Marty Swant
@martyswant.bsky.social
NYC-based journalist covering tech/marketing/policy/media focused on AI, ads, antitrust, etc.
Currently freelance (NYT, FastCo, Inc, etc.), I spent the past decade on staff at Digiday, Forbes, Adweek, the AP and elsewhere. https://authory.com/MartySwant
Currently freelance (NYT, FastCo, Inc, etc.), I spent the past decade on staff at Digiday, Forbes, Adweek, the AP and elsewhere. https://authory.com/MartySwant
Greetings from Switzerland!! Anyone have Zurich recs? What are the things I can’t miss in my few free hours?
I’m only here for an afternoon layover on my way to Barcelona for Mozilla Festival 2025!
I’m only here for an afternoon layover on my way to Barcelona for Mozilla Festival 2025!
November 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Greetings from Switzerland!! Anyone have Zurich recs? What are the things I can’t miss in my few free hours?
I’m only here for an afternoon layover on my way to Barcelona for Mozilla Festival 2025!
I’m only here for an afternoon layover on my way to Barcelona for Mozilla Festival 2025!
November 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Happy NYC Marathon Day to everyone racing and cheering! It’s always one of the happiest and most inspiring days.
Here’s the lead pack in the Pro Men’s Race: Mile 7 in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Here’s the lead pack in the Pro Men’s Race: Mile 7 in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
November 2, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Happy NYC Marathon Day to everyone racing and cheering! It’s always one of the happiest and most inspiring days.
Here’s the lead pack in the Pro Men’s Race: Mile 7 in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Here’s the lead pack in the Pro Men’s Race: Mile 7 in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
It's worth reading this interview with the Rutgers prof who studies fascism that was just forced to flee the U.S.
"I think that we can see a lot of the Trump administration’s policies fitting into that kind of theory. So it’s too late for preventative antifascism. I think we’re in a new era."
"I think that we can see a lot of the Trump administration’s policies fitting into that kind of theory. So it’s too late for preventative antifascism. I think we’re in a new era."
October 14, 2025 at 3:59 PM
It's worth reading this interview with the Rutgers prof who studies fascism that was just forced to flee the U.S.
"I think that we can see a lot of the Trump administration’s policies fitting into that kind of theory. So it’s too late for preventative antifascism. I think we’re in a new era."
"I think that we can see a lot of the Trump administration’s policies fitting into that kind of theory. So it’s too late for preventative antifascism. I think we’re in a new era."
Just started this Uzbek novel about a French psychologist-poet-technologist who creates what's essentially his own large language model— in the 1980s.
I randomly came across the book a month ago and neat to see it’s now a National Book Award finalist!
I randomly came across the book a month ago and neat to see it’s now a National Book Award finalist!
October 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Just started this Uzbek novel about a French psychologist-poet-technologist who creates what's essentially his own large language model— in the 1980s.
I randomly came across the book a month ago and neat to see it’s now a National Book Award finalist!
I randomly came across the book a month ago and neat to see it’s now a National Book Award finalist!
It’s my birthday today! Kicked things off with our pup the last few pages of this gem of a book. Now working on freelance story drafts & edits before search for a bite and some galleries.
I’m honestly pretty hard on myself most days, but this book is helping me learn to change that.
I’m honestly pretty hard on myself most days, but this book is helping me learn to change that.
September 2, 2025 at 5:40 PM
It’s my birthday today! Kicked things off with our pup the last few pages of this gem of a book. Now working on freelance story drafts & edits before search for a bite and some galleries.
I’m honestly pretty hard on myself most days, but this book is helping me learn to change that.
I’m honestly pretty hard on myself most days, but this book is helping me learn to change that.
While reading about the U.S. taking a 10% stake in Intel, one thing I came across was an old Congressional Budget Office study from 2003.
Some of the CBO's conclusions back then include unreliable & ambiguous economic effects, and exposing both the government and future taxpayers to more risk.
Some of the CBO's conclusions back then include unreliable & ambiguous economic effects, and exposing both the government and future taxpayers to more risk.
August 22, 2025 at 10:04 PM
While reading about the U.S. taking a 10% stake in Intel, one thing I came across was an old Congressional Budget Office study from 2003.
Some of the CBO's conclusions back then include unreliable & ambiguous economic effects, and exposing both the government and future taxpayers to more risk.
Some of the CBO's conclusions back then include unreliable & ambiguous economic effects, and exposing both the government and future taxpayers to more risk.
Fun fact: If you search Google for "perplexity chrome," one of the top articles to show up is an AI slop article about the startup's stock surging after bidding to buy Chrome.
The catch: Perplexity isn't a public company and has no shares to buy/sell.
The catch: Perplexity isn't a public company and has no shares to buy/sell.
August 13, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Fun fact: If you search Google for "perplexity chrome," one of the top articles to show up is an AI slop article about the startup's stock surging after bidding to buy Chrome.
The catch: Perplexity isn't a public company and has no shares to buy/sell.
The catch: Perplexity isn't a public company and has no shares to buy/sell.
I’m excited to share my interview with Mozilla CEO Laura Chambers was published yesterday in @nytimes.com’s Dealbook.
We discussed the Google search antitrust trial & potential ripple effects of proposed remedies.
Here’s the link to the Q&A, featured halfway down: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/b...
We discussed the Google search antitrust trial & potential ripple effects of proposed remedies.
Here’s the link to the Q&A, featured halfway down: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/b...
August 10, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I’m excited to share my interview with Mozilla CEO Laura Chambers was published yesterday in @nytimes.com’s Dealbook.
We discussed the Google search antitrust trial & potential ripple effects of proposed remedies.
Here’s the link to the Q&A, featured halfway down: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/b...
We discussed the Google search antitrust trial & potential ripple effects of proposed remedies.
Here’s the link to the Q&A, featured halfway down: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/b...
Instagram has finally released its clone of Snap’s Maps.
This of course isn’t the first time, but you’ve almost gotta pity Meta for how many features it’s merely copied from competitors that have much smaller teams.
When’s the last time Meta’s platforms have released a truly new feature?
This of course isn’t the first time, but you’ve almost gotta pity Meta for how many features it’s merely copied from competitors that have much smaller teams.
When’s the last time Meta’s platforms have released a truly new feature?
August 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Instagram has finally released its clone of Snap’s Maps.
This of course isn’t the first time, but you’ve almost gotta pity Meta for how many features it’s merely copied from competitors that have much smaller teams.
When’s the last time Meta’s platforms have released a truly new feature?
This of course isn’t the first time, but you’ve almost gotta pity Meta for how many features it’s merely copied from competitors that have much smaller teams.
When’s the last time Meta’s platforms have released a truly new feature?
Here’s a key exchange from the @marketplace.org interview:
August 1, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Here’s a key exchange from the @marketplace.org interview:
In May, former BLS Commissioner Erica Groshen told Marketplace about the importance of independent economic data.
In light of today’s news, it’s very worth reading this story: www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
In light of today’s news, it’s very worth reading this story: www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
August 1, 2025 at 7:09 PM
In May, former BLS Commissioner Erica Groshen told Marketplace about the importance of independent economic data.
In light of today’s news, it’s very worth reading this story: www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
In light of today’s news, it’s very worth reading this story: www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
Examples from the AP’s report:
• $320 million in revenue for a Trump cryptocurrency since January
• Another received a $2 billion investment from a foreign government wealth fund
• A third has sold at least $550 million in tokens
• $320 million in revenue for a Trump cryptocurrency since January
• Another received a $2 billion investment from a foreign government wealth fund
• A third has sold at least $550 million in tokens
July 31, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Examples from the AP’s report:
• $320 million in revenue for a Trump cryptocurrency since January
• Another received a $2 billion investment from a foreign government wealth fund
• A third has sold at least $550 million in tokens
• $320 million in revenue for a Trump cryptocurrency since January
• Another received a $2 billion investment from a foreign government wealth fund
• A third has sold at least $550 million in tokens
A few of the graphs in MuckRack's full report, which also noted journalistic content was cited more than 27% of the time across all tests.
July 25, 2025 at 4:38 PM
A few of the graphs in MuckRack's full report, which also noted journalistic content was cited more than 27% of the time across all tests.
A key lesson from journalism school: always give context.
I’m no copy editor, but this headline, caption & story definitely don’t do that.
This photo shows the Fed Chair reading a paper Trump pulled out while exaggerating Fed HQ costs by $600M—but it doesn't note this shows Powell correcting him.
I’m no copy editor, but this headline, caption & story definitely don’t do that.
This photo shows the Fed Chair reading a paper Trump pulled out while exaggerating Fed HQ costs by $600M—but it doesn't note this shows Powell correcting him.
July 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
A key lesson from journalism school: always give context.
I’m no copy editor, but this headline, caption & story definitely don’t do that.
This photo shows the Fed Chair reading a paper Trump pulled out while exaggerating Fed HQ costs by $600M—but it doesn't note this shows Powell correcting him.
I’m no copy editor, but this headline, caption & story definitely don’t do that.
This photo shows the Fed Chair reading a paper Trump pulled out while exaggerating Fed HQ costs by $600M—but it doesn't note this shows Powell correcting him.
Today, Trump inaccurately claimed the Fed’s HQ renovation had soared from $2.5B to $3.1B—until Fed Chair Powell corrected him, noting Trump's $$ included a third building finished 5 years ago.
That got me wondering: Have Trump’s own projects gone over budget? Yep.
One example: Trump Tower Chicago.
That got me wondering: Have Trump’s own projects gone over budget? Yep.
One example: Trump Tower Chicago.
July 24, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Today, Trump inaccurately claimed the Fed’s HQ renovation had soared from $2.5B to $3.1B—until Fed Chair Powell corrected him, noting Trump's $$ included a third building finished 5 years ago.
That got me wondering: Have Trump’s own projects gone over budget? Yep.
One example: Trump Tower Chicago.
That got me wondering: Have Trump’s own projects gone over budget? Yep.
One example: Trump Tower Chicago.
Joint statement from Reuters, the AP, AFP and BBC — addressing concern about journalists being among the many in Gaza struggling w/ life-threatening starvation.
"Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in warzones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them."
"Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in warzones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them."
July 24, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Joint statement from Reuters, the AP, AFP and BBC — addressing concern about journalists being among the many in Gaza struggling w/ life-threatening starvation.
"Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in warzones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them."
"Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in warzones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them."
For my latest Adweek story, I grounded myself as a Hollywood "beet" reporter to cover Cash App's new ad starring Timothée Chalamet. tinyurl.com/mrx5fenb
July 16, 2025 at 5:46 PM
For my latest Adweek story, I grounded myself as a Hollywood "beet" reporter to cover Cash App's new ad starring Timothée Chalamet. tinyurl.com/mrx5fenb
Tonight’s top 5 in the Bluesky Explore tab sure are something…
Given the others on this list, I read “Big Brother” and thought it had something to do with 1984 and reality — not 2025 and yet another season of reality TV.
Given the others on this list, I read “Big Brother” and thought it had something to do with 1984 and reality — not 2025 and yet another season of reality TV.
July 9, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Tonight’s top 5 in the Bluesky Explore tab sure are something…
Given the others on this list, I read “Big Brother” and thought it had something to do with 1984 and reality — not 2025 and yet another season of reality TV.
Given the others on this list, I read “Big Brother” and thought it had something to do with 1984 and reality — not 2025 and yet another season of reality TV.
Sorry about that! It’s indeed tiny text.
Here’s an easier version, with the first graf typed below:
“The Every continues to control the flow of information for most people. Most people live most of their online lives through the Every; the average user doesn’t ever need to leave the platform.”
Here’s an easier version, with the first graf typed below:
“The Every continues to control the flow of information for most people. Most people live most of their online lives through the Every; the average user doesn’t ever need to leave the platform.”
July 6, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Sorry about that! It’s indeed tiny text.
Here’s an easier version, with the first graf typed below:
“The Every continues to control the flow of information for most people. Most people live most of their online lives through the Every; the average user doesn’t ever need to leave the platform.”
Here’s an easier version, with the first graf typed below:
“The Every continues to control the flow of information for most people. Most people live most of their online lives through the Every; the average user doesn’t ever need to leave the platform.”
One of the many prescient pages in “The Every,” a novel by Dave Eggers published in 2021.
July 6, 2025 at 1:39 PM
One of the many prescient pages in “The Every,” a novel by Dave Eggers published in 2021.
Free idea for HBO and/or NBCUniversal:
:
A "White Lotus" and "Jurassic Park" movie or series, where a new hotel just opened on Isla Nublar or Sorna.
:
A "White Lotus" and "Jurassic Park" movie or series, where a new hotel just opened on Isla Nublar or Sorna.
June 15, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Free idea for HBO and/or NBCUniversal:
:
A "White Lotus" and "Jurassic Park" movie or series, where a new hotel just opened on Isla Nublar or Sorna.
:
A "White Lotus" and "Jurassic Park" movie or series, where a new hotel just opened on Isla Nublar or Sorna.
Google has argued that divestiture would be technically unworkable, but the DOJ says there are docs detailing which structural remedies are possible and which options aren't possible and/or necessary.
Here's a paragraph from the 21-page memorandum of law filed by the this afternoon:
Here's a paragraph from the 21-page memorandum of law filed by the this afternoon:
June 6, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Google has argued that divestiture would be technically unworkable, but the DOJ says there are docs detailing which structural remedies are possible and which options aren't possible and/or necessary.
Here's a paragraph from the 21-page memorandum of law filed by the this afternoon:
Here's a paragraph from the 21-page memorandum of law filed by the this afternoon:
Splashy two-page WPP ad in today’s WSJ promoting the holding company’s AI offerings.
“In the marketing universe today, one narrative is still swirling out there — agencies are cautious, perhaps too cautious, about applying AI’s potential. We disagree.”
“In the marketing universe today, one narrative is still swirling out there — agencies are cautious, perhaps too cautious, about applying AI’s potential. We disagree.”
May 28, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Splashy two-page WPP ad in today’s WSJ promoting the holding company’s AI offerings.
“In the marketing universe today, one narrative is still swirling out there — agencies are cautious, perhaps too cautious, about applying AI’s potential. We disagree.”
“In the marketing universe today, one narrative is still swirling out there — agencies are cautious, perhaps too cautious, about applying AI’s potential. We disagree.”