Smartphone shopping surged 25% to $3.6B on Black Friday, study finds

Mobile made up 40% of the day's overall online spending, while in-store and curbside pickup increased as consumers avoided in-store shopping.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 30, 2020

Winners and losers of Black Friday 2020

Online sales, curbside and store pickup all surged as a sales event defined by the pandemic took shape.

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 28, 2020

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Retail Marketing

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

By Marketing Dive staff

Michelob Ultra promotes inclusion with #GiftofGolf social sweepstakes

As presenting sponsor of the celeb-led "Match 3" broadcast, the beer brand seeks to make golf more accessible to people who have been dissuaded by "outdated traditions and high cost of entry."

By Robert Williams • Nov. 25, 2020

Instagram adds FAQ feature in chats for businesses, creators

The feature might help brands better facilitate customer service, which could grow in importance as Instagram prioritizes channels like e-commerce.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 25, 2020

Mobile Marketer merges with Marketing Dive

Starting the week of Dec. 7, subscribers will receive the same timely coverage of the latest developments in mobile via the new Marketing Dive: Mobile weekly newsletter.

By Chantal Tode • Nov. 24, 2020

Snapchat distributes $1M a day to video creators of new TikTok clone

The photo-messaging app now has a feature called Spotlight that shows a customized feed of user-made content.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 24, 2020

Paint-mixing TikTok star fired by Sherwin-Williams heads to smaller rival

Tony Piloseno, who has over 1.4 million TikTok followers, has been hired full-time by Florida Paints, which will let him develop his own line of products.

By Robert Williams • Updated Nov. 25, 2020

HBO teams with Verizon on AR ads for 'His Dark Materials'

Both companies have been putting a big focus on AR of late as research underscores the tech's potential in the entertainment category.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 24, 2020

TJX retailers bring carols to Instagram Reels for holiday campaign

In an effort to raise money for Feeding America, the brands have tapped artists including Meghan Trainor and Brandy to encourage consumers to participate.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 23, 2020

ESPN touts mobile sports content with app-focused campaign

A 60-second spot debuted during last night's American Music Awards to show the breadth of ESPN content that mobile users can experience in the app.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 23, 2020

Old Spice looks to create world's longest-lasting white elephant game on social

Entrants to the digital gift swap are eligible to win a man cave valued at $13,000 that includes a custom branded billiards table and flat-screen TV.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 23, 2020

Jersey Mike's tests Twitch's interactive multiplayer ads

The Amazon-owned platform will reward digital currency to video streamers who host polls after interactive video ads.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 23, 2020

Walmart boosts shoppable videos with Tastemade cooking shows

Tastemade's "Struggle Meals" series lets viewers text an on-screen number to add suggested ingredients to a virtual shopping cart.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 23, 2020

Hulu uses OOH holograms to bring 'Animaniacs' reboot to life

For the show's debut weekend, animated characters were projected atop taxis and rideshare vehicles at iconic locations in New York and Los Angeles.

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 23, 2020

Babe Wine teams with 'Real Housewives' star for Instagram contest

The AB InBev brand is working with "Real Housewives of New York" alumna Dorinda Medley to give consumers a chance to redecorate for the holidays.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 20, 2020

Study: Most retailers will boost ad spend on Facebook next year

Ninety-three percent of retail brands currently buy ads on the social network, Smarly.io found, despite a media boycott against it over the summer.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 20, 2020

Snapchat expands ad toolkit for app marketers

An upgraded ad suite includes new products to boost retention, lifetime value and return on ad spend, while more directly integrating Snapchat experiences in brands' apps.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 20, 2020

Dunkin' pushes for TikTok followers with return of branded onesies

After its recent holiday merch drop mostly sold out, the brand is promising to bring back last year's onesie if it reaches two million TikTok followers.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 20, 2020

Pandemic spurs business for 70% of mobile marketers, study finds

Three quarters of marketers said their users were highly engaged, as app downloads in gaming, shopping and finance reached all-time highs.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 19, 2020

Apple cuts App Store fees in half to help small businesses

The news arrives a month after a congressional report on antitrust claimed that Apple stifles competition, and specifically mentioned App Store fees.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 19, 2020

Pepsi challenges home cooks to share 'baking fails'

As many Americans try their hand at preparing a Thanksgiving meal for the first time, contest entrants can win a bottle of Pepsi's new apple pie-flavored cola.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 19, 2020

Verizon touts 5G with geotargeted AR concert on Snapchat

The wireless carrier is giving people a chance to see a virtual performance by Black Pumas singer Eric Burton outside the New York Public Library.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 19, 2020

Google revamps Google Pay, adds 3 new partner banks

Google continues its push into the payments space with a redesigned app and expanded network of banks offering co-branded accounts.

By Anna Hrushka • Nov. 19, 2020

YouTube touts audio ad results in shot across Spotify's bow

Among brands that tested the platform's first push into radio-like ads, 75% experienced an increase in awareness.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 18, 2020

Chipotle turns fans into 'royalty' with TikTok challenge

With its latest campaign on the embattled video app, the QSR gives users a chance to win $10,000 and turn their go-to orders into a temporary menu item.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 18, 2020