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Category: Commentary

Commentary; our thought leadership, newsletter notes and long form pieces.

The New York Times is changed the game in branded content
The New York Times is changed the game in branded content

This Week in Native Ads 7/21

I end this week on the far side of the earth here in Wellington, New Zealand. As native players in the US are contemplating dropping the word native (as it’s the new normal) being in NZ, it’s a good reminder many many markets are still adopting it. Also, we’re hiring an Account Exec, if you know anyone send them our way, details here, even retweets appreciated : ) Notable Stories this Week [Following my… Continue reading

Ben Young
Ben Young
July 21, 2017
CommuteStream offers native ads on transit routes (via their apps). Transit Marketing.
CommuteStream offers native ads on transit routes (via their apps). Transit Marketing.

This Week in Native Ads 7/14

I spoke on a Spark Foundry panel yesterday, it was a good reminder that many brands are yet to even get their feet wet in native content. Which segways into the Business Insider story – around how brands are shifting to direct buys than programmatic. Tied to that, the secret of Google & Facebook: self-serve. Not enough native today is self-serve… that must change. Notable Stories this Week Brand safety concerns boost native. NY Times… Continue reading

Ben Young
Ben Young
July 14, 2017
This Week in Native Ads: Google AdSense Native Ads
This Week in Native Ads: Google AdSense Native Ads

This Week in Native Ads 7/7

Google finally opens up native inventory across Adsense. This is big and probably the tipping point of native getting mass adoption. Not that there will be a flood straight away but it’s signal that native is moving through the adoption curve. This is the time when the tide really starts to rise. If I’m wrong, I’ll shout you a drink. Notable Stories this Week Publishers can now add the three new formats to their mobile… Continue reading

Ben Young
Ben Young
July 7, 2017
the main themes from Nudge's experience at Cannes Lions 2017
the main themes from Nudge's experience at Cannes Lions 2017

This Week in Native Ads 6/30

Gustaf & I hung out at Cannes last week, so will start this week off with some some topline thoughts from our discussions at Cannes (around native). Index Exchange were kind enough to ask my thoughts on native too. A few people noted, I missed two weeks of This Week in Native! So this is a catch up edition. Look for the bullets from the Time Inc study… Cannes Takeaways Native… Continue reading

Ben Young
Ben Young
June 30, 2017
This Week in Native Ads: Native Ad tech content 2017
This Week in Native Ads: Native Ad tech content 2017

This Week in Native Ads 6/9

I’ve been thinking about context, context matters immensely with native. The wrong context with the right audience can be such a wasted opportunity. The way to understand what context is working best comes down to understanding how well the audience responded. And quite often that is more about post-click, as a headline can get someone to click, but do they read or engage? If they don’t, it’s a wasted click. Read on below to see how PulsePoint are seeking… Continue reading

Ben Young
Ben Young
June 9, 2017
This week in native ads: Google will help publishers prepare for a home ad blocker coming next year
This week in native ads: Google will help publishers prepare for a home ad blocker coming next year

This Week in Native Ads 6/2

Cannes is creeping up, lmk if you’d like to meet. The team have lots of littles goodies yet to be released to the public eye – which we’d love to share. #NativeAdChats is also up, join for the in-between chats. Notable Stories this Week Google will help publishers prepare for a home ad blocker coming next year. Will block own subsidiary ads if not compliant. Welcome to the era of speed. Related,… Continue reading

Ben Young
Ben Young
June 2, 2017
Google announces a string of new updates
Google announces a string of new updates

This Week in Native Ads 5/26

It’s a dense edition but very good. Note the smartest commentary, datapoints and look out for the ‘post-Google’ generation. And Facebook opens support for Google AMP & Apple News. Notable Stories this Week Taboola is launching a newsfeed type format. Demo here. Facebook testing new tool to sell video ads on publishers sites. They had retrenched from this business prior, as they were worried about data leakage and ad fraud. Facebook inks deals with Vox,… Continue reading

Ben Young
Ben Young
May 26, 2017
Instagram influencers to have similar guidelines to Facebook Branded Content
Instagram influencers to have similar guidelines to Facebook Branded Content

This Week in Native Ads 5/19

Thanks to a recently cleared visa, I am now able to make it to Cannes. LMK if you’re there! Interesting feedback around, most creative executions last week. Will look to surface a list in the near future. Notable Stories this Week How Vice plans to prove to advertisers that its branded content works. Lots of chat with FTC issuing notices to influencers. Instagram will have this wrapped up shortly with similar guidelines to the Facebook branded content… Continue reading

Ben Young
Ben Young
May 19, 2017
TWINA: When is native not native?
TWINA: When is native not native?

This Week in Native Ads 5/12

This week I’m keen to hear your thoughts on the most creative native executions, I’m thinking Cocainenomics, Lex Luthor styles. Those that push the barriers of creativity in the space. Also, after a few requests, we’ve made a group called #NativeAdChats, the point is a group in-between the events and the newsletter. Notable Stories this Week Programmatic native ads now available to all in DoubleClick Bid Manager! This is big. And also, try their… Continue reading

Ben Young
Ben Young
May 12, 2017
Is YouTube a brand safe environment?
Is YouTube a brand safe environment?

This Week in Native Ads 5/5

  I’m back! After a week exploring Montauk I’m back in the hot seat.   We had NewFronts this week, Twitter surprised with sharing that 50% of their logged in users are under 25. Very interesting. The thread of NewFronts -> premium publishers brand safe environments. As a contrast – FyreFestival brings heat on influencer campaigns….   I’ve been thinking about a couple of things:   1)… Continue reading

Ben Young
Ben Young
May 5, 2017