NERUS Strategies Launches Self-Managed “Best Of” Contest Platform for Media Companies

Optimum Ballots gives newspapers, radio stations, and TV broadcasters a powerful MIY (Manage It Yourself) tool to run secure, brand-driven audience contests

Building on the success of its fully managed Optimum Contests solution, NERUS Strategies has launched Optimum Ballots — a self-managed contest platform designed specifically for media companies running “Best Of” competitions.

Designed for newspapers, radio stations, and television broadcasters, Optimum Ballots enables media outlets to easily create, launch, and manage secure, ad-friendly ballot driven contests without external coordination. With full control over branding, categories, and schedule, it’s a flexible solution for teams who want to engage their communities and drive advertiser value — on their own terms.

“Optimum Ballots was born out of demand from media clients who loved our fully managed contests but didn’t need help with direct sales, or how they produced results tabs - more hands-on control,” said Bill Cummings, President of NERUS Strategies. “It’s everything that makes Optimum Contests successful — just in a lightweight, self-managed format.”

Why Media Companies Are Choosing Optimum Ballots:

• Simplicity: The platform enables media partners to quickly launch contests and efficiently manage contestants through a user-friendly interface.

• Custom Branding: Each contest is fully branded to complement the media partner’s logos, colors, and messaging. Creative assets can also be developed by the NERUS team upon request.

• Category Flexibility: Voting rounds can be configured across a wide range of verticals, including food and drink, services, entertainment, and retail — offering complete flexibility for each market's unique needs.

• Security & Integrity: The platform features built-in fraud detection and vote limitation tools to safeguard against manipulation. All results are reviewed and certified by NERUS, ensuring fairness and transparency. 

• Market Exclusivity & Monetization: Contests are market-exclusive, with only one media company per designated area. Media partners can also drive revenue through premium digital placements and sponsorship opportunities offered to local advertisers. NERUS can also provide ad design services.

  
  

NERUS Strategies & the Evolution of Optimum Contests and Ballots

NERUS Strategies, a leader in community engagement programs, originally developed Optimum Contests as a fully managed service to help media partners run high-integrity, high-visibility “Best Of” campaigns. The company continues to provide a comprehensive, turnkey solution that includes contest management, strategic planning, marketing, pricing, product offerings, online sales portals, and a professional full-time sales team. This team is trained to sell the program directly into the market, while the curated results culminate in a full-color, printed magazine showcasing the winners.

In 2024, participation in Optimum Contests surged, with NERUS processing 25 million votes across 8.3 million ballots. The company worked with 180,000 businesses nationwide and presented 23,602 awards, marking a 33 percent increase in overall participation from the previous year. These figures underscore the strength of the program’s structure, its scalability, and its growing popularity among both media partners and their audiences.

With the rising demand for more flexible and independent solutions, NERUS has expanded its offerings to include Optimum Ballots. This new platform retains the credibility and professionalism of the original managed service but is designed for publishers and broadcasters who prefer to run contests in-house. Optimum Ballots provides the same reliable framework, enabling local media to take control of their contests while still upholding the standards that have made Optimum a trusted name in the industry.

About NERUS Strategies

Oregon based NERUS Strategies builds digital engagement platforms that strengthen relationships between media companies and their audience. From civic participation tools to audience engagement systems for media companies, NERUS helps newspapers and broadcasters activate trust, grow their audiences, and create measurable impact.

Product information visit www.optimumballots.com to learn more or start your contest today.