The hottest Advertising Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The Unreal Thing

The Ruffian • 294 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Creative Arts Advertising Media Innovation
  1. Coca-Cola's new Christmas ad was created using AI technology, marking a shift in how ads are made. This involves using tools that help creative teams visualize ideas much faster than before.
  2. The process of making the ad felt more like software development than traditional filmmaking. This new method allows for quick drafts, which can speed up the entire creative process.
  3. Overall, the integration of AI in the creative industries could change how we think about creating art and media, making it more efficient but also raising questions about creativity.

The Africa Smartphone Market Edition

Why is this interesting? • 361 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Smartphones Branding Emerging Markets Advertising Market Trends
  1. Emerging markets have unique brand competition, different from the flashy campaigns seen in the U.S. It's often more about creativity and connecting directly with local consumers.
  2. Companies like Tecno are gaining popularity in Africa because they cater to local preferences, like multiple SIM slots, which appeal to users who need more connectivity options.
  3. Advertising in these markets tends to be more genuine and less polished, focusing on grassroots efforts rather than big budget promotions to grab attention.

Dipco's Easy Reader

Computer Ads from the Past • 256 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Computers Advertising History Design Consumer Electronics
  1. Dipco's Easy Reader was a product that seems to have little information available about it. It was likely a simple device meant to help users with their old computers.
  2. The price of $34 (in 2024 money) feels expensive for what appears to be just a lens and a bracket. It's unclear if it was worth the cost.
  3. No significant history or reviews are known about Dipco, suggesting it may have been a small operation that didn’t gain much traction.

Why Most Online Advertising Benchmarks Are BS (And What To Do Instead)

Nail It and Scale It • 119 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Data Analysis E-commerce Growth Strategies
  1. Many online advertising benchmarks are unreliable because they don't account for differences in pricing and offers. This means you might be comparing apples to oranges, leading to wrong conclusions.
  2. To get better benchmarks, focus on two key metrics: Cost-Per-Click (CPC) and Conversion Rate. These give you a clearer picture of how your ads are performing compared to others.
  3. Joining groups or talking to industry experts can help you find more accurate conversion rates for your products. Sharing data with peers is a good way to understand what's normal in your field.

A good analogy can sell boring

Creative Samba • 19 implied HN points • 04 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Investing Finance Branding Advertising
  1. ETFs can be a smarter way to invest than buying individual stocks. They let you own a piece of many companies without the hassle of picking each one.
  2. ETFs are cheaper and accessible for everyday people, unlike traditional investing options that often favor big investors. This means anyone can get involved in the market.
  3. Using good analogies in marketing can make dull products exciting. For iShares, a clever ad strategy helped them reach a new audience when they were losing market share.
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Not another marketing trends report: I accidentally wrote this

The Social Juice • 41 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Trends Advertising Consumer behavior Digital Media
  1. Brands are focusing more on real-life experiences instead of CGI and visual effects. Real events can engage customers just as strongly as elaborate digital fantasies.
  2. The lines between online and in-person experiences are blurring for Gen-Z. They still value real-world events but are motivated by how they can boost their online presence.
  3. AI in marketing is shifting from low-quality content to more creative, thoughtful pieces. It's about using technology to enhance storytelling and engage audiences better.

What happened in marketing: RIP TikTok, Instagram's weird redesign and next social media app

The Social Juice • 36 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Social media Technology Consumer Trends
  1. TikTok is facing a potential ban in the US, but the app is still trying to keep its users engaged. Creators are moving their audiences to other platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
  2. Instagram's redesign has not been well received. Many users are complaining about the new changes, particularly how it displays liked Reels.
  3. Google is facing antitrust issues and struggles with maintaining its search market share. Their new policies and updates are causing confusion among advertisers.

Notes not from Cannes

Thoughts on Writing • 179 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Purpose Advertising Awards Diversity
  1. Purpose in marketing needs to be rigorously examined to ensure it genuinely makes a positive impact on society, beyond just emotional storytelling.
  2. Judges should be empowered to focus on creativity in awards, ensuring entries are judged based on creativity rather than personal criteria or biases.
  3. There is a concern that the focus on purpose and diversity in awards may be devaluing creativity and leading to work that is detached from what the public actually likes.

How the KC Sports Network is building a regional media empire

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 149 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Media Advertising Podcasts Broadcasting Sponsorship
  1. The KC Sports Network produces 10 different shows covering sports in Kansas City. This variety helps attract a wide audience.
  2. They make money through local and national advertisers, showing that regional networks can be financially sustainable.
  3. BJ Kissel left his job with the Kansas City Chiefs to pursue this venture, highlighting the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship in sports media.

What happened in marketing: 30 Days of TikTok, Ads on Threads and Reddit vs X

The Social Juice • 24 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Social media Advertising Trends Politics
  1. Trump is starting to use TikTok for his messaging, which could impact how politics and social media mix.
  2. Threads is introducing ads, which means it’s becoming more similar to other social media platforms.
  3. Reddit is moving away from X (formerly Twitter) and this might change how users engage with different platforms.

Big as the what? Big as the Super Bowl: Marketing, Storytelling &...

The Social Juice • 17 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Branding Storytelling Media
  1. Good brand storytelling is not just about being creative; it's important to have a clear strategy. A story that resonates can build trust and engage your audience.
  2. You should always focus on solving a problem your audience has when telling your brand story. This helps make the story relevant and valuable to them.
  3. When a brand fails at storytelling, it loses customer loyalty and trust. But if a business fails in its brand storytelling, it risks shutting down completely.

Notebook: Bad News Day

Book Post • 628 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
📰 News Journalism Local news Media industry AI Advertising
  1. Recent years have seen a significant decline in journalism, with many major news outlets facing layoffs and cutbacks.
  2. Local news has been especially hard-hit, with many newspapers closing down, leaving 'news deserts' in over 200 counties.
  3. The rise of artificial intelligence is also impacting journalism, with AI tools changing how news is consumed and altering the media landscape.

Have purpose agencies forgotten how to do charity ads?

Thoughts on Writing • 379 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
💼 Business Advertising Non-profit Marketing
  1. Ad agencies may need to relearn how to create impactful charity advertising as commercial clients shift away from social causes.
  2. Charity ads must strike a balance between emotive storytelling and responsible representation of the cause to avoid misrepresentation.
  3. Creating purposeful campaigns for charities requires a different approach compared to commercial brands, involving sensitivity and skill.

👑 5+ resources with the TOP creative ads

Business & Marketing with Nika • 39 implied HN points • 11 Aug 24
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Creativity Resources Trends
  1. You can find inspiring ads and creative work at places like Ad Creative Bank or the Ads of the World website. These resources showcase some of the best in advertising.
  2. The Cannes Lions Festival is a big deal for marketers, similar to the Oscars for movies. It's a great place to see top creative work and get inspired.
  3. If you're running online ads, check out the Meta Ads Library or Google's Ads Transparency Center to find creative examples in real-time.

Meta's surrender, Walmart brand refresh and Heineken's brand genius

The Social Juice • 26 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Branding Advertising Social media Trends
  1. Meta's recent changes haven’t affected most businesses because their content moderation was already lacking. Many users are concerned about hate speech and adult content getting out of control as Meta steps back.
  2. Walmart is refreshing its brand with small changes to appear more friendly, but it's more about their recent collaborations and less about a big transformation. This reflects the trend of brands wanting to look welcoming without really changing much.
  3. Heineken is working hard to connect with Gen-Z by addressing loneliness and promoting a positive drinking culture. Their creative campaigns are helping them stay relevant, even as younger audiences trend towards less alcohol consumption.

ViaGrafix Computer Training Videos

Computer Ads from the Past • 128 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Video Training History Advertising
  1. ViaGrafix started in 1990 and grew quickly, offering fun work environments like basketball courts and day care for employees' kids.
  2. They were known for their computer training videos and had over 650 different courses, helping people learn software easily.
  3. In the 90s, their tutorials were popular and endorsed by Microsoft, making learning more convenient than using regular manuals.

What happened in marketing: Meta trumps fact checking, TikTok shutdown and AdTech at CES

The Social Juice • 26 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Technology E-commerce Media
  1. Meta is changing its policies around content moderation and fact-checking, which is causing concern among advertisers. They want more freedom and less control over what can be shared.
  2. TikTok is facing potential bans in the US due to national security worries, which has many users worried about the future of the platform.
  3. CES 2025 brought new advertising technologies and trends, showing a shift towards innovative ad solutions and increased spending, especially in online platforms.

Facebook's Challenges

In My Tribe • 379 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Social media Content Moderation Advertising Artificial Intelligence
  1. Facebook struggles with content moderation because it has to balance user complaints. If they are too strict or too lenient, someone will be unhappy.
  2. Switching to a subscription model would likely not work well for Facebook since it would lose valuable user data that helps target ads.
  3. Facebook sees TikTok as a competitor and has changed its platform to reach users who want to connect with strangers, which has led to some issues with political content.

Numlock News: October 24, 2023 • Moon, Scares, Deus Ex Machina

Numlock News • 707 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
💼 Business Advertising Entertainment Real Estate Social media Research
  1. Author promoted the launch of their new book 'You Are What You Watch' and shared a discount code for purchases.
  2. Jump scares in horror movies have been declining since the mid-2010s, hitting a 20-year low in 2021.
  3. Growth of Korean AI-driven Bible chatbot service used by 20% of Protestant ministers to write sermons.

#8: How to Blow $250 on Ads For Your Self-Published Book

Shades of Greaves • 412 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💼 Business Self-Publishing Advertising Book Sales Marketing Strategies Data Analysis
  1. The author tried investing $250 in ads for their self-published book but didn't see good returns, highlighting the challenges of advertising for self-published authors.
  2. Despite spending on ads, the author sold very few copies through Facebook and Amazon, underscoring the risk of not getting desired results from advertising efforts.
  3. Data from the failed ad campaigns is seen by the author as a way to learn and refine future advertising strategies, showing the importance of using past experiences to improve future marketing efforts.

Cement Wars

Net Interest • 12 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Industry Trends Market Analysis Advertising Investment Economics
  1. India is the second-largest cement producer in the world, making around 410 million tonnes in 2023. The growing demand for housing and infrastructure is leading to significant investments in cement production.
  2. Cement companies in India are consolidating due to low pricing power and increased competition. Major players like UltraTech and Adani are expanding their capacities through acquisitions and investments.
  3. Despite the cement industry's growth, they are spending more on advertising to capture market attention. With the industry's consolidation, advertising may shift to other sectors in the coming years.

ObesityWeek and The Obesity Society - Part 1

Weight and Healthcare • 579 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🏥 Health Politics Weight Obesity Research Profit Advertising
  1. ObesityWeek is organized by The Obesity Society, serving the weight loss industry rather than focusing on supporting the health of higher-weight individuals
  2. The Obesity Society uses its research journal, Obesity, to publish articles that align with its weight-centric paradigm
  3. ObesityWeek is a lucrative event for The Obesity Society, with significant revenue coming from sponsors and exhibitors

What happened in marketing: TikTok ban, OpenAI expensive and Trends everywhere

The Social Juice • 44 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Social media Trends Technology
  1. The US appeals court has upheld the TikTok ban, making it more likely that the app will have to be sold or face further restrictions in the country.
  2. OpenAI has launched a new, pricey subscription service called ChatGPT Pro, costing $200 a month, which offers advanced features for its users.
  3. Social media platforms like Pinterest and Google are sharing their trend predictions for 2025, indicating major shifts in how users will engage with content online.

Why adland snobs should relax and learn to love Status Quo

Thoughts on Writing • 319 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Advertising Music Social media Brand Strategy Creativity
  1. In the advertising industry, it's important to question assumptions and prejudices to stay grounded and relevant.
  2. Brands like M&S are adapting to changing consumer priorities by emphasizing value without compromising quality.
  3. Social media, influencers, and ordinary people play a significant role in shaping modern advertising strategies.

What happened in marketing: TikTok's last chance, ChatGPT hotline and LinkedIn's campaign manager makeover

The Social Juice • 31 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Social media Consumer Trends Digital Strategy
  1. TikTok is facing potential bans as the US Supreme Court considers a case about it. Companies are trying to find ways to keep users engaged despite the uncertainty.
  2. ChatGPT has launched a hotline, allowing people to interact with AI in new ways, which could change customer service and support.
  3. Platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram are updating their features to help marketers better reach their audiences, including new ad tools and insights.