Advantage Media Group and HEROIC Public Speaking have entered into a transformative partnership aimed at empowering thought leaders, authors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to elevate their voices and expand their reach. By combining the strengths of both organizations, this collaboration will offer a holistic approach to building authority through storytelling, public speaking, and media to help visionary leaders make a lasting impact on their audiences.

The Power of Collaboration:
The partnership between Advantage Media Group and HEROIC Public Speaking brings together two industry leaders with a shared mission: to equip thought leaders with the tools to enhance their impact across multiple platforms.

• Advantage Media Group, led by CEO Adam Witty, specializes in helping CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders amplify their personal brand messages through book publishing and authority media services. With over 2,500 clients, Advantage is a trusted provider for those looking to become the leading voice in their industry.

• HEROIC Public Speaking, under the leadership of CEO Josh Staske, offers unparalleled training in public speaking, speech writing, and building sustainable speaking businesses. With an alumni network of over 2,500 individuals, HEROIC’s community includes a diverse range of professionals, from Olympians to C-suite executives, ensuring that everyone can benefit from their world-class expertise.

What This Partnership Means for Thought Leaders:
The collaboration between Advantage Media and HEROIC Public Speaking aims to provide a seamless experience for thought leaders by offering an integrated approach that encompasses both media presence and public speaking.

• Amplifying Authority and Influence: By combining the authority-building tools of Advantage with the public speaking expertise of HEROIC, this partnership will allow thought leaders to gain wider recognition and enhance their storytelling abilities.

• Unifying Vision: As Michael Port, co-founder of HEROIC, points out, “Published authors who become accomplished speakers take their game to the next level.” This alliance will help authors become recognized speakers, helping them reach and engage with broader audiences than they could have originally imagined.

The Impact of Storytelling on Leadership:

Both Advantage Media Group and HEROIC Public Speaking believe that storytelling is a key differentiator for thought leaders. As Adam Witty, CEO of Advantage Media, emphasizes, “Effective thought leaders know how to leverage the transformative power of storytelling to deepen connections and inspire action.” This partnership will allow clients to learn how to tell compelling stories that resonate with their audiences, motivating them to take meaningful action.

This strategic partnership between Advantage Media Group and HEROIC Public Speaking marks an exciting development for authors, entrepreneurs, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. By combining their expertise in media, public speaking, and storytelling, the two organizations are setting a new standard in thought leadership development. Clients will benefit from an enriched service offering that supports both their written content and speaking engagements, helping them maximize their potential and inspire action across platforms.

PageUp, a global leader in talent acquisition software, has announced the consolidation of its portfolio of brands PageUp, eArcu, and Clinch into a singular PageUp brand. This strategic rebranding follows the company’s recent acquisition by EQT, a prominent global investment organization, and is aimed at creating a more unified and impactful brand identity. The move is designed to deliver a seamless experience for customers and strengthen PageUp’s position as a market leader in talent acquisition and management solutions.

A Unified Brand for a Seamless Experience:

Founded in 1997, PageUp has continually evolved, expanding its capabilities through strategic acquisitions such as eArcu's advanced recruitment solutions and Clinch's cutting-edge recruitment marketing technology. By bringing these solutions together under one brand, PageUp is not only simplifying its identity but also reinforcing its commitment to innovation and excellence.

As part of its rebranding, PageUp will provide customers with a more cohesive, end-to-end talent acquisition and management experience, backed by continuous AI-driven innovation and advanced product development. The rebrand signals a significant step in PageUp’s journey to becoming the most complete and scalable talent acquisition solution available.

Innovative Solutions for the Modern Workforce:

The rebrand comes with exciting enhancements to PageUp’s platform. By integrating Clinch’s recruitment marketing capabilities — including content management, automation, and candidate relationship tools — with PageUp’s powerful applicant tracking system (ATS), seamless onboarding features, and comprehensive talent management tools, PageUp now supports every stage of the talent journey.

With its robust analytics and growing partner ecosystem, PageUp is designed to scale alongside ambitious organizations, empowering them to attract, hire, and retain top talent more efficiently and effectively.

Commitment to Growth and Innovation:

CEO Eric Lochner expressed his excitement for the next chapter in PageUp’s journey. “By unifying our brand under PageUp, we’re simplifying our identity while amplifying our impact,” Lochner said. “This strategic evolution enables us to better serve our customers by delivering a seamless, integrated experience that drives hiring success across industries and regions. We remain committed to ongoing product development, AI-driven innovation, and customer success, ensuring our customers stay ahead in the rapidly evolving talent landscape.”

PageUp’s rebranding is just the beginning, as the company plans to continue investing heavily in automation, analytics, and user-centric enhancements to further improve the talent acquisition process for its global clientele.

The Road Ahead: Focused on Growth and Global Expansion:

With its rebrand and the investment from EQT, PageUp is now even better positioned to drive growth and expand its reach in the competitive global market. The company is focused on providing unparalleled value through its innovative solutions, ensuring that organizations have the tools they need to excel in the competitive world of talent acquisition.

Lochner emphasized the company’s purpose: “Our purpose is to create connections – between employers and top talent, between technology and human potential. With this consolidation and EQT’s investment, we’re better positioned than ever to drive innovation, expand our global reach, and provide our customers with the industry’s most advanced talent acquisition technology.”

PageUp’s brand consolidation represents a bold step forward in the company’s commitment to delivering world-class talent acquisition solutions. With a streamlined brand, continued investment in cutting-edge technology, and an unwavering focus on customer success, PageUp is poised to redefine the future of talent acquisition.\

ZoomInfo, the go-to-market platform for acquiring and growing customers, announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, demonstrating another strong performance despite slight declines in revenue. The company reported a decrease in GAAP revenue by 1% year-over-year but showed strong operational efficiency and momentum in the Upmarket segment.

“We delivered another quarter of better-than-expected financial results and Upmarket momentum,” said Henry Schuck, Founder and CEO of ZoomInfo. He highlighted the company’s continued focus on AI-first solutions and the recent launch of the Go-To-Market Studio, which is designed to unify sales and marketing teams by leveraging both first- and third-party data to drive immediate pipeline growth.

Q1 2025 Financial Highlights:

• GAAP Revenue of $305.7 million, a 1% decrease year-over-year.

• GAAP Operating Income of $50.3 million and Adjusted Operating Income of $100.9 million.

• GAAP Operating Income Margin of 16% and Adjusted Operating Income Margin of 33%.

• GAAP Cash Flow from Operations of $119.2 million and Unlevered Free Cash Flow of $124.5 million.

Business and Operating Highlights:

• Go-To-Market Studio Launch:
  ZoomInfo launched the Go-To-Market Studio, a command center designed to empower revenue teams by unifying first-party and third-party data. The platform facilitates creative go-to-market (GTM) strategies across sales and marketing, allowing teams to execute campaigns efficiently with flexible designs and built-in Copilot activation for automatic pipeline creation.

• New Trading Symbol – ‘GTM’:
  As part of its continued commitment to innovation in supporting Go-To-Market professionals, ZoomInfo announced that its common stock will begin trading under the symbol ‘GTM’ on May 13, 2025. This new symbol reflects the company’s shift toward focusing on the entire go-to-market ecosystem.

• Strong Customer Growth:
  ZoomInfo closed the quarter with 1,868 customers with $100,000 or greater in annual contract value (ACV), marking an increase of 1 from the prior quarter and a 108% increase year-over-year. The company's Upmarket segment continued to grow, with 71% of its ACV coming from this segment as of March 31, 2025.

• Net Revenue Retention:
  The company reported improved net revenue retention, rounding to 87% for the quarter, indicating strong customer satisfaction and long-term engagement.

• Stock Repurchase:
  During the quarter, ZoomInfo repurchased 8,598,274 shares of common stock at an average price of $11.05, totaling $95.0 million. This move demonstrates ZoomInfo’s commitment to shareholder value and confidence in its business model.

Looking Ahead:

ZoomInfo’s focus on AI-driven innovation, its new Go-To-Market Studio, and its upcoming trading symbol change signal the company’s intention to maintain its leadership in the Go-To-Market space. The company plans to continue investing in its technology, expanding its customer base, and driving growth through enhanced product offerings.

Despite a slight dip in revenue, ZoomInfo delivered solid results in Q1 2025, demonstrating resilience and continued leadership in the go-to-market sector. The company’s strategic focus on AI-first solutions and its new Go-To-Market Studio position it for continued growth, while the rebranding to ‘GTM’ underlines its commitment to supporting revenue teams worldwide.

The 2025 Gartner CMO Spend Survey reveals that marketing budgets for 2025 remain unchanged at 7.7% of overall company revenue, consistent with last year’s figures. Conducted among 402 CMOs and marketing leaders across North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe, this survey provides valuable insights into how marketing leaders are adapting to stagnant budgets and evolving market conditions. The survey findings were revealed during the Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo in London.

“While marketing budgets have stabilized, the spending levels are insufficient for many CMOs,” said Ewan McIntyre, VP Analyst and Chief of Research in Gartner Marketing Practice. “With macroeconomic uncertainties looming, CMOs are facing the real prospect of in-year budget cuts.”

Findings from the 2025 CMO Spend Survey:

• Marketing Budgets Remain Flat:
  Despite challenges, CMOs report that marketing budgets for 2025 are holding steady at 7.7% of total company revenue, mirroring 2024’s figure. While this stability offers some certainty, it does not provide the necessary growth for many marketing teams to fully execute their strategies.

• Budget Shortages Persist for Many CMOs:
  Fifty-nine percent of CMOs claim their budgets are insufficient to execute their strategies in 2025, although this is an improvement from the previous year, where 64% of CMOs reported similar challenges. While budgets haven’t grown, marketers are finding innovative ways to use their funds more efficiently.

CMOs Turn to AI and Data for Enhanced Productivity:

With budgets constrained, CMOs are increasingly relying on AI and data analytics to drive productivity gains. These tools are helping marketers optimize performance and automate critical tasks, enabling them to get more out of their existing budgets. Notably, GenAI investments have shown a solid return on investment (ROI), particularly in the areas of:

• Time efficiency (49%)

• Cost efficiency (40%)

• Content production and business capacity (27%)

A mere 1% of CMOs reported that GenAI is not a priority, demonstrating its growing importance in the marketing landscape.

“Given the stagnant budgets, marketing leaders are focusing on maximizing productivity,” McIntyre explained. “By leveraging data and AI, CMOs are able to do more with less.”

Prioritizing Paid Media Amidst Budget Constraints:

Paid media remains the top marketing expenditure, accounting for 30.6% of marketing budgets, or 2.4% of company revenue. However, media price inflation means that CMOs are getting less value for their investments in paid channels.

To balance the need for efficiency, CMOs are shifting focus to reduce expenditures in other areas:

• Agency Cuts:
  39% of CMOs plan to reduce spending on external agencies. They aim to optimize agency relationships by eliminating unproductive partnerships and renegotiating contracts. Additionally, 22% of CMOs say GenAI has reduced their reliance on external agencies for creativity and strategy development.

• Labor Reductions:
  Similarly, 39% of CMOs plan to cut labor costs. Top strategies include simplifying roles and reducing headcount to streamline operations.

The 2025 Gartner CMO Spend Survey highlights a significant trend among CMOs: despite flat budgets, marketing leaders are adapting by prioritizing AI and data-driven strategies to maintain or even boost productivity. With paid media continuing to be the focal point of marketing budgets, CMOs are also turning to more efficient methods in agency and labor spending to make every dollar count. As the year progresses, CMOs must navigate the challenges of macroeconomic uncertainties while maximizing the potential of their existing resources.

ZoomInfo has unveiled a major rebranding announcement today, marking a new chapter in the company’s evolution. The company has changed its Nasdaq trading symbol from ‘ZI’ to ‘GTM’, emphasizing its expanded role as the Go-To-Market (GTM) Intelligence Platform. The new ticker symbol will go live following today’s market close, and ZoomInfo’s leadership team will ring the Nasdaq closing bell in celebration. This marks the next step in ZoomInfo’s journey, which began as a leading B2B data company and evolved into an AI-powered solution provider for sales teams.

“We’re not just a data provider or AI sales tool. We are the Go-To-Market Intelligence Platform that powers businesses to grow their revenue,” said Henry Schuck, ZoomInfo Founder and CEO. “Changing our ticker symbol to GTM is more than just symbolic. It reflects our vision for a future where go-to-market teams move seamlessly from ideas to execution, where the right signals trigger instant action, and the entire revenue engine operates in unison.”

ZoomInfo’s New Era: GTM Studio and the Future of Revenue Growth

In tandem with the ticker change, ZoomInfo is launching GTM Studio, the latest innovation in its GTM Intelligence Platform. This powerful tool is designed to help revenue leaders instantly design, enrich, and launch go-to-market plays—all within a single platform. Gone are the days of waiting for data pulls or delayed execution. GTM Studio integrates planning, data, and activation, enabling sales and marketing teams to orchestrate and execute campaigns effortlessly.

“GTM Intelligence isn’t about replacing your tech stack. It’s about making it work together,” said Dominik Facher, ZoomInfo Chief Product Officer. “Our platform integrates real-time signals, AI insights, and the necessary data foundation to give teams a dynamic view of who’s in-market and ready to buy. It powers smarter GTM strategies and helps teams focus on what really matters: closing deals faster and driving growth.”

The GTM 25 Roadshow: ZoomInfo Hits the Road

To mark the unveiling of these new platform innovations, ZoomInfo is kicking off the GTM 25 Roadshow, a tour for senior sales, marketing, and revenue professionals. The roadshow will visit New York, Boston, San Francisco, and London, where ZoomInfo’s leadership team will discuss its vision for the future of AI-powered GTM.

The roadshow will begin on May 13 in New York at Guggenheim, with additional stops scheduled for June in Boston (June 3), San Francisco (June 12), and London (June 19).

Innovations Powering ZoomInfo’s GTM Intelligence Platform

The GTM Intelligence Platform brings together real-time data, AI insights, and enriched signals to optimize the sales and marketing workflow. Notable features include:

• ZoomInfo Copilot: Launched a year ago, Copilot pairs rich data with AI to recommend next-best actions and streamline sales execution.

• ZoomInfo Marketing: A full-funnel platform for targeting, activating, and measuring B2B campaigns across industries.

• GTM Studio: The latest addition, which consolidates data, campaign design, and AI-driven execution in one platform, enabling seamless orchestration across the revenue organization.

By eliminating data silos and automating manual tasks, ZoomInfo’s platform ensures that sales and marketing teams are always engaging with the right accounts at the right time with the right message.

Watch the Nasdaq Closing Bell Ceremony

To witness the official change of the ticker symbol to GTM, visit Nasdaq’s streaming site at 4:00 p.m. ET today. ZoomInfo’s leadership team will ring the closing bell, marking the debut of the new symbol and the company’s evolving focus on Go-To-Market intelligence.

StarCompliance, a global leader in employee compliance technology solutions, has unveiled its latest innovation: the AI-Assisted Marketing Compliance Review solution. This new capability is designed to help marketing and compliance teams proactively manage regulatory risks related to promotional content. By leveraging AI to detect unsubstantiated claims and misrepresentations, StarCompliance empowers firms to ensure their communications are compliant with regulatory standards while reducing bottlenecks in the approval process.

“In today’s rapidly evolving regulatory environment, marketing and compliance teams need tools that not only reduce review time but ensure materials meet FINRA and SEC guidelines,” said Kelvin Dickenson, Chief Product Officer at StarCompliance. “This solution streamlines workflows, enhances oversight, and gives firms the confidence to move quickly while staying compliant.”

Features and Benefits of the AI-Assisted Marketing Compliance Review Solution

The new solution offers a range of advanced features that empower firms to ensure marketing materials meet all regulatory requirements:

• AI-Assisted Reviews: The AI-driven tool automatically flags risks within promotional content and, where necessary, recommends firm-approved disclosures from a client’s curated library.

• Configurable Intake & Assignment: Review submissions can be routed based on fund type or regulatory framework, ensuring proper handling and compliance.

• Multi-Format Support: Upload and review a wide range of file formats, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and PDF.

• In-App Collaboration: Teams can comment, edit, and compare versions of materials side-by-side, enhancing collaboration during the review process.

• Disclosure Library: The tool suggests the addition of approved disclosure language during the review process, reducing the risk of errors.

• Centralized Oversight: Firms maintain one source of truth with full version history and audit trails, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Empowering Firms with Streamlined Compliance Processes

By incorporating AI into the marketing review process, StarCompliance’s new solution helps firms reduce manual effort, speed up the approval timeline, and ensure compliance with industry regulations such as those outlined by the FINRA and SEC. This proactive approach to regulatory risk management is crucial as firms navigate the increasingly complex landscape of marketing and compliance in financial services.

Join the Webinar: Marketing Review Made Easy: AI Tools for FINRA & SEC Compliance

As part of its leadership role in compliance technology, StarCompliance is hosting a webinar titled Marketing Review Made Easy: AI Tools for FINRA & SEC Compliance on June 18, 2025, at 11 AM EST. During the session, industry experts will explore how automated marketing reviews are transforming how firms manage and adhere to regulatory guardrails. This is an excellent opportunity for marketing and compliance professionals to learn more about the practical applications of AI in compliance workflows.

CloudRadial, a trusted software provider for managed services providers (MSPs), has announced a strategic integration with Pia.ai’s SmartForms technology. This collaboration aims to enhance client engagement, streamline service request handling, and improve operational efficiency by embedding AI-driven automation into the CloudRadial CSA Unified Client Portal.

Highlights of the CloudRadial-Pia.ai Integration

1. Enhanced Client Interaction through SmartForms

• Integrates automated service request handling directly into CloudRadial's CSA Client Portal.

• Ensures accuracy and consistency in routine service delivery.

• Empowers MSPs with better control over client interactions.

2. Positive Feedback from Early Adopters

• MSPs report improved service delivery and simplified client updates.

• Chris Goudie of ASI Solutions highlighted streamlined request management within a unified platform.

• The integration reduces dependency on multiple ticket sources.

3. Improved Efficiency and Reporting

• Saves valuable technician time by automating repetitive tasks.

• Utilizes Pia.ai's AI engine for efficient ticket resolution.

• Enhances reporting accuracy with unified data insights.

4. Embedded AI for Intelligent Automation

• Delivers contextual suggestions and automated routing of requests.

• Utilizes smart field validation for more accurate data collection.

• Transforms routine interactions into business value opportunities.

5. Tailored MSP Workflows

• Offers custom service templates designed specifically for MSP operations.

• Enables automated processing from request submission to resolution.

• Supports zero-touch ticket management with AI-powered capabilities.

6. Self-Service and Improved User Experience

• Provides end-users with real-time visibility into request statuses.

• Enables faster resolution of common service issues.

• Maintains consistent service quality across all client interactions.

7. Strategic Alignment for MSP Growth

• Frees up MSPs to serve as strategic advisors instead of managing repetitive tasks.

• Facilitates measurable improvements in technician productivity and client satisfaction.

• Reinforces CloudRadial’s commitment to elevating MSP-client relationships.

The integration between CloudRadial and Pia.ai’s SmartForms is a pivotal advancement in MSP service delivery. By combining CloudRadial’s trusted client portal with Pia.ai’s intelligent automation, MSPs can eliminate inefficiencies, boost productivity, and offer enhanced value to their clients. Now available as an optional add-on, this innovation is set to redefine how MSPs manage service requests and foster stronger client relationships.

Sappington, a premier enterprise technology marketing firm based in Seattle, WA, has announced the promotion of Emily Kohler to the position of Design Director. Since joining the firm in 2021 and being named Senior Designer in 2023, Kohler has demonstrated exceptional talent and leadership in visual design, making her an ideal fit for this elevated role.

Highlights of Emily Kohler’s Promotion

1. Elevated Responsibilities as Design Director

• Leads execution of Sappington’s strategic design vision.

• Oversees evolution of the design process for client benefit.

• Ensures continuous design improvement across projects.

2. Recognition of Creative Excellence

• Known for her unique blend of creativity and high energy.

• Widely regarded as a standout in visual communication.

• Drives impactful design that captures attention and delivers results.

3. Leadership Praised by Executive Team

• Chief Creative Officer Erik Wirsing describes her as a "design superstar."

• Celebrated for inspiring and uplifting the internal design team.

• Recognized for her contributions across multiple client projects.

4. Embracing Innovation and AI-Driven Tools

• Actively explores emerging design tools and technology.

• Plays a key role in expanding Sappington’s AI product marketing practice.

• Champions innovative design approaches to stay ahead of trends.

5. A Philosophy Rooted in Intentional Creativity

• Believes in finding beauty, excitement, and joy in the creative process.

• Prioritizes intentional design that pushes boundaries and enhances user experience.

• Aims to elevate every design with purpose and originality.

6. Professional Background and Training

• Studied at the Art Institute of Seattle and Seattle Central College.

• Held prior roles in architecture, branding, and IT-focused firms.

• Brings a multidisciplinary design perspective to her work.

7. Personal Background

• Resides in Snohomish, WA with her husband and two children.

• Balances a thriving creative career with family life.

Emily Kohler’s promotion to Design Director marks a significant milestone for Sappington and reinforces the firm’s commitment to design excellence and innovation. With a clear vision, deep expertise, and a passion for creative leadership, Kohler is well-positioned to guide the next phase of Sappington’s design evolution and contribute meaningfully to the firm’s growing impact in the MarTech space.