video technology 21 Apr 2025
In today’s fast-paced digital world, video content reigns supreme, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to connect with Gen Z and Millennial consumers. According to iStock’s VisualGPS platform, these younger audiences are not just consuming video—they’re actively seeking content that feels real, relatable, and emotionally engaging.
With 71% of Gen Z and Millennials saying they enjoy watching short-form videos on social media, and 41% finding long-form videos inspiring, it’s clear that video is more than just a trend - it’s an essential tool for modern marketing.
In this article, we’ll explore how SMBs can effectively use authentic video content to build trust, boost engagement, and showcase their business personality, all while reaching the next generation of consumers.
Authenticity is a critical factor for Gen Z and Millennials when choosing content. A staggering 98% of viewers say they value authenticity in the visuals they consume.
Younger consumers favor formats like “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) and behind-the-scenes (BTS) videos. These formats allow brands to offer an honest, unpolished look into daily routines, business operations, and creative processes.
“For SMBs, these approachable video formats can be a game-changer,” says Jacqueline Bourke, Senior Director of Creative at iStock. “You don’t need a big production crew—just a compelling story and the willingness to show what goes on behind the scenes.”
As 45% of Millennials and 50% of Gen Z use video-first platforms primarily for entertainment, the opportunity for businesses to show their personality is massive. Whether your brand persona is light-hearted or premium, video lets you connect with audiences in an authentic way.
For example, a local bakery might capture a fun staff taste test, while a bespoke clothing brand could show its craftsmanship with slow-motion shots of garments being created.
“Your business story is your superpower,” says Bourke. “Use video to show what drives you—whether it's solving a customer problem, delivering quality, or building a community.”
While video is a powerful tool across industries, iStock’s data reveals that different sectors should approach video with a tailored storytelling strategy. Here are some industry-specific video tips:
With 91% of people globally saying travel helps them break from routine, immersive destination videos can engage audiences and drive interest. Showing real experiences helps potential customers envision themselves in those locations.
81% of people prefer seeing real individuals improve their well-being over aspirational content. Videos that show personal routines, honest success stories, and achievable health goals resonate far more than perfect, polished imagery.
In retail, 72% of consumers prefer video for product demonstrations. Formats like unboxings, tutorials, and customer testimonials help bring products to life, building trust and boosting conversion rates.
SMBs no longer need a blockbuster budget to create effective video content. With a combination of customer-generated content, smartphone videos, and high-quality stock footage, businesses can create impactful videos that resonate with their audience.
What truly matters is storytelling that feels real, useful, and human—whether it’s short-form content for social media or long-form educational videos.
“Video doesn’t just increase visibility—it builds credibility,” concludes Bourke. “And that credibility can lead to stronger customer relationships, higher engagement, and real business growth.”
For SMBs looking to connect with Gen Z and Millennial audiences, authentic video content is the key. Whether you’re showcasing the human side of your business, telling your brand story, or offering useful product demonstrations, video offers a unique way to build trust and engagement without needing a large production budget. Embrace the power of video storytelling and watch your business thrive in an increasingly video-first world.
business 21 Apr 2025
Gray Media has officially announced the promotion of Mark Little to the position of General Manager for KWQC, the NBC affiliate in Davenport, Iowa, serving the Quad Cities market. This new role will take effect on May 1, 2025. Little’s appointment comes after a highly successful tenure as the News Director at WMC-TV in Memphis, Tennessee, where he contributed significantly to the station’s operations for the past three years.
With over 30 years of leadership experience in local television, Mark Little has earned a reputation for excellence and innovation in the industry. His leadership has led to numerous accolades and accomplishments, including regional and national recognition.
Mark Little’s career in television spans three decades, during which he has honed his skills and leadership capabilities across various stations in the U.S. He has led newsrooms in states like Missouri, South Carolina, and Mississippi, where he consistently demonstrated his ability to drive success and create impactful news programming.
His accomplishments include earning prestigious Station of the Year awards, multiple Regional Emmy recognitions, and several Murrow awards, affirming his commitment to journalistic excellence. Additionally, Mark pioneered innovative strategies for local news programming, such as partnering with a local university to build a news presence in an underserved region of Iowa and being one of the first news directors to introduce podcasting into the local news landscape.
Beyond his professional accolades, Mark Little is also known for his deep commitment to community involvement. He has served on the boards of notable organizations such as the American Red Cross and United Way, demonstrating his dedication to supporting local causes.
Additionally, Mark has been a pivotal figure in the Dream Home campaign, which benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Over the past 25 years, he has dedicated his time and resources to planning and supporting this important initiative, which helps provide life-saving treatments and research for children battling cancer and other serious illnesses.
As Mark Little transitions into his new role as General Manager of KWQC, his extensive experience and passion for both news and community service will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the station’s continued growth and success. His vision for local news and commitment to innovation will help shape KWQC’s future in an ever-evolving media landscape.
“Mark’s proven leadership, innovative spirit, and dedication to excellence will be invaluable as we continue to serve the Quad Cities market,” said Gray Media representatives. “We are excited to see him apply his wealth of experience to drive KWQC forward.”
Mark Little’s promotion to General Manager of KWQC marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career. His remarkable achievements in local television, coupled with his dedication to community service, position him to lead the station into an exciting new chapter. As he steps into his new role, the Quad Cities market can look forward to continued excellence in news, community engagement, and innovation under his leadership.
marketing 21 Apr 2025
Arcalea, a performance-driven marketing firm renowned for its proprietary marketing intelligence platforms, has officially been recognized as a 2025 Premier Partner in the Google Partners program. This prestigious status places Arcalea among the top 3% of Google Partners globally, underscoring the firm’s remarkable ability to deliver transformative marketing results through advanced Google Ads strategies and data-led marketing.
This distinction highlights Arcalea’s proficiency in delivering measurable, business-critical outcomes across a variety of industries, including higher education, B2B services, and mission-driven organizations. By leveraging its suite of proprietary platforms, Arcalea enables brands to gain strategic clarity, optimize performance, and outpace competitors.
The Premier Partner status reflects the cutting-edge tools that power Arcalea’s client successes. The firm’s proprietary platforms, such as Galileo, Compass, and Pulse, offer advanced capabilities that set it apart in the digital marketing landscape:
Galileo: Advanced multitouch attribution and mixed media modeling platform.
Compass: AI-powered organic search forecasting for better long-term strategy planning.
Pulse: Real-time campaign performance tracking that empowers brands with immediate insights to optimize their marketing efforts.
Through these innovative tools, Arcalea equips its clients with the data and strategic clarity they need to consistently outperform competitors and drive measurable results.
“We’re incredibly proud to be a part of the global Premier Partner community,” said Michael Stratta, CEO of Arcalea. “This recognition is a direct result of our team’s relentless focus on measurable impact and our continuous investment in our platforms like Galileo and Compass, which provide our partners with unparalleled strategic visibility and decision-making power that only a select few marketers can deliver.”
Stratta’s statement highlights the firm’s dedication to helping clients leverage advanced technologies to refine strategies, unlock new growth opportunities, and accelerate performance across multiple channels.
As a Google Premier Partner, Arcalea gains exclusive access to Google’s most advanced tools and platform updates. This early access allows the firm to stay ahead of market shifts, accelerating its clients' performance through new targeting capabilities and the latest insights.
The Premier Partner distinction provides Arcalea with a unique advantage in offering cutting-edge solutions and guiding brands through complex digital marketing landscapes. With a global presence in the Google Partners directory, Arcalea now connects with organizations worldwide that seek a trusted partner recognized for driving measurable business outcomes at scale.
The 2025 Premier Partner status caps off a year of tremendous recognition for Arcalea. In 2024, the firm’s proprietary technologies — Galileo, Compass, and Pulse — were honored as part of Fortune’s Most Innovative Products. This recognition celebrates the firm’s ability to fuse strategic thinking with actionable data frameworks, resulting in high-impact outcomes for clients across paid media, full-funnel analytics, and forecasting.
These platforms, designed to empower fast and precise decision-making, continue to fuel Arcalea’s growth and enhance its competitive edge in a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.
Arcalea’s 2025 Premier Partner status in the Google Partners program marks a significant milestone in the firm’s ongoing mission to deliver data-driven, performance-based marketing solutions. With access to exclusive tools and advanced insights, Arcalea is poised to continue its legacy of excellence, helping brands across industries achieve breakthrough results.
digital marketing 21 Apr 2025
Sotavento Medios, a Singapore-based SEO agency led by Jeremy Lee, is excited to announce its expansion into Singapore and Malaysia with an exclusive 50% discount on its 25-keyword SEO package. This initiative is designed to help businesses in these rapidly growing digital markets enhance their online visibility with affordable, effective SEO strategies tailored to their needs.
With the digital landscape in Singapore and Malaysia becoming increasingly competitive, this limited-time offer provides an opportunity for local businesses to improve their search engine rankings and online presence at a fraction of the cost.
One of the standout features of Sotavento Medios’ service is the provision of daily SEO ranking reports. These reports offer businesses real-time insights into their website performance, ensuring they stay informed about their search rankings every day.
Businesses in Singapore and Malaysia can choose to receive these reports via email or access them directly through a dedicated customer dashboard. This transparent, data-driven approach allows clients to track their SEO progress and make informed decisions about their digital marketing strategies.
“We aim to support businesses in Singapore and Malaysia with tailored SEO solutions that are both effective and transparent,” said Jeremy Lee, Founder of Sotavento Medios. “By offering daily ranking reports, we empower companies to monitor their progress and optimize their digital presence with precision and confidence.”
With its established presence in Singapore, Sotavento Medios has become a trusted SEO partner for startups, SMEs, and agencies looking to improve their online visibility. The company’s expertise extends to Malaysia, where demand for SEO services is rapidly growing as businesses increasingly recognize the importance of digital marketing.
Sotavento Medios offers a structured approach to SEO that is both results-driven and customized to each client’s needs. Whether optimizing for local search terms or targeting broader regional keywords, the agency’s data-driven approach has helped numerous businesses achieve sustainable growth online.
As part of this expansion, Sotavento Medios is offering an exclusive 50% discount on its 25-keyword SEO package. This package, originally priced at $1,100 SGD, is now available for just $550 SGD per month.
This offer provides businesses in Singapore and Malaysia with a cost-effective way to improve their search engine rankings and drive organic traffic to their websites. The 25-keyword SEO package includes comprehensive keyword research, on-page optimization, content strategies, and consistent performance tracking to ensure optimal results.
With this exciting offer, Sotavento Medios is poised to help businesses in Singapore and Malaysia strengthen their digital presence and achieve higher search engine rankings. The combination of affordable SEO solutions, daily transparency through ranking reports, and a tailored approach makes Sotavento Medios a reliable and trusted partner for businesses seeking to excel in the competitive digital market.
Don’t miss out on this limited-time offer — contact Sotavento Medios today to take advantage of the 50% discount on their 25-keyword SEO package and start improving your search rankings.
advertising 21 Apr 2025
In today’s digital landscape, website speed and overall performance are critical factors in the success of digital marketing campaigns. From search engine optimization (SEO) to paid advertising strategies, the ability of a website to load quickly and operate efficiently directly impacts search rankings, user engagement, and return on investment (ROI). With algorithms evolving and user expectations rising, fast-loading websites are more important than ever for marketers and advertisers.
Brett Thomas, founder of Rhino Web Studios in New Orleans, Louisiana, emphasizes the connection between site speed and digital marketing performance:
“Search engines reward fast-loading websites with better visibility. Slow performance increases bounce rates, reduces conversions, and drives up ad costs. Addressing speed is not optional—it’s fundamental.”
In 2021, Google officially incorporated Core Web Vitals into its ranking algorithm, directly linking website performance to search rankings. These metrics assess the user experience through the following:
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures loading performance.
First Input Delay (FID): Tracks interactivity.
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Evaluates visual stability.
Websites that fail to meet these benchmarks risk lower organic visibility and poorer ad performance, no matter how high-quality the content. Even a one-second delay in loading can reduce conversion rates by up to 20%, according to industry data. Additionally, high bounce rates signal to search engines that users aren’t finding value, further harming rankings and increasing pay-per-click (PPC) costs due to lower quality scores.
For businesses running digital ad campaigns, especially on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads, website performance impacts more than just click-through rates. A slow-loading landing page creates friction in the user journey, leading to lost leads and higher cost-per-conversion.
Ad platforms like Google Ads evaluate the landing page experience as part of their quality score, influencing bid prices and ad placements. Low-performing websites may face higher bid prices and lower ad rankings, making technical optimization crucial for campaign success.
Optimizing speed, reducing server response times, and compressing media files can significantly enhance ad performance. Fast-loading websites increase user satisfaction, encourage longer engagement, and improve the likelihood of meaningful conversions.
There are several common issues that contribute to poor website speed:
Unoptimized Images: Large media files can severely impact load times. Compressing and resizing images appropriately can bring immediate improvements.
Excessive Plugins or Scripts: Third-party scripts, including those for analytics, social media, or animations, can delay content rendering.
Lack of Caching: Without proper caching rules, the browser must reload resources every time a user visits the site.
Bloated Themes and Code: Overly complex themes or redundant CSS/JavaScript files increase download time and processing overhead.
Inadequate Hosting: Shared or low-performance servers often struggle to handle high traffic efficiently.
Addressing these issues requires both front-end and back-end optimizations, aligning the website with modern performance expectations.
Implementing technical solutions can dramatically improve website speed and performance. Here are several proven strategies:
Image Optimization: Use next-gen formats like WebP and compress large media files to reduce load times.
Minification of Code: Remove unnecessary characters and spaces from CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files to reduce their size.
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Use CDNs to distribute content across global servers, reducing physical distance between users and the website data.
Lazy Loading: Load content only as needed, rather than all at once, especially for images and embedded media.
Server-Side Improvements: Upgrade hosting environments, implement object caching, and utilize newer PHP versions or HTTP/3 protocols for better speed.
Implementing these strategies will enhance user experience and improve both SEO rankings and advertising results.
Effective digital marketing today requires seamless alignment between organic and paid strategies. SEO efforts focus on long-term visibility, while advertising drives immediate traffic. Both approaches benefit from a high-performing website.
Optimized speed contributes to:
Deeper engagement
Reduced bounce rates
Better time on site
These metrics directly influence both SEO rankings and advertising outcomes. Fast-loading websites reduce friction in the buyer’s journey, helping drive conversions from both organic and paid traffic sources.
Website speed is no longer just a technical detail; it’s a fundamental component of any successful digital marketing strategy. For businesses aiming to improve their SEO and paid advertising campaigns, optimizing website speed is essential. By addressing key performance issues and implementing technical improvements, companies can boost their search rankings, reduce PPC costs, and improve user experience, ultimately driving higher conversions and better ROI.
artificial intelligence 21 Apr 2025
Nova, the creative AI platform transforming digital advertising, has appointed Matt Barash as its Chief Commercial Officer. In this role, Barash will spearhead Nova’s commercial strategy, overseeing revenue growth, strategic partnerships, and market expansion. The company continues to redefine the future of digital advertising by leveraging its AI-powered creative development solutions.
Matt Crenshaw, CEO of Nova, expressed his confidence in Barash’s appointment, stating:
“Matt’s experience sits squarely at the intersection of creativity powered by data and media. As Nova builds the foundational creative infrastructure for the next decade of digital marketing, Matt’s experience and vision is a natural fit to accelerate our strategy and capabilities.”
The appointment comes as Nova builds on its impressive momentum from 2024, running over 15,000 campaigns across 30+ countries. As part of its ongoing expansion, Nova is broadening its product suite to deliver high-performing formats across display, online video (OLV), connected TV (CTV), and digital out-of-home (DOOH).
Nova’s innovative approach has attracted a diverse range of global partners, including media agencies, major publishers, and programmatic platforms. By seamlessly integrating creativity and AI intelligence across the entire supply chain, Nova continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in digital advertising.
Barash is enthusiastic about the industry's shift towards AI-driven creative innovation. He emphasizes that the biggest opportunity now lies in better performing creative, powered by AI. “Better performing creative is the biggest upside opportunity,” says Barash. “As AI matures, we’ll only see improvements in both efficiency and effectiveness.”
He highlights Nova’s commitment to democratizing the best creative solutions across any screen or channel, all while maintaining the integrity of an advertiser’s voice and vision.
With over 25 years of experience in the advertising industry, Barash brings a wealth of expertise across digital, mobile, and broadcast media. Prior to joining Nova, he served as Senior Vice President of the Americas for Index Exchange and held leadership roles at Zeotap, AdColony, Forbes, and News Corp. Barash’s extensive background positions him well to deepen Nova’s strategic relationships with agencies, brands, and platforms worldwide.
Barash is particularly impressed by Nova’s regenerative AI approach, which merges human creativity with AI’s capacity to scale creative assets seamlessly across multiple formats and channels. “The foundation is solid. The opportunity is unprecedented,” Barash states.
Matt Crenshaw further affirms that Nova’s approach goes beyond streamlining the ad production process—it’s about elevating it. Brands partnering with Nova are achieving better results, reducing production costs, and effortlessly expanding into new channels with the help of AI-driven creative solutions.
"The future of advertising relies on better creative—more personalized, more intelligent, and more impactful," says Crenshaw. “With Matt on board, we are more confident than ever in our ability to accelerate these trends globally.”
As Nova continues to shape the future of advertising with AI-powered creativity, the appointment of Matt Barash as Chief Commercial Officer is set to accelerate the company’s growth and market presence. By combining human creativity with regenerative AI, Nova is poised to deliver innovative and high-performing digital advertising solutions that resonate with audiences across all platforms.
business 21 Apr 2025
In a move aimed at empowering small and mid-sized businesses, DiscoverMyBusiness, a certified Google Partner, has unveiled a new initiative offering up to $500 in free Google Ads credit. This limited-time promotion allows eligible businesses across the United States to grow their online presence and reach more customers with less upfront cost.
This initiative marks another step in DiscoverMyBusiness’s ongoing commitment to helping businesses navigate the complexities of digital marketing. With over a decade of experience in the industry, the agency has become a trusted partner, offering a range of services from Google Ads and PPC management to SEO and website development.
Google Ads remains one of the most effective digital marketing platforms for businesses looking to increase their online visibility. However, for many new advertisers, the costs and learning curve can be daunting. DiscoverMyBusiness is addressing this challenge by offering a risk-free opportunity for businesses to test paid advertising without the burden of initial expenses.
"We understand the challenges small businesses face in the digital advertising space. This offer provides a simple, risk-free way for businesses to experience the power of Google Ads," said a spokesperson for DiscoverMyBusiness.
To qualify for this offer, businesses must meet the following conditions:
Create a new Google Ads account through DiscoverMyBusiness.
Enter the promo code within 14 days of account creation.
Spend a minimum of $500 on Google Ads within 60 days of activating the account.
Must have a U.S.-based billing address.
The offer is limited to one promotional credit per advertiser.
This offer is not available to existing or previously billed Google Ads accounts and cannot be combined with other promotions.
Claiming the $500 Google Ads credit is easy with the support of DiscoverMyBusiness. Follow these simple steps:
Create a Google Ads Account: Sign up through DiscoverMyBusiness’s portal to qualify.
Submit Your Account ID: Share your account details through their secure contact form.
Accept the Access Request: Allow DiscoverMyBusiness to link with your Google Ads account for promo code verification.
Enter the Promo Code: Navigate to Tools & Settings > Billing > Promotions and apply your unique code.
Start Advertising: Spend $500 within 60 days to activate the $500 credit.
Once the threshold is met, Google will automatically apply the credit within approximately five days.
While the $500 credit offers a significant boost, DiscoverMyBusiness doesn’t stop there. Businesses that redeem the credit also benefit from:
Free PPC Account Audit: A comprehensive audit to help optimize future campaigns.
Campaign Setup Consultation: Personalized advice to ensure your ads are set up for success.
Ad Optimization Tips: Expert recommendations for better performance.
Exclusive Digital Marketing Resources: Access to materials designed to enhance your marketing knowledge.
These additional services are part of DiscoverMyBusiness’s commitment to providing ongoing support and helping clients grow sustainably.
As a Google Partner, DiscoverMyBusiness has a proven track record of delivering results for businesses across a wide range of industries, including retail, healthcare, professional services, and eCommerce. The agency’s client-first approach ensures personalized support, transparent reporting, and tailored marketing strategies that align with each client’s unique goals.
This promotion is an excellent opportunity for U.S.-based entrepreneurs to try Google Ads without financial strain. Whether launching a new product, rebranding, or expanding digital reach, the $500 credit can serve as an ideal entry point into the world of digital advertising.
DiscoverMyBusiness is dedicated to equipping businesses with the tools they need to succeed online, especially those who may be hesitant to invest in paid advertising due to budget constraints.
DiscoverMyBusiness’s $500 Google Ads credit offer is a game-changer for small and mid-sized businesses looking to enhance their digital marketing efforts. With its comprehensive support and performance-driven solutions, DiscoverMyBusiness is poised to help businesses achieve greater online success, with less financial risk involved.
marketing 21 Apr 2025
In a major step forward for home services businesses, Scorpion and ServiceTitan have launched the Capacity Marketing Engine, a new AI-driven solution designed to optimize digital advertising spend, improve scheduling efficiency, and maximize business profitability. Exclusively available to select Scorpion clients now, the product will be available for all clients with Scorpion's RevenueMAX and ServiceTitan's Marketing Pro with Ads Optimizer starting in May.
This innovative solution addresses a key challenge in the home services industry— optimizing marketing spend to match fluctuating demand while avoiding inefficiencies. Whether it’s HVAC companies, plumbers, or electricians, the new tool promises to significantly enhance both operational efficiency and marketing effectiveness.
Home services businesses face unique challenges. Fluctuating demand, seasonal slowdowns, and varying consumer needs often lead to inefficiencies in marketing and scheduling. Without a way to effectively manage advertising budgets and schedule fluctuations, businesses risk overspending on ads, missing revenue opportunities, and underutilizing staff, all while leaving customers dissatisfied.
Scorpion’s Capacity Marketing Engine combines the best of AI automation and real-time business data from ServiceTitan’s platform, solving these issues by adjusting ad spend based on real-time capacity information.
"By linking advertising spend with scheduling capacity, we can help home services businesses scale their marketing more efficiently, ensuring they remain fully booked while minimizing wasted spend," said Rustin Kretz, Founder and CEO of Scorpion.
The AI-powered Capacity Marketing Engine automates advertising adjustments based on business needs:
When demand is low, the system automatically increases ad spend to boost lead generation and fill the schedule.
When the schedule is full, the system scales back ad spend, avoiding the risk of overspending on marketing during peak times.
This dynamic adjustment ensures that advertising dollars are spent efficiently and aligned with business needs, making it easier for home services businesses to meet revenue targets while optimizing operational efficiency.
Automated Advertising Spend Adjustment:
The AI-powered tool automatically increases or reduces ad spend depending on current demand and business capacity, helping businesses focus on service delivery while optimizing marketing budgets.
Real-Time Visibility and Control:
Scorpion’s Revenue App provides complete transparency into the automated ad spend adjustments. Clients can access a historical log that tracks changes and explains the triggers behind budget modifications.
Time and Cost Savings:
With automated adjustments, businesses save time that would otherwise be spent on manual ad management, enabling owners to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional services and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Enhanced Marketing Efficiency:
By optimizing marketing spend, the Capacity Marketing Engine ensures businesses maximize their return on investment, driving consistent growth and helping businesses meet revenue goals without unnecessary ad spend.
This launch strengthens the existing partnership between Scorpion and ServiceTitan, combining two powerful technologies. The Capacity Marketing Engine integrates advertising automation with field service data to create a seamless, smarter solution for home services businesses. It represents a major step forward in helping businesses make more data-driven, cost-effective marketing decisions that improve both service delivery and profitability.
“This is another milestone in our journey to help businesses grow more efficiently, stay fully booked, and maximize their revenue,” Kretz added.
The Capacity Marketing Engine from Scorpion and ServiceTitan marks a game-changing innovation for home services providers. By leveraging AI-powered advertising automation and real-time business data, this tool enables companies to optimize their marketing spend, align ad strategies with real-time demand, and significantly boost their revenue potential.
For home services businesses looking to maximize advertising ROI and streamline operations, the Capacity Marketing Engine offers an efficient, smart solution that will help them stay competitive and achieve sustainable growth.
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