News and Analysis
Realize by Taboola Boosts Brand ROI with Generative AI
Taboola is seeing rising adoption of Realize, its outcome-driven technology suite launched earlier this year. The company announced that Realize is delivering measurable success for brand advertisers across verticals, while also being enhanced with Generative AI-powered Motion Ads that lift conversion rates by 20% for select advertisers. Advertiser Momentum Across Verticals Realize was designed to […]
Marketing Cycles & Trends With Rachel Noonan
Rachel Noonan is one of the 30+ thought leaders offering perspectives on MULO (multi-location) brands and marketing at Street Fight LIVE 2025. She comes to the stage with 14 years of experience in consumer brand strategy, digital product development, and strategic partnerships across entertainment, media, and tech. Having worked with Universal Pictures, Meta, and Samsung, […]
NBCUniversal Taps Guideline for Smarter, Data-Driven Advertising
Guideline and NBCUniversal have announced the expansion of their partnership to bolster NBCUniversal’s data-driven strategies across ad sales. The collaboration highlights how major media companies are leaning into predictive analytics to stay competitive in a fragmented advertising marketplace. Navigating a Fragmented Market The advertising ecosystem continues to be reshaped by cross-platform consumption, shifting budgets, and […]
Commentary
The Subscription Economy: MULO Businesses and Recurring Revenue Models
As the CEO of Cinch and someone who partners closely with leading multi-location brands, I’ve seen firsthand how rapidly the business landscape is changing. Lately, one trend stands out above the rest: the rise of the subscription economy. More than a passing fad, subscriptions are reshaping how brands engage customers and drive sustainable growth. In […]
Streets Ahead: ChatGPT for Search and Google Local Ranking Guidelines
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discusses ChatGPT becoming a mainstream search tool, Google revising local search ranking guidelines and updating Business Profiles with social links. Adobe Study: 77% of Americans Use ChatGPT for Search The News A recent Adobe survey of 800 consumers and 200 marketers reveals that ChatGPT is becoming a mainstream […]
What the Rise of AI Shopping Means for the Future of Marketing Strategy
A shift is underway in the world of digital commerce and media, and its implications go far beyond channel optimization or creative placement. Publishers and marketers alike are beginning to recognize the transformational potential of AI-powered shopping agents, not just as a user interface, but as a new ecosystem altogether. We are no longer just […]
Latest Posts
For DOOH: Start with Where the Screen Is
Democracy has come to DOOH media. Anyone with a credit card, basic computer skills, and five minutes of free time can set up and run a DOOH campaign thanks to AdOmni’s self-serve ad platform. Jonathan Gudai, CEO of AdOmni, said that for too long the process of planning and executing a campaign has been a mysterious […]
Self-Serve & Marketing Kiosks: The Ultimate in Phygital
Multi-location (MULO) brands have long been using various forms of digital advertising and transaction processing. Labor costs and shortages, combined with consumer demand and love of interactive experiences, have given rise to a whole new category of phygital (physical + digital) options and solutions. At the Summer Fancy Food Show, media and big box buyers were […]
“Louder” is No Longer a Marketing Strategy, According to new Cordial Study
We all know that AI is having a massive impact on how consumers search for goods and services. A new study by Cordial, a leader in messaging for enterprise retail marketing teams, reveals that brands (including MULO or multi-location companies) are woefully under-prepared to deal with its impact. The Cordial report, combining the survey results […]
Habit-Forming Content: Real Strategies from Brands Turning Videos Into Revenue
As businesses invest in expanding their social media presence, they should be clear about their purpose. Producing and sharing social media video content, even when that content goes viral, isn’t enough to justify their efforts. Businesses that benefit from social media marketing leverage their content to attract views, gain followers, and acquire leads by creating […]
Streets Ahead: OpenAI User BackLash, Google Preferred Sources
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discusses OpenAI reinstating GPT-4o following user backlash to GPT-5 rollout and Google personalizing Top Stories with New ‘Preferred Sources’ features. OpenAI Reinstates GPT-4o Following User Backlash to GPT-5 Rollout The News OpenAI has rolled back part of its highly publicized GPT-5 launch after a wave of criticism from […]
New DoubleVerify Report Should Alarm Advertisers
Online advertising now represents nearly $800 billion in spending in 2025, up from a $374 billion market size in 2020. What else is up this year? A new report from DoubleVerify confirms the increases in fraud, AI bots, and ad blocking. Among the highlights for the North America market, based on a survey of 400 advertising […]
5 MULO (Multi-Location) Trends We Can’t Ignore
We’re more than halfway through the year, and the consumer (and its artificial intelligence equivalents) have spoken! The MULO (multi-location) ecosystem is poised for a significant transformation. MULO comprises restaurants, retail, home and personal services businesses, hospitality, convenience stores, groceries, branded housing complexes, and other companies that have multiple brick-and-mortar locations. Here are some of […]
Are Discount Stores and Outlet Malls Still Relevant?
Long before Amazon, consumers would make excursions to factory outlet malls and wander the aisles of stores like Loehmann’s, seeking the ultimate bargain. Bargain shopping remains a great American pastime, and thrifting and upscale second-hand stores have joined the mix, alongside big-box, high-volume membership stores like Costco. Among the MULO (multi-location) discount store brands today […]
Pop-up Retail Abounds
We already know that the “big box” store model has its challenges these days. And micro store footprints have become a widespread alternative to high rents and excess inventory. Even Ikea is getting into the mini-store game. But this summer, another retail format is trending. The pop-up (like a food truck for shopping) is everywhere. Big […]
Streets Ahead: Perplexity’s Ranking Logic, Instagram Metrics
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discusses Perplexity ranking patterns and Instagram’s data update insights. Inside Perplexity’s Ranking Logic: Why Classic SEO Still Matters The News A recent deep dive into how Perplexity ranks content—led by independent researcher Metehan Yesilyurt—suggests that good old-fashioned SEO still matters, even in this new era of AI search. […]
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