Acumatica vs Sage

Acumatica Summit 2027 Registration Now Open: A Return to Seattle in January to share the latest AI-powered ERP Technologies

When does registration open for Acumatica Summit 2027, when is it happening, where will it take place, and why should people attend? Acumatica's Michael Shockley answers all the questions today.

AffiliateBLOG Breakfast Cologne: AI Insights and New Perspectives

The AffiliateBLOG Breakfast in Cologne brought together around 25 affiliate and digital industry professionals on October 1, 2026, at Salon Schmitz for networking and knowledge exchange. Two keynote presentations focused on AI's impact on the customer journey and the interplay between affiliate marketing and user experience. Steffen Grunwald from Awin discussed how generative AI is changing product search, shifting focus from SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and the importance of affiliate and review content in AI-generated answers. Martin Rausch-Beschnitt from MAI Group highlighted that more traffic does not solve poor user experience, citing a case where improved experience increased conversion rates from 4.43% to 6.12%, a 38% uplift. He advocated for integrating affiliate, UX, and customer experience strategies. The event also facilitated personal discussions and was sponsored by Vodafone, Awin, lead alliance, and Sage. The next AffiliateBLOG Breakfast is planned for March 19, 2027, in Munich.

• AffiliateBLOG Breakfast took place on October 1, 2026, in Cologne with around 25 guests.
• Steffen Grunwald from Awin highlighted the shift from SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).
• Martin Rausch-Beschnitt from MAI Group showed a 38% increase in conversion rate through better user experience (4.43% to 6.12%).

GPMA Announces 2026 Shortlist with New Categories and Regional Grand Prix

The Global Performance Marketing Awards (GPMA) have released their 2026 shortlist, timed with PI LIVE Europe. The awards feature 11 new categories reflecting industry trends like full-funnel marketing, incrementality, and influencer marketing. For the first time, regional Grand Prix awards will be given for APAC, EMEA, and the Americas. Judges highlighted the convergence of brand, creator, and performance marketing, with creators being held accountable for sales and conversions. AI was noted as a standout theme across entries, used for optimization, routing, content, and compliance. The awards, hosted by Daniel Bower, mark the 10th anniversary and introduce a new, less formal format.

• The GPMA 2026 shortlist has been announced with 11 new categories.
• Regional Grand Prix awards for APAC, EMEA, and the Americas are introduced for the first time.
• The 2026 GPMA marks the 10th anniversary of the awards.

NetApp CMO: AI Failures Are Data Problems

Gabie Boko, NetApp’s chief marketing officer and juror on The Drum B2B Awards Effectiveness jury, argues that most AI disappointment in B2B marketing stems from poor data foundations rather than model flaws. Boko, who joined NetApp in 2022 and has more than 25 years’ experience at firms including HPE, SAP and Sage, says marketers should prioritise governed, accessible, trustworthy data and cyber resilience over visible front-end tools. She emphasises that human judgment—knowing which patterns matter to customers—remains the differentiator when tools are widely available. Boko also recommends balancing brand-building with commercial performance and encourages B2B marketers to develop a distinctive voice and technical curiosity to work effectively with data and engineering teams.

• Gabie Boko is NetApp’s chief marketing officer and joined NetApp in 2022.
• She served as a juror on the Effectiveness jury for The Drum B2B Awards.
• Boko states that much AI disappointment is actually caused by scattered, poorly governed, or siloed data rather than the models themselves.