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

Tastemade feasts on shoppable video as mobile viewership grows

Collaborations with Amazon and Walmart foretell the future of mobile video, the digital media company says.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 10, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Retail Marketing

Top stories that underscore the leading influences on retail marketing, including Gen Z, pop culture and generative AI.

By Marketing Dive staff

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

App advertising on iOS 14: How to secure user opt-in

Make sure your company is ready for iOS 14 and learn the best methods for securing user opt-in.

Dec. 10, 2020

The Marketing Dive Awards for 2020

From Chipotle to Procter & Gamble, these are the companies and executives that epitomized leadership in crisis this year.

By Marketing Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

TikTok regular E.l.f. turns to Triller to debut branded holiday album

The marketer has gone viral with original TikTok songs but continues to diversify its bets in launching what it says is the first campaign from a beauty brand on Triller.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 8, 2020

Wendy's teams with Uber Eats on customized menus for Twitch gamers

The burger chain's "Never Stop Gaming Menu" includes combinations of items selected by five of the platform's most popular streamers.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 8, 2020

Marketing Dive integrates Mobile Marketer into its expanding industry coverage

A new reality in which connected experiences are woven into all aspects of our lives — and are unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels — requires a new editorial approach.

By Chantal Tode • Dec. 7, 2020

Pandora's multichannel holiday push reaches across NBA and 'Elf'

Featuring musician Sia, the "Holiday Hits Different" campaign includes TV, out-of-home and digital ads.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 7, 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. 4, 2020

Tums bids farewell to 2020 with early New Year's countdown on TikTok

GSK's antacid brand will declare the "dumpster fire of a year" over three hours early in a livestream hosted by TikTok star Michael Le.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 4, 2020

Hyundai's Genesis, Tastemade and Amazon rev up shoppable cooking show

In the latest example of content and commerce merging, "Origins" viewers can easily order featured ingredients from grocery delivery service Amazon Fresh.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 4, 2020

Ferrero Rocher asks fans to share in 'golden transformation' for reimagined holidays

An influencer effort gives Facebook and Instagram users a chance to win $500 for sharing photos of holiday traditions that are tweaked to fit the pandemic.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 3, 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. 3, 2020

Pepsi brings virtual hip-hop contest to Triller

The soda giant is one of the most substantial brands to advertise on the TikTok rival so far.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 3, 2020

Mobile gaming surges as pandemic drives 45% jump in app installs

Game developers ramped up their marketing efforts this year, boosting app installs attributed to advertisements by 69%.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 2, 2020

Spotify highlights 'gratitude, resilience' with 2020 Wrapped campaign

The annual end-of-year effort showcases how music and podcasts have kept people entertained and informed during a tumultuous year.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 2, 2020

Gucci perfume opens Snapchat portal to virtual 'garden of dreams'

After exploring the augmented reality garden, users are steered toward the luxury brand's website to purchase Bloom fragrances directly.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 2, 2020

Shopping apps hit record 2.8M installs on Black Friday: report

Companies spread out deals in the weeks leading up to Black Friday, resulting in a "surge" of first-time installs of retail apps.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 1, 2020

Smartphone sales fell 5.7% in Q3, an improvement from Q2's 20% plunge

Pandemic-related uncertainties led many consumers to curtail nonessential spending, while delays in upgrades to 5G also dampened sales, Gartner found.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 1, 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. 1, 2020

Diageo promotes moderation, sustainability with Instagram AR lens

Mobile users can match a series of on-screen poses and balance a virtual water container on various parts of their bodies to participate in the challenge.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 1, 2020

McDonald's gives away McRibs to fans who shave their beards

The chain asks people to post photos of their clean-shaven faces to social media after observing No-Shave November to raise awareness about cancer.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 1, 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

Facebook reportedly offers ad credits after disclosing bug in conversion lift tool

The software glitch is especially concerning for retailers that spent heavily on social media ads to help recover from the pandemic.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 30, 2020