News

Privacy-focused publisher data platform Permutive has raised $75 million in Series C funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2. The funding will support expansion of its edge computing technology that enables publishers to activate first-party data without exposing user-level information.

A coalition of over 30 European publishers has filed a lawsuit against Google in Amsterdam, seeking €2.1 billion in damages for alleged monopolistic practices in ad tech. The lawsuit claims Google's control of multiple parts of the ad tech stack has artificially suppressed publisher revenues.

IAB Tech Lab's latest report shows 45% of premium publishers have now integrated Unified ID 2.0, with adoption accelerating in Q4 2024. The report also reveals that UID2-enabled inventory commands a 25-35% CPM premium compared to cookieless alternatives.

Microsoft has launched an AI-powered creative studio within its advertising platform that automatically generates and optimizes ad creative across search and display campaigns. The tool leverages generative AI to create multiple ad variations based on advertiser inputs and performance data.

Publicis Groupe announced strong Q4 2024 results with 9.1% organic growth, largely attributed to its digital transformation services and data-driven marketing solutions. The company's Epsilon and Publicis Sapient divisions showed particularly strong performance in programmatic and retail media.

The Federal Trade Commission announced a formal investigation into how major tech platforms use AI to target advertising, focusing on potential discriminatory practices and privacy violations. The probe will examine algorithmic decision-making in ad delivery systems across social media and search platforms.

A coalition of over 30 European publishers filed a €2.1 billion lawsuit against Google, alleging anticompetitive practices in its ad tech stack that deprive publishers of fair revenue. The suit follows the EU's antitrust investigation and demands for Google to divest parts of its advertising business.

FreeWheel introduced a unified programmatic marketplace that allows advertisers to buy both linear TV and streaming inventory through a single platform using consistent measurement and targeting. The platform integrates with major DSPs and includes cross-screen frequency management.

Pinterest acquired fashion shopping platform The Yes to enhance its AI-powered personalization and shopping ad capabilities. The acquisition brings advanced machine learning technology for style preferences and product recommendations that will be integrated into Pinterest's advertising products.

Reddit reported fourth-quarter revenue of $385 million, beating analyst estimates with advertising revenue growing 42% year-over-year. The company attributed growth to improved ad targeting capabilities and expanded advertiser base.

The European Commission launched a formal investigation into Amazon's advertising business, examining whether the company gives preferential treatment to its own products in ad placements. The probe could result in significant fines and operational changes.

Snap announced the launch of an augmented reality advertising SDK that allows third-party mobile apps to integrate Snap's AR ad formats. The move expands Snap's advertising technology beyond its own platform and creates new revenue opportunities.

Google's AI Mode self-citations tripled in nine months. SE Ranking data shows that more links now lead to organic search results, not business profiles. The post Google AI Mode Cites Itself More Often, With More Organic Links appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

Campaign was made by Lucky Generals.

Ring serves up a faux sports show in which the host shares a “Ring Replay” video clip of a kid triumphantly making a basket while shooting hoops by himself.

Jim Farley personally delivered a customized Ford Explorer to the South Side-born pope — assembled by a Chicago plant worker who once sat in his classroom.

YouTube won the race to be the web’s desktop video destination. Then it won the race for smartphone video consumption across its apps. YouTube even, seemingly without trying, became the go-to spot for podcasters to post video episodes. Not long ago, YouTube entered a new race. Some say it’s to be the big screen on […] The post YouTube Americas Leader Tara Walpert Levy Says Measurement Proves Creators Do TV Ads Best appeared first on AdExchanger.

Despite an increase in spending on creators, just 51% of marketers have full clarity into influencer compensation.

CMO Pat O’Toole, formerly of Burger King, details his first campaign at the youth-enrichment company, in support of Urban Air Adventure Park.

Since OpenAI began running ads four weeks ago, data tracked by Sensor Tower showed more than 100 individual brand promotions.

Deeper integrations with the companies’ demand-side platforms and a new Conversion API tool land ahead of the key upfronts season.

In SEO Pulse: AI Overview citations drift further from traditional rankings as AI search expands and platforms clarify how content appears in AI answers. The post AIO Citations Diverge From Rankings, Bing Rewrites Rules – SEO Pulse appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

The experience takes place between 6 and 8 March.