The Mars Agency Unveils New Ecommerce Enhancements to Its Industry-Leading, Full-Service Insights Suite at Amazon unBoxed

Today at Amazon unBoxed, The Mars Agency launched new enhancements to its Marilyn Ecommerce Intelligence Platform – a global full-service insights suite designed to accelerate its current end-to-end Amazon capabilities. The platform provides the metrics that matter across four key components: sales and operations, media, digital shelf, and Amazon Marketing Cloud. To take it one step further, holistic dashboards and opportunity reports enable marketers to make better and more agile decisions, while AI tools empower marketers to succeed with Amazon Marketing Cloud. By merging the foundational expertise and data needed to fuel the Amazon flywheel, with the principles of Commerce Marketing and shopper behavior, The Mars Agency is now setting a new industry standard in ecommerce.

The noteworthy enhancements to the Marilyn Ecommerce Intelligence Platform that merge end-to-end insights with an end-to-end team include:

1)  Marilyn AMC Clean Room Solution: This new solution provides an intuitive, user-friendly portal for marketers to ask the critical questions that help guide strategic marketing decisions and media planning – from how shoppers interact with sponsored brand and display ads, to how campaigns perform regionally, to how ads drive in-store sales.

2)  Marilyn Digital Shelf Health: This new digital shelf technology helps clients move beyond content compliance and gain a competitive advantage. From content health to market share to sales and order value, the solution delivers insights that drive better ecommerce performance.

With 700% growth in three short years, the full-service Mars Ecommerce Team is composed of business analysts, business managers, advertising experts, DSP specialists, search specialists, digital shelf strategists, copywriters, and designers. The team is also currently testing chatGPT on both Product Listing Creation and Digital Shelf Copy, as well as exploring generative AI tools to determine image effectiveness. They now match their end-to-end team with end-to-end insights obtained through the Marilyn Ecommerce Intelligence Platform.

Clients agree that the powerful mix of end-to-end insights with an end-to-end team can have a remarkable impact on their business.

According to Jonathan Moy, Director of Amazon & Omnichannel at Prestige Consumer Healthcare, "Our partnership with the Mars Ecommerce Intelligence Platform helps us unearth rich digital shelf insights that enables us to not only iterate upon, but truly grow the business in an impactful way."

According to Robert Rivenburgh, Global Chief Executive Officer of The Mars Agency, "We believe we're the only company to combine what we refer to as art and algorithm in ecommerce, using data and insights to connect our clients' ecommerce assets and deliver seamless shopper experiences that drive better business results."

Ecommerce is a fast-paced industry where your business can change on a dime. Marketers need fast answers, backed by data, which can be hard to source and activate with speed. Coupling shopper marketing acumen with industry-leading data, The Mars Agency strives to identify opportunities for enhanced engagement with the shopper, improved connectivity with marketing programs, and better utilization of retail capabilities and vendor innovation – helping to achieve growth on Amazon and beyond.

Personalized digital experiences, pre-purchase, are key driver for new customers according to millions of customer interactions and survey of nearly 900 digital marketers

A new report released today, “The Value of Pre-Purchase Personalization,” finds that 78 percent of digital marketers rank personalization as one of the most critical tools for improving customer engagement, acquisition, and retention. The art of tailoring experiences to individual shoppers in real-time, before a purchase, is an increasingly critical element to 58 percent as 2024 approaches.

Conducted by Centerfield, a premier outcome-based marketing service for digital customer acquisition, the report found that personalizing the buyer journey from pre-purchase can improve conversion rates by as much as 37 percent. While a driver of transformative outcomes for brands, the practice presents challenges as 51 percent say insufficient resources, including budget, time and personnel are hurdles to drive personalization successfully at scale.

“The most important moments for converting a shopper into a customer occur between the initial interaction with digital assets and their first purchase,” said John Busby, chief marketing officer of Centerfield. “Experiences tailored in the moment, based on customer intent and context, very clearly lower costs and improve sales results.”

Based on hundreds of millions of first-party consumer engagements across every major marketing channel and a survey of nearly 900 digital marketers, the report identifies key insights including:

• Investment Surge: More than half of senior marketers – 58 percent – plan to invest in pre-purchase personalization in 2024; nearly eight-in-10 (78 percent) rank personalization very important.
• Adoption Barriers: Skill gaps hinder wider adoption as nearly half – 42 percent – cite lack of necessary data analysis and tech skills; 51 percent of marketers challenged by limited budget, time and personnel for personalization.
• Attributable Payoff: Marketers see multiple benefits to pre-purchase personalization with 87 percent of marketers convinced that personalization substantially decreases the CPA, while accurately quantifying ROI through rigorous measurement and optimization.
• Tangible Benefits: There is an attributable payoff for businesses utilizing personalization. First-party tests reveal improvements in sales-per-visitor by up to 40 percent, echoing McKinsey’s data that the fastest-growing companies in a sector receive 40 percent more sales from personalization.

Investor, Board Member and Global Agency Executive Brings Leadership and Experience to Shape Growth Strategy

VidMob, the leading AI creative performance platform today announced the recent appointment of Mainardo de Nardis. In this leadership role, de Nardis will support the executive team in setting the company’s growth strategy. An acclaimed global agency leader, Mainardo de Nardis also brings deep and relevant experience that will support VidMob’s strategic agency relationships.

de Nardis is an investor, Board Member and advisor to a number of innovative private companies. He has served on the Board of Directors for VidMob for three years. Previously, de Nardis was a successful advertising agency executive, serving from NY and previously in London as Executive Vice Chairman of Omnicom Media Group, CEO of OMD Worldwide and CEO Worldwide of Aegis Media and MEC Global among a number of industry-shaping roles.

de Nardis will be an active and hands-on member of the leadership team, working closely with key clients and partners to deliver creative data solutions for the world's largest agencies and their brand clients.

Commenting on the announcement, Mainardo de Nardis said: “VidMob is leading the evolution of creativity in advertising, harnessing the power of data, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge technology, to drive business results and growth. I’m excited to take on a more active role as we focus on bringing scalable solutions to major global agencies and brands. Already we’re seeing tremendous traction with leading brands fully embracing the power of creative performance to drive growth.”

CEO and Co-Founder Alex Collmer said: “I am thrilled to welcome Mainardo to our executive team. He is an entrepreneur and global agency visionary that deeply understands the value of AI and data in the creative process. His agency leadership experience unlocks new opportunities for VidMob in our next stage of growth, which is focused on a technology platform that can transform the way brands think about their creative performance.”

The Board of Directors of Arelion has today appointed Daniel Kurgan as President and CEO of Arelion. Staffan Göjeryd will leave Arelion, after heading the company for seven years.

Daniel Kurgan, Board Executive of Arelion since January 2022, has more than 25 years of experience from the industry and several leading positions, including 14 years as CEO of BICS, Chairman of TeleSign, Chairman of Intercloud and Senior Advisor at Drake Star. 

"Arelion enters a new chapter as an independent company after the completed spin-off from Telia, and it is the Board's assessment that the company's long-term development will benefit from a new leadership. We are therefore pleased to appoint Daniel Kurgan as CEO for Arelion," said Eva Elmstedt, Chairman of the Board. "With a proven track-record from leading positions in the industry, Daniel brings with him the experience and qualifications required to lead Arelion on this new journey. Having been on the Board for two years, he is also well familiar with the company and its culture."

"I am honored to be appointed as CEO of Arelion. As a provider of the world's best-connected IP backbone, our mission is to enable our customers' growth, and to grow with them, and I am excited to build on that position in an operative role," said Daniel Kurgan. "Having had the opportunity to be part of Arelion's transformative journey, I know the immense potential of the company and now, as an independent company, we are in the position to realize it. I'm looking forward to working closely with the Board on the implementation of our growth strategy and to working together with all our talented people to keep the world connected."

Daniel Kurgan assumes the position as CEO of Arelion with immediate effect and leaves the Board, of which he has been a member since January 2022. Staffan Göjeryd, who has been heading Arelion (previously Telia Carrier) since August 2016, will step down.

Eva Elmstedt continued: "The Board would like to take the opportunity to thank Staffan Göjeryd for his great contributions and long commitment to the company. Staffan has been the backbone of Arelion for many years and he laid the foundation for what we will now continue to build on. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

Jio to deliver AI-enhanced in-home services on both JioFiber and JioAirFiber

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, India's largest telecom network, today announced a partnership with consumer experience pioneer Plume^® to provide market-leading smart home and small business services to its subscribers across India. This partnership will deliver state-of-the-art solutions, through Plume's highly scalable cloud platform, to approximately 200 million premises in India.

Jio specializes in meeting the digital needs of customers based in India, providing fixed-line and wireless services delivered through the cloud, with all the infrastructure hosted in the country. For this purpose, Jio has built world-class JioFiber and JioAirFiber networks, designed to deliver reliable and high-speed internet and entertainment services to every home in the country.

With this new partnership, Jio will deploy HomePass^® and WorkPass^® consumer services enabled by Plume's AI-powered and cloud-based platform, including whole-home adaptive WiFi, connected device and application performance optimization, cyberthreat protection for connected devices, advanced parental controls, WiFi motion sensing, and more. Access to Plume's Haystack^® Support and Operations Suite will enable Jio's customer support and operations teams to identify, analyze, and act faster on performance-related issues, find and isolate the location of network faults, and monitor the overall customer experience.

"As we continue to expand our portfolio of connected home services, it is critical for Jio to provide our customers the most advanced and secure in-home digital services, delivering the best end-to-end customer experience," said Mathew Oommen, President of Reliance Jio. "With scalable and leading-edge platforms from partners like Plume, Jio will continue to strengthen and enhance our connected home service offers and experience."

"The partnership with Jio marks a significant global expansion of Plume's services with a major telecoms force in Asia. Our ability to offer a tailored and highly scalable cloud-based solution to meet the needs of the Indian market will enable Jio to rapidly expand its services offering," said Adrian Fitzgerald, Chief Revenue Officer of Plume. "We are thrilled to help Jio deliver unique and highly personalized in-home digital experiences to its customers across India and support the company in the next chapter of its growth journey."

Simplify content management with Newgen + Duck Creek

Newgen Software, global provider of the NewgenONE digital transformation platform, today announced that it has partnered with Duck Creek Technologies, the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of technology. insurance and general insurance, to offer insurers a platform that helps connect the front office, middle office and back office for a seamless flow of information, which accelerates development of applications and streamlines the end-to-end customer journey. The integration between NewgenONE's OmniDocs contextual content services platform and  Duck Creek Policy  allows insurers to gain a 360-degree view of all customer, process and policy content.

“We believe our innovative solutions are game-changers in content services and revolutionize the way businesses manage content. Our recent recognition by Forrester as a “Leader” in The Forrester Wave™: Content Platforms, Q1 2023 report validates our efforts to deliver a best-in-class enterprise content management (ECM) platform to customers, said Rajvinder Kohli , Senior Vice President at Newgen Software. Through this partnership, Newgen and Duck Creek can help insurers revolutionize their conventional processes by enabling them to adopt a more streamlined, customer-focused, digital, and value-driven approach. »

Fully integrated with NewgenONE's OmniDocs contextual content services platform — available on the Duck Creek Content Exchange — seamlessly integrates with Duck Creek Font to provide powerful search and filtering, enabling insurers to quickly access large documents, including recorded videos and high-definition images. Additionally, the platform enables content lifecycle management, secure archiving and real-time collaboration for faster decision-making and improved decision-maker productivity.

“Integrating content services into Duck Creek's comprehensive suite is a significant value-add for insurers looking to simplify the complexity of document management and forms creation with one core system,” said Robert Fletcher , director of partnerships at Duck Creek Technologies. Our integration and partnership with Newgen provides the necessary Customer Communication Management (CCM) and ECM capabilities in a single solution. We are excited to enter the market with this global partnership, especially in North America, Europe , Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and an emerging market like India, where Duck Creek is further strengthening Her presence. 

After releasing its regional blueprint in recent media roundtable event in Hanoi, CDNetworks expects to enhance its local presence with enhanced local network infrastructure and strengthened local partnership and collaborations.

CDNetworks, the APAC-leading network to deliver edge as a service, has released its regional blueprint during last week's media roundtable event in Hanoi, indicating that the company plans to expand its presence in Vietnam. CDNetworks believes its recent investment in infrastructure and local support team will bolster its wide-ranging services and also facilitate the digital transformation of Vietnamese companies.

Expanded Infrastructure for Greater Local Coverage and Better Protection

Up till now, CDNetworks has strategically established multiple Points of Presence (PoPs) across Vietnam, including key locations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and etc. Moreover, by partnering with four out of the top five ISPs in Vietnam, CDNetworks can ensure 100% coverage of the local network, effectively meeting the unique needs of various industries, guaranteeing an exceptional user experience throughout the country. Building on this strong foundation, CDNetworks has formed collaborations with esteemed local entities, including ON VTVCab, VSTV K+, and Tera Group. These partnerships underscore CDNetworks' dedication to delivering impeccable live streaming and high-quality viewing experiences to audiences across Vietnam.

As Vietnam's cybersecurity landscape becomes increasingly challenging, CDNetworks has also taken steps to enhance its cloud security measures. This year alone, CDNetworks has opened two scrubbing centres in Ho Chi Minh City to bolster its ability to protect against DDoS attacks in this region. With these centres located in close proximity to the market, CDNetworks can swiftly and effectively mitigate DDoS attacks, ensuring the security and stability of its clients' websites and network infrastructures. These scrubbing centres also complement CDNetworks' existing global anti-DDoS network, which consists of over 20 scrubbing centres with a combined capacity of 15Tbps.

"Vietnam's rapid digital transformation is undeniable. The 28% growth in GMV in 2022 and the rise to 74 million internet users signal a country embracing the digital age. It's not just about numbers; it's about the evolving digital habits and needs of the people," commented Mr. Phan Linh, Country Manager of CDNetworks Vietnam. "At CDNetworks, we see our role as more than just service providers. We're here to support and amplify this digital momentum. By expanding our local infrastructure with additional Points of Presence (PoPs) and scrubbing centres, we are now able to assist Vietnam's businesses in migrating their on-premises business operation to the cloud, thereby enhancing reliability and operational efficiency."

Upgraded Local Support and Security Service

To empower the digital transformation of Vietnamese companies, CDNetworks has greatly strengthened its team in Vietnam since 2022, and has been able to provide unparalleled 24/7 customer service to all Vietnam customers with localized expertise. Through this dedicated local support team, organizations can easily access CDNetworks' wide range of services, which include not only basic assistance with onboarding, configuration, and ongoing maintenance but also some advanced services tailored to the specific needs. This ensures that organizations can effortlessly navigate the entire process without having to worry about the complexities of daily operations.

In addition, with the launch of CDNetworks WAAP solution, CDNetworks has also upgraded its security service for the Vietnamese market to protect organizations' web applications and APIs throughout the entire attack process. By utilizing services such as Vulnerability Scanning Service and Penetration Testing before an attack, organizations can identify and address any potential vulnerabilities to better prepare for potential attacks. During an attack, organizations can rely on robust network resources, updated threat intelligence, and years of experience in security protection rules configuration to minimize the impact of the attack. After an attack, organizations can analyze and optimize the attack through services like Professional Reporting Service to better prepare for future security threats.

Meanwhile, CDNetworks is also making investments in resources to enhance its compliance system, ensuring that its solutions and services in the Vietnamese market adhere to local government regulations and guarantee that all traffic and data are strictly maintained within Vietnam.

"From expanding our infrastructures to upgrading our local support and security services, CDNetworks is dedicated to empowering Vietnam's digital growth. With a focus on expanded coverage, reliable content delivery, and robust cybersecurity measures, we aim to be a trusted partner for Vietnamese companies as they navigate the digital landscape. " said Mr. Vo Luan, Senior Solution Architect, CDNetworks Vietnam, "In the future, we will continue to organize or participate in various seminars, workshops, and activities held by 3^rd party organizations and industry associations to facilitate extensive communication with Vietnamese companies. Through these communications, we believe businesses can finally discover how CDNetworks' solutions can strengthen their online performance and improve security posture."

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise , a leading provider of tailored communications, networking and cloud solutions for its customers, has introduced the Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch ^® Milestone Plugin to provide seamless integration with Milestone XProtect ^® Video Management Software (VMS).

The service assurance solution allows for remote resolution of typical camera issues directly from Milestone VMS. It allows operations teams to conveniently reset offline cameras and implement resolutions quickly, saving time and avoiding unnecessary IT team visits to the site.

Benefits of the Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch Milestone plugin include:

Camera Status Visibility: Ability to view video surveillance operating status at a glance along with Power over Ethernet (PoE) consumption and maximum available PoE power.

Remote Testing and Troubleshooting: Test the status of individual cameras with a single click, with the option to reset them if necessary. Ensure power to critical devices under any circumstances with PoE priority set per camera.

Fast information retrieval: Get real-time information about the network switch and its status, including model, version, IP address, location, PoE consumption, and temperature.

Alarm Manager: Forward the event to the Alarm Manager for proactive OmniSwitch troubleshooting.

Enhanced Cybersecurity:  Lock camera ports to prevent outside tampering and increase network security.

"We are delighted to introduce the Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch Milestone plugin, which prioritizes seamless integration and uninterrupted video surveillance for businesses and organizations around the world. Our determination to offer customers exceptional products and services aligned with their needs means that this solution offers a more user-friendly way to maintain a physically secure environment while increasing efficiency," said Stephan Robineau , Executive Vice President of Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Network Business Division and President of ALE USA .

With this new add-on, available at no cost, ALE brings cybersecurity to the world of physical security to deliver resilient, secure and efficient video surveillance networks.