Hi! Here is a quick round-up of some news from around the industry over the last few weeks. Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headlines.
Brands + Retailers
- Victoria’s Secret to go private at $1.1B valuation. The Wall Street Journal
- As DTC brands move into wholesale, analytics platforms follow. Vogue
- How brands are battling knock-offs on Amazon. AdWeek
- Apple stores reopen in China despite coronavirus outbreak. Fast Company
- As Walmart grows in ecommerce, investors look for a plan to stem the losses. CNBC
- Nevermind the internet, here’s what’s killing malls. The New York Times
- How Amazon is causing us to drown in trademarks. The New York Times
- Inside the fall of Softbank-backed Brandless. Axios
- Pier 1 declares bankruptcy. CBS News
- Bed Bath & Beyond to sell gift unit in Turnaround bid. Bloomberg
- Amazon opens its first cashier-less grocery store. TechCrunch
- Target moves up among ecommerce players. Forbes
- Forever 21 will live on with new owners. NPR
Marketing + Social
- Amazon’s new web TV series merges content and commerce. LA Times
- Unilever will stop targeting kids in advertising. Digiday
- Inside Glossier’s fight to trademark its iconic bubble wrap bags. Fast Company
- How brands are using TikTok to go after a new age group with huge spending power. Inc
- Facebook blocks device-level phone data. AdAge
- How Gen Z is using Instagram to shop. Glossy
- Inside RxBar’s new influencer strategy. Digiday
- Beyond subway ads, how startups are investing in out of home. Modern Retail
- Instagram prototypes letting IGTV creators monetize with ads. TechCrunch
- Google ends its free Wifi program. TechCrunch
- Disney Plus has over 28M subscribers. The New York Times
- Toy industry looks to YouTube talent for next generation of merchandise. The Wall Street Journal
- Is technology subsuming marketing? Harvard Business Review
Emerging Tech
- New tool aims to track whether influencers and other digital ads actually drive online sales. AdAge
- Goodyear finds uses for AI and IoT in tires, tools. Forbes
- Salesforce buys Vlocity for over $1B. TechCrunch
- Apple is teaming up with Johnson & Johnson to see if the Apple Watch can reduce the risk of stroke. Fast Company