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Google targeted by EU over online ad price practices unfair to advertisers, reports Reuters

General

Feb 12, 2026

Google faces potential new EU antitrust scrutiny over concerns it may be unfairly inflating online advertising prices. In a letter to advertisers, the European Commission highlighted worries about Google Search ad auctions, particularly whether clearing prices are being artificially increased to advertisers’ detriment.

The Commission has not launched a formal investigation but is seeking feedback by March 2. Google said its real-time auctions prioritise relevance, competition and ad quality, helping businesses compete and keeping the web accessible.

The move adds to existing EU probes and echoes US Justice Department claims that Google manipulated auction systems to boost revenues.

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Expert Opinions

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Amazon launches agentic Creative Agent tool in UK, reports The Media Leader

General

Feb 12, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Amazon has launched its AI-powered Creative Agent in the UK, France, Germany and Spain, offering advertisers a free conversational tool to research audiences, develop ideas and produce video and display ads for Amazon properties including Prime Video and Twitch. It builds on Amazon’s earlier AI Video Generator and uses retail data to create campaigns quickly.

Creative assets can only be used within Amazon’s platforms. The tool aims to lower costs and widen access to high-quality creative, appealing to both SMEs and major brands.

Amazon declined to disclose the tool’s energy usage, citing broader sustainability commitments, and said monetisation is not currently planned.

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Apple faces new tensions with Trump administration, reports FT

General

Feb 12, 2026

News Publishing

The Federal Trade Commission has warned Apple not to suppress conservative content on its Apple News platform, amid rising tensions with the Trump administration. FTC chair Andrew Ferguson cited a report alleging bias towards “leftist outlets” and urged Apple to review its terms of service to ensure compliance with consumer protection laws.

FCC chair Brendan Carr backed the move, while President Trump amplified criticism of Apple and its chief executive Tim Cook. Apple has not commented.

The dispute follows broader clashes between Trump and Big Tech, alongside political controversy surrounding Apple’s recent public appearances and sponsorships.

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Retargeting Has Found Its Way to the Chatbots, reports AdWeek

General

Feb 12, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

As answer engine advertising emerges, familiar digital tactics are reappearing in chatbot form. GEO firm Evertune has expanded Partner Connect to enable retargeting of users after they leave AI chat sessions, in partnership with The Trade Desk and Index Exchange. Brands can serve ads on websites users visit post-chat, targeting high-intent audiences.

Currently, targeting is contextual, based on probabilistic analysis of cited pages. A forthcoming update will allow query-based retargeting using referral data.

The development signals that advertising in AI environments may resemble existing digital models rather than reinvent them.

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OpenAI details how ads will work in ChatGPT, reports Search Engine Land

General

Feb 11, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI’s Assad Awan says ads in ChatGPT will appear only to Free and Go users, while Plus, Pro and Enterprise tiers remain ad-free. Ads will be clearly separated from responses, with no sharing of conversations, no ads in sensitive topics and user controls over personalisation.

Awan stressed that user trust takes priority over advertiser value and revenue. The model cannot see or reference ads unless users ask about them.

OpenAI envisions AI helping small businesses run campaigns through simple prompts. Early tests will prioritise relevance and usefulness as the company refines formats and placements.

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Omnicom consolidates PR agencies following IPG merger, reports Axios

General

Feb 11, 2026

Agency Management

Omnicom has merged Porter Novelli into FleishmanHillard and combined Ketchum with Golin following its tie-up with IPG, signalling further consolidation in the agency sector. The move mirrors rivals such as WPP and reflects mounting economic pressure, evolving client demands and disruption from AI.

FleishmanHillard and the new Golin-Ketchum entity will operate under new leadership, while Weber Shandwick, MMC and Omnicom’s public affairs firms remain unchanged. No broad staffing cuts were announced, though job losses may follow.

The restructuring must reassure investors that the merger will drive profits. Omnicom has delayed its upcoming earnings call.

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Elon Musk Restructures xAI’s Divisions After Co-Founders Depart, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 11, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Elon Musk has reorganised xAI after the departure of two co-founders, Jimmy Ba and Tony Wu, along with other staff. In an all-hands meeting posted on X, Musk said the company would now focus on four core areas: Grok’s chatbot and voice, coding, the Imagine video product and Macrohard, which aims to create digital agents to run companies.

Musk stressed speed and acceleration as key to leadership and thanked departing employees. Since its 2023 launch, six of xAI’s original co-founders have left.

The changes follow xAI’s merger with SpaceX, valuing the combined group at $1.25 trillion and potentially easing funding pressures.

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Activist Investor Pushes Warner to Walk Away From Netflix Deal, reports WSJ

M&A

Feb 11, 2026

Activist investor Ancora Holdings has built a roughly $200 million stake in Warner Bros. Discovery and is opposing its $72 billion deal to sell its studios and HBO Max to Netflix. Ancora argues Warner failed to properly engage with Paramount Skydance’s rival $30-a-share all-cash bid for the entire company.

Ancora has warned it may launch a proxy fight if the board does not negotiate with Paramount, which recently sweetened its hostile offer with a ticking fee and agreement to cover Netflix’s termination fee. A shareholder vote is expected next month.

Warner backs the Netflix deal as offering greater certainty and cleaner regulatory approval.

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Instagram Boss to Defend Platform Its Researcher Called a Drug, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 11, 2026

Responsible Media

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri is set to testify in a landmark Los Angeles trial in which a 20-year-old woman blames Instagram and YouTube for years of mental health struggles. The case is seen as a test for thousands of similar lawsuits seeking billions in damages.

Plaintiff lawyers plan to question Mosseri over internal messages describing Instagram as “a drug” and raising concerns about its impact on teens’ brains and dopamine responses. The woman’s lawyer says she felt trapped, sometimes scrolling for over 16 hours a day.

Mosseri has defended Instagram as supportive for teens and highlighted recent safety measures, including restricted teen accounts. Meta and Google deny wrongdoing.

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Google Pushes AI Shopping Features in Search and Gemini Chatbot, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 11, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Google is introducing new ways for consumers to shop directly within its AI-powered Search and Gemini chatbot, aiming to monetise AI usage. New ad formats in AI Mode will allow retailers to sell products, while features such as Direct Offers enable brands to promote discounts.

Users can now purchase items from retailers including Etsy and Wayfair within Gemini. Google is also integrating AI agents into shopping, partnering with Shopify, Target and Walmart to streamline checkout.

The move follows similar efforts by OpenAI, but has drawn scrutiny from US lawmakers over privacy and potential consumer harm.

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Criteo Earnings For CY 2025 Show +0.6% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +30.2% YoY

+ 1% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 11, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

AdExchanger reports:

Criteo’s shares fell after it reported lower Q4 2025 revenue, a reduced take rate and net profit of $46 million, down from $72 million. A $75 million forecast shortfall, largely from Uber Eats and Target’s Roundel cutting spend, has weighed on outlook, despite claims the core business is growing modestly.

The company is pursuing AI initiatives, including LLM-powered product recommendations, though monetisation remains unclear and is not yet reflected in forecasts.

Criteo is also expanding into CTV and social, but these channels carry lower take rates, pressuring profitability in the near term.

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TikTok is tracking you, even if you don't use the app, reports BBC

General

Feb 10, 2026

TikTok is expanding its data collection through updates to its tracking “pixel”, which gathers information about users’ activity across other websites, even if they do not use the app. Investigations found sensitive data, including health-related details, being shared with TikTok via embedded trackers.

The changes follow the sale of TikTok’s US operations and include a new advertising network enabling tracking beyond the app. Privacy experts say the updated pixel is unusually invasive, though TikTok argues websites control what data is shared and users have privacy options.

Experts recommend using privacy-focused browsers or tracker-blocking extensions, while calling for stronger regulation.

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Google expands tools to let users remove sensitive data about themselves from Search, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 10, 2026

Responsible Media

To mark Safer Internet Day, Google has expanded its “Results about you” tool to allow users to request removal of Search results containing sensitive data such as passport, driver’s licence and Social Security numbers. The tool monitors results and alerts users if their information appears, though removal from Search does not erase content from the wider web.

Google has also simplified the process for removing non-consensual explicit images. Users can now report multiple images at once and track requests in one place.

An additional safeguard lets users opt in to proactive filtering of similar explicit results.

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Instagram, YouTube Called Addiction Machines at Landmark Trial, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 10, 2026

Responsible Media

A 20-year-old woman identified as Kaley briefly appeared before a Los Angeles jury in a landmark trial against Meta and Google, alleging Instagram and YouTube were designed to addict children. Her lawyer argued the platforms exploited brain science to hook young users, likening them to “slot machines”.

Meta’s defence said Kaley’s psychological distress stemmed from family issues and bullying, not social media, and noted she still uses the apps. Google also denies wrongdoing.

The case is a test for thousands of similar lawsuits and could lead to major financial settlements and changes to youth social media use.

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Meta Ran Thousands of TV Ads Ahead of Teen Addiction Trial, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 10, 2026

Responsible Media

Meta has aired thousands of television adverts promoting its teen safety features ahead of a landmark Los Angeles trial over claims it designed products to addict children. The commercials, highlighting Instagram’s teen accounts, have run more than 3,500 times since November across major US networks.

The campaign resumed this week as the trial began, with Meta and YouTube accused of exploiting behavioural science to keep young users scrolling. Meta says teen accounts reduce harmful content and unwanted contact.

Critics argue the advertising is an attempt to influence public opinion and potential jurors before proceedings that could shape thousands of similar lawsuits.

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Google secures EU antitrust approval for $32 billion Wiz acquisition, reports Reuters

M&A

Feb 10, 2026

Alphabet’s Google has secured unconditional EU antitrust approval for its $32 billion acquisition of cybersecurity firm Wiz, marking its largest deal to date.

The European Commission said the transaction would not raise competition concerns, noting that Google remains behind Amazon and Microsoft in cloud infrastructure and that customers will retain credible alternatives.

Regulators also concluded that any data obtained through the deal would not be commercially sensitive or restrict other security providers, despite heightened scrutiny of major tech acquisitions in recent years.

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Paramount sweetens WBD bid, but stops short of raising its per-share value, reports CNBC

M&A

Feb 10, 2026

Paramount Skydance has sweetened its hostile $30-per-share all-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery by adding a “ticking fee” to compensate shareholders for regulatory delays.

The fee would pay 25 cents per share per quarter after the end of 2026, while Paramount also offered to cover a $2.8bn Netflix termination fee and remove $1.5bn of refinancing costs.

Paramount says the revised, fully financed offer provides greater certainty than Netflix’s rival bid, and will continue to press shareholders if WBD’s board refuses to engage.

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Publishers are turning to AI-powered mathmen, reports Digiday

General

Feb 10, 2026

News Publishing

Advertisers have long avoided news content over brand safety fears, often relying on blunt blocklists that divert spend to walled gardens. Publishers and ad tech challengers now argue news has been over-blocked, inflating prices elsewhere and limiting reach, and are promoting context-aware measurement to unlock misclassified inventory.

Initiatives such as the IAB’s Project Eidos aim to modernise measurement, with growing calls to assess news on ROI rather than last-click attribution, which disadvantages traditional publishers.

However, agency risk-aversion, rebate dynamics and rising competition from platforms such as ChatGPT ads mean reallocating budgets will remain challenging.

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Spotify Earnings For CY 2025 Show +9.7% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +94.4% YoY

+ 10% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 10, 2026

Audio Advertising

WSJ reports:

Spotify grew monthly active users 11% year on year to 751 million in the fourth quarter, while premium subscribers rose 10% to 290 million, both ahead of guidance. Net income reached €1.17 billion, up sharply from a year earlier, with full-year profit rising 86% to €2.2 billion on revenue of €17.19 billion.

Growth was supported by global audiobook expansion and features such as following music venues. More than 300 million users engaged with Spotify Wrapped.

For the current quarter, Spotify expects further user and subscriber growth, revenue of €4.5 billion and a 32.8% gross margin.

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WhatsApp wins right to challenge €225mn EU privacy fine, reports FT

General

Feb 10, 2026

WhatsApp has won the right to challenge a €225 million fine imposed by Ireland’s data regulator, after Europe’s top court overturned an earlier ruling.

The penalty, issued in 2021, related to failures to clearly explain how user data was shared with Facebook, following a GDPR investigation launched in 2018.

The European Court of Justice has sent the case back to a lower court to rule on the substance of the claims. The decision is part of wider legal pushback by US tech firms against EU digital regulation.

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Australia Ramps Up Roblox Pressure Over Child-Grooming Reports, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 10, 2026

Responsible Media

Australia’s government has summoned Roblox executives to explain allegations that very young children have been sexually groomed on the gaming platform.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said the company must account for the claims, and asked the eSafety Commissioner to explore further regulatory options. Roblox says it has strong safeguards and is continually improving protections.

The move could lead to tighter controls, as Australia intensifies scrutiny of online safety for children. Regulators will test Roblox’s compliance with its safety commitments, with potential penalties of up to A$49.5 million.

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Expert Opinions

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Social Media Giants Lose Last Bid to Avoid Trials With Schools, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 10, 2026

Responsible Media

Major social media companies, including Meta, Google, TikTok and Snap, have failed to block lawsuits from US school districts alleging harm to students’ mental health and disruption to education.

A federal judge rejected efforts to dismiss claims similar to those brought by more than 1,000 districts, and plans to hold the first jury trial later this year.

Judges said districts plausibly linked features such as Snapchat streaks and Instagram filters to specific harms. Claims could total nearly $500bn, while related personal injury cases are also reaching trial.

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Apple, Google Offer App Store Changes to Allay CMA’s Concerns, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 10, 2026

Apple and Google have agreed to changes to their app stores to improve fairness for developers and consumers, following discussions with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority.

The voluntary commitments cover data collection, app ranking and interoperability, and aim to give developers fairer terms and enable greater competition, including with Apple’s digital wallet.

The assurances mark the first under the UK’s new digital markets regime. Designated as holding strategic market status, both firms will implement the changes from April, as the CMA continues monitoring competition in mobile ecosystems.

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Google hit by European publishers' complaint to EU over its AI Overviews, reports Reuters

General

Feb 10, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

The European Publishers Council has filed an EU antitrust complaint against Google over its AI-generated search summaries, known as AI Overviews.

Publishers argue Google is using its dominance in search to take journalistic content without consent or fair compensation, undermining the economic model of the open web. The EPC said publishers lack realistic ways to protect their content.

The complaint could reinforce an ongoing European Commission investigation into whether Google is abusing its market power by imposing unfair conditions on publishers.

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India Cracks Down on AI-Generated Content on Social Media, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 10, 2026

Responsible Media

India has tightened social media rules, focusing on AI-generated and manipulated content, according to amendments published by the government.

Platforms must comply with official takedown orders within three hours, clearly label AI content, and prevent users from posting unlawful material. Firms enabling synthetic content must also ensure compliance with Indian law and regularly warn users about penalties.

The changes follow complaints over sexualised AI images, including of minors, and form part of a broader push by the Modi government to exert greater control over online platforms.

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S4 Capital builds subscription model for the AI age, reports Digiday

General

Feb 10, 2026

Agency Management

Agencies are adopting subscription-style models as AI reshapes how marketing work is produced and priced. At S4 Capital’s Monks, subscriptions bundle senior talent, AI workflows and knowledge for a recurring fee, replacing hourly billing.

The model allows output to increase as AI improves, without renegotiating contracts, while absorbing setup and compute costs that clients prefer not to see as pass-throughs.

Subscriptions remain a transition from billable hours, reflecting systems rather than time. Success depends on managing volatile AI costs, client acceptance and gradually unwinding legacy contracts.

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YouTube’s upmarket TV push still runs on mid-funnel DNA, reports Digiday

General

Feb 10, 2026

YouTube is pushing harder for TV budgets while protecting its performance credentials, with Google sales teams increasingly pitching it as a mid-funnel rival to Meta rather than a pure brand channel.

The strategy leans on YouTube Shorts, Demand Gen campaigns and new measurement tools that better credit view-through conversions, helping justify spend across the funnel.

As AI pressures search economics, YouTube is positioned as a key growth engine. Advertisers are increasing budgets, and its role in DV360 deals is growing, though many still favour Google Ads for cost and measurement efficiency.

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Publicis forms new Influential Sports squad to hone its skills in the white-hot sports media arena, reports Digiday

General

Feb 10, 2026

Sports Marketing

Publicis Groupe has launched Influential Sports, a new unit combining creator and influencer marketing with sports data to help brands connect more deeply with fans.

The initiative builds on Publicis’ Influential acquisition and Epsilon data, targeting athletes, NIL talent and sports creators to uncover audiences beyond traditional demographics and drive measurable outcomes.

The move reflects surging interest in sports marketing, especially among younger audiences, with agencies using data and influencers to tap into one of the last mass cultural moments for consumers.

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WPP to overhaul creative agency structure in strategic rethink, reports FT

General

Feb 9, 2026

Agency Management

WPP is preparing to place its main creative agencies, including Ogilvy, VML and AKQA, under a new holding structure called WPP Creative, as part of plans to simplify its operations. The agencies will retain their brands but sit within a more integrated framework alongside media and production divisions.

The overhaul, expected to be announced later this month, comes as new chief executive Cindy Rose faces pressure after sharp share price declines and mounting concerns over AI-driven disruption.

WPP also plans increased investment in AI, focusing on its WPP Open platform, while discussions over potential disposals remain tentative.

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X debuts real-time Super Bowl ad conversation tracking, reports Axios

General

Feb 9, 2026

Sports Marketing

X tracked Super Bowl ad conversations in real time for the first time, using the event to showcase its relevance to advertisers after ad revenues fell following Elon Musk’s takeover.

Its AI tool BrandRanx analysed millions of posts to rank ads by buzz, sentiment and virality, while filtering out bot activity. Apple Music topped conversation levels, followed by Pokémon and Dunkin’.

Budweiser, Pokémon and Apple Music saw the most positive sentiment, while Kraft Mac & Cheese ranked as the biggest disrupter despite no TV spot. Several AI firms also used the Super Bowl to promote their technologies.

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Sam Altman touts ChatGPT’s reaccelerating growth to employees as OpenAI closes in on $100 billion funding, reports CNBC

General

Feb 9, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI says growth is accelerating despite rising competition from Anthropic and Google. CEO Sam Altman told staff that ChatGPT is again growing by more than 10% a month and that a new chat model is imminent.

Altman also highlighted rapid uptake of Codex, OpenAI’s coding tool, which grew about 50% in a week following the launch of a new model and app, as the company battles Anthropic’s Claude Code.

At the same time, OpenAI is preparing to test ads in ChatGPT and pitching strong consumer and enterprise momentum to investors ahead of a potential $100bn funding round.

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Alphabet lines up 100-year sterling bond sale, reports FT

General

Feb 9, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Alphabet is planning a rare 100-year bond as part of its first sterling bond sale, alongside new dollar and Swiss franc issues, to help fund heavy investment in artificial intelligence.

The move reflects a wider borrowing spree by Big Tech as companies face soaring costs for data centres and AI infrastructure, with long-dated bonds increasingly used to support spending.

Despite strong profits, Alphabet expects capital expenditure to reach $185bn this year, pushing up debt levels, though it retains substantial cash reserves as it expands its AI ambitions.

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EU threatens Meta with interim measure for blocking AI rivals from WhatsApp, reports Reuters

General

Feb 9, 2026

EU competition regulators have charged Meta with breaching antitrust rules by restricting access to AI rivals on WhatsApp.

The European Commission said Meta’s January policy allowing only its own Meta AI on the messaging service may harm competition, and it has issued a formal statement of objections.

Regulators warned they may impose interim measures to prevent serious and irreversible damage to the market, with any decision depending on Meta’s response and defence.

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Expert Opinions

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ChatGPT starts serving ads, drawing early interest from major agencies, reports AdAge

General

Feb 9, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

ChatGPT has begun showing ads within its chat interface, with major agency groups including Omnicom, Dentsu and WPP already bringing dozens of brands into the pilot.

Ads appear in the free and Go tiers, triggered by relevant queries and clearly marked as sponsored, with formats ranging from placements below answers to direct brand chats. Early pricing is high, at around $60 CPM.

OpenAI says ads will not influence responses and are essential to keeping access broad, as brands seek visibility where consumers increasingly turn for advice.

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Expert Opinions

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YouTube TV introduces cheaper bundles, including a $65 per month sports package, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 9, 2026

YouTube has launched lower-priced YouTube TV plans, allowing subscribers to tailor packages around sports, news, entertainment and family content. More than 10 options will roll out, all cheaper than the $82.99 main plan, which remains available.

New bundles include Sports, Sports and News, Entertainment, and mixed family options, offering savings of up to $28 a month. Core features such as unlimited DVR and multiview remain.

The move responds to rising streaming costs and weaker consumer confidence, aiming to restore flexibility once promised by streaming alternatives to cable.

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Expert Opinions

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FTC Probe Expands to IAS Over Alleged Ad Boycotts, Lawsuit Reveals, reports AdWeek

General

Feb 7, 2026

Integral Ad Science is among 16 media credibility groups under investigation by the US Federal Trade Commission over alleged collusion to boycott right-wing media, according to court filings.

The detail emerged in amendments to a lawsuit by the Global Disinformation Index, which claims the FTC’s demands are retaliatory and breach free speech rights. The probe involves broad requests for documents via civil investigative demands.

GDI says IAS ended their partnership amid scrutiny, harming its business. IAS confirmed it dropped GDI input from a brand safety product, while declining further comment on the investigation.

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EU warns TikTok over addictive feeds and risks to children, reports FT

General

Feb 6, 2026

Responsible Media

The European Commission has warned TikTok that its infinite scrolling design may breach the EU’s Digital Services Act by failing to address risks linked to addiction and harm to users’ mental and physical wellbeing.

Regulators say TikTok’s reward-based feed encourages compulsive use, particularly among children and vulnerable groups. If confirmed, the findings could lead to fines of up to 6% of global turnover.

TikTok rejects the claims and plans to challenge them. The action comes amid wider European scrutiny of the platform and growing moves by countries to restrict social media use by minors.

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Expert Opinions

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Justice Department Casts Wide Net on Netflix’s Business Practices in Merger Probe, reports WSJ

M&A

Feb 6, 2026

The US Justice Department is investigating whether Netflix has used anticompetitive tactics as part of its review of Netflix’s proposed $72bn acquisition of Warner Discovery’s studios and HBO Max.

A civil subpoena shows regulators are examining whether the deal could entrench Netflix’s market power or reduce competition, including impacts on rivals, creative talent and future consolidation. Paramount has made a competing bid, which is also under review.

Netflix says the probe is a standard merger review and denies monopolistic behaviour. Regulators in Europe and the UK are also expected to scrutinise the deal.

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Expert Opinions

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Germany's CDU weighs social media ban for under-16s, reports Reuters

General

Feb 6, 2026

Advertising To Children

Germany’s conservative party is considering a ban on social media for under-16s, citing concerns about hate, disinformation and children’s ability to navigate fast-changing platforms.

Supporters within the CDU favour following Australia’s example, with proposals for mandatory age verification and restrictions on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

However, coalition partners in the centre-left SPD oppose a blanket ban, arguing platforms should strengthen safeguards instead. A government-appointed commission is examining online harms to children, with tougher measures possible if voluntary steps fail.

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NFL plans to have discussions with partners outside of core media for live games, media chief says, reports CNBC

General

Feb 6, 2026

Sports Marketing

The NFL plans to hold discussions with non-traditional media companies about selling rights to a live game, reflecting growing interest from digital platforms.

The league has already tested this model, selling a week one game to YouTube for about $100m, and sees streaming services as increasingly able to match broadcast-scale audiences.

Separately, the NFL is expected to begin early talks with existing media partners about renewing its wider rights deals and may also sell a new package of international games as it expands overseas fixtures next season.

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WPP Media beefs up its sports insights prowess with new partnership with Genius Sports, reports Digiday

General

Feb 6, 2026

Sports Marketing

WPP Media has partnered with Genius Sports to integrate first-party league, team and transactional data into its planning systems, including Open Intelligence.

The deal creates a proprietary Brand Sports Momentum Score, combining Genius Sports’ FanGraph data with WPP insights to track fan acquisition, retention and spending, and uncover valuable audiences beyond major sports tentpoles.

The partnership aims to help clients build year-round, outcome-focused sports strategies using first-party data, giving WPP a competitive edge in a fast-growing sports advertising market.

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Expert Opinions

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Programmatic is drawing more brands to this year’s Winter Olympics, reports Digiday

General

Feb 6, 2026

Sports Marketing

All-Clad will advertise alongside Peacock’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking its first live sports campaign after more than 50 years in business.

Programmatic buying has opened Olympic inventory to smaller brands, with Peacock CPMs ranging from about $40 to $75. This has lowered barriers previously reserved for major advertisers and expanded access via multiple DSPs.

Brands such as Arc’teryx are also joining, drawn by strong US viewership. Advertisers see live sports on streaming as a new growth opportunity for building awareness in a challenging economy.

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Ebiquity hires MediaLink executive for newly created role, reports AdAge

General

Feb 6, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Ebiquity has appointed David Muldoon as global managing director of marketing transformation, a new role focused on agency selection, operating models and the impact of AI.

The hire comes as marketers prepare for a surge in integrated reviews, driven by efforts to simplify agency relationships and decide what capabilities to keep in-house or outsource. Agency groups are also reshaping themselves, prompting brands to reassess existing arrangements.

Muldoon will work with clients earlier in the process to define strategy and structure before pitches begin. He joins from MediaLink, where he advised brands including Unilever and Diageo.

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Meta admits revenue from fraud and scam ads might have accounted for 3-4% of total revenue, reports The Media Leader

General

Feb 5, 2026

Responsible Media

Meta disputed claims that it earned 10% of revenue from scam ads, saying the figure overstated the problem by including suspicious and copied legitimate ads.

The company said genuine scam advertising may have accounted for 3–4% of revenue in 2024, still billions of dollars, but expects this to fall as verification expands.

Meta said most ad revenue now comes from verified advertisers and defended its fraud controls, while industry figures debated whether existing standards, such as the IAB Gold Standard, go far enough to tackle scams.

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OpenAI Unveils Frontier, a Product for Building AI Co-Workers, reports WSJ

General

Feb 5, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI has launched Frontier, a new platform designed to help businesses build, deploy and manage AI agents that can act as “AI co-workers” alongside humans and rival agents.

The platform integrates multiple data sources and tools, enabling agents to complete tasks such as handling files, running code and working with business software like Salesforce and Slack.

OpenAI says Frontier will support, not replace, existing software, allowing other companies to distribute their own agents. The launch comes amid heightened competition in enterprise AI and ahead of OpenAI’s expected IPO preparations.

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Reddit Earnings For CY 2025 Show +69.4% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +209.4% YoY

+ 69% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 5, 2026

Bloomberg reports:

Reddit forecast first-quarter revenue of $595m to $605m, beating market expectations and signalling continued strength in its advertising business.

Fourth-quarter sales rose 70% year on year to $726m, exceeding forecasts, with international markets growing faster than the US. Shares jumped after hours.

Buoyed by rapid ad-led growth, Reddit announced its first $1bn share buyback since its 2024 IPO and said it will keep investing in advertising technology, machine learning and potential acquisitions to support expansion.

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Meta tests a stand-alone app for its AI-generated Vibes videos, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 5, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Meta is testing a standalone version of Vibes, an app for creating and sharing short-form AI-generated videos, previously housed within the Meta AI app.

The move positions Vibes as a direct rival to OpenAI’s Sora, offering a dedicated feed where all content is AI-generated, with tools to create, remix and share videos across Meta platforms.

Meta says early traction has been strong and plans to test freemium subscriptions, allowing users to unlock additional AI video creation features, as it explores paid options for AI products.

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News Corp. Earnings For CY 2025 Show +2.4% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +141.7% YoY

+ 2% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 5, 2026

News Publishing

WSJ reports:

News Corp reported a 5.5% rise in second-quarter revenue to $2.36bn, driven by growth at Dow Jones, HarperCollins and digital real estate, beating expectations.

Adjusted earnings topped forecasts despite a fall in net income due to prior asset sale gains. Dow Jones saw higher advertising and subscription growth, HarperCollins benefited from strong titles, and digital property services delivered solid gains.

Chief executive Robert Thomson signalled confidence for the second half, citing strong content assets, cautious AI litigation strategy and modestly higher capital spending ahead.

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LiveRamp Earnings For CY 2025 Show +9.0% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +1276.1% YoY

+ 9% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 5, 2026

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Roblox Earnings For CY 2025 Show +35.8% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Up By +13.9% YoY

+ 36% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 5, 2026

Gaming / Metaverse

CNBC reports:

Roblox shares jumped up to 20% after fourth-quarter results beat expectations, with stronger bookings and higher-than-forecast daily active users.

Bookings rose 63% year on year, while losses widened to $316m. The platform reached 144m daily users, well above estimates, and forecast first-quarter bookings ahead of Wall Street expectations.

Roblox said mandatory age checks, rolled out globally, have slightly dampened growth but offer long-term safety and engagement benefits. The company also announced it will drop annual guidance from 2027, citing business volatility.

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Amazon Earnings For CY 2025 Show +12.4% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +31.1% YoY

+ 12% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 5, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

FT reports:

Amazon shares fell up to 10% after the company said it would spend $200bn on capital expenditure in 2026, far above expectations, as it ramps up investment in AI and infrastructure.

The spending plan alarmed investors amid broader market jitters over surging Big Tech investment. Earnings and guidance were weaker than forecast, though revenue rose 14% and net income was broadly flat.

Amazon Web Services grew strongly, with sales up 24%, highlighting its central role in Amazon’s AI ambitions despite heavy costs and ongoing job cuts.

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Alphabet Earnings For CY 2025 Show +15.1% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +32.0% YoY

+ 15% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 5, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

FT reports:

Google plans to double capital expenditure to as much as $185bn, far above expectations, as strong advertising and cloud growth funds its expanding AI ambitions.

The company said heavy investment in data centres, custom chips and DeepMind is needed to meet surging demand, even as investors worry about an AI spending bubble.

Despite initial share volatility, Alphabet reported strong results, with profits and revenue beating forecasts, cloud sales up sharply, and no evidence that AI tools are cannibalising search advertising.

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AA publishes best practice guide for responsible use of generative AI in advertising, reports The Media Leader

General

Feb 5, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

The Advertising Association has launched a non-binding best practice guide on responsible use of generative AI in advertising, unveiled at its LEAD conference.

The framework sets out eight principles covering transparency, data use, fairness, human oversight, harm prevention, brand safety, environmental impact and ongoing monitoring, designed to complement existing UK law.

Developed with government support and industry bodies, the guide aims to maintain public trust as AI adoption grows. A simplified version targets SMEs, reflecting their increasing use of AI creative tools.

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Amazon Told to Stop Policing Prices, Pay $70 Million in Germany, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 5, 2026

Germany’s antitrust watchdog has ordered Amazon to stop enforcing price controls on retailers using its German marketplace and has seized €59m in alleged illicit profits.

The regulator said Amazon unfairly removed or downranked products it judged too expensive, despite competing with sellers on the same platform, risking distorted prices and retailer exclusion.

It is the first use of Germany’s new power to confiscate tech profits. Amazon can appeal, as scrutiny of its market dominance continues.

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Debate Over Teen Social Media Use Grows in Key Tech Market India, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 5, 2026

Advertising To Children

India is debating age limits for social media, with a proposed private bill seeking to bar under-16s from holding accounts to protect children from online harms.

While unlikely to become law directly, the proposal reflects growing concern among lawmakers and state governments, influenced by Australia’s under-16 ban and similar moves in Europe.

Any restriction would significantly affect platforms such as Meta, Snap and X, for which India is the largest or fastest-growing user market, despite lower revenue per user.

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Commission finds that Apple Ads and Apple Maps should not be designated under the Digital Markets Act

General

Feb 5, 2026

The European Commission has ruled that Apple Ads and Apple Maps will not be designated as core services under the Digital Markets Act.

After reviewing Apple’s submission, the Commission concluded that neither service acts as an important gateway between businesses and consumers, citing Apple Maps’ low EU usage and Apple Ads’ limited advertising scale.

The decision does not affect Apple’s existing gatekeeper status for other services. The Commission will continue to monitor the two services and publish a non-confidential version of its ruling.

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Dentsu is the latest holdco to reunite media and creative production, reports Digiday

General

Feb 5, 2026

Agencies are shifting focus from award-winning campaigns to the performance-driven creative that underpins paid social, online video and retail media, as advertisers demand integrated media and production briefs.

Holding companies are reorganising accordingly. Dentsu is launching Content Engine to link media planning with creative production, while rivals including WPP, Publicis and Omnicom are consolidating production capabilities to improve efficiency and outcomes.

Clients want higher volumes of optimised content, supported by data and AI. This trend suits large networks, but independents are also responding, signalling a broader move towards rebundling creative, media and production.

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OpenAI is building an 'integrity team' to prevent ChatGPT ads from going off the rails, reports Insider

General

Feb 4, 2026

Responsible Media

OpenAI is setting up an ads integrity team to support the launch of advertising in ChatGPT without undermining user trust.

A job posting shows the team will be built from scratch and focus on preventing fraud, ensuring brand safety and verifying advertisers through know-your-customer systems, a common practice in major ad platforms.

OpenAI will begin a small US test of ads on ChatGPT’s free and Go tiers, requiring a minimum spend of $200,000, while tracking basic performance metrics and refining its approach as the programme evolves.

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Fox Corp. Earnings For CY 2025 Show +9.2% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -14.0% YoY

+ 9% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 4, 2026

WSJ reports:

Fox reported higher second-quarter revenue as growth in cable networks and advertising offset a slight decline in its television business.

Revenue rose to $5.18bn, beating expectations, while adjusted earnings of 82 cents a share far exceeded forecasts despite lower reported profit year on year.

Cable revenue grew 5%, driven by Fox News and sports, while advertising increased on stronger pricing, extra MLB postseason games and growth at Tubi, partly offset by weaker ratings and political advertising.

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Snap Earnings For CY 2025 Show +10.6% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Down By -34.0% YoY

+ 11% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 4, 2026

Bloomberg reports:

Snap reported holiday-quarter revenue slightly above expectations, helped by advertising improvements and growing subscription services, despite a fall in daily users.

Sales reached $1.72bn, with stronger margins and better-than-expected profits, as the company pursued a shift towards more efficient, profitable growth.

Daily active users fell to 474 million, the first decline since 2018, which Snap attributed to reduced spending on user acquisition as it prioritises financial performance over rapid audience growth.

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Alphabet won’t talk about the Google-Apple AI deal, even to investors, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 4, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Alphabet avoided addressing investor questions about its AI partnership with Apple during its earnings call, signalling reluctance to discuss how the deal affects its AI-focused strategy.

While Google and Apple have long benefited from search agreements, the value of the newer AI deal to Google is less clear, particularly as advertising in AI-driven search remains experimental.

Executives mentioned Apple only briefly, noting Google’s role as a preferred cloud provider and collaborator on Gemini-based models, leaving the partnership’s longer-term commercial impact unresolved.

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N.F.L. Eyes New TV Deals Before the Old Ones Even Expire, reports NYT

General

Feb 4, 2026

Sports Marketing

The NFL is enjoying record viewership and is on track for $25bn in revenue, its highest ever, as this season approaches the Super Bowl.

Despite being early in a $120bn media deal, the league is expected to seek renegotiations, arguing its rights are undervalued given soaring audiences and growing competition among broadcasters and streamers.

With streaming platforms now prioritising live sports, the NFL has strong leverage. It is exploring options such as new packages, international games and possible season expansion to drive further growth.

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Amazon Launches AI-Enhanced Alexa for Prime Subscribers in US, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 4, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Amazon has launched its upgraded, AI-powered Alexa in the US, offering Alexa+ to Prime subscribers and a limited free version via web and mobile apps.

Built on large language models, the new assistant replaces scripted replies with real-time responses, putting Amazon into direct competition with ChatGPT and rival chatbots.

Non-Prime users can subscribe for $19.99 a month. The service is being tested in Europe and Canada, with wider international expansion expected later this year.

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Amazon plans to use AI to speed up TV and film production, reports Reuters

General

Feb 4, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Amazon plans to use artificial intelligence to speed up film and TV production, launching a closed beta of new tools at Amazon MGM Studios in March.

Led by Albert Cheng, a small AI Studio team aims to cut costs and streamline processes while keeping writers, directors and actors involved. Amazon says AI will accelerate creativity rather than replace it.

The move responds to rising production budgets and wider AI adoption across the company. Early tests include using AI to enhance scenes at lower cost, with results expected by May.

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Roblox launches AI tech that generates functioning models with natural language, reports Reuters

General

Feb 4, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Roblox has launched a beta AI tool called 4D Creation that generates fully interactive in-game models from natural language prompts, expanding beyond static 3D objects.

The technology lets developers create items such as vehicles with working physics and interactions, lowering barriers for creators with different skill sets and encouraging in-game creation.

The move supports Roblox’s push to grow its developer community and user base, while advancing AI world models that understand game dynamics, alongside continued investment in infrastructure, AI and safety.

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TikTok extremely cooperative with EU's probe on Romania election, Commission spokesperson says, reports Reuters

General

Feb 4, 2026

Responsible Media

The European Commission said TikTok has been highly cooperative with its investigation into possible interference in Romania’s 2024 presidential election.

A Commission spokesperson said the platform has engaged constructively and taken a number of measures while working with regulators.

The EU opened formal proceedings against TikTok in December 2024, examining whether it failed to adequately limit election interference under the bloc’s digital rules.

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Anthropic says Claude will remain ad-free, unlike ChatGPT, reports The Verge

General

Feb 4, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Anthropic has said its AI chatbot Claude will remain ad-free, positioning the decision as central to acting in users’ best interests and avoiding commercial influence on responses.

The company argued that advertising could compromise advice, particularly on sensitive topics, or distract users at work. While leaving open the possibility of a future change, it stressed it would be transparent if that happened.

Anthropic is reinforcing the stance with a Super Bowl advert mocking rivals that insert ads into AI conversations. The move contrasts with OpenAI’s plans to introduce clearly labelled advertising in ChatGPT for some users.

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Microsoft launches Publisher Content Marketplace for AI licensing, reports Search Engine Land

General

Feb 3, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft Advertising has launched the Publisher Content Marketplace, allowing publishers to license premium content to AI products and be paid based on usage.

Publishers set terms, retain ownership and gain reporting on how content is used, while AI developers can license material for specific applications without one-off deals.

The initiative aims to support a sustainable content economy as AI tools increasingly deliver answers directly, reducing traffic to publishers while relying on trusted, high-quality sources.

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Netflix, Warner Bros. Set to Defend Deal Before Skeptical Panel, reports Bloomberg

M&A

Feb 3, 2026

Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery will face a US Senate antitrust panel to defend their proposed $82.7bn merger, amid concerns it could harm competition in streaming.

Executives are expected to argue the deal would expand distribution, increase consumer choice and still face strong competition from Disney, Amazon and YouTube, with combined viewing share around 10%.

Lawmakers from both parties have voiced scepticism, while US and European regulators review the deal. Rival bidder Paramount Skydance declined to testify after Warner Bros. rejected its offers.

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Google Search Ruling to be Appealed by DOJ, States, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 3, 2026

A group of US states led by Colorado is appealing a ruling that imposed limited remedies on Google after it was found to hold an illegal search monopoly.

The appeal challenges a decision that rejected tougher measures, such as forcing Google to sell its Chrome browser, and instead allowed default search deals to continue with annual rebidding.

Judges previously ruled Google used costly default agreements with companies like Apple and Samsung to block rivals. The appeal will be heard by a federal court later this year.

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OpenAI’s ChatGPT push triggers senior staff exits, reports FT

General

Feb 3, 2026

Leadership Transitions

OpenAI is shifting focus towards improving ChatGPT and its core language models, reducing resources for longer-term research as competition intensifies from rivals such as Google and Anthropic.

The strategic change has led to the departure of several senior researchers, who said experimental projects and non-language model work were deprioritised in favour of rapid product gains and investor-facing progress.

OpenAI says foundational research remains central, but critics argue the company is becoming more product-led as it scales into a $500bn business. Supporters counter that ChatGPT’s vast user base gives OpenAI a powerful advantage, even as the technical race tightens.

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India's top court questions WhatsApp policy of sharing user data with Meta entities, reports Reuters

General

Feb 3, 2026

India’s Supreme Court has warned it could reinstate a ban on WhatsApp sharing user data with other Meta companies, criticising the app’s privacy policy as misleading.

The case follows a $25.4m antitrust fine imposed in 2024 and a five-year ban on data sharing, later suspended on appeal. Judges questioned whether ordinary users could understand WhatsApp’s data practices.

The court has not yet ruled and will continue hearings next week. WhatsApp said the matter is before the courts. India is Meta’s largest market, and the outcome could significantly affect its operations and data use there.

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Despite new curbs, Elon Musk’s Grok at times produces sexualized images, even when told subjects didn’t consent, reports Reuters

General

Feb 3, 2026

Responsible Media

Reuters testing found that Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok continues to generate non-consensual sexualised images, even when users explicitly warn that subjects do not consent or would be harmed.

Although X has limited Grok’s public image output after global backlash, the chatbot still produced sexualised images in most private tests, including after being told the subjects were vulnerable. xAI and X did not provide detailed responses.

Rival AI systems refused similar requests. Regulators in the UK, EU and US are investigating Grok, with potential criminal, civil and regulatory action over failures to prevent abusive and illegal content.

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Nelson Peltz Takes a Shot at Bob Iger Over Disney’s CEO Transition, reports WSJ

General

Feb 3, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Activist investor Nelson Peltz criticised Disney’s CEO succession, suggesting Bob Iger chose parks chief Josh D’Amaro as his successor to justify remaining involved in the business.

Speaking at a Wall Street Journal event, Peltz said appointing D’Amaro over entertainment head Dana Walden would allow Iger to retain influence over the studio side, predicting a repeat of past succession tensions.

D’Amaro will become CEO in March, with Iger staying on as adviser until year-end. Disney’s board rejected Peltz’s earlier challenges, and his firm no longer holds a stake in the company.

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Walmart Reaches $1 Trillion Market Cap as Its E-Commerce Booms, reports WSJ

General

Feb 3, 2026

Walmart has become the first traditional retailer to reach a $1tn market valuation, joining a small group of companies dominated by technology giants.

The milestone reflects strong investor confidence driven by growth in e-commerce, automation and artificial intelligence, alongside rising sales as shoppers seek low prices, fast delivery and wide choice.

Over the past decade, Walmart has transformed its business through major investments in online retail, logistics and technology. Its e-commerce arm has turned profitable, same-day delivery now reaches most US households, and efficiency gains have supported growth as leadership transitions to a new chief executive.

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UK privacy watchdog launches investigation into Grok, reports Reuters

General

Feb 3, 2026

Britain’s privacy regulator has launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s xAI chatbot Grok over how it processes personal data.

The probe follows reports that Grok was used to generate harmful and non-consensual sexualised images and videos, including of children, raising concerns under UK data protection law.

The investigation covers xAI and X’s EU data controller. Separately, media regulator Ofcom said it will continue its own inquiry into X, as authorities worldwide increase scrutiny of sexually explicit AI-generated content.

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Social media groups face European backlash as Spain, Greece weigh teen bans, reports Reuters

General

Feb 3, 2026

Advertising To Children

Spain and Greece have proposed banning social media use for teenagers, reflecting tougher European attitudes towards platforms seen as addictive and harmful to children.

Spain plans to prohibit access for under-16s, while Greece is considering a ban for under-15s. The moves follow Australia’s recent ban and parallel debates in Britain and France, driven by concerns over mental health and online safety.

Spain also wants to hold social media executives personally accountable for illegal and hateful content and is coordinating with other European countries on cross-border regulation, as public concern grows over AI-generated and harmful online material.

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Paris prosecutor's cybercrime unit searches French office of Musk's X, reports Reuters

General

Feb 3, 2026

Responsible Media

French prosecutors have launched a search of the Paris offices of Elon Musk’s social media platform X as part of a cybercrime investigation opened in January.

The probe follows allegations from a lawmaker that biased algorithms on X may have distorted the functioning of an automated data processing system. Europol and French cybercrime units are supporting the investigation.

X has not commented on the search. The Paris prosecutor’s office also said it will stop using X to communicate publicly, switching instead to LinkedIn and Instagram for future updates.

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Disney Says Parks Chief Josh D’Amaro Will Succeed Iger as CEO, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 3, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Disney has named Josh D’Amaro as its next chief executive, ending a three-year search to succeed long-serving leader Bob Iger.

D’Amaro, a 28-year Disney veteran and head of the Experiences division, will take over on March 18. The parks and experiences business is the company’s largest profit driver.

He was selected from a group of internal candidates after a closely managed succession process. Iger has been mentoring potential successors, as the board seeks to avoid the disruption that followed previous leadership transitions.

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Publicis Groupe Earnings For CY 2025 Show +4.2% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -0.4% YoY

+ 4% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 3, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

AdAge reports:

Publicis Groupe reported stronger-than-expected 2025 growth, driven by AI investment, acquisitions and new business wins, with over $8bn in billings and solid fourth-quarter client spending.

Chief executive Arthur Sadoun said competition eased after Omnicom’s IPG deal, boosting opportunities, and suggested marketers may be becoming less cautious. Organic net revenue grew 5.6% for the year, exceeding guidance.

AI-led transformation is central to Publicis’ strategy, including agentic workflows and staff training. Influencer marketing is its fastest-growing area, further supported by recent acquisitions, while creative agencies also returned to growth.

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Disney Earnings For CY 2025 Show +3.5% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +466.2% YoY

+ 4% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 2, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Bloomberg reports:

Disney beat first-quarter forecasts, driven by a record $10bn in revenue from its parks and cruises division, which delivered most of the company’s profits.

Earnings per share reached $1.63, ahead of expectations, while overall revenue rose 5% to $25.98bn. Parks profit increased 6%, helped by higher attendance and spending, though entertainment and sports profits fell due to one-off costs and higher rights fees.

The strong performance bolstered the position of parks chief Josh D’Amaro, widely seen as the leading candidate to succeed Bob Iger as chief executive. Disney forecast double-digit full-year earnings growth and confirmed a $7bn share buyback.

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Ad lobby seeks law to protect publishers from AI scraping, reports Axios

General

Feb 2, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

The IAB has proposed draft legislation to protect publishers from AI companies using their content without payment, warning this threatens the economics of journalism and the open web.

IAB chief executive David Cohen said AI firms are unfairly profiting from scraped content and called the practice “free riding”, urging lawmakers to impose clear rules and penalties. The proposed AI Accountability for Publishers Act is based on unjust enrichment principles.

Cohen warned that unchecked AI scraping could hollow out the internet, splitting it into human and agent-driven content. The IAB plans to take the draft legislation to US lawmakers, while publishers explore new revenue streams to adapt.

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OpenAI Accuses Musk’s xAI of Destroying Evidence in Court Fight, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 2, 2026

OpenAI has accused Elon Musk’s AI company xAI of deliberately destroying evidence in an antitrust lawsuit accusing OpenAI of limiting competition.

In a court filing, OpenAI said xAI instructed staff to use disappearing messaging tools that auto-delete communications, despite knowing it had a legal duty to preserve records ahead of litigation.

The lawsuit, brought by xAI and X against OpenAI and Apple, claims ChatGPT’s integration into the iPhone harms rivals. OpenAI denies the allegations and is seeking court orders to halt message deletion and appoint an independent forensic investigator.

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Amazon Opens Its Ad Stack to AI Agents With MCP Rollout, reports AdWeek

General

Feb 2, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Amazon has launched an open beta of its Ads Model Context Protocol Server, allowing advertisers to connect AI agents to Amazon Ads through a single standardised integration.

Built on Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol, the server translates natural language prompts into structured API calls, enabling agents to set up campaigns, manage budgets and pull reports without custom coding.

The approach aims to reduce complexity and errors in agent-led advertising workflows by bundling common actions into simple prompts. The move reflects wider industry efforts to standardise AI-agent integrations and supports Amazon’s push towards greater automation and agent-driven commerce in advertising.

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Target, Walmart usher in new CEOs, reports Retail Dive

General

Feb 2, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Walmart and Target have both appointed new chief executives, marking leadership changes at two of the largest US retailers.

At Target, former chief operating officer Michael Fiddelke has succeeded Brian Cornell, setting priorities that include improving merchandising, customer experience, technology adoption and employee investment, after a period of weak performance and consumer backlash.

Walmart has named longtime executive John Furner as CEO, replacing Doug McMillon. Furner has pledged continuity in purpose and leadership. Both outgoing CEOs will remain involved, with Cornell becoming executive chair at Target and McMillon staying on Walmart’s board and acting as adviser.

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The IAB Formalizes Its Measurement Initiatives Under Its New Project Eidos, reports AdExchanger

General

Feb 2, 2026

Online advertisers increasingly rely on AI tools as opaque platforms make campaign measurement difficult, prompting the IAB to launch Project Eidos to improve clarity and standards.

Project Eidos brings together existing IAB measurement initiatives under one umbrella, aiming to harmonise definitions and identity-based measurement rather than relying on piecemeal fixes like incrementality testing and media mix modelling.

The lack of shared standards around formats such as CTV, video and podcasts costs the industry an estimated $9bn a year. The IAB plans to begin standardising key terms and data inputs later this year, with buy-side and sell-side support.

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Google defeats bid for billions of dollars of new penalties in US privacy class action, reports Reuters

General

Jan 31, 2026

A US federal judge has rejected consumers’ bid to force Google to pay more than $2bn in penalties over data collection from users who had disabled a key privacy setting.

The ruling follows a jury verdict that found Google liable and awarded $425m in damages, far below the $31bn sought. The judge said the case did not justify disgorgement or an injunction.

Google denied wrongdoing and plans to appeal the verdict, while the judge also refused to decertify the class action covering millions of users and devices.

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US judge signals Musk's xAI may lose lawsuit accusing Altman's OpenAI of stealing trade secrets, reports Reuters

General

Jan 31, 2026

A US federal judge has indicated she may dismiss a lawsuit by Elon Musk’s AI start-up xAI accusing OpenAI of stealing trade secrets to gain an advantage.

Judge Rita Lin said xAI had not plausibly shown that OpenAI acquired or used confidential information, despite claims that former xAI employees downloaded code before leaving. She also questioned the unfair competition claims.

The judge will hear oral arguments on 3 February and said xAI could be allowed to amend its case. The dispute forms part of a wider legal battle between Musk and OpenAI over its shift to a for-profit model.

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OpenAI Confirms $200,000 Minimum Commitment for ChatGPT Ads, reports AdWeek

General

Jan 31, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI has begun a limited beta test of advertising on ChatGPT, asking select advertisers to commit at least $200,000 to take part.

The company said the tightly controlled trial is designed to test which ad formats deliver value to users, before expanding advertising options and buying models in the future.

Four advertisers represented by Adthena were reportedly approached with commitments of $250,000. OpenAI declined to share further details, stressing that the experiment remains small as it explores how ads can be integrated in a way that enhances, rather than disrupts, the user experience.

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Iger Has Told Associates He Plans to Leave CEO Role Before Contract Expires, reports WSJ

General

Jan 30, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Disney chief executive Bob Iger has told associates he plans to step down and reduce day-to-day involvement before his contract ends on 31 December, with the board expected to vote on his successor next week.

Iger has privately said he is ready to move on from the role, citing fatigue and internal tensions, and wants more time for personal interests and other commitments. He is likely to stay on for several months to mentor his replacement.

The succession race is thought to be between Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden. The board aims to announce its decision this quarter, following a more controlled process than past transitions.

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Google tests third-party endorsements in search ads, reports Search Engine Land

General

Jan 30, 2026

Google is testing a new Search ads format that adds third-party endorsements, such as publisher logos and short quotes, directly beneath ad copy.

The experiment shows external validation from outlets like PCMag, making ads resemble product reviews and potentially giving advertisers with strong third-party credibility an edge in competitive auctions.

Google described it as a small test and has not shared details on eligibility, controls or sourcing. If expanded, the feature could increase the role of independent endorsements in ad performance and further blend advertising with editorial-style trust signals.

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OpenAI Plans Fourth-Quarter IPO in Race to Beat Anthropic to Market, reports WSJ

General

Jan 30, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI is preparing for a possible IPO as early as the fourth quarter, holding informal talks with banks and expanding its finance team as competition with Anthropic intensifies.

The move could bolster confidence in OpenAI’s finances amid huge spending on AI infrastructure, leadership changes, legal challenges and pressure to improve ChatGPT. Chief executive Sam Altman has expressed mixed feelings about going public.

Anthropic is also considering a listing by year end, raising fears it could beat OpenAI to market. Both firms are racing to secure funding and investor support as generative AI costs soar and competition from rivals including Google and SpaceX increases.

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Meta faces New Mexico trial over child-exploitation claims, reports Reuters

General

Jan 30, 2026

Responsible Media

Meta is set to face a jury trial in New Mexico over allegations it exposed children to sexual exploitation on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, and profited from the harm.

The state claims Meta enabled predators’ access to minors, failed to implement basic safeguards such as age verification, and prioritised engagement features that damaged young users’ mental health. An undercover operation found explicit content reaching accounts posing as under-14s.

Meta denies the claims, citing extensive safety measures and legal protections under free speech and Section 230. The state is seeking damages and court-ordered changes to improve child safety.

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Dutch regulator to probe Roblox over risks to minors, reports Reuters

General

Jan 30, 2026

Responsible Media

The Netherlands’ consumer watchdog, ACM, has launched an investigation into Roblox over potential risks to underage users in the European Union.

The probe will assess whether the gaming platform complies with the EU’s Digital Services Act, which requires services to take appropriate measures to protect minors online.

Roblox has faced global criticism and lawsuits over child safety and sexual exploitation concerns. The company recently announced plans to introduce facial recognition age verification to restrict communication between children and adults, but did not immediately comment on the investigation.

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Apple Earnings For CY 2025 Show +15.7% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +15.9% YoY

+ 16% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jan 29, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

FT reports:

Apple delivered a record quarter, with revenue hitting $144bn as strong iPhone 17 sales and a rebound in China drove smartphone revenue up 23 per cent and overall growth of 16 per cent.

Sales in China rose 38 per cent year on year, while net income reached $42bn. Despite the results, shares rose less than 1 per cent as investors questioned the durability of demand and Apple’s slower progress in AI.

Apple forecast solid growth ahead but warned of rising memory chip costs. While it is increasing AI investment and striking partnerships, analysts remain cautious on valuation, margins and long-term AI competitiveness.

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Super Bowl Ad Rates Hit $10 Million for 30-Second Spot, NBC Says, reports Bloomberg

General

Jan 29, 2026

Sports Marketing

Super Bowl advertising prices have climbed as high as $10m for a 30-second spot ahead of the February broadcast on NBC, underlining the NFL’s continued appeal to brands.

This year’s advertisers include more technology, pharmaceutical and wellness companies, with nearly 40% new to the event. Average prices remain around $8m, while Peacock offers discounted access and different ads for streamers.

Despite a crowded sports calendar, demand remains strong. Advertisers value the Super Bowl’s broad, non-partisan reach and growing female audience, with brands leaning on celebrities, humour and nostalgia to connect with viewers.

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Amazon in Talks to Invest Up to $50 Billion in OpenAI, reports WSJ

General

Jan 29, 2026

Investment Rounds

Amazon is in talks to invest up to $50bn in OpenAI, potentially becoming the largest backer in a new fundraising round that could value the AI company at up to $830bn.

The discussions are being led by Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy and OpenAI boss Sam Altman. OpenAI is seeking up to $100bn in fresh capital, with SoftBank and Middle Eastern investors also in talks.

A deal would deepen ties after OpenAI agreed to buy $38bn of AWS computing services. Amazon is ramping up AI investment while cutting costs, including thousands of recent job losses.

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Omnicom Appoints Jantzen Bridges as Global President of its Enterprise Transformation Consultancy

General

Jan 29, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Omnicom has appointed Jantzen Bridges as Global President of Credera, its enterprise transformation consultancy, to lead large-scale, AI-enabled transformation programmes for clients.

Bridges will shape service and delivery strategy, helping organisations modernise data, cloud and technology platforms, integrate marketing systems and redesign workflows to improve performance and growth.

She brings more than 20 years’ experience from firms including Accenture, Deloitte and EY, most recently helping build EY Studio+. Omnicom said her appointment strengthens its ability to combine consulting expertise with creative and media capabilities to drive business outcomes in an AI-driven environment.

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Internal Paramount presentation reveals its streaming product priorities for the first quarter, reports Insider

General

Jan 29, 2026

Paramount is exploring new features to make Paramount+ more competitive, including short-form video, user-generated content, interactive shopping tools and the introduction of some free content, according to a leaked internal presentation.

The plans also include a sports multiview option and closer integration of the tech platforms behind Paramount+, Pluto TV and other services, as the company seeks greater efficiency and engagement.

Although Paramount+ is now profitable, it lags major rivals in scale and viewing share. The initiatives signal chief executive David Ellison’s push to reposition Paramount as a more tech-driven streaming business and compete more directly with Netflix, YouTube and TikTok.

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Comcast Earnings For CY 2025 Show Flat YoY Revenue, Net Income Up By -23.5% YoY

Earnings

Jan 29, 2026

CNBC reports:

Comcast posted mixed fourth-quarter results, beating earnings expectations but narrowly missing on revenue, as competition continued to weigh on its core broadband business.

The company lost 181,000 domestic broadband customers and 245,000 pay TV subscribers, though this was partly offset by strong growth in mobile, which added 364,000 customers. Net income fell sharply year on year, while overall revenue rose just over 1 per cent.

Media revenue grew, helped by advertising and NBA rights, and Peacock added 3 million subscribers despite wider losses. Theme parks performed strongly, while film studio revenue declined.

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