Cox pilots AI-powered audio ad unit from Spark Foundry, AI Music

Sympaphonic Ads automatically pair creative with user listening preferences, and reportedly can produce a complete ad in under 10 minutes.

By Peter Adams • March 7, 2019

Google dives deeper into visual search with shoppable ads in Images

The search giant's new features make its platform more directly competitive with Pinterest.

By Robert Williams • March 7, 2019

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

Mobile ads work faster than most people think, study finds

Well-known brands triggered the quickest response, while video ads were twice as likely to stimulate an emotional reaction than static images, the Mobile Marketing Association found.

By Robert Williams • March 7, 2019

Facebook outlines plans for 'privacy-focused' integration of Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger

CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company will shift its focus to encrypted communications, so conversations can be intimate, ephemeral and secure. 

By Erica Sweeney • March 7, 2019

Fitbit signs on Adidas, Blue Apron, Deezer for new rewards program

Smartwatch wearers can earn points for everyday activities like steps, sleep and active minutes and redeem for product discounts.

By Robert Williams • March 7, 2019

Report: Amazon removes thousands of vendors

The move is the latest indication that Amazon seeks more control over how it works with brands.

By Erica Sweeney • Updated March 12, 2019

McDonald's drives 8.4K in-app actions by tying geofenced billboards to Waze

A campaign with the Google-owned app and agency Outdoor Media Group used geofenced billboards to send people a message when their car stopped.

By Peter Adams • March 7, 2019

Gillette lets Twitch users earn virtual currency for purchases

As part of a new partnership, a team of 11 Twitch streamers will promote the men's grooming brand on the platform.

By Erica Sweeney • March 7, 2019

Wendy's trolls McDonald's on Frozen Food Day

A frozen cake for "you know who" reminded Twitter followers that its rival uses frozen beef and offered a free burger through Wendy's mobile app.

By Robert Williams • March 7, 2019

IAB: 78% of marketers will spend more on data in 2019

Stronger government data regulation is the main potential threat to "deriving value from data," while concern over other issues like proving ROI has dipped.

By Erica Sweeney • March 6, 2019

Papa Gino's, D'Angelo see 14x response rate for SMS offers

A mobile campaign with Mobivity's Recurrency platform drove more than 25,000 transactions and $125,000 in attributable revenue.

By Robert Williams • March 6, 2019

Nutella serves up free samples to Alexa, Google Assistant users

After registering, customers' "Send me a sample of Nutella" prompt activates the offer and sends the product by mail.

By Robert Williams • March 6, 2019

NBC affiliate station expands viewer texting to all news programs

TV stations like Seattle's KING 5 urge viewer interaction by airing texts during live broadcasts.

By Robert Williams • March 6, 2019

T.J. Maxx gamifies pop-up experiences via Instagram contest

Consumers can guess the total cost of the products on display in several installations curated by influencers for a chance to win prizes.

By Erica Sweeney • March 6, 2019

Kimpton expands Room 301 influencer experience to 20 cities

After a pilot last fall, the hotel chain's new Stay Human Project will offer localized, "Instagrammable" rooms to inspire guests.

By Robert Williams • March 6, 2019

Sam's Club set to test faster Scan & Go tech

This spring, the retailer will pilot technology that uses computer vision and machine learning to enhance its mobile service.

By Dan O'Shea • March 5, 2019

Study: Amazon bests digital rivals, banks in earning consumer trust around data

The feeling is especially strong among millennials and Gen Zers, who trust the online retailer more than twice the amount they do banks.

By Peter Adams • March 5, 2019

Post pairs with Hostess for influencer campaign showcasing 'tiny bakery'

For National Cereal Day, new Hostess-inspired cereals will be promoted via social media, while Kellogg's continues to leverage its NYC Café.

By Erica Sweeney • March 5, 2019

Macy's expands AR beauty try-ons to all app users

The retailer is working on a number of ways to enhance its app, including with buy-online-pickup-in-store capabilities and ways to connect with stylists.

By Robert Williams • March 5, 2019

Comic Dive: Adpocalypse Drill

Major marketers pause their YouTube ads after the platform's latest brand safety controversy, but are they just going through the motions?

By John Hazard & Lisa Burdige • March 5, 2019

Levi's, Room & Board try on Pinterest's new shopping features

The home décor retailer saw a return on ad spend of 51 times from its Promoted Pins campaign and 33 times from its Shopping Ads push.

By Robert Williams • March 5, 2019

Twitter aims to boost mobile app promotions, direct response ads

In a show of the platform's strength, 30 of the Super Bowl's 38 TV advertisers also bought ads on Twitter last month.

By Robert Williams • March 5, 2019

Nissin noodle vending machine swaps Instagram posts for prizes

Fans who post a selfie with the machine and a unique hashtag can win Cup Noodles, video games, gift vouchers and merchandise.

By Robert Williams • March 5, 2019

49% of retailers name in-store mobile experience a top priority

A third of shoppers said they make purchases on mobile, and 41% predicted they'll do so more frequently in the next two years, BRP found.

By Dan O'Shea • March 4, 2019

Tic Tac taps Instagram Stories, 6-second bumpers for campaign around sharing

The effort is the first created and produced for the brand by Laundry Service, which Tic Tac named its creative agency of record in August.

By Erica Sweeney • March 4, 2019