Need to Know – The latest US media & marketing news: Adblock bites Google, Facebook Messenger gamifies & Pizza Hut debuts hotdog stuffed crusts
Morning all, here’s a glimpse at all the media and marketing news you should know today.
1. Google has launched a new company to brainstorm how to make cities a better place to live. A Google+ post from Larry Page announced that Sidewalk Labs would work on “more affordable housing, better public transport, less pollution, more parks and green spaces, safer biking paths, a shorter commute”.
2. A Pandora executive has said eight seconds is the perfect length for mobile video ad – just over half the length of Instagram’s mandatory 15 seconds. Adweek reports that Pandora chief revenue officer John Trimble was making the case for 8 second ads – which he concluded was as long as slots will hold the attention of viewers.
3. A company has estimated that ad block technology cost Google in the US alone a total of $1.9m. MediaPost quotes PageFair figures stating Google recouped over half its ad loses through being whitelisted by ad block sites.
4. Speaking of ad blocking, Apple looks set to restrict adverts on iPhone and iPad with new Safari browser extensions. Business Insider reports that a Safari document read: "The new Safari release brings Content Blocking Safari Extensions to iOS. Content Blocking gives your extensions a fast and efficient way to block cookies, images, resources, pop-ups, and other content."
5. Reddit, the so-called ‘front page of the web’, has shuttered five online communities as it ups it act against hateful subreddits. The Wall Street Journal notes that on the move, interim chief executive Ellen Pao, said, “We’re banning behavior, not ideas,” adding that communities which attack individuals will be shuttered – those which are merely offensive will remain untouched.
6. Facebook Messenger has finally gamified enabling iOS and Android users to draw doodles on their smartphones and send them. ‘Doodle Draw for Messenger’ is a free separate app, which integrates with the Facebook service reports the Wall Street Journal.
7. Nike will be the exclusive provider of on-court gear for the NBA for the 2017-18 season. Business Insider reports that the sports apparel firm will usurp rival Adidas for the privilege.
8. And finally, Pizza Hut is set to bring its hot dog stuffed crust pizzas to the US after blowing minds in the UK since 2012. Business Insider reports that crazy fusion-food will be available for sale from 18 June.
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