• Amazon.com Inc. is forming an internal team to develop artificial intelligence tools that can generate marketing content, including photos and videos, for merchants to use in campaigns on its platform. The e-commerce giant continues to invest in its advertising business, which has seen double-digit growth every quarter since it was first independently reported in 2021. (The Information)
• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law giving a new board he appointed the authority to void any development agreements its predecessor body signed with The Walt Disney Co., marking the latest wrinkle in an ongoing conflict between the state and the entertainment company. At a press conference, DeSantis said the legislation was “born out of Disney’s arrogance that they would be able to subcontract around the duly enacted laws of the state of Florida.” (Reuters)
• Twitter Inc. is drawing criticism from users after graphic images of victims from a mass shooting at a mall in Texas began going viral on the platform this weekend. It’s the most recent situation to place a spotlight on Twitter’s content moderation policies, which have been significantly loosened since Elon Musk’s takeover late last year. (The New York Times)
• Tucker Carlson is reportedly gearing up for a fight with Fox Corp.’s Fox News over release from his contract, which prevents him from working for another network until January 2025. The former primetime host is also considering starting his own subscription-based media outlet, according to people close to him. (Axios)
  • A Morning Consult survey conducted after Carlson’s firing found that 29% of Americans and 45% of Republican voters would be interested in watching the right-wing provocateur on his own media network.

Gen Zers Might Buy Your Product if Its Logo Slays 

Morning Consult

Despite agencies’ investments in data tech, advertiser expectations still fall short

Tony Case, Digiday

The most insightful customer data sits at the heart of commerce media — but that doesn’t mean advertisers always get the insights they’re looking for. And even though agency holding companies have moved to bolster their positions in the retail arena, analysts agree the space is very much still in its infancy when it comes to the sophistication of data insights available.

Maryland Supreme Court Urged To Strike Down Digital Ad Tax

Wendy Davis, MediaPost

Comcast and Verizon on Friday urged Maryland’s highest court to strike down a 2021 law that imposes a tax on some digital ads, arguing both that the statute violates the constitution, and that it conflicts with a 1998 federal law.

How Meta Has (Or Hasn’t) Responded To A Major Account Overspend Error Two Weeks Later

James Hercher, AdExchanger

The big questions are: When will advertisers be refunded for their account losses? And, how will they be compensated?

Shaquille O’Neal, Kenya Barris and 50 Cent Team Up to Explore Bid for BET Media

Jessica Toonkel and Alexandra Bruell, The Wall Street Journal

The celebrities are working with Group Black, CVC Capital and Authentic Brands on potential deal for owner of VH1, BET.

Vice Media Nears Deal for $400 Million Sale Out of Bankruptcy

Alexander Saeedy and Jodi Xu Klein, The Wall Street Journal

Vice Media is nearing a deal for senior lenders including Fortress Investment Group and Soros Fund Management to acquire the troubled media company out of bankruptcy at a valuation of around $400 million, according to people familiar with the matter.

CBS-Owned CW Stations Will Go Independent Later This Year

Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter

CW stations in Philadelphia, Seattle, Atlanta, Detroit and other major markets will drop their affiliation and go independent.                       

Massive Podcast Networks Put Their Shows on YouTube But Nobody is Listening

Ashley Carman, Bloomberg 

Without video, podcasts from NPR, Slate and the New York Times are struggling to find an audience on YouTube.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Kicks Off Summer Movie Season With $114 Million Debut

Rebecca Rubin, Variety

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” the conclusion to Marvel’s trilogy about an extraterrestrial crew of misfits, kicked off with $114 million in its domestic box office debut. Those ticket sales rank as the second-biggest opening weekend of the year, behind “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” with $146 million. 

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry sing for royal coronation concert

Brian Melley and Sylvia Hui, The Associated Press 

A day after a gilded coronation ceremony watched by millions, King Charles III and Queen Camilla let others take the center stage Sunday as they took in a star-studded concert featuring Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and others at Windsor Castle.

Drew Barrymore Drops Out of Hosting MTV Awards Show Over Writers’ Strike

Derrick Bryson Taylor, The New York Times

Just days before the show was scheduled to air, the actress and talk-show host said she would pick up her hosting duties next year.

The NFL hopes Gen Z influencers will convince people to sign up for the NFL Sunday Ticket

Julian Cannon, Digiday

YouTube and the NFL are working together to build younger consumer interest in the Sunday Ticket, a package for out-of-market games, by appealing to them through the league’s YouTube channel.

Congress is flooded with bills for childproofing the internet

Makena Kelly, The Verge

But civil liberties groups are spooked many of the bills could cause more harm than good.

Amazon’s TikTok-like Inspire shopping feed is now available to all customers in the US

Aisha Malik, TechCrunch

The new short-form video and photo feed allows consumers to explore products and ideas and shop from content created by influencers, brands and other customers.

Facebook has 3 billion users. Many of them are old.

Barbara Ortutay, The Associated Press

Facebook says it is not dead. Facebook also wants you to know that it is not just for “old people,” as young people have been saying for years.

The Global Battle to Regulate AI Is Just Beginning

Morgan Meaker and Khari Johnson, Wired

Europe’s parliament is struggling to agree on new rules to govern AI—showing how policymakers everywhere have a lot to learn about the technology.

Teens can boost physical and mental health for free this summer at Planet Fitness gyms

Ashley R. Williams, CNN

The fitness center franchiser and operator, which runs 2,400 gyms in the US and Canada, has launched its third year of its High School Summer Pass program during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Tipping at Self-Checkout Has Customers Crying ‘Emotional Blackmail’

Rachel Wolfe, The Wall Street Journal 

Consumers already bristling at higher prices question where the money goes when interaction with an employee was nonexistent.

Restaurants embrace premium reservations to target big spenders

Amelia Lucas, CNBC

Under pressure from rising costs and still feeling the hangover from pandemic losses, restaurants are embracing reservations that target higher-income diners as more consumers book their tables ahead of time.

Geico’s New Ad Pair a Celebrity with the Gecko Mascot for the First Time

Adrianne Pasquarelli, Ad Age

The Geico gecko has a new sidekick—though neither of them appear too pleased with the arrangement. This week, the insurance brand will begin airing a series of spots starring actor Will Arnett alongside its lizard mascot.

How to figure out if you are burned out, or fed up, with work

Melissa Swift, Fast Company

Many fed-up employees have deep, long-standing problems.

AI Is the Hot Topic on Earnings Calls This Quarter

Jennifer Ryan, Bloomberg 

The mania for artificial intelligence is showing no sign of letting up in corporate America, with references to AI and related terms during calls with investors more than doubling from a year ago. 

Corporate Giants Buy Up Primary Care Practices at Rapid Pace

Reed Abelson, The New York Times

Large health insurers and other companies are especially keen on doctors’ groups that care for patients in private Medicare plans.

Cisco CEO is rebranding the office as a ‘collaboration center’ and slashing private workspaces to coax employees back

Orianna Rose Royle, Fortune

Employers have to earn their workers’ commute, CEO says.