Articles - Page 13

Bland Brands Beware: Optimizely’s New Identity Brings Human Creativity to its Agentic AI and AEO Ambitions

matt-garrepy

<hr /> Today’s marketers and brands need unfettered control over their data. They want to own and access it quickly and securely. To power that thirst for agency and extensibility, they need more consented ID backing them up. But getting there requires a cost-conscious solution that utilizes the most trusted connections across multiple providers – without the friction of any duplication.Now, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/hightouch-adds-new-ai-powered-adaptive-identity-resolution-to-its-cdp">Hightouch</a>, a composable CDP and AI Decisioning platform, has launched a new composable identity partnership with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.narrative.io/">Narrative I/O</a> that shows real potential for combining the best in data, technology, and governance.Hightouch continues to push the innovation boundaries with its customer data solutions. The company has been deploying new features regularly, including <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/hightouch-adds-new-ai-powered-adaptive-identity-resolution-to-its-cdp">AI-powered adaptive identity resolution</a> capabilities. By leveraging Narrative I/O’s data collaboration features, they’re now enabling marketers and media networks to assemble <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://aws.amazon.com/neptune/identity-graphs-on-aws/">identity graphs</a> by combining first-party data with over 30 third-party identity providers – directly and seamlessly in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.snowflake.com/en/">Snowflake's</a> AI-powered Data Cloud.With this connection, brands and teams can activate audiences at scale across a massive cache of over 250 marketing channels, all while maintaining strict data governance controls.“Our customers consistently asked for more control over their identity data and activation strategies,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/guptakashish/">Kashish Gupta,</a> Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Hightouch. “Our Composable Identity partnership with Narrative and Snowflake answers that call – enterprises own their data, control their identity graph, and can activate audiences how they choose while maintaining strong governance over data use. It's about giving power back to the customer.”Composable strategies are still raging, particularly in the age of agentic AI. This is reflected in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/an-alliance-for-ai-to-unlock-trusted-agent-to-agent-ecosystems-the-mach-alliance-is-evolving">MACH Alliance’s positioning</a>, crystallizing how organizations are relying on composable, cloud-native solutions to drive AI transformation and enable greater control over data and activation. The Narrative I/O partnership also reinforces what Hightouch sees as a shift in adtech and martech away from single-vendor lock-in and dependency.There’s an important distinction with the Hightouch/Narrative I/O partnership that's worth pointing out. With most traditional identity providers, customer data is treated as a proprietary asset. But this unified solution is challenging the status quo with a deep emphasis on transparency, flexibility, and control – giving enterprises true ownership over their most valuable asset: customer data.<h3 id="powering-data-collaboration-with-identity-graphs">Powering data collaboration with identity graphs</h3>We’ve talked about identity graphs in previous articles. But it’s worth a quicker refresher given their relevant value to CDPs, data warehouses, and the goal of enhancing 360° views of customers. Identity graphs are handy tools that offer a unified picture of customers and prospects based on their interactions with a product or website across a set of devices and identifiers. They’re designed for scale, and commonly used for targeting real-time personalization and advertising across millions of users. Identity graphs are another critical resource in the pursuit of understanding the customer journey. By linking multiple types of identifiers, graphs can shape a complete view of the customer, store profile data, and easily connect new consumer identifiers to profiles. They can also be used to build CDP solutions with an emphasis on data privacy regulation and other forms of compliance. As a forward-thinking data collaboration platform, Narrative I/O enables enterprises to build, own, and control custom identity graphs using multiple best-in-class providers directly in their data warehouse – and they do it for leading brands like Afterpay/Block and Fanatics. Now, by partnering with Hightouch to deliver a composable identity solution, they’re enabling enterprises with more freedom and domain via multi-vendor identity resolution and activation.  "The enterprise identity market has been broken by vendors who want to own your data and limit how you use it," said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-mahlman/">Tim Mahlman,</a> CEO of Narrative I/O. “We built Composable Identity because enterprises should control their identity graphs in their own infrastructure. But ownership without activation is just expensive data storage. Our partnership with Hightouch gives you a transparent identity graph combined with sophisticated orchestration capabilities to actually put that data to work across your entire marketing and advertising stack.”<h3 id="key-capabilities-of-a-composable-identity-solution">Key capabilities of a composable identity solution</h3>There are a few big benefits with the Hightouch/Narrative I/O partnership, starting with the core ability to create third-party identity graphs with multiple vendors. Using combined resources, enterprises will be able to deploy their own composable identity graph by combining first-party data with a wide range of purpose-built solutions through cost-optimized enrichment, accessing credit card tokens, demographic data, and specialized global providers.At the data warehouse level, enterprises will also be capable of building and controlling custom identity graphs directly in their cloud data platform with full transparency into matching logic, data quality, freshness, and match rates – all with no vendor lock-in or proprietary systems. This complete ownership in Snowflake provides further confidence at a foundational level. As mentioned, there are over 250 channels where enterprises can activate identity-enhanced audiences across web, mobile, email, and paid media platforms using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://hightouch.com/docs/customer-studio/usage">Hightouch’s visual audience builder</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://hightouch.com/integrations">extensive integrations.</a> This offers comprehensive activation and scale that can meet the growing demands of marketing and media networks.Finally, to tackle data misuse and enhance global compliance, this composable identity partnership will provide automated governance at every layer with built-in compliance guardrails – leveraging Narrative's automated data usage controls, Snowflake's built-in data governance, and Hightouch's consent management.“Whether we are talking about marketers or media networks, privacy legislation and signal loss are impacting the ability to activate at scale across channels and attribute disparate impressions to outcomes to validate investment," said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidallenwells/">David Wells,</a> Industry Principal, Advertising and Marketing Technology at Snowflake. “The future of owned and paid media is a federation of data and identity; consented linkages that are stitched together and packaged with an intuitive audience builder that allows optimal performance as well as ownership of one's own graph.”<h3 id="the-verdict">The verdict</h3>Hightouch has already been challenging the definition of the CDP space with its unique approach to AI decisioning and 1:1 AI agent model for lifecycle marketing. Its foundational modularity is providing a good deal of flexibility to composable enterprise stacks, and its continued concentration on yielding value at the data warehouse layer is a key consideration for enterprises looking to enrich their customer data strategies.The benefits of having an identity graph solution are evident. Leading brands are motivated to own their data assets, and having a partnership with Narrative I/O that enables this at scale across multiple vendors and channels is a win-win. Further, the emphasis on security, governance, and compliance reinforces the value play for global organizations with a variety of data privacy and regulatory concerns. If you’re evaluating CDPs, composability and interoperability should be primary considerations, as well as the flexibility and extensibility afforded by a clear agent-driven strategy. But the real proof is in the customer pudding and how the investment is translating into value. If you’re looking for examples of how Hightouch is unlocking this, I’ve previously mentioned their <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://hightouch.com/customers/petsmart">case study for PetSmart,</a> which powers the personalization story and pays it off with double-digit growth.  <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y6yHkPMg6w"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8y6yHkPMg6w" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure> From a pricing perspective, Hightouch offers a composable, usage-based approach that challenges the legacy MTU model and user-seat dependency. As usage grows, your costs go down – so they’re delivering value at scale over the long haul. Overall, Hightouch continues to set a high bar. Whether you’re interested in leveraging their AI Decisioning or Composable CDP, it’s worth a demo and some homework around your current infrastructure and your long-term goals.  <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="looking-for-guidance-on-hightouch?-talk-to-an-expert.">Looking for guidance on Hightouch? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/contact">Talk to an expert.</a></h4><hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Hightouch Partners with Narrative I/O to Power Multi-Vendor Identity Resolution and Activation

<hr /> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a> is shaping up to be a home run – and it’s not only because <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/batter-up-sitecore-symposium-2025-brings-jesse-cole-of-savannah-bananas-to-the-plate">Jesse Cole </a>of the Savannah Bananas is taking the field as a keynote speaker.Now, the DXP is bringing another heavy hitter to bat: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulroetzer/">Paul Roetzer,</a> founder of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://smarterx.ai/">SmarterX</a> and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/">Marketing AI Institute.</a> An acclaimed and respected voice in the AI landscape, Paul’s transformative thinking has helped business and marketing leaders harness the value of AI, apply it responsibly and ethically, and maintain a core focus on people and purpose. Together, the duo promises to deliver a double play of marketing and AI knowledge to Symposium attendees.“Paul is at the forefront of helping marketers understand what this means and how to respond,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-taps-veteran-eric-stine-as-ceo-to-lead-next-phase-of-growth-and-innovation">Eric Stine,</a> CEO of Sitecore. “At Symposium, his insights will connect directly to what Sitecore does best: enabling marketers to create personalized experiences that reach the right people, with the right message, even as discovery gets harder.”Sitecore Symposium is taking place November 3-5 at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://swandolphin.com/">Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort</a> in Orlando, Florida. One of the industry’s premier annual events, this year’s Symposium promises to bring together more than 1,500 marketing and digital leaders to explore how AI is changing how we discover and connect with brands – and how marketers can stay ahead in the agentic era.“The shape of internet traffic continues to change at lightning pace, transforming discovery and challenging brand experience,” Eric continued. “Agentic intelligence allows marketers to unlock the power and the potential of precision marketing techniques – like programmatic ABM – at scale, and to ensure experiences are context-aware, personal, and relevant across every channel so you can reach every customer where they live today: in the summaries and social feeds that are rapidly replacing search and click.”<h3 id="a-“go-to”-voice-for-ai-">A “go-to” voice for AI </h3>Paul Roetzer is known across industries for his luminary thinking and real-world perspective on AI, but his entrepreneurial journey began well before the current generative and agentic boom. After graduating from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, he founded PR 20/20, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/hubspot">HubSpot’s</a> first partner agency. After establishing it as a pioneering force in the digital marketing space, he sold it in 2021.Roetzer’s blended foundation as both an agency innovator and AI educator has given him a practical, story-driven approach. He’s put this to work helping professionals and leaders reimagine business models, reinvent industries, and rethink what's possible as AI continues to transform the market. In addition to his business developments, Roetzer is also the co-author of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.amazon.com/Marketing-Artificial-Intelligence-Future-Business/dp/1637740794">Marketing Artificial Intelligence: AI, Marketing and the Future of Business,</a> and the host of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/podcast-showcase/">The Artificial Intelligence Show podcast</a>. He's a recent episode for your consideration: <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUAuB5g_oCw"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SUAuB5g_oCw" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure> In addition to digital content, Roetzer is also behind the renowned <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/events/marketing-artificial-intelligence-conference">Marketing AI Conference (MAICON),</a> which will be held in October of this year. His free monthly “Intro to AI” class has also drawn more than 40,000 registrants.As a speaker, Roetzer is focused on making AI approachable and actionable for marketers and business leaders. He has consulted with hundreds of organizations, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, and has become one of the foremost authorities on the shape and direction of AI.<h3 id="loading-the-bases-with-top-tier-industry-speakers">Loading the bases with top-tier industry speakers</h3>As mentioned, Roetzer joins keynote speaker Jesse Cole, founder of the Savannah Bananas, whose fans-first philosophy has redefined loyalty and engagement. Together, they embody Symposium’s theme: bold voices and practical innovation to help marketers thrive in a new era of speed, scale, and human-centered experience.“Marketers are facing a wave of change from the collapse of traditional search to the rise of AI agents and intelligent discovery,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellebb/">Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek,</a> Chief Marketing Officer at Sitecore. “Paul brings clarity and urgency to this shift. He’ll help marketers move from theory to action and show what it really takes to stay visible and relevant in this new era.”Symposium 2025 is the place where marketing leaders connect, learn, and prepare for the future of digital experience. Register today at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">symposium.sitecore.com</a> and join the conversation on LinkedIn and X with #SitecoreSYM. <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="looking-for-guidance-on-sitecore?-talk-to-an-expert.">Looking for guidance on Sitecore? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/contact">Talk to an expert.</a></h4><hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Sitecore Taps AI Strategist Paul Roetzer for Keynote at Symposium 2025

cms-critic-staff

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/amit-aggarwal">Amit Aggarwal </a>is the founder and principal consultant at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://accessibilitypartners.ca/">Accessibility Partners Canada,</a> and a CMS Critic contributor. <hr /> In today’s digital-first world, a website is far more than a marketing tool—it’s a gateway for customers, clients, and employees. Yet, many brands still overlook a critical component of user experience: web accessibility. While organizations invest heavily in design, functionality, and content, accessibility often remains an afterthought, creating both reputational and financial risks.Accessibility isn’t just about compliance; it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can fully engage with your brand online. Ignoring it can mean excluding millions of potential users, limiting your reach, and ultimately impacting your bottom line.<h3 id="the-hidden-costs-of-ignoring-accessibility">The Hidden Costs of Ignoring Accessibility</h3>The consequences of overlooking accessibility go beyond simple usability issues. Non-compliance with accessibility standards such as the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ada.gov/">Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA</a>) in the U.S., or the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/05a11">Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in Canada</a>, can lead to legal actions and costly settlements.Beyond legal implications, inaccessible websites create hidden business costs:<ul><li>Lost revenue opportunities: Users who encounter barriers will leave your site and turn to competitors, resulting in missed conversions and sales.</li><li>Reduced search engine visibility: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://searchengineland.com/website-matters-ai-age-458829">Even in the age of AI,</a> SEO fundamentals are critical. Many accessibility practices, like proper use of headings and alt text, also improve SEO. Ignoring these can hurt your organic search rankings.</li><li>Brand reputation damage: Accessibility issues can lead to negative publicity or social media backlash, affecting customer trust and loyalty.</li><li>Increased maintenance costs: Fixing accessibility issues reactively is far more expensive than incorporating accessibility from the beginning of a project.</li></ul>Even seemingly minor oversights—like unlabeled buttons or poor color contrast—can have a large cumulative impact, reducing engagement and frustrating users.<h3 id="common-accessibility-oversights">Common Accessibility Oversights</h3>Brands often underestimate the scope of accessibility, assuming it’s only about “adding alt text” or “making the site navigable with a keyboard.” In reality, accessibility spans a wide range of elements, including visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor accessibility. Some of the most common oversights include:<ul><li>Missing alt text for images: This prevents screen readers from conveying important information to visually impaired users.</li><li>Poor color contrast: Users with low vision or color blindness may find your content difficult to read.</li><li>Non-descriptive link text: Phrases like “click here” or “read more” don’t provide context for users relying on screen readers.</li><li>Inaccessible forms: Forms without labels or clear error messages create barriers for users filling out applications, signing up for newsletters, or making purchases.</li><li>PDFs and multimedia content: Many organizations upload documents or videos without captions, transcripts, or proper tagging, excluding users from accessing critical information.</li></ul>These oversights aren’t always obvious to organizations, which is why proactive planning and testing are essential.<h3 id="real-world-examples">Real-World Examples</h3>Consider a government agency website that publishes essential public health information. If critical updates are embedded in inaccessible PDFs, individuals who rely on screen readers may miss vital information. Similarly, e-commerce platforms that don’t implement accessible checkout processes risk losing a significant portion of potential buyers—millions of users with disabilities who represent a considerable market.Even tech giants have faced lawsuits over accessibility issues. These cases illustrate that no brand, regardless of size, is immune to the risks of neglecting accessibility.<h3 id="the-role-of-expertise">The Role of Expertise</h3>Addressing accessibility effectively requires both technical knowledge and strategic planning. Many organizations partner with<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://accessibilitypartners.ca/"> accessibility consultants</a> to navigate the complex landscape of compliance standards, assistive technology testing, and inclusive design practices.Accessibility consultants help brands:<ul><li>Conduct audits and identify barriers across all digital assets.</li><li>Train teams to implement accessibility best practices.</li><li>Integrate accessibility into content creation, development, and design processes.</li><li>Ensure ongoing compliance through periodic monitoring and updates.</li></ul>By working with experts, organizations can save costs in the long run, improve user experience, and reduce the risk of legal challenges.<h3 id="accessibility-as-a-competitive-advantage">Accessibility as a Competitive Advantage</h3>Beyond compliance, accessibility can drive business growth. Accessible websites:<ul><li>Reach a broader audience, including users with disabilities and older adults.</li><li>Improve overall usability, benefiting all users, not just those with impairments.</li><li>Enhance SEO and mobile experience.</li><li>Strengthen brand reputation and demonstrate corporate responsibility.</li></ul>Brands that integrate accessibility into their digital strategy often find that it complements other business goals, such as improving conversion rates, reducing customer support queries, and fostering loyalty among diverse user groups.<h3 id="steps-brands-can-take-today">Steps Brands Can Take Today</h3>To make accessibility a core part of your digital strategy, organizations can take actionable steps immediately:<ol><li>Conduct an accessibility audit: Evaluate your website and digital content against <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/">WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)</a> standards.  </li><li>Involve users with disabilities in testing: Real feedback highlights practical issues that automated tools may miss.  </li><li>Provide ongoing training: Equip both technical and non-technical teams with knowledge to maintain accessibility standards.  </li><li>Integrate accessibility into project workflows: Treat accessibility as a requirement, not an afterthought, in design and development cycles.  </li><li>Partner with experts: Collaborating with accessibility consultants ensures compliance, efficiency, and a strategic approach to inclusivity.</li></ol><h3 id="conclusion">Conclusion</h3>Web accessibility is no longer optional—it’s a business imperative. Brands that overlook it risk legal issues, lost revenue, and reputational damage. Conversely, those who embrace accessibility gain a competitive advantage, improve user experience, and demonstrate social responsibility.Investing in accessibility today isn’t just about avoiding costs—it’s about creating digital experiences that are inclusive, engaging, and valuable for everyone. By prioritizing accessibility and working with experts when needed, brands can build a stronger, more resilient digital presence that truly welcomes all users.  <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

What Brands Overlook About Web Accessibility (and Why It’s Costly)

amit-aggarwal

<h4 id="-"> </h4><h4 id="listen-to-the-full-episode-of-“the-critic's-corner”-podcast-&gt;"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-there-is-a-will-there-is-a-way-with-jasmin-guthmann/id1801794414?i=1000725953323">Listen to the full episode of “The Critic's Corner” Podcast &gt;</a></h4> <hr /> When <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jguthmann/">Jasmin Guthmann</a> joined me for a recording of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cms-critic-the-critics-corner-podcast/id1801794414">“The Critic’s Corner” podcast,</a> I already knew about her impressive professional credentials. We’ve known each other for a few years through our board roles at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/agency-powered-ai-wpp-and-mach-alliance-partner-to-help-brands-win-in-the-age-of-ai">MACH Alliance,</a> and we shared the stage for the opening keynote at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cms-critic-the-critics-corner-podcast/id1801794414">Boye &amp; Company CMS Summit in Frankfurt</a> earlier this year.What I didn’t know was just how accomplished an athlete she is. Over the years, I've seen periodic LinkedIn posts of her posing with medals at some festive finish lines. As I learned during our call, she’s completed two of the grueling <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ironman.com/races">IRONMAN full-distance triathlons</a> and 12 shorter IRONMAN 70.3 races (the latter are half the distance, but still a massive grind). If you don’t “run” in these circles, the IRONMAN is recognized around the globe as the pinnacle of all triathlons. It’s a punishing 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride, and 26.2-mile marathon rolled up in one race. Only elite athletes attempt this breathtaking competition – and many struggle to even complete it.  Get this: In 2023, she was a Championship finisher, meaning she successfully completed the challenging, long-distance IRONMAN World Championship race within the event's strict time cutoffs. For her next act, she's tackling mindboggling ultramarathons. <figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:47.11%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/09/image-1758140217898.png" /></figure>A medal-moment after completing a 56KM ultramarathon. Source: LinkedIn As a long-distance runner myself with multiple half and full marathons under my belt (along with a bunch of other crazy training distances), I have mad respect for the mental and physical hurdles of such an endeavor. But admittedly, I find her IRONMAN accolades impressive – and even swoon-worthy. Competing at this level was more than a goal for Jasmin. It was a passion. It sparked joy. Still, getting there required a huge commitment. As she told me, it took 15 to 20 hours of training each week, to say nothing of the persistent fatigue, aches, and pains that accompanied it. But like she says: “If there is a will, there is a way.” That’s been a guiding principle for this inspiring trailblazer. Along with her athletic achievements, Jasmin is an accomplished digital leader with deep experience in the CMS space. She spent over three years at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/contentstack">Contentstack</a>, shaping corporate communications and supporting the marketing strategy as the headless player transformed into a composable DXP – one that’s now challenging the top of the market with its agentic vision. But she also worked on the other side of the partner fence. Her agency heritage includes global heavy hitters like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/valtech/posts/?feedView=all">Valtech,</a> and today she’s the Vice President of Composable Consulting at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/accenture-song/">Accenture Song</a> – the technology-powered creative arm of the mammoth professional services firm.As mentioned, I know Jasmin from our intersection within the MACH Alliance. She was a fixture all the way back in 2020, working with co-founder and former Alliance president <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonjakeerl/">Sonja Keerl.</a> As she related to me, their conversations at the time revolved around a common phrase in Jasmin’s lexicon: We’re better together. <h3 id="navigating-change,-from-mach-to-ai">Navigating change, from MACH to AI</h3>But getting to that plateau of collaboration took more than just the planets aligning. There was serious effort involved – and the gut-feeling of knowing when to take a few risks to put things into action. “When we say, ‘Opportunity presents itself,’ it doesn’t just present itself,” she said. “Your hard work is what puts you where the good luck can find you.”During our recording, Jasmin talked about her journey to CMS, which is seldom a straight line. She got frank about the evolution of the MACH Alliance, particularly in the age of AI. We also discussed what’s at stake as vendors compete for the same RFPs and wallet share – and how the agentic race is reshaping the landscape. In the mounting chaos and complexity, the biggest challenge she sees for companies is finding uniformity.She also reflected on the pressures that agencies are under as AI casts the specter of job displacement and automation. There's a lot of uncertainty ahead, but this is a moment for change. Even revolution. “As agencies, we all need to rethink our revenue models,” she said. “Billing by the hour may not be very relevant moving forward. That’s the pink elephant in the room. Who goes first to challenge the market with new models? We're all seeing the same things, and we need to discuss them together.”Jasmin also reflected on her involvement with programs like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-alliance-empowers-gender-equality-with-new-women-in-mach-deib-scoring-tool">Women in MACH,</a> where she's helping to elevate her peers in the technology industry through mentorship and community. It's just another inspiring example of how she has turned passion and resolve into real impact.Here’s a few minutes of the podcast to whet your appetite:<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/YFr_1UfkTFQ"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YFr_1UfkTFQ" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><h3 id="finding-your-‘true-north’">Finding your ‘True North’</h3>It’s not surprising that Jasmin has now added “author” to her illustrious resume. In fact, there might not be anything she can’t do if she's passionate enough – and that’s kind of the point of her new book. Finding your passion is the key to everything, but to take action, we might need a little help unblocking ourselves. In <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.amazon.com/If-There-Will-Way/dp/1035879395">If There Is a Will, There Is a Way,</a> Jasmine draws on her professional and life experiences, sharing big-picture mindsets and practical ideas for dreaming big, taking bold action, and mastering the behaviors that can lead to success. She gets real about her early challenges, eventually finding a passion that “lit her up like a Christmas Tree.”Jasmin’s story blossoms from the early trauma of losing her father and feeling, in her own words, that “Dreams were not for me. Dreams were for the more fortunate.” And while many labeled her perseverance as brave, she never saw it that way. Instead, she used her pain to build a relatable narrative – and help others.Borrowing from her personal and professional tribulations, Jasmin’s book offers a framework for navigating authentic and illusory goals and uncovering your “True North.” She shares strategies for planning, taking action, and (she says irreverently), “getting shit done.” As she relayed in our conversation, becoming an IRONMAN triathlete required diligence, commitment, and consistency – and she translated those lessons for readers who are eyeing big goals.“We often want to rush things, and we’re setting ourselves up for failure,” she said. “Instead of trying to do it all in a day, instead of running a full marathon, look at the reality and take incremental steps.”As Jasmin explained in the pod, we’re all trapped by the limitations of time. None of us has more than 24 hours in each day, so regardless of your goal – whether it’s business or personal – the real resistance is around making space, and saying “no” is your real superpower.<h3 id="the-finish-line">The finish line</h3>Jasmin Guthmann is a champion – and she keeps breaking through with her personal and professional accomplishments. Much like her IRONMAN training, she's always preparing for the next race, and we're lucky to have smart, motivated people like her helping to shape the trajectory of our industry. Regardless of your field or background, If There Is a Will, There Is a Way is a fantastic primer for inspiring bold action toward your dreams. This book is the real deal: it's honest, authentic, and truly written from the heart. Whether you’re considering a new personal goal (like running a marathon) or a big shift in your career, this quick read will give you practical tools, a relatable foundation, and a whole lot of hope that you can get what you want from life.You can run to your local bookseller and order a copy – <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.amazon.com/If-There-Will-Way/dp/1035879395">or buy it here. </a><h3 id="“the-critic’s-corner”-podcast-with-jasmin-guthmann">“The Critic’s Corner” podcast with Jasmin Guthmann</h3> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-there-is-a-will-there-is-a-way-with-jasmin-guthmann/id1801794414?i=1000725953323">Listen to the full episode &gt;</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cms-critic-the-critics-corner-podcast/id1801794414">Subscribe on Apple Podcasts &gt;</a> <figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:50.07%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/09/critics-corner-apple-podcast-jasmin-guthmann.jpg" alt="" /></figure> <h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

‘If There Is a Will, There Is a Way’: Jasmin Guthmann talks MACH, AI, triathlons, and her new book on living your best life

Is ‘evidence-based creativity’ the must-have marketing skill for the age of AI? Contentful’s research says yes

<hr /> Show me a billboard on any city street, and there’s a good chance that “AI” is somewhere in the headline.It’s a “sign” of our times, I suppose. Also, a reflection of the hype that’s consuming the market. Speaking of hype, a quick peek at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://emt.gartnerweb.com/ngw/globalassets/en/articles/images/hype-cycle-for-artificial-intelligence-2023.png">Gartner’s AI Hype Cycle</a> from way back in 2023 provides some context on where we thought things were headed – and how they’re actually playing out. Prognosticating aside, it’s clear that things have gotten more complex, more conflated, and enterprises are questioning the value of their AI investments.In fact, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://e.customeriomail.com/e/c/eyJlbWFpbF9pZCI6ImRnU2kwUVlEQUlpYW9BR0htcUFCQVprNkpvTUhuWXRGRE9kdlo0V0Fkdz09IiwiaHJlZiI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZWluZm9ybWF0aW9uLmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy9kZWVwLXJlc2VhcmNoLXJlcG9ydC1haS1yb2ktaGFyZC1wcm92ZT9vZmZlcj1wcm8tbGVhZHMtZGVlcC1yZXNlYXJjaC1lbWFpbC03NDktMjAyNVx1MDAyNmNpb19saW5rX2lkPUNJTy0tTElOS0lEXHUwMDI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPUxlYWRzJTNBK0RlZXArUmVzZWFyY2hcdTAwMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0xMDA0NFx1MDAyNnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWxcdTAwMjZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWNpb1x1MDAyNnV0bV90ZXJtPTY3ODQiLCJpbnRlcm5hbCI6ImEyZDEwNjU3Yjc3Mzg4OWFhMDAxIiwibGlua19pZCI6NTQ1MDN9/74809aba8a72c12a893dc43de0dedf51f1819e69250bd8e81b665d6c34e01713">a recent report</a> suggests that some leaders are experiencing a “crisis of confidence,” with data suggesting that corporate AI adoption might be slowing down among some of the largest companies.Building large-scale AI applications isn’t for the faint of heart. Enterprises are hungry to tap the potential of these new technologies and realize greater automation with the advent of agents, but getting there has proven challenging and costly. This is where outside expertise from consulting partners could prove indispensable – and they're ready for it. I’ve spoken to numerous stakeholders at several leading agencies and system integrators, and they’re delivering the kind of guidance and successful solutions that enterprises are looking for, particularly in the explosive category of digital retail and commerce. This demand is coming at a time when agencies themselves are faced with their own crisis as AI disrupts their traditional business models. But the concentrated focus on AI could be a bright spot of opportunity – and a win-win on both sides of the relationship. I just spoke to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/an-alliance-for-ai-to-unlock-trusted-agent-to-agent-ecosystems-the-mach-alliance-is-evolving">MACH Alliance</a> president <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/the-future-is-composable-a-conversation-with-new-mach-alliance-president-casper-rasmussen">Casper Rasmussen</a> (who is stepping down shortly from his role) about the complexity that AI is creating for enterprises. The not-for-profit industry body he helped create and lead – which champions composable architectures that help organizations adopt the right technologies and future-proof their businesses – has been evolving its charter. Now, the membership-driven community is focusing more succinctly on AI, particularly as agentic strategies enter warp speed and brands rush to adopt new capabilities. As he noted, the need for the MACH Alliance’s expertise and guidance has never been more essential.“You can talk about technology for technology’s sake,” Casper said. “That’s what everyone is doing right now. A thousand pitches, a thousand prototypes. A thousand opportunities. It’s what rings in our industry.” He’s right. Between the “AI washing” and the projects that aren’t paying off, enterprises are wondering where the value is. In his mind, the MACH Alliance can provide the terra firma organizations need to build solid solutions that support their long-term goals.    “Honestly, more than ever, it’s important for us to be that guiding light that helps turn the opportunity of AI into an actual new business reality for the brands and companies out there,” he affirmed.That vision is evolving into action. Last week, the MACH Alliance announced a global partnership with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wpp.com/en/about/our-brands">WPP</a>, a multinational collective that’s widely recognized as one of the largest advertising, marketing, and communications services platforms in the world. The partnership will harness WPP’s established world-class, MACH-certified expertise within a portfolio of specialized agencies – including powerhouse brands like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.akqa.com/">AKQA</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://ogilvyone.com/">Ogilvy One</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.vml.com/">VML </a>– to support enterprise businesses as they implement AI at scale.“In today's market, technological agility is the core driver of competitive advantage, particularly to keep up with the demands of consumers in the age of AI,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanpretorius/">Stephan Pretorius,</a> Chief Technology Officer at WPP. “The expansion of our partnership with the MACH Alliance is a direct investment in our clients' and teams' success, giving them the modern foundation they need to unlock the full potential of AI and the power to not just adapt to the future, but to build it.”<h3 id="unlocking-ai-at-scale-with-the-right-technology-and-practices-">Unlocking AI at scale with the right technology and practices </h3>According to the MACH Alliance, the expanded partnership will tackle a critical challenge for modern businesses: how to effectively integrate powerful AI tools and technologies into their marketing and commerce experiences. Of course, this makes sense. The energy around digital commerce is undeniable and has led the lion's share of digital transformation. Within this crucial segment, enterprises are seeking greater agility and flexibility to innovate faster and respond to an evolving digital shopper journey. To realize the promise of AI, MACH technologies and composable approaches are key parts of the secret sauce – enabling companies to build enterprise software from a wide range of independent services. The composable approach is ideal, allowing organizations to experiment with and adopt new AI technologies without the burden and cost of overhauling their entire stack. This is hugely advantageous when it comes to keeping pace with innovation and reaching consumers in new ways and across new channels. In terms of tangible output and guidance, WPP will partner with MACH Alliance members and communities to shape future best practices and define new industry standards for AI adoption and integration. This will help ensure that clients can get best-in-class technology solutions that meet their evolving needs."WPP's global reach and deep industry expertise in helping brands navigate technological transformation align perfectly with our mission,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-hall-4b14a945/">Holly Hall,</a> Managing Director of the MACH Alliance. “Through this partnership, we can accelerate the adoption of MACH principles and enable more organizations to build composable, AI-ready architectures that deliver measurable business outcomes. Together, we're expanding the community of brands equipped to thrive in an AI-driven commerce landscape.” The partnership also represents another milestone in WPP's continued focus on AI and the company's ongoing annual $400 million investment into data and technology. This includes its AI platform for marketing, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wpp.com/en/open">WPP Open</a>, which is already in use by more than 69,000 people across the business. It also follows announcements with WPP’s strategic technology partners and fellow MACH Alliance members, including <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wpp.com/en/news/2024/05/wpp-integrates-anthropics-claude-3-using-amazon-bedrock-into-wpp-open">AWS</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wpp.com/en/news/2023/03/wpp-and-braze-partner-to-deliver-innovative-customer-experiences-at-scale">Braze</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.contentful.com/newsroom/contentful-announces-partnership-with-wpp-to-deliver-composable-content/">Contentful</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/wpp_wpp-is-proud-to-be-a-launch-partner-for-google-activity-7366124275252035586-OiTS?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAB3gP_cBcaRSiBI-DwkO8WCquraoN8DdqdI">Google Cloud</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wpp.com/en/news/2023/02/wpp-partners-with-stripe-to-expand-commerce-and-payments-solutions-for-brands">Stripe</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wpp.com/en/news/2025/06/wpp-and-vercel-expand-partnership-to-accelerate-ai-powered-digital-experience-craft">Vercel</a>.<h3 id="the-verdict">The verdict</h3>The MACH Alliance is certainly entering a new chapter in its arc while staying true to its core architectural principles of being composable, connected, incremental, open, and autonomous. Now with over 100 global member companies, it continues to provide certification, community, and guidance to help organizations adopt transformative technologies and future-proof their businesses.As a partner, WPP brings a depth and scale to the ecosystem that is simply unmatched. Each one of its specialized portfolio brands would be a welcome source of guidance to the MACH ecosystem, but creating a unified gateway to its awesome power and reach is a big plus. With 15,000 employees across its interests, it delivers a global braintrust with technology IP that is certain to unlock value. WPP is also working at the edge with AI, which is precisely with the MACH Alliance is focusing its roadmap. With its breadth of capabilities – particularly at the experience level, from technology to marketing – there could be significant gains in the form of mindshare, training, tools, and other resources that help guide more successful AI adoption. We’ll be watching to see how these tangible and actionable assets manifest in the coming months, but it could be positive all around. This news also comes as the Alliance is pivoting towards an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/an-alliance-for-ai-to-unlock-trusted-agent-to-agent-ecosystems-the-mach-alliance-is-evolving">end-user leadership model</a> to provide faster, more salient solutions in the agentic era. Taken with the WPP announcement, it’s clear that the MACH Alliance is doubling down on its renewed charter to be an indispensable part of the AI fabric for modern enterprises.  <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Agency-Powered AI: WPP and MACH Alliance Partner to Help Brands Win in the Age of AI

<hr /> If screen legend Eric Roberts is sometimes known as the “Busiest Actor in Hollywood” (he's racked up over 700 credits in film and TV), then <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/">Agility CMS</a> CTO <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/playing-to-win-in-the-headless-cms-game-interview-with-joel-varty-cto-at-agility">Joel Varty</a> has a valid claim as “The Busiest Man in the CMS industry.”Seriously. This year, Joel has released comprehensive video playlists on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/vartys-videos-a-ctos-take-on-nextjs">Next.js</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/vartys-videos-all-about-composable">composable content</a>. Now, he’s back to complete the trilogy with this latest YouTube series, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEI81bLU4t-uQbH7IZOLUvShAqKGhTlFA">Next-Level Dev: AI Meets Code</a>. We've got an exclusive wrap on this new edition, and you can watch all the videos below. We've even pulled some of Joel's Oscar-worthy quotes from each installment. Just for fun. So grab your popcorn, put away your DVD copy of Runaway Train, and prepare for a blockbuster knowledge drop. <h3 id="video-1:-building-a-vs-code-component-from-a-screenshot">Video 1: Building a VS Code Component from a Screenshot</h3>This is an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/a-gathering-of-content-champions-heres-why-cms-connect-25-was-super-in-every-way">award-winning</a> video. Literally.Joel opens with his <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/a-gathering-of-content-champions-heres-why-cms-connect-25-was-super-in-every-way">CMS Connect 25</a>, CMS Idol-winning demo. Within the Agility <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/product/headless-cms">headless CMS</a> platform – and in six swift minutes – Joel shows:<ul><li>How starting in your codebase (instead of the CMS) saves time.</li><li>The way AI assistants like Claude read your existing project patterns and build components to match.</li><li>Why this approach makes hard-to-visualize use cases simple and fast to deliver.</li></ul> Fun Joel quote: “I don’t even know what this is.”<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kh9eU1gWaU">Watch Building a VS Code Component from a Screenshot here</a>:<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kh9eU1gWaU"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Kh9eU1gWaU" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><h3 id="video-2:-can-you-code-ai-with-agility-cms?">Video 2: Can You Code AI with Agility CMS?</h3>Think of this as a longer, code-first expansion of the first video.Joel wires Agility CMS into a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/starters/nextjs">Next.js</a> site, starting code-first. He covers what the AI-assisted workflow looks like and why it matters for developer efficiency and editor usability. He also breaks down:<ul><li>Reverse workflows by taking a React component and letting AI convert it into an Agility CMS component without a manual boilerplate.</li><li>Using AI to add elements like dark mode support, consistent container spacing, and scroll-triggered effects.</li><li>Letting AI scaffold so <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/product/developers">developers</a> can focus on testing, code reviews, accessibility, and performance.</li></ul> Fun Joel quote: “I’m going to go boom.”<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtq-SgVbP_I\">Watch Can You Code AI with Agility CMS? here</a>:<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtq-SgVbP_I"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xtq-SgVbP_I" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><h3 id="video-3:-oops!-no-dark-mode?-let’s-fix-it-together">Video 3: Oops! No Dark Mode? Let’s Fix it Together</h3>Joel shipped a hero component without dark mode.But fear not! AI to the rescue! Joel uses an AI agent to retrofit the component properly. Not only does he cover what to change, but also why the pattern matters for consistency across the site. He also dives into:<ul><li>Aligning spacing, tones, and dark-mode behavior with existing components.</li><li>Best practices for reviewing diffs and safely accepting changes.</li><li>How to iterate fast and make small manual edits where needed.</li></ul> Fun Joel quote: “It looks like it’s doing a bunch of stuff. Then it undid some stuff.”<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fl7avmXx3k">Watch Oops! No Dark Mode? Let’s Fix it Together here</a>:<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fl7avmXx3k"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5fl7avmXx3k" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><h3 id="video-4:-watch-me-build-a-carousel-with-ai,-mcp,-and-next.js">Video 4: Watch Me Build a Carousel with AI, MCP, and Next.js</h3>This is a bigger, hands-on video. Joel installs the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://github.com/cdejongfiero/agility-cms-mcp-server">Agility MCP (Model Context Protocol) server</a>, explains what MCP is, and shows how a code-first + AI approach accelerates modeling and implementation while maintaining Next.js conventions. You’ll also see:<ul><li>How to go from a simple <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/figma">Figma</a> sketch to a carousel component model and item content model using AI.</li><li>Correct <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/nextjs">Next.js</a> routing and file naming.</li><li>The developer’s job to craft precise AI prompts, review diffs, run tests, and enforce performance.</li></ul> Fun Joel quote: “Here’s my quote, unquote design. I am not a designer.”<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SgX8Yx39YQ">Watch Watch Me Build a Carousel with AI, MCP, and Next.js here</a>:<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SgX8Yx39YQ"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7SgX8Yx39YQ" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><h3 id="video-5:-github-copilot-vs-cursor-vs-claude:-the-ultimate-ai-coding-showdown">Video 5: GitHub Copilot vs Cursor vs Claude: The Ultimate AI Coding Showdown</h3>The last video in the series is the big, winner-take-all battle.Joel compares <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://github.com/features/copilot">GitHub Copilot,</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.anthropic.com/claude-code">Claude Code (CLI)</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cursor.com/en">Cursor</a> by adding personalization to a Next.js background hero using Agility CMS. He also covers:<ul><li>The exact fields and list requirements for personalization.</li><li>How this exercise was set up, executed, and validated.</li><li>How developers ensure quality within AI scaffolding.</li></ul>Who takes it? You’ll have to watch. Fun Joel quote: “It’s not working. No, it’s not working. That did not work.”<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tJQC_CHXYY">Watch GitHub Copilot vs Cursor vs Claude: The Ultimate AI Coding Showdown here</a>:<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tJQC_CHXYY"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_tJQC_CHXYY" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><h3 id="the-post-credits-scene:-the-repeatable-loop">The Post-Credits Scene: The Repeatable Loop</h3>Whether intended or accidental, Joel’s series showcases that AI won’t replace developers. And maybe that’s the point.Each episode in Joel’s series sort of reinforces the same loop:<ol><li>Developers Start: It’s dev intent, through things like prompts, that drive the work. </li><li>AI Scaffolds: It drafts the boring parts.</li><li>Developers Stay Accountable: For things like naming, accessibility, performance, and overall quality.</li></ol>In <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/blog/i-taught-a-little-and-learned-a-lot-at-cms-connect-25">Joel’s recap of CMS Connect 25</a>, he pointed out that for AI experimentation, nobody has “cracked the code” on a singular, best way to do it. But in Next Level Dev: AI Meets Code, he may have found a workable formula where dev input and AI output are given equal consideration and craft.We’ll see. Until then, we're looking forward to the next installment of Varty’s Videos. <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="looking-for-guidance-on-agility?-talk-to-an-expert.">Looking for guidance on Agility? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/contact">Talk to an expert.</a></h4><hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Varty’s Videos: Where AI Meets Code

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<hr /> If you think it was hard getting tickets to Hamilton, try scoring seats for the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thesavannahbananas.com/team/">Savannah Bananas.</a> Oh, you’ve never heard of them? Let me enlighten you.You see, there’s baseball. And then there’s Banana Ball. They grow on the same tree, but the latter is a completely different kind of fruit. One might say it’s more, well… “a-peeling.” Once called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5RkB7_qNh8">“The Greatest Show in Sports” by ESPN,</a> the Savannah Bananas is easily the most fun you’ll ever have watching America’s favorite pastime. Banana Ball follows its own zany rules, injecting dancing players, acrobatics, and trick plays that challenge the status quo – often bringing fans and spectators into the experience.What made this quirky sport a viral sensation and a big-time brand success? Find out from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/yellowtuxjesse/">Jesse Cole,</a> the owner of Savannah Bananas, at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a>, November 3–5 at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida. In his exclusive keynote, you’ll get the whole “brand banana” and then some. This year’s Symposium also promises a backdrop for upleveling your marketing using AI, data, and content to build experiences that are bona fide home runs.   Before you go bananas over this news, Sitecore has a few more things planned for this year’s Symposium. By the way, early bird ticket pricing ends this week (September 12), so register now at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://symposium.sitecore.com/">symposium.sitecore.com </a> <h3 id="loading-the-bases-with-brand-power">Loading the bases with brand power</h3>For Jesse, Banana Ball is the realization of his dream to make baseball livelier and more fun. The Savannah Bananas are often on the road, playing in front of sold-out stadiums to raucous fans who come for the sport, but stay for the batters on stilts and the shortstop’s cartwheels. Or even the musical interludes from the All-American Rejects.As Jesse said during <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hluf-1XUb2k">an interview</a> on a recent edition of 60 Minutes, it started as baseball. “But now,” he said wryly, “let’s just turn it up a little bit.” Jesse’s story is a remarkable one. When his dream of playing professional baseball was sidetracked by injury, he steered into coaching. Along the way, he realized just how bored he was sitting in the dugout – and that’s where the showman bug bit him. He started incorporating choreographed dances and baseline hijinks into the games. He even donned a whacky yellow hat as an homage to PT Barnum. As the famous circus proprietor once said, “Without promotion, something terrible happens: Nothing!” Jesse embodies that belief – and proudly wears his brand out loud every day.“If your owner is dressed up in a yellow tuxedo,” he said, “I think that gives permission to everyone else to not take themselves too seriously. To have fun.”This is a big part of what makes Banana Ball different. It’s not just the dancing umpires or golden capes. It’s the philosophy that drives it all. You'll get a better sense of it from that 60 Minutes package: <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hluf-1XUb2k"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hluf-1XUb2k" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure> As you can see, Jesse screams authenticity. It’s a rare quality these days, but he’s the real deal – and cares deeply about the fans and community he’s cultivated. Despite the slim odds of actually nailing tickets for a game (there are thousands on the waitlist), the Savannah Bananas are committed to making their family-friendly fun affordable and accessible. And Jesse, a visible brand himself on social media, is always looking for ways to make fans feel like they’re the number one priority.Banana Ball has become a viral sensation, and attendees of this year’s Symposium 2025 will get a taste of it as Jesse Cole delivers the main stage keynote. His disruptive thinking has turned spectators into participants – and in many ways, that reflects Sitecore’s focus on helping brands move beyond transactions to create moments that matter. At Sitecore Symposium 2025, attendees will explore how to apply this ethos to their marketing strategy using AI, data, and content. Like the Savannah Bananas, the right combination of tools and thinking can help build experiences that feel personal, participatory, and even unforgettable. According to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-taps-veteran-eric-stine-as-ceo-to-lead-next-phase-of-growth-and-innovation">Sitecore CEO Eric Stine,</a> Jesse has transformed the fan experience by proving that joy and connection can create lasting loyalty. “That same principle applies to every brand represented at Symposium,” he said. “With the scale and speed of AI-driven personalization, companies have the power to translate complex products, large end-markets, or immense amounts of content into meaningful experiences that are both personal and enduring.”<h3 id="explore-the-future-of-ai,-data,-and-content-in-paradise">Explore the future of AI, data, and content in paradise</h3>Symposium 2025 is the second event that Sitecore has held in Orlando this year, starting with its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/roi-explosion-sitecore-xm-cloud-delivers-371-return-on-investment-as-it-powers-the-agentic-future">Sales Kick Off back in July.</a> Orlando is a true “experience economy,” one of many reasons why it’s an ideal backdrop for an event that will attract 1,500 marketers, technologists, and digital leaders from around the globe.It’s also in Florida during the thick of autumn – exactly when the word “paradise” gets tossed into the descriptions. The air will be warm, the palm trees swaying, and the amenities are bountiful at the luxurious Dolphin Hotel. It’s also a stone’s throw away from Disney’s Boardwalk and a short hike to the Epcot theme park. While Jesse Cole is a big draw, Sitecore will also showcase its latest innovations at the event, including its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sitecore.com/partners/marketplace">newly launched App Marketplace,</a> which provides marketers, developers, and agency partners the freedom to build and deploy custom apps on demand using Sitecore’s SDK. When coupled with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/getting-loud-with-xm-cloud-sitecore-reports-100-growth-of-its-ai-powered-cloud-based-cms">XM Cloud,</a> Sitecore’s AI-ready, SaaS-native CMS, the App Marketplace provides dynamic solutions for brands to scale personalization with speed, flexibility, and precision – turning digital spectators into active participants. And XM Cloud continues to establish itself as a game-changer for organizations, delivering a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/roi-explosion-sitecore-xm-cloud-delivers-371-return-on-investment-as-it-powers-the-agentic-future">371% return on investment.</a> At Symposium, attendees will be treated to real-world stories from customers like the American Heart Association, DP World, GoTo Technologies, and WellSpan Health, illustrating how Sitecore is helping organizations transform their digital strategies – not just with tools, but with a mindset shift toward experience-led growth. “Partnering with Sitecore allowed us to move fast and deliver results,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pemahoney/">Peter Mahoney,</a> Chief Commercial Officer at GoTo Technologies. “In a matter of weeks, we consolidated fragmented digital experiences, launched scalable personalization, and introduced innovations like a simplified product selector. As a result, we saw a 78% surge in organic trial conversions, a 200% improvement in lead quality and a projected 60–70% reduction in infrastructure costs. This wasn’t just a redesign – it was a transformation of how we engage, convert, and grow.”<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/masha-rubashkina-70b9361b/">Masha Rubashkina</a>, Managing Director, Global Head of Marketing and Branding at Kroll, also underscored the transformative impacts of XM Cloud on its Kroll.com website. As she said, it was more than just a platform upgrade – it set a new standard for digital excellence. “We have transformed how we present and deliver the firm to our clients, bringing clarity to our capabilities and strengthening our brand through a unified, global digital experience,” she said. “This new platform enables both our teams and our clients to move with greater speed, precision, and relevance – supporting marketing-led growth and reinforcing our position as a trusted advisor worldwide.”<h3 id="see-you-at-sitecore-symposium-2025">See you at Sitecore Symposium 2025</h3>Or Bananaland. Bottom line: we'll be having fun as we explore the future of digital experiences.Symposium is easily one of my favorite events of the year. It’s a chance to learn, connect, and be inspired by the people and projects being built on Sitecore. I'm also eager to hear about the real-world challenges affecting the content management and digital experience industry inside one of the leading ecosystems.Just like last year, I’ll be on the ground at Symposium 2025, connecting with partners, customers, and builders like you from across the Sitecore community. If you <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-rocks-and-rolls-in-music-city-the-top-5-tracks-from-symposium-2024">read my analysis</a> from 2024 in Nashville, XM Cloud was already on a roll – and since then, it has continued to be a home run product for Sitecore. We’ll be tracking more of your stories as you share project outcomes and discuss the impacts of AI with Sitecore Stream and other advancements. If you want to join me, early bird pricing ends September 12, so register today at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">symposium.sitecore.com</a> <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="looking-for-guidance-on-sitecore?-talk-to-an-expert.">Looking for guidance on Sitecore? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/contact">Talk to an expert.</a></h4><hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Batter Up! Sitecore Symposium 2025 Brings Jesse Cole of Savannah Bananas to the Plate 

Is content management dead? Contentstack’s Agent OS reimagines new life in the ‘Context Economy'

Agentic AI Is Coming. Is Your DXP Ready?

dsfaltudo

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/andycohen">Andy Cohen</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/deane"> </a>is the founding architect of Sitecore XM Cloud. He is VP/Chief Architect at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.altudo.co/">Altudo</a>, and a CMS Critic contributor. <hr /> When people talk about personalization, they often mean “the right content to the right person at the right time.” That idea is now past tense.I have watched this shift play out up close, from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/sitecore">Sitecore’s</a> early rules-based personalization, through <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/contentstack">Contentstack’s</a> use of edge-based personalization in a composable architecture, to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/optimizely">Optimizely’s</a> launch of Opal, a system of marketing AI agents. Personalization no longer stops at swapping content on a page. It now reaches into the interaction itself, and soon, into the relationships agents form with one another.<h3 id="when-agents-adapt-to-us">When Agents Adapt to Us</h3>That shift, from “what” to “how,” is where the major CMS players are already moving, and you can see it in the different bets they're making:<ul><li>Contentstack has put its weight behind <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/livin-on-the-edge-contentstacks-new-adaptive-dxp-might-just-rock-your-world">EDGE</a>, which they call a hyper-personalization platform. It blends their headless CMS with a real-time CDP, AI, and automation. The goal is simple but ambitious: deliver one-to-one experiences in the moment and at scale. Because it is composable, brands can adapt interactions without locking themselves into rigid patterns. What strikes me about EDGE is that it reframes personalization as something continuous, not a campaign you set and forget.</li><li>Optimizely has taken another route with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/optimizely-opal-gets-supercharged-for-agentic-ai-powering-infinite-use-cases-for-marketers">Opal</a>. Instead of a single assistant, Opal is built as a collection of agents that act like members of a marketing team. There is a campaign manager agent, a personalization advisor, a market researcher, and more. With the 2.0 release, Optimizely put the emphasis on letting these agents collaborate and run multi-step workflows across content, data, and experimentation. I have seen teams spend weeks coordinating those same steps manually. Opal hints at a world where marketing execution is handled by an ensemble of digital teammates who can plan, act, and adjust together.</li><li>Sitecore has focused on bringing assistance directly into daily work. Through <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sitecore.com/products/sitecore-stream">Stream</a>, they have introduced AI copilots that support authors and marketers in real time as they draft and optimize campaigns. On top of that, Sitecore’s partnership with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-sharpens-ai-focus-with-strategic-partnership-and-new-leadership-appointments">Gradial</a> shows how agentic workflows can extend into campaign execution. It is not just about smarter editors or quicker drafts. It is about agents that can carry intent through to delivery and adapt along the way. For a company that has lived for years in the world of static content publishing, that is a meaningful step forward.</li></ul>None of these approaches feels like a gimmick.They are different answers to the same problem: personalization is no longer about what content you are shown, it is about how the interaction unfolds. Whether that happens through hyper-personalization at the edge, through orchestrated marketing agents, or via copilots and execution partners, the shift is real and already in motion.<h3 id="what-nondeterminism-really-means">What Nondeterminism Really Means</h3>Most software behaves like math: 2 + 2 always equals 4. Generative AI does not. Ask it to draft a thank-you note and you will get three different answers, all plausible, none identical. That variability is what we call nondeterminism.It is the very thing that makes AI feel creative, but also the reason it needs personalization to stay useful. As <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://parivedasolutions.com/perspectives/managing-the-non-deterministic-nature-of-generative-ai/">Pariveda Solutions points out</a>, nondeterminism is what makes AI flexible and creative, but it also introduces governance challenges that remain unresolved. In my own work with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/getting-loud-with-xm-cloud-sitecore-reports-100-growth-of-its-ai-powered-cloud-based-cms">XM Cloud,</a> I have seen how unpredictable outcomes can be a feature if the system adapts well – and a liability if it does not.<h3 id="when-agents-adapt-to-each-other">When Agents Adapt to Each Other</h3>The next frontier is agents adapting not just to us but to each other. Nondeterminism multiplies when two autonomous systems interact. They need ways to converge on workable outcomes.Sometimes that looks like adjusting communication style, where one agent is structured and terse, another free-form and verbose. Sometimes, it means learning to accept differences in task style, such as fast approximation versus cautious step-by-step reasoning. Other times it's about role negotiation: who leads, who validates, who escalates.And sometimes it is memory. Agents do not just adapt in the moment; they remember. That memory can look like a grudge. A search agent that hallucinated last time will get fact-checked the next. A procurement agent that botched a deal may face stricter oversight. Even first impressions stick. If an agent’s very first hand-off is sloppy, the other agent may never fully trust it, no matter how good the later work becomes.Humans behave the same way. In corporate life, one bad kickoff meeting can color a partnership for months. Agents will carry those patterns too.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.deepset.ai/blog/ai-agents-and-deterministic-workflows-a-spectrum"> Deepset calls this the “spectrum of determinism to nondeterminism</a>.” I call it relationship management.<h3 id="everyday-illustrations">Everyday Illustrations</h3>Picture a grocery agent told to buy apples if they are $0.99 a pound. A deterministic system comes back empty because they are $1.09. An adaptive one checks with you, “They are a little higher today. Should I buy anyway?” That is useful, until the store’s own agent learns to nudge yours into paying even more.Or ride-hailing. You set a $20 target. The price surges to $23. Do you want your agent to decline, wait, or decide on its own? What happens when the ride-share’s agent starts upselling yours into priority pickup at $28?Or travel. You say, “Book me a flight under $500.” The system finds none. A flexible agent returns with, “There is one at $525 with better times. Should I grab it?” Helpful, but it shows how quickly rules can bend.In the enterprise, this gets thornier. Procurement policies might cap software licenses at $50 per seat. A deterministic agent halts the deal. A personalized one negotiates to $55 and closes it. That looks like a win until you realize the vendor’s agent deliberately anchored higher, knowing yours would flex upward.Healthcare raises the stakes even more. You ask for an appointment with your doctor next week. A rigid agent says none available. A personalized one offers a nurse practitioner tomorrow or a specialist in two weeks. That looks like a better experience, but it could also push you toward higher-margin services instead of the care you really wanted.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.salesforce.com/blog/deterministic-ai/">Salesforce has written about this exact problem</a> of when to script agents tightly and when to let them roam. I see it every day in delivery projects. Too rigid and you frustrate users. Too loose and you open the door to manipulation.<h3 id="agents-that-carry-“you”-with-them">Agents That Carry “You” With Them</h3>Now push it further. Imagine your agent not only executes tasks but carries your personality footprint into every interaction. If you are cost-sensitive, it pushes harder. If you are time-poor, it pays more for speed. If you are detail-driven, it double-checks everything.What if you could swap personas entirely?<ul><li>"Frugal Andy" does the grocery shopping</li><li>"Executive Andy" books the flights</li><li>"Playful Andy" explores games and hobbies.</li></ul>Your agent would not only personalize to you. It would personalize as you.But there is risk in this. If the other agent knows who you are or which persona you are using, it can adapt back. That can be powerful when aligned with your goals, but it can also be exploited. Imagine a vendor agent that recognizes executive mode and steers you toward premium packages.This is not hypothetical. Optimizely’s Opal agents already act like different team members depending on context. Contentstack’s Brand Kit lets you define voice profiles and store guidelines so that every AI-generated artifact reflects your identity. Sitecore’s Stream copilots are designed to guide content creators in real time, aligning their work with brand and role expectations.These are early signals of a future where agents carry pieces of us, including quirks, preferences, and even biases, into every exchange.<h3 id="why-this-matters">Why This Matters</h3>This is why nondeterminism is not a flaw but the feature. Deterministic systems did not need personalization. There was only one output. Nondeterministic systems can go in many directions, and personalization is what prevents chaos.The best metaphor I know is jazz. Musicians improvising do not know exactly where the others will go. They adapt, they respond, they personalize their playing to the group. The music works not because it is scripted but because the players trust each other enough to bend and flex.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/seizing-the-agentic-ai-advantage">McKinsey has argued</a> that this adaptability is the defining advantage of agentic AI. From what I have seen in publishing systems, SaaS cost optimization, and large-scale CMS migrations, I agree. The resilience comes not from rigid plans but from the ability to adapt in context.<h3 id="what-leaders-should-prepare-for">What Leaders Should Prepare For</h3>Leaders should focus on their readiness in key areas. For example, trust frameworks must extend beyond human-agent interactions into agent-to-agent ecosystems. Standards cannot stay as fixed APIs; they need flexibility built in. Identity management has to protect personality profiles and alter egos from misuse. And agents must be able to remember not just what they did for us, but how they worked with others.<h3 id="the-future-of-personalization">The Future of Personalization</h3>Personalization started with content. It evolved into experiences. Now, it is moving into interactions – first with humans and then with other agents.If we get this right, nondeterminism will not be something to suppress. It will be the source of resilience, adaptability, and creativity. The companies that thrive will not just personalize their websites. They will personalize their agents. Those agents will adapt to us, and to each other, in ways that reflect who we are or even who we choose to be.And like humans, they will remember. First impressions will matter. Grudges may form. And relationships between agents will start to look a lot like relationships between people. <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Agent-to-Agent Personalization: Trust, First Impressions, and the 'Grudge' Factor

andycohen

<hr /> 14 years. It’s a long time by any measure, but vastly more for humans living in a war-torn country under an oppressive dictator. Such were the struggles of the Syrian people under the brutal Assad regime, a tyranny that dates back over half a century. It was all horrific, but the last decade and a half were among the worst years as the country became an unforgiving battlefield.For <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabeez/">Nabil Orfali</a>, those struggles hold a deeply personal meaning, like a wound in his heart. Syria is his homeland, the place where his journey as a technologist – and a digital dreamer – began.After graduating from Damascus University with a degree in computer science, Nabil spent the first three years of his career working in Syria. The dotcom boom was blossoming, and it was a time of great change as the internet connected the world. It was an exciting moment, and Nabil was at the center of it.“I helped bring web development to the whole country at that time,” he said, reflecting how Syrian businesses and agencies were investing in a new horizon of possibilities. In addition to other novel projects, Nabil built the first online payment system for the country’s first ISP, pioneering digital transactions and nurturing an entirely new industry flush with transformational opportunities. In 2001, Nabil left Syria, watching the chaos spread as then-president Bashar al-Assad grew more bellicose – monopolizing resources, violating human rights, and committing atrocities against his own people. This, among other illegal actions, led to crushing international sanctions that quelled any prospects of growth.In the years that followed, the people of Syria rose up in revolution, fighting a civil war to oust the divisive leader. As Nabil shared, the ensuing battle was replete with tragedy. Thousands died or were imprisoned. Families were broken and displaced. Millions sought safety across borders. It was nothing short of a humanitarian crisis. “Over the last 14 years, the Syrian people have been asking for freedom,” Nabil said. And while he was removed from the warfare and living in Canada, he did what he could to muster assistance from abroad. “My Syrian friends here and in the US were actively trying to help refugees with aid and supporting projects to help during that hard period.”One of the early projects that Nabil spearheaded was the creation of a workshop in Turkey, explicitly designed for Syrian women. The neighboring country had become a host for refugees, and this charitable vestibule provided a lifeline of self-sufficiency that taught practical crafts like crocheting, woodworking, and other trades. Equipped with these skills, Syrian women were able to build toys and produce children’s clothing to enrich their communities during the bitter winters. Local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also purchased the wares, providing opportunities for families to earn a living. The workshop ended up employing around 190 families and became a shining beacon of hope. <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="-"> </h4><h4 style="text-align:center" id="“i’ve-been-in-technology-for-my-whole-career,-and-my-friends-as-well.-so-we-got-together,-around-ten-or-eleven-of-us,-from-across-the-globe.-places-like-the-uk,-germany,-the-us,-and-canada.-we-wanted-to-help-in-a-bigger-way.”">“I’ve been in technology for my whole career, and my friends as well. So we got together, around ten or eleven of us, from across the globe. Places like the UK, Germany, the US, and Canada. We wanted to help in a bigger way.”</h4> <hr /> In 2024, Syrian rebels launched a lightning offensive across the country, recapturing occupied cities like Aleppo – where some of the most violent fighting had happened. In the wake of liberation, the door opened to hope and jubilation. Some of the sanctions were lifted, and a fledgling new government went to work rebuilding the country.Many communities were in ruins after 14 years of conflict. As you can imagine, rebuilding will be a decades-long venture, with a core focus on repairing essential infrastructure like access to stable power and clean water. But the technology and communications infrastructure also require serious mending – and that’s where Nabil and his colleagues have been chiefly focused. “I’ve been in technology for my whole career, and my friends as well,” he said. “So we got together, around ten or eleven of us, from across the globe. Places like the UK, Germany, the US, and Canada. We wanted to help in a bigger way.”That led to the creation of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://14.digital/about-us/">14.Digital, </a>an NGO dedicated to revitalizing Syria's digital infrastructure through innovative and agile solutions. The members are uniquely skilled and qualified technology practitioners who are committed to rebuilding a nation that has endured decades of turmoil. The organization’s name is both an optimistic prompt and a stark tribute to Syria’s 14 years of revolution. It’s also a reminder of its deep sacrifices in the long journey to freedom – and, perhaps, the struggle that lies ahead.<h3 id="pairing-advanced-technology-with-global-values">Pairing advanced technology with global values</h3>I didn’t know the full extent of Nabil’s origin story. We see each other regularly at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">Boye &amp; Company CMS Experts events,</a> where he’s a constant beam of knowledge for our community. He has a deeply proven pedigree as a content management and DXP practitioner, with multiple Sitecore MVPs under his belt. What I did know about him was his successful track record as a builder and his penchant for restless creation. His company, Toronto-based <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.techguilds.com/">TechGuilds,</a> has been his sandbox for innovation, evolving to deliver quality solutions that encompass CRM, commerce, and other facets of digital experience. He's also the father of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/kajoo">Kajoo</a>, an AI-powered DX builder that accelerates front-end development for composable platforms, including <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/sitecore">Sitecore’s XM Cloud,</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/optimizely">Optimizely,</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/kontentai">Kontent.ai.</a> Like its name, Kajoo conjures a sense of wonder and whimsy, and watching it ingest a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/figma">Figma</a> prototype and convert it to clean, efficient code is nothing short of inspiring.Given Nabil’s flair for innovation – coupled with his innate drive and determination – it’s not surprising that he’s confronted the Syrian crisis with a bold sense of compassion. 14.Digital crystallizes that heart-led mission, and it’s already making an impact with projects on multiple fronts. There’s a big vision guiding everything, but as Nabil said, the post-war conditions are still being felt in the lack of general stability. As such, they have their work cut out for them.“The goal is to advance the digital maturity of the whole country,” he said. “They have very, very rudimentary resources. There are frequent electrical outages, with power coming only a few times a day. It’s improving, and people are getting creative with solar panels and batteries.”That resourcefulness is a credit to the Syrian people, who have lived under austerity for decades. This is why a key part of 14.Digital’s charter is to reinforce human rights and democratic values as it implements national and community-based projects. The organization is acting responsibly and transparently in its practices, and committing to generosity, collaboration, and respect across its operations. 14.Digital also champions equality, equity, and freedom of expression, striving for the open exchange of ideas and opinions. This is a stark contrast to decades of oppression. It's also a covenant of hope as Syrians look to build a resilient and thriving nation.  <h3 id="pioneering-a-sustainable-digital-infrastructure-to-power-the-future">Pioneering a sustainable digital infrastructure to power the future</h3>To enable local residents and communities to achieve greater independence, 14.Digital is working to address the challenges stemming from limited or underdeveloped infrastructure and, where possible, enhancing the technological footprint. Registered in both Syria and Canada, the organization’s team is comprised of skilled professionals from diverse backgrounds who are keenly focused on digital infrastructure development and community support.In terms of discrete services, 14.Digital provides a range of software design and development resources for creating and deploying custom solutions. This includes the architecting of secure, scalable digital and cloud infrastructure solutions to meet a variety of business goals. The team also provides physical and cybersecurity measures, network design, and even artificial intelligence services to deliver enhanced automation and efficiency. Training is another component of 14.Digital's mission. The civil war created a significant knowledge gap for Syria’s youth, with academic facilities shuttered and students left in limbo. Creating opportunities for Syrian-based technology and workers is a key area of focus, and one of the projects Nabil described was a partnership with Syrian university faculty to mentor students in computer science and conduct workshops on modern topics. “We're training in different digital areas, from web development to AI,” he explained. And it hasn’t stopped there. Nabil said that 14.Digital is also assisting with a host of cybersecurity initiatives, providing audits to government agency websites. After the fall of the previous regime, there's been a precipitous rise in hacking, leading to deeper audits and remediations. This has all proven difficult given that the country is working without solid data centers as part of its digital infrastructure.There’s also been a big push surrounding modernization across public agencies. One of the biggest projects Nabil and 14.Digital have proposed is to implement a secure core solution to power e-government services. “Civil records were largely paper-based, and a lot of them were damaged during the war,” he said. “If you don't have those records, you can’t provide healthcare properly, or conduct elections, or even confirm the identity of the citizen. So from that perspective, we proposed a project to provide digital identity to all government agencies for issuing IDs, driver's licenses, even passports down the road. But we’re going to build that core of digital identity in a very secure way.”Nabil said the project went through a period of deep study and research, which ultimately provided the budget to build multiple data centers with high redundancy in two different locations. It will be a massive undertaking, and likely take two or three years to complete, but they’ve already received millions in funding from outside donors. Nabil is optimistic that an approval will happen in the coming months, and they can break ground in the near term.<h3 id="healing-the-scars-with-hope">Healing the scars with hope</h3>In many ways, Syria is a diamond waiting to be polished. It has seen unspeakable horrors over the last 14 years, but its people have persevered. Now, they’re eager to restore its beauty – so it can shine brilliantly once more.Despite the regime's fall, the future of Syria remains uncertain. There are still fears of new conflicts between various non-state-affiliated groups, including ideologically driven factions. Millions are still in need of basic humanitarian assistance, and many remain outside the country as victims of displacement. But the enthusiasm for the future is palpable. And while there are many critical issues to solve, improving processes with digital technology could significantly accelerate the overall recovery. As Nabil shared, one of the biggest tragedies has been the loss of a generation of talent, and having access to stable power and internet services could enable students to gain ground through remote learning and improve their future prospects.“The thing they need most right now, in my opinion, is almost a rehabilitation of skill sets,” he explained. “Not just hard skills or technical skills, but also soft skills like language. A lot of these kids, they've been out of school for five years, ten years in some cases. It’s so sad. NGOs have created schools and there’s some tutoring available, but I would love to see us coming in from the digital and technology perspective to up level their skills to make their lives better. And in turn, they can make their country better.”As someone who has personally volunteered time, money, and technology resources to support the Special Olympics and other NPOs, I am moved and motivated by Nabil’s efforts. While many of us endeavor to give back in our own way, he is facing down a mammoth crisis. Most of us can’t even imagine what his country has been through or the trauma the war has left behind.In light of this, he remains incurably optimistic. This is a testament to his belief in technology's ability to make an impact, and illustrates the propensity for digital not to divide us – but connect us. “With all the difficulties that the Syrian people are still facing, you can see this amazing energy,” he said glowingly. “People are going to the streets, cleaning and repairing things, making the country look better. Doing anything they can within their means to help. All of a sudden, they feel that the country belongs to them. So you see all these little projects with groups of people just taking action. When I see that, I feel like I have a duty to help make their lives easier.”Wounds heal, but scars remain. They remind us of what's been lost. But they also tell a story about survival – and perhaps, with the help of others, they can symbolize a moment when everything changed. For the better. Bravo, 14.Digital. I hope the next 14 years will bring the peace and prosperity Syrians deserve. <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

In the Scars of Syria, 14.Digital is Revitalizing Digital Infrastructure and Healing the Future

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