News and Analysis
MULO Brands With Soul October Pick: Ben & Jerry’s
Many MULO (multi-location) brands avoid social or political causes for fear of backlash or polarization of their consumer base. But, for one company, activism has been part of its culture since its launch — Ben & Jerry’s. The brand now has about 500 brick-and-mortar locations worldwide, but its products are distributed throughout retail and C-store channels […]
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 […]
Commentary
3 Challenges for Retail Media Networks
Retail media is not without its challenges. Retailers need to determine how to curate advertising partners, avoid spoiling the shopping experience, and navigate the retail media tech stack.
TikTok Raises its Local Game
TikTok continues to feel around and test features as it establishes itself as a social media powerhouse. It’s much earlier in that journey than incumbents like Instagram and Twitter, so we continue to see rapid-fire feature launches and trials. And like the above players, some of these are local in nature.
The Best Marketing Tactics Can’t Be Measured
If some marketing tactics are more measurable than others and you place all the emphasis on readily available metrics, you are just going to turn your marketing program into a click machine.
Latest Posts
Hire Purpose: Five Creative Ways to Help Solve the Staff Shortage
Restaurants have nearly 2 million unfilled jobs, and retailers are down about 5.5 million workers. If you work in these industries, you probably know the many reasons behind the staff shortage. The after-effects of the pandemic, demographic shifts, and the pressures of competitive salaries in other industries have created a huge challenge for hiring managers […]
Will Measurement Currency Be the Biggest Topic at This Season’s Ad Upfronts?
With 2023’s TV upfronts just weeks away, major media companies and advertisers are gearing up for a new type of debate. While networks promote their streaming services and fan-favorite shows in live stage presentations and one-on-one meetings, brands are asking more questions about measurement currency and the complexities that come with having multiple networks using their […]
Mother’s Day: A $32B Holiday and How to Prepare
Mother’s Day falls on May 14th this year, and shoppers will spend upwards of $30B on flowers, gifts, cards, and meals. Spending has been increasing on this holiday, and retailers and restaurants can still take steps now and afterward to optimize the shopper experience and boost sales volume. Both in-store and online, multi-location brands must […]
Bombora Report: OOH Spending Surged in Q1
During flush times, brand marketers spend generously on advertising, and their agency partners have the luxury of asking themselves how to do more (ads) with more (money). With all the layoffs in the tech and entertainment industries these past few months, how to do more with less becomes the main question. Bombora seeks to provide answers, […]
Vivvix Chief: Predictable Linear Ad Mechanisms in Decline
In the crowded advertising intelligence space, there’s a few ways for a startup to gain attention. One way is by introducing new technology, or utilizing AI in a way that impresses jaded brand marketers and agency leads. Other popular approaches are to build relationships with key decision-makers or bring on experienced leadership who can lend […]
Ampersand Launches ‘Sports Viewer Audience Segments,’ Helping Brands and Agencies
Live sports programming accounts for more than one-third of all television viewing by U.S. adults, but without access to detailed audience demographics, agencies and multi-location brands tasked with developing targeted ad creatives are largely flying blind. A new capability from the audience-first TV advertising sales company Ampersand has the potential to change that. Just […]
Celebrities Who Help Turn Multi-Location Food Brands Into Stars
Celebrities, including actors and athletes, have long invested in businesses that will help guarantee them a nest egg after their fame has waned. Many now even have their own investment firms. Some, like Mark Wahlberg and Michael Jordan, developed branded concepts, while others invested in multi-location brand franchises. Among the multi-location food brands with celebrity investors […]
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 […]
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