1. The House Appropriations Committee on Friday advanced a bill that includes language that would prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from penalizing broadcasters from running ads for cannabis in states in which it has been made legal. This is great news for the cannabis industry, which has been waiting for federal guidance on advertising. While the bill still needs to be passed by the full House and Senate, it's a step in the
right direction. And it's about time! After all, cannabis is now legal in some form in nearly half of the states in the country. It's high time (pun intended) that the federal government catch up with the times and allow broadcasters to run ads for cannabis products without fear of penalty.
2. Four Democratic lawmakers are urging the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Apple and Google for building tracking identifiers into mobile devices. But seriously, folks, this is a serious issue. Those of us in the know have long suspected that our mobile devices are tracking our every move, but it's only now that lawmakers are starting to take notice. And they're not happy about it. In a letter to the FTC, the lawmakers wrote that "the
omission of information about these trackers from customers represents a fundamental violation of consumer trust." They went on to say that "the deliberate inclusion of tracking technology in consumers' most personal devices raises serious questions about whether companies are violating basic principles of fair competition and consumer protection." We'll be keeping an eye on this story, and we'll let you know if anything comes of it. Stay tuned!
3. The Great Resignation is still going strong, and companies are scrambling to fill the gaps in their talent pool. CMOs will have to work overtime to build a more diverse marketing team and hire more agency partners who prioritize diversity. In the meantime, they should keep an eye out for the following warning signs: an overabundance of lists and bullet points, a lack of engagement, and a tendency to repeat themselves. If you spot any of these
red flags, it's time to start looking for a new job. Thanks for reading!
4. eBay Live is a new live shopping platform that lets enthusiasts discover, chat and purchase instantly, from anywhere in the world. The inaugural event kicks off with trading card expert DJ Skee and top eBay seller Bleecker Trading. With eBay Live, shoppers can browse and buy products from sellers around the globe in real-time. The platform also provides a live chat function, so buyers can ask questions and get expert advice before making a
purchase. eBay Live is the perfect place for anyone who loves to shop, whether you're a die-hard collector or just looking for a great deal.
5.Is PayPal finally getting serious about buy now, pay later? The payments giant this morning is introducing a new product called "PayPal Pay Monthly," which it says is designed to give customers a more flexible way to pay. This follows the launch of PayPal's "Pay in 4" installment program last year. With PayPal Pay Monthly, customers can choose to pay for their purchases over a period of time, with no interest or fees. They can also make partial
payments, and they'll only be charged when they make a full payment.
6.Netflix's layoff spree continues, with the company letting go of about 300 – mostly U.S. based – employees, Variety reported Thursday. The move comes as Netflix seeks to cut costs and focus on its international expansion. The layoffs are said to be primarily focused on the marketing and communications teams. This is just the latest round of cuts for Netflix, which has been in cost-cutting mode for several years now. In addition to the layoffs,
Netflix has also been closing down offices and shutting down whole divisions. It's all part of the company's effort to keep its bottom line healthy. So, if you're a Netflix employee, be sure to stay on your toes – you could be next on the chopping block!
7. FuboTV and Univision are in the midst of a contract dispute, and it looks like things are about to get ugly. On July 1st, Univision's contract with FuboTV expires, and unless the two companies can reach an agreement, FuboTV subscribers will lose access to Univision channels and content. This is a huge loss for FuboTV, as Univision is one of the most popular networks among Spanish-speaking viewers. In addition, Univision also owns
several popular cable networks, including UniMás and Galavisión. As theJuly 1st deadline looms, both companies are scrambling to reach a new agreement. However, with each passing day, it looks less and less likely that a deal will be reached in time. So if you're a FuboTV subscriber, enjoy your Univision channels while you can. Because come July 1st, they may be gone for good.
8. The overturning of Roe v. Wade is a potential game-changer for the advertising industry. If people start to believe that their privacy is no longer guaranteed, they may start to use search engines like DuckDuckGo and start using ad blockers. This would be a huge blow to Google and Bing, who rely on advertising revenue to stay afloat. The good news for them is that people are generally lazy and will probably just keep using their products even
if they're not happy with the state of privacy. But who knows? Maybe this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back and finally gets people to take their privacy seriously. Only time will tell.
9. Dollar General has begun to explore a variety of advertising options that add to the display, mobile, app, audio, video, search on and off its properties, and connected television (CTV) ad units it offers today. For example, the company will soon begin to test opportunities to support omnichannel marketing and advertising. This move comes as no surprise to many industry experts, who have long predicted that DG would eventually enter the world
of digital advertising. However, some consumers are worried that this will lead to an increase in prices for DG products. Only time will tell if this move will pay off for the company.
10. The Poynter Institute, a well-respected media organization, announced last week that its International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) has launched a legal support fund for organizations facing threats of harassment, intimidation or litigation. The IFCN is a seven-year-old organization dedicated to creating a community for fact-checkers in a time of broad expansion of misinformation. The launch of the fund comes at a time when many fact-checking organizations are feeling besieged by
forces that seek to discredit and silence them. These forces have been increasingly successful in recent years, as the amount of misinformation circulating online has grown exponentially. In response to this challenge, the IFCN has decided to fight back by providing legal support to organizations that are under attack. This is a welcome development, and it will hopefully help to level the playing field for fact-checkers who are up against well-funded and organized opponents.
