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Warner Bros. Discovery Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +1.0% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -115.8% YoY

+ 1% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 7, 2025

Leadership Transitions

CNBC reports:

Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios revenue rose 55% in Q2 to $3.8bn, driven by hits including “Minecraft”, “Sinners”, “Final Destination: Bloodlines” and “F1”, generating $2bn globally. Studio EBITDA surged to $863m, with full-year guidance at $2.4bn.

The success of “Superman”, released after Q2, is expected to boost Q3, alongside plans for major franchises like “Lord of the Rings” and DC’s “Super family”. CEO David Zaslav credited recent leadership hires for the turnaround.

Overall revenue grew 1% to $9.81bn, with EBITDA up 9% to $1.95bn. WBD will split into Warner Bros. and Discovery Global in 2026.

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The Trade Desk Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +18.7% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +6.0% YoY

+ 19% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 7, 2025

AdWeek reports:

The Trade Desk reported Q2 2025 revenue of $694m, up 19% year-on-year and above guidance, with first-half growth at 22%. Despite this, shares fell 30% as growth slowed from last year’s pace.

CEO Jeff Green dismissed competition from Amazon, positioning the company as a potential partner if Prime Video opens to external demand. CTV, OpenPath and direct brand deals drove activity, with 75% of clients now using its Kokai platform.

Leadership changes include Alex Kayyal as CFO and Omar Tawakol joining the board. Some sectors, such as home and garden and fashion, underperformed in the quarter.

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Integral Ad Science Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +15.7% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +113.4% YoY

+ 16% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 7, 2025

Primary Source Earnings Report

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Expert Opinions

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WPP Earnings For H1 2025 Show -7.8% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Income Down By -35.2% YoY

-8% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 7, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

WSJ reports:

WPP has halved its dividend and announced a strategic review as it prepares for leadership change and the challenges of AI. Cindy Rose, formerly of Microsoft, will take over as CEO in September, replacing Mark Read after seven years.

The company faces pressures from cautious client spending, AI disruption and struggles in China, with shares down over 50% this year. Revenue fell 5.8% in Q2, and first-half profit dropped 79% due to impairment charges.

WPP aims to become a leaner, AI-powered business, investing £300 million in its AI platform and streamlining operations to boost competitiveness and long-term growth.

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Google Ads Performance Max gets new controls, reporting, creative insights, reports Search Engine Land

General

Aug 7, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Google has launched updates to Performance Max, offering advertisers greater control and efficiency. New tools include campaign-level negative keyword lists, expanded search theme limits, and enhanced demographic targeting with age and gender exclusions.

Improved acquisition reporting reduces unknown conversions, while goal diagnostics help identify setup issues like broken tags. Advertisers also gain clearer asset-level performance data, including visibility into Final URL Expansion assets.

AI-powered creative recommendations and an integrated image editor aim to boost cross-channel results. These updates improve transparency, targeting and optimisation, helping brands use budgets more effectively and better attract new customers amid rising acquisition costs.

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Isba encourages greater transparency in pitch consultant selection, reports The Media Leader

General

Aug 7, 2025

Isba has released a Pitch Consultant Guide to improve transparency in consultants’ commercial models and help advertisers make better-informed decisions during agency reviews.

The guide is part of the Pitch Positive Pledge and outlines various consultancy models, urging brands to focus on value, transparency and impartiality rather than just cost.

It includes a checklist of key questions for advertisers to ask, aiming to prevent selection bias and the risks of pay-to-play practices, which can limit agency choice. The goal is to foster open conversations and ensure consultant approaches align with brand needs and ethical standards.

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Skydance Takes Over Paramount, and a New Era Begins, reports NYT

M&A

Aug 7, 2025

Paramount has merged with Skydance in an $8 billion deal, ending the Redstone family's decades-long control and bringing in David Ellison as the new leader.

The merger provides Paramount with fresh capital and leadership, aiming to strengthen its position in a streaming market dominated by Netflix, YouTube, Disney and Amazon.

With renewed financial backing, the company hopes to become a more formidable entertainment competitor and may explore further deals or streaming bundles to secure long-term success.

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ESPN-NFL deal faces regulatory hurdles, reports Reuters

M&A

Aug 7, 2025

Sports Marketing

Disney’s ESPN will give the NFL a 10% stake in exchange for acquiring NFL media properties, including the NFL Network. The deal, announced Tuesday, is expected to face scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice due to potential competition concerns.

Legal experts warn the agreement could raise consumer costs and reduce sports media competition. A full antitrust review may take up to a year, and a separate Disney deal involving Fubo TV is also under review.

If approved, ESPN can integrate NFL content into its streaming service and expand distribution rights, while Disney’s and Hearst’s stakes in ESPN would decrease accordingly.

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Paramount's co-CEO Robbins to step down, memo shows, reports Reuters

M&A

Aug 7, 2025

Leadership Transitions

Brian Robbins is stepping down as co-CEO of Paramount Global following its merger with Skydance Media, set to complete by 7 August. David Ellison, Skydance’s CEO, will lead the newly merged company.

Robbins joined Paramount in 2017 and became co-CEO in 2023. He previously led Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures, overseeing successful film franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog and Mission: Impossible.

Following the merger, Paramount will be reorganised into three main business units: studios, direct-to-consumer, and TV media. George Cheeks will stay on as chair of media, while co-CEO Chris McCarthy had already exited the company.

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Elon Musk outlines AI-led Grok future for advertising on X, reports Digiday

General

Aug 7, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Elon Musk is now leading X’s advertising push, positioning in-house AI assistant Grok at the core of its strategy. Grok aims to automate ad creation, targeting and optimisation, ultimately replacing media buyers and strategists.

Early uses include brand safety checks, product recommendations and aesthetic scoring for ads, with better-looking ads rewarded with lower costs and better placement. Short-form video and in-app purchases are also key priorities.

Despite shaky industry relations and past advertiser exits, X’s ad revenue is projected to rise. Musk continues testing industry tolerance, as marketers cautiously engage with his AI-led vision.

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AI turns creative into a repeatable system, reports Digiday

General

Aug 7, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

AI is reshaping creative operations, with marketers moving from content volume to structured, scalable personalisation. Tools like LLMs and performance feedback systems are enabling real-time optimisation.

Brands such as Unilever, Kimberly-Clark, and Yum! are integrating AI to boost creative output, quality, and campaign effectiveness. The focus is now on data-driven systems, not just ideas.

While adoption remains patchy, the shift is accelerating. Creative’s value, not just cost, is becoming central, prompting questions about pricing models and agency roles. Success will depend on how well marketers structure, activate, and learn from their data.

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Taboola Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +8.7% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +1.3% YoY

+ 9% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2025

Primary Source Earnings Report

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Expert Opinions

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Liveramp Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +10.7% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +203.4% YoY

+ 11% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2025

Primary Source Earnings Report

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Expert Opinions

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Disney Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +2.1% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +109.1% YoY

+ 2% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2025

FT reports:

Disney beat profit expectations in Q2, reporting $5.3bn in net income, helped by a $3.3bn tax benefit. Adjusted earnings rose 16% to $1.61 per share, above forecasts.

US theme parks drove growth with a 22% rise in operating income, offsetting a 15% drop in traditional TV revenue due to ongoing shifts to streaming.

Streaming revenue rose 6% to $6.2bn, with Disney+ adding 1.8mn subscribers. Disney raised its full-year profit forecast and will sell a 10% ESPN stake to the NFL ahead of its upcoming streaming launch. Shares dipped despite strong results.

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Magnite Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +6.4% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +1133.3% YoY

+ 6% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2025

AdExchanger reports:

Magnite exceeded its own Q2 revenue expectations, driven by growth in programmatic CTV and partnerships with streamers like Netflix and Roku. However, it missed Wall Street forecasts, leading to a 7% stock drop.

The company plans to gain market share from Google, expecting changes following the DOJ’s antitrust ruling. Magnite aims to benefit without major cost increases.

Looking ahead, it sees growth from live sports, small advertisers entering CTV, and closer agency partnerships. An in-house AI tool for contextual CTV segmentation is also in development, reinforcing Magnite’s position as a key player in the evolving programmatic landscape.

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Microsoft Raids Google’s DeepMind AI Unit With Promise of Less Bureaucracy, reports WSJ

General

Aug 6, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft has hired Mustafa Suleyman, a DeepMind co-founder, to lead its AI division and attract top talent from Google, including over two dozen former DeepMind staff. Suleyman is offering competitive pay and a startup-like culture to support Microsoft’s Copilot AI product.

Microsoft’s approach contrasts Google’s more bureaucratic structure, appealing to recruits seeking agility and autonomy. Recruits will mainly work on consumer-facing AI products like Copilot in Edge browser.

The move reflects a broader AI talent war, with firms like Meta offering huge pay packages. Meanwhile, OpenAI seeks a $500 billion valuation to remain competitive in recruiting and technology development.

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OpenAI in Talks for Share Sale at $500 Billion Valuation, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 6, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI is in early talks for a secondary stock sale that could value the company at $500 billion, significantly up from its $300 billion valuation. The sale would allow current and former employees to sell shares, with interest from existing investors like Thrive Capital.

This move follows OpenAI’s recent $8.3 billion funding success and aims to retain staff amid talent poaching from competitors like Meta. It comes as rivals Anthropic and xAI pursue high valuations.

OpenAI is also expanding its product offerings, including GPT-5 and partnerships with US federal agencies, while renegotiating key terms with major backer Microsoft.

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Disney Paying $1.6 Billion for WWE Rights, reports WSJ

General

Aug 6, 2025

ESPN and WWE have agreed a five-year, $1.6 billion deal starting in 2026, giving ESPN exclusive U.S. streaming rights to major WWE events, including WrestleMania and SummerSlam. These events will feature on ESPN’s upcoming streaming service and select ESPN cable channels.

The deal marks a significant increase from WWE’s current Peacock agreement and follows WWE’s separate $5 billion deal with Netflix for its “Raw” show. ESPN aims to boost its direct-to-consumer service with premium sports content.

ESPN also holds UFC rights and is pursuing further deals, including with Major League Baseball, as it prepares for its streaming platform launch this autumn.

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OpenAI’s long-awaited GPT-5 model nears release, reports Reuters

General

Aug 6, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI is preparing to launch GPT-5, the next version of its AI model, though early testers say the improvement over GPT-4 may be less dramatic than the leap from GPT-3.

Challenges in scaling—such as limited data and hardware failures—have slowed progress, though OpenAI is also using “test-time compute” to boost performance on complex tasks.

While no release date is confirmed, industry insiders expect it soon. GPT-5 is highly anticipated, with hopes it will unlock autonomous task execution and extend beyond chat applications, continuing OpenAI’s push at the forefront of generative AI development.

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Australia regulator says YouTube, others turning a blind eye to child abuse material, reports Reuters

General

Aug 6, 2025

Responsible Media

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has criticised major tech firms for failing to tackle child sexual abuse material, singling out YouTube and Apple for lacking transparency and responsiveness.

The report found both companies could not say how many user reports they received or how quickly they acted, despite prior warnings from the regulator.

Safety gaps across platforms include poor detection of livestreams, weak reporting tools, and limited use of hash-matching tech. YouTube has now been added to Australia’s proposed teen social media ban, as regulators push for greater accountability from the tech industry on child protection.

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Instagram Adds Repost Feature, Friends Tab, and Snap Map Lookalike, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 6, 2025

Instagram is launching new features to help users stay connected, including a repost option for feed posts and Reels, which will appear in a dedicated tab on profiles. These reposts will be recommended to friends and followers to boost creator visibility.

A new optional map feature allows users to share their latest app activity location with selected friends via messages. Location sharing is off by default and can be customised for different people and places.

Instagram is also expanding its Friends tab globally, enabling users to explore content their friends have recently interacted with or discover content through private Blend feeds.

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UK Regulatory Body Clears Omnicom-IPG Merger, reports AdWeek

M&A

Aug 6, 2025

Omnicom Group and Interpublic Group are closer to finalising their $13 billion merger after the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority opted against a phase-two investigation.

The deal, already approved by the US Federal Trade Commission with conditions, is expected to close in the coming months, pending approval from remaining regulators, including the EU.

Leaders from both companies said the merger would unite talent and capabilities to meet evolving client needs, as media and technology reshape the industry. Omnicom recently reported $4 billion in Q2 revenue and projected further organic growth for the remainder of 2025.

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OpenAI Names PHD Global Media AOR As It Ramps Up Advertising, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 6, 2025

OpenAI has named PHD, part of Omnicom Media Group, as its first global media agency of record. The agency will oversee worldwide media planning and buying as OpenAI ramps up consumer marketing.

PHD previously supported OpenAI’s campaign targeting college students, while creative remained in-house. The move follows the hiring of CMO Kate Rouch, who led OpenAI’s Super Bowl debut before taking medical leave, with Gary Briggs stepping in as interim CMO.

Despite modest media spend in 2024, OpenAI’s investment is growing. The PHD appointment caps a strong year for the agency, which retained major clients and topped global new business rankings.

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Disney to Fold Hulu App Into Disney+, Stops Reporting Streaming Subscribers, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 6, 2025

Disney announced major streaming changes during its Q3 earnings call, including fully integrating Hulu into Disney+ for a unified app experience. The combined app will include general entertainment, kids’ content, news, and live sports, offering expanded advertising and bundling opportunities.

The new ESPN direct-to-consumer app will launch on 21 August, with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN offered as a $29.99/month bundle for the first year. Hulu will also replace the Star tile internationally.

Disney will stop reporting subscriber and ARPU figures for Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ in 2026, shifting focus to profitability, following a similar move by Netflix.

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News Corp. Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +0.8% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +993.0% YoY

+ 1% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 5, 2025

News Publishing

WSJ reports:

News Corp reported Q4 revenue of $2.1bn, up 1%, with net profit surging to $743m, boosted by a $690m gain from the Foxtel sale. Excluding this, earnings rose to 9 cents a share.

Dow Jones revenue grew 7% to $604m, driven by higher digital subscriptions, with The Wall Street Journal reaching 4.13m digital subscribers. Digital real estate services revenue rose 4% to $466m.

HarperCollins revenue fell 4%, while News Media revenue dropped 4%. For the full year, News Corp revenue increased 2% to $8.45bn, with segment profit up 14%. A new $1bn share buyback programme was announced.

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Fox Corp. Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +6.3% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +125.4% YoY

+ 6% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 5, 2025

Reuters reports:

Fox posted Q4 revenue of $3.29bn, up 6.3% and above forecasts, with adjusted profit of $1.27 per share beating estimates. Growth was driven by higher advertising, affiliate fees and Tubi’s continued expansion.

Advertising rose 7.1%, led by digital gains from Tubi and stronger news ratings. Affiliate fee revenue increased 2.6% across cable and television segments.

Fox announced a $5bn share buyback boost and plans to launch Fox One, a subscription streaming service, ahead of the NFL season. It also acquired Caliente TV in June to expand its sports broadcasting footprint in Mexico. Shares rose 1.8% in premarket trading.

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DoubleVerify Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +21.3% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +17.2% YoY

+ 21% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 5, 2025

Primary Source Earnings Report

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Expert Opinions

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Snap Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +8.7% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Up By +5.6% YoY

+ 9% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 5, 2025

Bloomberg reports:

Snap reported Q2 revenue of $1.345bn, slightly below forecasts, after a technical glitch in its ad auction let marketers buy ads at reduced prices. The issue has since been fixed.

Net loss widened to $262.6mn, or 16 cents a share, compared with $248.6mn last year. Daily active users rose 9% to 469mn, just above expectations.

Snap forecasts Q3 revenue of $1.48bn–$1.51bn, exceeding analyst estimates. Shares, down 13% this year, fell over 15% in after-hours trading following the results.

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Fox One streaming service to launch ahead of NFL season on Aug. 21, at $19.99 per month, reports CNBC

General

Aug 5, 2025

Fox Corp will launch its streaming service, Fox One, on 21 August for $19.99 per month, with free access for pay-TV subscribers. It will include live sports, Fox News, and Fox Business content.

The service won’t feature exclusive or original shows, with most costs focused on tech, marketing and overhead. Fox is aiming for modest subscriber numbers and plans to bundle Fox One carefully to protect the traditional pay-TV model.

Fox One enters a crowded market alongside ESPN’s upcoming streaming launch. Fox reported quarterly revenue of $3.29 billion, boosted by Tubi and strong performance in news and sports advertising.

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Rupert Murdoch and Trump Agree to Postpone Deposition, reports NYT

General

Aug 5, 2025

Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump have agreed to delay Murdoch’s deposition in Trump’s lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, citing Murdoch’s age and health.

The pause will remain in place until the judge rules on the newspaper’s motion to dismiss. If the case proceeds, Murdoch will be deposed within 30 days at a location in the U.S.

Trump sued over an article linking him to a lewd note allegedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, which he denies writing. Murdoch, News Corp, Dow Jones, and two journalists are named in the suit. Murdoch will provide Trump with health updates.

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Disney set to stream La Liga matches in UK and Ireland, reports FT

General

Aug 5, 2025

Sports Marketing

Disney is in advanced talks to stream one La Liga match per week in the UK and Ireland via Disney+, expanding its live sports offering. Premier Sports will remain the league’s main broadcaster, showing over 300 matches annually.

La Liga aims to target time slots outside Premier League broadcasts and appeal to younger audiences to boost its visibility post-Messi and Ronaldo. The deal is expected to be worth under £20 million per year.

US streamers are increasingly investing in live sports. Disney has been less aggressive than rivals but is gradually acquiring European football rights to drive subscriptions on its platforms.

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The NFL Is Taking a 10% Stake in Disney’s ESPN, reports WSJ

M&A

Aug 5, 2025

Sports Marketing

The NFL will acquire a 10% stake in ESPN in exchange for media assets including the NFL Network, deepening ties between the two sports giants. ESPN gains valuable content for its streaming launch, while the NFL ensures its channels’ future within a major media group.

The agreement includes distribution of NFL RedZone by ESPN, though ownership and digital rights stay with the league. The deal still requires regulatory approval and has raised concerns about competitive fairness among media partners.

Despite potential editorial conflicts, Disney insists ESPN’s journalistic integrity remains unchanged. The NFL also gains equity via a separate CBS partnership.

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Advertisers Can’t Quit Google, Despite Complaints About Traffic and Ads, reports The Information

General

Aug 5, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Despite frustrations with declining efficiency and traffic, advertisers and publishers continue increasing spend on Google search ads due to a lack of strong alternatives. ChatGPT and AI Overviews may be reducing organic traffic, prompting heavier investment in paid ads.

Advertisers report Google search ads appear less often next to relevant queries, yet the platform still provides better returns than rivals. As consumer search habits shift toward more specific queries, brand-related ad placements are rising in cost and demand.

Meanwhile, regulatory pressures mount, with the U.S. and U.K. scrutinising Google's market dominance. Google maintains AI is boosting search and advertiser opportunities.

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Roku launches Howdy, a cheap, ad-free streaming service, reports USA Today

General

Aug 5, 2025

Roku has launched Howdy, a low-cost, ad-free streaming service exclusive to its devices, offering thousands of titles for $2.99 a month. Content partners include Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery and FilmRise.

Titles available at launch include Elvis, Mad Max: Fury Road, Back to the Future, Weeds and Party Down. Roku plans to expand Howdy to mobile and other platforms soon.

Howdy focuses on popular library content rather than original programming, aiming to complement, not replace, major streaming platforms. Roku hopes its affordability and simplicity will appeal to users seeking budget-friendly streaming alternatives.

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Nielsen, WPP Media Strike New Audience-Measurement Data Agreement, reports Variety

General

Aug 5, 2025

Nielsen and WPP Media have signed a new deal to integrate Nielsen’s advanced audience data into WPP Open, aiming to create a more efficient planning and measurement system for advertisers.

The partnership comes as Nielsen rolls out new technologies that measure viewership across linear and broadband platforms, using a mix of smart-TV data and traditional panel insights.

While some clients have expressed concerns about discrepancies in the new data, Nielsen believes it reflects accurate viewing patterns. The renewed deal is part of broader efforts to help advertisers better target and measure advanced audiences, based on behaviours and preferences beyond demographics.

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Jury rules Meta violated California privacy laws by quietly collecting Flo users’ menstrual health data, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 5, 2025

A California jury has ruled that Meta violated state privacy laws by collecting sensitive menstrual health data from Flo app users without consent, for ad-tracking purposes. The case, representing millions of users, claimed violations of the California Invasion of Privacy Act.

Other defendants included Google, AppsFlyer and Flurry, with Google and Flo having already settled. The lawyers said the verdict reinforces the right to privacy regarding digital health data.

Meta denied wrongdoing, stating it never accessed Flo user data and that its policies prohibit developers from sharing sensitive information. The company is considering legal options to challenge the verdict.

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Criteo Is Holding Its Ground as Retail Media Rivals Try to Steal Its Share, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 5, 2025

Criteo faces growing pressure after losing parts of major accounts and amid rising competition from agile retail media rivals. New players are challenging its dominance with flexible, AI-driven platforms.

Despite this, Criteo reported strong earnings, added video and programmatic capabilities, and retained a solid client base. Its plug-and-play approach remains attractive, especially to smaller retailers.

Analysts say switching providers is complex, giving Criteo short-term stability. But as retail media matures and growth slows, true winners will need to stand out through innovation, streamlined offerings, and broader value beyond ad serving.

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Barb launches invitation to tender for Establishment Survey, reports The Media Leader

General

Aug 5, 2025

Barb has launched a tender for its Establishment Survey, seeking new approaches in sampling, data collection and survey design. The goal is to increase flexibility, possibly using mixed mode fieldwork, and to review the current sample size of 53,000 UK households.

A redesigned survey aims to improve user experience and interview flow. The new contract runs from 2027–2029, with a testing year in 2026 and an optional two-year extension.

Barb's survey supports its panel recruitment and measurement objectives. The deadline for tender responses is 9 October, with the current contract held by Ipsos until the end of 2026.

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AI Max gets new reporting features, reports Search Engine Land

General

Aug 4, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Google Ads’ AI Max now provides a combined report showing search terms, ad headlines, and landing pages, improving campaign transparency from the start.

Advertisers can better understand how AI matches queries to pages and diagnose mismatches, especially when using Final URL expansion or auto-generated assets.

The update addresses long-standing visibility issues seen with Performance Max, enabling quicker optimisation, fewer blind spots, and improved user experience.

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Spotify to Raise Subscription Prices Around the World Amid Chase for Consistent Profit, reports WSJ

General

Aug 4, 2025

Audio Advertising

Spotify will raise Premium Individual prices from €10.99 to €11.99 per month starting in September across regions including Europe, South Asia, and Latin America.

The increase aligns with earlier U.S. changes, where Duo and Family plans also rose. Spotify says the hike supports continued innovation in features and services.

Despite growing subscriber numbers, Spotify reported a loss in Q2 and is adjusting prices to help manage ongoing profitability challenges while maintaining its lead in audio streaming.

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Nielsen rival HyphaMetrics wins patent verdict, reports AdAge

General

Aug 4, 2025

A U.S. jury ruled that HyphaMetrics did not infringe on any of Nielsen’s patents, marking a major setback for Nielsen in its legal battles with rivals. The decision removes barriers for companies using HyphaMetrics’ technology.

The verdict covered six claims across two patents, ending the litigation between the companies unless Nielsen appeals. Nielsen still faces challenges in other lawsuits, including patent losses in a case against TVision.

Nielsen criticised HyphaMetrics’ offering as insubstantial, while HyphaMetrics hailed the ruling as a victory for media innovation and promised to continue advancing unified measurement across platforms.

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Adtech company OpenX sues Google, accusing it of anticompetitive tactics that crippled its growth, reports Insider

General

Aug 4, 2025

OpenX has filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing it of anticompetitive practices that harmed its ability to compete in the digital ad market. The move follows a federal ruling that found Google held an illegal monopoly in adtech.

OpenX claims Google rigged ad auctions, pressured publishers, and redirected ad spend to its own platforms, forcing OpenX to shut down its publisher ad server in 2019.

The company seeks damages and an injunction to stop Google's practices. The case could add pressure on Google, which is already facing the prospect of a court-ordered breakup of parts of its ad business.

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Creators are doubling their rates as they capitalize on brands’ growing interest, reports Digiday

General

Aug 4, 2025

Influencer Marketing

Influencer fees are rising sharply as brands increase creator marketing spend, with some creators doubling their rates since 2024. Marketers report confusion from brands unprepared for such hikes, though others accept them as part of growing demand.

Long-term partnerships and faster campaign turnarounds are driving up prices. Creators charge more for quicker delivery and for additional rights, like content use across platforms or exclusivity.

As creators play a larger role in brand strategies, they’re more confident in maintaining higher fees. With ad spend in the creator economy growing, brands are willing to pay for proven performance and broader content use.

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Nonprofit Funding PBS and NPR Stations to Shut Down Next Month, reports WSJ

General

Aug 1, 2025

News Publishing

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) will begin winding down operations after the U.S. Senate cut future federal funding, ending a decades-long run. Most staff roles will end by 30 September.

CPB funded NPR and PBS stations across the country, many of which now face severe financial challenges and may shut down. Trump’s administration pushed to defund CPB, reclaiming $1.1 billion budgeted for the next two years.

Public media leaders warn of the immediate impact on local communities, with stations cutting budgets and ramping up fundraising. CPB, established in 1967, had previously survived repeated threats to its funding.

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Apple CEO Tells Staff AI Is Ours to Grab in Hourlong Pep Talk, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 1, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Tim Cook held a rare all-hands meeting to rally Apple staff around its AI strategy and upcoming products. He compared AI’s importance to past tech revolutions and urged faster integration across teams.

Cook acknowledged Apple’s late entry into AI but said the company aims to lead through quality and innovation. Updates on Siri, chip development, and new AI infrastructure were shared, with Siri's full overhaul expected next year.

The meeting also covered sales growth, retail expansion, and product excitement. Cook teased new devices, including smart glasses and a foldable iPhone, calling Apple’s future product pipeline “amazing.”

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TikTok launches TikTok Pro in Europe with built-in charity program, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 1, 2025

TikTok has launched “TikTok Pro” in Germany, Portugal, and Spain, featuring the “Sunshine Programme” to support charitable causes.

Users can earn “virtual sunshine” by engaging with charity-related content and inviting others to join. TikTok then donates to charities based on sunshine used.

TikTok Pro has the same content as the main app but excludes ads, livestreams, and shopping. The aim is to let European users support charities while enjoying TikTok content.

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Microsoft Ads rolls out website exclusion tools for Search, Audience ads, reports Search Engine Land

General

Aug 1, 2025

Microsoft Advertising has introduced new exclusion tools, allowing advertisers to block up to 10,000 websites per list across Search and Audience Ads. Users can now manage exclusions centrally and apply them to multiple campaigns in bulk.

The update enhances brand safety and efficiency, aligning with rising privacy concerns. Advertisers can create exclusion lists at the account level and apply them at the campaign level for better control.

This marks a strategic shift, unifying ad placement management across formats. Microsoft is also testing a Targeted Website List feature for selected advertisers seeking even greater precision in campaign targeting.

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Musk's X must face part of lawsuit over child pornography video, reports Reuters

General

Aug 1, 2025

Responsible Media

A U.S. federal appeals court has revived part of a lawsuit accusing Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) of negligence for delaying the reporting of child pornography. The court said X must face claims it failed to act promptly after learning of a video involving two underage boys.

While Section 230 shields X from liability over user content, the court ruled it doesn’t apply once the platform has actual knowledge of illegal material. X took nine days to remove the video, which had 167,000 views.

Claims that X benefited from trafficking or amplified harmful content were dismissed, but negligence claims will proceed.

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Instagram now requires users to have at least 1,000 followers to go live, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 1, 2025

Influencer Marketing

Instagram now requires users to have a public account and at least 1,000 followers to go live, restricting access for smaller creators and casual users. Those who no longer meet the criteria will see a notice explaining the change.

The update aligns Instagram’s policy with TikTok’s, which has the same follower requirement for livestreaming. In contrast, YouTube only requires 50 subscribers. Users have criticised the move online, calling for a reversal.

Instagram cited improving the Live experience as the reason, though the change may also reduce costs by limiting low-viewership streams, which are expensive for Meta to host.

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NFL deals Red Zone, NFL Media assets to ESPN in blockbuster billion-dollar agreement, reports The Athletic

General

Aug 1, 2025

Sports Marketing

ESPN and the NFL have struck a major deal granting ESPN access to top NFL media assets, including NFL Network, RedZone and extra games. In return, the NFL may receive up to 10% equity in ESPN, marking a strategic shift for both parties.

The agreement supports ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer app launching soon at $29.99 per month, offering full access to ESPN content without a cable subscription. RedZone is expected to play a central role in future distribution.

The NFL will offload underperforming media properties and gain a stake in ESPN’s future, while ESPN bolsters its sports portfolio amid cable subscriber declines.

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OpenAI Secures Another Giant Funding Deal, reports NYT

General

Aug 1, 2025

Investment Rounds

OpenAI has raised $8.3 billion at a $300 billion valuation, well ahead of schedule in its plan to secure $40 billion this year. The round, led by Dragoneer with a $2.8 billion investment, was five times oversubscribed.

New backers like Blackstone, TPG and T. Rowe Price joined, with strategic value in promoting ChatGPT across industries. Some early investors were frustrated by reduced allocations.

OpenAI’s annual recurring revenue has reached $13 billion and is projected to surpass $20 billion. Business users of ChatGPT now total five million, and discussions with Microsoft continue as OpenAI pursues for-profit status.

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Microsoft in Brazilian antitrust regulator's crosshairs after Opera complaint, reports Reuters

General

Aug 1, 2025

Brazil’s antitrust agency CADE has launched an investigation into Microsoft following a complaint by Norwegian browser firm Opera regarding unfair competition practices.

Opera alleges Microsoft’s pre-installation of Edge as the default browser on Windows devices prevents fair competition. CADE has set a 15 August deadline for Microsoft to respond to claims involving Windows, Microsoft 365 and its AI-focused Jumpstart programme.

Opera, holding 6.78% of Brazil’s desktop browser market, has a history of challenging Microsoft, having previously triggered a major fine by the European Commission over similar issues related to Internet Explorer. Microsoft has yet to comment on the new inquiry.

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UK's online safety law is putting free speech at risk, X says, reports Reuters

General

Aug 1, 2025

Responsible Media

Social media platform X has warned that the UK’s new Online Safety Act could suppress free speech due to its broad enforcement and tight compliance deadlines.

The law, aimed at protecting children and removing illegal content, has faced backlash over age verification demands and censorship of legal material, with over 468,000 people signing a repeal petition.

X criticised the risk of over-censorship and called for significant changes to ensure freedom and innovation aren’t undermined. While the government remains firm on implementation, Ofcom has begun investigating several pornography sites for non-compliance under the law.

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Big Tech's acquihire deals face regulatory scrutiny, outgoing EU antitrust official says, reports Reuters

General

Aug 1, 2025

The EU may soon scrutinise Big Tech’s acquihires, where start-up founders and teams are hired without formal acquisitions, as these deals could evade merger rules.

Olivier Guersent, retiring head of the EU’s antitrust unit, urged national agencies with referral powers to act, noting staff can be seen as part of a company’s assets.

Recent examples include hires by Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta. Guersent also praised the Digital Markets Act for tackling long-standing competition issues but acknowledged its mixed success, citing Apple’s adjustments versus Meta’s resistance as evidence of varied compliance.

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As YouTube Shorts reaches 200 billion views, advertisers increase their investment, reports Digiday

General

Aug 1, 2025

YouTube Shorts is gaining traction with advertisers as daily views exceed 200 billion and CPMs remain lower than rivals like TikTok and Reels. Agencies report rising investment, driven by improved cost-efficiency and growing reach.

Google’s rollout of Demand Gen campaigns with standalone Shorts targeting has been a key factor, giving brands greater control. This has led to rapid adoption and ad spend growth across agencies.

YouTube’s efforts to enhance creator tools and monetisation, alongside a strong pitch highlighting untapped audiences, are positioning Shorts as a compelling, scalable alternative in the short-form video ad space.

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Nielsen’s RealEyes partnership offers an outcomes measurement solution, reports Digiday

General

Aug 1, 2025

Nielsen has launched its Outcomes Marketplace in partnership with RealEyes to offer deeper insights into ad effectiveness, beyond reach and frequency. It aims to link creative attention with real business outcomes such as brand sales and conversions.

This shift reflects Nielsen’s cultural change towards openness and innovation, incorporating creative scoring and social media cost efficiency into its measurements. Captiv8, recently acquired by Publicis, is already signed up.

The initiative signals growing industry focus on creative impact, with attention metrics now seen as critical to campaign success. Further developments from Nielsen and its partners are expected in the coming months.

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Amazon CEO wants to put ads in your Alexa+ conversations, reports TechCrunch

General

Jul 31, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy hinted at introducing ads into Alexa+ conversations, aiming to boost product discovery and revenue. Alexa+ is Amazon’s upgraded, AI-powered assistant, already available to millions of users.

The company is exploring ad-supported and subscription-based models, possibly including an ad-free tier. Integrating ads into multi-turn conversations marks new ground for Amazon and raises privacy concerns.

Amazon's ad revenue grew 22% year-on-year, while Alexa+ adoption and capital investment in AI infrastructure continue to rise. However, the assistant’s mixed reviews and potential for AI errors suggest further work is needed before advertising becomes a key feature.

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Democratic senator proposes new safeguards to keep TikTok online, reports Reuters

General

Jul 31, 2025

Senator Ed Markey has proposed new safeguards to allow TikTok to remain in the U.S. without requiring ByteDance to sell its American operations, if certain transparency and data protections are implemented.

This comes amid legal uncertainty, as President Trump has repeatedly extended the divestment deadline, despite questions over his authority to do so. Markey argues Congress must act to protect national security without banning the app.

A deal to spin off TikTok’s U.S. business stalled due to Chinese resistance, with officials warning the app may be forced to shut down if no approved sale is reached by the new September deadline.

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Google Loses Appeal in App Store Fight With Fortnite Maker Epic, reports Bloomberg

General

Jul 31, 2025

Google has lost its appeal in an antitrust case brought by Epic Games, requiring it to change Play Store policies that restricted rival app stores and billing systems.

The ruling could significantly impact Google’s revenue, with analysts estimating a $1–1.5 billion profit hit if third-party billing gains traction. Epic’s CEO welcomed the decision as a win for competition.

The case adds to Google’s growing regulatory pressure, with upcoming rulings on its dominance in search and display advertising that may force further structural changes to its business.

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Your public ChatGPT queries are getting indexed by Google and other search engines, reports TechCrunch

General

Jul 31, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI briefly allowed shared ChatGPT conversations to appear in search engine results, but removed the feature after concerns about accidental exposure of personal information.

Chats were only indexed if users created and opted to share a link, yet many didn’t realise these could be discoverable via search, revealing details like job applications and personal views.

OpenAI said it ended the experiment due to privacy risks, and clarified that shared conversations aren’t public by default. Search engines like Google don’t control what’s made public; it’s up to publishers to manage whether content gets indexed.

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Reddit Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +77.9% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +990.0% YoY

+ 78% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jul 31, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

CNBC reports:

Reddit’s shares surged up to 20% after it exceeded second-quarter expectations, reporting $500 million in revenue and $89 million net income. This marks a 78% year-on-year revenue rise and its biggest earnings beat since going public.

Daily active users grew 21% to 110.4 million, with revenue per user reaching $4.53. Reddit Answers, its AI tool, now sees 6 million weekly users and will expand globally, becoming central to Reddit’s search.

Despite search traffic headwinds from Google’s AI changes, Reddit remains widely searched. It is shifting focus from user economy initiatives to core features and audience growth through community-driven content.

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Advertisers Can Now Target Home Depot Shoppers on Yahoo DSP, Even If They're Not on the Retailer's Shelves, reports AdWeek

General

Jul 31, 2025

Home Depot’s Orange Apron Media has partnered with Yahoo DSP to let non-endemic brands target its shoppers across digital, audio, and connected TV channels. Advertisers like insurers or automakers can now access insights from 3.5 billion annual website visits and 2,300 stores.

Previously, such access was available via The Trade Desk, but this new partnership broadens availability. Daily-updated data enables brands to reach consumers undertaking major life events like moving or renovations.

Home Depot’s retail media strategy blends in-house tools with tech partners and includes case-by-case targeting for non-endemics on owned channels, emphasising the trust in retail-sourced audience data.

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Roku Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +14.8% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +130.9% YoY

+ 15% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jul 31, 2025

Reuters reports:

Roku exceeded Q2 revenue expectations, posting $1.11 billion, driven by user growth and strong advertising sales. Its platform segment rose 18% to $975 million, supported by video ads and the Frndly acquisition.

A new ad partnership with Amazon gives Roku access to 80 million U.S. households, boosting its connected TV footprint. Roku TV now accounts for nearly 40% of U.S. TV unit sales.

The Roku Channel is now the platform’s second most engaged app. Roku also announced a $400 million share buyback and forecast Q3 revenue of $1.2 billion, slightly ahead of analyst estimates.

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Comcast Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +2.1% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +187.7% YoY

+ 2% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jul 31, 2025

Reuters reports:

Comcast beat Q2 estimates with $30.31 billion in revenue, driven by strong theme park performance, streaming growth, and wireless customer gains. Earnings per share reached $1.25.

Theme park revenue rose nearly 19%, boosted by the launch of "Epic Universe", while Peacock streaming revenue grew 18% with losses narrowing significantly.

The company gained 378,000 new wireless customers but lost 226,000 broadband users. To counter this, Comcast introduced bundled packages and a five-year price lock to reduce churn and support future growth.

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Apple Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +9.6% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +9.3% YoY

+ 10% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jul 31, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

CNBC reports:

Apple reported strong Q3 results, with earnings of $1.57 per share and revenue of $94.04 billion, both exceeding expectations. iPhone sales rose 13%, and services grew 13% to $27.42 billion.

Mac revenue grew nearly 15%, while iPad and wearables declined. Apple saw a 4% sales increase in China, helped by subsidies. Tariff costs were $800 million in Q3 and could rise to $1.1 billion in Q4.

CEO Tim Cook said AI is a major focus, with growing investment across devices and platforms. He views AI tools as complementary to iPhones, not a threat, and remains confident in the company’s roadmap.

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Paramount Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +0.5% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +101.1% YoY

+ 1% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jul 31, 2025

Bloomberg reports:

Paramount Global beat Q2 earnings estimates, reporting 46 cents per share and $6.85 billion in revenue, as lower costs and streaming growth offset traditional TV declines.

Paramount+ lost 1.3 million subscribers, partly due to an expiring international deal, but streaming profits rose to $157 million. The TV unit’s revenue dropped 6% and film saw an $84 million loss.

Ahead of its 7 August merger with Skydance Media, the FCC approved the deal, with commitments to diverse programming. David Ellison will lead the new company, with the Redstone family exiting after decades of control, ending a major chapter in media history.

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Amazon Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +13.3% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +34.7% YoY

+ 13% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jul 31, 2025

CNBC reports:

Amazon beat Q2 expectations with revenue of $167.7 billion and earnings per share of $1.68, driven by solid growth in online sales, cloud services and advertising.

Despite strong performance, shares fell over 7% after light operating income guidance and investor concerns over rising AI investment and cloud competition, especially from Microsoft and Google.

Amazon Web Services revenue rose 18%, while advertising grew 23% to $15.7 billion. CEO Andy Jassy expressed optimism about AI progress but warned of challenges from tariffs and global trade policies, although consumer demand has remained resilient so far this year.

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Roblox Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +20.9% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Up By +35% YoY

+ 21% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jul 31, 2025

Gaming / Metaverse

CNBC reports:

Roblox shares jumped 10% after reporting stronger-than-expected Q2 revenue and user growth, with net bookings reaching $1.44 billion, up 51% year on year.

Daily active users hit 111.8 million, while engagement soared to 27.4 billion hours. The company raised its Q3 bookings forecast to up to $1.64 billion.

Despite a net loss of $279 million, Roblox credits strategic investments and new safety tools, including age verification, for fostering user growth and creator success. The company aims to capture 10% of the global gaming content market and retain older users by expanding mature content options.

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Ad industry trade bodies launch LHF awareness campaign, reports The Media Leader

General

Jul 31, 2025

Responsible Media

UK ad trade bodies have launched the “Countdown to October 1” campaign to help the industry prepare for upcoming restrictions on less-healthy food (LHF) advertising.

Although enforcement begins in January 2026, advertisers are urged to follow the rules from October 2025, using provided guidance, training and resources to ensure compliance and uphold brand exemptions.

The campaign outlines affected channels, permitted formats, and clarifies that brand ads without LHF products remain allowed. Seasonal messaging and industry collaboration aim to show good faith and maintain trust with the government as final legal clarifications are expected in September.

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Barb begins reporting TV-set viewing of YouTube channels, reports The Media Leader

General

Jul 31, 2025

Barb has begun independently measuring UK TV-set viewing of 200 popular YouTube channels, including MrBeast, Peppa Pig and FIFA, marking a claimed global first in YouTube audience reporting.

The initiative uses audio-matching to track videos over two minutes, offering classifications based on exclusivity and duration to indicate data confidence. Initial results show low reach for many channels, with children’s content dominating.

TV sets now account for 43% of YouTube viewing among UK users aged 16+, and 53% for children. Barb’s new data aims to offer greater transparency as YouTube increasingly positions itself as a key player in the TV ecosystem.

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A Media Giant Leans on People, a 50-Year-Old Brand, to Confront the AI Age, reports WSJ

General

Jul 31, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Dotdash Meredith is rebranding as People Inc. to highlight its strongest brand amid digital challenges and AI disruptions in media. The name change aims to reflect broader cultural relevance and streamline identity.

Despite subscription declines, People remains a standout, with monthly web visits more than doubling since 2020 and 2.2 million paid subscribers—far surpassing rivals like Cosmopolitan and Vanity Fair.

CEO Neil Vogel acknowledges not all 40 brands will survive. He sees long-term potential in legacy titles with strong audience connections, as publishers increasingly lean on direct relationships and events to offset falling print sales and shifting online habits.

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Fox Takes Stake in IndyCar Owner Penske Entertainment, reports WSJ

General

Jul 31, 2025

Sports Marketing

Fox Corp has acquired a one-third stake in Penske Entertainment, owner of IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for an estimated $125–$135 million.

The deal extends Fox’s media rights for IndyCar, following strong ratings growth this season. Both parties aim to explore sponsorships, new events, and audience expansion beyond broadcasting.

This reflects a broader trend of media firms investing directly in sports leagues. Fox joins companies like ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery in forming deeper partnerships, viewing sport as key to boosting engagement, revenue, and long-term loyalty across both traditional and digital platforms.

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Network fee on Big Tech not a viable solution to boost EU digital rollout, EU says, reports Reuters

General

Jul 31, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

The European Commission has ruled out network fees on Big Tech as a viable way to fund 5G and broadband rollout, following conclusions from its 2023 White Paper.

Telecoms providers like Deutsche Telekom and Orange want tech firms such as Google and Meta to help cover infrastructure costs, citing their heavy use of networks. Tech firms argue this would amount to an unfair internet tax.

A U.S.–EU trade deal confirmed the EU won’t impose such fees. The Commission plans to propose the Digital Networks Act in November, offering a broader strategy for strengthening Europe’s digital infrastructure.

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Musk's xAI to sign chapter on safety and security in EU's AI code of practice, reports Reuters

General

Jul 31, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Elon Musk’s xAI will sign the safety and security chapter of the EU’s voluntary AI Code of Practice, supporting responsible development of advanced AI models.

The code, created by 13 experts, aims to help companies comply with the EU AI Act. It includes chapters on transparency, copyright, and safety, with legal clarity for those who sign.

xAI criticised parts of the code as harmful to innovation, especially copyright rules, and has not confirmed whether it will sign the other chapters. Google and Microsoft have indicated support, while Meta has refused, citing legal uncertainty and overreach.

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OpenAI hits $12 billion in annualized revenue, The Information reports, reports Reuters

General

Jul 31, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI has doubled its annualised revenue to $12 billion in the first seven months of 2025, generating around $1 billion per month, according to The Information.

The company reportedly has 700 million weekly active users for ChatGPT and is projecting an $8 billion cash burn for 2025, up from earlier estimates.

OpenAI is securing $30 billion in additional funding, with $7.5 billion already committed. Major investors include Sequoia, Tiger Global, and SoftBank, whose total investment now stands at $32 billion. OpenAI declined to comment on the figures, and Reuters has not independently verified the report.

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xAI teases Grok video generator, reports NBC

General

Jul 30, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Elon Musk’s xAI announced a new feature called Imagine, allowing Grok users to create short AI-generated videos with sound from text prompts. The tool is currently in early access for SuperGrok subscribers and selected users, with wider availability expected in October.

Imagine can turn text or static images into up to six-second videos. Some users raised concerns after lewd content was shared, prompting worries about potential misuse for explicit deepfakes.

Musk emphasised the feature prioritises fun and speed over visual quality. xAI is scaling up with 110,000 GPUs to improve future video capabilities on its Memphis-based supercomputer, Collosus.

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TikTok to Roll Out New Tool for Advertisers to Follow People Beyond the App, reports AdWeek

General

Jul 30, 2025

TikTok is launching Engaged Session, a new ad tool enabling brands to measure post-click behaviour without relying on pixels, available to all advertisers from 31 July.

The tool tracks users who spend at least 10 seconds on a website after clicking an ad, providing metrics like Cost per Engaged Session, aligning with third-party analytics such as Google and Adobe.

This feature helps brands reach high-intent users amid rising privacy restrictions and declining pixel use, with early tests showing longer sessions and lower bounce rates. It also reflects Gen Z’s shift towards using TikTok for discovery instead of traditional search platforms like Google.

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TikTok to Tap Its User Base to Combat Misinformation, reports AdWeek

General

Jul 30, 2025

TikTok is testing a new fact-checking feature called Footnotes in the U.S., allowing select users to add and rate contextual information on videos to combat misinformation.

The pilot involves 80,000 qualified U.S. users, who must meet strict eligibility criteria, including a clean record and at least six months on the platform as of April 2025.

Footnotes will run alongside TikTok’s existing fact-checking efforts, distinguishing it from X and Meta. The launch comes as parent company ByteDance faces a looming U.S. deadline to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations, with the current extension set to expire on 17 September.

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Microsoft Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +18.1% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +23.6% YoY

+ 18% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jul 30, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

FT reports:

Microsoft’s quarterly profit jumped 24% to $27.2bn, driven by record demand for cloud and AI services. Revenue rose 18% to $76.4bn, surpassing analyst forecasts and lifting shares 7% in after-hours trading.

Azure revenue rose 34% to $75bn for the fiscal year, as Microsoft broke out figures for the first time amid investor pressure for greater AI transparency. Overall cloud revenue hit $46.7bn in Q4.

Capital expenditure climbed to $24.2bn, reflecting growing AI infrastructure investment. Microsoft’s $3.8tn market cap now trails only Nvidia, as investors back its strong AI position across industries and enterprise technology.

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Meta Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +21.6% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +36.2% YoY

+ 22% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jul 30, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

FT reports:

Meta’s shares surged over 11% after beating Q2 revenue and profit forecasts, boosting investor confidence in its AI ambitions. Revenue rose 22% to $47.5bn, and net income climbed 36% to $18.3bn.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg highlighted improvements to ad recommendations and user engagement, while investing heavily in AI talent and infrastructure. A new “superintelligence” lab and data centre projects signal his long-term AI strategy.

Despite limited short-term AI revenue, Meta raised 2025 capital expenditure guidance and expects higher 2026 costs. Zuckerberg’s vision centres on building AI that empowers users creatively and socially, not just boosts productivity or automation.

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Criteo Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +2.4% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -18.3% YoY

+ 2% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jul 30, 2025

AdExchanger reports:

Criteo’s Q2 results showed limited growth, with revenue rising 2% to $483 million and net income dropping to $23 million. Its share price remained flat after the report.

Retail media is Criteo’s key growth area, now making up its fastest-growing segment, supported by agency partnerships like Dentsu and WPP. Retail partners rose slightly to over 230, despite previous client losses.

However, core retargeting and ad tech services continue to decline, with revenue falling by “double-digit millions,” partly due to increased competition from Google. Investors are watching to see whether Criteo can boost its total activated media spend beyond the current $1 billion plateau.

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Amazon Invests in Netflix of AI Start-Up Fable, Which Launches Showrunner: A Tool for User-Directed TV Shows, reports Variety

General

Jul 30, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Fable has launched Showrunner, an AI-powered platform allowing users to create animated TV episodes from simple prompts. Backed by Amazon, it aims to become the “Netflix of AI”, enabling personalisation and storytelling in user-generated fictional worlds.

The service is free to view and initially free to use, with future creator subscriptions planned. Two original shows are launching alongside the public beta, with further partnerships in discussion, including with Disney.

While focused on animation for now, Showrunner’s AI model includes safeguards against harmful content. CEO Edward Saatchi sees this as a new entertainment medium, though acknowledges limitations in long-form storytelling.

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Paramount deal thrusts David Ellison into Trump’s war with US media, reports FT

M&A

Jul 30, 2025

News Publishing

David Ellison’s $8bn takeover of Paramount, approved by the FCC, has drawn controversy over political influence and editorial independence.

As part of the deal, Skydance pledged to end diversity initiatives and monitor CBS for bias, prompting concerns of interference. The cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and a satirical South Park episode further fuelled backlash.

Critics warn the FCC is now being used to reshape media in Trump’s favour. Ellison, aiming to restore “objective journalism”, is also eyeing acquisitions like Bari Weiss’s The Free Press, while facing scrutiny over political pressure and Paramount’s future direction.

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TikTok Adds More Safety Tools, Expands Fact-Checking Feature, reports Bloomberg

General

Jul 30, 2025

Responsible Media

TikTok is introducing new safety tools, including expanded protections for teens and creators, and a US pilot of Footnotes, its fact-checking feature similar to Community Notes.

Parents can now block teen interactions and receive alerts about uploads, while creators gain tools to mute offensive Live comments and test content for guideline violations before posting.

Footnotes will highlight misleading videos if deemed helpful by users and TikTok’s algorithm, with moderation supported by AI and humans. The platform, facing legal pressure over child safety, continues to rely heavily on automation and may expand Footnotes beyond the US after evaluating the current trial.

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FCC opens probe into Comcast relationships with local TV affiliates, reports Reuters

General

Jul 30, 2025

News Publishing

FCC Chair Brendan Carr has launched a probe into Comcast’s relationships with its local broadcast affiliates, citing concerns over potential pressure tactics and unfair demands by NBC and similar networks.

Carr aims to ensure local stations retain independence to meet public interest obligations. Comcast confirmed receipt of the inquiry and pledged to cooperate, defending its long-term investment in local broadcasting.

This follows similar scrutiny of Disney and broader moves by the FCC to examine media bias, diversity initiatives, and election-related content. The investigation adds to rising political and regulatory pressure on major U.S. broadcasters to reform their operations.

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Meta faces Italian competition investigation over WhatsApp AI chatbot, reports Reuters

General

Jul 30, 2025

Italy’s antitrust authority has opened an investigation into Meta over claims it abused its market dominance by integrating Meta AI into WhatsApp without user consent.

The regulator alleges the move may harm competition by steering users toward Meta’s AI services and limiting rival offerings. Meta says the AI tool offers users more choice within a trusted app.

The probe is being conducted in coordination with the European Commission. If found guilty of breaching EU competition rules, Meta could face fines of up to 10% of global turnover. Investigators have already visited Meta’s Italian offices with support from tax police.

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Google to sign EU's AI code of practice despite concerns, reports Reuters

General

Jul 30, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Google will sign the EU’s voluntary code of practice to help companies comply with the bloc’s AI Act, which includes rules on training data transparency and copyright compliance.

The code, developed by independent experts, aims to provide legal clarity. Google supports it but warns it could hinder AI progress if it exposes trade secrets or delays approvals.

While Microsoft is expected to join, Meta has declined due to legal uncertainties. The EU's AI Act seeks to establish global standards for safe and responsible AI amid growing dominance by US and Chinese tech firms.

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YouTube to Be Included in Australia’s Teen Social Media Ban, reports Bloomberg

General

Jul 30, 2025

Advertising To Children

Australia will include YouTube in its upcoming ban on social media access for children under 16, reversing an earlier decision to exempt the platform.

The ban, taking effect at the end of 2025, follows backlash from rivals and concerns raised by the eSafety Commissioner about YouTube’s impact on young users.

YouTube Kids will remain exempt, but officials acknowledge enforcement challenges. Platforms will be required to take reasonable steps to prevent underage access, though workarounds by tech-savvy children are expected.

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Amazon to Pay New York Times at Least $20 Million a Year in AI Deal, reports WSJ

General

Jul 30, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Amazon has struck a multiyear deal with The New York Times worth $20–$25 million annually, granting access to news, cooking, and sports content for use in AI training and Alexa products.

This marks the first AI licensing agreement for both companies, as publishers and tech firms navigate the impact of AI on traditional search and ad revenue models.

The Times emphasised the value of quality journalism in the deal, which involves only cash payments. Meanwhile, other media companies like News Corp and Axel Springer have signed similar agreements, while lawsuits over AI-related copyright issues continue.

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X Will Give Brands Lower Ad Rates for Aesthetic Ads Free of URLs, Emojis, reports AdWeek

General

Jul 30, 2025

X is updating its ad policies to favour “aesthetic” ads by offering lower rates for those that avoid hashtags, links, excessive emojis, and poor design. Ads will be scored based on new visual and copy guidelines.

This aesthetic score will influence ad pricing and placement, with higher-quality ads benefiting from lower CPMs and better visibility. The platform also introduced an AI-powered “Explain this post” feature to fact-check claims in ads.

The move is part of X’s broader push to improve ad quality and rebuild trust with advertisers, following revenue declines since Elon Musk’s takeover and ongoing concerns over low-quality content.

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At The Tail End Of Upfronts, Nielsen Finds Itself Back In The Doghouse, reports AdExchanger

General

Jul 30, 2025

Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel ratings, once seen as a major improvement, have drawn criticism over inconsistent demographic data, frustrating publishers and buyers. Concerns focus on its HDAM model, which estimates viewer demographics.

Nielsen declined to alter the model mid-cycle, citing minimal impact and potential disruption. This has left smaller networks struggling to prove audience value and attract advertisers.

Despite criticism, Nielsen retains key agency deals. Yet, doubts about its reliability are reigniting interest in rival currencies like iSpot, Comscore and VideoAmp, which now have accreditation and see opportunity to challenge Nielsen’s dominance in TV measurement.

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Spotify Earnings For Q2 2025 Show +10.1% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -131.4% YoY

+ 10% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Jul 29, 2025

Audio Advertising

FT reports:

Spotify reported a net loss of €86mn in Q2, missing analyst expectations due to rising staff and marketing costs, and slow progress in its advertising business.

Despite a 10% rise in revenue to €4.2bn, currency impacts and weaker-than-expected ad growth contributed to underperformance. Advertising revenue fell 1%, with CEO Daniel Ek admitting execution delays.

Subscriber numbers rose 12% to 276mn, driven by price increases, new premium tiers, and expansion in audiobooks. However, forecasted revenue and income for Q3 remain below expectations, despite a 53% share price increase this year following earlier cost-cutting measures.

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Google tests AI Max ad group setting in keyword-less shift, reports Search Engine Land

General

Jul 29, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Google is expanding its AI Max beta with new ad group-level controls, shifting search targeting further towards AI-driven intent and away from manual keyword reliance.

The new “Search Term Matching” feature auto-expands all keywords to Broad Match, using AI to match ads with relevant queries based on content and assets. Advertisers can opt out for stricter control.

While this increases reach, it risks reduced precision. Four control levers help manage targeting, but the update signals Google’s continued push for automation-led search strategies, positioning AI as the primary driver of performance and campaign direction.

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Google Ads rolls out Search Term categories for RSAs, reports Search Engine Land

General

Jul 29, 2025

Google Ads is testing a new tool called Search Term Categories, offering RSA advertisers greater visibility into user intent by grouping queries into themed categories.

The tool provides aggregated metrics like conversions, CTR, impressions, and trends, helping marketers refine creative and keyword strategies, especially for Broad Match targeting.

Advertisers can explore subcategories, identify high-performing themes, and adjust budgets or replace underperforming assets accordingly. This added transparency was previously limited to PMax campaigns.

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Google cuts conversion tracking in EU over consent mode non-compliance, reports Search Engine Land

General

Jul 29, 2025

Google has begun strictly enforcing its EU User Consent Policy, disabling key ad features for websites not using Consent Mode v2 as of 21 July.

Advertisers without this update lose conversion tracking, remarketing, and ad personalisation across EU traffic, significantly weakening campaign performance and optimisation.

Without consent signals, Google’s machine learning cannot effectively deliver ads. Advertisers are already reporting reduced performance, and urgent compliance is essential to avoid further disruption.

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Google releases AI Mode in the UK, reports Search Engine Land

General

Jul 29, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Google has launched AI Mode in Search for users in the UK, its third full rollout after the US and India, bypassing the previous requirement to access it via Search Labs.

AI Mode appears as a new tab and delivers broader, AI-generated responses using a “query fan-out” method, useful for comparisons and deeper topic exploration.

It supports text, voice, and image input, and includes follow-up prompts similar to Gemini. Though logged in Search Console, AI Mode data isn’t separated, making analysis difficult. Google sees AI Mode as the future of Search, with global expansion expected to continue beyond Labs access.

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Spain's watchdog expands probe into Apple over App Store pricing, reports Bloomberg

General

Jul 29, 2025

Spain’s antitrust authority is expanding its investigation into Apple over alleged anti-competitive practices in the App Store, particularly around pricing conditions imposed on app developers.

The CNMC is assessing whether Apple’s pricing structure limits competition by requiring developers to follow specific commercial terms to distribute apps.

Apple denies wrongdoing and maintains the App Store provides a safe, trusted environment for users and fair opportunities for developers. The company said it will continue to cooperate with the regulator to ensure its position is understood. The investigation builds on a probe first launched by the CNMC in 2023.

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YouTube Plans to Use AI to Detect If US Viewers Are Under 18, reports Bloomberg

General

Jul 29, 2025

Advertising To Children

YouTube will begin using AI in the US to estimate if users are under 18, applying teen safety protections regardless of the birth date entered during sign-up. The system uses signals like watch history and account age.

Starting 13 August, the test will cover a small group of users. Those flagged as underage will see reduced ad personalisation, “take a break” prompts, and limited content recommendations.

Users can correct age misclassifications with ID or selfies. YouTube warned creators may see changes in teen viewership and ad revenue, but expects minimal overall impact while monitoring results before wider rollout.

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Microsoft Nears OpenAI Agreement for Ongoing Tech Access, reports Bloomberg

General

Jul 29, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft and OpenAI are negotiating new terms to secure Microsoft’s ongoing access to OpenAI’s technology, even if OpenAI reaches artificial general intelligence (AGI). The talks aim to avoid Microsoft losing rights under the current contract, which expires in 2030.

The renegotiation follows tensions over equity, revenue sharing, and OpenAI’s restructuring plans. Microsoft seeks access to future tech, while OpenAI wants flexibility in offering distinct products and expanding beyond Microsoft’s Azure cloud.

A key challenge is defining AGI and its triggers, which could end Microsoft’s rights. Talks include a possible equity stake for Microsoft, but no agreement has been finalised yet.

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Disney Upfront Has Growth in Sports and Streaming, Overall Volume Consistent, reports AdWeek

General

Jul 29, 2025

Disney has concluded its upfront talks, reporting steady overall volume with growth in sports and streaming. Streaming accounted for over 40% of upfront volume, while sports reached nearly $4 billion, including growth in women’s and college sports.

The company saw strong advertiser interest in live events and early bookings for major programmes like The Oscars and the CMA Awards. Independent agencies and key categories such as financial services and pharma also showed double-digit growth.

Disney highlighted flexibility and storytelling as key to success. Despite recent layoffs, it remains focused on expanding its streaming and sports offerings, including a new ESPN platform.

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