Social

Most Americans believe Facebook ad boycott fair, but only 40% see it creating 'credible change'

About one-third of Gen Z and millennials surveyed by Piplsay think brands participated in the boycott for publicity and to save on advertising costs.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 14, 2020

Forever 21, 7-Eleven link on social giveaway of gear inspired by Slurpee, Big Gulp

Promotions on Instagram and TikTok include a dance challenge, polls, games and a Slurpee AR hologram filter.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 14, 2020

Hoka One One opens virtual pop-up shop with Snapchat AR

The Deckers-owned brand of athletic apparel is giving social media users a way to shop from an immersive lens that lets them virtually try on shoes.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 13, 2020

Church's Chicken sends Facebook users on virtual scavenger hunt

A "Camp Smokehouse Finders Keepers" activation features 360-degree video of a backyard campsite with clues on how to win prizes.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 13, 2020

TikTok inks 3-year deal with New York Yankees

Along with new team-branded content, the app will sponsor the team and its pay TV network in exchange for promotional spots, including signage at Yankee Stadium.

By Dianna Christie • Aug. 13, 2020

Ikea hosts virtual 'kiki' on Instagram to support LGBT inclusion

The retailer's "I-Kiki" social gathering will be hosted by LGBT influencers Alyssa Edwards and Isis King on Instagram Live.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 13, 2020

Prudential customizes ads for Pulse health app on TikTok

Tapping into a new partnership with AdGreetz, the insurance brand deployed creative assets tailored to users' location, gender and time of day.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 13, 2020

Lamps Plus showcases lighting in Twitch cooking livestream

Streamer Katie Ruvalcaba demonstrated the lighting retailer's products during several episodes of her cooking show sponsored by the brand.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 12, 2020

Planters debuts Peanut Jr. with Twitter challenge celebrating quarantine birthdays

Baby Nut, the reincarnation of Mr. Peanut, has rapidly aged into a 21-year-old Gen Zer who is looking to make followers' birthday wishes come true.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 12, 2020

Facebook ranks as most popular ad platform for small businesses, study finds

These marketers appear undeterred by the recent boycott of Facebook, with two-thirds saying negative news doesn't affect their social media marketing.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 11, 2020

Chipotle rides with Tony Hawk for 'Pro Skater' session on Twitch

The legendary skateboarder will be joined by actor Finn Wolfhard on the livestream to play the remastered classic and give out burritos.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 11, 2020

Aldo launches first TikTok campaign with #StepIntoLove challenge

The footwear chain is offering $5,000 to the winner of the contest, which is being promoted in an influencer campaign targeting Gen Z.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 11, 2020

Deep Dive

Microsoft's bid to buy TikTok: A 'head-scratcher' or surprisingly sensible?

Some analysts think an acquisition would make a poor match. But areas of Microsoft's business, like LinkedIn, key into potentially overlooked synergies.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 11, 2020

Study: Fewer marketers expect UK mobile ad market to grow amid pandemic

Reduced estimates follow a period of strong growth for the region, and arrive even as engagement with mobile channels soars among locked-down people.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 10, 2020

WSJ: Twitter discusses merger with TikTok's US operations

A potential Twitter deal would add an interesting fold to the narrative considering the company's history with Vine, a pioneering video app it shuttered in 2017.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 10, 2020

'American Idol' creator Simon Fuller partners with TikTok in search for next pop supergroup

The Spice Girls impresario will look for undiscovered artists to participate in the global music collective, making them "the most connected pop group ever."

By Robert Williams • Aug. 10, 2020

Transactions with WeChat, TikTok banned under new Trump orders

As President Trump's battle with Chinese tech firms escalates, new steps to block WeChat are potentially of greater significance for businesses like Walmart and Starbucks.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 07, 2020

You & Mr Jones buys influencer marketing agency Collectively

Following a pandemic-related slowdown in influencer marketing earlier this year, a recovery appears to be underway as brands seek ways to reach homebound consumers.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 07, 2020

TikTok makes first push into streaming with Fire TV app

The move into video streaming comes at an ignominious time for the popular app, which faces a crackdown in the U.S.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 07, 2020

Social media sees drop in customer satisfaction amid privacy worries, study says

Despite a surge in online activity during the pandemic, customer satisfaction declined for Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 06, 2020

Instagram looks to steal TikTok's thunder with worldwide expansion of Reels

There are some qualities differentiating Reels at launch, including a bigger focus on celebrities, as Miley Cyrus teased a new single through the service.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 06, 2020

Podcast dealmaking is exploding in 2020 — and marketing dollars will follow

A deluge of deals this year, including Omnicom inking an unprecedented $20 million ad pact with Spotify, signal the medium's ascendance will continue as consumers favor mobile-first content.

Burberry opens 1st 'Social Retail' store in China

The luxury retailer partnered with Tencent on a concept shop that blends social media interactions with an in-store experience.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 05, 2020

TikTok helps Gen Z learn about social justice issues, study finds

Social activism posts on the platform have urged 54% of Gen Zers to engage in deeper discussions with family and friends.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 05, 2020

Gillette Venus, Cottonelle help players customize Nintendo's 'Animal Crossing'

Both brands debuted digital content that gives players more ways to design their avatars and virtual homes in a game that surged in popularity during pandemic lockdowns.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 05, 2020