Clearwater-Based Digital Media Solutions (DMS) Team Won Race Across America, Raised $ for St. Jude

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Oct. 10, 2016 - On June 24th of this year, the Digital Media Solutions (DMS) team of eight amateur cyclists won the 2016 Race Across America (RAAM). Beginning in Oceanside, California, the team traversed 3,000 miles across 12 states and climbed more than 170,000 vertical feet to reach Annapolis, Maryland just five days, 20 hours and two minutes later. In the process, the DMS organization raised $50,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, accumulating funds from employees, clients, vendors, friends, family and more.

DMS is an end-to-end customer acquisition and retention solution provider headquartered in Clearwater, Florida. On October 19th, DMS is presenting St. Jude with a check for the $50,000 raised during the RAAM race. Since 2014, DMS has raised more than $100,000 for St. Jude. The DMS team admires St. Jude because of their commitment to curing childhood cancer. The St. Jude belief that no child should die in the dawn of life resonates with management, and they have supported the organization whole-heartedly for the past few years.
 

Despite being comprised of only amateur riders, including one man who had never cycled before, the DMS team set their goal at completing RAAM and winning the race. The race was brutal as the team pedaled through extreme weather including record-breaking, oppressive heat in Arizona and tornadoes, hail, rain and heavy winds in Indiana and Ohio. In the end, the DMS team claimed victory, beating much more seasoned and experienced teams. Joe Marinucci, DMS CEO, had the following to say: "I was so very proud to be a part of this great experience. Each member of the team, crew and riders alike, came together and gave everything they had to win this race in support of a great cause. In the end it came down to our two best riders pushing their limits and leaving it all out on the road over the last 20 miles to pull out the victory. It was truly amazing to watch."

The DMS RAAM team was comprised of the following individuals: Joe Marinucci, chief executive officer of DMS; Fernando Borghese, chief operational officer of DMS; Joseph LeBaron, vice president of product at DMS; Andrew Kalley, a personal trainer endurance coach; Luke Tuddenham, vice president of CPT Global; Dave Notolli, group planning director at Crispin Porter + Bogusky; and Dave Bentley, an infrastructure professional. They were supported by their crew chief Ted Kennedy, from CEO Challenges & Lifetime Fitness. The following crew members augmented the team: Anders Mavis, Davis Fogerty, David Friedlander, Nick Reiter, Scott Kennedy, Maxx Rivera, Jacob Freese, and Bobby Hills.