As enterprises race to turn data into real-time intelligence, Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN) and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: PLTR) are forming a strategic alliance to overcome one of AI’s biggest challenges — connecting powerful intelligence platforms with the high-performance network infrastructure needed to power the next wave of digital transformation.

The companies announced a multi-year, multi-million-dollar partnership aimed at helping businesses across industries deploy AI faster, more securely, and at scale within complex multi-cloud environments. The partnership combines Palantir’s Foundry and Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) with Lumen’s Connectivity Fabric, a next-generation digital networking solution purpose-built for AI-driven operations.

“Palantir frees data, while Lumen moves it,” said Kate Johnson, CEO of Lumen Technologies. “Together, we’re uniquely positioned to help enterprises unlock their AI ambitions with unprecedented scale and speed. By bringing AI into real-world operations through a connected ecosystem, we’re empowering businesses to reinvent how they operate, compete, and grow.”

A Connected Ecosystem for the AI Era

This partnership is part of Lumen’s broader connected ecosystem strategy, which integrates its high-performance network and digital platforms with leading technology partners. By aligning Palantir’s AI capabilities with Lumen’s global infrastructure, the collaboration provides enterprises with a tested path to operationalize AI at scale.

Together, the companies will deliver AI-enabled network designs that allow organizations to:

• Move and manage data securely across multi-cloud and hybrid environments.

• Enhance AI applications with lower latency and reduced operational costs.

• Simplify IT complexity while enabling continuous learning and adaptation.

• Accelerate business transformation with built-in automation and intelligence.

“American companies need to unlock immediate value from AI,” said Alex Karp, co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies. “We’re proud to work with Lumen to enable the infrastructure and intelligence layers for our customers to become AI winners.”

Proven Collaboration

The partnership builds on existing collaboration between the two firms. In September, Lumen announced its adoption of Palantir Foundry and AIP to modernize its own operations — streamlining processes, improving service delivery, and accelerating innovation across its digital ecosystem.

By fusing Palantir’s AI intelligence layer with Lumen’s digital infrastructure, the companies are redefining how enterprises can move, manage, and act on data in real time — transforming AI from a concept into an operational reality.

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Iridio, backed by RRD’s global scale and marketing expertise, has debuted its digital solutions portfolio, designed to streamline marketing execution and deliver measurable results with speed, scale, and performance.

The platform unifies creative, media, and data analytics to eliminate fragmentation across the marketing lifecycle. By replacing disconnected vendors and tools with a single, connected system, Iridio enables marketers to activate campaigns seamlessly while maintaining compliance and performance tracking.

“Too often, there’s a disconnect between bold marketing ideas and how they show up in the real world,” said Paul Mandeville, Chief Product Officer at Iridio. “Our platform removes operational friction between strategy, creation, and delivery, transforming marketing functions into a single, automated, data-connected workflow.”

Key Solutions in Iridio’s Platform

Content Automation:
Patented technologies and automated systems streamline promotion planning, creative development, and compliance remediation. Complex data is transformed into actionable content quickly, reducing manual effort.

Data-Driven Targeting:
Access to 130M U.S. households and 1,300+ audience segments allows precise targeting. Tools like Consumer Graph℠ and Household Connect℠ connect digital engagement to real-world consumers, enabling marketers to reach relevant audiences without relying on third-party cookies.

Integrated Media Delivery:
Solutions such as Connected TV and nCountR℠ unify campaign planning, buying, and measurement across channels. Real-time tracking and strategy adjustments become seamless within a single platform.

Social Marketing:
Iridio consolidates influencer, paid, and creator-driven campaigns into one workflow. Powered by its data analytics engine, marketers can launch, measure, and optimize social content efficiently, proving ROI in real time.

By consolidating marketing strategy, creative development, data, and media execution, Iridio delivers end-to-end automation that reduces operational friction and enables marketers to execute campaigns faster and with measurable impact.

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Fractal a global AI solutions provider for Fortune 500® companies, has achieved the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Generative AI Consulting Services Competency. This recognition highlights Fractal’s expertise in guiding organizations through the entire generative AI lifecycle, from strategy to deployment.

The competency identifies AWS partners with proven technical proficiency and customer success in building, customizing, and maintaining generative AI applications and foundation models. Fractal joins a select group of consulting partners recognized for delivering measurable outcomes with generative AI.

“Achieving the AWS Generative AI Consulting Services Competency reflects our commitment to enabling clients to unlock the full potential of generative AI responsibly and effectively,” said Vikram Magon, Vice President – AWS Partnership, Fractal. “This recognition validates our ability to deliver end-to-end consulting services that help businesses innovate, accelerate adoption, and achieve measurable outcomes.”

Fractal’s Generative AI Expertise

Fractal provides comprehensive consulting services across the generative AI lifecycle:

• Strategic Advisory: Guiding organizations on AI adoption roadmaps and responsible AI principles.

• Model Development & Customization: Building and fine-tuning foundation models for industry-specific or cross-functional use cases.

• Deployment & Operations: Ensuring secure, scalable, and maintainable generative AI workloads.

• Governance & Risk Management: Implementing frameworks for compliance, security, and ethical AI practices.

With a proven track record across industries, Fractal helps clients enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, and drive innovation through AI.

Building on Existing AWS Expertise

This achievement builds on Fractal’s existing AWS competencies in Data & Analytics, DevOps, Consumer Goods, Retail, and Financial Services. It reinforces the company’s position as a trusted partner for AI-driven business transformation.

The AWS Competency Program connects customers with partners that have demonstrated technical expertise and verified customer success in specialized solution areas, helping organizations accelerate cloud adoption while following best practices.

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As AI reshapes marketing, Stagwell’s The Marketing Cloud is stepping in with a bold solution—Agent Cloud, a unified platform that brings the most advanced AI models and creative tools under one secure roof. The public launch marks a significant milestone for marketers seeking to balance innovation, security, and scalability in an increasingly agentic AI landscape.Z

A Central Hub for AI Innovation

Agent Cloud aims to simplify how brands and agencies access AI. Instead of juggling multiple tools and subscriptions, users can now tap into an integrated environment that connects leading models such as GPT-5, Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude Sonnet 4, and Grok 4, along with image and video tools like Imagen and Veo3.

For marketers, this means instant access to multimodal AI without the operational friction that often slows enterprise adoption. The platform ensures data privacy and governance, with strict measures that prevent client data from being used to train external models.

Built for Marketers, Not Just Technologists

Agent Cloud isn’t just another AI dashboard—it’s a marketing operations hub. Teams across creative, media, communications, and research can build, deploy, and manage AI-powered workflows in a controlled environment.

Its standout feature? The ability to create and share custom AI assistants across organizations. These assistants can automate content creation, media optimization, and reporting, paving the way for agentic workflows, where AI and humans collaborate seamlessly.

“Agent Cloud unlocks the full range of what AI tools can do for modern marketers,” said Elspeth Rollert, CEO of The Marketing Cloud. “It removes the guesswork and lets teams focus on the impact. Heading into 2026, it gives organizations the foundation they need to compete in a world of increasingly agentic AI.”

Efficiency Meets Security

With a single billing structure, Agent Cloud simplifies financial operations for agencies overwhelmed by tool fragmentation. After an annual base fee, teams only pay for the AI tools they actively use.

This approach doesn’t just cut costs—it fosters a culture of responsible AI experimentation. Security remains at the core; none of the organization’s data inside the platform contributes to external model training, ensuring compliance with client privacy standards.

Industry Reactions: A Game-Changer for AI Adoption

Beta testers from major agencies are already applauding the platform’s impact.

“The Marketing Cloud has knocked it out of the park,” said Jim Stiefelmaier, Innovation Strategy Director at Yamamoto. “Having instant access to GPT-5 and Gemini 2.5 Pro in one secure platform has boosted productivity and accelerated AI adoption.”

Michael Lamp, Chief Digital & Social Officer at Hunter, added, “We couldn’t scale AI adoption at this pace without a product like Agent Cloud. It’s allowing us to bring world-class tools directly to our global teams.”

Positioning for an Agentic Future

The timing is strategic. As AI tools evolve toward autonomy, platforms like Agent Cloud provide a critical infrastructure for marketing teams preparing for the agentic era—where AI systems act as intelligent collaborators, not just assistants.

To mark the launch, The Marketing Cloud is presenting at the ANA Masters of Marketing conference in Orlando (October 21–24). The company is also releasing a thought leadership booklet, “The Robots Are Coming: A Guide for the Future of AI and Martech.”

The publication includes insights from Stagwell leaders, including Mark Penn (CEO and Chairman), John Kahan (Chief AI Officer), and Dan Gardner (Code and Theory CEO), offering a preview of what the 2026 AI landscape may look like.

With Agent Cloud, The Marketing Cloud is not just integrating AI tools—it’s redefining how marketing teams think, collaborate, and innovate in the age of intelligent automation.

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Allied Global Marketing has announced the appointment of Daniel Heale as Vice President, Client Solutions, marking a strategic move to strengthen its global brand experience and client growth strategy. Dividing his time between Los Angeles and London, Heale will help clients bridge markets and scale integrated campaigns that deliver measurable business impact.

A Cross-Continental Role for a Global Marketing Era

In his new position, Heale will collaborate closely with Clint Kendall, CEO; Adam Cunningham, Chief Strategy Officer; and Kelly Estrella, Chief of Marketing Operations. His mandate: identify and drive new business opportunities while expanding Allied’s suite of marketing, creative, and experiential solutions to a broader global audience.

“Daniel’s cross-market track record and ability to turn strategy into revenue make him the right leader for our next phase,” said Kendall. “With LA and London coverage, he’ll help clients connect audiences and partners across borders—and prove it with measurable results.”

Uniting Strategy, Creativity, and Scale

Heale brings more than two decades of leadership experience in strategy, business development, and digital marketing. His work has consistently focused on aligning creative storytelling with commercial outcomes—an increasingly vital capability as marketing organizations demand ROI-driven campaigns across markets.

Before joining Allied, Heale served as Global CEO and Chief Strategy Officer at Way To Blue, where he led brand transformation and global expansion initiatives. He also held senior positions at Vue Entertainment, Travelodge Hotels UK, Camelot Group, and Trinity Mirror Group.

Throughout his career, he has partnered with major entertainment and consumer brands including Disney, Prime Video, NBCUniversal, Paramount, Warner Bros., LAIKA, BET+, Mattel, InterContinental Hotels, and IMAX.

A Pragmatic Vision for Modern Marketing

“Working across London and Los Angeles gives you a pragmatic view of how campaigns really scale,” said Heale. “I’m excited to help Allied’s clients connect markets, teams, and platforms to deliver work that travels—and outcomes that stand up in the boardroom.”

Driving the Next Chapter of Allied’s Growth

Allied Global Marketing, known for its expertise in brand experience, entertainment, and media partnerships, continues to expand its global footprint. With Heale’s appointment, the company signals its focus on cross-border campaign integration, data-informed strategy, and measurable creative impact.

As marketers face growing pressure to unify global strategy with local resonance, Heale’s dual-market approach positions Allied to bridge creative insight with commercial execution—helping clients tell stories that scale and perform.

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DirectMail2.0, LLC has introduced the world’s first artificial intelligence platform designed exclusively for direct mail advertisers, signaling a major leap in how marketers plan, analyze, and optimize print-based campaigns. The public beta, available now at beta.dm20.ai and www.dm20.ai, was unveiled by CEO and Co-Founder Brad Kugler at the Printing United Alliance Convention in Orlando, Florida.

AI Meets Direct Mail: A Purpose-Built Solution

Unlike generic AI tools that cater to digital marketers, DirectMail2.0’s new platform is built specifically for the unique data and decision frameworks of the direct mail industry. It enables advertisers to analyze campaign performance through simple user inputs and benchmark results against thousands of comparable campaigns stored in the company’s proprietary database.

Powered by cutting-edge machine learning and explainable AI, the platform translates complex analytics into clear, actionable recommendations that even non-technical marketers can use to optimize campaign ROI.

“The future of business AI lies in vertical, industry-specific systems,” said Brad Kugler, CEO of DirectMail2.0. “With this launch, we’re giving direct mail advertisers intelligence and transparency—two elements critical for maximizing return on investment.”

Inside the Model: Advanced Architecture, Practical Output

The DirectMail2.0 AI platform is built on an ensemble modeling architecture that combines target normalization, feature engineering, and simulation techniques—ensuring both precision and interpretability.

By leveraging DirectMail2.0’s extensive database of campaign data, the AI generates predictive performance models using granular creative and campaign-level variables. It then applies Monte Carlo simulations to test multiple strategic outcomes before presenting the most effective recommendations in an easy-to-read format.

This design gives marketers a transparent look at why a campaign works—not just what to change—making it one of the first AI systems in advertising to emphasize explainable optimization over black-box automation.

Redefining the Future of Print Marketing

The launch event drew over 150 guests, including DirectMail2.0 team members, clients, and industry influencers. The introduction of the AI tool was hailed as a milestone for traditional marketing channels, merging the rigor of data science with the craft of direct mail.

“This marks a pivotal moment,” said one attendee. “Direct mail is stepping into the AI era—with the same sophistication and accountability as digital.”

Free Public Beta: A Collaborative Evolution

In a move to encourage innovation and community-driven development, DirectMail2.0 is keeping its AI application in open public beta, offering free access for several weeks. Users can experiment with campaign modeling, provide feedback, and help shape the final release.

The approach reflects the company’s long-term vision: to build an AI ecosystem informed not just by data—but by the collective expertise of the direct mail marketing community itself.

With this launch, DirectMail2.0 has effectively bridged the gap between print and predictive intelligence, giving advertisers new tools to compete in a world where data-driven storytelling matters as much in mailboxes as it does in inboxes.

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Fortitude Research and Marketing has launched Guidant, a groundbreaking technology platform that allows families to purchase cemetery property and related services entirely online—a first for the deathcare industry.

While digital transformation has already reshaped sectors like travel, finance, and healthcare, cemetery property sales have remained one of the few major consumer transactions confined to in-person meetings. Guidant changes that with a patented, fully digital system that combines interactive mapping, inventory management, and secure e-commerce functionality to bring transparency and convenience to an industry long defined by tradition.

A New Chapter for Cemetery Commerce

Developed by Fortitude Research and Marketing, Guidant is the first platform to digitize direct cemetery property transactions—a process historically dependent on offline consultations with sales representatives. Now, families can browse available plots, compare options, and make purchases directly from cemetery websites in a streamlined, self-service experience.

According to Fortitude, 35% of consumers say they would buy cemetery property online if given the option. Guidant meets that growing demand while helping operators modernize their sales and customer engagement.

“For too long, cemetery property sales have been one of the last major purchase categories still tied to a completely offline process,” said George Owens, Founder of Fortitude Research and Marketing, which incubated Guidant. “Guidant changes that. It brings transparency, convenience, and accessibility to families—while empowering cemetery operators to grow in a digital-first world.”

Transforming an Industry Rooted in Tradition

The platform’s patented architecture integrates geospatial mapping, real-time inventory control, and intuitive checkout tools, enabling cemeteries to present property details in an interactive, consumer-friendly way. Each implementation can be customized to align with a cemetery’s brand and pricing model, while maintaining compliance with local and state regulations.

The first live deployment of Guidant launched at Brooklawn Memorial Park in Portland, Maine, a partner of Milestone Funeral Partners, which operates funeral homes and cemeteries across multiple northeastern states.

“We’re proud to be the first to bring Guidant’s technology to market,” said Mike Martel, President of Milestone Funeral Partners. “This platform makes it easier for families to make informed, meaningful decisions—and it gives our locations a new way to reach people where they are. Guidant represents the kind of innovation our profession has needed for years.”

Scaling Innovation Across North America

With 11 additional partner locations in pre-launch, Guidant is entering an active growth phase. The company is now seeking seed investment to accelerate expansion, build out its engineering team, and support widespread adoption across North America.

Owens emphasizes that this isn’t just about technology—it’s about evolving an industry to meet modern expectations while preserving its integrity.

“This isn’t just a digital tool,” he said. “It’s the foundation for how the next generation of cemetery commerce will operate—built with respect for tradition and the innovation needed for the future.”

Bringing Deathcare Into the Digital Age

Guidant’s introduction marks a significant milestone for the deathcare profession, bridging the gap between human compassion and technological progress. By digitizing one of the last untouched areas of commerce, it sets a precedent for how even the most traditional industries can embrace transformation without losing their human touch.

As Fortitude Research scales Guidant’s reach, cemeteries and funeral homes are poised to enter a new era of digital empowerment, where data-driven insight meets empathy-driven design—helping families make some of life’s most important decisions with confidence and clarity.

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Brandi AI™, a leader in enterprise AI visibility and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), has launched the Brandi Agency Partnership Program, a global initiative aimed at empowering digital marketing, PR, content, and branding agencies to turn AI visibility into a profitable new service offering.

As Generative AI platforms like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity reshape online discovery, traditional web traffic is shrinking. Users aren’t scrolling for answers—they’re asking AI directly. For brands, this means that being cited by AI models is fast becoming as critical as ranking on Google once was.

“Buyers aren’t scrolling, they’re asking questions and trusting AI’s answers,” said Leah Nurik, Co-Founder and CEO of Brandi AI. “Our program empowers agencies to help clients become the brands AI cites—proving impact, strengthening positioning, and unlocking new revenue streams.”

Helping Agencies Monetize AI Visibility

The Brandi Agency Partnership Program equips agencies with the data, analytics, and intelligence tools to help clients achieve measurable AI visibility. Using Brandi’s GEO platform, agencies can audit and optimize how frequently a brand is mentioned or cited in AI-generated answers—and then implement strategies to improve performance across generative engines.

According to Brandi, 78% of agency clients lack the visibility signals that drive discovery in AI-generated responses, creating a massive opportunity for agencies to fill the gap. Early adopters of Brandi’s platform are already packaging GEO audits, citation tracking, and AI-ready content optimization as premium retainer services, boosting both client retention and agency profitability.

Bringing GEO into the Marketing Mainstream

The partnership program is already gaining traction among top-tier digital, PR, and content firms across North America and Europe. These early adopters are leveraging Brandi’s intelligence layer to integrate GEO into their service portfolios—delivering quantifiable results for clients while expanding their own margins.

Brandi’s framework is designed for flexibility across multiple disciplines:

• Digital marketing agencies can merge GEO analytics with SEO to provide comprehensive visibility reporting.

• PR firms can link earned media placements to AI citation share, proving deeper influence in generative responses.

• Branding agencies can refine messaging based on real buyer prompts and queries drawn from Brandi’s data.

• Content studios can use prompt-level insights to optimize articles, videos, and assets for machine readability and authority.

Unlocking Measurable ROI in a Generative-First Market

By joining the Brandi Agency Partnership Program, agencies gain access to exclusive financial incentives, co-marketing opportunities, referrals, and early access to new GEO features. Partners also receive platform training, success management, and strategic support to scale their GEO service offerings.

“Brandi AI looks beyond search ranking to tailor visibility and insights for GenAI app users,” said Jason English, Director and Principal Analyst at Intellyx. “Optimizing GEO not only boosts AI visibility but also strengthens SEO authority and natural search presence.”

“Our early agency partners are using Brandi to transform how they measure and deliver success in a generative-first market,” added Nurik. “They’re expanding their retainer value, improving margins, and redefining what innovation looks like for marketing services firms.”

Redefining the Future of Brand Discovery

As AI-driven search becomes the new front door for digital discovery, Brandi’s Agency Partnership Program positions agencies to lead the transformation. With Generative Engine Optimization emerging as the next evolution of SEO, agencies that adopt Brandi’s tools early are poised to define how brands stay visible—and relevant—in the age of AI-powered answers.

The Brandi Agency Partnership Program is now open to qualified agencies worldwide. Interested firms can learn more and apply via Brandi AI’s website.

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