Russ Ptacek
Russ Ptacek (born Russell Ray Ptacek September 5, 1963 Great Bend, KS, US) is an American investigative journalist, ASMR researcher, documentary film maker, businessperson, social media and television personality. Ptacek is best known for his role as investigative reporter at "USA Today" Network, Tegna National Investigations, WUSA in Washington, D.C., KSHB in Kansas City, and WIBW in Topeka. In 2019, Ptacek began investigating the explosion of new media forms on YouTube which led to the creation of the ASMR Foundation, where he serves as director. What is ASMR? The current foundation definition of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response includes  soothing, satisfying and comforting emotional and/or physical responses to audio and/or visual triggers. Anecdotal and scientific studies indicate most people are ASMR responsive with many users reporting sleep, physical and emotional relief. Ptacek compares the ASMR feeling to “the way you would feel listening to the rain pitter patter down as you’re comfortable beneath your covers” and “as though there’s this strong hand giving me a massage pushing up and down my spine in a way that’s almost too much but is actually perfect.” The ASMR Foundation is focuses on the neurological draw of ASMR and how  it may manage anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and more. Ptacek is president of VNI Television and has traveled for VNI Television to more than 40 countries. Ptacek also founded NewsTV Corporation, (which he sold in 2001) to provide field producers, photographers and camera rentals to US network and international news organizations. Ptacek is a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors, National Press Club and National Press Photographers Association. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas. Awards. AP Awards, Emmy Awards, Edward R. Murrow Award