DECODE - May 2, 2024

READS

Code and Theory Names Craig Elimeliah as Chief Creative Officer (Shoot Online) 

Code and Theory is proud to announce Craig Elimeliah as the agency’s new Chief Creative Officer. “Code and Theory’s commitment to marrying technology with creativity is not only forward-thinking but also reflective of the transformative power these elements hold. I’m inspired to lead a team that embraces this synergy to redefine categories, embed culture and drive impactful solutions for our clients,” says Elimeliah. He is a creative force and business leader, with 20+ years of experience driving growth through innovation at agencies including VML, /prompt, Lippe Taylor and more. Read the article.   

The Apple Vision Pro Is Down but Not Out, Experts Say (The Drum)

Will Apple Vision Pro ever gain mainstream status? Code and Theory Co-founder Dan Gardner says businesses must embrace the shifting tides that this technology represents to win in the long term. "Remember, once upon a time, there was the Apple Newton before the iPhone; there was the Zune before the iPod; there was Friendster before there was Facebook; the list goes on and on,” says Gardner. “Businesses that dismiss technology because of a lack of imagination and clickbait headlines will be dismissed." Read the article. 

Beyond the Beacon: Why Lighthouse Scores Should Guide, Not Dictate, Website Optimization Strategy (Little Black Book) 

Google Lighthouse has become a valuable asset for website developers, but there may be other factors one should consider when measuring webpage success. Code and Theory Senior Staff Engineer Shashanka Nataraj shares the importance of harnessing data-driven decision-making while using Lighthouse. “Like the tides, search engine algorithms and user expectations are constantly in flux. What constitutes a ‘good’ Lighthouse score today might not hold the same weight tomorrow,” says Nataraj. “To ensure webpages remain seaworthy in the ever-changing digital landscape, strive to make continuous improvements based on real user data and engagement metrics.” Read the article. 

Consumers Dislike Brands Using AI Images of People, Report Finds (Campaign) 

“Is this an AI-generated human or real human in this photo?” According to a recent Getty Images survey of over 7,500 people across 25 countries, that’s what 90% of respondents want to know. The report found that AI-generated images featuring non-human subjects were perceived as less misleading than AI-generated images with people or real products. “This focus on authenticity emphasizes the importance for brands to thoughtfully consider how to incorporate AI-generated images into current workflows,” says Getty. Read the article.

FAKE FACTS

Google says, “Let’s just forget about that whole sunsetting the cookie thing.”

Waystar Royco is the new frontrunner to buy TikTok.

EVENTS

Stagwell Announces Future of News Summit (PR Newswire)

Stagwell Global will hold its inaugural Future of News Summit on May 15 at its headquarters at One World Trade Center in New York, NY. During the summit, Stagwell will unveil groundbreaking research by HarrisX, debunking misconceptions about brand safety in news contexts. Plus, journalists and brand leaders, including Code and Theory’s Dan Gardner, will come together in panel discussions to discuss issues journalists face in the field and why news platforms are a safe space for advertisers. Learn more.