Rep Data, the leading provider of high-quality research data and fraud prevention solutions, has announced that Kurt Knapton will continue his role on the Board of directors. This news follows a recent growth investment led by Mountaingate Capital, marking a pivotal moment for the company as it gears up for its next phase of expansion.

Knapton, a highly respected figure in the market research industry, originally joined the Rep Data board in 2023. His strategic input was key to the company’s early success, particularly in scaling tech-enabled research services and enhancing data quality outcomes.

“Kurt’s strategic guidance has already had a profound impact on our business,” said Patrick Stokes, Founder and CEO of Rep Data. “His industry knowledge and commitment to innovation make him an invaluable partner for our next chapter.”

A Veteran Leader in Research and AI Innovation

Knapton’s extensive background includes executive roles across data, AI, and consulting sectors:

• Current Roles:

  • CEO of Deep Cognition (AI-based data entry automation)

  • Strategic advisor at Realm Resources

  • Board member at edify.org

• Previous Highlights:

  • President & CEO of Dynata (formerly Research Now)

  • Executive VP & CRO at e-Rewards

  • Early career with Booz Allen Hamilton and Accenture

Knapton also holds an MBA from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business and a BBA from Baylor University, where he was part of the Honors Program.

“Rep Data’s commitment to solving data quality challenges is unmatched,” Knapton stated. “I’m excited to work alongside Pat and the team as they scale their impact and lead the way in research innovation.”

What’s Next for Rep Data

With Knapton’s continued leadership and Mountaingate Capital’s backing, Rep Data is poised to:

• Accelerate AI-driven innovation in data integrity

• Expand go-to-market strategies across global markets

• Reinforce its role as the preferred partner for high-quality insights

• Deliver unmatched service and value to clients

This move solidifies Rep Data’s focus on excellence as it continues to redefine the future of market research.

AWISEE.com, a fast-growing influencer marketing and digital PR agency, has announced the official launch of its Influencer Scouting service — a game-changing offering that simplifies the process of identifying and onboarding influencer talent aligned with brand strategy and campaign objectives.

As the influencer marketing landscape continues to evolve, brands face increasing difficulty finding creators who truly resonate with their voice, values, and target audience. AWISEE’s Influencer Scouting service is designed to address this challenge head-on with tailored, data-driven talent discovery.

Tailored Talent Identification at Scale

The service begins with a deep dive into a client’s industry, goals, and target markets, followed by the creation of a custom-curated influencer list — focusing on quality over quantity.

Each scouting list includes:

• 50 carefully selected influencers

• Audience demographic breakdowns

• Sample content summaries

• Historical engagement metrics

These insights empower internal teams and agencies to make confident, data-informed decisions when building out influencer rosters.

“Our goal is to help brands cut through the noise and find creators who not only match their aesthetic but also drive measurable impact,” said a spokesperson from AWISEE.

Monthly Subscription Option for Ongoing Talent Discovery

For agencies and brands running frequent or large-scale campaigns, AWISEE offers a monthly Influencer Scouting subscription. This service supports high-volume discovery, with up to 500 vetted creators provided per market, per month.

Benefits include:

• Ongoing database enrichment

• Support for regional and international campaigns

• Faster campaign rollouts with pre-qualified talent pools

This feature is especially valuable for in-house marketing teams and agencies looking to scale consistently with reliable, up-to-date influencer data.

A Unified Approach to Global Campaign Execution

AWISEE’s Influencer Scouting service also supports multi-market strategies by ensuring talent selection aligns with cultural nuances, platform preferences, and localized messaging. This enables brands to execute consistent and effective influencer campaigns across global regions — all with the backing of intelligent data.

Damilola Dania, Senior Marketing Executive at Unilever Nigeria, was named the 2025 Forty Under 40 Global Award Winner for Brand and Business Strategy at an international ceremony held in Dubai. The prestigious recognition highlights her exceptional leadership in driving business transformation, crafting culturally intelligent brand strategies, and creating lasting commercial impact in one of Africa’s most dynamic markets.

Themed “Connecting Global Champions,” the Forty Under 40 Awards recognized 40 high-performing business leaders from 17 countries. The event honored individuals who challenge norms and lead change in industries worldwide. Damilola’s award celebrates her remarkable ability to blend data, creativity, and cultural insight to redefine brand marketing on the global stage.

"This award is a powerful validation of what we’ve always known in Africa, that our strategies, insights, and innovations are world-class," said Damilola Dania in her acceptance speech. “It’s more than recognition; it’s a call to continue leading, inspiring, and building narratives that matter for people, communities, and commerce."

Transforming Business at Unilever Nigeria

At Unilever Nigeria, Damilola Dania leads the company’s largest revenue-generating category. She has developed innovative marketing models that seamlessly integrate purpose with performance, accelerating growth for iconic consumer brands. Her campaigns have not only driven business success but have also had a positive societal impact, further establishing her as a leader in the industry.

Known as "The African Marketeer", Damilola advocates for a marketing approach grounded in African cultural realities. Her work challenges traditional marketing tactics, creating strategies that resonate deeply with local communities while addressing global market demands.

A Global Network of Award-Winning Leaders

Damilola joins an elite group of innovators and thought leaders in the 2025 cohort of Forty Under 40 Global Award winners, including:

• Nenne Adaora Nwodo (UK/Nigeria): Tech innovator and founder of NexaScale, advancing access to tech education.

• Jubril Arogundade (Nigeria): Executive Director at CIG Motors, transforming Nigeria’s automobile and retail sectors.

• Jamie Thurston Wyngaard (South Africa): Co-founder of Loop and CXO at Feenix.org, leading mobility tech and financial inclusion efforts.

• Ayodeji Razaq (Nigeria): CEO of RED and co-founder of The People Company, driving integrated marketing and cultural strategy across Africa.

• James Ryan (UK): Founder of InfraRec Ltd, advancing global clean energy recruitment.

• Ali Al Loughani (UAE): Innovator connecting government policy, private sector, and education reform.

• Crystal Squires (Australia): Impact investor championing women-led startups and sustainability initiatives across Asia-Pacific.

Setting the Standard for Modern Brand Leadership

Damilola’s recognition at the Forty Under 40 Global Awards underscores the rising influence of African brand thinkers who combine authenticity, commercial strategy, and cultural insight. Her work not only sets the tone for the future of marketing in emerging markets but also exemplifies the potential for leadership to drive both business and social progress.

The award ceremony, held at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Business Bay, Dubai, also featured networking tours, leadership workshops, and global idea exchange sessions, further cementing the 2025 cohort as future global business leaders.

Ayodeji Razaq, Group CEO of RED and Co-Founder of The People Company, was named the 2025 Forty Under 40 Global Award Winner in the Marketing & Communications category at an exclusive ceremony held in Dubai. This prestigious recognition highlights Razaq’s bold leadership, transformative campaigns, and ability to connect brands to culture in ways that resonate deeply across audiences and markets.

Under the theme “Connecting Global Champions,” the Forty Under 40 Global Awards brought together 40 dynamic business leaders from around the world, celebrating those who are reshaping industries and setting new standards of excellence. Razaq’s award is a testament to his transformative impact in Africa’s creative and communications sector, solidifying his position as one of the continent’s most influential marketing voices.

"Winning on a global stage is more than a personal honor, it's a powerful testament to the outstanding, world-class work we do in Africa," said Ayodeji Razaq. "As marketing professionals, we are not just telling stories; we are shaping narratives that position Africa as a vibrant, strategic player in the global economy. This recognition reinforces the fact that African talent is not just rising, it’s leading the charge into a new era of business and marketing communications in emerging markets."

Leading Change in Africa’s Marketing Landscape

As Group CEO of RED, Ayodeji Razaq has revolutionized marketing and communications across Africa, crafting campaigns that blend creativity, culture, and strategic insight. His leadership has led to breakthrough moments for iconic brands and set new industry benchmarks for how brands can connect with diverse audiences.

Razaq’s work exemplifies the power of marketing grounded in cultural relevance, with campaigns that resonate deeply across African markets and beyond. His strategic foresight and innovative approach have elevated RED and The People Company, making them leaders in brand building, strategic communication, and business transformation.

Celebrating Global Leadership in Business and Marketing

The Forty Under 40 Global Awards spotlighted 40 outstanding leaders from various industries worldwide. Among the other distinguished winners were:

• Damilola Dania (Nigeria): A transformative leader at Unilever Nigeria, revolutionizing brand development and community engagement.

• Ahmed Mohsen Mohamed Sadek (UAE): A distinguished project management expert, driving transformative infrastructure projects.

• Reece Mennie (UK): An innovator in bridging traditional marketing with digital engagement strategies.

• Fiza Farhan (Pakistan): A trailblazer in sustainable entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment.

• Olufemi Oguntamu (Nigeria): A recognized leader in Brand & Business Strategy and Digital Media innovation.

• Darren Meltz (South Africa): Redefining the fine dining experience with sustainability-driven initiatives.

• Nicole Ansoni (Rwanda): A multinational entrepreneur with visionary leadership.

• Giorgi Astamadze (Georgia): A financier advancing creative business solutions with global capital.

• Harun Lone (Switzerland): A pioneer in sustainable water purification and social impact.

Africa’s Growing Influence on the Global Stage

Razaq’s win exemplifies the rising influence of African expertise in global marketing and business. Africa's innovation, youth-driven markets, and cultural capital continue to attract international attention, and leaders like Ayodeji Razaq are ensuring that the continent’s narratives are led from within.

The Forty Under 40 Global Awards ceremony, hosted at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Business Bay, Dubai, culminated a three-day event filled with business tours, networking forums, and leadership dialogues. These awards, organized by Xodus Communications, have spotlighted over 2,000 rising leaders since their inception, building a powerful global community of disruptors and changemakers.

QKS Group, a leading market intelligence and advisory firm, has released its comprehensive analysis of the global Account-Based Marketing (ABM) Platform market, predicting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.01% through 2030. The two newly published reports, “Market Share: Account-Based Marketing Platform (ABM), 2024, Worldwide & Regional Report” and “Market Forecast: Account-Based Marketing Platform (ABM), 2025-2030, Worldwide & Regional Report”, provide businesses with the strategic insights they need to navigate this rapidly evolving market.

The Next Growth Frontier for ABM Platforms

In an era where personalization and precision are paramount to cutting through the noise, Account-Based Marketing (ABM) has become an essential strategy for B2B organizations seeking to engage high-value accounts with customized experiences. Across various sectors including technology, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services, businesses are increasingly adopting data-driven ABM solutions to align their sales and marketing efforts, deepen customer relationships, and accelerate revenue growth.

The growing complexity of buying cycles demands a shift from broad-based marketing to more targeted, account-centric engagement strategies. ABM allows enterprises to focus their resources efficiently, driving pipeline velocity, increasing deal sizes, and ultimately achieving measurable impact.

Market Insights from QKS Group’s Report

• Global and Regional Market Analysis: In-depth analysis of worldwide and regional ABM platform adoption trends, competitive landscapes, and future growth projections.

• Competitive Benchmarking: A comparative analysis of leading ABM vendors, highlighting their market positioning and key differentiators.

• Industry Adoption Trends: Insights into the sectors investing most heavily in ABM solutions and the reasons behind this shift.

• Technology Disruption & AI’s Role: How AI, automation, and advanced analytics are driving the transformation of ABM platforms, enhancing productivity, reducing operational costs, and improving targeting precision.

Market Leaders & Competitive Landscape

The report profiles key players in the ABM space, including:

• 6sense

• Demandbase

• Dun & Bradstreet

• Informa TechTarget

• Jabmo by Expandi Group

• Leadspace

• Madison Logic

• N.Rich

• Rollworks by NextRoll

• Salesforce

• Terminus by DemandScience

• Zoominfo

These vendors are at the forefront of the ABM revolution, driving innovation and reshaping the future of B2B marketing through advanced technologies and personalized engagement strategies.

Strategic Insights for ABM Vendors

The insights from QKS Group’s latest analysis provide critical information for CEOs, CFOs, and CSOs of ABM solution providers. Understanding emerging market demands and pinpointing the key differentiators between vendors will be crucial for fine-tuning go-to-market strategies and ensuring that platforms deliver seamless integration, data-driven targeting, and measurable outcomes that empower revenue teams and support long-term growth.

As account-centric engagement becomes a top priority for B2B enterprises, vendors that can offer AI-driven personalization, improved integration, and greater scalability will be best positioned to lead the market.

Sovrn, a leading publisher technology platform, has introduced Commerce Audiences, a cutting-edge offering designed to enhance advertiser targeting and optimize consumer engagement. This product brings together Sovrn's extensive affiliate software tools, which serve over 4,000 publishers and creators, with the reach of the Sovrn Exchange, which connects to more than 500 million daily active consumers.

By leveraging this powerful combination, Commerce Audiences enables advertisers to access real-time shopping intent signals based on purchase behavior, online engagement, and contextual insights. This innovation allows advertisers to target consumers who are actively shopping and showing clear intent to make a purchase, enhancing the efficiency of their marketing efforts.

Eliminating Data Challenges with Direct Sourcing

Sovrn’s direct sourcing approach sets Commerce Audiences apart from traditional advertising solutions. By bypassing intermediaries, Sovrn ensures that the data is timely, accurate, and of high resolution, providing advertisers with clearer and faster insights into consumer behavior. This approach eliminates concerns over data signal loss, staleness, and high intermediary fees, resulting in faster identification of consumer purchase intent and more effective targeting.

The Scale Behind Sovrn's Commerce Audiences

With Sovrn’s affiliate tools powering more than $3 billion in retail spend across categories like consumer electronics, fashion, home and garden, and more, the company captures a wealth of data that drives Commerce Audiences. Sovrn also monitors over three billion daily visits via search-referred traffic across 50,000 websites, further enhancing the precision of its audience targeting.

"Commerce media is expected to hit $158 billion this year, with 20% of advertising spend now driven by addressable purchase behavior," said Walter Knapp, CEO of Sovrn. "Commerce Audiences is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this trend because of our ability to capture real-time data with high resolution. This offering will revolutionize how advertisers and publishers target consumers, providing a more efficient, cost-effective path to reach potential buyers."

Streamlined Solutions for Better Outcomes

When combined with media from the Sovrn Exchange, Commerce Audiences consolidates multiple data flows, allowing advertisers to achieve better results at a lower cost and faster time-to-market. By streamlining this process, Sovrn enhances the efficiency and precision of targeted advertising campaigns.

Early Adoption and Partnerships

Commerce Audiences has already garnered significant interest from key players in the advertising industry. Leading companies like Simpli.fi, Basis, and tvScientific have signed on as launch partners to bring this innovative solution to their advertising clients.

"Simpli.fi has been looking for a Commerce Media solution that moves beyond major retailers," said Jeff Callison, SVP of Business Development at Simpli.fi. "We immediately saw the potential in Sovrn's affiliate data, which enables us to target consumers who are ready to make a purchase. We anticipate significant success with Commerce Audiences, as it provides a more efficient path to the right consumers."

Expanding Sovrn’s Suite of Cutting-Edge Products

The launch of Commerce Audiences is just the latest in a series of innovations from Sovrn. In January, the company also introduced AI-generated Product Recommendations, expanding its suite of affiliate commerce solutions. Sovrn remains committed to advancing advertising, commerce, data solutions, and signal technologies to deliver top-tier products for publishers, creators, and advertisers alike.

Simpli.fi, the leading Advertising Success Platform known for providing programmatic advertising and workflow software to agencies, brands, and media companies, has been nominated for the 2025 Dick Reed Awards. This marks Simpli.fi’s fifth consecutive nomination, cementing its position as a leader in B2B marketing and innovation.

The Dick Reed Awards, hosted by Just Global, celebrate the best and brightest in the B2B marketing industry, honoring those who are reshaping the landscape through transformative leadership and meaningful relationships.

Simpli.fi Shortlisted in Two Categories for 2025

Simpli.fi was recognized in two major categories for the 2025 awards:

1. Channel Advancements & Innovation – Programmatic: Simpli.fi, in partnership with B2B data provider Bombora, was nominated for its cutting-edge integration that has revolutionized the digital marketing landscape. The platform’s innovative solutions in precise targeting and advanced tools are helping B2B companies better understand and reach their audiences.

2. Commitment to Excellence – Omnichannel: Kevin Dwyer, Senior Performance Analyst at Simpli.fi, was nominated for his exceptional contributions to delivering consistent results in omnichannel marketing. Dwyer’s role in executing and optimizing campaigns, along with his proactive efforts to improve performance, has strengthened relationships with partners like Just Global and contributed to the company’s success.

A History of Excellence

Simpli.fi’s nominations at the 2025 Dick Reed Awards reflect its ongoing commitment to excellence in the AdTech space. Since its launch in 2020, Simpli.fi has been recognized every year, including four consecutive nominations for Strategic Partner Agency of the Year. Last year, Simpli.fi also received nominations for Most Collaborative Company, Most Collaborative Individual, and Unsung Hero.

“We are honored to be recognized in two categories at the 2025 Dick Reed Awards,” said Frost Prioleau, Co-Founder and CEO of Simpli.fi. “This recognition speaks volumes about the expertise of our team and our strong partnerships with leaders like Bombora, as well as our consistent commitment to delivering exceptional results for our clients.”

Revolutionizing B2B Marketing with Bombora

Simpli.fi’s contextual solution, created in partnership with Bombora, is a future-proof way to target the right audiences. Bombora’s Data Cooperative allows brands, agencies, and publishers to gain a holistic view of an account’s research and consumption behavior, empowering companies to make data-driven decisions and reach prospects across the buyer’s journey and activation platforms.

Data Decisions Group (DDG), a leader in data-driven marketing and analytics solutions, is pleased to announce the expansion of its executive leadership team with the appointments of Michael Hannay as Chief Revenue Officer, Brian DiMarino as Senior Vice President of Sales, and Bill Ochs as Vice President of Sales.

This strategic leadership expansion is aimed at driving DDG's continued growth and enhancing the company's ability to deliver innovative solutions to brands and agencies looking to leverage data and analytics for more effective marketing campaigns.

Michael Hannay: A Seasoned Leader in Revenue Growth

Michael Hannay brings over 30 years of experience in the data marketing industry. His proven track record of managing revenue growth and building high-performance teams will play a crucial role in driving DDG's go-to-market strategy, client acquisition, and expansion into new industry verticals. As Chief Revenue Officer, Hannay will be instrumental in aligning DDG’s revenue generation efforts with the company's ambitious growth plans.

“I’m honored to join DDG and collaborate with such an exceptional team,” said Hannay. “The company’s values and client-focused approach resonate deeply with me. I’m looking forward to helping DDG reach new heights by driving innovation and delivering exceptional results for clients.”

Brian DiMarino: Strengthening National Sales and Partnerships

Joining as Senior Vice President of Sales, Brian DiMarino brings extensive experience in enterprise sales and strategic partnerships. His leadership will support the company’s national sales and partnership strategies, ensuring DDG remains at the forefront of data-driven marketing solutions. DiMarino’s experience will be pivotal in advancing DDG’s sales efforts and expanding its market reach.

Bill Ochs: Leading Sales for Core Data Offerings

As Vice President of Sales, Bill Ochs will focus on leading DDG’s sales efforts targeting list brokers and ad agencies for the company's core data offerings. With a strong background in data-driven solutions, Ochs is well-positioned to deliver high-response rate audiences to DDG's clients, ensuring that brands and agencies achieve optimal marketing outcomes.

CEO Mike Hail’s Vision for the Future

“We are excited to welcome Michael, Brian, and Bill to our leadership team,” said Mike Hail, CEO of Data Decisions Group. “Their combined experience and expertise will be crucial as we execute our strategic vision and continue to expand our presence in the data-driven marketing space. This investment in top-tier talent reflects our commitment to delivering measurable results and ongoing innovation for our clients.”

A Continued Commitment to Growth and Innovation

These new appointments reflect DDG’s commitment to driving innovation and expanding its leadership position in the data marketing and analytics sector. As DDG continues to grow, the company will focus on attracting top talent to further strengthen its ability to deliver powerful insights and impactful marketing solutions for its clients.