MediaBizBuzz: The ANA, the FCC, Nielsen, Hulu, Disney and More

ANA Chairman Responds to Critics of Transparency Report

“There was palpable fear of reprisals and other repercussions across the media-buying landscape from many who considered whether to participate.” (via ANA)

+ Mistrust on Madison Avenue: Why Can’t Marketers, Media Buyers Get Along?(via Variety)

+ Rob Norman: The ANA Report – Addressing Complexity Is a Complex Issue

+ Stuart Elliott: After ANA Report, Things are Clear as Mud

FCC’s Net-Neutrality Rules Upheld by Appeals Court

The court’s sweeping validation of the Federal Communications Commission rules opens the door to further pending FCC regulatory steps that cable and wireless firms have resisted. (via WSJ)

+ Is Yahoo Less Attractive to Verizon, AT&T in Light of Proposed Regulations? (via SiliconBeat)

Nielsen Catalina Solutions Releases CPG-Industry Benchmarks for Advertising Return

Benchmarks let marketers compare likely returns from every dollar of their cross-media, digital video, display, linear TV and magazine advertising spend, with magazines showing the highest ROAS. (via Nielsen Catalina)

Tribune Media Launches Auction of Digital, Data Business

The move represents the first asset sale by Tribune Media after it announced in February that it had hired investment banks to explore strategic alternatives. (via Reuters)

The Newspaper National Network Dissolves

NNN was owned by the top 20 newspaper companies in the United States and the Newspaper Association of America. (via NNN)

Hulu Inks Expansive Licensing Agreement with Disney-ABC Television Group

The deal brings over 500 episodes and a selection of original movies from Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD to Hulu. (via LA Times)

+ You Can Now Watch Hulu in VR on the Oculus Rift (via The Verge)

Facebook Launches Online Creative Hub in Bid to Simplify Creation of Ads

Online platform enables agencies, brands and anyone involved in the creation of ads on Facebook to share, review, test and create ads on Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram. (via AdAge)

Hearst TV Looks to Verizon Digital Media Services for Streaming

Verizon Digital Media Services platform now used by 26 Hearst-owned local news stations, enabling live and on-demand playback across devices and targeted ad insertion in apps. (via Broadcasting & Cable)

TV’s “Upfront” Ad-Sales Talks Start to Heat Up

NBCUniversal and CBS are said to have begun securing advance advertising commitments, but some ad buyers indicated that the overall market had yet to move in earnest. (via Variety)

Nielsen Consumer Neuroscience Unveils Trailblazing Ad Testing Solution

Video Ad Explorer uses a combination of neuroscience tools, including EEG, biometrics and eye-tracking, to give brands real-time insights into the complexity of the consumer brain. (via Nielsen)

Comcast Leads $6.8 Million Investment in Virtual-Reality Studio

Investment round in Felix & Paul Studios, a Montréal-based creator of virtual-reality films, is the first time Comcast Ventures has funded a company that produces cinematic virtual reality. (via Bloomberg)

Screenvision Joins Digital Place Based Advertising Association

“By joining DPAA we are giving ourselves a seat at the table alongside our colleagues in helping to chart the future of the video everywhere marketplace for everyone's benefit.” (via DPAA)

Gannett to Buy Bergen Record, New Jersey’s No. 2 Paper

The 121-year-old paper is the second-largest daily in the state behind the Star-Ledger in Newark. Gannett already owns the Asbury Park Press and five other New Jersey papers. (via New York Post)

Why Disney Channel Freeform is Betting on Social Apps

By giving social users a reason to engage with show content before, during and after a TV broadcast, the hope is that Freeform can create a sense of appointment viewing around its original series. (via Digiday)

Social Media is Changing Our Digital News Habits

Reuters Institute global study suggests there is still a big appetite for news, but users are increasingly turning to social-media platforms to find it, are unwilling to pay, and favor ad blockers. (via SFGate)

+ The Olympics of Social Media Data

Accounts on the Move

Volkswagen Picks PHD to Handle Its $3 Billion Global Media Account

German auto giant picked Omnicom's PHD as its new global media agency of record, ending its relationship with WPP's MediaCom after nearly two decades. (via Adweek)

People on the Move

Nielsen's Cheryl Idell To Head West Coast Ops For Mindshare

She succeeds Adam Gerhart, who was recently promoted to the role of CEO Mindshare U.S. Idell will be based in Los Angeles and also have responsibility for the Portland office and recently launched San Francisco operations. (via MediaPost)

Tim Mahlman Becomes the New Bob Lord at AOL Platforms

Formerly President of Publisher Platforms at AOL, Tim Mahlman has been promoted to President of AOL Platforms, effectively filling the shoes left empty upon Bob Lord’s departure to IBM. (via AdExchanger)

CBS Names Jim Lanzone Chief Digital Officer

In his new role, Lanzone will oversee digital strategy across CBS divisions. He also will continue at CBS Interactive as CEO. (via Hollywood Reporter)

Dan Mason Joins iHeartMedia as Senior Advisor for Broadcast Relations

Former President and CEO of CBS Radio will join the company as its Senior Advisor for Broadcast Relations. (via iHeartMedia)

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