Apps

NFL recruits Miley Cyrus, TikTok to enliven tailgate ahead of unusual Super Bowl

A two-hour livestream on the social video app shows how the league and marketers alike are moving away from TV to generate hype for the big game.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 25, 2021

Triller reportedly preps Super Bowl ad as app looks for breakout moment

The TikTok rival could be looking to the big game as a stage to better familiarize consumers with its brand and scale its user base.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 20, 2021

Mobile ad spending surged 26% in 2020 as pandemic fueled demand

App Annie indicates financial pressures sent marketers on the hunt for cheaper ad inventory like interstitials during a banner year for engagement.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 14, 2021

O'Doul's and Match connect for sober-curious virtual dates

AB InBev's non-alcoholic beer brand is tapping research by the dating app that found 32% of singles feel social pressure to drink on a first date.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 14, 2021

White Castle revamps Valentine's Day event with drive-in, carhop service

Fans of the burger chain can book time for a socially distanced date through the OpenTable website or app.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 13, 2021

WW pumps up app-based membership with podcasts, virtual experiences

The company formerly known as Weight Watchers debuted a plan for digitally savvy members built with pandemic-spurred behaviors in mind.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 07, 2021

Consumers spent over $100B on mobile apps in 2020, study finds

TikTok generated $4.7 million globally in revenue on Christmas, making it the top non-gaming app based on spending, according to Sensor Tower.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 07, 2021

Facebook: 35% of gaming newcomers prefer ad-supported monetization model

A report examining COVID-19's impact on the gaming space found Facebook's streaming service in 2020 notched 1 billion viewership hours for the first time.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 07, 2021

Snap teams with Unity to expand ad reach on mobile games

Brands can now more easily reach a gaming platform with 2 billion consumers worldwide that generates 22.9 billion ad impressions a month.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 18, 2020

Facebook reportedly developing Cameo copy to key into custom celeb video boom

The feature, called Super, lets creators receive digital gifts from fans and host the types of streaming content that have grown popular during the pandemic.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 17, 2020

Triller matures as marketing platform with NYX virtual pop-up shop

Emerging amid a surge in user-created video, Triller faces a daunting challenge — and key opportunity — in snagging brand dollars from mainstay social apps as they contend with legal battles.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 17, 2020

Walmart enlists top TikTok creators for first-of-its-kind shoppable livestream

A one-hour variety program showcasing Walmart's holiday offerings illustrates why the retailer is interested in acquiring a stake in the platform.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 17, 2020

Uber now lets businesses offer branded vouchers for rides, meals

Companies can offer vouchers that show their logo, giving them a way to create branded experiences that serve as another touch point with customers.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 15, 2020

49% of podcast fans approve of ads, but volume concerns grow

More than one-third of respondents think podcasts carry too many ads, though a new report found no meaningful change in ad-skipping behavior.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 10, 2020

App Annie: Business apps exploded in 2020, driving 25% lift in time spent on mobile

As mobile usage surged this year, the biggest winners were TikTok and remote collaboration apps that became de facto tools of people working from home.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 10, 2020

Deep Dive

Facebook antitrust cases could accelerate power balance shift for social media

A landmark lawsuit filed by the FTC pushes for the tech giant to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp. But cracks were already forming in Facebook's armor, and rivals like TikTok could smell opportunity.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 10, 2020

Levi's unveils clothes for Snapchat Bitmoji and their real-life counterparts

The Levi's x Bitmoji collection includes 12 curated looks and a link to the brand's website so users can dress like their avatars.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 04, 2020

Colgate teams with Headspace on meditation series for toothbrush app

"Mindful Moments" content fits with the app's broader goal of getting people to practice good dental habits by gamifying mundane routines like brushing teeth.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 03, 2020

Facebook buys omnichannel customer service startup Kustomer for reported $1B

Kustomer's focus on supporting customers' online conversations with businesses advances Facebook's efforts to expand into social commerce.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 01, 2020

TikTok owner granted extended deadline to complete sale of app to Oracle, Walmart

The Trump administration gave ByteDance another week to iron out a proposed takeover that would remove advertiser uncertainty about the app's future.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 30, 2020

Mobile Marketer merges with Marketing Dive

Starting the week of Dec. 7, subscribers will receive the same timely coverage of the latest developments in mobile via the new Marketing Dive: Mobile weekly newsletter.

By Chantal Tode • Nov. 24, 2020

Snapchat distributes $1M a day to video creators of new TikTok clone

The photo-messaging app now has a feature called Spotlight that shows a customized feed of user-made content.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 24, 2020

Pandemic spurs business for 70% of mobile marketers, study finds

Three quarters of marketers said their users were highly engaged, as app downloads in gaming, shopping and finance reached all-time highs.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 19, 2020

Apple cuts App Store fees in half to help small businesses

The news arrives a month after a congressional report on antitrust claimed that Apple stifles competition, and specifically mentioned App Store fees.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 19, 2020

Gap, H&M open mobile storefronts on Group Nine's new Swipe.Shop platform

The publisher of NowThis and Thrillist will provide 20 million impressions' worth of free ad space to 10 small businesses affected by the pandemic.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 17, 2020