1. Before FN Meka was canceled, he was a rising star on TikTok. With 10 million followers, he was one of the most popular rappers on the platform. His music was AI-powered, meaning that it was created using algorithms. FN Meka was canceled before most of us got a chance to actually hear his music. Thank you for your guidance. Many people were looking forward to hearing his music, but it turns out that
we'll never get the chance. It's a shame, but at least we can take comfort in knowing that we were spared from listening to something that would have probably been terrible. Thank you . for protecting us from bad music. We'll always be grateful.
2. It's no secret that advertising budgets are under pressure as companies seek to cut costs in the face of an economic downturn. But one type of advertising appears to be safe from the axe for
now: podcasting. According to Steven Abraham, president of audio ad agency Oxford Road, "Our clients are certainly not reducing their investments into the space." Indeed, many companies are actually increasing their spending on podcast advertising, attracted by the relatively low cost of entry. This is good news for the podcasting industry, which has seen explosive growth in recent years. With more people than ever tuning in to their favorite shows, it looks like podcasting is here to
stay.
3. On Tuesday, the internet erupted with news about a man called Mudge. Otherwise known as Peiter Zatko, he’s a hacker and Twitter’s former head of security, who just accused the social media giant of “extreme, egregious deficiencies” in its security enforcement, and privacy and content moderation practices.In a weighty 200-page disclosure sent last month to Congress and federal agencies, Zatko detailed how he believes
Twitter is leaving users exposed to “malicious activity and state-sponsored information operations.” He also said that the company had an “insufficient commitment to protecting user data,” and that its systems for content moderation were “rife with bias.” In response to the report, Twitter issued a statement saying that it takes Zatko’s criticisms “very seriously” and is committed to making improvements. The company also said that it has made significant investments in security over the past two
years, and that it will continue to do so. Whether or not you agree with Mudge’s assessment of Twitter, his story is a reminder that even the most well- intentioned companies can fall behind when it comes to safeguarding user data. As we become increasingly reliant on technology, it’s more important than ever to stay informed about the ways our personal information is being used and shared.
4.As more and more companies strive to be more
environmentally conscious, it's no surprise that Havas Media Group (HMG) North America is taking notice. This week, the company announced that it has named two preferred suppliers -- PubMatic and OpenX -- based on their commitment to utilizing renewable energy to power their technology. This move is part of HMG's larger goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. And it's not the only major company making such a commitment: according to a recent report, nearly 60 percent of Fortune 500
companies have set targets for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. With the business world increasingly focused on sustainability, it's clear that going green is good for both the planet and the bottom line.
5. Beginning Monday, snack-seekers can use the Doritos Triangle Tracker lens on Snapchat toTurn real-world triangles into DoritosFor a chance to win prizesIf they find a virtual Dorito, they unlock a code that could be
redeemed for things like an upgraded seat at a future sporting event or music festivalOnce they've unlocked a code, fans can visit Doritos' TikTok page to learn about weekly challenges. The first one is the "Doritos Triangle Hop," in which users attempt to jump over as many Doritos triangles as possible.Future challenges will be announced throughout the promotion period, which runs through October.Doritos is also partnering with gaming platform Roblox to bring the snacks into the game world.
players who collect special in-game items will have a chance to win real-world prizes. And on Twitter, the brand is challenging fans to share photos and videos of their triangle-hunting adventures for a chance to be featured on Doritos' social channels.With so many ways to participate, the Doritos Triangle Tracker promotion has something for everyone. So get out there and start hunting for triangles!
6. The question of legalized sports betting
in California has become the most expensive ballot fight in California’s history. Proposition 26 and Proposition 27 both offer competing visions of legalized sports betting, and each needs to surpass 50% to become law. If they both do, the one that gets more votes will win out, though litigation is expected in that scenario. Proponents of Proposition 26 argue that it would generate revenue for the state, create jobs, and boost the economy. Opponents say that it would lead to more
gambling addiction and increase crime. The cost of the campaign has already reached $20 million, making it the most expensive ballot fight in California’s history. It remains to be seen how voters will ultimately decide on this important issue.
7. Google just dropped two updates that could impact your holiday performance. Google launched a self-upgrade tool to help you upgrade your Smart Shopping and Local campaigns to
Performance Max and "get a head start on the holiday season." When you upgrade, your campaign performance history carries over. No need to re-enter the learning phase. Also, your campaign settings will transfer to the new campaign type automatically. So, if you've been thinking about upgrading your Google Ads campaigns, now's the time to do it!
8. TikTok has just launched its new Shopping Ads feature, as it continues to push ahead with
its eCommerce integrations. This new feature is a three-in-one solution that includes new video shopping ads, catalog listing ads, and product detail pages. With this new feature, brands will be able to meet shoppers wherever they are in the purchase journey, and spark demand while boosting sales. TikTok is simply smarter and more advanced than other ad solutions out there, making it the perfect platform for brands to promote their products. So if you're looking to get your brand on
TikTok, make sure to take advantage of Shopping Ads!
9. Wayfair, the online home goods retailer, announced today that it was laying off close to 900 employees. This comes after the company announced a hiring freeze back in May. The layoffs represent close to 5% of the company's global workforce and 10% of its corporate staff. In a statement, Wayfair said that the layoffs were necessary to "reprioritize investment needs and meet the
company's current needs." The company also said that it would be providing severance packages and outplacement assistance to those affected by the layoffs.
10. YouTube has officially launched a dedicated podcasts homepage for US users, after months of rumors and speculation. The move signals the company's increasing investment in podcasts, and their potential to generate advertising revenue. The new homepage will feature popular
and trending podcasts, as well as recommendations based on your listening history. You can also browse by topic or genre, and subscribe to your favorite shows. So whether you're a podcast enthusiast or just getting started, be sure to check out YouTube's new podcasts homepage.
11. As any internet user knows, there's an unwritten rule that if there's a new social media feature, Instagram will copy it. In the latest example, the
Meta-owned social network is testing a BeReal clone feature that challenges people to post candid photos within two minutes. A screenshot of the feature posted by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi described it as a "game" where users have to "take a picture and post it before the timer runs out." While it's not clear how the feature would work in practice, it's likely that it would be used to encourage users to share more personal and candid moments on Instagram. And while some might see this as
yet another copycat move by Instagram, it could also be seen as a way to encourage users to be more real and authentic on the platform.