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Jon Stewart Google Charleston

Need to Know – The latest US media & marketing news: McDonald's to cut US stores, YouTube debuts Newswire & Jon Stewart on Charleston tragedy

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By Rebecca Stewart, Trends Editor

June 19, 2015 | 4 min read

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

Need to Know – The latest US media & marketing news

1. McDonald’s is to cut its US stores for first time since 1970, says the New York Times. The fast-food chain has said it plans to close more restaurants than it opens this year. McDonald’s has declined to provide a specific figure but said the reduction would be “minimal” compared with its total of about 14,300 locations in the states.

2. Google launched its user generated news service, YouTube Newswire, yesterday, writes MediaPost. The medium will provide fresh eyewitness footage and feature global and regional feeds to serve up the most relevant videos worldwide.

3. A former Google employee has declared war on ad blockers, according to Business Insider. Ben Barokas, Sourcepoint co-founder and former Googler is launching a startup backed by $10m in Series A investment funding which he claims has the technology to punch through "all the ad blockers."

4. Android has released a new ad featuring prominent gay celebrities in support of LGBT Pride Month, writes Adweek. The Google-owned brand's #AndProud spot from Adam&eveDDB shows more than 15 celebrities – including YouTubers Tyler Oakley and Hannah Hart, as well as Tom Daley and Ian McKellen – portrayed as animated characters inspired by the firm's small green mascot.

5. Suspended NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams will return to screens later this summer, asserts CNN. The channel's news chairman, Andy Lack, said the host "has the chance to earn back everyone's trust," after he was disciplined in February amid a controversy over-exaggerated stories.

6. Twitter is seeking to be a bigger player in live events. The Wall Street Journal claims that the social network is planning a product, allegedly titled Project Lightning, to curate tweets and other content about major sports contests, entertainment events and breaking news.

7. Lyft has agreed to pay a $300,000 settlement for violating New York insurance laws, reports the Washington Post. The ride-hailing app was said to have violated a requirement which states that all drivers must carry state-authorized insurance.

8. And Jon Stewart skipped the jokes on last night's Daily Show, instead giving an emotional message on Wednesday's Charleston shooting, notes Mashable. Speaking on the tragedy in which six women and three men were shot dead, Stewart criticized the media's reaction: "I'm confident though, that by acknowledging it, by staring into that, and seeing it for what it is... we still won't do jack shit," he said.

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