Rokt, the global leader in ecommerce optimization, has announced a $300 million investment in mParticle, a leading customer data platform (CDP). This strategic partnership aims to revolutionize ecommerce, advertising, and customer experiences by combining Rokt’s expertise in transaction moment relevancy with mParticle’s real-time CDP capabilities.

This merger enhances innovation in real-time data activation, empowering businesses to unlock the potential of their customer data and drive significant performance improvements.

1. Investment and Vision

   • Rokt’s $300 million investment will double mParticle’s funding to accelerate product innovation and delivery.
   • The partnership aims to redefine how businesses activate customer data in real time, boosting ecommerce and advertising outcomes.

   Performance Impact: Joint clients have reported up to a 50% improvement in consumer and business outcomes when using mParticle.

2. Leadership Insights

   • Bruce Buchanan, CEO and Co-founder, Rokt:
     "This merger brings a significant performance lift to our clients, enabling them to unlock moments that matter most."
   • Michael Katz, CEO, mParticle:
     "By combining mParticle and Rokt’s capabilities, businesses can create real-time, meaningful connections with customers while maintaining full ownership and control over their data."

3. Enhanced Customer Data Capabilities

   • Brands will maintain complete control over first-party data, ensuring alignment with data privacy and compliance standards.
   • The merger will deliver new solutions allowing businesses to activate customer data in real time to achieve measurable business outcomes.

4. Executive Team Expansion

   • Michael Katz will continue as CEO of mParticle.
   • Andrew Katz will become Chief Technology Officer of Rokt, leading innovation and data security.
   • Jason Lynn will remain Chief Product Officer of mParticle.
   • All three mParticle founders will join Rokt’s executive team.

5. Rokt’s Continued Growth

   • Revenue grew over 40% year-over-year, reaching $600 million in 2024.
   • Acquisitions and Innovations:
     • Acquired AfterSell and launched ACE, a generative AI tool optimizing ad spend.
   • Key Appointments in 2024:
     • Jacqueline Purcell, Chief Financial Officer.
     • Claire Southey, Chief Product Development Officer.

The Rokt and mParticle merger marks a significant milestone in ecommerce and data-driven customer experience. By combining their expertise, the partnership aims to empower brands with real-time relevance, innovation, and data control, setting new standards for success in a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.

AdOmni, a global leader in digital-first advertising, has announced the launch of its new program, Smart Video Everywhere, to enhance video advertising capabilities. Designed to address fragmented media consumption, this innovation allows brands to seamlessly connect with audiences across in-home streaming, digital out-of-home (DOOH), and online video platforms.

1. Purpose of Smart Video Everywhere

   • The program addresses challenges of fragmented video inventory and disjointed campaign management.
   • Offers brands a unified approach to reaching consumers across their daily journey—whether at home, commuting, shopping, or on-the-go.

2. Performance Benefits

   • 20% Higher ROI: Cross-channel campaigns deliver increased efficiency.
   • Reduced Media Waste: Enhanced targeting reduces waste by 20%.
   • 50% Unique, Unduplicated Reach: Broadens audience engagement.
   • 35% Higher Ad Recall: Ensures impactful campaign results.

3. Platform Differentiators

   • Unified Cross-Channel Buying: Integrates CTV, Online Video, YouTube, and DOOH for enhanced performance.
   • Premium Inventory: Exclusive access to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.
   • Holistic Reporting and Attribution: Advanced transparency through cross-channel reporting.
   • AI-Powered Efficiency: Enables smarter targeting and real-time insights for creative optimization.

4. CEO Insights

   • Jonathan Gudai, CEO, AdOmni:
     "Our mission is to simplify how brands connect with audiences using cutting-edge technology. Smart Video Everywhere enables brands to create cohesive stories across touchpoints, resonating at every moment of the consumer journey."

5. Empowering Growth Brands and Agencies

   • Democratizes access to high-quality video inventory and measurement tools.
   • Provides growth brands and independent agencies with resources to achieve better cross-channel campaign results.

AdOmni’s Smart Video Everywhere program signifies its evolution into a holistic video advertising platform, empowering brands to navigate fragmented media consumption with seamless cross-channel campaigns. This innovative solution enhances performance, reduces inefficiencies, and helps advertisers connect meaningfully with their audiences.

A robust and diverse digital marketing mix is set to be a cornerstone of leasing success in 2025, as highlighted in Rent.’s latest report, "The State of Multifamily Marketing in 2025." The report emphasizes the growing need for qualified leads and precise audience targeting, pushing marketing teams to adopt diverse channels such as social media, paid search, geofencing, and digital display advertising.

1. Shifting Marketing Strategies

   • Multifamily marketing is evolving with increased owner involvement and AI adoption, marking a shift toward data-driven, highly-targeted strategies.
   • Kathy Neumann, Rent.’s CMO, highlights, "Forward-thinking teams realize the need to diversify channel approaches to stay competitive and secure valuable leads."

2. Industry Challenges

   • Economic Uncertainty:
     • Falling rents and increased supply in many regions have amplified concerns about renters meeting move-in qualifications.
     • 65% of multifamily professionals identify qualifying prospects as a top concern, mirroring renter anxieties about costs and fees.

3. Adoption of Diverse Marketing Channels

   • While Internet Listing Services (ILS) remain the foundation of multifamily marketing (used by 88% of teams), other channels are gaining prominence:
     • Social Media & Paid Search: Over 80% plan to maintain or increase budgets in 2025.
     • Emerging Technologies: Interest in geofencing and digital display advertising is growing, with 40% of marketers considering these for the first time.

4. Increased Owner Involvement

   • 47% of multifamily professionals report more owner involvement in marketing efforts, seeking improved results.
   • 67% of marketing professionals find precise audience targeting technology crucial for meeting leasing goals.

5. AI as a Game Changer

   • AI is emerging as a critical tool for marketing efficiency, resident acquisition, and retention.
   • Although only one-third of professionals are currently comfortable using AI, there is widespread recognition of its benefits.
   • The report emphasizes the importance of training programs to help teams embrace AI and leverage it effectively.

Other Highlights

• Optimizing Marketing Efficiency: Teams are focusing on strategies to maximize renter acquisition in increasingly complex markets.
• Budget Utilization: Insights into how marketers aim to derive greater value from 2025 budgets.
• AI’s Role in Operations: From resident acquisition to retention, AI is becoming a top priority for multifamily professionals.

As the multifamily industry navigates economic uncertainties and a competitive landscape, a diversified digital marketing mix and the adoption of AI-driven solutions will be critical for success in 2025. Rent.’s report underscores the importance of innovation, training, and leveraging technology to address industry challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Quad/Graphics Inc., a marketing experience company known for addressing complex marketing challenges, has introduced At-Home Connect by Quad—a direct-mail platform that combines email-style personalization with the proven effectiveness of reaching consumers at home. This innovative solution merges print's strengths with digital insights, enabling true omnichannel marketing campaigns.

Key Features of At-Home Connect by Quad

1. Bridging Print and Digital

   • The platform uses data-driven design and messaging integrated with multiple media touchpoints for precision-timed, omnichannel engagement.
   • Brands can foster stronger, more personalized connections with audiences across various channels.

2. Addressing Digital Marketing Challenges

   • In a cluttered digital landscape where consumers encounter:
     • 10,000 digital ads daily
     • Over 80 emails per day
     • High unsubscribe rates and widespread use of ad blockers
   • Direct mail provides a tangible and impactful alternative.

3. Consumer-Triggered Direct Mail

   • Personalized campaigns triggered by consumer behaviors such as:
     • Birthdays
     • Loyalty anniversaries
     • Abandoned online shopping carts
   • Encourages upselling, lapsed customer re-engagement, and purchase completion.

4. Seamless Workflow Automation

   • The platform automates tasks including personalization, printing, mail sorting, and in-home delivery.
   • Integration with CRM systems and marketing automation platforms ensures a cohesive omnichannel strategy.

5. Cost Efficiency and ROI Optimization

   • Quad's robust direct-mail infrastructure reduces delivery costs and maximizes return on ad spend (ROAS).

Statements from Leadership

“Consumers today are overwhelmed by digital clutter, making it increasingly challenging for marketers to connect meaningfully,” said George Forge, Senior Vice President of Client Technology and Product Development at Quad.
“With At-Home Connect, marketers can engage consumers across their preferred channels—whether online, through email or text, or via their physical mailbox. This solution enables deeper connections and more impactful engagement.”

The Power of Direct Mail in Modern Marketing

• Standout Performance:
  In a digital-first world, direct mail remains a uniquely effective tool for cutting through noise.
• Real-Time Personalization:
  Signal-based mail solutions provide tailored experiences based on customer data.
• Omnichannel Advantage:
  Completes the marketing ecosystem, ensuring consistent messaging across all platforms.

Quad’s At-Home Connect platform redefines direct mail by integrating digital insights, automation, and personalization to create impactful omnichannel campaigns. By addressing digital fatigue and offering cost-effective solutions, this innovation enables marketers to drive meaningful engagement and improve customer journeys.

Illumio Inc., the leader in breach containment, has appointed Karl Van den Bergh as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). With over 25 years of leadership experience, Van den Bergh will focus on scaling global marketing efforts and increasing awareness of Illumio's breach containment platform, particularly its Zero Trust Segmentation (ZTS) for securing hybrid multi-cloud environments.

Key Points about Karl Van den Bergh’s Appointment

1. Extensive Experience in Cloud Marketing

   • 25+ years of experience in building market-leading brands and driving innovation at global technology companies.
   • Prior roles include CMO at Gigamon, DataStax, and TIBCO, where he was instrumental in driving growth and establishing thought leadership in cloud technologies.

2. Focus on Breach Containment and ZTS

   • Van den Bergh’s primary focus will be raising awareness about Illumio's Zero Trust Segmentation (ZTS) platform, which helps organizations secure their hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
   • His leadership will aim to solidify Illumio as a vital solution for businesses striving to prevent cyber disasters.

3. Proven Leadership in Cloud Technology

   • At Gigamon, Van den Bergh spearheaded a marketing strategy that positioned the company as a leader in Deep Observability, addressing security gaps in hybrid multi-cloud environments.
   • At DataStax, he led initiatives that drove the company’s success in real-time AI and cloud-based solutions.

Statements from Leadership

“Karl is a world-class business and marketing leader with a deep understanding of how to align strategy and execution to drive market demand,” said Andrew Rubin, co-founder and CEO of Illumio.
“As organizations face mounting pressure to maintain resilience in an ‘assume breach’ world, Karl’s expertise in cloud marketing will be crucial in highlighting Illumio’s role in securing hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures.”

Karl Van den Bergh’s Vision

“Organizations today are under constant threat, and the growing complexity of hybrid multi-cloud environments only adds to the challenge,” said Karl Van den Bergh, Illumio's new CMO.
“I’m excited to join a company with a compelling mission to help organizations protect their critical assets and reduce cyber risk. I look forward to amplifying Illumio’s story and driving our next phase of growth.”

Karl Van den Bergh’s appointment as CMO marks a new chapter for Illumio, aligning marketing strategy with the company’s mission to provide innovative breach containment solutions. His expertise in cloud marketing will accelerate Illumio’s growth and its position as a leader in securing hybrid multi-cloud environments.

Wealthtender, a pioneering platform in the financial advisory space, is revolutionizing how advisors attract clients. By combining regulatory-compliant online reviews with cutting-edge marketing tools, Wealthtender continues to lead the way in helping advisors build trust and credibility with prospects. With the launch of the Testimonial Marketing Studio™, advisors can now transform client testimonials into powerful marketing assets effortlessly.

1. The Significance of Testimonial Marketing Studio™

• What it offers:
  • Access to professionally designed video and image templates.
  • Seamless import of online reviews from Wealthtender into marketing projects with two clicks.
  • Creation of compliance-friendly social media content and marketing materials in under two minutes.
• Impact: Helps advisors convert prospects into clients by leveraging client testimonials effectively.

2. A Milestone in Regulatory-Compliant Marketing

• Wealthtender was the first platform enabling advisors to compliantly collect and publish online reviews.
• Testimonial Marketing Studio™ builds on this by offering innovative tools to promote testimonials.

3. Advisor Insights: Simplifying Marketing Efforts

• Denise Milano Sprung, Marketing Director at Mitlin Financial, highlights:
  • Ease of use: Creating a social media graphic in just a few clicks.
  • Time-saving: Reduces design time from 15–40 minutes to just two minutes.
• Real-world impact: Mitlin Financial has tripled its growth organically over the last four years.

4. The Growing Role of Online Reviews in Professional Services

• Over 80% of consumers read online reviews before hiring professionals like doctors, lawyers, and financial advisors.
• Since the SEC's marketing rule in 2021, advisors have leveraged testimonial marketing to build trust with prospects.

5. Wealthtender’s Vision for the Future

• Brian Thorp, CEO of Wealthtender, emphasizes:
  • Thousands of five-star reviews have been collected since 2021.
  • Testimonial Marketing Studio empowers advisors to amplify the impact of client feedback in their marketing initiatives.

With Testimonial Marketing Studio™, Wealthtender redefines how financial advisors harness client testimonials to foster trust and drive business growth. By simplifying compliance and boosting marketing efficiency, this innovation equips advisors with a competitive edge in an increasingly trust-driven market.

Magnite, the largest independent sell-side advertising platform, has expanded its partnership with Samsung Ads to bring programmatic advertising to Samsung TV Plus in Southeast Asia. This collaboration marks the first-time advertisers in Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand can programmatically access premium video inventory on Samsung's free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service, Samsung TV Plus.

1. Samsung TV Plus Expansion in Southeast Asia

• Samsung TV Plus now available across millions of Samsung Smart TVs in Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand.
• Features free, instant access to live TV channels, including popular content like MythBusters, Survivor, and Deal or No Deal.
• Plans for additional global and local channels in early 2025.

2. Partnership Highlights

• Magnite provides programmatic access to Samsung TV Plus’ premium video inventory.
• Advertisers gain a new channel to reach audiences through in-stream and native ads.
• The collaboration reflects the growing demand for ad-supported streaming content in Southeast Asia.

3. Market Opportunity in Southeast Asia

• Gavin Buxton, Managing Director, Asia at Magnite, notes:
  • Increased Smart TV adoption and ad-supported streaming content consumption create significant opportunities.
  • Samsung TV Plus’ premium inventory is well-positioned to capitalize on this transformation.
• Magnite’s streaming technology streamlines programmatic activation for advertisers.

4. Samsung Ads' Vision for Growth

• Alex Spurzem, Managing Director, Samsung Ads SEAO, emphasizes:
  • Seven in ten TV viewers in the region watch ad-supported streaming content.
  • Samsung TV Plus’ FAST service provides advertisers with a fresh way to connect with this audience.
  • Magnite plays a key role in scaling programmatic availability for brands and agencies.

The partnership between Magnite and Samsung Ads positions Samsung TV Plus as a premier platform for programmatic advertising in Southeast Asia. With increasing adoption of Smart TVs and growing demand for ad-supported streaming, this collaboration empowers advertisers to reach their target audience effectively while capitalizing on premium inventory.

Dynamic Drive Pool (DDP) by Ardis Technologies has announced an innovative partnership with Axle AI to enhance its storage solutions. With the inclusion of Axle AI Media Asset Management (MAM) in every purchase of the DDP storage system across the APAC and Middle East regions, users can now experience enhanced media workflows, streamlined asset organization, and improved project efficiency.

1. Advanced Media Management with Axle AI MAM

• Features include:
  • Proxy generation for efficient workflows.
  • Advanced cataloging and metadata management.
  • Powerful search functionalities for easy file location.
• Seamless integration with leading editing tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Apple Final Cut Pro.

2. Key Benefits of the Integration

• Enhanced Remote Access
  • Teams can access streamable video proxies and media assets remotely.
  • Facilitates productivity and collaboration across multiple locations.
• Optimized Workflows
  • Editors use low-resolution proxies for editing, with originals securely stored on DDP.
  • Minimizes file transfers and reduces bandwidth usage.

3. Optional Advanced Capabilities

• AI-powered tools:
  • Scene understanding, semantic vector search, speech transcription, face recognition, and logo recognition.
  • Workflow automation via Axle AI Tags and Connectr.
• Support for advanced formats:
  • Native cataloging and proxy generation for formats like R3D RAW, ARRI RAW, and Avid MXF Op-Atom media.

4. Scalable and Reliable Storage

• DDP’s media-centric storage features include:
  • Caching, tiering, and folder volumes.
  • Hard link support for large-scale operations.

5. Industry Insights

• Elvin Jasarevic, Managing Director of DDP APAC and Middle East, stated:
  • “This partnership combines DDP's advanced storage solutions with Axle AI’s robust media management tools, providing customers with an innovative platform to simplify media workflows, enhance accessibility, and accelerate project timelines.”

The integration of Axle AI MAM with DDP storage systems marks a significant leap forward for media professionals. By offering enhanced media management, streamlined workflows, and scalable storage, this collaboration empowers users across the APAC and Middle East regions to optimize their media operations and achieve greater efficiency.