In my latest Digital Digest from January 20th, I talk about the most turbulent hours in the history of TikTok, about Gen Z’s new love for offline shopping and about the German Football League on Roblox.
Happy reading
Yours, Verena
😳 TikTok and Trump: On-Off relationship
First online, then offline for around 12 hours – and now back, thanks to Donald Trump. The weekend was as turbulent as expected for TikTok and its US users. Owner Bytedance shut down the Chinese app on Saturday evening – even before the deadline for a sale. The measure, with a corresponding notice to users, was intended to put further pressure on US policy. President-elect Trump then proposed a joint venture: US investors should take a 50 per cent stake. He has discovered the value of TikTok for his communication with young voters and has promised a three-month extension. The final decision now depends on Bytedance’s willingness to enter into a face-saving joint venture. >>> CNN
📽️ Body snatching? Meta copies TikTok video editor CapCut
Meta has fired up the copier again. Following the temporary demise of TikTok in the USA, Instagram announced a new video editing app called "Edits". It is being positioned as a direct competitor – or successor – to Bytedance’s CapCut, which is also affected by a TikTok ban. The app, which is due to be available from 13 March 2025, offers extensive editing tools, a high-quality camera and detailed analysis functions for Instagram posts. The Verge calls it a "blatant CapCut clone". >>> The Verge
🛍️ Gen Z: New love for offline in-store shopping
This comes as a surprise: Generation Z, which has grown up digitally, shops more often in physical shops than any other generation. 73 per cent of 18 to 27-year-olds in the US go shopping at least once a week – significantly more than baby boomers (65 per cent). For Gen Z, shopping in shops is not a chore, but an experience (57 per cent). They skilfully combine online and offline: Almost half order online and pick up the goods in shop. They particularly enjoy visiting fashion and beauty shops. >>> Ayden
💸 Will AI become more expensive in Europe because of Trump?
The Trump presidency could have a major impact on the European AI landscape. Existing US export restrictions for AI technologies could be tightened, even if some EU countries currently still enjoy exemptions. Trump’s "America First" policy and a possible deregulation of the US AI market could increase the cost of AI technologies in Europe. A coordinated approach is recommended as a counter-strategy for the EU: Instead of relying on expensive AI all-round solutions, specific use cases and hybrid AI systems should be prioritised, says Heiko Beier, founder of the AI company MoreSophy. >>> MoreSophy
📯 Apple worsens the mail
Many technology manufacturers are currently focussing on AI – regardless of whether this has advantages or disadvantages for customers. Since the update to iOS 18.2, Apple has automatically sorted emails on the iPhone into the categories "Important", "Transactions", "News" and "Ads". This does not usually work as desired. Nevertheless, the immature function is now to be rolled out to Mac and iPad. Consolation: It is not yet available in Germany. And it can be switched off if desired. >>> 9to5Mac
⚽️ Football Bundesliga launches on Roblox
The Bundesliga is the first European football league to launch an exclusive campaign on the Roblox gaming platform. Since 16 January 2025, fans have been able to experience the Bundesliga in five different games, including four obstacle courses and a free-kick simulator. Partners such as Topps and ESPN are also represented in the DFL’s virtual "Bundesliga Clubhouse". The first integration has already recorded 1.3 million hits in four days. The campaign, developed together with gaming agency "Build a Rocket", is aimed particularly at Generation Z and is part of the "Football as it’s meant to be" campaign. >>> DFL
🏪 Edeka registers "EDEK.I"
German supermarket chain Edeka has registered the word mark "EDEK.I" with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office – KI as the German equivalent of AI. The Edeka head office in Hamburg is the owner of the new trademark. The name indicates a planned use in the field of artificial intelligence. The trade mark is to be used for "software, artificial intelligence software and machine learning software", as can be seen from the Nice classes of the application. >>> Horizont (€)
🗄️ Amazon: Return to office continues to go badly
Amazon continues to implement its obligation to return to the office, despite "logistical challenges". According to reports, there is a lack of sufficient office space for returning employees, leading to delays of up to four months. There is also said to be a frequent shortage of parking spaces at the buildings. In Europe, including Germany, however, Amazon is more flexible: employees can formally request to work from home up to two days a week. >>> Golem
🥇 W&V: What will change in the creative ranking in 2025
The W&V Creative Ranking 2025 comprises 22 competitions, including for the first time Effie, Gerety and Smarties. Cannes Lions will remain the leader, while D&AD and One Show will be upgraded. Effectiveness is gaining in importance, which is why the Effie is being integrated. The Gerety Awards set an example for diversity with all-female juries, while the Smarties recognise innovative marketing initiatives. The ranking will be published at the end of 2025. >>> W&V (€)
🗞️ German publishers form lobby alliance
The German Bundesverband Digitalpublisher und Zeitungsverleger (BDZV) and the Medienverband der freien Presse (MVFP) have founded the "Alliance Future Press". The initiative brings together over 500 publishers with around 9,000 editorial brands. The aim is to emphasise the importance of the free press for democracy and to engage in joint lobbying. Among other things, the alliance is calling for a stop to new advertising restrictions, a reduction in VAT and more platform regulation. Spokespersons are Philipp Welte (MVFP) and Matthias Ditzen-Blanke (BDZV). >>> DWDL
