Advertising
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Apple has banned home service content on upcoming Maps ads
Apple has reportedly banned home service content from appearing in advertisements on its upcoming Maps feature. This move may be intended to reserve ad space for local businesses.
Nintendo of America was so poor in the '80s that it was "bartering" for 2am TV commercials while employees had to dodge "snakes and rats in the bathroom"
In the 1980s, Nintendo of America faced severe financial constraints, leading to employees working in poor conditions and resorting to bartering for advertising time. Early employees recounted experiences of dealing with snakes and rats in the workplace and creatively securing TV commercials, even at 2 am, through barter deals with entities like Toys R Us.
EA vice president of advertising says game ads are a 'huge opportunity', but it 'has to make sense for…
Alexander Dao, EA's vice president of advertising and sponsorship, discussed the company's new advertising platform, highlighting the significant opportunity for in-game ads. He emphasized the importance of integrating advertising thoughtfully from the initial game design phase to ensure it feels native and offers flexibility for brands. Dao also noted the need for standardization in viewability and reporting, while stressing that any advertising must make sense for the specific game, citing a successful collaboration with Coach in The Sims as an example of democratizing access to branded products.
Activist group takes over London bus stops with fake Meta Glasses ads
An activist group has placed fake advertisements for Meta Glasses on London bus stops, featuring an optical illusion spoof of the film 'They Live.' The campaign aims to critique Meta's advertising practices and augmented reality initiatives.
Disney might be planning a free Disney+ tier
Disney is reportedly considering the introduction of a free, ad-supported tier for its Disney+ streaming service. This move would differentiate it from other streaming platforms that offer ad-supported plans at a reduced cost, instead opting for a completely free model.
Dead by Daylight, Control, and McDonald's Are Helping Advertise Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Several video game companies, including Dead by Daylight and Control, along with the fast-food chain McDonald's, are participating in advertising efforts for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced. The exact reasons for this cross-promotional activity remain unclear.
AI-generated ads on Google will hopefully get disclosures soon
Google is implementing a policy to disclose when its AI tools are used for advertisements. This information will be automatically noted within the 'My Ad Center' feature, providing transparency to users about AI-generated ads.
It looks like monitor manufacturers can download bloatware without consent that will serve you pop-up ads
Monitor manufacturers like LG and Dell are reportedly installing bloatware, including antivirus trial offers, onto users' PCs without consent, often via Windows updates. This software prompts users with pop-up ads and subscription offers, leading to user complaints and concerns about potential malware. Users are advised to disable automatic application downloads and, in some cases, the Windows Store to prevent these installations.
DuckDuckGo Browser can now block video ads, including YouTube's
The DuckDuckGo browser now includes a default setting to block video advertisements, which includes ads on platforms like YouTube. This feature aims to provide a cleaner viewing experience for users.
Morning Legal Briefs
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is suing Amazon over the introduction of advertisements on its Prime service. The lawsuit alleges that Amazon misled consumers about the nature of these ads.
EA Announces EA Advertising Aimed At “Transforming How Brands Connect With Audiences”
Electronic Arts has announced EA Advertising, a new program designed to integrate dynamic, real-time advertisements into its popular video games. The initiative aims to create strategic partnerships with brands like VISA, Red Bull, and Mountain Dew, utilizing enhanced targeting and measurement features to evaluate ad performance within titles such as College Football and the UFC franchise.
Business and Finance
Electronic Arts has announced a new advertising initiative, offering 'dynamic, real-time placements' within its popular sports titles, Madden NFL and EA Sports FC. This move aims to provide advertisers with new opportunities within EA's gaming ecosystem.
EA launches new advertising platform enabling brands to "integrate directly into gameplay"
Electronic Arts has launched EA Advertising, a new platform designed to integrate brands directly into gameplay experiences. The company claims these placements will enhance, not disrupt, the player experience, offering native ad units in sports titles and branded gameplay content like challenges and objectives. EA views advertising as a significant growth driver.
EA Sports FC, Madden NFL Publisher Announces EA Advertising
Electronic Arts, the publisher of EA Sports FC and Madden NFL, has announced the launch of EA Advertising. This new division aims to facilitate deeper brand integration within its sports game portfolio.
EA rolls out Advertising platform to let companies market "directly into gameplay"
Electronic Arts has launched EA Advertising, a new platform enabling brands to market directly to consumers through in-game placements like stadium signage and dynamic content. The company states this will enhance, not disrupt, the player experience, offering custom integrations and targeting capabilities. While in-game advertising is controversial, EA aims to integrate ads authentically, with brands like Visa and Red Bull already on board.
WRUP: Every toy version of G1 Devastator from Transformers
This article examines the evolution of the G1 Devastator toy from Transformers across various iterations, including the original 1985 release, Universe (2003), Combiner Wars (2015), and Studio Series (2025). It also includes community members' thoughts on effective and ineffective advertising.
Xbox exec clarifies that Netflix-style in-game ads that interrupt gameplay would be a bad idea, actually
Xbox's chief strategy officer, Matthew Ball, clarified that while ads may be necessary to make games more affordable, interrupting gameplay with Netflix-style advertisements is not the intended approach. Ball stated that his comments were misinterpreted and that his personal belief is against ads that interfere with the player experience, advocating instead for ad-supported tiers similar to streaming services.
Xbox's Chief Strategy Officer says ads can offer "more affordable alternatives," but believes in-game interruptions "would be bad"
Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball clarified comments regarding the potential for ad-supported, more affordable alternatives to services like Xbox Game Pass. He emphasized that any discussion of ads was in the context of offering lower-cost options alongside existing ad-free experiences, similar to streaming services, and explicitly stated that in-game advertisements interrupting gameplay would be a negative development.
Roblox partners with SuperAwesome to bring "brand safe advertising" to under-13s
Roblox has partnered with youth marketing firm SuperAwesome to manage contextual advertising for users under 13. This collaboration aims to ensure brand-safe advertising practices compliant with COPPA and industry standards. A new training program, 'Blox Aware,' will also be launched to educate brands on advertising within the Roblox platform.
How to get your money's worth from YouTube Premium
This article provides advice on how to maximize the value of a YouTube Premium subscription, especially for users who are already spending around $20 per month. It focuses on leveraging the benefits beyond just ad-free viewing.