News and Analysis
Ryan Serhant Update: Disrupting the MULO Real Estate World
We interviewed Ryan Serhant a couple of years ago, when he introduced the concept of a “real estate broker office as content creator studio.” His vision appears to be gaining momentum as Serhant expands into new markets. Serhant is also upping the talent game in a legacy industry by recruiting the best property “influencers” with […]
Swiftly’s Campaign Studio Can Empower Local Grocers
When ad historians look back on the evolution of DOOH advertising, they may well say of the present time, “self-service was the rage.” (Apologies to Anatole Broyard.) And just as Broyard opened a used book store in Greenwich Village in the 1940’s and got to know his clientele very well, so too do local grocers […]
Cracker Barrel: The Rebrand That is Anything But Stale!
The MULO (multi-location) restaurant ecosystem and the marketing agencies that support it have been abuzz and aghast over the past week. Cracker Barrel has about 700 locations in 44 states, but the number of opinions on their new logo and store design outweighs those numbers. And many have been less than favorable on the rebrand. […]
Commentary
Streets Ahead: TikTok Returns, Google AI-Powered Q&A
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discusses the return of TikTok and a new AI-powered Google feature for local answers. TikTok Returns to App Stores Amid Uncertainty The News After weeks of being unavailable for new downloads, TikTok is back in Apple and Google app stores. From January 19 until last week, new users […]
Mass Appeal vs. Local Love: Who’s Really Winning the Loyalty War?
Customer loyalty is the golden ticket for sustainable business success, but the question remains—are broad, mass-marketing strategies capable of winning hearts, or do localized approaches create the genuine connection customers crave? The challenge for brands, especially those with multiple locations, is deciding how to strike the right balance between scale and intimacy. It’s not a […]
Streets Ahead: Google’s Search Labs and Optimizing for AI Search
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discusses Google’s Search Labs latest experiment and optimizing local pages for AI search. Google’s Search Labs Tests AI for Business Leads The News Last week, Google’s Search Labs introduced a new experiment called “Ask for me,” an AI-powered feature designed to call businesses on your behalf to gather […]
Latest Posts
Franchise Growth in 2025: 5 Insights That Could Define Your Future
Franchise businesses represent the backbone of many local economies, contributing not only to the convenience and options we enjoy but also to significant employment growth across the country. In an economy shaped by rapid technological change, evolving consumer behavior, and rising operational costs, franchises are facing both tremendous opportunity and unprecedented complexity. At Cinch, our […]
Karla Jo Helms Preps MULO Brands for the Impact of Tariffs
Karla Jo Helms runs an agency — JOTO PR Disruptors — that describes itself as “the anti-PR agency.” What does that actually mean? They focus on facts and pragmatic guidance rather than just media hype. To that end, Helms advises brands that may be wondering how to best prepare for U.S. trade tariffs. What should […]
Uniting Marketing and Tech Teams to Unlock AI Success
The majority of marketing and tech teams have historically been siloed within organizations, with each focusing on their own goals and paths for execution. Now, as the adoption of AI to enhance customer experiences and drive greater results takes off, that separation is no longer sustainable. In fact, according to McKinsey, nearly 65% of marketers […]
Streets Ahead: Meta Heading to Court and Instagram Reposts
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discuss Meta Heading to Court and Instagram Reposts. Meta Heads to Court as FTC Pushes Breakup of Instagram and WhatsApp The News Meta is back in court this week as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advances its long-running case to force the company to divest Instagram and WhatsApp. The […]
C-Store – Stop…Charge…Drink…Earn…Repeat
What’s new at the C-store (convenience store)? The lowly truck stop is now tech-powered, innovative, and a model for other MULO (multi-location) brands to learn from. Among the seven big trends we’ll see along the road at at the corner store in the months ahead are: EV chargers. Forecasters believe these necessary roadside amenities will […]
420 Goes Digital With the Help of Vistar Media
The cannabis industry is unique in that it was one of the first major sectors to benefit from technology from its inception. A highly-regulated space, marketing cannabis (like the financial, liquor, and pharmaceutical industries) is filled with regulations. That’s where digital media comes into play, keeping major cannabis brands from “going up in smoke.” April 20th […]
Check Out What’s New at the Grocery Store
Walk into any MULO (multi-location) grocery store today, and you’ll likely find far more than what you might have experienced 20 years ago. In fact, the most popular grocery store in the U.S. today is not even an actual grocery store. According to this recent study, 7-Eleven ranks highest, which is proof positive of the […]
BILI Social Partners with NHLAA
Social-media and commerce company BecauseILoveIt.com (BILI Social), has entered an exclusive three-year partnership with the NHL Alumni Association (NHLAA). The goal is to help brands tap into the communities of former professional athletes through revenue-sharing opportunities. Players can promote products through social media and earn commissions through BILI Social. Adrian Capobianco, Co-Founder and CEO of […]
Mother Nature + AI = MULO Sales, According to Zoomd
Sagi Weinberg, Sales Director of Zoomd, a digital marketing powerhouse, believes that many MULO (multi-location) retailers, restaurants, and service businesses are missing out on one key data point that can help them attract customers and sales. The answer lies in the skies — our weather! Whether brands are dealing with frigid or oven-like temps, snow […]
Streets Ahead: Google Social Posts, Local Pack & AIO Results
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discuss Google expanding social posts visibility in local search results and a new study that finds a correlation between local pack and AI Overview results. Google Now Showcasing Social Posts More Prominently in Mobile Search The News If you haven’t already added your social media URLs to your […]
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