Daily News Roundup

Ecommerce tech has had a rough couple of years. Plus, VP Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign will spend $370 million on ads.

The growth of Walmart’s ads business and third-party marketplace are separate, it says. Plus, Google and Meta’ve been targeting teens for a while.

In today’s newsletter: Digital twins are marketers’ cool new AI tool; Netflix pulls a Prime Video and defaults lapsed subscribers to the ad-supported tier; and California compromises with Big Tech on two journalism bills.

In today’s newsletter: Google gets hit with another glitch; influencers fight gen AI provisions in their advertising contracts; and political fundraising pivots as social media bars campaign ads.

Since introducing ads two years ago, Netflix’s ad team has clashed with streaming management and studio execs. Plus, “brat” summer is over; “demure” autumn might be next.

In today’s newsletter: Walmart’s hottest growth drivers are ads and subscriptions; why The Trade Desk’s UID 2.0 could be regulators’ next target; and how the growth of CTV content fortresses is preventing breakout streaming hits.

That sound you hear? Alarm bells ringing in Google’s offices. Plus, women’s sports has been an unexpected accelerant for ad sales.

In today’s newsletter: How membership bundles are creating new forms of consumer-facing partnerships; typically unflappable platforms leap to action when billionaires are harmed by bad ads; and X’s GARM lawsuit helped politicize brand safety.

Hope you weren’t waiting to shop for Super Bowl ads – they’re almost sold out. Plus, Apple might be the ad tech dark horse.

Amazon is well positioned to seize the growth of social app-based shopping. Plus, Apple updates are wreaking havoc on publishers again.

The World Federation of Advertisers told members on Thursday that it’s suspending its Global Alliance for Responsible Media initiative.

Shares of WPP took another thumping yesterday. Plus, advertisers are getting post-lawsuit cold feet about X all over again.

In today’s newsletter: Netflix drops its ad prices to slightly less outrageous levels; X sues GARM, alleging it led an ad boycott for ideological reasons, not brand safety concerns; and how TV manufacturers have laid the groundwork to take ad dollars from streamers and cable.

In today’s newsletter: US rules Google has a monopoly in search, but not search ads; Nvidia’s unreleased AI has been scraping online video from YouTube, Netflix and others; and streaming app Max debuts a new personalized home page.

In today’s newsletter: The DOJ sues TikTok alleging COPPA violations; Disney wraps a competitive upfronts season as it faces stiller competition for streaming ad budgets; and more than $107 million was spent on ads for AI products in the first half of this year.

Pharmacies, groceries and even convenience stores have taken to locking up large swathes of merchandise. Plus, Roblox reported Q2 earnings on Thursday.

Many brand operators feel like they need good general guidelines for attribution. Plus, what’s stepping retail media standardization?

In today’s newsletter: Google Performance Max enables third-party brand safety measurement for YouTube; gen AI firms roll out new data-scraping bots to replace those blocked by publishers; and RAG deals give publishers more leverage in licensing their content to gen AI.

MiQ is acquiring PathLabs, a platform for independent agencies. Plus, Pinterest and LinkedIn are trying to get included in more media plans.

In today’s newsletter: To boost its ads biz, Walmart will show in-store ads for non-endemic brands; Hyve Group buys Possible; and the Senate advances KOSA and COPPA 2.0, but the bills face obstacles in the House.

With attribution-based platforms taking over, there aren’t many ways for an advertiser to bet (and win) big. Plus, what about the Google advertising ID? 

Media buyers and ad tech companies are accusing Pluto TV of bid duplication. Plus, Reddit is now only accessible via Google Search.

In today’s newsletter: Spotify surges on strong Q2; how Gen Z media preferences are transforming the Olympics; and QSR companies ditch subscription services after first-party data gains fail to materialize.

Some brands are turning away from larger media agencies in favor of smaller, independently run shops. Plus, licensing sports content is Reddit’s next revenue diversification play.

Web links that use the Google link shortener will soon no longer work. Plus: Outbrain is in advanced talks to acquire or merge with Teads.

The Threads app is a counterpoint to the argument that scale and reach are what count. Plus, the USPS has been disclosing info on customers.

Paramount launched a self-serve ad manager for small and midsize businesses that generates streaming media plans for Paramount+ and Pluto TV.

The next Google Search core update is expected in “the coming weeks.” Plus, The TV industry moves slowly, but it’s going FAST now.

Contextual targeting platforms and ad verification companies that specialize in brand safety, viewability and fraud are all looking to poach Oracle’s soon-to-be-former customers.

Amazon’s Rufus: yet another example of Big Tech pushing AI bots onto its platforms. Plus, pushback against Google search engine monetization.