Creator marketing complex is unprepared for deepfakes
And it could result in victimized creators losing out on brand partnerships.
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Omnicom CEO John Wren on AI: ‘Embracing it as quickly as we possibly can’
Wren spoke highly of Microsoft’s artificial intelligence capabilities during Omnicom’s Q4 earnings call this week.
Spotify beats Q4 subscriber projections but prepares to further rein in spend
CEO Daniel Ek said Spotify will focus on reducing overhead costs after overinvesting in 2022, but that it will continue to build its podcasting business.
Advocacy groups decry Meta Trump reinstatement
Technology policy and media-monitoring organizations warn that Trump’s return to Meta platforms will lead to a surge of misinformation and discrimination against marginalized communities.
Media buyers confident in Spotify’s ad biz despite Dawn Ostroff departure
The audio streaming platform said this week it would put just under 600 people, or 6% of its workforce, out of work as its advertising and content lead leaves the company.
Where are all the brands at live gaming events?
Gamers pack out award shows, esports competitions and convention floors — spaces many brands have yet to explore.
The year ahead in innovation: A new social media landscape
Social media experts predict trends for 2023, including the continued rise of TikTok and short-form video and a growing emphasis on creators.
Creator marketing platform Captiv8 expands globally
The company will connect brands and creators in European, Middle Eastern, Asian and Latin American markets.
Dept unveils 300-person global team dedicated to Web3
Web3/Dept aims to be the go-to Web3 agency of record.
Post-Liver King scandal, brands don’t know which fitness creators to trust
After claiming a natural physique to millions of social media followers, Brian Johnson, AKA Liver King, admitted to using steroids — illustrating the numerous brand safety landmines in the fitness creator category
As companies hire metaverse specialists, do these roles have longevity?
As the metaverse and Web3 evolve, experts believe they can stay relevant with their strategic minds and ability to understand and explain emerging tech to clients.
Spotify Wrapped 2022 aims to connect listeners and artists
Spotify’s annual end-of-year campaign expands on its interactive features, including listening personalities and direct integration with WhatsApp.
As crypto crashes, what’s the next big Super Bowl ad category to emerge?
After FTX filed for bankruptcy this month, agencies are watching for emerging categories at this year’s marketing extravaganza — but they haven’t counted crypto out just yet.
Women in Games swaps male and female voices to highlight harassment in gaming
Win rates plummeted as teamwork ceased and gender harassment began.
Struggling to monetise on Reels, creators look to Shorts and TikTok
Even creators with the largest following on Reels are finding it difficult to make a living, making TikTok and YouTube Shorts appealing alternatives.
5 things for brands to know about Mastodon
As more people and brands eye the exits from Twitter, here are a few things to know about marketing on a decentralized platform.
Omnicom joins IPG in recommending clients pause Twitter spend
Ad giant Omnicom Media Group is advising its clients, which include PepsiCo, Mercedes-Benz and McDonald's, to halt investments on Twitter in light of recent layoffs and brand safety concerns.
Adland steps up urgency in climate messaging around COP27
Campaign asked ad executives and industry sustainability experts about how the messaging has changed at this year’s global climate summit—and whether adland has stepped up its role in fighting the climate crisis.
Nintendo, Apple, Valve among impersonated brands on Twitter
Mario holding up the middle finger and Valve announcing fake games. Verified Twitter users are impersonating brands, and there’s not much they can do about it.
Five brands that want you to join them in the metaverse this Halloween
The metaverse is a scaaaary place.
Media watchdogs and DE&I advocates rebuke Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition
Stop the Deal coalition warns that Musk’s ownership makes marginalized groups more vulnerable on Twitter.
IPG upgrades full-year outlook despite slowing organic growth
CEO Philippe Krakowsky said agency network continues to ‘create value’ for clients amidst recession concerns.
Twitch Prime subscriptions are funding this poverty relief center
A community center is joining Twitch to receive funds directly from Jeff Bezos’ pockets.
Creatives reflect on legend Dan Wieden’s influence
Wieden, co-founder of the iconic advertising agency and adland icon, passed away on Saturday at 77 years old.
RGA hires Anita Jack-Davies to drive equitable culture
The agency combines culture, operations, equity, inclusion and diversity under Jack-Davies, a diversity academic.
RXM Creative turns marketing jargon into donations for Ukraine
The creative agency is using a search engine, Warlingo, to bring awareness to the language marketers use for a good cause.
Ethereum ‘merge’ poises brands for sustainable entry into crypto
Crypto experts see a lower barrier to entry for sustainable marketing connected to the blockchain.
Project Everyone pushes world leaders to achieve the UN’s Global Goals
The campaign by Accenture Song UK asks world leaders attending the UN General Assembly in New York this week to do their part in creating a sustainable world.
YouTube doubles down on Shorts with new monetisation program
Creators will make just under half of all ad revenue earned from Shorts, positioning the product as a major rival to TikTok.
The Trust Project and Microsoft team up to fight fake news
A news literacy campaign from the global network of media organizations teaches people how to spot misinformation using Microsoft’s platforms.
Wieden+Kennedy taps Jiah Choi and Scott Dungate for leadership positions
They will succeed Neal Arthur and Karl Lieberman as president and chief creative officer, respectively.
Ukraine-based image marketplace sells NFTs for charity
Depositphotos partnered with Ukrainian artists and the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine to sell NFTs depicting cultural sites Russia has destroyed.
Freelance creative pokes fun at Heinz AI ketchup campaign
Stephen Paul Wright showed AI art generators aren’t always so familiar with brands.
Metaverse and Web3 creatives make nearly double the salaries as their peers: US study
US-based job platform Creatively released a survey showing that creatives are reporting higher wages across the board, but those with a metaverse or Web3 focus are making significantly more money.
Holly Brittingham joins BCW as global chief learning officer
She will train talent and organise development in her newly created role.
Do brands have a place on a social platform that tries to stay out of your life?
Social network Hey You reminds you to call your loved ones once a week, then fades into the background, leaning into a trend of desire for more authenticity on social media.
Netflix ventures into Decentraland to promote 'The Gray Man'
The streaming giant makes another move in gaming with its first step into the crypto-focused metaverse platform.
Smirnoff kicks off global branding review
The Diageo-owned vodka brand is parting ways with 72andSunny after nearly a decade.
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri responds to ‘TikTok copycat’ criticisms
He’s defending recent changes as Instagram incorporates more video.
Snap’s revenue slows as it deals with continued ad deceleration
Snap’s revenue growth decelerated further in Q2 as it continued to feel the impact of privacy changes and the Russia-Ukraine war, but the company maintained user growth.
Social media platforms still failing to enforce protections for LGBTQ users: GLAAD
A recent study shows that five major social media platforms are not protecting LGBTQ users, despite making policy commitments.
TikTok reveals Symphony creative AI suite
The ByteDance-owned short-form video platform announced a host of automated creative and measurement marketing tools at its product summit on Wednesday morning.
LinkedIn appoints Whalar Group as creator marketing partner
The creator agency will pair brands with talent for LinkedIn campaigns and familiarize creators with the platform.
‘Creators are the new Hollywood,’ declares YouTube CEO at Brandcast
Neal Mohan discussed how creators are driving growth in YouTube viewing on connected TV as part of the platform’s creator-heavy pitch during upfronts week.
Netflix announces ad tier milestone and adtech platform
The streaming platform’s ad-supported plan reaches 40 million global monthly active users and drives 40% of all signups in the 12 countries where it’s available.
How Google, Meta, Snapchat and TikTok are attempting to eclipse each other
At the 2024 NewFronts in the US, tech platforms glided over legislative issues and focused on outshining each other with technology and performance, appealing to cost-focused media buyers.
Meta introduces AI-generated image variations and text for ads
Brands can now get AI-generated creative variants in Meta’s Ads Manager through Advantage+ creative.
Four PR lessons from the Kendrick Lamar—Drake beef
Communicators can learn something from how the two rap stars addressed accusations against them.
Meta injects AI into Reels ads and creator pairings
At NewFronts 2024, the tech giant announced more advertising tools for the short-form video offering.
News publishers call out stringent brand safety policies at IAB NewFronts
Publishers sounded the alarm for advertisers to support news by reviewing blunt keyword blocking during a critical time for democracy.
NewFronts 2024: Google shows advertisers a cookieless world, talks CTV, AI and first-party data
A partnership with the IAB Tech Lab will make it easier for advertisers to reconcile their first-party data with media giants.
A forced TikTok sale has agencies wary of an X repeat
Agencies fear the wrong owner could push users off the platform.
Tesla lays off marketing team
Affected employees sat on Tesla’s growth content team and within its design studio.
Whalar Group appoints Neil Waller and James Street as co-CEOs
EXCLUSIVE: The duo will lead six business pillars and attempt to win more creative, not just creator, briefs with the hire of Christoph Becker as chief creative officer.
Tech companies offer poor ad transparency, study finds
A new report from Mozilla and CheckFirst found that many tech companies, including most major social media platforms, offer disorganised ad data that researchers struggle to navigate.
TikTok lets brands avoid violence and gambling with new safety tools
Two new inventory filtering tools will automatically place brands next to safe content across 11 verticals, including beauty and technology.
3 challenges brands face in building a presence on WhatsApp
Meta continues to tease ads in its messaging platform, but marketers are seeing other ways to take advantage of the app.
Dove partners with virtual influencer to promote body positivity
Lennnie is a ghost-shaped blob with a message for young people.
Is it possible to prioritise AI safety as much as innovation in a for-profit industry?
Tensions within OpenAI’s board spotlight the challenge of commercialising AI and establishing competitive advantage while also setting up guardrails.
Brands are fascinated by—and terrified of—public domain Mickey Mouse
Social media managers couldn’t tell if hopping on the first big meme of 2024 was a genius or terrible idea.
Warner Bros. and Zynga bring Wonka to Words With Friends
Zynga aims to get young Wonka fans back in the classic game.
Hot Wheels teaches kids to embrace failure
The Mattel brand’s new campaign seeks to show parents that it builds resilience and fuels creativity.
Google ad jabs Apple over green-bubble texts
The comedic spot from David Miami pokes fun at Apple’s old texting tech.
Reddit acquires ad optimisation platform Memorable AI
Reddit will absorb Memorable’s automated creative insights into its ad tech stack.
Narrative creates Board of Influence to navigate burgeoning creator landscape
EXCLUSIVE: We Are Social’s earned-led subsidiary will appoint new creators annually to serve as a board of directors advising on creator marketing.
WPP automates 3D environment building using Nvidia tech
New Nvidia microservices are expected to automate production steps for WPP creative teams.
Inside the ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ marketing bonanza
Maximum Effort cofounder George Dewey explains how the agency got brand partnerships to move beyond ‘fourth-wall breaking and d*** jokes.’
Publicis Groupe to acquire creator marketing agency Influential
The acquisition marks Publicis Groupe’s most significant move into the creator marketing space to date.
Comms head Frank Shaw defends Microsoft after CrowdStrike global outage
The tech company found itself in the hot seat alongside CrowdStrike.
TikTok names Rema Vasan head of North America and global gaming business marketing
Vasan has been with TikTok since May 2022.
MediaMonks reorganises, rebrands to Monks and puts focus on AI-powered services
Monks’ capabilities will sit in new marketing and technology services groups.
Laid-off creatives strike a nerve with comedic #OpenToWork film
Feeling the stress of announcing their availability on LinkedIn, a group of creatives banded together to document their experience in a comedic film—and sparked a movement in the process.
Here’s why agencies have no idea who X creators are
X’s recent creator push is causing a lot of confusion.
TikTok is going longform—marketers aren’t
With its reimagined rewards program, TikTok is encouraging creators to monetise with longer videos, something that brands can’t participate in.
VML global CEO Jon Cook on innovating amid WPP cutbacks
In a candid conversation with Campaign US editor-in-chief Alison Weissbrot at Campaign Convene, Cook touched on how VML is improving its innovation tools despite pressures from WPP to become more efficient.
PayPal hires Geoff Seeley as CMO
Seeley previously served as global CMO and communications officer at CashApp and Afterpay.
TikTok global head of marketing innovations Jessica Wong departs
Wong’s next venture will revolve around AI.
LinkedIn’s first campaign for Premium highlights professional development
EXCLUSIVE: LinkedIn is promoting its Premium subscription as it seeks to become an always-on platform for developing professional skills.
Spotify launches in-house music consultancy Aux
EXCLUSIVE: Aux will counsel brands on how to use music in their campaigns and pair them with artists.
Hopes and concerns for OpenAI's Sora
AI experts are lauding it as a breakthrough in text-to-video generation, but there are still pitfalls surrounding copyright infringement and disclosure.
Disney’s Epic investment answers the ‘should we be in gaming?’ question
Gaming advertisers say the new question brands should ask is ‘how will we go to market?’
How brands are advertising around Super Bowl LVIII
With an in-game spot costing up to $7 million, brands are finding creative ways to be at the Super Bowl without paying to be in it.
WongDoody’s Grace Francis and Jamie Mancini depart
They served as global chief creative and design officer and executive creative director and global brand PR lead, respectively.
How Cannes jury presidents judged AI
Despite all the hype about AI-created campaigns, jury presidents say the technology had a minimal influence on award-winning work this year.
Motorola launches campaign made entirely with generative AI
Following Toys “R” Us, it’s the second brand to make an AI-generated ad last week.
Roblox taps Xbox for CMO as it splits marketing and comms
Chief marketing and communications officer Barbara Messing left Roblox last November.
Tim Robinson goes full ‘I Think You Should Leave’ in spot for EA’s Skate
The comedian and skater plays an evil corporate manager in new creative for the highly-anticipated game.
AI search platform Perplexity names UM media AOR
EXCLUSIVE: The IPG media agency will handle media buying for the burgeoning AI company while supporting the development of its ads business.
Hilton Hotels and Paris Hilton's media company launch Roblox rewards program
Paris Hilton’s 11:11 media will give rewards points for Roblox gameplay – a first for branded games on the platform.
Twitch layoffs hit marketing team
Twitch’s senior director of marketing, head of social media and influencer marketing manager were let go as part of a 500-person reduction.
Duolingo offboards translation contractors; Workers allege AI replacement
The language learning app offboarded 10% of contractors, including some who worked on translations, but denied it was to let AI take over.
Cannes Lions launches creator network, learning programme
The programming will run for the first time at this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Discord rolls out rewarded, gamified ads called Sponsored Quests
Starting next week, advertisers can display ads within the social platform and give users gameplay challenges they’ll be rewarded for completing while streaming.
TikTok needs creators to save itself
Communicators agree that the ByteDance-owned platform should be doing more than rely on its users to make its case. Organized and on-message creators can help.
IBM lays off comms, marketing staff
A low-single-digit percentage of IBM’s global workforce is being affected by the job cuts.
2023: The year Twitter became X
A chronicle of how Elon Musk changed the course of the social media platform and its relationship with advertisers.
Twitch relaxes sexual content guidelines, but they still could endanger ad revenue for streamers
“Highlighting” fully clothed breasts may be costly for some content creators, in one example of how the guidelines could create confusion.
Agency holiday cards: Voice harmonising AI, carols, recipes and more
Eight holiday cards that stretch the bounds of what a card can be.
Branded Roblox games got 1.8 billion visits in 2023, report finds
An industry report from Gamefam shows how brands performed in gaming’s most popular platforms.
TikTok study reveals five best marketing practices when working with creators
TikTok partnered with creator marketing platform CreatorIQ on the report, which reveals creator partnerships deliver maximum bang for buck on the scrollable platform.
Twitch recaps year with side-scroller and streamer competition
It’s also encouraging streamers to host their own end-of-year recap for their individual communities.
Warner Bros releases playable Roblox trailer for Godzilla x Kong
It's the first 2D trailer to transform into a playable game on the platform.
McDonald’s investigates hamburger button’s origin
WATCH: A 20-minute mockumentary from the brand questions whether or not the three-lined website navigation button actually depicts a Big Mac.
AMC elevates Nicole Kidman campaign with trio of fresh spots
The movie theater chain is rolling out three updated 30-second versions of the highly memed ad.
Media buyers eye new search opportunities in wake of Google antitrust ruling
All eyes are on Google’s next antitrust trial for dominance in ad tech in September.
Monks taps Linda Cronin as EVP and head of media
EXCLUSIVE: Cronin is Monks’ first major hire since, ironically, dropping ‘Media’ from its name in July.
Volkswagen extends global creative contract with DDB
The automaker has unified its Volkswagen brand with Omnicom after handing its media business to PHD in June.
A third of businesses will abandon gen AI projects before 2026: report
The generative AI honeymoon might be over. Gartner's stark warning: soaring costs and elusive ROI will kill nearly a third of all projects by 2026.
How brands like Wendy’s, Maybelline and Duolingo are navigating Threads
Daily active users on Meta’s new Twitter clone dropped by half last week, but brands are still eager to find success on the new platform.
Roblox launches subscriptions for developers
That means virtual world-builders will have a new revenue source.
Twitter influencer payouts start on the far right, neglecting brand concerns
Some far-right influencers have claimed to receive five-figure earnings.
From BTS to The Try Guys: How Kiswe is luring creators with ticketed live streams
Inside the new live streaming platform for creators looking to put on major events.
6 things for marketers to know about Meta’s ‘Twitter killer,’ Threads
The Instagram-based app launches on Thursday.
Media execs: Twitter needs brand safety, not new bells and whistles
Video ads won’t be the “silver bullet” to Twitter’s problems.
All the ways Shein’s influencer tour went wrong
The fashion brand is being accused of propaganda after hosting a crew of poorly informed influencers to improve its reputation. It did not work.
Prolonged protests put Reddit at crossroads with ad revenue
After two weeks of demonstrations, some media buyers anticipate Reddit turning to alternative revenue streams.
Behind the scenes of BBDO’s creative sprint with Meta’s Reels
EXCLUSIVE: CEO Andrew Robertson shares what it looks like when 24 agencies around the world compete to create the best Reels campaign.
‘They just want to bleed us dry’: Streamers threaten to leave Twitch over new branded content guidelines
The restrictions curb the ways streamers can display sponsors and ads. Some are threatening to try other platforms in response.
Media buyers skeptical Yaccarino can reverse Twitter’s ad sales plummet
The platform’s U.S. ad sales dropped 59% between early April and May from the previous year — right before Yaccarino’s first day as CEO.
Why Capcom is targeting the women who play "Street Fighter"
EXCLUSIVE: A new campaign focuses on the fighting game’s roster of women to attract non-traditional “Street Fighter” players.
Upfronts marked by writers strike and streaming battle
Broadcasters touted their linear and digital reach during presentations devoid of talent.
What advertisers want from Linda Yaccarino
As she prepares to take over as CEO of Twitter, Yaccarino’s ability to turn around the platform hinges on Elon Musk relinquishing control.
PR pros are AI amateurs, report finds
Less than 25% of agencies, brands and independent consultancies are changing how they work with AI.
Roblox violates creator ad guidelines, watchdog finds
Roblox will take further measures to comply with creator disclosure recommendations from the Children’s Advertising Review Unit.
Twitch unveils short-form video tool for cross-platform promotion
Clip Editor aims to boost streamer activity on other social media platforms to drive traffic back to their channels.
Twitch CMO Rachel Delphin on stability, AI and non-gaming streams
Twitch aims to prove stability to marketers with a focus on TwitchCon and creator tools.
From creator to creative: Why agencies are recruiting social media stars
Creators are bringing their nimble creative savvy and short-form expertise to full-time agency roles, but face challenges adapting to client demands and agency culture.
‘Hi, Barbie!’: Mattel unveils first Barbie Roblox game
Reckoning with mortality is optional.
PayPal taps Rachel Kobetz as first chief design officer
Kobetz will oversee design strategy and execution across all of PayPal’s services as the company gets ready to release three new AI products.
Spotify CEO addresses ‘very complex’ AI-generated music debate
Investors quizzed Spotify over its role in protecting artists during the company’s quarterly earnings update as artificial intelligence infiltrates the music scene.
How food and apparel brands are honouring Earth Day 2023
Some are celebrating with sustainable pledges while others are leaving the planet altogether.
Assembly launches diverse supply chain program
Partners for Progress pushes clients to invest in minority-owned and operated creative, media and research vendors. It will be rolled out globally from the US.
Mastercard launches Web3 educational program for emerging musicians
Chief marketing and communications officer Raja Rajamannar talks about the practical purpose of NFTs and moving beyond “vanity badges.”
Meta’s Reels is building a home for TikTok refugees
Leading TikTok-focused agencies are encouraging clients to diversify their social media presences, with the Meta product getting the first look.
Meta halts Reels bonuses for creators
The Reels Play bonus program was a primary way creators could monetize short video content on Instagram.
Unilever study shows creators influence sustainable choices
The study, commissioned by Dove and Hellmann’s, found creators had the biggest impact on consumers’ behavior — more than news, government PSAs or scientific reports.
Twitter glitches due to 'extremely brittle' code, says Elon Musk
Users were unable to click on links in tweets to third-party websites.
How brands and agencies should talk about sustainability
Amid fears of greenwashing and a new era of greenhushing, brands are tiptoeing around communicating their sustainability journeys.
Nick Brien joins Enthusiast Gaming as CEO
He steps in to lead the gaming media company as prior CEO Adrian Montgomery becomes chair.
TikTok addresses low-pay complaints with creator fund
The invite-only program is for creators making videos at least one minute long.
Why Serena Williams was in two Super Bowl ads for alcohol brands
Brands have to make concessions when working with the world’s biggest stars.
McCann launches global social and creator content studio
EXCLUSIVE: McCann Content Studios will absorb the social capabilities of McCann Live and the creator capabilities of IPG agency ITB.
Snap celebrates multicultural communities through AR monuments
The third and final installment of Snap’s Monumental Perspectives project covers the histories of diverse communities in Los Angeles.
Whalar recruits Meta’s Jason Li as global EVP, strategy
EXCLUSIVE: Li will create standard practices around pitching and drive global collaboration at the creator marketing company.
Coca-Cola developed NFTs, but that doesn’t mean they’re coming back
Web3 has a reputation problem that no technological upgrade can overcome, but some brands are still trying.
The honeymoon phase is over for Threads — here are the features that could bring brands back
As user count has declined, so has brand interest.
Case study: How Final Fantasy reached new players on its 16th game
The 35-year-old video game series used athletes to bring new players around the world into the fold.
Publicis Media recruits Veronica Appleton as SVP of DE&I
EXCLUSIVE: Appleton looks to mirror or exceed the racial and ethnic diversity of the U.S. population at Publicis Media.
Advertisers interested in US super app — don’t expect it from X
X looks to beat rivals such as Meta, TikTok and Snap in bringing a super app to the U.S. for the first time, but digital advertising experts are skeptical it can overcome the hurdles ahead.
Meta hires Andrea Gellert as VP, global business and product marketing
She steps in for Michelle Klein, who departed in March.