Advertising Coverage

Walmart is the latest advertiser to pull ads from Elon Musk’s X

New York (CNN) — Walmart confirmed on Friday that it is not advertising on X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk and formerly known as Twitter.

By Nathaniel Meyersohn, Parija Kavilanz and Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN

Here are the dozen brands that have paused ads on X amid ongoing crisis for Elon Musk's platform

New York (CNN) -- At least a dozen major brands have halted ad spending on X, formerly Twitter, since its latest advertiser exodus began last week over concerns about antisemitism and hate speech on Elon Musk's social media platform.

By Clare Duffy, CNN

Burgers and tacos don't look like they do in ads. Lawsuits are trying to change that

The explosion has been largely driven by the efforts of a handful of lawyers, including Russo and Kelly, said Bonnie Patten, executive director of Truth in Advertising, a nonprofit organization that focuses on protecting consumers from false advertising.

Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN

Ads for dangerous, illegal supplements target Facebook users

A new Consumer Reports investigation found that many ads target vulnerable Facebook users with products that can be dangerous and illegal.

Body spray commercial pulled after some interpret ad as condoning rape

The maker of a men's body spray is pulling ads that appear to promote rape. It shows four men appearing to stalk a frightened-looking woman in a store. The ad aired just a week after a 17-year-old was allegedly raped by five men.

Commercials may be coming soon to Netflix, Disney+

The two titans of the video streaming wars -- Netflix and Disney+ -- have long resisted commercials, showing a reluctance to have premium series like "Stranger Things" or "The Mandalorian" run alongside commercials hawking dish soap, soda and medications.

John Koblin and Tiffany Hsu, New York Times

Confirmed: No ads in Russia, Google says

Google will halt all advertising, for now, in Russia, the company told the media outlet CNN earlier on Friday. Here's the latest.

Big Tech television ads paint a rosy picture of a problematic industry

Facebook launched a television ad series recently that does not showcase any product for sale or new feature on its platforms. Instead, Facebook wants TV viewers to meet an employee named Jack.

YouTube to ban several types of advertisers from prominent spot on its homepage

Companies related to gambling, alcohol, prescription drugs and political ads will not be allowed to advertise on the site's masthead.

Capitol B Creative Studios will help local clients better understand, reach audiences

Chris Weatherly, general manager of WRAL Digital outlines the trends in digital advertising and why the timing is right for new agency.

Coke, Pepsi and Budweiser opt out of Super Bowl advertising

Coke and Pepsi first announced their withdrawals from Super Bowl advertising this year.

After a hard year, holiday commercials get real

For television viewers, the holiday season means commercials filled with rosy-cheeked Santas, computer-generated polar bears and brand-new cars festooned with big red bows.

Tiffany Hsu, New York Times

5 On Your Side: Part-time job involving advertising on car is a scam

It sounded like an easy opportunity to make some extra money, getting paid to advertise on your car. But when the viewer realized it sounded too easy, she contacted 5 On Your Side's Monica Laliberte.

AT&T looking into wireless plans with ads

AT&T is considering offering wireless phone plans that are partially subsidized by ads.

Advertisers weigh whether or not to pull content from Facebook's platform over hate speech concerns

At this time of year, hordes of advertising executives are usually striking deals on yachts in the French Riviera or at meetings in Manhattan, not sitting at home worrying about their future.

Tiffany Hsu, New York Times

With customers at home, business messages, practices get more flexible

For businesses able to continue to operate under the North Carolina stay-at-home order, the mission has changed, as has the message to customers.

Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter

Fact check: Trump on criminal justice reform in Super Bowl ad

To contextualize President Donald Trump's campaign ad about Alice Marie Johnson, PolitiFact did some research on Johnson, Trump's criminal justice record and the ad's claim that "thousands" have been affected by his efforts.

Daniel Funke and Bill McCarthy, PolitiFact reporters

Popeyes trolls Chick-fil-A with job advertisement

The ad is meant as a jab at Chick-fil-A, which is not open on Sundays.

Hallmark reverses stance on LGBTQ Zola ads

The Hallmark Channel has apologized after it pulled four Zola commercials. The ads for the wedding planning website featured a lesbian couple kissing during their marriage ceremony.

Ways to stop annoying online ads that pop up through searches

WRAL's Monica Laliberte offers some tips to stop those annoying ads that pop up online when you have searched for something on the web.

How to get rid of targeted ads

When you search for something in your web browser and then see online ads for it, it's not a coincidence.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter

Biden's Digital Ads Are Disappearing. Not a Good Sign, Strategists Say.

Joe Biden's presidential campaign has sharply scaled back his online advertising, cutting spending so severely since August that he is now investing only a fraction of what his top rivals are on Facebook and Google, the two dominant internet platforms.

Shane Goldmacher, New York Times

Ad spending shifts to social 'influencers'

We spend less time watching TV and reading magazines these days and more time on social media. That's led companies to shift focus to where the most eyeballs are.

Social media influencers becoming the norm for advertising

When Caroline Bowers travels around the Triangle with her dog, it's pretty common for people to stop her. Not just because Holden is an adorable golden retriever, but often because the people stopping them are fans. Holden often "sells" dog toys or bones. He's earned Bowers up to $1,000 for a single post on social media.

Mandy Mitchell, WRAL reporter

Why getting paid to advertise for soft drinks on your car is too good to be true

The bottom line is: No beverage company will pay someone who is not a company employee to drive a car with their logos on it.