Data, data everywhere, but ethics in short supply. The latest episode of the Small Data Forum podcast follows the classic narrative arc of a three-act story. Beginning, middle, and end. The set-up, the confrontation, and the resolution. Thesis, antithesis, synthesis. And although our wide-ranging discussion did run the risk of leaving all three co-hosts in the depths of despair, Neville Hobson, Thomas Stoeckle, and I end up hoping that the asteroid NASA predicts is hurtling towards earth … [Read more...] about SDF Podcast 18: Inertia, ethics, and breaches of trust
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SNCR fake news study: high stakes for marketers in survey findings
You can summarise what marketers think about fake news with this - they are ambivalent about what ought to change, and are reluctant to alter their own business practices. That's a key finding from the results of an online survey-based research study carried out between August-November 2017 by The Society for New Communications Research of The Conference Board (SNCR). Led by SNCR Fellow Jeff Pundyk, a former Senior Vice President at The Economist, the prime purpose of the research project … [Read more...] about SNCR fake news study: high stakes for marketers in survey findings
Social media stars breaching rules on promoting brands, watchdog says
The Guardian reports on a rise in complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), the UK advertising regulator, who says ‘influencers’ on social media sites such as Instagram and Twitter fail to declare that they are being paid to publicise products. The newspaper defines 'influencers' thus: Social media celebrities who have large and engaged followings online. They get paid money to publicise products and can command tens of thousands for one post. This is about disclosure where … [Read more...] about Social media stars breaching rules on promoting brands, watchdog says
Perspectives on blogging in the UK
Blogging for business and pleasure is alive and flourishing in the UK, according to the second annual survey of UK bloggers carried out by Vuelio UK in conjunction with Canterbury Christ Church University. The survey was conducted in February 2017 to explore how bloggers work, their activities and views about their relationship with PR professionals and the future commercialisation of their work. Published last week, the results present a useful snapshot of the UK blogosphere. Whether … [Read more...] about Perspectives on blogging in the UK
Add your views on fake news to SNCR research survey
Marketers, do you know where your ads are running? In early August, the Society for New Communications Research (SNCR) of The Conference Board announced a new research initiative to tackle the problem of fake news, and investigate how to combat it. SNCR Advisory Board member Jeff Pundyk leads the SNCR Fellows research team (of which I am a member). Our project begins with an important first step - benchmarking marketers’ awareness, attitudes and intended actions as advertising technology … [Read more...] about Add your views on fake news to SNCR research survey