News and Analysis
“Momentjacking” is the New Holiday Promotion
You may have heard of “newsjacking.” It simply means that brands and influencers plan their social media posting and content around current events and consumer trends. However, as the world (and social media feeds) move faster than ever before and people jump on a wide range of “fauxlidays” (contrived holidays meant mostly for marketing purposes), reality […]
Pizza Industry Tech
“Let’s order a couple of pies!” … “Let’s grab a slice!” … Those suggestions are alive and well, as evidenced by Americans eating an average of 156 slices each year. The pizza industry is estimated at $46B. Local single-location pizza shops still exist, but the MULO (multi-location) giant Domino’s tops the list in terms of […]
MULO Outposts are In Vogue
What do we mean by a MULO (multi-location) outpost? It’s a brand that’s located within a “non-traditional” venue. For example, Hudson News is a standard airport tenant that sells magazines, treats, and travel-related incidentals for travelers to grab en route. They have more than 1,000 stores now in 37 states. Imagine this writer’s surprise when […]
Commentary
The C-Store of the Future: Beyond Gas & Gum
Although the industry has consolidated in recent years, close to 150K convenience stores (C-store) exist in the U.S. We may take them for granted, but they are a staple of modern life. The C-store is a solution whether we need pain relief, diapers at 2 AM, or a much-needed rest stop and re-fuel (physically or […]
Rootstrap Co-Founder on AI Regulation
First of all, Anthony Figueroa wants everyone to know he is a big believer in the power and potential of AI. As co-founder and CTO of outcome-driven software development company Rootstrap, he is both amazed and afraid of AI’s potential based on what he has seen so far. “I think the biggest danger is that […]
The Next Big Change for Brands: Digital Trust
Data privacy and consumer trust are key priorities for multi-location brands, users, and the U.S. government. On January 1, the California Privacy Rights Act was put into effect, a solid sign that federal privacy laws may be in the near future in the U.S. In fact, a recent McKinsey report explored the topic of “Digital […]
Latest Posts
Marketing Agency Perspective: Improving the Franchisor-Franchisee Relationship
The relationship between a franchisor and a franchisee is … unique. Given the franchise business model and the fact that a franchisor is in a relationship with hundreds or thousands of franchisees, it’s especially important to nurture a better corporate and franchisee relationship. Here are five ideas to do just that, from a franchise marketing […]
Times are Changing: Meta’s AI-Powered Features Bring In New Era for Advertising Tech
In a move that could potentially reshape the adtech landscape, Meta has announced its latest foray into the world of artificial intelligence for advertising. The company formerly known as Facebook is set to roll out a suite of new generative AI features that can create ad backgrounds, expand images, and generate multiple versions of ad […]
Put a Pin in It: The Definition of a Place is Transforming
Domino’s just launched a new product (and is running campaign ads), enabling consumers to have pizza and other treats delivered wherever they “drop a pin.” It’s aptly called Pinpoint Delivery™. The definition of a “place” is transforming. Pre-Internet, it was simply a physical brick-and-mortar location. You went to those places to shop, dine, stay, meet, […]
BOOM: The Designer and Basic Milkshake
Despite many consumers’ focus on healthy and lactose-free beverages, a new MULO (multi-location) trend is picking up steam (or should we say whipped cream?). Milkshakes first came on the scene in 1885, and were made with booze. Ironically, the boozy milkshake is now having a moment again! In 1922, Walgreens began serving milkshakes and the […]
Macy’s Goes From Malls to Micro-Mini Model
Are mega department stores like Macy’s becoming a thing of the past? Although big box multi-location (MULO) stores in some categories like home improvement and groceries still make sense, the mall-based department stores may be due for a reconfiguration. Macy’s just announced that it is opening 30 small format stores. Leveraging the timeless reputation (founded […]
ChatGPT and the New Era of Search: Personalized Advertising and Beyond
As OpenAI adds more features and capabilities to ChatGPT, its artificial intelligence program, the potential use cases for search, advertising and brand marketing are growing. ChatGPT has been making waves across multiple industries since its inception, however last week’s announcement that the program will now be able to search the internet on its own is […]
BOOM: Brunch and the MULO Brands
Whether you crave a mimosa, an elaborate Bloody Mary, or simply a stack of good old-fashioned pancakes with syrup, one thing is certain — brunch is back and fueling MULO brands! A recent study by Square revealed that Saturday brunch is now the busiest day part for restaurants, including those with multiple locations (MULO brands). […]
6 Virtual Sizing Tools for Fashion Retailers
One of the last remaining hurdles for fashion brands to overcome in the e-commerce space has to do with sizing. For years, retailers have been attempting to replicate the in-store try-on experience online, with varying degrees of success. In 2023, something changed. Technology caught up with what shoppers and retailers were asking for, and a […]
The Marketing Agency of the Future: A Perspective from Andy Parnell
We recently sat down with Andy Parnell, President of Lane Terralever and Convince and Convert, an Arizona-based agency that works across a wide range of multi-location (MULO) clients in both the B-to-B and DTC worlds. With broad and deep experience, Andy has seen many changes in the marketing and agency world. He offers great insights […]
Agencies Find New Ways to Measure Performance of Snapchat Ads
Despite being one of the most influential social platforms on the planet, Snapchat is often viewed as being less desirable for advertisers than competitors like Facebook, TikTok, or Pinterest. That is, at least in part, due to how difficult it has traditionally been for advertisers to track their Snapchat Ads results in Snap. Now, an […]
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