Most internet users of today experience media on a number of screens, such as their smartphone, computer, tablet and television. This means that a user may start a function on one device, yet finish it on another. Here’s an example: Have you ever searched for product information on your mobile device, then continued your quest once you’re in front of your computer? According to recent Google research, 90% of users do just that: Start on one device and finish on the other.

According to a recent forecast by eMarketer, it is estimated that close to 80% of every dollar spent on advertising will be allocated to programmatic in 2017. This number equates to a whopping $32.56 billion for the year! There is no room for doubt that programmatic is here to stay; especially in light of the fact that by the end of the year, that number is expected to grow to 84%.

The key to online success is to drive quality targeted traffic to websites that are easy to understand, and simple to navigate. It must be transparent WHO you are, WHAT you sell, WHERE it can be purchased, WHY consumers should purchase it and HOW they should do it. When you use a search engine like Google, your goal is most likely to find the most appropriate answer to your questions, no matter what device you happen to be using.

HTML5 is the latest and greatest version of the HyperText Markup Language that was developed in the late 1980s. It was meant to describe documents that linked to one another. Back in the day, the role of HTML was rather simplistic-to help describe the structure of documents and to permit them to cross-link. Today it’s used to enhance a text file with bits of code (or markup) that describes the structure of the document.

In December of 2016, a cybersecurity firm called White Ops announced that Russian cybercriminals had built a new high-tech ad fraud enterprise. The scheme involved showing real ads to fake people, and to date, has syphoned over $180 million from the online advertising industry. This highly sophisticated bot farm operation is called “Methbot,” and according to White Ops COO, Eddie Schwartz, “This is a very advanced cyber operation on a scale no one’s seen before.

On average, only 5% of the consumers’ time is spent searching; the other 95% is spent on reviewing content as they secure their decision on what to buy, and from whom. It has become obvious that customers don’t always end up purchasing the brand they initially set out to buy. Facts, figures and information placed in front of their faces can sway their decision-making. In addition, the competition is actively seeking their business as well, bombarding them from every direction.

Brand marketers will give up a record $5 million for a 30-second ad during the FOX broadcast of this upcoming 2017 Super Bowl. However, things are a bit different this year. Because of the chatter about the game happening online, those wanting to market their goods in conjunction with the big game are also pouring record amounts into their digital advertising platforms. According to Jesse Cahill, head of planning for North America at Essence, “You don’t necessarily need to be in the live broadcast with the rise of the cultural wave for particular events.

According to recent research, less than 30% of small businesses use website analytics. In fact, 18% of them admit that they do no tracking at all. Also, one third of advertisers indicate that they don’t know which digital marketing tactic produces the largest positive impact on their bottom line. As an example, 26% say that it’s email, 17% say it’s SEO, 15% indicate that it’s paid search and 5% speculate that it’s online display advertising.

The future has arrived, and it’s called 360 Degree Immersive Video. Viewers can now submerge themselves into the middle of a scenario rather than watch it from the sidelines. This goes for all kinds of productions, including sports, music, tours, exploration and more. With traditional film and video, the director films what he wants. The editor then determines the right moments and the proper angles that he deems most effective.

In July of 2011, consumers were introduced to a new way of acquiring razors and the blades that go with them. They became available at a fraction of the cost of purchasing them from a retailer, and the goods would be delivered right to customers’ doorsteps. It was called Dollar Shave Club. In July of 2016, the multinational consumer goods company, Unilever, acquired Dollar Shave Club, reportedly paying $1 billion dollars in cash.