Apply Digital, a global digital transformation partner, has acquired Ragnarok, a leading personalization and MarTech agency. This strategic acquisition strengthens Apply Digital’s customer engagement and omnichannel marketing capabilities, enhancing its ability to drive impactful business results for clients.

Enhancing Digital Capabilities

• The acquisition enables Apply Digital to support clients across the entire digital lifecycle, from strategy and experience design to engineering and data-driven marketing.
• Ragnarok brings deep expertise in direct marketing, personalization, and data analytics, complementing Apply Digital’s strengths in technology and digital experience design.
• The partnership expands expertise in enterprise MarTech platforms, including Braze, Segment, Mixpanel, Hightouch, and Iterable.

Leadership Insights on the Acquisition

Gautam Lohia, CEO of Apply Digital:

“Ragnarok’s expertise in personalization and data-driven marketing perfectly aligns with our vision. This partnership allows us to provide clients with fully integrated customer engagement strategies beyond building digital products.”

Steven Aldrich, Co-CEO of Ragnarok:

“Together, we offer large enterprises a seamless solution for accelerating digital transformation. With enhanced access to data and technology, we will help clients unlock new growth opportunities.”

Spencer Barrett, Co-CEO of Ragnarok:

“This deal benefits both our clients and teams. We gain exposure to new markets, new skills, and expanded opportunities to innovate.”

Ragnarok’s Market Impact

• Founded in 2012 by Spencer Barrett and Steven Aldrich, Ragnarok has built a reputation for delivering measurable marketing impact through personalization and direct engagement strategies.
• The company serves e-commerce, media, SaaS, healthcare, and FinTech sectors, working with brands such as Dropbox, Upside, and A+E Networks.
• With a team of 50 specialists, Ragnarok strengthens Apply Digital’s ability to create customer-centric, data-driven solutions.

Cultural Alignment and Shared Vision

Beyond the strategic fit, the acquisition is rooted in a shared culture of innovation and collaboration. Apply Digital and Ragnarok both emphasize relationship-driven business models that prioritize client success and team growth.

Gautam Lohia, CEO of Apply Digital:

“Both companies were founded on strong relationships and a shared commitment to innovation. This foundation makes for a powerful partnership.”

The Apply Digital-Ragnarok acquisition marks a significant milestone in the MarTech space, reinforcing Apply Digital’s leadership in digital transformation. Clients will benefit from end-to-end digital solutions, spanning product development, personalization, and customer engagement strategies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the sales industry, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and profitability. To explore these innovations, Techsommet is hosting the AI-Driven Sales Automation Virtual Summit on March 25, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET. This event will provide sales professionals, marketers, and business leaders with expert insights, real-world applications, and AI-driven strategies to optimize sales performance.

Keynote Speaker: Ryan Mathers, Sales Engineering Team Lead, Bigtincan

Techsommet is honored to welcome Ryan Mathers as the keynote speaker. With extensive experience in AI-driven sales enablement, Mathers will share invaluable insights on how businesses can leverage AI to redefine sales strategies and enhance productivity.

Keynote Address: "Leveraging AI to Redefine Sales Enablement"

Ryan Mathers will explore the transformative role of AI in sales enablement, covering:

• AI-Driven Sales Enablement: How AI-powered platforms like Bigtincan’s GenieAI automate routine tasks, provide real-time insights, and enhance decision-making.
• Personalized Training & Coaching: AI-driven programs offer tailored learning paths and immersive training experiences that boost sales readiness.
• Adaptive Onboarding: AI enables customized onboarding based on individual learning styles, reducing ramp-up times and improving team integration.
• Enhanced Customer Engagement: AI tools provide intelligent content recommendations and deep insights into buyer behavior, enhancing customer interactions.
• Real-World Applications: Case studies showcasing businesses that have successfully implemented AI-driven sales strategies, improving sales performance and customer satisfaction.

AI’s Expanding Role in Sales

AI is revolutionizing sales by automating tasks, analyzing data, and enhancing strategic decision-making. Key areas of impact include:

• Predictive Analytics: AI analyzes historical data to forecast sales trends and optimize resource allocation.
• Lead Scoring: AI evaluates leads based on data-driven parameters, helping sales teams focus on high-conversion prospects.
• Personalized Customer Experiences: AI-driven tools customize interactions based on individual customer preferences, boosting engagement.
• Sales Forecasting: AI-powered models provide accurate revenue predictions, aiding strategic planning and inventory management.
• Process Automation: AI streamlines repetitive tasks such as data entry, scheduling, and follow-ups, allowing sales teams to focus on relationship-building and deal closures.

The AI-Driven Sales Automation Virtual Summit is a must-attend event for professionals looking to stay ahead in the evolving sales landscape. Join industry leaders as they explore AI’s impact, share actionable insights, and showcase innovative solutions to drive sales success.

Branch, a leading linking and measurement partner, has announced advancements in its Performance offering. These innovations focus on privacy-centric attribution, enabling marketers to measure campaign effectiveness across web, app, and offline channels while complying with stringent regulations.

Enhancements in Branch Performance

1. Advanced Compliance Encryption for Regulated Industries

• Enables organizations in highly regulated sectors to leverage ad and data integrations.
• Provides encryption and decryption functionalities to meet HIPAA and other compliance requirements.
• Ensures privacy-safe data processing while maintaining analytical insights.

2. Predictive Aggregate Measurement (PAM)

• Delivers granular campaign insights without compromising user privacy.
• Helps marketers assess campaign performance even as tracking identifiers are deprecated.
• Supported by real-world results, with companies reporting reduced CPA and improved efficiency.

3. Addressing Challenges in Privacy-First Advertising

• Marketers struggle with evolving privacy laws, impacting targeting and costs.
• 88% of advertisers believe privacy regulations affect personalization.
• Branch’s solution bridges the gap between user privacy and actionable marketing insights.

4. Seamless Cross-Platform Attribution and Optimization

• Connects user journeys across web, apps, and offline interactions.
• Helps marketers allocate ad spend efficiently by unifying cost and attribution data.
• Provides privacy-friendly measurement solutions tailored to iOS and Connected TV (CTV) platforms.

5. New Features in Branch Performance Suite

• Privacy-Centric Attribution: Adapts to changing regulations using PAM and SKAdNetwork (SKAN).
• Household Measurement: Measures ad performance across multiple devices, improving retargeting and ROAS assessment.
• ROI Hub: Centralized analytics for optimized budget allocation and campaign insights.

Branch’s latest enhancements empower marketers with privacy-first measurement solutions, helping them optimize campaigns while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. By addressing the complexities of modern attribution, Branch Performance enables businesses to drive growth with confidence.

WTWH Media has appointed Matt Logan as its new CEO, succeeding co-founder Scott McCafferty, who now serves as Chairman of the Board. With over 25 years in B2B media, events, and marketing services, Logan is set to lead WTWH Media’s continued expansion.

Matt Logan’s Industry Experience

• Informa Markets: Former EVP, overseeing 240+ employees in global manufacturing media and events.
• RELX: Led strategic marketing and sales for a global event portfolio.
• McGraw Hill & BusinessWeek: Managed marketing and sales for print, live, and digital media.
• Mecklermedia: Specialized in marketing and sales promotion across multiple platforms.

Logan’s Vision for WTWH Media

• Strengthen WTWH Media as a data-driven, tech-enabled B2B media and events platform.
• Expand multi-vertical audience reach across Engineering, Healthcare, Life Sciences, and Foodservice industries.
• Enhance targeted engagement and demand solutions for marketing partners.

WTWH Media’s Growth and Strategic Partnerships

• Founded in 2006 by Scott McCafferty.
• Partnered with Mountaingate Capital in 2022 for expansion.
• Six strategic acquisitions completed, doubling revenue since the partnership.

McCafferty’s Leadership and Transition

• Expresses gratitude for the team’s dedication and WTWH Media’s success.
• Confident in Logan’s leadership to elevate outcomes for marketing partners and audiences.

With Matt Logan at the helm, WTWH Media is poised for its next phase of innovation and expansion, leveraging deep industry expertise and data-driven marketing strategies.

Audiense, a leader in audience intelligence, has announced a groundbreaking integration with LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network. This collaboration enhances audience insights by combining LinkedIn’s robust professional data with Audiense’s intelligence capabilities, allowing marketers to gain deeper behavioral and interest-based insights into their B2B audiences.

Benefits of the Audiense-LinkedIn Integration

1. Beyond Job Titles: Unlocking Rich Behavioral Insights

• Expands audience profiling beyond job roles and experience.
• Provides insights into professional interests, content preferences, and group affiliations.
• Humanizes B2B audience targeting, making campaigns more relevant and engaging.

2. Enhanced Targeting for B2B Marketing & Sales

• Enables hyper-targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with professionals on a personal level.
• Ensures outreach to key decision-makers, optimizing campaign effectiveness.
• Streamlines workflows within LinkedIn’s campaign management tools.

3. Actionable Analytics for Smarter Strategies

• Delivers data-driven insights to refine marketing and sales strategies.
• Helps businesses understand audience attributes such as seniority, job functions, and company growth rates.
• Maximizes ROI by aligning campaigns with audience behaviors and preferences.

Audiense’s Commitment to Advanced Audience Intelligence

• Recognized as a LinkedIn Marketing Partner, combining LinkedIn’s professional data with Audiense’s intelligence tools.
• Bridges the gap between audience intelligence and professional network insights.
• Empowers organizations with the tools to create more effective, data-driven B2B campaigns.

This integration cements Audiense and LinkedIn as leaders in advancing B2B marketing and sales intelligence. By merging Audiense’s precision in audience insights with LinkedIn’s professional network data, businesses can craft highly targeted and deeply impactful campaigns.

Aspire.io, a leader in word-of-mouth commerce, introduces CreatorStores, a revolutionary way for brands to convert creator influence into direct revenue. Hosted on Shopify, these co-branded, creator-curated microstores enhance authenticity, social proof, and personalization—leading to a projected 15% revenue lift while providing valuable first-party data.

Benefits of CreatorStores

1. Bridging the Gap Between Discovery and Checkout

• Moves beyond generic affiliate links by directing traffic to customized storefronts.
• Showcases curated product recommendations with brand visuals and creator storytelling.
• Ensures a seamless shopping experience that enhances conversion rates.

2. Leveraging Creator Trust for Higher Conversions

• Empowers creators to handpick and promote their favorite products, increasing credibility.
• Combines social proof and brand storytelling to build trust and engagement.
• Achieves an estimated 15% revenue growth through co-branded micro-shopping experiences.

3. Driving Sales Through Creator-Curated Storefronts

• Provides a frictionless shopping experience with built-in discounts and streamlined checkout.
• Boosts average order value (AOV) and conversion rates.
• Strengthens creator partnerships by offering them a personalized selling platform.

4. First-Party Data Ownership & Retargeting Advantages

• Unlike third-party platforms, CreatorStores are fully hosted on Shopify, ensuring complete control.
• Captures critical first-party data to fuel retargeting and future sales strategies.
• Helps brands adapt to third-party data restrictions with a more direct, owned sales channel.

The Future of Creator Commerce

• Brands are moving beyond discount codes and tracking links toward seamless, high-converting experiences.
• CreatorStores provide an innovative solution that blends trust, social proof, and conversion optimization.
• Recent Aspire.io launches, including Discount Links, SecureCodes, and BOGO offers, support this shift toward data-driven, creator-led commerce.

Aspire.io’s CreatorStores redefine social commerce, allowing brands to harness creator influence for higher conversions, better data ownership, and sustainable growth. As the demand for authentic, trust-based recommendations rises, brands must embrace these innovative strategies to stay ahead.

Agentio, the first ad platform for creator content, is expanding its collaboration with YouTube to offer advertisers automated branded content opportunities on YouTube Shorts. With over 70 billion daily views, Shorts is a rapidly growing format, and Agentio now enables brands to seamlessly scale ad campaigns within this high-engagement space.

Benefits of Agentio’s Expansion to YouTube Shorts

1. Automating Short-Form Creator Ad Campaigns

• Brands can now run, manage, and measure YouTube Shorts ad campaigns within Agentio.
• Automates everything from creator matching and content vetting to contracting and performance tracking.
• Reduces campaign setup time from weeks to seconds, streamlining ad execution.

2. Meeting the Demand for In-Video Advertising

• Short-form content continues to surge, with growing brand interest in YouTube Shorts ads.
• Agentio’s expansion helps brands tap into this trend efficiently.
• Provides a standardized ad unit within Shorts, making creator collaborations scalable.

3. Proven Success and Growing Market Adoption

• Agentio has seen a 240% increase in brand inbound leads since January.
• Advertiser spending on Agentio has grown over 1,000% year-over-year.
• Major brands like MasterClass, Bombas, DoorDash, and Mejuri are leveraging Agentio for YouTube ad success.

4. Strengthening the YouTube Ecosystem for Advertisers

• Helps brands diversify their ad strategy by integrating seamlessly into YouTube creator content.
• Enhances brand-creator partnerships by providing a transparent, measurable ad platform.
• Builds on Agentio’s $12M Series A funding, reinforcing its commitment to innovation in in-video advertising.

Agentio’s expansion into YouTube Shorts advertising marks a new era of automated, scalable creator campaigns. As advertisers look for high-impact placements in short-form video, Agentio’s technology enables them to maximize engagement, streamline processes, and drive meaningful results within the YouTube ecosystem.

One of the biggest challenges in B2B sales is identifying and reaching high-intent accounts at the right time. Traditionally, sales teams spend significant manual effort uncovering custom buying signals—an inefficient and time-consuming process.

Enter Tiga, the first AI-powered sales agent designed to autonomously discover custom buying signals and activate personalized outreach. By leveraging AI, Tiga helps go-to-market teams focus on the right prospects and improve conversion rates.

Benefits of Tiga’s AI-Powered Buying Signal Discovery

1. AI-Driven Custom Buying Signal Detection

• Tiga autonomously identifies high-potential buyers based on unique, customizable signals.
• Eliminates manual data analysis, freeing up sales teams to focus on closing deals.
• Helps businesses prioritize outreach to accounts with the highest likelihood of conversion.

2. Personalized Outreach at Scale

• Automates highly targeted messaging based on buyer intent.
• Ensures timely engagement with relevant prospects.
• Improves sales team efficiency by focusing on qualified, sales-ready leads.

3. Proven Impact on Sales Performance

• Customers like Endear are already seeing measurable improvements:
  • "Tiga's ability to discover custom signals is a game changer—it helps us engage high-intent prospects at the right time with the right message." – Casey Drake, VP of Sales, Endear
• Enhances sales productivity and accelerates deal closures.

4. Backed by Industry Pioneers

• Founded by MarTech veterans from Eloqua and Triblio, pioneers in marketing automation and account-based marketing (ABM).
• Strong market validation from investors:
  • "Tiga’s founding team understands the problem deeply and has delivered a compelling, results-driven solution." – Jason Caplain, Bull City Venture Partners

As the demand for AI-driven sales solutions grows, Tiga is leading the way by providing an autonomous AI agent that identifies high-intent buyers and automates outreach with precision. In 2025, the company will focus on expanding its sales and marketing teams and driving further product innovation to meet growing market demand.