Emplifi, the leading unified customer engagement platform, has released a new report titled “Marketing Across Generations: How Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers Engage with Brands Differently.” The research, conducted in partnership with Alchemer, surveyed nearly 1,000 U.S. consumers and delivers powerful insights into how different generations interact with brands, especially on social platforms.

Social Commerce Surges Among Younger Generations

• 53% of Gen Z and 56% of Millennials made a purchase via social media in the last 3 months.

• In contrast, only 29% of Baby Boomers report social purchases.

• Supported by EMARKETER’s findings, Gen Z adults (ages 18–24) spend over twice as much time on social platforms as the general population.

“This isn’t just a trend—it’s a fundamental shift in how consumers shop,” said Susan Ganeshan, CMO at Emplifi. “Brands must evolve with these behaviors to stay competitive.”

Generational Content Preferences: Interactive vs. Informative

• 46% of Gen Z want brand videos to be interactive, while

• 84% of Baby Boomers prefer informative, straightforward messaging.

• Gen X and Millennials fall between, with a mix of inspiration, authenticity, and substance.

Ganeshan adds:

“Younger generations crave dynamic, real-time engagement, while Boomers value clarity. A one-size-fits-all content strategy just won’t work anymore.”

Purchase Drivers: Visuals, Humor, and Practicality

• 42% of Gen Z and 38% of Millennials are influenced by the visual appeal of a post.

• 31% of Gen Z are more likely to purchase from a brand that uses humor.

• Baby Boomers (29%) are the least influenced by design or humor but most influenced by clarity and value.

Customer Care: Human Touch Still Matters

• 81% of Boomers and 80% of Gen X prefer speaking with a human agent, not bots.

• 54% of Boomers still use phone support, whereas

• 30% of Gen Z and Millennials prefer social media DMs for help.

“AI can streamline support, but the human connection is still essential for trust,” said Ganeshan. “Balance is key.”

Takeaway: Generational Understanding Drives Better Engagement

Emplifi’s report makes one thing clear: Each generation engages with brands differently, and companies must tailor their content, support, and commerce strategies accordingly:

Download the Full Report

Marketing Across Generations: How Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers Engage with Brands Differently

Lounge Lizard Worldwide Inc., an award-winning digital marketing agency, has officially released its highly anticipated resource: “How to Properly Pay Influencers in 2025.” This comprehensive guide is designed to help brands rethink influencer compensation and structure high-performance partnerships in the evolving creator economy.

Why This Guide Matters in 2025

As influencer marketing continues to dominate digital strategy, brands face a critical challenge: how to compensate creators in ways that are fair, data-driven, and results-oriented. Lounge Lizard’s guide provides:

• Updated influencer rate benchmarks

• Best practices for campaign ROI measurement

• Insights into affiliate and performance-based compensation

• Blueprints for ambassador programs and tiered payouts

"Brands today must look beyond vanity metrics and focus on authentic engagement and ROI,” said Ken Braun, Co-Owner of Lounge Lizard. “Our 2025 guide equips businesses with the tools they need to structure influencer partnerships that deliver measurable results."

Trends Covered in the Guide

Engagement Over Followers

Gone are the days of paying based on follower count alone. The guide emphasizes authentic engagement, content quality, and audience alignment as more accurate indicators of value.

Platform-Driven Partnerships

More brands are turning to influencer marketing platforms to streamline everything from hiring to campaign tracking and payments. Lounge Lizard highlights the pros and cons of these platforms—and how to choose the right one.

Smarter Payment Models

• Affiliate/Commission-Based Structures

• Tiered Compensation Plans Based on Performance

• Long-Term Brand Ambassador Agreements

These adaptive models reward creators for driving real business results, not just reach.

What This Means for Brands in 2025

By embracing performance-first compensation strategies and leveraging the tools now available in the market, brands can:

• Improve campaign transparency

• Build long-term relationships with high-performing creators

• Maximize ROI from every influencer dollar spent

Final Thoughts

“How to Properly Pay Influencers in 2025” reflects Lounge Lizard’s continued commitment to leading digital innovation. For brands that want to future-proof their influencer strategies, this guide is more than just advice - it's a blueprint.

Nearly 30 years after Tamagotchi revolutionized the digital pet space, Toycloud Technologies introduces Eggi an AI-powered companion that takes the concept of virtual pets to new emotional and interactive heights. While echoing the charm of its predecessors, Eggi leverages advanced AI and personalization to offer a deeper, long-lasting companionship experience.

From Nostalgia to Next-Gen Nurturing

Why Eggi is More Than Just a Digital Pet:

• Inspired by Tamagotchi, with modern AI twists

• Provides emotional growth, interactive learning, and customized experiences

• Designed for both children and adults, promoting empathy, consistency, and joy

Features of Eggi

1. Expressive Communication System

• Uses over 80 facial expressions and emojis

• Communicates via its own "Sprite Language"

• Emotions and needs are displayed on its face, removing ambiguity

2. Personalized AI Personality & Memory

• Learns and evolves based on owner’s habits and tone

• Capable of voice recognition to identify specific users

• Develops a unique personality over time through interaction

3. Evolved and Stress-Free Care Loop

• Includes nurturing actions like feeding, playing, and comforting

• Unlike older digital pets, Eggi:

  • Does not age or die

  • Avoids messy cleanup or negative consequences

  • Focuses on emotional support and wellness cues

4. Dynamic Skill Unlocking with AI Learning

• Unlocks new capabilities like:

  • Gentle reminders for self-care or time management

  • AI-generated melodies to comfort users

  • Digital artwork creation, personalized to the owner’s mood

5. Customization with Plush Covers

• Comes with interchangeable plush outfits

• Encourages tactile interaction, mimicking the grooming of real pets

• Enhances personal bonding and aesthetic fun

6. Encourages Movement & Social Interaction

• Converts real-life steps into in-game rewards

• Supports peer interaction between Eggis

• Enables virtual item trades and playful encounters

A Message from the Creator

"Eggi is designed to be more than just a gadget; it's a companion that learns, grows, and provides genuine emotional connection."
— Alex Wu, CEO, Toycloud Technologies

• Combines modern AI capabilities with emotional design

• Created as a safe learning tool for responsibility and care

• Appeals to tech-savvy adults and nurturing children alike

Eggi by Toycloud Technologies is not just a digital pet revival — it’s a redefinition of what companionship can look like in the AI age. Blending nostalgia with innovation, Eggi nurtures empathy, personal growth, and emotional connection in a stress-free, customizable format. Whether as a playful friend or a quiet supporter, Eggi is here to grow with you, one interaction at a time.

Eddie R, entrepreneur and founder of Black Epic Entertainment, has officially launched his independent company with a bold vision: to transform how stories are created, owned, and expanded across today’s ever-evolving media landscape. Focused on cultural relevance and creator-led innovation, Black Epic aims to become a platform for powerful narratives and long-term ownership.

Reimagining the Business of Storytelling

Black Epic Entertainment is built on a disruptive foundation that challenges conventional media norms:

• Prioritizes ownership-first principles for creators

• Merges cultural narratives with strategic scalability

• Enables stories to evolve into multi-platform franchises without creative compromise

Pillars of Black Epic Entertainment

1. IP-Driven Infrastructure

• Focus on developing and retaining original intellectual property

• Structured to allow stories to scale across formats — from film to digital content

• Retains full creative and business control to protect the artistic vision

2. Culturally Resonant Storytelling

• Emphasizes underrepresented voices and untold stories

• Reflects global cultural nuances with local authenticity

• Content is designed to shift perspectives and inspire future generations

3. Flagship Project: Gallery – The Docuseries

• Currently in development

• Focuses on deeply rooted cultural narratives

• Designed for multi-platform engagement and long-term franchise potential

Eddie R’s Vision for the Future

“Black Epic Entertainment is a platform for believers and dreamers — a launchpad for stories that have yet to be told.”
— Eddie R., Founder, Black Epic Entertainment

• Aims to empower future creators with creative freedom and structural ownership

• Builds a legacy-first model — shaping content not just for impact, but for longevity

• Challenges the traditional production ecosystem by putting narrative control back into the hands of creators

As the media landscape rapidly evolves, Black Epic Entertainment enters the scene as more than a production company — it’s a movement. Led by Eddie R, the brand is positioned to champion a new generation of storytellers who seek not only to create, but to own their stories, shape their legacies, and expand culture through innovation. In a time when content is everywhere but ownership is rare, Black Epic delivers both.

Textellent, a leader in SMS marketing and business texting solutions, has announced a powerful new one-click integration with ActiveCampaign. This seamless two-way connection offers real-time contact syncing and logs all SMS activity as notes within ActiveCampaign enhancing visibility, automation, and customer engagement for sales and marketing teams.

Why This Integration Matters

• Bridges the gap between CRM and SMS communication

• Creates a unified view of customer interactions across channels

• Increases efficiency, personalization, and follow-up success rates

Features and Benefits

1. Two-Way Contact Sync

• Automatically sync contacts between Textellent and ActiveCampaign

• Ensures both platforms are always aligned for campaign accuracy

2. Automatic SMS Logging

• Every inbound and outbound message is saved as a contact note

• Allows teams to review text conversations alongside email and automation history

3. Keyword-Triggered Automations

• Use short codes or long codes to activate automations based on text-in keywords

• Streamlines lead nurturing, customer service, and follow-up sequences

4. Streamlined Multi-Channel Workflows

• Combine email, SMS, and automation into cohesive customer journeys

• Delivers more personalized and timely campaigns

5. Full Communication Visibility

• Sales and support teams can see complete message history in one place

• Improves internal collaboration and customer handoffs

6. Advanced SMS Capabilities

• More than basic CRM messaging:

  • Automation,

  • Scheduling,

  • Campaign creation,

  • Pre-built templates

• Harnesses SMS open rates over 90% to maximize impact

Executive Insights

“This integration represents our ongoing commitment to help businesses grow by making communication effortless and more effective.”
— Majeed Ghadialy, CEO & Founder, Textellent

“Integrations like this one make it easier to deliver seamless, relevant interactions at scale.”
— Chris Vaughan, Head of Marketing, Textellent

Textellent’s new integration with ActiveCampaign empowers businesses to unify their SMS and CRM efforts for stronger customer engagement and improved performance. With powerful automation, real-time contact syncing, and full communication visibility, this integration turns every text message into a strategic touchpoint.

Madhive, the unified operating system powering local media, has launched Maverick AI, an advanced intelligence layer engineered to enhance every phase of the advertising campaign lifecycle from pitch to payment. This innovation marks a pivotal shift in how local advertising is executed, optimized, and measured at scale.

The Foundation: A Unified OS for Local Media

• Madhive serves as the tech backbone for leading broadcasters and media companies

• Its white-labeled platform handles planning, selling, and optimizing omnichannel campaigns

• Built for the unique complexity of local advertising markets

What Is Maverick AI?

• An embedded AI layer, not a bolt-on feature

• Designed to enhance speed, autonomy, and efficiency across campaign workflows

• Powers real-time decisions, insights, and optimizations for all users—from sellers to execs

Core Maverick AI Features

1. Maverick SmartProposal

• Builds branded media plans in minutes

• Provides proactive insights and dynamic recommendations

• Shortens sales cycles and increases average order size and revenue

2. Maverick Audiences

• Generates AI-curated audience segments instantly

• Eliminates platform hopping and manual data handling

• Enhances targeting accuracy and performance

3. Maverick Outcomes

• Uses predictive analytics to optimize toward specific goals

• Supports diverse KPIs: foot traffic, site visits, online sales

• Enables in-flight campaign adjustments for better results

Proven Impact Across the Industry

• Media companies report faster sales and higher product volume

• Agencies gain clear, data-backed rationale for campaign strategies

• Vica CEO reports a 286% increase in conversions driven by Maverick

• Maverick AI delivers both pre-campaign insight and post-campaign analysis

Company Momentum and Strategic Growth

• Backed by $300 million in funding from Goldman Sachs (2023)

• Acquired Frequence, an omnichannel workflow platform (2024)

• Rapid expansion of client roster, executive team, and tech stack

With the introduction of Maverick AI, Madhive is not just adding features—it's embedding intelligence directly into the core of campaign operations. From automating proposals to optimizing outcomes, Maverick empowers advertisers to deliver smarter, faster, and more effective campaigns tailored to the unique demands of local media. It sets a new industry benchmark in AI-driven advertising efficiency.

OPIC Technologies, Inc., a pioneer in Spatial Live Stream Technology, is redefining medical training by offering an advanced, immersive way to observe medical procedures. With its cutting-edge streaming capabilities, the company is enhancing how students, educators, and professionals learn through real-time, 3D visual experiences.

The Challenge with Traditional Medical Video

• Flat recordings limit the ability to perceive depth and spatial relationships

• Learners struggle to understand positioning of tools, anatomy, and surgical flow

• Reduced realism affects comprehension and long-term retention of procedural skills

OPIC’s Solution: Real-Time Spatial Live Streaming

• Preserves depth, motion, and spatial orientation

• Provides a lifelike, “in-the-room” viewing experience

• Allows for remote observation of surgeries, anatomical demos, and procedures

• Promotes spatial awareness critical to clinical proficiency

Benefits for Medical Education

• Enables immersive learning for students and healthcare professionals

• Facilitates peer collaboration and case review in real-time

• Enhances remote training for geographically dispersed learners

• Supports continuing education and curriculum enrichment for institutions

Executive Insight

“Spatial Live Streaming gives learners a more accurate view, helping them build the spatial awareness essential for clinical practice.”
— Bob Douglas, CEO, OPIC Technologies, Inc.

“We’re giving medical educators a tool that closely mirrors in-person observation.”
— Douglas on the impact of accessibility and enhanced outcomes

Versatile Applications

• Surgical training and operating room observation

• Emergency medicine simulations

• Anatomical deep dives and procedural workshops

• Virtual medical conferences and speaker-led demonstrations

• Expands reach of specialized knowledge globally

With its revolutionary Spatial Live Streaming platform, OPIC Technologies is setting a new benchmark for medical education. By delivering depth and realism in real time, the company is empowering educators and learners with tools that bridge the gap between physical and virtual instruction—making advanced medical training more immersive, accurate, and accessible than ever before.

Cre8tive Con, the premier platform for innovation in entrepreneurship, storytelling, and creativity, has officially named Ramon Ray as Director of Strategic Partnerships for its highly anticipated 2026 event. Ray brings unmatched expertise and passion to this key leadership role during a transformative period for the brand.

Ramon Ray: A Powerhouse Connector

• Recognized globally as an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and dynamic speaker

• Known for building authentic connections and championing creators

• Joins Cre8tive Con’s executive leadership at a critical expansion phase

• Will lead efforts in forging impactful brand partnerships and sponsorships

Strategic Vision for 2026

• Cre8tive Con aims to amplify underrepresented voices and empower change-makers

• Ray’s role will be instrumental in expanding global influence and reach

• Focus on building meaningful alliances that align with the event’s mission and values

• Commitment to providing platforms for entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators

Executive Team’s Endorsement

• Julie Lokun, Founder of Cre8tive Con:
  "Ramon brings the energy and integrity we need to elevate this vision worldwide."

• Dominick Domasky, COO of Cre8tive Con:
  "He embodies collaboration, making him a perfect fit for our ambitious 2026 agenda."

Cre8tive Con 2026: What to Expect

• Scheduled for February 2026 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Chicago

• Features a star-studded speaker lineup and immersive masterclasses

• Will offer unparalleled networking opportunities for attendees

• Positioned as a global stage for industry trailblazers and visionary creators

Ramon Ray’s appointment signals a powerful next chapter for Cre8tive Con. As the brand gears up for its most ambitious event yet, his strategic leadership promises to unlock new levels of collaboration, visibility, and value. Cre8tive Con 2026 is not just an event—it’s a movement powered by bold ideas and transformational partnerships.