Textellent, a leader in SMS marketing and business texting solutions, has announced a powerful new one-click integration with ActiveCampaign. This seamless two-way connection offers real-time contact syncing and logs all SMS activity as notes within ActiveCampaign enhancing visibility, automation, and customer engagement for sales and marketing teams.

Why This Integration Matters

• Bridges the gap between CRM and SMS communication

• Creates a unified view of customer interactions across channels

• Increases efficiency, personalization, and follow-up success rates

Features and Benefits

1. Two-Way Contact Sync

• Automatically sync contacts between Textellent and ActiveCampaign

• Ensures both platforms are always aligned for campaign accuracy

2. Automatic SMS Logging

• Every inbound and outbound message is saved as a contact note

• Allows teams to review text conversations alongside email and automation history

3. Keyword-Triggered Automations

• Use short codes or long codes to activate automations based on text-in keywords

• Streamlines lead nurturing, customer service, and follow-up sequences

4. Streamlined Multi-Channel Workflows

• Combine email, SMS, and automation into cohesive customer journeys

• Delivers more personalized and timely campaigns

5. Full Communication Visibility

• Sales and support teams can see complete message history in one place

• Improves internal collaboration and customer handoffs

6. Advanced SMS Capabilities

• More than basic CRM messaging:

  • Automation,

  • Scheduling,

  • Campaign creation,

  • Pre-built templates

• Harnesses SMS open rates over 90% to maximize impact

Executive Insights

“This integration represents our ongoing commitment to help businesses grow by making communication effortless and more effective.”
— Majeed Ghadialy, CEO & Founder, Textellent

“Integrations like this one make it easier to deliver seamless, relevant interactions at scale.”
— Chris Vaughan, Head of Marketing, Textellent

Textellent’s new integration with ActiveCampaign empowers businesses to unify their SMS and CRM efforts for stronger customer engagement and improved performance. With powerful automation, real-time contact syncing, and full communication visibility, this integration turns every text message into a strategic touchpoint.

Eddie R, entrepreneur and founder of Black Epic Entertainment, has officially launched his independent company with a bold vision: to transform how stories are created, owned, and expanded across today’s ever-evolving media landscape. Focused on cultural relevance and creator-led innovation, Black Epic aims to become a platform for powerful narratives and long-term ownership.

Reimagining the Business of Storytelling

Black Epic Entertainment is built on a disruptive foundation that challenges conventional media norms:

• Prioritizes ownership-first principles for creators

• Merges cultural narratives with strategic scalability

• Enables stories to evolve into multi-platform franchises without creative compromise

Pillars of Black Epic Entertainment

1. IP-Driven Infrastructure

• Focus on developing and retaining original intellectual property

• Structured to allow stories to scale across formats — from film to digital content

• Retains full creative and business control to protect the artistic vision

2. Culturally Resonant Storytelling

• Emphasizes underrepresented voices and untold stories

• Reflects global cultural nuances with local authenticity

• Content is designed to shift perspectives and inspire future generations

3. Flagship Project: Gallery – The Docuseries

• Currently in development

• Focuses on deeply rooted cultural narratives

• Designed for multi-platform engagement and long-term franchise potential

Eddie R’s Vision for the Future

“Black Epic Entertainment is a platform for believers and dreamers — a launchpad for stories that have yet to be told.”
— Eddie R., Founder, Black Epic Entertainment

• Aims to empower future creators with creative freedom and structural ownership

• Builds a legacy-first model — shaping content not just for impact, but for longevity

• Challenges the traditional production ecosystem by putting narrative control back into the hands of creators

As the media landscape rapidly evolves, Black Epic Entertainment enters the scene as more than a production company — it’s a movement. Led by Eddie R, the brand is positioned to champion a new generation of storytellers who seek not only to create, but to own their stories, shape their legacies, and expand culture through innovation. In a time when content is everywhere but ownership is rare, Black Epic delivers both.

Nearly 30 years after Tamagotchi revolutionized the digital pet space, Toycloud Technologies introduces Eggi an AI-powered companion that takes the concept of virtual pets to new emotional and interactive heights. While echoing the charm of its predecessors, Eggi leverages advanced AI and personalization to offer a deeper, long-lasting companionship experience.

From Nostalgia to Next-Gen Nurturing

Why Eggi is More Than Just a Digital Pet:

• Inspired by Tamagotchi, with modern AI twists

• Provides emotional growth, interactive learning, and customized experiences

• Designed for both children and adults, promoting empathy, consistency, and joy

Features of Eggi

1. Expressive Communication System

• Uses over 80 facial expressions and emojis

• Communicates via its own "Sprite Language"

• Emotions and needs are displayed on its face, removing ambiguity

2. Personalized AI Personality & Memory

• Learns and evolves based on owner’s habits and tone

• Capable of voice recognition to identify specific users

• Develops a unique personality over time through interaction

3. Evolved and Stress-Free Care Loop

• Includes nurturing actions like feeding, playing, and comforting

• Unlike older digital pets, Eggi:

  • Does not age or die

  • Avoids messy cleanup or negative consequences

  • Focuses on emotional support and wellness cues

4. Dynamic Skill Unlocking with AI Learning

• Unlocks new capabilities like:

  • Gentle reminders for self-care or time management

  • AI-generated melodies to comfort users

  • Digital artwork creation, personalized to the owner’s mood

5. Customization with Plush Covers

• Comes with interchangeable plush outfits

• Encourages tactile interaction, mimicking the grooming of real pets

• Enhances personal bonding and aesthetic fun

6. Encourages Movement & Social Interaction

• Converts real-life steps into in-game rewards

• Supports peer interaction between Eggis

• Enables virtual item trades and playful encounters

A Message from the Creator

"Eggi is designed to be more than just a gadget; it's a companion that learns, grows, and provides genuine emotional connection."
— Alex Wu, CEO, Toycloud Technologies

• Combines modern AI capabilities with emotional design

• Created as a safe learning tool for responsibility and care

• Appeals to tech-savvy adults and nurturing children alike

Eggi by Toycloud Technologies is not just a digital pet revival — it’s a redefinition of what companionship can look like in the AI age. Blending nostalgia with innovation, Eggi nurtures empathy, personal growth, and emotional connection in a stress-free, customizable format. Whether as a playful friend or a quiet supporter, Eggi is here to grow with you, one interaction at a time.

Lounge Lizard Worldwide Inc., an award-winning digital marketing agency, has officially released its highly anticipated resource: “How to Properly Pay Influencers in 2025.” This comprehensive guide is designed to help brands rethink influencer compensation and structure high-performance partnerships in the evolving creator economy.

Why This Guide Matters in 2025

As influencer marketing continues to dominate digital strategy, brands face a critical challenge: how to compensate creators in ways that are fair, data-driven, and results-oriented. Lounge Lizard’s guide provides:

• Updated influencer rate benchmarks

• Best practices for campaign ROI measurement

• Insights into affiliate and performance-based compensation

• Blueprints for ambassador programs and tiered payouts

"Brands today must look beyond vanity metrics and focus on authentic engagement and ROI,” said Ken Braun, Co-Owner of Lounge Lizard. “Our 2025 guide equips businesses with the tools they need to structure influencer partnerships that deliver measurable results."

Trends Covered in the Guide

Engagement Over Followers

Gone are the days of paying based on follower count alone. The guide emphasizes authentic engagement, content quality, and audience alignment as more accurate indicators of value.

Platform-Driven Partnerships

More brands are turning to influencer marketing platforms to streamline everything from hiring to campaign tracking and payments. Lounge Lizard highlights the pros and cons of these platforms—and how to choose the right one.

Smarter Payment Models

• Affiliate/Commission-Based Structures

• Tiered Compensation Plans Based on Performance

• Long-Term Brand Ambassador Agreements

These adaptive models reward creators for driving real business results, not just reach.

What This Means for Brands in 2025

By embracing performance-first compensation strategies and leveraging the tools now available in the market, brands can:

• Improve campaign transparency

• Build long-term relationships with high-performing creators

• Maximize ROI from every influencer dollar spent

Final Thoughts

“How to Properly Pay Influencers in 2025” reflects Lounge Lizard’s continued commitment to leading digital innovation. For brands that want to future-proof their influencer strategies, this guide is more than just advice - it's a blueprint.

Emplifi, the leading unified customer engagement platform, has released a new report titled “Marketing Across Generations: How Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers Engage with Brands Differently.” The research, conducted in partnership with Alchemer, surveyed nearly 1,000 U.S. consumers and delivers powerful insights into how different generations interact with brands, especially on social platforms.

Social Commerce Surges Among Younger Generations

• 53% of Gen Z and 56% of Millennials made a purchase via social media in the last 3 months.

• In contrast, only 29% of Baby Boomers report social purchases.

• Supported by EMARKETER’s findings, Gen Z adults (ages 18–24) spend over twice as much time on social platforms as the general population.

“This isn’t just a trend—it’s a fundamental shift in how consumers shop,” said Susan Ganeshan, CMO at Emplifi. “Brands must evolve with these behaviors to stay competitive.”

Generational Content Preferences: Interactive vs. Informative

• 46% of Gen Z want brand videos to be interactive, while

• 84% of Baby Boomers prefer informative, straightforward messaging.

• Gen X and Millennials fall between, with a mix of inspiration, authenticity, and substance.

Ganeshan adds:

“Younger generations crave dynamic, real-time engagement, while Boomers value clarity. A one-size-fits-all content strategy just won’t work anymore.”

Purchase Drivers: Visuals, Humor, and Practicality

• 42% of Gen Z and 38% of Millennials are influenced by the visual appeal of a post.

• 31% of Gen Z are more likely to purchase from a brand that uses humor.

• Baby Boomers (29%) are the least influenced by design or humor but most influenced by clarity and value.

Customer Care: Human Touch Still Matters

• 81% of Boomers and 80% of Gen X prefer speaking with a human agent, not bots.

• 54% of Boomers still use phone support, whereas

• 30% of Gen Z and Millennials prefer social media DMs for help.

“AI can streamline support, but the human connection is still essential for trust,” said Ganeshan. “Balance is key.”

Takeaway: Generational Understanding Drives Better Engagement

Emplifi’s report makes one thing clear: Each generation engages with brands differently, and companies must tailor their content, support, and commerce strategies accordingly:

Download the Full Report

Marketing Across Generations: How Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers Engage with Brands Differently

Five9, a leading provider of the Intelligent CX Platform, today announced the launch of Five9 Fusion for Salesforce a groundbreaking integration that combines Five9’s real-time system of action with Salesforce’s #1 AI CRM to deliver a unified, AI-elevated customer experience.

This next-generation solution empowers enterprises to orchestrate seamless, hyper-personalized customer interactions by tightly integrating contact center capabilities with Salesforce’s Einstein AI, paving the way for autonomous agent collaboration and advanced service personalization.

“Our expanded partnership with Salesforce represents a powerful combination of two industry leaders committed to transforming customer experience,” said Jake Butterbaugh, SVP, Global Partner Organization at Five9.

Features of Five9 Fusion for Salesforce

Unified Service Cloud Integration

• Full embedding of call metadata and recordings into Salesforce for a complete customer history view.

Seamless AI-Human Agent Collaboration

• AI agents handle self-service and pass summarized context directly to human agents—no more repeating information.

Five9 TranscriptStream

• Real-time voice transcription streamed directly into Salesforce, powering Einstein’s Next Best Action, Reply Recommendations, and Call Summaries.

Intelligent Voice Routing

• Smart routing uses real-time insights to match customers with the most effective human or AI agent, reducing wait times and improving personalization.

Built on 15+ Years of Collaboration

With over 1,000 shared customers and more than 160,000 service representatives supported, Five9 and Salesforce have a long-standing history of delivering joint innovation. The 2025 expansion reflects the growing demand for BYOT (Bring Your Own Telephony) and next-gen CX capabilities like:

• Bring Your Own Channel (BYOC) flexibility

• Integration with Salesforce Agentforce, a digital labor platform

• Native Einstein AI activation via Five9’s voice and data pipelines

“This powerful integration gives brands a competitive edge in delivering personalized experiences at scale,” said Nick Johnston, SVP of Strategic Partnerships, Salesforce. “Fusion for Salesforce brings the best of both ecosystems to enable smarter, faster, more satisfying service.”

Why It Matters

As customer expectations evolve, Five9 Fusion for Salesforce equips companies with a future-ready CX foundation that enhances:

• Speed to resolution

• Cross-channel consistency

• Agent productivity

• Customer satisfaction

• Long-term business outcomes

Availability

The Five9 Fusion for Salesforce bundle is available now, offering everything enterprises need to optimize their contact center strategy in the era of AI-driven service.

Outreach, the first and only AI Sales Execution Platform, today announced an expanded partnership with Siemens Digital Industries, the global technology leader. The collaboration empowers Siemens’ global sales teams with AI-driven prospecting, forecasting, and pipeline management workflows—enabling smarter, more human-centric selling across 20 countries, with expansion planned in 2025.

“Outreach’s next-level AI-powered sales platform is a key tool in digitally empowering our sales team,” said Scot Gardner, EVP of Sales and Marketing at Siemens Digital Industries. “We’ve seen measurable impact from stronger customer relationships to greater business transparency.”

Highlights of the Expanded Collaboration

Unified Global Workflows

• Outreach consolidates sales execution data across teams and regions, improving visibility and process harmonization.

AI-Powered Forecasting

• Siemens is expanding use of Outreach’s forecasting technology to enhance accuracy, planning, and predictability across all territories by 2025.

Clean, Insightful Data

• By improving data hygiene and sales engagement insights, Siemens enhances decision-making and pipeline health.

Human-Centric Sales Execution

• With administrative tasks streamlined, sales reps can focus on what matters most: building trust and relationships.

“Technology is changing how revenue teams work,” said Abhijit Mitra, CEO of Outreach. “Outreach helps every rep perform like your best rep, and we’re proud to drive this transformation with Siemens.”

Global Impact, Powered by AI

Currently live in 20 countries, Siemens Digital Industries has already seen benefits from using Outreach’s platform—including improved rep productivity, stronger forecasting capabilities, and more responsive customer engagement.

As Siemens extends Outreach’s forecasting across its global footprint, the company sets a new benchmark for how enterprise sales teams combine AI, process optimization, and human insight to drive sustainable revenue growth.

NIQ , the global leader in consumer intelligence, today announced a strategic international partnership with The Trade Desk , the leading programmatic advertising platform. This partnership integrates NIQ's global buying data directly into The Trade Desk's platform, enabling advertisers to plan, activate, and optimize their campaigns with unprecedented precision.

“This collaboration marks a major step forward for the entire advertising industry,” said Joshua Pisano , Global Director of Media Products at NIQ. “Advertisers will be able to activate advanced audience segments, based on real-world purchasing behaviors, and significantly improve their marketing performance across the globe.”

Access to the largest omnichannel shopping database

Advertisers now benefit from audience segments built from digital and physical purchasing data , enriched by MRI-Simmons , a recognized expert in media planning in the United States.

Launch of the Consumer Canvas™ brand

The audiences will be marketed under the name Consumer Canvas™ , the result of a collaboration between NIQ and MRI-Simmons, dedicated to providing consumer data-driven targeting solutions to advertisers, agencies and brands.

New exclusive geotargeting capabilities

Thanks to a unique combination of consumer, retailer and market data, advertisers will now be able to refine their geographic targeting to focus on areas with high sales potential.
The Trade Desk is the first global platform to integrate these new segments, with an initial launch in Western Europe , followed by North America in Q2 2025 and other regions thereafter.

“This partnership empowers our clients to make truly data-driven decisions,” said Jay Goebel , VP of Data Partnerships at The Trade Desk. “It reinforces our commitment to providing brands with the most powerful tools to activate their campaigns with relevance.”

A new era for data-driven advertising

This partnership is part of a global trend where behavioral data plays a central role in advertising strategies. By integrating these advanced capabilities into its platform, The Trade Desk empowers brands to transform their media campaigns into real levers of performance, precision, and ROI .