Dec 1, 2023

Kelly Grace

Friday 5

Friday Five: Tech Updates and News Industry Shifts

We’re back with another edition of Friday Five! This week, we talk about Amazon introducing a new AI chatbot, Meta facing privacy issues, U.S. newspapers declining, Google’s update changing traffic for news websites, and Google and Canadian news publishers reaching a funding agreement.

Amazon Q, AI Chatbot for Companies

Amazon has introduced a new AI chatbot called Amazon Q. It’s designed to help employees with daily tasks, such as summarizing documents, filling out support tickets, and answering questions about company policies. Pricing for Amazon Q starts at $20 per month. Read More on The New York Times.

Meta’s EU Ad-Free Subscription Faces Privacy Issues

A privacy rights group called Noyb has filed a complaint against Meta’s new ad-free subscription service. Noyb argues that the cost of the subscription plan is too high and also contends that this allows Meta to exploit those customers who continue to use the free versions of Facebook and Instagram. Read More on TechCrunch.

The Decline of U.S. Newspapers

The number of local newspapers in the United States is quickly declining. In 2005, there were 8,891 newspapers in the country Today, it’s estimated that there are only 6,000, which means that one-third of all U.S. newspapers have disappeared in just 18 years. Read More on AXIOS.

Google’s Update Changes Traffic for News Websites

Google’s latest algorithm update has massively impacted news publishers. Some publishers have seen their search rankings drop by as much as 20%. The update was designed to show helpful and reliable results, but has negatively affected news websites. Read More on Press Gazette.

Google and Canadian News Publishers Reach Funding Agreement

Google has agreed to pay Canadian news publishers $73.6 million annually to keep news in search results. This deal is part of the Online News Act, which requires large technology companies to share advertising revenue with news publishers. Google will also contribute $100 million to Canadian news businesses. Read More on The Guardian.

“I have known and partnered with the staff of AdvantageCS since 2015, when we began laying the groundwork that led to the 2017 launch of a new business operating software system and deployment of their Cider web platform for eCommerce. They are people of integrity and deliver what they say they will deliver, and do it at--and at times, under—budget. They invested significantly in an ONIX integration project that has enabled us to have gold star data feeds to major accounts, and the strong subscription management capabilities of Advantage have enabled us to significantly grow our direct-to-consumer sales.”

Jeff Crosby

President & CEO

ECPA

(To the team upon going live on the final wave of their multi-phase migration to Advantage) “It was a wonderful launch. I would like to express our gratitude to you for the fantastic (double) launch of Advantage and the data warehouse at Mediahuis Nederland. Projects of this size and complexity are rare. But it was a great ride. Your commitment serves as an example to others. People often worked late into the night. There were teams in Portugal, America, Belgium and the Netherlands. Many bumps, and sometimes mountains, had to be overcome, and all this at a distance due to COVID-19 measures. But you all succeeded. From now on it all really starts with Advantage!”

Xavier van Leeuwe

CEO of Digital Marketplaces

Mediahuis Nederland

I have worked with other vendors implementing systems who didn't seem to care about the job or the quality of their work. I have learned that the most important thing about any vendor is their people. In my 17+ years of using Advantage and working with AdvantageCS, I am still impressed with the dedication and integrity of the people there. The quality of their work is important to them and I can trust them to work with me until I am fully satisfied.

Mark Fung-a-fat

Former Director of Business Systems

Massachusetts Medical Society

"Your staff are people who act with integrity. From veteran employees to the more recent hires, I’m very pleased with AdvantageCS as an organization.”

Tricia Koning

Former Director of Information Technology

“We are extremely pleased to now have Advantage running in three countries---Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Having Advantage as the single subscription system provides the efficiencies, cost reductions, and superior capabilities we need to move forward. The people at AdvantageCS are real professionals.”

Svend Erik Hansen

Former IT Director, Business Solutions

Aller Media

My favorite thing is AdvantageCS as a company; there are so many dedicated people.

Klas Persson

Former Head of Marketing Systems, Business Technology

Egmont

I like how information stays if I have to move from subscriptions, for example, to something else---it's great not to have to look up the customer information again. And I like the flow of the tables; they flow from one to the next very well.

Denise Spickler

Senior Customer Service Rep

Wolters Kluwer Health

“With Advantage, ACS offers a customer relationship management solution that excels in managing subscriptions, mail order, and digital access. From my perspective, it has no equivalent in France and Europe. Another plus is the active user group of 50+ global clients who add enhancements to the software and with whom we can network.”

Emmanuel Chevalier

Director, Customer Relationship Information Systems

Bayard

My favorite thing is the support of BPA audit requirements. I don't have to worry about it; it's always there and it works.

Randy Yi

Business Manager

American Association for the Advancement of Science

"The system works smoothly and in accordance with our expectations."

Carsten Weber

CEO

"We have a fabulous relationship with ACS. They give us a chance to contribute and shape the product, which is unique in the vendor world."

Suzanne Earley

Managing Director, Back Office Solutions

The Agora Companies

I love all the different ways I can do promotions. Advantage offers so many possibilities!

Kirsten Wandall Ohlsen

Marketing Automation Manager

Aller Leisure A/S

"Bayard has found with AdvantageCS a reliable long-term partner---something that was considered risky by many other French publishers when it was selected 15+ years ago, being the first in the French and continental market."

Hubert Chicou

Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Bayard

I have so many favorite things but I guess the top one would have to be the AdvantageCS staff. I've been working with them for quite a few years and everyone has always been friendly and helpful.

Joe Wixted

Director | Fulfillment Systems

American Medical Association

My favorite thing is the reporting. I like the flexibility and the fact that I can modify my own stuff.

Paul Aviles

Operations Director

My favorite thing is the help section---it's great! And also, the tremendous flexibility of the system.

Terri Cannon

Client Services Manager

Informa

Advantage supports large parts of our business and we can almost always find a way to use it to do what we want to do. Through our user experience, and in talking to other Advantage clients, I am amazed by the multitude of ways that different people use different system modules and components.

Dominic Toasland

Subscription Management Platform Architect

CDS Global

“Our business is built on Advantage---it is the heart of all our transactions. I have always had great experiences with ACS staff, and Advantage continues to get better and better.” (Comment explaining his reasons for giving ACS staff and services an “Excellent" rating.)

Getty Sarno

Chief Enterprise Architect

The Agora Companies

We are working together as an organization to better the product of Advantage so we can effectively be better together in the marketplace. A stronger Advantage is a stronger us as we go forward.

Terry Rowinski

President

CDS Global (US)

Friday Five: Tech Updates and News Industry Shifts

Amazon Q, AI Chatbot for Companies

Meta’s EU Ad-Free Subscription Faces Privacy Issues

The Decline of U.S. Newspapers

Google’s Update Changes Traffic for News Websites

Google and Canadian News Publishers Reach Funding Agreement

Featured Posts

What Really Drives Subscription Growth?

Spring Forward: Upcoming Trade Shows, Themes, and Aspirations

Payments: An Ever-Changing Landscape

Categories

Subscribe to your Advantage

CLIENT COMMENTS

LATEST NEWS

What Really Drives Subscription Growth?

Spring Forward: Upcoming Trade Shows, Themes, and Aspirations

Payments: An Ever-Changing Landscape

A More Intentional Rhythm: Advantage’s Transition to Quarterly Releases

Quick Links

Welcome to AdvantageCS

Friday Five: Tech Updates and News Industry Shifts

Amazon Q, AI Chatbot for Companies

Meta’s EU Ad-Free Subscription Faces Privacy Issues

The Decline of U.S. Newspapers

Google’s Update Changes Traffic for News Websites

Google and Canadian News Publishers Reach Funding Agreement

Share this post.

Subscribe to your Advantage

Featured Posts

What Really Drives Subscription Growth?

Spring Forward: Upcoming Trade Shows, Themes, and Aspirations

Payments: An Ever-Changing Landscape

Categories

Subscribe to your Advantage

CLIENT COMMENTS

LATEST NEWS

What Really Drives Subscription Growth?

Spring Forward: Upcoming Trade Shows, Themes, and Aspirations

Payments: An Ever-Changing Landscape

A More Intentional Rhythm: Advantage’s Transition to Quarterly Releases

Quick Links

Welcome to AdvantageCS