Half of marketers surveyed say technical tasks and technology that isn't fit for purpose hamper effective customer data utilization

An exclusive survey conducted by BlueConic, in partnership with WBR Insights, has unveiled significant challenges marketers face in leveraging their customer data effectively. The study, which involved 100 senior marketers and executives from leading B2C brands, highlights that unrealistic technical demands and technology gaps are major barriers to optimizing customer data usage.

• Technical Skill Gaps:

  • 50% of marketing leaders are concerned about their teams' technical skills, with many uncertain if their teams can effectively utilize customer data.

• Technology Infrastructure Challenges:

  • 71% of respondents view integrating new technologies with existing processes as a major obstacle.
  • 81% rate their current technology infrastructure as only partially or inadequately sufficient.
  • 72% struggle with integrating data from various sources and platforms.
  • 56% face difficulties ensuring data quality and cleanliness.

• Organizational Silos:

  • 67% believe a unified vision of data's value across departments is crucial for effective collaboration.
  • 47% report that their marketing teams collaborate with IT, sales, and customer service only occasionally or rarely.

• Actionability of Customer Insights:

  • Only 14% of organizations are highly effective in applying customer data.
  • Over half rate their effectiveness in putting data into action as only moderately, somewhat, or not at all effective.

• Data Management Challenges:

  • 29% cite analyzing large volumes of data as their top challenge.
  • 28% struggle with managing data privacy and consent issues.

• Future Investment Priorities:

  • 67% plan to invest in enhancing privacy and security compliance.
  • 58% will focus on improving data integration from multiple sources.
  • 57% aim to enhance their ability to analyze data efficiently and ensure data quality.

Expert Insights

• Patrick Reynolds, CMO at BlueConic:
  • “Marketers are increasingly asked to perform technical tasks like SQL, which were not traditionally part of their role. Our survey highlights the need for no-code tools that empower marketers to access and act on data insights without needing technical expertise or support from other departments.”

Upcoming Webinar

• "Navigating the Data Deluge: Strategies for Putting Customer Data into Action":
  • The research findings will be explored in-depth during this webinar, providing actionable strategies for marketers.

ImpactQA is thrilled to announce the appointment of Vikasini Iesukapalli as the Director of SAP and AI/ML Practice. Vikasini brings over 15 years of expertise in SAP and AI/ML technologies, making her a pivotal addition to the leadership team. In her new role, she will lead the company's efforts in advancing SAP projects and expanding the reach of ImpactQA's GenAI Products and Solutions.

• Leadership in SAP and AI/ML
  Vikasini Iesukapalli will spearhead initiatives to drive SAP project advancements and oversee the growth of GenAI Products and Solutions at ImpactQA.

• Extensive Industry Experience
  With 15+ years of experience, Vikasini has led transformative projects in various sectors, consistently driving product success and innovation.

• Strategic Impact on Business
  Her expertise in Energy, Utilities, and Oil & Gas, coupled with a strong track record in SAP Testing, will enhance ImpactQA's ability to deliver exceptional solutions to global clients.

• Previous Roles and Achievements
  Before joining ImpactQA, Vikasini held key positions at Mercedes Benz, Wipro, Shell, and Exxon Mobil, where she developed innovative products, provided data analysis, and managed cross-functional teams.

• Vision for the Future
  Vikasini is eager to collaborate with ImpactQA's talented teams to explore new technological frontiers, focusing on SAP Testing and Intelligent Technologies to exceed client expectations.

Vikasini Iesukapalli's appointment marks a significant step forward for ImpactQA. Her vast experience and commitment to innovation align perfectly with the company's goals. Together, they will drive groundbreaking advancements in SAP Testing and Intelligent Technologies, ensuring clients achieve their strategic objectives and maintain leadership in their industries.

Demand for Amperity's Lakehouse CDP soars with product advancements, AI innovations and strategic partnerships

Amperity, the first AI-powered Lakehouse Customer Data Platform (CDP), has appointed Chris Polishuk as Chief Revenue Officer. Chris will lead global go-to-market teams, enhance sales strategies, and expand Amperity's market reach, building on his extensive experience in marketing and advertising technology.

• Leadership Appointment
  Chris Polishuk joins Amperity as Chief Revenue Officer, bringing over two decades of experience in marketing, advertising technology, and data management.

• Expertise in Go-to-Market Strategy
  Chris Polishuk is known for developing enterprise sales strategies, leading high-performing teams, and managing global customer relationships, having previously driven exponential growth at companies like Datorama, Acxiom, and Birst.

• Company Momentum and Innovation
  Amperity continues to innovate with its Lakehouse CDP platform, launching tools like AI Assist and AmpGPT that boost productivity and democratize data-driven decision-making. Significant advancements in media measurement tools have also been introduced.

• Commitment to Security and Compliance
  Amperity has achieved ISO 27001, SOC 2, and HIPAA compliance, reinforcing its commitment to data security and privacy, ensuring customers' sensitive data is handled with the highest standards of protection.

• Industry Recognition and Partnerships
  Amperity has earned accolades as Databricks' Communications, Media, and Entertainment Partner of the Year and was named a Visionary in Gartner's CDP Magic Quadrant report. The company has built strong partnerships with leading ad technology providers and system integrators to accelerate growth.

Amperity's appointment of Chris Polishuk as Chief Revenue Officer, combined with its ongoing innovation and commitment to data security, positions the company for continued growth and leadership in the CDP market. With a strong foundation and strategic vision, Amperity is set to achieve new heights in 2024 and beyond.

Similarweb Ltd., a leading digital market intelligence company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kipp Bodnar to its Board of Directors, effective September 5, 2024. As the Chief Marketing Officer at HubSpot (NYSE: HUBS), Kipp brings extensive experience in scaling SaaS businesses, driving growth, and enhancing global customer engagement.

• Leadership Appointment
  Kipp Bodnar, currently the CMO at HubSpot, joins Similarweb's Board of Directors. His experience in shaping successful marketing strategies and driving growth aligns with Similarweb’s mission to provide unparalleled digital insights.

• Expertise in SaaS and Global Marketing
  At HubSpot, Kipp played a pivotal role in setting the global marketing strategy, building international teams, and driving awareness for HubSpot’s products. His insights will be invaluable as Similarweb continues its global expansion.

• Strategic Vision and Impact
  Kipp's expertise in digital marketing, demand generation, and strategic partnerships will help Similarweb strengthen its market leadership and deliver greater value to its customers.

• Background and Achievements
  Kipp Bodnar holds a BA in journalism from Marshall University and is a co-author of The B2B Social Media Book. His extensive background in marketing makes him a valuable addition to Similarweb’s board as the company accelerates its growth and profitability.

Kipp Bodnar’s appointment to Similarweb’s Board of Directors marks a significant milestone for the company as it continues to expand its offerings and global reach. His proven track record at HubSpot will provide critical guidance to Similarweb’s strategic direction, ensuring continued success in the digital market intelligence space.

Company to Utilize Advanced Solutions from FreeWheel’s Demand-Side Platform Beeswax

Soundwave Digital, a leading programmatic managed-service partner, has announced a new partnership with FreeWheel, a global technology platform for the TV industry. This collaboration will enhance Soundwave Digital's programmatic activation across premium inventory by utilizing key technologies from FreeWheel’s demand-side platform, Beeswax. The integration will empower Soundwave Digital's AI-powered audience modeling solution, Amplifi™, with advanced features to provide partners with access to premium programmatic inventory and granular audience targeting.

• Partnership Announcement
  Soundwave Digital partners with FreeWheel to expand its programmatic activation capabilities by leveraging FreeWheel’s Beeswax demand-side platform, enhancing access to premium inventory.

• Advanced Audience Modeling
  Amplifi™, Soundwave Digital’s AI-powered audience modeling solution, will now feature audience visualization, custom algorithms, unique data access, and curated omnichannel inventory, allowing for highly targeted programmatic advertising.

• Enhanced Flexibility and Customization
  The partnership will provide advertisers with more flexibility, transparency, and custom optimization options, addressing the complexities of the TV ecosystem with advanced solutions from Beeswax.

• Benefits to Partners
  Soundwave Digital’s partners will gain access to first-party data through Amplifi™, extensive APIs, comprehensive reporting and insights, boutique managed services, and a complete range of DSP UI features, all powered by proprietary audience modeling.

The partnership between Soundwave Digital and FreeWheel marks a significant advancement in programmatic advertising, enabling advertisers to leverage cutting-edge technologies for superior audience targeting and inventory access. By integrating FreeWheel’s Beeswax DSP with Amplifi™, Soundwave Digital continues to lead the way in delivering unparalleled programmatic solutions to its clients.

Company adds Android support and impressive new features with latest release

Spline raises $10 million to give designers the superpower to move seamlessly from ideas to production-ready experiences

Spline, the collaborative 3D design platform, has announced the addition of Android support, making it the first platform to enable 3D design, interaction building, and native deployment across both Android and Apple ecosystems without requiring coding. Alongside this significant update, Spline has also introduced new features like real-time API integration and WebHooks, and announced a successful $10 million Series A funding round led by Third Point Ventures.

• Android Support and Cross-Platform Expansion
  Spline now supports Android, allowing designers to create 3D content for a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and more. This expansion follows Spline’s earlier support for Apple devices, ensuring seamless cross-platform 3D content creation.

• New Features for Enhanced 3D Design

  • Real-time API Integration: Designers can now connect APIs to trigger events, actions, and changes within a 3D scene based on real-time data, enabling more interactive experiences.
  • WebHooks: This feature allows the creation of custom WebHook URLs for integrating third-party tools, enhancing the interactivity and connectivity of 3D scenes.
  • AI-Driven Experiences: The combination of real-time API and WebHooks enables AI-powered interactions in 3D scenes, allowing for dynamic, data-driven content creation without the need for coding.

• Series A Funding and Strategic Growth
  Spline raised $10 million in Series A funding, led by Third Point Ventures with participation from other notable investors. The funds will be used to further develop the platform, particularly in integrating AI capabilities into 3D design, as Spline’s user base continues to grow rapidly.

• Industry Adoption and User Praise
  Spline’s user-friendly interface and powerful 3D design tools have gained widespread acclaim, with its adoption by leading companies across various industries. The platform simplifies complex 3D workflows, offering an accessible alternative to traditional, more cumbersome design tools.

With its expanded support for Android and Apple ecosystems, new powerful features like real-time API integration, and a fresh round of funding, Spline is set to revolutionize 3D design. The platform’s innovative approach empowers designers to create immersive, interactive 3D experiences across a wide range of devices, solidifying its position as a leader in the future of content creation.

Predictive threat intelligence is crucial for detecting cyberattacks as it allows organizations to anticipate and prepare for potential threats proactively. By analyzing patterns and trends, it predicts future attacks, enabling early detection and mitigation, thereby improving incident response times and optimizing resource allocation.

PowerDMARC's Integration with SecLytics
PowerDMARC has enhanced its AI-powered email security SaaS platform by integrating with SecLytics, a leading cybersecurity organization specializing in threat prediction and detection. This integration provides end users and partners with advanced threat intelligence capabilities, including:

• Detailed Predictive Threat Intelligence
• Risk Security Score Evaluation for IP Addresses
• Insights into Current & Emerging Cyber Threats
• Identification of Attack Patterns and Trends

This integration significantly boosts PowerDMARC’s threat intelligence capabilities, enabling customers to elevate their domain security and monitoring abilities.

What is SecLytics?
SecLytics is an industry-acclaimed cybersecurity organization known for its predictive threat intelligence solutions that identify and mitigate potential cyberattacks before they cause significant damage. Utilizing machine learning and advanced analytics, SecLytics provides granular insights into existing and emerging cyber threats, helping thousands of organizations improve their security posture.

Key Benefits of the Integration
PowerDMARC’s integration with SecLytics offers numerous benefits to its MSP partners, end users, and customers:

1. Summary of Existing and Potential Cyber Attacks
   Gain comprehensive insights into ongoing and potential threats, helping you stay ahead of attackers.

2. Detailed Threat Intelligence Data and Analysis
   Access in-depth analysis of malicious IP addresses, providing a clearer understanding of threat landscapes.

3. Predictive Analysis of Malicious IP Addresses
   Anticipate and mitigate risks by leveraging predictive analytics to identify potential threats.

4. Identification of Attack Trends and Patterns
   Detect patterns and trends in malicious activities to enhance your organization's cybersecurity strategy.

SecLytics Threat Intelligence Features in PowerDMARC

• SecLytics Risk Evaluation Score
  This score evaluates the likelihood and intensity of risk associated with an IP address on a scale of 0-100, helping users quickly assess the threat level.

• SecLytics Threat Intelligence Analysis Report
  Provides detailed historical performance data on an IP address, including its involvement in spam, malware, and other cyber threats.

Detailed Report Features:

• Risk Level Score
  Evaluates the IP address as low, moderate, elevated, high, or critical risk on a scale of 0-100.

• Risk Category Distribution
  Summarizes reported malicious activities (e.g., malware, botnets, spam) the IP address was involved in over time.

• Year View
  Offers a detailed annual analysis of the IP address’s malicious activity, providing an extended range of historical data.

• Entire Period Analysis
  Examines malicious IP activity from the day it was first reported to the present.

• Predictions
  Tables listing predictions on the attack category, importance level, and prediction date associated with the IP address.

• Threat Data
  Detailed breakdown of different threat categories, with the last reported activity date.

• Reasons and Sample Associated Spam Emails
  Detailed explanations of cyberattacks linked to the IP address, along with examples of spam emails.

• Mitre ATT&CK Framework
  Highlights tactics and techniques linked to the IP address, categorizing attack strategies and objectives.

PowerDMARC’s integration with SecLytics enhances its platform’s threat intelligence capabilities, providing customers with more granular and predictive threat data. This integration empowers organizations to make informed decisions and take proactive measures against cyber threats, significantly improving domain security and threat visibility.

Anura, an ad fraud solution, announces updates to Anura Script, designed to enhance user experience & provide a robust, efficient solution to combat ad fraud.

Anura Solutions, LLC, a leading provider of ad fraud prevention solutions, has announced significant updates to its Anura Script. These updates are designed to enhance user experience, streamline the integration process, and provide a more secure and efficient solution for combating ad fraud.

Key Highlights of the Anura Script Enhancements
Anura’s latest updates to the Anura Script focus on improving functionality, security, and ease of integration for users. The key enhancements include:

1. Reduced Lines of Code
   The updated script reduces the amount of code required for implementation, making the development process more efficient and easier to manage.

2. More Secure Scope Containment
   Enhanced scope containment processes ensure better security, providing users with a more robust and reliable ad fraud prevention solution.

3. Improved Native Functionality
   The Anura Script now includes new native search and social functionalities, enhanced trigger controls, and conditional request controls. These features make the solution more powerful and user-friendly, whether through custom implementation or via a simplified setup with Anura for Google Tag Manager.

Simplified Integration with the New Integration Wizard
The updated Anura Script includes a revamped Integration Wizard designed to simplify the integration process. This enhancement reduces implementation time, making it easier for clients to deploy the solution and start protecting their digital marketing efforts from ad fraud.

Rich Kahn, CEO of Anura, on the Update
"Our clients are our focus, and this update reflects that," said Rich Kahn, CEO of Anura. "With enhanced security, simplified integration, and improved functionality, Anura empowers businesses to thrive while we handle their ad fraud protection for them."

These updates underscore Anura’s commitment to evolving its solutions to meet the dynamic needs of its clients and the ever-changing digital marketing landscape. By focusing on ease of use, enhanced security, and powerful functionalities, Anura continues to lead the industry in providing top-tier ad fraud prevention solutions.