By Rob Thubron

“We know what you’re thinking. Is this even legal?”

A hot potato: For almost as long as we’ve had smartphones, there has been the belief that they surreptitiously listen to our spoken conversations to serve us targeted ads; most people have experienced seeing an ad on Facebook for something they were recently talking about. It’s always been claimed that this type of privacy invasion doesn’t happen. However, a marketing agency, whose clients included Facebook and Google, has admitted to using an “Active Listening” feature that eavesdrops on conversations via phone mics to gather data.

A pitch deck from Cox Media Group (CMG), seen by 404 Media, states that the marketing firm uses its AI-powered Active Listening software to capture real-time data by listening to phone users’ conversations. The slide adds that advertising clients can pair the gathered voice data with behavioural data to target in-market consumers.

The deck notes that consumers “leave a data trail based on their conversations and online behaviour” and that Active Listening collects and analyses behavioural and voice data from 470+ sources.

It’s also revealed that CMG’s clients include Facebook, Google, and Amazon, though it doesn’t specify if they used the Active Listening tool.

When 404 Media reached out to Google for comment about its relationship with CMG, the search giant removed the group from its Partners Program site, suggesting it no longer works with the agency.

“All advertisers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations as well as our Google Ads policies, and when we identify ads or advertisers that violate these policies, we will take appropriate action,” a Google spokesperson told The New York Post.

Meta, meanwhile, says it will investigate CMG to see if the agency violated any of its terms of service. “Meta does not use your phone’s microphone for ads and we’ve been public about this for years,” a Meta spokesperson said. “We are reaching out to CMG to get them to clarify that their program is not based on Meta data.”

Amazon said it has never worked with CMG on the program and has no plans to do so. The tech giant said it would take legal action against any partner that violates its terms of service.

Cox acknowledged the legal implications of its Active Listening tech in a now-deleted (but archived) blog post from November 2023. “We know what you’re thinking. Is this even legal?” it asks.

The agency claims that it is legal for phones and devices to listen to users. Cox says this is made possible by including consent to use Active Listening in the multi-page terms of use agreements – which few people ever read – that appear with new app downloads or updates.

404 Media first reported on CMG’s Active Listening tech in December.

Back in 2017, Facebook’s then-president of ads, Rob Goldman, said the platform doesn’t and has never used phone microphones to serve ads. CEO Mark Zuckerberg had to repeat the denial to Congress a year later, while he was answering questions about the Cambridge Analytica scandal and Russian election interference.

By Rob Thubron

Sourced from TECHSPOT

By Richard Jones

By Richard Jones

Follow me on LinkedIn. Check out my website.

Richard Jones is Chief Revenue Officer of Wunderkind, helping brands adapt to modern trends amid any ever-evolving customer landscape. Read Richard Jones’ full executive profile here.

Sourced from Forbes

By Adamya Sharma

There’s no escape from YouTube’s ad hell!

By Adamya Sharma

Sourced from Android Authority

By Roland Hutchinson

In today’s digital age, privacy is a top concern for many smartphone users.

With the increasing number of apps available on our devices, it’s crucial to understand how they interact with our data and ensure that our personal information remains secure. One of the most pressing issues is the suspicion that some apps might be actively listening to our conversations without our knowledge or consent. The video below from iDeviceHelp gives us details on how to check if any apps or anything on your iPhone are listening to you.

Privacy concerns have been raised by numerous iPhone users who have reported seeing targeted ads related to topics they had recently discussed. This phenomenon has led many to believe that certain apps are using active listening software to gather data from their conversations. While this may seem like a far-fetched idea, it’s not entirely unfounded. Some marketing firms have been known to employ such tactics to collect information for advertising purposes.

Recent reports have shed light on the use of active listening software by certain apps. This software allows the apps to capture audio data from the user’s environment, which is then analysed and used to tailor advertisements. As a result, users may experience a sense of their phone “eavesdropping” on their conversations, as the ads they see seem to uncannily reflect the topics they’ve discussed.

To address these privacy concerns, Apple has introduced the App Privacy Report. This feature, available on iPhones, provides users with a detailed overview of how their data is being accessed and used by the apps installed on their devices. By regularly checking the App Privacy Report, users can stay informed about which apps have accessed their data and sensors, such as location, microphone, camera, and more.

How to Stop Your iPhone From Listening to Your Conversations

• Location data can reveal your whereabouts and daily routines
• Microphone access can potentially allow apps to listen to your conversations
• Camera access can enable apps to capture images or videos without your knowledge

To protect your privacy, it’s essential to regularly review and adjust app permissions. This can be done by navigating to your iPhone’s settings, selecting the app in question, and modifying its permissions for various data and sensor access. By taking control of these permissions, you can limit the amount of information that apps can gather about you.

For example, if you use Instagram on your iPhone, you can easily modify its permissions by following these steps:

1. Go to your iPhone’s Settings
2. Scroll down and select Instagram
3. Tap on Permissions
4. Here, you can control what data Instagram can access, such as your microphone and camera

By being proactive and adjusting these permissions, you can ensure that Instagram, or any other app, does not have unnecessary access to your data or the ability to listen to your conversations.

Maintaining your privacy on your iPhone requires ongoing vigilance and a proactive approach to managing app permissions. Always be cautious when granting apps access to your data, and make sure to provide explicit permission only when necessary. Regularly review your App Privacy Report to stay informed about how your data is being used, and don’t hesitate to adjust permissions as needed.

By following these steps and staying informed about your iPhone’s privacy settings, you can significantly reduce the risk of apps listening to your conversations without your knowledge or consent. Remember, your privacy is in your hands, and taking control of your app permissions is a crucial step in protecting your personal information in the digital age.

Source & Feature Image Credit: iDeviceHelp

By Roland Hutchinson

Sourced from Geeky Gadgets

By Noor Al-Sibai

Sourced from THE_ BYTE

By Steve Hall

In the ever-evolving world of social media marketing, Instagram Reels has emerged as a powerful tool for brands looking to engage their audience and expand their reach. With its short, engaging video format, Reels offers a unique opportunity to showcase your brand’s personality, products, and values. This article explores effective strategies to leverage Instagram Reels to grow your brand, even if you’re just starting out or want to enhance your existing presence.

Understanding Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels allows users to create 15 to 90-second video clips set to music or other audio. These videos can be edited with various creative tools, including filters, effects, and text overlays. The Reels feature is prominently displayed on the Instagram platform, making it easy for users to discover new content. This visibility is critical for brands looking to capture the attention of potential customers.

1. Define Your Brand’s Identity

Before diving into creating Reels, it’s essential to define your brand identity. What message do you want to convey? Who is your target audience? Understanding these elements will help you create content that resonates with viewers.

Your brand’s identity should reflect in the style and tone of your Reels. Whether you opt for a fun and playful approach or a more professional and informative tone, consistency is key. This will help your audience recognize your content and build trust over time.

2. Plan Your Content Strategy

A well-thought-out content strategy is vital for success on Instagram Reels. Consider the following types of content that can help showcase your brand:

• Behind-the-Scenes: Give your audience a glimpse into your daily operations, team, or production processes. This transparency can humanize your brand and foster a deeper connection with your audience.
• Tutorials and How-Tos: Share quick tips or tutorials related to your products or services. This not only positions you as an expert in your field but also provides value to your audience.
• User-Generated Content: Encourage your followers to create and share their own Reels featuring your products. This not only generates authentic content but also engages your community.
• Challenges and Trends: Participate in trending challenges or use popular audio clips to reach a wider audience. This can help your brand stay relevant and increase your visibility on the platform.

3. Use an AI YouTube Shorts Generator

If you’re not comfortable showing your face on camera, consider using an AI YouTube shorts generator. This tool allows you to create engaging video content without needing to appear on screen. You can still convey your brand message effectively using animations, stock footage, and voiceovers. An AI YouTube shorts generator can be particularly useful for brands in niche markets or for those who prefer to maintain a level of anonymity.

4. Optimize for Discoverability

To maximize the reach of your Reels, optimize them for discoverability. Use relevant hashtags and keywords that align with your content and target audience. Research trending hashtags in your niche and incorporate them strategically.
Additionally, consider the first few seconds of your Reels crucial for capturing attention. Start with a hook that encourages viewers to keep watching. This could be a question, an intriguing statement, or a visual element that piques curiosity.

5. Engage with Your Audience

Engagement is a two-way street. Respond to comments on your Reels, ask questions, and encourage viewers to share their thoughts. This interaction helps build a community around your brand and fosters loyalty.

Consider hosting live Q&A sessions or asking for feedback on new products. Engaging with your audience not only helps improve your content but also makes your followers feel valued.

6. Analyse and Adjust Your Strategy

Instagram provides insights into your Reels’ performance, allowing you to track engagement, views, and reach. Regularly analyse this data to understand what works and what doesn’t. Look for patterns in the type of content that resonates most with your audience.

Adjust your strategy accordingly, experimenting with different formats, lengths, and styles. This iterative process will help you refine your approach and improve your overall effectiveness on the platform.

7. Collaborate with Influencers

Collaborating with influencers can significantly boost your brand’s visibility on Instagram Reels. Identify influencers in your niche who align with your brand values and have an engaged following. Partnering with them can help you reach a broader audience and gain credibility.

Create collaborative Reels that showcase your products or services, allowing influencers to share their unique perspective. This not only promotes your brand but also provides valuable content for their audience.

8. Promote Your Reels Across Other Channels

Don’t limit your Reels’ reach to just Instagram. Share them across your other social media platforms, embed them in your website, or include them in your email marketing campaigns. Cross-promoting your content can help you reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to your Instagram profile.

Conclusion

Instagram Reels offers an exciting opportunity for brands to connect with their audience in creative and engaging ways. By defining your brand identity, planning a robust content strategy, utilizing tools like an AI YouTube shorts generator, and actively engaging with your audience, you can effectively grow your brand’s presence on this dynamic platform.

As you embark on your journey with Instagram Reels, remember that consistency and authenticity are essential. Stay true to your brand, listen to your audience, and continuously refine your approach based on feedback and insights. With the right strategies, your brand can harness the full potential of Instagram Reels and thrive in the competitive social media landscape.

By Steve Hall

Sourced from AdRANTS

By Kristen Dolan

Over the course of this year, I’ve helped brands navigate seismic industry changes, from Oracle’s departure from the advertising business to Google’s cookie phase-out reversal. At the centre of discussions (besides the obvious, AI) is an increasing focus on the role influencers play across the media mix and customer journey. After engaging in meaningful discussions with the industry’s top marketing leaders, I’m sharing a top 10 list of my favourite questions, along with my perspectives, which have helped to shape media strategies and innovation roadmaps.

Let’s dive in!

10. How is AI transforming influencer marketing?

While AI has been around for quite some time, generative AI (GenAI) has been a recent topic of interest over the last two years. GenAI is a type of AI that generates copy, graphics, audio and videos. The integration of AI technologies, including GenAI, in the influencer marketing landscape is catalysing transformative advancements in creator vetting, communication efficiency and content creation. In other words, it’s a BFD.

By harnessing AI-driven insights, agencies and brands can optimize workflows, strengthen client relationships and navigate regulatory complexities. These are mere examples, but the opportunities are limitless.

9. Will virtual influencers replace traditional influencers?

If the question pertains to the human impact on influence, I find it hard for AI to replace human connection. People follow influencers because they genuinely have built these parasocial relationships, trust what that influencer is saying and trust their recommendations as they would seek their own friend out to do so. The human connection is what drives that authenticity.

While I don’t see that wavering in place of AI, I do see a more collaborative role in that creators can tap into AI tools to help manage their businesses. Operationally, they can save so much time and resources by tapping into AI tools to help automate things like resourcing, invoicing, planning, data/analytics and so much more. From a content perspective, AI can certainly expedite and advance the creation process—I see an early-stage use case here of expanding creativity, not used to directly influence an action/recommendation.

8. How will creator content evolve over the next few years?

Outside of AI collaboration, creator content is becoming more pervasive. I hope to see brands more proactively adapt to a creator and audience-first mindset when developing omnichannel strategies.

7. What are the most innovative ways influencers are using new social media features?

Anecdotally, I really want creator-led programming to have its moment. Humour me…if we are seeing more consistent tune-ins across lives on social, inevitably, that means people are developing the habit of tuning into their favourite creators at a specific time.

In parallel, we’re seeing Netflix test out live content.

If both worlds are successful, creator live content becomes extremely valuable. I can see a world where streaming platforms are picking up creator programming (as they would broadcast programming) and offering creator content as a viewing option.

6. What influencer strategy is most slept on?

From a brand perspective, deeper creator collaborations. Creators, as their own small businesses, are an untapped resource for brands to realize their full ROI potential.

5. Which past social predictions have made an impact so far this year?

Less of a prediction and more of a framework for discerning marketing hype from hyperbole. Essentially, the parameters that need to be met in order for an emerging social platform to truly be noteworthy are: consistent adoption, a positive and value-adding user experience, serving a need and evolving with its user base as those needs change.

Threads userbase hit 200 million monthly active users according to their Q2 earnings. Up 100 million from their initial launch week in July of last year—a platform to monitor and distinguish from hyperbole if the framework elements continue to be met.

4. How can brands leverage creators to streamline the checkout process?

Approaching strategies with a customer-first mindset, understanding the customer journey and the role influencers can play in driving sales on your website or in your store. An important concept is recognizing creators as a standalone media channel. Creator content will become more pervasive as the ROI continues to be justified.

3. What does the future of creator commerce look like?

I don’t look at things as if there’s a definitive endpoint, but I can speak to the general cyclical pattern of ubiquity to consolidation and vice versa. Consumers have so many options, more than ever. Their attention grows more and more fragmented, and the ability to meet them where they are, with relevant messaging and the ability to immediately shop, is business critical but also cumbersome. The next phase in the future will inevitably shift to a version of consolidation, which we’re starting to see a glimpse of via Google’s Anti-Trust ruling and TikTok’s partnering with Amazon for integrated shopping.

2. What examples across the creator economy stand out as ground breaking applications of AI, and how can businesses tap into that potential?

What I consider ground breaking isn’t necessarily the splashy consumer-facing side of marketing but the technical infrastructure that fuels consumer insights and strategy. The stronger the first-party data for a brand, the more opportunity there is to eliminate wasted spend and influence more immediate ROI. I look forward to seeing applications of AI that enrich the data process for consumer profiles and strengthen propensity modelling for stronger go-to-market strategies.

1. How should companies be navigating this new wave of digital transformation through AI technology?

Be agile or stay fragile. I encourage everyone to embrace innovation and technology while finding ways to up level yourself, your business and your people.

Today is the worst state we’ll experience technology. It only improves from today onward. Those embracing it today are setting themselves up for success in the future.

Feature Image Credit: Getty

By Kristen Dolan

Sourced from Forbes

By Adrian Falk

You can grow your business without breaking the bank — here’s how.

By Adrian Falk

Sourced from Entrepreneur

By Ben Schoon

YouTube is adding a new format for ads on your TV which shows up when you pause the video, and that’s starting to roll out to users.

Back in May 2024, Google announced that YouTube would be getting some new ad formats on TVs, including a format that would place ads on screen whenever the video was left paused. There was no timeline given for when this format would start rolling out, but it appears to be showing up for some users now.

On Reddit and on Twitter/X (via TechIssuesToday), some users have noticed that ads now appear when a YouTube video is paused on their TV.

The UI puts the video in a smaller block with the ad off to the right side of the screen. A “dismiss” button appears below along with an information button. Dunkin’ Donuts appears to be the only advertiser that’s shown up so far, as this is presumably a limited rollout for the time being.

YouTube is also working on longer unskippable ads and advertiser-branded QR codes.

By Ben Schoon

Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, and Instagram

Sourced from 9to5Google

By Trinity Taylor

Trinity Taylor, a Gen Z account manager at Lucky Generals, warns the industry not to underestimate the ingenuity of the supposed juniors; you’re on their turf now.

TikTok, iced coffee, and clouds of vape smoke are probably what spring to mind when you think of Gen Z creatives, but there is way more to us than you might think.

Here’s what I’ve observed while navigating the ad world as a Gen Z-er, as well as some of my thoughts on how we can use our generational strengths to keep pushing boundaries.

1. Embrace newness

It’s a challenging market at the moment and with growing pressures, it’s understandable that there is desire to stick to the tried and tested. But Gen Z grew up in a constantly shifting digital and cultural landscape, where everything from social media to fashion trends evolve rapidly. It’s all we know. What’s ‘in’ today may well be outdated tomorrow, change feels less intimidating and meticulousness less essential.

Crucially, this has shown us that playing it safe or striving for perfection isn’t just outdated—it’s downright boring. As audiences increasingly seek authenticity over flawlessness, brands like Ryanair and Duolingo are leaning into self-deprecating humor and embracing a more ‘real’ approach. Ten years ago, those kinds of campaigns might have been seen as risky or even disastrous. Today, they’re examples of how thinking outside the box (or even tearing the box apart) can resonate with audiences. My advice to Gen Zs here; use your bravery to push both brands and your colleagues out of their comfort zones. Encourage them to try new things, jump on trends, and have more fun with brands. Now, it’s about connection as much as perfection.

2. Fluidity is your friend

In advertising, roles can often feel like rigid boxes—creatives on one side, account managers on the other. But Gen Z, we’re often criticized (or praised, depending on who you ask) for being anti-label and “too woke.” While these labels might sound like buzzwords, they actually highlight an important point: we’re used to fluidity, and that’s a strength.

Just because you’re an account person doesn’t mean your thoughts on the creative process don’t matter. And if you’re on the creative team, don’t shy away from voicing your opinion on client communications.

One of the best things we can do as juniors in the industry and something that is actively required of us at Luckies is to ask questions and seek input from everyone, regardless of their job title. It’s in these cross-role conversations that the magic often happens. So, don’t let traditional job descriptions limit you. Your perspective is valuable, and sometimes, the best ideas come from the most unexpected places.

3. Don’t get pigeonholed

Let’s face it: the shift in media consumption habits has been dramatic. People are watching less TV and spending more time scrolling through their feeds. As the generation that grew up with, and in many ways, shaped social media, we’re often viewed as the go-to experts for all things social. It’s flattering, sure, but it can also be limiting.

My advice?

Don’t let yourself be pigeonholed as just the ‘social media expert.’ While it’s true that we bring invaluable insights into the world of social, we also have the potential to elevate the entire creative process. Use your knowledge of social trends, technology, and emerging tools such as AI to bring fresh ideas to the table across all aspects of a campaign. We’re more than just the people who know how to make a TikTok go viral—we’re the ones who can help shape the future of advertising as a whole.

Own your Gen Z perspective

Being a Gen Z-er in the advertising industry is a bit like being the new kid in school. There’s a lot to learn, a lot to prove, but also a lot of opportunity to bring something fresh and exciting to the table. We’ve grown up in a world where change is the only constant, and that makes us uniquely equipped to thrive in an industry that’s all about evolution and creativity.

So, embrace the new, break down those silos, and don’t let yourself be pigeonholed. Our generation has the potential to bring about real, meaningful change in the way brands communicate and connect with their audiences. And if we can do that while having a little fun along the way, even better.