ProTexting, a leader in innovative mobile marketing solutions, is excited to announce a significant enhancement to its platform: the seamless integration of Twilio numbers. This new feature allows users to quickly and easily connect any Twilio number, including SMS Toll-Free TFNs, 10DLC, Short Code, or Long Code, to ProTexting's professional SMS marketing dashboard.

ProTexting, a leader in innovative mobile marketing solutions, is excited to announce a significant enhancement to its platform: the seamless integration of Twilio numbers. This new feature allows users to quickly and easily connect any Twilio number, including SMS Toll-Free TFNs, 10DLC, Short Code, or Long Code, to ProTexting's professional SMS marketing dashboard.

This integration represents a significant step forward in SMS marketing technology. ProTexting users can now leverage the power of Twilio's extensive phone number capabilities directly within the intuitive ProTexting dashboard. This integration simplifies the process of launching and managing SMS marketing campaigns, making it more accessible to businesses of all sizes.

Kalin Kassabov, CEO of ProTexting, comments on this development: "We are thrilled to offer this new capability to our clients. The integration of Twilio with our SMS marketing dashboard is a game-changer. It not only streamlines the process but also opens up new possibilities for our users. Our goal has always been to provide the most comprehensive and user-friendly mobile marketing solutions, and this is a significant step in that direction."

In addition to Twilio integration, ProTexting proudly offers seamless connections with various popular platforms, including HubSpot, Intercom, Zapier, MailChimp, Salesforce, Google Calendars, Shopify, and more. These integrations allow users to effortlessly synchronize their marketing efforts across multiple channels and platforms, providing a more unified and effective marketing strategy.

SOCi's all-in-one platform empowers franchisees to customize local marketing efforts to enhance guest experiences

SOCi Inc, the leading CoMarketing Cloud Platform for multi-location enterprises, today announced it is the new Platform of Record for WOWorks, the holding company of better-for-you restaurant brands, including Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina, and Zoup! Eatery. With the goal of being a leader in customer service, WOWorks has enabled its franchisees with the SOCi platform to better manage guest relations through social media, online business listings, and reviews, the trifecta of local visibility.

WOWorks, which has about 350 locations across its six brands, relies heavily on digital marketing and understands the importance of being visible online to build awareness and become entrenched in its local communities. By equipping WOWorks franchisees with the right platform to improve their individual businesses all in one place, they are able to become leaders in guest relations and ensure each guest receives the online support they need and deserve.

"We provide a variety of programs for franchisees to use and simplifying use and accessibility is always a priority." said Ted Asbury, Chief Marketing Officer, WOWorks. "The implementation of the SOCi platform helps do both while empowering franchisees to take ownership of their local marketing efforts in making their own presence even larger in their respective market."

Through SOCi Social, Listings, and Reviews, WOWorks and its franchisees are able to streamline the management of countless guest-facing digital channels to ensure quick and personalized review responses, accurate location information, and engaging social content that its guests find valuable across all of its restaurant brands.

"Managing digital marketing channels for a single multi-location brand can be a challenge in itself, but the consolidation factor for companies like WOWorks, which operates multiple restaurant brands, is crucial as the channels start to add up to the hundreds and eventually thousands," said David Marler, Chief Customer Officer, SOCi. "Being able to address the needs of its guests across channels in one streamlined platform was a top priority for the WOWorks team, and we're proud to help them take their guest relations to the next level."

The "Virtual Reality Technologies: Global Markets" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The VR market is poised for significant growth, which can be attributed to the growth of the mobile industry, decreasing costs of hardware and software, and rising penetration of industries such as retail, healthcare, e-commerce and automotive. VR standards have been established to ensure a more immersive experience.

In this report, the global VR technologies market is segmented by component, device type, technology, application and region. Components include hardware and software. The hardware segment was valued at $9.7 billion in 2022. It is estimated the VR market for hardware will grow at a CAGR of 23.6% and is forecast to reach $33.6 billion by the end of 2028.

Device types include head-mounted displays (HMDs), projectors and display walls, gesture-control devices and others. Technologies include semi- and fully immersive technology and non-immersive technology. Applications include consumer, commercial, enterprise, healthcare, aerospace and defense, and others.

In this report, the VR market is segmented by region into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and RoW. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for the largest share of the global VR technologies market. In 2022, the Asia-Pacific VR market was valued at $6.6 billion. It is projected to be the fastest growing market for VR during the forecast period, growing at a CAGR of 27.5% to reach $27.4 billion by the end of 2028.

This report's scope includes a detailed study of the global and regional markets of VR technology by component, device type, technology and application. The report examines each of these market segments, determines its current market size, and estimates its future market size and compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

The report also provides detailed profiles of the significant VR players and their strategies to enhance their market presence.

The Report Includes

• 46 data tables and 18 additional tables
• An overview and up-to-date analysis of the global market for virtual reality (VR) technologies
• Analyses of the global market trends, with historic market revenue (sales figures) for 2022, estimates for 2023, forecasts for 2024, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2028
• An evaluation of the upcoming market opportunities and emerging applications of VR technology, as well as forecasts for the market's segments and sub-segments
• An estimate of the actual market size. a revenue forecast for the VR technologies market, and a market share analysis based on component, technology, device type, application, and region
• In-depth information on R&D investments, key technology issues, industry challenges, major end-user markets and the impact on device sales
• Coverage of the technological, economic and business considerations of VR technology, with market data analyses and growth forecasts through 2028
• Insights into the impact of ESG factors on company performance and the ESG practices followed
• Identification of the companies best positioned to meet the surging demand for VR technology market
• An analysis of patent activity
• A look into the VR industry structure, the supplier landscape, new products and developments, and company value share analysis based on segmental revenues
• Company profiles of the leading players

Key Attributes:

Key Topics Covered:

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Summary and Highlights

Chapter 3 Market Overview

• Current Market Overview
• Market Evolution
• VR in the 21St Century
• Future Expectations
• Current VR Trends
• Emerging Trends
• Macro Factors
• Impact of COVID-19
• Impact of Russia-Ukraine War
• Value Chain Analysis
• Component Manufacturers and Systems Software Developers
• Device Manufacturers
• Enterprise Application Developers
• Distributors and Retailers
• End-users
• Porter's Five Forces Analysis

Chapter 4 Market Dynamics

• Market Drivers
  • Growing Use of HMDS in Gaming and Entertainment
  • Falling Cost of VR Hardware
  • Increasing Use of VR in Automobiles
• Market Restraints
  • Effects on Health
  • Global Trade War
  • High Initial Cost
• Market Opportunities
  • Role of 5G in Virtual Reality
  • Corporate Training

Chapter 5 Market Breakdown by Component

• Hardware
• Displays and Projectors
• Cameras
• Semiconductor Components
• Sensors
• Position Trackers

Chapter 6 Market Breakdown by Device Type

• Head-Mounted Displays
• Projectors and Display Walls
• Gesture Control Devices
• Other Device Types

Chapter 7 Market Breakdown by Technology

• Semi- and Fully Immersive Technology
• Non-Immersive Technology

Chapter 8 Market Breakdown by Application

• Consumer
• Gaming and Entertainment
• Sports
• Commercial
• Retail and E-Commerce
• Education and Training
• Travel and Tourism
• Advertising
• Enterprise (Manufacturing)
• Healthcare
• Aerospace and Defense

Chapter 9 Market Breakdown by Region

Chapter 10 Sustainability in Virtual Reality Market: An Esg Perspective

Chapter 11 Patent Analysis

Chapter 12 M&A and Venture Funding Outlook

Chapter 13 Competitive Landscape

Chapter 14 Company Profiles

• 7D Vision Technology
• Apple
• Christie Digital Systems
• DPVR (Shanghai Lexiang Technology
• Emagin
• Eon Reality
• Gravity Jack
• HTC
• Meta Platforms Technologies
• Microsoft
• Nvidia
• Pico Technology
• Sony
• Curvature Games
• Varjo
• Vedx Solutions
• Vrpharma
• Ximmerse

SOMO introduces SOMO Community, revolutionizing influencer marketing by enhancing brand-influencer connections and campaign efficiency worldwide.

SOMO boasts a robust influencer search engine, offering comprehensive solutions for global brand clients.

SOMO emphasizes quality control, transparency, and innovation, exemplified by one-click connections, real-time monitoring, and SOMO Community's global reach for mutual brand-influencer success.

BlueFocus, a trailblazer in the marketing industry, is actively exploring how the Metaverse and AI will shape the future landscape of marketing in the coming decade. Today, on a global scale, WARC recognizes BlueFocus among the top 10 advertising agencies, notably as the sole representative from China.

Meanwhile, under the BlueFocus umbrella, SOMO, the premier marketing service platform for global influencer transactions, proudly introduces SOMO Community. This revolutionary feature is designed to strengthen the connection between brands and influencers, empowering advertisers to execute more efficient influencer marketing campaigns

SOMO has long been at the forefront of influencer marketing, utilizing its robust influencer search engine that seamlessly connects over 70 million influencers worldwide across major platforms, including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and others. The platform provides comprehensive influencer marketing solutions, solidifying its position as the go-to choice for global brand clients.

On the SOMO platform, brand clients can leverage advanced multidimensional search engines and global data services to effortlessly identify influencers aligned with their brand ethos. The personalized matching mechanism and precise KOL analysis reports enable brand clients to make informed decisions, maximizing the efficiency of influencer marketing. As part of its innovative approach, SOMO introduces a one-click feature to connect with preferred influencers, streamlining collaboration processes and accelerating brand exposure and partnership success.

SOMO places significant emphasis on quality control and supervision throughout the transaction process, ensuring trustworthiness and transparency in collaborations. Users benefit from real-time monitoring of campaign effectiveness through SOMO's influencer search engine, global data services, and transaction monitoring, attracting potential consumers and achieving precise KOL promotions to support ongoing business expansion and enhance brand influence.

The official launch of SOMO Community signifies a comprehensive support system for brand clients, marking a new era in influencer marketing. With over 30,000 creators and support from 9,000+ MCNs, brand activities will instantly reach a global audience, providing intelligent support for brand market expansion.

In this journey filled with innovation and opportunities, SOMO remains committed to its leadership role, building a tighter, more efficient collaboration bridge between brand clients and influencer creators. Together, we strive for mutual success, co-authoring a prosperous future.

Smart TV Research into global invalid traffic (IVT, including ad fraud) in open programmatic Connected TV (CTV) advertising reveals a 16% IVT rate, with Amazon devices (31%) impacted at a higher rate than Roku (13%), Apple (13%), and Samsung (8%)

Pixalate, the global market-leading ad fraud protection, privacy, and compliance analytics platform, today released the Q3 2023 Connected TV Invalid Traffic Benchmark Report, analyzing the invalid traffic (IVT, including ad fraud) rates for open programmatic advertising on CTV devices.
The report benchmarks IVT and ad fraud across CTV by region, device, and country, plus additional breakdowns.

Key Findings: 

Open Programmatic Advertising on CTV Devices

• 16% global CTV IVT rate in Q3 2023
  • Lowest mark in over a year
• EMEA (36%) reported the highest CTV IVT rate among all global regions
  • North America was the lowest (16%)
• Traffic from UK (44%) reported the highest CTV IVT rate for any country
• IVT on Amazon (31%) devices appeared more prevalent than on Roku (13%), Apple (13%), and Samsung (8%)
• Apps in Roku’s ‘News & Weather’ category had a 22% IVT rate

Charlesbank Capital Partners is pleased to announce that its portfolio company ImageQuix, a leading provider of software solutions for professional photographers, has acquired Fotomerchant, a respected end-to-end workflow solution for high-volume studios. Charlesbank invested in ImageQuix (or the “Company”) through its Technology Opportunities Funds and related affiliates in 2022.

The strategic acquisition of Fotomerchant into ImageQuix’s growing portfolio of solutions-focused businesses unites the strengths of the two companies and will allow both teams to work closely together on better solutions for all customers. To ensure a seamless client experience, Fotomerchant and ImageQuix will continue to operate without any disruption to the high-quality service level their clients have come to expect, providing uninterrupted support and ongoing feature development for all current products, projects and partnerships.

In parallel both teams will begin collaboration on the long-term goal of creating a unified, best-in-class solution for all studios. Integrating the skills and experience of both the ImageQuix and Fotomerchant teams, the unified offering will harness the impressive features of Blueprint and Fotomerchant, leveraging the latest technological advancements.

Key benefits of the acquisition include:

Enhanced Capabilities: Studios will have access to an expanded set of tools and services to empower them to thrive in a competitive and ever-changing market.

Collaborative Innovation: By working together, both companies will drive continuous innovation, ensuring that customers receive the best solutions to meet their evolving needs.

Mike Zirngibl, Principal at Charlesbank, said, “This latest transaction affirms our belief in the powerful opportunity for strategic growth and innovation across the photography industry. Building on the acquisition of StudioNinja earlier this month, the Fotomerchant acquisition further strengthens the ImageQuix suite of solutions, allowing them to better serve the needs of professional photographers.”

"We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Fotomerchant, having watched them go from strength to strength over the last few years," said Alex Kovacevic, CEO of ImageQuix. "Our commitment to serving and enriching our customers remains stronger than ever, and this acquisition allows us to pool our resources and expertise to deliver even more value to them in both the short term and long into the future.”

Elmar Platzer, Fotomerchant co-founder and CEO, echoed this sentiment: "We’ve had a very healthy competition with ImageQuix for many years but spent much of this time developing against each other. This partnership removes unnecessary barriers and duplication and allows us to focus more energy on helping our customers grow and deliver continued innovation that benefits everyone.”

Jixie will bolster Accenture Song’s marketing transformation capabilities to help Indonesian businesses deliver more efficient and effective marketing efforts for sustainable growth

Accenture has agreed to acquire the business of media and marketing technology company, Jixie. Jixie’s intelligent digital marketing platform and team will be integrated into Accenture to strengthen its marketing transformation capabilities and resources through Accenture Song—the firm’s tech-powered creative group—helping Indonesian clients deliver more personalized experiences to enhance customer engagement for sustainable business growth.

Headquartered in Singapore with a focus on servicing clients in Indonesia, Jixie offers a comprehensive suite of monetization and marketing growth tools. Its platform is a robust advertising ecosystem that connects publishers and brand owners with the ability to co-create solutions through reliable customer insights. This transforms marketing from a fragmented process with limited control into a strategic priority, amplifying simplicity while safeguarding brand safety, consumer data and privacy.

The integration of Jixie’s platform into Accenture Song’s marketing capabilities will help clients optimize customer data effectively and efficiently into actionable insights, regaining the control, speed and trust needed to securely capitalize on Indonesia’s fast-growing digital economy that’s projected to reach US$146 billion by 2025 before growing eightfold by 2030.

Jayant Bhagava, country managing director, Indonesia, at Accenture, said: “The convergence of marketing, data science and technology creates opportunities for businesses to redefine their customer engagement model. Jixie’s intelligent digital marketing solutions complement our technology expertise, providing a winning proposition for businesses to bring a higher level of personalization and effectiveness to their marketing efforts. This acquisition will allow us to better serve our clients in navigating complex marketing challenges in this era of interconnected digital world, which is crucial in driving long-term growth.”

With Jixie’s platform, publishers can access monetization tools, such as header-bidding solutions and performance marketing, to improve advertising returns. Brand owners can also seamlessly enhance and integrate content securely without intermediaries, allowing them to utilize valuable insights for unique and meaningful brand engagement. Jixie can help publishers double their monetization returns and support brand owners in significantly increasing campaign clickthrough and conversation rates while enriching customer data.

“The value of data in today’s rapidly changing digital economy is immense, and the digital media ecosystem has seen much disruption, including the impending loss of third-party cookies. Jixie is an impactful platform that amplifies publishers’ perspectives and simplifies the digital marketing experience. This investment extends Accenture Song’s data-led commerce and marketing transformation work in Indonesia, empowering clients with highly relevant and results-driven solutions for sustainable business growth,” said Joseph Tan, Indonesia lead for Accenture Song.

Vincent Martin, co-founder and managing director, Jixie, said: “Jixie has seen proven success in its marketing performance capabilities that boost publishers’ revenue and the formation of an ecosystem that has attracted advertisers to run successful campaigns. The next step for us is scale. We’re thrilled to be joining Accenture and contribute to shaping a more sustainable media industry, helping companies leverage their data in a trusted and advantageous manner in service of their customers.”

Accenture Song in Southeast Asia has been making significant investments to help clients grow and be relevant to their customers today and into the future. The acquisition of Jixie's business is the second investment made in Indonesia after the acquisition of Romp. It follows Accenture Song's recent agreement to acquire Rabbit’s Tale in Thailand. Other recent acquisitions by Accenture Song globally include ConcentricLife and Fiftyfive5.

Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions.