News and Analysis
Jessica Wiederhorn Proves That Soul & Profit Can Co-exist at Fat Brands
In advance of Street Fight LIVE 2025, we’d like you to “meet” some of the 30+ thought leaders taking the stage on September 30th. Street Fight publishes a regular column called “Brands With Soul,” and we’re now bringing it to life with Jessica Wiederhorn, President and Founding Board Member of the Fat Brands Foundation. What is […]
Scoring AI & Advertising Points with Aaron Goldman
In the weeks leading up to Street Fight LIVE 2025, we’ll be getting up close and personal with some of our speakers, encouraging them to share stories of how they found themselves in the MULO (multi-location) ecosystem. Today, we speak with Aaron Goldman, advertising guru and Chief Marketing Officer of Mediaocean. How did you first get […]
Monica Feid Talks Franchise Marketing
In the weeks leading up to Street Fight LIVE 2025, we’ll be getting up close and personal with some of our speakers, encouraging them to share stories of how they found themselves in the MULO (multi-location) ecosystem. Once such speaker is Monica Feid of agency, Thunderly. Monica Feid is COO & Co-Founder of Thunderly Marketing, a […]
Commentary
Streets Ahead: Google Business Profile Reverifications and Meta Chatbots
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discuss the issues regarding Google reverifications and explores Meta’s roll out of AI Chatbot features. Google Business Profile Reverifications The News In early March, the SEO community noticed a significant increase in locations requiring reverification on Google Business Profile, prompting many to temporarily halt updates. Last week, Google […]
The Rise of AI Ad Buying Agents: A Marketer’s Perspective
AI-driven ad buying is not new. From Google Ads’ “set-it-and-forget-it” approach to Meta’s dynamic audience targeting, the goal has always been to automate away the tedium of bidding and targeting. But with the more recent advancements in generative AI and deep learning, the promise is morphing into something more expansive: real-time, hyper-personalized ads that match […]
Streets Ahead: Instagram AI-Powered Search, TikTok Creator Search Insights
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi covers Instagram’s new AI-driven search feature and TikTok Creator Search Insights Instagram’s AI-Powered Search The News Instagram is testing an AI-powered search feature within the comments section, according to AdWeek. This new tool automatically generates AI-driven search summaries, offering users relevant context as they engage with posts. 🔹 […]
Latest Posts
Broadsign Makes Advances in DOOH Buying
Broadsign wanted to cut lengthy buying cycles in DOOH (digital out-of-home), and now it can with the launch of a new product called Broadsign In-Advance. Its first customer is now WPP Media in the Netherlands, which tested the new capability to secure DOOH ads across the Netherlands via OutMoove. The technology enables media buyers to […]
BOOM: MULO Health & Wellness
Despite Weight Watcher’s recent bankruptcy, the MULO (multi-location) health and wellness ecosystem—and the consumers who spend there—is booming. Weight Watchers jumped on the weight loss drug bandwagon, but it may have been too late for the iconic brand, founded in 1963. So, other than looking for miracle injections, where else are today’s consumers going to […]
MULO Hotel Brands Go Glamping
We recently wrote about how many multi-location (MULO) hospitality brands are getting into the extended-stay space to meet the needs of business travelers, digital nomads, and other transient professionals. Not only major hotel brands providing these creature comforts but they are also putting guests closer to real creatures with their entrance into the glamping (upscale […]
Crafting a New Future: Michael’s Buys Joann Brands
When MULO (multi-location) fabric and crafts store JOANN declared bankruptcy and closed stores, crafters were up in arms. They took to social media, fretting about where they would buy their favorite handcraft supplies. Michael’s just purchased the failed brand’s 600 products across multiple categories, including fabric, quilting and sewing supplies, sewing machines, and yarn. Those crafters […]
dataplor Secures $20.5M Series B to Expand Global Location Intelligence
In another milestone for the rapidly evolving location intelligence sector, dataplor has announced a $20.5 million Series B funding round led by F-Prime, with participation from Spark Capital, FFVC, Acronym Venture Capital, Two Lanterns, APA Ventures, dara5, and Alumni Ventures. The investment marks a pivotal moment for the Manhattan Beach-based company as it accelerates the […]
Innovid Report: CTV Ad Spend Should Be Higher
Ad spending in CTV is not near what it should be given its potential and sophisticated targeting, reach, and ad formats, according to a report by Innovid, which recently released its 2025 CTV Advertising Insights Report. Citing data from eMarketer, the Innovid report noted that while eyeballs and time spent on streaming content among viewers […]
95% of Your Customers Do This with AI and Humans, According to SOCi
“AI Suggests, Humans Decide!” That’s the bold statement that emerged from the SOCi 2025 Consumer Behavior Index (CBI). The company warns Brands to “embrace” human validation or get left behind. The study validated the importance of TikTok, Instagram, and real human experiences to determine spending choices. Although 19% of consumers are using AI tools themselves […]
Perion Acquires AI Platform Greenbids
When Perion Network Ltd., wanted to take the next step in expanding its offering and fueling potential growth, it decided to acquire Greenbids, an AI platform that can optimize campaigns at scale inside walled gardens such as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, and leading DSPs such as Google DV360 and The Trade Desk. The transaction terms […]
The MULO Dozen: May in Review
Perhaps the biggest news of May is the announcement of some of our amazing and visionary speakers for Street Fight LIVE 2025. However, we’re biased. That said, you won’t find this much diverse and forward-thinking insight anywhere else this fall. The lines have blurred between digital and conventional media, marketers, influencers, and retail, restaurant, and […]
Streets Ahead: Microsoft New Agentic Tools, Apple Maps Recommendations
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discusses Microsoft unveiling over 50 new AI agentic web tools and Apple Maps adding curated recommendations. Microsoft Adds New AI Agentic Web Tools The News At its Build 2025 conference, Microsoft outlined a sweeping strategy to lead the evolution of the “open agentic web,” unveiling more than 50 […]
Street Fight’s Big 3
Street Fight Columns
Street Fight Categories
Authentic Storytelling: Real-Life Scenarios Showcase Brand Values and Build Trust