OpenAI Appoints Sarah Friar as CFO and Kevin Weil as CPO
SAN FRANCISCO, June 11, 2024 (V SOCIAL MEDIA OF HOLLYWOOD) - OpenAI has announced the addition of Sarah Friar as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Kevin Weil as Chief Product Officer (CPO). These appointments are part of OpenAI's strategy to advance its mission of conducting leading AI research and developing products that benefit a wide range of users.
Sarah Friar, formerly the CEO of Nextdoor and CFO at Square, brings extensive financial expertise to OpenAI. She has also held positions at Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, and Salesforce. Friar is a Board Member at Walmart and Consensys, a Fellow at the Aspen Institute, and Co-Chair of the Stanford Digital Economy Lab. Her role at OpenAI will focus on supporting core research investments and scaling the company to meet the needs of a growing customer base.
Kevin Weil, who previously served as President of Product and Business at Planet Labs, will lead OpenAI's product team. Weil's career includes roles as co-founder of the Libra cryptocurrency, VP of Product for Novi at Facebook, VP of Product at Instagram, and SVP of Product at Twitter. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the boards of The Nature Conservancy and the Black Product Managers Network. Weil’s focus at OpenAI will be on applying research to develop products and services for consumers, developers, and businesses.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated, “Sarah and Kevin bring a depth of experience that will enable OpenAI to scale our operations, set a strategy for the next phase of growth, and ensure that our teams have the resources they need to continue to thrive.”
Friar expressed her enthusiasm for joining the team, saying, “I’m honored to join a team that is uniquely talented and mission-focused. My goal is to help OpenAI continue excelling at what it does best—producing top-tier research and collaborating to maximize the benefits of AI tools for everyone.”
Weil also shared his excitement about the new role, stating, “The product team at OpenAI has set the pace for both breakthrough innovation and thoughtful deployment of AI products. I am thrilled to be part of the next phase of growth, as we continue to safely and responsibly build towards AGI.”
OpenAI aims to continue its focus on AI research and product development to benefit a diverse user base, including consumers, developers, and large companies worldwide.
For more information about OpenAI and its new leadership appointments, visit www.openai.com.
Source: OpenAI
Kansas City Chiefs Launch "Back-to-Back Greatness" Campaign Narrated by Jon Hamm
Video via Kansas City Chiefs Football Club Inc.
KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 10, 2024 (EntertainmentInterviews.com) - The Kansas City Chiefs have launched a new campaign titled "Back-to-Back Greatness" to celebrate their consecutive Super Bowl victories. The campaign, which includes a special video spot, highlights the team's recent achievements and sets the stage for their upcoming Super Bowl LVIII ring ceremony.
Narrated by Jon Hamm, a Missouri native and acclaimed actor, the campaign video was directed and produced by Jasper Cicero of Words + Pictures. The video features Chiefs players Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis, who were both pivotal in securing the team's back-to-back championships. The spot showcases iconic moments from the Chiefs' history, ranging from the era of Founder Lamar Hunt and QB Len Dawson to the current leadership of Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt and QB Patrick Mahomes.
In the campaign video, McDuffie and Karlaftis explore a gallery filled with Chiefs memorabilia and paintings that commemorate significant moments in the team's history. The video also highlights each of the Chiefs' Super Bowl rings, produced by Jostens, alluding to the forthcoming ring for their recent championship win.
Chiefs President Mark Donovan emphasized the significance of the ring ceremony, stating, "A championship ring ceremony is one of the most unique nights in the sports world as it represents the culmination of a year's worth of work on- and off-the-field and marks the last time players, coaches and staff will celebrate together before turning the page to the next season. Winning back-to-back championships is an incredible achievement and having the chance to commemorate the season this way is a truly special privilege."
The full "Back-to-Back Greatness" video is available for viewing on the Chiefs' official website and YouTube channel. Fans are encouraged to follow the Chiefs on social media for exclusive content related to the ring ceremony, including Red Carpet coverage, highlights, and the unveiling of the new ring. Additionally, a behind-the-scenes documentary titled "Forging Greatness: Making the Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII Ring" will be released on June 20 on the Chiefs' YouTube channel and will debut at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France.
Jostens, the official championship ring manufacturer for the Chiefs, has crafted all of the team's Super Bowl rings. Following the official unveiling of the new ring, a fan collection inspired by the championship ring will be available on Jostens' website.
For more information and to watch the campaign video, visit www.chiefs.com.
Source: Kansas City Chiefs via PR Newswire
Gen Z Becoming Skeptical of Influencers and Sustainability Claims, Study Finds
VANCOUVER, Canada, June 10, 2024 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - A new report by Rival Technologies and Reach3 Insights reveals shifting attitudes among Gen Z consumers towards social media influencers and sustainability messaging. The study, based on a survey of 750 Gen Z individuals in the US and Canada, highlights changes in online shopping behaviors, brand loyalty, and perceptions of influencer marketing.
According to the research, social media continues to play a significant role in product discovery for Gen Z, with Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube being the top platforms used to find new brands. However, the path from discovery to purchase is complex, with only 18.4% of online shoppers in this age group completing purchases through social media channels. In contrast, 88.2% prefer online marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy, and 74.6% opt for brand websites.
The study indicates a growing skepticism among Gen Z towards influencer marketing, with nearly half of the respondents expressing reluctance to buy products recommended by influencers. Many participants described paid influencer partnerships as “very insincere” or “annoying.”
“Influencer marketing is at risk of facing a serious reckoning,” stated Paula Catoira, Chief Marketing Officer at Rival Group. “To ensure ROI from influencer partnerships, brand marketers need to understand their Gen Z customers and align their marketing strategy with the needs of this audience.”
The report also shows that while 42.9% of Gen Zs prefer sustainable products when available, cost and budget considerations remain crucial in their purchasing decisions. This is exemplified by the continued popularity of fast fashion despite its environmental impact.
“Our research highlights how the attitudes and behaviors of Gen Zs can shift significantly as they go through different life stages and as socio-economic factors evolve,” said Andrew Reid, CEO and Founder of Rival Technologies. “To get accurate and nuanced insights on Gen Zs and win their loyalty, brands need to engage with these young consumers on an ongoing basis and do it in a way that’s aligned with their expectations and behaviors.”
The findings come from the 2024 Gen Z Marketing and Engagement Report, which utilized Rival Technologies' conversational research platform to gather quantitative, qualitative, and video feedback from respondents. This approach, which encourages candid participation, has been employed by companies such as Warner Bros. Discovery, REVOLT TV, and Coca-Cola to gain valuable consumer insights.
For more information on the study and Rival Technologies’ research methods, visit rivaltech.com or reach3insights.com.
Source: Rival Technologies and Reach3 Insights via Social Media Today
WhatsApp Introduces New AI Tools and Meta Verified for Business Users
SAO PAULO, June 7, 2024 (V SOCIAL MEDIA OF HOLLYWOOD) - WhatsApp has unveiled a suite of new features aimed at enhancing business interactions on the platform. Announced at Conversations, an annual business messaging event held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, these updates are set to transform how businesses and customers connect through WhatsApp.
Key updates include the introduction of AI tools designed to improve customer service, the rollout of Meta Verified for businesses, and enhanced support for larger businesses needing live call capabilities.
WhatsApp is integrating artificial intelligence to streamline customer interactions. The new AI tools are trained to respond to common questions, helping businesses quickly provide answers to customers. This aims to enhance the customer service experience by reducing response times and ensuring that customers can easily find the information they need.
Additionally, these AI tools will assist businesses in creating targeted advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. For example, the AI can remind customers of items left in their cart or offer discounts to encourage purchases they have been considering.
Meta Verified is now being introduced on the WhatsApp Business app in countries including Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Colombia. A Meta Verified badge indicates that a business has registered its information with Meta, providing customers with a verified and trustworthy contact.
Businesses that opt for Meta Verified will benefit from enhanced account support, including protection against impersonation. They will also have the ability to use WhatsApp across multiple devices, facilitating easier management for larger teams.
WhatsApp is expanding its support for larger businesses by introducing a new feature that allows customers to call businesses directly through the app. This feature is currently being tested and will enable users to make live calls for more complex inquiries, such as handling detailed travel arrangements or setting up new bank accounts.
According to WhatsApp, "this update aims to simplify the process for customers who need to speak with a business representative directly, providing a more efficient way to resolve their queries."
These updates reflect WhatsApp's commitment to enhancing the functionality of its platform for business users, making it easier for companies to manage customer interactions and improve service delivery.
Source: Meta
Research Reveals Importance of Balancing Active and Passive Attention in Marketing
HOLLYWOOD, June 4, 2024, (V SOCIAL MEDIA OF HOLLYWOOD) - In a recent study conducted by Amplified Intelligence, a company founded by media science researcher Dr. Karen Nelson-Field, findings suggest that successful marketing strategies should balance both Active and Passive Attention to optimize results. The study utilized advanced techniques such as eye tracking and device usage to measure how people engage with information.
Stacy Malone, VP of Global Business Marketing at Pinterest, highlighted the growing complexity of capturing consumer attention in an increasingly distracted world. "Brands often believe that breaking through the noise means being the loudest in the room. But modern marketers already know: Attention is more complex than you might think," Malone said.
The study identified Total Attention as a crucial metric, which combines Active and Passive Attention. Active Attention involves conscious focus, often driven by high-impact digital sponsorships or major TV moments. Conversely, Passive Attention is more subconscious, such as listening to background music while performing other activities. Both types of attention were found to be significant in driving marketing outcomes.
A key finding from the research is the efficiency of Passive Attention tactics. While Active Attention strategies tend to be more expensive, Passive Attention techniques proved to be more cost-effective. The study found that media plans targeting Passive Attention drove 6.7 times more attentive seconds per dollar spent compared to those focusing on Active Attention.
Malone emphasized the importance of incorporating both types of attention into marketing strategies. "People shift between Active and Passive Attention modes all day, without even realizing it. So rather than choosing an approach that captures one type of attention, build a strategy that plans for both," she explained.
The study also revealed that Pinterest performed exceptionally well in capturing Total Attention. Ads on Pinterest delivered 170% more Total Attention and 7.3 times more Passive Attention compared to other platforms. Additionally, users on Pinterest scrolled past ads 1.5 times more slowly than on other platforms, contributing to higher engagement.
According to Malone, the positive user experience on Pinterest plays a significant role in these outcomes. "We want people to feel good on our platform, so we’ve created a place that inspires people to take action in their own lives. And when they come to Pinterest, they’re taking their time," she said.
The research highlights practical strategies for advertisers to enhance attention on Pinterest, such as placing ads in relevant contexts and creating emotionally engaging content. Ads shown in a relevant context increased Active Attention by 60%, and ads with high levels of happiness and surprise drove more attentive seconds.
For marketers aiming to maximize their media plans, understanding and leveraging Total Attention can provide a competitive edge. As the industry moves towards standardizing attention metrics, these insights offer valuable guidance for creating more effective marketing strategies.
For more information, read the full study here.
Source: Pinterest
ByteDance Appoints John Rogovin as Global General Counsel
June 3, 2024, (V SOCIAL MEDIA OF HOLLYWOOD) - ByteDance announced the appointment of John Rogovin as the company’s new Global General Counsel. Rogovin's role will include oversight of TikTok, one of ByteDance's most prominent platforms.
Rogovin previously served as General Counsel for Warner Bros. for over twelve years, where he oversaw legal operations for the company’s production and distribution of film and television in more than 135 countries. His responsibilities at Warner Bros. included handling intellectual property, litigation, privacy, compliance, regulatory enforcement, and mergers and acquisitions. Before Warner Bros., Rogovin worked as a partner in private practice at two top international law firms, specializing in litigation and regulatory proceedings. He also held positions as General Counsel of the US Federal Communications Commission and Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Division of the Department of Justice.
"We are very happy to welcome John to our leadership team. He joins us with vast experience and expertise from his roles in public service, distinguished law firms, and as a leader in the entertainment industry. John brings strong legal instinct and a proven track record of successfully leading global teams that I know we will benefit from greatly as a company," said Liang Rubo, CEO of ByteDance.
Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, added, "I'm pleased to welcome John to our leadership team. Over the last few years, we have worked tirelessly to build trust and navigate unprecedented legal and regulatory environments globally. Building upon the strong foundation of our Global Legal team, I know John is eager to hit the ground running during this important time for the Company."
Rogovin expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, "I am incredibly excited to be joining this world-class team and look forward to helping to ensure that our platforms continue to provide a critical forum for more than two billion users worldwide to entertain, teach, and connect with one another."
Rogovin's appointment follows the announcement by departing General Counsel Erich Andersen, who will step down in June to take on the role of special counsel to the company. Rogovin will report to Rubo, with a dotted line to Chew, effective June 1.
Source: Tik Tok