On today's podcast episode, we discuss if influencers can actually deliver both upper- and lower-funnel outcomes, the common successes (and mistakes) brands make when blending influencer and affiliate tactics, and how best to align influencer content with a brands message. "In Other News," we talk about Frank McCourt's bid to buy TikTok and what to make of Meta shutting down 'Workplace'. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Max Willens and Carissa Flinders, the team lead of influencer partnerships for AWIN.

53.1% of US Gen Zers watch long-form videos on social media. That said, short-form content is more popular for the generation, watched by 61.6%, according to our October 2023 survey.

Consumers worldwide want more from their mobile banking apps. Here are three charts that examine what consumers are looking for and how meeting demand benefits banks.

Country of residence, income, age, and the type of financial institution all play a role in how much consumers trust their banking providers.

The move could boost sales and cloud adoption while showcasing AI competency. Competition is likely to intensify with Microsoft’s and Apple’s AI-enabled devices.

Kohl’s turnaround strategy goes off -course: The department store chain lowered its guidance after falling well short of analysts’ bottom-line expectations in Q1.

Amazon and Walmart reinforce the value of their membership programs: Amazon now offers free Grubhub+ membership as a permanent Prime perk and Walmart+ announces its member-exclusive sale.

While adoption will likely tick back up this year, mainstream use is still a long way off. Some payment providers aren’t worried about the timeframe

As A2A payments grow in the UK, the tool could collectively save Visa’s customers $419 million in fraud losses each year

Dollar General, Burlington benefit from consumers’ price sensitivities: Both retailers are gaining share as shoppers of all incomes search for value.

Programmatic advertising will account for 91.3% of US digital display ad spend this year, or a total of $157.35 billion, per our December 2023 forecast. Last week, advertisers at Programmatic I/O discussed where those ad dollars are headed and how programmatic advertising is changing. From ad spend waste to the expansion of retail media, here are three big trends discussed at the event.

Best Buy relies on promotions, AI innovation to combat sluggish demand: The retailer’s sales continued to drop in Q1 as consumers shy away from expensive purchases.

Dollar General shuts down mobile clinic pilot: It’s just the latest retailer to pull out of health clinics. Here’s what fewer health clinics mean for rural US residents’ health outcomes.

Why healthcare providers must build trust with patients: Understanding the drivers of patient retention is arguably more important for PCPs than acquiring new patients. Here’s why.

Yale study reveals ChatGPT shows racial bias: Medical racism in the US could infiltrate AI-powered tools designed to help patients.

TikTok may be responding to US political pressure: Bytedance may split its recommendation algorithm to address security concerns and avoid a forced sale.

Venu Sports’ potential for disruption comes into clearer view: Nearly 60% of consumers say they’d sign up for the service at a price of $35-40 per month.

Frankel's Chanel visit goes viral: The incident sparks debate on how to handle criticism in a world where creators are increasingly important.

The FAA approves Amazon’s Prime Air expansion, enabling distant drone deliveries. Competitors Alphabet and Walmart also advance their drone services, which could drum up investments.