Oracle is TikTok’s “trusted tech partner” for the US
Enterprise provider Oracle has reportedly won the bidding war for the US operations of TikTok, according to The Wall Street Journal. However, instead of an outright sale, Oracle will be helping to run TikTok’s US operations with its own cloud technologies as a “trusted tech partner.” The news came just hours after Microsoft revealed its bid was rejected by TikTok owner, ByteDance.
Amazon opens Twitch’s ad inventory to programmatic buyers Twitch’s ad inventory is now available on the Amazon Advertising platform, enabling media buyers to purchase ads programmatically on the streaming site. Previously, brands had to undergo a more manual process of purchasing ads on Twitch.
YouTube prepares to release new engaged-view conversions metric
YouTube is planning to make its new conversion metrics, engaged-view conversions, available by the end of the year. The new engaged-view conversions metric measures the conversions that take place after someone views at least 10 seconds of a skippable ad, does not click right away, but converts within a set number of days after seeing it.
TikTok goes big on tackling hate speech
TikTok has joined the European Union’s Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech, a non-legally binding code which focuses on accelerating takedowns of illegal content and supporting users to report hate speech. In a statement, TikTok said: “We have a zero-tolerance stance on organised hate groups and those associated with them…Our ultimate goal is to eliminate hate on TikTok.”
Snapchat introduces its UK Creative Council Snapchat has announced the members of its new Snapchat Creative Council, including our own Executive Creative Director Gareth Leeding, which aims to develop creative solutions to societal issues. According to Snapchat’s global director of creative strategy, the council “will serve as a powerful forum made up of a diverse and inclusive community from the advertising industry, and is a commitment from Snap to use our reach to drive positive change.”
Instagram puts a greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion
Instagram has announced plans to build an Equity team to work on “better understanding and addressing bias in its product development”, creating fair and equitable products, and ensuring algorithmic fairness. In addition to which, the platform is also on the hunt for a director of diversity and inclusion who will be responsible for increasing and retaining people from diverse backgrounds.
Lewis Hamilton plays the world’s first 5G piano duet for Vodafone
Vodafone has teamed up with Lewis Hamilton (and We Are Social in London) to showcase the potential of its 5G network by partnering the Formula 1 legend with musician and producer Jay Keys for the world’s first 5G piano duet. The YouTube film is part of Vodafone’s ongoing 5G Gamechanger campaign.
Ubisoft shares its ‘Greetings from England’
As part of its launch campaign for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the next instalment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, Ubisoft and We Are Social in Paris have released a new ‘Greetings from England’ campaign. The video series, shot in the traditional tour operator’s travel campaign, takes fans through ninth-century England – from an ancient stone circle to rustic villages.
