The sixth Annual Marketing Report explores how global marketers are allocating budgets and measuring success all with an eye on proving and improving ROI 

Nielsen, a leading authority in audience measurement and analytics, unveils its latest Annual Marketing Report, showcasing the priorities and strategies of global marketers in enhancing ROI for 2024 and beyond. The report highlights the importance of cross-media strategies and integrated measurement approaches to unlock revenue opportunities in today's dynamic marketing landscape.

1. Marketers' Spending Optimism:
   - Despite challenges such as inflation and supply chain uncertainties, 72% of global marketers anticipate larger ad budgets in 2024, reflecting increased spending optimism compared to previous years.

2. Balancing Brand Building and Performance Marketing:
  - While long-term ROI and full-funnel ROI remain top KPIs, there's a notable shift towards performance marketing, with 70% of respondents prioritizing it over brand building initiatives.
   - The report warns against neglecting brand-building efforts, which could potentially limit long-term ROI and lead to brand decay.

3. Digital Dominance in Media Allocations:
   - Digital media allocations are on the rise, with global marketers planning to allocate over 63% of their media spending to digital channels.
  - Social media, search, online video, and digital display witness significant increases in spending, reflecting the evolving media landscape.

4. Measurement Challenges and Opportunities:
   - While 84% of marketers express confidence in their ROI measurement capabilities, only 38% evaluate holistic ROI by integrating traditional and digital marketing metrics.
   - Nielsen emphasizes the importance of integrated measurement efforts across media channels to accurately assess brand and performance metrics in both short and long terms.

5. Insights from Nielsen Executives:
   - Tina Wilson, EVP and Group GM of Analytics Portfolio Companies at Nielsen, underscores the need for integrated measurement to maximize returns across diverse marketing channels and objectives.

Nielsen's 2024 Annual Marketing Report sheds light on global marketers' strategies and challenges in enhancing ROI. By emphasizing the importance of cross-media strategies and integrated measurement approaches, the report provides valuable insights for navigating the evolving marketing landscape and maximizing returns on marketing investments.

Powered by Watershed, Ricoh will empower companies to measure, report, and reduce their Scope 3 carbon emissions 

Ricoh USA, Inc. introduces a pioneering Sustainability Services Dashboard, revolutionizing emissions management for Ricoh Digital Services. This innovative platform enables customers to measure, report, and take action on emissions data, reinforcing Ricoh's commitment to environmental sustainability and digital transformation.

1. Addressing Scope 3 Emissions:
   - The Sustainability Services Dashboard targets Scope 3 emissions, which often constitute over 80% of total carbon contributions for many companies.
   - By focusing on indirect supplier emissions, Ricoh aims to assist corporations in achieving climate goals and regulatory compliance.

2. Partnership with Watershed:
   - Leveraging Watershed's granular emissions measurement, the dashboard provides comprehensive insights into carbon emissions across all scopes.
   - Customers gain access to a detailed Scope 3 emissions footprint, facilitating informed decision-making and emission reduction strategies.

3. Key Features and Benefits:
   - Regulatory Compliance: Enables compliance with global regulatory requirements such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Initiative (CSRI) by facilitating public, credible reporting on Scope 3 emissions.
   - Actionable Recommendations: Generates tailored recommendations for suppliers based on sustainability team input, fostering impactful reductions throughout the supply chain.
   - Data Visualization and Reporting: Intuitive dashboards and customizable reporting tools facilitate progress tracking, achievement communication, and stakeholder engagement.

4. Recognition and Commitment to Sustainability:
   - Ricoh's longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability is evident through accolades such as inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World Index) and a Gold rating from EcoVadis for ten consecutive years.
  - Recent recognition includes being named a 2024 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Ricoh's Sustainability Services Dashboard represents a significant milestone in emissions management for digital services. By providing customers with the tools to measure, report, and act upon emissions data, Ricoh continues to lead the way in advancing corporate sustainability goals and fostering a greener future.

Diddo raises $2.8M financing round, led by Link Ventures, to bring shoppable TV to all screens. Their easy-to-integrate API finally fulfills the promise of interactive ads; financing will accelerate platform development and expand staff to address massive market opportunity. 

Diddo, a visionary in TV commerce, announces a significant milestone with the successful closure of a $2.8M seed funding round led by Link Ventures. This funding marks a pivotal moment for Diddo as it propels forward in its mission to redefine the future of commerce through seamless integration with streaming platforms.

1. Vision for Tomorrow's Malls:
   - Rishi Nair, CEO of Diddo, envisions a future where malls evolve into dynamic hubs of commerce enabled by cutting-edge technology.
   - Diddo's innovative API leverages computer vision to empower consumers to shop directly from video content on streaming platforms.

2. Revolutionizing Viewing Experience:
   - Diddo's groundbreaking technology transforms the viewing experience by seamlessly integrating shopping opportunities within TV shows and episodes.
   - Users can effortlessly explore and purchase products featured in their favorite shows without leaving the streaming platform.

3. Key Features:
   - Streamlined Shopping Experience: Users can browse and shop products directly from the episode or frame they're watching.
   - Personalized Selections: Filter products by favorite characters and compare prices across various options.
   - Seamless Transaction Process: Purchase products natively or add them to cart without interrupting the viewing experience.

4. Endorsement and Validation:
   - Lisa Dolan, Managing Director at Link Ventures, praises Diddo's innovative solution as the "Holy Grail of TV commerce," offering viewers a native shopping experience.
   - Diddo's technology bridges the gap between content creators and audiences, enhancing engagement and connectivity.

5. Experienced Leadership Team:
   - Founded by Rishi Nair, Pamela Chen, and Ryan Sullivan, Diddo boasts a seasoned team with successful track records in computer vision, ecommerce, and enterprise APIs.
   - Rob Sussman, former founder of Sundance Channel and Epix (now MGM+), joins as COO to drive scalable growth and expansion.

With substantial seed funding and a visionary leadership team, Diddo is poised to revolutionize TV commerce. By seamlessly integrating shopping opportunities into streaming content, Diddo is reshaping the future of retail, empowering viewers to engage with their favorite shows in innovative ways.

With Mindmatrix's ABM feature, corporate vendors gain deep insights into their account ecosystem, enabling them to identify and leverage multi-contact opportunities within target accounts for personalized marketing and sales strategies. 

Mindmatrix, a leading PRM and Partner Marketing Solutions provider, unveils a groundbreaking Account Mapping feature within its Bridge Partner Marketing Software. This innovation revolutionizes traditional sales strategies by prioritizing comprehensive account-based marketing (ABM) and sales approaches over individual contacts.

1. Shift to Account-Based Marketing (ABM):
   - Mindmatrix's Account Mapping feature shifts the focus from individual contacts to holistic account-based marketing and sales strategies.
   - Enables corporate vendors to gain deep insights into their account ecosystem, facilitating targeted engagements.

2. Precision Targeting with ABM:
   - Bridge Partner Marketing's ABM component allows users to identify and target key accounts based on specific criteria such as company size, industry, and revenue.
   - Facilitates the development of personalized marketing and sales strategies tailored to each target account's unique challenges.

3. CEO Insight:
   - Harbinder Khera, CEO of Mindmatrix, emphasizes the significance of targeting entire accounts for successful sales.
   - Highlights the challenge of understanding complex account landscapes and how the Account-Based Mapping feature addresses this issue.

4. Key Highlights of Account-Based Mapping:
   - Comprehensive Account Insights: Provides visibility into account distribution across partner networks, aiding informed sales decisions.
   - Multi-Dimensional Overlap Analysis: Identifies overlapping accounts among partners, offering insights into shared opportunities and collaboration areas.
   - Enhanced Partner Collaboration: Facilitates collaborative selling efforts and alignment across partner networks for maximizing sales opportunities.
   - Targeted Sales Strategies: Enables personalized sales strategies based on account-specific insights, enhancing engagement and deal closures.

Mindmatrix's Account Mapping feature within Bridge Partner Marketing Software empowers businesses to elevate their ABM strategies. By offering comprehensive insights and enabling targeted sales approaches, businesses can strengthen relationships with key accounts, foster partner collaboration, and accelerate deal closures in the dynamic market landscape.

Proven SaaS Executive to Lead Next Phase of Growth for Provider of Tools for the Creator Economy 

Genesis Digital, a prominent SaaS provider catering to the creator economy, has named Darren Hakeman as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective April 2, 2024. Hakeman's appointment signifies a strategic move to propel the company into its next phase of growth and innovation.

1. Leadership Transition: Darren Hakeman assumes the role of CEO, succeeding Sarah Jenkins, one of the company's founders, who continues her involvement on the Board of Managers.
   - Hakeman's tenure as President since March 2022 positions him strategically for this leadership transition.

2. Professional Background: Hakeman brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, notably at 8x8, Inc., where he played a pivotal role in transforming the company's offerings and scaling its Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR).
   - Led Strategy and Corporate Development, driving significant growth and acquisitions.
   - Held executive-level positions at Lockheed Martin and Savi Technology, showcasing a diverse skill set.

3. Strategic Vision: With over 25,000 customers and a robust product-led-growth (PLG) model, Genesis Digital is poised for expansion under Hakeman's leadership.
   - Focus on tapping into the burgeoning creator economy, estimated at $250 billion.
   - Commitment to delivering user-friendly solutions for digital content creators to monetize their expertise.

4. Acknowledgment and Gratitude: Vik Verma, Executive Chairman, acknowledges Sarah Jenkins for her visionary leadership and ongoing support.
   - Highlights the company's progress in building an executive team and fostering a culture of accountability.

Darren Hakeman's appointment as CEO marks a strategic milestone for Genesis Digital, positioning the company for accelerated growth and innovation in the dynamic landscape of the creator economy. With a focus on delivering comprehensive solutions and leveraging a robust PLG model, Genesis Digital is set to empower digital content creators worldwide to thrive in the online marketplace.

Spencer joins the team to drive brand awareness, GTM, and customer experience 

LocatorX, a leading provider of Supply Chain Intelligence solutions, has appointed Jody Spencer as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Spencer's extensive experience and strategic vision are set to propel LocatorX's growth trajectory and enhance market expansion efforts.

1. Strategic Leadership: Spencer brings over 25 years of marketing leadership, specializing in B2B software organizations across diverse sectors.
   - Developed Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies for Fortune 1000, SMB, and startups.
   - Led rebranding initiatives and built robust partner ecosystems.

2. Previous Experience: With a rich background at Snowbound Software and Banta Integrated Media, Spencer has honed her skills in customer acquisition, engagement, and channel development.
   - Held various leadership roles culminating in CMO positions.
   - Successfully navigated acquisitions and rebranding processes.

3. Community Engagement: Actively involved in Revenue- and GTM-focused communities, Spencer brings valuable insights and connections to LocatorX.
   - Ambassador for GTM Partners and Founding Member of RevRoom.
   - Co-creator and host of In The Hot Seat podcast.

4. Vision for LocatorX: Spencer's appointment signals a strategic shift towards addressing critical supply chain challenges.
   - Focus on brand awareness and expansion into new markets.
   - Leveraging LocatorX's innovative Supply Chain Intelligence Platform to solve real-world challenges.

With Jody Spencer at the helm as CMO, LocatorX is poised to revolutionize the supply chain industry. Her strategic leadership, industry expertise, and commitment to innovation will drive growth, enhance customer experiences, and cement LocatorX's position as a global leader in supply chain solutions.

Sitecore®, a renowned leader in digital experience software, has named Dave O’Flanagan as CEO to spearhead the company's DXP (Digital Experience Platform) leadership and AI innovation. O’Flanagan, who previously served as interim CEO and CPO, brings a wealth of experience in product development and strategic vision to his new role, aiming to propel Sitecore's growth and transform customer value with AI-driven solutions.

Dave O’Flanagan's Background and Vision:
- As former CPO, O’Flanagan led Sitecore's transition to composable architecture and the introduction of SaaS DXP solutions, demonstrating his commitment to innovation and customer-centric strategies.
- With a founder and CEO background at Boxever, acquired by Sitecore in 2021, O’Flanagan brings entrepreneurial spirit and a deep understanding of customer needs to his leadership role.
- O’Flanagan’s "marketer-first" AI strategy aims to revolutionize content creation and personalized experiences, leveraging generative AI capabilities to empower marketers at every stage of the content lifecycle.

Generative AI Capabilities and Marketer-First Approach:
- Sitecore unveiled a suite of generative AI capabilities, including content recommendations, intelligent image sourcing, and automated workflows, designed to streamline content creation, collaboration, and delivery.
- AI Copilot, integrated within Sitecore's DXP portfolio, enhances ideation, content creation, collaboration, experience delivery, and personalization, offering marketers greater velocity, efficiency, and relevance across touchpoints.

Leadership and Board Changes:
- Roger Connolly is promoted to CPO, Danny Robinson appointed as CTO, and Rohinee Mohindroo named CDIO, reflecting Sitecore's commitment to content lifecycle innovation, AI development, and digital transformation.
- Sitecore bolsters its board with four new appointments, including Christian Shin Høegh Andersen, Maggie Buggie, Michael Ouissi, and Saleah Hassen Laher, to support the company's vision and growth trajectory.

Quotes from Stakeholders:
- Darren Roos, Chair of the Sitecore board, commends O’Flanagan's customer-first mindset, innovation focus, and leadership qualities, anticipating accelerated growth under his leadership.
- Dave O’Flanagan expresses enthusiasm for Sitecore's journey, emphasizing the company's dedication to redefining DXP potential and delivering exceptional experiences for clients worldwide.

Dave O’Flanagan's appointment as CEO marks a pivotal moment for Sitecore as it strives to drive DXP leadership and AI innovation. With a focus on customer value, innovation, and collaboration, Sitecore aims to empower marketers and revolutionize digital experiences across industries, setting a new standard for excellence in the digital experience software landscape.

Smartphone's Differentiated Frame Rate Optimization and Diverse Gaming Display Enhancement Modes Deliver Flagship Visual Experience at Affordable Price 

Pixelworks, Inc., a leader in visual processing solutions, joins forces with vivo to introduce the iQOO Z9 Turbo smartphone, integrating Pixelworks' X5 Turbo visual processor. This collaboration aims to elevate the gaming and video experience for users by offering immersive visuals, optimized frame rates, and enhanced display features.

Key Features of iQOO Z9 Turbo:
1. Immersive Gaming Experience:
   - The iQOO Z9 Turbo features the Pixelworks X5 Turbo visual processor, providing users with a high-frame-rate gaming experience.
   - With differentiated frame rate optimization solutions and built-in visual enhancement modes, the smartphone delivers stunning visual quality across various gaming scenarios.
  - Pixelworks' solution optimizes GPU rendering efficiency, extending gaming playtime for high-frame-rate games and enhancing picture quality for lower frame rate games.

2. High-Performance Specifications:
  - Powered by the Snapdragon® 8s Gen 3 mobile platform, the iQOO Z9 Turbo boasts a 6,000mAh battery with 80W fast charging support.
  - Equipped with a 6.78-inch OLED display featuring a 1.5K resolution and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, ensuring smooth and vibrant visuals.

3. Diverse Gaming Filter Modes:
  - Users can choose from multiple gaming filter modes for display enhancement, catering to various visual preferences and enhancing immersion.
  - Dedicated tuning modes for popular games like Honor of King, Game for Peace, League of Legends, and Genshin Impact amplify gaming visuals based on the game creator's artistic intent.

4. Optimized Video Experience:
   - The iQOO Z9 Turbo effectively addresses video judder issues with Pixelworks' content-optimized motion processing, ensuring stable visual quality for native frame rate video content.
  - Supports video frame interpolation from 24fps/25fps/30fps up to 60 fps, enhancing the visual experience across mainstream video apps in China.

Statements from Stakeholders:
- Yaojing Yang, Director of Gaming Experience Planning Center, iQOO, expresses satisfaction with Pixelworks' support in delivering a smooth gaming experience and immersive video quality.
- Ting Xiong, President of Pixelworks China, congratulates vivo on the launch of iQOO Z9 Turbo, highlighting the smartphone's flagship-level user experience and collaboration efforts between Pixelworks and vivo teams.

The collaboration between Pixelworks and vivo culminates in the iQOO Z9 Turbo smartphone, offering users a seamless gaming and video experience with enhanced visuals, optimized frame rates, and diverse display enhancement features. This partnership underscores a commitment to delivering premium user experiences and sets a benchmark for high-performance mobile gaming.