Emerald Holding, Inc., a prominent player in the B2B trade show and events sector, has announced the successful acquisition of This is Beyond, a luxury travel event organizer based in London. Known for its innovative and exclusive event experiences, This is Beyond strengthens Emerald’s footprint in the global luxury travel industry, a market valued at approximately $1.3 trillion.

• Strategic Expansion into Luxury Travel:

  • Emerald’s acquisition of This is Beyond marks its entry into the fast-growing luxury travel segment.

  • The deal aligns with Emerald’s broader growth strategy focused on high-value, experience-driven markets.

• Established Reputation in a Trillion-Dollar Market:

  • Founded in 2009, This is Beyond has built a robust reputation for premium events catering to elite travel designers, operators, and managers.

  • Their events emphasize exclusivity, personalization, and sustainability—key drivers in the evolving travel landscape.

• Sustainable and Experiential Event Focus:

  • This is Beyond is known for crafting events that offer more than networking—fostering deep business relationships in immersive environments.

  • Their focus on sustainable luxury positions Emerald to cater to emerging consumer and business demands.

• Global Market Impact:

  • The global luxury travel sector is expected to experience steady growth, fueled by increased demand for personalized experiences and premium services.

  • With this acquisition, Emerald positions itself as a leader not just in events but in curating elevated B2B experiences for high-end markets.

Emerald Holding’s acquisition of This is Beyond signifies a calculated move into a high-growth, experience-led sector. The integration will allow Emerald to deliver unique, sustainable, and high-impact events for the luxury travel market, further diversifying its portfolio and strengthening its industry leadership.

Thryv Holdings, Inc., provider of Thryv®, a leading small business marketing and sales platform, kicked off 2025 with significant momentum. The company reported a robust 50% year-over-year increase in SaaS revenue in Q1 2025 and revised its full-year Marketing Services revenue outlook upward. These results reflect Thryv’s strategic shift toward becoming a premier SMB software business, focused on expanding customer relationships and delivering scalable, sustainable growth.

Highlights from Q1 2025 Results:

• SaaS Revenue Growth and Platform Momentum:

  • SaaS revenue reached $111.1 million, marking a 50% year-over-year increase.

  • Excluding Keap, SaaS revenue totaled $92.2 million—up 24% year-over-year.

  • SaaS now comprises over 60% of total revenue, reinforcing the company’s transformation strategy.

• Marketing Services Performance:

  • Marketing Services revenue was $70.2 million, representing a 56% decrease year-over-year.

  • Despite this decline, total Marketing Services Adjusted EBITDA stood at $10.1 million, with a margin of 14.4%.

  • The updated full-year 2025 Marketing Services revenue guidance was raised to $315.0–$318.0 million.

• Strong Financial and Operational Metrics:

  • Consolidated total revenue stood at $181.4 million, down 22% year-over-year.

  • Consolidated net loss was $9.6 million, or $(0.22) per diluted share, compared to net income of $8.4 million in Q1 2024.

  • Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA came in at $20.9 million, with an EBITDA margin of 11.5%.

• Improved SaaS Profitability and Efficiency:

  • SaaS Adjusted EBITDA reached $10.8 million (9.7% margin).

  • SaaS Gross Profit was $78.8 million, with a Gross Margin of 70.9%.

  • Adjusted Gross Profit for SaaS was $81.5 million, indicating a 73.3% Adjusted Gross Margin.

• Customer Metrics and Revenue Retention:

  • SaaS clients increased by 59% year-over-year, totaling 111,000 at the end of Q1.

  • Seasoned Net Revenue Retention (NRR) rose to 103%, a 900 bps increase year-over-year (excluding Keap).

  • SaaS monthly ARPU was $335.

  • ThryvPay total payment volume hit $71 million, up 13% year-over-year.

Thryv’s strong start to 2025 showcases the impact of its SaaS-first strategy, supported by improved margins, customer expansion, and rising ARPU. The company remains focused on scaling its software platform, driving cross-sell opportunities, and delivering measurable ROI for small businesses. With an upward revision in its Marketing Services revenue outlook and continued growth in SaaS, Thryv is well-positioned for long-term profitability and operational excellence.

Perficient, the leading global digital consultancy transforming the world’s largest businesses and brands, has been recognized as the Organization of the Year at the 2025 Customer Service Excellence Awards by the Business Intelligence Group. Additionally, the company secured a Gold Winner title in the Globee Customer Service Excellence Awards. These prestigious accolades underscore Perficient’s commitment to delivering end-to-end digital experiences that enhance customer satisfaction and drive measurable business impact.

Award-Winning Initiatives and Impact:

• Recognition by Business Intelligence Group:

  • Honored as Organization of the Year for leading customer innovation and execution.

  • Recognized for transforming customer engagement with AI and digital experience solutions.

• Automotive Industry Transformation:

  • Collaborated with a leading global automotive manufacturer.

  • Developed and deployed an AI-powered chatbot featuring advanced cognitive capabilities.

  • Delivered a streamlined B2C shopping experience that boosted user engagement by 28%.

  • Guided the partner through complex AI use case identification and implementation.

• Globee Gold Winner – Manufacturing Sector Innovation:

  • Partnered with a multinational manufacturing conglomerate to optimize customer service.

  • Implemented Perficient’s Envision Framework and Journey Science methodology.

  • Integrated Amazon Connect and AWS AI/ML to automate service interactions.

  • Resulted in a 39% reduction in service calls/emails and $25 million in annual cost savings.

Executive Commentary:
“We are honored to receive recognition from the Business Intelligence Group and the Globee Awards for excellence in customer service,” said Ed Hoffman, Senior Vice President at Perficient. “These awards are a testament to our global teams' dedication to driving meaningful innovation. At Perficient, we are deeply invested in creating digital experiences that enable our clients to overcome limitations and achieve transformational growth.”

Perficient’s dual recognition at the 2025 Customer Service Excellence Awards reinforces its position as a leader in digital transformation. Through strategic use of AI, automation, and customer experience design, Perficient continues to deliver impactful solutions that foster innovation, reduce costs, and elevate service delivery for top-tier global brands.

WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., a global leader in digital storytelling and home to the world’s largest webcomic platforms, announced that its Founder & CEO Junkoo Kim and CFO & COO David Lee have been named to Gold House’s prestigious 2025 A100 List. The annual list recognizes the most influential Asian Pacific leaders who are shaping culture, driving innovation, and advancing global industries.

Highlights and Contributions:

• Industry Recognition by Gold House:

  • Junkoo Kim and David Lee honored alongside cultural icons like BLACKPINK’s Lisa and Rosé, Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho, and Tubi CEO Anjali Sud.

  • Acknowledged for contributions to entertainment, technology, and global storytelling.

• Junkoo Kim – Founder & CEO:

  • Founded WEBTOON in 2005 in Korea, pioneering the now-standard mobile vertical scroll format.

  • Transformed digital comics into a global phenomenon, empowering millions of creators.

  • Led WEBTOON’s expansion as a storytelling powerhouse with a global audience.

  • Quote: “This recognition is a testament to the power of storytelling and the creativity of our global creator community.”

• David Lee – CFO & COO:

  • Guided WEBTOON through its historic IPO, positioning it as a leading entertainment-tech brand.

  • Known for his strategic acumen and successful leadership in transforming global companies.

  • Quote: “This recognition reflects the incredible work our team has done to revolutionize digital storytelling.”

WEBTOON’s Cultural and Market Impact:

• Global Reach and Content Influence:

  • WEBTOON’s content inspires major screen adaptations such as:

    • Sweet Home and Through My Window (Netflix)

    • Vigilante (Disney+)

    • Sidelined: The QB and Me (Tubi)

    • Tower of God (Crunchyroll)

  • Recognized for transforming digital narratives into mainstream IP successes.

• Strategic Brand Partnerships:

  • Collaborations with top brands like Duolingo, DC Comics, Ubisoft, HYBE, CAPCOM, Discord, and Dropout.

  • Strong appeal to Gen Z audiences through immersive, mobile-native storytelling.

Junkoo Kim and David Lee’s inclusion in the 2025 A100 List reflects WEBTOON’s revolutionary influence at the intersection of entertainment, technology, and IP. As WEBTOON continues to amplify global voices and power screen adaptations, it stands as a beacon of innovation in the digital storytelling economy.

ON24, the intelligent engagement platform for B2B sales and marketing, has secured the top ranking in the G2 Spring 2025 Enterprise Grid® for Webinar Platforms. With the highest satisfaction (98) and market presence (96) scores, ON24 continues to demonstrate its category leadership in digital engagement, AI-powered analytics, and enterprise webinar experiences.

Highlights:

• G2 Enterprise Grid® Recognition:

  • ON24 ranked #1 in the Enterprise Grid for Webinar Platforms, based on G2’s customer-driven metrics.

  • Achieved top satisfaction and market presence scores: 98 and 96, respectively.

  • Recognition highlights ON24’s value in turning audience engagement into measurable pipeline impact.

• Customer-Centric Innovation:

  • Sharat Sharan, CEO of ON24, emphasized the company's ongoing innovation in AI and first-party data utilization:

    “We’re empowering marketing, sales, and customer teams to transform every digital interaction into business impact.”

  • G2 CMO Sydney Sloan reaffirmed that the rankings are rooted in authentic customer feedback, strengthening the credibility of ON24’s leadership position.

Platform Excellence and Differentiation:

• ON24 Intelligent Engagement Platform:

  • Powered by the ON24 ACE (AI-powered Analytics and Content Engine).

  • Enables enterprises to create and personalize webinars, virtual events, and digital experiences at scale.

  • Converts digital engagement into actionable insights that fuel pipeline acceleration.

• AI-Powered Capabilities:

  • Real-time audience engagement tracking

  • Post-event analytics and reporting

  • Intelligent content repurposing

  • Scalable first-party data collection and conversion

ON24’s top placement in G2’s Spring 2025 Enterprise Grid® for Webinar Platforms affirms its status as a leader in enterprise digital engagement. Through continuous innovation in AI and data-driven customer experiences, ON24 is enabling organizations to unlock the full potential of first-party engagement and drive business outcomes in a digital-first world.

MessageGears, the leading data activation and engagement platform for enterprise brands, has announced a robust suite of updates designed to streamline marketing operations and improve campaign personalization at scale. The new capabilities address key enterprise needs, including smarter audience segmentation, enhanced workflow visibility, dynamic content control, and heightened data security.

Updates and Features:

• Smarter, Faster Segmentation:

  • Updated interface provides a clearer view of audience segments, associated campaigns, and destinations.

  • A new "mini map" and improved zoom features simplify navigation through large, complex audience logic.

  • Enhanced drag-and-drop tools enable marketers to build and update segments—without writing SQL.

• Streamlined Campaign Workflow:

  • A redesigned campaign builder uses a “who, what, when” structure for quicker, more intuitive setup.

  • Integrated channel/template selection within workflow creation.

  • A campaign launch schedule displays the next 10 scheduled sends for real-time clarity.

  • Marketers can now add custom metadata to campaign events—boosting transparency, flexibility, and troubleshooting.

• Advanced Personalization:

  • New FreeMarker macros enable quick content personalization across large recipient lists.

  • Marketers can efficiently tailor content for individual recipients with ease.

• Secure Data Preview Access:

  • A new user role ensures PII protection while still allowing full access to targeting attributes.

  • Marketers can activate campaigns using sensitive data without exposing identities, enhancing both security and compliance.

Executive Insight:

“Enterprise brands managing millions of customer data records need precise and nuanced control over who, what, when, and how they use that 
customer data to build successful campaigns,” said Craig Pohan, Chief Technology Officer at MessageGears.

“These enhancements and refinements streamline how enterprises turn complex data into personalized, high-impact messaging — fast.”

Trusted by Leading Brands:

MessageGears continues to empower top-tier brands such as Expedia, Chewy, and Vimeo by enabling them to deeply understand and engage customers across the buyer journey with
real-time data activation.

With its latest platform enhancements, MessageGears reinforces its leadership in enterprise-grade data-driven marketing. By simplifying complex segmentation, improving workflow visibility, and enabling secure personalization, MessageGears is helping brands unlock the full power of their data to create more meaningful and effective customer experiences.

On May 2, 2025, TSUTA-WORLD Inc., a Tokyo-based digital marketing agency, announced the launch of Kita Buzz, Hokkaido’s first regional influencer marketing service. The initiative aims to promote the unique attractions of Hokkaido by leveraging the power of local influencers, in turn supporting the region's economic growth and self-esteem.

Background and Purpose:

TSUTA-WORLD CEO Yamaoka, who relocated to Sapporo City for personal reasons, became deeply enamored with the rich offerings of Hokkaido—from its natural landscapes to its food culture. Motivated by a desire to showcase Hokkaido’s charms to a wider audience, Yamaoka met ROY, a well-established influencer with 80,000 followers, who shared the same passion for promoting the region. This collaboration led to the creation of Kita Buzz, a service dedicated solely to marketing Hokkaido through influencers.

Service Overview:

• Targeted Local Marketing:
  Over 100 Hokkaido-based influencers will highlight regional attractions such as local foods, tourist spots, and seasonal activities.

  • Figures Involved:

    • ROY, an influencer with a significant following, will act as a core figure, guiding the initiative.

    • Riho Yokomichi, with 200,000 TikTok followers, brings expertise in TikTok marketing.

    • Yuki Matsutani, known for her extensive network within Sapporo’s restaurant scene, contributes to content creation and local outreach.

    • CEO Yamaoka will oversee production, drawing on his experience generating over 30 million views across TikTok.

Novelty and Features:

• Hokkaido-Centric Approach:
  "Kita Buzz" is the first influencer marketing service dedicated entirely to promoting Hokkaido, giving it a localized focus that allows advertisers to deliver relevant content to target audiences within the region.

• Pay-for-Performance System:
  The service introduces a pay-for-performance model based on view counts, making it cost-effective and accessible even for small businesses. Advertisers can track their ROI and gauge the effectiveness of their campaigns clearly.

• Efficient Regional Reach:
  By collaborating exclusively with influencers who are either based in or deeply familiar with Hokkaido, Kita Buzz ensures the most accurate and engaging messaging about the region reaches the right audience.

Social Contribution and Economic Impact:
The Kita Buzz service aims to bolster Hokkaido’s economy by attracting tourists from both Japan and abroad, positioning the region as a premier global tourist destination. Additionally, it strives to enhance the pride and self-esteem of local residents, fostering a sense of ownership and community among Hokkaido's population. By sharing regional stories through influencers, the service works to build a bright future for Hokkaido—one where both the community and tourism thrive.

"Kita Buzz" represents a game-changing step in the regional marketing landscape, allowing Hokkaido to showcase its charm through local voices and driving the future of tourism and community development. TSUTA-WORLD’s strategic approach brings targeted marketing to life, ensuring maximum impact with performance-based pricing, all while uplifting the local culture and economy.

OPIC Technologies, Inc., a global leader in Spatial Live Stream Technology, has launched a groundbreaking approach to tactical training. By providing real-time spatial live streams that capture depth, movement, and spatial orientation, OPIC offers a new level of realism and situational awareness for military units, law enforcement, first responders, and security teams. This innovation transforms traditional training methods, allowing for more authentic and effective simulations.

Background and Need for Innovation:

In traditional training environments, video-based simulations often struggle to replicate the complexity of real-world scenarios. They fail to convey the depth, dynamic interactions, and nuanced spatial relationships critical for effective tactical training. OPIC’s Spatial Live Streaming overcomes these limitations by providing live streams that accurately maintain depth cues, giving trainees a true sense of positioning, movement, and environmental interaction.

How It Works:

• Real-Time Spatial Awareness:
  OPIC’s Spatial Live Streaming technology delivers a real-time feed that maintains the depth and spatial orientation of the environment. This ensures that every angle, distance, and movement is captured, giving trainees a comprehensive view of the operational scenario.

• Enhanced Tactical Simulations:
  Unlike traditional flat video-based training, this platform allows for dynamic, 3D-like scenarios. Trainees can now understand team formations, individual movements, and how these factors influence mission outcomes in a much more realistic way.

Benefits:

1. Authentic Training:
   Trainees experience tactical exercises as if they were in the field, with better situational awareness and understanding of their environment.

2. Improved Readiness:
   By replicating real-world complexity, OPIC’s technology enhances operational preparedness. Teams can better grasp the importance of timing, positioning, and environmental interactions during missions.

3. Flexibility and Efficiency:
   Instructors can run more varied scenarios remotely, reducing the need for physical relocations while still offering challenging and dynamic exercises.

Applications in Tactical Training:

OPIC's Spatial Live Streaming technology can be used in multiple training settings, such as:

• Mission Rehearsals: Teams can practice in simulated environments before conducting real-life missions.

• After-Action Reviews: Provides accurate recordings to evaluate performance and identify areas of improvement.

• Remote Team Training: Teams in different locations can train together in the same environment, regardless of geographical constraints.

• Skills Evaluation: Instructors can observe and assess how trainees interact with the space and execute their tasks in complex situations.

CEO's Vision:

Bob Douglas, CEO of OPIC Technologies, emphasizes the importance of this innovation:

“In tactical operations, every angle, distance, and movement matters. Our Spatial Live Streaming platform gives trainees the ability to experience scenarios with the depth and situational detail needed for effective preparation.”

OPIC Technologies’ Spatial Live Streaming represents a significant advancement in tactical training. By enhancing realism and situational awareness, this platform offers military, law enforcement, and security teams a more effective way to prepare for complex, real-world situations. The ability to conduct frequent, varied training exercises without the logistical constraints of traditional methods is a game-changer in operational readiness.