The TechTonic #60
Welcome to the new and improved (former) Techtonika Newsletter
Happy Wednesday! ☕
So, I did a thing. A big thing. A rebranding thing. You might have noticed that your beloved Techtonika Newsletter has undergone a magical transformation. Yes, it’s been rebranded! Why, you ask? Well, I figured if caterpillars can become butterflies, this newsletter could use a bit of a glow-up too. And I decided that 60 was a nice and fair number to spring this change into motion. So, on the anniversary of this newsletter, I gave it a full reset :)
Welcome to The TechTonic, brought to you weekly by the same people, aka me :)
But here’s the kicker: I am secretly hoping you’ll still read it. Because while this look might be new, the goal remains the same—bringing you the latest and greatest in the marketing and tech world, sprinkled with just the right amount of wit and wisdom. And hey, if Shakespeare could coin new words and still be popular, so can we, right?
So, buckle up and enjoy the ride! I promise that despite the fancy new name and the linguistic tweaks, it’s still the same at heart—just with a bit more flair.
Happy reading (and rebranding)!
📅 The Agenda:
Digital Digest hitting all the major news in the MarCom, Social media
& Tech sceneThe Insight: Is your car spying on you?
The curiosity: How do you feel about seaweed?
🔔 Brand & Marketing
Should brands transition their focus from market penetration to brand purpose? PepsiCo’s CMO shares insights about how the 4Ps are changing for bigger brands when it comes to measuring growth.
On the same note, other industry experts believe brand purpose could be missing the mark when it comes to social outcome. If the purpose of purpose is purpose, where does that leave marketing campaigns?
Abercrombie & Fitch credit their record breaking quarter to running fewer promotions but, most importantly, to ongoing brand building.
Adidas brings together Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham and Florian Wirtz in its latest brand campaign, highlighting pressure in sport.
It’s time to get creative about how you display your ads. Have you considered billboards on wheels?
We are officially in June, so it’s Pride Month Campaign time.
Toyota is highlighting the all-hybrid 2025 Camry with a new campaign, entitled "It's a Vibe,"
LG Electronics has launched a global campaign, “Optimism your feed,” meant to support consumers in bringing more positivity to their social media experience. Sounds like a party already.
Remember Roblox? Now you can go shopping in Ikea’s virtual store., oh, they are also hiring.
Harley Davidson sues UK retailer over “copycat” design
💠 AI & Tech
PWC is on its way to become ChatGPT’s biggest user and is moving into become a reseller for the AI platform.
The chips are down! Nvidia set to overtake Apple as world's second-most valuable company as interest in AI applications soars.
Unveiling OpenAI's GPT-4.0: The latest AI with vision, auditory, and emotional intelligence abilities is revolutionizing industries. How will it affect your business?
Speaking of ChatGPT, study finds that 52% of answers generated by the AI platform are wrong. That is one hell of a margin for error, especially with more and more people relying on it to optimize their daily tasks.
Leaked Google documents suggest user engagement metrics influence rankings, contradicting past statements. The leak has sparked controversy within the SEO community.
As podcasts are slowly pivoting to video, there is a new opportunity for the shows to make more money in the form of AI generated product placements.
Google Ads is restricting brand names & logos from AI Image Generation, clarifying that AI image tools in Ads won't generate branded product visuals, only generic lifestyle and product images.
Have you ever considered immersive kitchen design? Lowe’s has and it’s bringing Apple Vision Pro along for the ride.
We have a new database leak and the aftermath is already unfolding.
🏷 Retail & Ecommerce
New immersive shopping experience lets you shop at a secret NYC mansion inspired by Bruce Wayne, but definitely not just for Batman’s fans. Better grab your capes for the exclusive invite-only experience.
Things seem to be going bananas at Banana Republic as it’s CEO Sandra Stangl steps down from her role amid stalling sales for the retailer.
Brick and mortar stores are facing an uphill battle in the age of same day delivery online shopping.
📢 Social Media
Instagram Stories, a story about reach.
Do you want to become a content creator? Here are 5 mistakes to avoid when getting started.
Linkedin is changing the way your organic posts look. The whole thing is to make sponsored content more visible.
Tiktok is getting ready to push out an algorithm version designed specifically for the US that would operate independently from its Chinese parent.
Here is how you can use Instagram Threads in your brand strategy to grow your business.
Facebook is trendy again! The platform reported it’s highest engagement of young adults in the past 3 years.
🎪 The Curiosity
June 4th is Seaweed Day. I didn’t even know that was a thing…..And on the same note, the global seaweed market is worth 17 billion dollars. Ahoy!
📌 Weekly Insight
Big Brother in the Driver’s Seat: How Your High-Tech Car is Spying on You
You’re driving down the highway, basking in the soothing hum of your high-tech car. The latest model, equipped with all the bells and whistles, practically drives itself. But amidst the sleek design and seamless connectivity, a question looms: is your car spying on you? Bet you never saw that one coming.
The Spy That Loved Me
Welcome to the era where your car isn’t just a mode of transport but a potential spy, collecting data faster than you can say “GPS.” Remember when your biggest worry was spilling coffee on the seat? Now, your car’s infotainment system knows more about your caffeine habits than your local barista. It's like having James Bond’s gadget-laden Aston Martin, minus the tuxedo and British accent.
Modern cars are basically a smartphone on wheels, but with significantly less data protection policies in place. Some are calling it a privacy nightmare.
What Your Car Knows
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what your car might be collecting:
Location Data: Every place you go, every turn you make, your car is watching you. It’s not just about getting you from Point A to Point B; it’s about knowing every little detour to Point C, D, and that suspiciously frequented taco truck.
Driving Habits: Speeding? Your car knows. Hard braking? It’s jotting that down too. Your car is like that overly concerned aunt who always tells you to drive safely, only now it has data.
Personal Preferences: Favorite radio stations, preferred temperature settings, even your favorite seat position – your car is keeping tabs. It probably knows you better than your Netflix account.
Phone Syncing: Every contact, every text message, every phone call logged when you connect your phone. It’s like inviting your car into your most intimate conversations, which is fine until it starts suggesting you call your mom more often.
The Consequences of Car Surveillance
So, what’s the big deal? It’s not like your car is going to blackmail you with embarrassing Spotify playlists, right? Well, the implications are a bit more serious.
Privacy Erosion: The data your car collects isn’t just for better navigation or smoother rides; it’s valuable information. Companies can use it to profile you, targeting you with ads and services. Enjoy those personalized car insurance quotes based on how many times you’ve aggressively tailgated someone!
Data Security: All that juicy data stored in your car? It’s a potential goldmine for hackers. Imagine someone remotely accessing your car’s systems. One minute you’re driving to work, the next you’re starring in your very own “Fast & Furious” sequel.
Legal Ramifications: Ever thought about your car as a witness against you? Law enforcement can potentially access your vehicle’s data. Speeding tickets might be the least of your worries if your car can testify about your driving habits in court.
Your Rights and How to Protect Them
Before you decide to hitchhike your way to privacy, there are ways to protect yourself and your data.
Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with data protection laws in your region. In some places, you have the right to know what data is collected and how it’s used. Exercise that right like it’s a gym membership in January.
Opt-Out Options: Some manufacturers allow you to opt out of certain data collection practices. It’s usually buried deep in the settings, but it’s worth the digital archaeology.
Data Deletion: Before selling your car or turning in a lease, ensure all personal data is wiped. Treat it like a digital spring cleaning – out with the old, and definitely don’t let the new owner know you listen to ABBA on repeat.
Secure Your Devices: Use strong passwords and keep your car’s software updated. It’s like locking your doors and windows, but for your data.
Privacy NGOs are sounding the alarm louder than a car alarm at 3 a.m., and for good reason. They’re not thrilled about your high-tech car collecting data like a digital packrat, and they’re calling for stricter regulations and more transparency from the car manufacturers. Imagine a world where your car’s data logs aren’t just potential hacker bait but also corporate gold mines ripe for exploitation.
These watchdogs argue that our personal data—whether it's our favorite taco truck route or our late-night karaoke sessions in the car—deserves more respect and protection. They’re pushing for robust privacy laws that make sure we know exactly what data is being collected, have a say in it, and can hit the digital eject button whenever we want. In short, they’re on a mission to ensure that our love for high-tech rides doesn’t run over our privacy rights.
To be honest, I am just about ready to downgrade to a horse and buggy after all this jazz.
Some more articles and info about the subject:
New research shows your car is spying on your every move
Stop Your Car From Spying on You
Why Automakers Are Invading Your Privacy