Smartphone Users Battle Meta Over 'Brazen Plot' To Identify Web Surfers
Meta Platforms is accused of a covert scheme that exploited a localhost vulnerability in Google’s Android OS to de‑anonymize mobile web users and tie their browsing activity to Facebook and Instagram accounts. Plaintiffs, led by California resident Devin Rose, filed a class‑action suit alleging privacy violations, wiretapping law breaches, and intrusion‑upon‑seclusion claims. Meta argues the plaintiffs lack standing and that its privacy policy disclosed the data collection. Google is also named, with the company denying any knowledge of Meta’s alleged tracking method.
New York Bill Would 'Shackle' Media Firms, 'Washington Post' Editorial Board Argues
New York lawmakers are advancing a bill that would compel media companies to disclose any artificial‑intelligence tools used in their operations, a move the Washington Post editorial board warns could stifle innovation. At the same time, veteran CBS correspondent David...
David Begnaud Launches Media Company, But Will Continue At CBS News
CBS News contributor David Begnaud has founded an independent media company called Do Good Crew, which will produce a weekly newsletter, a podcast, and live events spotlighting everyday heroes. The venture’s inaugural podcast episode features an interview with Oprah Winfrey....
Podcast Advertising Fell In January From Holiday High
Podcast advertising spend plunged 21% in January, falling to $59.8 million for the top 15 advertisers from a December peak of $75.9 million. The decline follows a holiday‑driven surge and signals a market correction. Despite the overall drop, brands such as T‑Mobile...
Facebook Users Petition Court To Revive Antitrust Claims
Meta users have asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to revive antitrust claims that Facebook monopolized the personal social network services market. A district judge dismissed the lawsuit after ruling the plaintiffs lacked expert testimony proving harm. The plaintiffs argue...
Subscription Exodus: Consumers Are Fleeing 'Digital Overload'
Consumers are increasingly abandoning digital subscriptions, with email leading the exodus, according to Profit Engine’s analysis of the most Googled “how to unsubscribe” queries. The top ten services—ranging from Amazon Prime and Disney Plus to ChatGPT and HelloFresh—are cited for fee...
Roku Remains Top CTV Open Ad Platform With 32% Share
Roku retained its position as the leading connected‑TV (CTV) platform for open programmatic ads in Q4 2025, commanding a 32% share of impressions. Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV followed with 16% and 15% respectively, while LG surged 79% quarter‑over‑quarter to reach 10%...
The New Performance Metric: Curiosity
A study by Audio Visual Nation examined Google search activity for all 67 Super Bowl advertisers and found that curiosity‑driven ads generated the highest return on attention. AI search startup Genspark led the pack with a 5,852% search spike, far...
Marketers Starting To Identify First ChatGPT Ads
Expedia ads have been spotted as one of the first sets of sponsored ads on ChatGPT in the U.S.
Paramount In Real Life Options: Cable At The Table
Paramount Global is exploring strategic combinations, with NBCUniversal (or its Versant Media spinoff) and Disney emerging as leading candidates. Analysts note that a tie‑up with NBCU could leverage Versant’s ad‑tech assets, while a Disney partnership would create a content powerhouse....
Guess What: I Discovered Podcast Advertising Works!
The author confirms that podcast advertising delivers tangible results. Listeners typically consume podcasts while engaged in other activities, creating a captive audience. Skipping an ad interrupts this multitasking flow, making ads less likely to be dismissed. Consequently, brands are seeing...
Meta Renews Battle With FTC Over Teens' Data
Meta has filed a fresh legal brief asserting that the Federal Trade Commission lacks the authority to modify its 2020 settlement concerning the collection of teen data. The FTC’s recent motion seeks to impose additional limits on how Meta can...
AMC Plan: Make 'The Walking Dead' Run Again
AMC announced a strategic push to revive "The Walking Dead" franchise, aiming to recapture audience attention and advertising dollars. The move follows a double‑digit drop in key revenue streams, with U.S. ad revenue falling 10% to $124.8 million in Q4. Affiliate‑fee...
Super Bowl Ads That Actually Sold Stuff, Not Just Vibes
During this year’s Super Bowl, several brands turned their high‑profile ads into measurable sales drivers. Pringles saw the largest lift in purchase intent, outperforming rivals. Hellmann’s Mayonnaise and Ritz crackers also posted significant gains. The findings suggest that creative storytelling...
Pinterest Reduces Q1 Expectations
Pinterest warned that first‑quarter revenue will fall short of analyst forecasts, citing heightened competition from TikTok and Meta. The guidance prompted a sharp decline in the stock price. To counter the pressure, Pinterest is rolling out an AI‑powered Performance+ advertising...
CEO Switch At Dentsu, Sano Succeeds Igarashi
Japanese advertising giant Dentsu announced that Hiroshi Sano will succeed Junichi Igarashi as chief executive. The leadership change was disclosed alongside a projected goodwill impairment of roughly $2 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. Dentsu plans to release its...
Roku Claims Strong Q4, Revenue +16%
Roku reported a robust fourth‑quarter performance, with platform revenue climbing 18% to $1.2 billion, driven largely by advertising. Advertising now represents 70‑80% of the platform’s revenue, boosting gross profit 15% to $646.7 million. Overall company revenue rose 16% year‑over‑year, highlighting the effectiveness...
TikTok Begins Targeting Film, Book Lovers Via New 'Fandom' Ads
TikTok has introduced a new "Fandom" ad suite aimed at European users who identify as fans of movies and streaming series, extending the Smart+ ad model it recently launched for streaming brands. The platform also added an in‑app list that...
Future Of TikTok U.S.: A Conversation With Keen's Bradley Keefer
TikTok’s U.S. platform, now under new ownership, suffered early outages and a 150% surge in uninstalls, yet ad spend remained steady. Sensor Tower data shows ad costs fell roughly 36% while ROI climbed 60% year‑over‑year, according to Keen Decision Systems’...
California Fines Disney For Alleged Privacy Violations
Disney agreed to pay $2.75 million to settle California Attorney General claims it breached the state’s privacy law by not honoring user opt‑out requests. The settlement requires Disney to create a consumer‑friendly, easy‑to‑execute opt‑out process and to cease cross‑context behavioral advertising...
Albertsons Companies Signs On To Test OpenAI ChatGPT Ads
Albertsons Companies has entered OpenAI’s ChatGPT Ads pilot, joining Target, Williams‑Sonoma and Omnicom in testing conversational advertising. The retailer will run Valentine’s Day‑focused ads that appear when users ask for gifts, recipes or party ideas. Ads will be clearly labeled...
Mediassociates Expands Senior Management Team
Mediassociates announced two senior‑level hires, naming Drew Corry vice president‑strategy and Abby Niziankiewicz vice president‑strategic media investment. Both roles are newly created at the independent media services firm based in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. Corry arrives from his AI advisory practice...
PQ: Global Ad Spend Will Climb 8.8%, Composite Rises Three-Tenths Of A Point
PQ Media’s 2026 Global Advertising & Marketing Spending Forecast projects worldwide ad spend to climb 8.8% and total marketing spend to rise 9.8% this year. The new data have been incorporated into MediaPost’s composite forecast, lifting the average industry growth...
IAB Sends 'Direct Buy Addendum' To Public Comment
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) released the Direct Buy Addendum v1.0 along with updated General and Special Terms for digital advertising agreements, opening a 45‑day public comment window that runs through March 31. The framework is designed to replace bespoke contracts with...
Ryan Media To Buy KBest Media's Radio Properties
Ryan Media, a subsidiary of OneRyan Global LLC, announced the acquisition of KBest Media's radio portfolio, including KBST‑FM, KBTS, KBST‑AM, and translator K280GW at 103.9 FM. The deal consolidates three full‑power stations and a translator under one owner, expanding Ryan Media's...
Is Decency The Next Competitive Moat?
The article argues that the internet’s long‑standing focus on outrage‑driven engagement is reaching its limits, as users hit a tolerance threshold. AI‑powered platforms now amplify cynicism, turning noise into a trust‑eroding force. In this new landscape, scarcity has shifted from...
