As if making online ads count wasn't already challenging, a push by Microsoft to sell its Internet Explorer 10 browser with "do not track" as its default setting is sending marketers into an uproar.
WPP Chief Executive Martin Sorrell and Vivaki CEO Jack Klues are among the execs who have protested the move by the Redmond, Wash. software maker. The new default setting could challenge "the advertising architecture of the web," says Ad Age.
Until now, consumers have had to actively opt-out of targeting, giving marketeers an advantage in tracking their behavior. "Microsoft's new browser will treat all users like they have already opted out unless they say otherwise," writes Ad Age. This is "a feature that could put the web-surfing behavior of millions of people off-limits to websites and marketers that honor that designation."
The move could also harm rival Google's advertising business if IE 10 gains enough market share. Google can track a huge pool of users through the universal opt-in setting it created by merging its disparate privacy policies earlier this year.
Sales Buzz
Groupon's Sales Outflow (FINS)
As Groupon's stock hovers near its lowest level since its November public offering, resumes are beginning to flow from the salespeople who work there.
Customer Service (eMarketer)
Salespeople take note: Consumers prefer to provide feedback to businesses via email rather than over the phone. Facebook ranks as the most preferred social media channel for consumers to deliver feedback.
Saks Jobs on Facebook (Chain Store Age)
The new "Careers at Saks" Facebook page will allow job applicants to interact with Saks Fifth Avenue's recruiters and search available jobs, while the newsfeed will include jobs of the day and career and interview tips.
Marketing Buzz
Advertising's Euro Crisis (Marketing Week)
While global ad spend is expected to benefit from events like the Euro 2012 football championship, the Olympics and the U.S. election, ad spending in the Eurozone is expected to fall by 1.1% this year.
Facebook's Ad Council (AdWeek)
Facebook has announced the formation of its 14-member Creative Council, a forum for the social network to talk about ad product ideas and agency concerns. Council members include top execs from JWT, Droga5, McCann Erickson, Grey and Publicis.
Ogilvy Taps BBDO Exec (AdWeek)
Ogilvy & Mather's New York office has a new president. Adam Tucker, formerly a managing partner at AMV BBDO in London, begins his job August 1.
Target Heavy Tablet Users (AdWeek)
What a surprise. Heavy users of tablets are more likely to respond to ads than those who aren't.
Facebook Marketing Works for Coke (WSJ)
Coke's marketing head Joe Tripodi says advertising on Facebook probably helps drive sales. "If we can't precisely measure it down to the CPM, or using traditional methods of measurement, then at this point, so be it. Sometimes you have to take a little leap of faith," he said.
Lackluster Ad Folks (Business Insider)
Deutsch LA has collected data that shows that ad folks aren't particularly enamored by their business. While 43% say they "fell into advertising," 50% think it would not be difficult to fit into another industry and 60% think Apple is the most creative company.
Buzz Around the Office
Canine Catch Championships (Daily Mail)
A Frisbee dog championship includes categories like Toss and Fetch and Freestyle.
List of the Day: What Not to Do
Golden rules to follow to keep your job.
1. Don't badmouth your boss.
2. Don't disparage your company's products or customers.
3. Don't assume your private conversations will stay that way.
(Source: MoneyWatch)
