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TikTok is facing a $368 million fine in Europe for failing to protect the privacy of children. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission found that the sign-up process for teen users resulted in settings that made their accounts public, enabling anyone to view and comment on their videos. In its response disputing the fine, TikTok said the company had made changes before the investigation launched.

Online ads aimed at children should be clearly separated from surrounding content, advises the FTC in its report, “Protecting Kids from Stealth Advertising in Media.” “Research has shown that the formatting of an ad can signal to kids as young as preschool-age that they are seeing an ad,” wrote the agency. “For example, game makers, social media influencers, and other content creators should consider short bumpers or interstitials, such as a black or white screen, before and after the advertising message, similar to how ads are shown during the commercial breaks in television shows.”

Jason Kilar, former CEO of WarnerMedia, has joined the board of directors of Roblox. “Jason Kilar is a well-respected leader in the entertainment and media industry, and his experience in the space is of value to the Board as Roblox continues to scale globally,” said David Baszucki, chairman and CEO of the online game platform.

Hulu has started releasing a list of its most popular titles. The “Top 15 Today” list, including both TV series and movies, can be found on a subscriber’s homepage, and is updated each day between 11a and noon.

iSpot.tv announced the acquisition of measurement and attribution company 605. The deal bolsters iSpot’s measurement solutions for video and TV advertising effectiveness in the areas of business outcome attribution, advanced audience measurement, media planning and data science managed services. “We launched 605 seven years ago with the idea that high-quality data and advanced analytics would make television advertising even more effective,” said Kristin Dolan, founder of 605 and currently the CEO of AMC Networks. “iSpot has built a large and loyal customer base, particularly with large brand advertisers, and is a pioneer in the measurement space. I can’t wait to see the things this powerful combination of technology and talent can achieve.”

IRIS.TV is partnering with Xumo to enable agencies and brands to leverage the IRIS_ID as a signal, utilizing AI and contextual data partners to precisely target and optimize their CTV inventory within Xumo’s network of smart TVs and connected devices. Xumo joins Blue Ant Media, LG Ad Solutions, Future Today, and VIZIO Ads as the most recent additions to the IRIS-enabled partner ecosystem.

Apple unveiled the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, with USB-C charging, at its fall event, along with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The new Apple Watch, made with 95% titanium and with 72 hours of battery life, was also introduced, as well as AirPods with USB-C. Octavia Spencer played Mother Nature in a short film, quizzing Apple execs about the company’s plans to become fully carbon neutral by 2030.

Meta is developing an AI system intended to be as powerful as the most advanced model offered by OpenAI, reports The Wall Street Journal, and several times more powerful than the one Llama 2, released two months ago. Meta aims to start training the new AI system, known as a large language model, in early 2024, sources told WSJ.

Nielsen’s Gracenote unveiled a new program developed to help content publishers and broadcasters get their FAST channels and programming distributed by major streaming platforms more easily. Leveraging advanced data enrichment services, the Gracenote FAST Program will help Gracenote customers accelerate time-to-market for their FAST offerings. “The rapid rise of FAST has been one of the most notable recent developments in the global video ecosystem,” said Vikram Kulkarni, VP, Strategic Initiatives, EMEA at Gracenote. “Based on our position at the heart of this ecosystem, we are uniquely positioned to help content publishers from small to large benefit from the maturation of FAST and we look forward to helping them achieve better FAST content visibility, consumption and monetization through our Program.”

Relo Metrics (formerly GumGum Sports), the AI-powered sponsorship analytics platform for real-time data decisions, has formed its first Advisory Board: Samuel Rueff, Jamie West, and Dana Venino. The team’s primary focus is providing Relo Metrics with business insights and market guidance across the brand, agency, broadcasting, and industry organizational landscapes in Europe and the US, developing new strategic partnerships and commercial relationships, and identifying partnership opportunities for expanding the sports marketing ecosystems for rights holders, media rights holders, and brands. “We are entering a new era of global and multi-device viewing of sports while broadcast sports rights shift to digital, giving brands massive opportunities to engage with fans,” said Jay Prasad, CEO at Relo Metrics. “They will play significant roles in solidifying partnership efforts around our goal to create a currency for sports marketing. Their insights and experiences will most certainly provide a pathway for defining the next generation of tools for brands to succeed.”

Freepik has partnered with agency Partners in Crime to develop a new visual identity and positioning. “When we founded Freepik in 2010, the goal was always to empower our users. Whether you’re a business, designer, personal brand, teacher, or anything else, you deserve access to tools and resources that will turn ideas into reality without, say, needing the skills to use Adobe Creative Suite, or the budget for an expensive subscription,” said Joaquin Cuenca Abela, Freepik Company CEO and Co-founder. “ Now, we have 580 employees, more than 52,000 contributors, 850 freelance design collaborators, and more than 100 million monthly users but that goal still rings true. We needed a brand identity that would represent our success but also our commitment to our roots.”

Google illegally monopolizes search by arranging to serve as the default search engine on other companies’ browsers and mobile devices, argued a DOJ attorney on Tuesday, at the start of an anti-trust trial. Actually, Google grabs the largest share of searches because of the quality of its search engine, argued a Google lawyer. “This case is about the future of the internet and whether Google will ever face meaningful competition,” said Justice Department attorney Kenneth Dintzer during his opening statement in D.C.

Anuvu, provider of connectivity and entertainment solutions for mobility markets, struck a new partnership with Parrot Analytics to provide customers with further insight on film and TV content demand around the world. “This collaboration is vital to our 360 data-driven approach, which enables our clients to make informed content decisions,” said Estibaliz Asiain, Anuvu SVP, Media & Content. “Many airlines currently rely on insights based on content that is already on the aircraft, meaning their decisions are retroactive. With the wealth of valuable data available to us, our customers can make truly informed decisions when expanding their in-flight entertainment which translates to smarter spend and better use of their server space.”

Vizrt, focused on real-time graphics and live production solutions for content creators, has joined the AWS Independent Software Vendor Accelerate Program, a program for ISVs who provide software solutions that run on or integrate seamlessly with AWS.

Video software provider Synamedia announced new enhancements to its Gravity SaaS CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) device orchestration platform. The vendor-agnostic platform caters to the needs of broadband service providers serving small and medium businesses and residential users, making it easier to efficiently control CPE devices and managed services such as Wi-Fi.

Synamedia announced that it is focusing its anti-piracy initiatives on its ContentArmor forensic watermarking and its intelligence and consultancy services. At IBC, Synamedia is also focusing on its CSFEye solution which provides insights to turn password sharers and borrowers into paying subscribers.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM PREMION

PREMION
Premium CTV/OTT Advertising
BUILT WITH THE POWER OF LOCAL

New: 2023 CTV/OTT Advertiser Perceptions Study
86% of CTV/OTT advertisers say that CTV/OTT’s value is greater than,
or equal to, primetime TV, with 44% saying CTV/OTT is more valuable.
DOWNLOAD COMPLIMENTARY REPORT

125+ Leading TV & Media Brands, Precision Targeting, Attribution & Measurement
TAG BRAND SAFETY CERTIFIED and TAG CERTIFIED AGAINST FRAUD

ADVERTISING

Walmart Connect has launched Sponsored Videos for search, aimed at improving the visibility of advertised items within search results. A click anywhere on the video sends the customer to the item page to learn more. Sponsored Videos is available to Walmart suppliers and Walmart Marketplace sellers who are brand owners registered with the Walmart Brand Portal.

Search intelligence platform Captify announced a partnership with programmatic platform Adform to deliver privacy-first, audience-based buying for the programmatic ecosystem. The partnership provides an end-to-end contextual activation solution, bypassing the need for cookie identifiers and enabling greater scale across inventory pathways that are often deprioritized by demand-side platforms due to their lack of cookies.

Infillion has closed its acquisition of the assets of adtech company MediaMath. “MediaMath was a pioneer in programmatic advertising and is still a critical part of the interconnected adtech ecosystem. We believe the strategic value of MediaMath’s global distribution throughout the modern adtech landscape has been underappreciated and was far too important to disappear,” said Rob Emrich, Executive Chairman and Founder of Infillion. “The company filed for bankruptcy not because of issues with its technology or its core business, but because its debt load eventually became too large to service. Infillion has a strong balance sheet, with differentiated products that, when integrated within the broader MediaMath ecosystem, can drive real value for our customers.”

Locality has expanded its partnership with FreeWheel to offer the ability to better plan, forecast, activate and report on local audience activations across streaming television inventory. “Going targeted, at scale, is a must-have and a critical advantage in local advertising,” said Keith Kazerman, President of Streaming at Locality. “FreeWheel’s technology gives us unparalleled access to reach across local markets. It is our intent that this collaboration further demonstrates our commitment to unlocking the tremendous power of local and driving dollars to local video providers nationwide.”

OOH company Talon has formed a strategic North American partnership with Mediaplus to develop and execute data-driven, creative, and measurable OOH campaigns for advertisers. “OOH remains a strategically essential medium for our clients to create real-world and human connections with their audiences and drive brand and business outcomes,” said Tamara Alesi, CEO of Mediaplus North America. “With this partnership, we are advancing our clients’ access to a highly evolved, digitized, and innovative offering enabling differentiation of their brands.”

The global DOOH advertising market, valued at $18.98 billion in 2021, is projected to reach $57.93 billion by 2030, according to Straits Research. The indoor segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 18.60% during the forecast period.

In the UK alone, 31% of advertisers have included programmatic DOOH in their campaigns in the past 12-18 months, a percentage expected to grow to 39% in the coming year-and-a-half, according to research from VIOOH. The DOOH supply-side company’s “State of the Nation” report found 33% of advertisers are shifting ad spend from other digital channels into programmatic DOOH; 24% are moving it from traditional media; and 15% are allocating new budget to the discipline. “Programmatic DOOH is becoming mainstream and is now a must-have on every media plan,” said Jean-Christophe Conti, chief executive of VIOOH. ” This year’s State of the Nation report shows not only that advertising budgets continue to be reallocated for increased programmatic DOOH spend year on year, but the opportunities from highly targeted activations to trigger-based buying are giving advertisers a raft of flexible high-value tools that complement both brand and performance ad campaigns.”

Japan’s Live Board, operator of a DOOH ad network, has utilized NTT DOCOMO’s carrier roaming data to analyze information on the location of inbound tourists, finding signs of recent recovery in foreign travelers to Japan. In addition to the existing criteria for OOH media planning, such as circulation data and reputation of the area, Live Board has incorporated analytical data into DOOH media planning for advertisers, enabling more sophisticated and efficient ad delivery.

Vistar Media, provider of programmatic technology for DOOH, announced their ‘countdown’ dynamic creative capability to create urgency for tentpole events by including real-time countdowns embedded in DOOH creative. “Centering creatives on countdowns or count-ups is an excellent way to create anticipation and drive action around time-sensitive events, product releases or other tentpole moments,” said Leslie Lee, SVP of Marketing at Vistar Media. “Whether you’re promoting the eagerly-awaited launch of a new consumer electronic device, the playoffs for a professional sports league, or anything in between, embedding a real-time countdown in DOOH creative is an incredibly engaging way to remind consumers about the forthcoming launch, release or event in the real world.”

Kevani announced a DOOH ad space on Melrose Avenue, on the side of a renovated retail center. “We are pleased to expand our digital outdoor footprint to include Melrose Ave, a richly diverse destination,” said Kevin Bartanian, Kevani CEO. “Los Angeles is in our DNA; adding more iconic inventory in this market is always a big win for us.”

Despite the industry’s ongoing concerns around privacy and ad fatigue, consumers are watching video ads and they are willing to exchange data for access to video content, according to a survey from Connetix. Key takeaways from Consumers Are Watching: Here’s How They Want Their Video Ads include:
* 46% of survey respondents reported spending more than 10 minutes up to an hour a day consuming video, with 27% reporting that they spend more than an hour watching.
* 75% made at least one purchase as a result of watching a video ad within the last year.
* 49% of consumers are willing to share information regarding their age and gender identity to access desired video content.
* 24% of respondents would be willing to disclose more personal information, such as size of family, height, weight, and address, to access desired video content.

Imagine Communications is collaborating with Google Ad Manager, introducing ad routing to Google Ad Manager via Imagine’s SureFire video ad server. The integration empowers broadcasters and TV operators to fill unsold inventory and dynamically allocate portions of their ad inventory to maximize fill while maintaining a quality viewing experience. “Imagine Communications is expanding cross-platform ad management solutions to help broadcasters and media companies unify TV ad sales and deliver all the attributes advertisers love about traditional Linear TV onto CTV platforms,” said Rob Malcolm, GM of Ad Tech, Imagine Communications. “Our partnership with Google Ad Manager underscores this commitment, as we revolutionize not only direct sold placement, but add programmatic capabilities to meet the evolving media landscape.”

Programmatic consultancy AI Digital has partnered with video advertising platform KERV Interactive to equip advertisers with differentiated capabilities to create and implement interactive and automated campaigns that drive consumer purchase behavior across video and CTV. “As video and CTV channels become increasingly crowded, advertisers are struggling to break through the noise and establish meaningful connections with their target audiences,” said Jay Wolff, CRO of KERV Interactive. “Combining AI Digital’s programmatic and trading expertise with KERV AI’s interactive video advertising technology now gives brands the ability to accelerate business outcomes and drive active attention from their static video assets.”

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s Crackle Connex has implemented a streamlined integration path between Elemental MediaTailor from Amazon Web Services and Amazon Publisher Direct, opening up supply to Amazon DSP advertisers across more devices. In addition, CSSE’s Redbox will launch a stand-alone app on Fire TV later this year, expanding the Crackle Connex premium AVOD inventory as well as be available through Amazon Publisher Direct. Streaming service Crackle will support Amazon’s Interactive Video Ads, enabling Amazon DSP advertisers to activate these ads via Amazon Publisher Direct.

Triple Lift has partnered with Adelaide to offer a way to buy high-attention premium CTV deals that include guaranteed Attention Unit scores, certified by Adelaide. “Adelaide’s AU is becoming widely embraced across the ecosystem,” said Marc Guldimann, CEO & Co-founder, Adelaide. “When we developed AU, our aim was to create an attention metric for media buyers to secure impactful inventory and for high-quality publishers to confidently guarantee quality. By leveraging our data in a unique way, TripleLift is furthering this vision and taking AU to the next level.”

Advertisers investing in CTV rose nearly 4% in 1Q23 versus the year prior, according to Beachfront Marketplace. The biggest gainers were for business, travel and family/parenting, with food/drink, health/fashion and style/fashion also showing gains. Roku’s share of CTV ad impressions dipped to 38.76% versus 39.22%, remaining well ahead of the competition. Set-top boxes’ share of impressions dropped to 12.9% versus 19.03% in 2Q22.

STREAMING

Consumers find streaming TV ads more helpful than mobile ads for informing holiday purchases (39% streaming, 28% mobile), reflecting a 2.3X increase compared to the prior year, according to LG Ad Solutions new Holiday Shopping study. Streaming also ranks as the number one method for watching holiday content, with 54% doing so during the season. “This Holiday Shopping research shows the continued rise of streaming as the dominant method for holiday TV viewing and indicates that streaming ads are now for the first time more influential for informing holiday purchases than mobile ads,” said Tony Marlow, CMO at LG Ad Solutions. “Interestingly, the vast majority of people do some type of online holiday shopping while watching TV and despite some headlines suggesting continued economic uncertainty, more than three quarters of Americans intend to spend the same or more this year on holiday purchases compared to last year.”

RMN ad buyers are projected to increase spend by 11% year-over-year in 2023, according to a new IAB report, Retail Media 2023: Operational Strategies to Meet the Growth Potential. To fund increased RMN investment, 62% are reallocating funds from across digital platforms, including social, search, and digital video/CTV while more 36% are reallocating funds from linear TV, print, and out-of-home. Sixty-two percent cited the lack of measurement standards as a top challenge to continued growth, followed by nearly 60% wanting greater transparency.

Following the merger of Great American Media and Pure Flix in June, the faith and family streaming service will now be known as Great American Pure Flix. “Great American Pure Flix fits seamlessly with the Great American Media family,” said Bill Abbott, President and CEO of Great American Media. “Our mission is to provide families with quality entertainment that celebrates faith, family, and hometown values wherever and however they enjoy watching.”

Noggin, Nickelodeon’s interactive learning platform, announced the launch of “Special Delivery.” The feature delivers a personalized experience to children who, every day they log in, will be greeted by a rotation of their favorite Nick Jr. characters who deliver a curated box of learning games, videos and activities.

Modern Luxury Media has launched its first streaming TV offering, M/LUX, on VIZIO’s WatchFree+ service. M/LUX content showcases luxury lifestyles covering Food + Drink, Home + Design, Art + Culture, Travel + Adventure, and Fashion + Beauty. The streaming library launches exclusively as part of VIZIO’s Branded Content Studios offering.

Bilingual speakers are 4.5x and 3.5x as likely to have Paramount+ and Hulu, respectively, on their devices versus Spanish-only speakers, according to App Science’s US Hispanic Streaming Audience Insights report, which suggests they are more likely to pay for their streaming services than their Spanish-only speaking counterparts. In the music app category, bilingual US Hispanic speakers are more likely to have Pandora (11.8x), AudioMack (9x), and Amazon Music (5.3x) downloaded, while Spanish-only speakers who are more likely to have Radio Mexico (7.7x), ESound (3.6x), and LaMusica (3.6x).

Cynopsis Team