1. The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday officially began the lengthy process of crafting privacy rules that could restrict online data collection. As a first step in what's likely to be a years-long initiative, the agency is soliciting feedback from the public on a broad range of issues, including “commercial surveillance” -- which it defines as "the collection, aggregation, analysis, retention, and
use of data about consumers by companies for purposes that are not readily apparent to the consumer." The FTC is specifically interested in hearing about how companies use data collected online for targeted advertising and marketing, as well as whether consumers are aware of these practices and whether they have any choice in the matter. The agency will also be looking at whether certain uses of data represent "unfair or deceptive" trade practices under the FTC Act. The comment period will be
open for 60 days, after which the FTC will hold a series of public hearings on the issue. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a set of principles that would serve as guidance for companies engaged in online data collection and use. But given the complexity of the issue, it's doubtful that any regulations will be forthcoming anytime soon.
2. On September 5, Paramount+ will launch in Italy, offering a selection of original Italian
productions as part of its more than 8,000 hours of content. The service will be available for €7.99 monthly ($8.27) or €79.90 ($82.77) annually. Paramount Global also plans to expand the streamer into Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France by the end of this year, making it available in all major European markets. With its extensive catalog of movies and TV shows, Paramount+ is sure to be a hit with Italian audiences. And with its low monthly price, it's an affordable option for
streaming users. So if you're looking for a new streaming service to try, be sure to check out Paramount+ when it launches next month.
3. Shopping for bargains online just got even more fun, thanks to ContextLogic Inc.'s e-commerce platform, Wish. The brand has undergone a refresh that includes a new logo and design, updated app experience and faster delivery times, according to a press release. The brand's new mission is
"Bargains Made Fun, Discovery Made Easy." The refresh is supported by a campaign that will run across TV and streaming, digital, social media, influencer marketing and affiliate marketing. So whether you're looking for a great deal on clothes, cosmetics or home goods, be sure to check out Wish for some major savings. Happy shopping!
4. As any experienced marketer knows, a well-executed advertising campaign can make all the difference for
a company's bottom line. However, when ad spending slows down, even the most savvy executives can find themselves scrambling to hit their revenue targets. Such is the case for Dotdash Meredith's parent company, which has seen a sharp drop in ad spending in recent months. In a letter to shareholders, IAC/Interactive Corp. CEO Joey Levin said the New York-based media company, with major operations in Des Moines, has seen a "rapid pullback" in ad spending. He said ad rates declined in June
compared to the same period last year, and that the company is unlikely to meet its revenue goals for the year. While it's certainly not news that advertisers are cutting back on spending in the current economic climate, it's nonetheless a blow for Dotdash Meredith and other media companies that rely heavily on advertising dollars. With executives like Levin working to mitigate the impact of the slowdown, however, there's reason to believe that Dotdash Meredith will weather the storm and emerge
unscathed.
5. Vizio's smart TV platform+ revenue was up 69% to $110.8 million in the second quarter -- a business that is becoming an increasingly important part of the company's overall success. The platform+ revenue is generated by licensing Vizio's smart TV software to other companies, as well as from the sale of advertising on Vizio's own streaming platform. While the TV device business is still the largest part of Vizio's
business, it is clear that the company is betting big on the future of streaming. And with good reason: streaming is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the entertainment industry, and Vizio is well-positioned to capitalize on that growth.
6. AdTheorent, Inc. announced today that it has been selected as the winner of the "Programmatic Marketing Innovation Award" in the MarTech Breakthrough Awards program conducted by MarTech
Breakthrough. AdTheorent was chosen as the Programmatic Marketing Innovation Award Winner because of its unique approach to digital advertising that combines advanced machine learning technology with privacy-forward solutions to deliver measurable value for advertisers and marketers. AdTheorent's programmatic marketing platform enables marketers to effectively reach and engage with their target audiences across all devices, channels and platforms while protecting user
privacy.
7. Disney's ESPN+ streaming service has seen impressive growth since its launch in 2018, but the most recent numbers suggest that the platform may be slowing down a bit. According to Disney's most recent earnings report, ESPN+ had 22.8 million subscribers at the end of Q3, 2020. While that's an increase of more than 50% from Q3 last year (14.9 million), it's a far smaller increase when compared to the first two
quarters of this fiscal year. In the first quarter, ESPN+ was at 21.3 million subscriptions, while in the second quarter, the number was 22.3 million. Despite the slower growth in recent quarters, ESPN+ is still one of the most successful streaming platforms and is likely to continue to grow in the future.
8. While it's still too early to declare HBO Max a success, the fledgling streaming service has managed to accomplish something that
its competitors have not: it's found the perfect balance of ads. HBO Max attaches only four minutes of ads per hour to its content, and does not include ads on any HBO original programming. Disney+ and Netflix, on the other hand, are still mired in a battle over commercials. Netflix argues that its ad-free experience is one of the main reasons subscribers remain loyal, while Disney+ counters that commercials help to offset the cost of licensing content. The reality is that both services
would be wise to take a lesson from HBO Max's success and reconsider their approach to advertising. After all, even the most loyal subscribers can be turned off by an endless stream of commercials.
9.Not so fast, my friend. Just because the volume of content for premium streaming services may be contracting, that doesn't mean the end of peak TV. Far from it, in fact. Free ad-supported streaming, known as FAST, is expanding rapidly.
Google is reportedly on the verge of launching a lineup of free, linear streaming channels, and even WBD's Zaslav is looking to expand into FAST, despite cutting back in nearly every other area. So don't count peak TV out just yet. It's far from over.
10.As a retailer, it's important to keep up with the latest trends in customer expectations - and delivery is definitely one area that has seen a lot of change in recent years. With the
rise of Amazon and other online retailers, shoppers now expect to receive their purchases quickly and conveniently, with free shipping often being the deciding factor in which store they choose to buy from. In order to compete with these big names, brick-and-mortar retailers need to make sure their delivery options are just as fast and reliable. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to do this, from partnering with local delivery companies to investing in your own fleet of vehicles. By
ensuring that your customers can get their hands on their purchases as quickly as possible, you'll be able to rise above the competition and build long-lasting loyalty.
11. According to Pew Research, teenagers are moving away from Facebook and Twitter to YouTube and… Want to take a guess? Yes, it’s TikTok. While YouTube is still the undisputed king with 95% of teenagers using it, TikTok continues to escalate in popularity. 67% of
American teenagers aged 13–17 use it frequently, with 16% saying they’re on it almost constantly. Snapchat and Instagram are also popular, but what sets TikTok apart is its unique format and the ability to create quick, funny videos. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with news and negativity, it’s no wonder that teenagers are flocking to TikTok for a little bit of light relief. With its mix of music, dance and comedy, TikTok offers a welcome respite from the stresses of everyday life.
So next time you see a teenager scrolling through their phone, there’s a good chance they’re on TikTok – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
12. If you've been feeling like everyone around you is talking about their new pet or spending more time with their existing furry friend, you're not alone. In fact, there's data to back up this phenomena. According to new research from data.ai, since the COVID-19 pandemic began, interest in pet apps
has surged. In Q1 2022, the average time users spent in the top 10 pet apps ranked second only to supermarket and convenient store apps. However, these categories go hand in hand with US users of grocery delivery apps also being twice more likely to use pet apps. The data shows that people are using these apps to not only buy food and supplies for their pets, but also to keep track of vet appointments, find local dog parks, and get tricks and tips on training their new puppy. So next
time you're feeling lonely, just remember that there are millions of other people out there spending quality time with their pets... thanks to some help from their phone.
13. DatChat, Inc. (“DatChat” or the “Company”), a secure messaging, metaverse and social media company, announced that its SmarterVerse subsidiary will showcase its all-new metaverse “The Habytat” at DCENTRAL Miami November 28-30, 2022. Conference attendees and the
general public will be able to explore and interact with the first world of the Habytat Metaverse, “Geniuz City”, and secure their property within it. The Habytat is ametaverse built on DatChat’s secure messaging platform that offers users a persistent, 3D virtual world in which they can interact with friends, colleagues and strangers in a variety of ways. Geniuz City is the first of many worlds that will be built on the Habytat platform and will serve as a gathering place for creators, artists,
musicians, and other professionals from around the globe. DatChat CEO Amir Goldstein said, “The Habytat is a natural extension of our secure messaging platform and we are excited to give our users a new way to interact and connect with each other. We believe that the Habytat has the potential to revolutionize the way people communicate and collaborate online.” The Habytat will be released in phases, with Phase 1 scheduled for release to the general public in Q1 2023.
14.
These days, it’s all about the customer experience. Gone are the days of generic promotions and one-size-fits-all experiences. Consumers now expect brands and retailers to provide relevant, personalized interactions that take their individual preferences into account. And when done right, these interactions can have a significant impact on the bottom line. According to McKinsey, personalized promotions can lead to a sales increase of 4 percent to 8 percent and
an EBITA uplift of 2 percent to 3 percent. So if you’re not already personalizing your customer interactions, now is the time to start. Your customers will thank you for it – and your bottom line will too.