DoubleVerify is the first measurement provider to receive Media Rating Council accreditation for TikTok video viewability reporting, the company announced Wednesday. This milestone gives advertisers an independent way to see how their ads perform on one of the world’s most popular social platforms.

The accreditation covers DoubleVerify’s direct measurement and reporting of video ads in the TikTok mobile app. This includes impressions, viewable impressions, related viewability metrics, and advanced filtering for invalid traffic. These metrics, already accredited for open web inventory, now also apply to TikTok campaigns and are available through DoubleVerify’s analytics platform, DV Pinnacle.

“We are proud to be the first measurement provider to achieve MRC accreditation for TikTok video viewability reporting. As advertising investment continues to grow across video-centric social platforms like TikTok, independent verification plays a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability. With accredited measurement informed by tens of trillions of historical ad transactions, advertisers can evaluate campaign effectiveness with greater confidence and ensure their media investments deliver real value,” said Mark Zagorski, CEO of DoubleVerify.

“We congratulate DoubleVerify for extending their Video Viewability and SIVT accreditation to include measurement of TikTok traffic as well as continued accreditation of Property Level Ad Verification and Attention,” said George Ivie, CEO of the MRC. “This accreditation demonstrates DoubleVerify’s continued commitment to independent validation of compliance with industry standards.”

Also Read: Is AI Reshaping Ad Agencies for Good?

Along with the TikTok accreditation, DoubleVerify has also expanded its DV Authentic Attention accreditation. It now covers metrics for authentic non-viewable and modeled video impressions. The company also added new language accreditations for property-level ad verification, bringing its total to 55 accredited languages for domain and mobile app environments, and 10 languages for connected TV applications.

DoubleVerify first received MRC accreditation in February 2013. Since then, it has kept an accredited suite of pre- and post-bid products for display, video, and connected TV environments.

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Sprinklr, an enterprise customer experience software company, and CreatorIQ, a creator marketing platform, announced Wednesday a partnership that links creator campaign data with corporate social media management systems, allowing brands to measure influencer, paid, and organic social performance from a single dashboard.

The deal addresses a persistent pain point for large marketing organizations: performance data from creator campaigns typically sits in a separate system from paid and owned social media metrics, making it difficult to assess the combined return on investment across channels.

Creator marketing has grown rapidly in recent years. Average brand investment in the category rose 171 percent year over year in 2025, according to figures cited by the companies, and more than half of marketers now use creator-produced content in both paid and organic campaigns.

Under the partnership, CreatorIQ’s proprietary data infrastructure — which the company says processes 123 million creator posts per day — will feed directly into Sprinklr’s social media reporting environment. The integration is designed to let brands evaluate creator performance alongside their broader social and paid media activity and draw clearer connections between creator spending and revenue outcomes.

“Integrating CreatorIQ data directly into Sprinklr gives brands one connected environment for strategy, execution, and measurement across creator, paid, and owned channels,” said Anish Chadda, vice president of product management at Sprinklr.

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Tim Sovay, chief partnerships officer at CreatorIQ, said creator marketing data has historically been siloed from the broader systems enterprises use to manage social media and customer experience. “Together, we’re delivering the unified, enterprise-grade intelligence required for AI-driven marketing and full-funnel growth,” he said.

The integration will also allow brands to boost high-performing creator content directly through Sprinklr’s paid media tools, reducing the need to manually export data between platforms.

The post Sprinklr and CreatorIQ Unite Creator and Social Media Data appeared first on MartechView.

Meta is shutting down the virtual reality version of Horizon Worlds, the social platform that was once the centerpiece of the company’s costly and ultimately unsuccessful pivot to the metaverse, the company announced Tuesday.

The Horizon Worlds app will be removed from the Quest VR headset store at the end of March and fully discontinued on the platform on June 15. After that date, the experience will be available only through a standalone mobile app.

“We are separating the two platforms so each can grow with greater focus, and the Horizon Worlds platform will become a mobile-only experience,” the company said.

The decision marks a significant retreat from an ambition that Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief executive, once described as the defining bet of the company’s next decade. When Meta changed its name from Facebook in October 2021 to signal its commitment to virtual reality, Zuckerberg wrote that he expected the metaverse to reach a billion people within ten years, host hundreds of billions of dollars in digital commerce and support millions of creators and developers. Horizon Worlds never drew more than a few hundred thousand active monthly users.

The shutdown comes weeks after Meta cut more than 1,000 employees from Reality Labs, the division responsible for its metaverse and virtual reality efforts. Among those affected were studios working on virtual reality titles, including Ouro Interactive, an in-house studio created in 2023 specifically to build first-party content for Horizon Worlds.

Reality Labs has posted billions of dollars in operating losses every quarter since its launch. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the unit reported an operating loss of $6.02 billion.

Horizon Worlds officially launched in late 2021 as a virtual, three-dimensional social network where users could interact and play games through avatars, operating exclusively on Quest headsets. Meta introduced a mobile app version in September 2023, designed to lower the barrier to entry for users without VR hardware — functioning, in concept, similarly to Roblox. That expansion failed to meaningfully grow the platform’s audience.

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In a February blog post, Samantha Ryan, vice president of content at Reality Labs, said Meta would shift Horizon Worlds’ focus to “almost exclusively mobile” while doubling down on its broader VR developer ecosystem. “By breaking things down into two distinct platforms, we’ll be better able to clearly focus on each,” Ryan said.

Meta has since redirected its strategic and financial attention toward artificial intelligence, which has become the company’s organizing priority under Zuckerberg — displacing the metaverse vision that defined and ultimately strained the company’s public identity for much of the past four years.

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When Grégoire Vigroux logged into Twitter last year, his feed was dominated by posts from Elon Musk — a person he had never followed. The experience crystallized something he had been thinking about for some time: that social platforms had become too easily shaped by the priorities of whoever controlled them.

Around the same time, Telegram founder Pavel Durov sent a message directly to all Romanian users on the morning of the country’s presidential election, accusing France of interfering in the vote. For Vigroux, the incident confirmed that social media had become a genuine force in democratic processes — and that someone needed to build an alternative.

The result is eYou, a European social media platform that has raised €300,000 in pre-seed funding from Fil Rouge Capital ahead of a public launch planned for May 2026. The platform is built around a single differentiating feature: a fact-checking button embedded beneath every post, powered by multiple competing AI models that evaluate claim accuracy in real time.

How the Fact-Checking Works

When a user clicks the fact-check button on any post, the system analyses the content and assigns an accuracy score to each individual claim — expressed as a percentage, accompanied by an explanation drawn from credible, neutral sources. Posts on eYou can be up to 3,000 characters, meaning a single post may contain 20 or 30 separate claims, each evaluated independently.

To reduce the risk of algorithmic bias — and to handle edge cases such as satire — eYou uses four large language models simultaneously, each competing to produce the most accurate assessment. The founders tested a satirical publication during a demonstration and the system correctly identified the content as humour rather than factual reporting.

Over time, users accumulate a reputation score based on the accuracy of their sharing. Those who consistently post reliable information appear more frequently in feeds and recommendations. Those who spread misinformation, Vigroux says, will not be promoted by the algorithm.

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Transparent Algorithms and Open Moderation

Beyond fact-checking, eYou introduces a transparency feature that lets users see and edit the profile the algorithm has built about them—a direct contrast to the opaque recommendation systems used by most major platforms. Users can modify the signals shaping their feed and broaden their exposure to viewpoints outside their usual content diet.

The platform’s interface is deliberately simple. Each post has two reactions — “Agree” and “Disagree” — but users who disagree must leave a comment explaining why, a design choice intended to encourage substantive debate rather than passive engagement.

On moderation, Vigroux acknowledges the company is still working through the harder questions — how to handle conspiracy theories, hate speech and harmful content — and is weighing approaches that range from outright bans to algorithmic suppression that limits visibility without removing content entirely.

“Finding the right balance between freedom of expression and moderation is difficult,” he said. “We’re still defining exactly where that line should be.”

Also Read: Marketing That Predicts, Not Reacts

A Two-Person Team With Global Ambitions

EYou was co-founded by Vigroux, who serves as chief commercial officer, and Jasseem Allybokus, a serial entrepreneur and the platform’s chief executive, who built the technology entirely in-house. The two French entrepreneurs have been based in Romania for more than a decade and chose Bucharest as the venture’s base, though the platform is open to users globally.

Vigroux brings four previous exits to the partnership, including CallPoint, which was acquired by customer experience platform TELUS Digital. The pair is deliberately running a minimal internal operation, outsourcing functions including user acquisition to specialist agencies rather than building large internal teams.

The platform targets users who have reduced or stopped using X — formerly Twitter — as well as readers of longer-form platforms such as Medium. Vigroux describes the ideal eYou user as a journalist, professional, or educated urban dweller who wants to discuss ideas and current events in a more substantive environment than conventional social media provides.

EYou aims to reach 10 million users by 2030. The €300,000 pre-seed investment will support product development and early community growth ahead of launch. A public waitlist is currently open.

“The founders bring strong entrepreneurial experience, a clear vision, and they are tackling one of the most important challenges facing digital platforms today: trust,” said Matei Dumitrescu, partner at Fil Rouge Capital.

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Meta has signed a 10-year lease for a five-story building at 697 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, the company announced, marking its first flagship retail location in New York City and its second Meta Lab experiential store in the United States.

The space, a 15,000-square-foot townhouse adjacent to the St. Regis Hotel, was leased from real estate firm Vornado Realty Trust. It will serve as a hands-on environment where visitors can test the company’s latest hardware — including its Ray-Ban smart glasses and virtual reality headsets — in a setting the company describes as co-created with local artists to reflect the culture of its neighborhood.

The New York store follows Meta Lab in Los Angeles, which opened last year, and recent pop-up activations in Las Vegas and Honolulu. The company said it plans to open between eight and ten additional locations in the coming year, suggesting that physical retail has moved from experiment to strategy for a company that built its identity entirely online.

The push into experiential retail coincides with Meta’s growing focus on wearable technology. The company is planning to release a new smartwatch this year and has been expanding the capabilities of its Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have become one of the more commercially successful early consumer AI hardware products. A flagship store on one of the world’s most expensive and heavily trafficked shopping corridors gives Meta a prominent platform to put those products directly in consumers’ hands.

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Meta already has a significant physical presence in New York — its existing headquarters occupies 730,000 square feet at the Farley Building in the Penn District. The Fifth Avenue flagship is a different kind of footprint: not operational infrastructure, but a public statement about where the company believes consumer technology is headed.

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Snap Inc. is introducing a paid subscription feature that will allow creators to earn recurring income directly from their most engaged followers, as the company seeks to diversify beyond advertising.

The Los Angeles-based social media firm will begin testing the feature, called Creator Subscriptions, on Monday with a small group of Snapchat creators, the company told CNBC exclusively. The move comes as user growth moderates and Snap looks to build more predictable revenue streams.

“In the year ahead, growth in subscribers will be a critical input metric to track our progress,” said Evan Spiegel, Snap’s chief executive, in a recent letter accompanying the company’s fourth-quarter results.

Snap reported 474 million daily active users in the most recent quarter, down 3 million from the previous period. At the same time, its existing subscription products — Snapchat+ and Memories Storage Plans — grew 71 percent year over year to 24 million users.

Under the new program, users will be able to subscribe to creators for $4.99 to $19.99 per month in exchange for exclusive content, including private photos and videos, access to subscriber-only Stories and prioritized text replies that may be featured at the top of a creator’s public Story.

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“We want the next step in our long-term creator monetization journey to be one that’s really rooted in real relationships,” said Jim Shepherd, Snap’s head of content partnerships, in an interview. The goal, he added, is to help creators generate predictable income from their most engaged fans.

Snap is entering an increasingly crowded subscription market. Platforms such as Patreon, Substack and OnlyFans are built around paid memberships, while major social networks have rolled out their own offerings. YouTube began offering Channel Memberships in 2018, and Meta Platforms introduced subscription tools on Facebook and Instagram in 2020 and 2022.

On Snapchat, creators will receive approximately 60 percent of subscription revenue after platform fees. Snap said it will provide performance data to help creators refine pricing as the product evolves.

The initial test will include 15 creators, with about 10 more expected to join in the United States during the early phase. Expansion is also underway in Canada, the United Kingdom and France. Participants include high-profile creators such as David Dobrik, Catherine Paiz, Harry Jowsey, Jeremiah Brown and Skai Jackson.

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The feature will initially be available to users on Apple iOS devices in eligible countries. Snap did not specify when Creator Subscriptions would launch on Android.

For Snap, the bet is clear: as advertising markets fluctuate and user growth plateaus, recurring creator subscriptions may offer a steadier path forward — provided it can stand out in a marketplace already crowded with ways for fans to pay.

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A UK-based social and community networking app, Cliq, has raised a “major seven-figure” investment as it prepares to expand beyond its current markets and scale globally, according to its co-founder.

Founded in 2023, Cliq positions itself as a deliberate alternative to conventional social media platforms. Rather than prioritizing feeds and follower counts, the app is built around in-person connection. Users join interest-based communities—ranging from fitness and reading to faith-led groups—and are encouraged to meet offline, a model shaped by growing concerns around loneliness and digital fatigue.

The app describes itself not as social media, but as social networking with a real-world focus. That distinction has resonated. Cliq has surpassed 100,000 users, with strong traction in the UK, the US, Australia, and Bali.

Nicola Gunby, co-founder and chief marketing officer, said the company has achieved this growth without paid marketing. “Two years ago, we set out with one mission: to challenge the social networking industry and build something that gets people off their phones and back into real life,” she said. “This investment brings us one step closer to taking that mission worldwide.”

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The funding round was led by Artesian, with additional backing from a family office and angel investors. The exact amount raised was not disclosed, though the company confirmed it was in the seven-figure range. Cliq has previously raised more than £500,000.

Gunby founded the company alongside her partner, Jason Iliffe. The new capital will be used to accelerate product development and support international growth as the company seeks to scale its model of digital tools designed to foster real-life connections.

The post Cliq Raises Seven-Figure Funding to Take Offline Social Global appeared first on MartechView.

In the theater of global commerce, the “steady state” has vanished. As we move toward 2026, marketing and customer experience (CX) are no longer just growth departments—they are the front lines of corporate survival.

Innovation that once took years now happens in weeks. To navigate this velocity, intuition is insufficient; leaders require a compass forged from hard-earned wisdom rather than hype. We are already seeing this shift in Agentic CX, where AI moves from answering questions to proactively solving problems, and in the rise of Data Dignity, where privacy is treated as a core brand value.

At MartechView, we have convened a council of the industry’s most rigorous minds to provide that roadmap. From consolidating the fragmented tech stack to the emergence of hyper-local predictive modeling, these visionaries are laying the blueprints for what comes next.

As we introduce our 2025 Expert Contributors, we recognize these leaders as the stewards of a new era. Their insights remind us that while our tools are undergoing a radical metamorphosis, the objective remains timeless: to serve the customer with precision, empathy, and integrity.

The list follows below.

Adam Greco, Product Evangelist, Hightouch

Adam Greco is a Product Evangelist at Hightouch, where he champions Composable CDP and AI Decisioning. With a profound background in digital analytics, he’s recognized for authoring the definitive book on Adobe Analytics and founding the free Search Discovery Education Community. Greco empowers companies to extract maximum value from their digital data, continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the field.

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Alex Abbott, Operatinalising Conversation Creation, Supero

Alex Abbott created the Conversation Operating System, an AI-powered method to solve the B2B pipeline crisis affecting most companies today. With over three decades of sales experience spanning three continents, Abbott has built and transformed businesses, leading them to multi-million-dollar success. A health enthusiast, golf lover, and proud dog dad to six Miniature Dachshunds, he now lives in Portugal, sharing his expertise through his community, “Walking Digital Corridors.” 

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Alexandra Caceres, Growth and Influencer Marketing Specialist, Metricool

Alexandra Caceres is a Growth and Influencer Marketing Specialist at Metricool, where she drives strategic partnerships and digital growth initiatives. With a strong foundation in social media and content strategy, she has held multiple roles at Metricool, including US Marketing Manager and Social Media Manager. Caceres also brings over four years of experience from Honeypot Social, where she led campaigns across diverse industries. She is passionate about brand storytelling and creator collaboration, blending creativity with data to deliver impactful marketing results.

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Bill Schneider, VP of Product Marketing, CommerceIQ

Bill Schneider is the VP of Product Marketing at CommerceIQ, bringing over two decades of expertise in product marketing, communications, and AI-driven commerce solutions. Renowned for pioneering agentic AI and data-integrated strategies, he helps leading brands unlock automation, maximize profitability, and win competitive shelf share in e-commerce. Schneider’s insights regularly inform the commerce industry through research, benchmarking, and expert analysis, driving smarter performance for CPG leaders. He is recognized across the sector for his analytical rigor and forward-thinking leadership in the transformation of retail media.

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Bob Walczak, CEO and Founder, MadConnect

Bob Walczak is the CEO and Founder of MadConnect, where he leads the charge in redefining platform-to-platform connectivity for the AdTech and MarTech industries. A visionary with over 20 years of experience, he has a proven track record of scaling high-tech startups and managing global product divisions for industry giants like WPP’s GroupM. Recognized as a pioneer in mobile advertising, Walczak previously built PubMatic’s mobile business into a $100 million revenue stream and founded Ringleader Digital, creator of the first comprehensive mobile ad server.

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Brian Burke, VP of Product, AtData

Brian Burke is VP of Product at AtData, a pioneer in email address intelligence and data security solutions. With over 20 years of experience in product management and software development, he leads product strategy for marketing solutions focused on email validation, identity resolution, and profile enrichment. Burke’s expertise helps marketers build actionable customer profiles, reduce fraud, and enhance data quality while ensuring compliance with privacy regulations. His leadership drives innovation in real-time email behavior analysis, boosting marketing ROI and combating email fraud.

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Bridget Reidy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Exelon

Bridget Reidy serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Exelon, where she oversees information technology, corporate and information security, real estate, transportation, and supply operations for multiple utilities, including ComEd, PECO, and Pepco. With a career spanning leadership roles in supply chain, customer operations, and legal services, she has been instrumental in driving operational excellence and sustainable supply chain initiatives. Reidy previously held senior public service roles in Chicago, including Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Richard M. Daley and COO of the Chicago Housing Authority. She is recognized for her strategic approach to security, infrastructure, and corporate governance in the energy sector.

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Bryan Cheung, Chief Executive Officer, Liferay

Bryan Cheung is a co-founder of Liferay and served as its Chief Executive Officer for nearly two decades, leading the company from its bootstrap beginnings to a nine-figure global enterprise. Under his leadership, Liferay evolved into a premier open-source provider of digital experience platforms, trusted by organizations like NASA and Airbus. A graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in Computer Science, Cheung recently transitioned to the role of Chief Marketing Officer, where he continues to steer the company’s strategic vision and global business development. He is a recognized advocate for “pragmatic innovation,” focusing on how technology can solve real-world business challenges while contributing social value.

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Bryan Hernandez, Director, Client Partners, RTB House

Bryan Hernandez is a Director of Client Partners at RTB House, where he leverages deep-learning technology to drive digital performance for global brands. With over 13 years of experience in the AdTech ecosystem, he has built a reputation for surpassing revenue targets through sophisticated performance marketing strategies and high-level client management. Prior to his role at RTB House, Hernandez held pivotal positions at industry leaders such as SteelHouse and Sizmek, where he specialized in navigating the complexities of programmatic advertising and cross-channel growth. His career is defined by a commitment to data-driven storytelling and helping clients master the shift from traditional digital buying to AI-powered optimization.

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Carlos Gil, Fractional CMO and Growth Strategist, Gil Media Co.

Carlos Gil is a former Brand Evangelist and U.S. Market Leader at GetResponse and current Fractional CMO and Growth Strategist of Gil Media Co. with nearly two decades of experience helping global brands and startups drive growth through innovative, ROI-focused marketing. A bestselling author of The End of Marketing and LinkedIn Top Voice, Gil is known for blending old-school strategy with modern digital tools. He’s a sought-after speaker at global events like SXSW and SMMW and a master of turning bold storytelling into revenue-generating campaigns. Gil is a connector at his core, empowering brands to stand out and scale with authenticity.

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Chris Bretschger, Managing Partner, Bastion Agency

Chris Bretschger is Managing Partner at Bastion Amplify, a full-service digital marketing agency. With over 20 years of integrated marketing experience, he has led brand development, data-driven campaigns, and analytics strategies for major clients, including Mazda, Adidas, and Kia. Chris combines creativity with technical insights in SEO, SEM, social media, and content marketing to deliver measurable results. Beyond marketing, he is passionate about mentoring teams and sailing, embodying a spirit of leadership and innovation.

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Chris Chib, Founder and CEO, BlueFin Solves

Chris Chib is the Founder and CEO of BlueFin Solves, where he helps organizations navigate the intersection of digital transformation and operational strategy. With a career rooted in solving complex business challenges, Chib is a recognized voice on how companies can move beyond the “speculative” phase of technology to build practical solutions. These AI-driven systems enhance both employee productivity and the customer experience. In his recent contributions, Chib has emphasized the “new rules of business adaptation,” arguing that AI’s actual value lies in its ability to extend human capability rather than replace it. He advocates for a strategic shift toward “predictive agility,” helping brands move from reacting to market shifts to anticipating them through smarter data modeling and ethical governance.

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Chris Gladwin, Founder and Executive Chairman, Ocient

is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Ocient, a leader in hyperscale data analytics. A serial entrepreneur with a legendary track record in the storage and data sectors, he previously founded Cleversafe, which he scaled into a dominant force in object storage before its acquisition by IBM for $1.3 billion. His career is defined by a relentless focus on solving “impossible” data problems for the world’s largest enterprises. A graduate of MIT, Gladwin holds hundreds of patents and is a central figure in the Chicago tech ecosystem.

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Christopher Morse, Vice President of Platform Partnerships, Alliant – The Audience Company

Christopher Morse is the Vice President of Platform Partnerships at Alliant – The Audience Company, where he sits at the vital intersection of data providers, adtech platforms, and media agencies. With over 15 years of experience in the data and digital advertising space, Chris has built a career on transforming complex consumer data into actionable audience solutions for high-growth brands. Throughout his tenure at Alliant and previous leadership roles at firms like Stirista and Windfall, Morse has been a key architect in the shift toward privacy-conscious, data-driven targeting. His expertise lies in navigating the evolving cookieless landscape and developing strategic alliances that allow marketers to reach high-value audiences with precision across the programmatic and social ecosystems.

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Daniel Baven, CEO and Co-Founder, Noahs

Daniel Baven is the CEO and Co-Founder of Noahs, a food-tech pioneer building what he calls the “Spotify of Food.” A Danish-trained chef turned entrepreneur, Daniel is redefining the food economy by deploying digitized, modular smart-kitchens into high-traffic hubs like service stations and supermarkets, allowing retailers to stream culinary brands directly to consumers. Before launching Noahs, Baven founded Lucky 13 Sandwich in Thailand, scaling it to over 20 locations before returning to Denmark to solve the infrastructure challenges of the modern food industry. His vision treats culinary IP as a digital asset, enabling great food brands to scale globally through a network of licensees. Today, he leads a 40-person team dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional retail and the emerging digital food marketplace.

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David Joosten, Co-founder and President, GrowthLoop

David Joosten is the Co-founder and President of GrowthLoop, a pioneering composable CDP leveraging the data cloud and AI to revolutionize marketing. With a passion for empowering marketers, he’s dedicated to transforming teams into agile experimenters by removing data friction and unlocking insights from first-party data. Joosten’s entrepreneurial spirit, combined with his experience advising major brands and background at Google, drives his commitment to building intelligent, data-driven customer journeys.

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David Raab, Former Founder, CDP Institute

David Raab is the Founder of the CDP Institute and the expert who coined the term “Customer Data Platform” in 2013. A leading authority in marketing technology and analytics, he helps organizations navigate the evolving landscape of customer data, personalization, and privacy. Raab is known for his clear-eyed insights on the role of CDPs in an AI-driven world and continues to shape the conversation on how brands use data to drive meaningful engagement. Through the CDP Institute, he empowers businesses to make smarter tech decisions and unlock the full value of their customer data.

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Dean de la Peña, VP of Identity, Data Strategy and SaaS, Resonate

Dean de la Peña is a highly experienced VP of Identity, Data Strategy, and SaaS at Resonate. He is known for building outstanding teams and scaling technology and AI companies. With over 16 years of success, he played a key role in Mastercard’s $600M acquisition of Applied Predictive Technologies. He champions the combination of human empathy with data-driven analytics to uncover the truth, demonstrating a strong track record of driving significant revenue growth and client profitability.

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Deborah Knight, Customer Success and Experience Coach, Founder, Kaptive CX

Deborah Knight is the Customer Success and Experience Coach and Founder of Kaptive CX, leveraging over two decades of expertise to craft compelling customer experiences and drive growth. She excels at developing high-performance strategies and boasts a proven track record in customer retention, evidenced by her global impact on Doctify’s customer strategy. Knight is also passionate about coaching and helping teams take ownership of financial metrics, thereby thriving while implementing scalable digital-first initiatives that enhance engagement and efficiency.

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Edward Barnfield, Partner, Abu Dhabi, Wallis

Edward Barnfield is a Partner at Wallis, a leading communications firm serving the Middle East, North Africa, and Southwest Asia. With over 20 years of experience in corporate communications, he specializes in crisis management, strategic advisory, and media relations. Barnfield is known for his ability to craft clear, reliable narratives that resonate with diverse audiences and navigate complex regional dynamics. His expertise helps global tech brands manage reputation in fast-evolving environments.

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Eleanor Hecks, Editor-in-Chief, Designerly Magazine

Eleanor Hecks is Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine, where she champions thoughtful design and editorial innovation. With a career spanning editorial leadership and digital content strategy, Hecks focuses on creating authentic, user-centric stories that engage creative professionals and marketers alike. She is passionate about privacy, personalization, and the evolving role of marketers in a data-conscious world.

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Elizabeth Maxson, CMO, Contentful

Elizabeth Maxson is Chief Marketing Officer at Contentful, driving brand strategy and product marketing for one of the leading content platforms. With extensive experience in agile marketing, AI composability, and creative innovation, Maxson spearheads initiatives that align marketing with customer-centric digital transformation. She is recognized for blending creativity and technology to accelerate business growth and deliver seamless customer experiences.

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Filippo Gramigna, Co-CEO, Onetag

Filippo Gramigna is the Co-CEO of Onetag, where he leverages over 20 years of international leadership experience to drive the evolution of programmatic advertising. A multidisciplinary expert, Filippo has navigated the full spectrum of the digital media ecosystem, holding pivotal roles across major publishers, global AdTech firms, and agencies to drive high-efficiency commercial results. His career is defined by a consultative approach to business development, blending deep expertise in partnerships and marketing with a sharp focus on product innovation. At Onetag, he leverages a vast global network to deliver tech-driven solutions that prioritize transparency and performance. Gramigna is recognized for his ability to rapidly scale complex projects, turning emerging digital trends into concrete economic value for brands and media owners alike.

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Gavin Sweeney, Chief Revenue Officer, CarTrawler

Gavin Sweeney is Chief Revenue Officer at CarTrawler, leading the trading, data science, and insights teams at this leading B2B technology provider for global car rental and mobility solutions. With a background in economics and digital marketing, Sweeney has over a decade of experience driving commercial performance and strategic growth in the travel and gaming sectors. He excels in leveraging data-driven analytics and market insights to optimize partner car hire propositions and revenue.

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Gianluca Ferruggia, General Manager – B2B Marketplace and Media Growth, DesignRush

Gianluca Ferruggia is the General Manager at DesignRush, a leading B2B marketplace that connects businesses with verified agencies. With a decade of experience, he’s an expert in B2B marketplaces known for building projects from inception and driving significant growth, including a 3,200% revenue increase for DesignRush. Ferruggia oversees all aspects of operations, content, digital marketing, SEO, finance, and sales, leading a team of 130 employees while also contributing editorially to Forbes Councils.

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Greg Zakowicz, Former Sr. Ecommerce Expert, Omnisend

Greg Zakowicz is a former Senior E-Commerce Expert at Omnisend, where he helps brands accelerate growth through customer-centric marketing strategies. With deep experience across B2B and DTC, Zakowicz is recognized for translating data-driven insights into actionable campaigns that drive engagement and revenue growth. He’s a trusted voice in the e-commerce space, frequently sharing expertise on automation, retention, and omnichannel marketing. Passionate about brand-building and employee-first leadership, Zakowicz brings both strategic vision and hands-on know-how to the digital marketing world.

Article: TikTok Ban Looms: How Ecommerce Brands Can Adapt and Thrive

Guru Hariharan, Founder and CEO, CommerceIQ

Guru Hariharan is the CEO of CommerceIQ, a company that specializes in AI-powered retail solutions, helping brands enhance their e-commerce performance and profitability. He brings extensive leadership experience in product innovation, AI integration, and go-to-market strategy for retail and consumer tech companies. Hariharan focuses on empowering brands with intelligent automation to close sales gaps and optimize supply chains in a rapidly evolving digital marketplace.

Article: Black Friday Speed Demands AI, Not Dashboards | GenAI Search Is Rewriting the Shopper’s Playbook | Tariffs Test How Much Price Pain Shoppers Can Take | The Treat Economy: How Small Luxuries Boost Retail Returns

Guy Marion, CMO, Chargebee

Guy Marion is the Chief Marketing Officer at Chargebee, a role he’s held since April 2023, following his tenure as General Manager of Chargebee Retention (formerly Brightback, which he founded). A revenue-focused SaaS leader, he boasts extensive experience in growing Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) from $0M to $150M. Marion specializes in defining unique go-to-market strategies, building world-class teams, and accelerating revenue through diverse sales channels, with expertise spanning marketing, product, growth, and sales functions across various SaaS domains.

Article: Is Smart Monetization the New Product Differentiator?

Heidi Bullock, CMO, Tealium

Heidi Bullock is the Chief Marketing Officer at Tealium, where she drives go-to-market strategy and revenue growth across the customer lifecycle. A seasoned SaaS marketing leader, she brings deep expertise in demand generation, ABM, and product marketing. Bullock has led high-performing teams across SDR, enablement, and digital strategy, delivering measurable impact through data-driven campaigns. She’s a passionate advocate for customer-centric marketing and a recognized expert in platforms like Marketo, 6Sense, and SFDC.

Article: How Companies Can “Own the Moment” with Real-Time Customer Data

Irina Shamkova, Chief Product Officer, Intermedia Cloud Communications

Irina Shamkova is the Chief Product Officer at Intermedia Cloud Communications, where she leads the company’s end-to-end product strategy across its UCaaS, CCaaS, and cloud business application offerings. With over two decades at Intermedia, she has played a pivotal role in expanding its AI-powered communication platform and forging key partnerships, including a global alliance with NEC. Shamkova is known for building high-performing product teams and championing innovation through strategic acquisitions and internal initiatives, such as Women of Intermedia. Her leadership continues to shape how businesses connect and collaborate in today’s digital-first world.

Article: Intermedia’s Shamkova: Navigating AI, M&A, and the Human Side of Tech Leadership

Isabelle Zdatny, Head of Thought Leadership for XM Institute, Qualtrics 

Isabelle Zdatny is the Head of Thought Leadership at the Qualtrics XM Institute, where she serves as a primary architect of the Experience Management (XM) discipline. A Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP), Zdatny specializes in translating complex human behaviors into actionable business strategies, helping organizations bridge the gap between customer expectations and operational reality. At the XM Institute, she leads the production of industry-standard research and frameworks that empower leaders to improve both customer and employee experiences (CX and EX). Beyond her research, Isabelle is a sought-after speaker and advisor, recognized for her ability to simplify the evolving XM landscape into precise, high-impact blueprints for corporate success.

Article: Customers Trust You, Not Your AI. Here’s Why.

James Evans, Senior Director, Head of AI, Amplitude

James Evans serves as Director and Head of AI at Amplitude, where he leads AI strategy and product development for the customer analytics platform. His expertise lies in designing and scaling AI solutions that enhance product intelligence, customer insights, and data-driven decision-making. Evans is recognized for advancing the role of machine learning in transforming how companies understand user behavior and optimize digital experiences.

Article: James Evans on Amplitude’s Bold AI Vision and Strategy

Jane Qin Medeiros, GM/EVP – Brand and Content, Informa TechTarget

Jane Qin Medeiros serves as GM/EVP of the Brand and Content Solutions Group at Informa TechTarget, where she leads initiatives that help B2B brands navigate complex marketing landscapes. With deep expertise in content strategy and demand generation, she focuses on bridging insights and execution to drive measurable impact for clients. She frequently shares thought leadership on effective B2B marketing strategies and navigating the “dark funnel.”

Article: Is Your B2B Strategy Lost in the Dark Funnel?

Jason Swartz, VP, Advanced Advertising, New Business, And National Sales, New York Interconnect

Jason Swartz is Vice President of Addressable Television and Digital at New York Interconnect, where he drives innovation in precision-targeted advertising across linear and streaming platforms. With extensive experience in programmatic TV and digital media, Swartz helps brands harness data-driven strategies to reach audiences more effectively. He regularly contributes insights on the evolving landscape of streaming and addressable advertising.

Article: Streaming Ads Enter a New Era of Precision

Jeff Kaplan, CEO, TARA Media Strategies

Jeff Kaplan is the CEO and Co-Founder of TARA Media Strategies (formerly Popsycle Digital), a data-driven performance marketing agency. With 25 years of experience, he’s an award-winning marketing professional with deep expertise in direct marketing, sales, and management. A self-proclaimed “data geek,” Kaplan is passionate about leveraging insights to help companies reach their full potential and achieve their client goals in the ever-evolving omnichannel marketing ecosystem.

Article: Jeff Kaplan on AI, Ad Fraud, and the Future of Media Buying

Jennifer McAdams, Fractional CMO, Marketing Advisor, Principal, Beecher Hollow Group

Jennifer McAdams is a seasoned marketing executive with over two decades of experience driving growth at leading enterprise software companies. Most recently, as Chief Marketing Officer at Xactly, she has held senior roles at Vista Equity Partners, Progress, and SAP SuccessFactors, where she led high-impact demand generation and go-to-market initiatives. Known for building scalable marketing engines and aligning cross-functional teams, McAdams brings deep expertise in B2B SaaS, digital strategy, and revenue marketing.

Article: Marketing in 2025: Shifts, AI, and Gen Z

Joey Petracca, COO and Co-Founder, Chicory

Joey Petracca is the Co-founder and COO of Chicory, a leading contextual commerce advertising platform. He has been instrumental in the company’s growth since its inception in 2012, helping to transform recipe content into commerce media for CPG brands, retailers, and publishers. Joey’s expertise lies in the future of grocery and food technology innovation, focusing on how data strategies can empower marketers to drive growth. He oversees product and engineering, and plays a key role in the conception, development, and positioning of Chicory’s advertising solutions.

Article: What If Your Favorite Recipe Could Shop for You?

Josh Johnson, Area VP of Sales – Identity and Data Solutions, Dun & Bradstreet

Josh Johnson is Area Vice President of Data Licensing at Dun & Bradstreet, specializing in helping marketers unlock the power of unified customer profiles. With expertise in data strategy and analytics, Jonson focuses on enabling businesses to bridge data silos and drive smarter, more personalized marketing decisions. He frequently shares insights on how accurate, connected data fuels measurable growth.

Article: Blurring Boundaries: Why Marketers Need Unified Profiles

Justin Choi, Founder and CEO, Nativo

Justin Choi is the Founder and CEO of Nativo, where he leads the company in redefining native advertising through innovative, AI-driven solutions. With a strong background in ad tech and digital media, Choi focuses on leveraging agentic AI to transform how brands engage audiences and optimize campaigns. He is a recognized thought leader in the intersection of AI and advertising.

Article: Is Agentic AI Turning Ads into On-Demand Services?

Katie Spurkeland, Director of Product Marketing, Partnerize

Katie Spurkeland is Director of Product Marketing at Partnerize, where she drives strategies to unlock growth through partnerships and mobile engagement. With expertise in tracking, analytics, and performance marketing, Spurkeland helps brands maximize revenue and optimize partner-driven campaigns. She frequently shares insights on how data and technology power modern partnership marketing.

Article: Unlocking Mobile Growth: Why Tracking Powers Partnerships

Kevin O’Malley, Co-Founder, AdDaptive

Kevin O’Malley is the Co-Founder of AdDaptive Intelligence, a leading account-based advertising platform he started in March 2010. He has been instrumental in building a company focused on bridging offline and online data to optimize B2B advertising campaigns. His vision ensures that transparent analytics helps B2B marketers reach key accounts and decision-makers effectively. Under his leadership, AdDaptive has remained self-funded, driving continuous profitability and expansion in the ad tech industry.

Article: Why Marketers Need a Data Diet in the Age of AI Overload

Lee Hammond, Customer Data Strategy and Solutions, KLH

Lee Hammond is an accomplished marketing technology professional who previously served as an industry principal at the Marketing Data Cloud Practice in Hakkoda. In that role, he specialized in helping companies build modern marketing technology stacks on top of Snowflake’s Data Cloud. His expertise lies in customer data activation, having also optimized MarTech stacks at Universal Music Group to unify fan data and personalize experiences. Currently, as a Customer Data Strategy and Solutions consultant at KLH, Hammond continues to guide organizations toward a warehouse-first approach for their customer data, offering strategic recommendations and solutions.

Article: Is Your CDP a Dinosaur in a Composable World?

Lisa Sharapata, VP AI & GTM Strategy, Metadata

Lisa Sharapata is the VP of AI & GTM Strategy at Metadata, where she leads the transformation of modern marketing through AI-driven digital advertising. A seasoned B2B leader with over 20 years of experience, Lisa has built her career at the intersection of brand strategy and demand generation, helping companies move away from manual, repetitive tasks toward high-impact, automated business growth. Prior to joining Metadata, Sharapata held executive leadership roles at companies such as 6sense and Aprimo, where she became a prominent voice in the movement for “customer-centric” go-to-market strategies. She is widely recognized for her ability to align marketing and sales teams under a unified, data-driven vision, ensuring that technology serves as a bridge to deeper buyer engagement rather than just a tool for volume.

Article: Ghost Signals: Why Bad Data is Sabotaging Your GTM Strategy

Liz Carter, CMO, Reputation

Liz Carter is a highly experienced Chief Marketing Officer at Reputation, a leader in software technology and services. With a robust background in the SaaS industry, she has hands-on experience navigating IPO processes, acquisitions, and integrations for both venture-backed and PE-backed businesses. Carter is skilled in various facets of marketing, including corporate communications, branding, demand generation, and multi-channel strategies. She is also a dedicated Board Member at Razing the Bar, supporting underserved youth populations.

Article: “Your Brand Is What Barbara Says It Is”: Liz Carter on the Feedback-Fueled Future of Marketing

Maor Sadra, CEO & Co-founder, INCRMNTAL

Maor Sadra is the CEO and Co-Founder of INCRMNTAL, where he is pioneering a new era of marketing measurement through causal data science. An AdTech veteran with over 20 years of experience, Maor previously held executive roles at Applift and Inneractive, where he managed large-scale international business development and mergers and acquisitions. At INCRMNTAL, Sadra has developed a platform that measures the “true value” of ad spend across digital and offline channels without relying on user-level tracking. A vocal advocate for transparency, he specializes in replacing flawed attribution models with real-time, algorithmic insights that prove the actual impact of marketing investment.

Article: Big Spikes, Small Truths: The Myth of Promo-Day Performance

Marcelo Parravicini, Chairman and CEO, Cygnus Marketing Communications Inc.

Marcelo Parravicini is Chairman and CEO of Cygnus Marketing Communications Inc., where he leads strategies to enhance operational efficiency and optimize enrollment systems. With extensive experience in marketing operations and client-focused solutions, Parravicini helps organizations implement scalable frameworks that drive measurable results. He frequently shares insights on the intersection of marketing strategy and operational execution.

Article: Why Enrollment Systems Fail Without an Operational Blueprint

Marianna Mankle, SCMS, Siege Media

Marianna Mankle is an SCMS at Siege Media, a prominent agency specializing in SEO, content marketing, and digital PR. With a strong passion for storytelling, she focuses on harnessing this “superpower” to help companies achieve their marketing and SEO goals. Mankle brings a solid background in content creation, strategy, editing, and project management, previously serving as a Senior Content Marketing Specialist and Content Strategist. She leverages her expertise to craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences and drive organic growth.

Article: Why Sales Teams Can’t Afford to Skip AI Training

Mateusz Jędrocha (MJ), Chief Product Officer, Adlook

Mateusz Jędrocha is the Chief Product Officer at Adlook, where he leads the development of next-generation, cookieless advertising solutions. A dynamic leader with a rare blend of commercial and technical expertise, Jedrocha has spent over a decade at the forefront of the programmatic ecosystem, specializing in privacy-first brand growth and high-performance automation. Before joining Adlook, he held key leadership roles at Yieldbird, where he mastered the complexities of revenue optimization and yield management for global publishers. Today, Jedrocha is a central figure in the shift toward “Deep Learning” in AdTech, helping brands navigate the transition to a privacy-centric internet while maintaining the precision and scale required for modern marketing.

Article: Is Advertising Finally Trading Hype for Clarity?

Matt Blumberg, CEO, Markup AI

Matt Blumberg is the CEO of Markup AI, where he applies nearly three decades of experience to scaling disruptive technology businesses. A seasoned serial entrepreneur, Matt has been at the helm of internet-based companies since 1995, spanning sectors including martech, analytics, cybersecurity, and recruitment. Throughout his career, Blumberf has navigated a diverse array of business models, including SaaS, AI, and marketplaces, in both B2B and DTC environments. At Markup AI, he focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline and automate complex workflows, helping modern enterprises operate with greater speed and precision.

Article: Can AI Fix the “Workslop” It Created?

Nadjya Ghausi, CMO, SearchStax

Nadjya Ghausi is Chief Marketing Officer at SearchStax, where she leads initiatives to help brands engage the search-first consumer. With deep expertise in search technology, digital marketing, and customer experience, Ghausi focuses on enabling marketers to deliver relevant, data-driven experiences. She regularly shares insights on optimizing search strategies in an evolving digital landscape.

Article: Marketers, Are You Ready for the Search-First Consumer?

Natalie Severt, Marketing Director, Intelligent Relations

Natalie Severt is a dynamic Marketing Director at Intelligent Relations, specializing in AI public relations and SaaS. With over 8 years in SEO management and 11 years in content management, she’s an expert at crafting and executing comprehensive marketing and PR strategies that drive brand awareness, traffic, leads, and ultimately, sales. Severt excels at integrating diverse marketing channels—including social media, email, and product marketing—to achieve impactful results and has a proven track record of boosting organic traffic and conversion rates.

Article: What Do AI-Driven News Feeds Mean for PR?

Natasha Desai, Vice President, Product & Engineering, Doceree

Natasha Desai is the Vice President of Product & Engineering at Doceree, bringing over a decade of experience driving innovation across healthtech, edtech, and advertising. A dynamic leader with a flair for data-driven strategy and cross-functional collaboration, she’s led product teams at Microsoft, Xandr, and CanFigureIt. Desai blends creativity and precision—on and off the clock—as a longtime Doonya Bollywood dance instructor. She’s passionate about building products that are as joyful as they are impactful.

Article: AdTech 2025: AI and Data Drive Marketing’s Future

Pavel Yurovitskiy, Chief Strategy Advisor & Chairman of the Board, KIT Global

Pavel Yurovitskiy is the Chief Strategy Advisor & Chairman of the Board at KIT Global, having previously served as CEO for nearly three years. He is dedicated to guiding the company’s long-term vision and global expansion into new markets, focusing on AI-driven campaign execution, first-party data solutions, and real-time analytics. Yurovitskiy’s approach is driven by bold thinking and data-informed strategies, building impactful partnerships and fostering a culture of diversity, excellence, and innovation within the multicultural team.

Article: AI Transparency: The Next Competitive Advantage

Peo Persson, Co-Founder, DanAds

Peo Persson is the Co-founder of DanAds, a global leader in white-label self-serve ad tech platforms empowering publishers and brands to streamline direct advertising. With a sharp focus on infrastructure software and first-party data solutions, Persson brings over a decade of entrepreneurial and digital strategy expertise. He co-founded Hybris Empire, supporting bold innovators shaping the next tech era. Based in Sweden with strong ties to New York, Persson is passionate about building scalable, user-centric platforms that transform media monetization.

Article: 2025 Ad Trends: AI, Regulation, and Social Media Shifts

Priya Gill, CMO, Iterable

Priya Gill is the CMO of Iterable and former Vice President and Head of Global Marketing at SurveyMonkey, leading a 95+ person team across all marketing functions. Reporting directly to the CEO, she’s focused on strengthening market position and driving revenue for both self-serve and enterprise businesses. With a strong background in product marketing, web strategy, and global experience, including significant roles at Box, Gill is adept at driving incremental revenue through strategic launches and business transformations across diverse global markets.

Article: AI in Marketing: Balance Tech with Human Touch for Impact

Rebecca Peel, Senior Digital PR Account Director, Tank

Rebecca Peel is Tank‘s Senior Digital PR Account Director, leading strategic campaigns that deliver powerful media impact for brands. With nearly a decade of experience spanning digital PR, content, and communications, she’s known for securing top-tier coverage and building meaningful media relationships. Prior to Tank, Peel held senior roles at Hallam and Proactive International PR, driving growth for clients across tech and lifestyle sectors. Her storytelling roots trace back to journalism, where she sharpened her eye for news and narrative.

Article: Cracking the PR Code: Why Your Best Stories Are Hiding in Your Data

Richard Hanscott, CEO, Esendex

Richard Hanscott is the CEO of Esendex and Commify, leading a global portfolio of business messaging brands trusted by over 45,000 businesses. With over two decades of leadership experience across telecom, digital marketing, and enterprise communications, he’s known for driving growth, transformation, and customer-centric innovation. Prior to Commify, Hanscott was CEO at Yell, where he spearheaded its shift to a leading digital services provider for SMBs. He is passionate about making business communication brilliant, scalable, and impactful across markets.

Article: WhatsApp for Business: Beyond Messaging to Customer Engagement

Ron Kaufman, Chief Executive Officer, Uplifting Service

Ron Kaufman is the CEO of Uplifting Service and a globally recognized authority on the psychology of service excellence. Voted the world’s “#1 Customer Service Guru” for five consecutive years, Kaufman has spent decades helping organizations such as Singapore Airlines, Microsoft, and Changi Airport develop self-sustaining service cultures that drive both profit and human well-being. As the author of the New York Times bestseller Uplifting Service, Kaufman advocates for a radical shift in how businesses view “service”—moving it from a department to a core cultural value. His work focuses on transforming service into a competitive advantage, helping leaders navigate a hyper-competitive landscape where customer loyalty is the only true currency of growth.

Article: Why ‘Customer-Centricity’ is the Wrong Question (and What Leaders Should Ask Instead)

Ron Levac, Chief Innovation Officer, Spectrio

Ron Levac is the Chief Innovation Officer at Spectrio, where he leads the effort to bridge the gap between digital strategy and physical retail environments. With a career dedicated to the evolution of “responsive technology,” Levac specializes in leveraging IoT sensors and real-time shopper analytics to transform static stores into hyper-relevant, data-driven experiences. As a former leader at InReality, Levac has a deep pedigree in helping brands and retailers decode in-store behavior to maximize revenue and optimize marketing spend. Today, he oversees Spectrio’s innovation roadmap, focusing on implementing the technical efficiencies and cutting-edge methodologies that allow modern organizations to remain competitive in a rapidly shifting omnichannel landscape.

Article: Is the Store the Next Big Media Channel?

Ross Lewis, Partnerships and Ecosystem Strategy, IPinfo.io

Ross Lewis leads Partnerships and Ecosystem Strategy at IPinfo.io, where he is architecting the next generation of data distribution. A modern sales professional with a focus on long-term relational value, Lewis specializes in building scalable programs that integrate IPinfo’s industry-leading intelligence into diverse global channels. His work is centered on the “omnichannel data” approach—ensuring that high-fidelity IP data is accessible and actionable across all platforms and ecosystems. By designing a distributed network of partnerships, Lewis helps businesses leverage location and network insights to power everything from cybersecurity and fraud detection to hyper-localized marketing experiences.

Article: Adtech’s New Secret Weapon: The IP Signal

Ruchika Batra, Director of Content Marketing & SEO, Birdeye

Ruchika Batra is the Director of Content Marketing & SEO at Birdeye, where she drives strategic content initiatives to fuel demand generation and elevate customer experience. With deep expertise in SaaS marketing, she blends content strategy, SEO, and product messaging to deliver business impact and sales enablement. Batra is known for crafting high-conversion content journeys that resonate with B2B audiences. Outside of work, she channels her creativity into whimsical ceramic pottery.

Article: AI, Storytelling and Trends: Ruchika Batra on Content Marketing

Sai Koppala, CMO, CommerceIQ

Sai Koppala is Chief Marketing Officer at CommerceIQ, where he drives strategies to optimize retail operations and maximize e-commerce growth. With expertise in data-driven marketing, omnichannel retail, and AI-powered commerce solutions, Koppala helps brands navigate complex retail environments and improve performance. He frequently shares insights on modern retail trends and extended sales strategies.

Article: Is Longer Better? The Truth About Extended Retail Sales

Sarita Fernandes, VP of Product Management, Avaya

Sarita Fernandes is the VP of Product Management for the Avaya Infinity Platform, where she is architecting the product strategy for the next generation of customer experience. A veteran of the SaaS and cloud communications sector, Fernandes brings over 15 years of expertise in navigating the complex intersection of high-scale technology and human-centric brand strategy. Her career is defined by an ability to transform sophisticated product capabilities into clear, impactful go-to-market successes. At Avaya, she focuses on the “new era of CX,” helping global enterprises move beyond transactional support to build deep, meaningful connections through integrated communication ecosystems and intelligent automation.

Article: Connection Is the New Currency of Customer Experience

Scott Brinker, Analyst and Advisor, Chiefmartec

Scott Brinker is an analyst and advisor at Chiefmartec, renowned for his expertise at the intersection of marketing, technology, and strategy. He helps organizations navigate the evolving martech landscape, offering insights on integration, innovation, and industry trends. Brinker is widely recognized for his thought leadership on the future of marketing technology and its impact on business growth.

Article: Is MarTech Headed for a Great Merger or Splintered Future? Scott Brinker Has Thoughts

Stamatis Astra, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, Intelligent Relations

Stamatis Astra is the Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at Intelligent Relations, an AI-powered PR firm, where he focuses on product definition and market growth. He’s an expert at taking startups from inception to exit, leveraging AI to help clients secure media coverage, build online presence, and drive conversions. Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Astra is also a Venture Partner in private equity, investing in SaaS, IoT, and life-enriching applications, and co-hosts “Grecian Echoes,” a talk show on WNTN-1550 AM.

Article: Can AI in Retail Win Trust Before It Loses Customers?

Ted McNulty, VP of Sales, AdDaptive Intelligence

Ted McNulty is the Vice President of Sales at AdDaptive Intelligence, where he leverages over 20 years of experience to lead high-velocity revenue growth in the AdTech space. A specialist in scaling B2B organizations, McNulty is widely recognized for his ability to build high-performing sales cultures, famously driving a previous organization’s revenue from under $10 million to over $70 million. At AdDaptive, Ted focuses on the intersection of offline and online data, helping brands and agencies execute precise Account-Based Marketing (ABM) at scale. His expertise lies in navigating the complexities of the B2B buyer journey, ensuring that sophisticated data insights translate into measurable business outcomes and long-term client partnerships.

Article: The Canaries of Marketing’s AI Revolution

Thomas Vladeck, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Recast

Thomas Vladeck is the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Recast, a marketing science platform that leverages Bayesian statistics and high-performance computing to automate marketing mix modeling (MMM). A practitioner at the intersection of statistics and causal inference, Tom built Recast to solve the “wasted spend” problem, providing brands with near-real-time visibility into the performance of both online and offline channels. Before co-founding Recast, Vladeck founded Gradient Metrics, a quantitative market research firm that provides data-driven strategies for global giants like Amazon, Nike, and McKinsey. An alumnus of Wharton and the London School of Economics, he has also served as an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School, where he specializes in applying state-of-the-art data science to address real-world business challenges.

Article: Marketing Measurement Isn’t a Science — But It Can Be

Tilman Harmeling, Staff Strategy & Market Intelligence, Usercentrics

Tilman Harmeling is a leading voice in data privacy and strategy at Usercentrics, where he serves as Staff Strategy & Market Intelligence. With a career rooted in the intersection of finance, data analytics, and privacy, Harmeling specializes in navigating the technical and business complexities of global regulations like the GDPR and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). He is a pioneer of “Privacy-Led Marketing,” an approach that transforms compliance into a competitive advantage by prioritizing user trust and consent as core brand values. Harmeling is a sought-after speaker at major industry events, including OMR, DMEXCO, and PrivSec Global, and is recognized for his expertise in consent-based marketing, opt-in optimization, and the role of AI in preference management.

Article: How to Win Holiday Sales Without Losing Public Trust

Timm Chiusano, Author, Park & Fine Literary and Media, Creator, Night

Timm Chiusano is an author, creator, and former executive with over 20 years of experience at companies like ABC Sports, ESPN, and Charter Communications. He recently transitioned to focus on his purpose: empowering others to do their best work by being their best selves. A respected leader, Chiusano blends the art and science of marketing to drive dynamic business initiatives, excelling in P&L management, process development, and cross-platform marketing. His first book, HOW TO GET ADDICTED TO APPRECIATION, is set for publication in 2026.

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Timothy Hughes, CEO and Co-Founder, DLA Ignite

Timothy Hughes is the CEO and Co-founder of DLA Ignite, a pioneer in social selling and digital business transformation. With over eight years at the helm, he has helped global organizations modernize their sales and marketing strategies for the virtual era. A sought-after speaker and top-ranked thought leader, Hughes is also a content creator, RevOps advocate, and instructor featured by ThePowerMBA. His mission is to help businesses shift from analog to digital with measurable, people-led impact.

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Tomer Felach, Lead Fraud Analyst, DoubleVerify

Tomer Felach is Lead Fraud Analyst at DoubleVerify, specializing in digital media integrity and brand safety. With deep expertise in fraud detection, AI-driven analytics, and online advertising, Felach helps organizations identify and mitigate risks in digital campaigns. He frequently shares insights on emerging threats and maintaining trust in the digital advertising ecosystem.

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Toussaint Celestin, Principal, AI Product & Industry Marketing, Talkdesk

Toussaint Celestin is the Principal of AI Product & Industry Marketing at Talkdesk, leading the go-to-market strategy for AI-powered customer experience solutions. He crafts compelling product narratives, drives analyst relations, and champions industry social campaigns. With deep expertise in GenAI, LLMs, and conversational AI, Celestin has spearheaded successful product launches that enhance brand-customer interactions. He is recognized for his innovative and collaborative approach to marketing, as well as for shaping the future of CCaaS through his thought leadership.

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Tyler Loechner, VP of Platform Growth, Pixalate

Tyler Loechner is Vice President of Platform Growth & Research at Pixalate, where he leads initiatives to advance programmatic advertising quality and transparency. With expertise in digital media analytics, fraud prevention, and platform growth strategies, Loechner helps brands and platforms make data-driven decisions to optimize performance. He frequently shares insights on trends shaping the programmatic and ad-tech ecosystem.

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Vanessa Horwell, Chief Strategy Officer, THINKINK

Vanessa Horwell is the Chief Strategy Officer and founder of THINKINK, a specialist communications firm she established over 19 years ago. With a deep passion for brand storytelling, she helps trailblazing companies in sectors such as aviation, hospitality, and retail enhance their visibility and drive tangible business outcomes through integrated PR and marketing programs. Horwell is an expert strategist and problem solver, leveraging her extensive international market knowledge and strong relationships with media and analysts across three continents to craft compelling narratives and impactful campaigns.

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Weston Clarke, Director, Product Management, Amplitude

Weston Clarke is a data-driven and customer-obsessed Director of Product Management at Amplitude, where he is actively defining the digital analytics category. With a background spanning computer science and consulting at Accenture, Clarke brings a wealth of experience from building early-stage products at UberEats and launching buy-side revenue products at Redfin. He excels at making product analytics a team sport, focusing on areas like reporting, content organization, and integrations to enhance collaboration.

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Will Post, Vice President, Growth (Sales & Partnerships), Measured

Will Post is the Vice President of GTM (Sales and Partnerships) at Measured, bringing a strong track record of success in B2B sales and marketing. He excels at forging C-Level relationships, creating best-in-class marketing solutions, and optimizing strategies to drive client business. With diverse experience across CPG, financial services, and automotive sectors, Post is a proven leader focused on deepening partnerships and generating significant ROI.

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The post MartechView 2025 Contributors: Shaping the Future of Marketing appeared first on MartechView.

In one of the industry’s more telling consolidations of the year, performance marketing firm Wpromote has acquired creative agency Giant Spoon, creating a combined entity — Wpromote x Giant Spoon — designed to straddle two worlds that increasingly define modern marketing: data and daring.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but the strategic intent was unmistakable. With Omnicom’s $13 billion acquisition of Interpublic Group triggering a wave of mergers across the sector, independent agencies are racing to assemble the scale and breadth required to compete for global accounts.

Wpromote CEO Andrea Bendzick will lead the merged agency, which promises a fully integrated model blending media, creative, data, and full-funnel strategy. The goal, Bendzick said, is not just to streamline operations but to finally bridge the gap between big creative ideas and the numbers that justify them.

For Giant Spoon — the shop behind headline-grabbing stunts such as wrapping a dragon around the Empire State Building and featuring Timothée Chalamet in a Lucid Motors campaign — the appeal lies in Wpromote’s deep data capabilities. “We can now connect the impact of big ideas all the way to our clients’ bottom line,” said co-founder Jonathan Haber.

Haber, along with fellow founders Marc Simons and Trevor Guthrie, will join the executive team and continue overseeing creative, experiential, and media, respectively.

Also Read: Edition 3: Sharp Minds Decoding Tech’s Next Wave

The acquisition reflects a broader shift in the industry as agencies seek models that appeal equally to CMOs and CFOs. With clients demanding both performance proof and brand-building scale, Wpromote will layer Giant Spoon’s creative firepower atop its data platform, Polaris IQ, which supports more than $3 billion in annual media spend for clients including Peacock, Vuori, and TransUnion.

As Bendzick put it, the new entity aims to be “a place where media, creative, data, and full-funnel strategy are deeply integrated — not just co-existing.” In an era of growing consolidation and rising expectations, that proposition may become the industry’s new minimum standard.

The post Wpromote Buys Giant Spoon to Fuse Data With Big Ideas appeared first on MartechView.

Cyber Monday closed out the U.S. holiday shopping weekend with another record-setting surge in online spending, primarily driven by the continued rise of buy-now, pay-later services.

Online sales reached $14.25 billion, a 7.1% increase from last year, according to Adobe Analytics. Across the full five-day stretch from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, shoppers spent $44.2 billion online — up 7.7% from 2024. For the second consecutive year, Black Friday outpaced Cyber Monday, increasing 9.1% to $11.8 billion, indicating that deal-hungry consumers are accelerating their purchases.

BNPL proved to be one of the weekend’s most potent accelerants. The short-term financing option drove $1.03 billion in Cyber Monday sales, representing a 4.2% year-over-year increase, as cost-conscious shoppers continued to rely on installment plans despite persistent economic uncertainty.

“Competitive and persistent deals throughout Cyber Week pushed consumers to shop earlier,” said Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights. He added that shoppers have embraced generative AI assistants and browser tools to navigate sales — the second holiday season in which AI has played a meaningful consumer-facing role.

Salesforce reported similar trends: U.S. Cyber Monday revenue rose 6% to $13.6 billion, with higher average selling prices both domestically and globally. Discounts ticked upward but remained relatively modest.

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Shopify, meanwhile, touted a blockbuster weekend for its merchants, with $14.6 billion in global sales, up 27% year-over-year. The platform briefly battled technical difficulties, acknowledging a “system degradation” that temporarily limited merchant access on Monday. Still, Black Friday peaked at $5.1 million per minute at 12:01 p.m. EST, with the U.S. leading sales volume.

The strong results arrive at a complicated economic moment. Consumers are only beginning to feel relief from federal support programs reinstated after the government shutdown, even as inflation and borrowing costs continue to shape household budgets.

What Cyber Week made clear is that shoppers are still spending — strategically, digitally, and increasingly with installments.

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