TikTok abandons plans to expand its live shopping feature
Social media giant TikTok has abandoned its plans to expand its live e-commerce ‘TikTok Shop’ initiative to the United States and parts of Europe. TikTok Shop was launched in the UK last year. This unique feature enabled brands and influencers to stream live while selling goods. However, TikTok’s attempt to replicate QVC-style shopping in the […]
Klarna valuation plummets as buy now, pay later market faces pressures
In its latest financing round, buy now, pay later giant Klarna saw its valuation plummet by 85%. Following the financing round, the Swedish company announced that it had raised $800 million from investors at a $6.7 billion valuation. However, this was down sharply from the $45.6 billion value it secured in a 2021 cash injection […]
A guide to the impact that machine learning will have upon search
Why we liked this article Good to get some clarity on machine learning terms. Gain insight into Google’s machine learning algorithms. Provides a good understanding of the different types of machine learning algorithms and models.
Why brands are paying thousands for crypto domain names
Why we liked this article Major brands are investing heavily in securing their Web3 domain suffixes to ensure they have early brand dominance in this much-hyped area of digital marketing. Paying large amounts for the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) illustrates that ENS names are the established suffix in Web3—as a result of Ethereum being the […]
Is TikTok being used to amplify disinformation campaigns?
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has urged both Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores over China-related security concerns. Brendan Carr, one of the FCC’s commissioners, shared a letter via Twitter on June 28th, which was addressed to Tim Cook of Apple and Sundar Pichai of Alphabet Inc. (Google’s parent company). […]
Italy is the latest EU country to declare Google Analytics illegal
Why we liked this article More and more European countries are ruling that Google Analytics contravenes privacy legislation, under GDPR, and is technically illegal. The key issues surround the fact that Google transfers data to the U.S. and is obliged to hand it over upon request, which means the E.U. can no longer guarantee its […]
Nostalgia marketing and the power of emotional attachment in PR
Why we liked this article Nostalgia marketing is a content creation strategy to make groups of people feel a part of a cohort by referencing to something only they can relate to from their past. Brands such as Nintendo and Pepsi are turning back time with nostalgia marketing. Using this strategy to form a connection […]
Don’t fight the in-housing trend: a warning to agencies
Why we liked this article Developments in automation and a plethora of third party insight tools have shifted perceptions on the need for a specialist digital agency. More and more brands are therefore choosing to take their marketing in-house. Although agencies still offer economies of scale, e.g. greater expertise with specific technologies, insights across multiple […]
Snapchat trials paid subscription service
Social media giant Snapchat is currently trialling a new paid subscription service called Snapchat Plus, which is currently in “early internal testing”. The new service will offer users early access to new features. Speaking to The Verge about the new service, Snap spokesperson Liz Markman said: “We’re doing early internal testing of Snapchat Plus, a […]
Apple and Major League Soccer to present all MLS matches around the world for next 10 years
Apple and Major League Soccer (MLS) have agreed a broadcasting partnership that will see all MLS matches streamed around the world for 10 years, starting in 2023. In a historic first for sports fans, all matches will be available to watch through the Apple TV app, without any local blackouts or restrictions. What will the […]
What Google News are looking to do with their new desktop design
Google announced some design enhancements this week to make Google News (desktop) a much more sticky, engaging user experience. There’s definitely more of a Yahoo News feel about it and there are 3 immediate areas of focus: personalisation, customised topics and local news. Google News: personalisation Similar to the Google News app & Google app, […]
Can crumbling cookies sweeten UK data-protection plans?
Why we liked this article The UK government wants to limit the need for repeated cookie consents – suggesting instead a one-stop data-privacy setting applied at the browser level. Raises wider privacy questions around opting out of tracking, rather than opting in, which may place the onus on individuals preventing, rather than permitting, their online […]