**Due to a change in content strategy at DMS Insights, bylines are no longer used and most of the older content has been removed. Sarah’s stories have been recreated below, exactly as they were published.**
There have been a lot of lessons learned in 2020, and one of them is how adaptable people can be. Baby Boomers, who previously prioritized shopping in person, suddenly went online for groceries, and Gen Zers, who previously only danced on TikTok, turned the popular app into a hub for news and information during multiple [...]
“Generosity is a core trait and value that brings people of all races, faiths and political views together,” said GivingTuesday co-founder and CEO Asha Curran. “GivingTuesday creates a shared space where we can see the radical implications of a more generous world.”Giving Tuesday, which was started in 2012, is a chance for everyone to give [...]
Throughout the pandemic, from panic buying to stocking up on games and puzzles, consumers have done what they needed to do to meet changing circumstances and stay safe. Similarly, brands and retailers needed to quickly pivot to strategies that made sense for the evolving situation around the world. Enter ecommerce. Shopping online wasn’t new, but [...]
It is crucial for higher education institutions to reach prospective students across a variety of channels, especially with on-campus visits and in-person engagement still limited at many campuses. Along with social media, virtual events and live chats, email remains an essential point of contact for colleges, universities and other higher education institutions.Robust enrollment marketing email [...]
YouTube, the most popular video sharing platform in the world with more than 2 billion users, recently announced the launch of audio ads. The new YouTube audio ads will reach users who are listening to – but not necessarily actively watching – videos. The move could offer brands advertising on YouTube an opportunity to reach [...]
In mid-November, Snapchat announced a new feature called Spotlight. Similar to TikTok’s “For You” page, Snapchat Spotlight will feature vertical videos of dancing, memes and the types of video content that are loved by TikTok’s 700 million users worldwide. The popularity of video advertising for brands and retailers could make a new feature like Snapchat [...]
“We're making shopping on WhatsApp even easier. Now you can easily discover something you'd like to buy from your favorite business by tapping on the new shopping button at the top of chats,” tweeted out WhatsApp to announce the texting app’s newest feature. With ecommerce at an all time high, the WhatsApp shopping button streamlines [...]
Native advertising is a type of paid media that looks, feels and functions like the form of media in which it has been placed. For instance, a sponsored article that appears on a website, formatted similarly to the other articles, is considered “native advertising.” Native advertising works because it feels like a natural extension of [...]
The recent announcement by Walmart+ to do away with shipping minimums is clearly a bid to stay competitive with Amazon Prime. Amazon is a juggernaut, with an ecommerce market share of 38%, 126 million Prime memberships worldwide and a long simmering rivalry with Walmart, a retailer more dominant in brick-and-mortar sales. The launch of Walmart+ [...]
Nielsen, a measurement and analytics company integral to the TV advertising industry, recently announced an ID resolution system that amounts to a “comprehensive overhaul of its cross-screen measurement methodology,” according to Ronan Shields, reporting for Adweek. Not long ago, Google, Firefox and Safari all announced that they would be doing away with cookies by 2022 [...]
Before wellness, there was dieting. Now, many brands that focus on weight loss take more holistic approaches that incorporate overall health and positive body images. The holistic messaging of wellness brands resonates with consumers seeking authenticity, particularly those who are interested in a whole body approach to fitness, dieting and nutrition. As weight loss brands, like [...]
Earlier this week, 47 states and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed two separate lawsuits against social media giant Facebook. This isn’t the first time Facebook has earned the ire of the FTC, but it may be the most comprehensive accusation to date. The dual suits allege that Facebook exploited users’ personal data to gain insights [...]
On December 8, the new Apple privacy label policy (AKA “nutrition labels”), initially announced this summer, went into effect. The Apple privacy label policy requires app developers to self-report the categories of data and information their apps collect. According to Apple, app developers “need to provide information about your [the developer’s] app’s privacy practices, including [...]
“This cannot be real!” gasped Twitter collectively when KFC released the new trailer for A Recipe For Seduction, the KFC mini-movie in which Mario Lopez plays the Colonel. According to KFC, “Colonel Sanders knew a secret recipe could bring life or death, but he never knew it could bring love.” Judging by Twitter’s reaction, neither [...]
Antitrust lawsuits against big tech keep rolling in. The latest antitrust lawsuit is directed at Google for allegedly reaching an “illegal” deal with Facebook, named as a co-conspirator in the lawsuit, to gain monopolistic control over the ad market. Last week, Facebook was served with its own lawsuit over a separate issue. The uptick of [...]
Prior to 2020, grocery shopping was one of the things people usually preferred to do in person, instead of online. However, the pandemic changed everything. In 2019, online grocery sales grew 22%, but in 2020 they are predicted to grow 40% because of the need to shop safely, and consumers’ increasing comfort with ecommerce. Kroger, [...]
Recently, some social media platforms had to repay advertisers due to measurement reporting errors. Mistakes can happen, but with cost per action (CPA) advertising, advertisers are only paying when a measurable action is taken, making costly reporting errors less likely and advertisers more confident in their results. What Is CPA Advertising?Cost per action or CPA advertising [...]
As one of the big four tech companies, Apple can always be counted on as both an immediately recognizable brand around the world and an innovative technology juggernaut meeting the consumer demands of the moment. Although 2020 was a year unlike any other in modern times, Apple continued to push forward, with new product releases [...]
In a year when online shopping and ecommerce have provided consumers with so many of the products they need, how consumers search for what they want helps advertisers understand consumer behavior and how best to engage consumers actively shopping. In an eMarketer article about consumer search preferences this holiday season, a survey from ChannelAdvisor conducted [...]
After a year of virtual school, work and parties, it’s no surprise that Santa visits are now virtual, too. Like so much else in 2020, the holidays have been about making the best of a different situation, from ordering everything online to Zoom holiday dinners. Technology has been a big part of the story this year, [...]
Despite being a trying year for advertisers, email proved an essential tool for creating connections with consumers and strengthening existing relationships. In fact, 53% of respondents in the 2020 State of Email, Fall Edition report from Litmus, anticipated sending more email in 2020 then 2019. And, overall, emails sent in 2020 – a year when [...]
In early 2020, when Digital Media Solutions (DMS) COO Fernando Borghese and DMS CRO Joey Liner discussed their lead generation predictions for 2020, few could have known what an unusual year it would be. Ecommerce and digital solutions became critical tools for managing lock downs, industry shifts and new consumer behaviors. However, many of the predictions [...]
TikTok isn’t just for dancing teenagers anymore. Although it’s definitely, also, still for dancing teenagers, the short-form video app and social media platform took 2020 by storm. AdAge recently declared TikTok the Marketer of the Year, noting the sheer might the platform has for kicking off trends and unexpected cultural moments. (Cranberry juice, anyone?) As [...]
Many industries over the last year have had to adapt to the new behaviors of consumers, pivoting to strategies that would safeguard their businesses while staying connected to consumers who would need them again soon. For the automotive industry, due to economic anxiety and reduced driving, a slowdown in sales was inevitable at the start [...]
Last year, when consumers were stuck at home, grocery delivery sales soared, as did the need for comfort foods and easy delivery of restaurant meals. Quick-serve restaurants (QSRs) in particular saw an uptick in sales, with many consumers seeking reliable, budget-friendly options. Alicia Kelso for Restaurant Dive reports that a study by market research firm [...]
Hootsuite, a social media management platform, recently released their fifth annual report on the latest global trends in social media, “Social Trends 2021.” The in-depth report reflects on where social media is headed in 2021, especially given the changes in consumer behavior that occurred in 2020 due to the pandemic and other global unrest. By [...]
Tax season isn’t typically a time people look forward to, making it all the more important for tax preparation brands to engage consumers in ways that feel warm and helpful. These past advertising campaigns from tax brands including H&R Block, TurboTax and TaxAct all illustrate inclusive, funny and accessible approaches to meeting taxpayer needs and [...]
Clubhouse, a new audio-based, invite-only social media platform, has been lighting up culture reporting and chatter on Twitter in recent weeks, as the next big thing in social. From fewer than 3,500 members in early December to nearly 600,000 registered users currently, Clubhouse is having a moment. By building its reputation as an exclusive spot [...]
A recent article in eMarketer highlighted the importance of marketing to people with disabilities. Rarely adequately represented across advertising campaigns, people with disabilities appreciate inclusion and often spend with the brands that authentically engage them. A study by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) in 2018, according to eMarketer reporter Victoria Petrock, found that the 20 [...]
In 2020, more than 102 million people tuned into Super Bowl LIV, and it was the most live-streamed Super Bowl in history, with many viewers watching on Fox and NFL apps and streaming options. As usual, the 2020 Super Bowl was also a huge day for advertising, setting a record breaking “$435 million in in-game [...]
“Just Do It” usually means get out there and move. But lately, for iconic brand Nike, it also means “order online.” The footwear, apparel and fitness brand has been increasingly innovating their digital offerings in recent years, and shifting consumer behaviors during the pandemic quickly accelerated the brand’s ecommerce initiatives and sales. Nike, a brand valued [...]
Amazon advertising recently announced the beta release of Amazon Marketing Cloud, a new service designed to help advertisers better understand the performance of their Amazon marketing campaigns across Amazon channels, including search, display, video and audio.What Is Amazon Marketing Cloud?Built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), “Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC) is a secure, privacy-safe, and dedicated [...]
A bill that would impose a digital ad tax in Maryland is being taken up again by the Maryland General Assembly. House Bill 732, which includes a digital ad tax that would be the first in the nation, was vetoed by Governor Larry Hogan last year, but supporters of the bill want to overturn Hogan’s [...]
Cord-cutting, streaming, SVoD, OTT — the universe of on-demand television and movies has exploded in the last 10 years. And, despite lags here and there, streaming shows no signs of slowing down with a new streaming service seeming to pop up every few months. Struum, a streaming service set to launch this spring, could be [...]
As 2020 drew to a close, IAB released their 2021 Marketplace Outlook, an impact study that examined the plans, concerns and focus of media buyers heading into the new year. The study found that trends from 2020 are impacting how buyers plan for the new year, including reliance on first-party data, the growth of streaming [...]
Sometimes the perfect Valentine’s Day gift isn’t the traditional one. Many consumers enjoy recognizing all the loved ones in their lives with gifts, but lingerie isn’t necessarily appropriate for everyone. Valentine’s Day, though typically a day for significant others to stare into each other’s eyes, is becoming increasingly popular as a holiday to share the [...]
As the year slips along, the “new year, new you” goals often shift and change, but one simple habit that many consumers may embrace for the long haul is a daily probiotic or vitamin. Health and wellness trends, products and services have been growing in popularity for people all over the world in recent years, [...]
Walmart recently announced the launch of a new fintech startup “designed to develop and offer modern, innovative and affordable financial solutions,” according to a press release about the new service. Ribbit Capital will be partnering with Walmart for the venture, but it will be majority owned by Walmart. The fintech venture isn't Walmart’s first foray [...]
The focus on health and wellness in 2020 had roots in several colliding trends and behaviors: the years-long emphasis on wellness from high-end, celebrity-endorsed brands, the desire to stay healthy during the pandemic and boredom brought on by more time spent at home. Hamza Shaban for The Washington Post reports, “Health and fitness equipment revenue [...]
This year, as with so much else in recent history, the Super Bowl won’t be the same. The persistence of COVID-19 means that, though the game goes on, fans will be limited at Super Bowl LV and there won’t be big parties. Many brands typically known for investing major money in Super Bowl commercials are [...]
Recently, Taboola, the content recommendation company going public via SPAC later this year, announced the beta launch of Taboola stories. Similar to stories on Facebook and Instagram, according to a statement from Taboola, the Taboola stories will offer up-to-date “relevant content.” Taboola Stories will offer advertisers increased opportunities to drive engagement and revenue.What Is Taboola?Taboola [...]
According to a eMarketer’s most recent “time spent” forecast from Insider Intelligence, “Amid the pandemic, U.S. adults spent one hour more per day on digital activities (across all devices) than they did in 2019. Total digital time is now on track to surpass eight hours by the end of 2022.”Digital usage in 2020 was up [...]
After teasing the launch last year, Coca-Cola with Coffee was finally released this week, making it the latest ready-to-drink (RTD) offering to hit the market. RTDs, particularly those with coffee or that promise health benefits, have seen massive growth in recent years, with many relying on digital strategies to advertise and sell their products. Fortune [...]
Most people were happy to say goodbye to 2020, and brands obliged those feelings with funny, relevant, relatable creative speaking to what a disaster the year was.Bud Light, diaper brand Little Big Change and Match.com all deployed funny digital advertising campaigns that embraced the less-than-ideal circumstances of 2020. The campaigns rolled out across social media [...]
Twitter recently announced that it reached a deal to acquire newsletter platform Revue. Broadly, the deal seeks to offer increased opportunities for creators to monetize their content and kick off more audience-monetization opportunities for Twitter.What Is Revue?Revue is a newsletter platform that allows creators to create, customize and distribute newsletters to a proprietary list of [...]
Holidays can be the right time to scale advertising spend, offer new products, kick off promotions and deploy engagement strategies that reach and nurture consumers in the mood to shop for themselves or loved ones. Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, specifically, represent opportunities for floral brands, like BloomsyBox, to build brand awareness and acquire new [...]
In the early days of the pandemic, many businesses navigating store closings and community safety adapted refund and return policies to meet the changing needs of consumers. The rise of ecommerce, in particular the massive uptick in ecommerce holiday shopping, has led some big box retailers to skip returns altogether, telling consumers to keep their [...]
With people spending less on travel and entertainment, time and money has been funneled into home improvements. According to a recent study, “the average household spending on home services rose to $13,138 [in 2020], an increase over last year’s survey results, where homeowners spent $9,081 on average in 2019.” The top three renovation projects in 2020 [...]