What's New In Marketing? (January 2025 Update)

• January, 2025
• Aleksey Weyman

The business of marketing continues to change and evolve..

It's our job as marketing specialists to keep up with these changes. With every advancement in tech, social habits, business development and global consumer behavior, comes a new list of challenges and opportunities. If you're like me- someone who enjoys (or perhaps needs to) the ever changing landscape of marketing for businesses, then this page is for you.

Several times per year, I update this page with the latest trends, updates, beta tests and otherwise news-worthy information related to our world of marketing. Whether it's a new feature added to a social media app, or a tech company merger that creates trickle down economics for smaller businesses, my goal with this page is to gather all of the information. By having it in one place to come back to, you can do the heavy lifting of managing your marketing strategies equipped with newfound information that keeps you ahead of the curve.

If you'd like to support this page, please consider signing up for my mailer, which I only send out when updates to the page are made. You may also choose to share this page with your colleagues via the social media links near the top of this paragraph. Lastly, if you'd like to set up a consultation call about how these strategies might be applied to your client or business, you can contact me directly via the email option on my Linktree.

So What's New in Marketing?

Here are the top 10 updates for marketing

• Meta removes Al character accounts after users criticise them as 'creepy and unnecessary'.
• Google allows advertisers to target the sensitive informational queries of cancer patients.
• Microsoft plans to invest $80B in Al data centres this year.
• Australia's social media ban for under-16s faces fake ID problems.
• X is increasing premium subscription prices by 30%.
• TikTok promises ban refunds to keep advertisers spending.
• Getty Images explores merger with rival Shutterstock.
• Influencers are suing PayPal over its browser extension Honey.

In order to not spam the page with backlinks, you can search these on Google if you'd like to confirm legitimacy.

Social Media Platforms

• Trump asks Supreme Court to pause TikTok shutdown.
• Instagram testing feature to turn post comments into Threads.
• Facebook and Instagram Ads push Gun Silencers disguised as Car Parts.
• Venezuela fines TikTok over deadly viral challenges.
• Instagram is testing 'Cross-App Engagement' feature, your Total IG & FB views on crossposted reels will be visible to public and more.
• TikTok and WeChat first to secure licenses under Malavsia's new social media rules.
• ByteDance appears to be skirting US restrictions to buy Nvidia chips.
• Nick Clegg, Meta global affairs chief is stepping down, Republican Joel Kaplan to lead the revamped global policy team.
• Elon Musk says X's algorithm pushes 'too much negativity'.
• Jane Fonda brings her iconic workout to Meta Quest's Supernatural VR fitness platform.
• India lifts payment restrictions for WhatsApp Pay.
• X plans to launch 'Money' in limited form this year.
• Meta is reportedly planning to add display screens to its smart glasses.
• xAl's next-gen Al model didn't arrive on time, adding to a trend.
• X tests dedicated video tab in lower function bar.

YouTube & Google

• YouTube flips the switch on multiplayer gaming for two Playables.
• Google sends $100M in funds to journalism collective in exchange for Online News Act exemption. (Canada)
• Google revives Tag Assistant.
• YouTube urged to promote 'high-quality' Children's TV.
• Google Search tests Al Generated Things to know.
• Merchant Center now allows some inconsistent languages across site and feeds.
• Google ads rolls out Brand Report for enhanced advertiser insights.
• Google plans to add 'Al Mode' Option to search.
• Google is using Anthropic's Claude to improve its Gemini AI.

Brands & Marketing

• Chipotle expands Strava tie-up globally to fuel New Year's fitness goals.
• Kristin Juszczyk partners with Emma Grade to launch Off Season, a new sports apparel brand.
• Tinder launches new ad campaign 'It's Great To Be Wrong About Tinder' celebrating messy side of dating.
• U.S. pizza chain Papa John's targets 2025 India re-entry after delay.
• Dunkin' and Sabrina Carpenter shake up the new year with 'Brown Sugar Shakin' Espresso'.
• Marquee Brands acquires furnishings brand Laura Ashley.
• Pop-Tarts Bowl lives up to hype once again, feeding memes and thrills in equal amounts.
• RBar's campaign for the new year calls BS on self-improvement messaging.

Marketing Tech

• Stagwell acquires Create. Group to boost MENA digital strategy.
• Rembrand raises $23M for virtual product placement.
• Mission Group sells tech and science agency for £17.4m.
• 1Audience Alliance debuts as a Direct-to- Publisher Gateway to premium CTV audiences for advertisers.
• NBCU ads chairman: Don't reward agencies for cost mitigation.
• VCCP, We Are Social and Mother owners remain in top 50 UK indie agencies by income.
• Mullenlowe Singapore appointed by the NTUC as creative agency of record.
• Reuters and Gannett to sell bundled subscriptions.
• Later acquires Mavely, expanding full-funnel influencer marketing capabilities.

Other News Related to Marketing

• US agency does not have authority to reinstate net neutrality laws, court rules.
• Apple auto-opts everyone into having their photos analyzed by Al for landmarks.
• Lyft will credit NYC riders for congestion fee throughout January.
• CNBC+ launches at $14.99 a month.
• Right-leaning streaming hub Rumble heads to crypto land to secure $775 million investment.
• Strava and Apple Fitness+ collaborate for a new year offer.
• Was Lewis Hamilton having fun or LinkedIn paid him to post? #newjob at Ferrari.
• More marketers disapprove of Omnicom acquiring IPG than approve.

Did you find any of these interesting or useful? Let me know on X (Twitter). If you're interested in discussing more about how these trends can make or break your business, send me an email via my Linktree. Cheers!

Tagged in : MarketingStartups