Rob Thompson and BJ Kito discuss how Connecticut is more than just pizza and UConn basketball. This podcast reveals the state's undeniable sports legacy, from the birth of American football to the disruption of sports broadcasting. We're talking Walter Camp, ESPN, WWE, and the future of sports tech. Get ready to rethink everything you know about sports in Connecticut.

We are kicking off the 87:60 X Shaping CT's Future series where Virtuoso CEO BJ Kito sits down with sports and innovation experts ahead of Shaping CT's Future's event on sports and entertainment.

In this episode of 87:60, we tackle the hottest topics in sports today! We discuss the controversy surrounding the "torpedo bat" and its impact on baseball, analyze the continued dominance of major sports leagues, and explore the explosive influence of athletes-turned-influencers. Plus, we dive into the exciting rise of women's sports and the innovations changing how we play and experience the games we love. 

Get ready for some hot takes as  BJ Kito, James Dowd, and Steve Mcloughlin sit down to talk about all things sports.

In this episode of 87:60, we examine the role of a Fractional CMO and weigh the benefits against the potential pitfalls. Can a part-time leader deliver full-time results, or are there hidden drawbacks? Tune in to discover if a Fractional CMO is the strategic edge your business needs in today's competitive landscape.

Our experts, BJ Kito, Steve McLaughlin, and James Dowd, discuss the role of the Fractional CMO and explore why companies are ditching the full-time hire for on-demand executive leadership.

In this episode of 87:60's internal series, BJ Kito, Steve McLaughlin, and James Dowd confront the complexities of AI, from its ethical implications to its impact on creativity and strategy. They highlight the dangers of misinformation and over-reliance, particularly with tools like ChatGPT.

The team emphasizes the importance of human creativity and authenticity in an AI-influenced world. They grapple with balancing AI's efficiency with maintaining genuine audience connection. Ultimately, they question AI's true value, stressing the critical role of human insight.

This episode of 87:60 features host BJ Kito, CSO at Rebellion Group, Bryn Tindall, CEO & Owner at Rebellion Group, James Dowd, CCO at Rebellion Group, and Steve McLoughlin, SVP, Strategical Marketing & Impact at Rebellion Group.  

Is the consulting world full of "BS"? We think so. In this episode, we expose the gap between strategy and execution, the flaws in blindly relying on online behavioral data, and the need for a consultancy that actually delivers. Join us as we explore how Virtuoso is changing the game by building audiences based on deeper human understanding, and driving real, measurable growth. 

AI and cybersecurity are no longer the future—they’re the present, and they’re inevitable. In this episode, BJ Kito and Sam Barrett are joined by Senators Tony Hwang and James Maroney to discuss how these technologies are impacting Connecticut’s public safety, education, economy, and legislation. 

They explore how Connecticut can learn from surrounding states, develop stronger data privacy laws, and create policies that incentivize AI for good. The conversation dives into information sharing, regulation, and the steps needed to ensure AI serves the public interest while maintaining security and ethical standards.

Governor Ned Lamont joins BJ to discuss how his entrepreneurial background helped shape his leadership today. As Connecticut's first businessman-turned-governor, he discusses the economic importance of supporting startups, fostering innovation, and creating a supportive environment for business growth in the state.

The Governor and BJ are joined by Kevin Masse, an entrepreneur who moved to CT after finding it to be the perfect place to start his business.

Tune in to hear Governor Lamont's vision for the future of Connecticut, and what it will take to achieve it.

Senator Richard Blumenthal dropped by the Virtuoso studio to chat about cybersecurity, the privacy of children online, and how AI might threaten it all. Joining Sen. Blumenthal and host BJ Kito are cybersecurity expert Sal Marino from Charles IT and Greg Bordonaro, editor at the Hartford Business Journal.

In this episode, Emmy-award winning television production executive Dennis Denniger takes us on a journey through the evolution of sports broadcasting. Currently a Professor at Syracuse University, Dennis was named Falk College Faculty Member of the Year in 2014 and played a key role in founding the sports communications graduate program at the Newhouse School. With a 25-year tenure at ESPN, he led production teams for studio programming, live remote events, and digital video platforms, witnessing and contributing to ESPN's transformation from startup to a household name.

Beyond academia and broadcasting, Dennis is a prolific author, sharing insights into sports television in "Sports on Television" and exploring the Super Bowl's evolution in "The Football Game that Changed America."

Dennis Denniger is not just an educator and author; he's a technological innovator. He introduced the digital instant review technology "Shot Spot," now ubiquitous in major tennis tournaments and known as "Hawkeye" in various professional sports leagues.

Join us for a captivating conversation as Dennis Denniger reflects on his career, the evolution of ESPN, and the intersection of technology and sports broadcasting that has shaped the industry we know today.

Join us for an exciting conversation with Rebel's Chief Strategy Officer BJ Kito and Bernt Ullmann, who is often referred to as “The Man Behind the Brands.” Mr. Ullmann has been the trusted business acceleration expert by top fashion moguls and CEOs such as Daymond John, Eddie Lampert, and Tommy Hilfiger.

You'll hear first-hand how Bernt went from a pizza entrepreneur to one of the world’s leading experts in celebrity brand development, brand management, licensing and distribution, and monetization having contributed to the successful launches of brands for clients including Jennifer Lopez, Adam Levine, Nicki Minaj and many others. The brands he has worked with have generated over $6 billion in global sales. 

 This episode gets at the heart of understanding what a "brand" really is, why you should think BIG, and how seeing through the noise is the best pathway to reaching your vision.