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

Explore the Trendline➔

Influencer Marketing

Amid a surge in confidence and new platform approaches, brands continue to turn to influencers for fresh content that can reach online consumers.

By Marketing Dive staff

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

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

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

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

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

Triller parent makes 2 acquisitions, names new CEO as content ambitions grow

Buying live sports and entertainment platform FITE TV follows several successful boxing matches on the Triller app.

By Peter Adams • April 15, 2021

P&G reportedly testing Chinese workaround to Apple's privacy changes

The CPG giant is the biggest Western company to support the effort to use device fingerprinting to track online audiences in China.

By Robert Williams • April 9, 2021

App marketers face dual challenge with IDFA opt-outs, study finds

Apple released its iOS 14.5 software update in April, alerting users to learn more about how the new App Tracking Transparency feature works.

By Robert Williams • Updated April 27, 2021

Facebook tests Venmo-like QR codes for P2P payments

The social media giant has attempted to penetrate the mobile payments space for several years, including developing a cryptocurrency and digital wallet.

By Vaidik Trivedi • April 8, 2021

The Rock's Teremana tequila dishes out free guac to support local eateries

Using QR codes and Venmo, the Guac on the Rock effort will reimburse consumers for up to $1 million of guacamole orders.

By Chris Kelly • April 8, 2021

Nearly half of execs expect social marketing budgets to double in next 3 years, study finds

Growing investments don't necessarily reflect confidence, as less than half of respondents described their current strategy as "very effective."

By Peter Adams • April 8, 2021

IAB: Digital ad revenue rose 12% in 2020 amid rebound from pandemic

Digital video saw the highest growth at 21% to $26.2 billion, expanding its share of total internet ad revenue to almost 19%.

By Robert Williams • April 8, 2021

Molson Coors puts giant QR codes on runners to push low-calorie beer

Consumers who got close enough to scan giant codes worn by pro runners received a rebate for a 12-pack of Coors Pure, its first organic brew.

By Peter Adams • April 7, 2021

For Walmart, some pandemic-related marketing changes will endure longer than others

Executives speaking at the MMA's Impact conference talked up strong results for experiential activations on the same day the retailer announced hiring its first chief creative officer. 

By Peter Adams • April 7, 2021

IPG teams with TikTok to deepen brand clients' access to creator culture

A multiyear deal includes quarterly "Creator Camps" where talent from the platform will provide advice on upcoming campaigns.

By Peter Adams • April 6, 2021