What impact will the FTC’s proposed principles on behavioral advertising have on broadband video advertisers and the publishers that play video ads? “The FTC doesn’t talk about the type of advertising and doesn’t distinguish between paid search and video,” said Mike Zaneis, VP of public policy at the Interactive Advertising Bureau. “But the principles apply to video advertising because video is capable of the same type of data collection and targeting as a display ad.”
The principles the FTC proposed on December 20, which it is accepting comments on until February 22, seek to protect consumers from the tracking of their activities online, which advertisers do to target messages to consumer interest. The FTC issued a series of principles publishers should follow, including stating that data is being collected to provide targeted ads; retaining data only as long as necessary to fulfill a business need; and obtaining consent from consumers before using data in a manner different from what was originally intended.
Zaneis said the principles would apply to two types of video advertising. They would apply to traditional video ads run by publishers, “just as they would apply to display or search ads,” he said. “Publishers have been engaged in implementing practices in the privacy area, so they would have to adhere to the principles.” In addition, they would apply to video advertising that appears in new platforms from broadcasters. “In the future, with broadband deployment in IP addressable set-top boxes, we’ll see the TV world becoming more relevant and targeting their advertising like it’s done online. The future is about developing privacy principles that can be overlaid or applied to future platforms such as interactive TV.”
He thinks the FTC is looking ahead by proposing these principles now. “FTC proposals will encompass future technologies and applications, so broadband companies, telcos and cable need to be cognizant. They are aware of legacy regulations from the FCC, but they need to look at what the FTC is doing with online advertising.”
The IAB supported the FTC’s principles after they were released. “We support the FTC’s call for industry self-regulation,” said Randall Rothenberg, president and CEO of the IAB. The IAB plans to work with the FTC on the principles and established a task force in September which is studying them. The goal is to “update the industry on the best practices in the privacy area,” Zaneis said. The IAB will issue a document early this year that will expand on the FTC principles, he said.
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More