Meta prepares for the holidays & influencer marketing levels up

Welcome to the almost-end of September. And the tail end of Q3—so let’s get into it.

Influencer Marketing Goes Macro

A new report from the influencer-marketing agency Linqia found 75% of marketers had maintained or increased their influencer budgets this year despite upsets in the economy. Of that 75%, 18% “reported seven-figure budgets” for influencer marketing. And 15% reported budgets of $100,000 or less. And 81% of brands say they will hire more macro influencers (100,00 to 500,000 followers) for campaigns during 2023.

Bud Light Still Feels Boycott Fallout

During the annual retailer reset of shelf space, Bud Light’s fate could be sealed. Since retailers allocate shelf space based on recent sales performances, Bud Light will most likely lose refrigerator space at stores like Walmart, 7-Eleven, and other beer retailers, pushing the brand even further behind (literally and figuratively).

LinkedIn’s New Branded Content Library

Last month, LinkedIn added branded content tags for posts and has just launched a search functionality for branded content partnerships. Now, users can search through all of the tagged affiliate marketing campaigns.

Meta Gifts Marketers New Holiday Ad Tools

Meta has introduced new advertising tools for marketers during the “first AI-powered holiday season.” Tools include bid multipliers and budget scheduling to give advertisers “more control over their campaigns,” as well as “expand[ed] access to tools that help drive purchases on Facebook and Instagram.”

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Around the Web

• The NFL is giving pre-approved footage to creators for social and influencer marketing.

• In-person retail spaces are creating experiences—like New York’s new wellness speakeasy.

• The new social media of choice might be…LinkedIn?

• Disney and Charter have reached a “last-minute deal” to avoid a Monday Night Football blackout on ESPN.

• TikTok Shop has banned food merchants from selling homemade goods.

Just Can’t Get Enough

UFOs. And the government’s sudden interest in letting us in on it all.

• NASA has even named a “chief of UFO research.”

• And now, NASA is calling on the American public to help hunt for UFOs.

Are you excited for Meta’s holiday tools? Do you already have a holiday campaign in mind? Or will you let the new tools help dictate your strategy? Reply and let us know!

Thanks for joining us, and we’ll see you Thursday!