Articles - Page 24

Agentic AI for Agencies in 2026

bmckeiver

<hr /> Nope. It’s not a figma of your imagination. On the same day that U.S. Steel agreed to a <a target="_blank" href="https://6abc.com/us-steel-news-today-nippon/14197549/">hefty takeover</a> by Japan’s Nippon Steel, another deal in the software world was falling apart – one that delivered shock and awe when first announced in September of 2022.Fast forward 15 months and a steely resolve has been exchanged for tears of regulatory regret.Yesterday, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.adobe.com/">Adobe</a> – one of the leading technology platforms for creative, marketing, and digital experience software products – agreed to terminate its merger with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.figma.com/">Figma</a>, a collaborative tool for designing, prototyping, and testing web and app interfaces (among other things). When Adobe tendered its magnanimous offer of <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/shock-and-awe-adobe-to-acquire-ui-design-platform-figma-for-20-billion">$20 billion</a> for Figma, its <a target="_blank" href="https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2022/Adobe-to-Acquire-Figma/default.aspx">press release</a> stated that the iconic company – responsible for legendary products like Photoshop – was “reimaging the future of creativity and productivity.” The truth, of course, is that Adobe was buying an up-and-coming competitor that had managed to do the impossible: attract millions of designers and developers away from its defacto product foothold, reflecting a troubling threat to its long-held grip on the creative industry. But it wasn’t just about Figma’s technology (the big secret is that it never is). As more alternatives to Adobe’s portfolio of products flooded the market – everything from design to video editing – a new generation of creators emerged. These remote digital nomads craved less “Paleolithic” desktop tools and drifted towards web-powered platforms with more flexible pricing models. For this new breed of user, Adobe felt tethered to the past, focusing more on specialists. Figma felt like the future, one where almost anyone can become a designer. That unique intersection of product, brand, and culture captured the zeitgeist of the moment, helping Figma become a key disruptor during the height of a booming, pandemic-infused digital economy.For Adobe, an acquisition made sense, allowing it to capture lost market share while tapping a whole new pipeline of prospects. For Figma? Well, there were 20 billion reasons to do it, despite marked resentment from its user base (just peruse some of the Subreddits on the subject). But hey, what can you do? Anytime a beloved software platform is eaten by a larger competitor (e.g. <a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2022/10/26/four-years-after-being-acquired-by-microsoft-github-keeps-doing-its-thing/">Microsoft buying Github</a>, and the list goes on) there are vocal pessimists across the user community. As any Swifty would tell you, haters gonna hate. And there were questions from users, as you might expect, about how Figma would fit in Adobe’s mammoth portfolio of over 100 technologies. How would it align with Adobe XD, the company’s existing UX design offering? From a brand standpoint, would it follow the same track as Magento – now <a target="_blank" href="https://business.adobe.com/products/magento/magento-commerce.html">Adobe Commerce</a> – and slowly ride off into the sunset? Regardless of any user friction, the companies forged ahead, sharing plans around their combined superpowers. This included ambitions to leverage Figma’s web-based, multi-player capabilities with Adobe’s cloud offerings to make the creative process more productive and accessible. While talk of improving brainstorming and product design permeated the ethos, the strategic details were nebulous for obvious reasons: the deal was far from approved.  And that brings us to yesterday’s news. There’s a lot to unpack, but there are three key things I’ve taken away from the not-entirely-shocking revelation, and they have broader implications across the market – not just for Adobe and Figma. More importantly, I think this is good for both vendors in several ways, chiefly from an innovation perspective. And that’s good for everyone – even if there's a little heartache involved. <h3 id="1.-m&amp;a-has-changed-(for-better-or-worse)">1. M&amp;A has changed (for better or worse)</h3> Maybe it’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sec.gov/about/commissioners/gary-gensler">Gary Gensler</a> beating the war drum in a post-FTX world, or just rampant remorse over past decisions. Either way, the M&amp;A pipeline is being scrutinized more than ever by regulatory bodies, focused on preventing large players like Google from squashing competition with obscene amounts of cash. And $20 billion is, well, kinda obscene.In this case, the deal was scuttled by supposed clashes with governing bodies in Europe and the UK. Last month, Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/adobe-figma-terminate-20-bln-deal-2023-12-18/#:~:text=Dec%2018%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20Adobe,buyouts%20of%20a%20software%20startup.">said the deal</a> would negatively impact innovation for software used by a large swath of the UK's digital designer marketplace. The EU voiced similar concerns, citing the potential for reduced competition.“Despite thousands of hours spent with regulators around the world detailing differences between our businesses, our products, and the markets we serve, we no longer see a path toward regulatory approval of the deal,” said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanfield/">Dylan Field</a>, Co-Founder and CEO of Figma, in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.figma.com/blog/figma-adobe-abandon-proposed-merger/">blog post</a> yesterday.  Perhaps the compliance stamp on these software transactions isn’t as clear cut as, say, JetBlue and Spirit Airlines – which <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/10/28/jetblue-sprit-merger-justice-department/">attempted to join forces</a> earlier this year (that merger was priced at a paltry $3.8 billion, BTW). But the same principles apply: it’s all about ensuring choice for consumers. At the same time, startup exits have slowed considerably in 2023, and VCs have tightened their belts – and their expectations. The white-hot halcyon days of 2021 and 2022 are in the rearview, and that’s been a persistent drag on raising capital (by all accounts, the investment market looks <a target="_blank" href="https://carta.com/blog/mergers-acquisitions-outlook-2024/">poised to rebound</a> next year). As firm managers command greater confidence around the scope and scale of any investment, they’re looking closer than ever at the multipliers. Which, in the case of Figma’s price tag, was heavily overweighted in 2022, and more so today.Also worth considering is the timetable for such a complex transaction. A lot has changed in the 15 months since the deal was announced, including the growth of Adobe’s stock price (the bigger story is the rise of generative AI, but more on that in a minute). Complexity and lengthy transaction cycles will likely continue to impact M&amp;A for the foreseeable future, but it's clear in this case how the dynamics can impact outcomes.  <h3 id="2.-figma-is-kicking-butt-–-so-why-not-go-for-the-ipo?">2. Figma is kicking butt – so why not go for the IPO?</h3>Sure, with the loss of Figma, Adobe is giving up an attractive jewel in its creative crown. But when that jewel outshines you, it's an even more precarious challenge.Let’s start with Figma’s revenue, which has grown from $400M to $600M since September of 2022. This is a far cry from a $20 billion valuation, but the company has demonstrated the level of profitability that might signal an IPO (when the time is right). But let’s add one more gold nugget to the prospecting pan. As part of the proposed acquisition, Adobe <a target="_blank" href="https://fortune.com/2023/12/18/adobe-figma-breakup-european-regulators-merger/">agreed to pay Figma</a> a whopping $1 billion breakup fee upon termination, to be paid almost immediately. Buoyed by this windfall, Figma will be well-positioned to focus on innovation over the coming years and fuel more competitive products and features – the likes of which will, without doubt, compete with Adobe. According to Figma's CEO, that’s already happening. Over the last 15 months, the company shipped a myriad of new products and expanded into the UK and Asia. In essence, they never stopped the growth machine – and it’s paying off. How’s the song go? Breaking up is hard to do. Maybe not in this case. If Figma plays its cards right, they can help users accelerate the design process and build digital products faster than ever. And in this hyper-paced product world, that’s the real deal. <h3 id="3.-ai-is-the-gamechanger-for-both-adobe-and-figma">3. AI is the gamechanger for both Adobe and Figma</h3>I keep conjuring that 15-month period from “buy” to “bye,” which equates to years in this new normal. Conditions were quite different when Adobe agreed to acquire Figma, and nowhere was that more evident than with the rise of artificial intelligence.Last September, generative AI wasn’t part of the common lexicon. ChatGPT had not yet enraptured the world. Since then, we’ve seen a massive investment in AI features across industries, specifically in areas like content and imagery – which is in Adobe and Figma's wheelhouse.In less than a year, platforms like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.canva.com/magic-write/">Canva</a> have introduced generative content within their design tools and <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/kontentai">Kontent.ai</a> in their <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/what-is-a-content-management-system-cms">headless CMS</a>. Image generators like Dall-E and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.midjourney.com/">Midjourney</a> are taking the visual potential of AI to entirely new levels (check the latter out, it will knock your socks off). AI is where Adobe has focused its future, leading the pack with innovative new offerings. Photoshop of old now features generative capabilities that are incredibly robust (if not a tad challenging to prompt). The company says more is on the way – and with billions in reserve, they have ample cash to keep innovating. Recently, Figma also joined the GenAI chorus, shipping its first <a target="_blank" href="https://www.figma.com/blog/introducing-ai-to-figjam/">native AI features</a>. Bolstered by its revenue growth and impending breakup bucks, they’ll have plenty of runway for expanding AI features and capabilities. Would Adobe float such a bloated number for Figma today? Not a chance – and AI is the chief determiner. That's why innovation in this area is essential for both players, and the mutual parting of ways is in their collective interest. There may be some head-to-head competition betwixt the two, but no matter. AI has changed the game, and could soon disrupt things even further. Platforms like <a target="_blank" href="https://uizard.io/">Uizard</a> are bubbling up, allowing users to ideate and design UI/UX with nothing more than an idea and a few prompts. Expect more of these players to enter the market in 2024 and create more choice – and maybe a little more chaos. <h3 id="a-designer-walks-into-a-bar…">A designer walks into a bar…</h3>… and asks the bartender, "Got any Helvetica?" The bartender replies: “Sorry, we don’t serve your type here.”Font humor aside, good design is no joke. When done well, it can be incredibly effective for communicating ideas. This goes back to the printed page and extends through modern application UX. Most importantly, design is for humans – even if it's not directly created by humans. That trend towards automation has been a constant in the design world, but the people part has never changed. I remember the first time I used Photoshop in college. It was astounding. Magical, even. It allowed users like me to explore new and imaginative pathways while accelerating the creative process. It only happened because Adobe committed to a culture of innovation – and with its latest crop of AI features, it appears to be continuing on that course.Are they sweating this breakup? Sure. A billion is a big number, and a lot to walk away from. A few shareholders might be miffed (although they're up 4 points today, which suggests otherwise). But in the end, they're still well-positioned across the portfolio of products. They've never been a one-trick pony, and the latest foray into composable components via its <a target="_blank" href="https://experienceleaguecommunities.adobe.com/t5/adobe-experience-manager-blogs/aem-franklin-helix-composability-pros-and-cons-aem-community/ba-p/600497">AEM Franklin Project </a>shows tremendous promise in other areas.  And who knows? They might just add multiplayer capabilities to Adobe XD – and give that missing jewel a run for its money.  As for Figma… oh, the money, honey. The $20 billion dream might be dead, but the horizon looks promising when considering the possibilities ahead. Flush with cash and a solid growth streak, the company might fare better as a free and independent entity. Figma’s founding vision was to “eliminate the gap between imagination and reality.” According to Field, the shift from a physical economy to a digital economy – powered by huge advances in AI – have combined to make that vision more attainable than ever for its growing community of designers.And those designers? Man, they're a unique breed. Artists with a penchant for technology. Adobe and Figma understand that audience intimately, albeit it’s evolving faster than ever. Only with a persistent focus on innovation will they have a shot at remaining competitive – not just with each other, but with the next wave of apps to come.Cut. Paste. Save.  <hr /><figure class="image"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/cms-kickoff-2024-banner.jpg" /></figure><h3 id="join-us-at-cms-kickoff-2024---january-16-17">Join us at CMS Kickoff 2024 - January 16-17</h3>CMS Critic is a proud partner at this second annual edition of the prestigious international Boye &amp; Co conference, dedicated to the global CMS community. This event will bring together top-notch speakers, Boye &amp; Co's renowned learning format, and engaging social events.Tired of impersonal and overwhelming gatherings? Picture this event as a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move forward in 2024. Hear from leading voices across the industry on a wide range of topics, including:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/andrew-kumar">Andrew Kumar</a>, GVP at Uniform</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/becky-brown">Becky Brown</a>, Content Strategy Lead at Johnson &amp; Johnson</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/marli-mesibov">Marli Mesibov</a>, Content Strategy at Verily</li></ul><h4 id="-"> </h4><img style="width:39.13%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/don-cesar-hotel.jpg" /><h4 id="the-don-cesar:-a-world-class-venue">The Don CeSar: a world-class venue</h4>Is there a better location for a winter kickoff than Florida's beautiful, sugary sand beaches? CMS Kickoff 2024 will be held at the iconic Don CeSar, just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. Dubbed the “Pink Palace,” this majestic hotel and resort provides a stunning backdrop to the conference, along with access to the local food and culture of St. Petersburg Beach.  <h4 id="get-your-tickets-today">Get your tickets today</h4>CMS Kickoff offers an intimate, highly focused experience. Space is limited, and only a few seats remain. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity!<a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff24/tickets">Purchase tickets now &gt;</a>

Cut, Paste, Delete: Why Adobe’s Canceled Merger with Figma is Good for Innovation 

matt-garrepy

<hr /> The <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-alliance-bolsters-commitment-to-buyers-providing-clarity-amidst-shifting-market-dynamics">MACH Alliance</a> is breaking out the balloons and stringing the streamers. Reaching 100 is quite an accomplishment by almost any measure – and today, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.machalliance.org/">organization</a> celebrates its own centennial benchmark as it surpasses 100 members.The group of independent tech companies advocating for open, best-of-breed technology ecosystems just announced the news as it welcomed eight newcomers to its community, spanning its various <a target="_blank" href="https://machalliance.org/application-member">membership categories</a>: Boutique System Integrators<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.cabiri.io/">Cabiri</a></li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.kernpunkt.de/">Kernpunkt Digital</a></li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://iona.fi/">Iona</a> </li></ul>System Integrator<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://xebia.com/am/">Xebia</a> </li></ul>Independent Software Vendors<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.mirakl.com/">Mirakl</a></li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.inriver.com/">inriver</a></li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.salsify.com/">Salsify</a> </li></ul>Startup Independent Software Vendor<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://ninetailed.io/">Ninetailed</a> </li></ul>The continued growth of the Alliance’s membership reflects an industry trend toward adopting modern, composable technologies. It also coincides with a surge in interest from established vendors who are actively building their MACH credentials through strategic acquisitions and innovative re-architecting of solutions. Newcomers Inriver, Mirakl, and Salsify are examples of such vendors that have fully aligned their entire product offering around MACH principles. "The MACH Alliance's growth to over 100 members is a testament to the industry's recognition of the transformative power of composable technologies,” said <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/the-future-is-composable-a-conversation-with-new-mach-alliance-president-casper-rasmussen">Casper Rasmussen</a>, President at the MACH Alliance. “The increase in membership applications from SIs alone shows how the industry is maturing and changing. As we reflect on our achievements in 2023, we’re proud of the momentum and collaboration across our community. We are particularly encouraged by seeing established vendors shifting gears to embrace MACH principles," <h3>MACH captures more of the market</h3>Since its launch in 2020, the MACH Alliance has focused on defining and establishing the rapidly maturing MACH (Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native SaaS, Headless) industry standard. In that time, 225 companies have applied for certification, with around 45% meeting the membership requirements. Many have re-applied several times, re-architecting their portfolios to achieve MACH status. The MACH Alliance creates clear guidance for enterprises, differentiating MACH technologies that foster future-proofing and vendor independence from those that don’t. That guidance is especially important for buyers given the rapidly shifting dynamics of the technology landscape.This past year, the MACH Alliance observed a significant paradigm shift, with established vendors recognizing the transformative potential of MACH principles. MACH is a coveted seal for companies building future-proof tech stacks, and adoption continues to grow. With MACH now perceived by many as “the standard” – along with evolving industry and vendor behavior towards that goal – the MACH Alliance <a target="_blank" href="https://machalliance.org/insights/mach-alliance-s-commitment-to-clear-guidance-amidst-big-tech-acquisitions-and-developments">announced in December</a> it is assessing how it can provide market guidance as more established vendors seek validation for their MACH strategies. <h3>Building on solid research</h3>As a body, research has long been a central function of the MACH Alliance. This includes both broad-market and member-focused analysis across all of the Alliance's categories. The 2023 MACH Alliance Global Research initiative – which polled 500 tech leaders – confirmed that 85% of organizations have increased the percentage of their MACH infrastructure in the past 12 months. Those companies cited several motivations, including the ability to respond to changes in the market faster, to build and implement new functionality more quickly, and the propensity to reduce costs. The respondents were also more likely to say that their investment in MACH has enabled their infrastructure to keep up with customer demands – and helped them stay ahead of competitors with lower MACH adoption rates. The fourth edition of this research will be published in March 2024.<h3>Last year’s highlights and what to expect in 2024</h3>Here are a few of the MACH Alliance's achievements in 2023 and some of the roadmap for the year ahead: <h4>Diverse Membership Growth</h4>With the continued rise in new members and increased applications from System Integrators (SIs), the Alliance is diversifying the representation of organizations eager to adopt and champion MACH technology. Early 2024 will also focus on how the Alliance can ensure holistic guidance to the market.<h4>Community Building Initiatives</h4>Networking events, forums, and an awards program organized by the MACH Alliance have facilitated extensive collaboration across the group’s vast community, allowing for the exchange of ideas and experiences that have accelerated MACH adoption. The Alliance will kick off 2024 at <a target="_blank" href="https://machalliance.org/events/nrf-nyc--mach-haus">NRF</a> in January, followed by a series of local market events throughout the year. MACH THREE, the Alliance’s signature annual event, will be held in June 2024 in New York City.<h4>Educational Initiatives</h4>The Alliance is fiercely committed to empowering established and emerging businesses with the knowledge, skills, and insights needed to navigate the MACH landscape successfully. To this aim, a dedicated education program will be launched in early 2024. The Alliance is also working on deep-dive projects around critical topics, including MACH interoperability and how companies can make the best use of AI in MACH implementations.<h3>Why it matters</h3>Over the last few years, the MACH Alliance has been a bellwether in the composable storm. As enterprises sought the benefits of building their own stacks, they faced significant challenges and confusion. The Alliance provided a collective compact of trust for best-of-breed solutions, giving organizations greater confidence in the technologies they choose – and breaking free from the stranglehold of monoliths and vendor lock-in. Evolving from its early posture as an exclusive cabal, the Alliance has garnered respect, trust, and even reverence by investing deeply in education across the market. That open narrative and engagement has reinforced its commitment to provide greater transparency around its membership practices, which many vendors and industry watchers have demanded of the organization. Still, the composable storm has been stirred by controversy, particularly as key terminology caught fire with single-vendor DXPs and became part of the marketing lexicon. <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-alliance-openly-invites-companies-claiming-mach-to-apply-for-certification">In a recent open letter</a>, the Alliance invited companies that are claiming to be “MACH” to undergo certification to help avoid market confusion for buyers as they evaluate software. Despite these headwinds and growing pains, the milestone of surpassing 100 members is a clear validation of the MACH Alliance's value to the market. It signals the continued desire for platforms to be associated with the organization's mission and to benefit from its governance and practices. This is amplified by its goals to introduce MACH certifications and other educational initiatives in 2024, which gives members a stronger position to compete with. As it continues to invest in worthy causes (which include stated commitments around diversity, inclusion, and sustainability), the MACH Alliance represents qualities that go beyond pure technology considerations. These attributes might help future-proof the training, employment, and nurturing of tomorrow's digital workforce – and ultimately scale the Alliance towards another big milestone.We'll keep the balloons handy.  <hr /><figure class="image"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/cms-kickoff-2024-banner.jpg" /></figure><h3>Join us at CMS Kickoff 2024 - January 16-17</h3>CMS Critic is a proud conference partner at this second annual edition of the prestigious international Boye &amp; Co conference, dedicated to the global CMS community. This event will bring together top-notch speakers, Boye &amp; Company's renowned learning format, and engaging social events.MACH Alliance members joining us at the CMS Kickoff 2024 include <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/agility">Agility</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/contentful">Contentful</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/consciaai">Conscia.ai</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kinandcarta.com/en-us/">Kin &amp; Carta</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/kontentai">Kontent.ai</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/uniform">Uniform</a>. Tired of impersonal and overwhelming gatherings? Picture this event as a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move forward in 2024. Hear from leading voices across the industry on a wide range of topics, including:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/andrew-kumar">Andrew Kumar</a>, GVP at Uniform</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/becky-brown">Becky Brown</a>, Content Strategy Lead at Johnson &amp; Johnson</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/marli-mesibov">Marli Mesibov</a>, Content Strategy at Verily</li></ul><h4> </h4><img style="width:39.13%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/don-cesar-hotel.jpg" /><h4>The Don CeSar: a world-class venue</h4>Is there a better location for a winter kickoff than Florida's beautiful, sugary sand beaches? CMS Kickoff 2024 will be held at the iconic Don CeSar, just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. Dubbed the “Pink Palace,” this majestic hotel and resort provides a stunning backdrop to the conference, along with access to the local food and culture of St. Petersburg Beach.  <h4>Get your tickets today</h4>CMS Kickoff offers an intimate, highly focused experience. Space is limited, and only a few seats remain. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity!<a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff24/tickets">Purchase tickets now &gt;</a>

MACH Alliance Surges Past 100 Members, Caps 2023 as a Milestone Year

cms-critic-staff

CMS Delivery Flexibility Always Wins

deane

<hr /> “I feel the need… the need for speed…”It's not easy earning “Top Gun” status in the website performance game. But <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/zengenti-expands-focus-on-higher-education-brings-contensis-cms-to-heriot-watt-university">Zengenti</a>, the pilots behind <a target="_blank" href="https://www.contensis.com/">Contensis CMS</a>, know exactly which industries and organizations flew higher – and faster – in 2023.The company just rolled out its annual “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.contensis.com/content/ftse-2023-report?pr=&amp;utm_source=Press+release&amp;utm_medium=Organic&amp;utm_id=FTSE2023">Big Players, Slow Web Pages</a>” campaign, which analyzed all <a target="_blank" href="https://www.londonstockexchange.com/indices/ftse-100">FTSE 100 and 250</a> homepages to determine which industries and organizations had the best online presence this year – and which lagged.But there's more to it than speed, Maverick. Zengenti's rubric also included the average accessibility score, providing a well-rounded review of the overall “flight performance” of each contender. So who has bragging rights in this year's showdown? Strap in – and keep reading. <h3>Utilities rise while media falls</h3>In a dramatic swing from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.contensis.com/community/blog/ftse-website-performance">last year's</a> rankings, Zengenti's research shows that the Utilities sector delivered the best website performance across the FTSE 100 and 250 sites, climbing 12 places with an overall score of 269.  That's a big shift from 2022, when Media and Publishing took the top spot. This year, the former leader fell 14 places, putting it in the bottom three of 2023’s rankings with an overall score of 234. Despite the major swap for the crown, the race at the top was tight – with Utilities narrowly outperforming the Sports and Entertainment industry in second place with a score of 268, and the Food and Beverage sector in third with a score of 261. <h3>How was the research conducted?</h3>For this year's website performance analysis, the Zengenti team examined the overall performance, accessibility, and speed scores for each of the FTSE 100 and 250 companies. The results were tabulated and averages were calculated for each sector. The complete list of the performance results based on industry can be found in the league table below. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.contensis.com/content/ftse-2023-report?pr=&amp;utm_source=Press+release&amp;utm_medium=Organic&amp;utm_id=FTSE2023">Click here</a> for more details:<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:72.4%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/12/zengenti-performance-table-b.png" /></figure><h3>The urgency to improve website performance, speed, and accessibility</h3>“This research shows how important it is to pay attention to and maintain your business’ website performance," said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-chivers-34a36b11/">Richard Chivers</a>, co-founder of Contensis and chief executive officer of Zengenti. “Last year, Media and Publishing topped the list, yet the industry has fallen a staggering 14 places to the bottom three in this year’s ranking.”As Chivers noted, if a company's website doesn't load quickly or is inaccessible, it will inevitably lose engagement and sales – and the lack of performance can potentially damage a brand or organization's reputation in the process. For FTSE 100 and 250 companies, this could have a critical impact.  But getting things right isn't just important for business performance – it's also key to delivering digital equality for all users. “At Zengenti, we’ve always been a big advocate for improving online accessibility,” Chivers explained. “We work closely with the Digital Accessibility Centre (<a target="_blank" href="https://digitalaccessibilitycentre.org/">DAC</a>) to ensure our clients’ sites meet and go beyond accessibility requirements.” According to Chivers, the company's research shows that many industries still have significant room for improvement, specifically around accessibility. One in particular that he pointed out: Travel, Hospitality and Leisure, which scored near the bottom of the pack. With the DAC revealing that 90% of disabled users click away from a website rather than report accessibility issues in 2023, he said there's no excuse not to improve. “As leaders in their sectors, FTSE 100 and 250 companies have a real opportunity to lead the conversation and ensure online accessibility becomes an integral part of website performance in every industry.”You can learn more about the importance of online accessibility and view the top five FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 performers on the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.contensis.com/content/ftse-2023-report?pr=&amp;utm_source=Press+release&amp;utm_medium=Organic&amp;utm_id=FTSE2023">company's website</a>.  <hr /><figure class="image"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/cms-kickoff-2024-banner.jpg" /></figure><h3>Join us at CMS Kickoff 2024 - January 16-17</h3>CMS Critic is a proud conference partner at this second annual edition of the prestigious international Boye &amp; Co conference, dedicated to the global CMS community. This event will bring together top-notch speakers, Boye &amp; Company's renowned learning format, and engaging social events.Tired of impersonal and overwhelming gatherings? Picture this event as a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move forward in 2024. Hear from leading voices across the industry on a wide range of topics, including:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/andrew-kumar">Andrew Kumar</a>, GVP at Uniform</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/becky-brown">Becky Brown</a>, Content Strategy Lead at Johnson &amp; Johnson</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/marli-mesibov">Marli Mesibov</a>, Content Strategy at Verily</li></ul><h4> </h4><img style="width:39.13%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/don-cesar-hotel.jpg" /><h4>The Don CeSar: a world-class venue</h4>Is there a better location for a winter kickoff than Florida's beautiful, sugary sand beaches? CMS Kickoff 2024 will be held at the iconic Don CeSar, just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. Dubbed the “Pink Palace,” this majestic hotel and resort provides a stunning backdrop to the conference, along with access to the local food and culture of St. Petersburg Beach.  <h4>Get your tickets today</h4>CMS Kickoff offers an intimate, highly focused experience. Space is limited, and only a few seats remain. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity!<a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff24/tickets">Purchase tickets now &gt;</a>

Which industries on the FTSE have the best-performing websites in 2023? You might be surprised

<hr /> If it feels like you’re drowning in AI, you’re not alone.ChatGPT might only be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/30/chatgpts-one-year-anniversary-how-the-viral-ai-chatbot-has-changed.html#:~:text=Nov.,human%20than%20an%20AI%20system.">a year old</a> (and acting a bit like a toddler), but the wave of innovation it spurred is dominating every conversation. To complicate matters, the ecosystem dynamics are evolving on a daily… er, hourly basis. One possible life raft on these stormy seas has emerged: data provenance. But before we drop anchor on that, let’s review the last few weeks of “AI headwinds,” shall we? And try to keep your head above water…First, we had the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/22/technology/openai-board-capitalists.html">epic drama at OpenAI</a> as Sam Altman played musical chairs with <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/microsoft-sharepoint">Microsoft</a>. The market is still unpacking what it means, but the hit left more than a black eye for both brands.Synchronously, AWS opened the proverbial floodgates at <a target="_blank" href="https://reinvent.awsevents.com/">re:Invent,</a> the cloud juggernaut’s annual confab in Las Vegas. AI felt like the only show on the strip, with Amazon introducing a slew of new models, services, and its hyper-connective <a target="_blank" href="https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/introducing-amazon-q-a-new-generative-ai-powered-assistant-preview/">Amazon Q assistant</a>. Finally, not to be bested by its cloud rivals, Google just unveiled its highly anticipated <a target="_blank" href="https://blog.google/technology/ai/google-gemini-ai/#sundar-note">Gemini AI</a> last week, an advanced LLM built for multimodal reasoning across text, images, video, and code.And that’s just scratching the surface. Floodgates… drowning… is there a lifejacket on this boat?  Despite the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/08/technology/eu-ai-act-regulation.html">EU’s landmark agreement</a> to limit the use of artificial intelligence, we can all agree that the genie isn’t going back in the bottle. And with businesses set to increase their AI investments by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/north-american-businesses-plan-to-invest-67-more-in-generative-ai-in-2024-to-drive-efficiency-experience-and-growth-infosys-research-301967370.html#:~:text=The%20research%20forecasts%20that%20companies,67%25%20in%20the%20next%20year.">almost 70% next year</a>, the pros currently outweigh the cons.  Still, there are challenges aplenty. As more organizations dive into AI, big questions linger around accuracy, security, and governance. Between rampant hallucinations, unsavory biases, and other “shenanigans,” organizations are wrestling with existential issues as they lean more heavily on AI to crunch their data. It’s worth pointing out that machine learning technologies have been around for quite some time, and data has always been the lifeblood. The recent AI acceleration is due in part to the advent of new LLMs, but also the growth of compute capabilities and cloud services to manage more of the heavy lifting. Now, enterprises can rapidly build and train their own AI models and leverage more datasets for critical use cases – like <a target="_blank" href="https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/publicsector/predict-diabetic-patient-readmission-using-multi-model-training-amazon-sagemaker-pipelines/">predicting diabetes</a> based on procedure data from diagnoses and medical claims.  But what about the trustworthiness of the data they’re feeding to AI? Do they know where, when, and how it was collected? If they rely on third-party entities, how do they ensure the data they inherit is clean and complete?This is one of the questions the <a target="_blank" href="https://dataandtrustalliance.org/">Data &amp; Trust Alliance</a> is endeavoring to answer. The not-for-profit consortium is comprised of Fortune 500 businesses across multiple industries (IBM, Pfizer, Nielsen, Walmart, Meta, just to name a few) – all focused on learning, developing, and adopting responsible data and AI governance.I recently spoke with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinapodnar/">Kristina Podnar</a>, Senior Policy Director for the organization, about the Alliance’s proposed <a target="_blank" href="https://dataandtrustalliance.org/our-initiatives/data-provenance-standards">Data Provenance Standards</a>. Kristina is an industry authority and one of the sharpest, most passionate voices on the subject of Digital Policy. She walked me through the proposed standards and the elegant role of metadata in delivering this essential layer of transparency.   <h3>An alliance built for trust</h3>A bit of history for context: The Data &amp; Trust Alliance was formed in 2020 by two heavy hitters: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-chenault/">Ken Chenault</a>, General Catalyst chairman and managing director, and former American Express chairman and CEO; and <a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_J._Palmisano">Sam Palmisano</a>, former CEO of IBM. In addition to helming some of the world’s largest brands, these pioneering luminaries have served on numerous boards – including Airbnb, NCAA, Berkshire Hathaway – and continue to be influential figures across industries. As Kristina recalled, both Chenault and Palmisano observed that the next era of business won’t be dependent on data and AI, but on trustworthy data and AI. To help guide the responsible use of data and intelligent systems, they formed the Data &amp; Trust Alliance – which resides within the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thecge.net/">Center for Global Enterprise</a> (CGE), a New York-based non-profit.The Alliance is built on a core belief that every enterprise in every industry is (or will soon be) a data enterprise, and must be responsible stewards of their data, algorithms, and AI. To support this mission, the organization doesn’t lobby or advocate on public policy issues; instead, it maintains a fierce commitment to developing tools and sharing practices to enhance learning. “Unlike other coalitions that publish a lot of guiding principles, the Data &amp; Trust alliance is all about actually creating tools, which member companies can adopt,” she said. “In the coalition are folks like American Express, Deloitte, Nike, Starbucks, AARP – the list goes on. These organizations get together around a table and ask, what are the biggest challenges we're facing right now? And then let's actually create a solution and adopt it.”According to Kristina, there have been several initiatives that the Alliance has taken on since its inception. This includes a data assessment resource for mergers and acquisitions, and a toolkit for preventing or detecting bias in HR hiring practices when using AI. The latter predates <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/about/automated-employment-decision-tools.page">NYC’s Automated Employment Decision Tool law</a> – the first of its kind in the country, and a potential indicator of future legislation (the bill has also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/08/04/1030513/podcast-beating-the-ai-hiring-machines/">garnered criticism</a> from a range of entities).<h3>The Data Provenance Standards initiative </h3>According to the Data &amp; Trust Alliance, having clear data provenance – understanding the origin, lineage, and rights associated with data – is vital to establishing trust around the insights and decisions coming from data-enabled systems. This includes AI applications. As it stands, data scientists <a target="_blank" href="https://www.anaconda.com/resources/whitepapers/state-of-data-science-report-2022">spend</a> nearly 40% of their time on data preparation and cleansing tasks, which is a huge drag on productivity. Further, 61% of CEOs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/c-suite-study/ceo">cite</a> the lack of clarity into data lineage and provenance as the central risks preventing the adoption of AI across their businesses.All these factors led to the development of the Data Provenance Standards, which were co-created by 19 Data &amp; Trust Alliance member organizations, along with multiple third-party industry partners and ecosystem experts. The organization took a “for industry, by industry” approach when developing the proposed standards, identifying provenance pain points from 25 use cases across its diverse members. The resulting set focuses on the eight most essential, valuable, and feasible standards for small and large enterprises to implement – irrespective of industry.“The interesting thing about these data provenance standards is they’re built on top of AI use cases,” Kristina shared. “But in reality, they apply to any data, including traditional data. It's the first set of standards really targeted at trustworthiness.”Unlike other principles and industry guidelines that are voluntary in compliance, the Data &amp; Trust Alliance’s provenance standards were designed to be actionable specifically for data governance practitioners. When implemented, they will provide transparency into the origin of the datasets used for both traditional data applications and a rapidly growing number of AI applications – which will ultimately enhance AI value and trustworthiness. <h3>It’s all in the metadata</h3>The word policy might give you the shivers, but that’s where the Data Provenance Standards provide an elegant solution: metadata.“First of all, it's not policy,” Kristina explained. “They are a set of standards, and it's rich metadata that goes along with that. They extend the concept of metadata into a set of trustworthy considerations. At the root of all eight standards, there's a provenance metadata unique ID, and that unique label tracks the history and origin for each data set.”As she further pointed out, the standards apply at the dataset level – not at the element row or table level – acting as an overall “fingerprint” for divining the lineage of the dataset. The eight proposed Data Provenance Standards surface metadata and associated values for: <ol><li>Lineage: Provides the provenance metadata unique ID, along with a blockchain ledger ID or other identifier. </li><li>Source: Contains information about the user, organization, software systems, and even IP address of the originator. </li><li>Legal Rights: Includes details about attribution, copyrights and trademarks, and any laws or regulations that are applicable. </li><li>Privacy and Protection: Covers any protected data classifications or if any privacy-enhancing techniques were applied.</li><li>Generation Date: Codes the year, date, month, and timestamp for the data. </li><li>Data Type: Delineates if the data is structured or unstructured.</li><li>Generation Method: Provides info on how the data was created, via web crawling, data mining, or other methods. </li><li>Intended Use and Restrictions: Details how the data should be used and by what audiences. </li></ol>To see example values, you can download the <a target="_blank" href="https://dataandtrustalliance.org/Data-Provenance-Standards-Information-pack.pdf">Standards information pack</a> from the Data &amp; Trust Alliance website. <h3>Helping enterprises make informed choices about data </h3>Providing information about the origin and rights associated with datasets gives enterprises more confidence in the data they source and use. This can have significant benefits, like improving operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, collaboration, and value generation.“If you think about the biggest challenge that corporations or any entity face today, everybody will tell you it’s data quality,” Kristina injected. “We were originally asked to develop a set of standards around data quality, but quality is very subjective. With our Data Provenance Standards, what we can all agree on is where data originated, and the attributes that it actually has.”To illustrate the impact of the Data Provenance Standards, Kristina narrates <a target="_blank" href="https://www.loom.com/share/d94d162418b3485890efdf8b330164ee?sid=9a21dae1-ea68-4ee7-b22b-9fa93f908511">a short video</a> that outlines a hypothetical use case in the healthcare industry. The story focuses on a researcher at a fictitious company that is using predictive AI modeling to study Hepatitis C in young women. The researcher acquires data regularly from third-party sources and needs to ensure that the dataset is reliable. Using the Data Provenance metadata, the researcher is able to inform her decision-making based on a number of key variables. By examining the lineage standard, she sees that the current dataset is derived from multiple sources. The generation date also indicates how fresh the data is and how much cleaning might be involved. With the intended use and restrictions, the researcher is also able to identify blockers for sharing the data with specific entities, such as the federal government. It's a fantastic video and use case. I’ll let you watch it to hear the researcher’s verdict, but the point is clear: armed with this metadata, enterprises can rely on essential information and attributes to make a decision with greater confidence – and ultimately improve outcomes. <h3>Why it matters for DX applications</h3>It’s easy to see how the proposed Data Provenance Standards will impact the digital experience ecosystem. First and foremost: DX applications rely on data. The list is long, but for starters, think about acquiring outside datasets to power digital advertising and marketing initiatives.“It will be interesting for third-party data procurement purposes,” said Kristina. “But I think in due course, it’s going to start to impact adtech and martech. It can't help but impact it.”AI is also being woven across every layer of the digital stack, so enhancing transparency will be key to trust at every level – particularly in a decoupled, API-first world that taps lots of data sources. This includes CMS and DXP platforms that are becoming training grounds for AI and connecting with a myriad of external services driven by data.  The new standards are still in a “proposed” mode as the Data &amp; Trust Alliance continues to gather feedback from the market. You can participate in the process by <a target="_blank" href="https://dataandtrustalliance.org/our-initiatives/data-provenance-standards">reviewing the standards</a> and providing input on the metadata and values <a target="_blank" href="https://us14.list-manage.com/survey?u=f2c4b0ec47814ddee58d70038&amp;id=fb47ee5e98&amp;attribution=false">via an online survey</a>.  As a resident Digital Policy rockstar, Kristina seems bullish on the potential impact – namely because the Data &amp; Trust Alliance represents leading global brands that are committed to ensuring this vital transparency.“The reason why this matters is because around the table are the largest procurement entities for data in the world,” Kristina said emphatically. “So if they start to adopt these standards and apply them to their data in the form of metadata, what you actually have is a huge ecosystem play.”That ecosystem won't stop the AI floodgates from opening further, but it might help keep things afloat.   <hr /><figure class="image"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/cms-kickoff-2024-banner.jpg" /></figure><h3>See Kristina Podnar at CMS Kickoff 2024 - January 16-17</h3>CMS Critic is a proud conference partner at this second annual edition of the prestigious international Boye &amp; Co conference, dedicated to the global CMS community. This event will bring together top-notch speakers, Boye &amp; Company's renowned learning format, and engaging social events.Tired of impersonal and overwhelming gatherings? Picture this event as a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move forward in 2024. Along with Kristina Podnar, hear from leading voices across the industry on a wide range of topics, including:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/andrew-kumar">Andrew Kumar</a>, GVP at Uniform</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/becky-brown">Becky Brown</a>, Content Strategy Lead at Johnson &amp; Johnson</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/marli-mesibov">Marli Mesibov</a>, Content Strategy at Verily</li></ul><h4> </h4><img style="width:39.13%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/don-cesar-hotel.jpg" /><h4>The Don CeSar: a world-class venue</h4>Is there a better location for a winter kickoff than Florida's beautiful, sugary sand beaches? CMS Kickoff 2024 will be held at the iconic Don CeSar, just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. Dubbed the “Pink Palace,” this majestic hotel and resort provides a stunning backdrop to the conference, along with access to the local food and culture of St. Petersburg Beach. <h4>Get your tickets today</h4>CMS Kickoff offers an intimate, highly focused experience. Space is limited, and only a few seats remain. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity!<a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff24/tickets">Purchase tickets now &gt;</a>

Can you trust your AI data? New standards emerge to help ensure transparency

<hr /> As a new year beckons and we take stock of the one reaching its conclusion, it’s always a natural time to look back on the learnings and the experiences and enthusiastically towards the potential innovations before us. Writing at this time last year, I would not have even talked much about <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wwt.com/wwt-research/generative-ai-risks-rewards-and-a-framework-for-utilization?utm_campaign=ao_ai_and_data_wwt2324_research_gen_ai_ps_1_search&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_content=&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAmsurBhBvEiwA6e-WPOhabEb0LXg2ylPjsudPYZV3z-GM7rmhjofX87dKj1H_lMcJeXzqDxoChKYQAvD_BwE">Generative Artificial Intelligence</a> or <a target="_blank" href="https://openai.com/">ChatGPT</a>. But boy, did it take 2023 by storm, building upon network effects unseen in human history. What I take personally from this past year is perhaps not something so ground-breaking, but a culmination of my own background and observations. For me, this has been the year of “earnfluencing.” A blend of earned media and influencer strategies, this approach could catalyze your own content management, strategy, and production – and turn many more eyes toward the content products you worked so hard on creating.  As I gear up for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff24/program#Earnfluencing">my talk on earnfluencing</a> at the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff24">CMS Kickoff Conference</a> next month, I'm eager to delve into how earnfluencing can be a game-changer in your daily content strategy.<h3>Defining the “earned” and “influencer” terms</h3>You may not be familiar with earnfluencing as a concept. While it's fairly intuitive, let’s start with a basic explanation of the term and the parts that define the whole. <h4>Earned Media</h4>This is publicity gained organically through means other than paid advertising. Think promotional efforts like unpaid social, buzz, or viral attention. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cision.com/resources/articles/what-is-earned-media-definitions-examples-benefits/">According to Cision</a>, a PR and media software company, “Earned media, by definition, isn’t created directly by your brand or paid for. You ‘earn’ it through your reputation, word-of-mouth, and public relations efforts. The biggest difference between earned media marketing and other strategies is that it comes from third-party sources, which gives it some unique benefits.”<h4>Influencing/Influencer Strategies</h4>Here, the focus is on leveraging individuals who have the power to affect the purchase decisions of others because of their authority, knowledge, position, or relationship with their audience. Influencers can also be the third-party sources and platforms through which earned media can come to light.<h3>Combining the pitch and the platform</h3>Traditionally, earned media was won via media relations (public relations) specialists spending their days making pitches on behalf of clients to television and news platforms. These professionals would craft angles and narratives and pitch their customers accordingly. When a customer mention, interview, or profile landed in print or on television, it was a joyous occasion for the PR practitioner and their firm. Earnfluencing is different in that it includes the “pitch” but also the platform where that pitch will be disseminated. It’s still earned media because money has not changed hands to be mentioned or inserted, as in advertising. In this era of nearly unlimited digital canvas, where a smartphone in the palm of your hand can be a 4K video camera, audio recording device, notebook, word processor, and digital disseminator, there is a true democratization of platform creation. With this, you can leverage your unique storytelling skills to become and develop the platform. For instance, the earnfluencer can interview a thought leader to appear on their long-form podcast, write the definitive profile of the industry CEO for their news blog, and even guide an expert product manager into the waters of TikTok. The opportunities are endless. If you can artfully tell the story and provide access to an audience, you can facilitate the narrative. You can use that position at your professional intersection to further earnfluence by contributing to an online trade publication (like CMS Critic) or appearing in other podcasts, videos, and news across different platforms. <h3>Earnfluencing in action</h3>What’s the potential of earnfluencing? Consider the impact of personalities like Donald Trump and Deion Sanders. They expertly blended media presence with influencer tactics, generating significant (earned) value for their brands, organizations, or aspirations, albeit with varied outcomes.  First, it has been reported that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thestreet.com/politics/donald-trump-rode-5-billion-in-free-media-to-the-white-house-13896916">Donald Trump generated $5 Billion dollars in “free” earned media during the 2016 Presidential campaign</a>. That’s a big number. How did they calculate it, you ask? Here's the basic math: the totality of the media coverage of the individual is tracked in terms of overall impressions, and then a dollar value is applied to these impressions based on advertising rates at the time. Similarly, after Deion Sanders – the famous two-sport professional athlete nicknamed “Prime Time” – took over as Head Coach at the University of Colorado, he <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/pac12/2023/09/29/deion-sanders-value-contract-colorado-buffaloes-football/70985907007/">generated an estimated $280 Million in earned media after the first four games</a>! Both examples speak to the power and estimated value of “earnfluencing.” That said, it’s important to note that Donald Trump’s presidential first term ended unsuccessfully (to be kind), and Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes finished 1-8 after three improbable wins to open the first season under his Colorado tenure. <h3>Leveraging earnfluencing in the content and DX industries</h3>I’ve used earnfluencing successfully in my work as a digital agency leader and across other entrepreneurial ventures. I’ve also thought a lot about how my peers in the digital experience and content management industry can leverage it as well. Here’s what I discovered: By combining earnfluencing with a solid, stable, mission-driven strategy, the impact can be incredibly effective – and, more importantly, long-lasting. It requires the right mindset and a firm commitment, but the rewards can be tremendous. If you’re thinking about putting earnfluencing into practice, here are five of my top takeaways and recommendations.<h4>1. Be a Beat Writer</h4>In the early days of my career, I cut my teeth covering sports for blogs and the online home of the Newark Star-Ledger. I was also the in-house writer for the NBA’s New Jersey Nets. Through it all, I learned the importance of being an effective beat writer. So, what exactly is a beat writer? It’s an old journalism term used to describe specialized reporters. Beat writers are typically in the thick of things, immersing themselves in a specific issue, sector, or environment – connecting with key players and constantly seeking stories to drive the news cycle. The beat writer uses all the access available to them and the trust earned in them to narrate, curate, and raise up the stories of those around them. Similarly, in content management, you can be the beat writer for your industry, product, or organization. Use your access and experience to uncover and elevate the narratives around you and develop a smart, scrappy mindset for uncovering the stories that matter. <h4>2 .“Contentize” Your Experiences</h4>The ultimate goal of any business is to monetize and commercialize activities. But I think we can do something very important on that path to monetization – and that is to "contentize." Contentizing is about turning every experience and interaction into potential content. It's utilizing your unique position, connections, and skills – whether they be writing, hosting, audio, video, social media, or teaching – to craft stories that engage, influence, and generate value in the form of content.  This approach goes beyond mere monetization. It creates real value through storytelling and engagement.<h4>3. Be a student of effective influencer strategies</h4>I call this “The Kardashian Model,” as no discussion of influencer strategies is complete without mentioning the Kardashians. Their methodical approach to content creation, as highlighted in "<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3Gy95uF">No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram</a>," revolves around strategic planning and algorithm mastery. Even if you’re not a fan of Kim and company, try mimicking their tactics by being intentional with your content, collaborating within your network, engaging with the super-connectors in your midst, and understanding the nuances of platform algorithms to maximize reach and impact. While we might not have the heft of the Kardashians (they’re known globally), we can do several of the things they do well within our own organizations, niches, and with the connections we have within the industry.<h4>4. Be prepared for serendipitous content opportunities </h4>As a beat writer, I’ve learned always to have my smartphone charged and ready – because a story can emerge in the wild at any moment. I call these serendipitous content opportunities.A great example of this is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyvaynerchuk">Gary Vaynerchuk</a>, a.k.a GaryVee. He epitomizes the "Contentize" ethos, as he constantly prowls for content opportunities. He even has videographers documenting his daily life, figuring that if he captures most of what happens in his day, there'll be some gold in them thar hills…It also makes him more apt to start discussions with strangers because serendipitous content opportunities can also come from those interactions. It's a virtuous circle – and if something doesn’t work, you don’t have to use it.Also, the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.slideshare.net/vaynerchuk/the-garyvee-content-model-107343659"> "Content Pyramid"</a> in GaryVee's Content Model strategy emphasizes repurposing a single piece of long-form content across multiple platforms (similar to the ole “big rock” concept). This approach can be a game-changer in creating, decomposing, and distributing content. <h4>5. Use generative AI to accelerate and improve your earnfluencing </h4>Despite its rap as a threat to writers, generative AI was purpose-built for content creators – and it’s revolutionizing how we approach earnfluencing. Gen AI is a massive productivity booster that allows earnfluencers to do more with less. It can aid in creating, transcribing, and repurposing content, allowing users to maintain a consistent and engaging presence across multiple platforms. This technology can amplify your earnfluencing capabilities, making your strategy more dynamic and far-reaching. ChatGPT, in my opinion, was born to contentize.<h3>Where does CMS/DXP fit into earnfluencing?</h3>A <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/what-is-a-content-management-system-cms">content management system </a>or digital experience platform should be a natural repository, hub, and spoke of your earnfluencing program – the aforementioned “platform” to bring to life all your “pitches.” In a CMS or DXP, content can be created and crafted through collaboration. It can be requisitioned for publishing through integrated editorial calendars and workflow. The database of your ecosystem influencers and key/trending topics should be tagged and ultimately distributed across all your channels (social, email, etc.), so you can easily manage and grow your earnfluencer strategy.Using a platform with built-in or integrated analytics is also critical. The metrics and tracking should be within arm’s reach so you can always gauge your performance and adjust as needed. The best platforms can also power dynamic personalization for specific audiences, allowing you to tailor your content based on your readers and customers. My dream: What if you could pipe in trending topics (from Google Trends, etc.) to the dashboard of your CMS or DXP – and then have AI surface all the content within your library that can be utilized at that moment to generate new engagement and reach for your existing content? This tactic, affectionately called “newsjacking,” would be a great way to augment your earnfluencing and bring more value to your content. Earnfluencing is at the intersection of earned media and influencer strategies. It requires a keen understanding of digital narratives, audience engagement, and the power of influence. As content managers and creators, embracing this approach means stepping into a realm where authenticity, strategic planning, and technological innovation come together to create impactful, resonant content. Ready to catch some “earnfluenza”? Let's embrace it – and go viral together. <hr /><figure class="image"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/cms-kickoff-2024-banner.jpg" /></figure><h3>See Matt McQueeny at CMS Kickoff 2024 - January 16-17</h3>CMS Critic is a proud conference partner at this second annual edition of the prestigious international Boye &amp; Co conference, dedicated to the global CMS community. This event will bring together top-notch speakers, Boye &amp; Company's renowned learning format, and engaging social events.Tired of impersonal and overwhelming gatherings? Picture this event as a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move forward in 2024. Along with Matt McQueeny, hear from leading voices across the industry on a wide range of topics, including:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/andrew-kumar">Andrew Kumar</a>, GVP at Uniform</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/becky-brown">Becky Brown</a>, Content Strategy Lead at Johnson &amp; Johnson</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/marli-mesibov">Marli Mesibov</a>, Content Strategy at Verily</li></ul><img style="width:39.13%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/don-cesar-hotel.jpg" /><h4>The Don CeSar: a world-class venue</h4>Is there a better location for a winter kickoff than Florida's beautiful, sugary sand beaches? CMS Kickoff 2024 will be held at the iconic Don CeSar, just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. Dubbed the “Pink Palace,” this majestic hotel and resort provides a stunning backdrop to the conference, along with access to the local food and culture of St. Petersburg Beach. <h4>Get your tickets today</h4>CMS Kickoff offers an intimate, highly focused experience. Space is limited, and only a few seats remain. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity!<a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff24/tickets">Purchase tickets now &gt;</a>

Earnfluencing: Bridging the Gap Between Earned Media and Influencing

mattmcqueeny

<hr /> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.crownpeak.com/homepage/">Crownpeak</a> is unwrapping an early gift this holiday season: a dynamo CEO who's ready to tackle growth in 2024. The digital experience platform (DXP) just announced that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-monti-159aa03/">Samuel Monti</a> – a seasoned industry veteran and former CFO of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.epicor.com/en-us/">Epicor Software</a> – has assumed the mantle as Chief Executive Officer. The news comes at a pivotal moment for Crownpeak, which continues to hold a steady position in the Niche category of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/digital-experience-platforms">Gartner Magic Quadrant for DXPs</a>. As the competitive field becomes more crowded and features commoditized, DXPs are looking for new ways to enhance their marketability – namely, with AI and composable solutions.This is where Crownpeak is leveraging its legacy of innovation to drive future success. Evidenced by its recent <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/crownpeak-and-netlify-partner-to-combine-web-platform-features-with-dxp-solutions">partnership announcement with Netlify</a>, the company is tapping the fabric of Netlify's cloud-based web hosting and deployment capabilities – and building on a shared vision for delivering composable solutions. “In the past three years, Crownpeak has undergone a major global expansion that included three successful acquisitions and tripling the company’s size,” said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikelipps/">Michael Lipps</a>, Chairman of the Board at Crownpeak. “Samuel Monti, with his deep background working in financial markets, experience leading operational scale and strong track record of successful private equity outcomes, is well-positioned to drive this next, exciting phase of Crownpeak’s continued market expansion.”  <h3>A finance pro with software chops</h3>Monti is an accomplished leader with nearly three decades of experience in finance, operations, and C-suite leadership in both public and private equity companies. Prior to Crownpeak and Epicor, he served as CFO at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/khoros/">Khoros</a>, a customer engagement platform, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/mitratech/">Mitratech</a> – a software service provider specializing in compliance, risk, legal, and enterprise HR.According to the press release, Monti will be tasked with expanding the company’s successful growth, driving operational excellence, and cultivating technological innovation to deliver greater value for customers. “This is an exciting time to be joining Crownpeak,” said Monti. “Enterprises around the globe are making critical investments in digital experience platforms, and Crownpeak has experienced unprecedented growth and transformation as a company. As CEO, my mission is to continue that exceptional growth trajectory by expanding our product portfolio, advancing customer-centric innovation, and establishing the kind of strong community among our customers, prospects and partners that will drive future growth and success.” Monti received a BS in Accountancy from Miami University and an MBA in Finance from Case Western Reserve University.

Crownpeak Appoints Samuel Monti as Chief Executive Officer 

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<hr /> In a <a target="_blank" href="https://machalliance.org/insights/mach-alliance-s-commitment-to-clear-guidance-amidst-big-tech-acquisitions-and-developments">post </a>published on the <a target="_blank" href="https://machalliance.org/">MACH Alliance</a> website this morning, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-panella-b616911/">Jon Panella</a> – Group Vice President at Publicis Sapient and a MACH Alliance Chairperson – voiced the advocacy group's unwavering focus on the buyer. The short but poignant prose reinforced the MACH Alliance's commitment to clarity and its critical role in guiding enterprises through the complexities of an ever-changing market landscape. The post explicitly addresses the rise of composable and MACH architectural standards – and how many big industry players have “taken notice.” Some of these organizations have realigned their strategies and positioned intently around composability while others have acquired MACH startups, all in an effort to capitalize on the hype and awareness of this growing sector. As Panella pointed out, this is a positive testament to MACH's impact on the market. At the same time, he clarified that the organization's strict certification criteria apply to companies, not products – a long-standing commitment that underscores a vendor's claim to a more holistic MACH accreditation. According to the post, navigating the mixed marketing messages appears to be a key pain point for buyers. In a <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-alliance-openly-invites-companies-claiming-mach-to-apply-for-certification">recent letter</a> published on social media, the Alliance openly challenged vendors claiming to be MACH to apply for certification, noting the confusion these claims create for buyers. To help alleviate the burden and bring more clarity to the chaos, the Alliance is committing to a research sprint over the coming months. The goal: explore ways to improve the buyer's experience when navigating these complexities, and maintain the steadfast commitment to guidance. In the post, Panella also encourages readers to share their insights as part of the research initiative. The results will be published in March of 2024. <h3>Read the MACH Alliance post</h3>You can read John Panella's complete post below or on the <a target="_blank" href="https://machalliance.org/insights/mach-alliance-s-commitment-to-clear-guidance-amidst-big-tech-acquisitions-and-developments">MACH Alliance website</a>.<hr />With the MACH Alliance set to surpass 100 corporate members this year, and with MACH now decidedly “the standard,” the MACH Alliance is undertaking a wide-ranging and thorough initiative to explore what membership means in the coming years. We play a leading role in creating clear guidance for enterprises, delineating MACH technologies that foster future-proofing and vendor independence from those that don’t. That guidance is important for buyers given the rapidly shifting dynamics of the technology landscape over the past three and a half years.The rise of Composable technology and MACH (Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native SaaS, and Headless) as an architectural standard more specifically, has not gone unnoticed by big players in the industry. They are following suit, and we can not be more pleased about that. They have made pivots to their strategies and product portfolios in this direction by rearchitecting products, by acquiring MACH startups etc. This is an amazing testament to MACH as a vision for the future — a future that empowers businesses with flexibility, control, and most importantly, future-proof technology that enables growth and differentiation. That has always been the goal of the MACH Alliance and is one we hold ourselves to every day.Our strict MACH Certification criteria are in place to uphold this promise to the market, so that the responsibility of navigating vendor marketing claims is not a burden to the buyer. The reason we certify companies, not products has always been and remains that established vendors with one product in their portfolio that qualifies, may claim MACH credentials across the board. That would be detrimental to the clarity we are here to secure. While that reasoning remains sound, our focus is on the buyers, and we want them to understand what they're investing in and to ensure that their chosen solutions meet the high standards set by the MACH Alliance. Providing the best and comprehensive guidance for buyers has been and will be our endeavor always.So today, I am confirming our commitment to researching improved ways to help the buyer best in navigating the landscape. We will dedicate substantial time over the next few months to that work and communicate our findings in March. We believe that as MACH grows and evolves, so too will its value as an industry standard, and with that, the quality that we need to deliver and the scrutiny we are under.If you feel you can provide useful insights for our research, please get in touch at <a href="mailto:info@machalliance.com">info@machalliance.com</a> with the subject line: Research Guidance. We'd love to hear from you! We know we owe the buyer clear guidance and that is what we are set out to do.

MACH Alliance Bolsters Commitment to Buyers, Providing Clarity Amidst Shifting Market Dynamics

<hr /> <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/hygraph">Hygraph</a> continues to climb higher and higher. Not “content” to simply be “content management," the company has positioned itself as a federated content platform, enabling users to quickly create and deliver the next wave of connected digital experiences at scale. As a <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/what-is-a-content-management-system-cms">headless CMS</a>, Hygraph powers a many-to-many relationship between different content sources and devices. By leveraging its modern <a target="_blank" href="https://graphql.com/">GraphQL</a> API approach, it enables organizations to innovate faster and for less cost – both critical advantages in today's rapid-fire digital economy. The use cases can range from creating content-rich applications to managing large product catalogs or internal knowledge management systems.After an initial raise of $13 million, the company closed on a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cmscritic.com/hygraph-secures-30-million-in-series-b-funding/">Series B of $30 million</a> earlier this year. They originally dubbed the company “GraphCMS,” but later rebranded to “Hygraph” to avoid confusion or biases around page-building capabilities or publishing workflows.Building on its recent momentum – which you can read about <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/content-management-for-a-new-reality-a-conversation-with-hygraph-ceo-michael-lukaszczyk">in our interview</a> with Hygraph's co-founder and CEO, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lukaszczyk/">Michael Lukaszczyk</a> – the company is expanding its leadership team. This includes the appointments of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariolenz/">Dr. Mario Lenz</a> as its new Chief Product Officer (CPO), and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/edangottlib/">Edan Gottlib</a> as its new Chief Revenue Officer (CRO).According to the press release, the new hires will help support Hygraph’s growth as it continues to drive innovation – and future-proof its platform for powering the next generation of content management.“We look forward to welcoming Mario and Edan to the team," said Lukaszczyk. "Their knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we continue to expand what is possible for a headless CMS, allowing organizations to adapt to the new reality where content and data no longer reside in one source.”<h3>Shaping the product roadmap</h3>Dr. Mario Lenz brings a wealth of relevant technology product experience to the role, having previously worked as SVP Product Management at Market Logic Software and CPO at Quentic. He also worked in an angel investor and advisory role at Acquirepad, as well as assisting in the development of a product leadership community called Product School Pro. As CPO, Lenz will lead Hygraph’s product strategy, ensuring the platform meets businesses' ever-evolving digital content needs, powering a many-to-many relationship between content sources and devices.“I’m thrilled by the huge opportunity to build the next leader in the CMS space," said Lenz. "Most of all, I’m looking forward to working with empowered teams across the globe and building a world-class product organization here at Hygraph.”<h3>Focusing on the numbers</h3>Gottlib, a seasoned sales leader with over two decades of expertise in leading revenue teams for both private and public companies, has joined Hygraph following his most recent role as SVP of Sales at <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/cms-monthly-recap-acquia-gets-feature-boosts-cloudinary-and-contentful-partner-big-acquisition-updates-and-more">Cloudinary</a>. Edan brings a wealth of experience and is charged with leading and transforming Hygraph's revenue landscape, leveraging the foundation of a global customer base that has now grown beyond 400 organizations. In his role, Edan will draw on his experience navigating ever-evolving market dynamics and forging strategic partnerships to ensure Hygraph’s financial objectives are achieved.“I'm excited to join the Hygraph team and lead our global revenue growth," Gottlib commented. "This is an exciting moment to be part of the company, as there is a great market demand for our expanding product portfolio and capabilities. Given the pace of content velocity, organizations need to be able to share and update content quickly and efficiently across multiple channels. Hygraph is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this opportunity.”

Hygraph Announces Two Key Hires, Strengthens Senior Leadership Team

<hr /> What a year 2023 has been in CMS. Both buyers and investors keep pouring money into the space, everyone is busy adding GenAI, and if you do a Google search for “headless CMS,” you’ll see how digital marketing (still) works.While all of this is exciting, what about the content producers? Your faithful colleagues working in communications or marketing are tasked with creating successful campaigns and content in your corporate tone of voice. They work tirelessly, and do their very best to help you and your company stand out. Content matters, right?At the end of the day, you buy a CMS for the content producers, yet how far have we really come in the past 20 years to make their working lives better? In brief:<ul><li>The requirements of authors (content contributors) are still largely ignored, both in the CMS selection process and – sadly, also in the implementation that follows</li><li>Content failures can happen quietly but be far more damaging than tech failures</li><li>As the dirty little secret of this industry, the first 85% of content production still doesn’t happen in the CMS. </li></ul>As I look back at this year and look towards putting the final touches on the program for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff24">CMS Kickoff 24</a> in Florida in January, allow me to be a critic of most content management vendors out there: You urgently need to improve content production! The editor experience is the next frontier in making a better Web. It will happen, so it’s up to you to determine how to meet customer expectations and stay ahead of the competition. Let’s start with the bigger picture and then look at the different dimensions of content production. <h3>Content production is big money… unfortunately, just not in CMS</h3>A common theme (at probably all conferences in all industries) is the perpetual “what’s next?” question. While some speakers look far into the future, my focus has always been on what’s on the horizon. Let’s take some insight, some innovation, some hard-earned experiences, connect some people together, and use this mix to make things better. Perhaps with experience (or is it age?) I've also started to make historical parallels from earlier in my career. As the famous quote goes: “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.”What’s headless CMS really if not just a less smart, but sadly more widely adopted way, to say decoupled as it was called in the late 90’s? What’s really new about composition or even orchestration, if not just confusing you as a buyer even more? I know I sound cynical, but I’m deeply interested in improving things, and cutting through the deafening hype is not for the faint of heart. Look at the interfaces of a CMS in the past and in 2023, and to be fair, you’ll see clear design improvements when it comes to the authors, but we still have a long way to go. At a recent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/groups/cms-experts">CMS Experts group meeting</a> in Sacramento, Adam Kalsey and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/deane-barker">Deane Barker</a> did a double act, showing us good old Movable Type – a weblog publishing system initially released in 2001. Adam magically still had a circa 20-year-old version up and running. It was big back then, and the interface remains powerful and useful today.Last week in Hamburg, Germany, we brought some of our European community together and looked more broadly at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/blog/2023/11/what-might-2024-bring">2024 digital trends</a>. In a refreshingly honest session given by a product leader at CMS vendor CoreMedia, we saw how their interface looked 15 years ago. The iPhone was just out back then, and that also changed design. Most, if not all, CMSs are now responsive – yet the 15-year-old screenshot also showed a system that’s widely adopted, useful, and still in production worldwide. So what’s happened with content production in the meantime? Where print has faded, digital content production has become big money. But for some reason, the action really hasn’t happened in the CMS. Look at the seemingly ever-growing MarTech vendor landscape, and I would argue that the CMS category (or Web Experience Management as it is also called on the landscape) is probably one of the older statesmen of the many categories, but it’s not growing as quickly as some of the more emerging ones. If you look at the content journey, from creation via composition to delivery, the CMS marketplace in recent decades has clearly focused on what today is called omnichannel experiences (that’s delivery) and then also on technical innovation (foundational stuff, new frameworks, going cloud), and perhaps recently on composition (the middle part), but unfortunately not much on the creation. Consequently, other categories, like content marketing or digital asset management tools, have been eating away at the budgets and the content production problem. <h3>Listen deeply to the requirements of content authors</h3>It’s tough to say that the requirements of authors (content contributors) are ignored, both in the CMS selection process and, sadly, also in the implementation that follows. But I’ve seen how it happens working in this field since the late 90’s.Yes, many requirements specifications, request-for-proposals, and similar documentation include editorial and content production requirements. But what tends to happen is that at the end of the day, buyers and CMS vendors alike overfocus on making the developers happy, creative, and productive – rather than also considering the needs of everyone working with content. A simple explanation is that developers tend to be in much higher demand and require substantially bigger paychecks. In addition, there’s this perception that code is something very few can create, like a unique masterpiece of innovation, while content is something everyone can easily do. That’s a sad way to look at things, particularly now with an explosion in content thanks to GenAI. Will it be your code or your content that makes you stick out?Actually, the best copywriters, content creators, editors, and whatever you call them in your organization are what will set you apart from the competition in 2024. It’s a long-standing misconception, perhaps a relatively privileged one, in the CMS space that you stand out by just shouting louder than the others. That might work in a fast-growing sector like CMS, but most of customers are not positioned like that. They need to stand out from the competition genuinely. They need to deliver services and storytelling that work for their students, staff, customers, and fans – and to do that, they need good content. <h3>Content failures can happen quickly and be devastating</h3>So, what’s a content failure? For some reason, many are far more worried about code failures than content failures, yet poor content quality is likely to slowly and effectively undermine your brand trust. <figure class="image image_resized" style="width:53.46%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/deane-barker-image.jpg" /></figure> It gets worse: It can happen quicker and be more painful than that. A content failure on Black Friday is likely to be very costly. I’ve seen it happen time and time again. Content that can’t get pushed out, some seemingly minor important outdated text on a corner of the website, a missing translation, and the list goes on… and it’s all very bad news. As Deane has passionately argued at multiple sessions this year, including at the Web Summer Camp in Croatia, to succeed, you need to:<ul><li>Provide your content team with the materials and equipment to do their work right</li><li>Give your content team the opportunity to do what they do best every day</li></ul>In other words: Your content team wants to be creative, and if your current CMS restricts them too much, or just genuinely isn’t supporting them, you can count on them to get increasingly disengaged – and the best ones will likely seek new opportunities. While you can probably find another developer who knows this or that framework, how long might it take to find and train someone who will excel in creating content in your tone of voice?<h3>Start solving 100% of content production problems</h3>Let’s go almost 20 years back in time. In 2006, Deane Barker wrote this post: <a target="_blank" href="https://deanebarker.net/tech/blog/first-85/">The first 85%</a>. To quote from the opening: “Content management is a process. It starts when someone gets an idea in their head that they want to publish (or change) some content somewhere. It ends when that content is actually published. This is the entire length of the process.At what point does the content management system come into the picture? Well, with most middle- and lower-end systems, it’s not until very late in the game. There’s an exception explained below, but in most cases, no one actually opens a content management system and tries to enter any content until about 85% along in the entire process.”In his current role as Global Director of Content Management at Optimizely, Deane published an updated version with some more insights in 2022: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.optimizely.com/insights/blog/the-first-85/">Why the first 85% of content production is a must</a>. In it, he compares it to the famous Seine River in France:“We tend to get myopic around things like content modeling, editorial UIs, content aggregations, templating, and such. These are the mechanical details that enable the management of content. But all this assumes the content exists. Where does it start? Think about the Seine River. You’re probably thinking about where it flows past the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, right? But…that’s just the part of the river that runs through Paris. The Seine is 432 miles long. The waters start at a wellspring several hundred miles away in Dijon.“So what’s the missing 85%? If you don’t know what it’s like in your organization, then ask around. Inquire about what it takes to get content on their website. What has to happen before something gets published? Might it be some research, meetings, an initial draft in some other tool (Google Docs, perhaps), a review, some more meetings, additional illustrations, social media planning… and the list goes on. Let me just finish with one example, which was really a running joke back in the late 90’s. Every CMS back then also had content workflow. While a nice demo, it was rarely, if ever, used in production. Today, does anyone really use workflow in CMS? As far as I know, the content workflow happens in other tools. Content production is indeed what matters. Understanding and supporting this better is what will set any content technology apart. <h3>As a final and forward-looking note:</h3>CWI researcher and Internet pioneer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/steven-pemberton">Steven Pemberton</a> recently pointed out that we are still in what you could call the days of the “paper Internet.” The <a target="_blank" href="https://homepages.cwi.nl/~steven/Talks/2023/11-09-lightning/#L634">Web is imitating the old,</a> as he said in a lightning talk at the Boye Aarhus 23 conference. Think about it for a moment: With responsive design, we could have truly escaped the page-based paradigm. But have we really? So many things we do on the Web still resemble previous technology, and this also goes for content production, where we type into forms. Innovation is needed!PS: A content model that really works could be a good place to start. At CMS Kickoff 24, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/mike-wills">Mike Wills</a>, VP of Technology at BlueModus, will host a session on this topic titled “Content That Connects.”PPS: For more on what it means to truly manage content, read my piece from 2022: <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/will-this-be-the-year-where-cms-is-finally-about-managing-content">Will this be the year where CMS is finally about managing content?</a> <hr /><figure class="image"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/cms-kickoff-2024-banner.jpg" /></figure><h3>Join us at CMS Kickoff 2024 - January 16-17</h3>Boye &amp; Company is delighted to present the second annual edition of its prestigious international conference dedicated to the global CMS community. This event will bring together top-notch speakers, Boye &amp; Company's renowned learning format, and engaging social events.Tired of impersonal and overwhelming gatherings? Picture this event as a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move forward in 2024. Hear from leading voices across the industry on a wide range of topics, including:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/andrew-kumar">Andrew Kumar</a>, GVP at Uniform</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/becky-brown">Becky Brown</a>, Content Strategy Lead at Johnson &amp; Johnson</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/marli-mesibov">Marli Mesibov</a>, Content Strategy at Verily</li></ul><h4> </h4><img style="width:39.13%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/11/don-cesar-hotel.jpg" /><h4>The Don CeSar: a world-class venue</h4>Is there a better location for a winter kickoff than Florida's beautiful, sugary sand beaches? CMS Kickoff 2024 will be held at the iconic Don CeSar, just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. Dubbed the “Pink Palace,” this majestic hotel and resort provides a stunning backdrop to the conference, along with access to the local food and culture of St. Petersburg Beach.  <h4>Get your tickets today</h4>CMS Kickoff offers an intimate, highly focused experience. Space is limited, and only a few seats remain. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity!<a target="_blank" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff24/tickets">Purchase tickets now &gt;</a>

Content Production: The Next Wave for Digital Experience Platforms

janus-boye

<hr /> Las Vegas in late November always means cool desert air, seasonally appropriate lighting, and a whole lotta tech folk. Right now, the casinos are flush with attendees from <a target="_blank" href="https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/top-announcements-of-aws-reinvent-2023/">AWS re:Invent</a>, the cloud computing giant's annual global conference – and odds are they're all betting on AI.It shouldn't be that surprising. Even though AWS dragged its feet by releasing its <a target="_blank" href="https://aws.amazon.com/bedrock/">Amazon Bedrock</a> GenAI well behind its competitors, the company has made recent strides, upping the ante with <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/microsoft-sharepoint">Microsoft</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/google-cloud-joins-mach-alliance-as-enabler-member">Google</a> in the race for AI dominance. This includes a much-heralded investment in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.anthropic.com/index/anthropic-amazon">Anthropic</a> as a foundational model offering.The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2023/11/20/1197958395/the-messy-human-drama-behind-openai">fresh drama with OpenAI</a> might also be delivering an early Christmas gift as companies explore alternative models for their growing AI initiatives – and look to trusted brands like Amazon to supply those services.AI has been a huge focus of re:Invent thus far, with AWS announcing its new <a target="_blank" href="https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/amazon-q-brings-generative-ai-powered-assistance-to-it-pros-and-developers-preview/">Amazon Q GenAI chatbot</a>. But along with the company's impressive cadre of machine learning services, it is also showcasing partner technologies with new offerings – including business applications like <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/what-is-a-content-management-system-cms">content management.</a> Today, as part of its AWS Partner Network Competency program, <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/solodev">Solodev</a> – a cloud services company – announced that it had achieved the new AWS Advertising and Marketing Technology Competency in the Digital Customer Experience category. Solodev and other technologies were highlighted during re:Invent as competency launch partners. According to the company's press release, the achievement recognizes Solodev's expertise in providing customers with professional services and software solutions. These capabilities let advertisers and marketers power workloads with advanced enterprise content management (CMS) technology, accelerating the creation of digital experiences for both web and omnichannel applications. “Solodev is proud to achieve the AWS Advertising and Marketing Technology Competency in the Digital Customer Experience category,” said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/techcto/">Shawn Moore</a>, Chief Technology Officer at Solodev. “Our customers have always benefited from our deep investment in AWS as the most trusted cloud infrastructure. Now, we’re building the future of digital experiences by offering serverless capabilities, omnichannel for IoT, and even generative AI to help advertisers and marketers personalize content, run experiments, optimize sites and apps, and convert more customers.”<h3>Powering digital experiences in the cloud</h3>As advertisers and marketers look to leverage the cloud to innovate and realize digital transformation, they increasingly need purpose-built solutions. AWS Advertising and Marketing Technology Competency Partners provide these customers – including advertising agencies, marketers, publishers, advertising and marketing technology providers, and analytics service providers – with AWS-validated solutions and services, helping accelerate their transformation. While brands and integrators look for ways to host, manage, scale, and secure their customer websites and mobile applications, having a content management system that is built on AWS at a foundational level is essential to meeting modern demands. While many CMS tools exist in the market, few are built for the full potential of the AWS cloud and its service architecture.A cloud-first CMS built exclusively on AWS, Solodev provides its users with access to scalable, cutting-edge capabilities like serverless, e-commerce, Internet of Things (IoT), and AI. Solodev also provides its advertising and marketing customers – including agencies and brands – with a sandbox to create highly engaging web and mobile experiences across a wide range of industries and use cases.<h3>CMS features designed for advertising and marketing</h3>Solodev delivers end-to-end control with a rich combination of features. This includes low code/no code functionality for advertisers, marketers, and content creators to run productive content operations. At the same time, developers have full access to code for building custom experiences. As a hybrid <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/top-free-headless-cms-platforms">headless</a> platform, Solodev also provides an ecosystem for managing legacy and omnichannel strategies in a single platform, along with a marketplace of integrations that covers ad tech, advanced AWS services, and AI-powered personalization.While the features of the CMS are robust, so too are the DevOps capabilities. From the <a target="_blank" href="https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/seller-profile?id=8e11c912-6253-41b8-b065-bf32bd27911b">AWS Marketplace</a>, any organization can spin up and deploy Solodev in their own single-tenant AWS account. License options include Professional, Enterprise, or even a container version with <a target="_blank" href="https://kubernetes.io/">Kubernetes</a>.<h3>Harnessing advanced features, from serverless to AI</h3>While its CMS products are part of its feature set, Solodev positions itself as a “cloud services company” – and for good reason. Coupled with innovation around a broader stack of its own cloud applications, Solodev provides professional consulting services for advertising and marketing customers, helping them build and support infrastructure and DevOps for their cloud services. This includes serverless strategies powered by <a target="_blank" href="https://aws.amazon.com/fargate/">AWS Fargate</a> for high-availability applications that demand significant scalability. Agencies and brands can also leverage Solodev AI to host and train their own models in the cloud and add powerful solutions to personalize experiences, recommend products and services, and harness generative AI at scale. <h3>Differentiating through the AWS competency program</h3>AWS enables scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions from hundreds of partners, from startups to global enterprises. To support the seamless integration and deployment of these solutions, the <a target="_blank" href="https://aws.amazon.com/partners/programs/competencies/">AWS Competency Program</a> was designed to help customers identify validated AWS Partner solutions and services for specific industry use cases.According to the press release, the <a target="_blank" href="https://aws.amazon.com/advertising-marketing/partners/">AWS Advertising and Marketing Technology Competency</a> highlights Solodev’s technical proficiency, specific domain knowledge, and proven customer success running cloud solutions on AWS for the advertising and marketing industry. To achieve any competency in its program, AWS Partners must undergo rigorous technical validation by AWS solution architects and have verified customer references. You can explore the various AWS Partner solutions and services offered in its AWS Data Exchange, via the AWS Marketplace, or by browsing the APN Partner Network – which includes Solodev.

Solodev Achieves New AWS Advertising and Marketing Technology Competency at AWS re:Invent 

<hr /> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.acquia.com/">Acquia</a>, a leading digital experience platform (DXP) provider, recently announced new capabilities for its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.acquia.com/drupal/site-studio">Acquia Site Studio</a>, the low-code <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/drupal">Drupal</a> website builder. With Acquia's new features, both developers and marketers can now create and manage digital experiences for traditional Drupal websites and headless applications using the same content. This will also allow marketers to create engaging digital experiences from a single content platform, reducing demands on development and IT resources. “As more teams adopt a hybrid approach combining headless and traditional applications, we’ve created a way to easily leverage the same content everywhere” said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbpshaw/">Jim Shaw</a>, SVP and General Manager, Drupal Cloud at Acquia. “This new capability will make it easier for both developers and digital marketers to create and manage content across multiple digital channels.”<h3>Scaling success with Acquia Site Studio</h3>Acquia Site Studio is known across the industry as a leading low-code website builder. Part of the Acquia ecosystem, Site Studio offers one of the most intuitive experiences for visual page-building and content-authoring in Drupal. Site Studio allows non-technical users to create components, layouts, and content in a traditional website build – without needing PHP and JavaScript. Now, with the launch of the new JSON:API for Site Studio, JavaScript and front-end developers can easily access the content and layouts created via Site Studio in decoupled or headless apps to create more engaging, interactive digital experiences.The new feature requires Acquia Site Studio 7.4 and above and a modern version of Drupal. <h3>Responding to demand in a growing headless market</h3>As enterprises and organizations look to build more composable stacks, headless apps are presenting a high-value solution for powering omnichannel strategies. Many businesses have already been using Drupal to drive headless apps, and that demand is increasing. With Acquia Site Studio, developers can now leverage headless capabilities while giving marketers access to low-code site building and editing features – all in one place. This will also reduce the burden on IT and development resources. “Globally, the headless CMS market is worth approximately $300 million per year and Acquia customers like the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority have long been using Drupal in a headless or decoupled scenario,” said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/craighanna22/">Craig Hanna</a>, Product Director, Acquia Site Studio and Acquia CMS. "With this announcement, we're both supporting our existing headless/decoupled customers as well as potential new ones with the power of our low-code/no-code site builder and editor for Drupal, Acquia Site Studio."Organizations such as Bayer Consumer Health, Hologic, Paramount, and Zscaler leverage Acquia Site Studio to create Drupal applications that meet custom business needs and take advantage of the advanced functionality of Drupal, yet are easy for marketers and content creators to use.

Acquia Site Studio Introduces Capabilities to Create Drupal and Headless Applications from a Single Platform

<hr /> This week, <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/sitecore">Sitecore</a> – a leading digital experience platform (DXP) – welcomed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathiecjohnson/">Kathie Johnson</a> to its leadership team as Chief Marketing Officer. Johnson assumes the new role at a pivotal time for Sitecore as the company rides a wave of growth and product innovation. In early October 2023, the company announced the launch of <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecores-accelerate-and-xm-cloud-plus-promise-brands-a-faster-path-to-cloud-transformation">XM Cloud Plus</a>, an extended digital experience solution that combines <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/what-is-a-content-management-system-cms">content management</a>, AI-powered search, personalization, customer data management, and analytics. This followed the unveiling of XM Cloud, the industry's first fully-native cloud CMS solution, which quickly became the company's fastest-selling SaaS product with over 100 major brand adoptions. As the company looks to mine continued growth in key areas, marketing will be central to the strategy – which is where a strong CMO comes in. With over 25 years of experience building brands in the B2B technology sector, Johnson brings deep knowledge and insight from an industry perspective. This will undoubtedly benefit Sitecore as it looks to unlock the full potential of a composable, SaaS-based future."Kathie's track record as a marketing leader speaks for itself," said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzikakis/">Steve Tzikakis</a>, CEO of Sitecore. "Her formidable background securing brand expansion and delivering incredible digital experiences will massively contribute to Sitecore's efforts to disrupt, accelerate and innovate digital experience delivery. Sitecore's compelling message offering SaaS-based, composable solutions will be greatly aided by this wonderful addition to our leadership. On behalf of Sitecore, we are thrilled to welcome Kathie to our team."Johnson will drive Sitecore's marketing efforts from the company's San Francisco headquarters. <h3>A marketing leader with proven industry experience</h3>Johnson's marketing chops are second to none, honed over decades of focus in the digital space. Most recently, she served as CMO for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.talkdesk.com/">Talkdesk</a>, a leading global contact center platform. During her tenure, Johnson led the firm's marketing organization through a transformative growth period, taking the company from #66 in the Forbes Cloud100 list in 2019 to #8 in 2022 and 2023. As Talldesk's first CMO, Kathie helped create and launch a vertical approach as part of the company's evolving marketing strategy. She also supported its expansion into EMEA, APAC, and Latin American countries while extending the product portfolio.Prior to her time at Talkdesk, Johnson spent almost four years at CRM giant <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/salesforce">Salesforce</a> as Senior Vice president of Marketing. In this role, she was responsible for driving significant gains in revenue across the full marketing funnel for seven key industries, including Financial Services, Healthcare Life Sciences, Retail Consumer Goods, Manufacturing, Automotive &amp; Energy, Public Sector, Communications &amp; Media, and Travel, Transportation &amp; Hospitality – which were also comprised of 18 subverticals. Before leading industries for Salesforce, Johnson also served as VP of Marketing for Salesforce's Commerce Cloud."I am excited to join Sitecore because of its innovative technology that is a true game changer for CMOs and CDOs who seek to differentiate their companies through superior digital experiences," said Kathie Johnson, CMO of Sitecore. “Sitecore is a leader in its space and continues to innovate by prioritizing a roadmap focused on SaaS-based, cloud native tools built on composable architecture. I am thrilled to be part of Sitecore's journey and look forward to working with our customers, partners, and employees around the globe.”

Sitecore Names Kathie Johnson as CMO, Focuses on Growth in Composable and Commerce Offerings

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