TLDR

Tencent’s Leo Yao, once an anonymous developer, has catapulted into the spotlight with Delta Force, attracting 30 million daily players. As he leads a strategic shift at Tencent, discover how the company plans to conquer the global shooting game market. The PS Plus October 2025 games are on the way. Social media is reshaping beauty …

As creators become celebrities in their own right, real-life appearances are drawing significant interest. Data analysis by Buffer suggests that TikTok’s algorithm rewards consistent posting activity. Concerns about the dangers of online exposure have led to broader calls for stricter access bans. napchat Tests ‘Bitmoji Plaza’ Virtual Town Center on Web: As Snapchat looks to …

How Keurig Dr. Pepper embraces flywheel marketing to drive: During an Advertising Week panel, CMO Drew Panayiotou explained how marketers can measure success when accuracy is not completely possible. In-housing or outsourcing? PepsiCo, VaynerMedia turn to ‘co-sourcing’: PepsiCo has tripled content production and seen sales growth for brands like Mug since integrating the agency closer …

Gap Inc. recruits micro-influencers for new affiliate program: On the heels of its “Better in Denim” campaign, the apparel retailer is turning to community connections to burnish its cultural influence. Ikea operator acquires AI logistics platform: Ingka Group’s investment arm bought U.S.-based Locus to help improve delivery, something the home retailer previously outsourced. Amazon Fresh …

Kraft Heinz CMO on being culturally nimble without losing brand equity: At Advertising Week, Todd Kaplan said marketers should think of brand building like pointillism and not rush to jump on every viral opportunity. Why brands should stand firm on their values despite the fear of backlash: Executives discussed the importance of brand values in …

AI-bubble fears are growing. For almost as long as the artificial intelligence boom has been in full swing, there have been warnings of a speculative bubble that could rival the dot-com craze of the late 1990s that ended in a spectacular crash and a wave of bankruptcies. Tech firms are spending to shift economic activity …

Microsoft is ending its Ads for Social Impact grant program in December 2025: This means nonprofits will need to either pause campaigns or pay for ads themselves, though they will still have access to discounted Microsoft tools and employee-supported programs. Google to phase out Call-Only Ads by 2027: Google will retire Call-Only Ads by 2027, …

Inside Victoria’s Secret’s new DC store: An event at the Georgetown location, which features a brighter ambiance than previous designs, focused on a U.S.-grown cotton program. Target shareholder group proposes independent board chair policy: The mass retailer raised eyebrows when it announced current CEO Brian Cornell would become executive chair of the board in 2026. …

Google’s Europe Boss Calls for Changes to ‘Problematic’ EU Rules. How retailers are hiring for the 2025 holiday season: In a year already marked by job cuts, and with the busiest shopping season ahead, tariffs and depressed consumer spending could mean fewer hires. Nike CEO touts ‘tangible progress’ as revenue rises 1% in Q1: Three …

Under a month after first revealing it was in development, Adobe says the free Premiere on iPhone is already available in the App Store with Android coming soon. PAG Exits Broadcast Battery Market After Over 50 Years. Aputure Releases Motorized CF16 Fresnel & Accessories for STORM XT52. ASC Restores Rare Todd-AO Cinema Lenses for Modern …

Banana Republic, looking to the future, digs into its past: The brand is celebrating its roots — and appealing to younger consumers — with a vintage apparel collection and a fan’s archive of marketing ephemera. Kohl’s expands private label athleisure line to kids: The struggling department store is leaning on its proprietary brands to offer …

TikTok has narrowly avoided a U.S. shutdown with a $14 billion deal approved by President Trump. Under the agreement, a new joint-venture company would oversee TikTok U.S., with ByteDance retaining less than 20% ownership if China signs off. Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX would control roughly 45% of the company, while ByteDance investors and other …

SAVING TIKTOK FROM GOING DARK: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order saving TikTok from a ban while protecting America’s national security. President Trump has determined that the divestiture outlined in a proposed framework agreement, in which TikTok’s U.S. application would be operated by a new joint-venture company based in the United States, is …

Victoria’s Secret launches home fragrance: The collection is releasing just in time for the holiday season, as the retailer chases a growing market segment. Retail’s seasonal hiring could hit lowest point since 2009: Challenger, Gray & Christmas predicts that retailers will bring on fewer than 500,000 employees in Q4, a low last seen following the …

Lululemon’s ‘downward spiral’ — and how the brand plans to break out of it: High-priced athleisure isn’t dead, but boring athleisure might be. That means it’s back to the innovation drawing board for the much-loved Canadian brand. NikeSkims, the next big play for women activewear shoppers, launches Friday: Featuring seven collections, the brand will offer …

Broad match drives higher revenue per conversion – but at a cost: An Adalysis study finds exact match most efficient, but broad match can deliver higher revenue per conversion despite higher CPAs. Microsoft Ads launches Supplemental Feeds to streamline product updates: Microsoft Ads has launched Supplemental Feeds, letting merchants update product details quickly without re-uploading …

General Mills outlines marketing spend increase to help return to growth: Cinnamon Toast Crunch’s “Must Cinnadust” campaign generated a 500% increase in social engagement and drove growth, the company reported. Best Buy builds retail media chops with in-store takeovers, sports deals: The retailer touted the strength of its advertising services for brand partners during its …

Retailers battle the rising costs of medical, liability claims: Second quarter earnings results across the industry showed that heightened claims costs are impacting even the strongest performers. Kirkland’s to convert all stores to Bed Bath & Beyond, pivot to wholesale: The home retailer will rebrand about 250 to 275 of its current locations, close the …

The U.S. and China have reached a framework deal on TikTok. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would speak Friday to possibly finalize the deal. Penske Media is suing Google over AI summaries, alleging the AI-generated answers steal its content and have reduced traffic and revenue for its sites. Elissa …

United States and China have struck a framework deal for TikTok’s US ownership, averting a looming ban as leaders Donald Trump and Xi Jinping prepare to confirm it. The agreement signals easing trade tensions amid ongoing disputes over tariffs, technology restrictions, and security concerns. What it takes for a mall to be ‘evergreen’: Do enclosed …

Short-form video, now popular on all social media platforms, is serving us a diet of violence, prejudice, damage and social unrest. California lawmakers passed a landmark AI safety bill during the early hours of Saturday morning, sending the measure to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for signature. The package, set to go into effect Oct. 12 …

Target’s fall store openings focus on larger formats: The mass retailer is opening seven new locations in October, with a majority topping its square-foot chain average. Sundance retail in ‘final days,’ undergoes closing sales: The company, previously known as Sundance Living, recently had an involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition filed by creditors. Gen Z pullback …

Google has rolled out AI Max globally, giving advertisers one-click campaign experiments and brand-safe text guidelines across Google Ads platforms. Ranking in Google doesn’t guarantee visibility in ChatGPT: Study: Research finds a 62% overlap between Google rankings and ChatGPT answers, showing SEO success doesn’t ensure visibility in AI results. Google to retailers: Use AI to …

Dollar Tree taps new chief merchandising officer: The retailer’s current chief merchant will retire next year and Brent Beebe will be promoted to the role in April. Designer Brands continues to withhold guidance as Q2 sales, profits decline: The footwear retailer, which relies on a strong back-to-school season, emphasized sequential gains but said the macro …