Study: Shopping apps boost engagement during pandemic

The cost to acquire a shopper who completed a first purchase plunged by more than half to $19.47 in March.

By Robert Williams • June 19, 2020

Lexus gamifies preview of new car with AR app

Users can virtually drive the new 2021 IS as if it were a remote-control toy in the carmaker's app, which features immersive technology.

By Robert Williams • June 19, 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

Nintendo's 'Animal Crossing' to host virtual Global Pride parade

Twitch creators on June 27 will livestream "Animal Crossing" sessions and host Pride activities in the hit social simulation game.

By Robert Williams • June 19, 2020

Burger King debuts 1st 'dance ordering' on TikTok

With the influencer-powered #WhopperDance challenge, the chain is offering $1 burgers to users who create music videos that include special moves.

By Robert Williams • June 19, 2020

Etsy unveils AR shopping tool for wall art

The features are particularly useful while the pandemic keeps people inside and consumer attention remains focused on the home.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 18, 2020

Hilton CMO departs as hospitality giant cuts 22% of corporate workforce

Previously from Uber, Kellyn Smith Kenny is credited with helping grow Hilton's loyalty program to 100 million members.

By Peter Adams • June 18, 2020

Chipotle chatbot brings ordering to Facebook Messenger

Pepper, a "concierge bot," will guide customers through several steps on the chat app to place an order for pickup or delivery.

By Robert Williams • June 18, 2020

SiriusXM buys podcast tech startup Simplecast

In a sign of growing competition in the space, Kim Kardashian West reportedly made a podcasting deal with SiriusXM competitor Spotify.

By Robert Williams • June 18, 2020

Study: #Ad tag usage by Instagram influencers falls 30%

While COVID-19 contributed to the decline, lower usage of the hashtag likely began before the pandemic, Socialbakers estimates.

By Robert Williams • June 18, 2020

Crisis management: How two DTC brands found success in the midst of a pandemic

As much of retail struggles to survive, intimates brand Knix and bridal business Azazie have seen sales spikes amid an outbreak that has pushed more shoppers online.

By Cara Salpini • June 17, 2020

Google bans far-right site ZeroHedge from ad platform for policy violations

In a related move, The Federalist was given three days to remove violations of Google's policies, which it did.

By Robert Williams • June 17, 2020

Spotify unveils self-service video ads

Advertisers can format video ads to appear horizontally or vertically, optimizing them for viewing on iOS and Android devices.

By Robert Williams • June 17, 2020

EU opens antitrust probes of App Store, Apple Pay

The investigation follows Spotify complaints that the iPhone maker's control of the App Store gives it an unfair advantage against rivals.

By Robert Williams • June 17, 2020

How brands can use hyperlocal marketing to bounce back and drive revenue

Marketers must balance a "monitor and adapt" strategy with consumers' desire for normalcy as they return to business, Chatmeter CEO Collin Holmes writes.

By Collin Holmes • June 17, 2020

WhatsApp adds mobile payments in Brazil

Shoppers in the country can now use the Facebook-owned app to browse merchants' product catalogs and make direct payments.

By Robert Williams • June 16, 2020

Snapchat aims to educate marketers with 'Snap Focus' classes

A new education portal includes six classes for a free Snapchat Ads Manager certification to help professionals hone their campaigns on the app.

By Robert Williams • June 16, 2020

Burger King serves up 100K breakfast sandwiches to 'night owls'

The chain is rolling out the plant-based Impossible Croissan-wich and wants to drive foot traffic to restaurants by not offering the giveaway for delivery orders.

By Robert Williams • June 16, 2020

Walmart teams with Shopify to grow its marketplace

By bringing in new sellers, the retail giant seems to be taking a page from Amazon's playbook, but it's unclear how much its assortment will change.

By Daphne Howland • June 15, 2020

Verizon inks 3-year pact with 'League of Legends' esports league

A deep partnership around 5G and network services comes as the telecom's own streaming bets on gaming draw millions during the pandemic.

By Peter Adams • June 15, 2020

Stihl Timbersports drives YouTube views among sports-hungry fans

The push behind a year-old extreme lumberjack competition series spurred 1.9 million social media impressions and 95,000 clicks on YouTube.

By Robert Williams • June 15, 2020

Report: Google Pay to add more shopping features

A redesigned platform will feature branded buttons from merchants, letting customers place orders or pay for services inside the payment app.

By Robert Williams • June 15, 2020

Global ad marketplace to drop 7% this year, rebound next year, Magna says

Despite the strength of digital formats, COVID-19's impact on the overall advertising industry now appears to be deeper than previously forecast.

By Dianna Christie • June 15, 2020

Stella Artois taps Andy Cohen for social audio series

"Daydreaming in The Life Artois" appears on the AB InBev brand's YouTube channel every Friday through July 10.

By Robert Williams • June 15, 2020

Facebook's purchase of Giphy faces antitrust review

The social media giant will cooperate with the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority, and developer access to Giphy won't change in the meantime.

By Robert Williams • June 15, 2020

Bounty targets gamers with Twitch influencer campaign

A spot by the Procter & Gamble brand dramatizes gamers' anguish when they knock over drinks on computer equipment during intense gaming sessions.

By Robert Williams • June 12, 2020