FML Wars, Storytelling Meets Sports, Google Controversy

The Strategist picks the day’s most interesting stories for the content aficionados who love the backstory and reading between the lines. Here are the gems you need to kickstart your Friday:

Jell-O Hijacks Twitter’s Profane #FML Hashtag, Changes It to Mean ‘Fun My Life’ (AdWeek)
What’s your perspective on this Twitter stunt? Between now and June 14, Jello wants to fight the absurd phrase.

Everyone who tweets the #FML hashtag is entered in a pool for a “Fun My Life” prize pack. Bold move.

Fandium Raises $1.25 Million for Sports App that Blends Storytelling with Betting (PandoDaily)
This app is aiming to blend the world of social media, gaming, and sports.

Using geo-location and hashtags, the app pulls activity from Instagram and Twitter into a single feed. To encourage user engagement, the app offers virtual points and encourages friendly wagers.

Google Said to Face New Antitrust Probe Over Display Ads (Bloomberg)
The FTC is investigating whether Google is unfairly curbing its competition in the display advertising market.

Central to the issue at hand? Data. Investigators are questioning whether Google is using its U.S. display ad market to encourage companies to use its other products and services —  a practice that’s considered illegal. Stay tuned.

Twitter Deepens Ties to TV With Media Deals (AdAge)
Twitter is experimenting with a new type of ad — targeted to TV viewers with a new series of media deals.

This strategy adds content to Twitter’s stream in addition to video ad revenue. The fuel that powers it all? Semantic technology to align Twitter conversations with relevant shows.