Morning Update: News UK doubles podcast output; Unruly’s 10 most viral Christmas ads; Dove mannequin challenge
Digiday: News UK plans to double podcast output next year
News UK has announced plans to double the number of podcasts as part of an expansion of its coverage, including a new gardening show presented by an 81-year-old employee. The expanded range of podcasts will give News a new vertical through which it can sell advertising beyond its legacy mastheads and comes on the back of its acquisition The Wireless Group earlier this year.
Adweek: The 10 most viral holiday ads of 2016
We’re 10 days out from Christmas now, and Unruly has some numbers on which holiday spots really got people in the spirit this year. Not surprisingly, Britain fared well. The country produced seven of the 10 ads on this list, while Germany added two and Poland one.
Advertising Age: Microsoft partners with Harmon Kardon to take on Amazon’s Echo
Microsoft made it loud-and-clear that its Cortana-powered digital assistant will soon be competing with Amazon Echo and Google Home in the connected-speaker space through a partnership with Harman Kardon.
Dove takes on the Mannequin Challenge
The Mannequin Challenge has taken over social media and it brings up an important question: Why do actual mannequins rarely represent our diverse bodies? Dove decided to create its own Mannequin Challenge… with a twist!
Financial news channel CNBC has said it is stepping up its digital operation after handing an expanded role to head of news and programming for Asia Pacific, Michael Kearns.
Kearns will be responsible for driving the network’s digital product and content outside the US in his new position as vice president international digital and head of news and programming.
