News and Analysis

The Cookie Is Crumbling: Americans Demand Better Privacy, Transparency, and Control

The ongoing debate surrounding the death of the cookie has prompted leaders in ad tech to reevaluate modern advertising practices and search for more privacy-conscious and user-friendly alternatives. Users are demanding greater privacy — including transparency, choice, and control over how their data is used. In addition, Apple has diminished the retargeting connection through IDFA, […]

The MULO Dozen: October Brands in Review

Last month, we launched this new section,  recapping some of the highlights across MULO (multi-location) brands — retailers, restaurants, c-stores, service businesses, and any other establishment that have multiple locations (or aspires to scale to that level), as well as the agencies that help them flourish. We cover: INNOVATION: Here are the brands that are […]

Study Reveals What Drives Attention From CTV Ads

We know that attention is a critical metric for advertising, especially on channels like connected TV (CTV), where advertisers are not only trying to reach their target audiences, but also to engage them to drive real business outcomes. We also know that it’s incredibly difficult to determine what, exactly, drives more attention from CTV ads. […]

Commentary

Are Brand Ambassadors Replacing Influencers Post-Pandemic?

The everyday consumer tends to first seek out friends/family and niche influencers (or brand ambassadors) for recommendations rather than celebrity influencers. An ambassador is product-oriented, commission-driven, and incentivized to sell products, rather than being paid per post conditional upon the number of followers they have like an influencer. Being commission-driven, ambassadors will usually get into the nitty-gritty about the product, spelling out why they love it, tips on styling, etc.

Apple’s Long View of Data Privacy: Revisiting Jobs in 2010

But what is the source of Apple’s self-interest, which drives its approach to privacy? I want to suggest that it’s not just a short-sighted opportunity to one-up Facebook and rival smartphone maker Google. Unlike the vast majority of tech companies recently touting new approaches to privacy, Apple isn’t new to this party.

Marketers, We Need More Accurate Attribution Modeling

In order to produce accurate attribution models, data must be combined, centralized, clean, valid, and recent. Brands that compile customer data from all channels and assemble the tech that produces multi-faceted views of customer journeys will have a competitive advantage. AI-driven modeling is possible with the right data tools in place.

Latest Posts

LBMA: Uberall’s Acquisition of MomentFeed

In this episode of Location Weekly, the Location-Based Marketing Association covers Überall raising $115M and acquiring MomentFeed, LifeTagger and QR 2.0, Princess Cruises’ CrewCall bringing services to passengers at their location, and Perch rolling out “product aware displays” for Purina.

Global Brands Get Creative with Post-Pandemic Loyalty Strategy

As the country reopens and consumers step outside once again, brands are beginning to reimagine their loyalty programs for a post-pandemic world. That means pivoting away from strategies that rely on third-party data and providing more customers with relevant experiences in owned digital channels.

Fostering a Cybersecurity Culture to Avoid Retail Apocalypse

Reports indicate that local commerce is picking up. Consumers have shown pent-up demand, according to the National Retail Federation, after being locked down for many months with stimulus funds burning holes in their pockets. Retailers are noticing, but so are cybercriminals.

Think You’re Ready for AI? You Might Not Be

Despite its great promise, AI is not for everyone, and integrating AI into your existing functions isn’t something that happens overnight. If you’re not ready – and you don’t have the right kind of data to make AI productive and the insights actionable – it can be more of a hindrance than a help. AI-based campaigns should be approached carefully and methodically, but if done right, the payoff can be substantial.

6 AI-Based Mapping Systems for Efficient Logistics

Already, businesses are using AI-based mapping systems to find the most efficient routes, which saves valuable time and fuel costs. AI-based mapping systems could also be useful for companies that want to create more optimized truckload plans based on market situations and cargo specifications.

Innovation Brief: Google, Facebook & Netflix

On a semi-weekly basis, Street Fight’s Innovation Brief series aggregates and analyzes happenings from across the technology and media spheres. This week, we look at Google’s latest machine learning, Facebook’s Watch play, and Netflix getting into e-commerce. 

How E-Commerce Apps Can Win Prime Day

Advice abounds about how to prepare for Prime Day 2021 (June 21 and 22) — from perfecting your social strategy to how to score the best deals. Here are a few tips, backed by data, to help your brand come out of online retail’s biggest day with an even bigger win.

LBMA: NextNav Merging with Spartacus

In this episode of Location Weekly, the Location-Based Marketing Association covers a free laundry service for the homeless, Rockbot teaming with Clear Channel on the airport market, NextNav merging with Spartacus to go public, and solar-powered e-paper bringing real-time signs to the Bavarian ski resort.

Our Industry’s Efforts to Solve the Identity Crisis Are Grossly Misdirected

Today’s industry trades are clogged with speculation and solutions addressing the forthcoming upheaval of the digital identity landscape. Unfortunately, little of the discussion and proposed paths forward are focused on mobile apps, the environment in which the loss of consumer targeting capabilities is going to be most devastating.

7 Things to Know About Cannabis Marketing

Legal cannabis sales skyrocketed 46% last year, and the industry’s marketing sector is growing alongside it. But marketing a substance that is only recreationally legal in 14 states and medicinally permitted in 36 requires a more targeted approach than ads for soft drinks or toilet paper. Here are seven things to know about cannabis marketing.