Plus, earnings reports for the Big 4 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
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First Things First
 
July 31, 2020
By Jess Zafarris
 
 
Clever Video Editing Portrays a Message of Unity in Nike's Latest Powerful Spot
 

Narrated by Megan Rapinoe and produced by Wieden + Kennedy Portland, a new Nike campaign spot celebrates the comeback of sports and the resilience and unity it took to make that comeback happen. The short film is the third in the larger "You Can’t Stop Us" campaign, which leverages the universal sense of community that has held people together in social isolation. Creators sifted through over 4,000 pieces of footage to created this masterpiece of editing. Watch it here.

 
 
 
 
 
Big Tech Earnings Updates

One day after Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google testified during congressional antitrust hearings, the four behemoths released their earnings reports. Here's some quick takeaways:

  • Google parent company Alphabet saw its first year-over-year drop with a 1.5% decline. However, the drop was still smaller than projections suggested. [Read more here.]
  • Facebook and Apple fared much better, with both posting an 11% year-over-year increase. Facebook outperformed both expected revenue and user growth for Q2, with nearly all of its earnings from ad revenue. The increase marked a record quarter for Apple, with boosts notably coming from its fast-growing services including Apple Music and iCloud.
  • Amazon revealed its net sales were up 40% year over year to $88.9 billion and net income jumped $5.2 billion. [Read more here.]
 
 
 
20 Takeaways From Jeff Bezos' Antitrust Testimony

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos spent a good portion of Wednesday's Congressional testimony on the defensive. He said he can't guarantee that the company's policy against using seller-specific data to aid its own private label products hasn't been violated before—and that that policy isn't internally enforced. With the focus of the probe on antitrust behavior, Bezos insisted that there is plenty of competition in the space, and that the relationship with the sellers it competes with on its own platform isn't a problem—despite suggestions that Amazon has poached business from its sellers.

More bombshells: After one particular comment from Jeff Bezos, Rep. Jamie Raskin suggested Amazon was trying to corner the smart home market.

 
 
 
The 'Programmatic Endgame' Is Coming, Says Luma Partners' Terence Kawaja

Terence Kawaja, ad tech’s relentlessly entertaining top investment banker, used his NexTech session to break down five areas where M&A activity will happen following the pandemic: connected TV, identity, mobile apps, audio, and what he called “programmatic endgame consolidation.” Projections for overall digital ad spend show steady growth in the coming years, and shares in listed ad-tech and mar-tech companies are surging, but ad-tech dealmaking is down.

Watch his talk: These trends signal a lack of short-term confidence but more optimism for the long term.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premium | 6 Lessons You Learn Directing an Ad Shoot From 6,000 Miles Away in a 22-Hour Sprint

Not long after director Los-Angeles Brad Lubin was hired to direct a space-themed campaign for Russian brand Baltika Brewery with agency Slava Moscow, travel to the country was suddenly barred due to the pandemic.  Here are a few of the lessons Lubin learned in the process of directing from more than 6,000 miles away:

  • A reliable audio link is even more important than video for maintaining constant communication with the team doing the shooting.
  • Work ethic trumps leadership skills when you're not present, but things need to get done.
  • Be prepared for quick pivots. What was supposed to be a two-day shoot was compressed into less than 24 hours as the country's lockdown was announced, and the team essentially had to pull an all-nighter to finish.

For Adweek Pro subscribers: Watch the final ad and discover more lessons from Lubin.

Stay a step ahead of the competition with an Adweek Pro Subscription, which includes unlimited stories, virtual events and more.

More of Today's Top News and Highlights

 
 
 
 
 
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Performance Marketing Through Tough Times
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ad of the Day | Heineken's Ad About Social Distancing Is 100% Relatable
 

In its latest campaign by Publicis Italy, Heineken both pokes fun at and celebrates the relatable awkwardness of new rules aimed at keeping bar patrons safe as the businesses open in several countries.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adweek Promos and Events
Hear from Leading CPG Marketers on Ways to Reach Consumers
 

Join us for eCommerce, CPG and Retail Performance Marketing, a live virtual summit, on August 19-20. Featuring thought leaders from Facebook, Vans, Roku and more, learn the most effective ways to reach consumers and drive sales. Register today to save your virtual seat.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
American Eagle Is Proving That It Really Understands Generation Z
 

The brand is meeting young people where they spend most of their day: TikTok.

 
 
 
 
 
Emirates' Covid Insurance Is a High-Flying Piece of Brand Marketing—and Not Without Risks
 

The new benefit covers travelers' medical costs and quarantine measures.

 
 
 
 
 
Natural Light Built a Dorm Room for One Student to Escape Their Parents’ House
 

The tiny house is decked out with branded swag, a TV, gaming system, A/C and a mini fridge.

 
 
 
 
 
Drew Barrymore Interviews Her 7-Year-Old Self in Adorable Talk Show Promo
 

Actress inserted herself into her famous Tonight Show appearance.

 
 
 
 
 
How Gen Z Is Handling Life in Quarantine—and How Marketers Should Help
 

Finding it difficult to communicate through digital only.

 
 
 
 
 
Genius and HP Give Music Newcomers Tools to Create Original Song With Established Talent
 

Artists and fans can contribute to different stages of production at home.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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