augmented reality 21 May 2025
Circuit Cinema, an up-and-coming subscription video-on-demand platform, is set to release “Perspective,” a groundbreaking live-action sci-fi series filmed entirely in 360-degree virtual reality. Launching on May 23rd, this innovative series invites viewers to fully immerse themselves in a narrative that blurs the boundaries between dreams, reality, and media. With a compelling cast and visionary storytelling, "Perspective" signals a bold leap in the evolution of cinematic experiences.
Centers on a recursive multiverse, where reality, dreams, and television intertwine.
Explores critical themes such as:
Human perception and programming
Artificial intelligence and consciousness
The influence of media on identity and experience
Filmed using 360-degree 3D cameras to provide full spatial immersion.
Merges traditional live-action techniques with VR-first storytelling.
Offers viewers a dynamic experience where they can explore scenes from any angle.
Created by Charles Huddleston, who challenged cinematic norms to adapt narrative techniques for VR.
Production demanded innovation in every phase:
Minimal crew visibility due to all-encompassing camera angles
Attention to audience eye movement and orientation during editing
Purposeful scene design to reward viewer exploration
Premiering on May 23rd in the Circuit Cinema app for Meta Quest headsets—free to watch without subscription.
A cropped version for traditional screens will be available later this summer, expanding accessibility.
Starring Kenny Johnson, Michele Martin, John Tague, Andrew Sellon, Hari Williams, Nija Okoro, and Devin McGee.
“Perspective” isn’t just a series; it’s a pioneering step into the future of entertainment, where storytelling is no longer confined to frames or screens. Circuit Cinema’s commitment to immersive media through VR-native narratives positions it at the forefront of the MarTech-driven transformation of viewer engagement. With a strong ensemble cast, a visionary director, and a concept that challenges perceptions, “Perspective” is poised to reshape the way audiences experience science fiction.
entertainment 21 May 2025
Dennis Smith Entertainment has released two insightful guides aimed at redefining luxury event planning. Titled “How to Host a Show-Stopping Black-Tie Event” and “Top 5 Immersive Entertainment Principles for VIP Events,” these articles offer expert strategies for crafting memorable, high-end celebrations. Drawing from extensive industry experience, Dennis Smith emphasizes that effective entertainment should be integrated from the earliest planning stages to ensure cohesive, impactful experiences for discerning guests.
Focus on timeless elegance paired with modern innovation.
Align visual elements (decor, lighting) with entertainment themes for cohesive atmospheres.
Develop a clear event theme—examples include Art Deco, Monochrome, and Winter Frost.
Start with refined ambiance: use a pianist or string quartet during guest arrival and dinner.
Gradually introduce dynamic performances as the evening progresses to sustain energy.
Plan entertainment transitions strategically to match guest flow and maintain sophistication.
Establish a structured event timeline with built-in surprise elements.
Integrate performances with other key moments (toasts, speeches, meals).
Maintain engagement by creating momentum from beginning to end.
Design entertainment as an integrated element, not a standalone feature.
Create narrative flow—each act or performance should build upon the last.
Incorporate tasteful surprises to delight and captivate guests.
Personalization is critical—VIPs respond to tailored, exclusive experiences.
Consider spatial design: entertainment should enhance and flow with the venue layout.
Case Study: St. Regis Atlanta’s 15th Anniversary showed successful layering of performances to evolve the evening’s atmosphere.
Appeal to guests’ senses and emotions through music, lighting, and space.
Ensure seamless integration of performance elements with visual and thematic design.
Reinforce sophistication without compromising guest energy or engagement.
Dennis Smith Entertainment’s latest articles present a holistic approach to luxury event planning where entertainment is essential, not optional. Whether orchestrating a formal black-tie gala or an exclusive VIP experience, planners are encouraged to integrate performances with intentionality focusing on flow, space, and personalization. By balancing timeless traditions with modern immersive elements, these guides offer a blueprint for creating high-end celebrations that feel both elegant and unforgettable.
digital transformation 20 May 2025
EverDriven, a leader in Alternative Student Transportation, is entering a new phase of growth and innovation. The company recently announced the addition of two technology and marketing leaders Mon-Chaio Lo as Chief Product and Technology Officer and Courtney Pallotta as Chief Marketing Officer. Their appointments mark a strategic move to amplify EverDriven’s mission-driven impact and national expansion, as the demand for flexible, tech-powered student transportation solutions continues to grow.
Brings over 20 years of experience in engineering leadership from companies such as Microsoft, Uber, and Meta.
Known for scaling user-centric platforms that merge advanced technology with real-world utility.
Has guided product development through startup environments and major tech organizations alike.
At EverDriven, Lo will lead AI-based technology development to:
Optimize routes intelligently.
Enable predictive scheduling.
Monitor real-time fleet health.
Track students dynamically.
Integrate seamlessly with school district systems.
His vision focuses on building scalable, adaptable platforms to meet both current and future transportation needs.
Brings 25 years of experience in marketing leadership across tech firms including IBM, Netezza, Reprise, and ClearSky Data.
Has led successful IPOs, acquisitions, and category launches across enterprise tech.
Will oversee EverDriven’s marketing strategy and growth initiatives to:
Deepen engagement with school districts.
Expand brand visibility and mission impact.
Increase the reach of EverDriven’s services to underserved communities.
Merges expertise in technology marketing with a personal passion for expanding educational access.
EverDriven has doubled its operating states to 35 in the last five years.
The company transports over 21,000 students daily using a tech-driven, scalable model.
Their approach ensures transportation that is:
Safe and compliant.
Real-time adaptable.
Equitable for students regardless of their geographic or socio-economic conditions.
A real-time, AI-powered platform enables:
Flexibility to meet shifting demands.
High service levels across districts.
Integration of safety and compliance into core operations.
Focus on modernizing transportation for students with complex needs and limited access.
Emphasizes the strategic timing of these appointments as EverDriven scales nationally.
Highlights the combination of “high-touch service” and “industry-leading technology” that defines the company’s approach.
Believes that the combined leadership of Lo and Pallotta will drive innovation and community impact.
Lo: Envisions a future where AI enhances safety, efficiency, and adaptability in student transport.
Pallotta: Sees EverDriven’s mission as aligned with her goal of advancing education through meaningful tech-driven strategies.
EverDriven is at a transformative crossroads. By welcoming top-tier technology and marketing executives, the company is poised to scale its mission of delivering safe, reliable, and equitable student transportation. With cutting-edge AI tools and a renewed marketing focus, EverDriven is setting the standard for the future of student mobility—where technology meets mission to drive nationwide impact.
cybersecurity 20 May 2025
As artificial intelligence continues to blur the line between real and fake, online scams have become increasingly sophisticated and widespread. In response, cybersecurity leader McAfee has launched Keep it Real, a bold awareness campaign designed to highlight the rise of AI-driven scams while working to dismantle the culture of shame that often surrounds scam victims. Through a mix of creative digital ads and real-life scam survivor stories, McAfee is turning education into engagement and empathy into empowerment.
McAfee partnered with creative agency VSA Partners to craft a series of surreal, AI-generated digital ads.
These ads mimic the subtle yet unsettling nature of scams, making viewers question what’s real and what’s manipulated.
Notable ad examples include:
A woman relaxing on a beach whose head rotates unnaturally—sparking confusion and discussion online.
Thematic ads such as “Travel,” “Weight Loss,” and “Tolls” highlighting common scam vectors.
Objective: Create an emotional and cognitive response that mirrors the uncertainty users feel when encountering AI-generated scams.
“The ads are clearly artificial—but that’s intentional,” said Anne-Marie Rosser, CEO of VSA Partners. “That moment of confusion reflects what people experience online today.”
Coinciding with the campaign, McAfee released the Scam Detector, an AI-powered tool.
It automatically identifies scams across:
Text messages
Emails
Video content
The tool is aimed at giving users greater control, confidence, and security in their digital interactions.
The Scam Stories series features real accounts from scam victims who share their experiences to raise awareness.
Focus: Destigmatize getting scammed and encourage open dialogue.
Shared on social media using hashtags #KeepItReal and #MyScamStory.
Early contributors include public figures like Chris Carmack and Erin Slaver, who discussed their own experiences with fraud.
“This campaign helps shift the narrative from shame to understanding. Anyone can be fooled,” said Stephanie Fried, McAfee CMO.
Initial campaign metrics show:
50% increase in social engagement over benchmarks.
55% higher click-through rates (CTR) compared to similar campaigns.
Indicates strong public interest and a growing appetite for honest, educational digital experiences.
McAfee teamed up with FightCybercrime.org, a nonprofit focused on scam education and victim support.
Contributions include:
$50,000 worth of online protection services donated to scam survivors and volunteers.
Educational content and awareness resources co-developed with the organization.
To amplify its reach, McAfee enlisted influencers to create relatable, informative content:
Alexandra Madison (@alexandramadisonn)
Theo Shakes (@theo_shakes)
Kristen Knutson (@callmekristenmarie)
These collaborations focus on simplifying complex cybersecurity topics and spreading awareness through authentic storytelling.
With “Keep it Real,” McAfee is leading a much-needed shift in how society addresses online scams. By combining the power of artificial intelligence, creative media, and authentic human stories, the campaign not only educates but also empowers users to navigate the digital world more safely. The initiative exemplifies how technology and empathy, when blended effectively, can raise awareness, foster connection, and spark meaningful action in the fight against cybercrime.
customer engagement 20 May 2025
In a major step toward redefining how enterprise brands activate customer data, MessageGears, a leading data activation and engagement platform, has officially been named a Validated Partner of Databricks, the prominent data and AI company. This new partnership introduces a native integration between MessageGears and the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform, giving marketing teams direct, secure, and immediate access to their entire enterprise datasets without the need for data syncing, duplication, or movement.
This collaboration establishes a new paradigm in data-native marketing, offering unmatched speed, control, and flexibility in building highly personalized, cross-channel campaigns at scale.
The integration provides native connectivity to Databricks’ live enterprise datasets.
Marketers can query and activate data directly from their Databricks instance, ensuring:
No latency
No duplicated datasets
No data discrepancies
Eliminates the need for slow, error-prone syncing processes traditionally required by external marketing platforms.
“With a fully native Databricks connection, teams can work with more of their data in more complex ways—without compromising speed, security, or control.”
– Caroline Nash, Senior Director of Partnerships, MessageGears
Databricks’ open lakehouse architecture merges data, governance, and AI into a single, scalable platform.
MessageGears leverages this foundation to give brands a full view of the customer (Customer 360).
The result is more data-driven, relevant, and real-time experiences across all digital touchpoints.
MessageGears allows enterprise brands to adopt only the needed components, including:
Audience building and segmentation
Real-time APIs
Native messaging (email, SMS, push, in-app, web)
The platform can be used as an audience builder, an ESP, or both, depending on the brand’s existing tech stack.
This flexibility helps enterprise marketing teams avoid costly, large-scale platform migrations.
Marketers can execute dynamic, real-time personalization at scale using MessageGears.
Engagement is powered by:
Direct connections to live Databricks data
Enriched, profile-level insights
Support for billions of events processed with microsecond latency
Enables brands to meet customers in the moment with hyper-relevant messaging across any channel.
The partnership reflects a shared vision between the two companies:
MessageGears: Specialized in warehouse-native customer engagement.
Databricks: Experts in unified data, governance, and AI-driven intelligence.
Together, they help brands design secure, efficient, and scalable cross-channel campaigns that drive deeper customer connections.
“We’ve been impressed by MessageGears’ innovative approach to consumer data activation and how they help enterprises gain a full view of the customer.”
– Ariel Amster, Director, Strategic Technology Partners, Databricks
The MessageGears and Databricks partnership is a landmark move in the evolution of enterprise marketing. By removing barriers to data access, reducing duplication, and enabling real-time activation, this integration empowers marketing teams to deliver faster, smarter, and more secure customer experiences. In an age where consumer engagement hinges on speed, relevance, and data trust, this collaboration delivers exactly what enterprise brands need to stay competitive.
As consumer expectations rise, this partnership sets a new benchmark for what modern marketing technology should look like—modular, data-native, and real-time.
sales 20 May 2025
Forrester, a global leader in market research and advisory, has officially announced the call for nominations for its 2025 B2B Return On Integration (ROI) Honors and B2B Programs Of The Year (POY) Awards across the Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions.
These prestigious awards recognize B2B organizations that exemplify cross-functional excellence and alignment across marketing, sales, and product teams — the core components of a successful revenue engine. The awards are open to companies of all sizes, provided their programs are designed and implemented by APAC or EMEA-based teams.
Let’s explore the nomination criteria, submission timelines, and key benefits of being recognized at the Forrester B2B Summit 2025.
This category acknowledges organizations that have:
Demonstrated strong alignment across marketing, sales, and product functions.
Improved customer value, business performance, and revenue growth.
Implemented shared or interlocked go-to-market processes supported by technology.
Adopted data-driven collaboration practices that span traditionally siloed departments.
Ideal nominees will showcase how internal synergy has helped them optimize the customer journey and increase the value delivered across all touchpoints.
This category celebrates functional excellence within specific departments. Programs may include:
Demand generation and account-based marketing (ABM)
Partner marketing ecosystems
Portfolio marketing and product management
Marketing operations and sales enablement
Customer engagement strategies
To qualify, organizations must present a modern, customer-centric strategy or initiative that has materially contributed to business growth. This includes:
Strategic planning based on customer insights
Use of analytics and martech to drive decision-making
Demonstrated revenue impact from implemented programs
The awards are open to B2B organizations of all sizes based in APAC or EMEA. Key decision-makers and leaders encouraged to apply include:
Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs)
Chief Sales Officers (CSOs)
Chief Product Officers (CPOs)
Departmental Heads and Program Leaders in marketing, sales, and product teams
To be eligible, programs must be conceived and executed by teams in the respective regions.
Nomination Deadline: July 14, 2025
Recognition Event: Forrester B2B Summit EMEA, London & online
Dates: October 6–8, 2025
More Info: [Visit here to submit nominations and view criteria]
Nomination Deadline: August 14, 2025
Recognition Event: Forrester B2B Summit APAC, Singapore & online
Date: November 6, 2025
More Info: [Visit here to submit nominations and view criteria]
“Achieving alignment is not just a strategic advantage; it’s a necessity for delivering unmatched customer experiences and navigating dynamic buyer expectations.”
— Paul Ferron, VP and Research Director, Forrester
Winning these awards offers a number of strategic benefits:
Public recognition from a leading global research firm
Validation of your team’s cross-functional excellence
A competitive edge in employer branding and industry visibility
Opportunities to showcase thought leadership at high-profile B2B events
As B2B ecosystems grow more complex and customer expectations continue to evolve, alignment between marketing, sales, and product is no longer optional — it’s foundational. Forrester’s 2025 B2B ROI Honors and POY Awards spotlight companies that are setting a new standard in functional collaboration and customer-focused growth.
Whether you’re pioneering ABM, transforming sales processes, or modernizing product marketing, this is your chance to gain recognition for innovation and impact at a regional and global level.
Submit your nomination by the deadline — and let your success story inspire the future of B2B excellence.
artificial intelligence 20 May 2025
As brands and agencies face increasing pressure in Q2 2025 to deliver results under tighter budgets and greater accountability, AUDIENCEX is stepping up with a bold response. The performance marketing agency has launched three transformative technologies designed to give marketers a competitive edge through next-gen AI, data science, and predictive analytics.
These innovations include:
Admatx, a next-generation self-serve DSP
PriceFix, a guaranteed CPA solution across channels
AXi Simulator, a predictive intelligence tool powered by agentic AI
Together, they represent a strategic pivot toward intelligent automation, setting a new industry standard for media buying, cross-channel performance, and go-to-market decision-making.
AUDIENCEX’s proprietary DSP, Admatx, gives brands and agencies full control of their omnichannel advertising with transparency and efficiency at its core.
Features:
Kokai Integration with The Trade Desk:
Admatx now connects with The Trade Desk’s Kokai infrastructure, offering advanced AI optimization, contextual insights, and dynamic bidding capabilities.
Omnichannel Execution:
Advertisers can plan and launch campaigns across CTV, video, display, native, and audio, all within a unified platform.
AI-Powered Optimization:
Real-time data processing and decisioning help marketers allocate media spend more effectively and dynamically adapt strategies based on evolving performance metrics.
What This Means for Marketers:
Real-time responsiveness, smarter budget allocation, and significantly enhanced campaign transparency in one streamlined platform.
At a time when financial predictability is paramount, PriceFix offers what many have long desired: performance certainty across every ad dollar spent.
Features:
Fixed CPA Model:
Using advanced predictive modeling, AUDIENCEX assumes the risk and guarantees CPA targets, regardless of campaign scale or channel mix.
Real-Time Optimization:
Margin modeling, CRM integration, and historical campaign benchmarks are used to drive real-time adjustments and maximize ROI.
Full-Service Support:
Clients benefit from end-to-end execution with strategic onboarding and quarterly performance reviews to track and improve outcomes.
What This Means for Marketers:
Reduced risk, optimized budgets, and predictable results that allow for confident scaling of digital efforts.
Part of the expanded AXi suite, the AXi Simulator introduces a new standard in pre-launch planning through AI-driven simulations of audience behavior.
Key Features:
AI-Generated Personas:
Built from psychographic, behavioral, and cultural datasets, synthetic personas simulate human responses to test messaging, audience fit, and product resonance.
Accelerated Go-to-Market Timelines:
Cuts traditional validation cycles from 8 weeks to just 12 days, slashing research costs by up to 75%.
Risk & Resonance Detection:
Helps marketers identify cultural mismatches, message fatigue, and brand alignment issues before campaigns go live.
What This Means for Marketers:
Faster launches, smarter targeting, and more confident decision-making backed by pre-validated data insights.
According to Jason Wulfsohn, Co-Founder of AUDIENCEX:
“As the media landscape grows more complex, we’re delivering tools that don’t just adapt to change—they anticipate it.”
This suite of innovations represents not just a product launch but a broader strategic evolution. AUDIENCEX is building a future where:
Decision-making is data-informed and AI-driven
Performance is predictable, not probabilistic
Marketing workflows are streamlined for agility and scale
The company’s investment in AI and predictive technologies echoes a larger shift in the industry, one that rewards operational intelligence over guesswork and speed over legacy process.
Brittany Wray, VP of Product and Technology at AUDIENCEX, reinforces this transformation:
“By streamlining workflows, enhancing real-time market responsiveness, and automating complex decision-making processes, AUDIENCEX is helping its agency and brand clients scale faster, reduce waste, and consistently outperform legacy approaches.”
In an economic climate defined by volatility and demand for accountability, AUDIENCEX is reshaping performance marketing with a tech stack purpose-built for the future. From guaranteed CPA outcomes to AI-simulated campaign planning, the company is arming marketers with the intelligence and tools they need to thrive—not just survive—in Q2 and beyond.
With every product designed to reduce risk, accelerate results, and unlock smarter spend, AUDIENCEX’s platform is a blueprint for resilient, future-ready marketing. Brands and agencies that embrace this innovation today will be best positioned to lead tomorrow.
artificial intelligence 20 May 2025
The name Napster is back and not just as a nostalgic callback to the early 2000s file-sharing revolution. Infinite Reality™, a leader in immersive digital services, has officially rebranded as Napster Corporation. With this bold move, the company is launching a transformative new AI division Napster AI along with its flagship product: Napster Spaces.
This rebrand represents more than a change in name; it's a clear strategic shift to capitalize on the booming market of agentic AI, projected to grow from $5.2 billion in 2024 to nearly $200 billion by 2034. By merging immersive web experiences with real-time, intelligent AI video agents, Napster Corp is signaling its intent to lead the charge into the next era of interactive digital engagement.
Napster Corp revives the iconic Napster brand, associating its new tech-driven vision with digital disruption and cultural relevance.
The rebranding consolidates Infinite Reality’s assets (Thunder Studios, iR Studio, Talent X, and others) under a single, unified identity.
The brand identity shift aligns with Napster’s strategic focus on AI, immersive web, and dynamic commerce solutions.
Napster AI will serve as the company’s dedicated division for AI-powered products and services.
This move positions Napster Corp to capitalize on rapid market growth in agentic AI, expected to increase 43.8% annually.
Napster AI aims to humanize digital interactions by merging AI capabilities with natural human-like behavior and voice-video communication.
Napster Spaces turns static websites into intelligent, real-time experiences through generative AI video chat agents.
These agents can act as concierges, sales reps, or customer support—embedded directly into web pages or served as standalone microsites.
Powered by Touchcast’s technology (soon to be acquired by Napster Corp in a $500M deal), it enables zero-code deployment in minutes.
One-click deployment: Users can launch their AI-powered Space without any coding.
Multimodal AI agents: Each agent understands and communicates using text, video, audio, and visuals, adapting to the context in real-time.
Three deployment options: Full Page, Embed, or Agent-Only widgets allow complete flexibility in how AI is integrated.
Multilingual and personalized: Conversations happen in multiple languages, customized to brand tone and customer context.
Customer Support: AI agents offer instant answers, reducing the need for human reps during off-hours or high-volume periods.
Sales Enablement: AI agents guide prospects through product features, benefits, and purchase options in real time.
Training and Onboarding: Internal teams can receive hands-on training with personalized AI coaches embedded on portals or LMS platforms.
Entertainment & Fan Engagement: Brands in sports, music, or streaming can create interactive experiences for fans, powered by familiar avatars or characters.
Free beta trial includes 500 minutes of AI video chat.
The Starter Plan offers 50 hours/month at $49—significantly more affordable than competitors charging ~$10/hour.
The tiered pricing makes Napster Spaces accessible to startups and SMBs, not just enterprise customers.
Touchcast’s generative AI tech + Infinite Reality’s immersive tools + Thunder Studio’s production capabilities = a comprehensive media-tech ecosystem.
Napster Corp is uniquely positioned to offer a full-stack platform blending web3, spatial computing, and AI-driven engagement.
Consolidating brands under Napster aims to boost cross-functional synergy, unify branding, and create exponential value.
With its rebranding to Napster Corp and the launch of Napster AI and Napster Spaces, the company is boldly redefining what digital interaction looks like. It’s not just about adapting to the agentic AI trend—Napster Corp is intent on shaping it.
From enabling real-time, embodied AI interactions on the web, to merging immersive content with predictive intelligence, Napster is back—and it's more than a name. It’s a vision for an intelligent, dynamic, and humanized web, built for the future of commerce, media, and customer engagement. Brands and agencies that want to future-proof their digital strategy should pay close attention: the new Napster is here to disrupt again.
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Infobip at 20: Agentic AI Signals Next Era of CX
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