Sam Blumenthal

On Instagram, Olaplex has long defended its reputation for quality via a robust network of affiliated stylists. But the brand has taken over TikTok with a different approach, owing its prominence largely to organic endorsements from amateur beauty and lifestyle creators. In contrast to Instagram content from haircare professionals, which tends to... See more

Already the norm in Asia, Coresight Research predicts that the livestream shopping market is poised to reach $6 billion this year and $25 billion by 2023. In the social media space, Facebook, TikTok and Google-owned YouTube are turning to e-commerce and affiliate marketing as another means of monetizing content creators, whose videos garner... See more

“A major trend going forward will be elevated livestream experiences,” said Alibaba Group Vice President Yu Feng, who oversees content e-commerce at Taobao. “More and more consumers have adopted livestreaming as a way to shop. It has become an irreversible trend and, at the same time, an increasingly competitive space.”

Meanwhile, AI-powered virtual hosts are foraying into the industry as they offer a cost-efficient and feasible alternative to hiring real people, according to industry insiders.