# TechWiseBlog > Deep Dives into Tech, Startups, and the Future --- ## Pages - [Home](https://techwiseblog.com/): Stay ahead with expert insights on technology, startups, marketing, crypto, and venture trends. Explore smart analysis, news, and practical guides. - [Tags](https://techwiseblog.com/tags/): Find articles by topic. Explore tags covering technology, startups, marketing, crypto, and venture capital for faster access to what interests you. - [Terms of Use & Privacy Policy](https://techwiseblog.com/terms-privacy/): Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy to learn how TechWiseBlog handles data, cookies, third-party services, and your rights as a visitor --- ## Posts - [Nintendo Switch 2 Breaks U.S. Sales Record with Over 1.1 Million Units Sold at Launch](https://techwiseblog.com/nintendo-switch-2-breaks-u-s-sales-record-with-over-1-1-million-units-sold-at-launch/): The Nintendo Switch 2 set a new U.S. gaming record, selling over 1.1 million units in its launch week ending June 7, 2025. This surpasses the previous - [Digital Foundry Reviews Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition on Switch 2](https://techwiseblog.com/digital-foundry-reviews-cyberpunk-2077-ultimate-edition-on-switch-2-5/): Digital Foundry has released its technical analysis of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition running on Nintendo's new Switch 2 console. The review evaluates - [Apple Watch Introduces Wrist Flick to Easily Dismiss Notifications](https://techwiseblog.com/apple-watch-introduces-wrist-flick-to-easily-dismiss-notifications/): Apple recently unveiled watchOS 10, highlighting several new features for the Apple Watch. Among enhancements like a smarter Smart Stack, Live - [How to Find Upcoming Crypto Tokens Using Launchpads](https://techwiseblog.com/how-to-find-upcoming-crypto-tokens-using-launchpads/): Cryptocurrency investors seeking early access to promising tokens rely on launchpads—platforms that facilitate discovery, research, and purchase of new - [Apple’s iOS 26 ‘Liquid Glass’ Design Fuels Excitement for iPhone 17 Air](https://techwiseblog.com/apples-ios-26-liquid-glass-design-fuels-excitement-for-iphone-17-air/): Apple has officially introduced iOS 26 with a major redesign called 'Liquid Glass,' a change described by Craig Federighi as a once-in-a-decade shift. - [PI Coin Falls Amid Rising Geopolitical Concerns and Market Volatility](https://techwiseblog.com/pi-coin-falls-amid-rising-geopolitical-concerns-and-market-volatility/): The cryptocurrency market has faced significant downturns following escalating geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel. This unrest has impacted - [Navigating Paid Media Reporting and Attribution for Ecommerce](https://techwiseblog.com/navigating-paid-media-reporting-and-attribution-for-ecommerce/): Global advertising spending has surpassed $1 trillion, with digital advertising—especially search and social media—expected to account for nearly 73% of - [LastPass Faces Lawsuit Over $200,000 Ethereum Theft Following 2022 Hack](https://techwiseblog.com/lastpass-faces-lawsuit-over-200000-ethereum-theft-following-2022-hack/): An anonymous LastPass user has filed a lawsuit seeking damages after losing $200,000 in Ethereum due to a 2022 security breach. The plaintiff claims - [Nintendo’s Gradual Release of Classic Games Gains New Appreciation with Switch Online](https://techwiseblog.com/nintendos-gradual-release-of-classic-games-gains-new-appreciation-with-switch-online/): Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 launch features marquee titles like Mario Kart World, but for longtime fans, the highlight is the initial GameCube library. - [Wyndham Launches Unified Campaign for All 25 Hotel Brands](https://techwiseblog.com/wyndham-launches-unified-campaign-for-all-25-hotel-brands/): Wyndham introduced a new multi-million dollar advertising campaign on Wednesday that promotes all 25 of its hotel brands alongside its loyalty program - [Xbox's $80 Game Pricing Highlights Global Cost Differences](https://techwiseblog.com/xboxs-80-game-pricing-highlights-global-cost-differences/): Xbox's recent move to $80 USD for new game releases was spotlighted at the Xbox Games Showcase, with The Outer Worlds 2 becoming the first Xbox Game - [GameStop Increases Convertible Bond Offering to $2.25 Billion Amid Bitcoin Holdings](https://techwiseblog.com/gamestop-increases-convertible-bond-offering-to-2-25-billion-amid-bitcoin-holdings/): GameStop has raised its convertible senior notes offering to $2.25 billion from an initial $1.75 billion, the video game retailer announced in a press - [Reddit Reveals Growing Influence on Consumer Purchase Decisions](https://techwiseblog.com/reddit-reveals-growing-influence-on-consumer-purchase-decisions/): Reddit has released a report highlighting its expanding role in shaping consumer purchase behavior. Users increasingly rely on Reddit conversations to - [ETH Price Trends Indicate Future Dips as Buying Opportunities](https://techwiseblog.com/eth-price-trends-indicate-future-dips-as-buying-opportunities/): Ether (ETH) experienced significant volatility this week, reaching a 15-week high of $2,879 on Wednesday before dropping 15% to $2,433 by Friday. - [Summer Game Fest 2025 Breaks Viewership Records with 50 Million Livestreams](https://techwiseblog.com/summer-game-fest-2025-breaks-viewership-records-with-50-million-livestreams/): The 2025 Summer Game Fest experienced an 89% increase in peak live viewership compared to last year, according to StreamsCharts. The event, hosted by - [Snapchat Reveals Key Trends for Brands in New 'Snapchat Generation' Report](https://techwiseblog.com/snapchat-reveals-key-trends-for-brands-in-new-snapchat-generation-report/): Snapchat has released its latest "Snapchat Generation" report, presenting insights into how users engage with the platform and what this means for brand - [The Emerging Role of Stablecoins in Payment Infrastructure](https://techwiseblog.com/the-emerging-role-of-stablecoins-in-payment-infrastructure/): Stablecoins, once considered niche crypto assets, are gaining traction as potential infrastructure for commerce by challenging traditional - [iOS 26 Enables eSIM Transfers Between iPhone and Android Devices](https://techwiseblog.com/ios-26-enables-esim-transfers-between-iphone-and-android-devices/): Apple's iOS 26 introduces support for transferring eSIMs between iPhones and Android devices, simplifying the process of switching platforms without - [WPP Clients Reevaluate Partnerships Following Mark Read's Departure](https://techwiseblog.com/wpp-clients-reevaluate-partnerships-following-mark-reads-departure/): Mark Read's decision to leave WPP has prompted major clients to reconsider their relationships with the holding company. While some brands had already - [XRP Network Sees Surge of 9,000 New Wallets in Two Days](https://techwiseblog.com/xrp-network-sees-surge-of-9000-new-wallets-in-two-days/): Data from CryptoQuant reveals more than 9,000 new XRP wallets were created on June 11 and 12, marking the largest two-day increase in over a week.On June - [Nintendo Switch 2 Breaks U.S. Launch Sales Record with Over 1.1 Million Units Sold](https://techwiseblog.com/nintendo-switch-2-breaks-u-s-launch-sales-record-with-over-1-1-million-units-sold/): Nintendo Switch 2 has set a new record in the U.S. gaming market, selling more than 1.1 million units in its launch week ending June 7, 2025. This marks - [Pinterest Strengthens Programmatic Ads with Amazon Veteran Chip Jessopp](https://techwiseblog.com/pinterest-strengthens-programmatic-ads-with-amazon-veteran-chip-jessopp/): Pinterest has appointed Chip Jessopp, formerly Amazon’s director of global accounts and North America ad tech sales, as its first head of programmatic. - [Analyst Sees 70% Chance of XRP Outperforming Bitcoin](https://techwiseblog.com/analyst-sees-70-chance-of-xrp-outperforming-bitcoin/): An analysis released on June 12 by market technician Dr. Cat highlights a potential breakout for the XRP/BTC trading pair despite recent declines. The - [Apple Now Offers Refurbished M4 MacBook Air Models at Reduced Prices](https://techwiseblog.com/apple-now-offers-refurbished-m4-macbook-air-models-at-reduced-prices/): Apple has added M4 MacBook Air models to its refurbished store in the United States, marking the first time the latest MacBook Air devices are available - [Bitcoin Shows ABCD Pattern as Analysts Eye $137,000 Target](https://techwiseblog.com/bitcoin-shows-abcd-pattern-as-analysts-eye-137000-target/): Rising geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran have prompted a global risk-off sentiment, impacting risk-on assets including Bitcoin (BTC). The - [7 Essential LinkedIn Strategies to Grow Your Personal Brand and Business](https://techwiseblog.com/7-essential-linkedin-strategies-to-grow-your-personal-brand-and-business/): LinkedIn often becomes a place where professionals scroll aimlessly, send generic connection requests, and share uninspired content without - [New Study Challenges Apple's Claims on Large Language Model Reasoning Limits](https://techwiseblog.com/new-study-challenges-apples-claims-on-large-language-model-reasoning-limits/): Apple's recent AI paper, The Illusion of Thinking, asserts that advanced large reasoning models (LRMs) fail on complex tasks. However, a new rebuttal by - [How to Remove Ads from Your Gmail Inbox by Disabling Inbox Categories](https://techwiseblog.com/how-to-remove-ads-from-your-gmail-inbox-by-disabling-inbox-categories/): Gmail displays most of its ads as "Sponsored" emails within the Promotions tab, blending these advertisements with regular messages. While Gmail does not - [Nintendo Switch Bundles Arrive with Differing Mario Kart Packaging, Spark Online Debate](https://techwiseblog.com/nintendo-switch-bundles-arrive-with-differing-mario-kart-packaging-spark-online-debate/): A Reddit user who ordered two Nintendo Switch Mario Kart bundles received packages with noticeably different box designs, igniting discussions online - [Publicis Plans to Feature a Real Lion as Influencer at Cannes; Mars CMO Shares Growth Strategy](https://techwiseblog.com/publicis-plans-to-feature-a-real-lion-as-influencer-at-cannes-mars-cmo-shares-growth-strategy/): Publicis Groupe intends to spotlight a live lion as an influencer during the upcoming Cannes Lions festival, aiming to create a unique and memorable - [Cannes Lions 2025: Expectations for This Year’s Top Earned Media Campaigns](https://techwiseblog.com/cannes-lions-2025-expectations-for-this-years-top-earned-media-campaigns/): The Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity returns June 16-20 with high anticipation among PR professionals eager to see which earned media campaigns will - [Instagram Launches 'Anyway' Campaign and New Features to Support Creators](https://techwiseblog.com/instagram-launches-anyway-campaign-and-new-features-to-support-creators/): Instagram is launching a global marketing campaign called "Anyway" to encourage creativity and risk-taking on its platform. Alongside the campaign, - [Canva Triples Cannes Investment to Attract Enterprise Clients](https://techwiseblog.com/canva-triples-cannes-investment-to-attract-enterprise-clients/): Three years after its Cannes Lions debut, Canva is significantly increasing its presence at the festival with its first official beach takeover. The - [Former IPG Executives Launch All&, a Full-Service Marketing Agency](https://techwiseblog.com/former-ipg-executives-launch-all-a-full-service-marketing-agency/): Two former Interpublic Group executives have joined forces to create All&, an ad agency that offers comprehensive brand management and experience - [Canva Expands Cannes Presence with Major Beach Activation Targeting Marketers](https://techwiseblog.com/canva-expands-cannes-presence-with-major-beach-activation-targeting-marketers/): Canva is significantly increasing its presence at the Cannes Lions festival by launching its first official beach takeover from June 16 to 19. The company - [Former IPG Executives Launch All&, a Comprehensive Marketing Agency](https://techwiseblog.com/former-ipg-executives-launch-all-a-comprehensive-marketing-agency/): Two former Interpublic Group (IPG) executives, Jennifer Breithaupt and Suzanne Powers, have launched a new advertising agency called All&. The agency - [Chicago Launches New Marketing Campaign with Slogan 'Never Done. Never Outdone.'](https://techwiseblog.com/chicago-launches-new-marketing-campaign-with-slogan-never-done-never-outdone/): Chicago's tourism agency has unveiled a new $4 million advertising campaign featuring the slogan "Never Done. Never Outdone." The campaign reflects a - [Pinterest Partners with LTK to Broaden Product Listings](https://techwiseblog.com/pinterest-partners-with-ltk-to-broaden-product-listings/): Pinterest announced a partnership with affiliate shopping platform LTK to automatically cross-post top-performing LTK image posts onto Pinterest.LTK - [The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 Winners Announced](https://techwiseblog.com/the-drum-awards-for-marketing-americas-2025-winners-announced/): The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 revealed its winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce awarded to the "Used Barbie Dream Cars" - [Media Buyers Seek Transparency in DSP Partnerships Amid Market Shifts](https://techwiseblog.com/media-buyers-seek-transparency-in-dsp-partnerships-amid-market-shifts/): Media buyers are increasingly reviewing their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships, aiming to allocate budgets to more transparent and client-aligned - [PayPal Leverages Venmo Transactions to Boost Its Advertising Business](https://techwiseblog.com/paypal-leverages-venmo-transactions-to-boost-its-advertising-business/): Retail media networks are experiencing rapid growth, attracting interest from financial institutions like Chase and Revolut. PayPal, which launched its - [The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 Winners Announced](https://techwiseblog.com/the-drum-awards-for-marketing-americas-2025-winners-announced-2/): The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 have revealed their winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce awarded to MRM for General - [Media Buyers Seek Greater Transparency and Flexibility in DSP Partnerships](https://techwiseblog.com/media-buyers-seek-greater-transparency-and-flexibility-in-dsp-partnerships/): Media buyers are reconsidering their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships amid ongoing changes in the ad tech landscape. Attendees at Digiday’s recent - [PayPal Leverages Venmo Transactions to Enhance Its Advertising Business](https://techwiseblog.com/paypal-leverages-venmo-transactions-to-enhance-its-advertising-business/): Retail media networks are experiencing rapid growth, attracting significant interest from financial institutions such as Chase and Revolut. PayPal, which - [Are Opt-Out Emails for Father’s Day Genuine Compassion or Marketing Strategy?](https://techwiseblog.com/are-opt-out-emails-for-fathers-day-genuine-compassion-or-marketing-strategy/): Some companies now offer customers the option to opt out of emails related to sensitive occasions like Father’s Day. While intended to show empathy, the - [Winners of The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 Announced](https://techwiseblog.com/winners-of-the-drum-awards-for-marketing-americas-2025-announced/): The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 have revealed their winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce awarded to MRM for General - [Media Buyers Seek Clarity as DSP Market Faces Shifts and Challenges](https://techwiseblog.com/media-buyers-seek-clarity-as-dsp-market-faces-shifts-and-challenges/): Media buyers at Digiday's Programmatic Marketing Summit expressed interest in reassessing their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships amid ongoing - [PayPal Leverages Venmo Transactions to Boost Its Advertising Business](https://techwiseblog.com/paypal-leverages-venmo-transactions-to-boost-its-advertising-business-2/): Retail media networks continue to thrive, attracting financial institutions like Chase and Revolut. PayPal, active in advertising since October 2024, - [The Rise of Opt-Out Emails for Father's Day: Genuine Care or Marketing Strategy?](https://techwiseblog.com/the-rise-of-opt-out-emails-for-fathers-day-genuine-care-or-marketing-strategy/): In recent years, companies have introduced opt-out emails for sensitive occasions like Father's Day, aiming to show empathy toward those grieving. - [The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 Winners Announced](https://techwiseblog.com/the-drum-awards-for-marketing-americas-2025-winners-announced-3/): The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 has revealed its winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce awarded to MRM for General - [Media Buyers Reevaluate DSP Partnerships Amid Shifting Ad Tech Landscape](https://techwiseblog.com/media-buyers-reevaluate-dsp-partnerships-amid-shifting-ad-tech-landscape/): Media buyers at Digiday’s recent Programmatic Marketing Summit voiced a strong interest in reassessing their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships. They - [PayPal Leverages Venmo Transactions to Enhance Its Advertising Business](https://techwiseblog.com/paypal-leverages-venmo-transactions-to-enhance-its-advertising-business-2/): Financial institutions are increasingly entering the retail media space, traditionally dominated by retail giants, with PayPal among them. Since launching - [The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 Winners Announced](https://techwiseblog.com/the-drum-awards-for-marketing-americas-2025-winners-announced-4/): The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 revealed its winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce going to MRM for General - [Media Buyers Reassess DSP Partnerships Amid Shifting Ad Tech Landscape](https://techwiseblog.com/media-buyers-reassess-dsp-partnerships-amid-shifting-ad-tech-landscape/): Media buyers at Digiday’s Programmatic Marketing Summit and a recent virtual town hall expressed a strong interest in re-evaluating their demand-side - [PayPal Leverages Venmo Transactions to Expand Its Advertising Business](https://techwiseblog.com/paypal-leverages-venmo-transactions-to-expand-its-advertising-business/): PayPal is enhancing its advertising capabilities by launching Transaction Graph, a new tool that segments audiences based on purchases made across - [Father's Day Opt-Out Emails: Empathy or Marketing Strategy?](https://techwiseblog.com/fathers-day-opt-out-emails-empathy-or-marketing-strategy/): As Father's Day approaches, many companies send opt-out emails allowing recipients to avoid marketing messages related to sensitive occasions. While - [The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 Winners Announced](https://techwiseblog.com/the-drum-awards-for-marketing-americas-2025-winners-announced-5/): The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 announced its winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce awarded to MRM for General - [Media Buyers Reassess DSP Partnerships Amid Ad Tech Market Shifts](https://techwiseblog.com/media-buyers-reassess-dsp-partnerships-amid-ad-tech-market-shifts/): Media buyers at Digiday's Programmatic Marketing Summit expressed a strong interest in re-evaluating their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships, - [PayPal Leverages Venmo Transactions to Expand Advertising Business](https://techwiseblog.com/paypal-leverages-venmo-transactions-to-expand-advertising-business/): Retail media networks are gaining traction, attracting financial institutions like Chase and Revolut. PayPal, active in advertising since October 2024, - [Father's Day Grief Sparks Debate Over Opt-Out Marketing Emails](https://techwiseblog.com/fathers-day-grief-sparks-debate-over-opt-out-marketing-emails/): In recent years, some companies have introduced the option to opt out of marketing emails around sensitive occasions like Father's Day. While initially - [Winners of The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 Announced](https://techwiseblog.com/winners-of-the-drum-awards-for-marketing-americas-2025-announced-2/): The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 revealed its winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce awarded to MRM for General - [Media Buyers Reevaluating DSP Partnerships Amid Ad Tech Shifts](https://techwiseblog.com/media-buyers-reevaluating-dsp-partnerships-amid-ad-tech-shifts/): Media buyers are reconsidering their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships amid ongoing changes in ad tech. At Digiday’s recent Programmatic Marketing - [PayPal Leverages Venmo Transactions to Boost Its Advertising Business](https://techwiseblog.com/paypal-leverages-venmo-transactions-to-boost-its-advertising-business-3/): Retail media networks are gaining significant traction, attracting interest from financial institutions like Chase and Revolut. PayPal, which launched its - [Google to Discontinue Instant Apps Service in December](https://techwiseblog.com/google-to-discontinue-instant-apps-service-in-december/): Google announced it will retire Instant Apps in December, ending a feature that allowed users to run lightweight versions of apps without full - [Apple Releases Revised iOS 26 Developer Beta for iPhone 15 and 16](https://techwiseblog.com/apple-releases-revised-ios-26-developer-beta-for-iphone-15-and-16/): Apple has issued a revised version of the first iOS 26 developer beta, exclusively for iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models. The update, available now to - [Digital Foundry Reviews Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2: Performance and Visuals Explored](https://techwiseblog.com/digital-foundry-reviews-cyberpunk-2077-on-switch-2-performance-and-visuals-explored/): Digital Foundry has released its technical review of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2, evaluating both the main story and the Phantom - [Stablecoins Challenge Traditional Issuer-Acquirer-Merchant Payment Structure](https://techwiseblog.com/stablecoins-challenge-traditional-issuer-acquirer-merchant-payment-structure/): Stablecoins, once seen as niche crypto tools, are gaining traction as potential infrastructure for commerce by disrupting traditional - [Cryptocurrency Price Analysis: BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, HYPE, SUI, LINK](https://techwiseblog.com/cryptocurrency-price-analysis-btc-eth-xrp-bnb-sol-doge-ada-hype-sui-link/): Bitcoin is testing support near $103,000 amid rising global market uncertainty that may limit further rallies. Certain altcoins are attracting buyers at - [Digital Foundry Reviews Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch 2](https://techwiseblog.com/digital-foundry-reviews-cyberpunk-2077-on-nintendo-switch-2/): Digital Foundry has released its technical analysis of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2, evaluating both the main story and the - [Dogecoin Leads Meme Coin Decline Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions](https://techwiseblog.com/dogecoin-leads-meme-coin-decline-amid-rising-geopolitical-tensions/): Dogecoin is leading meme coins lower as tensions escalate between Iran and Israel. The token has dropped nearly 6% in the past 24 hours, trading below - [Apple’s CarPlay Update Revives Features Android Auto Introduced a Decade Ago](https://techwiseblog.com/apples-carplay-update-revives-features-android-auto-introduced-a-decade-ago/): At this week’s WWDC event, Apple previewed iOS 26 alongside a range of new updates, including significant improvements to CarPlay. Notably, the update - [Apple's CarPlay Update Revives Concepts from Early Android Auto](https://techwiseblog.com/apples-carplay-update-revives-concepts-from-early-android-auto/): At WWDC, Apple previewed iOS 26 alongside numerous updates, including significant enhancements to CarPlay. Notably, the update introduces Live Activities - [Apple's CarPlay Update Revives Features from Early Android Auto](https://techwiseblog.com/apples-carplay-update-revives-features-from-early-android-auto/): At WWDC this week, Apple previewed iOS 26, which includes notable improvements to CarPlay. The update introduces Live Activities and widgets, providing - [Apple’s iOS 26 Brings CarPlay Features Reminiscent of Early Android Auto](https://techwiseblog.com/apples-ios-26-brings-carplay-features-reminiscent-of-early-android-auto/): At WWDC, Apple unveiled iOS 26 with significant updates to CarPlay, including Live Activities and widgets. These features provide drivers with glanceable, - [Apple’s CarPlay Update Revives Features Android Auto Introduced a Decade Ago](https://techwiseblog.com/apples-carplay-update-revives-features-android-auto-introduced-a-decade-ago-2/): At WWDC this week, Apple unveiled updates to CarPlay in iOS 26, including the addition of Live Activities and widgets. These features provide drivers with - [Digital Foundry Reviews Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2: Performance and Visuals Analyzed](https://techwiseblog.com/digital-foundry-reviews-cyberpunk-2077-on-switch-2-performance-and-visuals-analyzed/): Digital Foundry has released its technical review of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2, evaluating both the main story and the Phantom - [Digital Foundry Reviews Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition on Switch 2](https://techwiseblog.com/digital-foundry-reviews-cyberpunk-2077-ultimate-edition-on-switch-2/): Digital Foundry has published a technical review of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2, assessing how both the main story and the Phantom - [Digital Foundry Reviews Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition on Switch 2](https://techwiseblog.com/digital-foundry-reviews-cyberpunk-2077-ultimate-edition-on-switch-2-2/): Digital Foundry has released its technical analysis of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2, evaluating how the main story and the Phantom - [Digital Foundry Reviews Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition on Switch 2](https://techwiseblog.com/digital-foundry-reviews-cyberpunk-2077-ultimate-edition-on-switch-2-3/): Digital Foundry has released its technical analysis of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2, evaluating both the main story and the Phantom - [Digital Foundry Reviews Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition on Switch 2](https://techwiseblog.com/digital-foundry-reviews-cyberpunk-2077-ultimate-edition-on-switch-2-4/): Digital Foundry has released its technical review of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2, examining how both the main story and the Phantom - [Meta AI App Raises Serious Privacy Concerns](https://techwiseblog.com/meta-ai-app-raises-serious-privacy-concerns/): The new Meta AI app has sparked privacy concerns as users unknowingly share private conversations publicly. The app allows users to share their chats, - [Kalshi Airs $2,000 Fully AI-Generated Ad During NBA Finals](https://techwiseblog.com/kalshi-airs-2000-fully-ai-generated-ad-during-nba-finals/): During the NBA Finals, betting platform Kalshi aired a $2,000 commercial created entirely by AI, marking a notable shift in advertising approaches. The ad - [DeFi Development Secures $5 Billion Line of Credit to Expand Digital Asset Holdings](https://techwiseblog.com/defi-development-secures-5-billion-line-of-credit-to-expand-digital-asset-holdings/): DeFi Development, formerly known as Janover, has entered into a share purchase agreement with RK Capital Management, granting it the option to issue up to - [Bitcoin Falls Below $104K Amid Rising Middle East Tensions Following Israeli Airstrikes on Iran](https://techwiseblog.com/bitcoin-falls-below-104k-amid-rising-middle-east-tensions-following-israeli-airstrikes-on-iran/): Bitcoin dropped more than 4%, falling to $103,556 after Israeli airstrikes targeted military sites near Tehran and Tabriz, escalating tensions in the - [Shopify Introduces USDC Stablecoin Payments for Merchants](https://techwiseblog.com/shopify-introduces-usdc-stablecoin-payments-for-merchants/): Shopify is enabling merchants to accept payments in the USDC stablecoin, simplifying global transactions. This feature allows merchants to "sell to a - [PCIe 7.0 Specification Released, Focused on Data Centers and AI Applications](https://techwiseblog.com/pcie-7-0-specification-released-focused-on-data-centers-and-ai-applications/): The PCI Special Interest Group (PCI-SIG) has released the PCIe 7.0 specification, offering a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 512GB per second over a x16 - [Anthony Pompliano to Lead $750 Million Bitcoin Investment Vehicle](https://techwiseblog.com/anthony-pompliano-to-lead-750-million-bitcoin-investment-vehicle/): Anthony Pompliano, a well-known digital assets influencer and podcast host, is set to become CEO of ProCapBTC, a new investment vehicle focused on - [Paid Media Reporting for Ecommerce: Mastering Attribution Across Channels](https://techwiseblog.com/paid-media-reporting-for-ecommerce-mastering-attribution-across-channels/): Global advertising spending has exceeded $1 trillion for the first time, with digital channels—primarily search and social media—expected to represent - [Zeta Global CEO Explores Agentic AI’s Role in Personalized Marketing](https://techwiseblog.com/zeta-global-ceo-explores-agentic-ais-role-in-personalized-marketing/): David A. Steinberg, co-founder and CEO of Zeta Global, discusses how his company uses agentic AI to enhance marketing personalization while improving - [Grey Goose and Zoe Saldaña Promote European-Style Leisure in New Campaign](https://techwiseblog.com/grey-goose-and-zoe-saldana-promote-european-style-leisure-in-new-campaign/): Grey Goose Vodka, owned by Bacardi Limited, is launching a global campaign featuring actress Zoe Saldaña that urges consumers to "savour moments of - [Google to Discontinue Android Instant Apps Due to Low Usage](https://techwiseblog.com/google-to-discontinue-android-instant-apps-due-to-low-usage/): Google has announced plans to retire Android Instant Apps by December 2025, citing insufficient user engagement as the main reason for the - [Meta AI's Public Search Feed Raises Privacy Concerns](https://techwiseblog.com/meta-ais-public-search-feed-raises-privacy-concerns/): Some users of Meta AI may unknowingly have their search prompts and results posted publicly on a feed accessible to everyone. The tool allows users to - [Google Unveils Major Snapseed Update for iOS After Years of Minimal Changes](https://techwiseblog.com/google-unveils-major-snapseed-update-for-ios-after-years-of-minimal-changes/): Google has released a significant update to its Snapseed photo editing app on iPhone and iPad, marking the first major revision since introducing dark - [Shopify Introduces USDC Stablecoin Payments for Merchants](https://techwiseblog.com/shopify-introduces-usdc-stablecoin-payments-for-merchants-2/): Shopify is enabling merchants to accept payments in USDC stablecoin, simplifying cross-border transactions. This new feature allows merchants to sell - [Steam Adds Native Support for Macs with Apple Silicon](https://techwiseblog.com/steam-adds-native-support-for-macs-with-apple-silicon/): Valve is introducing native support for Apple Silicon Macs in the latest Steam client beta. This update allows the Steam Client and Steam Helper apps to - [Ethereum Drops Over 7% Amid Rising Middle East Tensions and Flight to Safety](https://techwiseblog.com/ethereum-drops-over-7-amid-rising-middle-east-tensions-and-flight-to-safety/): Ether (ETH) fell more than 7% in the past 24 hours, dropping from a high of $2,770.56 to a low of $2,477.71 before recovering slightly to $2,536.The - [Man Who Lost $742 Million in Bitcoin After Discarding Hard Drive Faces End of Search](https://techwiseblog.com/man-who-lost-742-million-in-bitcoin-after-discarding-hard-drive-faces-end-of-search/): James Howells, a Welsh IT professional, accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins in 2013. At the time, the digital currency was - [ETH Drops Over 7% as Geopolitical Tensions Drive Investors to Safe Havens](https://techwiseblog.com/eth-drops-over-7-as-geopolitical-tensions-drive-investors-to-safe-havens/): Ether (ETH) fell more than 7% within 24 hours, dropping from a high of $2,770.56 to a low of $2,477.71 before slightly recovering to $2,536 at the time of - [Man’s 12-Year Search for $742 Million in Lost Bitcoin Ends Amid Legal and Environmental Hurdles](https://techwiseblog.com/mans-12-year-search-for-742-million-in-lost-bitcoin-ends-amid-legal-and-environmental-hurdles/): James Howells, a Welsh IT professional, accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins in 2013. At the time worth around $8 million, those - [Ether Drops Over 7% Amid Middle East Tensions and Flight to Safe-Haven Assets](https://techwiseblog.com/ether-drops-over-7-amid-middle-east-tensions-and-flight-to-safe-haven-assets/): Ether (ETH) fell more than 7% within 24 hours, dropping from a high of $2,770.56 to a low of $2,477.71 before slightly recovering to $2,536 at press time. - [Bitcoin's Hash Ribbon Signal Points to Potential $170,000 Rally](https://techwiseblog.com/bitcoins-hash-ribbon-signal-points-to-potential-170000-rally/): The Hash Ribbon "buy" signal, based on Bitcoin's network hashrate dynamics, has triggered again. Technical analyst Astronomer Zero highlighted this on 12 --- # # Detailed Content ## Pages TechWiseBlog is an independent digital publication dedicated to covering the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, digital marketing, venture capital, and the evolving world of cryptocurrency. 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Contact For any questions regarding these terms or your data, you may contact us at: techwiseblog@gmail. com --- --- ## Posts The Nintendo Switch 2 set a new U. S. gaming record, selling over 1. 1 million units in its launch week ending June 7, 2025. This surpasses the previous record held by the PlayStation 4. Including all sales, the first week total is projected between 1. 3 and 1. 35 million units, though this figure is not yet confirmed. Sales from the My Nintendo Store were not included in the initial count. Top-selling physical games on launch were:Mario Kart World (most purchased, with 79% of Switch 2 buyers acquiring it either physically or bundled with the hardware)Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition (second place)The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (third place)Nintendo confirmed that Switch 2 is the company’s fastest-selling hardware in the U. S. and achieved the highest global sales for any Nintendo platform in its first four days. Credit to Mat Piscatella for providing the sales data. --- Digital Foundry has released its technical analysis of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition running on Nintendo's new Switch 2 console. The review evaluates how both the main story and the Phantom Liberty expansion perform on the system. It is noteworthy that the Phantom Liberty expansion is included, despite CD Projekt Red choosing to exclude older consoles like PS4 and Xbox One. The Switch 2’s ability to run this content is impressive, though it represents the greatest strain on the hardware. The game offers four visual modes on Switch 2: 30fps quality and 40fps performance, each available in handheld and docked formats. Resolutions vary as follows:Handheld Performance: 640x360 to 1280x720Handheld Quality: 800x450 to 1440x810Docked Performance: 960x540 to 1920x1080Docked Quality: 1280x720 to 1920x1080DLSS technology is employed, though fast-paced action can introduce visual artifacts like blurriness and temporal noise. Aside from resolution, visual quality remains consistent between handheld and docked play. Texture quality on Switch 2 matches the PS5 and surpasses the Xbox Series X and PS4 in many respects. While many textures are uniform across platforms, Switch 2 achieves notably crisp image clarity thanks to DLSS, especially compared to PS4. However, pedestrian and vehicle density is closer to PS4 levels, resulting in less populated environments to maintain stable frame rates. Shadow quality varies: indoor shadows on Switch 2 are superior to PS4, but outdoor shadows are slightly weaker. Performance-wise, the Switch 2 maintains 30fps in quality mode during the main story, but frame rates dip to 20-25fps in the more complex Phantom Liberty expansion environments. In 40fps performance mode, indoor areas generally hold steady near 40fps, while outdoor zones and intense combat can reduce frame rates to around 30fps or below. Handheld performance appears roughly equivalent to docked, though Digital Foundry notes limited testing in this mode. Variable refresh rate (VRR) enhances smoothness during portable play, but frame dips below 30fps become more noticeable. --- Apple recently unveiled watchOS 10, highlighting several new features for the Apple Watch. Among enhancements like a smarter Smart Stack, Live Translations for messages, and Workout Buddy — an AI-driven tool offering real-time workout feedback — one stands out for its practical everyday use. Called Wrist Flick, this feature allows users to dismiss notifications quickly with a simple wrist movement. Whether it’s app alerts, incoming calls, or timers, a quick roll of the wrist away from the user will clear these interruptions efficiently. Wrist Flick aims to improve notification management on the Apple Watch, providing a seamless and intuitive way to handle distractions without needing to tap or swipe. --- Cryptocurrency investors seeking early access to promising tokens rely on launchpads—platforms that facilitate discovery, research, and purchase of new crypto projects. One recommended tool is the Best Wallet app, available on iOS and Android, which streamlines token launches, tokenomics analysis, and asset management. To get started, users should:Download a licensed crypto exchange app such as Best Wallet. Create and verify an account using email, Google, or Apple ID with identity verification and two-factor authentication for security. Fund the account via bank transfer, credit card, or gift cards. Purchase cryptocurrencies using ticker symbols like BTC or ETH. Choose suitable storage options: exchange wallets, hot wallets, or cold wallets for enhanced security. Early access to token sales can provide a significant advantage. However, platform user retention tends to be low as investors frequently switch among tools like Moonshot and DexScreener in search of better features. Key ecosystems supporting new token launches include:Solana: Known for low fees and high throughput, with launchpads like Raydium’s AcceleRaytor and wallet support from Phantom. Tools like Solscan offer detailed transaction and token tracking. Ethereum: Decentralized exchanges such as Uniswap allow token trading and discovery. DexScreener provides enhanced analytics, and following Ethereum developers helps identify emerging projects. Binance Smart Chain (BSC): PancakeSwap leads token trading and yield farming, while BSCScan tracks new token contracts. Aggregators like CoinLaunch and Best Wallet aggregate launches. Investors should also monitor crypto forums, Telegram and Discord groups, and reputable news sites like CoinDesk and Cointelegraph for project announcements. According to experts, tokens are created through blockchain protocols using smart contracts that define supply, distribution, and functionality. Finding reliable launchpads involves research on trusted platforms and social channels. Launchpads help fund new blockchain projects by offering early-stage token sales with vetting and promotional support. Well-known platforms include Binance Launchpad, CoinList, and DAO Maker, while others like Pump. fun gain popularity for specific features. Choosing exchanges with strong security, liquidity, and regulatory compliance is vital. Top exchanges often cited are Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, Bitstamp, Crypto. com, Bullish, and Gemini. By leveraging these tools and resources, investors can enhance their chances of discovering and securing stakes in the next successful crypto projects. --- Apple has officially introduced iOS 26 with a major redesign called 'Liquid Glass,' a change described by Craig Federighi as a once-in-a-decade shift. This new interface aims to create a seamless blend between iPhone hardware and software, setting the foundation for future hardware innovations. The Liquid Glass design emphasizes an interface that mirrors the glass surfaces of Apple devices, enhancing the sense of the glass display coming alive. Designer Sebastiaan de With described it as an interface matching the material qualities of Apple’s products. Many see this design best suited for ultra-thin devices where the display dominates the design, minimizing distractions from other elements. This aligns with Apple’s long-standing vision of a "single slab of glass" design, which is expected to be fully realized with the special 20th anniversary iPhone set for 2027. In the near term, the upcoming iPhone 17 Air is garnering particular anticipation due to its radically sleek, lightweight design, making it an ideal match for iOS 26’s Liquid Glass interface. Current thicker iPhone models may feel less fitting for this new design aesthetic. While Liquid Glass will enhance all iPhone models with iOS 26, the iPhone 17 Air could best deliver a preview of Apple’s future direction with this clean, glass-centric design. Do you think the Liquid Glass design increases the appeal of the iPhone 17 Air? Share your thoughts in the comments. --- The cryptocurrency market has faced significant downturns following escalating geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel. This unrest has impacted various altcoins, including PI coin, which has seen notable losses. In the last 24 hours, PI's price dropped about 10%, accompanied by a 254% surge in trading volume, reaching $241. 31 million. Its market capitalization declined to $4. 2 billion with a dominance of 0. 1288%, fueling widespread fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) within the crypto community. Investors remain cautious as uncertain conditions persist ahead of the weekend. PI Coin experienced a sharp 23% decline within hours, with volume indicators revealing increased selling pressure after a brief consolidation phase. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for the 4-hour chart hit an oversold low of 15. 8 but has since rebounded to 26. 82, signaling heightened volatility. Technical resistance is noted around the 50- and 200-day exponential moving averages (EMA) near $0. 62 and $0. 68, respectively. Current market sentiment reflects a bearish outlook for PI coin this week. If bullish momentum returns, PI could retest resistance levels at $0. 60 and $0. 74, potentially rising toward $0. 89. Conversely, increased selling pressure may drive its price down to a critical support level near $0. 47. --- Global advertising spending has surpassed $1 trillion, with digital advertising—especially search and social media—expected to account for nearly 73% of total ad revenue this year. Leading platforms like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Alibaba together capture over half of this market. Ecommerce paid media teams face challenges managing vast amounts of data across multiple channels such as search, social, and out-of-home advertising. Fragmented reporting arises from varied attribution models and the use of diverse tools, causing only 32% of executives to feel they fully leverage their marketing data. This article explores key performance indicators (KPIs), platform attribution methods, business goals, and strategies for integrating data to assess paid media effectiveness. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Effective paid media reporting begins with selecting appropriate KPIs that align with business objectives. Metrics vary in purpose and scope and include short-, mid-, and long-term measures. Short-Term MetricsReturn on Ad Spend (ROAS): Revenue divided by ad spend, indicating campaign profitability but excluding factors like customer acquisition costs (CAC) and margins. Cost Per Acquisition (CPA): Average cost per sale or lead, useful for monitoring efficiency but lacking insight into revenue or customer value differences. Cost of Sale (CoS): Percentage of revenue spent on advertising, valuable for margin-sensitive businesses but may overlook unprofitable sales. Mid-Term MetricsCustomer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Total marketing and overhead costs per new customer, providing a holistic acquisition cost necessary for profitability analysis but less suited for channel-specific reporting. Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER): Total revenue divided by total ad spend across all channels, simplifying multi-channel analysis but masking individual channel performance. Long-Term MetricsCustomer Lifetime Value (CLV): Estimated net revenue from a customer over time, essential in conjunction with CAC for retention strategies, though complex to calculate and maintain. A comprehensive approach combining these KPIs supports informed decision-making and performance evaluation. Understanding Platform AttributionAdvertising platforms apply different attribution models that affect reported performance. For example, Google Ads uses Data-Driven Attribution, crediting paid channels differently depending on integrations with tools like GA4. Meta Ads attributes 100% of a conversion within a seven-day click or one-day view window to itself, often inflating its reported impact. Platform metrics are useful for internal optimization but do not fully capture the incremental value of paid media. Interpreting these data points within the broader marketing strategy is crucial. Holistic Measurement ApproachesTo move beyond fragmented data, brands can use methods like Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) and Incrementality Testing. Marketing Mix Modeling: Statistical analysis of aggregated historical data that isolates each marketing channel’s effect on sales. MMM helps allocate budgets strategically without relying on user-level tracking, which suits privacy-compliant environments. Incrementality Testing: Controlled experiments comparing test and control groups to measure paid media’s true contribution to business outcomes, guiding spend decisions more reliably. Operational ConsiderationsAccurate ecommerce reporting also depends on factors such as product margins, average order value variability, shipping and return rates, discounting, stock availability, and pixel tracking quality. Ignoring these can lead to misleading data and poor optimization. Integrating Data for Informed ReportingNo single tool or metric fully explains paid media performance. Combining platform data with internal analytics and external modeling provides a clearer picture. Begin by defining solid KPIs that incorporate operational realities, then select trusted models to reveal overall impact. Third-party attribution tools can blend data, but they still require clean KPIs and reliable tracking. BI tools like Looker Studio, Tableau, and Datorama enable flexible reporting, often using multiple dashboards to accommodate different data views. Prioritizing comprehensive, multifaceted reporting connects media spend to profit and supports strategic growth in ecommerce. --- An anonymous LastPass user has filed a lawsuit seeking damages after losing $200,000 in Ethereum due to a 2022 security breach. The plaintiff claims LastPass failed to notify him about the hack, which exposed his seed phrase stored on the platform. The hackers used the compromised seed phrase to regenerate the victim's Ethereum wallet and withdraw all funds. LastPass experienced a significant data breach in late 2022, which led to $4. 4 million being stolen from 25 users in 2023. This case marks one of the first legal actions stemming from that incident. The lawsuit, filed in Washington state by a San Diego-based consumer law firm, keeps the victim's identity confidential. It alleges that LastPass did not inform the user of the breach, enabling the theft. However, experts note that storing seed phrases online is highly risky, as they cannot be changed once created. Notification delays may not have prevented the loss since the victim could have moved funds only by acting quickly after being informed. Despite the ongoing fallout, LastPass remains operational. The company may pursue a settlement to avoid prolonged litigation. Note: Readers are encouraged to verify information independently and consult professionals before making decisions based on this report. --- Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 launch features marquee titles like Mario Kart World, but for longtime fans, the highlight is the initial GameCube library. After over two decades, Nintendo is finally offering some of its cherished GameCube games on a modern console—many of which have not been officially available since their original release. However, only three GameCube titles are available at launch, marking the smallest initial lineup in the Switch Online classics offerings. While this slow rollout frustrates some players, it is a deliberate strategy Nintendo has employed since its early digital stores. Since introducing the Wii Shop, Nintendo has steadily and cautiously re-released legacy games rather than flooding its platforms with titles all at once. The Wii Shop, launched alongside the Wii, promised a vast archive of classic games, ultimately delivering over 400 by the console’s end. But at launch, it had fewer than a dozen first-party titles, focused primarily on NES games, with only Super Mario 64 available from the Nintendo 64 library. Other N64 games arrived months later. The same pattern continued with the Wii U, which began with just eight Virtual Console games. Compatibility issues meant Nintendo rebuilt its retro catalog for the system, gradually adding SNES, Game Boy Advance, DS, and Wii titles over time. Although Nintendo allowed owners to transfer Wii Virtual Console purchases to the Wii U and offered discounted upgrades, early lineups remained limited and slow to expand. On the Switch, Nintendo shifted from individual game sales to a subscription-based approach with Switch Online, which launched in 2018 over a year after the console’s release. Initially, only NES titles were available, with SNES, Game Boy, N64, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance libraries added incrementally over several years. This measured release serves several purposes. Nintendo uses classic games to fill release calendar gaps, keeping players engaged during less active periods. The subscription model also encourages users to try lesser-known titles alongside popular ones. Moreover, spacing out releases allows players to fully appreciate each game rather than viewing them as disposable entertainment amid today’s overcrowded gaming ecosystems. This approach is especially fitting for GameCube games, which often require extensive time investments similar to modern games. With many titles exceeding 20 hours to complete, the gradual rollout lets players savor these experiences without rushing. While waiting for favorite classics can be frustrating, Nintendo’s slow and intentional release schedule honors the depth of its back catalog. It ensures each new addition remains an event and gives users time to explore titles thoroughly. Unlike previous generations, the current platform provides a broad selection to enjoy while awaiting new favorites. --- Wyndham introduced a new multi-million dollar advertising campaign on Wednesday that promotes all 25 of its hotel brands alongside its loyalty program under a single tagline. Branded as "Where There's a Wyndham, There's a Way," this campaign marks a departure from the company's previous strategy of marketing individual brands like Super 8 and La Quinta separately. It reflects Wyndham's adaptation to evolving marketing approaches amid AI-driven changes in travel search. Marissa Yoss, vice president of brand marketing and paid media, stated that this campaign will act as a long-term foundation for Wyndham’s consumer messaging rather than a one-off effort. The campaign highlights "grounded storytelling" instead of traditional polished travel visuals. For example, one advertisement depicts a young aunt rushing to attend her niece’s graduation and then assisting her, illustrating authentic travel experiences. --- Xbox's recent move to $80 USD for new game releases was spotlighted at the Xbox Games Showcase, with The Outer Worlds 2 becoming the first Xbox Game Studios title at this price point. For Canadian gamers, however, the cost is significantly higher. The Outer Worlds 2 is priced at $100 CAD for the standard edition and $130 CAD for the Premium Edition before taxes. With provincial and federal taxes reaching up to 15%, the final price can soar to approximately $115 and $150 CAD respectively. These increases come amid broader price hikes for AAA games, exemplified by upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 titles like Super Mario Kart World and Super Mario Party Jamboree, priced at $110 and $115 CAD before tax. Industry observers note that Xbox’s pricing strategy may also encourage adoption of its Game Pass subscription service as an alternative to purchasing expensive individual titles. Despite exchange rates somewhat mitigating these costs when converted to USD or GBP, many gamers feel the rising prices are outpacing average wage growth, risking pricing out new players from AAA titles. Brandon Adler, director of The Outer Worlds 2, clarified that pricing was set by Xbox, expressing a desire for broader accessibility. Meanwhile, discussions continue about the impact of these changes on gamers worldwide. How are game prices affecting your purchasing decisions? Share your thoughts below. --- GameStop has raised its convertible senior notes offering to $2. 25 billion from an initial $1. 75 billion, the video game retailer announced in a press release Thursday. The new bonds, which bear no interest, carry a conversion price of about $28. 91 per share—a 32. 5% premium over the company’s average stock price Thursday afternoon. This price is subject to change under certain conditions, according to the release. This marks the second convertible bond raise by GameStop following a $1. 5 billion offering in April. Despite this, the company’s shares dropped 24% over the week, closing at $22. 14 on Friday, down from around $28. 36 when GameStop first disclosed plans to buy Bitcoin in late March. Last month, GameStop acquired 4,710 Bitcoin. However, CEO Ryan Cohen recently stated the company will not announce future Bitcoin purchases or follow other firms' strategies in accumulating the leading cryptocurrency. The funds from the bond offering are intended for general corporate purposes, including investments aligning with GameStop’s Investment Policy and potential acquisitions. Beyond gaming, GameStop has sought to diversify its business. It shut down its NFT marketplace early last year and is now focusing on trading cards, which accounted for 29% of first-quarter sales. Cohen described trading cards as a natural extension of GameStop’s heritage, covering sports, Pokémon, and collectibles. --- Reddit has released a report highlighting its expanding role in shaping consumer purchase behavior. Users increasingly rely on Reddit conversations to make informed decisions, valuing the platform's real-world product experiences shared by engaged subreddit communities. The platform’s crowd-sourced upvote system promotes the most helpful responses, boosting their visibility. This influence is underscored by Google's partnership with Reddit, granting access to Reddit data for search and AI applications. "In a world of expanding options, decreasing trust in influencers and heightened economic pressure, people are becoming more intentional about their buying choices. They turn to Reddit communities and conversations throughout their shopping journeys to vet their options and make faster, better decisions. In addition, posts on Reddit remain useful and provide value weeks, months, or even years later. "Key findings from Reddit's report include:88% of users consult Reddit to assist with purchase decisions. Reddit search results often rank highly on Google, with many users specifically adding "Reddit" to their queries for detailed insights. More than half (57%) of Reddit posts mentioning brands or products continue to receive views for over a year. For brands, active participation on Reddit can foster positive engagement. Reddit notes that:One organic brand post per week is linked to a 3. 5% increase in positive user posts about that brand. Three organic brand comments per week on user posts, combined with paid media, correlate with a 2. 2% rise in positive mentions. Furthermore, Reddit advertising contributes to broader marketing success. A media mix modeling analysis with TransUnion showed Reddit ads delivered an average return on ad spend (ROAS) of $6. 94 for tech advertisers. In conclusion, Reddit is becoming a significant platform for product discovery. Brands can benefit from engaging authentically within communities and leveraging Reddit ads to amplify their message. The platform's full marketing impact report and the Reddit Trends tool offer more insights for businesses considering their presence on Reddit. --- Ether (ETH) experienced significant volatility this week, reaching a 15-week high of $2,879 on Wednesday before dropping 15% to $2,433 by Friday. Currently, ETH is consolidating near $2,600, but longer-term patterns suggest possible corrections in the coming weeks. On the weekly chart, ETH forms an ascending channel characterized by higher highs and lows within upward-sloping parallel lines. While signaling an overall uptrend, a breakdown below the support trendline could push prices toward the $2,100-$2,200 range, a multimonth support zone seen since late 2023. Historically, ETH shows modest average returns in Q3, following recent quarters of significant declines. Coupled with typically lower trading volumes and volatility during summer months, this suggests prices could revisit the $2,100-$2,200 support level. However, a dip to this zone may present a strategic buying opportunity. Spot ETH exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have seen inflows surge, with 154,000 ETH added in one week—five times the recent average. Notably, BlackRock has increased its ETH holdings in its iShares Ethereum Trust by over 500 million dollars recently, signaling strong institutional interest. Tokenized assets under management have surpassed $5 billion, driven by major financial and fintech firms. This institutional accumulation, combined with traditional year-end investment strategies that often boost Q4 performance, points to a potential ETH breakout by the end of 2025. This article does not constitute investment advice. All trading and investment decisions carry risks, and readers should perform their own research. --- The 2025 Summer Game Fest experienced an 89% increase in peak live viewership compared to last year, according to StreamsCharts. The event, hosted by Geoff Keighley, was broadcast live on June 6 across YouTube, Twitch, and X (formerly Twitter) from the YouTube Theater at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The gaming showcase drew over 50 million livestreams, setting a new record in its sixth year. Key announcements included titles like Resident Evil Requiem, Atomic Heart 2, Scott Pilgrim EX, Mouse: P. I. for Hire, Game of Thrones: War for Westeros, Marvel’s Deadpool VR, 007 First Light, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and ARC Raiders. Summer Game Fest organizers reported that the peak concurrent audience across Twitch and YouTube exceeded 3 million viewers, with significant year-over-year growth in average viewership, watch time, and co-streams. On YouTube, streamed via The Game Awards account, peak viewership rose 43%, while average audience numbers increased by 38% compared to 2024. The archived video has accumulated over 8 million views, with a peak of more than 1. 5 million concurrent global viewers. On Twitch, peak viewership grew by 38%, with over 8,900 channels co-streaming and a concurrent live audience of more than 1. 4 million worldwide. On X, Summer Game Fest dominated trends, accounting for 17 of the top 30 U. S. trends during the event. --- Snapchat has released its latest "Snapchat Generation" report, presenting insights into how users engage with the platform and what this means for brand promotion and connection. The 26-page report draws from Snap’s data, highlighting effective strategies and trends among its more than 900 million monthly active users, primarily Gen Z and Millennials. According to Snap, this audience values authentic self-expression, real relationships, and cultural influence. One major trend identified is the popularity of "lo-fi" content. Snap recommends brands use Organic Profiles to share casual, unpolished content and embrace imperfect augmented reality (AR) for a nostalgic, low-pressure experience. This approach aligns with Snapchat’s focus on fostering genuine connections rather than highly curated content. Snapchat users often communicate with close friends and family, which encourages more authentic sharing. The report notes that polished, edited material tends to underperform with this group. Audio also plays a significant role, with American users sending over 2. 5 billion voice notes in the first quarter of 2025, enhancing personal connection within the app. The report emphasizes spontaneous and visual communication as key to user engagement. Snapchat’s top creators succeed by being relatable and transparent, sharing personal thoughts and feelings. These creators average nearly 140 posts daily, building strong community connections through openness and consistency. Snap advises brands to carefully select creators who resonate with their target audiences and to understand what type of content drives engagement for better partnership decisions. Each section of the report includes practical tips for brands on applying these insights to their marketing strategies on Snapchat. Though the platform can be challenging to navigate, understanding these trends offers brands valuable opportunities to connect with a large, engaged audience. The full "Snapchat Generation" report is available for download with email registration here. --- Stablecoins, once considered niche crypto assets, are gaining traction as potential infrastructure for commerce by challenging traditional issuer-merchant-acquirer roles. Retail giants like Walmart and Amazon are exploring their own stablecoins, while Shopify recently enabled merchants to accept USDC stablecoins within their payment systems. In April, Visa partnered with Bridge to launch a stablecoin credit card. Meanwhile, Stripe acquired digital wallet firm Privy to simplify crypto onboarding for merchants and consumers. Despite growing interest, uncertainty remains about stablecoins' regulatory oversight, standards, and risk management. Key questions include whether stablecoins are merely faster, programmable payment settlement tools or emerging as new digital issuers replacing traditional bank networks. Their impact on established card ecosystem features such as chargebacks, fraud management, and liability coverage is also unresolved. Stablecoins as a Faster Settlement LayerThe conventional issuer-acquirer-merchant framework involves multiple intermediaries, slowing transaction speed and increasing costs. Stablecoins offer a faster, more cost-efficient settlement method with benefits like traceability and reduced counterparty risk. However, responsibilities and accountability in case of failures remain unclear. When stablecoins serve as the payment medium, such as through wallets or Web3 debit cards, providers resemble neo-issuers facilitating stored-value payments outside traditional card networks. Unlike established card systems with standardized dispute resolution and shared liability, many stablecoin protocols lack mature rules and rely on early-stage solutions like decentralized identity and escrow. This evolving dynamic could collapse the traditional payments stack by bypassing banks and card networks for issuance and settlement. Challenges with Chargebacks, Liability, and ComplianceTraditional payments offer consumer protections including chargeback processes governed by legal frameworks like Regulation Z (credit cards) and Regulation E (debit cards). Stablecoin transactions, confirmed on-chain, are generally irreversible, which complicates error correction and dispute resolution. While this enhances automation and fraud resistance, it introduces risks where consumer protections are weak or absent. In markets such as Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia, stablecoins address unique challenges. For instance, in Argentina, where inflation exceeds 100%, stablecoins provide dollar-pegged stability unavailable from local banks. In Nigeria, stablecoins circumvent capital controls and restricted international payments. Here, stablecoins function as primary payment methods, with wallets acting as issuers and protocols taking the place of networks, supported by local fintechs playing multifaceted roles. This scenario questions the relevance of the traditional payments stack in certain regions. Overall, stablecoins are unlikely to fully replace the issuer-acquirer model soon. A hybrid ecosystem is more plausible, where stablecoin payments coexist with fiat rails, especially across cross-border transactions, digital marketplaces, and creator economies. --- Apple's iOS 26 introduces support for transferring eSIMs between iPhones and Android devices, simplifying the process of switching platforms without needing carrier assistance. Some iOS 26 users have spotted a "Transfer to Android" option in their cellular settings, though it is not yet available for all plans. A Reddit user with US Mobile's Dark Star eSIM reported seeing this feature. When adding an eSIM in iOS 26, users can select "Transfer From Android," which generates a QR code for scanning on an Android device to initiate the transfer. The iPhone to Android transfer uses a similar QR code method. This feature appears to be a collaborative effort between Apple and Google. Before iOS 26's release, an Android 16 beta mentioned a "Transfer to Android" feature, indicating cross-platform support was planned. Previously, transferring an eSIM between iPhones was straightforward, but moving one from iPhone to Android required contacting the carrier for a QR code. iOS 26 streamlines this, making it easier for iPhone users to transition to Android. --- Mark Read's decision to leave WPP has prompted major clients to reconsider their relationships with the holding company. While some brands had already grown frustrated with WPP's slow pace of change—despite efforts to streamline teams, integrate operations, and modernize systems—Read's exit has opened a window for reassessment rather than immediate departure. A senior marketer at one WPP client, speaking anonymously, said the departure does not necessarily mark the end of their partnership. Instead, it presents an opportunity to see if WPP can finally deliver the urgency and accountability it has long lacked. Clients' dissatisfaction is widespread, reflecting frustration with large agency structures that promise transformation but often deliver incremental improvements, delayed timelines, and limited insights into advertising's business impact. Compounded by legacy infrastructure, internal silos, and competition from agile, tech-savvy rivals, WPP faces significant challenges. With Read's exit and key clients like Mars scaling back, WPP must prioritize responsiveness to survive. For one major advertiser, this moment is a pause to observe WPP's next moves rather than an immediate exit. Any future review would focus on evaluating WPP's renewed vision to better meet client needs. However, not all clients share this cautious optimism. Some marketers express concerns about WPP's stability amid ongoing issues and question whether new leadership will alleviate or exacerbate challenges. Read inherited a holding company burdened by slow-moving systems and fragmented teams. Despite efforts to merge agencies and modernize, the pace of change often fell short of client expectations, leading brands such as Coca-Cola, Mars, Kimberly-Clark, Starbucks, and Pfizer to reduce or relocate their business. The incoming CEO faces pressure to enact immediate improvements at a critical juncture. Consultants note a "wait and see" attitude among clients, balancing hopes for enhanced attention against fears of further disruption. Ultimately, for chief marketing officers, agency instability translates directly to leverage—getting what they need when they need it. Read's departure sharpens this focus but does not alter the fundamental demands clients place on WPP. “Read brought order. The next CEO needs to bring urgency. Because right now, WPP doesn’t just need a new story—it needs a reason for clients to stick around until the next chapter. ”— Jeremy Goldman, Director, Marketing, Retail, and Tech Briefings at eMarketer --- Data from CryptoQuant reveals more than 9,000 new XRP wallets were created on June 11 and 12, marking the largest two-day increase in over a week. On June 11, approximately 4,500 new addresses were added, followed by 4,200 on June 12. This surge reflects growing engagement within the XRP ecosystem. The rise in wallet creation began sharply on June 9, after daily additions remained under 3,500 in the prior days. This upward trend suggests increasing momentum in user activity. An increase in new addresses could signal future liquidity or volatility for traders. For long-term holders, it points to continued adoption and rising popularity of XRP. XRP’s core strength lies in fast settlement and cross-border transactions, and the wallet growth further supports this use case. The surge may also indicate growing integration of XRP into applications or broader use by users. Notably, the spike in new addresses occurred despite a relatively flat to slightly declining price trend, possibly indicating rising user interest ahead of potential price movement. As of this report, XRP trades at $2. 13, down 2. 52% over the past 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap. Meanwhile, its trading volume rose 66. 30% to $4. 53 billion, reflecting heightened trading activity. The token’s 24-hour trading volume represents 3. 6% of its market capitalization, indicating active liquidity for market participants. --- Nintendo Switch 2 has set a new record in the U. S. gaming market, selling more than 1. 1 million units in its launch week ending June 7, 2025. This marks the highest debut for any gaming console in the country, surpassing the previous record held by the PlayStation 4. Sales from the My Nintendo Store were not included in this figure. Projections for the full first week estimate total sales between 1. 3 and 1. 35 million units, though these numbers have yet to be officially confirmed. The best-selling physical games at launch were: Mario Kart World – the top-selling title, purchased by 79% of U. S. Switch 2 buyers either standalone or bundled with the hardware. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition – the second best-seller. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – ranked third. Nintendo confirmed that the Switch 2 is its fastest-selling console ever in the U. S. , also achieving the highest global sales for a Nintendo platform within its first four days. Credit for the sales data goes to industry analyst Mat Piscatella. --- Pinterest has appointed Chip Jessopp, formerly Amazon’s director of global accounts and North America ad tech sales, as its first head of programmatic. Joining the company on May 27, Jessopp will report to Chief Revenue Officer Bill Watkins and lead efforts to expand Pinterest’s programmatic advertising business. Jessopp brings seven years of experience at Amazon, where he built sales teams, negotiated commercial deals, and helped grow the ad tech business. Watkins highlighted Jessopp's expertise in innovation, technology, and programmatic strategies as key to driving growth across advertising funnels. To support this initiative, Jessopp plans to recruit three senior leaders in product and sales. The primary goal is to increase the number of advertisers purchasing through programmatic channels. Pinterest aims to leverage programmatic ad tech intermediaries to unlock new revenue streams while maintaining its brand-safe platform and user experience. Jessopp emphasized a thoughtful approach, ensuring programmatic efforts enhance Pinterest’s core values. Over the next year, the company intends to integrate programmatic offerings with its direct sales to give advertisers flexible engagement options. Partnerships will play a key role, exemplified by Pinterest’s recent collaboration with ad tech sales firm Magnite, overseen by Jessopp. The company plans to continue exploring similar alliances to strengthen its programmatic presence. Industry observers see this move as a strategic shift from building to partnering and scaling within the programmatic ecosystem. Chris Matheson, media director at Markacy, noted that integrating with established programmatic players aligns with Pinterest’s growth objectives. Pinterest is currently experiencing growth, reporting $865 million in revenue for Q1. CEO Bill Ready attributes this to attracting a wider array of advertisers, especially those focused on performance marketing. Watkins outlined four benefits of enhanced programmatic capabilities: improved cost efficiency and campaign performance, better targeting and audience reach, increased transparency, and greater control for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The aim is to save time and resources while broadening advertising opportunities. “The benefit for SMBs will be clear,” Watkins said. --- An analysis released on June 12 by market technician Dr. Cat highlights a potential breakout for the XRP/BTC trading pair despite recent declines. The analyst assigns a 70% probability to XRP eventually outperforming Bitcoin. Central to Dr. Cat's outlook is the 2,041-satoshi support level, marked by the convergence of monthly, bi-monthly, and tri-monthly Ichimoku indicators. Although recent price action has tested multiple supports without bullish response, this level remains critical. The XRP price currently hovers just below this key support. A confirmed monthly close beneath 2,041 sats could trigger a fully bearish trend on the three-day chart, leading to increased volatility and unpredictable price behavior. Nonetheless, historical data suggests XRP is in a prolonged accumulation phase, maintaining a pattern of higher lows over the past twelve quarters. This setup could enable a "minor attack" toward 3,000 sats in August, representing roughly a 45% gain from current levels, with potential for a larger rally as the market cycle advances. Dr. Cat also notes a 30% chance of failure if the 2,041-satoshi support breaks on monthly close. In that scenario, XRP could drop to 1,800–1,900 sats, possibly rebound weakly, or extend a gradual decline toward previous lows. A significant bullish move could be delayed until late 2025 or beyond. At present, the market's direction hinges on maintaining the 2,041-satoshi level. Staying above it could signal XRP's strength against Bitcoin, while falling below risks a volatile and uncertain phase. Traders are advised to watch this key pivot closely. At the time of reporting, XRP was trading at $2. 13. --- Apple has added M4 MacBook Air models to its refurbished store in the United States, marking the first time the latest MacBook Air devices are available at discounted prices since their release earlier this year. The refurbished selection includes both 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs, with various storage and configuration options. Prices start at $849 for the base M4 MacBook Air, down from the original $999, representing a roughly 15% discount compared to new models. Availability of refurbished models will fluctuate as Apple manages inventory, but over 30 options are currently offered. These refurbished Macs undergo a thorough process including full functionality testing, cleaning, battery replacement, and inspection to ensure they match the quality of new products. Purchases come with eligibility for AppleCare+ and a 14-day return policy identical to new devices. Apple has offered refurbished M4 Mac mini and MacBook Pro models since February and recently added refurbished M4 Max and M3 Ultra Mac Studio devices. --- Rising geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran have prompted a global risk-off sentiment, impacting risk-on assets including Bitcoin (BTC). The leading cryptocurrency has declined 1. 7% in the past 24 hours but technical indicators suggest a potential new all-time high (ATH) in the near future. Crypto analyst Titan of Crypto recently highlighted on X that Bitcoin is tracing an ABCD chart pattern while trading within a wedge formation. If BTC breaks out from this wedge, it could target up to $137,000. The ABCD pattern consists of four points and three legs (AB, BC, CD), where AB and CD are often equal and BC is a retracement, indicating possible price reversals. Other analysts also point to bullish signals for Bitcoin’s recovery. Crypto Caesar identified a bullish double bottom on the 4-hour chart, suggesting further upward momentum. Additionally, Jelle observed a cup and handle pattern on the daily chart, with the handle formation indicating a potential sharp price increase. On-chain analyst Merlijn the Trader referred to the Hash Ribbons indicator, which tracks Bitcoin’s 30-day and 60-day hash rate moving averages to detect miner capitulation and recovery. Historically, this signal precedes significant rallies, strengthening the case for an upcoming uptrend. However, bearish signs are emerging as well. Bitcoin has repeatedly failed to surpass the $110,000 resistance, giving short-term sellers some control. On-chain data shows long-term holders reducing their positions, a behavior typical near the end of bull cycles. Meanwhile, short-term holders’ confidence appears to be waning, reflected in recent trading activity. At the time of reporting, Bitcoin trades around $105,568, down 1. 7% in the last 24 hours, maintaining levels above the key $100,000 threshold. --- LinkedIn often becomes a place where professionals scroll aimlessly, send generic connection requests, and share uninspired content without results. However, the platform rewards users who understand its dynamics. Founders and executives typically gain three times more engagement than average users, especially when posting thoughtful, original content. Lara Acosta, who scaled her online business from zero to seven figures in three years and amassed over 360,000 followers across platforms, shares seven key LinkedIn strategies that drive growth and business transformation. Connect Intentionally: Avoid accepting every request. LinkedIn distributes your posts first to your direct connections. Build a network of engaged, relevant contacts by seeking active people in your niche and sending personalized requests referencing something specific about them. Create Irresistible Posts: Capture attention within the first three seconds using a concise hook under 10 words. Outline a problem, agitate it, and provide a clear, actionable solution. Write each line so it stands alone and contributes to a natural flow. Use images to reinforce messages. Comment to Increase Visibility: Posting infrequently limits reach. Quality comments on posts by users with larger audiences can be seen many times more. Maintain a consistent commenting schedule, add value, share experiences, and ask insightful questions. Engage in DM Conversations, Not Pitches: Stand out by being authentic. Start with light, relatable comments referencing mutual experiences before discussing business. This method builds rapport and opens genuine dialogue. Choose Photos Carefully: A professional and approachable photo can build credibility quickly. Your profile picture and post images shape how others perceive your brand. Ensure your visual presentation aligns with the image you want to project. Use Comments for Calls to Action: Avoid cluttering posts with sales pitches. Instead, place calls to action in the comments to drive traffic to offers or events. This approach helped Acosta generate $10,000 without direct promotional posts. Post Live to Maximize Engagement: Scheduling tools can reduce reach. Engage with the community by commenting 30 minutes before posting and respond promptly to comments afterward. This active involvement within the first hour boosts post performance significantly. With millions of small businesses and solopreneurs on LinkedIn, these strategies offer a competitive edge. Focus on consistency and providing genuine value to build a presence that attracts opportunities. Start by applying one of these laws this week and add more over time to grow your brand and business effectively. --- Apple's recent AI paper, The Illusion of Thinking, asserts that advanced large reasoning models (LRMs) fail on complex tasks. However, a new rebuttal by Open Philanthropy researcher Alex Lawsen challenges this conclusion, attributing Apple's findings to experimental design flaws rather than inherent reasoning limits. The critique also credits Anthropic’s Claude Opus model as a co-author of the rebuttal. Lawsen's paper, titled The Illusion of the Illusion of Thinking, agrees that LRMs struggle with complex planning but argues that Apple's study confuses output constraints and flawed evaluation methods with actual reasoning failure. The main points raised include: Ignoring token limits: Models like Claude reached token output ceilings during tests like the Tower of Hanoi with 8+ disks, often indicating they stopped to save tokens rather than failing to reason. Punishing recognition of unsolvable puzzles: Apple's River Crossing test included impossible scenarios, yet models were penalized for acknowledging their unsolvability. Flawed evaluation processes: Automated scripts judged model output strictly on complete move lists, treating partial or strategic responses as failures even when token limits were exceeded. To support his argument, Lawsen re-executed Tower of Hanoi tests asking models to write recursive Lua functions generating solutions instead of enumerating every move. Models including Claude, Gemini, and OpenAI’s o3 effectively solved problems with 15 disks, well beyond Apple’s reported failure point. Lawsen concludes that when artificial output constraints are removed, LRMs can reason effectively on complex tasks, at least in generating algorithms. However, he acknowledges these results are preliminary and that true algorithmic generalization remains challenging. This debate holds significance because Apple's paper has been widely cited as evidence of fundamental reasoning deficiencies in LRMs. Lawsen's rebuttal suggests a more nuanced view: LRMs may be limited by current deployment constraints rather than intrinsic reasoning flaws. As recommendations for future research, Lawsen advises: Designing evaluation methods that separate reasoning ability from output constraints. Verifying puzzle solvability before testing model performance. Using complexity metrics that reflect computational difficulty, not just solution length. Considering multiple solution formats to distinguish between algorithmic understanding and output execution. Ultimately, Lawsen emphasizes the need to refine evaluation standards before concluding that LRMs fundamentally lack reasoning capacity. --- Gmail displays most of its ads as "Sponsored" emails within the Promotions tab, blending these advertisements with regular messages. While Gmail does not offer a direct option to remove ads without a Google Workspace subscription, there is a workaround that works across devices without needing third-party extensions. Gmail organizes emails into Inbox Categories by default, splitting messages into tabs such as Primary, Promotions, Social, Updates, and Forums. Ads primarily appear in the Promotions tab, often at the top or mixed in with your emails. You can eliminate these ad emails by disabling the Inbox Categories feature altogether. This action consolidates all emails into a single inbox and removes the Promotions tab, preventing sponsored messages from displaying separately. The trade-off is losing the tabbed organization, which might not suit users who depend on filtering their messages. To disable Inbox Categories in the Gmail app on Android:Open the Gmail app and tap the hamburger menu. Scroll down to and select Settings. Choose the account to modify. Tap Inbox categories. Uncheck Promotions and any other categories you wish to disable. To disable Inbox Categories on desktop Gmail:Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner to open Settings sidebar. Scroll to the Inbox type section and select Default. Click Customize. Uncheck Promotions and other categories as desired. Click Save. After saving, reload your inbox to see all emails unified under the Primary tab without interspersed ads. This setting syncs across all devices linked to your account. While this method works well for users who manage their inbox actively, others who rely on the Promotions tab to batch-process marketing emails might find the single inbox cluttered. The change is reversible and can be undone anytime. --- A Reddit user who ordered two Nintendo Switch Mario Kart bundles received packages with noticeably different box designs, igniting discussions online about Nintendo's packaging and logistics strategies. One bundle featured vibrant Mario Kart artwork on the box, while the other showed a plain Switch box with only a small sticker indicating the included game. Both bundles contained the same console and game, but the presentation varied significantly. Similar experiences reported by other users suggest the stickered packaging is common in the U. S. , whereas European customers often get more elaborate graphic designs. This discrepancy points to regional differences or stock management tactics by Nintendo, possibly to meet high demand quickly during the Switch 2 launch period. While the gameplay remains unchanged, the difference in packaging highlights challenges of balancing brand consistency with distribution efficiency. For collectors, the variation might be disappointing, but most players are unaffected in terms of enjoyment. The incident underscores how packaging influences consumer perception and brand loyalty. It also shows the impact of online communities in amplifying such experiences and shaping corporate strategies in global product distribution. --- Publicis Groupe intends to spotlight a live lion as an influencer during the upcoming Cannes Lions festival, aiming to create a unique and memorable campaign. Meanwhile, Mars' Chief Marketing Officer Gülén Bengi provided Ad Age with insights into the company's extensive agency review process and outlined Mars' new approach to growth in the consumer packaged goods sector. --- The Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity returns June 16-20 with high anticipation among PR professionals eager to see which earned media campaigns will stand out on the global stage. Golin, a leading PR firm, won two Grand Prix last year for its Specsavers campaign, The Misheard Version, marking the first time a PR agency earned a PR Lions Grand Prix with sole creative credit since the category's 2009 inception. Ron D’Innocenzo, Golin’s Chief Creative Officer for North America, missed last year’s event but looks forward to this year’s festival with optimism. Golin has submitted several standout campaigns, including:The Desk Break Clause for Asics, advocating a mandated daily movement break supported by a video featuring Brian Cox. MedLife’s innovative mobile STD testing unit launched by drones at a European music festival. Special Delivery for Grubhub, which provided surprise meals to new mothers. Mountain Dew’s campaign promoting "Mountain Time" as the brand’s unofficial time zone. D’Innocenzo describes the festival as a source of motivation, noting that exposure to winning work inspires both agencies and their clients to pursue creative excellence. MSL U. S. CEO Diana Littman, a PR Lions jury member, praises the incoming batch of global campaigns for raising industry standards and celebrating earned-first creativity, emphasizing the growing value of "talkability" in communications. Yuki Koda, chief consultant at PR Consulting Dentsu Japan and fellow jury member, highlights entries focused on health, mental well-being, and protection from digital threats. She also notes a more sophisticated use of AI in campaigns, predicting AI-driven work may soon win PR Lions awards. Koda stresses that earning impact through strategic thinking remains central to PR, beyond just avoiding paid media. First-time juror Ricardo Silvestre, CEO of Black Influence Brazil, expects winning campaigns to demonstrate cultural sensitivity, long-term commitment, and measurable outcomes. He foresees recognition for work challenging power structures, amplifying marginalized voices, and reshaping narratives. Silvestre also sees Brazil’s designation as Creative Country of the Year as a milestone that challenges industry perceptions and encourages more authentic storytelling. Burson’s Diego Bertagni, executive creative director for the Americas and PR Lions jury member, notes the festival’s significance amid tight economic conditions where earned media can extend campaign reach. He anticipates discussions on AI integration, brand activism authenticity, PR agency evolution, and diversity in creative talent. While jurors remain discreet on specific contenders, the 2025 PR Lions Shortlisting Jury highlighted notable campaigns such as:Three Words That Can Change Everything by Publicis Conseil for AXA, recognizing domestic violence coverage in home insurance. The Severance stunt by Apple TV+, featuring cast members in a glass box at Grand Central Station. Grey’s Corona 100th Anniversary campaign, creating the world’s first "sun reserve" to protect beach sunshine access. Lucky Yatra for Indian Railways, turning valid tickets into lottery entries to encourage fare purchases. Jury member Florencia Kessler from Grey notes a revival of traditional PR tools such as press releases and conferences effectively driving narrative in a PR environment. She observes an uptick in entries leveraging events, suggesting that the broad definition of events in PR might require refinement. --- Instagram is launching a global marketing campaign called "Anyway" to encourage creativity and risk-taking on its platform. Alongside the campaign, Meta-owned Instagram is introducing new features aimed at helping users share their content more confidently. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, emphasized the platform's goal to foster a creative community where users can overcome self-doubt and freely express themselves. "I want Instagram to be a place where people come together over creativity," he wrote in a blog post. Key updates include expanding Trial Reels, which allow users to test content with non-followers, to all Instagram users. The platform will also enable users to reorganize how photos and videos appear on their profile grids and stream music to Notes. In addition, Instagram's video editing app Edits will feature a new restyle tool powered by generative AI to help users change the look and feel of their videos. Instagram is also launching Drafts, an initiative to support emerging creators through financial aid, connections, and resources. Partners include creators like Sailorr and Tyrell Hampton, who will help nurture talent with growth potential. The "Anyway" campaign features personalities such as Tyler, The Creator, Rosalia, Cole Bennett, and Slawn, showcasing their creative journeys to inspire users. Mosseri highlighted the importance of these stories and Instagram's role in their development, promising more collaborations in the future. This expanded creator focus comes as the creator economy grows rapidly, while uncertainty surrounds TikTok's future. Instagram aims to strengthen its position by providing both tools and support to creators. --- Three years after its Cannes Lions debut, Canva is significantly increasing its presence at the festival with its first official beach takeover. The company plans to occupy La Plage du Martinez from June 16 to 19, featuring a space designed by Jimmy Knowles, Canva’s global head of experiential marketing. The activation will include networking areas, towel service, and interactive stations where guests can create custom tote bags and ice pops while trying Canva’s products. The Canva Cabana will host programming in partnership with Variety, including panel discussions with industry leaders like Hilton CMO Mark Weinstein, Disney Global Ad President Rita Ferro, and musician-turned-entrepreneur will. i. am. Knowles explained that Canva’s 2025 Cannes campaign aims to engage marketing executives and highlight the company’s decade-long mission to empower organizations to design. The design of the space emphasizes Canva’s evolution from a consumer tool for simple designs to a platform facilitating collaboration and blending productivity with creativity. Although Canva declined to reveal its budget, Knowles confirmed the brand has tripled its Cannes investment since its initial activation three years ago. The space will be accessible to registered attendees and is designed to be inclusive with an “open doors, not velvet rope” policy. This launch follows Canva Create in Los Angeles, which attracted 3,500 attendees for keynotes and product demonstrations. Canva has participated in Cannes before but its 2025 beach takeover signals its intent to be taken seriously in the enterprise market. Over the past 18 months, Canva has expanded its positioning through campaigns like the U. K. 's "Design Against Dull" and the U. S. 's "Love Your Work," highlighting how its tools boost creativity at work. Alongside marketing efforts, Canva has introduced enterprise-focused features including Magic Studio, an AI suite to compete with Adobe Firefly, and enhanced administrative controls tailored for business clients. According to Canva, 95% of Fortune 500 companies use its platform, and notable enterprise customers include Reddit and Zoom. Despite growing awareness, Knowles notes that understanding of Canva’s capabilities among marketers remains limited, making Cannes a prime opportunity for feedback and engagement. Adobe, a long-time Cannes presence, will also have a prominent space in 2025, showcasing its role in campaigns like Coca-Cola’s global ‘Share a Coke’ and engaging creators through Adobe Express at LinkedIn’s Studio. While Canva’s 220 million users generated $2. 5 billion in revenue last year, it remains behind Adobe’s $21. 5 billion. Nonetheless, Canva’s intuitive user experience, viral growth, and business-oriented features provide it with potential to gradually penetrate enterprise toolkits. At Cannes, Canva will track metrics such as visitor traffic, engagement levels, and sales leads to measure the impact of its activation. Knowles emphasized that inspiring creativity among attendees is where the brand hopes to create lasting influence. --- Two former Interpublic Group executives have joined forces to create All&, an ad agency that offers comprehensive brand management and experience strategy. All& is co-founded and co-led by Jennifer Breithaupt, previously EVP and chief experience officer at IPG, and Suzanne Powers, formerly global chief product officer at McCann Worldgroup. Both bring extensive marketing expertise to the new venture. Powers highlighted the benefits of holding companies like IPG, which consolidate diverse agency capabilities under one roof. However, she wanted to replicate this model in a more open, flexible environment, leading to the creation of All&. The agency will make its soft debut at Cannes Lions 2025, working with Grammy-winning artist James Blake. Breithaupt described Blake as a “human brand” who sought a strategic, methodical approach to presenting himself to the world. According to Breithaupt, brands today face a critical moment where innovation and creativity are vital not only for relevance but also to win consumer loyalty. All& aims to fill a market gap by combining agency and brand-side perspectives to help clients align their goals and overcome challenges. Powers emphasized their willingness to support brands in various capacities, whether visibly leading projects or working behind the scenes. “We’re happy to make other people famous and help them be great,” she said. The agency name, All&, symbolizes their flexible approach. Breithaupt explained that it represents doing “all” and whatever else is needed to help clients achieve their ambitions. Powers added the name reflects their can-do attitude and ability to combine different expertise based on client needs. Though both came from IPG, Powers and Breithaupt had never worked together before. They connected over shared passions during a board meeting and found many common views on creativity, branding, and marketing strategy. Both admit to being marketing “geeks” and credit their alignment as well as complementary strengths. Powers brings creativity focus while Breithaupt offers structured marketing rigor, allowing for a balanced partnership where they collaborate effectively yet respect each other’s roles. --- Canva is significantly increasing its presence at the Cannes Lions festival by launching its first official beach takeover from June 16 to 19. The company will occupy La Plage du Martinez, transforming the space into an interactive venue designed by its global head of experiential marketing, Jimmy Knowles. The activation, called the Canva Cabana, will feature networking zones, towel service, and creative stations where attendees can design custom tote bags and enjoy ice pops while exploring Canva’s tools. In partnership with Variety, the space will host discussions with industry leaders such as Hilton CMO Mark Weinstein, Disney Global Ad President Rita Ferro, and musician-turned-entrepreneur will. i. am. Knowles said the goal is to engage marketers directly and communicate Canva’s long-term mission to empower organizations in design, focusing especially on CXOs and marketing teams. The design of the space highlights Canva’s evolution from a consumer-friendly tool to one that facilitates team collaboration and merges productivity with creativity. Although Canva did not disclose its budget, Knowles confirmed the company has tripled its Cannes investment since its first participation three years ago. The venue will maintain an open and inclusive atmosphere, welcoming all registered attendees without exclusivity. This expanded presence follows Canva’s recent successful event in Los Angeles, which attracted 3,500 participants for keynotes and product demos. While Canva has attended Cannes previously, this beach takeover marks a more assertive step toward establishing itself as a serious enterprise player. Over the past 18 months, Canva has launched several campaigns, including the UK’s “Design Against Dull” and the US’s “Love Your Work,” that emphasize creativity in the workplace. It has also introduced enterprise-focused features like Magic Studio, an AI suite aimed at competing with Adobe Firefly, along with enhanced admin and governance tools. Canva reports that 95% of Fortune 500 companies use its platform, with Canva Enterprise adopted by firms such as Reddit and Zoom. However, Knowles acknowledges awareness of Canva is still relatively shallow among business users, and the Cannes activation will serve as an opportunity to collect feedback and deepen understanding. Adobe remains a strong competitor at Cannes, hosting its own space near the Palais des Festivals and collaborating with Coca-Cola to showcase its role in the ‘Share a Coke’ campaign. Despite generating $2. 5 billion in revenue last year compared to Adobe’s $21. 5 billion, Canva’s fast user growth and user-friendly design give it a potential advantage in attracting new business users. At Cannes, Canva will measure success through foot traffic, attendee engagement, and the generation of sales leads, aiming to inspire creativity and demonstrate its growing enterprise value. --- Two former Interpublic Group (IPG) executives, Jennifer Breithaupt and Suzanne Powers, have launched a new advertising agency called All&. The agency focuses on managing brand teams and experiences with a flexible, client-centered approach. Breithaupt, formerly IPG's EVP and chief experience officer, and Powers, ex-global chief product officer at McCann Worldgroup, aim to unite expertise across disciplines without the constraints of traditional holding companies. "Holding companies are amazing," Powers said, "but I wanted to do the same work in a more open system. " All& will soft-launch next week at Cannes Lions 2025 during an event featuring Grammy-winning artist and producer James Blake. Breithaupt described Blake as a "human brand" seeking a strategic and methodical path to build his presence. Breithaupt emphasized a pivotal moment for brands needing creativity and innovation to secure relevance and consumer loyalty. She believes All& fills a marketplace gap by bridging agency and brand perspectives to align ambitions with challenges. Powers noted their willingness to assist brands regardless of whether their role is prominent or behind the scenes, stating, "We're happy to make other people famous and help them be great. " The agency's name, All&, reflects their commitment to flexibility and adaptability. Breithaupt explained, "It's 'all' plus whatever needs to happen to support a client's goals. " Powers added, "We aim for a 'we can' attitude, pulling together the expertise clients require rather than saying 'no, I can't. '" Although both had extensive IPG experience, Breithaupt and Powers had not worked together until recently. Their first meeting sparked a strong creative connection, recognizing shared values around creativity, brand power, and market design. They describe themselves as marketing "geeks" who bring complementary strengths: Powers excels in creativity, while Breithaupt focuses on structured, rigorous marketing. Together, they balance each other effectively, collaborating smoothly or working independently when needed. --- Chicago's tourism agency has unveiled a new $4 million advertising campaign featuring the slogan "Never Done. Never Outdone. " The campaign reflects a shift from the city's traditional Midwest friendliness to a bolder, more confident image. Choose Chicago President and CEO Kristen Reynolds, who recently joined after leading Discover Long Island, described the slogan as a symbol of Chicago's readiness to "elevate, but also dominate. " The campaign debuted at Wintrust Arena ahead of the U. S. Travel Association’s IPW trade show, aiming to increase visitor numbers that have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels. The campaign video includes a narration by Grammy-winning Chicago poet J. Ivy and showcases Chicago's vibrant sports culture, neighborhood festivals, lakefront views, and culinary scene. Mayor Brandon Johnson praised the campaign for its honest and authentic portrayal of the city. Choose Chicago, which faced layoffs and budget cuts during the pandemic, now has an annual budget slightly above its 2019 level. The campaign development took 18 months and incorporated extensive community input through listening sessions, focus groups, and research. "We were really sick and tired of people telling us who we are," said Lisa Nucci, Choose Chicago’s chief marketing officer. "We wanted our brand to tell the world who we really are, not just why they should come here. "The campaign will run in Chicago, other major U. S. cities, and internationally in markets including the United Kingdom, Japan, Mexico, and Brazil. Reynolds noted that recent national scrutiny linked to federal immigration policies does not reflect the city itself. "This is not a city problem. This is a political problem, and we are not alone in that fight," she said, emphasizing Chicago’s appeal to its 55 million visitors from last year. --- Pinterest announced a partnership with affiliate shopping platform LTK to automatically cross-post top-performing LTK image posts onto Pinterest. LTK (short for "like to know") enables influencers to share shoppable posts, focusing on tutorials, demonstrations, and local fashion discovery by brand ambassadors and creators. This model closely aligns with Pinterest’s existing product listings, though the current partnership is limited to image posts. According to The Verge, shared LTK posts on Pinterest include links to the influencer’s profile and tagged products, aiming to increase affiliate revenue by exposing creators to Pinterest’s large user base. LTK serves 40 million monthly users searching through products from over one million brands. Pinterest’s audience, meanwhile, has grown to 570 million monthly active users, primarily using the platform for shopping discovery rather than social networking. This collaboration strengthens Pinterest’s focus on shopping by expanding its product catalog. Pinterest already partners with Amazon, Shopify, and WooCommerce to integrate direct listings, and LTK adds to this network, enhancing Pinterest’s shopping capabilities. While some analysts suggest a possible merger or acquisition might make strategic sense given the overlapping services, this partnership allows both companies to grow independently while reaching wider audiences. Future expansions of the collaboration may be considered if successful. --- The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 revealed its winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce awarded to the "Used Barbie Dream Cars" campaign by MRM for General Motors/CarBravo. The campaign capitalized on the Barbie toy car trend by reselling the cars on a Shopify site mirroring its main platform, reinforcing the brand's fair pricing message and resulting in a 91x return on investment. The President's Award went to Dentsu Creative New York for its "Returning Creativity" campaign for Crayola, which also won Gold in the PR category. This nostalgic, multi-channel campaign used original research to highlight creativity's importance for children and parents, sparking a national conversation and encouraging creative engagement. The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas is the final leg of a global series, following events in APAC and EMEA regions. All ceremonies were streamed live and are available on demand via The Drum TV. Key category winners include:AI: "Smarter Campaigns, Better Results" by Monks for HeadspaceAdvertising: "David and Dave" by Artists Equity for Stella ArtoisB2B: "Workday Presents: The Rock Stars of Business World Tour" by Ogilvy for Workday; "By America’s Side" by Stein IAS for Mack TrucksCPG/FMCG: "Sasquatch in the Skies" by Padilla for Jack Link’s SnacksCharity/Not for Profit: "Doors of Opportunity" by Fuse Create for Soles4SoulsConsumer Tech: "Reimagining Oura Ring’s E-Commerce Experience" by Instrument for OuraCreative Innovation: "Wäsche of the Wild" by Zulu Alpha Kilo for Destination BCDigital Experience: "Lipton Zero: The Virtual Sampling Hack That Changed the Game" by RocknRolla Guatemala for Lipton – CBC GuatemalaEntertainment: "The Last Barf Bag" by FCB Chicago for Dramamine; "It’s Showtime: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice" by Hearts & Science for Warner BrosFashion and Beauty: "Disney x Balmain" by Disney Consumer Products for The Walt Disney CompanyHealthcare and Pharma: "Serious Foreplay" by Fuck Cancer & The Variable for Fuck CancerMedia Innovation: "Moon Music Lands on Roblox" by Gamefam, Warner Music Group & Parlophone Records; "10 Bricks Infinite Play" by Snapchat for The Lego GroupPR: "Returning Creativity" by Dentsu Creative New York for CrayolaSustainability & Responsibility: "Endless Runway" by Edelman for eBay; "Indeed’s Rising Voices Season 4" by IndeedTechnology Innovation: "NBC Big Board: Setting the Standard for Data Journalism" by Code and Theory for NBCUniversalFor the full list of Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, visit The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas website. Award-winning case studies are also available online. --- Media buyers are increasingly reviewing their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships, aiming to allocate budgets to more transparent and client-aligned platforms. This sentiment emerged during Digiday’s Programmatic Marketing Summit and a subsequent virtual town hall held on June 6 under Chatham House Rule. Participants discussed the evolving ad tech landscape, including the impact of rising players and the need for market consolidation. Microsoft’s Closure of Xandr DSP: Microsoft Advertising’s decision to shut down Xandr’s DSP has created opportunities for smaller competitors. Attendees noted that Xandr’s flagship relationship with Netflix hindered its success, citing expensive and limited Netflix inventory and inadequate measurement options. Many advertisers held off due to high costs, leading to frustration directed at Xandr rather than Netflix. Amazon DSP’s Growing Influence: Amazon Ads has become the third-largest DSP, leveraging free supply-side platform services for publishers as a competitive edge. Though still developing, Amazon’s access to first-party data through Amazon Marketing Cloud offers advantages over other platforms relying on third-party data. Some buyers expressed concern over Amazon’s expanding dominance and its potential to replicate Google’s market power, emphasizing Amazon’s focus on self-interest. Customer Support Challenges at Google: Despite Google’s leading market position, media buyers expressed dissatisfaction with its advertiser support, describing it as limited and reliant on generic help center articles—even for large spenders. The ongoing antitrust proceedings against Google have buyers monitoring potential changes, including the possible separation of DV 360, which could disrupt the DSP market. The Trade Desk’s Sophistication and Pricing Concerns: The Trade Desk was recognized as the most advanced DSP, yet participants criticized its complex fee structure and high costs. Users described its ongoing Kokai platform rollout and Deal Desk features as difficult to navigate, contrasting it with Google’s more predictable API functionality. Transparency around fees remains a significant concern. Overall, media buyers are reassessing their DSP strategies amidst shifting dynamics, seeking platforms that balance efficiency, transparency, and client service. --- Retail media networks are experiencing rapid growth, attracting interest from financial institutions like Chase and Revolut. PayPal, which launched its advertising services in October 2024, has introduced a new tool called Transaction Graph. This tool segments audiences based on purchase data from PayPal’s platforms, including Honey, PayPal, and Venmo. Transaction Graph utilizes data from 30 million merchants and 400 million global consumers, covering roughly 25% of worldwide commerce. Mark Grether, senior vice president of PayPal Ads, told Digiday that this data provides a deeper understanding of consumer behavior compared to competitors, detailing what, when, and where consumers buy. PayPal operates in 200 markets and highlights its insight into diverse user groups, such as the “young, urban, social” demographic active on Venmo. Since its U. S. launch, PayPal Ads has expanded to the U. K. and Germany. By analyzing transactions across all merchants, PayPal can estimate market share and advise brands on how to grow their presence. Grether noted that the platform supports measuring advertising impact both for individual merchants and across the broader merchant network. Transaction Graph has been in beta for eight months and is already used by advertisers including Target, Best Buy, and Verizon. While specific campaign results have not been disclosed, PayPal collaborates with measurement firms like Lucid and InMarket to validate effectiveness. Grether emphasized, "Transactions are the new cookie," highlighting enhanced confidence, security, and trust in their advertising approach. eMarketer forecasts that by 2029, retail media will account for more than 20% of digital media spending. Industry events such as the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity are showcasing retail media innovations, with companies like Nectar360 and Albertsons Media Collective hosting dedicated activities. Tim Ringel, Global CEO of Meet the People, observes that the initial hype around retail and financial media networks is fading, making way for practical applications and creative use cases. --- The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 have revealed their winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce awarded to MRM for General Motors/CarBravo’s Used Barbie Dream Cars campaign. This initiative creatively capitalized on the Barbie toy car trend, using a Shopify site to promote fair pricing and boost actual car sales, achieving a 91x return on investment. The President’s Award, presented by jury leader Prateek Sood of Mastercard, went to Dentsu Creative New York for their Returning Creativity campaign for Crayola. The campaign used nostalgia, original research, and a multi-channel earned media strategy to emphasize creativity as a vital priority for children and parents, sparking nationwide conversation and encouraging family engagement with creativity. This campaign also won Gold in the PR category. The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas is the final leg of a global series, following recent events for APAC and EMEA regions. All events were streamed live and are available on-demand via The Drum TV. Below are highlights of the Gold winners across various categories:Grand Prix: Used Barbie Dream Cars – MRM for General Motors/CarBravoPresident’s Award: Returning Creativity – Dentsu Creative New York for CrayolaAI: Smarter Campaigns, Better Results: How AI Helped Headspace Deliver Joy and Reduce Stress – Monks for HeadspaceAdvertising: David and Dave – Artists Equity for Stella ArtoisB2B: Workday Presents: The Rock Stars of Business World Tour – Ogilvy for Workday; By America’s Side: Driving Mack Trucks Forward into the Future – Stein IAS for Mack TrucksCPG/FMCG: Sasquatch in the Skies: Jack Link’s Takes National Jerky Day 2024 to New Heights – Padilla for Jack Link’s SnacksCharity or Not for Profit: Doors of Opportunity – Fuse Create for Soles4SoulsConsumer Tech: Reimagining Oura Ring’s E-Commerce Experience – Instrument for OuraContent: Undone – Turbo Tax Canada; Diss-Mas – Virtue Worldwide for MGA EntertainmentCreative: Reese’s at the Big Game. It’s Lava Time, Baby! – Erich & Kallman for The Hershey CompanyCreative Innovation: Wäsche of the Wild – Zulu Alpha Kilo for Destination BCDigital Commerce: Used Barbie Dream Cars – MRM for General Motors/CarBravoDigital Experience: Lipton Zero: The Virtual Sampling Hack That Changed the Game – RocknRolla Guatemala for Lipton – CBC GuatemalaDisruption: Change the Board Game/SMD – Billups for Elf BeautyEnergy and Industry: Push Unleaded 88: Nature Will Thank You – Little Big Engine for Growth EnergyEntertainment: The Last Barf Bag – FCB Chicago for Dramamine; It’s Showtime: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice – Hearts & Science for Warner BrosExperience: Ford’s Michigan Central Open – Civic for Ford Motor CompanyFashion and Beauty: Disney x Balmain, celebrating 30 years of the beloved film for a fashion-loving audience – Disney Consumer Products for The Walt Disney CompanyFinance: Undone – Turbo Tax CanadaFood and Beverage: Shake That Ess – Artists Equity for Dunkin’ by Inspire Brands; Arby’s Free Sandwich Month – Fallon for Arby’sGaming: Leveling Up Reality: Qiddiya’s Global Gaming Takeover – Mas for QiddiyaGovernment or Public Sector: OECTA Know More – Pound & Grain Digital Inc for Ontario English Catholic School TeachersHealthcare and Pharma: Serious Foreplay – Fuck Cancer & The Variable for Fuck CancerMedia: It’s Showtime: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice – Hearts & Science for Warner BrosMedia Innovation: Moon Music Lands on Roblox: Coldplay Reels in the Next Generation of Fans – Gamefam, Warner Music Group & Parlophone Records; 10 Bricks Infinite Play – Snapchat for The Lego GroupMetaverse: It’s Showtime: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice – Hearts & Science for Warner BrosOOH: Verizon Super Bowl FanFest – Momentum Worldwide for VerizonPR: Returning Creativity – Dentsu Creative New York for CrayolaRebrand or Relaunch: Getting There Starts Here – McCann New York for State Street Global AdvisorsRetail: Diss-Mas – Virtue Worldwide for MGA EntertainmentRising Star: Rising Star: Olivia Clarke Turns Limits into Leadership – NeboSearch: The Mixer: The Perfect Serve of Cocktails and Search – Greenpark for Campari GroupSocial Media: Shake That Ess – Artists Equity for Dunkin’, Inspire Brands; Nutter Butter, You Good? – Dentsu Creative New York for Mondelez InternationalSocial Purpose: Change the Board Game/SMD – Billups for Elf BeautySustainability & Responsibility: Endless Runway – Edelman for eBay; Indeed’s Rising Voices Season 4 – IndeedTechnology Innovation: NBC Big Board: Setting the Standard for Data Journalism – Code and Theory for NBCUniversalTravel and Tourism: Hopper’s Travel Deal Tuesday – HopperFor detailed case studies and the full list of winners, visit The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas website. --- Media buyers are reconsidering their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships amid ongoing changes in the ad tech landscape. Attendees at Digiday’s recent Programmatic Marketing Summit expressed interest in shifting spending toward more transparent platforms that better meet client needs. A virtual town hall held on June 6, under Chatham House Rule, revealed concerns about market leaders' risk-reward profiles and highlighted a potential need for consolidation in the DSP sector. Microsoft’s Exit from Xandr DSPMicrosoft Advertising’s decision to close its Xandr DSP has sparked significant discussion. Industry insiders indicated that the platform’s close ties to Netflix limited its appeal. Advertisers viewed Netflix inventory as costly and underdeveloped, leading to low adoption at launch. Many advertisers delayed engagement, awaiting reduced prices and improved measurement tools. This frustration primarily impacted Xandr's reputation negatively, marking the closure as a notable setback. Amazon’s Growing Influence Raises Mixed ReactionsAmazon Ads has emerged as the third-largest DSP, challenging The Trade Desk for second place. Its zero-fee supply-side platform offers publishers a competitive edge, though participants described its capabilities as still evolving. Amazon provides access to its Marketing Cloud data, regarded as more accurate first-party data compared to third-party sources used by competitors. However, some caution against Amazon becoming a dominant, inflexible player that prioritizes its own interests over advertisers’. “Amazon is not on our side,” one source said, adding that it will likely push competitors out over time. Customer Support Concerns with GoogleDespite its market dominance, Google faces criticism from media buyers for inadequate customer support, a problem echoed during recent antitrust proceedings. Sources reported limited assistance unless spending reaches extremely high levels, often receiving only generic help-center responses. Some buyers remain loyal due to Google’s strong inventory performance but are watching antitrust developments closely. A potential breakup affecting Google’s DV360 platform could dramatically shift the DSP market dynamics. The Trade Desk: Sophisticated but CostlyParticipants praised The Trade Desk for its advanced tools but criticized its complex and opaque fee structures. Comparisons to Amazon’s simpler DSP highlighted frustrations with The Trade Desk’s frequent changes and difficult-to-access documentation. One participant described the rollout of new features like the Kokai and Deal Desk as chaotic, making integration and usage challenging. The lack of pricing transparency requires significant effort to fully understand a campaign's total cost. --- Retail media networks are experiencing rapid growth, attracting significant interest from financial institutions such as Chase and Revolut. PayPal, which introduced its advertising platform in October 2024, has launched a new tool called Transaction Graph. This tool segments audiences based on purchase data collected across PayPal’s properties, including Honey, PayPal itself, and Venmo. Transaction Graph draws on data from 30 million merchants and 400 million consumers globally, representing about 25% of worldwide commerce. According to Mark Grether, PayPal Ads' senior vice president, this extensive data set offers superior insights into consumer purchasing behavior compared to single retailers. Operating in 200 markets, PayPal highlights its ability to profile diverse user groups, citing for example the “young, urban, social” Venmo users. After launching PayPal Ads in the U. S. , the platform expanded to the U. K. and Germany earlier this year. By analyzing transactions across multiple merchants, PayPal claims it can help brands understand market share and identify opportunities to increase sales incrementally across various retailers. The Transaction Graph has been in beta for eight months, with advertisers including Target, Best Buy, and Verizon utilizing the tool. PayPal is collaborating with measurement firms like Lucid and InMarket but has not disclosed detailed campaign outcomes. Grether summarized the advantage of transactional data by stating, “Transactions are the new cookie,” emphasizing enhanced confidence, security, and trust as PayPal grows its advertising business. Retail media is projected by eMarketer to capture more than 20% of digital media spending by 2029. Industry events like the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity are expected to showcase new innovations and use cases in retail and financial media networks. Tim Ringel, CEO of Meet the People, notes that the sector is moving beyond hype toward practical applications. --- Some companies now offer customers the option to opt out of emails related to sensitive occasions like Father’s Day. While intended to show empathy, the increasing volume of these opt-out messages has left many grieving individuals feeling overwhelmed, raising questions about whether this is true compassion or a marketing tactic. Charlotte Andrews lost her father to vascular dementia in 2020. Initially, she welcomed UK florist Bloom & Wild’s initiative to let customers avoid Father’s Day emails, seeing it as a rare act of sensitivity. But as more companies adopted the practice, Andrews found herself receiving more opt-out requests than actual Father’s Day promotions, which felt intrusive. Julie Lamont, a grief counsellor at Butterflies Bereavement Support in Hampshire, believes the idea began with good intentions. "The concept is lovely, it comes from compassion and understanding," she said. However, as the trend grew, she described it as a "marketing ploy" that can become distressing for those dealing with loss, undermining their sense of control and potentially causing feelings of manipulation. Bloom & Wild’s co-founder Aron Gelbard explained that the opt-out option originated from customer requests in 2019. He said the positive response was unexpected, with 17,000 customers opting out within 24 hours. Despite fears it might reduce sales, customers reportedly placed more orders at other times, perceiving the brand more favorably. The company later launched the Thoughtful Marketing Movement to encourage others to adopt similar practices. However, Gelbard observed that as unrelated brands jumped on board, the gesture lost authenticity and felt performative. He also acknowledged the overload of opt-out emails, with some people receiving dozens or even hundreds yearly. In response, Bloom & Wild ceased sending opt-out emails in 2024, instead offering a preference centre on their website where customers can mute messages about occasions like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Valentine’s Day, without specific email prompts. Marketing expert Vikki Randles of Fresh Perspective Marketing supports the opt-out concept when used sincerely. "It has to be authentic," she said, noting it works if the products relate directly to the occasion. Randles questioned the motive when unrelated products, such as children’s toys, use this approach. Despite her own loss, she usually does not opt out of Father’s Day emails, as she still buys gifts for her husband on behalf of their children. For many, Father’s Day remains a difficult time. As brands balance empathy with engagement, providing customers the choice to quiet communications may be the most respectful approach. If you or someone you know is affected by grief or bereavement, support is available through BBC Action Line. --- The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 have revealed their winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce awarded to MRM for General Motors/CarBravo's 'Used Barbie Dream Cars' campaign. The initiative capitalized on the Barbie toy car craze by selling and reselling them at fair prices through a Shopify site, reinforcing the brand's honest-pricing message and driving significant car sales with a 91x ROI. Jury leader Prateek Sood from Mastercard presented the President’s Award to Dentsu Creative New York for its 'Returning Creativity' campaign for Crayola. The project used nostalgia, original research, and a multi-channel earned media approach to highlight creativity as a vital element for children and parents, sparking broad engagement. The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas is part of a global series, following recent events for APAC and EMEA regions. The ceremonies were streamed live and remain available on The Drum TV. Below is a selection of Gold winners from the Americas event:Grand Prix: 'Used Barbie Dream Cars' by MRM for General Motors/CarBravoPresident’s Award: 'Returning Creativity' by Dentsu Creative New York for CrayolaAI: 'Smarter Campaigns, Better Results' by Monks for HeadspaceAdvertising: 'David and Dave' by Artists Equity for Stella ArtoisB2B: 'Workday Presents: The Rock Stars of Business World Tour' by Ogilvy for Workday; 'By America’s Side' by Stein IAS for Mack TrucksConsumer Tech: 'Reimagining Oura Ring’s E-Commerce Experience' by Instrument for OuraCreative Innovation: 'Wäsche of the Wild' by Zulu Alpha Kilo for Destination BCDigital Experience: 'Lipton Zero: The Virtual Sampling Hack That Changed the Game' by RocknRolla Guatemala for Lipton – CBC GuatemalaEntertainment: 'The Last Barf Bag' by FCB Chicago for Dramamine; 'It’s Showtime: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice' by Hearts & Science for Warner BrosPR: 'Returning Creativity' by Dentsu Creative New York for CrayolaSocial Media: 'Shake That Ess' by Artists Equity for Dunkin’, Inspire Brands; 'Nutter Butter, You Good? ' by Dentsu Creative New York for Mondelez InternationalSustainability & Responsibility: 'Endless Runway' by Edelman for eBay; 'Indeed’s Rising Voices Season 4' by IndeedTechnology Innovation: 'NBC Big Board: Setting the Standard for Data Journalism' by Code and Theory for NBCUniversalFor a full list of Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners and access to detailed case studies, visit The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas website. --- Media buyers at Digiday's Programmatic Marketing Summit expressed interest in reassessing their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships amid ongoing changes in the ad tech landscape. They highlighted a preference for more transparent platforms that better serve client needs. Concerns were raised regarding the growing influence of Amazon's DSP, which is positioning itself as a key competitor to established leaders like The Trade Desk and Google DV360. This discussion prompted a follow-up virtual session for deeper analysis. Microsoft’s Exit from Xandr DSPOne significant 2025 development is Microsoft Advertising’s planned shutdown of its Xandr DSP. Industry insiders noted that its close association with Netflix may have limited growth, as advertisers found Netflix’s inventory costly and underdeveloped, leading to low adoption. Issues with activation frustrated advertisers, with Xandr bearing the negative perception. Many awaited cheaper pricing and enhanced measurement options from Netflix, but the DSP ultimately faced substantial setbacks. Amazon DSP’s Rise and Market ImpactAmazon has climbed to become the third-largest DSP, leveraging zero-fee services for publishers through its supply-side platform. Despite operational challenges, Amazon’s access to first-party data via Amazon Marketing Cloud offers a competitive edge over platforms relying on third-party data reconciled through mechanisms like UID2. While Amazon’s DSP is still evolving, its resources suggest it could rapidly scale. However, some media buyers remain cautious, fearing Amazon might replicate Google’s dominance and restrict advertiser options to maximize its own gains. Google Lags in Customer SupportCustomer dissatisfaction with Google surfaced prominently, with many media buyers reporting minimal support unless spending at very high levels. Support often defaults to help center articles or reseller channels, frustrating advertisers despite Google's strong ad inventory performance. Some participants hope Amazon’s consumer-centric approach will translate into better support for advertisers as it challenges Google’s position. Additionally, ongoing antitrust proceedings against Google may alter the DSP market dynamics, particularly if DV360 is divested, which could impact its value significantly. The Trade Desk’s Sophistication Comes at a CostThe Trade Desk was recognized as the most advanced DSP in terms of tools but criticized for its pricing model. Participants described the platform as costly, with fees that require complex calculations to fully understand. Issues with API documentation and ongoing feature rollouts like Kokai and Deal Desk experiments add operational challenges. Compared to Google’s more predictable API, The Trade Desk presents a less stable experience with frequent changes. Overall, media buyers face a shifting DSP environment marked by strategic exits, rising competition, and ongoing concerns around transparency and customer support. --- Retail media networks continue to thrive, attracting financial institutions like Chase and Revolut. PayPal, active in advertising since October 2024, recently introduced Transaction Graph, a new tool for advertisers operating both onsite and offsite. Transaction Graph segments audiences based on purchase data across PayPal’s platforms: Honey, PayPal, and Venmo. The company highlights its advantage by accessing data from 30 million merchants and 400 million global consumers, covering about 25% of global commerce. "We have a much better understanding than competitors of consumer purchase behavior—what they buy, when, where, and in what order," said Mark Grether, PayPal Ads’ senior vice president. "From an advertiser’s perspective, we can answer many more questions than a single retailer can. "PayPal operates in 200 markets worldwide, leveraging insights about diverse consumer groups. For example, it identifies the typical "young, urban, social" demographic active on Venmo. After launching PayPal Ads in the U. S. , the service expanded to the U. K. and Germany earlier this year. Because PayPal aggregates transaction data across multiple merchants, it can estimate market shares and advise brands on expanding theirs. "We can assist with incrementality not only from a single merchant but across all merchants," Grether explained. Transaction Graph has been in beta for eight months and is already used by advertisers such as Target, Best Buy, and Verizon. Although specific campaign results were not disclosed, PayPal collaborates with nearly a dozen full-funnel measurement firms including Lucid and InMarket. "Transactions are the new cookie," Grether stated, highlighting improved confidence, security, and trust in building this ad business. According to eMarketer forecasts, retail media will capture more than 20% of digital media spending by 2029. More announcements from retailers and financial institutions about their media networks are expected in the coming weeks. At the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, notable retail media events are scheduled, such as Nectar360's retail media summit and Albertsons Media Collective's pop-up grocery store at MediaLink beach. Tim Ringel, Global CEO of Meet the People, emphasized the transition from hype to practical applications in retail and financial media networks. --- In recent years, companies have introduced opt-out emails for sensitive occasions like Father's Day, aiming to show empathy toward those grieving. However, for some, these messages feel intrusive, raising questions about whether they represent sincere compassion or marketing tactics. Charlotte Andrews shares her experience after losing her father in 2020. She recalls the initial sensitivity shown by UK florist Bloom & Wild, which pioneered offering customers the choice to stop receiving emails about events like Father's Day and Mother's Day. What began as a thoughtful gesture soon became overwhelming, as numerous companies adopted the opt-out approach, leading to an influx of such emails. Juliet Lamont, a grief counsellor from Butterflies Bereavement Support, explains that while the original idea came from compassion, the expanding use of opt-out emails turned them into a potential source of distress for those coping with loss. She highlights that these unsolicited messages can serve as painful reminders, making individuals feel manipulated and losing control over their grieving process. Aron Gelbard, co-founder of Bloom & Wild, revealed that the opt-out option started in response to customer requests in 2019. The company saw a large positive response, with 17,000 customers opting out within 24 hours. Contrary to fears, sales improved during other times of the year, as customers appreciated the company's sensitivity. Bloom & Wild later launched the Thoughtful Marketing Movement, encouraging other businesses to offer similar options. However, as unrelated brands began imitating the practice, the initiative lost some authenticity. Gelbard noted that recipients were overwhelmed by the volume of opt-out emails, sometimes receiving dozens or even hundreds annually. In 2024, Bloom & Wild ceased sending opt-out emails, instead providing a preference center on their website where customers can mute emails related to various occasions without receiving direct prompts. Marketing expert Vikki Randles supports the idea of opt-out emails when they align with a company’s products and audience, citing the importance of authenticity. She cautions that brands unrelated to the occasion might appear insincere. Despite her own experience with loss, Randles often retains Father's Day emails, as she still shops for gifts on behalf of her family. Father's Day remains a sensitive time for many. As companies navigate the balance between empathy and marketing, offering individuals control over communications may be the most respectful approach. If you or someone you know is affected by grief, support is available through BBC Action Line. --- The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 has revealed its winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce awarded to MRM for General Motors/CarBravo's 'Used Barbie Dream Cars' campaign. The campaign capitalized on the Barbie toy car trend by creating a Shopify site that mirrored its main platform to promote fair pricing and boost real car sales, achieving a 91x return on investment. The President’s Award was presented by jury leader Prateek Sood of Mastercard to Dentsu Creative New York for 'Returning Creativity' for Crayola. This campaign used nostalgia, original research, and a multi-channel earned media approach to highlight the importance of creativity for children and parents, sparking national dialogue and encouraging creative engagement. The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas is the final event of a global series, following recent ceremonies in APAC and EMEA regions. All events were streamed live and are available on-demand via The Drum TV. Below are select Gold winners from the Americas event:Grand Prix & Digital Commerce: 'Used Barbie Dream Cars' by MRM for General Motors/CarBravoPresident’s Award & PR: 'Returning Creativity' by Dentsu Creative New York for CrayolaAI: 'Smarter Campaigns, Better Results' by Monks for HeadspaceAdvertising: 'David and Dave' by Artists Equity for Stella ArtoisB2B: 'Workday Presents: The Rock Stars of Business World Tour' by Ogilvy for Workday; 'By America’s Side' by Stein IAS for Mack TrucksCPG/FMCG: 'Sasquatch in the Skies' by Padilla for Jack Link’s SnacksCharity or Not for Profit: 'Doors of Opportunity' by Fuse Create for Soles4SoulsConsumer Tech: 'Reimagining Oura Ring’s E-Commerce Experience' by Instrument for OuraCreative Innovation: 'Wäsche of the Wild' by Zulu Alpha Kilo for Destination BCEnergy and Industry: 'Push Unleaded 88: Nature Will Thank You' by Little Big Engine for Growth EnergyEntertainment: 'The Last Barf Bag' by FCB Chicago for Dramamine; 'It’s Showtime: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice' by Hearts & Science for Warner BrosFashion and Beauty: 'Disney x Balmain' by Disney Consumer Products for The Walt Disney CompanyFinance: 'Undone' by Turbo Tax CanadaFood and Beverage: 'Shake That Ess' by Artists Equity for Dunkin’ by Inspire Brands; 'Arby’s Free Sandwich Month' by Fallon for Arby’sGaming: 'Leveling Up Reality: Qiddiya’s Global Gaming Takeover' by Mas for QiddiyaHealthcare and Pharma: 'Serious Foreplay' by Fuck Cancer & The Variable for Fuck CancerMedia Innovation: 'Moon Music Lands on Roblox' by Gamefam, Warner Music Group & Parlophone Records; '10 Bricks Infinite Play' by Snapchat for The Lego GroupOOH: 'Verizon Super Bowl FanFest' by Momentum Worldwide for VerizonRebrand or Relaunch: 'Getting There Starts Here' by McCann New York for State Street Global AdvisorsSocial Purpose: 'Change the Board Game/SMD' by Billups for Elf BeautySustainability & Responsibility: 'Endless Runway' by Edelman for eBay; 'Indeed’s Rising Voices Season 4' by IndeedTechnology Innovation: 'NBC Big Board: Setting the Standard for Data Journalism' by Code and Theory for NBCUniversalA full list of Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners and case studies is available on The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas website. --- Media buyers at Digiday’s recent Programmatic Marketing Summit voiced a strong interest in reassessing their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships. They seek more transparent platforms that better align with client goals as ad tech dynamics continue to evolve. A virtual follow-up session was organized to discuss the impact of emerging trends, such as Amazon’s growing DSP presence and its potential to challenge market leaders like The Trade Desk and Google’s DV360. Microsoft's Xandr DSP ClosureMicrosoft Advertising's planned shutdown of its Xandr DSP stands as one of 2025’s major ad tech developments, creating openings for smaller players. Participants suggested Microsoft’s association with Netflix may have hindered Xandr’s success. “I spoke with somebody at Xandr recently, and they told me the whole initiative was a massive fail for a variety of reasons,” one attendee remarked, highlighting complaints about Netflix’s limited and costly inventory, which deterred advertisers. Issues with activation surfaced as well, which reflected poorly on Xandr rather than Netflix, according to the source. Many advertisers awaited improvements in pricing and measurement before committing, leaving Xandr to bear much of the criticism. Amazon Ads: Growth Amid ConcernsAmazon’s DSP has steadily climbed to become the third-largest platform, presenting competitive challenges to The Trade Desk and Google. Its zero-fee supply-side platform services offer a market advantage despite operational rough edges. “They haven’t really marketed their open market capabilities, and they’re still trying to work it out, but they give you the Amazon Marketing Cloud data to play with,” a participant said, comparing this benefit favorably against Google’s reliance on third-party identifiers. While Amazon Ads remains a work in progress, its capacity to scale quickly is notable. Still, media buyers expressed wariness, fearing it could evolve into a dominant, inflexible entity similar to Google, prioritizing its own interests over advertisers’. “Amazon is not on our side,” one source warned. Customer Support Challenges at GoogleCustomer dissatisfaction with Google’s support services was a recurring theme. Despite large ad spends, many buyers experience limited assistance beyond standard help articles. “You don’t get lots of support unless you’re spending millions and millions and millions of dollars a month,” said one attendee. Another added that direct support was phased out years ago, pushing clients to rely on resellers or email tickets with little success. Nonetheless, advertisers often tolerate these issues due to Google’s strong inventory performance. Some are watching ongoing antitrust proceedings closely, as a potential breakup affecting DV360 could disrupt the DSP market significantly. The Trade Desk’s Sophistication and Cost ConcernsThe Trade Desk was recognized as the most advanced DSP but criticized for escalating costs and complex fee structures. Attendees likened it to “the Spirit Airlines of the DSP world” due to numerous additional charges. One participant described recent API changes and new features as “a nightmare” due to poor documentation and inconsistent performance, contrasting this with the relative predictability of Google’s API. Frustration over pricing transparency was common, with some noting that understanding total fees requires extensive analysis, as the platform makes it deliberately challenging. Overall, media buyers are reassessing their DSP options amid market consolidation, rising competition, and shifting support and pricing practices across leading platforms. --- Financial institutions are increasingly entering the retail media space, traditionally dominated by retail giants, with PayPal among them. Since launching its advertising services in October 2024, PayPal has introduced Transaction Graph, a tool that segments audiences based on purchasing data from its platforms including Honey, PayPal, and Venmo. Transaction Graph aggregates data from 30 million merchants and 400 million global consumers, representing roughly 25% of global commerce. This broad data access gives PayPal detailed insights into consumer purchase behaviors, such as what, when, and where they buy, surpassing the capabilities of individual retailers. Mark Grether, senior vice president of PayPal Ads, emphasized the company's ability to analyze transactions across all merchants to help brands identify market share opportunities and measure incremental growth beyond single merchants. Operating in 200 markets, PayPal highlights the diversity of its user base, citing the example of young, urban Venmo users. Since its U. S. launch, PayPal Ads has expanded into the U. K. and Germany. The Transaction Graph tool has been in beta for eight months and is already employed by advertisers such as Target, Best Buy, and Verizon. PayPal is collaborating with multiple measurement providers including Lucid and InMarket to evaluate campaign effectiveness. Grether referred to transaction data as "the new cookie," offering enhanced confidence, security, and trust in digital advertising. According to eMarketer, retail media is projected to capture over 20% of all digital media spending by 2029, signaling strong industry growth. At the upcoming Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, retail and financial media networks will showcase innovative use cases and creative campaigns. Events like Nectar360’s retail media summit and Albertsons Media Collective’s pop-up grocery store highlight the sector’s momentum. Tim Ringel, Global CEO of Meet the People, noted that the retail media space is moving beyond hype into practical applications. --- The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 revealed its winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce going to MRM for General Motors/CarBravo’s ‘Used Barbie Dream Cars’ campaign. The campaign creatively leveraged the Barbie toy car trend to buy and resell them at fair prices through a Shopify site, promoting the brand's honest pricing and boosting actual car sales with a 91x return on investment. Prateek Sood of Mastercard, jury leader, awarded the President’s Award to Dentsu Creative New York for ‘Returning Creativity’ for Crayola. This campaign combined nostalgia, original research, and a multi-channel earned media strategy to highlight creativity as crucial for children and parents, sparking a national conversation and encouraging family engagement in creative activities. It also won Gold in the PR category. The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas forms the third part of a global series, following the APAC and EMEA awards. All ceremonies were streamed live and are available on demand via The Drum TV. Below are selected Gold winners from the Americas event. Full lists of Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners are available on The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas website. Grand Prix: ‘Used Barbie Dream Cars’ by MRM for General Motors/CarBravo President’s Award: ‘Returning Creativity’ by Dentsu Creative New York for Crayola AI: ‘Smarter Campaigns, Better Results’ by Monks for Headspace Advertising: ‘David and Dave’ by Artists Equity for Stella Artois B2B: ‘Workday Presents: The Rock Stars of Business World Tour’ by Ogilvy for Workday and ‘By America’s Side: Driving Mack Trucks Forward into the Future’ by Stein IAS for Mack Trucks CPG/FMCG: ‘Sasquatch in the Skies: Jack Link’s Takes National Jerky Day 2024 to New Heights’ by Padilla for Jack Link’s Snacks Charity/Not for Profit: ‘Doors of Opportunity’ by Fuse Create for Soles4Souls Consumer Tech: ‘Reimagining Oura Ring’s E-Commerce Experience’ by Instrument for Oura Content: ‘Undone’ by Turbo Tax Canada and ‘Diss-Mas’ by Virtue Worldwide for MGA Entertainment Creative: ‘Reese’s at the Big Game. It’s Lava Time, Baby! ’ by Erich & Kallman for The Hershey Company Creative Innovation: ‘Wäsche of the Wild’ by Zulu Alpha Kilo for Destination BC Digital Experience: ‘Lipton Zero: The Virtual Sampling Hack That Changed the Game’ by RocknRolla Guatemala for Lipton – CBC Guatemala Disruption: ‘Change the Board Game/SMD’ by Billups for Elf Beauty Energy and Industry: ‘Push Unleaded 88: Nature Will Thank You’ by Little Big Engine for Growth Energy Entertainment: ‘The Last Barf Bag’ by FCB Chicago for Dramamine and ‘It’s Showtime: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’ by Hearts & Science for Warner Bros Experience: ‘Ford’s Michigan Central Open’ by Civic for Ford Motor Company Fashion and Beauty: ‘Disney x Balmain’ by Disney Consumer Products for The Walt Disney Company Finance: ‘Undone’ by Turbo Tax Canada Food and Beverage: ‘Shake That Ess’ by Artists Equity for Dunkin’ by Inspire Brands and ‘Arby’s Free Sandwich Month’ by Fallon for Arby’s Gaming: ‘Leveling Up Reality: Qiddiya’s Global Gaming Takeover’ by Mas for Qiddiya Government/Public Sector: ‘OECTA Know More’ by Pound & Grain Digital Inc for Ontario English Catholic School Teachers Healthcare and Pharma: ‘Serious Foreplay’ by Fuck Cancer & The Variable for Fuck Cancer Media: ‘It’s Showtime: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’ by Hearts & Science for Warner Bros Media Innovation: ‘Moon Music Lands on Roblox’ by Gamefam, Warner Music Group & Parlophone Records and ‘10 Bricks Infinite Play’ by Snapchat for The Lego Group Metaverse: ‘It’s Showtime: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’ by Hearts & Science for Warner Bros Out-of-Home (OOH): ‘Verizon Super Bowl FanFest’ by Momentum Worldwide for Verizon PR: ‘Returning Creativity’ by Dentsu Creative New York for Crayola Rebrand/Relaunch: ‘Getting There Starts Here’ by McCann New York for State Street Global Advisors Retail: ‘Diss-Mas’ by Virtue Worldwide for MGA Entertainment Rising Star: ‘Rising Star: Olivia Clarke Turns Limits into Leadership’ by Nebo Search: ‘The Mixer: The Perfect Serve of Cocktails and Search’ by Greenpark for Campari Group Social Media: ‘Shake That Ess’ by Artists Equity for Dunkin’ and ‘Nutter Butter, You Good? ’ by Dentsu Creative New York for Mondelez International Social Purpose: ‘Change the Board Game/SMD’ by Billups for Elf Beauty Sustainability & Responsibility: ‘Endless Runway’ by Edelman for eBay and ‘Indeed’s Rising Voices Season 4’ by Indeed Technology Innovation: ‘NBC Big Board: Setting the Standard for Data Journalism’ by Code and Theory for NBCUniversal Travel and Tourism: ‘Hopper’s Travel Deal Tuesday’ by Hopper Detailed case studies for all winners are available on The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas website. --- Media buyers at Digiday’s Programmatic Marketing Summit and a recent virtual town hall expressed a strong interest in re-evaluating their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships. They aim to shift budgets toward more transparent platforms better aligned with client objectives. Participants discussed industry shifts caused by emerging players and market consolidations, including the impact of Amazon's growing DSP presence and the impending closure of Microsoft Advertising’s Xandr platform. Microsoft is winding down its Xandr DSP Microsoft’s decision to close Xandr, a move seen as one of 2025’s major ad tech developments, opens opportunities for smaller players as Microsoft refocuses its media offerings. Attendees noted that Microsoft's close ties with Netflix may have limited Xandr’s success, with many advertisers finding Netflix inventory costly and underdeveloped. "The initiative was a massive fail for various reasons," said one participant. "Advertisers found Netflix inventory nascent and expensive, leading to low adoption. Xandr bore the frustration as the platform's issues reflected poorly on it rather than Netflix. " Amazon's DSP growth raises both optimism and concerns Amazon Ads has risen to become the third-largest DSP, leveraging its zero-fee supply-side platform for publishers as a key advantage. Its access to first-party data via Amazon Marketing Cloud offers more accurate measurement than many competitors relying on third-party identifiers. "Amazon's offering is still developing, but its resources could enable rapid scaling once operational challenges are resolved," noted a participant. "However, there is wariness about Amazon becoming another dominant player that prioritizes its own interests, potentially squeezing out competitors. " Google faces criticism over advertiser support despite market dominance Customer dissatisfaction with Google’s DSP support was a frequent complaint. Many noted that meaningful support is only available to advertisers with very high spend, while others must rely on reseller or help center resources. "Even large spenders receive limited assistance," said one media buyer. "Support teams have been dissolved, forcing users to navigate inefficient channels. " Some participants hope Amazon’s reputation for customer focus will differentiate it from Google as it gains market share. Meanwhile, ongoing antitrust investigations into Google could potentially reshape the DSP market if platforms like DV360 are divested. The Trade Desk praised for sophistication but criticized for costs The Trade Desk was recognized as the most advanced DSP in terms of features, but participants expressed frustration with its complex fee structures and frequent price increases. "The Trade Desk is like the Spirit Airlines of DSPs," said one attendee. "They nickel and dime for every tool, making costs hard to understand. " Others described its evolving API and Deal Desk rollout as complex and poorly documented, contrasting it with Google’s more stable and transparent systems. The discussions highlight media buyers’ growing demand for clarity, better customer support, and platforms that closely align with their strategic goals amid an evolving DSP marketplace. --- PayPal is enhancing its advertising capabilities by launching Transaction Graph, a new tool that segments audiences based on purchases made across PayPal-owned platforms including Honey, PayPal, and Venmo. Transaction Graph utilizes data from 30 million merchants and 400 million consumers globally, covering approximately 25% of worldwide commerce. This extensive dataset allows PayPal to offer advertisers deeper insights into consumer behavior, such as what they buy, when, and where, surpassing the capabilities of individual retailers. Mark Grether, PayPal Ads' senior vice president, highlights that the company’s diverse user base includes distinct segments like the "young, urban, social" Venmo users. PayPal Ads, initially launched in the U. S. , expanded earlier this year to the U. K. and Germany. By analyzing transactions across multiple merchants, PayPal can provide brands with market share assessments and identify opportunities to boost their sales beyond what is possible from single merchants alone. The Transaction Graph has been in beta for eight months and is already employed by advertisers such as Target, Best Buy, and Verizon, supported by partnerships with measurement firms including Lucid and InMarket. Grether emphasized the importance of transaction data in advertising, stating, "Transactions are the new cookie," underscoring the reliability and trust this data brings to PayPal's ad solutions. Industry forecasts from eMarketer predict that retail media will account for over 20% of all digital media spending by 2029, indicating strong growth potential. Financial institutions like Chase and Revolut are also entering the retail media space, signaling increased competition. Upcoming events such as the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity will spotlight retail media innovations. Nectar360 is hosting a retail media summit, while Albertsons Media Collective plans a pop-up grocery store at MediaLink beach, showcasing the growing emphasis on creativity and practical applications within retail and financial media networks. Tim Ringel, CEO of Meet the People, noted the shift from hype to real-world implementation in retail media: "The hype cycle is over and the reality cycle is kicking in. " --- As Father's Day approaches, many companies send opt-out emails allowing recipients to avoid marketing messages related to sensitive occasions. While initially seen as a compassionate gesture, this trend has sparked debate over whether it genuinely supports those in grief or serves as a marketing tactic. Charlotte Andrews, who lost her father in 2020, recalls the difficulty of receiving numerous Father's Day emails. The UK florist Bloom & Wild pioneered offering customers the choice to opt out of such emails, a move welcomed as thoughtful and sensitive. However, as more brands adopted this approach, opt-out emails became frequent and, for some, intrusive reminders of personal loss. Julie Lamont, a grief counsellor at Butterflies Bereavement Support, says the original intent was positive but has since morphed into a "marketing ploy". She warns that unsolicited emails can unsettle those grieving by undermining their sense of control during a vulnerable time. Bloom & Wild co-founder Aron Gelbard explained their opt-out concept began in 2019 following customer feedback. Initially, 17,000 people opted out within 24 hours. Despite fears of reduced sales, the company found customers responded positively, ordering more throughout the year. To promote thoughtful marketing, Bloom & Wild launched the Thoughtful Marketing Movement encouraging other businesses to adopt similar practices. Yet Gelbard observed that widespread adoption diluted the initiative's authenticity, especially when unrelated brands sent opt-out emails. In 2024, Bloom & Wild ceased individual opt-out emails, opting instead for a website preference centre offering control without targeted messaging. Marketing expert Vikki Randles agrees opt-out messages can show empathy when authentic and relevant to the occasion. She cautions against companies promoting unrelated products under this guise, which could appear insincere. Randles, who lost her father eight years ago, notes that Father's Day remains meaningful but that some consumers may still appreciate these communications for practical reasons. Ultimately, as Charlotte Andrews reflects, allowing individuals to choose silence may be the most considerate approach during difficult times. Support and resources for those affected by grief are available through the BBC Action Line. --- The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 announced its winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce awarded to MRM for General Motors/CarBravo's 'Used Barbie Dream Cars' campaign. The campaign creatively capitalized on the Barbie toy car trend, reselling cars through a Shopify site that echoed the platform’s design. This approach reinforced the brand’s honest pricing and significantly increased actual car sales, achieving a 91x return on investment. Prateek Sood of Mastercard, jury leader, presented the President’s Award to Dentsu Creative New York for their 'Returning Creativity' campaign for Crayola. This project used nostalgia, original research, and a multi-channel earned media strategy to promote creativity as vital for children and parents, sparking national discussions and encouraging family engagement. The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas is the final event in the global marketing awards series, following the APAC and EMEA events. All ceremonies were streamed live and are available on-demand via The Drum TV. Notable category winners include:AI: Monks for Headspace - 'Smarter Campaigns, Better Results'Advertising: Artists Equity for Stella Artois - 'David and Dave'B2B: Ogilvy for Workday - 'The Rock Stars of Business World Tour'; Stein IAS for Mack Trucks - 'By America’s Side'CPG/FMCG: Padilla for Jack Link’s Snacks - 'Sasquatch in the Skies'Charity or Not for Profit: Fuse Create for Soles4Souls - 'Doors of Opportunity'Consumer Tech: Instrument for Oura - 'Reimagining Oura Ring’s E-Commerce Experience'Content: Turbo Tax Canada - 'Undone'; Virtue Worldwide for MGA Entertainment - 'Diss-Mas'Creative: Erich & Kallman for The Hershey Company - 'Reese’s at the Big Game'Digital Experience: RocknRolla Guatemala for Lipton - 'Lipton Zero Virtual Sampling Hack'Entertainment & Media: FCB Chicago for Dramamine - 'The Last Barf Bag'; Hearts & Science for Warner Bros - 'It’s Showtime: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice'Social Media: Artists Equity for Dunkin’ by Inspire Brands - 'Shake That Ess'; Dentsu Creative New York for Mondelez International - 'Nutter Butter, You Good? 'For a full list of Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, visit The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas website. Award-winning case studies can also be reviewed online. --- Media buyers at Digiday's Programmatic Marketing Summit expressed a strong interest in re-evaluating their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships, seeking greater transparency and alignment with client needs. The ongoing shifts in ad tech, especially the rise of Amazon’s DSP, have sparked discussions about the potential to redistribute spend away from established platforms like The Trade Desk and Google’s DV360. At a virtual town hall held under Chatham House Rule on June 6, agency practitioners debated the risks and rewards of current market leaders and the possibility of further consolidation in the DSP space. Microsoft's Closure of Xandr DSP Microsoft Advertising’s plan to shut down its Xandr DSP has been a major 2025 ad tech story. Participants noted that Microsoft’s close ties with Netflix may have limited Xandr’s success. One attendee remarked that Netflix's inventory was seen as "nascent and expensive," leading to low advertiser adoption at launch. Issues with activation created frustration directed largely at Xandr rather than Netflix, with many advertisers waiting for improved pricing and measurement options. This experience was ultimately viewed as a significant setback for Xandr. Amazon Ads: Growth and Caution Amazon’s DSP has steadily risen to become the third-largest platform behind Google and The Trade Desk. Its zero-fee supply-side platform for publishers is considered a competitive advantage, especially as Amazon challenges The Trade Desk’s position. However, participants described Amazon’s platform as still developing operationally and noted its open market capabilities remain underpromoted. Amazon’s access to first-party data via Amazon Marketing Cloud offers accuracy benefits over third-party data integrations. But concerns remain about Amazon’s market dominance strategy. As one source stated, "Amazon is not on our side," cautioning that the company aims to maximize its control and profits, potentially squeezing out competitors and partners over time. Google: Inventory Strength vs. Customer Satisfaction Customer dissatisfaction with Google’s DSP support echoed throughout the discussion, reflecting testimony from last year’s antitrust trial. Buyers reported limited and often unhelpful support unless spending very high budgets. Many indicated that Google largely outsourced support to resellers or automated systems, which frequently failed to resolve issues. Despite this, advertisers continue using Google due to its reliable inventory performance. Yet, ongoing antitrust proceedings could disrupt this, as one executive questioned the value of DV360 if separated from Google’s data ecosystem. The Trade Desk: Sophistication at a Cost The Trade Desk was praised for its advanced toolset but criticized for complex and opaque fee structures. Participants compared it unfavorably to Amazon’s more basic offering, citing frequent updates and difficult-to-navigate APIs as operational challenges. One attendee described the rollout of the "Kokai" platform and its Deal Desk experimentation as "a nightmare," with unclear documentation and shifting issues. The opaque pricing model was also a major point of frustration, with buyers needing to conduct detailed analyses to understand true costs. --- Retail media networks are gaining traction, attracting financial institutions like Chase and Revolut. PayPal, active in advertising since October 2024, has introduced Transaction Graph, a new tool that segments audiences based on purchase data across its platforms Honey, PayPal, and Venmo. Transaction Graph taps into data from 30 million merchants and 400 million consumers worldwide, representing roughly 25% of global commerce. This breadth allows for deeper insights into consumer behavior, including what they buy, when, and where. Mark Grether, PayPal Ads' senior vice president, said the company understands varied user profiles, such as "young, urban, social" Venmo users. PayPal Ads launched in the U. S. and recently expanded to the U. K. and Germany. By analyzing transactions across all merchants, PayPal can estimate market share and help brands identify opportunities for growth. The Transaction Graph has been in beta for eight months and has been utilized by advertisers like Target, Best Buy, and Verizon, although no specific campaign results have been disclosed. PayPal collaborates with several full-funnel measurement providers, including Lucid and InMarket. "Transactions are the new cookie," Grether said, emphasizing the enhanced confidence and trust this data provides in advertising. According to eMarketer forecasts, retail media will account for more than 20% of digital media spending by 2029, signaling continued growth. This momentum is reflected in upcoming events like the retail media summit hosted by Nectar360 at Cannes Lions and Albertsons Media Collective's pop-up grocery store at MediaLink beach. Tim Ringel, Global CEO of Meet the People, noted the transition from hype to tangible results in the retail and financial media network space, highlighting a shift towards practical use cases and creative executions. --- In recent years, some companies have introduced the option to opt out of marketing emails around sensitive occasions like Father's Day. While initially seen as a compassionate gesture, the growing volume of such opt-out messages has sparked questions about whether this is genuine empathy or a marketing strategy. Charlotte Andrews shares her experience of losing her father in 2020 and notes that the UK florist Bloom & Wild was the first to offer customers a way to stop receiving emails about major dates like Mother's Day and Father's Day. At first, these messages seemed thoughtful, but as more companies adopted the practice, the opt-out emails have become overwhelming. This year, Andrews received more emails inviting her to opt out of Father's Day communications than actual promotional messages for the day itself. Julie Lamont, a grief counsellor at Butterflies Bereavement Support in Eastleigh, Hampshire, says the initial intent behind these emails was positive, stemming from compassion rarely seen in commercial settings. However, as the practice spread, it has become a "marketing ploy" that can feel intrusive to those coping with loss. Lamont explains that unsolicited emails may trigger painful reminders and cause people to feel powerless in managing their grief. "In dealing with loss we need to feel that we have a modicum of control," she said. "If that is questioned, we feel totally manipulated. " Bloom & Wild co-founder Aron Gelbard revealed the opt-out option originated from customer requests in 2019. The company saw overwhelming adoption, with 17,000 customers opting out within 24 hours. Contrary to fears about sales impact, Gelbard said customers ordered more at other times of the year, perceiving the company more positively. Bloom & Wild launched the Thoughtful Marketing Movement to encourage other businesses to follow their lead. However, Gelbard noted that as firms unrelated to occasions like Mother's Day began issuing opt-out emails, the approach started to seem performative and excessive. Many customers reportedly receive dozens or hundreds of such messages annually. In response, Bloom & Wild stopped sending individual opt-out emails in 2024. Instead, they now offer a preference center on their website where customers can mute communications about sensitive occasions without direct prompts. Marketing expert Vikki Randles of Fresh Perspective Marketing supports the concept when applied authentically. She says it is appropriate for businesses with products related to Father's Day but questions the motives of companies with unrelated offerings using the practice. Randles, who lost her own father eight years ago, often chooses not to opt out as she still buys gifts for her husband from their children on Father's Day. She acknowledges the challenge companies face in balancing sensitivity and engagement. For many, Father's Day remains a difficult time despite the passage of years. The most meaningful approach may simply be respecting individuals' choice to avoid marketing messages on such occasions. If you or someone you know is affected by grief, support is available through the BBC Action Line. --- The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas 2025 revealed its winners, with the Grand Prix and Gold in Digital Commerce awarded to MRM for General Motors/CarBravo’s 'Used Barbie Dream Cars' campaign. This campaign creatively capitalized on the Barbie toy car trend by buying and reselling the cars at fair prices through a Shopify site that mirrored the main platform, reinforcing its honest-pricing message and significantly increasing real car sales with a 91x return on investment. Prateek Sood of Mastercard, the jury leader, presented the President’s Award to Dentsu Creative New York for their 'Returning Creativity' campaign for Crayola. This campaign used nostalgia, original research, and a multi-channel earned media strategy to emphasize creativity’s importance for children and parents, sparking a national conversation and encouraging family engagement in creative activities. It also won Gold in the PR category. The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas is the final part of a global series, following the APAC and EMEA awards. All events were streamed live and remain available on-demand via The Drum TV. Below are selected Gold winners from the Americas event. Full lists including Silver and Bronze winners can be found on The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas website. Grand Prix: 'Used Barbie Dream Cars' by MRM for General Motors/CarBravoPresident’s Award: 'Returning Creativity' by Dentsu Creative New York for CrayolaAI: 'Smarter Campaigns, Better Results' by Monks for HeadspaceAdvertising: 'David and Dave' by Artists Equity for Stella ArtoisB2B: 'Workday Presents: The Rock Stars of Business World Tour' by Ogilvy for Workday; 'By America’s Side' by Stein IAS for Mack TrucksCPG/FMCG: 'Sasquatch in the Skies' by Padilla for Jack Link’s SnacksCharity/Not for Profit: 'Doors of Opportunity' by Fuse Create for Soles4SoulsConsumer Tech: 'Reimagining Oura Ring’s E-Commerce Experience' by Instrument for OuraContent: 'Undone' by Turbo Tax Canada; 'Diss-Mas' by Virtue Worldwide for MGA EntertainmentCreative: 'Reese’s at the Big Game. It’s Lava Time, Baby! ' by Erich & Kallman for The Hershey CompanyCreative Innovation: 'Wäsche of the Wild' by Zulu Alpha Kilo for Destination BCDigital Experience: 'Lipton Zero: The Virtual Sampling Hack That Changed the Game' by RocknRolla Guatemala for Lipton – CBC GuatemalaDisruption: 'Change the Board Game/SMD' by Billups for Elf BeautyEnergy and Industry: 'Push Unleaded 88: Nature Will Thank You' by Little Big Engine for Growth EnergyEntertainment: 'The Last Barf Bag' by FCB Chicago for Dramamine; 'It’s Showtime: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice' by Hearts & Science for Warner BrosExperience: 'Ford’s Michigan Central Open' by Civic for Ford Motor CompanyFashion and Beauty: 'Disney x Balmain, celebrating 30 years of the beloved film' by Disney Consumer Products for The Walt Disney CompanyFinance: 'Undone' by Turbo Tax CanadaFood and Beverage: 'Shake That Ess' by Artists Equity for Dunkin’ Inspire Brands; 'Arby’s Free Sandwich Month' by Fallon for Arby’sGaming: 'Leveling Up Reality: Qiddiya’s Global Gaming Takeover' by Mas for QiddiyaGovernment/Public Sector: 'OECTA Know More' by Pound & Grain Digital Inc for Ontario English Catholic School Teachers (OECTA)Healthcare and Pharma: 'Serious Foreplay' by Fuck Cancer & The Variable for Fuck CancerMedia Innovation: 'Moon Music Lands on Roblox' by Gamefam, Warner Music Group & Parlophone Records; '10 Bricks Infinite Play' by Snapchat for The Lego GroupMetaverse: 'It’s Showtime: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice' by Hearts & Science for Warner BrosOOH: 'Verizon Super Bowl FanFest' by Momentum Worldwide for VerizonPR: 'Returning Creativity' by Dentsu Creative New York for CrayolaRebrand/Relaunch: 'Getting There Starts Here' by McCann New York for State Street Global AdvisorsRetail: 'Diss-Mas' by Virtue Worldwide for MGA EntertainmentRising Star: 'Rising Star: Olivia Clarke Turns Limits into Leadership' by NeboSearch: 'The Mixer: The Perfect Serve of Cocktails and Search' by Greenpark for Campari GroupSocial Media: 'Shake That Ess' by Artists Equity for Dunkin’ Inspire Brands; 'Nutter Butter, You Good? ' by Dentsu Creative New York for Mondelez InternationalSocial Purpose: 'Change the Board Game/SMD' by Billups for Elf BeautySustainability & Responsibility: 'Endless Runway' by Edelman for eBay; 'Indeed’s Rising Voices Season 4' by IndeedTechnology Innovation: 'NBC Big Board: Setting the Standard for Data Journalism' by Code and Theory for NBCUniversalTravel and Tourism: 'Hopper’s Travel Deal Tuesday' by Hopper for HopperAll award-winning case studies can be accessed on The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas website. --- Media buyers are reconsidering their demand-side platform (DSP) partnerships amid ongoing changes in ad tech. At Digiday’s recent Programmatic Marketing Summit, attendees expressed interest in shifting spend to more transparent platforms that better meet client needs. Participants discussed key trends impacting the market, including Amazon’s growing DSP presence, and called for a virtual follow-up session to explore these dynamics further. Microsoft’s Closure of Xandr DSP Microsoft Advertising’s planned shutdown of its Xandr DSP has emerged as a major story in 2025. Industry insiders suggest that Microsoft’s close ties with Netflix complicated Xandr’s success. “The whole initiative was a massive fail for a variety of reasons,” one participant said, explaining that advertisers found Netflix inventory costly and limited, leading to low adoption. Challenges experienced by early users mainly reflected poorly on Xandr, not Netflix, further dampening enthusiasm. Many waited for better pricing and improved measurement features, resulting in frustration directed at Xandr. Amazon DSP’s Growing Influence Amazon’s DSP has steadily risen to become the third-largest platform, benefiting from zero-fee supply-side services for publishers. This strategy poses a challenge to leaders like The Trade Desk. While Amazon’s open market capabilities remain underdeveloped, its provision of first-party Amazon Marketing Cloud data offers an edge over competitors reliant on third-party data integrations. “Amazon Ads is still a work in progress,” a participant noted, cautioning against the emergence of another dominant, inflexible platform like Google. “They’re only in it for themselves and will likely squeeze others out when the time is right,” said another source. Customer Dissatisfaction with Google Media buyers echoed concerns revealed during recent antitrust trials about Google’s limited advertiser support. “Unless you spend millions monthly, support is minimal,” one source said. Even advertisers with large budgets often receive only help center articles instead of personalized assistance. Some hope Amazon’s consumer-focused customer obsession will translate to improved advertiser support, offering a competitive alternative to Google. Despite complaints, many buyers tolerate Google due to its inventory performance, while watching antitrust developments that could reshape the market. One executive questioned the value of Google’s DV 360 if it loses access to Google data through regulatory action. The Trade Desk’s Sophistication Comes at a Cost The Trade Desk was described as the most advanced DSP but criticized for complex and expensive fee structures. “It’s the ‘Spirit Airlines’ of DSPs,” said one participant, referring to numerous add-on charges for tool usage compared to Amazon’s minimal offerings. Users also reported difficulties with The Trade Desk’s Kokai API rollout and opaque pricing, making it challenging to fully understand campaign costs. As the DSP landscape evolves, media agencies seek platforms that balance innovation, transparency, and cost-effectiveness to better serve client objectives. --- Retail media networks are gaining significant traction, attracting interest from financial institutions like Chase and Revolut. PayPal, which launched its advertising service in October 2024, is now introducing a new tool called Transaction Graph to enhance targeting for onsite and offsite advertisers. Transaction Graph segments audiences based on purchase data collected across PayPal’s platforms, including Honey, PayPal, and Venmo. The tool utilizes data from 30 million merchants and 400 million global consumers, covering roughly 25% of global commerce. Mark Grether, senior vice president of PayPal Ads, told Digiday that the company’s insight into consumer behavior exceeds that of individual retailers. "We have a much better understanding of what consumers buy, when, and where," he said, emphasizing PayPal's ability to answer advertisers' questions more comprehensively. Operating in 200 markets, PayPal highlights its diverse user base, such as the "young, urban, social" demographic active on Venmo. After launching in the U. S. , PayPal Ads expanded to the U. K. and Germany earlier this year. By aggregating transaction data from multiple merchants, PayPal can analyze market share and help brands identify opportunities to grow their sales across various platforms. "We can help brands with incrementality not only from single merchants but across all merchants," Grether added. Transaction Graph has been in beta for about eight months and has been tested by advertisers including Target, Best Buy, and Verizon. While PayPal has not shared specific campaign results, it is collaborating with measurement partners such as Lucid and InMarket. Grether described transactions as "the new cookie," highlighting enhanced confidence, security, and trust in PayPal’s advertising approach. According to eMarketer, retail media is projected to capture over $1 of every $5 spent on digital media by 2029. More announcements from retailers and financial institutions regarding media networks are expected in the coming weeks. At the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity this year, events such as Nectar360’s retail media summit and Albertsons Media Collective's pop-up grocery store will emphasize innovation in retail media. Tim Ringel, CEO of Meet the People, noted, "The hype cycle is over and the reality cycle is kicking in," underscoring the demand for effective retail and financial media use cases and creativity. --- Google announced it will retire Instant Apps in December, ending a feature that allowed users to run lightweight versions of apps without full installation. Instant Apps required developers to create a special version under 15MB, which limited adoption. As mobile apps increasingly mirror their websites, the utility of Instant Apps diminished. Consequently, developer interest stayed low, and users rarely encountered the feature. Instant Apps were delivered through Google Play Services and could be toggled via the "Google Play Instant" setting on Android devices. Few apps currently support the feature; one remaining example is from Finnish publisher Ilta-Sanomat. With limited uptake and evolving mobile usage patterns, Google's decision to retire Instant Apps reflects the feature's declining relevance. --- Apple has issued a revised version of the first iOS 26 developer beta, exclusively for iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models. The update, available now to registered developers via the Settings app, likely addresses critical bugs, though specific changes have not been detailed. iOS 26 introduces the new Liquid Glass design, emphasizing transparency across the system and supporting updates across Messages, Phone, Safari, Music, Photos, and Camera apps. This redesign debuted at Apple's recent keynote event. While this beta is limited to developers for app testing and adaptation, a public beta program is expected to begin in July. The full release of iOS 26, along with iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26, is scheduled for September. The update supports iPhone 11 and newer, with some advanced features requiring iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 models due to Apple Intelligence capabilities powered by on-device large language models. Alongside iOS 26, Apple announced iPadOS 26 compatibility with iPad Pro (3rd generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), and newer models. iPadOS 26 also features the Liquid Glass design and improvements to the menu bar and app windowing. Apple's ongoing development roadmap includes long-term plans for the iPhone lineup, with anticipations for the iPhone 17 series already circulating. --- Digital Foundry has released its technical review of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2, evaluating both the main story and the Phantom Liberty expansion on Nintendo's latest console. Notably, the inclusion of the Phantom Liberty expansion is impressive since CD Projekt Red previously skipped PS4 and Xbox One versions, targeting more powerful current-generation hardware. Running this content on the Switch 2 presents the most significant hardware challenges. The game offers four visual modes: 30fps quality and 40fps performance, each also available in handheld mode. The resolution ranges for each mode are:Handheld Performance: 640x360 to 1280x720Handheld Quality: 800x450 to 1440x810Docked Performance: 960x540 to 1920x1080Docked Quality: 1280x720 to 1920x1080DLSS is used to enhance image clarity, though fast-paced action can cause occasional blurriness and temporal noise. Visual quality remains largely consistent between docked and handheld modes aside from resolution differences. Texture quality on Switch 2 matches that of the PS5, surpassing Xbox Series X and PS4 in some areas. While many textures are consistent across platforms, where differences exist, Switch 2 performs notably well. DLSS significantly improves image sharpness compared to the PS4. However, pedestrian and vehicle density is closer to PS4 levels, resulting in less crowded streets in Night City on Switch 2. This trade-off helps maintain frame rate stability. Shadow quality indoors exceeds that of the PS4, but outdoor shadows from sunlight are slightly inferior. The Switch 2 generally maintains 30fps in quality mode during the main story. In the Phantom Liberty expansion, frame rates can drop to 20-25fps due to more complex environments. The 40fps performance mode delivers smoother gameplay indoors, mostly holding around 40fps, but outdoor scenes and intense combat can reduce frame rates to 30fps or below. Handheld performance is estimated to be similar to docked, though full testing was limited. Variable refresh rate (VRR) support improves smoothness in portable play, but frame drops below 30fps are more noticeable when handheld. --- Stablecoins, once seen as niche crypto tools, are gaining traction as potential infrastructure for commerce by disrupting traditional issuer-merchant-acquirer roles. Major companies like Walmart and Amazon reportedly explore issuing their own stablecoins. Shopify has started enabling merchants to accept USDC stablecoins within current payment and fulfillment systems. Visa partnered with Bridge to launch a stablecoin credit card, while Stripe acquired digital wallet firm Privy to simplify crypto onboarding for merchants and consumers. Despite this momentum, questions remain about stablecoins’ role: Are they merely faster, programmable payment settlements, or emerging as digital-native issuers replacing banks? Additionally, how will established card ecosystem features like chargebacks, fraud management, and liability coverage adapt if stablecoins change value movement methods? Stablecoins as a Settlement Layer Traditional payment transactions involve multiple intermediaries, adding cost and delay. Stablecoins offer a more efficient settlement layer, enabling faster, traceable, and lower-cost money transfers with reduced counterparty risk. However, the challenge arises in assigning responsibility if issues occur during transfers. Using stablecoins directly for consumer payments—from wallets like Circle’s to Web3 debit cards—positions stablecoin providers as neo-issuers enabling stored-value payments outside traditional card infrastructure. Unlike established card networks with standardized dispute resolution and shared liability, stablecoin systems often lack clearly defined rules. Emerging decentralized identity and escrow solutions remain in early development. Chargebacks, Liability, and Compliance Challenges Traditional payment systems allow reversibility through chargebacks initiated by issuers and adjudicated by networks, backed by consumer protection laws such as Regulation Z and Regulation E. Stablecoin transactions, once confirmed on-chain, are generally final and irreversible. While this feature supports automation and fraud prevention, it complicates error handling and dispute resolution. Globally, stablecoins are serving diverse roles beyond Western markets. In inflation-hit Argentina, stablecoins like USDC and USDT provide dollar-based stability absent from local banking. In Nigeria, they bypass capital controls and limited cross-border payment options. There, stablecoins act as the payment method itself, with wallets functioning as issuers and protocols substituting networks. Local fintech firms combine roles as acquirers, remittance agents, and custodians, calling into question the relevance of the traditional stack. Overall, stablecoins are unlikely to fully replace the issuer-acquirer model soon. A hybrid system where stablecoin payments coexist with fiat rails appears probable, especially in cross-border commerce, digital marketplaces, and creator economies. --- Bitcoin is testing support near $103,000 amid rising global market uncertainty that may limit further rallies. Certain altcoins are attracting buyers at lower prices, reflecting dip-buying interest. Bitcoin (BTC)BTC dipped below $103,000 following news of Israeli airstrikes on Iran but rebounded near $106,000, showing buying interest. Analysts suggest a stable bottom is likely, though significant gains may await the next Federal Reserve meeting. Bitcoin typically recovers past adverse events within 50 days, though some caution a possible trend reversal or consolidation after recent price patterns. Bitcoin currently hovers around the 50-day simple moving average ($103,159) with the 20-day exponential moving average ($106,097) flattening and RSI near midpoint, indicating potential consolidation. Key levels to watch are $100,000 support and the all-time high near $111,980. Falling below $100,000 could lead to a drop toward $92,000, while a close above $111,980 could push the price toward $130,000. Ether (ETH)Ether retreated from $2,879 and dropped below its 20-day EMA ($2,580), signaling rejection of the recent breakout attempt. The EMA is flattening and RSI steady, suggesting balanced supply and demand. Resistance lies between $2,738 and $2,879; a sustained move above $2,879 may advance ETH toward $3,153. Conversely, sliding below $2,323 could pull it down to $2,111. XRPXRP broke above moving averages but failed to maintain momentum, falling near strong support at $2. This level is critical; a break below could trigger a downtrend toward $1. 61 and $1. 28. If XRP rebounds and surpasses the averages, it may continue trading sideways. BNBBNB consolidates between $693 and $634, with indicators neutral. A move above the 20-day EMA ($658) could prolong the range trading, while dropping below $634 could slide prices to $600, where buyers are expected to step in. Solana (SOL)SOL rose briefly above moving averages but fell back below key support at $140. Defending this level is imperative for bulls; failure could lead to declines toward $123 and $110. Dogecoin (DOGE)DOGE turned down from $0. 21 and faces support at $0. 16, which may break. A fall to $0. 14 could follow, with buyers likely to defend there. DOGE remains range-bound between $0. 14 and $0. 26. A break below $0. 14 might lead to $0. 10, while breaking above $0. 26 could rally toward $0. 38. Cardano (ADA)ADA declined from the 50-day SMA ($0. 72) amid a bearish trend indicated by a falling 20-day EMA ($0. 69) and weak RSI. Losing support at $0. 60 could trigger further drops to $0. 50, a strong defense level. A break above the 50-day SMA could signal a trend reversal. Hyperliquid (HYPE)HYPE climbed above $42. 25 resistance twice but failed to sustain gains, causing profit-taking. Despite an upward 20-day EMA ($35. 93), weakening RSI hints at faltering momentum. Breaking above $44 may resume the upward trend to $50, while falling below the EMA could plunge the price to $30. 50. Sui (SUI)SUI retreated from the 50-day SMA ($3. 55) and now tests support at $2. 86. Holding this level is crucial, or else the price could drop to $2. 50. Bouncing off $2. 86 may lead to attempts to surpass moving averages, opening a path toward $4. 25 resistance. Chainlink (LINK)LINK reverted into a descending channel after failing to break higher on Thursday. Bears aim to push the price below $12. 64, which could trigger a fall to $10 and extend the current range. To avoid decline, buyers need to lift LINK above $16, potentially reaching $18 and $20, suggesting a trend shift. Disclaimer: This analysis is not investment advice. Trading carries risk, and individuals should conduct their own research before making decisions. --- Digital Foundry has released its technical analysis of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2, evaluating both the main story and the Phantom Liberty expansion. The inclusion of Phantom Liberty on Switch 2 is notable, as CD Projekt Red skipped last-gen consoles such as PS4 and Xbox One for this expansion, focusing on current-gen hardware. Running the expansion on Switch 2 pushes the hardware to its limits. Visual Modes and Resolution:Handheld Performance: 640x360 to 1280x720Handheld Quality: 800x450 to 1440x810Docked Performance: 960x540 to 1920x1080Docked Quality: 1280x720 to 1920x1080DLSS is employed to enhance image clarity, though fast-paced scenes may suffer from blurriness and temporal noise. Visual quality remains similar between docked and handheld play, aside from resolution differences. Compared to other consoles, Switch 2 matches PS5 in texture quality, outperforming Xbox Series X and PS4. Many textures remain consistent across platforms, but Switch 2 shines where differences exist, aided by DLSS. However, pedestrian and vehicle density is closer to PS4 levels, resulting in less crowded streets to maintain frame rate stability. Shadow quality varies, with indoor shadows improving over PS4, while outdoor shadows under sunlight are slightly inferior. Performance:In quality mode, the frame rate holds steady at 30fps during the main story. Phantom Liberty's complex environments cause drops to 20-25fps on Switch 2. In 40fps performance mode, indoor areas generally stay near 40fps, but outdoor and combat scenes can drop to 30fps or below. Handheld frame rates are estimated to mirror docked play. VRR support helps smooth portable gameplay, though frame drops below 30fps are more noticeable. Overall, Digital Foundry describes the Switch 2's performance with Cyberpunk 2077 as impressive given the hardware constraints, particularly for handling the expanded content of Phantom Liberty. --- Dogecoin is leading meme coins lower as tensions escalate between Iran and Israel. The token has dropped nearly 6% in the past 24 hours, trading below $0. 178. Over the last month, Dogecoin has fallen 23% and is down more than 75% from its 2021 all-time high of $0. 73. The meme coin sector is underperforming broader crypto markets, declining 9. 5% in 24 hours compared to Bitcoin's 2. 6% and Ethereum's 8% drops, according to CoinGecko data. Other major meme coins, including Ethereum-based Pepe, have declined 10. 8%. Solana-based memes such as Fartcoin, Bonk, and Dogwifhat have each lost over 9%. Fartcoin's recent fall has significantly decreased its chances of surpassing a $1. 3 billion market cap this weekend, with prediction odds dropping from 51% to about 14%. SPX6900, an Ethereum token aiming to surpass the S&P 500 by market cap, fell more than 13% in 24 hours after hitting a recent high. Additional meme coins like Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT), Popcat (POPCAT), and Mog Coin (MOG) also saw declines exceeding 10%. The sell-off extends beyond meme coins and major cryptocurrencies, with altcoins similarly impacted. Crypto markets experienced over $1. 13 billion in liquidations within 24 hours, according to CoinGlass data. --- At this week’s WWDC event, Apple previewed iOS 26 alongside a range of new updates, including significant improvements to CarPlay. Notably, the update introduces Live Activities and widgets, providing drivers with glanceable, real-time information without needing to open apps or handle their phones. These features echo what Android Auto originally offered when it launched in 2014. At the time, Android Auto prioritized simplicity and proactivity, displaying navigation, phone, and music controls on a bottom bar with a homescreen powered by Google Now. Users could see minimized directions, weather updates, music, calendar events, and emails all at a glance—a design focused on convenience and minimal distraction. However, Google shifted away from this approach in 2019, moving Android Auto toward an app-centric interface similar to Apple’s CarPlay. This move has drawn criticism for abandoning Android Auto’s original strengths. The latest CarPlay update seems to bring back ideas Android Auto pioneered, modernizing them with widgets and Live Activities. These allow for proactive, timely information display within the vehicle ecosystem, something that Android Auto has largely neglected in recent years. While some features like auto-populated addresses from calendars remain in Android Auto, proactive elements are now sparse. Speculation suggests Google may revisit proactive features in the future, potentially integrating advanced AI systems like Gemini. CarPlay’s widget implementation could serve as inspiration for Android Auto, although any adaptation would likely differ in form. Until then, some users express regret that Google moved away from its innovative design prematurely, only to follow Apple’s lead years later. --- At WWDC, Apple previewed iOS 26 alongside numerous updates, including significant enhancements to CarPlay. Notably, the update introduces Live Activities and widgets, providing drivers with glanceable, timely information without interacting with apps or phones. These changes echo the original vision behind Android Auto, which launched in 2014 with a focus on simplicity and proactive information. Early Android Auto featured a straightforward interface with navigation, phone, and music controls easily accessible, powered by Google Now. It offered minimized directions, weather updates, music, and timely alerts from Calendar and Gmail, aiming to reduce distractions. However, Google shifted Android Auto in 2019 toward an app-centric experience, diverging from its original proactive model. Since then, Android Auto has evolved to resemble CarPlay’s current approach. Some observers express frustration that Google abandoned its innovative design only to follow Apple's lead later. The introduction of Live Activities and widgets in CarPlay brings similar proactive and glanceable features into the modern era—features Android Auto once championed but largely moved away from. While current Android Auto implementations include glimpses of proactive functions, such as calendar-based address suggestions, these remain limited. Experts suggest Google might revisit proactive features eventually, possibly aided by emerging technologies like Gemini. Additionally, CarPlay’s widget system could inspire improvements to Android Auto’s interface, though it may require adaptation. For now, some users lament Google’s decision to shift away from a promising original concept in favor of imitating Apple’s style. --- At WWDC this week, Apple previewed iOS 26, which includes notable improvements to CarPlay. The update introduces Live Activities and widgets, providing drivers with timely, glanceable information without needing to open apps or handle their phones. This approach echoes the original Android Auto experience from 2014, which focused on simplicity and proactive information rather than app-centric design. Early Android Auto featured a streamlined interface with quick access to navigation, phone, and music controls, alongside a Google Now-powered homescreen that displayed minimized directions, weather, calendar events, and email updates. Despite its promising start, Google shifted Android Auto in 2019 toward a more app-focused platform, moving away from the proactive, minimal design that initially set it apart. The current version has increasingly mirrored Apple’s CarPlay interface. Some users express frustration with Google’s pattern of abandoning innovative ideas only to later adopt them after Apple popularizes similar features. The return of proactive elements in CarPlay with iOS 26 highlights this cycle. While Live Activities and widgets are not identical to early Android Auto features, they revive the principle of delivering relevant information efficiently to drivers. Google may revisit this proactive approach in future updates, potentially leveraging AI developments like Gemini to enhance context-aware information. Widgets on CarPlay also suggest possibilities for Android Auto to explore similar concepts, albeit adapted to its platform. Meanwhile, some observers hope Google will build on its original strengths rather than quickly following Apple’s lead. --- At WWDC, Apple unveiled iOS 26 with significant updates to CarPlay, including Live Activities and widgets. These features provide drivers with glanceable, timely information without needing to open apps or handle their phones. This approach echoes the experience Android Auto offered when it launched in 2014. Originally, Android Auto focused on simplicity with quick access to navigation, phone, and music controls, along with a Google Now-powered homescreen showing minimized directions, weather, calendar, and emails. The goal was to offer proactive and distraction-free information. However, Android Auto shifted in 2019 toward an app-centered design that increasingly resembles CarPlay’s current interface, losing much of its original proactive simplicity. Many critics lament Google’s pattern of discarding innovative features only to later mimic Apple’s designs in platforms like Android Auto and Wear OS. With iOS 26, Apple appears to be modernizing concepts Android Auto pioneered a decade ago. Live Activities and widgets on CarPlay reflect this revival of timely, glanceable information. Although Android Auto still includes some proactive elements, such as address suggestions from calendar events in Maps, these are rare. Looking ahead, Google may reintroduce more proactive features, possibly enhanced by AI developments like Gemini. Widgets could also become a valuable addition to Android Auto, though they might require a different implementation. For now, observers note that Google’s quick pivot to imitate Apple came at the cost of its own early advantages in automotive interfaces. --- At WWDC this week, Apple unveiled updates to CarPlay in iOS 26, including the addition of Live Activities and widgets. These features provide drivers with glanceable, timely information without needing to open apps or handle their phones. This approach echoes the original Android Auto experience from 2014, which prioritized simplicity and proactive information delivery. Early Android Auto offered quick access to navigation, calls, and music through a bottom bar, with a home screen powered by Google Now that displayed minimized directions, weather, calendar events, and more. However, in 2019 Google shifted Android Auto towards an app-focused model, moving away from the proactive, glanceable design it first introduced. The current Android Auto experience now resembles Apple’s approach more closely. The new CarPlay features revisit those older Android Auto concepts, updating them for the current mobile environment. Google’s original design was ahead of its time, and many feel the company has repeatedly abandoned innovative ideas only for Apple to adopt and refine them later. While Android Auto still includes some proactive elements, such as calendar-based address suggestions, such features remain limited. Widgets and Live Activities in CarPlay represent a natural evolution that Android Auto might benefit from adopting again in its own way. For now, the industry appears to be cycling through similar design philosophies, with Apple currently embracing ideas reminiscent of Android Auto’s early vision. --- Digital Foundry has released its technical review of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2, evaluating both the main story and the Phantom Liberty expansion on Nintendo's new console. The inclusion of the Phantom Liberty expansion on Switch 2 is notable, as developer CD Projekt Red previously skipped PS4 and Xbox One versions due to hardware limitations, favoring current-gen systems. While the Switch 2 manages to run the expansion, this is where the hardware experiences the most strain. Visual Modes and Resolution: The game offers four visual settings: 30fps quality and 40fps performance, each available in docked and handheld modes. Resolutions vary as follows: Handheld Performance: 640x360 upscaled to 1280x720 Handheld Quality: 800x450 upscaled to 1440x810 Docked Performance: 960x540 upscaled to 1920x1080 Docked Quality: 1280x720 upscaled to 1920x1080 DLSS technology is utilized, improving image clarity, though fast-paced action can introduce blurriness and temporal noise. Visual quality between docked and handheld modes shows minimal difference aside from resolution changes. Compared to other consoles, Switch 2 matches PS5 in texture quality, exceeding Xbox Series X and PS4. Many textures remain consistent across platforms, but where variations exist, Switch 2 performs well. DLSS contributes to clearer images compared to PS4. However, Switch 2’s pedestrian and vehicle density is closer to PS4, resulting in quieter streets in Night City. This reduction helps maintain stable frame rates. Indoor shadows on Switch 2 surpass those on PS4, while outdoor shadows are slightly weaker. Performance: The Switch 2 sustains a 30fps target in quality mode during the main story. In the Phantom Liberty expansion, complex environments cause frame rates to drop between 20 and 25fps. In the 40fps performance mode, indoor areas generally maintain smoother frame rates near 40fps. Outdoor scenes and busy combat cause drops to 30fps or below. Handheld performance appears similar to docked, though Digital Foundry could not fully test this mode. Variable refresh rate (VRR) likely makes handheld play the smoothest experience, but frame rate drops below 30fps become more noticeable. --- Digital Foundry has published a technical review of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2, assessing how both the main story and the Phantom Liberty expansion run on Nintendo's latest console. The inclusion of the Phantom Liberty expansion on Switch 2 is notable, given that developer CD Projekt Red bypassed older consoles like PS4 and Xbox One, focusing on current-generation hardware. While the Switch 2 manages to support the expansion, it also poses the greatest challenge for the hardware. The game offers four visual modes: 30fps quality and 40fps performance, each with docked and handheld variants. Resolution ranges for these modes are: Handheld Performance: 640x360 to 1280x720 Handheld Quality: 800x450 to 1440x810 Docked Performance: 960x540 to 1920x1080 Docked Quality: 1280x720 to 1920x1080 DLSS technology is used to enhance visuals, though fast-paced action can introduce some blurriness and temporal noise. Despite resolution differences, visual quality between docked and handheld modes is largely consistent. Compared to other consoles, Switch 2 matches PS5 in texture quality, surpassing Xbox Series X and PS4. Many textures remain consistent across platforms, but where variance exists, Switch 2 performs strongly. DLSS further improves its image clarity relative to PS4. However, pedestrian and vehicle density on Switch 2 resembles that of the PS4, resulting in quieter city streets. This reduction helps maintain frame rate stability. Indoor shadows are of higher quality than on PS4, but outdoor shadows are slightly inferior. Frame rates hold steady at 30fps in quality mode during the main story but can drop to 20-25fps in the more complex Phantom Liberty expansion. In 40fps performance mode, indoor scenes generally maintain around 40fps, but outdoor and action-heavy sections can dip below 30fps. Handheld frame rates appear similar to docked performance, although testing was limited. Variable refresh rate (VRR) support contributes to smoother portable gameplay, though frame drops below 30fps are more apparent in this mode. --- Digital Foundry has released its technical analysis of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2, evaluating how the main story and the Phantom Liberty expansion perform on Nintendo's new console. The inclusion of the Phantom Liberty expansion on Switch 2 is notable, especially since developer CD Projekt Red skipped older consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One in favor of current-generation hardware. While impressive that the Switch 2 can run this content, it also highlights the system’s hardware limitations. The game offers four visual modes: 30fps quality and 40fps performance, each available in handheld and docked configurations. Resolution ranges are as follows: Handheld Performance: 640x360 upscaled to 1280x720 Handheld Quality: 800x450 upscaled to 1440x810 Docked Performance: 960x540 upscaled to 1920x1080 Docked Quality: 1280x720 upscaled to 1920x1080 DLSS technology enhances image clarity, though fast-paced action can cause visual artifacts like blurriness and temporal noise. Visual quality between docked and handheld modes is largely consistent aside from resolution differences. Texture quality on Switch 2 matches that of the PS5, surpassing Xbox Series X and PS4 in this respect. Many textures remain consistent across platforms, but where differences exist, Switch 2 performs strongly. DLSS contributes to superior image clarity compared to the PS4. However, pedestrian and vehicle density on Switch 2 is closer to PS4 levels, resulting in less populated environments to maintain frame rate stability. Shadow quality is mixed, with indoor shadows better than PS4 but outdoor shadows slightly weaker. Frame rates hold steady at 30fps in quality mode during the main story, but drop to 20-25fps in the Phantom Liberty expansion due to increased environmental complexity. In 40fps performance mode, indoor areas mostly maintain 40fps, while outdoor and action-heavy scenes see dips to 30fps or below. Handheld frame rates are estimated to match docked performance. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support likely makes handheld gameplay smoother, though frame drops below 30fps are more noticeable in portable mode. --- Digital Foundry has released its technical analysis of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2, evaluating both the main story and the Phantom Liberty expansion on Nintendo's latest console. Notably, the inclusion of Phantom Liberty is impressive, as CD Projekt Red initially skipped PS4 and Xbox One versions, favoring current-generation hardware. The Switch 2's ability to run this expansion is a significant feat, although it also presents the greatest hardware challenges. The game offers four visual modes: 30fps quality and 40fps performance, each available in docked and handheld configurations. Resolution ranges are as follows:Handheld Performance: 640x360 to 1280x720Handheld Quality: 800x450 to 1440x810Docked Performance: 960x540 to 1920x1080Docked Quality: 1280x720 to 1920x1080DLSS is utilized to enhance image quality, though fast-paced scenes can introduce blurriness and temporal noise. Visual quality differences between docked and handheld modes are minimal aside from resolution. Compared to other consoles, the Switch 2 matches the PS5 in texture quality, surpassing the Xbox Series X and PS4. Many textures remain consistent across platforms, but where variations exist, the Switch 2 performs admirably. DLSS contributes to improved clarity over older hardware like the PS4. However, pedestrian and vehicle density on the Switch 2 aligns more closely with the PS4, resulting in quieter streets within Night City. This reduction aims to maintain stable frame rates. Shadow quality indoors is superior to PS4, but outdoor shadows from sunlight are slightly weaker. In quality mode, the Switch 2 maintains a steady 30fps during the main story. Frame rates in the Phantom Liberty expansion dip to 20-25fps in more complex areas. Performance mode targets 40fps, delivering smoother indoor gameplay, but outdoor and combat-heavy scenes often drop to around 30fps or lower. Handheld gameplay reportedly features frame rates similar to docked mode, although testing limitations exist. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support enhances smoothness in portable play, but frame rate drops below 30fps are more noticeable when handheld. --- Digital Foundry has released its technical review of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2, examining how both the main story and the Phantom Liberty expansion perform on Nintendo's latest console. Notably, the inclusion of the Phantom Liberty expansion is impressive, as CD Projekt Red skipped older consoles like PS4 and Xbox One in favor of more powerful current-gen hardware. That the Switch 2 can run this expansion highlights its capabilities, although this is where it faces the most challenges. The game offers four visual modes on Switch 2: 30fps quality and 40fps performance, each available in handheld and docked modes. Resolution ranges per mode are:Handheld Performance: 640x360 to 1280x720Handheld Quality: 800x450 to 1440x810Docked Performance: 960x540 to 1920x1080Docked Quality: 1280x720 to 1920x1080DLSS technology is used to improve image clarity, though fast-paced action can introduce visual artifacts like blurriness and temporal noise. Apart from resolution differences, docked and handheld modes have similar visual quality. Compared to other consoles, the Switch 2 matches the PS5 in texture quality, surpassing Xbox Series X and PS4. Many textures remain consistent across platforms, but where differences exist, Switch 2 performs well. DLSS notably enhances clarity over the PS4 version. However, Switch 2's pedestrian and vehicle density resemble the lower levels seen on PS4, resulting in less crowded streets to maintain stable frame rates. Shadow quality indoors exceeds that of the PS4, but outdoor shadows are slightly weaker. Frame rates generally hold steady at 30fps in quality mode during the main story. In the Phantom Liberty expansion, more complex environments cause dips to 20-25fps. The 40fps performance mode provides smoother indoor gameplay but struggles outdoors or during heavy action, dropping to around 30fps or lower. Handheld frame rates appear similar to docked, though less thoroughly tested. VRR support likely enhances handheld smoothness, but dips below 30fps are more noticeable in portable play. Overall, Digital Foundry describes the Switch 2's performance as "impressive," especially given the hardware constraints. --- The new Meta AI app has sparked privacy concerns as users unknowingly share private conversations publicly. The app allows users to share their chats, audio clips, and images with a simple click, but many appear unaware that these exchanges become visible to everyone. Reports reveal sensitive content, from personal legal issues and home addresses to private audio recordings, is accessible through the app. Security experts have highlighted examples of users sharing detailed personal information without realizing it is public. Meta has not provided an official comment on these issues. The app lacks clear privacy notifications, leaving users uncertain about who can see their data. For example, linking the app to a public Instagram account means search queries may be exposed to the app’s wider audience. This situation echoes past privacy failures, such as AOL’s 2006 incident with published search data, and runs contrary to practices by search engines like Google, which avoid turning queries into public social feeds. Despite being available since April 29 and downloaded 6. 5 million times, Meta's AI app has been criticized for poor privacy design, especially considering the company's vast resources and investment in AI technology. The app also faces growing misuse, with users posting controversial and trivial content publicly, raising concerns that the platform could become a source of embarrassment for its users rather than a helpful AI tool. --- During the NBA Finals, betting platform Kalshi aired a $2,000 commercial created entirely by AI, marking a notable shift in advertising approaches. The ad features surreal scenes linked to various betting topics, including which team will win the finals, hurricane counts, and egg price changes. Scenes include an elderly man with a chihuahua, a person swimming in eggs, and an alien drinking beer. The surreal, nonsensical nature aligns with popular AI-generated content trends often seen on social media. AI filmmaker PJ Accetturo revealed on X that Kalshi commissioned him to produce the ad using Google's text-to-video generator Veo 3. Accetturo explained that the ad required 300–400 generations to compile 15 usable clips, taking 2-3 days of work by a single person and cutting costs by 95% compared to traditional ads. His process involved scripting, using Gemini to generate shot lists with prompts for Veo 3, and editing the final clips in applications like CapCut or Adobe Premiere Pro. Accetturo noted limiting prompts to five at a time to maintain quality. With Veo 3 only recently launched, this televised AI-generated ad signals an emerging trend. Companies like Amazon, Meta, and Netflix are developing AI tools to support advertisers, suggesting AI-generated content in mainstream advertising will become more common. --- DeFi Development, formerly known as Janover, has entered into a share purchase agreement with RK Capital Management, granting it the option to issue up to $5 billion in common stock. This equity line of credit (ELOC) allows the company to raise capital incrementally when strategically beneficial. The company, which is the first U. S. public firm with a treasury strategy focused on accumulating and compounding Solana (SOL) digital assets, intends to use the proceeds from this agreement to increase its SOL holdings and accelerate growth in SOL per share. "We now have the flexibility and structure we need to scale," said DeFi Development CEO Joseph Onorati. "This is a clean, strategic path to continue growing SOL per share and compounding validator yield. "DeFi Development’s core business remains a platform offering data, software subscriptions, and value-added services to multifamily and commercial property professionals. The company announced its name change from Janover in April, alongside a $42 million convertible notes and warrants offering aimed at accelerating digital asset acquisition. Also in April, leadership from crypto platform Kraken, including Onorati, acquired majority ownership in the company. This team focuses on bridging liquidity between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). On June 5, DeFi Development announced a partnership with Amber International Holding, which operates Amber Premium—the institutional cryptocurrency financial services brand. The collaboration covers SOL-denominated treasury acquisitions, structured products, staking, and validator aggregation. Amber Premium may act as a broker for DeFi Development’s treasury purchases. --- Bitcoin dropped more than 4%, falling to $103,556 after Israeli airstrikes targeted military sites near Tehran and Tabriz, escalating tensions in the Middle East. The selloff followed a 24-hour high of $108,500 as investors reacted to fears of a wider geopolitical conflict, triggering $427 million in long position liquidations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the strikes as a preemptive move against Iran's nuclear threat, warning the operation could continue for several days. Iran has yet to officially respond, though state media reported explosions and airspace closures. In response to the escalating situation, the U. S. began evacuating diplomats from Iraq and recommended voluntary military family evacuations from neighboring countries. The State Department also urged American citizens to leave Iraq due to regional instability. U. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Israel informed the U. S. prior to its action. Cryptocurrency markets turned risk-averse, with Ethereum dropping below $2,500 and XRP sliding to $2. 10 alongside Bitcoin's decline. Historically, Bitcoin's price is sensitive to geopolitical unrest, often retreating as traders avoid volatile assets. At the time of reporting, Bitcoin traded near $103,990, showing minor stabilization after dipping briefly below $103,000. Technical indicators suggest increased volatility and bearish momentum. On the 2-hour chart, Bitcoin remains under pressure with widening Bollinger Bands and price near the lower band. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is in oversold territory at 25. 51, signaling possible short-term relief, while the MACD remains deeply negative, indicating persistent bearish momentum. Shorter timeframes show attempts at recovery, but caution remains as support at $102,533 and resistance near $105,693 are tested. A sustained move above $105,000 could reduce selling pressure, but failure to reclaim this level risks a further drop toward $100,000. Overall, market sentiment remains risk-off amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. --- Shopify is enabling merchants to accept payments in the USDC stablecoin, simplifying global transactions. This feature allows merchants to "sell to a customer on the other side of the world as easily as their next-door neighbor," according to a Thursday blog post by Shopify. Developed in collaboration with Coinbase and Stripe, the new payment option utilizes Coinbase’s Base network for secure, fast, and cost-effective money transfers. Customers can pay using USDC from hundreds of supported crypto wallets, while merchants have the choice to receive local currency or claim USDC directly in their own wallets. Regardless of the payment method chosen, merchants will face no foreign transaction or exchange fees. Shopify noted that adopting stablecoins helps merchants access global markets and participate in borderless commerce. Coinbase announced the feature launched with early access merchants on Thursday and will roll out to stores worldwide later this year. Coinbase highlighted Base’s fast and inexpensive onchain transactions as key to mainstream crypto payments and advancing its mission to bring a billion people onchain. Stripe confirmed in a blog post that the feature will become available to Shopify merchants in 34 countries within weeks. Enabled by Stripe Connect, the partnership aims to extend the benefits of stablecoins to numerous businesses without disrupting their current operations. "Now those businesses can reach more markets at lower costs — all without having to change how they already run their business," said Neetika Bansal, head of money movement at crypto, Stripe. --- The PCI Special Interest Group (PCI-SIG) has released the PCIe 7. 0 specification, offering a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 512GB per second over a x16 connection. This marks another step in PCIe's tradition of doubling IO bandwidth approximately every three years. PCIe 7. 0 is designed to meet the growing bandwidth needs of data-intensive sectors such as artificial intelligence, hyperscale data centers, high-performance computing, automotive, and military/aerospace fields. Consumer devices remain outside the primary target market for PCIe 7. 0. The specification focuses on advanced computing environments, with no current plans announced for integration into everyday desktop components like SSDs or GPUs. This cautious rollout follows a similar pattern with PCIe 5. 0, which was introduced in 2019 but only began appearing in consumer hardware around 2021 and remains relatively uncommon. Looking ahead, PCI-SIG has started development on PCIe 8. 0, with the hope that PCIe 6. 0 will become standard in consumer products before the next generation is finalized around 2028. --- Anthony Pompliano, a well-known digital assets influencer and podcast host, is set to become CEO of ProCapBTC, a new investment vehicle focused on acquiring large amounts of bitcoin, according to the Financial Times, which cited sources familiar with the discussions. ProCapBTC aims to raise $750 million through a merger with Columbus Circle Capital 1, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) backed by Cohen & Company. The capital raise would consist of $500 million in equity and $250 million in convertible debt. The deal announcement could happen as early as next week, though final terms are still being negotiated. Investing in bitcoin has grown as a treasury strategy, with 126 publicly traded companies holding nearly 820,000 bitcoins, per BitcoinTreasuries. net. For example, MicroStrategy, led by Executive Chairman Michael Saylor, holds about $61 billion in BTC. If ProCapBTC deploys its full $750 million in bitcoin purchases, it would become one of the top 10 holders of the cryptocurrency. This development follows increased bullish sentiment in crypto markets after U. S. President Donald Trump's election. Trump recently expressed support for cryptocurrencies and his administration's relaxed regulations have encouraged companies to explore public listings. Notably, stablecoin issuer Circle's stock surged 168% on its trading debut last week, and Peter Thiel-backed Bullish Group, which owns CoinDesk and Bullish Exchange, is reportedly preparing for an IPO. Pompliano declined to comment, and Cohen & Company did not respond to requests for comment. --- Global advertising spending has exceeded $1 trillion for the first time, with digital channels—primarily search and social media—expected to represent 72. 9% of total ad revenue this year. Leading platforms like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Alibaba are set to capture over half of global ad revenues. Paid media teams in-house and at agencies are managing vast data streams to efficiently grow ecommerce businesses. Despite progress, only 32% of executives believe they fully leverage their performance marketing data due to fragmented reporting caused by multiple data sources, platforms with differing attribution models, and budget splits across channels. This article explores key performance indicators (KPIs), platform attribution models, business objectives, and strategies to achieve a consolidated view of advertising effectiveness. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Effective paid media reporting starts with selecting appropriate KPIs that reflect channel performance. These metrics vary in purpose and should be interpreted within each platform's attribution context. Short-Term MetricsReturn On Ad Spend (ROAS): Revenue divided by ad spend; directly measures campaign profitability but ignores acquisition costs and margins. Cost Per Acquisition (CPA): Ad cost divided by sales or leads; useful for monitoring efficiency but disregards revenue and customer value variations. Cost Of Sale (CoS): Percentage of revenue spent on ads; valuable for margin-sensitive businesses but can hide unprofitable sales. Mid-Term MetricsCustomer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Total acquisition costs including marketing, wages, and overhead divided by new customers; provides a holistic profitability perspective but may lag in reflecting campaign changes. Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER): Total revenue divided by total ad spend across all channels; simplifies multi-channel reporting but obscures channel-specific efficiency. Long-Term MetricCustomer Lifetime Value (CLV): Projects total net revenue from a customer over time; essential for evaluating acquisition and retention but requires detailed data and long-term tracking. A combined approach using short-, mid-, and long-term KPIs offers a comprehensive framework for decision-making. Platform Attribution and ModelsAd platforms differ in attribution methods, complicating performance comparisons. For example, Google Ads uses Data-Driven Attribution and Google Analytics 4 integration to credit both paid and organic channels, while Meta Ads applies a default seven-day click and one-day view window, often attributing 100% credit to Meta. This can inflate reported revenue compared to other platforms. Platform-specific metrics should be treated as directional inputs for optimizing campaigns within their environments rather than absolute measures of incremental business value. Holistic Measurement ApproachesTo overcome fragmented data, businesses should consider advanced methods such as:Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM): A statistical technique analyzing aggregated data over time to evaluate marketing channel effectiveness without relying on user-level tracking. A 2024 Nielsen study found 30% of global marketers prefer MMM for measuring overall ROI. Incrementality Testing: Controlled experiments comparing test and control groups to isolate the true impact of paid media on sales, aiding strategic budget allocation. Operational FactorsAccurate reporting must factor in elements like product margin, average order value fluctuations, shipping costs, returns, repeat purchase rates, promotions, payment cancellations, inventory, and tracking pixel effectiveness. Ignoring these can distort metrics and lead to misguided optimization. Integrating Data for a Clear ViewNo single tool captures the full picture. Brands should synchronize platform data, internal analytics, and modeling insights, establishing precise KPIs and adapting for platform-specific nuances. Third-party attribution tools can assist but still require reliable data and clear KPIs. Visualization platforms like Looker Studio, Tableau, and Datorama support multi-dashboard reporting, reflecting the common industry practice of using several business intelligence tools concurrently. Prioritizing this comprehensive approach enables brands to connect media spend directly to profitability effectively. --- David A. Steinberg, co-founder and CEO of Zeta Global, discusses how his company uses agentic AI to enhance marketing personalization while improving efficiency and reducing technology costs. Zeta Global’s AI-powered Marketing Cloud automates workflows and messaging, aiming to create customer interactions that feel like conversations with a trusted friend. Steinberg emphasizes the importance of high-quality data, combining what consumers read and research with location-based data to predict future behavior. Agentic AI enables automated actions on behalf of marketers. Steinberg explains that linking multiple AI agents produces exponential improvements. For example, distinct agents can manage creative decisions, audience building, targeting, and real-time attribution, refining one another’s outputs. Regarding human involvement, Steinberg notes clients can choose their level of manual control—from full automation to human oversight with AI feedback guiding decisions. He advises marketers to deepen their analytical skills and maintain creative and client relationship expertise. Agencies, he says, remain essential for crafting creative assets that AI agents utilize. On privacy, Steinberg compares marketing personalization to a natural conversation rather than invasive scrutiny. He argues that respectful, contextualized marketing builds trust without discomfort by delivering relevant content at the right moment. Looking ahead, Zeta Global recently launched Zeta Answers, an AI-powered framework that not only predicts marketing outcomes but also autonomously acts on them to deliver results in real time. Steinberg says this innovation marks only the beginning of their agentic AI advancements. --- Grey Goose Vodka, owned by Bacardi Limited, is launching a global campaign featuring actress Zoe Saldaña that urges consumers to "savour moments of pleasure instead of obsessing over productivity. " The campaign, set to debut on June 12, draws inspiration from European traditions of extended holidays. Developed with creative agency BBH USA, the "Grey Goose Hôtel" campaign uses European cultural elements to highlight relaxed luxury and mindful enjoyment. Video spots were filmed at Italy's Lake Como, with director Martin Werner overseeing the production. One 60-second ad, "Last-ish Call," shows Saldaña sneaking around a hotel after bar hours to continue mixing cocktails. A follow-up spot, "Not So Dry Martini Cocktail," will premiere in mid-July. The marketing plan includes TV, online video, and social media, with planned ad placements during major summer sports events like the NBA Finals, U. S. Open Golf Championship, and tennis tournaments. Complementing the digital content, in-person activations will take place throughout the year. Saldaña will also share her signature cocktail recipe, Le Zoé Spritz, on Instagram. The campaign taps into growing concerns about burnout, noting that nearly 80% of Americans feel overwhelmed, often spending time off on obligations rather than rest. Grey Goose encourages adopting a European approach to leisure, contrasting America’s intense work culture with Europe's extended holiday traditions. This effort aligns with Grey Goose's focus on premiumization amid rising demand, particularly during holidays. In 2024, Bacardi introduced Altius, a super-premium Grey Goose vodka. The broader spirits industry is also promoting downtime; for example, Malibu recently launched a similar campaign urging consumers to take a break. --- Google has announced plans to retire Android Instant Apps by December 2025, citing insufficient user engagement as the main reason for the discontinuation. Introduced in 2017, Instant Apps allowed users to access lightweight versions of Android apps without full installation, enabling quick app trials via links. This feature aimed to simplify user experience and help developers reach new audiences. The news emerged after developer Leon Omelan spotted a warning in Android Studio indicating the removal of Instant Apps support and related APIs in late 2025. Google confirmed this update. According to Google spokesperson Nia Carter, Instant Apps have not gained adequate traction. She noted that developers are increasingly using alternatives like AI-powered app highlights and simultaneous app installs for app discovery. Google plans to focus on tools that better drive user engagement and encourage full app downloads. --- Some users of Meta AI may unknowingly have their search prompts and results posted publicly on a feed accessible to everyone. The tool allows users to share their interactions, but not all appear aware of the visibility of these posts. An internet safety expert called this a significant user experience and security issue, noting that posts can be traced back to individuals via usernames and profile pictures linked to social media accounts. This exposes potentially sensitive searches, including requests for generating scantily clad characters or solutions to academic tests. Meta has been approached for comment. While sharing is not automatic, users who choose to post receive a warning: "Prompts you post are public and visible to everyone... Avoid sharing personal or sensitive information. " Despite this, numerous examples were found where people uploaded school or university test questions or sought help with exams. Some publicly viewable chats feature searches for revealing images of women or anthropomorphic characters, sometimes traceable to the users’ Instagram profiles. Tech outlet TechCrunch also reported intimate medical questions posted openly, such as inquiries about treating rashes. Meta AI is accessible via Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and as a standalone product featuring a public "Discover" feed. Users can set searches to private in their account settings. The service is available in the UK via browser and in the US through an app. In an April press release, Meta stated the "Discover" feed is "a place to share and explore how others are using AI," emphasizing that posts only appear if users choose to share them. Rachel Tobac, CEO of cybersecurity firm Social Proof Security, criticized the mismatch between user expectations and reality, pointing out that many do not expect their AI interactions to become public content linked to their identities. She warned this could lead to inadvertent exposure of sensitive information. --- Google has released a significant update to its Snapseed photo editing app on iPhone and iPad, marking the first major revision since introducing dark mode in 2021. Originally launched on iOS before Google acquired it in 2012 to compete with Instagram, Snapseed later expanded to Android and became a free app. It offers various tools for editing RAW and JPEG images, along with multiple filters. The latest version adds new vintage-style filters. The Snapseed 3. 0 update redesigns the app's interface on iOS. A new “Faves” feature now occupies the center of the bottom toolbar, allowing users to save preferred tools. The “Looks” tab remains on the left side, while the right side replaces the “Export” button with “Tools. ” The export function has moved to the top-right corner. “We’re bringing a whole new look and feel to Snapseed on iOS,” said Google spokesperson Michael Marconi. “There are so many people who have loved using Snapseed to edit their photos over the years, so we’re giving it a fresh look with a more intuitive layout and a few new features. ”Currently, the update is exclusive to iOS. Google has not announced plans to release the new version on Android. --- Shopify is enabling merchants to accept payments in USDC stablecoin, simplifying cross-border transactions. This new feature allows merchants to sell globally as easily as to local customers, according to a company blog post on Thursday. Developed in collaboration with Coinbase and Stripe, the payment system uses Coinbase's Base network to facilitate money movement. Customers can pay with USDC from hundreds of supported crypto wallets, while merchants can receive payments either in their local currency or directly in USDC. Importantly, merchants will face no foreign transaction or exchange fees regardless of their preferred payment receipt method. "By embracing stablecoins, merchants aren’t just adopting a new payment method, they’re tapping into global markets, opening the door to global customers, and joining the future of borderless, accessible commerce," the Shopify post stated. Coinbase announced early access availability for select merchants starting Thursday, with a wider rollout planned later this year. The company praised the Base network for enabling fast, low-cost, and secure on-chain transactions worldwide. Stripe confirmed that within a few weeks, Shopify merchants in 34 countries will have access to the new payment method. Powered by Stripe Connect, this integration aims to extend stablecoin benefits to a large number of businesses without disrupting their current operations. Neetika Bansal, head of money movement at crypto at Stripe, commented, "Now those businesses can reach more markets at lower costs — all without having to change how they already run their business. " --- Valve is introducing native support for Apple Silicon Macs in the latest Steam client beta. This update allows the Steam Client and Steam Helper apps to run directly on Macs with M-series chips, eliminating the need for Rosetta 2 emulation. Rosetta 2 currently enables Intel-based applications to operate on Apple Silicon’s ARM architecture, but native support is expected to enhance Steam's performance and efficiency on these devices. This change aligns with Apple's decision to discontinue major updates for Intel-based Macs after macOS Tahoe and limit Rosetta 2 availability to macOS 27. Apple will maintain some Rosetta functionality to support older gaming titles dependent on Intel frameworks. Mac users can join the Steam beta by going to Steam > Settings > Interface, selecting "Client Beta Participation," and choosing "Steam Beta Update. " Steam will then restart to apply the update. --- Ether (ETH) fell more than 7% in the past 24 hours, dropping from a high of $2,770. 56 to a low of $2,477. 71 before recovering slightly to $2,536. The decline followed a broad risk-off reaction in global markets after Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian military sites, escalating tensions in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the strikes as a "targeted military operation" against Iran's nuclear and missile programs. Iran retaliated with approximately 100 drones toward Israel. The U. S. denied direct involvement but emphasized protection of its regional forces. Investors moved toward traditional safe-haven assets amid the heightened geopolitical risk. The U. S. dollar rose 0. 6%, rebounding from a recent three-year low. Gold approached a two-month high, and oil futures surged as much as 13% before easing. The dollar's rally stood out as it outperformed safe-haven currencies like the Swiss franc and Japanese yen. Market analysts noted that the conflict's duration and impact on oil markets would influence investor strategies. ING highlighted the dollar's notable rebound, while Bank of America indicated traders remain heavily short on the dollar, though with reduced conviction. Ether's price drop mirrored sell-offs across equities, bonds, and commodities. After stabilizing above $2,530, heightened volatility is expected as the situation develops. Technical HighlightsETH experienced a 10. 6% intraday decline, from $2,770. 56 to $2,477. 71. Trading volume surged to 692,000 ETH during increased selling in U. S. evening hours. The price briefly bounced near $2,480 but encountered resistance below $2,550. Current trading consolidates tightly between $2,530 and $2,540. Volume trends suggest short-term selling exhaustion without a confirmed reversal. Disclaimer: Portions of this article were produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and compliance with CoinDesk's AI Policy. --- James Howells, a Welsh IT professional, accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins in 2013. At the time, the digital currency was worth only a few hundred dollars per coin, but its value has since surged to around $742 million, marking one of the most significant financial losses in the cryptocurrency world. Determined to retrieve the lost fortune, Howells proposed an ambitious plan involving AI-powered drones and robots to search the Newport landfill where the hard drive was discarded. However, the city council denied access due to environmental concerns, including risks of toxic gas release and groundwater contamination. British laws also complicated the matter by granting landfill ownership rights to the site operators and strictly regulating excavations. After twelve years of persistent attempts and legal challenges, a British judge ruled in 2024 against Howells’s recovery efforts, citing the low likelihood of finding a functional drive after over a decade buried under waste. Faced with this final setback, Howells has officially ended his retrieval quest. The story, however, lives on through an upcoming documentary titled The Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells, produced by the American company LEBUL. Scheduled for release in late 2025, the film will portray Howells’s technological innovations and legal battles, offering a broader reflection on digital wealth and human resilience. Howells’s experience highlights the precarious nature of digital assets, where a single mistake can erase vast fortunes. It also underscores the challenges of marrying innovative technology with legal and environmental regulations in modern recovery efforts. His journey has become a cautionary tale and a symbol of perseverance amid the volatile world of cryptocurrency. --- Ether (ETH) fell more than 7% within 24 hours, dropping from a high of $2,770. 56 to a low of $2,477. 71 before slightly recovering to $2,536 at the time of reporting. The decline followed heightened geopolitical tensions after Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian military sites, marking a significant escalation in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the strikes as a "targeted military operation" against Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities. In retaliation, Iran launched roughly 100 drones toward Israel. While the United States denied direct involvement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that America's focus remains on protecting its regional forces. Amid rising geopolitical risk, investors sought traditional safe-haven assets. The U. S. dollar surged 0. 6%, recovering from a three-year low, while gold approached a two-month peak. Oil futures briefly jumped as much as 13% before easing. Notably, the dollar outperformed other safe-haven currencies like the Swiss franc and Japanese yen. Market analysts highlighted that the duration and impact of the conflict, particularly on oil prices, will influence future investor decisions. ING noted the dollar's rebound as significant though somewhat muted. Bank of America reported traders remain heavily short on the dollar but with persistent conviction in that position. ETH's drop coincided with declines in equities, bonds, and commodities. Although prices stabilized above $2,530, volatility is expected to persist as markets adjust to ongoing developments. Technical AnalysisETH experienced a 10. 6% intraday decline from $2,770. 56 to $2,477. 71. Trading volume surged to 692,000 ETH amid increased selling during U. S. evening hours. Price briefly bounced near $2,480 but met resistance below $2,550. Current price movement is consolidating between $2,530 and $2,540. Declining volume suggests short-term selling exhaustion but no confirmed trend reversal. Disclaimer: This article includes content generated with AI assistance, reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and standards compliance. For details, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy. --- James Howells, a Welsh IT professional, accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins in 2013. At the time worth around $8 million, those Bitcoins are now valued at approximately $742 million. Determined to recover his digital fortune, Howells proposed a high-tech recovery using AI-powered drones and robots to search the Newport landfill where the hard drive was discarded. However, environmental concerns and legal restrictions blocked access to the site. Newport City Council denied excavation permits, citing risks of toxic gas release and groundwater contamination. British landfill laws further complicated the matter, as discarded items legally belong to the landfill operator and excavation is highly regulated. In 2024, a judge ruled that Howells's chances of finding the hard drive were slim, given the device’s likely deterioration after more than a decade underground. Following this legal setback, Howells abandoned the search but his story continues to captivate. An American production company, LEBUL, is developing a documentary titled The Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells, set for release in late 2025. The film aims to portray his journey, from his technological ambitions to the legal and environmental challenges he faced. Howells describes the film as an opportunity to share his experience on a global scale. Despite the defeat, he maintains his determination, reflecting the resilience of those impacted by the volatile nature of digital currencies. This saga highlights the fragility of digital wealth and the complexities involved in recovering lost cryptocurrency. It also poses important questions about the security of digital assets and the regulatory and environmental issues that arise with innovative recovery efforts. --- Ether (ETH) fell more than 7% within 24 hours, dropping from a high of $2,770. 56 to a low of $2,477. 71 before slightly recovering to $2,536 at press time. The decline occurred amid a global risk-off environment following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military sites, escalating tensions in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the strikes as a targeted operation against Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. Iran retaliated by launching approximately 100 drones toward Israel. Although the U. S. denied direct involvement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed America's commitment to protecting regional forces. Investors responded by shifting into traditional safe havens. The U. S. dollar rose 0. 6% after hitting a three-year low the day before. Gold approached a two-month peak, and oil futures surged up to 13% before moderating. The dollar’s gains surpassed those of other safe-haven currencies like the Swiss franc and Japanese yen. Market strategists highlighted that the conflict’s extent and duration, especially its effect on oil prices, will influence investor behavior. ING analysts noted the dollar’s recovery was notable but less dramatic than anticipated. Bank of America’s survey showed traders remain heavily short the dollar, though confidence in that position has not collapsed. ETH’s drop mirrored weakness in equities, bonds, and commodities. Though prices stabilized above $2,530, volatility is expected to persist as the situation develops. Technical Analysis: ETH experienced a 10. 6% intraday decline from $2,770. 56 to $2,477. 71. Trading volume increased to 692,000 ETH amid intensified selling during U. S. evening hours. Prices briefly recovered near $2,480 but faced resistance under $2,550. Current consolidation ranges between $2,530 and $2,540. Volume is declining, indicating short-term exhaustion without a confirmed reversal. Note: Portions of this article were created with AI assistance and reviewed by editorial staff to ensure accuracy and compliance with CoinDesk's AI Policy. --- The Hash Ribbon "buy" signal, based on Bitcoin's network hashrate dynamics, has triggered again. Technical analyst Astronomer Zero highlighted this on 12 June, suggesting Bitcoin could rise to at least $170,000 per coin. The analyst shared a chart on X overlaying prior weekly Hash Ribbon buy signals since 2020 on the BTC/USDT perpetual contract at Binance. The chart shows five previous capitulation-to-recovery crossovers, each followed by significant price rallies. In late 2020, Bitcoin surged 235% from $18,000 to over $60,000. Mid-2021 saw a 59% increase from $30,000 to nearly $48,000. Late 2022 and early 2023 witnessed jumps of 260% from below $18,000 and 175% reaching $60,000 respectively. In mid-2024, Bitcoin rallied 100% to surpass $100,000. The most recent signal occurred three weeks ago, with Bitcoin closing the week around $105,000. Astronomer Zero notes a resistance zone between $160,000 and $165,000, aligning with previous post-signal rally magnitudes. If Bitcoin matches the smallest historical gain of about 60% from this point, it could reach approximately $170,000. The Hash Ribbon indicator works mechanically: the 30-day moving average of network hashrate crossing above the 60-day average after miner capitulation signals an end to forced selling pressure. Past occurrences have coincided with increased accumulation visible on-chain and in derivatives. While some caution that correlation does not equal causation, and factors such as ETF inflows, supply halving, and liquidity conditions already influence price expectations, Astronomer Zero's analysis highlights that the Hash Ribbon "buy" signal has reliably preceded strong rallies over the past five years. At press time, Bitcoin was down 3. 1% over 24 hours, trading at $104,898. --- ---