency calls. For more information on the process of obtaining ten-digit numbers and the limitations and risks associated with using Sorenson’s VRS to place a 911 call, please visit Sorenson’s website: sorenson.com/legal. For information on toll-free numbering, please visit https://sorenson.com/vrs/toll-free-numbers/.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-sorenson-ceo-outlines-2025-growth-strategy-302361412.html

SOURCE Sorenson

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Technology

LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

Published

4 hours ago

on

October 24, 2026

By

Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leap-group-relaunches-humanview-a-growth-intelligence-system-built-to-explain-why-customers-behave-the-way-they-do-302918557.html

SOURCE LEAP Group

Continue Reading

Technology

STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

Published

5 hours ago

on

October 24, 2026

By

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

Continue Reading

Technology

Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

Published

5 hours ago

on

October 24, 2026

By

TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Continue Reading

Trending