Every time the email marketing community gathers at MailCon, the industry’s largest in-person email gathering and conference, we unite experts and thought leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges and explore new opportunities, and this year was no exception.
MailCon made a triumphant return to New York on July 28, gathering email marketers, performance marketers, affiliate marketers, and lead generators for a one-day deep-dive event at the Convene in Times Square.
This year’s event was especially significant, arriving during a critical period marked by deliverability challenges plaguing email marketers. Yahoo and Google’s new bulk sender requirements, Google’s website domain upgrades, and stringent spam threshold rates have all posed formidable obstacles for marketers.
Here are some key highlights from MailCon 2024 in New York City.
Navigating New Requirements for Bulk Email Senders
The jam-packed event kicked off with opening remarks from MailCon CEO Kristen Haines and Phonexa CEO Lilit Davtyan, as the two executives welcomed attendees and shared background information on the vision for MailCon that has come to life since it was acquired by Phonexa in 2018.
Furthermore, Davtyan shared Phonexa’s active efforts in making a difference for email marketers through the recent feature release in its E-Delivery platform for email and SMS marketing.
MailCon got off to a dynamic start with an array of panel discussions covering deliverability, leveraging first-party data, Google and Yahoo’s changes, email and social media’s roles in overall brand presence, generative AI, and so much more.
The deep-dive sessions featured well-respected leaders from brands like Google, GetResponse, Campaigner, and more.
Among the impressive speaker lineup were Hank Hoffmeier (Senior Manager of Marketing Operations, Kickbox), Barry Abel (Chief Revenue Officer, Halon MTA), Scott Shou (Founder and CEO, Boardwalk Marketing), and Phonexa’s very own Director of Email Marketing, Alexander Cartigan.
The conference then switched into high gear, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new challenges posed by Yahoo and Google’s recent bulk sender requirements. These issues have created a tough landscape for marketers, making this year’s MailCon more relevant and essential than ever.
One of the highlights was the keynote speech by Google’s Lead Product Manager, Ebenezer Anjorin. His session provided insights into the reasons behind Google’s recent changes and what mailers can anticipate in 2025. Anjorin’s discussion was an invaluable opportunity for attendees to gain firsthand knowledge and clarity directly from a leading industry expert.
Exploring Effective Approaches to Leadgen Outreach
Among the standout sessions was “Marketing Crossfire: The Best Method for Lead Outreach,” featuring guest speakers Vic Sun (Channel Automation, CEO), Lisa Jones (EyeMail, CEO), and Brett Kaufman (Partner, wellspringMEDIA). Phonexa CMO Talar Malakian moderated this session, which sought to determine the best channel for lead outreach and conversion by exploring effective leadgen strategies, sparking engaging discussions, and providing actionable takeaways for attendees.
MailCon 2024 also featured “Privacy & Compliance: Navigating Evolving Regulations in 2024 and Beyond” – a panel discussion examining the impending FCC one-to-one consent rule change, which will take effect on January 27, 2025. The panelists were Troutman Amin, LLP partners Eric Troutman, Puja Amin, and Brittany Andres as well as Raymond Dijkxhoorn, SURBL Co-Founder and CEO.
Phonexa Announces New Product Feature, Partnership with SMTP
This year’s MailCon also placed a strong emphasis on conversational marketing.
A pivotal moment was the announcement of Phonexa’s new SMS feature as part of its E-Delivery platform that supports bulk email, SMS, and conversational interactions. This new capability allows businesses to send bulk SMS and MMS through toll-free and local numbers, initiate marketing and remarketing campaigns, and streamline customer communication within the Phonexa suite.
Phonexa’s partnership with SMTP was also a significant focus at the conference. The integration enhances Phonexa’s email delivery services, ensuring improved deliverability and performance for their clients. The partnership with SMTP represents a crucial step forward in Phonexa’s mission to provide comprehensive and reliable marketing solutions.
Looking Ahead to the Future of Email Marketing
In essence, Mailcon 2024 in New York City provided attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors a much-needed space to collaborate, network, and innovate around new business ideas.
As we look ahead, the advancements in email and SMS marketing, exemplified by Phonexa’s new features and strategic partnerships, promise to shape the future of the industry, and MailCon plays a huge role in fostering industry growth and collaboration across the board.
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