On today's podcast episode, we launch our inaugural 'The Unofficial Most Interesting Retailers List' for January. Arielle, Becky, and Sara (a.k.a. The Committee) have put together a very unofficial list of 8 retailers they're watching right now, based on which retailers are making the most interesting moves this month. Who's launching new initiatives? What partnerships move the needle? What stand-out marketing campaigns are there? On future episodes, we’ll have analysts dispute this power rankings list, but on today's show we layout our top 8 for January. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts analyst Arielle Feger and director of content Becky Schilling.
Adidas acknowledges its financial performance is “not good”: The company plans to sell its remaining unsold Yeezy inventory rather than write it off as it seeks to recoup its losses.
H&M is in a tough spot: The fast-fashion retailer’s sales are weakening, even as competitors Zara and Shein soar.
Google’s AI pivot yields cloud boom while ad revenues bust: Its latest earnings report points to an underlying pain point in its business model both challenged and buoyed by AI.
OpenAI, Microsoft bullish on humanoid robots: They’re in talks to invest in startup Figure AI as humanoid robots hit factory floors. Google’s research could bring the tech to maturity.
On today's podcast episode, our contestants compete in The Great Behind the Numbers Take Off, 2024 social trends edition, where they will try and cook up the most interesting predictions for the coming year. They'll discuss search becoming the next battleground for social commerce and why LinkedIn is about to get its day in the sun. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Jasmine Enberg and Minda Smiley.
Ads delivering alongside risky content or fake news and maximizing yield are the biggest media challenges facing US publishers, according to a September 2023 study from Integral Ad Science and YouGov.
Consumers aren’t all that bothered by streaming ads: A Disqo survey found that opposition to ad-supported subscriptions has dropped significantly.
Amid staff cuts and regulatory pressures, X invests in an Austin trust and safety office: It’s a response to digital safety demands and AI-generated challenges.
Embracing stars and brands, BeReal strives to stay true to its mission: Platform aims to balance unfiltered authenticity with the need to commercialize.
TikTok influencers drive the most engagement for sponsors: Our Industry KPIs show influencers on TikTok have more than twice the engagement as Instagram influencers.
UPS sees significant challenges ahead: After reporting a 9.3% decline in annual sales in 2023, the company expects sales to rise as little as 1.1% this year.
US consumers will spend $25.8 billion to celebrate Valentine’s Day: That’s down slightly from last year, as spending per household is expected to decline 3.6%.
TikTok is intent on growing livestream sales: The platform plans to open live studios and is testing ways to make all content shoppable, even as retailers shift focus to shoppable TV.
Starbucks posts weaker growth as headwinds weigh on sales: The company is facing pressure from cost-conscious consumers in China, as well as stagnating foot traffic in the US.
The Vision Pro’s technology and immersive user experience get high marks from reviewers, but its premium cost and concerns about developer support are barriers to adoption.
Docs should be kept in the loop on genAI investments: Getting input from physicians on which AI models to deploy and for which clinical purposes will help secure buy-in.
Consumers use CTV for health-related searches: Connected TV watchers looked for fitness and mental health content in early January, per Roku data. That’s a trend healthcare and pharma marketers should jump on.
It’s hard to deny social media’s influence on how consumers discover and even sometimes purchase products. But there are other platforms out there besides Instagram and TikTok that can help brands engage with consumers, especially when it comes to fashion.
Super Bowl LVIII is less than two weeks away. Not every ad has been announced, but we’ve kept watch on the teasers. This year’s Super Bowl will be defined by a potential Taylor Swift appearance, possible Paramount+ complications, and some big swings from brands. Ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers’ big night, here are five trends we’re watching.