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IAB Upfronts 2025: Meta makes the case for business messaging through WhatsApp, reports The Media Leader

General

Oct 14, 2025

Meta UK’s country director, Shruti Dube, urged brands to embrace WhatsApp for business messaging, citing a major shift from SMS to online platforms. The average UK adult now sends 55 online messages daily but just one SMS every ten days.

Meta data shows 600 million daily business-to-customer messages and a doubling of business users year-on-year. WhatsApp drives higher trust, order values, and conversion rates, outperforming SMS and email.

Dube emphasised integrating business AI with WhatsApp to streamline interactions, enable personalisation, and support continuous engagement across the customer lifecycle, redefining how brands connect with audiences.

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Cinema data to be added to Origin by end of 2026, reports The Media Leader

General

Oct 14, 2025

The Cinema Advertising Association, including Digital Cinema Media and Pearl & Dean, will integrate cinema data into Isba’s cross-media measurement platform, Origin, by the end of 2026.

The addition aims to demonstrate cinema’s incremental reach for advertisers, joining existing data from TV, online video and display, with TikTok and Amazon to follow. Other media, such as direct mail and news brands, are also being onboarded.

Origin plans to expand into OOH and audio while enhancing its reporting capabilities. The CAA highlighted cinema’s unique impact, noting strong 2025 box office results, up 9% from 2024.

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WPP Commits $400 Million To Expanded Google Partnership, reports MediaPost

General

Oct 14, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

WPP and Google have expanded their partnership with a five-year, $400 million deal focused on integrating AI across creative, media, commerce and production.

The collaboration aims to deliver real-time personalisation and innovation through WPP’s AI platform, WPP Open, using Google’s Gemini models and Vertex AI. Initiatives include privacy-first data collaboration, video and image enhancements, and bespoke AI model development.

Google will also join WPP’s Creative Technology Apprenticeship as the main curriculum partner, training over 1,000 technologists by 2030, while Google AI tools will be embedded into WPP’s operations to enhance client service and accelerate growth.

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Instagram Adds Tighter PG-13 Content Restrictions for Teens, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 14, 2025

Advertising To Children

Instagram will block users under 18 from seeing content deemed unsuitable for a PG-13 audience, using artificial intelligence to identify material such as strong language, risky stunts and drug-related imagery.

Teens will automatically be placed into these stricter settings, which cannot be changed without parental consent. Parents can also apply an even stricter “Limited Content” mode if they wish.

The move comes as Meta faces growing scrutiny and lawsuits over youth safety. Instagram has already introduced teen-specific accounts and AI-based age detection, and now also restricts teens from following or viewing adult-oriented accounts.

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Walmart partners with OpenAI for ChatGPT shopping feature, reports Reuters

General

Oct 14, 2025

Walmart has partnered with OpenAI to allow customers and Sam’s Club members to shop directly through ChatGPT using its Instant Checkout feature.

The announcement boosted Walmart’s shares by about 3% in early trading on Tuesday, following similar AI-driven collaborations between OpenAI, Etsy, and Shopify.

As the world’s largest retailer, Walmart is increasing its use of artificial intelligence to enhance the shopping experience and improve operational efficiency, part of a broader trend of businesses adopting AI to simplify processes and reduce costs.

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Publicis rules out bid for Dentsu’s international unit after beating forecasts, reports FT

M&A

Oct 14, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Publicis CEO Arthur Sadoun has ruled out bidding for Dentsu’s international business, saying large-scale consolidation is “yesterday’s logic” and that Publicis will instead focus on AI-driven growth.

The group reported third-quarter organic revenue growth of 5.7% to €3.5bn, with strong results in the US and UK offsetting weaker performance in Europe. It also raised its 2025 revenue forecast to between 5% and 5.5%.

Sadoun credited rising client demand for AI marketing expertise and said Publicis’s use of AI has not led to job cuts, though he acknowledged automation may gradually reshape roles in the future.

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Google to expand ads in AI Overviews to more markets, reports Search Engine Land

General

Oct 13, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Google will expand ads within AI Overviews beyond the U.S. to select English-speaking markets by the end of 2025, following confirmation at its Google Access event.

The move integrates paid placements directly into AI-generated search summaries, shifting how advertisers engage users compared to traditional text-based results.

While offering opportunities for richer engagement, the rollout poses new challenges for measuring performance and optimising discovery in a conversational search environment. Google’s phased approach aims to help advertisers adapt and gain early insights into how generative AI is reshaping ad visibility and user interaction across Search.

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Google says Australian law on teen social media use extremely difficult to enforce, reports Reuters

General

Oct 13, 2025

Advertising To Children

Google has warned that Australia’s upcoming law banning under-16s from using social media will be extremely difficult to enforce and may not improve online safety.

The law, taking effect in December, requires platforms to use AI and behavioural data to infer users’ ages rather than formal verification. Google argues that the approach could create unintended consequences and should focus instead on parental controls and safety tools.

Australia’s Online Safety Amendment Act, passed in 2024, gives companies until 10 December to deactivate underage accounts amid growing concerns about social media’s impact on young people’s mental health.

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New PubMatic-MNTN Deal Gives Small Advertisers Access to Big Streaming Platforms, reports AdWeek

General

Oct 13, 2025

PubMatic has partnered with self-serve CTV platform MNTN to give smaller, performance-focused advertisers easier access to premium streaming inventory across services like NBCUniversal, Paramount, and Sling.

The collaboration aims to lower barriers such as high spending commitments and limited measurement tools, allowing brands to buy connected TV ads with more control and transparency.

Early tests showed a 10% revenue increase for publishers using MNTN’s integration, with most advertisers new to CTV. PubMatic and MNTN say the deal will democratise access to TV advertising and expand the market by attracting new demand from smaller advertisers.

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Retail media boom forces grocers like Kroger, Albertsons to reorganize, reports Digiday

General

Oct 13, 2025

Major US grocers are restructuring to merge retail media, marketing, and merchandising functions, aiming for unified strategies that better serve advertisers and consumers.

Kroger, Albertsons, and Ahold Delhaize have integrated insights, loyalty, and media teams to streamline communication and boost performance across digital and in-store platforms. Leaders say the goal is holistic customer engagement and stronger collaboration between marketing and merchandising.

Executives note retail media is now central to growth, with merchants actively supporting it. Grocers like Giant Eagle are also aligning marketing, e-commerce, and retail media to improve consistency, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making across their organisations.

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Paramount Circling Warner Bros. Discovery After Rebuffed Approach, reports WSJ

M&A

Oct 12, 2025

A takeover battle is emerging as Paramount CEO David Ellison seeks to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery before its planned split into separate studio-streaming and cable businesses.

Ellison, backed by his billionaire father Larry Ellison and Apollo Global Management, has approached Warner with a majority-cash offer, though CEO David Zaslav has so far resisted. Warner’s market value exceeds $40 billion, with around $35 billion in debt.

If successful, the deal would unite two major studios under one conglomerate. While regulators may scrutinise it, the Trump administration’s pro-merger stance could make approval more likely.

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Thinking Machines Lab Co-Founder Departs for Meta, reports WSJ

General

Oct 11, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Mira Murati’s AI startup Thinking Machines Lab, has left to rejoin Meta Platforms, marking another major hire for the tech giant’s expanding AI division.

Tulloch, a former Meta and OpenAI researcher, played a key role in building Thinking Machines, which recently launched its first product and raised $2 billion in funding.

His move comes amid Meta’s aggressive recruitment drive led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has personally attracted over 50 AI experts from rivals like OpenAI and Google DeepMind to join its new Superintelligence Labs focused on advancing large language model development.

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Publisher alliance Ozone makes a larger play for U.S. advertisers, reports Digiday

General

Oct 10, 2025

Publisher alliance Ozone is rapidly expanding in the U.S., adding partners like CNN, BBC (US), and the Wall Street Journal, and growing its team to deepen agency and brand relationships.

Founded in 2018 by major UK publishers, Ozone has evolved from an inventory-sharing network into a data-driven audience platform, generating over £400 million in ad revenue for publishers.

At its recent industry event, executives urged greater collaboration to counter Big Tech dominance, explore new ad models, and potentially negotiate AI licensing collectively—positioning Ozone as a unified alternative for publishers in the evolving digital advertising landscape.

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Disney more than doubles postseason revenue with WNBA Finals ad sales, reports Marketing Brew

General

Oct 10, 2025

Sports Marketing

Disney has sold out ad inventory for the first five games of the WNBA Finals on ESPN, marking record demand amid the league’s continued audience growth.

Total postseason ad revenue is up 110% year on year, with average unit rates up 104%. Of 38 advertisers, 15 are new, including CoStar, Eli Lilly, and Wayfair, while most returning brands increased their spend.

Disney says the Finals attracted fresh categories such as real estate, alcohol, and sports betting. Despite off-court tensions over the players’ collective bargaining agreement, the WNBA remains one of Disney’s most sought-after sports properties.

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Google Hit by Tougher Scrutiny From UK’s Antitrust Watchdog, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 10, 2025

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has designated Google with strategic market status, making it the first company subject to tougher oversight under new digital market rules.

The CMA said Google holds “substantial and entrenched” power in search and advertising, raising concerns over fairness, high ad costs, and AI-generated search responses.

While the designation does not allege misconduct, it allows the regulator to impose measures and penalties. Google warned that potential interventions could stifle innovation and delay product launches, as the UK joins wider global scrutiny of the tech giant’s dominance.

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Apple sued over use of copyrighted books to train Apple Intelligence, reports Reuters

General

Oct 10, 2025

Two neuroscientists have sued Apple in a California federal court, accusing the company of illegally using copyrighted books to train its Apple Intelligence AI system.

Professors Susana Martinez-Conde and Stephen Macknik allege Apple accessed pirated “shadow libraries” containing their published works among thousands of others.

The case joins a wave of copyright lawsuits against major tech firms, including OpenAI and Meta, over AI training practices. The plaintiffs seek damages and a court order halting Apple’s use of their material, claiming the company profited massively following the launch of Apple Intelligence.

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Activision officials must face claims over Microsoft takeover, judge rules, reports Reuters

M&A

Oct 10, 2025

A Delaware judge has ruled that former Activision Blizzard executives, including ex-CEO Bobby Kotick, must face most of a shareholder lawsuit over Microsoft’s $75.4 billion acquisition of the gaming company.

Shareholders allege Kotick pushed the deal to protect his job and $400 million payout while undervaluing shares and ignoring harassment claims.

Judge Kathaleen McCormick found credible claims that Kotick favoured Microsoft for personal benefit but dismissed accusations that Microsoft aided any misconduct. The case will now proceed on a narrowed basis, focusing on breaches of fiduciary duty by Activision’s leadership.

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European Commission reviews child safety on Snapchat, YouTube, app stores, reports Reuters

General

Oct 10, 2025

Advertising To Children

The European Commission is investigating Snapchat, YouTube, the Apple App Store and Google Play under the Digital Services Act to assess their protections for minors.

It has requested details on their age verification systems and how they restrict access to illegal or harmful content, such as drugs, vapes, or material promoting eating disorders.

EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said the review, conducted with national authorities, aims to ensure platforms’ measures genuinely protect children, as required by the DSA, which obliges tech firms to better control illegal and harmful online content.

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The Trade Desk brings programmatic retail media onsite, reports Marketing Interactive

General

Oct 10, 2025

The Trade Desk has partnered with Koddi to enable programmatic buying of onsite retail media, starting with Gopuff as its first launch partner. Advertisers can now access sponsored product ads and other retail placements directly through The Trade Desk’s platform.

The integration allows brands to run full-funnel campaigns, linking awareness and conversions while measuring real-time performance across channels.

Koddi’s platform lets retailers maintain control over targeting and transparency, while unified analytics connect ad exposure to purchases. The move reflects growing demand for retail media and marks a major step toward simplifying programmatic access to retail inventory.

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Perplexity Pauses New Advertising Deals to Reassess Ambitions, reports AdWeek

General

Oct 9, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Perplexity has paused taking new advertisers as it reassesses how advertising fits within its AI search and browser platforms, including Comet. The company plans to scale ad activity cautiously, prioritising user experience over rapid monetisation.

This follows the departure of its ad sales head and a limited ad revenue contribution of $20,000 from $34 million total in 2023.

Advertisers have reported difficulty measuring performance on the platform, while publishers see little income from Perplexity’s revenue-sharing model. The company is instead focusing on expanding Comet, its browser featuring content from major publishers.

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Apple prepares to comply with Texas age assurance law, but warns of privacy risks, reports TechCrunch

General

Oct 9, 2025

Apple is updating its App Store policies to comply with Texas law SB 2420, which requires age verification for app downloads starting January 2026. The law mandates parental consent for users under 18, managed through Apple’s Family Sharing system.

Apple criticised the law, warning it could compromise user privacy by forcing the collection of sensitive personal data.

To help developers adapt, Apple will expand its Declared Age Range API and introduce new parental consent tools. The company also cautioned that similar laws in Utah and Louisiana will soon require additional compliance measures.

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ITV launches GenAI Ads Manager, reports The Media Leader

General

Oct 9, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

ITV has launched GenAI Ads Manager, a generative AI platform that creates TV ads for small- and medium-sized enterprises in under 30 seconds, aiming to make television advertising more accessible and affordable.

The tool generates ads from a brand’s online footprint and is overseen by ITV’s creative production team, ensuring regulatory compliance and copyright safety. It is powered by Magnite’s Streamr.AI technology.

Designed as a proof of concept, the platform targets SMEs new to TV advertising, helping reduce entry barriers and encourage first-time advertisers to scale their creative ambitions through ITV’s broader ad ecosystem.

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Paramount hires Roku's Jay Askinasi as chief revenue officer, reports Axios

General

Oct 9, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Paramount has appointed Jay Askinasi as chief revenue officer, effective 3 November, in a move signalling its focus on expanding data-driven and streaming advertising.

In the new role, Askinasi will lead Paramount’s ad sales team and collaborate with product and data divisions to develop a unified platform spanning streaming, linear and digital channels.

He joins from Roku, where he led global media revenue, and previously served as CEO of Publicis Media Exchange U.S. Askinasi will report to Paramount president Jeff Shell and CEO David Ellison, while John Halley continues as head of advertising sales.

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OpenAI Warns EU Antitrust Watchdogs of Big Tech’s Data Dominance, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 9, 2025

OpenAI has raised competition concerns with the European Commission, accusing major tech firms including Google, Microsoft and Apple of engaging in practices that could lock in customers and stifle AI market competition.

At a meeting with EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera, OpenAI cited challenges in areas such as cloud computing, app development and data access, which it said are essential for fair competition.

While not a formal complaint, the move highlights growing friction between OpenAI and its key partner Microsoft, as both increasingly compete for enterprise clients amid the rapid commercial expansion of artificial intelligence tools.

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YouTubers Banned Over Covid, Election Misinformation May Soon Return, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 9, 2025

YouTube will allow some permanently banned users to return under a new reinstatement process for those removed over policies that have since been changed, such as Covid-19 or 2020 election misinformation.

The programme, launching in the coming months, excludes creators banned for copyright breaches, violent extremism or endangering minors. Successful applicants must rebuild their channels and audiences from scratch before requalifying for monetisation.

YouTube said the move reflects its evolution and aim to offer creators second chances, as social media platforms face growing competition for talent and shift towards looser content moderation policies.

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Netflix Brings Video Games to Its TV Service for the First Time, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 9, 2025

Gaming / Metaverse

Netflix is expanding its gaming ambitions by introducing TV-based play for the first time, allowing users to enjoy titles like Boggle Party, Pictionary and Tetris Time Warp using their phones as controllers.

The move marks a major step in Netflix’s push beyond films and series, focusing on group and family-friendly entertainment to attract new audiences.

Led by gaming chief Alain Tascan, the company is prioritising four categories: kids’ games, party titles, major hits and franchises based on Netflix shows. All launch games are free, with Netflix investing in cloud infrastructure to support its growing gaming platform.

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India rolls out pilot for e-commerce payments via ChatGPT, reports Reuters

General

Oct 9, 2025

India’s National Payments Corporation and fintech firm Razorpay have partnered with OpenAI to pilot AI-powered payments through ChatGPT, using the country’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

The pilot allows users to make purchases directly via ChatGPT, testing how AI agents can securely complete transactions on users’ behalf.

Axis Bank and Airtel Payments Bank are participating, with Bigbasket as the first retail partner. OpenAI said combining AI with UPI could create a new era of seamless, secure commerce. UPI currently handles over 20 billion transactions monthly across India.

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Advertisers are quietly returning to news-driven media channels, reports Digiday

General

Oct 9, 2025

News Publishing

Brand safety concerns are shifting as advertisers prioritise audience reach over avoiding politically charged content under President Trump’s administration. Improved tools and fewer election-year risks have encouraged brands to re-engage with news outlets once deemed unsuitable.

Agencies report clients allocating up to 30% of budgets to news publishers, with brands like Whisker increasing ad spend by 60% on such channels.

Marketers are adopting bipartisan strategies, balancing buys across networks like CNN and Fox News, reflecting a growing belief that visibility and engagement outweigh the risks of controversy in today’s polarised media landscape.

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CleanTap Says It Easily Fooled Programmatic Tech With Spoofed CTV Devices, reports AdExchanger

General

Oct 8, 2025

A new report from adtech startup CleanTap has revealed serious weaknesses in programmatic connected TV advertising, showing that spoofed devices can easily receive real ads from major platforms.

CleanTap used a $100 Raspberry Pi device to mimic smart TVs, finding that 100% of its fake traffic was accepted and bid on by advertisers, despite clear bot indicators.

The findings highlight widespread failures in detecting invalid traffic, with verification tools and pre-bid filters often ineffective. CleanTap is urging the industry to adopt stronger, built-in safeguards and default protections to prevent fraudulent ad delivery in CTV environments.

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Amazon Prime Video grows UK ad-supported viewers 15%, reports The Media Leader

General

Oct 8, 2025

Amazon Prime Video’s ad-supported tier has grown 15% year on year, now reaching 22 million UK viewers, or around 11.7 million households, according to Barb data. By comparison, Netflix’s ad tier reaches 4.8 million households.

Through Amazon DSP, advertisers can now access inventory across Prime Video, Twitch, Spotify, Disney+, Netflix and more, covering eight in ten UK households.

At its London Upfront, Amazon also announced interactive ad formats, generative AI integration, and expanded sports coverage — including UEFA Champions League and NBA rights — to strengthen its position in live sports and premium ad-supported streaming.

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Elon Musk settles former Twitter executives’ lawsuit over severance pay, reports FT

General

Oct 8, 2025

Elon Musk has agreed to settle a lawsuit with four former Twitter executives, including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal, who sought over $128 million in unpaid severance following his 2022 takeover.

The settlement, filed in a California federal court, remains confidential and conditional. The executives alleged Musk fabricated reasons to fire them “for cause” to avoid payouts.

Musk and X have faced multiple legal disputes since the acquisition, including a $500 million class-action suit over staff severance. Separately, the SEC is suing Musk for allegedly delaying disclosure of Twitter share purchases to secure a discount.

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Google Wants Right to Bundle Gemini AI App With Maps, YouTube, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 8, 2025

Google is challenging a US Justice Department proposal that would stop it from bundling its Gemini AI service with YouTube and Google Maps, arguing it has no monopoly in AI or mapping.

Judge Amit Mehta, who previously ruled Google monopolised search, is deciding remedies for its illegal conduct. The DOJ wants the same restrictions applied to Gemini as to Search and Chrome.

Google says bundling reflects standard industry practice, comparing it to Microsoft’s CoPilot integration. Mehta expressed concern that forcing Gemini with YouTube or Maps could let Google exploit its market dominance. A final ruling is pending.

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New York City sues social media companies for allegedly addicting children, reports Reuters

General

Oct 8, 2025

Advertising To Children

New York City has sued Meta, Google, Snap, TikTok and others, alleging their platforms fuel a youth mental health crisis by fostering addiction and compulsive use. The 327-page federal complaint accuses the companies of negligence and creating a public nuisance.

The city, representing 1.8 million minors, joins over 2,000 similar lawsuits in US courts. It claims social media harms children’s sleep, school attendance and wellbeing.

Officials also link platforms to dangerous behaviours like “subway surfing”, which has caused multiple deaths. The lawsuit seeks damages to recover public costs of addressing the alleged mental health crisis.

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Warner Bros Discovery appoints Sky as ad sales partner, reports Campaign

General

Oct 8, 2025

Warner Bros Discovery has named Sky Media as its exclusive advertising sales partner for the UK and Ireland from January 2026, ending its shared arrangement with Channel 4 and its in-house team. The deal covers linear channels like TNT Sports and Cartoon Network, as well as streaming platforms Discovery+ and the upcoming HBO Max.

Partnerships and sponsorships will be co-managed by Sky Media and WBD, while digital and social sales remain in-house.

The move aims to simplify ad buying and strengthen collaboration ahead of HBO Max’s UK launch, expanding a decade-long relationship between Sky and Warner Bros Discovery.

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North America CEO Sharb Farjami Exits WPP Media, reports AdWeek

General

Oct 8, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Sharb Farjami, CEO of WPP Media North America, is leaving the company after leading its regional operations since January 2024. Global CEO Brian Lesser will assume direct oversight while a successor is sought, with Farjami assisting during the transition.

Farjami helped secure clients including Adobe, Audible and Johnson & Johnson and supported WPP Media’s rebranding from GroupM earlier this year.

His departure comes amid wider changes at WPP, where Cindy Rose recently replaced Mark Read as CEO, as the company faces revenue declines and undertakes a strategic review to strengthen performance.

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Advertisers Push Big Tech to Adopt Standards for Transparency in Ad Sales, reports WSJ

General

Oct 8, 2025

Major advertising companies have proposed new transparency standards for digital ad auctions, which determine how online ads are placed and priced. The Media Rating Council (MRC) plan would require platforms like Google, Meta and Amazon to disclose auction types, pricing factors and significant changes.

The initiative, led by Omnicom’s OMD Worldwide, aims to expose opaque practices that may inflate ad prices or reduce publisher revenue.

Participation would be voluntary, though accredited companies could earn MRC approval. Critics warn that without mandatory adoption, platforms could still control their own rules, limiting the effectiveness of the proposed transparency measures.

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EU rolls out $1.1 billion plan to ramp up AI in key industries amid sovereignty drive, reports Reuters

General

Oct 8, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

The European Commission has unveiled a €1 billion plan to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption across key industries, aiming to reduce the EU’s reliance on US and Chinese technology. The Apply AI strategy follows an earlier plan to ease compliance burdens for startups under new AI regulations.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the initiative will promote an “AI first” mindset across sectors including healthcare, energy and automotive.

Funding will come from EU research programmes like Horizon Europe, with member states and private investors encouraged to match contributions to boost innovation and strategic autonomy.

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Meta and Apple close to settling EU cases, reports FT

General

Oct 8, 2025

Meta and Apple are close to settling antitrust cases with the European Commission to avoid escalating fines under the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Both were fined a combined €700 million in April for breaching the new rules.

Meta is revising its “pay or consent” data-tracking model, while Apple is adjusting its App Store policies to allow external offers for app users.

Negotiations are ongoing but progressing positively, with both companies seeking to prevent further daily penalties. The EU insists that compliance must ensure genuine consumer choice and fair opportunities for developers.

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Insurers balk at multibillion-dollar claims faced by OpenAI and Anthropic, reports FT

General

Oct 8, 2025

OpenAI and Anthropic are exploring ways to use investor funds to cover potential liabilities from major lawsuits, as insurers hesitate to fully underwrite AI-related risks. OpenAI has obtained limited coverage through Aon but far below the potential damages it faces.

Both companies are confronting multibillion-dollar legal claims, including copyright and wrongful death suits.

OpenAI is considering “self-insurance” or creating a captive vehicle to manage risks, while Anthropic is using its own funds to settle a $1.5 billion author lawsuit. Insurers warn they lack capacity to handle systemic risks linked to AI model providers.

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Nielsen measurement accreditation faces uncertain future - again, reports Marketing Brew

General

Oct 7, 2025

The Media Rating Council is reviewing Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel product, which combines panel and connected TV data, and may revoke its accreditation.

Concerns include data processing delays, demographic modelling, sample representation, and accuracy in Hispanic audience measurement. Nielsen has been given 60 days to address these issues.

Losing accreditation would be a setback after the product was approved in January and hailed as a “landmark moment” for TV ratings. The review comes amid growing competition from rivals like VideoAmp and Comscore, as broadcasters and advertisers increasingly seek alternatives to Nielsen’s long-dominant measurement systems.

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Meta cuts political ads across the EU, reports Search Engine Land

General

Oct 7, 2025

Meta will suspend all political, electoral, and social issue ads across the EU from 6 p.m. CET on 6 October, citing new Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising regulations taking effect on 10 October.

The rules require platforms to obtain separate consent from users for political targeting, a process Meta says is unworkable at scale.

The move halts a major channel for campaigners and advocacy groups, forcing them to rely on organic reach. It underscores how stringent EU data laws are reshaping digital campaigning and prompting platforms to withdraw from regulated political advertising altogether.

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Instacart brings retail media targeting to TikTok Ads Manager, reports Search Engine Land

General

Oct 7, 2025

Instacart has become the first retail media network to integrate directly with TikTok Ads Manager, enabling CPG advertisers to use Instacart’s retail data to target high-intent shoppers and track purchases within TikTok.

The partnership links social engagement to real-time grocery purchases, allowing advertisers to power shoppable TikTok ads, access closed-loop conversion data, and measure daily campaign performance.

By combining TikTok’s discovery-driven platform with Instacart’s first-party data, brands can now reach consumers at the moment of inspiration and convert engagement into measurable sales with greater precision and personalisation.

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xAI to Raise $20 Billion After Nvidia and Others Boost Round, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 7, 2025

Investment Rounds

Elon Musk’s AI firm xAI is expanding its funding round to $20 billion, backed by investors including Nvidia. The deal combines $7.5 billion in equity and up to $12.5 billion in debt through a special vehicle that will buy Nvidia chips and lease them to xAI for its Colossus 2 data centre project.

Nvidia is contributing around $2 billion, aiming to speed up AI adoption across industries.

Other financiers include Apollo Global Management and Diameter Capital. The funding follows xAI’s rapid cash burn and Musk’s push to position AI at the core of ventures like Tesla and SpaceX.

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Italian families target Facebook, Instagram and TikTok over child safety, reports Reuters

General

Oct 7, 2025

Advertising To Children

Italian families have filed a lawsuit against Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, accusing them of failing to enforce age limits and using addictive features that harm children’s mental health. The case, to be heard in Milan in February 2026, demands stronger age verification and greater transparency about online risks.

Law firm Ambrosio & Commodo and parents’ group MOIGE estimate over three million under-14s use the platforms illegally.

Meta said it prioritises teen safety through default protections, while TikTok has yet to comment. Similar lawsuits targeting social media’s impact on minors are also underway in the United States.

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Elon Musk names former Morgan Stanley banker as new xAI CFO, reports FT

General

Oct 7, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Elon Musk has appointed former Morgan Stanley banker Anthony Armstrong as chief financial officer of xAI, expanding his role to oversee finances for both xAI and social media platform X. The move follows several senior departures, including X CEO Linda Yaccarino and xAI’s previous CFO.

Armstrong, who advised Musk on the $44 billion Twitter takeover, has become one of his key allies and will help steer both companies’ financial recovery and growth.

xAI is reportedly seeking new funding at a $200 billion valuation as Musk intensifies his push to compete with OpenAI and Google’s DeepMind.

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US Supreme Court allows order forcing Google to make app store reforms, reports Reuters

General

Oct 7, 2025

Google is defending itself in a Virginia court against a U.S. government proposal to force the sale of its advertising exchange, AdX, which the Justice Department says is part of an illegal monopoly. The company argues divestiture would be technologically complex, risky, and disruptive to the $15.9 billion ad market.

Google engineers testified that AdX is deeply integrated into its systems, making separation difficult. The company also cited security risks and potential harm to small publishers.

The government maintains the sale is feasible, referencing prior Google spin-offs and potential buyers such as Oracle, Adobe, and Salesforce.

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Nielsen enhances its cross-platform offering with attention metrics from Adelaide, reports Digiday

General

Oct 7, 2025

Attention Economy

Nielsen has partnered with measurement firm Adelaide to integrate its AU attention metric into Nielsen ONE’s outcomes measurement platform. The collaboration aims to link audience reach with attention data, helping advertisers, agencies and publishers better gauge campaign effectiveness and media quality.

Two new indexes will assess both past ad performance and predict future impact by combining attention and reach data.

Nielsen says the partnership enhances its cross-platform measurement capabilities, while Adelaide calls it a step towards evaluating the quality of media exposure — crucial amid increasing low-quality content and tighter marketing budgets.

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Samsung opens up home screen advertising to all brands, reports The Media Leader

General

Oct 6, 2025

Samsung Ads has opened home screen advertising on its smart TVs to all brands, expanding beyond content and gaming advertisers. The company says the home screen offers vital exposure, as viewers visit it over five times a day while searching for content.

A study by MTM found a 10% rise in purchase intent and improved brand perception among users exposed to home screen ads.

Combining these with in-stream ads on Samsung TV Plus further boosted brand awareness and positive sentiment, reinforcing Samsung’s claim that connected TV advertising delivers stronger impact through integrated placements.

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California law forces Netflix, Hulu to turn down ad volumes, reports Politico

General

Oct 6, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law banning excessively loud adverts on streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, modelled on a 2010 federal rule for broadcast and cable TV.

The law aims to curb rising complaints about blaring commercial volumes, requiring streamers to match ad sound levels with surrounding content.

Initially opposed by major studios, the bill passed after adding protections against private lawsuits. Streamers must comply by July 2026, and given California’s influence, the rule could effectively set a new nationwide standard for streaming ad volumes.

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Mozilla Taps Index Exchange as First Programmatic Partner, reports AdWeek

General

Oct 6, 2025

Mozilla has partnered with Index Exchange to introduce programmatic advertising to Firefox, launching during Advertising Week New York 2025. The collaboration will allow advertisers to access Firefox’s New Tab audience through exclusive Private Marketplace deals.

The initiative aims to create a more transparent, privacy-focused advertising model that avoids personal identifiers and cross-site tracking.

Mozilla says the partnership will strengthen user trust while offering brands a high-quality, brand-safe environment. Index Exchange described the collaboration as a step towards redefining programmatic advertising to better serve both marketers and consumers.

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Paramount Buys Bari Weiss’s the Free Press for $150 Million, reports WSJ

M&A

Oct 6, 2025

News Publishing

Paramount CEO David Ellison is betting on journalist Bari Weiss to revitalise CBS News, appointing her editor in chief following a $150 million acquisition of her media outlet, The Free Press. Weiss will oversee CBS’s editorial direction and launch new debate-style programming.

Her appointment, seen as a bold shift, has raised concerns internally given her background in opinion journalism and outsider status. Weiss says she aims to restore trust and balance in news reporting.

The move comes amid leadership turbulence and political scrutiny at CBS News, as Ellison seeks to reposition the network to appeal to a politically moderate audience.

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AppLovin Probed by SEC Over Its Data-Collection Practices, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 6, 2025

The US Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating AppLovin over allegations it violated platform partners’ agreements to deliver more targeted advertising. The probe follows a whistleblower complaint and short-seller reports accusing the firm of unauthorised user tracking.

AppLovin’s shares fell up to 19% on the news, despite its strong market performance this year driven by AI-fuelled ad growth.

The company denies wrongdoing, calling the reports inaccurate, and has hired lawyer Alex Spiro to conduct an independent review. The SEC has not accused AppLovin of misconduct, and it remains unclear how advanced the inquiry is.

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Apple Faces Probe in France Over Voice Recordings Made by Siri, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 6, 2025

French authorities have launched an investigation into Apple over its use of Siri voice recordings, referring the case to the Office for Combating Cybercrime. The probe follows a complaint from a human rights group citing privacy concerns.

The investigation focuses on Apple’s collection and retention of Siri audio data, some of which may be reviewed by subcontractors for up to two years.

Apple maintains that Siri recordings are only stored if users explicitly opt in and are used solely to improve the service. France continues to take a tough stance on major US tech firms over privacy and tax issues.

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American Express debuts ad network boasting contextual targeting prowess, reports Marketing Dive

General

Oct 6, 2025

American Express has launched Amex Ads, a digital ad network powered by first-party data from 34 million U.S. cardholders. The platform offers measurement tools and brand-safety features, with early adopters including Marriott and Tumi reporting strong returns.

The move follows Mastercard’s similar launch, reflecting the growing trend of commerce media, where firms monetise customer data through advertising.

Amex Ads builds on the company’s $15 billion offers business, starting with its travel site before expanding to other platforms. It enables precise targeting for both travel and non-travel brands, promising privacy, premium placements, and measurable sales impact.

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The NBA Is a Slam Dunk for NBCU: Ads Nearly Sold Out, Around 170 Partners, reports AdWeek

General

Oct 6, 2025

Sports Marketing

NBCUniversal has nearly sold out its NBA advertising inventory ahead of the league’s season tipoff, marking the start of its new 11-year deal. The company secured almost 170 partners, with over 20% new to NBCU and 10% new to the NBA.

More than 70% of advertisers are investing across NBCU platforms, and over 30% of NBA spend is digital. Linear investments exceeded expectations by 20%.

NBCU will air 100 regular-season games, up to 40 playoff games, and the All-Star Weekend annually, with major sponsors including American Express, McDonald’s, State Farm, Kia, and DraftKings.

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TikTok Averts Indonesia Shutdown After Sharing Streaming Data, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 6, 2025

TikTok has shared aggregate user data with Indonesia’s government to avoid a licence suspension in its largest Southeast Asian market, where it has over 100 million users. The data covered web-traffic patterns and suspected online gambling activity during August protests.

Officials said no individual tracking was possible, but rights groups warned of tightening digital control under President Prabowo Subianto.

The government lifted TikTok’s suspension after receiving the data, though the case highlights regulatory tensions. Indonesia remains vital to TikTok’s growth, especially for its e-commerce ambitions through TikTok Shop.

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Paramount+ Is Letting Advertisers Buy Show-Specific Streaming Ad Spots, reports AdExchanger

General

Oct 6, 2025

Paramount+ has introduced a new ad format called “streaming fixed units,” allowing brands to buy specific ad placements within individual episodes for seven days after release. During that period, every viewer sees the ad in the same position before reverting to dynamic targeting.

The format aims to recreate “event” moments in streaming, giving advertisers fixed visibility in popular series like Tulsa King and Landman.

Paramount plans to extend the format to Yellowstone spin-offs and select sports broadcasts in 2026, combining fixed units with programmatic ads for both collective reach and precise targeting.

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Google Argues a Forced Sale of Ad Exchange Is Too Risky, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 3, 2025

Google is defending itself in a Virginia court against a U.S. government proposal to force the sale of its advertising exchange, AdX, which the Justice Department says is part of an illegal monopoly. The company argues divestiture would be technologically complex, risky, and disruptive to the $15.9 billion ad market.

Google engineers testified that AdX is deeply integrated into its systems, making separation difficult. The company also cited security risks and potential harm to small publishers.

The government maintains the sale is feasible, referencing prior Google spin-offs and potential buyers such as Oracle, Adobe, and Salesforce.

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Microsoft is about to launch free Xbox Cloud Gaming with ads, reports The Verge

General

Oct 3, 2025

Gaming / Metaverse

Microsoft is preparing to launch an ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing users to stream select games for free without a Game Pass subscription. Internal testing includes two minutes of preroll ads, one-hour session limits, and up to five free hours per month.

The free tier will support PC, consoles, handhelds, and web access, with a public beta expected soon before full rollout.

The move follows Microsoft’s expansion of Cloud Gaming to more Game Pass tiers and a price rise for Ultimate subscribers, as part of its goal to make Xbox Cloud Gaming more affordable and accessible globally.

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OpenAI’s Sora Makes Disinformation Extremely Easy and Extremely Real, reports NYT

General

Oct 3, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI’s new app Sora can generate hyper-realistic videos from text prompts or user images, raising concerns over disinformation. In its first days, it created convincing fake clips of fraud, protests and crimes, none of which occurred. Experts warn such tools could erode trust in video evidence and fuel propaganda.

The app has safeguards, refusing to generate world leaders or graphic violence, but still produces sensitive scenarios, including robberies and war footage. Watermarks can also be removed.

Sora’s realism highlights risks of misuse, with academics warning it amplifies “liar’s dividend” effects, where genuine content may be dismissed as fake.

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Indonesia Suspends TikTok’s License Over Data-Sharing Dispute, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 3, 2025

Indonesia has suspended TikTok’s local operating licence after the company failed to fully comply with government requests for live streaming data during nationwide protests in late August.

Officials said TikTok only submitted partial data and later refused to provide the rest, citing internal policies. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs deemed this a violation of its obligations.

The suspension is temporary, though its duration is unclear. TikTok remains accessible in Indonesia, but live streaming was briefly paused during the unrest before being reinstated once tensions eased. The company has yet to comment on the decision.

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OpenAI Says Musk’s xAI Filed Secrets Suit to Bully Ex-Workers, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 3, 2025

OpenAI has asked a U.S. judge to dismiss Elon Musk’s xAI lawsuit, calling it a publicity stunt to mask the struggles of Musk’s own AI company. The filing argues OpenAI neither needs nor wants xAI’s trade secrets.

Musk’s firm sued in San Francisco last week, alleging OpenAI poached at least eight employees and stole intellectual property. The case adds to an escalating feud between Musk and OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman.

OpenAI claims the suit aims to intimidate staff who left xAI and discourage further departures, rather than address any legitimate legal or competitive issue.

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Paramount Nears a Deal to Buy Bari Weiss’s Free Press, reports NYT

M&A

Oct 2, 2025

News Publishing

Paramount is preparing to acquire digital publisher The Free Press for around $150 million, combining it with CBS News. The deal is expected to be announced Monday and would see co-founder Bari Weiss named editor in chief of CBS News.

Weiss, a former New York Times editor, will take a major role despite limited broadcast news experience. Her appointment signals a bold shift in editorial direction and could spark tensions within CBS’s global news operation.

The Free Press, founded in 2021, has built a large following with journalism and essays critical of traditional media and progressive politics.

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Musk Loses Bid to Move SEC Suit Over Twitter Stake to Texas, reports Bloomberg

M&A

Oct 2, 2025

A U.S. judge has denied Elon Musk’s attempt to move an SEC lawsuit to Texas, ruling it will remain in Washington despite his claims of inconvenience. The court noted Musk spends significant time outside Texas, including in Washington itself.

The SEC accuses Musk of failing to disclose on time his 2022 purchase of a major Twitter stake, which allegedly let him buy shares cheaply and cost investors over $150 million.

Musk’s lawyers had called the case a waste of resources and sought dismissal, but regulators insist the violation is clear and want a ruling in their favour without trial.

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Google, NBCUniversal reach agreement to prevent YouTube content blackout, reports Reuters

General

Oct 2, 2025

Google and NBCUniversal have finalised a long-term deal to keep NBC shows, including Sunday Night Football and America’s Got Talent, on YouTube TV. The agreement covers NBCUniversal’s full portfolio of networks such as NBC and CNBC.

The deal follows a short-term extension on 1 October that prevented a blackout while negotiations continued. NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service will also soon be offered as a subscription through YouTube Primetime Channels.

YouTube has become the largest share of TV viewing in the U.S., surpassing Netflix and traditional media companies like Disney, according to Nielsen data.

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Meta wants to bring its Business AI chat tools to third-party websites, reports CNBC

General

Oct 2, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Meta has launched Business AI, a digital assistant designed to help companies deliver personalised product recommendations and speed up purchases through chat interactions. It can be used across Facebook, Instagram, and Shopify-powered websites.

The assistant will be free within Meta ads but paid for external websites, with pricing promised to be lower than rivals. It will also roll out to WhatsApp and Messenger in Mexico and the Philippines this month, before expanding further.

Meta is partnering with Salesforce, Microsoft, ServiceNow and Zendesk to strengthen its business AI offering, while also introducing a separate Meta AI assistant for advertisers.

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Dutch court orders Meta to change Facebook and Instagram timeline settings, reports Reuters

General

Oct 2, 2025

A Dutch court has ordered Meta to provide Facebook and Instagram users with an easier way to choose timelines that do not rely on profiling. It ruled that Meta must offer a “direct and simple” opt-out and ensure choices remain in place.

Currently, the apps revert to profiled feeds when closed, which the court said constitutes a prohibited “dark pattern” under EU law and restricts freedom of information.

The decision comes ahead of Dutch elections on 29 October. Digital rights group Bits of Freedom, which brought the case, said the ruling ensures Meta must respect user preferences.

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Publicis names Deepti Velury as CEO of global production, reports AdWeek

General

Oct 2, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Publicis Groupe has named Deepti Velury as chief executive of global production, overseeing studios, AI platforms and hubs. She previously served as chief technology and transformation officer at Publicis’ Epsilon and will be based in London.

Velury succeeds Sergio Lopez Ferrero, who left in 2024 for Omnicom. Reporting to Arthur Sadoun, she will work closely with Carla Serrano and lead a team including Dan Montalbano and Colm Scanlon.

Her appointment reflects Publicis’ shift towards data-driven, AI-enabled production, using tools like Leona to deliver personalised, scalable and measurable content across channels while maintaining consistency and brand values.

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TikTok’s U.S. ownership shift raises creator concerns over algorithm changes, reports

General

Oct 2, 2025

Influencer Marketing

TikTok’s future in the U.S. is uncertain as a deal moves forward to transfer majority ownership to U.S. companies including Oracle, Andreessen Horowitz, Silver Lake and Fox Corp. Creators fear the algorithm, key to virality, could be altered under new regulation.

Concerns centre on potential censorship, reduced reach and unpredictable shifts in content visibility. Many depend on TikTok for income, making changes to its algorithm particularly unsettling for brand deals and creator earnings.

While some creators are preparing contingency plans on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, most continue on TikTok, hoping it survives despite looming political pressures.

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Discord puts proof behind its ad pitch with first measurement push, reports Digiday

General

Oct 2, 2025

Discord’s first ad measurement test of Quests, run with AppsFlyer and Second Dinner, delivered over 15 million impressions and a 30% drop in cost per install for Marvel Snap. Nearly all users who started a Quest completed it, showing strong engagement.

Advertisers welcomed the results, with Second Dinner planning further investment. Quests turn ads into experiences, rewarding users with in-game items or avatar decorations, making marketing feel more like play.

Discord is expanding third-party measurement through partners such as Kantar, AppsFlyer and Gamesight, while rolling out new formats like Arena Quests and mobile Video Quests to attract more brands.

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TikTok is talking to brands like it’s a grocer now, reports Digiday

General

Oct 2, 2025

TikTok Shop is becoming a key channel for food and beverage brands, attracting major players like Mars and Coca-Cola alongside smaller businesses. Brands use it to test new products, launch limited editions and engage with super-fans, with the food category more than doubling since early 2024.

TikTok positions itself as a discovery-commerce platform, blending content and sales. Success on the app can create wider awareness and retail opportunities, as seen with EZ Bombs and Skittles POP’d. Livestreams and creator collaborations further expand its commercial potential.

Executives say TikTok is disrupting traditional retail media, offering unique data-driven insights into emerging consumer trends.

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Google Hired Lazard for Potential Ad Exchange Sale in 2020, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 1, 2025

In 2020, Google hired Lazard to explore selling its ad exchange unit, later declared an illegal monopoly. Potential buyers included Oracle, Adobe, SAP, Salesforce, The Trade Desk and several private equity firms.

The exchange, AdX, controls around 56% of the market and links buyers and sellers in auctions. The U.S. government wants Google to divest AdX to improve transparency, though Google argues a sale would be too complex due to integration with its wider infrastructure.

Court testimony revealed Google has long considered divesting AdX, with proposals ranging from spinoffs to subscription services, though none were implemented.

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Microsoft Promotes Sales Chief Althoff to Help Free Up Nadella, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 1, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Microsoft has promoted sales chief Judson Althoff to lead its commercial business, expanding his remit to include marketing and operations. Chief Marketing Officer Takeshi Numoto will also join the new organisation under his leadership.

The restructuring is aimed at freeing CEO Satya Nadella and engineering heads to focus more on data centre expansion, artificial intelligence and product innovation.

Althoff, who joined Microsoft in 2013 after senior roles at Oracle and EMC, was previously chief commercial officer. He recently returned from an eight-week sabbatical and will now oversee a broader portfolio within the company.

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Apple Denies Harming Musk’s xAI by Teaming Up With OpenAI, reports Bloomberg

General

Oct 1, 2025

Apple has defended its decision to integrate OpenAI’s technology into the iPhone, rejecting claims by Elon Musk’s xAI and X Corp. that it harmed competition. In a Texas court filing, Apple argued the lawsuit seeking billions in damages rests on speculation.

Apple stressed it plans to work with multiple AI providers, not exclusively with OpenAI. It said antitrust law does not oblige it to partner with every chatbot, regardless of quality or feasibility.

Musk’s companies allege Apple’s preference for OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, suppressed innovation and reduced consumer choice in the generative AI market.

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Meta Will Begin Using AI Chatbot Conversations to Target Ads, reports WSJ

General

Oct 1, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Meta will begin using conversations with its AI chatbot to personalise ads and content from 16 December, marking a major shift in digital privacy. Chats may influence ads on Instagram and Facebook, though sensitive topics such as politics, health or religion will be excluded. The policy won’t initially apply in the U.K., South Korea or the EU.

The move reflects Mark Zuckerberg’s ambition to fund costly AI development through advertising. He has committed hundreds of billions of dollars to building “superintelligence” and AI infrastructure.

Competitors including OpenAI, Google and Elon Musk’s X are also exploring AI-driven ad models.

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NBCUniversal, YouTube TV ink short-term deal to avert programming blackout, reports Reuters

General

Oct 1, 2025

YouTube TV and NBCUniversal have agreed a short-term contract extension, preventing a blackout of NBC shows such as Sunday Night Football and America’s Got Talent while negotiations continue.

Talks had stalled over carriage fees and whether NBCU’s streaming service should be bundled with YouTube TV’s programming, which reaches 10 million subscribers. NBCU said it had offered YouTube the same terms given to other major distributors, including Amazon Prime Video Channels.

The standoff highlights shifting dynamics in U.S. television, with YouTube now the country’s largest TV viewing platform, surpassing Netflix and traditional media groups, according to Nielsen.

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The Trade Desk builds custom Ventura TVOS with DirecTV UX integrated, reports StreamTV

General

Oct 1, 2025

The Trade Desk’s Ventura has partnered with DirecTV to create a custom U.S. TV operating system integrating DirecTV’s user interface, MyFree FAST service, and ad platform. The system is aimed at OEMs, retailers, and hospitality partners, offering a turnkey solution with built-in programming and monetisation.

For DirecTV, the venture provides an opportunity to extend reach beyond subscribers and promote new pay TV packages directly from the interface. Ventura, meanwhile, advances its mission of improving transparency and revenue distribution in the connected TV ecosystem.

Rollout timelines depend on OEM partners, but discussions are already under way.

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Spotify expands access to its ad inventory with Amazon and Yahoo, reports Campaign

General

Oct 1, 2025

Audio Advertising

Spotify has expanded advertiser access to its ad inventory through new partnerships with Amazon and Yahoo. Brands using Amazon DSP can now buy Spotify’s audio and video inventory across nine key markets, while YahooDSP users gain direct access to the Spotify Ad Exchange. In Europe, enhanced addressability will come via ID5.

Spotify will also extend Ad Exchange access to publishers on Megaphone next year and expand advertiser reach through a partnership with Smartly. A new Split Testing tool will allow creative trials.

The updates aim to provide advertisers with greater flexibility, automated buying options, and improved campaign measurement.

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CTV’s reseller reckoning, moving past scale on paper, confusion in practice, reports Digiday

General

Oct 1, 2025

Advertisers are demanding more transparency in connected TV, questioning who owns inventory and why impressions appear across multiple buys. Many now want to cut out resellers, whose role often adds confusion, cost and sometimes fake inventory. OpenX’s move to eliminate resellers in 2023 is increasingly seen as forward-thinking.

Agencies such as Horizon Media and Dentsu are seeking direct ties with publishers via SSPs and ad servers. This shift offers clearer insight into where impressions originate, boosting accountability and efficiency.

Resellers are being recast as costly and opaque, with their survival dependent on proving genuine value to both buyers and publishers.

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Google Ads Performance Max gets asset and channel reporting, reports Search Engine Land

General

Sep 30, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Google Ads has introduced new reporting upgrades for Performance Max campaigns, giving advertisers clearer insight into asset and channel performance across Search, Display, YouTube, Maps and more.

The update includes bulk reporting, ROI columns, and enhanced diagnostics, helping brands identify underperforming elements, optimise budgets and better understand conversion drivers. Asset reporting can now be segmented by device, time, conversions and networks.

Channel reporting improvements add costs to visualisations, segmentation by conversion type and ad event, plus clearer diagnostics. Google says more enhancements are planned, aiming to make Performance Max more transparent and responsive to advertiser feedback.

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Disney sends cease and desist letter to Character.AI, reports Axios

General

Sep 30, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Disney has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Character.AI, demanding it stop using its copyrighted characters without authorisation. The company cited reputational risks, particularly after reports of harmful chatbot behaviour involving children.

The letter accused Character.AI of systematically exploiting Disney’s intellectual property, including Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel characters, in ways that could damage its brand. Disney warned of legal action if violations continue.

Character.AI confirmed it had removed the characters, stressing that user-generated content drives the platform but that it responds quickly to rightsholder requests. The case highlights Disney’s tougher stance against AI firms over copyright.

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FuboTV Shareholders Approve Disney Streaming Deal, reports WSJ

M&A

Sep 30, 2025

FuboTV shareholders have approved a merger with Disney’s Hulu + Live TV, giving Disney around a 70% stake while Fubo’s management team leads the combined venture.

The new entity would become the second-largest online pay-TV provider after YouTube TV, with both Hulu + Live TV and Fubo remaining available as separate services for consumers.

The deal follows Fubo’s 2024 lawsuit against Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery over their Venu joint venture, which was blocked by a judge. The combined company is projected to generate over $6 billion in revenue, pending regulatory approval.

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Google Offers More Ad Data to Publishers at DOJ Antitrust Trial, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 30, 2025

Google has offered to share more data with publishers after a U.S. court ruled it illegally monopolised ad technology. At a Virginia antitrust trial, Google’s engineering director Glenn Berntson said providing detailed insights into how its ad server chooses ads could help improve transparency.

The government wants Google forced to divest its ad exchange and disclose auction logic, but Berntson argued publishing source code would be too complex and risk harming publishers. Instead, he suggested offering technical documentation.

Publishers have long criticised Google’s opaque systems, describing its ad auctions as a “black box” where outcomes are difficult to understand.

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OpenAI Launches Video Generator App to Rival TikTok and YouTube, reports WSJ

General

Sep 30, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI has unveiled Sora 2, a social-media app for its AI video generator, designed to rival TikTok, YouTube and Meta. The app lets users create high-definition clips with audio from text prompts, upload short personal videos and insert themselves into AI-generated scenes.

The app mimics TikTok’s swipe-and-scroll format with algorithm-driven recommendations. It will launch first on Apple’s App Store in the U.S. and Canada on an invite-only basis, with safeguards including limits on infinite scrolling for under-18s.

Competition is intensifying as Google links Veo 3 to YouTube and Meta and TikTok expand AI video features. Copyright disputes remain a looming risk.

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IPG Wins Bayer’s $720M Global Consumer Health Account, reports AdWeek

General

Sep 30, 2025

Bayer has appointed Interpublic Group (IPG) as global creative, production, and media partner for its Consumer Health division, covering brands such as Aspirin, Claritin, and Alka-Seltzer. The integrated model consolidates Bayer’s agency roster and leverages AI to drive efficiency and effectiveness.

The account, worth an estimated $720 million in 2024 billings, will begin on 1 January. FCB led the pitch and will play a major creative role. IPG’s offering combined data, AI, and creativity to secure the win against rivals WPP and Omnicom.

The partnership comes as IPG prepares for its merger with Omnicom, approved by regulators and expected to close later in 2025.

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DoorDash rolls out creator program for short-form videos, adds AI features and dine-in rewards, reports TechCrunch

General

Sep 30, 2025

DoorDash has launched a creator programme, allowing users in 20 U.S. cities to apply to post short-form videos of local restaurant meals. Creators will be compensated if their content qualifies, though details of monetisation remain undisclosed. The scheme will expand to more cities by year-end.

The company also introduced “Going Out,” a feature offering in-store rewards at thousands of restaurants in the U.S. and Australia. Initially exclusive to DashPass members, it is temporarily available to all users. Reservations can also now be booked directly through the app via SevenRooms integration.

Additionally, DoorDash unveiled new AI tools, including personalised homepage recommendations, checkout cart suggestions, and smart menu tags such as vegetarian, gluten-free, or high-protein. These features are available in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with expanded shopping options beyond food.

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Barb’s first 7 weeks of YouTube channel data reveals over-indexing of child audiences, reports The Media Leader

General

Sep 30, 2025

Barb data shows YouTube’s UK TV reach was nearly 22m in late August, below BBC One, ITV1 and Netflix. Measurement of 200 channels revealed strong skew towards children, with Peppa Pig topping weekly rankings. MrBeast, despite global dominance, reached only about 300,000 weekly UK viewers on TV.

Children drive much of YouTube’s TV use, with under-16s accounting for a disproportionate share of viewing. Time spent on TV sets by young audiences has surged as tablet and smartphone viewing has declined.

Barb stressed the need for independent, transparent measurement, noting YouTube’s opaque metrics hinder meaningful advertising comparisons.

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Spotify Names Co-CEOs as Daniel Ek Transitions to Chairman, reports Bloomberg

General

Sep 30, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Spotify has appointed Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström as co-chief executives, effective 1 January, as co-founder Daniel Ek becomes executive chairman.

The pair, currently co-presidents, have been central to Spotify’s strategic and operational development. Söderström serves as chief product and technology officer, while Norström is chief business officer.

Ek, who co-founded Spotify in 2006, will remain involved in guiding the company. He said the platform, now with over 700 million users, has transformed listening worldwide. Spotify’s shares fell 5% in early New York trading following the leadership announcement.

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Australia media groups announce $274 million merger as they battle streaming giants, reports Reuters

General

Sep 30, 2025

Seven West Media will merge with Southern Cross Media in a A$417 million deal, combining television, radio and podcast assets to strengthen competition against global streaming giants.

Under the agreement, Seven West shareholders will receive 0.1552 Southern Cross shares each, with Southern Cross investors holding 50.1% of the merged company and Seven West 49.9%. The boards of both firms back the deal.

The merger, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, is expected to close in early 2026. Seven West CEO Jeff Howard will lead the new group, which forecasts A$25–30 million in annual cost savings within two years.

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OpenAI's first-half revenue rises 16% to about $4.3 billion, The Information reports, reports Reuters

General

Sep 30, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI generated $4.3 billion in revenue in the first half of 2025, already exceeding last year’s total by 16%, according to shareholder disclosures reported by The Information.

The company burned $2.5 billion during the period, largely due to $6.7 billion in research and development costs, including running ChatGPT. It held $17.5 billion in cash and securities at the end of June.

OpenAI is targeting $13 billion in revenue and $8.5 billion in cash burn for the year. It is also exploring a $500 billion valuation stock sale, while Nvidia pledged up to $100 billion investment and chip supply.

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Pinterest tests Top of Search ads to capture high-intent shoppers, reports Search Engine Land

General

Sep 29, 2025

Pinterest has launched Top of Search ads, placing brands within the first 10 search results and Related Pins, where nearly half of user clicks occur. With 96% of searches unbranded, the format aims to capture consumers at early discovery.

The ad units include brand-exclusive placements that showcase catalogues, giving advertisers prominent visibility over competitors. Pinterest positions the format as a high-value performance channel for winning new customers.

Early results show strong returns: average click-through rates rose 29%, ads were 32% more likely to attract new clickers, and Wayfair saw a 237% CTR lift within two weeks.

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YouTube to Pay $24.5 Million to Settle Lawsuit Brought by Trump, reports WSJ

General

Sep 29, 2025

YouTube will pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Trump over the suspension of his account after the 2021 Capitol riot, making it the last major tech firm to resolve such cases.

Trump will direct $22 million of the settlement to the Trust for the National Mall, funding a White House ballroom project, with $2.5 million going to other plaintiffs. Google declined to comment.

The deal is part of over $80 million in settlements Trump has secured from Big Tech and media firms since his re-election, amid continued scrutiny of Google’s advertising monopoly.

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OpenAI Lets Users Buy Stuff Directly Through ChatGPT, reports WSJ

General

Sep 29, 2025

OpenAI has launched Instant Checkout, allowing US ChatGPT users to purchase single items from Etsy sellers and select Shopify merchants without leaving the chatbot. Payments are processed via Stripe, with merchants paying a small transaction fee.

The company also introduced an open-source Agentic Commerce Protocol, enabling retailers to make products directly shoppable within ChatGPT. While Amazon and Walmart have not adopted the system, OpenAI hopes it will attract more merchants.

With 700 million weekly users, ChatGPT is becoming a major platform for commerce, intensifying competition with Google and Amazon as shopping shifts towards AI-driven assistants.

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OpenAI Is Preparing to Launch a Social App for AI-Generated Videos, reports Wired

General

Sep 29, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI is preparing to launch a stand-alone app for its video model Sora 2, featuring a TikTok-style vertical feed of AI-generated clips up to 10 seconds long. Users can like, comment, remix, and even generate videos using their verified likeness.

The app, tested internally with positive feedback, is seen as a chance to redefine how people engage with AI video, especially amid uncertainty over TikTok’s US future. It will compete with new offerings from Meta and Google, though OpenAI’s strict safeguards often block copyrighted or unsafe content.

The launch comes as OpenAI faces lawsuits, copyright concerns, and child safety scrutiny.

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Horizon Media and Havas form joint venture to collaborate on big pitches, reports AdAge

General

Sep 29, 2025

Horizon Media and Havas are launching Horizon Global, a joint venture aimed at winning major international media reviews and offering an alternative to the biggest holding companies. The venture will be based in New York, with profits split evenly between the partners.

The move comes as Omnicom prepares to acquire IPG, reducing choice for global advertisers. Horizon Global will combine Horizon’s Blu platform with Havas’ Converged.AI, creating BluConverged, and focus on servicing US firms with international reach.

Executives say the partnership provides more options for marketers, though scale challenges remain against larger rivals like WPP and Publicis.

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Comcast Names President as Co-CEO to Serve With Brian Roberts, reports WSJ

General

Sep 29, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Comcast has appointed Michael Cavanagh as co-chief executive alongside longtime CEO and chairman Brian Roberts. Cavanagh, currently president, joined in 2015 after senior roles at JPMorgan Chase, including co-CEO of its Corporate & Investment Bank and CFO.

The leadership shift comes as Comcast faces major challenges, including the $7 billion spinoff of NBCUniversal’s cable networks, expected to complete this year. Bravo and the NBC broadcast network will remain with Comcast.

The move reflects succession planning and recognition of Cavanagh’s contributions. He becomes the first non-Roberts family member to serve as president and will join Comcast’s board of directors.

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Indonesian anti-monopoly agency fines TikTok for late reporting of Tokopedia deal, reports Reuters

M&A

Sep 29, 2025

TikTok has been fined 15 billion rupiah ($900,000) by Indonesia’s anti-monopoly agency for late reporting of its Tokopedia acquisition. The deal, completed in January 2024, saw TikTok acquire a 75.01% stake for $840 million.

A TikTok spokesperson said the company respects the decision and remains committed to fair competition in Indonesia’s market.

The agency, KPPU, has authority to investigate competition law breaches and impose fines or administrative sanctions. The penalty underscores Indonesia’s scrutiny of major tech deals as it seeks to ensure transparency and accountability in its rapidly growing digital economy.

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Musk's X deeply concerned by Indian court order over content takedown, plans appeal, reports Reuters

General

Sep 29, 2025

X has said it is “deeply concerned” after an Indian court rejected its challenge to the government’s new content removal system. The platform, owned by Elon Musk, confirmed it will appeal the decision.

The ruling strengthens New Delhi’s powers to order takedowns, which X has argued amount to censorship and a threat to free expression in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government defends the mechanism as a necessary tool to curb unlawful content and boost accountability online, but tensions with X highlight ongoing disputes over free speech and state control on digital platforms in the country.

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TikTok Announces New Ad Solution for Travel Industry, reports AdWeek

General

Sep 29, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

TikTok has launched Travel Ads powered by Smart+, designed to help brands promote hotels, flights, and destinations through personalised, catalogue-integrated creatives. The tool aims to guide users from discovery to booking with AI-driven automation.

Travel Ads use optimisation models to identify high-intent audiences and match them with tailored offers. Advertisers can combine TikTok’s intent data with their own catalogues to scale campaigns across the customer journey.

Three creative formats are offered: single video with shoppable travel cards, catalogue video ads, and interactive carousel ads. TikTok reports 66% of users find it their most helpful source of travel inspiration.

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Cloudflare updates robots.txt for the AI era - but publishers still want more bite against bots, reports Digiday

General

Sep 29, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Cloudflare has updated robots.txt with a new Content Signals Policy, allowing publishers to specify how AI crawlers use their content. It distinguishes between search, AI training, and crawling, offering publishers greater control and transparency over content use and potential monetisation.

Publishers have welcomed the move as overdue, though concerns remain over enforceability. Without guaranteed compliance, major platforms like Google may still extract value through AI Overviews, blurring the line between search and AI use.

Industry figures see the update as progress and a potential legal precedent, but emphasise it is only a first step towards real accountability.

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