1. Onslaught Of Universal IDs Shattered Ad World (MediaPost)

Companies have started rolling out services and practices to adapt to changes the big-tech companies like Apple, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft have initiated. Many in the ad world refuse to wait for the government to implement standards, have taken matters into their hands. While some refer to it as creating walled gardens, others wonder why the industry needs so many universal IDs.

2. Microsoft Unleashed A Bunch Of New Ad Products (Microsoft)

Microsoft released a bunch of ad products, including video ads that appear in search results, coupon and price comparison units for people using Microsoft’s Edge browser and a verticalized ad units for auto sellers, travel and tourism brands and hotel companies. It has also announced the ability for US and UK-based marketers to import up to 10,000 campaigns from Facebook.

3. Facebook Fundraisers May Be Taxed, Connecticut Teacher Faces Aftermath (USAToday)

A good Samaritan got a ‘huge shock’ after getting a $16,000 tax bill for raising funds on Facebook to help families affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Rick Cohen, chief operating officer and spokesman for the National Council of Nonprofits, said “third-party platforms like Facebook for fundraising are considered personal income since it is not accredited to nonprofit organizations and the donations were not considered tax-deductible”.

4. Amazon Is A Catalyst For Retail Media (AdExchanger)

Encouraged by Amazon’s retail and commerce-based advertising, other online retailers, including Walmart, CVS, and Target have launched ad platforms in pursuit of incremental advertising revenue. According to Forrester Research, advertisers are spending $5 billion annually on non-Amazon retail media platforms and Amazon’s ad business is four to five times that number.

5. NYT Keeps Identity Technologies Away: Keen On Contextual Ad Targeting (Digiday)

While many publishers are busy in identifying technologies to replace third-party cookies, the New York Times with 7.5 million digital and print subscribers has no plans to use identity technologies like Unified ID 2.0. The Times as a “subscription-first publication” enjoys a wealth of first-party data and it aims to rely on contextual ad targeting.

6. Surge In Gen-Z Women As Venture Capitalists (WP)

Generation Z women are increasingly entering into the world of venture capital over the past year or so, making waves by cultivating followings on social media and online communities. They are keen in funding companies focused on Gen Z consumers. While hierarchical VC world invests in tech companies, these women are changing perceptions.

7. EU Privacy Watchdog Says Facial Recognition Should Be Banned (GadgetsNow)

According to the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), facial recognition should be banned in Europe due to its “deep and non-democratic interference” into people’s private lives. The comments came only two days after the EU unveiled draught guidelines allowing facial recognition to be used in the hunt for missing children, terrorists, and terrorist attacks.