Bazaarvoice and Evertune boost AI shopping visibility, Apollo launches GTM tools, and more - Sales & Marketing AI Weekly #73

October 02, 2026 - Sales & Marketing AI Weekly
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Welcome to this week's edition of Sales & Marketing AI Weekly.

Gong expands its sales data capabilities with Mission Callisto and Gong Enrich, while Apollo.io, EvaSpeaks, Nas.com and Multiply introduce AI tools for prospecting, lead qualification, campaign operations and Google Ads management. RocketReach also partners with Gong to add more than 700 million verified contacts to Gong Enrich.

This edition also covers changing AI shopping behavior, including research from Spreedly, Synchrony and Oxford Economics on consumer trust, savings and control. Elsewhere, Omneky introduces an ad quality benchmark, OuterSignal raises $22 million for personalization technology, and SKF uses an AI recreation of Greta Garbo in a campaign for magnetic bearings.
Gong launches Mission Callisto sales enrichment layer
Gong introduces Mission Callisto, led by Gong Enrich, which adds third party account and contact data to its Revenue Graph. The release also expands Gong Assistant, Agent Builder, and Gong Dashboards, with some features rolling out through 2026. Read more
Horizon Media selects 11 companies for third HorizonOS Labs cohort
Horizon Media selected 11 AI and marketing technology companies from more than 600 submissions for its third HorizonOS Labs cohort. The companies will present their tools to clients in New York and may be paired with brands for pilot projects. Read more
The Engine plans October 15 launch for AI content and sales platform
The Engine, a Scottsdale, Arizona company founded by Nick Perry, plans to publicly launch its AI platform on October 15, 2026. The platform creates content, supports marketing and handles sales conversations, with the company reporting revenue and audience growth from a beta client. Read more
SKF recreates Greta Garbo with AI to promote magnetic bearings
SKF launches a global campaign using an AI generated recreation of Greta Garbo to promote magnetic bearings for data centres, cooling systems and semiconductor facilities. The company also revives a 1919 financing model that uses energy savings to fund technology investments. Read more
Omneky introduces TASTE BENCH for AI ad quality testing
Omneky introduces TASTE BENCH, a benchmark that evaluates image and video models creating ads from briefs and brand assets. Its first test found GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst produced the highest rate of ready to run image ads, while the benchmark does not measure campaign performance or return on ad spend. Read more
AxisCare launches Axi Assist AI receptionist for home care agencies
AxisCare launches Axi Assist, an AI receptionist integrated into its home care agency platform. The tool handles calls, records information, starts workflows, and escalates caregiver and scheduling issues to staff. Read more
Multiply launches AI agent to reduce wasted Google Ads spending
Multiply launches an AI agent that analyzes Google Ads data to identify irrelevant traffic and recommend budget changes. Marketers can create automations in plain English, while spending decisions require human approval. Read more
Predactiv introduces People Model for behavioral intelligence
Predactiv introduces the People Model, an AI foundation model trained on open web behavioral data to identify interests, habits, motivations and likely actions. The model is available through the Predactiv Data Platform, Platform API and MCP Server. Read more
Timex launches AI storytelling tool to teach analog time
Timex launches Timex Tales, an AI storytelling experience built with Google Cloud and Google Gemini to help children aged 5 to 10 learn to read analog clocks. The service creates personalised stories and printable practice materials for use at home and in classrooms. Read more
Spreedly survey finds 63% may let AI choose brands for 20% savings
A survey commissioned by Spreedly finds that 63% of US adults would or might allow an AI shopping assistant to select brands in exchange for consistent 20% savings. Respondents expressed greater caution about AI controlling spending, payment methods or payment data, with fraud the leading concern. Read more
Synchrony and Oxford Economics find trust shapes AI shopping adoption
A Synchrony and Oxford Economics study of 2,000 US consumers finds that data security, transparency, fraud protection and user control outweigh convenience in AI shopping. Consumers report greater willingness to use AI for routine tasks and lower risk purchases. Read more
OuterSignal raises $22M Series A for AI personalization
OuterSignal raises $22 million in a Series A co led by Long Journey Ventures and Abstract Ventures. The New York AI company plans to expand its customer intelligence platform, personalization tools and team following its January 2026 launch. Read more
Flytxt named a Challenger in Gartner's 2026 CSP AI marketing quadrant
Flytxt says Gartner recognised it as a Challenger in its 2026 Magic Quadrant for CSP AI enabled marketing and sales solutions, up from Niche Player in 2025. The company says its Niya-X platform supports AI based sales and marketing decisions. Read more
Apollo launches Builder Studio, Intelligence Layer and Messaging OS
Apollo.io introduces three products for AI powered go to market workflows: Builder Studio, the Apollo Intelligence Layer, and Messaging OS. The Intelligence Layer is available now, while Builder Studio and Messaging OS will be released soon. Read more
OptimizeGEO serves 100 brands as Michael Kassan invests
OptimizeGEO reports serving more than 100 brands across 20 countries. 3C Ventures founder and CEO Michael Kassan joins the company as an investor and strategic advisor to support its global expansion. Read more
RocketReach partners with Gong for 700 million verified contacts
RocketReach partners with Gong to provide more than 700 million preverified contacts through Gong Enrich. The integration helps sales, recruiting and marketing teams add missing contact information to their workflows. Read more
The Heart Monitors builds AI platform for audience participation
The Heart Monitors develops an AI platform with more than 40 modules to analyze emotional signals, create content and use audience behavior to inform campaigns. Its Civil Media project, Don't Hate Debate TV, received recognition at the 2026 Webby Awards and was named a finalist for two OMMA Awards. Read more
EvaSpeaks launches omnichannel AI agent platform for lead qualification
EvaSpeaks launches an AI agent platform that manages phone, web and email conversations to qualify leads and book appointments. The platform can also update CRM systems, handle support actions and coordinate follow ups. Read more
Balto launches Kodi AI coworker for contact center leaders
Balto launches Kodi, an AI coworker that helps contact center leaders investigate issues, analyze evidence and recommend actions. The tool can also execute approved changes across Balto products, with customer rollout beginning September 28, 2026. Read more
Cornerstone Advisors finds banks lag in AI marketing execution
Cornerstone Advisors research, commissioned by Persado, finds banks and credit unions are adopting generative AI for marketing but have limited use of AI agents to carry out actions. The report identifies lengthy compliance reviews as a barrier to faster campaign execution. Read more
Bazaarvoice and Evertune integrate for AI shopping visibility
Bazaarvoice and Evertune partner to combine AI brand visibility monitoring with user generated content and campaign tools. The companies cite research indicating that brand recognition, ratings, reviews and visual content affect AI shopping recommendations. Read more
Nas.com offers personalized AI marketing agents to small businesses
Nas.com offers AI marketing agents for small and medium sized businesses that analyze performance and recommend or execute approved campaign changes. The service connects advertising, analytics and CRM data, with a forward deployed engineer helping define each agent's permissions. Read more
BharathCloud and ibentos partner on AI marketing and event technology
BharathCloud and ibentos partner to develop AI powered marketing campaigns and assess event technology applications. The collaboration will serve customers in India and Canada. Read more
mostlyHUMAN opens Momentum Suite to monthly subscriptions
Mostly Human LLC now offers its Momentum Suite through monthly online subscriptions for agency and brand teams. The suite includes nine AI based media and analytics tools for marketing mix modeling, reporting, media planning, audience research and test evaluation. Read more
CommanderAI launches mobile app for waste and recycling field sales
CommanderAI launches an iOS and Android app for field sales teams in the waste, recycling and scrap sectors. The app provides mobile CRM tools, photo based lead capture, AI generated outreach and integrations with email, phone and calendar services. Read more
Cactus adds marketing management for home service companies
Cactus expands its AI services for home service companies with marketing management, beginning with Upfront Plumbing, Drains, Heating and Air. The service uses customer conversations and appointment outcomes to guide campaign messaging, targeting and follow up. Read more
Amtech Software launches AI email intake agent for quotes
Amtech Software introduces an Email Intake Agent in Amtech Quick Quote for corrugated packaging manufacturers. The tool extracts quote specifications from emails and attachments, identifies missing details, and transfers won quotes to EnCore without re-entry. Read more
Brandi AI named G2 Fall 2026 AEO High Performer
Brandi AI is named a High Performer in G2's Fall 2026 Grid Report for Answer Engine Optimization. The platform tracks how brands appear in AI generated answers, and also received recognition for support and ease of doing business. Read more
Gryphon ONE becomes available on Genesys AppFoundry
Gryphon makes Gryphon ONE available through Genesys AppFoundry, adding real time compliance checks to Genesys Cloud outbound outreach. The platform evaluates human and AI driven campaigns against US telemarketing rules, Do Not Call registries and state requirements. Read more
Blackbaud introduces Lantern language model for fundraising
Blackbaud introduces Lantern, a fundraising focused language model developed with Databricks. The company expects to add it to selected Raiser's Edge NXT and Agents for Good features in 2027. Read more

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