How COVID-19 accelerated mobile trends in H1 2020

The realities of life in a pandemic have accelerated previously existing trends and calcified into a new normal for mobile marketers.

July 13, 2020

Consumer habits rapidly evolved in H1 2020. Here's what could stick

Several trends accelerated by the pandemic, including e-commerce, are becoming integral to marketing strategies, but there may be deeper psychological shifts to consider.

July 13, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Consumer Packaged Goods

If CPGs can adeptly adjust to emerging mandates, they have an opportunity to strengthen their brands.  

By Marketing Dive staff

Coke adds contactless tech to Freestyle machines to meet COVID-19 challenges

Digital soda fountain screens will now display a QR code that lets smartphone users make and pour their selections without having to download an app.

By Peter Adams • July 13, 2020

LinkedIn accused of spying on Apple users in new suit

The complaint accused the Microsoft-owned social network of secretly reading the contents of people's digital clipboards.

By Robert Williams • July 13, 2020

Report: Google can avoid EU probe over Fitbit acquisition by not sharing data

Google may get EU approval for the $2.1 billion takeover if the search giant agrees to not use health data for ad targeting.

By Robert Williams • July 13, 2020

Facebook considers political ad ban through November

The decision has not been finalized but comes after 397 brands pledged to boycott the social network for its role in spreading misinformation and hate speech.

By Dianna Christie • July 13, 2020

Esports revenue outlook gets another downgrade as pandemic halts live tournaments

Even as its audience grows, the category is hitting bumps in the road as it shifts to virtual events, which sponsors are potentially less interested in.

By Peter Adams • July 10, 2020

Kroger to launch targeted audio ads in store

The new program will allow CPG companies to better target shoppers while they're on the path to purchase.

By Jessica Dumont • July 9, 2020

How COVID-19 boosted QVC, HSN and livestreaming

As the veteran telecommerce networks adapt to the pandemic's challenges, other brands are catching up to the future of livestreaming.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 9, 2020

Kraft Heinz offers peek behind packaged foods curtain in 1st podcast series

"Table Stakes" delves into various aspects of the marketer's brands, including those more obscure to U.S. audiences.

By Peter Adams • July 9, 2020

Amazon updates Alexa app for hands-free control

Smartphone users can use voice commands as soon as they open the Alexa app, instead of tapping a button to activate the virtual assistant.

By Robert Williams • July 9, 2020

Bazaarvoice buys Curalate to expand social commerce services

Curalate, whose software turns images into digital storefronts, has 1,100 clients including Best Buy and Lululemon Athletica.

By Robert Williams • July 9, 2020

Omnicom, Spotify strike $20M deal around podcast advertising as channel's ascent continues

Billed as the largest deal of its kind to date, the agreement will give the agency group special access to new ad products, audience data and exclusive content.

By Peter Adams • July 8, 2020

WPP's GroupM launches multicultural marketplace with 300 vetted publishers

By making it easier for brands to purchase ads alongside content aimed at Black and Hispanic audiences, GroupM hopes to help support multicultural independent publishers.

By Dianna Christie • July 8, 2020

Sirius XM buys Stitcher podcast unit from Scripps for $325M

On completing the acquisition, CEO Jim Meyer described Sirius XM as a "one-stop shop able to meet the needs of podcast creators, publishers and advertisers."

By Peter Adams • Updated Oct. 19, 2020

CVS offers gifts to shoppers who link mobile app to loyalty rewards

The promotion comes as the coronavirus pandemic forces many shoppers to use their smartphones to buy goods while social distancing.

By Robert Williams • July 7, 2020

Uber buys Postmates in $2.65B deal

Uber Eats gains the fourth largest food delivery company in the U.S. just weeks after its failed merger with Grubhub. The two apps will continue to run separately.

By Julie Littman • July 6, 2020

Thermomix adds shoppable recipes to smart home appliances

Amazon Fresh, Instacart and Albertsons are among the grocers whose online ordering platforms are integrated with the shoppable recipe app.

By Robert Williams • July 6, 2020

Amazon plans more Go Grocery stores

The retailer will open cashierless stores in the Seattle area and in Washington, D.C., and confirmed plans to open supermarkets in California and Chicago.

By Jeff Wells • July 6, 2020

Pernod plans crowdsourcing app to axe hate speech from social media

The spirits maker's push to give consumers and brands a way to take action against hate speech comes as Facebook agrees to a MRC brand safety audit.  

By Robert Williams • July 2, 2020

Why digital OOH advertising is especially effective right now

Brands have an opportune moment to reach consumers as they reemerge from lockdowns, writes Xaxis' Roey Franco.

By Roey Franco • July 2, 2020

Taco Bell to launch new loyalty program 5 years after first iteration

The promotion of Taco Bell Rewards, which rolls out later this month, crashed the company's site and app on Tuesday.

By Alicia Kelso • July 1, 2020

Lululemon snaps up at-home workout platform Mirror for $500M

Analysts hailed the move as synergistic for both companies, especially considering the appeal of virtual workouts during the pandemic.

By Daphne Howland • June 30, 2020

Report: New York Times withdraws from Apple News app

Apple's news aggregation app didn't support the newspaper's strategy of increasing subscriptions.

By Robert Williams • June 30, 2020

Google extends free product listings to search results

Free listings for brands and retailers are part of the search giant's increased push into e-commerce.

By Robert Williams • June 30, 2020