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Former Meta engineer resumes testimony in landmark trial over social media's harm to young users, reports Reuters

General

Aug 19, 2026

Former Meta engineer Arturo Bejar is testifying in a landmark trial alleging Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict children and that Meta unlawfully collected minors’ data.

Bejar said Meta’s internal safety measures underestimated harm because they focused on policy-violating content rather than users’ actual experiences. He claimed young people faced harm at extremely high rates and that leadership was warned.

Meta disputes the allegations and has challenged Bejar’s credibility. The six-week trial, involving 29 US states, is considered a major test of social media companies’ responsibility for youth safety.

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Alphabet raises $3.9 billion in inaugural Australian dollar bond, reports Reuters

General

Aug 19, 2026

Investment Rounds

Alphabet has raised A$5.5 billion through its first Australian-dollar bond sale, issuing debt across four maturities amid strong investor demand.

Orders exceeded A$18 billion, highlighting appetite for technology-sector debt as companies increasingly use capital markets to fund rapidly growing AI investment.

The deal makes Alphabet the first AI hyperscaler to enter Australia’s “Kangaroo” bond market. It follows recent fundraising in several other currencies as the company diversifies funding sources while heavy AI spending pressures cash flow.

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OpenAI Is Taking Its Ad Business to 31 New European Markets, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 19, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI is expanding its ChatGPT advertising pilot to 31 European markets, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and several Nordic countries.

The rollout significantly broadens a programme previously available in nine markets including the US, UK, Canada, Japan and Brazil.

OpenAI says advertising revenue has grown more than 25% since the start of August. ChatGPT now has around one billion weekly active users, with roughly 20% displaying commercial intent, highlighting the potential scale of its emerging advertising business.

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YouTube Shorts gains ad dollars but needs to crack social budgets, reports Digiday

General

Aug 19, 2026

Advertisers are increasing spending on YouTube Shorts, attracted by lower CPMs and growing performance potential, but budgets still trail Meta Reels and TikTok.

A key limitation is that Shorts inventory is often bundled with broader YouTube buys, causing spend to favour in-stream video. Agencies increasingly recommend buying Shorts separately and using social-first creative rather than repurposed TV assets.

Organisational ownership is another challenge, as YouTube often sits with programmatic or search teams rather than social. To win larger budgets, Shorts must prove significantly stronger efficiency than established rivals.

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Google updates Branded Searches conversion measurement, reports Search Engine Land

General

Aug 18, 2026

Google has updated its Branded Searches documentation, clarifying how advertisers can measure searches triggered after exposure to YouTube or Demand Gen ads.

The metric now defaults to a seven-day conversion window, can be reported at campaign, ad group and asset level, and is classified as a consideration goal rather than a bidding optimisation target.

Notably, Performance Max is no longer listed as an eligible campaign type. Branded Searches remains intended to help advertisers assess upper-funnel brand interest beyond clicks and direct conversions.

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NBC News strikes ad sales deal with Taboola for programmatic display ads, reports Axios

General

Aug 18, 2026

Taboola has struck an exclusive deal with NBC News to manage all programmatic display advertising across digital properties including NBCNews.com and TODAY.com.

NBC News will use Taboola’s Realize platform for automated display sales, while retaining direct sales of premium video and display inventory. Other ad tech vendors seeking access will need to go through Taboola.

The agreement expands a decade-long partnership and marks Taboola’s continued shift beyond native advertising into broader programmatic display. The company is also increasingly targeting streaming and connected TV opportunities.

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OpenAI’s Second-Quarter Sales Show Tepid Growth Compared With Anthropic, reports WSJ

General

Aug 18, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI’s second-quarter revenue rose 18% to $6.7 billion, but its operating loss widened to $12.3 billion, disappointing some investors ahead of a potential IPO.

Rival Anthropic more than doubled revenue to $11.6 billion and reported a small adjusted profit, highlighting a shift in competitive momentum as ChatGPT growth slows and Claude Code gains traction.

OpenAI is responding with new products, cheaper models and leadership changes, while trying to reaccelerate growth. Its heavy computing commitments, free-user subsidies and rising losses continue to put pressure on its path to profitability.

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Meta rejects claims it sought to hook children to Facebook, Instagram, reports Reuters

General

Aug 18, 2026

Meta has rejected claims from 29 US states that it deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to addict children and improperly collected their personal data.

The states allege Meta prioritised engagement and profit over youth safety, contributing to anxiety, depression and other harms. They seek potentially hundreds of billions of dollars in penalties and major platform changes.

Meta argues research does not establish a clear link between social media use and poor adolescent wellbeing. The six-week trial could lead to restrictions including removing likes and infinite scroll, imposing time limits and strengthening age controls.

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ByteDance Draws Over $30 Billion in Orders for Jumbo Bank Loan, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 18, 2026

Investment Rounds

ByteDance has attracted more than $30 billion of lender orders for a $20 billion syndicated loan, signalling strong demand as it increases investment in artificial intelligence.

The three-year facility, which could be expanded and extended to five years, would be ByteDance’s largest offshore borrowing and will mainly support general corporate purposes.

ByteDance is considering up to $70 billion in capital spending this year, largely for data centres and AI infrastructure, with spending potentially rising to $100 billion next year if conditions remain favourable.

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Apple Lowers App Store Fees in Europe to Settle Dispute With EU, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 18, 2026

Apple has agreed to major App Store changes in Europe to resolve competition disputes with EU regulators, including replacing per-install fees with a 5% commission on external digital transactions.

From October, Apple will also reduce its standard in-app commission in Europe to 26%, allow alternative payment options and expand eligibility for third-party app distribution.

The overhaul follows enforcement under the EU’s Digital Markets Act and a €500 million fine in 2025. The European Commission welcomed the changes but said it will monitor implementation closely.

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LiveRamp Shareholders Approve $2.2B Publicis Deal, But Reject Execs' $82.6M Payday, reports AdWeek

M&A

Aug 18, 2026

LiveRamp shareholders have overwhelmingly approved Publicis Groupe’s planned $2.2 billion acquisition, with 92% of represented shares backing the deal.

Once completed, LiveRamp will become a wholly owned Publicis subsidiary, advancing the transaction towards final closure.

The acquisition has raised concerns about LiveRamp’s neutrality as a data collaboration platform. Omnicom has already begun moving away from the service, while Havas has said it will continue making LiveRamp available to clients.

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Disney-owned ABC files First Amendment lawsuit against FCC, reports CNBC

General

Aug 18, 2026

News Publishing

Disney’s ABC has sued the US Federal Communications Commission, alleging its early review of broadcast licences is a retaliatory campaign tied to programming critical of President Donald Trump.

ABC wants the court to halt the proceedings, arguing the FCC’s actions are unlawful and violate First Amendment protections. The agency says its review concerns DEI practices and compliance with broadcasting rules, not speech.

The dispute escalates tensions between Disney and the Trump administration, with ABC warning of ongoing harm while FCC leadership insists it is acting within the law and public interest.

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X's Algorithm Feeds Off Ragebait and Impacts Democrats More, Study Finds, reports 404 Media

General

Aug 18, 2026

Responsible Media

A study found X’s recommendation algorithm can amplify content that conflicts with users’ stated values, particularly when they reply to posts that anger them.

Researchers said replies, though relatively rare, appeared to influence recommendations disproportionately, creating feedback loops in which users receive more outrage-inducing content. The effect was stronger among self-identified Democrats, though the reasons remain unclear.

The findings highlight tensions in engagement-driven algorithms, where reactive behaviour may outweigh stated preferences. X’s former product chief said recent changes reduced the influence of ragebait by adjusting how replies are weighted.

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OpenAI builds offerings on consent as it expands ChatGPT ads to Europe, reports Digiday

General

Aug 18, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI plans to launch ChatGPT ads in the EU using explicit user consent as the legal basis for personalised advertising under GDPR.

Free and Go users who consent could receive ads based on interests, ad history and partner data. Those who decline personalised ads would still see contextual advertising based on their current conversation and approximate location.

The approach contrasts with Meta’s earlier attempts to justify behavioural advertising without consent, which faced regulatory setbacks. OpenAI’s model may reduce legal risk but could leave some users feeling pressured to pay for ad-free plans.

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ANA updates efforts to standardize retail media network measurement, reports Digiday

General

Aug 18, 2026

The ANA has published new guidelines aimed at standardising retail media measurement, addressing the difficulty marketers face when comparing performance across different networks.

Recommendations include third-party validation, greater methodological transparency, a standard 14-day lookback window, broader performance context and consistent definitions of outcomes.

More than 40 major brands contributed, alongside retail media networks including Walmart, Target-related Roundel and Albertsons. The framework builds on earlier IAB and MRC standards and has received broad industry support, although Amazon did not participate.

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Reddit begins testing a new audio and video experience, similar to popular TikTok videos, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 17, 2026

Reddit is testing narrated video and audio versions of popular posts, allowing users to listen or watch while keeping the original text and comments available.

The limited trial will begin with selected English-language posts on the web before expanding to iOS and Android. Users can choose whether to read or play supported posts.

The move responds to the popularity of Reddit stories being narrated on platforms such as TikTok and Reels. Reddit will assess whether the formats feel authentic and useful enough to scale more widely.

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Paramount Wants $1.88 Billion Bond From States, Writers Challenging Warner Deal, reports WSJ

M&A

Aug 17, 2026

Paramount has asked a judge to require 12 US states and the Writers Guild of America to post a nearly $1.9 billion bond while challenging its $81 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition.

Paramount says delays could cost it $1.3 billion in ticking fees before post-trial proceedings conclude, alongside additional financing costs and delayed synergies.

The states argue the merger would reduce competition in film distribution and cable programming. Paramount says the deal is pro-consumer and has already secured regulatory approval in 68 jurisdictions, but California intends to pursue the case through trial.

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PepsiCo is conducting an AI marketing transformation review, reports AdAge

General

Aug 17, 2026

PepsiCo has launched a global review focused on AI-driven marketing transformation, with Omnicom, Accenture, Deloitte and Publicis Sapient reportedly among those pitching.

The assignment aims to strengthen PepsiCo’s AI capabilities and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of internal and external marketing operations.

The review builds on years of investment in data, cloud and technology infrastructure. PepsiCo is already using technology across consumer insights, content creation and personalised communications, alongside broader applications in forecasting, ordering, manufacturing and supply chains.

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YouTube will now count a view as soon as a video starts playing, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 17, 2026

YouTube will change how video views are counted from 24 August, registering a view as soon as a video starts playing or a user enters a livestream.

The platform will retain its previous metric as “Engaged views” in Analytics, showing creators how many viewers continued watching. Monetisation eligibility and earnings will remain based on existing engagement measures.

The change aligns YouTube with Shorts, TikTok and Instagram, but could inflate public view counts and make them less useful for judging popularity or advertising value.

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Apple to change app data consent rules, German regulator says, reports Reuters

General

Aug 17, 2026

Apple will change its App Tracking Transparency rules after Germany’s competition authority found third-party developers faced less favourable consent prompts than Apple’s own apps.

The revised prompts must use neutral language and design, while developers will gain more flexibility to combine Apple’s consent request with other data-protection permissions.

Apple has four months to implement the changes, which will apply across most EU countries and remain in force for seven years. France and Italy have already fined Apple over the ATT framework.

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ByteDance signs AI copyright pact with Hollywood trade group, reports Reuters

General

Aug 17, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

ByteDance and the Motion Picture Association have agreed to strengthen copyright protections across ByteDance’s AI video and image-generation models, Seedance and Seedream.

The agreement follows concerns from Hollywood studios, including Disney, that the tools could generate copyrighted characters and celebrity likenesses without permission.

ByteDance says newer model versions already include stronger intellectual-property safeguards. The companies will continue working together on protections as AI technology evolves, covering models available through services including TikTok, CapCut and Dreamina.

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New court filings detail how WPP’s turnaround stalled, from the inside, reports Digiday

General

Aug 17, 2026

A securities class action against WPP and former executives includes testimony from 13 former insiders alleging serious failures in GroupM’s transformation, data capabilities and AI platform.

Executives described stalled simplification efforts, weak Choreograph data and problems with WPP Open, linking these issues to major client losses including Coca-Cola, Mars, PayPal and Paramount.

Separate allegations from former executive Richard Foster claim WPP used opaque media rebates and broker arrangements to generate profits, including in China. WPP denies the complaints, calling them baseless and saying it will seek dismissal.

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Agency Feedback On Apple Ads On Maps Runs Hot, Cold On Eligibility, reports MediaPost

General

Aug 14, 2026

Apple has launched Ads on Maps in the US and Canada, giving eligible businesses a new location-based advertising channel with no minimum spend.

Agencies expect strong performance because of Apple’s privacy-focused ecosystem, location intent and relatively low tracking impact. Some advertisers also see the format as bringing Apple closer to Google’s local advertising capabilities.

However, category restrictions have frustrated marketers, particularly exclusions affecting home services such as plumbing, electrical and roofing. Critics argue legitimate businesses may be unfairly shut out, even as Apple says the limits help protect consumers in sensitive categories.

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Apple proposes to take a 15% cut of purchases made outside the App Store, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 14, 2026

Apple has proposed commissions of 15% on purchases made through external links in iOS apps, following a court order requiring it to disclose its preferred fee structure.

Smaller developers would pay 5%, while participants in certain Apple programmes and subscription renewals would face 10% rates. Apple argues these fees help recover App Store infrastructure costs.

The proposal follows the Supreme Court’s refusal to delay proceedings in Apple’s legal battle with Epic Games. Epic criticised the proposed charges as exceeding what the court considers permissible.

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Google will now allow users to remove visible watermark from its AI generations, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 14, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Google will let users remove visible watermarks from AI-generated images, videos and songs, while retaining invisible SynthID watermarks and C2PA metadata.

The option will apply to models including Nano Banana, Omni and Lyria, and will be available through Gemini and Flow, with Search support planned.

Google says the change balances creative flexibility with transparency, allowing professional use without visible branding while preserving ways to identify AI-generated content. It is also open-sourcing Credentio, a library enabling developers to add local C2PA content verification to their apps.

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Brands Suddenly Care About Reddit. Redditors Don’t Return the Feeling, reports WSJ

General

Aug 14, 2026

Reddit has become increasingly important to marketers because its discussions frequently influence AI chatbot answers, but its communities remain resistant to overt brand promotion.

Successful brands tend to focus on usefulness, customer support and genuine participation rather than marketing. Meanwhile, some agencies promise large numbers of brand mentions or reputation management, raising concerns about manipulation and moderator backlash.

Reddit encourages brands to participate with humility and value, while steering them towards paid advertising and insight tools. Some companies are increasingly using the platform for listening rather than active promotion.

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Paramount Says All Required Jurisdictions Approved Warner Deal, reports Bloomberg

M&A

Aug 14, 2026

Paramount Skydance says its proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery has received all regulatory clearances required under the deal.

The eight-month review covered 68 jurisdictions, including the US, EU and China, with regulators finding no basis to block the transaction.

However, the merger still faces an antitrust lawsuit from 12 US states led by California, despite approval from federal regulators including the US Department of Justice.

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Social media firms urge caution on early Australia under-16 ban data, reports Reuters

General

Aug 14, 2026

Advertising To Children

Australia’s major social platforms have urged caution over early data suggesting around 80% of under-16s still use social media despite the country’s new ban.

Lawmakers are considering doubling maximum penalties to A$99 million and expanding regulatory powers, while the eSafety Commissioner says platforms are showing only modest progress and may face enforcement action.

Meta, YouTube and TikTok argue age-assurance technology is still evolving and early surveys may not reflect actual account ownership. Collectively, the platforms say they have removed or restricted hundreds of thousands of suspected underage accounts.

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French Top Court Blocks Macron Social Media Ban for Young Teens, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 14, 2026

Advertising To Children

France’s Constitutional Council has struck down a parliamentary ban on social media use for children under 15, ruling it unconstitutional.

The decision is a setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who had strongly supported the legislation.

The court cited concerns that the law was unclear and could infringe freedom of speech and communication, echoing arguments raised by some opposition lawmakers.

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European publishers are getting hit harder by AI bot scraping, report finds, reports Digiday

General

Aug 14, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

European publishers appear to face heavier AI bot scraping than North American sites, with more scrapes, fewer AI referrals and robots.txt instructions ignored more often.

TollBit found median scraping four times higher in Europe and a worsening scrape-to-referral ratio. One theory is that AI companies increasingly need high-quality multilingual content, driving greater collection from European sources.

However, other datasets from Cloudflare and DataDome show a less consistent regional gap, suggesting publisher size, prominence and bot identification methods also matter. The scale of scraping is clear, but its underlying causes remain uncertain.

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Pinterest Names Jason Fairchild GM Of Programmatic And Affiliate, reports AdExchanger

General

Aug 13, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Pinterest is expanding its programmatic and connected TV ambitions following its acquisition of performance-focused CTV platform tvScientific.

The company plans to integrate tvScientific’s capabilities into its AI-driven Performance+ platform and make Pinterest’s high-intent audience data available more widely across programmatic, affiliate and off-platform channels.

Pinterest sees a major opportunity in proving that CTV can drive measurable outcomes such as traffic and conversions. By improving cross-channel attribution, it hopes to attract more performance-focused and ecommerce advertisers to streaming television.

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Apple App Store Commission-Rate Proceedings Can Move Forward, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 13, 2026

Apple must participate in lower-court proceedings over fees charged on purchases made outside its App Store after the US Supreme Court rejected its request for a longer pause.

Justice Elena Kagan denied Apple’s bid to halt the case while the Supreme Court considers a related appeal over a contempt finding.

The decision replaces a temporary one-day stay granted earlier, allowing the lower court to continue examining what rate Apple may charge developers for external transactions.

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Google Debuts New Gemini Flash While Top AI Model Still Delayed, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 13, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Google has released Gemini 3.7 Flash, an upgraded version of its widely used AI model, while remaining silent on the delayed Gemini 3.5 Pro.

The new model improves coding performance, including debugging and generating production-ready code with fewer prompts.

Google says Gemini 3.7 Flash also offers a better developer experience and lower token costs. Its AI productivity agent, Gemini Spark, will begin using the new model immediately.

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Meta says it has taken down 756,000 Australian teen accounts as ban enforcement looms, reports Reuters

General

Aug 13, 2026

Advertising To Children

Meta says it removed 756,000 suspected under-16 Facebook and Instagram accounts in Australia between December and June following the country’s social media ban.

The company says it is using AI, age-estimation tools and contextual signals to identify underage users, while strengthening measures to prevent deleted users from creating new accounts.

Australia’s regulator is considering tougher enforcement amid evidence many under-16s remain on social media. Maximum penalties for non-compliance have been doubled to A$99 million, while Meta and other major platforms face parliamentary scrutiny over their compliance efforts.

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CMOs are struggling to link AI visibility with sales, reports Digiday

General

Aug 13, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Marketers are struggling to prove that strong visibility in AI search results translates into sales, as existing tools mainly track citations and brand presence rather than commercial outcomes.

Companies such as Rippling are combining AI visibility data, referral traffic, paid-ad conversions and media mix modelling to estimate impact. Agencies are similarly using statistical models and first-party data to connect AI search exposure with business results.

The challenge is pushing marketers towards more probabilistic measurement. Rather than relying on direct attribution, brands increasingly triangulate multiple signals while focusing AI-search strategies on authority, content quality and measurable commercial outcomes.

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OpenAI loses revenue chief Denise Dresser, second major executive departure in days, reports CNBC

General

Aug 13, 2026

Leadership Transitions

OpenAI Chief Revenue Officer Denise Dresser is leaving less than a year after joining, with former Wiz president and COO Dali Rajic appointed as her replacement.

Her departure follows longtime executive Brad Lightcap’s exit and several other senior leadership changes, including Fidji Simo stepping down for health reasons.

The turnover comes as OpenAI prepares for a potential IPO following an $852 billion valuation. Dresser had been central to expanding its enterprise business, which OpenAI expects to grow from roughly 40% to around half of total business by year-end.

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Apple in Talks to Pay Publishers to Improve AI-Powered Siri, reports WSJ

General

Aug 12, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Apple is discussing new multiyear licensing deals with publishers to provide current news and information for its upgraded AI-powered Siri assistant.

The company has proposed a variable compensation model, paying publishers when their content is used, with a potential nine-figure budget. This differs from typical AI licensing deals based on guaranteed fees.

The talks come as Apple seeks to improve Siri’s usefulness and reliability. Its previous experiment with AI-generated news summaries in 2024 produced inaccurate headlines, prompting the company to disable the feature.

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Apple App Store Rate Proceeding Halted by Supreme Court for Now, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 12, 2026

Apple has received a temporary Supreme Court reprieve in its long-running antitrust dispute with Epic Games, pausing lower-court proceedings while justices consider a broader stay.

The Supreme Court has agreed to review a civil-contempt ruling that found Apple deliberately violated a 2021 injunction requiring developers to be allowed to direct users to cheaper payment options outside the App Store.

Apple argues further hearings could become unnecessary depending on the Supreme Court’s decision. The dispute centres on Apple’s attempt to charge commissions on external purchases and what compensation it may legitimately receive from developers.

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Paramount Has Discussed Creating a Board to Ensure CNN’s Independence, reports WSJ

M&A

Aug 12, 2026

News Publishing

Paramount has discussed creating an editorial board for CNN and other safeguards to protect news independence as it prepares to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $81 billion.

The proposed merger is currently delayed by an antitrust lawsuit from California and 11 other states, although regulators in the US, EU and UK have otherwise approved the deal.

Concerns about editorial interference have grown following changes at CBS News and Paramount’s settlement with President Trump. Paramount says it remains open to measures strengthening journalistic integrity and denies political interference.

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Meta, 29 states head to court in biggest test yet of youth social media litigation, reports Reuters

General

Aug 12, 2026

Advertising To Children

Meta faces a major US trial over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were deliberately designed to addict children and that the company unlawfully collected children’s data.

Four states are seeking sweeping platform changes, including age restrictions, removal of infinite scroll, tighter usage limits and changes to algorithms. Potential damages could reach $1.4 trillion, according to Meta.

The seven-week trial follows recent legal defeats for Meta and could significantly shape thousands of similar lawsuits. Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri are expected to testify, while Meta denies the allegations.

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Australia to make tech companies pay more outlets for content under reworked media law, reports Reuters

General

Aug 12, 2026

News Publishing

Australia is revising its media licensing laws to require large digital platforms to strike deals with at least eight local news organisations, up from six in an earlier draft.

The scheme will levy platforms at 2.5% of Australian advertising revenue, offset by qualifying media deals, while limiting any single agreement to 25% of a platform’s liability.

The reforms aim to distribute funding more broadly across smaller and diverse publishers, with 5% reserved for non-profit newswire AAP. The expanded regime will also cover platforms including TikTok and Microsoft’s LinkedIn.

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AppLovin Wants To Persuade The World That Its Ad Platform Is The Real Deal, reports AdExchanger

General

Aug 12, 2026

AppLovin is expanding beyond mobile gaming ads into broader consumer advertising, using an AI-driven platform that automates targeting and offers advertisers relatively flexible measurement and strong account support.

Advertisers remain sceptical about transparency, attribution and data practices, but many value AppLovin as an alternative to Google and Meta. Its estimated share of online ad spend has risen sharply to around 8%.

Growth may become harder as competition increases and performance cools. For now, AppLovin remains focused on mobile gaming inventory, with potential expansion into non-gaming apps and eventually television.

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Walmart finally lets advertisers exclude certain search terms, reports Digiday

General

Aug 12, 2026

Walmart Connect has introduced negative keywords, allowing advertisers to exclude specific search terms from sponsored-product campaigns and gain greater control over media spend.

The feature can reduce wasted spend on irrelevant or branded searches, improve targeting and help large advertisers manage competition between products. However, shifting budgets towards more competitive category terms could raise costs and lower reported return on ad spend.

The change brings Walmart closer to rivals such as Amazon and reflects growing sophistication in retail media, potentially freeing budgets for upper-funnel formats including connected TV.

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Google’s free streaming service now lets you pick shows and movies to watch, reports The Verge

General

Aug 11, 2026

Google TV Freeplay has added video-on-demand, giving users access to more than 10,000 free, ad-supported films and TV programmes alongside its existing live channels.

The service has also expanded its live offering to over 300 channels covering news, sport, reality TV, true crime and other genres.

The move strengthens Google’s position in the growing free streaming market, competing with services such as Tubi, The Roku Channel and Pluto TV as subscription prices rise. Google plans to continue expanding Freeplay’s content library throughout the year.

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Longtime OpenAI Exec Brad Lightcap to Step Down, reports WSJ

General

Aug 11, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s former chief operating officer, is leaving the company to “start something new”, marking another senior leadership departure.

Lightcap joined OpenAI in 2018 and became COO in 2022 before moving into a special projects role earlier this year.

His departure follows that of product and business chief Fidji Simo, who stepped aside last month after taking medical leave, adding to a series of recent leadership changes at OpenAI.

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French press body asks competition watchdog to take action over Google AI, reports Reuters

General

Aug 11, 2026

A French press association has asked the competition regulator to act against Google’s AI-generated article summaries, arguing they reduce publisher traffic and use content without adequate compensation.

The group wants measures similar to those imposed on Meta, requiring negotiations and payment proposals for media content used by AI tools. French regulators previously forced Google to compensate publishers following a copyright dispute.

Publishers say AI summaries have cut website traffic by an estimated 33% to 38%, and argue that media companies should receive a fair share of the value generated from their journalism.

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Meta and TikTok agree to fact-check content on Spain border crossings after deadly rush, reports Reuters

General

Aug 11, 2026

Responsible Media

Meta and TikTok have agreed to strengthen fact-checking around content about crossings into Spain’s Ceuta enclave after a deadly surge from Morocco.

More than 70,000 people attempted to enter Ceuta on 30 July, with nearly 100 deaths. Viral videos were blamed for encouraging some crossings with misleading information.

The platforms will work with fact-checkers under an EU crisis mechanism and prohibit people-smuggling content. The European Commission and Europol are discussing the situation with both companies daily, although decisions to block or deprioritise content remain voluntary.

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Perplexity blocks Time’s ads served to AI agents, calling them deceptive, reports Digiday

General

Aug 11, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Time has begun inserting ads into markdown webpages designed for AI agents, but Perplexity is blocking the content from influencing its search results, calling such advertising potentially deceptive.

Perplexity says publishers using markdown ads could face reduced trust scores, arguing that sponsored messaging may be mistaken for neutral factual information when retrieved by AI agents. Other LLM providers could adopt similar safeguards.

The dispute highlights an emerging tension over agentic advertising. Publishers are seeking ways to monetise AI traffic, while AI platforms must protect user trust and determine how sponsored content should be identified, ranked and used.

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US court rules Meta, other tech firms must face thousands of lawsuits over social media addiction, reports Reuters

General

Aug 10, 2026

Responsible Media

A US appeals court has allowed more than 3,000 lawsuits against Meta, Google, TikTok and Snapchat over claims their platforms were designed to addict young users.

The court rejected Meta and TikTok’s attempt to invoke Section 230 protections, ruling their appeal was premature. It also refused to delay a multistate trial against Meta over children’s data and platform safety.

The cases allege social media companies contributed to youth mental health problems through addictive product design. The companies face thousands of additional state lawsuits and several recent adverse rulings, although Meta and Google deny wrongdoing and plan appeals.

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Mark Zuckerberg Lays Out New AI Vision in 6,500-Word Essay, reports WSJ

General

Aug 10, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Mark Zuckerberg has outlined a new AI strategy for Meta centred on open-weight models, wider access and greater investment in communities hosting its data centres.

Meta will launch new open models, including Muse Glimmer and Muse Spark 1.2, while creating a $1 billion community fund and advocating policies supporting model safety testing and distillation.

The approach positions openness and individual control as alternatives to concentrated institutional power. Meta is simultaneously investing heavily in AI infrastructure as it seeks to catch up with OpenAI and Anthropic, despite growing public and investor concerns over data-centre expansion and spending.

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OpenAI Buys Back $7 Billion of Employee Shares in Tender Offer, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 10, 2026

OpenAI has completed a share sale allowing current and former employees to sell around $7 billion of stock ahead of a potential public listing.

The company itself repurchased the shares rather than bringing in outside investors for the tender offer.

The transaction valued OpenAI at $852 billion, unchanged from its most recent funding round, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most valuable private technology companies.

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YouTube is making it harder to earn money on YouTube, reports The Verge

General

Aug 10, 2026

Influencer Marketing

From February 2027, YouTube will double key Partner Program entry requirements, requiring 1,000 subscribers plus either 8,000 annual watch hours or 20 million Shorts views over 90 days.

Existing creators must also meet minimum ongoing activity thresholds to retain monetisation, while Shorts creators will need 10 million views over 90 days to access the Shorts Creators Pool.

The changes accompany YouTube’s expansion of Premium Lite and its broader push towards premium television-style content. YouTube says increased subscription audiences could boost creator earnings compared with advertising-supported viewing.

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OpenAI is coming for SMB advertisers, reports Digiday

General

Aug 10, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI is building a dedicated SMB advertising operation, with new roles across growth, data science, demand strategy, analytics and sales operations in San Francisco and Dublin.

The company appears to be borrowing established approaches from Google and Meta, recruiting experienced ad-platform talent while planning to use outsourced vendors for much of its SMB sales activity.

The expansion suggests OpenAI is moving quickly towards smaller advertisers, which are crucial to scaling a major advertising business. Its new hires will build much of the necessary targeting, analytics, demand generation and data infrastructure from scratch.

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Nielsen's $2B DoubleVerify Deal Puts Ad Measurement Independence to the Test, reports AdWeek

M&A

Aug 10, 2026

Nielsen’s planned $2.15 billion acquisition of DoubleVerify follows IAS’s private-equity takeover, consolidating independent ad measurement as advertisers seek clearer cross-channel performance insights.

Combining Nielsen’s audience data with DoubleVerify’s verification capabilities and Rockerbox attribution tools could create a stronger end-to-end measurement platform. However, some experts say transparency will be essential to maintain perceptions of independence and neutrality.

The merged business could challenge the measurement dominance of major platforms, but a fundamental problem remains: truly comparable measurement depends on Google, Meta, Amazon and other walled gardens providing sufficient access to their data.

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Three in five Americans favor stronger oversight of social media companies, reports Reuters

General

Aug 9, 2026

Responsible Media

A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 61% of Americans support stronger government oversight of social media companies, with bipartisan backing for tighter regulation.

Two-thirds support age-verification requirements to prevent under-16s accessing platforms, while around 85% believe social media can be addictive and harmful to children’s mental health.

The findings come amid mounting legal and regulatory pressure on companies including Meta and YouTube. Despite these concerns, 70% of respondents said social media is enjoyable, although 52% believe they spend too much time on platforms.

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ByteDance targets mega AI model nearing Anthropic’s Mythos, reports FT

General

Aug 7, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

ByteDance is training an AI model that could reach up to 10 trillion parameters, potentially rivaling Anthropic’s most advanced systems and becoming China’s largest model to date.

The project remains in early pre-training, with final size and capabilities yet to be determined. It reflects accelerating competition as Chinese AI labs increasingly approach leading US models on performance benchmarks.

ByteDance has invested heavily in data centres, researchers, enterprise AI and custom chips. Its 2,000-person Seed team is prioritising independent model development rather than distillation, aiming ultimately for world-leading capabilities.

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New Mexico court orders Meta to pay additional $567M in child safety case, reports TechCrunch

General

Aug 7, 2026

A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay an additional $567 million over social media harms and addiction, bringing total penalties in the case to $942 million.

Meta must also introduce protections for under-18s in the state, including hiding Like counts without parental approval, limiting notifications overnight and capping monthly platform use.

The ruling found Meta contributed significantly to harms including sexual exploitation, educational disruption and mental health problems. Meta plans to appeal, arguing it works extensively to protect teenagers. The company also faces similar lawsuits across several US states.

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VideoAmp Cuts Staff as AI Agents Take Center Stage, reports WSJ

General

Aug 7, 2026

VideoAmp has laid off around 20% of its workforce, including its CTO, as it restructures around AI and agentic software development.

The company is adopting a flatter operating model and repositioning itself as an AI-powered media performance platform, with agents increasingly handling work previously performed by developers.

The shift reflects a broader “SaaSpocalypse” affecting software vendors. Sales automation startup Rattle similarly cut staff and rebuilt around AI, launching Von, an agentic operating system for revenue teams that has since reached $1 million in annualised recurring revenue.

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Omnicom Wins U.S. Media Account for Ozempic and Wegovy Maker Novo Nordisk, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 6, 2026

Omnicom has won Novo Nordisk’s US media planning and buying account, replacing incumbent WPP Media. The global account is valued at $618 million, with the US portion worth $520 million.

The partnership will begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 and support Novo Nordisk’s consumer-focused strategies for medicines including Ozempic and Wegovy, using emerging channels and technologies.

The win adds to Omnicom Media’s recent successes with Adidas, Subway and IBM, alongside retaining Uber. It comes as Novo Nordisk faces investor pressure following the failure of experimental heart drug Ziltivekimab.

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Roku Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +21.9% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +1463.5% YoY

+ 22% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2026

Deadline reports:

Roku beat second-quarter expectations, with revenue rising 22% to $1.35 billion and earnings per share reaching $1.08.

Platform revenue grew 25%, supported equally by advertising and subscriptions. Roku credited its redesigned home screen with improving content discovery, personalisation and household retention.

The results are Roku’s first since agreeing to a $22 billion acquisition by Fox, expected to close in the first half of 2027. The deal is intended to accelerate growth and innovation.

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PubMatic Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +10.5% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Down By -76.9% YoY

+ 11% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2026

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Fox Corp. Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +5.1% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -24.7% YoY

+ 5% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2026

Sports Marketing

Reuters reports:

Fox beat quarterly revenue and profit expectations as World Cup coverage drove strong audiences and advertising demand.

Advertising revenue surged 78% to $1.92 billion, while Tubi grew 35%. The tournament also boosted Fox One subscriptions and retention.

Fox is expanding its streaming presence through its planned Roku acquisition, but faces challenges from declining pay TV, rising sports-rights costs and the need to sustain event-driven digital growth.

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The Trade Desk Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +3.0% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -28.6% YoY

+ 3% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2026

AdWeek reports:

The Trade Desk reported its slowest revenue growth since 2020, with Q2 sales up 3% to $715 million and shares falling nearly 25%.

CEO Jeff Green blamed macroeconomic pressures, weaker execution and advertiser shifts towards cheaper buying methods, amid growing competition and leadership changes.

The company is investing in retail media, connected TV and AI-driven tools, including agentic workflows and a forthcoming Kokai upgrade. Green argued AI strengthens rather than threatens the DSP model.

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Warner Bros. Discovery Earnings For Q2 2026 Show -11.2% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Income Down By -89.8% YoY

-11% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2026

CNBC reports:

Warner Bros. Discovery reported record streaming revenue above $3 billion, up 10%, driven by HBO Max expansion, strong programming and subscriber growth.

Streaming advertising rose 9%, although losing NBA rights significantly slowed growth. The company expects upcoming titles including Harry Potter to support momentum.

Overall quarterly revenue fell 11% to $8.72 billion and profit declined sharply. Meanwhile, its proposed Paramount merger faces a March antitrust trial, with plans to combine HBO Max and Paramount+.

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DoubleVerify Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +2.5% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +47.5% YoY

+ 3% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2026

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Nielsen to Buy DoubleVerify, reports WSJ

M&A

Aug 6, 2026

Nielsen has agreed to acquire DoubleVerify in a deal valuing the ad verification company at about $2.15 billion.

The combination will unite Nielsen’s cross-screen audience measurement with DoubleVerify’s media quality and fraud-detection capabilities.

The companies aim to create a single measurement currency covering both audience delivery and media quality, as Nielsen continues expanding beyond traditional television ratings into digital advertising measurement.

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WPP Earnings For H1 2026 Show -4.4% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Income Down By -24.9% YoY

-4% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 6, 2026

Agency Management

Digiday reports:

WPP says outcome-based remuneration remains years away, with Jaguar Land Rover currently its only client using the model.

First-half revenue fell 4.7%, but new business wins, client retention and cost reductions suggest stabilisation. WPP targets a return to organic growth during 2027.

Its turnaround depends on AI, commercial-model changes, asset sales and further staff cuts. WPP plans to combine human and technology costs while using outcome-based pricing to improve efficiency and margins.

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FCC Votes to Repeal National TV Ownership Limit, reports WSJ

General

Aug 6, 2026

The US Federal Communications Commission has repealed the rule limiting any company from reaching more than 39% of television households.

The agency will instead review acquisitions individually, arguing the cap hindered broadcasters competing with digital platforms and national networks.

Critics say only Congress can change the limit and warn consolidation could weaken local news. The decision may face legal challenges and encourage further broadcaster mergers.

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Alphabet looks to raise up to $25 billion from latest bond sale, source says, reports Reuters

General

Aug 6, 2026

Investment Rounds

Alphabet is seeking to raise $20–25 billion through a US bond sale to help fund its rapidly expanding AI investments.

The offering follows increased capital spending, negative free cash flow and an earlier $85 billion equity raise. Big Tech companies have sharply increased borrowing to finance AI infrastructure.

Alphabet has also issued debt in several foreign currencies as it balances investor concerns over returns, model delays and the growing cost of competing in AI.

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OpenAI brings product carousels to ChatGPT ads, reports Digiday

General

Aug 6, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI is launching product carousel ads in ChatGPT, allowing several products from one retailer to appear within a single placement.

The format uses retailer product feeds and lets OpenAI decide whether to show a single item or a carousel, similar to Google Shopping.

The launch comes ahead of the holiday advertising season as OpenAI seeks to attract more ecommerce spending and scale its advertising business towards ambitious revenue targets.

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Kroger’s AI shopping assistant has ads at launch, reports Digiday

General

Aug 6, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Kroger has launched an AI shopping assistant with advertising built in from the outset.

Shoppers can use it to plan meals, find recipes and build baskets, while relevant sponsored products appear alongside organic recommendations.

Advertisers need no extra setup if they already run product listing campaigns, and performance can be measured. Kroger sees the feature as a natural extension of retail media, supported by loyalty data covering 95% of transactions.

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News Corp Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +10.8% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -70.4% YoY

+ 11% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 5, 2026

News Publishing

Reuters reports:

News Corp beat fourth-quarter expectations, with revenue rising to $2.34 billion and adjusted earnings per share nearly doubling.

Growth was driven by digital real estate, HarperCollins and Dow Jones, where revenue increased 7%, while digital real estate services rose 19%.

The company is also expanding AI licensing, building on agreements with OpenAI and Meta while pursuing additional partnerships with technology companies.

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LiveRamp Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +9.8% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +126.1% YoY

+ 10% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 5, 2026

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Taboola Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +2.4% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +199.4% YoY

+ 2% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 5, 2026

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Disney Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +6.8% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -52.1% YoY

+ 7% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 5, 2026

CNBC reports:

Disney reported mixed quarterly results, with adjusted earnings beating expectations while revenue rose 7% to $25.25 billion, slightly below forecasts.

Parks revenue increased 10%, while streaming grew 11% through subscriber growth, price increases and advertising. ESPN also benefited from strong sports audiences.

Disney raised its share buyback target to at least $9 billion, supported by selling its A+E stake, while continuing to integrate entertainment, consumer products and digital partnerships to drive growth.

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Magnite Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +11.2% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +73.9% YoY

+ 11% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 5, 2026

AdExchanger reports:

Magnite is expanding beyond traditional supply-side functions by adding DSP-like capabilities for campaign planning, audience packaging and optimisation.

The company says richer first-party data, commerce signals and AI are shifting more decision-making towards the supply side, while maintaining that it does not intend to replace DSPs.

Magnite reported strong Q2 growth, particularly in CTV, and is positioning its technology as infrastructure for an increasingly agentic advertising ecosystem.

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Criteo Earnings For Q2 2026 Show -11.3% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Income Down By -48.7% YoY

-11% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 5, 2026

AdExchanger reports:

Criteo shares fell 24% after weak second-quarter results, pushing its market value below $1 billion.

The company faces pressure as retargeting declines and previously forecast enterprise advertising commitments failed to materialise, contributing to repeated earnings misses.

Criteo is seeking growth through newer channels including Meta, Google Search and OpenAI, while adapting to shifts in client spending across the marketing funnel.

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Google shakes up AI leadership as DeepMind chief shifts role, reports Reuters

General

Aug 5, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Google has overhauled its AI leadership as Demis Hassabis moves from DeepMind chief executive to Alphabet chief scientist and chairman.

Koray Kavukcuoglu will take operational control, while Jeff Dean and three other senior AI leaders leave to launch Discovery Loop.

The changes follow delays to Google’s latest Gemini model and concerns it is losing ground to OpenAI and Anthropic. The new structure is expected to place greater emphasis on commercialisation and product development.

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Microsoft’s AI Sales Mostly Come From OpenAI, Disclosures Show, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 5, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft generated $24.1 billion from OpenAI in its latest fiscal year, making the AI company its largest source of artificial intelligence revenue.

The figure suggests OpenAI accounted for more than half, and potentially around 70%, of Microsoft’s AI sales, highlighting continued dependence on the partnership.

Microsoft is developing its own models and backing Anthropic to diversify, while investors seek clarity on how much revenue comes from cloud services versus revenue-sharing arrangements.

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OpenAI seeks dismissal of Apple's trade secrets lawsuit, reports Reuters

General

Aug 5, 2026

OpenAI has asked a US judge to dismiss Apple’s lawsuit alleging trade-secret theft by the company and two former Apple employees.

OpenAI argues Apple failed to identify specific protected information or plausibly show misappropriation, saying its planned hardware is entirely different from Apple’s products.

The case centres on future AI devices that could challenge the iPhone. Despite the dispute, Apple and OpenAI continue to collaborate through Siri and ChatGPT integration.

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Disney and TikTok strike short-form video-sharing deal, reports Reuters

General

Aug 5, 2026

Influencer Marketing

Disney and TikTok have agreed to let creators use characters and scenes from Disney films and television programmes in short-form videos.

Selected TikTok videos will also appear on Disney+ through a new Verts section, marking the first time TikTok content is distributed on another platform.

The US pilot will include assets from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and FX, aiming to attract younger viewers and turn social discovery into Disney+ engagement.

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Google to Face UK Class Action for Alleged Abuse of Ad Power, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 5, 2026

Google faces a UK class action alleging it overcharged businesses for search advertising and abused its dominance across mobile systems, app distribution and online ads.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal allowed the opt-out claim to proceed, potentially covering around 880,000 British firms and seeking up to £5 billion in damages.

Google called the case speculative and will contest it. The ruling only permits a trial and does not establish wrongdoing.

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Meta Ran Ads That Contained AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Imagery, reports Wired

General

Aug 5, 2026

Responsible Media

Researchers found more than 50 Meta ads containing explicit AI-generated child sexual abuse material or promoting nudification tools across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads.

Some ads reached thousands of users and remained in Meta’s ad library for months despite mandatory review. Meta removed them after being contacted and cited improved detection systems.

Watchdogs say repeated violations expose serious weaknesses in Meta’s advertising controls, particularly as abusive networks rapidly create new accounts and domains to evade enforcement.

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Sony is scaling up its Playstation advertising ambitions, reports Digiday

General

Aug 5, 2026

Gaming / Metaverse

Sony appears to be building a global advertising business around PlayStation, with new roles covering sales, ad technology, programmatic, CTV and measurement.

The move suggests a renewed push to monetise PlayStation’s audience after earlier advertising efforts failed to scale.

Rising development costs and price-sensitive gamers are making advertising more attractive across the industry. Sony joins Xbox and Electronic Arts in pursuing ad revenue, although player resistance and infrastructure challenges remain.

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Amazon loses US court ban on Perplexity's AI shopping tools, reports Reuters

General

Aug 4, 2026

A US appeals court overturned a temporary ban preventing Perplexity’s AI shopping agents from accessing Amazon.

Judges said Amazon was unlikely to prove Perplexity violated federal computer-hacking law because users, rather than the company itself, accessed Amazon through the agents.

The ruling is the first federal appellate decision on AI agents accessing online platforms and could shape the development of tools that browse, shop and transact for users.

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Apple seeks preliminary injunction against OpenAI in trade secrets case, reports Reuters

General

Aug 4, 2026

Apple is seeking depositions from OpenAI and io Products representatives and a preliminary injunction in its trade secrets lawsuit.

The company argues it would suffer irreparable harm without court intervention. OpenAI denies possessing or seeking Apple’s confidential information.

The dispute centres on future AI devices that could bypass traditional apps and operating systems, potentially challenging the iPhone’s dominance.

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Disney exits A+E as media conglomerate Hearst gains full ownership in $1.2 billion deal, reports Reuters

M&A

Aug 4, 2026

Hearst will acquire Disney’s 50% stake in A+E Global Media for about $1.2 billion, gaining full ownership.

The sale reflects Disney’s focus on streaming and ESPN as traditional cable subscriptions decline.

A+E operates brands including A&E, Lifetime, History and Vice TV across 200 territories. Hearst plans to expand the business across platforms and international markets.

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Teads Sues Google, Claiming Some Disputed Ad Practices Were Never Really Retired, reports AdWeek

General

Aug 4, 2026

Teads has sued Google, alleging anti-competitive adtech practices harmed rival exchanges and publishers.

The company claims Google’s integration of Google Ads with AdX restricted competition, while auction mechanisms similar to retired practices continue today.

Teads seeks damages and court-ordered reforms. Google called the claims meritless, while warning the case could be costly and prolonged.

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Antitrust Trial Over Paramount-Warner Merger Set for March, reports WSJ

M&A

Aug 4, 2026

Paramount’s antitrust trial over its $81 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition will begin on 2 March 2027.

The delay could trigger quarterly payments of about $650 million to Warner shareholders, while a failed deal would cost Paramount a $7 billion breakup fee.

Twelve states and the Writers Guild argue the merger would harm competition, consumers and workers. Paramount says it is pro-competitive and necessary to challenge Netflix, Amazon and Disney.

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Paramount Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +0.9% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -28.1% YoY

+ 1% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 4, 2026

CNBC reports:

Paramount Skydance raised its 2026 profit guidance after second-quarter revenue slightly exceeded expectations.

Streaming revenue rose 9%, Paramount+ added two million subscribers and film revenue increased, while television revenue fell 9%. Cost savings improved margins.

The company remains confident in its Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition, despite a US antitrust trial scheduled for March 2027 and a possible closing delay until June 2027.

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Pinterest Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +18.2% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -220.4% YoY

+ 18% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 4, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

WSJ reports:

Pinterest’s second-quarter revenue rose 18% to $1.18 billion as monthly users reached a record high, driven by strong Gen Z growth.

The company posted a $46.7 million loss due to higher research, marketing and restructuring costs, although adjusted earnings exceeded expectations.

Pinterest said AI is improving personalisation, advertising performance and monetisation. Third-quarter revenue is forecast to grow 13%–15%.

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Spotify Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +13.9% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +733.7% YoY

+ 14% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 4, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

FT reports:

Spotify forecast slower-than-expected user growth as higher spending on marketing and AI reduced profits.

Monthly users are expected to reach 788 million next quarter, below forecasts. Net income of €545 million also missed expectations, although paid subscribers rose to 300 million.

Spotify is investing in premium tiers, AI remixing, personalised podcasts and concert access to support future growth. Margins have improved significantly, but shares remain down by about a third over the past year.

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TikTok Finalizing Trio of Settlements in Addiction Litigation, reports Bloomberg

General

Aug 3, 2026

TikTok has reached agreements in principle to settle three upcoming trials alleging its platform is addictive and harmful to minors.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs confirmed the cases had been resolved, subject to final written agreements.

The settlement amounts remain confidential, and TikTok has not commented.

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Snap Earnings For Q2 2026 Show +18.9% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Loss Down By -37.6% YoY

+ 19% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Aug 3, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

CNBC reports:

Snap reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter revenue, earnings and user growth, lifting shares by about 8%.

Revenue rose 19% to $1.6 billion, while losses narrowed and advertising momentum improved, supported by major brands and World Cup spending.

Snap forecast third-quarter revenue above estimates and increased AI infrastructure spending. However, North American users declined, while subscription revenue surged and the company continued investing cautiously in augmented-reality glasses.

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Britain says it is open to AI regulation if voluntary safeguards fall short, reports Reuters

General

Aug 3, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Britain may regulate advanced AI models if voluntary pre-deployment testing no longer adequately protects the public.

The government currently favours a light-touch approach, relying on its AI Security Institute’s voluntary access to leading models from companies including OpenAI, Anthropic and Google.

Recent reports of AI systems exploiting cyber vulnerabilities have intensified scrutiny. Ministers say public safety remains the priority, while seeking to preserve Britain’s position as a leading AI investment and research hub.

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Australia hikes levy for tech giants that fail to strike local news deals, reports Reuters

General

Aug 3, 2026

News Publishing

Australia has raised its planned levy on major technology platforms from 2.25% to 2.5% of local advertising revenue.

The charge will apply to large social media and search services, including Meta, Google, TikTok and LinkedIn, unless they secure commercial agreements with Australian news publishers.

All revenue raised will support local journalism. The government plans to introduce the legislation when parliament resumes later this month.

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Amazon completes $50bn investment in OpenAI, reports FT

General

Jul 31, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Amazon has completed a $50 billion investment in OpenAI, securing an estimated 5% stake ahead of a possible public listing next year.

The deal strengthens commercial ties covering cloud services, computing resources and chips, while providing OpenAI with funding to develop costly frontier models.

Amazon also backs rival Anthropic and hopes both companies will increase adoption of its Trainium chips and make their AI models available to AWS customers.

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Media measurement is becoming an asset in boardroom theater, reports Digiday

General

Jul 31, 2026

Marketing Effectiveness

CEOs are increasingly highlighting marketing effectiveness to investors, presenting advertising as a measurable business investment rather than a discretionary cost.

Leaders at Starbucks, P&G, Reckitt and others have praised improved media allocation, efficiency and returns, although many marketers still lack confidence in their data.

This boardroom focus is increasing demand for measurement, AI-enabled creative evaluation and agency accountability, while encouraging agencies to engage finance and executive leaders beyond the CMO.

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OpenAI appears to be building chatbot-native ads that launch AI agents, reports Digiday

General

Jul 31, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI is testing ChatGPT ads that open a business-specific AI conversation instead of directing users to a website.

The agent can answer questions, recommend products, access live business data and capture leads using company information, product feeds and custom tools.

The format could shift digital advertising from webpage clicks towards conversational experiences, although it is currently available only to a limited group of advertisers.

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Most Australian teens still on social media three months after under-16 ban began, study finds, reports Reuters

General

Jul 31, 2026

Advertising To Children

More than 80% of Australian children aged 10–15 continued using social media three months after the under-16 ban began.

The regulator blamed ineffective age checks, with many teenagers retaining or creating accounts while daily usage barely declined. Parental awareness also fell.

Australia is investigating five major platforms and plans tougher penalties and enforcement powers. The study found limited lifestyle or mental-health changes, alongside increased use of messaging, gaming and Reddit.

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