IQM, a global media buying platform specializing in regulated verticals, has announced four key additions to its executive team. These strategic hires underscore IQM’s commitment to scaling its operations and delivering tailored solutions for industries such as healthcare and politics.

1. Leadership Appointments Overview

• Varun Athi joins as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, focusing on operational scalability and financial performance.
• Vai Gupta, Chief Product Officer, will spearhead product innovation in programmatic media buying and audience intelligence.
• Amanda Levi steps in as Head of Human Resources to enhance company culture and empower employees.
• Tony Sherry, General Manager, Healthcare, will oversee IQM’s healthcare division, driving growth and operational excellence.

2. Varun Athi’s Role and Expertise

• Based in New York, Athi brings leadership experience from Stova, Lumar, and Wonder.
• Focused on capturing market opportunities while ensuring operational excellence.

3. Vai Gupta’s Vision for Product Innovation

• Based in California, Gupta has a robust background in adtech, with experience founding Applift, Bidstalk, and Airpush.
• Plans to refine IQM’s platform to serve niche industries like political and healthcare advertising.

4. Amanda Levi’s Commitment to Employee Success

• Based in Washington, D.C., Levi brings experience from Premion, Tegna, and Aramark.
• Aims to foster a strong, supportive workplace culture with a clear HR roadmap.

5. Tony Sherry’s Healthcare Focus

• Based in New York, Sherry will lead IQM’s healthcare vertical, integrating Sales, Ad Operations, and Client Success.
• Previous roles at Swoop, DeepIntent, and Data360 equip him with deep industry expertise.

6. CEO Kris Qiu’s Vision for IQM’s Future

• Emphasized the importance of assembling a leadership team that aligns with the enthusiasm of clients and employees.
• Anticipates transformative solutions driven by this dynamic team.

With these strategic executive appointments, IQM is poised to expand its leadership in programmatic media buying for regulated verticals. The expertise of Athi, Gupta, Levi, and Sherry promises a bright future of innovation and growth for the company.

Brightcove, the trusted leader in streaming technology, has unveiled new platform enhancements through strategic partnerships, including a notable collaboration with Acquia. These advancements aim to streamline video content management, distribution, and monetization while enabling businesses to build cohesive martech stacks.

1. Strategic Partnerships for Enhanced Customer Value

• Brightcove collaborates with Acquia to provide integrated DAM and CMS capabilities.
• Partnership supports co-selling and co-marketing efforts for mutual customer success.
• Key industries benefiting include financial services, healthcare, technology, and media.

2. Seamless Martech Stack Integration

• Brightcove’s platform integrates with Acquia’s DAM and Drupal CMS to centralize asset storage and management.
• Features like Brightcove Video Connect for Drupal simplify video deployment from a single interface.
• Integration improves content deployment speed by up to 40%.

3. Benefits for Businesses Across Industries

• Empowers marketing teams to organize and activate video assets efficiently.
• Enhances interactive video experiences to boost viewer engagement.
• Provides detailed video insights to inform data-driven marketing strategies.

4. Comprehensive Video Solutions for Digital Strategy

• Combines back-end capabilities (DAM) with front-end user experiences (CMS).
• Helps organizations leverage video for lead generation, market visibility, and conversions.
• Supports campaign development and management within a unified environment.

5. Industry Leader Perspectives

• David Beck, COO of Brightcove: "Our partnerships empower marketers to fully leverage their content within one platform."
• Jake Athey, VP of Sales, Acquia: "This integration simplifies video asset management, empowering marketers to create seamless digital experiences."

6. Transforming Digital Experiences

• Brightcove’s APIs extend the reach of Acquia’s tools, driving broader adoption of video in digital experiences.
• Delivers an integrated solution for managing video assets across the customer journey.
• Enables system integrators and agencies to provide powerful DXP practices to clients.

Brightcove’s partnership with Acquia marks a significant milestone in video content management and digital experience transformation. By integrating powerful DAM and CMS capabilities, businesses can optimize their marketing strategies, enhance customer engagement, and achieve their goals with ease.

CoolerX, a leader in AI-driven retail media and digital merchandising technology, has announced the promotion of John Gomez to Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025. This marks a significant milestone as Gomez, previously President and COO, will now guide the company's strategic mission to deliver seamless, omnichannel retail media solutions that help retailers unlock new revenue streams.

1. Leadership Transition and New CEO Role

• John Gomez, with over 25 years of leadership experience, is set to take on the CEO role at CoolerX.
• Founder Arsen Avakian will transition to the CoolerX Board of Directors, continuing to support the company’s growth.
• Gomez will lead CoolerX’s strategic direction, focusing on innovation in retail media solutions.

2. Gomez’s Extensive Background in Retail Operations

• Previous roles include President and CEO of Cardenas Markets and Chief Merchant at Trader Joe’s.
• Gomez has held senior positions at Argo Tea, Panda Restaurant Group, and FedEx Office.
• His expertise in retail marketing, merchandising, and operations positions CoolerX for accelerated growth.

3. CoolerX’s Mission and Technological Achievements

• CoolerX is recognized for its award-winning technology, named best in-store technology by Digiday for both 2023 and 2024.
• The company focuses on delivering omnichannel retail media solutions that help retailers monetize new revenue streams.
• Gomez’s leadership is poised to drive CoolerX’s continued success in the evolving retail media space.

4. Avakian’s Continued Involvement and Focus on Innovation

• Founder Arsen Avakian will focus on incubating new ventures disrupting retail, media, and fintech industries.
• Avakian will continue providing sales, product innovation, and executive support from the Board of Directors.

5. Gomez’s Commitment to Environmental Stewardship

• Gomez serves as Vice Chairperson of the Board for the Western National Parks Association.
• His passion for nature and community engagement reflects a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.

6. Vision for the Future of Retail Media

• Gomez’s leadership is expected to enhance CoolerX’s ability to empower retailers with advanced media solutions.
• The company aims to help partners unlock the full potential of retail media revenue, adapting to the evolving market landscape.

With John Gomez stepping into the CEO role, CoolerX is positioned to further strengthen its leadership in the retail media industry. His expertise, combined with the continued innovation driven by Arsen Avakian, will ensure CoolerX delivers powerful omnichannel solutions that meet the needs of retailers in an ever-changing market.

NEC X, the Silicon Valley venture studio, celebrates Clikr’s graduation from its prestigious Elev X! Ignite program. With a strategic investment from NEC X, Clikr is transforming customer engagement through its AI-powered MarTech platform, enhancing authentic user-generated video content and reshaping brand interactions.

1. Clikr’s AI-Powered MarTech Innovation

• Offers advanced tools for shareable video reviews and feedback authenticity.
• Helps brands turn passive customers into loyal advocates.
• Creates monetization opportunities for users and influencers.

2. Impact on Brand Engagement and E-Commerce

• Drives deeper connections between brands and target audiences.
• Boosts product exposure, web traffic, and sales conversions.
• Recent research shows user-generated reviews can increase purchase likelihood by 270% or more.

3. NEC X’s Investment and Support

• NEC X invested in Clikr to scale its operations.
• Clikr participated in NEC X’s Elev X! Ignite program, refining its technology and business model.
• Collaboration with NEC technologies holds potential to enrich purchasing experiences.

4. Success in the Fashion and Beauty Industries

• Clikr is gaining traction as a go-to platform for fashion and beauty brands transitioning to social commerce.
• Features include shoppable videos, real-time creator impact monitoring, and top-advocate screening.

5. Quotes from Leaders

• Shintaro Matsumoto, CEO of NEC X: "Clikr embodies the spirit of innovation and excellence."
• Laura Khoudari-Rico, CEO of Clikr: "The Elev X! Ignite program has accelerated our growth and mission to transform customer engagement."

6. Elev X! Ignite Program Overview

• Six- to nine-month program supporting early-stage startups.
• Offers up to $200K in equity funding, engineering expertise, and R&D resources.
• Clikr joined as part of Batch 10, beginning in Q3 2023.

With NEC X’s support and the successful completion of the Elev X! Ignite program, Clikr is ready to revolutionize customer engagement and redefine how brands connect with audiences. Its innovative approach to social commerce positions Clikr for significant market impact and growth.

Psympl, an innovative marketing platform, has officially launched, introducing "Psychographic AI," a groundbreaking technology designed to analyze consumer motivations, interests, and behavioral data. This platform is specifically targeting the financial services and wealth management sectors to improve conversions and customer engagement.

• Psychographic AI Technology

  • Utilizes advanced algorithms to develop psychographic profiles of consumers.
  • Offers deeper insights into audience motivations, interests, and behaviors compared to traditional demographics.

• Focus on Financial Services and Wealth Management

  • Psympl is targeting businesses in the financial services and wealth management industries.
  • Aims to enhance campaign personalization and conversion rates.

• Quotes from Psympl's Leadership

  • Ran Mullins, Co-Founder and CEO, emphasizes the power of Psychographic AI in simplifying personalization and connecting with audiences on a meaningful level.
  • Brent Walker, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, highlights how the platform allows financial advisors to craft personalized strategies that foster stronger connections with clients.

• Operationalizing Psychographics

  • The platform integrates psychographic insights into campaign workflows.
  • Financial service businesses can optimize targeting, automate personalized messaging, and choose the right communication channels to maximize impact.

Psympl’s marketing platform is transforming the way businesses engage with audiences. By leveraging psychographic profiles, financial services and wealth managers can now deliver personalized, data-driven campaigns that improve customer experiences, boost engagement, and drive growth.

Vimeo, a leading platform for creators and enterprises, has announced the appointment of Irene Hendricks as its new Chief People Officer (CPO). Joining in August, Hendricks will focus on enhancing Vimeo’s people-first strategy and building an inclusive, positive, and engaging workplace culture to support the company’s continued growth and attract top-tier talent.

• Hendricks' Role and Responsibilities

  • As CPO, Hendricks will lead Vimeo’s human resources operations, prioritizing a culture of inclusivity, positivity, and engagement.
  • Focus on empowering Vimeans to push boundaries in video creation and deliver exceptional experiences to users.

• Leadership Quotes

  • Philip Moyer, CEO of Vimeo, expressed excitement about Hendricks' leadership, highlighting her proven success in building organizations and cultivating learning cultures.
  • Hendricks shared her enthusiasm for shaping Vimeo’s global culture and fostering a workplace that aligns with the company’s values of inclusivity and innovation.

• Hendricks’ Experience and Background

  • With over 25 years of experience, Hendricks has held leadership positions at prominent financial technology companies.
  • Previous roles include Chief People Officer at Acclara, Chief People Officer at DailyPay, and senior HR positions at MasterCard and Citi - Student Loans.

Irene Hendricks’ appointment as Vimeo’s Chief People Officer is a pivotal move to continue strengthening Vimeo’s culture and unlocking the full potential of its talent. With her extensive background in human resources and a commitment to nurturing inclusivity and innovation, Hendricks is set to empower Vimeo’s team to continue shaping the future of video creation.

iStock, a leading e-commerce platform for premium content, has released its 2025 Marketing Trends Report, offering SMBs actionable insights to thrive in a trust-driven marketplace. The report comes at a crucial time when consumer trust in social media is on the decline, but businesses still enjoy strong trust levels.

• Declining Trust in Social Media, Rising Trust in Businesses

  • According to iStock’s VisualGPS research, 81% of consumers distrust social media content, primarily due to misinformation.
  • In contrast, 64% of consumers trust businesses more than celebrities, influencers, or politicians, presenting an opportunity for SMBs to build authentic relationships.

• Real Talk: The Shift to Real-User Content (RUC)

  • Traditional influencer content is losing authenticity, with 67% of consumers finding traditional ads more authentic than influencer posts.
  • The trend is moving from User-Generated Content (UGC) to Real-User Content (RUC), where businesses create visuals that feel human and relatable, offering a more genuine and honest representation of their brand.

• Honesty: A New Form of Authenticity

  • Authenticity is evolving into radical honesty, where businesses embrace imperfections, share raw moments, and showcase behind-the-scenes content to build emotional connections.
  • 98% of consumers find authentic images and videos essential for earning trust, and businesses are encouraged to use humor and honesty to stand out from polished, overly curated content.

• The Role of AI in Building Trust

  • AI, particularly text-to-image Generative AI, is transforming content creation. However, for businesses to maintain consumer trust in 2025, AI-generated content should be transparent and ethically used.
  • Transparency is key, as 86% of consumers believe AI content should be labeled, and 74% support AI-generated content when used responsibly.
  • iStock’s AI generator allows businesses to create customizable, cost-effective visuals, helping them align images with their brand needs while ensuring ethical AI usage.

The 2025 marketing landscape for SMBs is defined by trust and transparency. By embracing Real-User Content, being radically honest, and using AI ethically, businesses can build deeper, lasting connections with their audiences. Trust-first strategies will be essential for SMBs aiming to lead in an increasingly authentic, consumer-driven marketplace.

TripleLift, the leading ad tech platform, has announced an expanded partnership with iSpot.tv, a prominent TV and video measurement company. This collaboration introduces Streaming Competitive insights to TripleLift's programmatic clients for the first time, offering enhanced competitive data that helps brands and agencies optimize their CTV investments.

• The Value of Streaming Competitive Insights

  • Access to competitive data enables brands to understand their CTV investments and benchmark against competitors.
  • This partnership empowers programmatic clients to make informed decisions on their CTV planning and maximize ROI.

• TripleLift’s Role in CTV Innovation

  • TripleLift is recognized for its leadership in the CTV space, continuously enhancing its offerings to provide added value to clients.
  • Andrew King, GM of CTV at TripleLift, highlights the partnership’s potential to provide clients with deeper insights into their CTV advertising spend.

• Incorporation of iSpot's Streaming Competitive Dashboard

  • iSpot's syndicated Streaming Competitive Dashboard will now be integrated into TripleLift’s platform, providing real-time performance data.
  • This tool allows clients to track CTV streaming advertisements' performance and media weight, something historically challenging due to fragmentation and inconsistent measurement standards.

• Key Metrics for Clients

  • Streaming Media Weight: Measures how a brand's investment compares to industry norms.
  • Streaming Share of Voice: Tracks a brand's exposure across CTV compared to industry competitors.
  • Clients can now view advertising activities on various CTV apps, monitor media weight, and compare their performance with linear media.

The partnership between TripleLift and iSpot.tv marks a significant advancement in the CTV advertising space, offering programmatic clients exclusive access to detailed competitive insights. By leveraging these tools, businesses can optimize their streaming investments, ensuring better performance and increased strategic impact.