In this issue, we’re excited to spotlight BSI’s launch of the MFA Transparency Utility—a tool designed to help publishers get clarity and stay competitive in today’s ad landscape. We’re also looking at how gaming companies are testing player loyalty (and advertiser trust), and why some brand safety strategies are backfiring in surprising ways.
As 2025 unfolds, brand safety is at a crossroads—are advertisers playing it too safe? Are platforms stepping back too far? This month, we dive into how AI, shifting regulations, and increased scrutiny on industry groups are reshaping the brand safety landscape. Meanwhile, advertisers are rethinking their budgets, with LAM strategies moving away from Meta and Google, and Amazon making bold changes in ad transparency and platform spending. Stay ahead of the latest industry shifts and explore how brands can take control in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Happy New Year from the BSI team, and welcome to our first newsletter of 2025! This month, we’re diving into critical shifts shaping the advertising world — from Meta’s recently announced product and policy changes to the immense, untapped opportunities in gaming. Discover how AI is transforming brand safety, why TikTok’s future remains uncertain, how influencer agencies are navigating the limits of AI tools, and more. Stay informed, stay ahead, and enjoy this month’s insights.
2024 Newsletters
Happy Holidays from the BSI Team! As we wrap up the year, we’re bringing you the insights you need to start 2025 strong. Discover our new Brand Authenticity course with Sightly to help you build trust and loyalty with consumers. See how AI, gaming, and influencer marketing are reshaping brand safety strategies. Plus, check out industry updates on Twitch, true crime podcasts, and more. Stay safe, stay inspired, and have a wonderful holiday season!
As we head into Thanksgiving, we’re serving up the insights to help you navigate the evolving world of brand safety and suitability. From revolutionizing keyword blocklists with TAG’s Keyword Exclusion List Toolset to tackling youth engagement challenges in gaming, we’ve got you covered. Take a moment to dive in—your brand safety toolkit just got a whole lot smarter.
In this edition, we dive into the evolving landscape of brand safety and purpose. First, hear from Louis Jones on navigating authenticity and social media challenges in a video interview. Plus, explore how Zefr’s AI tools are helping brands tackle misinformation ahead of the 2024 elections, and why balancing short-term ROAS with long-term brand safety is more important than ever. Also, we look at tools to bridge the generation gap for creators, and feature industry updates including Adam Mosseri’s take on moderation issues at Threads, DoubleVerify’s new content controls for Meta, and Elon Musk’s decision to drop a lawsuit against Unilever. Finally, don’t miss a new study on the real impact of ads placed next to hard news.
Brand safety is more critical than ever in the thick of election season, with advertisers on high alert about where their ads appear. But are brands overcorrecting and missing out on quality content and audiences? What impact are AI-generated content and misinformation having during this election cycle? Explore the latest strategies to strike the right balance on these issues.
Also, new misinformation reporting features on TikTok and YouTube, a webinar from Zefr and the 4A’s on election readiness in social featuring our COO, and more.
Brand safety is facing new challenges. From X's lawsuit against GARM to the impact of AI and the looming U.S. election, the landscape is shifting. Dive into how brands are balancing these pressures while navigating the evolving digital world.
Dive into media planning, buying, and reporting with Module 2 of the Brand Safety & Suitability Bootcamp from BSI and GARM. Also in this month’s newsletter:
- Explore MFA ad spend trends and transparency efforts
- The impact of virtual influencers
- The future of AI in brand safety
- Elon Musk threatens legal action against GARM
- A new guide for marketers navigating brand safety and suitability on platforms
- Our takeaways from a packed week at the Cannes Lions
- How podcasts are mirroring micro-influencers
- The rapid growth of gaming as a key advertising platform
- A new brand safety resource library from TikTok
- Insights on responsible media practices, tackling fake influencers, the collapse of Oracle’s ad business, and IAS's expanded YouTube safety measures
- Dive into the latest from BRIDGE'24, where Dr. Omar Rodriguez-Vila's insights on inclusive marketing are transforming business strategies
- Explore the booming podcast ad landscape from the IAB Podcast Upfront, featuring AI-driven brand safety tools and top-tier content from Sounder and Libsyn Ads
- Get up-to-date on building brand trust in news with key takeaways from PEW Research and industry trends
- Discover IAS's innovative 3D ad measurement on Roblox and the urgent call for transparency in Generative AI
Welcome to the BSI April 2024 Newsletter. We're excited to share the successful launch of the BSI & WFA's GARM Brand Safety & Suitability Bootcamp; also industry musings on the future of Brand Safety at POSSIBLE; and dive into industry insights on gaming ads, TikTok's new features, and strategies against fake news.
Dive into March's Brand Safety insights:
- Equipping the industry with skills for brand suitability,
- Celebrating Women's History Month with a focus on equality, gaming continues to evolve, rethinking safety in advertising, and
- AI's game-changing role.
Stay informed with our latest findings and strategies for a safer, more inclusive advertising world.
- Discover the transformative power of AI with BSI's newly launched Knowledge Center.
- Uncover the fallout over licensing music on social platforms and how it stifles creativity.
- Dive into the realm of podcast suitability with Seekr Align's AI-driven civility score.
- Explore opportunities in gaming subscriptions as Netflix enters the arena.
- Navigate the challenges and opportunities in the post-third-party cookie era.
- Get exclusive insights into Zefr's AI advancements and DoubleVerify's nuanced approach to classifying MFA sites.
Happy New Year! Welcome to the BSI January 2024 Newsletter, the first newsletter of the year! In this newsletter, we:
- explore the challenges of ensuring brand safety and suitability in the digital advertising world, particularly in the context of generative AI and podcast content;
- discuss the delicate balance between revenue goals and player engagement in the gaming industry and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives;
- and more!
Previous Issues
December 2023
Welcome to the BSI December 2023 Newsletter! In this edition, we recap Brand Safety Week and delve into topics like gaming collaborations, AI in brand safety, and the balance between brand safety and authenticity. Plus, explore the difference between brand suitability and brand safety. Read on for insights and updates.
September 2023
Before we start we’d like to say: Join us in welcoming AJ Brown as our newly appointed COO! 🎉
Read more about his past and future at BSI.
Now enjoy your regularly scheduled newsletter: Explore the intricate world of news buying methods, from direct relationships to programmatic challenges, and discover a cutting-edge trust and technology model for smarter choices and brand protection. Plus, celebrate GUESS? Inc.'s remarkable sustainability achievements, earning them prestigious awards for their commitment to ESG values and responsible marketing.
August 2023
- Discover the fascinating truth about AI safety, as tech giants grapple with self-regulation and data privacy while exploring AI's potential impact on society.
- Delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by the rise and fall of the hyped social media platform, Threads, and its effects on advertisers.
- Explore the captivating intersection of gaming, entertainment, and advertising, where boundaries blur to create immersive experiences.
- Learn how LGBTQ+ representation in media and advertising is shaping the future of personalized marketing, and unravel the journey of brand safety in the face of evolving platforms and partnerships.
July 2023
- Could Biore’s influencer backlash have been avoided
- The Potential and Perils of Live & Live-Streamed Entertainment
- The Rise of Influencers and the Ongoing Legacy of Content Creators
- Knowing Your Partners is also Crucial in Gaming
June 2023
- What Does Twitter's New CEO Mean for Advertisers?
- BSI Board Member, Chris Marino, on Adweek's Young Influentials Podcast
- Louis Jones quoted by CNBC after Trust & Safety resignations from Elon Musk's Twitter
- Are Misconceptions Around Gaming Keeping You from Reaching Valuable Audiences?
- Obituary Pirates and Brand Safety
May 2023
- Advisory Board Member Highlight
- GumGum Raising Table Stakes in Brand Safety
- Meta Releases Brand Suitability Controls Based on GARM Framework
- Streaming Growth Raises News Brand Safety and Suitability Issues
- The Rise of Content Creators in Advertising & Brand Safety
- Elon Musk speaks to advertisers as POSSIBLE