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The channels that have long carried readers to publishers – search and social – are now shifting under the weight of AI, and general-purpose models still fall short when the question is local: which gas station has the best prices right now, what’s happening in my neighborhood this weekend, why are there sirens two streets over.
NewsBreak sees that gap as an opening – one where trust, experience and domain-specific AI infrastructure can do more for local communities and publishers today, and as the technology matures.
That thinking is now shaping the next stage of our company's growth: continued investment in NewsBreak, our flagship local life and news platform, alongside two new AI-native businesses. Nearby AI connects people with nearby businesses and services through AI-driven local intent, turning discovery into action, while NDot AI gives publishers the infrastructure to grow, engage, retain and monetize their audiences
This is an important moment for us. And the ideal time to bring in our first Chief Business Officer. Nicolas Zylberstein is now onboard to head up strategic growth for NewsBreak, Nearby AI and NDot AI.
“Nicolas’ experience scaling partnerships and commercial strategy at some of the world's largest technology companies makes him the leader to help us build at the intersection of AI, technology, local ecosystems and the media industry,” said Jeff Zheng, Founder at NewsBreak, Nearby AI and NDot AI.
Nicolas joins NewsBreak after six years at ByteDance, where he drove AI partnerships and corporate strategy, and worked on the early launch of TikTok Shop. Earlier in his career, he held senior operating, strategy and corporate development roles at Pinterest, YouTube and The Walt Disney Company. He played a key role in Pinterest’s IPO, contributed to the launch and growth of YouTube Premium and YouTube TV, and supported Disney’s transition to streaming, laying the foundations for Disney+.
"NewsBreak has already proven what deep, local personalization can do at scale,” Nicolas said. “The core business connects millions of people with local content, right down to their zip code, and Nearby AI and NDot AI extend those capabilities into how people discover and engage with nearby businesses and how creators and publishers grow their audiences. I look forward to helping turn those capabilities into scaled businesses and build what’s next for modern media and local life as part of the NewsBreak team."
Building what's next — for NewsBreak, Nearby AI and NDot AI — takes people who want to think big, own problems end to end and build at real scale.
If you want to help millions of people in communities across the U.S. stay connected to the news and local life that matters where they live, come build NewsBreak with us: hr@newsbreak.com
If you want to help media companies take control of their audience, growth, and future, come build NDot AI with us: career@ndot.ai
If you want to build category-defining AI for the way people live every day, come build Nearby AI with us: career@nearby.ai
