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Zhihu Inc. Reports Unaudited Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

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2 years ago

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BEIJING, Aug. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Zhihu Inc. (“Zhihu” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390), a leading online content community in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Second Quarter 2024 Highlights

Total revenues were RMB933.8 million (US$128.5 million) in the second quarter of 2024, compared with RMB1,044.2 million in the same period of 2023.Gross margin expanded to 59.6% in the second quarter of 2024 from 53.8% in the same period of 2023.Net loss was RMB80.6 million (US$11.1 million) in the second quarter of 2024, narrowed by 71.1% from the same period of 2023.Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP)[1] was RMB44.6 million (US$6.1 million) in the second quarter of 2024, narrowed by 79.9% from the same period of 2023.Average monthly active users (MAUs)[2] were 80.6 million in the second quarter of 2024. Average monthly subscribing members[3] were 14.7 million in the second quarter of 2024.

“Our strategic decisions and effective execution yielded impressive financial results in the second quarter of 2024,” said Mr. Yuan Zhou, chairman and chief executive officer of Zhihu. “At the same time, we made substantial strides in enhancing our core user experience, evidenced by the continued growth in user retention and DAU time spent. Building on our community’s enhanced trustworthiness, we launched Zhihu Zhida (知乎直答) in late June, marking a major advancement in our AI search initiatives. Further improvements in user retention and the positive user feedback Zhihu Zhida has received demonstrate our unique advantages and ability to capture the tremendous opportunities in this field.”

Mr. Han Wang, chief financial officer of Zhihu, added, “The second quarter marked our lowest quarterly loss since our U.S. IPO. During the quarter, we maintained disciplined spending while achieving a high ROI across all business lines. Additionally, we are committed to enhancing shareholder returns through various means. Moving forward, we will continue to emphasize strong strategic execution as we pursue long-term sustainable profitability.”

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Total revenues were RMB933.8 million (US$128.5 million) in the second quarter of 2024, compared with RMB1,044.2 million in the same period of 2023.

Marketing services revenue was RMB344.0 million (US$47.3 million), compared with RMB412.7 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to our proactive and ongoing refinement of service offerings to strategically focus on margin improvement.

Paid membership revenue was RMB432.7 million (US$59.5 million), compared with RMB449.1 million in the same period of 2023. The slight decrease was primarily attributable to a marginal decline in our average revenue per subscribing member.

Vocational training revenue was RMB133.6 million (US$18.4 million), compared with RMB144.5 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by lower revenue contributions from our acquired businesses.

Other revenues were RMB23.5 million (US$3.2 million), compared with RMB37.9 million in the same period of 2023.

Cost of revenues decreased by 21.8% to RMB377.3 million (US$51.9 million) from RMB482.1 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to reduced content and operating costs associated with the decline in our revenues.

Gross profit was RMB556.5 million (US$76.6 million), compared with RMB562.1 million in the same period of 2023. Gross margin expanded to 59.6% from 53.8% in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to our monetization enhancements and improvements in our operating efficiency. 

Total operating expenses decreased by 16.7% to RMB740.4 million (US$101.9 million) from RMB889.3 million in the same period of 2023.

Selling and marketing expenses decreased by 22.9% to RMB417.0 million (US$57.4 million) from RMB540.6 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to more disciplined promotional spending and a decrease in personnel-related expenses.

Research and development expenses decreased by 11.4% to RMB209.3 million (US$28.8 million) from RMB236.2 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to more efficient spending on technology innovation.

General and administrative expenses were RMB114.1 million (US$15.7 million), compared with RMB112.5 million in the same period of 2023.

Loss from operations narrowed by 43.8% to RMB183.9 million (US$25.3 million) from RMB327.2 million in the same period of 2023.

Adjusted loss from operations (non-GAAP)[1] narrowed by 45.4% to RMB147.1 million (US$20.2 million) from RMB269.4 million in the same period of 2023.

Net loss narrowed by 71.1% to RMB80.6 million (US$11.1 million) from RMB279.1 million in the same period of 2023.

Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP)[1] narrowed by 79.9% to RMB44.6 million (US$6.1 million) from RMB222.3 million in the same period of 2023.

Diluted net loss per American depositary share (“ADS”) [4] was RMB0.89 (US$0.12), compared with RMB2.76 in the same period of 2023.

Cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash and short-term investments

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash and short-term investments of RMB5,061.5 million (US$696.5 million), compared with RMB5,462.9 million as of December 31, 2023.

Share Repurchase Programs

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had repurchased 31.1 million Class A ordinary shares (including Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs) for a total price of US$66.5 million on both the New York Stock Exchange and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the Company’s existing US$100 million share repurchase program (the “2022 Repurchase Program”), established in May 2022 and extended until June 26, 2025. In addition, a concurrent share repurchase program (the “2024 Repurchase Program”) was established in June 2024, effective until June 26, 2025. The maximum number of shares (including shares underlying the ADSs) that can be repurchased under the 2024 Repurchase Program, together with the remaining number of shares (including shares underlying the ADSs) that can be repurchased under the 2022 Repurchase Program, will not exceed 10% of the total number of issued shares of the Company (excluding any treasury shares) as of June 26, 2024, the date of the resolution granting the general unconditional mandate to purchase the Company’s own shares approved by shareholders.

[1] Adjusted loss from operations and adjusted net loss are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the table captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.

[2] MAUs refers to the sum of the number of mobile devices that launch our mobile apps at least once in a given month, or mobile MAUs, and the number of logged-in users who visit our PC or mobile website at least once in a given month, after eliminating duplicates.

[3] Monthly subscribing members refers to the number of our Yan Selection members in a specified month. Average monthly subscribing members for a period is calculated by dividing the sum of monthly subscribing members for each month during the specified period by the number of months in such period.

[4] On May 10, 2024, we effected a change in the ratio of our ADSs to Class A ordinary shares from two ADSs representing one Class A ordinary share to a new ratio of one ADS representing three Class A ordinary shares. Basic and diluted net loss per ADS have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect this ADS ratio change for all periods presented.

Conference Call

The Company’s management will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on August 22, 2024 (8:00 a.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time on August 23, 2024).

All participants wishing to join the conference call must pre-register online using the link provided below. Once the pre-registration has been completed, each participant will receive a set of dial-in numbers, a passcode, and a unique registrant ID which can be used to join the conference call. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time.

Participant Online Registration: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10191716/fd413a8bd8  

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.zhihu.com.

A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately one hour after the conclusion of the live call, until August 29, 2024, by dialing the following telephone numbers:

United States (toll free):

+1-877-344-7529

International:

+1-412-317-0088

Replay Access Code:

4215305

About Zhihu Inc.

Zhihu Inc. (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390) is a leading online content community in China where people come to find solutions, make decisions, seek inspiration, and have fun. Since the initial launch in 2010, we have grown from a Q&A community into one of the top comprehensive online content communities and the largest Q&A-inspired online content community in China. For more information, please visit https://ir.zhihu.com. 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted loss from operations and adjusted net loss, to supplement the review and assessment of its operating performance. The Company defines non-GAAP financial measures by excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions and the tax effects of the non-GAAP adjustments, which are non-cash expenses. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures facilitate comparisons of operating performance from period to period and company to company by adjusting for potential impacts of items, which the Company’s management considers to be indicative of its operating performance. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating the Company’s consolidated results of operations in the same manner as they help the Company’s management.

The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. The use of the non-GAAP financial measures has limitations as an analytical tool, and investors should not consider it in isolation from, or as a substitute for analysis of, our results of operations or financial condition as reported under U.S. GAAP. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at a rate of RMB7.2672 to US$1.00, the exchange rate in effect as of June 28, 2024 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to,” or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Zhihu Inc.
Email: ir@zhihu.com

Piacente Financial Communications
Helen Wu
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
Email: zhihu@tpg-ir.com

In the United States:

Piacente Financial Communications
Brandi Piacente
Phone: +1-212-481-2050
Email: zhihu@tpg-ir.com

 

 

ZHIHU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(All amounts in thousands, except share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)

For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended

June 30,

2023

March 31,

2024

June 30,

2024

June 30,

2023

June 30,

2024

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

Revenues: 

Marketing services

412,740

330,542

343,979

47,333

804,877

674,521

92,817

Paid membership

449,098

449,724

432,652

59,535

903,867

882,376

121,419

Vocational training

144,520

145,436

133,633

18,389

251,518

279,069

38,401

Others

37,851

35,161

23,546

3,240

78,167

58,707

8,078

Total revenues

1,044,209

960,863

933,810

128,497

2,038,429

1,894,673

260,715

Cost of revenues

(482,131)

(417,384)

(377,266)

(51,914)

(964,132)

(794,650)

(109,347)

Gross profit

562,078

543,479

556,544

76,583

1,074,297

1,100,023

151,368

Selling and marketing expenses

(540,593)

(477,954)

(416,985)

(57,379)

(986,158)

(894,939)

(123,148)

Research and development expenses

(236,245)

(197,356)

(209,323)

(28,804)

(419,205)

(406,679)

(55,961)

General and administrative expenses

(112,460)

(92,917)

(114,107)

(15,702)

(212,898)

(207,024)

(28,487)

Total operating expenses

(889,298)

(768,227)

(740,415)

(101,885)

(1,618,261)

(1,508,642)

(207,596)

Loss from operations

(327,220)

(224,748)

(183,871)

(25,302)

(543,964)

(408,619)

(56,228)

Other income/(expenses):

Investment income

11,793

16,902

21,811

3,001

17,799

38,713

5,327

Interest income

39,987

30,763

26,754

3,681

79,480

57,517

7,915

Fair value change of financial instruments

(9,016)

9,408

31,412

4,322

(12,598)

40,820

5,617

Exchange gains

7,076

120

289

40

1,427

409

56

Others, net

644

3,043

15,947

2,194

6,977

18,990

2,613

Loss before income tax

(276,736)

(164,512)

(87,658)

(12,064)

(450,879)

(252,170)

(34,700)

Income tax (expenses)/benefits

(2,330)

(1,284)

7,063

972

(7,159)

5,779

795

Net loss

(279,066)

(165,796)

(80,595)

(11,092)

(458,038)

(246,391)

(33,905)

Net (income)/loss attributable to
  noncontrolling interests

(775)

950

(2,144)

(295)

(3,158)

(1,194)

(164)

Net loss attributable to Zhihu Inc.’s
  shareholders

(279,841)

(164,846)

(82,739)

(11,387)

(461,196)

(247,585)

(34,069)

Net loss per share

Basic

(0.92)

(0.59)

(0.30)

(0.04)

(1.52)

(0.88)

(0.12)

Diluted

(0.92)

(0.59)

(0.30)

(0.04)

(1.52)

(0.88)

(0.12)

Net loss per ADS (One ADS represents
   three Class A ordinary shares)

Basic

(2.76)

(1.76)

(0.89)

(0.12)

(4.55)

(2.65)

(0.36)

Diluted

(2.76)

(1.76)

(0.89)

(0.12)

(4.55)

(2.65)

(0.36)

Weighted average number of ordinary
   shares outstanding

Basic

304,068,362

281,549,707

279,241,647

279,241,647

304,052,681

280,403,026

280,403,026

Diluted

304,068,362

281,549,707

279,241,647

279,241,647

304,052,681

280,403,026

280,403,026

 

 

ZHIHU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

(All amounts in thousands, except share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)

For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended

June 30,

2023

March 31,

2024

June 30,

2024

June 30,

2023

June 30,

2024

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

Share-based compensation expenses included in:

Cost of revenues

2,146

2,497

750

103

6,546

3,247

447

Selling and marketing expenses

6,384

3,272

(6,063)

(834)

15,142

(2,791)

(384)

Research and development expenses

14,941

3,680

4,439

611

36,146

8,119

1,117

General and administrative expenses

28,976

16,363

33,515

4,612

50,531

49,878

6,863

 

 

ZHIHU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(All amounts in thousands)

As of December 31,

2023

As of June 30,

2024

RMB

RMB

US$

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

2,106,639

3,159,325

434,738

Term deposits

1,586,469

1,204,062

165,684

Short-term investments

1,769,822

646,321

88,937

Restricted cash

–

51,774

7,124

Trade receivables

664,615

532,929

73,333

Amounts due from related parties

18,319

41,236

5,674

Prepayments and other current assets

232,016

201,338

27,705

Total current assets

6,377,880

5,836,985

803,195

Non-current assets:

Property and equipment, net

10,849

9,670

1,331

Intangible assets, net

122,645

61,698

8,490

Goodwill

191,077

126,344

17,386

Long-term investments, net

44,621

51,176

7,042

Right-of-use assets         

40,211

21,959

3,022

Other non-current assets

7,989

372

51

Total non-current assets

417,392

271,219

37,322

Total assets

6,795,272

6,108,204

840,517

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

1,038,531

913,225

125,664

Salary and welfare payables

342,125

219,681

30,229

Taxes payables               

21,394

16,967

2,335

Contract liabilities

303,574

283,465

39,006

Amounts due to related parties

26,032

10,685

1,470

Short-term lease liabilities             

42,089

24,834

3,417

Short-term borrowings

–

51,774

7,124

Other current liabilities

171,743

159,014

21,881

Total current liabilities

1,945,488

1,679,645

231,126

Non-current liabilities

Long-term lease liabilities

3,642

2,071

285

Deferred tax liabilities

22,574

8,030

1,105

Other non-current liabilities

121,958

18,253

2,512

Total non-current liabilities

148,174

28,354

3,902

Total liabilities

2,093,662

1,707,999

235,028

Total Zhihu Inc.’s shareholders’ equity

4,599,810

4,312,294

593,392

Noncontrolling interests

101,800

87,911

12,097

Total shareholders’ equity

4,701,610

4,400,205

605,489

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

6,795,272

6,108,204

840,517

 

 

ZHIHU INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS

(All amounts in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended

June 30,

2023

March 31,

2024

June 30,

2024

June 30,

2023

June 30,

2024

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

Loss from operations

(327,220)

(224,748)

(183,871)

(25,302)

(543,964)

(408,619)

(56,228)

Add:

Share-based compensation expenses

52,447

25,812

32,641

4,492

108,365

58,453

8,043

Amortization of intangible assets resulting from
    business acquisitions

5,365

5,365

4,115

566

8,855

9,480

1,304

Adjusted loss from operations

(269,408)

(193,571)

(147,115)

(20,244)

(426,744)

(340,686)

(46,881)

Net loss

(279,066)

(165,796)

(80,595)

(11,092)

(458,038)

(246,391)

(33,905)

Add:

Share-based compensation expenses

52,447

25,812

32,641

4,492

108,365

58,453

8,043

Amortization of intangible assets resulting
    from business acquisitions

5,365

5,365

4,115

566

8,855

9,480

1,304

Tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments

(1,069)

(1,069)

(756)

(104)

(1,669)

(1,825)

(251)

Adjusted net loss

(222,323)

(135,688)

(44,595)

(6,138)

(342,487)

(180,283)

(24,809)

 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zhihu-inc-reports-unaudited-second-quarter-2024-financial-results-302229121.html

SOURCE Zhihu Inc.

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Monster Energy and Call of Duty® Take Over Cosm Los Angeles for Immersive Modern Warfare® 4 Launch Celebration

Published

20 minutes ago

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October 25, 2026

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Celebrities, athletes and creators came together for an action-packed night of gaming, immersive entertainment and exclusive experiences on Cosm’s massive Shared Reality Display. 

INGLEWOOD, Calif., Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Monster Energy transformed Cosm Los Angeles into the ultimate gamer’s destination on Friday night as fans came together to celebrate the highly anticipated launch of Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 4 at an immersive event fueled by Monster Energy.

Set against Cosm’s spectacular 87-foot-diameter, 12K+ LED dome, the Monster Energy x Call of Duty celebration brought the action of one of gaming’s most anticipated franchises into the real world. Guests experienced live gameplay, special celebrity appearances, interactive activations, and real-life displays inspired by the game, including the Monster Energy Operator Skin, alongside a lineup of Polaris vehicles including the DAGOR, which is playable in Modern Warfare 4 – all in an electrifying atmosphere that blurred the lines between gaming and reality.

The event drew a guest list spanning entertainment, sports and gaming, including actors O’Shea Jackson Jr., Trevor Jackson and Khleo Thomas, who arrived by Slingshot, rapper Symba, social media star Lin Lamar (Pinkchyu), and Monster Energy UFC fighters Johnny Walker and Jalin Turner.

Guests lined up around the block for a jam-packed program, featuring a live edition of The Flank, hosted by ZooMaa and Ben Nissim, including an interview with Infinity Ward developer Jacky Reynolds and the reveal of the CDL Launch Invitational groups. Fans also got a closer look at Modern Warfare 4’s DMZ mode during a gameplay showcase led by Infinity Ward game designer Roman Spazafumo.

The gaming action continued with artists, athletes and gaming creators, including Jericho, Jaybroski, Tyler Rizzi, Johnny Walker and LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, facing off in two-versus-two matchups, while fans tested their own skills in king-of-the-hill rounds. Monster Energy’s skate team also took to the virtual battlefield, swapping their boards for controllers, with Ishod Wair, Filipe Mota and Elliot Sloan going head-to-head in a Modern Warfare 4 showdown.

“With Call of Duty, we’re always looking for ways to push the experience beyond the screen,” said Jordi Gayola, CMO of the Americas at Monster Energy. “Bringing this launch to Cosm gave us an incredible opportunity to put fans, athletes and creators right in the middle of the action. It’s about bringing our worlds together and creating the kind of unforgettable experience that only Monster Energy can deliver.”

Beyond the main gameplay, fans enjoyed exclusive merchandise giveaways and immersive experiences, while the Modern Warfare 4-themed experience extended to the menu, which featured Korean-inspired dishes including kimchi mandu, Korean corn cheese nachos, and gochujang-glazed wings, alongside complimentary Monster Energy throughout the venue.

The launch also spotlighted Monster Energy’s ongoing Call of Duty promotional partnership, running through March 31, 2027. Fans can earn 15 minutes of Double XP per qualifying Monster Energy Original Green, Zero Sugar or Zero Ultra can, alongside exclusive in-game rewards, including a Large Decal, two weapon blueprints and two Operator Skins unlocked across the first five cans. The collaboration also extends beyond the game through four Monster Energy x Polaris vehicle sweepstakes at participating 7-Eleven, Hy-Vee, QuikTrip and RTG stores, with entry via retailer-specific QR codes in-store.

For more information on the Monster Energy x Call of Duty partnership, promotion and rewards, visit callofduty.monsterenergy.com.

Images from the Monster Energy Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 4 Launch Day are available HERE. 

Photo Credit: Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Monster Energy.

About Monster Energy
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is a leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Known for its connection to action sports, motorsports, music, gaming and athletes around the world, Monster Energy fuels the passions of its fans through products, partnerships and experiences that bring communities together. For more information, visit MonsterEnergy.com.

Media Contact:
press@monsterenergy.com 

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SOURCE Monster Energy

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Come Back to Firefox: Mozilla launches its most ambitious campaign yet to bring people back to the independent alternative to big tech browsers

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1 hour ago

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October 25, 2026

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As tracking and unwanted AI reshape the web, Firefox reunites the internet’s original viral icons to make the case for a browser that puts people back in control.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In its new campaign, Come Back to Firefox, the independent browser by Mozilla reunites personalities behind some of the early internet’s biggest viral videos and memes for one simple message: The internet you loved is still here, and Firefox is the easiest way back.

This multi-market campaign is aimed at people who once used Firefox and left. While it nods to the past, Firefox continues to evolve, giving people more reasons to love and rediscover it today. It arrives after a transformative year for the browser:

Business growth and partnerships: A dedicated Enterprise browser giving organizations expert support and control over their data. Technical partnerships with NVIDIA and Mistral, extending what Firefox can do from gaming to AI.

Increased protection and control: New products and features shipped including a free built-in VPN to help keep browsing private, with no extra download or cost. AI Controls, to let people decide when and whether to use AI, and an Ad Blocker for Firefox on iOS for fewer ads and trackers.

Brand and culture: A new modern design, a first sports partnership with Wrexham AFC and World Cup presence connecting Firefox to one of the year’s biggest cultural moments.

“Firefox was there then, we’re here now, and what we stand for matters more than ever,” said John Solomon, Chief Marketing Officer at Mozilla. “People who left Firefox years ago will find a browser that’s more private and gives them more control, including over AI.”

The Campaign

Come Back to Firefox brings together some of the world’s most memorable internet icons: Numa Numa Guy, Bad Luck Brian, Overly Attached Girlfriend, Kelly of “Shoes” fame, Where the Hell Is Matt?, Annoying Orange, Apparently Kid, Tay Zonday, Chuck Testa, Success Kid, and Evolution of Dance. Each takes on a modern frustration with humor:

Overly Attached Girlfriend may have wanted to know everything about you, but your browser shouldn’t.Dancing Matt boogied all over the world, without any corporations tracking him or selling his personal data.And while Annoying Orange is still incredibly annoying, he’s not as annoying as forced AI features.

The campaign launches in the United States Sunday, October 25th, with two distinct 30-second commercials airing on NBC. Next, it rolls out in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

“Being on set was a reminder of why those moments mattered,” said Solomon. “Ordinary people making things on the internet that made it feel so surprising and fun, and that’s the feeling we wanted to bring back.”

The campaign was created by award-winning independent agency We Believers, and brought to life by directing collective Sunny Sixteen and production company nobodys. Together, they meticulously recreated each performance, look, and even the sets from the original videos, taking each internet personality back to where their story began.

“We wanted an idea that truly belongs to Firefox, a challenger browser that helped shape the internet’s golden years and stayed independent as Big Tech took over,” said Gustavo Lauria, Founder and CCO at We Believers.

The campaign is one of Firefox’s most ambitious yet but is rooted in what has always set the browser apart from Big Tech: its commitment to putting people before profits and giving them more control over their online experience. Now, Firefox says it’s never been a better time for people who once used the browser to take another look.

About Firefox

Firefox is a web browser developed by Mozilla, built to give people more choice and control over their online experience. With built-in tracking protection, customization options, and a commitment to an open internet, Firefox offers an alternative to browsers developed by the world’s largest technology companies. Learn more at firefox.com/welcomeback.

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SOURCE Mozilla

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Best AI Tools for Small Business Marketing (2026): CapCut Featured for Creating Professional Video and Visual Content by Expert Consumers

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October 25, 2026

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NEW YORK, Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Expert Consumers has recognized CapCut in its 2026 coverage of the best AI tools for small business marketing, highlighting the platform’s collection of AI-powered features for creating and editing video, images, audio, and other visual content. The recognition reflects growing interest in tools that support practical marketing activities, including campaign development, promotional content production, and adapting creative assets for different digital channels.

Best AI Marketing Tools

Seedance 2.0 – an AI video generation model that creates videos from text prompts or imagesSeedream – an AI image generation model that creates high-quality visuals from text prompts

Small businesses face growing pressure to maintain an active digital presence while managing limited time and resources. From product photography and promotional videos to social media graphics and campaign materials, effective marketing depends on a steady supply of relevant, engaging content. Artificial intelligence is creating new ways to simplify these tasks and help businesses turn creative ideas into usable marketing assets.

CapCut provides a range of AI-assisted capabilities that support several stages of content production. These include prompt-based video generation, AI image creation, background removal, image expansion, music generation, and photo animation. For small businesses managing marketing internally, these functions offer options for developing creative assets without relying entirely on manual production processes.

AI Video Generation Supports Promotional Campaigns

Video is an important format for demonstrating products, explaining services, and introducing new offerings. Small businesses can use video across social media, websites, digital advertisements, and online product pages. Producing content regularly, however, can require considerable planning and editing.

CapCut’s Seedance 2.0 AI video generator offers a prompt-based approach to video creation. Users can describe a creative concept and generate video content that serves as a starting point for further editing.

For a small retailer preparing a product promotion, AI-generated video can help explore different visual approaches before a final concept is selected. A service provider could use the same process to develop ideas for an explainer or an introductory campaign.

Prompt-based generation can reduce the effort involved in developing initial concepts. Generated material still requires review to ensure the finished video accurately represents the business, communicates the intended message, and follows relevant brand guidelines.

AI Image Creation Helps Develop Marketing Materials

Visual content plays a central role in how businesses present products and services online. Promotional graphics, campaign imagery, and social media visuals need to communicate a clear message while maintaining a recognizable style.

CapCut’s Seedream AI image generator enables users to generate images from text prompts. The tool can support concept drafts, campaign planning, and experimentation with different visual directions before final assets are prepared.

For example, a small business planning a seasonal campaign could explore different visual themes and compositions during the early planning stage. These drafts can help establish a creative direction before additional time is spent refining the final materials.

CapCut’s GPT Image 2 provides another option for generating images from natural language instructions. The feature can support the development of promotional imagery, marketing graphics, and other visual assets.

AI image generation gives businesses more opportunities to test creative ideas during campaign development. However, generated images should be checked for visual errors, accurate product representation, and consistency with the intended brand identity before publication.

Image Editing Simplifies Content Preparation

Creating new marketing assets is only part of the production process. Existing photographs and graphics often need adjustments before they are suitable for different platforms.

CapCut’s AI background removal tool helps isolate subjects from their original backgrounds. This can simplify the preparation of product photographs, promotional graphics, and other images that require a different visual setting.

For a small retailer, background removal can make it easier to prepare product images for online listings or promotional materials. Separated subjects can be incorporated into new compositions without recreating the entire image.

The AI Image Extender addresses a separate challenge: adapting images to different dimensions. The tool generates additional visual content beyond an image’s original boundaries, helping users adjust compositions without relying entirely on cropping or stretching.

A campaign may require square graphics for social media, vertical visuals for mobile viewing, and horizontal banners for a website. Image expansion provides another option for adapting existing assets to those formats.

These editing capabilities can help reduce repetitive production work while supporting a more consistent presentation across marketing channels.

AI Audio and Photo Animation Expand Creative Options

Marketing content often combines visuals, movement, and sound. Music can establish a mood, support storytelling, and help create a more complete video presentation.

CapCut’s SeedMusic AI audio generator supports AI-assisted music creation based on prompts. The feature can help develop audio for promotional videos, product demonstrations, and social media content.

Generated music offers a starting point for matching audio to a campaign’s intended atmosphere. Before publication, businesses should review the output and confirm that the applicable usage terms cover the intended commercial application.

CapCut also provides a Photo-to-3D tool that transforms still images into more dynamic visual presentations. This capability can help repurpose existing photography for promotional videos, social posts, and digital campaigns.

For small businesses with an existing collection of product images, adding movement can provide another way to present familiar assets. The approach also expands the range of creative formats available without requiring every campaign to begin with new photography.

Connecting AI Tools to Everyday Marketing Workflows

The practical value of AI-powered creative tools depends on how effectively they address specific marketing needs. Small businesses do not necessarily need every available feature for every campaign. Selecting tools according to content requirements can help keep production focused.

A retailer might begin with Seedream to explore campaign concepts, then use GPT Image 2 to generate supporting visuals. Background removal can help prepare product photography, while AI Image Extender can adapt selected assets to different layouts. Seedance 2.0 can support video concept development, with SeedMusic offering an option for accompanying audio.

A service-based business might prioritize short promotional videos, explanatory graphics, and social media content instead. The same collection of tools can support different production requirements depending on the business model and campaign objectives.

Using AI does not remove the need for creative direction or quality control. Content should be checked for factual accuracy, appropriate product representation, brand consistency, and compliance with advertising requirements. Human review also helps ensure that generated assets serve a clear marketing purpose rather than adding unnecessary material to a campaign.

AI-Assisted Marketing for Small Businesses

Interest in the best AI tools for small business marketing reflects the need for practical ways to produce and adapt digital content. Businesses must balance the demand for regular campaign updates with the resources available for creative production.

Expert Consumers’ recognition of CapCut highlights the platform’s range of AI-assisted functions for video generation, image creation, editing, audio production, and photo animation. These capabilities offer small businesses several options for developing marketing materials across digital channels.

As AI becomes more integrated into content production, effective use will depend on matching the right tools to specific tasks. With clear campaign objectives, careful editing, and appropriate review, CapCut’s creative features can help businesses develop marketing assets while reducing some of the repetitive work involved in preparing content for publication.

Visit the Expert Consumers site for the full review.

About CapCut

CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.

About Better Business Advice: Better Business Advice covers the news and strategies driving modern business success. The information provided by Better Business Advice does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are for general informational purposes only. As an affiliate, Better Business Advice may earn commissions from services mentioned in the links provided.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-tools-for-small-business-marketing-2026-capcut-featured-for-creating-professional-video-and-visual-content-by-expert-consumers-302918043.html

SOURCE ExpertConsumers.org

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