Rakuten Viber reached a partnership with Snap Inc. to bring augmented reality lenses from Snapchat to its Viber calling and messaging application. Viber will use Snap developer tools including Bitmoji, Camera Kit and Creative Kit to integrate AR lenses and bring customizable Bitmoji avatars to the app. The 30 Viber Lenses Powered by Snap will…
WarnerMedia Wraps Upfront Sales, Securing Record Revenue
WarnerMedia became one of the last big media companies to finish this year’s upfront negotiations, in what is likely the last time it will conduct upfront business prior to its upcoming merger with Discovery. The company said it had concluded the most successful upfront in WarnerMedia history, with record revenue, but offered no specifics about…
Messenger From Facebook: How to Use the TinyTAN-Dynamite Chat Theme
Messenger From Facebook added a new sticker pack and chat theme inspired by TinyTAN, the animated characters based on the members of K-pop group BTS. These additions are designed to celebrate the group’s single, “Dynamite.” Here’s how to use the TinyTAN-Dynamite chat theme in the Messenger application. Note: These screenshots were captured in the Messenger…
GroupM Invests $75 Million in Black-Owned Media
Media investment company GroupM is spending $75 million to support media collective Group Black, a new initiative aimed at supporting Black-owned media and creators by connecting them with agencies and brands. This infusion of funding is just the first allotment to help bolster this newly formed organization. The “first-of-its-kind” initiative is designed around three pillars:…
The Africa Center’s First Campaign Pays Loving Tribute to Black Culture
Juneteenth, a celebration marking the freeing of the last enslaved people in the U.S., became a federal holiday this year. Instead of looking back to 1865, The Africa Center in New York used the occasion to present the role it hopes to play in creating a better future for Black Americans. Working with Droga5, the…
Brands Need to Connect With the LGBTQ+ Community Over More Than Just Sexuality and Gender
As we reflect back on this past Pride month, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Flags. Rainbows. Parades. But is that the only reflection of the LGBTQ+ community? Of the people you know, or the person you are? As someone on the inside looking out, I can say it’s not a full…
Experience Marketing Returning To Normal: 75% Of Brands Have Resumed Live, In-Person
In another potentially leading indicator that life of brand marketing is returning to normal, 75% of brand marketers have resumed live, in-person experiential marketing. And just as importantly, a
significant percentage of consumers are coming back in person to experience them.
significant percentage of consumers are coming back in person to experience them.
Adnatomy: How Root Insurance Solidified Its Support of Bubba Wallace and Systemic Change
When Nascar racer Bubba Wallace found himself at the center of racist backlash after the organization’s Confederate flag ban last summer, Root Insurance took the opportunity to support him and the push for real social justice in a big way. “Progress Owes No Apology” synthesizes Wallace’s experience as Nascar’s only Black driver into an impactful…
Gut Named AOR of Tim Hortons and Officially Opens Toronto Office
Independent agency network Gut has been named the agency of record for Canadian fast food chain Tim Hortons, a client the agency has worked with for the past three years on various brand initiatives and campaigns. Gut also officially opened its Toronto office on the heels of the AOR news, after expanding to the Canadian…
Twitter Promotes Personette To Head Global Ad Sales, Derella Exits
Sarah Personette will oversee emerging businesses, global ad sales, content partnerships and revenue operations as Twitter pushes to double its revenue by year-end 2023.