Millburn-based New Frontier celebrates its 200th free small business website launch in partnership with NJEDA, helping New Jersey storefronts grow online through the StoreFront Project.

Marketing agency New Frontier has hit a major milestone, celebrating the launch of its 200th New Jersey small business website through the StoreFront Project, a collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). The program provides free websites, e-commerce tools, and digital marketing support to qualifying storefront businesses.

To mark the achievement, New Frontier handed out 200 ice creams at Cranford’s Vanilla Bean Creamery during National Night Out, inviting local community members, business owners, and program participants to join in.

“What began as a local initiative has flourished to produce a statewide impact,” said David Sorkin, President of New Frontier. “Partnering with the NJEDA allows us to scale our mission—helping small businesses thrive online by launching over 200 websites in less than two years.”

One of those businesses, Tiffany Pinero Style Company, credited the program with boosting sales:

“They did our website for free with a state grant, and it’s a perfect representation of our store. Our sales went up immediately,” said Tiffany Pinero.

About the StoreFront Project

The NJEDA Small Business E-Commerce Support program—delivered through New Frontier—aims to help brick-and-mortar businesses compete in a digital-first economy by offering:

• Custom website development at no cost

• E-commerce integration to drive online sales

• Digital marketing support to boost visibility and engagement

Eligibility: Open to New Jersey storefront businesses meeting NJEDA program requirements.

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Creating a believable AI avatar used to be a chore—think hours of video recording, tedious data uploads, and complex training processes. Pollo AI, an all-in-one AI video and image creation platform, says that era is officially over with the launch of its next-generation AI avatar generator.

Now, users can transform any image into a custom, speaking AI avatar in minutes. No pre-training. No pre-recorded footage. Just upload an image, add your script or audio, and the platform handles the rest—producing avatars that talk, gesture, and emote with uncanny realism.

“The need for pre-recorded videos or pre-training data is a thing of the past,” said Janet Smith, Pollo AI’s team leader. “We’re now in a new era of instant, effortless avatar creation.”

Longer Videos, More Realism

While many avatar tools top out at 30-second clips, Pollo AI pushes the limit with videos up to two minutes—complete with near-perfect lip sync, expressive facial movement, and even realistic hand gestures.

That opens the door to richer storytelling, whether it’s AI-powered explainer videos, product promotions, educational content, or even quirky formats like “AI baby podcasts” and talking pet videos.

Versatility for Creators and Brands

Pollo AI lets users choose from a library of pre-made avatars or craft entirely custom ones. Voiceovers can be generated with the platform’s natural-sounding AI or uploaded directly by the user. The tool also supports fine-tuning of speech pacing, emotion, and performance style—making it as suitable for polished brand campaigns as it is for creative social media projects.

The result is faster, more cost-efficient production without high-end video equipment or professional actors—potentially cutting production time from days to minutes.

Smith sums it up simply: “Just upload your image, input your script or audio, and you can start sharing realistic and relatable AI avatar videos that connect with audiences and maximize ROI.”

Xole AI Unleashes Advanced Inpaint and Image-to-Prompt Tools, Igniting User Surge

AI-powered creativity just got a major upgrade.
Xole AI, an emerging heavyweight in the AI image editing space, has rolled out two new features—AI Inpaint and Image to Prompt—that are already shaking up digital creative workflows. The update, released just last week, is drawing serious attentaion from content creators, marketers, and designers for its blend of pro-grade functionality and plug-and-play usability.

The AI Inpaint tool lets users effortlessly remove, replace, or add image elements with pinpoint precision—no Photoshop skills required. Meanwhile, Image to Prompt allows creatives to extract detailed text prompts from existing images, creating an efficient bridge between visual inspiration and AI-driven content ideation.

“The response has been overwhelming,” said Katherine Lawrence, Marketing Manager at Xole AI. “Users are discovering how these capabilities can transform their creative processes in ways we hadn’t even anticipated.”

Turning Complexity Into One-Click Simplicity

Xole AI’s latest tools aren’t just smart—they’re accessible. The AI Inpaint feature taps into state-of-the-art machine learning to understand the visual context of an image and apply seamless edits. Whether you're deleting unwanted objects, changing backgrounds, or integrating brand elements, the results are clean, consistent, and nearly indistinguishable from professional manual edits.

This is particularly valuable in high-speed environments like e-commerce, social media marketing, and campaign management, where content needs to be updated across platforms, formats, and audiences at breakneck pace.

Use Cases Include:

• E-commerce: Remove or adjust product backgrounds for cleaner listings

• Social media: Tweak visuals to match diverse platform specs

• Marketing: Integrate logos or CTAs without returning to the design team

• Photography: Edit out distractions or photobombers in personal shots

Reverse-Engineering Inspiration

The Image to Prompt feature answers a growing need in the generative AI space: how do you describe a great image to create something similar? This tool breaks down images into rich, text-based prompts that can be fed into other AI art generators or used to develop design briefs, marketing strategies, or creative moodboards.

Think of it as a translator between vision and language—one that doesn’t require a creative director in the loop.

How It’s Being Used:

• Marketers use it to generate text-based creative briefs

• Designers reverse-engineer client-provided visuals

• AI artists feed it into DALL·E, Midjourney, or Firefly for ideation

• Content teams build strategies around proven visual concepts

What Sets Xole AI Apart

While many AI image platforms continue chasing flashy gimmicks, Xole AI is laser-focused on function and stability. Its tools aim to solve real-world workflow problems without bloating the interface or overwhelming users. This has led to a strong following in industries that demand speed and precision—from solo creators to marketing agencies.

“Our users consistently highlight the platform’s remarkable stability and simplicity,” Lawrence said. “These new features reflect both.”

Unlike some competitors that lean on a steep learning curve or pro-only interfaces, Xole AI lowers the barrier for high-quality output. The platform also backs its tools with robust documentation, tutorials, and community support, ensuring even non-designers can jump in and get results quickly.

Strong Backend, Stronger Vision

It’s not just what Xole AI is building—it’s how they’re building it. The London-based team has made major backend infrastructure upgrades to ensure that its new features scale under increasing user demand. Early adopters report fast processing times and minimal latency, even with high-res files.

This backend investment reflects a broader mission: making advanced creative tools accessible without compromise. In a saturated market, that’s a bold bet—and one that’s paying off with soaring engagement metrics.

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GoFormz Unveils AI-Powered Form Builder That Builds Itself

If you’ve ever spent hours painstakingly crafting digital forms, GoFormz has some news you’ll want to hear. The company just launched its new AI-powered Form Builder, promising to transform tedious form creation into a near-instant, zero-headache process.

At its core, the tool allows users to upload a PDF—and that’s it. The AI takes over from there, automatically building a fully customizable digital form. No coding. No layout tweaking. No manual data field mapping. Whether you're building inspection checklists, work orders, or compliance-heavy documents, GoFormz says this tool can get your digital form up and running in seconds.

“Building forms has traditionally been a time-consuming process,” said Rob Brewster, CEO of GoFormz. “Our new AI Form Builder changes that.”

AI That Understands the Form Before You Do

What sets GoFormz apart isn’t just AI—it’s the marriage of AI with patented form-preservation tech. While most platforms force users to redesign forms from scratch or adopt rigid templates, GoFormz digitizes existing PDFs without altering the original layout. That means your branded headers, legal footers, and complex formatting remain intact.

The AI doesn’t just replicate form visuals—it identifies fields, maps them intelligently, and accelerates deployment, drastically cutting setup time and reducing dependence on technical teams. This combination positions GoFormz as arguably the fastest-to-deploy digital form solution on the market.

A Gap in the Market

Interestingly, while AI has been injected into everything from email writing to financial forecasting, form creation has remained largely untouched. GoFormz is among the first in its category to truly lean into AI—not just for automation, but for accessibility and scalability.

With no comparable tools offered by major form solution competitors yet, GoFormz’s AI Form Builder creates a strategic advantage. It enables companies—especially those in industries like construction, field services, and logistics—to modernize without disrupting operations or retraining staff on entirely new systems.

Implications for Digital Transformation

This launch comes at a pivotal moment. As businesses push harder on digital transformation—especially in hybrid and distributed work environments—the demand for streamlined, customizable, and user-friendly digital tools has skyrocketed. By removing the most painful bottleneck in workflow digitization, GoFormz gives organizations a tool that could rapidly improve operational agility and data collection accuracy.

Expect other platforms to follow suit—eventually. But for now, GoFormz is running the table in a space that’s long overdue for innovation.

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Guideline’s New Weekly Ad Spend Data Gives Investors a Real-Time Edge

In the race to spot ad market shifts before they hit earnings reports, speed just became a differentiator. Guideline, the media planning tech company known for its deep advertising data tools, has launched a significant upgrade to its ad spend product—delivering weekly ad spend data across top company tickers.

The new high-frequency dataset aims to close the information gap that investors have long struggled with in the volatile world of media and advertising.

“For investors, our high-frequency ad spend data reduces information lag,” said Joseph Berger, Managing Director of Capital Markets at Guideline. “Clients can now make investment decisions faster and with confidence.”

From Monthly Guesswork to Weekly Precision

Until now, investment professionals monitoring advertising-driven businesses had to rely on monthly or even quarterly indicators—making them reactive, not predictive. With weekly cadence, Guideline’s enhanced product provides near real-time visibility into ad market dynamics, both digital and traditional.

This is especially useful in tracking performance for companies like Google, Meta, Disney, Roku, and other media giants where ad revenue trends often signal broader economic shifts or category momentum.

What's in the Box?

The dataset includes:

• Weekly updates based on Guideline’s Ad Spend Pool, sourced from the six largest global agency holding companies and several major independents

• Historical data to establish baselines and detect deviations

• Forward-looking committed spend for forecasting and momentum tracking

• Coverage across publicly traded traditional and digital media companies

It’s not just an analytics upgrade—it’s market intelligence delivered in real time.

A Tool for the Data-Hungry Buy-Side

This release directly targets capital market clients, including hedge funds and institutional investors seeking early signals on ad spend performance before earnings season kicks in. Ad spend trends have become a leading indicator for revenue growth, and this product helps buy-side analysts get there first.

Guideline’s bet is clear: in a world where programmatic buying moves billions in milliseconds, investment research should no longer run on a 30-day delay.

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Events.com Acquires Summit, Aims to Globalize Elite Experiences and Expand the Experience Economy

In a bold move set to reshape the high-end experiential event space, Events.com has announced a strategic merger with Summit, the influential, invite-only events platform renowned for curating gatherings of the world’s most innovative thinkers, leaders, and creators. The merger is poised to scale Summit’s exclusive community model through Events.com’s technology ecosystem—amplifying both reach and impact.

Founded 17 years ago, Summit has long operated as a cultural cornerstone of the experience economy, bringing together business icons, artists, and disruptors in uniquely immersive settings. Past speakers and collaborators have included Richard Branson, Jane Goodall, Kendrick Lamar, and Jeff Bezos, just to name a few.

“We share a value system,” said Mitch Thrower, co-founder and CEO of Events.com. “Our team deeply honors what Summit has built—and we’re committed to making its global community even stronger.”

Summit Gets a Scalable Backbone

For Events.com, the merger is more than symbolic. It integrates Summit’s visionary curation with scalable event tech infrastructure, giving its global community the tools they’ve been missing—automation, sponsorship management, network tools, and data-driven insights—without compromising the soul of Summit’s intimate programming.

According to Jody Levy, Summit’s Global Director and outgoing CEO, the team spent months exploring potential partnerships before choosing Events.com for its alignment in integrity, innovation, and user-first design.

“This is not about dilution—it’s about evolution,” Levy said. “We chose Events.com because they treat people with care and share our commitment to expanding Summit’s purpose-driven vision.”

Leadership, Legacy, and What’s Next

The merger keeps Summit’s creative DNA intact. Founders Brett Leve, Jeff Rosenthal, and key leaders including Levy will remain onboard as strategic and creative directors, ensuring Summit retains its curatorial excellence and experiential edge.

Chris Stakich, formerly Chief Experience Officer at YPO and CEO of Rustic Pathways, will now lead Summit as CEO under Events.com. He’s joined by other Summit veterans like Perry DeCoveny (CXO), Langely McNeal (Chief Community Officer), and Hayden Geller (VP).

And Summit fans—mark your calendars. The iconic Summit at Sea is set to return in partnership with Virgin Voyages from April 23–26, 2026, signaling the kind of global, cross-platform experiences this merger aims to scale.

Why This Merger Matters

Summit was never just an event—it was a network of networks, birthing new communities, ventures, and creative collaborations. But without scalable tools and infrastructure, many members struggled to grow their own ecosystems.

Events.com steps in as the engine that can power future-forward gatherings at scale, providing access to technology that simplifies logistics while enhancing the human connection at the heart of these experiences.

“Summit leaders are running platforms, retreats, nonprofits, and events,” said Levy. “But they often lack the tools to manage their growth. That changes now.”

Bridging Vision with Infrastructure

The move positions Events.com as a serious player in the next generation of experiential technology, tapping into a lucrative niche of creators, leaders, and communities seeking high-impact moments powered by smarter systems.

While most event platforms cater to mass-market needs, this partnership sets a new standard: tailored, intimate, and transformative experiences—backed by enterprise-level technology and global ambition.

“Seventeen years ago, we started Summit to support a generation of entrepreneurs,” said co-founder Brett Leve. “Now, we’re expanding that impact exponentially.”

With both vision and infrastructure now aligned, Summit x Events.com is betting on the future of the experience economy—not just as entertainment, but as a catalyst for change, collaboration, and culture.

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BlytzPay Strengthens Fintech Partnership Play with New SVP Hire

In a strategic move to scale its partner ecosystem and drive growth, BlytzPay has appointed payments industry veteran Matt Marderness as Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Alliances.

Marderness brings over 20 years of experience in electronic payments and enterprise partnerships, most recently serving as Senior Director of Enterprise Sales at Solutions by Text, a text-based engagement platform for financial institutions and lenders. He also held senior roles at PayNearMe, Corpay, and Paymentus, where he helped expand market reach through product-aligned, customer-first strategies.

“BlytzPay is building something special—not just in terms of product, but how they engage the entire ecosystem,” said Marderness. “This role lets me double down on simplifying complexity with partners who care about creating seamless, human-centered experiences.”

As SVP, Marderness will lead BlytzPay’s efforts to deepen relationships with software platforms, channel partners, and strategic alliances. His focus: building joint value through collaborative go-to-market programs and accelerating adoption of BlytzPay’s collections management platform—designed to speed up payments and enhance borrower engagement.

Robyn Burkinshaw, BlytzPay’s Founder and CEO, highlighted Marderness’ mix of trust, humility, and execution. “Matt understands the real-world needs of organizations and how to deliver lasting outcomes. He’s the right person to evolve what partnership means in today’s fintech landscape.”

As BlytzPay continues to expand its impact across lenders and payment workflows, this appointment signals a serious push into scalable partnerships—a crucial lever in a competitive, API-driven fintech ecosystem.

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Search.com Launches AI Chat That Pays Users, Rewards Publishers, and Delivers for Brands

In an industry crowded with AI chat platforms chasing user engagement and monetization, Search.com is flipping the script. A division of Public Good, the company has unveiled a bold new generative AI search platform that’s free to use, offers cash rewards to consumers, shares revenue with publishers, and provides a clutter-free experience for brands.

While most AI chat services lock premium features behind paywalls, Search.com invites users to earn rather than spend. Through its cashback system and discount offers from premium brands, users can save money simply by interacting with the platform. For members of its paid subscription tier, the rewards are even more enticing—up to 10% cashback on purchases made through the platform.

“Our cashback approach not only democratizes AI search but also fosters stronger connections between consumers, publishers, and brands,” said Melissa Anderson, President of Public Good.

Turning Search Into a Profit Center for Publishers

Publishers—often on the losing end of modern search engine economics—stand to gain significantly. Instead of paying to embed search functionality, websites can now integrate Search.com’s AI engine and earn revenue in return. The model not only offers monetization but also ensures proper attribution for publisher content, countering the common criticism that AI platforms scrape data without value exchange.

“Publishers have gotten the short end of the stick, and we’re here to change that,” Anderson said. “We are passionate about how our publisher monetization solutions support journalism.”

A Clean Slate for Advertisers

Brands also benefit from this redesigned AI ecosystem. With more consumers turning to AI chat for advice, product suggestions, and service recommendations, Search.com creates a new advertising frontier—what the company calls “moments of motivation.”

In those moments, ads aren’t buried in clutter or competing for fragmented attention. Brands gain full visibility and exclusive engagement within Search.com’s AI chat interface, offering a 100% share of voice.

Accessible Across Platforms

Search.com’s platform is live on desktop and mobile devices, supporting both iOS and Android. The company says it’s committed to continuing its mission of redefining how people access information—and how value flows across the ecosystem.

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