Consumers are nervous about AI’s impact on their privacy, judging by Engagement to Empowerment, a new global study by Merkle.  

The respondents are concerned with: 

• Whether your data and privacy identity is being protected — 58%
• Whether the technology could be tracked or hijacked to cause harm — 57%
• Whether the technology was recording you — 51%
• Whether the technology was tracking you (after you stop using it ) —50%
• Whether the technology put human beings out of work — 50% 
• Whether you could get support or help from a human — 49% 
• Whether the technology could provide you with the correct output or answer — 46% 
• Whether the technology could understand what you want it to do — 46%
• Whether the technology was supervised or monitored by a human being — 44%  
• Whether the technology was based (ethically, politically, racially, etc.) — 41% 
• Whether you could opt out of the technology — 39% 
• Whether you could understand how to use/interact with the technology — 38% 

AI aside, consumers seem fairly trusting about use of their customer data by brands:

• When I interact with (category) I generally trust how that company is collecting and using my personal/customer data — 48% 
• When a (category) brand tailors communications to me personally, for instance, by showing me ads for products I have recently searched for, I generally find it useful or helpful — 45% 
• When I interact with (category) brand, I think the company is mainly interested in using my personal/customer data to improve my customer experience — 38%

Email remains a popular channel, even it it is a low-impact one. 

Self-service checkout payment systems and personalized emails/messages are the most frequently experienced emerging tech that consumers deem least impactful. 

Still, those two functions are at the top of the usage list:

• Self service checkout/payment issues
• Personalized emails or messages
• Brand/company mobile apps
• Customer loyalty or rewards program
• Personalized product/service recommendations
• Chatbot or virtual assistant
• Personalized advertisement
• Smart-home devices/smart appliances
• Voice commerce (i.e., making a purchase vocally or on an audio device)
• Video chat platform
• Natural language processing (NLP) platform
• Metaverse, artificial intelligence or virtual reality experiences

Merkle surveyed 2,100 consumers in 18 countries across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region in October-November 2023.

Love comes in all shapes and sizes -- even for media executives on top of tenuous future business operations.

Comcast in particular may be in a better spot than at least two other companies in the fight for their survival: Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Comcast is that rare horizontal media company that successfully figured out the tricky synergistic issues that others could not address. (Hello, AT&T).

Comcast's focus continues to be around its broadband products (though now maturing, and registering slight slowdowns), a mobile phone service, and perhaps a budding streaming distribution business, Xumo. This is in addition to NBCUniversal.

Over a decade and a half of operation, it is one of the few media companies to successfully combine a fairly large communications/broadband company, sometimes tangentially, with that of a legacy TV/movie content company, NBCUniversal.

But with the streaming internet world upon us, and legacy TV media companies being caught, to be put it gently, flat footed, it's all hands on deck to make big business moves. 

Maybe even more so now in early 2024, where top dog in the streaming world, Netflix, has recently seen its business accelerate, in terms of revenue, subscribers, and overall content heft. 

Even before this, legacy TV media companies have been fodder of media/acquisition talk. Comcast executives have been well aware of this. 

Looking to disable another potential media bomb, Brian Roberts, CEO of Comcast Corp. on Thursday referenced this, during the company's fourth-quarter 2023 earnings phone call. 

“While there may be speculation about what we could do next, I'd like you to hear it directly from me: I love the company we have," he told analysts.

Well, yes. Right now. This week. This month. But come say September 2024, other things may take root.

“When you put it all together, we have a great team that's always most important to me. And we're making the right adjustments to our businesses to position us to win, grow and continue to return capital to shareholders.” 

Well, that is what CEOs should be always ready to say. But the marketplace also has a voice as well. Hear those murmurs? Read those consumer tea leaves?

Everyone is ready for love. Entertainment love.

Ad agency Allen & Gerritsen has been selected as the agency of record by The Giant Company after a competitive search.

Guided by its tag "For Today’s Table," the omnichannel grocery retailer serves millions of shoppers in 190 grocery stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. A&G will handle the company's portfolio of brands: Giant, Martin's Giant Heirloom Market, Giant Direct and Martin's Direct.

"Together, we’ll continue to show customers there’s a reason The Giant Company has been a part of the foundation of so many families — and their meals — for generations,” said Joanna Crishock, vice president of marketing and commercial planning.

The new partnership will include brand strategy, messaging strategy, campaign and activation development, and measurement/data strategy. Ads will appear cross-platform: TV and digital video, print, radio, OOH, social, digital and mobile experience and in-store.

A&G's client work includes Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Keurig Commercial and Ameresco.

The Giant Company is owned by Ahold Delhaize.

The U.S. market is vastly different from the European market when it comes to implementing privacy strategies, according to data in a recent study from MMA Global and AppsFlyer.

In Europe there are very distinct privacy ownership titles for employees, whereas in the U.S. there are not.

In Europe these titles were represented in a variety of sectors such as marketing, legal, or information technology. There were a vast majority of respondents in the U.S. who said marketing held the responsibility and ownership for privacy within the company.

Companies have moved in a direction to protect consumer data, but marketers have not embraced legal structures in worldwide markets to create and market brands. 

The legal structure in the European market does not make this possible, says Emilie Kuijt, data protection officer at AppsFlyer. “This heavy marketing ownership causes an inherent struggle as a necessary evil, rather than using it to create and marketing the brand,” she said, adding that privacy could actually create growth.

It has become increasingly important to protect the data that consumers have entrusted in the coffers of brands.

About 76% of survey participants showed there is not yet a complete grasp of how privacy strategies can be used to the benefit of the company. This is also reflected in the different tiers of ownership of privacy within the organization.

The U.S. and Europe look at privacy in completely different ways. In many areas throughout Europe, privacy is related to human rights, Kuijit says, and the entire spectrum of human rights was created in the aftermath of World War II -- when privacy as a right was born in the EU as well. In the U.S., the birth of privacy was based on a consumer’s perspective in terms of their rights and what companies could and could not do.

Last year, MMA Global and AppsFlyer created this framework to check the pulse of the industry in terms of privacy. The two companies set out to determine how much marketers actually understood about privacy from a cultural standpoint, but also how much they understand technologies including encryption, and privacy-preserving data sets. They wanted to know whether marketers understood and adopted the technology correctly.

During the second half of last year, the MMA Global reached out to 150 senior-level marketers to attain an understanding of where privacy maturity stood -- asking them about the privacy technology being used, who owns privacy within the organization and more.

Vassilis Bakopoulos, senior vice president and head of industry research at MMA Global, says “the findings show a good new, not so good news story,” and that the answers provided made the strategies feel more like “privacy 1.0.” He said companies still have a long way to go to understand how to use privacy to their advantage.

“Companies are checking the box in a number of important things, but it feels they are missing the bigger opportunity in how they use privacy more strategically.”

Depending on who owns data privacy within the company -- such as the CMO or IT -- the survey data shows different potential outcomes and practices across the company.

The survey shows gaps and areas that are lacking. There is a lot of discussion within the industry about data, privacy, and privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs). On the other hand, the companies are still trying to catch up. The data shows consent controls still lack for customers.

PETs are increasingly becoming a greater area of focus, although more urgency is needed. Some 59% cite this as one of the most important priorities, while 19% cite PETs as one of the areas the company is working on, 11% said it is a top priority, and 1% say they were not planning to focus on it to a significant degree.

The survey data found that a company’s privacy standing typically links to its underlying data assets, limitations and goals. A classic privacy ownership is typical for companies with significant volumes of data with corresponding values, according to the findings. Owning the privacy technology is more often linked to organizations where there is a good level of value extraction from data, as well as a strong focus on quality. 

When marketers own the technology, the strategy is more often linked to companies that have less access to data but do more experimentation with a variety of data signals.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a new piece of EU legislation designed to ensure fair and open digital markets through platform regulations.

The legislation takes effect in March 2024. It requires U.S. companies to work with consent management technology.

During his 12-year NFL career, quarterback Kurt Warner (Rams/Cardinals) undoubtedly saw his share of defensive blitzes.

Now there’s a blitz he likes much more. Starting today, Warner goes on the offensive for Bingo Blitz, Playtika’s free mobile game which already has celeb Drew Barrymore onboard under a multiyear contract.

While Barrymore appears in product commercials, Warner is backing -- quarterbacking? -- a Super Bowl-timed sweepstakes that promises to reward a $1 million prize if the defense of either the Kansas City Chiefs or the San Francisco 49ers makes a Big Game-record eight sacks.

Playtika points out that such a feat is “feasible” since eight or more sacks occurred five times during the regular season, but neglects to mention that three of those times came against the hapless New York Giants and the other two against the similarly futile New York Jets and Washington Commanders.

Nonetheless, there’s always hope, even against the Chiefs or 49ers, so through Saturday, anyone with a free Bingo Blitz account, whether existing or newly created, can enter the “Bingo Blitz Big Game” sweepstakes through the game’s app.

“This is the first time the Big Game is being hosted in Las Vegas, which inspired us to show up in a big way given so many of our fans love experiencing the thrill of Vegas through our games, Playtika chief marketing officer Nir Korczak tells Marketing Daily.

Warner, Korczak continues, was already a Bingo Blitz lover and “we knew he would embrace the opportunity to talk about the blitz from his perspective. He spent his career trying to avoid the blitz but now in retirement, he can finally cheer it on.”

That cheering will take place over Warner’s social channels, where he’ll be encouraging his fans to download the Bingo Blitz app, create an account and enter the sweepstakes. The ex-quarterback is also planning to meet with media outlets on February 8.

On Super Bowl Sunday, Playtika will also be hosting Bingo Blitz parties in Vegas, Korczak says.

The brand is also looking forward to seeing Pringles’ Super Bowl commercial since Playtika will soon be announcing its own Pringles partnership. Korczak isn’t revealing any details other than that the deal has been in the works for more than six months and “will allow Bingo Blitz players to interact with the iconic Pringles brand like they never have before.”

Pringles’ Big Game ad, meanwhile is expected to include a new celebrity endorser, with People recently reporting on social media buzz that – largely based on a Pringles post touting a mustachioed man – the mystery guest will be none other than Kansas City Chiefs star and Taylor Swift beau Travis Kelce. As noted, Kelce has become a top celeb endorser, having appeared in ads for Campbell's, Pfizer, Experian and other marketers.

In other Chiefs endorsement news, Brittany Mahomes, wife of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and frequent Swift companion, has teamed with pharma company Kaléo on an awareness campaign about young children and food allergies that recommends Kaléo’s AUVI-q. In a campaign video, Brittany notes that the product is “the only epinephrine auto-injector out there for infants and toddlers.’

Bronze Brittany, the couples’ son, had a severe allergic reaction to peanuts last summer.

Think love is only true in fairy tales? And for someone else, but not for you? Teleflora hopes that “Believe in Love,” a Valentine’s Day video campaign, can change people’s minds.

The brand, owned by the Wonderful Company, is using the new real-person effort to promote this year’s line of Valentine’s Day bouquets. The approach is based not just on lovers but on the lonely. The company cites research that the number of people without a steady partner has risen 50% since 1986.

So, the ads use five real-life couples, all former love skeptics. Some feared another heartbreak or abandonment. Others thought love was only in the movies or for anyone but them. “In terms of fairy tales,” says one woman, “I kissed a lot of frogs.”

Each couple is interviewed, ending with one partner surprising the other with a love letter and a fresh bouquet.

“Love can be discouraging, confusing, and simply hard to believe in, but the right partner can change your perspective in all the best ways,” says Danielle Mason, vice president of marketing, in the company’s announcement. “In a world filled with uncertainty, we wanted to reignite hope and optimism this Valentine’s Day.”

The Wonderful Agency, Wonderful’s in-house shop, created the ad, which is running on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, as well as connected TV, digital, and mobile.

For companies like Teleflora, which taps 10,000 member florists in the U.S., the Bouqs Co., UrbanStems and FTD, finding ways to be top-of-mind in the coming weeks is critical: Valentine’s Day is typically the busiest floral occasion of the year, even more than Mother’s Day or winter holidays.

The National Retail Federation has yet to release this year’s forecast, but in last year’s survey, 37% of those celebrating the holiday planned to buy flowers. Those intentions eclipsed an evening out, which 32% expected to enjoy, and jewelry, mentioned by just 21%.

Love is in the air, and  Valentine’s Day menus are coming to restaurants nationwide. Here’s a roundup of this week’s industry goings-on.

New Menu Items

Baskin-Robbins has two new cakes for Valentine’s Day, available throughout February. The first, Love Potion #31, is a combination of white chocolate and raspberry flavored ice creams, with raspberry-filled chocolate flavored hearts, raspberry swirls and chocolate flavored chips. The second is the Crazy for You Cake, a heart-shaped cake covered in fudge accents and chocolate drips, OREO Cookie and buttercream rosettes, and can be personalized.

Dunkin is celebrating Valentine’s Day with the return of its limited time only themed sweets. Two heart-shaped donuts make their comeback – the Brownie Batter Donut, which contains a brownie batter-flavored butter creme filling, chocolate icing and Valentine’s Day inspired sprinkles; and the Cupid’s Choice Donut, which is filled with Bavarian Kreme and topped with strawberry-flavored icing and red and pink sprinkles. The Jan. 31 launches also will include the Pink Velvet Macchiato and a Frosty Red Velvet Donut, as well as Valentine’s Day merch in store.

Pei Wei Asian Kitchen has added Firecracker Shrimp to their menu. The dish combines large crispy shrimp, wok-tossed in the chain’s sweet and spicy Firecracker sauce and topped with scallions. Pei Wei has also announced the return of the Salmon Poke Bowl, a combination of honey-ginger marinated salmon poke, scallions, cucumbers, pickled ginger, crispy onions, and cilantro, served over mixed greens and sushi rice, and topped with the chain’s Yum Yum sauce.

Wendy’s has added a new Breakfast Burrito to its menu. The burrito contains two egg, six strips of applewood smoked bacon, breakfast potatoes, two slices of American cheese and cheese sauce wrapped in a tortilla. The burrito will be available in over 4,500 Wendy's restaurants in select regions across the U.S.

White Castle has launched its White Castle Love Kit, a Valentine’s Day-themed at-home meal kit that includes 12 Sliders: four Original Sliders, four Classic Cheese Sliders and four Jalapeño Cheese Sliders, along with preparation instructions. The kit also includes dill pickles, 12 Valentine's Day-themed Slider boxes, a White Castle-scented candle and a collection of exclusive "Craventine" cards to share.

New Locations

Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ, the fast-casual restaurant chain that features local craft and domestic beers and ciders on a self-serve beer wall as well as axe-throwing lanes, has opened its latest location in Mansfield, Texas.

The Habit Burger Grill has opened a new drive-thru location in Lexington, marking its fifth restaurant in South Carolina. The new location will host exclusive pre-opening VIP events for its CharClub and mobile app members.

Red Ribbon Bakeshop has opened its second New York location in Brooklyn. The bakery chain specializes in unique Filipino inspired sweets, such as the Mango Supreme Cake and Ube Overload Cake.

Samsung Electronics launched its Galaxy S24 series phone in China and announced it would use Baidu’s Ernie AI to power features such as translation and summaries.