Omnichannel NOW Newsletter Archive

  Consumer Goods

• Cambria launches AR App for design visualization
• Fanta creates elevator-crash VR experience
• Wayfair launches Real-Time Delivery Tracking
• Levi’s tests RFID to analyse in-store data
• Google unveils AR stickers for Pixel phones

  Financial Services

• Wells Fargo rolls out contactless ATMs to reduce transaction time
• TD bank announces conversational AI platform agreement with Kasisto
• Mastercard and PayPal expand global digital partnership
• BNP Paribas pivots to AI for trade processing
• Royal Bank of Canada is building AI into its mobile banking app
• Visa launches new authentication technology: Visa ID Intelligence
• Fidelity moving towards VR for empathy training

  Healthcare / Pharma

• P&G launches new Clearblue connected ovulation app
• Sanofi, Innovation Health evaluate digital health solutions for diabetes
• Apple and J&J join FDA program to fast-track digital health apps
• Anthem Blue Cross to launch digital health platform
• CDC releases new app to track child development
• Mass General’s iPhone app screens for postpartum depression
• IBM and UC San Diego launch AI services for aging population
• Nuance unveils AI virtual assistant for healthcare

  Focus of the Month: Augmented Reality

• How AR can improve customer experience  
• Wikibuy adds AR to comparison shopping app
• How AR and VR headsets are gaining momentum
• Toys R Us launches 'digital playground' with AR app
• Perfect Corp. raises $25 million to develop AR beauty apps

• American Express appoints new Chief Technology Officer
• FCC announces Eric Burger as Chief Technology Officer
• Cotiviti appoints Chief Digital Officer
• Campbell appoints Francisco Fraga as Chief Technology Officer
• Goodyear names Mike Dauberman as new CDO

• Robert Walters seeks Chief Technology Officer
• Sentara is looking for Chief Technology Officer
• Vectrus is looking for Chief Technology Officer
• HID Global Corporation seeks SVP and Chief Technology Officer
• GroupM seeks Global Head of IT Compliance
• Teradata is looking for VP, Global Cyber Security
• Citi seeks Head of Global Open Banking 

  Consumer Goods

• P&G’s advertising future defined by Artificial Intelligence
• Wayfair leverages Big Data and omnichannel to revolutionize shopping
• Adidas leverages ultra boost technology for all weather conditions
• Sephora embraces digital technologies to enhance CX
• Nike introduces flyleather sustainable technology
• Louis Vuitton unveils Tambour Horizon, its first luxury smartwatch
• Coca Cola uses Artificial Intelligence to bolster CX

  Financial Services

• Bank of America’s back office bots provide solution for new accounts receivable
• JPMorgan announces joint venture between its consumer and retail teams
• U.S. Bank enables voice transactions via Alexa skill
• Inside Visa’s IoT playbook to deliver a better experience
• Bank of America upgrades its digital offerings
• Mastercard Engage helps partners with their digital gap
• Banking via chatbot: Citi launches Facebook messenger service

  Healthcare / Pharma

• Texas Health Aetna launches virtual ER care app
• Mayo clinic offers first aid assistance via Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant
• Apple’s watch 3 rolls out heart health and smart fitness features
• Concierge Key health to launch on-demand app to healthcare nationwide
• Google rolls out tool to help diagnose depression
• Microsoft sets up new healthcare division based on AI
• Hospitals adopt IoT technologies to enhance security

  Focus of the Month: Voice and Visual Search

• Apple adds visual search to its Music Android App
• Voice search is the key to simplifying UX
• Visual search offers great promise for the future of food
• How voice search is changing everything for brands
• Visual search products revolutionize online shopping experience

• Novartis appoints Bertrand Bodson as Chief Digital Officer
• Bang & Olufsen names Christian Birk as Chief Digital Officer
• Deutsche Bank hires Thomas Nielsen as its new Chief Digital Officer
• Sprint names Ivo Rook as Senior VP of IoT
• MGM Resorts appoints Kelly Smith as Senior VP and Chief Digital Officer

• AIG is looking for Digital CTO
• Dell is recruiting for Field CTO, Isilon Hybrid
• NBA seeks Vice President, Product Optimization and Growth
• NBC is looking for Vice President, Digital Platforms
• Fiserv seeks VP, Product Management, Digital Channels
• CVS Health seeks for Mobile and Digital Innovation, IT Director
• Western Digital is looking for Director, Digital Learning and Platforms
• Pfizer is looking for Director, Digital Strategy & Data Innovation
• Capital One is looking for Director, Digital Communications

  Consumer Goods

• Nike launches SNEAKRS mobile app in Europe
• Sephora unveils beauty social platform
• Daimler, Bosch partner for automated valet parking
• Apple experimenting with several augmented reality glasses
• BMW launches new digital parts and accessories shop
• Earth Fare leverages AI to optimize promotions
• Levis experiments with 3-D printed denim
• Meitu launches three virtual makeup looks

  Financial Services

• JP Morgan Chase attempts to automate online small-business loans
• Wells Fargo leverages cyber range technology to improve cybersecurity
• Citi aims to provide mobile-first banking experience for its premium customers
• Bank of America to pilot iris-scan logins for mobile banking customers
• U.S. bank bets AI can finally deliver 360-degree view
• Bank of America expands small-business mobile capabilities
• Santander VC arm invests in two Artificial Intelligence companies

  Healthcare / Pharma

• Fitbit’s new smartwatch leaks in new images
• Samsung’s upcoming Gear Fit2 Pro may add additional health features  
• Google acquires Senosis Health, maker of diagnostic apps
• Aetna Dental partners with Brighter to improve online customer experience
• Johnson & Johnson announces clinical data for HIV preventive vaccine

   Focus of the Month: Restaurants going Digital

• Cloud-based technology: solution for restaurants' turnover dilemma
• TGI Fridays sets out to reinvent happy hour with chatbots and IoT
• Restaurants placing in-store tech on the menu
• Technology's impact on today’s restaurant industry
• Chatbots for restaurants to create a better customer experience
• How technology is improving restaurants' businesses

• Hulu hires Google marketing veteran Kelly Campbell as CMO
• Google Brain hires Chris Lattner for its Artificial Intelligence team
• Campbell Soup hires Shakeel Farooque as VP of digital
• Google hires Liron Damir as Head of UX to improve smart home experience
• Dropbox hires Quentin Clark as SVP of engineering, product and design
• BNY Mellon hires tech-focused Charles Scharf as its CEO

• The Nuance Group is seeking CTO, VP Technology, Enterprise Division
• General Atomics is looking for Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
• CBS is looking for Vice President, Cloud Architecture  
• AllianceBernstein is seeking MD, Head of Digital Transformation
• Citi Group is looking Head of NAM Chief Technology Office
• Sephora is seeking Director, Marketing Technology
• Estée Lauder is seeking Director, Brand Marketing Technology Lead

  Consumer Goods

• Sephora expands augmented reality try-on offering
• Apple launches HomePod powered by Siri
• ColourPop selects Qubit’s AI-based platform for personalized makeover
• Wayfair launches visual search with artificial intelligence backend
• Ikea and Apple’s AR app will put virtual furniture in your living room
• Estée Lauder launches augmented reality based try-on feature
• Geeni brings Google Assistant to its smart home products
• Next generation Audi A8 parks itself with ease
• WearableX unveils connected, responsive yoga pants
• Meitu launches new AR experience for its MakeupPlus app

  Financial Services

• Wells Fargo launching mobile app feature to track subscriptions
• Mastercard taps APIs to expand its services and reach
• FirstData completes CardConnect acquisition
• Goldman Sachs steps up its mobile presence
• Citi Pay comes to the U.S., bringing the digital wallet to a new country
• Tesco rolls out contactless loyalty cards
• Western Union unveils upgrade of its digital payments platform for students
• Visa and Mastercard eye opportunities in B2B payments

  Healthcare / Pharma

• Walgreens: At the corner of technology and a better CX
• Johnson & Johnson attempts to advance 3D printing technology in healthcare
• Bayer partners with Slantrange to deploy aerial remote for advanced research
• EliteHealth launches senior-focused artificial intelligence health companion
• McKesson merges med sync and mobile delivery across platforms
• Walgreens’ mobile app brings older patients into digital fold

   Focus of the Month: Personalization

• Qubit aims to provide scalable Personalization program
• Personalization will grow your business or your competitors
• Google Play music gets more personalized with new release radio
• At Under Armour, more data brings more Personalization
• Auto software solutions provide Personalization and added intelligence
• ColourPop selects Qubit for Personalization makeover
• Hyper-Personalization is about to disrupt three major industries

• Quicken Loans is looking for Chief Technology Officer
• Juniper Networks is looking for Chief Technology Officer
• Leidos is looking for Chief Technology Officer
• B.E.Smith looks for Chief Information Officer
• Prime Healthcare seeks Chief Information Officer
• LifePoint Health is looking for Market Chief Information Officer
• L’Oréal seeks VP, IT Retail Systems & Strategy
• Ford is looking for Director, Technology (Big Data)

  Consumer Goods

• Sephora expands augmented reality try-on offering
• Apple launches HomePod powered by Siri
• ColourPop selects Qubit’s AI-based platform for personalized makeover
• Wayfair launches visual search with artificial intelligence backend
• Ikea and Apple’s AR app will put virtual furniture in your living room
• Estée Lauder launches augmented reality based try-on feature
• Geeni brings Google Assistant to its smart home products
• Next generation Audi A8 parks itself with ease
• WearableX unveils connected, responsive yoga pants
• Meitu launches new AR experience for its MakeupPlus app

  Financial Services

• First Data launches new Merchant fraud detection tech
• JPMC to integrate Zcash technology to its Enterprise Blockchain platform
• First Data doubles down on innovation, Buys CardConnect
• Wells Fargo explores the future of Security and authentication
• Morgan Stanley develops a new Digital Mortgage app

  Healthcare / Pharma

• Walgreens improves CX by focusing on Digital Transformation
• Cardinal health presents Customer Experience design Forum
• Johnson & Johnson innovation announces new collaboration
• Anthem leverages Data, technology to support value-based care
• Voiceitt lets people with speech impairments use voice-controlled technology
• IBM’s Watson to tailor cancer treatments
• Warby Parker launches eye exam app for customers
• Bayer gets FDA approval for app-connected injector for multiple sclerosis patients

   Focus of the Month: Mobile CX

• Best Buy, Target and Home Depot rank highest for mobile customer experience
• New study on mobile customer experience
• Focusing on mobile CX is great for your business
• Why notifications deliver great CX?
• Mobile customer engagement - Key driver for in-store sales
• Top tips for designing high-converting progressive web apps for retail
• Best ways to create highly effective mobile UX design

• Citi is looking for SVP, Global Digital Targeting and Analytics
• Toys R Us seeks Vice President, Digital Merchandising
• Warner Bros. Entertainment Group seeks VP, Digital Marketing
• JPMorgan Chase is looking for VP, Digital Payments Product Manager
• Walmart seeks Director, Digital Relationship Service
• MetLife is looking for Director, US Web Strategy
• S&P Global seeks Director, Digital Customer Acquisition & Experience
• CVS Health seeks Digital Director, Marketing & Personalization Capabilities

  Consumer Goods

• Ikea finds out customer preferences in AI: straight from the horse’s mouth
• Nestle leverages Digital Ecosystems to transform its Bottled water Biz
• Apple Pay transactions surged 450% over the past year
• Apple acquires popular sleep tracking platform and hardware maker
• Toys R Us introduces tablets to improve staff-customer interaction
• Pepsi integrates Snapchat on bottles of its limited edition Pepsi Fire range

  Financial Services

• The transformation of mobile applications for financial services
• MasterCard and General Motors power digital payments
• American Express new Alexa skill lets you pay bills with your voice
• Visa to use token service to offer customized digital card management services
• MasterCard tests payment card that leverages biometric technology
• Western Union Facebook Bot makes money transfer easier
• WoraPay, order ahead app integrates Masterpass

  Healthcare / Pharma

• Healthgrades, Conversa roll out AI-powered chatbots
• Johnson&Johnson leverages the power of 3D Printing technology
• Providence Health uses mobile app to help time-starved young moms
• Microsoft’s vibrating watch Emma quiets Parkinson’s tremors
• Abbott launches smartphone-compatible insertable cardiac monitor
• Fitbit leverages digital to get deeper into healthcare ecosystem

   Focus of the Month: Restaurants going Digital

• Top Digital strategies that spice up CX in restaurants
• Starbucks attempts to balance technology, in-store experience
• McDonald’s to be the first to have Mobile ordering at all U.S restaurants
• Unicorn frapp frenzy spurs mobile, digital innovation at Starbucks
• 7 companies that are changing the face of restaurant marketing
• The Cheesecake Factory, Subway and FreshDirect introduce bots to improve CX

• Walmart’s technology incubator hires Jennifer Fleiss as its CEO
• Lululemon Athletica taps REI’s Averill as Executive Vice President and CTO
• GroupM names Lindsay Pattison as CTO to enhance agility
• Levi Strauss promotes Chris Clark to CIO
• Procter & Gamble announces Javier Polit as its new CIO

• Dell seeks Senior Technical Professional - CTO
• JPMorgan Chase is looking for CDO Finance
• Gartner seeks Leadership partner, Data and Analytics
• Citi Bank is looking for CDO Data Quality Delivery head
• Kelly Services is looking for CDO Compliance Analyst
• Robert Half Technology is looking for CIO
• JPMorgan Chase is looking for CIO and Treasury

  Consumer Goods

• Adidas unveils mobile fitness app for fitness freaks
• L'Oréal Canada to launch beauty services on Facebook Messenger
• Google and Levi’s smart jacket wears hit stores this fall
• Jenn-Air® connected wall ovens will respond to Alexa voice commands
• Adidas shapes Futurecraft 4D shoe using digital light synthesis technology
• Montblanc unveils its first smartwatch
• Everlast and fitness tracking innovator PiQ brings artificial intelligence to boxing

  Financial Services

• Visa Enables Spend Tracking On Amazon Business
• Big banks partner Broadridge to pilot blockchain-based proxy voting
• PayPal and Google Get Cozy With New Digital Wallet Partnership
• U.S. Bank Breaks Ground With Commercial Cards For Apple Pay
• PayPal’s 203M Users Drive More Frequency with digital payments
• Wells Fargo tests Facebook chatbot

  Healthcare / Pharma

• NHS launches breastfeeding chatbot to support new mothers
• Apple team working on non-invasive sensors to better treat diabetes
• Google says crowdsourced data makes for better fitness apps
• Toyota develops new robotic leg brace to help stroke patients walk again
• Facebook’s hardware focused Building 8 to include brain scan tech
• Voice-activated Amazon Echo app offers first aid tips in times of emergency
• Smart glucose-tracking contact lenses could transform diabetes care
• Vi, the world’s first voice-activated artificial intelligent personal trainer

   Focus of the Month: Mobile

• Apple Readies iPhone Overhaul for Smartphone’s 10th Anniversary
• Google adds 'Similar Items' feature to Image Search capabilities
• Study: 13% of all iPhones in use have Apple Pay activated
• LG Electronics preps mobile payments launch
• Google moves Shopping List to Google Express, Home apps
• Report: Mobile contactless users to reach 150M in 2017
• Facebook's Strategy for Augmented Reality Starts With Phones

• Target names Kroger exec Jeff Burt new Grocery chief
• Costco Wholesale appoints Kenneth Denman to board
• Walmart promotes three execs to improve Customer-facing technology
• Handshake names Paul McCarthy, Chief People Officer
• Sotheby’s Realty hires former Barneys, Gucci marketer as new CMO

• Citi is looking for Vice President, Global Digital Payments Strategy
• Banc of California seeks VP, Payment Solutions, Business Development
• NBA is recruiting for Vice President, Digital Products
• Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia seeks VP, Digital Strategy
• McKesson is looking for Vice President, E-commerce and Marketing
• NetJets is looking for Director, Digital Marketing Acquisition
• CVS Health seeks Director, Digital Product

  Financial Services

• JPMC is building a digital mortgage platform to improve home financial experience
• Citigroup launches API portal for payment initiation
• Western Union looks to expand mobile access to its services
• BoA launches peer-to-peer payments with Zelle
• Capital One launches gender-neutral AI bot to address customer queries
• Royal Bank of Canada integrates with Siri for e-transfers
• Bank of the West offers 5 major mobile wallet solutions for convenient purchasing
• BNP Paribas launches mobile investment advisory tool as new client experience
• Manulife CIO focuses on customer experience, mobile apps

  Consumer Goods

• L'Oréal Paris celebrated Valentine's Day with branded Snapchat lens
• Sephora expands Augmented Reality experience with virtual try-on eye shadows
• P&G’s Olay taps mobile platform for skincare recommendations
• Tag Heuer launches its latest Android Wear smartwatch
• iRobot’s Roomba to explore connected home opportunities with Alexa integration

   Focus of the Month: Chatbots and Conversational Commerce

• Infographic: the state of chatbots
• Insights into conversational commerce
• Why chatbots are important for customer experience
• Top 7 banking skills of Amazon’s Alexa
• AI-driven chatbots: the future of retail industry 
• How chatbots get their personalities
• 7 ways chatbots can benefit your marketing strategy

• Steve Turner has been named Walgreens’ new VP and CIO
• Gary Clark becomes Tesla Motor’s new CIO
• Mike Nettles named Papa John’s Sr VP, Chief Information & Digital Officer
• John Abel is now Sr VP and CIO for Ellie Mae

• Amazon Web Services seeks Head of Digital Innovation Program
• UnitedHealth Group seeks Vice President, Digital Transformation
• Macy’s is recruiting for VP of Product Management
• Warner Bros. Entertainment seeks VP, Consumer & Digital Marketing
• MetLife seeks AVP, Brand Digital Marketing Strategy
• JCPenny is looking for Director Digital Marketing

  Financial Services

• JPMC to mine customer data for “tailored and individual client experience”
• Wells Fargo sharpens focus on emerging tech: artificial intelligence and APIs
• BoA pilots Apple Genius Bar-inspired branches to serve digital-first customers
• Merrill Lynch launches its hybrid robo-human digital advisory platform
• TD Ameritrade’s 2017 strategy: leverage big data for personalized analytics
• USAA opens new design studio to improve user experience across touchpoints

  Consumer Goods

• L'Oréal supports data-driven haircare with world’s first smart hairbrush and app
• Adidas leverages mobile to deliver products and premium service
• Ford to bring Amazon Alexa to vehicles via the new Ford SYNC 3 AppLink
• Sears’ Digital Tire Journey aids tire purchasing through artificial intelligence
• Honda and Visa test in-car mobile payment option
• Tesla launches the most awaited TesLab app - owners delight
• Jaguar uses Paypal integration for cashless fuel payments

  Focus of the Month: Agile Transformation

• Digital speed is re-engineering traditional IT
• Agile is playing larger role in finance transformation
• Agile implementation models to improve productivity
• Randstad Report: The Rise of an Agile Workforce
• Agile strategies to manage bug fixes

• Apple exec. Chris Lattner joins Tesla as new VP for Autopilot software
• Google Fiber names Greg McCray as new CEO
• Jonathan Bottomley lead Ralph Lauren’s Global Marketing team
• Alaska Airlines hires Charu Jain as new CIO

• Samsung NEXT (formerly Samsung Global Innovation Center) looks for new CTO
• People’s United Bank seeks Sr. VP, Digital Marketing Manager
• Citibank seeks Head of Global Digital Marketing
• JPMorgan Chase seeks VP, Digital Product
• CVS Health is looking for Vice President, Digital Planning & Operations
• Kantar Retail seeks VP, eCommerce & Digital Insights

Retail

• Target, Macy’s, JCPenney, Kohl’s, and Walmart are leading the mobile charge
• Nordstrom invests in technology to align its e-commerce and in-store initiatives
• Saks takes personalization to a new level via omnichannel associates
• Kohl’s brings Apple Pay, store charge card, and loyalty program together
• Dunkin’ Donuts to take mobile ordering nationwide and test curbside delivery
• Walmart expands online grocery pickup service, launches Walmart Pay
• Wendy's plans to automate 6,000 restaurants with self-service ordering kiosks
• Wingstop deploys new POS system to grow online orders
• Lessons on personalization from Frank & Oak’s tech-driven retail model

  Financial Services

• Western Union’s mobile focus pays off; supports 55% of its US online transactions
• JPMC and Bank of America Android apps allow fingerprint sign-in on all devices
• Barclays upgrading Android banking app with contactless payments feature
• Humana Pharmacy’s Apple Watch app makes medication refill and tracking easy
• Bank of America will connect with customers via Facebook Messenger app
• Goldman Sachs joins the online retail banking party by launching GS Bank
• Deutsche Bank gears up for future: builds Digital Factory for IT modernization

  Consumer Goods

• L’Oreal furiously chases digital innovation
• Puma introduces BeatBot, a personal training robo controllable via a mobile app
• PepsiCo’s Cracker Jack replaces toy prize with "mobile digital experiences”
• Altria Group's Marlboro app—featuring mobile couponing—reaches milestone
• GoPro announces VR video app and livestreaming tools

  Focus Market of the Month: Supermarkets

• Kroger CEO outlines strategy and focus on technology and innovation
• Whole Foods is increasing digital couponing reach
• SuperValu focuses on digital and other initiatives to improve top-line results
• Food City expands GoCart curbside pickup program
• Wegmans to roll out digital coupons to Shoppers Club members in Rochester

• Toys ‘R’ Us hires Phil Newmoyer as Chief Information Officer
• Ajay Waghray joins Assurant as Chief Technology Officer
• Tom Lamb joins Academy Sports + Outdoors as Chief Marketing Officer
• Damon Burrell joins Estée Lauder as SVP Consumer Engagement

• New York & Company seeks SVP, Retail and Customer Innovation Technology
• Adidas Group seeks VP, Direct to Consumer, for its Reebok brand
• Turner Broadcasting is looking for VP, Mobile Web and Emerging Platforms
• Michael Kors is hiring VP, Global Omni Channel Marketing
• Bloomingdale’s seeks Operating VP, Paid Search/Affiliate/Digital Business Dev.