Slinky makes social media debut with search for new jingle

The effort from the 75-year-old toy brand focuses on TikTok and Instagram and directs fans to SoundCloud where they can create their own take on the tune.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 30, 2021

TikTok partners with Shopify to pilot in-app shopping

Through the new product, merchants with TikTok For Business accounts can have a shop tab on their profiles and create a mini-storefront.

By Maria Monteros • Aug. 25, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Retail Marketing

Top stories that underscore the leading influences on retail marketing, including the creator economy, '90s nostalgia and Gen Z. 

By Marketing Dive staff

Walmart sends musicians home for back-to-school concerts, shoppable livestream

The big-box retailer is also hosting a TikTok challenge to honor teachers using a hashtag that had 1.7 billion views as of press time.

By Asa Hiken • Aug. 24, 2021

Nordstrom debuts young adult ambassador program

The retailer is integrating emerging content creators into its brand strategy by letting participants produce social media posts across its channels.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 20, 2021

How Discord aids brands' quest to engage fans around 'emergent culture'

Chipotle, Hot Topic and Jack in the Box are among the marketers that have established a foothold on the group chat platform.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 19, 2021

Pepsi urges consumers to 'break up' with Coke Zero Sugar in latest challenger move

Responding to backlash to its rival's latest beverage reformulation, Pepsi is giving frustrated fans the chance to win free drinks via social media.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 18, 2021

Reader's Digest owner buys Jukin Media for reported $100M amid appetite for UGC

The firm behind verticals like FailArmy licensed more than 2,000 video clips to advertising campaigns in 2020 alone.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 16, 2021

Myth busted — Yes, you can measure influencer activations

Marketers can finally prove influencer ROI to increase social commerce spend. Here's how.

Aug. 16, 2021

Instagram expands Shop tab ads globally, further building out e-commerce potential

Following a test earlier in August, the app is embracing ads that appear as tiles in its shopping hub.

By Asa Hiken • Updated Aug. 24, 2021

Google, TikTok increase privacy, safety protections for teens

Policies that limit engagement and ad targeting come as tech giants are under increased regulatory scrutiny, and follow similar moves by Facebook.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 12, 2021

YouTube debuts one of its biggest marketing efforts yet to get Gen Z on Shorts

A hefty advertising push caters to creators and users, showcasing the simplicity of posting videos to the TikTok lookalike feature. 

By Peter Adams • Aug. 10, 2021

So predictable: Why social media has forever changed the newsroom

On the commonplace of predictability and content consumption when it comes to reaching our audience.

By Ben Ruoff, Vice President, Consumer Activation, imre • Aug. 9, 2021

Michelob Ultra celebrates lighter side of sports with Peyton Manning tap handles

A collaboration with Wieden+Kennedy New York, the brewer's playful spin on stoic busts seeks to tap into interest around upcoming hall of fame ceremonies.

By Asa Hiken • Aug. 6, 2021

American Eagle debuts digital clothing on Bitmoji in creator-focused push

Brand ambassadors like Addison Rae appear as cartoon avatars decked out in the retailer's latest back-to-school offerings.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 5, 2021

McDonald's links with esports giant FaZe Clan to spotlight diversity in gaming

Billed as "one of gaming's biggest QSR partnerships to date," the tie-up includes content focused on how the sport is evolving to be more inclusive.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 5, 2021

TikTok to help Publicis clients drive social commerce in new partnership

Rolling out ahead of the key holiday season, the agreement grants the group's clients access to special perks such as a new incubator program.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 3, 2021

Why Jack in the Box hosted a Comic-Con afterparty on Discord

As part of the activation, an NFT auction gave the fast-food chain an opportunity to enter a new digital space and extend the value of existing products, said CMO Ryan Ostrom.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 3, 2021

How to eliminate messaging uncertainty and drive sales

Each month, over 10 billion messages connect customers and businesses on Facebook Messenger alone.

By Griffin Thomas • Aug. 2, 2021

Nike, Patagonia, Walmart among brands piloting Twitter's new e-commerce features

With the Shop Module, Twitter joins its competitors in adding features that help brands tap into online shopping that surged during the pandemic.

By Chris Kelly • July 29, 2021

Facebook tightens ad targeting to protect privacy of young users

Brands will soon be limited to targeting ads based only on age, gender and location — likely resulting in less personalized content.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • July 29, 2021

E-commerce skyrocketed during the pandemic. Now Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat want in.

New in-app shopping features have enticed consumers to shop as they scroll.

By Maria Monteros • July 29, 2021

Facebook revenue rises 56%, but ad-targeting headwinds loom large

Apple's tracking changes are expected to deliver a steeper blow in Q3 as the social networking giant begins its reinvention as "a metaverse company."

By Peter Adams • July 29, 2021

Express pilots commission-based influencer program

Following revenue declines and staff cuts, the company hopes its new program will draw in online shoppers.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 27, 2021

Snap, Twitter see revenue jump as new features attract interest

Both companies said it's too early to gauge the long-term impacts of Apple's privacy changes, though Snap saw "interruptions" to some advertiser demand.

By Peter Adams • July 23, 2021

TikTok cuts out the middleman with Spark Ads sponsorship tool

Spark Ads could let brands sidestep the agencies working with creators when sponsoring user-generated content.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • July 22, 2021