Recent events have stirred the digital marketing world. Big names in the industry, like Lionsgate, IBM, and possibly Apple, have hit the brakes on their advertising with X (Twitter). Why? The ripple effect of Elon Musk's posts.
Musk, steering the ship as both owner and chief tech officer, made a comment. It echoed across the platform, reaching nearly 7 million views. His response to a user's post, not just any post, but one deeply critical of Western Jewish communities, set off alarms.
The New York Times shines a light on Walt Disney, adding them to the list of advertisers pulling back. Their reason? Silence speaks volumes here, as Disney hasn't uttered a word publicly. Apple's in the same boat, steering clear of comments.
Now, it's not just about a statement. It's the where and the what. IBM, for instance, found its ads cozying up to content that no brand would want to associate with, like material praising Nazis. That's a no-go zone, leading to their ad suspension.
But wait, there's more. Media Matters for America, a watchdog, noticed something unsettling. Ads from giants like Apple, Oracle, Comcast, and NBCUniversal’s Bravo network, were spotted next to antisemitic content on X. Not the neighbors you want in the digital world.
The European Union’s executive branch joined the chorus, hitting pause on their ads on X and similar platforms. Their reason? A surge in hate speech.
Now, let's talk impact. X/Twitter's wallet is feeling the pinch. Insider Intelligence paints a bleak picture: a predicted 54% nosedive in ad revenue for 2023. To put numbers on it, that's a tumble from $4.12 billion in 2022 to just $1.89 billion.
So, what's causing this downturn? A cocktail of issues - misinformation spreading like wildfire and a shrinking workforce, including those crucial engineers and moderators who keep the platform's content in check.
This story isn't just about numbers and corporate moves. It's a narrative about responsibility, about the weight words carry in our hyper-connected world, and about the choices companies make in response. It's a reminder that in the digital age, every post, every ad, and every comment can tip the scales.
Photo: DIW
Read next: The New Race in AI: OpenAI's Stumble and the Opportunity for Google and Amazon
Musk, steering the ship as both owner and chief tech officer, made a comment. It echoed across the platform, reaching nearly 7 million views. His response to a user's post, not just any post, but one deeply critical of Western Jewish communities, set off alarms.
The New York Times shines a light on Walt Disney, adding them to the list of advertisers pulling back. Their reason? Silence speaks volumes here, as Disney hasn't uttered a word publicly. Apple's in the same boat, steering clear of comments.
Now, it's not just about a statement. It's the where and the what. IBM, for instance, found its ads cozying up to content that no brand would want to associate with, like material praising Nazis. That's a no-go zone, leading to their ad suspension.
But wait, there's more. Media Matters for America, a watchdog, noticed something unsettling. Ads from giants like Apple, Oracle, Comcast, and NBCUniversal’s Bravo network, were spotted next to antisemitic content on X. Not the neighbors you want in the digital world.
The European Union’s executive branch joined the chorus, hitting pause on their ads on X and similar platforms. Their reason? A surge in hate speech.
Now, let's talk impact. X/Twitter's wallet is feeling the pinch. Insider Intelligence paints a bleak picture: a predicted 54% nosedive in ad revenue for 2023. To put numbers on it, that's a tumble from $4.12 billion in 2022 to just $1.89 billion.
So, what's causing this downturn? A cocktail of issues - misinformation spreading like wildfire and a shrinking workforce, including those crucial engineers and moderators who keep the platform's content in check.
This story isn't just about numbers and corporate moves. It's a narrative about responsibility, about the weight words carry in our hyper-connected world, and about the choices companies make in response. It's a reminder that in the digital age, every post, every ad, and every comment can tip the scales.
Read next: The New Race in AI: OpenAI's Stumble and the Opportunity for Google and Amazon
