Prague-based AdTech company R2B2, majority-owned by Genesis Capital Growth, has acquired Caroda, a leading video advertising SaaS company. This strategic acquisition strengthens R2B2’s capabilities and positions both companies for growth in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region and international markets.

Accelerating Growth Through Acquisition and Innovation

• Enhanced Offerings: The acquisition allows R2B2 to expand its programmatic demand solutions with Caroda’s advanced SaaS tools.
• Leadership Expansion: R2B2 CEO František Bauma will also take on the role of Managing Director at Caroda.
• Immediate Collaboration: A phased integration of services and technologies will take place over the coming months.
• Continued Client Support: Existing clients will continue to receive uninterrupted services.

A Unified Vision for Publishers

• Caroda’s Strengths: Known for its Multiformat Carousel technology, Caroda helps publishers maximize ad revenue even in declining traffic conditions.
• Leadership Continuity: Caroda CEO Roman Mura will retain his position while also becoming Chief Strategy Officer at R2B2.
• Strategic Growth: By joining forces, the companies aim to create one of the most effective monetization platforms in the online advertising market.

Supporting Regional and Global Expansion

• R2B2’s Market Reach: The company operates in 46 countries worldwide, with a strong presence in the CEE region.
• Caroda’s Expertise: Nearly a decade of experience in video advertising will enhance R2B2’s offerings for publishers.
• Future Outlook: The partnership enables both companies to address industry challenges and provide sustainable revenue growth for publishers globally.

The acquisition of Caroda marks a major milestone in R2B2’s expansion strategy. By combining expertise in video ad monetization and programmatic advertising, both companies are set to deliver innovative, scalable solutions for publishers worldwide.

SPIRRA is excited to introduce its advanced influencer marketing intelligence platform, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Designed for brands and agencies, this innovative platform enhances campaign execution with precision, efficiency, and scalability.

According to Jeremy Davis, VP of Product, SPIRRA is set to revolutionize how brands cultivate and manage long-term influencer relationships, ensuring a strong return on investment.

How SPIRRA Transforms Influencer Marketing

Unlike traditional influencer marketing tools that rely on surface-level metrics (e.g., follower counts), SPIRRA leverages audience intelligence to ensure brands reach highly engaged and relevant audiences.

Tim Gerstmyer, President of SPIRRA, highlights the platform’s role in tackling industry challenges by providing transparency, precision, and AI-powered insights to optimize influencer partnerships.

Features of SPIRRA

1. Influencer Discovery & Analytics

• Verified Network – Access to 100% verified in-network influencers and 18M+ discoverable U.S. influencers.
• AI-Powered Influencer Analytics – Proprietary scoring system for brand alignment:
  • Brand Alignment Score™ – Identifies influencers relevant to a brand based on historical data.
  • Content Alignment Score™ – Ensures influencers' content aligns with brand values and style.
  • Audience Alignment Score™ – Confirms influencer followers match the brand's target audience.
  • True Follower™ – Filters out fake followers for accurate reach measurement.

2. Data Lab™ (Advanced Analytics Suite)

• Campaign performance insights
• Audience behavior tracking
• Social listening & competitor analysis
• ROI measurement tools

3. Cora-IQ™ (AI Strategy Agent)

• Provides predictive analytics to optimize campaigns.
• Recommends data-driven influencer partnerships.

4. End-to-End Campaign Management

• Campaign Creation – Media brief development & distribution.
• Content Development – In-platform collaboration & editing.
• Content Approval System – Pre-deployment approvals & release management.
• Contract Management – Influencer agreement execution & negotiation.
• Influencer Payments – Transaction monitoring for multiple campaigns.
• Brand Safety & Compliance – Automated verification of influencer authenticity.
• Influencer Communications – In-platform chat & collaboration tools.
• Performance Benchmarking & Tracking – Real-time analytics dashboard.

SPIRRA’s AI-powered intelligence platform is transforming the influencer marketing landscape by enhancing brand-influencer alignment, improving campaign transparency, and streamlining operations. With its advanced features, brands and agencies can now execute data-driven, scalable, and high-impact influencer campaigns like never before.

Cinema8, an AI-powered video technology platform, has launched a suite of advanced features designed to assist businesses in generating leads, boosting conversions, and driving measurable growth. Video content, often expensive and complex to produce, can now be transformed into a scalable business asset with Cinema8’s AI tools that simplify workflows, enhance engagement, and facilitate real-time interaction.

The Challenges of Traditional Video Production

Creating video content can be resource-intensive, both in terms of time and budget, while traditional methods often fail to drive engagement or conversions. Rosan Erdemli, Co-founder and CMO of Cinema8, highlighted the inefficiencies in the traditional video approach:
“Producing video content often takes a huge investment in time and resources, but traditional approaches rarely generate real engagement or conversions,” said Erdemli. “Our AI technology solves these problems—automating production, enhancing discoverability, and enabling real-time viewer interaction. Businesses can now focus on delivering personalized experiences that drive measurable results.”

Key AI Features of Cinema8

AI Video Concierge

Cinema8’s AI Video Concierge takes video engagement to the next level by allowing businesses to integrate real-time viewer interaction. This tool enables viewers to request personalized product recommendations, check stock availability, and access additional content—all directly within the video itself. For businesses, this concierge connects seamlessly with e-commerce and CRM platforms, improving lead capture, reducing drop-offs, and optimizing the buying process. This results in enhanced engagement and sales outcomes by converting interest into action.

AI-Generated Infocards

Another key feature is AI-generated infocards, which streamline the video production process. By automating the creation of chapters, summaries, and metadata optimized for SEO, this feature helps businesses improve search visibility, reduce production time, and enhance viewer engagement. Videos become easier to navigate, leading to higher retention and interaction rates.

Data-Driven Insights

Cinema8’s analytics suite provides data-driven insights to optimize video performance continually. A/B testing capabilities allow businesses to test various CTAs, interactive elements, and content structures to determine what resonates best with audiences. Heatmaps and viewer behavior reports help businesses pinpoint areas that drive the most engagement, allowing for refinement of strategies and maximizing ROI over time.

Transforming Video Content with AI

Cinema8 is designed to overcome the most significant hurdles in video content: complex workflows, low engagement, and a lack of lead-generation tools. By automating production, enabling real-time engagement, and providing data-driven optimizations, Cinema8 transforms video into a profit-generating asset for businesses.

With its AI-driven features, Cinema8 is revolutionizing how businesses approach video marketing, simplifying the content creation process, improving engagement, and driving sales outcomes. By reducing complexity and providing tools for continuous optimization, Cinema8 offers an innovative solution for businesses aiming to leverage the full potential of video as a powerful marketing asset.

Lightning Step, a leading provider of integrated CRM, EHR, and RCM solutions for behavioral health practices, has appointed Josh Steinbaum as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In this pivotal role, Steinbaum will lead the company’s financial strategy and operations, drawing on his extensive experience in finance, strategic planning, and growth management to steer Lightning Step towards continued success.

Josh Steinbaum’s Role and Responsibilities

As CFO, Steinbaum will be responsible for overseeing all of Lightning Step’s financial functions, including forecasting, budgeting, and reporting. He will play a critical role in guiding the executive leadership team on optimizing financial strategy and performance. With a proven track record in driving sustained revenue growth and implementing operational efficiencies, Steinbaum’s leadership will contribute significantly to the company’s mission to innovate and expand within the behavioral health space.

Brent Michael, CEO of Lightning Step, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment:
“We are excited to welcome Josh to the Lightning Step team,” said Michael. “His deep expertise in financial management and his passion for data-informed decision-making will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate. We look forward to Josh's impact on delivering greater value to our partners, customers, and stakeholders.”

Steinbaum’s Previous Experience

Prior to joining Lightning Step, Steinbaum held the VP of Finance position at SimplePractice, where he successfully led large-scale finance transformations, executed strategic M&A initiatives, and built high-performing teams. His experience in healthcare technology organizations aligns with Lightning Step’s goals to continue delivering high-quality services and solutions to the behavioral health industry.

Steinbaum’s financial leadership focuses on operational discipline and collaborative growth, which will enhance Lightning Step’s continued success and position in the market.

Steinbaum’s Vision for Lightning Step

“I am thrilled to join Lightning Step at such a pivotal time in its evolution,” said Steinbaum. “The company’s commitment to innovation and customer success resonates strongly with my own values. I look forward to working with this talented team as we chart the next phase of growth and continue to make a meaningful difference in the industry.”

With the appointment of Josh Steinbaum as CFO, Lightning Step strengthens its financial leadership to drive growth and innovation in the behavioral health industry. Steinbaum’s extensive experience in financial strategy and growth management will play a vital role in the company’s ongoing success.

GBK Collective, a leading consultancy specializing in marketing strategy, consumer behavior, and analytics, has appointed Randi Ochs as its new Senior Vice President. With over 25 years of experience in consumer insights, brand, and marketing strategy, Ochs will play a pivotal role in advancing GBK’s mission of delivering data-driven insights and strategic guidance to its global client base.

Randi Ochs’ Expertise and Leadership Role

Ochs brings a wealth of experience from her leadership roles in Consumer and Marketing Insights at renowned firms like Collage Group, Kantar, Ipsos, OTX, and Marketing Evolution. She has managed large teams and P&Ls, leading hundreds of research programs in over twenty countries. Ochs’ expertise in consumer insights and brand strategy will enhance GBK’s ability to provide actionable, high-impact solutions for its clients, helping brands to refine strategies and better connect with consumers.

Jon Greenwood, GBK’s Co-Founder and CEO, expressed excitement over the appointment:
“We continue to invest in hiring the industry’s best marketing strategy and insights leaders, and Randi’s expertise is an incredible addition to our team,” said Greenwood. “Her extensive background in research and consumer insights, combined with her deep understanding of brand strategy, strengthens our ability to deliver actionable solutions.”

Ochs’ Impressive Client Portfolio

Throughout her career, Ochs has worked with some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including Warner, NBCU, Fox, Google, Netflix, Meta, Nestlé, Starbucks, Red Bull, Disney, Lowe’s, Nissan, Volvo, Geico, and more. Her ability to refine strategies and guide brands through complex marketing challenges will be invaluable to GBK’s client base.

Ochs’ Vision for GBK Collective

“I’m thrilled to join the exceptional team at GBK Collective,” said Ochs. “GBK’s unique approach—blending rigorous academic insights with real-world experience—truly sets it apart in the industry. I look forward to working alongside this talented group to help brands navigate complex marketing challenges and drive meaningful business impact.”

Educational Background

Ochs holds a Master’s degree in Social/Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Queens College.

With Randi Ochs joining as Senior Vice President, GBK Collective continues to strengthen its team and its ability to offer data-driven insights, helping brands succeed in an increasingly complex marketing landscape. Ochs' vast experience and leadership will empower the team and further solidify GBK’s position as a leader in the marketing consultancy space.

The SOC-as-a-Service (SOCaaS) market is set to expand significantly, projected to reach USD 14.66 billion by 2030 from USD 7.37 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 12.2% from 2024 to 2030, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The market growth is largely driven by increasing cybersecurity threats, particularly in industries such as BFSI, healthcare, and government, coupled with rapid technological advancements in AI, IoT, and blockchain. These innovations are streamlining threat detection and response systems, reducing human dependency and accelerating response times, pushing organizations toward adopting SOCaaS solutions.

Key Drivers of SOC-as-a-Service Market Growth

1. Rising Complexity and Frequency of Cyberattacks

As industries face growing cybersecurity threats, including ransomware, phishing, and breaches, the need for advanced security measures is becoming paramount. Key sectors like BFSI, healthcare, and government are especially vulnerable and are accelerating their investments in SOCaaS to protect their critical digital assets.

2. Technological Advancements in AI, IoT, and Blockchain

Emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and blockchain are reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. These innovations facilitate predictive threat analysis, automated response systems, and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) tools, improving efficiency and reducing operational complexity. The growth of digital transformation initiatives further boosts the adoption of SOCaaS as companies seek to secure their digital infrastructures.

SMEs to Drive Market Growth with High CAGR

3. SMEs Adopting SOCaaS for Cost-Effective Security Solutions

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. SMEs often lack the resources for in-house cybersecurity management, making SOCaaS a cost-effective and scalable solution. SOCaaS enables SMEs to access advanced threat detection, monitoring, and incident response services, thus enhancing their cybersecurity posture without hefty investment in infrastructure.

4. Digital Transformation and Remote Work Fueling SOCaaS Adoption

As SMEs continue to undergo digital transformation, embrace remote work, and rely on cloud services, they face increased exposure to cyber threats. SOCaaS offers comprehensive solutions that secure cloud infrastructure and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, providing SMEs with the robust protection they need.

Cloud Security to Dominate the Market

5. Cloud Security Solutions Leading the SOCaaS Market

Cloud security is expected to grow at the highest market size during the forecast period due to the increasing use of cloud-based infrastructure across industries. With the rise of hybrid work environments, cloud adoption, and digital transformation, organizations are prioritizing SOCaaS solutions to secure their cloud assets and ensure data integrity while meeting regulatory demands.

North America to Lead the Market

6. North America’s Dominance in SOCaaS Market Growth

North America is projected to lead the market, driven by its advanced technological infrastructure, stringent regulatory frameworks, and rising cybersecurity threats. Countries like the United States and Canada are major adopters of cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, and IoT, which are integral to SOCaaS solutions.

Moreover, government initiatives, such as the adoption of cloud-based solutions and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, are propelling SOCaaS adoption across the region. The rapid pace of digitalization and the increasing prevalence of cyberattacks further cement North America's leadership in this market.

Key Players in the SOC-as-a-Service Market

Top companies in the SOCaaS market include:

• Thales (France)
• Airbus Cybersecurity (France)
• NTT (Japan)
• Lumen Technologies (US)
• Fortinet (US)
• Cloudflare (US)
• Check Point (US)
• Kaseya (US)
• Trustwave (US)
• Arctic Wolf Networks (US)
• Proficio (US)
• LRQA (UK)
• Inspirisys (India)
• Eventus Security (India)
• Cyber Security Hive (India)

The SOC-as-a-Service market is poised for significant growth, driven by the increasing complexity of cyberattacks, digital transformation efforts, and advancements in emerging technologies. As organizations, particularly SMEs, seek cost-effective and scalable cybersecurity solutions, SOCaaS is becoming an essential service to secure digital assets, safeguard data, and comply with evolving regulatory requirements. With North America leading the charge, the market is set for continued expansion through 2030.

MediaGo, a leading deep learning-based intelligent advertising platform, has received GDPR 2025 compliance validation from TrustArc, a globally recognized privacy protection certification organization. This authoritative certification underscores MediaGo's commitment to data security, privacy protection, and upholding the highest standards of data privacy in the advertising industry.

Highlights of GDPR 2025 Compliance

1. Commitment to Data Privacy and Security

MediaGo’s GDPR 2025 compliance validation from TrustArc confirms its dedication to:

• Protecting user privacy and securing personal data.
• Adhering to the highest data protection standards in the industry, in line with GDPR's rigorous regulations.

2. TrustArc’s Rigorous Review Process

The compliance certification followed an extensive review by TrustArc, which evaluated MediaGo’s:

• Data collection and processing practices
• Implementation of security standards
• Comprehensive compliance arguments

This validation solidifies MediaGo’s position as a trusted entity in the global data privacy space.

Understanding GDPR Compliance

3. Importance of GDPR

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the strictest regulation for personal data protection within the EU and European Economic Area (EEA). It:

• Establishes clear guidelines for collecting, processing, and transferring personal data.
• Is a crucial requirement for any company operating in or serving EU customers.

Adhering to GDPR is not just a legal obligation but also a trust-building mechanism that reassures users about the protection of their personal data.

4. MediaGo’s GDPR Compliance Impact

MediaGo’s commitment to GDPR compliance ensures:

• Protection of users’ personal data while interacting with the platform.
• A secure advertising ecosystem, enhancing both user and advertiser trust.

MediaGo’s Ongoing Commitment to User Privacy

5. Alignment with ISO 27001 Standards

In addition to GDPR compliance, MediaGo aligns with ISO 27001, the International Standard for Information Security Management Systems, ensuring:

• Continuous security monitoring and protection of all user data.
• Robust information security protocols embedded into their advertising services.

6. Pioneering Data Privacy in the Advertising Industry

MediaGo has made significant strides in protecting user privacy, enabling advertisers to achieve high ROI through deep learning technology while maintaining ethical standards in advertising.

Industry Recognition and Awards

7. Prestigious Awards

Over the past year, MediaGo has garnered multiple accolades for its innovative advertising solutions, including:

• Global Tech Awards
• Gold Stevie® Award from the American Business Awards®
• Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award

These awards recognize MediaGo’s commitment to advancing advertising technology and its significant impact on improving advertising performance.

Expert Statements

Peter Jinfeng Pan, Head of MediaGo

“The importance of data privacy protection in the advertising industry is growing. Receiving the GDPR compliance certification again this year reinforces the effectiveness of our long-standing efforts. We remain committed to safeguarding user privacy and maintaining a secure advertising ecosystem.”

MediaGo's GDPR 2025 compliance is a testament to its unwavering commitment to data security, user privacy, and adherence to industry-leading standards. By upholding these principles, MediaGo continues to set the benchmark for ethical advertising and user data protection, ensuring advertisers can thrive in a secure and trustworthy environment.

Cloudflare, a leading connectivity cloud company, unveiled a groundbreaking solution for content creators and publishers: Content Credentials. This tool enables the seamless preservation of an image’s digital history, from creation to edits, across the global Cloudflare network. This initiative is a response to the growing concerns about verifying the authenticity of images, especially in an age where AI-generated content is on the rise.

Features of Content Credentials

1. Digital ‘Nutrition Labels’ for Images

Content Credentials provide a digital "nutrition label" that details the origin and edits of an image, offering transparency for both creators and consumers. This includes:

• Creation details: Who created the image and how it was made.
• Edit and resize tracking: Any modifications made to the image throughout its lifecycle.
• Consumer verification: Easy access for viewers to verify the authenticity and provenance of an image.

2. Industry Standards for Content Provenance

• Content Credentials are based on the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) standard.
• Cloudflare has joined the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI), a global community led by Adobe, to support the widespread adoption of Content Credentials.

The Challenge of Verifying Image Authenticity

As AI technology advances, so does the ease of creating convincing fake images and videos, raising concerns about trust in digital content. Cloudflare’s solution addresses this challenge by providing verifiable metadata for every image, making it easier to distinguish between authentic content and AI-manipulated media.

Real-World Application

• Consumers can now easily verify if an image or video—whether it’s a celebrity endorsement or viral content like UFO sightings—is authentic or generated by AI.
• Example: A viral image of a celebrity can now be traced to its source, showing whether it was created with a smartphone or manipulated by AI tools.

Cloudflare’s Impact on Content Creation and Management

3. Empowering Publishers and Creators

Cloudflare’s integration of Content Credentials across its network ensures that media and news organizations can maintain the authenticity of their work, regardless of where it is shared online. This fosters trust and helps publishers protect ownership of their content.

4. Easy Integration with Cloudflare Images

• One-click solution: Cloudflare Images users can easily enable Content Credentials with a single click.
• Global preservation: Once activated, the metadata is embedded and preserved across Cloudflare's entire network, including any image transformations, which are recorded using public key cryptography.

5. Verifying Image Transformations

• Any image resized or transformed through Cloudflare Images retains its metadata, ensuring that consumers can trace every alteration back to the original image.
• Verification is simple: Users can check an image’s digital history using the Adobe Content Authenticity Inspect tool.

Expert Perspectives

Matthew Prince, CEO of Cloudflare

“The future of the Internet depends on trust and authenticity. By integrating Content Credentials, we are empowering publishers to preserve the integrity of their content and maintain trust with their audience in the face of rapidly evolving AI technologies.”

Andy Parsons, Senior Director Content Authenticity at Adobe

“Cloudflare’s integration of Content Credentials strengthens the integrity of digital content. This is especially important in the era of generative AI and deepfakes, helping media organizations, journalists, and creators ensure proper attribution and trustworthiness.”

Cloudflare's introduction of Content Credentials marks a significant step towards ensuring the authenticity and provenance of digital content. By enabling creators and publishers to protect their work while giving consumers the tools to verify authenticity, Cloudflare is setting the stage for a more transparent and trustworthy digital future.