1. Gary Ilyes, one of Google's top industry experts on search, has been answering user questions directly on LinkedIn and recently shared some interesting insights. He warned against redesigning websites, as it can result in volatile rankings, and suggested using semantically similar HTMLs and avoiding tags that are not needed. Ilyes also emphasized the importance of avoiding relative paths in rel-canonical tags
and recommended spelling out the entire URL path. John Muller added that being specific is good and can avoid problems with the content's source. It is important to listen and act upon the advice given by Google's experts on SEO, and these occasional LinkedIn AMAs can make SEO life easier.
2. Brands are shifting towards affordability in their marketing campaigns as households are feeling the impact of rising prices and becoming more
frugal. The apparel industry is particularly focused on promoting high-quality products at affordable prices, while the clothing rental industry offers monthly subscriptions with a focus on sustainability and affordability. Brands need to cater to cost-conscious consumers while staying true to their core values to avoid appearing cheap.
3. Michael Jordan, the NBA legend and owner of the Charlotte Hornets, reportedly earned over double
his career NBA salary in 2022 alone due to a long-standing licensing deal with Nike's Jordan Brand. The brand brought in $5.1 billion in fiscal 2022 and Jordan receives 5% of that, estimated to be $256.1 million. Jordan's net worth is $1.7 billion and Jordan Brand's revenue hit $4.8 billion in 2021, an increase of 31% from the previous year. Over the last five fiscal years, the brand earned $19.4 billion in revenue.
4. Bed Bath
& Beyond announced plans to close 87 of its flagship stores and its entire harmon chain of drugstores, and five Buybuy Baby stores, as it struggles to find financial support to keep its operations going and remains at risk of bankruptcy. The closures are in addition to the previously announced plan to shut 150 lower-performing Bed Bath & Beyond locations. The company is facing financial difficulties due to slow embrace of e-commerce, financial missteps and poor quality of
private-label merchandise. A "going concern" notice was issued to the SEC earlier this month, indicating the company's recurring losses, negative cash flow, and low liquidity projections. The company is considering options such as restructuring, refinancing debt, seeking additional capital, selling assets or filing for bankruptcy.
5. BeReal is a photo-sharing platform that has gained popularity in 2022 by allowing users to share filter-free
photos with their network. Unlike typical photo-sharing apps, it does not have an infinite scroll feature or display ads, and businesses may find its limitations unappealing for digital marketing purposes. However, users can view unlimited posts from a wider audience through the "discovery" feed, and there is potential for this feature to be used for marketing purposes in the future. Marketers are currently observing the platform to see its development before making plans to use
it.
6. TikTok CEO Shouzi Chew will testify before the U.S. Energy and Commerce Committee on March 23, in response to national security concerns over the Chinese-owned video app. Chew will address topics such as user privacy and data security, the app's impact on children, and its relationship with the Chinese Communist Party. TikTok is facing increasing political risks in the U.S. with a potential ban being considered and the app
already banned on federal and state government-owned devices. In response, the company is launching a PR offensive to prove it is taking necessary steps to safeguard Americans' user data.
8. Pinterest and Condé Nast Entertainment have partnered to produce over 160 videos for Vogue and Architectural Digest in a global content partnership. The collaboration aims to inspire Pinners worldwide and will begin with Vogue showcasing its
backstage access to Fashion Week in several cities. Vogue will also launch a new Pinterest profile in April, focusing on weddings and curated by Vogue Weddings editors. Meanwhile, a series of Architectural Digest videos will focus on creating the perfect backyard space for summer, starting on Memorial Day.
9. Agencies and consultancies are working to help marketers enter the metaverse. Accenture has made a strategic investment in Forma Vision,
a provider of low-cost livestreaming volumetric video technology, through its Accenture Ventures program. The investment will bring Accenture's clients closer to avatar-to-avatar interactions that are central to the metaverse. Publicis Groupe Benelux has launched The Metaphone, a giant red telephone in Decentraland, to allow users to share their personal information and potentially become Web3 talent. 45% of marketers view development and implementation in the metaverse as a challenge,
according to Deloitte’s 2023 Global Marketing Trends report. The investments and initiatives by Accenture and Publicis demonstrate the role that agencies and consultancies will play in the transition from the real world to the virtual world.
10. Warner Music Group (WMG) has launched “Rhythm City”, a music-themed social role-play experience on Roblox, a popular metaverse gaming platform. The experience is a partnership with metaverse
game developer Gamefam, and aims to bring users closer to artists and music, providing access to a collection of exclusive digital items sold on Roblox. WMG's Chief Digital Officer, Oana Ruxandra, says the company is focused on facilitating new digital experiences by building and experimenting across evolving ecosystems and hopes the partnership with Gamefam will create a space for artists and audiences to engage and build communities in immersive environments.