The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has warned against using SMS as a second factor in two-factor authentication. SMS messages are not encrypted and can be read by bad actors accessing the telecomms network. This follows reports in October of a major breach by hackers aligned with the Chinese government.
Let’s end the year on a positive note: 75% of marketing executives told 10Fold they’re optimistic about having bigger budgets in 2025. Over 450 marketing executives in (primarily B2B) technology organizations revealed that they prioritized spending in digital channels including websites, digital advertising, social influencers, webinars and virtual events. Print advertising (remember that?) was bottom of the priority list.
There were few surprises in the five trends highlighted by a new Google report. Multimodal AI, the evolution of multi-agent AI systems, assistive search, AI powered CX and AI-improved security were all highlighted. The surprise might have been that the work for the report was done by Notebook LLM; then again, perhaps not.
Changes in marketing channels and data access have made advertising measurement more important, and challenging, than ever. Taking advantage of growing interest in the topic, Bain Capital is selling Kantar Group’s audience measurement division, Kantar Media, to global investment firm H.I.G. Capital for “approximately $1 billion”. Kantar Media accounts for 4,500 of Kantar Group’s 25,000 employees.