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Reverberate: US media & marketing news you need to know – Google Twitter takeover rumors, Yahoo's Tumblr shake-up & HBO Now unveiled

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By Rebecca Stewart, Trends Editor

April 8, 2015 | 5 min read

Morning all, here’s a glimpse at all the media and marketing news you should know today.

Reverberate: US media & marketing news you need to know

1. Rumors that Google is looking at buying Twitter, have surfaced once more. According to the Briefing.com the search giant is allegedly one of two companies believed to have contacted Twitter with "serious” interest, as the social network increased in value by more than $1.5bn on Tuesday.

2. Yahoo is apparently planning a big reorganization that will bring Tumblr more closely into the company and no longer wants it to be run as an independent business unit, notes Business Insider. Chief executive Marissa Mayer purchased the microblogging platform for $1bn back in May 2013.

3. HBO has unveiled its standalone streaming service, HBO Now, ahead of the premiere of the fifth season of Game of Thrones. The $14.99 per-month service is currently only available on Apple devices or by subscribing through Cablevision.

4. The Apple Watch will have more than 1000 applications when it goes on sale later this month, according to the International Business Times. Chief executive Tim Cook sent an email to staff revealing the figures, as eager developers scramble to tap into the brand's latest goldmine.

5. Google is planning a scheme to rival Amazon's Home Services product, which connects users with plumbers, electricians, roofers and other providers, according to the Wall Street Journal. The new service is expected to be announced at Google’s annual advertiser summit in May.

6. Netflix can now ban customers who use VPNs, notes Forbes. The streaming provider has updated its terms and conditions to so that it can now terminate users contracts if they're found to be breaking its geo-restrictions to watch content from a region other than their own.

7. McDonald's is looking to beef up its image with the introduction of a new 'mega burger', asserts Time. The upscale premium sirloin patties will be added to the restaurant's menu for a limited period, as new chief executive Steve Easterbrook attempts to revive sales at the struggling fast-food chain.

8. Uber co-founder Oscar Salazar has launched an environmentally friendly ride-sharing app for commuters, writes Business Insider. Salazar, who departed Uber amicably soon after its launch, wants to target commuters and carpoolers with the app.

9. YouTube pulled Rand Paul's presidential announcement over a copyright dispute, writes The Verge. The blunder meant the Kentucky senator's announcement video was suspended thanks to YouTube's Content ID system which automatically checks videos against a backlog of copyrighted content.

10. And Madonna's Meerkat video premiere flopped, says The Next Web. The steaming site displayed a 500 error page instead of the video for 'Ghosttown'.

Stay in the media and marketing news loop at thedrum.com, and for a look at yesterday's round-up hit this link.

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