In more Facebook news, the company is shutting down Lasso on July 10. Like TikTok, the free app allows users to record short videos with filter effects and music. The move comes as Facebook’s Instagram is in the process of rolling out TikTok competitor Reels.

TV data and measurement company Alphonso announced agreements that will increase the scale of its premium smart TV viewership data footprint. Two more global smart TV providers, Seiki and Skyworth, have agreed to embed Alphonso Video AI in smart TVs, as well as deploy the technology into TV sets already in market through over-the-air activation. Additionally, the company announced it is working with CBS Broadcasting and Cox Media Group, in addition to TEGNA, NBC, Home Team Sports (Fox Sports) and others, to enable their local TV stations to provide granular TV and OTT measurement and closed-loop attribution to local advertisers. Said Ashish Chordia, CEO of Alphonso, “The partnerships we are announcing today put Alphonso in the best position to help brands and broadcasters take advantage of real-time TV audience data as behaviors shift and audiences migrate across linear and OTT platforms and services.”

Verizon Media announced the launch of Verizon Media Immersive, an online XR platform for advertising and content powered by 5G. “The launch of Verizon Media Immersive unlocks new opportunities for our partners and advertisers by providing the latest AR and VR capabilities to help them connect and engage with consumers in a more impactful and interactive way,” said Guru Gowrappan, CEO, Verizon Media. “Leveraging Verizon Media’s ecosystem, technology and Verizon’s 5G network give us the ability to create a scaled XR experience like no other.” Verizon Media Immersive will offer the following:
· 360 Experiences: Next-gen creation will open industry 3D standards and allow partners and Verizon Media brands to create one of a kind experiences through AR, VR and MR.
· Next-Gen Distribution & Monetization: For advertisers, Verizon Media Immersive delivers a scaled opportunity to merge physical products with the digital world using high definition creative and video.
· First to 5G Media: Powered by Verizon’s 5G network, the suite will allow creators to utilize formats ranging from volumetric capture, consumer MEC experiences, motion capture and more.

Verizon Media is taking a swing at reaching engaged golfers, by partnering with Shark Experience presented by Verizon and Edison Interactive. Shark Experience presented by Verizon is a media platform delivering connectivity and customizable content to a golfer through a DOOH screen in a golf cart; the experience was developed in partnership with Verizon Media’s parent company, Verizon; Greg Norman Company; and Club Car. Powered by Verizon’s LTE network, the connected golf cars include HD touchscreen displays and built-in speakers with Bluetooth connectivity. Verizon also struck a deal with Cooler Screens, the company behind the digital in-store experience that replaces traditional cooler doors, calling for Verizon Business to power Cooler Screens digital media and merchandising platform. “Leveraging DOOH experiences in essential retail locations offers a powerful and unique opportunity to improve the consumer experience and connect with shoppers at point-of-sale,” said Iván Markman, Chief Business Officer, Verizon Media.

And Verizon Media introduced a TV tune-in attribution product that allows broadcasters, networks and media companies to quantify the impact of digital ad campaigns on consumers tuning into TV shows. The company is launching the offering with Inscape, a subsidiary of VIZIO, for automatic content recognition TV viewing data, with additional partnerships forthcoming. “We are continuing to close the attribution gap across devices, channels and screens,” said Iván Markman, Chief Business Officer, Verizon Media. “Our TV tune-in product helps advertisers better understand their customers, connecting the dots between ad-viewing on a smartphone, for example, with TV-viewing. That feedback loop drives better performance and outcomes, while providing insights into critical performance indicators like tune-in conversions.”

Cybersecurity company CHEQ has launched CHEQ for PPC, a solution to block invalid clicks across all major PPC platforms. CHEQ for PPC applies advances in cybersecurity and bot mitigation technologies to analyze incoming users against 1,000+ real-time tests to validate their authenticity. The platform is designed to eliminate both benign and malicious scrapers and web-crawlers, botnets, click farms, out-of geo clicks and suspicious human-driven behavior like competitor clicks and affiliate fraud.

The Association for Computing Machinery is calling for the suspension of the use of facial recognition technologies, arguing that the surveillance technology is often biased. “The technology too often produces results demonstrating clear bias based on ethnic, racial, gender, and other human characteristics recognizable by computer systems,” the group’s US Technology Policy Committee said. “Such bias and its effects are scientifically and socially unacceptable.” While acknowledging that facial recognition technology can be beneficial, the association said it shouldn’t be used until there are legal standards for accuracy, fairness and accountability.

The Cynopsis Digital Model D Awards is looking for: Innovators. Inspirers. Creators of all kinds. For the 8th year in a row, we celebrate those in online video content and advertising who are at the forefront of the industry, elevating it with their state-of-the-art contributions to branded content, technology, ad campaigns, and original content.

ABOUT MODEL D

Analyzing how the pandemic has hastened already-growing video streaming behavior, VAB’s “Navigating the Flood: Charting Your Way Through Today’s Streaming Ecosystem” report found that in April, 72.4 million homes used Connected TV, compared to 64.6 million in April 2019. Other highlights include:
· During the pandemic, ad-supported video on demand on Smart TVs grew significantly compared to overall app use, with a +74% increase in AVOD app usage compared to +20 increase in all app usage (week of 4/6/20 vs. week of 3/9/20).
· Younger viewers (P16-49) prefer more ad breaks of shorter length when watching AVOD, vs. less ad breaks of longer length.
· The top 4 reasons people say they will add additional streaming services all relate to content: to expand the content they have available (47%); to watch programs they used to watch on TV and can’t find anywhere else (37%); to watch a particular program they have heard about (37%); and to access original content exclusive to streaming platforms (35%).

OpenVault, a global provider of technology solutions and industry analytics for broadband operators, is now a principal member of Broadband Forum, the communications industry organization focused on accelerating broadband innovation, standards and ecosystem development. “By bringing together leading players from around the world, Broadband Forum is spearheading the rapid pace of the industry’s continued growth and evolution,” said Tony Costa, CTO of OpenVault.

The NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations’ division has entered into a multiyear partnership with Mediaocean to help advertisers access NBC Spot On’s inventory through Mediaocean’s Spectra platform. Advertisers can now buy NBC Spot On’s inventory across 100% of US DMAs and NBC Sports Regional Networks. “As TV viewing habits continue to trend towards connected TV viewing, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations has solidified a partnership with Mediaocean to ensure local buyers have frictionless access to the next generation of TV buying,” said Shawn Makhijani, SVP, NBC Spot On.

Centro now has an API integration with Microsoft Advertising to automate paid search campaign management and reporting into the platform. Agencies managing multichannel campaigns can use Centro’s platform, Basis, for direct buying and programmatic advertising and then synchronize it with activations on Microsoft’s self-serve ad platform. Microsoft Ads performance data is ported into Basis in real-time. The data is standardized and formatted to match a campaign’s analytics and reporting from other sites, channels, and vendors. In addition to Microsoft, Basis is integrated with Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Google Ads (search).

Programmatic video platform Tremor Video has bolstered its CTV offering with upgraded data-driven creative solutions. Tremor Video offers advertisers CTV advertising solutions including access to exclusive supply sources that reach all platforms, seamless activation across all channels, TV retargeting, PMPs, expanded household addressability and full-funnel measurement solutions. “Now more than ever, brands find themselves having to quickly adapt their campaigns in order to ensure their messaging speaks directly and compassionately to consumers dealing with change and uncertainty,” said Les Seifer, VP and Head of Creative at Tremor Video. “While the behind-the-scenes production and execution is intricate and complex, we enable brands to connect with their consumers efficiently and effectively, with a minimal amount of work on the brand’s part.”

Adelphic by Viant and AdsWizz are partnering in a deal that expands Adelphic’s programmatic audio inventory to include additional streaming audio and podcast inventory. As part of this new partnership, buyers using the Adelphic DSP are now able to execute PMP buys with Pandora, SoundCloud, iHeartMedia, PodcastOne, ACAST, TuneIn and other publishers.

Magnite, an independent sell-side advertising platform, debuted June 30 following the merger between Rubicon Project and Telaria in April. The omnichannel advertising platform enables publishers to monetize across all auction types and formats including CTV, desktop display, video, audio, and mobile. “Uniting our rich technology, experience and partnerships under the Magnite brand brings us closer to being an essential partner for publishers and buyers,” said Michael Barrett, President and CEO of Magnite. “Now, more than ever, our industry needs an independent alternative to the walled gardens. At Magnite, we believe that collaboration is the path to a thriving ecosystem that works for everyone.”