Issue #18: Ads arrive in WhatsApp and DSPs dominate Cannes

☕ Hello there, adtech pros

Grab a cold brew to help with the heat and unpick the top stories in media.

🗞️ Top Stories

1. WhatsApp prepares to show ads in its Updates feed
   Meta confirmed that sponsored Status stories and promoted Channels will begin appearing in the Updates tab later this year. The Verge

2. Moonbug builds in-house ad services arm for CoComelon & Blippi
   The kids content powerhouse has bundled audience data, creative, media buying and measurement into Moonbug Ad Services. AdExchanger

3. Dentsu partners to plan media with AI generated synthetic audiences
   Announced at Cannes, the partnership layers synthetic research panels from Evidenza onto Dentsu’s CCS data for faster testing and insights. MediaPost

4. Reddit links up with CVS Media for retail media targeting
   A new opportunity for advertisers to overlay first party shopper data onto Reddit communities, so brands can serve relevant posts and drive conversion. eMarketer

5. Amazon grabs exclusive access to Roku’s CTV inventory via its DSP
   The new deal makes Amazon DSP the sole programmatic gateway to Roku’s 80 million logged in US households. Digiday

6. DoubleVerify positions itself as a news ally with Publisher Council

   News accelerator and publisher council initiatives aims to curb over zealous keyword block lists and align ad spend with quality journalism. Business Wire

7. LinkedIn pushes deeper into CTV for B2B marketers
   A fresh AdExchanger report details how LinkedIn’s CTV network is helping B2B brands extend precision targeting beyond the feed. AdExchanger

8. Cannes Lions round-up: DSP partnerships dominate
   ExchangeWire recaps highlights from la Croisette where retail and streaming alliances led many festival headlines this year. ExchangeWire

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See you next time,

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