By Rick Griffin,San Diego

Copyright timesofsandiego

San Diego-based experiential marketing firm GDX Studios reports it will assist in the creation of Ryder Cup Live at Rockefeller Center, an interactive exhibit that coincides with the three-day, Ryder Cup match-play golf tournament, to be played Sept. 26 to 28 at the legendary Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y.

Located at New York City’s Rockefeller Center’s Center Plaza and Rink areas, the Ryder Cup Live exhibit will be open to the public with free admission from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25 to Sunday, Sept. 28. Activities will include viewing parties of the three-days of match play, interactive golf challenges and special appearances from NBC talent.

“We’re humbled and excited to bring the same first-in-class fan experiences we’ve pioneered in movies, television and Comic-Con into the international sports stage,” Aaron Gaeir, CEO of GDX Studios, told Times of San Diego. “To be called upon to lead an iconic event at Rockefeller Center, shows that a boutique agency from San Diego can compete with billion-dollar companies and deliver something that’s truly never been done before.”

GDX said the fan experiences at the Ryder Cup Live exhibit will include:

Toptracer’s first-tee experience will give fans an opportunity to stand on hole No. 1 tee and take that opening shot.

The BMW Viewing Lounge will include close-up looks of BMW autos.

Clothing from Ralph Lauren, the official outfitter of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, will be available.

The Michelob ULTRA Greenside will feature a seating area to enjoy the official beer of the Ryder Cup and the opportunity to compete in putting challenges.

The Ryder Cup Live bar will feature special cocktails and wine selections, light food offerings, Ryder Cup memorabilia and a photo booth.

The 45th biennial men’s golf competition, pitting teams of 12 golfers from Europe against a dozen U.S. golfers, will air on NBCUniversal TV networks, including NBC, USA Network, Golf Channel and Peacock, the streaming channel.

Rather than based on stroke play, the match play features players competing head-to-head in different formats, including foursomes, four-all and singles over three days.

Europe is the current holder of the Ryder Cup after its win over the U.S. in 2023 at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia, Italy, just outside Rome. The tournament, which began in 1927, is named after English businessman Samuel Ryder, who donated the original trophy.

San Diego stations KNSD and KUAN award grants to nonprofits

San Diego TV stations KNSD NBC 7 and KUAN Telemundo 20, along with Comcast NBCUniversal, has announced that $227,272 has been awarded to eight San Diego-area nonprofit organizations through the 2025 NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants program.

The eight nonprofits include (dollar amounts awarded appear in parenthesis): First Gen Scholars ($35,000), Honor Flight San Diego ($35,000), Backcountry Communities Thriving ($35,000), AJA Project ($25,000), Girls Inc. of San Diego County ($25,000), Lambda Archives of San Diego ($25,000) and CASA San Diego ($22,272).

AJA refers to a Spanish phrase, “autosuficiencia juntada con apoyo,” which translates to “self-sufficiency joined with support.” GLM is an abbreviation for “grow, lead, motivate.” CASA is an abbreviation for “community action, service and advocacy.”

“We are honored to support this year’s grant recipients whose ideas are already sparking change across San Diego’s neighborhoods,” said Missy Crawford, president and GM of NBCUniversal Local San Diego. “Their dedication to strengthening our community is inspiring and we’re proud to help bring their work to life through the Local Impact Grants.”

NBCUniversal said it’s the eighth year for the annual grants program. Since 2018, KNSD-TV and KUAN-TV have been credited with providing more than $1.7 million to local nonprofits. Applications for grants, submitted by San Diego nonprofits between March 11 and April 11, were limited to three categories, including youth education and empowerment, next-generation storytellers and community engagement.

Nuffer, Smith, Tucker selected by Paso Robles wineries

San Diego public relations firm Nuffer, Smith, Tucker said it has been selected as the PR agency of record for Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, a trade and marketing alliance that represents more than 500 wineries, growers and businesses in the Paso Robles Wine Country region between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California’s Central Coast.

NST said the partnership will aim at elevating the wine region’s profile among travelers.

With more than 50 years of experience representing agriculture clients, NST said the addition of the wine alliance represents a milestone for the agency “as it plants its flag in the tourism industry,” a statement said.

“Our extensive work in the agriculture and consumer products industries gives us a unique perspective on connecting with consumers whose values and preferences are constantly evolving,” said Teresa Siles, NST president and partner. “We’ve helped major brands navigate these shifts, and our insights translate seamlessly to the tourism space. By understanding what drives today’s audiences, from sustainability to authenticity, we craft strategies that resonate across industries.”

“We’re excited to partner with NST to help share the story of Paso Robles Wine Country,” said Joel Peterson, executive director of the wine alliance. “They bring the right mix of roll-up-your-sleeves ag experience and smart brand storytelling, plus, being California-based means they understand the land, the lifestyle and the people who make this place special.”

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.