News and Analysis
SOCi, Dominating the CoMarketing Cloud Revolution
SOCi, Inc., the CoMarketing Cloud tailored for multi-location enterprises, has reached a significant milestone: $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). This achievement places SOCi among the exclusive ranks of global centaur companies, a status that is seven times rarer than the coveted unicorn status. Unlike unicorns, which are often valued based on speculative projections, […]
Hallmark Launches its Own Media Channel
In the MULO (multi-location) retail world, Hallmark is one brand that has consistently been able to flex and scale — beyond the brick-and-mortar card store. Now, Hallmark is “joining the streaming fray.” The new media channel will (of course) be called Hallmark+, and it will make its debut in September. Hallmark has been way ahead of […]
Who Owns What in the MULO World?
Darden recently made a huge acquisition in the MULO (multi-location) food world, gobbling up Chuy’s fast-casual Mexican locations (100+) in a $605M deal. According to FSR Magazine, the holding company has also made some major acquisitions over the last decade. “Chuy’s marks Darden’s sixth acquisition in 15 years. In 2007, the company acquired RARE Hospitality […]
Commentary
Combating Ad Fraud with Machine Learning and Human Supervision
While machine learning and artificial intelligence are on the rise within ad fraud prevention efforts, it’s becoming clear that machines, despite their competence for processing knowledge, can’t fight the battle alone. Ultimately, humans are much more adept at understanding and applying logic. That’s why a combination of machine learning and manual, human intervention is crucial in the fight against ad fraud.
Location-Based Marketing Association: OOH Trace Launches a Platform for Real-Time OOH Proof of Play
In this episode of Location Weekly, the Location-Based Marketing Association covers Revlon partnering with ACTV8me on a sequential QR code campaign, Anyline helping tire retailers with a new app, Sam’s Club rewarding electric vehicle drivers, and OOH TRACE launching a platform for real-time OOH proof of play.
The Future-Proof, Full-Funnel Approach to Thriving in a Cookieless World
Building strong relationships and encouraging customers to continually engage with the brand will go a long way toward building out first-party data collection and management. But how? As the cookieless world draws near, brands and marketers are looking for alternatives, and the answer lies in a future-proof, full-funnel approach.
Latest Posts
Study: Multi-Location Businesses Underestimate Power of Local Digital Strategy
Marketing technology has changed the way consumers find, choose, and return to businesses. While the majority of multi-location businesses have successfully implemented broad strategies to be discovered by consumers, research shows many are failing to fully leverage the latest tools for local discovery, engagement, and conversion.
AnyRoad Enables Brands to Close First-Party Data Gap
AnyRoad’s new solution, which debuted last month, enables brands to collect first-party data and feedback from every guest that attends an experiential activation or event — not just the primary reservation holder.
Machine Learning Transforms Local TV into a Modern Advertising Channel
Kalyan Lanka, VP of product management at Ampersand, argues that the same pairing of creative and targeting potential celebrated in CTV is hitting local TV. Here’s how marketers can take advantage of the opportunity.
Where Will the Latest Economic Slump Take Technology?
Are we on the cusp of the next technological revolution that will come to define our globalized planet in the next few decades or more? From the printing press to the telephone and the electric light bulb, to the television and personal computer, each of these paradigm-shifting inventions took hold during economic depressions or deep recessions.
Keen Brings SaaS to Marketing Mix Modeling
Keen believes it can offer a version of MMM updated for the 2020s in the form of a SaaS-based platform (with some degree of managed services).
AI Can Bring the Fun Back to Advertising
Long ago, the advertising industry lost its key ingredient — fun. With an overabundance of campaigns to optimize and oversee, marketers have no time to tap into the creativity or strategic thinking that persuaded many to pursue a career in the industry in the first place.
Survey: 59% of Retailers and Restaurant Chains Plan to Increase Investment in Location Tech
The group found an industry on the precipice of major change. While most restaurant chains and retailers aren’t currently leveraging location data enterprise-wide, the survey found that executives are increasing their investments in location technology and expect to see the benefits of those efforts within months.
Thanx Expands Access to Enterprise-Grade Loyalty Programs
Bespoke loyalty programs used to be reserved for the largest national brands. Restaurant chains like Pizza Hut, Chili’s, and Starbucks generated massive success as some of the first players in the industry to let customers earn and redeem rewards from their mobile phones. Now, the loyalty, CRM, and guest engagement platform Thanx is looking to bring those same high-end features to the broader business market.
Consumer Expectations Meet Marketing Reality in the Metaverse
Meta shareholders have had it with the metaverse. When Mark Zuckerberg renewed his commitment to the project in an earnings call last week, Meta shares plunged 25%. For consumers, it’s a different story.
Holiday E-Commerce: Google Focuses on Value
With inflation high, markets struggling, and marketers widely doubling down on value, Google joined the trend, updating Shopping to emphasize deals and promotions.
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