September saw significant investment activity, platform enhancements, and strategic leadership appointments shaping the media intelligence landscape. The sector continues its AI-first transformation as companies from Signal AI to Cision discussed advanced capabilities designed to help PR professionals navigate the emerging generative PR era.
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August’s standout deal saw Sprout Social acquire Irish predictive analytics specialist NewsWhip for $USD 55 million, signalling continued consolidation as platforms race to offer comprehensive news and social intelligence capabilities. Meanwhile, the industry’s rapid adaptation to AI search and discovery channels took centre stage, with multiple providers launching tools to help brands navigate generative engine optimisation and monitor their presence across AI assistants and large language models.
AI-powered search continues its mainstream adoption, with Yext’s latest research identifying six distinct “search archetypes” and highlighting how consumers strategically switch between platforms based on their intent. Innovation dominates the landscape as several platforms unveil sophisticated AI solutions, from NewsWhip’s risk monitoring agent to BuzzStream’s ListIQ media list-builder, showcasing the industry’s commitment to more effective communications strategies. Meanwhile, market expansion accelerates with Hypetap bringing its elite intelligence tool to Europe and newcomers like Signal Raptor democratising media visibility for smaller businesses, reflecting the sector’s robust growth despite challenges like the reported legal troubles facing a former iSentia executive in Thailand.
The media intelligence industry continued its AI-driven transformation in June, with major acquisitions and platform launches reshaping the competitive landscape. From IgniteTech’s acquisition of Khoros to Reddit’s Community Intelligence tools, companies are investing in technology. Established players like WPP, Burson, and PRophet are expanding their AI capabilities through new platforms and strategic partnerships.
In May, Publicis Groupe made a significant investment in the influencer marketing space by acquiring Captiv8, it really underlines the importance of content creators as an important channel. Meanwhile, emerging players like News That Matters are disrupting traditional media monitoring with AI-powered solutions in India, and Crowdfire was shuttered. Other news included conversational tools from Cision, Brandwatch and Meltwater, and geographic expansion for CARMA and pressrelations.
April brought funding activity across the media intelligence sector with Dataminr securing $USD 100 million for AI development, and Cision announcing $USD 250 million in new financing. Agorapulse acquired Mention, and integrated the platform into its platform. Meanwhile, Meltwater unveiled new influencer management features, Pureprofile launched AI-powered social listening tools, and the UK Government’s Assist AI tool was released on Github.
Major developments included EQ’s acquisition of Notified, Dataminr’s financing and Onclusive’s launch of its Onclusive 360 platform. Leading providers have unveiled powerful AI-driven solutions, with SAI360 partnering with Signal AI for risk intelligence, Meltwater collaborating with NICE to enter the CCaaS market, and Wizikey introducing India’s first AI-powered unified media monitoring solution. Meanwhile ICCO’s World PR Report reveals shifting measurement practices and USC Annenberg highlights generational divides in PR professionals’ AI perspectives, companies like CARMA and GRIN are strategically expanding their global footprint and product capabilities.
Notable developments this month include Egregious securing $USD 1 million in pre-seed funding to combat AI misinformation, Excellera launching a specialized intelligence unit, and ongoing financial restructuring at industry giant Cision. Meanwhile, multiple platforms are rolling out enhanced features spanning influencer management, improved global data coverage, and AI-powered analytics tools that promise to transform how communications professionals gather and interpret media insights.
In major industry news, Cision is facing financial challenges with $2.5 billion in debt and leadership changes, though they’re partnering with Google Cloud for AI capabilities. Forrester’s latest report named Emplifi and Sprinklr as leaders in social media management platforms, while highlighting widespread disappointment with AI features. The industry is seeing a wave of AI-focused launches and updates, including Ruder Finn’s new tool for monitoring brand representation in AI models, Singapore’s GovTech’s news-scraping application, and InfoVision’s media analytics platform.
PR Measured readers’ favourite stories from 2024. The year’s big stories were focused around AI and the Cision / Dow Jones partnership.