Emovid, the world’s first multimodal communication platform, has officially launched its business offering. Emovid bridges the gap between traditional text-based messaging and video-based communication, allowing users to record a video from anywhere and deliver it in a multi-modal form video, audio, text, and translation regardless of the recipient's platform or device. This innovative platform utilizes various communication modes such as visual, auditory, gestural, and written elements to simplify and enhance communication.

• Multimodal Communication:
  • Emovid delivers messages in multiple formats: video, audio, text, and translation.
  • Reduces misinterpretation, reading fatigue, and scheduling challenges.
  • Ensures clarity, engagement, and efficiency in communication.
• Patented Authenticity Approach:
  • Verifies the identity and authenticity of every video received.
• Communication Modes Supported:
  • One-to-one correspondence.
  • Group conversations.
  • One-to-many private broadcasts (BCC mode).
• AI Enhancements:
  • AI-powered speaking guidance, summaries, action items, and translation in 60 languages.
  • Deep AI analysis of multi-video threads.
• Studio Quality Video Recording:
  • Features like filters, lighting, teleprompter, and facial smoothing.
• Flexible Responses:
  • Recipients can respond using video, audio, or text.
• Privacy and Security:
  • Privacy controls, encryption, built-in monitoring, and tracking.
• Cross-Platform Support:
  • Works on any device with no apps or downloads required.

Business Impact

Emovid enables dynamic and personal communication, improving team collaboration and connection. Early results show that Emovid can be 4x to 5x faster than typing an email, reduce meeting time by 50%, and foster deeper emotional connections at scale.

Founder Insights

Victor Cho, co-founder of Emovid, says, “AI productivity and communication tools can be built to either replace people or amplify and empower them. We believe firmly in the latter. Our platform multiplies your ability to have trust-building face time—on your own time. It’s a game-changer.”

Early Adoption and Testimonials

• Jeffrey W. Hayzlett, a global business celebrity, shares, “Emovid is my number one tool that I use in my arsenal every day. I send 30 or 40 Emovids a day to potential customers or people I want to do business with. It’s not only efficient; it’s also effective.”

Emovid’s multimodal communication platform is revolutionizing how businesses connect and collaborate. By providing flexibility, speed, and personal engagement, it enhances productivity and builds stronger relationships in both professional and personal settings.

Generative AI is rapidly transforming public relations (PR), with 75% of professionals integrating the technology into their work, according to Muck Rack's third State of AI in PR report. The survey, which includes responses from over 1,000 PR professionals, highlights the significant impact of AI on PR workflows, boosting work quality and efficiency.

• AI Use in PR
  • Main Use Cases:
    • 82% of PR professionals use AI for brainstorming.
    • 72% leverage AI for drafting content.
    • 59% utilize AI for research and crafting social media copy.
  • Paid AI Tools: 57% of professionals report using at least one paid AI tool.
  • Lower Adoption in Specific Areas: Only 21% use AI for finding journalists.
• AI’s Impact on Efficiency:
  • 93% of AI users say it speeds up their work.
  • 78% claim AI boosts the quality of their work.
  • Reduced Need for Edits: The need to edit AI-generated text has decreased, with only 61% revising most AI text in 2024, compared to 71% in 2023.

AI Policies and Training in the Workplace

• Lack of Formal Policies: Over half of organizations lack formal AI usage guidelines.
• AI Training: More than a third of PR professionals report limited access to formal AI training.
• Disclosure Gap:
  • 37% of brand professionals expect full disclosure of AI use by agencies.
  • Only 20% of agency professionals disclose AI use consistently.

Concerns about AI in PR

PR professionals remain cautious about AI, with top concerns including:

• Over-reliance by newcomers on AI instead of mastering industry principles.
• Unscrutinized AI output.
• The risk of devaluing human content creators.
• Environmental concerns from non-AI users.

Methodology

Muck Rack surveyed 1,013 PR professionals between Nov. 13 and Dec. 17, 2024, with a margin of error of +/- 2.9%. The survey was distributed primarily via email.

Generative AI is revolutionizing the PR industry, enhancing productivity and creative output. However, challenges remain around training, policies, and disclosure. As AI continues to shape the future of PR, these factors will be key in ensuring its effective and ethical use.

Acxiom, a leading connected data and technology foundation for global brands and agencies, has appointed Tom Zawacki as its Chief Growth Officer (CGO). Reporting directly to Global CEO Jarrod Martin, Zawacki will spearhead the company’s growth initiatives, focusing on unlocking new markets, enhancing revenue opportunities, and delivering impactful client solutions for acquisition and retention.

• Tom Zawacki’s Background:
  • Over 30 years of expertise in data, AI, and global omnichannel marketing.
  • Former roles include President of Enterprise Solutions and CMO at Data Axle, where he achieved significant ROI for clients.
• Career Milestones:
  • Pioneered AI integration with IBM Watson at Rocket Fuel.
  • Led multimillion-dollar partnerships with Fortune 500 companies.
  • Executed brand positioning and growth strategies for XPlusOne and co-founded Lemonade Inc., a social commerce company.

Leadership Endorsement

• Jarrod Martin, CEO of Acxiom:
  “Tom’s exceptional track record in driving sustainable brand growth and fostering relationships makes him the ideal CGO. His leadership will be instrumental as Acxiom expands into new markets and builds on its 2024 momentum.”

Tom Zawacki’s Vision

• Client-Centric Approach:
  “Acxiom’s focus on understanding clients and their customers resonates deeply with me. Predictive marketing today relies on meaningful connections, and I’m honored to join this talented and dedicated team.”

Accolades and Education

• Awards:
  • Mazda’s Strategic Partner of the Year (2015).
  • TIME Magazine/CNN Website of the Year (2007).
  • Internet Marketer of the Year (1998).
• Academic Background:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Princeton University.

Tom Zawacki’s appointment underscores Acxiom’s commitment to delivering innovative growth solutions and strengthening its leadership team. His vast experience and vision will shape the company’s trajectory as it continues to provide meaningful value to its clients.

ZoomInfo, a leading Go-To-Market Intelligence platform, has announced the appointment of Katie Rooney to its Board of Directors, effective February 1, 2025. With over 20 years of experience in finance, operations, strategy, and corporate development, Rooney will also serve on the Board’s Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees.

• Appointment Significance: Rooney's financial acumen and operational expertise will play a pivotal role in strengthening ZoomInfo's market position.
• Leadership Endorsement:
  • Henry Schuck, Founder and CEO of ZoomInfo, praised Rooney’s transformative growth achievements.
  • Patrick McCarter, Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, emphasized Rooney’s alignment with ZoomInfo’s mission to deliver customer-centric solutions.
• Board Composition: Rooney’s appointment brings the Board of Directors to 10 members, with nine being independent.

About Katie Rooney

• Professional Background:
  • Current Chief Financial Officer at Maven, the largest virtual health platform for women and families.
  • Former CFO and COO of Alight, a cloud-based human capital technology provider, where she drove significant corporate initiatives.
  • Previous senior finance roles at Aon, including leading the carve-out of Alight to The Blackstone Group.
  • Vice President of Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley, specializing in medical technology companies.
• Core Competencies: Proven expertise in corporate profitability, M&A, risk management, and operational strategy.

Quotes from Leaders

• Henry Schuck: "Katie’s track record of driving growth and efficiency makes her an invaluable addition to our board."
• Katie Rooney: "I’m honored to join ZoomInfo’s board. The company’s disciplined investments in product and customer success present an exciting opportunity to deliver consistent growth and shareholder value."

Katie Rooney’s appointment signals ZoomInfo’s commitment to enhancing its leadership team with seasoned professionals to guide the company’s growth trajectory. Her extensive expertise will contribute to the company’s ongoing success in the go-to-market intelligence domain.

Illumio Inc., the leader in breach containment, has appointed Karl Van den Bergh as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). With over 25 years of leadership experience, Van den Bergh will focus on scaling global marketing efforts and increasing awareness of Illumio's breach containment platform, particularly its Zero Trust Segmentation (ZTS) for securing hybrid multi-cloud environments.

Key Points about Karl Van den Bergh’s Appointment

1. Extensive Experience in Cloud Marketing

   • 25+ years of experience in building market-leading brands and driving innovation at global technology companies.
   • Prior roles include CMO at Gigamon, DataStax, and TIBCO, where he was instrumental in driving growth and establishing thought leadership in cloud technologies.

2. Focus on Breach Containment and ZTS

   • Van den Bergh’s primary focus will be raising awareness about Illumio's Zero Trust Segmentation (ZTS) platform, which helps organizations secure their hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
   • His leadership will aim to solidify Illumio as a vital solution for businesses striving to prevent cyber disasters.

3. Proven Leadership in Cloud Technology

   • At Gigamon, Van den Bergh spearheaded a marketing strategy that positioned the company as a leader in Deep Observability, addressing security gaps in hybrid multi-cloud environments.
   • At DataStax, he led initiatives that drove the company’s success in real-time AI and cloud-based solutions.

Statements from Leadership

“Karl is a world-class business and marketing leader with a deep understanding of how to align strategy and execution to drive market demand,” said Andrew Rubin, co-founder and CEO of Illumio.
“As organizations face mounting pressure to maintain resilience in an ‘assume breach’ world, Karl’s expertise in cloud marketing will be crucial in highlighting Illumio’s role in securing hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures.”

Karl Van den Bergh’s Vision

“Organizations today are under constant threat, and the growing complexity of hybrid multi-cloud environments only adds to the challenge,” said Karl Van den Bergh, Illumio's new CMO.
“I’m excited to join a company with a compelling mission to help organizations protect their critical assets and reduce cyber risk. I look forward to amplifying Illumio’s story and driving our next phase of growth.”

Karl Van den Bergh’s appointment as CMO marks a new chapter for Illumio, aligning marketing strategy with the company’s mission to provide innovative breach containment solutions. His expertise in cloud marketing will accelerate Illumio’s growth and its position as a leader in securing hybrid multi-cloud environments.

Quad/Graphics Inc., a marketing experience company known for addressing complex marketing challenges, has introduced At-Home Connect by Quad—a direct-mail platform that combines email-style personalization with the proven effectiveness of reaching consumers at home. This innovative solution merges print's strengths with digital insights, enabling true omnichannel marketing campaigns.

Key Features of At-Home Connect by Quad

1. Bridging Print and Digital

   • The platform uses data-driven design and messaging integrated with multiple media touchpoints for precision-timed, omnichannel engagement.
   • Brands can foster stronger, more personalized connections with audiences across various channels.

2. Addressing Digital Marketing Challenges

   • In a cluttered digital landscape where consumers encounter:
     • 10,000 digital ads daily
     • Over 80 emails per day
     • High unsubscribe rates and widespread use of ad blockers
   • Direct mail provides a tangible and impactful alternative.

3. Consumer-Triggered Direct Mail

   • Personalized campaigns triggered by consumer behaviors such as:
     • Birthdays
     • Loyalty anniversaries
     • Abandoned online shopping carts
   • Encourages upselling, lapsed customer re-engagement, and purchase completion.

4. Seamless Workflow Automation

   • The platform automates tasks including personalization, printing, mail sorting, and in-home delivery.
   • Integration with CRM systems and marketing automation platforms ensures a cohesive omnichannel strategy.

5. Cost Efficiency and ROI Optimization

   • Quad's robust direct-mail infrastructure reduces delivery costs and maximizes return on ad spend (ROAS).

Statements from Leadership

“Consumers today are overwhelmed by digital clutter, making it increasingly challenging for marketers to connect meaningfully,” said George Forge, Senior Vice President of Client Technology and Product Development at Quad.
“With At-Home Connect, marketers can engage consumers across their preferred channels—whether online, through email or text, or via their physical mailbox. This solution enables deeper connections and more impactful engagement.”

The Power of Direct Mail in Modern Marketing

• Standout Performance:
  In a digital-first world, direct mail remains a uniquely effective tool for cutting through noise.
• Real-Time Personalization:
  Signal-based mail solutions provide tailored experiences based on customer data.
• Omnichannel Advantage:
  Completes the marketing ecosystem, ensuring consistent messaging across all platforms.

Quad’s At-Home Connect platform redefines direct mail by integrating digital insights, automation, and personalization to create impactful omnichannel campaigns. By addressing digital fatigue and offering cost-effective solutions, this innovation enables marketers to drive meaningful engagement and improve customer journeys.

A robust and diverse digital marketing mix is set to be a cornerstone of leasing success in 2025, as highlighted in Rent.’s latest report, "The State of Multifamily Marketing in 2025." The report emphasizes the growing need for qualified leads and precise audience targeting, pushing marketing teams to adopt diverse channels such as social media, paid search, geofencing, and digital display advertising.

1. Shifting Marketing Strategies

   • Multifamily marketing is evolving with increased owner involvement and AI adoption, marking a shift toward data-driven, highly-targeted strategies.
   • Kathy Neumann, Rent.’s CMO, highlights, "Forward-thinking teams realize the need to diversify channel approaches to stay competitive and secure valuable leads."

2. Industry Challenges

   • Economic Uncertainty:
     • Falling rents and increased supply in many regions have amplified concerns about renters meeting move-in qualifications.
     • 65% of multifamily professionals identify qualifying prospects as a top concern, mirroring renter anxieties about costs and fees.

3. Adoption of Diverse Marketing Channels

   • While Internet Listing Services (ILS) remain the foundation of multifamily marketing (used by 88% of teams), other channels are gaining prominence:
     • Social Media & Paid Search: Over 80% plan to maintain or increase budgets in 2025.
     • Emerging Technologies: Interest in geofencing and digital display advertising is growing, with 40% of marketers considering these for the first time.

4. Increased Owner Involvement

   • 47% of multifamily professionals report more owner involvement in marketing efforts, seeking improved results.
   • 67% of marketing professionals find precise audience targeting technology crucial for meeting leasing goals.

5. AI as a Game Changer

   • AI is emerging as a critical tool for marketing efficiency, resident acquisition, and retention.
   • Although only one-third of professionals are currently comfortable using AI, there is widespread recognition of its benefits.
   • The report emphasizes the importance of training programs to help teams embrace AI and leverage it effectively.

Other Highlights

• Optimizing Marketing Efficiency: Teams are focusing on strategies to maximize renter acquisition in increasingly complex markets.
• Budget Utilization: Insights into how marketers aim to derive greater value from 2025 budgets.
• AI’s Role in Operations: From resident acquisition to retention, AI is becoming a top priority for multifamily professionals.

As the multifamily industry navigates economic uncertainties and a competitive landscape, a diversified digital marketing mix and the adoption of AI-driven solutions will be critical for success in 2025. Rent.’s report underscores the importance of innovation, training, and leveraging technology to address industry challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

AdOmni, a global leader in digital-first advertising, has announced the launch of its new program, Smart Video Everywhere, to enhance video advertising capabilities. Designed to address fragmented media consumption, this innovation allows brands to seamlessly connect with audiences across in-home streaming, digital out-of-home (DOOH), and online video platforms.

1. Purpose of Smart Video Everywhere

   • The program addresses challenges of fragmented video inventory and disjointed campaign management.
   • Offers brands a unified approach to reaching consumers across their daily journey—whether at home, commuting, shopping, or on-the-go.

2. Performance Benefits

   • 20% Higher ROI: Cross-channel campaigns deliver increased efficiency.
   • Reduced Media Waste: Enhanced targeting reduces waste by 20%.
   • 50% Unique, Unduplicated Reach: Broadens audience engagement.
   • 35% Higher Ad Recall: Ensures impactful campaign results.

3. Platform Differentiators

   • Unified Cross-Channel Buying: Integrates CTV, Online Video, YouTube, and DOOH for enhanced performance.
   • Premium Inventory: Exclusive access to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.
   • Holistic Reporting and Attribution: Advanced transparency through cross-channel reporting.
   • AI-Powered Efficiency: Enables smarter targeting and real-time insights for creative optimization.

4. CEO Insights

   • Jonathan Gudai, CEO, AdOmni:
     "Our mission is to simplify how brands connect with audiences using cutting-edge technology. Smart Video Everywhere enables brands to create cohesive stories across touchpoints, resonating at every moment of the consumer journey."

5. Empowering Growth Brands and Agencies

   • Democratizes access to high-quality video inventory and measurement tools.
   • Provides growth brands and independent agencies with resources to achieve better cross-channel campaign results.

AdOmni’s Smart Video Everywhere program signifies its evolution into a holistic video advertising platform, empowering brands to navigate fragmented media consumption with seamless cross-channel campaigns. This innovative solution enhances performance, reduces inefficiencies, and helps advertisers connect meaningfully with their audiences.