The numbers are in, and they are not moving in a friendly direction. iOS CPI hit $5.84 globally in Q1 2026, up 19% year over year. Android climbed 8% to $1.92. Finance apps are running CPIs around $8.70. Competitive gaming categories in North America are seeing CPIs between $4.50 and $6.00, with strategy and RPG […]
The playbook that worked in 2021 is not the playbook that works today. Back then, you could run a single creative concept on Meta, optimize toward installs, and scale a game into a real business. The signals were clean, the targeting was precise, and the feedback loop was fast. That world is gone. What’s replaced […]
Everyone says they care about incrementality. Very few teams actually run clean tests. Why? Because incrementality sounds simple, but in practice it feels slow, expensive, and messy. And when you’re under pressure to hit numbers, “clean measurement” often gets pushed aside for “what looks like it’s working.” This post is not about perfect experimentation. It’s […]
Scaling creative in mobile gaming is already hard. Scaling creative in iGaming, sportsbook, or sweepstakes is a different game entirely. You are not just fighting for attention. You are navigating a moving set of rules, platform policies, and internal reviews that can slow everything down if you are not structured. Most teams run into the […]
For a long time, the north star for mobile growth teams was simple. Installs. More installs meant more scale. Lower CPI meant better performance. Dashboards filled with green arrows when install volume climbed. That mindset made sense in the early years of mobile gaming and app marketing. User acquisition was still expanding, inventory was cheaper, […]
Work Dog Studios at Tokyo Game Show 2025
For decades, the biggest brands in the world have relied on large, traditional ad agencies to craft their campaigns, shape their messaging, and push their businesses forward. But here’s the problem: the old agency model is broken. Big agencies have become bloated, slow, and risk-averse. They rely on outdated playbooks, layers of bureaucracy, and a […]
March 14th is Pi Day—a celebration when math lovers worldwide commemorate the magical, never-ending number π (3.14). But to us at Work Dog Studios, Pi Day is more than just the recognition of math—it’s the perfect metaphor for the boundless potential in mobile gaming and AI-based advertising. Just like the endlessness of Pi, the mobile […]
The biggest event in gaming is here—GDC San Francisco! If you’re attending, you already know this is THE place to connect, learn, and level up your game. But let’s be real—GDC is packed. Between sessions, meetings, and after-hours events, your schedule is probably bursting at the seams. So why should you take a few minutes […]
The traditional agency model? It’s on its way out. Clients don’t just want services anymore—they’re looking for partners who bring fresh ideas and custom solutions. This shift means breaking free from old ways and leaning into white-glove service, where clients aren’t just numbers—they’re collaborators. If you’re in gaming, branding, or advertising, this is the future. […]
