This Week in Digital Advertising: Holiday Content Roundup, Festive Cocktails, Google Gets Sued (Again), and Latest News

This Week in Digital Advertising: Holiday Content Roundup, Festive Cocktails, Google Gets Sued (Again), and Latest News

Hello Bidtellectuals!

Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa to all those who celebrate! Here’s to a brighter 2021!

Congratulations to our Bidtellectual of the Week: a shoutout to Rob, Ashley, Cory, Vicky, Nick, TJ, and Katie who epitomized the meaning of teamwork to go above and beyond for a client!

Holiday Cocktail Recipes? Yes, Please

The holidays may look a little different this year, but wherever you are, you could probably use a cocktail. Our last Quarantine Cocktail Recipes post was a hit, so we slapped on a Santa hat, sprinkled a little magic, and found some new ones. Who knows, maybe one of these will become a new holiday tradition? 

Read it here:

Yeah, We Had To: Holiday Cocktail Recipes That’ll Make Santa Smile

 

Last Call for Holiday Campaigns!!!!!! Here’s a Roundup of Content to Help:

 

The Latest: Beeswax, Google, Washington Post, and Best Ads of 2020

  • FreeWheel Buys Beeswax: Comcasts’s video ad tech company has been increasing its buy-side capabilities over the last couple of years. Beeswax is known for its bidder-as-a-service and customizability. It remains to be seen how the partnership will look re: branding, exclusivity, technological integration, and more.

  • 38 States And Territories Sue Google Over Its Alleged Search Monopoly: Less than 24 hours after Google was hit with an antitrust lawsuit re: its ad tech business, 38 states and territories served up another suit focused on Google’s monopoly over the search market. BOOM.

  • WashPost Becomes The First Publisher To Join Unified ID 2.0 . Well, hello there!

  • Adweek released its 25 Best Ads of 2020. Obvi Satan is on there. Which is your favorite?

  • ICYMI: Adexchanger’s Programmatic Power Players list is live. We are on this list. It make us proud. We’re in good company, so check it out.

Bidtellect Ugly Sweater Happy Hour Zoom Screen Grab 2020

Good News: COVID Vaccine, Cookies & Castles, Ugly Sweater Happy Hour

  • Have you listened to Dolly Parton’s Holly Dolly Christmas Album yet? It features duets with artists like Michael Bublé, Miley Cyrus, and Willie Nelson.

  • The Pfizer COVID vaccine is now being administered to healthcare workers and others, and Vice President Mike Pence will receive it live on television today to build public trust. Moderna’s is on now track to be approved soon. Is the end in sight? My hopes are high for 2021.

  • Cookies & Castles went off without a hitch! Congratulations to Bidtellectual Katie Broussard. Read more about her amazing work here.

  • Cheers to a fun Ugly Sweater Happy Hour! See photo above!

Happy Holidays!

Charlotte

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Charlotte Otremba is Sr. Manager of Communications and Marketing at Bidtellect.

Why You Should Factor Diversity Into Your Strategy This Black History Month

How and why you should make diversity your advertising priority.

Behind the Platform: Using Peer39 For Brand Safety & Keyword Targeting

Bidtellect VP of Product Arthur Hainline demonstrates the three key uses for the Peer39 integration in Bidtellect’s DSP, while offering helpful tips for traders and advertisers to get the most out of Bidtellect’s product.

Behind the Platform: Tracking Emissions With Bidtellect Scope3 Integration, Plus What to Know About Supply Path Emissions

Bidtellect VP of Product Arthur Hainline demonstrates the new Scope3 integration in Bidtellect’s platform, how you can take actionable steps to reduce carbon waste, and the current state of the industry’s wasteful supply path emissions.

This Week in Digital Advertising: SPO, Programmatic Power Players, and Taylor Swift Saves 2020?

This Week in Digital Advertising: SPO, Programmatic Power Players, and Taylor Swift Saves 2020?

Hello Bidtellectuals!

The celebration of Hanukkah is underway! Sending a Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate!

Congratulations to Bidtellectual of the Week Carolina Escobar, who fights for the very best user experience on our platform each day!

SPO: The Future Is Already Here. What’s Holding Us Back?

These days, there are more hops in the programmatic supply chain than a well-crafted IPA.  In one PwC study, 15 advertisers had nearly 300 distinct supply chains to reach 12 publishers. Craig Aron, Bidtellect SVP of Growth and Strategic Business Development, dives into the issue on Adexchanger: the answer is already here, but there’s one thing holding the industry back. Read the piece here.

 

On 2021: Colors of the Year and eMarketer Predictions (and Facebook)

  • eMarketer released its 10 Key Digital Trends for 2021 and there’s nothing too surprising: privacy will still be on everyone’s minds, with an emphasis on first-party data and new targeting techniques. It’s also stark reminder that things won’t be “bouncing back to normal” anytime soon. Digital events will reign, as will streaming and social entertainment.

  • We’ll still all be talking about Facebook in 2021, since the FTC just sued the social media giant for monopolization and years-long anticompetitive practices to maintain its dominance.

  • And Pantone announced 2021’s colors of the year: “Ultimate Gray” and “Illuminating” Yellow. Apparently they signal natural strength and positivity.  We’ll take it.

 

Adexchanger’s Programmatic Power Players

It’s the the digital marketing industry’s first searchable guide to the best agencies, tech providers and partners in the business. Bidtellect earned a spot on the coveted list and we’re in great company! Check it out here.

Bidtellectual Spotlight: 

Katie Broussard Makes a Difference for Dallas Children This Holiday Season

As Chair of the hugely popular annual Cookies & Castles fundraiser, Katie Broussard would usually be gearing up for a big day of decorating. Instead, the event benefitting Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic hospital in Dallas, TX has had to adapt to the pandemic with a whole new operation.

Read more about her amazing work here.

Katie Broussard and Co-Chair Cookies & Castles Event Scottish Rite

Good News: Taylor Swift, Secret Santa, Workouts on Us 

Everyone: 2020 can’t get any worse
Taylor Swift: Hold my drink

  • Taylor Swift dropped a second surprise album at midnight and it’s giving us all the feels.

  • Elfster is the coolest virtual Secret Santa and its underway here at Bidtellect! We highly recommend it for teams big or small. We also loved Holiday Trivia yesterday on Kahoot! Thanks to Courtney for organizing!

  • Bidtellect is offering a free workout class this Wednesday at 12pm EST! (See below!) It’s been a hit – don’t miss out!

 

Stay safe, friends,

Charlotte

Get this right to your inbox every Friday! Add your email below:


Charlotte Otremba is Sr. Manager of Communications and Marketing at Bidtellect.

Why You Should Factor Diversity Into Your Strategy This Black History Month

How and why you should make diversity your advertising priority.

Behind the Platform: Using Peer39 For Brand Safety & Keyword Targeting

Bidtellect VP of Product Arthur Hainline demonstrates the three key uses for the Peer39 integration in Bidtellect’s DSP, while offering helpful tips for traders and advertisers to get the most out of Bidtellect’s product.

Behind the Platform: Tracking Emissions With Bidtellect Scope3 Integration, Plus What to Know About Supply Path Emissions

Bidtellect VP of Product Arthur Hainline demonstrates the new Scope3 integration in Bidtellect’s platform, how you can take actionable steps to reduce carbon waste, and the current state of the industry’s wasteful supply path emissions.

This Week in Digital Advertising: Santa Brought Gen 5.0, Black Friday Breakdown, Satan

This Week in Digital Advertising: Santa Brought Gen 5.0, Black Friday Breakdown, Satan <3 2020, and more.

Hello Bidtellectuals!

Congratulations to Bidtellectual of the Week John Allen!

The Latest: Generation 5.0

ICYMI: Just in time for the holidays, Bidtellect gifted the world/announced Generation 5.0 of its nDSP! To offer more insight into the advancements, we chatted with Santa himself/Bidtellect Chief Technology Officer Mike Conway. Mike explains in his own words how the advancements benefit advertisers, from optimization to insights to usability and privacy. We cover why its important to continue innovating and what he’s proudest of. Don’t miss it. 

Black Friday and Cyber Monday: What Happened?

Sales on Black Friday fell short, while Cyber Monday broke records. While experts projected massive growth this holiday season, it looks like it will be slightly lower but still an increase from last year. Let’s not forget it’s only December 4th. With a shift to online ordering, expect shopping to continue right until the end of the month.

  • Shoppers spent an average of $312 on Black Friday weekend, a 14% drop from $362 in 2019 (NRF)

  • Americans spent a record $10.8 billion online on Cyber Monday, up 15% from last year, making it the largest online shopping day in U.S. history (Adobe Analytics)

  • Amazon on Tuesday said this holiday season was the biggest of its 26-year history.

  • Adobe Analytics revised down its online holiday sales forecast by $5 billion, to $184 billion. Last year, Americans spent $142 billion online.

Some rationale: expectations for Black Friday were high. But holiday sales started back in October, plus consumers turned primarily to online shopping, still wary of in-store browsing. It’s no surprise Black Friday – typically an in-store frenzy – fell short. Meanwhile, even with the stock market crushing it, unemployment benefits are running out for many Americans; uncertainty about the coronavirus and economic hardship puts a damper on shopping.

⇨ Holiday Advertising 2020: Top 3 Best Practices for Digital Advertisers

⇨ Holiday Creative Assets: The Naughty and Nice List

Salesforce, Podcasting, and Clicks as the Original Sin

  • Salesforce bought Slack for a whopping $27.7 in a “match made in heaven” according to Salesforce CEO. Some even predict the move might render email obsolete in five years (yeah, ok).

  • Amazon is dipping its foot in the podcast game, reportedly in talks to buy podcast production network Wondery. Amazon is everywhere!

  • Meanwhile, the IAB Tech Lab has released a new set of Podcast Measurement Technical Guidelines (2.1) for public review, which offers standard metrics for both podcast content and podcast ads.

  • This op-ed talks Digital Advertising Sector’s Original Sin: making clicks the holy grail of engagement metrics. While it certainly hinders privacy, clicks also don’t give a true measure of engagement.

Good News!

  • Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift gave us all a much-needed laugh with this “Match Made in Hell” commercial of Satan and 2020.

  • No-kill, lab-grown meat is about to go on sale for the first time.

  • Sales are rockin’!! Keep shopping!! Here are some of the best deals.

  • Bidtellect is offering a free workout class this Wednesday! (See below!)

 

Stay safe, friends,

Charlotte

Get this right to your inbox every Friday! Add your email below:


Charlotte Otremba is Sr. Manager of Communications and Marketing at Bidtellect.

Why You Should Factor Diversity Into Your Strategy This Black History Month

How and why you should make diversity your advertising priority.

Behind the Platform: Using Peer39 For Brand Safety & Keyword Targeting

Bidtellect VP of Product Arthur Hainline demonstrates the three key uses for the Peer39 integration in Bidtellect’s DSP, while offering helpful tips for traders and advertisers to get the most out of Bidtellect’s product.

Behind the Platform: Tracking Emissions With Bidtellect Scope3 Integration, Plus What to Know About Supply Path Emissions

Bidtellect VP of Product Arthur Hainline demonstrates the new Scope3 integration in Bidtellect’s platform, how you can take actionable steps to reduce carbon waste, and the current state of the industry’s wasteful supply path emissions.

This Week in Digital Advertising: Gen 5.0, Thanksgiving, eMarketer Prediction Shake Ups

This Week in Digital Advertising: Gen 5.0, Thanksgiving, eMarketer Prediction Shake Ups

Hello Bidtellectuals!

Congratulations to Bidtellectual of the Week Courtney Bonkowski!

The Latest:

Big news: Bidtellect announced Generation 5.0 of its nDSP. This is a huge accomplishment and a culmination of 2+ years of platform advancements. The work of our product and technology teams, along with all those who worked tirelessly to anticipate the needs of clients and industry shifts, have led to the creation of one of the most performance-driven, client-first, and brand- and privacy-safe platforms in the space.

Coronavirus Crisis: Resource Hub

Since the coronavirus crisis upended life in the United States and Canada in March, Bidtellect has been tracking its effect on industries, advertisers, and consumer habits. Now, you can access all of the research, best practices, and resources related to coronavirus in one place: our Coronavirus Crisis Resource Hub.

Need to adjust your strategy to shifting consumer travel? Check out the hub. Need to adjust creative messaging to resonate with consumers without sounding like a downer? Check out the hub. Growing quarantine beard? Drinking at noon? Check out the hub. There are research reports, one sheets, blog posts, videos and more.

eMarketer’s Forecasting Shocks

I’d trust eMarketer to predict my own life projection before anyone else, but even coronavirus shook up my Research Romeo’s 2020 predictions. In their latest report, eMarketer broke down which industries and trends are swaying from their initial pandemic predictions. Here are some highlights:

  • Retail ecommerce is crushing projections, but brick & mortar has come up short
  • More US adults than predicted will participate in digital banking this year
  • Adults in the US will spend 64 more minutes with social media per day than originally predicted. This might as well be a call for trend setters in social media to seek the assistance of Facebook like bot, to help deliver the content to the right audience.
  • Other Booms: Smartphone use, Digital Video, TikTok, Mobile Proximitity Payments, Food & Bev Ecommerce, Click & Collect. All of these are taking off, whether users are researching on how they can “Grow your TikTok” or looking into the best way to create professional digital videos, they are seeing what is available to them and how they can use it for their benefit. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and the most recent one; TikTok, have turned out to be great advertising platform for brands. With the craze of TikTok nowadays, businesses prefer advertising on the platform with the help of marketing firms who can collaborate with creators and create unique ads (such as these TikTok ad examples) to advertise their products.

Facebook Strikes Again

Well, this is fun. For nearly a year, advertisers using Facebook’s conversion lift studies tool were unknowingly being fed faulty data. The cause? A code error undercounted reached conversions in conversion lift tests by several thousand advertisers between Aug. 15, 2019, and Aug. 31 of this year.

Advertisers use conversion lift studies, a free tool provided by Facebook, to measure the incrementally of their Facebook ads and make decisions about their Facebook spending. With incorrect data, those decisions would be severely compromised or incorrect. Advertisers have felt increasingly disillusioned with social media spending.

Thanksgiving 2020: A Little Different

Thanksgiving will likely lose its title as the busiest travel time of the year this year. AAA anticipates at least a 10% drop in travel – the largest one-year decrease since the Great Recession in 2008, while the CDC has urged Americans to rethink travel plans and large gatherings for the holiday.

All this to say, Thanksgiving will probably look a little different this year: maybe you’re not seeing your family, maybe dinner is over Zoom, maybe you’re still undecided. But regardless: Happy Thanksgiving my friends! From all of us at Bidtellect, we are so grateful for you and your support this year. We are sending extra love to all of those who weathered tragedy and trials this year. May 2021 be the best year yet.

With love,

Charlotte

Want more need-to-know info? Subscribe to our monthly Bidtellectual newsletter!


Charlotte Otremba is Sr. Manager of Communications and Marketing at Bidtellect.

Why You Should Factor Diversity Into Your Strategy This Black History Month

How and why you should make diversity your advertising priority.

Behind the Platform: Using Peer39 For Brand Safety & Keyword Targeting

Bidtellect VP of Product Arthur Hainline demonstrates the three key uses for the Peer39 integration in Bidtellect’s DSP, while offering helpful tips for traders and advertisers to get the most out of Bidtellect’s product.

Behind the Platform: Tracking Emissions With Bidtellect Scope3 Integration, Plus What to Know About Supply Path Emissions

Bidtellect VP of Product Arthur Hainline demonstrates the new Scope3 integration in Bidtellect’s platform, how you can take actionable steps to reduce carbon waste, and the current state of the industry’s wasteful supply path emissions.

The Current State of Higher Education and Coronavirus

The Current State of Higher Education and Coronavirus

How has the coronavirus crisis has impacted education? What will students trend towards and how can colleges, universities, and alternate learning programs adjust their solutions and messaging?

Current State of Education

Coronavirus may have sent students home early, but on the other side of this crisis is a chance for a reimagining of “traditional” education: skill-specific online courses, shorter degree timelines, and a more flexible approach to higher education, combining community college, online, and four-year institution education programs. Those with the greatest chance of weathering the storm will be those adopting flexible learning options, technology solutions, and – especially – online learning.

Here’s the current numbers:

  • U.S. colleges are predicting $100 million losses for the spring along with millions in lost ticket sales as athletic seasons were cut short (AP News)
  • A higher education trade group has predicted a 15% drop in enrollment nationwide, amounting to a $23 billion revenue loss. (New York Times)
  • Simpson Scarborough predicts a possible 20% decline in domestic undergraduate enrollment for 4-year institutions.

Technology Adjustment and Rise of Online Education

Colleges and universities have already recognized the importance of incorporating technology into learning programs. Even before COVID-19, there was already high growth and adoption in education technology, and this will only increase post-coronavirus crisis. And language apps, virtual tutoring, video conferencing tools, or online learning software, have seen a significant surge in usage since COVID-19 (WeForum).

  • Education providers will increase their tech budgets by 5.9%. Demand for education services is still strong, but disenchantment with the results of online education has introduced caution into tech investments. (Forrester)
  • Cengage has seen a 55% increase in the number of students who have signed up for free subscriptions to its online textbooks. (New York Times)
  • The New York Times predicts that faculty will permanently incorporate online tools(to which many are being exposed for the first time) into conventional classes.
  • The overall market for online education is projected to reach $350 Billion by2025 (WeForum)

Online learning and community colleges will fare the best

Online Learning Institutions Can Teach Colleges Something

Online learning works well for developing specific skills and second careers/career pivots, but many institutions are still working out the kinks (to put it mildly). Among those that have mastered online learning are dedicated online institutions like Coursera and Udacity, who also partner with universities and companies. They tend to offer a mixed model of free and paid-for learning options of varying lengths.”Digital-skills jobs will be where there is the greatest demand,” Mr. Maggioncalda said, “and those jobs will be less likely to be affected by pandemics in the future.” (New York Times)

Since the popularity of online classes has grown throughout the world, several online websites have added supplementary certificates and online examinations similar to ai-900 exam, ccna 200-301 and many others that could help secure job roles in various fields. That said, websites that are offering online courses and examinations might also be considering offering graduation certificates to the students. It seems that by providing students with diploma certificates, the websites are trying to achieve more popularity among the students. Moreover, such websites happen to send gifts and keepsakes similar to the ones found on websites like https://www.jostens.com/graduation/high-school/gifts-and-keepsakes
to students who are about to graduate to boost their morale. By encouraging students to pursue online courses, the online sites are also helping the IT industry to gain traction at the moment. The world is increasingly becoming a digital cocoon, and it’s past time for people to devise novel ways to enrol students in various courses and certifications. There are numerous websites, such as exam topics, where you may learn more about these qualifications and their importance in today’s digital world.

  • Udacity courses take most students four to six months to complete, if they put in10 hours a week. The average cost is $1,200. (New York Times)
  • Coursera collaborates with 200+ universities and companies, including DukeUniversity and Google, according to their website.
  • Before the pandemic hit, Coursera projected growth of 30% this year to more than$200 million. (New York Times)
  • Fewer than 10% of Coursera students pay for courses; they take them free. (New York Times)
  • 60% of students in Coursera degree programs try free courses first. (New York Times)

Students Are Willing to Move Online

Those that do offer online courses are ahead of the game, offering cost-saving convenience and safety. Real online education lets students move at their own pace and includes such features as continual assessments so they can jump ahead as soon as they’ve mastered a skill, according to Eric Fredericksen, associate vice president for online learning at the University of Rochester. (New York Times)

  • About a third of surveyed students plan to enroll in an online college post-COVID (SimpsonScarborough)
  • 15% of college students who, when given the option to finish their degree online or complete their degree in-person, want to finish online (SimpsonScarborough)
  • More than half of American adults who expect to need more education or training after this pandemic say they would do it online, according to a survey of 1,000 people (Strada Education Network)
  • Minorities are disproportionately affected by the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis: 41% (vs. 24%) of minority high school seniors won’t attend college in the fall and 18% (vs. 13%) will finish college online(SimpsonScarborough)

Traditional Colleges Need to Improve Their Online Learning

If traditional colleges plan to permanently adopt online learning, they have some learning to do themselves. Studies show that students aren’t as happy with the online experience – namely, that they don’t feel they are learning enough or that the quality matches the in-person learning experience. Still, online higher education “is a thin diet for the typical 18-year-old,” said Richard Garrett, the chief research officer at Eduventures. “But today’s 18-year-olds are tomorrow’s 28-year-olds with families and jobs, who then realize that online can be useful.” (New York Times)

Part of the issue is the time and resources it takes to build out a successful online course; COVID left many scrambling to catch up, exposing weaknesses.”Developing a genuine online course or program can consume as much as a year of faculty training and collaboration with instructional designers, and often requires student orientation and support and a complex technological infrastructure.” (New York Times)

  • 75% of students said they don’t think they’re receiving a quality learning experience online (OneClass via New York Times)
  • 67% of college and graduate students said they didn’t nd online classes as effective as in-person ones (niche.com poll via New York Times, April)
  • A few top-tier universities, such as the University of Michigan and the Georgia Institute of Technology, already offer some full degree programs through online platforms. (New York Times)

Cost-Saving Community Colleges Will Grow (even more) in Popularity

There is already a growing trend of students starting college by way of a community college first to complete general requirements before transferring into a more rigorous four-year institution. It saves money and time. For those financially strained after the crisis, the community college choice is a no-brainer, even for the remainder of school, as well. Administrators anticipate that students grappling with the financial and psychological impacts of the virus could choose to stay closer to home, go to less expensive schools, take a year off or not go to college at all. (New York Times)

  • 26% of college students said they were unlikely to return to their current college or university in the Fall. (SimpsonScarborough)
  • 5% of high school seniors and 4% of current college students say they will enroll at a different institution (SimpsonScarborough)
  • Nearly half of surveyed students plan to attend a community college due to the crisis (SimpsonScarborough)

Messaging Suggestions

We’ve said it before: build trust. Be present, offer solutions with prudence and sensitivity, and pay special attention to cost and technology capabilities. Additionally, if you find that using say a video hosting platform is feasible, then go for it too. Because various online video hosting platforms seem to offer highlights and abilities that are in par with the need of todays education. Regardless, you might want to take a look at the following:

  • Be mindful of cost: advertise low-cost and flexible learning options, as well as free trials.
  • Advertise the advanced nature of or improvement of your online learning program capabilities; many students are disillusioned with “Zoom learning”
  • Offer free or discounted learning tools such as online textbooks to help offset costs of learning further.
  • Be sensitive to the changes and mindful of coming off tone-deaf; offer hope and promise of a better future.
  • Over-communicate: 69% of college students who say their institution’s COVID-19 communications are fair or poor have a worse opinion of the school than they did before the pandemic hit (SimpsonScarborough)

Want more need-to-know info? Subscribe to our monthly Bidtellectual newsletter!


Charlotte Otremba is Sr. Manager of Communications and Marketing at Bidtellect.

Why You Should Factor Diversity Into Your Strategy This Black History Month

How and why you should make diversity your advertising priority.

Behind the Platform: Using Peer39 For Brand Safety & Keyword Targeting

Bidtellect VP of Product Arthur Hainline demonstrates the three key uses for the Peer39 integration in Bidtellect’s DSP, while offering helpful tips for traders and advertisers to get the most out of Bidtellect’s product.

Behind the Platform: Tracking Emissions With Bidtellect Scope3 Integration, Plus What to Know About Supply Path Emissions

Bidtellect VP of Product Arthur Hainline demonstrates the new Scope3 integration in Bidtellect’s platform, how you can take actionable steps to reduce carbon waste, and the current state of the industry’s wasteful supply path emissions.