In today’s interconnected world, social media platforms are the new town squares where creators and influencers hold court. And even in the relatively short amount of time that influencers have been around, the dynamics of influence have undergone a profound transformation. Power has shifted from traditional gatekeepers to everyday individuals who have mastered the art…
Data from Mattress Firm’s podcast campaign with iHeartMedia, which ran in 2022, shows that the medium is driving sales. The retailer ran a branded podcast called “Chasing Sleep” with iHeartMedia’s Ruby content studio, which talked to experts and everyday people with unusual schedules, like ER doctors and ultramarathoners, about how to achieve good sleep. The…
Before the pandemic, UM was working with a handful of clients on retail media and commerce investments that totaled about a few hundred million dollars in billings. Now, as many 40 clients are driving $2 billion in global commerce billings for the agency. The retail media space is ballooning, and not just at UM. By…
Earlier this year, crowds of onlookers gathered outside Louis Vuitton stores in Paris, London, New York and Tokyo to catch a glimpse of legendary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. From the shop windows, strikingly lifelike robots of Kusama-dressed in her signature polka dots–gazed out at the spectators, occasionally blinking or waving. At the height of Kusama’s…
Earlier this year, crowds of onlookers gathered outside Louis Vuitton stores in Paris, London, New York and Tokyo to catch a glimpse of legendary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. From the shop windows, strikingly lifelike robots of Kusama-dressed in her signature polka dots–gazed out at the spectators, occasionally blinking or waving. At the height of Kusama’s…
As the retail media sector expands and evolves, moving up the marketing funnel to include formats such as display, video and connected TV, it becomes even more important for companies to find ways to appear in contextually relevant and brand-safe environments. Rose Jia, head of growth marketing at Amazon, and Melanie Zimmermann, vp of Macy’s…
Brand experiences go through hype cycles like any other marketing strategy. There was the era of the flagship store, when the likes of Nike, Apple and Topshop blazed a trail of destinations that heightened the shopping experience. Then the pop-up merged brand and retail to provide entertaining, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it occasions to wow customers. Now, we have…
If you reminisce about the fashion trends that dominated the ’90s and early ’00s, Abercrombie & Fitch probably comes to mind. With its signature dark lighting and distinct cologne scent, the store embodied the essence of that era. However, the brand has since undergone a transformation that prioritizes diversity, inclusion and celebrating individuality. Abercrombie &…
Among the many dark developments of the Covid-19 health emergency were those YouTube videos of what’s come to be known as organized retail theft. Odds are you’ve seen at least one. A man strolls into a San Francisco Walgreens, fills a large trash bag with stuff, then rides out the front door on a bicycle….
Viva Technology attendees will be able to learn more about augmented reality shopping with AR try-on platform Zero10, which is unveiling its prototype AR Store at the event. The AR Store prototype represents a standalone retail experience designed to allow shoppers to virtually try on a variety of merchandise through augmented reality and then purchase…
Since 2015, Charles Skuba, professor emeritus at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, has taught an elective course on luxury marketing. And to each class, he gives the same assignment. A wealthy relative, he tells his pupils, plans to give each of them a gift of $50,000 on graduation day–with the proviso that the money…
With global video game revenue expected to hit $365 billion by the end of 2023, and users expected to reach 3 billion by 2027, there is an incredible opportunity for brands to reach a massive untapped audience. And it turns out, younger gamers are increasingly persuasive when it comes to what their parents buy. Research…
Every brand is tempted to create its own version of Timberland’s new tagline, “This Is Not a Boot.” Whether that lives on a billboard ad or in a brand purpose statement from their CMO, marketers want to convince consumers that purchasing their product represents an ethos that cannot be confined to consumerism. By connecting the…
High inflation has made buying everyday goods–from yogurt and ketchup to trash bags and laundry detergent–more taxing on households across the country. As a result, a growing number of shoppers are reaching for store brands, also known as private labels, to help ease the cost of keeping their refrigerators full and pantries stocked. Last year,…
I find that much of the world defines my queerness primarily by attraction to men. Fellow gay men know the stereotypical assumptions well: “My friend is gay, too. And he’s single!” “Moving to Austin, eh? You must have met a cowboy!” “You’ll love this ad. The guy is so hot.” Gayness, to me, is not…
Direct-to-consumer brands are rethinking their channel strategy, specifically a return to retail, and for a handful of good reasons. While the pivot takes a contrarian stance on the “unavoidable” takeover of online commerce, smart brands are leaning into national retail relationships with a physical and digital footprint. On the surface, the timing of this shift…
Christmastime can be tough for those who have experienced the loss of a love one. This spot from Dutch supermarket chain Plus features a teenage boy who has lost his father and must come to terms with his mother’s new partner. Annually, the supermarket releases a holiday campaign that tells a family-based story, and this…
Producer, actress and recent Beacon Award recipient Issa Rae has been a relentless advocate for inclusivity on her own crews and through her partnerships with brands including American Express and Google. She is continuing her focus on providing opportunities for marginalized creatives by working with Walmart to launch the Black & Unlimited Digital Development Program….
If there’s such thing as an emotional support brand, Ugg would fit the bill. The California-based brand–known for its shearling boots and cozy apparel–stepped up its comfort game with Ugg Feel House, a hybrid experiential and retail concept designed to cater to both a community of creatives and young, fashion-forward consumers unfamiliar with the brand’s…
This Black Friday weekend, H&M encouraged its customers in key markets to buy from Black women. And it’s only just beginning. The retailer–now in its second year of partnership with Buy From a Black Woman, a non-profit that works with over 600 Black women-owned businesses across the United States–announced the second annual “Buy From a…
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