Google, Microsoft bow to Government calls on child abuse content
Ronan ShieldsOnline search giants Google and Microsoft have bowed to Government pressure to implement changes making it harder for child abuse content to be shared online.
The Top 20 viral video ads of 2013
Ronan ShieldsDove’s ‘Real Beauty Sketches’ is the most shared video of 2013 to date with over 4.2 million shares online, according to statistics from viral video firm Unruly Media.
Can Microsoft’s negative anti-Google tactics really work?
Ronan ShieldsGoogle’s dominance of the online ad market makes it an easy target for those inclined to criticise it, especially given its former “don’t be evil” motto, and not to mention its controversial tax arrangements.
EE pairs with Posterscope to add insight to OOH media
Ronan ShieldsEE – the UK’s largest mobile network operator by subscriber count – is to pair with out-of-home (OOH) media owner Posterscope to offer advertisers added insights into the smartphone usage habits of people when they are outside and hear outdoor ads.
Blackberry CMO exits amid exodus of C-suite execs
Ronan ShieldsBlackberry marketing chief Frank Boulben is to exit the company alongside its CFO and COO, as the under-fire handset manufacturer continues its ongoing restructure following the entry of new CEO John Chen earlier this month.
Beer brands cleared on charges of not identifying ads
Ronan ShieldsThe advertising watchdog has dismissed complaints content created for an alcohol industry initiative to boost beer sales featuring TV presenter Tim Lovejoy discussing the best beer to accompany certain meat dishes was not distinguishable from the TV programme it was placed within.
Microsoft claims Google’s Chromebook ‘not a real laptop’ in ads
Ronan ShieldsMicrosoft is continuing its anti-Google ‘Scroogled’ campaign, this time taking aim at its Chromebook with the help of reality TV star Rick Harrison from the hit show ‘Pawn Stars’, who derides the device as “not a real laptop”.
Tate launches live weather updates using classic art
Ronan ShieldsTate Britain is to partner with CBS Outdoor to broadcast live weather forecasts across the London Underground network using relevant works from the gallery’s collection.
Brands warned to be more candid over data
Ronan ShieldsBrands need to be more transparent over how they use consumer data for marketing purposes, or risk regulatory penalties plus losing the benefits online media and big data, speakers at an online privacy event warned today.
Manchester Council launches real-time interactive OOH network
Ronan ShieldsGoogle, O2 and Vodafone are the first brands to advertise on a new Manchester City Council-backed ad platform that lets advertisers target specific outdoor audiences by location and trade outdoor media in real-time.
The good, the bad and ghastly Halloween marketing
Ronan ShieldsHalloween marks the dark prelude to the end of year marketing bonanza that is Christmas, and this year stood out in infamy with a series of high-profile gaffes from brands many people would have thought would just know better.
‘More than a third of travel brands still don’t have mobile presence’
Ronan ShieldsMore than a third (34 per cent) of the UK’s top travel brands do not have any kind of mobile presence, with just one in five offering a ”seamless purchase path”, according to IAB research.
A&E Networks seeks to woo female audiences with Lifetime launch
Ronan ShieldsA&E Networks is preparing the UK debut of its female-orientated channel Lifetime, including a 12 month tie-up with watch manufacturer Citizen Watch, as the pair attempt to woo females aged 25-44 years old.
Industry moves to counter regulation over native ads
Ronan ShieldsThe UK digital media industry is keeping a close eye on moves to counter potential industry regulation on how brands and publishers distinguish native ad formats from editorial content in the US. This comes as the emerging ad types are tipped to become the most widely-used online format within a dozen years.
Mozilla looks to shed light on OBA to prevent ‘erosion of trust’
Ronan ShieldsMozilla, the company behind the Firefox web browser, has launched an online data-tracking tool to help online audiences better understand how advertisers hone their targeting capabilities by collecting data about them via their web surfing habits.