Platforms

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

Ad revenue was helped along by 9% growth in unique visitors to the top sites in DDM’s portfolio. Programmatic ad rates were up roughly 36% in Q2, spurred by adoption of DDM’s D/Chipher contextual targeting solution.

Advertising is still Reddit’s meal ticket – but until its ad revenue tops the $2 billion per year mark, it can’t really be considered competitive with other social platforms.

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.

“Google is a monopolist.” No need to say “allegedly” anymore, because that’s a direct quote from Judge Amit Mehta’s ruling against Google and in favor of the Department of Justice.

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.

The acquisition puts Reddit in a better position to compete with Google, Meta, Amazon and TikTok, which all built or expanded their AI creative generation and optimization tools within the past year.

Meta’s stock jumped by nearly 7% in after-hours trading on Wednesday based on strong results, including $39.1 billion in total Q2 revenue.

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.

If Chrome imitates Apple, there may be a de facto deprecation of the third-party cookies, since potentially only a slim percentage of users would consent to tracking. In that case, advertisers would still have to primarily rely on cookie alternatives, including the Privacy Sandbox.

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.

Bacardi doesn’t have a digital marketing strategy, per se – because it’s all digital, says Laila Mignoni, the brand’s global VP of marketing and creative excellence.

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.

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.

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

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.

The DOJ published the witness list for its upcoming antitrust trial against Google, and it reads like the online advertising industry’s answer to the Social Register.

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.

Happy Independence Day! Stay cool out there, and here’s a deep cut for you with a summery theme. This classic comic first ran in June 2011.

Publishers and SSPs aren’t incentivized to accurately label their video inventory. But increased pressure from the buy side could correct the skewed pricing dynamics that result from outstream being sold as instream.

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

Ally’s newest Fortnite game, “Tee Time Speedrun,” launched last week to promote its sponsorship of the USGA and LGPA. The game ties into Ally’s goal of reaching gender parity in its sports sponsorships.