1. Walmart has partnered with CommerceIQ to bring new automated capabilities to its U.S. advertising platform, according to a news release. The integration of CommerceIQ into the APIs of Walmart Connect will offer customers a range of features, including tailored optimization tools; strategy builders that drive actions based on desired campaign results; and self-service dashboards. This will enable Walmart to provide a more streamlined and
efficient experience for advertisers while also reducing operational costs. In addition, the partnership will allow CommerceIQ to tap into Walmart's vast customer base and data resources. CommerceIQ is a provider of e-commerce management solutions that helps brands optimize their online presence across multiple channels. The company's platform enables clients to automate key tasks such as product listing, repricing, inventory management, and order fulfillment.
2. T-Mobile recently rebranded its advertising sales business and introduced a program to help marketers reach consumers based on app usage, which the company says is a strong indicator of consumer intent. The new business, T-Mobile for Business Advertising Solutions, offers insights based on more than one hundred million opt-in customer data points across both T-Mobile and Sprint devices. The move comes as marketers face the disappearance of
tracking cookies, which have long been used to target ads online. While cookies have been coming under pressure for years, the latest development is the end of support for third-party cookies in Chrome, which is set to go into effect next year. As a result, marketers are looking for alternative data signals that can help them reach the right consumers at the right time. T-Mobile’s app usage data is one such signal that can be used to target ads more effectively. The company says that its
customer data shows a strong correlation between app usage and consumer intent, making it an valuable tool for reaching potential customers. In addition, T-Mobile’s data is anonymized and aggregated, meaning that it can be used to target ads without violating consumer privacy.
3. Senators Ray Luján (D-New Mexico) and Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) have unveiled the Uncap America Act, which would ban internet service providers from capping data, as well as from pay-per-byte billing, except for "reasonable" network management purposes. The measure would also task the Federal Communications Commission with developing regulations for reasonable network management. This is a direct response to the recent move by ISPs to
implement data caps, which have been criticized by consumer advocates as a way to stifle competition and drive up prices. The Uncap America Act would put an end to this practice, ensuring that consumers have access to unlimited data at a fair price.
4. Meta dropped a bombshell on Thursday, unveiling a radical remake of Facebook that sidelines its traditional friends and family social networking in favor of putting third-party creator videos and ecommerce front and center. In an effort to emulate TikTok, which has been increasingly successful at stealing both users and advertising away from Facebook, the app’s default Home screen now features a “Reels” feed of short-form videos posted by
creators, influencers, and brands. The move signals a major shift in strategy for Facebook, which has long positioned itself as a platform for connecting with friends and family. Now, the company is betting that users will want to spend more time watching professional-grade videos and shopping for products within the app. While it remains to be seen whether this gamble will pay off, there’s no doubt that Facebook is serious about competing with TikTok for users’ attention – and their ad
dollars.
5.The letters, sent to data brokers Acxiom, Experian, Oracle, and as well as ad-tech firms InMobi and neutrino, come as a response to media reports that revealed how some anti-abortion groups have been using data from these companies to track women who have visited abortion clinics. “This information is then used to shame and intimidate these women into changing their decision about whether or not to have an abortion,” the lawmakers write. The
letters ask the companies to detail what policies they have in place to prevent the sale of this sensitive location data and whether they have sold this data to any third-party groups. The letters also ask the companies to provide information on what steps they are taking to ensure that this data is not used for illegal purposes. “We are concerned that your company may be complicit in allowing your customers to use this sensitive information in a way that violates women’s privacy and potentially
puts them at risk of harassment or violence,” the lawmakers write. “We urge you to take immediate steps to ensure that your company is not contributing to this problem.”
6. The European Council has approved the Digital Marketers Act (DMA) in a bid to prevent gatekeeper platforms like Google, Amazon, and Apple from abusing their monopoly powers. The DMA requires gatekeepers to give users access to marketing and advertising data and to no longer rank their own products and services above others’ products and services. This is a significant development that will help level
the playing field for businesses operating in the digital economy. It remains to be seen, however, how effective the DMA will be in practice. Skeptics point out that the rules are voluntary and that they exempt small businesses. Nonetheless, the DMA is a step in the right direction and it is hoped that it will help create a more fair and equitable digital marketplace.
7. Google is testing a more interactive version of the rich card layout. When you click on the cards, they expand and show more details. The expanded cards include images, prices, and other information that can help users make a decision. Google says that the goal of the experiment is to see if the extra information is helpful to users. The company will also be looking at how people interact with the expanded cards. The test is currently
only available to a limited number of users, but it may be rolled out more broadly if it is successful.
8. LinkedIn users have been posting makeshift carousel posts for some time, using its PDF attachment option to create individual frames. And now, LinkedIn has decided to make it a fully-fledged functionality, with a new ‘Carousel’ post type. The new feature allows users to create multiple images in a single post, which can be scrolled through by other users. To create a carousel post, simply select the ‘Carousel’ option when creating a new
post, and then add up to 10 images from your computer. You can also add captions to each image, and rearrange the order of the images if needed. Once you’re happy with your post, simply click ‘Publish’ and it will be shared with your connections.
9. A new survey of more than 3,000 U.S. and U.K. consumers by The Harris Poll for advertising platform company Permutive underscores consumers’ growing mistrust of how advertisers are using their personal data. Three-quarters of those surveyed expressed discomfort with buying from brands with poor data ethics, and 89% said they’d be more likely to spend money with a brand that makes a commitment to being transparent about its data use. The
findings suggest that consumers are becoming more aware of the ways in which their personal data is being used and are beginning to hold brands accountable for their practices. As data privacy concerns continue to mount, it will be essential for brands to establish trust with their customers by being clear about how they use customer data. Those that fail to do so may risk losing out on business from a growing number of conscientious consumers.
10. Ahead of the debut of his new animated show, Krapopolis, Dan Harmon -- creator of hit series “Rick and Morty” and “Community,” as well as Fox Entertainment’s Web3 media and creative technology company, Blockchain Creative Labs -- is announcing a new NFT project. The Krapopolis website features a collection of 10,420 utility-focused NFTs called “Krap Chickens,” which drop for purchase on August 11. The NFTs can be used to unlock exclusive
content and experiences on the Krapopolis website, including early access to episodes, behind-the-scenes footage, and more. In addition, holders of the Krap Chickens will be able to participate in ongoing polls and surveys to help shape the future of the show. With its mix of humor, heart, and utility-focused gameplay, the Krapopolis NFT project is sure to be a hit with fans of the show.
