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At Meta, in CEO Mark Zuckerberg's words, 2023 was the "year of efficiency," and the stock jumped almost 200% alongside 20,000 job cuts. AI demand is so great that some tech companies are cutting headcount in parts of the business to invest more heavily in developing AI products. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, appears at the Political Opening of the Gamescom conference in Cologne, Germany, on Aug. 23, 2023. Within tech, a wide variety of companies, big and small and spanning the consumer and enterprise markets, are eliminating jobs. But, he added, there's an "enormous base" of small and mid-sized tech companies across the U.S., and that in some cases contractors, freelancers and overseas workers are being hit particularly hard.

Persons: Peter Kramer, They've, Mark Zuckerberg's, Zeile, Phil Spencer, Franziska Krug, Sundar Pichai, Bob Carrigan, Nigel Vaz, Publicis Sapient, Salesforce, Meta's, " Vaz, Levi Strauss, Bob Bakish, Tim Herbert, Herbert, there's, Vaz, Michael Bloom, Annie Palmer, Jennifer Elias Organizations: Nasdaq, CNBC, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Investors, Activision Blizzard, SAP, Microsoft Gaming, Facebook, Citigroup, Paramount, Commerce Department, Gross Locations: Cologne, Germany, U.S

☆ Publicis just laid down the gauntlet on the ad industry by pledging to invest more than $300 million in AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In an hour long video presentation, Publicis execs laid down the AI gauntlet to its competitors as Madison Avenue reckons with how AI technology will transform — and challenge — the ad business. It bought first-party data platform Epsilon in a $4.4 billion 2019 acquisition. "We're in such a fantastic position to leverage AI better than our competition," said Carla Serrano, Publicis Groupe global chief strategy officer in an interview. "There's no such thing as AI without great data and we have connected, proprietary data, and we're a platform company," she added. Publicis said it plans to invest 100 million euros, around $109 million, in building the AI platform in 2024.

Persons: Groupe, execs, Publicis, CoreAI, Sapient, Carla Serrano, Serrano, Michael Farmer Organizations: Business, Madison, reckons, Microsoft, Labs, Epsilon, WPP, Havas, Publicis Groupe, Google, Tech

☆ Everyone's buzzing about AI — including plenty of people who clearly don't understand it
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Spriha Srivastava | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

BINigel Vaz, CEO of Publicis Sapient, a consulting firm, compares the buzz around AI to the early days of the internet. BINela Richardson, chief economist at ADP, told BI there's a big learning gap on what constitutes AI. Much of what is being called "generative AI" has been around for decades, while much of what workers think is AI is actually automation. Similarly, Guru Gowrappan, CEO of ViaSat, a communications operator, says many companies are just talking about AI at Davos — but not actually doing much with it. And some of them are just recategorizing what they were doing to call it AI," he tells BI.

Persons: —, I've, Davos — I've, Sheila Warren, there's, Warren, Nigel Vaz, Publicis, Vaz, Bain, Nela Richardson, Richardson, Ivana Bartoletti, Guru Gowrappan, Gowrappan Organizations: Service, Economic, Business, Davos —, Crypto, VR, Infosys, IBM, Accenture, Consulting, ADP, Wipro, ViaSat, Davos Locations: Davos

☆ Cash in or lose out: Banks are turning to AI, cloud computing, and Web3 to gain competitive advantage and customer loyalty
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Nicholas Fearn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

AI and cloud tech are giving some banks an edge over competitors and enticing brand loyalty. Traditional banks that ignore this reality risk losing loyal customers to digital banks that have emerged over the past few years, research suggests. Digital transformation is a must for banksWith online banking now the norm, digital transformation is no longer optional for banks. Legacy banking systems were not designed to provide the banking experience that people expect today," she said. As a result, banking customers and employees can view transactions in real time and deliver "a more seamless and personalized experience" for all stakeholders, she added.

Persons: Banks, Victoria Newton, Newton, Laura Merling, Merling, Jay Venkateswaran, WNS, Eno, Goldman Sachs, Nigel Vaz, Publicis, Publicis Sapient Nigel Vaz, Venkateswaran, Vaz, James Whybrow Organizations: Service, Starling Bank, Arvest Bank, Banking, Capital One, Microsoft, Bank of America, Amazon Web Services, Google, Economist Intelligence Unit, Arvest, Software AG, Software Locations: Wall, Silicon, It's, Starling, WNS, Morgan

☆ Emerging tech, from AI to extended reality, is radically reshaping today's business world — and leaders who don't get on board ASAP will be left in the dust
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Nicholas Fearn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

As technology shapes customer habits, entire industries, and society at large, digital transformation has become a critical priority for every company. A February report from Deloitte found effective digital transformation initiatives could increase market capitalization by a staggering $1.25 trillion. From artificial intelligence to extended reality, a variety of technologies are shaping digital transformation strategies. He said he expected industries with "significant human implications," such as healthcare and space exploration, to benefit the most from digital transformation. Extended reality — a combination of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality often called "XR" — is another technology that could revolutionize organizational cultures.

Persons: Nigel Vaz, Publicis, It's, Vaz, Jean Pelletier, Pelletier, Schneider, Beth Johnson, Johnson, Tom Fairbairn, Tom Fairbairn Fairbairn, Duncan Roberts, Roberts Organizations: Technology, Morning, Deloitte, Netflix, Schneider, Schneider Electric, Citizens Bank, Amazon Prime, Amazon Web Services, Company, Imperial College London Locations: Cognizant

☆ Use this 'superpower' to improve your business and your life, CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Fears of new tech like artificial intelligence — and its implication for jobs — are on the rise, but one CEO thinks technology is actually a superpower. Nigel Vaz, CEO of digital consultancy Publicis Sapient, explained that it was the rise of computers that helped him unlock his potential. Discovering computers "changed everything" for him — but he wasn't the first to see the power and potential of technology. "I was surrounded as a child by comic books," Vaz explained. Vaz said that he believes it's not just comic book heroes that can use technology as a superpower.

Persons: Nigel Vaz, Sapient, CNBC's, " Vaz, it's, Nigel Vaz's

☆ The CEOs of the world's biggest advertising companies just outlined how AI is about to transform their businesses
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Advertising agency CEOs are eager to signal their companies' AI expertise to Wall Street. Speaking on this quarter's earnings calls, executives at the world's largest advertising agency groups also outlined some of their recent AI client projects and technology task forces. "What's changed over the last six months is the application of AI through generative AI into the creative process," Read said. Omnicom is running more than 20 projects where it combines Omnicom's historical data with GPT's automation technology, Wren said, though he didn't specify exactly how it was being deployed. That will require more creative assets, Sadoun said on the Publicis earnings call.

☆ Best Buy, Walmart, other major US retailers tout health services
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Katherine Masters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Electronics retailer Best Buy recently kicked off a partnership with Atrium Health, part of Advocate Health, one of the country’s largest nonprofit hospital systems, Best Buy Chief Executive Officer Corie Sue Barry announced Thursday on a call with analysts. The partnership combines Atrium's hospital-at-home program with Best Buy’s technological services, she said. Best Buy Chief Financial Officer Matthew Bilunas, however, predicted continued growth of the company's health services would contribute to gross profit rate expansion even as it anticipates cooling demand throughout 2023. "The role of technology within health care is becoming more important than ever, and our strategy is to enable care at home for everyone," Barry said. New sign-ups for Best Buy's health services are expected to help drive a 40 to 70 basis point improvement in gross margins this year, despite lower sales.

☆ Want Better Customer Service? Join the (Membership) Club
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Katie Deighton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

Others such as online travel agent Booking.com and Sony Group Corp.’s PlayStation provide priority customer service for high-ranking members of their loyalty programs. Other companies that offer premium customer support also say the perk is often a small part of more comprehensive packages, and that its introduction doesn’t mean their standard customer service is lacking. “We’ve always provided fantastic customer service, but what we added was another layer on top of that,” said Genaro Perez, senior vice president of marketing for P.F. Other companies offer priority customer service to customers who have ascended to the upper tiers of loyalty programs that do not cost extra to join. The strategy may help profits, but could create the perception that “free” customer service is low-quality and amplify inequality by deprioritizing lower-income customers, she said.

☆ Publicis Sapient teams up with Oscar winning director Ben Proudfoot
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Tania Bryer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPublicis Sapient teams up with Oscar winning director Ben Proudfoot"Never Done" is the first of three non-branded films commissioned by Publicis Sapient. CNBC's Tania Bryer attends a screening of the film in London to find out more about the way it was produced.

☆ How brands and top artists collaborate
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Tania Bryer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow brands and top artists collaboratePublicis Sapient has commissioned a new piece of art to hang in its offices. CNBC's Tania Bryer meets the artist, Nic Mac, to find out more.

☆ Davos panel talks about the value of engaging diverse voices
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailDavos panel talks about the value of engaging diverse voicesTiwale founder Chmba Chilemba and Elio co-founder & CEO Kami Krista talk about the value of taking part in global conversations. President & CEO of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis and Publicis Sapient CEO Nigel Vaz also join the discussion.

☆ The Visionaries Network at Davos
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe Visionaries Network at DavosCNBC brings together leaders looking to make a difference. This specially curated panel brings together young people from the Nile Rodgers’ We Are Family Foundation and pairs them with current C-Suite executives. Publicis Sapient CEO Nigel Vaz, President & CEO of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis, Tiwale founder Chmba Chilemba and Elio co-founder & CEO Kami Krista join the discussion.

☆ I got into Y Combinator as a solo founder and left with a $4.5 million investment. Here's how I got in on my second try and what it was like.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Claire Turrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Kathryn Cross is the founder of Anja Health, a cord blood bank that freezes stem cells for future disease treatment purposes. I first heard about the startup accelerator Y Combinator when I was studying at Wellesley College and taking entrepreneurship classes at MIT. Many of the founders living in the house were in Y Combinator, and they told me how beneficial it was. I left my job with Publicis Sapient in June 2021 to begin working full-time for Anja Health. Did you go through Y Combinator and have a story to tell?

[1/2] People visit a retail store during the holiday season in New York City, U.S., December 15, 2022. So far, shopper visits to many retail segments, including apparel and electronics, are down year-over-year, according to foot-traffic data from Placer.AI. Zara, the fast-fashion chain, aggressively raised prices this year without turning off shoppers, while dollar stores including Dollar General (DG.N) expanded their array of merchandise. Dollar stores have also shown momentum as more consumers traded down. Discount and dollar stores saw visits up 1.1% year-over-year, and up 7.8% compared to Super Saturday 2019, according to Placer.AI foot-traffic data.

☆ Publicis Sapient CEO Nigel Vaz on his advice for Elon Musk
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Tania Bryer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPublicis Sapient CEO Nigel Vaz on his advice for Elon MuskCNBC's Tania Bryer sits down with Publicis Sapient CEO Nigel Vaz at the launch of the Impact Films initiative.

Reuters GraphicsMelissa Benhaim, a 32-year old publicist in Miami, started her holiday shopping slightly later than usual this year. A Saturday shopping day between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year gives shoppers extra time to hold out for better bargains. Holiday shopping is expected to slow broadly. Reuters GraphicsBut toy prices, even with discounts, are up about 2.4%, DataWeave found. Shoppers are paying $16.99 for the toy this year at Kohl's, after discounts, compared to $11.54 last year, according to DataWeave.

☆ Publicis hikes 2022 guidance once again after Q3 beat
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 18 (Reuters) - Publicis Groupe (PUBP.PA), the world's third-biggest advertising group, on Tuesday raised its full-year guidance for the second time this year, after posting better-than-expected third-quarter organic revenue growth. The company forecasts organic growth at 8.5% compared with 6%-7% previously and an operating margin rate close to 18%, up from 17.5% to 18%. "We are absolutely convinced that our clients, as we see every day, will continue to invest in their transformation, whether it be marketing or digital," Sadoun told journalists. Publicis saw its digital and data-driven businesses Sapient and Epsilon grow respectively 18.1% and 13.9% in the third quarter. Home to ad agencies Leo Burnett and Saatchi & Saatchi, the group posted a third-quarter organic growth of 10.3%, above analysts' estimate of 5.1% in a consensus provided by the company.

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