Leading digital automation tool, which empowers advertisers and agencies to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness across all channels, will be demonstrated at Booth #T7 and during an expert session on August 13th

Shirofune, a leading digital advertising automation management tool, is set to showcase its cutting-edge ecommerce and omnichannel advertising automation platform at eTail East 2024, taking place from August 12-15. Attendees are invited to visit Booth #T7 for a live demonstration of Shirofune’s platform, which is designed to optimize ad performance and help advertisers and agencies maximize their return on ad spend (ROAS).

Key Highlights

1. Speaking Session on Leveraging LTV Data

Mitsunaga Kikuchi, Co-founder and CEO of Shirofune, will be hosting a speaking session titled “Unlocking Advertising Success: Leveraging LTV Data for Effective Campaigns” on August 13th at 2:20 PM. In this session, Kikuchi will challenge the conventional focus on short-term metrics like ROAS and CPA, emphasizing the importance of understanding the lifetime value (LTV) of customers acquired through specific campaigns. The discussion will highlight the risks of focusing solely on immediate results and demonstrate how evaluating LTV can lead to more sustainable and profitable advertising strategies.

2. Shirofune’s Platform Features

• AI-Driven Budget and Bid Management: Shirofune automates daily budget and bid management across major platforms, including Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon Ads, LinkedIn, Microsoft Advertising, Pinterest, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). The platform optimizes campaigns based on set targets like ROAS, ensuring that ad dollars are spent efficiently to maximize performance.

• Advanced Performance Analytics: The Change Analysis report feature automatically analyzes performance shifts and provides insights in natural language, reducing the need for manual comparison and enabling advertisers to make data-driven decisions quickly.

• Enhanced Targeting and Time Savings: Shirofune’s detailed bidding and targeting algorithms allow advertisers to fine-tune their campaigns with precision, saving time and boosting ROI. The platform’s automation ensures that campaigns are continuously optimized without requiring constant manual intervention.

• Improvement Suggestion Feature: This feature identifies and recommends actions on keywords and search queries that are inflating costs without delivering desired results. It suggests excluding high-cost keywords, incorporating negative keywords, and adding potentially high-performing keywords, which collectively improve ROAS and reduce unnecessary expenses.

3. Success with Amazon Ads and Microsoft Advertising

Shirofune’s automated bidding feature has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness, particularly with recent integrations with Amazon Ads and Microsoft Advertising. Over 90% of companies that adopted these integrations saw significant improvements in advertising cost of sales (ACoS) and ROAS within just one to two weeks of implementation.

At eTail East 2024, Shirofune will provide attendees with an opportunity to experience firsthand how its advanced automation tools can streamline advertising efforts, enhance efficiency, and drive measurable, long-term success. By leveraging AI and human intelligence, Shirofune empowers advertisers and agencies to achieve precision in their campaigns, ensuring every ad dollar is optimized for maximum return.

SheerID survey shows that gated, exclusive offers for consumer communities are the key to winning — and keeping — new customers in a price-shopping economy

SheerID, the global leader in identity verification for commerce, has released its 2024 Consumer Loyalty Report. This report explores the impact of discounts on consumer loyalty amidst ongoing economic pressures. The study, based on a survey of over 3,200 consumers in the United States and the United Kingdom, highlights how exclusive offers to specific consumer communities can drive long-term brand loyalty despite economic uncertainties.

Key Findings

1. The Power of Emotional Connection

The survey, conducted by Centiment between March 1 and March 14, 2024, reveals that enduring loyalty is deeply rooted in emotional connections with brands. Exclusive, gated offers—targeted at communities such as students, teachers, and military personnel—are highly effective in nurturing these connections. Key insights include:

• Community Identification: 80% of consumers identify more strongly with their community than with broader social or demographic categories. This strong sense of identity translates into heightened brand loyalty.
• Exclusive Offers Impact: 73% of respondents feel more emotionally connected to brands that offer them exclusive deals. Furthermore, 71% report increased brand loyalty due to such offers.

2. Economic Pressures and Consumer Spending

Economic concerns are influencing consumer behavior, with 71% of respondents adjusting their spending habits due to rising prices. Despite this trend, exclusive offers prove effective in maintaining consumer loyalty and attracting new customers:

• Community-Based Deals: Over 80% of consumers in specific communities actively seek exclusive deals from brands. More than half are motivated to try new brands, and 45% would switch their loyalty for a community-based exclusive offer.

3. Emotional Recognition Drives Loyalty

Feeling valued and appreciated by a brand fosters loyalty. SheerID's survey highlights that exclusive offers evoke strong positive emotions and enhance brand connection:

• Recognition and Gratitude: 75% of military and first responders feel honored by exclusive offers, while 75% of healthcare workers, 69% of teachers, and 67% of students feel grateful for such recognition.

4. Exclusive Offers and Lifetime Value

Emotional connections with brands lead to a 306% higher lifetime value. The survey indicates that exclusive offers are effective in creating these connections:

• Emotional Bond: A significant portion of teachers (76%), students (73%), healthcare workers (72%), military (71%), and first responders (67%) report feeling more emotionally connected to brands offering exclusive deals.

5. Loyalty Program Membership

Exclusive offers are a powerful incentive for joining loyalty programs:

• High Engagement Rates: More than 70% of members from all surveyed communities are likely to join a brand’s loyalty program to redeem exclusive offers, including 90% of first responders and 88% of teachers.

The 2024 Consumer Loyalty Report underscores the importance of exclusive, gated offers in building and maintaining long-term consumer loyalty. By creating emotional connections through targeted offers, brands can foster loyalty that endures despite economic challenges. Integrating verification into loyalty programs is recommended to personalize campaigns and sustain engagement over time.

Kaneko brings comprehensive adtech experience to OpenX as the SSP expands its buy-side team in APAC.

OpenX Technologies, Inc., a global leader in omnichannel supply-side platforms, has announced the appointment of Shinya Kaneko as Senior Director, Buyer Development, Japan. This strategic hire underlines OpenX's commitment to expanding its presence and influence in Japan's growing programmatic advertising market.

1. Leadership Role and Responsibilities:

• Kaneko will lead Japan's buyer development team.
• Acts as a resource for brands and agencies focusing on curation to drive business results.
• Reports to Mitchell Greenway, Managing Director, APAC.

2. Strategic Goals and Programmatic Growth:

• Partnership focus to help buyers achieve KPIs via programmatic advertising.
• Instrumental in delivering transparency, ease of purchase, and incremental reach in CTV campaigns.
• Tied to the global expansion of TV by OpenX into the Japanese market.

3. Market Context and Investment in Japan:

• Japan’s programmatic advertising spending is projected to reach $30 billion by 2026.
• OpenX’s increased investment in sell-side curation, enhancing buyer access and scale.

4. Kaneko’s Experience and Qualifications:

• Extensive background in sales management with Verizon, AOL, and Yahoo.
• Former senior account manager at Microsoft’s DSP.
• His expertise is pivotal in addressing buyer needs in Japan’s evolving programmatic landscape.

5. Strategic Importance of Kaneko’s Appointment:

• Signifies OpenX's commitment to delivering premium advertising experiences.
• Aims to build trust and deepen partnerships with Japanese brands.

Shinya Kaneko’s appointment as Senior Director of Buyer Development marks a significant step in OpenX’s strategy to enhance programmatic advertising in Japan. With his deep industry experience, Kaneko is poised to drive growth, transparency, and innovation in one of the world’s most dynamic advertising markets.

New CRO and SVP Bring Deep Experience in Advertising, Agencies and Brands

illumin Holdings Inc., a leading journey advertising technology company, has announced the addition of two key leaders to its executive team. Liz Ritzcovan joins as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), and Bridget Westerholz steps in as Senior Vice President of Marketing (SVP). Both appointments are effective as of August 2024 and are set to drive illumin's global growth and innovation.

1. New Chief Revenue Officer – Liz Ritzcovan:

• Liz Ritzcovan appointed as Chief Revenue Officer in August 2024.
• Will oversee global sales, account management, and customer support.
• Previous roles include CRO at Hustle, Namagoo, Foursquare, Bazaarvoice, Sizmek, and Parade Media Group.
• Held senior leadership roles in marketing solutions and client services at Yahoo Inc. and Time Inc.
• Based in Connecticut, bringing extensive experience in advertising and marketing.

2. Liz Ritzcovan’s Vision for illumin:

• Excited to drive future growth and go-to-market transformation.
• Focus on empowering brands and agencies to connect with the right customers across various mediums.
• Committed to enhancing customer service and delivering impactful results.

3. New Senior Vice President of Marketing – Bridget Westerholz:

• Bridget Westerholz appointed as SVP of Marketing in August 2024.
• Will lead global marketing efforts, leveraging experience with agencies and brands.
• Former VP of Marketing at SPUD, where she rebuilt brand strategy and product marketing plans.
• Also served as VP of Marketing and Sales for Happy Planet Foods.
• Extensive leadership experience in advertising agencies, including FUSE Create and DDB Canada.

4. Bridget Westerholz’s Perspective:

• Enthusiastic about joining illumin and contributing to its innovative and dynamic team.
• Passionate about storytelling and data-driven strategies.
• Aims to understand customer needs and elevate the illumin brand.

5. CEO Simon Cairns’ Comments:

• Simon Cairns, CEO of illumin, expresses excitement about the new leadership additions.
• Emphasizes the focus on supporting agency and brand customers for success with illumin.

The appointments of Liz Ritzcovan as Chief Revenue Officer and Bridget Westerholz as Senior Vice President of Marketing mark a significant milestone for illumin as it continues to expand and innovate. Their combined expertise in advertising, marketing, and leadership is set to strengthen illumin’s market presence and drive sustained growth.

Apiable Oy, an API portal platform, has been accepted into the AWS ISV Accelerate Program. This program helps software vendors that integrate with AWS to grow by connecting them with the AWS Sales Organization. This milestone shows Apiable's dedication to delivering innovative API solutions and working closely with AWS. By joining the program, Apiable gains access to co-sell support, technical enablement, and go-to-market resources. Apiable's API portals allow users to create, secure, market, and monetize APIs easily. The integration with Amazon API Gateway helps customers launch API portals quickly and securely, and monetize them using services like Stripe. Allan Knabe, CEO of Apiable, expressed excitement about the program, highlighting its alignment with Apiable's mission to simplify API onboarding. The program offers joint selling opportunities, technical enablement, and go-to-market support. Overall, this partnership is set to boost Apiable's market presence and enhance its technical capabilities, driving further innovation and growth.

Apiable Oy, a leader in API portal solutions, has proudly joined the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Accelerate Program. This program is designed to help ISVs drive new business and accelerate sales cycles by connecting them with AWS's extensive sales network. Apiable’s inclusion in the program highlights its dedication to advancing API technology and leveraging AWS's capabilities to foster innovation and growth.

1. Overview of the AWS ISV Accelerate Program:

• Purpose and Benefits: The AWS ISV Accelerate Program supports ISVs by providing co-sell support, technical enablement, and go-to-market resources.
• Apiable’s Role: Apiable will leverage these resources to enhance its API portal platform and expand its market reach.

2. Apiable’s API Portal Platform:

• Features: Apiable’s platform allows organizations to create, secure, market, and monetize API products efficiently.
• Integration with Amazon API Gateway: Enables AWS customers to launch an API portal quickly, within an hour, and secure it with standards like OAuth 2.0.

3. Program Benefits for Apiable:

• Joint Selling Opportunities: Collaborates with AWS sales teams to access new customer bases and boost sales.
• Technical Enablement: Receives advanced training and support to enhance its platform's capabilities.
• Go-to-Market Support: Utilizes AWS resources and strategies to effectively market and increase adoption of its solutions.

4. Apiable’s API Management Solutions:

• API Discoverability and Onboarding: Simplifies the process of finding and integrating APIs.
• Monetization and Analytics: Features usage-based billing and Unified API Analytics for insightful data on API product adoption.

5. Executive Statements:

• Allan Knabe, CEO and Co-founder of Apiable: Expresses enthusiasm about the partnership and its alignment with Apiable’s mission to simplify API onboarding and deliver enhanced value to customers.

Joining the AWS ISV Accelerate Program marks a pivotal development for Apiable Oy, reinforcing its commitment to advancing API integration solutions. With AWS’s support, Apiable is well-positioned to accelerate growth, enhance its technical capabilities, and deliver comprehensive API management solutions to a global audience.

Semrush, a leading SaaS platform for online visibility management, has announced the appointment of Veronique Montreuil as Chief Customer and Data Officer. With over 20 years of experience in customer success and experience, Veronique is set to strengthen customer relationships and drive growth.

1. New Appointment – Veronique Montreuil:

• Veronique Montreuil joins Semrush as Chief Customer and Data Officer.
• Brings extensive experience in customer success and experience.
• Will enhance customer relationships and support growth initiatives.

2. Previous Experience and Achievements:

• Most recently served as Head of Technology Sales and Customer Success at Covetrus.
• Led a team of 275, focusing on operational efficiency and customer value.
• Previous roles at INAP, Flexential, and Air Canada.

3. Role and Responsibilities at Semrush:

• Will lead efforts to improve customer satisfaction, retention, and overall experience.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, product development, and data analytics teams.
• Aim to support Semrush’s ambitious growth plans.

4. CEO’s Endorsement:

• Oleg Shchegolev, CEO and Co-Founder of Semrush, expresses enthusiasm about Veronique’s addition.
• Highlights Veronique’s role in reinforcing Semrush’s customer-focused approach.

5. Veronique’s Vision:

• Excited to join a company known for its commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Focus on driving growth and delivering lifetime value and satisfaction to customers.

The appointment of Veronique Montreuil as Chief Customer and Data Officer marks a significant step for Semrush in its commitment to enhancing customer experience and driving growth. Her extensive background and strategic vision are expected to contribute greatly to Semrush’s continued success.

AI expert will advise on Zendesk industry-leading AI offerings

Zendesk, a leader in AI-driven customer experience solutions, has appointed Lila Tretikov to its Board of Directors. Tretikov, currently Partner and Head of AI Strategy at NEA and former Deputy CTO at Microsoft, will bring her extensive expertise in AI and technology to Zendesk’s board.

1. New Board Appointment – Lila Tretikov:

• Lila Tretikov joins Zendesk’s Board of Directors.
• Her appointment aligns with Zendesk's focus on delivering powerful AI-driven customer experience solutions.
• Brings a wealth of experience in AI, technology, and diverse governance.

2. Professional Background:

• Currently Partner and Head of AI Strategy at NEA.
• Former Deputy CTO at Microsoft.
• Experienced in founding and scaling companies, including roles in web media, retail banking, global energy partnerships, and venture capital.
• Extensive governance experience on international public and private boards.

3. Zendesk’s AI and Customer Experience Strategy:

• Zendesk’s AI solutions are designed to enhance human connection and service experience.
• The company emphasizes quality assurance and workforce engagement in its AI products.
• Lila’s expertise will contribute to advancing Zendesk’s AI capabilities and customer trust.

4. CEO’s Endorsement:

• Tom Eggemeier, CEO of Zendesk, highlights Lila’s strategic and customer-centric approach.
• Emphasizes her role in navigating AI growth and enhancing Zendesk’s mission to deliver exceptional service.

5. Lila Tretikov’s Vision and Remarks:

• Excited to contribute to Zendesk’s efforts in elevating customer experience.
• Praises Zendesk’s responsible AI approach and its vast CX dataset.
• Looks forward to helping businesses leverage AI for improved customer interactions.

6. Additional Roles and Recognitions:

• Advisor on innovation to the United Nations.
• Independent director on the boards of Volvo Cars, Xylem, and Sophia Genetics.
• World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and Forbes World's 100 Most Powerful Women.

Lila Tretikov’s appointment to Zendesk’s Board of Directors represents a strategic enhancement of the company’s leadership. Her deep expertise in AI and technology is expected to drive further innovation and excellence in Zendesk’s customer experience solutions.

Veritone and AWS to drive AI and cloud innovation across media, entertainment, sports, talent acquisition and public sectors

Veritone, Inc., a leader in human-centered enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, has announced a three-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This collaboration aims to leverage the unique strengths of both companies to drive innovation in cloud-native and generative AI solutions across media, entertainment, sports, talent acquisition, and public sectors.

1. Strategic Collaboration Agreement:

• Veritone and AWS have signed a three-year SCA.
• Partnership focuses on accelerating AI and cloud-native solutions for diverse industries.
• Aims to help businesses leverage scalable AI and cloud technologies effectively.

2. Benefits of the Collaboration:

• Combines Veritone’s AI solutions with AWS’s robust cloud infrastructure.
• Provides scalable, high-performance AI solutions for transformative business outcomes.
• Offers consulting services to aid businesses in their AI and cloud transformation.

3. Veritone’s AI Solutions:

• Powered by aiWARE™, Veritone’s enterprise AI platform.
• Utilizes hundreds of AI engines across various cognitive categories.
• Includes solutions like Veritone Digital Media Hub and Intelligent Digital Evidence Management System (iDEMS).
• aiWARE enables real-time processing and analysis, leveraging generative AI models for dynamic content creation.

4. Integration and Support:

• Veritone's solutions are integrated with AWS, enhancing scalability and performance.
• aiWARE powered by Amazon Bedrock for advanced cloud capabilities.
• Provides tailored consulting, strategy development, and AI application support.

5. AWS Partnership and Contributions:

• Veritone is a founding member of AWS Generative AI Center of Excellence.
• Active participant in AWS Machine Learning Blog and responsible AI partner initiatives.
• Recently designated as an AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner.
• Offers solutions available in AWS Marketplace for media, entertainment, and public sectors.

6. CEO’s Statement:

• Ryan Steelberg, Veritone’s CEO, emphasizes the importance of the collaboration for cloud-native transformation.
• Highlights the benefits of combining AWS’s cloud infrastructure with Veritone’s AI solutions.

The Strategic Collaboration Agreement between Veritone and AWS marks a significant step in advancing AI and cloud technologies. By integrating Veritone’s innovative AI solutions with AWS’s robust cloud infrastructure, the partnership aims to drive transformative business outcomes and support customers in their digital transformation journeys.