Morning Forum: Native Ads Invade Comment Sections, Twitter & Snapchat, Things vs. Experiences, Political Ads, MLB Hats & More

Start your day with AdForum’s daily round-up of the latest news, trends, and notable work in the advertising industry.

Ads Now Part of Comment Sections at Four Major Publishers

The online comment section, that lawless arena of vile and venom spewed by people sitting at home in their underwear, is now home to native advertising. Four major publishers – Condé Nast, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and Fox News – will integrate pop-up ads into their comment sections, which may – in an odd twist of fate– bring an element of civilization to the notoriously barbaric and chaotic wasteland where no one has ever been convinced to change their mind about anything. Read more at Adweek. 

Not Just Millennials: Consumers Want Experiences, Not Things

“Various psychological studies are showing that all people -- not just millennials -- are happier when their money is spent on living, rather than on having. Mintel's 2015 American Lifestyles report projects that over the next five years, total spending will grow by nearly 22%, with the so‐called ‘non‐essential’ categories, including vacations and dining out, expected to see the greatest gains.” Read the full story at Ad Age.  

Chase and mcgarrybowen Part Ways

After nearly 11 years, Chase Bank has ended its relationship with mcgarrybowen and will give Droga5 expanded creative responsibilities, including the “Retail, Mortgage, Auto and Chase for Business” portions of its portfolio. Visit Agency Spy for more details.

Twitter and Snapchat Court Massive Audiences in Plans to Rule the World

Fast Company has compiled a detailed breakdown of Twitter and Snapchat, and the statistics reveal two companies set for a head-on collision, which may have a profound impact of our culture and the future of digital advertising.

Digital Ad Spending for 2016 Election Will Exceed $1 Billion

Becoming a politician is expensive business. Every vote comes with a price tag, and this year politicians, especially local politicians, are spending heavily to secure votes – to the tune of more than $1 billion. That’s right, with a “b.” Read more at Ad Age. 

User-Generated Content: iPhone 6 Plus Camera vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Camera

“Both the iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 5 come with top-of-the-line cameras, although they use different sensors. The camera in the iPhone 6 Plus has an 8-megapixel sensor, for instance, while the Galaxy Note 5 has a 16-megapixel sensor.” More at BusinessInsider. 

Job of the Day: Digital Media Supervisor at Serino/Coyne

The DIGITAL MEDIA SUPERVISOR is responsible for keeping SERINO/COYNE at the forefront of new or exclusive opportunities by maintaining strong partnerships with clients and key vendors. The role presents planning recommendations to clients, and offers resourceful problem-solving, both internally and externally. The role also manages all day-to-day digital media planning/client service activity for assigned accounts spanning across touring productions, non-profit engagements, off-Broadway and Broadway shows. Learn more. 

Major League Baseball Debates Its Storied Image and the Flat-Brim Hat

“Baseball is in the middle of a holy war (or, at least it is to some). It isn’t whether this player or that used PEDs, or whether the designated hitter should be dissolved or put in both leagues. No, in the some ways, this crisis strikes a nerve far deeper. Commissioner Manfred, the 30 owners, or team executives in Major League Baseball don’t have an issue with it, but some fans sure do. What’s this thing that has fans up in arms? Players wearing the brim of their cap flat.” Read the full story at Forbes. 

Agency of the Week

BMF Media: We ideate innovative ways to tell a brand's story and align them with relevant cultural movements, transforming them into palpable and share-worthy experiences. Our goal: to build interesting experiences that have depth while never losing sight of the audience and brand message. 

Because cancer sucks, check out this moving and poignant ad by VCCP that depicts the isolation cancer patients feel, and how important even small displays of concern are to comforting people in their time of need.

(Coffee photo courtesy of bark.)