Hello!

Today, we have Jude McColgan, CEO of Localytics, asking marketers to battle post-holiday ad fatigue and get a fast start in the new year by putting the consumer first.

A new decade is the perfect time for brands to be edgier and more creative, writes Jude. Companies should try shaking up their strategies and highlight ways that differentiate themselves from their competitors and offer consumers a unique experience.

Also, a new report from customer support platform UJET finds a steady use by consumers of all ages of multiple channels for customer service, and a desire for more texting/messaging.

Also ICYMI:

• Only 24% marketers believe AI has a positive impact on marketing, finds new Reports by Bynder.
• Talkdesk®, the cloud contact center for innovative enterprises, announced Virtual Agent, a new product delivering AI to customer self-service applications.
• After piloting with several global CPG and Fortune 500 brands for the last six months, Habu – a marketing data operating system – comes out of stealth with $15 million in Series A funding led by super{set}, with participation from select investors.
• Toast, one of the fastest-growing restaurant management platform in the US, announced a $400M Series F funding round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, TPG, Greenoaks Capital, and Tiger Global Management.
• Tamatem, a leading mobile games publisher in the Arabic speaking market, has raised a $3.5M Series A follow-on round led by existing investor Wamda Capital.