"The 2016 Mobile Payments Conference in Chicago is where industry leaders gather to separate fact from fiction," said Marla Ellerman, Mobile Payments Conference executive director and publisher of Mobile Marketing & Technology. "This year's conference will examine the many new mobile commerce platforms, services, solutions, and standards that continue to enter this exploding market."...It is being widely believed that blockchain technology, in particular, could revolutionize payment systems. Banks and tech companies are seeking to tap its potential. BNY Mellon recently said that blockchain could “significantly shake-up payments” by making transactions near-instantaneous. Click here to read the full story >>>

 Shaping Influence: There's no doubt that social media is drawing users. It's also proving to be one of the more popular methods to get in touch with a brand by regular consumers. That contact works both ways, and major brands are increasingly turning to social influencers to draw attention and potential customers to a brand. Read Steve Anderson's take on Shaping Influence how SharkReach is tackling influencer engagement>>>

In this insight-filled interview with Joe Arena, the Senior Vice President of Advanced Services at video managed service provider Yorktel, we dig into what a video communications assessment project looks like, the components businesses should take into consideration when performing an assessment and how to take remote workers and external stakeholders into consideration when planning your approach. Listen here >>>

Capital One, Google, Discover, FIS Global, Worldpay, Hewlett Packard, NEC, Accenture Digital, GfK Financial, McKinsey & Company, Aite Group, and Zooz Executives Among Presenters at 2016 Mobile Payments Conference in Chicago.

“Influencer Communications,” or “Influencer Engagement” is more than a buzzword; it’s a formula that combines multi-channel advocacy, content and social marketing with "traditional" public relations and corporate communications. From analysts and media to customers, employees and partners, the types of influencers — and ways they’re in which they’re engaged — vary, and are what make this method unique. Check out my latest post on Shaping Influence for insight on identifying influencers, engaging and quantifying success. Click here >>>