Mobile Marketing

A social media giant is getting in on the chatbot wave.    Twitter launched a new, customizable Direct Message Card that brands can use to promote and share bots and other customer experiences built in its Direct Messages tool. Direct Messages helps companies create personalized ads and interactions — ranging from customer acquisition programs to engaging bots.  

While handbags and purses have historically been considered a “risky gift,” times are a’ changin.’   In fact, handbags and purses were the most popular gift for Mother’s Day 2017, representing six of the top 10 gifts for the holiday. Overall, the accessories category led the top gifts purchased for Mother’s Day, according to data from Loop Commerce. Results were based on sales made on the company’s GiftNow platform.  

Snapchat’s newest filters are moving beyond the selfie.   The company is rolling out a new augmented reality ad division that lets users overlay marketers’ life-like filters on any photo they snap with their smartphone, according to ReCode.   Warner Brothers is the unit’s first advertiser, tying the lenses to promote its new movie, “Everything, Everything.” Dunkin Donuts and Netflix are next in line to launch the service, the report said.  

Mobile ads and solid user growth across its suite of apps contributed to a strong first quarter for Facebook.   For the quarter ended March 31, revenue rose 49% to $8.03 billion, from $5.38 billion in the same period a year earlier. This surpassed analyst predictions of $7.83 billion. Based on this quarter’s earnings, Facebook has exceeded analyst expectations for eight straight quarters.   

Facebook is proving social media does in fact influence brick-and-mortar sales.   The social media giant offers a feature that enables users to scan a personalized QR code to nab discounts when they buy something at specific brick-and-mortar locations, reported TechCrunch.    The Rewards feature, which is discretely tucked away under the More tab of Facebook’s mobile app, has been in test mode for a few months, according to the report.  

Tommy Hilfiger is giving European customers a new way to connect with its brand.    The specialty apparel retailer joined forces with PredictSpring to launch a mobile app targeting the European market. The app will enable consumers in 17 countries to log into their Hilfiger Club loyalty accounts, and receive personalized messages, promotions and event invitations.  

Whether treating mom to jewelry or a special outing at her favorite restaurant, consumers plan to spend more than ever on Mother’s Day.   Specifically, Mother’s Day shoppers are expected to spend an average of $186.39 for the holiday, up from last year’s $172.22, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, which tapped 7,406 consumers about their Mother’s Day plans. The study was conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.  

A messaging app launched a new lens that could help drive shoppers through retailers’ doors.   Snapchat’s Snap to Store product is a geofilter that retailers can sponsor.    When Snapchatters use the retailer-specific overlay on their snaps and share it in their story, Snap analyzes who sees those branded snaps and tracks whether users — or their followers — visit the store, according to New York Business Journal.  

Lids Sports Group is giving its fans something to cheer about.   In addition to unveiling Access Pass, Lids’ new rewards program that features exclusive deals and invitations to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, the retailer also launched a new mobile app to keep members instantly connected to their account.  

Hollister & Co. is connecting with its shoppers through two of their favorite pastimes: mobility and video games.   Through a partnership with Rovio Entertainment and TreSensa, the re-tailer debuted a mobile video game whose activation functionality func-tions as an ad that connects the brand with loyal and potential shoppers, according to AdAge.