Latest news with #Helms
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tampa Bay Founders Take the Spotlight: High-Stakes Startup Pitch Night Ignites St. Pete July 17
JOTO PR Disruptors™ and Founders Live unite next week to spotlight early-stage founders—and fuel Tampa Bay's booming startup scene with a high-energy pitch event driving visibility, national exposure and strategic connections for the region's boldest innovators. TAMPA BAY, Fla., July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On July 17, 2025, Founders Live—the globally acclaimed 99-second pitch competition—lands in downtown St. Pete at The Birchwood. Hosted by JOTO PR Disruptors™, this high-energy event is more than a pitch night—it's a launchpad for early-stage founders and a catalyst for Tampa Bay's booming innovation economy. In a region now ranked among the top 5 U.S. cities for startups, the timing couldn't be better. With over 500 startups created and $650M raised in 2025 alone, Tampa Bay is booming. But despite the momentum, many early-stage founders still lack the visibility, feedback, and strategic connections needed to scale. This event aims to change that. "Founders Live gives Tampa Bay's innovators more than a mic, it gives them momentum," said Karla Jo Helms, Chief Evangelist and CEO of JOTO PR and the new City Leader of Founders Live Tampa Bay. "This is a platform for underdog brilliance, real traction, and founder credibility, all packed into 99 seconds." APPLY NOW: Be the Startup That Owns the Spotlight Startups in HealthTech, FinTech, AI, and MedTech are already applying—proving just how powerful this platform is for early traction and exposure. Founders can apply to pitch at: Space is limited and competition is fierce—early-stage founders are urged to apply immediately for a shot at national exposure and local validation. Not Just a Pitch — A Proving Ground Five hand-selected founders will each deliver a 99-second pitch, followed by a 4-minute audience Q&A, live voting, and the crowning of a local favorite. The winner earns entry into Founders Live's global Prime Time qualifiers and a $1M+ startup perk package, including valuable tools, visibility, and resources from global partners. Why It Matters to the Tampa Bay Economy Early-Stage Visibility: Founders Live fills a critical gap for startups not yet tapped into VCs or accelerators—offering exposure, feedback, and credibility on a public stage. Startup Ecosystem Momentum: With over $650M raised this year, investor interest is peaking. Events like this connect the capital to the ideas. Strategic Relationship Engine: It's not just pitching — it's matchmaking. Founders meet mentors, media, funders, and collaborators that can catalyze their growth. Public Validation: Founders are voted on by real people in real time — offering immediate validation and connection to the broader community. Local Dignitary Engagement: Tampa Bay's civic and business leaders are being invited to attend, recognizing the measurable economic impact of the region's startup boom. "We're not just giving founders a stage — we're giving them a story," said Helms. "And we'll follow through with the credibility-building publicity they need to help them scale nationally." Event Details Date & Time: Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM Location: The Birchwood, 340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL Format: 5 founders | 99-second pitches | 4-minute Q&A | Live crowd voting Perks: Media exposure, global recognition, and $1M+ in startup support perks Tickets are almost sold out, and prices will increase soon. Reserve your seat now to be part of a movement that's redefining what's possible for Tampa Bay startups. Click here for early registration. About JOTO PR Disruptors™ JOTO PR Disruptors™ is the Anti-PR® agency behind some of the fastest-growing tech and innovation brands in the U.S. By applying crisis management techniques and modern media algorithms, JOTO PR creates third-party credibility campaigns that produce measurable results and build undeniable market influence. Learn more at About Founders Live Founded by entrepreneur Nick Hughes, Founders Live is a global media platform and pitch competition operating in over 125 cities and 50 countries. With its signature 99-second format, it connects founders, investors, and startup communities through events, education, and digital storytelling. Media Inquiries: Karla Jo Helms JOTO PR™ 727-777-4629 Media Contact Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE JOTO PR™ Sign in to access your portfolio
STV News
10-06-2025
- Business
- STV News
The Scots homeowners fighting for justice after being mis-sold solar panels
Homeowners fighting for compensation after being tied into 25-year loans under a scrapped Green Deal scheme are demanding a blanket cancellation of their solar panel contracts. Customers of Scottish firm Helms (Home Energy and Lifestyle Management Ltd), which went bust almost a decade ago, claim they've been left with the legacy of mis-selling. Without any professional legal support, groups in Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire have been waiting to present their cases to a tribunal – a complex process that has been fraught with delays. Many of those affected say they feel abandoned after being left with faulty systems, multi-year loans and no clear route to justice. Some homeowners have been fighting for over a decade to get answers, but they are caught in a complex appeals process and seeking redress for loans they say should never have been approved. Jim McColl, a retired TV technician from Blantyre, was cold-called by Helms in 2013. The 68-year-old signed up for solar panels and underfloor insulation. STV News Jim McColl. 'We want to move to a bungalow due to health issues, but I can't sell the house,' he told STV News. 'No-one wants the burden of this contract.' Jim says he was offered £500 to walk away from his claim. 'I was livid. After everything we've been through? I feel totally abandoned by everybody that was supposed to protect us.' Jim's wife suffered a heart attack last year, which he believes was brought on by the stress of the ordeal. 'I'm not doing this for money. I just want the burden lifted, especially for my wife,' he said. 'I just want it finished so we can go on with what's left of our lives.' Eugene O'Brien, 75, bought his home in 2012. Soon after, he signed up to a Green Deal offer from Helms. More than a decade on, he's preparing for a second-tier tribunal appeal – one of up to 15 cases being considered. STV News Eugene O'Brien. 'When Helms went bust, I had the panels checked,' said O'Brien. 'The engineer told me: 'You can fill the kettle today and it might be boiled next Christmas.' That's how little energy they were generating.' Like hundreds of Helms customers back in 2013, Eugene says he was given a promise that the solar panels and improvements to his home would lower his energy bills at no extra cost. He was also told that it was all backed by the UK Government. This form of the green deal was scrapped two years later. Helms was fined for its sales tactics and when the firm went bust in 2016, Eugene had the solar panels checked. The readings from his consumer unit were faulty from the start. Fixing the system cost him £1,500 – money he believes he never should have had to spend. 'It's disgusting that it has dragged on this long,' he told STV News. 'Green Deal is punishing us for their mistake. I just want it ended, one way or another. There should be refunds. The scheme should be scrapped.' Shirley Buchanan, from the Balornock area of Glasgow, signed up to the scheme in 2012 and is now locked into a 25-year loan. She claims she was tied to a finance deal she knew nothing about, left with debt and paying more for electricity. This is the second time she has taken her complaint to a tribunal. 'It just makes me angry – angry at Helms and angry at myself,' said the 76-year-old. 'It's hard to navigate all this legal stuff. You feel like you're fighting half the world.' STV News Shirley Buchanan. Despite suffering two heart attacks, she's continuing the fight and will give evidence in person at the tribunal. She said: 'They need to see the faces of the people this is affecting. I'm not getting any younger, and this has taken its toll. 'It is difficult to navigate when you don't have the knowledge as most of it is legal stuff. I am still trying to fight it. 'But at times it feels like you are trying to fight against half the world. You don't have the knowledge. 'If you let it get you down too much, you would just give in, so you have to keep fighting and hoping you get a better result next time.' Eugene and Shirley were both unable to insure their homes as the work was carried out without building community action group worked with politicians and Glasgow City Council to ensure that was rectifed in 2020. Securing the win was enough for some to walk away from pursuing complaints. Others plan to continue, despite the lack of professional legal help. Angela Lowe never imagined she'd be helping neighbours prepare tribunal evidence, but that's what she's doing now. 'We've had to go through 70-page legal documents ourselves,' she told STV News. 'We're not lawyers, we're just people trying to get this sorted.' STV News Angela Lowe. Angela works in finance and says the Financial Conduct Authority should have had oversight. 'If this had been FCA-regulated, it wouldn't have been allowed to drag on for ten years,' she said. She also shared stories of neighbours who have died before seeing justice, leaving families to resolve complex estates. September is now the latest date that has been set for the hearings. A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero told STV News: 'The Green Deal issued loans from 2013 to 2019. We are investigating all complaints referred to the department on this inherited scheme to resolve them as quickly as possible.' However, the department has so far not provided updates on how many complaints are under review, or how many contracts – if any – have been cancelled. In Lanarkshire, no agreements have been secured around retrospective building warrants, and as the 25-year loan is attached to the home, rather than the person applying, it makes selling a property difficult. The Green Deal Finance Company (GDFC), which took over the loan book in 2017 and relaunched the scheme, received over 480 complaints. STV News Repeated requests for comment from GDFC, a subsidiary of Tandem Money Limited, have gone unanswered. A spokesperson for Tandem Money Limited, said: 'We are aware of a small number of historic complaints by Green Deal customers. 'These are being processed by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero on a case-by-case basis and GDFC remains committed to providing any assistance the Department requires.' As second-tier tribunal appeals move forward, those involved say their only hope is for accountability and closure. 'There needs to be refunds,' says O'Brien. 'This never should have been allowed to happen.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trust Over Trend: Anti-PR Unveils Why Awareness Campaigns Are Losing Credibility
JOTO PR Disruptors unveils the power of Anti-PR during high-visibility months like National Military Appreciation Month. By redefining authentic brand messaging with purpose-driven storytelling, companies like Zeel are setting the standard for connecting with audiences who crave trust and relevance. TAMPA BAY, Fla., May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Every May, brands flood the media with tributes to veterans for National Military Appreciation Month—but most fall flat. In a marketplace where consumers see between 6,000 to 10,000 ads a day, high-visibility dates often amplify the noise rather than break through it. (1) Traditional PR strategies and cookie-cutter campaigns get drowned out in oversaturated messaging, with every brand saying the same thing. "You shouldn't sell WHAT you do. You should sell WHY it matters," says Karla Jo Helms (KJ), Chief Evangelist of Anti-PR™ and strategist at JOTO PR Disruptors™. "Brands relying on conventional tactics are missing the point. It's no longer about being part of the conversation—it's about shaping the narrative with purpose." Breaking Free from PR Gimmicks A State of the Connected Customer report shows that 68% of consumers believe brands should demonstrate real action, not symbolic gestures, during awareness campaigns. (2) Despite this clear mandate from the public, many brands make the mistake of launching loud, generic messaging with low impact during awareness or purpose-driven events. However, this strategy often backfires, causing their messages to fade into the background and fail to connect with today's discerning consumers. Anti-PR flips the script. Rather than chasing attention through hype, it emphasizes authenticity, mission alignment, and real action—core elements that are increasingly in demand. "Consumers today are too savvy for slogans. They want purpose," Helms explains. "Trust is currency. If you're not showing up with something real, you're not showing up at all." Lead with Why, Not What One standout example of this approach in action is Zeel, a leading provider of in-home medical massage. Instead of relying on generic "thank you for your service" phrases, Zeel took meaningful action by offering a permanent 20% discount on all medical massage therapy services for veterans and active-duty members. This program wasn't just a marketing gimmick—it was a bold move rooted in their values. Key elements that set Zeel's campaign apart: Radical Transparency: Communicating their long-term goal of redefining access to care. Data-Driven Storytelling: Backing their initiative with measurable outcomes tied to veteran wellness. Real Action: Committing to lasting change, not one-off PR stunts. Timely Relevance: Aligning messaging with key healthcare issues that matter most to today's veterans, while actively engaging military and vet communities. Zeel's campaign isn't about riding a wave of seasonal relevance—it was about advancing a mission statement. The initiative became a proof point of how purpose-aligned messaging earns visibility, loyalty, and lasting impact. Authenticity Is the New Differentiator Anti-PR doesn't just help brands stand out—it strengthens trust and drives ROI by fostering deeper connections with audiences. Companies that embed their values into every campaign—not just during awareness months—build reputations that endure. "Brands that miss the mark during cultural moments like Military Appreciation Month are wasting powerful opportunities," says Helms. "But those that align action with truth are remembered—not just for what they said, but for what they did." 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 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. Adfuel Inc. "The Daily Ad Exposure: How Many Ads Does the Average Person See Each Day?" Adfuel, 27 June 2024, 2. Eversoll Duggan, Cheyenna . "The Empathy Advantage: Using Customer Data to Personalize Marketing | Simon Data." 2024, Media Inquiries: Karla Jo Helms JOTO PR™ 727-777-4629 Media Contact Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE JOTO PR™ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
UW-Platteville shooting incident, 2 dead; officials release new info
The Brief UW-Platteville officials released new information about a fatal shooting at the school on Monday, May 19. Two people, an assistant resident director and a resident, died as a result of the shooting. Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting. PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville released more information on Tuesday, May 20 tied to the fatal shooting at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall. What we know On Monday afternoon, May 19, UW-Platteville Police Department responded to a call at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall, for a disturbance. When police arrived at the hall, officers from UW-Platteville Police Department found two individuals injured, suffering from gunshot wounds. A news release says one of the individuals was identified as Kelsie Martin, 22. Martin was transported to Southwest Health, and then Med-flighted to UW Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Martin was the Wilgus Hall Assistant Resident Director and a psychology major from Beloit. Based upon preliminary autopsy findings, Martin was determined to have died by gunshot wound. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The second individual was identified as Hallie Helms, 22, who died at the scene. Based on preliminary autopsy findings, Helms was determined to have died by self-inflicted gunshot wound. Helms was a Wilgus Hall resident and an elementary education major from Baraboo. No other people are suspected to have been involved in the incident. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the two individuals. Officials are asking for anyone with information on this incident to contact the UW-Platteville Police Department at 608-342-1584. What we know Counseling resources are available to the UW-Platteville community. University Counseling will be offering walk-in urgent sessions with a counselor, Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. In addition, a toll-free emotional support line is available at 844.602.6680 or 720.272.0004, staffed by mental health professionals. The line will be available overnight through Wednesday. Another resource is the free, confidential UW Mental Health 24/7 line at 888.531.2142. Mantra Health is also available to students. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Final exams for the remainder of the week were canceled. Any students with questions are asked to contact the Dean's office for their individual college. A frequently asked questions website is available to anyone seeking additional resources. The Source The information in this post was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 University Students Found Dead From Gunshot Wounds Days After Graduation
Two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students were found dead from gunshot wounds in a campus residence hall on Monday, just days after the school's commencement ceremony, university officials say. The university police department revealed Tuesday that the students were Kelsie Martin of Beloit, Wisconsin, who died from a gunshot wound after being transported to a hospital, and Hallie Helms of Baraboo, Wisconsin, who died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, preliminary autopsies showed. Both women were 22. 'No other subjects are suspected to have been involved in the incident,' a university statement said Tuesday. 'Further investigation continues around the circumstances surrounding the death of the two individuals.' UW-Platteville Police Chief Joe Hallman said his department received a 911 call around 4 p.m. local time Monday about an incident at Wilgus Hall, a residential building on campus. Upon arrival, they determined it was an 'isolated incident' that posed no 'active, ongoing threat,' he said at a press conference. Martin was the assistant resident director at Wilgus Hall, where Helms was a resident. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that Martin had just graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology, and Helms had just graduated magna cum laude with an elementary education degree. A Facebook post from the university last year praised Martin as a 'growing leader and role model for young women on campus' who owned more than 400 books. In an archived personal website uncovered by the Journal-Sentinel, Helms discussed her teaching aspirations. 'I want to be the teacher who had helped, counseled, and inspired change,' she wrote. 'I want to change students for the better.' The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say suicide is one of the leading types of gun deaths in the U.S., accounting for more than 20,000 deaths a year. There were more than 600 murder-suicides in the U.S. last year. Rapper Convicted For Shooting Megan Thee Stallion Stabbed In Prison Teen Accused Of Killing 4 In Georgia School Shooting Likely To Plead Guilty Eric Church Says Las Vegas Shooting 'Broke' Him
