Pendula started life in 2017 as an email and SMS messaging platform, and has since grown to include complex experience workflows, analytics, and AI agent-based conversations. They’ve just been acquired by Smart Communications, which specializes in omnichannel engagement for highly regulated industries such as financial services, insurance, and healthcare. Price wasn’t announced but Pendula had $25.6 million in funding and 57 employees.

Using simulated humans rather than real ones to test marketing ideas apparently works just fine. Interpublic Group reports their Acxiom unit has used worked with simulation expert Aaru to select campaign audiences and messages with good results. The companies are now expanding their relationship to add predictive simulation to campaign design models in Interpublic’s Interact marketing platform.

The economy may be sputtering (or not), but funds are flowing more freely for martech and adtech acquisitions. Video platform Vimeo has just agreed to be acquired for $1.38 billion in cash. The buyer is Bending Spoons, a Milan-based mobile app developer.