Weekly Marketing Rundown - March 21, 2026
- Blog Weekly Marketing Rundown - March 21, 2026
Weekly Marketing Rundown - March 21, 2026
Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! We’re diving into the latest updates you need to know, including changes to Meta, new country-specific fees for marketing, MFA, data laws, and more.
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Updates to Meta
Meta is now adding extra fees for ads shown to people in certain countries to cover local digital taxes. It is also testing a new feature that lets you describe your audience in simple terms, with AI automatically suggesting the best interests and behaviors to target.
For Mission Teams
These new location fees mean your advertising budget might not go as far in specific regions, so you must plan for these extra costs in your digital strategy.
The update to interest and detailed targeting is capturing the attention of marketers worldwide. For some time, Meta has limited marketers’ ability to use detailed targeting, instead relying on its algorithm. Teams are encouraged to test this new feature, although it is likely to serve only as a “suggestion,” similar to the previous iteration.
Meta Location Fees by Country
The following fees are added to your bill based on where your ads are delivered:
Austria: 5%
Türkiye: 5%
France: 3%
Italy: 3%
Spain: 3%
United Kingdom: 2%
https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-location-fees/
Signal App Face Blur for Secure Photos
Signal includes a built-in image editor that can automatically detect and blur faces in photos before you send them or save them to your device. This feature uses local on-device processing to ensure that unedited versions of your photos are never sent to a server or seen by anyone else.
For Mission Teams
This tool is vital for protecting the identity of seekers and local believers in sensitive regions where digital surveillance is a high risk. Teams can leverage this tool, but it is recommended to always manually check the image before sending.
https://signal.org/blog/blur-tools/
Data Privacy and Digital Missions Compliance
Data privacy laws, such as the GDPR in the European Union, the LPDP in North Macedonia, and U.S. data laws, regulate the handling of personal information. These laws are designed to protect individuals’ data and include stipulations regarding data breach handling, required data security measures, data sovereignty, consent, and more. While the specifics of these regulations can vary significantly by region and impact marketers and mission teams differently, one constant remains: marketers are responsible for ensuring that their data governance, marketing practices, and platforms comply with these laws.
For Mission Teams
Mission teams, agencies, and local churches using digital strategies are also likely to have exposure to these laws. In some jurisdictions, the costs of non-compliance are enough to bankrupt many mission agencies. Teams should review how local data privacy laws may affect their digital engagement projects and take steps to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
Check the link below to read more about Europe's GDPR laws:
If you want assistance navigating this topic, the Kavanah Media team is here to help. Please reach out here.
Has Your Team Enable MFA?
Multi-Factor Authentication, or MFA, acts like a second lock for your digital accounts to keep them safe. It requires a code from your phone, an app, a message, or a USB security key after you enter your password to verify that it is really you.
For Mission Teams
Using MFA is critical because it prevents attackers from taking over your social media ads or accessing sensitive conversations with seekers, even if they steal your password. Without this extra layer, a single hacked account could lead to financial loss, the deletion of years of ministry work, or the exposure of vulnerable contacts in high-risk regions.
Priority Platforms to Secure
To ensure your team is fully protected, please verify that MFA is enabled on the following platforms:
Social Media: Facebook Business Suite, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Ministry Tools: Echo Global and Disciple.Tools instances.
Core Systems: Organization email and website administrative logins.
Financials: Any accounts linked to ad spend or donation processing.
We Are Here to Help
The Kavnaah Media team is committed to the safety and success of your digital outreach. If you need assistance setting up MFA or auditing your team's security settings, we are happy to help you walk through the process. Please reach out here.
Meta Buys MoltBook
Meta has officially acquired Moltbook, a unique social media platform designed entirely for artificial intelligence agents to interact without human interference. On this site, thousands of bots created by developers, engaged in "synthetic social theater," where they debated topics, shared digital art, and even formed automated communities to see how AI evolves in a social ecosystem.
For Mission Teams
AI continues to develop rapidly and is being actively promoted by major digital platforms. Meta's recent acquisition is just another step in this progression. Changes are inevitable, and teams utilizing digital engagement strategies must be ready to learn, adapt their approaches, and prepare for the new risks that AI may introduce.
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-meta-acquires-moltbook-bot-only-social-network/
Google Ads Expands In-Platform Creative Assets
Google Ads is introducing a major update that allows advertisers to access "rich media" assets like photos, videos, and 3D models directly within the platform. Additionally, automatic YouTube channel linking and AI-generated voice-overs for video ads, similar to Creative Enhancements on Meta, are also being rolled out.
For Mission Teams
These automated tools allow your team to create professional-looking ads more easily. However, as with all AI tools, teams should carefully review these assets to ensure the message remains culturally sensitive and theologically accurate for the seekers they are trying to reach.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-11-adriaan-dekker-oltle/
Echo Global CRM and TikTok Integration
Echo Global has launched a new TikTok integration that allows teams to manage video comments directly within the Echo platform. Once connected, your team can read, reply to, and track interactions from the “Social Media” area, including the ability to manually import older videos by URL.
It is important to note that the TikTok integration currently supports only comment management. It does not support full inbox management. Teams wanting to leverage TikTok for engagement campaigns will still need to handle messages on the TikTok platform itself.
For Mission Teams
Many teams have reported high engagement via TikTok. This new integration could make it easier for teams to integrate TikTok into their larger digital strategy systems.
https://www.echoglobal.org/help-center (search TikTok)
Instagram Ends Encrypted Messaging Feature
Meta has announced it will discontinue the option for end-to-end encrypted direct messages on Instagram starting May 8. The company stated that very few users utilized this specific security feature and is encouraging those who need high privacy to move their conversations to WhatsApp instead.
For Mission Teams
This change significantly reduces the security of your communication with seekers on Instagram, as your messages will no longer be hidden from the platform or potential surveillance. Additionally, using Instagram for sensitive or internal communications is not recommended.
https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-ends-end-to-end-encryption-on-instagram/814765/
Foundations of Digital Engagement Strategy Course
May 13-16, 2026 (Pre-EMDC Training)
Chiang Mai, Thailand
This course is for you. Digital permeates virtually every aspect of people's lives and it should be present in every stage of your mission and ministry strategy. Join Kavanah Media staff during the Pre-EMDC training week for a time of practical training in digital engagement. This course is designed for you to examine your end to end strategy and find ways that digital components can be added or improved whether you are just ready to begin or an experienced practitioner. Follow the link or contact us for more details.
Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement
Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources:
- 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 4-day devotional on YouVersion called "Love Where You Are." Subscribe here
- Ad Resource Store- Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates and more!
- Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us
- Church GAP Analysis Tool- Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or non-profit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today.
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: March 21, 2026
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