OMD FWD w/c April 24th
This week momentum has been building around Google’s reported plans to introduce its own ad-blocking feature, in both the mobile and desktop versions of Chrome. At first glance, the feature seems counter-intuitive, since Google’s annual online ad revenue exceeded $60 billion, yet it is clearly a defensive move. The focus is on the improvement of user experience and ultimately the reduction in fast growing third party ad blocking software. Elsewhere, at Facebook’s F8 conference, augmented reality continues to gain prominence, as they launched their strategy and intent for developing the Metaverse.
HEADLINES
- Google announces plans for ad blocking within Chrome to promote a better user experience, despite being a company that makes its revenue from advertising
- Twitter ups the ante on competitors with new brand safety and viewability partnerships
- Apple CEO Tim Cook personally threatened to boot Uber out of the App Store
INSIGHTS
- One in five UK firms were attacked by hackers, a new report reveals
- UK internet ad spend passes the £10bn mark in 2016, as reported in the new IAB report
- Children are reportedly less happy the more time they spend on social media
COOL
- The Sony Xperia Touch turns any flat surface into a touchscreen
- Bots are not just about customer service, Marvel has shown that they can even sell you a Spiderman comic book
- Disney files patent for ‘humanoid’ robot
DEEP READS
- At their annual F8 conference, Facebook demonstrated how they could put an ad in your morning coffee. And everywhere else.
- More of a deep listen: did Burger King cross the line by airing a TV ad that spoke directly and without permission to users’ Google Home systems?
- Think that slow web page loading times are annoying? Wait until you tell your clients how much it’s costing their brand
As ever, please tag and share anything you spot with #OMDFWD.