Know What's Happening in Marketing
Know What's Happening in Marketing
PopSockets turned phone backs into a $169M revenue engine
PopSockets transformed the unused back of smartphones into a monetizable surface, evolving from a garage prototype in 2011 to a global brand that posted $169 million in revenue by 2017. The simple grip design generated constant repeat interactions and word‑of‑mouth growth, driving its rapid expansion.
A pattern has emerged where multiple Google Ads display identical website statistics across competing advertisers. The uniform stats, normally unique per site, raise concerns about a possible bug, test, or intentional change in Google’s ad platform. The anomaly was first reported by paid‑media expert Anthony Higman and has not received any comment from Google. If trust signals become unreliable, advertisers could see lower click‑through rates and diminished brand credibility.
Yet another example of "Mt. AI". Site surged like mad, only to crash once Google's webspam team caught on. All AI-generated content. 1.6M urls of it... Now, the dreaded '10 urls site query' indicating a manual action. 100% probability of...
Now that tracking your AI visibility is becoming table stakes, we decided to include it in @Ahrefs at no extra cost. Every paid plan (except Starter) now includes custom prompt tracking in Brand Radar: - Lite: 150 checks/mo - Standard: 300 checks/mo - Advanced:...
AuthorityTech unveiled a five‑layer Machine Relations framework that integrates public relations, SEO, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) into a single AI‑visibility system. The model emphasizes earned media as the foundation, noting that 82% of AI citations...
Livpure has renewed its exclusive partnership with the Gujarat Titans for the 2026 Indian Premier League, continuing as the franchise’s water purifier and kitchen appliance sponsor. The extension aims to amplify Livpure’s visibility among urban, younger consumers by leveraging cricket’s...
Like I shared the other day, OpenAI now confirms they will roll out ads to ALL users in the coming weeks (for free and Go plans): "OpenAI will begin showing ads to all users of the free and Go versions of...
Perplexity tests Market Research agent for Perplexity Computer "These are the kind of strategic tools that consultants and analysts typically assemble manually using expensive subscription databases." "Perplexity is developing a dedicated Market Research section, which would sit alongside its existing navigation categories...
Recent analysis of 572 ads spending over $1 million reveals that the majority of new creative never receives enough budget to be evaluated. While 66.8% of fresh ads get less than $100 spend, only 10.7% break the $1,000 threshold needed for...
I like checking the quality of the topical map generated for customers. It's crazy how many good, easy-to-rank-for commercially valuable keywords it finds. This used to take me hours to do manually for clients 😭 https://t.co/Y8Lggv3dk8
Focus on Google Ads? -> Animated Clips Now Appearing in Performance Max Asset Creation "Google Ads is testing a new feature that lets advertisers turn uploaded images into animated clips within Performance Max campaigns using Veo 3." https://t.co/Im0TnVVNWY https://t.co/fXGyBF9eUi
Advertisers are wary of new brand‑suitability tools that label large swaths of news as “low risk,” because a DoubleVerify survey shows 92% of respondents consider that content unsuitable. The misalignment between tool classifications and advertiser expectations threatens trust and revenue...
Google confirms testing using AI to create title links in the search results https://t.co/oJwRTZ3Jjw via @MordyOberstein
Dreamdata’s 2026 LinkedIn Benchmarks Report reveals LinkedIn is the only B2B advertising platform delivering a positive return on ad spend, posting a 121% ROAS. The platform now commands 41% of B2B paid‑social budgets, outpacing Google Search (67% ROAS) and Meta...
Google is embedding its Gemini AI model as the core operating layer of Display & Video 360, turning the DSP into an automated media buyer. Marketers can now upload a media plan and have Gemini generate a complete campaign setup, streamlining...
YouTube has rebranded its BrandConnect tool as Creator Partnerships and infused it with Google’s Gemini AI to automate brand‑creator matchmaking. The service is now embedded in YouTube Studio, Google Ads and the DV360 demand‑side platform, letting advertisers use natural‑language queries...
GoWit and Futura DDB have announced an exclusive retail‑media partnership covering Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Macedonia. The deal combines GoWit’s AI‑first omnichannel commerce platform with Futura DDB’s regional creative and market expertise, delivering a unified dashboard for multi‑market campaign...
Asda has launched a new Easter campaign built around its revived “That’s Asda Price” platform, featuring two 20‑second films produced by Lucky Generals. The ads, titled “Easter Bonnet” and “Eggcited you’re here,” portray families creating elaborate celebrations while emphasizing the...
MAC Cosmetics, owned by Estée Lauder, will debut on TikTok Shop UK next month, turning its London store on Carnaby Street into a live‑broadcast studio. The brand will stream tutorials, product drops and interactive sessions hosted by in‑store makeup artists,...
Swiss Beauty has teamed with Warner Bros. Discovery to launch a limited‑edition FRIENDS‑themed CRAZE makeup line in India. The collection spans skincare, colour cosmetics and press‑on nails, with prices from roughly $2 for remover wipes to $6 for nail sets....
The piece argues that cultural localisation has become essential for brand storytelling in the Middle East, illustrated by the Emirati‑origin animated series “Freej” and recent market data. It highlights that the MENA recorded‑music market grew roughly 23% in 2024, driven...
Vocento, Spain's leading regional press group, partnered with ad‑tech firm Opti Digital to deploy its Demand Hub solution. The platform adds an AI‑driven, attention‑based demand layer that serves high‑impact social display ads only when they enter the user’s viewport. This...
Mumbai Indians has named Utkarsh Small Finance Bank its official banking partner for IPL 2026. The partnership will feature integrated marketing campaigns throughout the tournament, leveraging the team’s massive fan base. Utkarsh aims to boost brand visibility and deepen customer connections...
Yahoo Mail unveiled Planner, an AI‑powered productivity hub that transforms emails into actionable tasks and reminders. The launch is anchored by the "Cardi B Busy" campaign, starring rapper Cardi B, which dramatizes inbox overload and introduces the new feature. Planner also...
Nissan is shifting its growth strategy from loud marketing to frictionless customer experiences. Vice President and CMO Allyson Witherspoon says the automaker now focuses on removing obstacles across digital, sales and service touchpoints. The company believes seamless interactions will convert...
ClippaPay has launched Africa’s first creator‑powered platform that links brands with influencers through three distinct earning models: UGC creation, video clipping, and performance‑based affiliate marketing. The service lets brands post campaigns, receive creator bids, and pay on approval, while clippers...
The Macallan has unveiled the fifth “Distil Your World” edition, a limited‑edition single‑malt whisky inspired by Paris. The project pairs the Scotch maker with the Roca brothers of three‑Michelin‑star El Celler de Can Roca and includes a half‑hour documentary. The spirit...
Indian agency Liqvd Asia announced four new client mandates—Origami, Kasturi Foods, Sama.live and Woodland—adding roughly ₹35 crore (about $4.2 million) to its future business pipeline. The engagements cover integrated marketing communications, creative and media services, brand narrative building, and digital storytelling across...
The article advocates replacing traditional channel‑based marketing structures with a dual‑track Laboratory‑Factory model. The Laboratory acts as a sandbox for AI‑driven rapid experimentation, encouraging fast failures and novel concepts. Successful prototypes move to the Factory, where automation and templated workflows...
Brands across the UAE and Saudi Arabia are frustrated with agencies that underperform and lack genuine brand insight, according to a Hashtag Media survey of 300 senior marketers. While 58% rate their agencies as underperforming and 54% say they don’t...
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is emerging as the discipline that ensures AI‑driven search tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews cite your brand. Marketers must first measure AI visibility, then layer GEO tactics on top of traditional SEO to...
KFC’s third‑year "Believe" film, "How Much Do You Believe in Chicken?", shifts from a pure broadcast spectacle to a participatory experience, ending with a QR code that invites viewers to enter a real‑world challenge. The 90‑second spot, directed by Vedran Rupic,...
Coca‑Cola’s Sprite has launched a new global brand platform, “It’s that fresh,” across 180 markets. The refresh unifies visual identity, introduces a Mustard‑produced sonic logo, and pairs the brand with music, skate, fashion and food collaborations aimed at Gen Z. New...
Samsung Australia partnered with Clemenger BBDO to launch the Galaxy S26 series through “The Elephant in the Room,” a three‑part vertical micro‑drama streamed on social, BVOD, SVOD and Samsung TV Plus. The campaign showcases the S26 Ultra’s 100× zoom, Privacy Display and Nightography...
Intrepid Travel has launched “The Difference is Who,” a new marketing campaign across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The campaign spotlights local leaders and like‑minded travellers, positioning human connection as the core differentiator. It will run on TV, out‑of‑home, radio and...
A new industry‑first study by Blobfish International analyzed over 78,000 post‑trial surveys from 326 live‑sampling campaigns across FMCG categories. It found that 82 % of consumers are highly likely to purchase a product after trying it, with a 91 % average positive...
PrizePicks launched a promotion that gives new users a $50 bonus when they place a $5 entry on any March Madness game, intensifying a wave of similar offers from competing fantasy‑sports platforms. The deal, limited to first‑time users in eligible...
On March 23, 2026, UK‑based alcoholic beverage brand WKD announced the appointment of a new social‑media agency to overhaul its digital presence. The partnership is aimed at revitalising WKD’s content strategy, targeting younger consumers and expanding reach across TikTok, Instagram...
Instagram introduced an AI‑powered transition tool that morphs multiple still images into a seamless video for Stories. The feature appears in the image gallery for select users and requires acceptance of Meta’s AI terms before first use. By converting photo...
Emplifi’s analysis of 10,110 Facebook Reels reveals that early human speech and visible faces dramatically boost short‑form video performance. Speech in the first three seconds lifts 10‑second retention by roughly 25% and outperforms music‑only clips by 5.6% in engagement. Adding...
A group of Federation University students partnered with Cognizant and Aston Martin F1 in an AI‑focused ideathon to devise fan‑engagement solutions for the Melbourne Grand Prix. The challenge gave participants real‑world exposure to AI tools, data analytics, and rapid‑prototype pitching in a...
Tubi has introduced two premium advertising products in Australia – Thematic Takeovers and Title Takeovers – with Samsung Electronics Australia debuting the formats for its Galaxy S26 launch. Thematic Takeovers grant advertisers 100% share of voice across a chosen genre,...
Vodafone Australia has launched a high‑profile "comeback" campaign fronted by US comedian Ali Wong, marking the first major brand work since the TPG merger and a reshuffle of its marketing leadership. The multi‑channel effort spotlights Vodafone’s expanded network, now covering...
🎥 #B2B “video‑warmed members are 1.6X more likely to open a lead-gen form within a 30‑day nurture window. That’s buyability in action —marketing that builds momentum toward revenue, not just awareness.” #Newfronts LinkedIn for Marketing
How To Build A $10,000/mo AI Ecom Brand in 2026 (Full Guide) WATCH HERE 👉 https://t.co/VuFsAF4ETI The "Old Way" of E-commerce is dead. In 2026, if your store looks like "dropshipping," it won't convert. I’m showing you the exact AI-first workflow...
Everyone wants to own a business built on organic traffic (rather than paid ads). The problem is, no one wants to write organic content every single day for 3 years.
possibly the sharpest VC marketing move I've seen... @garrytan ships 15 claude code skills, the repo hits 37k stars and 4.6k forks, then -- only after delivering real value - drops the pitch, bravo 👏: https://t.co/5Vz4Or0r6T
yall realize if startups start spending less on paid marketing, the auction numbers get less competitive and anyone who actually does paid marketing can do it more cheaply if there are less players, right? no one says what they actually...
