No-Code, AI-Powered Platform Streamlines Repetitive Tasks in Ad Operations and Account Management, Secures over $3M from Syndicate of Investors Led by Ardent Venture Partners, including SpotX Co-founders Mike Shehan and Steve Swoboda (Roster Capital), and AperiamVentures

Former executives from Magnite, leveraging their expertise in advanced video ad-serving solutions, have unveiled PilotDesk, an innovative AI-driven platform designed to streamline ad operations and account management processes.

• Funding: PilotDesk has secured over $3 million in financing from a syndicate of investors led by Ardent Venture Partners, with participation from industry veterans including SpotX Co-founders Mike Shehan and Steve Swoboda (Roster Capital) and AperiamVentures. This funding will fuel the platform's development, market expansion, and ongoing innovation in AI-driven ad operations.

• Mission: PilotDesk aims to revolutionize ad operations by harnessing the latest advancements in automation, machine learning, and AI technology. By automating repetitive tasks such as campaign setup, budget monitoring, and yield management, PilotDesk enhances operational efficiency, leading to improved campaign performance and increased revenue streams.

• Platform Features: The no-code automation platform offered by PilotDesk is platform-agnostic, allowing seamless integration with various ad servers, demand-side platforms, supply-side platforms, and business intelligence platforms. It automates manual administrative tasks, enabling ad operations teams to scale their revenue without incurring additional costs.

• Founding Team: PilotDesk's principal co-founders, Matt Dearborn, Joe Hirsch, and Rich Lin, bring extensive experience in ad operations and technology development. Having previously co-founded SpringServe, which was acquired by Magnite in 2021, they have a proven track record of building innovative solutions tailored to the needs of advertisers and media companies.

• Industry Impact: By freeing ad operations teams from routine tasks through automated playbooks and autopilots triggered by key events in ad management platforms, PilotDesk enables these teams to focus on strategic initiatives. This shift towards automation and efficiency is expected to drive significant advancements in advertising technology.

Quotes:

• Joe Hirsch, CEO of PilotDesk: "PilotDesk solves this problem, enabling publishers to scale their ad revenue across any ad server, demand-side platform, supply-side platform, or business intelligence platform, without having to increase the cost of ad operations."

• Phil Herget, General Partner, Ardent Venture Partners: "By freeing up teams to focus on strategic efforts, PilotDesk is paving the way for a more efficient and human-centered era in advertising technology."

• Mike Shehan, Co-Founder, Roster Capital: "Innovation in ad operations is much needed, and PilotDesk is harnessing the power of AI to both increase revenue and create efficiencies that, until now, couldn't be achieved."

PilotDesk represents a significant advancement in ad operations automation, offering a comprehensive solution to streamline processes and enhance revenue generation in the adtech industry. With its focus on innovation and efficiency, PilotDesk is poised to reshape the landscape of advertising technology.

Company Establishing Local Presence in Brazil, Bucharest, Dubai, and Seoul

Braze, a leading customer engagement platform, is embarking on a significant expansion initiative, targeting key regions across Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Latin America (LATAM). This expansion involves establishing direct presence in São Paulo, Brazil; Bucharest, Romania; Dubai, UAE; and Seoul, South Korea.

1. Market Understanding and Engagement:

   • Braze's prior engagement through reseller networks in South Korea and Brazil has provided valuable insights into these markets and their unique demands.
   • Notable clients include iFood, Interpark.com, Westwing Brazil, and Zigzag.

2. Dubai as a Digital Hub:

   • Dubai emerges as a thriving hub for digital-first organizations seeking cross-channel customer engagement solutions.
   • Collaborations initiated with leading brands such as FIVE Hotels & Resorts, Floward, Majid Al Futtaim, and Noon.

3. Local Presence and Commitment:

   • Astha Malik, Chief Business Officer of Braze, emphasizes the company's commitment to exceptional service globally.
   • Addition of local teams, in-market leadership hires, and future office openings signify a growth opportunity for Braze's global presence.

4. Investment in Emerging Markets:

   • Earlier appointments of sales leaders in APAC and LATAM, coupled with plans for a new data center in Indonesia, underscore Braze's commitment to emerging markets.
   • Continued investment in messaging apps like WhatsApp, Line, and KakaoTalk aligns with the rising popularity of these channels, especially in new markets.

Braze's expansion into these regions reflects a strategic investment in emerging markets and a commitment to providing exceptional service and solutions to its global customer base. With a focus on fostering local presence, Braze aims to fortify its position as a leader in customer engagement across diverse regions.

Together, Domo and RXA@OneMagnify uncover and analyze insights from fan survey data, improving ESPN’s customer service program

Domo announces ESPN's adoption of Domo App Studio, in collaboration with RXA@OneMagnify, to revolutionize its customer service experience. Through customized AI-driven insights, ESPN aims to elevate fan interactions and foster brand loyalty.

1. Enhancing Customer Insight with AI:

   • ESPN utilizes Domo App Studio and RXA@OneMagnify's expertise to analyze customer service survey data at scale.
   • Custom app development enables in-depth analysis of customer feedback, enhancing understanding of fan sentiments and preferences.

2. Empowering Contact Center Agents:

   • Traditional numerical ratings lacked context, hindering actionable insights for improvement.
   • Implementation of emotion-based models empowers agents with nuanced feedback, enabling tailored training and consistent fan experiences.

3. Utilizing Domo's Low-Code App Builder:

   • Domo App Studio's intuitive interface facilitates the creation of personalized app layouts and branding.
   • Custom application integrates Large Language Model (LLM) and AI Model Management layer to extract sentiment and emotional journey from customer feedback.

4. Driving Business Results through Personalized Experiences:

   • Collaboration between ESPN, Domo, and RXA@OneMagnify underscores the power of data-driven insights in enhancing customer service.
   • Personalized experiences derived from AI-driven analysis foster brand loyalty and drive business growth.

ESPN's adoption of Domo App Studio and AI insights signifies a strategic approach to enhancing customer service and fostering fan engagement. By leveraging advanced analytics and personalized experiences, ESPN aims to create a dialogue that resonates with fans, driving brand loyalty and business success.

The leader in DIY market research makes its AI-fueled market research solutions accessible to all users when customers purchase responses through SurveyMonkey Audience

SurveyMonkey, a renowned leader in online surveys and forms, announces expanded access to its market research solutions for Basic (free) accounts and above. This strategic move democratizes market research, offering users the ability to tap into industry trends and consumer insights at no additional cost.

1. Accessible Market Research for All:

   • Basic (free) account users now have access to SurveyMonkey's market research solutions.
   • Leveraging SurveyMonkey Audience, users can tap into a global survey panel of over 175 million respondents across 130 countries.

2. Key Benefits for Users:

   • Ease of Use: Expert methodologies cater to both novice and experienced users, ensuring intuitive market research.
   • Speed-to-Insights: Rapid access to actionable insights, with automated analysis and AI-powered insights reducing processing time.
   • Actionable Insights: Customizable dashboards aid in visualizing data, identifying trends, and extracting impactful findings for decision-making.
   • Artificial Intelligence: SurveyMonkey Genius® employs AI and machine learning to enhance survey creation and uncover deeper insights swiftly.
   • Reliability: Adherence to industry standards ensures data quality and reliability across all research endeavors.

3. Democratizing Market Research:

   • Priya Gill, global head of marketing at SurveyMonkey, highlights the importance of accessible market research for organizations of all sizes.
   • By extending market research solutions to Basic users, SurveyMonkey aims to democratize valuable insights and foster innovation.

4. Trusted by Leading Brands:

   • Renowned brands like Tweezerman, Allbirds, ClickUp, and Wahl Clipper rely on SurveyMonkey for their market research needs.
   • SurveyMonkey's commitment to innovation and accessibility resonates with organizations worldwide.

SurveyMonkey's initiative to expand market research solutions to all users signifies a commitment to democratizing insights and empowering informed decision-making. With accessible tools and global survey panels, organizations can leverage data-driven strategies to drive growth and innovation.

Gorgias, a leading customer experience (CX) platform catering to over 15,000 ecommerce brands, announces $29 million in Series C-2 funding led by SaaStr and Alven. With this investment, Gorgias aims to enhance its suite of AI tools, including Automate, to streamline customer support processes and elevate brand interactions.

1. Empowering Ecommerce Brands with AI:

   • Gorgias plans to leverage the funding to expand its suite of AI tools, including Automate, enabling ecommerce brands to automate up to 60% of their customer support tasks.
   • The integration of AI-driven solutions allows brands to deliver instant, accurate, and on-brand responses, thereby exceeding customer expectations and enhancing overall experiences.

2. Unified CX Platform with AI Features:

   • Gorgias offers a unified CX platform that integrates all customer communication channels into one interface.
   • AI-powered features and integrations with leading ecommerce tools like Shopify, Loop Returns, and Recharge streamline operations and drive growth for brands.

3. Introduction of AI Agent:

   • Gorgias introduces AI Agent, a fully autonomous AI teammate tailored to brands' knowledge bases and integrations.
   • AI Agent enhances efficiency by instantly answering tickets, performing actions in other apps, and maintaining brand tone, while ensuring seamless human hand-offs when necessary.

4. Success Stories and Future Vision:

   • Leading brands like Psycho Bunny leverage Gorgias's AI Agent to automate email tickets and enhance customer experiences.
   • Gorgias's upcoming user conference, CX Connect, will convene ecommerce support and CX leaders to explore AI's role in shaping future business growth.

Gorgias's latest funding round underscores its commitment to revolutionizing ecommerce customer experience through AI-driven solutions. With an emphasis on automation and seamless integration, Gorgias empowers brands to enhance support efficiency, drive growth, and deliver exceptional customer experiences in the competitive ecommerce landscape.

The intersection of AI, user-generated content, and the quest for the 'creative winner' in the complex world of digital advertising

AppsFlyer, the global leader in marketing measurement and attribution, introduces its inaugural State of Ad Creatives in App Marketing report. With AI-fueled analysis, the report delves into the impact of ad creatives on user behavior, uncovering trends in campaign engagement, user acquisition, and retention across various categories.

1. Ad Spending Dynamics:

   • A mere 2% of ad variations command 68% of marketing spend, with 90% of spending concentrated on a select few ads.
   • Marketers face the challenge of identifying the elusive 'creative winner' amidst a multitude of variations, emphasizing the importance of AI-driven insights for optimization.

2. The Paradox of App Downloads and User Engagement:

   • Higher download rates do not always translate to long-term user loyalty, highlighting the need for deeper insights beyond initial acquisition metrics.
   • AI-driven analysis unveils the nuanced relationship between ad creatives, user engagement, and app marketing success.

3. Platform-Specific Creative Strategies:

   • Tailoring ad creatives to platform-specific audience preferences is crucial for maximizing engagement and retention.
   • Lengthier video ads on social platforms enhance long-term loyalty, while animated ads excel in non-social ad networks, catering to different user behaviors and preferences.

4. Role of Automation and Collaboration:

   • Automation revolutionizes user-generated content (UGC), empowering creators with innovative storytelling tools.
   • Collaboration between performance marketers and creative teams is essential for crafting impactful creatives aligned with platform dynamics and audience expectations.

AppsFlyer's report underscores the pivotal role of ad creatives in shaping app marketing success. With AI-driven insights and platform-specific strategies, marketers can optimize engagement, acquisition, and retention, driving growth and maximizing return on ad spend (ROAS) in the competitive app landscape.

Searchable, User-Friendly Access Spans Diverse Data Sets and Industry Sectors

Melissa, a leader in customer data quality solutions, unveils Melissa Marketplace, catering to B2B customers seeking robust data quality tools and services. Inspired by successful consumer online marketplaces, Melissa Marketplace offers a diverse range of data sets, web services, and APIs to empower businesses in their data integration endeavors.

1. Empowering Business Operations with Data Quality:

   • Melissa Marketplace provides easy access to Melissa's extensive data resources, facilitating seamless integration and utilization of clean, enhanced data.
   • Businesses can leverage Melissa's expertise in data quality to enhance customer interactions, streamline operations, and drive profitability.

2. Comprehensive Offering for Global Markets:

   • Melissa Marketplace features a wide array of data sets and services catering to various industries, including philanthropy, healthcare, finance, retail, e-commerce, and public sector operations.
   • Categories encompass address, business, consumer, geographic, international, occupant, property, reference, and postal boundaries, ensuring comprehensive coverage for diverse business needs.

3. Addressing Diverse User Needs:

   • Recognizing the diverse needs of users, Melissa Marketplace offers both free and premium tools and services.
   • From risk management and compliance to analytics and communication, businesses can harness Melissa's solutions to power various aspects of their operations and customer relationships.

4. Proven Expertise in Data Quality:

   • With nearly four decades of experience, Melissa has established itself as a leader in data quality solutions.
   • Melissa's tools are HIPAA/HITECH and SOC2 compliant, offering gold standard address management and identity verification solutions supported by strategic alliances, global partnerships, and deep expertise.

Melissa Marketplace represents a significant step forward in streamlining data integration and enhancing data quality for B2B customers. With its diverse offerings, intuitive interface, and proven expertise, Melissa empowers businesses to unlock the full potential of their customer data and drive success in today's competitive landscape.

DiGGrowth announces its achievement of SOC 2 Type II compliance and the launch of predictive lead and account scoring functionality, marking significant advancements in data security and marketing analytics capabilities.

1. SOC 2 Type II Compliance:

   • DiGGrowth's attainment of SOC 2 Type II compliance underscores its commitment to data security and integrity, offering businesses assurance as they leverage advanced marketing analytics.
   • Compliance with SOC 2 Type II standards ensures that DiGGrowth meets stringent criteria for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data.

2. Predictive Lead and Account Scoring:

   • The new functionality revolutionizes lead and account tracking by leveraging AI-powered predictive scoring.
   • Taran Nandha, Founder and CEO of DiGGrowth, highlights the significance of predictive lead and account scoring in enhancing business efficiency and prioritizing efforts effectively.

3. Efficiency and Predictive Precision:

   • Arpit Srivastava, Product Head & Co-Founder at DiGGrowth, emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making in achieving growth and efficiency.
   • The predictive lead and account scoring functionality enables businesses to tailor scoring criteria based on unique characteristics, optimizing marketing efforts and maximizing ROI.

4. Impact on Marketing Strategy:

   • In today's competitive landscape, true success lies in informed decision-making driven by accurate data insights.
   • DiGGrowth's innovative approach to lead and account scoring empowers businesses to optimize marketing strategies, driving growth without compromising efficiency.

With SOC 2 Type II compliance and the launch of predictive lead and account scoring functionality, DiGGrowth reinforces its position as a trusted partner for businesses seeking data security and advanced marketing analytics capabilities. By harnessing AI-driven insights, businesses can navigate the competitive market landscape with confidence, driving growth and efficiency simultaneously.