What you need to know in advertising today
The company is adding a new "Shop Now" button that users can tap to install an app, watch a video or shop for products, all within the Snapchat app.
The button is meant to close the sales loop for marketers looking to drive returns on their investment (ROI), and is available on an enhanced version of its lens product that Snapchat is calling the "Shoppable AR" lens.
To read more about Snapchat's Shoppable AR lens, click here.
In other news:
Facebook is rolling out 'permission screens' so users can opt out of targeted ads - but there's no 'decline' button. It's a requirement that's part of a new EU privacy law called GDPR.
Speaking of Facebook, the company is pushing some European users to accept facial recognition - previously banned in the EU - but is using 'dishonest' and 'manipulative' tactics, according to experts. Many experts pointed out there was no obvious way to opt out of facial recognition.
Starbucks stores will close nationwide next month in an unprecedented attempt to fix a company crisis. The closure comes after footage of the arrest of two black men who tried to use the bathroom in a Philadelphia Starbucks went viral, sparking boycott threats.
LittleThings, which abruptly shut down as a victim of Facebook's algorithm tweak, is coming back. The mobile gaming company RockYou is acquiring the site and plans to revive it.
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has spoken out for the first time since a shooter injured 3 and killed herself close to the firm's headquarters. In a blog post addressed to creators, Wojcicki explained recent changes that had frustrated creators were necessary to boost advertiser trust.
Ad holding company Omnicom reported that its revenue grew slightly in the first quarter. CEO John Wren said that Omnicom plans to invest in creating more custom solutions for clients that incorporate resources from various agencies and disciplines - similar to WPP's "horizontality" or Publicis's "Power of One" approaches.
Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight is heading to Disney-owned ABC News after five years at Disney-owned ESPN, the Wall Street Journal reports. Taking on FiveThirtyEight is part of ABC News's plans to fortify its political reporting in advance of the 2018 midterm elections, said James Goldston, ABC News president.