In a major step toward redefining how enterprise brands activate customer data, MessageGears, a leading data activation and engagement platform, has officially been named a Validated Partner of Databricks, the prominent data and AI company. This new partnership introduces a native integration between MessageGears and the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform, giving marketing teams direct, secure, and immediate access to their entire enterprise datasets without the need for data syncing, duplication, or movement.

This collaboration establishes a new paradigm in data-native marketing, offering unmatched speed, control, and flexibility in building highly personalized, cross-channel campaigns at scale.

Highlights of the Integration

1. Direct and Governed Access to Live Enterprise Data

• The integration provides native connectivity to Databricks’ live enterprise datasets.

• Marketers can query and activate data directly from their Databricks instance, ensuring:

  • No latency

  • No duplicated datasets

  • No data discrepancies

• Eliminates the need for slow, error-prone syncing processes traditionally required by external marketing platforms.

“With a fully native Databricks connection, teams can work with more of their data in more complex ways—without compromising speed, security, or control.”
– Caroline Nash, Senior Director of Partnerships, MessageGears

2. Built on Open Lakehouse Architecture

• Databricks’ open lakehouse architecture merges data, governance, and AI into a single, scalable platform.

• MessageGears leverages this foundation to give brands a full view of the customer (Customer 360).

• The result is more data-driven, relevant, and real-time experiences across all digital touchpoints.

3. Composable and Modular Architecture

• MessageGears allows enterprise brands to adopt only the needed components, including:

  • Audience building and segmentation

  • Real-time APIs

  • Native messaging (email, SMS, push, in-app, web)

• The platform can be used as an audience builder, an ESP, or both, depending on the brand’s existing tech stack.

• This flexibility helps enterprise marketing teams avoid costly, large-scale platform migrations.

4. Real-Time Engagement at Microsecond Speed

• Marketers can execute dynamic, real-time personalization at scale using MessageGears.

• Engagement is powered by:

  • Direct connections to live Databricks data

  • Enriched, profile-level insights

  • Support for billions of events processed with microsecond latency

• Enables brands to meet customers in the moment with hyper-relevant messaging across any channel.

5. Mutual Recognition of Innovation and Impact

• The partnership reflects a shared vision between the two companies:

  • MessageGears: Specialized in warehouse-native customer engagement.

  • Databricks: Experts in unified data, governance, and AI-driven intelligence.

• Together, they help brands design secure, efficient, and scalable cross-channel campaigns that drive deeper customer connections.

“We’ve been impressed by MessageGears’ innovative approach to consumer data activation and how they help enterprises gain a full view of the customer.”
– Ariel Amster, Director, Strategic Technology Partners, Databricks

The MessageGears and Databricks partnership is a landmark move in the evolution of enterprise marketing. By removing barriers to data access, reducing duplication, and enabling real-time activation, this integration empowers marketing teams to deliver faster, smarter, and more secure customer experiences. In an age where consumer engagement hinges on speed, relevance, and data trust, this collaboration delivers exactly what enterprise brands need to stay competitive.

As consumer expectations rise, this partnership sets a new benchmark for what modern marketing technology should look like—modular, data-native, and real-time.

As artificial intelligence continues to blur the line between real and fake, online scams have become increasingly sophisticated and widespread. In response, cybersecurity leader McAfee has launched Keep it Real, a bold awareness campaign designed to highlight the rise of AI-driven scams while working to dismantle the culture of shame that often surrounds scam victims. Through a mix of creative digital ads and real-life scam survivor stories, McAfee is turning education into engagement and empathy into empowerment.

Elements of the Campaign

1. AI-Powered Ads Designed to Challenge Perception

• McAfee partnered with creative agency VSA Partners to craft a series of surreal, AI-generated digital ads.

• These ads mimic the subtle yet unsettling nature of scams, making viewers question what’s real and what’s manipulated.

• Notable ad examples include:

  • A woman relaxing on a beach whose head rotates unnaturally—sparking confusion and discussion online.

  • Thematic ads such as “Travel,” “Weight Loss,” and “Tolls” highlighting common scam vectors.

• Objective: Create an emotional and cognitive response that mirrors the uncertainty users feel when encountering AI-generated scams.

“The ads are clearly artificial—but that’s intentional,” said Anne-Marie Rosser, CEO of VSA Partners. “That moment of confusion reflects what people experience online today.”

2. Launch of McAfee’s Scam Detector Tool

• Coinciding with the campaign, McAfee released the Scam Detector, an AI-powered tool.

• It automatically identifies scams across:

  • Text messages

  • Emails

  • Video content

• The tool is aimed at giving users greater control, confidence, and security in their digital interactions.

3. Humanizing the Conversation with Scam Stories

• The Scam Stories series features real accounts from scam victims who share their experiences to raise awareness.

• Focus: Destigmatize getting scammed and encourage open dialogue.

• Shared on social media using hashtags #KeepItReal and #MyScamStory.

• Early contributors include public figures like Chris Carmack and Erin Slaver, who discussed their own experiences with fraud.

“This campaign helps shift the narrative from shame to understanding. Anyone can be fooled,” said Stephanie Fried, McAfee CMO.

4. High Engagement and Impactful Results

• Initial campaign metrics show:

  • 50% increase in social engagement over benchmarks.

  • 55% higher click-through rates (CTR) compared to similar campaigns.

• Indicates strong public interest and a growing appetite for honest, educational digital experiences.

5. Strategic Partnerships for Broader Impact

• McAfee teamed up with FightCybercrime.org, a nonprofit focused on scam education and victim support.

• Contributions include:

  • $50,000 worth of online protection services donated to scam survivors and volunteers.

  • Educational content and awareness resources co-developed with the organization.

6. Influencer Collaborations for Wider Reach

• To amplify its reach, McAfee enlisted influencers to create relatable, informative content:

  • Alexandra Madison (@alexandramadisonn)

  • Theo Shakes (@theo_shakes)

  • Kristen Knutson (@callmekristenmarie)

• These collaborations focus on simplifying complex cybersecurity topics and spreading awareness through authentic storytelling.

With “Keep it Real,” McAfee is leading a much-needed shift in how society addresses online scams. By combining the power of artificial intelligence, creative media, and authentic human stories, the campaign not only educates but also empowers users to navigate the digital world more safely. The initiative exemplifies how technology and empathy, when blended effectively, can raise awareness, foster connection, and spark meaningful action in the fight against cybercrime.

EverDriven, a leader in Alternative Student Transportation, is entering a new phase of growth and innovation. The company recently announced the addition of two technology and marketing leaders Mon-Chaio Lo as Chief Product and Technology Officer and Courtney Pallotta as Chief Marketing Officer. Their appointments mark a strategic move to amplify EverDriven’s mission-driven impact and national expansion, as the demand for flexible, tech-powered student transportation solutions continues to grow.

EverDriven’s Strategic Appointments

Mon-Chaio Lo – Chief Product and Technology Officer

• Brings over 20 years of experience in engineering leadership from companies such as Microsoft, Uber, and Meta.

• Known for scaling user-centric platforms that merge advanced technology with real-world utility.

• Has guided product development through startup environments and major tech organizations alike.

• At EverDriven, Lo will lead AI-based technology development to:

  • Optimize routes intelligently.

  • Enable predictive scheduling.

  • Monitor real-time fleet health.

  • Track students dynamically.

  • Integrate seamlessly with school district systems.

• His vision focuses on building scalable, adaptable platforms to meet both current and future transportation needs.

Courtney Pallotta – Chief Marketing Officer

• Brings 25 years of experience in marketing leadership across tech firms including IBM, Netezza, Reprise, and ClearSky Data.

• Has led successful IPOs, acquisitions, and category launches across enterprise tech.

• Will oversee EverDriven’s marketing strategy and growth initiatives to:

  • Deepen engagement with school districts.

  • Expand brand visibility and mission impact.

  • Increase the reach of EverDriven’s services to underserved communities.

• Merges expertise in technology marketing with a personal passion for expanding educational access.

Scaling the Mission Nationwide

Nationwide Footprint and Growth

• EverDriven has doubled its operating states to 35 in the last five years.

• The company transports over 21,000 students daily using a tech-driven, scalable model.

• Their approach ensures transportation that is:

  • Safe and compliant.

  • Real-time adaptable.

  • Equitable for students regardless of their geographic or socio-economic conditions.

Technology as the Backbone of Modern Transport

• A real-time, AI-powered platform enables:

  • Flexibility to meet shifting demands.

  • High service levels across districts.

  • Integration of safety and compliance into core operations.

• Focus on modernizing transportation for students with complex needs and limited access.

Leadership Vision: Blending Technology with Mission

Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven:

• Emphasizes the strategic timing of these appointments as EverDriven scales nationally.

• Highlights the combination of “high-touch service” and “industry-leading technology” that defines the company’s approach.

• Believes that the combined leadership of Lo and Pallotta will drive innovation and community impact.

Executive Perspectives

• Lo: Envisions a future where AI enhances safety, efficiency, and adaptability in student transport.

• Pallotta: Sees EverDriven’s mission as aligned with her goal of advancing education through meaningful tech-driven strategies.

EverDriven is at a transformative crossroads. By welcoming top-tier technology and marketing executives, the company is poised to scale its mission of delivering safe, reliable, and equitable student transportation. With cutting-edge AI tools and a renewed marketing focus, EverDriven is setting the standard for the future of student mobility—where technology meets mission to drive nationwide impact.

SurveyMonkey, the world’s most popular platform for surveys and forms, today announced the launch of its newest office in Heredia, Costa Rica. Strategically located to serve customers across North and South America, the Heredia office is a key part of SurveyMonkey’s strategy to build a diverse global team and deepen its presence in Latin America.

The new office, located at Cariari Corporate Center within WeWork C3, currently houses 40 employees across customer operations, engineering, human resources, sales, and customer success. SurveyMonkey plans to expand the team by 30% by the end of 2025, focusing on hiring in customer success, operations, and marketing roles.

Designed to promote innovation and employee well-being, the modern workspace includes sustainable infrastructure, relaxation areas, meditation rooms, pet-friendly zones, an in-house barista, stocked pantries, and regular community events creating a collaborative and engaging environment.

SurveyMonkey is also committed to investing in the local community through a new chapter of its Diversity, Inclusion, and Impact Groups (DIIGs). The Costa Rica team will participate in volunteer initiatives, including the company’s global Week of Service honoring former CEO Dave Goldberg’s legacy. Employees will benefit from comprehensive training and professional development programs to help them grow their careers in tech.

With more than 19,000 paying customers across Latin America and 500 in Costa Rica, SurveyMonkey aims to capitalize on significant growth opportunities in the region. The platform supports over 56 languages, including Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese, making it well-suited for diverse markets.

This expansion adds to SurveyMonkey’s global footprint, which includes offices in San Mateo and Portland (U.S.), Ottawa (Canada), Dublin (Ireland), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Padua (Italy), and Bengaluru (India). With teams spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and now Latin America, SurveyMonkey is poised to meet the evolving needs of its global user base.

“SurveyMonkey’s expansion into Costa Rica is poised to support innovation and contribute to the local economy,” said Eric Johnson, CEO at SurveyMonkey. “Our on-the-ground team is already a standout group of leading minds who are enabling us to better build and sell our products locally, and in other communities worldwide. We’re just getting started in Latin America, and we see tremendous untapped growth potential ahead.”

Elias Conejo, Director of Engineering and Site Lead at the Heredia office, added, “We are steadfast in our commitment to helping users gather meaningful insights and embracing the Costa Rican spirit of Pura Vida. We’re focused on authenticity, balance, and genuine human connection to build strong cross-cultural bonds while driving innovation.”

The new Costa Rica hub represents more than regional growth—it embodies SurveyMonkey’s commitment to fostering global impact by empowering teams worldwide to make better decisions and deliver outstanding customer experiences.

LiveRamp, the leading data collaboration partner, today announced it has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Data Clean Room Technology for Advertising and Marketing Use Cases 2025 Vendor Assessment.

Lynne Schneider, Research Director for Data Collaboration & Monetization at IDC, noted, “LiveRamp’s data clean room stands out for its extensive partner network, focus on identity resolution and connectivity, and commitment to interoperability across platforms. Its seamless integration with major cloud providers, standardized insights, and native activation capabilities position it as a leader in the data collaboration space.”

A Powerful Network and Interoperable Architecture

LiveRamp’s data clean room platform enables secure collaboration across first, second, and third-party data among brands, agencies, media owners, and data partners—all within privacy-compliant environments. The platform allows participants to connect, analyze, and activate data while maintaining full control, visibility, and governance.

Strengths highlighted by IDC include:

• Extensive partner network: Access to over 1,000 partners, including top publishers, retailers, platforms, and data providers

• Interoperable architecture: Integration with all major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP, Databricks, Snowflake) for cross-cloud collaboration without data copying

• Native activation: Direct campaign activation with hundreds of partners straight from the clean room

Unlocking Value in a Complex Ecosystem

“We believe recognition as a Leader by IDC MarketScape for the second time underscores the value we deliver through clean room-powered data collaboration,” said Matt Karasick, Head of Product at LiveRamp. “Our scalable platform helps marketers and media owners unify fragmented data, generate insights, and execute campaigns across the platforms consumers use most. From matchmaking new partners to enhancing clean rooms with turnkey workflows, identity resolution, or activation, LiveRamp offers flexible solutions tailored to any company’s goals.”

Reputation, the global leader in reputation performance management, today announced a major evolution of its platform with advanced AI capabilities that deliver deeper, real-time insights into consumer sentiment from an expanded array of data channels.

A Breakthrough AI Engine Powers Unified Customer Intelligence

At the heart of this transformation is Reputation’s newly reengineered AI-native platform designed to unify fragmented data and convert vast volumes of customer feedback into precise, actionable intelligence. This AI-first architecture is built for flexibility, scalability, and rapid integration of emerging innovations—positioning brands to tackle today’s challenges and thrive in an increasingly data-driven future.

“We’ve spent the last two years preparing for the seismic shift AI is now bringing to every industry,” said Joe Burton, CEO of Reputation. “This next-gen engine, data lake, and processing hub transform how businesses manage their brands by automating workflows and delivering real-time sentiment insights.”

Expanded Data Sources Deliver a Fuller View of Customer Experience

Reputation’s rebuilt data architecture significantly expands its intelligence network to offer brands a more nuanced and comprehensive picture of consumer sentiment. The platform now integrates new high-value sources such as Yelp, which attracts 76 million monthly users seeking trusted reviews across industries like healthcare, retail, and food service.

By incorporating Yelp and other channels, brands gain richer access to customer experiences and feedback, enabling faster, more informed decisions that improve customer engagement and satisfaction.

AI at the Core of Future-Ready Reputation Management

“Most platforms are trying to retrofit AI into outdated systems,” noted Shantanu Sarkar, Chief Technology Officer at Reputation. “We rebuilt our foundation with clean data, intelligent tagging, and an architecture built for modern large language models and vector databases. To lead with AI, you need infrastructure that delivers real-time insights and scalable intelligence directly to decision-makers. Our new platform does exactly that.”

Looking ahead, Reputation plans to introduce predictive sentiment analysis, AI-powered competitive benchmarking, and a natural language interface—continuing to advance intelligent automation and empower brands in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

Rithum, a global leader in commerce solutions, released its 2025 Global Returns & Profit Impact Report, uncovering how return policies are increasingly influencing where and what consumers buy. The extensive study, surveying over 6,000 consumers across the U.S., Canada, U.K., France, and Germany, reveals the complex dynamics behind returns and offers insights for brands and retailers to turn this growing challenge into a profit opportunity.

Returns Are No Longer an Afterthought — They Shape Purchases

With 60% of global consumers returning products in the past year, returns have become an integral part of the online shopping experience. Notably, 36% of shoppers admit to overbuying with the intent to return, signaling a strategic shift in consumer behavior.

“Returns are no longer a post-purchase afterthought – they’re shaping buying decisions,” said Lou Keyes, CEO of Rithum. “Brands that treat returns as a critical business lever instead of a cost center will gain a significant competitive advantage.”

Insights from the 2025 Returns Report

Product Presentation Drives Post-Purchase Satisfaction

• 61% cite poor fit as the main return reason

• 33% returned products that didn’t match online descriptions or images

• 50% rely heavily on customer reviews for clothing and shoes purchases

Return Policies Influence Brand Loyalty

• 88% expect free returns as a standard offering

• 41% check return policies before buying

• 47% stopped shopping with retailers due to unfavorable return policies

Return Behavior Differs Regionally — Localization is Key

• Germans and French consumers favor shorter return windows (14 days or less) compared to North America

• Over 60% of fashion items are returned in parts of Europe, where shoppers often buy multiples intending to return some

• Electronics returns are high in Germany (54%) and the U.K. (51%), while beauty product returns dominate in North America

Fashion Sector Leads in Return Volume

• 68% of consumers returned clothing or footwear in the last year

• 36% engage in “bracketing” by buying multiples to try and return some

• Among shoppers under 35, 50% commonly overbuy with plans to return

Empowering Retailers to Turn Returns Into a Competitive Advantage

Suzin Wold, CMO of Rithum, explains, “Consumers want to trust that they’ll get what they paid for. When product content and return policies don’t match reality, it breaks trust and loyalty.”

Rithum’s solutions support retailers in:

• Ensuring accurate product listings

• Using AI-driven categorization

• Delivering SKU-level profitability insights

• Managing localized return policies

This helps brands proactively reduce returns’ margin impact while enhancing customer satisfaction.

Amplitude, a leader in digital analytics, announced a preferred partnership with Twilio Segment to help businesses unify customer data, uncover behavioral insights, and deliver personalized digital experiences at scale.

The announcement was made during Twilio’s SIGNAL 2025 conference, where both companies confirmed that Amplitude teams will now recommend Twilio Segment as the preferred customer data platform (CDP), while Twilio will endorse Amplitude as the digital analytics platform of choice. As part of the collaboration, Amplitude introduced new ready-made dashboards that integrate seamlessly with Twilio Segment’s CDP.

“Many companies today rely on a patchwork of disconnected tools to understand and engage their users — often using separate platforms for data collection, analysis, and campaign execution,” said Nate Crook, Amplitude Chief Revenue Officer. “This fragmentation creates delays, data inconsistencies, and missed opportunities to drive engagement and growth. Our partnership with Twilio Segment aims to solve this challenge by providing a unified solution for our customers.”

Features of the Partnership Include:

• Five Pre-Built Dashboards: Covering Analytics, Session Replay, Experimentation, and Guides & Surveys, tailored for industries such as e-commerce, media, fintech, SaaS, and user engagement.

• Automatic Recognition of Segment Data: Dashboards highlight key trends like revenue growth, feature usage, and user drop-offs.

• Seamless Data Activation: Insights flow back into Segment to trigger personalized emails, campaigns, or other engagement actions, enabling teams to move from data to action efficiently.

• Cross-Functional Benefits: Marketing, product, engineering, and growth teams can leverage integrated data and analytics without bottlenecks.

Libby MacNeil, SVP of Worldwide Sales and GTM at Twilio, said, “Amplitude sets the bar for modern digital analytics. This co-sell agreement is a key growth lever for Twilio. By aligning our sales and go-to-market strategies, we create new opportunities to expand with joint customers. With these new dashboards, businesses can stop guessing and start delivering, fast.”

With over 335,000 active Twilio customer accounts worldwide, the partnership opens significant opportunities for Amplitude, especially among enterprises seeking to consolidate their data and analytics platforms.

“Today’s announcement marks a major step forward in our mission to help companies build better products and digital experiences,” Crook added. “By combining Segment’s unified data with Amplitude’s insights, experimentation, and activation tools, teams can accelerate the journey from analysis to action and drive measurable results.”