Social
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Snapchat pilots dynamic ads to broaden marketer appeal
Brands Shady Rays, Princess Polly and Vitaly boosted return on ad spend while cutting costs in tests of the new format.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 18, 2019 -
Smartphones are most popular devices for online shopping, survey says
Less than a third of shoppers plan to use a desktop or laptop for shopping, while just 16% will browse on a tablet.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 18, 2019 -
Majority of gamers say sponsored content adds to the fun, survey shows
Only 23% said advertising made the experience less enjoyable.
By Barry Levine • Oct. 18, 2019 -
Burger King dares mobile gamers to promote small-ball soccer team
For its Uber Eats tie-up, the burger chain encourages gamers to tweet videos of their ball-handling skills while virtually sporting Stevenage F.C. jerseys.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 18, 2019 -
Natural Light asks fans to dress up as 'real-life nightmares' in Halloween costume contest
Contestants can share photos on social media of costumes like crushing student debt, bad credit scores, endless laundry or moving in with their parents.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 17, 2019 -
Starbucks outspends pumpkin spice competitors in advertising, adds print to mix
Advertisers are bringing more social media to their pumpkin spice campaigns this year, with 71% going this route, up from 64% last year.
By Dianna Christe and Chantal Tode • Oct. 16, 2019 -
Apple kills death-prediction app inspired by horror movie
While the viral app wasn't originally part of the promotion for the upcoming film "Countdown," STX Films is now developing an Android version.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 16, 2019 -
Disney immerses YouTubers with 'Maleficent' virtual makeup try-on
To promote the movie sequel, an experimental AR video lets viewers transform themselves into the title character as they watch a makeup tutorial.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 15, 2019 -
Wild Turkey, Complex partner on social video series starring McConaughey
The actor and creative director for the Campari brand interviews cultural influencers in "Talk Turkey," which streams on Complex's IGTV page.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 14, 2019 -
Visa, Mastercard, eBay exit Facebook Libra digital currency group
The exodus comes a week before Mark Zuckerberg faces questions from lawmakers about the company's digital currency plans.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 14, 2019 -
Jimmy John's orders its 1st nationwide Snapchat Lens game
Users have 30 seconds to catch as many falling digital sandwiches as they can in the AR game.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 14, 2019 -
Pinterest reduces self-harm posts by 88% with AI
The social media platform observed World Mental Health Day by delivering more features and resources to support emotional well-being.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 11, 2019 -
Michael Kors doubles active users with Facebook Messenger tie-in
To promote a new fragrance, the fashion brand let users of the chat app enter a sweepstakes to meet model Gigi Hadid.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 10, 2019 -
StubHub kicks off 'Sportober Challenge' with Dude Perfect deal
Fans can win tickets and cash for posting sports mashup photos on Twitter or competing in social media challenges this month.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 09, 2019 -
Facebook nears $40M settlement of advertiser lawsuit
The legal battle centered on how much the inflated viewership metrics affected the advertisers' businesses.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 08, 2019 -
Study: Social media overtakes print for 1st time in global ad spending
Advertisers will boost their spending on social platforms 20% to hit $84 billion this year, Zenith forecasts.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 08, 2019 -
Adidas 1st to sell shoes via Snapchat game
Dick's Sporting Goods is also partnering on "Baseball's Next Level" to let gamers buy limited-edition cleats displayed in retro, 8-bit graphics.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 08, 2019 -
Report: Google in acquisition talks with video-sharing app Firework
Discussions may indicate that the tech giant sees TikTok as a growing threat to YouTube.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 07, 2019 -
DoorDash orders multichannel campaign with scannable OOH ads
Interactive billboards let customers scan a QR code of a featured menu item and add it to their DoorDash app.
By Dianna Christe • Oct. 07, 2019 -
E.l.f. Cosmetics launches 1st TikTok hashtag challenge featuring original song
The cosmetics company worked with agency Movers+Shakers and musicians to turn its eponymous abbreviation — eyes, lips, face — into a song.
By Chris Kelly • Oct. 04, 2019 -
Instagram clones another Snapchat feature with close friends messaging
Plus, MAC Cosmetics and Warby Parker became two of the first brands to sell products through in-app AR try-ons.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 04, 2019 -
Reese's scares up interactive Halloween experience with Facebook and Neil Patrick Harris
The Hershey candy brand is asking Facebook and Instagram users to participate in its livestreamed haunted house.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 03, 2019 -
Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, Coke are top CPG spenders on Twitter ads, study says
On average, 75% of Twitter media budgets go to video, making it the primary ad format for top-spending brands.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 02, 2019 -
DiGiorno crowdsources pizza delivery locations on Twitter
Nestlé's frozen pizza brand is breaking its "no delivery" rule to celebrate National Pizza Month with a fresh hashtag challenge.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 01, 2019 -
Adidas, Levi's, Michael Kors test product launch alerts on Instagram
Users will receive a reminder 15 minutes before a product drop, giving them time to prepare before limited-edition items sell out.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 01, 2019
