Daily News Roundup

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.

The Chrome Privacy Sandbox team is stuck within a Catch-22. Plus, why haven’t media buyers bought more into alternative currencies?

Paramount Global finally agreed to merge with Skydance Media, but it’s not out of the woods yet. Plus, is YouTube really worth $455 billion?

Ad tech faces a GDPR compliance paradox. Plus, TikTok will make it harder to target teenagers and plans to give users more control.

Electronic Arts is done slow-rolling into advertising. Plus, Sensodyne is experimenting with “content credentials” for its digital ads.

Yahoo may have earned itself a stay of execution with The Trade Desk. Plus, TV buyers are clinging to Nielsen for yet another upfront season.

Google is testing a new badge for shopping-related searches on some mobile devices. Plus, should brands have political opinions?

Upfront negotiations might take longer than normal this year. Plus, Meta is already in hot water with the EU’s new digital regulations.

Amazon is the king of retail media, but others are growing into worthy contenders. Plus: Movies aren’t making many upfront deals.

Here’s today’s AdExchanger.com news round-up… Want it by email? Sign up here. The MMM Transplant Some call it media mix modeling; others call it marketing mix modeling. Regardless, there’s a noticeable uptick in advertisers incorporating MMM into ad measurement programs. But MMM is old fashioned. It doesn’t involve user-level data, takes weeks (if not months) to […]

Social media companies don’t want to be called “social media” anymore. Plus: Claritas has hired Jefferies as a banker and is pursuing a sale.

In today’s newsletter: Mobile and email providers face political blowback if they enforce ad policies; a new analytics startup sets its sights on Amazon attribution; and CFOs and CMOs are more aligned than you might think.

Generative AI is breaking established internet etiquette to sate a bottomless appetite for training data. Also: The streaming wars continue.

In today’s newsletter: SSPs lead the way on ad tech’s M&A resurgence; Disney rolls back CPMs to court more streaming ad demand; and why dating apps struggle to grow and monetize their audiences.

AI was a hot topic at Cannes Lions, while Elon Musk used the festival as a shot at redemption for X. Plus: Expect more crypto ads this year.

In today’s newsletter: Amazon’s argument that advertisers should trust optimization algorithms over alternative IDs; Japan passes an app store antitrust law targeting Apple and Google; and Google Ads ends support for credit card payments.