DrivenIQ, a pioneer in first-party data and audience technology, welcomes Vern Hanzlik as its new Chief Executive Officer. With a proven track record in SaaS leadership spanning over 25 years, Hanzlik brings invaluable experience to drive DrivenIQ's transformative journey in data-driven marketing.

1. Vern Hanzlik's Background:

   • Over 25 years of leadership in SaaS and software platforms.
   • Previous roles: President and CEO of Qumu, key executive positions at Sajan Software, and co-founder of Stellent.
   • Stellent's successful acquisition by Oracle for $440 million underscores Hanzlik's strategic acumen.

2. Strategic Vision for DrivenIQ:

   • Focus on new go-to-market strategies to enhance data-driven marketing.
   • Leveraging Hanzlik's expertise to reinforce DrivenIQ's leadership in first-party data and audience technologies.
   • Commitment to introducing innovative solutions, empowering marketers worldwide.

3. Empowering Marketers with Innovative Solutions:

   • DrivenIQ's mission is to empower businesses with AI-driven data and audience solutions.
   • Enterprise-grade platform engineered for scalability and simplicity in data access and utilization.
   • Not merely about data, but platform builders dedicated to facilitating businesses' success in the digital era.

Vern Hanzlik's appointment heralds a new era for DrivenIQ, poised to revolutionize data-driven marketing. With a clear mission and innovative solutions, DrivenIQ under Hanzlik's leadership, aims to transform how businesses harness data to drive marketing effectiveness and business growth.

AppDirect, a leading B2B commerce platform, has acquired Builtfirst, a leader in self-service marketplace platform technology. This acquisition strengthens AppDirect's marketplace offerings, aligning with its mission to provide comprehensive solutions for companies' marketplace needs.

1. Expansion of Marketplace Solutions:

   • Builtfirst's self-service marketplace platform technology complements AppDirect's suite of solutions.
   • AppDirect's expertise in digital commerce combined with Builtfirst's low code/no code approach enables businesses to launch marketplaces quickly and easily.

2. Alignment with Product-Led Growth Strategy:

   • Builtfirst's user-friendly accessibility aligns with AppDirect's product-led growth strategy launched in 2021.
   • The acquisition enhances AppDirect's ability to offer customers additional benefits and functionality, supporting their digital commerce journey.

3. Meeting Market Demand:

   • With the increasing adoption of digital channels for B2B sales interactions, organizations are investing in marketplaces.
   • The AppDirect and Builtfirst partnership provides organizations with options to initiate their marketplace journey and scale as needed.

Quotes:

• Aaron Bailey, co-founder and CEO of Builtfirst: Emphasizes the shared vision of making technology universally accessible and the opportunity to become a global powerhouse in meeting B2B marketplace demand.
• Michael Julve, co-founder of Builtfirst: Highlights the acquisition's role in facilitating customers' entire journey from basic integrations to full-scale subscription commerce.
• Andy Ellerhorst, VP of Corporate Development and Chief of Staff at AppDirect: Stresses the immediate benefits for Builtfirst customers to transition to commerce and the alignment with AppDirect's mission of accessibility.

Future Outlook:

• The acquisition is expected to provide a seamless transition for Builtfirst customers, maintaining the high level of support and service.
• AppDirect anticipates leveraging Builtfirst's capabilities to further enhance its marketplace solutions and support the growing demand for technology-enabled ecosystem strategies.

AppDirect's acquisition of Builtfirst marks a significant step in expanding its marketplace solutions for B2B commerce. By combining expertise and resources, both companies aim to empower businesses with accessible and scalable marketplace capabilities, driving success in the evolving digital landscape.

The IAB's "U.S. Podcast Advertising Revenue Study" for 2023 reveals a modest 5% increase in podcast ad revenues, reaching $1.9 billion. While mid-tier companies faced challenges in the advertising climate, leading to slower growth, the industry is poised for a rebound with projected double-digit growth.

1. Slower Growth in 2023:

   • Podcast ad revenues grew by 5% in 2023, a slowdown compared to previous years' double-digit growth.
   • Mid-tier companies experienced losses, impacting the sector's overall growth trajectory.

2. Projected Rebound:

   • Podcasting is forecasted to return to double-digit growth (12%) in 2024, with revenues expected to surpass $2 billion.
   • By 2026, revenues are projected to reach nearly $2.6 billion, driven by various publisher initiatives.

3. Genre Performance:

   • Comedy genre saw significant growth, overtaking news and sports in popularity, likely driven by notable comedic personalities' shows.
   • Sports remains the second most popular genre, despite a slight decrease in revenue share.

4. CPG and Retail Brands Boost Revenue:

   • Revenue from CPG and retail brands increased by 4% and 5% respectively since 2022, reflecting a shift towards digital platforms for direct consumer connections.

5. Strength in Diversity:

   • Podcasting's wide range of subjects and unique rapport with listeners make it attractive for advertisers targeting niche audiences.
   • More than a quarter of podcasting revenues come from niche categories like government, non-profit, pets, and home, offering targeted advertising opportunities.

Insights from David Cohen, CEO, IAB:

• Podcasts provide entertainment and engagement, offering a sanctuary from serious headlines.
• The medium delivers authentic connections with consumers, driving ad dollars.

Despite challenges in 2023, the podcast advertising industry is poised for growth, driven by diverse content genres, increased engagement, and targeted advertising opportunities. With projected double-digit growth and initiatives to enhance measurement and promotion, podcasts remain a compelling platform for advertisers seeking authentic connections with niche audiences.

Optable, a leading SaaS data management platform, celebrates the appointment of Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder Bosko Milekic to the Board of Directors of IAB Tech Lab. This strategic move underscores Optable's commitment to advancing privacy-centric solutions in the evolving landscape of digital advertising.

1. Bosko Milekic's Background:

   • Extensive experience in telecommunications and open-source software development.
   • Co-founder of AdGear, later acquired by Samsung Electronics.
   • Leadership roles in product management and engineering at Samsung Advertising.

2. Commitment to Privacy-Centric Solutions:

   • Milekic's appointment reflects Optable's dedication to innovation amidst rising concerns over data privacy.
   • Vision for shaping digital advertising standards prioritizing privacy, transparency, and effectiveness.
   • Advocacy for human-centric outcomes in industry discussions and collaborations.

3. Contributions to IAB Tech Lab and Industry Initiatives:

   • Key involvement in IAB Tech Lab's Rearc Addressability Working Group, notably in the development of OPJA.
   • Focus on interoperability standards for activating private audiences.
   • Advocacy for secure activation mechanisms and integration of privacy-focused solutions.

Bosko Milekic's appointment to IAB Tech Lab's Board of Directors heralds a new era of innovation and privacy-centric solutions in digital advertising. His wealth of experience and commitment to advancing industry standards position him as a driving force in addressing the evolving challenges of data privacy. Milekic's leadership underscores Optable's dedication to shaping a future where digital advertising respects privacy while driving real-world effectiveness.

Insticator introduces COOL Comments, a revolutionary iteration of its flagship commenting product, promising to reshape online discourse and elevate engagement standards across the industry.

1. Innovation and Advancements:

   • COOL Comments represents a paradigm shift in online engagement, offering a more streamlined, swifter, and robust commenting experience.
   • Setting a new standard for online engagement within the industry with innovative features and enhanced functionality.

2. Technical Upgrades:

   • Designed for modern internet usage across devices of all sizes, ensuring seamless engagement regardless of the device.
   • Mobile-first design language for easy readability and optimized performance on various platforms.
   • Significant improvements in load times, database searches, and API responses, ensuring fast and efficient operation.

3. New Features and Enhancements:

   • Next-level gamification features with the introduction of the "Kudos" system, encouraging user participation and fostering community interaction.
   • Real-time notification features to enhance user engagement and draw users back to the platform.
   • Gathering valuable first-party data for publishers to inform decision-making and drive further growth.

4. Upcoming Rollout:

   • Insticator plans a comprehensive social media push and blog tour to showcase COOL Comments' features.
   • Existing Insticator platform users offered the opportunity to upgrade, ensuring seamless transition and access to enhanced commenting capabilities.

COOL Comments by Insticator heralds a new era in online discourse, offering publishers a comprehensive platform to cultivate dynamic communities and gather actionable insights while respecting user privacy. With its innovative features and commitment to excellence, COOL Comments sets the benchmark for online engagement platforms, shaping the future of digital interactions.

Infosys, a global leader in digital services, joins forces with the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship as its official Digital Innovation Partner, spearheading advancements in fan engagement, technology innovation, and environmental sustainability.

1. Fan Engagement Revolution:

   • Creating an AI-powered Fan Customer Data Platform to engage 500 million fans by 2030.
   • Personalized experiences and deep fan engagement opportunities to serve Formula E's global fan base.

2. In-Race Insights and Driver Statistics:

   • Leveraging Infosys Topaz, providing real-time insights and driver statistics during races.
   • Enhancing the viewing experience and offering fans unprecedented access to race data.

3. Sustainability Leadership:

   • Supporting Formula E's carbon reduction target of 45% by 2030.
   • Transforming carbon reporting capabilities with AI-driven accuracy, reliability, and traceability.

Quotes and Vision:

• Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, highlights Infosys' expertise in driving the future of electric motorsport.
• Sumit Virmani, EVP & Global CMO of Infosys, emphasizes the alignment of sustainability and innovation in the collaboration.

Brand Momentum and Previous Associations:

• Infosys' successful partnerships with global sports entities such as Roland-Garros, Australian Open, and ATP.
• Accelerating brand momentum through collaborations with Madison Square Garden properties.

About Formula E and ABB FIA Formula E World Championship:

• Formula E's distinction as the world's first all-electric FIA World Championship and its commitment to net-zero carbon since inception.
• Uniting automotive manufacturers, partners, broadcasters, and host cities to accelerate sustainable human progress and innovation in electric vehicles.

Infosys' partnership with Formula E signifies a commitment to driving digital innovation and sustainability in motorsport. Through AI-led initiatives, enhanced fan engagement, and environmental stewardship, this collaboration aims to redefine the future of electric motorsport, fostering a better world for people and planet alike.

VIPRE Security Group unveils its Q1 2024 Email Threat Trends report, offering critical insights into the evolving cybersecurity landscape based on an analysis of 1.8 billion emails. Discover the latest trends in email-based threats and strategies employed by malicious actors.

1. Top Spam Sources and Targeted Countries:

   • The US, UK, Ireland, and Japan emerge as top sources of spam emails globally.
   • The US, UK, and Canada are the countries most subjected to email-based attacks.

2. Targeted Sectors:

   • The manufacturing sector experiences a significant increase in email-based attacks, surpassing government and IT sectors.
   • Scams within the spam category surpass phishing emails in popularity, with a notable increase in phishing attempts masquerading as HR communications.

3. Phishing Trends and Techniques:

   • Phishing emails predominantly leverage links for URL redirection, compromised websites, and newly created domains.
   • Emerging phishing tactics include the use of .ics calendar invite and .rtf attachment file formats.

4. Malware Trends:

   • Malicious links in malspam emails are increasingly preferred over attachments, with malware hidden in cloud storage platforms like Google Drive.
   • Pikabot emerges as the top malware family, replacing Qakbot.

5. Exploiting Vulnerabilities:

   • Cybercriminals exploit web application vulnerabilities, particularly Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and hijack NTLM authentication threads for unauthorized access.
   • Vigilance and robust email and endpoint defenses are crucial to combatting these relentless attacks.

Stay ahead of evolving cyber threats with insights from VIPRE's Q1 2024 Email Threat Trends report. Equip your organization with the knowledge and defenses needed to safeguard against sophisticated email-based attacks and ensure a secure digital environment. Access the full report for comprehensive insights into the latest cybersecurity landscape.

LG Ad Solutions, a prominent player in Connected TV (CTV) and cross-screen advertising, has commenced the integration of Unified ID 2.0 (UID2) into its platform. This innovative solution, originally developed by The Trade Desk, empowers advertisers to utilize their first-party data across LG's extensive audience network in a privacy-conscious manner, elevating the efficacy of advertising campaigns.

1. Unified ID 2.0 Integration:

   • LG Ad Solutions has initiated the incorporation of Unified ID 2.0, a pioneering identifier shaping the new identity fabric of the open internet. This integration facilitates the utilization of first-party data by advertisers within LG's Smart TV ecosystem, enabling precise audience targeting while upholding privacy standards.

2. Enhanced Targeting Capabilities:

   • UID2 provides advertisers with a persistent and privacy-conscious identifier, enhancing targeting capabilities across platforms and devices. Advertisers can deliver personalized advertising experiences to consumers while adhering to privacy regulations, fostering trust and transparency.

3. Adoption for Personalized Experiences:

   • Brands can leverage UID 2.0 to deliver more relevant and personalized advertising experiences to consumers, driving outcomes at scale. The integration with LG's platform enables advertisers to reach audiences effectively, leveraging LG's Smart TV ecosystem's extensive reach.

4. Partnership with The Trade Desk:

   • The Trade Desk, the developer of Unified ID 2.0, emphasizes the importance of identity in today's media buying landscape. The integration with LG expands the pool of publishers and providers utilizing UID2, contributing to value and relevancy across the open internet.

Insights from Executives:

• Mike Brooks, Global Head of Business Development and Partnerships at LG Ad Solutions, underscores the criticality of reaching the right audiences amidst proliferating viewership across channels and platforms.
• Will Doherty, Vice President of Inventory Development at The Trade Desk, highlights UID2's role in enabling advertisers to connect with consumers with precision while maintaining privacy and transparency.

The integration of Unified ID 2.0 into LG Ad Solutions' platform signifies a significant advancement in advertising effectiveness, enabling advertisers to leverage first-party data for precise audience targeting while prioritizing privacy. This partnership underscores LG's commitment to providing advertisers with innovative solutions to navigate the evolving media landscape and drive impactful outcomes.