Locafy Limited is sharpening its competitive edge with a newly launched suite of AI-powered SEO solutions, aimed at helping businesses stay visible not just in traditional search engines, but also across the emerging frontier of AI search tools and digital marketplaces.

The FY26 product line, now commercially available after months of real-world testing, represents Locafy’s biggest push yet to integrate artificial intelligence across its publishing and search optimization tools.

“We’ve delivered on the roadmap we announced in late 2024,” said CEO Gavin Burnett. “Our platform now influences rankings in both traditional search and the next generation of AI-powered discovery engines.”

The New SEO Battleground: Search, AI, and Marketplaces

Locafy’s approach acknowledges a fundamental shift in the search landscape: visibility is no longer just about Google SERPs. As conversational AI platforms and e-commerce search tools grow in sophistication and market influence, SEO must evolve beyond keywords and backlinks.

That’s exactly what Locafy is offering. The company's AI capabilities automatically generate AI-search-ready landing pages, helping businesses appear in conversational AI results, local map packs, and niche directories—often with minimal manual input.

“We’ve automated landing page creation optimized for AI tools,” Burnett said. “That opens a greenfield monetization opportunity, especially across the millions of listings we manage.”

63M Listings and Counting: Locafy’s Local SEO Empire

Locafy’s power play rests on three pillars:

1. Online Business Listings

2. Local SEO

3. AI-Powered Engagement Tools

At the core is a massive database of 63 million business listings, including over 40 million across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK. The company publishes more than 28 million listings on behalf of partners, creating potential joint monetization streams via its SEO platform.

The flagship offering, Localizer, bundles together:

• Listing syndication

• Google Map Pack optimization

• Review management

• AI-powered SEO tuning

“There’s no other product offering this range of features at our price point,” Burnett noted, pointing to a $690/month starting package. “The automation we’ve added recently lets businesses get top-tier SEO value at SMB-friendly pricing.”

Enter the AI Voice Concierge

Locafy’s newest innovation goes beyond visibility—it’s about AI-powered customer engagement.

Their Voice Concierge, a virtual receptionist and support agent rolled into one, acts like a 24/7 digital team member. Feed it documents, and it learns the business. It can answer questions, take bookings, and even log transcripts of all interactions for transparency.

“This felt like science fiction not long ago,” Burnett said. “Now, it’s a low-cost reality for businesses adapting to an AI-driven future.”

Strategic Focus: AI Search Over National SEO

While Locafy continues to support national SEO and e-commerce campaigns, its strategic priority has shifted toward the AI search segment, where automation, scalability, and differentiation offer stronger upside.

The company sees this shift as its clearest path to growth in FY2026—especially as AI platforms become default entry points for users seeking businesses, services, and local recommendations.

Locafy isn’t just reacting to the AI shift—it’s betting on it. With automated tools for AI search optimization, voice-enabled engagement, and millions of structured listings, the company has positioned itself as a utility layer for the next generation of search discovery.

For businesses looking to survive and thrive in an AI-first internet, Locafy’s FY26 suite might be the most pragmatic place to start.

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Samaaro, the AI-powered event marketing platform, has taken home Gold at the 2025 Financial Express MarTech Awards in the “Best Use of MarTech in Live Events” category—an accolade that speaks not just to the platform’s capabilities, but to a fundamental shift in how UAE brands approach event marketing.

Gone are the days when events were just PR plays or networking obligations. Today, they’re strategic marketing engines, requiring the same level of planning, performance tracking, and ROI analysis as any digital campaign. And that’s precisely where Samaaro is making its mark.

“Events are no longer about checklists—they’re strategic campaigns,” said Mayank Banka, Co-Founder and President of Samaaro. “And that’s where Samaaro becomes indispensable.”

From Check-Ins to Campaigns: UAE’s Event Tech Revolution

Samaaro’s win highlights a broader trend across the UAE: a pivot toward purpose-built event marketing platforms that bring together CRM integration, attendee analytics, and real-time engagement tools.

Consider Modon Properties, which cut check-in time by 50% and enhanced post-event sales handoffs at property launches using Samaaro’s digitized guest management system.

Then there’s Property Finder, orchestrating 100+ events annually across six countries, all streamlined through Samaaro’s centralized infrastructure. The platform brings not just operational efficiency but marketing clarity—a view into what's working, what’s not, and where to optimize.

Not Just Events—Marketing Campaigns in Disguise

Other UAE-based power players like Brand Ripplr and Informa Markets are also investing in long-term event tech, recognizing that modern attendees expect personalized, measurable experiences, not static booths and paper badges.

Samaaro enables that shift by offering:

• AI-powered attendee insights

• Custom workflows and automation

• Integrated lead capture and CRM sync

• Real-time engagement dashboards

The result? Events that deliver trackable marketing outcomes—not just applause.

Recognition That Validates a Movement

For Samaaro, this award isn’t just industry validation—it’s proof of concept. It confirms that event marketing, particularly in fast-growing markets like the UAE, needs a dedicated, intelligent technology stack.

“This isn’t just a win for us,” said Banka. “It validates our belief that event marketing needs its own ecosystem—and our partners in the UAE are leading that charge.”

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321 Web Marketing, a national leader in B2B inbound marketing, has officially launched a newly redesigned website aimed at delivering a sharper, more intuitive user experience. The upgrade isn’t just a facelift—it’s a clear reflection of the company’s evolution and its relentless focus on performance-driven digital strategy.

The redesigned site, now live at 321webmarketing.com, features streamlined navigation, targeted messaging, and enhanced access to the agency’s core services and tools. With faster load times and full mobile responsiveness, the site is engineered for decision-makers who want results—fast.

“Our clients rely on us to evolve their digital strategies, and we hold ourselves to the same standard,” said Jonathan Gessert, CEO of 321 Web Marketing. “This refresh mirrors our growth and commitment to providing clarity, insight, and measurable value.”

What’s New?

The redesign isn’t just cosmetic—it’s strategic. Key updates include:

• A simplified, value-focused homepage that communicates the agency’s positioning in seconds.

• Persona-driven content geared toward marketing managers, business owners, and growth-oriented teams.

• Improved performance across mobile devices and desktops, supporting better UX and SEO.

• Expanded resources and tools that demystify lead generation, content marketing, SEO, and paid media.

Built for the Marketers They Serve

321 Web Marketing’s clients span industries like tech, finance, healthcare, and law—sectors where quality leads, SEO visibility, and conversion optimization make or break pipeline performance.

The agency brings deep expertise in:

• Technical SEO and on-site optimization

• High-converting content strategy

• Performance-based paid media

• Lead-gen automation and analytics

And with its new website, 321 Web Marketing is practicing what it preaches: building a website that’s not just pretty, but engineered to perform.

Why It Matters

Website redesigns are often treated as branding projects, but for 321 Web Marketing, this one aligns with a bigger goal—turning websites into lead generation engines. The update supports both inbound demand creation and clearer communication for new and existing clients.

As marketing decision-makers look for agency partners who deliver ROI—not just reports—321 Web Marketing is doubling down on what matters most: growth, transparency, and performance.

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Email may be one of the oldest digital marketing tools in the book, but it’s far from outdated. A new report from Allied Market Research shows the global email marketing software market is expected to triple in size, growing from $1.2 billion in 2021 to $3.3 billion by 2031, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9%.

This sharp rise reflects how businesses are rethinking email not just as a communications tool, but as a precision marketing engine—one that’s increasingly powered by cloud platforms, data analytics, and AI-driven personalization.

Why It Matters

The resurgence of email marketing isn’t a surprise. Amid digital saturation and growing privacy regulations, email remains a high-performing, permission-based channel that marketers can control end-to-end. But the way companies use email has changed: it’s now automated, behavior-triggered, and hyper-personalized.

COVID-19 played a pivotal role in accelerating adoption. Lockdowns pushed more customer activity online, forcing companies to digitize engagement, accelerate product launches, and shift budgets toward owned channels like email. According to the report, that shift continues to pay off.

Who’s Driving the Growth?

• B2B organizations are leading the charge, with this segment accounting for over two-thirds of the market share in 2021—and expected to post the fastest growth (CAGR 11.97%) through 2031.

• On the tech side, cloud-based deployment dominates, comprising nearly three-fourths of the market and growing at 12.79% CAGR.

• Among applications, email lead generation is where most companies are putting their chips, and it's set to grow fastest (CAGR 13.17%), surpassing template management and sales reporting.

“Businesses are using email not just for newsletters anymore, but for full-funnel automation, AI-powered content delivery, and CRM integration,” notes the report.

Regional Trends: North America Leads, APAC Accelerates

• North America remains the top revenue contributor, holding 40% of the global share, thanks to advanced tech infrastructure and established email ecosystems.

• But Asia-Pacific is the market to watch, expected to clock a 13.56% CAGR, driven by massive mobile adoption, SMB digitization, and marketing tech investments in countries like India, China, and Indonesia.

Competitive Landscape: Consolidation Meets Innovation

The email marketing space continues to consolidate around a handful of power players—Mailchimp (Intuit), HubSpot, Salesforce, and Zoho—even as agile upstarts like ConvertKit and Jivox gain traction with lightweight, modular solutions.

Key strategies include:

• Cloud-native platforms with drag-and-drop builders and A/B testing

• AI-powered campaign orchestration

• Omnichannel integrations (social media, SMS, landing pages)

• Enhanced analytics and ROI reporting

“We’re seeing email evolve from a static tool to a dynamic, intelligent system that helps brands close the loop on customer journeys,” says the report.

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In a move that fuses broadcast media, blockchain, and AI, Datavault AI Inc. (NASDAQ: DVLT) has acquired SyncIN from Turner Global Media. The technology, which uses inaudible QR codes embedded in TV, radio, and retail environments, allows consumers to instantly engage with ads or complete stablecoin transactions—ushering in a new era of Web 3.0 commerce embedded in everyday media.

This isn't the future; it's broadcasting 3.0. And it's live.

“This acquisition propels us into the future of advertising and e-commerce,” said Datavault CEO Nathaniel T. Bradley. “SyncIN transforms passive media consumption into blockchain-verified engagement.”

How It Works: Broadcast Becomes Blockchain Gateway

At the core of SyncIN is inaudible tone detection—imperceptible audio signals picked up by smartphones. These tones act like silent QR codes, linking users to branded content or triggering stablecoin transactions verified by Web 3.0 Crypto Anchors.

Whether you're tuning into an iHeartRadio broadcast or browsing Walmart’s audio-enabled in-store ads, SyncIN turns attention into action, all through decentralized payment rails.

The system is already positioned to scale with:

• TV & Radio: Reaching over 90% of U.S. households

• Retail: 140 million weekly shoppers across Walmart, Kroger, and CVS

• Hospitality: 140 million annual visitors at venues like MGM and Hilton

With TGM’s ad inventory and billions of annual impressions, SyncIN offers Datavault a high-margin, royalty-based revenue model in a $700 billion global ad market.

SyncIN + DVLT: Marrying Web 3.0 with Media Reach

Datavault plans to target 10–15 licensing deals in 2025, with a projected $40–50 million revenue target for 2026. Thanks to nine new patent allowances granted in June 2025 and SyncIN's robust IP portfolio, DVLT has defensible tech—and the legal muscle to protect it.

And the timing couldn’t be better: With the Genius Act and Stable Coin Act advancing through Congress, U.S. regulatory clarity around digital currencies is on the horizon. SyncIN is built for compliance and designed to thrive in this regulatory environment.

“Stablecoin transactions will soon be a routine part of digital life,” said Bradley. “We’re building the infrastructure now.”

This isn’t just another adtech acquisition—it’s a pivot in how media interacts with commerce. For broadcasters, SyncIN offers a direct path to monetization, linking impressions to actual blockchain transactions. For advertisers, it adds interactivity, attribution, and transparency to formats that have long lacked those metrics.

From programmatic display to podcast ads, media is being redefined. SyncIN answers a lingering industry question: Can traditional media play in the blockchain economy? Datavault’s answer is a resounding yes.

Turner Global Media (TGM), with two decades of media innovation, has powered campaigns for Procter & Gamble, Ford, and Netflix, and helped fuel digital ad revenue for platforms like Amazon Prime Video and YouTube. Its SyncIN tech brings interactivity to legacy and digital media alike.

Datavault AI, meanwhile, blends blockchain, AI, and acoustic technologies through its divisions—Acoustic Science (WiSA®, ADIO®, Sumerian®) and Data Science (DataValue®, DataScore®, Data Vault Bank®). Its cloud-based platform powers valuation, personalization, and monetization across industries from fintech to biotech to entertainment.

With SyncIN, Datavault adds a high-utility tool to its arsenal, further solidifying its role as a Web 3.0 operating layer for real-world engagement.

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Personify, Inc. is taking on-site event engagement to a new level with the launch of its next-gen A2Z Events mobile app—a native, AI-powered platform built to simplify, streamline, and supercharge how attendees and exhibitors connect.

Designed to replace fragmented, third-party tools, the reimagined app is fully integrated into the A2Z Events ecosystem, offering real-time messaging, intelligent matchmaking, seamless appointment scheduling, and built-in branding opportunities—all wrapped in a modern, customizable interface.

“We’re helping foster real conversations through smarter, AI-driven recommendations,” said Jonathan Damrich, SVP of Product at Personify. “Every moment at a show should be a strategic opportunity. This app makes that possible.”

Smart Matchmaking That Works for Everyone

Forget static directories. A2Z’s AI-powered matchmaking engine analyzes attendee interests, product categories, and behavioral data to suggest the most relevant connections—turning chance encounters into planned conversations.

With built-in messaging, those matches can quickly turn into meetings, deals, or partnerships—without anyone chasing down email addresses or booth maps.

Real-Time Scheduling, Real Results

Attendees and exhibitors can browse profiles, request meetings, and manage appointments in real time. These interactions sync instantly across the A2Z system, ensuring up-to-date schedules without the mess of third-party plug-ins or data lags.

No more missed connections, double bookings, or paper-based planning.

Everything in One Place—Finally

One of the biggest headaches for event organizers is juggling multiple vendors for things like registration, scheduling, and engagement tools. The new A2Z app wipes that pain point away.

Updates to booth locations, sessions, attendee lists, and appointment times flow automatically throughout the platform, offering a truly unified user experience for attendees, organizers, and sponsors alike.

Better for Sponsors, Too

The app isn’t just about attendees. Sponsor visibility has been reengineered, with high-impact placements like logos, banners, and branded content woven directly into the user experience. Every tap becomes a monetization opportunity—without compromising UX.

Part of a Bigger Vision

This app launch is part of a broader upgrade to the A2Z Events product suite, including:

• A revamped Event Portal

• Enhanced registration and badging tools

• On-site badge printing

• And coming soon: even more AI-powered personalization and communication features

The goal? Make every step of the event experience—before, during, and after the show—smarter, more integrated, and more valuable.

“It’s not just about building an app,” Damrich added. “It’s about delivering the seamless, intelligent experience that modern attendees now expect.”

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Infobip, the global cloud communications platform, has taken a significant step forward in its ongoing collaboration with the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) by rolling out Rich Communication Services (RCS) to increase engagement with the UK’s largest annual social survey.

The initiative, part of a mobile-first strategy for HESA’s Graduate Outcomes survey, is already paying off: early results show RCS conversion rates are twice as high as traditional SMS.

That’s no small feat. With over 900,000 recent graduates surveyed each year, the Graduate Outcomes study plays a critical role in shaping UK higher education by collecting feedback on post-university life. But rising survey fatigue has made it harder to engage participants—particularly on mobile, where nearly 70% of responses occur.

“It’s early days, but the conversion rates on RCS compared to SMS look very encouraging,” said Dr. Gosia Turner, Head of Surveys at Jisc, the parent organization of HESA.

RCS: From Boring Texts to Branded Interactions

So what makes RCS different? Think of it as text messaging 2.0—messages can now include logos, branding, and rich links within a more modern design. For HESA, that means sending graduate participants visually verified, branded messages that feel both more trustworthy and less spammy.

Using Infobip’s platform, HESA now includes:

• The Graduate Outcomes logo

• Direct links to the survey portal

• An overall richer message experience that builds confidence and familiarity

In contrast to generic SMS—which often gets ignored or mistaken for spam—RCS offers a more interactive and credible communication channel, especially important for reaching younger, mobile-first audiences.

“By integrating RCS capabilities powered by Infobip, HESA has enhanced respondent experiences while helping boost completion rates,” said James Stokes, Infobip’s Head of Enterprise for the UK and Nordics.

A Partnership Built on Innovation

HESA has worked with Infobip since 2018, but this latest enhancement reflects a growing trend among public-sector organizations to modernize communication strategies. With email open rates declining and SMS engagement flattening, RCS is emerging as a compelling alternative.

The Graduate Outcomes survey is more than a data collection exercise—it informs how universities improve student experiences and better prepare graduates for life after study. Every additional response strengthens the accuracy and value of that mission.

“We need all graduates to complete the survey when invited,” added Dr. Turner. “This kind of technology is key to making that happen.”

What’s Next for Higher Ed Communication?

While RCS adoption is still climbing globally, this deployment marks a notable milestone: one of the largest-scale uses of RCS in UK higher education to date. And the early success suggests there’s room to expand similar tactics to other student-facing services—from admissions to alumni engagement.

For now, Infobip and HESA are focused on scaling what’s working. More channels may follow, but the key insight is clear: if you want people to engage, meet them where they are—and make it worth their attention.

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Sinclair Broadcast Group has appointed Narinder Sahai as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, signaling a sharpened focus on financial discipline, technology transformation, and value creation as the media giant evolves its strategy around ATSC 3.0, sports, and local broadcasting.

Sahai, whose appointment is effective immediately, replaces Lucy Rutishauser, who will remain as Executive Vice President through the transition and retire later this year. Rutishauser will then continue in a Senior Advisor capacity.

“Narinder is a proven C-suite leader with a strong history of executing value-creating strategies, optimizing capital structures, and driving margin improvement,” said Chris Ripley, President and CEO of Sinclair.

A Finance Leader with Deep Tech and Media Roots

Sahai brings over 20 years of financial leadership experience across public and private companies, including high-growth roles at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Target Hospitality, RumbleOn, and Arcis. His career spans capital markets, FP&A, M&A, treasury, and AI/ML strategy—a skillset that aligns with Sinclair’s ambitions to evolve beyond traditional media.

At AWS, Sahai led Worldwide Go-to-Market Finance for Compute and AI/ML services, giving him hands-on experience at the intersection of tech, data, and monetization—an increasingly crucial space for modern media companies.

He’s also guided IPOs, managed debt restructurings, and led integrations of transformative acquisitions. His CFA charter, combined with engineering roots and an MBA from Michigan’s Ross School of Business, round out his multidisciplinary profile.

“Sinclair’s unique position at the intersection of local media, sports, and emerging technology creates tremendous opportunities,” said Sahai. “I see significant potential to drive value creation for all stakeholders.”

Why This Move Matters

Sahai’s arrival comes at a pivotal time for Sinclair as the company:

• Expands commercialization of ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV), which enables IP-based broadcasting and interactive content delivery.

• Grows its sports and streaming assets, including the Tennis Channel and other digital ventures.

• Diversifies its portfolio with a stronger emphasis on data, cloud, and AI-powered services.

The move signals a broader industry trend where CFOs are expected to blend financial acumen with strategic technology fluency—particularly in sectors undergoing digital reinvention.

With Sahai’s blend of AI/ML, media, and capital market expertise, Sinclair appears to be aligning its leadership for both operational rigor and innovation.

The Road Ahead

As Sahai steps into the role, he’ll be tasked with advancing Sinclair’s financial strategy, improving margins, and guiding investments that support the company’s digital evolution. With traditional broadcasting models under pressure and NextGen TV promising new revenue streams, Sinclair is betting on intelligent financial leadership to navigate both disruption and growth.

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