Connecting the Dots on Facebook’s Smear Campaign

Perhaps you’ve probably heard: Facebook and Google are at war, and Facebook’s not afraid to play dirty. Thursday’s revelation that the social networking site hired PR firm Burston-Marsteller to plant a negative story about Google’s privacy settings raises a number of questions. Like, “Who at Facebook thought this was a good idea?” The company isn't responding to the question right now. Until they do, it helps to look at the players involved. There’s Burston-Marsteller, the global PR firm run by CEO Mark Penn. There’s Jim Goldman, the former Silicon Valley bureau chief for CNBC (and frequent target of high school-style ridicule). He’s become the fall guy for Burston-Marsteller. There’s Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s universally praised COO. And then there’s Elliot Schrage, Facebook’s VP of communications and public policy. Penn, of course, is a Washington heavy hitter: he worked as a pollster to President Clinton during both of his terms and the Washington Post noted how “thoroughly integrated into the policymaking operation” he’d become. Penn’s also no stranger to criticism from Washington observers: he gained notoriety for missteps as chief strategist to Hillary Clinton during her 2008 Presidential bid. He eventually stepped down after feuding with other aides, and for reportedly offering Clinton some of her worst advice (like, emphasize Barack Obama’s foreignness). Penn’s also no stranger to the tech world—he’s credited with making Microsoft into one of the country’s most... Continue reading at 'AdWeek'

[ AdWeek | 2011-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #googles head #silicon valley #focus attention

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Connecting the Dots on Facebook’s Smear Campaign'


Publishers 'feeding on scraps from Facebook', says Bloomberg Media boss

Justin Smith says social network makes far more money from ads in its news feed than news organisations do from linked trafficNewspapers, magazines and other publishers are “feeding on the scraps” of Facebook’s multibillion-dollar ad business despite playing a central role in keeping the social... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-04-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #central role #bloomberg media #publishing arm #publisher websites #publisher content


Facebook transparency report shows increase in government data requests, most with gagging orders

Facebook has published its latest Global Government Requests Report covering the second half of 2015. The transparency report reveals that there has been as 13 percent increase in the number of government requests for data, but it also shows that Facebook is still not able to be as transparent... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2016-04-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #data requests #government requests


Ilex joins the dots

Ilex Press, part of Octopus, will publish Superstars of YouTube: The 100% Unofficial Dot-to-Dot Book by Abi Daker in October 2016, featuring famous vloggers such as Zoella, Alfie Deyes and Dan and Phil. World rights are available. Zara Larcombe of Ilex said: “The popularity of YouTubers has... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ilex press #alfie deyes #world rights #publishing world


Should Media Companies Fear Facebook Live and Instant Articles or Embrace Them?

Of the many talking points Tuesday at Facebook's F8 conference, two stood out because of their potential ramifications: the full rollout of Instant Articles and Facebook Live opening up to developers. We did a quick poll of tech players to gain insight into whether media companies should fear... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2016-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #monetization opportunities #online video #user base #watching closely


Nielsen to Measure Performance of Facebook Instant Articles

Expanded Digital Content Ratings aim to give publishers a more complete picture of their digital audiences. The post Nielsen to Measure Performance of Facebook Instant Articles appeared first on Folio:. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2016-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #post nielsen #give publishers #complete picture #digital audiences


Facebook delivers new ways for publishers make money (and get readers) from Instant Articles

Facebook is trying to sweeten the deal for Instant Articles publishers. At its F8 developers conference today. the social network showed off expected new video ads, which can go right into Instant Articles. It also discussed its new branded content policies, which allow publishers to create... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2016-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #video ads


Will Facebook Messenger's Updated Platform Cause a Rise in Chatbots?

Yesterday, Facebook unveiled a major update to its Messenger app, that allows developers to create chatbots for brands through its chatbot API. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's announcement has major implications for messaging platforms like Kik and Skype. Now, with 900 million people around the... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2016-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #highly engaged


Facebook levels up its live streaming service with new video tab and developer tools

Facebook is doubling down on its investment in video with a new tool that will help hardware makers build devices to stream live to the social networking service. The new Facebook Live API will let publishers and hardware makers build tools that connect with the social network's live video... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2016-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #video tab #stream live


Publishers rush to get their bots on Facebook Messenger

Publishers are getting chatty with Facebook Messenger. Facebook opened its anticipated Messenger platform today that lets publishers, retailers, brands and anyone build bots to interact with the 900 million users on the app. Publishers like CNN and Business Insider were ready with bot launches... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2016-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishers rush #lets publishers #facebook messenger #facebook opened #business insider #facebook made #media world


How Facebook's Big Bet On Chatbots Might Remake The UX Of The Web

Enter The 2016 Innovation By Design Awards now through May 5! At F8, Facebook's massive annual developer conference, the big news is bots—specifically bots on Messenger, Facebook's messaging app. Messenger now boasts 900 million users per month, which presents a tantalizing user base for... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2016-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook is making product endorsements more obvious

Ads have been a staple in your Facebook News Feed for quite sometime. Today, the social network announced changes to its branded content policy that will make it more obvious when a celebrity or other publisher posts about third-party goods and servi... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2016-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publisher posts


Facebook opens the door to branded content from top publishers

Facebook has officially updated its policy and now allows publishers to post ads in the form of branded content to their pages. Media outlets had been hoping to help driving more money from all their efforts on the social network. The new rules allow verified pages, from publishers like NowThis... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2016-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #rules apply #facebook opens #branded content #post ads #media outlets


Brands Can Now Produce Native Ads on Facebook More Effectively

Branded content and product placement are now A-OK with Facebook if marketers with verified pages on the platform follow the rules. The social media giant today began offering tags that companies can use to mark their videos and other content as branded content, though they are not allowed to... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2016-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #marketing efforts #social site #video game #video hub #pay publishers #menlo park


Uh-oh, some publishers see a drop in Facebook traffic

Some social-centric publishers saw double-digit drops in their Facebook referral traffic last month, with some suspecting that this is the flip side of Facebook's pushing Instant Articles (and video) into people’s news feeds. Those initiatives are designed to keep people in Facebook's app, but... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2016-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #facebook traffic #double-digit drops #flip side #news feeds


Business Insider joins 1 billion monthly Facebook video views club

Business Insider says it did 1 billion views on Facebook in March. The milestone comes just eight months after the company started publishing videos directly to the social network. The focus on social distribution has also driven a more “nuanced” approach to how Business Insider staffs its video... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2016-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #video team #business insider #social distribution #social teams


Facebook Opens Up Branded Content to Publishers

Verified publishers now have the platform's blessing to distribute sponsored content—provided they do so within the guidelines. The post Facebook Opens Up Branded Content to Publishers appeared first on Folio:. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2016-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishers appeared #facebook opens #branded content


Facebook Opens the Gates to Branded Content

Facebook has long prohibited publishers, celebrities and influencers from taking advantage of its vast platform to post branded content on their pages, unless it was part of a paid ad campaign on Facebook. As the rules said:"Advertising on Pages: Third-party advertisements on Pages are... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2016-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #facebook opens #branded content #taking advantage #prior permission


Facebook Live video service sees company paying news publishers

Payments to BuzzFeed and others reflects Facebook’s desire to ensure Live has sufficient engaging contentFacebook is paying news publishers and broadcasters, including the New York Times, BuzzFeed and Sky, to provide content on its live video service.Video has become a priority for Facebook and... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #provide content #core part


Facebook Will Pay Publishers to Livestream Video in New Hub

Facebook has created a video hub that will roll out in the coming weeks for its flagship mobile app. According to a TechCrunch story, a button for the hub will receive prominent placement in the Facebook app and often highlight live video—though it will offer recorded clips as well.   ... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2016-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Watch out, YouTube: Facebook’s new video section has publishers excited

Facebook is rolling out a bunch of new live video features, including a video section that will prioritize live content above on-demand videos. Publishers like Business Insider and The Washington Post expect the new features to grow viewership on the platform. And with a dedicated section, clear... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2016-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #post watch #video section #business insider #dedicated section #publishing directly