Gearing Up for Erin Joe’s Keynote Presentation!

The Millennium Alliance is gearing up for our Transformational CISO East Coast Assembly next week with Erin Joe, Director, US Government Cyber Threat Intelligence Center. We’re looking forward to hearing from Erin Joe’s wealth of knowledge given her 22+ years in the national security and criminal operations space with the FBI.

About Erin Joe:

Erin Joe is an attorney and senior FBI cyber professional who served as the Section Chief of Cyber Operations at FBI before joining CTIIC as its second Director. Ms. Joe has more than 22 years’ experience in national security and criminal operations as a Special Agent in FBI, most recently leading the Bureau’s strategy and response to nation-state cyber threats emanating from the Middle East and Africa and to cyberterrorism threats worldwide.

In 2015, Ms. Joe became the first Section Chief of FBI’s Office of Partner Engagement, responsible for managing FBI’s Domestic Director of National Intelligence program; engaging with federal, state, and local partners; and addressing issues common to both law enforcement and the IC—including emerging cyber threats.

In addition, Ms. Joe served as Assistant Special Agent in Charge, FBI Los Angeles, where she oversaw intelligence, surveillance, and aviation programs; established collection priorities; directed operations; and integrated intelligence and operations across the office’s areas of responsibility. Ms. Joe has served in FBI Field Offices in Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City, and New Haven, where she was Acting Special Agent in Charge. Before joining FBI, Ms. Joe served as an administrative law judge in Dallas, Texas.

Ms. Joe has completed senior executive leadership courses at the Naval Post Graduate School, Kellogg School of Business, Carnegie Mellon, and Harvard. Ms. Joe earned a BA in English, with high distinction, from the University of Illinois and a JD from Ohio State University. She is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas.

Ms. Joe succeeds Tonya Ugoretz, a career FBI intelligence analyst who served as CTIIC Director for almost three years.

Transformational CISO East Assembly

Due to the success of our National Transformational CISO Assembly, in 2019 The Millennium Alliance in partnership with our Advisory Board, has launched Transformation CISO East. This exclusive Assembly will bring industry experts and the best solution providers to our CISO Members based on the East Coast.

With the instances of cyber attacks increasing, businesses of all sizes are working tirelessly to secure their networks, devices, and data. Fortune 500 organizations are especially vulnerable as they have big data pools and thousands of people who need access. CISOs need to plan for worst-case scenarios, stay ahead of the latest IT Security transformation technology, and maintain their company’s information assets, all without losing sight of the corporate culture

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for this event? Click here today to learn more >>

Are you a CISO interested in attending this event? Inquire here today to find out if you qualify for Millennium Membership >>

80% of Applications are At-Risk, Time for a New Strategy?

Nearly 80% of applications are considered at-risk, do you feel confident in your ongoing security testing program? Market Research has shown that Fortify on Demand® is a great option for those seeking a comprehensive security strategy, and their most recent case study with Coca Cola FEMSA shows just how flexible the system can be when posed with the challenge of increasing security and identifying vulnerabilities at scale. The Chief Technology Security Officer at Coca Cola FEMSA, Jair García Osorio, noted, “We looked at alternatives but found it a real challenge to find a solution that identifies a wide range of vulnerabilities and makes them visible in an easy-to-action way. Once we saw what Fortify on Demand was capable of, we knew it was the solution for us.

This application security as a service integrates static, dynamic, and mobile application security testing with continuous application monitoring. Scalable for application growth, Fortify on Demand can be delivered in a flexible cloud or hybrid environment, to align with application demand. Osorio elaborates, “The clear reporting within Fortify on Demand enables us to translate technical issues into business ones. Once a vulnerability is identified, there are different ways of fixing it. We can give the vendor a report which explains exactly what code changes need to be made to improve the solution. We have also created fixes for common problems that can be implemented automatically through the use of digital signatures.”

Fortify on Demand® allows you to find vulnerabilities early and manage risk as you go. Their static application security testing is proven to save development time by 25% with 2x’s more vulnerabilities identified and a 95% reduction in false positives reported, and their dynamic assessments even have the ability to mimic real-world hacking. If you’re interested in reading more about the latest Fortify on Demand® case study with Coca Cola FEMSA, click here for exclusive access!

daVinci Payments: Gen Z and Millennial Buying Behaviors

Gen Z and Millennials are the most sought-after demographic groups for today’s marketers, and although the two have unique traits and affinities that affect their buying journey, their mobile-first inclinations draw similarities in how they make purchase decisions, learn about brands, and where name brands matter most. 

Their study found that:

Price is still a #1 factor when making a purchase decision, followed by Quality, Selection, and Availability.
– Friends and Family referrals remain the #1 way they discover new brands, followed by Google, Social Media, and Amazon.
– The two groups prefer private labels for purchases in the bed and furniture, housewares, and spirits categories.
– Brand name is prioritized for smartphone, computer, and TV purchases above all else. 

daVinci expands on their Gen Z and Millennial Buying Behavior study with 7 brand hacks that attract and retain, click here for exclusive access to the full whitepaper! 

Transformational CMO Assembly

The digital revolution has forever changed the balance of power between individual consumers and brands. This need to think “customer first” has made the marketing function more vital than ever before.

C-Level executives around the world are anticipating that digital technology will continue to drive business. We’ve put together a series of executive education roundtables, keynote presentations, collaborative think tanks, educational workshops, and networking sessions with our industry experts and advisory board.

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for this event? Click here today to learn more >>

Are you a CMO interested in attending this event? Inquire here today to find out if you qualify for Millennium Membership >>

Announcing Steve Allen as our Keynote Speaker for Healthcare Providers!

We’re delighted to announce Steven Allen, Executive Emeritus of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, as our Keynote Speaker for our Healthcare Providers Transformation Assembly taking place on November 18-19 at the Four Seasons in Denver, CO.

About Steve Allen:

Steve Allen, MD, MBA, is the recently retired CEO of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, a preeminent academic medical system in Columbus, Ohio. When he joined Nationwide Children’s in 2006, the hospital was known as an important regional health care center. By the time of his retirement in July of 2019, Nationwide Children’s had become one of the country’s most respected and innovative pediatric institutions with over $2.4 billion a year in revenue. It now consistently appears on U.S. News and World
Report Honor Roll list of America’s top 10 children’s hospitals, and its Abigail Wexner Research Institute is one of the National Institutes of Health’s top funded freestanding pediatric research facilities. Dr. Allen oversaw a period of unprecedented growth and transformation in Nationwide Children’s size, scope and vision. Through his unique perspective, redefining the role of a modern healthcare organization, Dr. Allen built a team and culture that has been recognized as a role model for innovation
and collaboration.

In the process, he has become one of the most prominent voices in American pediatric health care strategy and policy. His advocacy in Washington D.C. and his opinion columns in The Hill, U.S. News and World Report and other publications provided a messaging template for other health care executives to follow.

Outside of his executive leadership, Dr. Allen is board certified in Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, and is the author of nearly 150 medical journal articles, reviews and book chapters.

Healthcare Providers Transformation Assembly

We’re thrilled that you’re interested in Healthcare Providers Transformation Assembly.

Join leaders from North America’s leading Health Systems to discuss the latest technology, innovations, and strategies driving healthcare’s transformation where we’ll be discussing the latest digital technology and business strategies driving healthcare’s digital transformation.

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for this event? Click here today to learn more >>

Are you interested in attending this event? Inquire here today to find out if you qualify for Millennium Membership >>

Welcome our Newest Keynote Speaker, David Sable!

We’re thrilled to share with you that David Sable, the Non-Executive Chairman of VMLY&R and Senior Advisor at WPP, is our Keynote Speaker for our Transformational CMO Assembly taking place on November 12 -13 at the Four Seasons in Denver, CO!

About David Sable:

David Sable is a Senior Advisor at WPP, the world’s largest company dedicated to Creative Transformation. Formerly Global CEO of Y&R, David has led and helped unify a number of their global businesses and worked on many of their major clients accounts. He is known for his creativity, content, strategic innovation and impactful partnerships.

A leading industry thought leader, author, and early digital pioneer, David is a regular contributor to LinkedIn and is a sought after keynote and inspirational speaker.

David is one of LinkedIn’s “Top 20 Must-Know Global Influencers,” and he was named a “Top 10 Most Generous Marketing Geniuses” by Fast Company. Passionate about giving back, he serves on the Board of the Special Olympics, UNICEF and UNCF and sits on the Board of Directors of American Eagle Outfitters.

World traveler. Gamer. Die-hard Doors fan. Grandfather. Hippie at heart.

Transformational CMO Assembly

The digital revolution has forever changed the balance of power between individual consumers and brands. This need to think “customer first” has made the marketing function more vital than ever before.

C-Level executives around the world are anticipating that digital technology will continue to drive business. We’ve put together a series of executive education roundtables, keynote presentations, collaborative think tanks, educational workshops, and networking sessions with our industry experts and advisory board.

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for this event? Click here today to learn more >>

Are you a CMO interested in attending this event? Inquire here today to find out if you qualify for Millennium Membership >>

Event Recap: Digital Marketing and Digital Retail Transformation Assembly

Last week, we kicked off our Digital Marketing and Digital Retail Transformation Assemblies in Dallas, TX, with our keynote speaker Fernando Machado, Global CMO of Burger King. If you weren’t able to make it to this one, here’s a recap of what you missed:

Did you know that people can grab the visual concept from an ad in .3 seconds? We kicked off the event with Agency Within breaking down how to make quality content for social marketing, AI creative concepts, CPA vs. LTV and cross channel attribution.

We had a jam-packed day in our workshop room, where Valassis discussed how consumers’ purchase journey has evolved drastically, with the journey looking much less like a linear model, and more similar to a pinball moving between touchpoints. 

Gold’s Gym CMO, Dave Reiseman, spoke on the changing landscape in the fitness industry, and how his company was able to rebrand their messaging and differentiate themselves from the crowded market with both relatable and aspirational imagery and merchandise that nods to their 70’s Pumping Iron beginnings. One of his key takeaways was, “One of the most dangerous myths in marketing today is that you have a single “best customer” […] and 100% of your customers are at risk your only relationship with them is at checkout.” 

RTB House expanded on the importance of personalized experienced in his workshop, and how that personalization can be applied to programmatic campaigns. 

We finished off the day with Fernando Machado’s incredible keynote address inspiring marketers to diversify their messaging by truly recognizing what makes their brand different. He touched on some of Burger King’s greatest triumphs, like the Whopper Detour, The Traffic Jam Whopper, and how something as simple as a piece of paper can separate your brand’s identity from the competition (the BK Crown). Machado closed his keynote with 5 takeaways: 

  1. Understand Your Brand
  2. Create a Great Brief
  3. Let the Idea Grow
  4. The Biggest Risk is Not Taking Any Risk
  5. Remember that You’re All a Part of One Team

On Day 2 we had Lytics’ VP of Marketing lead discussion on bridging the gap from data to decisions, and how building relationships is the new competitive advantage in the path to personalization at scale. 

Cathey Curtis, VP of Global Marketing at Billabong, broke down the importance of authenticity in influencer marketing, and she called to ask “Who would your customer wish to talk to for hours?” 

Speaking more on brand identity, Mary Kay’s VP of Global Brand and Design, spoke on the language of branding and brought up a common question his team asks internally, “Are we speaking to her in the right tone, at the right time, on the right platform?”

This assembly was one not to forget, and we noticed that across the board, the most-discussed topics among our attendees were authentic and personalized messaging, the use of AI in social marketing, and how to better utilize and collect the mountain of data your company might be faced with. If you couldn’t make it out to this event, we strongly suggest requesting an invitation to our Transformational CMO Assembly this November, where we’ll be introducing our first-ever Marketing Innovator of the Year Award Ceremony, where you’ll be able to connect with top marketing executives from across North America. 

Transformational CMO

The digital revolution has forever changed the balance of power between individual consumers and brands. This need to think “customer first” has made the marketing function more vital than ever before.

C-Level executives around the world are anticipating that digital technology will continue to drive business. We’ve put together a series of executive education roundtables, keynote presentations, collaborative think tanks, educational workshops, and networking sessions with our industry experts and advisory board.

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for this event? Click here today to learn more >>

Are you a CMO interested in attending this event? Inquire here today to find out if you qualify for Millennium Membership >>

Micro Focus’ ArcSight SIEM Stands the Test of Time

IT security threats are becoming all the more common and complex, but can you rely on your current SIEM to keep your data safe in the long run, especially with 5G’s promises for hyperconnectivity in the near future? 5G is one giant leap forward for data connectivity, and it’s crucial that your company’s SIEM is ready to back you up when the time comes. 

Micro Focus’ ArcSight has paved the way for SIEM for several years, and their most recent case study makes it self-evident as to why that’s the case. ArcSight has proven to cut costs by 50% for their customers, while also providing advanced threat detection with full visibility and reporting in near real-time. DNEX-Technology’s CEO, Rodney Lee, even reported that ArcSight enabled a projected 4-week project to be completed in just two weeks, and it’s sophisticated implementation filtered 80% of incoming events as noise, so the DNeX team could hone-in and primarily focus on high-risk areas. 

Rodney Lee says “Without it, I would not be able to run our mission-critical SOC, supporting all our customers with a minimum of two staff per shift. […] Even though the attack landscape is changing all the time, and becoming more challenging by the day, I feel in great hands with ArcSight.” 

ArcSight Enterprise Security Manager (ESM) is a comprehensive real-time threat detection, analysis, workflow, and compliance management platform with increased data enrichment capabilities. Hosted in a DNeX datacenter, ArcSight ESM processes, and analyses customer security logs with a typical lag time of fewer than five seconds. 

Click here for exclusive access to their most recent case study! 

Transformational CISO East

Due to the success of our National Transformational CISO Assembly, in 2019 The Millennium Alliance in partnership with our Advisory Board, has launched Transformation CISO East. This exclusive Assembly will bring industry experts and the best solution providers to our CISO Members based on the East Coast.

With the instances of cyber attacks increasing, businesses of all sizes are working tirelessly to secure their networks, devices, and data. Fortune 500 organizations are especially vulnerable as they have big data pools and thousands of people who need access. CISOs need to plan for worst-case scenarios, stay ahead of the latest IT Security transformation technology, and maintain their company’s information assets, all without losing sight of the corporate culture

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for this event? Click here today to learn more >>

Generation Z is Breaking Back-to-School Spending Records

Back-to-school spending has been on an uphill trend since the end of the recession in 2009. According to the National Retail Federation, the 2019 average spend per family is the highest ever recorded ($696.70) vs. $684.79 in 2018. We’re also gearing up for a whopping $80.7B overall expected spend for back-to-school and back-to-college, which is moderately down from last year’s ($82.8B) due to a decrease in the number of households with children in elementary or high school.  

“Consumers are in a strong position given the nation’s growing economy, and we see this reflected in what they say they will spend on back-to-class items this year,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.

Amid K-12 shoppers, clothing/accessories are the leading expense  ($239.82) followed by electronics and shoes. The lowest expense category is (ironically) school supplies ($117.49). Expectedly, college shoppers are expected to spend the most on electronics (234.69), followed by clothing and accessories and dorm/apartment furnishings. 

Given the record-breaking back-to-school spending this year, Gen Z is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the marketing world. They account for 25% of the US Population, and according to MarketingDive, Gen Z teens influence $600 billion in family spending per year.

Differently from Millennials, who prioritize spending on travel and experiences, Gen Z spends more on clothing and values quality and luxury goods. This generation grew up online, so their messaging should be personalized, self-aware, and authentic. Their most popularly used social outlets are Youtube (95%), followed by Instagram (69%), Facebook (67%) and Snapchat (67%), and 80% of Gen Z-ers say they’re influenced by social media while making their buying decision. The children of meme culture are realists, not perfectionists, and they appreciate a brand with personality and individuality, with 55% of them giving more attention to brands that are socially or environmentally responsible

Gen Z is like no generation before- they’re realists, advanced technoholics, and they have an affinity for quality and luxury goods while also being financially pragmatic and devoted to social and environmental responsibility in their buyer decision journey. With this generation gearing up for the workforce, we’re interested to see how Gen Z’s values and approach to money impact our future.

Digital Retail Transformation East

C-Level experts from across North America’s retail industry are coming together in Miami to anticipate the highly complex digital retail environment that will develop over the next few years.

Through a cutting-edge program designed by the industry, for the industry, we will provide a fresh and up-to-date insight to help move your organization to the next level of digital leadership. A series of executive education roundtables, keynote presentations, collaborative think tanks, educational workshops, and networking sessions will offer industry-specific topics and trends to ensure your company sustains its competitive advantage.

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for this event? Click here today to learn more >>

Are you a Retail Executive in attending this event? Inquire here today to find out if you qualify for Millennium Membership >>

The Millennium Alliance Ranks No. 2375 on the 2019 Inc. 5000!

Inc. Magazine Unveils Its Annual List of
America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies—the Inc. 5000

The Millennium Alliance Ranks No. 2375 on the 2019 Inc. 5000
With Three-Year Revenue Growth of 169 Percent

NEW YORK, August 16, 2019Inc. magazine today revealed that The Millennium Alliance is No. 2375 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

Alex Sobol, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of The Millennium Alliance had this to say about Millennium receiving this incredible honor. “Since day one, we always knew what we were capable of. That with an obsessive focus to every detail, forcing ourselves to the bring our very best each and every day, setting the highest of standards and never ever thinking anything was impossible, which is what helped us to achieve this awesome milestone. Add into the mix, hiring the best and the brightest, building strategic partnerships with the greatest brands in the world, 169% revenue growth, and a great product offering, not only got us to this point but also excites us even more for what’s ahead. We are humbled to be in such great company with so many innovative organizations and know as long as we stay true to our core values, there is nothing we cannot achieve. Congratulations to all that helped get us here.” #bleedblue

Not only have the companies on the 2019 Inc. 5000 (which are listed online at Inc.com, with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 20) been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2019 Inc. 5000 achieved an astounding three-year average growth of 454 percent, and a median rate of 157 percent. The Inc. 5000’s aggregate revenue was $237.7 billion in 2018, accounting for 1,216,308 jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.

“The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have followed so many different paths to success,” says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. “There’s no single course you can follow or investment you can take that will guarantee this kind of spectacular growth. But what they have in common is persistence and seizing opportunities.”

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held October 10 to 12, 2019, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. As always, speakers include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

About The Millennium Alliance
Headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, The Millennium Alliance is a leading technology, business, and educational advisory firm. Focusing primarily in areas such as business transformation, executive education, growth, policy, and need analysis, Millennium is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic locations for collaboration across the world.

We provide a framework for Fortune 1000 C-Level executives, leading public sector/government officials, and thought leaders across a variety of disciplines, to meet their peers, understand industry developments, and receive an introduction to new technology and service advancements to help grow their career and overall company value. With a constant thirst for a conversation that has real value, it is our duty to provide a platform for all leaders to further develop in an ecosystem of innovation and knowledge so all parties can continue to shape the real purpose of business: to make things efficient and worthwhile.

CONTACT:
Greg Dicso
Vice President, Marketing
greg.dicso@mill-all.com

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology
The 2019 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2015 and 2018. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2015. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2018. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2015 is $100,000; the minimum for 2018 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.’s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. Inc. took home the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. The total monthly audience reach for the brand has been growing significantly, from 2,000,000 in 2010 to more than 20,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates the remarkable achievements of these companies. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, and evening functions.

For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.

Is the End of Self Regulation in Data Privacy Here?

Now more than ever, people want their data protected. This doesn’t come as a shock given the countless data privacy scares we’ve experienced this year- the FaceApp frenzy, the hacking of 100 Million Capital One credit card accountsthe revelation of Alexa listening and transcribing private conversations, and strangely similarly, Facebook’s recent admittance to using third-parties to transcribe audio messages in their Messenger app. The Advertising Research Foundation recently reported that consumers aren’t enticed by the promise of personalization in exchange for data, and their willingness to give up this information is dropping significantly

Their study showed that compliance to share a home address has dropped from 41% to 31%, while those willing to share an email has dropped from 61% to 54%, and the willingness to share a spouse’s name dropped from 41% to 33%. Participants of the study responded that they understand why user data is of importance for advertising purposes, but aren’t necessarily knowledgeable regarding terminology or more technical tactics, which may further incite anxiety and skepticism when these data breaches do arise. The Advertising Research Foundation’s study implies that consumers are more involved in the discussion of cybersecurity and data privacy, and they’re becoming more wily and selective when it comes to what they’re willing to share. 

Although Facebook’s $5B Fine didn’t hold enough weight to even rock their stock prices, marketers are gearing up for the end times of self-regulation and laissez-faire data policy laws. More than likely, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) will be set to go into effect starting 2020, which the International Association of Privacy Professionals called, “the most influential privacy law the United States has ever seen.” According to their website, the law is set to accomplish three things:

  1. Protect your right to tell a business not to share or sell your personal information.
  2. Gain control over the personal information that is collected about you.
  3. Hold businesses responsible for safeguarding your personal information.

This law is set to bring about transparency in a more tangible way by allowing users to request information on what specifically was collected, who it was shared with or sold to, and why this information was acquired. It also allows California citizens the right to request deletion of personal information, and even the right to opt-out of their data being sold to third-parties. Given the massive scale of data privacy breaches in recent years, it goes without saying that something needs to change, and the CCPA may be a precursor of what’s to come at the national level. Although programmatic third-party cookies have been the name of the game for many marketers of the last decade, we expect that there will be a shift towards advanced contextualized targeting in a future where data privacy is more distinctly regulated.

Digital Marketing Transformation

With 53% of Marketers planning on adopting Artificial Intelligence in the next 2 years, the digital marketing revolution is just getting started. CMOs and CDOs alike are seeking new ways to maximize their digital reach to attract new business to, as well as deliver enrich, personalized experiences to existing customers.

The Digital Marketing Transformation Assembly will bring together North America’s most prominent digital marketing technology and business leaders from all major consumer-driven industries to discuss the latest technology, innovations, and strategies driving digital marketing in 2019 and beyond.

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for this event? Click here today to learn more >>

Are you interested in attending this event? Inquire here today to find out if you qualify for Millennium Membership >>