As the lines between entertainment, finance, and technology continue to blur, LiveOne is strategically evolving to stay ahead. The creator-first, music and entertainment platform has announced the appointment of Steve McClurg—a renowned figure in crypto, tokenization, and capital markets—as Chief Advisor. This move signals LiveOne’s commitment to pushing deeper into digital asset innovation, expanding podcast monetization, and bridging the gap between institutional finance and creator ecosystems.

1. Why Steve McClurg and Why Now?

• McClurg is the CEO of Canary Capital and a recognized authority in:

  • Blockchain and crypto innovation

  • Institutional financial strategy

  • Token-based business models

• His advisory role marks a strategic inflection point for LiveOne as it looks to:

  • Integrate digital asset technologies

  • Monetize podcast content using blockchain-based platforms

  • Appeal to institutional investors seeking innovative entertainment assets

2. CEO Vision: Scaling Creatorship Through Crypto

• Robert Ellin, Chairman and CEO of LiveOne, emphasized McClurg’s dual expertise:

“His track record in both traditional finance and crypto is unmatched... He’ll help us enter digital markets more aggressively.”

• McClurg will guide:

  • Development of new revenue models

  • Potential crypto-based creator incentive programs

  • Tokenization of podcast and music assets

3. Strategic Goals of the Appointment

• Digital Asset Innovation:

  • Exploring NFTs, creator tokens, and new monetization layers

  • Building infrastructure for transparent royalties and licensing

• Institutional Market Integration:

  • Structuring creator content as investable products

  • Attracting funding and partnerships from traditional capital markets

• Monetization of PodcastOne Assets:

  • Aligning monetization with blockchain for micro-transactions

  • Creating long-tail value from archived content

4. About LiveOne: A Creator-First Entertainment Powerhouse

• LiveOne’s ecosystem includes:

  • Slacker, PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC), PPVOne, LiveXLive, DayOne Music Publishing

  • Platforms accessible via iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Spotify, and more

• Its strategy emphasizes:

  • Creator monetization

  • Live and virtual events

  • Streaming + content syndication

5. Forward-Looking Strategy: Tech Meets Entertainment

• McClurg’s appointment suggests LiveOne is not just a media company, but a tech-forward platform preparing for the next era of:

  • Decentralized media ownership

  • Creator token economies

  • AI-enhanced distribution and revenue modeling

• Future initiatives could include:

  • Blockchain-based membership models

  • Web3-powered event ticketing

  • Partnerships with crypto-native platforms

LiveOne’s appointment of Steve McClurg is more than a leadership addition it’s a strategic signal. As the company scales its presence in digital entertainment, the integration of crypto, tokenization, and capital market expertise positions LiveOne to redefine how creator content is produced, monetized, and owned. With McClurg on board, LiveOne is now equipped to navigate and lead in the convergence of entertainment and Web3, setting the tone for the future of content platforms in a decentralized world.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

In a competitive and fast-evolving lending market, ARDRI is distinguishing itself with a technology-first approach to Non-QM and business-purpose lending. At the heart of its brand and digital transformation is Julio Zambrana, who joined the company in December as Vice President of Marketing. With a legacy of delivering high-impact marketing strategies across top financial institutions, Zambrana is now helping shape ARDRI’s identity and growth trajectory in a pivotal phase of its evolution.

1. A Veteran in Financial Marketing

• With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing for the financial services industry, Julio’s credentials include:

  • Option One Mortgage (started in 1996)

  • First American Financial

  • AmeriHome Mortgage

• His strategic focus blends:

  • Digital innovation

  • Customer-centric messaging

  • Brand positioning for modern lending solutions

2. Strategic Focus at ARDRI

• Julio is tasked with building a best-in-class marketing ecosystem that amplifies ARDRI’s core value: simplifying Non-QM lending through smart technology.

• Core goals:

  • Build a cohesive brand experience across all digital touchpoints

  • Empower brokers through transparent, effective communication

  • Position ARDRI as a trusted, modern lender in the Non-QM space

3. Combining Tech + Human-Centric Messaging

• Zambrana’s approach is data-driven yet emotionally intelligent:

  • Uses real-time analytics to shape marketing strategies

  • Enhances user experiences via personalization and intuitive design

• His MBA in eCommerce (2012) further bolsters his expertise in:

  • Digital channel optimization

  • Cross-platform integration

  • Scalable lead generation strategies

4. Recognition for Versatility and Impact

• Known for his hands-on leadership, Julio was awarded a companywide “Jack of All Trades” recognition at his previous role—reflecting his:

  • Cross-functional agility

  • Tactical execution abilities

  • Ability to solve complex business challenges with creative solutions

5. CEO Perspective: Marketing as a Growth Engine

• Brian O’Shaughnessy, Founder & CEO of ARDRI, underscored the critical nature of Julio’s role:

“Marketing isn’t just support—it’s a driving force behind success.”

• ARDRI’s mission is bold: to redefine Non-QM lending through:

  • Simplified digital experiences for brokers

  • Technology-backed efficiency

  • Trust-building content and communications

6. Vision for ARDRI’s Marketing Future

• According to Julio:

“We’re not just building a brand—we’re reshaping how Non-QM lending is delivered.”

• Marketing focus areas under his leadership:

  • Website optimization for usability and lead conversion

  • Omnichannel communication that educates and engages brokers

  • Clear, compelling storytelling that reinforces ARDRI’s value proposition

Julio Zambrana’s appointment as VP of Marketing comes at a pivotal time for ARDRI, as the lender looks to scale rapidly in the Non-QM space. His decades of experience, tech-savvy approach, and reputation for hands-on execution align perfectly with ARDRI’s commitment to building a simpler, smarter, and more human-centric lending experience. As ARDRI grows, its marketing foundation—anchored by Julio—will be key to making Non-QM lending not only more accessible, but also more trustworthy.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

As generative AI redefines information discovery, ProRataAI Inc. is blazing a new, ethical path with Gist.ai — the world’s first AI search engine built entirely on licensed content. In a significant milestone, ProRata announced that Gist.ai now sources information from more than 500 licensed publications, with recent partnerships including top-tier media brands such as Fast Company, New York Magazine, The Nation, Reader’s Digest, and Boston Globe Media.

This announcement reinforces ProRata’s commitment to proving that AI doesn’t need to exploit content creators to provide high-quality user experiences — and that, in fact, publishers can benefit from generative AI as a new and sustainable revenue channel.

1. A Publisher-First AI Model

• Gist.ai delivers answers using 100% licensed content, setting a new benchmark in the AI and search industry.

• Each response is based on real journalism, with full attribution and revenue-sharing for participating publishers.

• New content partners include:

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer, Newsday, Future (Tom’s Guide, Who What Wear), Vox Media, PRISA Media, and Frommer's.

2. AI That Honors Copyrights

• ProRata uses patent-pending attribution technology that:

  • Tracks which sources contribute to a response

  • Quantifies their influence

  • Calculates proportional compensation on a per-use basis

• This approach transforms AI from a copyright risk into a copyright revenue engine.

“AI-driven search does not have to be based on theft.” — Pauline Frommer, Co-President, Frommer Media LLC

3. Real Journalism Still Matters

• Frommer emphasized that AI cannot replace human experience:

“No machine can sleep in a hotel bed or taste a meal. That’s why travel journalism — and all journalism — must remain human-driven and compensated.”

• Gist.ai’s model safeguards the future of human journalism while empowering users with trustworthy, AI-enhanced answers.

4. Industry Validation from Global Leaders

• Future plc, a publishing giant with niche brands like Tom’s Guide and Homes & Gardens, joined the platform to extend its content reach:

“We’re committed to connecting audiences with expert content. Gist.ai gives us an innovative distribution platform.” — Andrew Min, VP, Global Partnerships, Future

• Vox Media, Cherry Road Media, Johns Hopkins University Press, and Spain’s news agency EFE are also now featured in Gist.ai’s growing content ecosystem.

5. Launch of ProRata Ads – Ethical Monetization Layer

• ProRata also introduced ProRata Ads, an innovative advertising solution that:

  • Places contextually relevant ads within AI answers in real time

  • Utilizes LLM-powered agents for precise targeting

  • Early results show a sharp increase in CTRs and user engagement

• This further aligns monetization with ethical content use — another move toward building a sustainable AI ecosystem for publishers.

6. Proving Generative AI Can Be Ethical, Accurate, and Profitable

• According to Bill Gross, CEO of ProRata:

"We prove that generative AI can both honor creators and deliver an outstanding user experience.”

• This “radically ethical model” is not just a differentiator — it's a requirement in a world increasingly aware of digital rights, misinformation, and journalistic sustainability.

ProRataAI’s success with Gist.ai reflects a new chapter in the evolution of generative AI — one where innovation respects intellectual property, compensates journalists fairly, and enhances information quality for users. As more top-tier publishers join the platform and features like ProRata Ads gain traction, Gist.ai is setting the gold standard for responsible AI search and monetization.

With its mission-driven vision and rapidly growing ecosystem, ProRata isn’t just redefining AI search — it’s reshaping the relationship between technology and journalism.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

In a bold step toward reshaping the ecommerce landscape, Pattern, the global leader in ecommerce acceleration, announced a groundbreaking suite of AI-driven tools at its 2025 Accelerate Summit. These tools are designed to offer brands unprecedented intelligence and agility in the digital marketplace—across search, product optimization, creative development, and social commerce.

With AI rapidly changing how consumers discover and purchase products, Pattern’s new solutions — GEO Scorecard, Chessboard, TrendVision, and The Portal — position brands not just to adapt, but to lead in a future where data precision and content intelligence drive every sale.

1. GEO Scorecard: Visibility in the Age of AI Shopping Assistants

• Consumer behavior is evolving as users increasingly rely on AI assistants like ChatGPT and Gemini to get product recommendations, bypassing traditional search engines.

• GEO Scorecard offers a new lens into this behavior, analyzing how a brand’s products appear in AI-generated responses.

• The tool enables content and SEO teams to optimize product visibility for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), ensuring brand presence in next-gen shopping queries.

“Consumers aren’t just searching—they’re trusting AI to decide,” said Pattern CEO Dave Wright.
“GEO Scorecard gives brands the data they need to adapt to this seismic shift.”

2. Chessboard: Smarter Content Decisions Through Data Precision

• Traditional conversion metrics treat all consumer interactions equally. Chessboard changes this with attribute-level analysis, pinpointing exact product features that drive conversions.

• This visibility modeling allows brands to prioritize key attributes, optimize listings, and spend marketing dollars more efficiently.

“Chessboard separates signal from noise,” Wright explained.
“It’s a microscope for purchase behavior—highlighting what really converts.”

3. TrendVision: Winning Social Commerce with Scalable Insights

• TrendVision is Pattern’s answer to the rise of TikTok and Instagram commerce. It analyzes trending themes, viral hooks, and emotional triggers in real time.

• Brands get ready-to-use video scripts and creative frameworks to scale social media performance without reinventing content from scratch.

• It bridges the gap between social trends and actual sales drivers, letting marketers focus on content that converts.

4. The Portal: AI-Assisted Product Imagery That Sells

• The Portal introduces a new level of automation and precision to product photography:

  • Combines high-res image capture with AI-generated contextual scenes

  • Maintains true-to-product detail, unlike standard generative image tools

  • Optimizes images using Pattern’s proprietary conversion data

• Brands can rapidly generate conversion-optimized, lifestyle visuals that feel authentic—at scale.

“It’s not just faster content; it’s smarter content,” noted Wright.
“The Portal ensures your product looks the way it performs — high-quality and conversion-ready.”

AI Isn’t Just Accelerating Commerce—It’s Rewriting It

At Accelerate 2025, Pattern made it clear: AI isn’t just a tool, it’s the new competitive edge. Each innovation introduced—GEO Scorecard, Chessboard, TrendVision, and The Portal—reinforces the company’s vision of data-driven, AI-powered commerce where precision, performance, and creativity coexist.

In an era where consumers let algorithms inform their buying decisions, brands that understand why people buy—not just what they buy—will win. And with Pattern’s suite of intelligent tools, they can do so with speed, clarity, and confidence.

“These aren’t just tools—they’re a foundation for the next chapter of digital retail,” Wright concluded.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

In a digital world where milliseconds determine engagement success, Hightouch has just raised the bar. The Composable CDP and AI decisioning platform announced Same-Session Personalization, a breakthrough that lets marketers fuse in-the-moment user behavior with rich customer profiles—all in under a second.

This launch signals the end of a long-standing trade-off in digital marketing: speed versus context. Traditionally, brands have had to act fast with limited information, or wait for deeper customer insights that arrive too late to be useful. Hightouch’s new feature bridges that gap—offering the best of both worlds.

No More “One-Size-Fits-Now” Messaging

Here’s the problem Same-Session Personalization solves:
Someone visits your site, searches flights to Los Angeles, and sees promos for tours and rental cars. Great, right? But what if that person lives in LA and already has a go-to car service? Without access to broader customer history, even “real-time” personalization risks being tone-deaf.

With Hightouch, marketers can now pull from a brand’s full data warehouse—subscription details, past purchases, browsing history, traits—and combine it with real-time signals like clicks, pageviews, and searches within the same session. The result: laser-precise experiences that feel like magic to customers.

Tejas Manohar, Hightouch Co-Founder and Co-CEO, puts it simply:

“Imagine the amount of time it takes to press the lever on a toaster. That’s how fast our same-session personalization bridges the gap.”

What Makes It a Game-Changer

• Sub-Second Response Time: Combines live session data and deep customer context in <1 second
• Limitless Data Access: Pulls from full warehouses—no need to choose between behavior and history
• 250+ Integrations: Personalize across email, web, mobile, ads, and more in real time
• Composable CDP Model: No black box—brands control where and how data is activated
• Customer Journey Sync: Not just moment-based—unified experiences across channels and sessions

This isn't just about converting a single click—it's about orchestrating multi-channel customer journeys in real time. With over 250 downstream integrations, Hightouch allows marketers to act instantly and contextually—on websites, in emails, through paid media, and beyond.

The Industry Backdrop

Hightouch’s latest move lands at a critical time. As third-party cookies crumble and privacy laws tighten, brands are scrambling to leverage first-party data more effectively. But most still face technical debt: siloed data, latency issues, and rigid martech stacks.

Same-Session Personalization fits squarely within the Composable CDP movement—where agility and modularity trump one-size-fits-all platforms. It also echoes a broader trend: AI and data tools collapsing the gap between insight and action.

Who Stands to Benefit

• Performance Marketers: Gain speed without sacrificing audience insight
• Digital Product Teams: Build smarter UX/UI flows powered by behavioral data
• Growth Leaders & CMOs: Create seamless customer journeys that adapt in real time
• Data Teams: Leverage existing warehouse investments without duplicating infrastructure

It’s already earning trust from brands like Autotrader, Calendly, Monday.com, and PetSmart. And for companies tired of staring at dashboards instead of engaging customers, Hightouch might have just made the marketer’s version of the toaster oven: fast, consistent, and always ready.

Final Thought
Hightouch’s Same-Session Personalization doesn’t just tweak the speed of marketing—it rewrites the playbook. In a world where users expect relevance right now, the ability to act on full customer context within milliseconds may soon become table stakes.

For now, it’s a clear competitive edge—and a signal that the future of real-time marketing is finally catching up to its promise.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

Tinuiti, the largest independent full-funnel marketing agency in the U.S., has been recognized by TikTok as a Media Mix Modeling (MMM) badged partner. This recognition further deepens Tinuiti’s collaboration with TikTok and underscores its leadership in data-driven marketing measurement. Alongside this achievement, Tinuiti has also introduced a cutting-edge AI SEO solution, marking a significant step in its full-funnel service evolution.

Highlights of Tinuiti’s TikTok MMM Partnership

• TikTok's Marketing Partners Program Expansion

  • Tinuiti has joined TikTok’s new MMM badge category under the Measurement umbrella.

  • The badge is part of TikTok's effort to enhance holistic marketing effectiveness.

• Proven MMM Expertise through Proprietary Tech

  • Tinuiti’s proprietary tech suite, Bliss Point by Tinuiti, enables Rapid Media Mix Modeling (rMMM).

  • This supports granular insight into TikTok’s contribution to brand performance across channels.

• Exclusive Client Benefits

  • Clients gain access to signal-resilient TikTok data and advanced MMM integration.

  • Brands benefit from optimized media investments and better campaign attribution models.

• Impact Beyond Last-Click Attribution

  • Tinuiti emphasizes TikTok’s role as an entertainment-led platform, where content drives real action.

  • The badge validates Tinuiti's capability to measure sales and ROI across the full funnel, not just conversions.

Industry Commentary and Strategic Alignment

• TikTok’s Perspective

  • Jorge Ruiz, Global Head of Marketing Science at TikTok, highlighted MMM as vital to understanding TikTok’s impact within the full marketing mix.

  • The platform aims to provide advertisers with broader, revenue-driven insights into user journeys.

• Tinuiti’s Vision

  • Jack Johnston, Senior Social Innovation Director at Tinuiti, reinforced the value of advanced, integrated measurement models.

  • Tinuiti helps clients make data-driven decisions by leveraging TikTok’s advanced MMM tools.

Furthering Innovation with Tinuiti Live and AI SEO Launch

• Tinuiti Live 2025 Highlights

  • The NYC event featured high-profile speakers from brands like Etsy, eos, OLLY, and poppi.

  • It unveiled the agency’s new go-to-market mantra: “Love Growth. Hate Waste.”—reflecting a sharp focus on performance over complexity.

• Launch of Tinuiti’s AI SEO Offering

  • The AI SEO suite enhances visibility across traditional and AI-powered search engines like Google AI Overviews and Bing Copilot.

  • Services include technical SEO, site migrations, content strategy, and retail optimization.

  • Tinuiti positions AI SEO as essential in briefing AI agents that now influence consumer decision-making.

Tinuiti’s latest partnership with TikTok and the launch of its AI SEO capabilities showcase its commitment to future-proofing marketing strategies. By leveraging robust measurement tools and embracing AI-led search innovation, Tinuiti empowers brands to optimize full-funnel performance, enhance attribution, and reduce waste in an increasingly complex media landscape.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

Orange 142, a division of Direct Digital Holdings, has launched a new social media best practices guide tailored for today’s marketers. With over 5 billion users worldwide and social commerce forecasted to account for 17% of global e-commerce by 2025, the guide is a strategic resource for marketers navigating dynamic digital platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Built by Orange 142’s Emerging Channels Council, the guide empowers marketers with proven strategies across organic, paid, and influencer-driven content—especially crucial in an era of privacy changes, algorithm shifts, and growing content fragmentation.

Why Social Media Now Demands a Strategic Marketing Playbook

• Rising Social Media Influence

  • Social media now plays a pivotal role in not just awareness but loyalty and conversion.

  • Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are reshaping how mid-market brands engage audiences.

• Growing Importance of Social Commerce

  • By 2025, social commerce is expected to drive 17% of global e-commerce.

  • Brands need a strategic framework to tap into this growing opportunity.

• Marketers Face Unique Challenges

  • Declining organic reach and inconsistent metrics make it harder to prove ROI.

  • Privacy regulations and emerging platforms add layers of complexity.

Best Practices from the Orange 142 Guide

• Set Platform-Specific Goals

  • Understand the unique user behavior and engagement dynamics of each platform.

  • Tailor KPIs and messaging accordingly.

• Create Content That Builds Trust

  • Develop content that balances attention-grabbing formats with authenticity.

  • Use storytelling to build emotional connections.

• Leverage Data to Inform Strategy

  • Analyze audience engagement trends to refine posting schedules and content types.

  • Make iterative improvements using real-time data.

• Real-Time Community Engagement

  • Respond quickly and authentically to comments and mentions.

  • Turn interactions into ongoing conversations.

• Maintain Brand Consistency with Flexibility

  • Stick to core messaging while adapting to new trends and platform features.

  • Balance evergreen campaigns with reactive content.

• Blend Organic, Paid, and Influencer Content

  • Use a full-funnel approach by combining reach (paid), authenticity (organic), and advocacy (influencers).

  • Optimize performance by tracking results across all content types.

• Navigate a Privacy-First Landscape

  • Adjust targeting strategies in light of evolving data privacy regulations.

  • Focus on contextual content and consent-based engagement.

Real-World Case Studies and Tactical Frameworks

• Ghia’s Instagram Storytelling

  • Leveraged Instagram-first content to tell brand stories and drive discovery.

• Nature Valley’s Viral TikTok Strategy

  • Used short-form video and platform-native tools like Reels to drive user-generated engagement and measurable growth.

• Emerging Platform Exploration

  • The guide provides early insights into Threads and Lemon8 and their potential for brand visibility.

Orange 142’s new best practices guide is a powerful resource for SMBs and agencies aiming to strengthen their digital presence. With deep strategic guidance and real-world examples, the guide equips marketers to overcome modern social challenges, engage audiences authentically, and drive business results in an increasingly fragmented digital environment.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

Knotch, the digital optimization platform trusted by Fortune 1000 brands, has announced the launch of AgentC™, a Managed AI Service for Marketers. Designed for high-performance marketing teams, AgentC helps brands execute across channels search, social, paid media, and content—by combining the intelligence of autonomous AI agents with the reliability of human verification.

Already being used by brands such as Zoom Communications, Zillow, Chime, Square, and Realtor.com, AgentC is transforming how marketing organizations plan, adapt, and scale in a fragmented and data-driven ecosystem.

Why AgentC Matters in Today’s Marketing Environment

• Marketers Are Being Asked to Do More with Less

  • Budgets are tightening. Teams are shrinking.

  • The pressure is on to deliver growth using AI—without sacrificing trust or brand integrity.

• Current Generative AI Tools Are Prone to Mistakes

  • Many AI platforms lack verification mechanisms.

  • Mistrust in outputs limits adoption and ROI.

• AgentC Provides a Verified, Strategic AI Alternative

  • AgentC not only reasons—it verifies every output using Veritas, its in-built human-in-the-loop QA agent.

  • This ensures trustworthy, execution-ready insights that help marketers make confident, data-backed decisions.

Capabilities of AgentC

• Improve Search and Social Discoverability

  • Optimizes UX, UI, and creative assets to drive visibility in both LLMs and traditional search platforms.

• Maximize Paid Media ROI

  • Identifies high-ROAS whitespace opportunities and adjusts media spend accordingly.

• Multi-Channel Attribution Insights

  • Solves attribution complexity to unlock scalable digital growth.

• Intelligent Content Transformation

  • Transforms top-performing articles and campaigns into new formats like video, social, and blog content.

• Predictive Social Strategy Development

  • Generates forward-looking content strategies to stay ahead of shifting algorithms and competition.

How Brands Are Using AgentC

• Chime: Repurposing Winning Content at Scale

  • Turned high-performing articles into ready-to-use YouTube scripts.

  • Unlocked new channels while saving time and budget.

• Realtor.com: Surfacing Blind Spots and SEO Shifts

  • Detected emerging user behaviors and LLM-influenced search changes.

  • Delivered actionable insights months ahead of traditional analytics.

• Agency Partnerships

  • AgentC is helping agencies scale strategy services, reduce delivery times, and maintain brand nuance without increasing headcount.

What Sets AgentC Apart

• Built for Enterprise Teams

  • Designed to integrate into in-house workflows without steep onboarding.

• Autonomous Reasoning + Human Oversight

  • Ensures reliable, context-aware outputs ready for execution.

• Veritas Verification Layer

  • Stress-tests every recommendation for logic, credibility, and brand alignment.

• Client Roster of Innovators

  • Trusted by leading financial services firms, fintech brands, and major tech platforms.

In an era where marketing speed must meet precision, AgentC by Knotch is rewriting the rules. By delivering verified, strategic AI outputs across search, social, and paid media, AgentC helps marketers do more—with less risk, faster time to insight, and greater confidence in their campaigns.

For marketing teams looking to optimize every dollar, every channel, and every message, AgentC is not just another AI tool—it’s the AI partner built for outcomes, not outputs.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !