Marvel’s ups and downs in 2021 signal change for the film industry: The superhero franchise returned to theaters this year, but trouble abroad and issues with streaming will force studios to rethink blockbuster release strategies.

Brands eagerly jump on the retail media network bandwagon: As access to customer data becomes a priority for brands, retailers see an opportunity to diversify their revenue streams.

Consumers didn’t get the federal privacy law they wanted in 2021: A year ago, we predicted Congress would pass a federal privacy law, but gridlock in Washington and other priorities got in the way.

Despite relatively low levels of adoption, social commerce features multiply: Meta-owned platforms lead the way when it comes to social commerce features, but TikTok, Pinterest, and others are working hard to catch up.

The metaverse will be put to the test in 2022: Some firms may find their metaverse dreams held back by wearable technology, while others attempt to woo brands to their spaces.

Small influencers poised to gain more brand followers: As social commerce capabilities expand and new tools power the creator economy, the demand for micro-influencers will take off.

Growing buying power of the Hispanic market: By 2025, Hispanic consumers will account for over 12 percent of total US purchasing power, underscoring the opportunity marketers and brands have to profit from catering to them.

TikTok's success has renewed social platforms' interest in algorithms: Instagram, Snap, YouTube, and Twitter have all begun implementing algorithmically-recommended content over the past year.

Apple closes three stores, adding to concerns about retail disruption: The temporary closures raise new questions about how the pandemic might affect holiday sales—but could click and collect benefit?

Hulu’s 2021 ad revenue outpaces competitors, but troubles loom: The streamer’s reliance on partners like NBCUniversal to provide content could hamstring further growth.

Netflix is making moves in India to compete with Disney+ Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video: Streaming services have turned to the country to make up lost ground back at home, but breaking in may not be so easy.

Better.com’s Zoom firing fiasco offers a cautionary tale for employers: In a tight labor market, companies that hurt their brand can find it harder to attract talent when they need it.

A new FTC complaint against Amazon alleges anticompetitive advertising and search practices: The company came under fire earlier this year for its biased search results, but the complaint comes as the issues stack higher and higher for the firm.

Gaming will make up the large majority of mobile app spending, report shows: Mobile game spending will increase 12.6% worldwide this year, but its overall share of in-app spending is on a slight decline.

Instagram’s new safety controls for teens could hurt attempts to attract them: The features are intended to halt harmful content, but teens were already losing interest in the platform, and additional limits could be counterproductive.

7 observations from Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2021: Buy Now Pay Later, SMS Marketing, BOPIS are highlights in an uneven holiday season.

Marketers are taking data collection into their own hands: Recent privacy changes have led brands to use incentives like sweepstakes and discounts to gain consumer info instead of relying on Big Tech companies.

Digital and alternative advertising lift overall ad spending in 2021: As spending returns to pre-pandemic levels, it’s become clear advertisers find emerging channels more appealing than traditional ones.

UK regulators prune Meta’s walled garden: Meta has been ordered to sell Giphy, and new ownership could bring back the GIF database’s popular ad program, without the antitrust concerns.

More US consumers than ever say they aren’t spending on the holidays: The expected rebound in holiday shopping hides the fact that many consumers are keeping their wallets closed, while others are turning to buy now, pay later plans for gifts they can’t afford.