Claritas, a trailblazer in data-driven marketing solutions, has announced an exciting new partnership with AudioStack, a leader in AI audio production. This strategic collaboration aims to transform the landscape of AI-driven audio marketing by integrating both companies' cutting-edge technologies and unparalleled expertise.

Enhanced Audience Targeting and Personalization

The partnership will leverage synergies between Claritas’ deep consumer insights, advanced data analytics, and patented AI technology and AudioStack’s state-of-the-art AI-powered media creation infrastructure. This integration will deliver enhanced audience targeting, creative optimization, and dynamic content adaptation, setting a new standard for personalized audio experiences.

By merging Claritas' robust AI-driven creative optimization with AudioStack's innovative audio content creation, this partnership enables the production of highly targeted and personalized audio content. Detailed consumer demographics, behaviors, and preferences provided by Claritas will allow AudioStack to fine-tune its audio offerings to meet specific listener needs effectively.

“This partnership with AudioStack helps scale the GenAI and overall AI capabilities Claritas offers to help marketers drive more effective and efficient marketing strategies,” said Mike Nazzaro, CEO of Claritas. “By combining our understanding of consumer behavior with AudioStack's expertise in audio technology, we can offer marketers unparalleled tools to engage their audiences.”

Improved Creative Optimization

The collaboration will see Claritas' AI-driven creative optimization applied to AudioStack’s audio content creation processes. This ensures that audio ads, podcasts, and other content are not only engaging but also designed to drive better results.

With access to real-time data and insights from Claritas' platform, AudioStack can dynamically adapt audio content to individual listener preferences and behaviors. This data-driven approach guarantees that every piece of audio content resonates deeply with its intended audience.

Silke Zetzsche, Global Commercial Director at AudioStack, commented, “This groundbreaking partnership with Claritas is putting DCO on its head. We're essentially starting with a white canvas instead of a traditional decision tree, creating several creative assets based on the activation brief, then letting the AI optimize, and then ingesting campaign learnings back into the re-creation of additional creative assets on the fly. This always-on audio strategy focuses on only the best-performing creative variants and uses the learnings to re-create additional versions to increase performance and improve campaign health overall.”

Synergies in GenAI Applications

One of the most promising aspects of the partnership is the potential for GenAI applications. Combining Claritas’ audience targeting, campaign execution, and measurement expertise with AudioStack’s prowess in audio content generation means the development of highly personalized and engaging audio content powered by AI.

Marketers will benefit from more effective, personalized, and measurable audio campaigns that harness the strengths of both companies in AI, data analytics, and audio technologies. These advancements will allow clients to achieve their marketing goals more efficiently in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The combined expertise and technology of Claritas and AudioStack signal a new era for AI-driven audio marketing. Businesses looking to enhance their marketing strategy with innovative, data-driven audio content now have a powerful solution at their disposal through this groundbreaking partnership.

UserTesting, the leading provider of human insights for innovators, has announced the appointment of Johann Wrede as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Wrede brings over 25 years of experience in customer databases, CRM, and CX solutions. His role will focus on strengthening UserTesting's market presence, enhancing customer engagement, and positioning the company as the premier platform for human insights.

• Johann Wrede's Background:
  Wrede has extensive expertise in developing, selling, and marketing CRM and CX solutions, previously holding senior roles at companies like Emburse, Xactly, SAP, Cisco, and IBM.

• Strategic Role at UserTesting:
  As CMO, Wrede will lead the company’s global marketing strategies, including:

  • Demand generation: Driving qualified leads and expanding UserTesting's customer base.
  • Brand strategy: Strengthening UserTesting’s position as the go-to human insights platform.
  • Product marketing and corporate communications: Showcasing the platform's value and amplifying its reach.
  • Customer advocacy: Enhancing customer satisfaction and co-creation opportunities.

• Vision for UserTesting:
  Johann Wrede expressed his enthusiasm for joining at a pivotal time, stating his eagerness to elevate the company’s global brand and accelerate its growth. His leadership will be critical in shaping the future of customer experience innovation.

• Leadership Endorsement:
  Jamie Anderson, President of Global Field Operations at UserTesting, praised Wrede’s track record of building market-leading brands. Anderson emphasized that Wrede's leadership will be instrumental in fostering innovation and empowering businesses to co-create better customer experiences.

With Johann Wrede at the helm of its marketing efforts, UserTesting is poised to expand its influence in the human insights space and drive growth through deeper customer engagement and global brand elevation.

Nicholas Zangler to Lead Viant’s Investor Strategy

Viant Technology Inc. has appointed Nicholas Zangler as Vice President of Investor Relations. In this role, Zangler will lead the company's investor relations strategy, enhancing its visibility and strengthening relationships within the investor community. He will serve as the primary liaison between Viant and investors, ensuring transparent and consistent communication about the company's vision, strategy, and financial performance.

• Nicholas Zangler's Experience:
  Zangler brings over 15 years of experience in sell-side equity research and investor relations. His expertise spans multiple sectors, including AdTech, media, retail, and healthcare.

  • Most recently, Zangler was an equity research analyst at Stephens Inc., where he covered Technology, Media, and Telecom (TMT) industries, focusing on AdTech and connected TV (CTV).
  • He has also held a leadership position in investor relations at Walgreens Boots Alliance.

• Strategic Role at Viant:
  In his new role, Zangler will focus on:

  • Investor engagement: Strengthening relationships with investors and broadening awareness of Viant's capabilities.
  • Clear communication: Serving as the point of contact for investors and equity research analysts, ensuring clear communication of the company’s financial performance.
  • Market differentiation: Highlighting Viant’s position as a buy-side only, demand-side platform (DSP) in the AdTech space.

• Leadership Endorsement:
  Larry Madden, Chief Financial Officer at Viant, emphasized the importance of Zangler’s experience in CTV and AdTech, stating that his leadership will be crucial to advancing Viant’s growth strategy and communicating its unique value proposition to investors.

• Zangler’s Vision for Viant:
  Nicholas Zangler expressed his excitement about joining Viant during a period of innovation, particularly with technologies like ViantAI. He looks forward to building strong investor relationships and showcasing Viant's potential for continued growth and market leadership.

Nicholas Zangler’s appointment as Vice President of Investor Relations will help Viant strengthen its connections with the investor community, further driving the company’s growth and enhancing its leadership in the AdTech and CTV sectors.

KERV Interactive, the leader in AI-powered video analysis, performance, and monetization, has announced the appointment of Lauri Baker as Senior Vice President, Head of Partnerships. With over 25 years of experience in adtech, strategic partnerships, and digital innovation, Baker will play a pivotal role in expanding KERV’s partnerships with agencies and brands, accelerating revenue growth, and guiding the company's strategic direction.

• Lauri Baker’s Background:

  • Baker has held leadership roles at Discovery, Verizon Media, and HuffPost Partner Studio, where she co-founded one of the earliest branded content studios.
  • Most recently, she served as SVP of Strategic Partnerships at Infillion.
  • Named one of NewsCred’s 50 Most Influential Content Marketers, she also serves on the IAB Video Leadership Board.

• Role at KERV:
  In her new role, Baker will report to CRO Jay Wolff and focus on:

  • Strategic partnerships: Strengthening and expanding relationships with brands, agencies, and publishers.
  • Revenue growth: Accelerating KERV's growth by leveraging innovative AI-driven video solutions.
  • Technology and creativity: Leading the convergence of content, commerce, and data-driven advertising experiences.

• KERV’s Recent Innovations:
  KERV has made significant strides in enhancing its product offerings and partnership network, including:

  • Programmatic solutions: Expanding availability through partners like Magnite.
  • Interactive, shoppable CTV experiences: Collaborating with major partners such as Digitas, Disney, Vevo, and VIZIO.
  • Shoppability and contextual targeting: Partnering with NBCU for 'Must Shop TV' and globally with Paramount ANZ.
  • AI advancements: Processing over 1.3 million videos to ensure brand safety, contextual relevance, and actionable moments for advertisers.

• Leadership Praise:
  Gary Mittman, CEO of KERV, highlighted Baker’s expertise at the intersection of technology, data, and creativity, noting her key role in driving innovation where content and commerce converge.
  CRO Jay Wolff also emphasized Baker’s strong leadership in growing revenue and orchestrating collaborative sales teams, predicting her impact will further push the boundaries of dynamic, interactive video experiences.

• Baker’s Vision for KERV:
  Lauri Baker is excited to join KERV during a period of digital transformation. She emphasized the importance of KERV’s advanced AI and image-recognition technologies in creating seamless, shoppable video experiences and engaging consumers in meaningful ways. Baker looks forward to scaling innovative solutions and delivering measurable results for KERV’s partners across all platforms.

Lauri Baker’s appointment as Senior Vice President, Head of Partnerships, positions KERV Interactive for continued growth and innovation. Her expertise will be instrumental in scaling KERV’s solutions and driving impactful partnerships with brands and agencies.

The SaaS unicorn welcomes a new CMO, CRO, and CSO to build on its go-to-market strategy and growth in the industry

ActiveCampaign, a leading marketing automation platform, has announced the appointment of three key executives: Amy Kilpatrick as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Carine Roman as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), and Shay Howe as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). These leadership changes aim to drive innovation, fuel growth, and deliver greater value to businesses by helping them build stronger, more meaningful customer relationships at scale.

• Amy Kilpatrick – Chief Marketing Officer (CMO):

  • Kilpatrick joins ActiveCampaign after serving as CMO of Contentful and as VP of Integrated Marketing at Mailchimp.
  • With extensive experience in cybersecurity, telecommunications, and content marketing, she will focus on scaling ActiveCampaign’s brand with small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) globally.

• Carine Roman – Chief Revenue Officer (CRO):

  • Previously Mailchimp’s first Chief Customer Officer, Roman built the company’s sales team and integrated customer success with sales.
  • At ActiveCampaign, Roman will concentrate on growing new and existing business efforts, driving revenue, and enhancing the customer experience across the platform.

• Shay Howe – Chief Strategy Officer (CSO):

  • A seven-year veteran of ActiveCampaign, Howe transitions from his role as CMO to CSO.
  • In this new capacity, he will guide corporate strategy, oversee new product lines, and lead strategic partnerships and corporate development initiatives.

• CEO’s Vision:
  Jason VandeBoom, Founder and CEO of ActiveCampaign, expressed confidence in the new appointments, emphasizing that the combined expertise of Kilpatrick, Roman, and Howe will elevate the company’s ability to innovate and meet customer needs. He highlighted their passion for helping businesses succeed and their ability to drive impact for ActiveCampaign’s growing global customer base.

• Recent Company Developments:
  Over the past year, ActiveCampaign has:

  • Added Joy Whinery as Chief Financial Officer.
  • Reimagined its product direction with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI).
  • Opened two new hub locations in Costa Rica and Poland.
  • Acquired OneSend, a suite of tools designed for franchise, multi-location brands, and reseller agencies.

These leadership appointments mark a pivotal moment in ActiveCampaign's growth. The addition of Kilpatrick, Roman, and Howe to the leadership team will help the company deepen its understanding of customer needs, drive innovation, and scale its global operations. With a focus on personalized customer experiences and AI-driven solutions, ActiveCampaign is poised to continue redefining how businesses connect with their customers.

Data-Backed Insights & Best Practices to Make Relevant, Engaging, Impactful Shoppable CTV & Digital Ads this Holiday Season & Beyond

Innovid, an independent software platform specializing in the creation, delivery, measurement, and optimization of advertising across connected TV (CTV), linear, and digital channels, has launched its new guide, “Holiday Shoppable Advertising Unwrapped.” This guide offers key insights and best practices to help marketers leverage shoppable ads for enhanced engagement and quicker paths to purchase, particularly during the holiday season.

• Performance Benchmarks for Interactive & Shoppable Ads:

  • Innovid analyzed approximately 380 billion global video impressions on its platform.
  • Results showed that interactive CTV ads, a category that includes shoppable ads, delivered:
    • 92 seconds more engagement compared to standard pre-roll ads.
    • 10X the engagement rate of traditional video ads.

• Tips for Effective Shoppable Ad Experiences:
  The guide includes actionable tips based on Innovid’s experience running thousands of shoppable ads:

  • Use action-oriented CTAs: Encourage immediate action with clear, compelling calls-to-action.
  • Reduce clicks to conversion: Simplify the user journey by minimizing the number of steps between engagement and purchase.
  • Maximize QR code visibility: Increase QR code duration on-screen to allow viewers more time to engage.

• Real-World Case Studies:
  The guide highlights success stories of brands that improved their holiday ad performance using CTV shoppable ads. These brands experienced:

  • Improved return on ad spend (ROAS).
  • Increased holiday sales through interactive shopping experiences.

• Shoppable Ads as a Key Opportunity:
  Dani Cushion, CMO of Innovid, emphasized the value of shoppable ads, stating, “Shoppable ads offer an incredible chance for advertisers to transform passive viewers into active shoppers using the largest screen in the house. This format is already delivering success for thousands of advertisers – the time for shoppable TV is now.”

Innovid’s “Holiday Shoppable Advertising Unwrapped” provides marketers with the tools and strategies they need to optimize their holiday campaigns. By incorporating interactive and shoppable CTV ads, brands can drive higher engagement, increase sales, and make the most of the holiday season’s advertising opportunities.

GetApp’s 2024 Advertising Preferences Survey reveals how marketing overload and irrelevant content drive customers to unsubscribe, hurting business discover insights to regain consumer trust and boost sales.

A recent survey conducted by GetApp reveals that U.S. consumers are increasingly frustrated with the overwhelming amount of advertisements they receive. The 2024 Advertising Preferences Survey highlights that 40% of U.S. consumers unsubscribe from brand texts and emails at least once a week significantly higher than the global average of 25%. This signals a growing demand for brands to rethink their marketing strategies and respect consumer boundaries.

• Consumers Demand Relief from High-Frequency Marketing:

  • 56% of U.S. consumers will unsubscribe if they receive four or more marketing messages from the same brand within 30 days.
  • 44% opt out sooner, showing a clear aversion to frequent communication.
  • The influx of irrelevant content is driving U.S. consumers to label messages as spam or block communications altogether.

• Rising Concerns Over Personal Data Usage:

  • 52% of respondents feel it’s challenging to prevent marketers from accessing their personal information.
  • 60% are unwilling to share data in exchange for personalized or targeted ads, indicating a lack of trust in how companies handle personal information.
  • David Jani, marketing analyst at GetApp, noted that U.S. consumers are quicker to take action by using spam filters, email blocking tools, and privacy settings when receiving unwanted marketing communications.

• Consumer Actions Against Unwanted Ads:

  • Nearly 94% of consumers have taken steps to block or filter marketing messages. This includes:
    • Marking messages as spam or junk (72%).
    • Using anti-spam tools (53%).
    • Reviewing privacy settings for websites and apps (26%).
  • 36% of U.S. consumers who unsubscribed claim they never subscribed or don’t remember subscribing, pointing to potential deceptive practices in marketing.

Strategies for Brands to Re-Engage Consumers:

• Streamline Marketing Communications:

  • Brands should limit the number of promotional messages across channels. Tools like CRM systems and email marketing platforms can help track communication frequency to ensure messaging remains at a sustainable level.

• Respect and Protect Consumer Data:

  • As consumers become more protective of their personal data, marketers must implement data management tools that secure and appropriately use this information.
  • Collect only essential data and offer incentives, such as loyalty programs or exclusive offers, to encourage consumers to share their data willingly.
  • Transparency in the opt-out process can help maintain consumer trust while reducing frustration.

GetApp’s survey underscores the urgent need for brands to balance campaign performance with customer respect. By reducing the volume of marketing messages and safeguarding personal data, businesses can re-engage disillusioned consumers and foster long-term trust.

Captello has upgraded its badge scanner, allowing faster QR code scans from up to 25 inches away. The new technology boosts scan speed by 3.2 times and promotes safer interactions at events. CEO Ryan Schefke highlights the company's focus on innovation and efficiency for lead capture. The upgraded scanner is now available for event organizers globally.

Captello, a leading provider of cloud-based lead capture solutions, has announced a significant enhancement to its badge scanning technology, aimed at transforming interactions at professional gatherings, trade shows, and events. This new upgrade allows Captello’s badge scanners to accurately scan 1" QR codes from distances of up to 60 cm (25 inches)—a marked improvement from previous versions. The enhanced capability increases scanning speed by 3.2 times, ensuring safer and more efficient interactions, particularly in a post-COVID landscape.

• Improved Scanning Distance & Speed:
  The upgraded badge scanner can now capture 1" QR codes from 60 cm (25 inches) away, significantly enhancing the ease and speed of lead capture at events.

  • The scanning process is now 3.2 times faster, which reduces waiting times and allows for smoother interactions between attendees and exhibitors.

• Enhanced Safety for Post-COVID Interactions:
  By increasing the effective scanning range, the upgraded technology promotes safer engagements, allowing event participants to maintain comfortable distances while exchanging information. This ensures that health and safety standards are not compromised during lead capture and event interactions.

• Greater Efficiency & Engagement:
  Event organizers and exhibitors can now benefit from faster lead capture and more streamlined attendee interactions. The new scanner helps minimize wait times, enabling attendees to engage more freely while ensuring exhibitors can efficiently capture leads without interrupting the flow of the event.

CEO Insights:
Ryan Schefke, CEO of Captello, expressed excitement about the upgrade:
“We are thrilled to roll out this upgrade to our badge scanner technology. At Captello, we are committed to continuous innovation and delivering solutions that meet the evolving needs of professionals at gatherings. This enhancement is a testament to our dedication to providing efficient, flexible lead capture methods that ensure safety and enhance engagement at every event. Our team has worked tirelessly to develop a solution that not only speeds up the process but also creates a comfortable ‘safe zone’ for interactions in today’s environment.”

Captello’s newly upgraded badge scanner technology is now available and is expected to set a new standard in the industry for lead capture efficiency and safety. Event organizers and exhibitors worldwide are invited to experience the benefits of this cutting-edge solution at upcoming events.