WhatsApp now has more than 3 billion users a month
That humongous user base makes WhatsApp a key business for Meta, especially now as the company has bet the farm on its AI strategy.
consumers
Online shopping surges 51% as South African consumers shift to digital, Absa reports
Amid economic uncertainty, the report highlights changing consumer habits, rising online shopping, and the resilience of South Africa’s township economy.
Google remains go-to search engine over Artificial Intelligence tools
Over half (57.8%) of US consumers prefer to use Google search over AI platforms like ChatGPT when they need a factual answer, according to a December 2024 survey from Pearl conducted by Censuswide.
82% of South Africans are using loyalty schemes
Consumers are consistently using loyalty programmes year on year: 82% of South Africans use loyalty programmes, as highlighted in the Truth & BrandMapp South African loyalty whitepaper 2024/5.
Data shows that longer clips are gaining traction on TikTok
So by “longer short†videos, we’re not talking about a shift back to long-form content of 5 minutes or more. Consumers are now more willing to engage with 3-minute-long videos.
AI search referrals surge but conversions lag traditional search
New data from Adobe suggests that consumers are starting to use AI chatbots to do product searches, with AI search referrals surging 1,300% year-on-year during winter 2024 as the technology approaches the mainstream.
NIQ State of Retail: South African consumers shift to value as economic pressures persist
NIQ SA has released its latest State of the Retail Nation analysis for the last quarter and full year calendar year of 2024, showing moderate increases in retail sales despite a strong festive season finish. SA consumers spent nearly R637bn on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) through traditional and modern trade channels during the year.
Ad agencies prepare to advertise to AI agents
Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta and others are racing to build and release AI agents that will discover, search, and purchase products and services for consumers.
The hidden cost of dull, bland and boring
At MediaHeads 360, we believe storytelling isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. When consumers are bombarded by bland, the solution is to be unapologetically creative.
Dentsu X: Shaping the future of experiences
We are redefining the way brands connect with consumers by leveraging the full power of media, creativity, technology, data, culture, and content to deliver transformative experiences that extend beyond traditional platforms.