Everything is an ad network

Welcome to the last week in May. Luckily, it contains Memorial Day Weekend—and if you don’t get time off for it, at least there are the sales.

Netflix Advertisers Call for Faster Ad-Tier Growth

After a slowdown of subscriptions, Netflix launched its ad-supported tier late last year and now has five million monthly active users on the plan. But brands advertising on Netflix’s "fledgling" ad tier want to see faster growth. Does this mean Netflix will lower ad-tier prices or find another way to attract users?

Everything is an Ad Network

In a recent Twitter thread, media strategist Eric Seufert points out his 2021 proposal “Everything is an ad network” has since accelerated. He points to digital privacy as the root cause—privacy is leveling the playing field and taking away Google and Facebook’s advantage.

Facebook Tests Promotional and Lead Ads for Select Advertisers

According to Meta, “85% of shoppers actively seek out promotions and offers before making a purchase.” This is why Meta is now testing promotional and lead ads for “select advertisers on Facebook [to use] various features that make it easier to find, apply, and manage [relevant] deals.” Could this be Meta’s way of combating privacy measures siphoning off ad spend to other ad networks?

Ads are Two-Thirds of the Mobile-App Economy

Of the $500B mobile app economy, 67%, or approximately $335B, came from advertising while 33% came specifically from in-app purchases. Speaking of in-app spending, Jack Black’s son racked up $3k on in-app purchases, proving no one is immune.

Around the Web

• Walmart’s ad business continues to grow—“the number of third-party sellers utilizing the company’s ad capabilities has doubled over the past 12 months.”

• Montana has the first TikTok ban in the nation, but some wonder if Montana will even be able to enforce the ban.

• Speaking of TikTok, although the platform is testing search ads, who knows when we’ll get them.

• Meta’s Twitter-esque app is supposed to launch next month.

• Future Social creator Jack Appleby tweeted about how Michelob ULTRA took advantage of an organic marketing opportunity.

Just Can’t Get Enough

Wholesome Snoop Dogg. The clip of Snoop Dogg narrating Planet Earth’s ‘Iguana vs. Snake Chase’ segment is making the rounds again and we are forever grateful.

• Here’s the segment.

• And if you haven’t checked out his kid’s album yet, now’s the time.

Do you believe everything is an ad network? How do you feel about Netflix, Facebook, mobile apps, Walmart, and others working out their ad offerings? How do you think Netflix will attract more subscribers for its ad tier? Reply and let us know all of your thoughts!

Thanks for joining us, and we’ll see you Thursday!