Thriving in COVID Times, Mobile App Use Increases, and More | Biweekly Marketing News

4 Min Read

We’ve compiled some interesting headlines from this week every digital marketer should have on their radar. Here’s what caught our attention.

There’s been a lot of buzz around how businesses have survived previous recessions or times of crisis. Business2Community outlined the changes that took place during the 2008 financial downturn, including less noise in the advertising space as well as lower CPM/CPCs. Another article on ClickZ found that consumers prefer COVID19 sensitive ads that take into account the fluctuating financial and social environment that people are experiencing during this crisis. Guidelines like these can be helpful for any company looking to not just survive the current situation, but thrive in it.

And in social and mobile news, many social media companies are using their voices and pocketbooks for good. TikTok, for example, has dedicated $250 million to COVID relief, as well as an additional $25 million in ad funds to help public health organizations deliver crucial information to the world. This comes with the news that mobile has been flourishing as a channel – not necessarily a surprise due to the amount of people spending more time on their devices than ever before. Because of this, gaming apps and other installs have risen in popularity, seeing a 105% increase in Q1. Looking to opportunities like this will help any marketer weather this crisis.

DIGITAL

Key insights: People prefer COVID-19 sensitive ads, pandemic’s effect on marketing, and the tech thriving right now – People favor brands that respond to the COVID-19 outbreak with flexible payments, remote work and shifting priorities affect marketers, CIOs discuss that diversity will be the secret recipe for success, and more.

Digital Marketing During a Recession: Build Your Strategy Today – Every recession has three stages: the initial drop, the slow climb out of it, and the growth that follows. The impact of a recession will depend on the depth of the drop and how long it takes to resurface.

A Quick Guide to Digital Marketing for Newbies– With the madness going on in the world right now over COVID-19, every business is looking to jump into digital marketing.

How to get the most out of digital marketing during Covid-19 – An outline of the two key drivers marketers should focus on in aligning their digital strategy in the face of the Coronavirus crisis. 

SOCIAL

Navigating Social Media Marketing in a Global Crisis – As social distancing makes us increasingly isolated, the concept of connection takes on new meaning, and the role of social media becomes even more critical. 

Facebook Provides New COVID-19 Symptom Maps to Assist in Response Planning – Facebook, in partnership with Carnegie Mellon, has published the first of its COVID-19 symptom maps to assist in planning for future outbreaks.

5 Roles Social Media Marketing Plays in a Crisis – As part of an accounting firm’s marketing strategy, social media can fulfill five primary roles in an outreach plan that can be implemented, monitored and maintained by remote employees.

Facebook Publishes New Marketing Insights Around Ramadan – With Ramadan approaching, Facebook has this week published a new set of insights, and a new mini-site, dedicated to helping marketers connect with audiences around the annual celebration.

TikTok donates £5m to the COVID-19 Healthcare Support Appeal – In light of the extended economic lockdown in the UK, TikTok has pledged to donate £5m to the COVID-19 Healthcare Support Appeal, created by the RCN Foundation.

MOBILE

Facebook brings forward the launch of its Gaming app in response to the lockdown – Facebook has brought forward the launch of a dedicated gaming app, designed to compete with Twitch, YouTube, and Microsoft’s Mixer platform.

Why Business Is Booming For Mobile Game Publishers Despite The Downturn – The mobile gaming category – a more than $60 billion-a-year market – is thriving amid the brewing economic crisis.

Adjust: Mobile app sessions and installs see huge increase in Q1 – The pandemic has played havoc with the real-world economy. But the mobile app economy is another matter, as mobile app session times and installs saw dramatic increases in the first quarter compared to a year ago.

Instagram releases top tips for businesses during economic shutdown – Instagram released its top tips for businesses during lockdown, highlighting how businesses of any size can take advantage of the platform’s features during this pandemic. 

Verizon buys Zoom rival BlueJeans for reported $400M – Verizon acquired videoconferencing and event platform BlueJeans Network to expand its offering of immersive communications services.

• Related: Learn more about CTV advertising.

WE’LL KEEP YOU UP TO DATE

That’s it for the roundup this week, next week we’ll be back with another list of what’s making news in marketing.

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