Demojo’s Tabloid Tuesday – Issue #8

Every week, we will be sharing news related to the advertising industry, changes coming to our favourite social media platforms, and other relevant news which might be of interest to you! Here’s this week’s top headlines:

Google’s Bard AI chatbot can now answer questions about YouTube videos

In other chatbot news, Google has announced that its  Bard AI chatbot can now answer questions about YouTube videos. In an effort to address user’s wishes of wanting “deeper engagement with YouTube videos”, Google is expanding its Bard extension to better understand video content.

Snapchat tests ad-free subscription plan

Snapchat is the latest to test users’ limit on just how much they are willing to pay for an ad-free experience. It is now preparing the launch a new, more expensive Snapchat+ tier. The new tier, advertised as $15.99 AUD per month, will remove all Story and Lens ads.

X’s chatbot ‘Grok’ will launch this week

Last week screenshots popped up all over feeds of X’s ‘Grok’ AI chatbot appearing on X’s web app. The app’s owner, Elon Musk, later confirmed that Grok would be available this week to Premium+ subscribers. And, although Musk’s timeframes have not always been the most reliable, code developments in the X app reveal that Grok interaction is already underway.

That’s enough social news for now, so let’s move on over to other marketing news.

iQIYI partners MY and SG film distributors to bring Chinese films to the world 

China entertainment service iQIYI is partnering with GSC Movies in Malaysia and Clover Films in Singapore. The partnership aims to expand iQIYI’s slate of premium Chinese films to a global audience and to leverage the extensive film distribution network of GSC Movies and Clover Films.

In Other News

Malaysian carrier, MYAirline, has reportedly agreed to pay RM4.3 million worth of unpaid salaries to 158 of its employees now that it has secured new investors. The payment are reportedly expected to start in January. Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) secretary general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said the agreement was reached following an order issued by the Labour Department, according to media reports.

In case you missed it, HSBC has apologised after thousands of consumers reported issues with their online and mobile banking accounts since last Friday, of which many were unable to join the Black Friday sales.