This week on The Current Report, our own Damian Fowler and Travis Clark discuss what marketers should know about the arrival of Meta-owned app Threads. Plus, the programmatic supply chain is causing advertisers to reflect on where their ad impressions are being served. Next, we review updates in Microsoft’s potential acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard, and in streaming news, we explore Animayhem, Hulu's new anime hub.

To read the full stories included in this episode: 

1. What marketers should know about threads: https://bit.ly/3JVM5I6
2. Do you know where your ad impressions are being served? https://bit.ly/3PVXprI
3. Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard: https://bit.ly/44qQLxM
4. Hulu Launches Adult Animation, Anime Hub Animayhem: https://bit.ly/3Oec4gA

The Fifa Women's World Cup kicks off July 20, 2023 and advertisers are keen to be a part of the action. The Current's Emma Shepherd reports on the growing interest in the global event. Plus, Damian Fowler breaks down how Warner Bros. Discovery is licensing shows like Insecure and Band of Brothers to Netflix.

To read the full stories included in this episode:

1. FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: unveiling squeezeback ads, sold-out ad space, and Optus Sport’s broadcasting strategy: https://www.thecurrent.com/fifa-womens-world-cup-2023--ads-sports-broadcasting-streaming
2. Streaming wars no more: Media companies play nice with content to compete: https://www.thecurrent.com/streaming-platforms-content-subscribers-advertising
3. Netflix to revamp advertising strategy to lure brands and boost revenues: https://www.ft.com/content/dc79eecf-ed3c-486a-8b89-60c67b6ff10a

On this edition of The Current Report, Damian Fowler and Travis Clark explore why video games are an essential medium for brands to consider in their marketing strategy. Plus, a report in the Wall Street Journal alleges that Google violated its promised standards and Warner Bros. Discovery may add live programming from CNN to its Max streaming service later this year. 

To read the full stories included in this episode:
 

1. Tubi reaching new heights after Super Bowl ad: https://www.thecurrent.com/fast-platforms-tubi-are-streaming
2. Opportunities for advertising in the gaming space: https://www.thecurrent.com/cannes-lions-video-games-advertising-brands
3. Google accused of violating it's own standards: bit.ly/4344FEG
4. Warner Bros. Discovery may add CNN to MAX service: bloom.bg/3XxQ8zZ

The Current's coverage of Cannes Lions continues. Today, we're joined by Winston Binch, chief brand and experience officer at Gale, who talks about his approach to brand innovation, the evolution of the festival towards tech and media, and the Chipotle Doppelgänger campaign that won GALE a gold lion. We also cover Albertsons' proposal for a retail media framework, and the verbal sparring match between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.

To read the full stories included in this episode: 

1. Albertsons Proposes ad metrics standards https://bit.ly/3PrFyZf
2. Mark Zuckerberg “accepts” Musk’s fight challenge https://bit.ly/3NKwgqb

Today on The Current Report, Pereira O'Dell's chief growth officer Mona Gonzalez talks about why she thinks purpose driven work is standing out as some of the top ad campaigns at Cannes Lions. Plus Gannett sues Google, alleging it holds a monopoly on the advertising market and Wieden&Kennedy wins big in the new gaming category at Cannes.

To read the full stories included in this episode:

1. Gannett Sues Google, Accusing It of Dominating the Ad Market https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/20/business/media/gannett-google-lawsuit.html
2. Cannes Lions: NBCUniversal Expands One Platform Digital Ad System Through Alliances With European, Asian Broadcasters https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/nbcuniversal-one-platform-digital-ad-system-1235648879/

The Current is back on the beach at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity to give a look into the top talks from the first day of the festival. Plus Spotify's head of sales in EMEA, Rak Patel, joins the show to talk about creativity and brand connection.

To read the full stories included in this episode:

1. The Black Lives Matter movement helped drive advertisers’ DEI efforts. How far have we come? https://bit.ly/44dsWcx
2. Bud Light's Struggles Have Been a ‘wake-up call,’ says AB InBev CMO at Cannes https://bit.ly/3qJOIpC
3. Omnicom Group to Debut Tool Using Generative AI for Advertising Employees https://bit.ly/46pNBfk

The Current is live from Cannes for this special edition of The Current Report. Damian Fowler speaks with Spark Foundry CEO Sarah Kramer about this year’s hottest trends at the advertising festival and what it means to be awarded with a lion.

To read the full stories included in this episode: 

1. Cannes Lions at 70: The trends that will mark this anniversary year https://www.thecurrent.com/cannes-lions-trends-ai-diversity-creativity
2. France makes high-profile push to be the A.I. hub of Europe setting up challenge to U.S., China  https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/19/france-makes-push-to-be-europes-ai-hub-setting-up-us-challenge-.html
3. Magna forecasts global ad market to continue growth as retail and social media accelerate  https://digiday.com/media/magna-forecasts-global-ad-market-to-continue-growth-as-retail-and-social-media-accelerate/#:~:text=IPG%27s%20Magna%20unit%20expects%20the,from%20%24805%20billion%20in%202022.

On this edition of The Current Report, Damian Fowler and Zac Wang go in-depth on lessons learned five years after Europe’s sweeping General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) went into effect. Plus, Cannes Lions will kick off its International Festival of Creativity next week, and The Current will be on-the-ground all week to report on all the biggest trends from the annual advertising gala. 

To read the full stories included in this episode: 

1. What will win a Lion? Our top creative picks https://www.thecurrent.com/cannes-lion-top-creative-advertising-marketing
2. British advertising leaders on 5 lessons from 5 years of GDPR https://www.thecurrent.com/british-advertising-gdpr-ai-data-privacy
3. EU commission files antitrust complaint against Google https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-14/google-hit-with-eu-charge-sheet-over-ad-tech-dominance
4. Beatles to release "new" AI-assisted song https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65881813 

The Current Report is a weekly round-up of what’s happening in the world of digital media. On this edition of The Current Report, Damian Fowler and Chris Brooklier break down how local news publishers are looking for new ways to increase revenue. Plus, artificial intelligence (AI) is primed to be all the rage at Cannes this year, CNN CEO Chris Licht is booted following a bombshell story in The Atlantic, and the PGA and LIV merge.

To read the full stories included in this episode: 

1. In a challenging media market, local news taps new tools to drive revenue https://www.thecurrent.com/media-market-news-revenue-advertising-journalism
2. AI, ad efficiency, and transparency dominate the narrative at The Trade Desk’s Kokai launch event https://www.thecurrent.com/ai-advertising-data-retail-media-the-trade-desk-kokai
3. CNN Chairman and CEO Chris Licht is out after a brief and tumultuous tenure https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/07/media/chris-licht-cnn
4. PGA Tour, LIV Golf Agree to Merge https://www.wsj.com/sports/golf/pga-tour-liv-golf-merger-saudi-arabia-4414bd66?st=2m37t90af7ga6mn&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

The Current Report is a weekly round-up of what’s happening in the world of digital media. In our debut edition, we look at the recent moves by major streaming platforms to consolidate content to make it easier for consumers and advertisers. And we take the pulse of the European retail market to see how marketers are adapting to economic headwinds.

To read the full stories included in this episode: 

1. Disney+, Max, and now Paramount+: As streamers consolidate, advertisers see opportunity https://www.thecurrent.com/streamers-consolidate-advertisers-ctv-disney-max-paramount
2. European retail brands pivot messaging, lean on retail media amid inflation worries and tech upheaval https://www.thecurrent.com/european-retail-brands-media-tech
3. Reliance’s JioCinema breaks world record with free cricket streaming https://tcrn.ch/3MEGrL8
4. AI executives warn its threat to humanity rivals ‘pandemics and nuclear war https://on.ft.com/42ipQCu