Database marketing agency Merkle has launched an “entry-level data management offering” that integrates multiple data sources and makes the results available for analysis. The company stresses that Rapid Audience Layer falls short of a full-scale customer database. It does data hygiene and identity resolution to build a unified customer view but is limited to structured inputs and analytical reporting.

Speaking of confusion, I’m fascinated by this Sprout Social report that most consumers want brands to take the lead in healing social divisions. Desperation, wishful thinking, or mere confusion…take your choice. Business leaders, our nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

Procrastinators of the world can throw a party whenever they get around to it: Google has once more pushed back complete third-party cookie deprecation.  The new target is “early next year.” Reasons for the delay include concerns expressed by U.K. data regulator Information Commissioner’s Office, an ongoing inquiry by the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority, and widespread discontent in the advertising ecosystem.