Search

The Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), an advertising-industry initiative aimed at protecting brands from harmful content, has halted its work following a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk's social-media platform, X. X alleged that companies including CVS Health, Mars, and Unilever conspired to withhold billions of dollars in advertising to force the platform to maintain certain safety standards. As a result, at least 18 brands associated with GARM stopped advertising on Twitter, and dozens more reduced their ad spending. The World Federation of Advertisers, which formed GARM, has decided to discontinue its activities due to the lawsuit's misconstrued purpose and financial strain. This shutdown is seen as a victory for Musk, who has been aggressive in fighting back against critics. X's CEO, Linda Yaccarino, sees the shutdown as an important acknowledgment and a step in the right direction towards ecosystem-wide reform. However, X will still need to work with ad-industry trade groups and advertising holding companies that monitor tech platforms' actions and policies. [Extracted from the article]

Comcast, the largest broadband provider in the US, is set to launch a new streaming bundle called StreamSaver, which will include its own Peacock streaming platform as well as Netflix and Apple TV+. This move follows similar announcements from Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery, who plan to offer their streaming services in a bundle this summer. The aim of these bundles is to simplify choices for customers in the crowded streaming market, but it also adds complexity as customers now have more options and price points to consider. Comcast is working to become a hub for streaming services as its cable-TV business declines, and the StreamSaver bundle is expected to be launched by the end of the month. [Extracted from the article]

Google has announced that it will miss its end-of-year target for eliminating third-party cookies in its Chrome web browser. The company cited challenges in reconciling feedback from the industry, regulators, and developers as the reason for the delay. The changes are significant for the $600 billion online advertising industry, as Chrome is a major gateway for reaching consumers. The U.K.'s privacy regulator has expressed concerns that Google's proposed changes do not go far enough, and the company now plans to begin phasing out cookies in 2025 if it receives approval from U.K. regulators. [Extracted from the article]

Google's proposed replacements for cookies, known as Privacy Sandbox, have been criticized by the U.K. privacy regulator for not adequately protecting consumer privacy. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) stated in a draft report that the technology leaves gaps that can be exploited to undermine privacy and track users across different sites. The ICO's concerns have been shared with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which is overseeing Google's efforts to eliminate cookies in its Chrome browser. The pushback from the ICO could potentially delay Google's timeline for deprecating cookies. [Extracted from the article]

Charter Communications has received $3.01 billion in federal funding through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Emergency Broadband Benefit, more than any other company. The ACP provides eligible households with up to $30 a month towards the cost of internet service. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently investigating Charter's verification process for eligibility. The ACP is expected to run out of funds in May unless Congress allocates more money. Critics question whether the program is effectively closing the digital divide, while advocates argue that it provides consistent and affordable access to the internet for low-income households. [Extracted from the article]

The NFL playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins set records for U.S. streaming and internet usage. The game, which aired on the streaming service Peacock, drew 23 million viewers and accounted for 30% of web traffic in the U.S. It was the largest event ever for internet usage in the country. Peacock had exclusive rights to the game, marking the first time that most Americans had to stream a playoff game. The challenge for Peacock will be to retain as many new subscribers as possible after the NFL season is over. [Extracted from the article]

Charter Communications, one of the largest cable providers in the US, is aiming to simplify the streaming experience for its customers by offering a device called Xumo that allows them to stream live TV alongside popular streaming services like Netflix and Disney+. Xumo is part of Charter's strategy to bring streaming and live TV together in one package and become a "superstore" for streaming apps. While Xumo is late to the game compared to other streaming devices like Roku and Amazon, Charter sees an opportunity to re-aggregate streaming services and improve customer retention. However, there is a risk that Xumo may make customers more comfortable with streaming and lead to more cancellations of cable-TV subscriptions. [Extracted from the article]

Google is implementing changes to how companies track users online by eliminating cookies, a technology used by advertisers to target users with relevant ads. The changes, which will be rolled out gradually, have been met with resistance from marketers, advertising-technology companies, and web publishers who feel that Google has not adequately prepared the market for the transition. While Google's efforts aim to improve user privacy, some industry executives believe that the elimination of cookies will have a negative impact on the overall value of online advertising. [Extracted from the article]

Verizon is planning to offer a discounted bundle of the ad-supported versions of Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery's Max streaming services for about $10 a month, instead of the usual $17. This move is a response to the competitive pressures faced by streaming companies, as customers can easily switch between services. Bundling services allows streaming companies to attract more customers and reduce customer defections. Verizon has found that bundling streaming services can reduce churn by 60% to 70%. The new bundle will be offered to Verizon's wireless customers. [Extracted from the article]

PHOTO (COLOR): Google said its Chrome internet browser will stop supporting a user-tracking technology called third-party cookies by late 2023. Keywords: Computers/Consumer Electronics; Software; Applications Software; Advertising Services; Internet Search Engines; Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations; Business/Consumer Services; Internet Browsers; Computing; Online Service Providers EN Computers/Consumer Electronics Software Applications Software Advertising Services Internet Search Engines Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations Business/Consumer Services Internet Browsers Computing Online Service Providers N.PAG N.PAG 1 06/26/21 20210625 NES 210625 Plan to remove web-tracking technology from Chrome has faced pressure from competition regulators, privacy advocates and the digital-media industry The Alphabet unit said its Chrome internet browser will stop supporting a user-tracking technology called third-party cookies by late 2023, nearly two years later than its initial time frame of early 2022. [Extracted from the article]

Elon Musk's recent profanity-laden outburst against advertisers will likely make it more difficult for X Chief Executive Linda Yaccarino to rebuild the company's ad-sales business, according to industry executives. Advertisers, particularly big brands concerned about brand safety, may be hesitant to return to the platform. However, smaller brands may still be drawn to X if the audience remains strong. Musk's comments, along with other controversies and management changes, have strained X's relationships with advertisers. The platform may need to attract advertisers who are less sensitive to controversies or focus on small- and midsize businesses. [Extracted from the article]