Xsolla SDK Now Available for Game Developers Globally

Business Wire India

Xsolla, a global video game commerce company that has helped developers launch, grow, and monetize their games, today announced the availability of Xsolla SDK, a unified, cross-platform software development kit that consolidates the company’s PC, mobile, and web monetization tools into a single download. Launching at GDC Festival of Games 2026, the Xsolla SDK introduces built-in Payments, Login, Catalog, and Offerwall integration for developers, enabling them to configure their pricing and inventory once and deploy across every supported platform with no reconfiguration required.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260303075966/en/

 

 

Graphic: Xsolla

Graphic: Xsolla

 

Xsolla is building all the things to help developers monetize cross-platform with the industry’s best-in-class, battle-tested technical foundation built specifically for games. The Xsolla SDK is powered by two decades of building payment and monetization tools exclusively for game developers, more than $10B in total payments processed, and the same payment infrastructure trusted by over 60% of the top 100 highest-grossing games globally. This depth of experience, spanning thousands of titles, regulatory environments, and platform shifts, is now accessible to developers of all sizes through a single integration.

 

“Game developers need tools to work seamlessly across every platform without adding complexity,” said Chris Hewish, President at Xsolla. “Xsolla has a long history of solving the most challenging problems in game commerce, across platforms, regions, and business models. Game developers can trust the Xsolla SDK because it is built on a proven infrastructure already scaling with some of the world’s biggest games. No matter where developers are building, they now have access to the same powerful monetization tools that streamline revenue and simplify payment integration.”

 

 

Xsolla SDK Benefits:

 

 

  • Launch cross-platform with a single integration: Deploy to iOS, Android, PC, and the web, including support for out-of-store distribution
  • Monetize every player: Activate Offerwall to generate incremental revenue from non-paying users through advertiser-funded rewarded tasks with no upfront cost
  • Unify your commerce operations: Manage a single catalog and shared inventory across in-app purchases, bundles, subscriptions, Offerwall, and Web Shop without reconfiguring between channels
  • Retain full ownership and control: Set pricing, manage offers, and maintain direct relationships with your players
  • Connect player identity across platforms: Maintain a unified player profile and inventory across devices to reduce churn from fragmented experiences
  • Integrate directly into your engine: Use drop-in SDKs for Unity, Unreal Engine, and Cocos Creator to accelerate your time-to-market
  • Scale globally with localized payments: Offer 1,000+ payment methods across 200+ regions and 130+ currencies, with Xsolla managing tax, fraud, and compliance as Merchant of Record

 

 

The Xsolla SDK and integrated Offerwall are available now to developers of all sizes. For more information, visit https://xsolla.com/mobile-sdk

 

About Xsolla

 

 

Xsolla is a global commerce company with robust tools and services to help developers solve the inherent challenges of the video game industry. From indie to AAA, companies partner with Xsolla to help them fund, distribute, market, and monetize their games. Grounded in the belief in the future of video games, Xsolla is resolute in the mission to bring opportunities together, and continually make new resources available to creators. Headquartered and incorporated in Los Angeles, California, Xsolla operates as the merchant of record and has helped over 1,500+ game developers to reach more players and grow their businesses around the world. With more paths to profits and ways to win, developers have all the things needed to enjoy the game.

 

 

For more information, visit xsolla.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Missouri Launches First-Ever Child Care WAGE$ Pilot

Child Care Aware of Missouri secures $5.6 million to boost educator pay and strengthen St. Louis County’s early childhood workforce.

(St. Louis, Mo., Mar 4, 2026) Child Care Aware of Missouri (CCAMO) recently announced the launch of the Child Care WAGE$ Missouri pilot project, a groundbreaking initiative designed to increase retention through compensation based on education for early childhood educators in St. Louis County. The program – funded by a $5.6 million award administered by the St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund on behalf of the County – will begin offering services in May 2026.

Developed by the TEACH Early Childhood National Center in North Carolina, the Child Care WAGE$ program is a strategic salary supplement initiative investing in early childhood educators to elevate care quality and workforce stability. With more than 30 years of proven success in five other states, this marks the first-ever implementation in Missouri, made possible through CCAMO’s long-standing affiliation with the national TEACH Early Childhood Scholarship program.

Missouri Launches First-Ever Child Care WAGE$ Pilot

Beth Ann Lang, Deputy CEO of Child Care Aware of Missouri.

“This has been a four-year journey driven by one clear goal: valuing early childhood educators,” said Beth Ann Lang, Deputy CEO of Child Care Aware of Missouri. “Launching WAGE$ in St. Louis County is a powerful step toward fairer compensation and stronger workforce stability. We’re proud to bring this opportunity to educators who have long asked for recognition and financial support tied to their experience and dedication.”

Through the WAGE$ Missouri pilot, eligible educators in licensed or license-exempt child care programs in St. Louis County will receive salary supplements based on their education level and retention at their St. Louis County-based child care program. These ongoing financial incentives reinforce that professional growth translates into tangible pay increases and long-term workforce stability. The organization’s leadership envisions the St. Louis County pilot as a proof of concept, using data and measurable outcomes to advocate for expanding the WAGE$ model across additional Missouri counties in the coming years.

CCAMO’s leadership in strengthening the early childhood profession spans more than two decades. In 2000, CCAMO secured the sole state license for the TEACH Early Childhood Missouri Scholarship program and awarded the first TEACH Missouri Scholarships, setting the foundation for educational advancement and career development across the state’s early education workforce. To date TEACH Missouri has awarded more than 5,500 scholarships to early child professionals.

CCAMO will hire a Director to lead the new WAGE$ program and plans to bring on two counselors once fully staffed. A tax consultant position will be added in a contracted position beginning in April.

“This pilot is an investment not only in St. Louis County’s child care professionals,” Lang added “but also in the children and families who benefit from consistent, high-quality care.”

Founded in 1999, CCAMO is a statewide nonprofit that focuses on a comprehensive early childhood education experience through impactful programs and partnerships. The organization’s services include workforce development, child care business supports, advocacy and policy work, and its new Child Care Keeps Missouri Working, a regional campaign offering concierge solutions to businesses undergoing employee recruitment and retention challenges due to the overwhelming shortage of quality child care options. For more information, call (314) 535-1458 or visit www.mochildcareaware.org.

Digital Rights Network Launches First Global Platform Connecting Real Estate and Content Creators to Monetize the Digital Layer of the Physical World

More than $400 Billion in value and over 11 Billion in Square Footage  registered as buildings become digital content affiliates driving revenue for property and IP owners.

LOS ANGELES, Mar 4 — Digital Rights Network today announced the launch of its groundbreaking platform designed to connect real estate owners with content creators, media companies, brands, and IP holders to monetize the digital layer of real-world properties. The platform enables property owners to register and manage their Digital Rights while allowing creators to deploy immersive 3D and augmented reality (AR) content on buildings transforming the physical world into a scalable, rights-protected content network.

As augmented reality, spatial computing, and AI-driven media rapidly move from screens into physical environments, buildings are increasingly being used as canvases for digital advertising, entertainment, and social content, often without the consent of property owners. Digital Rights Network provides the missing infrastructure, creating a transparent marketplace where property owners and content creators can collaborate, transact, and share value.

Founded by five-time Emmy® Award–winning producer and augmented reality pioneer Neil Mandt, Digital Rights Network operates as both a digital rights platform and a next-generation distribution network for the physical world. Through the platform, television networks, YouTubers, influencers, celebrities, and brands can form partnerships with property owners to display immersive AR content on buildings’ digital layers, reaching consumers directly. Each participating property functions as a digital content affiliate, generating new revenue with no cost, hardware, or operational burden to the owner.

“Every building has both a physical footprint and a digital presence,” said Neil Mandt, Founder and CEO of Digital Rights Network. “Until now, that digital layer has been unregulated and unclaimed. Digital Rights Network gives ownership, structure, and opportunity to that space, allowing property owners and creators to decide what appears, who profits, and how the real world evolves in an augmented future.”

The platform utilizes secure, blockchain-based verification to publicly record Digital Rights ownership and manage licensing, compliance, and monetization. Digital Rights Network unites industries including real estate, media, advertising, insurance, data, finance, and government, providing the legal, financial, and technical foundation for digital content in physical space.

How Digital Rights Network Works:

  • Register Properties: Real estate owners establish Digital Rights for their assets

  • Onboard Creators & IP Owners: Media companies, creators, and brands access verified properties for content partnerships

  • Policy & Compliance: Governments and municipalities define guidelines for acceptable AR content

  • Monetize: Licensed transactions are facilitated and recorded on blockchain through the platform

  • Protect: Proprietary technology supports automated compliance and insurance frameworks

Early Adoption and Market Traction:
During its invite-only beta, Digital Rights Network has registered more than $400 Billion value, including participation from leading real estate organizations such as BXP, Colliers, and BOMA/Chicago.

Registered properties include:

  • BXP assets such as Prudential Tower, Salesforce Tower, Times Square Tower and the GM Building

  • 29 million square feet of Colliers-managed properties

  • Iconic landmarks including the Flatiron Building (NYC), One Chicago, TD Garden (Boston), and major Las Vegas resorts such as Treasure Island

  • Mixed-use and retail destinations managed by WS Development

“Buildings are the intellectual property of our industry and deserve the same level of protection and monetization as other forms of IP,” said Bryan Koop, Executive Vice President at BXP. “Digital Rights Network provides a framework that finally recognizes that value and generates a new stream of revenue for property owners.”

“This technology will fundamentally change how people interact with the built environment,” said Steve Weikal, Industry Chair of the Real Estate Transformation Lab at the MIT Center for Real Estate. “Few platforms have the global relevance and scalability of Digital Rights Network; it applies to every building, in every city.”

As the internet expands beyond screens and into streets, skylines, and shared spaces, Digital Rights Network is establishing the trusted infrastructure that defines ownership, enables creativity, and unlocks new economic opportunities in the augmented world.

For more information or to participate, visit www.digitalrightsnetwork.com

Moneyboxx Finance Raises ₹33.4 Crore in Equity to Accelerate Growth and Strengthen Capital Base

Moneyboxx Finance Limited, a listed NBFC focused on empowering underserved small and micro entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban India, successfully raised ₹33.4 crore through allotment of equity shares. The fundraise strengthened the company’s capital base and positioned it to accelerate its next phase of growth. 44 lakh equity shares of face value ₹10 each on were allotted on a preferential basis at an issue price of ₹76 per share, including a premium of ₹66 per share.

With this allotment, Moneyboxx Finance’s total equity capital raised since inception stood at ₹303.9 crore, including this round. The entire equity raised in FY26 has come from promoters and existing shareholders, underlining their strong confidence in the company’s business model and growth prospects. The proceeds were earmarked to expand branch presence across high-potential markets, support AUM growth, and further enhance technology-led underwriting and risk management systems.

Moneyboxx has built a strong phygital model that combines deep on-ground distribution with data-driven credit assessment to deliver responsible, income-linked lending. Commenting on the development, Mr. Deepak Aggarwal, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Moneyboxx Finance, said, “This equity infusion of ₹33.4 crore reinforced confidence in our model and strengthened our ability to drive responsible financial inclusion at scale. We remain focused on expanding our footprint while leveraging technology to enhance underwriting precision and operational efficiency.”

Moneyboxx Finance Limited remained committed to building a resilient, technology-enabled rural lending platform that delivered long-term value to customers and stakeholders. About the company: Moneyboxx Finance Limited is a listed, non-deposit taking, Base-Layer NBFC engaged in the business of providing small business loans to micro enterprises with a focus on semi-urban and rural India. Moneyboxx has a network of 150+ branches spread across 12 states (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu). It caters to the underserved small and micro entrepreneurs in essential segments (livestock, kirana, retail traders, micro and small manufacturers) by extending secured and unsecured business loans from INR 1 to 25 Lakh.

TECNO Unveils CAMON 50 Series and Tonino Lamborghini Collaboration at MWC 2026

Business Wire India

TECNO, the innovative AI-driven technology brand, today hosted the TECNO AI Ecosystem Products launch event at MWC 2026, unveiling a series of announcements that advance its “Pioneering the Connection of Intelligence” vision.

The event marked the global launch of the all-new CAMON 50 Series, TECNO’s latest flagship imaging lineup, featuring advanced AI capabilities and exceptional imaging performance. TECNO also unveiled a landmark partnership with Tonino Lamborghini, highlighting a new chapter in premium design collaboration with technology. TECNO CMO Laury Bai, and Global Product Launch Officer Olivier Mas, joined on stage with Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, and Ginevra Lamborghini, Vice President of Tonino Lamborghini S.p.A., collectively announcing coordinated upgrades across imaging technology, industrial design, and the AI ecosystem experience.

“Consumers now want their AI to reflect their individuality, be readily available and deliver true value in practical daily life scenarios. This is part of the reason why TECNO has been committed to building “Practical AI for All”, said TECNO CMO Laury Bai. “Under this vision, we are crafting devices with practical AI functions, enhancing AI ecosystem, and delivering an intuitive, premium experience.”

A New Imaging Benchmark: CAMON 50 Series Debuts with Enhanced AI Capabilities

The newly launched TECNO CAMON 50 Series is a high-performance imaging flagship that integrates professional-grade hardware with dedicated AI processing, delivering a seamless, intelligent lifestyle experience.

Driven by TECNO’s “Practical AI for All” philosophy, the CAMON 50 Series integrates AI deeply into the photography experience. Powered by the AI RAW 2.0 imaging engine, the industry-first AI Auto Zoom creates perfect framing by intelligently tracking subjects, while Super-Zoom FlashSnap captures high-speed action with precision, even at a distance.

Additionally, the entire series is equipped with a professional imaging system, featuring the 50MP SONY LYTIA 700C Ultra Night Camera as its primary sensor. The Ultra 5G and Pro models elevate the imaging experience with a 50MP 3X Telephoto lens supporting up to AI 60X SuperZoom.

Beyond its professional imaging system, the CAMON 50 Series also leads the industry in delivering an inclusive human-centric skin tone representation experience in imaging. Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, stated, “With the upcoming CAMON 50 Ultra 5G, TECNO’s proprietary Universal Tone technology confirms a bright and engaging image style that closely matches how users naturally see the scene. Combined, these strengths will make the CAMON 50 Ultra 5G stand out as a compelling choice for accurate and inclusive skin tone rendering under $600.”

Beyond imaging, the series offers a suite of creative and productivity tools, including AI Art Gallery, AI Image-to-Video Generator, One-Tap FlashMemo, alongside the upgraded Ella voice assistant. The CAMON 50 Ultra 5G delivers reliable performance powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultimate chip, paired with long-lasting durability supported by a battery up to 6500mAh (varies by market) and highest-level dust and water resistance.

Together, intelligent image innovation, AI abilities, and dependable durability make CAMON 50 Series a perfect choice for modern lifestyles.

 

The TECNO Tonino Lamborghini Partnership: Italian Aesthetics Meet Advanced Technological Innovation

 

Marking a bold expansion into luxury lifestyle tech, TECNO officially announced a landmark international collaboration with the iconic Italian brand, Tonino Lamborghini. Built on a shared belief in innovation, performance, and modern lifestyle expression, the partnership reflects a mutual ambition to redefine how technology and aesthetics combine into a thrilling experience.

 

Ginevra Lamborghini, Vice President of Tonino Lamborghini S.p.A., shared, “Tonino Lamborghini and TECNO worked on a distinctive design language, materials and tactile perception, a balance between power and elegance and a product experience that reflects personality. When heritage and innovation meet with intention, we do not simply launch a product range but shape a new expression of lifestyle and experiences.”

 

First presented in the co-created line-up was Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS (MEGA MINI G1 Pro). Powerful, compact and silently cool, the device features a sleek, all-metal body that carries the legacy as the world’s smallest water-cooling gaming mini PC and iconic Tonino Lamborghini design. The device is powered by an Intel® Core™ i9-13900HK processor and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 8GB GDDR7 graphics card with AI TOPS at 614.

 

Also presented at the show was POVA Metal Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition, a Snapdragon®-powered, world’s first all-metal unibody 5G phone that featured uninterrupted curves, Rear Dot Matrix lighting and a pulse light.

 

TECNO also displays a full concept AIoT Ecosystem, which will include laptops, tablets and wearables. Inspired by the iconic aesthetics and unified design language of Tonino Lamborghini, these products signal a broadening, cross-category partnership set to bring more excitement ahead.

 

By further strengthening its leadership in mobile imaging, forging a prestigious partnership, and continuously advancing its AI capabilities, TECNO reaffirms its brand spirit of “Stop at Nothing”, demonstrating a relentless pursuit that spans from a future-ready strategy to cutting-edge products. Standing at the forefront of intelligent innovation, TECNO is transforming AI-powered technology into real-world impact, empowering consumers worldwide to experience a more intelligent yet accessible future.

New Agentic AI 2026 Playbook to Help Mid-Market Enterprises Operationalize AI at Scale – Commissioned by R Systems and Produced by Everest Group

Business Wire India

R Systems International Limited, today announced the launch of Agentic AI 2026: A Mid-Market Playbook for Adoption and Scale, a new research report commissioned by R Systems and produced by Everest Group, designed to help mid-market enterprises move from experimentation to measurable, enterprise-wide execution.

The report is based on a survey of over 200 global mid-market enterprise leaders and offers a practical, data-backed framework to help organizations overcome integration complexity, legacy system constraints, and governance readiness gaps to scale agentic AI with measurable impact.

Commenting on the launch, Nitesh Bansal, Managing Director & CEO, R Systems, said, “We are pleased to launch this report produced by Everest Group at a critical moment in the enterprise AI journey. Agentic AI 2026 provides a clear, practical playbook to embed AI into real enterprise environments, by balancing autonomy with accountability and driving measurable impact.”

Where Mid-Market Enterprises Are Already Delivering Results

The study identifies clear value hotspots where agentic AI is already delivering tangible returns:

  • IT Operations has emerged as the most scale-ready function, with semi-autonomous incident triage, root-cause analysis, and runbook execution reducing operational toil.
  • Software Engineering stands out as the strongest launchpad for scale, delivering nearly 30% efficiency uplift, particularly across monitoring, requirements gathering, and testing/QA.
  • Customer Support is transitioning from deflection to resolution, with agents executing policy-bound actions such as refunds and entitlement changes.
  • Finance and Accounting is gaining traction in structured, dual-control workflows, including reconciliations and close activities.

By industry, adoption correlates strongly with digital maturity. Technology and telecom firms are scaling fastest, BFSI players are advancing cautiously due to regulatory complexity, and healthcare organizations largely remain in exploratory phases.

Execution Readiness: Opportunity and Acceleration

While 64% of enterprises report strong trust in agentic AI systems, only 15% have managed to successfully operationalized them at scale, exposing a clear execution gap. At the same time, 43% of surveyed mid-market organizations are bypassing traditional AI maturity stages and moving directly toward agentic AI models in a race to stay competitive.

 

However, scaling within enterprise environments requires solving for:

 

  • Integration complexity across fragmented legacy systems
  • Immature tooling and ecosystem fragmentation
  • Security, auditability, and rollback controls
  • Limited governance maturity
  • Workforce readiness gaps in AI oversight and data proficiency

 

To address these realities, the playbook recommends anchoring adoption in outcome-led, high-impact use cases; embedding governance and accountability directly into production workflows; and scaling autonomy in clearly defined tiers aligned to business risk. It emphasizes modernizing within an enterprise context by addressing integration complexity, technical debt, and data integrity upfront. The playbook also underscores the importance of human oversight, ownership models, and workforce readiness alongside technology enablement, while building hybrid ecosystems that combine hyperscalers, integrators, and specialist AI partners.

 

The playbook outlines a deliberate, phased adoption sequence for scaling agentic AI, along with practical steps to strengthen governance and trust through formal oversight mechanisms and clearly defined ownership models. It also provides a structured view of the evolving agentic AI ecosystem, detailing key provider categories, their differentiators, and where each is best applied enabling enterprises to unlock sustainable, long-term value.

Akshat Vaid, Partner at Everest Group, states, “As enterprises look to move from AI experimentation to execution, this report offers timely guidance on how to scale agentic AI responsibly. Our research highlights what leaders must get right to convert early promise into sustained business value.” As enterprises look toward 2026, the report concludes that agentic AI will move steadily from supervised assistance to controlled execution across core business functions. Organizations that act now, by pairing ambition with governance, skills, and measurable outcomes, will be best positioned to convert early promise into sustained competitive advantage.

New Research Offers Businesses a Playbook for Surviving Social Media Firestorms

By Anthony Borrelli

This was how critics labeled a 30-second Peloton holiday ad in 2019 that featured a man giving a woman an exercise bike as a gift. Backlash was so severe that Peloton’s stock fell by about 9%, after social media erupted over perceived outdated gender roles and body image standards.

Researchers describe this kind of reaction as online social disapproval (OSD) — the public expression of criticism against businesses on digital platforms — which can rapidly escalate into bursts of public responses with significant reputational and financial consequences. For instance, in 2023, Bud Light faced boycotts and sales declines following backlash over its partnership with a transgender influencer.

In response, new research co-authored by Associate Professor Jinglu Jiang from the Binghamton University School of Management introduces a digital toolkit designed to help organizations anticipate, interpret, and respond to social media backlash more effectively. The conceptual paper, “Bursts of online social disapproval: leveraging analytics for comprehension and detection,”(opens in a new window) was published in the Journal of Business Strategy.

The toolkit, developed by combining a review of existing research with real-world cases, identified four phases of OSD — preburst, initial burst, spreading and contagion, and recalibration — that explain how backlash emerges and evolves over time.

“The whole point is that online social disapproval is different from traditional crisis management. It’s not linear; it’s more like a cycle, because of how the internet and social media algorithms create different bursting patterns affecting how these kinds of responses can spread,” Jiang said. “Negative opinions become a battlefield in the spreading phase, and sometimes one perspective emerges as more dominant. When things settle down and get back to normal, that’s when management should revert to prebursting monitoring practices, rather than just waiting for it to happen again.”

Jinglu Jiang, associate professor in the Binghamton University School of Management.

Jinglu Jiang, associate professor in the Binghamton University School of Management. Image Credit: Jonathan Cohen.

Using the four phases, the study offers guiding questions and analytical indicators to give managers more robust capabilities for early detection, response, and recovery:

  • Preburst: Is there a process to monitor emerging trends within your firm?
  • Initial burst: Have you identified indicators for OSD popularity?
  • Spread and contagion: Is a company-specific burstiness threshold defined? Is a structured procedure in place to monitor OSD burst trajectories?
  • Recalibration: Have situational and long-term impact measures been defined?

For the final phase, researchers said the critical question is not simply whether online activity has subsided, but what lasting imprint the OSD burst has left on the organization.

“In the short term, firms can track immediate market and financial responses, such as sales fluctuations, stock price volatility, or shifts in customer traffic. These indicators provide situational feedback on the material consequences of the burst,” the study stated. “However, analytics also structure longer-term interpretations by highlighting enduring reputational shifts. Measures such as customer satisfaction, online review trends, survey-based reputation indices, and social media engagement reveal whether stakeholder trust is recovering or whether skepticism persists.”

Each business needs to define its own baseline “normality” for how the public responds on social media to different events or situations for this type of toolkit to be effective, Jiang said. The study also cautions that older events can resurface unexpectedly, triggering renewed backlash as past news and content are rediscovered online.

“The moment you observe that initial burst online, you need to be cautious and strategic about how you respond,” Jiang said, “because once it enters the spreading and contentious phase, it can become a social media battlefield that’s more difficult to contain. That’s something any business would want to avoid.”

Photo: This was how critics labeled a 30-second Peloton holiday ad in 2019 that featured a man giving a woman an exercise bike as a gift. Backlash was so severe that Peloton’s stock fell by about 9%, after social media erupted over perceived outdated gender roles and body image standards.

Researchers describe this kind of reaction as online social disapproval (OSD) — the public expression of criticism against businesses on digital platforms — which can rapidly escalate into bursts of public responses with significant reputational and financial consequences. For instance, in 2023, Bud Light faced boycotts and sales declines following backlash over its partnership with a transgender influencer.

In response, new research co-authored by Associate Professor Jinglu Jiang from the Binghamton University School of Management introduces a digital toolkit designed to help organizations anticipate, interpret, and respond to social media backlash more effectively. The conceptual paper, “Bursts of online social disapproval: leveraging analytics for comprehension and detection,”(opens in a new window) was published in the Journal of Business Strategy.

The toolkit, developed by combining a review of existing research with real-world cases, identified four phases of OSD — preburst, initial burst, spreading and contagion, and recalibration — that explain how backlash emerges and evolves over time.

“The whole point is that online social disapproval is different from traditional crisis management. It’s not linear; it’s more like a cycle, because of how the internet and social media algorithms create different bursting patterns affecting how these kinds of responses can spread,” Jiang said. “Negative opinions become a battlefield in the spreading phase, and sometimes one perspective emerges as more dominant. When things settle down and get back to normal, that’s when management should revert to prebursting monitoring practices, rather than just waiting for it to happen again.”

 

Using the four phases, the study offers guiding questions and analytical indicators to give managers more robust capabilities for early detection, response, and recovery:

  • Preburst: Is there a process to monitor emerging trends within your firm?
  • Initial burst: Have you identified indicators for OSD popularity?
  • Spread and contagion: Is a company-specific burstiness threshold defined? Is a structured procedure in place to monitor OSD burst trajectories?
  • Recalibration: Have situational and long-term impact measures been defined?

For the final phase, researchers said the critical question is not simply whether online activity has subsided, but what lasting imprint the OSD burst has left on the organization.

“In the short term, firms can track immediate market and financial responses, such as sales fluctuations, stock price volatility, or shifts in customer traffic. These indicators provide situational feedback on the material consequences of the burst,” the study stated. “However, analytics also structure longer-term interpretations by highlighting enduring reputational shifts. Measures such as customer satisfaction, online review trends, survey-based reputation indices, and social media engagement reveal whether stakeholder trust is recovering or whether skepticism persists.”

Each business needs to define its own baseline “normality” for how the public responds on social media to different events or situations for this type of toolkit to be effective, Jiang said. The study also cautions that older events can resurface unexpectedly, triggering renewed backlash as past news and content are rediscovered online.

“The moment you observe that initial burst online, you need to be cautious and strategic about how you respond,” Jiang said, “because once it enters the spreading and contentious phase, it can become a social media battlefield that’s more difficult to contain. That’s something any business would want to avoid.”

 

AI Is Resetting the Rules of Growth in CPG

Business Wire India

NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ), a global leader in consumer intelligence, today released The New Growth Frontier. This new analysis, produced in collaboration with Kearney, reveals that artificial intelligence is reshaping how consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands innovate and compete—with profound effects on innovation, product discovery, and consumer path to purchase.

 

Over the past three years, established niche brands increased US market share by 1.5 percentage points (2022–2025), while large and mid-size national brands declined by 2.1 percentage points, according to NIQ retail measurement data across all categories.

 

This data signals a structural shift: Scale remains powerful, but scale is no longer destiny. Competitive advantage increasingly depends on agility, precision, and the ability to surface effectively in AI-mediated discovery environments.

 

“We are entering a precision era in CPG,” said Marta Cyhan-Bowles, Chief Communications Officer and Global Head of Marketing, NIQ. “The growth levers that larger brands have come to rely on—like mergers and acquisitions—are no longer reliable paths to sustainable, long-term growth. Consumer-led innovation and agentic discoverability now matter more than historical scale. The winners will be those who combine AI-driven speed with deep consumer understanding, agentic systems proficiency, and disciplined measurement.”

 

AI Is Equalizing Opportunity Across the Industry

 

AI is democratizing capabilities that once required significant investment—from concept testing and formulation optimization to creative iteration and scenario modelling. Challenger brands are leveraging these tools to boost their historical strengths: moving more quickly, leading digitally, and leaning into meaningful consumer trends. NIQ data shows emerging brands are winning in categories where AI-led innovation and discovery are accelerating, such as Pet Care, Personal Care, and Health & Wellness.

 

At the same time, consumer behavior is shifting rapidly. NIQ research shows:

 

  • 74% of shoppers are using AI for some form of product discovery
  • 54% use AI for research
  • 20% use AI directly for shopping

 

As AI tools increasingly mediate research and purchase decisions, discoverability has become as important as distribution.

 

Agentic Commerce Is Reshaping Discovery

 

The analysis also highlights the rise of agentic commerce—retail and large-language model (LLM) environments where AI systems filter options, generate recommendations, and influence purchasing decisions.

 

AI assistants are increasingly embedded in retailer websites, search tools, and shopping platforms, changing how products are surfaced and ranked. In these environments, structured product attributes, contextual alignment, reviews, and trust signals play a growing role in determining visibility—with relevance to consumer goals ultimately influencing results.

 

“AI systems prioritize clarity and relevance,” said Katherine Black, Partner at Kearney. “Brands that ensure their products are legible to AI with structured data, defined need states, and credible signals are better positioned to surface in these new discovery pathways.”

 

Traditional Growth Levers Face New Pressure

 

As AI reshapes both innovation and discovery, traditional growth strategies are under pressure. Line extensions often redistribute share rather than expand categories, and acquisitions are becoming more complex in a market defined by shifting consumer expectations and AI-accelerated competition.

 

While M&A can complement innovation, it is no longer a reliable standalone path to durable growth. In an environment where discoverability and early traction determine success, brands must build relevance—not simply buy it.

 

Why It Matters

 

The convergence of AI-driven innovation and AI-mediated discovery is raising the bar across the CPG ecosystem:

 

  • Large, established brands must modernize and refocus innovation pipelines to maintain momentum.
  • Emerging brands can leverage AI to accelerate experimentation and trial.
  • Retailers must adapt as AI integrations influence traffic, assortment, and monetization dynamics.

 

The analysis concludes that sustainable growth in the AI era will depend on:

  • Grounding innovation in validated, unmet consumer needs
  • Optimizing product content for AI-driven discovery
  • Integrating AI strategically across ideation, testing, and activation
  • Monitoring early launch signals and adjusting quickly

 

With operations spanning more than 90 countries and approximately $7.2 trillion (USD) in global consumer spend, NIQ combines structured retail data, behavioral intelligence, and advanced analytics to help brands align AI acceleration with real consumer demand.

 

The full analysis is available here.

 

About NIQ:

 

NielsenIQ (NIQ) is a leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. Our global reach spans over 90 countries covering approximately 85% of the world’s population and more than $7.2 trillion in global consumer spend. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. For more information, please visit niq.com.

 

About Kearney:

 

For 100 years, Kearney has been a leading management consulting firm and trusted partner to three-quarters of the Fortune Global 500 and governments around the world. With a presence across more than 40 countries, our people make us who we are. We work impact first, tackling your toughest challenges with original thinking and a commitment to making change happen together. By your side, we deliver—value, results, impact.

 

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

 

This press release regarding NIQ and Kearney analysis, may contain forward-looking statements regarding anticipated consumer behaviors, market trends, and industry developments. These statements reflect current expectations and projections based on available data, historical patterns, and various assumptions. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “believes,” “forecasts,” “plan,” “look ahead,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future outcomes and are subject to inherent uncertainties, including changes in consumer preferences, economic conditions, technological advancements, and competitive dynamics. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. While we strive to base our insights on reliable data and sound methodologies, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, except to the extent required by applicable law.

 

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Visa and Bridge Expand Collaboration, with Plans to Bring Stablecoin-Linked Cards to Over 100 Countries

Business Wire India

Visa (NYSE:V), a global leader in digital payments, and Bridge, a leading stablecoin infrastructure platform and a Stripe company, today announced an expansion of their global card issuance product that they first unveiled in 2025. Bridge enables businesses and fintech developers to offer stablecoin-backed Visa cards. Now, through Bridge’s partnership with Lead Bank, these card transactions can be settled onchain with Visa.

 

Since launching stablecoin-linked cards, developers using Bridge have rapidly begun offering these Visa cards across the world, enabling consumers to make everyday purchases from stablecoin balances at any of Visa’s 175M+ merchant locations. Bridge-enabled stablecoin-linked cards are now live in 18 countries, with planned expansion to over 100 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East by end of year. Popular crypto platforms like Phantom and MetaMask are using cards to enable millions of customers to easily spend stablecoins on everyday purchases.

 

Visa’s Expanded Stablecoin Settlement Pilot

 

Visa’s stablecoin settlement pilot enables Visa issuers and acquirers, including those issuing Bridge-enabled cards, to settle with Visa using stablecoins over supported blockchain networks. Earlier this year, Lead Bank was announced as a participant in Visa’s stablecoin settlement pilot. Bridge is also enabling the stablecoin infrastructure behind Lead Bank.

 

The pilot aims to evaluate:

 

  • How stablecoin settlement can enhance settlement optionality for issuers and program managers
  • Operational efficiency gains from on-chain reconciliation and faster fund movement
  • The role of stablecoin infrastructure platforms–such as Bridge–in simplifying blockchain interactions for institutions

 

“Visa is committed to meeting businesses where they operate, and increasingly, that’s onchain,” said Cuy Sheffield, Head of Crypto, Visa. “Expanding our work with Bridge gives us one more way to bring the speed, transparency and programmability of stablecoins directly into the settlement process. This milestone gives our partners greater choice in how they move value, and it reinforces Visa’s role as a trusted network connecting stablecoins and the global payments ecosystem.”

 

Evaluating Support for Bridge-Issued Assets

 

Visa is also evaluating potential support for Bridge-issued assets in future flows. The assessment will focus on how these assets can complement Visa’s global network and introduce a new settlement pathway for partners.

 

“We’re on a multiyear journey to help businesses own their own financial stack,” said Zach Abrams, CEO and cofounder of Bridge. “This expansion of our work with Visa will enable businesses launching their own custom stablecoins to use them seamlessly within their card programs.”

 

About Visa

 

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

 

About Bridge, a Stripe company

 

Bridge is the leading stablecoin infrastructure platform for moving money globally. Businesses use Bridge to easily receive, store, convert, issue, and spend stablecoins, enabling them to serve new markets and move money faster and cheaper across borders. Bridge was acquired by Stripe in February 2025.

 

 

 

 

Tech Mahindra Advances AI-Driven Autonomous Network Operations for CSPs Globally with NVIDIA

Barcelona Mar 03: Tech Mahindra, a leading global provider of technology consulting and digital solutions to enterprises across industries, announced a collaboration with NVIDIA to introduce an industry-first AI-powered Telco Network Operations Reasoning Agent. The solution is designed to help Communication Service Providers (CSPs) accelerate their journey toward Level 4+ (L4+) autonomous networks by transforming traditional Network Operations Centers (NOCs) into intelligent, closed-loop operations.

The solution is delivered through Tech Mahindra’s Orion platform, combining AI engineering, domain expertise, and human-in-the-loop design. Additionally, it ensures enterprise-grade trust without using customer or Personally Identifiable Information (PII) allowing CSPs to safely operationalize artificial intelligence (AI) while maintaining data privacy and governance. The collaboration highlights Tech Mahindra’s capabilities in helping operators advance toward L4+ autonomy through scalable, production-ready AI frameworks.

Amol Phadke, Chief Transformation Officer, Tech Mahindra, said, “Network operations centers still rely on rule-based, open-loop workflows with significant manual intervention. Engineers continue to spend considerable time correlating alarms, logs, and performance data across systems, impacting resolution times and operational efficiency. Our collaboration with NVIDIA addresses this challenge by embedding AI-driven reasoning into the core of network operations. By enabling intelligent, closed-loop execution, we are helping Communication Service Providers (CSPs) move decisively toward simplified operations aligned with L4+ autonomous network ambitions.” 

The AI reasoning agent within the solution enables CSPs to move beyond conventional automation by embedding contextual intelligence directly into network operations. It supports autonomous alarm validation, root-cause analysis, and resolution across Operations Support Systems (OSS) and Business Support Systems (BSS) environments, enabling faster incident handling, greater operational consistency, and a better customer experience. A key differentiator of the solution is its extensibility, as once CSPs deploy a foundational Large Telco Model, they can build and scale domain-specific reasoning agents that integrate with their existing data lakes, tools, and workflows. Leveraging NVIDIA AI Enterprise software, Tech Mahindra customized a reasoning model with synthetic and anonymized data using NVIDIA NeMo and deployed it as NVIDIA NIM inference microservice. The model provided 2-3x improvement in accuracy compared with a non-fined tuned model. 

Chris Penrose, Vice President, Global Business Development – Telecom, NVIDIA, said, “Network operations demand rapid decision-making across complex, real-time environments. By combining NVIDIA’s AI software stack with Tech Mahindra’s deep telecom expertise, this collaboration enables CSPs to deploy reasoning-based AI systems that can act, adapt, and learn within live NOC environments. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a new era of autonomous, resilient, and intelligent networks.” 

The transition to autonomous networks is an iterative and ecosystem-driven journey, as modular architecture and reusable pipelines enable CSPs to adopt AI reasoning incrementally and scale it across their operations. The collaboration reinforces Tech Mahindra’s commitment to driving AI innovation in telecom and redefining network operations through intelligent automation, deep learning, and multimodal AI models.