Author: Zenergy

The way people find information is rapidly evolving with AI-driven search results leading the way, reshaping how businesses gain visibility. Nearly half of all searches (47%) now display AI-generated overviews, pushing traditional organic results further down the page (Botify & DemandShere). This means businesses that rely on high-ranking placements must adapt or risk losing visibility.

What is Zero-Click Search?

Zero-click search refers to search results that provide answers directly on the Search Engine Results Page (SERP), eliminating the need for users to click through to a website. These include:

• Featured Snippets
• Knowledge Panels
• People Also Ask (PAA) sections
• AI-generated Overviews (AIOs)

A 2024 study by Datos found that 58.5% of all U.S. searches now result in zero-clicks, meaning more than half of users never visit a website. For queries where an AIO appears, organic CTR dropped from 1.41% to 0.64% in 2024 (Seer Interactive).

For businesses that have traditionally focused on SEO rankings, this shift poses a major challenge—but it also presents opportunity for growth.

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital communications, social media has become one of the most valuable tools to help businesses grow and connect with their target audience. However, many have yet to even scrape the surface of its potential.

That’s where we come in.

Social Bootcamp isn’t just another training program; it’s a tailored solution crafted to empower your employees with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage social media effectively. Whether they’re novices navigating the basics or seasoned professionals seeking advanced sales strategies, our program helps to build confidence among participants and amplify your company’s messaging.

Customizable Training for Lasting Impact

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to social media training. That’s why our program is fully customizable based on participant aptitude and company objectives, ensuring that each participant receives relevant and practical guidance. From platform-specific techniques to overarching strategies, we equip your team with the tools they need to succeed.

A Solution for Employee Engagement

Employee disengagement is an increasingly costly reality for businesses worldwide. In an era where remote work is the new reality, fostering a sense of community and connection is paramount. By empowering employees to become brand ambassadors through their online presence, companies can enhance both internal morale and external perception, fostering a community that transcends physical boundaries.

Harnessing the Power of Unified Messaging

In the realm of social media, consistency is key. Our program focuses on more than just the individual profiles; it instills a cohesive approach to messaging across the entire organization. By aligning employee interactions with corporate values and guidelines, we ensure that every post and comment reflects positively on your brand.

Amplifying Your Reach

Did you know that employee reach on social media can surpass corporate reach by as much as 561%? It’s a staggering statistic that underscores the potential impact of a well-trained team. Our program empowers employees to become active participants in amplifying your company’s message, driving engagement, and ultimately, conversions.

Next Steps

In a digital landscape where social media reigns supreme, staying ahead of the curve isn’t just advantageous—it’s essential. Our Social Bootcamp program offers a comprehensive solution for businesses seeking to harness the power of social media to drive growth, engage employees, and amplify their message. Join us in unlocking the full potential of social media and propel your company towards success.

Contact us to get started.

In today’s digital world of endless scrolling and saturated feeds, standing out on social media is a growing challenge. With shrinking attention spans, images only have so much time to capture attention. Here’s how to craft content that stops the scroll and drives engagement:

1. Leverage Trends

Staying ahead of design trends ensures your content feels modern and engaging. Here’s what’s making waves on social media today:

– Bold, Expressive Typography: Clean, bold text with contrasting colors and minimalistic styles creates clear and impactful visuals.

– Sophisticated Minimalism: A focus on clean lines, neutral color palettes, and uncluttered layouts that exude professionalism and clarity, ideal for corporate branding.

– Dynamic Videos: Short-form videos with seamless transitions and kinetic typography continue to dominate platforms like TikTok and Instagram. However, longer (60+ seconds) story-driven content is gaining traction as audiences seek more substance.

– AI-Generated Art and Animation: From  automated image enhancements to generative art, AI is reshaping content creation by enabling hyper-personalization and imaginative designs.

While trends can help your brand stay relevant, ensure they align with your audience’s preferences and your brand identity to maintain authenticity. AI-assisted creativity can streamline and enhance workflows, but remember, it is a tool and has not replaced the human touch.

2. Keep It Simple

Simplified visuals are easier to consume and more effective at capturing attention:

– Stick to a Focal Point: Prioritize one clear element like a key visual or message.

– Use Minimalistic Design: Stick to 2-3 complementary colors and ensure sufficient contrast between elements for clarity. Muted, earthy tones like terracotta and sage green are currently trending.

– Limit Text: Keep text to a minimum so your content is clear and uncluttered. If you have a lot to say, spread it out into a carousel post or use it as script for a video.

– Consider Organized Complexity: For certain brands, intentional clutter using collage-style layouts or overlapping elements can create visual interest, but proceed with caution.

A clean, simple design ensures your message is digestible at a glance.

3. Optimize Dimensions

Tailoring your visuals to platform specs and content types boosts engagement and ensures seamless display:

– Vertical (9:16 ratio): Dominates mobile video formats like TikTok, Instagram Reels, Stories (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) and YouTube Shorts, capturing maximum screen space.

– Portrait (4:5 ratio): Optimal for static feed posts and carousels for most platforms, especially with Instagram’s recent adoption of this format for profile grids.

– Landscape (16:9 ratio): Standard for YouTube videos and presentations or long-form content on LinkedIn.

– Square (1:1 ratio): Losing its prominence due to mobile-first consumption, it’s now best to use portrait in place of traditionally square content.

Pro Tip: Stay on top of layout changes as platforms frequently update their formats.

4. Add Motion and Subtitles

Motion naturally captures attention, and subtitles enhance accessibility:

– Incorporate Motion: Use cinemagraphs, GIFs, or animations for dynamic visuals.

– Customize Subtitles: Many platforms now offer auto-captioning, but custom subtitles using brand colors and fonts can differentiate your content.

– Leverage Tools: Use professional tools that streamline the process of adding captions and animations.

Adding motion and captions ensures your content is inclusive and drives engagement.

5. Interactive Posts to Boost Engagement

Interactive content is a powerful way to foster deeper connections with your audience. By encouraging active participation, you can increase engagement rates and gain valuable insights into your audience’s preferences, here’s how:

– Polls and Surveys: Simple, quick questions can spark conversations and provide direct feedback.

– Quizzes: Fun and personalized quizzes encourage shares, expanding your reach organically.

– Interactive Carousels: Create swipe-through posts that invite users to vote, choose preferences, or engage with content step-by-step.

– Live Q&A Sessions: Hosting live sessions helps build trust and authenticity.

Pro Tip: Timing is key. Posting during peak engagement times can significantly improve participation.

6. Focus on Quality

Your visuals are often the first impression of your brand—make it count:

– Use High-Resolution Images: Blurry or grainy visuals can harm your brand’s credibility.

– Invest in Professional Editing: Clean, polished designs signal professionalism. Opt for editing tools with advanced color correction and layout features.

– Ensure Consistency: Stick to your brand’s color palette and typography across all platforms to strengthen your brand identity.

Consistent branding across all platforms builds trust and recognition with your audience.

7. Blend Creativity with Data

Data-driven creativity maximizes impact. Use analytics to understand what resonates with your audience:

– A/B Testing: Compare the performance of different visuals to identify what drives engagement using tools like Meta Ads Manager or Instagram Insights.

– Platform Insights: Track metrics like CTRs, views, and shares to refine your designs.

– Experiment with Formats: Test various content types—carousels, Reels, and Stories—to determine what works best.

– Monitor Qualitative Feedback: Pay attention to comments, direct messages, and audience reactions to complement quantitative metrics.

Use insights to not just to see what worked but to predict future trends and audience behavior.

From Scroll to Engagement

Creating scroll-stopping content requires a balance of creativity, platform optimization, and data-driven strategy. By implementing these tips, your brand can rise above the digital noise and leave a lasting impact.

Ready to take your content to the next level? Contact Zenergy Communications today to transform your creative vision into powerful, results-driven campaigns.

The lines between marketing and PR are becoming increasingly blurred. In 2025, the most successful brands will be those that seamlessly integrate storytelling across owned, earned, and paid media channels. This convergence reflects a broader shift toward cohesive messaging and audience-first strategies. Here’s how brands can align marketing and PR to maximize impact:

1. Leverage Influencer Media Partnerships

The rise of influencer marketing has transformed the media landscape. Influencers serve as a bridge between traditional public relations strategies and digital marketing by offering:

– Credibility: Influencers are seen as trusted voices by their followers.

– Reach: They provide access to niche audiences often missed by traditional channels.

– Storytelling Opportunities: Influencers can weave your brand into authentic, relatable narratives.

To succeed, brands should treat influencers as media partners, collaborating on campaigns that align with broader messaging strategies.

2. Align PR with Digital Advertising

All must work hand-in-hand to amplify each other’s efforts. For example:

– PR-driven buzz can be supported by retargeting campaigns to keep audiences engaged.

– Press coverage can be turned into ad creative, reinforcing key messages across platforms.

– Media mentions can be amplified through paid social ads to reach a wider audience.

This synergy ensures consistency and maximizes the return on both PR and marketing investments.

3. Master Omni-Channel Storytelling

Modern audiences consume content across a variety of platforms, from social media to traditional news outlets. A unified storytelling approach ensures your brand message resonates regardless of the channel, here’s how:

– Owned Media: Use your website and blog to provide in-depth content and act as the central hub for your messaging.

– Earned Media: Secure press coverage that lends credibility and aligns with your brand story.

– Paid Media: Invest in digital ads to amplify key messages and reach targeted audiences.

By weaving a consistent narrative across these channels, you can create a seamless brand experience.

4. Adopt a Data-Driven Approach

Data is the glue that binds marketing and MR together. Use analytics to:

– Measure Campaign Impact: Track engagement, impressions, and conversions from PR and marketing efforts.

– Identify Audience Insights: Use data to understand what content resonates with your target demographic.

– Refine Messaging: Continuously improve your storytelling based on performance metrics by using tools like Google Analytics, media monitoring platforms, and social media insights.

A data-driven approach ensures that your campaigns are both impactful and adaptable.

5. Foster Collaboration Between Teams

For true convergence, marketing and PR teams need to break down silos and work collaboratively. Encourage:

– Joint Planning Sessions: Align goals, target audiences, and messaging from the start.

– Shared Metrics: Use KPIs that measure the success of both PR and marketing efforts, like audience reach and impressions, engagement metrics, web traffic, media mentions, etc.

– Cross-Functional Training: Equip teams with the skills to navigate both disciplines effectively.

Collaboration not only enhances efficiency but also leads to more cohesive and compelling campaigns.

Unifying Marketing and Media

The convergence of marketing and media relations presents brands with a transformative opportunity to amplify their impact. By aligning strategies, using data-driven insights, and fostering cross-team collaboration, brands can craft campaigns that resonate on every platform. This unified, holistic approach not only breaks down barriers but also sets the standard for the future of brand storytelling.

Ready to align your marketing and media relations strategies? Contact Zenergy Communications today to craft campaigns that deliver unified and powerful results.

If you’re looking to boost channel loyalty, engagement, and sales, a well-structured reward or incentive program can be a transformative strategy. However, not all programs are created equal. To truly maximize results, keep these three critical considerations in mind:

1. Your Reward or Incentive Program Should Be a Profit Center

Many businesses hesitate to implement a rewards program due to perceived costs, but the right approach turns these programs into revenue drivers. Instead of focusing on expenses, consider how the program can generate profit. A strategic, data-driven program doesn’t just reward existing behavior—it encourages higher spending, increased engagement, and long-term customer retention.

2. Leverage Sales Data to Drive Growth

Simply awarding points or rebates based on dollars spent won’t cut it. To maximize effectiveness, the program should use historical sales data to establish personalized growth and performance targets. By tailoring incentives to each customer or sales rep based on their purchase history and potential, rewards are directly linked to profitable behavior.

3. Personalization is Key

A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work in today’s competitive landscape. Each customer or channel partner has unique behaviors, needs, and opportunities for growth. A successful program should be dynamic, offering personalized rewards and targets that align with individual performance and potential. This level of customization ensures that incentives are meaningful and truly drive engagement.

Unlocking the Full Potential of a Reward & Incentive Program

Lift & Shift specializes in building data-driven B2B reward and incentive programs that focus on personalization and profitability. With expertise in transforming sales data into actionable strategies, Lift & Shift helps companies drive growth, engagement, and ROI.

Organizations looking to create or elevate their reward programs and build incremental sales can rely on Lift & Shift to deliver tailored solutions that maximize results.

Dan Benoit
President

Lift & Shift Inc.
dan@lift-and-shift.com

Shareholder activism is reshaping corporate decision-making. It occurs when investors use their influence to shape a company’s governance, financial strategies, or corporate responsibility initiatives. Activists may advocate for issues such as leadership restructuring, environmental policies, or maximizing shareholder value through mergers and acquisitions.

As shareholder activism evolves, companies can prepare for increasing pressures on governance, sustainability, and financial performance. From ESG demands to M&A pressures and AI-driven analysis, 2025 is set to be a pivotal year for Investor Relations (IR) professionals.

To dive into the data, check out Davies’ Governance Insights: A Review of Shareholder Activism in Canada 2024: Key Decisions and Trends to Watch for 2025.

Here are the top nine trends shaping shareholder activism in Canada and how to navigate the evolving landscape:

1. ESG in Focus

Investors demand clearer climate policies, diversity, and corporate transparency to align with global sustainability efforts. Companies that fail to meet these expectations may face heightened scrutiny and potential reputational risks from both activists and institutional shareholders, making it imperative to align sustainability initiatives with long-term value creation.

2. M&A Under Scrutiny

Activists are increasing pressure on undervalued deals and divestitures, pushing for greater shareholder returns. Underperforming acquisitions, weak synergies, or lack of transparency in deal structuring are red flags for activists. Be prepared to justify strategic transactions with clear value propositions and conduct early shareholder engagement to mitigate activist opposition.

3. Targeted Sectors

REITs, energy, and financial services continue to face heightened activist attention due to valuation concerns and governance issues. Energy sector activists are increasingly focused on transition strategies, pushing for commitments to renewable energy and carbon reduction. Financial services and REITs remain vulnerable due to concerns over capital allocation, risk exposure, and governance effectiveness.

4. Activist Swarms Rising

Companies are facing a surge of multi-activist campaigns, where different investors pursue varied agendas simultaneously—some may push for ESG improvements, while others focus on financial restructuring. This creates competing demands on corporate leadership, making strategic, proactive engagement essential to maintaining stability and stakeholder trust.

5. By-Law Scrutiny

It’s important for companies to refine governance policies to withstand legal challenges and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. Advance notice by-laws, shareholder meeting protocols, and director election processes will face increased scrutiny. Strengthening governance frameworks and refining by-laws can help deter activist challenges and ensure procedural fairness.

6. AI & Data Analytics in Activism

Activists can leverage AI-driven insights to uncover governance weaknesses, creating a need for proactive data analysis. While specific AI applications in activism may vary, companies benefit from awareness of the growing role of data analytics in identifying governance risks and shareholder engagement trends. AI tools can rapidly assess market trends, corporate disclosures, and investor sentiment, allowing activists to identify governance vulnerabilities. IR teams can embrace AI to track activist movements, analyze sentiment, and anticipate governance risks.

7. Institutional Investors Aligning with Activists

Major investors are increasingly supporting activist campaigns, particularly on ESG and governance issues. As institutional investors collaborate with activist groups, companies can foster transparent communication and engagement with their shareholders to maintain alignment and mitigate risks.

8. Increased Board Refreshment Demands

Activists push for more independent, diverse, and skilled directors, shaping boardroom decisions. Companies can expect greater scrutiny over director expertise, board tenure, and overall governance structures, with activists advocating for boardroom shake-ups to enhance accountability and performance. Enhancing board composition and governance transparency can help preempt activist challenges.

9. Proactive Engagement Strategies

Companies can strategically enhance investor communication and sentiment analysis to stay ahead of activist challenges. Regular shareholder engagement, transparent disclosures, and data-driven sentiment tracking will be critical in preempting activist concerns and fostering stronger investor trust.

Preparing for the Future of Shareholder Activism

With shareholder activism evolving, IR teams will benefit from a proactive approach to governance and engagement. These trends for 2025 highlight the growing influence of AI, ESG activism, and M&A pressures—so preparation is key.

The landscape is shifting—how will you adapt? Partner with Zenergy to strengthen your IR strategy, anticipate activist demands, and drive investor confidence.

Contact us today.

Zenergy Communications

media@zenergycom.com

Digital marketing is undergoing a seismic shift toward a privacy-first landscape. As consumers become increasingly aware of data misuse and demand stronger privacy protections and accountability, tech giants are taking action. Initiatives like Google’s Privacy Sandbox empower users to make informed choices about third-party cookies, while updates to Google Analytics 4 (GA4) emphasize leveraging first-party data for responsible and effective targeting. Combined with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), these developments are reshaping how marketers connect with audiences.

As third-party cookies lose relevance, marketers must forge meaningful connections built on trust, transparency, and significance. Here are actionable strategies to help your brand navigate this evolving environment:

Embrace First-Party Data

First-party data—information collected directly from your audience—has become the cornerstone of effective marketing. Unlike third-party data, it’s collected with user consent, fostering trust and compliance using these strategies:

• Launch loyalty programs, surveys, and email sign-ups to gather valuable insights.

• Use this data to deliver personalized content, product recommendations, and offers.

• Be transparent about your data usage to build stronger, trust-based relationships.

Focus on Contextual Targeting

As reliance on third-party cookies fades, contextual targeting is making a resurgence. This approach tailors ads to the content users are currently engaging with, instead of tracking their browsing history. For example, displaying cookware ads on a recipe blog. As a result, ads feel less like interruptions and more like complimentary information, offering several benefits:

• Aligns ads naturally with relevant content, enhancing user experience.

• Respects user privacy by avoiding intrusive tracking practices like cross-site monitoring.

• Increases engagement by delivering timely and contextually appropriate messaging.

Strengthen Attribution Models

Tracking campaign performance without third-party cookies requires robust attribution models. These models help marketers analyze user journeys and conversions more effectively, for example:

• Use UTM parameters to monitor traffic sources.

• Leverage tools like GA4 for advanced tracking.

• Analyze referral traffic, time-on-site, and click-through rates to gauge success.

Foster Direct Customer Relationships

With diminishing access to third-party data, cultivating direct relationships with your audience is more critical than ever. Authentic engagement drives loyalty and boosts customer lifetime value. Here are some tips to connect with impact:

• Create vibrant social media communities to encourage direct interactions with your brand.

• Produce valuable content, such as educational blogs, videos, and webinars.

• Respond promptly to customer feedback and inquiries to build trust and rapport.

Leverage Privacy-Focused Tools

New tools and platforms are emerging to help brands comply with privacy regulations while continuing to collect meaningful insights, for example:

• Privacy Sandbox APIs: These tools enable targeted advertising by grouping users based on general interests or allowing on-device auctioning of ads without revealing individual browsing behaviors.

• Customer Data Platforms (CDPs): Consolidate data from various sources to gain a holistic view of customer behavior.

• Privacy-Centric Analytics: Tools like GA4 prioritize user consent and compliance while delivering actionable insights.

• IP Protection: Features like enhanced privacy controls in Chrome’s Incognito mode safeguard user data and browsing activity.

Prioritize Transparency and Compliance

Regulations like GDPR and CCPA underscore the importance of transparency in data collection and usage. Adhering to these standards not only ensures compliance but also fosters consumer trust. Here are some measures to take:

• Clearly communicate your data usage policies in a user-friendly manner.

• Provide intuitive and easy-to-navigate privacy settings.

• Regularly audit and update your compliance strategies to stay ahead of evolving regulations.

Embracing the Privacy-First Future

The transition to a privacy-first world reflects a broader movement toward ethical marketing practices that value honesty and consent. For marketers, it’s not just about compliance, but about reimagining marketing for a more ethical, user-focused future. By prioritizing trust, leveraging tools like the Privacy Sandbox, and focusing on first-party data, your brand can adapt, innovate, and thrive in this new era.

Are you ready to embrace the future of ethical marketing? Contact us today to craft strategies that prioritize transparency, trust, and measurable success.

Acquisition Propels KORT into US Market Executing on Aggressive Growth Strategy

Toronto, Ontario — February 11, 2025 — KORT Payments (KORT), a specialized omnichannel payments provider, delivers on its aggressive growth strategy with the acquisition of the direct marketing payment processing business from US-based Paysafe Direct LLC. This transaction propels KORT into the US market and gives the company ownership of existing reseller and merchant contracts, leading technology, and key employees.

“The acquisition of Paysafe’s direct marketing payment processing business represents a quantum leap for the company and aligns with our commitment to providing innovative solutions across North America,” said Joel Leonoff, Chairman of KORT Payments. “The KORT team has extensive experience in managing complex industry verticals and has proven success in this sector.” 

Hiep Tran, KORT’s Chief Strategy Officer and Board member further commented: “I am thrilled to be re-engaging with the original business I successfully founded and managed for many years. The transaction highlights KORT’s continued dedication to seizing high-potential opportunities in industry verticals that our team is familiar with.”

KORT is well-positioned for growth and the company remains committed to rapid expansion, technological innovation, and delivering exceptional value to clients and partners in the ever evolving fintech sector.

About KORT Payments


KORT Payments (KORT) is a specialized omnichannel payments provider. Its core purpose is to enable businesses to connect and transact seamlessly through industry-leading capabilities in compliance, risk management, and payment processing.

KORT is powered by its innovative full-stack, enterprise-grade platform and led by a seasoned management team. For more than 25 years, this team has been leading the charge in global e-commerce and payment processing.

KORT is a customer-focused business dedicated to enhancing partner and customer satisfaction and building strong relationships.

For more information about KORT Payments, please visit www.kortpayments.com.

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Media Contact:

Zenergy Communications

media@zenergycom.com