Advertising & Marketing

Target’s new genAI-powered chatbot aims to boost associates’ efficiency: Walmart is also testing a genAI tool for workers as retailers look to technology to improve the in-store experience.

“Increasingly, retailers are going to be pushing toward store formats that are either more convenient or experiential, as a chance for consumers to enjoy time with friends,” our analyst Carina Perkins said on the “Behind the Numbers: Reimagining Retail” podcast.

Uber enables programmatic ad buying: partnerships with google and DSPs enhance targeting and engagement for advertisers in the rides app.

Amazon steps into the post-cookie ring: The company announced its own tracking solution at Cannes, seeking to strike at a vulnerable moment for Google.

Brands’ customer experience is declining: Consumers are frustrated over shrinkflation and AI customer service, forcing retailers to do more to demonstrate their value to cautious shoppers.

Reddit survey shows young users are dissatisfied with Google: Appending “Reddit” to a Google search is common practice, but Reddit likely wants a piece of the pie.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how much time folks are spending with TVs and CTVs, how many ad dollars are going to both, and which of the streaming platforms will make the most from ads going forward. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Ross Benes.

Independent creators will find new audiences and subscribers will get new content as Spotify explores other growth sectors.

Ilya Sutskever launches Safe Superintelligence Inc., reflecting ex-OpenAI leaders’ trend toward AI safety amid commercial pressures in the industry.

Although there’s no industry standard yet for AI watermarking, Meta’s new audio AI detection tool could become a leader.

Smart tech enhances travel experience: Travelers say rental homes and hotel rooms with smart devices improve comfort, convenience, and sustainability. Adding these features can save properties money too.

Automation and AI are enhancing email marketing with improved personalization and efficiency.

Sharing its development and testing playbook could help close AI’s security gaps as businesses rush to adopt genAI.

Netflix gets its first foothold in experiential retail: The streamer announced two “Netflix House” locations at malls in Dallas and Pennsylvania.

Meta’s Threads API launch enables third-party app creation and access, contrasting X’s and Reddit’s restrictive API policies.

McDonald's pulls the plug on automated order-taking: A series of blunders reveals the AI drive-thru tech is still in its early days.

To keep loyalty members engaged, brands must focus on what customers want, offer smart rewards, and keep tweaking their programs. For example, Victoria’s Secret built a special community in its app, while Vitamin Shoppe added multiple tiers and benefits after careful planning.

Tobacco-like labels on social apps acould warn young people about potential harms, but any regulation would need congress approval which faces a block of lobyists.