Know What's Happening in Marketing
Know What's Happening in Marketing
PopSockets turns phone backs into a $169M revenue stream
The company evolved from a garage prototype in 2011 into a global brand that monetized the unused back of smartphones. By 2017, PopSockets posted $169 million in revenue, driven by a simple grip that became a daily habit and sparked word‑of‑mouth growth and celebrity visibility.
Forrester research shows social media is now the second most meaningful source of information for B2B buyers, trailing only generative AI search tools. The article marks Twitter’s 20‑year anniversary, highlighting how its real‑time publishing created “now moments” that transformed brand engagement and live‑event marketing. However, the platform’s evolution into X has led to declining usage, growing perceptions of misinformation, and increased brand risk. As a result, advertisers are shifting toward newer channels while still acknowledging Twitter’s historic impact.
I built a skill for Claude Code that plans your entire content strategy — what to write, how often, and why it matters. You describe your product and audience, and it maps out topic clusters with pillar pages and supporting articles,...
VideoAmp has broadened its VXP cross‑platform planner by adding first‑party data integrations with satellite radio giant Sirius XM and in‑theater advertising network National CineMedia (NCM). The move unifies audio and cinema audience metrics within a single planning tool, giving marketers a more...
Rest, a subscription sleep‑coach app that uses AI and cognitive‑behavioral therapy, launched its "Late Night Mistakes" awareness campaign on March 9 by hijacking TikTok Shop live broadcasts during the 2‑3 a.m. window. The brand partnered with roughly two dozen creators who received...
Government contractors are shifting from post‑RFP hustle to disciplined pre‑RFP marketing, embedding capture, business development, and proposal teams months before a draft solicitation appears. By monitoring agency signals such as RFIs, industry days, and policy trends, firms craft win themes...
In this episode the hosts discuss how AI is disrupting the traditional advertising agency model, using Levi's as a case study of how brand storytelling once drove sales but is now sidelined in boardrooms. They argue that AI tools are...
A TripleLift study finds that 49 % of connected‑TV (CTV) ads still use traditional 15‑ and 30‑second spots designed for linear television, despite record streaming viewership and ad spend. High‑impact formats such as pause ads, overlays, and native units boost brand...
Celio is rolling out its first dedicated womenswear line, using a clever “missing L” teaser that sparked a viral wave across social platforms. The campaign, orchestrated by Havas Paris, featured six high‑profile female influencers and amassed over 40 million organic impressions. Prices...
Johnsonville introduced a Dr Pepper‑inspired sausage, available fresh and smoked, on March 1. The product was deliberately crafted to be divisive, sparking “low‑stakes disagreement” on social media and encouraging conversation around the brand. Partnering with Dr Pepper, the company seeks to...
The post outlines three core strategies for scaling Substack newsletters: a comprehensive starter guide, a weekly content system, and a framework for converting readers into paid subscribers and upselling them to higher‑value offers. It walks creators through turning a single...
The piece argues that AI has turned content creation into a commodity, making editorial "taste" the new competitive edge. Brands that embed judgment—deciding what not to produce—avoid audience fatigue and preserve brand relevance. Senior editors and clear, flexible principles act...
Google Merchant Center now mandates that out‑of‑stock product pages display a visibly disabled, grayed‑out buy button instead of removing or keeping it active. The rule also requires a clear availability label—such as “out of stock” or “back order”—that matches the...
Google is piloting an AI‑generated reply tool within its Google Business Profile platform, initially surfacing in the United States, Brazil and India. The feature suggests response drafts to customer reviews, which businesses can edit or publish directly, though rollout timing...
Marriott has filed worldwide trademarks and secured web domains for a prospective brand called “Matter Hotels by Marriott.” The filings, spanning the U.S., Europe, and Latin America, cover hotel, spa, dining and entertainment services, indicating a full‑service concept. Executives have...
Brands are in their bold era, using negative customer reviews as part of their campaigns and/or responding to critics online From Dove to Yahoo and Crocs to Burger King, leaning into criticism ✅ Signals confidence and self-awareness ✅ Lets audiences know you’re...
Roblox announced it will begin charging creators a fee for publishing brand integrations, with charges scaling based on user traffic and engagement, slated to roll out in 2027. The policy is presented as a move to standardize ad labeling, improve...
L'Oréal launched a global employee advocacy program powered by Sprinklr Advocacy, turning staff into brand ambassadors. Within 18 months the initiative generated over 33 million organic impressions and delivered a four‑fold return on investment. The pilot began in 2024 with 900...
I had the chance to chat with @iPullRank a few weeks back and we had a deep conversation on the state of AI and SEO... Mike's take was clear: If you think AEO and GEO are just "SEO with a...
Chuck Norris’s six‑year Air Force service in South Korea forged his martial‑arts expertise and introduced a disciplined, patriotic image that later defined his public persona. The experience gave him a black belt and authentic combat credibility, which propelled his transition...
Consumer brands now face a relentless misinformation economy, where AI‑generated content, social media chatter, and rogue posts can trigger rapid brand crises. Misleading narratives spread across Reddit, X, TikTok and traditional outlets, forcing companies to allocate resources to constant monitoring...
For SEO to work, forget about spray and pray. Change your process, and keep it consistent. Before: prompt → publish After: - Topical map defines what gets written - SEO brief defines the angle, keyword, intent, structure - AI fills the brief, human adds the insight -...
Oh boy, but we know Google can change title links in the SERPs already. Remember back in 2021 when they addressed that? Also, Google confirmed this is a test but didn't confirm it was using AI to do this. Stay...
David Meerman Scott argues that modern marketers must move beyond fleeting attention and sales to create genuine human connections that turn customers into fans. He explains that fans exhibit deep loyalty, staying with a brand even when cheaper or flashier...
Cherene Aubert, founder of Growth Capital, advises D2C brands to stop discounting slow‑moving inventory and instead use bundles or free‑gift tactics that preserve margins. She recommends pairing a popular full‑price product with a discontinued item, allowing customers to perceive added...
In this episode, host Eric Banholz chats with e‑commerce strategist Shireen, known as the "D2C queen," about moving beyond deep discounting to smarter offer strategies. Shireen shares how AI agents can automate tasks without forcing new habits, and emphasizes that...
Luxury marketing hinges on creating desire rather than competing on price or promotions. Douglas Mandel explains the "Haute Couture Principle," where an unattainable apex—like a hand‑beaded gown or a Formula 1 program—sets the aspirational tone for all product tiers. Brands reinforce...
Adobe announced it will retire the SEO tile in Marketo Engage, effective March 31, 2026. The feature, considered low‑usage, will be removed on April 1, requiring customers to export any existing data. The move follows Adobe’s 2025 acquisition of Semrush, positioning the...
Everyone is doing AI image ads wrong. Especially model shots. You can spot them instantly. Plastic skin. Dead eyes. Weird hands. Fake lighting. Brands think they’re saving money… But they’re actually killing conversions. Meanwhile there’s a hidden method that makes AI models look 100% real. Ultra-realistic. Natural...
Coca‑Cola has revived its spicy cherry soda, Mr. Pibb, after a two‑decade run as Pibb Xtra. The brand launched a national campaign featuring NBA legend Scottie Pippen to challenge the notion that the drink is “second best.” The 30‑second ad,...
Australian electronic duo Breathe., together with agency Group Speed, overhauled their Spotify presence by reactivating five‑year‑old catalog tracks and launching a data‑driven artist playlist. The playlist paired Breathe. with slightly larger, stylistically similar acts and was promoted through Spotify’s ad...
9shines Label, founded in 2017, has built a D2C nightwear and comfort‑wear business around a single, well‑defined category. By prioritising breathable fabrics, inclusive sizing up to 7XL and functional details, the brand enjoys a near‑50% repeat purchase rate. Its hybrid...
Example of a manual action being removed for this publisher. Looks like they cleaned up the problem relatively quickly and had the manual action removed. Now showing back up across Google surfaces. Of course, they probably will not return...
McDonald’s limited‑time offers (LTOs) – the Shamrock Shake and the pilot Big Arch Burger – generated modest, short‑lived traffic lifts, with visits up 5.5% YoY during the Shake launch week and 2.2% YoY for the Burger week. The gains evaporated quickly,...
Social media competitor analysis is essential for shaping a data‑driven digital strategy in 2025. The guide breaks the process into three steps: identifying direct and indirect rivals, analyzing their platforms, content, and engagement, and applying insights to improve your own...
In this episode of Voices of Search, host Jordan Cooney talks with Jeff Raine, co‑founder of Everything Machines, about how to ensure website content is readable by large language model (LLM) crawlers. Jeff explains that the clearest sign of invisibility...
Portal Latino’s December 2025 survey of 1,691 Hispanic consumers reveals that 81% play mobile games weekly, with 61% gaming at least five days a week. Hispanic gamers show a strong appetite for culturally resonant titles, with 77% preferring games that reflect...
John Deere’s heritage team is turning its extensive archives into a live content engine for marketing and PR. By surfacing vintage assets—like a historic snowmobile—the company generated over half a million Instagram likes and sparked engagement across platforms. The archivist...
Google Ads has integrated the latest Nano Banana Pro AI generator and expanded its Creative Toolkit, giving advertisers free, in‑platform access to prompt‑based image creation, conversational editing, and a library of Google‑owned assets. The updates let marketers produce photo‑realistic visuals...
The article argues that AI‑driven search has shifted global demand generation from simple keyword translation to semantically rich content that machines can understand across languages and markets. It explains that traditional SEO tactics—high‑volume keywords and literal translations—often miss buyer intent,...
Huckberry’s newsletter, launched 15 years ago, includes external links to curated stories, defying the e‑commerce rule against outbound links. The brand treats customers as community members, offering entertainment, education, and connections beyond its product line. This content‑first approach yields customers...
Brand management has become a core business discipline, turning reputation into measurable assets like brand equity that justify premium pricing and protect market share. Consistent visual identity, tone, and customer experience reinforce trust and align internal teams around a clear...
RAD Intel, an AI‑driven marketing platform, closed a $60 million Reg A+ raise, posted more than 5,000% valuation growth in under four years, and secured the Nasdaq ticker $RADI. The funding and listing move underscores the accelerating demand for AI tools that...
The market feels the messiness of brand growth before you even realize what’s happening. Death by a thousand cuts, if you will. 🫢 When this happens, when growth stalls (or things start to feel confusing) as your fractional CMO, this is what...
3 Areas Marketers Must Focus on in the Age of the Connected Customer - CX Journey™ https://t.co/M4blBGEz8l #marketing #customerexperience https://t.co/HHmro9azp7
Retail marketers are facing backlash as AI‑generated ad “slop” erodes brand trust. Recent incidents like Blue Apron’s gibberish copy highlight consumer rejection of low‑quality automated content, now dubbed Merriam‑Webster’s 2025 Word of the Year. While platforms such as Meta and...
Gmail’s “Manage Subscriptions” functionality aims at decluttering inboxes, but it is hampered by flaws that limit its usefulness for consumers, while arbitrarily punishing some marketers. Here’s how to adapt >> https://t.co/AioTudgTl0 #emailmarketing #digitalmarketing https://t.co/0U2KarzaWt
Half of marketing is already dead. We just haven’t admitted it yet. •content •social •SEO •design All getting compressed by AI. What’s left is smaller: 👉 decisions 👉 judgment 👉 accountability Marketing isn’t evolving. It’s splitting. https://t.co/KD7mKsKRDY
MyBroadband’s "What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou" offers South African executives a 30‑minute video‑podcast interview to share their company story, solutions, and growth insights. The episode is published on MyBroadband’s site and syndicated across YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Spotify, Soundcloud and more....
Pull your email dashboard right now. What % of total revenue is coming from flows? If it's under 20% you built your launch setup and stopped. There are 11 total flows everyone needs to run 🧵
AI made content cheap. So founders did what made sense: they produced as much as possible. 500 articles. 1,000 articles. Pump the numbers. Numbers went up, then went all the way down. The problem wasn't using AI. The problem was using AI without strategy.
