New research shows strong correlation between managing information across an extended publisher network and an increase of 186% more clicks from Google

Yext, Inc., the premier digital presence platform for multi-location brands, has released its insightful Power of a Digital Presence Report. This comprehensive study showcases the remarkable finding that brands leveraging an extended publisher network witness a staggering 186% increase in clicks on Google. The report underscores the critical role of effective information management across diverse publishers in boosting discoverability and enhancing customer engagement.

1. Key Findings from the Report:

   • Brands utilizing an extended publisher network experience a substantial 186% rise in Google clicks.
   • Emphasizes the significance of managing information across various publishers for enhanced organic search performance.

2. Data Analysis:

   • Analysis of over 620,000 global locations across 15 industries within the Yext platform.
   • Locations syncing data with less than 50% of Yext’s network witness minimal website traffic from Google.
   • Locations syncing more than 75% of Yext’s network observe a remarkable 186% increase in website clicks.

3. Importance of Niche Publishers:

   • Smaller and niche publishers play a vital role in delivering superior organic search performance.
   • Brands must extend their focus beyond major publishers like Google, Facebook, and Apple for optimal SEO results.

4. Insights from Christian J. Ward, EVP, and Chief Data Officer of Yext:

   • Dispels the misconception of relying solely on major publishers for organic search success.
   • Stresses the significance of consistent and accurate brand presence across a broad network for enhanced discoverability.

5. Yext's Role in Digital Presence Management:

   • Yext serves as the leading platform for digital presence management, empowering multi-location brands to deliver consistent and engaging experiences across digital platforms.
   • Thousands of brands benefit from Yext's solutions for maintaining accurate and engaging digital experiences.

The Power of a Digital Presence Report by Yext unveils compelling insights into the impact of extended publisher networks on organic search performance. By highlighting the substantial increase in Google clicks achieved through effective information management across diverse platforms, the report emphasizes the pivotal role of a comprehensive digital presence strategy. With Yext's advanced solutions, brands can optimize their digital presence, drive engagement, and stay ahead in the competitive digital landscape.

Scott Carter, Previous Executive Chair of the Board and Current Chairman of the Board, Appointed Interim CEO

Search Underway to Identify Permanent CEO

Mitek, a global leader in digital identity and fraud prevention, announces the appointment of Scott Carter as Interim CEO, effective June 1, 2024. This strategic move comes as the company undergoes a CEO transition process, ensuring continuity and momentum in its digital identity initiatives.

1. CEO Transition Announcement:

   • Scott Carter appointed Interim CEO, effective June 1, 2024.
   • Current CEO Max Carnecchia's employment to terminate on May 31, 2024.
   • Max Carnecchia to remain as a member of the Board of Directors to assist in the transition process.

2. Rationale Behind Leadership Change:

   • Board's decision driven by Mitek's successful navigation through a period of delayed SEC filings.
   • Aim to capitalize on significant growth opportunities with new leadership.

3. Qualifications of Scott Carter:

   • Extensive experience in technology leadership, particularly in identity and financial technology sectors.
   • Previously served as Executive Chairman of Mitek, deeply involved in daily operations and customer engagement.
   • Possesses in-depth understanding of Mitek's operations and established relationships within the company.

4. Vision for Mitek's Future:

   • Emphasis on recent product innovations driving market acceptance.
   • Commitment to advancing business strategy through operational discipline and execution.
   • Focus on people, operations, and customer-centric approach to drive growth.

5. Acknowledgement of Max Carnecchia's Contributions:

   • Appreciation for Max's pivotal role in establishing and growing Mitek's identity and fraud management business.
   • Recognition of Max's contributions in positioning Mitek for future success.

6. Statements from Key Figures:

   • Donna Wells, Mitek’s Nominating and Governance Committee Chairperson, and Scott Carter share insights on leadership transition and strategic focus.
   • Max Carnecchia expresses gratitude for his tenure and pride in Mitek's achievements under his leadership.

The appointment of Scott Carter as Interim CEO marks a significant step in Mitek's leadership transition, ensuring continuity and driving forward its vision in digital identity and fraud prevention. With a focus on innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centric approach, Mitek remains committed to its trajectory of growth and success in the evolving digital landscape.

Eventify raises the bar for in-person event management with groundbreaking updates to their software platform. Discover how these advancements revolutionize event planning, streamline operations, and enhance attendee experiences, all while prioritizing data privacy.

1. Effortless Badge Printing & DIY Kiosks:

   • Eventify's platform now includes a universal kiosk app for seamless badge printing across all platforms.
   • Independent setup of registration kiosks slashes event costs and ensures a seamless experience for attendees.

2. Hardware Rental Partnership with OneWorldRental:

   • Collaborating with OneWorldRental for hardware rental and logistics to meet the increasing demands of in-person events.
   • Offering a one-stop badge printing solution with hardware and software integration.

3. Enhanced Security Certifications:

   • Obtained ISO 27001:2022 & SOC 2,Type 2 Certification, demonstrating a commitment to robust information security practices.
   • Ensuring organizers and attendees have complete peace of mind regarding data security.

4. Revolutionary Pre-scheduled Meeting Software:

   • Streamlines attendee networking with pre-defined meeting facilitation and 'table and room' booking functionalities.
   • Sets Eventify apart in the event tech landscape, enhancing engagement and interaction opportunities for attendees.

Quotes from Eventify Executives:

1. Hussain Fakhruddin, CEO of Eventify:

   • Highlights the cost-saving benefits and seamless experience offered by Eventify's DIY kiosks for badge printing.
   • Emphasizes the platform's commitment to innovation and improvement in event management.

2. Silas Hatton, Growth Hacker at Eventify:

   • Proudly introduces Eventify's pre-scheduled meeting software as a game-changer in event engagement.
   • Reflects on the company's dedication to building cutting-edge solutions for event organizers.

Experience the future of in-person event management with Eventify's latest advancements. From effortless badge printing to enhanced security certifications and revolutionary networking software, Eventify empowers organizers to deliver exceptional experiences while prioritizing data privacy and security.

Precisely, the leader in data integrity solutions, announces significant expansions in its data enrichment and geo addressing portfolio. Learn how these updates empower businesses to leverage location-based insights with ease, supported by Precisely's unique PreciselyID identifier.

1. Expanded Address Fabric Reach:

   • New datasets for Great Britain, France, and New Zealand complement existing coverage for the United States, Canada, and Australia.
   • Customers gain access to comprehensive lists of physical addresses, facilitating various applications such as identifying new serviceable addresses and selecting sites for expansion.

2. Comprehensive Property Attributes Information:

   • Integration with Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data adds 26 new attributes for the United States, totaling over 230 attributes across virtually every county.
   • Provides detailed property information, including land use, square footage, and construction materials, enhancing understanding and decision-making.

Benefits of Precisely Solutions:

1. Best-in-Class Geo Addressing:

   • Precisely's solutions ensure the most accurate location information with each record appended with a unique PreciselyID.
   • Customers can enrich their data with additional insights like points of interest data and demographics, supported by persistent identifiers.

2. Simplified Address Management:

   • PreciselyID eliminates time-consuming data preparation, making address management and enrichment simple for customers.
   • Augmented insights with rich context enhance decision-making and data integrity across countries of operation.

Quote from Dan Adams, Senior Vice President at Precisely: "Precisely remains at the forefront of data enrichment and geo addressing solutions, supporting customers with consistent location-based insights. Our unique PreciselyID simplifies address management and augments insights with rich, relevant context, driving data integrity and enhanced decision-making."

DrivenIQ, a pioneer in first-party data and audience technology, welcomes Vern Hanzlik as its new Chief Executive Officer. With a proven track record in SaaS leadership spanning over 25 years, Hanzlik brings invaluable experience to drive DrivenIQ's transformative journey in data-driven marketing.

1. Vern Hanzlik's Background:

   • Over 25 years of leadership in SaaS and software platforms.
   • Previous roles: President and CEO of Qumu, key executive positions at Sajan Software, and co-founder of Stellent.
   • Stellent's successful acquisition by Oracle for $440 million underscores Hanzlik's strategic acumen.

2. Strategic Vision for DrivenIQ:

   • Focus on new go-to-market strategies to enhance data-driven marketing.
   • Leveraging Hanzlik's expertise to reinforce DrivenIQ's leadership in first-party data and audience technologies.
   • Commitment to introducing innovative solutions, empowering marketers worldwide.

3. Empowering Marketers with Innovative Solutions:

   • DrivenIQ's mission is to empower businesses with AI-driven data and audience solutions.
   • Enterprise-grade platform engineered for scalability and simplicity in data access and utilization.
   • Not merely about data, but platform builders dedicated to facilitating businesses' success in the digital era.

Vern Hanzlik's appointment heralds a new era for DrivenIQ, poised to revolutionize data-driven marketing. With a clear mission and innovative solutions, DrivenIQ under Hanzlik's leadership, aims to transform how businesses harness data to drive marketing effectiveness and business growth.

AppDirect, a leading B2B commerce platform, has acquired Builtfirst, a leader in self-service marketplace platform technology. This acquisition strengthens AppDirect's marketplace offerings, aligning with its mission to provide comprehensive solutions for companies' marketplace needs.

1. Expansion of Marketplace Solutions:

   • Builtfirst's self-service marketplace platform technology complements AppDirect's suite of solutions.
   • AppDirect's expertise in digital commerce combined with Builtfirst's low code/no code approach enables businesses to launch marketplaces quickly and easily.

2. Alignment with Product-Led Growth Strategy:

   • Builtfirst's user-friendly accessibility aligns with AppDirect's product-led growth strategy launched in 2021.
   • The acquisition enhances AppDirect's ability to offer customers additional benefits and functionality, supporting their digital commerce journey.

3. Meeting Market Demand:

   • With the increasing adoption of digital channels for B2B sales interactions, organizations are investing in marketplaces.
   • The AppDirect and Builtfirst partnership provides organizations with options to initiate their marketplace journey and scale as needed.

Quotes:

• Aaron Bailey, co-founder and CEO of Builtfirst: Emphasizes the shared vision of making technology universally accessible and the opportunity to become a global powerhouse in meeting B2B marketplace demand.
• Michael Julve, co-founder of Builtfirst: Highlights the acquisition's role in facilitating customers' entire journey from basic integrations to full-scale subscription commerce.
• Andy Ellerhorst, VP of Corporate Development and Chief of Staff at AppDirect: Stresses the immediate benefits for Builtfirst customers to transition to commerce and the alignment with AppDirect's mission of accessibility.

Future Outlook:

• The acquisition is expected to provide a seamless transition for Builtfirst customers, maintaining the high level of support and service.
• AppDirect anticipates leveraging Builtfirst's capabilities to further enhance its marketplace solutions and support the growing demand for technology-enabled ecosystem strategies.

AppDirect's acquisition of Builtfirst marks a significant step in expanding its marketplace solutions for B2B commerce. By combining expertise and resources, both companies aim to empower businesses with accessible and scalable marketplace capabilities, driving success in the evolving digital landscape.

The IAB's "U.S. Podcast Advertising Revenue Study" for 2023 reveals a modest 5% increase in podcast ad revenues, reaching $1.9 billion. While mid-tier companies faced challenges in the advertising climate, leading to slower growth, the industry is poised for a rebound with projected double-digit growth.

1. Slower Growth in 2023:

   • Podcast ad revenues grew by 5% in 2023, a slowdown compared to previous years' double-digit growth.
   • Mid-tier companies experienced losses, impacting the sector's overall growth trajectory.

2. Projected Rebound:

   • Podcasting is forecasted to return to double-digit growth (12%) in 2024, with revenues expected to surpass $2 billion.
   • By 2026, revenues are projected to reach nearly $2.6 billion, driven by various publisher initiatives.

3. Genre Performance:

   • Comedy genre saw significant growth, overtaking news and sports in popularity, likely driven by notable comedic personalities' shows.
   • Sports remains the second most popular genre, despite a slight decrease in revenue share.

4. CPG and Retail Brands Boost Revenue:

   • Revenue from CPG and retail brands increased by 4% and 5% respectively since 2022, reflecting a shift towards digital platforms for direct consumer connections.

5. Strength in Diversity:

   • Podcasting's wide range of subjects and unique rapport with listeners make it attractive for advertisers targeting niche audiences.
   • More than a quarter of podcasting revenues come from niche categories like government, non-profit, pets, and home, offering targeted advertising opportunities.

Insights from David Cohen, CEO, IAB:

• Podcasts provide entertainment and engagement, offering a sanctuary from serious headlines.
• The medium delivers authentic connections with consumers, driving ad dollars.

Despite challenges in 2023, the podcast advertising industry is poised for growth, driven by diverse content genres, increased engagement, and targeted advertising opportunities. With projected double-digit growth and initiatives to enhance measurement and promotion, podcasts remain a compelling platform for advertisers seeking authentic connections with niche audiences.

Optable, a leading SaaS data management platform, celebrates the appointment of Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder Bosko Milekic to the Board of Directors of IAB Tech Lab. This strategic move underscores Optable's commitment to advancing privacy-centric solutions in the evolving landscape of digital advertising.

1. Bosko Milekic's Background:

   • Extensive experience in telecommunications and open-source software development.
   • Co-founder of AdGear, later acquired by Samsung Electronics.
   • Leadership roles in product management and engineering at Samsung Advertising.

2. Commitment to Privacy-Centric Solutions:

   • Milekic's appointment reflects Optable's dedication to innovation amidst rising concerns over data privacy.
   • Vision for shaping digital advertising standards prioritizing privacy, transparency, and effectiveness.
   • Advocacy for human-centric outcomes in industry discussions and collaborations.

3. Contributions to IAB Tech Lab and Industry Initiatives:

   • Key involvement in IAB Tech Lab's Rearc Addressability Working Group, notably in the development of OPJA.
   • Focus on interoperability standards for activating private audiences.
   • Advocacy for secure activation mechanisms and integration of privacy-focused solutions.

Bosko Milekic's appointment to IAB Tech Lab's Board of Directors heralds a new era of innovation and privacy-centric solutions in digital advertising. His wealth of experience and commitment to advancing industry standards position him as a driving force in addressing the evolving challenges of data privacy. Milekic's leadership underscores Optable's dedication to shaping a future where digital advertising respects privacy while driving real-world effectiveness.