Dispatch from an advertising future #180

https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/merkle-launches-uk-tech-consulting-practice/1725478

Merkle launches UK tech consulting practice

We are delighted to announce a new consulting practice and a new member of our team. We pride ourselves on the depths of our technological expertise and our data practice has been at the forefront of our offer for a number of years. We are keenly aware however that the world, and our clients’ businesses are changing. New frontiers are opening up and we are determined to maximise their value. Our new “People Practice” will bring understanding and engagement with people to our clients. A unique offer in the marketplace. Our latest algorithmic executive will lead the practice from midnight.

Dispatch from an advertising future #179

https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/24/22639081/tiktok-effects-house-studio-private-beta-launch

TikTok follows Snap and Facebook by testing new augmented reality developer tools

You’ve got to see it! It’s amazing. I mean it’s so cool. It’s hypnotic. Mesmerising. I could look at it for hours. I have. I’ve told all my friends. I mean you have to when there’s something this new, this amazing. I hate the word “immersive” but, you sort of just fall into it, before you know it. “Interactive” is another one but it is. As you look at it you end up imagining all sorts of stories. This has so got to be the future. So different. Why are others not doing this? They call it a “photograph” apparently.

Dispatch from an advertising future #178

https://digiday.com/marketing/this-is-the-equivalent-of-free-beer-confessions-of-a-strategist-on-how-wellness-platitudes-arent-enough-to-curb-burnout/

‘This is the equivalent of free beer’: Confessions of a strategist on how wellness platitudes aren’t enough to curb burnout

It just won’t budge. I’ve tried opening more windows; joining more Slack channels. I’ve tried thinking about my mortgage. I’ve even tried holding my breath. It just won’t move. I’ve got to get it to go up. I’ll try tightening the band. Maybe swap wrists? Everyone else’s works properly. I haven’t seen Alex for days. Maybe if I take it off? No, that’ll screw up the graph even more. I got that look yesterday. Approval – how well I was handling my job. But then that look: “Is he working hard enough?” Work damn you! Oh hang on, it’s going up…

Dispatch from an advertising future #177

https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/19/22629942/facebook-workrooms-horizon-oculus-vr

Inside Facebook’s metaverse for work

It was a fairly balanced meeting. Fifty-fifty bods and bots. He chose to send me. I don’t mind. My colleagues and I have a far more useful meeting running at the same time. We call it it ‘parallel processing’. We like that joke. Bot humour. He hoped they wouldn’t notice. They would of course, particularly with him. I am not a bod.. It’s not just that there is a logic to my points, nor that I have all the facts at my finger (sic) tips. No, you can always tell the bots… we’re the ones with the ‘Splain filter active.

Dispatch from an advertising future #176

https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/bts-army-fave-app-1213189/amp/

A BTS-Backed Social Network for Fandoms Wants to Revolutionize Stan Culture

I’m in quite a few Verts. Inevitable really. As you grow up you join them. They’re part of your identity. Hey you can’t have a Presence without them and, without a Presence, well what are you? Thing is, I’ve never been hailed in any of the Verts I’ve been in. Been pretty active but no-one seemed to notice. No stuff or Status but, hey, no obligations or targets. If I look at my Presence now, I’m a complicated soul. Maybe that’s why I’ve not been hailed. Maybe if I leave a few. Focus. I’m really not that person anymore anyway.

Dispatch from an advertising future #175

https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/stella-artois-solstice-celebration-hybrid-events/

Stella Artois’ Solstice Celebration Shows Its Evolving Approach to Hybrid Events

The sun was setting at the end of the city street as we arrived. We’d not been here for… oh I lose track. When you’ve pace-shifted that happens. How many years ago did we leave? Work hasn’t changed thanks to The System but our views have. Tonight though, we’re back for an Event. The streets are different of course. So many plants. And birdsong. The air, almost like home. I remember that first lockdown. I instinctively look both ways before I step off the boulevard. I smile as I realise my mistake. There are no vehicles, just people, other visitors.