Facebook debuts Shops e-commerce initiative to support small businesses

Featuring livestreaming and messaging integrations, new digital storefronts for Facebook and Instagram mark a big bet to capitalize on the e-commerce boom.

By Robert Williams • May 20, 2020

Lowe's, Chick-Fil-A, Papa John's top ranking of app performance

The best-performing brands have apps that load on mobile devices quickly to keep customers engaged in a branded experience.

By Robert Williams • May 20, 2020

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AI and Marketing Data

Top stories that underscore the key role of artificial intelligence, generative and otherwise, for many CMOs looking to better manage troves of data. 

By Marketing Dive staff

Spotify nabs exclusive streaming rights to Joe Rogan's podcast in reported $100M deal

Licensing "The Joe Rogan Experience" is the platform's latest move to dominate the growing podcast space.

By Robert Williams • May 20, 2020

TikTok names Disney streaming executive new CEO

Kevin Mayer will lead the social video app that has surged in popularity among mobile users worldwide and serve as COO of parent company ByteDance.

By Robert Williams • May 19, 2020

Apple buys virtual reality content startup NextVR

NextVR works with sports leagues and media outlets to offer programming that people view while wearing a VR headset.

By Robert Williams • May 18, 2020

Google hit with DOJ antitrust suit alleging outsized control of search

Anticipated for months, the complaint filed Tuesday invokes Section 2 of the Sherman Act and calls the tech giant's business practices "anticompetitive and exclusionary."

By Peter Adams • Updated Oct. 20, 2020

Report: Reddit gets new ad sales boss as its looks to broaden appeal

Harold Klaje, previously global head of growth at Pinterest, arrives as the platform looks to better court brand and direct response marketers.​

By Robert Williams • May 18, 2020

Google Chrome update blocking resource-depleting ads goes live, sowing confusion

Digiday reported some publishers were surprised by the feature, with insiders claiming they hadn't received an update since its announcement in May.

By Dianna Christie • Updated Aug. 26, 2020

Facebook acquires Giphy image-sharing platform for reported $400M

The popular service for sharing GIFs will join the Instagram team and further integrate with the app, which was already a significant driver of traffic.

By Peter Adams • May 15, 2020

AppLovin buys Machine Zone to expand mobile gaming ambitions

Machine Zone's games, including "Game of War: Fire Age" and "Mobile Strike," have generated $5 billion from more than 310 million lifetime downloads.

By Robert Williams • May 15, 2020

M&M's crowdsources next TV spot via virtual coloring book

The commercial airing in June will weave user-generated creations together to share a message of unity.

By Dianna Christie • May 15, 2020

1-800-Flowers debuts social support group portal

Connection Communities is on-brand for the e-commerce retailer, as flowers are often exchanged at times of crisis to cheer people up.

By Dianna Christie • May 14, 2020

Marketers must adapt to change, the only certainty for global business this decade

Entrepreneurs and strategists talk ad nauseam​ of disruption. But what if the velocity of change is so fierce that it calls the very definition of disruption into question?​ ICF Next's Bob Feldman weighs in.

By Bob Feldman • May 14, 2020

Pandemic could drive higher AR/VR adoption, study predicts

Applications for the tech include deeper product visualization, more immersive virtual try-ons, access to item details and exploring virtual malls.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 13, 2020

Twitter acquires mobile DSP to boost performance ads

CrossInstall focuses on user acquisition campaigns for mobile apps with ad formats that include playables.

By Robert Williams • May 13, 2020

Smartly.io adds Snapchat to automated social ad platform

Brands can now use Smartly.io's tools and services to run hyper-localized campaigns on Snapchat and monitor their performance.

By Robert Williams • May 13, 2020

Asos debuts AR tool for online shoppers

The retailer is digitally mapping products onto models to generate images that better showcase size, cut and fit as most stores remain closed.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 12, 2020

Uber bids to acquire Grubhub, reports say

While Grubhub wouldn't comment specifically on the report, the company said "consolidation could make sense in our industry, and like any responsible company, we are always looking at value-enhancing opportunities."

By Julie Littman • Updated May 12, 2020

Perfect brings AR tools for beauty brands to WeChat

Users can now virtually sample products directly on the popular Chinese messaging app while stores remain closed.

By Robert Williams • May 12, 2020

Facebook, Instagram add features to help local businesses

The social media giant added a #SupportSmallBusiness hashtag on Facebook and a "Support Small Business" sticker on Instagram.

By Robert Williams • May 12, 2020

Spotify's listening party shows when people stream same songs

"Listening Together" helps users of the audio streaming company to visualize how 30,000 people worldwide play the same track every second.

By Robert Williams • May 12, 2020

Why PepsiCo launched 2 new direct-to-consumer sites

Snacks.com and PantryShop.com are part of the company's efforts to meet consumers where they shop, as e-commerce becomes a bigger part of their buying habits. 

By Christopher Doering • May 12, 2020

Pedigree supports contactless pet adoption with Zoom tie-in

Starting tonight, the Mars-owned brand is jumping on the Zoom boom to help prospective pet owners virtually connect with dogs.

By Dianna Christie • May 11, 2020

Facebook beefs up ad targeting for in-stream Watch video buys

Anheuser-Busch experienced 15% incremental reach aside from TV with Facebook Reserve ads.

By Robert Williams • May 11, 2020

Report: TikTok takes aim at Snapchat with AR ad format

The AR brand effect ad will let TikTok users create videos with visual effects from sponsors.

By Robert Williams • May 11, 2020