Monday August 2, 2021

No vaccination, no entry into Google and Facebook offices. The two companies have mandated that staffers receive COVID vaccines before they can return to work. “Getting vaccinated is one of the most important ways to keep ourselves and our communities healthy in the months ahead,” Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in an email sent out Wednesday.

It’s going to be easier to count down to Christmas thanks to new features on Crown Media’s Hallmark Movie Checklist App. The Countdown to Christmas Widget places a countdown clock on users’ home screens; the clock will stop at the start of the season’s first original holiday world premiere on the October 22. After that, the feature will reset and begin counting down to Christmas Day. When tapped, the widget takes users directly to the Checklist App on their Android and iOS devices.

Entertainment is the #1 way people want to spend their post-pandemic free time, with 58% of survey respondents saying they are planning to spend more time with their favorite content, according to a new WarnerMedia report, “Welcome the the Age of Intentionalism.” Fifty-five percent of the consumers surveyed said they are more thoughtful about the entertainment they watch and 21% said they are reevaluating the type of entertainment they are watching. When it comes to ads, 65% of consumers reported thinking more favorably of a brand when they provide fewer commercial interruptions during content.

Idomoo has launched new technology that enables consumers to engage with videos much like they do with websites. The platform, called Living Video, is a suite of functionalities that make video evergreen, customizable and interactive. The videos can update in real time based on context and user input.

BRLab, the Caribbean accelerator program launched by technology platform TechBeach Retreat, announced the launch of their four-week immersive Corporate Innovation Program, the first step in a multi-year effort to accelerate the region. “The Caribbean region is incredibly rich in skilled developers and potential tech visionaries. Now that working remotely is the norm, tech startups on the mainland can tap this wealth of resources by connecting through our accelerator program,” said Kirk-Anthony Hamilton, Co-Founder of TechBeach Retreat.

BY THE NUMBERS

Google reported record sales of $61.9 billion in 2Q21, up 62% from last year, and besting analysts’ estimates of $56 billion. “In Q2, there was a rising tide of online activity in many parts of the world, and we’re proud that our services helped so many consumers and businesses,” said Sundar Pichai said in the company’s letter to shareholders. “Our long-term investments in AI and Google Cloud are helping us drive significant improvements in everyone’s digital experience.”

YouTube scored big in the second quarter of 2021, with ad revenue hitting a record $7.0 billion for the period. That’s up 84% from $3.81 billion the prior period, when COVID put a damper on marketing spending. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, reported the news as part of its Q2 earnings.

Also posting huge revenue was Apple, which earned $81.4 billion for the quarter on higher-than-anticipated iPhone sales. The tech giant’s iPhone sales rose to $39.57 billion in the most recent quarter, up 50%. The number beat analyst expectations of $34 billion.

Amazon reported profit of $7.78 billion for the quarter, or $15.12 per share compared to $5.24 billion, or $10.30 a share, during the year-ago period. Revenue increased 27% to $113.08 billion, falling short of analysts’ expectations of $115.06 billion in quarterly revenue.

SESSION SPOTLIGHT | Made to Measure: Exploring the New Cross Platform Measurement Solutions
Audience measurement capabilities continue to advance as consumers increasingly migrate across multiple platforms. Marketers can no longer take a siloed approach to their video plans, but in a fast-evolving landscape, which solutions are most effective right now… and what’s next?

On Wednesday, September 22, gain insights from executives representing A+E Networks, Discovery, Spectrum & the VAB.

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DoubleVerify announced enhancements to its CTV brand safety and suitability solution. Advertisers will be able to leverage DV’s measurement and protection controls to monitor, avoid and filter out any unsuitable CTV apps, based on 90+ brand safety and suitability categories that include Crime, Violence, Copyright Infringement, Inflammatory News and Politics. Advertisers will also be able to monitor and optimize away from unsuitable CTV apps, based on user age ratings, star ratings and app store categories.

Octopus Interactive, the national network of interactive screens inside of Uber and Lyft vehicles, has partnered with Place Exchange to make Octopus rideshare inventory available to be bought programmatically on Place Exchange’s marketplace of Digital Out-of-Home advertising inventory. “Place Exchange customers can now see for themselves the kind of performance delivered with in-vehicle rideshare advertising,” said Ryan Bricklemyer, VP of Ad Operations and Product at Octopus Interactive. “There is something special about video in the rideshare environment that creates memorable brand experiences.”

GETTING SOCIAL

Twitter has launched a pilot to determine the potential for e-commerce on its platform. “Shop Module” offers retailers the ability to show their products to Twitter users on the business’ profile. Users can scroll through a product images and tap through on a product that piques their interest.

Twitter also rolled out an update to Twitter Spaces that makes it easier to share the audio room with other users. Users will be able to tweet from the Space that links to the room.

Snapchat has added a new feature, My Places, to Snap Map, enabling users to share their favorite locations with friends, and find recommendations. Over 30 million businesses are supported on the feature.

Facebook announced changes aimed at making young people safer on Instagram, including defaulting those under 16 into private accounts; making it harder for potentially suspicious accounts to find young people; and limiting the options advertisers have to reach young people with ads. “We want young people to enjoy using Instagram while making sure we never compromise on their privacy and safety,” said Facebook in a blog post. “We’ll continue listening to young people, parents, lawmakers and other experts to build an Instagram that works for young people and is trusted by parents.”

Instagram’s Reels can now support 60-second videos. Previously videos were limited to 30 seconds.

Advocates are calling for TikTok to institute a “mirror” feature giving parents access to the videos their children watch. “That would allow parents to intervene in dangerous situations and talk to their kids about harmful content, like extreme dieting or white supremacist material,” says a petition that has gathered over 12,000 signatures.

DMR (digitalmediarights.com), a digital media and entertainment company that serves niche fandoms, has officially launched DMR Social, its new social video channels division. Led by the company’s VP Digital Content Will Chao and VP Channels Danelys Sidron, the new business unit is focused on curating content for social platforms to drive new distribution, revenue, marketing and opportunities.

STREAMING

Peacock had reached 54 million signups and 20 million monthly active accounts as of last week, according to an update from Comcast. Speaking to investors during Comcast’s second-quarter conference call with investors, CEO Brian Roberts said NBCU’s year-old streaming service’s results were 50% higher than the company’s last report in the spring. The streaming numbers came as Comcast reported strong financial results that beat Wall Street expectations.

Tiered platforms, allowing viewers to choose between a paid, ad-free option and a less expensive (or free), ad-supported option, appeal to the largest cross-section of viewers, according to Hub’s new “Monetization of Video” study. “It’s true that some TV viewers will do almost anything, including paying a premium, to avoid ads. But there are many who will choose ad-supported TV if it saves money or lets them watch a show they can’t watch somewhere else”, said Jon Giegengack, one of the study authors. “Tiered plans give viewers control of their experience. Whether they watch with ads or not, everyone is getting an experience they chose, and not one chosen for them.”

AccuWeather will launch video streaming product AccuWeather NOW later this summer. It will feature 24 hours of continuous daily programming, including coverage of extreme and natural events, global forecasts, and climate and weather-related long and short-form documentaries across the US and around the world.

Tubi has struck an exclusive content deal with STXfilms, adding an exclusive free streaming window to “I Feel Pretty,” “The Edge of Seventeen,” “Ugly Dolls,” “Peppermint” and “Den of Thieves,” among other titles. In addition, beginning August 1, Tubi will become the exclusive AVOD home to adventure documentary “Into the Lost Desert.”

Cinedigm has partnered with Real Madrid to launch a sports streaming channel that will make the global franchise more accessible to fans. Real Madrid TV will feature thousands of hours of fan-centric football content leading up to the 2021-2022 season and two the three matches a week once the season kicks off.