Gear Up Newsletter - 01.16.2025

Highlights from CES 2025 🌟

EVENT DEBRIEF
CES 2025: Measurement Takes Center Stage
By Rory Sale, Fospha

At CES 2025, I joined industry leaders from Amazon Ads, Walmart Connect, TikTok, Pinterest, Snap, and many other leading tech companies to explore the latest innovations and insights. A key theme stood out: measurement has moved to the forefront of advertising discussions, with AI accelerating our ability to address growing privacy concerns.

My Key Takeaways:

• Restoring the Value Exchange: Privacy challenges are reshaping the internet’s core model. AI bridges the gap by enabling performance measurement while safeguarding user data.

• Storytelling That Resonates: Engaging, tailored stories foster stronger connections. Meet your audience where they are for maximum impact.

• Retail Media’s Surge: Amazon’s Retail Connect underscores retail media’s rapid growth. The challenge? Comparing cross-channel performance effectively.

• Privacy & ROI: New tracking limits complicate proving ROI. AI-driven tools offer accurate, privacy-compliant measurement.

• Simplifying Martech: The fragmented digital ad landscape demands clarity. AI streamlines processes with user-friendly, jargon-free solutions. AI-powered tools make it easier to deliver clear, jargon-free solutions.

Unlock Smarter Marketing: Explore how Fospha’s data-driven solutions help you measure, optimize, and grow. Visit Fospha today.

Sector Spotlight 🎥

RETAIL FORECAST
JD Sports Navigates Market Challenges with Strong Christmas Footwear Sales

JD Sports, amidst a turbulent retail landscape, has readjusted its profit outlook, underscoring a recalibration and readiness for sustained headwinds. Despite achieving organic revenue growth of 3.4% for the nine weeks leading up to January 4, 2025, the retailer's like-for-like revenue fell by 1.5% across November and December, except for a modest uptick in December, attributed to a fortuitous surge in Christmas sales.

This juxtaposition of growth against a backdrop of heightened promotional competition left JD Sports revising profit forecasts down to a range of £915m to £935m, diverging from earlier predictions of £1.04bn.

BRAND PARTNERSHIP
Billy Horschel Elevates Fury Athletix as New Brand Ambassador in Golf

Fury Athletix partners with PGA Tour star Billy Horschel, enhancing its brand prestige. Known for his dedication and excellence, Horschel represents the brand's commitment to quality. This collaboration strengthens Fury Athletix's position in the golf and lifestyle headwear markets, emphasizing strategic growth and premium offerings for professional athletes.

OUTDOOR LUXURY EQUIPMENT
The North Face VE 24 Tent Triumphs Across Every Terrain

The North Face VE 24 tent, known for its remarkable durability and quality, continues to garner praise even decades after its purchase. Despite its weight, its resilience in harsh weather and longevity showcase its superior construction compared to modern tents, making it a timeless choice for adventure enthusiasts.

SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Selkirk Sport Unveils High-Performance Pickleball Shoe Line

In a strategic move to dominate the pickleball market, Selkirk Sport has unveiled CourtStrike, a shoe line tailored exclusively for pickleball athletes. Rolling out the CourtStrike and CourtStrike Pro shoes—products of extensive research with 3,500 professionals—the launch underscores Selkirk's grip on pickleball innovation.

Selkirk's roots in the pristine Western outdoor lifestyle reflect a brand ethos synonymous with unparalleled sporting quality. Founded in 2014, the company quickly escalated to leading status, specifically in premium pickleball paddles, endorsed by stars like Jack Sock.

Influencer Corner 📣

Netflix is obsessively marketing Squid Game’s new season 

Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge marketing taps into a goldmine of timely collaborations and limited-edition products. From Puma’s green tracksuit-inspired collection to Squid Game-themed Crocs and Johnnie Walker bottles, every partnership feeds into the show’s cultural momentum.

The takeaway for marketers: Timely, creative collaborations and exclusive product drops can capture customer excitement and amplify demand. Whether it’s Squid Game-inspired skincare or themed wontons, the key is to align your brand with trends while they’re hot.

Performance Pulse 📈

AI REVOLUTION
AI in 2025: Five Trends for Marketing and E-commerce

Generative AI is reshaping search, transforming how brands reach and engage consumers. Industry-specific language models are streamlining processes, offering tailored solutions that save time and resources.

As open-source adoption grows, marketers gain more flexibility to customize tools and strategies. However, with AI’s increasing influence on branding, ethical considerations are now pivotal. To stay competitive, marketers must integrate these advancements thoughtfully.

SOCIAL COMMERCE
Boost Brand Visibility with X for Sophisticated Male Audience Engagement

X offers unique promotional opportunities for e-commerce brands, benefiting from fewer competitors and a focus on news. With a large male audience, SMBs can leverage X's algorithm, favoring smaller brands. Though not as profitable as TikTok or Meta, X excels in news-focused niches with innovative selling features.

Your Say 🙋🏽‍♀️