Chrome set to block ‘intrusive’ ads
Following a new standard set by the Coalition for Better Ads (which Google themselves are a member of), Google’s Chrome browser and video streaming platform YouTube will begin to block certain ad formats for short-form videos – thank goodness!
The standard, which will be in effect as of August 5th, applies to videos lasting eight minutes or less across desktop, mobile web and in-app. This means it can remove pre and mid-roll ads and display ads that are in the middle third of a video or ads that take up 20% or more of the video. So you can enjoy watching videos without being interrupted (by ads at least)!
Google’s product manager, Jason James, said in a blog post here, “Chrome will expand its user protections and stop showing all ads on sites in any country that repeatedly show these disruptive ads.”
2019 saw cyber-crime profits netting £2.7bn
In a month where National Safer Internet day highlights better online practices, the FBI announced in 2019 they received 467,361 cyber-crime complaints. This time, it’s nothing to do with passwords (read our top tips to remembering all those passwords). Scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their approach, making it hard to tell between real or fake emails.
These complaints were from individuals and businesses, where cybercriminals made off with £2.7bn, resulting in total losses of over $54m. Its no surprise the majority of complaints came from victims aged over 60, in 48 countries.
If you received a suspicious email or letter asking you to send your details, its best to contact the company directly, rather than providing information.
Snapchat introduces mental well-being tool
Snapchat, a network to send the perfect selfie to your friends or add a filter if you’re having an ‘off-day’, has come under some scrutiny.
Like other social platforms, Snapchat is a platform to see what your friends are doing and who they’re with. These communications often show only the ‘happy side’ of life and users’ mental health is often disguised or masked. In an attempt to counteract this, Snapchat has launched a new ‘wellbeing’ search tool called ‘here for you’.
The aim of ‘here for you’ is to streamline access to resources. When a term or phrase like ‘depression’, ‘suicide’ and/or ‘anxiety’ is used, the app will direct a user to relevant self-help material. The aim is to provide proactive, in-app support to Snapchatters who may be experiencing mental health issues or emotional crisis.
The Big Whopper looks like a Big Flopper
As a digital marketing agency, we love a brand that’s eye-catching, stands out in the crowded world and memorable. However, we think Burger King has perhaps taken things a little too far this time. Their new ads show their flagship burger decomposing over a 34-day period. The results are as expected - a very mouldy burger! How delightful! See it here.
It’s a surprising move. How is this going to attract people to buy a burger? If anything, it’s likely to put you off food! But what is Burger Kings’ point? Well, the campaign is to highlight their decision to remove artificial preservatives from the Big Whopper. Initially, you might think it could put you off burgers forever (well, until the next night out).
There’s an increased awareness about health, what we eat and what goes into our food these days. Clearly, Burger King is trying to tap into this by promoting their product as ‘natural’. The ad itself, being fairly gross, certainly makes it memorable and a talking point. They say there’s no such thing as bad publicity and this seems to be the approach they’ve taken – it’s getting people talking, even if it’s with a negative slant.
What do you think? Would you be so bold in your marketing?
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