Aditude, the ad tech company known for its focus on publisher-first solutions, just made a major leadership move: the appointment of Anthony Gonsalves as its first Chief Revenue Officer (CRO).

Gonsalves, a digital media veteran with more than 20 years of experience, joins Aditude from JWP Connatix, where he served as SVP of Global Business Development. He has also held senior leadership roles at Outbrain and Swisscom, sharpening his expertise in scaling revenue, building partnerships, and navigating the increasingly complex ad ecosystem.

For Aditude, the hire signals more than just a new C-suite title—it’s a play for aggressive growth in a market where competition for publishers and advertisers is fierce. As programmatic advertising consolidates, companies like Aditude are betting on specialized leadership to stand out.

“Anthony brings exactly the kind of strategic vision and execution expertise we need as we enter our next phase of growth,” said Jared, Aditude’s CEO and founder. “His understanding of the digital media landscape and ability to scale sales organizations makes him the ideal leader for our commercial strategy.”

In his new role, Gonsalves will oversee all revenue-generating operations, including sales, partnerships, and marketing, with a mandate to expand Aditude’s reach and sharpen its go-to-market strategy. His journalism background (Penn State) also underscores his media-savvy approach to storytelling—a skill increasingly relevant in an industry where brand trust is as valuable as revenue streams.

Industry Context:
The CRO role has become a fixture in ad tech and martech firms as companies push to unify sales, partnerships, and marketing under one revenue-focused strategy. Rivals such as The Trade Desk and PubMatic have similarly leaned on executive hires to scale global operations and keep pace with evolving privacy rules, shifting ad spend, and growing publisher demands for transparency.

For Aditude, this appointment could mark the beginning of a more aggressive push into the competitive video and programmatic landscape—areas where Gonsalves has already proved his chops.

“Joining Aditude at this pivotal moment is incredibly exciting,” Gonsalves said. “The foundation is strong, and I’m eager to unlock new opportunities, strengthen our market position, and deliver exceptional value for clients and partners.”

With Gonsalves at the revenue helm, Aditude is clearly signaling it wants to play a bigger role in shaping the future of digital advertising.

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When loyalty programs first emerged, they were little more than punch cards and frequent-flyer miles. Today, they’re multimillion-dollar ecosystems driving customer retention, brand differentiation, and data-driven marketing. Now, two industry heavyweights—Ascendant Loyalty (Chicago) and The Loyalty People (London)—are teaming up to expand their reach and sharpen their edge in a space that’s becoming increasingly competitive.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just another handshake across the Atlantic. The partnership effectively merges Big 4-level consulting discipline with boots-on-the-ground expertise in EMEA markets, creating a consulting network with global coverage spanning North America, Europe, APAC, and beyond. For brands struggling to scale loyalty and CRM programs across regions, this collaboration could be the difference between fragmented execution and seamless customer experience.

The Partnership in Detail

Ascendant Loyalty has built its reputation in North America and APAC by delivering loyalty and retention strategies with the precision you’d expect from ex-Big 4 consultants. The Loyalty People, meanwhile, carved out its niche in Europe with a network of senior consultants and a knack for market-specific CRM insights.

Together, they promise:

• Cross-market reach: A unified consulting model spanning EMEA, North America, and APAC.

• Depth of expertise: Combining strategic frameworks with hands-on program design.

• Industry range: From retail and travel to hospitality and e-commerce, sectors where loyalty is a direct driver of revenue.

As David Slavick, Co-founder at Ascendant Loyalty, put it: “With The Loyalty People’s deep network and market insight in EMEA, we’re extending our footprint and elevating the impact we can deliver for brands across the globe.”

The Bigger Picture

The timing isn’t accidental. Loyalty programs are enjoying a resurgence as inflation-weary consumers demand more value and as brands look for first-party data in a post-cookie world. According to market analysts, loyalty tech spend is on track to grow steadily through 2030, fueled by AI-powered personalization, integrated CRM systems, and the rise of subscription-based loyalty models (think Amazon Prime as the gold standard).

Against this backdrop, partnerships like Ascendant–TLP signal a broader trend: consulting firms are moving fast to globalize expertise, consolidate resources, and prepare for brands that want loyalty programs to scale across multiple continents without losing local nuance.

Who Stands to Gain?

• Retail brands can expect sharper CRM strategies that reduce churn and increase basket size.

• Travel and hospitality firms—still recovering post-pandemic—get a chance to reignite loyalty through personalized offers and dynamic tiers.

• E-commerce platforms will benefit from best practices on retention in an environment where acquisition costs keep rising.

As Pete Howroyd, Founder of The Loyalty People, summed it up: “We’re stronger together – combining regional expertise, proven methodologies, and a network of senior consultants to deliver even greater results.”

Competitive Landscape

This move also places pressure on other consulting shops operating in the loyalty and CRM niche. Firms like Capgemini, Accenture Interactive, and boutique loyalty specialists will be watching closely. By formalizing a cross-continental alliance, Ascendant and TLP are positioning themselves as a leaner, more specialized alternative to the consulting giants.

The loyalty game has evolved. No longer about simply rewarding repeat customers, today’s programs must stitch together data, personalization, and seamless digital experiences. With this partnership, Ascendant Loyalty and The Loyalty People are betting that global scale plus specialized depth is the winning formula. Whether competitors—or clients—agree will be worth watching.

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The New Jersey Digital Marketing Conference (NJDMC) is back on October 23, 2025, and it’s aiming higher than ever. Set inside the iconic Bell Works campus in Holmdel, this year’s event promises to be more than just another industry meetup—it’s a full-on laboratory for the ideas, tools, and strategies shaping the future of digital marketing.

Hosted by dblspc, NJDMC 2025 blends the tactical with the visionary. Expect sessions where data meets storytelling, AI meets strategy, and speed meets meaningful impact.

A Speaker Lineup With Teeth

This year’s stage isn’t built for safe bets—it’s stacked with leaders who’ve disrupted industries and are ready to challenge assumptions:

• Chris O’Neill, CEO of GrowthLoop and former Google Canada MD, will tackle how to reimagine marketing organizations for an AI-first world.

• Suman Kanuganti, CEO of Personal AI and Forbes 40 Under 40 honoree, dives into personal language models as the next frontier in consumer engagement.

• Matthew O’Such, VP of Audience Development & SEO at Find.co (and ex-Getty Images SEO chief), joins an expert panel to explore how AI is rewriting the SEO playbook.

• Mark Beal, Rutgers professor, Gen Z researcher, and author, takes the mic as MC while breaking down how to win the loyalty of the next generation of consumers.

• More names will be announced as October draws closer.

The marketing landscape is changing at warp speed. AI tools are automating once-manual processes, SEO is no longer just about rankings, and personalization is evolving into hyper-individualization. NJDMC is positioning itself as the conference where these shifts aren’t just discussed—they’re deconstructed into playbooks attendees can use immediately.

Attendees Can Expect

• Actionable strategies for staying ahead in AI-driven marketing

• Frontline insights from leaders pushing the industry forward

• Networking with a cross-section of marketers, entrepreneurs, and innovators

• Inspiration from peers who aren’t just reacting to change but shaping it

As Chris Delany, CEO of dblspc, frames it: “The best marketers don’t just react to change, they help shape it. NJDMC isn’t about filling seats, it’s about sparking action.”

Beyond the Stage: Bell Works as a Backdrop

NJDMC isn’t just about sessions and panels—it’s about the setting. Bell Works, a modern reinvention of the historic Bell Labs building, is now a thriving hub of tech, retail, dining, and culture. Between talks, attendees can grab a slice at Corbo & Sons, treat themselves at Jersey Freeze, or venture to Pier Village in Long Branch for waterfront views. It’s not your average conference center—it’s a playground for networking, idea-sharing, and maybe even a little deal-making.

Industry conferences often risk blending into a blur of buzzwords and PowerPoint slides. NJDMC is carving out a different lane: one where AI-driven disruption, SEO’s evolution, and Gen Z consumer habits are front and center. With its curated mix of heavyweight speakers, an iconic venue, and a community that thrives on collaboration, the event feels less like a routine date on the calendar and more like a pulse check on where marketing is truly heading.

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AI marketing software firm Appier Group (TSE: 4180) delivered its strongest quarter yet, reporting record revenue, gross profit, and operating income in Q2 FY25. The results highlight not just robust topline growth but also the company’s ability to scale profitably while doubling down on Generative AI (GenAI) and agentic AI innovation.

Record-Setting Quarter

Appier’s revenue climbed to JPY 10.3 billion, a 27% YoY increase (35% on an FX-neutral basis), marking the highest year-over-year growth in eight quarters. Gross profit grew even faster, surging 38% YoY to JPY 5.8 billion, with gross margin hitting an all-time high of 56.1%.

Operating profit followed suit, soaring 130% YoY to JPY 806 million, lifting operating margin to 7.8% despite higher costs from the consolidation of AdCreative.ai, acquired last year. Core free cash flow also swung positive, reflecting stronger cash generation.

Global Strength, Local Wins

Appier’s momentum was broad-based:

• Northeast Asia (NEA): Up 35% YoY FX-neutral, powered by both client expansion and new acquisitions.

• US & EMEA: Even stronger at 48% YoY FX-neutral, boosted by vertical diversification and new product uptake.

Notably, 51% of incremental revenue came from existing clients, underscoring healthy retention, while new customers contributed 49%. Client base expanded 14% YoY, with Net Revenue Retention steady at 120% and ARPC up 12.6% YoY (FX-neutral).

AI at the Core

Appier attributes much of its margin expansion to GenAI integration across platforms, from creative generation to campaign execution. The company is also leaning into agentic AI—AI agents that operate autonomously and collaboratively across tasks.

“AI continues to be a powerful engine in driving efficiency, enabling us to achieve strong profitability goals,” said Chih-Han Yu, CEO and co-founder of Appier. “We are now embarking on our next transformation by integrating multi-AI agents across the full product suite and internal workflow, unlocking greater value for long-term growth.”

The Bigger Picture

Appier’s performance stands out against a backdrop where many AI and martech firms struggle to balance rapid growth with profitability. By combining product innovation, disciplined cost management, and global market expansion, the company is signaling that AI-driven efficiency can translate into real-world financial wins.

With record highs in nearly every key metric, Appier appears well-positioned to ride the global wave of AI adoption—particularly as enterprises seek solutions that blend creativity, automation, and ROI accountability.

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PR heavyweight 5WPR is doubling down on one of the hottest but trickiest frontiers in marketing: sports, gaming, and esports. The agency today rolled out its Integrated Sports & Gaming PR Suite, designed to help brands capture attention, spark fan loyalty, and navigate regulatory complexity in equal measure.

Why This Matters

The sports and gaming industries are a goldmine for brand visibility, whether it’s a stadium sponsorship, a high-profile tournament broadcast, or an in-game activation that blurs the line between play and promotion. But they’re also heavily regulated arenas, where missteps can mean legal headaches or damaged reputations.

That’s where 5WPR is planting its flag—offering clients the ability to go big on fan engagement while staying safely within compliance guardrails.

What’s in the Suite

The offering blends traditional PR savvy with digital-first strategy, pulling from 5WPR’s playbook in out-of-home (OOH) advertising, programmatic media buying, and paid social campaigns. It also layers in:

• Influencer engagement to tap into grassroots communities

• Search-optimized content to boost discoverability

• Social listening to track fan sentiment in real time

• High-impact media placements across sports and gaming outlets

The aim? To connect brands with fans both online and offline, while turning hype into measurable business outcomes.

Voices From the Top

“Sports and gaming brands today aren’t just selling tickets or downloads, they’re selling experiences, communities, and culture,” said Ronn Torossian, Founder & Chairman of 5WPR. “This suite is built to help clients break through noise, create meaningful fan moments, and see real business results.”

Industry Implications

The move comes as sports sponsorships and esports partnerships continue to attract major marketing spend, with brands increasingly leaning on agencies to navigate fragmented platforms, stricter advertising rules, and the blurred boundaries between digital fandom and real-world commerce.

By formalizing its Sports & Gaming PR Suite, 5WPR is signaling its intent to be a go-to partner for leagues, publishers, athlete brands, and sponsors that want scale and credibility without tripping compliance wires.

In sectors where the thrill of the game meets the scrutiny of regulators, 5WPR’s new suite offers brands both reach and reassurance. For an industry defined by fast-moving fans and evolving platforms, that could be a winning combination.

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Statara Solutions is redefining what influencer marketing success looks like. The data analytics and digital advertising firm has just been named “Best Influencer Marketing Platform” at the 8th annual MarTech Breakthrough Awards, a program that spotlights innovation across marketing, sales, and adtech.

The win underscores a shift in influencer marketing: away from vanity metrics like impressions and followers, and toward measurable outcomes tied directly to business and advocacy goals.

From Followers to Real Outcomes

Statara’s edge lies in its Website Identity Resolution Engine (WIRE) and Statara Media Platform, which let organizations track influencer content all the way to downstream actions—donations, petition signatures, event registrations, even policy engagement.

“Our clients don’t have the luxury of guessing what’s working—they need proof,” said Joe Goode, Chief Resource Officer at Statara Solutions. “Statara’s platform delivers real-time insights to identify the right influencers, optimize mid-campaign, and demonstrate the impact of every dollar spent.”

Beyond Awareness Campaigns

Unlike many consumer-focused influencer platforms, Statara is purpose-built for advocacy groups, nonprofits, corporations, and academic institutions. Its campaigns are designed to move audiences to act, not just watch.

Recent use cases include:

• Powering policy change efforts for political consulting firm Tusk Strategies

• Supporting values-driven campaigns through its partnership with Good Influence

Privacy is baked into the approach, too. The platform uses cookieless tracking, compliant data enrichment, and secure targeting, keeping campaigns effective without crossing regulatory lines.

Real-Time Intelligence

Statara’s tools span social media, programmatic ads, and digital audio, with near real-time reporting that helps campaign managers adjust creative, content, and channels on the fly. That adaptability has become essential as influencer budgets face greater scrutiny and ROI demands.

“A data-first approach to influencer marketing is missing from many legacy platforms,” noted Steve Johansson, Managing Director at MarTech Breakthrough. “By connecting the dots between content, audience, and outcomes, Statara helps organizations use influencer partnerships for measurable impact—not just awareness.”

Industry Context

The recognition comes as influencer marketing matures into a $20+ billion industry where B2B and advocacy players increasingly demand accountability. While big consumer platforms chase brand buzz, Statara is carving out a niche by offering the transparency and attribution that regulated industries, nonprofits, and mission-driven campaigns can’t live without.

With thousands of entries from more than 15 countries, the 2025 MarTech Breakthrough Awards spotlighted the growing demand for platforms that treat influencer marketing as a performance channel, not just a popularity contest. Statara’s win signals that the bar for results is officially rising.

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Cheil North America is rethinking the agency model. The Samsung-owned group today announced the launch of the Cheil Agency Network (CAN), a North American consortium uniting five of its independently operated shops into a flexible alternative to the traditional holding company structure.

The lineup includes McKinney (creative), Iris (creative), Attention Arc (media), CYLNDR Studios (production), and Barbarian (digital and tech). Together, they span 10 offices across the U.S. and Canada, with 750 employees and a client roster featuring brands like Samsung, Little Caesars, Popeyes, Bentley, and Citizen Watch.

A Middle Path Between Holding Companies and Boutiques

For years, the agency world has been caught between two extremes: global holding companies with sprawling, sometimes unwieldy infrastructures, and boutique agencies that bring speed but lack scale. Cheil is betting that CAN represents a “just right” model.

Instead of centralizing power, CAN will let each agency keep its own identity and specialty while tapping into shared resources like R&D and AI-powered production. Clients can engage a single agency, a mix of network agencies, or a custom team curated from across the consortium—something big holding companies often promise but rarely deliver smoothly.

Joe Maglio, CEO of McKinney and Barbarian, will take the helm as CEO of CAN. He’ll oversee each agency leader while orchestrating collaboration across the group. Supporting him is a lean leadership team built around an “asset-light” model—meaning fewer layers of bureaucracy and more subject-matter experts.

Why It Matters in 2025

The timing isn’t accidental. The advertising industry is in flux, with holding company mega-mergers and private equity takeovers reshaping the landscape. Meanwhile, marketers increasingly demand agility, transparency, and AI-savvy execution. CAN’s pitch is to deliver the intelligence and scale of a holding company with the nimbleness and senior talent of independents.

Maglio summed it up with a memorable metaphor: “The Cheil Agency Network is the Goldilocks of agency groups. We’re able to offer the intelligence and cross-discipline coordination of a holding company while still bringing clients the energy, flexibility, and high level of attention that make independent agencies shine.”

Implications for the Market

This move could put pressure on other mid-tier networks to rethink their structures. While rivals like WPP, Omnicom, and Publicis continue to consolidate and centralize, Cheil is effectively saying the future is about controlled decentralization—smaller teams with access to big resources.

If CAN works as promised, it could be a blueprint for how agencies evolve in the AI-driven, data-heavy marketing era—where speed, flexibility, and senior-level talent often matter more than sheer size.

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The marketing agency business is booming—valued at around $18 billion annually with more than 50,000 agencies serving SMBs in the U.S. alone—but its foundation is cracked. Agencies juggle a mess of disconnected tools for client management, reporting, and revenue growth, often at the cost of efficiency and scale.

Synup thinks it has the fix. The company has launched Synup OS, a full-stack operating system designed specifically for agencies. Unlike the patchwork of CRMs, review platforms, and workflow tools agencies currently rely on, Synup OS promises to unify everything—from lead generation to invoicing to upselling—under one roof.

Why It Matters

Agencies typically subscribe to anywhere from 12 to 31 separate tools just to keep the lights on. That’s not just costly, it’s inefficient. Synup’s bet is that consolidation not only cuts expenses but also delivers more predictable growth.

CEO Ashwin Ramesh, himself a former agency founder, puts it bluntly: “We’re not just offering another marketing tool, we’re providing a complete operating system that directly impacts the metrics that matter the most: new sales, retention, and the ability to delight customers.”

Inside the Platform

Synup OS packs in a set of features designed to address the pain points agencies complain about most:

• End-to-End Lifecycle Management: From prospecting to invoicing to upsells, all in one workflow.

• Client Data Platform: A unified source of truth for every customer interaction.

• Churn Prevention: Risk indicators that flag accounts in danger of leaving before it’s too late.

• All-in-One Marketing Suite: Listings, reviews, SEO reporting, social, and CRM.

• Automated Revenue Engine: Cross-sell and upsell journeys that run without human intervention.

• White-Label Everything: Dashboards, APIs, and embeds that agencies can fully brand as their own.

VP of Product Roshan Agarkar says Synup OS was built with a different philosophy: “We’ve reimagined every aspect of how agencies work with their clients. Agencies typically subscribe to dozens of tools—we’re bringing everything they need into one cohesive platform that actually improves results while keeping costs low.”

What sets Synup OS apart is its emphasis on business growth—not just marketing orchestration. Where many martech platforms offer white-label re-skins, Synup positions OS as a growth engine, promising agencies a shot at at least 10% more new clients in their first year.

That claim will be tested in the wild, but early adopters are already reporting measurable gains in efficiency and client satisfaction. Perhaps most critical, the platform’s predictive churn-prevention has proven valuable in a sector where agencies face a brutal 3–7% monthly churn rate.

If Synup’s promise holds, it could set a new standard in agency software: one login, one platform, one shot at sustainable growth.

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