Q1 2025 Caster Rewind: New Clients, Old Friends, and Big Wins

Everyone likes the sound, sight and excitement of fireworks on New Year’s Eve, right? The Caster crew likes to kick off each year with a BANG as well, and 2025 has been no exception.

In Q1, we added two AI innovators to our client roster, travelled to trade shows and events around the globe, racked up numerous client award wins, and secured high-profile coverage both in mainstream and trade publications.

Meet our New Clients

Allow me to make some introductions…

NLM Photonics

NLM Photonics is a Seattle-based startup focused on creating cutting-edge hybrid electro-optic technology to increase bandwidth and efficiency for AI data centers. As they prepared to debut an industry-first hybrid organic modulator, NLM brought Caster on board to guide strategic messaging, media outreach, and content development. Learn more about NLM Photonics here: www.nlmphotonics.com

Kardome

As a young company focusing on the automotive and mobility industry, Kardome is quickly making a name for themselves with their cutting-edge AI technology for speech recognition systems. Kardome’s technology uses advanced voice enhancement and spatial hearing technology in crowded or noisy environments and allows everyone to use voice to control their smart devices. Caster is now heading up Kardome’s PR efforts, including strategy, media outreach, thought leadership and awards. Learn more about Kardome here: www.kardome.com

Getting the Show on the Road

Trade shows are a key element of many clients’ communications strategies, so Caster Crew spent plenty of time on the road in Q1.

Caster has attended CES for over 25 years. This year, we supported clients on the show floor, in the Venetian Suites, and in the Venetian Ballrooms. We secured dozens of media appointments, booked clients on speaking panels; picked up a Best in Show award  from The Ambient for Shelly; and handled networking events, fireside chats, and influencer breakfasts for the Z-Wave Alliance.

In February, Caster attended Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025 in Barcelona, a leading trade show for the smart home and Pro AV industries. This show has had significant growth over the last few years and has great energy. Caster scored award wins for clients in both the pro and resi markets: Trinnov won Residential Systems “Best of Show” award for their groundbreaking WaveForming active acoustics technology, while Vanco took home “Best of Show” from Systems Contractor News and “Top New Technology” from Commercial Integrator for their next-gen AVoIP platform EVO-IP 2.0.

On the heels of ISE, Caster client Z-Wave Alliance held their Summit & Unplug Fest EMEA 2025. This sold-out event included top industry experts speaking on Z-Wave topics impacting the EMEA market, including Z-Wave Long Range; recent challenges, solutions, experiences by leading installers; and more. Caster worked with members to build out the agenda, topics and panelists; handled all PR and marketing efforts surrounding the event; and managed sponsorships, venue coordination, and graphics/signage.

Caster closed out Q1 with a trip to ISC West in Las Vegas, the leading security trade event in the United States. Caster worked closely with clients leading up to the show to schedule press meetings and secure coverage in top industry publications such as Security Systems News, SP&T News, SDM Magazine, and Security Info Watch. Additionally, the Caster team coordinated another sold-out  Z-Wave Alliance networking event for 100+ industry experts. Caster was once again responsible for event promotion and management, including securing RSVPs from top trade media to join us and interview Alliance members for additional coverage.

Media Wins

This team knows how to get things done for our clients. Our Q1 media outreach wins include:

• The Verge: Jennifer Tuohy amplified the importance of Z-Wave devices and Z-Wave Long Range in the home.
• Forbes: A Crestron case study highlighting their control system for a luxury explorer yacht.
• Design Milk: An in-depth tour of Hunter Douglas’s new flagship Manhattan design center.
• Electronics360: An article on Z-Wave Long Range in the smart home citing several Caster clients, including the Z-Wave Alliance, Shelly, and Alfred.
• Good Housekeeping 2025 Home Reno Award Winners:
  • Hunter Douglas’s Aura Illuminated Shades won in the Windows & Doors category
  • Abode’s High-Security Smart Lock won the Smartest Home Security category.
• Security Info Watch: A feature article on Alfred’s new smart lock solutions at ISC West 2025.

Are you looking for coverage, strategy, and on-the-ground support like this in Q2 and beyond?  We’re always here to answer questions, discuss your needs, and see if Caster is a good fit. Drop me an email at jen@castercomm.com to schedule a brief intro call, or book some time on my calendar. Want to learn more about Caster? Check us out here.