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
What’s Old was New at This Year’s Upfronts
This year’s Upfronts mirrored the changes taking place in the industry as there was a greater focus on streamers, with Netflix, Amazon and YouTube dominating headlines and generating more buzz than their broadcast and cable counterparts. Despite the industry’s desire to embrace new technologies and fully enter the streaming era, progress from years past appears […]
Streets Ahead: Google DOJ Ruling and Google’s Search Dominance
In this week’s Streets Ahead update from SOCi, we learn about the Google DOJ ruling and AI’s effect on Google’s search dominance Google Ruled a Monopoly in DOJ Case In a 2020 lawsuit, the Department of Justice and several state attorneys general accused Google of maintaining a monopoly, leading to a ruling by federal judge […]
The Cookie Crumbled: Deprecation is Out, First-Party Data is (Still) In
While Google backed of its cookie deprecation plans, now is not the time for brands to become complacent. Smart marketers continue to prioritize third-party cookie alternatives to effectively and efficiently reach their audiences—and future-proof their targeting strategies, which are still likely to be impacted by privacy changes and signal loss. Google users will soon have […]
Latest Posts
New Study by Washie Reveals Why Your Bathroom Matters
When discussing MULO (multi-location) brands, we focus on their inventory, menu, drive-thru, and talent. But you don’t always hear much about the paper towel dispenser or the toilet plunger in the bathroom —until Washie. If a consumer walks out of a bathroom talking about the appearance or smell of a restroom at a restaurant, retailer, […]
Enhancing Fan Experience with Advanced Technology
In today’s data-driven world, sports franchises are not just competing on the field, but also in the realm of fan engagement. Navigating the complexities of fan data—spanning ticket sales, merchandise purchases, digital experiences, and season ticket holder interactions—has become a crucial challenge for teams aiming to understand their audience on a deeper level. It’s no […]
Building Blocks of a Multi-location Marketing Campaign
In today’s increasingly competitive digital marketplace, multi-location brands face unique challenges formulating their geographically driven marketing strategies. From maintaining brand consistency to tailoring efforts for local markets, businesses with multiple locations must walk a fine line between brand consistency and local relevance. With the right approach, brands can address these challenges effectively and build campaigns […]
Seedtag Is Ready for Contextual Advertising’s Renaissance
Brian Danzis is a busy bee. In addition to running Seedtag as President, North America, he’s been on the speaking circuit. Most recently he was at Advertising Week in New York in October, speaking on a panel about CTV and retail media. In September, Danzis appeared at the Cynopsis Big TV Summit on a panel […]
Multi-Family Housing: The Brand Experience Part 2
These days, MULO (multi-location) brands are not just restaurants, retailers, and service businesses. As society’s housing and work needs evolve, apartment complexes, residential property managers, and live/work landlords are also building brands. The first part of this series dealt with the unique challenges of MULO real estate brands. We also spoke to Lia Nichole Smith, […]
Streets Ahead: Google’s AI Driven Search, Apple Business Connect
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, we discuss Google’s new AI-driven search features and updates to Apple Business Connect that expand business presence to the Apple ecosystem. Google Introduces New Search Features The News Google is introducing AI-driven enhancements to its search features, focusing on providing diverse and intuitive ways for users to interact with […]
Physical Books Are a Hit with Digital Natives
For all the handwringing about how social media is chipping away at our mental health, digital social platforms are driving at least one type of analog media: physical books. As in the kind, where you flip actual pages by lamp light. No scrolling. No clicking. Just honest-to-God printed words on paper. And the delicious irony […]
Who Says Chickens Can’t Fly? Raising Cane’s is Soaring (BOOM)
Why did the chicken cross the road to Cancun? To meet with Raising Cane’s 3,000 team members to present the plan for the future! Raising Cane’s is a multi-billion-dollar brand with over 800 locations. Founded in 1996, the company’s sales have been on the upswing. The brand gathered its team in Mexico to present its […]
Brand Building or Performance Marketing? Why Multi-Location Brands Must Invest in Both
Brands have long grappled with the decision of how to allocate marketing dollars across brand building and performance marketing. Building sustainable brand awareness and a strong reputation requires a long-term investment with tough-to-measure results. Performance marketing delivers more immediate local leads and sales. It’s easy to see why many brands overinvest in performance marketing at […]
Content Creators are Upping Their Game
When we hear “content creators” and “influencers” we may think primarily about people unboxing new products, waxing poetic about their cosmetics, sharing branded recipes, or merely dancing on TikTok. Many of these people are “citizen marketers” who promote products for a paycheck. However, another group of content creators focuses on developing more in-depth content that […]
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