News and Analysis

WiRL-ing with Satyne Julianna Doner

WiRL-ing with Satyne Julianna Doner

Share this:

Although technology is booming, human connections remain extremely valuable in the MULO (multi-location) restaurant world. A whopping 77% of restaurant operators say that talent acquisition and retention are significant challenges. Associate Editor Satyne Julianna Doner recently gathered a group of executive women in the MULO (multi-location) restaurant industry to discuss their career paths and how to foster […]

Hatch Urges People to Escape the Algorithm

Hatch Urges People to ‘Escape the Algorithm’

Share this:

A Boston-based agency known as Hatch has come up with a tagline for a local museum’s campaign that may well be a healthy approach to life itself: “Escape the algorithm.” For the purposes of this local outdoor campaign, which began its run in the greater Boston area in 2024, the work is in support of […]

How AI May Win Prime Days in 2025 StreetFight

How AI May Win Prime Days in 2025

Share this:

When Amazon launched its Prime Days concept, it was a true novelty.  After all, who doesn’t want deals, especially those that come up unexpectedly? This year, Amazon has expanded Prime Days to four full days (July 8th to 11th) and has already begun spending on pre-promotion awareness ads. Amazon spends approximately $20B on advertising annually, […]

Commentary

Scalable Reviews and Reputation Management for Multi-Location Brands StreetFight

Scalable Reviews and Reputation Management for Multi-Location Brands

Share this:

It’s no secret that customer reviews makes or breaks a brand. Reputation management influences buying decisions, impacts local search rankings, and—let’s be honest—shapes how people feel about doing business with you. For multi-location brands, though, reputation management isn’t just about responding to a few Google reviews. It’s about scaling trust across dozens, hundreds, or even […]

Local Memo: Google Acknowledges ChatGPT Threat, New Visibility Boost for Restaurants

Streets Ahead: Google Acknowledges ChatGPT Threat, New Visibility Boost for Restaurants

Share this:

In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discusses Google admitting the competitive threat of ChatGPT and also doubling down on Local with a new “What’s Happening” feature benefiting restaurants Google on the ChatGPT Threat The News  An internal Google document, surfaced during the ongoing Department of Justice trial (with a decision expected soon), reveals a major […]

Uncertainty is the Only Thing Certain in AdTech: Take the Power Back Streetfight

Uncertainty is the Only Thing Certain in AdTech: Take the Power Back

Share this:

Google has had quite an interesting start to 2025. Just last month, the United States Department of Justice ruling that Google was operating as an advertising monopoly was quickly followed by the announcement that it plans to keep third-party cookies. And all of this comes after Google made significant changes to its search algorithm in […]

Latest Posts

What's New at Walmart? A Creator Studio!

What’s New at Walmart? A Creator Studio!

Share this:

We’ve heard of SWAS or “stores within stores” (like Sephora at Kohl’s) and “pickleball within malls.” However, something new and powerful has now emerged for creators, at a Walmart in Tennessee. It’s a fully equipped creator studio where brand influencers, entertainers, and other Instagram-famous personalities and TikTok stars can capture content. Create-It Studios is described […]

Real American Beer Supports Live Music

Real American Beer Supports Live Music

Share this:

Way back in 1974, The Who single “Long Live Rock” contained the sad refrain, “Rock is dead.” Not if WWE icon Hulk Hogan and his Real American Beer brand have anything to say about it: rock music—along with other genres–is being nourished and thriving through its brand sponsorships that support up-and-coming bands across the U.S. […]

Customer Communication : How AI and Omnichannel Are Changing the Game StreetFight

Customer Communication : AI and Omnichannel

Share this:

A new study by Sinch, a global company specializing in SMS marketing, reveals that consumers have particular views on the rapid pace of AI integration in customer communication. The 2.8 consumers surveyed expect consistent, secure, and personalized experiences across all channels, including SMS, email, chat, and voice. A significant 58% of consumers are accepting of […]

Streets Ahead: Google’s AI Mode and New Full-Width Knowledge Panels

Streets Ahead: Google’s AI Mode and New Full-Width Knowledge Panels

Share this:

In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discusses Google CEO, Sundar Pichai’s comments on AI Mode & the future of Google Search as well as the Knowledge Panel /Business Profile redesign. The Future of Google Search – AI Mode The News  In a wide-ranging conversation on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai explored […]

Broadsign In-Advance Advances DOOH Buying StreetFight

Broadsign Makes Advances in DOOH Buying

Share this:

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 StreetFight

BOOM: MULO Health & Wellness

Share this:

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 Hospitality Brands Go Glamping StreetFight

MULO Hotel Brands Go Glamping

Share this:

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 […]

Crafts Gets a New Future: Michael's Buys Joann Brands StreetFight

Crafting a New Future: Michael’s Buys Joann Brands

Share this:

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 StreetFight

dataplor Secures $20.5M Series B to Expand Global Location Intelligence

Share this:

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 StreetFight

Innovid Report: CTV Ad Spend Should Be Higher

Share this:

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 […]