The Influence Room - Get your weekly news fix

Welcome back to our weekly summary of what’s happening in the news right now. With the world adjusting to life at home, businesses are continually changing and evolving in order to keep going through the lockdown. So, to help you stay connected and to keep you up to date, we have pulled together some of the top stories in the news this week.

So without further ado, here is what caught our attention.

Sky Media has launched the SME100, a scheme that will provide £1m of free advertising via AdSmart to 100 small businesses across the UK. The winners will receive help to create their ads from local creative agencies and through a partnership with Shutterstock, it will provide free access to its image, video and music libraries. Sky Media wants to reward businesses that are demonstrating true resolve and ingenuity, particularly those that need support during this time and would benefit from accessing the power of TV advertising at a moment when TV consumption has increased significantly.

LinkedIn has accelerated the launch of two new features to help out those searching for a new job. They are testing a new video feature and adding an artificial intelligence AI-powered instant feedback tool that analyses speech content and patterns to help you test and refine your interview skills. The tools can help you prepare for some of the most common questions, through tips from experts and hiring managers. It will provide instant feedback to get you a step closer to landing you that perfect job.  

ITV ad revenue fell by ‘brutal’ 42% in April

ITV’s ad revenue plummeted by 42% in April, showing how dramatically the ad industry has tightened marketing budgets as a result of the lockdown. However, ITV is adapting to ride out the lockdown, with their commercial team working very closely with advertisers and agencies to create relevant and innovative marketing and advertising opportunities. They are focused on emerging from this crisis in a strong position, continuing to offer advertisers effective marketing opportunities and making preparations to restart productions safely.

A new NHS app has been rolled out to track the spread of coronavirus, as part of a trial on the Isle of Wight

NHS and council staff on the Isle of Wight have been urged to download the Covid-19 smartphone app right away, with the rest of the island’s population invited to follow days after. The contact tracing app uses Bluetooth to track and trace contacts between users, and alerts people if someone they interacted with has displayed symptoms or tested positive for Covid-19. If the trial is successful, the app will be rolled out nationwide within weeks and aims to reduce any future outbreaks. 

Twitter co-founder invests in laundry start-up's £1.4m funding round

Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, took part in a £1.4m investment round into Oxwash. Oxwash is being used to sterilise scrubs and equipment from GP surgeries and the Oxford coronavirus vaccine trial. It’s revolutionary technology can be utilised to prevent viral transmission on textiles during this period. The company will use the funding to expand into London from its current coverage area of Oxford and Cambridge. It also plans to hire more staff and fund research and development.