Spotify acquires storytelling-focused Parcast studio as podcast ambitions expand

The news closely follows the platform's $337 million dual purchase of the network Gimlet Media and production shop Anchor.

By Peter Adams • March 26, 2019

McDonald's buys Dynamic Yield for $300M to improve drive-thru experience

Fresh technology will be used to personalize digital menu boards that change depending on the weather, time of day and existing restaurant traffic. 

By Julie Littman • March 26, 2019

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

Apple unveils mostly ad-free content services for entertainment, gaming

The privacy-focused company demonstrates its ambivalence toward advertising with its latest product launches.

By Robert Williams • March 26, 2019

NFL, Verizon pen 2-year deal to bring 5G into stadiums

The organizations will develop in-stadium mobile features for sports fans who attend live games.

By Robert Williams • March 26, 2019

Can't afford to give away cars? 'Surprise-and-delight' campaigns for the rest of us

While some brands go full-on "Oprah" with pricey giveaways, those of more modest means can also build a lasting loyalty strategy, writes Affinio's Tim Burke.

By Tim Burke • March 26, 2019

Retail apps: how to calculate ROI

Retailers should consider hard-to-measure indicators like user experience when assessing the value of building an app, writes Unbound Commerce's Wilson Kerr.

By Wilson Kerr • March 26, 2019

Domino's adds in-car ordering to its tech lineup

The national pizza chain's latest innovation builds on its litany of ordering options, giving it a leg up on competitors that have been playing catch-up.

By Julie Littman • March 25, 2019

Nilla Wafers bakes 32-point ad recall jump into social video campaign

Last year's mobile-first effort on Instagram and Facebook reached 11.9 million users around the brand's 50th anniversary.

By Robert Williams • March 25, 2019

IOS 12 engagement levels for notifications remain stable despite new controls, study says

Thirty percent of media app users showed no change in notification engagement rates after updating to iOS 12.

By Robert Williams • March 25, 2019

TikTok grosses $75M from virtual currency sales

People use the in-app coins to reward video creators, who can exchange the coins for digital gifts.​

By Robert Williams • March 25, 2019

Report: Google considers privacy-minded restrictions on ad targeting

Any changes would likely impact how ad-tech vendors work with Google's Chrome web browser. 

By Erica Sweeney • March 25, 2019

EBay adds Google Pay to online marketplace

The digital marketplace will let Google Pay users complete purchases through its app, mobile website and desktop site.

By Robert Williams • March 22, 2019

Video ad fraud scheme made 2M ad calls per day

Hidden video ads in mobile apps ran behind legitimate banners, according to DoubleVerify's Fraud Lab.

By Robert Williams • March 22, 2019

Amazon tests video ads in its shopping app, Bloomberg reports

The ads put Amazon in more direct competition with Google and Facebook, and are expected to hit Android devices later this year.

By Robert Williams • March 22, 2019

Alphabet usurps Apple from top of innovation list as companies make AI moves

While giants like Google often pioneer innovation, it's not without a dose of scrutiny.

By Samantha Schwartz • March 22, 2019

Cashless bans could hinder Amazon Go expansion

San Francisco is weighing a ban on cash-free stores in an effort to protect low-income shoppers, while Philadelphia and New Jersey recently passed laws. 

By Lauren Manning • March 22, 2019

Facebook tops ranking for mobile app marketing, AppsFlyer finds

Meanwhile, global mobile fraud remained persistent at 30% as rates of app install fraud affected the rankings of ad networks.

By Robert Williams • March 21, 2019

Starbucks invests $100M in food, retail incubator

The coffee giant's backing of Valor Siren Ventures, a fund that supports food and tech startups, could drive innovation and give it a competitive edge.

By Julie Littman • March 21, 2019

Study: Wearables market to grow 15% on strength of smartwatches

Biometric sensors and virtual assistants like Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are supporting the category's growth.

By Robert Williams • March 21, 2019

PubMatic sets May 1 deadline to enforce app-ads.txt specification

After that, apps won't be able to monetize traffic through the sell-side platform​ unless authorized by the seller's app-ads.txt file.

By Robert Williams • March 21, 2019

Postmates rolls out free group delivery feature

A new "party" option works like Uber Pool for food, an offering that could give it a leg up over competitors if customers are willing to tolerate longer wait times.

By Kevin Whiteley • March 21, 2019

CNBC: Amazon suspends more ads for products that don't make money

The e-commerce giant is reportedly pressuring brands to cut prices if they want to advertise products as it seeks to drive profitability for historically low-margin goods.

By Erica Sweeney • March 21, 2019

Burger King sets rivals' ads aflame with AR app

Customers in Brazil win a free Whopper for virtually burning print and billboard ads of competitors like McDonald's.

By Robert Williams • March 21, 2019

Google Stadia will let players stream games from cloud

The search giant announced plans for a gaming platform that will stream across channels and offer a controller boasting a Google Assistant button. 

By Robert Williams • March 20, 2019

Pandora unveils first sonic logo in campaign refresh

A spring installment of the streaming platform's "Sound On" initiative aims to help users identify the brand whenever its three-second sound bite chimes.

By Robert Williams • March 20, 2019