Facebook has begun testing autoplaying all its videos with the sound on

August 31, 2016

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Facebook has begun testing autoplaying all of its videos — including ads and Facebook Live videos — with the sound automatically turned on.

Users in the test can turn off the sound on individual videos or navigate their way to Facebook’s settings page and turn the sound off for all videos.

The tests, first reported by Mashable, are currently limited to some Australian Facebook users who access the social network on their phones.

The test underscores the current tension underlying the larger digital video boom.

Publishers are focused on growing their video views so they can take advantage of the video dollars advertisers want to spend — but that only works if viewers actually want to watch the videos publishers are showing them, and the ones advertisers want to show them.

It also suggests that advertisers are putting pressure on Facebook to work around ad blockers and now make sure viewers see and hear their ads.

This is hot on the heels of news that P&G pulled out of targetting advertising on FAcebook saying the technique was “too narrow”.

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Leggings beat jeans: official

August 30, 2016

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According to data from Edited, a retail technology company whose clients include the luxury retailer Net-a-Porter, there are 20% more leggings stocked than jeans in the kidswear sections of US online retailers right now.

In the last three months, online retailers got 56% more new arrivals of leggings than jeans, and new arrivals of sweatpants trailed jeans by just 18%.

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Europe’s efforts to curb tax avoidance may start a global tax war

August 30, 2016

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European Commission’s executive has ruled that the technology giant’s tax arrangements with Ireland amounted to preferential treatment (with tax rates at 1%).

The commission has suggested a figure or a range that Apple owes Dublin—which is $13 billion.

But the government, fearing other investors would be put off, doesn’t want to collect the money; it has appealed, as will Apple, ensuring the case drags on for years.

The ruling will stoke transatlantic tensions: America recently lambasted the commission for trying to turn itself into a “supranational tax authority” and declared the theories underpinning the anticipated ruling flawed.

Washington accuses Eurocrats of undermining OECD-led efforts to form international consensus on how to tackle corporate tax shenanigans.

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Retail is in freefall

August 26, 2016

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US department store giant Macy’s has closed 100 stores. That is 14% of their total stores.

How many stores would other brands have to close to achieve 2006 level of sales per square foot? JC Penney’s would have to close 31% of its stores (that’s 320) and Sears would need to close 43% (300 stores).

What is happening here? Amazon. Their apparel business is taking off.

As stores close, brands are reacting. Coach is pulling its products from 250 low value department stores as part of its move to restore its association with luxury.

If Nike and Rolex and Samsung want to be perceived as luxury brands they have to control more of their distribution. And that is going to hurt department stores even more.

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Weibo is rocking out off the back of video

August 26, 2016

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The social media platform is growing off the back of live streaming and short form video, features not integrated directly into competitor WeChat.

Weibo’s net income in Q2 rose 516% and daily users increased 36% yoy to 126m daily users. Weibo has surpassed Twitter in growth and mobile users.

Sina_Weibo.svg When L’Oreal used the platform to highlight a Chinese star in Cannes, the lip balm she was using sold out in four hours.

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Furthr backs anti-Brexit organisation More United

August 26, 2016

More-United-advertising-bannerThe Brexit result has exposed the fragmentation of the old two-party electorate.

The Labour Party has trooped off to the hard left, Theresa May’s government is popular but at the mercy of hardline Brexiteers, and the Liberal Democrats remain marginal and unloved, says The Economist.

That’s why Furthr is backing More United, an online campaign sporting a heart-shaped union-flag logo.

Founded by Lord Ashdown and other like-minded public figures, it takes its name from a phrase in the maiden parliamentary speech given by Jo Cox, the Labour MP whose murder in the final days of the referendum campaign brought thousands out on the streets in protest at the darkly divisive atmosphere.

More United wants a calmer, more collaborative politics. But it also wants to go further and build a centrist movement that transcends party boundaries and appeals.

The group hopes to channel donations towards candidates who conform to its principles (think: in favour of a close relationship with the continent, party-funding reform and a social market economy). Beyond that, it might provide scholarships to promising young politicians, nurture parliamentary links between like-minded MPs, deploy activists to favoured local campaigns or even, some reckon, catalyse a new political party.

Furthr is throwing its support behind More United and encourages you to do the same.

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