Generation Next, Ad Age and Facebook’s new live virtual event series produced by The List in partnership with Facebook Elevate, will focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in the industry and promote The List’s pilot mentorship program to solve the diverse talent crisis. https://adage.com/article/ad-age-events/ad-age-and-facebook-partner-new-virtual-event-series-promoting-diversity/2308196
Ad-tech firm Taboola merges with ION Acquisition at $2.6 billion valuation
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter. https://adage.com/article/latest-news/ad-tech-firm-taboola-merges-ion-acquisition-26-billion-valuation/2308326
Citi sticks with Justin Thomas despite homophobic slur
The bank will continue to sponsor Justin Thomas despite golfer’s recent use of a homophobic slur, but has committed to creating change in the LGBTQ+ community. https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/citi-sticks-justin-thomas-despite-homophobic-slur/2308306
Super Bowl 2021: Watch all the commercials released so far
Michelob Ultra, Chipotle and Mercari unveil Big Game ads. https://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/super-bowl-2021-watch-all-commercials-released-so-far/2308291
The Week Ahead: Facebook and McDonald’s report earnings and Denzel Washington flick comes to HBO Max
A look at some of the happenings over the next five days of interest to marketers, agencies and media players. https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/week-ahead-facebook-and-mcdonalds-report-earnings-and-denzel-washington-flick-comes-hbo-max/2308221
Broadcasting legend Larry King has died at 87
He once estimated he’d done about 50,000 interviews during more than a half century on radio and TV. https://adage.com/article/media/broadcasting-legend-larry-king-has-died-87/2308226
DoorDash is the latest first-time Super Bowl ad buyer, and it’s bringing Cookie Monster
The 60-second spot will feature Sesame Street Muppets and actor Daveed Diggs. https://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/doordash-latest-first-time-super-bowl-ad-buyer-and-its-bringing-cookie-monster/2308201
NBCUniversal will shutter its sports network at end of year
NBCUniversal plans to shift key sports programming to USA Network and, in some cases, Peacock starting in 2022. https://adage.com/article/media/nbcuniversal-will-shutter-its-sports-network-end-year/2308181
Watch The Lincoln Project’s data-driven viral video, plus a young poet’s instant fame by the numbers: Datacenter Weekly
Also, the most visible brands on TV during Inauguration Day coverage. https://adage.com/article/campaign-trail/watch-lincoln-projects-data-driven-viral-video-plus-young-poets-instant-fame-numbers-datacenter/2308166
DiGiorno bakes pizza ‘Pi’ Super Bowl stunt, and Etsy basks in glow of Bernie’s mittens: Trending
The week’s biggest moves, hits and misses. https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/digiorno-bakes-pizza-pi-super-bowl-stunt-and-etsy-basks-glow-bernies-mittens-trending/2308171