Simpli.fi, a leader in programmatic advertising and workflow software, has announced a major expansion of its Connected TV (CTV) suite. This new suite is designed to provide advertisers with greater pricing flexibility and enhanced control over inventory quality, addressing the challenges of modern CTV advertising and helping companies of all sizes effectively engage their target audiences.

Key Features of Simpli.fi's Expanded CTV Suite

• Streaming TV Tiers:

  • Simpli.fi introduces four distinct streaming TV tiers, allowing advertisers to customize their solutions according to their needs and budgets.
  • Each tier offers different inventory sources, targeting options, and features, ensuring that advertisers can tailor their strategies to fit their specific requirements.
  • Regardless of the selected tier, advertisers will benefit from Simpli.fi’s extensive premium publisher network.

• CTV Choice:

  • The CTV Choice feature within Simpli.fi’s Streaming TV Tiers allows advertisers to create a premium allow list for serving ads on pre-approved publishers.
  • This feature streamlines targeting and provides more control over where ads are placed, ensuring that campaigns align with brand standards and deliver a competitive price point.

Industry Context

• Shift in Viewing Habits:

  • According to eMarketer, linear TV viewing in the U.S. has dropped below 50% for the first time, highlighting the increasing dominance of streaming platforms.
  • Advertisers must adapt to this shift by effectively navigating the vast array of streaming content, maintaining brand safety, and optimizing ROI.

• Simpli.fi’s Response:

  • Simpli.fi’s expanded CTV suite is designed to meet these challenges head-on, offering solutions that enhance brand reputation and safety while maximizing advertising effectiveness.

Enhanced Targeting and Attribution

• Advanced Targeting Options:

  • Simpli.fi’s CTV suite provides robust targeting capabilities, including ZIP code level targeting using Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) data and U.S. Census data.
  • Advertisers can also leverage third-party segments, geo-fencing, event targeting, keyword search, site retargeting, and more.

• Optimized Attribution:

  • The suite’s targeting and attribution features are designed to help advertisers accurately measure campaign performance and ensure that ads reach the right audience.

Statement from Simpli.fi Leadership

Paul Harrison, co-founder and CTO at Simpli.fi, commented: “Given the growing consumer interest in streaming, it is our goal to ensure that no company sees cost or brand safety as barriers to effective, impactful CTV advertising. By creating different streaming tiers at various price points, we are giving advertisers the opportunity to adapt their strategies based on their budget so they can get their ads in front of the right consumers. And through our targeting options and allow list capabilities, customers, SMBs, and agencies of any size can reach target audiences without sacrificing control of their brands.”

Simpli.fi’s expanded Connected TV suite offers a comprehensive solution for modern advertisers looking to navigate the dynamic streaming landscape. With customizable pricing tiers, advanced targeting options, and enhanced control features, Simpli.fi empowers companies to achieve their advertising goals effectively while maintaining brand safety and optimizing ROI.

AI-powered platform drives better management of voice connectivity and deeper, smarter voice engagement

Vonage, a global leader in cloud communications and a part of Ericsson, has unveiled its new intelligent SIP capabilities for SIP Trunking customers. This innovative launch enables developers and enterprises to deploy elastic SIP trunks globally with ease, leveraging advanced AI-powered voice engagement solutions through pre-built code and low-code/no-code applications.

The Growing Importance of Voice Channels

• Consumer Engagement Trends:
  • According to recent data, 92% of consumers use at least one voice channel to connect with their preferred brands, including traditional phone calls, automated voice assistants, and voice calls within apps or webpages.
  • This shift underscores the growing opportunity for businesses to utilize AI to enhance voice interactions and drive deeper, more personalized customer engagement.

Key Features of Vonage's Intelligent SIP Capabilities

• Elastic SIP Trunking:

  • Deploy elastic SIP trunks globally with just a few clicks using Vonage’s modern SIP dashboard.
  • The dashboard offers intuitive setup with extensive geographical coverage, advanced number management, and robust security features including digest authentication, access control list (ACL), and encryption.

• Vonage AI Studio:

  • A low-code/no-code platform that allows businesses to create Natural Language Understanding (NLU) and Generative AI-powered virtual agents.
  • AI Studio supports smart self-service, voice alerts, and more, reducing live agent call volumes and offering new interaction methods for customers and agents.

• Vonage Code Hub:

  • A repository of pre-built solutions for common communication workflows like voice and messaging notifications, speech-enabled IVRs, and digital media stream connections.
  • The Code Hub provides easy access to intelligent SIP applications, supporting call recording, transcription, and sentiment analysis, while reducing development time and infrastructure costs.

• Vonage Voice API:

  • Allows for the creation of programmable voice interactions using traditional coding.
  • Features automatic speech recognition in over 120 languages, premium text-to-speech, and Websockets digital media streams for integrating with third-party virtual agents.

Industry Recognition and Impact

• Omdia's Recognition:
  • Tim Banting, Practice Leader, Digital Workplace for Omdia, highlights the progress of Communications Platforms as a Service (CPaaS) and acknowledges Vonage as a market leader for its innovation and comprehensive solutions.
  • Omdia’s CPaaS Platform Providers Universe 2023-24 report recognizes Vonage’s intelligent SIP offering for its ability to customize and optimize voice and messaging with AI capabilities.

Statement from Vonage

Tim Banting commented: “Communications Platforms as a Service (CPaaS) has made significant progress since its inception. Initially offering developers simple SMS and voice APIs, CPaaS has rapidly expanded into new communication channels and related applications. Omdia recognizes Vonage as a market-leading vendor in Omdia’s CPaaS Platform Providers Universe 2023-24 for its continuous innovation and comprehensive solutions that help businesses enhance customer experiences. One such example is Vonage's intelligent SIP offering, which allows businesses to customize and optimize voice and messaging with AI capabilities for a more personalized customer engagement without requiring developer expertise.”

Vonage's new intelligent SIP capabilities bring advanced AI-powered solutions to SIP Trunking, offering businesses a streamlined approach to deploy and manage voice interactions. With features like Vonage AI Studio, Code Hub, and Voice API, businesses can enhance their voice engagements, optimize customer interactions, and drive better outcomes in an increasingly voice-driven digital landscape.

The Brandtech Group, a leader in marketing technology, has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Google Cloud. This partnership brings Google Cloud's advanced AI models into the Brandtech Group's generative AI marketing platform, Pencil Pro. This integration promises to transform the marketing landscape by providing brands worldwide with unparalleled tools and capabilities.

Unleashing the Power of Google Cloud

• Integration Details:

  • The collaboration enables Brandtech Group and Jellyfish clients to access Google Cloud’s cutting-edge AI models, including Imagen and Gemini, as they become available.
  • These models will generate insights, assets, predictions, and optimizations within a fully integrated workflow, enhancing the functionality of Pencil Pro.
  • The integration aims to accelerate the adoption of Pencil Pro, with three of the world’s top eight advertisers already using the platform for superior marketing asset creation.

• Impact on Pencil Pro:

  • The partnership will leverage Google Cloud’s technology to deliver enhanced capabilities in marketing asset generation, helping brands create more engaging and effective campaigns.

Testimonials from Industry Leaders

• David Jones, Founder and CEO of Brandtech Group:

  • “Google are amazing partners and have been genuine pioneers in the space. Integrating their cutting-edge models Imagen and Gemini, and being hosted on Google Cloud will give Pencil, and therefore our client partners, a huge competitive advantage.”

• Caroline Yap, Managing Director of Global AI Business at Google Cloud:

  • “Our collaboration with the Brandtech Group is a testament to the power of Google AI to transform marketing. Pencil Pro, with its integration of Google’s advanced AI models, will help empower brands to create more engaging and effective campaigns, unlocking new levels of creativity and efficiency.”

Enhancing Creativity and Efficiency

• Positive Feedback:

  • Rebecca Sykes, Brandtech Partner, reported that client feedback from major advertisers has been highly positive. The quality of outputs from Google Cloud’s Imagen model has exceeded expectations, delivering better assets and enhancing creative capabilities.
  • The collaboration is set to unlock even greater potential for success, reinforcing the effectiveness of Pencil Pro in driving marketing innovation.

• AI Studios Integration:

  • Brandtech Group has redesigned its creative and experience capabilities, integrating AI Studios powered by Pencil Pro. This all-encompassing solution combines media, data, content, and commerce, providing a holistic approach to marketing.

Pioneering Generative AI Marketing

• Significance of the Partnership:
  • The collaboration between Brandtech Group and Google Cloud marks a significant leap in generative AI marketing. With Pencil Pro leading the charge, brands can anticipate unprecedented levels of creativity and efficiency.
  • Brandtech and Jellyfish remain committed to driving the future of digital marketing through innovative AI solutions and cutting-edge technology.

The integration of Google Cloud’s advanced AI models into Pencil Pro represents a major advancement in generative AI marketing. By enhancing creativity and efficiency, this partnership empowers brands to achieve new heights in campaign effectiveness and asset creation. As pioneers in this field, Brandtech Group and Google Cloud are set to redefine the future of digital marketing.

HG Insights, a leader in data-driven intelligence for technology companies, has announced the release of the AI Partner 100 report. This new ranking guide is designed to help businesses identify and partner with top companies excelling in Artificial Intelligence (AI), offering critical support to leverage this rapidly growing market.

Pioneering Insights Into AI Markets

• About the AI Partner 100:

  • The AI Partner 100 report marks HG Insights' latest innovation in supporting customers to navigate the complex AI landscape. With a focus on identifying key players ready for AI collaborations, the report helps businesses find valuable partnership opportunities.
  • Gary Cottrell, GM & CPO at HG Insights, emphasized the importance of the report, stating, “Navigating the rapidly evolving AI market is challenging. The AI Partner 100 will help you unlock valuable partnership opportunities in this fast-changing landscape.”

• HG Insights' Expertise:

  • HG Insights has been at the forefront of AI for over a decade, holding six patents pending and one granted for AI inventions. Their extensive experience provides a deep understanding of AI innovations and market opportunities.

• AI Maturity Index:

  • The rankings in the AI Partner 100 are based on HG Insights' patent-pending AI Maturity Index. This index evaluates companies based on their AI product adoption, the strength and location of these adoptions, and their alignment with an Ideal Customer Profile.
  • This comprehensive assessment helps leaders pinpoint companies with advanced AI capabilities ready for strategic partnerships.

Strategic Benefits of the AI Partner 100

• Optimizing Partnerships:

  • Rob Fox, CTO of HG Insights, highlighted the strategic advantage of focusing on high-value partnerships: “The AI Partner 100 contributes to business value by illustrating new opportunities to increase revenue, reduce costs, better manage risk, and enhance productivity.”

• Maximizing Business Value:

  • The report helps businesses concentrate their resources on the most promising and profitable partnerships, enhancing their AI and overall business strategy.

Additional HG Insights Tools

• Partner Intelligence:

  • The AI Partner 100 builds on HG Insights' Partner Intelligence product, designed to identify organizations that align with business goals and drive success.

• AI 1000 Report:

  • The HG Insights AI 1000 offers a broader view of AI-forward companies, providing a landscape overview for strategic planning.

• GenAI Navigator:

  • This tool helps discover untapped potential by identifying companies with AI maturity and generative AI intent, as assessed by HG’s AI Maturity Index.

The launch of the AI Partner 100 report by HG Insights is a pivotal development for businesses seeking to harness the power of AI. By providing detailed insights into leading AI companies, the report empowers organizations to forge successful partnerships and drive innovation in the AI space. HG Insights continues to lead the way in AI intelligence, helping clients navigate and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

25-year industry veteran and former SAP Ariba executive to lead ORO’s global marketing initiatives

ORO Labs, the creator of a market-leading no-code procurement orchestration platform, has announced the appointment of Emily Rakowski as Chief Marketing Officer. Rakowski will lead the planning, development, and execution of ORO Labs’ global marketing initiatives, including brand-building, demand generation, communications, and public relations.

Emily Rakowski's Experience:

• Over 25 years in sourcing and procurement technology.
• Previous roles:
  • Global VP of Audience Marketing and Demand Management at SAP Ariba.
  • CMO at EcoVadis, leading business sustainability ratings and performance tools.
  • Leadership roles at Ellucian, Kearney, and Creative Good.
• Educational background:
  • MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
  • Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Stanford University.

Impact on ORO Labs:

• Rakowski's expertise to drive ORO Labs' global marketing efforts.
• Focus on brand-building, demand generation, communications, and PR.
• Contributions to ORO Labs’ mission of enhancing procurement experiences through innovative technology.

Statements from ORO Labs Leadership:

• Sudhir Bhojwani, Co-founder and CEO: Emphasized Rakowski's passion for procurement and her understanding of digital transformation challenges.
• Lalitha Rajagopalan, Co-founder: Highlighted Rakowski's track record in creating and promoting new markets, particularly in sustainability.

Company Milestones:

• Achieved the world’s first accredited ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification for an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS).
• Commitment to rigorous governance, data privacy, and security policies.

Rakowski's Vision:

• Excitement about rejoining former colleagues and contributing to solving procurement challenges.
• Aiming to drive growth, transformation, and a humanized procurement experience for all users.

Emily Rakowski’s appointment as CMO is a significant step for ORO Labs, promising enhanced marketing strategies and the continued pursuit of innovative procurement solutions. With her extensive experience and leadership, ORO Labs is poised for further growth and success in the martech and procurement sectors.

Copeland, a global leader in sustainable climate solutions and a key player in the HVAC, Refrigeration (HVACR), and industrial compression industry, announced the appointment of Paul Lundstrom as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective August. Copeland operates as a standalone company under Blackstone's Capital Partners Fund XIII.

Paul Lundstrom’s Background:

• Extensive finance and business transformation experience.
• Previous roles:
  • CFO at Flex, Ltd (NASDAQ: FLEX).
  • Key player in the IPO of Nextracker (NASDAQ: NXT) from Flex in 2023.
  • CFO at Aerojet Rocketdyne (previously NYSE: AJRD).
  • Senior financial roles at United Technologies (previously NYSE: UTX), including VP of Investor Relations and CFO roles in various business units.

Impact on Copeland:

• Lundstrom’s broad expertise in finance, business transformation, manufacturing, and investor relations.
• Expected immediate and long-term impact on Copeland’s operations and strategy.
• CEO Ross B. Shuster’s positive outlook on Lundstrom’s fit with Copeland’s culture and goals.

Statements from Copeland Leadership:

• Ross B. Shuster, CEO: Praised Lundstrom’s experience and cultural fit, anticipating a positive impact on day-to-day operations and strategic goals.

Lundstrom’s Vision and Motivation:

• Excitement about joining Copeland as it establishes itself as a standalone leader in the global HVACR and industrial compression industry.
• Motivation to contribute to sustainability and addressing global climate challenges.
• Focus on energy transition, adoption of low global warming refrigerants, and safeguarding food and pharmaceuticals through the cold chain.

Paul Lundstrom’s appointment as CFO marks a significant addition to Copeland’s executive team. With his extensive background in finance, business transformation, and a strong commitment to sustainability, Lundstrom is set to drive Copeland’s strategic initiatives and operational excellence. Copeland is poised to continue its leadership in providing sustainable climate solutions and addressing complex global challenges.

OneCloud proudly announces the launch of OneCloud Connect™, an innovative application designed to revolutionize digital communication. This cutting-edge tool offers a comprehensive suite of features tailored to both personal and professional needs, setting a new standard for seamless interaction.

Vision and Purpose:

• Scott Clontz, COO: "Streamline and unify communications for businesses and professionals."
• Sumner Robinson, CTO: "An all-encompassing communication tool is crucial in today's evolving work dynamics."

Key Features of OneCloud Connect™:

Login Module:

• Secure access with multiple authentication options: username/password, email/password, and single sign-on (SSO).
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for enhanced security with an easy setup process.

Chat Module – One-to-One Messages:

• Private conversations with message/attachment sending, GIFs, emojis, pinned messages, and message editing/deletion.
• Efficient message searching, replying, and reacting with an intuitive interface.

Chat Module - Group Messages:

• Group chats with message management, admin controls (adding/removing members, promoting admins), and detailed group settings (name, topic, picture).

Chat Module – Channels:

• Public or private channels for broader discussions with main posts, threaded replies, and multimedia sharing.
• Extensive management tools for channel admins, including member promotion, message pinning, and notification customization.

Meeting Module:

• Enhanced virtual meetings with muting/unmuting, video control, screen sharing, and interactive tools like polls and reactions.
• Easy meeting scheduling with time zone conversion, recurring options, and attendee management.

Call Center & Call Park:

• Call center monitoring, queue management, and call parking for optimized customer service and agent productivity.

Webinars:

• HD video webinars with registration management, attendee privileges, live streaming, engagement tools, and recording/transcript options.

Softphone Module:

• Seamless call management with mute, hold, transfer, voicemail management, and detailed call history tracking.

Settings:

• Customizable user experience with profile management, theme selection, and advanced settings for notifications, video/audio preferences, and security configurations.

OneCloud Connect™ integrates advanced technology and user-centric design to empower individuals and teams to communicate effectively across various platforms. Whether for personal use, team collaboration, or customer engagement, OneCloud Connect™ stands as the ultimate communication solution, addressing the needs of a rapidly evolving digital world.

TapClicks, a leader in Smart Marketing solutions, has announced the immediate availability of TapData™, a groundbreaking platform designed to provide scalable ELT (Extract, Load, Transform) / ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) technology. TapData™ is tailored for agencies and brands of all sizes, offering advanced data management at an affordable cost.

The Challenge of Data Fragmentation:

• Marketers face data overload, with smaller companies managing numerous data sources and larger organizations dealing with even greater complexity.
• Fragmented information across multiple platforms and spreadsheets.

TapData™: An Overview

• Combines TapClicks’ existing data connectors, analytics, and data blending technologies into a unified platform.
• Provides significant benefits such as access to a wide range of marketing platforms, advanced data transformation, and straightforward data export options.

Key Features of TapData™:

• Automatic Data Warehousing: Simplifies data storage and management.
• Extensive Data Connectors: Hundreds of native connectors including Amazon, Facebook, Google, Instagram, TikTok, and more.
• SmartConnector™ Technology: Over 9000 connections to virtually any data source.
• Near Real-Time Data Access: Live connectors for up-to-date data from major platforms like Amazon and Google.

Data Export Capabilities:

• Business Intelligence Tools: Export data to Looker, MicroStrategy, Tableau, etc.
• Business Tools: Support for Email, Google Sheets, FTP/SFTP, etc.
• Warehouses and Databases: Integration with Amazon Redshift, Google BigQuery, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, etc.
• Reporting and Analytics: Export to Looker Studio, TapReports, and TapAnalytics.

Customer Testimonials:

• Bradley Keefer, Chief Revenue Officer of Keen Decision Systems: Praised TapData™ for streamlining ETL processes and reducing reliance on Excel, resulting in faster insights and improved decision-making.

TapData™ Packages:

• TapDataMAX: Comprehensive ELT/ETL solution with advanced features, aimed at tech-savvy employees such as data analysts and data scientists.
• TapDataPlus: Intermediate package for mid-market companies with sophisticated technical resources like technical marketers and data analysts.
• TapDataLite: Basic, cost-effective ELT solution for smaller organizations, suitable for tools like Google Sheets or Looker Studio.

TapData™ by TapClicks delivers a robust and scalable ELT/ETL solution designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. With its extensive data connectors, real-time data access, and flexible export options, TapData™ simplifies data management, enhances decision-making, and supports a variety of business needs.