In an age of anxiety, influencers are cashing in with ASMR videos

The ASMR community initially grew on Reddit it has since spread elsewhere, mostly to YouTube.

Corporate feminism: How brands hopped on the fempowerment bandwagon

Many brands are hopping on the “female empowerment” bandwagon. But while some brands are solely focused on money, some are trying to make a difference.

‘Don’t trust anyone’: The definitive oral history of LonelyGirl15

Over a decade ago, ‘LonelyGirl15’ set the stage for YouTube’s emergence.

‘It’s almost like a treasure hunt’: Inside the world of paid Amazon reviews

Amazon’s got a thriving market for fake reviews. This black market lives mostly in chat and social platforms; Facebook is where it really thrives.

The Rundown: Content and commerce gets a second look

Many publishers are betting that content and commerce, long a dream, can finally be realized with media brands building “authentic” connections with an audience that can then build direct-to-consumer product businesses.

‘We’re doing an evolution’: Inside Playboy’s extreme makeover

Playboy is more politically and socially conscious than ever, but is it sustainable?

Anxiety has become the new normal

Things couldn’t be better, so why are we so unhappy?

Sellers.json, ITP, data clean rooms, bid translation: A guide to ad tech’s big issues

When it comes to ad tech, separating the bullshit from the genuine innovation, is crucial for both publishers and marketers. Here’s a primer for some key terms to throw around while enjoying that first (of many) Kolsch of the day.