Criteo S.A., a leading commerce media company, has made significant leadership changes with the appointment of Rik van der Kooi as the new Chairperson of the Board of Directors. Van der Kooi succeeds Rachel Picard, who served as Chairperson for the past five years and will continue her role as a director. In addition, Stefanie Jay has been nominated for election to the Board at Criteo's 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM), further strengthening the company’s governance.

These strategic appointments signal Criteo's commitment to accelerating its leadership in the rapidly growing commerce media sector, enhancing innovation and driving long-term success.

Leadership Changes and Strategy

1. Rik van der Kooi Appointed Chairperson of the Board

Van der Kooi, who has been a member of Criteo's Board since June 2023, brings deep digital advertising expertise to his new role. Prior to his appointment, he served as Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, where he scaled the company's digital advertising business to $10 billion. His leadership experience, particularly in the areas of strategy, sales, and partnerships, is expected to guide Criteo through its next phase of growth in the commerce media industry.

Van der Kooi’s expertise and understanding of Criteo’s business are seen as valuable assets as the company continues to expand its AI-driven platform. In his role as Chairperson, he will play a pivotal role in steering the Board's strategic direction and ensuring continued momentum in the commerce media market.

2. Stefanie Jay Nominated for Board Election

Criteo has also nominated Stefanie Jay for election to the Board at the 2025 AGM. Jay is an accomplished executive with nearly 20 years of experience in omnichannel retail, eCommerce, and digital marketplaces. She most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Business and Strategy Officer at eBay, where she led the company’s growth and innovation efforts.

Jay’s prior experience at Walmart Media Group, where she played a key role in scaling the retail media platform, positions her as a valuable addition to Criteo’s Board. Her expertise in scaling advertising businesses and driving revenue growth will be instrumental in guiding Criteo as it strengthens its position as a leader in the commerce media sector.

3. Hubert de Pesquidoux to Step Down

As part of the Board reshuffle, Hubert de Pesquidoux, who has served as a Board member and Chairperson of the Audit Committee since 2012, has informed the Board that he will not stand for reelection. His contributions to financial stewardship and governance at Criteo have been highly valued, and his decision to step down paves the way for fresh leadership within the Board.

A Stronger, More Dynamic Board for the Future

With the election of Stefanie Jay at the AGM, Criteo’s Board will consist of eight directors, seven of whom are considered independent, with four of those being added in the past five years. These additions reflect Criteo’s ongoing efforts to diversify its leadership and ensure it has the right mix of skills and experience to meet the demands of the evolving commerce media landscape.

Michael Komasinski, CEO of Criteo, expressed his excitement about the new appointments, saying, "Rik's industry expertise and understanding of our company will strengthen our ability to drive continued momentum and capture significant opportunities. Stefanie's experience scaling advertising businesses globally will be invaluable as we build on Criteo’s reputation."

Quotes from Key Leaders

Rik van der Kooi, newly appointed Chairperson of the Board, commented, “I am honored to be appointed Chairperson. Criteo’s leadership in commerce media presents tremendous opportunities for value creation. I look forward to working closely with the team to leverage our AI-driven platform and continue driving innovation.”

Stefanie Jay, nominated Board member, added, “Criteo’s commitment to client-centricity and innovation is impressive, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the company’s continued success.”

Rachel Picard, the outgoing Chairperson, remarked, “Serving as Chair of Criteo’s Board has been a privilege. I am proud of our achievements and the transformation of Criteo into a leader in retail and commerce media. I am confident that Rik’s leadership will continue to drive Criteo’s success.”

Criteo’s recent leadership changes, with Rik van der Kooi as Chairperson and the nomination of Stefanie Jay to the Board, underscore the company's strategic vision to enhance its position in the commerce media sector. These appointments bring fresh perspectives and extensive experience, positioning Criteo for continued growth and innovation.

As the company looks ahead to its 2025 AGM and beyond, the leadership team is poised to drive Criteo’s mission of delivering better commerce outcomes for customers through its AI-driven platform.

Intuit Group, Inc., a leader in marketing communications services, is thrilled to celebrate its 25th anniversary in January 2025. Since its founding in 2000, the company has been at the forefront of delivering innovative marketing solutions to clients across diverse industries. From launching successful campaigns to expanding into new markets, Intuit Group has built a strong reputation as a trusted partner for businesses looking to elevate their marketing efforts.

Milestones in Intuit Group's 25-Year Journey

1. Over 100 Successful Marketing Campaigns

Throughout its history, Intuit Group has launched more than 100 successful marketing campaigns, helping clients build their brands and connect with customers in meaningful ways. These campaigns span various sectors, demonstrating the company’s versatility and ability to adapt to evolving marketing trends and client needs.

2. Expansion into New Markets

Intuit Group’s commitment to growth and innovation has led to the company’s expansion into digital marketing and social media strategy. By embracing new technologies and strategies, the company has ensured its clients are ahead of the curve in today’s rapidly changing marketing landscape.

3. Industry Recognition

Over the years, Intuit Group has been recognized as a top marketing communications firm by its industry peers. These accolades reflect the company's consistent excellence and ability to deliver results, solidifying its position as a trusted partner for businesses across industries.

Celebrating 25 Years: A Message from the CEO

Teri Chouinard, CBC, APR and CEO of Intuit Group, shared her thoughts on the company’s milestone, saying, “Our journey over the past 25 years has been extraordinary. We owe our success to our talented team, loyal clients, and our unwavering commitment to excellence. We look forward to continuing to innovate and drive results for our clients for many years to come.”

Teri's leadership has been instrumental in the company’s growth and transformation, guiding Intuit Group through an ever-evolving marketing landscape and ensuring that it remains a leader in the industry.

Looking Ahead: Celebrating with Clients and the Community

To celebrate this significant anniversary, Intuit Group will be hosting a series of events and initiatives throughout 2025, including:

• Client Appreciation Events: Special gatherings to thank the company's loyal clients for their continued support.

• Community Engagement Activities: Initiatives aimed at giving back to the community and strengthening local partnerships.

• Special Promotions: Exclusive offers for new and existing clients to mark the company’s milestone achievement.

These events will provide an opportunity to reflect on the company’s past successes while looking forward to the future.

As Intuit Group, Inc. celebrates 25 years of success in marketing communications, the company’s commitment to delivering innovative, impactful, and results-driven solutions remains unwavering. With a strong foundation built on excellence, creativity, and client relationships, Intuit Group is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of marketing for years to come.

Here’s to the next 25 years of marketing excellence and success!

Launch That, a leading performance marketing company renowned for building authoritative brands and connecting people to trusted resources, is excited to announce the promotion of David Palombo to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective this month. This appointment marks a key milestone in the company’s growth, reflecting David’s exceptional leadership and his deep commitment to the company’s mission.

A Proven Track Record of Leadership

David Palombo has been with Launch That for 15 years, having started in an entry-level position. Over the years, David has ascended through the ranks, serving in various roles before becoming President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). His promotion to CEO underscores his extensive experience and proven leadership abilities, as well as his unwavering dedication to the company's success.

Contributions to Launch That's Growth

Throughout his career at Launch That, David has played a pivotal role in the company’s evolution, particularly in the following areas:

• Adaptation to Digital Marketing Shifts: David has expertly navigated major shifts in digital marketing, ensuring Launch That remains at the forefront of the industry.

• In-House Content Development: Under his leadership, the company developed a new in-house content team, enhancing its capabilities in delivering high-quality, impactful content.

• Investments in Technology and Data Infrastructure: David has championed investments in cutting-edge technology and robust data infrastructure, allowing the company to remain agile and efficient.

• Refining Operations and Sales Processes: His leadership has been instrumental in refining operations and sales processes, further elevating the company’s authority and expanding its reach.

• Mentoring Future Leaders: David has also played a critical role in mentoring emerging leaders, ensuring the continued development of the next generation of talent at Launch That.

Statement from Leadership

Gene Apelado, Executive Chairman of Launch That, praised David’s appointment, saying, “David embodies the values that define Launch That. He’s been instrumental in shaping our culture, building high-performing teams, and ensuring we stay ahead of the curve. His leadership has earned the trust of our team, our partners, and our board, and I can’t think of a more capable person to lead Launch That into its next phase.”

Gene, who previously served as CEO, will transition into the role of Executive Chairman, where he will continue to support David in driving Launch That’s long-term growth strategy.

David Palombo’s Vision for the Future

As the new CEO, David is focused on expanding Launch That’s portfolio of digital brands, fostering an environment where experts thrive, and continuing the company’s commitment to innovation. His leadership will ensure that Launch That maintains its position as a leader in performance marketing, driving impactful results for clients across the nation.

On his promotion, David shared, “I’m honored to step into the role of CEO and continue serving the incredible team and businesses we’ve built together. I’m committed to driving our vision forward—by investing in our people, strengthening our businesses, innovating with purpose, and leading us toward an even brighter future.”

A Look Back at Launch That’s Growth

Founded in 2007, Launch That has grown from a small startup to an industry leader, helping people make life’s critical decisions by connecting them with experts and trusted information. Today, the company continues to leverage data, content, AI, and strategic marketing to reach millions of people, further solidifying its role in shaping the future of how people access and engage with vital resources.

With David Palombo’s appointment as CEO, Launch That is poised for continued success, innovation, and leadership in the performance marketing space. His deep experience and forward-thinking approach will drive the company toward its next phase of growth. As Launch That continues to help people connect with trusted information, David’s leadership will be central to shaping the company’s bright future.

Sinch, a leader in digital customer communications, has been recognized as an Essential App for HubSpot, further solidifying the strategic partnership between the two companies. This milestone coincides with the launch of HubSpot’s new Custom Channels API, which enables businesses to integrate trusted communication channels like Sinch’s directly into HubSpot’s Conversations Inbox. This integration allows businesses to manage RCS, SMS, and MMS communications alongside email, chat, and social messaging — all in one unified inbox.

Strengthening the HubSpot-Sinch Partnership

The partnership between Sinch and HubSpot has always been built on shared values of customer-first innovation and trusted collaboration. With the launch of the Custom Channels API, this collaboration now enables businesses to seamlessly manage all their communications in one place, making customer engagement more streamlined and impactful.

Benefits of the Sinch and HubSpot Integration:

• Unified Inbox: Businesses can now track, manage, and respond to SMS, MMS, and RCS messages directly within HubSpot’s Conversations Inbox, alongside other communication channels like email and chat.

• Improved Efficiency: The new integration centralizes all customer communications in one platform, improving internal collaboration and enabling more personalized and responsive interactions.

• Enhanced Customer Engagement: With the ability to manage multiple messaging channels from a single inbox, businesses can deliver richer, more personalized customer experiences.

Comments from Sinch Leadership

Chris Thompson, VP of Ecosystems at Sinch, commented on this significant achievement, saying, "It's a testament to our focus on bringing the best communications tools to businesses using HubSpot. Our product and partner teams have worked closely with HubSpot to create an inbox environment that meets the needs of today’s businesses. The partnership we have with HubSpot has led to opportunities like this, and we're proud to play a key role in shaping the future of customer engagement."

Thompson further emphasized, “By supporting this integration, we’re helping businesses keep track of their communications for even better customer engagement. We’re excited to strengthen our partnership with HubSpot and continue delivering exceptional messaging experiences that empower businesses worldwide.”

A Testament to Sinch’s Mobile Messaging Expertise

Being named an Essential App for HubSpot is not only a testament to Sinch’s ongoing commitment to innovation but also highlights its mobile messaging expertise. Sinch has long been a leader in providing businesses with innovative communication solutions that allow them to engage with customers in meaningful ways.

The Importance of the Custom Channels API

The launch of HubSpot’s Custom Channels API marks a significant advancement in the way businesses can integrate various communication channels. As a launch partner for this new API, Sinch ensures that businesses can easily connect with customers across multiple messaging platforms, without leaving the HubSpot ecosystem.

This new integration strengthens the HubSpot ecosystem and enriches the customer experience, further aligning Sinch’s goal of helping businesses create authentic, lasting connections with their audience.

Sinch’s recognition as an Essential App for HubSpot signifies a new era of integrated, streamlined customer communication. By bringing RCS, SMS, and MMS communications into HubSpot’s unified inbox, Sinch is empowering businesses to provide more responsive, personalized, and impactful customer experiences. With this integration, Sinch continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital customer engagement.

Larry Adams, Founder and CEO of XStereotype, has been named to the 2025 AI Trailblazers Power 100, a prestigious list presented by Adweek and AI Trailblazers. This list recognizes 100 of the most innovative minds driving the transformation of business and culture through artificial intelligence. Adams is honored for his leadership in developing Safeguard IQ, XStereotype’s proprietary suite of AI models that safeguard content and elevate performance in a culturally intelligent and emotionally resonant way.

The Vision Behind Safeguard IQ

At the heart of Adams’ recognition is Safeguard IQ, an AI-driven trust layer designed for generative AI. Safeguard IQ helps companies ensure their AI outputs are contextually intelligent, bias-aware, emotionally resonant, and optimized for conversion — all while offering a seamless API for easy integration across platforms like Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, and ChatGPT.

Safeguard IQ has already set a new standard in responsible AI performance. The solution is currently one of only 35 AI API solutions available on the Google Cloud Marketplace, which is a significant achievement in the fast-evolving AI landscape.

Features of Safeguard IQ:

• Contextual Intelligence: Ensures AI outputs are contextually appropriate and aligned with user expectations.

• Bias Awareness: Helps businesses address and eliminate biases in their AI-generated content.

• Emotional Resonance: Elevates content to engage users emotionally, enhancing brand connection and loyalty.

• Optimization for Conversion: Focuses on improving the performance of AI-generated content in business applications.

Thought Leadership and Innovation

Adams has been recognized for his innovative thinking, particularly in the development of Safeguard IQ, which takes a human-aware approach to AI ethics. According to Adams, "We keep asking AI to be smarter, but maybe the smartest thing we can do is make it more human-aware." This recognition validates his belief that intelligent AI starts with inclusive AI, ensuring that technology better understands the diversity of human experiences.

Adams collaborated with psychologists, neuroscientists, and statisticians to power Safeguard IQ with over 50 million proprietary data points gathered from real human interactions. This vast pool of data is used to assess and optimize content across more than 40 dimensions, including bias, authenticity, emotional tone, sentiment, and purchasing intent.

Safeguard IQ’s Impact on Business and Culture

The Safeguard IQ solution is trusted by leading companies and brands seeking to align their AI-generated outputs with both cultural intelligence and business performance. By helping businesses create content that resonates, performs, and respects the people it reaches, Safeguard IQ plays a pivotal role in the growing focus on ethical AI.

This milestone is a significant recognition of Adams’ ongoing work at XStereotype and the company’s mission to drive responsible, AI-powered transformation.

Larry Adams’ inclusion in the 2025 AI Trailblazers Power 100 reflects his pioneering efforts to develop AI systems that are not only smart but also more inclusive and human-aware. Through Safeguard IQ, Adams and his team at XStereotype are reshaping how businesses and brands use AI technology to connect with their audiences in a more thoughtful, responsible, and effective way. This recognition underscores the growing importance of ethical AI in today’s digital world and Adams’ role as a trailblazer in this transformative space.

Validity, Inc., a leading provider of marketing success and customer data intelligence solutions, has successfully completed the acquisition of Litmus, a global leader in email optimization and testing solutions. This acquisition marks a significant step forward in Validity’s mission to offer marketers a comprehensive platform for creating, optimizing, delivering, and monitoring high-performing email campaigns at scale.

Strengthening Validity’s Marketing Platform

With the addition of Litmus, Validity enhances its already robust suite of tools, allowing customers to benefit from a seamless, end-to-end experience in their email marketing efforts. The combined platform will offer solutions that span the entire email marketing lifecycle—from contact data validation and enrichment to design, personalization, deliverability optimization, and continuous campaign monitoring.

This integration will ensure that marketing teams can improve their ROI, boost engagement, and enhance inbox placement. It will also allow businesses to leverage their existing marketing systems and email service providers (ESPs), ensuring greater value from their current marketing investments.

Benefits of the Acquisition:

• End-to-End Email Marketing: From contact validation to campaign optimization.

• Seamless Integration: Works with existing marketing systems and ESPs.

• Next-Generation Personalization: Enhanced capabilities for dynamic, targeted messaging.

• Better ROI: Tools that drive engagement, deliverability, and conversion.

Mark Briggs on the Acquisition

Mark Briggs, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Validity, expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating, “For years, thousands of the world’s leading brands have relied on Validity’s marketing success platform to increase engagement and grow faster with better digital marketing campaigns. I’m thrilled to welcome Litmus to the Validity family and immediately bring to our customers a unified platform that ensures emails are visually compelling, optimized, and personalized for maximum engagement.”

This acquisition enables Validity to offer best-in-class tools for optimizing email marketing strategies. The platform now ensures emails are not only visually engaging but also data-driven, positioning them to maximize effectiveness through the power of personalization and AI-driven insights.

Erik Nierenberg on Litmus’s Role

Erik Nierenberg, CEO of Litmus, shared his enthusiasm for the acquisition, saying, “Combining Litmus’s leadership in pre-send optimization and personalization with Validity’s comprehensive platform and customer service culture is a big win for customers and the marketing community.”

The merger will further empower email marketers to develop data-optimized email campaigns while improving conversion rates, ensuring they reach the right audience with the right content at the right time.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Email Marketing

The acquisition of Litmus positions Validity at the forefront of the rapidly evolving digital marketing landscape, where automation, AI, and personalization are reshaping how businesses engage with customers. By integrating Litmus's pre-send optimization with Validity’s broader marketing intelligence capabilities, the company will provide unmatched value to marketers worldwide.

With a focus on innovative email solutions, campaign performance, and customer-centric marketing, Validity and Litmus are poised to lead the next generation of email marketing strategies that deliver maximum impact.

Validity’s acquisition of Litmus sets the stage for the next chapter in email marketing optimization. By combining their expertise in data validation, personalization, and pre-send optimization, they are creating a powerful platform designed to help businesses improve engagement, increase ROI, and drive long-term success in their email marketing campaigns.

Shea & Company, LLC and Barclays Capital, Inc. acted as financial advisors to Validity, while Nixon Peabody LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP provided legal counsel. Evercore acted as the exclusive financial advisor for Litmus, and Choate Hall & Stewart LLP provided legal advisory.

Veritone, Inc., a leader in human-centered enterprise AI solutions, proudly announces that its AI-powered media access and analytics platform, Veritone Discovery, has been awarded the 2025 Future’s Best of Show Award by TV Tech at the 2025 NAB Show.

This prestigious recognition highlights Veritone Discovery for its innovation, robust features, and its real-world application in the broadcast and media industry. The Best of Show Awards were evaluated by a panel of expert engineers and industry veterans, acknowledging the products that demonstrate significant value and potential in the industry.

Revolutionizing Media Access and Analytics

Veritone Discovery is transforming the way broadcasters and media organizations search, analyze, and monetize their content in near real-time. Unlike traditional methods, Discovery leverages AI to turn scattered, unstructured media assets like archives, broadcasts, and live streams into searchable, discoverable data. This transformation is pivotal in helping broadcasters unlock the true value of their content.

Features and Benefits:

• AI-Powered Search: Quickly find spoken words, faces, logos, objects, and more with just a few clicks.

• Natural Language Search: Use intuitive, natural language queries to find key moments without complex search terms, thanks to the new Search Assistant feature.

• Real-Time Sponsorship Tracking: Automatically track sponsorships, mentions, endorsements, and billboards, including unlogged mentions, in real-time.

• Compliance and Proof of Delivery: Speed up airchecks by easily searching for ad compliance and proof of delivery checks.

• Sponsor Intelligence: The platform’s Sponsor Intelligence tool helps broadcasters track both paid and earned mentions, distinguishing between ad placements and organic brand coverage.

Sean King on the Recognition

Sean King, Chief Revenue Officer at Veritone, expressed his honor in receiving this recognition from TV Tech. “We’re honored to receive this recognition, especially at a time when AI is redefining how media professionals interact with their content,” King said. He further emphasized the transformation brought by Veritone Discovery: “Discovery empowers broadcasters to work smarter by unlocking the true value of their media. Audio and video content isn’t just media—it’s data.”

Veritone Discovery’s ability to repurpose, share, and monetize previously inaccessible content, along with its ability to organize media into structured, actionable data, positions it as a powerful tool for broadcasters looking to gain deeper insights and maximize their content’s potential.

Veritone’s Commitment to AI Innovation

Veritone Discovery is built on Veritone’s aiWARE™ operating system, a robust platform that integrates multiple AI applications to empower users to make more informed decisions. Veritone’s commitment to AI innovation is central to transforming industries such as broadcasting, where vast amounts of content are generated but often remain unoptimized.

By utilizing natural language search and AI-driven insights, Discovery allows broadcasters to extract the most relevant content faster and more accurately than traditional methods. Whether it’s for compliance checks, sponsorship tracking, or audience insights, Veritone Discovery is changing the landscape of media management.

The 2025 Future’s Best of Show Award marks a significant achievement for Veritone Discovery, underscoring its role in redefining how broadcasting and media organizations interact with their content. By leveraging AI, machine learning, and natural language processing, Veritone is pioneering new solutions that allow broadcasters to search, analyze, and monetize their media in ways that were once impossible.

Veritone’s Discovery platform empowers broadcasters to unlock the true value of their content, enabling them to make smarter decisions and deliver more personalized, engaging experiences to their audiences. With this award, Veritone continues to cement its position as an industry leader in AI-powered media solutions.

As digital transformation reshapes buyer behavior, traditional sales tactics like cold calling and hard-sell advertising are losing relevance. Instead, content marketing has emerged as a powerful strategy, prioritizing value, trust, and long-term audience engagement. This shift is helping brands connect meaningfully with their audiences while driving sustainable business growth.

1. The Shift in Buyer Behavior

• Modern consumers are more informed and autonomous in their purchase decisions.

• Outbound methods (e.g., cold calls, generic pitches) are increasingly ineffective.

• Content marketing aligns with user intent, offering educational and helpful resources.

• Content formats like blogs, videos, and guides assist in self-paced decision-making.

2. Trust and Authority as Core Assets

• Consistent, informative content builds trust and brand authority.

• High-quality content fosters credibility and influences buyer decisions.

• Content marketing encourages conversation, not interruption.

• Long-form assets like articles or videos drive engagement over time.

3. Cost Efficiency and Long-Term ROI

• Traditional sales need continuous investment (ads, cold outreach).

• Content requires upfront effort but delivers lasting results.

• SEO-optimized content attracts organic traffic with minimal upkeep.

• Data from content interactions help refine future strategies.

4. Adapting to Multi-Channel Experiences

• The buyer journey spans multiple devices, platforms, and timeframes.

• Content marketing supports touchpoints across the entire journey.

• Formats include blogs, newsletters, podcasts, FAQs, and case studies.

• Businesses can guide users softly across platforms without pushy tactics.

5. Measurable Performance and Data Insights

• Every content piece offers measurable data (clicks, bounce rate, conversions).

• These insights allow continuous improvement and targeted messaging.

• Unlike traditional methods, content marketing adapts to real-time feedback.

• Data transparency leads to more precise and effective campaigns.

6. Sustainable Marketing in a Skeptical Market

• Audiences are wary of aggressive selling but open to valuable content.

• Educational, problem-solving content builds authentic connections.

• Shifting from persuasion to participation fosters loyalty.

• Content positions brands as trusted advisors rather than mere sellers.

The decline of traditional sales tactics signals a broader transformation in how brands connect with their audiences. Content marketing—rooted in trust, relevance, and adaptability—offers a scalable, measurable, and sustainable way to engage today’s informed consumers. As digital behavior continues to evolve, companies that prioritize content over cold calls will not just survive but thrive.