# Weekly Digital Marketing Updates (May 6 – 12)

- Link: https://www.clicademy.com/weekly-digital-marketing-updates-may-6-12/
- Published: 2024-05-13T22:09:30+01:00
- Author: Clicademist

The week of May 6 to 12 sees its weekly digital marketing updates and events dominated
by McDonald’s headlines. Here’s a summary of the top stories your [Clicademist](https://www.clicademy.com/sign-up)
collected for your must-know updates.

**McDonald’s Digital Marketing Fund**: McDonald’s is set to launch a new digital
marketing fund in the U.S. next year[,](https://edgeservices.bing.com/edgesvc/chat?udsframed=1&form=SHORUN&clientscopes=chat,noheader,udsedgeshop,channelstable,ntpquery,devtoolsapi,udsdlpconsent,udsmrefresh,cspgrd,&shellsig=f6242cbe62770e86f0a3c599002161d6c1e042ae&setlang=en-GB&darkschemeovr=1#sjevt%7CDiscover.Chat.SydneyClickPageCitation%7Cadpclick%7C0%7C310ec219-14b2-4d9b-86cc-5bcc8a72a53c)
as [revealed by a memo](https://edgeservices.bing.com/edgesvc/chat?udsframed=1&form=SHORUN&clientscopes=chat,noheader,udsedgeshop,channelstable,ntpquery,devtoolsapi,udsdlpconsent,udsmrefresh,cspgrd,&shellsig=f6242cbe62770e86f0a3c599002161d6c1e042ae&setlang=en-GB&darkschemeovr=1#sjevt%7CDiscover.Chat.SydneyClickPageCitation%7Cadpclick%7C0%7C310ec219-14b2-4d9b-86cc-5bcc8a72a53c).
Franchisees will contribute 1.2% of projected identified digital sales to this fund,
which aims to modernize marketing strategies and enhance the company’s competitive
edge. The focus will shift towards mobile ordering and digital initiatives, potentially
reducing reliance on traditional marketing methods like TV commercials.

The company plans to invest heavily in its loyalty program and introduce new ordering
channels, such as web orders without an app. With over 34 million active digital
customers in the U.S. and a goal to reach 100 million loyalty members by 2027, McDonald’s
is forecasting an increase in cash flow for U.S. restaurants starting in 2025. This
strategy also aligns with global efforts, as markets like the U.K., Canada, Australia,
and Germany will contribute to the global digital marketing fund. Your Clicademist
will follow up more on this in the weekly digital marketing updates.

**AI and Marketing Upskill Urgency**: [Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) research](https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/?utm_source=pha_pr_uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pha_pr_uk_referral&utm_content=dmi_home_pag)
suggests that marketers rapidly adapt to AI, analytics, and automation, with over
half reporting role changes due to AI and 44% utilizing advanced tools like ChatGPT.
Upskilling in AI, marketing strategy, SEO, and content creation is crucial for competitiveness,
as 85% of marketers surveyed believe AI will enhance their work. Companies face 
a skills gap, with AI strategy development being the largest, and are prioritising
upskilling initiatives over hiring new staff, recognizing the benefits of performance
and employee satisfaction. Industry certifications are increasingly valued over 
traditional degrees, with DMI certifications boosting hiring prospects.

**UXLINK and Binance Web3 Wallet Partnership**: UXLINK, a leading social infrastructure
platform, has partnered with Binance Web3 Wallet to launch a joint marketing campaign
to drive social growth within the Web3 space. The campaign offers 20,000,000 UXUY
points through UXLINK’s Social Protocol, encouraging community engagement and adoption
of Web3. Binance Web3 Wallet provides secure and user-friendly access to DeFi services,
while UXLINK boasts over 5 million users and facilitates social interactions via
90,000 web3-powered groups. This collaboration, announced on May 9, represents a
significant step in integrating social infrastructure with decentralized finance.
Your Clicademist will follow up more on this in the weekly digital marketing updates.

**OKX Ventures Invests in Wild Forest**: OKX Ventures, the investment division of
the crypto exchange OKX, has announced an investment in Wild Forest, a Web3 real-
time strategy game. Wild Forest has gained significant traction with 18,300 daily
active users, 61,900 monthly active users, and over 104,800 installations. The game
features PvP battles and a token-driven economy and has seen over 1 million NFTs
minted since its Beta launch. The early NFT Sale on February 22, 2024, sold out 
in just 7 minutes, highlighting the game’s popularity. Backed by notable firms like
Sky Mavis and Animoca Brands, Wild Forest is set for continued growth in the Web3
gaming market.

**OpenAI’s Search Innovation**: OpenAI, in collaboration with Microsoft, is set 
to revolutionize the digital marketing landscape with a new AI-powered search engine,
says [CMSWIRE](https://www.cmswire.com/digital-marketing/what-openai-search-would-mean-for-marketers/).
This engine, leveraging ChatGPT technology, promises to enhance personalized marketing
and user experience. Marketers are anticipating the need to adapt their SEO and 
content strategies to align with AI-driven search dynamics. The potential launch,
rumoured for May 9, could challenge Google’s dominance and introduce new analytical
tools for deeper consumer insights. This pivotal development signifies a major shift
in search technology and digital marketing strategies.

**Constant Contact’s Campaign Builder Launch**: [Constant Contact](https://www.constantcontact.com/?utm_source=pr&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=CB_MLP),
a renowned digital marketing platform, has introduced _Campaign Builder_, an innovative
tool that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to automate multi-channel marketing
campaigns for small businesses and nonprofits (SMBs). This tool, unique in offering
such depth of automation, crafts strategic marketing plans by analyzing goals and
suggesting optimal content, channels, and timing. It addresses common SMB challenges
like time constraints and marketing expertise, enabling effective marketing with
minimal effort. The launch also includes BrandKit, which is designed to assist SMBs
in quickly initiating and maintaining consistent marketing efforts.

**Ad Tech Investigation**: A report by [Adalytics](https://adalytics.io/blog/user-id-rotation)
revealed that the supply-side platform Colossus provided mismatched user IDs to 
The Trade Desk, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of verification vendors
in preventing fraud. Procter & Gamble Co. is among the advertisers continuing to
trade via Colossus despite these issues. Google and The Trade Desk appeared to have
blocked this supply-side platform over user ID mismatch issues to create better 
verification processes to protect advertisers’ investments.

**DMA Impact on Google Hotel Ads: **Implementing the European Digital Marketing 
Act (DMA) has led to a significant decline in online visibility, as evidenced by
a 30% drop in clicks and a 36% drop in direct bookings on Google Hotel Ads. The 
data, collected from a comparison of traffic volume between DMA and non-DMA markets
for 3450 hotels from January to April 2024, highlight the challenges faced by the
hotel industry in adapting to new digital regulations, according to the [HNR Hotel News](https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article131436.html).

**News Corp’s D_Coded 2024 Event**: News Corp Australia is set to host its annual
D_Coded digital marketing event, promising to unveil innovative solutions for securing
a competitive edge in the digital landscape. The event will feature live presentations
in Sydney and Melbourne, focusing on strategies and technologies for deeper insights,
targeting, personalisation, and measurement. Keynote speakers include Evan Shapiro
and Daniella Harkins, discussing the new user-centric era and collaborative data
practices, respectively. Additionally, the event will showcase News Corp’s Intent
Connect platform, shoppable experiences, and video solutions to help brands connect
with audiences and maximize ROI.

**HubSpot’s Strong Q1 Performance Amid Sale Rumors**: HubSpot reported a 40% increase
in earnings and a 23% rise in revenue for Q1 2024, surpassing expectations for the
ninth consecutive quarter with a revenue of $617.4 million. The company’s stock 
rebounded after an initial post-earnings dip, fueled by ongoing acquisition talks
with Alphabet. This potential sale to Google’s parent company aligns with Alphabet’s
strategy to bolster its digital marketing capabilities, especially in light of the
looming antitrust lawsuit outcomes that may force business unit divestitures.

**Stream Companies & GM Partnership**: Stream Companies has joined the General Motors(
GM) Dealer Digital Solution Program as an approved Digital Advertising and SEO Partner.
This collaboration will benefit over 4,000 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac dealerships
by allowing them to use GM IMR Turnkey Match funds for Stream’s services. The partnership
aims to enhance dealership sales through digital marketing strategies and first-
party data analytics. David Regn, CEO of Stream Companies, and Rich Harrisson, Senior
Executive VP, are optimistic about boosting GM dealerships’ success in the competitive
market.

Join [Clicademy community](https://www.clicademy.com/sign-up) for more weekly digital
marketing updates.