All of marketing seems to continue to be on the Facebook newsfeed change this week. Facebook announced that it will prioritize content from friends, families, and groups. I didn't think much of it since Facebook is largely a pay-to-play space for brands to make a meaningful impact already. This change only (slightly) amplifies media, brands, and publishers paying more for ads.
Zuckerberg warned his change would have people spending less time on the platform, though I think it's a way for Facebook to charge even more for ads (thus adding to overall revenue). A few articles have expressed just that, leading into the first story in our News Round-Up this week...
Facebook's Newsfeed Changes Is About Getting You To Click The Ads
Summary: See above
Opinion: See above
Summary: Spotify announced it will release podcasts with visual elements. At launch, they will feature content from Buzzfeed, Cheddar, Gimlet Media, and others, including Spotify's own original content.
Opinion: I'm not quite understanding the appeal of this since I thought the point of a podcast was to sit back and listen, not watch something.
Summary: KFC launched a series of videos focused on mediation, mindfulness, and affirmation. Central to the videos are KFC's pot pies.
Opinion: This feels like a thinly veiled attempt at capturing the newly legalized marijuana audience in California, though I have yet to come across media coverage making this connection.