Cadent, the largest independent provider of omnichannel video advertising solutions, has announced new strategic partnerships with regional MSOs Hotwire, Midco, and Mediacom. These partnerships aim to bolster ad revenue and enhance addressable TV advertising as these companies roll out their new Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platforms. Through Cadent's innovative Aperture Ad Management solution, these MSOs will gain full control over their advertising capabilities, ensuring growth and protection of both linear and time-shifted ad revenue.

1. Overview of the Partnership:

   • Cadent has partnered with Hotwire, Midco, and Mediacom to provide a fully hosted ad management platform.
   • The partnership focuses on enabling addressable local and national advertising across video services, including linear TV and IPTV.

2. Benefits of the Cadent Aperture Ad Management Solution:

   • Offers comprehensive control over Addressable TV advertising across STB, CTV, and TV-E.
   • Supports linear replication and dynamic insertion for live and time-shifted TV.
   • Protects data for measurement, attribution, and business intelligence (BI) purposes.
   • Enhances the monetization of existing linear inventory and previously unsold video services.

3. Impact on MSO Partners:

   • Hotwire:
     • Leverages Cadent’s platform to enhance ad revenue opportunities while supporting linear ad business.
     • Benefits from the combination of Cadent's platform and Hotwire’s fiber network for innovative addressable advertising.
   • Midco:
     • Improves video monetization and enhances ad products for local advertisers.
     • Strengthens the viewing experience for residential customers and boosts ad opportunities for affiliate partners.
   • Mediacom:
     • Gains the ability to protect and grow ad revenue as it transitions to new IPTV services.

4. Cadent's Role in the Evolving TV Advertising Landscape:

   • Cadent’s Aperture Platform is tailored for the changing world of TV and video.
   • It enables premium video service providers to maximize their unique market positions and subscriber relationships.
   • Facilitates the transition from legacy distribution technology to modern IPTV services, creating new monetization opportunities.

5. Leadership Insights:

   • Pragash Pillai, CTO of Hotwire: Emphasizes the importance of capitalizing on new ad revenue opportunities while maintaining support for existing linear business through Cadent’s platform.
   • Tom McAdaragh, President of Midco: Highlights the enhanced video monetization and ad products that the partnership with Cadent will bring to Midco’s customers and affiliates.
   • Paul Ranger, SVP of Platform Sales at Cadent: Points to the mutual commitment to innovative ad products that the partnerships with Hotwire and Midco represent, especially as these MSOs transition to IPTV services.

The collaboration between Cadent and regional MSOs Hotwire, Midco, and Mediacom marks a significant advancement in the realm of addressable TV advertising. With the integration of Cadent's Aperture Ad Management solution, these companies are well-positioned to maximize their ad revenue and enhance their video services, paving the way for continued innovation and growth in the rapidly evolving TV advertising landscape.

Payne Will Join Unity as Chief Product Officer for Advertising Following the Hire of Alex Blum as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development Last Month

Unity, the leading platform for creating and growing games and interactive experiences, has announced the appointment of Jim Payne as Chief Product Officer for Advertising, effective August 12, 2024. Payne, a seasoned ad tech entrepreneur, is set to drive innovation and growth in Unity's advertising business, further positioning the company to capitalize on the rapidly expanding mobile advertising market.

Jim Payne's Background and Expertise

• Founding Experience: Payne co-founded MoPub, the world’s largest mobile in-app ad server and exchange, as well as MAX Advertising Systems, a pioneering mobile header bidding platform. His deep expertise in mobile advertising is expected to be a significant asset to Unity.

• CloudExchange: Recently, Payne founded CloudExchange, a publisher-hosted mobile advertising stack that enhances first-party data usage and ad quality. Unity is acquiring the assets of CloudExchange, which will further strengthen its advertising capabilities.

Strategic Significance of the Appointment

• Growth in Mobile Advertising: With the global mobile advertising market estimated at approximately $150 billion, Unity is committed to accelerating its ads business. Payne’s appointment is a strategic move to enhance Unity’s leadership in this lucrative sector.

• Innovation Focus: Payne will join Unity’s leadership team to help innovate and expand Unity’s advertising products, aiming to deliver market-leading solutions that generate greater revenue for publishers within gaming and beyond.

Unity's Leadership Team Expansion

• Recent Additions: Payne's arrival follows the recent hiring of Alex Blum as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development. Blum brings extensive experience in ad tech, having invested in and incubated numerous companies in the sector. Together, Payne and Blum will drive Unity’s strategic initiatives in the advertising space.

Jim Payne’s appointment as Chief Product Officer for Advertising marks a significant step for Unity as it seeks to enhance its advertising business and capitalize on the booming mobile advertising market. With Payne’s deep industry expertise and innovative mindset, Unity is poised to deliver even more competitive and effective advertising solutions to its partners, further solidifying its leadership in the gaming and interactive experiences industry.

v4c.ai, a leading IT services consultancy specializing in Dataiku, the Universal AI platform, has appointed Vijay Rao to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. This strategic move aligns with v4c.ai’s goals to expand its global presence and enhance its data science, machine learning, and generative AI capabilities.

New Board Appointment

• Vijay Rao:
  • Role: Rao joins as a board member, bringing significant experience from his tenure as founder and former CEO of Apisero (now NTT Data).
  • Background: Rao led Apisero to become the world’s largest pure-play MuleSoft consultancy, known for its innovative approach to integration and automation.

Strategic Importance of the Appointment

• Growth and Expansion: v4c.ai aims to scale its operations into new vertical markets and deepen its expertise in AI and machine learning. Rao’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the company seeks to leverage its partnership with Dataiku to drive transformative results for its clients.
• Synergy with Dataiku: Rao highlights the significant opportunity for v4c.ai and Dataiku to revolutionize data utilization in enterprises. His passion for AI/ML aligns with v4c.ai’s mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions.

Vijay Rao’s Achievements

• Apisero’s Success: Under Rao’s leadership, Apisero grew rapidly, becoming a global leader with over 2,000 certified experts. The company received multiple accolades, including being an 8x MuleSoft Partner of the Year and securing venture capital from Salesforce Ventures. Apisero was acquired by NTT Data in October 2022.
• Current Roles: Rao is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and serves on the board of Snowflake pure-play consultancy, kipi.bi. His expertise in strategic alliances and business scaling will be a valuable asset to v4c.ai.

Statements from Leadership

• Vijay Rao:

  • Comment: “Joining v4c.ai is an honor. The synergy with Dataiku offers a groundbreaking chance to revolutionize data use in enterprises. I’m excited to be part of this AI/ML revolution and contribute to transformative results for our joint customers.”

• Jeremy Stensland, President of v4c.ai:

  • Comment: “We are thrilled to welcome Vijay to our board. His leadership transformed Apisero into a global leader, and his experience will drive our success with Dataiku. His addition reinforces our commitment to excellence and innovation.”

Vijay Rao’s appointment to the v4c.ai Board of Directors signifies a strategic enhancement of the company’s capabilities and market position. His leadership and expertise will be instrumental in advancing v4c.ai’s growth and innovation efforts in partnership with Dataiku.

First Chief Product and Technology Innovation Officer and Chief Cloud and Data Modernization Officer to bolster leadership team and accelerate growth for clients

Acxiom, the global leader in customer intelligence and marketing enablement, has appointed Keith Camoosa as Chief Product and Technology Innovation Officer (CPTIO) and Ankur Jain as Chief Cloud and Data Modernization Officer (CCDMO). These strategic hires aim to redefine Acxiom's products and technology, delivering smarter, scalable solutions to boost clients’ marketing impact and maximize their martech investments.

Background of Keith Camoosa

• Current Role
  • Leads product vision and technology modernization.
  • Reports to KINESSO Global CEO Jarrod Martin.
  • Collaborates with Acxiom’s COO John Watkins.
• Previous Experience
  • Chief Addressability Officer at Dentsu International.
  • Executive roles at Warner Media and IPG Mediabrands.
  • Launched AMP, an audience marketing platform at IPG Mediabrands.
  • Oversaw data products and platforms at Warner Media.

Background of Ankur Jain

• Current Role
  • Responsible for Acxiom's product and data engineering transformation.
  • Reports to Keith Camoosa.
• Previous Experience
  • Global Cloud Practice Lead at Merkle.
  • Led cloud-first strategy and established partnerships with Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services.
  • Drove data modernization and cloud migration projects for Fortune 1000 clients.
• Expertise
  • Over 20 years in big data, analytics, AI, machine learning, and cloud computing.

Statements on the Appointments

• Jarrod Martin, KINESSO Global CEO
  • Highlighted the significance of the appointments in unifying Acxiom and KINESSO.
  • Emphasized the aim to redefine the nexus of data and technology and transform customer engagement.
• Keith Camoosa
  • Expressed enthusiasm about returning to IPG.
  • Aimed to deliver future-forward solutions to enhance client marketing strategies and technology investments.
• Ankur Jain
  • Excited about the opportunity to leverage public cloud computing platforms and AI.
  • Focused on creating next-generation marketing solutions and evolving industry operations.

The appointments of Keith Camoosa and Ankur Jain mark a significant step for Acxiom as it seeks to innovate and enhance its product offerings and technological capabilities. Their leadership is expected to drive the next wave of innovation, helping clients maximize their martech investments and achieve greater marketing impact.

Strategic acquisition will enhance Pathlab’s services to midsize agencies through MiQ's best in class partners, technology, and people

Global programmatic media partner MiQ has announced its plans to acquire Pathlabs', a Media Execution Partner (MEP) known for delivering end-to-end digital media execution services to independent agencies. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in MiQ's growth, enhancing its ability to deliver programmatic excellence across the digital advertising ecosystem.

1. Pathlabs: An Overview

• Founded in 2021, headquartered in Missoula, Montana.
• Offers end-to-end digital media execution services for independent agencies.
• Supported by a 100-person team, managing planning to reporting of performance-based, paid advertising campaigns.

2. Strategic Fit and Opportunities

• MiQ’s technology and agnostic partnerships blend with Pathlabs' market expertise.
• Enhanced programmatic capabilities for clients of all sizes across the U.S.
• Unlocks opportunities for midsize independent agencies.

3. Addressing Industry Challenges

• Importance of innovative and reliable managed services providers in a fragmented digital advertising landscape.
• MiQ's expertise and technology investments help advertisers navigate complexities and achieve their goals.

4. Leadership Insights

• Charlie Neer, co-CEO of MiQ, U.S.: Sees tremendous opportunity in the independent agency market with over $25 billion in digital ad spend.
• Erin Madorsky, co-CEO of MiQ, U.S.: Emphasizes the enhancement of client offerings, insights, and success through this acquisition.
• William Lapointe, CEO of Pathlabs: Highlights the empowerment of clients with advanced tools and talent through the partnership with MiQ.

5. Integration and Future Prospects

• Pathlabs retains its brand identity and operates as an independent business unit under MiQ.
• Follows MiQ's previous acquisitions of Grasp, Samba, and AirGrid.
• Reinforces MiQ’s commitment to enhancing the programmatic experience.

The acquisition of Pathlabs by MiQ signifies a strategic move to enhance programmatic media services for independent agencies. By combining Pathlabs' deep market expertise with MiQ's cutting-edge technology and global partnerships, this partnership aims to deliver unmatched programmatic capabilities, driving success and extraordinary results for clients.

As Hays' global tech partner, Cognizant will use new innovative technologies to enhance customer experience and IT efficiency, in order to drive agility and competitiveness in the business environment

Cognizant has announced a strategic partnership with Hays, the world's leading specialist in workforce solutions and recruitment. This collaboration aims to transform Hays' technology infrastructure and drive innovation, enhancing operational efficiency and improving customer experiences on a global scale.

Strategic Partnership Details

• Objective:

  • Transformation Goals: The partnership is designed to support Hays' mission of evolving into a globally integrated business with a strong focus on IT and data.
  • Technological Enhancement: Cognizant will provide advanced technologies to support Hays' operational delivery and integrated processes, aligning with their evolving business needs.

• Scope of the Deal:

  • Global Support: Cognizant will oversee Hays' Applications, Infrastructure, and Transformation journey across various regions including the UK & Ireland, CEMEA, Americas, and APAC.
  • Modern Technology Environment: The aim is to create a secure and efficient technology environment that enhances customer experience and provides valuable data insights.

Key Benefits and Objectives

• Enhanced Capabilities:

  • Operational Efficiency: Implementation of modern technologies will streamline Hays' IT operations and improve efficiency.
  • Innovation and Agility: By developing a strategic global perspective, Cognizant aims to make Hays more agile and foster innovation.

• Transparency and Financial Planning:

  • Improved Governance: The partnership will enhance transparency into global technology operations, supporting better financial planning and execution.

Executive Quotes

• Rohit Gupta, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Cognizant:

  • "We are thrilled to be selected as the strategic technology partner for Hays. Our goal is to manage key business risks effectively, enhance technology capabilities, and increase transparency, supporting Hays' business needs and fostering innovation."

• Tim Fulton, Chief Technology Officer, Hays:

  • "Cognizant will manage our IT operations globally, overseeing our IT service desk, business applications, and infrastructure. This partnership will provide enhanced capabilities and a stable IT environment, allowing us to focus on delivering exceptional recruitment services."

Expected Outcomes

• Operational Support:
  • Seamless Systems: Cognizant will ensure the smooth operation of Hays' IT systems, enhancing global customer and candidate experiences.
  • Automation and Efficiency: The partnership will leverage automation to simplify business processes, platforms, and applications, supporting an efficient recruitment process.

The strategic partnership between Cognizant and Hays marks a significant step in transforming Hays' technology landscape. By enhancing operational efficiency, improving customer experiences, and driving innovation, this collaboration is set to support Hays' global recruitment efforts and future business growth.

Stagwell, a network renowned for transforming marketing, has announced its acquisition of LEADERS, a Tel Aviv-based digital agency specializing in influencer marketing and social commerce, along with its SaaS platform, InfluencerMarketing.AI (IMAI). This acquisition enhances Stagwell Marketing Cloud's PRophet Comms Tech Suite, integrating advanced AI technologies for influencer marketing into its offerings.

1. Acquisition Overview

• Acquired Entities: LEADERS, a digital agency, and InfluencerMarketing.AI (IMAI), an AI-powered influencer marketing platform.
• Purpose: Enhance Stagwell's marketing technology suite with AI-driven solutions for influencer marketing.

2. LEADERS and IMAI Details

• Founders: Eran Nizri and Yehonatan Arami, established in 2017.
• Platform Capabilities: IMAI connects brands with over 300 million creators globally, offering campaign management tools, robust analytics, and sales prediction models.
• Clientele: Includes major brands like Nespresso, Samsung, Colgate-Palmolive, Coca-Cola, Playtika, Estée Lauder, and Superdry.

3. Strategic Benefits for Stagwell

• Enhanced Offerings: Integration of advanced AI technologies into Stagwell’s PRophet Comms Tech Suite.
• Global Expansion: Marks Stagwell’s first agency acquisition in Israel, supporting its substantial global expansion efforts.
• Industry Impact: Aims to redefine influencer marketing with cutting-edge technology and a global network.

4. Statements from Key Executives

• Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell: "The acquisition strengthens our Marketing Cloud with innovative AI solutions and marks a significant step in our global expansion."
• Aaron Kwittken, Founder and CEO of SMC's Comms Tech Suite: "The integration of LEADERS and IMAI will amplify our capabilities in digital and influencer marketing."
• Eran Nizri, CEO of LEADERS: "Joining Stagwell provides an opportunity to lead the influencer marketing industry into a new era with expanded resources and global reach."

5. Leadership and Integration

• Leadership Roles: Eran Nizri remains Group CEO, Itamar Gonsherovitz continues as CEO of LEADERS’ digital agency operations, and Yehonatan Arami will lead business development.
• Integration: LEADERS and IMAI will be integrated into Stagwell's Comms Tech Unit, enhancing its influencer and digital marketing strategies.

6. Recent Acquisitions

• 2024 Acquisitions: LEADERS is Stagwell’s seventh acquisition this year, following Team Epiphany, Sidekick, What's Next Partners, PROS, Business Traveller, and BERA.

The acquisition of LEADERS and IMAI by Stagwell marks a transformative milestone in enhancing its global influencer marketing capabilities. By integrating LEADERS' digital expertise and IMAI’s AI-powered platform into its PRophet Comms Tech Suite, Stagwell is set to lead the industry in digital marketing innovation and expand its global footprint.

Mural, the leading visual work platform designed to enhance team collaboration and innovation, has announced Leigh-Margaret Stull as its new CEO. This appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Mural seeks to expand its impact and drive further growth in the dynamic market for collaboration tools.

1. New CEO Appointment: Leigh-Margaret Stull

• Excitement and Vision: Leigh-Margaret expresses enthusiasm about joining Mural and her belief in the company’s mission to transform teamwork and business strategy.
• Experience and Expertise: Over 25 years of leadership experience, including roles as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer at CareerBuilder.
• Skills and Achievements: Proven track record in growth, innovation, and operational excellence, with a strong focus on user experience and leveraging AI and emerging technologies.

2. Leadership Transition

• Predecessor: David Baga steps down after growing Mural into a vital tool for businesses.
• Board’s Confidence: Jeff Lieberman, Managing Director at Insight Partners, highlights the Board’s confidence in Leigh-Margaret’s leadership capabilities.
• New Opportunities: Leigh-Margaret’s appointment comes as the demand for innovative collaboration solutions continues to rise.

3. Leigh-Margaret’s Goals for Mural

• Customer and Employee Focus: Emphasis on aligning Mural’s growth strategies with customer needs and enhancing the work experience for employees.
• Passion for Collaboration: Leigh-Margaret’s personal and professional background reflects a deep commitment to collaboration methodologies and hybrid work environments.
• Future Vision: Aims to inspire the Mural team and community, leveraging her expertise to elevate Mural’s collaboration culture.

4. Mural’s Expanded Expertise and Offerings

• LUMA Institute Research: Mural’s platform benefits from decades of research to support creative and human-centered collaboration.
• Professional Services: Tailored solutions for unique needs and workflows.
• Collaboration Approaches: Incorporates agile methodologies and a suite of tools to enhance organizational productivity.

Leigh-Margaret Stull’s appointment as CEO marks a new chapter for Mural, one focused on leveraging her extensive experience to drive growth and innovation. As the company continues to lead in the visual work platform space, Leigh-Margaret’s leadership is set to enhance Mural’s offerings and expand its impact in the evolving market for collaboration tools.