Feb 21, 2017

Google follows FB into video audit territory

Google has agreed to a series of audits on its video advertising metrics by the Media Rating Council (MRC), which serves as the effective watchdog for advertising measurement across platforms. MRC will audit three measurement companies that work with Google to measure how often and how much of their YouTube video ads are viewed by actual people.

Why they're doing this: Google doesn't want to lose the trust of ad buyers, especially on YouTube, which eMarketer estimates will add 20% in ad revenue in 2017. Because Google and Facebook have been bullish about releasing proprietary metrics to third-party data measurement companies, ad buyers have been wary about trusting the data they get from third-party vendors.

Why it matters: Google and Facebook have an effective "duopoly" over digital ad revenue, eating up more than 90% of all new ad dollars. In light of this, both companies have experienced heightened pressure to re-assure ad buyers about the quality of the data they release to third-party measurement companies. Earlier this month, Facebook agreed to an internal audit by MRC after they admitted to misreporting video viewing data to publishing partners.

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Jonathan Swan, Alayna Treene

Scoop: New White House personnel chief tells Cabinet liaisons to target Never Trumpers

McEntee, shown with White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and White House senior adviser Stephen Miller, walks on the South Lawn of the White House Jan. 9. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Johnny McEntee called in White House liaisons from cabinet agencies for an introductory meeting Thursday, in which he asked them to identify political appointees across the U.S. government who are believed to be anti-Trump, three sources familiar with the meeting tell Axios.

Behind the scenes: McEntee, a 29-year-old former body man to Trump who was fired in 2018 by then-Chief of Staff John Kelly but recently rehired — and promoted to head the presidential personnel office — foreshadowed sweeping personnel changes across government.

Go deeper2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Ina Fried

How art can help us understand AI

Photo: Ina Fried/Axios

Activists and journalists have been telling us for years that we are handing too much of our human autonomy over to machines and algorithms. Now artists have a showcase in the heart of Silicon Valley to highlight concerns around facial recognition, algorithmic bias and automation.

Why it matters: Art and technology have been partners for millennia, as Steve Jobs liked to remind us. But the opening of "Uncanny Valley: Being Human in the Age of AI" tomorrow at the de Young Museum in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park puts art in the role of technology's questioner, challenger — and sometimes prosecutor.

Go deeper2 hours ago - Technology

Kendall Baker

The Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury fight is the rematch of the century

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

The weekend's biggest sporting event is Wilder-Fury II, which despite its name is not an action movie sequel starring Jean-Claude Van Damme but, rather, a boxing match starring arguably the two best heavyweights in the world.

The backdrop: In their first meeting in December 2018, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury put on a memorable show at Staples Center, with Fury surviving a brutal right hand in the 12th round to earn a split-decision draw.

Go deeper3 hours ago - Sports