Best of the week: Spotify’s winding pivot to video

Now, Spotify’s video efforts are on hold, according to sources. But Spotify recently hired music and digital media veteran Courtney Holt as its new vp and head of Spotify Studios and Video. Part of Holt’s job is to determine a video strategy that makes sense for Spotify.

“I don’t know if they actually know what they want yet,” said a studio executive who has conversed with Spotify about producing original shows. “They seem to want to create something that enhances the listening experience instead of just becoming a full-fledged video network.”

Meanwhile, two companies that recently pivoted to video have seen promising outcomes. Apple is experimenting with a featured video section in its mobile news app, with publishers involved in the tests saying inclusion in the module drives consumption spikes. And Mic has amassed 3.5 billion video views on Facebook in the past year since it started testing new video formats, up from 792 million the year before, according to Tubular Labs. Mic publisher Cory Haik said average watch time and completion rates have increased as well.

Hot topics at Dmexco
The ad tech industry’s global tentpole event concluded yesterday. Here’s what was on the minds of brands, agencies and ad tech vendors at the conference:

• Online fraud: One exec noted that viewability and ad fraud technologies’ business models aren’t merely about fighting fraud, saying, “They’re selling fear because if they don’t, they can’t sell the tech to the SSPs or DSPs.”
• GDPR fear: Attendees were reluctant to discuss how they’re preparing for the looming enforcement of the regulations.
• Amazon: Although Facebook’s and Google’s events were flashier, Amazon’s presence was felt throughout the conference, with marketers flocking to the e-commerce giant’s booth to learn about Amazon Marketing Services.

Stat of the week
Heliograf, The Washington Post’s homegrown artificial intelligence technology, produced about 850 articles in its first year, including 500 about the U.S. presidential election that generated more than 500,000 clicks.

Quote of the week
An Instagram fashion influencer anonymously laments the use of bots to artificially inflate engagement:

“As the brands are being more pushy about influencers and agencies want them to grow their followers, they push them to use a bot that likes photos for you. A few years ago, everyone was growing organically. After brands started paying for things, these people realized they can sell followers to people. The brands use these fucking bots, too.”

Interesting takes elsewhere:

• ProPublica reveals that Facebook allowed advertisers to target “Jew haters” through its self-service ad-buying platform until this week (when the publisher contacted the platform about this).
• ESPN breaks down Kevin Durant’s new Nike KD 10 Finals shoes.

This week’s top Digiday stories:

• After two years, Spotify has struggled to break through with video
• Apple News is experimenting with a ‘featured video’ section
• Snark aside, Mic sees progress in its pivot to video
• Overheard at Dmexco: Ad tech vendors are ‘selling fear’
• Amazon makes its presence known at Dmexco
• The Washington Post’s robot reporter has published 850 articles in the past year
• Confessions of an Instagram influencer: Brands just want big numbers