The Trade Desk, a global advertising technology leader, has appointed Will Platt-Higgins as Executive Vice President of Business Development for North America. In this strategic role, Platt-Higgins will lead the company’s business development efforts, helping to align revenue strategies with the evolving needs of brand marketers and agencies across the region. Operating out of New York, he reports directly to Chief Revenue Officer Jed Dederick.

A Strategic Leadership Move

• Objective-Driven Leadership

  • The appointment reflects The Trade Desk’s commitment to accelerating growth by strengthening partnerships with brands and agencies.

  • As programmatic advertising gains momentum, the company is sharpening its focus on client-centric business expansion.

• Leadership Oversight

  • Platt-Higgins will oversee regional business development strategy.

  • His role is critical in advancing The Trade Desk’s revenue goals in a dynamic, data-driven advertising ecosystem.

Will Platt-Higgins: A Veteran in Global Advertising

• Industry Experience

  • Over 30 years of experience in advertising, brand strategy, and business development.

  • Known for cultivating long-term partnerships with top agencies and global brands.

• Tenure at Meta

  • Led Meta’s global client and agency partnerships for 12 years.

  • Played a pivotal role in driving commercial growth and expanding agency relations.

• Previous Role at WPP’s GREY Group

  • Managed Procter & Gamble’s global hair and air-care business units.

  • Helped lead brand portfolio growth through innovative marketing strategies.

Vision for the Future of Programmatic Advertising

• Driving Real Business Outcomes

  • Emphasizing data-driven, evidence-based media buying.

  • The Trade Desk platform offers transparent, objective tools for marketers to measure and maximize advertising impact.

• Leadership Statements

  • Jed Dederick, CRO, The Trade Desk:
    “Will joins at a pivotal moment as brands increasingly rely on data to drive advertising ROI. His leadership will be key to our clients’ success.”

  • Will Platt-Higgins:
    “The Trade Desk is leading the future of advertising through unmatched innovation and a relentless focus on customer success. I’m excited to help define that future.”

Broader Contributions and Industry Impact

• Industry and Social Contributions

  • Board member at:

    • The Ronald McDonald House, NY

    • The GaleWill Center for Opportunity & Progress

    • Board of Curriculum Advisors, FIT/ISCOM (SUNY)

• Thought Leadership

  • Frequently contributes to conversations around digital transformation and advertising strategy.

  • Regular keynote speaker at major industry events.

• Academic Background

  • Holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Bristol.

The appointment of Will Platt-Higgins signals The Trade Desk’s intent to deepen relationships with agencies and brands while reinforcing its leadership in programmatic advertising. His extensive experience and strategic insight will play a vital role in shaping the future of digital advertising, helping clients achieve measurable business outcomes in an ever-evolving media landscape.

Redpoint Global, a leading name in customer data technology, has been honored as the 2025 Customer Data Platform (CDP) of the Year in the 6th Annual Data Breakthrough Awards. This recognition reinforces Redpoint’s role as a trusted innovator in the CDP landscape, standing out for its commitment to data accuracy, usability, and enterprise-wide integration.

Data Breakthrough Awards

• Prestigious Industry Recognition

  • The Data Breakthrough Awards celebrate global leaders in data technology.

  • Winners are selected based on innovation, impact, and excellence in execution.

• Focused on Visionaries

  • The awards identify companies that push the boundaries of what's possible with data.

  • Redpoint joins an elite group of past winners known for setting new industry standards.

What Sets Redpoint Global Apart

• Superior Data Readiness

  • Redpoint ensures that customer data is:

    • Complete – no gaps or silos across data sources.

    • Accurate – continuously refined and validated.

    • Timely – updated in real-time or near real-time for relevance.

  • Data is also fit for purpose, meaning:

    • Actionable – easily activated across marketing and service channels.

    • Trusted – reliable for AI and analytics.

    • Compliant – meets all privacy and data governance requirements.

• Solving a Core Industry Challenge

  • Many CDPs fall short by neglecting data quality, which impairs outcomes.

  • Redpoint’s platform uniquely ensures data is business-ready, enabling enterprise scalability.

• Enabling Real Business Impact

  • Customers using Redpoint report significant improvements in:

    • Revenue generation.

    • Productivity and operational efficiency.

    • Customer experience and engagement outcomes.

Supporting Enterprise Use Cases

• AI and Advanced Analytics

  • Clean, unified data powers machine learning models and personalization engines.

• Customer Experience (CX)

  • Real-time insights fuel dynamic customer journeys and meaningful interactions.

• Service Optimization

  • Accurate profiles allow for proactive, personalized service delivery.

Leadership Perspective

• Dale Renner, Founder & CEO of Redpoint Global, stated:
  “This recognition underscores Redpoint’s leadership in customer data technology and affirms our commitment to setting the standard for data quality and enterprise readiness.”

• Impact of Redpoint’s Technology

  • Customers unlock deeper insights.

  • Drive meaningful engagement.

  • Achieve both substantial revenue growth and operational efficiencies.

Being named the 2025 Customer Data Platform of the Year is a testament to Redpoint Global’s innovation, precision, and customer-first philosophy. As businesses continue to seek a unified, high-quality data foundation to power digital transformation, Redpoint emerges as the gold standard—proving that when data is right and ready, growth follows.

Magnite, the world’s largest independent sell-side advertising platform, has announced the expansion of its global partnership with Samsung Ads, the advertising arm of Samsung Electronics. Building on significant growth from 2023 to 2024, this collaboration aims to push the boundaries of programmatic advertising in the streaming ecosystem. The alliance is focused on advanced audience targeting, improved monetization, and global scalability.

Partnership Highlights

• Sustained Revenue Growth

  • Samsung Ads experienced double-digit percentage gross revenue growth on the Magnite Streaming SSP.

  • Growth reflects the effectiveness of the ongoing collaboration between the two companies from 2023 to 2024.

• Enhanced Audience Addressability

  • Samsung Ads will utilize Magnite Access to better manage and activate behavioral audience data.

  • The tool allows Samsung Ads to boost targeted impressions, enhance CPMs, and generate higher revenue across Magnite’s platforms.

• Strengthening Programmatic Infrastructure

  • Magnite Access will serve as a pivotal element in scaling Samsung’s programmatic capabilities.

  • Supports better monetization strategies and data utilization through advanced technology.

Samsung’s Global Expansion and Data Strength

• Dominance in the U.S. Market

  • Samsung Ads now holds the largest single source of TV data in the U.S., built on consumer consent.

  • This dataset forms the backbone of its advertising precision and scale.

• Rapid Growth of Samsung TV Plus

  • Samsung TV Plus now reaches 88 million monthly active users.

  • The free ad-supported TV (FAST) and on-demand (AVOD) service continues to grow globally, with recent launches in Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand.

  • For the first time in these regions, programmatic access is being enabled via Magnite.

Technology-Driven Advertising Breakthroughs

• Custom Solutions and Monetization Tools

  • Magnite has supported Samsung Ads with custom tech to optimize monetization strategies.

  • Tools include:

    • Simplified genre targeting for contextual advertising.

    • Advanced forecasting capabilities to improve planning accuracy.

    • Major reductions in timeouts, which support better viewer experiences during high-traffic periods.

• Magnite Storefront Integration

  • Part of the Magnite Access suite, Magnite Storefront offers enhanced data value and operational flexibility.

  • Empowers Samsung Ads’ sales teams with tools to craft best-in-class advertiser solutions.

Industry Perspective

• Leadership Commentary

  • Joe Melaragno, Head of Channel Sales at Samsung Ads:
    “Our collaboration with Magnite has led to breakthroughs that enhance programmatic monetization and elevate viewer engagement.”

  • Ryan Kenney, SVP, Streaming Platform at Magnite:
    “We’re proud to advance our partnership and help scale audience-based buying in the growing ad-supported streaming landscape.”

As ad-supported streaming gains global traction, the extended partnership between Magnite and Samsung Ads signals a deeper investment in scalable, data-driven programmatic advertising. With enhanced addressability, global inventory expansion, and advanced monetization tools, both companies are set to redefine how streaming ads are bought, sold, and experienced.

As Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks grow in scale and complexity, organizations are under constant pressure to protect digital assets without compromising performance. Fastly, Inc., a leading global edge cloud platform, has announced major enhancements to its Fastly DDoS Protection service with the launch of Attack Insights—a new feature offering real-time visibility into DDoS mitigation efforts.

These updates are designed to provide security and platform teams with the transparency and trust needed to confidently enable automated protections—reducing complexity and avoiding service disruptions while defending against some of today’s most sophisticated threats.

The Growing Need for Transparent and Reliable DDoS Protection

DDoS attacks remain a persistent threat, particularly to APIs and web applications. Their potential to overwhelm systems and cause widespread downtime calls for instantaneous and intelligent mitigation. However, many security teams hesitate to fully leverage automated tools due to concerns over false positives and insufficient visibility.

Fastly DDoS Protection already offers high-speed attack response in seconds. Now, with the addition of Attack Insights, teams can:

• See attack spikes and mitigation events unfold in real time

• Examine automatically generated mitigation rules

• Verify what was blocked—and why

• Maintain seamless access for legitimate users

“Security and platform teams need to trust that automated protections will effectively stop attacks without impacting business-critical traffic,” said Kip Compton, Chief Product Officer at Fastly.

Fastly Attack Insights: Key Capabilities

Fastly’s Attack Insights delivers a powerful event analysis dashboard, enabling rapid understanding and validation of mitigation measures.

1. Events

Identifies and distinguishes individual DDoS attacks in real time, enabling contextual threat analysis.

2. Event Details

Presents granular insights into each attack’s profile, such as:

• Request samples

• Traffic volumes and summaries

• Mitigation actions taken

3. Rule Details

Highlights Fastly’s short-lived, automatically generated rules with full visibility into their behavior and effect—allowing teams to validate performance and optimize defenses without manual tuning.

“The Attack Insights and ability to explore the automatically-generated mitigation rules in seconds will accelerate our reporting and is hugely valuable in our mission to help keep our customers safe,” said Ben Trafton, VP of Client Services at Yottaa.

Built for Performance, Simplicity, and Predictable Pricing

Fastly DDoS Protection continues to stand out by delivering:

• No fees for attack traffic, helping organizations avoid unpredictable costs

• One-click enablement, making deployment fast and easy

• Real-time mitigation without tuning, supported by Attribute Unmasking technology that distinguishes malicious from legitimate requests with high accuracy

This proactive, low-friction model allows teams to focus on strategic objectives while remaining protected at the edge.

Greater Confidence and Control in DDoS Defense

Fastly’s expanded DDoS Protection offering with Attack Insights empowers security teams to confidently embrace automated defenses with real-time transparency and accountability. By combining visibility, speed, and reliability, Fastly is redefining how organizations protect their most critical digital experiences.

With these updates, Fastly ensures that DDoS defense becomes both smarter and simpler, supporting resilient digital operations in an increasingly hostile threat landscape.

In today’s video-first marketing landscape, speed, scale, and personalization are more important than ever. To help marketers and sales teams meet these demands, HeyGen, the AI video generator platform, has announced an enhanced partnership with HubSpot, enabling seamless automated video generation directly within HubSpot workflows.

With this update, businesses can automatically create, store, and deploy personalized videos at scale—streamlining workflows, boosting engagement, and delivering standout experiences across the buyer journey.

Meeting the Demand for Real-Time, Scalable Video Content

As consumer expectations shift toward more interactive and visually rich communications, marketers face ongoing challenges: limited creative resources, tight timelines, and fragmented tech stacks. HeyGen’s deepened integration addresses these pain points by embedding AI-powered video creation directly into HubSpot's CRM and marketing automation suite.

Now, personalized videos are automatically:

• Generated through workflow triggers, based on lead data or behavior

• Stored in HubSpot custom fields, easily accessed for campaigns

• Delivered through one-to-one or one-to-many emails, without manual editing or production overhead

“Visual storytelling is the best way to connect with audiences today, which is why HeyGen is focused on making high-quality video production more accessible to everyone,” said Joshua Xu, Co-Founder and CEO of HeyGen.

Use Cases Enabled by the Integration

1. Automated Lead Nurturing

Trigger customized video messages—such as introductions, product overviews, or explainer content—based on lead scoring or segmentation rules within HubSpot.
This approach improves:

• Open and click-through rates

• Speed of qualification

• Relevance of engagement

2. Onboarding and Product Tutorials

Automatically send tailored welcome videos or how-to guides when a contact becomes a customer. These videos deliver:

• Clear first impressions

• Reduced onboarding friction

• Lower support requests

3. Event Invitations and Follow-ups

Boost event participation and post-event relationship-building through personalized video invitations or thank-you notes with AI-generated avatars greeting each recipient by name.

Each use case shares a common thread: scalable personalization made simple.

Streamlining Campaign Execution Within HubSpot

The new custom workflow action means users no longer need to switch between platforms or coordinate with external production teams. Everything—from video generation to storage and deployment—happens natively in HubSpot.

This integrated experience unlocks efficiencies in:

• Time spent on video production

• Cross-platform collaboration

• Speed to campaign execution

“The enhanced HeyGen integration will not only help teams break through the noise, but also deliver better, more personalized experiences for customers and prospects—all from within HubSpot,” said Karen Ng, SVP of Product and Partnerships at HubSpot.

Making Video Core to the Modern Marketing Stack

With personalization and automation converging as dominant trends in digital marketing, HeyGen’s expanded integration with HubSpot reflects the future of AI-powered storytelling at scale. Marketers and sales teams can now easily embed customized videos at every stage of the funnel—from prospecting to onboarding—while staying within their preferred CRM.

By turning data into engaging narratives, this partnership delivers not just efficiency, but true connection.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the global marketing landscape, the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) is stepping up with strategic guidance and resources to equip marketers for the AI-driven future. The association has released three comprehensive tools designed to close adoption gaps and foster responsible, impactful AI integration across the Canadian marketing ecosystem.

These efforts underscore the CMA’s broader mission: futureproofing marketing professionals through practical resources, data-driven insights, and ethical frameworks for emerging technologies.

New AI Resources for Marketers: What’s Included

1. Guide on AI for Marketers

This detailed guide addresses some of the most pressing AI use cases and challenges in marketing, offering guidance on:

• Using personal data responsibly in AI algorithms

• Creating AI-generated content across marketing touchpoints

• Managing AI-powered consumer applications and virtual influencers

• Establishing best practices for ethical and transparent AI use

• Aligning AI strategies with evolving privacy and regulatory landscapes

It is further enhanced by the “CMA Accountability Checklists for AI in Marketing,” which define role-specific responsibilities and ensure cross-functional alignment on AI governance across marketing teams.

2. Setting the Stage on Artificial Intelligence: A Primer for Marketers

Aimed at those just beginning their AI journey, this primer delivers:

• A foundational understanding of AI in marketing

• Canada-specific AI adoption insights

• A scan of global AI policy trends

• Guidance on preparing for increasing regulatory scrutiny

• Context on the role of marketing in shaping AI-powered customer experiences

Reviewed by Toronto-based Vector Institute, the resources reflect technical accuracy and relevance, bridging the gap between AI theory and marketing practice.

Findings from the CMA Generative AI Readiness Survey

Alongside the guides, the CMA will present new insights from its “Generative AI Readiness Survey”—conducted with research partner Twenty44—at the CMAai virtual event on April 10. Key data points include:

• 74% of marketers use generative AI tools weekly, outpacing the 62% average among Canadian knowledge workers.

• 84% of respondents are optimistic about integrating AI into their daily tasks.

• 83% believe AI will positively impact their personal lives, and 68% expect AI to improve society overall.

However, the survey also highlights important challenges:

• 44% of marketers are unsure or unsatisfied with their organization’s AI policies.

• 56% report inadequate or nonexistent AI training.

• 80% use personal AI accounts at work—raising potential concerns around security and governance.

“As AI continues to reshape marketing, organizations that take a proactive approach will be best positioned to adopt AI, drive growth and innovation,” said Steve Mast, President at Twenty44.

Addressing the Gaps: From Training to Policy Readiness

The new CMA resources are designed to close the AI knowledge and implementation gaps across Canada’s marketing industry. These materials emphasize:

• AI literacy: Making sure every marketer understands the basics of AI’s role in content, data, and personalization.

• Governance frameworks: Clear roles, responsibilities, and risk management practices for marketing teams using AI.

• Workforce enablement: Strategies to upskill marketing talent, boost AI fluency, and ensure ethical deployment of AI tools.

“The CMA's AI guide and primer are a crucial step in empowering Canadian businesses to confidently navigate and implement AI technologies,” said Cameron Schuler, VP of Industry Innovation at the Vector Institute.

A Foundation for Responsible AI in Canadian Marketing

These newly launched tools mark a critical step in supporting the industry as AI adoption accelerates. With personalized marketing, predictive analytics, content generation, and customer service all being transformed by AI, the CMA is building an informed, ethical, and innovative path forward.

As the regulatory landscape tightens, especially with initiatives like the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and AI legislation in Canada and abroad, marketers must not only embrace AI—but do so responsibly.

Preparing Canadian Marketers for the AI Future

The Canadian Marketing Association’s latest initiative ensures that Canadian marketers are not left behind in the AI revolution. By providing accessible, practical tools—validated by experts like the Vector Institute and informed by industry research—the CMA is creating a new standard for responsible, effective AI in marketing.

These resources are not only a reflection of the current state of AI—they are a call to action for marketers across Canada to lead, innovate, and thrive in a digitally transforming world.

As connected TV (CTV) advertising continues its upward trajectory, LG Ad Solutions has announced a major move to expand inventory access for programmatic buyers. In a new integration with Amazon Publisher Services (APS), LG Ad Solutions now enables advertisers using Amazon DSP to tap into premium inventory across LG Channels, LG’s free ad-supported streaming service available on all LG Smart TVs.

This partnership represents a significant evolution in cross-screen advertising strategies, offering brands more precision, flexibility, and transparency in how they reach high-value streaming audiences.

Unlocking New Inventory with LG Channels on Amazon DSP

Expanded Access Through Amazon Publisher Direct

With this integration, advertisers gain direct programmatic access to LG Channels via Amazon Publisher Direct—a premium pathway for inventory available through Amazon DSP. This unlocks opportunities for:

• Greater audience targeting precision across LG Smart TVs in the U.S.

• Improved campaign optimization and reporting tools native to Amazon DSP.

• Seamless media buying through an established and trusted ecosystem.

As LG Channels continues to grow, the offering includes over 350 live channels and thousands of on-demand titles spanning news, sports, lifestyle, entertainment, and kids programming—making it a highly relevant platform for CTV advertisers.

CTV Programmatic Investment Is Accelerating

According to recent industry figures, U.S. programmatic CTV ad spending reached nearly $25B in 2024 and is projected to approach $30B in 2025. This meteoric rise highlights advertisers’ demand for flexible, data-driven ad solutions capable of scaling with changing viewer habits.

This integration between LG Ad Solutions and Amazon Publisher Services directly supports these needs by:

• Reducing media buying friction in a fragmented CTV landscape.

• Allowing marketers to leverage data, creativity, and personalization more effectively.

• Enabling measurable outcomes across premium content inventory.

“Our integration with Amazon Publisher Services underscores ongoing transformations in the digital advertising marketplace and streaming viewership at large,” said Kelly McMahon, SVP of Operations at LG Ad Solutions. “This extension of our programmatic offering unlocks new opportunities for marketers... to drive meaningful outcomes with engaged audiences on the biggest screen in the home.”

Supporting a DSP-Agnostic Strategy

While this collaboration strengthens LG Ad Solutions' relationship with Amazon, it also reinforces the company’s DSP-agnostic approach—allowing advertisers flexibility in how they buy and activate media.

• Marketers working across multiple DSPs can continue leveraging LG inventory without limitations.

• The Amazon DSP integration simply adds a new, optimized route to premium LG content, rather than replacing other buying options.

This inclusive approach ensures that LG Ad Solutions meets marketers wherever they operate, promoting greater inclusivity in CTV ad access and execution.

LG Channels: A Prime Destination for CTV Viewers

Available exclusively on LG Smart TVs, LG Channels has emerged as a premier free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in the U.S. Its growing content library includes:

• 350+ live channels

• Thousands of on-demand titles

• Broad coverage across sports, news, kids, lifestyle, and entertainment

As consumer preferences shift from traditional linear TV to ad-supported streaming, LG Channels offers brands a direct pathway to reach audiences on the largest screen in the home—where attention and engagement are at their highest.

A Strategic Move in a Transforming CTV Ecosystem

The partnership between LG Ad Solutions and Amazon Publisher Services represents a key milestone in the evolution of CTV advertising. By bringing LG Channels inventory to Amazon DSP buyers, the companies are streamlining access to premium content, optimizing media strategies, and driving better outcomes in the increasingly fragmented streaming environment.

For marketers seeking scalable, data-driven, and transparent advertising, this integration provides new ways to connect with audiences at home—efficiently, precisely, and with relevance.

Cloudinary, a leader in media management, has officially launched Cloudinary Video as a standalone, API-first solution, expanding its offerings to help businesses deliver accessible, personalized, and scalable video experiences. The launch comes as digital video becomes central to user engagement strategies—and as accessibility compliance, localization, and high-performance streaming take center stage.

With this release, Cloudinary strengthens its position as a Video as a Service (VaaS) provider, offering rich capabilities including support for WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards, live and on-demand streaming, and AI-powered localization. These innovations aim to simplify video workflows for developers while helping brands meet growing regulatory and user-experience expectations.

Innovations in the New Cloudinary Video Platform

1. Accessibility at the Core

The platform now includes features designed to meet critical web accessibility standards:

• WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance ensures videos are accessible to users with disabilities.

• Multiple audio track configuration supports both accessibility and multilingual playback.

• AI-driven captioning and transcription automates accessibility tasks and reduces post-production time and cost.

• A built-in translations editor helps refine automated results for accuracy and nuance.

“Ensuring content is localized and fully accessible is not just the right thing to do—it also delivers enormous business benefits,” said Kim Matenchuk, Managing Director of Video, Cloudinary.

These features also help organizations prepare for upcoming regulations such as the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which takes effect in mid-2025.

2. Developer-First, API-Driven Flexibility

With a modular, composable architecture, the standalone Cloudinary Video platform allows developers to:

• Embed video seamlessly into web and mobile apps via simple APIs.

• Integrate video workflows with existing CMS, PIM, or ecommerce platforms.

• Customize video players using Video Player Studio, now embeddable into any application.

• Create reusable player configurations and apply them across entire video libraries for personalized user experiences at scale.

This enables faster time to market, reduces the burden on dev teams, and enhances agility for fast-scaling applications.

3. Long-Form and On-Demand Engagement

Cloudinary now supports high-definition and 4K resolution streaming, unlocking new formats like product explainers, training content, and on-demand video libraries.

• In-video visual search enables viewers to navigate to specific topics within long-form content—improving discoverability and user retention.

• Customizable UI and playback features allow publishers to fine-tune experiences based on context, audience, or campaign.

4. Live Streaming Capabilities

The new Live Stream API makes it easy to embed interactive events and live broadcasts into digital platforms:

• Power live product demos, virtual fitness classes, real estate tours, and more.

• Auto-record live sessions for on-demand playback and reuse.

• Simulcast across social platforms to maximize exposure.

• Monitor stream health and gather real-time engagement analytics to optimize performance.

This opens the door for immersive brand experiences without the need for third-party streaming services or complex infrastructure.

Recognized Leadership in the Video Platform Space

Cloudinary’s announcement comes on the heels of being named in the Gartner® Market Guide for Video Platform Services (March 2025). With over one billion videos under management, Cloudinary serves a roster of global leaders like:

• Adidas

• Bleacher Report

• Doximity

• Fiverr

• Hydrow

• Simpleview

• Vorwerk

These brands rely on Cloudinary for everything from conversion-optimized micro-videos to automated UGC workflows and embedded video in mobile apps.

“With Cloudinary, we manage two billion images and videos every month across more than 1,300 customers,” said Andrés Bastidas, Group Product Manager at Simpleview. “It’s a win-win for us and our customers.”

Powering the Future of Video, Accessibly and Intelligently

As video becomes an essential part of every digital experience, Cloudinary is responding with a future-ready solution: a composable, API-first video platform that meets modern business demands across accessibility, localization, live events, and developer agility.

Whether you're a global retailer localizing product videos or a SaaS platform embedding explainer content, Cloudinary Video enables you to build faster, scale smarter, and meet users where they are—visually, linguistically, and inclusively.

For more information, visit Cloudinary’s website to explore interactive demos, evaluate business benefits with the Video Value Calculator, or dive into their new eBook on the European Accessibility Act.