DETERMINISTIC DOUBTS:  In Chicago last week AdExchanger hosted an industry conference on all things programmatic.  Included was a really interesting session on Identify Graphing, which AdAge picked up in the following link.  Identify graphing, if you’ll recall, is the collection of profile data on individual consumers.  Just picture a virtual file with a bunch on linked information on individuals – like email address, device id, demo info, etc., all connected.  Obviously a completed identify graph is the holy grail for marketers.  It’s generally assumed that deterministic data (like user registration data on Pandora) helps marketers complete these graphs. But as you’ll read in the article, there’s even skepticism over the validity of the deterministic data.  Hence the dilemma . . . marketers are relying more heavily on data than ever before, but even the most reliable data sources may not be reliable enough.  http://adage.com/article/digital/marketers-identity-graphs-accurate/305787/

CAN CLIENTS AND AGENCIES JUST BE FRIENDS?:  There’s been much press in the last few months about the growing conflict between clients and their agencies over fee transparency, rebating, and the general feeling that agencies are prioritizing their profits over client needs.  I think the following MediaPost article is a refreshing and logical take on the situation, from sort of a “cooler heads will prevail” point of view.  The author’s main takeaways are that most clients still believe in the value agencies bring to the partnership, and clients just want a few relatively easy-to-make changes in the relationship.  The biggest two suggested changes are a la’ carte options, so clients can self-select the services within agency holding companies they want to pay, and fee transparency to know what they’re paying for and how their agencies are making money.  Not a list of crazy asks, right?  I’m thinking there’s an opportunity in here for agencies willing to take up these compromises.  http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/284481/the-new-normal-in-agency-client-relationships.html?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT0RWa09XWXpaall5TUdWbCIsInQiOiI0Z083RnRvR1NIaVJcL3o0NWxCV2IwMndTVEE0MjJjZVI2K1IwOG9nNDc0bFY5NU53Y2JDUmpJdkNvU0s0WkRDb0FucGJkdEFkNkg2M0N2THpnMFwveWR1YklvNE1DaVwvU0kyRmx1dnlxMlk0VT0ifQ%3D%3D

CHICAGO OFFICE SHOUT OUT:  Next up is kind of a fun shout out for Pandora Chicago.  Our Chicago office has been commended by a few local publications for our innovative office design and work environment. We’ve even nominated for the 2016 Crain’s Coolest Office award!  The following link is some press pickup from Michigan Avenue Magazine – nice kudos for us!  Huge thanks to Joe Drucker, Dan O’Neal and our entire Facilities team for given us such a state of the art facility to call home!  http://michiganavemag.com/the-coolest-offices-in-chicago

LABEL LOVE:   And finally, lots of buzz in the trades today about Pandora’s announcement of Label Direct licensing deals.  I’ll let the press announcements you’re seeing this morning speak for themselves.  Sufficed to say this is a big day for the Mighty P!!!

Have a great Tuesday guys!