Skyword, the leading authority in content marketing, has announced the appointment of Christina Mautz to its Board of Directors. With over 30 years of experience in strategic leadership and B2B tech, Mautz is poised to bring her expertise in SaaS strategy, demand generation, and go-to-market execution to accelerate Skyword's mission of transforming how brands leverage content for growth.

Mautz's career includes leadership roles at top-tier companies such as Amazon and Yahoo, along with CMO and advisory positions at high-growth startups. Her extensive background in marketing and technology aligns perfectly with Skyword’s innovative approach to combining strategic storytelling with AI-enabled technology.

Christina Mautz's Experience and Expertise

Christina Mautz brings a wealth of knowledge to Skyword’s leadership team. Throughout her distinguished career, she has driven growth for several B2B tech companies by designing and implementing marketing strategies that directly connect business goals to results. Mautz's track record includes leadership positions in high-profile companies, and she has become a well-respected figure in the SaaS and demand generation spaces.

"Christina’s ability to scale marketing efforts while maintaining strategic alignment with business objectives will be invaluable as we continue to help brands improve their marketing impact,” said Andrew Wheeler, CEO of Skyword. "Her experience in combining technology and storytelling fits perfectly with our vision."

Aligning Marketing with AI and Storytelling

Mautz's appointment comes at a key time for Skyword, as the company continues to push forward with its AI-driven content marketing platform, Accelerator360™. This intelligent content marketing engine integrates live data, generative AI, automation, and expert storytelling into a unified workflow, enabling brands to create smarter, more impactful content.

“I’ve spent my career helping B2B tech companies grow by building marketing engines that connect strategy to results. What excites me about Skyword is how they’re combining the power of AI with world-class storytelling to solve one of marketing’s biggest challenges: scaling high-impact content without sacrificing quality,” Mautz said.

Accelerator360™: Empowering Brands to Scale Content Marketing

At the core of Skyword’s ongoing growth is the Accelerator360™ platform, which has been designed to enable marketers to plan, create, and optimize content with precision and speed. The platform helps brands deliver audience-driven, brand-consistent content across all channels, ensuring greater marketing impact.

Available on a subscription basis for both individuals and teams, Accelerator360™ streamlines the content creation process while maintaining high standards of quality and consistency. This marks a major advancement in how brands approach content marketing, especially as they work to keep pace with the rapidly changing digital landscape.

A Strategic Move for Skyword's Future

Christina Mautz’s appointment to the Board of Directors signals Skyword’s commitment to enhancing its leadership in content marketing innovation. By combining her vast experience with Skyword’s cutting-edge technology, the company is well-positioned to continue revolutionizing how brands use content to drive growth.

"I’m thrilled to join the Board of Directors and support Skyword’s mission to help brands turn content into a true driver of growth," Mautz added.

Skyword’s appointment of Christina Mautz to its Board of Directors is a strategic move to fuel the company’s growth and enhance its leadership in the content marketing industry. With Mautz’s deep expertise in SaaS marketing, demand generation, and technology, Skyword is well-equipped to continue helping brands scale impactful content marketing efforts using the power of AI and storytelling.

As Skyword continues to expand its Accelerator360™ platform, Mautz’s leadership will be instrumental in driving innovation, efficiency, and growth in the content marketing space.

The IAB Internet Advertising Revenue Report for 2024, conducted by PwC, shows that the U.S. digital advertising industry continues its strong growth trajectory, achieving a 14.9% increase year-over-year, with a total revenue of $258.6 billion. This marks the highest revenue since 2021, driven by the dynamic interplay of major events, shifting consumer behavior, and technological advancements in advertising.

Despite economic and geopolitical uncertainty, the digital advertising space has demonstrated remarkable resilience, offering businesses new opportunities to reach consumers more effectively. As we look ahead to 2025, AI, privacy regulation, and the creator economy are expected to play pivotal roles in shaping the future of digital advertising.

Growth Drivers in 2024

1. Digital Video: The Fastest-Growing Ad Format

Digital video continues to be the dominant force in the advertising space, accounting for nearly a quarter of total ad revenue in 2024. This surge reflects consumer engagement with video content across platforms like YouTube, social media, and streaming services, where advertisers are increasingly allocating more of their budgets.

"Video content's engagement levels have cemented its place as the most effective advertising format, providing brands with immersive ways to reach their audience," said David Cohen, CEO of IAB.

2. Podcast Advertising: A Major Comeback

Podcast advertising has made a strong recovery in 2024, with a 26% increase in revenue, compared to just 5% in 2023. This resurgence highlights the growing popularity of podcasts and the expanding advertising potential of this medium. Advertisers are tapping into niche audiences through long-form audio content, further diversifying their marketing strategies.

3. Social Media & User-Generated Content

Social media advertising has regained momentum, with increased investments in user-generated content, creator-driven partnerships, and community-led spaces. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and newer channels are proving to be valuable for advertisers seeking authentic engagement and expanding their brand presence.

4. Commerce Media and Retail Media Networks

Commerce media, particularly retail media networks, has continued its strong growth in 2024, with revenues climbing 23% to reach $53.7 billion. Retailers’ shift to first-party data and privacy-compliant audience targeting has solidified the critical role of commerce media in advertising budgets. As privacy-first strategies take precedence, brands are increasingly leaning into retail media networks for their highly targeted ad capabilities.

Revenue Performance: Mid-Tier Publishers on the Rise

While the entire digital ecosystem experienced growth, mid-tier media companies saw the largest share growth, with the top 11-25 media companies increasing their market share by 3.1% in 2024. This shift underscores the rising influence of emerging platforms and the democratization of the ad ecosystem. Brands are increasingly allocating budgets beyond the largest platforms, seeking more personalized, cost-effective advertising solutions offered by mid-tier players.

"The biggest shift in market share came from the mid-tier companies, which are adopting new business models, leveraging AI and data-driven insights to provide more personalized and efficient advertising options," Cohen noted.

Top Trends Shaping Digital Advertising in 2025

Looking ahead to 2025, several key trends are expected to transform the landscape of digital advertising:

1. AI-Driven Advertising: From Automation to Transformation

AI is no longer just a tool for automation—it is a transformative force in the digital advertising space. From generative AI to agentic models, AI is enabling autonomous campaign management and native ad experiences. While adoption remains limited due to challenges with data readiness and compliance, AI’s impact on ad operations is undeniable, reshaping traditional ad channels.

2. The Creator Economy: Long-Term Partnerships and Multi-Platform Expansion

Brands are shifting towards long-term creator partnerships rather than one-off influencer deals. This move enables more sustained, authentic engagement with audiences. Additionally, creators are expanding beyond traditional social media platforms into podcasts, newsletters, and retail partnerships, unlocking new monetization streams.

3. Privacy and Regulation: Embracing First-Party Data

As privacy regulations continue to evolve, brands are prioritizing first-party data strategies and contextual targeting. With signal loss from cookies and new state-level privacy laws, the shift towards privacy-first solutions has become essential for advertisers. Transparent data practices are now critical for gaining consumer trust and staying competitive.

4. Streaming CTV and Skinny Bundles: Monetizing a Fragmented Landscape

The rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime has led to increased ad inventory, driving down CPM rates while offering advertisers more options. Live sports streaming is also attracting ad dollars, while skinny bundles help reduce churn and boost ad-supported revenue. Programmatic CTV is giving brands more control over ad placement in this fragmented landscape.

5. Reinventing Business Models: Multi-Platform Strategies and AI Integration

The digital advertising ecosystem is undergoing significant reinvention, with AI-driven automation and multi-platform strategies becoming the norm. Retail media networks continue to offer high-intent audiences, and shoppable media and subscription-based content are gaining traction as new monetization models.

2024 marked another year of growth for the U.S. digital advertising industry, with internet advertising revenue hitting $258.6 billion—a 14.9% increase year-over-year. As we look forward to 2025, the convergence of AI, privacy regulations, and the creator economy will continue to shape the industry, creating both challenges and opportunities. Brands that embrace innovation and adapt to these shifts will be best positioned to thrive in an increasingly dynamic market.

Stagwell , a leading challenger network focused on transforming marketing, is set to announce its financial results for the first quarter of 2025 on Thursday, May 8, 2025, before the market opens. Investors and stakeholders will be able to review the company’s performance and key metrics for the period ending March 31, 2025.

In conjunction with the release of the financial results, Stagwell will host a video webcast to discuss the results and provide further insights into the company’s strategies, achievements, and future outlook. The webcast is scheduled for 8:30 AM (ET) on the same day.

How to Attend the Webcast

The video webcast can be accessed live by registering via Stagwell’s investor relations page. The presentation will cover the key highlights from the quarter, followed by a Q&A session where analysts and investors can engage with the company’s leadership team.

Register Here to attend the webcast and stay updated on Stagwell’s performance.

Webcast Replay Available

For those unable to attend the live webcast, a replay will be available shortly after the event on Stagwell’s website at the following link:
Stagwell Investor Relations

Stagwell’s upcoming Q1 2025 earnings announcement and webcast provide an opportunity for investors and industry observers to gain valuable insights into the company's performance and strategies. By attending the webcast or reviewing the replay, stakeholders can stay informed about Stagwell’s growth trajectory and market initiatives.

Attentive, a leader in AI-powered mobile marketing, is partnering with Google to host its second exclusive event in Mountain View, CA. The event will focus on the power of Rich Communications Services (RCS) messaging, paired with AI, and its potential to revolutionize mobile shopping experiences through highly personalized customer engagement.

RCS is set to become the global standard for interoperable mobile communications, with both iOS and Android hardware makers adopting the technology in 2025. Telecom providers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are leading the charge for RCS adoption, making it a critical area of focus for marketers looking to innovate their customer communications strategies.

Event Highlights and Speakers

Following a successful inaugural event in New York City in January, where 50 brands shared their excitement about RCS, this west coast gathering will feature fireside chats, product demonstrations, and roundtable discussions. Attendees will gain actionable insights into the transformative power of RCS messaging, powered by AI, to enhance customer engagement and drive marketing campaign success.

Keynote Speakers:

• Attentive:

  • CEO Amit Jhawar

  • Chief Business Officer Karine Terzibachi

  • Chief Product Officer Nakul Narayan

  • Group Product Manager Lauren Omelchenko

• Google:

  • Director of Product, RCS for Business Jan Jedrzejowicz

  • Director, Partnerships, Communications Products Alastair Slattery

The event is expected to draw over 70 C-Level executives, senior leaders, and decision-makers from top retail and e-commerce brands, including Skechers, Michaels, Reformation, Shoe Carnival, and Marley Lilly.

Program Agenda and Key Discussions

The event’s agenda will dive into several pivotal topics and offer insights on how brands can leverage RCS and AI to reshape customer communications and improve engagement:

• How RCS, powered by AI, is changing brand-to-consumer communications.

• Actionable insights for using RCS to personalize mobile marketing and unlock new business opportunities in 2025.

• Practical steps for getting started with RCS and integrating it into marketing strategies.

• Customer case studies showcasing success stories and real-world applications of RCS.

• Global adoption of RCS, with a focus on retail and e-commerce use cases.

• Thought-provoking discussions on the future impact of RCS and AI in marketing.

Why RCS is a Game Changer for Mobile Marketing

As RCS continues to gain momentum, it offers brands a powerful new way to communicate with customers. Unlike traditional SMS or email, RCS allows for rich, interactive messaging with media, buttons, and advanced features like AI-powered personalization. This creates a 1:1 communication experience, providing customers with tailored messaging that cuts through the noise of generic marketing campaigns.

The combined AI and RCS capabilities open up new opportunities for businesses to create engaging, personalized experiences that drive conversions, enhance customer loyalty, and improve marketing ROI.

Attentive’s partnership with Google for this exclusive event marks a significant milestone in the future of AI-powered mobile marketing and RCS messaging. Attendees will walk away with valuable knowledge on how to implement these innovative technologies to improve engagement and achieve greater success in their marketing campaigns.

In the highly competitive and regulated world of finance, web design is increasingly becoming a critical factor in shaping customer trust and driving conversions. Digital Silk, an award-winning agency specializing in custom web design and digital marketing campaigns, has observed a growing trend among financial brands in New York: the strategic use of minimalist design to enhance user experience, build digital trust, and optimize conversion rates.

As the financial industry continues to embrace digitalization, website design has become a cornerstone of how clients assess a brand's credibility. New York's financial firms are now opting for streamlined, simple designs that offer clarity, security, and usability—matching the expectations of modern, digital-savvy consumers.

Minimalism Becomes a Key Strategy in Financial Web Design

Financial institutions in New York are increasingly adopting clean layouts, muted color palettes, and limited interactive elements to create websites that prioritize user trust and efficiency. This minimalist approach allows for an intuitive, no-frills user journey while effectively conveying credibility and professionalism.

"Minimalist web design isn't about doing less; it's about doing what matters most, better," says Ana Margarida Meira, Partner and Vice President of Client Relations at Digital Silk. "We focus on clarity and purpose to help financial brands enhance user confidence and improve conversion rates."

In an industry where data privacy and security are paramount, brands are moving away from design flourishes that might feel overwhelming or inauthentic. Instead, the focus is on simplicity, transparency, and user-centric design, aligning with modern financial customers' need for a secure, straightforward online experience.

Why Financial Firms are Going Minimalist

New York’s financial sector is embracing minimalist web design for several key reasons:

1. Reduces Decision Fatigue: Minimalist layouts make it easier for users to find critical information quickly, without cognitive overload, allowing them to make decisions with confidence.

2. Improves Site Speed: Simple design choices lead to faster load times, which is crucial for retaining visitors, particularly in time-sensitive financial contexts.

3. Enhances Mobile Responsiveness: A minimalist approach adapts more seamlessly across devices, offering an optimized experience for customers browsing on mobile platforms.

4. Builds Trust Through Simplicity: A clean, clutter-free design signals transparency and clarity, reinforcing a brand’s authority and commitment to user-centered design.

5. Better User Experience and Engagement: Fewer distractions mean users can focus on the message and take action more efficiently, leading to better overall engagement.

Real Results from Minimalist Web Design

The results of adopting minimalist design speak for themselves. One example of the success of this strategy is Devensoft, an M&A software company that recently underwent a redesign with Digital Silk. Following the redesign, the company saw significant improvements in key metrics:

• 45.9% increase in active users

• 46.65% rise in engaged sessions

• Nearly 49% engagement rate, reflecting higher user satisfaction and interaction with the site.

These results highlight how simplifying the user journey while reinforcing brand authority can lead to measurable growth in both user engagement and satisfaction. Financial firms in New York are now leveraging this approach to enhance their online presence and drive greater results.

As digitalization continues to shape the financial industry, minimalist web design is emerging as a powerful tool for building trust, improving user experience, and increasing conversions. New York's financial firms are embracing this trend to meet customer expectations for clarity, speed, and security—while achieving significant results in user engagement and retention. By adopting a simplified, purposeful approach to design, financial brands can stand out in a crowded marketplace and build long-lasting, trusted relationships with their customers.

Big Valley Marketing has formally launched three new consulting practices—Brand Strategy, Marketing Strategy, and Market Intelligence—to help B2B technology leaders drive sustainable growth, strengthen brand reputation, and navigate the complexities of rapidly evolving markets. These practices will enable marketing and communications leaders to focus on both short-term and long-term strategies while using outside-in market data to enhance brand, demand, and reputation management.

"Big Valley was founded to deliver the depth of expertise that technology companies need to improve their marketing and communications," said Tim Marklein, Founder and CEO of Big Valley. "Our expanded services will help CMOs stay ahead of the market, balancing immediate revenue goals with long-term brand building and reputation management."

New Consulting Practices to Empower B2B Technology Marketing Leaders

1. Brand Strategy: Maximizing Marketing Impact

In today’s highly competitive B2B technology market, winning over buyers is more challenging than ever. With crowded segments, longer consideration cycles, and increased reliance on self-service content, Big Valley’s Brand Strategy practice helps companies integrate brand building with demand generation and corporate reputation. This practice enables clients to align their brand vision, market positioning, and category definition to maximize marketing impact. Led by Scott Friedman, a 30-year veteran in technology brand building, this practice connects every element of marketing to boost awareness and conversion.

2. Marketing Strategy: Aligning Business Goals with Marketing Impact

Marketing leaders are under constant pressure to deliver results with fewer resources. Big Valley’s Marketing Strategy practice helps companies take a strategic approach, moving beyond tactical execution to develop data-driven, insight-led strategies. Whether it’s annual planning, audience segmentation, or competitive strategy, Big Valley helps B2B marketers develop strategies that align with business objectives and elevate marketing to a growth engine. This practice is led by Mel Johnson, a B2B marketing leader with 15+ years of experience in corporate and product marketing for software and digital health companies.

3. Market Intelligence: Turning Data into Actionable Insights

Technology companies often have detailed insight into sales pipelines but lack intelligence on brand perceptions, audience influences, and industry trends. Big Valley’s Market Intelligence practice bridges this gap by delivering critical insights on brands, categories, competition, audiences, and market conversations. Through advanced research, analytics, and measurement, the practice helps clients uncover insights and actionable recommendations to inform strategy. Led by Tim Marklein, a recognized expert in research and analytics, this practice ensures that technology companies can make informed, data-driven decisions.

Supporting B2B Technology Marketing Leaders in Complex Markets

Big Valley’s new consulting practices offer B2B technology leaders the expertise, frameworks, and insights needed to succeed in a complex and competitive marketplace. Whether focusing on brand strategy, marketing strategy, or market intelligence, Big Valley helps companies navigate change, enhance their marketing impact, and drive sustainable growth. These practices complement the firm’s award-winning expertise in Content Marketing, Corporate Communications, and Digital and Social Marketing, providing a comprehensive solution to meet clients’ needs across various marketing and communications disciplines.

MediaGo, a leading performance-driven intelligent advertising platform, has been awarded the Gold prize for "Native Advertising Platform/Network of the Year" at the 2025 US Native Advertising Awards. This prestigious recognition, presented by the Native Advertising Institute, honors the most innovative and effective native advertising campaigns across various categories. MediaGo’s technological advancements and exceptional use of deep learning models have set a new standard in the industry, enabling better prediction, integration, and performance for global advertisers.

"We are honored to be recognized by the US Native Advertising Awards," said Peter Jinfeng Pan, Head of MediaGo for the Americas. "This award affirms our team's dedication to native advertising and motivates us to invest further in cutting-edge technologies like deep learning to provide smarter, more efficient advertising solutions."

MediaGo: Revolutionizing Native Advertising with Deep Learning

1. Advancing Native Advertising with Deep Learning

MediaGo’s platform leverages five deep learning models that span the entire marketing funnel. These models predict user behavior from initial engagement to final conversion, optimizing ad performance at every stage. By using deep learning to understand and predict user behavior more accurately, MediaGo enhances the user experience, seamlessly integrates ad content, and drives higher click-through and conversion rates.

2. Intelligent Prediction for Improved Ad Performance

The application of deep learning gives MediaGo a competitive edge in native advertising. By predicting consumer actions and integrating ads into content naturally, MediaGo provides global advertisers with the tools needed to maximize ad performance. The ability to predict user behavior and deliver relevant content results in more effective and engaging advertising that resonates with audiences, improving overall campaign success.

3. Celebrating Technological Innovation and Industry Impact

The Gold award at the US Native Advertising Awards is a testament to MediaGo’s exceptional technological capabilities and its impact on the advertising industry. MediaGo’s cutting-edge technology has made significant strides in the native advertising space, enabling better targeting, increased engagement, and more efficient use of advertising budgets.

A Commitment to Smarter, More Efficient Advertising

MediaGo’s Gold win is not just an accolade but a validation of its ongoing commitment to revolutionizing the advertising industry through deep learning and performance-driven solutions. As MediaGo continues to enhance its platform and invest in next-generation technologies, its goal remains clear: to empower global advertisers with smarter, more efficient native advertising solutions that drive success.

Revel Digital, a leader in digital signage and media distribution solutions, has announced a strategic collaboration with Amazon to provide their software on the new Amazon Signage Stick. This plug-and-play device is designed to streamline digital signage applications for businesses, offering a flexible, cost-effective, and scalable solution for visual communication needs.

"We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Amazon to bring the power of the Revel Digital platform to the Amazon Signage Stick," said Mike Tinnes, Chief Technology Officer at Revel Digital. "This partnership combines the ease of use of the Amazon Signage Stick with the advanced capabilities of our platform, delivering a robust solution at an affordable price."

Amazon Signage Stick: The Future of Digital Signage

The Amazon Signage Stick offers businesses an affordable, flexible hardware solution for digital signage deployments. Engineered with security in mind, it offers premier signage performance and a user-friendly design. Ideal for businesses of all sizes, the Amazon Signage Stick makes it easier to enhance visual communication without breaking the bank. Whether for small or large-scale projects, this plug-and-play device offers a seamless experience, catering to businesses seeking simplicity, efficiency, and high-performance at a lower cost.

Revel Digital Platform: Advanced Features for Enterprise-Level Deployments

Revel Digital's sophisticated platform powers the Amazon Signage Stick, providing businesses with a comprehensive digital signage solution. Key features of Revel Digital’s platform include:

1. Smart Scheduling Technology

Revel Digital’s Smart Scheduling simplifies content management across large digital signage networks, making it easier to manage and schedule content efficiently.

2. ISO/IEC 27001 Certification

The platform is ISO/IEC 27001 certified, ensuring that businesses can trust Revel Digital with their data security and compliance needs.

3. AdHawk Analytics

With AdHawk Analytics, Revel Digital provides valuable insights into audience engagement and campaign performance, helping businesses optimize their signage content.

4. Role-Based Access Control

Role-based access control ensures efficient collaboration within teams while enhancing security by restricting access based on user roles.

5. Real-Time Device Monitoring

Revel Digital’s real-time device monitoring allows businesses to proactively manage and troubleshoot their devices, ensuring minimal downtime and consistent performance.

A Seamless, Affordable, and Scalable Digital Signage Solution

The collaboration between Revel Digital and Amazon brings together advanced digital signage technology with affordable hardware, offering businesses a powerful solution to meet their visual communication needs. The Amazon Signage Stick, powered by Revel Digital's platform, is perfect for businesses looking for an easy-to-use, secure, and scalable digital signage solution.