A new report from Apply Digital, a digital transformation partner for global brands, highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming central to personalized customer experiences across North America and the UK. Based on a survey of 400 senior business leaders, the report—“2025 Leadership Priorities in Personalization”—shows how AI adoption is accelerating across digital channels.

Findings from the Report

1. AI as the Backbone of Real-Time Personalization

• Businesses are embedding AI into digital storefronts, pricing strategies, search functionalities, and promotions.

• AI is shifting from experimental to strategic in the customer experience (CX) journey.

2. Most Adopted Use Cases

• Enhanced Search Interfaces

  • 67% currently use AI-powered search features like autocomplete and chat-based tools.

  • 28% plan to adopt them within the next 12 months.

• Dynamic Pricing Based on Behavior

  • 60% of businesses have implemented it.

  • 33% plan to introduce it in the next year.

• Personalized Discounts and Offers

  • 55% already offer them via AI.

  • 36% plan to do so within 12 months.

Executive Insights

Brian Browning, VP of Enterprise Solutions at Apply Digital, explains:

“Businesses are rapidly making AI a priority for real-time personalization. Regardless of size or sector, companies are embedding it to create smarter, faster, and more relevant experiences.”

Regional Trends and Consumer Expectations

• The U.S. leads in current AI adoption, but UK businesses show stronger intent to adopt within the coming year.

• All sectors — from B2B and retail to CPG, media, and sports — are investing heavily in personalization.

Consumer Sentiment

• Nearly 70% of consumers, and 80% of those aged 18–24, value personalization.

• However, 40% want more transparency and control over how their data is used.

The Path Forward: Empathetic and Transparent AI

Browning emphasizes the importance of trust:

“AI can enable one-to-one experiences at scale, but it must be implemented with empathy and transparency.”

• Over 50% of businesses expect to invest more than $1 million in personalization efforts in 2025.

• With agentic AI tools (like intelligent digital assistants) on the rise, businesses are preparing for a future where automated systems co-create the customer experience.

AI-driven personalization is now a competitive necessity. As businesses race to deliver individualized experiences at scale, the leaders will be those who balance technology with transparency, gaining customer trust while delivering relevance in real time.

The MicDrop Agency, a leading communications firm recognized for its expertise in technology-driven industries, has been named the official Public Relations Agency of Record (AOR) for ENR FutureTech 2025. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in the agency’s expanding presence within the construction technology sector and reinforces its commitment to supporting innovative, industry-shaping events.

ENR FutureTech 2025: A Platform for Innovation

• Presented by Engineering News-Record (ENR), a trusted name in construction journalism for over 150 years.

• ENR FutureTech is a premier technology forum drawing top-tier:

  • Construction tech decision-makers

  • Industry innovators

  • Executives from Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sectors

• The 2025 conference will focus on emerging technologies that:

  • Enhance productivity, profitability, and safety

  • Address long-term tech needs of project owners

  • Improve project execution across sectors

Agency Perspective: Aligning Vision and Expertise

Katie Zeppieri, Founder and Chief Brand Strategist of The MicDrop Agency, stated:

“Partnering with ENR—a legacy publication in construction journalism—is a proud moment. We’re committed to amplifying the voices reimagining the built world through technology.”

The MicDrop Agency brings a strong track record in:

• Supporting startups and scaleups in the construction tech space.

• Helping brands accelerate growth, build visibility, and drive industry influence.

ENR's View: Strategic PR Support for Growth

Scott Seltz, Group Publisher at ENR, commented:

“As our first-ever official PR Agency of Record, The MicDrop Agency will help us expand the influence of ENR FutureTech and highlight innovation in construction technology.”

The collaboration extends through 2026, with a shared mission to:

• Broaden the event’s industry reach

• Deliver thought leadership visibility for participating companies

MicDrop Agency Growth and Expansion

• The agency is expanding its U.S. presence with a new office in Austin, Texas

• Continues to grow its team of strategic communicators and tech-focused brand strategists

• Known for guiding high-growth companies at the intersection of:

  • Technology

  • Innovation

  • Industry transformation

As ENR FutureTech 2025 returns to San Francisco, it will again serve as a hub for AEC professionals, technology disruptors, and decision-makers shaping the future of construction. The MicDrop Agency’s appointment as PR AOR strengthens the event’s potential to drive engagement, amplify innovation, and elevate the future of the built environment.

Creative Realities, Inc., a leading name in digital signage and media technology solutions, has announced its participation in the Planet MicroCap Showcase Conference scheduled for April 23–24, 2025, in Las Vegas. The event serves as a platform for micro-cap companies to connect directly with the investment community.

Event Participation Details

Live Webcast Presentation

• Date: April 23, 2025

• Time: 4:00 PM Pacific Time

• Format: General company presentation, webcast live

• Purpose: Provide insights into Creative Realities' growth strategy, technology roadmap, and investment potential.

One-on-One Investor Meetings

• Date: April 24, 2025

• Format: Scheduled private meetings with institutional and retail investors

• How to Participate: Attendees are encouraged to contact Planet MicroCap directly to book a meeting with CRI’s management team.

Creative Realities

• Publicly traded under NASDAQ: CREX

• Offers cutting-edge digital signage, interactive displays, and media solutions.

• Partners with retailers, advertisers, and brands to deliver immersive consumer experiences.

• Focused on technology-driven innovation and real-world ROI in the digital engagement space.

Creative Realities’ presence at the Planet MicroCap Showcase 2025 underscores its commitment to transparency and investor engagement. By participating in key industry events, the company aims to broaden its visibility within the investor community while showcasing its ongoing progress in the digital signage and media tech space.

VS MEDIA Holdings Limited, a key player in the global Creator Economy, has released its 2024 year-end business update and filed its Annual Report on Form 20-F with the U.S. SEC. The report highlights moderate revenue growth and major strategic investments that are expected to fuel a transformative 2025.

2024 Performance Overview

Revenue Growth and Strategic Shift

• Reported $8.25 million in revenue, a 3.2% increase from $7.99 million in 2023.

• Growth primarily driven by:

  • Campaign-Based Marketing Services.

  • The successful launch of the Social Commerce segment.

• 2024 focused on laying the groundwork for long-term, scalable growth.

CEO Insights: Positioning for the Future

• Ivy Wong, Founder and CEO of VS MEDIA, emphasized foundational improvements:

  • Strengthened technology infrastructure.

  • Deepened partnerships with creators and platforms.

  • Launched new revenue-driving initiatives like VS Lounge.

• Wong stated, “We’re entering 2025 with momentum... this will be a breakout year for VS MEDIA.”

Milestones and Achievements in 2024

1. Expanded Creator Ecosystem

• Grew network to 1,500+ digital creators.

• Achieved a global fan reach of approximately 100 million.

2. Growth in Social Commerce and Partnerships

• Expanded presence on platforms including:

  • Amazon Live

  • TikTok

  • Lazada

  • Shopee

  • YouTube

• Strengthened e-commerce and content monetization opportunities.

3. Launch of VS Lounge

• A commercial event designed to boost:

  • Brand visibility

  • Revenue generation

• Positioned as a major PR and commerce initiative moving forward.

4. Entry into AI-Powered Influencer Marketing

• Initiated use of AI-driven tools to:

  • Improve campaign performance

  • Increase content monetization efficiency

Looking Ahead: Vision for 2025

• Operational Infrastructure: Upgraded systems ready to support scale.

• Growth Strategy:

  • Monetize expanded creator network and platform integrations.

  • Improve revenue margins through tech-enabled efficiencies.

• 2025 Goals:

  • Position VS MEDIA as a scalable and dominant force in social commerce and creator marketing.

  • Deliver enhanced shareholder value through sustained growth.

While 2024 marked a year of foundational investment, VS MEDIA is poised for accelerated growth in 2025. With a robust ecosystem, technological advancements, and diversified commerce strategies in place, the company is set to unlock new levels of success in the ever-evolving Creator Economy.

Moburst, a globally recognized mobile-first digital marketing agency, has officially acquired Kitcaster, a podcast booking agency renowned for elevating brand visibility and executive thought leadership. This strategic acquisition enhances Moburst’s service offerings by integrating podcast marketing into its expanding PR division—Uproar by Moburst.

Highlights of the Acquisition

About Kitcaster: A Podcasting Powerhouse

• Founded in 2017 by Brandy Whalen and Ryan Estes.

• Specializes in securing high-impact podcast interviews for business leaders.

• Focuses on enhancing brand authority through authentic, expert-led conversations.

• Recognized with awards including:

  • Inc. Magazine’s Best Places to Work

  • Colorado Companies to Watch

  • ColoradoBiz Magazine’s Top 200 Privately Owned Companies

  • Denver Business Journal’s Best Places to Work

Why Podcasting Matters in Modern Marketing

• Over 584 million global podcast listeners.

• 55% of the U.S. population aged 12+ listens to podcasts monthly.

• Global podcast ad spend is expected to reach $4.46 billion by 2025.

• Podcasts offer:

  • Authentic brand engagement

  • Deep connection with niche audiences

  • Unparalleled thought leadership opportunities

Strategic Benefits of the Acquisition

• Enhanced Client Offerings: Moburst adds podcast placement to its marketing toolkit.

• Proven Methodology: Kitcaster’s data-driven booking strategies complement Moburst’s full-funnel approach.

• Expanding Uproar by Moburst: Kitcaster's 52 active clients join Moburst's new PR division.

Executive Commentary on the Acquisition

• Gilad Bechar, CEO of Moburst:

  • Highlights podcasting as a powerful channel for thought leadership.

  • Emphasizes delivering credible, impactful marketing outcomes.

• Ryan Estes, Co-founder of Kitcaster:

  • Expresses enthusiasm for enhanced capabilities and integrated services.

  • Believes the partnership will amplify client value and market presence.

Moburst’s Broader Strategy and Global Presence

• This is Moburst’s fourth acquisition in five years and second in five months.

• Offices in:

  • New York City

  • Miami

  • San Francisco

  • Tel Aviv

  • London

  • Orlando

  • Now Denver (Kitcaster HQ)

• Unified services under one roof:

  • Digital Marketing

  • SEO

  • PR & Influencer Marketing

  • Social Media

  • App Development

Moburst’s acquisition of Kitcaster signals a significant leap in the evolution of podcast-based brand marketing. As the audio content space grows, integrating Kitcaster's proven podcast strategy into Moburst’s PR and digital services creates a powerhouse for brands seeking to establish credibility, expand reach, and build loyal customer relationships through voice-led storytelling. This move not only strengthens Moburst’s position in the market but also sets a new benchmark for integrated marketing communications.

Tier One Partners, a women-owned, full-service integrated marketing agency, has been recognized in PRovoke Media’s inaugural list of the 80 Best PR Agencies in the United States. This exclusive, merit-based list highlights agencies across various sectors and practice areas, selected through extensive research by PRovoke Media editors.

As part of this recognition, PRovoke Media praised Tier One Partners for its ability to build long-standing client relationships, deliver measurable results, and lead with creativity and innovation in campaign execution and thought leadership.

Highlights:

• Commitment to Innovation: Tier One’s focus on keeping clients one step ahead with innovative marketing communications approaches has been central to its success. Co-founder and Managing Partner Marian Hughes expressed pride in the agency's approach, stating, “This relentless focus, combined with our mission to be indispensable partners to our clients, is the foundation of our long-standing client relationships.”

• Industry Recognition: This honor is the latest in a series of accolades for Tier One Partners, including being named one of PRNEWS’ 2025 Agency Elite Top 120.

• Client-Centric Approach: PRovoke Media highlighted Tier One’s ability to adapt and evolve with its client portfolio, which has led to continued success and growth since the agency’s founding in 2003.

Quote from Paul Holmes, PRovoke Media Founder and CEO:

“This list is different from other rankings because it is based entirely on the knowledge and judgment of our experienced editorial team. We conducted thousands of discussions with PR agency leaders and their clients, giving us an unparalleled understanding of the agency landscape.”

Tier One Partners’ inclusion in PRovoke Media’s list reinforces its status as a top PR agency in the U.S., recognized for its creativity, innovation, and client-focused approach.

ZoomInfo, the leading Go-To-Market Intelligence Platform, has announced major updates to its ZoomInfo Copilot solution, further empowering sales teams with AI-driven insights that extend beyond the initial prospecting stages. The enhancements give sellers a competitive edge throughout the entire sales cycle from outreach to upsell by providing advanced tools to accelerate and close late-stage opportunities with precision and confidence.

Features of the Copilot Spring Updates:

1. Easier Setup and Automatic Account Tracking:

   • Copilot now automatically tracks accounts and contacts that sellers engage with. These interactions are displayed in the Activity-Based Account Feed, surfacing critical buying signals without requiring an initial account setup process.

   • Sellers can act quickly on relevant insights, keeping track of their accounts and making timely decisions.

2. Expanded Account Intelligence with AI Emailer:

   • Copilot AI Emailer is now more powerful, pulling in historical engagement, CRM data, and account insights to craft smarter and more relevant emails. This allows sales professionals to pursue renewals, upsells, and strengthen customer relationships at every stage of the sales cycle.

3. Signals Delivered Directly to Your CRM:

   • To keep sales teams focused on the right opportunities, Copilot pushes key account signals directly into Salesforce or HubSpot. This integration ensures that sales reps are always aware of high-impact opportunities within their CRM, reducing the chances of missed deals.

4. Better Intelligence on Key Contacts:

   • Copilot automatically generates professional summaries for key participants in upcoming meetings, helping sellers understand the context and engage more confidently. This feature ensures that sales teams are always prepared, with relevant expertise and insights for a personalized approach.

5. Alerts for At-Risk Deals:

   • Deal stalls are a major challenge in the final stages of sales, especially when a key decision-maker has not engaged. Copilot now alerts sellers when a decision-maker has not interacted within 30 days, or if there is only a single-threaded opportunity with just one contact, signaling potential delays.

6. Context and Source for Insights with Copilot Chat:

   • Copilot Chat now includes context and sources for all insights, providing sellers with direct links to meetings, emails, and calls that generated the data. With one click, sales reps can access the original conversations, making it easier to gather relevant details without sifting through multiple platforms.

What This Means for Sales Teams:

ZoomInfo’s spring updates for Copilot are designed to streamline the sales process, especially in the final stages. By equipping sales teams with deeper, more actionable insights and real-time signals, Copilot allows sellers to close deals faster and with greater precision. The ability to track accounts automatically, send AI-crafted emails, and access key insights from within the CRM enhances both the efficiency and effectiveness of sales teams.

ZoomInfo’s Go-To-Market Intelligence Platform:

Copilot is part of ZoomInfo’s category-defining Go-To-Market Intelligence Platform, combining the world’s richest B2B data, high-velocity buying signals, and AI-driven insights. These capabilities help sales teams execute smarter and more precise GTM strategies, ensuring that deals are not only pursued effectively but also won.

Vudoo, an award-winning commerce media platform, has made a significant move by listing on the Amazon Publisher Services (APS) Connections Marketplace. This milestone positions Vudoo as a first mover in offering innovative commerce content solutions on the APS platform, unlocking fresh monetization opportunities for publishers worldwide.

Highlights:

1. New Monetization Opportunities for Publishers

   • With Vudoo’s integration, publishers can now transform their creative assets into interactive, transactable experiences, enhancing audience engagement and driving higher conversions. By leveraging real-time commerce signals and intent data, publishers can capitalize on new revenue streams and attract increased advertiser demand.

2. Immediacy in E-Commerce

   • According to Nick Morgan, Founder and CEO of Vudoo, "Consumers today don’t want to click through a maze to buy — they want immediacy." This integration gives publishers the tools to provide immersive, commerce-enabled ad experiences that close the loop from inspiration to transaction, enabling them to better serve the evolving demands of today’s consumers.

3. Enhanced Publisher Tools: Vudoo’s suite of solutions includes a host of features designed to:

   • Activate Full-Funnel Growth: Drive awareness, interest, and purchase through high-performing creatives.

   • Transform Passive Viewers into Buyers: Speed up the purchasing journey with commerce-enabled ads that encourage immediate conversions.

   • Retarget High-Intent Users: Leverage insights from intent data to optimize retargeting efforts and deliver personalized campaigns.

   • Monetize Video and Display: Utilize brand-safe, commerce-ready formats to attract more advertising dollars.

   • Seamless E-Commerce Integration: Connect effortlessly with platforms like Shopify, Magento, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and payment systems such as Stripe and Adyen through Vudoo’s headless commerce API.

4. Boosting Publisher Engagement and Conversions

   • By enabling interactive commerce features like buy now buttons, product catalogs, and checkouts, Vudoo keeps audiences engaged on-site and ensures a more seamless shopping experience. The result? Publishers can activate full-funnel growth, from brand awareness to actual purchases, within a single creative format.

What This Means for the Future of Advertising:

Vudoo’s integration into the APS Connections Marketplace signifies a game-changing evolution for how brands and publishers approach digital advertising. By offering commerce-enabled ads that can drive immediate conversions and optimize retargeting strategies, Vudoo is paving the way for the future of performance-driven advertising. With this technology, publishers can now deliver seamless e-commerce experiences that enhance user engagement and drive significant ROI for brands.

Stats:

• 81% of consumers find that commerce-enabled ads make product discovery and shopping easier.

• Publishers can leverage intent data and commerce signals to refine targeting, optimize creatives, and improve bidding.

Vudoo's listing on the Amazon Publisher Services Marketplace is a pivotal moment for the company and the digital advertising landscape. With its cutting-edge suite of commerce tools, Vudoo empowers publishers to deliver interactive, transactable content, creating a more engaging and profitable experience for both consumers and advertisers.