FreeCast is excited to announce the highly anticipated launch of its app on Roku, bringing an expansive lineup of over 500 free streaming channels and a paid Value Channels package to one of the largest and most popular streaming platforms. This release marks a significant milestone for the company as it continues to expand its omni-channel media industry solutions. The FreeCast app offers users a robust streaming experience, and an upcoming update will further enhance the platform with a vast video-on-demand (VOD) library and AI-powered advanced search capabilities.

In addition to these exciting features, FreeCast’s partnership with Roku enables the company to leverage advanced advertising tools through Roku’s Ads Manager, offering hyper-targeted ads that are tailored to consumer behavior across multiple platforms.

1. FreeCast’s Core Features on Roku

• 500+ Streaming Channels:
  The FreeCast app on Roku brings users access to over 500 free streaming channels. These include a diverse selection of content across genres, making it a comprehensive entertainment solution for any viewer. Additionally, FreeCast’s paid Value Channels package offers even more premium content for subscribers.

• VOD Library & AI-Powered Search:
  A major upcoming update will introduce FreeCast’s vast VOD library, consisting of over 500,000 movies and TV episodes. Alongside the library, AI-powered search capabilities will help users find content more easily and quickly, making it an intuitive and personalized viewing experience.

• Advanced Advertising Capabilities:
  One of the standout features at launch is FreeCast’s advanced advertising functionality, integrated with Roku’s Ads Manager. FreeCast employs its unique “experiential data” derived from consumer behavior across different apps, services, and devices. This data enables FreeCast to serve hyper-targeted, effective ads that provide value to both advertisers and viewers.

2. The Significance of Roku in FreeCast’s Strategy

Roku has long been a pioneer in the streaming industry, creating one of the first platforms to support the streaming shift and provide consumers with easy access to their favorite content. According to William Mobley, FreeCast’s founder and CEO, Roku’s foresight in the streaming space aligns with FreeCast’s vision: “Roku is unique; they were one of the first to foresee the shift to streaming, and build technology to support that, rather than just throw Android on a set-top box. In that way, they’re a lot like FreeCast."

FreeCast’s arrival on Roku is a critical step in its strategy to provide a holistic media experience and media solutions that go beyond just offering VOD content. FreeCast is focused on building a complete media ecosystem that spans multiple platforms, with Roku being the first piece in that vision.

3. Expanding the Media Industry Solution

The launch of the FreeCast app on Roku coincides with the company’s larger rollout of its omni-channel media industry solution. FreeCast aims to create a comprehensive media experience not only for consumers but also for the media industry. The integration of advanced advertising, targeted content, and analytics offers an innovative solution for advertisers and content creators, making FreeCast a valuable tool for both the audience and the industry at large.

4. The Future of FreeCast on Roku

FreeCast’s presence on Roku is just the beginning. The company has ambitious plans to expand its offering on the platform, with a roadmap that includes additional features and capabilities in the near future. FreeCast’s focus on building a complete, accessible media experience on Roku ensures that the company is not only bringing content to the platform but also contributing to the future of streaming media.

FreeCast’s debut on Roku marks a major step forward in the company’s strategy to reshape the streaming landscape. With over 500 free channels, a vast VOD library, advanced ad capabilities, and AI-powered search, FreeCast is set to offer an enhanced, personalized viewing experience. This launch, alongside the broader omni-channel media industry solution, positions FreeCast as a key player in the evolving media industry, providing value for both consumers and advertisers alike.

Microbusiness owners are redefining resilience. According to GoDaddy’s 2024 Annual Venture Forward report, many entrepreneurs who close a business are not giving up—they are pivoting to new ventures. Despite challenges, these business owners continue to innovate, launching new businesses that not only support their households but also make a significant impact on local communities. The report highlights key trends in the microbusiness sector, showcasing an entrepreneurial landscape powered by resilience, optimism, and diverse ownership.

1. The Resilience of Microbusiness Owners

• Persisting After Setbacks:
  The GoDaddy report finds that 75% of microbusiness owners who close a business don’t give up; instead, they move on to launching new ventures. Among these, 39% of owners report that their new business becomes the primary income source for their households. This resilience underscores the tenacity of entrepreneurs, even when their previous business efforts did not yield profits.

• Confidence in Business Despite Economic Concerns:
  While only 39% of microbusiness owners are confident in the national economy, 74% remain optimistic about their business prospects in the coming months. Even among those who are pessimistic about the broader economy, one in four plans to hire within the next year. This demonstrates that microbusiness owners are focused on growth and making decisions based on their business needs, not the larger economic landscape.

2. The Growing Impact of Microbusinesses

• Job Creation and Economic Contributions:
  Microbusinesses continue to be vital to the U.S. economy. GoDaddy’s research shows that each entrepreneur creates an average of seven jobs at the county level—up from just two in 2020. These businesses also play a critical role in their local communities, with 58% of microbusiness owners reporting that their work contributes to the well-being of their neighborhoods.

• Online Presence Driving Growth:
  Over 70% of microbusinesses leverage an online presence to fuel their growth. With 34% of microbusinesses starting as side hustles, the ability to tap into digital tools has empowered entrepreneurs to scale quickly and effectively, reaching a larger customer base without needing significant capital.

3. Progress in Equity and Representation

• Diverse Ownership Trends:
  The face of microbusiness ownership is evolving. As of 2024, women own 51% of microbusinesses, up from 41% in 2019. Additionally, nearly a third of women business owners now serve as the primary breadwinners for their households, illustrating a growing empowerment in the sector.

• Rise of Black-Owned Microbusinesses:
  Black-owned businesses are seeing significant growth, with women driving much of this progress. The diversity within the microbusiness sector is expanding to include entrepreneurs from varied racial, gender, and age groups. In particular, older entrepreneurs are joining the trend, with 19% of owners now aged 55 and older, further contributing to the rich diversity of the microbusiness landscape.

4. The Mighty Impact of Microbusinesses

• Microbusinesses as the Heartbeat of Local Communities:
  According to Alexandra Rosen, Global Head of GoDaddy Venture Forward, "Setbacks often lead to fresh starts and new opportunities." This statement captures the essence of microbusiness owners: resilient, determined, and able to turn challenges into growth. Microbusinesses are not just vital to their owners, but they also play an integral role in supporting local economies and communities.

• Tools and Support for Success:
  GoDaddy remains committed to supporting these entrepreneurs by providing the tools and resources they need to succeed. Whether through website building, online marketing, or e-commerce solutions, GoDaddy helps microbusiness owners turn their ideas into thriving businesses, empowering them to scale and succeed.

Microbusiness owners are proving that setbacks are not the end—they are the beginning of new opportunities. The resilience shown by these entrepreneurs is reflected in their ability to persist, adapt, and thrive. With a growing number of diverse owners, microbusinesses are having a more profound impact on local economies and communities than ever before. As GoDaddy’s 2024 report highlights, these businesses may be small, but their impact is undeniably mighty.

Quark Software, a leader in content automation and design software, has unveiled QuarkXPress 2025, an enhanced version of the world’s most powerful page layout and digital publishing software. This latest release is packed with innovative features designed to make the design process smarter, faster, and more efficient, freeing up more time for creativity. By eliminating menial tasks and introducing new ways to control and streamline design workflows, QuarkXPress 2025 aims to revolutionize how designers approach their craft.

1. Empowering Creativity with Efficiency

• Streamlined Workflow with the Quick Access Bar:
  One of the standout features in QuarkXPress 2025 is the Quick Access Bar, which allows designers to quickly access their most-used tools. This floating bar can be customized to show favorite tools, helping designers work more efficiently by reducing the time spent searching for options. Whether you're working on a single project or juggling multiple designs, this feature ensures a smooth and personalized creative experience.

• Real-Time Style Group Application:
  Another new addition is the Style Groups feature, which enables designers to save typography styles into collections. With just one click, designers can apply these saved style groups to their designs, saving time and keeping projects organized. This feature provides the flexibility to adjust styles in real time, ensuring the design stays true to the intended creative vision.

2. Advanced Tools to Simplify Design

• The New Colors Tab:
  The Colors Tab in QuarkXPress 2025 provides designers with a more efficient way to experiment and apply colors. Designers can easily choose from new color models, local colors, and predefined options. Unlike previous versions, there’s no need to create a swatch beforehand, allowing for instantaneous color application and quicker decision-making in the design process. This feature enhances creativity by enabling faster ideation and testing of color combinations.

• Live Spell Check for Improved Accuracy:
  Live Spell Check is another game-changing feature in QuarkXPress 2025. Designers no longer have to wait for the design process to finish before catching errors. The real-time spell-checking feature automatically identifies and corrects typos throughout the design, allowing for smoother work and reducing the likelihood of missed mistakes. This added level of accuracy ensures that the final product is polished and professional.

3. Quotes and Insights from Industry Experts

Arun Bharti, Director of R&D at Quark, explains the release’s significance:
“We know the power of design and the role it plays in making a lasting impression. We also know that designers crave software capabilities that enhance their productivity and augment their creative exploration process. The release of QuarkXPress 2025 empowers designers to channel their creativity and customize design tools and workflows that suit their specific project needs in real time, and with complete control.”

This emphasis on empowering designers with more control over their tools and workflows is evident in QuarkXPress 2025’s user-friendly features that prioritize both efficiency and creativity.

4. Why QuarkXPress 2025 Matters for Designers

• Fueling Productivity and Innovation:
  With a focus on simplifying workflows, QuarkXPress 2025 gives designers the freedom to be more creative while also improving productivity. By eliminating repetitive tasks and allowing for more intuitive control over design elements, the software opens up new possibilities for designers to experiment and innovate.

• A Complete Design Solution:
  Whether working on a complex print layout or a dynamic digital publishing project, QuarkXPress 2025 offers the tools needed to tackle a wide variety of design challenges. From typography to color management and real-time spell-checking, the software provides a comprehensive solution for designers seeking to create with precision and efficiency.

QuarkXPress 2025 brings exciting new features that elevate the design experience. By streamlining workflows, enhancing creative flexibility, and increasing productivity, the software offers designers an intuitive platform to bring their visions to life. Whether for individual projects or large-scale designs, QuarkXPress 2025 is a powerful tool that puts creativity and control back in the hands of designers, allowing them to focus on what truly matters: creating.

Bitly Inc., the global leader in the Connections Platform space, is expanding its app marketplace with new integrations that enable seamless text-to-pay and text-to-buy capabilities through messaging channels. These integrations, powered by Authvia, AudienceTap, and OneText, are designed to transform the way businesses engage with customers, allowing them to make purchases and payments directly within chat conversations. By incorporating Bitly's custom short links and QR codes, businesses can enhance SMS messaging, improve engagement, and gain deeper insights into customer behavior.

1. What is Conversational Commerce?

• A Growing Trend in Business-to-Consumer Interactions:
  Conversational Commerce, or the ability for customers to browse, inquire, and make purchases within messaging platforms, is one of the fastest-growing trends in digital communication. By enabling two-way engagement through text, businesses can offer customers an efficient, personalized, and immediate shopping experience. With Bitly’s new integrations, businesses can use SMS to initiate transactions and drive customer interaction within an all-in-one communication platform.

• Seamless Payment Integration:
  The new integrations allow customers to make payments and complete transactions directly within the chat interface, eliminating friction in the purchasing process. This seamless experience is particularly useful for mobile-first consumers, providing a smoother path to conversion and increasing the likelihood of sales.

2. How Bitly’s Integrations Enhance Conversational Commerce

• Custom Short Links and QR Codes:
  Bitly’s custom short links and QR codes allow businesses to track interactions with precision and optimize their SMS messaging strategies. By linking back to a Bitly account, businesses can customize their links to ensure they are branded and aligned with the company’s messaging tone. Additionally, the ability to measure engagement and conversions in real-time provides invaluable insights into customer preferences and behavior.

• Personalized Customer Experience:
  Chris Brunner, CEO of Authvia, emphasized that the collaboration with Bitly would enable businesses to build stronger relationships with customers by offering more personalized text-to-pay experiences. With conversational commerce, businesses can foster trust, enhance the customer experience, and make interactions more meaningful and effective.

3. Strategic Expansion of Bitly’s Connections Platform

• Long-standing Commitment to Integrations:
  Bitly has built its reputation as a leader in connection management through years of strategic integrations across a variety of categories like Productivity, Social Media Management, and Automation. The expansion into Conversational Commerce adds another layer to its robust offerings, providing users with a comprehensive set of tools to enhance business-to-consumer interactions.

• Enhanced Business Efficiency:
  Bitly’s focus on efficiency and innovation is evident in this latest partnership. By simplifying workflows and offering businesses more options for engagement, Bitly enables companies to build stronger customer relationships through messaging while driving operational efficiency.

4. Insights from Bitly Leadership

Kelsey Stevenson, Bitly’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, commented on the importance of these new integrations:
"We’re excited to partner with Authvia, AudienceTap, and OneText to bring even greater value to our users. Bitly's move into Conversational Commerce reflects our commitment to empowering businesses with tools that drive efficiency, innovation, and stronger relationships with their customers. Together we’re enabling our users to create more memorable and actionable connections by simplifying their workflows and making it easy to initiate conversations and complete transactions."

5. What This Means for Bitly Customers

• Access to New Tools in the Bitly App Marketplace:
  Bitly customers can now connect and authenticate their Bitly accounts with text-to-pay and text-to-buy partners, making it easy to integrate messaging capabilities into their existing workflows. With these integrations, businesses can quickly scale their use of SMS marketing and transactional messaging, using Bitly’s advanced tracking and analytics tools to improve results.

• A Future of Streamlined Transactions:
  By consolidating text-based communication, payment processing, and customer engagement into a single platform, Bitly is paving the way for a future where businesses can easily manage every aspect of their customer relationships, from initial conversation to completed transaction.

Bitly’s expansion into Conversational Commerce marks an exciting development in the company's ongoing efforts to empower businesses with more innovative ways to connect with customers. By partnering with Authvia, AudienceTap, and OneText, Bitly is offering its users new tools for enhancing SMS marketing and driving transactions directly within chat conversations. These integrations will not only simplify workflows for businesses but will also enable them to offer a more personalized, efficient, and effective service to their customers.

LG Ad Solutions, a leader in Connected TV (CTV) and cross-screen advertising, has unveiled new research findings with its “Beauty & The Screen” study. The research underscores the growing influence of CTV advertising on the beauty and grooming industries, with particular attention to how TV ads are guiding shoppers through the purchase funnel. In the study, a significant 53% of female beauty shoppers indicated that TV ads influence their purchasing decisions, demonstrating CTV's power in shaping beauty-related buying behaviors.

1. CTV’s Growing Role in Beauty Advertising

• Impact on Decision-Making:
  The study revealed that CTV ads are proving to be highly effective in reaching beauty shoppers. Notably, 68% of female beauty shoppers reported paying attention to TV ads for beauty products, with 64% able to recall seeing beauty ads in the past month. More than half (59%) of these shoppers had even tried a new beauty brand after seeing a CTV ad.

• Shifting Shopper Habits:
  For leading beauty brands like L'Oréal, CTV has become a key part of their advertising strategies. By leveraging CTV, these brands can raise awareness and engage customers, guiding them through the purchase funnel with data-driven insights that make their ads more effective and targeted.

2. CTV Enables Personalization and Performance

• Data-Driven Strategies:
  According to Nobles Crawford, Consumer Activation Lead at L'Oréal, CTV offers brands a unique blend of premium awareness and data-led strategies, where they can both retarget audiences and personalize ads to enhance engagement. Interactive capabilities on CTV ads during limited-time offers have proven to be particularly useful in accelerating the purchase process.

• Benefits of Real-Time Optimization:
  The ability of CTV to optimize in real-time offers substantial advantages over traditional TV advertising, which is typically more static. Real-time data allows brands to make adjustments to their advertising and retarget viewers based on their interaction with the ad, increasing the likelihood of conversion.

3. Shoppers Desire Easier Purchases Through CTV Ads

• Interest in Direct Purchases via TV Ads:
  Over half (53%) of female beauty shoppers expressed a desire for TV ads to facilitate direct product purchases. An overwhelming 78% stated they would likely purchase an item after scanning a QR code on a beauty TV ad. This demonstrates a clear shift toward CTV as a transactional platform, where consumers expect convenience and immediate access to products.

• Additional Incentives for Engagement:
  The study also found that discounts and free samples are highly motivating for consumers to scan QR-enabled CTV ads. Other compelling features include providing more information (32%), a save-for-later option (29%), and an add-to-cart feature (21%).

4. Beauty Consumers’ Purchasing Habits and Preferences

• Frequent Purchasers:
  The study revealed that most beauty shoppers buy products at least monthly, with 68% purchasing skincare, 70% buying haircare products, 61% buying makeup, and 54% purchasing fragrance products regularly.

• High-Spending Beauty Shoppers Prefer Personalization:
  High-spending beauty shoppers (those spending $250+ per month) are 152% more likely to have product subscriptions, and they tend to favor a personalized online shopping experience. These shoppers are also more likely to buy endorsed products and are 36% more likely to shop online for beauty products.

• Shopping Preferences:
  The study found that 52% of female beauty shoppers prefer to shop in-store, whereas 54% of male shoppers prefer shopping online. Once a shopping method is chosen, consumers tend to stick to it, either purchasing in-store or online, depending on their initial choice.

5. Top Factors Influencing Beauty Purchases

• Price and Product Quality:
  Price remains the top factor influencing beauty purchases, with 66% of female shoppers citing it as a primary driver. Other important factors include ingredients (50%), brand reputation (49%), and reviews and ratings (47%). This highlights the growing importance of transparent, informative ads that address these factors directly to boost consumer confidence and conversion.

6. The Future of CTV Advertising in Beauty

• Immersive Advertising:
  Katie Barrett, Head of Strategic Sales at LG Ad Solutions, emphasized that TV advertising remains a potent tool for beauty brands, offering an immersive experience through sight, sound, and motion. With the rise of CTV, beauty brands are finding new ways to leverage its capabilities to tell compelling stories that resonate with consumers and drive conversions across both upper and lower marketing funnels.

The “Beauty & The Screen” study by LG Ad Solutions confirms the significant impact of CTV advertising on the beauty and grooming industry. With more beauty shoppers engaging with TV ads, the medium is proving to be an effective tool for raising brand awareness, influencing purchasing decisions, and driving conversions. For beauty brands looking to optimize their advertising strategies, CTV’s interactive capabilities and real-time data optimization offer a powerful way to build deeper connections with consumers while driving measurable results.

Reality Defender, an award-winning platform specializing in deepfake detection, has partnered with TaskUs, a leader in outsourced digital services and next-generation customer experience, to address the growing threat of AI-generated content. This collaboration combines Reality Defender's cutting-edge AI detection tools with TaskUs’s expertise in content moderation and contact center operations. The result is a powerful solution that helps businesses maintain platform integrity, protect communities, and prevent AI-driven fraud.

1. Deepfake Detection for Content Moderation

• Fighting AI-Generated Harm:
  As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, deepfakes—manipulated videos, images, and audio—are becoming increasingly difficult to detect. These falsified pieces of content often lead to reputational damage, misinformation, and fraud. With Reality Defender's AI-powered detection capabilities, TaskUs content moderation teams can now flag harmful deepfakes more efficiently through a Chrome browser integration.

• The Growing Need for Deepfake Detection:
  Deepfakes are a significant challenge for digital platforms, as 39% of U.S. users have adjusted their behavior due to encountering them online. Social media, in particular, remains the top source of AI-driven disinformation. TaskUs’s collaboration with Reality Defender provides a much-needed solution for platform integrity, allowing businesses to combat the proliferation of deepfakes and their damaging consequences.

2. AI Voice Detection in Contact Centers

• Combating Voice Cloning Fraud:
  In addition to visual deepfakes, AI voice impersonation is a rising threat for businesses, particularly in contact centers. Deepfake voice cloning is increasingly used to breach identity verification systems, defraud customers, and carry out illicit activities. To address this, Reality Defender’s audio deepfake detection solution will be integrated into TaskUs’s contact center operations, enabling them to flag AI-generated voices effectively.

• Protecting Customer Trust:
  Deepfake fraud in contact centers has a significant financial impact, with annual losses from voice-based fraud reaching $25 billion. The partnership between Reality Defender and TaskUs aims to mitigate these risks by offering a comprehensive solution to identify and prevent AI-driven fraud, reinforcing the trust and integrity of client operations.

3. Real-World Impact and Benefits

• Securing Digital Communications:
  Ben Colman, Co-Founder and CEO of Reality Defender, emphasized that AI voice impersonation has moved from a theoretical concern to a real-world issue, threatening businesses globally. By integrating Reality Defender's advanced detection capabilities with TaskUs’s expert teams, this partnership provides businesses with a robust defense against deepfake fraud, ensuring the security of digital communications and customer interactions.

• Holistic, AI-Powered Solution:
  The collaboration delivers a holistic solution that leverages AI to catch AI. As Reality Defender’s AI detection tools identify deepfake content, TaskUs’s content moderation and contact center experts analyze the findings and take actionable steps to prevent AI-generated forgeries from affecting their clients' operations. This dual approach—AI detection combined with human oversight—ensures comprehensive protection against digital threats.

4. Combating Emerging Threats with a Proactive Approach

• Staying Ahead of AI Threats:
  As AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated, businesses must proactively equip themselves with the best tools to stay ahead of emerging threats. According to Phil Tomlinson, SVP of Global Offerings at TaskUs, this partnership combines advanced AI detection tools with human expertise to help clients manage and mitigate the risks associated with AI-enabled fraud and harmful content.

• Protecting Brand Integrity:
  The use of AI for malicious purposes is on the rise, and brands must be vigilant in protecting their reputation and customer trust. TaskUs’s global content moderation and customer experience operations, combined with Reality Defender’s detection capabilities, provide a powerful defense against these evolving risks.

5. Looking Ahead: A Stronger Defense Against AI-Driven Threats

• Safeguarding the Future:
  The integration of Reality Defender's AI detection tools into TaskUs’s workflows represents a significant step forward in combating deepfake fraud and maintaining a secure digital environment. As the threat of AI-generated content continues to grow, partnerships like this are essential in ensuring that businesses can continue to operate safely and with trust in the digital world.

The partnership between Reality Defender and TaskUs is a timely response to the rising threats posed by deepfakes in both content moderation and customer experience. By combining cutting-edge AI detection with expert human oversight, this collaboration provides businesses with a robust defense against the growing risks of AI-driven fraud and harmful content. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, this partnership strengthens efforts to protect platform integrity, safeguard communities, and preserve trust.

8x8, Inc., an industry leader in CX platforms, has unveiled a rebrand as part of its transformation to offer businesses an even more customer-centric approach to communication. This rebranding marks a significant step forward in the company’s mission to provide seamless communication across every customer interaction. By combining contact center, unified communications, and CPaaS APIs, 8x8 continues to evolve into the industry's most integrated CX platform—helping businesses empower their teams, meet customer expectations, and unlock the full potential of every interaction.

1. A New Brand for a New Era of CX Transformation

• Energy and Ambition Behind the Rebrand:
  Bruno Bertini, Chief Marketing Officer at 8x8, describes the rebrand as a reflection of the company’s relentless innovation and ambition to push the boundaries of what’s possible in customer experience (CX). The company’s new look and feel align with its ongoing mission to meet the evolving needs of businesses, which must now support a workforce that’s highly engaged in digital transformation, mobile-first strategies, and the increasing role of AI in shaping customer interactions.

• Staying Relevant in a Rapidly Changing World:
  As digital transformation continues to reshape industries, the CX landscape is increasingly interconnected. Organizations need a forward-looking partner to meet growing customer expectations. 8x8’s rebrand signals a commitment to helping businesses take CX to the next level and elevate their overall business performance. The next phase of the company’s XCaaS® platform integrates diverse communication tools—enabling businesses to unify their CX strategy and enhance every customer-facing interaction across the organization.

2. CX and IT Leaders: The Heroes of Transformation

• The Visionaries of Customer Experience:
  CX and IT leaders play a pivotal role in transforming customer interactions. These leaders—part strategist, part problem solver—work tirelessly to deliver seamless experiences that exceed expectations. 8x8’s rebrand is a recognition of these leaders’ critical role in creating impactful experiences. The company aims to empower these professionals with the tools needed to deliver on the ambitious goals of digital transformation and to unlock the potential of every customer interaction through their platform.

• A True Partner in Transformation:
  The rebrand serves as a declaration that 8x8 is a true partner for CX and IT leaders, offering the next evolution of its platform. By combining cloud unified communications, contact center solutions, AI, and CPaaS APIs, 8x8 enables businesses to eliminate data silos and create integrated customer journeys across all touchpoints, turning every employee into a customer-facing team member.

3. The Power of Integration: 8x8’s Unified CX Platform

• The XCaaS® Evolution:
  8x8’s platform has evolved from the original XCaaS® model—which already integrated unified communications and contact center solutions—into a more comprehensive CX solution. This integrated platform combines a Microsoft Teams ecosystem, CPaaS APIs, and AI to eliminate communication silos and streamline CX across digital, voice, and mobile channels.

• Enhancing Employee Empowerment:
  By integrating these tools into one platform, 8x8 allows organizations to leverage every employee as part of their customer-facing workforce, ensuring all teams are aligned in delivering consistent and high-quality CX. This evolution transforms every interaction into an opportunity to elevate the customer experience and empower businesses to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced market.

4. Delivering Value Beyond Technology

• Beyond the Buzzwords:
  In an industry where the latest features and buzzwords often dominate, 8x8’s vision centers on delivering tangible business value rather than just flashy technology. The company believes that organizations don’t just need the best technology; they also need a strategic partner who can help them unify their CX to manage complexity and drive business success. 8x8’s commitment to helping CX leaders elevate their businesses is rooted in a belief that CX is the heartbeat of modern organizations.

• Unlocking the Potential of Every Interaction:
  8x8’s vision aims to transform CX leaders into central figures in their organizations, unlocking the potential of every interaction. The integrated platform, coupled with AI and automation tools, allows businesses to not only meet customer expectations but exceed them—creating better, more impactful customer journeys.

5. Activating the Purpose: What’s Next for 8x8

• Advancing AI, Automation, and Integration:
  The rebrand is just the beginning of 8x8’s evolution. The company is focusing on AI, automation, and technology integration to accelerate business outcomes. As Samuel Wilson, CEO of 8x8, notes, these advancements will allow the company to scale its enterprise growth while maintaining its focus on solving real-world CX challenges and driving measurable business outcomes for clients.

• Empowering Strategic Partnerships:
  As 8x8 moves forward with this transformation, its goal is to strengthen its position in high-value markets and create strategic partnerships that will enable mid-market and enterprise growth. Through ongoing investments in AI, automation, and technology integration, 8x8 continues to make a tangible difference in the CX landscape.

The rebrand of 8x8 marks a pivotal moment in the company’s journey toward becoming the most integrated platform for CX. With its focus on innovation, integration, and empowering CX leaders, 8x8 is poised to deliver on its mission to help businesses transform their customer experience and unlock the full potential of every interaction. As the company continues to evolve, it reinforces its commitment to driving business outcomes and being a true partner in the CX transformation of tomorrow.

Xumo, a leading streaming platform powered by a joint venture between Comcast and Charter, has partnered with PubMatic, an independent technology company specializing in digital advertising. This collaboration aims to make Xumo’s premium inventory programmatically available to advertisers, unlocking unprecedented reach and targeting capabilities. With the digital advertising ecosystem becoming more complex, this partnership brings a much-needed solution to help advertisers optimize their media investments through advanced programmatic strategies.

1. The Growing Need for Data-Driven Insights in Digital Advertising

• Optimizing Media Investments:
  In an increasingly crowded digital advertising space, advertisers are demanding data-driven insights to optimize their media spending. As programmatic advertising becomes more central to ad strategies, access to quality, transparent data is essential for achieving better targeting and maximizing ROI. The collaboration between Xumo and PubMatic aims to meet this demand by providing advertisers with direct access to high-quality inventory and valuable data for informed decision-making.

• Unlocking Reach and Targeting with PubMatic:
  By leveraging PubMatic’s supply path optimization (SPO) and strong buyer relationships, Xumo is offering advertisers unmatched targeting capabilities across its expansive library of 350+ streaming channels. This partnership enables advertisers to connect with audiences more efficiently, increasing the potential reach for campaigns and driving higher engagement.

2. Xumo’s Growing Streaming Ecosystem

• Expanding Content Library:
  Xumo’s platform spans a FAST app, streaming devices, and FAST channels distributed across global platforms, making it a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem. The partnership with PubMatic comes at a moment of substantial growth for Xumo, with a notable 83% year-over-year increase in streaming hours in September 2024. Viewers are spending an average of 90 minutes daily on the platform, solidifying Xumo as an essential channel for advertisers aiming to tap into a growing streaming audience.

• Simplifying Access for Advertisers:
  Xumo’s focus on transparency and ease of access for advertisers is central to this partnership. According to Ying Wang, General Manager of Xumo Advertising, the goal is to make it simple and transparent for advertisers to tap into the platform’s diverse content library. By adding PubMatic to its roster of premium programmatic partners, Xumo continues to enhance its advertising offerings, providing advertisers with critical insights needed to optimize their media dollars effectively.

3. The Role of PubMatic in Driving Programmatic CTV Advertising

• PubMatic’s Expertise in CTV Advertising:
  PubMatic is renowned for its leadership in programmatic advertising, particularly in the CTV (Connected TV) space. As highlighted in The Forrester Wave™: Sell-Side Platforms, Q4 2024, PubMatic is recognized for its ability to drive substantial sales lifts for advertisers, enabling them to connect with audiences across multiple devices and platforms. By incorporating CTV into its omnichannel campaigns, PubMatic provides a seamless integration for advertisers seeking to maximize the impact of their campaigns in the fast-evolving streaming market.

• Seamless Integration Across Platforms:
  PubMatic’s programmatic solutions enable advertisers to target new and diverse audiences across streaming and traditional channels that may not be accessible through other advertising methods. This integration provides a more effective way to drive brand awareness, increase consumer engagement, and ultimately boost conversions.

4. Riding the Growth of Programmatic CTV Advertising

• Programmatic CTV Advertising on the Rise:
  As programmatic CTV ad spending is expected to reach $23.8 billion in 2024 (according to Magna Global’s forecast), the partnership between Xumo and PubMatic is perfectly timed to capitalize on the significant shift toward programmatic advertising in the streaming space. Advertisers are increasingly turning to programmatic strategies to better connect with the CTV audience and meet the growing demand for more targeted, measurable advertising solutions.

• A High-Performing, Brand-Safe Channel:
  The collaboration ensures that advertisers can access Xumo’s premium inventory in a brand-safe environment, providing confidence in the quality of the advertising placements. By combining PubMatic’s advanced technology and strong buyer relationships, this partnership creates a high-performing advertising channel that drives measurable outcomes for advertisers.

5. Looking Ahead: Future Opportunities for Advertisers

• Enhancing Brand Loyalty and Conversions:
  Through this partnership, Xumo and PubMatic are enabling advertisers to reach new consumers, enhancing brand awareness, customer loyalty, and sales conversions. By providing data-driven insights, advertisers can make smarter decisions and improve their overall media strategy. The seamless integration between Xumo’s premium inventory and PubMatic’s programmatic capabilities will help advertisers stay ahead in the competitive CTV landscape.

• Strategic Growth and Expansion:
  As both companies continue to grow, this partnership lays the groundwork for future advancements in the CTV space, positioning them to capitalize on emerging trends and drive innovation in digital advertising. With programmatic CTV advertising set to expand, Xumo and PubMatic are positioned to play a leading role in the next phase of advertising evolution.

The strategic partnership between Xumo and PubMatic marks a significant milestone in the growing CTV advertising landscape. By combining Xumo’s premium streaming inventory with PubMatic’s advanced programmatic technology and SPO expertise, this collaboration offers advertisers an effective way to reach new audiences, enhance brand awareness, and drive sales conversions in a high-performing, brand-safe environment. As programmatic CTV ad spending continues to surge, both companies are poised to capitalize on the increasing demand for targeted, data-driven advertising solutions.