Podcasts about Forrester

A structural transfer of liability and risk is reshaping industry engagement models, with outcome-based contracting increasing across service agreements. This shift is being driven by buyer demands for accountability in technology solutions, notably in artificial intelligence deployments, and is illustrated by recent unpublished but credible reports that OpenAI is quietly allowing select large enterprise customers to pay only when AI tasks are successfully completed. Supporting research from Gartner and CIO Dive highlights a growing disparity: while 19% of service buyers seek outcome-based payment models, only 13% of agreements from sellers currently accommodate them. The core development spotlighted is the disconnect between expectations for measurable AI-driven business outcomes and the lack of empirical evidence that such technologies are delivering on those promises at the organizational level. A large-scale survey by the National Bureau of Economic Research, encompassing nearly 6,000 senior executives across four countries, found that over 89% reported no observable improvement in employment or labor productivity from AI investments during the past three years, despite substantial organizational changes and budget reallocations. Additionally, research by Thomson Reuters found that 91% of 1,800 professionals reported their organizations were not realizing expected AI value, identifying a gap in demonstrable returns even while the technology is being deployed. Supporting data from Techaisle reveals partner capability thins dramatically as customers progress into advanced AI adoption stages. Most channel providers retain capacity only for basic "estate" work, with capability dropping to near zero for the most advanced client needs. Forrester has also identified persistent barriers to reliable measurement, such as fragmented and inconsistent data baselines, as well as dependencies on customer-side decisions. These factors magnify contract risk and reinforce the liability shift toward providers, who become responsible for defining, measuring, and underwriting outcomes without always possessing necessary levers or data. The operational implication for MSPs and IT service providers is heightened exposure to contractual and financial risk when agreeing to outcome-based terms, especially without mechanisms to price or control every relevant input. Providers are often unable to flow contract risk upstream to vendors or technology manufacturers, as their own agreements typically exclude outcomes. The episode concludes that early engagement and proactive definition of acceptable, controllable outcomes is essential, as outcome-based demands are likely to appear pre-baked in future client agreements, shifting bargaining power away from providers unprepared to quantify their exposure. Using data from their own worst-performing months, documenting client dependencies as contract conditions, and piloting outcome-based lines in otherwise standard agreements are outlined as practical tactics to mitigate downside risk before broader market adoption. 00:00 Four Numbers, One Cause 03:45 What You Ask For When You Can't Tell 06:45 Nobody Underneath You 10:20 Why Do We Care? Supported by: Guardz ScalePad

In this week's One Vision Podcast, Theodora Lau hosts Kathryn Outlaw, Co-Founder and COO of Spheros, a B2B SaaS platform that aims to unify client data into a single source of truth, enabling accurate, consented data sharing and supporting reliable AI agents. Kathryn talks about her entrepreneurial journey, the inspiration behind the startup, and the goal of making Spheros as essential as DocuSign for onboarding.

Don’t miss the marketplace revolution! Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://theultimatepartner.com/ebook-subscribe/ Check Out UPX: https://theultimatepartner.com/experience/ In this episode of the Ultimate Partner Podcast, Vince Menzione sits down with AWS Marketplace leaders George Maroulakos and Arif Razvi to uncover the rapidly shifting ecosystem of technology procurement and partner transformation. They dive deep into the evolution of buyer experiences, the critical necessity of executive alignment, and how agentic AI is redefining software discovery and consumption. If you want to accelerate deal velocity and ensure your business isn’t left behind, this conversation outlines exactly why integrating the AWS Marketplace into your core co-sell motion is no longer optional. https://youtu.be/Avp0sIyxRU8 Key Takeaways Embracing the AWS Marketplace should be viewed as a natural extension of your co-sell motion, not an interrupt-driven exception. Successfully leveraging the marketplace requires top-down executive sponsorship to overcome internal friction across legal, finance, and revenue operations. Partners must prepare for global expansion by ensuring local entities and currencies are wired up to meet buyers where they are. Agentic AI and natural language queries are leveling the playing field for software discovery, moving beyond traditional SEO-driven presence. SaaS pricing models are shifting toward consumption and outcome-based structures, demanding highly detailed product metadata. The speed of deal closure is drastically increased when partners are prepared to transact seamlessly through the marketplace. If you're ready to lead through change, elevate your business, and achieve extraordinary outcomes through the power of partnership—this is your community. At Ultimate Partner® we want leaders like you to join us in the Ultimate Partner Experience – where transformation begins. Key Tags AWS Marketplace, partner transformation, buyer experiences, hyperscalers, co-sell motion, revenue operations, strategic alignment, agentic AI solutions, outcome-based pricing, metadata optimization, software discovery, private offers, global expansion, deal velocity, cloud centers of excellence. Transcript Arif Razvi and George Maroulakos Audio Episode [00:00:00] George Maroulakos: From my perspective, think about marketplace as a why not as opposed to a why. [00:00:06] Vince Menzione: You can feel it happening. The ecosystem is shifting beneath us, the way Hyperscalers are partnering, how AI is remaking the channel and what it means to win in 2026. [00:00:17] Arif Razvi: Welcome to the Ultimate Partner Podcast. I’m Vince Menzi, own your host. [00:00:22] Arif Razvi: And each week I sit down with leaders at the intersection of technology, [00:00:26] Vince Menzione: partnerships and outcomes. The voices shaping how ecosystems actually work. We talk about what’s real, what’s changing, and what it takes to lead in this era where the partner channel isn’t just part of the strategy. [00:00:39] Arif Razvi: It is the strategy because being in the room changes everything. [00:00:44] Arif Razvi: Let’s start. [00:00:48] Vince Menzione: I’m excited to, because we were talking about some of this earlier with Matt, but I thought this would be a great conversation. I’m gonna ask each of you to introduce yourselves, George and Arif, and your roles. ’cause you have two very unique roles. Uh. Contrasting roles, I would call it, within the AWS Marketplace Organization. [00:01:06] George Maroulakos: Yep. Happy to do so. So I think Vince just didn’t wanna say my last name, so that’s why I’m gonna introduce myself. Mayor. Very, very good. So Mayor Laki, George Meki, pleasure to meet. Hey, I can say that, uh, all of those that I haven’t met before, lots of familiar faces as well here. Uh, so it’s really great to see. [00:01:21] George Maroulakos: Uh, I’m part of the AWS Marketplace team and our center of excellence. That focuses on buyer experiences. So like why is a buyer guy here in this partner session? And I think, you know, I’m gonna help to try to bring some perspective around what our buyers see as the value for using marketplace and. [00:01:40] George Maroulakos: Working with all of these great partners that are here in the room and, uh, you know, the experiences that we see in helping to drive, you know, the blood to all organs. I’m using that a lot, Alison, to copyright it. It’s, it was really good. I love that, that analogy. But, um, for, but for both our partners as well as for our customers. [00:01:59] Vince Menzione: That’s awesome. [00:01:59] Arif Razvi: Hey everybody. I’m Arif Roski. I’m based here in New York City, although I’m a Celtics fan. Um, uh, go, go. I, I still supported the Knicks through the championship and I’m very happy for them. So excited to be here. Excited to be among, uh, other channel and alliance leaders. I’ve spent my entire 25 plus career in channels and alliances. [00:02:20] Arif Razvi: The last seven years, uh, on AWS marketplace where I lead, uh, a couple of functions. One is I support all of Matt Ian’s feature launches. So from a go-to market perspective, uh, I support his launches. I also focus on international expansion of marketplace. So, uh, Matt alluded to this earlier. I’ll mention some, I’ll talk about some stuff in a little bit. [00:02:39] Arif Razvi: And then, uh, we do some deep engagements with some of our most strategic partners to help them accelerate and unblock their marketplace business. By embedding a subject matter expert from my team into their organization to really help drive, uh, adoption of marketplace. [00:02:55] Vince Menzione: So important. Both of your roles. [00:02:56] Vince Menzione: By the way, this is standout roles. I, you know, I. I don’t want to get into trouble here. I talk about other hyperscalers, but I said this with Matt on stage earlier. You guys have been at the forefront of driving marketplace in such a strong way, having somebody who’s customer focused, right? And that lens is so important. [00:03:15] Vince Menzione: I don’t feel, I feel like that’s missed so many times. And then you also have. You know, quite a bit of an important role here in terms of what you’re doing in embedding resources. ’cause a lot of times people get lost in the process and it seems to be the, the common currents. So, um, really great both sides of the same equation here, right? [00:03:33] Vince Menzione: Buyer led, partner built, uh, let’s start George here. Um. Let’s talk about how buying has changed. Right. We go back to the early days of marketplace. It felt like it was a listing at first and it started to become important. Organizations like Work Span started to come to fruition and started to drive, at least in my part of the world. [00:03:53] Vince Menzione: And then we started talking a lot more about Marketplace. And of course the, the cus customer commits really started driving things in a different direction. You’ve got the customer, so talk about what your journey’s been like. [00:04:05] George Maroulakos: So I’ve been with Marketplace nine and a half years, which is pretty long time since the beginning of it, and watching the evolution of, of where things have come and where they started. [00:04:15] George Maroulakos: And I remember, uh, I was covering the, the northeast region when I very first started and working with, uh, you know, different enterprise accounts and financial services and, and, and healthcare and life sciences, and talking about this. This creation that occurred called, called AWS Marketplace, and even folks within AWS didn’t really know what that meant or how to talk about it or sell it. [00:04:38] George Maroulakos: So there was this creation of a infield based business development function to help supplement the account teams and the value and the importance of marketplace as a part of a customer’s AWS journey. And when I first started the, the, the highest, uh, or most frequently subscribed to products that existed were. [00:04:57] George Maroulakos: Uh, Amazon machine images a amis and it’s very specifically open source amis. So think of Bantu or Cintas as the predominant things that were being subscribed out of marketplace. So, um, by definition, not really revenue generating. You’re, these are not the a hundred million dollar transactions or the billion dollar club that we talk about today. [00:05:19] George Maroulakos: It was very much helping. The builders go again, go back 10 years, uh, who are just getting started with the cloud and how could they find partner solutions that they trusted or that they felt were secure and helping them to start to build out and migrate their workloads into, into AWS. Um, so I existed before the. [00:05:39] George Maroulakos: Very first private offer was transacted. Nice. Um, there’s actually a, a gentleman towards the back, uh, who helped with one of our very first private offers. I see you back there, Joe. Nice, nice. Um, so we, we worked on, uh, uh, uh, really big transaction with, uh, with, at the time AppDynamics, uh, and, and helping to get. [00:05:58] George Maroulakos: You know, a customer really up and running with their implementation that, so watching over the 10 years from, you know, the builder mentality of, of getting started with the cloud to really embracing all kinds of partner based, um, solutions that go along with AWS. It’s really been, uh, you know, a, a rocket ship you referenced earlier, moving to the top right quadrant, if we want to use the, the Gartner analogy, and I think we’re at another. [00:06:24] George Maroulakos: Inflection point because with what’s going on with Ag agentic solutions, the way that our customers are finding and discovering different partner solutions is better than ever I would think. And I think it gives much more of a equal opportunity in playing field for all partners of all shapes and sizes because you’re not driving your presence based on SEO or whether or not you have the best Google search results. [00:06:53] George Maroulakos: With AgTech and how you differentiate your solutions, you’re gonna be able to really get yourself in front of more customers more quickly. And as Matt talked about earlier, the, the, the really big penetration that we’ve seen thus far is real, is on the discovery piece, the, the research area, the pre-purchase activity, so validate what’s available. [00:07:13] George Maroulakos: So I think marketplace has really evolved over the 10 year, nine and a half years-ish that I’ve been there. And I think it’s gonna continue to change here in the coming months ahead. Yeah. [00:07:23] Vince Menzione: Any predictions? [00:07:25] George Maroulakos: Yeah, I, I think, you know, the, I, the, the importance of marketplaces is only going to continue to grow. [00:07:32] George Maroulakos: Uh, and I think we’re going to see, you know, even more innovation and expectation from our customers on being able to find the right solutions and being able to procure and deploy them as quickly as possible. [00:07:44] Vince Menzione: Nice. Arif, from your side. Partner transformation. So, you know, embedding resources with the partners. [00:07:51] Vince Menzione: Right. So you basically help kickstart a lot of the, the efforts, right? George? George is looking at it from the customer side, and then you’re kick-starting it on the partner side. [00:08:00] Arif Razvi: Yeah. Either kickstarting it, uh, on the initial stages with a strategic partner. Yeah. Or accelerating their adoption of something that’s already there. [00:08:07] Arif Razvi: Right. So what we’re seeing, what I’m seeing a lot of more recently is partners who say, I didn’t know you had capabilities for us to sell into Korea or Japan, or we just, we just launched India. Yep. Matt alluded to this easier, uh, earlier that we’re making it easier for partners to expand globally. And now partners are realizing, wait a minute, I can match my. [00:08:26] Arif Razvi: Uh, my business processes on marketplace, so revenue recognition, tax collection, locally, local invoices, and now they’re starting to set up multiple entities outside the US to meet those buyers, uh, where they are. [00:08:41] Vince Menzione: Nice. And you mentioned having these resources. How do you determine who gets resources and who? [00:08:47] Arif Razvi: Well, there’s, uh, staging and there’s, uh, there’s qualification mechanisms we use. We work with the PDMs for the partners. So any PDM, uh, any pd DM managed partner can be nominated for, uh, what, what we call a compensation. [00:08:59] Vince Menzione: So you’re overlaying that organization sense. [00:09:00] Arif Razvi: We’re overlaying the PDs. We’re not replacing, we’re only doing time bound sprints to unlock very specific activities. [00:09:05] Arif Razvi: Very [00:09:06] Vince Menzione: cool. So it’s not a poll. Yeah. Cool. You’re not, you’re not there forever. [00:09:08] Arif Razvi: No. [00:09:08] Vince Menzione: You’re there to get the job done. We [00:09:09] Arif Razvi: did that before. Uh, yeah, we’re, we’re doing short sprints now. [00:09:12] Vince Menzione: Yep. Let’s talk about how the buyers are using marketplace. You’ve done some really in, we talked about this earlier with Matt, but we’ve talked about some of the innovative things you’ve done. [00:09:21] Vince Menzione: You know, being, being able to embed into a website and in the storefronts. All these things seem to be unique to AWS. Talk to us about how the buyers are using the marketplace today. And [00:09:31] George Maroulakos: yeah, I think, you know, Matt talked about earlier the. Pre the, the preconception around why customers use marketplaces for the financial incentives, the, the financial benefits that go along with it, whether it’s direct incentives that are associated with the individual product that’s out there, or the Association of Marketplace to our private pricing agreements and the ability for. [00:09:55] George Maroulakos: Transactions that occur in marketplace to count towards those commits. Um, I’m gonna amplify a, a particular point that Matt made, uh, in his talk that, you know, we have many more customers who do not have PPAs with AWS than those that do. And the volume of transactions that take place in marketplace. [00:10:11] George Maroulakos: Dwarf, uh, in volume from those that, uh, are occur from our PPA customers. So yes, there are very large transactions that occur and there is Ben financial benefit that goes along with it. But there’s many other value points that our customers find from discovery. From ease of use, from consolidated billing, from post-purchase, um, you know, management and governance that goes along with it, and reconciliation that’s available, that’s, that exists. [00:10:36] George Maroulakos: Um, you mentioned storefronts. I’m really excited. That was one of the most exciting launches. That’s why I reminded him when he was talking about it, uh, around, you know, what that means. And it’s both a presence for, um, our partners and being able to create their own storefronts on behalf of, of customers or within their own property, but also for our buyers directly too. [00:10:54] George Maroulakos: Take that next generation of something that was previously, you know, our private marketplace and curate a catalog that is very specific and intentional for the things that they’re interested to innovate with and the partners that they’re interested in using. And so I think meeting our customers where they’re at. [00:11:10] George Maroulakos: And being, you know, marketplace anywhere and everywhere is I think really important for our customers. And then the other aspect, you know, in terms of how our customers use marketplace, there’s more than one persona at our customer that we need to be, be, be aligning with. Right. Interesting. We typically talk about procurement and the value points that procurement find in marketplace, but just as important as, as the technologists. [00:11:32] George Maroulakos: It’s the Cloud centers of Excellence. It’s the innovators who are looking for those business applications or those infrastructure solutions that exist and making sure that we have the right things from the right partners available to them. So we see value all over the place with our customers and how they inter interface with [00:11:47] Vince Menzione: more. [00:11:47] Vince Menzione: You brought up something really interesting, insightful, is the fact that all the different personas in the organization that are touching the marketplace, right? [00:11:54] George Maroulakos: And it’s at different points of the journey, right? Yeah. So while there may be early discovery and research and experimentation going on from, you know, the technologists or, or, or the, or the, the, the business application owners, um, as it progresses through the, the, the. [00:12:09] George Maroulakos: The opportunity lifecycle procurement and sourcing and legal, and the shared services then become a more important part of, of making sure that we get those opportunities closed and launched. [00:12:18] Vince Menzione: Yeah, and that was one of the things we were talking about earlier is the fact that how, how, uh, it, it, the work arduous it could be. [00:12:25] Vince Menzione: To go through that whole process at a customer side. Right? ’cause they have to. [00:12:29] George Maroulakos: It is, and and you know, I think when Cloud first got started, it was quite scary for procurement, right? It became another version of Shadow it. And we were seeing things that were getting purchased on P cards because they could quickly stand up infrastructure versus waiting for the IT team to do it. [00:12:44] George Maroulakos: And so now you introduce all of these other things that. Procurement kept near and dear to their heart, and here comes another wave of, is this truly positive disruption? Is it going to affect what’s, what I’m doing affect really my goals and objectives of supporting the company. And as you, you know, you continue to express the value of marketplace, they start to see, hey, this is actually very complimentary and helped me can get better control and governance in a way that I. [00:13:11] George Maroulakos: Perhaps didn’t have before with what was going on inside the cloud. [00:13:15] Vince Menzione: So this is a question for both of you actually, but I was thinking about these partners in the room and what did they get wrong? Like what are they doing? Like what are the things we always talk about, things that they’re doing right? [00:13:26] Vince Menzione: We’re having the happy talk about all the great success that’s been going on, but what is your advice to partners that maybe are not getting it right? Like what, what, what are the things you see that. The easy stumbling blocks that could be fixed. [00:13:38] Arif Razvi: Yeah. Well, probably the easiest is, uh, waiting to talk about marketplace at the last minute and not making it part of the full commercial journey [00:13:45] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:13:45] Arif Razvi: That the sellers will go through. Right. So, um, but that includes being able to have those internal conversations from the executive level, getting that executive sponsorship from marketplace upfront. That filters down through the rest of the organization. So you’ve gotta get rev ops teams, finance, legal, you know, the marketplace terms, the, the standard, uh, contract that goes into your listing has to be approved by legal. [00:14:08] Arif Razvi: Uh, and then you get down to the sales teams, making sure that you’re not penalizing sales teams for doing transactions on marketplace, which will create friction, then meeting buyers where they are, right? So local entities, local currency, um, having all that wired up. Uh, I met with a, a partner yesterday at Summit who is literally wiring up 10 new regions, 10 new entities in 10 new locations on marketplace in advance of what they know is a pipeline that’s going to be building into those regions. [00:14:37] Arif Razvi: So they’re getting ready and not waiting for the last minute for marketplace. [00:14:40] Vince Menzione: I love it. And the internal, go ahead. [00:14:43] George Maroulakos: Yeah, I, I echo definitely what Arif was saying and I think the, the other aspect of that is that our customers shouldn’t feel like it’s more painful. To use marketplace versus they would any other way. [00:14:54] George Maroulakos: And so whether that shows up in pricing, it shows up in awareness of what marketplace is and isn’t, or what it can or cannot do. Um, whether it’s introducing it naturally or it’s this, oh, by the way, on the end, like the, the more. Integrated marketplace is as a part of your co-sell motion, whether you’re doing it directly on your own or through a reseller or with AWS or all of the above. [00:15:17] George Maroulakos: Um, it’s, it should be a natural extension and a value point that you’re bringing to your respective customers, not some. Interrupt driven or, or exception based activity that goes along with selling your, your, your, your solution. [00:15:31] Vince Menzione: Why do you think customer, some customers or some partners are held back or what, what, what is, is it a mindset? [00:15:38] Vince Menzione: I mean, I talk about the principles, you know that, but like, is it mindset? What is it? Is it, [00:15:42] Arif Razvi: it’s, it’s internal. Friction. Yeah. A a a lot of what I see, especially in these, in, in embedded engagements is the amount of, you know, I have a lot of empathy for this room, right? Because you are the ones that have to go internally and navigate all of these stakeholders to be able to convince them that marketplace is the route to market. [00:16:01] Arif Razvi: It’s the preferred route to market, and it’s the way that a AWS wants to co-sell. With its partners. And that’s a hard thing to do if you don’t speak the same language that the tax legal, rev ops, finance, accounting, because everything changes. When you start doing transactions on marketplace, your revenue is booked differently, right? [00:16:20] Arif Razvi: It’s booked as a w from AWS and not from the, you know, from the, so things change and having that conversation is often challenging. Uh, we are working on some tools that will help make that conversation easier. Um, and we’ve already written blogs, and again, there are mechanisms that your partner managers have internally that they can request support and guidance. [00:16:43] Arif Razvi: Uh, and we’re happy to provide that. [00:16:45] Vince Menzione: What needs to change so that marketplace becomes a true go to market engine. [00:16:49] Arif Razvi: Top down, top down, top down where, where I’ve seen the most success. From a partner is where they’ve gotten strategic alignment at the executive level. That marketplace is the way we are going to, uh, sell globally. [00:17:02] Arif Razvi: Right? Then that starts to filter down, as I mentioned earlier, into the different teams and yes, it is a journey and you may start with the US or if you’re EMEA based. Partner, you may start with just amea, but eventually you will start to expand your, you’ll want to expand your business. Um, and marketplace is a great place to do that because we have all of those mechanisms globally to help you scale without adding incremental resources to handle the tax or the compliance or the invoicing and collection and all that stuff. [00:17:30] George Maroulakos: Yeah. I’ll add to that because I’m gonna steal a second thing you said, Allison, about centering around a customer. I, I loved a lot of Allison. Come on now. I’ll be your hype guy. I absolutely, but, but, but the but demand will drive supply. And I think to what you were talking about, Arif, when are customers, when. [00:17:46] George Maroulakos: Our customers come to you about wanting to use marketplace. Yeah. How are you ready to adapt to that? How are you ready to respond to it? And if it becomes a disjointed, not centered around a customer, bespoke based, independently based interaction with the customer, everybody loses. Versus if you’re ready to embrace what that means and how to make that as good of an experience, if not better, versus how they might have traditionally procured your solution and deployed it. [00:18:13] George Maroulakos: Um, now we have a much better together story. So I think understanding that customers more and more are going to use marketplaces, particularly AWS marketplace, and want to make use of partner solutions that embrace marketplace as a part of their way to procure and deploy. You have a much better chance of being successful with them. [00:18:33] Vince Menzione: You know, it made me think about this. Is there a seminal event? Like I think about, I think back to COVID changing buying behavior, right? I’m, we’ll use AWS, an example, three boxes show up in my house every day, right? That didn’t happen before. We used to go to the store. Is there a seminal event we’re waiting to happen? [00:18:50] Vince Menzione: I, I know that the millennial buyer, we talked about this earlier with Matt, is the new buying persona. Over 50% of buyers are millennial and they’re used to doing comfortable with phones and trust Is all there. Is there something else we’re missing or what do, what do you think’s gonna happen? [00:19:03] George Maroulakos: I really think it’s what in front of us right now. [00:19:05] George Maroulakos: Yeah. Vince, I think what. Agen solutions, what Agen SaaS offers, what the power of information and research that’s now directly available to customers versus maybe indirectly available through consultancies or deeper research. Um, the velocity of what our customers are going to be able to do and with partners that they may not have even heard of right before. [00:19:32] George Maroulakos: You know, they started their journey. I, I think this is a present day. Inflection point. Yeah. Um, going back, you know, over the past several years, the advent of supporting private offers I think was a pretty big milestone for marketplace. It allowed for our partners to be able to. Work through customized terms and conditions and commercials that were important for a particular opportunity in a customer. [00:19:54] George Maroulakos: But today, the here and now I think becomes the next inflection point for the success of marketplace. [00:19:59] Arif Razvi: That would [00:19:59] Vince Menzione: Go ahead. [00:20:00] Arif Razvi: I was just gonna add on top of that, but partners need to be ready for that. Right? And if they’re not ready to accelerate a deal and get it closed in days versus stalling it for weeks to negotiate. [00:20:11] Arif Razvi: Yes. Like they’re not gonna stand. Customers are not gonna stand for that. So partners need to be ready to move quickly. If you think about all the innovations that Matt is delivering for Marketplace and Partner Central. They’re about accelerating co-sell. They’re about accelerating deal velocity. They’re about, we know f from, from the Forrester studies and others that we presented, that we’ve made public that the deal value goes up when you’re dealing with marketplace and co-selling with AWS. [00:20:36] Arif Razvi: So how can we just accelerate that? Yeah. Partners need to be ready for that and move quickly. [00:20:40] Vince Menzione: And you use partners in sort of a, you know, plural sense, but I think about those organizations as so many multifaceted. We talked about finance, we talked about all of different functions in the organization. [00:20:51] Vince Menzione: What are you doing to help that? I mean, we talked about you’re doing a lot of readiness work, but I do feel like there’s a lot of evangelism still to be done internally with those organizations. How do you think about [00:21:02] Arif Razvi: that? Yeah, we, um, obviously events like this are fantastic mechanisms to at least get the conversation started and get your head thinking about what you need to think about. [00:21:10] Arif Razvi: But we have other activities. We have, uh, rev Ops squads, right? So revenue operations teams, and we bring them together, uh, around the world op, uh, ops squad, which is operational teams, so deal desks and others that help them, uh, understand the capabilities that marketplace can bring to accelerate deal velocity. [00:21:28] Arif Razvi: And then we have, like, obviously other events like the, the, uh, marketplace Seller Conference in September where we bring marketplace sellers together and give them, you know. Guidance. And so there are ways to get this information beyond just like getting somebody from my team, of which there are very few as you, you know, as we start to, to consolidate down. [00:21:47] Arif Razvi: But um, but they are available and there’s other mechanisms and we’re happy to share those out. [00:21:50] Vince Menzione: Nice, nice. Well coming here doing this and we’ll make a podcast episode out of this as well. Can you hear. I hear us all, uh, because I do think it’s important to get in front of, especially the Chief Finance Officer and operations and all those different departmental heads who aren’t really embedded into, like, they don’t come to these events. [00:22:07] Arif Razvi: Yeah. And they also don’t log into Partner Central. That’s right. So how do they get this information right? Yeah. So we have to one to one it with them. Yeah. But that doesn’t scale when you think about what’s gonna happen now with this next wave of GSIs and sis and, and others coming onto Marketplace who hadn’t been there. [00:22:22] Arif Razvi: Yes, they’re gonna need the same guidance. Yeah. So we have to start thinking about what we’re building is AI tooling to help with those conversations. [00:22:28] George Maroulakos: Well, and, and you know, if, when I think about it from, from our buyer’s perspective, even just yesterday we held a, a couple of round table discussions with some procurement leaders that were, we’re here for the summit and, you know, we do a lot of enablement and, and awareness. [00:22:42] George Maroulakos: With alliance leaders at our partners, and that’s certainly a, the tip of the spear of getting the conversation started, but it’s not enough. And one of the things that we hear from our customers is. Well, you may have a great partnership with particular partner A, but the individual experience that I had with that sales rep doesn’t match that. [00:23:02] George Maroulakos: And so yeah, the evangelism and the awareness, yes, and the understanding of marketplace has to go beyond just the alliance team. You guys are the amplifier to it. But the folks that not only are in the back office and all the, the, the operational teams, but on the front lines and field sales need to also understand and embrace, not understand all the features and capabilities of marketplace. [00:23:25] George Maroulakos: AWS needs to handle that, but understand how marketplace fits into the co-sell strategy in what’s going on for that particular customer is very, very important to make sure our customers get the right experience. [00:23:37] Vince Menzione: Well, I think Arif, you mentioned this earlier about compensation models. And that’s a, that’s a factor too. [00:23:42] Vince Menzione: ’cause people, people, um, they’re fearful of change. They’re fear, fearful of compensation changing. Especially, especially sellers. I, um, again, that’s a coaching area. [00:23:54] Arif Razvi: Yeah, it’s a coaching area. Um, it, it, it is, um. It’s probably one of the easier ones to solve. Um, and, and, and, you know, we have these conversations with partners about net, uh, cost neutral or uh, seller neutrality and things like that. [00:24:06] Arif Razvi: Once you show them the economics of how AWS can increase their deal value, those economics sort of, they go away. The problems go away, but they, you have to get in front of those. Uh, you know, senior leaders, the CROs and the CFOs, to have that conversation to then go, okay, I get what’s going on here. I get why I’m paying. [00:24:23] Arif Razvi: The listing fee is, is about funding all of these marketing activities that we do for our partners, right? [00:24:29] George Maroulakos: Well, and then you use the word neutrality. The other end of that neutrality problem or, or, or challenge is the pricing that goes along with the opportunities that are made available to customers. [00:24:38] George Maroulakos: And so to one of your earlier questions on points of friction or what, what stops it from taking off further? When, when partners and our customers have a disconnect on. What they’re expecting to pay when they use marketplace, or if there is a unnatural cost that goes along with procuring that solution through marketplace. [00:24:57] George Maroulakos: That also tends to bring a, a pretty bad experience, not only for that opportunity in front of them, but for respective opportunities that may, may be in play thereafter. So thinking about not, you know, having an a, an unnatural experience for our customers relative to pricing as well as compensation and, and everything else is, is also very important. [00:25:17] Vince Menzione: So we’ve got a few minutes left, and we haven’t really touched on ag agentic AI and agen AI solutions. A little bit different than the SaaS solutions per se. How, how are these solutions brought and sold differently than SaaS? [00:25:30] Arif Razvi: Uh, well, as Matt said, the SaaS apocalypse is not real. [00:25:34] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:25:34] Arif Razvi: Um, he doesn’t, I’m glad to hear that, nor nor do I. [00:25:37] Arif Razvi: Um, I, I think what, you know, where, where SaaS has been very user seat based, you’re moving now to a world that’s gonna be more consumption based or outcome-based pricing. And so that’s really changing the dynamic and I think partners need to think about what does an outcome-based, uh, pricing model look for My particular. [00:25:55] Arif Razvi: Um, product, uh, Zendesk is a good example of, Matt published a blog, uh, earlier this week, I think it was, where we, we referenced Zendesk pricing on closed tickets or, or resolutions to tickets, right? For, for outcome-based pricing. So I think we need to think about on the pricing side, how to reprice, how to think about pricing. [00:26:13] Arif Razvi: But on the discovery side, thinking about what your, what your listing looks like, it’s no longer about marketing copy. It’s about, it’s almost, I was talking yesterday about being an API contract. ’cause the agent needs to have all the details that a person doesn’t necessarily need to have in order to make a recommendation that your product is the best fit based on the technology that’s underlying that, where it’s gonna fit in the infrastructure. [00:26:37] Vince Menzione: So three and a half minutes left lightning round. Um, but seriously, what, what if I’m in the room or even any, any partner that’s listening today, what do I need to change in the next 30 days? [00:26:50] George Maroulakos: From my perspective, think about marketplace as a why not as opposed to a why. And if you change your mindset around marketplace can be better together in helping to accelerate and expand your opportunities with our mutual customers. [00:27:03] George Maroulakos: You’ll get a whole lot more value out of it. You’ll get away from the fud in the system or some of the traditional roadblocks that you either have been or could be encountering when you think about marketplace, uh, together with your, with your solution. So think about the why not think about the value that the, the, the total solution can bring to our mutual customers and integrate it much more naturally into your total sales motion. [00:27:26] Vince Menzione: Nice. [00:27:27] Arif Razvi: I would say maybe three things. One, um, don’t just sell globally. Operate locally. Think about how your buyers wanna buy and then meet them there, right? As a partner, even if you’re doing CPPO transactions, um, you know, meet them in the location. Number two, top down, go get that executive alignment so the problems start to disappear, or at least are easier to manage when you’ve got that executive alignment. [00:27:51] Arif Razvi: And the third was, uh, don’t wait till the last minute to introduce marketplace. Work with your sales teams to make sure it’s part of the early conversation versus no procurement leader wants to know at the end of the day, oh wait, it’s coming. I gotta deal with this marketplace thing. They don’t wanna deal with it on the buyer side. [00:28:06] Vince Menzione: No, absolutely. Alright, we’ve got time for like one question in the back. Is that Eric? Yeah, that’s [00:28:12] Guest: me. [00:28:13] Vince Menzione: Hey. [00:28:14] Guest: Hi, Eric Rosenstein, um, with Cornerstone Strategy XAWS. So George, you talked about, uh, tools around that customers can use to research for self discovery. So what guidance, uh, first of all, like what capabilities are these tools gonna bring and what guidance would you give an industry specific ISV? [00:28:36] Guest: So someone that’s focused on law enforcement or private equity. That solution may be Angen solution, or it may be something more SaaS related. What guidance would you give an ISV to think about how to best leverage those tools? Is it metadata? Is it like. The outcome that your solution’s gonna drive, how would you tell ’em to best utilize those coming tools? [00:28:58] George Maroulakos: Yeah, excellent question and, and I think this is gonna, going to continue to emerge in the days, literally in weeks, weeks ahead. But recently, I, I’d say over the last six months, the advent of agent mode I think has been a game changer and the ability for our customers to use marketplace directly to research. [00:29:18] George Maroulakos: Efficiently what’s in our catalog. Prior to that, we had a category based. Old school based, search based category, click through way, which became very buried beyond the first page for any solution that was out there. Now with natural language query and the ability to propose, what am I specifically looking for, it gives partners that were on the first page or the last page in equal opportunity to be surfaced. [00:29:48] George Maroulakos: So then for a partner being able to do many of the things you just enumerated. Better metadata, better keywords, better description and differentiation for what your solution offers allows for the Ag agent search, whether it’s natively within AWS or outside of AWS through Claude Chat, GBT Crock Pick your, your, your agent of choice. [00:30:10] George Maroulakos: To be able to identify and know that your solution’s available. [00:30:13] Arif Razvi: And from a partner side to your question, I would say, uh, rich metadata, uh, both so that agent mode can find it. Yeah. Use cases, problems, it solves, you know, uh, technical specifications, pricing where you can, right. So that agents can really understand the solution, uh, that the buyer is, um, is looking for. [00:30:33] Vince Menzione: GEO is. [00:30:37] Guest: Perspective should be like as detailed as saying, so this agent is gonna act on these various data sources. [00:30:44] Arif Razvi: Yes. [00:30:45] Guest: Bringing it all together to drive that outcome that you want the agent [00:30:48] Arif Razvi: drive, if you can include what it needs to connect to in order to deliver that outcome as part of the listing. [00:30:53] Arif Razvi: Absolutely. ’cause the agent will want to know. For sure. [00:30:57] Guest: Thanks. [00:30:58] Vince Menzione: Alright, we are at time and this was a great session. [00:31:01] Arif Razvi: Thank you Vince. [00:31:01] Vince Menzione: Great to see you, George. George and I grew up, uh, five miles away from each other and went to the same college. I love it. Great to, great to spend some [00:31:09] Arif Razvi: time with you, George. [00:31:11] Vince Menzione: Thanks for listening to the Ultimate Partner Podcast. If today’s conversation resonated, share it with a partner leader in your network. Subscribe where you listen, and head over to the ultimate partner.com. For show notes related content and the resources for this episode, and if you haven’t already, now’s the time to register for the Ultimate Partner Live Event in Reston, Virginia, October 26th through October 28th. [00:31:38] Vince Menzione: Until next time, keep showing up in the rooms that matter because being in the room changes everything.

What if the biggest barrier to scaling your retail media investment isn't technology, but a fundamental disagreement on what success even looks like?Agility requires not just adopting new tools, but also being willing to challenge the measurement frameworks we've grown accustomed to.Today, we're going to talk about the nuanced world of in-store retail media measurement and why the old rules no longer apply. Specifically, we'll cover:- Why the standard approach to measuring in-store media, often borrowed from digital, is creating friction and stalling budget growth.- How to create a unified measurement language that aligns brands, retailers, and agencies around a common definition of success.- Practical steps to move in-store media from experimental budgets to scalable, repeatable investments grounded in actual product movement.To help me discuss this topic and ISM and IAB's recent report, I'd like to welcome Paul Brenner, SVP, Global Retail Media and Partnerships at In-Store Marketplace (ISM) and Collin Colburn, Vice President, Commerce & Retail Media at IAB) and Collin Colburn, Vice President, Commerce & Retail Media at IAB.About Paul BrennerPaul Brenner is Senior Vice President of Retail Media and Partnerships with 25+ years of leadership in media, entertainment, and ad tech. He has led innovation in audio and broadcast, driving advancements in audience measurement, in-car experiences, and data attribution, and later scaling in-store audio advertising through strategic growth and partnerships. Known for identifying high-impact technology and revenue opportunities, Paul now focuses on evolving the in-store retail media landscape.Paul Brenner on LinkedInAbout Collin ColburnCollin Colburn serves as Vice President, Commerce & Retail Media at IAB where he leads the Commerce Center of Excellence. In this role, he drives innovation, education, and standards across the commerce ecosystem to help brands, retailers, and technology partners deliver better media opportunities, customer experiences, and business outcomes. Prior to IAB, Collin led Growth and Go-To-Market Strategy at Horizon Commerce and spent over a decade at Forrester, where he pioneered the firm's performance marketing and retail media practice. He partnered with B2B and B2C CMOs to advance their marketing strategies, while also expanding Forrester's Fortune 500 client portfolio. Collin's insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Digiday, and MediaPost. A popular industry speaker, Collin has keynoted global industry events in addition to being a quarterly guest on Bloomberg TV.Collin Colburn on LinkedIn---------- Resources ----------In-Store Marketplace (ISM)The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems.Read the report mentioned in the show.We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save!Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit!Chaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other GenAI tools. Learn more at trychaser.com and use code AGILEBRAND for a 3-month free trial (normal trial is 14 days).The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose.Start building your own apps with Replit and get $20 off.Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show.Connect with Greg on LinkedInDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more.Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology.The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up top the boys bring back the classic segment "F*** Yo Sh*t Up w/ Stoner CHO" and discuss whether or not toys could take over the world if they became sentient and had 1 leader  After that, professor Cho reads off a list of some of the craziest things the world's greatest poets have ever done…. And you are not ready for some of them! TraeCrowder.com CoreyWritesForYou.com (Corey just finished at one of his new southern crime thriller and it is great. You should subscribe and read it! TryFum.com/POA promo code POA  Bluechew.com Promo Code POA  FactorMeals.com/POA50off promo code POA50off

In this episode: How a virus-infected Prince of Persia floppy disk on a Commodore 64 sparked a lifelong obsession with cybersecurity (03:03 - 06:45) From NYU to Yale cryptography PhD to Goldman Sachs to Gilt Groupe, and the near-miss that changed everything (03:03 - 06:45) What SecurityScorecard actually does and why the pen and paper questionnaire era had to end (06:55 - 08:18) What it looked like in the early days, including an IKEA furniture test for business partnerships (08:26 - 12:01) Why SecurityScorecard now scores every company in the world, not just twelve million organizations (12:01 - 12:29) The Gilt Groupe credit card near-miss, what the first 24 hours looked like, and why fear was the first reaction (12:50 - 17:30) What it takes to create an entire market category from scratch and why the job to be done never changes (17:48 - 20:20) The difference between the CISO version and CEO version of Alex, and what Satya Nadella said about zooming out (20:49 - 22:36) Which version of Alex people would rather have a beer with and why any job besides CEO is more fun (22:43 - 23:45) How North Korea used a fake hedge fund to try to recruit SecurityScorecard developers (24:06 - 25:47) Why the world is not becoming safer and the critical difference between robustness and resilience (25:59 - 26:42) The True Confessions keynote: why openly admitting breaches makes the whole ecosystem stronger (27:13 - 29:22) The Jaguar Land Rover breach and what it took to double a UK company's security budget overnight (27:13 - 29:22) The single most dangerous thing a board member has ever said in a meeting about cybersecurity (29:45 - 31:09) What one thing a non-technical CEO could do this week to make their CISO's life better (31:25 - 32:12) The Lifestyle Polygraph: restaurant health scores, PowerPoint ban, The Inner Game of Tennis, chess, false advertising, and podcast advice (33:07 - 41:32)   Timestamp Highlights: (03:03) Prince of Persia, a floppy disk, and the origin of a cybersecurity career (06:07) The realization that changed everything: you can do everything right and still lose (08:26) The IKEA furniture test for business partnerships (12:50) The Gilt Groupe near-miss and what the first 24 hours looked like (17:48) What it takes to create a market category from scratch (20:49) CISO vs CEO: zooming in vs zooming out (22:43) Which version of Alex would you rather have a beer with? (24:06) North Korea's fake hedge fund operation (25:59) Robustness vs resilience: why the mindset has to change (29:45) The most dangerous thing a board member has ever said (31:25) One thing every non-technical CEO should do this week (36:48) The Inner Game of Tennis and the infinite game (40:00) Chess, false advertising, and meeting his future wife   Resources & Links: SecurityScorecard — securityscorecard.com The Perfect Scorecard by Aleksandr Yampolskiy ThreatLocker — Presenting sponsor of No Password Required DerScanner — Episode sponsor Cyber Florida — The Mother Ship

Writer-Director Douglas Forrester and actors Joel Meyers and Helen Laser talk about CARRY THE DARKNESS, premiering on BloodStream on August 14, and the score will be released on September 10.

Whose job is it to ensure the brand promise you market is the same one your customers and employees actually experience?Real agility isn't just rapid execution — it's a whole organization responding as one to what customers, employees, and the market actually need.Today, we're talking about "Total Experience" and what it takes to make brand, customer, and employee experience add up to one company, not three. Specifically:- How to orchestrate brand, customer, and employee experience so they reinforce each other instead of competing.- The operational shifts that turn siloed functions into a single, trustworthy experience.- Why the CMO is uniquely positioned to champion this, and where that means owning parts of the business marketing hasn't traditionally touched.To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Mack McGee, CMO at CareFirst, which was recently recognized at Forrester's CX Forum West as the top insurer in Total Experience.About Mack McGeeWith more than 20 years of experience in marketing and storytelling, Mack excels at connecting people and communicating impact in creative and meaningful ways. He also brings extensive fundraising experience, evidenced by his success in helping the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation raise nearly $5 million as chair of their annual Passion for Food and Wine event.Mack McGee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackmcgee/---------- Resources ----------: https://www.carefirst.comWe're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873fChaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other GenAI tools. Learn more at trychaser.com and use code AGILEBRAND for a 3-month free trial (normal trial is 14 days).The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1Start building your own apps with Replit and get $20 off. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/93531742a7625a20Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716baCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.comThe Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode celebrates one of the twentieth century's great contraltos, Canadian icon, Maureen Forrester, an exceptionally versatile, profoundly communicative artist. This past July 25 would have been her 96th birthday. It would be a nearly insurmountable challenge to present all aspects of her artistry in a single episode, so today I have chosen to bestow upon her a title which might surprise you: I am crowning her Queen of Crossover. Clearly both Eileen and Eleanor might look askance at such a claim, but among Forrester's fellow Canadians, I don't think anyone can challenge Queen Maureen's title. Central to this episode is a delicious 1982 issue on Canadian RCA entitled The Other Me, which features la nostra regina canadese in a delectable assortment of pop favorites, ranging from standards from the Great American Songbook (Berlin, Porter, Gershwin, Arlen, Schmidt and Jones, Loesser). In addition, I've included a generous sampling of her 1987 recording with pianist John Arpin entitled From Kern to Sondheim: Great American Theatre Songs, as well as a smattering of the folk song arrangements (mostly of Canadian material arranged by Canadian composers) which formed such a vital part of her programs. Her fellow grande dame of Canadian song, soprano Lois Marshall, even joins her in duet on one of those folk songs. I dedicate today's episode to the memory of my friend Tom Muraco, who collaborated frequently with Maureen and positively adored her. Countermelody is the podcast devoted to the glory and the power of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great singers of the past and present focusing in particular on those who are less well-remembered today than they should be. Daniel's lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and author yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” At Countermelody's core is the celebration of great singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. By clicking on the following link (https://linktr.ee/CountermelodyPodcast) you can find the dedicated Countermelody website which contains additional content including artist photos and episode setlists. The link will also take you to Countermelody's Patreon page, where you can pledge your monthly or yearly support at whatever level you can afford.

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful spoilers bring in major story twists for characters RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti), Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace), and Zende Forrester Dominguez (Delon de Metz). RJ reveals a revenge plot involving Electra against Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) and Bill Spencer (Don Diamont). This plot aims to replace Hope with Electra in the youth line of fashion, stirring up drama among the Forrester family. B&B spoilers indicate that Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) are intrigued by the plot and await the official pitch once they return to Los Angeles. RJ's plan to elevate Electra and take a stab at Hope, Katie Logan (Heather Tom), and Bill Spencer, has everyone at Forrester Creations intrigued. Eric Forrester (John McCook), despite his deceit, seems to find solace in this revenge plot. The storyline hints at Zende and RJ preparing a presentation for Steffy, Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang), and Ridge, highlighting Electra as the new face of Forrester's youth line. Spoilers for B&B suggest that the new plot twist not only brings a fresh perspective to the fashion line but also potentially undermines Hope's new collection. Eric, Ridge, and Steffy might time the new line's launch to outshine Logan's next release, further intensifying the rivalry. The anticipated fashion war between Forrester Creations and the House of Logan is set to escalate.  More spoilers for Bold and Beautiful hint that Dylan (Sydney Bullock) might leak the Forrester plans to Logan, potentially changing Katie's perspective of Dylan's loyalty to Will (Crew Morrow). The storyline suggests the possible emergence of a new line run by Electra, RJ, and Zende, putting the spotlight back on Forrester Creations and away from Logan.  Soap Dirt is the most subscribed to YouTube soap opera channel. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful predictions indicate that Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) loses her cool in Monaco over upsetting news regarding her sister's significant decision.  B&B predictions hint that Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) plots her grand revenge on her ex, while Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) and Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood), Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) and Daphne Rose (Murielle Hilaire), RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) and Eric Forrester (John McCook), and Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) and Taylor Hayes all face significant developments in their relationships.  The Bold and the Beautiful spoilers show that Sheila saves Steffy's life after a near-fatal accident, which possibly changes the dynamic between them. Carter, in his desperation to start a family, suggests in vitro fertilization to Daphne. RJ, inspired by Electra Forrester's (Laneya Grace) beauty, proposes a new youth line that could serve as a fitting response to the Spencer's. Taylor, still reeling from Ridge's betrayal, gets a shocking marriage proposal from Deacon.  B&B spoilers reveal that Brooke's anger boils over when she learns about the launch of Logan's fragrance. This development, viewed as a Forrester connection being stolen by Logan, sets the stage for escalating conflict between the two families.  This episode was hosted by Belynda Gates-Turner for the #1 Soap Opera Channel, Soap Dirt. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful spoilers show that Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) finds herself in danger during a trip to Monaco, leading to a life-altering event. RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) develops a plan involving Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace), much to the surprise of others. Meanwhile, Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) faces a new challenge related to her sister. B&B spoilers reveal that RJ's plan to replace Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) with Electra at the helm of Forrester Creations' youth line causes a stir. Simultaneously, Steffy, Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye), and Brooke are in Monte Carlo to mend Forrester's international relations. Fannie Grayson (Elsa Esnoult) brings upsetting news to Brooke, possibly about a collaboration with Katie Logan (Heather Tom) at House of Logan.  The Bold and the Beautiful spoilers indicate that in LA, Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) seizes an opportunity with Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) and proposes to her. Steffy and Finn (Tanner Novlan) also reunite in Monaco, with Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) closely following their every move. Steffy spots Sheila on the beach, leading to a heated confrontation.  B&B spoilers hint that Daphne Rose (Murielle Hilaire) opens up to Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) about her heartbreaking early menopause diagnosis, leading to a discussion about alternative family planning methods. The week concludes with a life-changing event for Steffy, possibly involving Sheila.  This episode was hosted by Belynda Gates-Turner for the #1 Soap Opera Channel, Soap Dirt. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi are joined by Nikhil Lai, Principal Analyst at Forrester, to discuss the evolution of performance marketing, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), connected TV, incrementality, AI-powered advertising, and the future of marketing measurement. They also examine the latest ad tech news, including ChatGPT advertising, Walmart's acquisition of Vibe, AppLovin, retail media, and Q2 earnings across the digital advertising industry. Takeaways Why Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is fundamentally different from SEO and how brands should prepare. How marketers are redefining performance measurement with blended ROAS and incrementality. The opportunities and challenges of Performance TV, connected TV, and AI-driven advertising. What ChatGPT, AI agents, and creative automation mean for the future of marketing. Key insights from the latest ad tech acquisitions, earnings, and industry trends. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Summer Catch-Up01:24 Phishing Scam Warning for Advertising Professionals03:42 Introducing Guest Nikhil Lai, Principal Analyst at Forrester04:01 Nikhil Lai's Career Journey05:22 Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) vs SEO09:01 The Evolution of Performance Marketing11:09 Measuring Brand Advertising Effectiveness12:57 Incrementality and Modern Attribution14:28 AppLovin and Performance Advertising15:46 Performance TV and Connected TV18:38 Walmart Acquires Vibe and Pinterest's TV Strategy21:26 Is There an AppLovin for the Open Web?22:17 The Future of Marketing Automation and Creative23:59 Weekly Ad Tech News Begins24:38 BMW, Spider-Man, and In-Car Advertising30:31 Agentic Advertising and AI Search34:32 ChatGPT Advertising and Brand Agents40:02 Ad Tech Earnings Highlights45:18 Is MySpace Making a Comeback?46:50 Meta and LiveRamp Partnership47:58 Closing Remarks Guests: Ari Paparo, Eric Franchi, Nikhil Lai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful on CBS has recently seen an intriguing twist in its storyline. The character of Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) has been causing quite a stir amongst fans. Electra, along with Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) and Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock), has been at the heart of a complicated plotline that has been met with mixed feelings from the audiences. The trio's storyline, crafted by head writer and showrunner Brad Bell, has been under fire for turning two previously likable characters into distasteful personas. B&B introduced Electra through Ivy Forrester (Ashleigh Brewer), initially appeared to be a victim of Remy Pryce's (Christian Weissmann) terror, with Will stepping in as her savior. However, the character took a dramatic turn when RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) was reintroduced into the series. Electra transformed into an entitled, unsympathetic character, bullying Dylan from the moment Will offered her a spare room in his garage. Bold and the Beautiful fans believe that Bell may be attempting to force Electra as the new top female Forrester, a move that isn't resonating with the show's viewers. Despite this, the show's spoilers suggest that there may be hope for the future of these characters. Bold and the Beautiful spoilers indicate that Will and Dylan will soon be sharing a bed, potentially signaling a shift in their complicated relationship. However, the B&B storyline is yet to unravel fully. There is potential for redemption for Electra and a promising new direction for Will and Dylan's relationship. Even as the plot continues to thicken, it is clear that Brad Bell has a plan for these characters, and fans are eager to see how it unfolds.  This episode was hosted by Belynda Gates-Turner for Soap Dirt. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful spoilers for August 10-14, 2026 promise to be filled with drama and suspense. Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) is throwing caution to the wind in her relentless pursuit of Finn (Tanner Novlan), while Katie Logan (Heather Tom) is showing no mercy to Will Spencer's (Crew Morrow) new love interest. The week also witnesses a restless Zende Forrester Dominguez (Delon de Metz), a romantic Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) and Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang), and some big moves from RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti).  B&B spoilers present a frustrated Zende, with his and Thomas Forrester's (Matthew Atkinson) designs for Hope for the Future being shelved. Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) offers support to Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) who is worried about Daphne Rose (Murielle Hilaire), who is upset about not being able to have his biological child. Meanwhile, Wyatt Spencer (Darin Brooks) stumbles upon the truth about Will's mystery overnight guest, who turns out to be none other than Miss Dylan aka Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock).  Spoilers for Bold and Beautiful give an interesting twist when Katie confronts Dylan, blaming her for coming between Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) and Will, and ruining their relationship. However, the Forrester and Electra split is due to Electra's high maintenance nature and not Dylan's actions. Katie's attempts to run Dylan off are thwarted by Wyatt and Bill Spencer (Don Diamont), who seem pro-Dylan.  More B&B spoilers hint at a steamy night between Will and Dylan, despite Katie's warning to Will. On the other hand, RJ and Electra seem to be getting closer, while Katie pokes around in Dylan's past, stumbling upon the information that Remy Pryce (Christian Weissmann) is Dylan's cousin.  Bold and Beautiful spoilers anticipate that Finn and Steffy return from Monaco to find Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) and Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) in a more serious phase of their relationship. The suspense builds as Sheila follows Finn and Steffy to Monaco, leading to a nasty confrontation on the beach. However, a life-changing event might happen, potentially leading to Sheila saving either Finn or Steffy's life, which could give her a little bit of access to their lives the week of 8/10 - 8/14/2026.   This episode was hosted by Belynda Gates-Turner for Soap Dirt. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful 2-Week Spoilers for August 3-14, 2026 anticipate that Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) experiences an emotional rollercoaster in Monaco, while Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) sternly advises his son. Meanwhile, Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock) seems to get her way, and Katie Logan (Heather Tom) senses something amiss. Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) persists with her schemes. Finn (Tanner Novlan) seeks guidance from his adoptive mother, Li Finnegan (Naomi Matsuda), as he is conflicted about his relationship with Steffy and Sheila.  B&B spoilers reveal that Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) and Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) reach a breaking point and part ways. Dylan eyes the influential Spencer family, causing Electra to label her as a gold digger. Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) grapples with Daphne Rose's (Murielle Hilaire) devastating diagnosis and reassures her of his unwavering love.  Spoilers for Bold and Beautiful suggest that at the Forrester mansion, Electra attempts to move on from Will, while RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) offers comfort. Katie and Dylan's first meeting goes awry as Katie sees Dylan as a threat to Will's relationship with Electra. Steffy offers a helping hand to Carter. Wyatt Spencer (Darin Brooks) advises Will against pining for Electra.  More B&B spoilers divulge that Bill encourages Will to seek a new love interest, and Katie grows suspicious of Dylan's past. Upon reaching Monaco, Steffy is hopeful of resolving her issues with Sheila, but things don't go as planned. Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) plans to take his relationship with Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) to the next level.  Bold and the Beautiful spoilers ring excitement as Steffy and Finn, along with Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) and Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang), bask in Monte Carlo's beauty. Deacon and Taylor enjoy some quiet time, while Dylan and Will share a steamy night. Electra grows closer to RJ, while Sheila lurks behind Finn. Carter and Daphne explore alternative ways to start their family, and Katie investigates Dylan's past, potentially unearthing links to Remy Pryce (Christian Weissmann) the weeks of 08/03-08/14/2026. Soap Dirt has grown to the most subscribed to YouTube soap opera channel. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

In this episode of One Vision Podcast, Theo chats with Huyen Tran from US Bank and founder/investor at Elys Ventures. Huyen shares her path from computer engineering and early real-estate investing to two decades in banking product leadership and P&L ownership. She discusses why banks can appear slow due to resilience, regulation, legacy systems, and trust requirements, and how AI will accelerate prototyping, testing, data analysis, and iterative product development while meeting customer expectations for personalization and security amid rising fraud. A must-listen episode on startup, innovation, relationship building, and ecosystem thinking.

Hour 2 of Sullivan East Midday Monster Media Day sponsored by West Hills Tractor, Lyon Metal Roofing, and Brooks Collision Center Jacob Townsend talks with Sullivan East golf coach Luke Jones, girl's basketball coach Melissa Ervin, volleyball coach Brittany Scott, tennis coach Cornelius Barber, and swim coach J.B. Forrester. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Unspoken Security, host AJ Nash sits down with Heath Mullins, Chief Evangelist at ExtraHop and former senior analyst at Forrester. The two dig into the question everyone in tech keeps circling back to right now: should we be afraid of AI?Mullins argues that today's AI is best understood as a recalcitrant four-year-old handed the keys to everything, powerful, unpredictable, and rewriting itself faster than anyone can fully audit. AJ and Heath trace that unpredictability through self-driving cars that can't tell a yawn from drunk driving, medical offices where AI now transcribes and recommends diagnoses, and the accountability gap that opens up when something goes wrong and nobody, the automaker, the AI vendor, or a third party, wants to own it.The conversation closes on Unspoken Security's signature question, and Heath shares something he's never said publicly before: his son was murdered in 2020, and the same AI tools that can recreate a voice or a likeness from old recordings and social media now make it possible to build an avatar of someone who's gone. Heath draws a hard line on where that technology should stop, and AJ and Heath talk through the psychology of grief, denial, and why loss makes that temptation so powerful.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful showcased a dramatic confrontation between Dylan (Sydney Bullock) and Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) over Will Spencer (Crew Morrow). Dylan spent the night at Will's house, causing a stir at Forrester Creations. Although no physical intimacy occurred between Dylan and Will, the series hints that Dylan might leverage this situation to her advantage, possibly misleading Electra about the nature of their relationship.  The B&B episode unraveled with Dylan running late to work, leading to a heated exchange with Electra, who has been trying to control Will's relationships. Electra's assumption that Dylan and Will are growing close might lead to more confrontations in future episodes. The Forrester Creations setting has been buzzing with discussions about Will, who recently punched Eric Forrester (John McCook), setting the stage for further dramatic developments.  Bold and the Beautiful saw that Electra, who has already ended her relationship with Will, attempts to draw a line for Dylan, demanding she stay away from him. The tension escalates when Dylan confesses to spending the night at Will's house, although nothing sexual occurred. This confession infuriates Electra, who is seen constantly displaying a resting pouty face.  B&B reveals that Dylan's newfound confidence and close relationship with Will have given her a boost, and she is determined to ensure that Will moves on from Electra. The episode ends with a face-to-face meeting between Will and Electra, where Will attempts to make amends. However, Electra's discovery of Dylan's stay at Will's house might lead to further complications.  Bold and the Beautiful spoilers suggest that the reveal of Dylan spending the night at Will's house might cause a ripple effect within the Forrester family, painting Will in a negative light. This could potentially lead to Dylan losing her job at Forrester Creations and damaging her budding relationship with Will.  The Soap Dirt podcast made the Top 100 List for Apple Podcast's Entertainment News Category. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

Anthony Sar, Co-founder and CEO of Finoverse and the driving force behind Hong Kong Fintech Week, joins Theo on One Vision to share the story behind one of Asia's most iconic innovation gatherings. From a bar conversation about hitting 5,000 attendees (when they had 300) to welcoming 45,000 people from 120+ economies at their 10th anniversary, Anthony reflects on what it takes to build something that genuinely keeps people in the room.At the center of the conversation is Samantha, built in-house by Finoverse. She acts as your personal AI networking agent. She interviews you, learns what you're looking for, and makes introductions at scale. After a successful pilot at last year's FinTech Week as well as the recent Genesis Festival, Samantha will return to Hong Kong FinTech Week 2026 this November. This year's conference is aptly themed Fintech Nexus: Bridging the World, Building the Future. It is a rallying call to drive connectivity and collaboration across global and Chinese Mainland markets, at a time when the world feels more fragmented than ever.One World, One Planet. This episode invites us to come together to foster collaboration for a more inclusive financial services ecosystem for everyone.

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful spoilers show that Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) has had enough of Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and the Forrester family, pushing back against Steffy's intrusion into her office. Meanwhile, Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) is seen confronting Dylan about her relationship with Will Spencer (Crew Morrow), hinting at a brewing storm. Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) is also at her wits' end and is likely to push boundaries in the forthcoming episodes.  B&B spoilers reveal that Hope stands her ground against Steffy's unwelcome interruption, sparking a tense exchange. Meanwhile, Dylan and a shirtless Will are seen awakening from a night on the sofa together, a situation bound to agitate Electra. Wyatt Spencer (Darin Brooks) is also seen giving his little brother Will a reality check about his recent behavior and his tumultuous relationship with Electra. More Bold and the Beautiful spoilers indicate that Finn (Tanner Novlan) vows his loyalty to Steffy, despite his belief that his birth mother Sheila has changed. However, Steffy remains reluctant to let Sheila back into their lives. The following day, Sheila pleads her case to be allowed back into Steffy and Finn's lives, further complicating the situation. B&B spoilers hint that Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) sees potential cracks forming in Finn's resolve, while Electra is stunned by Dylan's unexpected confession about her night with Will. This revelation might signal the end of Dylan and Electra's friendship and possibly Dylan's job. The week concludes with Steffy considering the risks of Sheila being around them, while Will tries to make amends with Electra.   Soap Dirt has grown to the most subscribed to Youtube soap opera channel. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

This week, Simon Daniels, Principal Consultant at Accenture Song, a marketing and revenue operations expert and former Forrester analyst, is back in the studio, and he arrives clutching the results of the “Accenture Song Client Buying Index 2026”- which was shared at a recent “Rethink' event, and in keeping with the editorial policy of the show, he shares his 5 f'in' favorites.  Ian then joins Robert Rose, Chief Trouble Maker at SeventhBear, in our virtual bar, to discuss the tension of quality, price, or convenience when it comes to having AI create our content, as we assume everyone wants quality, but maybe they want it quicker, cheaper, and more convenient.  Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on ⁠LinkedIn⁠  Simon Daniels on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Robert Rose on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: Accenture Song: Growth Through Relevance What's Broken in GTM and How to Fix It - Podcast Robert's podcast: This Old Marketing  Robert's newsletter: Lens, his websites, robertrose.net and seventhbear.com Rockstar CMO: The ⁠Beat Newsletter⁠ Rockstar CMO on ⁠the web⁠, ⁠Twitter⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Previous episodes and all the show notes: ⁠Rockstar CMO FM⁠. Track List: ⁠Stienski & Mass Media - We'll be right back⁠ Piano Music is by Johnny Easton, shared under a Creative Commons license You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Amazon⁠, and ⁠Spotify⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful spoilers reveal that Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock) comes to the aid of a heartbroken Will Spencer (Crew Morrow), after his recent rejection by Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace). With the Forrester family's accusations against Will reaching an all-time high, Dylan seizes the opportunity to win over Will's heart.  B&B spoilers deliver a surprising twist as Dylan stands up for Will, countering the accusations made by the Forrester family, and asserting that the incident at Bikini was a mere accident. Dylan's unwavering support for Will contrasts sharply with Electra's skepticism and mistrust. Dylan's unselfishness and loyalty, unlike the spoiled Electra, who has been more loyal to RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) than to Will.  Spoilers for Bold and Beautiful suggest that Dylan's loyalty is set to cause a stir at Forrester Creations, where she works directly under Electra. As Dylan continues to support Will, it is likely she will lose her job, proving her loyalty to Will is greater than her fear of unemployment.  More B&B spoilers suggest that despite Will's heartbreak, he acknowledges his chemistry with Dylan, setting the stage for a potential romantic relationship. The Spencer family, particularly Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) and Katie Logan (Heather Tom), seem to approve of Dylan's loyalty to Will and might even offer her a job, marking a new chapter in the Spencer-Forrester saga. As Electra gives in to the pressure from the Forrester family to start dating RJ, it seems Dylan and Will could become the next hot couple. Soap Dirt is the most subscribed to YouTube soap opera channel. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

The dominant structural shift highlighted is the migration from flat-rate software subscriptions to usage-based billing models within AI and cloud services. Notably, vendors such as Anthropic, OpenAI, and GitHub have transitioned services off fixed-rate subscriptions toward consumption-based pricing, while Microsoft has introduced new premium tiers that embed AI and security features above the base offering. This shift introduces hidden metering within per-seat pricing, creating less transparency for small- and mid-sized clients regarding actual AI consumption and cost accountability, as documented in research referenced by Forrester. A consequential finding is that budgets for software and AI are reportedly rising by 80% among business and technology decision-makers surveyed by Forrester, yet most organizations are only at the early stages of genuine AI integration. According to IDC research sponsored by SAS, only 9% of small- and midsize businesses (SMBs) have fully embedded AI in daily operations, while about 70% remain in pilot or opportunistic phases. Moreover, a Gallup survey found that 52% of American workers now use AI on the job, but depth of adoption remains limited, with many implementations running only at a superficial level. Supporting developments include mounting evidence that cloud computing's historical promise of near-infinite capacity is eroding. Computer Weekly reports that Microsoft's cloud elasticity is encountering real-world constraints, leading to capacity limits and service rollbacks. Further, regulatory intervention is escalating: New York state has implemented a moratorium on new large-scale data center permits, reflecting mounting political resistance and public distrust toward large technology providers. Meanwhile, increased capital spending by AI vendors is pressuring margins and potentially driving future price adjustments or investment cutbacks across the sector. For MSPs and IT leaders, these trends increase operational complexity and expose gaps in spend governance and accountability. As metered AI and hybrid pricing models proliferate, tracking real usage and managing associated costs becomes more challenging, especially when AI charges are masked within bundled per-user pricing. Providers must develop discovery and reporting practices to quantify hidden AI spend, inventory usage meters within client stacks, and establish pricing models that properly segment one-time discovery from ongoing measurement. Failure to implement these controls exposes both MSPs and clients to unplanned overages, margin loss, and audit risk as consumption scales invisibly under the current invoice structure. 00:00 Your Subscription Became a Meter  04:14 Compute Ran Out of Room 06:51 Nine Percent Ever Finish 09:51 Why Do We Care?  Supported by:  Guardz ScalePad   

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful spoilers indicate that tensions run high as Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) and Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) are up in arms after Eric Forrester (John McCook) gets punched. The incident, instigated by RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) and escalated by Will Spencer (Crew Morrow), further strains the already tenuous relationship between the Forrester and the Spencer families.  B&B spoilers reveal that Ridge and Brooke's ire is not only directed towards the Spencers but also towards Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) whom they blame for their ongoing troubles. Eric's unkind remarks about Katie Logan (Heather Tom) and Hope, coupled with the physical altercation, have set the stage for a full-blown Forrester-Spencer war.  Spoilers for Bold and Beautiful hint that Ridge and Brooke are now plotting revenge as they refuse to let the incident slide. Alongside their personal grievances, their professional rivalry also intensifies. The Forresters, particularly Ridge, Brooke, and Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood), may utilize the shelved "Hope for the Future" designs to hit back at the rival fashion house, Logan. More B&B spoilers suggest that Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace), who has broken up with Will, is under pressure from the Forrester clan to move on with RJ. As the Forresters embark on their revenge mission, they may also engage in a public relations strategy to diminish Logan's influence in the press and assert Forrester Creations' superiority. Bold and the Beautiful spoilers divulge that as the Forrester-Spencer feud escalates, family bonds are tested. After her bitter exchange with Katie, Brooke may also disown her daughter, Hope, for siding with the Spencers and working at Logan. This signifies a new chapter in the longstanding Forrester-Spencer rivalry, with both families ready to go to any lengths in their bid for supremacy. This episode was hosted by Belynda Gates-Turner for Soap Dirt. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful spoilers for July 27 - 31, 2026 are set to explode with thrilling scenes and unexpected plot twists. Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) will be brutally honest with a loved one, and Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) will find himself disgusted by a situation involving Katie Logan (Heather Tom) and Will Spencer (Crew Morrow). In addition, some of the Forrester clan, including Eric Forrester (John McCook), pack up and leave for Monaco, adding an international flavor to the mix. During the week from July 27th to 31st, Dylan (played by Sydney Bullock) makes her move, while Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) gets to work. Meanwhile, tensions between the Forresters and Spencers escalate, with RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) and Will Spencer finding themselves in a messy situation that results in Eric Forrester being accidentally punched by Will. Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) is expected to be harsh with Will, hinting at the end of their relationship. B&B spoilers suggest that Brooke Logan and Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) rush to the Forrester mansion as they receive news of the incident. The confrontation between the Forresters and Katie Logan over the incident leads to Brooke cutting ties with Katie, leaving her utterly shocked. Dylan and Will growing closer, with Dylan being the only one truly there for Will amidst the turmoil.  Spoilers for Bold and Beautiful indicate that Hope and Deke Sharpe (Harrison Cone) get down to work on the new collection at Logan. The week concludes with a business trip to Monaco for Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood), Brooke, and Ridge, with Finn (Tanner Novlan) in tow. However, the trip takes a dramatic turn when Finn's biological mother, Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown), decides to follow them to Monte Carlo. This episode was hosted by Belynda Gates-Turner for the #1 Soap Opera Channel, Soap Dirt. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

In this new episode of One Vision Podcast, Paolo Sironi joins Theodora Lau to unveil his new book, Quantum Sapiens, a philosophical literary thriller on artificial intelligence, quantum gravity, and the origins of human consciousness. A burning question: Why now?We talk about the "I love you" problem and what happens when we attribute meaning to words that machines give us. Paolo invites us to think about the journey ahead of us before we walk through Alice's mirror. What do we need to carry with us? What do we leave behind? An exhilarating conversation about the present and future of technology that you won't want to miss. No PhD required.

In this special episode of Sales Pipeline Radio from the Forrester B2B Summit 2026 marketplace floor, Matt spoke with Dave Frankland, Vice President, Research Director, Forrester. Matt interviews the best and brightest minds in sales and Marketing.  If you would like to be a guest on Sales Pipeline Radio send an email to acceleration@heinzmarketing.com. Sales Pipeline Radio was recently listed as one of 30 Best Sales Management Podcasts and Top 60 Sales Podcasts Don't miss an episode! You can subscribe right at Sales Pipeline Radio and/or listen to full recordings of past shows everywhere you listen to podcasts! You can even ask Siri, Alexa and Google or search on Audible!

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful spoilers recently showcased a shocking interview with Eric Forrester (John McCook) that quickly devolved into an unhinged rant. Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye), was compelled to intervene, but the damage was done. Key characters such as Katie Logan (Heather Tom) and Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) were left stunned, as was Eric's family. Concurrently, Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) was amused due to the free publicity garnered by Eric's repeated mention of "Logan". B&B spoilers featured the Forrester family launching Eric's new couture collection via a livestream, aiming to avoid questions about the Logan sisters. However, their decision to allow Eric one interview led to an uncontrolled disaster. Eric's outburst accused Katie of stealing Hope from Forrester, and further suggested that Bill and his son, Will Spencer (Crew Morrow), were akin to thieves.  Spoilers for Bold and Beautiful reveal this controversy has led to a significant online backlash against Eric, with public sentiment siding with the Logans. This negative publicity, coupled with uninspired designs, could potentially lead to a significant decline in the sales of Eric's new collection. Consequently, Forrester Creations may face financial difficulties. Questions about the toxic culture at Forrester Creations are beginning to arise due to recent events. More B&B spoilers suggest that the fallout from Eric's tirade could have significant implications for the Forrester family and their business. Next week, Hope is slated to start on her new collection with Deke Sharpe (Harrison Cone), amplifying the competition between Forrester Creations and Logan. The need for effective damage control at Forrester Creations and suggests that the war between Forrester Creations and Logan is far from over. Soap Dirt is the most subscribed to YouTube soap opera channel. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

Click to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Youtube-Subscribe-SoapDirt Bold and the Beautiful 2-Week Spoilers for July 20 - 31, 2026 unveil surprises that sees Katie Logan (Heather Tom) devastated by slanderous accusations in an interview from Forrester Creations. As the drama unfolds, Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) must step in for damage control when Eric Forrester (John McCook) loses his composure on camera. Meanwhile, Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) is left stunned, and Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) returns from her spa retreat more infuriated than before. The week also sees Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) taking a personal hit.  B&B spoilers suggest that Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) finds herself listening to RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) rant about Will, just before the grand launch of Eric's new couture collection. Unfortunately, Eric's interview takes a disastrous turn as he rants about Katie's fashion house, causing a rift that could overshadow the launch.  Spoilers for Bold and Beautiful hint at a heated confrontation between Will, Eric and RJ at Bikini, leading to unfortunate consequences that could intensify the feud between the Spencer and Forrester families. On July 23rd, the Forrester family makes their stance clear to Electra regarding her and Will.  More B&B spoilers reveal that Dylan (Sydney Bullock) steps in to support Will, while Katie and Eric revisit their past actions. Also ahead is the aftermath of Eric's couture collection launch, Hope's unwelcome visitor at Logan, and the beginning of the Monte Carlo episodes, promising more drama and life-altering events the weeks of 07/20-07/31/2026. Soap Dirt has grown to the most subscribed to YouTube soap opera channel. Visit our Bold and the Beautiful section of Soap Dirt: https://soapdirt.com/category/bold-and-the-beautiful/ Listen to our Podcasts: https://soapdirt.podbean.com/ And Check out our always up-to-date Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers page at: https://soapdirt.com/bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/ Check Out our Social Media... Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoapDirtTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapDirt Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soapdirt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soapdirt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapdirt/

CRM is finally moving closer to where sellers actually work.In this episode, John sits down with Ryan Braastad from Microsoft to talk about agentic CRM, AI adoption, productivity tools, and why the old system-of-record model has created so much friction for sales teams. Ryan shares lessons from Forrester, Yammer, Salesforce, his own startup, and Microsoft as he explains how the next wave of CRM can move closer to the flow of work.If you are in sales leadership, RevOps, enablement, or go-to-market strategy, this conversation gives you a practical look at what AI should actually do for reps: reduce admin, improve data quality, support better habits, help leaders coach more effectively, and give sellers more time to focus on customers and revenue.Want to prepare your sales team for the next version of CRM before the market moves again? Visit www.jbarrows.com and learn how you can Make It Happen.What You'll LearnWhy CRM is shifting from a system of record to a system of actionHow AI can support sellers inside the tools they already use every dayWhy CRM adoption has often failed to give reps a clear benefitHow sales leaders can think about revenue per seller as AI becomes part of the workflowWhy AI adoption should start with one specific use case, not a company-wide free-for-allWhat agentic CRM actually means and why it is different from bolting AI onto old softwareRyan Braastad is a customer-obsessed tech marketing leader at Microsoft, where he works on product strategy across Dynamics 365 and Microsoft 365, helping shape the future of agentic CRM and AI-powered productivity tools. His background spans Forrester, Yammer, Salesforce, and a self-founded fitness startup, with experience across product marketing, go-to-market strategy, productivity, collaboration, enterprise social, and business applications.Connect with Ryan Braastad:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rbraastad/John Barrows is a sales trainer, speaker, and founder of JB Sales with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He has made hundreds of cold calls a week, led startups to acquisition, and trained high-performing teams at companies like Salesforce, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Okta. Through JB Sales, John focuses on practical sales execution—helping reps fill pipeline, close deals, and build trust with buyers in today's AI-driven sales environment.Connect with John Barrows:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmbarrows Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/ Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter

Artificial intelligence is transforming government, but where should agencies begin, and how can they adopt AI responsibly?In this episode of The CX Tipping Point Podcast, Martha Dorris is joined by Jeremy Wilcox, Senior Director for Strategic Solutions at C3 AI and former leader at the U.S. Digital Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and Forrester. Together, they explore how AI is redefining government customer experience and what it takes to successfully implement it across the public sector.Jeremy explains the differences between generative AI and agentic AI, why agencies should focus on people and processes before technology, and how AI can reduce friction, improve productivity, and deliver better outcomes for both employees and the public.The discussion also highlights practical AI use cases in contact centers, human resources, procurement, and finance, while addressing the importance of data quality, governance, human oversight, and change management. Jeremy also shares why agencies should target smart automation—not full automation—and offers insights on avoiding the growing risks of "shadow AI."Whether you're a government executive, CX leader, digital services professional, or simply interested in the future of AI in the public sector, this episode provides actionable insights for building more effective, citizen-centered services.Thank you for listening to this episode of The CX Tipping Point Podcast! If you enjoyed it, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners!Stay Connected:Follow us on social media:LinkedIn: @DorrisConsultingInternationalTwitter: @DorrisConsultngFacebook: @DCInternationalResources Mentioned:Citizen Services Newsletter2024 Service to the Citizen Awards Nomination Form

We discussed a few things including: 1. Jonathan's career journey   2. Cranium AI   3. AI ecosystem and timeline 4. AI trends, opps and challenges   5. Outlook for 2026 Jonathan is CEO of Cranium AI, Inc. The company spun out of the KPMG Studio and came out of stealth mode in April 2023. Jonathan is a former Partner at KPMG, cyber security industry leader, and visionary.   Prior to KPMG, he led Prevalent to become a Gartner and Forrester industry leader in 3rd party risk management before its sale to Insight Venture Partners in late 2016. At KPMG he led third party security globally, AI Security services, and built Cranium in stealth.   He has been quoted in a number of publications and routinely speaks to groups of clients regarding trends in IT, information security, and compliance.   Jonathan received his MBA from The Pennsylvania State University, is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Third Party Risk Professional (CTPRP). #podcast #AFewThingsPodcast

American entrepreneur and political commentator Daniel Forrester turns the 'All Talk' table to interview his best friend Iain. They discuss early life and family values, failures and triumphs in life, masculinity and sexuality - as well as some of the 300,000 interviews spanning Iain's career.Iain's new memoir, 'Have I Said Too Much?' is available now as an audiobook and in print. You can request a personalised inscription from https://www.politicos.co.uk/ if you mention you heard this 'All Talk' interview.If you are struggling with your mental health - and feel you need help, there are resources available to support you. Visit: Samaritans at https://www.samaritans.org/ - or call 116 123 free, 24 hours a day.

You did not get into this business to sell configuration hours, but at some point that became the model anyway. In this episode, I break down the one number from Forrester's Microsoft modern work partner study that every SaaS partner should sit with: 60 percent of last year's partner revenue growth came from AI, and the fastest growing slice was not deployment, it was advisory, up 63 percent in a single year. Your vendor is making the technical work easier on purpose, which means if your value lives in the setup, you are the friction they are designed to remove. I walk through why the partners who moved to advisory a year ago already own the relationships, the reputation, and the recurring revenue, and what that head start really costs everyone still waiting to feel the pressure. If you want to know whether the WHO, the WHAT, or the HOW is the actual constraint holding your business on the runway, this one is for you.Resources and LinksNeed help with your WHO and WHAT decisions? Apply for a FREE Multiplier CallBook a Decision Session herePrevious episode: 693 - The AI Revenue Play Sitting in Your Closed Lost Pipeline.Check out more episodes of the Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources

Fresh off an outstanding performance at the 2026 Australian Swimming Trials, Australian representative Jenna Forrester joins us on the Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast. After securing selection for both the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships, Jenna reflects on a breakthrough week of racing, including her Australian title in the 200m Individual Medley, and shares the hard work, resilience and mindset that have helped shape her journey to the top. In this episode, we chat about life at St Peter's Western, training in one of Australia's premier high-performance environments, preparing for major international competition, balancing multiple events, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Jenna also offers valuable advice for the next generation of swimmers chasing their own dreams of wearing the green and gold. This is an honest and inspiring conversation with one of Australian swimming's most exciting rising stars as she prepares for the biggest competitions of her career.

This episode is a companion to the upcoming Thought Leadership Handbook — part of a series where Bill speaks with exemplars featured in the book about how they actually practice thought leadership. There are plenty of books explaining what AI is. This one is about the person who decided to write a book that tells you what to do about it instead — and who's spent 25 years turning disruption into frameworks other people can actually use. Charlene Li joins Bill Sherman to talk about her new book, Winning with AI, co-written with Katia Walsh, and why this one felt different from her five previous titles. It's less an explainer, she says, and more a "doing book" — built for a moment when the case studies go stale before the ink dries. That tension opens into a bigger conversation about how ideas get made and shared. Charlene walks through the origin of Groundswell, the book that made her a New York Times bestseller, written entirely remotely with co-author Josh Bernoff while she was still an in-house analyst at Forrester. She's candid about what co-authorship actually requires — not just complementary skills, but real trust built over years, disagreements included. The conversation also digs into a business model question that shaped her career: when she left Forrester to found Altimeter, she gave research away for free, betting that value would come back around. It did — inbound demand from companies who'd read the free work and wanted the deeper conversation. Bill connects this to economist Elinor Ostrom's work on knowledge commons. Underneath it all is a simple throughline: frameworks outlast the moment they were built for. The "ladder of engagement" from Groundswell is still taught 18 years later — not because the case studies held up, but because the thinking did. If you're building a book, a body of research, or a career on ideas that might get overtaken by the next news cycle, this one's worth your time. Three Key Takeaways: • Co-authorship runs on trust, not just talent. Charlene describes working with multiple co-authors over her career and is clear that the deciding factor was never just complementary skill sets — it was years of built trust, the ability to disagree productively, and knowing when to step away from a deadline argument and come back with a clear head. • Give the idea away first — the business follows. At Altimeter, Charlene made research free when competitors charged for it, building an audience of 100,000+ readers almost overnight. The resulting inbound demand became the foundation of the business, illustrating a "blue ocean" alternative to the traditional pay-for-access analyst model. • Durable frameworks outlive their case studies. Charlene expects Winning with AI to need a new edition once roughly 20% of its examples go stale — but she draws a distinction between outdated examples and outdated thinking, pointing to Groundswell's "ladder of engagement," still taught 18 years after publication. If you enjoyed hearing Charlene Li unpack the thinking behind Winning with AI, go back to her first appearance on the show — episode 113, recorded back when she was preparing to launch The Disruption Mindset. Both conversations trace the same throughline: how Charlene builds frameworks that outlast the moment they were written for, whether she's leaving Forrester to found Altimeter or navigating a fast-moving AI landscape years later. Hearing the two together shows how consistent her approach to thought leadership has been across three very different books and two decades of change. Listen to "Leveraging Thought Leadership With Peter Winick — Episode 113" with Charlene Li.

The next bank run will not look like a run. No crowd, no panic, just balances leaving quietly as customers' AI agents move money to a better rate while everyone sleeps. In this episode of Banking Transformed, Jim Marous explains why the agentic era changes the physics of deposits, and why the money you assume is loyal may only be waiting for software to notice the spread. Jim reframes deposit stickiness as friction rather than loyalty, revisits the sweep account as the automated money-movement machine banks built decades ago and now face pointed at the whole market, and draws on FDIC, Forrester, and McKinsey data to size the risk. He introduces agent-exposed deposits as a new way to read the balance sheet, and lays out the three categories every institution needs to separate: relationship-protected, rate-sensitive, and agent-exposed. The real question is no longer whether your customer keeps an account with you, but whether they still let you make a single decision on their behalf. Jim Marous is Co-Publisher of The Financial Brand and Owner and Publisher of the Digital Banking Report. Banking Transformed publishes multiple times weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Many people in this country don't have access to reliable financial guidance — so they're increasingly asking a free chatbot instead. The problem? A general-purpose model trained on Reddit threads inherits Reddit's appetite for risk, and now that skew shows up in the conversations people are having about their money. In this new episode of One Vision Podcast, Alisha Chowdhury, Founder of Kiro Money, joins Theodora Lau to argue that the same technology, pointed with different intentions, can do the opposite: close the advice gap instead of widening it.Alisha traces the origin of Kiro back to a socioeconomically diverse Bangladeshi community in New Orleans — the "aunties and uncles" who taught her immigrant parents how to navigate an unfamiliar financial system — and to the University of Pennsylvania, where she saw real wealth and learned how it's built for the first time. After years as an investor at Vanguard and in private equity, she left for an MBA in London and started building the earliest version of Kiro: a low-code, RAG-based coach fed only sources she trusted. "Not garbage in."Today Kiro is an embedded financial intelligence layer that lets a bank or investing platform drop a context-aware AI coach directly into its own app, so users get guidance where their data and their relationship already live. A conversation about financial inclusion, the advice gap, and what it takes to build AI for money that people can actually trust. Because when it comes to money, trust has to be earned — and tested.

That Solo Life Episode 346: Why Independent PR Firms Are Outperforming Holding Companies Right Now Episode Summary It's the week after the Fourth of July, and Karen and Michelle are talking about a different kind of independence. It turns out that the future of PR looks a lot like its past: closer to the work, the relationships, and the accountability that got lost as holding companies scaled. Karen and Michelle walk through the data backing that argument — holding company headcount cuts, a Forrester forecast for 2026, independent firm revenue and growth figures, and a client tenure study that should make every solo practitioner feel validated. This is a celebratory, data-backed episode about why this moment belongs to independent practitioners, and a reminder that going solo doesn't mean going it alone.   Episode Highlights [01:13] The Article That Sparked This Episode: Karen and Michelle discuss a PR News article by Jennifer Risi founder and president of The Sway Effect, titled “Old School Is the New School: How Independent PR Is Outrunning the Holding Company Model.” According to the article the future of PR looks like its past, not the bloated, multi-layered approval structures that came with scale, but direct relationships, accountability, and responsiveness. [02:29] The Industry Backdrop: Mergers, Layoffs, and a Symbolic Real Estate Shift: The article was published around Cannes Lions, timed against a wave of holding company consolidation, including a major agency merger referenced in the piece. Michelle highlights a striking detail: WPP gave up its longtime beach space at Cannes, and an independent agency took it over, a literal changing of the guard discussed in the original article. [03:10] The Headcount Numbers Behind the Shift: According to the article, holding companies cut headcount by an average of 8% in 2025, with a Forrester forecast cited for a 15% reduction in 2026. Karen and Michelle are clear that this isn't something to celebrate,  hey don't take pleasure in layoffs or peers in the industry struggling,  but the data underscores the structural shift taking place. All source data referenced in the episode will be linked in the show notes. [05:59] Independent Firms Are Posting Real Growth: Citing O'Dwyer's 2026 independent PR firm rankings, the independent sector pushed combined fee income to $4.8 billion, with nearly a third of the top 140 independent firms surveyed posting double-digit growth in the same year holding companies were announcing layoffs. Karen and Michelle's takeaway for solo listeners who haven't seen that kind of growth yet: there is work being awarded right now, and consistency in business development matters more than ever. [07:08] Independent Clients Stick Around Longer: A 2025 joint study from the ANA and the 4A's found that clients stay with independent agencies an average of 7.3 years, compared to 5.8 years at holding company agencies. Karen notes this surprised her. She expected the gap to be even wider based on anecdotal experience with solo practitioners but the data confirms what many independents have felt for years: that tenure reflects trust renewed over and over again, not just convenience. [10:21] Why Now? Two Forces Colliding: Michelle frames the moment as two things happening at once. The holding company model scaled to a point where margin optimization started to outweigh relationship investment. At the same time, AI emerged and gave independent practitioners the tools to work smarter and keep pace without the overhead that scale requires. [11:11] The Counterintuitive AI Argument: Judgment Becomes More Valuable, Not Less: The article asserts that AI doesn't make communications less important; it makes human judgment more valuable. When the media environment is fragmented, and machine-generated content adds speed and volume to an already chaotic landscape, clients need a human who can say what's actually real, what matters, and what to do next. That judgment cannot be automated and it does not live in headcount, it lives in a person. [13:14] Independence Means Choosing What You Carry: Independence isn't the absence of structure, it's choosing what structure to carry. For a solo practitioner, that means no committee, no internal routing, no extra layers, just the strategy, the execution, and the phone call. Karen adds an honest counterpoint: that freedom carries real weight too, and most solos who are drawn to this work want that weight. It's not a burden when it's the work you signed up for. [16:19] The Honest Tension: Concentration Without a Bench: Michelle names the tradeoff directly. Being the whole agency means there's no one to hand a midnight crisis to, no colleague down the hall to sanity-check a risky call. The freedom and the isolation come in the same box. Karen's answer is the Solo PR Pro community — built specifically to give independent practitioners the peer support, expertise, and gut-checks that solo work doesn't naturally include. Resources & Additional Information PR News — Old School Is the New School (Jennifer Risi, The Sway Effect):  O'Dwyer's - Independent PR Firm Rankings 2026 ANA / 4A's Joint Client Tenure Study, 2025 - Press Release Solo PR Pro membership community: soloprpro.com That Solo Life podcast website: thatsololife.com Host & Show Info That Solo Life is a podcast created for public relations, communication, and marketing professionals who work as independent and small practitioners. Hosted by Karen Swim, APR, President of Solo PR Pro, and Michelle Kane, Principal of Voice Matters, the show delivers expert insights, encouragement, and practical advice for solo PR pros navigating today's dynamic professional landscape. Listen to all episodes and catch up on previous conversations at thatsololife.com. Did this episode inspire you? If you found value in this conversation, please take a moment to leave us a review. Your feedback helps us reach more solo pros just like you! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

ON LOCATION | Sean Martin & Marco Ciappelli — Infosecurity Europe 2026 Two conferences, two moods: at RSA the drumbeat was resilience; at InfoSec, it's sovereignty. Sean and I close the week with Forrester analyst Madelein van der Hout — beaming in from the Netherlands — on why Europe makes a framework out of everything, what AI deployment is doing to the boardroom, and the security jobs that don't exist yet.

On episode 1206 of Daytime Confidential, Luke Kerr, Jillian Bowe, Joshua Baldwin and Melodie Aikels dish the latest Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless headlines and storylines.  The DC crew remember J Bernard Jones, who passed away this past week. A Daytime Confidential writer and podcast regular during the early years, J Bernard left an unforgettable mark in the world of soap opera commentary. In late 2025, Jones returned to the podcast for a special Daytime Confidential Reflections episode and shared his thoughts on the current state of soups and the health challenges he'd faced down. It was a wonderful episode and anyone who misses his prescence in the soap opera community should listen to it.  Kat donates her organ to save Eva on Beyond the Gates and while still "under" she experiences a "What if" nightmare where she finds herself in Eva's shoes. Many soap fans, including Luke, felt the show was making Kat more evil than she really is, but Melodie has a very different take on went down. Last week, the DC co-hosts noted that Juneteenth wasn't mentioned during the big disaster event and wondered whether we'd see it this week. There wasn't a peep. Is it odd that BTG didn't mention Juneteenth when Days of Our Lives has integrated it into its storylines so well?  Logan vs. Forrester is delivering juicy drama and the feud between Katie and Brooke has Donna caught in the middle. Is The Bold and the Beautiful the most improved soap opera of 2026?  Is Days of Our Lives getting lost in the weeds with the Liam Selejko storyline and how it connects to Holly's overdose and viewers finding out that everything bad is connected to EJ and a batch of bad pills that were buried on Horton island. DAYS delivers all the great flashbacks for Deidre Hall's anniversary with the show.  Anna DeVane is back on General Hospital. From Drew to BLQ, at least four different Quartermaines are gunning for Willow. Will she go down because of one of the Q's? Luke really enjoyed the Carly and Lucas scenes this week.  Josh Griffith is OUT at The Young and the Restless and no tears are being shed on the podcast. After gutting the writing team and making the No. 1 soap opera nearly unrecognizable, we are ready for a new era at Y&R. Should CBS consider an interim head writer while an exhastive search is made to find Griffith's replacement? Someone to wrap up Josh's storylines and set the table for a new head writer.  All this and more on the latest Daytime Confidential podcast! Bluesky: @DCConfidential, LukeKerr, JillianBowe, Josh Baldwin, and Melodie Aikels. Facebook: Daytime Confidential Subscribe to Daytime Confidential on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify.

As generative and agentic AI promise to accelerate everything we do, are we at risk of becoming incredibly efficient at producing forgettable customer experiences?Today, we are here in Brooklyn at Forrester CX Forum East and we're going to talk about building better experiences with an AI-enabled design workflow. Specifically, we'll cover:- Balancing the speed of AI with the intentional, human-led decisions required to craft exceptional experiences.- The role of a robust design system in scaling high-quality, AI-powered experiences consistently across the enterprise.- How to identify high-value AI use cases for your design workflow while maintaining responsible practices that build customer trust.To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Gina Bhawalkar, Principal Analyst at Forrester. About Gina Bhawalkar Gina's research focuses on digital accessibility and experience design. Gina established and now leads Forrester's coverage of the digital accessibility space and has a deep background and interest in the topic. She advises organizations on how to establish and scale sustainable accessibility practices and is an expert on the digital accessibility platform (DAP) market. Her research on accessibility has appeared in publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Brand, and she is a frequent speaker at accessibility events and podcasts. Gina's other areas of expertise include inclusive and responsible design, design systems, personas, and measuring the impact of digital experience design improvements.Gina has over 20 years of experience as both a UX/CX practitioner and leader, with eight years in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Forrester, Gina was the director of customer experience research at Bank of the West, a subsidiary of BNP Paribas. There, she led the bank's digital voice-of-the-customer program and conducted primary research to inform digital product development. Previously, Gina led the user experience and accessibility department at Scottrade, where she built the two disciplines from the ground up. Earlier in her career, Gina was a UX consultant at Perficient, leading design and research projects for clients in the financial services, agribusiness, utilities, insurance, and retail industries. She has also served as an accessibility consultant at both Criterion 508 and the Georgia Tech Research Institute.Gina holds bachelor's degrees in psychology and computer science from Trinity University and an MS in human-computer interaction from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where her research focused on evaluating the accessibility of physical and digital products to people with disabilities. Gina Bhawalkar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginabhawalkar/ ---------- Resources ---------- Forrester: https://www.forrester.com We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873fThe most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're halfway through 2026, and the fintech landscape is moving faster than anyone can track. In this new episode of One Vision Podcast, Theo brings back three fan favorites — Jennifer White (J.D. Power), Tiffani Montez (Insider Intelligence / EMARKETER), and Julie Muhn (Finovate) — for a midyear roundtable that covers it all.What did the recent Finovate Spring reveal about where AI is actually landing in financial services? Tiffani shares the latest from the AI Visibility Leadership Board — why banks are no longer competing for attention, they're competing for recommendations, and why the rules of discovery have completely changed. Jennifer brings the data that captures our attention: 53% of consumers used AI in the last 3 months to ask a personal finance question. While awareness of bank-provided PFM tools runs 70–90%, adoption sits at 17–22%. Soft churn is now the real primacy threat. And Julie calls out one of the hardest questions in fintech: what's real, and what's just marketing?This episode covers AI as infrastructure, the trust paradox, agentic payments, GEO vs. SEO, and why the money leaving your primary bank might be the most important signal nobody's watching closely enough.

Bible StudyDon't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon:.Sermon NotesJesus Defines His Mission"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:32)Jesus Did Not Come to Call the RighteousThe spiritually self-sufficient do not hear the Gospel call.Christianity is not for people who think they have it all together.The Pharisees believed they could be righteous apart from Jesus.Grace begins when we recognize our need.Jesus Came to Call SinnersJesus called Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him.No one is beyond the reach of God's grace.Those who know their need are ready to hear His call.Jesus welcomes broken people into relationship with Himself.Jesus Calls Sinners to RepentanceRepentance means a change of mind and direction.It is part of God's gracious gift.Repentance leads to life, freedom, and flourishing.Following Jesus means leaving behind the old way of life.Discussion Questions1. Does everyone need forgiveness of sins to be saved? Are there any truly righteous people?2. If someone is not convinced of their need for forgiveness of sins (perhaps they don't identify as a sinner), how might you help them understand the gospel?3. Define repentance.4. In what way is repentance still part of God's gift of grace?Questions?Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Randy Forrester ().

What if your next customer isn't a person, but an AI agent acting on their behalf? And what if that agent is evaluating your brand on a purely logical, data-driven basis, completely devoid of the emotional hooks your marketing has always relied on?Agility requires not just adapting to changing customer behaviors, but also redefining who—or what—our customer even is. It demands that we build operational and strategic frameworks that can cater to both human emotional drivers and the cold, hard logic of machines.Today, we are at Forrester CX in New York City, and we're going to talk about a fundamental shift in the customer journey: the rise of the AI agent as an influential, and in some cases, decision-making persona. This isn't just about using AI in our marketing; it's about marketing to AI. We'll explore what it means when our brand's message needs to be optimized not just for human perception, but for machine interpretation and evaluation.To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Chuck Gahun, Principal Analyst at Forrester. About Chuck Gahun Chuck is a leader in Forrester's Digital Business & Strategy practice serving business and digital executives. His research coverage includes content management systems (CMSes), product information management (PIM) systems, and commerce services and strategy for B2B and B2C companies. Chuck helps executives design strategies that deliver customer and business value by partnering with technology vendors and services providers. Chuck has 20 years of experience in content and commerce. He specializes in digital strategy, experience design, and technology initiatives in CMSes, e-commerce systems, digital asset management (DAM) systems, PIM systems, digital experience platforms (DXPs), and several others. He has led strategy and implementations for brands like Goldman Sachs, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hilti, Marriott, AARP, and the Centers for Disease Control. Prior to joining Forrester, Chuck was a managing director and partner at Shift7 Digital (a Merkle company) and held senior management positions at ZS Medullan and Publicis Sapient. Chuck holds a BA in government and international politics and an MS in technology management from George Mason University. Chuck Gahun on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckgahun/ ---------- Resources ---------- Forrester: https://www.forrester.com We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873fThe most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of One Vision Podcast, Danny Friday, CEO and Founder of Sail, joins Theodora Lau to unpack why the "boring" corners of fintech — HSA and FSA accounts — are exactly where the next wave of meaningful innovation is hiding. Danny shares the origin story behind Sail: a claim over a Spanish-language dental receipt that exposed a deeper challenge about regulated industries: most of their software isn't broken by accident, it's broken by indifference to user experience. They dig into why no one had built itemized, embedded HSA/FSA infrastructure before now, what changed technically to make it possible, and why Danny insists AI should never make the hard calls. The conversation closes on a bigger bet: that within three to five years, every digital banking app will help people reimburse tax-advantaged expenses, and what that means for the industry.

Episode 304 reunites The Analysts — Remarkable Retail's celebrated panel of Forrester's Sucharita Kodali, Guggenheim's Simeon Siegel, and GlobalData's Neil Saunders — to take stock of retail coming out of earnings season. Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc open on the paradox of 2026: results are largely strong, sentiment is dismal. Simeon argues the link between the two is "tenuous at best" — people talk one way and spend another. Neil has the data: roughly 60% of shoppers who expect the economy to worsen still spent more than a year ago, propped up by spring tax refunds that won't repeat. Then the K-shaped economy. Higher-income households drive most of the real volume growth; middle-income shoppers prop up value growth mainly because prices are higher. Sucharita revisits "peak ambiguity" and the "vibe session," noting record sales barely outrun stubborn inflation. The panel unpacks the standouts — Ross's 17% comp, Victoria's Secret up 15% — and debates GLP-1's role in surging apparel and beauty: wardrobe replacement, new confidence, trading up to statement pieces. On turnarounds, Simeon lands the episode's sharpest thesis: brands "ubiquitize" and peak around $3–4 billion in the US. Lululemon got too big, over-distributed, and over-earning — so the bad sales have to "walk out the door" before the brand can re-elevate, the same lens that frames Nike's long reset. He and Sucharita draw the Gap parallel ahead of Simeon's on-stage interview with Mickey Drexler, noting Old Navy now dwarfs Gap itself. Neil makes the case for Macy's under Tony Spring — basics fixed first, satisfaction and visitation improving — while Steve stays skeptical of the pace. Next, the DTC reckoning. Simeon reframes his old "DTC is not all it's cracked up to be" call as "anti-anti-wholesale": outside high-margin luxury, nearly every brand needs a healthy wholesale business — and stores remain the best channel because "the customer is your employee." Sucharita pushes back on the AI narrative, reminding everyone it's far more than generative hype, as the panel digs into why scaled players — Amazon, Walmart, Costco, off-price — keep compounding through retail media, marketplaces, and flywheel economics. It closes on the wealth effect, trillion-dollar market caps, and whether a market correction could rattle high-end spending — then rapid-fire hot takes: brands to watch (Cozey, Ross Stores, Goyard) and what's on each analyst's radar, from inflation and surging oil prices to a quiet "middle of the doughnut" news lull and an election year's hunt for stability. Join us at the CommerceNext Growth Show in New York June 23rd and 24th with this exclusive discount code for 10% off general admission tickets and FREE retail tickets: Your code is "REMARKABLE" . See you in the Big Apple! About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.