Predictions versus realities: Digiday takes a look back at 2021

corona apocalypse

Around this time last year, many were hoping for the light at the end of the pandemic tinged tunnel. After 2020 shuttered office doors, in-store shopping and in-person events, 2021 promised vaccinations that could end the pandemic and return things to normal. 

However, no one could have predicted the realities that 2021 brought with it, including everything from Apple and Google’s privacy crackdown to the surging preference for shopping online over in-store. 

As another year of the pandemic sunsets, Digiday takes a look at the predictions versus realities of 2021:

More in Marketing

How GameStop went from struggling retailer to eBay bidder

It’s still unclear how exactly GameStop, at a fraction of eBay’s size, would secure all the money needed for the transaction.

OpenAI makes it easier to run shopping ads in ChatGPT

OpenAI automates product ads for e-commerce brands, tapping existing catalogue infrastructure.

Marketers strain to juggle media budgets, AI and high expectations from CEOs

A new survey reveals sustained pressure on budgets as CMOs struggle to deliver on marketing goals and AI objectives.