Liferay, the developer of an enterprise level, cloud-powered digital experience platform (DXP), today announced its availability on Google Cloud Marketplace, empowering organizations with flexibility to build crafted, powerful solutions for customers, employees, suppliers, and partners.

“The ability to offer our DXP solution through the partnership with Google Cloud is a natural consequence of our decision to use Google Cloud’s world-class infrastructure and technology,” said Brian Chan, CEO of Liferay. "Our joint customers will be able to build digital experience solutions that meet the unique needs of their entire business on one platform, backed by the most reliable and innovative cloud provider."

Liferay’s DXP combines content management, commerce, and workflow automation to enable the creation of sites that span both digital purchase and customer service experiences. With low code capabilities and scalable architecture, Liferay DXP ensures that businesses can further create experiences to digitize and automate their operations on reliable infrastructure. Across customer and supplier portals, intranets, and public websites, Liferay DXP provides AI-powered personalization, digital transformation tools, and user data and analytics to assist organizations to modernize their digital landscape and to act on user insights.

“Liferay DXP is the core of a business’s digital strategy to deliver personalized and powerful user experiences,” highlighted Igor Arouca, Chief Technology Officer at Liferay. “Deploying it in the cloud brings additional cost savings with lower long-term total cost of ownership, faster time to market, continuous innovation, ease of scaling, and a solid computing infrastructure required for emerging technologies.”

“Bringing Liferay to Google Cloud Marketplace will help customers quickly deploy, manage, and grow its DXP solution on Google Cloud's trusted, global infrastructure," said Dai Vu, Managing Director, Marketplace & ISV GTM Programs at Google Cloud. “Liferay can now securely scale and support customers on their digital transformation journeys.”

Google Cloud Marketplace lets users quickly deploy functional software packages that run on Google Cloud, allowing customers to easily start up a familiar software package with services like Compute Engine or Cloud Storage, with no manual configuration required.

Accomplished Executives LeAnne Hester and April Oman Join Resilinc’s Leadership Team to Advance Brand Awareness and Overall Customer Experience

Resilinc, a leading supply chain mapping, disruption sensing, and resiliency analytics company, today announced the appointment of LeAnne Hester as CMO and April Oman as CCO. These two new executive hires are the latest addition to Resilinc’s C-Suite as the company continues to scale in order to meet market demand for more resilient supply chains. These functions will play an essential role in new customer acquisition, retention, and overall customer experience.  

“We are excited to welcome LeAnne and April to our leadership team.  Both LeAnne and April have a solid track record helping companies scale successfully, adopting industry best practices to expand our value proposition for customers,” said CEO, Bindiya Vakil. “Resilinc is poised for exponential growth in the coming years, and we are excited to have their capable leadership, empathy and passion to help us achieve our mission to make global supply chains resilient, sustainable, fair and secure.” 

With over 25 years of experience, LeAnne Hester is an accomplished insights-driven marketing executive with a successful record of delivering enterprise value to private and publicly traded companies ranging from start-ups to multi-billion-dollar organizations. LeAnne excels at driving bold marketing strategies that deliver results and cater to the needs and aspirations of all stakeholders, from prospects seeking innovative solutions and shareholders looking for sustainable growth to employees seeking to be part of a thriving, purpose-driven organization. During her time spent in the healthcare industry, LeAnne witnessed first-hand the importance of having proper supply chain risk management and why it’s essential not only to business continuity but also to patients’ well-being. As CMO, LeAnne looks forward to advancing Resilinc's mission and making a meaningful impact for potential customers and valued clients. 

Previously, LeAnne served in leadership roles including Chief Marketing and Solutions Officer for TRIMEDX, Chief Commercial Officer for Perahealth, acquired by Spacelabs, and SVP, Strategic Initiatives for Leidos. 

April Oman comes to Resilinc as an accomplished customer success executive with 20 years of experience. She is known for driving results and revenue and transforming organizations to be customer-centric in a wide variety of industries and company sizes pre-and post-IPO. April is committed to generating value for customers, leading teams, and collaborating cross-functionally to facilitate go-to-market success. As CCO, April is eager to partner with customers to propel their supply chain risk management objectives forward while providing expert guidance on their path toward resiliency.  

Prior to Resilinc, April served as Chief Customer Officer at Sift. She was frequently a featured speaker at industry events as well as an advisor to several startup organizations. April has also held Customer Success leadership roles at D2L, Salesforce, Zuora, and Cornerstone OnDemand.  

LoyaltyLoop is excited to announce the launch of a groundbreaking integration with PlanProphet, bringing enhanced capabilities to companies using their CRM and marketing automation platform. Officially announced last week during the PlanProphet Champion Summit in Miami FL, this integration allows printers and graphics companies to leverage LoyaltyLoop customer feedback within PlanProphet.

Print and graphic companies can now optimize their operations with the LoyaltyLoop - PlanProphet Integration, creating a more cohesive customer experience. The integration seamlessly transfers LoyaltyLoop customer feedback results and associated data into PlanProphet, enriching the CRM records with valuable insights. PlanProphet users can now easily discern the status of their customers, including the timing of their last feedback submission and whether the experience was positive or negative. Furthermore, feedback results requiring immediate attention are prominently featured in the PlanProphet's Alerts. As LoyaltyLoop generates Leads and Referrals, PlanProphet users have the option to engage additional capabilities, facilitating automated follow-up campaigns to expedite the conversion of opportunities into closed deals. Setting up the integration takes only seconds and is available to any business running PlanProphet. There is no additional cost from LoyaltyLoop to use add-on.

John DiPippo, President of LoyaltyLoop, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "For printers running PlanProphet and LoyaltyLoop, our collaboration enables users to extract even greater value from our respective platforms. Printers will now possess a more comprehensive understanding of their customer base, empowering them to make informed decisions by seamlessly integrating customer feedback results into their CRM of choice. Closing business faster is a shared objective, and the capability to initiate automated follow-up campaigns based on customer feedback makes excellent business sense."

Lemay Sanchez, CEO of PlanProphet, echoed these sentiments: "Continuously seeking opportunities to boost operational and sales efficiency to PlanProphet's customers is our top priority. Our collaboration with LoyaltyLoop adds immediate value, offering deeper insights into customer relationship data that can drive additional business. LoyaltyLoop shares our vision of helping printers be more efficient, informed, and profitable, and this partnership is a testament to that commitment."

The LoyaltyLoop service automatically engages customers after a transaction and offers integrations with popular print management systems like Corebridge, EMPS, PrintSmith Vision, Printer's Plan, PressWise, and more. LoyaltyLoop tailors feedback services for each printer, encourages customers to post reviews on Google, enhances online visibility, and identifies new sales opportunities. Additionally, LoyaltyLoop monitors crucial customer experience metrics, including Net Promoter Score (NPS).

The Fifth Annual Report Reveals a Transformative Shift: Moving Beyond Convenience-Driven Purchases to Embrace the Gen Z-Led Era of The Multi-Channel Brand Experience 

In an era marked by content overload, the 5WPR 2024 Consumer Culture Report underscores the critical role of brand consistency as consumers navigate a dynamic shopping landscape that mirrors an evolving shopper mindset. 

The report reveals an increase across all categories in the percentages of consumers who intend to splurge this year, with some categories seeing an almost 10% increase. In 2023, 43% of consumers reported splurging on health & wellness products, rising to over half (52%) this year. Similarly, last year, 36% of consumers reported splurging on clothing & fashion, which has increased to 42% in 2024. 

However, the factors convincing them to spend, and the channels being used to drive purchase, are increasingly diverse and difficult to pinpoint. For marketers, this means that brand recognition across channels, and clear channel-specific value-add messaging, is stronger than any singular sales tactic. 

In terms of factors influencing purchase decisions, for most shoppers (46%), what ultimately drove them to spend was word of mouth, widely defined as recommendations from IRL friends and/or family members (71%). However, for consumers under the age of 55, word of mouth also extends to user-generated content across social media channels with 67% of Gen Z shoppers choosing being informed by social media user generated content as their top definition for what they associate as word-of-mouth marketing. Friends and family, and online customer reviews and testimonials followed closely while celebrity endorsements wield the least influence across all ages, with fewer than half of respondents considering them for word-of-mouth referrals.

Consistent messaging on every channel is also key in optimizing the consumer shopping experience. In a shift from recent years and diverging from other generations, nearly 50% of Gen Z (16-24) now note a preference for browsing in-store. The survey results indicate a pendulum shift away from the convenience-forward online shopping experience of years past, and towards a hands-on personal experience with their favorite brands.

"Unclear messaging around brand and product value leads to the disparities we see between trends in appetite to spend and ultimately the spending that's reported," said 5WPR Co-CEO, Dara A. Busch. "Consumers want to invest in themselves, so it makes sense they are spending generously in categories like health and wellness. Though excitement to spend on travel and experiences is high, the further the value proposition of the spend on personal wellbeing, the less likely they end up feeling inclined to make that purchase. For brands to convert consumer spending desires to actual purchases, it all falls to how they message the value proposition of that trip or experience on personal well-being. This is a key area for travel and experience brands, and brands in other categories, to explore in their messaging this year and beyond."   

Health and wellness rank in the top three categories for splurging, while consumers also express a desire to spend more on travel and excursions, with 41% of survey respondents making it the top category for predicted spending this year. Without persuasive messaging across every channel, however, marketers within these categories could miss their moment to convert. Our report reveals that consumers tend to overestimate the amount they will spend in this category. In 2023, 33% of consumers estimated spending in these categories, specifically, while only 30% actually made a purchase for that year. 

"What we're hearing from consumers in this year's report is that they are being served brand messaging in every channel and at every turn," added Busch. "This, combined with the fact that the number one channel they're relying on to purchase is word of mouth, followed by customer reviews and testimonials reinforces the need for crystal-clear brand positioning and storytelling across all channels – ensuring that as messaging is filtered across mediums and into the hands of consumers themselves, the value proposition remains clear to the end purchaser. Further, with Gen Z driving a return to stores, the same messaging and value proposition need to be reflected in the experience of brick-and-mortar shopping and the added value offered through that experience. It's a channel that cannot be overlooked."  

Other key findings from the 2024 Consumer Culture Report includes:  

• Younger consumers value the opinions of micro-influencers over those of macro influencers and celebrities.
   
• Consumers aged 15-44 are more likely to splurge than save when spending across their top categories. 
   
• While some consumers still prefer to browse for items online, a growing portion of younger consumers say they prefer an in-store experience. 
   
• Consumers prefer shopping in-store at department stores that stock multiple brands (49%) over shopping from singular brand retailers. 

• Lack of measurement of environmental and energy performance among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) hampering ability to contribute to the energy transition and tackle climate change

• 96% of SMB leaders said they do not measure scope 1-3 carbon emissions and 95% do not have data on the level of renewable energy consumption

• Less than a third of SMBs have dedicated environmental or sustainability skills on their board of directors or in a company leadership position

• YPO will upskill its members on how to measure and report on environmental impact

Most small and medium-sized business (SMB) leaders say their companies do not measure carbon emissions. This could severely hamper their ability to contribute to tackling climate change, according to new research by YPO, sponsored by EY.

The report from YPO, a global leadership community of chief executives, shows that only 4% of its members surveyed were able to provide data on their companies' direct and indirect emissions (scope 1-3). Only 5% of chief executives surveyed measure the level of their businesses' renewable energy use, so they were not able to report progress on their energy transition.

As environmental regulatory requirements intensify, the research in YPO's inaugural Global Impact Report also highlights a potential lack of resources and understanding of how to report on these issues among SMBs. Less than a third (28%) of business leaders indicated that they have a social and environmental committee on their board of directors, while only 27% reported having a full-time sustainability leadership position.

YPO Global Chairman, Raymond Watt, said:

"Our members are at the core of many economies around the world and want to play their part in tackling the environmental emergency, but currently the majority simply don't have the data and support to do so."

"This inaugural report provides an essential baseline for YPO member businesses to begin benchmarking their environmental impact and to make a positive difference. We are committed to supporting them to effectively measure their energy use and carbon emissions, including exploring technological data and reporting solutions."

"As well as taking concerted company action to help to stem climate change, it will only be a matter of time until regulatory and supply chain requirements make environmental reporting a commercial as well as a climate imperative."

"Although it currently focuses on larger organizations, the regulatory pressure to disclose environmental data is intensifying. This year, thousands of multinationals with businesses in Europe must start reporting their climate impact under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). In the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to adopt climate disclosure rules."

Orlan Boston, YPO member and Senior Advisory and Global Client Service Partner at EY, said:

"As well as more regulatory requirements, customer pressure on companies to provide environmental, social and governance performance transparency and make progress against it is intensifying."

"Small and medium-business leaders should evaluate the opportunities and risks for their own individual businesses and stakeholders, which will enable them to execute a targeted strategy of improvement."

Inbox.com AS, an email provider based in Norway, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Atmail, a renowned email hosting provider headquartered in Brisbane, Australia. This strategic move represents a significant milestone in Inbox.com's expansion and diversification strategy.

WPBeginner Growth Fund, a leading investment fund specializing in B2B software businesses backed by Awesome Motive is thrilled to announce its recent investment in GrooveHQ, a top-rated customer support help desk software.

GrooveHQ is a trusted customer support platform serving over 2,000 businesses worldwide. It streamlines workflows, boosting efficiency and empowering businesses to deliver best-in-class customer support at scale.

Syed Balkhi, Founder and CEO of WPBeginner & Awesome Motive, expressed his enthusiasm about the investment: "GrooveHQ provides everything small businesses need to offer exceptional customer service at scale without the high costs. We value Groove's commitment to offering a powerful & easy to use customer support software at fair prices, making it an ideal solution for small businesses across various industries, from agencies and eCommerce to SaaS and brick-and-mortar establishments."

With over 25 million websites using Awesome Motive software like WPForms, MonsterInsights, AIOSEO, and others, the WPBeginner Growth Fund's investment in GrooveHQ aims to leverage strategic synergies across its portfolio. This aligns perfectly with Balkhi's mission of helping small businesses grow & compete with the big guys through superior growth tools and services.

Alex Turnbull, Founder and CEO of GrooveHQ, shared, "We're excited to be part of the WPBeginner Growth Fund family. Their extensive experience and proven growth strategies align perfectly with our vision to revolutionize customer service. This partnership will elevate GrooveHQ to new heights and enable us to serve more small businesses worldwide."

Balkhi emphasized the shared mission with GrooveHQ: "Our goal is to eliminate subpar customer service experiences worldwide by offering exceptional customer service tools. This partnership will allow us to combine our expertise and serve the global small business community even better. The collaboration with GrooveHQ aligns perfectly with WPBeginner Growth Fund and Awesome Motive's commitment to empowering businesses with affordable and effective solutions, further solidifying its position as a key player in the WordPress and software business investment landscape."

Through the integration, SOCi will empower regulated, multi-location enterprises with a comprehensive social solution 

SOCi Inc., the leading CoMarketing Cloud Platform for multi-location enterprises, today announced a strategic partnership with Smarsh, a global leader in digital communications compliance and intelligence, which will provide multi-location enterprises with a streamlined end-to-end workflow for social media management. SOCi will integrate with Smarsh to provide a comprehensive social media publishing, compliance, and archiving solution for brands in regulated industries. 

The partnership will enable organizations using Smarsh for communications archiving and supervision to add SOCi's social media moderation and review capabilities. Organizations can seamlessly review and publish content to their social media channels while meeting regulatory recordkeeping requirements for the capture and retention of social media communications.

"SOCi's social compliance solutions, now bolstered by the Smarsh archiving integration, offer corporate marketers and compliance teams a centralized place to increase local brand visibility, engagements, and customer traffic all while adhering to the regulatory and compliance needs within the industry," said Richard Lumsden, SVP of Business Development at SOCi. "This partnership provides our customers enhanced archiving and compliance abilities built to scale without compromise as their data volume increases."

This integration will provide expanded capabilities to current SOCi customers, especially those in regulated industries, that already leverage the digital marketing platform to maintain positive reputations in their banking, insurance, and other finance and investment businesses, manage crisis situations, and build trust amongst its agents and clients.

"SOCi has helped us streamline our marketing efforts and removed the need for multiple point solutions when it comes to our localized marketing strategy," said Christian Montiel, director of business development, Estrella Insurance. "The platform provides insightful analytics that help us understand how our programs are performing so we can make data-driven decisions on how to improve our strategy. The additional integration with Smarsh and its archiving capabilities can help those in our industry to reduce costs and increase productivity at scale."

Smarsh offers communications oversight and retention solutions for regulated organizations of all sizes. The SOCi integration benefits both customers of the Smarsh Enterprise Platform (large, global firms) and the Smarsh Professional Archive (wealth and asset management firms and government agencies), providing more accessible, streamlined, and automated end-to-end support for social media.

"It's imperative that financial institutions monitor their social content for compliance. For a multi-location enterprise, having to manage hundreds or thousands of local pages becomes extremely time consuming and creates room for error," said Tom Padgett, General Manager of the Smarsh Enterprise business. "With SOCi as a preferred vendor for social media, our customers can simplify the social media workstream from start to finish and have confidence in their abilities to strengthen social media oversight, mitigate compliance risks, and maintain a complete record of social media content at scale." 

In addition to bolstering its partnerships and integrations in 2023, SOCi has also expanded its product line with the launch of Genius Reviews. With additional products planned for the line, SOCi Genius leverages advanced data science, best-in-class generative AI, "on-brand" training models, and leading localization and automation tools to make data-driven decisions that fuel smarter marketing strategies and increase ROI.