As the second largest retail event in the U.S. after the holiday season, back-to-school shopping represents a crucial opportunity for brand advertising. And this year, the path to reaching parents clearly leads to one place: their mobile devices.Between March and April 2025, Unity surveyed 1,234 parents in the U.S. with children under 18 through Qualtrics to uncover how they're using mobile apps and games during this critical shopping season*. Our research uncovers specific insights into their shopping behaviors, ad engagement patterns, and preferred retail channels that can help marketers create more effective mobile strategies. Let's take a closer look at the key data and takeaways from our survey.Mobile meets back-to-schoolParents are embracing mobile as a primary path to purchase, with the majority using apps to research and buy back-to-school items.68% of parents use mobile apps for back-to-school shopping48% download new apps specifically for the back-to-school shopping seasonDads are more app-curious with 55% downloading new apps vs. 44% of moms46% complete purchases directly through mobile appsNot only are parents using apps for shopping, generally, they are logging serious screen time:22% spend 1–2 hours/day33% spend 3–4 hours/day on their phones35% spend 5+ hours on their phones58% of parents say they’re likely or very likely to engage with rewarded ads offering back-to-school savingsDads (59.6%) are slightly more responsive than moms (58.4%)Only 11.9% of parents are unlikely or very unlikely to engageMost parents are deal-driven, with coupons and limited-time offers leading their purchase decisions:Coupons/deals: 32% overall (35% of moms, 28% of dads)Limited-time offers: 14% of parents overall, with dads more responsive (17.4%)Cost and variety matter while proximity, bundles/packages and customer service ranked lowestRecommendation: Prioritize in-app advertising with deal-focused creatives, combined with rewarded ad formats that highlight limited-time urgency.School’s in (early) sessionWhen looking at timelines – our survey data indicates that parents are early planners, with the majority of shopping activity kicking off in June (or earlier!), with dads being more likely to get an early jump on back-to-school shopping.Nearly 1 in 5 parents (21%) are early planners, starting their shopping before June.Dads are more likely to start early — 29% shop before June vs. 16% of moms.Nearly half of parents (46%) kick off shopping in June or July, with July alone driving the biggest surge (29.6%)—the peak of back-to-school season.24.8% wait until August, likely driven by last-minute needs or school start dates.Recommendation: Consider launching your awareness campaigns in mid-late Q2 to engage early planners while they’re still in research mode.Spend-ready parentsParents that we surveyed indicated they are ready to spend when it comes to back-to-school shopping, with moms being the primary purchasers. Advertising also plays a large role, with the majority of parents citing it as influential in the purchase-making process.42% of parents plan to spend over $150 on back-to-school clothing alone.Another 20% plan to spend between $100–$150, showing that back-to-school is a high-intent, high-investment moment for many families.63% say advertising somewhat or significantly influences their back-to-school purchase decisions.Moms drive the majority of back to school purchases, with 86% identifying as the primary household shopper.Recommendation: Target mobile ad placements that reach moms - who likely drive the majority of purchase decisions - especially through mobile gaming where women outpace men (73% vs. 65%). With 63% of parents somewhat or significantly influenced by advertising and most planning substantial budgets, mobile campaigns during this high-intent period can help you reach your target audience.What’s in their cartParents that we surveyed indicated they have distinct preferences when it comes to both what they're buying and where they're shopping for back-to-school items, with notable differences in shopping behavior between moms and dads.Classroom supplies (33%), clothing (24%), arts and crafts supplies (9%) and electronics (8%) top the shopping listParents surveyed shop, or would consider shopping, at familiar favorites for back-to-school supplies:Walmart (39%)Amazon (17%)Target (12%)Staples (8%)Retailers vary by parent: While both moms and dads shop at mass retailers, dads are more likely to favor tech and office supply stores than moms.Dads were 2x more likely to shop at Staples (12%) vs. moms (6%)Dads were 2.4x more likely to shop at Office Depot (12%) vs. moms (5%)Dads were 3.3x more likely to shop at Best Buy (10%) vs. moms (3%)Moms were 1.6x more likely to shop at Walmart (46%) vs. dads (28%)Recommendation: Align your messaging with top retail destinations and tailor creative and app lists by parent type.Turn these back-to-school insights into conversions: Launch awareness campaigns by mid-Q2 to capture early planners, meet parents where they spend significant time—in mobile apps and games—and craft messaging that emphasizes urgency and deals. By implementing these data-driven strategies, your brand can earn an A+ this back-to-school season while increasing your advertising ROI potential.Learn more about Unity’s Programmatic solutions.*Disclaimer: Findings are based on survey responses from groups of differing sizes (755 mothers, 441 fathers, 38 not specified). While each group was large enough to identify directional patterns, differences in sample size may affect comparability.Qualtrics. "Survey Data Collected Using Qualtrics Software." Qualtrics, March-April 2025, https://www.qualtrics.com.

Published May 22, 2025 10:00am EDT close 'CyberGuy' praises Trump admin for Take It Down Act Kurt Knutsson joins "Fox & Friends" to discuss President Donald Trump's Take It Down Act and Meta avoiding removing scam ads from its platforms.  Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is under fire after a major report revealed that thousands of fraudulent ads have been allowed to run on its platforms. According to the Wall Street Journal, Meta accounted for nearly half of all scam complaints tied to Zelle transactions at JPMorgan Chase between mid-2023 and mid-2024. Other banks have also reported a high number of fraud cases linked to Meta's platforms.JOIN THE FREE "CYBERGUY REPORT": GET MY EXPERT TECH TIPS, CRITICAL SECURITY ALERTS AND EXCLUSIVE DEALS, PLUS INSTANT ACCESS TO MY FREE "ULTIMATE SCAM SURVIVAL GUIDE" WHEN YOU SIGN UP! Meta logo (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Why are scam ads so widespread?The problem of scam ads on Facebook has grown rapidly in recent years. Experts point to the rise of cryptocurrency schemes, AI-generated content and organized criminal groups operating from Southeast Asia. These scams range from fake investment opportunities to misleading product offers and even the sale of nonexistent puppies.FBI WARNS OF SCAM TARGETING VICTIMS WITH FAKE HOSPITALS AND POLICEOne example involves Edgar Guzman, a legitimate business owner in Atlanta, whose warehouse address was used by scammers in more than 4,400 Facebook and Instagram ads. These ads promised deep discounts on bulk merchandise, tricking people into sending money for products that never existed."What sucks is we have to break it to people that they've been scammed. We don't even do online sales," Guzman told reporters. Facebook login page on a laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Meta's response: Is it enough?Meta says it's fighting back with new technology and partnerships, including facial-recognition tools and collaborations with banks and other tech companies. A spokesperson described the situation as an "epidemic of scams" and insisted that Meta is taking aggressive action, removing more than 2 million accounts linked to scam centers in several countries this year alone.However, insiders tell a different story. Current and former Meta employees say the company has been reluctant to make it harder for advertisers to buy ads, fearing it could hurt the company's bottom line. Staff reportedly tolerated between eight and 32 fraud "strikes" before banning accounts and scam enforcement was deprioritized to avoid losing ad revenue. META ENDS FACT-CHECKING PROGRAM AS ZUCKERBERG VOWS TO RESTORE FREE EXPRESSION ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM Instagram on a smartphone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)The human cost of inactionVictims of these scams often lose hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In one case, fake ads promised free spice racks from McCormick & Co. for just a small shipping fee, only to steal credit card details and rack up fraudulent charges. Another common scam involves fake puppy sales, with victims sending deposits for pets that never arrive. Some scam operations are even linked to human trafficking, with criminal groups forcing kidnapped victims to run online fraud schemes under threat of violence.Legal and ethical questions for MetaMeta maintains that it is not legally responsible for fraudulent content on its platforms, citing Section 230 of federal law, which protects tech companies from liability for user-generated content. In court filings, Meta has argued that it "does not owe a duty to users" when it comes to policing fraud. Meanwhile, a class-action lawsuit over allegedly inflated ad reach metrics is moving forward, putting even more pressure on Meta to address transparency and accountability.How to protect yourself from scam adsStaying safe online takes a little extra effort, but it's well worth it. Here are some steps you can follow to avoid falling victim to scam ads.1. Check the source and use strong antivirus software: Look for verified pages and official websites. Scammers often copy the names and logos of trusted brands, but the web address or page details may be off. Always double-check the URL for slight misspellings or extra characters and avoid clicking links in ads if you're unsure about their legitimacy.The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.2. Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true: If an ad offers products at an unbelievable price or promises huge returns, pause and investigate before clicking. Scammers often use flashy discounts or urgent language to lure people in quickly. Take a moment to think before you act, and remember that if something sounds impossible, it probably is. 3. Research the seller: Search for reviews and complaints about the company or individual. If you can't find any credible information, it's best to avoid the offer. A quick online search can reveal if others have reported scams or had bad experiences, and legitimate businesses usually have a track record you can verify.4. Consider using a personal data removal service: There are companies that can help remove your personal info from data brokers and people-search sites. This means less of your data floating around for scammers to find and use. While these services usually charge a fee, they can save you a lot of time and hassle compared to doing it all yourself. Over time, you might notice fewer spam calls, emails and even a lower risk of identity theft. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.5. Never share sensitive information: Don't enter your credit card or bank details on unfamiliar sites. If you're asked for personal information, double-check the legitimacy of the request. Scammers may ask for sensitive data under the guise of "verifying your identity" or processing a payment, but reputable companies will never ask for this through insecure channels.6. Keep your devices updated: Keeping your software updated adds an extra layer of protection against the latest threats. Updates often include important security patches that fix vulnerabilities hackers might try to exploit. By regularly updating your devices, you help close those security gaps and keep your personal information safer from scammers and malware. 7. Report suspicious ads: If you see a scam ad on Facebook or Instagram, report it using the platform's tools. This helps alert others and puts pressure on Meta to take action. Reporting is quick and anonymous, and it plays a crucial role in helping platforms identify patterns and remove harmful content.8. Monitor your accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions, especially after making online purchases. Early detection can help you limit the damage if your information is compromised, and most banks have fraud protection services that can assist you if you spot something suspicious.By following these steps, you can better protect yourself and your finances from online scams. Staying alert and informed is your best defense in today's digital world.Kurt's key takeawaysThe mess with scam ads on Meta's platforms shows why it's important to look out for yourself online. Meta says it's working on the problem, but many people think it's not moving fast enough. By staying careful, questioning suspicious offers and using good security tools, you can keep yourself safer. Until the platforms step up their game, protecting yourself is the smartest move you can make.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPShould Meta be doing more to protect its users from scam ads, even if it means making changes that could affect its advertising revenue? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Formula E has always felt like a sport from the future, with electric cars zipping through city circuits and drivers navigating attack modes and energy boosts with joystick-like precision. So when Nissan's Formula E team wanted to create a campaign for their home race in Tokyo, leaning into the world of retro gaming didn't just make sense—it felt inevitable. The result is 'NISMO Electric Racer Tokyo', a '90s-style arcade game developed by creative agency Dark Horses in collaboration with Japanese-Australian illustrator Kentaro Yoshida. Free to play on desktop and mobile, the game puts players in the hot seat of a stylised Nissan Formula E car, tearing through an 8-bit Tokyo cityscape at top speeds of 322kph, which is the same velocity as the real Nissan E-4ORCE 04. With nods to pixelated classics like Outrun and Street Fighter, the game channels the energy of a bygone gaming era while cleverly linking back to real motorsport. "We've always talked about how Formula E itself feels like a video game," says Dark Horses creative Hannah Rendell. "With its unpredictability, pit boosts, and attack modes, it felt natural to bring those mechanics into a playable world." It's essentially a nostalgic thrill ride packed with thoughtful details. From cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji in the background to lightning bolt speed boosts symbolising attack mode, everything has been designed to reflect both the culture of Japan and the mechanics of the race. Get too slow, and you'll see a 'Game Over' screen – a cheeky nod to Formula E's emphasis on energy management. For creative duo Hannah and Lara Hallam, Tokyo provided the perfect setting for such a concept. "Nineties gaming is making a huge return to pop culture," explains Lara. "So playing into that nostalgic and retro world for the Tokyo E-Prix, a city so iconic for its gaming culture, felt like a no-brainer." The game is part of a wider campaign activation that includes a special edition race livery, which was recently revealed ahead of the Tokyo E-Prix on 14 May. The livery, also designed by Kentaro, reimagines the team's Sakura theme through the same vibrant, pastel-toned aesthetic seen in the game. His illustrations were then translated into crisp pixel art, creating visual cohesion across both digital and physical formats. "Using Kentaro's illustrations as a base, and then transforming them into 8-bit pixel art, meant we ended up with designs that felt truly unique to our game and Japanese culture as a whole," says Hannah. It marks Kentaro's first foray into the world of gaming and one that's already generating buzz across design and motorsport circles alike. Creative consistency was key across the entire campaign, from the game itself to the accompanying video spot, which riffs on classic 90s toy commercials. Live-action footage is spliced with gameplay and VHS-style overlays, mimicking the look and feel of old-school arcade advertising. It's tongue-in-cheek and era-authentic but with a modern twist, much like the game itself. "This is our strategy of noisy thinking," said Dark Horses creative directors Sean Johnson and Josh Pearce. "Generating creatively distinct and individual social-based ideas that drive constant awareness and engagement, working at its very best." The studio has built a reputation for unconventional sports marketing, and this campaign is no exception. While most motorsport content focuses on realism, tension, and competition, NISMO Electric Racer Tokyo invites a sense of play, not just for superfans but also for casual players and culturally curious audiences. "You don't have to be a Formula E fan to want to battle it out on the track in our game," says Lara. "But you can guarantee that after playing it, you'll see Nissan as an exciting team to watch out for." Nissan's Formula E journey is a story of resilience and ambition. Having entered the championship in 2018, the team started at the back of the pack, but this year, they're leading the standings. That trajectory mirrors the underdog thrill of a good racing game: start slow, learn the mechanics, and eventually take the win. "We're very excited to return to our home E-Prix in Tokyo," said Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal of the Nissan Formula E Team. "This race is not only a major moment for us as a team but also a chance to celebrate our Japanese heritage. With 'NISMO Electric Racer Tokyo', we've created something that captures the energy we bring to the track while celebrating Japan's legendary gaming culture." For Nissan, this campaign is part of a broader push to electrify its brand identity through how it connects with fans and its vehicles. As the first Japanese manufacturer in Formula E and a pioneer in electric powertrains, Nissan has long positioned itself as a future-forward player. But this activation also shows they're equally comfortable mining the past for creative inspiration. It's quite a unique blend of heritage and innovation through a campaign that brings together game design, illustration, advertising, and automotive branding in one cohesive world. Whether you're a gamer, a designer, or a motorsport die-hard, there's something irresistibly satisfying about seeing a 90s-style arcade racer reimagined for the electric age. If you're thinking of trying it out, just be aware that Nissan's own drivers, Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato, have already set the bar high on the leaderboard (and that it's just a little bit addictive once you start playing).

Since coming onto the scene just a few years ago, hyper-casual games have experienced an exponential surge in growth. From Q1 2017 to Q2 2021, for example, the share of voice of hyper-casual installs among all total US mobile game installs grew from a few percentage points to 40%. Where this category emerged from, its position now, and its likely path in the future can help you understand how to take advantage of its success and prepare for impending industry shifts - no matter what genre your games are.To provide these insights, Nadav Ashkenazy, SVP & GM Supersonic, shares his take on the hyper-casual genre and its past, present, and future. Catch his full presentation from AppFest at the end of this article and keep reading for a comprehensive overview of the state of hyper-casual.The past: Evolution of the hyper-casual industryTracing back the hyper-casual genre to 2013, this is the year Flappy Bird was published. It was the first game to show off hyper-casual characteristics, like short levels and simple, accessible gameplay.From 2013-2016, most hyper-casual games scaled with cross-promotion campaigns and organic installs - a shift that you can learn more about in Omer Kaplan’s Gamefest presentation. Then in 2017, developers managed to grow hyper-casual games just like other genres - using paid user acquisition. Despite their low LTV compared to casual or mid-core games, hyper-casual games proved they could be profitable at scale. As a sustainable business model for growing hyper-casual games emerged, more publishers began focusing on this genre and the market became more competitive.Over the next few years - and particularly after 2017 - sub-genres within hyper-casual emerged. For example, 2019 saw the rise of the ASMR hyper-casual games and 2021 was the year of TikTok-based concepts.As these games evolved, the depth of the content grew, too. The first hyper-casual games were on an endless loop, focusing on simple gameplay that repeated itself. The rise of sub-genres and new hyper-casual concepts introduced more complex level structures, a larger amount of content, and new ways to progress. Additionally, meta features, like providing skins as rewards for progressing instead of as a default monetization approach, added another layer of complexity and depth to the core game loop.With the evolution of hyper-casual games, the processes of developing, monetizing, and marketing them improved, too - as a result, the entire business model evolved further:Development: Faster development time, better-quality execution, and more accurate marketability prediction tools and approachesMonetization: Deeper meta, more in-app purchase and rewarded video monetization opportunities, late retention and LTV optimizations, greater variety of A/B tests UA: Predict LTV up to day 180, bid granularly based on user quality, and access enhanced creative optimization capabilitiesThe present: Hyper-casual games boost growth in overall mobile marketToday, the hyper-casual market earns $2-2.5 billion in revenue and achieves approximately 17 billion installs per year - about 1.8 billion of which come from the US. This amount of revenue and scale fuels growth in the larger mobile market, indicated by the fact that as hyper-casual installs increase, non hyper-casual installs do, too.This comes down to the fact that as hyper-casual games became popular, more non hyper-casual titles relied on hyper-casual supply for their UA campaigns, rather than social media channels. In fact, about 20% of the installs for casual and midcore games on SDK networks now come from ads displayed in hyper-casual games and 51% of apps advertising in hyper-casual games are IAP-based titles. Meanwhile, hyper-casual advertisers represent 30% of the video ads shown on SDK networks - more than any other genre, indicating their importance in the market.As the success of non hyper-casual games becomes more intertwined with that of hyper-casual games, the growth of hyper-casual becomes fundamental to the growth of the overall mobile market - these install and advertising numbers show that it’s not just correlation, it’s causation.The future: Hyper-casual is here to stay, with a twistLooking to the future of the hyper-casual industry, we can break it down into two main themes:Short-form entertainment will keep user demand for hyper-casual highHybrid-casual games will emerge from the foundations of hyper-casual as a new category Demand for short-form content keeps attracting hyper-casual usersThe demand for short-form, snackable entertainment is higher than ever - just look at the popularity of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. This is precisely the type of content that hyper-casual games provide and why they’ll continue to grow in popularity well into the future. The execution level of these games is also increasing and the ad experience is improving, which is further helping to attract and retain users.The demand for short-form, snackable entertainment is higher than ever, which is precisely what hyper-casual games provide.However, as costs rise and LTV will need to increase with it, a new category will emerge alongside hyper-casual: hybrid-casual.The rise of hybrid-casualThe hybrid-casual genre maintains the fundamentals of traditional hyper-casual games, including:Quick prototypingSimple and engaging gameplayEmphasis on high marketabilityShort sessions And it evolves upon these foundations by introducing deeper gameplay, a greater reliance on IAPs, and more advanced LiveOps. With their hybrid monetization strategy, these games get the best of both worlds:Ad monetization for quick, high-converting revenueIn-game purchases for higher retention and LTVAs the hyper-casual genre evolves with the market, expect its growth only to increase and continue driving forward the larger mobile industry.

Menu Home News Hardware Gaming Mobile Finance Deals Reviews How To Wccftech Gaming Assassin’s Creed Shadows Claws Of Awaji DLC Reportedly Set For September David Carcasole • May 22, 2025 at 09:53am EDT According to a report from Insider Gaming, the first major DLC release for Assassin's Creed Shadows, 'Claws of Awaji' is due to launch this coming September 2025. Claws of Awaji isn't the first new bit of story content we've seen for Assassin's Creed Shadows since it launched in March. That came from the update that arrived earlier this month on May 6, with a new story quest, 'The Works of Luis Frois'. There's also going to be more story content coming in June, according to Ubisoft's current roadmap, with a new quest and the addition of a new ally to add to the league of Assassins you build over the course of the game's story. Both the quest that came earlier this month and the new one coming in June were added to the game as part of free updates. Claws of Awaji will be the first bit of paid DLC content, and is expected to include an additional 10 hours of gameplay, a new region to explore, and new weapons for players to rush head-first into battle with. And regarding more coming to Assassin's Creed Shadows, Insider Gaming also claims that the previously rumored co-op mode will arrive sometime next year, and that while you might have assumed that a co-op mode in Shadows meant that you and a friend could play as Naoe or Yasuke, the mode will include more than just the game's two main protagonists. On the co-op mode, Insider Gaming claims a source told them that, "While they're obviously central characters [Naoe and Yasuke], there's a deeper narrative tied into the co-op that will expand the experience beyond just the two of them." One of Shadows' main mechanics is the ability to call-up other members of the league during gameplay, which now feels like a precursor to this upcoming co-op mode, if it is the case that you'll be able to take control of other league members in the yet-to-be-announced co-op mode. While the fate of Ubisoft still feels very uncertain, Shadows has been the company's bright light for the year so far. It is currently the second-best-selling game in the US for 2025 so far, with no signs of it slowing down. Products mentioned Deal of the Day Subscribe to get an everyday digest of the latest technology news in your inbox Follow us on Topics Sections Company Some posts on wccftech.com may contain affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com © 2025 WCCF TECH INC. 700 - 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Places Hand-Painted Shopfronts in Rural Uganda Olivia Krawczyk introduces the hand-painted signs for businesses large and small in Kumi, Uganda. Better Letters May 22, 2025 • 6 min read "Pure & Tasty" in Kumi, Eastern Uganda. Outside of the continent itself, the most well-known facets of signs and sign painting from Africa are perhaps the Ghana's wild film posters and the 'Danfo' vehicle lettering from Nigeria. Last year, I shared some books and articles in the bonus material that accompanied the Deadly Prey feature in BLAG 04, but these are also heavily skewed towards countries in West Africa.Books about hand-painted signs in Africa. From left: African Signs (2010) by Rob Floor and Gert van Zanten, and Chez Bonne Idée (1986) and Ici Bon Coiffeur (1992), both by Jean-Marie Leratby.I was therefore very happy to see some material from Uganda, East Africa, which graphic designer Olivia Krawczyk shares here alongside her comments on what she's learned about the signs.Hand-Painted Shopfronts in Rural UgandaWalking along the streets of rural Uganda, you can’t help but notice the almost random ‘pop’ of colour on buildings. Their striking exteriors are, more often than not, part of the hand-painted advertisements that cover them.Nile is one of the most popular Ugandan beer brands and their signs are frequently painted on bars where you can quench your thirst for one.During my working visits to Uganda, I'm based in Kumi town, which is about a five-hour drive from the capital, Kampala. I spend a lot of time in the surrounding rural areas of the Kumi District, where the painted buildings have always caught my eye. This was nothing more than a passing interest until my last trip in 2023 when curiosity took over and I set out to learn a little bit more about the signs.The Art of Making DoIn Uganda's Kumi District, money is short, but competition is high, with whole rows of shops frequently selling exactly the same products and services. The most common are hairdressers, tailors, DIY stores, and, in the central market, food and drink stalls.So how do you stand out in this environment where the buildings all look similar, the streets are packed with people, and you have limited funds? Armed with paint and a whole lot of determination, shopkeepers turn their spaces into vibrant reflections of their trades. These amateur creations convey the impression of a competition to see who can fit the most writing onto their shop or sign, often including multiple phone numbers. The results might not be polished, but they sure are authentic.A classic DIY sign cramming five phone numbers into the pricing of meats sold by this butchers on the side of the road just outside of Kumi.Y.Y. Coaches, Kumi's public transport booking office, gives you no less than six numbers to try, and if any of those phones need repairing, there's always the Agg & Sons Phone Clinic, which is advertised by this more professionally finished shopfront.With tight budgets, the upkeep of these signs isn’t always a priority and this, paired with the constant exposure to the sun, means that they start looking rundown pretty quickly.This abandoned shopping plaza has old remnants of hand-painted, including one for the New York City Salon. Even the barbeque in front has a 'sausages' ghost sign on it.In the process of looking more closely at these faded walls, I started to notice some that are quite distinct from these DIY creations. They frequently advertise things unrelated to the shop inside — a launderette painted with advertising for a SIM card, for example — and the designs are often repeated on multiple buildings.White Star Magic laundry bars being advertised on a farmers' wholesale and retail shop, and spaghetti promoted via the medium of a hairdressing salon frontage.Corporate MuralsI soon realised that not everyone has the time, skill, or resources to paint their shop, This, coupled with bigger companies looking to advertise their products, has lead to a mutually beneficial arrangement: the companies paint the shop with their advertising, while the small business owner gets some extra income from renting the space. As a bonus, their shop looks smarter than the one next door, helping to attract more customers.The Renedol painkiller brand have painted this entire building, in stark contrast to the bare concrete on the one next door.Before the addition of these painted billboards, the buildings all look very much alike, and are often in a poor state of repair. So its a no-brainer to say 'yes' when a company offers to paint your whole shop for free in exchange for their logo being front and centre.It's unlikely you can actually buy milk here, but the shop owner is happy to host the hand-painted sign and save money on decorating.Condom signs are quite common, and this one does have a connection with its host building via the Medi-Care Clinic below.These corporate messages are eye-catching bursts of colour as you walk along the streets of Kumi, and almost all of them are hand-painted — it took me a while to realise this, as the pictorial elements are so often convincing.Freshly painted signs covering the entrance to Kumi's central market. They are advertising the Fortune Gold vegetable oil brand, the self-proclaimed 'Taste of Uganda'.The DownsideNothing lasts forever, though. Walking around Kumi and other rural areas of Uganda, you will see many buildings that were once brightly coloured but are now left in a state of disrepair. The advertisers that commissioned the signs rarely maintain them, leaving business owners with crumbling paint and no funds to fix it.Business continues below while the paint comes loose on the Gentex advertising above.However, these aren't just buildings; they're storytellers. They tell tales of resilience, resourcefulness, and the bridge between small local businesses and large corporations.Photography and text by Olivia Krawczyk.More brand advertising for Fortune sunflower oil and Star laundry bars.In Kumi, Uganda, hand-painted messages like this — "Pray for my enemies alwa[y]s, Kumi Boys" — are a common sight on trucks, mixing faith, local pride, and personal expression to create a form of moving street poetry.The Ugandan take on 'commit no nuisance' signs with the fine being about £20 ($25), and advertising for Sadolin paints providing the back drop for street vendor displays in Kumi, Uganda.

Menu Home News Hardware Gaming Mobile Finance Deals Reviews How To Wccftech Gaming Grand Theft Auto VI Patents Recap Highlights How the Game Could Revolutionize Open-World Titles Forever Francesco De Meo • May 22, 2025 at 08:05am EDT Over the years, Rockstar Games and Take-Two have filed multiple patents that highlight how Grand Theft Auto VI will revolutionize open-world games forever. Grand Theft Auto 6 Alerts recently posted on X a recap of ten patents owned by Rockstar Games that highlight how the game will push video game boundaries forward to offer an experience like few others. The patents include tech for the creation of lifelike characters, simulation of fluid flow on 3D surfaces, seamless NPC movement powered by a road network graph for smooth virtual navigation, enhanced graphics rendering with sharper details, better lighting and smoother performance, continuous level of detail for models which will make buildings, cars and NPCs look great no matter their position relative to the camera, reduced load times in online sessions that will allow users to join others seamlessly, use of motion capture in conjunction with AI to predict body pose, a system that manages in-game transactions, use of data-driven blocks for animations, allowing characters to adapt to any situation without requiring rigid coding, and enhanced anti-cheat measures with hidden game variables. Each individual patent can be checked out in full by searching for the patent number in Google Patents. Little has been shown so far of Grand Theft Auto VI, but given Rockstar Games' history, there's no doubt that it will be among the most impressive open-world games ever released, even if it ends up using only a portion of the tech showcased in the patents above. Sadly, fans of the series will have to wait longer than anticipated to return to Vice City, as the game won't launch this year as originally announced, and will debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S only in May 2026. At least, the bad news of the delay was accompanied by a new trailer, which provided a second, great look at the game. Grand Theft Auto VI launches on May 26th on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. Deal of the Day Subscribe to get an everyday digest of the latest technology news in your inbox Follow us on Topics Sections Company Some posts on wccftech.com may contain affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com © 2025 WCCF TECH INC. 700 - 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

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People keep telling me that big agencies are the future—that you need massive scale, deep pockets, and cutting-edge tech to survive. But after 25 years in this business, I’ve seen firsthand that raw creativity and genuine curiosity still drive the best work.  Sure, some folks think enterprise platforms and huge teams are the answer. I believe the future belongs to nimble agencies that can pivot quickly and bring fresh ideas to the table. The old “bigger is better” mindset is shifting. These days, brands want partners who truly get them and bring something distinctive to their work, and that’s where independent agencies shine.  Why brands go independent  At MOCEAN, we’ve taken our entertainment background and applied that cinematic storytelling to everything from gaming to pharmatech. When The Cheesecake Factory came to us, we threw out the standard restaurant advertising playbook and created something more narrative-driven and alive.  Look around. You’ll see that brands are increasingly turning to indies for work that cuts through the noise. Tubi and Coors Light are making waves with bold, irreverent social campaigns. NBA and Beats by Dre are connecting across generations through culturally-authentic creative. Chipotle and American Express are proving that social-first thinking drives both emotional connection and business results. None of these came from holding companies—they’re all independent work.  Having a specific focus isn’t limiting, it’s liberating. It leads to deeper insights and work that actually resonates.  Today’s clients need to move at lightning speed, stretch their budgets further, and stay culturally relevant in an ever-changing landscape. That’s exactly what independent agencies do best.  Our flat structure means fewer hoops to jump through. Ideas move from concept to execution faster, with real collaboration along the way. While big agencies might take months to launch a campaign, independent shops like ours deliver in weeks.  Thriving talent means more innovation  Real innovation happens at small, independent shops. Top talent wants to make meaningful work. They want their ideas to see the light of day, not get lost in layers of approval. That energy is contagious.  Yes, holding companies have resources. But independents aren’t trying to be them; we’re blazing our own trail. We’re testing new tools, solving real problems, and building teams that genuinely care about doing great work.  I see it at MOCEAN all the time. Some of our most innovative AI applications have come from individuals just experimenting on their own. When people feel truly empowered, creativity flourishes.  The role of technology  We’re embracing AI, but thoughtfully, as a tool to enhance our work, not replace human creativity. We use platforms like Midjourney and ChatGPT to streamline presentations, rough out concepts, and rapidly iterate on ideas.  Some partners are still figuring out their AI comfort zone, which we completely respect. Meanwhile, we’re building expertise where it makes sense, so we’re ready to lead when the time comes.  Creative businesses will always need human insight and creative instinct. Independent agencies get that, and we protect space for it.  Clients see the difference. So does talent. More creatives are leaving big agencies for smaller, more passionate teams—places where the work matters more than office politics and results speak louder than processes.  Our strength comes from staying adaptable, staying curious, and putting partnership before process.  Twenty-five years in and I’ve never been more excited about what’s ahead. Creativity still wins. Curiosity still wins. And people still want to do work that moves them.  Michael McIntyre is CEO of MOCEAN. 

Mistplay has launched its reward-based user acquisition platform for mobile gamers on the iPhone in the U.S. Since its foundation in 2016, Montreal-based Mistplay has powered the leading rewards-based user acquisition platform for mobile gamers, delivering high-lifetime value (LTV) players at scale through its proven rewarded play model. The company announced its release of Mistplay for iPhone, bringing new dimensions of scale and inventory and offering more opportunities for publishers to acquire, monetize, and nurture loyal, high-value players. “Unveiling Mistplay for iPhone today marks a milestone we’ve long awaited – and one our partners have been asking for” said Tricia Han, CEO of Mistplay, in a statement. “After years of innovating rewarded advertising on Android, we’re thrilled to bring our rewarded play expertise to iOS in a unique way to solve real challenges for advertisers – reaching high-value users in a privacy-centric landscape, driving engagement beyond traditional ads, and scaling LTV. To our partners who’ve been with us on this journey: thank you. The best is yet to come.” Launched in 2016, Mistplay’s loyalty platform has scaled to millions of active users driving hundreds of millions in IAP spend across 9 key markets. With the arrival of Mistplay for iPhone, we’re introducing a powerful new reward system for iPhone users and unlocking new ad inventory for publishers. Tricia Han is CEO of Mistplay. Players can earn rewards for completing in-game events, go head-to-head in Tournaments to increase their earnings, and participate in game trivia and surveys. This approach enables publishers to hit their advertising performance goals and achieve ROI by acquiring high-value, loyal users. The commitment to innovation and development ensures that both Mistplay reward apps across iOS and Android platforms will continue to evolve as we continue to push the rewarded advertising and rewarded play industry forward for players and publishers alike. Mistplay for iPhone is currently available for iPhone devices in the U.S., with a continued global rollout planned for the rest of 2025. GB Daily Stay in the know! Get the latest news in your inbox daily Read our Privacy Policy Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here. An error occured.