FTC settles with ad giants over alleged demonetization of conservative outlets

The Federal Trade Commission and eight states reached settlements with ad firms Dentsu, Publicis, and WPP after accusing them of colluding to impose brand-safety standards that reduced advertising revenue for conservative outlets; the agreements bar certain anti-competitive ad-placement practices (the use of ‘Covered Bases’) and require changes to how ads are directed, while the firms did not admit wrongdoing; the action follows related actions against Omnicom and Interpublic and was approved by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman.