It’s easy to target advertising based on the topic of a podcast. Programmatic ad platform Simpli.fi tackles the harder challenge of targeting in broader media based on location and site content. They just sold a majority stake to private equity firm GTCR.
LookBookHQ uses customer data and behaviors to offer continuously updated content recommendations in each situation. It’s a bit tough to explain but pretty cool when you see it. They’ve just raised an $11 million Series B to help spread the word.
Google is invading Amazon’s turf in turn. They recently signed an alliance with no less than Walmart to make it easier to buy Walmart products through Google Express and the voice-powered Google Assistant. Costco and Target had already done similar deals. What’s that saying – when elephants dance, the ants get crushed? Look up!
It’s tough to get brand safety right, but the industry keeps trying. IPG Mediabrands announced a new set of tools to find and block inappropriate ad placements, while IAS expanded its suitability measurements to include standards from the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM). Meanwhile, DoubleVerify admitted a mistake made brand safety on X/Twitter look worse than it really was in October 2023 and March 2024.