Welcome to The Digital Pulse, your daily dose of tech, marketing, and social media news. It’s Friday, October 4th, and we’ve got some interesting updates to wrap up your week."

"First, let's talk about DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) promises. A new Adweek report reveals that many brands have failed to live up to the commitments they made during the 2020 social justice movement. Despite the initial surge of pledges for racial equity and inclusion, the momentum has slowed, and accountability is still lacking. Brands are being called out for not integrating DEI into their long-term strategy, and it's becoming clear that sustained effort is necessary for real change ."

"In more positive news, Home Depot is launching a self-service ads platform aimed at suppliers. This new tool allows brands that sell through Home Depot to manage their own ad campaigns. It's part of a larger push to empower suppliers with more direct control over digital advertising, an exciting development in the retail space ."

"Moving on to tech and brand collaborations, VSCO has entered the advertising space by selling ads for Liquid I.V.. Known for its artistic community, VSCO’s entry into the world of ads marks an interesting pivot toward monetization, targeting health-conscious Gen Z consumers with this partnership ."

"Speaking of Gen Z, dating apps are evolving to court the next generation of users. New challengers in the dating space are positioning themselves as alternatives to traditional platforms like Tinder, with features designed specifically for Gen Z, such as video profiles and more meaningful, value-driven interactions ."

"And finally, in this week’s marketing morsels, Roku partners with Uber Direct for a new initiative, Squarespace expands its marketing strategies, and other brands like Skittles and Spotify are rolling out playful, consumer-focused campaigns. Keep an eye on these creative brand moves as we approach the holiday season

This Podcast was produced and is powered by Digital Ignite

Visit us at Digital-Ignite.com or on Social Media @Digital_Ignite.com