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News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group, Inc. Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

April 29, 2024 10:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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IZEA (NASDAQ: IZEA) Defied Critics And Naysayers As It Helped Pioneer Influencer Marketing In 2004 – Here’s What It Sees Next In The Industry’s Evolution

Benzinga

By James Blacker, Benzinga The 21 st century has witnessed the rise of influencer marketing as a vital tool for brands seeking to boost their online visibility and reach new audiences. It has evolved from a niche strategy into a multi-billion-dollar industry that shapes consumer behavior worldwide. And it’s showing no signs of slowing down, with a projected CAGR of 31.78% over 2024-2029 that would bring the market size to $94.21 billion as businesses of all sizes leverage the advantages it provides. In a nutshell, influencers are individuals who have a significant social media presence and a dedicated follower base and, therefore, have the power to affect purchasing habits by posting content on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube or TikTok. While traditional advertising using celebrity endorsements can sometimes be seen as unrelatable by the everyday individual, influencers can deliver content that is perceived to be more authentic and relatable. Just two decades ago, however, this phenomenon was still in its infancy. Early Seeds Of Influence IZEA Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ: IZEA) Founder and CEO Ted Murphy recognized early on that independent creators were starting to hold more and more sway over public perception. In 2004, he created the concept of “e-seeding” within his interactive agency. This involved leveraging the influence of bloggers and MySpace celebrities to promote brands. The following year, in 2005 he launched the BlogStar Network, a database of bloggers that the team would reference to send out offers and manually negotiate brand deals. This approach was initially successful, but scaling this type of marketing would require technology. PayPerPost And Industry Disruption In 2006, Murphy created the first influencer marketing platform called PayPerPost – a marketplace that paid bloggers to create content for brands. Initially, sponsored social media content was widely viewed with skepticism. In an era when social media was still free of advertising, Murphy was attacked by many in the industry who were concerned that this new model would lead to a flood of inauthentic content on the internet. Despite raising significant funding and introducing the first disclosure policy in the first year, it still seemed that the industry was against Murphy and unable to see his vision, with countless negative articles written about PayPerPost in that year. Expansion And Recognition In 2007, the company rebranded as IZEA. In the same year, it created a new platform called SocialSpark in response to the rise of Twitter and other social media channels. Two years later in 2009, as demand for Twitter campaigns increased, IZEA launched SponsoredTweets.com. It was around this time that the industry started to take influencer marketing more seriously, and over the next few years, more and more publications began to offer sponsored posts, including the early critics. Today, influencer marketing is a growing multi-billion-dollar space. According to IZEA’s historical transaction data, the average cost of a sponsored blog post grew 98X in the first decade, from $7.39 in 2006 to $726 in 2016. The average cost hit $1,492 in 2022 and has continued to rise, with some creators charging tens of thousands of dollars for a single post. Looking Ahead Speaking at the Adweek Creatorverse event in 2023, Murphy noted that the influencer marketing industry is set to undergo significant changes in the coming years with rapid improvements in AI technology. Research carried out by IZEA Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ: IZEA) indicates that 66% of influencers are already using AI in their daily life. Furthermore, 38% are using AI to generate images. While the technology is still developing, creators will likely soon be able to use AI to produce realistic images of themselves, anywhere in the world, doing anything. As the industry adopts this new technology, the same concerns over authenticity, content quality and disclosure are sure to arise. However, in Murphy’s words: “The magic that happens when you give people access to new technology, the opportunity that spews from disruption — you can choose to ignore it, you can try to run from it, or embrace it.” Featured photo by dole777 on Unsplash. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

April 29, 2024 08:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Michael Saylor Says Bitcoin Is Refreshing; KangaMoon Announces New Partnership While Pepe Soars

Kangamoon

Recently, Michael Saylor excited the crypto community with a new Bitcoin (BTC) tweet. Meanwhile, KangaMoon (KANG) announced a major partnership with RaidSharks. Many analysts hint that this Stage 5 presale star may become the next $0.5 meme coin in 2024. Another meme coin making headlines is Pepe (PEPE), recently listed on Coinbase. Michael Saylor With a Bullish Bitcoin Statement Bitcoin (BTC) has been making waves in the crypto market. Over the last week alone, the price of BTC increased from $63,785 to $64,431. The Bitcoin market cap surged from $1.26T to $1.28T during that time. The former CEO of MicroStrategy, Michael Saylor, stated that Bitcoin is refreshing. Many Bitcoin traders commented on this tweet and agreed with this statement. This Bitcoin news may cause a rally for this crypto. Regarding its technical analysis, over 15 technical indicators are now green. Additionally, the Bitcoin crypto is trading above its 100 and 200-day EMAs. Thus, experts in the crypto field predict a potential rise to $84,321 for Bitcoin before Q2 of 2024 ends. KangaMoon (KANG): New Partnership With RaidSharks At the same time, KangaMoon (KANG) is a meme coin rapidly gaining popularity. It recently announced a significant collaboration with RaidSharks, which will help it cement its standing in the industry. With this development, KangaMoon players will experience thrilling raids and a $1,000 monthly pool. This partnership will help increase community engagement in this upcoming Play-to-Earn (P2E) game. In KangaMoon's game, KANG will serve as the primary in-game currency. With KANG, you can buy in-game items and upgrade your characters. Additionally, KangaMoon revealed it will provide all holders of this meme coin with exclusive challenges for extra rewards. Another primary focus of KangaMoon is giving back to its community. KangaMoon is now providing the most active community members with free KANG before its official launch. Thus, over 29,000 registered community members are now rushing to like and share KangaMoon's social media content. This meme coin is currently in Stage 5 of its presale, which has raised over $5.8M and is on pace to hit $6M before April 2024 ends. One KANG now costs only $0.0196 - a 290% rise from its starting price. Experts are bullish, given its ties to the P2E gaming market, which may reach $885M by 2028. They forecast a jump to $0.5 once a Tier-1 CEX lists KANG in Q2 of 2024. Pepe (PEPE): Now Trading on Coinbase After encountering technical issues, Coinbase announced that the Pepe (PEPE) perpetual futures contracts are now in full-trading mode. After this bullish Pepe news, its value soared from $0.0000051 to $0.0000078 on the 1-week chart. This meme coin's market cap increased from $2.17B to $3.28B during that time. Not only that, but the Pepe coin is now trading above its 21- and 50-day EMAs. For these reasons, prominent market analysts predict that the Pepe crypto will reach a value of $0.0042 before the end of Q2 2024. This makes Pepe one of the meme coins to watch this year. Bitcoin vs. KangaMoon vs. Pepe - Which One Can Pump First? In this crypto battle, KangaMoon emerges as the victor with a low market cap of $19.6M. This means KANG needs fewer new funds for its price to rise compared to Bitcoin and Pepe. Thus, KangaMoon is one of the most promising meme coins to watch. If interested, sign up for its presale below and obtain a 10% bonus. Discover the Exciting Opportunities of the KangaMoon (KANG) Presale Today! Website: https://Kangamoon.com/ Join Our Telegram Community: https://t.me/Kangamoonofficial Integrating GameFi and Play To EarnEmbark on your quest for glory. Assemble your champions, engage in epic battles or bet on your favorite fighters to earn $KANG tokens and exclusive rewards. Gain control of rare NFTs, unlock exclusive content and build alliances with fellow gamers as you ascend the ranks and leaderboards. Contact Details Kangamoon marketing@kangamoon.com Company Website https://kangamoon.com/

April 28, 2024 02:18 PM Central Daylight Time

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News Release

Hook Agency unveils exciting updates and enhancements to its digital marketing services

Rev Up Marketers

Hook Agency, a Minneapolis-based digital marketing agency, announced its commitment to helping home service businesses thrive online. Owing to the ever-evolving demands of its clientele and the dynamic nature of internet marketing, Hook Agency redesigned and improved its services to guarantee unmatched outcomes and client happiness. We deliver innovative strategies and cutting-edge solutions to businesses of all sizes that drive growth and maximize ROI. As a home service professional, you face unique challenges. Hook Agency understands these challenges. From a business owner's perspective, Google-certified experts build websites that convert visitors into leads and develop data-driven marketing campaigns that deliver measurable results. Hook Agency's CEO says, "We are delighted to share these latest updates and enhancements with clients and partners." Hook Agency is dedicated to staying on top of the digital game and providing our clients with the tools and strategies they need to succeed." A wide range of services are available to our home service companies, such as: A wide range of services have been enhanced to meet the diverse needs of businesses across multiple industries. As a leading provider of search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and website design and development services, Hook Agency helps businesses establish an effective online presence. A newly redesigned website has also been launched by Hook Agency, which boasts an enhanced interface, streamlined navigation, and enhanced functionality. Additionally, Hook Agency has upgraded its technology and infrastructure to increase efficiency, reliability, and scalability. A commitment to exceeding client expectations and delivering exceptional results is demonstrated by investing in these areas. About Company: Hook Agency is a Minneapolis-based digital marketing agency. Providing tailored marketing solutions to businesses has helped them succeed online. With SEO, PPC, and web design and development services, Hook Agency drives growth for companies. Hook Agency has also unveiled a freshly revamped website with improved functionality, a simpler navigation system, and an improved interface Visitors can explore the agency's services, view case studies, and get in touch with the team more easily than ever before. To learn more about Hook Agency and its services, please visit https://hookagency.com. Contact Details Hook Agency Tim Brown info@hookagency.com Company Website https://hookagency.com/

April 28, 2024 05:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Hedera Price Jumps, KangaMoon Nears $6m, Is a $500 Breakout Possible for LTC?

Kangamoon

Mixed reactions have trailed trading activities in the crypto space as investors contemplate projects to invest in. Hedera (HBAR) price has witnessed a massive rally after users misinterpreted the announcement involving the renounced crypto asset manager, BlackRock. Meanwhile, Litecoin (LTC) is among the best cryptos, and experts wonder if a breakout of $500 is possible for the top crypto coin. In another development, KangaMoon (KANG) is offering new investors a 20% incentive on all purchases. Experts believe KangaMoon is one of the top crypto coins worth investing in the year. KangaMoon (KANG): New Investors Get a 20% Bonus on All Purchases Even with the bullish run of both Hedera (HBAR) and Litecoin (LTC), KangaMoon is set to rival both coins very soon. The play-to-earn platform looks to set the pace by offering many juicy rewards to users. At KangaMoon, users can engage in weekly, monthly and quarterly challenges and earn prizes and rewards. So far, KangaMoon has boosted over 20,000 community members who have signed up on the platform. Also, more than 6,000 buyers have keyed into the presale. As an active member, you get rewarded with KANG tokens when you promote the project online. There is also a referral reward system for members who bring their friends. KangaMoon has teamed up with Raid Sharks Bots to boost community engagement and make the ecosystem more lively. All members who participate will receive a massive $1000 reward pool. So far, the KangaMoon native token, KANG, is in the 5th stage of presale and sold for just $0.0196. Those who invest in the token today will enjoy a 20% bonus on their purchases. KangaMoon has already raised over $5.6M and could reach $6M before the end of the month. With analysts predicting a 100x rally in the coming months, KangaMoon is now the hottest meme coin of 2024 and is set to surpass the achievements of Dogecoin, Bonk, and Shiba Inu. When considering the best cryptos to buy in Q2, KangaMoon should top your list. Hedera (HBAR) Price Skyrockets Amidst BlackRock Tokenization Saga Hedera Price has surged massively after traders misinterpreted news of BlackRock Money market fund tokenization on the Hedera blockchain. While the initial news suggested that Blackrock chose Hedera for the project, which was not the case, the blockchain trading and infrastructure firms Archax and Ownera have debunked the news. In a tweet, they said that the choice of selecting Hedera came from them and not from BlackRock. Meanwhile, data from CoinMarketCap showed that amidst the latest news, Hedera's price gained 66% in the past week and 45% in the past day. Also, the Hedera trading volume has surged by over 6000% in the past day, with the market cap hitting over $4.5B. While the coin has retraced after the news was clarified, analysts believe the Hedera price will hit $0.20 in May. Litecoin's (LTC) bullish rally continues, Is a $500 breakout Possible? Litecoin is one of the top crypto coins on the market now. It has been on a bullish rally for some time, which has led to an inflow of investors. The latest Litecoin news has been positive, which might be the reason for the rally. A few weeks ago, it displaced other cryptos to become the most widely used crypto for payment in Bitpay. According to data from CoinMarketCap, Litecoin's price has increased by 11% in the past week. The Litecoin trading volume and market cap are surging, which could trigger another rally soon. Although the coin is trading below $100, some analysts believe a surge to $500 is possible in 2024. Discover the Exciting Opportunities of the KangaMoon (KANG) Presale Today! Website: https://Kangamoon.com/ Join Our Telegram Community: https://t.me/Kangamoonofficial Integrating GameFi and Play To EarnEmbark on your quest for glory. Assemble your champions, engage in epic battles or bet on your favorite fighters to earn $KANG tokens and exclusive rewards. Gain control of rare NFTs, unlock exclusive content and build alliances with fellow gamers as you ascend the ranks and leaderboards. Disclaimer: The following disclaimer is important to read and understand before engaging with Kangamoon, a play-to-earn meme coin. By accessing or participating in any activities related to Kangamoon, you acknowledge and accept the terms outlined below: 1 No Financial Advice: This whitepaper and any associated content do not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or solicitation to purchase Kangamoon tokens. The information provided is for informational purposes only. It is your responsibility to conduct thorough research and seek professional advice before making any financial decisions. 2 Volatility and Risks: Cryptocurrencies, including Kangamoon, are volatile and subject to significant price fluctuations. Investing in or holding Kangamoon tokens involves substantial risks, including the possibility of total loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. 3 Regulatory Compliance: The regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrencies is evolving and varies across jurisdictions. It is your responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations in your country or region before engaging with Kangamoon. 4 Uncertain Market: The market for meme coins and play-to-earn platforms is highly speculative and subject to rapid changes. There is no guarantee of market demand, liquidity, or utility for Kangamoon tokens. Token values may fluctuate drastically and may not reflect the intrinsic value of the project. By continuing to engage with Kangamoon, you acknowledge and accept the risks and limitations outlined in this disclaimer. You should only participate if you fully understand and are willing to assume these risks. Contact Details Kangamoon marketing@kangamoon.com Company Website https://kangamoon.com/

April 28, 2024 03:23 AM Central Daylight Time

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KangaMoon Makes Waves in the Altcoin Space, While Solana and Toncoin Experience Market Shifts

Kangamoon

Established altcoins such as Solana (SOL) and Toncoin (TON) experience market swings. However, none have risen as rapidly as KangaMoon (KANG), a rising Stage 5 presale star. Early buyers of this altcoin have already obtained a 290% ROI. Many analysts hint that this crypto may become the next $1 altcoin in 2024. Let’s see why. Altcoin Sherpa Remains Bullish for the Solana Coin Recently, Solana (SOL) has been on an uptrend. According to CoinMarketCap data, the Solana price increased from $136 to $153 over the past week alone. Its market cap soared from $60.73B to $68.66B during that time. Crypto analyst Altcoin Sherpa claims that a price chop between the $115-$140 area could signal a bottom for SOL, which is very bullish. The technical analysis for the Solana crypto also shows bullish signs. For example, this altcoin trades above its 100 and 200-day EMAs while boasting 25 green technical indicators. As a result, experts in the crypto field have made a bullish Solana price prediction. They forecast a jump to $228.09 before Q2 of 2024 ends for Solana. Toncoin Price Analysis: Showing an Upward Trajectory Meanwhile, Toncoin (TON) is another altcoin that has been soaring. CoinMarketCap data shows that the Toncoin price jumped from $4.90 to $5.65 in the last 30 days. This altcoin’s market cap surged from $17.09B to $19.64B in that period. This bullish trend for the Toncoin crypto may continue as its technical analysis is bullish. Notably, there are now 15 technical indicators in the buy zone. Not only that, Toncoin is now trading above its 50—and 100-day EMAs. Market analysts note all these factors when making their Toncoin price predictions. Thus, they predict a rise to $3.34 within Q2 of 2024. KangaMoon (KANG): A Future Member of the Top 10 Altcoins During the market shifts of Solana and Toncoin, KangaMoon (KANG) emerged as a contender with great potential. This altcoin is gaining popularity, boasting over 20K community members and 5.8K KANG holders. Traders have been captivated by the project’s attention to the Play-to-Earn (P2E) industry, which is estimated to be worth $885M by 2028. KANG is unique in its use as an in-game currency for KangaMoon’s upcoming P2E game. This adds value because players can buy items in-game or even upgrade their characters. Additionally, KangaMoon will give KANG holders exclusive access to weekly, monthly, and quarterly challenges for extra tokens and in-game items. Moreover, its focus on giving back sets KangaMoon apart from others. So far, free KANG tokens have been distributed among the most active community members before launching officially. Consequently, this move has made countless individuals engage with KangaMoon’s social media posts by liking, sharing and retweeting them. KANG costs just $0.0196 as it is in Stage 5 of its presale—a 290% jump from its starting price. However, analysts still strongly believe in Kangamoon’s future growth potential. They foresee a rise to $1 once a Tier-1 CEX lists this altcoin in Q2 of 2024. With this prediction coming true, KANG may emerge as one of the best altcoins to buy. Can KangaMoon Outpace Solana and Toncoin? With a market cap of $19.6M, KangaMoon may outpace Solana and Toncoin since it needs fewer new funds to raise its price. Thanks to this advantage, KangaMoon has the potential to become one of the top 10 altcoins that you can now buy for a low price. If interested, sign up for its presale using the links below and obtain a 20% bonus on each purchase. Discover the Exciting Opportunities of the KangaMoon (KANG) Presale Today! Website: https://Kangamoon.com/ Join Our Telegram Community: https://t.me/Kangamoonofficial Integrating GameFi and Play To EarnEmbark on your quest for glory. Assemble your champions, engage in epic battles or bet on your favorite fighters to earn $KANG tokens and exclusive rewards. Gain control of rare NFTs, unlock exclusive content and build alliances with fellow gamers as you ascend the ranks and leaderboards. Disclaimer: The following disclaimer is important to read and understand before engaging with Kangamoon, a play-to-earn meme coin. By accessing or participating in any activities related to Kangamoon, you acknowledge and accept the terms outlined below: 1 No Financial Advice: This whitepaper and any associated content do not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or solicitation to purchase Kangamoon tokens. The information provided is for informational purposes only. It is your responsibility to conduct thorough research and seek professional advice before making any financial decisions. 2 Volatility and Risks: Cryptocurrencies, including Kangamoon, are volatile and subject to significant price fluctuations. Investing in or holding Kangamoon tokens involves substantial risks, including the possibility of total loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. 3 Regulatory Compliance: The regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrencies is evolving and varies across jurisdictions. It is your responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations in your country or region before engaging with Kangamoon. 4 Uncertain Market: The market for meme coins and play-to-earn platforms is highly speculative and subject to rapid changes. There is no guarantee of market demand, liquidity, or utility for Kangamoon tokens. Token values may fluctuate drastically and may not reflect the intrinsic value of the project. By continuing to engage with Kangamoon, you acknowledge and accept the risks and limitations outlined in this disclaimer. You should only participate if you fully understand and are willing to assume these risks. Contact Details Kangamoon marketing@kangamoon.com Company Website https://kangamoon.com/

April 26, 2024 07:05 AM Central Daylight Time

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Family Tech Trends – Spring 2024

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group, Inc. Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

April 26, 2024 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Industry Visionaries Share Perspectives on the Future of Marketing and Communications at The PR Net Future Focus Conference

The PR Net

On April 12th The PR Net hosted its second annual Future Focus Conference at Kimpton Eventi’s dedicated event space, SECOND, assembling top industry figures to discuss the future of marketing and communications. The full-day conference featured six panels interspersed with networking sessions and attracted a diverse audience of senior executives from various sectors. Panels were themed around hot topics such as the reinvention of modern media, the future of events & experiences (presented by Snap, Inc.), what's next in influencer marketing (presented by Trend Companies), the effects and applications of AI, affiliate marketing strategies, and the value of brand marketing. To purchase professionally produced recordings of the conference, showcasing all panel discussions from the day for $49.99, click this link here. Reinventing Modern Media Moderator: Brian Strong, Global Head of Communications, Bloomberg Media Panelists: Samantha Barry, Editor-in-Chief, Glamour; Amanda Smith, President, Fairchild Media; Willa Bennett, Editor-in-Chief, Highsnobiety and Simone Oliver, Strategic Advisor & Editor at Large 'Reinventing Modern Media' panel featured industry leaders discussing the dynamic nature of media today. Samantha Barry, Glamour's Editor-in-Chief, emphasized the universality of good content, noting, “Sometimes, as a brand, we can go down a rabbit hole of ‘this is a Gen Z thing,’ or ‘this is only for millennial women,’ etc. Oftentimes, good content will reach them all, regardless of generation.” Amanda Smith, President of Fairchild Media, highlighted the importance of brand clarity, stating, “I think we're all being rewarded for having total clarity on who we are and what defines our brand IP. The more we can articulate that in the marketplace, the better off we’ll be.” Willa Bennett, Highsnobiety's Editor-in-Chief, emphasized the value of long-term content investment, saying, “If you invest long term, the traffic will come.” Simone Oliver, Strategic Advisor & Editor at Large, discussed the shift in content engagement and distribution, noting, “Engagement has been the clear winner in terms of how people engage with your content and what you're producing. You want people to see what you make, you want the message to get out there, but distribution has changed.” She also highlighted the evolving nature of content discovery, adding, “Discovery has a different face now.” The Future of Events & Experiences Moderator: Jed Weinstein, Founder & CEO, Rise & Set Panelists: Bronson Van Wyck, Founder, Workshop and DIO; Rachel Racusen, Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Snap Inc. and Allison Barrie Rand, Head of Experiential Marketing & Talent Partnerships, Walmart The 'Future of Events & Experiences' panel explored immersive experiences and media's evolving landscape. Bronson Van Wyck, Founder of Workshop and DIO, emphasized holistic experiences, stating, “You want to give someone an opportunity to return to the womb where every aspect of their needs, physical and emotional, are being taken care of.” Rachel Racusen, Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Snap Inc., highlighted quality over quantity in media, noting, “If you have an amazing New York Times story that is meant to reach a certain audience and that's the only story you get on something, that could provide a lot more value than twenty stories.” Allison Barrie Rand, Head of Experiential Marketing & Talent Partnerships at Walmart, discussed the intangible nature of creating memories, noting, “We are fundamentally in the business of making memories. And that's hard to measure.” Rand also emphasized using technology to foster community and connection, stating, “Tech needs to be leveraged as a tool to help further enable community, to help further enable connection.” She cautioned against expecting every experience to achieve all objectives, stating, “When we expect every single experience that we do to boil the ocean of objectives, that's not going to get us so far.” What's Next in Influencer Marketing? Moderator: Faye Halligan, Director of Talent Relations, Trend Companies Panelists: Ted Raad, Founder & CEO, Trend Companies; Anna Kai, Content Creator, @itsmaybeboth; Nena Evans, Content Creator, @nenaevans and Emily Fauver, Content Creator, @emily.fauver The 'What's Next in Influencer Marketing?' panel delved into the evolving influencer landscape. Ted Raad, Founder & CEO of Trend Companies, stressed the importance of creators remaining authentic to their audience, noting, “The most important thing... is that they are saying who they are to their audience, and the audience will matter more than any campaign.” He also highlighted creators' influence on both their audience and fellow creators. Emily Fauver, Content Creator, mentioned the continuous innovation in content creation on established platforms, saying, “The fact that we're still coming up with new ways to create content on platforms that have been around for a while, I think it’s just getting started.” Anna Kai, Content Creator, expressed confidence in the enduring nature of social media platforms, stating, “Social media is gonna be around forever whether it's TikTok or MikMok, so we'll figure it out.” Nena Evans, Content Creator, discussed the uncertainty of future content sharing platforms, stating, “At the end of the day, the value that we're creating, it has to be shared somewhere. It might not be TikTok, it might not be Instagram, it might be an unknown. We really don't know.” She emphasized the current importance of relatability and authenticity in connecting creators with their audiences. AI’s Effect on Marcomms Moderated by Samyutha Reddy, Head of Corporate Marketing, Jasper AI Panelists: Paul Miser, EVP, Group Director, HOW (a 5W Agency); Aaron Kwittken, Founder and CEO, PRophet and CEO, Stagwell Marketing Cloud, Comms Tech Unit and Alexia Adana, VP, Director of Creative Technology, Edelman The panel on "AI’s Effect on Marcomms" delved into how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing and communications strategies. Paul Miser, EVP, Group Director at HOW, highlighted that AI complements human roles, enabling faster validation of insights and ideation. He emphasized, “[AI] is not going to replace your role, but it allows you to validate insights faster, it allows you to ideate faster, it gives you analytical models that are faster.” Miser also stressed the importance for agencies to understand AI's role in enhancing relationships and expediting validation processes. Aaron Kwittken, Founder and CEO of PRophet, urged professionals to embrace a mindset of becoming communications engineers. He discussed the significance of predictive AI, stating, “Anytime people talk about AI, they think about generative. But predictive AI will be most potent, consequential and revolutionary for comms pros." Alexia Adana, VP, Director of Creative Technology at Edelman, emphasized the need to become proficient with AI tools, stating, “On an individual level, it's getting comfortable with having a back and forth with AI tools in a way that's going to help you approach problems and your goals in a far more efficient way than if you were just solely relying on your individual brain.” Elevating Affiliate Marketing Strategies Moderator: Jeremiah Corley, Affiliate Director, Dreamday Panelists: Teresa Grammatke, Senior Director, eAccountable; Taylor Kendrick, Senior Manager, Channel Partnerships, impact.com; Jacqueline Goldstein, Vice President, Commerce, NY Post and Leilani Han, Executive Director, Commerce, The New York Times Wirecutter The "Elevating Affiliate Marketing Strategies" panel offered dynamic insights to supercharge affiliate approaches. Teresa Grammatke of eAccountable highlighted a shifting audience perspective, noting, “The audience has changed and people assume that you're getting the money now. So it's not as big of a deal for the audience to know that they're earning off of it.” Taylor Kendrick from impact.com emphasized the critical need for proactive affiliate engagement, stating, “You have to be diligent with following up with all these affiliates, just make sure you continue and continue to reach out to them.” Jacqueline Goldstein of NY Post discussed the pivotal role of offering competitive benefits to affiliates, like free fast shipping. Leilani Han of The New York Times Wirecutter emphasized the strategic importance of commerce content publishers, stating, “For the performance PR professionals, commerce content publishers don't just represent a number in the tally of coverage you garner, now we are also adding value to your clients’ bottom line.” Han also stressed the vital nature of nurturing affiliate partnerships, noting, “An affiliate link isn't a spigot of revenue where you just put up an affiliate link and turn it on. It's a constant feedback loop, it’s important to be constantly nurturing the partnerships.” Is 2024 the Year of Brand Marketing? Moderator: Celia Jones, Chief Marketing Officer, FINN Partners Panelists: Ana Andjelic, Chief Brand Officer, Ex Esprit, Banana Republic; Colin Kavanagh, Chief Marketing Officer, Pernod Ricard; Samina Virk, North America CEO, Vestiaire Collective and Crystal Vinisse, Vice President - Global Brand Leader, Lifestyle & Luxury Brands, Hyatt Hotels Corporation The highly anticipated panel, 'Is 2024 the Year of Brand Marketing?' delved into the evolving landscape of brand marketing, with experts providing insights into the strategies and approaches that will define the year ahead. Ana Andjelic, Chief Brand Officer at Ex Esprit and Banana Republic, characterized brand marketing as a strategy of cultural influence, advocating for continuous engagement with culture and creativity. Samina Virk, North America CEO at Vestiaire Collective, preferred the term "brand growth," emphasizing the interconnectedness of brand marketing with overall business growth. She stressed the importance of understanding the customer to create authentic brand moments, stating, “Focus on who your customer or your client is. Because I think that will help answer which moments you speak about and marry that with what is authentic.” Crystal Vinisse, Vice President - Global Brand Leader at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, underscored the experience-driven nature of today's economy, noting that brands must deliver on their promises to maintain customer trust. She remarked, “We are still very much in an experience-driven economy. So that means, while I might have an emotional connection to your brand, there's less forgiveness and grace if I have an experience that isn't what you marketed to me.” Colin Kavanagh, Chief Marketing Officer at Pernod Ricard, emphasized the importance of authenticity in brand messaging, stating, “You have to be authentic. That's the key thing for me – and you have to stay true to that.” The Future Focus Conference provided attendees with invaluable insights about the latest trends and future predictions for the marketing communications industry. The networking breaks throughout the day were embraced by the audience, which included representatives from brands like Sephora, Bumble, Fritz Hansen, Hilton Hotels, Brunello Cucinelli, Turkish Airlines, Match Group, Pernod Ricard, J. Crew, Leading Hotels of the World and Campari Group, and agency leaders from M&C Saatchi, Weber Shandwick, BPCM, Magrino, H&S, Finn Partners, 5W, Derris, Quinn, Day One Agency, KWT Global, Karla Otto and LaForce. The summit culminated with guests gathering in SECOND’s bar area for the cocktail hour, enjoying cocktails by Redemption Whiskey, Gray Whale Gin, Cantera Negra Reposado Tequila, and Josh Cellars Wines. Photos: Link HERE (credit: Adele Makulova) ABOUT THE PR NET: The PR Net is the premier global network for marketing and communications professionals. It is a modern take on the classic networking club and an "industry insider favorite” for executives looking for a central platform for industry intelligence and connections. Founded by industry veteran Lisa Smith in 2015, The PR Net consists of online content that reads like a magazine, member-only services, and highly sought-after digital and in-person member events. Contact Details The PR Net Sara Sturges +1 646-934-4631 ssturges@theprnet.com Company Website https://theprnet.com/

April 25, 2024 11:37 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Over 200 passionate programmers participated in The Bucharest Hackathon 2024, and the total prizes exceeded 50,000 dollars

STORM Partners

https://we.tl/t-lk7ZTXr33k Bucharest, 25th of April 2024: On April 14th, the Odeon Theater hosted the second edition of The Bucharest Hackathon, the first hackathon in Romania dedicated to enthusiasts of new technologies. The competition brought together over 200 amateur and senior programmers, both Romanian and foreign, who came from Bucharest as well as from other cities in the country, such as Cluj, Brasov, or Craiova. For 24 hours, they coded and competed in developing software projects that tested the limits of modern technologies. The top three teams won the grand prize of a total value of $30,000, but 25 teams were also selected to receive special prizes from the partners. For the final competition, 35 teams were selected. “ The Bucharest Hackathon is attracting more and more participants. I was impressed by the level of competence of the teams and projects and their achievements in only 24 hours. The jury members, most of whom have international experience, appreciated the location and organization, stating that they felt like they were at a hackathon in Silicon Valley. Genezio was chosen by more than half of the teams to implement their solution. ” Andrei Pitis, CEO & Co-founder of Genezio. “ From the moment we saw the first registrations for the event, we realized that we were going to have a completely different edition: an iconic location, much bolder ideas, much more creative solutions, but also a considerable effort - and so it was. The Bucharest Hackathon was truly an emotional roller-coaster: from the trust in the colleagues on our team to the transformation of an idea into a product, and to the decisive moment when you find out if you are among the winners,” said Flavian Manea, CEO and co-founder of Bware Labs. “At MultiversX, we are proud to support innovation and entrepreneurship in our tech community. The partnership with The Bucharest Hackathon underlines our commitment to the future of technology and innovation in Romania. We are excited to see such creative ideas turned into reality and provide the necessary support for these projects to become successful startups”, Daniel Serb, VP of Business Development of MultiversX. Each of the three winning teams received prizes worth over $10,000, as well as Amazon vouchers worth $15,000, while the teams that won special prizes from the partners received $20,000 in vouchers on the Blast platform, developed by Bware Labs, $10,000 in Genezio vouchers, two startup support prizes from MultiversX, a special prize from Google: Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) smart speakers, an innovation prize from PiSquared worth $2,500 in vouchers and $2,000 in consulting vouchers from Astrarizon. Fork_Exec, Salty, and Awesome Hackers are this year's winning teams at The Bucharest Hackathon This year’s grand prize of $5,000 was won by the Fork_Exec team, made up of Dejanu Alexandru, Opri Cezar, and Dumitru Iulia. Fork_Exec developed a software solution based on speech recognition and artificial intelligence technologies that allows programmers to automate parts of coding based on voice commands. Second place, worth $3,000, went to the Salty team, composed of Kerimberdi Agayev Kaibov Merdan and Cihan Ilhan. They proposed an application for high school students to receive guidance on complex math problems. The application takes the user’s handwriting and, combining OpenAI and AWS Cloud technologies provides the answer to the problem almost instantly. The third prize, of $2,000, was won by the programmers from the Awesome Hackers team, namely Puiu Răzvan, Ene Cosmina, and Manea Lucas. Awesome Hackers created a neural data collection platform designed to help improve cognitive function and focus. In addition, two of the participating teams will receive support from MultiversX so that their ideas can reach the startup stage (Awesome Hackers and Mental Regression). Among the special prize winners is also the Wildcard team, who received a Nest Hub 2nd Generation from Google. The jury was made up of tech experts, IT entrepreneurs, and top executives from the companies: Genezio, Bware Labs, MultiversX, Google, Stripe, PiSquared, XOXNO, and Amazon Web Services. For this edition, the main partners Genezio and Bware Labs, the co-founding companies of The Bucharest Hackathon project, were joined by the Romanian blockchain company MultiversX. Among the partners of the second edition of The Bucharest Hackathon are the companies Stripe, PiSquared, XOXNO, Google, Amazon Web Services, Astrarizon, and xExchange. The event was sponsored by Orange Romania, AQUA Carpatica, Blue Romania, Domeniile Averești, Komoder Romania, Nespresso Professional, and Good Routine by SECOM, with media and communication partners Republica, Innovation Labs, ETH Bucharest, Caracteristic PR, KCD Romania, and the Student League Electronics. About The Bucharest Hackathon The Bucharest Hackathon is a 24-hour competition dedicated to programmers and enthusiasts of modern technologies, such as AI, Dev Tools, blockchain, and others. Although initially dedicated to those in Bucharest, the event welcomed programmers from other cities or countries in both editions. The event was founded by Bware Labs and Genezio in 2023 to provide enthusiasts of modern technologies with the space, resources, and challenges they need to develop themselves and test both their limits and those of new technologies. About MultiversX MultiversX is a highly scalable, secure, and decentralized blockchain network built from first principles, to solve the two fundamental problems critical for widespread, global adoption: a transition from dialup to broadband, and a significant UX paradigm shift. Media Contact: Dan Voicu, Head of Communications dan.voicu@multiversx.com Distributed by STORM Partners. Contact Adrian Bono for interviews and quotes - adrian.bono@storm.partners or telegram @STORMPartners Contact Details MultiversX Dan Voicu, Head of Communications dan.voicu@multiversx.com Company Website https://multiversx.com/

April 25, 2024 11:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time