The customized bundle-builder is the first piece of FreeCast’s whole-industry media solution.

FreeCast is excited to announce the launch of YouBundle, a new service that empowers consumers to create customized bundles of streaming video products, centralizing their subscription management and consolidating media costs into a single monthly payment. This consumer-facing product marks the first phase of FreeCast's omni-channel media industry solution, with more announcements expected as the company tackles various challenges in the OTT (Over-the-Top) television space.

Addressing the Confusion in Streaming Media

The streaming media market is increasingly confusing and costly to navigate, particularly as cable TV faces a rapid decline. Consumers are in dire need of a solution. YouBundle is designed to give consumers control, allowing them to select only the subscription services they want based on their preferences and budgets. The base FreeCast service aggregates over 500 free streaming channels along with hundreds of thousands of ad-supported and pay-per-view TV episodes and movies. This creates the single-source TV experience that consumers have long requested, enabling them to binge, pay, pause, and restart subscriptions from a unified menu.

Comprehensive Content Aggregation

YouBundle aggregates all major subscription video-on-demand services, including Netflix, Disney+, and Max, as well as virtual pay-TV bundles like YouTube TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV. Furthermore, with FreeCast Home and an antenna, users can also access local broadcast channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and PBS.

Industry Impact and Vision

William Mobley, CEO of FreeCast, elaborated on the significance of YouBundle within the company’s comprehensive industry strategy: “What we’ve done with YouBundle is bring together a lot of the solutions we’ve been working on for years into one easy product. That’s what the consumer needs, and more importantly, it’s what the industry needs right now. Big picture, this is about more than just consumers paying too much or being able to find their shows and movies; billions of dollars and thousands of media industry jobs are at stake with these very problems. Our approach is to tackle them in a big-picture way. The launch of YouBundle is the first piece of that, and we’ll have industry-facing solutions that work together with it following shortly.”

The partnership enables thousands of TD SYNNEX partners to offer Iterate.ai’s cutting-edge AI tools—including its innovative Generate application for secure and flexible LLMs

Iterate.ai, a leader in AI platforms that enable enterprises to develop production-ready applications for private AI needs, has partnered with TD SYNNEX, a leading global distributor and solutions aggregator in the IT ecosystem. This partnership will make Iterate.ai’s advanced AI portfolio available to TD SYNNEX’s extensive network of resellers and their customers worldwide.

Scaling the Go-to-Market Plan

“Iterate is committed to scaling its go-to-market plan through the channel,” said Kevin Homer, Vice President of Sales at Iterate.ai. “We are excited to partner with TD SYNNEX and its network of vendors and resellers to make that vision a reality.”

Flagship Solution: Generate

Through this partnership, TD SYNNEX resellers can now offer Iterate.ai’s Generate, an AI Assistant application, as a flagship go-to-market solution. Generate leverages advanced techniques like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), enabling it to answer questions using information from files stored on a user's computer—safely and securely. Unlike many other AI tools, Generate operates directly on a company’s systems, allowing use without an internet connection and safeguarding sensitive data from exposure to public AI chat services.

Generate can input data from any third-party solution that has an API or other means of access (e.g., PDF, .exe). Initial out-of-the-box integrations include the Google Drive suite, Microsoft OneDrive suite, common workflow managers like Monday and Slack, and personal finance apps like QuickBooks. Once document access is established, users can ask questions and receive summarized answers linked to sources in their private files and documents. This functionality enables Generate to support various use cases, including summarizing customer comments, analyzing inventory, generating logo designs, and providing data-driven business insights.

Win-Win Partnership

“This partnership is a win for Iterate, TD SYNNEX and its channel partners, and end customers alike,” said Brian Sathianathan, CTO and co-founder of Iterate.ai. “We’re excited to bring our multi-functional private AI solutions to new businesses via TD SYNNEX’s vast reseller network and support those organizations in achieving their most ambitious AI and business goals.”

Additional Iterate.ai solutions available include Interplay, a patented low-code development environment that facilitates the rapid creation of advanced AI chatbots and other AI-powered applications. More Iterate.ai products for TD SYNNEX resellers are set to roll out in early 2025.

Commitment to AI Innovation

“Through our Destination AI initiative, TD SYNNEX is committed to driving AI adoption and innovation for our reseller partners,” said Lisa McGarvey, VP of Data, AI & IoT Solutions at TD SYNNEX. “With Iterate.ai added to our portfolio of vendor partners, we're able to enrich the breadth and depth of our AI offerings, enabling us to connect our partners to comprehensive AI and application development solutions that meet their needs.”

Creator-driven consumers will spend more and engage deeper with holiday content compared to traditional audiences

Premier creator marketing platform Collective Voice has released its timely 2024 Holiday Report, providing valuable insights into the influential power of content creators on consumer purchasing behavior.

As major fall sales commence, and with the year's election and a shortened holiday shopping season, the importance of choosing the right creators and platforms is higher than ever. To craft successful marketing campaigns that resonate and drive both sales and loyalty, brands must understand how creators influence consumer shopping preferences, spending habits, content engagement, timing, and platform choice.

1. Creator-Led Shopping Fuels Bigger Holiday Spending
   Creator-driven shoppers—consumers inspired by content creators when making purchasing decisions—are 30% more likely to budget and spend over $1,000 on holiday gifts, including luxury items. This is significantly higher than the average consumer, who tends to spend less on high-end goods.

2. Understanding Where Shoppers Seek Recommendations
   Nearly 70% of creator-driven shoppers are influenced by the social media channel a creator uses. YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram lead as the top sources for gift ideas, accounting for about 60% of shoppers' preferences.

3. Trust in Mid-Tier Influencers
   Mid-tier influencers with 50-100k followers are over 9 times more likely to be trusted than celebrities with enormous followings, highlighting the value of authenticity in marketing.

4. Budget-Conscious Creator-Driven Shoppers
   While eager to splurge on luxury gifts this holiday, creator-driven shoppers remain highly price-conscious, with 79% frequently using discount codes. This sensitivity to pricing suggests that prioritizing discounts may drive increased conversions.

Implications for Brands

"As we approach the holiday season, it's clear that creator content is driving a significant increase in consumer omni-channel shopping behavior," says Clair Sidman, VP of Marketing at Collective Voice. "Our research shows that creator-driven shoppers are more valuable to brands because they spend more and engage more deeply with holiday content than shoppers who see traditional brand content."

As in-store shopping gains momentum this holiday season, many brands are still missing opportunities to leverage creator-driven content to amplify their omni-channel sales. Creators provide a level of authenticity that builds trust, transforming them into powerful drivers of consumer action—an invaluable asset during competitive promotional periods.

Vimeo, renowned as a leading video experience platform, has appointed Charlie Ungashick as the new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). With a background in both consumer and enterprise markets, Ungashick is set to drive Vimeo’s marketing strategies as the company integrates advanced AI capabilities to enhance its value for creators and businesses globally. Ungashick will also lead Vimeo’s inaugural customer conference, Vimeo REFRAME, scheduled later this month.

• Appointment of Charlie Ungashick as CMO:

  • Charlie Ungashick has been supporting Vimeo as interim CMO since January 2024.
  • He will now oversee all marketing efforts across both consumer and commercial sectors.
  • His leadership comes at a critical time as Vimeo continues to integrate cutting-edge AI technology into its platform.

• Leadership and Experience:

  • Philip Moyer, CEO of Vimeo, emphasized Ungashick’s expertise in building and scaling marketing organizations.
  • Ungashick’s 20+ years of experience span high-growth technology companies like Validity and Applause.
  • He has held leadership roles in global marketing teams, including WorkHuman and PTC.
  • Earlier in his career, Ungashick gained insights in product management and sales for fast-growing tech firms.

• Impact on Vimeo’s Future:

  • Vimeo aims to become the largest private video distribution platform globally.
  • Ungashick’s role will be instrumental in shaping the marketing strategy to support this vision.
  • His leadership will also drive the company’s first customer conference, Vimeo REFRAME, which will focus on connecting with the creator community and showcasing Vimeo’s evolving technology.

Ungashick’s Perspective:

• Ungashick is enthusiastic about the growing importance of video in marketing communications.
• He sees Vimeo’s technology as a game-changer for industries beyond the creative sectors.
• His plans include engaging the Staff Picks community of filmmakers and creating impactful storytelling tools.

Charlie Ungashick’s appointment as CMO marks a pivotal moment for Vimeo as it strives to advance its leadership in video technology through AI-driven innovation. With his extensive experience, Vimeo is poised for further growth, increased engagement with creators, and success at the upcoming Vimeo REFRAME conference.

Seasoned Industry Specialists Appointed as Managing Director, Business Directors, and Account Director

Billups, the leading independent Out-of-Home (OOH) managed services agency, has announced the appointment of four senior leaders to bolster growth in key regions, including Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), Europe, and the Middle East. These appointments come at a time of remarkable growth, including 123% revenue increase over the past three years and the acquisition of four OOH agencies worldwide.

• Leadership Appointments in Middle East & ANZ:

  • David Hawkins named Managing Director, Middle East; formerly with JCDecaux, he brings extensive OOH media industry expertise and will lead operations from Dubai.
  • Wissam El Rayess, also from JCDecaux, appointed Business Director, Middle East. He will focus on business development and client relations in the region, based in Dubai.
  • Nicci Loudon, formerly at Talon Outdoor, is appointed Business Director, ANZ, to oversee regional growth from Melbourne.
  • Kirstie Caldwell takes on the role of Account Director, ANZ, focusing on client engagement and campaign performance. She will operate from Sydney.

• Strategic Expansion and Growth:

  • The appointments reflect Billups' global expansion strategy, marked by recent acquisitions and a 123% revenue growth in the past three years.
  • Hawkins and El Rayess will report to James McEwan, CEO of EMEA, while Loudon and Caldwell will report to Ben Milne, CEO of APAC.

• Leadership Insights and Vision:

  • David Krupp, Global CEO of Billups, emphasized that these leaders bring valuable expertise and will help make OOH advertising more accessible and measurable across international markets.
  • David Hawkins, Managing Director of the Middle East, highlighted the opportunity to elevate the region’s OOH potential through advanced technology and programmatic analytics.
  • Nicci Loudon, Business Director of ANZ, expressed excitement about leveraging her local and global experience to foster a collaborative culture in the dynamic OOH sector.

With these strategic appointments, Billups is well-positioned to expand its global footprint and offer consistent, high-quality OOH services across the Middle East, ANZ, and Europe. The leadership team’s experience will drive growth and client value through data-driven, technology-enabled solutions, ensuring Billups continues to be a leader in the evolving OOH landscape.

Seasoned sales leaders to drive revenue and expand partnerships

AdImpact, a leading advertising intelligence company, has bolstered its sales team with the strategic appointments of Doug Herber as Head of Partnerships and Bruce Peltzer as Head of Partnerships, Political. These hires come at a crucial time as the company continues to expand its footprint with a new SaaS-based TV advertising intelligence platform and aims to scale its political advertising partnerships.

• Doug Herber’s Role as Head of Partnerships:

  • Doug Herber, with vast experience in the advertising and marketing sectors, will shape AdImpact’s strategic partnership efforts and drive revenue growth.
  • He brings leadership experience from Vivvix, Kantar, and Nielsen Media Research.
  • Herber’s focus will be on building stronger partnerships in the TV advertising industry, helping to enhance AdImpact’s data solutions and SaaS platform offerings.

• Bruce Peltzer’s Role as Head of Partnerships, Political:

  • Bruce Peltzer will lead efforts to scale partnerships and foster innovation within AdImpact’s political business segment.
  • With extensive sales leadership experience from Fox Corporation, Viacom, and Paramount, Peltzer will play a pivotal role in navigating the high-spending political advertising landscape, where spending is expected to exceed $10.7 billion during the 2024 election cycle.

• Leadership Endorsement:

  • Don Norton, GM of AdImpact, emphasized Herber’s role in strengthening partnerships with TV industry leaders, enhancing the company's platform to keep clients competitive.
  • John Link, VP of Sales at AdImpact, highlighted Peltzer’s strategic position in growing AdImpact’s political business during this record-breaking election season.

• Additional Leadership Support:

  • To support this growing leadership team, AdImpact also appointed Kyle Henke as Senior Account Executive, Data Solutions.
  • Henke, with experience from RobotLAB and TEGNA, will be integral in managing data solutions for clients across industries.

AdImpact’s leadership appointments reflect its commitment to scaling its advertising intelligence platform and political business. With Doug Herber and Bruce Peltzer at the helm, the company is poised for continued growth in the TV and political advertising sectors, while delivering cutting-edge solutions to its clients.

New Roles Create More Opportunities to Enhance Digital Advertising Outcomes and Experiences with AI

Yieldmo, a leader in enhancing digital ad experiences using creative tech and AI, has strengthened its strategic leadership team with two key appointments. Eddie Ishak joins as Senior Vice President, Experience Design and Development, while long-time Yieldmo executive Dan Contento has been promoted to Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). These leadership moves aim to further Yieldmo's innovation in AI-driven advertising solutions.

• Dan Contento Appointed Chief Commercial Officer:

  • Dan Contento, a Yieldmo veteran with nearly 12 years at the company, has been promoted to Chief Commercial Officer.
  • In his previous roles, he successfully led sales, operations, and business development initiatives, including Global Platform Development for Yieldmo’s Programmatic Marketplace.
  • As CCO, Contento will oversee Yieldmo's global commercial strategy, manage key brand partnerships, and lead agency development.
  • He will also drive the company’s international expansion efforts, positioning Yieldmo for continued growth in global markets.

• Eddie Ishak Joins as Senior VP, Experience Design and Development:

  • Eddie Ishak, with over 20 years of experience across adtech, fintech, and banking, takes on the role of SVP of Experience Design and Development.
  • He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Columbia University, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction, and has a deep understanding of user experience design.
  • Ishak will focus on leveraging AI to transform first-party data into actionable insights, driving innovation and enhancing user experiences within Yieldmo’s platform.
  • His role aligns with Yieldmo’s broader mission to create human-centric ad experiences that optimize campaign performance for brands and agencies.

• Leadership and Vision:

  • Mike Yavonditte, CEO and co-founder of Yieldmo, praised Contento’s strategic contributions to the company's growth over the past decade.
  • Teddy Jawde, Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Yieldmo, highlighted Ishak’s vision for creating ad experiences that balance user satisfaction and innovative technology.
  • Both leaders believe these appointments will be instrumental in achieving Yieldmo’s goals of optimizing digital advertising through AI and furthering its international reach.

Yieldmo’s strategic leadership expansion underscores its commitment to advancing digital ad experiences using AI-driven solutions. With Dan Contento leading global commercial efforts and Eddie Ishak spearheading design innovation, Yieldmo is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of adtech. These appointments reflect the company’s focus on delivering impactful, user-centered advertising experiences on a global scale.

Alex joins Blis from Samsung Ads; part of US growth acceleration

Blis, the geo-based advertising tech company, has appointed Alex Boras as President of its US operations. Based in New York, Boras brings over 20 years of experience in digital advertising, with a successful track record in scaling businesses at agencies and tech companies. His leadership marks a pivotal moment for Blis as it continues its expansion across the US market.

• Alex Boras' Appointment as President, US:

  • Alex Boras joins Blis from Samsung Ads, where he played a crucial role in scaling Samsung’s programmatic and platform operations, making it one of the largest CTV businesses.
  • With leadership experience at AOL, Yahoo!, and PubMatic, Boras brings deep knowledge of both the buy and sell sides of digital advertising.
  • He began his career managing investment teams at Ogilvy in New York and London, transitioning to advertising technology during its early days.
  • In his new role, Boras will focus on driving Blis' growth across the US, utilizing ID-less solutions to help advertisers reach key customers.

• Boras' Vision for Blis:

  • Boras expressed enthusiasm for joining Blis at a critical time, highlighting the importance of ID-less advertising solutions in the current digital ecosystem.
  • He aims to bring fresh ideas to clients and build on Blis' best-in-class platform by leveraging his unique perspective from both agency and technology company leadership.

• Greg Isbister’s Insight:

  • Greg Isbister, CEO of Blis, emphasized Boras’ valuable expertise in driving expansion, noting that his deep understanding of the industry makes him the perfect leader for the US team.
  • Isbister sees Boras’ leadership as essential to accelerating Blis’ US market expansion and strengthening its position as a leader in geo-based advertising.

• Supporting Leadership Growth:

  • Blis also strengthened its leadership team with the addition of Steve Tschosik as Vice President, Midwest.
  • Tschosik, formerly Senior Vice President of Sales at Eclipse Digital Media, has led sales teams at Clinch, Inmar Intelligence, and ValueClick Media.
  • His extensive experience in ad tech management will support Blis’ national growth strategy.

• Blis' US Expansion:

  • Blis has been operating in the US since 2016, with offices in key markets such as New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Boston.
  • The company’s expansion continues, driven by its innovative approach to geo-based advertising and industry-leading solutions.

With Alex Boras leading the US team as President and Steve Tschosik joining as Vice President, Midwest, Blis is poised for continued growth in the competitive digital advertising landscape. The company’s focus on ID-less solutions and geo-based ad tech positions it for future success as it strengthens its presence across the US.