artificial intelligence 15 May 2025
Akeneo, a leader in Product Information Management (PIM), conducted a U.S. consumer survey to explore how AI impacts online shopping experiences. The study reveals an optimistic, yet complex, relationship between consumers and AI-driven features like recommendations and chatbots. With nearly one-third of consumers making purchases based on AI suggestions, brands have a significant opportunity to enhance product experiences and build trust through transparent and personalized AI implementations.
75% of respondents have encountered AI-driven recommendations or chatbots while shopping online.
44% of those consumers engaged with the technology.
32% completed a purchase based on an AI recommendation, and 84% of them were satisfied with their decision.
AI is being used across multiple stages of the customer journey to enhance experiences.
37% noticed improved product recommendations.
33% experienced faster customer support.
31% benefited from more accurate search results.
28% observed enhanced product information and descriptions.
27% noticed improved AI summaries of customer reviews.
These figures indicate that consumers are increasingly recognizing AI’s role in refining their overall product discovery and decision-making processes.
42% of consumers expect faster and more accurate customer support from AI in the future.
39% look forward to more precise recommendations.
37% expect deeper personalization aligned with their preferences.
Businesses have the opportunity to boost customer satisfaction and reduce product returns by ensuring that eCommerce product data is accurate, real-time, and AI-enhanced.
Trust remains a concern—only 45% of consumers somewhat trust AI-powered recommendations and chatbots.
Satisfaction with chatbots is low—only 38% of users reported satisfaction, and a mere 14% were very satisfied.
43% of respondents believe brands are not transparent about data usage, and 30% are uncertain about transparency levels.
Despite trust issues, 49% of consumers are open to continuing purchases with brands using AI to enhance the experience.
The survey underscores a growing yet cautious optimism among consumers regarding AI in eCommerce. While AI significantly enhances product discovery and personalization, retailers must prioritize transparency and trust to maintain consumer confidence. Businesses investing in AI must align innovation with clear communication to build stronger, long-lasting relationships with their customers. The path forward lies in integrating AI with ethical, customer-centric strategies that respect privacy while elevating the product experience.
artificial intelligence 15 May 2025
Captiv8, the leading influencer marketing platform for enterprise brands, has announced a strategic partnership with Perplexity for Startups to enhance its platform with advanced AI capabilities. The collaboration integrates Perplexity's Sonar models into Captiv8's workflow, transforming influencer campaign planning, execution, and reporting for brands and agencies worldwide.
By embedding AI-powered features directly into the platform, Captiv8 now offers faster insights, smarter decision-making, and stronger campaign performance, all within the platform's secure environment. This innovation enables clients to unlock the full potential of influencer marketing, significantly improving campaign outcomes.
Reimagining Campaign Intelligence with AI
Managing influencer campaigns involves navigating countless variables—from creator discovery to mid-flight optimization. Captiv8 recognized a key challenge: clients were spending too much time analyzing data or relying on external tools. With 60% of marketers planning to use AI to improve campaign results, Captiv8 responded by integrating AI directly into its core workflow with Perplexity's technology.
Krishna Subramanian, Co-founder & CEO of Captiv8, said,
"With Perplexity, we've built an intelligent co-pilot into the Captiv8 experience. It's not just about saving time—it's about unlocking creative potential and achieving better results."
Smarter Tools, Embedded in Workflow
The partnership introduces a suite of AI-powered features that streamline every stage of campaign execution. By using Perplexity's Sonar models, Captiv8 has enhanced its platform with tools that simplify the influencer marketing process:
Creator Vetting & Justification: Perplexity's Sonar API analyzes creator data (demographics, engagement, tone) and instantly generates justifications for brand-fit, saving clients hours of manual work.
AI Assistant: Clients can ask natural language questions like, "Which creators over-index with Gen Z in France?" or "Why did engagement dip on Day 3?" and get immediate, actionable answers.
Brand Safety Scoring: Captiv8’s Media Safety tool flags unsafe content and assigns a risk score, helping clients make informed partnership decisions with Sonar's real-time web research.
Automated Wrap Reports: Sonar’s advanced reasoning model compiles post-campaign summaries, combining key metrics, insights, and takeaways into polished reports—delivered in minutes instead of days.
All these tools are seamlessly integrated into Captiv8's user interface, eliminating the need for external data exports or third-party tools. The integration with Perplexity ensures that all campaign data remains private and protected with secure, zero-day retention.
Impact: Speed, Precision, and Results
The integration of AI has already delivered measurable results for early adopters. Brands and agencies have reported faster planning cycles, more precise targeting, and higher ROI. Tasks that once took days—such as influencer discovery or report generation—now take just minutes. AI now enables teams to identify trends, address performance dips, and optimize content on the fly, driving real-time improvements and long-term success.
Subramanian added,
"Thanks to Perplexity and their Startup program, we're providing clients with capabilities they've never had before. AI is no longer a buzzword—it's become the engine behind how our customers work and win."
A New Standard for AI in Marketing Workflows
Taz Patel, Head of Advertising at Perplexity, stated,
"Captiv8 is setting a new standard for AI in marketing workflows. By embedding our technology directly into campaign execution, we're helping brands make smarter, faster decisions that translate into more dollars flowing to creators and measurable impact in social commerce. It's an exciting step forward for the ecosystem."
With this partnership, Captiv8 continues to cement its position as a leader in influencer marketing innovation. The integration of Perplexity's AI tools is helping brands and agencies navigate the rapidly evolving influencer landscape with ease, unlocking new opportunities for growth and engagement.
artificial intelligence 15 May 2025
Demandbase, a leader in account-based go-to-market (GTM) solutions for B2B enterprises, has unveiled Agentbase, a suite of innovative AI agents designed to streamline workflows and accelerate decision-making for revenue teams. Powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Agentbase combines cutting-edge AI technologies to turn complex data and workflows into actionable, conversational insights that drive smarter business decisions.
The launch of Agentbase includes two key innovations: Filter Agent and Action Agent, which are being developed in collaboration with the AWS GenAI Innovation Center. These AI-driven agents are poised to transform how B2B companies engage with data, boosting productivity, improving campaign precision, and reducing the time it takes to turn insights into actionable results.
Agentbase: Driving Smarter Decisions and Accelerated Revenue Growth
Built on a foundation of proven AI technologies like intent analysis and account summaries, Agentbase is designed to streamline GTM workflows, enhance campaign effectiveness, and generate tangible business outcomes. Early results show that campaigns utilizing the platform's agents saw 40% higher click-through rates and 25% more page visits, showcasing its potential to significantly improve marketing performance.
Francessca Vasquez, Vice President of Professional Services and Generative AI Innovation Center at AWS, highlighted the impact of Agentbase on B2B companies:
"Demandbase has leveraged Amazon Bedrock to build Agentbase agents, transforming how B2B companies access and act on critical business intelligence. These innovations make complex data more accessible while delivering meaningful business outcomes."
The Power of AI-Driven Automation for B2B Sales Teams
The Agentbase platform is built to empower B2B companies by enhancing how sales and marketing teams interact with data. The suite includes multiple AI agents, each designed to improve specific aspects of the go-to-market (GTM) process:
Filter Agent: Helps users analyze data with natural language capabilities, simplifying the process of filtering through complex datasets.
Action Agent: Automates the decision-making process, helping teams quickly identify actionable insights and opportunities for engagement.
Together, these agents reduce friction in how teams access insights, enabling them to act faster, smarter, and more effectively across the sales lifecycle. The platform is already deployed across numerous companies, including beta testers from Demandbase’s AI Design Partner Program, such as Equifax, SAP Concur, SentinelOne, NetApp, and T-Mobile.
Accelerating the Future of GTM with AWS and Demandbase
The collaboration between Demandbase and AWS is setting the stage for the future of AI-powered GTM strategies. By leveraging Amazon Bedrock, a platform that helps businesses build and deploy AI solutions at scale, Demandbase is ensuring that its agents are not only secure and scalable but also capable of driving measurable business impact.
Gabe Rogol, CEO at Demandbase, emphasized the significance of this partnership:
"The next era of GTM is here: Assisted automation and insights powered by AI. Agentbase is enabling revenue teams to quickly uncover powerful information and make strategic decisions across the go-to-market lifecycle."
The future of GTM is rapidly evolving, and the collaboration between Demandbase and AWS is pivotal in this transformation. Together, they are empowering businesses to scale their efforts and make data-driven decisions with precision and speed.
Looking Ahead: Multi-Agent Collaboration and Expanded Capabilities
Demandbase is committed to further enhancing Agentbase's capabilities by enabling multi-agent collaboration, which will provide even more comprehensive B2B intelligence and automation. As the platform continues to evolve, businesses will have access to even more powerful tools to analyze buying group scores, pipeline opportunities, and other critical data points.
To learn more about Demandbase Agents and how they’re revolutionizing GTM, visit the Demandbase website.
Join Demandbase at SaaStr 2025
Gabe Rogol, CEO at Demandbase, and Arym Diamond, Head of North America Data & AI Sales at AWS, will be discussing how AI is redefining the future of GTM at SaaStr 2025. The session will be held on Wednesday, May 14 at 3:50 p.m. PT. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of B2B sales and marketing.
marketing 15 May 2025
A new study by Quad/Graphics, Inc. and The Harris Poll sheds light on a significant consumer trend the desire for more in-real-life (IRL) brand experiences. The study, titled "The Return of Touch," surveyed over 2,000 respondents and reveals that modern consumers are shifting their preferences back towards physical and tangible connections with brands. This shift presents a unique opportunity for brands to create more meaningful, omnichannel marketing strategies that combine both online and in-person touchpoints.
The report suggests that consumers are rebalancing their values, craving tactile interactions and seeking authentic, multi-sensory brand experiences. By meeting consumers where they are—whether in stores, at home, or online brands can build deeper connections that drive engagement and loyalty.
Findings from "The Return of Touch" Study
The survey reveals several key insights about modern consumer preferences:
78% of Americans prefer an in-person social life over a digital-only one.
81% believe that digital detoxes should be a routine part of life.
84% of Gen Z and Millennials value brands that blend technology and physical experiences seamlessly.
78% of Gen Z and Millennials appreciate digital touchpoints that enhance, rather than replace, the physical shopping experience.
According to Libby Rodney, Chief Strategy Officer at The Harris Poll, this cultural shift isn't just a pandemic-driven return to in-store experiences. "Gen Z and Millennials are seeking serendipity and human connection that online experiences simply can’t replicate. They expect brands to blend convenience with meaningful in-person moments, creating a hybrid experience that feels authentic and human."
The Tactile Renaissance: Why Physical Experiences Matter
The study highlights the importance of tactile experiences in fostering stronger connections between consumers and brands. In fact, 76% of Americans say that physical retail experiences help them connect more deeply with brands. Many consumers appreciate the "magic" of discovering products in person that online shopping can’t deliver. As Josh Golden, Chief Marketing Officer at Quad, puts it:
"The sensory impact of physically being in a store, touching merchandise, is powerful—it’s why this research validates the importance of tactile experiences in a brand's marketing mix."
Other key insights from the study include:
79% of Americans find online shopping efficient but lack the in-person "magic."
86% of Gen Z and Millennials believe that touching and feeling products is crucial to their purchase decisions.
Brands that offer immersive in-store experiences can create deeper consumer connections, influencing purchase decisions and driving brand loyalty.
Omnichannel Marketing: Bridging the Digital-Physical Gap
The study shows that consumers want more than just an in-store experience—they crave multi-channel interactions that blend digital and physical touchpoints. Print marketing has shown to be especially impactful, with 65% of Americans looking forward to receiving catalogs from brands. 71% feel that print catalogs and magazines convey authenticity, and 72% of Gen Z and Millennials wish more brands would surprise them with direct mail.
In fact, 78% of Gen Z and Millennials report that physical mail has prompted them to visit a physical store, underscoring the importance of an integrated approach that connects in-store, online, and at-home interactions.
The Emergence of Retail Tourism: A New Opportunity
The study also reveals the growing trend of retail tourism, where consumers plan trips specifically to visit hyped retail stores or pop-up shops. With 63% of respondents having planned a trip around visiting a retail store, brands can leverage Instagrammable designs and unique in-store experiences to create buzz and attract consumers to their physical locations.
60% of Gen Z and Millennial consumers enjoy the experience of waiting in line for a popular retailer, further emphasizing the power of in-person interactions. After a memorable in-store experience, consumers are likely to:
51% make a return visit
47% talk about the brand with others
38% explore the brand's online store
The Power of "Return on Touch"
This study emphasizes the significant opportunity for brands to create meaningful, tactile experiences that resonate with today’s consumers. By embracing omnichannel marketing strategies and blending online and offline touchpoints, brands can enhance authenticity, foster brand loyalty, and improve customer engagement.
As Josh Golden notes, the "Return on Touch" is not just a catchy phrase—it represents a tangible opportunity for brands to drive stronger, more engaged customer relationships and reap the benefits of cross-channel marketing that connects with consumers on a deeper, more personal level.
business 15 May 2025
Data Axle, a leader in data-driven solutions, has launched ProfileFuse™, a next-generation platform designed to seamlessly connect business and consumer profiles using AI-driven identity resolution. ProfileFuse is the successor to Data Axle’s groundbreaking B2C Link dataset and offers brands a precision-driven approach to engage customers and prospects more effectively. This innovative tool is designed to drive engagement, retention, and growth by creating more meaningful connections through comprehensive customer insights.
For over two decades, Data Axle has been at the forefront of unifying business and consumer datasets. With ProfileFuse, the company builds on this legacy, offering brands a dynamic solution to understand and interact with customers across both business and consumer identities.
What Is ProfileFuse™ and How Does It Work?
ProfileFuse™ connects business contacts with their corresponding consumer identities, enabling brands to recognize and reach individuals with greater precision. With over 100 million high-confidence linkages, ProfileFuse helps brands better understand their customers, offering a unique advantage in an increasingly fragmented landscape where the lines between business and consumer activities are rapidly blurring.
Powered by AI-driven identity resolution, ProfileFuse not only provides deep insights into customer identities but also enhances engagement by facilitating synchronized messaging and data activation. This tool is designed to help brands move from insight to execution with flexibility and efficiency, offering several deployment options to suit various business needs.
The Evolution of Consumer Insights: Why ProfileFuse Matters
As consumer behaviors continue to evolve across devices and touchpoints, understanding the full identity of a customer is no longer just about recognizing them as a consumer or business contact separately. According to Data Axle’s survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers and 1,000 industry professionals, 72% of consumers stated that they would feel more connected to brands offering experiences based on their entire identities. Yet, fewer than 40% of marketers integrate psychographic data to create truly connected experiences.
Andy Frawley, CEO of Data Axle, explains:
"True customer insight comes from connecting the dots between who someone is as a consumer and who they are professionally. ProfileFuse enables that connection, helping brands synchronize their data, messaging, and activation across both identities."
Features of ProfileFuse™
ProfileFuse provides brands with a suite of features to enhance customer engagement and retention:
Expanded Audience Reach: Improved identity linkages allow brands to reach customers more precisely across different segments.
Enhanced Lead Conversion: More accurate customer profiles result in better-targeted sales efforts and higher conversion rates.
Omnichannel Retargeting: The ability to retarget customers more effectively across various platforms and touchpoints.
Stronger Account-Based Marketing: Personalization at scale, enabling brands to create more meaningful interactions with key accounts.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Enriches CRM systems with additional identity markers for a more complete customer view.
Privacy-First Resolution: Supports compliance with data privacy regulations and builds customer trust through ethical data practices.
Integration with Leading Marketing and Cloud Ecosystems
ProfileFuse can be integrated into existing marketing ecosystems, including platforms like Snowflake, Google Cloud, Salesforce, Adobe, LiveRamp, and The Trade Desk. This flexibility helps brands activate data directly within the tools they are already using, ensuring seamless operations and better-targeted campaigns.
It can also be embedded into Data Axle’s Audience360® solution, allowing brands to create a brand-specific data foundation that powers smarter, more effective marketing strategies.
Unlocking New Opportunities with ProfileFuse™
With ProfileFuse, Data Axle continues to pioneer solutions that unify B2B and B2C data, helping brands engage customers at a more personal and effective level. By connecting consumers’ personal and professional identities, ProfileFuse enables companies to enhance customer interactions, improve marketing outcomes, and maintain trust through privacy-first identity resolution.
As the data landscape evolves, ProfileFuse positions brands to thrive by unlocking deeper customer insights, ultimately leading to growth, retention, and long-lasting relationships.
marketing 15 May 2025
As 360PR+ approaches its 25th anniversary, the communications and marketing agency has proudly achieved B Corporation certification. This prestigious certification follows a rigorous evaluation by B Lab, assessing the company’s impact on various aspects such as purpose, ethics, transparency, employee wellness, engagement, and its economic and environmental footprint within the communities it serves. With this certification, 360PR+ joins a global community of businesses committed to using their operations as a force for good.
Laura Tomasetti, founder and CEO of 360PR+, expressed the significance of the certification:
"To do that authentically, we must hold ourselves to the highest possible standards – our certification as a B Corporation is validation of that and a testament to all of our employees, whose engagement and feedback makes us better every day."
What Does B Corporation Certification Mean?
A B Corporation certification is awarded to companies that demonstrate high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Certified companies undergo a rigorous evaluation by B Lab, a non-profit organization that certifies companies based on their contributions to society and the environment.
Over 9,000 B Corporations globally across a range of sectors are certified by B Lab. The certification is a symbol of a company’s commitment to balancing profit with purpose, ensuring that business success is not only measured by financial growth but by its positive impact on the world.
360PR+ and Its Long-Standing Commitment to Positive Change
360PR+ has always been dedicated to representing brands that prioritize doing good for society. Over the years, the agency has worked with several B Corporations, including Blue Wave Solar, Full Circle Home, Pete & Gerry’s Organic Eggs, Stonyfield, and Vermont Creamery, helping these brands amplify their purpose-driven messages.
Through its B Corporation certification, 360PR+ demonstrates its commitment to upholding the same standards of integrity and responsibility that its clients follow. This includes creating a positive workplace culture, promoting employee wellness, and ensuring that the agency's operations have a meaningful and positive impact on both people and the environment.
A Partnership for Growth: 360PR+ and PROI Worldwide
Based in New York, 360PR+ is also a proud partner in PROI Worldwide, a network offering clients in-market resources in over 100 cities across North America and globally. This partnership expands the agency’s reach and ability to impact positive change at a global scale, offering clients innovative and impactful communications strategies.
Additionally, 360PR+ has completed the WBENC process, certifying it as a women-owned business, further enhancing its dedication to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
A Legacy of Purpose-Driven Success
360PR+’s B Corporation certification represents more than just a milestone in the agency’s history. It reinforces the agency’s dedication to doing good—not only for its clients but for its employees, communities, and the environment. This commitment to ethical business practices and positive change will continue to guide 360PR+ as it grows and strengthens its position as a leader in integrated communications.
marketing 14 May 2025
StarCompliance, a global leader in employee compliance technology solutions, has unveiled its latest innovation: the AI-Assisted Marketing Compliance Review solution. This new capability is designed to help marketing and compliance teams proactively manage regulatory risks related to promotional content. By leveraging AI to detect unsubstantiated claims and misrepresentations, StarCompliance empowers firms to ensure their communications are compliant with regulatory standards while reducing bottlenecks in the approval process.
“In today’s rapidly evolving regulatory environment, marketing and compliance teams need tools that not only reduce review time but ensure materials meet FINRA and SEC guidelines,” said Kelvin Dickenson, Chief Product Officer at StarCompliance. “This solution streamlines workflows, enhances oversight, and gives firms the confidence to move quickly while staying compliant.”
Features and Benefits of the AI-Assisted Marketing Compliance Review Solution
The new solution offers a range of advanced features that empower firms to ensure marketing materials meet all regulatory requirements:
AI-Assisted Reviews: The AI-driven tool automatically flags risks within promotional content and, where necessary, recommends firm-approved disclosures from a client’s curated library.
Configurable Intake & Assignment: Review submissions can be routed based on fund type or regulatory framework, ensuring proper handling and compliance.
Multi-Format Support: Upload and review a wide range of file formats, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and PDF.
In-App Collaboration: Teams can comment, edit, and compare versions of materials side-by-side, enhancing collaboration during the review process.
Disclosure Library: The tool suggests the addition of approved disclosure language during the review process, reducing the risk of errors.
Centralized Oversight: Firms maintain one source of truth with full version history and audit trails, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Empowering Firms with Streamlined Compliance Processes
By incorporating AI into the marketing review process, StarCompliance’s new solution helps firms reduce manual effort, speed up the approval timeline, and ensure compliance with industry regulations such as those outlined by the FINRA and SEC. This proactive approach to regulatory risk management is crucial as firms navigate the increasingly complex landscape of marketing and compliance in financial services.
Join the Webinar: Marketing Review Made Easy: AI Tools for FINRA & SEC Compliance
As part of its leadership role in compliance technology, StarCompliance is hosting a webinar titled Marketing Review Made Easy: AI Tools for FINRA & SEC Compliance on June 18, 2025, at 11 AM EST. During the session, industry experts will explore how automated marketing reviews are transforming how firms manage and adhere to regulatory guardrails. This is an excellent opportunity for marketing and compliance professionals to learn more about the practical applications of AI in compliance workflows.
marketing 14 May 2025
ZoomInfo has unveiled a major rebranding announcement today, marking a new chapter in the company’s evolution. The company has changed its Nasdaq trading symbol from ‘ZI’ to ‘GTM’, emphasizing its expanded role as the Go-To-Market (GTM) Intelligence Platform. The new ticker symbol will go live following today’s market close, and ZoomInfo’s leadership team will ring the Nasdaq closing bell in celebration. This marks the next step in ZoomInfo’s journey, which began as a leading B2B data company and evolved into an AI-powered solution provider for sales teams.
“We’re not just a data provider or AI sales tool. We are the Go-To-Market Intelligence Platform that powers businesses to grow their revenue,” said Henry Schuck, ZoomInfo Founder and CEO. “Changing our ticker symbol to GTM is more than just symbolic. It reflects our vision for a future where go-to-market teams move seamlessly from ideas to execution, where the right signals trigger instant action, and the entire revenue engine operates in unison.”
ZoomInfo’s New Era: GTM Studio and the Future of Revenue Growth
In tandem with the ticker change, ZoomInfo is launching GTM Studio, the latest innovation in its GTM Intelligence Platform. This powerful tool is designed to help revenue leaders instantly design, enrich, and launch go-to-market plays—all within a single platform. Gone are the days of waiting for data pulls or delayed execution. GTM Studio integrates planning, data, and activation, enabling sales and marketing teams to orchestrate and execute campaigns effortlessly.
“GTM Intelligence isn’t about replacing your tech stack. It’s about making it work together,” said Dominik Facher, ZoomInfo Chief Product Officer. “Our platform integrates real-time signals, AI insights, and the necessary data foundation to give teams a dynamic view of who’s in-market and ready to buy. It powers smarter GTM strategies and helps teams focus on what really matters: closing deals faster and driving growth.”
The GTM 25 Roadshow: ZoomInfo Hits the Road
To mark the unveiling of these new platform innovations, ZoomInfo is kicking off the GTM 25 Roadshow, a tour for senior sales, marketing, and revenue professionals. The roadshow will visit New York, Boston, San Francisco, and London, where ZoomInfo’s leadership team will discuss its vision for the future of AI-powered GTM.
The roadshow will begin on May 13 in New York at Guggenheim, with additional stops scheduled for June in Boston (June 3), San Francisco (June 12), and London (June 19).
Innovations Powering ZoomInfo’s GTM Intelligence Platform
The GTM Intelligence Platform brings together real-time data, AI insights, and enriched signals to optimize the sales and marketing workflow. Notable features include:
ZoomInfo Copilot: Launched a year ago, Copilot pairs rich data with AI to recommend next-best actions and streamline sales execution.
ZoomInfo Marketing: A full-funnel platform for targeting, activating, and measuring B2B campaigns across industries.
GTM Studio: The latest addition, which consolidates data, campaign design, and AI-driven execution in one platform, enabling seamless orchestration across the revenue organization.
By eliminating data silos and automating manual tasks, ZoomInfo’s platform ensures that sales and marketing teams are always engaging with the right accounts at the right time with the right message.
Watch the Nasdaq Closing Bell Ceremony
To witness the official change of the ticker symbol to GTM, visit Nasdaq’s streaming site at 4:00 p.m. ET today. ZoomInfo’s leadership team will ring the closing bell, marking the debut of the new symbol and the company’s evolving focus on Go-To-Market intelligence.
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