Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are changing the face of search engine optimization and search engine marketing (SEO). That’s the prevailing narrative, anyway. The one pushed by media pundits and self-professed experts with only a faint understanding of their own content.
Continue reading
December was quite the month. Before the month even fully kicked off, we were treated to what was the worst television spot of the holiday season, if not the entire year. The culprit?
Luxury exercise brand Peloton, which towards the end of November released a 30-second video ad titled “The Gift That Gives Back.” In it, a woman is led down the stairs of a high-end condominium by her daughter, eyes closed. Waiting for her there is a Peloton exercise bike. The next segment is a montage that is very nearly postmodern in its absurdity.
Over the course of a year, the woman films herself using the bike. Presumably, a year passes. We then see that she has compiled her video exercise log. It’s a gift for her husband. The ad urges viewers to “give the gift of Peloton.” Then, it closes.
Continue reading
It’s no secret that just as with Google, YouTube’s algorithms are a closely-guarded secret. Unfortunately, it also seems to be no secret that compared to Google, YouTube seems in many ways to be fumbling in the dark. As noted by Ben Popken of NBC News, YouTube wants people to spend as much time watching videos as possible, but its algorithms aren’t entirely sure on how.
Continue reading
Although it’s currently the world’s most popular video hosting site, YouTube is anything but perfect. Recently, YouTube has faced issues like unfair bans, unclear ToS updates, and a flawed copyright system.
Continue reading
Facebook is no stranger to controversy. From the Cambridge Analytica scandal to numerous revelations regarding abuse and misappropriation of user data, it seems as though the social network perpetually has egg on its face. Not surprisingly, people are getting fed up.
Continue reading
A lot of people look at search engine optimization as this arcane, unknowable craft. It really isn’t. It’s just in the best interests of some people to make you think it is.
Continue reading
In August, telecommunications company Verizon sold social network and microblogging site Tumblr to WordPress owner Automattic for approximately $3 million. It was, many publications noted, a massive loss on their part. Just two years ago, they purchased the site for $1.1 billion. Most agree that their purchase of the platform was a complete and utter failure.
Continue reading
Have you heard of the Streisand Effect?
If not, we’ll start the piece off with a bit of a history lesson, courtesy of the Economist. In 2003, singer and actress Barbara Streisand sued the California Coastal Records Project. The organization – whose photographic library features images of nearly the entire California coastline – included photos of Streisand’s cliffside Malibu mansion.
Continue reading
People like to talk a lot about the importance of consistent branding without saying how. It’s obvious that it’s important for a brand to maintain a cohesive personality across all its platforms. Consumers trust brands they know, they’re more willing to work with brands they recognize.
Continue reading
Much of the marketing that takes place on social media is Business to Consumer (B2C). But Business to Business (B2B) is every bit as prevalent – and every bit as important. Today, we’re going to talk about the core differences between the two, specifically in terms of how it relates to your marketing strategy.
There are many reasons a consumer might purchase a particular product or service.
Maybe they like the culture of the brand that produces it. Or their friends and family recommended it. Maybe they saw an ad the found compelling and decided to give it a try.
Continue reading