One of these things is not like the other: data quality vendor Validity is buying email deliverability specialist Return Path. Validity, backed by private equity investors Silversmith Capital Partners, bought email verification platform BriteVerify last June, which makes the Return Path acquisition seem a bit more logical. The company describes its goal as providing comprehensive technology solutions to target, contact, and engage customers at scale.

Sticking with the topic, a survey of small business owners by digital marketing agency HigherVisibility found that 88% believe an online presence is required for success but 42% lacked a goal for their Web site beyond general awareness. The entirely unsurprising conclusion is that small business owners “lack the expertise to make the most of their online presence.”

Customer engagement platform Twilio has announced new platform capabilities, including the general availability of Twilio Segment’s Event-Triggered Journeys, supporting personalization based on customer intent signals in real time. In addition, Data Residency (EU) will ensure that email sending and event data are managed within the EU region, both for compliancy and customer trust. WhatsApp Business Calling will enable conversations with customers in another important channel using Twilio’s Programmable Voice Platform.