Your most up-to-date snapshot of social media updates this week – 27/10/2025

Happy Tuesday, social media friends! This week’s social updates include numerous tools that can be used to harness AI to improve audience reach. There are also added protections for users susceptible to online scams. Let’s dive in and see where these features can enhance your strategy.

Heineken takes a swing at AI friendships with cheeky OOH ad

Heineken joins the AI companionship buzz with a witty campaign celebrating real connections over a beer. Created with LePub New York, it extends the SocialOffSocials push for authentic interaction. Centred on a bottle opener necklace—a playful “wearable tech”—the campaign drives home its message: “The best way to make a friend is over a beer.”

Nvidia becomes first public company worth $5 trillion

Nvidia, the main beneficiary of the AI boom, has become the first public company to surpass a $5 trillion market cap. Its shares jumped 5.6% to $212.19 after U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to discuss Nvidia’s Blackwell chips with China’s President Xi Jinping.

Eos’ steamy shower billboards bring self-care to busy cities

Fogged up OOH promotes the company's Cashmere body washes. There’s nothing better than a piping hot shower after a long day, especially as the cold starts to bite. But what if the shower could come to you, offering a moment to pause on your commute?

The New York Times set to introduce vertical video tab

The New York Times has launched a new Watch tab in its main app, introducing a dedicated space for vertical video and marking a major step in the publication’s move toward visual storytelling.

Ads might be coming to Apple Maps next year

Apple Maps may start showing ads next year, letting businesses pay to appear in search results, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports. The move expands Apple’s ad strategy beyond the App Store, with plans to use AI for more relevant results. Gurman questions whether users will push back as Apple’s ecosystem grows more ad-driven.

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LOCAL MEDIA NEWS

Your most up-to-date snapshot of social media updates this week – 27/10/2025
November 3, 2025
Happy Tuesday, social media friends! This week’s social updates include numerous tools that can be used to harness AI to improve audience reach. There are also added protections for users susceptible to online scams. Let’s dive in and see where these features can enhance your strategy.
PR Daily
Heineken takes a swing at AI friendships with cheeky OOH ad
November 3, 2025
Heineken joins the AI companionship buzz with a witty campaign celebrating real connections over a beer. Created with LePub New York, it extends the SocialOffSocials push for authentic interaction. Centred on a bottle opener necklace—a playful “wearable tech”—the campaign drives home its message: “The best way to make a friend is over a beer.”
Marketing Interactive
Nvidia becomes first public company worth $5 trillion
November 3, 2025
Nvidia, the main beneficiary of the AI boom, has become the first public company to surpass a $5 trillion market cap. Its shares jumped 5.6% to $212.19 after U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to discuss Nvidia’s Blackwell chips with China’s President Xi Jinping.
Tech Crunch
Eos’ steamy shower billboards bring self-care to busy cities
November 3, 2025
Fogged up OOH promotes the company's Cashmere body washes. There’s nothing better than a piping hot shower after a long day, especially as the cold starts to bite. But what if the shower could come to you, offering a moment to pause on your commute?
Ad Week
The New York Times set to introduce vertical video tab
November 3, 2025
The New York Times has launched a new Watch tab in its main app, introducing a dedicated space for vertical video and marking a major step in the publication’s move toward visual storytelling.
Bizcommunity
Ads might be coming to Apple Maps next year
November 3, 2025
Apple Maps may start showing ads next year, letting businesses pay to appear in search results, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports. The move expands Apple’s ad strategy beyond the App Store, with plans to use AI for more relevant results. Gurman questions whether users will push back as Apple’s ecosystem grows more ad-driven.
Tech Crunch
Google tests ‘customer values’ for campaigns, agencies push back
November 3, 2025
Google is testing automatic “New Customer Value” assignments in NCA campaigns without advertiser consent, drawing pushback from agencies. It’s unclear whether the backlash stems from misunderstanding the process or doubts about Google’s planning.
Media Post
Mapped: The median age in every country
November 3, 2025
Explore global demographics with this map of median age in every country, revealing a surprising gap between Africa and Europe – Infographic:
Visual Capitalist
Google officially shuts down Privacy Sandbox
November 3, 2025
The Privacy Sandbox was Google’s answer to growing privacy regulation and industry backlash against cross-site tracking — but its complexity, limited adoption, and regulatory scrutiny stalled momentum. At last, Google is no longer forcing a shift away from third-party cookies, preserving the familiar targeting and measurement tools that power much of digital advertising.
Search Engine Land
YouTube: What gets consumers to purchase?
November 3, 2025
YouTube videos have made it easy for consumers to quickly move from browsing to purchasing. The transition is being supported not only by videos, but also ads. 46% of consumers have bought a product they discovered on the platform, most within two weeks, according to Channel Factory.
Media Post
The future of SEO teams is human-led and agent-powered
November 3, 2025
The smartest SEOs won’t fight AI – they’ll lead it. Learn how human-led, agent-powered teams are building the next era of search success.
Search Engine Land
WPP bets on self-serve AI to reach marketers beyond the agency model
November 3, 2025
WPP has launched WPP Open Pro, a platform that lets brands of all sizes plan, create, and publish campaigns independently — targeting smaller advertisers and echoing the self-serve model that fuels Alphabet and Meta’s ad businesses.
Warc
Marketers to slash display spend by 30% as AI and CTV redefine engagement: Forrester
November 3, 2025
Marketers are set to cut display ad spend by 30% in 2026 as consumers shift from the open web to AI-driven and entertainment platforms, Forrester predicts. With AI summaries and chat interfaces reducing audiences and click-throughs, budgets will move to CTV, streaming audio, and social video, while offline experiences rebound as 52% of US adults seek more in-person connections.
Marketing Interactive
Online gambling ads: Somebody has to say “enough”
November 3, 2025
“I would like to formally propose that we pledge to not accept ad money from online gambling brands."
Bizcommunity
Paramount Skydance to get rid of 2 000 workers in the United States and globally, also affecting Africa
November 3, 2025
On Wednesday, Paramount Global will reportedly start by letting go of at least 1 000 workers in the United States, followed by another 1 000 workers, that will also impact and affect staff at Paramount Africa in South Africa. The first 1 000 people let go tomorrow, represent 5% of Paramount's workforce. By December 2024 Paramount had 18 600 full-time workers and 3 500 project-based staff.
TV with Thinus
Unpacking ARB code changes affecting the advertising of alcohol brands on vehicles
November 3, 2025
Over and above the general provisions of the ARB Code, specialised sections that govern advertising standards within specific industries (such as alcohol, food, healthcare, and others) impose additional requirements tailored to the sensitivities and regulatory concerns of that sector.
Bizcommunity
Pick n Pay narrows half-year losses
November 3, 2025
South African grocery retailer Pick n Pay reported a smaller loss before tax, saying it reflected success strategic initiatives.
Bizcommunity
DStv customers coining it in South Africa
November 3, 2025
DStv customers in South Africa have redeemed over 1.6 million DStv coins to pay for subscriptions since the MyDStv app rewards feature launched a month ago. The system lets users use earned coins to reduce monthly fees and access other perks.
MyBroadband

GLOBAL NEWS

Your most up-to-date snapshot of social media updates this week – 27/10/2025
Happy Tuesday, social media friends! This week’s social updates include numerous tools that can be used to harness AI to improve audience reach. There are also added protections for users susceptible to online scams. Let’s dive in and see where these features can enhance your strategy.
Read More
Heineken takes a swing at AI friendships with cheeky OOH ad
Heineken joins the AI companionship buzz with a witty campaign celebrating real connections over a beer. Created with LePub New York, it extends the SocialOffSocials push for authentic interaction. Centred on a bottle opener necklace—a playful “wearable tech”—the campaign drives home its message: “The best way to make a friend is over a beer.”
Read More
Nvidia becomes first public company worth $5 trillion
Nvidia, the main beneficiary of the AI boom, has become the first public company to surpass a $5 trillion market cap. Its shares jumped 5.6% to $212.19 after U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to discuss Nvidia’s Blackwell chips with China’s President Xi Jinping.
Read More
Eos’ steamy shower billboards bring self-care to busy cities
Fogged up OOH promotes the company's Cashmere body washes. There’s nothing better than a piping hot shower after a long day, especially as the cold starts to bite. But what if the shower could come to you, offering a moment to pause on your commute?
Read More
The New York Times set to introduce vertical video tab
The New York Times has launched a new Watch tab in its main app, introducing a dedicated space for vertical video and marking a major step in the publication’s move toward visual storytelling.
Read More
Ads might be coming to Apple Maps next year
Apple Maps may start showing ads next year, letting businesses pay to appear in search results, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports. The move expands Apple’s ad strategy beyond the App Store, with plans to use AI for more relevant results. Gurman questions whether users will push back as Apple’s ecosystem grows more ad-driven.
Read More

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