Vimeo, the world’s leading video experience platform for both creators and enterprises, has announced the appointment of Ryan Weeks as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Effective immediately, Ryan will oversee Vimeo’s security, compliance, and risk management strategies, ensuring the platform remains the most trusted and secure option for professional video creators globally.

1. Vimeo’s Commitment to Secure Video Experiences

• Focus on Security and Privacy:
  • As video becomes central to business communication, Vimeo has prioritized the security and privacy of its video assets.
  • CEO Philip Moyer emphasized that Vimeo aims to be the most secure platform for video creators, from individuals to large enterprises.
• Ryan Weeks’ Leadership:
  • With nearly 20 years of experience in information security, Ryan Weeks is well-equipped to lead Vimeo’s security initiatives. His previous role as CISO at Datto, Inc. allowed him to build a robust security program from the ground up.

2. Ryan Weeks’ Experience and Vision

• Proven Track Record:
  • Ryan has built and managed high-grade security platforms across various industries, making him an ideal fit to strengthen Vimeo’s security strategy.
  • He is known for his contributions to the cybersecurity community, including his involvement with the Ransomware Task Force to help mitigate ransomware risks.
• Security Strategy at Vimeo:
  • Ryan will lead Vimeo’s security efforts by developing a comprehensive security, compliance, and risk management program.
  • His focus will be on ensuring Vimeo remains a reliable platform, enhancing trust among users and businesses.

3. The Role of Trust in Video Platforms

• Growing Importance of Trust and Transparency:
  • With video becoming the primary medium for storytelling, Ryan Weeks stresses that trust and transparency are essential for differentiation in the market.
  • These factors are crucial for Vimeo as they seek to provide secure video experiences that foster long-term growth and success.

4. Vimeo’s Vision for the Future

• Enhancing Security Across Platforms:
  • Ryan will continue to strengthen Vimeo’s security framework, building on its established reputation for secure video services.
  • His leadership will ensure Vimeo maintains its commitment to providing a safe environment for creators, businesses, and video professionals around the world.

Vimeo’s appointment of Ryan Weeks as Chief Information Security Officer marks a significant step toward reinforcing its position as the most trusted video platform. With his extensive experience in cybersecurity, Ryan is poised to lead Vimeo’s efforts in providing secure, private, and reliable video experiences for all users, from individual creators to global enterprises.

Zeta Global, a leader in AI-powered marketing technology, has released the Zeta Economic Index (ZEI) for November 2024. Powered by Zeta's proprietary Generative AI technology and real-time consumer behavior data from over 240 million US consumers, the ZEI offers a unique and insightful view of the current state and trajectory of the US economy. For the first time since April 2021, the Economic Index Score (EIS) has risen above 70, signaling growing economic momentum as the holiday season begins.

1. Zeta Economic Index Score for November 2024

• Economic Index Score Rise:
  • The EIS for November 2024 rose to 70.9 points, marking a 2.4-point increase from the previous month.
  • This increase signals a shift toward economic positivity, as the economy is showing resilience ahead of the holiday season.

2. Key Events Influencing the US Economy

• US Presidential Election Conclusion:
  • The conclusion of the US presidential election boosted consumer confidence, playing a role in the improved economic outlook.
• Federal Funds Rate Reduction:
  • The 25-basis-point decrease in the federal funds rate contributed to greater consumer optimism and market stability.

3. Positive Trends Across Key Sectors

• Retail Sector Growth:
  • Retail sales activity surged by 7.2% month-over-month, reflecting the early stages of the holiday shopping season.
  • Retail engagement also rose by 4.7 points in November, driven by widespread promotions during Black Friday.
• Travel and Automotive Sectors:
  • Consumer interest in travel rose by 5.5 points, aligned with record Thanksgiving travel numbers, signaling a rebound in the travel industry.
• Job Market Sentiment:
  • The Job Market Sentiment saw a 13.9% month-over-month increase, indicating a stable and improving labor market. Unemployment applications reached a seasonally adjusted level of 213,000, the smallest increase in seven months.

4. Consumer Sentiment and Behavior Insights

• Relocation Trend Surge:
  • A 34.7% month-over-month spike in searches for moving services and real estate suggests a growing trend of relocations, potentially driven by concerns over rising costs of living and potential tariff increases.
  • This reflects a sentiment of unrest and a desire for better living conditions among certain groups.

5. The Role of AI in Economic Insight

• Generative AI and Consumer Behavior:
  • The ZEI leverages Zeta’s generative AI to analyze trillions of behavioral signals, producing real-time insights into economic sentiment and trends.
  • Unlike traditional surveys, the ZEI recalibrates monthly using over 20 proprietary data inputs, providing a more accurate and dynamic view of economic drivers.

The November 2024 Zeta Economic Index points to positive momentum in the US economy as it heads into the holiday season. Key sectors like retail, travel, and the job market are showing strong signs of growth, supported by rising consumer confidence and favorable economic conditions. Zeta Global’s AI-driven insights offer valuable real-time data for decision-makers looking to navigate these trends in the coming year.

Aurora Payments, a leading full-service payment solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Derek Dean as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) and Head of Commercial. Dean will spearhead the company’s revenue and marketing initiatives, leveraging his 25+ years of experience in technology and software to lead high-performing teams and drive growth. Reporting directly to CEO Brian Goudie, Dean’s appointment marks a strategic move to bolster Aurora Payments' position in the SMB payment solutions market.

• Leadership Vision and Expertise

  • Derek Dean has a proven track record in corporate transformation and revenue growth.
  • Former roles include President and CRO at Syndigo, and Senior VP of Sales at Evercommerce.
  • At Evercommerce, he achieved 60% revenue growth in two years and integrated nine acquisitions into a unified platform.
  • Started his career at RELX, ascending to VP of Sales and P&L leader managing a team of 150.

• CEO’s Perspective on Dean’s Appointment

  • Brian Goudie, CEO of Aurora Payments, emphasized Dean’s ability to align strategic marketing and sales initiatives with market analysis and customer insights.
  • Dean’s expertise is expected to accelerate the adoption of Aurora’s payment-agnostic solutions for SMBs.

• Dean’s Vision for Aurora Payments

  • Dean highlighted Aurora’s innovation in payments and fintech as a driving factor behind his decision to join.
  • He aims to enhance SMB operations by leading sales and marketing teams to expand the adoption of Aurora’s purpose-built solutions.

• Aurora Payments’ Recent Strategic Initiatives

  • Launch of flagship products, ARISE and Calendarise, designed to streamline payment processes for SMBs.
  • Other proprietary solutions include:
    • ARISE: Payment-agnostic platform for mid-market transactions.
    • Aurora-in-One (AiO): Terminal and business operations management for retail environments.
    • Calendarise: Comprehensive POS system for service-based SMBs.
    • NailSoft: All-in-one nail salon management system.
    • RISE CRM: Cloud-based CRM for managing and scaling businesses.

Derek Dean’s appointment as CRO represents a pivotal moment for Aurora Payments as it continues its trajectory of growth and innovation. With a robust suite of solutions tailored for SMBs, coupled with Dean’s leadership, Aurora is well-positioned to drive operational efficiencies, boost revenue, and strengthen customer loyalty in the payments and fintech industry.

Infogain, a leader in digital customer experience engineering based in Silicon Valley, has officially joined the Strategic Partnerships Program (SPP) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This milestone highlights Infogain’s dedication to driving digital transformation and innovation in the travel and airline industry.

• Significance of Joining IATA’s SPP

  • Membership in IATA’s SPP underscores Infogain’s strategic role in supporting airlines, Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), and travel agencies.
  • Infogain aims to enhance industry capabilities in evolving towards Offers and Orders, aligning with modern travel demands.
  • This partnership positions Infogain as a key innovator in transforming the airline sector with cutting-edge digital solutions.

• Leadership’s Vision for the Partnership

  • Yashveer Singh, Senior VP and Travel & Market Unit Head at Infogain, emphasized the company’s focus on shaping the travel industry's future.
  • Singh stated, “This partnership ensures airlines, GDSs, and agencies are well-prepared to navigate the modern travel landscape.”

• IATA’s Perspective on Infogain’s Contribution

  • Frederic Leger, IATA Senior VP, highlighted Infogain’s value in driving innovation for the aviation industry, particularly in modern retailing solutions.
  • IATA’s Strategic Partnerships Program fosters collaboration among over 450 partners worldwide, focusing on enhancing aviation practices across 30+ specialized areas.

• About IATA and Its SPP

  • IATA represents 330 airlines, covering over 80% of global air traffic.
  • The Strategic Partnerships Program aims to accelerate industry growth through collaboration, leveraging innovative technologies and best practices.

Infogain’s inclusion in IATA’s Strategic Partnerships Program is a transformative step for the company and the airline industry. With its deep expertise in digital customer experience engineering, Infogain is poised to drive innovation and modernization, ensuring airlines, GDSs, and travel agencies meet the challenges of the evolving travel sector.

Great Hill Partners, a private equity firm focused on high-growth, disruptive businesses, has announced the sale of Mission Cloud Services Inc. to CDW, a leading provider of IT solutions for business, government, education, and healthcare sectors in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone for both companies and positions Mission for its next phase of growth.

• Mission Cloud Services: Driving AWS Innovation

  • Mission specializes in end-to-end cloud services, including managed services, consulting, and innovative AI solutions tailored for AWS customers.
  • As an AWS-certified Generative AI partner, Mission empowers clients with advanced AI and Machine Learning solutions while maintaining secure AWS-managed environments.

• Partnership with Great Hill Partners

  • Great Hill Partners partnered with Mission’s founder and CEO, Simon Anderson, to bring the idea to life in 2017.
  • Over three years, Great Hill invested in and acquired three technology companies to strengthen Mission’s industry position.
  • Under their leadership, Mission became the largest independent AWS managed services provider in the U.S.

• Statements from Leadership

  • Drew Loucks, Managing Director at Great Hill Partners:
    “Growing Mission from an idea to the largest provider of its kind is a testament to the team’s dedication. We look forward to Mission’s continued success under CDW.”
  • Simon Anderson, Chairman, Founder, and CEO of Mission:
    “Great Hill’s expertise was crucial in scaling Mission strategically. It’s been a privilege to collaborate over the past seven years.”

• CDW's Acquisition Goals

  • CDW’s acquisition aligns with its mission to offer comprehensive IT solutions, enhancing its ability to meet evolving customer needs with advanced cloud and AI capabilities.

This acquisition reflects the growing demand for innovative cloud and AI solutions. With CDW’s resources and Mission’s expertise, the partnership is poised to redefine cloud-managed services and drive transformative growth in the AWS ecosystem.

Wilby.Ai has announced the launch of THINK1.Ai, a groundbreaking platform designed to eliminate language barriers and redefine global advertising. By offering seamless translation and localization of video and audio content in 165 languages, THINK1.Ai enables brands to engage with diverse audiences worldwide while maintaining cultural relevance and authenticity.

• Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges

  • THINK1.Ai empowers businesses to tell their stories authentically across languages and cultures.
  • Simon Wilby, Founder & CEO of Wilby.Ai, said,
    “At Wilby.Ai, we’re not just breaking language barriers—we’re building bridges that connect brands to the world.”

• Features of THINK1.Ai

  • Multilingual Mastery: AI-driven translations ensure linguistic precision and cultural sensitivity, making every word resonate with the intended audience.
  • AI-Powered Learning: The platform evolves to meet industry-specific language needs and keeps pace with global trends.

• Versatility Across Industries

  • THINK1.Ai is tailored for industries such as:
    • E-commerce: Delivering localized product videos for global markets.
    • Entertainment: Creating multilingual content for global audiences.
    • Corporate Communications: Enhancing training materials for international teams.
    • Media Agencies: Launching impactful multilingual marketing campaigns.

• Redefining Global Storytelling

  • THINK1.Ai ensures that businesses can connect with global markets authentically, standing out in an interconnected digital landscape.
  • By personalizing content, the platform fosters genuine connections with audiences across borders.

As a leader in AI innovation, Wilby.Ai is committed to transforming global communication. With THINK1.Ai, the company empowers businesses to break boundaries, build meaningful relationships, and deliver content that truly speaks to every audience.

Neat, a leader in pioneering video technology, has appointed Tormod Ree as its Chief Product & Engineering Officer. In this role, Ree will oversee Neat’s award-winning software and hardware engineering, product management, strategy, product marketing, and design teams, steering the company’s innovative solutions to new heights.

• Tormod Ree’s Vision and Expertise

  • Ree brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at top technology companies, including as CEO and Co-founder of Ava Unified Security and VP at Motorola.
  • During his nearly eight years at Cisco, Ree held various leadership roles, culminating in his position as Sr. Director and GM for the Cisco Spark Board.

• Leadership and Alignment with Neat’s Mission

  • Janine Pelosi, CEO of Neat, expressed her enthusiasm, saying:
    “Tormod shares our Norwegian heritage, experience, and passion. He is a perfect fit to helm Neat’s engineering and product orgs as we strive to build the best experiences for our customers.”

• Ree’s Excitement About Joining Neat

  • On joining Neat, Ree said:
    “The energy in the team, the quality of talent, the level of innovation, and the attention to detail are second to none. I’m humbled and excited to join Team Neat and contribute to creating exceptional video communication experiences.”

• Neat’s Growth Trajectory

  • Neat has witnessed substantial growth, with Q3 CY24 sales increasing by 30%.
  • Ree’s appointment aligns with the company’s ongoing Norwegian R&D expansion, which will double its headcount in Norway over the next 18 months.
  • Recent milestones include:
    • Expanded Oslo office footprint.
    • Opening its first Neat Experience Center in San Jose, California, with plans for additional locations, including London.

With Tormod Ree at the helm of its product and engineering initiatives, Neat is set to advance its mission of creating innovative video communication technologies. As the company accelerates its global growth strategy, Ree’s leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping its future.

Adobe has announced the appointment of Lara Balazs as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Executive Vice President, Global Marketing. Reporting directly to CEO Shantanu Narayen, Balazs brings a wealth of experience from her illustrious career at top global brands like Intuit, Amazon, Visa, and Nike.

• Balazs’ Leadership Role at Adobe

  • Balazs will head Adobe’s Global Marketing Organization, overseeing:

    • Adobe’s world-renowned brand.
    • The Adobe.com platform.
    • Industry-leading events and campaigns.
    • Communications, social media, media operations, and marketing insights.

  • Shantanu Narayen, Adobe Chair and CEO, remarked:
    “Lara’s unique experience across B2C and B2B industries and deep insights as an Adobe customer will help us engage our growing universe of users more effectively while expanding Adobe's brand reach and impact.”

• Balazs’ Previous Achievements

  • At Intuit:
    • Reimagined its brand and go-to-market strategies to elevate the company’s AI-driven financial technology platform.
    • Achieved Intuit’s highest brand awareness and corporate reputation in its 40-year history.
  • At Visa:
    • Led Visa into the digital payments era with mobile-first products like Visa Checkout and Apple Pay.
    • Drove global growth and innovation.
  • At Amazon:
    • Propelled the growth of Amazon Prime globally.

• Recognition and Advocacy

  • Named among Forbes’ World’s Most Influential CMOs.
  • Recipient of AdWeek’s CMO Vanguard Award.
  • Actively supports the advancement of the marketing profession and its social impact.

• Educational Background

  • Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Law from the University of Washington.
  • Earned her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

Lara Balazs’ exceptional track record of driving brand transformation and growth positions her as a dynamic leader for Adobe’s Global Marketing Organization. Her expertise will help Adobe continue to innovate and strengthen its brand presence in the digital landscape.