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Sadly, 2024 is not Google’s year.

The tech giant has just unlisted a Gemini demo video after getting in trouble with the National Advertising Division.

Earlier this year, Google found itself in trouble with the US Federal Court for holding an illegal monopoly. They also released a controversial ad, then pulled it due to backlash. Oh yeah, and there was the time Gemini’s image generator went off the rails.

And now this. Yikes.

In today's newsletter:

• Google pulls misleading Gemini demo (after getting called out, of course) (find out why they’ve got the National Advertising Division on their case)

• Your dummy-proof guide to (finally) starting a podcast (don’t be scared—we’re going to hold your hand the whole way)

• Trend plug - Henry Danger is BACK!

• Ask the Editor - I’m in a ‘boring’ industry. Can social media marketing work for my business?

- Charlotte, Editor ♡

Google can’t stay out of the limelight right now – and not in a good way.

The tech giant has been a hot topic of conversation since its run-in with the US federal court in August. During that case, the court ruled Google had illegally obtained a monopoly over the search industry.

10 days later, and Google was making headlines again for an AI ad that absolutely flopped. The company ended up pulling the ad, as viewers deemed it tone-deaf.

And let’s not forget that earlier this year, Gemini went rogue, spouting a whole string of historical inaccuracies.

Turns out, fourth time's a charm, because here we are again.

Last week, Google unlisted a Gemini demo video it posted last December that, at the time, was extremely impressive.

So why did they unlist it? Well, because it was misleading.

In the demo video, which amassed over 3 million views on YouTube, a person appears to be interacting with Gemini in real time. Gemini quickly and aptly responds to various spoken prompts. It easily identifies parts of drawings and even creates a game about geography.

However, the video is actually a dramatisation of a far more stilted and slower process.

And BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division (NAD), an ad industry 'watch dog' has called Google out on their bullsh*t.

[Keep reading]

-Sophie, Writer

Your Dummy-Proof Guide to (finally) Starting a Podcast

As of January, this year, there are 464 million podcast listeners worldwide. And that's a number that's projected to reach 504.9 million by the end of 2024.

And while we do not need more half-brained highly opinionated amoeba with microphones, a podcast is undeniably a great avenue for growing your personal brand or business.

The podcasting landscape is currently booming.

With podcasting being a $25B industry, and one of the most inexpensive ways to create content, why haven’t you started one yet?

I’m guessing it’s because you don’t know where to start. That’s totally fair. We are not born with this innate knowledge. Plus, it’s a fairly new medium, so unfortunately, we haven’t inherited the gift from our ancestors, either.

What we do have, is access to the internet.

And what you have, is me, compiling a little starter pack for you if you’re looking to explore your podcasting abilities.

You’re so welcome.

[Keep reading]

-Sophie, Writer

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Trend Plug - Henry Danger is BACK!

One of Nickelodeon's greatest shows ever (in my opinion), Henry Danger, has, for some odd reason, made a resurgence back into the world of social media.

TikTokers have decided that Henry Danger and Ashanti's 'Rain On Me' is the perfect combination. Creators have started using various screenshots from the show and this song to express their feelings in all types of situations.

Their captions just have to relate to whatever is happening in the photo. For example, 'How I look at my mama when she says she has no money', or 'When the teacher calls ME out for talking as if the entire class isn't talking as well'.

How to jump on this trend:

Simply, find one of MANY Henry Danger screenshots you want to use. Write your on-screen text, describing a situation you have been in that fits your selected screenshot. Finally, put this sound over it. (here's a link to some screenshots)

 A few ideas to get you started:

• How I be looking at my intern after they said 'I've got it' knowing they indeed do not (like this)

• Me when the client tells me their plans for the project (like this)

• Me comforting my work bestie after telling her we've run out of coffee (like this)

-Carter, Intern

Tune in to the YAP Podcast

We’re breaking it down for you.

Listen to the YAP podcast Tuesday - Saturday, where we talk about everything that’s happening in marketing right now so you’re always in the know.

Watch the full podcast here and subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you never miss an episode.

Ask the Editor

Q - I'm in an unsexy B2B industry and right now, we don’t do any socials. I'm also fairly exposure shy, personally. Can social media marketing work for us? - Steve

Hey Steve!

Ok, I can see there are actually a few questions here. First, can social media help you build any type of brand, even one that might be considered 'boring?' The answer is absolutely. This might look like creating content about something other than purely what you do. For example, you could create content about:

• People in your team (which helps your audience connect with your brand on a personal level),

• Office dynamics (which can be humourous and relatable),

• Little-known information related to your area of expertise (which educates your target audience.)

Second, how does that work if you don't love being in the limelight? Not everyone wants to put themselves (or their business) out there. But there's no denying organic social media can help you reach hundreds, or even thousands, of potential clients you'd never connect with otherwise. We've had many clients in 'boring' industries grow their businesses exponentially through social media.

As far as actually being in content, if you don't love that idea, there are a few solutions to this. In your email to me, you mentioned your partner isn't as shy as you are. So they might be open to being in content!

Plenty of businesses hire talent for their social media pages, so if you decided to go all-in on socials, this could be an option. Just make sure you have a solid strategy in place, first, so you aren't throwing money at something that will go nowhere.

- Charlotte, Editor ♡

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