The hottest Advertising Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

✅ Monday briefing: A&E Storytelling, sports washing, Zoom termination, management consultancy threat cedes, tackling ageism, PR boom prediction, and more…

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 13 Dec 21
💼 Business Advertising
  1. A&E departments can use storytelling on social media to give real insights into their work. This helps people understand what goes on behind the scenes.
  2. Ageism is a big problem, so there's a new guide aimed at helping people talk positively about aging. It encourages a better image of older adults.
  3. Many UK businesses are planning to hire more public relations staff soon. This suggests that there's a growing need for good communication as the market recovers.

✅ Monday briefing: WaddsCon, social media regulation, ad nightmares, metric mismatch, PR tech stacks, headline performance, TikTok boom, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jul 21
💼 Business Advertising
  1. Social media needs better regulation to tackle issues like online abuse, as highlighted by Ofcom's boss.
  2. Many companies struggle to understand the purpose of their online content, with two-thirds unclear on their goals.
  3. TikTok's growth is significant, largely driven by its unique content algorithm that focuses on user engagement.

✅ Monday briefing: ad cartel, cookie reprieve, UK data registration, R&D tax relief, voice technologies, corporate digital responsibility, Socially Mobile dinner, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jul 21
💼 Business Advertising
  1. Big tech companies like Google and Facebook control a large portion of the ad market, generating about $296 billion in sales. This shows how much power these companies have in advertising.
  2. Businesses in the UK need to register for data protection and pay a fee. It's important for compliance with legal requirements.
  3. There is a growing interest in voice technology, with many UK consumers using voice assistants every day for various tasks. This trend shows the shift in how we interact with technology.

✅ Monday briefing: ESG opportunity, PR weak, bounce rate bounced, presenting data, hiding likes, considerate Twitter and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 10 May 21
💼 Business Advertising
  1. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, and it's becoming important for public relations to focus on this. It helps businesses look at their impact on the planet and society.
  2. Bounce rate is replaced with engagement rate in Google Analytics. This new way of measuring shows how much users interact with your content, which is more helpful than just seeing if they leave a page.
  3. Instagram now lets users choose if they want to hide likes on their posts. This change is meant to help people feel less pressure about how many likes their content gets.

✅ Media Briefing #28: Murdoch family issues, Google search, PR measurement guide, agency start-ups, Post Corona, PR at the kitchen table, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jan 21
💼 Business Advertising
  1. James Murdoch criticized US media for its role in 'toxic politics,' suggesting it threatens democracy. His brother is the CEO of Fox Corporation, which has faced criticism over its COVID-19 coverage.
  2. Google and Facebook are threatening to restrict their services in Australia due to a proposed regulation that would make them pay for including news in search results. This could change how people access news online.
  3. The pandemic has changed how we communicate and innovate in PR. There's a rise in agency start-ups, indicating a shift in the industry, as many are adapting to new challenges and opportunities.
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$10m ARR in 2.5 years - How Beehiiv wins with an email tool in 2024

CommandBlogue • 0 implied HN points • 14 Aug 24
💼 Business Advertising
  1. Beehiiv has grown quickly, reaching $10 million in annual recurring revenue in just 2.5 years by focusing on email newsletters. It offers tools that make it easier for writers to manage their content and reach audiences.
  2. Unlike Substack, which aims to create a social media destination for readers, Beehiiv focuses on providing growth tools and features for creators. This strategy targets writers who want more control and options over their newsletters.
  3. Beehiiv is also building an ad network, which could be a major opportunity. By connecting advertisers with a wide range of newsletters, it simplifies the ad process for both writers and businesses, potentially leading to significant revenue.

Coming soon

Mountain Labs Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
💼 Business Advertising
  1. A newsletter is coming soon about consumer product development. It's aimed at people interested in authentic content.
  2. You can subscribe to this newsletter for updates and insights.
  3. The newsletter is linked to Mountain Labs, which suggests a focus on practical topics related to products.

Reversals make brands more memorable

Creative Samba • 0 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
💼 Business Advertising
  1. Using reversals in branding helps people remember the brand better. It creates a surprising twist that catches attention.
  2. Engaging younger audiences requires understanding their habits, like spending lots of time on social media platforms.
  3. Food brands should consider the cultural context of their audience to connect more meaningfully, like how family interactions are affected by technology.

DGAF: Why unhinged brands could be the safest marketing path

{grow} by Mark Schaefer • 0 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
💼 Business Advertising
  1. Unhinged brands are becoming popular because they grab attention and spark conversations. They prioritize standing out over sticking to traditional marketing rules.
  2. Brands like Liquid Death and Nutter Butter are showing that being weird or edgy can resonate well with consumers. This approach allows them to connect with those who feel disconnected from mainstream products.
  3. Indifference is a big problem for brands. By being bold and different, these brands create their own unique identities and stay relevant in a crowded market.

The Nutter Butter campaign explained. Yes, this nightmare makes sense

{grow} by Mark Schaefer • 0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
💼 Business Advertising
  1. Nutter Butter's new marketing campaign is loud, weird, and grabs attention. They're using strange videos to stand out in a crowded market.
  2. The goal is to evoke strong emotions, whether good or bad, because that makes people remember and share the content. This makes their ads go viral.
  3. Gen Z loves brands that are different and a bit bizarre. Nutter Butter is taking a risk, but it's working because they had nothing to lose and needed to be noticed.

Cards! Cards! Cards

Computer Ads from the Past • 0 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Advertising
  1. Cards can be a fun collectible, and having one or two can add to the excitement. It's nice to have unique cards that stand out.
  2. Computer ads from the past remind us of how marketing has changed over time. It’s interesting to see how design and messages have evolved.
  3. Subscribing to services can offer free trials, helping people decide if they want to continue. It's a nice way to test things out before making a commitment.

Time to Vote for the December 2024 + Post Topic

Computer Ads from the Past • 0 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Advertising
  1. There are options to vote on for the December 2024 post topics, including a laptop and a word processor. You can choose what you'd like to read about next.
  2. The author missed writing a post about Smalltalk/V last month and plans to catch up soon. Life has been busy, but they're committed to providing content.
  3. Readers are encouraged to consider signing up for a paid subscription to access more detailed posts and posts from the archives. It's a good chance to explore past computer ads and topics.

How AI Changes Customer Acquisition

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
💼 Business Advertising
  1. AI is making ad creation easier and faster. You can make your own ads in just a few minutes with AI tools, saving time and costs.
  2. Search is changing too, with AI providing quick answers instead of users sifting through links. Brands now have to focus on being visible in AI search results.
  3. Influencer marketing is evolving with AI, allowing influencers to license their likeness for ads. This offers new passive income opportunities for them and makes the ad process more efficient.

Expedited Vote for the February 2025 + Post Topic

Computer Ads from the Past • 0 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Advertising
  1. The post mentions that there will be a poll for the next topic, and it's only open for three days. Make sure to participate quickly if you have a topic in mind.
  2. There is a reminder about an upcoming post on the Speedcal Laser Color Computer that should be delivered soon. It's important to stay engaged with future content.
  3. A free trial is offered for new subscribers, allowing access to the full post archives for a week. It's a good way to explore the content before committing.

OpenAI is going to sell ads and devices to become profitable

Expand Mapping with Mike Morrow • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Advertising
  1. OpenAI is looking to increase profits by selling ads as ChatGPT becomes a competitor to Google Search. This means businesses might start focusing on ChatGPT for online visibility.
  2. They are also exploring the idea of selling their own devices, which would give them more control over AI technology and how it’s used.
  3. With growing competition and rising costs, OpenAI is trying different strategies to stay financially stable and continue their innovation in AI.

Advertising Done Right, Going Forward

Synystron Synlogica • 0 implied HN points • 24 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Advertising
  1. People want more control over the ads they see online. This means choosing who advertises to them and how often.
  2. It's important for advertisers to respect viewer preferences and not overwhelm them with the same ads repeatedly.
  3. The technology exists to make advertising better, and people should push for changes that allow for fairer and more enjoyable ad experiences.

26 Predictions for 2026

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Advertising
  1. Generative media goes mainstream — expect a big share of social feeds and startups to use AI for video, audio, avatars, and personalized content, plus cultural and legal shocks like hit songs made with AI.
  2. Big tech and AI firms focus on monetization and consolidation: ChatGPT will adopt ads, companies like Anthropic and Stripe will make major acquisitions (with Anthropic likely to IPO), and incumbents will buy up smaller teams and products.
  3. Work and business models shift: autonomous agents will negotiate with each other and power new AI-enabled services that can scale into billion-dollar firms, pricing will move from per-seat to platform+usage, and there will be renewed demand for real-world experiences and ticketing reform.

Going Bananas 🍌

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Advertising
  1. Powerful new creative models sharply lower the cost and skill needed to make high-quality images, videos, and content, triggering a surge of creators and shifting value toward discovery and curation platforms.
  2. AI is evolving from assistant to executor, so most knowledge workers will become middle managers who direct suites of automated agents, reshaping hiring, pricing, and organizational structure.
  3. Models enable extreme hyper-personalization—bespoke apps, ads, and synthetic people tailored to individual tastes—which will change marketing and media while also amplifying social backlash, inequality, and regulatory pressure.

New York Is An Industry Town

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
💼 Business Advertising
  1. New York is an industry town with deep hubs for finance, healthcare, media, advertising, law, restaurants, fashion, real estate, and more.
  2. Many of those industries run on manual, fragmented workflows and large markets, so applied AI can quickly improve efficiency and create new business models.
  3. While San Francisco leads on foundation models and infrastructure, New York’s proximity to domain experts, customers, and operators gives it an edge in building and scaling industry-specific AI companies.

Slide deck: Gen Marketer Summit keynote

MKT1 Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
💼 Business Advertising
  1. The Gen Marketer skillset is becoming the new baseline, so marketers must upskill in AI-driven tools and strategies to stay relevant.
  2. Effective campaigns in the AI era combine strategic thinking with AI-enabled creation and optimization to improve performance and scale.
  3. Slide decks, videos, and a template library explain these approaches, though some assets require a paid subscription to access.

A couple teenagers launched a media company that now drives 240 billion annual views

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
💼 Business Advertising
  1. Pubity Group became a massive platform-native media network with roughly 170 million followers and about 240 billion annual views, sustaining that scale across multiple platform cycles without outside capital.
  2. The founder learned the platforms early by experimenting and treating posting like a game, using systematic testing to figure out what content scales.
  3. The company is turning platform-native virality into longer-term value by leaning into wholesome content as a business opportunity and building durable brands, original franchises, and real revenue.

QR Codes on Stickers

Pizza Party • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
💼 Business Advertising
  1. Putting a QR code on the paper backing of a sticker is a smart, practical way to share links or contact info.
  2. It's a cheap and easy marketing tactic that doubles as a fun, portable business card.
  3. Stickers already have paper backing, so using that space for a back-printed QR code makes efficient use of materials and makes connecting more convenient.