3 2024 retail misconceptions: Retail media, QR codes, and microcommunities Brands and retailers got a lot right in 2024. Commerce media expanded further into non-retail channels like payments and travel. Brands found their own voices on TikTok. And in-person events helped drive traffic to stores. But the year also came with a number of lessons for retail. Here are three misconceptions retail experts noticed in 2024, and how brands can get them right in the 12 months ahead.
The net neutrality reversal makes deep pockets more important than relevance, threatening SMBs and reshaping the battle for online visibility.
The former Bush aide’s elevation could reshape content moderation policies as Meta navigates polarized users and criticism of its content moderation policies.
Accused of recording private chats for targeted ads, Apple denies wrongdoing but risks tarnishing its privacy-first image.
Vehicles rented via the app were used in New Year’s attacks, exposing flaws in its risk-scoring algorithm and challenging tech’s reliance on automated safety measures.
Later acquires Mavely for $250 million: The deal integrates influencer monetization tools, enhancing measurable ROI and full-funnel marketing capabilities.
Virtual product placement surges: Rembrand’s $23M funding fuels growth in AI-driven ad tools, regional targeting, and post-production flexibility.
We examine what this means for the industry and their competitors.
With tools like OpenAI’s Swarm and Google’s Mariner, businesses are using smarter AI to automate decisions, disrupt roles, and redefine how work gets done.
Is bad content a solved problem? Businesses must leverage AI efficiency to create valuable, unique insights and maintain audience trust, argues HubSpot exec.
In 2024, some of our newsletter team’s predictions included that attention metrics would gain more momentum in measurement, and Gen Alpha would steal some of Gen Z’s appeal among marketers. This year, we’re expecting a surge in AI ethics campaigns, email marketing troubles, rising browser competition, as well as some innovation in the world of gaming. Our analysts have already shared many of their predictions for 2025, but here are a few more from our newsletter team.
A massive data leak, including German politicians’ car locations, amplifies concerns over automakers’ ability to secure data in their race for connected car dominance.
Social media’s $11 billion revenue from minors may be disrupted under California’s SB 976 as addiction-focused algorithms face mounting legal pushback.
Meta’s AI push risks alienating users if social feeds flood with bots. Balancing innovation with human creator support will be key to retaining its audience.
The year of AI: Artificial intelligence invaded all aspects of life in 2024, from work to play and generation to generation. New genAI players appeared to take on megaliths like Google and Meta. It would be a copout to say that 2025 will bring more of the same, but we expect startups to begin taking more market share from Big Tech and challenging the status quo.
Strategic alliances expanded EV capabilities this year, but high prices, limited infrastructure, and possible tax credit cuts could challenge growth.
Google, Apple, and Samsung integrated genAI into their flagship devices, but delays and tepid consumer interest signal challenges ahead.