Ebiquity Transmit - Wires

Ebiquity Transmit

Tags

Ad Fraud

Advertising To Children

Agency Management

Antitrust

Artificial Intelligence

Attention Economy

Audio Advertising

Brand Safety

Carbon Emissions

Contextual Advertising

Cookie Deprecation

Digital Out-Of-Home

Disinformation

Diversity & Inclusion

Gaming / Metaverse

Hate Speech

Influencer Marketing

Investment Rounds

Lawsuits

Layoffs

Leadership Transitions

Made For Advertising

Marketing Effectiveness

Measurement

Media Spend

News Publishing

Pitches

Political Ads

Privacy

Recession

Responsible Media

Retail Media

Streaming Wars

Supply Chain

User Identifiers

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Companies

4A's

ANA

Adalytics

Adform

Alphabet

Amazon

Apple

Comcast

Comscore

Comvergence

Criteo

Dentsu

Disney

DoubleVerify

Ebiquity

Fox Corp

Havas

ISBA

Integral Ad Science

Interpublic Group

Jounce Media

Kantar

Kroger

Liveramp

Magnite

MediaMath

Meta

Microsoft

Netflix

News Corp

Nielsen

Omnicom Media Group

Outbrain

Paramount

Pinterest

PubMatic

Publicis Groupe

Reddit

Roblox

Roku

S4 Capital

Scope3

Snap

Spotify

Taboola

Teads

The Trade Desk

TikTok

Twitter (X)

WARC

WFA

WPP (GroupM)

Walmart

Warner Bros Disc.

Yahoo

eMarketer

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

X to Launch Weekly Series With WWE as Part of Push Into Video, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 9, 2024

X, formerly Twitter, is collaborating with WWE to launch 'WWE Speed', a new series featuring short wrestling matches and appearances by stars like Dwayne Johnson. This forms part of X's expansion into premium video content, planning to release 52 episodes annually over two years.

X's strategy includes creating engaging video shows with notable personalities like Don Lemon and Paris Hilton, aiming to enhance user engagement and advertising revenue. Sports events, historically significant for X's user interaction, are a focus area.

Despite financial challenges after Elon Musk's takeover, X's partnership with WWE signifies its effort to boost ad revenue through appealing, high-quality video content, leveraging sports' popularity on the platform.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

TikTok pushing users to add Search shortcut, reports Search Engine Land

General

Feb 8, 2024

TikTok is rolling out a new feature prompting users to add a search page shortcut to their home screens, highlighting its focus on enhancing search capabilities.

This move reflects the platform's growing role in search, especially among Gen Z, who increasingly use TikTok as an alternative to traditional search engines. The feature aims to streamline user searches.

With 170 million active U.S. users and nearly 2 billion worldwide, TikTok's search focus aligns with its Chinese version, Douyin. Douyin already includes local business searches and direct ordering services, hinting at potential future enhancements for TikTok's U.S. version, including AI-enhanced search and discovery tools.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Publicis Groupe Earnings For CY2023 Show +4.2% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +7.4% YoY

+ 4% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 8, 2024

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

US lawmakers urge Commerce to put TikTok-parent ByteDance on export control list, reports Reuters

General

Feb 8, 2024

A bipartisan group of 15 U.S. lawmakers, including Republican Dan Crenshaw and Democrat Josh Gottheimer, is urging the Commerce Department to add ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to the government's export control list. This move aims to limit ByteDance's access to American software, addressing security concerns.

The request for adding ByteDance to the "Entity List" highlights the perceived threats posed by the company's access to U.S. software. The lawmakers' push reflects growing apprehensions about TikTok's influence and data practices.

This action follows stalled efforts in Congress to either ban TikTok or empower the Biden administration to impose restrictions on the app, widely used by over 170 million Americans.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Digital ecosystems to be included in Big Tech antitrust, merger probes, EU regulators say, reports Reuters

General

Feb 8, 2024

The European Union is revising its antitrust rules, focusing on digital ecosystems and free services to better assess Big Tech's market power. This update to the Market Definition Notice reflects changes in technology and data usage.

Under the new rules, the EU will examine companies' control over digital platforms and free offerings. Market power assessments will now include user activity and website visits, adapting to the evolving digital landscape.

The revision places greater emphasis on innovation and non-price factors like product quality, and considers the impact of imports on EU businesses. This aims to maintain market competitiveness and serve consumer interests effectively.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

LiveRamp Earnings For CY2023 Show +7.9% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Down By -87.9% YoY

+ 8% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 8, 2024

AdExchanger reports:

LiveRamp achieved a Q4 net income of $14 million, a significant recovery from the previous year's $30 million loss. This turnaround is attributed to cloud integrations and better economic conditions with clients.

The company's focus shifted from traditional mar tech partners to cloud-based channels like Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services, and Snowflake. This change has led to significant new client engagements and the strategic acquisition of Habu, enhancing LiveRamp's cross-cloud data collaboration.

Amidst the decline of third-party cookies, LiveRamp encourages the industry to adapt quickly to cookieless environments. They are actively collaborating with Google on Privacy Sandbox and other initiatives, preparing for a significant shift towards cookieless media strategies.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Pinterest Earnings For CY2023 Show +9.0% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Down By -62.9% YoY

+ 9% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 8, 2024

Bloomberg reports:

Pinterest's Q4 revenue increased 12% to $981 million, missing estimates but reaching a record 498 million monthly users. A new partnership with Google helped mitigate an initial stock drop in after-hours trading.

CEO Bill Ready's shift to direct-response ads, now comprising over two-thirds of Pinterest's business, along with strategic partnerships, aims to boost revenue, particularly from international markets. The company's focus on shoppable content resonates with its growing Gen Z user base.

Pinterest forecasts Q1 revenue of $690-$705 million, potentially below expectations. The company emphasises disciplined expense management and, despite prior layoffs, doesn't plan further staff reductions, focusing on execution and efficiency.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

IPG Earnings For CY2023 Show -0.4% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Income Up By +16.9% YoY

0% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 8, 2024

AdExchanger reports:

In 2023, IPG's organic net revenue stayed flat at $9.4 billion due to cautious client spending amid economic and geopolitical unrest. Although Q4 saw a slight improvement, the overall year was challenging, with a notable decline in tech and telecom ad spending.

Major client losses and underperformance in digital agencies further impacted IPG's growth. Despite these setbacks, the company is forecasting a modest recovery in 2024, focusing on stability rather than significant growth.

IPG's turnaround strategy involves a substantial investment in AI and technology, consolidating agencies for efficiency, and maintaining a balance between creative services and performance marketing. This approach aims to streamline operations while meeting diverse client needs.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Nielsen expands YouTube CTV ads measurement to 11 markets, reports The Media Leader

General

Feb 8, 2024

Nielsen expands its connected TV (CTV) measurement for YouTube ads to 11 markets, including the UK, enhancing cross-device insights. This integration into Nielsen One Ads offers a comprehensive view of YouTube's audience reach and compares it with traditional TV, aiding in informed ad spending.

Advertisers across multiple countries, like Australia, Germany, and Japan, can now assess YouTube's reach alongside other platforms. This development offers a clearer picture of ad impact and audience engagement, crucial for strategic planning.

Starting in Q2 2023, Nielsen will introduce deduplication across mobile, computer, and CTV in the UK, followed by other markets. By the year's end, four-screen deduplication, including linear TV, will be available in several markets, providing advertisers with detailed cross-platform audience insights.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

YouTube expands Content Takeovers to offer exclusive advertising on more inventory, reports Search Engine Land

General

Feb 8, 2024

YouTube is broadening its Content Takeovers, allowing brands to be the sole advertisers on diverse content such as entire creator channels, playlists, and specific videos. This exclusive advertising approach guarantees that a brand's ads are the only ones shown, providing 100% share of voice on selected content.

Content Takeovers are particularly effective during high-profile events, like the Super Bowl. Brands can target channels or content related to these events, ensuring their ads reach viewers when interest peaks.

While offering significant reach and visibility, Content Takeovers likely come at a high cost. YouTube's expansion into this area presents unique opportunities for advertisers to achieve unparalleled visibility during key moments on popular channels, ensuring maximum brand exposure.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Elon Musk Opens New Front in Disney Fight, reports WSJ

General

Feb 8, 2024

Elon Musk is deepening his conflict with Disney, openly backing legal cases against them for alleged discrimination, including supporting actress Gina Carano's lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm. This move underscores Musk's aggressive stance using his platform, X, to challenge entities he disputes.

Musk's confrontational approach raises concerns for advertisers on X, highlighting the risks of becoming embroiled in his personal feuds. His support for activist shareholder Nelson Peltz in his bid for a Disney board seat further exemplifies Musk's use of X for personal campaigns.

The feud traces back to Disney withdrawing ads from X following Musk's controversial posts and a report about pro-Nazi content adjacent to major ads.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

French Competition Watchdog Starts AI Inquiry on Big Tech Role, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 8, 2024

France's competition authority is conducting a public consultation on the generative AI sector, focusing on the influence of big tech firms. Concerns are raised about these companies using their market power in related areas, especially those dominant in cloud infrastructure like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.

The authority seeks insights until March 22, exploring the implications of market access to cloud infrastructure, data, and talent. This initiative reflects concerns about potential market distortions by powerful tech entities.

The investigation will also examine investments in generative AI startups, highlighting the growing competition in the field, as seen with Microsoft-backed OpenAI and France's Mistral AI SAS.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Activision Had Planned Layoffs Before Merger, Microsoft Says, reports Bloomberg

M&A

Feb 8, 2024

Microsoft countered the FTC's claims in court, stating that Activision Blizzard's layoffs were planned before their merger, aligning with industry trends. This challenges the FTC's belief that these layoffs resulted from the merger.

In a significant downsizing, Microsoft reduced its gaming division, including 1,900 Activision Blizzard employees, following the FTC's failed attempt to block the merger. This reduction is now a focal point in the FTC's ongoing appeal against the merger.

Despite the layoffs, Microsoft maintains that Activision Blizzard operates independently, allowing for a potential future spin-off, should legal proceedings require it. This strategy highlights Microsoft's adaptability to possible legal outcomes regarding the merger.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

EU drafts guidelines as it urges Big Tech to protect democratic elections, reports Reuters

General

Feb 8, 2024

The European Union is crafting guidelines for major tech platforms to counteract disinformation and hate speech during elections. This initiative addresses concerns about the impact of tech giants on democratic processes, coinciding with numerous global elections this year.

The EU's consultation seeks input on risk mitigation strategies from tech companies, particularly against AI-generated content. This action is timely, with multiple EU nations and the European Parliament holding elections soon.

Tech platforms are urged by EU Commissioner Thierry Breton to protect elections from foreign interference. The EU has requested firms like Amazon and Google to aid research on electoral integrity by providing data access.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

TikTok challenges EU supervisory fee, following Meta’s footsteps, reports Reuters

General

Feb 8, 2024

TikTok is challenging the EU's supervisory fee, set at 0.05% of annual global net income, mandated by the Digital Services Act (DSA) for major online platforms including Google and Apple. The fee, based on user numbers and financial performance, aims to cover EU regulatory compliance monitoring costs.

TikTok disputes the fee calculation, criticising the use of third-party user estimates. Despite this, the European Commission insists its methodology is robust and confirms all affected platforms met the payment deadline.

Exemptions apply to companies like Amazon and Elon Musk's X, which posted losses in 2022, sparing them from the 2023 fee.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

US says leading AI companies join safety consortium to address risks, reports Reuters

General

Feb 8, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

The U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC) has been formed, comprising over 200 members including tech giants like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. This initiative, led by the Biden administration, aims to ensure the safe development and deployment of generative AI.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasised the government's crucial role in AI development, with the consortium focusing on implementing guidelines from President Biden’s AI executive order. This includes developing safety standards and managing risks associated with AI technologies.

The AISIC represents a significant step in addressing AI's potential risks and opportunities. Despite this progress, comprehensive AI legislation at the federal level is yet to materialise.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Google Joins Steering Group to Help Identify AI-Generated Content, reports AdWeek

General

Feb 8, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Google has joined the Coalition for Content Provenance Authenticity (C2PA) to tackle misinformation by watermarking AI-generated content. As AI tools rapidly produce digital content, watermarking aims to provide transparency and combat the spread of misinformation.

C2PA, including companies like Publicis Groupe and Microsoft, is focusing on developing watermarking standards for digital content. Google's participation underscores efforts to embed these standards in its services, enhancing transparency and aiding user decision-making.

Despite the initiative's potential, challenges such as watermark visibility and removal persist. C2PA is working on making watermarks more noticeable, though watermarking alone isn't a comprehensive solution to misinformation.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Google Pushes Deeper Into AI With Chatbot Subscription Plan, reports WSJ

General

Feb 8, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Google is introducing a subscription-based model for its advanced chatbot, Gemini Advanced, priced at $19.99 per month. This move follows the trend set by OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft, reflecting Google's aim to leverage AI technology's growing appeal.

Gemini Advanced offers enhanced AI capabilities for diverse applications like tutoring and business planning. Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasises its potential in creative and educational domains. The launch aligns with Alphabet's strategy to diversify beyond its traditional advertising revenue.

The Gemini chatbot, initially Bard, will expand accessibility with a dedicated Android app and integration in the iPhone Google app, marking Google's foray into the competitive AI chatbot market.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

UK advertising watchdog turns to AI to help police dodgy green claims, reports FT

General

Feb 8, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is employing AI to intensify its scrutiny of ads, with a focus on misleading environmental claims. This initiative is a response to the growing influence of generative AI in marketing.

In 2024, the ASA plans to review 10 million ads, a significant increase from previous years. The emphasis will be on verifying claims related to environmental sustainability.

The ASA's efforts aim to regulate deceptive advertising, particularly in environmental claims. It seeks to strike a balance in advertising regulation, promoting truthful and responsible advertising practices while clamping down on greenwashing.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Spain's high court suspends $209 million fines on Apple, Amazon amid appeal, reports Reuters

General

Feb 8, 2024

Spain's high court has temporarily suspended a 194 million euro antitrust fine against Amazon and Apple, pending their appeal. The CNMC had fined them for allegedly colluding to limit Apple product sales on Amazon's Spanish sites to Amazon itself.

The suspension is a routine part of the appeal process and does not indicate the court's final decision. Amazon maintains that their agreement with Apple increased discounts, while Apple has yet to respond.

CNMC's initial ruling stated the 2018 contract between Amazon and Apple included clauses restricting most other retailers from selling Apple products on Amazon's Spanish marketplace and limited advertising for Apple's competitors. Similar charges in Italy were eventually dropped.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Criteo Earnings For CY2023 Show -3.4% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Income Up By +400.0% YoY

-3% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 7, 2024

AdExchanger reports:

Criteo has seen a significant increase in profits, with a jump from $16 million to $62 million in Q4, despite only a slight rise in revenue. This financial turnaround has led to a 20% increase in its stock value.

After a net loss in early 2023, Criteo's Q4 performance marked a strong recovery, achieving $1 billion in cash flow for the first time. This indicates a positive shift in the company's financial health.

Despite overall success, Criteo anticipates challenges from the upcoming deprecation of third-party cookies in Chrome. CEO Megan Clarken is focusing on diversifying addressability methods to navigate the transition to a cookieless digital advertising landscape.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Media Matters Seeks Dismissal Of X's Suit Over Critical Report, reports MediaPost

General

Feb 7, 2024

Media Matters for America is contesting X Corp's lawsuit, which claims a report on ads near pro-Nazi content was defamatory. Media Matters asserts the suit lacks legal standing in Texas and doesn't demonstrate malice or contract interference.

X Corp alleges Media Matters manipulated their platform to falsely link brand ads with extremist content, suggesting such placements were uncommon and distorted public perception.

Media Matters refutes X Corp's claims, arguing the lawsuit doesn't belong in Texas and that the report's content is substantively true. They highlight X Corp's acknowledgment of the potential for such ad pairings, though rare, as proof of the report's accuracy.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Global growth in VOD due to appeal of ad tiers, reports The Media Leader

General

Feb 7, 2024

Kantar's analysis showed a 1.8% increase in global video streaming household penetration in Q4 2023, driven by the appeal of ad-tier subscriptions. Notably, 48% of new Netflix subscribers opted for ad-funded plans, although UK subscriptions slightly declined.

Amazon Prime Video led new paid VOD subscriptions in Q4, while Apple TV+ emerged as the fastest-growing brand, boosted by free trials and popular shows. In contrast, free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) is not receiving as much attention despite being in over a third of households.

FAST services are competing with SVOD in viewership and are expected to grow further in 2024. However, there is a rise in planned SVOD cancellations, indicating a shift in consumer viewing habits.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

News Corp Earnings For CY2023 Show -2.0% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Income Down By -31.5% YoY

-2% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 7, 2024

News Publishing

Reuters reports:

News Corp surpassed Wall Street's second-quarter revenue estimates, driven by growth in its Dow Jones business information unit, digital real estate services, and a rebound in book publishing. Digital subscriptions for Dow Jones, including The Wall Street Journal, surged as customers sought comprehensive market analysis and professional insights.

The media conglomerate reported a 3% rise in quarterly revenue to $2.59 billion and an earnings per share of 26 cents, exceeding the estimated 21 cents. Its book publishing segment saw a 4% revenue increase to $550 million.

Despite overall growth, News Corp faced a 5.6% decline in advertising revenue. CEO Robert Thomson noted challenges in print advertising but highlighted the year-over-year growth in digital advertising.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Fox Corp. Earnings For CY2023 Show +1.9% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -44.6% YoY

+ 2% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 7, 2024

MediaPost reports:

Fox Corp. saw a significant 23% decrease in cable TV ad revenue from Fox News Channel, with overall ad revenue at $348 million. Despite this, affiliate revenues increased, with cable TV affiliate revenue growing by 2% and TV station affiliate revenue by 10%.

Analyst Steven Cahall highlights Fox News Channel's vital contribution to Fox Corp.'s earnings, mainly from affiliate revenue. He warns of potential earnings declines due to increasing cord-cutting.

Fox Corp. faced an overall 8% revenue drop to $4.23 billion and a 35% fall in cash flow. The stock declined 5% amid challenges and the launch of a new sports streaming venture with ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Disney Earnings For CY2023 Show +5.4% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +12.5% YoY

+ 5% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 7, 2024

NYT reports:

Disney CEO Robert A. Iger's turnaround strategy yields positive results, with earnings surpassing expectations and a forecasted 20% increase in annual earnings. Disney's theme park success contributes significantly, alongside a new stock buyback plan and increased dividends.

Streaming service losses at Disney were lower than expected, with a projected subscriber increase despite a recent dip. The service is on track for profitability by fall.

Disney contends with activist investor challenges, particularly from Trian Fund Management, advocating for streaming profitability and clear executive succession plans. Disney urges shareholders to oppose board seat bids from activist investors to ensure ongoing recovery and growth.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Ad Industry Wants FTC To Clarify Junk Fee Proposal, reports MediaPost

General

Feb 7, 2024

The advertising industry requests the FTC to clarify its proposed rules on "junk fees," concerned about the vague definition and potential impact on complex pricing models. The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) argues that a mandated "total price" in ads may not suit diverse market pricing strategies.

The FTC aims to prevent misleading low advertised prices, inflated by hidden fees, by requiring transparent disclosure of all-inclusive pricing. This proposal seeks to eliminate consumer deception in pricing practices.

The ANA questions the necessity of new rules, citing adequate existing laws against deceptive pricing. Meanwhile, the Chamber of Progress highlights challenges in applying these rules to online marketplaces with dynamic pricing, like delivery services.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Meta challenges supervisory fee for EU online content rules, reports Reuters

General

Feb 7, 2024

Meta Platforms is disputing an EU fee, set at 0.05% of its annual global net income, intended to cover EU regulatory costs under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This Act affects major online platforms like Meta, Google, Apple, and TikTok, enforcing stricter content policing.

Meta criticises the fee calculation, arguing it unfairly exempts loss-making companies with large user bases, causing profitable companies to bear a disproportionate share. The fee depends on user numbers and the company's financial performance.

Meta has legally challenged the fee at the General Court in Luxembourg, contesting the EU's methodology for funding compliance with the DSA.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Disney to Invest $1.5 Billion in Fortnite Maker Epic Games, reports Bloomberg

M&A

Feb 7, 2024

Gaming / Metaverse

Walt Disney Co. is investing $1.5 billion in Epic Games, expanding their collaboration to integrate Disney themes into Fortnite. This deal includes incorporating characters from Star Wars, Marvel, and Avatar, marking Disney's significant venture into gaming.

Disney, having transitioned from in-house game development to licensing, further strengthens its ties with Epic. The partnership builds on previous collaborations featuring Disney characters in Fortnite, utilising Epic's technology in game development.

This multi-year project, developed by Epic, continues the trend of Epic's successful brand partnerships, as seen with their Lego collaboration. This strategic move reflects Disney's growing focus on interactive entertainment and Epic's expertise in creating immersive gaming experiences.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Roblox Earnings For CY2023 Show +25.8% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Up By +24.1% YoY

+ 26% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 7, 2024

Gaming / Metaverse

Bloomberg reports:

Roblox Corp. reported a substantial increase in revenue and player engagement, with Q4 bookings reaching $1.13 billion and daily players hitting a record 71.5 million. This performance boosted its shares by 13.9%, reflecting the company's strongest growth in two years.

Despite industry-wide layoffs, Roblox has maintained stability, avoiding significant job cuts and continuing to hire. The company has seen consistent growth post-pandemic, with increased player spending per quarter.

Roblox is expanding globally with an AI tool for translating user chats across 16 languages, enhancing international communication. This step aligns with its strategy of ubiquity and community-building, anticipating continued growth in 2024.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

States Crack Down on Social Media for Teens, reports WSJ

General

Feb 7, 2024

Advertising To Children

New York is addressing social media's impact on teenagers by proposing regulations on platform algorithms. This approach aims to restrict algorithmic exposure to minors without parental consent, setting a potential precedent for other states.

The proposal, backed by state officials, targets algorithmic content delivery and data practices concerning minors. It's part of an effort to mitigate social media addiction among young users.

Focusing on algorithms rather than content, New York's strategy could overcome legal challenges that have hindered similar measures elsewhere. With solid support in the state legislature, this initiative could significantly influence social media regulation on a broader scale.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

FTC Dings Microsoft Over Activision Blizzard Layoffs in Court, reports Bloomberg

M&A

Feb 7, 2024

The FTC criticised Microsoft for job cuts in its gaming division, which contradict its promise to operate Activision Blizzard independently. The FTC argues this undermines its capacity to impose remedies if the acquisition violates the law.

The FTC's concerns stem from layoffs suggesting overlaps due to the merger. Despite earlier judicial approval, the FTC appealed, with the case now in the federal appeals court.

Microsoft announced a significant workforce reduction in its gaming division, affecting key roles at Activision Blizzard and related projects. The decision, part of wider industry layoffs, focuses on prioritising projects with greater potential for growth.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

ByteDance’s China Chief Resigns After CEO Seeks Greater Urgency, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 7, 2024

Leadership Transitions

Kelly Zhang, CEO of ByteDance's Douyin Group, is stepping down to concentrate on the CapCut video-editing app. This change follows ByteDance's emphasis on enhancing its AI capabilities. Han Shangyou will now oversee Douyin's operations, reporting to Zhang Lidong.

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok and Douyin, aims to stay competitive in AI against rivals like OpenAI's ChatGPT. Kelly Zhang's transition is part of a strategic shift towards leveraging AI in content creation.

Zhang's departure marks a significant change for ByteDance, as she played a key role in Douyin's growth. Her new focus on CapCut aligns with ByteDance's efforts to innovate and grow in the AI era.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

World’s biggest AI tech companies clash with UK over safety tests, reports FT

General

Feb 7, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Leading AI companies are pressing the UK government for faster safety tests for AI systems. These companies, including OpenAI and Google DeepMind, are seeking clear guidelines from the UK's AI Safety Institute on the testing process and handling of potential risks.

The AI Safety Institute is conducting tests on AI models, with the UK government expecting developers to act on any identified risks. The companies, while not legally obliged, had agreed to government testing before product releases.

This situation underscores the complexities of regulating advanced technologies. The UK government is contemplating binding requirements for AI developers to ensure safety, aligning with Prime Minister Sunak's vision for the UK to lead in AI risk management.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Google And Apple Defeat Users' Antitrust Claims Over Search Partnership, reports MediaPost

General

Feb 6, 2024

A federal judge dismissed allegations that the search partnership between Google and Apple violated antitrust laws. The lawsuit, focusing on Google as the default search engine in Apple's Safari browser, failed to demonstrate that the deal prevented Apple from creating its own search engine or restricted competition.

Filed in 2022, the suit accused the partnership of harming consumers and advertisers by limiting search service quality and innovation. However, these claims did not convince the court.

Judge Rita Lin's ruling, based only on the complaint's allegations, rejected the non-compete claims but allowed the plaintiffs to revise their argument about the partnership's impact on search competition.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery to form sports streaming service venture, reports Axios

General

Feb 6, 2024

ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery are collaborating on a joint streaming service for sports content, catering to fans shifting from traditional cable. The equally-owned venture will focus on management, branding, and pricing strategies.

Launching later this year, the service will offer extensive live sports from these networks, relying on subscription fees for monetisation. The content will include offerings from major networks like ESPN, ABC, and Fox.

This initiative, part of the broader trend towards streaming and cord-cutting, aims to keep live sports accessible amidst declining cable subscriptions. Additionally, ESPN is planning its own direct-to-consumer service, set to launch in 2025.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Spotify Earnings For CY2023 Show +13.0% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Up By +23.7% YoY

+ 13% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 6, 2024

Audio Advertising

Reuters reports:

Spotify reported robust fourth-quarter results, surpassing expectations in both monthly active users and premium subscribers, amidst expansion into podcasts and audiobooks. This is part of their strategy aiming for 1 billion users by 2030, supported by price hikes and staff reductions.

Monthly active users climbed by 23% to 602 million, exceeding forecasts, while premium subscribers grew 15% to 236 million. The company anticipates further subscriber growth in the upcoming quarter.

Despite these successes, Spotify's first-quarter projections fall short of Wall Street's user and revenue expectations. Nevertheless, the company reduced its operating loss and achieved a 16% revenue increase, bolstered by rising ad-supported revenue from music and podcasts.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Streamers Split on Running Come Visit Beautiful Gaza Anti-Hamas Commercial, reports WSJ

General

Feb 6, 2024

Two major streaming platforms, YouTube and Hulu, have taken contrasting approaches to a contentious Gaza tourism ad. YouTube removed the ad for breaching its policy against shocking content, but it remains available as unpaid content. In contrast, Hulu continues to broadcast the ad, following its policy of assessing controversial ads individually.

This divergence in handling the ad has sparked social media criticism and planned protests against Hulu. The situation underscores the complexities streaming services face with politically charged content.

Streaming platforms, unlike traditional broadcasters, operate without Federal Communications Commission regulations, leading to varied responses to political ads. These decisions can significantly impact consumer preferences in the competitive streaming market.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Omnicom Earnings For CY2023 Show +2.8% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +4.9% YoY

+ 3% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 6, 2024

AdExchanger reports:

Omnicom is prioritizing retail and commerce media, exemplified by its $845 million acquisition of Flywheel Digital. CEO John Wren views this as a strategic move to explore new markets, with Flywheel complementing Omnicom's data capabilities.

The company is weaving generative AI into its operations, enhancing ad campaign effectiveness through Omni Assist and partnerships with tech giants. However, Omnicom is proceeding cautiously, recognizing the risks associated with generative AI.

In 2023, Omnicom reported a 4.1% increase in revenue, reaching $14.7 billion. Looking ahead to 2024, the company expects growth in key sectors and a boost from major events like the Olympics and the US presidential election.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Snap Earnings For CY2023 Show +0.1% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Down By -7.5% YoY

+ 0% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 6, 2024

Bloomberg reports:

Snap Inc. experienced a 30% share drop after reporting lower-than-expected revenue in the holiday quarter, indicating struggles in the digital ad market. The fourth quarter saw a minor revenue increase, but full-year growth remained stagnant.

Under CEO Evan Spiegel's leadership, Snap is undergoing restructuring, including job cuts and focusing on profitable projects. Despite this, Snap anticipates a larger-than-expected adjusted loss in the near term.

Snap's recovery from Apple’s privacy changes is slower compared to peers like Meta. The company is refining its ad strategies and focusing on key markets, with a successful Snapchat+ subscription service offsetting setbacks in other areas. Snap forecasts modest revenue growth in the upcoming quarter.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

IAB Tech Lab Says The Chrome Privacy Sandbox Is A Time Bomb That Will Break Real-Time Bidding, reports AdExchanger

General

Feb 6, 2024

Cookie Deprecation

The IAB Tech Lab's report reveals that Google Chrome's Privacy Sandbox APIs severely limit key digital advertising functionalities, questioning their overall effectiveness. This poses significant challenges for the online advertising industry's existing practices.

The Privacy Sandbox disrupts traditional real-time bidding, marking a pivotal change in the industry. With Google set to phase out third-party cookies, the Tech Lab's analysis suggests these APIs fail to support essential advertising operations.

Google was not involved in the task force, leading to criticisms of the report's accuracy. Google disputes the findings, highlighting a debate over the Privacy Sandbox's impact on the future of online advertising.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Viant Launches Generative AI Tool That Lets Advertisers Talk To Their Data, reports AdExchanger

General

Feb 6, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Viant has updated its data platform with an AI-driven 'Chat with Data' tool, streamlining data analysis for advertisers. This innovation eliminates the need for specialised data analysis expertise, enabling direct, user-friendly access to data reports and analysis.

The tool draws from Viant’s comprehensive Data Platform, encompassing various marketing and first-party data sources. This rich data pool empowers the tool to provide quick and accurate insights, significantly aiding marketers in their strategic decisions.

Featuring a ChatGPT-like text interface, 'Chat with Data' allows natural language interactions for analysing and understanding market trends. This feature particularly benefits advertisers with limited resources or time, facilitating more effective and informed marketing strategies.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

YouTube TV says it has more than 8 million subscribers, reports Axios

General

Feb 6, 2024

YouTube TV now boasts over 8 million subscribers, emerging as a major U.S. TV provider. Its growth suggests it might soon overtake satellite and potentially cable providers. However, digital services like YouTube TV have not yet compensated for the decline in traditional cable and satellite audiences.

Focusing on TV and subscriptions, YouTube prioritises these areas, highlighted by significant daily viewership and over 100 million subscribers for YouTube Premium and Music. Investments in premium content, especially live sports, have spurred subscription increases.

In the pay-TV market, Charter and Comcast lead, with Dish and DirecTV also maintaining substantial subscriber bases. YouTube TV's rise indicates a shift towards digital television services.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Americans are tuning out politics news ahead of 2024 election, reports Axios

General

Feb 6, 2024

Interest in political and general news in the U.S. has decreased since the last presidential primary, shifting towards lighter topics. The previous cycle's heightened engagement, partly due to the pandemic, had led to high voter turnout, especially among younger voters.

In this election cycle, attention is more dispersed across various topics, although former President Trump and President Biden still draw significant interest. Notable exceptions like the Israel-Hamas conflict and Trump's indictments briefly boosted news engagement.

Readership of news and political articles has fallen, alongside a decline in cable news ratings and social media interactions with political content. This reflects changes in media consumption habits and challenges in engaging audiences with political debates and town halls.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

News companies reverse course on hard subscriptions, reports Axios

General

Feb 6, 2024

News Publishing

News organizations are shifting from rigid subscription models to flexible paywalls, memberships, and increased advertising. This responds to the challenges of costly premium content for subscriptions and declining ad revenue.

Significant outlets like Substack, TechCrunch, and The Washington Post are revising their strategies, with others like Time and Quartz opting for ad-supported models and membership programs for wider reach and revenue.

The media industry, including giants like Netflix and Spotify, is adapting to consumer subscription fatigue by introducing ad-supported tiers. This trend highlights the ongoing search for a sustainable balance between reader revenue and audience reach.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Meta to Detect and Label More AI-Created Posts as Elections Loom, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 6, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Meta Platforms Inc. is set to label posts created using AI tools on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads to curb misinformation, focusing on the 2024 election year. Collaborating with other tech companies, Meta will use invisible watermarking and metadata for AI-generated images' detection.

Nick Clegg, Meta’s global affairs president, revealed plans to detect and label images from various AI companies. However, the initial phase will only cover images, not audio or video, and might miss content from non-participating companies.

Meta's move, in line with the Oversight Board's critique, highlights the need for broader industry efforts to discern between AI-generated and authentic content.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Super Bowl Price Soars 11% To $6.47M Per :30, reports MediaPost

General

Feb 6, 2024

The cost for a 30-second commercial during this year's Super Bowl has escalated by 11% to $6.47 million, surpassing last year's $5.83 million.

This figure represents an aggregate of bookings from major U.S. agencies and national brands, with some variations due to legacy rates and additional deal aspects like sponsorships.

Food brands are now the primary advertisers, shifting from last year's focus on entertainment. Other growing categories include prescription drugs and personal care. In contrast to the 7% drop in national linear TV ad spend in 2023, sports programming, particularly NFL and NBA content, experienced a rise in ad investments. These insights are provided by Guideline, formed in 2022.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Britain invests 100 million pounds in AI research and regulation, reports Reuters

General

Feb 6, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

The UK government is investing over £100 million in AI development, focusing on establishing nine new research hubs and training regulators. These hubs, supported by nearly £90 million, will explore AI's potential in healthcare, chemistry, mathematics, and foster a UK-US partnership on responsible AI.

Additionally, £10 million will enable regulators to assess AI risks and opportunities across various sectors, including telecommunications, healthcare, finance, and education. This funding aims to develop tools for effective risk management in these areas.

This initiative follows the UK's international AI safety summit, where over 25 countries signed the "Bletchley Declaration", committing to identify and address AI risks collaboratively.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Google Must Fix Third-Party Cookie Competition Concerns Identified By UK CMA, reports MediaPost

General

Feb 5, 2024

Cookie Deprecation

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has halted Google's plan to remove third-party cookies from Chrome until concerns about its Privacy Sandbox initiative are addressed. This delay ensures the changes, slated for the second half of 2024, don't unfairly benefit Google or impair competition.

Central issues include potential self-preferencing in Google's advertising services and restricted access to user data for competitors. The CMA aims to ensure fair competition and effective fraud detection.

Privacy Sandbox, designed to minimise tracking, reflects a significant shift in digital advertising. The delay offers brands crucial time to adapt to a new, more private online environment, as the industry evolves away from reliance on cookies.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Byron Allen Says He’s Begun Talks With Paramount on $14.3 Billion Buyout Bid, reports Bloomberg

M&A

Feb 5, 2024

Byron Allen has engaged in talks with Paramount Global for his $14.3 billion bid to acquire the company, confirmed after an encounter with Paramount CEO Bob Bakish. Allen's offer, funded through debt and equity, aims to acquire Paramount's assets including CBS, MTV, and Paramount Pictures.

Paramount, controlled by the Redstone family, is considering Allen's proposal amidst negotiations with David Ellison for a potential merger with Skydance Media. A special committee is examining offers for Paramount.

Allen's bid proposes $28.58 per voting share and $21.53 per nonvoting share, pushing the deal's total value to around $30 billion. Paramount's share prices have varied following these developments.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Reddit Revenue Rises 20% Ahead of IPO, But It Isn’t Profitable Yet, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 5, 2024

Reddit Inc. experienced a revenue boost of over 20% in 2023, surpassing $800 million, up from $666 million in 2022. Despite this revenue surge, the company reported an annual adjusted EBITDA loss of about $69 million, though it achieved profitability in the fourth quarter.

The company is advancing its plans for an IPO, advised to consider a valuation of at least $5 billion. A public IPO filing is expected soon, with a potential NYSE debut as early as March. Leading the IPO are banks like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.

Reddit's prominence grew with over 70 million daily users, especially during the meme-stock phenomenon propelled by its WallStreetBets forum.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Amazon strikes ad data deal with Reach as Google kills off cookies, reports FT

General

Feb 5, 2024

Cookie Deprecation

Amazon and UK publisher Reach have formed a partnership to use first-party data for targeted advertising, adapting to Google's phasing out of third-party cookies. This alliance allows Amazon to use contextual data from Reach's articles, enhancing ad targeting on the publisher's platforms.

The deal involves Mantis, a tool initially for brand safety, now repurposed for contextual advertising, aligning ads with relevant content. This approach compensates for the reduced efficacy of third-party cookies.

As the advertising landscape evolves, publishers like Reach are increasingly leveraging first-party data. This shift necessitates closer collaboration between advertisers and publishers, focusing on quality content and precise customer data for effective brand outcomes.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Microsoft in deal with Semafor to create news stories with aid of AI chatbot, reports FT

General

Feb 5, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft collaborates with Semafor, using AI chatbots to assist in creating the "Signals" news feed. The partnership, significant for Semafor's funding, utilises AI for diverse global perspectives in news, with journalists writing and AI as a research tool.

This venture reflects the evolving role of AI in journalism amidst industry concerns and Microsoft's legal challenges with the New York Times. Microsoft's initiative aims to enhance news reporting while preserving journalistic standards.

Semafor, launched by Ben and Justin Smith, focuses on providing in-depth, contextualised news. Funded by prominent investors and nearing profitability, Semafor integrates AI to deliver comprehensive, nuanced reporting in the fragmented news landscape.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Oversight Board calls on Meta to rewrite incoherent rules against faked videos, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 5, 2024

Meta’s Oversight Board upheld keeping a doctored video of President Biden online, critiquing Meta's policy as unclear. The altered video, showing Biden in a misleading context, didn’t violate current policies because it wasn't AI-created. The Board suggested Meta focus on harm rather than creation methods and revise policies urgently due to the potential impact on elections.

The Board advised Meta to label manipulated media instead of relying on takedowns. Meta’s commitment to the Board's broader recommendations is non-binding, highlighting challenges in moderating such content.

This decision emphasises the struggle in moderating digital misinformation, especially with evolving disinformation tactics, underscoring the need for effective content management strategies.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Snap is latest tech company to slash jobs, laying off 10% of workforce, reports Axios

General

Feb 5, 2024

Snap Inc. announced it's laying off 10% of its staff, around 530 employees, due to struggles in recovering from post-pandemic advertising market declines. This restructuring aims to streamline operations and facilitate future growth investments.

The company expects to incur $55 million to $75 million in pre-tax charges, predominantly for severance, with the majority of these costs arising in Q1 2024. This move is part of Snap's effort to reduce hierarchy and encourage direct collaboration.

This layoff follows a 20% staff reduction in August 2022 and mirrors a broader tech industry trend where companies are refocusing resources on AI development. Snap Inc. will soon report its fourth-quarter earnings.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Google to face US antitrust trial over digital ads in September, reports Reuters

General

Feb 5, 2024

A U.S. federal judge has scheduled a jury trial for September 9, 2024, concerning the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department and several states against Google.

The lawsuit, initiated in January 2023, alleges Google monopolised the digital advertising market, suggesting a forced divestiture of its ad manager suite. Google refutes these claims, arguing that a successful lawsuit would hinder innovation and increase advertising costs.

The Justice Department sought a July start, but logistical challenges prompted a later date. Meanwhile, Google faces a separate trial in Texas in March 2025 for similar accusations and a Washington, D.C. trial in May over its search engine dominance.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

UK shelves proposed AI copyright code in blow to creative industries, reports FT

General

Feb 5, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

The UK has postponed establishing a code for AI model training with copyrighted material, impacting the creative industry. Disagreements among AI firms, rights holders, and government agencies have led to this delay.

Efforts to formulate a voluntary code of practice have stalled, revealing challenges in reconciling the AI sector's need for extensive training content with creatives' concerns for fair compensation. This stalemate emphasises the complexities in managing AI innovation alongside copyright protection.

The UK government prefers a voluntary approach over legislation in this rapidly evolving field, aiming to balance creative industry protection with AI growth. However, the ongoing deadlock reflects the urgent need for a clear, fair strategy regarding AI model training and copyright in the UK.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Yandex Parent Cuts Ties to Russia in $5.2 Billion Unit Sale, reports Bloomberg

M&A

Feb 5, 2024

Yandex NV has finalised the sale of its Russian operations, including its leading search engine, to a management-led consortium for approximately $5.2 billion. This major shift allows Yandex's Dutch parent company to refocus on international projects, divesting a unit that constituted the bulk of its revenue and assets.

The buying group, free from sanctions, includes Yandex executives and partners such as a Lukoil-affiliated fund. This strategic move is a response to the complex geopolitical landscape following Russia's involvement in Ukraine.

Yandex NV retains its global businesses, focusing on AI and autonomous technology development. The complex deal, involving cash and shares, aligns with Russian legal requirements for foreign-exiting firms, marking a new chapter for Yandex's international ambitions.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Google Seeks To Reverse Epic's Unreasonable Antitrust Victory, reports MediaPost

General

Feb 2, 2024

Google is challenging a jury verdict that found its Play store policies violated antitrust laws. The tech giant argues this decision is unreasonable and contradicts a 2021 ruling favoring Apple in a similar case. Google requests a directed verdict in its favor or a retrial.

The legal battle originates from Epic Games' 2020 lawsuit against Google, alleging monopoly in Android app distribution and in-app billing. Although the jury ruled against Google, the company contends this conflicts with a prior judgment that saw Apple and Google as competitors in app distribution.

In their defense, Google claims their sideloading warnings are not anti-competitive, highlighting the absence of evidence suggesting these warnings deter users from sideloading apps.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

X Is Trying to Win Over Influencers, reports NYT

General

Feb 2, 2024

Don Lemon is launching "The Don Lemon Show" on X, formerly Twitter, marking a shift in X's content strategy. Led by CEO Linda Yaccarino, X is transitioning to original video content, aiming to attract influential creators with professional-grade shows.

Creators on X are compensated upfront and benefit from ad revenue and subscription shares. This initiative is designed to entice influencers and advertisers with greater creative freedom and direct audience engagement.

X's strategy involves high-quality video content, leveraging relaxed content policies to attract established media figures. This approach positions X as a significant digital content platform, offering unique opportunities for creators and advertisers in the evolving social media landscape.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

A.I. Fuels a New Era of Product Placement, reports NYT

General

Feb 2, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

AI technology is revolutionising product placement, enabling digital insertion of products into social media videos, offering new revenue streams for creators and advertisers. Rembrand, a startup, leads this trend by seamlessly integrating digital products into videos using generative AI.

Rembrand, having raised $14 million, initially targeted podcasts for product placements and now expands to LinkedIn, TikTok, and soon Instagram. Its AI ensures realistic product representation in creators' videos, facilitating a smoother advertising process.

Rembrand's marketplace links creators with advertisers for AI-generated placements. Videos are uploaded and returned with products, with creators earning based on views. Aiming for a self-service platform mid-year, Rembrand streamlines digital product placement for creators and brands.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Europe within reach of landmark AI rules after nod from EU countries, reports Reuters

General

Feb 2, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

The European Union is close to adopting the Artificial Intelligence Act, aimed at regulating AI use across industries and setting global standards. The Act, which addresses AI in sectors from banking to aviation and includes provisions for military and security purposes, recently gained endorsement from EU member states.

EU industry chief Thierry Breton commended the Act for balancing innovation with safety. France's agreement on transparency and administrative considerations for high-risk AI systems was crucial in advancing the legislation.

Despite concerns from tech groups about potential innovation hindrances, the AI Act is proceeding to legislative votes, with full enforcement expected by 2026 and some parts earlier.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Reddit chooses New York Stock Exchange for long-stalled IPO, reports FT

General

Feb 2, 2024

Reddit has selected the New York Stock Exchange for its upcoming IPO, marking a significant win for NYSE in the tech sector.

This move signals renewed activity in the U.S. IPO market, which had been subdued for two years. Delayed since its confidential filing in 2021 amidst challenging market conditions, Reddit's IPO is notable in the current tech listings landscape.

Transitioning from a free speech hub to a more moderated platform, Reddit aims for a $5 billion valuation, reduced from $10 billion in 2021. The U.S. IPO market is showing early signs of recovery in 2024, though investor interest in major deals remains variable.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Judge certifies Apple app store class action, reports Reuters

General

Feb 2, 2024

A U.S. judge has approved a class action lawsuit against Apple, involving millions of customers claiming the tech giant monopolised the iPhone app market.

This decision, affecting those who spent over $10 in the App Store, challenges Apple's restriction of app purchases to its own platform, potentially leading to inflated prices.

Despite concerns about including unaffected accounts, the lawsuit, led by attorney Mark Rifkin, alleges substantial consumer damages over a decade. The case forms part of wider legal scrutiny of Apple's App Store practices, reflecting ongoing debates on the balance between company policies and consumer rights in the digital marketplace.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Joe Rogan Renews Spotify Deal, to Put Show on Rival Services, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 2, 2024

Audio Advertising

Spotify has renewed its contract with Joe Rogan, allowing "The Joe Rogan Experience" to be available on multiple platforms beyond Spotify. This strategic shift, part of a deal valued at $250 million, aims to expand the podcast's audience and includes a revenue-sharing model.

Rogan's podcast, known for its variety of guests and controversial topics, has been a top-listened show in the U.S. Despite criticism for spreading misinformation, Rogan continues to focus on engaging and diverse discussions.

Spotify's broader podcasting approach now seeks to increase audiences and ad revenue, distributing certain shows like "Call Her Daddy" across various services while retaining exclusive rights to video content.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Nielsen Sues VideoAmp For Patent Infringement, The Giant’s Ninth Such Suit In Three Years, reports AdAge

General

Feb 2, 2024

Nielsen has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against VideoAmp, alleging the violation of two newly issued patents in TV measurement. This adds to Nielsen's ongoing legal efforts against competitors, including TVision and HyphaMetrics, focusing on technologies for household viewer analysis.

The lawsuit details Nielsen's claim that VideoAmp is infringing on its patents, supported by extensive industry research. Previous lawsuits against other competitors like TVision are ongoing, with some set for trial in 2025.

Nielsen's strategy of rapid patent litigation has drawn antitrust counterclaims from TVision, accusing Nielsen of anti-competitive practices. Nielsen denies these allegations, asserting the validity of its patents and its actions to protect its intellectual property.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

IAB inks deal with SafeGuard Privacy to help traverse the fragmented regulatory landscape, reports Digiday

General

Feb 2, 2024

At the Interactive Advertising Bureau's (IAB) annual meeting, privacy was a key topic due to the lack of a U.S. federal privacy law, causing industry difficulties. With 13 states having distinct privacy laws, and more expected, this fragmentation presents major challenges for the advertising sector.

The IAB introduced the "Diligence Platform" with SafeGuard Privacy, aimed at standardizing the ad tech supply chain vetting process. This platform helps publishers and advertisers comply with diverse state laws through tailored questionnaires and law assessments.

Experts caution that despite this tool, thorough due diligence is essential, especially considering the influence of major stakeholders like Big Tech, whose businesses are largely data-driven.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Apple Earnings For CY2023 Show -0.5% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Income Up By +6.0% YoY

0% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 2, 2024

FT reports:

Apple reported a 2% revenue increase to $119.6bn in the December quarter, exceeding estimates, driven by strong iPhone sales and a record $23.1bn in services revenue. However, China sales dropped to $20.8bn, causing a 3% decline in shares post-results.

Despite the drop in China, overall net income grew to $33.9bn with EPS at $2.18. CEO Cook credited iPhone and services growth, while CFO Maestri downplayed the China decline, attributing it to currency factors.

With the upcoming Vision Pro launch and potential AI developments, Apple faces regulatory scrutiny and competitive challenges, particularly in the EU market, representing 7% of App Store revenues.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

LG Will Tag Ads To Measure Attention In Deal With Tvision And Lumen, reports AdAge

General

Feb 2, 2024

LG Ad Solutions is introducing attention tags on connected TV ads across 35 million U.S. TVs, offering a comprehensive comparison of streaming and linear TV ad engagement. This initiative, the first by a TV manufacturer, leverages Lumen Research and TVision technologies for detailed viewer attention tracking.

The program will provide critical metrics like viewable impressions and attention span, highlighting LG's strong ad inventory. This approach enables cross-media attention analysis, essential for media buyers prioritizing digital media.

Despite potential Nielsen contract limitations for network data integration, LG's unique setup and Lumen’s role facilitate effective attention-based CPM evaluations, enhancing ad investment decisions.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Meta Earnings For CY2023 Show +15.7% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +68.5% YoY

+ 16% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 2, 2024

Reuters reports:

Meta Platforms, marking Facebook's 20th anniversary, announced its first dividend, setting a precedent in the tech sector. The company, facing criticism for various harms, declared a 50-cent dividend per share amidst a significant recovery in share value. CEO Zuckerberg, recently testifying in the Senate, emphasized resilience amidst challenges.

Meta reported a robust fourth-quarter revenue increase to $40.1 billion, driven by AI interest and a surge in digital ad sales. Net income also saw a substantial rise, reflecting the company's comeback from a previous downturn.

Despite its focus on AI and the metaverse, Meta's revenue is still predominantly from social media advertising. The Reality Labs unit showed promising growth, underscoring Meta's diversified investment in future technologies.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Apple says EU represents 7% of global App Store revenue, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 2, 2024

Apple's compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) affects only 7% of its global App Store revenue, per CFO Luca Maestri. The impact depends on developers' adoption choices, even as Apple reports record App Store revenues in a successful quarter.

CEO Tim Cook warns that DMA compliance may compromise Apple's standards of privacy, security, and usability, potentially diminishing the user experience. Apple is also expanding its offerings, including allowing streaming game stores and supporting in-app purchases for mini-games and apps.

Industry backlash has been strong, with major companies like Spotify, Epic Games, and Meta criticising Apple's approach as overly burdensome and unfair, conflicting with DMA's goals of fair competition.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Musk’s X Asks Advertisers to Come Back With Child Safety Pitch, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 2, 2024

X, formerly known as Twitter, is actively encouraging advertisers to return under its new ownership by Elon Musk.

CEO Linda Yaccarino emphasises X's commitment to online safety, particularly for children, and support for US online safety legislation. This approach seeks to differentiate X from other social networks and reassures advertisers after controversies under Musk's leadership.

Recent challenges for X include managing harmful content and responding to advertiser concerns, particularly after Musk's contentious posts led to reduced ad spending. Yaccarino, with her experience in advertiser relations, is focused on rebuilding these partnerships, essential for X's revenue, while emphasising the platform's rebranding and commitment to safety.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Privacy Sandbox focus shifts to need for end-to-end, fuller-scale testing, reports Digiday

General

Feb 2, 2024

Cookie Deprecation

Google's deprecation of third-party cookies in Chrome has prompted the advertising industry to focus on end-to-end testing of the Privacy Sandbox. This initiative aims to evaluate its effectiveness for advertisers and publishers. Various ad tech firms, including Raptive and Index Exchange, have begun integrating Privacy Sandbox APIs for testing purposes.

These tests, however, face limitations, such as restricted competition between Privacy Sandbox-branded bids and traditional cookie-branded bids. This highlights the need for more comprehensive testing across a broader scale.

The advertising industry's collaborative efforts in exploring and adapting to the Privacy Sandbox signify a proactive response to evolving digital advertising technologies, emphasising the importance of innovation and adaptability in business strategies.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

UK government urged to adopt more positive outlook for LLMs to avoid missing AI goldrush, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 1, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

The U.K. government is criticised for its narrow focus on AI safety, risking lagging in AI advancements. The House of Lords’ report emphasises balancing societal risks like misinformation with potential opportunities.

Key findings urge a shift towards practical risk management, away from exaggerated apocalyptic scenarios. The report advocates for immediate attention to pressing issues like copyright infringement and AI-generated misinformation, encouraging a balanced approach for exploiting AI's potential.

AI's evolving landscape requires nuanced regulation, avoiding regulatory capture while addressing immediate societal impacts. The U.K. must balance AI safety concerns with seizing technological opportunities, focusing less on distant existential threats.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Apple Has a New Plan for Its App Store. Many Developers Hate It, reports NYT

General

Feb 1, 2024

Under the Digital Markets Act, Apple must allow alternative app stores and payment methods on iPhones. Developers criticize Apple's response, including new fees and rules, as limiting and costly, undermining the law's intent to increase choice.

Developers face a dilemma with Apple's options: maintain current App Store arrangements, adopt a reduced commission with added charges, or use alternative stores with Apple's fees. Many find these alternatives financially unviable, especially for free apps, suggesting continued reliance on the existing App Store model.

Apple's strategy in complying with the new law faces backlash and scrutiny. Developers argue the system is prohibitive, threatening their business models and maintaining Apple's App Store dominance.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

TikTok Begins Removing Universal Music Songs After Deal Lapses, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 1, 2024

Universal Music Group (UMG) has started removing its music from TikTok following a failed contract renewal, affecting popular artists like Taylor Swift and Drake. This impacts TikTok's vast user base, as UMG's tracks, a major source for content creation, become inaccessible.

The conflict highlights ongoing disputes over fair artist compensation on digital platforms, with labels demanding better terms.

UMG's actions mark a firm approach to digital service partnerships, focusing on fair compensation, AI impact, and user safety. This public dispute contrasts with other labels like Warner Music and Sony Music, who have successfully renegotiated with TikTok.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Google’s Bard chatbot gets the Gemini Pro update globally, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 1, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Google's Bard chatbot is now globally powered by the Gemini Pro model, supporting over 40 languages. This update enhances its content understanding and summarising abilities, following its evolution from the LaMDA to the PaLM 2 model.

Bard's expansion makes it available in over 230 countries, showcasing Google's progress in AI chatbot technology. This global reach reflects Bard's growing versatility and user accessibility.

The chatbot also features an image generation capability through the Imagen 2 model, currently limited to English. This function allows users to create digital images from text prompts, with each image containing a unique digital watermark for easy identification.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

S.Africa's MultiChoice TV, NBCUniversal to invest $177 mln in Showmax, reports Reuters

M&A

Feb 1, 2024

MultiChoice Group and Comcast's NBCUniversal Media will invest approximately $177 million in the Showmax streaming platform this financial year. This follows MultiChoice's partnership with NBCUniversal and Sky, incorporating Showmax into NBCUniversal's Peacock platform. NBCUniversal now owns 30% of Showmax, with MultiChoice retaining 70%.

Investments align with each company's shareholding, including an initial $30 million equity funding and up to $127 million anticipated by the year-end. MultiChoice will cover up to $88.9 million of this additional funding.

MultiChoice's investment in Showmax aims to boost revenues and compete with global streaming giants. Showmax will offer exclusive content, including live Premier League soccer and NBCUniversal and Sky's international programs.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Amazon Earnings For CY2023 Show +5.3% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +1217.7% YoY

+ 5% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 1, 2024

CNBC reports:

Amazon's Q4 earnings surpassed expectations, with a revenue jump to $170 billion and earnings per share of $1.00, boosting stocks by over 8%. Strong performance in Amazon Web Services and advertising contributed to this surge, with projections indicating steady growth in Q1.

CEO Andy Jassy's cost-control measures led to a significant net income rise to $10.6 billion. Despite recent layoffs, CFO Brian Olsavsky plans continued investment balanced with efficiency in 2024. The holiday season and Prime Day significantly bolstered revenue.

AWS sales increased by 13%, with high interest in AI products. Amazon's advertising unit grew by 27%, benefiting from new ads in Prime Video.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Amazon Could Soon Be on Hook for Safety of Third-Party Products It Sells and Ships, reports WSJ

General

Feb 1, 2024

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is considering classifying Amazon as a distributor, making it responsible for third-party product safety on its platform. Amazon resists this, arguing its role is merely facilitating buyer-seller connections.

This potential change follows concerns over unsafe products on Amazon's marketplace. Amazon emphasises its commitment to product safety but contends it's not liable for third-party items.

If classified as a distributor, Amazon could face increased legal responsibilities and scrutiny for third-party products. This decision could redefine Amazon's operational and legal landscape, highlighting the ongoing debate about marketplace accountability in e-commerce.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Mark Zuckerberg calls Apple’s DMA rules so onerous he doubts any developer will opt in, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 1, 2024

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg criticised Apple's approach to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), describing the new rules for alternative app stores and payment systems as overly burdensome. Zuckerberg doubted developers would adopt these alternatives due to added fees like the "Core Technology Fee."

Meta had considered launching its own app store but was deterred by Apple's stringent regulations. Zuckerberg's comments during Meta's Q4 earnings call reflect his skepticism about Apple's DMA compliance benefiting developers or fostering competition.

Meta aligns with other tech giants like Epic Games, Spotify, and Microsoft in condemning Apple's DMA implementation. These firms view Apple's response as contrary to the DMA's intent, hindering competition and innovation in the app economy.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

The Epic-Apple antitrust saga isn’t over yet, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 1, 2024

Epic Games challenges Apple's adherence to a court ruling on App Store changes. Despite allowing external payment links, Apple proposes a 27% commission, which Epic criticises as "malicious compliance."

Upholding the ruling, the 9th Circuit Court requires Apple to modify its anti-steering policy. Apple's response includes reduced commissions but imposes control measures like approval processes and transaction reports, limiting developers' financial benefits.

Epic plans legal action against Apple's approach, questioning the fairness of these terms, including warning screens for external links. Details of Epic's forthcoming legal complaint remain undisclosed.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Amazon Adds AI Shopping Companion Named Rufus to Retail Store, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 1, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Amazon introduces Rufus, an AI shopping assistant in its mobile app, to a select group of customers. Rufus aids in complex searches, like finding indoor gardening supplies or Valentine's Day gifts, enhancing the traditional keyword search method.

This advancement aligns with the growing trend of AI-driven shopping experiences, offering conversational, context-based product recommendations and comparisons, much like OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Rufus's debut follows Walmart's similar AI initiative in its iOS app, allowing users to search by use cases. This marks a significant shift in online shopping, focusing on intuitive, AI-enhanced customer interactions.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Agencies Are Quietly Laying Off Mid-level And Senior Employees, reports AdAge

General

Feb 1, 2024

Ad agencies, including Interpublic Group and WPP, are undergoing layoffs due to shrinking client budgets and a shift to project-based work. This instability is causing anxiety among employees, as staffing becomes unpredictable.

Despite industry growth, agencies face cost pressures from market uncertainties and client cutbacks. These challenges are forcing agencies to adapt, leading to layoffs that are impacting not just junior but also mid- and senior-level employees.

Recent layoffs are affecting agency workforce diversity, disproportionately impacting people of colour. The trend is resulting in overworked remaining staff and potential changes in salary structures, raising concerns about long-term stability and diversity within the industry.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Ad giant Publicis paying $350 million to settle U.S. opioid crisis claims, reports CNBC

General

Feb 1, 2024

Responsible Media

Publicis Health, a division of French ad giant Publicis, will pay $350 million to settle allegations that its marketing contributed to the U.S. opioid crisis. The payout, part of broader settlements with drug companies, will be distributed among all 50 U.S. states, D.C., and five territories, without the firm admitting wrongdoing.

New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Publicis of helping opioid manufacturers, like Purdue Pharma, promote overprescription. New York will receive $19.2 million, with significant amounts also going to California, Florida, and Texas.

Publicis Health maintains its work, mostly via its former subsidiary Rosetta, was lawful and FDA-approved, focusing on healthcare providers, not consumers. The net cash impact post-insurance and taxes is $160 million.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Roku Set To Name Publicis Exec As Head Of Ad Sales, reports AdAge

General

Jan 31, 2024

Leadership Transitions

Roku is set to appoint Jay Askinasi, the current CEO of Publicis Media’s PMX U.S., as head of ad sales. This follows Alison Levin’s exit to NBCUniversal after nearly a decade leading Roku's ad business. Askinasi's anticipated hiring is a key decision by Roku Media President Charlier Collier.

With over three years at PMX, Askinasi has a rich history in ad sales and partnerships, including roles at AT&T’s Xandr and Warner Media. He's also experienced in media buying at Omnicom’s PHD.

Askinasi's comprehensive expertise in ad tech and media relationships is expected to significantly contribute to Roku's advertising strategies and growth in the rapidly evolving digital media landscape.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

TikTok owner ByteDance's chief warns against mediocrity as AI disrupts, reports Reuters

General

Jan 31, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

ByteDance CEO Liang Rubo cautioned employees against complacency, highlighting ByteDance's slow adoption of AI technology. He stressed the need for swift adaptation to emerging tech trends, recognising the company's lag in responding to AI advancements.

Despite its success with apps like TikTok, ByteDance has been slow in the AI race. Liang urged the company to catch up with competitors who developed leading AI models earlier.

ByteDance is now focusing more on AI, developing chatbots like "Doubao" and "Cici." This shift follows controversy over its use of OpenAI's technology, resulting in an investigation and account suspension, reflecting the challenges in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ will start cracking down on password sharing, reports CNN

General

Jan 31, 2024

Disney is implementing restrictions on password sharing for its streaming services, including Hulu, starting March 14.

The updated user agreements for Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ now explicitly prohibit users from sharing account details outside their households. This measure follows Disney CEO Bob Iger's August statement prioritizing addressing password sharing in 2024 to grow the business.

The agreements, updated on January 25, permit Disney to analyse user accounts for compliance. Non-compliant accounts risk limitation or termination. The initiative aligns with Disney's strategy to increase subscriber numbers, inspired by Netflix's successful crackdown on password sharing, which significantly boosted its subscriber base.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Roku is set to announce Publicis exec Jay Askinasi as its next ad-sales boss, reports Insider

General

Jan 31, 2024

Leadership Transitions

Roku is appointing Jay Askinasi from Publicis Groupe's PMX as its new global media revenue leader. He succeeds Alison Levin, who shifted to NBCUniversal.

His operational and growth-oriented skills are expected to drive Roku's success in the competitive ad-supported streaming market. This is especially pertinent as Roku recently reported a rise in video ad revenue and faces stiff competition from services like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.

Askinasi's role is critical for Roku's continued growth, particularly in navigating the fluctuating ad market and maintaining the company's momentum in the dynamic streaming industry.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Disney’s India Unit Takes Valuation Hit in Planned Sale, reports WSJ

M&A

Jan 31, 2024

Disney is set to sell 60% of its Indian media operations to Viacom18 for $3.9 billion, a notable decrease from its 2019 value. This move includes Star India and Hotstar, with Disney retaining a 40% stake.

The merger with Viacom18, involving James Murdoch's Bodhi Tree and Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, reflects challenges in India's diverse market, particularly costly cricket rights.

This deal, expected to finalise in February, marks Disney's strategic shift in a tough Indian market, burdened by high content costs and intense competition, impacting streaming subscriptions and revenue.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Allen Media Group Makes $14.3 Billion Offer for Paramount Global, reports WSJ

M&A

Jan 31, 2024

Media entrepreneur Byron Allen's Allen Media Group has made a second bid to acquire Paramount Global, offering $14.3 billion. This follows a previous $18.5 billion attempt. Allen's interest competes with other potential buyers, including Skydance Media and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Allen has actively pursued major media properties, previously bidding for Disney's ABC and Paramount's BET Media Group. His latest offer represents a significant premium over Paramount's current share value, reflecting his ambition to grow in the media industry.

Paramount, controlled by National Amusements, faces strategic decisions amidst the evolving media landscape. Allen's bid underscores the dynamic shifts in media ownership and content distribution.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Universal Music Group Poised to Stop Licensing Music to TikTok, reports WSJ

General

Jan 31, 2024

Universal Music Group threatens to stop licensing its content to TikTok unless a satisfactory new contract is reached.

The current deal, covering artists like Taylor Swift and Drake, is expiring, with Universal criticising TikTok's low payment offer. TikTok allegedly tried to pressure Universal by selectively removing music from emerging artists while retaining top stars.

TikTok, crucial for music discovery and virality, contributes only about 1% to Universal's revenue. Universal emphasises fair payment, protection against AI's impact on human artists, and online safety in the negotiations. The music industry, as streaming revenue growth slows, seeks lucrative licensing deals across various platforms, including social media and apps.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

TikTok completes deal for Indonesia's top e-commerce platform, reports Reuters

M&A

Jan 31, 2024

TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has completed the purchase of a 75.01% stake in Indonesia's largest e-commerce platform, Tokopedia, from GoTo Group for $840 million. This acquisition enables TikTok to relaunch its e-commerce service in Indonesia, TikTok Shop, which had been suspended following a government ban on social media-based online shopping.

GoTo Group's CEO, Patrick Walujo, emphasized the partnership's benefits for Indonesian businesses. GoTo, with diverse operations including ride-hailing and financial services, achieved positive earnings in the last quarter of 2023 and is contemplating a share buyback.

Following the deal's announcement, GoTo Group's shares rose, closing with a 1.15% increase at 88 rupiah each.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Senators Say Tech Platforms Hurt Children, reports WSJ

General

Jan 31, 2024

At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, tech CEOs from Meta and TikTok faced severe bipartisan criticism for failing to protect children on social media. Senators accused the platforms of contributing to child exploitation, with some referencing reports of dangers on Instagram.

Meta's Mark Zuckerberg defended the company’s child safety measures, despite criticism of their plans to encrypt messaging. Internal documents suggested a lack of investment in child protection, drawing further scrutiny from lawmakers.

The hearing highlighted the need for stricter legal accountability for social media firms. Legislators proposed removing legal protections in cases of child exploitation, stressing the urgency of safeguarding young users online.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

IAB Tech Lab presents Google with Privacy Sandbox gap analysis following Annual Leadership Meeting, reports Digiday

General

Jan 31, 2024

Cookie Deprecation

Google's Privacy Sandbox is under review for not covering all marketing needs. The IAB Tech Lab's analysis shows about 30 out of 40 marketing scenarios are unsupported, especially in reporting and data integration. Industry members are assessing the Sandbox's utility against alternative solutions.

Despite Google clarifying that the Privacy Sandbox isn't a complete cookie substitute, there's uncertainty about its effectiveness for advertisers and publishers. The tech industry is testing its feasibility for real-world applications.

Discussions between IAB Tech Lab and Google aim to refine the Sandbox. This collaboration seeks to address identified gaps, with a focus on enhancing the platform to meet broader industry needs. Future updates are anticipated to better serve the digital advertising ecosystem.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

TikTok Pledged to Protect U.S. Data. $1.5 Billion Later, It’s Still Struggling, reports WSJ

General

Jan 30, 2024

TikTok's "Project Texas," a $1.5 billion initiative, aims to safeguard U.S. user data and ensure algorithm transparency, separate from its Chinese parent company ByteDance. However, internal challenges have emerged, with unauthorised data sharing and difficulties in monitoring algorithm changes.

Despite efforts, Project Texas struggles with data segregation, as employees face delayed secure devices and report concerns about data security. The project's effectiveness in protecting U.S. data from ByteDance influence remains uncertain.

TikTok's commitment to U.S. regulations faces skepticism, with unresolved issues in fully implementing data handling improvements. This highlights the complexity of managing user data in a global social media environment.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Microsoft Earnings For CY2023 Show +11.5% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +22.4% YoY

+ 12% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jan 30, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Bloomberg reports:

Microsoft Corp. reported a notable 18% revenue growth to $62 billion in Q2, driven by a surge in AI product interest, particularly boosting Azure cloud-services by 30%. Despite high expectations, Azure's growth had a muted impact on share values.

The company's commercial cloud revenue hit $33.7 billion, catalysed by AI-integrated Microsoft 365 Copilot and increasing demand for foundational cloud services. Microsoft's focus on AI significantly influenced Azure's growth rate, as outlined by CFO Amy Hood.

Revenue in Microsoft’s More Personal Computing unit reached $16.9 billion, slightly above estimates. Xbox content and services revenue jumped by 61%, incorporating gains from the recent Activision Blizzard acquisition, aligning with Microsoft's strategic investment in AI and OpenAI.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Alphabet Earnings For CY2023 Show +8.7% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +23.0% YoY

+ 9% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jan 30, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

FT reports:

Alphabet's Q4 2023 advertising revenue grew by 11% to $65.5 billion, marginally missing forecasts and resulting in a 5% drop in shares. This segment forms the bulk of their revenue, showing signs of recovery due to stable economic signals.

Overall revenue rose to $86.3 billion, a 13.5% increase, driven by a notable 26% growth in Google Cloud's revenue, reflecting a strategic shift towards AI and cloud services.

Despite hitting a record high in shares, Alphabet faces challenges in AI innovation. The company is streamlining operations, indicated by workforce cuts and office space reductions, amidst significant severance and exit charges in 2023.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

OpenAI's ChatGPT breaches privacy rules, says Italian watchdog, reports Reuters

General

Jan 30, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Italy's Garante has informed OpenAI of ChatGPT's breach of data protection rules, continuing an investigation that began with a temporary ban of the AI chatbot last year for EU privacy rule violations.

Despite ChatGPT being reactivated after addressing consent-related issues, Garante's investigation indicates further potential data privacy violations. OpenAI believes its practices comply with EU privacy laws and plans to work constructively with Garante.

Garante has given OpenAI a 30-day deadline to defend its practices. This case reflects the EU's rigorous data protection approach, with Italy leading regulatory scrutiny of AI technologies like ChatGPT under GDPR rules.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.

Minute Media valued at over $1B after new round of funding, reports Axios

M&A

Jan 30, 2024

Minute Media, parent of The Players' Tribune, recently raised significant funds, surpassing a $1 billion valuation. The investment supports their acquisition of STN Video, a Canadian sports streaming platform, integrating STN's strengths into Minute Media's operations.

STN Video, collaborating with major U.S. sports leagues, distributes game clips on various platforms. This acquisition, Minute Media's largest, brings all 70 STN staff on board, merging certain capabilities with Minute Media's existing services.

Minute Media, now profitable with $300 million in sales, focuses on expanding its tech platform, Voltax. With a solid financial base, the company is strategically eyeing acquisitions, including potentially Sports Illustrated, to grow its sports content portfolio.

Primary Source Earnings Report

🔗

Expert Opinions

No items found.