Indrani Ray

Curious about the future of #AI in marketing? I had the honour of speaking about at the SocialNext Digital Marketing Summit in Toronto yesterday organized by Mike Morrison . I joined panelists Richard Wong, Kristie Painting and Xenia Muntean to talk about AI in marketing – the journey from hype to reality. We discussed the necessary responsibility that comes along with AI, how humans will supercharge AI with the right data, that 97% of global organizations feel the increased urgency to deploy AI-powered technologies, and so much more. Coincidently, yesterday was International #GirlsinICTDay and this year’s theme is ‘Are you AI Ready’ – making my time on an AI panel even more special. #SocialNext2024 #MarketingAI #MarketingInnovation #WomeninAI #AIPowered

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I had an opportunity to attend a panel discussion on the use of GenAI organized by Canadian Marketing Association this week. Mitch Joel, Alexandra Toulch, Sarah Bugeja, and Neil Patel were on the panel, sharing their thoughts and also showing various levels of concerns about how GenAI are affecting our marketing industry. Many great points were made. Below are three takeaways with my personal thoughts. 1. GenAI is here to stay. Marketers have the responsibility to learn about the technological development and be ready for changes and disruptions. I agree with that POV and have discussed this in various context. Regardless of the guidance and restrictions of one’s workplace, it is important to stay curious, informed, and objective to the development and deployment of GenAI. 2. GenAI powered applications are tools. When used intelligently, they can enhance productivity and not replacing human ingenuity.  Fundamentally yes. I can get access to Gemini, Mid Journey or other tools. But that doesn’t make me a creative director. However, we must acknowledge that GenAI empowered applications have superior capability to draw references from much wider sources than human can. That said, it is up to creators to imagine and guide the tools to seek relevant sources to achieve unique creative visions. This is a point that Alexandra Toulch reiterated. 3. IP and training for next generation marketers and creators are immediate concerns The issue of IP is one of the big reasons hindering a wider adoption of GenAI by corporations and rightly so. The next generation marketers’ future is a bigger discussion. It is prudent to expect a “skill inflation” as new entrants to the workforce are already better technically trained. Sarah Bugeja made an important point that “best marketing is culture changing and culture creating. That requires human input.” Her perspective should shed some light on how we should elevate new marketers to become more culturally aware and respond accordingly. #genAI #digitalmarketing #pr #reputationmanagement

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The City of Vancouver is a longtime infinitii ai customer, and this #Vancouver #AI #Software #Innovation company applauds #Mayor Ken Sim, FCPA, FCA's further push into #digitization. #SmartCity #water #wastewater #flowmonitoring #predictiveanalytics #ML #MachineLearning $IAI.cn $CDTAF $7C5 Check out the Techcouver.com news story here: https://lnkd.in/dv2dxBC4

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Proud to see TELUS named in TIME Magazine's World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2024. Ranking #21 out of 500 companies worldwide, and #2 in Canada, here are some ways we continue to stay committed to sustainability: 🌳 Enabling reforestation and nature restoration by planting 12.7 million trees since 2000 🌳 Diverting 15 million devices from landfills and upcycling and recycling four million mobile devices since 2010 🌳 Investing in socially-responsible tech start-ups 🌳 Launching TELUS Environmental Solutions, offering a range of tech-enabled nature-based solutions designed to deliver positive social and environmental impacts for customers in the areas that need it most 🌳 Advancing the agriculture and consumer goods sector by leveraging our technology and digital analytics to reduce waste and optimize resource consumption. 🌳 Enhancing healthcare sustainability through digital health technologies, reducing paper use, energy consumption and carbon emissions while promoting equitable access to care #TeamTELUS

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Last week I attended NEXT Canada's Venture Reveal event, where I was fortunate to witness some of Canada's most promising startups pitch their innovative companies to an audience of investors, academics, and fellow entrepreneurs. For those unfamiliar, NEXT is a powerhouse tech incubator committed to nurturing the next wave of impactful Canadian entrepreneurs. With an impressive track record of launching unicorns, facilitating over $2B in capital raises, and supporting countless entrepreneurs in their journey to improve Canada's competitiveness, they are highly valued in the early-stage tech community. Reflecting on the event, a few key insights resonated with me: -"There will be 100 problems in a startup, the ones who end up surprising us aren't always the ones who sparkle the most. They are the ones who keep crawling through." Ajay Agrawal's perspective on the nonlinear nature of startup challenges underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability. -As John Kelleher aptly put it, "The game of building successful tech startups is a game of outliers. Every year of the 130k businesses are started, 4,000 are capable of building and securing venture funding. Of those, 200 will raise funding from a top-tier VC and only 15 will generate almost all venture returns. -Despite Canada's GDP per capita experiencing a decline of 1/2% annually since 2020, it's imperative we foster an environment that cultivates high-growth ventures. Amidst these takeaways, I'm inspired by the resilience and dedication exhibited by entrepreneurs tackling real-world problems head-on, especially amidst today's challenging climate. Special kudos to my mentees, Nicole Baranowski at Hairstrong and Matthew Stevens & Mathew Chan at Tailwind, for their commitment to bringing their innovative offerings to market. Here's to celebrating the bold visionaries shaping Canada's entrepreneurial landscape. Onward and upward!!! #CDNtech #entrepreneurship #growth

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Generative AI has the potential to add $187 billion annually to the Canadian economy by 2030. Check out the new report Microsoft conducted with Accenture and read about the key enablers to responsible AI adoption that will help Canada get there ( https://lnkd.in/g43SF-hJ ). And check out Chris Barry below talking about this massive opportunity on BNN Bloomberg.

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Words are important -- so today's announcement that TELUS International is rebranding as TELUS Digital Experience as a critical milestone on our journey -- these words were chosen carefully. "Digital" is to the fact that everything we do already is digital first, including the leadership provided by the WillowTree team which will continue to be focused on bringing the latest thinking and innovation to our clients. "Experience" highlights our relentless focus on helping our clients optimized their customers end to end journey, from digital marketing, to products (apps and websites), to AI-driven voice and text bots, to humans in the loop. All underpinned by data and AI. We are one of a very very small number of companies on this planet that can help clients solve the complete customer journey. Let's go! https://lnkd.in/eEHe3uzM #genai #ai #conversataionalai #ios #cx #android

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Big news was announced during the first ever Vividata Voices conference on April 25! Vividata and Consumer Orbit formed a Strategic Partnership to deliver unprecedented consumer and media insights in Canada! Leveraging Vividata’s Study of the Canadian Consumer (SCC) and SCC/Digital studies, Consumer Orbit brings its extensive data integration capabilities and patented big data weighting technology to Canada. Read the press release, here: https://lnkd.in/g5SvNw29 #partnership #Canada #data #firstpartydata #research #dataontheground #analytics #insights #media #mediaplanning #mediabuying #mediainsghts #consumers #consumerinsights #consumerbehaviour #mediameasurement #digitalmeasurement #new #bigdata #audience #audiencemeasurement #local #localdata

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As governments at all levels across Canada have expanded their digital service offerings, the user experience has often not met the high expectations of residents. Constrained resources, complex organizations, limited human capacity, and massive IT transformation goals make digital updates a hurdle for agencies. Given these challenges, we'll be sharing key insights from PayIt's groundbreaking research conducted with hundreds of government agency leaders, and explore how innovations in payment experiences can not only streamline operations but also increase accessibility, security, and resident satisfaction. Join us for an insightful session on data-backed tactics for empowering residents and optimizing digital government offerings. Register today for the live webinar: https://okt.to/O06mr7 #DigitalGovernment #GovTech #Webinar

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Today, I'm thrilled to spotlight a critical issue highlighted in our latest article: cloud adoption. Canada's federal government set a bold vision in 2013 to build a world-class public service through cloud technology. Yet, ten years later, progress has been slow. Meanwhile, our digital landscape is rapidly evolving, leaving our public services struggling to keep up. The answer lies in accelerating cloud adoption. By leveraging the cloud, we can ensure government services are agile, secure, and responsive. This requires strategic investments, learning from industry leaders, and fostering a culture of bold, innovative leadership. Mark Lambert, Canada Health & Public Service Lead from Accenture explores these questions in a new op-ed piece on TheFutureEconomy.ca: 💡 How can we overcome the barriers to cloud adoption and fully leverage its benefits? 💡 What collective efforts are needed from federal and provincial governments to ensure a seamless transition? 💡 How can we ensure that cloud technology supports not just urban but also rural and remote communities? Read more: https://lnkd.in/gCh-Mu4m #CloudAdoption #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #PublicService #Canada

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Aspire Digital Online Inc. (ADO) Acquires DIY Marketin Ottawa, ON — Aspire Digital Online Inc. (ADO), a leading Ottawa-based digital marketing company known for its innovative use of artificial intelligence in marketing strategies, today announced the acquisition of DIY Marketin www.diymarketin.com, a renowned provider of digital marketing resources and tools to a global market. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in ADO’s mission to reshape the digital marketing landscape by integrating advanced AI technologies to offer unparalleled services. About ADO: ADO has established itself as a pioneer in the digital marketing industry by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to enhance its services. With a team of expert marketers leveraging extensive industry knowledge and the latest AI tools, ADO specializes in creating personalized, effective marketing strategies that drive growth. From data analysis and content optimization to improving customer experiences and lead generation, ADO’s innovative approach not only positions it as a leader in Ottawa but also sets a new standard for digital marketing worldwide. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/er6sP8jV. Strategic Acquisition to Enhance Digital Marketing Services: The acquisition of DIY Marketin aligns with ADO’s vision of expanding its service offerings and further incorporating AI into digital marketing solutions. DIY Marketin’s extensive library of digital marketing resources and tools will complement ADO’s existing services, providing clients with an even broader range of solutions tailored to meet their needs. A Future-Forward Vision: “With the acquisition of DIY Marketin, ADO is poised to further disrupt the digital marketing industry,” said Warren Butland Co-Founder & CEO, at Aspire Digital Online Inc. “This acquisition not only expands our resource pool but also enhances our ability to serve our clients with the most innovative and effective marketing strategies, driven by the latest advancements in AI technology.” ADO’s commitment to innovation and excellence in digital marketing is expected to bring about a new era of growth and opportunities, benefiting clients across various industries. The integration of DIY Marketin’s resources and tools into ADO’s service offerings will enable the company to provide more comprehensive and efficient solutions, reinforcing its position as a leader in the digital marketing space. For further information about Aspire Digital Online Inc. and the acquisition of DIY Marketin, please contact: info@aspiredigitalonline.com

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Aspire Digital Online Inc. (ADO) Acquires DIY Marketin Ottawa, ON — Aspire Digital Online Inc. (ADO), a leading Ottawa-based digital marketing company known for its innovative use of artificial intelligence in marketing strategies, today announced the acquisition of DIY Marketin www.diymarketin.com, a renowned provider of digital marketing resources and tools to a global market. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in ADO’s mission to reshape the digital marketing landscape by integrating advanced AI technologies to offer unparalleled services. About ADO: ADO has established itself as a pioneer in the digital marketing industry by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to enhance its services. With a team of expert marketers leveraging extensive industry knowledge and the latest AI tools, ADO specializes in creating personalized, effective marketing strategies that drive growth. From data analysis and content optimization to improving customer experiences and lead generation, ADO’s innovative approach not only positions it as a leader in Ottawa but also sets a new standard for digital marketing worldwide. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/er6sP8jV. Strategic Acquisition to Enhance Digital Marketing Services: The acquisition of DIY Marketin aligns with ADO’s vision of expanding its service offerings and further incorporating AI into digital marketing solutions. DIY Marketin’s extensive library of digital marketing resources and tools will complement ADO’s existing services, providing clients with an even broader range of solutions tailored to meet their needs. A Future-Forward Vision: “With the acquisition of DIY Marketin, ADO is poised to further disrupt the digital marketing industry,” said Warren Butland Co-Founder & CEO, at Aspire Digital Online Inc. “This acquisition not only expands our resource pool but also enhances our ability to serve our clients with the most innovative and effective marketing strategies, driven by the latest advancements in AI technology.” ADO’s commitment to innovation and excellence in digital marketing is expected to bring about a new era of growth and opportunities, benefiting clients across various industries. The integration of DIY Marketin’s resources and tools into ADO’s service offerings will enable the company to provide more comprehensive and efficient solutions, reinforcing its position as a leader in the digital marketing space. For further information about Aspire Digital Online Inc. and the acquisition of DIY Marketin, please contact: info@aspiredigitalonline.com

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Be among the first to know about new #PublicCompany and #ETF listings on Cboe Canada, upcoming events, and other important Cboe happenings. Subscribe now for occasional email updates, delivered right to your inbox! Subscribe here: https://rb.gy/a6mt4o #Investors #Advisors #CboeListed #CapitalMarkets #PublicMarkets #StockExchange #GoPublic #IPO #RTO #ETFs #Investing #SubscribeNow

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As telcos witness rapid changes in a hypercompetitive world and changing customer demands, it is vital to unlock maximum efficiency to enhance monetization channels and stay ahead of the curve. This is where #GenerativeAI and #CognitiveNetworks are game-changers. Join us at The Canadian Telecom Summit for two thought-provoking talks on these topics where Amandeep Singh, Business Group Head & Chief Business Advisor, Tech Mahindra takes you through an overview of how these trends work, the transformative journey that they can provide to #telcos, and how Tech Mahindra is all geared up to catalyze this revolution. Know More: https://lnkd.in/gA9EP8Tx #ScaleAtSpeed #TechMahindraCanada #CTS #CTS2024

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Which came first, the #PressRelease or the #marketingstrategy? Great description of how #PR can drive an #integratedmarketing plan Cision Canada! https://lnkd.in/gC_Qu4Sr

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Our Canadian team just released a new report on the Generative AI opportunity. It was written in collaboration with Accenture and calls out four key points - it's a transformative tech with significant potential, it could deliver $187B in economic value for the national economy by 2030, responsible adoption is key to unlocking this value, and action from industry and government enablers will be required. The full report is a solid read (close to 50 pages) that aligns the opportunity to the action, with the exec summary calling out a quick win. I'm not an early adopter, (my first iPhone was a 4s), but the Gen AI promise for productivity is an 8% lift or 30 minutes per work week. Copilot in Teams gives me a full transcript + action items from every recorded meeting. No one taking notes, reworking them or sending them out. Just prompt and share. I'll read the full report with that extra half hour... https://lnkd.in/g8pf86ms

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We are extremely pleased to announce that David Sharma, BMath, Acc. Dir. has joined CEO Global Network as a CEO Group Leader and CEO Mentor based in #Toronto.   As a longstanding Member of CEO Global Network, David has experienced the value of peer learning and CEO mentorship firsthand and is committed to our mission of significantly improving the success and lives of #CEOs and #executives, their families, and their companies.    As President of TELUS Enterprise and Partner Solutions, David drove a multi-billion dollar P&L supported by the efforts of several high-performing teams including: Enterprise Solutions (TELUS' largest public and private business customers), Partner Solutions (TELUS' global wholesale telecom & cloud provider business), the very first President of GoCo (SMB focused channel for Security, UC and SDWAN solutions), TELUS Financial Solutions (TELUS' Fintech & Payment solutions) and TELUS Employer Solutions (Global HR BPO solutions).    During his time as TELUS’ Chief Procurement Officer & SVP Supply Chain Management, David led a team that was accountable for more than $6B in annual spending.    As the Senior VP – TELUS Business Solutions Marketing, David and his team led the overall B2B strategy, product management, marketing and communications, and professional services for all of the TELUS Enterprise, SMB and wholesale channels.   One of David’s fondest memories during his time at TELUS was helping develop and serving as a founding board member for TELUS International, a leading digital customer experience innovator & GenAI enabler. TELUS International became the largest technology IPO in the Toronto Stock Exchange history and was co-listed on the NYSE in 2021.    David’s commitment to ongoing learning includes the achievement of a professional Accredited Director designation with the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada (CGIC). His current board responsibilities include Chairman of the Board for Optimus AI Labs, Board member of Hackworks and Board member of Ontario Brain Institute. David’s previous board experience includes 8Twelve (a fintech company disrupting the mortgage industry), Wingmate (a CRM tech company focused on the services industry) and HU/EX Labs (a Conversational AI company focused on the QSR segment).    David is an active volunteer and he has sat on the boards of the Ontario Science Centre, WXN Canada’s Top 100 most powerful women, Canadian Aboriginal & Minority Supplier Council, CANARIE, and was the founding board member for TELUS Toronto Community Board.   David has been highly recognized for his leadership impact. In addition to being a 2021 TELUS Legend recipient, he was also recognized as one of the Top 40 under 40 Global Telecom Industry Executives and a Canadian Diversity Champion by Women of Influence.   Click here to read more about David 👉 https://lnkd.in/gBFd4hWi Please join us in welcoming David to CEO Global Network. #Leadership #Mentorship

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