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☆ AI can make anyone a programmer and has 'closed the digital divide,' Nvidia CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Anyone can be a programmer with artificial-intelligence tools, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said. The proliferation of new and powerful AI tools means anyone can be a programmer, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said on Monday. The chipmaker's market capitalization has surged to nearly $1 trillion this year as businesses across industries have scrambled to embrace AI tools. AI has ushered in a revolution in computing, Huang said at the event. Some studies have indicated that computer programming is particularly at risk, since AI tools can boost productivity and handle some grunt work.

☆ Top ad group says Twitter no longer 'high risk' after new chief appointed- FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 19 (Reuters) - Top advertising agency GroupM has told its clients that it no longer considers Twitter "high-risk" and is "cautiously optimistic" about the appointment of Linda Yaccarino as its new chief, the Financial Times reported on Friday. Yaccarino will take over the social media platform beset with challenges and a heavy debt load, after she spent several years modernizing the advertising business at NBCUniversal. WPP-owned GroupM had last year labelled Twitter as a "high risk" platform for advertising following Elon Musk's takeover. The group had been waiting for Musk to repopulate his senior leadership team and working with Twitter on improving "brand safety", it added. GroupM and Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

☆ I turned down a $250,000 job offer and moved to St. Barts to start a new life. I'm much happier since prioritizing my well-being over money.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Alicia Gonzalez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Once she visited St. Barts, she found herself and turned down an attractive job offer to move there. I fell in love with St. Barts while visiting a friend, and I turned down a $250,000-a-year job offer to move there permanently. Around my third month of working from home, a friend invited me to St. Barts, a place I'd never been. When I got to St. Barts, everything changedIt's a very small community, and you run into people all the time. Even though I couldn't be certain what would happen if I declined the job, trusting myself to succeed as an entrepreneur felt right.

Musk revealed those plans on Tuesday at the company's annual meeting, an about-face for the celebrity executive who recently acquired social media platform Twitter. Musk told CNBC he did not yet have a "fully formed strategy" for Tesla advertising. Tesla spent $151,947 on advertising in the U.S. in 2022, according to advertising intelligence firm Vivvix, which measured ads across places including TV, social media, Web banners and billboards. Diaz-Ortiz is a former Twitter manager who has written books about the social media company. Thomas Martin, senior portfolio manager at Tesla shareholder Globalt Investments, sees Musk's embrace of advertising as a positive.

Linda Yaccarino, NBCUniversal’s advertising chief, was preparing to interview Elon Musk, Twitter’s owner, onstage at a conference last month when she received an email from a peer in the advertising industry. Rob Norman, a former executive at the ad giant WPP, wanted to know if Ms. Yaccarino had seen the op-ed he wrote after Mr. Musk bought Twitter last year. Ms. Yaccarino said that she had and that she planned to raise such concerns, Mr. Norman said. Mr. Musk said on Friday that he had selected Ms. Yaccarino, 60, to become the company’s chief executive. Hours earlier, NBCUniversal announced that Ms. Yaccarino was leaving, effective immediately.

☆ WPP Says Growth Target on Track Despite Softness From Some Tech Clients
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Megan Graham | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The WPP headquarters in New York. Chief Executive Mark Read said the company has seen some slight softness from some of its technology clients following several years of increasing budgets. Photo: WPPAdvertising holding company WPP PLC says it is on track to hit its organic growth target this year as other parts of its business help offset lower spending from some technology clients. Newsletter Sign-up WSJ | CMO Today CMO Today delivers the most important news of the day for media and marketing professionals. The measure strips out currency fluctuations, acquisitions, disposals and costs such as expenses billed to clients.

☆ The CEOs of the world's biggest advertising companies just outlined how AI is about to transform their businesses
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Advertising agency CEOs are eager to signal their companies' AI expertise to Wall Street. Speaking on this quarter's earnings calls, executives at the world's largest advertising agency groups also outlined some of their recent AI client projects and technology task forces. "What's changed over the last six months is the application of AI through generative AI into the creative process," Read said. Omnicom is running more than 20 projects where it combines Omnicom's historical data with GPT's automation technology, Wren said, though he didn't specify exactly how it was being deployed. That will require more creative assets, Sadoun said on the Publicis earnings call.

☆ We're going to see an A.I. 'creative renaissance' in our industry, WPP CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe're going to see an A.I. 'creative renaissance' in our industry, WPP CEO saysMark Read, CEO at WPP, says artificial intelligence will open up "tremendous creative opportunities."

☆ Citi says it's time to reconsider ESG, naming 3 stocks that could soar by 30%
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

ESG investing underperformed the broader market in 2022, but strategists at Citi think the segment could be about to rebound. Last year, the MSCI Europe Socially Responsible Investing index declined by 13.4% compared to the 8.9% fall in the broader MSCI Europe index. But Citi said ESG stocks — or those which take environmental, social, and governance factors into account — have historically shown resilience, with profit growth outpacing the broader market during earnings slowdowns. In line with this renewed focus, Citi has identified a number of stocks that it expects to rebound this year. To identify ESG stocks with "resilient" earnings per share, Citi screened the Stoxx Europe 600 index for large-cap stocks meeting several proprietary criteria, including ranking in the top 50 percentile of Truvalue Labs ESG index.

☆ Edward H. Meyer, Who Turned Grey Ad Firm Into a Global Player, Dies at 96
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( James R. Hagerty | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Edward H. Meyer with his wife, Sandra Meyer, in an undated photo. Edward H. Meyer, who built what became Grey Global Group into one of the world’s top 10 advertising companies before selling it to Britain’s WPP Group PLC for about $1.75 billion in 2005, died Tuesday at his home in Manhattan. In his 35 years as chief executive, Mr. Meyer transformed Grey from a minor U.S. ad agency into a giant with operations in more than 80 countries. He also diversified it into a broader array of services, including direct marketing and public relations.

☆ Edward H. Meyer, Who Built an Advertising Empire, Dies at 96
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Alex Williams | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Edward H. Meyer, an empire-building chief executive who, using an iron-willed management style and a laser focus on even the smallest details, transformed a midsize New York advertising agency into the global power known as Grey Group, died on Tuesday at his apartment in Manhattan. Mr. Meyer joined Grey Advertising, as it was then known, as an account-services executive in 1956, when the agency was billing about $34 million a year. He was named president in 1968 and assumed the reins as chairman and chief executive in 1970. As a manager, Mr. Meyer was anything but passive. Demanding performance at all levels, he had an uncompromising drive that inspired comparisons to corporate barons like Rupert Murdoch and Sumner Redstone.

NEW YORK, April 11 (Reuters) - Private equity firm KKR & Co Inc (KKR.N) has agreed to buy a significant stake in FGS Global in a deal that values the financial communications group at about $1.4 billion. As part of the deal, KKR will buy up a 30% stake from senior employees at FGS Global and its largest investors, including London-based advertising giant WPP Plc (WPP.L). WPP, which was founded by Martin Sorrell, will retain a majority stake in FGS Global. Existing investor Golden Gate Capital is selling its entire stake to KKR, which is investing in FGS Global through its $8-billion European Fund VI. FGS Global currently employs more than 1,200 people across 27 offices globally.

☆ KKR set to buy stake in communications group FGS Global - FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 6 (Reuters) - Private-equity group KKR (KKR.N) is nearing a deal to buy a large stake in FGS Global that will value the financial communications company at about $1.4 billion, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. The deal could be announced as soon as next week, the FT report said, marking the latest significant investment by buyout groups into the niche sector of communications. FGS Global is backed by British advertising group WPP (WPP.L). KKR is expected to acquire more than 30% of FGS from a combination of senior employees at FGS and WPP, the report said, adding that the British group is expected to retain a majority in the business. FGS and WPP did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, while KKR declined to comment.

☆ 4.screen, a startup that enables retailers to advertise to drivers through in-car displays, just raised $23 million with this 11-slide pitch deck
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Riddhi Kanetkar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

4.screen, a startup that enables retailers to advertise through in-car displays, just raised $23 million. A startup that enables retailers to advertise to drivers on the road and in real-time through a vehicle's connected display has raised $23 million in fresh funds. In addition to in-car video ads, the startup also displays search highlights, branded map pins, and in-car offers. The startup uses car sensor data allows the startup to be as specific as possible with its suggestions. "We make sure the right content is shown to the right partner at the right time — you only see a gas station when your fuel is low," cofounder and CEO Fabian Beste told Insider.

☆ Levi's says AI models are not a substitute for action on diversity following backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Mary Hanbury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Levi's responded to backlash over its decision to use new AI-generated diverse models. The denimwear label said it did not regard AI models as a substitute for real action. Levi's was criticized for using AI as a replacement for hiring and paying diverse models. However, critics said AI-generated models were a lazy way to address diversity issues, and meant that diverse models would miss out on opportunities to be hired and paid by Levi's. Levi's addressed some of the concerns raised in its statement Wednesday but did not provide further details on how it planned to address diversity issues.

☆ UK's WPP buys Obviously to expand social influencer marketing business
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 27 (Reuters) - British advertising group WPP (WPP.L) said on Monday it has acquired Obviously, a New York-based social influencer marketing agency, for an undisclosed sum. The deal comes less than a week after WPP agreed to buy Goat, an influencer marketing specialist, which focusses on marketing campaigns that aim to improve customer engagement for brands including Dell, Tesco, Uber and Natura. Obviously's team of nearly 100 people will join WPP subsidiary VMLY&R, a marketing agency with over 13,000 employees, WPP said. WPP said Obviously's proprietary "next-generation" tech platform helps the agency service large-scale complex campaigns for enterprise clients including Google, Ford, Ulta Beauty and Amazon. Obviously was founded by Mae Karwowski and Maxime Domain in 2014 and has operations in San Francisco and Paris.

☆ Inside the demise of Vice, from turning away a $3.5 billion Disney offer to a 'painful' downward spiral that has the media giant scrambling for a buyer
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

The talks fizzled, Disney backed off, and Smith set off for California to drum up other interest in Vice Media. Vice Media Group co-CEOs Bruce Dixon, left, and Hozefa Lokhandwala. Vice Media GroupOne former Vice insider familiar with the current situation told Insider that staffers were warning vendors they needed to threaten to stop work in order to get paid. Just a few months later, Rupert Murdoch tweeted, "Who's heard of Vice Media? Refinery29 quickly lost key staff and was not well integrated into Vice Media, the two former staffers said.

☆ WPP is nearing a deal to acquire influencer marketing specialist The Goat Agency
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

WPP is in late-stage talks to acquire UK-based influencer marketing agency The Goat Agency, sources said. Sources said the deal could value The Goat Agency between $121 million million and $425 million. The Goat Agency said last year it "was on a fast track" to reach $100 million in revenue. Advertising giant WPP is closing in on a deal to acquire the fast-growing influencer marketing specialist The Goat Agency, according to people familiar with the matter. Sky News in April reported that The Goat Agency had appointed financial advisory firm GP Bullhound to help explore its strategic options.

☆ WPP, Like Ad-Company Rivals, Says It Expects 2023 Growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Megan Graham | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +2 min

WPP PLC is the latest major advertising holding company to say it expects continued growth in 2023 as clients keep spending on its services. PREVIEWWPP said like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs increased 6.9% in 2022 and 6.4% in the fourth quarter. Total revenue in 2022 was £14.4 billion, equivalent to about $17.3 billion, while revenue less pass-through costs was £11.8 billion. Chief Executive Mark Read said that consumers have continued to spend, and clients have continued to invest in their brands. Omnicom Group Inc. and Publicis Groupe SA both said they expect organic revenue growth this year of 3% to 5%.

☆ VC firm Counteract just reached first close on its $42 million carbon removal fund. We got an exclusive look at the 11-slide LP deck it used to secure cash from The Grantham Foundation.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

VC firm Counteract has reached first close on its inaugural £35 million fund. It plans to back 40 global companies across all elements of carbon removal. London-based firm Counteract, founded in 2021, has just reached first close on its inaugural £35 million, about $41.9 million, fund. Direct air capture is one of the best-known carbon removal technologies thanks to Swiss company Climeworks. Isaacs stressed the importance of exploring all potential technologies as carbon removal evolves alongside policy, making it inherently risky.

☆ The 2023 Super Bowl Ads Will Feature Booze, Betting and Jesus
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Megan Graham | Patrick Coffee | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +10 min

The Super Bowl ads on Sunday are poised to promote an unusual mix of alcohol brands, gambling and Jesus. The Super Bowl still regularly draws an audience of around 100 million people, making it TV’s biggest event of the year and advertising’s biggest night. Planters’ Super Bowl ad features comedians mocking Mr. Peanut. The ads are likely to strike a lighter tone than the occasionally somber messages of Super Bowl ads in recent, highly politicized years or the early pandemic, said Anjali S. Bal, an associate professor of marketing at Babson College. Many Super Bowl advertisers have again released their ads well before Super Bowl Sunday to increase their chances of being seen.

Buying a Super Bowl can be a big risk because it's a big investment months ahead of the game. Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes said during the company's January earnings call that its brand Crown Royal will run its first Super Bowl ad this year. Anheuser-Busch's move is an indication that the sky-high price of running a Super Bowl ad is getting harder for companies to justify. Bookings typically happen in May, said one ad agency exec who's purchased many Super Bowl ads for clients, including this year. Super Bowl ad slots sold briskly for both Fox this year and NBC last year.

☆ 4 reasons why Amazon's advertising business is still surging while Meta, Google, and Snap are all wrestling with declines
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Ryan Joe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Amazon's ad business grew 19% over the past year, while rivals like Meta were managing a decline. Amazon's ad business seems to be the only major ad business that's on the upswing. Part of the reason is that Amazon's ad business is newer than Google's and Meta's so a higher growth rate should be expected. Insider spoke with several ad buyers and industry experts to reveal why Amazon's ad business is growing compared to competitors like Google, Meta, and Snap. Both McKenna and Kern Schireson, CEO of the ad agency Known, believe this is the biggest reason why Amazon's ad business is thriving compared to its competitors.

☆ How to Craft Successful Sustainability Programs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Dieter Holger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Sustainability executives shared insights on how to execute sustainability programs that work at panels hosted by WSJ Pro Sustainable Business on Thursday. Now, Scandinavian shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen AS A is looking to develop a new type of wind-powered ship. “We could be coming full circle here,” said Roger Strevens, vice president of global sustainability at Wallenius Wilhelmsen. “What we typically think about in terms of mentoring is the senior executive mentoring the next level employee,” Ms. Evans said. The unnamed executive said she would include lessons from the mentoring program in her future meetings, Ms. Evans said.

☆ Publicis Reports 9.4% Organic Revenue Growth for Fourth Quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Megan Graham | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Publicis Groupe SA said Thursday that organic revenue grew 9.4% in the fourth quarter as its data and technology services continued to capture a shift in client spending. The growth in the quarter ending Dec. 31 brought Publicis’s full-year 2022 organic revenue growth to 10.1%. The results beat the average analyst estimate of 5.3% growth for the quarter and 8.8% for the year, according to FactSet. Publicis said it expects organic revenue growth of 3% to 5% in 2023. Organic growth refers to the change in net revenue excluding the impacts of acquisitions, disposals and currency fluctuations.

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