Omnichannel NOW Newsletter Archive

• Walmart files patent for at-home VR shopping
• Dunkin’ Donuts taps Amazon’s Alexa for new order option
• Wegmans launches app to assist visually impaired customers
• Williams Sonoma set to launch 3D imaging app
• Container Store tracks appointments with voice tech
• Forever 21 gets more personal with the launch of AI-powered visual search
• Argos launches voice shopping with Google Home
• Google to open first retail store in Chicago

 Consumer Goods

• Apple continues innovation drive with AI, AR & Machine Learning
• LG’s smart display uses the power of Google AI
• Toyota unveils world’s first digital side-view monitors
• L’Oréal Paris launches new augmented reality try-on tool
• Adidas’ 3D-printed sneaker hints at new supply chain models
• Hershey’s gets a digital upgrade
• Dole Packaged Foods relies on SAP for continued growth
• Cosmo taps AR for virtual try-ons

 Financial Services

• DBS launches wealth chat service using WhatsApp and WeChat
• Mastercard & Dream Payments release payment API for insurance industry
• UOB adopts machine learning tools to combat financial crime
• Coinbase acquires distributed systems for a decentralized digital identity platform
• OCBC launches robo-investment service
• Infinox Capital introduces free AI-powered sentiment analysis tool
• Standard Chartered prepares to set up digital banking operation in Hong Kong

 Healthcare / Pharma

• Apple Watch Series can detect atrial fibrillation & perform an ECG
• Amazon Web Services boosts ML to treat depression
• Deutsche Telekom launches VR game that aids dementia research
• Microsoft & Apollo hospitals introduce AI-powered cardiovascular disease risk score
• Facebook, NYU will use AI for faster MRIs
• Hitachi to use AI to analyze hospital food leftovers & improve patient recover
• MUSC partners with Siemens to improve patient care with AI

Focus of the month : CPG

• Apple continues innovation drive with AI, AR & Machine Learning
• How digital transformation affects the CPG industry
• Infographic: The history of digital transformation in the CPG industry
• Infographic: How digital transformation is redefining CPG industry
• LG & Luxoft to target webOS at vehicles, robots, smart devices
• Microsoft's AI-powered Sketch2Code can build apps from whiteboard sketches

• Alibaba names Daniel Zhang as Chairman
• Big Lots names Bruce K. Thorn as President & CEO
• Marks & Spencer appoints Jeremy Pee as Chief Digital & Data Officer
• Petrofac appoints Fady Sleiman as Chief Digital Officer
• Richemont Group names Jérôme Lambert as Chief Executive Officer
• Coca-Cola appoints Scott Anthony as Chief Financial Officer
• Uber hires Nelson Chai as Chief Financial Officer
• Allianz appoints Fernley Dyson as Chief Financial Officer
• Mattel promotes Steve Totzke to Chief Commercial Officer
• Cox Automotive appoints Glenn Fishwick as Chief Information Officer

• Sony Ericsson is looking for Chief Digital Officer - IoT
• L'Oréal Travel Retail Americas seeks Chief Digital Officer
• Cigna seeks Chief Digital Experience Officer
• UBS is looking for Head of Digital Banking Platforms
• Honeywell is looking Productivity Products CIO
• Bank of America seeks CTO, Technology Incident Management Executive
• UC Health seeks Chief Executive Officer
• American Express seeks VP Technology, Digital Workforce
• Western Union seeks VP of Cloud Center of Excellence
• JPMorgan Chase & Co is looking for VP - Business Management Data Infrastructure

• Walmart and Microsoft partner to boost digital in retail
• Starbucks jumps on cryptocurrency bandwagon
• Tommy Hilfiger launches smart clothing range that tracks your movements
• Amazon’s iPhone app uses AR to identify nuts, bolts, screws
• Marks & Spencer moves AI-displaced call workers to stores
• Uniqlo launches chatbot that acts as digital concierge
• eBay launches visual search
• Alibaba eyes retail sector with new cloud offerings

 Consumer Goods

• H&M launches new online site with visual search
• Mazda partners with intu to bring innovative pop-up store
• Wayfair unleashes mixed-reality shopping
• Tencent to join forces with Samsung to develop AI devices
• Tesla preps AI chip for autopilot
• Electrolux launches sensor-enabled induction hob with assisted cooking
• Bosch and Daimler teaming up for connected car and AI initiatives

 Financial Services

• Facebook taps big banks for customer data
• UOB to launch digital-only bank
• Santander unveils open banking integration with savings app Moneybox
• Standard Bank introduces virtual card in partnership with Samsung Pay
• HSBC rolls out more digital services for firms
• ING rolls out unified contact centre platform fit for the omnichannel era
• Barclays banks on AI to prevent risks
• Coinbase to integrate digital identity tools
• Canadian credit unions trial Amazon Alexa service

 Healthcare / Pharma

• Intel and Montefiore Medical Center use AI to improve patient outcomes
• Google Glass with machine learning helps autistic children
• UCI Health opens center for artificial intelligence, deep learning
• CVS launches new telehealth service on smartphones
• Anthem taps AI platform with allergy research trial
• Alabama Hospital uses digital imaging to create newborn footprints
• TeleHealth Services launches virtual assist to address nurse shortages

 What we are reading:

• Whitepaper: SAP HANA
• Infographic: How personalization drives superior CX
• L'Oreal teams with Facebook to roll out virtual make-up tests
• Walmart to pilot Alphabot robotics for grocery pickup
• Olay uses AI to double its conversion rate
• Domino's delivers pizza with Snapchat AR
• Hyundai Mobis taps AI for car software
• LG introduces advanced stylers with AI

• PepsiCo names Ramon Laguarta as Chief Executive Officer
• Lululemon appoints Calvin McDonald as Chief Executive Officer
• Nordstrom appoints Edmond Mesrobian as Chief Technology Officer
• Salesforce taps Keith Block as Co-Chief Executive Officer
• Avon taps Benedetto Conversano as Chief Digital Officer
• NTT Corp appoints Motoyuki Li as Chief Digital Officer
• Hertz names Opal Perry as Chief Information Officer
• GSK taps Iain Mackay as Chief Financial Officer
• Cree appoints Neill Reynolds as Chief Financial Officer
• REI names Dan Shull as VP of Commerce & Experiences

• Salesforce is looking for Chief Operating Officer, Marketing Cloud
• Paycom is looking for Chief Information Officer
• MUFG Union Bank seeks Chief Information & Operations Officer
• Citi seeks SVP of Digital Personalization
• Magellan Health seeks VP, Chief Operations Officer
• L’oreal is looking for IT Director - AD Tech Platforms
• Ralph Lauren seeks Director, Digital Content Services, IT
• Cigna is looking for Digital Marketing Director
• Kaiser Permanente seeks VP, Analytics Technology Platform & Services

• Amazon and Snapchat teaming up for visual search feature
• Alibaba opens AI-powered fashion boutique
• Target automating cash counting at stores
• Walmart launches virtual tours for home furniture shoppers
• Weis Markets equips for omnichannel marketplace
• Kroger to bring driverless cars to grocery delivery
• L’OCCITANE en Provence steps up personalization
• Marks & Spencers team up with Microsoft for AI tech
• Argos using AR to help customers buy TVs
• Gymboree refreshes brand with AR-powered mobile app

 Consumer Goods

• L’Oréal unveils live makeup consultations with AR
• Nike melds mobile, physical retail with new LA concept store
• Daimler, Bosch, Nvidia Team Up To Bring Robo-Taxis To Silicon Valley
• Unilever partners with Blis on blockchain platform
• Ford Motor team up with Baidu on AI-powered smart cars
• Audi signs MOU with Huawei to develop connected car technology
• Hyundai launches digital showroom on Amazon

 Financial Services

• Facebook plans to offer payment feature in its messaging app
• Citizens launches digital-only bank
• UBS creates AI-powered avatar of its chief economist 
• BofA Merrill launches biometric log-ins for corporate mobile users
• JP Morgan Chase launches all banking mobile service, Finn by Chase
• Citi launches digital proxy voting platform
• Santander bank creates digital investment unit 
• BBVA tests facial recognition payments
• Manulife introduces AI underwriting algorithm

 Healthcare / Pharma

• Fitbit shows promise in predicting cancer outcomes
• Google researchers create AI that maps the brain’s neurons
• UI Health Care using AI to assess preventable blindness 
• Walmart to use blockchain for medical records
• Bayshore Medical Center offers robotic-assisted surgery
• Novartis launches NET cancer community app

 Focus of the Month: Cloud

• eBook: Evolution of IAM to CIAM model 
• Infographic: Global Website Factory Program
  
• Salesforce Datorama acquisition to bolster Marketing Cloud
• Walmart signs deal to use Microsoft cloud services
• Unisys launches cloud migration service
• Orange acquires Basefarm Holding to enhance cloud service offerings
• Alibaba & Commvault partner for cloud solutions
• GitLab moves from Azure to Google Cloud Platform 

• Dunkin’ Brands appoints David Hoffmann as Chief Executive Officer
• JLL names Vinay Goel as Chief Digital Officer
• Bosch appoints Dr Michael Bolle as Chief Digital Officer
• Toyota Motor NA appoints Manjit Singh as Chief Information Officer
• Mitsubishi Motors names Natalie Milton as VP & Chief Information Officer
• LoanDepot taps Jonathan Berkowitz as Chief Innovation Officer
• Petco names Ron Coughlin as Chief Executive Officer
• Liberty Global appoints Enrique Rodriguez as Chief Technology Officer
• Campbell taps Diego Palmieri as Chief Marketing Officer
• AP Moller-Maersk appoints Carolina Dybeck Happe as Chief Financial Officer

• Ericsson is looking for VP, Head of Digital Services
• JP Morgan Chase seeks VP, Technology Data Management Project Lead
• UnitedHealthcare seeks VP Network Management
• Capital Group seeks Vice President, Digital & Marketing Analytics
• McKinsey is looking for Director, Digital & Analytics
• State Street seeks VP, Business Continuity
• Citi seeks VP, Payments and Receivables Capabilities Roadmap
• Thermo Fisher seeks Director, Global IT Finance
• Facebook is looking for Chief Marketing Officer

 Consumer Goods

• Porsche offers computerized cruise control for twisty roads
• Toyota bets big on connected-car technology
• Coca Cola upgrades Freestyle dispenser with Bluetooth, mobile app requests
• Beauty giant Shiseido embraces AI technologies
• Samsung & Microsoft join forces to take on Apple with AR & VR headset
• Kia adds AR capabilities to Facebook tool
• Mercedes Benz adds AR owner’s manual to 2018 S-class
• Coty unveils AR-powered Magic Mirror
• Sephora, Nike test out Facebook’s AR Messenger feature

 Financial Services

• Samsung Pay adds image search to drive purchases
• HSBC launches connected money app
• Microsoft taps Stripes, Braintree to power payments in Outlook
• Citizens Financial to launch online consumer bank
• DBS launches digital financial advice tool
• Samsung, Paypal partner on mobile payments
• Capital One acquires digital startup ‘Confyrm’ to implement consumer identity services

 Healthcare / Pharma

• Buoy Health, CVS MinuteClinic partner to send patients from chatbot to care
• NVIDIA, Canon Medical Systems partner to accelerate deep learning in healthcare
• Google develops AR-powered microscope for detecting cancer
• GE unveils next-gen ultrasound system powered by AI
• Walgreens launches online skin advisor to help acne sufferers

 Focus of the Month: Digital transformation in CPG industry 

• Rethink CPG industry with augmented reality
• Adidas, Coty try on Snapchat’s new AR shopping tool
• Google reveals natural sounding voice AI Duplex
• Amazon unveils kid-friendly Echo Dot
• BMW is working with LiDAR company Innoviz to make self-driving cars
• Snapchat launches Spectacles V2, wearable camera glasses
• Disney unveils new VR ‘force jacket’

• Honeywell appoints Michael G.Nefkens as Chief Executive Officer
• Wayfair appoints Dr. Thomas Netzer as Chief Operating Officer
• Novartis appoints John Tsai as Chief Medical Officer
• Unum names Puneet Bhasin as Chief Information & Digital Officer
• Mattel names Ynon Kreiz as Chief Executive Officer
• H-E-B appoints Jag Bath as Chief Digital Officer
• Aon Appoints Richard Schuyler as Chief Executive Officer
• Lockton appoints Said Taiym as Chief Digital Officer
• Caterpillar announces Andrew Bonfield as Chief Financial Officer
• Kohl’s names Doug Howe as Chief Merchandising Officer
• Airbus names Grazia Vittadini as Chief Technology Officer

• DXC Technology seeks Chief Technology Officer
• Sears Holdings is looking for Chief Online Officer
• JPMorgan Chase is looking for Chief Technology Officer
• Marriott seeks VP, Digital Innovation
• Neustar is looking for VP of Marketing
• Thrivent Financial seeks VP, IT Infrastructure
• UnitedHealth Group seeks Chief Information Officer
• Total Wine & More seeks VP, Digital Technology
• MGM Resorts International seeks VP, IT Infrastructure
• Oracle is looking for CTO, Retail Field Industry
• JLL seeks Chief Information Security Officer

  Consumer Goods

• L’Oréal Creates a Global Website Factory to “Share Beauty with All”
• L’Oréal buys beauty company ModiFace for a digital makeover
• HP’s wearable virtual reality PC launched
• Nike launches mobile app to enhance store experience
• Toshiba, Atheer bring enterprise AR platform to smart glasses
• BlackBerry and Jaguar Land Rover collaborate on next-gen vehicles
• Nokia’s new AI powered analytics software improves CX
• Qualcomm unveils IoT-focused vision intelligence platform
• Foxconn to manufacture first blockchain smartphone
• Amway, YouCam Makeup launch artistry app

  Financial Services

• Walmart2World, the new global money transfer service launched
• HSBC applies AI to track financial crime
• BMO launches AI-powered chatbots on Facebook, Twitter
• Bank of America launches digital mortgage application
• Microsoft enables digital payments on its platform
• Santander launches blockchain-based foreign exchange service
• Sage empowers faster payments through Stripe integration

  Healthcare / Pharma

• Humana, Optum team up for blockchain-enabled data-sharing
• NTT Data partners with DataFirst to expand clinical AI capabilities
• FDA approves AI device to detect diabetic eye disease
• Mayo Clinic, Mytonomy collaborate to improve oncology patient experience
• Philips showcases digital pathology system for clinical use
• Apple’s Health app displays medical records from 39 health systems
• Cerner announces collaboration with Salesforce to extend care beyond exam room
• Vanderbilt develops voice assistant for its Epic EHR

  Focus of the Month: Digital transformation in CPG industry 

• Rethink CPG industry with augmented reality
• Why Lowe’s is doubling down on AR for mobile
• Nike acquires Israeli computer vision firm to build digital
• Coca Cola plans to bring digital signage through a mobile app Neko
• Sony and Carnegie Mellon partnering to make new robo-chefs
• Tencent shows off their vision for the future of unmanned retail

• Deutsche Bank names Christian Sewing as Chief Executive Officer
• Kate Spade appoints Anna Bakst as Chief Executive Officer
• Neiman Marcus appoints Adam Orvos as Chief Financial Officer
• Tesco appoints Guus Dekkers as Chief Technology Officer
• Ericsson names Erik Ekudden as Chief Technology Officer
• VF Corporation hires Velia Carboni as Chief Digital Officer
• Lockton names Said Taiym as Chief Digital Officer
• Lululemon hires Justin Richmond as Chief Strategy and Digital Officer
• Christian Dior hires Jens Riewenherm as Chief Digital Officer
• Mondelēz International appoints Martin Renaud as Chief Marketing Officer
• Dr. Reddy’s Labs names Erez Israeli as Chief Operating Officer
• Walmart names Simon Belsham as President
• Apple appoints Jon McCormack as VP of Software

• Citi looks for Chief Decision Management Officer Co-Brand and Digital
• Daily Mail and General Trust seeks Chief Technology Officer
• Flex-N-Gate is looking for Chief Information Officer
• UnitedHealth Group seeks Chief Information Officer
• Ericsson is looking for VP, Chief Technology Officer & Strategy
• Exelon seeks VP & Chief Technology Officer
• MasterCard is looking for VP, Digital Standards Integration
• Capital Group seeks VP, Digital Marketing Channels
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios seeks Executive VP and Chief Information Officer
• Art Van seeks Director, Digital Marketing and Content
• Sony Pictures is looking for Director, Digital Marketing
• The Vitamin Shoppe is looking for Director eCommerce and Mobile