Connect with us

Technology

How Google’s Chrome Sale Could Impact Marketers: Anti-PR Strategies to Protect Brands

Published

on

The potential sale of Google Chrome marks a critical turning point for marketers and brands in general. This disruption calls for a shift from reliance on traditional search dominance to a focus on authentic, trust-based communication. Anti-PR offers the strategic edge needed to navigate this new era—reshaping perceptions, engaging audiences, and reinforcing credibility.

TAMPA BAY, Fla.  , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Google’s Chrome, which holds a 65% share of the global browser market, may soon be up for sale due to a DOJ antitrust ruling. (1) With the number one engine processing over 90% of global searches, this potential breakup threatens to unravel the tightly integrated system marketers rely on for SEO, SEM, and data-driven insights. (2) As the digital ecosystem faces a seismic shift, brands must embrace disruption and adapt strategies. “The days of relying solely on Google are over,” stresses Karla Jo Helms (KJ), Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™. “With the digital landscape fragmenting, companies must prioritize authenticity and trust; that’s what Anti-PR stands for.”

“Google’s potential breakup threatens the digital marketing landscape, forcing brands to rethink SEO, SEM, and content strategies. ‘The days of relying solely on Google are over,’ says Karla Jo Helms, emphasizing the need for authenticity and trust in a fragmented digital ecosystem.”

Impact on Marketers & Brands
As SEM continues to account for roughly 14% of total media spend, many brands depend heavily on Google’s ecosystem to drive traffic and lead. (3) A staggering 61% of marketers say generating traffic is their number one challenge, and nearly half of businesses credit organic search as their best source of ROI (4).

Google’s dominance in search engine marketing and its powerful role through Chrome has made it an essential tool for achieving success. That’s why its potential breakup disrupts the status quo, leaving many questioning if they need to revisit their strategies.

This adds to an already uncertain context: a recent survey suggests that marketing budgets dropped by 15% in 2024, and 24% of CMOs stated at the beginning of the year that their allocations were insufficient to execute their strategies. (5) With budgets tightening and a growing reliance on SEM for revenue generation, marketers need to find ways to do more with less.
“These ongoing changes force marketers to rethink everything—from paid search to content strategy. It’s not just about adapting to Google’s updates but preparing for a wider disruption,” Helms explains.

Search Engine Volume Projected to Drop by 25%
Regardless of what happens to Chrome, Gartner’s forecast of a 25% drop in search engine volume by 2026 signals a pivotal shift for digital marketing. (6) As organic and paid search continue to be vital channels for generating awareness and demand, this decline will force companies to update their entire approach.

“The importance of diversification in both advertising and communication strategies cannot be overstated,” Helms emphasizes. “With new competitors emerging and the growing emphasis on content quality, marketers will need to sharpen their approaches to ensure their content remains visible and relevant.”

Building Brand Reputation Through Anti-PR
The potential separation of Chrome from Google presents a unique challenge for marketers but also offers a valuable opportunity for those willing to learn how to control their narrative in an evolving media landscape. In this context, Anti-PR equips brands with the tools to reshape perceptions and maintain trust

Unlike traditional PR, which may crumble under such pressure, Anti-PR focuses on changing existing perceptions by addressing misconceptions with clear, data-driven stories. This helps brands not just survive but thrive through authenticity and disruption.

This approach doesn’t just complement marketing efforts—it supercharges them. By focusing on credibility and strategic storytelling, Anti-PR enhances marketing in ways that traditional approaches can’t match.

Anti-PR serves as the driving force behind your marketing campaign by:

Lowering Cost per Lead: Informed and engaged consumers are easier to convert. Anti-PR builds trust and awareness, reducing the time and resources needed to turn prospects into customers.Increasing Marketing ROI: Anti-PR penetrates the market with compelling stories and genuine value, amplifying your reach and impact.Augmenting Brand Value: Anti-PR fosters deep connections with audiences, enhancing your brand’s reputation and overall market value.Reshaping Public Perception: Anti-PR addresses misconceptions and positions your brand as a thought leader.Building Long-Term Engagement: Anti-PR doesn’t rely on short-term campaigns; it builds lasting relationships through active communication and a crisis management approach.Creating a Resilient Brand Reputation: In times of crisis or change —like the potential breakup of Google Chrome— Anti-PR provides stability.

In a post-Google-dominated ecosystem, where the rules are rewritten, JOTO PR’s Anti-PR approach emphasis on authenticity becomes more crucial than ever. “By integrating these strategies into your marketing efforts, you transform your brand’s presence. It’s not just about selling products—it’s about creating trust, loyalty, and a lasting impact,” concludes Helms.

About JOTO PR Disruptors™
Founded by PR veteran Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR Disruptors™ emerged from extensive market research with CEOs of fast-growth companies. The agency combines crisis management skills with advanced media algorithms to develop Anti-PR® campaigns. Based in Tampa Bay, Florida, JOTO PR is globally recognized for its innovative Anti-PR services. More information is available at http://www.jotopr.com/.

About Karla Jo Helms
Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™.    
She learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the line—and how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen or another is brutally rejected. Being an alumnus of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators, and the media to help restore companies of goodwill back into the good graces of public opinion. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way, and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive markets and impact market perception.    

References:
1.    Rijo, Luís. “Chrome Remains the Dominant Web Browser, Holding a Market Share of 65.158%.” PPC Land, 18 July 2024, ppc.land/chrome-remains-the-dominant-web-browser-holding-a-market-share-of-65-158/. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
2.    Rana, Uday. “Google May Have to Sell Chrome. Why the Impact Could Be “Seismic.”” Global News, 21 Nov. 2024, globalnews.ca/news/10882021/google-chrome-sale-impact/. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
3.    Adams, Peter. “Why Google’s Potential Chrome Sell-off Could Sow Fresh Marketing Disruption.” Marketing Dive, 22 Nov. 2024, http://www.marketingdive.com/news/google-chrome-sale-DOJ-antitrust-case-digital-marketing/733727/.
4.    Marino, Susie . “165 Powerful Digital Marketing Statistics for 2023.” WordStream, 2023, http://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2022/04/19/digital-marketing-statistics.
5.    Gartner. “Marketing Budgets 2023: A Comprehensive Guide for CMOs.” Gartner, 2023, http://www.gartner.com/en/marketing/topics/marketing-budget.
6.    Gartner. “Gartner Predicts Search Engine Volume Will Drop 25% by 2026, due to AI Chatbots and Other Virtual Agents.” Gartner, 14 Feb. 2024, http://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-02-19-gartner-predicts-search-engine-volume-will-drop-25-percent-by-2026-due-to-ai-chatbots-and-other-virtual-agents.

Media Inquiries:
Karla Jo Helms
JOTO PR™
727-777-4629
jotopr.com

Media Contact

Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@jotopr.com, jotopr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/how-googles-chrome-sale-could-impact-marketers-anti-pr-strategies-to-protect-brands-302320585.html

SOURCE JOTO PR™; JOTO PR™

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

America’s First VC-Backed Cyber Warfare Startup Raises Additional $30M from Khosla Ventures at $1.2B Valuation

Published

on

By

The investment follows Twenty’s $100M Accel-led Series B and further cements Twenty as the definitive offensive cyber company industrializing capabilities for the United States and its allies.

ARLINGTON, Va., July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Twenty, America’s first VC-backed cyber warfare startup, today announced an additional $30 million investment from Khosla Ventures at a $1.2 billion valuation. The investment follows Twenty’s recently announced $100 million Series B at a $1 billion valuation led by Accel.

With this investment, Twenty has now raised $168 million from many of the world’s foremost technology and national security investors, including Khosla Ventures, Accel, Friends & Family Capital, Point72 Ventures, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and In-Q-Tel.

Founded in 2024, Twenty is industrializing offensive cyber warfare for the United States and its allies. The company builds AI-enabled, end-to-end systems for the U.S. military and Intelligence Community, giving warfighters the speed and scale required to deter and defeat adversaries in cyberspace. Twenty’s systems are designed to keep human judgment at the center, pairing advanced AI and automation with rigorous evaluation, controlled deployment, and mission alignment.

The investment follows unprecedented government demand for offensive cyber capabilities built at commercial speed. This Administration has brought renewed leadership to offensive cyber, calling for the United States to use the full suite of offensive cyber operations to disrupt adversary networks and raise the costs of aggression on those who threaten American interests.

“Our thesis here is simple. AI is reshaping the world and the US and its allies need an AI-native cyberwarfare prime capable of protecting our most critical interests. That prime is Twenty,” said Jon Chu, the Partner at Khosla Ventures who led the investment. “Every major national security domain needs a prime that can operate at the speed of AI while delivering commercial grade execution and earning mission level trust. I’ve searched for a company that fits this thesis for years, but have never found a team with the necessary depth across AI, cyber, and defense until now. Twenty brings together the talent, product velocity, customer pull, and mission relevance required to define this category.”

“Khosla’s investment is further validation that Twenty is the definitive company industrializing cyber warfare for the United States and its allies,” said Joe Lin, Co-founder and CEO of Twenty. “We are building the industrial base for American cyber power: the AI-enabled capabilities our warfighters need to disrupt threats at their origin. We are grateful to partner with Jon and the Khosla team as we continue pouring capital directly into research and engineering.”

“AI is changing cyber warfare. Now it happens faster, at greater scale, and most defense contractors are still building for the old world,” said Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures. “The country that moves fastest on AI-native cyber warfare will have the advantage for the next decade. Joe and the Twenty team have the technical depth and operational credibility to industrialize offensive cyber capability at exactly the moment it matters most.”

Twenty will invest this capital directly into research and engineering, expanding the technical team and accelerating development of the offensive cyber capabilities America’s warfighters need to win against determined adversaries.

About Twenty

Twenty is America’s first VC-backed cyber warfare startup. Founded in 2024, Twenty is industrializing cyber warfare for the United States and its allies. The company builds AI-enabled, end-to-end systems for the U.S. military and Intelligence Community, giving warfighters the speed and scale required to impose costs on adversaries in cyberspace. Twenty’s systems are designed to keep human judgment at the center, pairing advanced AI and automation with rigorous evaluation, controlled deployment, and mission alignment.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/americas-first-vc-backed-cyber-warfare-startup-raises-additional-30m-from-khosla-ventures-at-1-2b-valuation-302829778.html

SOURCE Twenty

Continue Reading

Technology

Construction begins on the Enbridge Sunrise Expansion Program

Published

on

By

PRINCE GEORGE, BC, July 20, 2026 /CNW/ — Canada is taking the next step in building infrastructure that will strengthen our economy, secure energy sovereignty and ensure affordability for Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced that construction has begun on the Sunrise Expansion Program in British Columbia, following the Government of Canada’s approval in April 2026.

This $4-billion expansion of Enbridge’s Westcoast natural gas pipeline will ensure British Columbia’s growing energy needs are met by providing up to 300 million cubic feet per day of additional transportation capacity on the province’s natural gas transmission system. This additional capacity ensures we can reliably power homes, schools and hospitals; support B.C.’s industrial and manufacturing sectors; and ensure natural gas supplies are available as LNG export facilities — including Woodfibre LNG, the world’s first net-zero facility — begin operations.

The Sunrise Expansion Program marks another milestone in Canada’s strategic push to get major infrastructure projects built to diversify our trade, create jobs and prosperity, and support national and energy security. The Expansion Program will add over $3 billion to Canada’s GDP as we expand Canadian natural gas exports to Asian markets. It will also create 2,500 jobs, including for local Indigenous communities, and generate $700 million in tax revenue to fund local roads, hospitals and schools.

The project will also maximize Canadian industrial participation and use domestically produced materials, including 100 percent Canadian melted and poured steel supplied by InterPro Pipe + Steel from Saskatchewan. Commitments to buying and supplying Canadian in projects like this support manufacturing jobs and strengthen Canadian supply chains from coast to coast to coast.

This project builds on a strong foundation of Indigenous partnership. Last year, 38 Indigenous communities in British Columbia acquired a 12.5 percent ownership interest in Enbridge’s Westcoast natural gas pipeline system, supported by the first-ever federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee.

The Sunrise Expansion Program underscores the Government of Canada’s commitment to working in partnership with provinces, industry and Indigenous partners to efficiently and responsibly approve projects that turn our energy opportunities into economic realities. We are building a Canada where major projects move forward, new jobs are created, and energy is secure and affordable for everyone.

Quotes 

“From approval to groundbreaking in just three months, the Sunrise Expansion Program shows how Canada is getting major projects built. This expansion will provide reliable natural gas for homes, hospitals, schools and B.C.’s growing low-carbon energy sector while creating thousands of well-paying careers and new, diverse international trade opportunities. This is how we strengthen Canadian energy security, support affordability and prove once again what being an energy superpower looks like.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson 
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources 

“Breaking ground on Enbridge’s Sunrise expansion is a big step forward for our economy, for good local jobs and for Indigenous communities. Through our government’s Look West strategy, we’re building the kind of lasting prosperity that keeps our hospitals, schools and communities strong for generations to come.”

The Honourable Ravi Kahlon
B.C Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth

“The Sunrise Expansion project demonstrates what’s possible when First Nations, industry and government work together with a shared commitment to building a stronger future. For Lheidli T’enneh, meaningful partnerships are about more than economic opportunity — they are about ensuring our Nation has a seat at the table in shaping projects that will benefit our people and region for generations to come. By working collaboratively, we can help build a reliable and secure energy future that supports growing communities, creates opportunities for First Nations participation and respects the lands and waters that have sustained for time immemorial. This is the kind of partnership that moves reconciliation from words to action while strengthening a shared future.”

Chief Dolleen Logan
Lheidli T’enneh First Nation

“Today marks an important milestone as construction begins on the Sunrise Expansion Program. We appreciate the ongoing support of the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia to advance this critical natural gas infrastructure project. This project will strengthen energy security, support economic growth, create jobs and help to ensure Canadians have access to reliable, affordable energy for decades to come. We’re proud to be working alongside Indigenous groups, local communities, contractors and labour across British Columbia as we move this project from approval to construction and deliver lasting benefits for Canadians.”

Greg Ebel
CEO and President, Enbridge

“The Sunrise Expansion Program will be built in Canada, with Canadian steel. InterPro Pipe + Steel is proud to supply steel that is 100 percent melted and poured in Canada for this nation-building project. By choosing Canadian steel, we are supporting skilled workers, strengthening domestic supply chains and ensuring Canada’s critical energy infrastructure is built with Canadian materials. This is how we create lasting jobs, resilient communities and long-term economic benefits across the country.”

Doug Matthews
CEO, InterPro Pipe + Steel

Quick Facts 

The Enbridge Westcoast Pipeline is a 2,900-kilometre natural gas transmission system in British Columbia, supplying gas to B.C., Alberta and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The Expansion Program would add approximately 140 kilometres of new pipeline by constructing 11 pipeline looping segments, parallel to the existing line, and supplying additional natural gas compression and upgrades and modifications to existing facilities.On July 2, 2025, Stonlasec8 Indigenous Alliance Limited Partnership, representing 38 Indigenous communities in British Columbia, acquired a 12.5 percent ownership interest in Enbridge’s Westcoast natural gas pipeline system. This transaction was supported by the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, which issued a loan guarantee covering $400 million of a $736-million investment.To date, more than $52 million has been spent by Enbridge on the hiring and procuring of services from Indigenous businesses for the Sunrise Expansion Program.

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Continue Reading

Technology

PrideStaff Announces New Ownership for Columbia, MD Office

Published

on

By

COLUMBIA, Md., July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PrideStaff, a nationally franchised staffing organization, is pleased to announce that Paul D’Souza will acquire the PrideStaff Columbia office and assume the role of Owner/Strategic-Partner. The ownership transition marks an exciting new chapter for the office as it continues its mission of connecting top talent with leading employers throughout Columbia and the greater Baltimore-Washington metropolitan region.

As Strategic-Partner, D’Souza will lead the Columbia office’s efforts to expand its market presence, strengthen client relationships, and deliver exceptional staffing and workforce solutions to businesses and job seekers across Central Maryland.

D’Souza brings extensive business leadership experience and a strong commitment to helping organizations and individuals achieve their goals. Under his leadership, the Columbia office will continue to leverage PrideStaff’s nationally recognized resources, innovative staffing solutions, and client-focused approach while maintaining the personalized service that has become a hallmark of the local operation.

“I’m excited to join PrideStaff as the Strategic-Partner of the Columbia office and to become part of a brand so highly regarded for its commitment to service,” said D’Souza. “The Columbia market offers tremendous opportunities for growth, and I look forward to building strong relationships with local businesses, supporting job seekers, and helping our clients navigate an increasingly competitive talent landscape. Together with our team, we’ll continue delivering the personalized service and results that have made PrideStaff a trusted staffing partner.”

Located in one of Maryland’s most vibrant business communities, the Columbia office serves employers across a variety of industries, providing staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs. The office also supports job seekers throughout the region by connecting them with meaningful employment opportunities and career advancement resources.

“We’re excited to welcome Paul as the new Owner/Strategic-Partner of our Columbia office,” said Tammi Heaton, Co-CEO of PrideStaff. “His leadership experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to helping others succeed make him an excellent fit for our organization. We are confident that Paul will build on the office’s strong foundation while continuing to deliver the exceptional client and talent experiences that define the PrideStaff brand.”

The transition reflects PrideStaff’s ongoing commitment to empowering local owners who combine market expertise with a passion for service. Supported by PrideStaff’s national resources and proven operating model, the Columbia office is well-positioned for continued success and growth in the years ahead.

About PrideStaff 

PrideStaff was founded in the 1970s as 100% company-owned units and began franchising in 1995. It operates offices in North America to serve thousands of clients and is headquartered in Central California. With 45-plus years in the staffing business, PrideStaff offers the resources and expertise of a national firm, with the spirit, dedication, and personal service of smaller, entrepreneurial firms. PrideStaff is the only nationwide commercial staffing firm in the U.S. and Canada with over $100 million in annual revenue to earn ClearlyRated’s prestigious Best of Staffing® 15-Year Diamond Awards three years in a row, highlighting exceptional client and talent service quality.

For more information on our services, or for staffing franchise information, visit our website.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pridestaff-announces-new-ownership-for-columbia-md-office-302829817.html

SOURCE PrideStaff

Continue Reading

Trending