Just Ad'ed | March Roundup

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Jump To:  March 4-11 |  March 11-15 |  March 18-22  |  March 25-Mar 29

Content On Tap: IPG Partners with Adobe GenStudio

📈What Happened? 

IPG becomes the first company to integrate Adobe's AI-powered content creation tool GenStudio into its marketing platform.

🔍Why Does It Matter? 

The integration of AI into the marketing and ad-tech world seems to be never-ending - this new integration allows IPG to create and personalize content to a much larger scale in order to meet the much larger demand.

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Watching AI integration in the marketing world is imperative right now, with the new opportunities and technology available to advertisers everywhere. 

Comscore x Youtube: Video Views Get Real

📈 What Happened? 

Comscore and Youtube role out new partnership for Youtube ad measurement improvements. 

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

Advertisers are now able to measure effectiveness in Youtube Shorts, In-Feed inventory, standard video inventory, Youtube TV and Youtube across multiple platforms.

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

This new partnership gives advertisers a clearer picture in terms of ad performance, allowing for better decision-making and campaign optimization.

X Goes Hollywood: Introducing Creator Ad Campaign

📈 What Happened? 

Following a trial run with social media's Mr. Beast, X officially announces "Creator Targeting" ad campaign. 

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

 Mr. Beast made over $250,000 on his first monetized video on the app, kicking the new campaign off to a good start. This new campaign targets ads to specific audiences who already follow individual creators.  

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

X hasn't released which creators will be part of its new campaign, but it seems like it will consist mainly of big names, which could be a good way to reach more specific, targeted audiences. This new campaign is also another step in X's plan to become a video destination. 

Marketing Max Out: Microsoft rolls out Performance Max 

📈 What Happened? 

Microsoft released their new campaign Performance Max (PMax), globally on March 5th. 

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

PMax automates ad creation, targeting, and optimization across platforms and formats utilizing AI. 

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

This new campaign opens up the doors for a wider reach to audiences, and potentially more efficient ad creation.

Target's Prime Time? Target360 Shakes Up Delivery Landscape

📈 What Happened? 

Target releases new paid membership program, Target360, which offers unlimited same-day delivery for orders $35 and up, and free two-day shipping for all other orders.

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

Target360 looks to compete with Amazon Prime and Walmart+, opening up opportunities for a new platform to be used by advertisers.

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

While Target looks to expand its customer base (and does all the work for it), advertisers reach more demographics more easily.

Jump To:  March 4-11 |  March 11-15 |  March 18-22  |  March 25-March 29

Brand Ads Still Stuck In Click-Bait Quicksand 

📈 What Happened? 

Top brand marketers are still finding their ads on clickbait MFA websites.

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

Ads appearing on MFAs can cause damage to brand credibility and consumer trust, leading to negative outcomes. 

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Marketers should push for greater transparency and accountabilities from ad-tech vendors, media agencies, and platforms. 

Can Microsoft Crack the Gen-Z Code? Their new partnership just might.

📈 What Happened? 

Apple TV+ considers introducing ad-supported tier with recent hire of Joseph Cady from NBCUniversal. 

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

Apple's potential move signals a shift in the streaming service model following other major platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max. 

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

The introduction of ad-supported tiers into streaming platforms opens up doors for new advertisement opportunities to be taken advantage of. 

 Meta's Ad Makeover 

📈 What Happened? 

Meta rolls out new ad updates, targeting retailers and those utilizing automated Advantage+ campaigns.

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

The new ad updates work to enhance targeting and optimization, offering businesses the chance to tailor their ads and reach target audiences. 

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Marketers should should try out the new updates to see the benefits they might offer to their marketing strategies.

From Link to Listing: Amazon's AI Spells Convenience for Sellers

📈 What Happened? 

Amazon introduces new AI feature that allows sellers to create product pages by just pasting an external link. 

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

The AI feature significantly reduces the time and effort required for sellers to list their products on Amazon. Amazon has also emphasized that sellers must have proper ownership or licensing rights for the content linked to create the product page.

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Keep an eye out for the rollout of this feature, especially if you're a seller on Amazon, to take advantage of the efficiency it offers in product listing.

The Meta-Verse: Meta Announces Meta Verified 

📈 What Happened? 

Meta explores new subscription-based model with it's Meta Verified Program, that includes options for adding links in Reels, and alternative brand verification badges.

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

The proposed features aim to add value for subscribers, as the paid Meta Verified program offers benefits like verification ticks and enhanced support, but uptake appears lukewarm despite a large user base.

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Users and brands alike should assess the value of Meta Verified, keeping an eye on brand strategy and additional incentives. 

Jump To:  March 4-11 |  March 11-15 |  March 18-22  |  March 25-March 29

NBCUniversal's Ads Get Tech-Savvy 

📈 What Happened? 

NBCUniversal announces partnerships with The Trade Desk, Google, and Live Ramp leading up to the summer olympics.

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

NBCU's new partnership hopes to create a shift towards performance media as well as enhance ad-targeting capabilities. 

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Take advantage of programmatic opportunities with premium events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games to connect with highly engaged audiences.

 Ad Wars: Sorrell's S4 Faces Challenges

📈 What Happened? 

Martin Sorrell's new venture S4 faces major issues with revenue decline during conservative forecasts for ad spending in 2024

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

With internal challenges such as integration issues and reporting delays, tensions are increasing between Sorrell and acquirers, complicating potential deals.

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Keeping an eye on S4 and it's acquisition offers is important to be prepared for what's potentially to come.

Lyftflix: Lyft Announces Video Ads

📈 What Happened? 

Lyft introduces video ads ranging from 15 seconds to 4 minutes to the ride-sharing app, opening up new opportunities for advertisements on the platform. 

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

The new video ads expand upon Lyft's media business with its current in-app display ads, ads inside rideshare vehicles, and on the roofs of some vehicles. 

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

It's crucial to monitor user feedback on Lyft's video ads to accurately measure their effectiveness and assess revenue potential.

Mickey Mouse Meets Mega-bite: Google Partners With Disney 

📈 What Happened? 

Google's Display & Video 360 platform announces direct integration with Disney's Real Time Ad Exchange platform (DRAX).

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

The new partnership allows advertisers to tap into both Disney's extensive reach with Hulu, Disney+, and Youtube as well as Google's audience through Display & Video 360's CTV inventory.

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Advertisers can now explore the new possibilities with the integration of the two platforms, optimizing benefits for ad campaigns. 

Reddit's IPO: Upvotes On Wall Street

📈 What Happened? 

Reddit makes its much anticipated debut on the stock market with stock price surging nearly 50% above IPO price.

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

Reddit marks the first major social media platform to go public since 2019 with Pinterest, making it a major interest point for investors and users alike. 

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Keep an eye on Reddit's evolution post-IPO with shifts in user engagement, content, and user experience.  

Jump To:  March 4-11 |  March 11-15 |  March 18-22  |  March 25-March 29

Adver-gate: Meta Faces $7 Billion Lawsuit 

📈 What Happened? 

Facebook and Instagram advertisers filed a class-action lawsuit against Meta for $7 billion. 

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

The lawsuit is centered around Meta's use of the Potential Reach metric, which advertisers claim relies on total social media accounts rather than individual users, potentially including bot and fake accounts.

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Advertisers should pay close attention to metrics provided by platforms, ensuring they deliver accurate insight. 

Pins to Wins: Pinterest Shares Feed Secrets

📈 What Happened? 

Pinterest rolls out new algorithm insights focusing mainly on non-engagement signals, which have been generally derived from in-app surveys and independent assessments. 

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

This new emphasis on non-engagement signals reflects Pinterest's efforts to promote industry best practices and collaboration.

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Understanding Pinterest's metrics and strategy is key for brands aiming to enhance visibility on the platform. 

From Canva to Canvas: Canva x Affinity

📈 What Happened? 

Canva acquires Affinity's suite of creative software, with Affinity Designer, Photo, and Publisher.

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

By integrating Affinity's offerings into Canva's service, Canva caters to a broader audience of professional designers.

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

It's important to make use of Canva's new design services in order to optimize creative possibilities. 

Accenture Fires Up Creativity With Accenture x Adobe x Nvidia

📈 What Happened? 

Accenture collaborates with Adobe and Nvidia, with a focus on leveraging generative AI models to streamline and revolutionize content creation and marketing strategy. 

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

This pairing demonstrates Accenture's commitment to meeting the needs of marketers using generative AI.

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Advertisers should explore the opportunities available through the new collaboration. 

Is It Game Over For Traditional Ads?

📈 What Happened? 

The IAB released its latest report, highlighting gaming advertisements as a top growth area for marketers.

🔍 Why Does It Matter?

The report highlights the measurability of games advertising and its alignment with traditional metrics used across other channels.

⚖️ What Should We Do? 

Considering investments in gaming advertising could be potentially worthwhile given its ability to complement existing channels. 

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