Weekly Training

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Weekly Marketing Rundown - December 27th, 2024
Weekly Marketing Rundown - December 27th, 2024 Hi everyone! In this week's edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown we will discuss Malaysia's new licensing requirements for social media companies, Apple and Meta's latest feud and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Malaysia Requires Licenses for Social Media Platforms Malaysia has announced that WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Telegram, WeChat, and TikTok all must acquire licensure in order to continue operating. Next year, any platform operating in Malaysia without a license will face legal consequences, signaling stricter government oversight of digital services. Platform restrictions may force mission teams to adjust their digital engagement strategies. https://archive.ph/YlGC7 Apple Pushes Back on Meta’s Requests for User Data Access Apple and Meta are in a dispute over privacy and app access. Meta has repeatedly asked Apple to allow Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp more access to iPhone systems under the new European Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple claims these requests could jeopardize user privacy, accusing Meta of wanting unrestricted access to sensitive device features that could compromise data security. For mission teams, this situation highlights the balance between innovation and privacy. As marketers, access to data is crucial for targeting and measuring success, but for users, privacy is paramount. Apple’s strong stance on privacy complicates how companies like Google and Meta track iOS user behavior, making it harder to accurately assess interactions with ads. For example, in our experience app install ads on iOS devices already often lack precision due to restrictions on tracking. Changes like this will likely continue to impact teams’ ability to measure the effectiveness of their digital engagement projects. https://fortune.com/2024/12/19/apple-meta-facebook-instagram-whatsapp-privacy-digital-markets-act/ Potential TP-Link Router Ban Could Disrupt Internet Access The U.S. government is considering banning TP-Link routers due to security concerns, as the company is linked to cyberattacks and the Chinese government. TP-Link is a major player in the U.S. router market, and the U.S. government is investigating whether these products pose a national security risk. TP-Link denies any wrongdoing, but the situation remains under review. Those using TP-Link routers might want to consider replacing them to reduce the risk of vulnerabilities and ensure secure internet access for digital outreach efforts. https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/possible-tp-link-ban-in-2025-what-it-means-for-your-internet-connection/ FBI Advises Against Using Text Messages for Two-Factor Authentication The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have warned against using text messages (SMS) for two-factor authentication (2FA). SMS messages are not encrypted and can be intercepted by hackers,. Instead, they recommend using encrypted messaging apps like Signal or WhatsApp, or more secure methods like authentication apps, FIDO authentication, and passkeys. If your team uses SMS for 2FA, consider switching to more secure methods to protect sensitive information. https://www.newsnationnow.com/business/tech/fbi-warns-against-using-two-factor-text-authentication/ Intentional - Kavanah Media's Newsletter Subscribe to Intentional, Kavanah’s monthly newsletter, and stay inspired by stories of lives transformed, ministry milestones, and the latest business updates on how we’re intentionally leveraging digital platforms to make God known across the globe. Join us on this journey of purposeful digital engagement and global impact! For more on this, click the link below: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/sign-up  Christian Media Marketing Podcast Looking for more in depth information regarding all things digital engagement? Look no further than the Christian Media Marketing Podcast. For 5 years Kavanah Media CEO Jon Ralls has gone in depth on everything from websites to online messaging. Subscribe here ( https://www.kavanahmedia.com/podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts. 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 Adams, Cherry Messimer Article Published: December 27th, 2024
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - December 20th, 2024
Weekly Marketing Rundown - December 20th, 2024 Hi everyone! In this week's edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown we will discuss using the Tiktok ban, Meta's struggles with legal battles and bans of it's platforms, Thread's growth and more.  Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Congress Pressures Apple and Google to Ban TikTok by January Congress Pressures Apple and Google to Ban TikTok by January Congress is urging Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores by January, citing national security concerns. Lawmakers argue the app poses risks due to its ties to China through parent company ByteDance, which could allow user data access by the Chinese government. This demand intensifies ongoing scrutiny of TikTok, particularly as previous efforts to ban the app stalled. While TikTok denies sharing data with China, Congress remains firm, emphasizing that action must be taken to protect U.S. users. Apple and Google have yet to respond publicly to the request. https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2024/12/13/congress-warns-apple-and-google-they-must-ban-tiktok-in-january/ Most Downloaded Apps of the month – November 2024 AppFigures reports the latest global app download trends, highlighting the top-performing apps across iOS and Android. • Top 5 apps overall: Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Facebook, and ChatGPT continue to dominate. • Emerging trends: CapCut, Meta’s Threads, and WhatsApp maintain steady growth, while utility and AI- powered apps see increased downloads. For mission teams leveraging digital strategies, Meta’s sustained dominance makes it a compelling platform to consider. Read the full article and see the chart here: https://appfigures.com/resources/insights/20241213?f=4 Meta Fined for Security Breach Meta was fined $263 million for a 2018 security breach that exposed personal data of 3 million EU users. The breach happened due to weak protections for sensitive information like phone numbers and emails, highlighting the importance of digital privacy. This underscores the importance of being able to adapt. The platforms we use change frequently and are at the mercy of data laws and regulations. https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/17/meta-fined-263m-over-2018-security-breach-that-affected-3m-eu-users/ Scotland Bans WhatsApp on Government Phones The Scottish government has banned WhatsApp on official phones after an external review revealed that important messages were deleted during the pandemic. Just as with the previous entry - this underscores the importance of being able to adapt as these platforms face scrutiny and the legal environment changes. https://www.politico.eu/article/scotland-uk-bans-whatsapp-on-government-phones Threads Reaches 300M Active Users Threads, Meta’s Twitter alternative, has hit 300 million active users. This rapid growth highlights its popularity as a platform for sharing short posts, images, and videos, as it gains traction in the wake of Twitter’s changes. While Threads currently doesn’t have paid advertising, there are plans to introduce it in the future, providing new opportunities for paid digital engagement strategies. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/threads-twitter-clone-reaches-300-million-users/735724/ Intentional - Kavanah Media's Newsletter Subscribe to Intentional, Kavanah’s monthly newsletter, and stay inspired by stories of lives transformed, ministry milestones, and the latest business updates on how we’re intentionally leveraging digital platforms to make God known across the globe. Join us on this journey of purposeful digital engagement and global impact! For more on this, click the link below: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/sign-up  Christian Media Marketing Podcast Looking for more in depth information regarding all things digital engagement? Look no further than the Christian Media Marketing Podcast. For 5 years Kavanah Media CEO Jon Ralls has gone in depth on everything from websites to online messaging. Subscribe here ( https://www.kavanahmedia.com/podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts. 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 Adams, Cherry Messimer Article Published: December 20th, 2024
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - December 6th, 2024
Weekly Marketing Rundown - December 6th, 2024 Hi everyone! In this week's edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown we will discuss using Youtube's new creative tools, WhatsApp dropping of older devices, Reddit's international goals and more.  YouTube’s New AI Tools Aim to Beat Creative Blocks YouTube is testing AI-powered tools to help creators brainstorm video ideas, draft scripts, and generate image or voice assets. These features aim to streamline the content creation process and assist creators who may struggle with creative blocks or need to speed up production. For mission teams, these tools could be a game-changer for producing their own engaging, Gospel-centered content efficiently. By using AI to generate ideas and assets, teams can maintain a steady flow of content, especially when inspiration runs low. https://www.searchenginejournal.com/youtube-previews-ai-tools-to-overcome-creative-blocks/533862/   WhatsApp to Drop Support for Older iPhones in May 2025 Starting May 2025, WhatsApp will no longer work on iPhones running iOS 14 or earlier. Users with older devices like the iPhone 6 or earlier models will no longer be able to utilize WhatsApp. Mission teams that have integrated WhatsApp into their digital engagement efforts may see a large drop in messages from users with older devices. If older devices are common in the field they are serving, strategies may have to be adjusted. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/12/02/whatsapp-drop-support-older-iphones-may-2025/   Meta Shares How AI Tools Improve Ad Performance Meta’s data claims that ads using its AI-powered tools perform significantly better. For example, campaigns using Advantage+ shopping ads saw a 32% increase in return on ad spend. Additionally, advertisers using AI-powered creative tools noted a 7% boost in conversion rates. These features optimize ad placement and designs, making them more engaging and effective. In our own testing Advantage+ Audiences has indeed led to lower costs and better performance. It is possible that these Advantage+ creative tools could bring similar performance increases. However, we have yet to be able to confirm this in our testing. It should also be noted that tools such as the text improvements could heavily alter your ad copy and do not always perform well in languages other than English. Teams should test these tools before rolling them out at scale. Several of these tools were addressed in episode 270 of our Christian Media Marketing Podcast. You can watch/listen to that here. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-shares-insight-into-the-performance-of-its-ai-based-ad-elements/734328/   Reddit Targets Global Growth in Key Markets Reddit is expanding in the UK, India, Brazil, and the Philippines to grow its international user base. It’s focusing on localizing content and increasing language support to better engage users in these regions. As Reddit improves accessibility with translations, it could be a valuable platform to test for digital engagement strategies, especially in regions with growing online communities. https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/28/reddit-looks-to-uk-india-brazil-and-the-philippines-to-spur-international-growth/ Meta Expands Traffic Campaign Options Meta now allows advertisers to target Facebook, Instagram, or both, in Traffic campaigns as a conversion location. Previously, one could only select an Instagram profile. This update is being rolled out slowly. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/facebook-conversion-location-for-traffic-campaigns/ Intentional - Kavanah Media's Newsletter Subscribe to Intentional, Kavanah’s monthly newsletter, and stay inspired by stories of lives transformed, ministry milestones, and the latest business updates on how we’re intentionally leveraging digital platforms to make God known across the globe. Join us on this journey of purposeful digital engagement and global impact! For more on this, click the link below: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/sign-up  Christian Media Marketing Podcast Looking for more in depth information regarding all things digital engagement? Look no further than the Christian Media Marketing Podcast. For 5 years Kavanah Media CEO Jon Ralls has gone in depth on everything from websites to online messaging. Subscribe here ( https://www.kavanahmedia.com/podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts. 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 Adams, Cherry Messimer Article Published: December 6th, 2024
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - December 13th, 2024
Weekly Marketing Rundown - December 13th, 2024 Hi everyone! In this week's edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown we will discuss using Meta's new data restrictions, Blueksy's potential advertising, China's massive hack, and more. U.S. Officials Urge Americans to Use Encrypted Apps Amid Chinese Cyber Threats Following a significant cyberattack by Chinese hackers targeting U.S. government officials, American authorities are recommending the use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp for secure communication. These apps offer end-to-end encryption, ensuring messages remain private even if intercepted. For mission teams the usage of encrypted platforms for communication is strongly encouraged. https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-officials-urge-americans-to-use-encrypted-apps-after-chinese-hack Bluesky CEO Discusses Social Media Innovation and Future Revenue Models Bluesky CEO Jay Graber is focused on reshaping social media by prioritizing user control and decentralization. While Bluesky currently avoids traditional advertising, Graber acknowledges that monetization strategies, including ads, may eventually be explored to sustain the platform. As Bluesky continues to grow, its focus on decentralization and user-centric design could offer unique opportunities for digital engagement strategies. https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/05/bluesky-ceo-jay-graber-is-reshaping-social-media-but-advertising-isnt-off-the-table/ How WhatsApp Became a Global Cultural Phenomenon WhatsApp has become a central communication tool worldwide, evolving from a simple messaging app into a global cultural force. In regions like Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, it serves as the backbone for personal and professional communication, often replacing traditional SMS and email. Its appeal lies in its affordability, ease of use, and encrypted messaging, which make it accessible even in areas with limited internet access. For mission teams, WhatsApp’s widespread reach and reliability make it a powerful tool for digital engagement, enabling group chats, media sharing, and community-building in regions where other platforms may not have the same penetration. https://restofworld.org/2024/how-whatsapp-became-a-global-cultural-force/ Meta Introduces New Data Use Restrictions - Religious Affiliations Meta is implementing stricter data use restrictions for ad targeting due to increased privacy regulations. Advertisers will face limitations on how third-party data and custom audiences can be utilized, aiming to protect user privacy and align with global standards. In particular they state: "Important: We'll start restricting how certain data sources can share data through Meta Business Tools in January 2025," and later they say that these restrictions will affect any data source that "is associated with individuals with specific religious or spiritual beliefs and practices." This will affect missions teams utilizing retargeting and landing pages in their digital strategies and perhaps more. Our team at Kavanah Media is currently researching and experimenting to find a solution to mitigate any hang-ups teams may face. Hear more about this on today's Christian Media Marketing Podcast here. https://matchnode.com/blog-and-podcasts/metas-new-data-restrictions/ Google Launches AI Video Generator to Expand Ad Content Google’s new AI-powered video generation tool aims to simplify ad creation, allowing advertisers to produce short video ads efficiently. This tool can adapt various elements, such as brand logos and promotional offers, to craft targeted ad content. While it enables easier ad production, it also raises concerns about contributing to an oversaturation of ads online. Mission teams leveraging digital platforms for engagement could benefit from using Google’s AI tool to produce quick, culturally relevant video content tailored to their audience quickly and efficiently. https://gizmodo.com/googles-new-ai-video-generator-is-made-to-fill-the-internet-with-even-more-ads-2000534023 Monthly Ad Idea  Get inspired with this month’s featured ad idea from our Ad Resource store! Theme of the Month: Christmas 🎄 Explore the Christmas Ad Idea Intentional - Kavanah Media's Newsletter Subscribe to Intentional, Kavanah’s monthly newsletter, and stay inspired by stories of lives transformed, ministry milestones, and the latest business updates on how we’re intentionally leveraging digital platforms to make God known across the globe. Join us on this journey of purposeful digital engagement and global impact! For more on this, click the link below: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/sign-up  Christian Media Marketing Podcast Looking for more in depth information regarding all things digital engagement? Look no further than the Christian Media Marketing Podcast. For 5 years Kavanah Media CEO Jon Ralls has gone in depth on everything from websites to online messaging. Subscribe here ( https://www.kavanahmedia.com/podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts. 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 Adams, Cherry Messimer Article Published: December 13th, 2024
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - November 29th, 2024
Weekly Marketing Rundown - November. 29th, 2024 Hi everyone! In this week's edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown we will discuss using WhatsApp's new audio message transcription feature, Pakistan's Bluesky ban, and Meta's fight with age verification pushes. Messenger Adds New AI Features for Video Calls Meta has updated Messenger with new tools like custom AI backgrounds, noise suppression for clearer calls, and better audio features. These updates make video and audio calls smoother and easier to use, helping Messenger compete with other platforms. The features are now available worldwide. For mission teams, Messenger’s video calling can be a great option for staying connected, especially since Meta apps like Facebook and WhatsApp often come with free data in many countries. Using Messenger can help with Bible studies and connecting with seekers without worrying about extra data costs. Calls and messages can also be done via the team's branding, reducing the need for personal accounts to be utilized in communication. https://about.fb.com/news/2024/11/introducing-ai-backgrounds-noise-suppression-and-more-messenger-calling/ WhatsApp Introduces Voice Message Transcripts WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature that automatically transcribes voice messages into text. The transcripts can be accessed directly within the chat, making it easier for users to understand messages when they can’t listen to audio. This feature is currently available on both iOS and Android and supports multiple languages, with more updates expected soon. For mission teams, this tool can simplify communication, especially in multilingual settings where transcripts can help clarify messages. It also offers a discreet way to engage with others in environments where playing audio might not be appropriate. http://techcrunch.com/2024/11/21/whatsapp-rolls-out-voice-message-transcripts/   Meta Pushes App Stores to Verify User Ages Meta is urging Google and Apple to verify user ages on their app stores, shifting responsibility from social media platforms. A new bill by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rep. John James (R-Michigan) would require app stores to implement age verification and give parents tools to block downloads. While the proposal aims to protect children from harmful content, Apple and privacy advocates argue it could lead to excessive data collection. Despite opposition, the campaign is gaining momentum among lawmakers. Regardless of how this unfolds, changes to both app stores and social media platforms are likely. While it's not new to the digital engagement world, it still poses a challenge. Teams should always be prepared to adjust and pivot if changes unfold. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/11/21/meta-require-apple-google-verify-users-ages Pakistan Blocks Bluesky Amid Rising Popularity Pakistan has blocked access to Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform, citing concerns over illegal content. The platform’s growing user base and decentralized structure, which allows users more control over content, have raised regulatory challenges in some countries. For mission teams, this serves as a reminder of how governments may restrict access to emerging platforms. Decentralized platforms like Bluesky offer more privacy and control but can face bans in sensitive regions. Teams should remain aware of platform accessibility and develop backup strategies for digital engagement. https://www.techradar.com/pro/vpn/pakistan-blocks-bluesky-amid-popularity-surge Intentional - Kavanah Media's Newsletter Subscribe to Intentional, Kavanah’s monthly newsletter, and stay inspired by stories of lives transformed, ministry milestones, and the latest business updates on how we’re intentionally leveraging digital platforms to make God known across the globe. Join us on this journey of purposeful digital engagement and global impact! For more on this, click the link below: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/sign-up  Christian Media Marketing Podcast Looking for more in depth information regarding all things digital engagement? Look no further than the Christian Media Marketing Podcast. For 5 years Kavanah Media CEO Jon Ralls has gone in depth on everything from websites to online messaging. Subscribe here ( https://www.kavanahmedia.com/podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts. 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 Adams, Cherry Messimer Article Published: Nov. 29th, 2024
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - November 22nd, 2024
Weekly Marketing Rundown - November. 22nd, 2024 Hi everyone! In this week's edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown we will discuss using Google's NotebookLM to make podcasts, Bluesky's user base growth, Google Discover and more. How to Create an AI Podcast with Google’s NotebookLM Google’s NotebookLM offers a creative way to turn written content into podcasts. By adding sources like articles or web pages to your notebook, you can use prompts to create structured scripts on a topic of your choice. With the Audio Overview feature, NotebookLM converts these scripts into audio summaries that can be downloaded and used as podcast episodes. For mission teams, this tool could simplify creating audio content for outreach. Teams could quickly produce podcasts in multiple languages, sharing Gospel messages, Bible study topics, or testimonies with a broader audience. This is especially useful in areas where audio is a preferred medium due to literacy or cultural preferences. Click the link to see the how to guide: https://www.marqo.ai/blog/how-to-create-an-ai-podcast-with-googles-notebooklm Bluesky Hits 20 Million Users Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform, has reached 20 million users. Known for its focus on privacy and independence from traditional tech companies, Bluesky offers users an alternative to platforms like Twitter. For mission teams, depending on the usage base in a given context, Bluesky could serve as another platform for digital engagement. Its decentralized nature might also be advantageous for sharing sensitive content in regions with heavy internet censorship, providing an additional tool for digital outreach and connection. https://www.engadget.com/social-media/bluesky-hits-20-million-users-143920955.html Google Discover Expands with AI-Generated YouTube Summaries Google Discover is now showing Youtube video citations more in it's AI-generated summaries, giving users quick insights without needing to watch the entire video. These overviews aim to improve accessibility and help users decide if a video meets their interests. The feature is part of Google’s broader efforts to integrate AI into its platforms. For mission teams, this feature could increase visibility for outreach videos, especially on Youtube, as Google Discover references may draw more viewers. Teams should ensure their video titles, descriptions, and content align well with their intended message, as these details could influence how these references are generated and understood. https://www.seroundtable.com/google-discover-youtube-aio-38434.html Most Downloaded Apps in the World Appfigures.com has published their updated list of the most downloaded apps in the world: 1. Instagram - 52M downloads 2. TikTok - 48M downloads 3. Facebook - 36M downloads 4. WhatsApp - 36M downloads 5. Temu - 36M downloads 6. Threads - 33M downloads 7. ChatGPT - 32M downloads 8. Telegram - 24M downloads 9. CapCut - 23M downloads 10. Meesho - 21M downloads Four of these ten platforms are owned by Meta- Instagram, Facebook, Whatsapp, and Threads. Meta's continued market dominance makes it a very effective option for teams looking to start digital engagement projects. See the list here: https://appfigures.com/resources/insights/20241115?f=2  Intentional - Kavanah Media's Newsletter Subscribe to Intentional, Kavanah’s monthly newsletter, and stay inspired by stories of lives transformed, ministry milestones, and the latest business updates on how we’re intentionally leveraging digital platforms to make God known across the globe. Join us on this journey of purposeful digital engagement and global impact! For more on this, click the link below: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/sign-up  Christian Media Marketing Podcast Looking for more in depth information regarding all things digital engagement? Look no further than the Christian Media Marketing Podcast. For 5 years Kavanah Media CEO Jon Ralls has gone in depth on everything from websites to online messaging. Subscribe here ( https://www.kavanahmedia.com/podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts. 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 Adams, Cherry Messimer Article Published: Nov. 22nd, 2024