Iterable vs Twilio

Fall Product Release: Turn Connected Context into Compounding Intelligence

Iterable's Fall 2026 product release introduces Journeys Live Data, Catalog in Segmentation, WhatsApp integration, Integrations Hub, and RCS Business Messaging, along with AI Decision Intelligence and Decision Memory.

Iterable Launches Fall Release with Nova Agents, RCS

Iterable, an AI-powered customer engagement platform, announced a major Fall Product Release featuring native RCS messaging, WhatsApp integration, an Integrations Hub, Salesforce Sync, Journeys Live Data, and new Nova Intelligence Agents. These features aim to unify customer context across the marketing stack, enabling a continuous learning loop where every interaction informs future decisions. The release addresses the 'context gap' by connecting fragmented customer data, conversations, and behaviors. Early adopters report significant gains: Babylist reclaimed 50% of its CRM team's campaign bandwidth, and Send Time Decisioning users see over 70% lift in clicks and 80% in opens. The update marks a shift from AI that assists to intelligence that continuously learns from every engagement.

• Iterable announced its Fall Product Release with native RCS, WhatsApp, Integrations Hub, Salesforce Sync, and Nova Agents.
• New features aim to close the 'context gap' by connecting customer data, conversations, and intelligence.
• Babylist, a customer, reclaimed 50% of its CRM team's campaign bandwidth using Nova Intelligence.

AI Changing Tech Marketing — Iterable CEO Sam Allen

Adweek published an interview (Marketing Vanguard) with Sam Allen, CEO of Iterable, about how AI is reshaping marketing technology and the CMO role. Allen argues AI enables one-to-one personalization at scale but lacks organizational and historical context, so marketers must interrogate AI recommendations and combine them with human judgment. He advises hiring to fill capability gaps, not egos, and says creative origination remains a human strength even as AI handles optimization and execution. The piece references Allen’s prior roles at Salesforce, where he managed a $100 million marketing-technology budget and served as COO of global marketing. The article is presented as a short video/episode with host Jenny Rooney and was published on Aug. 20, 2026.

• Sam Allen is CEO of Iterable, described as a customer engagement platform focused on AI-driven personalization.
• The article is an episode of Adweek’s Marketing Vanguard series hosted by Jenny Rooney and includes a video interview.
• Sam Allen previously held prominent roles at Salesforce, where he managed a $100 million marketing-technology budget and served as COO of the global marketing organization.

Twilio Traffic Optimization Engine Launched

Twilio announces the launch of the Traffic Optimization Engine, a new product to prioritize messages at scale.

10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for Twilio (2026-08-07)

Twilio reported strong financial results for Q2 2026, with total revenue reaching $1.50 billion, representing a 22% year-over-year increase driven by higher usage from existing customers (DBNE of 116%) and new customer additions. Operating income rose significantly to $84.5 million, up 129% year-over-year, despite absorbing a $32.8 million impairment loss on prepaid assets from troubled network service providers. GAAP net income surged to $1.07 billion ($6.68 diluted EPS), primarily fueled by a discrete $944.1 million income tax benefit resulting from the release of valuation allowances on U.S. deferred tax assets after demonstrating sustained cumulative three-year profitability. Twilio generated $352.6 million in non-GAAP free cash flow and repurchased $66.0 million in stock during the quarter.

• Q2 2026 revenue grew 22% YoY to $1.499 billion, supported by a Dollar-Based Net Expansion Rate of 116% and $71.1 million in incremental carrier A2P pass-through fees.
• GAAP operating income expanded to $84.5 million (up from $37.0 million in Q2 2025), while non-GAAP operating income reached $284.6 million (19% non-GAAP operating margin).
• Net income reached $1.067 billion due to the discrete release of a $944.1 million U.S. deferred tax asset valuation allowance based on sustained profitability.

Bird Raises $450M Debt, Cuts Headcount to 120

Bird, the business communications platform formerly known as MessageBird, has raised $450 million in debt financing led by JP Morgan, Capital One, and Citi. The funding includes a $400 million term loan and a $50 million revolving credit facility, with seven banks participating. The proceeds will provide liquidity to existing shareholders, including current and former employees. The company has drastically reduced its headcount from over 1,000 at its peak to 120, driven by automation and a strategic pivot toward AI. Bird is focusing on its AI Agentic Harness platform, which enables AI agents to communicate via SMS, calls, and email. The company reported $165 million in profits last year.

• Bird raised $450 million in debt financing led by JP Morgan, Capital One, and Citi.
• The financing comprises a $400 million term loan and a $50 million revolving credit facility.
• Bird's headcount has been reduced from over 1,000 at its peak to 120 employees.