Pyxl, a full-service digital agency with a 17-year legacy, today announced the acquisition of Cobble Hill, a nationally and internationally recognized digital marketing firm based in Charleston, SC. This strategic acquisition strengthens Pyxl’s creative and performance marketing capabilities while expanding its global service delivery network.

The acquisition marks a major milestone in Pyxl’s growth strategy, aimed at scaling its digital transformation services for clients across industries including healthcare, technology, tech-enabled services, hospitality, and retail.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cobble Hill to the Pyxl family,” said Bonnie Winter, President of Pyxl. “Their creative vision and proven track record in conversion-focused campaigns make them the perfect complement to Pyxl’s digital strategy and engineering strength. This partnership unlocks new value for our clients by bringing together best-in-class expertise in both creativity and measurable performance.”

Cobble Hill to Retain Brand Identity and Leadership

Under the acquisition agreement, Cobble Hill will continue operating under its established brand, retaining its leadership team and Charleston-based operations. Clients will see no disruption in service—only an expanded menu of strategic offerings powered by Pyxl’s national footprint and engineering depth.

“This isn’t a change to Cobble Hill’s DNA,” added Austin Dandridge, Founder & CEO of Cobble Hill. “It’s an evolution. By joining forces with Pyxl, we can deliver even greater creative and technical impact for our clients—from high-conversion paid media campaigns to full-scale digital experiences.”

What This Acquisition Brings to Market

Combined, Pyxl and Cobble Hill offer:

• Expanded Lead Generation Capabilities: Strategic and creative integration to accelerate growth via full-funnel, performance-driven campaigns.

• Award-Winning Creative Talent: Elevated brand storytelling, visual identity, and UX/UI design across digital touchpoints.

• Data-Driven Performance Marketing: Continuous campaign optimization powered by advanced analytics and testing.

• Cross-Platform MarTech Expertise: Deep expertise across HubSpot, Klaviyo, and other leading platforms to drive integrated customer engagement.

• Strategic Content Development: Thought leadership and educational content that nurtures leads and builds authority.

• Engineering & Development Excellence: Custom web and app development capabilities to bring marketing strategies to life.

“Pyxl has been a strategic growth partner for us over the last six years,” said Scott Farace, CMO at Celero Commerce. “Their acquisition of Cobble Hill strengthens their ability to deliver transformative marketing solutions. This is great news for Pyxl, Cobble Hill, and all of us who work with them.”

A New Chapter in Global Digital Marketing Innovation

With this acquisition, Pyxl and Cobble Hill will continue to serve clients throughout the U.S. and Europe, supporting B2B, DTC, and B2B2C business models. The combined force delivers scalable, innovative marketing solutions backed by full-service execution—creative, strategic, and technical.

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Scientific American, the oldest continuously published magazine in the United States, has named David M. Ewalt as its new Editor-in-Chief, effective June 2. In this role, Ewalt will lead editorial strategy across the publication’s print magazine, digital platform (scientificamerican.com), and other branded products. He will be based in New York and report to Kimberly Lau, President of Scientific American and Vice President, Consumer Media at Springer Nature.

Ewalt is a respected journalist and author with a track record of revitalizing major media brands. A champion of evidence-based reporting, he brings deep experience from prior leadership roles at Gizmodo, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and as author of the widely praised Of Dice and Men, a cultural history of Dungeons & Dragons. Ewalt’s editorial vision bridges legacy publishing and digital-native storytelling, making him uniquely suited to lead Scientific American in this pivotal moment for science communication.

“From its inception, Scientific American has championed the belief that scientific discovery and technological advancement are foundational to societal progress,” said Kimberly Lau. “David’s clear editorial direction, unwavering commitment to data-driven journalism, and passion for science make him the ideal leader to advance our mission—and to meet today’s moment with rigor, clarity, and curiosity.”

A Vision for Science in the 21st Century

“This is a pivotal moment for science,” said David M. Ewalt. “Issues like climate change, AI, and global health are fundamentally scientific—and require accurate, accessible reporting. Scientific American has earned trust over nearly 200 years by making complex topics understandable and relevant. I’m honored to lead its next chapter.”

Ewalt joins at a time when public demand for trustworthy science journalism is more critical than ever. With new developments emerging daily—from generative AI to gene editing—Scientific American continues to serve as a vital resource for scientists, policymakers, and curious minds worldwide.

Scientific American

Founded in 1845, Scientific American reaches more than 3.5 million monthly readers and publishes eight local-language editions around the world. Its mission is to inform public debate, elevate scientific understanding, and empower evidence-based decision-making through world-class reporting on science, health, and technology.

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NielsenIQ (NIQ), a global leader in consumer intelligence, and Sephora, the world’s leading prestige beauty omnichannel retailer, have entered into a strategic collaboration aimed at delivering unprecedented insights into the evolving beauty retail landscape in North America.

This data-sharing agreement marks a significant milestone in the way beauty retail is measured, offering enhanced point-of-sale visibility into Sephora’s expansive omnichannel footprint. The partnership broadens NIQ’s beauty market coverage while empowering Sephora with industry-leading analytics as a designated Recommended Insights Partner.

"At Sephora, our beauty community is the heart of our business," said Ryan Oto, Vice President, Business Intelligence & Analytics at Sephora. "This partnership with NielsenIQ is a strategic leap forward in how we listen to our beauty consumers, elevate insights across every touchpoint, and deliver on the future of beauty retail.”

Deeper Insights Through Omnishopper & Digital Purchases

The collaboration also leverages NIQ’s Expanded Omnishopper and Digital Purchases solutions, launched in January 2025, which include the world’s largest consumer panel of over 250,000 highly engaged participants. This provides Sephora with granular insights into shopping behaviors across both physical and digital channels, encompassing mass, drug, specialty, e-commerce, and social commerce.

Through this partnership, Sephora can now:

• Track omnichannel buying patterns with greater accuracy

• Enhance personalization and merchandising strategies

• Strengthen its competitive edge through advanced analytics

• Elevate strategic planning and inventory management across channels

"Beauty is one of the most dynamic and culturally relevant categories in retail today," said Elizabeth Buchanan, President of North America at NielsenIQ. "By combining Sephora’s industry leadership with NIQ’s unmatched measurement capabilities, we’re bringing new precision and visibility to the brands shaping the future of beauty."

NielsenIQ (NIQ)

NielsenIQ is the world's leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete and trusted view of consumer behavior globally. Powered by a robust data platform and analytical capabilities, NIQ fuels smarter decisions and strategic growth across industries.

Sephora

Sephora is a global beauty powerhouse, offering a diverse portfolio of prestige products and a best-in-class customer experience across its robust omnichannel platform. As an innovation leader, Sephora continues to redefine beauty retail for millions of customers worldwide.

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Gartner, Inc., a leading provider of research and advisory services, today unveiled new data showing that 53% of customers report negative experiences with personalized marketing, despite its perceived value by marketers. The findings were presented at the Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo, held this week in Denver.

The global survey of 1,464 B2B buyers and consumers across North America, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand found that while personalization can increase willingness to pay a premium (1.8x), it also doubles the likelihood of customers feeling overwhelmed and 2.8x more likely to feel time pressure, particularly during key task-switching moments in their buying journey.

“Personalization has commercial value, but it often misfires,” said Audrey Brosnan, Senior Director Analyst in the Gartner Marketing Practice. “More than half of customers feel rushed or inundated at least once in their purchase journey due to traditional personalization tactics. When buyers shift from researching to deciding, passive recommendations can appear irrelevant or even intrusive.”

The Rise of Active Personalization: From Next Best Action to Next Best Confidence

Gartner’s research introduces a pivotal solution: course-changing or active personalization, which increases confident purchase decisions by 2.3x and significantly boosts marketing ROI.

Active personalization is defined by interactive, customer-led experiences—such as quizzes, guided flows, and co-created content—that help customers navigate the emotional and cognitive complexities of decision-making.

Rather than rely on "next best action" automation, which often adds pressure during critical transitions, active personalization provides:

• Reflective tools to help customers clarify their goals

• Real-time interaction that builds confidence

• Greater transparency, reducing the “creepiness” factor of passive data use

Findings from the Gartner Survey:

• 53% of customers had negative experiences due to personalization

• Customers were 3.2x more likely to regret their purchase and 44% less likely to repurchase

• Personalized experiences doubled the chances of customers feeling overwhelmed

• Active personalization boosted confident decisions by 2.3x

A Strategic Imperative for CMOs

“CMOs must evolve personalization from passive targeting to active engagement,” said Brosnan. “This means helping customers at their most vulnerable decision points—not just pushing products, but offering clarity, control, and co-creation.”

To capitalize on this shift, Gartner recommends the following actions:

1. Counter Journey Pitfalls: Identify where task-switching happens and avoid interrupting these moments with passive personalization.

2. Catalyze Emotional Change: Use tools like gamified assessments, quizzes, and interactive content that allow customers to self-reflect and reveal personal goals.

3. Enable Customer Co-Creation: Transition from inferred to zero-party data by actively involving customers in shaping their personalized journeys.

“Active personalization is the future flywheel of customer engagement,” Brosnan added. “It’s not just about better targeting—it’s about building a growth loop of trust, insight, and loyalty that compounds over time.”

Gartner

Gartner, Inc. is a global research and advisory company providing actionable insights and tools for leaders across IT, marketing, finance, HR, and more. With a presence in over 100 countries, Gartner helps clients make faster, smarter decisions.

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Blain’s Farm & Fleet, the Modern General Store trusted by generations of Midwestern shoppers, has been honored with multiple national awards recognizing excellence in customer loyalty, marketing innovation, and data-driven personalization.

At the 2025 Loyalty360 Expo, Blain’s received top recognition across four major categories, including:

• Best in Class – Customer Centric Brand

• Best in Class – Loyalty Program Design

• Platinum – Co-Brand/Private Label Credit Card Offerings

• Silver – Offer, Incentive, and Reward Design

These awards spotlight the strategic evolution of the Blain’s Rewards program, powered by SessionM, a Mastercard company, and its ability to deliver seamless, omnichannel experiences for loyal customers.

“We’re incredibly honored by these awards because they reflect our team’s focus on creating truly personal, valuable experiences for our neighbors,” said Aly Blawat, Senior Director of Customer Strategy. “These recognitions validate that we’re listening to our customers and building programs that make a difference in their everyday lives.”

Participation in the Blain’s Rewards program grew 15% year-over-year in online channels, demonstrating its impact in building lasting digital engagement.

Award-Winning Email Marketing at Optimove Connect

Blain’s was also awarded the prestigious 2025 Heptagon Award for Best Email Campaign at Optimove Connect for its inventive “Puppy Stream” campaign—an empathetic, 10-touchpoint email journey tailored for new puppy owners. The series combined personalized content, timely tips, and curated product suggestions to guide customers through the joys and challenges of puppy parenting.

A Consistent Leader in Customer Experience

These newest accolades build on an impressive track record for Blain’s Farm & Fleet, which has received multiple national recognitions over the past year, including:

• USA Today – America’s Top Retailers & Customer Service Champions (2024)

• Newsweek – Best Online Shops (Fourth consecutive year – 2024)

• Forbes – America’s Best Large Employers (Seventh consecutive year – 2024)

Blain’s Farm & Fleet

Founded in 1955, Blain’s Farm & Fleet operates 45 locations across Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan, offering a wide selection of automotive, pet, home, farm, and outdoor products. A trusted Modern General Store, Blain’s is dedicated to combining value, quality, and service for every customer.

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HeyGen, the AI video generator trusted by over 15 million users globally, has launched AI Studio, an advanced video editing platform that empowers creators and businesses to produce high-quality videos with minimal effort. This innovation is centered around usability, creative control, and elevating the quality of A-roll content ensuring audiences connect deeply with the message, not the medium.

Innovations in HeyGen AI Studio

1. The Foundation: High-Quality A-Roll Footage

• Focuses on realism in avatars — lifelike facial expressions, accurate voice tones, and polished gestures.

• Delivers production-quality video footage without requiring a physical studio setup.

• Helps creators cross the "invisible quality threshold" where the tech disappears and the message stands out.

2. An AI-Native, Intuitive Editing Experience

• Moves beyond traditional editing timelines and keyframes.

• Built for modern creators — designed to eliminate learning curves.

• Enables seamless editing with a focus on clarity, flexibility, and speed.

Standout Features of AI Studio

Voice Director Mode

• Direct your avatar’s performance with natural language prompts.

• Adjust tone, pacing, emotion, and emphasis like a real-life director.

Voice Mirroring (Speech-to-Speech)

• Upload your own voice clip and have the avatar replicate it with personality and precision.

• Captures natural cadence and emotion for authentic delivery.

Gesture Control

• Sync gestures to specific words or phrases for engaging, expressive avatars.

• Use existing video footage to enhance realism with deliberate motion.

Real-Time Collaboration Tools

• Comment, tag, and co-edit within the same project workspace.

• Access realistic previews, improved proofreading, and professionally designed templates.

• Make revisions quickly and efficiently with enhanced team collaboration features.

Coming Soon: Next-Gen Editing Capabilities

Camera Control

• Direct virtual camera movements for more dynamic scenes without any physical equipment.

Premium Motion Elements

• Add visually rich motion graphics and animations, customizable to your brand or message.

Magic Apply B-Roll

• Integrate contextually relevant B-roll automatically, aligned with your script and tone.

Generative Visual Elements

• Use AI to generate custom visual components tailored to your video’s theme.

Prompt-Based B-Roll Editing

• Describe the visual outcome you desire; the AI edits accordingly to fit the narrative.

HeyGen’s AI Studio redefines video production for the digital age — offering full creative control, realism, and ease of use. From high-quality A-roll to intuitive collaboration and upcoming generative editing features, HeyGen is transforming how creators and businesses craft impactful visual stories.

By integrating AI-driven tools with intuitive interfaces, AI Studio becomes more than just software — it’s a creative partner, giving users the power to connect with audiences meaningfully and authentically.

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As the commerce landscape rapidly evolves, Criteo has introduced a refreshed brand direction anchored by its new tagline, “For the love of commerce.” This signals the company’s long-term vision to redefine the AI-driven commerce experience and deepen consumer connections across media and retail ecosystems.

For over two decades, Criteo has played a pivotal role in shaping digital commerce. Now, with its renewed focus, it aims to go beyond functionality—putting emotion, surprise, and connected experiences back at the heart of shopping.

Highlights from Criteo’s Brand Evolution

1. Purposeful Rebranding

• Criteo's new brand direction emphasizes innovation, connection, and responsibility.

• The tagline “For the love of commerce” represents a renewed dedication to making commerce emotionally resonant and not just transactional.

2. Commerce Enhanced by AI

• AI is central to today’s shopping journey—from product discovery to personalized advertising.

• Criteo is leveraging AI to reimagine the full commerce experience with more intelligent, engaging consumer touchpoints.

3. Responding to Changing Consumer Expectations

• According to Criteo research, 76% of shoppers find online shopping uninspiring.

• This finding underscores the need to transition commerce from a utility-focused model to a more surprising and delightful experience.

4. Criteo’s Unique Market Position

• Global reach, exclusive commerce data access, and deep ecosystem integrations give Criteo a competitive edge.

• Advanced AI capabilities allow for creation of data-driven commerce solutions that adapt to evolving consumer behavior.

5. Evolution of the Brand Tagline

• From “The Future is Wide Open” to “For the love of commerce,” the new message captures Criteo’s deeper commitment to emotional and innovative brand-consumer relationships.

• This shift reflects not just market growth but a broader ambition to connect and elevate commerce worldwide.

6. Core Values Behind the Brand

• Guided by three foundational values: Open, Together, and Impactful.

• Developed in collaboration with The Marketing Practice to align branding with purpose and authenticity.

Brand Activation on the Global Stage

Cannes Lions Debut

• A heart-shaped orange hot air balloon billboard along the Croisette reads “Putting heart back in the cart.”

Supporting Local Commerce

• Collaboration with local cafés and shops where orange heart stickers unlock complimentary items, fostering community joy and brand visibility.

Global Rollout Strategy

• Campaign expands to major markets like London, New York, and Tokyo, timed with key industry events through 2025.

Influencer Engagement and Thought Leadership

• Multi-phase social media influencer campaign launches in summer.

• Combines voices from industry thought leaders and Criteo executives to spark discussions on the future of commerce.

Criteo’s refreshed brand direction repositions the company at the center of AI-powered commerce evolution. The new identity not only modernizes its image but also reiterates its commitment to creating emotionally rich and tech-forward consumer experiences.

By anchoring its vision in “For the love of commerce,” Criteo emphasizes that future commerce is not just about algorithms and sales—it’s about connection, innovation, and purpose.

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Kyndryl, a global leader in enterprise technology services, has released its first People Readiness Report, highlighting a major disconnect between AI investments and workforce readiness. Despite a widespread push toward AI implementation, few organizations have taken proactive steps to align their workforce strategies with these technological advancements.

The report, based on insights from over 1,000 senior executives across 25 industries and 8 geographies, paints a sobering picture: while businesses are eager to embrace AI, most are ill-equipped to integrate it meaningfully across their teams.

Findings from the Kyndryl People Readiness Report

1. AI Investments Are High, But Workforce Readiness Is Low

• 95% of businesses have already invested in AI.

• 71% of leaders report their workforces are unprepared to leverage AI effectively.

• 51% say their organizations lack the necessary skilled talent for AI operations.

• 45% of CEOs believe that employees are resistant or even hostile toward AI adoption.

2. Industry-Wise Disparities in Readiness

• Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance show higher levels of workforce readiness.

• Healthcare lags behind, reporting some of the weakest readiness levels for AI integration.

3. The Disconnect Between AI Implementation and Business Value

• Most companies have yet to unlock high-value AI use cases like product innovation or advanced decision-making.

• Generative AI is widely used, but only 4 in 10 leaders report using AI to derive strategic insights.

• Just 20% use AI primarily for developing new customer-facing products or services.

Who’s Getting It Right? The AI Pacesetters

A small subset of organizations—referred to as AI Pacesetters—stand out for aligning workforce strategies with AI goals. These companies are seeing meaningful ROI and employee adoption benefits.

AI Pacesetters Address 3 Major Challenges:

• Organizational Change Management:
  Pacesetters are 3x more likely to have fully implemented change management strategies for AI integration.

• Lack of Employee Trust:
  They are 29% less likely to face employee disengagement due to AI concerns.

• Skill Gaps:
  Pacesetters are 67% more likely to have accurate skill inventories and 4 in 10 report no skills gap issues.

Leadership Perspectives: Misalignment and Missed Opportunities

1. C-Suite Disconnect

• CEOs are more likely than CIOs/CTOs to say their organizations are in early AI adoption stages.

• CEOs are also 2.5x more likely to cite infrastructure inadequacies as a barrier to AI.

2. Talent Strategy Divide

• CEOs prefer hiring new talent to address AI gaps, while CIOs and CTOs lean toward upskilling current teams.

3. Alignment Yields Results

• Organizations with aligned leadership on AI strategy are progressing faster and achieving stronger outcomes.

The Kyndryl People Readiness Report underscores that AI investment alone is not enough—success hinges on preparing the people who will interact with the technology. Companies must go beyond technical infrastructure and invest in organizational change, employee trust, and reskilling programs.

Organizations that align workforce strategy with AI goals are not only seeing stronger adoption but also driving business innovation and growth. The path to AI maturity is complex, but companies that prioritize people alongside technology are emerging as industry leaders.

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