Snapchat, Facebook launch AR features
Snapchat has launched a range of augmented reality lenses that allow users to place 3D-rendered graphics in the world around them. The lenses include smiling rainbows, sad clouds, flowers and text. It is unclear if Snapchat plans to commercialise the lenses.
Facebook has also launched an AR feature that allows users to personalise and interact with the world around them. The feature will be available on Facebook's Camera Effects Platform. An example of how it will work is that users will be able to touch and interact with AR objects, like smashing AR robots marching around a real life can. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes a smartphone should be the AR device rather than AR glasses that have failed to take off in the past.
Matt Rowley replaces Tom Armstrong at Fairfax
Matt Rowley has replaced Tom Armstrong as chief revenue officer for metro publishing at Fairfax Media after his sudden exit was announced yesterday. He has been promoted from his role of chief development officer at Fairfax, now responsible for leading agency and direct sales, key account management, brands and audiences, ad tech and operations and commercial innovation. Andrew Mudgway has also been promoted to national sales director of agencies from his previous role of Victorian agency sales director.
Wikipedia asks Burger King to apologise
Burger King made waves last week with an ad that prompted Google Home devices to read off a list of ingredients from the Whopper article on Wikipedia. Now, some of the online encyclopaedia’s editors are accusing the burger chain of editing the site with "hidden ads." An open letter on Wikipedia, signed by nine editors, complained the burger chain's corporate employees inserted ad copy onto its Wikipedia page, breaking several of the site's rules. According to the letter, the complaints were sent to Burger King and others on Tuesday.
Publicis Media investment arm hires commercial director
The investment business of Publicis Media has appointed Tina Gavros to the newly-created roles of commercial director. Gavros joins from Starcom, where she was Sydney trading director. She will be responsible for working with PMX media partners to drive investment opportunities. At Starcom, Gavros will be replaced by Sue-Ellen Osborn (see below). Gavros has spent 17 years at Starcom and worked with clients including Samsung, Metcash and Subaru. She is the third recent hire, joining Jodi Fraser, who heads up Publicis Screen, and Simon Carley, who joins PMX from Ebiquity to drive business analytics.
Starcom Australia appoints Sydney trading director
Starcom Australia has appointed Sue-Ellen Osborn as Sydney trading director. Osborn moves across from Zenith where she was group business director. She replaces Tina Gavros, who has become the commercial director of Publicis Media’s group investment practice, Publicis Media Exchange (PMX). Osborn has more than 15 years of experience in the media industry in television sales and then at Initiative before joining Zenith in 2003. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading the agency’s investment product team and media relations, working closely with PMX. She will also sit on the Sydney leadership team. Two weeks ago, Starcom Australia's national trading head Andrew Taylor left the business after two years.
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