The Association of National Advertisers published a blog post titled "Targeting Proves Its Worth," which notes how targeted ads have boosted vaccination efforts. "This is a new day for targeted advertising, which has been inaccurately maligned," the post reads, before highlighting how opt-in privacy proposals could "block or severely impede the ability to get key information to vulnerable or other groups with critical health and other information."

Marcel Marcondes, outgoing CMO at Anheuser-Busch, discusses in this interview how he and other high-level executives shifted the company's internal mindset from a focus on defensive tactics to a concentration on growth based on pillars, including a balanced product portfolio, increased innovation and connecting brands more closely to consumers. Other drivers of change included listening to customers, launching an in-house digital agency and introducing KPIs to unearth social media mentions, all of which helped triple the net revenues from new products.

A federal judge has issued a ruling in Epic Games' antitrust lawsuit against Apple's App Store, stating that Apple cannot bar developers from using app-based "metadata buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms, in addition to In-App Purchasing," or "communicating with customers through points of contact obtained voluntarily." However, the ruling also requires Epic Games to pay at least $4 million to Apple for breach of contract after collecting Fortnite payments outside of Apple's in-app system; Epic has already submitted a notice of appeal.

Even when sales teams meet revenue targets, they may be underperforming and missing out on great opportunities, writes David Brock. Consider factors such as win rates, average deal values, retention and how sales are spread throughout product lines to get a better picture of overall performance.

Freelance public relations experts can help firms balance workloads during busy seasons and provide specialized expertise, writes Crenshaw Communications' Veronica Amenta. Communications executives can maximize these relationships by checking references in advance, treating individuals as part of the team, being transparent about clients when using nondisclosure agreements, and monitoring their time while respecting their independence.

The head of Bank of America's global commercial banking division, Alastair Borthwick, will become the bank's new CFO, said company leader Brian Moynihan -- who also noted that he plans to stick around as chief executive until 2029. BoA also promoted Cathy Bessant, Wendy Stewart and Holly O'Neill to leadership positions.

The growing popularity of augmented reality gives brands an opportunity to add an exciting, personalized layer to physical experiences and events through scannable media and codes, writes Max Askwith, global digital and innovation director at Dentsu's iProspect agency. Use the technology to "move away from passive storytelling -- people want to be a part of (and in control of) a personalized story or adventure, especially at physical events," Askwith writes.

Strategist Chris Brogan talks in this podcast about business-to-business marketing strategy, including how often marketers should take time to review the bigger picture and the value of running pilot programs to test opportunities. Brogan also discusses how continued working from home will affect marketing, why email is still the best social network and why he doesn't think Clubhouse lives up to the hype.

Business-to-business marketers should focus on the "B2B mix" of solutions, trust and people, writes Oscar Torres, who explains how to foster a culture that facilitates that goal. When marketers and sales executives "demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the problem, they are seen as more credible and trustworthy, and this adds value to the B2B relationship," Torres writes.

Brands embarking on a customer feedback strategy should first determine areas of consumer experience they'd like to improve, writes ParamInfo Computer Services' Senior Digital Marketing Manager Chanakya Kyatham. Kyatham also suggests settling on one primary method of gathering customer insight before advancing into the more technical aspects of analytics.