First Media US

Virtual commerce is about to level up. Shopify just teamed up with Roblox to be their first eCommerce integration partner. What does that mean? Brands can now sell physical products directly in-game to nearly 80M active users. And you know who's playing? Mostly Gen Z. Why is this a game-changer? 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆: - Roblox creators can now sell physical merchandise in-game. This opens up new ways for them to make money from their virtual worlds. - Shopify simplifies this process, allowing creators and brands to collaborate in totally new ways. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: - You can buy real stuff while hanging out in your favorite virtual space. 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: - Sellers can use immersive marketing to blend storytelling, user experience, and product promotion to boost engagement and sales. - Brands can showcase their merchandise right in the heart of Roblox experiences—making gaming a whole new stage for marketing. This will roll out in early 2025. If you’re a brand, now’s the time to start thinking about how you’ll tap into this new frontier. What do you think?

The NFL has just broken into a brand-new market—Brazil. And they’re making waves doing it. The first game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers in São Paulo ignited massive fan excitement. But how is the NFL driving this surge in a fresh market? First, they identified the potential. 36 million Brazilians already consider themselves NFL fans. That makes Brazil the third largest fanbase worldwide, right behind the U.S. and Mexico. But not every fan who shows interest will actually buy a ticket. So, instead of letting these fans slip away, the NFL hit them with irresistible offers: - Discounts on NFL Game Pass International via DAZN - Invites to the NFL Experience festival at São Paulo’s Parque Villa-Lobos - Exclusive merchandise deals And they didn’t just stop at offers. They tapped into the local culture: - The NFL Experience event, headlined by pop star Anitta during halftime - Partnering with Casimiro Miguel, a popular online personality, to livestream the game on YouTube and Prime Video via CazéTV - Bringing in Luis Martinez, a seasoned NFL exec from Mexico, to spearhead the Brazilian expansion What do you think of this strategy? Will it work in other markets like the UK or Germany? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Bringing back an old product to capture a new generation—without losing its soul? Look at what Warner Bros. did with Beetlejuice. After 36 years, Beetlejuice is back. But revivals face a unique challenge: How do you keep the nostalgia alive while grabbing a younger audience’s attention? The answer? Brand partnerships. Warner Bros. locked in 35 of them for this one. Brands like Denny’s, Secret, and Fanta didn’t just sponsor —they became part of Beetlejuice’s world. CarMax even launched BeetleMax, complete with spooky salespeople and possessed buyers, blending seamlessly into the film’s quirky vibe. While these partnerships expand the film’s reach and engage new audiences, there’s a risk: Too many brand tie-ins could overshadow the movie itself. Fans are here for the weird, the wacky, and the fun. Overdo it with brands, and the magic could fade. So, what’s needed is balance. Take Jenna Ortega’s wardrobe in Beetlejuice 2 as an example. Her fashion choices were a subtle nod to the original film, catching Gen Z’s eye and nailing media coverage. But not everything hit the mark. Some fans felt that tie-ins like Fanta slapping Ortega’s face on cans came across as clunky overkill. Sure, the designs pop off the shelves, but it’s easy to lose that handcrafted, chaotic charm that made the original movie special. So, what do you think? Can a beloved brand capture a new generation without losing its magic? Let me know your thoughts below.

Is TikTok changing the music industry? Absolutely. It’s not just a smart marketing tool anymore—it’s a must. The proof? It’s all in the data: In September 2023, TikTok and Billboard launched the official TikTok Billboard Top 50—a weekly chart of the most popular songs on the app. No surprise—TikTok’s viral tracks often cross into mainstream charts, especially with Gen Z. In 2022, Vox highlighted the “TikTok-to-Spotify Pipeline” to show how TikTok virality drives artists’ growth on Spotify. The results? Pretty impressive. (See attached case studies for more details.) But even without looking at the data, you’ve probably noticed this: A catchy chorus goes viral on TikTok, and suddenly, everyone’s streaming it. Think of hits like Cupid, Love You So, or even older songs that made a comeback thanks to the app. That’s why artists are making TikTok a non-negotiable part of their PR strategy. Dance challenges, influencer collabs—it’s all part of the game now. Why does this go viral? TikTok’s users aren’t just passive listeners; they’re creators. When they use a song —whether it’s for a viral dance or an aesthetic video—it sticks. And when people relate to it, they spread it. But here’s the kicker: TikTok’s algorithm isn’t easy to hack. You can’t just upload a track and expect instant success. While the platform favors organic growth, having a solid strategy still matters. What do you think? Share your thoughts below.

Social commerce is here to stay. But can TikTok use it to challenge Amazon on their home turf— the US? Since its launch, TikTok, and specifically TikTok Shop, has made waves by blending entertainment, social engagement, lifestyle, and shopping into one seamless experience. Most of this success, however, has been in Asia. This year, TikTok has been making bold moves to break into the US and Latin American markets. Programs like Deals for You Days— timed just before Prime Day — and TikTok’s recent partnership with Amazon are clear signs of its ambitions. Now, shoppers can purchase items from Amazon directly within the TikTok app, without ever leaving it. This benefits both sides:  - TikTok boosts its e-commerce revenue.   - Amazon sellers get direct access to TikTok's highly-coveted younger audience. It seems like the two rivals have decided to co-compete in the social commerce space by leveraging each other's strengths. But what do you think?  Will this move strengthen TikTok’s position in the US?  Could it even challenge Amazon’s long-standing dominance? #SocialCommerce #TikTokShop #AmazonVsTikTok

Everyone’s aiming to be the next TikTok of short-form video. But can LinkedIn really pull it off? LinkedIn is rolling out a TikTok-style video feed —vertical, scrollable, just like what you see on TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. But here’s the twist: While TikTok is all about comedy, cooking, and everything in between,  LinkedIn is sticking to what it knows best—careers and professionalism. Microsoft-owned LinkedIn says users want videos that help them learn from experts and industry pros, so they’re giving it a try. Yes, LinkedIn has had video posts before,  but this new feed is all about quick, bite-sized content made to drive engagement. It’s still in early testing, so most people won’t see it yet—but that could change soon. Now, the real question is… Can LinkedIn, a platform known for text-based, professional content, make this feature a success? What do you think? Vote and share your thoughts below. #marketing #videomarketing #linkedinvideos

Binge-watching your favorite show and buying the exact outfits you see on screen? With the new Google x Netflix partnership,  you can do exactly that in Emily in Paris Season 4. Here’s how: You’re watching Emily step out in another eye-catching outfit. 1) Use Google Lens to scan and find similar styles instantly,  without pausing the show. 2) For Netflix's ad-tier viewers, "pause ads" will appear,  letting you scan and shop her entire look directly. Google doesn't stop there. They're also the main sponsor for the season,  showcasing special ads highlighting Emily’s photography skills  and extending advertising to previous seasons too. Impulse buying isn’t new,  but tech like this is making it easier than ever. It’s like turning your screen into a virtual storefront, blending entertainment with e-commerce. What do you think?  Will you be scanning your screen to grab that Pierre Cadault sweater?  Let us know! #marketing #ecommerce #shopping #emilyinparis

This is how you turn nostalgia into a marketing masterstroke. Disney just put Donald Duck on Hot Ones. In an 8-minute episode with Mickey Mouse by his side, he tackled Sean Evans’ quirky questions while braving those fiery sauces. And it has already generated 11 million views in just two weeks. But Disney didn’t stop there. They even branded the sauces with names like Maleficent’s Fury and Queen of Roasted Hearts. And it’s all in celebration of Donald Duck’s 90th anniversary. And Disney is going big—partnering with brands like Funko, Adidas, and Her Universe to make sure the nostalgia hits hard. So, why is this so genius? Because they perfectly paired a beloved character with one of the current hottest shows on YouTube. This is what creative, audience-centric marketing should look like to generate social buzz. What do you think? #HotOnes #Marketing #90YearsOfDonald

We are excited to share that First Media US Media is partnering with Grupo Multimedios to bring the dynamic reach of our So Yummy and Blossom en Español websites and social media platforms to brands across Mexico. With over 250 million followers and more than 1 billion views each month globally, including a significant presence in Mexico, First Media is poised to offer unparalleled exposure and engagement opportunities. So Yummy is celebrated for its delicious recipes and creative cooking content, while Blossom delights audiences with practical and inspiring DIY ideas. Together, they represent a vibrant blend of culinary and lifestyle content that resonates with diverse audiences. Explore the exciting opportunities this partnership brings and discover how we can work together to elevate your brand in Mexico: https://lnkd.in/gJQRMQvB.

Virtual influencers grew from 9 in 2015, to 200+ today. And that number will keep increasing. A 2022 survey found that 58% of U.S. individuals already follow at least 1 virtual influencer. So, what makes virtual influencers so appealing? Their appearance is so controlled that they are flawless. But is this inhibiting the consumer's ability to relate fully? Humans are flawed, it is what connects us. So, would virtual influencers serve better if they were more human-like? Or does that dim the magic? Answer in the poll below 👇 #advertising #virtualinfluencers #marketing #strategy Source: Statista