A survey of 1,000 individuals ages 12-19 from both the US and UK, by The Innovation Group, found that 82% of respondents do not care about sexual orientation and with 88% of those surveyed saying they are exploring their sexuality more than in the past, there is also a clear dislike towards gender stereotypes in commercials. Brands would also be wise to embrace mobile-ready content, with 86% of respondents using their smartphones multiple times a day and 70% watching more than two hours of YouTube content a day.

Coca-Cola has spoken out against the human rights abuses taking place in Qatar, where hundreds of workers have died during construction work on the 2022 World Cup sites. A spokesman for the company said: "The Coca-Cola Company does not condone human rights abuses anywhere in the world. We know Fifa is working with Qatari authorities to address specific labour and human rights issues. We expect Fifa to continue taking these matters seriously and to work toward further progress."

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) -- home to MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and Channel 5 -- has formed a commercial innovation group to help advertisers create customised, content-led digital and social campaigns. The group will work with new and existing Viacom clients to help develop data-driven marketing solutions across Viacom's portfolio of brands. The focus is on developing partnerships with third-party social media platforms for advertisers.

Short-term loan provider Wonga is attempting to arrest a recent decline in its fortunes with the unveiling of new product features and a 'Credit for the real world' marketing campaign geared toward improving its public image. The new approach seeks to reduce the numbers of young or vulnerable people using its services by working with media companies to self-impose screening restrictions following a six-month suspension of all advertising in the UK. This will limit exposure to audiences under the age of 18.

More people are paying the BBC licence fee than two years ago, despite claims that the growing number of households going without a TV means 500,000 have decided to avoid the charge. The number of licences has continued to rise since March 2014, having previously increased by more than 80,000 between March 2013 and March 2014 to hit a record 25.4m, according to TV Licensing, the body that administers the fee. The latest figures covering the year ending March 2015 will not be released until June.

'Times' advertisers are to begin paying the same rate for display advertising in the title's tablet edition as they do in print. The agreement, reached with a number of key ad agencies, is being seen by insiders as a major breakthrough in terms of making money from digital journalism. Web site advertising is typically offered at a fraction of the price of print. Advertising rates on page-turning tablet editions has also so far lagged behind.

Twitter and LinkedIn appear to be the social media channels of choice for chief executive officers (CEO) of top companies according to a study by PR agency Weber Shandwick. However, Facebook and Google+ usage among the execs lags. The study showed that CEOs are using social media twice as much as they did in 2010. Still, only 28 percent of global CEOs reported having a social media account at all.

After launching a major football boot campaign with "Haters" in January, a video released by the brand yesterday shows players including Leo Messi and Luis Suarez announcing the end of adidas' existing range of football boots, including the Predator, f50, 11Pro and Nitrocharge. The video also hints at the launch of a new range of boots, including a model called "Ace 15," set to launch on May 25th and appear at the Champions League Final.

Havas Helia has been asked to help the bank develop its customer experience, while positioning it as the only high street bank with a customer-led ethical policy. The agency won the business after an AAR-run pitch against Tangible, Indicia and BJL that kicked off in January. The incumbent was Ogilvy One, which previously handled the direct and CRM accounts for both The Co-operative Group and the bank, which also owns the Smile Internet bank brand.

Hits including "Storage Hunters" and "Monty Python Live (Mostly)" helped UKTV to record revenues and profits last year, growing its market share to match free-to-air rivals including Channel 5. The pay-TV company -- which owns 10 channels including Dave, Gold, Watch and Drama -- grew revenues by just under 2% to GBP283m and adjusted profits by 10% to GBP74.1m. UKTV, jointly owned by US broadcaster Scripps and BBC Worldwide, has grown its share again in the first quarter this year to 9.41%.