Advertising & Marketing

Discovery—not influencers—is what separates TikTok and Amazon’s ecommerce businesses: The retail giant is trying to replicate TikTok’s success via its “Inspire” video feed.

Publishers continue to prioritize first-party data: OpenWeb acquires Jeeng in a sign that major outlets don’t want to rely on social media.

The next phase of direct-to-consumer (D2C) retail won’t be defined by a singular distribution strategy, but rather by the goal of making a real connection with customers. To get to the next level, D2Cs must use their physical presence, partnerships, marketing dollars, and customer data.

The tech industry is hurting—even Apple is expected to report a year-over-year revenue decline this week. Valuations are tumbling. Layoffs abound, and venture capital deal value is down. “People are not buying into the hype as much, and [these new technologies are] really going to start to be applied in useful ways for marketers,” said our analyst Yory Wurmser.

Intel’s comeback hits a snag: One of the first technology companies to resort to layoffs and restructuring last year is bracing for billions of dollars in losses and a longer runway to recovery.

Google bows to regulatory pressure: The European Commission demanded Google’s services provide more transparency for consumers. The move is a win for regulators pushing back on Big Tech.

Publishers’ ad business are trending downward in Q1: Dotdash Meredith, Vox, and others are trimming their workforces accordingly.

Forty-one percent of US shoppers think the in-store experience has gotten worse since the pandemic: Most blame the decline on poor or inadequate staff, underscoring the need for retailers to invest in their workers.

Thousands more laid off: While most Big Tech companies have been forced to cut staff following pandemic-era hiring sprees, we’re now seeing large companies shed headcount to simply weather economic headwinds.

Troubling signs in the smartphone space: Smartphone shipments drop to the lowest level in a decade. Innovation has stagnated, foldables have failed to take off, and the market for 5G handsets has reached saturation.

Nielsen’s digital era begins: The longtime measurement giant announced the launch date for part of its Nielsen ONE platform just as its competitors are heating up.

Network configuration error downs Microsoft’s services: A network update took out Microsoft’s services globally, once more exposing the vulnerability of relying on monolithic cloud services.

Shutterstock jumps on AI bandwagon with generative image tool: But considering investment in the technology, it maybecome table stakes faster than anyone predicted.

Does a set of standards devalue retail media networks’ walled gardens? Unilever is trying to convince the industry that it doesn’t, and is urging competitors to come together.

Facebook and YouTube will still be the top US social media platforms for buying ads or monetizing content this year, though their dominance is eroding, according to October 2022 polling by Integral Ad Science.

Constrained chip supply continues: The yearslong chip crisis isn’t getting any better, and some markets aren’t expecting relief until 2024. But dwindling consumer demand could lead to oversupply and stagnating innovation.

Apple privacy moves draw sharp industry ire: The IAB harshly condemned Apple’s advertising policies, increasing chances for regulator intervention.