1.Mailchimp has always been known for their inventive and engaging campaigns, and their latest is no exception. With Absurdist humor as the driving force, the email marketer promises to help brands "Guess Less, Sell More" by using its data-driven products and services. In-house agency Wink Creative collaborated with Smuggler director Bjorn Ruhmann on spots that open with strange imagery and surreal
situations. A rug cutter turns out to be a keyboardist in a band; a loom weaver is really creating a Messages logo; an office worker using her stapler is really sending a message in Morse code. The ads are funny and creative, but they also drive home the point that Mailchimp's data-driven products can help businesses make better decisions, resulting in more sales. So if you're thinking Mailchimp's latest campaign is just more of the same, think again.
Watch here.
2. The Body Shop, a popular cosmetics retailer, has announced that it will no longer use the term ‘anti-aging’ in its marketing. This move has been applauded by many who feel that the term is misleading and reinforces harmful beauty standards. However, some have argued that the change is simply a marketing ploy. The
Body Shop has long been known for its progressive attitude towards body image, and this move is likely to help it appeal to a younger demographic. Whether or not the change is purely superficial, it is a welcome step in the right direction.
3. For years, influencer marketing has been the wild west of digital advertising. With no organic measurement guidelines from the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), influencer marketers
have been forced to make do with methods that are crude, at best. But this summer, things are finally changing. The ANA has released its first-ever set of organic measurement guidelines, and it's about time. With the industry projected to reach $13.8 billion in 2021, it's clear that influencer marketing is here to stay. And as it matures, so too must its measurement practices. The new guidelines provide a much-needed framework for evaluating the effectiveness of influencer campaigns, and they
will help to ensure that advertisers are getting the most bang for their buck. Thanks, ANA!
4. It's been a tough few weeks for freedom of the press. First, Senator Josh Hawley introduced a bill that would allow newspapers to bargain with platforms like Google and Facebook. Then, Amendment 230 was proposed, which would give platforms like Twitter and YouTube legal immunity for censoring
speech. Now, Senator Amy Klobuchar has announced that she is shelving her own bill, which would have required platforms to disclose their algorithms. In a statement, Klobuchar blamed the amendment, saying that it "would effectively gut this bill and any future efforts to hold these companies accountable." It's a dark day for journalism, but there is still hope. These bills may be stalled, but they have brought attention to the pressing issue of censorship on social media. And with more and more
people speaking out, it's only a matter of time until change is enacted.
5. The White House on Thursday called for a host of new technology laws -- including ones that would restrict data collection and targeted advertising. "There should be clear limits on the ability to collect, use, transfer, and maintain our personal data, including limits on targeted advertising," the administration stated Thursday at a meeting regarding
tech platforms. "We especially need strong protections for kids' data." The administration also said it wanted more transparency from companies about how they collect and use data. "People should have the right to know what data is being collected about them, why it is being collected, and how it is being used," the statement said. In addition, the administration called for new laws that would make it easier for law enforcement to access encrypted data. The proposals come as tech companies are
under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators over their handling of user data. However, it's unclear whether the White House's proposal will gain any traction in Congress. Given the current divided state of politics, it seems unlikely that any major changes to tech regulation will be made in the near future. Nevertheless, it's interesting to see the White House's position on these issues and how they might change in the coming years.
6. Microsoft on Thursday officially announced Multi-platform, a feature available in Smart Campaigns that enables marketers to run ads in Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and Instagram platforms through its interface. The move is seen as a response to the growing popularity of cross-platform advertising solutions like Hootsuite's AdEspresso and Smartly.io. With Microsoft's announcement, the company is positioned to compete more effectively in the market for cross-platform advertising
solutions. "With Multi-platform, we're making it easier for marketers to reach their audiences across multiple platforms," saidMicrosoft Advertising General Manager Sarah Sluis. "We're committed to providing our customers with the best possible experience and results, and this is an important step in that direction."
7.Bundle IDs are like SSNs for apps. They’re unique, and they identify the app on which a transaction is being made. However,
unlike SSNs, there is no regulation around bundle IDs. As a result, they can be easily spoofed, leading to problems with performance and measurability.
The study found that nearly 20% of all CTV traffic is being transacted on bundle IDs that have been spoofed. This means that advertisers are paying for impressions that are never seen by humans. In addition, it means that they’re not able to accurately measure the performance of their campaigns.
8. Twitter is looking to better facilitate the spread of tweets beyond its own platform via a new WhatsApp sharing button for users in India, along with a new LinkedIn sharing option, with dedicated tweet presentation in the app. The move signals Twitter’s continued focus on India, which is one of its fastest growing markets. It also reflects the company’s efforts to make it easier for users to share content from its platform on other popular social media
networks. will now be able to share tweets directly on WhatsApp, while also receiving dedicated tweet presentation when viewing them in the app. The new LinkedIn sharing option will offer a similar experience for users of that network. Both features are currently being rolled out to users in India and will be available globally in the coming weeks.
9. The NFL season is underway, and advertisers are reaching for a new playbook. Rather
than focusing on football players, as in years past, they're trying to engage fans directly. This shift reflects a recognition of the changing nature of the sport's audience. Where once it was mostly men who watched football, the fan base is now more diverse. That's good news for advertisers, who can reach a wider audience with their football-related campaigns. But it also presents a challenge: how to appeal to a fragmented audience that doesn't necessarily identify with any one team or player.
The solution, it seems, is to focus on the fans themselves. In doing so, advertisers can hope to score a touchdown with a wider range of viewers.
10. JUFC, the world's premier mixed martial arts organization, has announced that it will be tapping IRL as its official group messaging platform. IRL, which stands for "In Real Life," is a popular messaging app that allows users to communicate with each other in real time. UFC
President Dana White said that the organization was impressed with IRL's ability to deliver "instant and intimate communication between fighters and fans." He added that IRL would help UFC to "deliver the best possible experience" to its fans. This is not the first time that UFC has partnered with a tech company. In 2016, the organization partnered with Snapchat to provide live updates and behind-the-scenes footage from events. And earlier this year, UFC signed a deal with Facebook to stream
live events on the social media platform. With its latest partnership, UFC is once again demonstrating its commitment to providing its fans with the best possible experience.
11. WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world with over 1.5 billion monthly active users. And now, it's becoming a shopping destination. In India, WhatsApp has partnered with JioMart, an online grocery service, to allow users to shop for
groceries directly from the app. This is a big deal because it gives WhatsApp a leg up in the e-commerce space against rivals like Amazon and Flipkart. Plus, it gives Indian shoppers a convenient new way to buy groceries. Here's how it works: users can send a message to JioMart's WhatsApp number and start shopping by adding items to their cart. Once they're done, they can checkout and pay for their order directly through the app. The service is currently available in select cities in India, but
it will be rolled out nationwide in the coming months. So if you're in India and need to do some grocery shopping, there's no need to leave WhatsApp. Just open up the app and start shopping with JioMart.
12. Invalid traffic is the bane of every advertisers' existence. You're shelling out good money for clicks, but it turns out that a significant portion of those clicks are coming from bots or people with no intention of ever
converting. Google has been flagging these and other tactics for a while now, so that advertisers don't have to pay for no-intent engagement. That's helpful. And now the company just revamped their Traffic Quality website with more examples of invalid traffic, along with animations to help you visualize the examples. If you're an advertiser, take a look. It's worth your time to understand what invalid traffic is and how to avoid it.
13. ESPN
has been a part of the Disney family since 1996, and it doesn’t look like the Mouse House is interested in letting go of the sports behemoth anytime soon. There are a number of reasons why Disney is unlikely to spin off ESPN, despite calls from activist investors like Daniel Loeb. For one, ESPN is one of the most valuable assets in the Disney portfolio. The network brings in billions of dollars in revenue each year and is one of the most watched channels on television. In addition, ESPN
provides valuable content for other Disney platforms, such as ABC and Disney+. Given the importance of ESPN to theDisney empire, it’s unlikely that Bob Chapek will agree to a spin-off.
14. The cross-continental forum on affiliate marketing is expanding globally, and the first KINZA event to be held far beyond the CIS will take place in Dubai. 3000 experts will attend KINZA Dubai for networking, experience-sharing, and establishing new
partnerships. The event will be packed with opportunities for marketers of all levels to increase their knowledge and broaden their horizons. For those who are looking to get into affiliate marketing, this is the perfect chance to learn from the pros and find out what it takes to be successful. And for those who are already established in the industry, KINZA Dubai provides an excellent opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals and forge new partnerships. So whether you’re a
beginner or a seasoned pro, make sure you don’t miss out on this incredibly valuable event.
15. Scooter’s Coffee, a drive-thru coffee chain, has announced that Mitch Walden will take on the role of Senior Director of Loyalty and Digital Marketing. In this role, Walden will be responsible for overseeing Scooter’s Coffee’s loyalty program as well as crafting and executing a digital marketing strategy that engages customers and drives
sales. Walden brings over 15 years of experience in marketing, loyalty, and customer experience to his new role at Scooter’s Coffee. Prior to joining Scooter’s Coffee, Walden served as the Vice President of Loyalty and Digital Marketing at PetSmart and the Director of Customer Loyalty at Dunkin’ Brands. “We are thrilled to have Mitch Walden join our team,” said Scooter’s Coffee CEO Jay Carley. “Mitch is a proven leader in loyalty and digital marketing, and we know he will be a valuable asset as
we continue to grow our brand and expand our reach across the United States.” With Walden on board, Scooter’s Coffee is positioned to further engage customers and support the expansion of its outlet network. The move comes as part of Scooter’s Coffee ongoing efforts to build a best-in-class team that will help the company achieve its long-term growth goals.
16. Budget Direct Insurance has reappointed its digital agency, Nice One, to continue
working on the brand’s website and digital marketing campaigns. The move comes as the brand looks to consolidate its position in the highly competitive online insurance market. “We’re delighted to be working with Budget Direct again,” said Nice One CEO Simon Johnson. “Their commitment to providing value for money is second to none, and we look forward to helping them continue to grow their business.” Budget Direct Insurance’s head of marketing, Sarah Bates, said: “We’ve been very happy
with the work Nice One has done for us over the past year, and we’re confident they have the skills and experience to help us achieve our goals.”
17. Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has completed its acquisition of Romp, a brand and experience agency in Indonesia renowned for its creative talent and innovative services across branding, creative and performance marketing. The move will help Accenture Interactive expand its footprint in Southeast
Asia as the region is experiencing strong economic growth. Romp's capabilities will complement Accenture Interactive's existing offerings in the region, which include digital transformation, customer experience, e-commerce and content management. The acquisition will also enable Accenture Interactive to further extend its reach into new markets and industries. Indonesia is a key market for Accenture, with more than 260 million people and a rapidly growing middle class. The country's economy is
expected to grow by 5.3 percent in 2018, making it one of the fastest-growing in the world. With the addition of Romp, Accenture Interactive now has a team of nearly 1,000 professionals across Southeast Asia who are dedicated to helping clients drive growth and create exceptional experiences for their customers.