State of Product reveals what AI still hasn’t solved 80% of product professionals say AI helps them ship faster, but customers aren’t seeing value any sooner. Atlassian’s State of Product 2027 explores the gains AI is delivering and the challenges that remain, from decision-making that hasn’t kept pace to gut instinct overriding customer evidence. Blu Dot surpasses 2,000% ROAS with self-serve CTV ads Home furniture brand Blu Dot blew up on CTV with help from Roku Ads Manager. Here’s how: After a test campaign reached 211,000 households and achieved 1,010% ROAS, the brand went all in to promote its annual sales event. It removed age and income constraints to expand reach and shifted budget to custom audiences and retargeting, where intent was strongest. The results speak for themselves. As Blu Dot increased their investment by 10x, ROAS jumped to 2,308% and more page-view conversions surpassed 50,000. “For CTV campaigns, Roku has been a top performer,” said Claire Folkestad, Paid Media Strategist, Blu Dot. “Comping to our other platforms, we have seen really strong ROAS… and highly efficient CPMs, lower than any other CTV partner we've worked with.” Using Roku Ads Manager, the campaign moved from a pilot to a permanent performance engine for the brand. | Good morning from RetireHub, | It's Travel Thursday. Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? Today we’re sharing where and when to go so you have the best chance of catching nature’s most amazing light show. Now, onto the usual deals, tips, and trivia! |
|
| | | On this day in 1945, the United Nations (The UN) was established, with the aim of maintaining world peace following the end of the second world war. | Can you name the current UN Secretary-General? Test your knowledge in our trivia at the end of the newsletter. |
|
| |
Advertising keeps this newsletter free — thank you for reading. |
| What We’re Reading | Get these e-book deals before they're gone. | | One Horse Too Many (Wanee Mysteries Book 3) | By: D. Z. Church | In snowbound Wanee, train robbers lurk, and the town’s one newspaperman is targeted—when the telegraph is sabotaged, Wanee needs a plan. Cora and a band of unlikely allies race to outwit thieves, save lives and just maybe the winter dance. If you crave historical suspense with a clever heroine who won’t quit, add this to your cart now. | Get it for FREE today! |
|
| | Carols & Caulk (Caribou Ridge Renovations Book 1) | By: Eleanor Flynn | After her business partner stole her designs and her career, Nora Bellingham buys a derelict Queen Anne cottage everyone else calls a tear-down. Jack Callahan, the only heritage contractor in the county, is certain she'll quit by December. But with a Christmas Eve deadline looming, the cottage isn't the only thing being restored. | Get it for FREE today! |
|
| | | | The Unalgorithmic Self: Preserving the Human Soul in the Age of Artificial Intelligence | By: Ritu Raj | A machine can answer a question. Only a human can wonder. A machine can predict a pattern. Only a human can break one. We already live in an algorithmic world. The shows we watch are tuned to pull on our emotions. Even the toothbrush in your bathroom was probably sold to you by an algorithm. So where do we come in? What becomes of the soul, the heart, and, at the end of the day, love? In The Unalgorithmic Self, painter Ritu Raj takes up that question. | $17.99 on Amazon → |
|
| | The Vampire's Curse at Blackthorn Manor (Vampire at Blackthorn Manor Book 1) | By: Jade Christy | When powerhouse Boston attorney Charlotte Marlowe inherits Blackthorn Manor, she expects a dusty estate and a few headaches—not a dangerously seductive vampire trapped inside. With two ghosts whispering secrets and ancient entities locked in the cellar, Charlotte’s life is about to turn paranormal. But as her bond with Adrian—an aristocratic French vampire cursed for two centuries—ignites, so do the dangers beneath the manor. | $4.99 — Get it for just $0.99 today! |
|
| | Cutie Pies by the Slice: A 1930s Historical Novel of Strength and Belonging | By: Kimberly Nixon | For readers of The Calamity Club and The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, this Depression-era historical novel follows a young woman who opens a pie shop in small-town Ohio while building the family she never had. Lila Young arrives in Lima, Ohio, determined to leave heartbreak behind and create a future of her own. As customers gather over coffee and homemade pie, friendships with Agnes and Maggie become the sisters she never had, and quiet, dependable Vern earns her trust one daily bank deposit at a time. | $5.99 — Get it for just $0.99 today! |
|
|
|
| | | | By K.T. Lee | Embrace the joy of Christmas with this enchanting women’s fiction series that whisks you away to a frosty, cozy mountain town. Christmas By The Cabin Fire is a delightful feel-good read that’s perfect for fans of wholesome romance, unexpected love, and all the happy endings of a holiday story. | Price — 2.99 $0.99! | |
|
| |
|
| RetireHub Poll | Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? | | | When and where is best to see the Northern Lights? | The harsh truth is, the best chance you have of seeing the Northern Lights is by traveling to some very cold European spots in winter! So wrap up warm: | Country | Where to Go | When to Go |
|---|
Norway | Tromsø, Svalbard | Sept – mid-April | Finland | Finnish Lapland | Late Aug – early Spring | Iceland | Westfjords, South Coast | Oct – March |
| What are the best conditions to see the Northern Lights? | As you’ll see, spotting the Northern Lights is not the most accessible adventure in the world, so make sure it’s something you’re comfortable with before booking. | You need to be away from sources of light pollution, such as major cities Go out at night between midnight - 2 am local time (you’ll need to dress well for the weather!) Pick a moonless, cloudless night (so be careful because that means it will be very dark out!)
| Northern Light Viewing Experiences | |
|
| From the RetireHub Archives - What’s the Most Important Feature on a Golf Getaway for You? | | Thanks to the many of you who vote and comment every day. Let’s get the voices of American seniors heard! | |
|
| Our Favorite Comments: | “My uncle took me one time, mostly to be his caddy, but he did let me play a bit. Boring, no interest in golf at all, even though my favorite music artist loves it. ” “We'd rather plan a "Gulf" trip rather than a "Golf" one.” “I don’t play golf, but if I did, I would like to play by the ocean. ”
| While we can’t publish them all, we do read and appreciate every comment. Some comments are edited to make room for more contributions. | |
|
| Senior Living News From Around the Web | 14 Top Destinations For Solo Women During The Holidays | Have you ever thought about going on a solo trip during the holiday season? Traveling solo can allow you to experience new cultures, meet new people, and discover different holiday traditions. | Here are some top spots that cater to solo female travelers over 50, and why they shine during the holiday season. | | |
|
| Follow us on Social Media! | Join an online community thriving in retirement! Find us on: | | Every day we post retirement tips, highlights from our newsletter so you can comment and discuss in the community, and some fun retirement-themed motivation! | |
|
| Longevity Tip of the Day | Get comfortable with failure—so many of us are taught from a young age that failure is the worst thing that can happen to us. Unfortunately, all that does is hold us back from trying so many things because we fear that we’ll fail. But failure is a natural part of the learning process. In fact, it means you’re willing to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. So embrace failure, try new things, and keep learning. | |
|
| Slang Phrase of the Day | Phrase: “The ick” | Meaning: If something is giving you “the ick” it is putting you off so much you can’t stand it. Commonly used in dating when someone does or say something so disagreeable you get “the ick”. | In a sentence: “It really gave me the ick when he started picking his teeth right there at the table. He could have at least left them in!” | |
|
| Good News of the Day | Rescuers Ensure Orphaned Baby Walrus Gets a Second Chance (LOOK) | Found alone and oppressed by scavengers on a remote northern Alaska beach, an orphaned Pacific walrus calf now has a new home at SeaWorld Orlando. Weighing approximately 220 pounds, the 5-month-old male calf, named Annautaq, is receiving around-the-clock attention from SeaWorld’s dedicated animal care and veterinary team—one of only four US institutions currently capable of […] | READ MORE | |
|
| | A library card for your Kindle | Kindle Unlimited works like a library: borrow from a huge catalog of ebooks and magazines, read on any Kindle or the free app, and return them when you're done. There's a free trial, and you can cancel anytime. | | |
|
| Other Publications We Like | Check out these other email newsletters we think you’ll enjoy! | | |
|
| | Want more trivia? Try our brand new “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our website! New questions daily! | Who is the current UN Secretary-General? | |
|
| What name did the Romans give to the city now known as London? | |
|
| Which English Soccer team did David Beckham play for at the beginning of his career? | |
|
| How was today's newsletter? | | (*RetireHub may receive affiliate compensation for links clicked within this newsletter) | |
|
| | |
|
| 🏆 Best Poll Reply of the Week | After you vote in today’s poll, tell us why in the comment box. Every week our editors pick the best written reply, and the winner gets a $25 Amazon gift card. We’ll email the winner directly and may share the winning reply (first name and last initial only) in a future issue. | No purchase necessary. US residents 18+. Official rules. | |
|
|
|
|
