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Slack Changes Its Logo; Mutombo Blocks Ad Fraud; Furry Conventions |
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PHOTO: SLACK
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One week after Mastercard cut its own name from its logo, Slack replaced its plaid hash symbol (or “octothorpe,” apparently) with something a little simpler and more... pinwheel-y. There are less charitable interpretations, of course.
Why now? The old one was complicated, with 11 colors and a very specific 18-degree tilt. Also, Slack is contemplating life after a planned IPO. “It doesn’t have a 50-year heritage, or even a 10-year heritage,” Pentagram partner Michael Bierut told Fast Company. “It’s a new brand coming into maturity now.”
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NBA Hall of Famer and famed shot-blocker Dikembe Mutombo is the new face of ad-verification company Cheq. PHOTO: CHEQ
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Maybe the war on ad fraud just needs better advertising of its own. Cheq, a startup that prevents ad fraud and ad placement in sketchy environments, named the famous former NBA shot-blocker Dikembe Mutombo its “chief blocking officer.”
The job title almost sounds like he’s going to be blocking ads, not fraud, but we all know ad blockers don’t need celebrities to be popular. This “Greatest Blocker” video makes it all clear.
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After the U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority last week forced retailers Boohoo and Zacharia Jewellers to pull products sold on Amazon and elsewhere because they contained real animal fur instead of the fake fur advertised, it told stores to get vigilant, The Drum reports.
Retailers should examine whether supposedly fake fur emerges from leather, the regulator said, scrutinize whether the tips taper and even set strands on fire to see whether they smell like burning human hair.
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“Consumers shouldn’t have to tolerate another year of companies irresponsibly amassing huge user profiles, data breaches that seem out of control and the vanishing ability to control our own digital lives.”
| — Apple CEO Tim Cook writing in Time Magazine, where he also called for Congress to pass comprehensive federal privacy legislation |
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YouTube explicitly banned dangerous pranks and challenges after a rash of “Bird Box Challenge” videos showed adults and children lurching around blindfolded like Sandra Bullock fleeing for survival on Netflix. [Gizmodo]
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Motorola’s once-hot Razr flip phone is coming back as a smartphone with a foldable screen and a starting price of roughly $1,500. [WSJ]
Chance the Rapper will appear in a Super Bowl spot for PepsiCo’s Flamin’ Hot Nacho Doritos. [Ad Age]
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Sinclair started a free, ad-supported streaming service called Stirr that will include local news, sports and lifestyle programming. [Variety]
Amazon is using its power to supercharge its book-publishing operation and make best sellers out of self-published writers. [WSJ]
Rihanna is suing to stop her father from using their last name, Fenty, on his business, alleging that his company has fraudulently claimed an affiliation with her. [NBC News]
Your brand coinage of the day is … Bonvoy, the new name for Marriott’s rewards program. You’ll probably get used to it. [Skift] |
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