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Weekly Marketing Rundown - July 18, 2025

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Weekly Marketing Rundown - July 18, 2025

Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we cover Meta's ability to generate hundreds of ad variations, Tiktok and Meta's latest GDPR issues in Europe, the latest on BitChat, and more.

Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM

Ads Now Generate Hundreds of Variations

Jon Loomer highlights that Meta ads today aren’t just single messages—they’re combinations of multiple images/videos, text options, headlines, descriptions, aspect ratios, and Meta’s AI enhancements. What used to be one simple ad can now result in hundreds or even thousands of variations.

For Mission Teams:

These tools are coming whether we like them or not, and teams would be wise to adjust accordingly. Teams crafting Meta ads should focus on providing high-quality “ingredients”—versatile copy, visuals, and formats—rather than obsessing over one perfect version. Meta suggests, and Kavanah Media team members have seen, that enabling Adv. + AI enhancements can lead to better performance.

https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/ad-variations/

Dorsey’s Bitchat App Fails Early Security Scrutiny

Jack Dorsey’s new messaging app, Bitchat, promises private, offline communication via Bluetooth—but hasn’t passed any formal security testing. Experts quickly raised red flags, noting serious flaws like messages being stored unencrypted and unverified claims about end-to-end encryption.

For Missions Teams:

For mission teams considering alternative communication tools, Bitchat is currently not a viable alternative.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/09/jack-dorsey-says-his-secure-new-bitchat-app-has-not-been-tested-for-security/

TikTok Building U.S.-Only App with New Algorithm (?)

Some reports say TikTok is developing a completely separate app for U.S. users. This version will have its own recommendation algorithm and U.S.-based data handling, in order to comply with government demands for Chinese-owned ByteDance to divest. ByteDance has denied these rumors.

For Mission Teams:

U.S.-based teams utilizing TikTok as part of their marketing or outreach strategies may need to adapt their approach depending on the nature and outcome of the platform's potential acquisition or regulatory changes.

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/tiktok-prepares-us-app-with-its-own-algorithm-user-data-2025-07-09/

France Accuses Meta of Ad Market Abuses

France’s antitrust agency has formally warned Meta that it may have broken competition rules in online advertising. The accusation centers on Meta allegedly limiting fair access to ad verification services by offering unclear and unfair partnership terms. This could prevent smaller ad-tech companies from properly verifying Meta’s ads. Meta now has the chance to respond before any penalties are decided.

For Mission Teams:

For teams using Meta ads, this highlights growing regulatory pressure on the platform. Changes in ad verification or access rules could affect how teams track ad results or measure performance. It’s a reminder to watch for future policy shifts that might impact reporting tools or transparency for outreach campaigns.

https://archive.ph/q1QMa

Meta’s Tracking Tech Violates EU Privacy Law, German Court Rules

A German court ruled that Meta’s tracking tools, like the Meta Pixel, violate EU privacy laws by collecting user data without proper consent. The court awarded 5,000 Euros in damages, noting that Meta could identify users even when they weren’t logged in.

For Mission Teams:

If you operate in or target Europe, this ruling highlights serious risks around tools like Facebook Pixel. You may be exposing personal data without valid consent—creating legal liability. Review your website’s tracking tools, get clear consent, and consider privacy-focused analytics alternatives.

How To Ensure Compliance

Mission teams using websites, ads, and CRMs like Disciple.Tools may be data controllers, data processors, or both. Understanding your role is key for legal compliance.
    •    Data Controller: Decides what data to collect, why, and how it’s used.
    •    Data Processor: Handles data under someone else’s direction.

Examples:

  • Field Team (with Kavanah Media) – Controller: Sets strategy, owns the data.
  • Field Team (self-managed tools) – Controller: Still controls all data use decisions.
  • Kavanah Media – Processor: Runs ads and tools based on team instructions.
  • Disciple.Tools (hosted by Kavanah) – Processor: Stores contact data but doesn’t control it.
  • Meta (Facebook) – Joint Controller: Collects leads but also uses the data for its own purposes.

Make sure your digital strategy is GDPR-compliant. Here’s a helpful checklist:
https://www.cookieyes.com/blog/gdpr-checklist-for-websites/

https://therecord.media/german-court-meta-tracking-tech

Ireland Opens New TikTok Probe Over China Data Concerns

Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has launched a second investigation into TikTok, this time focusing on whether user data from Europe is being accessed by its parent company, ByteDance, in China. This adds to ongoing scrutiny of TikTok’s data practices across the EU.

For Mission Teams:

This highlights the increasing privacy and data security concerns TikTok is facing as a platform. Teams currently using TikTok, or considering including it in their digital strategies, should consider the cybersecurity risks of the platform.

https://www.politico.eu/article/ireland-launches-second-probe-into-tiktok-data-flows-to-china/

Where People in the Americas Begin Product Searches

A late‑2024 eMarketer chart shows that across countries like the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, most adults start product searches on search engines and marketplaces. However, social media platforms remain as emerging, but smaller starting points.

For Mission Teams:

For mission teams, this shows that SEO continues to be essential—even as social search grows, search engines still lead the way. It’s wise to use an evangelism website, and not rely on social media alone, or ignore your site altogether.

Combining a solid presence in search results, with engaging content on social platforms, helps teams reach both wide audiences and specific groups more effectively.

https://www.emarketer.com/chart/270230/channels-where-adults-select-countries-americas-typically-start-their-product-search-nov-2024-of-respondents

Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement

At Kavanah Media, we’re committed to helping mission teams use digital tools to make God known around the world. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practical insights, or in-depth strategy, we’ve got resources to help:

  • Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here.
  • YouVersion Reading Plan– Jon Ralls, CEO of Kavanah Media, just launched a powerful 8-day devotional on YouVersion called "Living in Tension." Subscribe here
  • Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us

Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below.

https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media

Authors: Cody A. and Cherry Messimer

Article Published: July 18, 2025

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