YouTube takes aim at TikTok, Snap with $100M creator fund

Basing payouts on views and engagement — rather than ad revenue — may appeal to microinfluencers and amateur creators looking to experiment with short-form video.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • May 13, 2021

Aiming for reinvention, Apple eyes ad growth after privacy changes

The tech giant will serve more performance data about ads bought via Apple than those from third parties, giving it an advantage in drawing in advertisers.

By Robert Williams • May 13, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Marketing Dive

From the evolution of influencer marketing and paid media to the ongoing importance of data and culture, here's a look at key trends driving marketing in 2025.

By Marketing Dive staff

Celebrities bring sizzle to new virtual restaurant brands from Nextbite

The SoftBank-backed startup launched a taqueria brand with comedian George Lopez and a "munchie menu" concept with rapper Wiz Khalifa.

By Chris Kelly • May 13, 2021

Burger King urges kids to guard virtual eggs in new AR game

Angry Birds developer Rovio Entertainment worked with the chain to develop an augmented reality game for King Jr. meals at participating locations.

By Robert Williams • May 12, 2021

NFTs pose real marketing value that may outlive current mania

Charmin, Taco Bell and Pringles are among the brands using the nascent tech to sell virtual collectibles, authenticate products via QR codes and offer digital passes to events.

By Robert Williams • May 6, 2021

Wonderful Pistachios goes for gamers with Twitch, YouTube, social push

In addition to targeting the esports community, Wonderful will market its new healthy snack to younger consumers on Snapchat and TikTok.

By Asa Hiken • May 6, 2021

P&G's SK-II ties new physical retail format to mobile and Olympics creative

Visitors to the pop-up mall store can unlock AR, gamified experiences and product recommendations through a WeChat mini program.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • May 6, 2021

Snap, Twitter introduce expanded video content, advertiser offerings at NewFronts

With a new Creator Marketplace, Snap will connect advertisers with creators while Twitter's partnerships will better reach younger viewers.

By Chris Kelly • May 6, 2021

Mobile marketers intensify focus on contextual signals amid privacy changes

Paid social will remain key, while advertisers plan to ramp up spending on podcasts, e-commerce and video, per a survey by Advertiser Perceptions.

By Chris Kelly • May 5, 2021

Uber and Gopuff link up on 'everyday essentials' delivery shop

Gopuff will power the white-label platform for Uber Eats, which launches in 95 cities this June and expands nationwide in the summer.

By Jeff Wells • May 4, 2021

Verizon sells media business after struggle to dent digital advertising duopoly

Apollo acquiring the unit behind AOL and Yahoo is another signal that navigating digital media hasn't gotten easier even as the channel now dominates consumer habits.

By Peter Adams • May 3, 2021

Ally reemploys AR for new instant win mobile game

The latest gamified activation from the digital financial services firm demonstrates the power of a dollar while supporting healthcare workers.

By Asa Hiken • April 29, 2021

How 'Godzilla vs. Kong' is racking up monster views on TikTok

Warner Bros. again tapped agency Movers+Shakers to develop a viral campaign that blends the right mix of creative elements with an understanding of the app's user base.

By Robert Williams • April 29, 2021

American Express touts card membership with 1st global campaign since 2018

The multichannel campaign includes QR codes to drive a direct response and automated content recognition tracking to personalize the experience.

By Robert Williams • April 27, 2021

NFL adds audio app Clubhouse to social media lineup for draft

The league continues to bet on social media to engage sports fans, including by renewing its partnership with Snapchat for draft-related content.

By Robert Williams • April 27, 2021

The end of pandemic means major changes for 3 mobile app categories

An analysis of global engagement trends suggests dining, gaming and dating are poised to undergo massive disruptions when life returns to normal, writes MOLOCO's Brian Yoo.

By Brian Yoo • April 26, 2021

Domino's resurrects '80s brand icon the Noid to spotlight autonomous delivery

Still dedicated to thwarting the chain's speedy operations, the infamous mascot returned with TV ads, a mobile game tie-in, limited merch and more.

By Peter Adams • April 26, 2021

What the social audio frenzy means for brands seeking new ad channels

Spotify's purchase of Locker Room may provide a model for how trends around social audio develop and the ways in which brands dabble in newer formats.

By Robert Williams • April 22, 2021

Apple to start enforcing tracking changes next week, priming mobile space for disruption

Some analysts predict the tweaks to Apple's Identifier for Advertisers will cost platforms like Facebook up to billions of dollars in revenue.

By Peter Adams • April 22, 2021

Amazon launches hair salon to test AR, point-and-learn tech

Offering hair care and styling services while trialing in-store technology, the concept will debut in a two-story shop in London.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • April 22, 2021

Expedia centers rebrand around mobile as post-COVID travel planning arrives

A refreshed app is the focal point of the travel platform's new positioning, which will be supported by its largest marketing spend in more than five years.

By Chris Kelly • April 22, 2021

Courtyard by Marriott selects Clubhouse for NFL draft chat

In partnership with broadcaster Rich Eisen, the hotel brand becomes the latest company to hop on a buzzy app that is quickly inspiring imitators.

By Chris Kelly • April 22, 2021

Facebook broadens audio ambitions as Clubhouse, podcasts command spotlight

A slew of updates includes Live Audio Rooms, where public figures can host discussions in a manner akin to Clubhouse, and an in-app Spotify integration.

By Peter Adams • April 20, 2021

5G promises to unlock wider adoption of AR in marketing

Sixty-one percent of 5G mobile users said augmented reality ads grab their attention more than traditional formats, Ericsson Emodo found in a survey.

By Robert Williams • April 15, 2021

Uber Eats is latest app to tap Stories trend

In early tests, 13% of users who clicked through a restaurant's Stories placed an order in the same session.

By Chris Kelly • April 15, 2021