Spotify announced a handful of new features designed to give podcasts a more prominent position in its app as it battles with Apple and YouTube to become users’ preferred podcast streaming destination. The company will begin recommending podcasts on its Home page and provide a Following feed for staying up-to-date with the latest episodes of your favorite shows. Soon, Spotify will also roll out new tools for podcast creators to recommend content and better engage with their fans in comments. Spotify has also invested in video podcasts, allowing all creators to upload video and incentivizing them with payments for successful shows through its Partner Program. Early feedback suggests it’s led to more users engaging with podcasts, saving, and liking shows. In addition, Spotify is introducing a Following feed that will serve as a dedicated spot where you can see all the latest episodes released by the podcasts you follow, instead of having to search across the app. Podcast creators will soon gain access to a new feature that lets them point to other content they mention in their podcast episode that can also be found on Spotify. In a smaller tweak, creators who participate in the comments of their podcast pages on the app will be able to use emoji reactions to respond to fans. The company notes that creators are still able to control when comments appear or opt out of showing them on their shows or episode pages via their Spotify for Creators account.
Carvel to kick of summer promotion with first-of-its-kind dispenser billboard offering ice cream and free sprinkles for loyalty members
Fans of Carvel ice cream located in New York City will be able to get a free treat from a very special source on Wednesday, June 18. The soft serve ice cream chain, a subsidiary of GoTo Foods, will serve its product directly from what it is calling a first-of-its kind interactive billboard on Perry Street in New York City’s West Village on June 18 from noon to 7 p.m. EDT. All consumers can receive a free vanilla soft serve while supplies last. Members of the Carvel Fudgie Fanatics loyalty program will also receive free sprinkles on their ice cream. The retailer will also give the first 50 loyalty members who show up exclusive gifts like t-shirts and Carvel gift cards. Consumers can sign up to be a member of Fudgie Fanatics before June 18 for free on the Carvel site or on the spot at the billboard. All attendees will have the chance to participate in special giveaways and surprises throughout the day. All Carvel locations nationwide will offer a “buy one get one free” sundae or ice cream on Wednesdays throughout the summer, starting June 18. A dispenser billboard typically refers to a billboard or advertising display that incorporates a physical dispenser mechanism, allowing it to dispense samples, coupons, brochures, or small products to passersby.
Keeta and SOLO launch blockchain-native credit bureau enabling modern credit rails for wallets, dApps, and embedded finance, while allowing for pseudonymous lending and borrowing based on trusted credentials
Keeta announced the first-ever blockchain-native credit bureau created in partnership with SOLO, a credit data infrastructure platform backed by over 100 banks. Keeta is enabling SOLO’s PASS, a digital certificate that consolidates fragmented financial credentials into a verified identity, for seamless lending, peer-to-peer credit, and on-chain financial reputation, all backed by 100% provable data and assets. Keeta is the only blockchain that can facilitate PASS for institutions and platforms to confidently underwrite loans with verified, user-permissioned data. The product also enables modern credit rails for wallets, dApps, and embedded finance, while allowing for pseudonymous lending and borrowing based on trusted credentials. Now, crypto & Web3 builders, global earners paid in stablecoins, DAOS, VCs, banks, and others have access to a robust on-chain credit system. As a bank-grade, verified financial identity layer, PASS includes KYC, KYB, income, crypto assets, and business credentials. It provides users instant, secure, and self-owned credentials, granting them access to the global economy. They control when, where, and how they share information. With PASS, banks can now serve their crypto-native customers with full visibility, spend controls, and risk alignment. The partnership will be rolled out in phases, with verified profiles launching in Summer 2025. Additional features will include a lending marketplace with verified reputations, stablecoin-based loan origination offering real-world APR relief to crypto-native borrowers, and bank integrations.
Tandem’s second charge mortgages platform features advanced API integration enabling brokers to submit applications electronically, significantly reducing manual data entry
Tandem is taking a major step forward with the launch of Connect by Tandem – a next-generation lender platform designed to transform the broker experience through automation and smart technology. The introduction of Connect is a pivotal moment in this journey, redefining how brokers interact with the bank by streamlining case management and saving valuable time. Connect is a pioneering loan processing platform that allows brokers to transact seamlessly with Tandem. Tandem has always been known for speed and efficiency and Connect takes this to the next level. An extensive test phase has already demonstrated its impact, shaving an impressive 4.5 working days off processing times. Key features include: 1) Advanced API integration – Enables brokers to submit applications electronically, significantly reducing manual data entry. 2) New broker portal – A single, central hub for automated underwriting policy requirements and case tracking, document uploads and case updates. 3) Automation – Streamlines processes such as EPC discounts, AVM’s and affordability checks.4) Enhanced document management – Simplifies uploads, tracking and case notifications for brokers.
Etsy blends human-recommended listings with ML and LLMs to expand the listings 20X and create an aesthetically cohesive collection that represents product variety and meets quality standards
Etsy is doubling down on a hybrid approach to artificial intelligence that keeps humans in the loop and ensures shoppers find what they want. The company is pursuing a strategy it calls “algotorial curation,” which blends recommendations by Etsy’s staff with advanced machine learning algorithms to scale curation across its inventory, Chief Product Officer Nick Daniel said. The process starts with human experts identifying trends and selecting listings that are examples of these trends. “After a collection is identified, our engineers use machine learning to expand it from roughly 50 human-curated listings to about 1,000. Finally, we use LLMs to make sure the full collection is aesthetically cohesive, represents a variety of products and meets our standards for quality.” The company uses Google’s Gemini multimodal model to power these experiences. Despite advances in generative AI, Etsy isn’t looking to eliminate humans from the equation. Instead, the company sees AI as a way to enhance human insight at scale, Daniel said. “Rather than removing human expertise from our merchandising work as AI becomes more powerful, we’re leveraging these tools to amplify the expertise of our team and create a more personalized experience. We’re putting human touch — from our buyers to our teams of employees to our sellers — at the center of shopping on Etsy. Because each item on Etsy is listed individually by a real seller, the data we have isn’t uniform — we’re not like a traditional eCommerce marketplace with a catalog or SKUs. AI can help us bridge this gap. We’re leveraging LLMs to extract key product details, like size and color, from listings, which improves search and helps connect the right items to the right buyers,” Daniel said. This strategy has yielded measurable results, boosting visibility and sales. “We used LLMs to generate alt text for listings that didn’t already have it and saw a nearly 5% increase in SEO visits and a nearly 3% increase in conversions to sales attributed to those visits,” he said.
Almost half of U.S. adults who use buy now, pay later products have experienced at least one financial problem: new study
Almost half of U.S. adults who use buy now, pay later products have experienced at least one financial problem, according to results of a survey from the consumer financial services company Bankrate and the market research firm YouGov. Bankrate and YouGov surveyed 2,354 U.S. adults between March 19 and 21. Of those who participated, about 30% said they had used at least one buy now, pay later service. Of those who used BNPL services, 49% of those surveyed reported at least one financial issue: 24% said they outspent their budget, 16% noted missing a bill payment after making a BNPL purchase, 15% regretted a BNPL purchase and 14% said they had a problem with a refund or a return. Taking out multiple buy now, pay later services at a time is among the biggest warning signs, Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst for Bankrate said, because BNPL is used most frequently by financially vulnerable populations such as the working class and young people. “People find this a valuable payment method to spread out their cash flow. The problem is if you overdo it and you lose sight of how much you spent. That’s concerning because it shows how close to the edge people are,” he said.
ShopBack to launch in the US- the only cashback platform where users can earn real cashback on Amazon purchases whether on the ShopBack browser extension and/or mobile app
ShopBack, Asia-Pacific’s shopping and rewards platform with over 50 million users across 13 markets, announced its official launch in the United States with a slate of features and offers exclusive to the U.S., from over 2,000 merchants: Exclusive Cashback on Amazon — ShopBack is the only cashback platform where users can earn real cashback on Amazon purchases whether on the ShopBack browser extension and/or mobile app. ShopBack Play — ShopBack offers a gamified experience where shoppers can earn cashback by completing milestones and playing games within the app including Monopoly Go, Township, Block Blast and more. Shipping rebates on participating stores — In addition to earned cashback, ShopBack enables shoppers to receive money back on shipping fees, an added perk available only to U.S. users. Quests — ShopBack introduces an engaging way for users to earn additional cashback bonuses when they complete shopping quests, whilst allowing brands to connect directly with high-intent shoppers through customized rewards campaigns. Auto-applied coupons — ShopBack’s browser extension automatically finds and applies the best available promo codes at checkout — no manual searching required from users. Josephine Chow, head of expansion at ShopBack said “By combining cashback, deals, and gamified experiences, we’ve built a platform designed for today’s digitally-savvy consumer. In fact, new users who engage with Shopback’s ‘Quests’ globally each month go on to spend 80% more than average users – proof that saving money can be fun and rewarding for both users and partners.”
Finley’s Monthly Servicer Reporting (MSR) solution for corporate borrowers with warehouse facilities offers a centralized hub for MSR management through integrated visibility
Finley has launched enhanced Monthly Servicer Reporting (MSR) capabilities to help corporate borrowers with warehouse facilities overcome logistical and technological challenges. The new capabilities address collaboration, data management, and knowledge management issues in MSR generation and management. The market for private credit is projected to reach $3.5 trillion by 2028, making MSRs crucial in asset-based transactions. Finley’s MSR capability is integrated into its Deliverables module, providing a centralized hub for all MSR needs. This module offers: Clear Deadline Visibility: Borrowers gain instant access to “Due Soon” reports and historical submissions, ensuring a single source of truth for preparing current MSRs and reviewing past outputs. Structured Requirements: MSRs often require 14-16 distinct input files, each with specific formatting requirements. Finley clearly outlines these needs, whether the files are programmatically generated or manually entered. A Collaboration and Analysis Hub: After submission, Finley customers can see all MSR data points, team discussions, historical files, and relevant analytics in the same Deliverables module. This moves MSR management from the email inbox into a purpose-built system. Finley tackles the complexities of data aggregation head-on, ensuring files are correctly formatted and easily managed: Guided File Generation: Within the platform, Finley provides a clear breakdown of required files and their exact formatting specifications. Each requirement comes with a “data dictionary” that provides crucial context, especially when Finance teams are collaborating with Data or Engineering teams for historical or point-in-time reports. Enhanced Collaboration and Versioning: Recognizing that generating files correctly on the first attempt isn’t always possible, Finley includes robust collaboration tools and versioning capabilities. This allows teams to track changes, view previously submitted files, and work with internal and external collaborators.
Cisco’s research expects Agentic AI to handle 68% of customer service by 2028 but customers want to retain human interaction when required
Cisco latest global research report highlights the potential of agentic AI to revolutionize the way technology vendors deliver services and support to customers. 88% report they feel confident that the agentic AI-led customer experience provided by technology partners will help their organization achieve its goals. Respondents also predict that 68% of their customer experience interactions with technology partners will be handled using agentic AI within the next three years. And, they expect 56% of interactions to be through agentic AI within the next 12 months, representing a significant increase and heaping pressure onto those vendors who are still only in the early stages of thinking about agentic. The research highlights the urgent need for technology vendors, many of whom are still only exploring the potential for agentic AI deployment within customer experience, to accelerate their strategies. Key Findings: Accelerated demand for customer experience: As levels of IT complexity increase, organizations are leaning on technology vendors more than ever before. 92% of respondents state that the support and services provided by vendors are becoming more critical in the AI era. Use cases across the technology lifecycle: more than 80% of respondents point to potential benefits of agentic AI-led customer experience at every stage of the technology lifecycle, with customer and technical support, technology strategy and planning, and operations viewed as the greatest opportunities. Game-changing benefits: customers expect agentic AI to drive improvements in IT productivity, time savings, and cost savings, as well as opportunities to improve data analytics, troubleshooting, and alignment of technology investment with digital transformation goals. Human connection is irreplaceable: customers want to retain human interaction when engaging with support and services, with 96% stating that human relationships are very important when interacting with B2B technology partners. Robust governance is non-negotiable: 99% of respondents state that it’s important for technology partners to demonstrate robust governance arrangements to deliver ethical use of agentic AI, and 81% feel that vendors need to share their vision for AI-led customer experience to bring customers along on the journey.
Walmart’s interactive job simulations tool for veterans gives them the ability to virtually try out their skills in real-life scenarios and simulate the experience of working in a corporate environment
Walmart has unveiled a new skills translator tool specifically designed to let veterans upload their resumes, which are then translated into professional skills that align with its needs, such as logistics planning, GPS routing and inventory control. Walmart is also providing veterans with a new interactive job simulations solution that gives them the ability to virtually try out their skills in real-life scenarios and see what it’s like working in a corporate environment. So far in 2025, Walmart has invested $500,000 in events that mark the 250th anniversary of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. These donations support initiatives like the Revolutionary War Exhibit at the Museum of the Army commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday in 2025 and the celebration of Declaration of Independence in 2026. Walmart will also join the Navy and Marine Corps to commemorate their 250th birthdays in Philadelphia and in Camden, N.J. in October 2025. In addition, the company is funding a series of veteran-focused projects through the Manufacturing Institute, Hire Heroes USA and the Institute for Veteran and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University. Each organization is working to help veterans get credit for the skills they acquired in the military as they transition to civilian life. Julie Gehrki, senior VP and president, Walmart Foundation said, “By investing in tools for the military community and supporting leading organizations, we’re ensuring veterans have the support and opportunities they need to succeed in their post-military careers.”