LATEST
The Center for Democracy & Technology filed a complaint on Monday with the Federal Trade Commission alleging that private virtual network Hotspot Shield isn’t as private as it claims. The group contends that counter to what software company AnchorFree says about its Hotspot Shield, the VPN actually does share user data with ad networks and other third parties. The data includes IP addresses and device identifiers, according to the complaint. AnchorFree did not respond to a request for comment from MediaPost.
The issue of corporate manpower diversity just cost another top executive his job. Google has fired James Damore, who has made headlines of late because of his internal company email criticizing the company’s diversity policies. Among other things, Damore’s 10-page memorandum accused Google of silencing conservative political opinions and argued that biological differences play a role in the shortage of women in tech and leadership positions.
LET’S MAKE A DEAL
Global digital solutions provider CI&T has acquired Comrade, a strategy and customer experience design agency in the San Francisco Bay area. CI&T has done work for Itau Bank, Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson, among others.
PROGRAMMING
David Letterman is coming to Netflix. The comedian and talk-show host has signed on for six, hour-long installments to premier in 2018. Letterman will interview one guest each episode along with comedy and “curiosity” bits outside of the studio.
APPS + PLATFORMS
First it was travel, now it’s real estate. Facebook on Monday rolled out Dynamic Ads for Real Estate, building on its Dynamic Ads for Travel offering. Advertisers can target users interested in properties based on neighborhood, price, and dwelling size. Beyond that, Facebook can help advertisers find people likely to take action (such as submitting their contact information) with conversion optimization. Separately, Facebook said advertisers in its Audience Network will no longer be charged for accidental clicks on their ads. The company is starting the new policy by not charging when people click on an ad and then bounce back in two seconds or less.
From check-in to gamified location-sharing app and now chronicler of your life’s events. That’s the path of Foursquare’s Swarm app, which has just been greatly simplified by removing as opposed to adding features. At a glance you’ll be able to see everywhere you’ve been since you began using Swarm.
OTT + SVOD
FX will give its fans a commercial-free, video-on-demand service in September on on Comcast. For $5.99 a month subscribers can enjoy all episodes of current original shows on FX and FXX. Comcast recently launched a similar service with AMC Networks.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
iHeartMedia Networks Group President Darren Davis has signed on for another four years, in addition to being President of iHeartRadio.
Former Kobalt Music Group president Richard Sanders is the new CEO of Tidal, the Jay-Z-owned music streaming service launched in 2015. He had spent five years at Kobalt before departing in May of 2017.
Bernardo Rodriguez has joined J.D. Power as Chief Digital Officer, responsible for design and content of the company’s digital publishing to consumers and business users. He most recently was Managing Director of Strategy at Interpublic’s Huge agency.
Branded Entertainment Network has appointed Shawn Kallet as VP of Client Development, Kelvin Cery as Senior Director of Client Development and Rachel Barash as Director of Client Development. Kallet was Senior Director of Brand Partnerships for Studio71. Cery was Director of European Sales for Wikia’s Fandom, and Barash was Director of Digital Advertising Sales for Playbill.
This former Lionsgate Motion Picture Group executive is picking up the reins at TMP Entertainment, which recently took over Open Road Films from AMC and Regal. (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and state.)
Our Last Trivia Question: Which actresses will serve as Ibiza’s three main stars? Answer: Gillian Jacobs, Vanessa Bayer and Phoebe Robinson. Kudos to Andy Pittman-TAMU/TX, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/CA, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/CA, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union/CA, Lorrie Shilling/CA.
