Lionize, the AI-driven influencer marketing platform, is redefining how brands connect with content creators. After two years of quietly training its AI engine, the company has emerged with a high-performing, automated solution that eliminates inefficiencies in influencer discovery, activation, and management. At the heart of this transformation is Lilly, Lionize’s AI agent, purpose-built to create performance-driven influencer campaigns.

Rethinking Influencer Marketing with AI

Traditional influencer marketing is often manual, time-consuming, and costly. Dashboards and vanity metrics dominate the industry, leaving brands with limited insight and ROI. Lionize disrupts this model by placing AI and automation at the core of campaign execution.

What Makes Lionize Different?

• Personalized AI: Learns each brand’s voice, tone, and messaging.

• Automated Onboarding: AI undergoes a ‘training period’ to ensure brand safety and alignment.

• Precision Matching: Creator recommendations are based on 20+ audience, content, and demographic attributes.

AI Agent Lilly in Action

Lionize's AI engine, Lilly, has quietly become a powerhouse in the space:

By the Numbers

1. 30+ million creator profiles analyzed across Instagram and TikTok.

2. 20+ vetting parameters used to evaluate creators’ relevance and alignment.

3. 100,000 influencer partnerships generated through AI automation.

This deep analysis ensures that each creator is not only relevant but also capable of delivering results that matter.

“We tested influencer marketing with another agency... but came back to Lionize because it was faster, easier, and gave us real results,”
— Robert Peck, CEO, AquaVault.

Benefits of Lionize AI

Lionize’s platform delivers speed, accuracy, and ROI:

1. Efficient Influencer Sourcing

• AI identifies ideal creators at scale in minutes, not weeks.

• Smart automation replaces manual scouting and cold outreach.

2. Lower Campaign Costs

• Significantly reduces cost compared to agencies.

• Real-world estimate: $20M+ in manual sourcing costs saved.

3. Measurable Results

• Enables brands to track campaign performance beyond vanity metrics.

• Scalable and repeatable outcomes for sustained growth.

A New Standard for Influencer Marketing

With nearly 100,000 vetted influencers and cutting-edge automation, Lionize eliminates the chaos of campaign setup and creator management. It offers brands an efficient, cost-effective, and scalable solution—bringing influencer marketing into the performance era.

Whether you’re building a creator community or launching targeted campaigns, Lionize AI ensures your message reaches the right audience—fast, authentically, and affordably.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

MCH Strategic Data, a legacy leader in marketing data solutions for nearly 100 years, has announced a major expansion with the launch of its Healthcare Data and Marketing Services Division. This move is marked by the debut of a dedicated healthcare marketing website: www.MCHHealthcare.com.

The initiative reinforces MCH’s continued evolution to address the complex, specialized needs of modern healthcare marketers.

Meeting the Moment in Healthcare Marketing

Marketing in the healthcare space requires more than general data—it demands precision, specialization, and sector-specific tools. MCH recognized this growing demand and took strategic action to support marketers targeting a variety of healthcare segments.

Objectives of the New Division:

• Deepen industry specialization beyond traditional all-in-one data solutions

• Provide purpose-built marketing tools for healthcare campaigns

• Enhance user experience through a vertical-specific digital presence

“Today’s marketers demand deeper specialization and more tailored solutions,” said Peter Long, CEO of MCH Strategic Data. “This new division was built with that mission in mind.”

Inside the New Website: MCHHealthcare.com

Launched alongside the new division, MCHHealthcare.com is an industry-rich platform hosting over 160 pages of tailored healthcare marketing content.

Healthcare Sectors Served:

• Hospitals and health systems

• Physician groups

• Dental practices

• Long-term care facilities

• Other healthcare institutions

The site enhances discoverability, improves navigation for healthcare audiences, and is optimized for search performance—delivering a modern experience for digital-first marketers.

Advanced Tools for Modern Healthcare Marketers

The new Healthcare Division introduces an advanced suite of marketing and data tools designed to help marketers drive engagement, conversion, and growth:

What MCH Healthcare Offers:

• Comprehensive Email Coverage: Industry-leading reach for targeted campaigns

• Email Deployment Services: Strategically managed sends to healthcare audiences

• Programmatic Advertising: Digital audience targeting and ad placement

• Custom Cloud Databases: Hosted solutions built for healthcare use cases

• API Integrations: Seamless connection to existing marketing systems

• CRM Automation Tools (Coming Soon): Including Salesforce and HubSpot integration

A Strategic Shift With More to Come

While MCH will continue to serve the education sector through MCHdata.com, this vertical expansion signals a shift in how the company supports niche markets. It provides healthcare marketers with a powerful platform for data-driven decision-making, campaign execution, and digital transformation.

“Marketers today want more than data—they want true expertise, technology, and strategic solutions that fit their industry,” added Long.

MCH’s new division isn’t just a product launch—it’s a commitment to innovation, specialization, and smarter marketing for the healthcare industry.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

Augmented AI has announced the official launch of Media AI, an intelligent, agent-powered platform that revolutionizes how B2B marketers transform passive leads into high-value, long-term customer relationships.

Early adopters report compelling outcomes, including a 2x increase in lead conversion and a 50% reduction in manual lead enrichment, thanks to Media AI’s ability to autonomously integrate data, enrich profiles, and deliver strategic, real-time recommendations.

“Media AI is a game changer,” said Caitlin Reed, Chief Commercial Officer at Arc Network. “It’s transformed us from a data provider into a full-funnel partner. The speed at which the agents learn and adapt is astonishing—we're getting smart, actionable insights we can use immediately with clients.”

Introducing Agent-Based Marketing: A New Era for Marketers

With the release of Media AI, Augmented AI introduces a new category: Agent-Based Marketing (AgentBM). Unlike traditional marketing automation tools that rely on static workflows and disconnected systems, AgentBM deploys intelligent agents that perceive, plan, act, and learn, orchestrating dynamic, personalized interactions across the customer journey.

“Marketing automation created silos. AgentBM breaks them,” said Max Gabriel, Co-Founder of Augmented AI and former Informa executive. “Media AI doesn’t just add another tool—it offloads the heavy lifting to AI agents so marketers can focus on what they do best: strategy, creativity, and meaningful engagement.”

Built for B2B, Proven in the Field

Media AI has already delivered measurable impact across media and events sectors. Leading organizations like Clarion Events are using the platform to streamline operations, surface campaign insights, and enhance client outcomes.

“The AI-powered lead prioritization matrix is a major unlock,” said Narisa Wild, Chief Digital Officer at Clarion Events. “It unifies performance data and empowers our clients to execute campaigns in minutes, not days.”

Capabilities of Media AI:

• Smart Lead Prioritization: Surface high-value prospects based on behavior, relevance, and engagement signals

• Real-Time Enrichment & Segmentation: Automatically integrate and enrich lead data from fragmented sources

• Dynamic Messaging Recommendations: Tailor follow-up messages using AI-driven content insights

• Campaign Insights Dashboard: Monitor performance and optimize strategies instantly

• Continuous Learning Agents: AI agents adapt to brand tone and messaging, improving over time

Why It Matters: The Craft of Modern Marketing

At its core, Media AI empowers marketers to master their craft—focusing on creativity, storytelling, and strategy—while the agents handle the operational complexity behind the scenes.

“Every meaningful interaction builds trust,” said Gabriel. “With Media AI, marketers can finally scale those interactions without sacrificing quality or authenticity.”

Augmented AI

Augmented AI is a leader in AI-driven transformation solutions for B2B marketing. The company’s platforms power smarter decisions and deeper relationships through intelligent automation, real-time data insights, and cutting-edge agent-based systems.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

Pyxl, a full-service digital agency with a 17-year legacy, today announced the acquisition of Cobble Hill, a nationally and internationally recognized digital marketing firm based in Charleston, SC. This strategic acquisition strengthens Pyxl’s creative and performance marketing capabilities while expanding its global service delivery network.

The acquisition marks a major milestone in Pyxl’s growth strategy, aimed at scaling its digital transformation services for clients across industries including healthcare, technology, tech-enabled services, hospitality, and retail.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cobble Hill to the Pyxl family,” said Bonnie Winter, President of Pyxl. “Their creative vision and proven track record in conversion-focused campaigns make them the perfect complement to Pyxl’s digital strategy and engineering strength. This partnership unlocks new value for our clients by bringing together best-in-class expertise in both creativity and measurable performance.”

Cobble Hill to Retain Brand Identity and Leadership

Under the acquisition agreement, Cobble Hill will continue operating under its established brand, retaining its leadership team and Charleston-based operations. Clients will see no disruption in service—only an expanded menu of strategic offerings powered by Pyxl’s national footprint and engineering depth.

“This isn’t a change to Cobble Hill’s DNA,” added Austin Dandridge, Founder & CEO of Cobble Hill. “It’s an evolution. By joining forces with Pyxl, we can deliver even greater creative and technical impact for our clients—from high-conversion paid media campaigns to full-scale digital experiences.”

What This Acquisition Brings to Market

Combined, Pyxl and Cobble Hill offer:

• Expanded Lead Generation Capabilities: Strategic and creative integration to accelerate growth via full-funnel, performance-driven campaigns.

• Award-Winning Creative Talent: Elevated brand storytelling, visual identity, and UX/UI design across digital touchpoints.

• Data-Driven Performance Marketing: Continuous campaign optimization powered by advanced analytics and testing.

• Cross-Platform MarTech Expertise: Deep expertise across HubSpot, Klaviyo, and other leading platforms to drive integrated customer engagement.

• Strategic Content Development: Thought leadership and educational content that nurtures leads and builds authority.

• Engineering & Development Excellence: Custom web and app development capabilities to bring marketing strategies to life.

“Pyxl has been a strategic growth partner for us over the last six years,” said Scott Farace, CMO at Celero Commerce. “Their acquisition of Cobble Hill strengthens their ability to deliver transformative marketing solutions. This is great news for Pyxl, Cobble Hill, and all of us who work with them.”

A New Chapter in Global Digital Marketing Innovation

With this acquisition, Pyxl and Cobble Hill will continue to serve clients throughout the U.S. and Europe, supporting B2B, DTC, and B2B2C business models. The combined force delivers scalable, innovative marketing solutions backed by full-service execution—creative, strategic, and technical.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

Scientific American, the oldest continuously published magazine in the United States, has named David M. Ewalt as its new Editor-in-Chief, effective June 2. In this role, Ewalt will lead editorial strategy across the publication’s print magazine, digital platform (scientificamerican.com), and other branded products. He will be based in New York and report to Kimberly Lau, President of Scientific American and Vice President, Consumer Media at Springer Nature.

Ewalt is a respected journalist and author with a track record of revitalizing major media brands. A champion of evidence-based reporting, he brings deep experience from prior leadership roles at Gizmodo, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and as author of the widely praised Of Dice and Men, a cultural history of Dungeons & Dragons. Ewalt’s editorial vision bridges legacy publishing and digital-native storytelling, making him uniquely suited to lead Scientific American in this pivotal moment for science communication.

“From its inception, Scientific American has championed the belief that scientific discovery and technological advancement are foundational to societal progress,” said Kimberly Lau. “David’s clear editorial direction, unwavering commitment to data-driven journalism, and passion for science make him the ideal leader to advance our mission—and to meet today’s moment with rigor, clarity, and curiosity.”

A Vision for Science in the 21st Century

“This is a pivotal moment for science,” said David M. Ewalt. “Issues like climate change, AI, and global health are fundamentally scientific—and require accurate, accessible reporting. Scientific American has earned trust over nearly 200 years by making complex topics understandable and relevant. I’m honored to lead its next chapter.”

Ewalt joins at a time when public demand for trustworthy science journalism is more critical than ever. With new developments emerging daily—from generative AI to gene editing—Scientific American continues to serve as a vital resource for scientists, policymakers, and curious minds worldwide.

Scientific American

Founded in 1845, Scientific American reaches more than 3.5 million monthly readers and publishes eight local-language editions around the world. Its mission is to inform public debate, elevate scientific understanding, and empower evidence-based decision-making through world-class reporting on science, health, and technology.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

NielsenIQ (NIQ), a global leader in consumer intelligence, and Sephora, the world’s leading prestige beauty omnichannel retailer, have entered into a strategic collaboration aimed at delivering unprecedented insights into the evolving beauty retail landscape in North America.

This data-sharing agreement marks a significant milestone in the way beauty retail is measured, offering enhanced point-of-sale visibility into Sephora’s expansive omnichannel footprint. The partnership broadens NIQ’s beauty market coverage while empowering Sephora with industry-leading analytics as a designated Recommended Insights Partner.

"At Sephora, our beauty community is the heart of our business," said Ryan Oto, Vice President, Business Intelligence & Analytics at Sephora. "This partnership with NielsenIQ is a strategic leap forward in how we listen to our beauty consumers, elevate insights across every touchpoint, and deliver on the future of beauty retail.”

Deeper Insights Through Omnishopper & Digital Purchases

The collaboration also leverages NIQ’s Expanded Omnishopper and Digital Purchases solutions, launched in January 2025, which include the world’s largest consumer panel of over 250,000 highly engaged participants. This provides Sephora with granular insights into shopping behaviors across both physical and digital channels, encompassing mass, drug, specialty, e-commerce, and social commerce.

Through this partnership, Sephora can now:

• Track omnichannel buying patterns with greater accuracy

• Enhance personalization and merchandising strategies

• Strengthen its competitive edge through advanced analytics

• Elevate strategic planning and inventory management across channels

"Beauty is one of the most dynamic and culturally relevant categories in retail today," said Elizabeth Buchanan, President of North America at NielsenIQ. "By combining Sephora’s industry leadership with NIQ’s unmatched measurement capabilities, we’re bringing new precision and visibility to the brands shaping the future of beauty."

NielsenIQ (NIQ)

NielsenIQ is the world's leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete and trusted view of consumer behavior globally. Powered by a robust data platform and analytical capabilities, NIQ fuels smarter decisions and strategic growth across industries.

Sephora

Sephora is a global beauty powerhouse, offering a diverse portfolio of prestige products and a best-in-class customer experience across its robust omnichannel platform. As an innovation leader, Sephora continues to redefine beauty retail for millions of customers worldwide.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

Gartner, Inc., a leading provider of research and advisory services, today unveiled new data showing that 53% of customers report negative experiences with personalized marketing, despite its perceived value by marketers. The findings were presented at the Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo, held this week in Denver.

The global survey of 1,464 B2B buyers and consumers across North America, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand found that while personalization can increase willingness to pay a premium (1.8x), it also doubles the likelihood of customers feeling overwhelmed and 2.8x more likely to feel time pressure, particularly during key task-switching moments in their buying journey.

“Personalization has commercial value, but it often misfires,” said Audrey Brosnan, Senior Director Analyst in the Gartner Marketing Practice. “More than half of customers feel rushed or inundated at least once in their purchase journey due to traditional personalization tactics. When buyers shift from researching to deciding, passive recommendations can appear irrelevant or even intrusive.”

The Rise of Active Personalization: From Next Best Action to Next Best Confidence

Gartner’s research introduces a pivotal solution: course-changing or active personalization, which increases confident purchase decisions by 2.3x and significantly boosts marketing ROI.

Active personalization is defined by interactive, customer-led experiences—such as quizzes, guided flows, and co-created content—that help customers navigate the emotional and cognitive complexities of decision-making.

Rather than rely on "next best action" automation, which often adds pressure during critical transitions, active personalization provides:

• Reflective tools to help customers clarify their goals

• Real-time interaction that builds confidence

• Greater transparency, reducing the “creepiness” factor of passive data use

Findings from the Gartner Survey:

• 53% of customers had negative experiences due to personalization

• Customers were 3.2x more likely to regret their purchase and 44% less likely to repurchase

• Personalized experiences doubled the chances of customers feeling overwhelmed

• Active personalization boosted confident decisions by 2.3x

A Strategic Imperative for CMOs

“CMOs must evolve personalization from passive targeting to active engagement,” said Brosnan. “This means helping customers at their most vulnerable decision points—not just pushing products, but offering clarity, control, and co-creation.”

To capitalize on this shift, Gartner recommends the following actions:

1. Counter Journey Pitfalls: Identify where task-switching happens and avoid interrupting these moments with passive personalization.

2. Catalyze Emotional Change: Use tools like gamified assessments, quizzes, and interactive content that allow customers to self-reflect and reveal personal goals.

3. Enable Customer Co-Creation: Transition from inferred to zero-party data by actively involving customers in shaping their personalized journeys.

“Active personalization is the future flywheel of customer engagement,” Brosnan added. “It’s not just about better targeting—it’s about building a growth loop of trust, insight, and loyalty that compounds over time.”

Gartner

Gartner, Inc. is a global research and advisory company providing actionable insights and tools for leaders across IT, marketing, finance, HR, and more. With a presence in over 100 countries, Gartner helps clients make faster, smarter decisions.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !

Blain’s Farm & Fleet, the Modern General Store trusted by generations of Midwestern shoppers, has been honored with multiple national awards recognizing excellence in customer loyalty, marketing innovation, and data-driven personalization.

At the 2025 Loyalty360 Expo, Blain’s received top recognition across four major categories, including:

• Best in Class – Customer Centric Brand

• Best in Class – Loyalty Program Design

• Platinum – Co-Brand/Private Label Credit Card Offerings

• Silver – Offer, Incentive, and Reward Design

These awards spotlight the strategic evolution of the Blain’s Rewards program, powered by SessionM, a Mastercard company, and its ability to deliver seamless, omnichannel experiences for loyal customers.

“We’re incredibly honored by these awards because they reflect our team’s focus on creating truly personal, valuable experiences for our neighbors,” said Aly Blawat, Senior Director of Customer Strategy. “These recognitions validate that we’re listening to our customers and building programs that make a difference in their everyday lives.”

Participation in the Blain’s Rewards program grew 15% year-over-year in online channels, demonstrating its impact in building lasting digital engagement.

Award-Winning Email Marketing at Optimove Connect

Blain’s was also awarded the prestigious 2025 Heptagon Award for Best Email Campaign at Optimove Connect for its inventive “Puppy Stream” campaign—an empathetic, 10-touchpoint email journey tailored for new puppy owners. The series combined personalized content, timely tips, and curated product suggestions to guide customers through the joys and challenges of puppy parenting.

A Consistent Leader in Customer Experience

These newest accolades build on an impressive track record for Blain’s Farm & Fleet, which has received multiple national recognitions over the past year, including:

• USA Today – America’s Top Retailers & Customer Service Champions (2024)

• Newsweek – Best Online Shops (Fourth consecutive year – 2024)

• Forbes – America’s Best Large Employers (Seventh consecutive year – 2024)

Blain’s Farm & Fleet

Founded in 1955, Blain’s Farm & Fleet operates 45 locations across Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan, offering a wide selection of automotive, pet, home, farm, and outdoor products. A trusted Modern General Store, Blain’s is dedicated to combining value, quality, and service for every customer.

Contact Us & Future-Proof Your Marketing with MarTechEdge !