Pinterest Expands Inclusion Fund Amid DE&I Rollbacks
Inclusivity initiatives have recently faced challenges both corporately and legislatively. However, Pinterest maintains its commitment to underrepresented creators through its Inclusion Fund. The fund was launched in 2021 with an initial $500,000 investment following the Black Lives Matter movement. Since the launch, the image-sharing and social media service has invested more than $3.3 million in support. The Inclusion Fund has provided ad credits, content creation equipment, and cash payments to 150 creators.
“While the headwinds are definitely real, we are continuing to double down on what our missions and values are,” said Zeny Shifferaw, Pinterest’s Global Content Partnerships Lead for Inclusion, emphasizing the company’s commitment to its mission and values.
The fund initially had eight creators per quarter, though current cohort sizes remain undisclosed. This year, Pinterest is partnering with Shopify to include small businesses, independent publishers, and creator agencies. Applicants must be at least 50% owned and operated by underrepresented communities or source 70% of their products from such groups, which include people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC members, and plus-size community members. The program focuses on different verticals each cycle, including food, health and wellness, and international communities. The Inclusion Fund has historically provided $25,000 in cash grants and ad credits to participants. Pinterest has not revealed specific details for this year’s cohort.
Learn more about the Pinterest Inclusion Fund here:
https://creators.pinterest.com/en-gb/pinterest-inclusion-fund/
eBay Introduces AI-Powered Photo Background Enhancement Tool
eBay recently announced it has launched a new AI-powered photo background enhancement tool designed to help sellers create high-quality product images. The new feature allows users to replace the background of their product photos with AI-generated backdrops. The tool is now available for iOS users in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Android users will be able to use it in the future. The tool is part of eBay’s strategy to leverage technology to enhance the seller experience.
In 2020, eBay introduced an Image Cleanup tool to switch backgrounds with a white backdrop. Then, in 2023, eBay unveiled a “magical listing” tool to analyze and summarize product details from images when creating listings.
“We are using AI to help our sellers accomplish their listings more seamlessly, faster, and with higher quality,” said Xiaodi Zhang, Vice President of Seller Experience, in a statement. “Our sellers’ time is valuable, and we want to ensure our tools allow them to meet their listing goals and drive more sales.”
eBay plans to use the feedback from sellers who have used the background enhancement tool during the year to enhance its visual generation models while addressing “unintended consequences.”
Learn more about eBay’s new photo background enhancement tool here:
https://innovation.ebayinc.com/tech/features/background-swap-tool-turns-any-photo-into-a-studio-quality-product-image/
DoorDash Adding More Grocer and Liquor Store Options
DoorDash announced it is expanding its alcohol delivery services to enhance the customer experience. The service is adding more grocers and liquor stores to its roster, including select Food Lion, Giant Food, Hannaford, Martin’s, and Stop & Shop locations, as well as all Stew Leonard’s Wines and Spirits. Other additions are Buy Rite Liquors, Big Red Liquors, and the Spirits Unlimited chain.
“As consumers enjoy the best of their communities conveniently and safely, local merchants are growing their businesses while Dashers have more earnings opportunities,” said DoorDash Vice President of New Verticals, Fuad Hannon, adding that the number of liquor stores offering delivery on DoorDash within the United States has seen a 60% increase since last year.
DoorDash is also introducing new advertising features to help brands connect with consumers interested in purchasing alcohol. The offerings include partnerships with retail media platform Symbiosys.AI and software firm MikMak, as well as sponsored products and brands for alcohol and occasion-branded campaigns. DoorDash, which began offering alcohol delivery in 2021, now provides on-demand delivery for alcohol across 32 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The company has implemented safety measures in areas with a high concentration of college students to prevent underage alcohol purchases.
Learn more about alcohol deliveries through DoorDash here:
https://www.doordash.com/p/alcohol-delivery/
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Original Article Links:
As DE&I efforts stall, Pinterest expands Inclusion Fund for underrepresented creators
EBay rolls out AI-backed photo enhancement tool
DoorDash ramps up alcohol delivery