The clock circus continues

TikTok is reportedly developing a separate version of its app for U.S. users, with a planned launch date of Sept. 5, according to reports. The current app would stop functioning in the U.S. by March 2026.

I’ve stopped paying attention to this charade for the time being, but a separate US-only TikTok could have interesting ramifications for advertisers.

Will it function the same?
Will the discovery algorithm be less effective?
Will advertisers still be able to target international markets?

via Search Engine Land


It appears Meta’s Advantage+ Shopping Campaigns will be dead early next year.

Start building your Advantage+ Sales Campaigns now and let them run alongside until you’re ready to pivot on your timeline.


Apple is bringing in the big guns to power Siri: now with AI!

OpenAI and Jony Ive are thinking screen-free.

Google and Perplexity are powering assistants elsewhere.

Smart glasses are spilling from every nook and cranny.

As the ambient computing future draws nearer, what does your brand sound like?


Many decisions people make are part of a status game—whether explicit or implicit in the decision.

How does your brand and messaging fit into the status signaling of your ideal customer?


What’s the difference between this flop of an Apple commercial:

And this hit:

Story

A story that’s clear. That the viewer wants to see themselves in.

Story is sticky.

See also: Significant Objects

via Nudge