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UK emblematic of Netflix’s approach to global programming, reports The Media Leader

General

Apr 23, 2025

Netflix has hailed the UK as “emblematic” of its global content strategy, citing the international success of British-produced shows like Baby Reindeer and The Gentlemen.

UK content has delivered the highest viewing time per minute across all regions. Despite no longer reporting subscriber figures, Netflix posted $10.5bn in Q1 2025 revenue, up 12.5% year-on-year.

The streamer aims to double ad revenue again in 2025 and is expanding its adtech across EMEA. While some analysts warn this reduces transparency, Netflix continues to invest heavily in UK content and live programming, seeing both as key drivers of global audience and advertiser growth.

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LHF uncertainty continues as UK media industry urges government to exclude brands from ban, reports The Media Leader

General

Apr 23, 2025

Uncertainty over the UK’s less-healthy food (LHF) ad ban is disrupting Q4 media planning as advertisers await revised guidance from the ASA and CAP. Legal advice suggests brand advertising could fall within the ban’s scope, contradicting government claims that it will be exempt.

The lack of clarity has caused brands to delay commitments, especially for TV, risking a 25% market contraction. Audio and digital out-of-home channels, largely exempt, are seeing increased interest.

Industry leaders are calling for explicit legal exemptions or further delays, warning that without clarity, both advertisers and media owners could face serious financial consequences.

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Meta’s Threads opens up ads to global advertisers, reports TechCrunch

General

Apr 23, 2025

Meta has announced a global expansion of ads on its Threads app, allowing all eligible advertisers to reach over 320 million monthly users. Ads will be enabled by default for new campaigns using Meta’s Advantage+ or Manual Placements, though Manual users can opt out. Initially tested in the U.S. and Japan, Threads ads will gradually roll out to more markets.

Meta claims Threads is now ready for monetisation, citing strong engagement from users following businesses.

The move comes as Meta faces an FTC antitrust trial, while Threads continues to grow through integration with Instagram and adoption of features from rivals like Mastodon and Bluesky.

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Ex-OpenAI staff and top AI experts seek to block proposed for-profit restructure, reports FT

General

Apr 23, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

A group of AI experts and former OpenAI employees, including Geoffrey Hinton and Stuart Russell, have urged US authorities to block OpenAI’s proposed shift to a public benefit corporation, warning it prioritises profit over public good. They argue the move contradicts the company’s founding mission to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) safely and for all.

OpenAI claims the restructure is essential to attract further investment amid competition. Critics say it risks undermining oversight and increasing AGI-related dangers.

The attorneys-general of California and Delaware will assess whether the change serves the public interest and complies with OpenAI’s original charitable purpose.

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Meta’s oversight board rebukes company over policy overhaul, reports Reuters

General

Apr 23, 2025

Responsible Media

Meta’s Oversight Board has criticised the company for hastily overhauling content moderation policies in January without public due diligence. The changes, made ahead of Donald Trump’s second term, included scrapping U.S. fact-checking and easing restrictions on sensitive topics like immigration and gender identity.

The board, which remains funded by Meta, warned of potential global harms and made 17 recommendations, urging improved enforcement and transparency. Meta said it supports free expression and will respond within 60 days.

Despite tensions, Meta appears committed to the board, continuing to fund it and refer cases, with $35 million allocated annually through 2027.

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Apple and Meta Fined by EU, Ordered to Comply With Tech Competition Rules, reports WSJ

General

Apr 23, 2025

The European Union has fined Apple €500 million and Meta €200 million for breaching the bloc’s Digital Markets Act, which aims to curb the power of major tech firms.

Apple was ordered to stop restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper options outside its App Store. Meta faces scrutiny over whether its “less-personalised ads” option complies with EU rules. Both firms plan to appeal.

The actions, announced amid ongoing EU-U.S. trade talks, risk heightening tensions with the Trump administration. The fines represent a small fraction of each company’s annual revenue but could impact key business practices more significantly.

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Roblox marketplace competition over how ads are purchased led at least three brands to reconsider their spend, reports Digiday

General

Apr 23, 2025

Gaming / Metaverse

Brands exploring advertising on Roblox in 2025 are facing confusion due to conflicting pitches from creators, studios and Roblox itself. While creators promote integration within individual experiences, studios advocate for broader campaigns, and Roblox pushes its own ad products. This lack of alignment has led some brands to pause or cancel spend on the platform.

Studio executives report that Roblox’s direct involvement in negotiations has sometimes disrupted deals. Despite these issues, interest in Roblox remains high, with advertising expected to grow.

Stakeholders agree that these challenges reflect natural growing pains as Roblox matures into a competitive and complex ad ecosystem.

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Kate Alessi named Google UK MD with aim to lead AI-powered growth, reports The Media Leader

General

Apr 22, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Google has appointed Kate Alessi as its new UK managing director, succeeding Debbie Weinstein, who now oversees EMEA operations.

Alessi, previously based in the US as VP of global production solutions, will lead Google’s 7,000 UK employees from June, ahead of the opening of its King’s Cross HQ. She brings experience from previous roles in brand solutions across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Her appointment comes amid US rulings that found Google to hold monopolies in search and adtech.

Alessi expressed enthusiasm for advancing AI-driven economic growth in the UK, where Google recently announced a £1bn data centre investment.

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xAI’s Grok chatbot can now see the world around it, reports TechCrunch

General

Apr 22, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

xAI has introduced Grok Vision, a new feature allowing its Grok chatbot to answer questions about objects seen through a smartphone camera, similar to tools from Google’s Gemini and ChatGPT. Available via the iOS Grok app, it enables users to interact with real-world items like products and documents.

Additional updates include multilingual audio and real-time search in voice mode, though these are currently limited to Android users with a $30-per-month SuperGrok subscription.

Earlier this month, xAI also added memory functionality and a canvas-like tool for creating documents and apps, as Grok continues to expand its capabilities.

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ChatGPT’s responses will now include Washington Post articles, reports TechCrunch

General

Apr 22, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI and The Washington Post have announced a content partnership allowing ChatGPT to summarise and link to the Post’s original reporting. The agreement is part of OpenAI’s wider effort to collaborate with media, following similar deals with over 20 outlets including The Guardian and Axios.

The Washington Post hopes to reach ChatGPT’s 500 million users, while OpenAI aims to improve answer quality using the Post’s trusted journalism. Financial terms remain undisclosed.

While some newsrooms welcome such deals, others like The New York Times are pursuing legal action against OpenAI for alleged copyright infringement, which the company denies.

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Meta could take a $7 billion hit this year because of Trump’s tough China tariffs, reports CNBC

General

Apr 22, 2025

Meta could lose up to $7 billion in advertising revenue in 2025 due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China, which are prompting major Chinese retailers like Temu and Shein to cut their ad spend on Facebook and Instagram.

Analysts at MoffettNathanson, who estimate that China accounts for over 11% of Meta’s sales, warn that a deeper recession could reduce Meta’s ad revenues by as much as $23 billion. Despite these risks, they still rate Meta a “Buy” but have lowered their price target.

Meta shares have already fallen 19% since Trump began his second term as president.

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Netflix eyes video podcasts, reports Axios

General

Apr 22, 2025

Video is rapidly transforming the podcast industry, offering far greater revenue potential than audio alone. In 2024, digital video ad revenue hit $62.1 billion, dwarfing digital audio’s $7.6 billion. YouTube dominates podcast consumption, with over 1 billion monthly viewers, while Spotify and Amazon’s Wondery are also expanding video capabilities. Netflix has signalled interest in joining the trend.

One in three U.S. podcast listeners prefers a video component, and most consider discussion-style YouTube content as podcasts. Apple, despite supporting video podcasts, lags in popularity.

As video becomes central to podcasting, platforms are investing heavily to capture consumer and advertiser interest.

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Instagram’s Systrom Says Zuckerberg Saw App’s Growth as Threat, reports Bloomberg

M&A

Apr 22, 2025

Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom testified that Instagram could have succeeded independently, arguing Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg saw its growth as a threat and withheld resources after acquiring it in 2012. Systrom said Instagram lacked support for key developments like video and data privacy, despite driving major revenue.

His statements support the US Federal Trade Commission’s case that Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp created a monopoly. Meta argues it enabled Instagram’s growth through technical and financial support.

Systrom acknowledged some benefits from Meta but said Zuckerberg later limited internal support to slow Instagram’s rise and protect Facebook’s dominance.

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OpenAI Would Buy Google’s Chrome Browser, ChatGPT Chief Says, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 22, 2025

OpenAI has expressed interest in buying Google’s Chrome browser if a federal court orders its divestment as part of antitrust remedies. ChatGPT head Nick Turley testified that integrating Chrome would enhance OpenAI’s ability to offer an “AI-first” user experience. He highlighted distribution challenges, particularly with Android manufacturers, citing Google’s financial dominance.

The Justice Department is seeking to break up Google’s monopoly by forcing it to sell Chrome, share search data, and end exclusive deals. Google argues such measures would harm consumers and US innovation.

Judge Amit Mehta is expected to decide on the remedies by August.

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ChatGPT Chief Calls Search Crucial for OpenAI in Google Trial, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 22, 2025

OpenAI’s Nick Turley testified in the Google antitrust trial that search technology is essential for achieving the company’s goal of a “super assistant” AI, as ChatGPT’s language models lack up-to-date information and can produce false responses.

Turley revealed that OpenAI approached Google for access to its search index but was declined, prompting OpenAI to build its own. He admitted this effort would take years.

The testimony supports the US Justice Department’s call for Google to share its search index with rivals, arguing it would speed up innovation and address Google’s monopolistic hold on the search market.

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Ofcom to tell social media sites to protect children from adult content, reports FT

General

Apr 22, 2025

Responsible Media

Ofcom will this week publish new codes of practice under the Online Safety Act, requiring platforms like Meta and X to restrict children's access to adult and harmful content. Companies must remove or age-gate such material and may need to implement strict age verification measures.

The changes will affect how algorithms operate and how platforms moderate content such as pornography, self-harm and misogyny. Firms face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue for non-compliance.

The rules have raised concerns in US-UK trade talks, with critics warning against weakening protections in exchange for commercial concessions.

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Australian leaders vow to stand firm on social media age limits as election nears, reports Reuters

General

Apr 22, 2025

Advertising To Children

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expects pressure from social media giants to ease the upcoming ban on under-16s using their platforms, but insists his government “won’t budge.” In a televised election debate, opposition leader Peter Dutton backed the policy, criticising tech companies for treating children as profit sources. Both leaders also reaffirmed support for laws requiring platforms to pay for local news.

The bipartisan measure, set to take effect in December, is already drawing attention in U.S. trade talks.

Despite being declared the debate winner, Dutton trails Albanese in polls ahead of the 3 May election, where cost-of-living is a key issue.

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Florida sues Snapchat owner for allegedly addicting children, deceiving parents, reports Reuters

General

Apr 22, 2025

Advertising To Children

Florida has sued Snap Inc., owner of Snapchat, accusing it of using addictive features like infinite scroll and auto-play to target children, in violation of a 2024 state law protecting minors’ mental health. The lawsuit claims Snap falsely promotes Snapchat as safe for 13-year-olds while allowing access to harmful content and failing to remove underage users or require parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds.

Filed in Santa Rosa County, the case follows wider legal challenges to the law’s constitutionality.

Snap argues the law infringes First Amendment rights and says safer solutions should come from device-level controls.

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Meta, TikTok Slam Australian Ban as YouTube Gets Personal Pledge, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 22, 2025

Advertising To Children

Meta, TikTok and Snap have criticised Australia’s planned social media ban for under-16s after it was revealed that Communications Minister Michelle Rowland privately assured YouTube’s CEO of an exemption before formal consultation began. A December letter shows Rowland promised YouTube immunity from the ban just days after legislation passed but weeks before public feedback was sought.

Rivals argue this undermines the fairness and transparency of the process, especially as YouTube remains highly popular with Australian children. The government claims YouTube’s exclusion was announced in November, alongside exemptions for apps serving educational or health purposes.

The ban is due to take effect later this year.

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Instagram Launches Edits to Its Global Audience, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 22, 2025

Influencer Marketing

Instagram has launched Edits, a new global video creation app aimed at helping creators produce high-quality content directly from their phones.

Positioned as a rival to TikTok’s CapCut, Edits offers features such as frame-accurate timelines, auto-enhance tools, green screen effects and watermark-free exports. Users can access project management tools, share drafts for feedback, and gain insights into content performance. The app includes AI-powered tools like Cutouts for isolating subjects and Animate for transforming static images into videos.

Instagram aims for Edits to be a leading creative tool beyond its own platforms, with more features to be announced soon.

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In the CTV race, LG Ad Solutions starts at the home screen, reports Digiday

General

Apr 22, 2025

LG is focusing its advertising strategy on the TV home screen, aiming to make it the default starting point for viewers' streaming journeys.

With over 200 million smart TVs globally, LG is leveraging its WebOS platform to monetise user attention and expand into new environments like car displays and hotel screens. The company believes that controlling content discovery across platforms gives it a unique edge in influencing viewing behaviour.

As LG Ads Solutions prepares for potential IPO developments following a court ruling, its success hinges on getting viewers to spend more time browsing on its interface before launching apps.

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Google Chrome will now continue to use third-party cookies, reports Digiday

General

Apr 22, 2025

Google has reversed its decision to introduce a standalone prompt for third-party cookies in Chrome, meaning ad tech firms can continue using the technology. This shift away from last year’s announced deprecation plan has sparked concerns across the industry.

While some Privacy Sandbox initiatives will continue, such as IP Protection for Incognito users, Google cited mixed industry feedback and ongoing regulator discussions as reasons for the change. Despite continued testing by some firms, challenges like scalability and latency have hindered Privacy Sandbox progress.

Google plans to release a revised roadmap following further consultation with the industry.

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Google Ads to show ads in the top ads position, also in the bottom ads position, reports Search Engine Land

General

Apr 21, 2025

Google will now allow relevant Search ads from advertisers appearing in top positions to also participate in the bottom ads auction, aiming to improve relevance and user experience.

This update does not violate Google’s double serving policy, as it applies to different ad locations. Google found the change increased ad relevance by 10% and bottom ad conversions by 14%. Advertisers won’t bid against themselves, and ads shown at the top and bottom may differ.

Google advises advertisers to monitor performance using “Top vs. other” segmentation and adjust strategy accordingly, as this update may increase conversion opportunities in lower positions.

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ChatGPT search is growing quickly in Europe, OpenAI data suggests, reports TechCrunch

General

Apr 21, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

ChatGPT search is rapidly expanding in Europe, with OpenAI Ireland reporting 41.3 million average monthly active recipients for the six months ending 31 March 2025, up from 11.2 million in the prior period.

The growth may soon place ChatGPT search under the EU’s Digital Services Act obligations, including opt-outs from profiling and external audits. Non-compliance could lead to hefty fines or service suspension.

Despite gaining traction, ChatGPT remains far behind Google in search volume and has been criticised for lower reliability, with studies highlighting high error rates, particularly in identifying news content, even from licensed publishers.

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Meta's move on AI bias raises risk, eyebrows, reports Axios

General

Apr 21, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Meta’s effort to remove bias from its AI models, including Llama 4, has sparked criticism from experts who argue it is more about appealing to right-wing concerns than ensuring true neutrality. While Meta claims its aim is to present both sides of contentious issues, researchers note Llama already gives more right-leaning answers than rivals.

Attempts to adjust model behaviour risk unintended consequences, such as spreading misinformation. Critics also warn that reduced refusal rates on sensitive topics could legitimise harmful views, including discredited practices like conversion therapy.

Experts say bias in AI is complex and rooted in training data, not simple ideology.

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Google and DOJ Go Back to Court to Fight Over Search Monopoly, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 21, 2025

The US government is urging a judge to impose sweeping remedies on Google to curb its monopoly over online search, including forcing it to sell its Chrome browser and potentially divest Android. The Justice Department argues Google’s dominance harms competition and boosts its AI products, while Google says the proposals would hurt consumers and innovation.

Judge Amit Mehta, who previously ruled that Google monopolised search through illegal deals, will decide by August after a three-week trial.

The case marks the most serious breakup threat to a US tech firm since AT&T in 1982, with broad implications for regulating tech monopolies.

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EU says it will enforce digital rules irrespective of CEO and location, reports Reuters

General

Apr 21, 2025

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to enforcing its digital rule book, regardless of a company’s origin or leadership. She defended action against major tech firms including TikTok, X, Apple and Meta, stressing that EU laws are applied fairly to protect consumers.

The Digital Markets Act, criticised by the Trump administration, aims to ensure competition and consumer choice. President Trump recently warned that U.S. authorities would scrutinise the EU’s digital regulations.

Upcoming EU rulings will determine whether Apple and Meta breached these rules, with both companies expected to face modest fines if found non-compliant.

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News Is Blocked on Meta’s Feeds in Canada. Here’s What Fills the Void, reports NYT

General

Apr 21, 2025

Ahead of Canada’s upcoming federal election, hyperpartisan content has surged on Facebook and Instagram due to Meta’s ongoing ban on news in the country. Right-wing page Canada Proud, run by a Conservative-linked firm, has targeted new Prime Minister Mark Carney with misleading posts, including claims based on old photos with Ghislaine Maxwell.

With Canadians unaware of the news ban, pages like Canada Proud dominate political discourse. Meanwhile, AI-generated fake news ads and scam content have also proliferated.

Experts warn that Meta’s decision has left Canada vulnerable to misinformation and reduced exposure to credible journalism during a crucial political moment.

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Google Paid Samsung Enormous Sums for Gemini AI App Installs, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 21, 2025

Alphabet pays Samsung a substantial monthly fee to preinstall its generative AI app, Gemini, on Samsung devices, according to court testimony in the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust case. The deal includes fixed payments and a share of ad revenue, despite previous rulings that such payments violate competition laws. Samsung reportedly received rival offers from Microsoft, Meta, and OpenAI.

Google’s agreement now allows Samsung to install alternative AI services and removes the obligation to make Google the default search engine.

The DOJ seeks to ban Google from paying for default placements across both search and AI products, including Gemini.

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Meta will now use AI to proactively search for kids who are lying about their age to have adult Instagram accounts, reports Fortune

General

Apr 21, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Instagram is testing artificial intelligence to identify users who may have lied about their age, Meta announced. The platform will proactively flag suspected underage accounts and convert them into teen accounts, which have stricter privacy and content controls. Teen accounts limit private messaging, restrict sensitive content, and feature usage reminders and a sleep mode.

Meta uses signals like content engagement and account history to estimate age. The move follows growing concern about social media’s impact on youth and legal pressure for stricter age verification.

Instagram will also notify parents to encourage discussions about providing accurate age information online.

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Faced with tariff spending fears, brands look to Amazon’s search ads and DSP, reports Digiday

General

Apr 21, 2025

Amid economic uncertainty and fears of a U.S. recession driven by tariffs, brands are increasing ad spend on Amazon’s performance channels.

In Q1 2025, daily spending on Sponsored Brands and Products rose 9% year-on-year, while DSP investment surged 25.4%, according to Pacvue. Prime Video spend also climbed 29% quarter-on-quarter. Agencies cite Amazon’s data and performance-driven tools as key advantages.

Despite no formal Amazon guidance linking tariff concerns to spend, advertisers are shifting budgets to lower-funnel, high-return channels like Amazon search and DSP, prioritising visibility and efficiency. The trend reflects a broader consolidation of digital ad spend among major platforms.

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Meta Is Racing for Retail Media Budgets, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 21, 2025

Meta is ramping up its efforts to claim a larger share of the $62 billion retail media market, enhancing its tools and data-sharing capabilities to support retailers.

Recent updates include an expanded API enabling sales attribution for ads, SKU-level reporting, and access to impression logs. These tools help retailers better assess ad performance and track in-store and online sales. Meta has also introduced carousel ads aimed at driving omnichannel purchases, reporting strong returns. However, sources say the company may need more staff to support these initiatives.

Meta faces growing competition from TikTok and Snap, which are also targeting retail media budgets.

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Italy agrees with US to oppose discriminatory tech taxes, reports Reuters

General

Apr 18, 2025

Italy and the U.S. issued a joint statement opposing “discriminatory” digital services taxes, suggesting Rome may reconsider its 3% levy on major tech firms. The move followed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s meetings with Donald Trump, who warmly received her. The tax, generating under €500 million annually, has strained U.S.-Italy relations.

While Meloni faces internal pressure to maintain the tax for revenue, Economy Minister Giorgetti favours bilateral negotiations with the U.S.

The statement also welcomed U.S. investment in Italy’s tech infrastructure, including Amazon’s €1.2 billion pledge to expand its cloud services in the country over five years.

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EU Delayed Punishing Apple, Meta Just Before Trade Talks Started, reports WSJ

General

Apr 18, 2025

The EU has delayed issuing penalties against Apple and Meta for alleged breaches of the Digital Markets Act, likely to avoid clashing with the Trump administration during trade talks. Cease-and-desist orders and possible fines were expected this week, but the announcement was postponed just before EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met U.S. officials.

The cases focus on Meta’s ad targeting policies and Apple’s App Store rules. While penalties could reach 10% of global revenue, the expected impact lies more in enforced business changes.

EU officials deny political influence, though some lawmakers question the timing amid ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S.

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Marketers Are Putting More Content and Quality Control in the Hands of AI, reports WSJ

General

Apr 17, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Marketers are increasingly using generative AI to create personalised content and campaigns, with some companies allowing AI agents to develop and evaluate work with minimal human input.

Prudential Financial and Opella are using AI to produce large volumes of tailored web content, with regulatory checks still in place. Monks created a fully AI-generated video prototype for Puma, though final approval involved human edits.

While AI tools are improving efficiency, doubts remain about their ability to genuinely influence consumers. Critics warn against over-optimising for machine-led processes, noting that only humans make purchasing decisions, not the AI systems evaluating the content.

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Roku and Adobe Partner on Secure Data Collaboration Platform, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 17, 2025

Roku has partnered with Adobe to integrate Roku Data Cloud with Adobe’s Real-Time Customer Data Platform, enabling advertisers to discover, activate and measure high-value audiences with a focus on privacy. The collaboration allows marketers to use Roku’s proprietary data for real-time audience planning, seamless activation across Roku’s ad products and improved campaign measurement. This privacy-conscious solution avoids moving or exposing directly identifiable customer data.

Roku aims to help performance marketers optimise TV investments, while Adobe emphasises the importance of consent-driven data.

The partnership enhances connected TV media strategies through better audience insights and on-demand performance dashboards.

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Media budgets on a decline amid tariff uncertainty, reports The Media Leader

General

Apr 17, 2025

UK businesses reduced main media marketing spend for a second consecutive quarter, with a net -6.7% cut in Q1 2025, according to the IPA’s Bellwether Report. Overall marketing budgets were also down for the first time in four years, driven by uncertainty around US tariffs and domestic fiscal pressures.

While digital and sales promotions saw modest increases, traditional media channels such as OOH, audio and print declined. Despite current caution, long-term sentiment remains positive, with many firms planning budget increases for 2025/26.

Analysts warn that Trump’s tariff policy may deepen cuts, posing further risk to brand investment and media agency growth.

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Google’s AI Overviews Echo Anti-Abortion Messaging, Report Finds, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 17, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

A report by Campaign for Accountability found that Google’s AI Overviews often echoed anti-abortion talking points from crisis pregnancy centres in states requiring pre-abortion ultrasounds. These summaries framed ultrasounds as tools for informed decision-making, citing nonmedical sources. Critics argue such scans are unnecessary and used to dissuade women from terminating pregnancies.

The report claims many AI Overviews and Google ads promoted services that don’t meet legal requirements, potentially misleading users.

Google defended its approach, stating its AI highlights diverse perspectives and complies with advertising policies, though campaigners argue these practices may violate Google’s rules and risk delaying access to abortion care.

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Roblox and Discord Scrutinized by States Over Child Safety Issues, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 17, 2025

Advertising To Children

Officials in Florida and New Jersey are investigating Roblox and Discord over concerns about child safety. Florida’s attorney general has subpoenaed Roblox, seeking details on its moderation practices and protections against predators. Roblox, which has 85 million daily users, says it will cooperate.

New Jersey’s attorney general has sued Discord for allegedly misleading users about its child safety features, claiming the platform failed to filter harmful content and enforce age restrictions. Discord disputes the claims and plans to defend itself.

Both companies are under increasing scrutiny as concerns grow about their ability to protect young users from harmful online interactions.

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TikTok's US public policy chief to step down, reports Reuters

General

Apr 17, 2025

Leadership Transitions

TikTok’s U.S. public policy chief, Michael Beckerman, is stepping down from his Washington-based role to take on a global advisory position, according to a staff memo reported by The Information.

Beckerman has been a central figure in TikTok’s efforts to resist a potential U.S. government ban.

His departure comes shortly after President Donald Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. assets by 75 days, amid ongoing scrutiny and geopolitical tensions surrounding the app’s Chinese ownership.

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China video app Douyin launches program to help foreign trade firms pivot to domestic market, reports Reuters

General

Apr 17, 2025

Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, has launched a new programme to support Chinese exporters by helping them sell goods domestically.

The move comes in response to escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, with Chinese exporters facing growing difficulties accessing the U.S. market due to high tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on all Chinese imports.

Douyin joins other Chinese firms in taking steps to mitigate the impact of the trade war by redirecting export efforts towards the domestic market.

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AMS and VideoAmp Enter Strategic Adtech Collaboration, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 17, 2025

VideoAmp has entered a strategic collaboration with AMS (formerly Active Media Services), granting AMS clients access to its Valid engine for enhanced media measurement. Valid combines TV viewership data with VideoAmp’s identity graph and clean room technology to accurately reach and measure custom audiences across linear and digital video.

The partnership enables AMS to compare custom audience CPMs with traditional demographics, creating a unified currency across video platforms.

AMS brands including Active International, Involved Media, and XACTV Network will benefit, with clients such as Omaha Steaks and Quicken set to leverage the advanced targeting and measurement capabilities.

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Samsung Ads’ Optimal Reach Portfolio Now Available for Advertisers, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 17, 2025

Samsung Ads has launched its Optimal Reach portfolio, offering advertisers advanced tools to analyse viewer behaviour across linear TV and ad-supported streaming (AVOD). The suite helps reduce ad duplication, improve reach and optimise campaigns using Samsung’s proprietary first-party data, ACR technology, and machine learning.

Features include incrementality measurement, cross-platform ad frequency management and real-time predictive modelling. The platform aims to unify linear and streaming campaigns, delivering unduplicated connected TV reach.

A luxury automaker using Optimal Reach reportedly connected with over 3 million hard-to-reach consumers and achieved a 47% incremental reach beyond traditional campaigns.

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Netflix Earnings For Q1 2025 Show +12.5% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +23.9% YoY

+ 13% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Apr 17, 2025

CNBC Reports:

Netflix reported a strong Q1 2025 with a 13% year-on-year revenue increase to $10.54 billion, surpassing expectations. The growth was driven by subscription and advertising revenue, boosted by recent price hikes. Net income rose to $2.89 billion, or $6.61 per share.

For the first time, Netflix did not disclose subscriber numbers, shifting focus to financial metrics. Despite market concerns over tariffs, Netflix stated there’s been no significant impact on its outlook.

The company also launched its own ad tech platform in the U.S. to improve targeting and measurement, signalling a long-term strategy centred around advertising growth.

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Google Illegally Monopolized Ad Tech Markets, Judge Says, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 17, 2025

A US federal judge has ruled that Google illegally monopolised online advertising markets for ad exchanges and publisher ad servers, marking a major setback for the tech giant. While the judge rejected claims of monopoly in advertiser tools, she found Google’s conduct harmed competitors, publishers and consumers.

The decision follows a 2023 lawsuit by the Justice Department and states seeking to break up Google’s ad tech business. Although the ruling didn’t deem key acquisitions anticompetitive, it may lead to remedies in future proceedings.

Google plans to appeal, arguing that publishers have choice and use its tools for their effectiveness and affordability.

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Sandberg Challenged Over Meta Business Moves During FTC Trial, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 16, 2025

Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta, was questioned by the US Federal Trade Commission as part of its antitrust trial seeking to break up Meta over its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The FTC argues these deals gave Meta a social networking monopoly. Sandberg defended the purchases but faced scrutiny over past statements and internal emails, including her comment that Meta overpaid for Instagram.

The FTC also cited actions Meta took to block competitors and highlighted user data concerns.

Sandberg, who oversaw Meta’s ad business, is expected to face further questioning on the impact of Meta’s decisions on user privacy and competition.

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TikTok Ads introduces new exclusion lists, reports Search Engine Land

General

Apr 16, 2025

TikTok has introduced two new global ad placement controls — the Video Exclusion List and Profile Feed Exclusion List — giving advertisers greater control over where their ads appear. These tools allow brands to block specific videos or user profiles to avoid unwanted adjacency, supporting more customised and sensitive placements.

Part of TikTok’s broader Safety Suite, the update is accompanied by a new Brand Safety & Suitability Playbook, offering guidance, case studies, and activation tips.

The move reflects TikTok’s shift from brand safety to brand alignment, helping advertisers maintain control in user-generated content environments.

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Google used AI to suspend over 39M ad accounts suspected of fraud, reports TechCrunch

General

Apr 16, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Google suspended 39.2 million advertiser accounts in 2024, over triple the previous year, as part of its crackdown on ad fraud. Using large language models and human oversight, it blocked scam-related accounts and introduced over 30 policy updates.

The company took down 1.8 billion ads in the U.S. and 247.4 million in India, with major violations including misrepresentation, trademark misuse, and ad network abuse. Google also removed 10.7 million election ads and restricted 9.1 billion ads overall.

While suspensions raised fairness concerns, Google said it has improved transparency and appeal processes to clarify enforcement decisions for advertisers.

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Meta Saw TikTok as Highly Urgent Threat, Zuckerberg Says at Antitrust Trial, reports Bloomberg

M&A

Apr 16, 2025

Mark Zuckerberg testified in the FTC’s antitrust trial that TikTok posed a “highly urgent” threat to Meta from 2018, prompting the company to prioritise video content like Instagram Reels.

He defended Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, saying they were strategic responses to mobile trends, not monopolistic moves. The FTC argues Meta stifled competition by buying rivals rather than competing. Zuckerberg challenged claims that “network effects” still matter in today’s social media landscape.

If the FTC wins, Meta may be forced to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, undoing years of integration and sparking broader debate over Big Tech’s power and regulation.

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Google Faces Potential $6.6 Billion U.K. Antitrust Lawsuit Over Search Advertising, reports WSJ

General

Apr 16, 2025

Google is facing a £5 billion collective action lawsuit in the UK, accused of abusing its market dominance to overcharge advertisers for search advertising services. Filed by competition law academic Or Brook and law firm Geradin Partners, the claim alleges Google excluded rivals and imposed restrictive practices, such as default app requirements and preferential treatment for its own ad tech tools. The action covers UK businesses that used Google ads from 2011 onwards.

Google called the case speculative and said it would contest it strongly.

The UK’s CMA and the European Commission are also investigating Google’s ad tech practices.

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TikTok begins US testing of Footnotes similar to Community Notes by X, reports Reuters

General

Apr 16, 2025

TikTok has begun testing a new feature called "Footnotes" in the U.S., allowing users to add contextual information to videos, similar to Community Notes on X and Meta.

The feature is part of TikTok’s efforts to improve content reliability, alongside fact-checking and content labels. Users over 18 with an account older than six months and no recent guideline violations can apply to contribute.

The move comes as TikTok awaits a deal to remain in the U.S., following a 2024 law requiring parent company ByteDance to divest the app. President Trump recently extended the divestment deadline and confirmed talks are ongoing.

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DoubleVerify Threatens to Sue Adtech Watchdog Check My Ads For Alleged Defamation, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 16, 2025

Ad verification firm DoubleVerify has warned adtech watchdog Check My Ads of potential legal action over alleged defamatory statements related to a March report by Adalytics. The report suggested that vendors including DoubleVerify failed to detect bot traffic in digital advertising.

Check My Ads, which has promoted Adalytics’ findings and collaborated with the group, received a letter from DoubleVerify’s lawyer demanding preservation of communications. In response, Check My Ads called the claims vague and the demands overbroad, asserting they could undermine protected communications with lawmakers and efforts to increase transparency in the advertising industry.

DoubleVerify declined to comment on the matter.

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Omnicom Earnings For Q1 2025 Show +1.6% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -10.0% YoY

+ 2% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Apr 16, 2025

AdExchanger reports:

Omnicom reported a strong Q1 2025, with 3.4% organic revenue growth to $3.69 billion, driven by solid media and precision marketing performance. Net income dipped slightly to $287.7 million due to costs linked to its ongoing acquisition of Interpublic Group, which remains on track to close in H2 2025. CEO John Wren dismissed competitor concerns about post-merger competitiveness.

Public relations and branding saw declines, partly due to market uncertainty and fewer rebranding projects. Wren noted potential tariff impacts remain unclear, with effects likely to emerge later in Q2.

Overall, Omnicom remains confident despite broader market volatility.

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Tariff Confusion Leaves Advertisers Paralyzed and Somber, reports NYT

General

Apr 16, 2025

The US advertising industry faces uncertainty amid fluctuating tariffs, leaving many companies hesitant to commit to marketing spend. Retailers, automakers, and media firms are particularly affected, with 60% of ad executives expecting budget cuts of 6–10%. The unpredictability of President Trump’s trade policy has caused paralysis among advertisers, with many in “wait and see” mode. Some brands are urging consumers to buy before tariffs raise prices, while others highlight their US manufacturing.

Analysts predict more flexible ad strategies and a shift towards digital formats.

Despite the turmoil, agency leaders note clients remain cautiously competitive, seeking growth opportunities where possible.

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YouTube Was Guaranteed Exemption From Australia Social Media Ban, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 16, 2025

Advertising To Children

Australian Communications Minister Michelle Rowland assured YouTube CEO Neal Mohan that YouTube would be exempt from a new under-16 social media ban before public consultation began, documents reveal. This early promise has sparked backlash from rivals including TikTok and Meta, who called the move anti-competitive.

Despite YouTube’s popularity among Australian children, the platform was excluded from the age restriction law passed in November 2024. Critics argue the exemption is unfair, as YouTube Shorts closely resembles TikTok content.

Platforms must enforce the ban or face fines up to A$50 million, though age verification methods remain unclear.

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Grace Kao Promoted to CMO of Snap, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 16, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Snap has promoted Grace Kao to chief marketing officer after less than six months as VP of consumer and business marketing. She replaces Colleen DeCourcy, who will remain as an advisor before leaving later this year.

Kao brings experience from Spotify, Instagram, Yahoo, and top ad agencies, and led Spotify’s Cannes-winning Spreadbeats campaign. CEO Evan Spiegel praised her early impact at Snap.

The CMO role has been vacant since April 2023. DeCourcy, who joined from Wieden+Kennedy, led brand campaigns repositioning Snap as a healthier social alternative. Snap saw 16% revenue growth in 2024 and now has over 850 million monthly users.

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Havas Media Network Elevates Jon Waite to Global Head of Planning

General

Apr 16, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Havas Media Network has promoted Jon Waite to Global EVP, Planning. In this newly created role, Waite will lead the network’s planning discipline, uniting strategic intelligence with activation to create media experiences across the full customer journey. He will collaborate across Havas’ commerce, activation and data units, and continue to develop attention-based planning tools and research.

Waite previously spearheaded a global partnership with Lumen Research and led the integration of attention data into Havas’ planning platform.

He will now focus on enhancing media effectiveness and client growth through evidence-based research and cross-functional collaboration across the Havas ecosystem.

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Publicis Group CEO says advertisers are pacing, not panicking, reports Digiday

General

Apr 16, 2025

Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun described advertiser sentiment as “cautious but competitive” amid global uncertainty fuelled by tariffs and economic volatility. Marketers are holding back larger investments but continue spending to defend market share, driving tighter timelines and performance focus.

Publicis reported 4.9% revenue growth last quarter, buoyed by strong new business wins like Coca-Cola. Digital transformation spending has slowed, but Sadoun expects recovery as AI reshapes business models. M&A remains selective, with recent investment in Lotame.

Despite macro pressures, marketers are still exploring agency partnerships, often via smaller trial engagements rather than full reviews, reflecting a shift in procurement strategy.

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Grok gains a canvas-like tool for creating docs and apps, reports TechCrunch

General

Apr 15, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Elon Musk’s AI company xAI has launched Grok Studio, a new feature for its Grok chatbot that enables users to create and edit documents, code, reports and simple apps in a dedicated workspace.

Available to all users on Grok.com, the tool allows real-time collaboration in a side window. Grok Studio supports languages such as Python, C++ and JavaScript and includes HTML preview functionality.

The update also adds integration with Google Drive, allowing users to attach and work with files like documents, spreadsheets and slides, enhancing Grok’s usefulness for writing and coding tasks.

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Mark Zuckerberg admits he considered spinning off Instagram in 2018, reports FT

General

Apr 15, 2025

Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged in a 2018 email that Meta might one day be forced to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp due to growing calls to break up Big Tech. The email, presented in a US antitrust trial, revealed internal discussions about whether separating Instagram could address operational challenges and reduce competition concerns.

The Federal Trade Commission argues Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were anti-competitive and is seeking to unwind the deals.

Zuckerberg told the court the company had been struggling to balance priorities across platforms. He noted that, historically, companies often perform better after break-ups, though he wasn’t proposing action at the time.

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OpenAI names members to its nonprofit commission, reports Reuters

General

Apr 15, 2025

Leadership Transitions

OpenAI has formed a nonprofit commission to guide its philanthropic initiatives, following a corporate restructure aimed at balancing business growth with its founding mission. The Microsoft-backed company appointed Daniel Zingale as convener, with advisors including Dolores Huerta and Monica Lozano. The commission will engage with communities to inform OpenAI’s giving strategy and report to the board within 90 days.

This move comes amid legal tensions with Elon Musk, who accuses OpenAI of prioritising profit over public benefit. OpenAI has countersued, alleging harassment.

The company is also seeking up to $40 billion in new funding, potentially valuing it at $300 billion.

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The FTC wanted $30 billion to drop its case. Zuckerberg offered much less and hoped Trump would back him up, reports WSJ

M&A

Apr 15, 2025

Mark Zuckerberg offered $450 million to settle Meta’s antitrust case with the FTC, far below the agency’s $30 billion demand. The case centres on Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, which the FTC argues were aimed at neutralising competition.

As the trial began, Zuckerberg testified over two days, defending the purchases. Despite lobbying efforts and growing ties with President Trump, the FTC rejected settlement offers, with Chair Andrew Ferguson backing the trial.

The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of Meta’s market power and political influence, especially concerning the 2020 election and the company’s broader role in digital competition and content moderation.

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OpenAP Unveils New Technology to Help Determine Streaming Video Identity Data, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 15, 2025

OpenAP, co-owned by Fox, NBCUniversal, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, has launched Open Identity, a cross-publisher tool designed to streamline identity data for streaming video.

The solution allows advertisers, publishers and data providers to match audience usage data without a central identity spine, enabling consistent targeting and measurement across campaigns. Built on OpenAP’s platform, Open Identity supports multiple ID providers, improves match rates via real-time clean room ID translation, and ensures privacy compliance.

It aims to enhance transparency, interoperability and performance measurement across the premium video ecosystem, responding to advertisers’ demand for better cross-platform insights.

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Temu’s US Ad Spend Craters Amid Escalating Trade War With China, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 15, 2025

Temu, the Chinese-owned ecommerce platform, has abruptly halted its U.S. digital ad campaigns, withdrawing from Google Shopping and social platforms amid rising U.S.–China trade tensions.

Its share of Google Shopping ad impressions fell from nearly 50% to 0% in early April, coinciding with President Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese goods. Temu’s sponsored TikTok content and app ranking also dropped sharply. The retreat reflects strategic adjustments to avoid rising costs and supply chain disruption.

While the exit frees up ad space, market uncertainty means few brands are rushing to fill the gap, with many reassessing budgets due to economic volatility.

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White House bars AP reporter, defying court order, reports Axios

General

Apr 15, 2025

News Publishing

The White House blocked Associated Press staff from an Oval Office press conference on Monday, defying a court order that took effect the same day.

The Trump administration, planning to appeal the ruling, requested a stay until Thursday’s appeals hearing, or a further week to allow the Solicitor General to seek relief. The court had ruled that barring journalists based on viewpoint violates the First Amendment. The AP opposes the stay, and legal experts say the government faces a high bar to overturn the decision.

The White House also plans new press room seating and to ignore emails with gender pronouns.

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Google's spam policy hit by EU antitrust complaint from German media company, reports Reuters

General

Apr 15, 2025

German media firm Meraki Group has filed a complaint with EU antitrust regulators over Google’s crackdown on “parasite SEO” practices. The complaint claims Google’s site reputation abuse policy, introduced in 2023, unfairly penalises websites and harms media traffic and revenues.

Meraki joins other European publisher associations calling for regulatory action, alleging Google favours its own services and lacks transparency in policy enforcement. Publishers across several EU countries report major drops in search rankings since January.

Google defends the policy, stating it improves user experience and includes a reconsideration process for affected sites. The European Commission has yet to comment.

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Zuckerberg Testifies on Emails About Instagram and WhatsApp Deals, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 15, 2025

Mark Zuckerberg testified for a second day in a US antitrust trial, defending Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. FTC lawyers presented internal emails from 2012 showing Zuckerberg considered the deals a way to neutralise competitors and buy time to maintain Facebook’s dominance. Zuckerberg acknowledged scale was a factor but insisted the deals also aimed to improve quality and functionality

The FTC argues Meta illegally monopolised social networking focused on friends and family, while Meta claims it faces broad competition from platforms like TikTok and YouTube.

The trial could result in Meta being forced to divest Instagram and WhatsApp.

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OpenAI is building a social network, reports The Verge

General

Apr 15, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI is developing a prototype social network with a feed focused on ChatGPT’s image generation, according to sources. CEO Sam Altman is said to be seeking external feedback, though it’s unclear if the project will be a standalone app or part of ChatGPT.

A social platform could provide OpenAI with real-time user data to improve its AI models, rivalling Elon Musk’s Grok and Meta’s upcoming AI assistant.

The move reflects OpenAI’s broader ambitions and could intensify competition with Musk and Meta. However, it remains uncertain whether the project will be publicly launched, as it is still in early development.

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Japan Orders Google to Stop Forcing Phone Makers to Use its Apps, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 15, 2025

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has ordered Google to stop abusing its market dominance by forcing local smartphone makers to prioritise its apps and services, particularly through the Google Play ecosystem. The regulator said Google required manufacturers like Sony and Sharp to promote Chrome and avoid preloading rival search engines, sometimes offering ad revenue in return. The move, Japan’s first such order against a major US tech firm, comes ahead of trade talks with the US.

It follows global regulatory scrutiny of Google’s practices, with the EU and US also pursuing cases against the company.

Google has expressed disappointment with the decision.

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Barb launches overnight commercial reporting in beta, reports The Media Leader

General

Apr 14, 2025

Barb has launched a beta version of overnight commercial spot ratings, providing earlier insight into individual ad performance rather than waiting eight days for full data. This responds to long-standing industry demand for more timely and accountable TV ad reporting.

Developed with Clearcast and Ad Signal, the system matches aired commercials with Clearcast’s ad library to deliver interim overnight reports via Barb’s API.

While still in beta, the move is seen as a significant step towards modernising TV trading systems, enabling agencies and advertisers to assess campaign impact more quickly and accurately. Further refinements are expected based on user feedback.

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Expanded programmatic capabilities at Sky Media will democratise live sport, reports The Media Leader

General

Apr 14, 2025

Sky Media has launched a private marketplace (PMP) with The Trade Desk, offering programmatic access to streamed linear and on-demand TV, including live sports like football. This allows advertisers to bid in real time for premium slots across platforms such as Sky Go, Now, Discovery+ and TNT Sports.

Geo-targeting and automated buying lower entry costs, opening opportunities for smaller or local brands. Frequency capping and brand safety controls are in place.

The move aims to democratise live sport advertising, making premium content more accessible while ensuring reach, flexibility and emotional audience engagement in a fragmented media landscape.

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Apple rebrands Search Ads business as Apple Ads, reports 9to5 Mac

General

Apr 14, 2025

Apple has rebranded its advertising business from ‘Search Ads’ to ‘Apple Ads’ to better reflect its broader offering beyond search results. Originally limited to promoting apps via App Store search, Apple now offers ad placements in the Today tab, Search tab, and on app product pages.

The new name aligns with the company’s growing advertising scope and may signal further expansion, such as ads in Apple Maps. Apple stated the name change reflects the evolution from a single search placement in 2016 to a wider ad network.

The update was announced to developers participating in the platform.

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Netflix Aims to Join the $1 Trillion Club, reports WSJ

General

Apr 14, 2025

Netflix aims to double its revenue to $78 billion and reach a $1 trillion market capitalisation by 2030. At a recent internal meeting, executives shared goals including tripling operating income and reaching $9 billion in global ad sales.

The company, currently valued at nearly $400 billion, plans to grow its 301 million subscriber base to 410 million by focusing on international markets like India and Brazil. Netflix’s ad-supported tier is gaining traction, now making up 43% of U.S. sign-ups.

Despite potential economic risks from U.S. tariffs, executives believe streaming demand could remain strong during downturns.

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Meta to start training its AI models on public content in the EU, reports TechCrunch

General

Apr 14, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Meta will begin training its AI models on public content from Facebook and Instagram users in the EU, following a regulatory pause due to GDPR concerns.

The decision comes after engagement with the Irish Data Protection Commission and a favourable opinion from the European Data Protection Board. Training will include public posts and interactions with Meta AI, excluding private messages and data from users under 18. Users will be notified and can opt out. Meta argues the data is essential to build AI tailored to European users.

The DPC continues to investigate how AI models are trained, including Elon Musk’s xAI.

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OpenAI launches new GPT-4.1 models with improved coding, long context comprehension, reports Reuters

General

Apr 14, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI has launched its new GPT-4.1 model, along with GPT-4.1 mini and nano, boasting significant improvements in coding, instruction following, and long-context comprehension.

Available via API only, these models outperform GPT-4o and GPT-4.5, supporting up to 1 million tokens and updated with knowledge up to June 2024. GPT-4.1 shows a 21% coding improvement over GPT-4o and operates at a lower cost than GPT-4.5. OpenAI will retire the GPT-4.5 preview in July.

CEO Sam Altman said the focus was on real-world utility, with developers responding positively to the models’ enhanced capabilities for powering AI agents.

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Zuckerberg Revisits Instagram Buy in FTC Meta Monopoly Case, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 14, 2025

Mark Zuckerberg testified in federal court as part of the US Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust trial seeking to unwind Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The FTC argues Meta bought these companies to eliminate competition, citing internal emails in which Zuckerberg expressed concern about rivals’ mobile growth.

The trial, expected to last two months, could result in Meta being forced to divest both platforms. Meta contends it competes broadly with companies like TikTok and YouTube.

The FTC claims these were “killer acquisitions” that harmed competition, while Meta argues the deals were lawful and previously approved by regulators.

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Apple to Analyze User Data on Devices to Bolster AI Technology, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 14, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Apple will begin using on-device analysis of user data to enhance its AI platform while maintaining privacy. The system compares synthetic data with real emails stored locally to refine AI features like summaries and Writing Tools. No personal data is collected or sent to Apple. The update, part of iOS, iPadOS 18.5 and macOS 15.5 betas, aims to close the gap with AI leaders like OpenAI and Google.

Apple will continue to use differential privacy and only apply these improvements for users who opt in.

The move follows internal restructuring in Apple’s AI team amid ongoing efforts to advance Siri and Apple Intelligence.

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Google is using the cloud to pitch creative AI tools, reports Digiday

General

Apr 14, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

At Google Cloud Next, Google unveiled a suite of generative AI tools—Veo 2 for video, Imagen 3 for images, Lyria for music, and Chirp 3 for voice—to support creative content production. Brands like L’Oréal and Kraft Heinz are using them to scale output and cut production time. Agencies including GS&P and WPP are integrating these tools into creative workflows.

Google aims to move beyond ad distribution to influence content creation itself.

However, analysts noted the company missed the chance to address industry concerns around creator compensation and synthetic media transparency during the event’s keynote.

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Meta resorted to buy-or-bury scheme with Instagram and WhatsApp deals, former FTC Chair Lina Khan says, reports CNBC

General

Apr 14, 2025

Former FTC Chair Lina Khan claimed Facebook panicked during the rise of smartphones, acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp in a "buy-or-bury" strategy to neutralise competition. The FTC’s antitrust case, which begins trial this week, accuses Meta of monopolising the social networking market through these purchases. Meta denies the allegations, asserting it holds no monopoly.

Khan argued that these deals reshaped the social networking landscape and highlighted the importance of free and fair trade. A court ruling could potentially force Meta to divest the platforms.

Khan noted there’s still a chance of settlement before the trial ends but emphasised the case’s ongoing uncertainty.

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Netflix Tests New AI Search Engine to Recommend Shows, Movies, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 12, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Netflix is trialling an AI-powered search tool that allows users to find content using specific queries, including by mood. Currently available to select iOS users in Australia and New Zealand, the feature will soon expand to more markets, including the US. Powered by OpenAI, the tool goes beyond traditional searches by genre or actor.

Netflix has long used AI for recommendations and is exploring further applications in production and internal processes. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos said AI will enhance, not replace, creative roles.

Unlike usual feature rollouts, this tool requires users to opt in to participate in the test.

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Meta adds Dina Powell McCormick, Patrick Collison to board, reports Axios

General

Apr 11, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Meta has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a former senior Republican official and banking executive, and Patrick Collison, CEO of Stripe, to its board, effective 15 April. The move is part of Meta’s strategy to expand its board with global business experts and build stronger ties with the Trump administration.

Powell McCormick brings experience from Goldman Sachs and roles under both Trump and Bush. Collison co-founded Stripe and previously advised Meta.

Their appointments align with Meta’s focus on supporting small businesses and preparing for upcoming challenges, including an antitrust trial. The company is also signalling political alignment ahead of the U.S. election.

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Ex-OpenAI Staff Oppose Startup Overhaul in Musk Legal Fight, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 11, 2025

A group of twelve former OpenAI employees is opposing the company’s proposed restructuring into a for-profit entity, arguing it undermines its nonprofit mission. Represented by Harvard professor Lawrence Lessig, they support maintaining the nonprofit’s controlling stake. Elon Musk, who co-founded OpenAI and now runs rival firm xAI, has also legally challenged the overhaul, claiming it betrays the organisation’s founding principles.

OpenAI argues the new structure—becoming a public benefit corporation—will still serve the public good while attracting funding.

A trial is set for March, and OpenAI has filed a countersuit accusing Musk of deliberately attempting to damage the company’s reputation.

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Ireland’s Privacy Watchdog Probes Musk’s Grok AI Model, reports WSJ

General

Apr 11, 2025

Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has launched an investigation into Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot, developed by xAI, over concerns it may have breached EU data protection laws. The probe focuses on whether Grok was unlawfully trained using personal data from European users on Musk’s X platform.

This follows an earlier agreement by X to halt the use of EU citizens’ data for AI training. The inquiry adds to existing tensions between Musk and European regulators, particularly over the Digital Services Act.

Last month, xAI acquired X in a deal valuing the companies at $80 billion and $33 billion respectively.

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TikTok Lays Off Staff in Its US-Based Ecommerce Unit, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 11, 2025

TikTok has laid off staff from its U.S.-based ecommerce global governance and experience team, which oversees seller compliance and product listings in TikTok Shop. The exact number of layoffs is unclear, but the move follows internal criticism of the team’s performance and low annual review scores for some employees.

It comes amid wider restructuring and senior executive departures.

TikTok also faces growing pressure in the U.S., with no buyer yet found for its American operations. This, along with parent company ByteDance’s entanglement in U.S.-China tariff tensions, adds further uncertainty to TikTok’s future in the market.

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TikTok Drives ByteDance’s 29% Growth While China Business Slows, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 11, 2025

ByteDance’s revenue rose 29% to $155 billion in 2024, driven by TikTok’s rapid international growth, which saw a 63% increase in overseas sales to $39 billion. Net profit reached around $33 billion. However, overall growth slowed compared to 2023.

While TikTok’s expansion offset weaker performance in China, its future remains uncertain amid U.S. pressure to divest. Amazon and AppLovin have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations. Rising trade tensions could hinder a deal and impact TikTok’s e-commerce.

ByteDance is also investing in generative AI, with its chatbot Doubao gaining popularity. The company is valued at over $400 billion by some investors.

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Google lays off hundreds of employees in Android, Pixel group, The Information reports, reports Reuters

General

Apr 11, 2025

Google has laid off hundreds of employees from its platforms and devices unit, which includes teams working on Android, Pixel phones and the Chrome browser, according to The Information. The cuts follow voluntary buyout offers made in January. A Google spokesperson said the move is part of efforts to streamline operations after merging the Platforms and Devices teams last year.

This follows previous job reductions, including cuts in Google’s cloud division and the announcement in January 2023 to eliminate 12,000 roles globally.

Google has not yet responded to Reuters’ request for comment on the latest layoffs.

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OpenAI slashes AI model safety testing time, reports FT

General

Apr 11, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI has significantly reduced the time and resources spent on safety testing its AI models, raising concerns about public risk. While earlier models like GPT-4 underwent months of testing, upcoming models such as o3 are reportedly given only days.

Insiders blame competitive pressures, with OpenAI racing rivals to release more powerful models. Critics argue that some dangerous capabilities may go undetected and claim OpenAI is not fulfilling earlier commitments to test for misuse risks.

Although OpenAI defends its streamlined evaluation methods, experts warn that testing near-final rather than final versions could compromise safety and transparency.

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Google officially rolls out links in AI Overviews to its own search results, reports Search Engine Land

General

Apr 10, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Google has officially launched a feature in AI Overviews that links certain terms to new Google Search results, aiming to help users explore topics more easily. These underlined terms redirect users to further searches, while smaller link icons still direct to third-party websites. Google claims this improves the search experience by reducing the need for users to enter separate queries.

The feature is currently live in English in the U.S. for desktop and mobile.

However, publishers are concerned this will divert more traffic back to Google itself rather than external sites, potentially impacting their visibility and referral traffic.

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Google Performance Max gets new customer goals and image controls, reports Search Engine Land

General

Apr 10, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Google Ads has introduced customer lifecycle features in Performance Max, enabling advertisers to bid more strategically for lapsed customers and better track acquisition costs. New retention goals allow prioritisation of high-value former users, while acquisition modes now show customer acquisition cost in campaign reports.

Performance Max also gains enhanced image tools, including automatic sourcing of images from landing pages and smart cropping for more ad variations. Future updates will include uncropping and animations.

These changes aim to improve reporting, creative control, and customer value focus, supporting advertisers' shift towards lifetime value rather than solely acquisition.

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Media Orgs Urge Judge To Block Trump Order Targeting Law Firm, reports MediaPost

General

Apr 10, 2025

Over 60 media organisations and advocacy groups have urged a U.S. judge to permanently strike down Donald Trump’s executive order targeting law firm Perkins Coie, which represented Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign and supported voting rights cases. They argue the order, which cancels federal contracts and restricts access to government buildings, could deter law firms from representing media clients in disputes with the government.

Legal experts and 350 law professors also oppose the order, warning it undermines the rule of law and threatens press freedom.

Judge Beryl Howell previously issued a temporary restraining order, and a permanent decision is now being sought.

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Judge Rejects Deal To Pause X Corp.-Twitch Battle Until Next Year, reports MediaPost

General

Apr 10, 2025

A U.S. judge has rejected X Corp.’s request to pause its lawsuit against Twitch until January 2026, stating it would be inefficient to keep the case open for nine months after a reported settlement.

The proposed deal, whose terms were undisclosed, would have allowed Twitch until year-end to meet conditions before X either dropped the case or filed a status update. Judge Jane Boyle granted a 45-day pause instead, urging finalisation of terms.

The lawsuit, filed by Elon Musk’s X Corp., alleges that Twitch and others contributed to an advertiser boycott orchestrated by GARM, resulting in significant revenue losses for the platform.

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OpenAI Says Musk’s Relentless Campaign to Hurt It Must Stop, reports Bloomberg

General

Apr 10, 2025

OpenAI has accused Elon Musk of conducting a year-long campaign to undermine the company through legal claims, media attacks and a false takeover bid, aiming to benefit his rival AI firm, xAI.

In a 100-page court filing, OpenAI urged a federal court to halt Musk’s actions, citing reputational and financial damage, and is seeking a jury trial. Musk’s original lawsuit alleges OpenAI strayed from its charitable roots by partnering with Microsoft.

A trial is scheduled for March 2025, setting up a major legal battle between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman over the company’s transformation into a for-profit entity.

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Trump says TikTok deal is still on the table, reports Reuters

M&A

Apr 10, 2025

President Trump stated a deal to spin off TikTok’s U.S. assets remains possible, despite legal and political hurdles.

The proposed plan would create a U.S.-based entity, majority-owned by American investors, reducing Chinese ownership. Trump has extended the divestment deadline to 19 June, after twice delaying enforcement of a ban.

Some Senators argue he lacks legal authority to grant extensions and warn any deal must sever ties with China. Chinese government approval remains a key obstacle. Meanwhile, ongoing U.S.–China trade tensions complicate progress, and the Justice Department has paused enforcement, allowing TikTok to remain available via Apple and Google app stores.

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Amazon CEO Says Generative AI Will Reinvent Every Customer Experience, reports WSJ

General

Apr 10, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy highlighted generative AI as central to the company’s future, with over 1,000 AI projects set to transform customer experiences across shopping, media, healthcare, and more.

In his annual shareholder letter, Jassy stressed that companies not embracing AI risk falling behind. He also discussed the impact of tariffs, noting that Amazon pre-emptively bought inventory and renegotiated supplier terms. While AI remains costly, Jassy expects prices to fall with advancements in Amazon’s own chip technology.

He emphasised in-person collaboration for innovation, requiring 350,000 corporate staff to return to offices full-time from January to accelerate progress.

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EU could tax Big Tech if Trump trade talks fail, says von der Leyen, reports FT

General

Apr 10, 2025

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned that if negotiations with the US fail during President Trump’s 90-day tariff pause, the EU may impose retaliatory measures, including levies on US digital advertising revenues. These could target tech firms like Meta and Google.

The EU is also considering tariffs on services and scrap metal exports, and has paused planned retaliation against US steel and aluminium tariffs. Von der Leyen ruled out negotiating on VAT or digital market regulations, citing sovereignty.

She stressed the need for WTO reform and expressed concern over Chinese goods redirected to Europe due to US tariffs.

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Google's Vulnerability In Search Is Growing, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 10, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Google’s global search market share dropped below 90% in late 2024 for the first time since 2015, a trend continuing into 2025, indicating growing competition and shifting user behaviour. Rivals like Bing, Perplexity, and ChatGPT Search are gaining traction, especially among younger users.

Google’s AI Overviews tool has drawn concern from publishers over reduced traffic, though early impact appears minimal. Despite handling five trillion annual searches, Google faces regulatory pressure and a monopoly lawsuit. Unlike newer AI-native search engines offering revenue-sharing to publishers, Google has yet to follow suit.

Analysts say Google is at a pivotal moment as market dynamics shift.

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Two Lawsuits Allege The Trade Desk Secretly Violates Consumer Privacy Laws, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 10, 2025

Two class action lawsuits allege The Trade Desk violated U.S. and California privacy laws by secretly tracking users and monetising personal data without consent.

Filed in March 2025, the suits target its Unified ID 2.0 and Adsrvr Pixel technologies, which allegedly collect identifiable data to build user profiles for real-time bidding. Plaintiffs argue this circumvents privacy protections and exposes data to third parties. Legal experts say the claims raise serious issues, with courts likely to scrutinise the tracking methods.

The Trade Desk, already under pressure due to weak revenues and dissatisfaction with its Kokai platform, has not commented on the allegations.

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Lumen research appoints matt bennathan as chief commercial officer

General

Apr 10, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Lumen Research has appointed Matt Bennathan as Chief Commercial Officer, bringing over 25 years of martech and adtech experience. Bennathan joins from Zeotap Data and has previously held senior roles at eXelate, Nielsen Marketing Cloud and Oracle Data Cloud. He will oversee global partnerships, platforms, publishers and buy-side relationships, driving commercial growth as advertisers increasingly invest in attention metrics.

Lumen’s data helps brands optimise media and creative strategies by measuring consumer attention.

CEO Mike Follett welcomed Bennathan’s appointment, praising his industry expertise and alignment with Lumen’s values as the company targets further success in 2025.

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BeReal Is Selling Ads in the U.S., Cashing In on TikTok Uncertainty, reports AdWeek

General

Apr 10, 2025

BeReal is launching its ad business in the U.S. following successful ad rollouts in Europe and Japan. Acquired by Voodoo for €500 million, the app claims 40 million monthly users globally, with 5 million in the U.S.

Former TikTok executive Ben Moore is leading the U.S. effort, positioning BeReal as a safer, more authentic alternative to polished platforms like TikTok. Brands such as Nike and Netflix have already tested ads. BeReal offers in-feed ads and homepage takeovers, with plans to introduce performance-focused formats and a self-serve platform.

The move comes amid uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future in the U.S. advertising landscape.

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Publishers watch warily as tariffs loom over ad budgets and print costs, reports Digiday

General

Apr 10, 2025

Publishers are closely monitoring the potential impact of President Trump’s tariffs, which include a 124% hike on Chinese goods and proposed levies on Canadian newsprint. While few have adjusted forecasts, many expect reduced ad revenue, especially from luxury brands and fashion.

Smaller U.S. newspapers face rising print costs and possible closures, risking more “news deserts.” Publishers cite increased direct ad buying and stronger subscriber engagement.

Meanwhile, national and local media outlets brace for long-term challenges, with industry bodies urging government reconsideration and helping publishers strategise to offset higher costs and navigate macroeconomic uncertainty driven by shifting trade and tariff policies.

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