Writing News - July 2024

French startup AdCreative.ai has launched a new large language model built exclusively for advertising

Named AdLLM Spark, the system was built to craft ad text with high conversion rates on every major advertising platform.

AdCreative.ai said the LLM (Large Language Model) combines two unique features: instant text generation and accurate performance prediction.
https://thenextweb.com/news/french-startup-adcreative-launches-llm-for-advertising-copy

Hilarious PETA billboard births the internet's new favourite phrase

The viral billboard ad (which is affectionately referred to as "Just spay me Denise") imagines a conversation between a dog and her owner. It aims to show that we humans overcomplicate our relationship with our pets, applying inappropriate emotions to their humble doggy existence. 
https://www.creativebloq.com/news/peta-billboard-dog

Nine Secrets to Content Writing Success

By focusing on the needs and interests of your audience, providing valuable insights and maintaining a professional yet accessible tone, you can significantly enhance your engagement and establish yourself as a thought leader. 
It’s not easy to start from a blank screen or piece of paper, so hopefully these tips will help get you on the right foot quickly.
https://natlawreview.com/article/nine-secrets-content-writing-success

Fans left in tears after watching true crime doc on murder of Harry Potter actor

Harry Potter fans have been left in tears over a documentary on the murder of one of its cast members, Rob Knox.
The movie star, who was just 18, was stabbed to death in 2008.
Rob had just wrapped filming on the sixth instalment of the fantasy series, Half Blood Prince, and was set to appear in the final Harry Potter film, Deathly Hallows. This is despite his character, Marcus Belby, not appearing in the seventh book written by J. K. Rowling.
https://www.unilad.com/film-and-tv/news/rob-knox-harry-potter-murder-documentary-255834-20240718

Sesame Workshop Writers Ratify Strike-Averting Deal

After mounting a strike threat that was later averted, Sesame Workshop writers have ratified a new five-year labor contract that their union president is touting as “groundbreaking.”
The new agreement expands the Writers Guild of America's jurisdiction at the shop to include writing for social media platforms, animated projects and all streaming titles.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/sesame-workshop-writers-union-ratifies-contract-1235895984/

Russian trial of US journalist Evan Gershkovich resumes after being brought forward

The espionage trial of American journalist Evan Gershkovich resumed in a Russian court on Thursday after being brought forward at the request of his defense.
Gershkovich, the first American journalist to be arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War, first went on trial on June 26 at the Sverdlovsky Regional Court in the city of Yekaterinburg, where he appeared in a courtroom’s glass cage with his head shaved.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/18/media/evan-gershkovich-trial-resumes-russia-intl/index.html

Romance Writers of America files for bankruptcy amid bitter racism battle

The RWA filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing millions of dollars it owes in contracts with conference centers for hotel rooms its shrinking membership can no longer fill. Since 2019, the RWA’s membership has decreased from 10,000 people to roughly 2,000, according to court records.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/may/30/romance-writers-america-bankruptcy

Studies reveal the importance of print marketing

In an increasingly digitalized world, science shows print media still wins in some critical aspects of marketing. Print marketing should not be a dying art.
On a whole, digital marketing is fast and cost-effective. However, print is often more memorable than digital content, and some feel it is more authentic.
https://webwriterspotlight.com/importance-of-print-marketing

Netflix’s latest hit adaptations have also boosted book sales

Netflix Vice President Jinny Howe, who oversees drama series, says books and television series have storytelling parallels.
The process for finding books they can adapt into a series is ongoing.
However, it’s not always about looking at the “hot book” of the moment.
“We have also seen adaptations of novels that are lesser known have just as much success on Netflix, like with ‘The Queen’s Gambit,’ which is one of our most popular series,” said Howe.
“We’re always reading across a variety of genres and authors, and have a great in-house team who helps us track upcoming properties,” Howe said. “We’re not just looking at the genre, but also for fresh voices and perspectives, and bold and original narratives.”
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2024-07-08/netflix-book-adaptations-bridgerton-good-girls-guide-to-murder

Elon Musk Wants His AI Bot to Deliver the News. It Is Struggling With the Job

Grok posted incorrect information, amplified unverified claims and failed to identify sarcasm as details of Trump shooting unfolded
The artificial-intelligence model’s limitations were on display in the hours after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday, when it served up some erroneous headlines based on its read of content on X.
https://www.wsj.com/tech/musks-ai-headlines-on-x-show-risks-of-aggregating-social-media-22a6e64c