Email marketing has long been a cornerstone of digital strategy, especially for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). Despite being around for over two decades, email marketing is still evolving rapidly. According to the latest findings from Capterra and Gartner, SMBs must rethink how they approach email to improve performance, retain subscribers, and maintain brand credibility.

As inboxes become more competitive and consumer expectations rise, sticking to traditional practices can hurt campaign outcomes. This article explores the top three emerging trends in email marketing and offers practical insights SMBs can apply to reinvigorate their strategy in 2024.

1. Consumers Are Unsubscribing at Alarming Rates

According to Capterra’s 2024 Advertising Preferences Survey, a staggering 25% of consumers unsubscribe from marketing emails at least once a week. The primary reasons include:

• Receiving irrelevant or repetitive content

• Excessive email frequency

• A desire to keep inboxes clutter-free

What SMBs Should Do:

• Segment audiences more effectively based on interests and behavior.

• Personalize subject lines and content to increase relevance.

• Balance email frequency by testing optimal timing and cadence.

• Vary content formats, mixing promotional messages with educational or entertaining content.

Takeaway: One-size-fits-all is no longer an option. Consumers expect emails to be relevant, timely, and valuable—or they’ll hit unsubscribe.

2. Sign-Up Pages Lack Clarity and Incentive

While attracting new subscribers is a top priority, many brands fall short at the very first touchpoint. Gartner's research found:

• Only 58% of brands clearly communicate the value of signing up

• Just 24% offer incentives, such as discounts, exclusive content, or early access

This lack of clarity and motivation creates a missed opportunity, especially for SMBs trying to grow their email lists in a saturated market.

What SMBs Should Do:

• Clearly articulate the benefits of subscribing on every sign-up form.

• Use strong CTAs that communicate the unique value (e.g., “Get 10% Off Your First Order”).

• Test incentives, such as freebies, discounts, or gated content to boost conversions.

• Align sign-up messaging with the tone and value you deliver in your actual emails.

Takeaway: A strong email marketing strategy starts with a strong signup experience. Make every word count.

3. Ethical Email Practices Are Becoming a Competitive Advantage

The era of clickbait subject lines and vague offers is coming to an end. 34% of consumers say they would report companies for sending misleading email subject lines, according to Capterra.

In a digital world full of privacy concerns and information overload, trust has become a differentiator. Ethical email practices are no longer just “nice to have”—they’re essential.

What SMBs Should Do:

• Avoid clickbait and misleading language in subject lines and body content.

• Be transparent about data collection and usage.

• Provide easy opt-out options and respect unsubscribe requests immediately.

• Focus on delivering genuine value over gimmicks.

As Sabrina Khoulalène, Content Analyst at Capterra, puts it:

“SMBs must understand that consumer trust is essential to the success of their email marketing campaigns. By adopting ethical practices and offering real added value, they can not only retain their subscribers, but also strengthen their brand image.”

Takeaway: Ethical marketing isn’t just about compliance—it’s about long-term brand equity and customer loyalty.

The Future of Email Marketing for SMBs

Email marketing is far from obsolete—but it is undergoing a fundamental transformation. With higher consumer expectations and increasing scrutiny, SMBs must go beyond basic email tactics and:

• Prioritize relevance and personalization

• Improve signup experiences with clarity and incentives

• Embrace transparency and ethical marketing practices

By adapting to these evolving trends, SMBs can retain subscribers, boost campaign effectiveness, and build stronger, trust-based relationships with their audience.

As marketing agencies strive to balance operational costs and client demands in a challenging economic environment, cost-effective scaling is more important than ever. To support agency leaders in making data-driven decisions, Semify, a leading white-label SEO engine, has launched a new ROI of White-Label Marketing Calculator.

This tool enables agencies to instantly compare white-label vs. in-house digital marketing fulfillment, streamlining decision-making and identifying paths to improved gross margins.

The Challenge: Scaling Amid Rising Costs

According to AgencyAnalytics’ 2024 Marketing Agency Benchmarks Report, the majority of agencies are in a “growth stage,” with client acquisition cited as the biggest barrier to scaling. At the same time, nearly 40% of agencies were forced to raise their prices in response to inflation.

Agencies face increasing pressure to expand their service offerings and manage fulfillment efficiently—without burning out internal teams or losing profitability. This is where Semify’s calculator comes in.

The Solution: A Simple, Effective ROI Comparison Tool

Semify’s ROI of White-Label Marketing Calculator offers a user-friendly, spreadsheet-free solution for agencies to weigh the cost differences between in-house and outsourced fulfillment models.

Features of the ROI Calculator:

• Instant ROI assessment for white-label vs. in-house services

• Customizable inputs based on an agency’s size, team structure, and service offerings

• No pressure or gated sales process — download and use indefinitely

• Ideal for agency growth planning and internal financial reviews

Why It Matters:

This tool removes the guesswork from one of the most important decisions an agency can make—how to fulfill services profitably while scaling operations.

As Patrick Briggs, CEO of Semify, explains:

“This tool isn't just about numbers; it's about visualizing a future of shared expansion and profitability. By providing immediate comparisons across different fulfillment strategies, we empower our partners to make informed decisions that fuel their growth alongside ours.”

White-Label SEO: A Scalable Growth Engine

For 16 years, Semify has helped enterprise-level marketing organizations and agencies scale by plugging directly into their workflows with minimal disruption. Unlike traditional outsourcing models, Semify combines:

• Dedicated, US-based service teams

• Powerful API integrations

• End-to-end SEO and digital marketing product fulfillment

This approach allows agencies to expand service offerings without rebuilding their tech stack or hiring additional staff—a huge benefit for organizations seeking scalability and speed to market.

Empowering the Next Generation of Agency Growth

The newly released ROI calculator isn’t just a tactical tool—it reflects Semify’s broader commitment to transparency, collaboration, and agency success. It serves as a long-term resource for agencies navigating pricing decisions, strategic growth, and resource allocation.

Why This Tool Is Timely:

• Agencies need practical tools to validate growth strategies

• Client acquisition and retention are increasingly tied to service delivery excellence

• White-label fulfillment models offer flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency

By offering a free, customizable calculator, Semify is helping agency leaders take proactive control of their financial and operational roadmaps.

Smarter Scaling Through Data-Driven Tools

In today’s competitive marketing landscape, agencies must adopt smart, scalable solutions that protect their margins and fuel long-term growth. Semify’s ROI calculator does just that—enabling informed decisions, streamlining fulfillment strategy, and supporting agency expansion.

Whether you’re a small agency preparing for growth or a large firm looking to cut internal fulfillment costs, this tool is a valuable asset in the journey to more efficient and profitable service delivery.

In a digital-first, data-driven B2B landscape, aligning sales and marketing around verified buyer intent has become essential for growth. Recognizing this need, Informa TechTarget and Demandbase have formed a strategic partnership to transform how go-to-market (GTM) teams identify, engage, and convert high-value accounts.

This integration combines Informa TechTarget’s award-winning first-party intent data with Demandbase One’s advanced ABM platform, empowering mutual customers to eliminate false positives, engage in-market accounts earlier, and convert intent into revenue more effectively.

The Problem: Too Much Noise in Intent Signals

As intent data becomes a cornerstone of ABM, companies often struggle with:

• False positives from unreliable or unverified sources

• Difficulty identifying actual buying group members

• Delayed engagement, allowing competitors to act first

These challenges hinder performance, limit ROI, and slow down pipeline generation.

The Solution: A Verified Intent Engine

This partnership solves those challenges by providing a dual-layered intent verification model:

• Informa TechTarget offers first-party intent signals based on the real behavior of 50M+ B2B professionals across 220+ trusted tech brands

• Demandbase enriches this with third-party ABM data and targeting capabilities, helping unify account-level and contact-level insights

Together, this integration delivers a more accurate and actionable view of buying behavior—essential for success in modern ABM.

What’s New: Direct Integration of Intent Feeds

The collaboration introduces a direct integration of TechTarget’s Account Intent Feeds with Demandbase One, enabling GTM teams to:

• Identify and prioritize in-market accounts using dual-verified intent signals

• Discover buying group members earlier with contact-level insights from TechTarget

• Engage verified contacts through personalized advertising and ABM tactics inside Demandbase

• Boost operational efficiency with seamless data imports and workflows

Unique Data Advantages:

• 1.4M+ daily observed, contextually relevant intent signals

• Access to permissioned contacts from TechTarget's proprietary publishing ecosystem

• Contact-level insights that reveal which individuals are actively researching specific topics

How It Works: Smarter, Faster ABM Activation

Step 1: Double-Verify In-Market Accounts

Aggregate and compare TechTarget’s and Demandbase’s data to confirm which accounts show real purchasing intent—reducing false positives and misaligned outreach.

Step 2: Identify Buying Group Members

Use TechTarget’s contact-level intent data to uncover key decision-makers and influencers earlier in the journey, eliminating guesswork and improving personalization.

Step 3: Launch Targeted Campaigns

Run programmatic and social campaigns within Demandbase One using TechTarget’s permissioned contacts, increasing engagement and conversion efficiency.

Step 4: Seamless Workflow Execution

With streamlined integrations, both account and contact-level intent data flows directly into Demandbase workflows, reducing manual work and accelerating time-to-value.

Customer Validation: Real-World Results

Palo Alto Networks has already seen measurable success with this integrated approach:

“By powering Demandbase One with Informa TechTarget’s precise intent data, including individuals driving that intent, we’ve achieved significant lift in identifying more cross-sell opportunities and larger overall deal sizes,” said Jeremy Schwartz, Senior Manager, Global Lead Management & Strategy.

This underscores the impact of aligning GTM strategies around reliable, high-fidelity intent signals.

What Industry Leaders Are Saying

Jillian Coffin, SVP of Customer Enablement and Strategy at Informa TechTarget:

“This partnership helps marketers confidently identify the accounts that are truly in-market, pinpoint members of the buying group, and engage and influence these buyers before their competitors do.”

Vanessa Willett, VP of Ecosystems at Demandbase:

“By combining our mutual intent data and insights, our customers’ marketing strategies will be more effective and impactful.”

Looking Ahead: Broad Access in April 2025

The integration is already delivering results for select customers. General availability of Informa TechTarget’s Account Intent Feeds within Demandbase One is set for April 22, 2025.

This marks a major step forward for companies seeking to refine their account-based go-to-market strategies, improve efficiency, and shorten sales cycles.

Verified Intent is the Future of ABM

In a crowded B2B marketplace, precision matters. The TechTarget–Demandbase partnership offers a powerful answer to the challenge of unifying account and contact intelligence with activation-ready ABM workflows.

By bringing together trusted intent signals, deep buyer insights, and actionable integrations, this collaboration provides GTM teams with a decisive competitive edge in the race for buyer attention and budget.

In an increasingly digital world, the advertising industry is undergoing a transformative shift. According to the latest “Smart Advertising Services – Global Strategic Business Report” by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global market for smart advertising services was valued at $675.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $2.2 trillion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 21.4%.

This exponential growth reflects a broader movement toward data-driven, AI-powered, and highly personalized marketing solutions. With emerging technologies and growing digital penetration reshaping the consumer landscape, smart advertising services are poised to become the cornerstone of modern marketing.

Why Smart Advertising Services Are Reshaping the Marketing Landscape

Traditional advertising is losing ground to more agile, intelligent alternatives. Smart advertising services are gaining traction due to their ability to:

• Leverage AI and machine learning to create hyper-targeted campaigns

• Use real-time consumer data for accurate behavioral insights

• Deliver contextually relevant content across multiple platforms and devices

As consumers demand more personalized experiences, brands are turning to smart advertising to stay competitive. This shift is particularly notable in industries like retail, telecom, and media, where reaching the right audience at the right time is critical.

Market Drivers Fueling Rapid Growth

Several critical factors are accelerating the smart advertising services market:

1. Digital Transformation Across Industries

As businesses migrate online, there's a heightened demand for intelligent, scalable advertising solutions. Smart ads are now an essential component of digital strategies in nearly every sector.

2. Mobile and Internet Penetration

Emerging markets are seeing massive growth in smartphone and internet access, broadening the reach of digital advertising to previously untapped audiences.

3. AI, Machine Learning, and Data Analytics

Advertisers can now predict behavior, optimize campaign timing, and personalize experiences at scale—boosting both engagement and ROI.

4. Programmatic Advertising

Automated, real-time ad placements reduce inefficiencies and deliver better results. Expect continued innovation as this area matures.

5. Regulatory Support and Investment

Government policies and private investments in advertising technology are fostering market stability and innovation.

Technology: The Backbone of Smart Advertising Evolution

Technological advancements are significantly expanding the scope of smart advertising services:

- Programmatic Advertising

AI-powered platforms automate ad buying, improving cost-efficiency and relevance.

- Big Data and Predictive Analytics

Massive datasets help advertisers tailor messaging based on real-time behavioral trends.

- AR/VR Integration

Immersive ads offer interactive brand experiences, deepening engagement.

- Blockchain Technology

Increasing transparency and reducing fraud in digital ad ecosystems.

- IoT and Voice Assistants

Advertising is entering new dimensions via smart devices and voice-activated platforms, creating hyper-personalized touchpoints.

Emerging Trends and Applications Across Industries

Smart advertising services are being adopted across diverse verticals:

1. Social Media and Dynamic Ads

AI-driven personalization allows for behavioral targeting and automated content adaptation in real time.

2. Video Advertising on OTT Platforms

Engaging video content is dominating digital marketing, with streaming platforms becoming key ad real estate.

3. Retail Innovations

AI and facial recognition are powering personalized in-store experiences, blending physical and digital realms.

4. Sustainability Messaging

Eco-conscious branding is being woven into campaigns to attract values-driven consumers.

5. Omnichannel Campaigns

Integrated messaging across devices and platforms ensures consistent consumer engagement.

Market Segmentation Overview

The report categorizes the smart advertising services market as follows:

By Platform

• Mobile Platforms (projected to reach $1.4 Trillion by 2030)

• Laptops & Tablets

• Other Platforms

By Service Type

• Search Engine Advertising

• Mobile Advertising

• Video Advertising

• Social Media Advertising

• Online Display Advertising

• Email Advertising

• Other Services

By End User

• Retail & Consumer Goods

• IT & Telecom

• BFSI

• Healthcare

• Media & Entertainment

• Other Industries

Regional Market Highlights

United States

• Valued at $177.5 Billion in 2024

• Driven by high adoption of digital advertising and advanced tech infrastructure

China

• Forecast to grow at a 20.2% CAGR, reaching $329.5 Billion by 2030

• Fueled by massive digital ecosystem and mobile-first consumer behavior

Other Regions

• Japan, Canada, Germany and the Asia-Pacific show robust growth due to increased ad spending and mobile device penetration

Leading Market Players

The report features profiles of 34 major players, including:

• Accenture Plc

• BlueFocus

• Coalition Technologies

• Deloitte Digital

• Digital Silk Inc.

• Fannit Digital Marketing Agency

• Gigde Global

• IBEX

• Integral Ad Science

• LiveRamp

These companies are innovating with data analytics, AI, immersive technologies, and omnichannel strategies to maintain competitive advantage.

Smart Advertising Services are the Future of Marketing

The global advertising landscape is in the midst of a revolution. As brands strive to deliver more meaningful and measurable consumer interactions, smart advertising services are emerging as an indispensable part of the marketing toolkit.

With a projected market value of $2.2 trillion by 2030, businesses that invest in smart, data-driven advertising today will be well-positioned to lead tomorrow’s marketing frontier.

In a bold move to elevate B2B marketing performance, Oktopost has launched Marketing Intelligence, an AI-driven solution designed to decode competitor strategies and empower marketing teams with actionable insights. The new product marks a significant milestone in Oktopost’s mission to help B2B marketers become more strategic, agile, and competitive.

With the influx of content and data in the digital age, marketing teams often struggle to differentiate their messaging and campaigns. Oktopost’s latest innovation transforms overwhelming competitor noise into crystal-clear insights, helping brands adapt quickly and lead with confidence.

The Strategic Challenge: Gut Instinct vs. Data-Driven Decisions

Marketing professionals often lean on instinct or partial data when shaping content and campaign strategies. The result?

• Content that mirrors competitors rather than standing apart

• Wasted time on manual research and scattered information sources

• Lack of alignment across teams due to fragmented insights

Although data is plentiful, the true challenge lies in converting it into actionable intelligence. Marketers don’t just need to know what competitors are doing—they must understand why they’re doing it and how to react effectively.

What Is Oktopost Marketing Intelligence?

Oktopost’s Marketing Intelligence platform provides a centralized hub for analyzing public competitor content, including:

• Social media posts and ads

• Email campaigns and newsletters

• Blog articles and website updates

Using AI, the platform highlights key trends, changes in competitor messaging, and emerging content strategies, enabling marketers to refine campaigns and elevate brand positioning in real-time.

Core Benefits: Smarter, Faster Decision-Making for B2B Teams

The platform empowers marketers by offering:

1. Competitive Content Insights

Gain visibility into what competitors are publishing across platforms—without spending hours manually searching.

2. Trend and Message Analysis

Understand messaging shifts, emerging topics, and audience priorities to sharpen your own positioning.

3. Strategic Agility

With real-time updates and AI-powered alerts, teams can respond swiftly to market changes and evolving competitor strategies.

4. Cross-Team Collaboration

Facilitates alignment among marketing, communications, product marketing, and social teams, ensuring unified and strategic content execution.

5. Enhanced Differentiation

Spot where your brand overlaps or diverges from the competition—and act to ensure content stands out.

Quote from Leadership: Turning Noise into Clarity

“B2B marketers win by anticipating competitor moves, not just reacting to them,”
— Daniel Kushner, CEO and Co-founder of Oktopost

Kushner emphasizes that Marketing Intelligence equips marketers to decode strategies, gain proactive insights, and lead with data-driven confidence—transforming market noise into strategic clarity.

Customer Testimonial: A Game-Changer for Competitive Strategy

“It brings competitive signals into one place so we can spot what matters—where we’re strong, where we can improve, and how to stand out,”
— Chris Sheen, Senior Director of Social at Celonis

For companies like Celonis, Oktopost’s Marketing Intelligence provides a competitive edge, simplifying complexity and delivering high-value signals for smarter decisions.

Integration with Oktopost’s Platform Ecosystem

Marketing Intelligence seamlessly integrates with Oktopost’s existing tools for:

• Social media management

• Employee advocacy

• Social listening

This integration enhances the entire platform, allowing B2B organizations to:

• Monitor competitor activities and sentiment shifts

• Track trends and first-mover opportunities

• Drive pipeline and revenue growth through timely, insight-led marketing

Reinventing Competitive Intelligence in B2B Marketing

Oktopost’s Marketing Intelligence redefines how B2B marketing teams approach competitive research. By eliminating guesswork and manual effort, the platform offers a proactive and scalable approach to staying ahead of the curve. In an era where differentiation and speed are key to success, this AI-powered solution helps marketers act with confidence, clarity, and impact.

As market dynamics continue to shift rapidly, Oktopost is enabling marketing teams to stop reacting—and start leading.

Boba Digital LLC, a Miami-based digital marketing agency, has officially launched to provide small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) with high-impact, tailored marketing services. Founded by industry expert Bobby Pham, the agency aims to cut through the noise of bloated marketing packages and deliver clear, strategic outcomes rooted in data.

Focused on performance, clarity, and long-term growth, Boba Digital is already establishing itself as a go-to partner for businesses seeking no-fluff marketing solutions that actually move the needle.

A Response to a Broken Model: Small Team, Big Impact

Boba Digital was created in response to a common pain point among SMBs: the lack of transparency and effectiveness in typical agency offerings. Rather than offering generic packages, the agency emphasizes:

• Direct, honest communication

• Monthly, trackable goals

• Actionable plans grounded in reality

“Many businesses don’t need a massive agency. They need a small, experienced team to step in, assess what’s working, and build a solid strategy without all the fluff,” said Bobby Pham, Founder of Boba Digital.

Core Services: Tailored to Client Goals

Boba Digital offers a focused service suite, built to drive measurable results across three main pillars:

1. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

• Keyword and competitor analysis

• On-page, technical, and content optimization

• Local SEO for city-based visibility

2. Paid Ads

• Google Ads and Meta Ads strategy

• Conversion tracking and A/B testing

• Budget planning and ROI optimization

3. Strategic Consulting

• Digital growth audits

• Campaign and content planning

• Performance forecasting and monthly reviews

Every client receives a custom plan built on industry benchmarks, goals, and realistic expectations—not one-size-fits-all templates.

Industry Focus: Built for Regulated and Specialized Niches

While Boba Digital supports a broad range of industries, it brings deep experience in:

• Healthcare

• SaaS

• Legal

• Finance

These sectors require not only strong marketing skills but also compliance expertise, and Boba Digital delivers both. For local businesses, the agency emphasizes localized SEO strategies that drive high-intent traffic and real leads.

“Whether it’s a legal firm looking for new clients or a SaaS brand building long-term visibility, we adapt our strategies to fit real-world business goals,” added Pham.

Transparent Reporting and Outcome-Driven Metrics

Unlike many agencies that stop at traffic reports or vanity metrics, Boba Digital ties its KPIs to real business results:

• Lead generation

• Inbound inquiries

• Sales performance

Using tools like Agency Analytics and Google Analytics, clients receive detailed reports and live dashboards to track progress. Regular touchpoints ensure that strategy evolves alongside performance insights.

Built for Longevity: Long-Term Thinking at the Core

What sets Boba Digital apart is its commitment to sustainable growth:

• Ongoing technical audits

• Content planning that aligns with buyer journeys

• Continuous testing and strategy optimization

This foundation ensures performance even amid algorithm updates and digital platform changes—an essential strategy for businesses playing the long game.

Looking Ahead: Growth, Automation, and Efficiency

Boba Digital is investing in operational improvements to better serve clients, including:

• Scaling the internal team with seasoned experts

• Streamlining onboarding and documentation

• Reducing turnaround times for audits, proposals, and reporting

While headquartered in Miami, the agency is fully remote-enabled, serving clients across the U.S. and internationally.

Businesses seeking a collaborative, performance-first partner can visit the website and submit a consultation request to get started.

A Modern Marketing Agency with Old-School Accountability

Boba Digital offers something many SMBs are seeking: clarity, customization, and accountability. With a lean, focused team and a commitment to measurable outcomes, the agency is well-positioned to help businesses stand out in today’s noisy digital space.

For brands tired of the fluff and ready for real results, Boba Digital delivers marketing that’s structured to perform.

Infinite Reality (iR)™, a pioneer in spatial computing and immersive technologies, has announced the availability of its software and services on Google Cloud Marketplace. This milestone expands access to iR’s full suite of award-winning tools designed for next-generation digital media, ecommerce, and enterprise engagement. With consumer interest in immersive experiences growing rapidly, the partnership positions iR at the forefront of digital transformation for modern brands.

According to Coresight Research, brands that have implemented virtual stores report significant benefits, including:

• 67% increase in new customers

• 77% more clicks to products

• 88% uplift in sales

These statistics underscore the rising demand for 3D content and immersive digital experiences across industries.

Expanding Reach Through Strategic Partnership with Google Cloud

The integration with Google Cloud Marketplace enables faster deployment and global scalability of iR’s solutions. Businesses can now discover, purchase, and deploy immersive services on Google Cloud’s secure infrastructure, accelerating their digital transformation with confidence.

“Launching on Google Cloud Marketplace is an exciting step forward in our goal to make immersive experiences ubiquitous,” said John Acunto, Co-Founder and CEO of Infinite Reality.

iR Enterprise: Tailored Immersive Experiences for Leading Brands

iR Enterprise offers custom-built solutions for brands such as Crate & Barrel, e.l.f. Cosmetics, J.Crew, and Swarovski. These enterprise-grade services allow businesses to craft rich, interactive digital experiences tailored to their unique goals.

Features include:

• Digital Twins: Virtual replicas of real-world environments

• Virtual Showrooms: Seamless ecommerce integration with Shopify and Salesforce

• AI Assistants: Personalized support for better customer experiences

• 3D Product Digitization: Interactive modeling from 2D imagery

• XR Applications: Support for devices like Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro

• Virtual Communities: Metaverse-style environments for events and fan engagement

iR Enterprise has delivered over 500 immersive experiences to date and continues to expand its offering as technology evolves.

iR Studio: No-Code Platform for 3D Web Design

iR Studio is a self-service, no-code platform empowering brands to build and monetize immersive 3D websites with ease. Designed for marketers and creatives, it removes technical barriers and accelerates digital innovation.

Highlighted capabilities:

• Drag-and-Drop Interface: Easily create and deploy 3D environments

• 3D Asset Library: Ready-to-use templates and props

• Team Collaboration Tools: Share drafts, gather feedback, and co-develop

• Shopify Integration: Bring your product catalog into 3D experiences

• Multiplayer & Chat: Enable real-time interaction through video and audio

• Media Uploads: Support for streaming content and dynamic visuals

• Avatar Customization: Build branded or user-generated identities

• Analytics Dashboard: Track engagement and performance

iR Studio empowers brands to enter the immersive web era—no developers required.

A $3 Billion Bet on the Future of Immersive Tech

In January 2025, Infinite Reality closed a landmark $3 billion funding round, solidifying its position as a category leader in immersive innovation. The global immersive tech market is forecasted to reach $13 trillion by 2030, according to Citi Research—and iR is placing itself at the center of that growth.

“Infinite Reality can now securely scale and support customers on their digital transformation journeys,” said Dai Vu, Managing Director, Marketplace & ISV GTM Programs at Google Cloud.

Pioneering the Next Chapter of Digital Interaction

Infinite Reality’s presence on Google Cloud Marketplace marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of immersive technology. From enterprise digital twins to no-code 3D web design, iR is bridging the gap between innovation and implementation for businesses worldwide. As spatial computing, AI, and virtual commerce continue to redefine digital engagement, iR is enabling brands to adapt—and thrive.

As retail media networks continue to grow in scope and sophistication, Placements.io and Vistar Media have announced a partnership aimed at simplifying how retailers manage in-store digital advertising. By integrating Placements.io’s AdSalesOS platform with Vistar’s ad server and digital signage technology, the collaboration enables a unified platform to plan, sell, traffic, and measure in-store campaigns with greater ease and accuracy.

With in-store retail media spend projected to surpass $1 billion by 2028, this integration comes at a critical moment for retailers looking to engage shoppers at the point of purchase and unlock new revenue streams.

Unified Platform for Omnichannel Retail Media Management

Retailers have traditionally faced the challenge of managing separate systems for digital and in-store advertising. This integration creates a single, scalable workflow that bridges the gap between physical store media and broader digital campaigns.

Benefits of the integration include:

• End-to-end campaign management from proposal to payment

• Unified sales and reporting workflows across online and in-store media

• Elimination of operational silos with centralized data and billing

• Improved campaign efficiency and accuracy for retailers and advertisers

This solution allows retailers to treat in-store screens as premium inventory, aligning them with programmatic and direct digital sales in one cohesive platform.

Driving Revenue Through In-Store Digital Signage

As digital signage evolves into a strategic retail media asset, the partnership brings Vistar Media’s DOOH (digital out-of-home) stack into Placements.io’s retail media ecosystem.

Retailers benefit from:

• Dynamic screen management across store locations

• Programmatic ad serving and mediation using Vistar’s full-stack solution

• Flexible monetization models including direct-sold and programmatic campaigns

• High-impact ad formats that drive impulse purchasing behavior

“Retailers are increasingly recognizing the power of in-store digital signage to influence purchasing decisions at the point of sale,” said Sean Cheyney, Head of Retail Media at Vistar Media.

The combined capabilities allow brands to activate targeted campaigns with precision and scale, delivering messaging in the exact context where consumers are making buying decisions.

Automation and Monetization for Retailers and Media Owners

The integration is designed with automation and monetization in mind. Placements.io users can now tap into Vistar Media’s robust capabilities without managing separate workflows, while Vistar customers gain access to Placements.io’s powerful sales and revenue automation tools.

Benefits for users include:

• Seamless trafficking of campaigns across channels

• Automated workflows for approvals, billing, and reconciliation

• Real-time performance data to optimize active campaigns

• Faster go-to-market timelines for new media offerings

“This partnership is a significant step forward in our mission to provide retailers with a comprehensive platform to monetize their audiences across all touchpoints,” said Evan Bowen, Chief Business Officer at Placements.io.

Expanding the Scope of Retail Media

With this integration, retailers can evolve beyond ecommerce and mobile touchpoints, adding physical store media into their omnichannel strategies. The partnership also reinforces Placements.io’s commitment to giving retailers and media owners the tools needed to stay agile, innovative, and competitive.

This collaboration supports:

• Scalable in-store media network growth

• Stronger brand partnerships through omnichannel campaigns

• Increased ad inventory diversification

• Full transparency across all advertising formats

As retail media becomes more critical to bottom-line growth, having the right tech stack in place ensures long-term competitiveness.

Powering the Future of In-Store Retail Media

The Placements.io and Vistar Media partnership signals a new phase for retail media—one where in-store advertising is no longer isolated, but integrated into a seamless omnichannel experience. By combining operational efficiency with powerful campaign delivery and measurement tools, the partnership gives retailers a strategic advantage in one of the fastest-growing advertising sectors.

With the retail media landscape rapidly evolving, this collaboration empowers retailers to build future-ready media networks that connect brands with consumers—online, in-store, and everywhere in between.