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YouTube just rolled out something huge for small creators. They’re calling it HYPE. Here’s how it works: If a video’s been out for less than 7 days, and the creator has under 500,000 subscribers, you can “Hype” it. More Hypes = higher on a special leaderboard. Anyone can hype up to three times a week. (YouTube is even planning to let fans buy extra Hypes, creating a new revenue stream for creators.) What’s in it for creators? When viewers hype your videos, you earn points to climb onto a weekly leaderboard for your country, potentially reaching new audience. They've even built in a "small creator bonus"—a point multiplier for channels with fewer subscribers. Fair shot at the spotlight? Finally. Why is this smart? > Turns passive viewers into active supporters > Gives smaller creators a real chance to go viral > Attracts fresh creators who’ve felt YouTube was too hard to break into > Boosts engagement without messing up the algorithm > Promotes niche content, so we're not all stuck watching the same mainstream stuff (aka longer watch times) Already seeing results? In just 4 weeks of beta tests in Turkey, Taiwan, and Brazil, users hyped over 5 million times across 50,000+ channels. The biggest age group getting in on the hype? 18 to 24-year-olds—they made up 30% of beta users. Looks like HYPE might be the antidote to the polished corporate content crowding our feeds (and a slick move to take on TikTok, which has been great at pushing small creators into the spotlight) Thoughts? Drop them in the comments.

In-game ads just got a major upgrade. Meet The Glitch — Twitch’s custom-branded Fortnite worlds. Domino’s and Peloton are already on board. Why does it matter? Because The Glitch isn’t just another marketing gimmick. It’s a fully immersive experience — a series of branded virtual worlds co-created by Twitch, Amazon Ads, and game studio Look North World. And guess what? Every world is designed to reflect the brand’s identity. Imagine this: Jump into the Domino’s world and you’ll find a fully decked-out pizzeria where characters can throw a pizza party that—wait for it—restores their health! How cool is that? And the timing couldn’t be better. Other platforms are jumping on the in-game advertising trend too: Roblox is now running video ads and partnering with Shopify to sell branded products in-game. See the trend? Brands are flocking to virtual spaces as traditional ads lose impact. For Twitch, The Glitch could be their answer. New user sign-ups have slowed, and Twitch still isn’t profitable, as the WSJ reported in July. The question is… will it work? What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments. #marketing #advertising #digitalmarketing

AI is transforming hyper-personalized ads, but how far is too far?  Two Harvard students might have found that line. In the attached video, they experiment with AI-powered sunglasses featuring facial recognition. Just by looking at someone, you can instantly pull up details like their name, age, and more—instant familiarity with complete strangers. This could completely reshape how ads are personalized. Think about it: 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 Advertisers could know exactly what you're engaging with—ads, products, stores—right as you're experiencing them. 𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿-𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 Walking by a restaurant? Your smart glasses ping you with a personalized meal deal based on your tastes and habits. 𝗔𝗥-𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘀 Looking at a product in-store? Imagine an augmented reality overlay popping up with reviews, deals, and details—right in front of your eyes. Incredible, right? But here’s the catch—what about privacy? Wearable tech like this opens new doors that social networks never touched. It's an uncharted privacy frontier. So, where’s the line? - Should this tech be regulated? - How do we innovate while safeguarding privacy? Let’s discuss below. Watch the video for more details on the experiment, and check out their guidelines here: https://lnkd.in/gFK69pgU

Amazon’s latest move? Generative AI in video ads. Instead of static images, sellers can now transform product photos into dynamic video ads — with just a click. And if you’re using Sponsored Brands, there’s no extra cost. Right now, it’s in beta with a few select brands. But the direction is clear: making high-cost video ads accessible to small and mid-sized marketers. Why should you care? Because it’s a chance to increase brand awareness without blowing up your budget. The data tells the story: > 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐥’𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐧: When Amazon launched an AI-powered image generator last year, Whirlpool jumped in for its holiday campaign. Result? 2 million+ impressions and a 2% click-through rate—crushing industry averages. > 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝: A Wyzowl study reports 89% of consumers want more video content from brands in 2024. Amazon’s new tool taps into this demand, bringing more advertising power to smaller budgets. So if you’re an Amazon seller or a scrappy marketer, get ready. This feature is set to make video ads simpler, cheaper, and more impactful than ever. Thoughts? Drop them in the comments. #marketing #advertising #digitalmarketing

UX design starts with the customer, and strong UX sets a product apart. For Snapchat, it’s all about making it easy to connect with loved ones. Snapchat doesn’t bombard you with endless content.  It opens straight to the camera. Why? So you can instantly share moments as they happen. Conversations vanish by default —just like face-to-face chats or phone calls. That’s intentional. And it’s working. According to data from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, Snapchatters report stronger satisfaction with friendships and family than non-Snapchatters. Two-thirds of young users even say Snapchat’s direct messaging makes them feel more connected and happy when engaging with close friends and family. What do you think? Is Snapchat redefining user connection, or is it just another social platform? Let us know your take in the comments!

Wild move from Perplexity — talking to top brands to revamp the ad game. But can it really challenge Google? 🤔 Perplexity is exploring a new ad system where brands bid on “sponsored” questions, which will display AI-generated answers approved by advertisers. This is a shift from Google’s auction-based system that has dominated search advertising for years. The idea? When users ask questions, they’ll get answers sourced from the web — plus a sponsored response, crafted and endorsed by top brands. Sounds good in theory, but can they pull it off? They’re already in talks with big names like Nike and Marriott, and plan to roll out the system by the end of the year. If they succeed, it could mean a new playground for premium brands. What do you think? Can Perplexity disrupt Google’s search ad dominance? Cast your vote below. Source: The Financial Times

Is AI becoming a must-have for every SaaS company to drive hype and customer acquisition? Right now, it’s hard to say. But the current trend suggests it’s heading that way. Look at what’s happening: - TikTok is reportedly working on an AI voice-cloning feature. - Apple announced its take on generative AI with "Apple Intelligence" in iOS 18. - Snapchat partnered with Google’s Gemini for AI chatbot enhancements. - WhatsApp is introducing AI voices of public figures to chat with. It’s not just the big names throwing money at AI. Many startups are jumping on the AI bandwagon too—using it as a selling point. But here’s the real question: Does AI really add value to customers? Or is it just another shiny FOMO-driven trend? Should brands chase AI just to stay relevant?  Answer in the poll and drop your thoughts below! 👇

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.