Scout: Netflix’s New Partner, Record Midterm Ad Spending, and More in This Week’s Digest of Top Digital Marketing Content

Welcome to Scout! Each week, our team tracks down the best digital marketing articles, POVs, and reports—so you don’t have to. Here’s what to read from the week of 7/8/22 – 7/14/22 to stay ahead of the curve: 

Netflix Chooses Microsoft as Partner for Lower-Priced Service With Ads [:03] 

Leave it to Netflix to craft a twist ending: the streaming giant has chosen Microsoft as its technology and sales partner for a new ad-supported service tier. Microsoft isn’t as big of a player in the ad space as other suiters like Google and Comcast, but it’s also not a direct rival—a factor that may have clinched the deal. 

Google Offers Concessions to Fend Off U.S. Antitrust Lawsuit [:05] 

Google is reportedly trying to stave off legislation and litigation related to its dominance within the digital advertising industry with a proposal to split its ad business up into multiple companies…but keeping both new entities under parent company Alphabet. With no real change in ownership, the move seems unlikely to satisfy regulators. 

U.S. Senate, House and Gubernatorial Midterm Ad Campaign Spending Hits $2.1 Billion [:04]

Think the lack of a Presidential election equals a slower campaign ad season? Well, not in 2022! TV, radio and tracked digital advertising spend have already topped $2 billion, fueled by some major dollars in the Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Arizona senatorial races. 

Twitter’s Ad Sales in Disarray Over Elon Musk Drama, Advertisers Say [:03] 

Elon Musk may never buy Twitter, but his bid for the company has likely brought lasting damage to the social network’s ad sales department. According to agencies and marketers, ad sales talent has fled the company, hoping to escape the turmoil created by the billionaire’s acquisition offer—which is now in disarray. 

Automated Reporting to the Rescue! [:04] 

Here’s some good news: automated reporting for digital advertising exists, and it exists to make your life easier. This piece breaks down how report automation works and details the way its many benefits can mitigate some of the biggest pain points in digital marketing. 

How Two Major Travel Brands Tell Their Stories Through Podcasting [:04] 

Travel is back! After being hit hard by the pandemic over the past few years, many travel brands are hopping on the podcast bandwagon to communicate with consumers—either by running ads in travel podcasts, or even launching series of their own. 

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