Tiger Pistol, the most advanced local advertising platform, has launched a new strategic resource: From Roadblocks to Revenue: Solving the Top 3 Digital Advertising Challenges for Marketing Resellers. As small and midsize businesses (SMBs) increase digital ad investments, this playbook provides resellers with the tools to streamline operations, enhance automation, and scale local advertising efficiently.

The Challenges Resellers Face

Despite the rising demand for digital advertising solutions, marketing resellers often struggle with:
Clunky onboarding processes that slow down SMB activation
Manual campaign execution that reduces scalability
Siloed platforms that create inefficiencies and limit growth

"Marketing resellers play a critical role in helping SMBs succeed, but too many are bogged down by inefficient processes," said Sarah Cucchiara, VP of Business Development at Tiger Pistol. "This playbook is a call to action. It’s about moving past friction points and embracing a model built for speed, scale, and service."

Takeaways from the Playbook

This practical guide provides actionable solutions to common digital advertising roadblocks, including:

• Fixing the Onboarding Bottleneck

  • Strategies to simplify page and account connections

  • Faster SMB activation leading to improved retention

• Scaling with Automation

  • Implementing subscription-based models

  • Managing thousands of localized campaigns with minimal manual input

• Seamless Integration

  • Embedding digital advertising into existing platforms

  • White-label and API solutions for brand control and enhanced user experience

"Solving these challenges improves operations and strengthens client relationships," added Cucchiara. "When you remove friction, you unlock adoption, retention, and revenue. This playbook helps resellers deliver the kind of experience that keeps SMB clients coming back."

Tiger Pistol’s From Roadblocks to Revenue playbook is now available for free download. Marketing resellers and digital advertising service providers supporting SMBs are encouraged to access the guide to optimize their advertising strategies, streamline operations, and accelerate long-term growth.

Stagwell, the marketing challenger network built for digital transformation, has appointed John Kahan as its first-ever Chief AI Officer. Reporting directly to Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, Kahan will lead the network’s AI-driven initiatives, accelerating innovation across its global marketing and advertising ecosystem.

A Seasoned AI and Data Leader

With nearly 40 years of expertise in AI, data analytics, and digital transformation, Kahan has an extensive track record in product development, marketing, and strategic consulting. His previous leadership roles at Microsoft and IBM solidified his reputation as a pioneer in AI-powered business transformation.

Most recently, Kahan served as Vice President and Chief Data Analytics Officer at Microsoft, where he was instrumental in developing key data-driven platforms and insights that contributed to Microsoft's growth into a $3 trillion company.

Stagwell’s Commitment to AI Innovation

Under Kahan’s leadership, Stagwell aims to:
Embed AI and automation across its marketing services
Enhance data-driven decision-making for clients
Drive industry-leading advancements in AI-powered marketing technology

"Kahan's leadership will be key in driving our AI initiatives forward, ensuring we continue to provide unparalleled value to our clients," said Mark Penn, CEO of Stagwell. "His extensive background from Microsoft and IBM aligns perfectly with our vision to lead the industry in technological innovation."

Kahan’s Vision for AI at Stagwell

Recognizing the rapid evolution of AI and MarTech, Kahan is eager to push the boundaries of how AI enhances marketing strategies and business performance.

"I'm especially excited to be joining at such a pivotal time for the challenger network," said Kahan. "The pace of innovation in AI and marketing technology is accelerating like never before, and Stagwell is committed to pushing boundaries that will drive meaningful transformation for the industry at large."

Stagwell’s appointment of John Kahan as Chief AI Officer underscores its dedication to AI-driven marketing innovation. As AI reshapes the industry, Kahan’s expertise will help position Stagwell as a leader in the next generation of marketing transformation.

A new research study, Gen Z Culture Decoded, unveils fresh insights into how Gen Z consumes content, discovers entertainment, and engages with media. The study, conducted by Toluna, Halford Media Advisory, and Coraly Partners, surveyed 2,000 US-based Gen Z respondents (ages 16-27) and highlights how this hyper-connected generation demands new approaches to marketing, content creation, and engagement.

Findings: How Gen Z Consumes Content

• Social Media and YouTube as Discovery Hubs

  • 71% of Gen Z consumers start their content discovery journey on social platforms or YouTube.

  • From TV shows to sports to podcasts, Gen Z relies on digital channels for entertainment exploration.

• The Always-On Generation

  • More than 55% of Gen Z is "always on" across different activities throughout the day.

  • On average, they engage in seven different activities daily, increasing to eight in the early evening.

• Activity Peaks Throughout the Day

  • Social media: Used by at least 74% of Gen Z at any time of day.

  • Video consumption: Builds throughout the day, peaking in the evening.

  • Sports and gaming: Most popular in the evening.

  • Music, audiobooks, and podcasts: Skew towards the afternoon and evening.

  • Radio and news updates: Primarily consumed in the morning.

• Comedy Dominates Content Preferences

  • Comedy is the most popular genre across entertainment platforms.

  • It is also a preferred element in advertising, indicating that humor resonates deeply with Gen Z.

Insights from Industry Experts

• Mary Ann Halford (Managing Principal, Halford Media Advisory):

  • “We knew Gen Z would have different media appetites, but their consumption patterns are even more complex than expected.”

• Christy Tanner (Founder, Coraly Partners & Chair, Swerve Sports):

  • “Breaking through to Gen Z requires agility and investment in new skills and tools.”

• Jasen Holness (EVP Commercial Strategy, Toluna):

  • “This study provides a blueprint for brands to connect authentically with the most connected generation.”

• Paul Pastor (Co-Founder & CBO, Quickplay):

  • “Gen Z demands short-form, engaging content across all platforms. Streamers and studios must integrate short-form content to stay relevant.”

What This Means for Brands & Marketers

• Social-First Strategies Are Essential

  • Brands must prioritize short-form, engaging content on social media to connect with Gen Z.

• Humor and Authenticity Matter

  • Comedy is a key ingredient in both entertainment and advertising.

  • Authentic engagement fosters deeper connections with this audience.

• Multichannel Presence Is Crucial

  • Gen Z moves fluidly across platforms; brands must have an integrated presence across social, video, music, and news channels.

Gen Z’s consumption habits are redefining how brands, content creators, and media companies engage with audiences. With an always-on, social-first approach and a preference for short-form, entertaining content, brands must rethink their strategies to stay relevant to this digitally native generation.

Contentful, a leading content platform trusted by over 4,200 customers, has unveiled new AI-powered personalization, content governance, and strategic partnerships to redefine digital experiences. With an API-first approach and a composable architecture, Contentful’s platform is built to help brands centralize, personalize, and optimize content faster than ever.

As the DXP market is projected to exceed $41 billion by 2032, Contentful’s latest innovations position it at the forefront of this evolving space.

Innovations: Contentful’s AI-Powered Expansion

1. AI Actions: Automating Content Operations

• AI-powered content operations streamline content creation, adaptation, and publishing.

• Automates tasks such as translation, localization, SEO optimization, and alt-text generation.

• AI Actions Marketplace offers pre-built templates, with an inaugural contribution from Contentful Gold Partner AKQA.

• Early adopters like Biogen report massive efficiency gains in localization and content scaling.

2. Content Governance: Granular Roles & Permissions

• New Taxonomy capabilities ensure secure content management.

• SOC 2 Type 1 certification compliance supports enterprise security requirements.

• Businesses gain tighter control over content creation and distribution for consistent branding.

3. Contentful Personalization: AI-Driven Customization

• A unified workspace within the Contentful web app simplifies audience management and personalization.

• AI-Driven Features Include:

  • Experience & Audience Suggestions: AI recommends optimal content strategies.

  • Variant Generation: Instantly creates tailored content variations.

  • Customer Data Connectors: Seamless integration with Shopify, Klaviyo, and SAP Emarsys for real-time personalization.

New Strategic Partnerships: Content + Commerce Integration

Contentful has announced a strategic partnership with Shopify, offering:

• A Shopify data connector for improved synchronization between content and commerce.

• A Contentful app in the Shopify Liquid Storefront to streamline localization and AI-driven personalization.

• Enhanced storefront flexibility, faster time-to-market, and optimized shopping experiences.

Dale Traxler, Director of Technology Partnerships at Shopify, emphasized the value of this integration:

“Our joint customers can connect, manage, and optimize all consumer touchpoints from both the Contentful and Shopify environments, simplifying workflows and accelerating conversion.”

Industry Reactions: Market Disruption & DXP Evolution

Industry experts highlight Contentful’s potential to reshape the DXP landscape:

• Liz Miller, Principal Analyst, Constellation Research:

  • “Contentful’s entry into DXP challenges legacy limitations and prioritizes innovation.”

• Michael Luzmore, Product Manager, Docusign:

  • “Contentful’s extensible DXP allows us to scale personalized experiences and experiment with AI tools.”

The Future of Digital Experiences

With AI-driven automation, enhanced personalization, and powerful integrations, Contentful is leading the shift toward composable and highly personalized digital experiences. The company’s increased investment in R&D and commitment to AI-driven solutions signal a transformative period in digital marketing and content management.

As Contentful CEO Karthik Rau puts it:

“By adopting the right technology now, brands can confidently prepare for a highly personalized, autonomous, and data-driven future.”

Similarweb Ltd., a leading provider of digital data and market intelligence, has announced its acquisition of The Search Monitor, a pioneer in ad monitoring, trademark enforcement, and affiliate compliance. This move bolsters Similarweb’s ability to provide brands, retailers, and agencies with robust, daily-use tools to optimize ROI, safeguard brand assets, and refine digital marketing strategies.

With global search ad spending projected to reach $351.5 billion in 2025 and expected to grow at 7.7% annually through 2030, brands increasingly require data-driven insights to optimize campaigns and maintain compliance. By integrating The Search Monitor’s capabilities, Similarweb enhances its ability to help customers protect brand integrity, enforce compliance, and maximize ad performance.

Benefits of the Acquisition

1. Enhanced Paid Search Optimization & Competitive Intelligence

• Advanced keyword tracking and monitoring for strategic ad placements.

• Competitive benchmarking for ad visibility and paid search performance.

• Insights into industry trends, bidding strategies, and campaign success.

2. Strengthened Brand Protection & Compliance Enforcement

• Automated alerts for unauthorized brand bidding and ad violations.

• Affiliate monitoring to detect and prevent policy breaches.

• Trademark enforcement tools ensuring compliance with brand agreements.

3. Greater Transparency & Control for Performance Marketers

• Real-time monitoring to track ad placements and spending efficiency.

• AI-powered insights to optimize search, display, and affiliate marketing.

• Seamless integration with Similarweb’s platform for end-to-end digital intelligence.

Executive Insights: A Shared Vision for Smarter Digital Marketing

Or Offer, CEO and Founder of Similarweb, highlighted the acquisition’s impact:

“The Search Monitor’s expertise in paid search and compliance perfectly complements our platform, allowing us to deliver even greater value to marketers who depend on real-time insights.”

Maoz Lakovski, Chief Business Officer at Similarweb, emphasized the importance of transparency:

“As digital advertising grows more complex, this acquisition strengthens our ability to help customers gain control over their paid media investments and drive better results.”

Lori Weiman, CEO and Co-Founder of The Search Monitor, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration:

“Joining forces with Similarweb means we can provide a truly unmatched solution for optimizing and securing digital marketing strategies.”

The Future of Ad Intelligence & Compliance

With this acquisition, Similarweb continues its mission to make digital data actionable and indispensable. By investing in AI-driven insights, brand compliance solutions, and performance monitoring, Similarweb is poised to lead the industry in search advertising intelligence.

Arcitecta, a leader in data management software, has launched Mediaflux® Real-Time, a breakthrough solution designed to accelerate workflows, enhance remote collaboration, and eliminate bottlenecks in live sports, broadcast, and media production. In collaboration with Dell Technologies, Arcitecta will showcase Mediaflux Real-Time at the NAB Show (April 6-9, 2025) in Las Vegas.

With the demand for real-time content access and hybrid production capabilities growing, Mediaflux Real-Time allows editors to work with live, growing video files from any location, reducing post-production time and optimizing collaboration.

Benefits of Mediaflux Real-Time

1. Real-Time Editing & Remote Collaboration

• Edit from anywhere – Access live files remotely, eliminating location-based limitations.

• Instant highlight reels – Editors can cut and distribute footage in real time.

• Live review & playback – Teams can review and edit content as it is rendered.

2. Eliminating Workflow Bottlenecks

• One stream for multiple locations – No need for separate connections per site.

• Seamless media management – Organizes storage and metadata for quick retrieval.

• Reduced costs – Optimizes infrastructure and minimizes storage expenses.

3. Optimized Growing File Management

• Scales effortlessly – Handles large file volumes with high-speed transfers.

• Secure & compliant – Built-in encryption and access control prevent data breaches.

• AI-powered metadata indexing – Enables efficient content retrieval and workflow automation.

Industry Reactions & Future Impact

Jason Lohrey, CEO and Founder of Arcitecta, emphasized the solution’s impact:

“Mediaflux Real-Time is revolutionary, allowing editors to work with live video streams as they are created. Early adopters have called it a ‘game-changer’ for live broadcast and sports production.”

A Dell Technologies Data Sheet highlighted the partnership’s value:

“Arcitecta’s metadata and data orchestration tools, combined with Dell’s trusted infrastructure, deliver powerful and seamless workflows for modern hybrid production environments.”

A New Era for Live Production

As hybrid and remote production environments continue to evolve, solutions like Mediaflux Real-Time set a new standard for speed, efficiency, and collaboration. Arcitecta and Dell Technologies are leading the way in real-time, location-independent media workflows.

Telecom Egypt, the country’s leading telecommunications provider, has partnered with Truecaller, the world’s top Caller ID and spam protection platform, to revolutionize customer interactions. Through this partnership, Telecom Egypt aims to provide a more secure, personalized, and seamless calling experience for its customers by integrating Truecaller’s Verified Business Caller ID and Video Caller ID solutions.

With growing concerns over spam and fraudulent calls, this collaboration ensures that Telecom Egypt’s customers can instantly recognize official calls, reducing uncertainty and enhancing engagement.

Features of the Partnership

1. Verified Business Caller ID for Secure Communication

• Telecom Egypt’s name, logo, and verification badge will be displayed on calls.

• Customers can instantly identify official calls, minimizing fraud risks.

• Builds trust and credibility, encouraging users to answer important calls.

2. Video Caller ID for Enhanced Customer Engagement

• Standard calls are replaced with customized videos to provide context before answering.

• Enables rich media caller ID, differentiating Telecom Egypt’s calls from others.

• Used for account updates, exclusive offers, and important service notifications.

3. Improved Customer Experience & Fraud Prevention

• Ensures trusted, transparent communication for Telecom Egypt customers.

• Reduces spam and unwanted disruptions, protecting user privacy.

• Strengthens customer relationships by enhancing communication clarity.

Industry Insights & Executive Comments

Ramy Kato, VP & Chief Customer Officer at Telecom Egypt, emphasized the partnership’s impact:

“This collaboration enhances customer experience by ensuring they recognize genuine communications, reducing disruptions, and improving overall trust in our services.”

Priyam Bose, Global Head of GTM and Developer Products at Truecaller, highlighted the innovation:

“By partnering with Telecom Egypt, we are enabling secure and trusted business communication, reducing fraud, and transforming customer experiences.”

Transforming the Telecom Landscape

This partnership between Telecom Egypt and Truecaller sets a new standard for secure and interactive customer communication. With over 2,500 businesses worldwide using Truecaller’s Customer Experience Solution, Telecom Egypt now leads the way in enhancing caller trust, reducing fraud, and personalizing communication in the Egyptian telecom industry.

Raspberry AI, a leading generative AI platform for fashion creatives, has announced the launch of three new AI-powered tools designed to enhance marketing and merchandising workflows. These innovations help fashion brands visualize, iterate, and test campaigns, product assortments, and e-commerce content—accelerating time to market while cutting costs and improving sustainability.

With brands increasingly looking for AI-driven solutions to streamline content creation and enhance creative collaboration, Raspberry AI’s latest features eliminate traditional roadblocks such as costly photoshoots, limited design flexibility, and lengthy content production cycles.

Features of Raspberry AI’s New Tools

1. On-Body Visualization: AI-Powered Virtual Try-On

• Allows creative teams to style garments on AI-generated models for lookbooks and e-commerce pages.

• Generates photorealistic visuals showing how clothing fits and drapes on real bodies.

• Enables faster and more cost-effective product visualization without physical samples or live models.

2. 3D Avatar to Photorealism: Realistic Model Rendering

• Converts 3D avatars into hyper-realistic human models in one click.

• Helps brands create high-quality marketing visuals with precise poses, fits, and attitudes.

• Facilitates seamless integration of 3D designs into marketing campaigns, billboards, and e-commerce platforms.

3. Background Generator: AI-Powered Scene Customization

• Allows teams to swap backgrounds in studio photos to any imagined setting.

• Eliminates the need for on-location photoshoots, reducing costs and carbon footprints.

• Empowers brands to create geo-targeted marketing assets based on customer locations.

Industry Impact & Executive Insights

Mattia Giorgi, Head of AI and Innovation at Gruppo Teddy, emphasized the transformative effect of Raspberry AI’s tools:

“These new features are game-changers for marketing and merchandising teams, saving hundreds of hours while fostering seamless collaboration.”

Cheryl Liu, CEO and Founder of Raspberry AI, highlighted the innovation:

“For the first time ever, brands can market styles the same day they’re created, eliminating costly photoshoots while delivering hyper-realistic, AI-driven visuals.”

AI-Driven Fashion Innovation

Raspberry AI’s end-to-end platform integrates trend forecasting, AI-powered design, and automated content generation, making it a critical tool for apparel, footwear, and accessories brands. Leading industry players such as KnitWell Group, Deckers Brands, and Kellwood are leveraging Raspberry AI to accelerate workflows, reduce costs, and enhance creative output.

With algorithms tailored to fashion industry needs, Raspberry AI enables designers and marketers to generate and refine photorealistic images from simple text prompts—ushering in a new era of AI-powered fashion creativity and efficiency.