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Lawsuits against GARM call into question the politics behind brand safety, reports Digiday

General

Aug 13, 2024

Elon Musk and News Corp are considering legal action against the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) over alleged bias against conservative media.

Musk has already filed an antitrust lawsuit against the WFA, accusing it of blocking ad dollars from his platform, X. News Corp CEO Robert Thomson indicated they might follow suit, criticising the advertising industry's political bias.

These legal challenges highlight ongoing tensions between conservative media and advertisers, with implications that may be influenced by the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. The controversy underscores the complexities of brand safety and political bias in advertising.

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xAI releases Grok-2, adds image generation on X, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 13, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Elon Musk's platform X has launched Grok-2 and Grok-2 mini in beta, offering improved reasoning and image generation for Premium and Premium+ users.

Grok-2, developed by Musk’s AI company xAI, represents a significant upgrade from its predecessor, Grok-1.5, with enhanced capabilities in chat, coding, and reasoning. However, concerns have arisen about the potential misuse of Grok's image generation feature, particularly in the context of political figures, with the U.S. presidential election approaching.

X plans to integrate Grok-2 into various AI-driven features on the platform, including improved search, post analytics, and reply functions.

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iSpot Officially Receives National TV Currency Certification From JIC, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 13, 2024

iSpot has received national currency certification from the U.S. Joint Industry Committee (JIC) for its TV ad measurement capabilities, following nearly 300 data tests. The certification, valid for two years, confirms iSpot's readiness for scalable transactions across all currency classifications, including total households and audiences.

This recognition makes iSpot the only measurement provider certified by the JIC for transactions across all classifications. The certification follows iSpot's recent strategic moves, including partnerships with Roku and the hiring of industry veteran David Coletti.

This development positions iSpot competitively in the ongoing TV currency wars, with Nielsen also making advances in big data measurement.

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TikTok Hit With Class-Action Over Children's Privacy, reports MediaPost

General

Aug 13, 2024

Advertising To Children

TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, face a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. for allegedly collecting data from children under 13 without parental consent. The plaintiffs claim TikTok encouraged minors to create accounts, bypassing protections, to gather data for personalised content and advertising.

This suit follows the Department of Justice's similar charges under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Although COPPA does not allow private lawsuits, the parents are pursuing claims under state privacy laws, including "intrusion upon seclusion," which has been upheld in similar cases against tech companies like Google.

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GroupM Unveils Exclusive Partnership With Commerce Platform Pacvue, reports MediaPost

General

Aug 13, 2024

GroupM has announced an exclusive partnership with Pacvue to enhance its commerce solutions across major retail platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Instacart.

This expanded collaboration, termed a "joint solution," offers three key exclusive features for GroupM: advanced insights through integrated Amazon Marketing Cloud Analytics, streamlined media management with custom rules and early access to new channels, and a unified interface for retail operations.

The partnership reflects GroupM’s commitment to boosting performance and data access in the growing commerce and retail media sector.

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Harris campaign's Google ads rewrite news headlines, reports Axios

General

Aug 13, 2024

The Harris campaign has been editing headlines and descriptions within Google search ads to make it seem as though major news outlets like The Guardian, Reuters, and CBS News are supportive of her.

While this practice is common in commercial advertising and doesn't violate Google’s policies, it closely mimics real news results, leading to concerns from the media outlets involved. The ads are labelled as sponsored, but the text, altered by the campaign, can appear misleading.

Media companies have expressed concern about being associated with political messages without proper permission, potentially implying bias.

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Brussels slaps down Thierry Breton over harmful content letter to Elon Musk, reports FT

General

Aug 13, 2024

Brussels has criticised EU internal market commissioner Thierry Breton for sending a letter to Elon Musk without approval, threatening penalties if content on X (formerly Twitter) causes harm to EU citizens.

Breton's letter, sent before Musk's interview with Donald Trump, raised concerns about disinformation on X. The European Commission, which is investigating X under the Digital Services Act (DSA), denied authorising the letter.

Breton reminded Musk of his legal obligations under the DSA, warning of potential fines if X fails to comply. Musk responded dismissively, and the Commission awaits a formal reply.

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Paramount Begins Job Cuts, Closes a TV Production Studio, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 13, 2024

Paramount Global has begun laying off 15% of its US workforce, around 2,000 jobs, as part of a restructuring plan. The layoffs, announced last week, will occur in three phases, with 90% expected to be completed by the end of September.

Paramount Television Studios, known for shows like Jack Ryan and Reacher, will close, with all projects moving to CBS Studios. The cuts, affecting various departments, come amid a $5.98 billion impairment charge on its cable networks, reflecting ongoing challenges in the traditional TV industry.

Paramount aims to strengthen its business as the industry continues to evolve.

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TikTok Wants To Win All The Screens, Not Just Your Smartphone, reports AdExchanger

General

Aug 13, 2024

TikTok is expanding its presence beyond mobile devices, aiming to be on various screens, including TVs, out-of-home displays, and even in rideshare vehicles through partnerships with companies like Ivee.

While TikTok's new screens program now reaches hundreds of millions of screens, the platform is not yet monetising this content with ads, focusing instead on optimising the user experience.

This strategy allows TikTok to introduce its content to new audiences, particularly those who may not yet use the app, by showcasing diverse and mature content in settings like airports, bars, and cars.

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EU warns Elon Musk ahead of Trump interview to keep hate speech off X, reports CNBC

General

Aug 12, 2024

The European Commission has warned X Corp. owner Elon Musk and CEO Linda Yaccarino that the company may face penalties in Europe if it does not address the spread of illegal content on its platform. This follows concerns over incitements to violence and hate speech on X, particularly in relation to recent events in the UK.

The warning, issued by European Commissioner Thierry Breton, emphasises the company’s obligations under the EU's Digital Services Act.

The commission is investigating potential breaches of this law, with possible fines of up to 6% of global revenue if violations are confirmed.

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Universal Music, Meta expand music licensing agreement, reports Reuters

General

Aug 12, 2024

Universal Music Group (UMG) has expanded its agreement with Meta Platforms, covering Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and now WhatsApp. This renewed partnership aims to create new opportunities for UMG's artists and songwriters across Meta's social platforms, addressing compensation issues.

UMG, which first licensed Facebook in 2017, recently ended its partnership with Meta for streaming premium music videos due to low popularity among users. The agreement follows UMG's new licensing deal with TikTok in May.

Last month, UMG's shares fell by over 23% after disappointing streaming and subscription revenue in the second quarter.

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Meta Must Face Class-Action Over Inflated Audience Metrics, Court Confirms, reports MediaPost

General

Aug 12, 2024

A U.S. federal appellate court has upheld a decision allowing Facebook and Instagram advertisers to pursue a class-action lawsuit against Meta Platforms for alleged fraud. The lawsuit claims Meta inflated ad metrics, misleading advertisers into spending more on ads.

The class-action covers all U.S. advertisers who used Facebook's Ad Manager or Power Editor after August 15, 2014. Meta argued that the case should not proceed as a class-action due to the diverse nature of the advertisers, but the court rejected this argument.

Meta has not yet indicated whether it will appeal to the Supreme Court.

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Google says it is deactivating Russia-based AdSense accounts, reports Reuters

General

Aug 12, 2024

Google is deactivating AdSense accounts in Russia, citing its inability to make payments to Russian users due to "ongoing developments." Effective August 2024, this move impacts accounts still monetising traffic outside Russia.

Google did not specify the exact reasons but noted recent issues, such as slower YouTube speeds, potentially linked to Russian claims of inadequate equipment upgrades since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Google, which halted ads in Russia in March 2022, has faced mounting pressure from Russian lawmakers, including accusations of fostering a divide in the online space by limiting monetisation for Russian users.

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Etsy selects IPG’s Mediahub as its new media agency, reports AdAge

General

Aug 12, 2024

Etsy has appointed Interpublic Group's Mediahub as its new media agency, replacing Ocean Media, which had handled Etsy's media since 2018.

This change follows a year of significant advertising activity for Etsy, including campaigns during the Super Bowl and Olympics. Etsy also recently partnered with Orchard for its creative advertising, focusing on the human element of its small business offerings.

The shift in media strategy comes as Etsy navigates a challenging market, with its 2023 second-quarter revenue rising 3% to $647.8 million, but net income falling by 14.4% to $53 million.

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Publishers Are Redoubling Their Presence on Reddit As the Platform Rises in Search Visibility, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 12, 2024

News Publishing

Google's "Helpful Content Update" last September reshaped search visibility, boosting platforms like Reddit while reducing traffic to smaller sites. Reddit's monthly visitors nearly tripled between August 2023 and April 2024, prompting publishers like Yahoo and The New York Times to enhance their Reddit strategies.

As social referrals from platforms like Facebook decline, publishers are increasingly turning to Reddit for audience engagement.

Reddit's new tools, including a simplified AMA feature and analytics dashboard, are aiding publishers in navigating the platform. News organisations are leveraging Reddit to diversify traffic sources amid shifting internet trends.

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Instagram Views for Major Accounts Drop With Meta Shunning Politics, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 12, 2024

Responsible Media

A study by Accountable Tech found that prominent progressive Instagram accounts, such as those of Hillary Clinton and GLAAD, saw their reach drop by 65% on average following Meta’s policy to reduce political content visibility.

The policy, introduced in March, aimed to limit political posts in user feeds unless they opted in. Critics argue that the move stifles crucial information on social justice issues, particularly from left-leaning creators.

Meta claims that user fatigue with political content prompted the change, but the study suggests it may hinder important discussions on topics like reproductive rights and LGBTQ issues.

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Fox Nears Sell-Out of Super Bowl Ads Before End of Summer, reports Variety

General

Aug 12, 2024

Fox Corp. is close to selling out almost all of its commercial slots for Super Bowl LIX, set to air in February 2025.

The company is reportedly charging over $7 million for a 30-second ad and requiring advertisers to also invest in other Fox properties, like post-season Major League Baseball. This strategy limits opportunities for smaller, lesser-known advertisers. Demand is so high that Fox has sought NFL approval for an additional "floating" commercial break.

Fox aims to finalise all Super Bowl ad sales by September, much earlier than usual, despite potential economic uncertainties.

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TikTok users are being sent inaccurate news-style alerts, reports FT

General

Aug 12, 2024

TikTok has been sending misleading news-style alerts to users, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation on the platform. These notifications include false claims, such as Taylor Swift cancelling tour dates in Florida, and outdated warnings, like a tsunami alert issued weeks after an earthquake.

Experts worry that the news-style format of these alerts gives them undue authority, making users more susceptible to misinformation.

Despite TikTok's efforts to counter false information, such as labelling AI-generated content, the platform's algorithmic promotion of viral posts through notifications has contributed to the spread of inaccurate content. TikTok has since removed the flagged notifications.

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Anti-terror tech group worried Musk's X membership threatens its credibility, reports Reuters

General

Aug 12, 2024

A tech industry counter-terrorism organisation, the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), is concerned about the presence of Hamas content on Elon Musk's platform, X (formerly Twitter)

Members of the GIFCT believe that X's membership on its board undermines the organisation's credibility, especially as X is now reportedly the easiest platform to find videos from proscribed terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Concerns have also been raised about X's reduced content moderation and its failure to make its full financial contribution to the GIFCT, following Musk's changes aimed at promoting "free speech" on the platform.

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Elon Musk’s X targeted with nine privacy complaints after grabbing EU users’ data for training Grok, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 11, 2024

X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, faces privacy complaints across the EU after it was found to be using users' data for AI training without consent.

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) expressed surprise, as this violates the GDPR, which mandates a valid legal basis for data use. Nine complaints have been filed across various EU countries, accusing X of processing data unlawfully.

While X has since added an opt-out option, noyb, a privacy rights group, argues this is insufficient and demands full compliance with EU law, including obtaining user consent for AI training.

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Ex-Twitter Chairman Sues Elon Musk’s X for $20 Million in Shares, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 10, 2024

Former Twitter Chairman Omid Kordestani has sued the social media company, now owned by Elon Musk, for allegedly refusing to cash out over $20 million worth of shares he is owed. Kordestani, who served as executive chairman from 2015 to 2020 and remained on the board until Musk's $44 billion acquisition, claims that X Corp., the rebranded Twitter, is attempting to avoid compensating him for his seven years of service.

This lawsuit follows other legal actions by former Twitter executives against Musk, including a March lawsuit over $128 million in withheld severance payments.

X Corp. declined to comment.

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Meta beats censorship lawsuit by RFK Jr's anti-vaccine group, reports Reuters

General

Aug 10, 2024

Meta Platforms won an appeal against Children's Health Defense (CHD), an anti-vaccine group founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which challenged Facebook's censorship of its posts spreading vaccine misinformation.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that CHD failed to prove Meta acted under government coercion. The court upheld Meta's First Amendment rights as a private company to remove content it disagrees with, including vaccine misinformation. The decision also dismissed CHD's claims against fact-checkers Poynter Institute and Science Feedback.

CHD expressed disappointment and is considering further legal action.

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Turkey restores access to Instagram after 9-day block, reports Reuters

General

Aug 10, 2024

Turkey restored access to Instagram after the platform agreed to address government concerns following a nine-day ban.

The ban was imposed because Instagram failed to comply with Turkish laws and public sensitivities, including blocking condolence posts related to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The Turkish government criticised Israel's actions in Gaza and the West's support for Israel.

The ban's removal came after Instagram's parent company, Meta, agreed to adhere to Turkish law, ensuring the removal of content involving specific crimes or terrorism propaganda. Turkey is the fifth-largest user of Instagram globally.

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Google and X lag peers in addressing non-consensual explicit images, lawmakers say, reports CNN

General

Aug 9, 2024

Responsible Media

A group of US senators has criticised tech giants, including Google, X, and Discord, for not participating in programmes aimed at combating the spread of non-consensual explicit images online. The letter urges these companies to join initiatives like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s “Take it Down” programme and the Revenge Porn Helpline’s “StopNCII” initiative, which facilitate the removal of such images.

Although these firms have policies against non-consensual content, the senators argue that joining these programmes would streamline the removal process, offering better protection for victims.

The issue has gained bipartisan support in Congress.

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TikTok Shows Less Anti-China Content Than Rivals, Study Finds, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 9, 2024

A study by the Network Contagion Research Institute at Rutgers University found that TikTok users in the US are less likely to encounter content critical of China's human rights abuses compared to Instagram and YouTube. Searches for terms like "Tiananmen," "Tibet," and "Uyghur" on TikTok returned more pro-China or neutral content, potentially giving users an incomplete picture of China's history.

The study suggests TikTok's algorithm may crowd out critical content, raising concerns about the platform's influence.

TikTok denied the findings, calling the study flawed and arguing it doesn't reflect real user experiences.

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Netflix teams up with CBS Sports to produce Christmas Day NFL games, reports Reuters

General

Aug 9, 2024

Paramount Global's CBS Sports will produce two NFL games set to air on Netflix this Christmas Day, marking the first time Netflix will stream live football.

CBS holds broadcast rights for the games in the competing teams' cities, while NFL+ will stream them on mobile devices in the U.S. Netflix's agreement with the NFL, announced in May, includes streaming at least one game on Christmas Day in 2025 and 2026.

This marks Netflix's first licensing of rights to a major sports league, with the NFL being the most-watched sports league in the U.S.

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Cartoon Network Website Shuts Down, Warner Bros. Discovery Kicks Visitors Over to Max, reports Variety

General

Aug 9, 2024

Warner Bros. Discovery has taken Cartoon Network's website offline, redirecting users to its subscription streaming service, Max. The site previously hosted episodes, clips, and games related to popular shows like "Adventure Time" and "Teen Titans GO!".

This move, effective from August 8, is part of a broader strategy to cut costs and drive more subscriptions to Max. The decision follows a similar approach with Boomerang and reflects a shift in focus towards platforms with higher engagement potential.

Warner Bros. Discovery recently reported a significant financial loss and a slight decline in domestic streaming subscribers.

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Apple’s New Pop-up Blocker Is A Warning To Advertisers, reports AdAge

General

Aug 9, 2024

Apple is testing a new Safari feature called Distraction Control, which allows users to temporarily hide pop-ups on websites, signalling a push against disruptive online advertising. While not a full ad blocker, this feature lets users erase elements like sign-up banners and autoplay ads, though these reappear upon refreshing the page.

This move, part of Apple's broader strategy to enhance user experience, may prompt advertisers to reassess their reliance on intrusive ad formats.

As Apple continues to distance itself from ad industry norms, publishers may need to adapt by offering less intrusive, more integrated advertising options.

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LinkedIn Invites Brands To Sponsor User-Generated Newsletters, reports MediaPost

General

Aug 9, 2024

LinkedIn is expanding its sponsored content options by allowing brands to sponsor newsletters created by other users or published on their company pages through Campaign Manager. With over 184,000 newsletters on the platform and a 47% increase in engagement since 2023, LinkedIn aims to help brands extend the reach of their long-form, subscription-based content.

Brands can promote their newsletters directly or sponsor content from other members, pending approval.

This move is intended to boost exposure and engagement, as evidenced by Zoom's success, with a significant rise in subscriber count, article views, and overall impressions.

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Amazon Deals Let Shoppers Buy Products on TikTok and Pinterest, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 8, 2024

Amazon has partnered with TikTok and Pinterest to allow users to purchase products directly from the e-commerce giant without leaving the social media platforms. Users can link their TikTok and Pinterest profiles to their Amazon accounts, enabling direct shopping from ads.

This move aims to enhance convenience as social shopping gains popularity in the US. The partnerships follow similar deals Amazon has with Meta and Snap.

The integration allows users to see real-time pricing, Prime eligibility, and delivery details on Amazon ads within the apps, offering a streamlined shopping experience.

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News Corp. Earnings For Q2 2024 Show +5.9% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +321.9% YoY

+ 6% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 8, 2024

Deadline reports:

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp is considering selling its Australian pay-TV operator, Foxtel Group, following external interest. Foxtel, which has over four million subscribers, including streaming services Binge and Kayo, faces stiff competition from platforms like Netflix and Disney+ in Australia.

While streaming has slowed the decline in traditional pay-TV subscribers, the latter still generates the majority of revenue. News Corp reported improved financial results, with fourth-quarter revenue rising to $2.58 billion.

Although no price has been set, the sale of Foxtel could potentially exceed $1 billion. CEO Patrick Delany acknowledged the interest but remains focused on business operations.

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Spotify and Epic Games call Apple’s revised DMA compliance plan confusing, illegal and unacceptable, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 8, 2024

Spotify and Epic Games have criticised Apple's revised compliance plan for the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), unveiled on Thursday.

Spotify labelled the plan "unacceptable," accusing Apple of disregarding the DMA's fundamental requirements by introducing confusing new fees, such as an "Initial Acquisition Fee" and a "Store Services Fee." Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney called the changes "malicious compliance" and criticised the additional 15% fee imposed on users migrating to competing app stores.

Both companies have urged the European Commission to expedite its investigation and enforce stricter penalties on Apple for non-compliance.

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TikTok launches Spotlight promotional solution, reports The Media Leader

General

Aug 8, 2024

TikTok has launched a new tool called Spotlight, aimed at helping entertainment marketers better target fans on the platform.

Spotlight identifies relevant TikTok videos related to specific entertainment properties and links them to a dedicated landing page with details such as synopses, cast listings, and streaming or cinema ticket options. The tool also offers a comprehensive analytics dashboard for marketers.

TikTok had previously tested Spotlight with partners like Warner Bros Discovery. The feature is designed to enhance user engagement and promote films and TV shows, similar to IMDb, by leveraging TikTok's vast community.

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Warner Bros. Discovery Closes Upfront With Nearly 50% Volume Growth, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 8, 2024

Warner Bros. Discovery has completed its TV upfront negotiations, highlighting significant growth in its streaming service Max, with a 50% increase in volume due to its appeal to a younger audience and sponsorship opportunities. CEO David Zaslav noted strong sports programming performance and double-digit growth in linear revenue.

However, the company reported a $9.1 billion write-down on its TV networks. WBD is also pursuing legal action against the NBA over a media rights deal with Amazon.

The company plans to launch a new sports venture, Venu Sports, with Disney and Fox this autumn amidst recent layoffs affecting nearly 1,000 staff.

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X Removes All Ads For Premium Subs Following GARM Shutdown, reports MediaPost

General

Aug 8, 2024

X has eliminated ads for Premium+ subscribers, who pay $16 per month, following its recent lawsuit against the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) and the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA). The lawsuit, which led to GARM's shutdown, accused the coalition of influencing advertisers to withhold funds from the platform.

While the ad-free experience may attract more subscribers, it could negatively impact creators who rely on ad revenue sharing.

The change reflects X's strategy to shift towards a subscription-based revenue model, although some sponsored content may still appear occasionally.

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PubMatic Earnings For Q2 2024 Show +6.2% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +134.4% YoY

+ 6% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 8, 2024

MediaPost reports:

PubMatic reported a 6% revenue growth in Q2, reaching $67.3 million. CEO Rajeev Goel highlighted strong performance in key areas, with omnichannel video revenue, including CTV, up 19% year-over-year, and mobile app revenue increasing by over 20%.

Despite this, CFO Steve Pantelick noted that revenue was impacted by a significant DSP buyer altering its bidding strategy. Excluding this, the business grew nearly 10%.

The company also reported a 10% increase in gross profit to $42.1 million and 15% growth in high-value formats and channels, which now represent 78% of total revenue.

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Apple makes further App Store changes in bid to avoid EU fines, reports FT

General

Aug 8, 2024

Apple has announced further changes to its App Store rules in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), aiming to avoid hefty fines.

The updates, due in autumn, will simplify and reduce costs for developers directing users to make purchases outside the App Store. The changes include a new fee structure and relaxed rules on how developers can display links within their apps

Apple’s move is part of ongoing efforts to address the EU’s concerns over its control of the iPhone ecosystem, which some critics argue amounts to monopoly abuse. The EU continues to investigate Apple’s practices.

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Musk’s Riot Tweets Spur UK to Seek Tougher Online Rules, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 8, 2024

Keir Starmer has called for a "mature conversation" with social media companies to limit harmful content that has fuelled riots in the UK. However, he has avoided direct confrontation with Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), who has been criticised for amplifying misinformation.

The UK is considering tightening regulations, possibly revisiting provisions in the Online Safety Act to increase powers over social media platforms. Musk's influence complicates government efforts, as seen in his criticism of UK authorities and the spread of incendiary posts on X.

The situation highlights the challenges of regulating global tech giants.

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X's handling of UK riots could influence EU probe, reports Reuters

General

Aug 8, 2024

The European Commission may consider X’s handling of harmful content related to recent UK riots in its ongoing investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Although the UK is no longer an EU member, harmful content seen in Britain could have been accessed by users in Europe, potentially breaching DSA rules.

The investigation into X, owned by Elon Musk, focuses on its responsibilities to tackle illegal content. The spread of disinformation and calls to violence by far-right groups following the stabbing of three young girls in the UK may be reviewed as part of the proceedings.

X has not yet commented.

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Mass YouTube outage reported in Russia amid escalating official criticism, reports Reuters

General

Aug 8, 2024

On Thursday, Russian internet monitoring services reported a mass outage affecting YouTube, with users only able to access the platform via VPNs. The outage comes as Russian authorities intensify criticism of YouTube, one of the few remaining platforms hosting content by Kremlin opponents.

Russian lawmakers have blamed YouTube owner Google for the site's recent slowdown, claiming the company failed to invest in local infrastructure. Google disputes these claims.

Russian authorities have not commented on the outage, and Google has not responded to requests for clarification. YouTube remains accessible on some mobile devices in Russia.

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X agrees to not use some EU user data to train AI chatbot, reports Reuters

General

Aug 8, 2024

Social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, has agreed to halt using personal data from European Union users to train its AI systems until users had the option to withdraw consent, an Irish court heard.

Ireland's Data Protection Commission sought to restrict X from processing such data after it emerged that X began using EU user data for AI training on May 7, offering an opt-out only from July 16. X has paused the use of data collected during this period pending court proceedings.

X plans to oppose the suspension order, with further court filings due by September 4.

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Macy’s Is Making a Play for Ad Dollars From Big Brands, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 8, 2024

Macy’s has partnered with adtech firm Rokt to serve targeted ads on its website, even from brands that don't sell products at Macy’s. Rokt uses AI to display personalised offers to shoppers based on transaction data, such as ZIP code and purchase history. For example, after buying an engagement ring, a shopper might see ads for honeymoon travel.

Macy’s Media Network, which generated $37 million in Q1 2024, uses this partnership to tap into non-endemic advertising, allowing brands unrelated to Macy’s products to reach its customers.

Rokt's technology only shows ads after items are placed in the cart, enhancing ad engagement.

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Amazon’s $4 Billion Investment in AI Startup Anthropic Comes Under U.K. Scrutiny, reports WSJ

General

Aug 8, 2024

UK antitrust officials are investigating whether Amazon's $4 billion investment in AI startup Anthropic poses a threat to competition. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is assessing whether Amazon's ties with Anthropic could be considered a de facto merger that might stifle competition in the UK. Amazon denies any competition concerns, stating it holds no decision-making powers at Anthropic.

This probe follows similar investigations into tech giants' partnerships with AI startups, highlighting growing regulatory scrutiny.

A decision from the CMA is expected by October 4.

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The Trade Desk Earnings For Q2 2024 Show +25.9% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +158.1% YoY

+ 26% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 8, 2024

Reuters reports:

The Trade Desk has projected third-quarter revenue above analysts' expectations, driven by strong demand for its automated ad-buying technologies, particularly in connected TV.

The company, which has seen widespread adoption of its privacy-focused Unified ID 2 (UID2) technology by major partners like Netflix, FOX, and Roku, reported second-quarter revenue of $585 million, surpassing estimates.

With the upcoming 2024 US election, political advertising is expected to boost demand further. The Trade Desk forecasts Q3 revenue of at least $618 million, well above analysts' average estimate of $604.2 million. Shares rose 5% following the announcement.

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Magnite Earnings For Q2 2024 Show +6.8% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Down By -98.5% YoY

+ 7% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 8, 2024

AdExchanger reports:

Magnite is seeing significant growth in its connected TV (CTV) sector, with a 12% year-on-year increase in CTV revenue to $63 million in Q2, driven by deals like its exclusive partnership with Netflix. This partnership has boosted momentum in programmatic CTV advertising, attracting interest from new and existing customers.

While Magnite’s overall Q2 revenue rose by 9% to $147 million, its display and video business (DV+) saw a smaller 7% growth.

The company is also progressing with its ClearLine CTV buying solution, though its DV+ business faces some volatility and lighter growth in mobile.

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Paramount Earnings For Q2 2024 Show -10.5% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Loss Up By +1763.4% YoY

-10% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 8, 2024

CNBC reports:

Paramount Global is cutting 15% of its U.S. workforce, around 2,000 jobs, as part of a cost-saving plan linked to its merger with Skydance Media. The cuts, targeting marketing, communications, and support roles, aim to save $500 million towards $2 billion in merger synergies.

Despite these cuts, Paramount reported a quarterly profit in its streaming division, with earnings surpassing expectations. However, overall revenue fell 11%, missing analyst forecasts.

The company also took a $6 billion impairment charge due to a decline in its cable networks, following a similar move by Warner Bros. Discovery.

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The Global Alliance for Responsible Media is discontinuing after Elon Musk's X filed an antitrust lawsuit against it, reports Insider

General

Aug 8, 2024

The World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) is halting activities of its Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) following an antitrust lawsuit by Elon Musk's X. The lawsuit claims GARM's members, including Unilever and Mars, colluded to withhold advertising revenue from Twitter.

WFA CEO Stephan Loerke assured members that the decision was difficult but necessary due to GARM’s limited resources and expressed confidence in their compliance with competition rules.

The move comes as GARM faces additional legal scrutiny from the House Judiciary Committee and a separate antitrust suit by Rumble. The WFA plans to contest all allegations in court.

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Publicis Acquired Retail Tech With Agency Clients, And Now Those Agencies Want Out, reports AdExchanger

M&A

Aug 8, 2024

Publicis has outperformed its peers due to strategic retail and e-commerce acquisitions. However, its success is now challenged as rival agencies plan to cut spending with Publicis-owned entities like CitrusAd, Profitero, Epsilon, and Conversant, which generate significant revenue from other agencies. Concerns over data collection and a lack of innovation post-acquisition are driving this shift.

Despite this, Publicis insists these external budgets are "immaterial" and focuses on direct brand business, boosting investor confidence with a strategy that enhances profit margins and positions it as a "transformation partner."

Publicis plans further investments in commerce-related deals.

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Google and Meta struck secret ads deal to target teenagers, reports FT

General

Aug 8, 2024

Advertising To Children

Google and Meta secretly collaborated to target Instagram ads at teenagers on YouTube, circumventing Google’s rules on advertising to minors. Documents and sources reveal that Google used a loophole to target users aged 13-17, classified as “unknown” in its system, for Meta's ad campaign.

This project, initiated by Spark Foundry, violated Google's policies against personalised ads for under-18s. The campaign, tested in Canada and the US, was intended to expand further. Google has since cancelled the project and initiated an investigation.

This comes amid increasing scrutiny and regulation of Big Tech's practices regarding minors' data privacy.

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YouTube is testing a feature that lets creators use Google Gemini to brainstorm video ideas, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 7, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

YouTube is testing a new feature called Brainstorm with Gemini, integrating Google Gemini to assist creators in brainstorming video ideas, titles, and thumbnails.

Announced via the Creator Insider channel, this feature is available to select creators in a limited experiment. YouTube will gather feedback before a wider rollout.

This tool, similar to an AI-powered content inspiration tool tested in May, aims to provide unique advantages over competing platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Creators can use YouTube Studio to access both the inspiration tool and Brainstorm with Gemini, enhancing their content creation process.

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UK Regulator Tells Online Services to Act Now to Stop Riots, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 7, 2024

The UK telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, has urged online service providers to take immediate action to prevent users from inciting violence on their platforms, ahead of the new Online Safety Act. This legislation, set to be enforced later this year, will impose stricter requirements on social media companies to assess and mitigate content risks.

Gill Whitehead, Ofcom’s director for online safety, emphasised that platforms can act now to enhance user safety.

Recently, accounts on platforms like X, Facebook, TikTok, and Telegram have been used to fuel racism and violent protests across the UK, prompting warnings from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

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Dept. of Justice being asked to investigate Disney, Fox and Warner Bros joint venture, reports The Athletic

General

Aug 7, 2024

Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Representative Joaquin Castro have urged the Department of Justice to investigate and possibly prevent a joint venture by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros to launch Venu Sports, a direct-to-consumer streaming service.

They argue that Venu Sports, which combines ESPN, Fox Sports, and TNT Sports, could control over 80% of nationally broadcast sports, leading to monopolistic behaviour and higher consumer prices. The service, priced at $42.99 per month, aims for five million subscribers by 2029.

The lawmakers call for scrutiny under antitrust laws and FCC regulations to protect competition and consumer interests.

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Cannes Lions Owner Ascential Set To Acquire Effie Worldwide, reports AdAge

M&A

Aug 7, 2024

Ascential, owner of Cannes Lions, has agreed to acquire the commercial assets of Effie, known for the global Effie Awards, which recognise advertising effectiveness. Effie will join Ascential’s Lions division, including the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

The Effie Awards' brand and process will remain unchanged. Effie Worldwide will transform into The Effie Lions Foundation, focusing on educating marketing students, especially from under-represented groups. This foundation will also support the Lions’ existing non-profit initiatives. Effie Worldwide CEO Traci Alford will continue in her role.

The deal, announced shortly after Informa Plc’s plans to buy Ascential, is pending regulatory approval.

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A new report by a watchdog group traces the ad exchanges profiting off low-quality obituaries riddled with disturbing errors, reports The Verge

General

Aug 7, 2024

Thousands of families have encountered fake obituaries of loved ones cluttering Google search results. These obituaries, often AI-generated, target ordinary people to generate ad revenue.

A report by watchdog Check My Ads revealed ad exchanges profiting from this obituary spam, with sites like HausaNew.com.ng and SarkariExam.com publishing inaccurate obituaries and hosting digital ads. Google and other ad firms have been implicated, with some taking action to address the issue.

TripleLift acknowledged their clients' ads appeared on these sites and initiated an internal investigation, while Google stated it would work to reduce the visibility of such spam.

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Dentsu Integrates Merkury Platform With Quantcast, reports MediaPost

General

Aug 7, 2024

Cookie Deprecation

Dentsu has globally integrated the demand-side ad platform Quantcast with its Merkury data, identity, and insights platform. This partnership aims to enable precise audience targeting without relying on third-party cookies.

Clients can now access over 10,000 custom consumer data attributes to build audience profiles across CTV, desktop, and mobile devices. The integration is active for key Dentsu clients and is available in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, and Sweden, with plans for further expansion.

This move addresses challenges from cookie deprecation and heightened privacy regulations, according to Gerry Bavaro, Chief Strategy Officer of Merkury.

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Disney Earnings For Q2 2024 Show +3.7% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +1957.5% YoY

+ 4% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 7, 2024

FT reports:

The success of "Inside Out 2," which grossed over $1.5bn globally, boosted Disney's third-quarter earnings, improving confidence in Pixar. This, along with better performance from Disney+ and Hulu, increased the entertainment division's operating income to $1.2bn from $408mn a year earlier. Disney’s diluted earnings rose to $1.39 per share, surpassing expectations, with revenue increasing to $23.2bn.

However, Disney warned of slowing consumer demand at US theme parks, impacting revenues and operating income.

Despite this, Disney's streaming services reported a $47mn profit, a significant turnaround from a $512mn loss last year. CEO Bob Iger praised the entertainment segment's progress.

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Taboola Earnings For Q2 2024 Show +29.0% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Down By -86.3% YoY

+ 29% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 7, 2024

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Warner Bros. Discovery Earnings For Q2 2024 Show -6.2% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Loss Up By +722.0% YoY

-6% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 7, 2024

CNBC reports:

Warner Bros. Discovery's stock fell by 9% after reporting a $9.1 billion write-down on its TV networks and missing revenue estimates. The company posted a loss per share of 36 cents versus the expected 22 cents, and revenue of $9.7 billion versus the expected $10.07 billion.

The write-down was due to a reevaluation of the TV networks' book value amidst declining traditional TV viewership and advertising shifts to digital and streaming platforms.

Despite this, Warner Bros. Discovery added 3.6 million streaming subscribers, totalling 103.3 million, and saw a significant increase in streaming ad revenue. The company remains focused on debt reduction and future growth in studios and streaming.

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Magnite Earnings For Q2 2024 Show +6.8% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Down By -98.5% YoY

+ 7% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 7, 2024

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Elon Musk’s X taken to court in Ireland for grabbing EU user data to train Grok without consent, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 7, 2024

Elon Musk’s X is being sued in Ireland for using Europeans' data to train its Grok AI model without proper consent. The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) is seeking an injunction against Twitter International under Ireland's 2018 Data Protection Act.

The DPC believes X's actions pose an urgent risk to users' rights and freedoms. Despite prior regulatory pressures, X quietly began using user data without adequate notification or consent. The DPC's legal action may result in significant penalties if noncompliance is confirmed.

X has faced other recent legal challenges in the EU concerning data privacy and compliance with the Digital Services Act.

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Sony Officially Says It Won’t Bid for Paramount Global to Counter Skydance Deal, reports Variety

M&A

Aug 7, 2024

Sony has decided not to make a new offer for Paramount Global, preferring to let the latter proceed with its merger with Skydance Media. Hiroki Totoki, Sony Group’s president, COO, and CFO, stated that acquiring Paramount does not align with Sony's strategy and capital allocation.

In May, Sony and Apollo Global made a $26 billion nonbinding offer for Paramount, but later reconsidered. Paramount and Skydance announced a merger in July, with Paramount able to solicit better offers until August 21.

Sony reported a 10% increase in operating profit for Q1 fiscal 2024, with significant gains in its music and gaming divisions.

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WPP Earnings For H1 2024 Show +0.1% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -4.8% YoY

+ 0% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 7, 2024

British ad group WPP is selling its controlling stake in financial PR agency FGS Global to minority shareholder KKR for $775 million in cash, using the proceeds to reduce debt. The sale values FGS Global at $1.7 billion.

Announced alongside first-half results, WPP reported a drop in underlying revenue growth and downgraded its full-year expectations. CEO Mark Read described the sale as an "excellent outcome," allowing WPP to strengthen its balance sheet.

WPP has faced reduced spending by tech clients, weakness in China, and the loss of creative business for Pfizer. Shares in WPP dropped 1.2% following the announcement.

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Amazon Prime Video plots Hollywood expansion, reports Reuters

General

Aug 7, 2024

Mike Hopkins, head of Amazon Prime Video, has transformed the service from a mere perk to a major Hollywood player with its own film studio, theatrical distribution, and original content. Under his leadership, Prime Video has increased its investment in professional sports, original series, and movies featuring A-list celebrities. Amazon plans to expand its theatrical releases significantly by 2027.

Despite challenges, such as lagging behind Netflix and YouTube in viewership, Prime Video’s ad-supported model and partnerships with sports leagues have positioned it to capture a larger share of digital ad revenue.

The acquisition of MGM further strengthens Amazon's content library.

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Disney Says It Might Have to Pay Comcast up to $5 Billion More to Buy Out Hulu, reports Variety

M&A

Aug 7, 2024

Disney and Comcast are disputing Hulu's market value, potentially requiring Disney to pay up to $5 billion more to buy NBCUniversal's 33% stake. In December 2023, Disney paid $8.61 billion, representing one-third of Hulu's $27.5 billion guaranteed floor value set in 2019. However, their valuations diverge, with Disney's appraiser valuing it below the floor and NBCU's substantially higher.

Arbitration is underway to resolve the discrepancy. If NBCU's valuation is validated, Hulu could be valued around $40.8 billion. The final amount Disney pays will depend on the third appraiser's valuation.

Disney has already assumed operational control of Hulu.

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Fortune 500 brand ads seen next to porn & racial slurs, with IAS & DoubleVerify in the mix, reports The Drum

General

Aug 7, 2024

A report by Adalytics reveals that ads for major brands, including Meta, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Amazon, and Disney, have appeared on webpages featuring offensive content. Despite brands using pre-bid and post-bid safety measures, ads were found next to racial slurs, explicit sexual content, and violent imagery. These ads appeared on platforms like Fandom.com and other domains.

The findings highlight potential inadequacies in ad verification technologies and the need for increased transparency and robust brand safety measures. DoubleVerify refuted the claims, suggesting the report was engineered for a specific outcome.

The issue remains complex, requiring collaboration across stakeholders.

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Ad Buyers Rethink X Presence Following the Platform's GARM Lawsuit, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 7, 2024

X's new lawsuit against the Global Alliance of Responsible Media (GARM) and its members, including CVS Health, Mars, Orsted, and Unilever, has made advertisers reconsider their investment in the platform. X accuses GARM of influencing brands to boycott the platform, depriving it of ad revenue.

This legal action follows a conciliatory approach by Elon Musk at the Cannes Lions Festival, where he emphasised brand safety. Advertisers are now wary of the platform's volatility and the potential for lawsuits. Concerns also include X's operational capacity and its effectiveness in linking advertising with sales.

X's ad revenue has significantly declined since Musk's takeover.

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Netflix Is Lowering Ad Prices to Below $30, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 6, 2024

Netflix is lowering its ad prices, charging CPMs between $20 and $30, with specific rates of $20 for 15-second ads and $25 for 30-second ads. This follows a significant price drop from their initial $65 CPM in 2022.

The reduction coincides with Netflix's move into programmatic advertising, partnering with The Trade Desk, Google’s Display & Video 360, and Magnite. Programmatic inventory will generally be priced lower than direct purchases.

Despite the price cuts, Netflix remains competitive, especially compared to Amazon Prime Video's $26 CPM. Netflix's ad-supported tier has grown, yet it still lags behind Hulu, YouTube, and Amazon in U.S. connected TV ad spending.

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Amazon’s NFL Package Helped It Win NBA Rights Over Warner’s TNT, reports WSJ

General

Aug 6, 2024

The NBA rejected Warner Bros. Discovery's bid for media rights in favour of Amazon, leading to a legal dispute. Amazon's deal, including its NFL game broadcasts and guaranteed streaming reach, offered advantages Warner couldn't match. Warner's TNT, an NBA partner for over three decades, claimed the deal's structure was unfair and sued the NBA.

The NBA's agreement with Amazon, Disney, and NBC, valued at $77 billion over 11 years, starts after the 2024-2025 season. Warner is exploring other sports packages and considering a show featuring Charles Barkley on various sports.

The lawsuit's outcome could significantly impact both parties' future plans.

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YouTube Tests Less Disruptive Livestream Ads, reports MediaPost

General

Aug 6, 2024

Influencer Marketing

YouTube is testing a new picture-in-picture mid-roll ad format for live videos, aiming to be less disruptive to viewers. These ads will run alongside livestreams without halting the viewing experience.

Currently, ads on YouTube Live stop the stream for a full-screen ad. The new format allows viewers to continue watching live content, and streamers to generate revenue without losing audience attention. YouTube claims creators using automated mid-roll ads have seen a 20% increase in ad revenue per hour.

As YouTube Live viewership grows, with a 20.5% increase last quarter, it continues to gain market share from Twitch.

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Google Ads recovers from major reporting glitch, reports Search Engine Land

General

Aug 6, 2024

Google has largely resolved a major reporting issue on its advertising platform that exposed some advertisers to data from other Google Merchant Center accounts, raising privacy concerns. The problem began on July 30, was partially resolved by July 31, and saw most reporting services restored by August 4. By August 6, nearly all services were back, though some competitive metrics remain pending. Affected advertisers saw other accounts' products in their reports.

Google will contact impacted customers, issue credits, and has removed incorrect data.

The glitch, caused by an ads serving bug, underscores the importance of swift response to data privacy issues.

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Google phases out Smart Campaigns in favor of Performance Max, reports Search Engine Land

General

Aug 6, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Google is discontinuing its Smart Campaigns and integrating their features into Performance Max campaigns. This shift signifies a broader push towards AI-driven, cross-platform advertising solutions, impacting advertisers who use Google's simplified campaign management tool.

Performance Max leverages AI and machine learning to optimise ad performance across Google's ecosystem, offering broader reach, AI-powered optimisation, and customised results based on business goals. Existing Smart Campaigns will be automatically upgraded to Performance Max.

Google claims this upgrade will enhance return on investment for advertisers. Further details about the transition will be provided in the coming months.

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Ahold Delhaize Taps Havas For Media, Cites Real-Time Data, reports MediaPost

General

Aug 6, 2024

Ahold Delhaize USA has appointed Havas Media Network (HMN) as the media agency of record for its grocery store brands Giant Food, The GIANT Company, Hannaford, and Stop & Shop.

While the billings were not disclosed, the companies stated that "real-time data will be at the centre" of the account.

HMN will manage strategy, planning, and activation for both traditional and digital media.

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Amazon upgrades its AI image generator, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 6, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Amazon has launched an enhanced version of its Titan Image Generator, Titan Image Generator v2, for AWS customers using the Bedrock generative AI platform.

The new model offers capabilities such as using reference images to guide generation, editing visuals, removing backgrounds, and generating variations. It can intelligently detect and segment multiple foreground objects, generate colour-conditioned images, and maintain a consistent aesthetic when fine-tuned with reference images.

Although Amazon is vague about the data used for training, it provides an indemnification policy against potential copyright issues. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy remains optimistic about the rapid growth of generative AI.

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UK faces resistance from X over taking down disinformation during riots, reports FT

General

Aug 6, 2024

British officials have faced resistance from X in removing posts deemed threats to national security, as Elon Musk criticised the UK and Sir Keir Starmer on the platform. The UK’s disinformation unit flagged concerning content, with Google, Meta, and TikTok responding quickly, but X has been less responsive.

Musk, a “free speech absolutist,” has made incendiary remarks about the UK government’s handling of recent far-right protests, suggesting “civil war is inevitable.”

The new Online Safety Act will soon enforce stricter guidelines for social media platforms, aiming to curb misinformation and harmful content.

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Nielsen and Innovid To Collaborate on Simplifying Cross-Media Advertising, reports NextTV

General

Aug 6, 2024

Nielsen has agreed to collaborate with Innovid, integrating Nielsen’s Nielsen One measurement product with Innovid’s cross-media ad-serving platform. This partnership aims to simplify the buying of convergent advertising by providing seamless workflow and improved measurement across platforms.

Nielsen CEO Karthik Rao highlighted the importance of capturing all audience engagement with content and ads. Innovid's CEO, Zvika Netter, emphasised that this collaboration will enhance transparency and accessibility in the TV ecosystem.

The companies will work on the technical integration of their systems over the coming months to achieve these goals.

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Reddit Earnings For Q2 2024 Show +53.6% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Down By -75.4% YoY

+ 54% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Bloomberg reports:

Reddit Inc. anticipates steady revenue growth through new data licensing partnerships and advertising technology, projecting current-quarter sales between $290 million and $310 million, surpassing analysts' estimates.

Despite a 60% share increase since its March IPO, Reddit faces challenges in a competitive advertising market. The company reported quarterly revenue of $281.2 million, beating expectations, and aims to attract advertisers through partnerships with major sports leagues. Reddit plans to diversify by licensing data to AI firms, projecting over $60 million this year.

Reddit's daily active unique visitors rose 51% to 91.2 million, contributing to a reduced net loss of $10.1 million for the quarter.

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Fox Corp Earnings For Q2 2024 Show +2.0% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -13.3% YoY

+ 2% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2024

Reuters reports:

Fox Corp exceeded Wall Street expectations for quarterly profit and reported increased revenue, driven by steady demand for its Tubi streaming service.

Revenue rose by 2% to $3.09 billion, just below analysts' estimates. Affiliate fees grew by 5% across television and cable network segments. Fox's cable network programming, including Fox News and Fox Sports 1, saw a 2% revenue rise to $1.44 billion. Advertising revenue remained flat at $1.01 billion.

Fox anticipates benefiting from political advertising for the upcoming presidential election. Adjusted earnings were 90 cents per share, above the estimated 81 cents. Venu Sports, Fox's joint venture, will launch at $42.99 per month this autumn.

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Fox-Disney Sports JV Is the Last Straw, Fubo CEO Testifies, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 6, 2024

FuboTV Inc. has urged a federal judge to block Fox Corp, Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., and Walt Disney Co. from launching a joint sports streaming service, arguing it would eliminate competition and drive up consumer prices. Fubo claims the venture would force competitors to bundle unwanted entertainment channels to access major sports networks like ESPN and Fox.

The service, Venu Sports, is set to launch this autumn at $42.99 per month.

While the defendants argue the service would increase competition and innovation, the US Justice Department plans to scrutinise the platform over potential consumer harm. The hearing continues in Manhattan.

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X sues major brands and ad industry group for antitrust, reports Axios

General

Aug 6, 2024

X (formerly Twitter) has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the advertising industry coalition GARM and its members, including CVS Health, Mars, Orsted, and Unilever. The lawsuit alleges that GARM abused its influence to unfairly discriminate against X, leading to an advertiser boycott.

GARM, created by the World Federation of Advertisers in 2019, sets brand safety standards for digital advertisers. The lawsuit, part of a broader effort by conservative entities against GARM, claims the boycott has significantly impacted X's advertising revenue, which has halved since Musk's acquisition in 2022.

X CEO Linda Yaccarino calls for industry reform to prevent such activities.

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Google monopoly ruling could help Apple defense in antitrust case, reports Reuters

General

Aug 6, 2024

Apple could benefit from the recent ruling against Google's search business as an illegal monopoly, which dismissed a claim that Google's ad tools disadvantaged Microsoft's Bing. This part of the ruling supports Apple's defence in its own antitrust case, emphasising that companies generally have no "duty to deal" with rivals.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta's decision not to require Google to accommodate competitors could aid Apple, which argues that its limitations on third-party developers are not anti-competitive.

Although Apple risks losing substantial revenue if Google is banned from paying to be the default search engine, the ruling might strengthen Apple's position against similar allegations.

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ByteDance joins OpenAI's Sora rivals with AI video app launch, reports Reuters

General

Aug 6, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

ByteDance has launched Jimeng AI, a software that generates videos from text prompts, expanding its entry into the growing text-to-video market. This follows OpenAI's introduction of a similar tool, Sora, earlier this year.

Available on both the Apple App Store and Android, Jimeng AI allows users to create images and AI videos through various subscription plans. Other Chinese tech firms like Kuaishou and Zhipu AI have also introduced similar models recently.

Jimeng AI is operated by ByteDance's Faceu Technology, which is known for the video editing app CapCut. Subscriptions range from 69 yuan monthly to 659 yuan annually.

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Media cuts persist amid ad market slowdown, AI fears, reports Axios

General

Aug 6, 2024

The media industry's struggle to regain advertising and subscription momentum continues, as evidenced by recent job cuts.

The Tampa Bay Times plans a 20% payroll reduction, Axios is laying off 50 employees, and Future will shut down several print magazines. GameStop will close Game Informer, the oldest gaming magazine in the U.S.

These cuts reflect a broader trend affecting major publications, exacerbated by a slowdown in the ad market and the rise of AI-driven search engines. Media companies are focusing on premium products to remain competitive, with leaner operations and a greater emphasis on distinctive, essential content.

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Disney raises streaming prices for Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+, reports CNBC

General

Aug 6, 2024

Disney is increasing prices for its streaming platforms from mid-October. Disney+ basic will cost $9.99 and premium $15.99 per month. Hulu with ads will be $9.99, without ads $18.99, and Hulu Live TV plans will rise by $6. ESPN+ will cost $11.99 monthly.

Disney continues to promote bundles, including a new offer with Warner Bros. Discovery, combining Disney+, Hulu, and Max for $16.99 with ads or $29.99 ad-free. Additionally, Disney is adding ABC News Live and a preschool content playlist from September 4, with more curated playlists for premium subscribers.

Disney's fiscal Q3 earnings report is due Wednesday.

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In landmark Google ruling, a warning to companies about preserving evidence, reports Reuters

General

Aug 6, 2024

A landmark ruling on Monday determined that Google illegally monopolised web search and criticised the tech giant for obscuring potential evidence.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C., rebuked Google for failing to preserve internal chats and abusing legal communication protections but declined to formally sanction the company. The U.S. Justice Department had sought punishment for Google’s “systematic destruction” of employee messages and misuse of attorney-client privilege. Mehta noted that while he didn’t need to address Google’s evidence handling to rule on antitrust violations, companies must safeguard data or risk future sanctions.

Google plans to appeal the ruling.

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AI startup raises $25M, inks deals with major media companies, reports Axios

General

Aug 6, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

ProRata.ai, a generative AI startup, has secured licensing deals with major news and music companies, including Financial Times, Axel Springer, The Atlantic, Fortune, and Universal Music Group, to share revenues from AI chatbot subscriptions. This initiative aims to establish a new AI economy that fairly compensates content creators.

ProRata.ai has raised $25 million in Series A funding and plans to debut its subscription AI chatbot this autumn, splitting revenues with content partners.

CEO Bill Gross believes their attribution system will set industry standards for valuing premium content in the AI sector, potentially licensing the model to larger AI firms.

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Ziff Davis Acquires Tech Publisher CNET for Over $100M, reports AdWeek

M&A

Aug 6, 2024

Ziff Davis acquired CNET from Red Ventures for over $100 million, aligning CNET with its existing portfolio, which includes tech-focused sites like PCMag and IGN. This acquisition is notable as the largest digital media transaction of 2024, amidst a challenging market.

Under Red Ventures, CNET faced reputational issues due to its focus on direct marketing and the controversial use of AI-generated content. Ziff Davis aims to enhance its tech publishing assets, capitalising on high-intent readership in the consumer technology space.

Previously, Ziff Davis acquired Lifehacker and invested in Group Black, reflecting its strategy of strategic acquisitions.

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Uber Ads just became a $1 billion business, and it has plenty of room to grow, reports Insider

General

Aug 6, 2024

Uber's advertising division has achieved a $1 billion annual revenue run rate, meeting its target two years after its 2022 launch.

Uber Ads offers diverse formats, such as app ads, in-car tablets, and cartops, leveraging first-party data to compete with major players like Meta, Google, and Amazon. It aims to expand into areas like contextual advertising and "Playable Ads," which allow user interaction. Partnerships, such as with T-Mobile, further its growth.

Uber reported a 16% revenue increase to $10.7 billion, surpassing expectations. Piper Sandler analysts remain optimistic about Uber Ads, raising Uber's stock price target to $88.

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Taboola Integrates Double Verify's Pre-Bid Activation Tool, reports MediaPost

General

Aug 6, 2024

Taboola has integrated DoubleVerify’s DV Authentic Marketplace, enhancing advertiser control over ad placements. This partnership allows Taboola advertisers to implement customised brand safety and suitability settings across their entire media mix, ensuring consistency.

Adam Singolda, CEO of Taboola, highlights that this integration offers advertisers more control over where and how their ads appear. DoubleVerify's Steven Woolway notes that this contributes to a safer digital environment.

Taboola, used by approximately 18,000 advertisers to reach nearly 600 million daily active users, was recently re-certified for the Brand Safety Certified Seal and introduced an AI-powered audience development platform, Taboola for Audience.

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Warner Bros Discovery looks to avoid break-up with smaller asset sales, reports FT

General

Aug 6, 2024

Warner Bros Discovery’s senior management, led by CEO David Zaslav and CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels, is working to prevent a company break-up amidst a sharp 70% drop in share price since its formation in 2022.

While a split of the group's TV channels from its streaming and studio businesses was considered, it was deemed too complex and likely to trigger legal challenges. Instead, WBD is exploring the sale of smaller assets like the Polish broadcaster TVN or a stake in its video games business.

Management hopes for investor patience, aiming to increase market capitalisation from $7.88 to $25 a share.

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TikTok says court should reject DOJ secret filings in divestiture suit, reports Reuters

General

Aug 5, 2024

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have requested a U.S. appeals court to dismiss the Justice Department's attempt to file part of its case in secret. The Justice Department seeks to justify a law demanding the divestiture of TikTok's U.S. assets or a ban by January 19.

ByteDance and TikTok argue that they need to review the evidence to rebut potentially incorrect claims. They suggest appointing a special master if the court does not reject the secret evidence.

The Justice Department cites national security concerns but admits there is no evidence that the Chinese government has accessed U.S. TikTok user data.

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Max’s new homepage personalization tech makes viewers stick around, says exec, reports The Verge

General

Aug 5, 2024

Max, formerly HBO Max, has introduced a "whole page optimization" system in the US to enhance personalised content on its homepage. Warner Bros. Discovery's senior vice president of global streaming product, Liesel Kipp, claims this new system has increased viewer engagement and retention.

The system uses viewers' history to recommend content in personalised categories, replacing the previous blend of human curation and limited personalisation. It ensures users don’t see repeated titles and prioritises relevant collections.

Max is also testing a rating system and AI-driven recommendations, similar to Netflix’s model, to keep subscribers engaged amidst growing streaming competition.

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Google Loses DOJ Antitrust Suit Over Search, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 5, 2024

A federal judge ruled that Google's payments to be the default search engine on smartphone web browsers violate US antitrust law, marking a significant victory for the Justice Department. Judge Amit Mehta stated that Google's $26 billion in payments to companies like Apple and Samsung hindered market competition.

Antitrust enforcers accused Google of maintaining a monopoly over online search and advertising by paying billions for prime placement. This position has made Google the world's most-used search engine, generating over $300 billion annually from search ads.

The case is the first antitrust trial against a US tech company in over two decades.

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TikTok Pulls Program EU Warned Could Make Kids App Addicts, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 5, 2024

Responsible Media

The European Union has closed a case against TikTok after ByteDance, its parent company, withdrew a controversial rewards program from its Lite app, which regulators warned could be addictive for children. This action aligns with the EU's new Digital Services Act (DSA).

TikTok also pledged not to introduce any similar programs that could encourage screen time and pose addiction risks. Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner, emphasised that young Europeans' available brain time should not be exploited for social media.

Despite this, another investigation into TikTok remains open, focusing on potential future addiction risks.

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Musk's AI chatbot spread election misinformation, secretaries of state say, reports Axios

General

Aug 5, 2024

Five secretaries of state have urged Elon Musk to address misinformation shared by X's AI chatbot, Grok, regarding the 2024 presidential election. They highlighted that Grok falsely claimed Vice President Kamala Harris missed ballot deadlines in nine states, leading to widespread misinformation.

The officials from Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Washington, Michigan, and New Mexico stressed the importance of providing accurate election information and suggested directing users to CanIVote.org for reliable details.

They criticised X's inadequate response and emphasised the platform's responsibility to ensure voters have access to truthful information about their voting rights.

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Elon Musk revives lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI, filing shows, reports Reuters

General

Aug 5, 2024

Elon Musk has reinstated a lawsuit against ChatGPT creator OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, claiming the company prioritised profits over public good.

Filed in Northern California, the suit alleges Altman shifted focus to commercial gains once OpenAI’s technology began revolutionising generative AI.

In June, Musk had withdrawn the initial lawsuit from February, which accused OpenAI of straying from its mission to develop AI for humanity's benefit. Musk's lawyers requested dismissal without explanation, but the suit has now been revived, continuing the legal battle over OpenAI's direction and priorities.

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The AP Sees Ad Revenue and Traffic Upticks Following Diversification Push, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 5, 2024

News Publishing

The Associated Press (AP) has significantly expanded its advertising business, aiming to diversify revenue sources. Previously, advertising comprised just 5% of AP's income, with licensing dominating at 80%.

Following a website redesign and the hiring of a direct sales team, AP has seen increased traffic, ad revenue, and video consumption. Despite challenges, AP aims to double its ad revenue share, focusing on direct sales, donations, and affiliate marketing.

Recent efforts include a new donation platform and affiliate marketing operation, contributing to a 20% rise in digital ad revenue. The AP's strategy also includes improving reader engagement through multimedia content and newsletters.

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Broadcasters fly in TikTokers and YouTubers to generate Olympic buzz, reports FT

General

Aug 3, 2024

Influencer Marketing

Sandra Kwon, an Emirates flight attendant turned internet personality, is among dozens of influencers brought to the Paris Olympic Games by platforms like YouTube and broadcasters like NBC and Eurosport. These creators aim to engage a younger audience and fill storytelling gaps in Olympic coverage.

This marks the first large-scale integration of social media stars in sports broadcasting. Influencers like Kwon provide behind-the-scenes content and simplify complex sports for viewers.

The initiative reflects broader efforts to expand audiences through innovative formats and digital platforms, paralleling successful sports documentaries in enhancing viewer experience.

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More than 50 US lawmakers, 21 states back DOJ in TikTok lawsuit, reports Reuters

General

Aug 3, 2024

A coalition of 21 states and over 50 U.S. lawmakers have supported the Justice Department's defence of a law mandating ByteDance, the China-based parent company of TikTok, to sell its U.S. assets by 19 January or face a ban. The filing, led by the attorneys general of Montana and Virginia, argues TikTok poses a national security and privacy threat due to its links to the Chinese Communist Party.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will hear arguments on 16 September.

TikTok contends the ban violates the First Amendment rights of its 170 million U.S. users.

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Turkey blocks access to Instagram platform but gives no reason, reports Reuters

General

Aug 2, 2024

Turkey has blocked access to Instagram, the infotech regulator announced on Friday, without providing reasons or the duration of the ban.

The action follows criticism from Turkish communications official Fahrettin Altun, who condemned Instagram for allegedly blocking condolence posts related to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, a key Hamas official. Altun described Instagram's action as censorship, noting that the platform did not cite any policy violations.

Instagram's parent company, Meta Platforms Inc, has not commented on the ban or Altun's remarks. Turkey's Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) published the decision on August 2.

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Warner Bros. Says Subscriber Gains From Paris Already Top Tokyo, reports Reuters

General

Aug 2, 2024

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. reported that it signed up more streaming customers during the first four days of the Paris Olympics than throughout the entire Tokyo Games.

The company, which paid €1.3 billion for the Europe-wide TV rights for the Olympic cycle ending in 2024, saw a surge in subscribers to its Max and Discovery+ services. Although specific figures were not disclosed, Warner Bros. said the total number of streaming viewers exceeded the Tokyo tally after just two days.

The favourable European time zone and the Games' return to a historic European capital contributed to this increased engagement.

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