Author: rssmasher

For years, we’ve known that social media platforms inspire jealousy. A 2013 study showed that people fall into a “spiral of envy” when Facebook reveals that their friends are excelling or leading glamorous lives. Scientific American reported that many studies indicate that “spending a lot of time on Facebook is linked to diminished well-being,” with…

Facebook introduced its Facebook Lite Android application in June 2015, saying at the time that it was designed for emerging markets and areas with poor connectivity. This week, the app is being rolled out in more developed markets as a lightweight alternative to the social network’s flagship Android app. Facebook confirmed that Facebook Lite is…

Sony closed out its week-long activation at South by Southwest with some fluffy clouds, a cash bar, special musical performances and a new type of virtual reality experience. The second half of Sony’s activation, which ran from March 15-16, concluded with the debut of artist Khalid’s “Young, Dumb and Broke” VR music video. For the…

J. Walter Thompson Co. today announced that it is eliminating the position of worldwide chief creative officer. Matt Eastwood, who has held that position since July 2014, will leave to “pursue other interests,” according to the agency’s statement. “We are reimagining the future of the agency,” Tamara Ingram, JWT Worldwide CEO, said in a statement….

Wendy’s understands the difficult choices in filling out brackets and wants to take the stress away with “the Easiest Bracket Ever.”

Around 26 million people watch content through Amazon’s Prime Video service, making it one of the largest streaming video services in the world, behind only YouTube and Netflix.

Cable operators lost an estimated 986,411 video subscribers, which Kagan says is more than twice the decline in 2016. Adding in virtual TV providers such as DirecTV Now and Sling TV helped lift
overall pay TV platforms’ services.

Few agencies have as strong a relationship with a sports franchise as Copacino+Fujikado has with the Seattle Mariners. Each year, the Seattle agency rolls out a slew of wry spots starring players from the current roster–and focusing at least as much on their personality and humor as their on-field accomplishments. C+F and the Mariners have…

Ever since “people-based marketing” was introduced at Advertising Week in 2014, it has become a strategic imperative for almost every brand. Fortune 500 companies are investing in and adopting the tech, agency media buyers are mandating it in insertion orders, and DSPs, DMPs and measurement providers are strategizing around how they can implement this into…

From Westworld craze to Elon Musk to dozens of branded activations, it’s been a busy week for marketers at South by Southwest. For this week’s recap of digital stats, we’re looking at the standout numbers behind the festival that got people talking. HBO’s Westworld craze HBO’s recreation of Sweetwater, the world within Westworld, was one…