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Omnicom Media Group looks for more clarity on the role of AI in the auction process, reports Digiday

General

Oct 8, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Omnicom Media Group (OMG) is addressing transparency in digital investment, particularly in ad auctions.

OMG's AI Buying Agent initiative aims to standardise practices in automated ad algorithms, ensuring advertisers' interests are considered. Major platforms like Amazon, Google, Meta, and TikTok are participating in a baseline assessment to improve compliance.

OMG seeks to establish standards regarding placement, targeting, and transparent reporting to avoid conflicts of interest. The initiative aligns with OMG’s Council on Accountability and Standards in Advertising, highlighting the importance of platform transparency and control over brand data amid increasing AI integration in advertising processes.

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Expert Opinions

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Adtech execs keep leaving. It's a sign of a new era, reports Insider

General

Oct 7, 2024

Leadership Transitions

The adtech industry is experiencing significant leadership changes, particularly in startups backed by private equity. Recent transitions include Louisa Wong stepping down as CEO of XR Extreme Reach and Dave Clark leaving TripleLift.

Experts attribute this revolving door to the need for experienced operators as companies shift to growth-focused strategies. While adtech valuations have declined, private equity firms continue seeking scale. The connected-TV sector is growing rapidly, yet challenges persist due to low margins and competition from major platforms like YouTube and Amazon.

Anticipated further management upheaval and sector consolidation are expected after the holiday period.

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TikTok launches Smart+ performance AI tools and brings videos to retail stores, reports The Media Leader

General

Oct 7, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

TikTok has launched Smart+, a new AI-driven performance marketing suite aimed at automating campaign creation for marketers. This global suite allows advertisers to input their assets, budgets, and targeting goals, with TikTok’s AI managing the rest, including creative tasks through its Symphony tool. While Smart+ automates many processes, marketers maintain control over various aspects of their campaigns.

This initiative aligns with a trend among social media companies developing AI tools for efficient marketing, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises.

TikTok also introduced Conversion Lift Studies to better measure its advertising effectiveness and expanded its Out of Phone initiative into retail spaces.

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Watchdog Seeks Probe Of CTV Ad Targeting, reports MediaPost

General

Oct 7, 2024

A privacy watchdog is urging federal and state officials to investigate the data collection and targeted advertising practices of streaming video companies, particularly in the connected television (CTV) sector. The Center for Digital Democracy highlights concerns over commercial surveillance, arguing that CTV data flows into advanced advertising systems, compromising consumer privacy.

They call for new privacy laws to limit data collection and ensure viewers can easily opt out of targeted advertising, asserting that many streaming services may violate California’s privacy law.

This plea follows a recent FTC report on privacy threats posed by social media and streaming platforms.

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Google Play Must Allow Rival Android App Stores, Judge Rules, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 7, 2024

A federal judge has ruled that Alphabet Inc. must remove restrictions preventing developers from establishing competing marketplaces to its Google Play Store, significantly challenging Google’s dominance in the Android app market. This decision is a major victory for Epic Games Inc. in its ongoing antitrust lawsuit, where it argued that Google’s policies and fees hinder competition and block the launch of rival app stores.

The ruling could accelerate the decline of app store controls by major tech firms like Google and Apple, amid increasing scrutiny from regulators globally.

This follows another antitrust loss for Google regarding its monopolisation of online search.

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US antitrust case against Amazon to move forward, reports Reuters

General

Oct 7, 2024

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) case against Amazon, accusing the company of stifling online retail competition, will proceed, although some claims from states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania were dismissed.

U.S. District Judge John Chun's ruling indicated that while the FTC alleged Amazon's pricing algorithm harmed consumers, the judge would not consider Amazon's arguments that its practices benefitted competition at this preliminary stage.

Amazon has previously stated it ceased using the contested algorithm in 2019 and has argued that the FTC has provided no evidence of consumer harm.

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BBC and other public UK broadcasters strike Amazon streaming service deal, reports FT

General

Oct 7, 2024

BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 have partnered with Amazon to launch their free streaming platform, Freely, on Fire TV smart TVs, enhancing access to live and on-demand content for UK audiences. This initiative aims to transition viewers from traditional aerial services to internet-based television, offering around 70,000 hours of content without the need for a dish.

The service will also be available on TVs from brands like Hisense, Bush, and Panasonic.

Everyone TV emphasised the importance of widespread availability, while Amazon noted the deal enhances customer access to UK broadcasters' programming.

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Microsoft looks set to shutter its retail media business, reports Digiday

General

Oct 7, 2024

Microsoft appears to be shutting down PromoteIQ, its retail advertising platform, after acquiring it five years ago, directing clients towards Criteo instead.

Following a partnership announcement with Criteo, Microsoft communicated this transition to retail media publishers. The decision stems from PromoteIQ's low-profit margins and the loss of significant clients, prompting Microsoft to reevaluate its retail media strategy.

This shift aims to enhance collaboration and efficiency within the retail media ecosystem, although challenges remain, including the integration of ad technology and the necessity for retailers to establish robust internal ad tech solutions.

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Publishers Are Bringing Vertical Video to the Open Web With Webflix, reports AdWeek

General

Oct 7, 2024

Time and The Arena Group have partnered with Webflix to integrate short-form vertical video into their open web properties. This new technology allows publishers to monetise vertical videos with pre-roll and banner ads, addressing challenges faced in the past.

By embedding videos directly into articles, publishers can retain user engagement without redirecting them to social media platforms. Although still in its early stages, this initiative offers a new monetisation avenue as publishers seek to increase site traffic and engagement amidst changing search and social algorithms.

Currently, the Webflix product is mobile-only, with plans for desktop development underway.

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Microsoft Bundles Gaming and CTV Ad Buys, reports MediaPost

General

Oct 5, 2024

Gaming / Metaverse

Microsoft has started offering combined advertising buys for connected television (CTV) and gaming, recognising that 85% of viewers use "other" devices while watching TV, predominantly gaming.

Nick Bolt, a senior product marketer at Microsoft Advertising, noted that gaming has not yet matched the advertising levels of CTV, despite viewers spending comparable time on both platforms. In 2024, CTV ad spending is projected at $30.1 billion, compared to $8.5 billion for gaming ads.

Microsoft is also expanding its Xbox Research division to enhance its advertising capabilities within gaming, aiming to improve tools and insights from game developers.

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Musk’s X Loses Court Fight With Australia Over Social Media Fine, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 4, 2024

An Australian judge has upheld a A$610,500 ($418,100) fine against social media platform X for failing to adequately address child-abuse content inquiries from the eSafety commissioner. The court's ruling, which requires X to pay all legal costs, underscores Australia’s push for stricter online safety regulations for global tech companies.

This case follows Australia's efforts to compel X to remove a violent terrorist attack video and signals the government's intent to implement age limits for teen social media users.

Elon Musk has previously criticised Australian authorities over proposed legislation aimed at combating digital misinformation.

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Google says it will stop linking to New Zealand news if proposed new law passed, reports Reuters

General

Oct 4, 2024

News Publishing

Google announced it will cease linking to New Zealand news articles and terminate agreements with local news organisations if the government enacts legislation requiring fair payment for content on digital platforms. The proposed law, which aims to ensure revenue sharing between tech firms and media entities, is currently under review and may align more closely with Australian legislation.

Google’s New Zealand Country Director, Caroline Rainsford, expressed concerns that the bill threatens the open nature of the internet and could adversely affect small publishers.

The New Zealand Minister for Media and Communications is still considering feedback from the sector.

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Meta Unveils AI Video Generator, Taking On OpenAI and Google, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 4, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Meta Platforms Inc. has launched a new AI tool called Movie Gen, which generates or edits videos based on text prompts, enhancing competition with OpenAI and Google. Currently available to select employees and partners, Movie Gen can create 16-second videos and generate audio or edit existing videos.

Meta plans to integrate this tool into its apps next year to encourage user engagement and creativity. While the technology needs to improve efficiency, safety measures are also a priority to prevent misuse.

This move is part of Meta's broader strategy to leverage AI for user growth and content relevance across its platforms.

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Meta must limit data use for targeted advertising, top EU court rules, reports Reuters

General

Oct 4, 2024

Meta Platforms must limit the use of personal data collected from Facebook for targeted advertising, as ruled by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on Friday. This decision supports privacy activist Max Schrems, who argued that he was targeted by personalised ads without proper data restrictions.

The CJEU stated that online platforms cannot use all personal data for targeted advertising indefinitely. Meta acknowledged the ruling but highlighted its investments in privacy features, asserting that it does not use sensitive data for ads.

Schrems' lawyer noted that the ruling limits the data available for advertising, impacting all online ad companies.

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Warner Bros. Discovery Ad Chief Jon Steinlauf To Exit, reports AdAge

General

Oct 4, 2024

Leadership Transitions

Jon Steinlauf, Chief U.S. Advertising Sales Officer at Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), will leave the company later this year, as announced in an internal memo from Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer Bruce Campbell. Steinlauf will remain in his role until a successor is found.

With a long history in the WBD ecosystem, he has held various ad sales positions, including leading sales for TBS and TNT at Turner. Steinlauf played a pivotal role in integrating the ad businesses of Discovery and Warner Media and launching advertising on the Max streaming platform.

He expressed pride in his team and accomplishments over 32 years.

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TikTok’s parent launched a web scraper that’s gobbling up the world’s online data 25-times faster than OpenAI, reports Fortune

General

Oct 4, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has launched a web crawler called Bytespider to accelerate data collection for training its generative AI models.

Since its release in April, Bytespider has become one of the most aggressive scrapers, operating at rates 25 times faster than OpenAI's GPTbot and 3,000 times faster than Anthropic’s ClaudeBot. This surge in scraping activity continues despite potential U.S. bans on TikTok due to national security concerns.

The company aims to enhance TikTok’s search functionality and potentially create a new large language model (LLM) to compete in the generative AI market.

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Texas sues TikTok for violating children's privacy, reports Reuters

General

Oct 3, 2024

TikTok has been sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who alleges that the platform violated state law by sharing children's personal identifying information without obtaining consent from their parents or legal guardians.

Paxton is seeking an injunction and civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation of the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act (SCOPE Act).

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Publisher Traffic Spiked Thanks to Google's Gen AI Overview Tweaks, reports AdWeek

General

Oct 3, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Google's AI-generated search feature, AI Overview, is increasing publisher traffic by embedding direct links within the text, allowing users to discover content easily. Initially tested in August, this feature will be rolled out across six countries, including the UK and Japan.

Although Google has not disclosed specific traffic increases, it claims that the new format enhances exposure for supporting websites. Concerns about AI Overview disrupting organic search traffic persist, but some publishers report a less severe impact than anticipated.

Ads are now displayed in AI Overviews when there is commercial intent behind the query, labelled as sponsored content.

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Google Begins Wide Rollout of Ads in AI Overview Search Results, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 3, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Alphabet Inc.'s Google is rolling out ads within AI-generated summaries, or AI Overviews, in its mobile app to demonstrate revenue potential from costly AI projects. These ads will appear alongside search results, suggesting products relevant to queries, such as laundry products for stain removal tips.

While Google has faced concerns that generative AI could cannibalise its search business, the company aims to mitigate this by integrating advertisements.

Additionally, Google plans to include inline links to sources in AI summaries and introduce tailored, scrollable search results for recipes, alongside expanding Google Lens to process video and voice inputs.

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Omnicom Media Group strikes partnership with Snap for creator collaboration, reports Digiday

General

Oct 3, 2024

Influencer Marketing

Omnicom Media Group (OMG) has partnered with Snap's Snap Star Collab Studio to develop brand campaigns featuring Snap creators, known as Snap Stars. This collaboration aims to leverage customised audience data from OMG's Omni system, enhancing decision-making throughout creator campaigns.

Research indicates that creator campaigns on Snapchat significantly boost sales and brand awareness, with 67% of respondents finding creators’ opinions relevant during the customer journey.

This partnership marks OMG's completion of securing influencer relationships across major social platforms, including Google, TikTok, Amazon, and Meta, providing clients with a competitive advantage in the evolving marketing landscape.

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Microsoft is about to change how Copilot ads appear and trigger, reports Search Engine Land

General

Oct 2, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft Advertising is set to enhance the ad experience in Copilot by introducing a new feature called "ad voice," which will position ads below organic responses from Copilot. This will provide a smoother transition message for advertisers, with fewer annotations and extensions.

Additionally, two new pilot features will be launched: a diagnostics tool for assessing campaign setup and account health, and a performance snapshot that offers insights on account performance using natural language queries.

Microsoft claims that Copilot ads have significantly higher click-through and conversion rates compared to traditional search ads, highlighting the importance of these changes for advertising performance.

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Outbrain is bringing vertical video ads to publishers, reports The Media Leader

General

Oct 2, 2024

Outbrain is launching a new vertical video integration called Moments, currently in beta, for its publishing partners. This feature allows publishers to replace static article spaces with TikTok-style vertical video feeds, enhancing user engagement while maintaining low ad density.

Although the initiative was not driven by partner demand, it aims to mirror the growing trend of vertical videos on social media. Initial tests indicated that Moments ads perform similarly to those on social platforms, with users watching an average of 3.2 videos per session.

A global launch is planned for 2025, with partners in several European countries involved in the beta.

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TikTok Ad Partnership Shows How Campaigns Drive Real-World Actions, reports MediaPost

General

Oct 2, 2024

TikTok has partnered with marketing firm InMarket to demonstrate how its platform can enhance offline store visits and sales for advertisers. Through InMarket’s Lift Conversion Index (LCI), advertisers will gain insights into their campaign performance, including creative effectiveness and return on ad spend (ROAS).

InMarket's pilot program indicated that TikTok's performance exceeded its incremental lift benchmark, with 96% of 126 campaigns leading to increased sales in retail and dining categories.

Casey Hamlyn from TikTok noted that this collaboration helps advertisers optimise their strategies and tailor messaging for better audience engagement both on and off the platform.

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Amazon Follows Google Into Visual Search To Strengthen Shopping, reports MediaPost

General

Oct 2, 2024

Amazon has launched five new visual search features in its Shopping App to enhance the shopping experience, capitalising on the effectiveness of images in driving purchases. Internal data indicates a 70% year-over-year increase in site traffic using visual search.

The new features include visual suggestions, where users receive image recommendations based on keywords, and the ability to add text to uploaded images for more specific searches.

Other features, "circle to search" and "more like this," allow users to focus on specific items and find similar products. Additionally, "videos in search" enables consumers to view product videos directly in search results.

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Havas Hires Investor Relations Head Ahead Of Proposed Spinoff From Vivendi, reports MediaPost

General

Oct 2, 2024

Leadership Transitions

Vivendi is preparing to split into four public companies, including spinning off Havas as an independent firm. This move could be finalised by the end of the year.

In anticipation, Havas appointed Delphine Maillet as head of investor relations, responsible for managing communications with investors and analysts regarding the company's strategic goals. Havas plans to list as a Dutch public limited liability company on Euronext Amsterdam, following a similar successful move with Universal Music Group.

Maillet returns to Havas after previously supporting its delisting in 2017 and has experience with Vivendi’s investor relations team.

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Google Is Working on Reasoning AI, Chasing OpenAI’s Efforts, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 2, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Google is developing AI software that mimics human reasoning, similar to OpenAI’s o1 model. Teams within Alphabet Inc. are making strides in creating software capable of solving complex problems in fields like mathematics and programming.

This effort includes using chain-of-thought prompting, a technique Google pioneered, which allows the software to evaluate multiple related prompts before generating a response. Despite a slower rollout compared to OpenAI, Google has showcased promising projects like AlphaProof and AlphaGeometry 2.

As the competition intensifies, Google aims to maintain its status as a leading AI player while addressing ethical and public trust concerns.

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OpenAI asks investors not to back rival start-ups such as Elon Musk’s xAI, reports FT

General

Oct 2, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI has secured $6.6 billion in funding, boosting its valuation to $150 billion, the highest in Silicon Valley history.

In a strategic move, OpenAI has requested investors to avoid backing rivals like Anthropic and xAI to maintain an exclusive funding arrangement. This approach aims to limit competitors' access to capital while enhancing OpenAI's position in the generative AI market. The company, which is restructuring from a non-profit model, has faced recent challenges, including lawsuits from co-founder Elon Musk.

OpenAI plans to leverage the new funds to expand its leadership in AI research and technology.

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EU requests info from YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok on content algorithms, reports Reuters

General

Oct 2, 2024

Responsible Media

The EU Commission has requested information from YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok regarding the algorithms used for content recommendations and their role in amplifying systemic risks, including those affecting electoral processes, mental health, and minor protection.

This request, made under the Digital Services Act (DSA), also seeks details on measures to combat the spread of illegal content, such as drug promotion and hate speech.

TikTok is specifically asked to disclose steps taken to prevent manipulation and reduce election-related risks. The platforms must respond by November 15, after which potential fines may follow for non-compliance.

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Charter Cable Customers to Get Free NBC Streaming in Latest Deal, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 2, 2024

Charter Communications has entered a multiyear distribution agreement with Comcast’s NBCUniversal, allowing its Spectrum TV Select subscribers to access the ad-supported version of the Peacock streaming service at no extra cost.

This deal is part of Charter's strategy to combat customer attrition to streaming platforms by bundling similar services, following previous agreements for HBO Max, Disney+, ESPN+, Paramount+, and ViX. CEO Chris Winfrey highlighted that cable customers often pay for content multiple times.

Peacock aims to increase its popularity, leveraging the upcoming 2024 Olympics to attract viewers. The ad-supported version of Peacock typically costs $7.99 monthly.

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Roblox is starting to take programmatic advertising more seriously, reports Digiday

General

Oct 2, 2024

Roblox's programmatic advertising business is gaining momentum as the company hires for eight advertising roles, including positions for a director of engineering and product manager, with salaries ranging from $200,000 to $440,000.

Despite initial slow growth, Roblox plans to enhance its programmatic offerings based on client feedback and aims to create a seamless advertising experience. Recent changes to its Partner Program are designed to clarify roles and improve brand engagement.

The platform’s partnership with PubMatic for programmatic ads could lead to future collaborations with other ad tech firms, expanding opportunities for brands to invest directly in Roblox's advertising inventory.

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Amazon to increase number of advertisements on Prime Video, reports FT

General

Oct 2, 2024

Amazon plans to increase ad placements on Prime Video next year, enhancing its push into ad-supported streaming services. After eight months of ads, the company reports minimal subscriber loss, easing concerns over customer backlash. Kelly Day, VP of Prime Video International, indicated that ad slots will expand in 2025, aligning with Amazon’s strategy to attract brands.

The platform, which reached 19 million monthly UK viewers and 200 million globally, has introduced interactive ads that enable shopping directly from shows.

Despite industry concerns about content spending cuts, Amazon has increased its investment, including live sports and original programming.

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Ben Hewitt Joins dentsu as Chief Commercial Officer, Media Products

General

Oct 1, 2024

Leadership Transitions

Dentsu has appointed Ben Hewitt as Chief Commercial Officer for Media Products, responsible for the commercial strategy of its data-driven audience platform, Merkury.

Hewitt joins from Publicis Groupe, where he served as President of Groupe Technology and Data Solutions, focusing on innovative growth strategies. He will report to Sean Reardon, CEO of dentsu’s Media practice in the Americas, and Shirli Zelcer, global Chief Data and Technology Officer.

Hewitt expressed enthusiasm for helping clients address complex challenges and driving growth through innovative solutions, contributing to the ongoing development of dentsu’s offerings.

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Microsoft brings AI-powered overviews to Bing, reports TechCrunch

General

Oct 1, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft has launched Bing generative search in response to Google’s AI-driven search capabilities. Initially piloted in July, this feature is now available to all U.S. users, allowing them to trigger it easily for informational queries.

Bing generative search aggregates information from multiple sources to generate comprehensive summaries in response to user queries, enhancing the search experience. Microsoft claims it better understands user intent compared to traditional search results.

However, concerns persist regarding the potential for AI-generated content to mislead users and negatively impact traffic to original sources, especially given Google's dominant market share over Bing.

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Pinterest Debuts AI, Automation Ad Performance Campaign Features, reports MediaPost

General

Oct 1, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Pinterest has launched new AI and automation features for performance advertising at its annual global advertiser summit, just as the holiday shopping season begins.

These enhancements include Performance+, which optimises targeting, budget management, and bidding strategies, reportedly reducing campaign creation time by half. Early testers like Prada and Walgreens have experienced significant improvements in cost per acquisition and clickthrough rates.

Pinterest also introduced personalised promotions and search improvements, helping users find discounts based on their interests. With a global average discount rate of 21% this holiday season, these tools aim to enhance user engagement and drive sales for advertisers.

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Nielsen rival VideoAmp eyes sale, reports Axios

M&A

Oct 1, 2024

Video measurement startup VideoAmp is exploring options for a sale or joint venture with a competitor, as it struggles financially despite being a key rival to Nielsen. Recently valued at $1.4 billion, VideoAmp has faced multiple layoffs and a change in leadership.

Bankers have approached potential buyers, including measurement firms, amid talks involving Vista Credit Partners, which has invested $150 million in the company. While VideoAmp's tools are being tested by TV networks, Nielsen remains the dominant authority for national TV advertising ratings.

VideoAmp's executive chairman stated they are not currently pursuing a sale or merger.

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Snap Failed to Warn Users About Sextortion Risks, State Lawsuit Alleges, reports WSJ

General

Oct 1, 2024

Responsible Media

Snap is facing a lawsuit from New Mexico, alleging the company prioritised growth over user safety by failing to adequately address sextortion risks on its platform. Internal documents reveal Snap received 10,000 sextortion reports monthly, likely representing only a fraction of actual incidents.

The lawsuit claims Snap's design features foster an environment conducive to abuse, while executives ignored employee warnings about the risks. Despite efforts to enhance safety, features like Quick Add still expose minors to predators.

New Mexico’s Attorney General has accused Snap of deceptively marketing an unsafe product that poses significant risks to young users.

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Amazon wins partial dismissal of US antitrust lawsuit, reports Reuters

General

Oct 1, 2024

Amazon.com Inc. has achieved a partial dismissal of a U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit that accused the company of maintaining illegal monopolies through anti-competitive practices. A federal court in Seattle, presided over by U.S. District Judge John Chun, issued a sealed ruling that allowed the FTC to continue pursuing claims not dismissed by the judge.

The case will be tried in two parts, with the judge rejecting Amazon's request to have the FTC present evidence of alleged violations alongside proposed remedies.

Details of the ruling remain unclear, as they were not immediately available.

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TikTok’s Search Ads are live, but advertisers aren’t ready to reallocate those Google dollars, reports Digiday

General

Oct 1, 2024

TikTok has officially launched its search advertising business, aiming to attract marketers with financial incentives and strategic benefits. While marketers are intrigued, they remain uncertain about the fit of these ads within their existing campaigns, noting the differing user mindsets between TikTok and traditional search engines like Google.

Initial tests showed mixed results, with some brands performing better on TikTok than on Google. However, concerns persist over the control advertisers have in selecting keywords, as TikTok dictates available options.

Despite these challenges, the platform's ease of integration and incentives may encourage early adoption, pending proof of effectiveness.

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Google-Epic App Store Feud Expands in Suit Over Samsung Phone Settings, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 30, 2024

Epic Games Inc. has expanded its antitrust lawsuit against Google, accusing the tech giant of collaborating with Samsung Electronics to block rival app marketplaces through default settings on mobile devices. Epic alleges that Samsung's recent change to make its Auto Blocker feature a default setting prevents users from downloading apps competing with the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store.

This lawsuit follows Epic's previous victory in a jury trial against Google regarding app distribution on Android.

Epic seeks to halt the alleged anti-competitive practices and claims Google is trying to maintain its market dominance.

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Microsoft Faces Closer Antitrust Scrutiny in Germany, reports WSJ

General

Sep 30, 2024

German antitrust officials are increasing scrutiny of Microsoft to prevent potential anticompetitive practices, following a decision by the Federal Cartel Office to place the company under special abuse control for five years.

This measure aims to address Microsoft's significant influence on cross-border competition, particularly in the cloud and AI sectors. The watchdog highlighted Microsoft's prominence through its products like Windows and Office, as well as its investment in OpenAI.

This move follows increased monitoring of other U.S. tech giants in Germany, amidst a backdrop of stricter EU regulations like the Digital Markets Act, which seeks to enhance competition in the tech industry.

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EU picks experts to steer AI compliance rules, reports Reuters

General

Sep 30, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

The European Union has appointed artificial intelligence experts to create a "code of practice" for compliance with upcoming AI regulations. The first plenary meeting of the working groups, including notable figures like Yoshua Bengio and Marietje Schaake, will take place on Monday.

While the code, expected in 2024, is not legally binding, it will serve as a compliance checklist for businesses. Transparency regarding the data used to train AI models will be a key focus, particularly in light of recent lawsuits against major tech firms.

The working groups will meet four times before presenting their findings in April.

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WPP Picks Up Unilever Business In Global Media Review, reports AdAge

General

Sep 30, 2024

WPP's Mindshare has emerged as a key winner in Unilever's global media review, expanding its responsibilities to include commerce media previously managed by Publicis Groupe.

While Mindshare secured additional markets, both Interpublic Group's Initiative and Dentsu also gained ground. Publicis, despite losing some business in the U.S., gained assignments in several South Asian markets.

Unilever's media strategy focuses on digital commerce, with a significant portion of its advertising directed at platforms like Amazon and Walmart. The review comes amid changes in Unilever's media team and increasing scrutiny over brand safety practices.

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ByteDance plans new AI model trained with Huawei chips, sources say, reports Reuters

General

Sep 30, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, plans to develop a new AI model using Huawei's Ascend 910B chips, shifting focus to domestic suppliers due to U.S. export restrictions on advanced AI technology. This decision comes as ByteDance diversifies its chip sources and accelerates its AI development.

The Ascend 910B will be used primarily for training the model, though its capabilities are expected to be less powerful than ByteDance's existing AI model, Doubao. Despite ordering over 100,000 chips this year, supply constraints have hindered progress.

ByteDance did not comment on the new model, while Huawei did not respond to inquiries.

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California’s Gavin Newsom Vetoes Controversial AI Safety Bill, reports WSJ

General

Sep 29, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a controversial AI safety bill, SB 1047, which aimed to regulate large AI models by requiring developers to ensure their technology didn’t pose significant risks. Newsom cited concerns that the bill focused only on expensive models while neglecting smaller ones involved in critical decision-making.

The veto allows continued exploration of AI regulation, with Newsom collaborating with leading researchers to develop new legislation. Tech giants and smaller companies opposed the bill, fearing it could stifle innovation, while prominent AI developers and scientists supported it.

Senator Scott Wiener called the veto a setback for corporate oversight.

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Brazil's top court imposes new fine before allowing X to resume service, reports Reuters

General

Sep 28, 2024

Brazil's Supreme Court has ruled that social platform X, owned by Elon Musk, must pay over $5 million in pending fines before resuming operations in the country.

Despite X's claims of compliance with misinformation orders, Judge Alexandre de Moraes confirmed the need to settle a total of 18.3 million reais ($3.4 million) in previous fines and imposed a new fine of 10 million reais ($1.8 million) after X briefly resumed service last week.

X has been suspended since late August for not restricting hate speech and for failing to appoint a local legal representative.

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Publicis and Accenture Help Mondelez Launch New Gen AI Platform, reports MediaPost

General

Sep 27, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Mondelez has partnered with Accenture and Publicis Groupe to develop a new platform enhancing its artificial intelligence and generative AI marketing capabilities.

The collaboration aims to build a robust digital core for real-time data processing and contextual insights. Accenture will facilitate scaling and implementation, while Publicis Groupe will create the generative AI foundation for producing creative assets.

The platform is expected to improve measurement, testing, and personalisation across consumer touchpoints. However, details regarding its operational timeline and market rollout remain unclear, and it is uncertain whether the platform will include an e-commerce component.

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Comcast Unit Sues Warner Bros. for Breach on TV Show Deals, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 27, 2024

Comcast's European Sky pay-TV unit has sued Warner Bros. Discovery for allegedly breaching a 2019 agreement to share co-production opportunities, including a new Harry Potter TV series.

The lawsuit, filed in New York, claims Warner Bros. failed to offer Sky at least four qualifying series annually from 2021 to 2023 as stipulated in the contract, which runs until 2025. Sky noted Warner's recent casting call for the Harry Potter series, stating it was not invited to participate.

Warner Bros. described the lawsuit as a "baseless attempt" by Comcast to gain leverage in ongoing negotiations.

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Apple No Longer in Talks to Join OpenAI Investment Round, reports WSJ

General

Sep 27, 2024

Investment Rounds

Apple has withdrawn from talks to join an OpenAI funding round expected to raise up to $6.5 billion, marking a notable absence for the iPhone maker in a significant investment opportunity.

The funding round, which is set to close next week, still involves other tech giants like Microsoft and Nvidia, with Microsoft anticipated to invest approximately $1 billion. Thrive Capital is leading the round, contributing around $1 billion, along with other investors including Tiger Global Management and a UAE state-backed firm.

OpenAI is also restructuring from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity, a complex process that may affect investor terms.

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ByteDance to Sign $10.8 Billion Corporate Loan in Asian Record, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 27, 2024

Investment Rounds

ByteDance Ltd., the owner of TikTok, is poised to sign a $10.8 billion loan, marking the largest-ever dollar-denominated corporate facility in Asia excluding Japan. The deal involves around 20 international and Chinese banks and has seen strong demand, exceeding its initial target of $9.5 billion.

This financing comes as ByteDance faces increasing scrutiny in the US and competition in the AI sector. The loan will help refinance a previous $5 billion facility from 2021 and support ByteDance's expansion efforts, including e-commerce and generative AI projects.

Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan are coordinating the financing.

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Apple must face narrowed privacy lawsuit over its apps, reports Reuters

General

Sep 27, 2024

A federal judge has narrowed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of violating privacy by collecting personal data from iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users through its apps. U.S. District Judge Edward Davila dismissed claims related to the "Allow Apps to Request to Track" setting but allowed some claims concerning the "Share [Device] Analytics" setting to proceed.

Users argued that Apple misled them regarding data collection practices despite disabling settings meant to limit data usage.

The case is part of a broader trend of lawsuits against tech companies for unauthorised data collection.

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Trump says he will seek Google's prosecution if he wins election, reports Reuters

General

Sep 27, 2024

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, announced on Friday that he would pursue the prosecution of Google if elected on November 5.

He accused the company of only displaying negative stories about him while favouring positive narratives about Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, without providing evidence for his claims. Trump referred to this alleged behaviour as "illegal activity" and expressed hope that the Justice Department would act against Google for "blatant interference in elections."

Google did not comment on Trump's statements, which echo similar allegations he made in 2019 regarding the 2016 election.

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Meta Handed $100 Million Fine in Ireland Over Password Storage, reports WSJ

General

Sep 27, 2024

Ireland’s data protection authority has fined Meta Platforms €91 million ($101.7 million) for improperly storing user passwords in plaintext without adequate safeguards. The investigation, initiated in 2019, revealed that Meta had failed to encrypt certain passwords and did not report the data breach to officials as required by the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Graham Doyle, deputy commissioner of the Irish Data Protection Commission, noted the serious risks associated with storing passwords in an unprotected format.

Meta acknowledged the issue but stated there is no evidence of password abuse or unauthorised access.

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Amazon’s $4 Billion Anthropic Deal Cleared by UK Watchdog, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 27, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Amazon's $4 billion investment in AI firm Anthropic has been approved by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which determined that the deal does not warrant a merger investigation due to Anthropic's insufficient local revenue and market share. The partnership will see Anthropic utilise Amazon Web Services and its custom computer chips.

This decision follows the CMA's scrutiny of Big Tech investments in AI, although other investigations, including Google's investment in Anthropic and Microsoft's deal with OpenAI, are ongoing.

Amazon stated the investment aims to enhance competition in the generative AI sector.

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Google’s Antitrust Defense: Fees are Competitive and Rivals Were a Threat, reports AdWeek

General

Sep 27, 2024

In the ongoing U.S. antitrust case against Google, CEO Sundar Pichai argues that the Department of Justice (DOJ) inaccurately defines the digital advertising market, claiming it overlooks competition from platforms like Meta and Amazon.

Google contends its ad fees are comparable to competitors, challenging the DOJ's assertion of monopoly pricing. Evidence from Google’s internal documents suggests concern over losing market share, highlighting slow revenue growth and competitive threats from firms like The Trade Desk and Criteo.

Judge Leonie Brinkema is expected to issue a ruling in the coming months regarding these claims.

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Readers Are Flocking To Political News, Says WaPo - And Advertisers Are Missing Out, reports AdExchanger

General

Sep 27, 2024

News Publishing

A significant 83% of US marketing executives express concerns about advertising during election seasons, leading brands to shy away from news coverage of the presidential election, according to Madison and Wall's 2024 Ad Spend Forecast.

Advertisers have blocked over 40% of The Washington Post's inventory due to brand safety fears. This avoidance results in missed opportunities to engage with valuable audiences, as ads in political content typically perform better.

Despite unfounded fears of negative brand impact, research shows that consumers often respond positively to brands advertising in trusted news outlets, especially during heightened political activity.

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Paramount Close to Dropping Nielsen TV Ratings in Contract Dispute, reports Variety

General

Sep 26, 2024

Paramount Global is poised to sever ties with Nielsen as it explores alternative audience measurement methods ahead of its current contract's expiration on September 30. Negotiations have stalled due to significant pricing disagreements, with Paramount's ad sales president expressing hope for a resolution while acknowledging the necessity of a backup plan with VideoAmp.

Despite Nielsen's claims of improved measurement capabilities, Paramount's executives question the value given the rising costs, which have outpaced advertising revenue.

As networks increasingly seek new measurement solutions, advertisers remain reliant on Nielsen’s data for pricing commercials, complicating Paramount's potential transition.

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Tesco expands The Trade Desk partnership with cookieless data, reports The Media Leader

General

Sep 26, 2024

Tesco Media and Insight Platform has expanded its partnership with The Trade Desk, enabling brands to plan and execute campaigns using Tesco’s consumer data without third-party cookies.

Marketers can now optimise campaigns based on anonymised audience segments derived from in-store and online shopping data, informed by consented Clubcard data. This approach allows for more precise targeting, such as reaching vegan product buyers aged 18-35.

Tesco Media's managing director, Tash Whitmey, emphasised the importance of a cookieless future, aligning with the growing retail media interest, which is projected to be the fastest-growing segment in digital advertising.

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Global marketing spend to reach $2.4tn, reports The Media Leader

General

Sep 26, 2024

Global marketing expenditure is projected to reach $2.4 trillion this year, according to Madison and Wall, a consultancy founded by Brian Wieser.

The report highlights that the marketing industry is larger than the advertising sector, encompassing a broader range of activities beyond traditional advertising. Analysis of 20 major companies showed they allocated 10.4% of their revenue to marketing and 4.6% to advertising. This indicates that marketing spending is nearly 2.5 times that of advertising.

The advertising-to-marketing expense ratio has remained stable at around 41% over the past five years.

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Misinformation running rampant on Facebook has officials concerned about election disruptions, reports CNBC

General

Sep 26, 2024

Derek Bowens, the director of elections in Durham County, North Carolina, faced a crisis after a misleading Facebook post about voting went viral. The post incorrectly advised voters to request new ballots if any markings were made by poll workers, echoing misinformation from the 2020 election.

Despite the North Carolina State Board of Elections issuing a press release to combat this falsehood, the misinformation continued to spread without Facebook tagging it as false.

State and local officials express frustration over the challenges of addressing such misinformation, particularly as Meta has scaled back its support and resources for election-related communications.

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News publishers and broadcasters warn over advertising blacklists, reports FT

General

Sep 26, 2024

News Publishing

Media groups warn that advertisers are blacklisting news due to unfounded fears of brand damage, jeopardising funding for important journalism. A Stagwell study reveals that news is systematically demonetised compared to more favourable environments like sports and entertainment. Many advertisers avoid news stories, believing they negatively impact brand perception.

However, the study found no adverse reactions from readers when ads appear alongside quality news content. Critics highlight that outdated automated systems and keyword blacklists contribute to this issue, discouraging investment in hard news.

Some publishers, like CNN, are developing their own tools to improve ad placement alongside news content.

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Amazon tops $1.8 bln ad-spending commitment target for video-streaming services, reports Reuters

General

Sep 26, 2024

Amazon has surpassed its goal of attracting $1.8 billion in ad-spending commitments for 2024 on its video-streaming services, according to The Information. This includes ads on Prime Video and live sports broadcasts, such as the NFL's Thursday Night Football.

The company is investing in streaming TV to capture a larger share of ad budgets as spending shifts towards digital platforms.

Although Amazon's advertising sales of $12.8 billion in the second quarter fell short of expectations, it continues to expand its sports offerings, recently securing NBA broadcasting rights as part of an 11-year, $77 billion deal.

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Former Amazon seller sues Indian watchdog over antitrust probe, reports Reuters

General

Sep 26, 2024

A former top seller for Amazon in India, Appario, has requested a judge to dismiss an antitrust investigation by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) that found Amazon and its sellers violated local competition laws. The CCI's investigation concluded that Amazon and Flipkart favoured specific sellers, breaching regulations.

Appario, which has stopped selling on Amazon, challenged the CCI’s findings in the Karnataka High Court, claiming the report must be quashed.

The lawsuit represents the first legal challenge to the ongoing investigation, complicating Amazon's operations in a crucial market. Amazon denies any wrongdoing and asserts compliance with all laws.

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Musk decries government censorship. His X has been more compliant, reports The Washington Post

General

Sep 25, 2024

Under Elon Musk's leadership, X (formerly Twitter) has significantly increased its compliance with government requests to remove content, acting on 71% of such requests in the first half of 2023—up from just over 50% in 2021.

Most demands originated from countries like Japan, South Korea, and Turkey, with compliance rates ranging from 68% to 80% for these nations.

Despite Musk's criticism of prior ownership for yielding to political pressure, the platform now appears to comply more frequently with governmental demands, raising concerns among advocates about potential threats to free speech and transparency.

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Google CEO Says Antitrust Trials Could Drag On for Many Years, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 25, 2024

Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai stated that resolving Google’s antitrust issues will take years, emphasising that these battles do not pose an immediate threat to the company's operations.

In an interview, he expressed Google's commitment to defending itself vigorously against allegations of illegal dominance in the digital advertising and search markets. Pichai noted that the legal process is ongoing, with a decision on the advertising case expected in the coming months.

He highlighted the contrast between the slow legal proceedings and the fast-paced evolution of the technology industry, particularly in artificial intelligence.

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Reddit Hires Former Google Ad Executive in Small-Business Push, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 25, 2024

Leadership Transitions

Reddit Inc. has appointed former Google executive Mike Romoff as chief revenue officer, effective October, to broaden its advertising client base. Romoff will focus on establishing partnerships with ad agencies and brands, succeeding Harold Klaje, the company's first revenue chief.

Reddit has significantly invested in its advertising technology, aiming to compete with major players like Google and Meta, and reported a 40% increase in ad sales last quarter.

The platform also launched Reddit Pro to assist small businesses in customer acquisition, with a majority of its $800 million advertising revenue coming from Fortune 500 companies.

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Meta Unveils New Virtual Reality Headset as It Pursues the Metaverse, reports NYT

General

Sep 25, 2024

Gaming / Metaverse

Mark Zuckerberg is pushing towards his vision of intertwining the physical and digital worlds, recently unveiling new products at Meta's headquarters.

Highlights include the updated Quest 3S virtual reality headset and enhancements to Meta AI, featuring celebrity voices such as Awkwafina and Dame Judi Dench. These updates aim to integrate the AI assistant across Meta's major apps, including Instagram and WhatsApp.

Despite significant investments, nearly $50 billion in the Reality Labs division, the metaverse remains distant. Zuckerberg hopes these innovations will attract users back to his platforms and redefine social networking.

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X brings back its transparency report for the first time since 2021, reports Digiday

General

Sep 25, 2024

X's latest transparency report claims the platform is a safe advertising space, detailing enforcement against illegal and hateful content.

In the first half of the year, users reported over 224 million incidents, primarily for abuse and harassment. X suspended nearly 5.3 million accounts and removed over 10.6 million posts. Despite a reported violation rate of just 0.0123%, skepticism remains about the platform's moderation effectiveness.

While the return of transparency reports suggests improvement, significant gaps persist, such as the absence of government requests. Many advertisers remain wary of associating with X, questioning its return on investment amid ongoing controversies.

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Spurned by Social Media, Publishers Chase Readers on WhatsApp, reports NYT

General

Sep 24, 2024

News Publishing

Digital news publishers are increasingly turning to WhatsApp Channels for traffic, as traditional platforms like Google and Facebook reduce their prominence. WhatsApp Channels allow publishers to send updates directly to followers without needing personal information.

Many outlets, including CNN and The New York Times, have gained significant followings, with some reporting traffic surpassing that from X. Although this new avenue shows promise, publishers remain cautious due to Meta's unpredictable history with news.

WhatsApp Channels are viewed as a way to build direct relationships with audiences, offering opportunities for engagement and content sharing, despite limited data on effectiveness.

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Koch eyes Forbes deal, reports Axios

M&A

Sep 24, 2024

Koch Inc.'s private equity arm, Koch Equity Development (KED), is negotiating a bid to acquire Forbes alongside investor Divyank Turakhia. Forbes' current owner, Integrated Whale Media, has struggled to sell the company due to foreign ownership concerns.

KED, which invests in undervalued companies, aims to purchase Forbes at around 10% less than its 2021 valuation of $630 million. Previous attempts to sell have failed, and any deal must consider the complexities of valuing Forbes Marketplace, its most profitable segment, which Forbes only partially owns.

The negotiations highlight ongoing challenges in the media acquisition landscape.

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Criteo, Ericsson, Meta, Many Others Sign Open Letter To EU On AI Regulation, reports MediaPost

General

Sep 24, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Leading tech firms, including Meta, Ericsson, and Spotify, have urged the European Union to establish a cohesive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI) in an open letter published in the Financial Times.

The companies warned that fragmented regulations could hinder Europe’s competitiveness in the AI landscape. They stressed the importance of harmonising regulations like GDPR to foster innovation and highlighted concerns about data usage for training AI models.

The letter emphasises that decisive action is needed to balance consumer protection with technological advancements, which could significantly boost Europe's economy and maintain its leadership in AI.

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Reddit launches AI-powered tools to boost ad creation, reports Search Engine Land

General

Sep 24, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Reddit has launched new features for its Ads Manager, including an ads inspiration library, an AI copywriter, and an image auto-cropper, aimed at helping advertisers, particularly small businesses, create effective ads tailored to the platform.

The ads inspiration library showcases top-performing ads with AI-identified best practices, while the AI copywriter generates Reddit-specific ad copy. The image auto-cropper adjusts images to fit Reddit’s display ratios.

These tools are designed to improve ad performance and align with Reddit’s strategy to enhance creative and campaign management solutions, potentially giving the platform a competitive edge in attracting advertising dollars.

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Barb extends total campaign planning to include Netflix and Discovery+, reports The Media Leader

General

Sep 24, 2024

Barb has enhanced its Advanced Campaign Hub by incorporating data from Netflix and Discovery+, which allows for comprehensive pre-campaign planning using both Barb panel data and first-party impressions from these VOD services. Currently, the tool also includes Amazon Prime Video and various linear and broadcaster video-on-demand channels. Discussions are underway to add Disney+ as well.

Netflix has committed to providing transparent reporting on its ad tier, while Barb aims to continuously evolve its reporting capabilities.

The announcement coincides with Barb initiating a tender process for its Total Campaign Reporting Suite, which includes advanced audience measurement tools.

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Isba’s Origin goes live with real audience data for first time, reports The Media Leader

General

Sep 24, 2024

Isba has launched its cross-media measurement initiative, Origin, which will now utilise real-world data for the first time. The "beta" trials involve 35 major advertisers testing campaign data across platforms like YouTube, Meta, and linear TV.

Origin uses its own audience panel rather than data from the UK’s traditional measurement body, Barb, raising concerns about consistency in measurements. While some advertisers express optimism about improved effectiveness, broadcasters worry about the implications of dual measurement systems.

Isba plans to transition to a wider market rollout by early 2025, following further trial phases.

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TikTok Reassures Ad Partners With Misinformation Measurement Capability, reports MediaPost

General

Sep 24, 2024

To reassure advertisers that their ads are not placed alongside misinformation, TikTok has expanded its partnerships with measurement firms DoubleVerify, Integral Ad Science, and Zefr. The new feature allows these partners to provide post-campaign data on misinformation for content adjacent to ads in the For You Feed.

This initiative responds to the growing concern over AI-generated content and misinformation, especially with upcoming elections worldwide.

TikTok reports a misinformation rate of less than 0.1% adjacent to ads, aiming to enhance brand safety and build advertiser confidence on the platform.

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Roku Remains Very Committed to Set-Top Boxes Even as Smart TVs Spread, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 24, 2024

Roku Inc. remains committed to its set-top boxes despite the industry's shift towards smart TVs with built-in streaming technology. Mustafa Ozgen, Roku's president of devices, highlighted ongoing opportunities in the set-top category, recently launching an upgraded Roku Ultra box.

While TVs now sell slightly more units than external devices, Roku's players continue to perform well, especially for users with older TVs. Although the devices segment currently has a negative gross margin, Roku's primary revenue driver is its content platform.

Future updates for its players are planned, but Roku does not intend to enter the virtual reality space.

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Snap Integrates Google’s Generative AI Model Into Chatbot, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 24, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Snap Inc. is partnering with Google to enhance Snapchat's AI chatbot using Google's Gemini generative AI model. This move aims to increase user engagement and interaction time within the app, particularly by enabling the chatbot to process video, audio, and text simultaneously. Since adopting Gemini, Snap has reported nearly triple the engagement from users sending images and videos.

The partnership also focuses on ensuring user safety, especially given Snapchat's young demographic, by implementing safeguards against inappropriate responses.

Snap plans to leverage Gemini for additional features, including content recommendations and targeted advertising.

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TikTok to Shut Down its Music Streaming Business in November, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 24, 2024

TikTok Inc. will shut down its music service, TikTok Music, on November 28, marking the end of its effort to compete with Spotify and Apple Music. Users are advised to transfer their playlists to other services by October 28, as customer data will be deleted after the closure.

The service, originally launched as Resso in 2019, aimed to leverage TikTok's popularity among music fans, but has faced challenges, including disputes with record labels over payment for using music clips.

TikTok's videos have significantly influenced the music industry, contributing to the rise of new artists and hit songs.

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Meta to Spurn EU’s Voluntary AI Safety Pledge Ahead of New Law, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 24, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Meta Platforms Inc. has decided not to participate in the European Union's voluntary artificial intelligence safety pledge, intended as a temporary measure before the full implementation of the AI Act in 2027. Unlike Microsoft and Alphabet's Google, which have agreed to the pledge, Meta's open-source AI model, Llama, presents compliance challenges.

The EU aims to set AI standards without hindering innovation, and the pledge encourages developers to adhere to key AI Act principles, including assessing risks.

Companies that join may benefit from reduced regulatory friction, while those that opt out could face scrutiny and peer pressure.

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UK watchdog says concerns remain over Google's ad-privacy plan, reports Reuters

General

Sep 24, 2024

Google's online advertising practices are under renewed scrutiny in Britain after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) expressed ongoing concerns regarding the company's decision to retain third-party cookies in its Chrome browser. In July, Google abandoned plans to remove these tracking cookies, which advertisers argue are essential for personalising ads. Although Google announced that users would have the option to accept cookies, the CMA is still concerned about competition implications.

The authority is inviting feedback and may take further action if Google fails to address these issues satisfactorily.

Google has not yet commented on the CMA's statement.

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TikTok looks to turn search queries into ad dollars with keyword targeting tool, reports Digiday

General

Sep 24, 2024

TikTok has launched its Search Ads Campaign tool, allowing advertisers to target ads based on user searches, aiming to convert search intent into ad revenue. Currently available only in the U.S., the feature gives marketers more control over ad placements and supports both traffic and web conversion objectives.

TikTok's user data shows that two-thirds of discoveries on the platform involve active searches, indicating a strong opportunity for advertisers. However, analysts caution that while TikTok could gain market share, it faces challenges competing with Google’s established search ad dominance.

The timing of the launch before the holiday season is seen as strategic.

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Media Matters Seeks To Appeal Ruling Allowing X's Suit Over Report, reports MediaPost

General

Sep 23, 2024

Media Matters of America is seeking to appeal a Texas judge's ruling allowing X Corp. to pursue claims regarding a report that alleged ads from major companies appeared next to pro-Nazi posts. In their petition, Media Matters argues that the case poses a threat to press freedom and should be reviewed by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The original report led to advertisers, including Apple and IBM, suspending ads on the platform. X Corp. claims Media Matters manipulated its algorithms to create the report, which they say undermined its business relationships.

The judge ruled that the case could proceed in Texas due to local advertiser connections.

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California Governor Vetoes Bill Mandating Browser-Based Opt-Out Signals, reports MediaPost

General

Sep 23, 2024

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill (AB 3048) requiring browser developers, including Google and Apple, to implement an easy opt-out tool for online behavioural advertising. Newsom expressed concerns that mandating such tools might hinder mobile device usability, noting that most browsers already provide opt-out options or downloadable plugins.

The advertising industry opposed the bill, claiming it was unnecessary, while advocacy groups, including Consumer Reports, found the veto disappointing, arguing that without regulation, operating systems would not provide meaningful privacy choices.

The veto leaves consumers with cumbersome methods for opting out of targeted ads.

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DOJ Gives Prosecutors AI Risk Assessment Rules for Company Talks, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 23, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Federal prosecutors have updated their guidance regarding the evaluation of companies' AI-risk mitigation procedures during criminal settlement negotiations.

The Justice Department's revised handbook now includes criteria focusing on AI integration, such as assessing the extent of human involvement in AI processes. Prosecutors will evaluate whether companies have conducted risk assessments related to AI and taken steps to mitigate potential risks, including vulnerability to criminal schemes.

This update follows a directive emphasising stricter consequences for crimes involving generative AI, with specific questions on how companies utilise AI for compliance and how they ensure accountability and employee training on these technologies.

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Google Ads adds Video Enhancement for Performance Max, reports Search Engine Land

General

Sep 23, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Google Ads is launching a new Video Enhancement feature for Performance Max (PMax) campaigns, aiming to boost video ad performance through automated adjustments.

Advertisers have noted its automatic opt-in, prompting caution regarding Google's terminology of "enhance" and "optimise," which some fear may adversely affect campaign outcomes.

As Google integrates more AI-driven enhancements, advertisers are advised to closely monitor their campaign performance and adjust settings to retain control over their creative assets.

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Roblox moves to create a walled garden as it leans into ad strategy, reports The Media Leader

General

Sep 23, 2024

Gaming / Metaverse

Roblox is focusing on advertising to enhance profitability, but changes to its terms of service are complicating relationships with third-party ad companies. The platform aims to centralise ad sales, pushing out competitors like Anzu.

Although Roblox has seen a rise in brand activations, concerns over online safety persist, especially for its under-13 user base. New regulations restrict advertising aimed at children, prompting brands to create experiences rather than direct ads.

Experts warn that while Roblox enhances safety measures, the sheer scale of the platform makes complete oversight challenging, raising questions about acceptable risks in user safety.

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India Seeks Amazon, Flipkart Financials for Potential Penalty, Mint Says, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 22, 2024

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has requested financial statements from Amazon Seller Services and Flipkart Internet as part of an ongoing antitrust investigation that has lasted four years. The potential penalty could reach up to 10% of the companies' global turnover, based on the regulatory hearing's outcome.

This investigation was initiated following a complaint from a trade association.

In response, Amazon declined to comment on the leaked findings, and emails to the CCI and Flipkart for further comments went unanswered.

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Addictive social media feeds hit with new California law to protect children, reports Axios

General

Sep 21, 2024

Advertising To Children

California will implement a law in 2027 prohibiting social media platforms from intentionally delivering addictive feeds to minors without parental consent.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law, championed by state Senator Nancy Skinner, which also restricts notifications to minors during school hours and late at night.

This move reflects growing concerns over social media's harmful effects on children, such as anxiety and isolation. Other regions, like New York City, have begun addressing social media as an environmental toxin, while Utah has faced legal challenges over similar regulations requiring age verification for minors.

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Google Judge Questions Company Testimony as Ad Defense Begins, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 21, 2024

A senior Google executive testified in the US Justice Department's antitrust case, asserting that the company faces "fierce competition" from rivals like Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta in the display advertising market. However, the presiding judge found this testimony "highly questionable," given Google's awareness of antitrust concerns since 2019.

The Justice Department has accused Google of monopolising online ad technology, while Google aims to refute these claims by presenting its defence, highlighting recent losses to competitors and partnerships.

The trial continues next week, with further opportunities for the Justice Department to recall witnesses.

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Hate Speech Researchers Fight Musk Bid To Revive Suit, reports MediaPost

General

Sep 20, 2024

The Center for Countering Digital Hate urged a federal appeals court to reject X Corp.'s attempt to revive its lawsuit against the nonprofit. The dispute stems from a report accusing X of not removing hateful content posted by Twitter Blue subscribers.

X claimed the report harmed its ad revenue and alleged breaches of contract and anti-hacking laws. A judge dismissed X's complaint under California's anti-SLAPP law, stating it aimed to punish the nonprofit for its speech.

The Center argued that X's actions are an attempt to silence critics following a decline in its advertising revenue.

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LinkedIn has stopped grabbing UK users’ data for AI, reports TechCrunch

General

Sep 20, 2024

The U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) confirmed that LinkedIn has halted processing user data for AI model training, following concerns over its previous practices. LinkedIn’s general counsel stated that it will not enable generative AI training on data from the U.K., EEA, or Switzerland until further notice.

This decision comes after backlash regarding LinkedIn's initial lack of an opt-out option for U.K. users, prompting privacy groups to file complaints.

The ICO's stance on other platforms, like Meta, which resumed data processing, has drawn criticism for allowing companies to operate without obtaining explicit user consent.

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Amazon Fire TV Stick Sales in Germany at Risk After Court Ruling, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 20, 2024

A German court has ruled that Nokia can prevent Amazon from selling its Fire TV Stick products in Germany after Amazon lost a patent case. Nokia has not yet enforced the injunction but will decide soon.

Amazon disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal, stating it will not affect current customers. Nokia's patent complaints span multiple countries, focusing on technology for video compression. Amazon claims Nokia's licensing fees are excessively high, asserting it has offered a fair price in line with market rates.

Germany is Amazon's second-largest market, contributing less than 7% of its revenue last year.

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US SEC intends to seek sanctions against Elon Musk in Twitter probe, reports Reuters

General

Sep 20, 2024

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to seek sanctions against Elon Musk for failing to appear at a court-ordered testimony related to his $44 billion Twitter takeover. Musk notified the SEC three hours before the scheduled testimony that he would not attend, citing a SpaceX launch he was overseeing. The SEC argues this excuse demonstrates "gamesmanship" and violated a court order.

Musk's lawyer called the sanctions unnecessary, asserting that Musk's absence was due to an unavoidable "emergency" and that his testimony has been rescheduled for October 3.

The SEC is investigating potential securities law violations concerning Musk's Twitter stock purchases.

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X names Brazil legal representative as it fights ban in the country, reports Reuters

General

Sep 20, 2024

Elon Musk's social media platform X has appointed a legal representative in Brazil, fulfilling a requirement imposed by the country's Supreme Court for its operations. Lawyers Andre Zonaro and Sergio Rosenthal announced Rachel de Oliveira Conceicao as the representative, essential for complying with Brazilian law.

This appointment follows the court's decision to block X due to its failure to name a representative after closing its offices in August. The court had previously mandated action against hate speech on the platform.

X's lawyers also indicated the company is beginning to comply with orders for content removal.

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Google, As Well As Advertisers, Benefit from Independent Adtech, Antitrust Emails Show, reports AdWeek

General

Sep 20, 2024

Google faces scrutiny in an ongoing U.S. antitrust trial, as court documents reveal its buy-side adtech may disadvantage advertisers by limiting access to non-Google supply-side platforms (SSPs). Despite using its AdX exchange, advertisers reportedly gain less inventory and competitive pricing.

Internal emails indicate this limitation not only harms buyers but also impacts Google's revenue, with a 48% drop when restricting bidding to AdX. While Google allows more flexibility through its demand-side platform, DV360, a 2017 initiative aimed to prioritise AdX, leading to a significant skew in ad spend.

The evolving ad ecosystem now features increased competition among SSPs.

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Disney's plans to future-proof its TV business could help kill the cable bundle even faster than expected, reports Insider

General

Sep 20, 2024

For over a decade, consumers have increasingly abandoned pay-TV bundles, prompting media firms like Disney to adapt.

Recently, Disney partnered with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery to create Venu, a sports streaming service aimed at disrupting traditional cable. Although blocked on antitrust grounds, the launch highlights the industry's shift towards streaming.

Disney's ESPN plans to introduce a new service, codenamed Flagship, in 2025, which could further erode pay-TV subscriptions. Analysts predict that pay-TV customers could halve by 2030, as valuable content moves online. Despite this, ESPN Flagship is expected to attract millions of subscribers.

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Discord is making key hires to build out its advertising business, reports Digiday

General

Sep 20, 2024

Leadership Transitions

Discord is enhancing its advertising strategy by hiring experts from the gaming industry, including Adam Bauer, former FaZe Clan executive, as VP of sales to develop its first ad product, Quests.

Launched earlier this year, Quests allows game publishers to engage users through value-driven experiences that reward participation with in-game items.

As Discord aims for profitability, it is also looking to attract traditional advertisers while maintaining its community-focused ethos. With a growing user base of 200 million, there is significant potential for brands to connect with consumers on the platform beyond just gaming.

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Google Faces EU Ultimatum in Fresh Attack on Search Dominance, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 20, 2024

Google faces a new challenge from EU regulators under the Digital Markets Act, which could lead to significant fines and changes in its business practices if it fails to enhance the visibility of rival services in its search results. A formal chargesheet is expected by the end of October, following recent meetings between Google and EU officials discussing compliance options.

This development comes after Google lost a major court case involving a €2.4 billion fine related to its shopping services.

Google now joins Apple and Meta in facing similar complaints from EU watchdogs.

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Tech giants push to dilute Europe's AI Act, reports Reuters

General

Sep 20, 2024

Artificial Intelligence

Major tech companies are lobbying the EU for a lenient approach to regulating artificial intelligence, aiming to avoid substantial fines as the AI Act, the first comprehensive regulation, moves forward.

While the law was agreed upon in May, the specific codes of practice are still being developed, with nearly 1,000 stakeholders, including companies like OpenAI and Google, applying for involvement. The codes will not be legally binding but will guide compliance.

Concerns about transparency and copyright issues are prominent, with calls to ensure the regulations support innovation without compromising oversight. The final code is expected early next year.

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IPA creates 4-step model for agencies to take sustainable action, reports The Media Leader

General

Sep 19, 2024

Carbon Emissions

The IPA has launched a toolkit to assist agencies in their sustainability transformation. Titled "Agents of Change: The Plan," it features a four-step model for developing a sustainability strategy alongside business goals. Steps include defining agency objectives, building foundational knowledge, encouraging actionable choices, and fostering collaboration for broader change.

Accompanying the toolkit is a report identifying five barriers to change, such as prioritising business as usual and a lack of cohesive industry action.

Tom Firth, chair of the IPA Sustainability Action Group, emphasised the need for clarity on challenges and the importance of strategic transformation in the industry.

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OpenAI to Decide Which Backers to Let Into $6.5 Billion Funding, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 19, 2024

Investment Rounds

OpenAI's latest fundraising round is nearing completion, with a target of $6.5 billion that has attracted significant oversubscription, indicating demand exceeding the amount offered. Investors will learn on Friday if they are included in the deal, which is set to value OpenAI at $150 billion, up from $86 billion in a previous round.

Key participants include Microsoft, Nvidia, and Apple, while Sequoia Capital, a previous investor, will not participate due to its backing of a rival AI startup. Thrive Capital is leading this round, contributing $1.25 billion.

OpenAI declined to comment on the matter.

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