Lightning Step, a leading provider of integrated CRM, EHR, and RCM solutions for behavioral health practices, has appointed Josh Steinbaum as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In this pivotal role, Steinbaum will lead the company’s financial strategy and operations, drawing on his extensive experience in finance, strategic planning, and growth management to steer Lightning Step towards continued success.

Josh Steinbaum’s Role and Responsibilities

As CFO, Steinbaum will be responsible for overseeing all of Lightning Step’s financial functions, including forecasting, budgeting, and reporting. He will play a critical role in guiding the executive leadership team on optimizing financial strategy and performance. With a proven track record in driving sustained revenue growth and implementing operational efficiencies, Steinbaum’s leadership will contribute significantly to the company’s mission to innovate and expand within the behavioral health space.

Brent Michael, CEO of Lightning Step, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment:
“We are excited to welcome Josh to the Lightning Step team,” said Michael. “His deep expertise in financial management and his passion for data-informed decision-making will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate. We look forward to Josh's impact on delivering greater value to our partners, customers, and stakeholders.”

Steinbaum’s Previous Experience

Prior to joining Lightning Step, Steinbaum held the VP of Finance position at SimplePractice, where he successfully led large-scale finance transformations, executed strategic M&A initiatives, and built high-performing teams. His experience in healthcare technology organizations aligns with Lightning Step’s goals to continue delivering high-quality services and solutions to the behavioral health industry.

Steinbaum’s financial leadership focuses on operational discipline and collaborative growth, which will enhance Lightning Step’s continued success and position in the market.

Steinbaum’s Vision for Lightning Step

“I am thrilled to join Lightning Step at such a pivotal time in its evolution,” said Steinbaum. “The company’s commitment to innovation and customer success resonates strongly with my own values. I look forward to working with this talented team as we chart the next phase of growth and continue to make a meaningful difference in the industry.”

With the appointment of Josh Steinbaum as CFO, Lightning Step strengthens its financial leadership to drive growth and innovation in the behavioral health industry. Steinbaum’s extensive experience in financial strategy and growth management will play a vital role in the company’s ongoing success.

Cinema8, an AI-powered video technology platform, has launched a suite of advanced features designed to assist businesses in generating leads, boosting conversions, and driving measurable growth. Video content, often expensive and complex to produce, can now be transformed into a scalable business asset with Cinema8’s AI tools that simplify workflows, enhance engagement, and facilitate real-time interaction.

The Challenges of Traditional Video Production

Creating video content can be resource-intensive, both in terms of time and budget, while traditional methods often fail to drive engagement or conversions. Rosan Erdemli, Co-founder and CMO of Cinema8, highlighted the inefficiencies in the traditional video approach:
“Producing video content often takes a huge investment in time and resources, but traditional approaches rarely generate real engagement or conversions,” said Erdemli. “Our AI technology solves these problems—automating production, enhancing discoverability, and enabling real-time viewer interaction. Businesses can now focus on delivering personalized experiences that drive measurable results.”

Key AI Features of Cinema8

AI Video Concierge

Cinema8’s AI Video Concierge takes video engagement to the next level by allowing businesses to integrate real-time viewer interaction. This tool enables viewers to request personalized product recommendations, check stock availability, and access additional content—all directly within the video itself. For businesses, this concierge connects seamlessly with e-commerce and CRM platforms, improving lead capture, reducing drop-offs, and optimizing the buying process. This results in enhanced engagement and sales outcomes by converting interest into action.

AI-Generated Infocards

Another key feature is AI-generated infocards, which streamline the video production process. By automating the creation of chapters, summaries, and metadata optimized for SEO, this feature helps businesses improve search visibility, reduce production time, and enhance viewer engagement. Videos become easier to navigate, leading to higher retention and interaction rates.

Data-Driven Insights

Cinema8’s analytics suite provides data-driven insights to optimize video performance continually. A/B testing capabilities allow businesses to test various CTAs, interactive elements, and content structures to determine what resonates best with audiences. Heatmaps and viewer behavior reports help businesses pinpoint areas that drive the most engagement, allowing for refinement of strategies and maximizing ROI over time.

Transforming Video Content with AI

Cinema8 is designed to overcome the most significant hurdles in video content: complex workflows, low engagement, and a lack of lead-generation tools. By automating production, enabling real-time engagement, and providing data-driven optimizations, Cinema8 transforms video into a profit-generating asset for businesses.

With its AI-driven features, Cinema8 is revolutionizing how businesses approach video marketing, simplifying the content creation process, improving engagement, and driving sales outcomes. By reducing complexity and providing tools for continuous optimization, Cinema8 offers an innovative solution for businesses aiming to leverage the full potential of video as a powerful marketing asset.

Sitecore, a global leader in digital experience software, ended 2024 with remarkable market momentum. Its AI-powered content management system, XM Cloud, has driven rapid growth, reflecting marketers' increasing reliance on advanced digital experience platforms.

Key Highlights of Sitecore's Growth

• XM Cloud Revenue Growth: 100% globally, 130% in the US.
• Market Expansion: CMS market projected to reach $15.3 billion by 2028 (Forrester).
• Marketer Adoption: Increasing demand for AI-powered content management solutions.

Challenges in the CMS Market

• Only one-third of global marketers believe their CMS supports effective personalization.
• Just 13% are confident their CMS can fully leverage AI.
• Many CMS platforms lack agility in delivering tailored customer experiences.

How XM Cloud Solves These Challenges

• AI-Powered Personalization: Delivers tailored experiences across multiple platforms.
• Faster Time to Market: Optimizes content workflows with fewer resources.
• Enhanced Customer Experience: Builds connected, engaging digital experiences.

Leadership Insights

Dave O'Flanagan, CEO of Sitecore, emphasizes the company’s commitment to innovation:

• Sitecore’s AI-powered CMS enables teams to manage complex content lifecycles efficiently.
• Marketers can build customer-first experiences faster, enhancing brand differentiation.

Sitecore’s triple-digit growth in 2024 highlights its leadership in digital experience innovation. With XM Cloud, marketers gain a future-ready CMS, ensuring seamless AI-driven personalization and enhanced customer engagement.

Onetag, a leader in AI-powered programmatic advertising, has partnered with Anonymised, a privacy-first technology company specializing in ID-less activation and programmatic capabilities. This collaboration enables advertisers to reach audiences without third-party cookies while ensuring full compliance with privacy regulations.

Key Highlights of the Partnership

• AI-Powered, ID-Less Targeting: Reaches up to 60% more audiences in cookie-free environments.
• Real-Time Audience Segmentation: Uses on-device data processing for privacy-compliant cohort creation.
• Seamless Integration: Anonymised’s data segments can be applied within Onetag’s Smart Curation Platform.
• Improved Ad Performance: Enables personalized, non-intrusive campaigns without tracking individual identifiers.

How It Works

• Anonymised’s technology analyzes user behaviors (scroll depth, time on page, ad engagement) without tracking IDs.
• Advertisers can leverage this privacy-first approach to optimize ad performance and reach untapped audiences.
• Publishers monetize inventory efficiently, even in environments without traditional user identifiers.

Launch Partner: JAKALA

JAKALA is the first to implement this innovative approach, helping brands:

• Navigate privacy-first advertising effectively.
• Deliver high-performance campaigns without traditional identifiers.
• Stay compliant with evolving data privacy regulations.

Industry Leaders Speak

Filippo Gramigna, Co-CEO, Onetag:
"This partnership is not just about adapting to a privacy-first world – it’s about thriving in it. We’re helping advertisers unlock new audience potential while ensuring compliance."

Mattia Fosci, CEO, Anonymised:
"Our ID-less technology proves that advertisers can achieve superior campaign performance without relying on user identifiers."

Adriano Coccia, Senior Director, JAKALA:
"By leveraging this cutting-edge approach, we ensure high-performance, privacy-compliant advertising for our clients."

Onetag and Anonymised’s partnership redefines programmatic advertising, helping brands reclaim lost impressions and optimize ad spend in an ID-less, AI-driven future.

Limelight Inc. has appointed Russell Pegrum as its global sales director to accelerate growth, expand into new markets, and strengthen its global presence.

Russell Pegrum’s Industry Expertise

• 20+ years of experience in adtech and programmatic advertising.
• Pioneer in UK ad networks with a decade of leadership.
• Expertise across ad verification (Adloox), publishing (Reach plc), and DSP launches (Aidem).
• Proven ability to understand client needs and drive business success.

Limelight’s Vision & Pegrum’s Role

• Expansion into new markets with a client-first approach.
• Strengthening Limelight’s human-centered approach to adtech.
• Driving revenue growth for existing and future partners.

Leadership Perspectives

Russell Pegrum, Global Sales Director:
"Limelight’s ‘technology with a heartbeat’ approach aligns with my vision of blending innovation with a human touch. I look forward to fostering meaningful partnerships and driving global success."

James Macdonald, Co-Founder & CRO, Limelight:
"Russell’s expertise and deep industry connections will enable us to engage more partners worldwide, delivering the growth our existing partners already enjoy."

Russell Pegrum’s appointment marks a new era of expansion for Limelight as it enters its 7th year, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and global growth.

Sprinklr, a leading Unified-CXM platform, has appointed Jan R. Hauser and Stephen M. Ward, Jr. to its Board of Directors, effective January 29, 2025. Their expertise will support Sprinklr’s vision for AI-powered customer experience management.

Leadership Changes & Audit Committee Transition

• Ed Gillis, current Audit Committee Chair, will step down on March 31, 2025.
• Jan Hauser will assume the role of Audit Committee Chair.
• Mr. Gillis will step down from the Board on June 12, 2025, after serving since 2015.

About Jan R. Hauser

• Global finance leader and retired PwC partner.
• Former VP, Chief Accounting Officer & Controller at GE.
• Board member at Enfusion, Magna International, and past roles at Vonage & Proterra.
• Holds a B.B.A. in Accounting, summa cum laude, from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Hauser on joining Sprinklr:
"Excited to support Sprinklr as it establishes itself as a critical enterprise technology platform."

About Stephen M. Ward, Jr.

• Former CEO of Lenovo and IBM executive.
• Founding team member of C3.ai.
• Board member at C3.ai, Carpenter Technology, Molekule, and past roles at Vonage, KLX, E2Open.
• Holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Ward on joining Sprinklr:
"Sprinklr’s AI-powered platform uniquely positions it for digital transformation, and I look forward to driving innovation and growth."

Sprinklr’s latest board appointments underscore its commitment to innovation, governance, and long-term growth as a leading AI-driven customer experience platform.

Wiland, a leader in data-driven audience insights, has launched FanSignals™, a cutting-edge product designed to help professional sports teams, leagues, and entertainment organizations enhance fan engagement, boost ticket sales, and maximize sponsorship opportunities. Built on Wiland’s MarketSignals™ platform, FanSignals™ delivers deep audience insights using predictive data and transactional intelligence.

How FanSignals™ Empowers Sports Organizations

For Teams and Leagues:

• Convert casual attendees into loyal, long-term supporters.
• Increase season ticket renewals with targeted engagement.
• Ensure promotional campaigns reach the right audience at the right time.

For Advertisers and Sponsors:

• Identify and engage highly active sports audiences.
• Maximize sponsorship ROI through predictive consumer insights.
• Create immersive, brand-building experiences beyond game day.

Industry Leaders Speak on FanSignals™ Impact

• Mike Gingell, CEO of Wiland: “FanSignals™ is a breakthrough for the sports and entertainment industry, equipping teams and leagues with data-driven strategies to elevate engagement and revenue.”
• Andre Murphy, VP of Sports & Entertainment, Wiland: “Understanding fan behavior beyond the stadium is key. FanSignals™ enables teams and brands to build stronger connections and unlock new revenue streams.”

FanSignals™ is set to redefine fan engagement and monetization for sports teams and brands by leveraging advanced audience insights. By providing actionable intelligence, Wiland empowers organizations to refine marketing strategies, boost ticket sales, and drive greater sponsorship value in an increasingly competitive sports landscape.

LifeStreet, a leader in AI-driven media buying, has announced a strategic expansion into non-gaming verticals. Over the past year, LifeStreet has enhanced its Nero media buying platform, allowing top performance marketers to leverage in-app advertising for growth beyond the gaming industry.

Key Advancements in the Nero Platform

• Event-Specific AI Models: Improved machine learning algorithms predict ad success beyond app installs.
• Optimized Campaign Efficiency: Real-time reporting, ad spend optimization, and lead acquisition tracking.
• Seamless Programmatic Buying: Helping brands move beyond walled gardens for programmatic ad success.

Addressing the Non-Gaming Market Gap

• Traditional in-app buying platforms focused on gaming, leaving non-gaming marketers with limited options.
• LifeStreet's expansion offers high-performing ad solutions for industries like finance, insurance, and home services.
• With users spending over five hours daily on mobile, brands can now target audiences beyond Google and Facebook.

Proven Results in Lead Acquisition

• Generated tens of millions of leads over the past year.
• Delivered up to 6X higher conversion rates and a 230% reduction in cost-per-acquisition.
• Brands gain access to machine learning-driven ad placement for better ROI.

Industry Perspective

• Jenna Torres, Digital Media Manager at PCH Media:
  "LifeStreet’s AI-powered platform has helped us expand into new verticals, reaching audiences in a way that drives real impact."
• Levi Matkins, CEO of LifeStreet:
  "Our expansion supports performance marketers across various sectors, empowering them to scale in-app advertising efficiently."

With its AI-driven approach, advanced machine learning models, and programmatic expertise, LifeStreet is revolutionizing in-app advertising for brands outside the gaming sector. This expansion reaffirms its commitment to helping marketers scale and optimize their campaigns in an evolving digital landscape.