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As the digital landscape evolves, AI-powered platforms are emerging as strong contenders to traditional search engines like Google. These platforms use advanced language models to provide faster, more contextualised responses, though users should remain mindful of potential inaccuracies. 🌟 Perplexity.ai: offers a conversational search experience, generating direct answers instead of just links. Its Pro version ($20/month) enhances this with more detailed results and additional features. 🌟 You.com: personalises searches by allowing users to prioritise sources and tailor results to their preferences. The Pro version provides extra customisation and advanced capabilities. 🌟andisearch.com: simplifies complex topics into digestible answers, using features like Read, Summarise, and Explain. It's free, with optional affiliate links for product searches. These tools represent the future of search—more intuitive, personalised, and user-friendly. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gXzCdCdB

🚨 Starbucks Appoints New CEO Amid Financial Struggles 🚨 Starbucks has replaced CEO Laxman Narasimhan with Brian Niccol, former CEO of Chipotle, following recent disappointing financial results. Niccol, known for doubling Chipotle’s revenue and driving an 800% stock price increase, brings expertise in brand management, innovation, and digital transformation. Mellody Hobson, Starbucks' board chair, praises Niccol as a “proven leader” who understands the importance of exceptional customer and partner experiences. With recent revenue declines and external challenges, can Niccol turn Starbucks around? The board is betting on his transformative leadership. Read more: https://lnkd.in/emQe8bDS

In today's competitive digital landscape, small businesses face unique challenges as they compete with larger retailers. While big-box brands have the advantage of resources and robust e-commerce strategies, SMBs can stay agile by embracing e-commerce and investing in digital capabilities. Launching an e-commerce app can be a strategic move for SMBs, offering a new revenue stream and enhancing brand recognition. However, it requires a clear business plan, the right tools, and an openness to change. Despite potential challenges, such as limited digital skills and resources, SMBs can leverage no-code development tools to build apps that strengthen customer loyalty and keep them competitive. By investing in e-commerce, small businesses can expand their online presence, understand customer preferences, and drive sales. With a well-executed strategy, SMBs can thrive in the digital age. Learn more in the link below 👇 https://lnkd.in/efU7kUWf

August Observations

🚨 Big news in the FMCG world! Mars is acquiring Pringles maker Kellanova in a nearly $36bn (£28bn) deal, marking the largest buyout in packaged goods history. 🌍 This acquisition will expand Mars’s snacking portfolio with brands like Cheez-It and Pringles and international cereal brands like Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and Special K. It aligns with Mars’s goal to double its snacking business over the next decade. Mars Snacking Global President Andrew Clarke highlights the complementary nature of the portfolios, while Kellanova CEO Steve Cahillane calls it a “compelling cultural and strategic fit.” Exciting times ahead! 🚀 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eSE6QZgK

Neil Patel has shared his latest insights on optimal social media posting frequencies based on an analysis of thousands of accounts. Here’s his breakdown for Instagram: 📸 4-7 stories/day 🎥 3-7 reels/week 📷 2-4 images/week 📡 1-2 lives/week 🖼️ 1 carousel/week 💬 9-38 comments/day Patel emphasises repurposing content to manage this workload across platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, and X, making his strategy feasible. But the real game-changer? AI. As AI continues to evolve, it will handle repetitive tasks, allowing marketers to maintain high activity levels without burning out. The future of marketing will blend human creativity with AI efficiency. What do you think? Can AI meet these demands? Share your thoughts below! 💬👇 Full article: https://lnkd.in/e6ewXKDG

In a groundbreaking move, the World AI Creator Awards (WAICA) has launched the first-ever beauty pageant featuring AI-generated influencers. This competition includes travel influencers, humanitarian activists and social media models, all created using artificial intelligence. The finalists are competing for a $20,000 prize and the title of “Miss AI.” Since its announcement in April, the competition has drawn 1,500 entries from around the globe, judged on realism, technology and social influence. The finalists, like Kenza Layli, a feminist voice from the Middle East and Aiyana Rainbow, an LGBTQ+ activist, represent idealised versions of womanhood shaped by their creators. Reactions to the pageant have been mixed. Some celebrate the technical prowess and creative potential of AI influencers, while others criticise the reinforcement of unrealistic beauty standards and the objectification inherent in a beauty pageant framework. As AI continues to evolve, so do its applications and the conversations around its impact on society. What are your thoughts on AI influencers and their role in the digital landscape? https://lnkd.in/db4ttrcQ

Procter & Gamble's Chief Brand Officer, Marc Pritchard, emphasised the irreplaceable value of human creativity over AI in marketing during his keynote at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. He argued that the true power of ideas comes from the heart and soul, not from data or algorithms. Pritchard highlighted the creative potential in everyday products and stressed the importance of combining logic and emotion to evoke genuine human responses. He outlined a three-point plan for marketers: engage with communities to understand product experiences, identify unique brand problem-solving capabilities, and craft compelling brand ideas. P&G's recent campaigns, including Lenor’s ‘Let the Sunshine in’ and Gillette’s ‘The Best a Man Can Get’, exemplify this approach. Pritchard also announced P&G's initiatives for the Paris Olympics, including a documentary on disability equality and a partnership with Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat for entertaining sports-themed content. He concluded by celebrating human creativity in making everyday moments significant. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/esdsbsCj

Navigating a Cookieless Future! With the end of third-party cookies in sight, marketers are divided into planners and procrastinators. Reflecting on GDPR's tumultuous rollout, it's clear many haven't learned from past uncertainties. 🔍 Current Preparedness: As of September 2023, only 8% of marketers felt "fully prepared" for the cookie phase-out. This is problematic as third-party cookies only cover 53% of the web, excluding many affluent users. 🚀 Success Stories Without Cookies: Financial Services Brand: Leveraging first-party data, they achieved 100 million impressions, tripling their goal, with a 60% lower CPM and a 25% higher CTR. Technology Brand: With cookieless solutions, they garnered 325 million impressions, saving 25% on data fees. Retail Brand: During the holidays, they reached 100 million shoppers, achieving 80 million impressions at a 28% more efficient CPM and a 58% lower cost-per-click. 📈 Key Takeaway: Embrace cookieless solutions now! Solutions must be scalable, cost-effective and performance-orientated; not just a reaction to the cookie's demise. https://lnkd.in/ep5N8m3f

A recent report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism highlights growing global concerns about the use of AI in news production and misinformation. This year's Digital News Report, based on surveys of nearly 100,000 people across 47 countries, sheds light on the significant hurdles facing news media in lifting revenue and sustaining business. Newsrooms worldwide are grappling with the challenge of generative AI as tech giants like Google and OpenAI develop tools that summarise information, potentially diverting traffic from news websites. However, the report reveals widespread scepticism about AI-created news, especially on sensitive topics like politics. Notably, 52% of U.S. and 63% of UK respondents expressed discomfort with predominantly AI-generated news content. On the other hand, there is more acceptance of AI being used to enhance journalists' efficiency behind the scenes. Turning to Alternatives News influencers are increasingly significant, especially on platforms like TikTok. A survey of over 5,600 TikTok users found that 57% primarily follow individual personalities for news, compared to 34% who follow journalists or news brands. This shift underscores the need for newsrooms to build direct relationships with their audiences and strategically utilise platforms to connect with harder-to-reach demographics, such as younger audiences. Read more on the report here: https://lnkd.in/gE7wy_gj