Latest news with #post-AI
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft's Azure Outpaces AWS and Google Cloud
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) regained cloud momentum as Azure grew 34% in Q1outpacing both AWS and Google Clouddriven largely by non-AI migrations and tighter execution. Azure's share gain marked a slight uptick from 33% growth in Q4, buoyed by a rush of enterprise workloads shifting on-premises SAP (NYSE:SAP), Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) and VMware environments into Microsoft's ecosystem. Jefferies' Brent Thill attributes the surprise surge to accelerated growth in cloud migrations from enterprise customers and execution improvements in non-AI go-to-market, while noting AI workloads still lifted growth by 16 points, up from 13 points last quarter amid easing supply constraints. Microsoft's guidance for 3435% constant-currency growth further allays fears of a post-AI bump slowdown. UBS's Karl Keirstead echoes the migration thesis but cautions that drawing a hard line between AI and non-AI workloads is increasingly difficult as customers blend analytics, data services and AI inference on the same Azure infrastructure. He highlights OpenAI's escalating Azure usage as a wildcard, alongside a possible in-house shift from Microsoft's Server Products to cloud-native deployments and growing uptake among mid-market firms. Even against a backdrop of macro uncertainty, large enterprises appear to be accelerating cloud commitmentssuggesting Azure's value proposition around hybrid compatibility and broad data services remains compelling. While AWS and Google Cloud posted robust growth, neither has matched Azure's recent acceleration, prompting debate over whether Microsoft can sustain this edge. With ongoing investments in data platform enhancements, AI integration tools and global data-center expansion, Azure may have engineered a virtuous cycle of performance that further attracts heavyweight workloads. Analysts will be watching to see if Microsoft can convert its Q1 wins into sustained share gains throughout fiscal 2025. Why it matters: Investors get renewed confidence that Azure's diversified growth driversbeyond headline-grabbing AIcan underpin steady revenue expansion and support MSFT's cloud leadership thesis. Investors will now focus on Q2 earnings in late July and gauge whether Azure's migration-led growth and blended AI demand can outpace industry peers again. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Morning Walk Finds Its Stride as Mid-Market Brands Embrace Performance Branding
Agency's growth and evolution position it as a leader for brands seeking efficiency, creativity and scale in an AI-driven world CHICAGO, April 23, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Morning Walk, the modern performance branding company known for building brands while driving scalable business results, announced today a surge in growth driven by its forward-thinking model and a slate of new client partnerships across industries undergoing transformational change. In a post-COVID, post-AI world marked by volatility, evolving consumer behavior and heightened expectations, Morning Walk's model offers a timely and necessary alternative to outdated agency frameworks. With a lean, agile team and continued investment in technology, the company is reshaping the way brands scale - blending creative strategy, data intelligence and systematic AI integration across the entire value chain. In a marketplace where attention is fragmented and traditional models are no longer enough, Morning Walk has carved out a powerful niche: delivering brand-building and performance marketing in one unified motion. Its Performance Branding Ecosystem – designed to create emotional resonance while driving measurable business outcomes – sits at the intersection of business intelligence, brand design, and market activation. This approach is further strengthened by Morning Walk's global network of experience designers and its commitment to AI - not just as a tool, but as an operational backbone seamlessly integrated into daily workflows and client solutions. "AI isn't a trend for us - it's now embedded into the way we think, brief, measure and create," said Pat Goggin, Partner and CEO of Morning Walk. "Clients come to us to help them outpace the speed of change and outperform in-market - not just in clicks and impressions, but in business impact. That means marrying the emotional resonance and magic of a strong brand with the sharp edge and math of performance marketing." The agency's client roster has seen sharp growth, now spanning CPG, health, food, marine, fintech, law, insurance, hospitality and manufacturing. These brands are turning to Morning Walk to sharpen their purpose, create breakthrough customer experiences, and amplify their stories across social, PR, content and omnichannel media. Tired of outdated disintegrated agency models, they're turning to an integrated team that delivers senior-level thinking, hands-on execution and measurable impact without the red tape or top-dollar price tag. Morning Walk's service lines are powered by a few key differentiators: Performance Branding Ecosystems: End-to-end solutions that connect brand purpose, customer experience, and omnichannel activation into a unified growth engine. Experience Design + Brand Development: Helping companies launch and relaunch with intention - from visual identity and messaging to digital product design and campaign execution. Business Intelligence & Data Strategy: AI-powered segmentation, lifecycle marketing, and 1P data usage inform every step, unlocking more efficient media spend and faster learnings. Integrated Performance Marketing: Paid and organic social, programmatic, influencer, search, PR and creative all working toward the same goal: business growth. Morning Walk has recently doubled down on its investment in AI and offshore data strategy teams, developed proprietary segmentation tools, and built internal systems to improve everything from brief writing to campaign reporting. As part of this evolution, the agency is leveraging platforms like Stella from partner Shapiro and Raj - an AI-based tool that creates intelligent avatars as stand-ins for target audiences, enabling rapid, large-scale segmentation and testing. This efficiency-driven mindset has allowed Morning Walk to become a true extension of client teams, delivering high-touch support while maintaining the speed and agility today's brands demand. Longstanding partners like Kalahari Resorts, BOSS Snowplows and OPTIMA have relied on Morning Walk to evolve alongside their customers, and recent wins across sectors signal a growing desire for what Morning Walk calls "value-based agency collaboration" - where performance and partnership go hand-in-hand. As the advertising and marketing world continues to shift toward data-rich platforms and retail media dominance, Morning Walk is ready to help brands adapt and lead. "We've moved from selling time to selling value," said Steve Simoncic, Partner and Chief Creative Officer at Morning Walk. "This is a new era. One where creativity, intelligence and speed come together to create trust and drive real business performance." To learn more, visit About Morning Walk Morning Walk is a creative performance branding company that empowers brands to grow by blending strategic insight, cutting-edge technology, and data-driven decision-making. From brand development to experience design and omnichannel performance marketing, we help companies build lasting connections with their customers while driving measurable business results. We are committed to agility, efficiency and leveraging innovation to navigate the complexities of today's market, delivering impactful solutions tailored to the unique needs of each brand. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Alison HoesliVP, Director of Public Relationsahoesli@
Business Wire
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Morning Walk Finds Its Stride as Mid-Market Brands Embrace Performance Branding
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Morning Walk, the modern performance branding company known for building brands while driving scalable business results, announced today a surge in growth driven by its forward-thinking model and a slate of new client partnerships across industries undergoing transformational change. In a post-COVID, post-AI world marked by volatility, evolving consumer behavior and heightened expectations, Morning Walk's model offers a timely and necessary alternative to outdated agency frameworks. With a lean, agile team and continued investment in technology, the company is reshaping the way brands scale - blending creative strategy, data intelligence and systematic AI integration across the entire value chain. In a marketplace where attention is fragmented and traditional models are no longer enough, Morning Walk has carved out a powerful niche: delivering brand-building and performance marketing in one unified motion. Its Performance Branding Ecosystem – designed to create emotional resonance while driving measurable business outcomes – sits at the intersection of business intelligence, brand design, and market activation. This approach is further strengthened by Morning Walk's global network of experience designers and its commitment to AI - not just as a tool, but as an operational backbone seamlessly integrated into daily workflows and client solutions. 'AI isn't a trend for us - it's now embedded into the way we think, brief, measure and create,' said Pat Goggin, Partner and CEO of Morning Walk. 'Clients come to us to help them outpace the speed of change and outperform in-market - not just in clicks and impressions, but in business impact. That means marrying the emotional resonance and magic of a strong brand with the sharp edge and math of performance marketing.' The agency's client roster has seen sharp growth, now spanning CPG, health, food, marine, fintech, law, insurance, hospitality and manufacturing. These brands are turning to Morning Walk to sharpen their purpose, create breakthrough customer experiences, and amplify their stories across social, PR, content and omnichannel media. Tired of outdated disintegrated agency models, they're turning to an integrated team that delivers senior-level thinking, hands-on execution and measurable impact without the red tape or top-dollar price tag. Morning Walk's service lines are powered by a few key differentiators: Performance Branding Ecosystems: End-to-end solutions that connect brand purpose, customer experience, and omnichannel activation into a unified growth engine. Experience Design + Brand Development: Helping companies launch and relaunch with intention - from visual identity and messaging to digital product design and campaign execution. Business Intelligence & Data Strategy: AI-powered segmentation, lifecycle marketing, and 1P data usage inform every step, unlocking more efficient media spend and faster learnings. Integrated Performance Marketing: Paid and organic social, programmatic, influencer, search, PR and creative all working toward the same goal: business growth. Morning Walk has recently doubled down on its investment in AI and offshore data strategy teams, developed proprietary segmentation tools, and built internal systems to improve everything from brief writing to campaign reporting. As part of this evolution, the agency is leveraging platforms like Stella from partner Shapiro and Raj - an AI-based tool that creates intelligent avatars as stand-ins for target audiences, enabling rapid, large-scale segmentation and testing. This efficiency-driven mindset has allowed Morning Walk to become a true extension of client teams, delivering high-touch support while maintaining the speed and agility today's brands demand. Longstanding partners like Kalahari Resorts, BOSS Snowplows and OPTIMA have relied on Morning Walk to evolve alongside their customers, and recent wins across sectors signal a growing desire for what Morning Walk calls 'value-based agency collaboration' - where performance and partnership go hand-in-hand. As the advertising and marketing world continues to shift toward data-rich platforms and retail media dominance, Morning Walk is ready to help brands adapt and lead. 'We've moved from selling time to selling value,' said Steve Simoncic, Partner and Chief Creative Officer at Morning Walk. 'This is a new era. One where creativity, intelligence and speed come together to create trust and drive real business performance.' To learn more, visit About Morning Walk Morning Walk is a creative performance branding company that empowers brands to grow by blending strategic insight, cutting-edge technology, and data-driven decision-making. From brand development to experience design and omnichannel performance marketing, we help companies build lasting connections with their customers while driving measurable business results. We are committed to agility, efficiency and leveraging innovation to navigate the complexities of today's market, delivering impactful solutions tailored to the unique needs of each brand. For more information, visit
