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Pareto principle appears to apply to YouTube viewing, says Thinkbox, reports The Media Leader

General

Mar 4, 2026

Data from Barb shows that the heaviest 25% of YouTube viewers account for about 90% of total viewing time, while the remaining 75% contribute just 10%.

Heavy users watch more than two hours daily and tend to skew male, younger and slightly lower income. Despite YouTube surpassing the BBC in reach, most viewing time remains concentrated among this small group.

Overall video consumption in the UK remains dominated by traditional TV and streaming services, which represent around 70% of viewing time. YouTube accounts for about 21%, with many ads skipped and much content not considered “TV-like.”

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Digital advertising enters new era of sustainability as industry widens focus beyond carbon, IAB Europe finds, reports The Media Leader

General

Mar 4, 2026

Responsible Media

A new IAB Europe report says the digital advertising industry is expanding its sustainability focus beyond carbon emissions to include social issues such as privacy, diversity, accessibility and responsible media.

AI content ingestion and traffic were the biggest concerns among respondents, alongside economic pressures and rising ad fraud. Environmental initiatives remain more advanced than social sustainability efforts across the industry.

While more companies are measuring environmental impact and sharing ESG data, reporting remains inconsistent and standardisation is lacking. The report concludes that broader collaboration and clearer industry standards are needed to achieve meaningful progress.

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Fraudsters create 200+ AI slop websites in one operation, reports Axios

General

Mar 4, 2026

Made For Advertising

Researchers have identified a network of more than 200 AI-generated “slop” websites created by a single group using basic prompts in large language models.

The sites, called “AutoBait,” feature sensational slideshows and low-quality articles designed to maximise ad impressions or collect sensitive data through phishing. Prompts embedded in the sites’ code revealed detailed instructions for producing emotional text and realistic images.

AI has drastically reduced the cost and time required to run such scams, with each article page costing under $2.25 to generate. Fraudsters often use expired domains to exploit existing traffic and credibility.

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Musk to Testify in Twitter Investor Case Accusing Him of Fraud, reports Bloomberg

General

Mar 4, 2026

Elon Musk is set to testify in a jury trial over claims he manipulated Twitter’s share price during his 2022 takeover bid.

Investors allege Musk posted misleading tweets questioning the platform’s bot numbers and saying the deal was “temporarily on hold,” which caused the stock to fall and benefited him financially.

Musk denies wrongdoing, arguing his concerns were genuine and unrelated to the share price. The case revisits the volatile months before he ultimately completed the $44 billion acquisition of Twitter, now renamed X.

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Ad Agencies Are Embracing Vibe Coding to Build GEO Products for Clients, reports AdWeek

General

Mar 4, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Advertising agencies are rapidly building their own generative engine optimisation tools using coding assistants and large language models. Platforms such as Havas’s Brand Insights AI analyse how often brands appear in AI-generated responses and track competitors across multiple models.

Agencies say developing tools internally offers more flexibility and control than relying on third-party products, allowing them to tailor features and manage costs while experimenting quickly.

The shift reflects growing interest in influencing brand visibility within AI-driven search tools like ChatGPT, as agencies increasingly treat AI models as core infrastructure for marketing analysis and strategy.

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The CFO moved upstream. Now agencies have to as well, reports Digiday

General

Mar 4, 2026

Agency Management

Chief financial officers are becoming more involved in marketing decisions, pushing agencies and CMOs to justify spending with clearer financial metrics and business outcomes.

Rather than focusing mainly on costs or contracts, CFOs now participate earlier in planning, questioning contribution margins, customer lifetime value, payback periods and whether marketing drives real revenue growth.

This shift reflects a broader move towards capital efficiency, requiring marketers to demonstrate financial impact and scenario modelling. Agencies increasingly engage directly with finance teams and procurement, as strategic ideas alone are no longer sufficient to secure budgets.

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News Corp, Meta in AI Content Licensing Deal Worth Up to $50 Million a Year, reports WSJ

General

Mar 3, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Meta has signed a multi-year AI content licensing deal with News Corp, reportedly worth up to $50 million a year, running for at least three years.

The agreement lets Meta use News Corp content from the US and UK to fetch current information for its AI products and to train on material such as archives.

The deal highlights rising demand for publisher content as media groups both partner with AI firms and pursue lawsuits over unauthorised use, including actions by News Corp subsidiaries and the New York Times against other AI companies.

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Activist investor Elliott boosts stake in Pinterest by $1 billion, reports Reuters

General

Mar 3, 2026

Investment Rounds

Pinterest said activist investor Elliott will invest $1 billion in new equity, helping fund a $3.5 billion share buyback and making the hedge fund the company’s largest shareholder. Shares rose about 5% on the news.

The buyback, close to a third of Pinterest’s market value, follows a sharp share decline after a weak forecast and tougher advertising conditions.

Pinterest is battling bigger rivals such as Meta for ad budgets, while AI-driven shopping and new ad formats from players like ChatGPT and Google intensify competition. Pinterest is leaning into AI shopping tools to reassure investors.

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HBO Max U.K. Launch Still Going Ahead Despite Questions Over Paramount Merger, reports Variety

General

Mar 3, 2026

HBO Max will launch in the UK and Ireland on March 26 with subscriptions from £4.99 to £14.99 per month, alongside a TNT Sports add-on costing £30.99.

The launch proceeds despite uncertainty caused by Paramount Skydance’s planned merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, which would combine Paramount+ and HBO Max into a single streaming service.

Major titles planned for the platform include Youth, The Pitt, Euphoria and a new Harry Potter series. Executives say the HBO brand will continue to operate independently even if the streaming platforms are merged.

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FCC chief tells CNBC WBD-Paramount merger deal is cleaner than Netflix’s, will be approved quickly, reports CNBC

M&A

Mar 3, 2026

FCC chairman Brendan Carr has said Paramount’s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery is “cleaner” than Netflix’s and should win approval quickly, citing fewer competition concerns.

Netflix’s proposal to combine its streaming business with HBO Max raised antitrust worries over market dominance and pricing. Paramount’s $31-per-share offer covers the entire company, including cable networks, and executives promise at least 30 films annually and a combined streaming service.

While some analysts see the deal as more palatable, critics warn of consolidation risks in news and intellectual property, and regulatory scrutiny may still complicate approval.

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Meta Tests AI Shopping Research Tool to Rival ChatGPT, Gemini, reports Bloomberg

General

Mar 3, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Meta is testing a shopping research feature in its Meta AI chatbot, positioning it against similar tools in ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

The capability lets users request product suggestions, and is rolling out to some US users on the Meta AI web experience.

Responses include a carousel of product images with brand, website and price details, plus short bullet-point explanations. Meta has confirmed the test but shared no further information.

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Third-Party AI Agents Can Now Plug Into LiveRamp’s Platform, reports AdWeek

General

Mar 3, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

LiveRamp is allowing customers to directly integrate their preferred AI agents into its platform, enabling automation of audience planning, segmentation, measurement and optimisation without relying solely on APIs.

Brands, agencies and publishers can deploy proprietary or third-party agents, which can interact with partner agents and LiveRamp’s own tools. The move reflects LiveRamp’s shift from identity resolution towards becoming an agent orchestration layer for marketing operations.

The company has expanded partnerships, including with Newton Research, and is supporting emerging industry standards for agentic advertising. Quarterly revenues rose 9% year on year to $212 million.

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Meta Has A New Way To Measure Social Engagement, reports AdExchanger

General

Mar 3, 2026

Meta is changing its attribution reporting by introducing “engage-through attribution,” which will group social interactions such as shares, likes and comments into a distinct category. Traditional click-through attribution will now apply only to direct link clicks leading to a landing page, aligning more closely with Google Analytics.

View-through attribution will remain available, but Meta expects engage-through metrics to better reflect social-driven actions, including indirect conversions sparked by sharing.

The move reflects Meta’s push to differentiate social advertising from search and strengthen its position in data-driven measurement and media mix modelling.

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The Trade Desk Welcomes OpenTTD, The Partner Integration Portal To Rule Them All, reports AdExchanger

General

Mar 3, 2026

The Trade Desk has launched OpenTTD, a unified portal providing a single login and integrated analytics for partners operating across multiple roles on its platform. Companies such as DoorDash, which act as advertiser, seller and data provider, can now access consolidated insights.

The portal enhances analytics around products like Audience Unlimited, enabling data sellers to assess segment performance and refine offerings. It also supports advertisers and publishers with deeper measurement and segmentation tools.

OpenTTD aims to streamline workflows while helping partners demonstrate revenue growth and monetisation value to senior executives.

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Agencies grapple with economics of a new marketing currency, the AI token, reports Digiday

General

Mar 3, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

As agencies adopt generative AI, they are rethinking pricing to account for token-based compute costs. Some, like Merge and Big Spaceship, pass token expenses to clients as production costs, while others, including RPA and Anomaly, absorb them during testing phases.

Platforms such as Pencil use volume-based generation credits, negotiating bulk deals with model providers. Media agencies often treat AI as embedded infrastructure, charging nominal or at-cost fees rather than marking up usage.

Industry leaders argue the real financial shift lies in labour savings and performance gains, not token arbitrage, with future audits of AI usage likely.

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A New Pitch Deck Reveals X Is Using Grok to Sell Brand Safety, reports AdWeek

General

Mar 2, 2026

X has circulated a 44-slide pitch deck to advertisers, promoting its brand safety, transparency and measurement tools introduced since 2022. It highlights keyword controls, blocklists and partnerships with DoubleVerify, IAS and TAG, while positioning its AI chatbot Grok as central to contextual analysis and content moderation.

However, Grok has previously generated explicit deepfakes and antisemitic content, prompting regulatory scrutiny. X claims a 99.99% brand safety score, though methodology details are unclear.

Following major ad revenue declines after Elon Musk’s takeover, X says it is committed to rebuilding advertiser trust and strengthening safety controls.

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Paramount just nabbed 2 big hires as it looks to jump-start its streaming ads business, reports Insider

General

Mar 2, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Paramount Skydance has hired Amazon executive Danielle Carney as head of US ad sales, as it builds its advertising business following its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Carney previously led video and live sports sales at Amazon and spent over a decade at Disney and ESPN. Paramount also appointed former Tribeca executive Chris Brady as EVP of Paramount Media Labs, a new role focused on brand integrations and partnerships.

Chief revenue officer Jay Askinasi said the hires support Paramount’s shift towards a streaming-centric strategy and a more unified, client-focused advertising model ahead of the Upfront season.

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Meta Is Building Tools to Chase More Retail Media Budget, reports AdWeek

General

Mar 2, 2026

Meta is testing new Facebook and Instagram tools aimed at retail media networks, seeking to improve how ads are built and measured for specific products.

One feature, “product set optimisation”, would help networks create large SKU catalogues and optimise campaigns around individual items, addressing limits in Meta’s current single-brand-focused algorithms.

Meta is also trialling “product insights” to attribute sales more precisely to the advertised brand and item, which could strengthen its bid for a bigger share of the US retail media market.

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Paramount debt to hit $79 billion after Warner Bros deal, no plan to sell cable assets, reports Reuters

M&A

Mar 2, 2026

Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery will create a group with about $79 billion in net debt and no plans to spin off cable assets. The companies will combine Paramount+ and HBO Max into a single streaming platform, serving over 200 million subscribers globally.

The merger is expected to generate more than $6 billion in cost savings, largely from technology and infrastructure efficiencies, and unite major networks and franchises under one roof.

Paramount has secured $54 billion in debt financing. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter.

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Musk’s Tweets Ahead of Twitter Purchase Are Focus of New Trial, reports Bloomberg

General

Mar 2, 2026

A trial has begun in San Francisco over claims Elon Musk manipulated Twitter’s share price in 2022 to secure a better takeover deal. Investors allege his tweets, including putting the buyout “on hold” over bot concerns, were designed to drive down the stock before he completed the $44 billion purchase.

Musk denies wrongdoing, saying his statements were truthful and not intended to mislead. Plaintiffs must prove deliberate intent to depress the share price.

Musk, who has previously won high-profile legal battles, is expected to testify.

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ChatGPT’s Criteo partnership shows how ad tech is coming to AI ads, reports AdAge

General

Mar 2, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

ChatGPT has brought Criteo into its advertising pilot, marking the first integration with an ad tech partner. The move signals OpenAI’s intent to expand demand for paid media and strengthen infrastructure around its recently launched ads for free and Go-tier users.

Criteo, which works with around 17,000 advertisers, sees large language models as a growing referral channel and says consumers convert more often when directed by them. Its involvement could open the pilot to more brands.

The partnership reflects rising advertiser interest in LLM visibility, alongside agency and enterprise participation.

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Judge blocks Virginia law restricting social media for children, reports Reuters

General

Feb 28, 2026

Advertising To Children

A federal judge has blocked Virginia from enforcing a new law requiring age verification for social media users and limiting under-16s to one hour per day. The ruling followed a challenge by trade group NetChoice, whose members include major tech firms.

Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles said the law likely violated First Amendment rights. She found it overinclusive by forcing adults to verify their age and underinclusive by exempting some gaming platforms.

While recognising the state’s aim to protect children, the judge said it could not infringe free speech. Virginia said it would continue defending child safety measures.

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WBD employees fear coming wave of job losses as Paramount tops Netflix’s bid to acquire company, reports CNBC

M&A

Feb 27, 2026

Warner Bros. Discovery employees are anxious after the board chose Paramount Skydance’s $31-per-share offer over Netflix’s bid. Staff fear significant job cuts and leadership clashes, as Paramount plans $6 billion in cost savings by removing duplicative roles.

Many employees preferred Netflix’s proposal, which would have left more divisions intact and avoided acquiring WBD’s cable networks. Concerns also centre on potential cultural upheaval, especially at CNN and across sports and entertainment units.

The deal still faces regulatory approval. Employees also worry about the combined company’s heavy debt burden.

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Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav tells employees Paramount deal felt whiplash-y, reports Insider

M&A

Feb 27, 2026

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav told staff that Paramount’s agreement to buy the company felt “whiplash-y” after months pursuing a deal with Netflix. He said the board had acted swiftly in shareholders’ interests and was still “getting our bearings”.

Zaslav argued that combining with Paramount would make WBD bigger and more competitive globally, suggesting scale is essential for survival amid industry consolidation.

The deal requires regulatory approval and may take up to a year. If it fails, WBD would receive a $7 billion break fee.

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WPP is betting its future on getting paid for outcomes, reports Digiday

General

Feb 27, 2026

Agency Management

WPP has publicly pushed for a shift from time-based agency fees to performance-linked contracts tied to measurable business results. CEO Cindy Rose and Johnny Hornby said future compensation should depend on sales and brand growth, with Jaguar Land Rover cited as a key test case.

Advances in AI and measurement tools are enabling this change, reducing production costs and improving attribution. WPP’s data platform connects media exposure to sales outcomes, supporting performance-based pricing.

Internally, senior client leaders will now be rewarded on client growth. However, details on scale and risk-sharing remain unclear.

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OpenAI Finalizes $110 Billion Funding at $730 Billion Value, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 27, 2026

Investment Rounds

OpenAI has raised $110 billion in its largest funding round, valuing the company at $730 billion pre-money and $840 billion post-money. Amazon is investing $50 billion, with SoftBank and Nvidia each contributing $30 billion.

The deal strengthens OpenAI’s ties with Amazon, including use of its Trainium chips and a commitment to spend $100 billion on AWS over eight years. OpenAI will also deploy significant Nvidia hardware.

The funding highlights escalating AI infrastructure spending and complex cross-investment between cloud providers, chipmakers and leading AI startups.

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Belgian watchdog opens probe into Google's online ad price practices, reports Reuters

General

Feb 27, 2026

Belgium’s competition authority has launched a preliminary investigation into Google’s online advertising sales model, citing serious indications of potential antitrust breaches and abuse of market power.

The probe adds to existing EU scrutiny of Google, which has already faced multibillion-euro fines for competition violations. Earlier this month, Google warned advertisers it could face another European Commission investigation over concerns it may be inflating online ad prices.

Google maintains that its Search advertising supports small businesses and helps keep online content accessible.

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WPP Earnings For CY 2025 Show -8.1% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Income Down By -30.1% YoY

-8% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 26, 2026

Agency Management

Digiday reports:

WPP executives say demand for principal-based media buying is rising among major clients, despite ongoing transparency concerns and a $100 million whistleblower lawsuit alleging undisclosed profits. They maintain principal trading is a growing, opt-in part of the business, with stronger processes and client alignment in place.

Clients are increasingly seeking clearer terms and visibility over how principal inventory is used. WPP argues its model is objective and performance-driven.

The comments accompany CEO Cindy Rose’s restructuring plan to return WPP to growth by 2027, following a 5.4% revenue decline in 2025 and plans for £500 million in cost savings.

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Warner Bros. Discovery Earnings For CY 2025 Show -5.1% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Income Up By +106.6% YoY

-5% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 26, 2026

Reuters reports:

Warner Bros Discovery’s fourth-quarter results showed sharply declining cable profits, complicating Netflix’s $82.7 billion bid for its studios and HBO assets. Although the cable networks are excluded from Netflix’s offer, their weakening performance affects the valuation of a planned spin-off central to the deal.

Revenue at the TV division fell 12% and adjusted income dropped 27%, lowering its standalone worth. Analysts suggest this narrows the gap between Netflix’s $27.75-per-share offer and Paramount Skydance’s $31 bid.

Streaming subscribers grew to 131.6 million, but earnings dipped. The board is assessing Paramount’s higher proposal.

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PubMatic Earnings For CY 2025 Show -2.9% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Income Down By -215.7% YoY

3% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 26, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

AdExchanger reports:

PubMatic reported Q4 2025 revenue of $80 million, down 6% year on year, and full-year revenue of $282.9 million, down 3%. Despite declines, it beat forecasts and shares rose. Results were impacted by reduced spend from a major DSP, but diversification into mid-tier partners helped stabilise performance.

The company is betting on agentic AI, predicting autonomous buying will account for 25% of digital ads by 2028. Its AgenticOS has powered over 250 campaigns and generated incremental revenue.

Growth in CTV, mobile, commerce media and direct-to-buyer Activate also supported momentum.

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DoubleVerify Earnings For CY 2025 Show +10.1% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -103.7% YoY

+ 10% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 26, 2026

Primary Source Earnings Report

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UK media groups unite to tackle AI scraping of journalism, reports FT

General

Feb 26, 2026

News Publishing

Five major UK news organisations, including the BBC, FT, Sky News, Guardian and Telegraph, have formed a coalition to stop AI firms using their journalism without permission. In an open letter, they warn that their reporting is being scraped and reused to train AI systems without consent or payment.

The group, called Standards for Publisher Usage Rights, aims to create technical standards and licensing frameworks so publishers retain control and receive fair value for their content.

The move comes ahead of new UK government proposals on AI and copyright, amid concerns over potential exemptions favouring tech companies.

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Netflix and Apple TV join forces on F1 content, reports Reuters

General

Feb 26, 2026

Sports Marketing

Netflix will broadcast the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix live in the US in May under a deal that also brings season eight of Drive to Survive to Apple TV. Apple TV has replaced ESPN as the exclusive US broadcaster of all 24 F1 races this season.

The partnership deepens ties between Formula One and major streaming platforms. Apple plans to offer select races and practice sessions free during the season.

F1 said Netflix helped grow the sport’s US audience, which is becoming younger and more female, and sees Apple as the next phase of its media strategy.

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Setback for Meta as court adviser backs EU regulators in data spat, reports Reuters

General

Feb 26, 2026

An adviser to the EU’s top court has backed regulators in a dispute with Meta over information requests linked to two antitrust investigations. Advocate General Athanasios Rantos recommended dismissing Meta’s appeal, stating the European Commission has broad investigative powers and acted proportionately.

Meta had argued the requests were excessive and included sensitive personal documents. The court’s judges will rule in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the Commission concluded its probe in 2024 with a €797.7 million fine over Meta’s tying of Facebook Marketplace to its social network and unfair trading practices.

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Google Unveils Faster Version of Viral AI Image Tool Nano Banana, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 26, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Google is launching Nano Banana 2, an upgraded version of its AI image generator, six months after debuting the original tool. The update delivers faster performance, higher-resolution images and improved infographics with embedded text, while better handling complex prompts.

Features previously limited to the Pro version will now be available to all users. The move supports Google’s push to compete with OpenAI and expand adoption of its AI services.

Nano Banana 2 will be accessible via the Gemini app and Google Search’s AI Mode.

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Amazon refused permission to appeal go-ahead for UK lawsuits from retailers, consumers, reports Reuters

General

Feb 26, 2026

Amazon has failed in its attempt to block two UK mass lawsuits worth up to £4 billion, after the Court of Appeal refused permission to challenge their certification.

One claim, valued at £2.7 billion, represents more than 200,000 third-party retailers who allege Amazon manipulated its Buy Box to favour its own logistics services. A separate £1.3 billion case, brought on behalf of consumers, alleges similar abuse of dominance.

The cases will proceed on an opt-out basis. Amazon has previously said the claims lack merit.

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Paramount Skydance Poised to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery After Netflix Bows Out of Bidding War, reports Variety

M&A

Feb 26, 2026

Paramount Skydance is set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery after Netflix declined to match its improved $31-per-share offer. WBD’s board deemed Paramount’s roughly $111 billion all-cash bid a superior proposal to Netflix’s $82.7 billion deal for its studio and streaming assets.

Netflix said the higher price was no longer financially attractive, despite having lobbied regulators. Paramount also increased its regulatory break fee and agreed to cover WBD’s termination costs.

The takeover would fold WBD’s studios, HBO and cable networks into Paramount, raising expectations of regulatory scrutiny and potential industry job cuts.

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Google Pulls 115 Android Apps Tied to Ad Fraud Scheme Affecting 25M Devices, reports AdWeek

General

Feb 26, 2026

Google and Integral Ad Science have shut down Genisys, a large-scale Android ad fraud scheme that hijacked more than 25 million devices. Over 115 utility apps secretly redirected users to nearly 500 AI-generated websites, generating fraudulent ad impressions and millions of bid requests.

Fraudsters masked activity by spoofing legitimate app bundle IDs, making traffic appear genuine. AI enabled rapid, low-cost scaling and helped evade detection.

Google removed the apps and updated Play Protect to disable related software, cutting Genisys bid requests by over 95%, amid growing concern about AI-driven ad fraud.

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Spain Ramps Up Pressure on Apple, Amazon in Yearslong Antitrust Case, reports WSJ

General

Feb 25, 2026

Spanish antitrust regulators say Apple and Amazon failed to promptly comply with a 2023 order to amend reseller contract clauses deemed anti-competitive. The original ruling fined the companies €194 million for restricting the number of Apple resellers on Amazon’s Spanish platform.

Authorities said the clauses were not removed until May 2025 and have requested new proceedings. The 2023 decision is under appeal before Spain’s High Court.

Apple and Amazon dispute the findings, insisting they complied with the order and that their business practices benefit customers and sellers.

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US orders diplomats to fight data sovereignty initiatives, reports Reuters

General

Feb 25, 2026

The Trump administration has instructed US diplomats to oppose foreign efforts to regulate American tech firms’ handling of overseas data. An internal cable warns that data localisation and sovereignty laws could disrupt global data flows, raise costs and hinder AI and cloud services.

Signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the directive urges a more assertive international data policy and specifically criticises measures such as the EU’s GDPR. Diplomats are tasked with countering restrictive proposals and promoting cross-border data frameworks.

The move signals a tougher stance as Europe increases scrutiny of US tech dominance and privacy practices.

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Taboola Earnings For CY 2025 Show +8.3% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +1224.6% YoY

+ 8% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 25, 2026

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The Trade Desk Earnings For CY 2025 Show +18.5% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +12.8% YoY

+ 19% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 25, 2026

Digiday reports:

The Trade Desk reported 2025 revenue of $2.9 billion, up 18%, with Q4 revenue rising 14% to $847 million, both exceeding expectations. However, weaker-than-anticipated Q1 guidance of at least $678 million, around 10% growth, unsettled investors and pushed shares lower.

CEO Jeff Green acknowledged softer spend from automotive and CPG advertisers, alongside intensifying competition from Amazon. Despite this, he stressed confidence in the company’s strategy and recent structural changes.

Green defended The Trade Desk’s independence from media ownership, positioning it against “walled gardens”, and claimed it outperformed Amazon’s DSP in a recent advertiser test.

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Paramount Earnings For CY 2025 Show -1.1% YoY Revenue Decline, Net Loss Down By -90.0% YoY

-1% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 25, 2026

Reuters reports:

Paramount Skydance forecast first-quarter revenue below Wall Street expectations, citing continued decline in its legacy TV business. It expects between $7.15 billion and $7.35 billion in revenue, slightly under estimates, and anticipates further pressure on its TV Media unit amid ongoing pay-TV headwinds.

However, the company predicts strong streaming growth in 2026, driven by subscriber gains and price rises. Paramount+ ended the year with 78.9 million paid subscribers, with further growth expected following the addition of UFC content.

Its revised $31-per-share bid for Warner Bros Discovery is under board review against Netflix’s competing offer.

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Magnite Earnings For CY 2025 Show +6.9% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +534.7% YoY

+ 7% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 25, 2026

AdExchanger reports:

Magnite’s fourth-quarter results highlight a shift from display to connected TV. While its DV+ division, covering display and online video, grew 4% year on year to $101.5 million, CTV revenue rose 32% to $93.6 million. Total revenue reached $205 million, up 6%.

CTV now represents 48% of contributions after traffic costs and is effectively the core of Magnite’s business. Leadership remains relaxed about DV+ pressure, citing rising ad requests and potential gains from regulatory action against Google.

Magnite is also testing AI through its Ad Context Protocol to automate media buying, expecting data strength to protect margins in an agent-driven future.

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OpenAI COO says ChatGPT ad rollout will be iterative, reports Search Engine Land

General

Feb 25, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI has begun introducing advertisements to free and Go-tier ChatGPT users in the US, marking a shift in its monetisation strategy. The rollout is gradual, with chief operating officer Brad Lightcap stressing a privacy-focused, trust-led approach.

The company is testing premium ad pricing, reportedly up to $60 CPM, with partners such as Shopify enabling in-chat commerce. The move comes amid intensifying competition, including from Anthropic.

OpenAI faces the challenge of generating revenue from its vast user base while preserving the product experience that underpinned its rapid growth.

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Samsung hails impact of its latest smart TV home screen ad unit, reports The Media Leader

General

Feb 25, 2026

Samsung Ads reports strong early results for its Immersive Carousel home-screen ad unit, which displays up to five rotating tiles. Brands can showcase multiple products or content, with ITV using it to promote ITVX and drive longer viewing among exposed users.

Data shows users who viewed all tiles spent 40 per cent longer on ITVX, while luxury campaigns delivered significant uplifts in ad and brand awareness among target audiences.

Available on over 70 million Samsung smart TVs in Europe, the format aims to position the home screen as a key advertising gateway.

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Eleven US states urge DOJ to thoroughly probe Netflix-Warner Bros. deal, reports Reuters

M&A

Feb 25, 2026

Republican attorneys general from 11 US states have urged the Department of Justice to scrutinise Netflix’s bid for Warner Bros’ studio and streaming assets, warning it could harm competition and consumers.

The states argue that combining Netflix with Warner Bros and HBO Max would increase market concentration, potentially raising prices, reducing innovation and limiting theatrical releases. Cinema industry groups have also expressed concerns.

The intervention adds regulatory pressure as Warner Bros considers a rival offer from Paramount Skydance, intensifying the battle for control of its assets.

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ByteDance's AI chatbot Doubao wins China holiday battle with 100 million users, reports Reuters

General

Feb 25, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

ByteDance’s Doubao chatbot surpassed 100 million daily active users during China’s Lunar New Year holiday, according to private survey data. Usage quadrupled in mid-February, boosted by a partnership with CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala, during which the app handled 1.9 billion queries.

Rivals Alibaba and Tencent spent heavily to promote their Qwen and Yuanbao chatbots, peaking at 30 million and 50 million daily users respectively. However, both saw sharp declines after campaigns ended.

Analysts said Doubao and Yuanbao face retention challenges, while Qwen showed steadier user retention through practical features.

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Apple and Amazon took too long to remove anti-competitive clauses, Spanish watchdog says, reports Reuters

General

Feb 25, 2026

Spain’s competition regulator has ruled that Apple and Amazon were too slow to remove anti-competitive clauses from their distribution agreements, despite being ordered to do so in 2023. The clauses allegedly restricted Apple resellers and limited advertising of rival products on Amazon’s Spanish site.

The watchdog had previously fined the companies €194m and said their delayed compliance, until May 2025, may warrant further penalties.

Both companies dispute the decision and have appealed the original fine, which remains suspended pending a High Court judgment.

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Google to test changes to search results, source says as EU fine looms, reports Reuters

General

Feb 25, 2026

Google is set to test changes to its European search results to give rival vertical search services greater prominence, aiming to address concerns under the EU’s Digital Markets Act. The move seeks to avoid potential fines of up to 10 per cent of global annual revenue.

Under the proposed changes, top-ranked rival search engines would be displayed by default alongside Google’s own results, initially for hotel searches and later for flights and restaurants.

Google has previously faced significant EU antitrust fines, and tensions between Brussels and Washington over tech regulation remain high.

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ByteDance valued at $550 billion in proposed share sale by General Atlantic, sources say, reports Reuters

General

Feb 25, 2026

General Atlantic is selling part of its stake in ByteDance in a deal valuing the Chinese tech group at $550bn, according to sources. The transaction would mark a 66 per cent rise from last year’s $330bn buyback valuation and a 15 per cent increase on a recent secondary market deal.

The sale follows US approval of TikTok’s US ownership restructuring and reflects strong private market demand. General Atlantic first invested in 2017.

ByteDance, owner of TikTok, Douyin and Toutiao, is now the world’s largest social media company by revenue and reportedly expects significant profit growth.

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Estee Lauder concludes global media pitch, reports Marketing Interactive

General

Feb 25, 2026

Estée Lauder has appointed WPP as its global media agency, consolidating media buying across all markets for brands including MAC and Clinique. WPP was selected for its innovative capabilities and global expertise.

The move follows strong fiscal 2026 second-quarter results, with net sales rising 6 per cent to $4.2bn and gross margin improving to 76.5 per cent, supported by its profit recovery and growth plan.

Chief executive Stéphane de La Faverie said the company is confident in its turnaround, raising its full-year outlook despite anticipated headwinds and increased investment.

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TV Media Buyers Want Outcomes, So Nielsen Is Introducing More Advanced Audiences, reports AdExchanger

General

Feb 25, 2026

Nielsen has added more than 200 advanced audience segments to its Nielsen ONE dashboard, using data from its Scarborough surveys of over 300,000 US adults. The segments span categories such as retail, travel and automotive, helping advertisers plan and measure campaigns across linear and streaming TV.

While not yet available for activation, around 1,000 segments are expected to follow. The data is designed to complement first-party insights, particularly for brands lacking scale or operating across local and national markets.

Nielsen says improved audience understanding is essential as marketers increasingly prioritise measurable business outcomes.

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Instagram head pressed on lengthy delay to launch teen safety features, like a nudity filter, court filing reveals, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 24, 2026

In a federal lawsuit over social media harms, prosecutors questioned why Meta delayed introducing a nudity filter for Instagram direct messages until 2024, despite internal awareness of risks to teens as early as 2018. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri acknowledged concerns about explicit images but cited the need to balance privacy and safety.

Deposition data showed significant numbers of 13- to 15-year-olds reported unwanted sexual content and self-harm material on the platform.

The case forms part of wider legal action alleging tech firms prioritised engagement and growth over protecting young users.

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Prime Video attracts new advertisers to UEFA Champions League, reports The Media Leader

General

Feb 24, 2026

Sports Marketing

Amazon Ads has reported rising demand for UEFA Champions League advertising on Prime Video, with brands across automotive, finance and lifestyle sectors investing. Over half of advertisers in early 2025/26 were not Amazon sellers, and brand studies showed notable lifts in favourability, familiarity and purchase consideration.

Interactive ad formats introduced in Europe have driven stronger lower-funnel results, including higher purchases and sales. Viewers can engage via their remote to receive further information.

Prime Video has extended its Champions League rights to 2030/31, with the competition becoming its most-watched sports event in Europe.

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Head of Amazon’s AGI lab is leaving the company, reports CNBC

General

Feb 24, 2026

Leadership Transitions

David Luan, head of Amazon’s artificial general intelligence lab, is leaving the company less than two years after joining through the acqui-hire of his start-up Adept. He said he plans to pursue new AI projects.

Luan had led Amazon’s AGI lab since December 2024, focusing on long-term research and AI agents, including the Nova Act model. His departure follows a reorganisation placing the division under cloud executive Peter DeSantis.

Amazon’s Adept deal has attracted regulatory scrutiny, with US authorities examining whether such acqui-hires bypass competition reviews.

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US judge dismisses xAI trade-secrets lawsuit against rival OpenAI for now, reports Reuters

General

Feb 24, 2026

A US federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by Elon Musk’s AI start-up xAI accusing OpenAI of stealing trade secrets. Judge Rita Lin said xAI failed to allege misconduct by OpenAI itself, though it may refile an amended complaint.

xAI had claimed former employees took source code related to its Grok chatbot when joining OpenAI. The judge found no evidence OpenAI induced theft or used stolen material.

The case forms part of a wider legal dispute between Musk and OpenAI, including a separate multibillion-dollar lawsuit over its shift to a for-profit structure.

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UK to regulate Netflix and other streamers in line with broadcasters, reports Reuters

General

Feb 24, 2026

Britain has announced that major streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ will be required to follow the same content and accessibility rules as traditional broadcasters such as the BBC.

Services with more than 500,000 UK users will fall under Ofcom’s broadcasting code, which covers protections against harmful or offensive material and requires accurate, impartial news reporting. Accessibility measures such as subtitles will also be mandated.

Ofcom will have powers to investigate and take enforcement action against platforms that breach the rules.

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Reddit fined $20 million in UK over children's data failures, reports Reuters

General

Feb 24, 2026

Responsible Media

Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office has fined Reddit £14.47m for unlawfully processing children’s data and failing to protect under-13s from harmful content. The regulator said Reddit lacked effective age checks until July 2025 and had not properly assessed risks to young users.

The ICO estimated many under-13s were using the platform, despite its terms prohibiting them. It said children’s data was collected without meaningful consent or understanding.

Reddit plans to appeal, arguing stronger age verification would require collecting more personal data, conflicting with its privacy commitments.

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Super Bowl 60 Sets Ad Sales Record, According to NBCU, reports AdWeek

General

Feb 24, 2026

Sports Marketing

NBCUniversal has achieved the highest-grossing ad sales in Super Bowl history for Super Bowl 60, surpassing Fox’s previous record. Some 30-second spots reportedly sold for $10m, driven by strong demand and bundled packages spanning the Super Bowl, Winter Olympics and NBA All-Star Weekend.

Around 70% of advertisers invested across multiple February events, with more than 250 brands participating. Sixty per cent were new compared with 2022.

NBCU said the events reached over 215 million people, boosted brand engagement and delivered Peacock’s strongest week for digital consumption.

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Omnicom Clarifies WARN Notice Detailing 100 Job Cuts, reports AdWeek

General

Feb 24, 2026

Omnicom has clarified that a recently published WARN notice relates to redundancies already made following its $13bn acquisition of Interpublic Group, rather than new job cuts. The filing covered 94 layoffs in New York as part of restructuring announced in December 2025.

The “new Omnicom” previously confirmed 4,000 redundancies, adding to thousands cut by both companies before and after the deal, bringing total reductions to around 10,000 roles.

Chief executive John Wren has since doubled the group’s cost-saving target to $1.5bn by 2028, largely through labour reductions and structural simplification.

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Comcast Advertising Appoints Former Snap Executive James Borow to Lead Universal Ads

General

Feb 24, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Comcast Advertising has appointed James Borow as General Manager of Universal Ads, its self-service platform for buying and measuring premium video advertising. Borow, previously vice president of product management and engineering, helped launch the platform and will now lead its strategy and growth.

Universal Ads aims to make TV advertising as simple as social media, attracting ecommerce and digital-first brands with strong returns. Borow previously held senior roles at Snap and founded two ad tech companies.

The platform has expanded its publisher network and recently managed advertising for NBCUniversal’s Milan Cortina Winter Olympics coverage.

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Roku’s New Ad Deals and Cost Cuts Help It End a Three-Year Profit Slide, reports WSJ

General

Feb 24, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Roku has returned to full-year profitability for the first time since 2021, posting an $88.4m profit for 2025 after several years of losses. Growth in advertising and subscription services, alongside cost cuts and tighter spending controls, drove the turnaround.

The company expanded ad partnerships and premium subscriptions, while redesigning its home screen to boost engagement. It is nearing 100 million global streaming households and targeting $1bn in annual free cash flow by 2028.

Roku is also using AI to improve efficiency, particularly in analysing advertising performance metrics.

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Warner Bros. Discovery Confirms Paramount Sent Revised Bid, but Doesn’t Divulge New Terms, reports Variety

M&A

Feb 24, 2026

Paramount Skydance has submitted a revised, reportedly higher bid for Warner Bros Discovery, challenging its agreed deal to sell its studios and HBO Max to Netflix. Warner confirmed it is reviewing the proposal but continues to recommend the Netflix agreement.

Paramount’s offer, previously valued at $108bn for the entire company, must be deemed a superior proposal to override the Netflix deal. Netflix has four days to match any improved terms.

The renewed bidding highlights intensifying consolidation pressures as media groups seek scale amid the shift to streaming.

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Milan Cortina Olympics score biggest Winter Games audience since 2014, reports Axios

General

Feb 23, 2026

Sports Marketing

The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics delivered NBCUniversal its strongest Winter Games audience since Sochi 2014, averaging 23.5 million viewers across NBC, Peacock and cable networks, up 96 per cent on Beijing 2022.

All 15 competition days exceeded 20 million viewers, with more than 215 million Americans tuning in during a month that also featured the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Game. Favourable European time zones, strong US storylines and streaming integration via Peacock supported the rebound.

NBCUniversal hopes to sustain momentum into the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

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Walmart says AI users build 35% bigger baskets than others, reports Digiday

General

Feb 23, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Walmart customers using its AI shopping assistant Sparky spend about 35 per cent more per order than other shoppers, executives said in quarterly results. Around half of app users have tried the tool, which helps with product discovery, reviews and planning purchases.

Management said Sparky strengthens Walmart’s omnichannel strategy by linking digital intent to delivery, collection or in-store fulfilment, improving conversion and basket size.

Currently available in the US, Sparky may expand internationally. Walmart is partnering with OpenAI and Google to advance AI shopping, aiming to enhance personalisation while leveraging its existing retail infrastructure.

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Zero-click reality is rewriting the rules of search for brands, reports Digiday

General

Feb 23, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Brands are increasingly concerned that generative AI tools and Google’s AI Overviews are reducing organic search traffic, with average declines of 12 per cent late last year. Many users now end their journeys without clicking through, prompting boardroom scrutiny.

However, conversions and sales are largely holding steady, as higher-intent users still visit websites to transact. Some executives report chatbot traffic converts better than traditional search.

Marketers are adapting by optimising for conversational queries and reallocating paid search budgets, while awaiting clearer opportunities to advertise directly within AI-generated search results.

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As it ramps up push to fund AI bets, Meta makes a new play for agencies, reports Digiday

General

Feb 23, 2026

Meta is launching a US pilot called the Agency Growth Collective to strengthen ties with independent agencies, despite increasing automation of advertising tasks. Participating agencies will access a shared communications channel, specialist support and training, rather than a single dedicated representative.

The initiative marks a more structured approach to agency partnerships, with engagement monitored and potential removal for low participation. No minimum spend has been confirmed.

While AI tools remain central to Meta’s strategy, the company still views agencies as key to securing larger brand budgets and sustaining advertising growth.

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In fighting a whistleblower suit, WPP put its own account of media agency trading on the public record, reports Digiday

General

Feb 23, 2026

Agency Management

A $100m whistleblower lawsuit by former GroupM executive Richard Foster against WPP has intensified, with new filings revealing internal data. Foster alleges GroupM retained media rebates meant for clients, generating up to $2bn improperly, and claims he was dismissed after raising concerns in a report to incoming chief Brian Lesser.

The documents show minimal client use of proprietary inventory deals that triggered rebates. Foster was later fired amid restructuring.

WPP denies wrongdoing, arguing Foster attempted to secure a payout before suing and that his report did not allege illegality.

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Infillion Strikes Again, This Time Buying The Retail Purchase Data Company Catalina, reports AdExchanger

M&A

Feb 23, 2026

Infillion has acquired shopper marketing company Catalina, adding retail purchase data from cash registers, online sales and loyalty programmes to its growing ad tech platform. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Catalina’s data will eventually become exclusive to Infillion, following a transition period, as the company continues integrating acquisitions including MediaMath, TrueX and location data firms into a single platform.

The deal reflects a broader shift in retail data, with deterministic purchase information increasingly tied directly to ad targeting and attribution, mirroring walled garden models while promising greater openness.

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Peacock's next growth bet: selling subscriptions for other streamers, reports Insider

General

Feb 20, 2026

Peacock plans to boost growth by selling add-on subscriptions to select speciality streamers on its platform, starting with one partner this year. The move aims to complement its sports and reality offering and provide smaller services with access to new audiences on favourable terms.

The strategy comes as US streaming growth slows and cancellations rise, increasing pressure on mid-tier platforms to differentiate. Marketplace models already operate on Amazon, Roku and YouTube.

With modest market share and 44 million subscribers, Peacock hopes aggregation will make the service stickier and easier to navigate.

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SEC Says Probe Involving AppLovin Still Active and Ongoing, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 20, 2026

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has confirmed that its investigation into mobile advertising group AppLovin remains active. The regulator declined to release related documents, warning disclosure could harm the probe or reveal witnesses. The SEC has not accused the company of wrongdoing.

The inquiry, first reported in October, concerns AppLovin’s data-collection practices and possible breaches of platform agreements, following a whistleblower complaint and short-seller reports.

AppLovin’s shares have been volatile despite rapid growth driven by AI-powered advertising, and the company is now planning to launch its own social network.

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Omnicom to axe and relocate more jobs as it doubles cost savings target to $1.5bn, reports Campaign

General

Feb 20, 2026

Omnicom has doubled its annual cost synergy target to $1.5bn following its acquisition of Interpublic, with $1bn to come from staffing reductions by 2028. Savings will stem from job cuts, offshoring, outsourcing and eliminating duplicate roles, in addition to 4,000 redundancies already announced.

Further efficiencies include $240m from property consolidation and $260m from IT and procurement. The company aims to realise most savings within 30 months.

Shares rose 15% on the news and a $5bn buyback, despite a reported annual net loss linked to acquisition and restructuring costs.

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WPP Media launches framework for evaluating AI advertising capabilities, reports The Media Leader

General

Feb 19, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

WPP Media has launched a framework to assess AI-driven “advertising intelligence” platforms, examining data assets, AI capability, distribution, commerce and content. It aims to identify which companies are best placed to shape AI-led search and purchasing, as agents increasingly act on consumers’ behalf.

Current leaders include Alphabet and Amazon as ecosystem builders, with Meta, Microsoft and others classed as specialists. The group warns against overreliance on single platforms and urges greater transparency and multi-platform measurement.

While focused on personalised intelligence, WPP stresses mass media and brand salience will remain crucial in an AI-enabled future.

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YouTube’s latest experiment brings its conversational AI tool to TVs, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 19, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

YouTube is expanding its conversational AI tool to smart TVs, consoles and streaming devices, allowing viewers to ask questions about videos without leaving the screen. Users can access an “Ask” button or use voice commands via their remote to receive instant answers.

The feature, currently limited to select adult users in several languages, reflects YouTube’s growing dominance on television, where it now accounts for a leading share of viewing time.

Rivals including Amazon, Roku and Netflix are also enhancing AI-driven TV experiences, as platforms compete to bring conversational search into the living room.

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Reddit is testing a new AI search feature for shopping, reports TechCrunch

General

Feb 19, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Reddit is testing an AI-powered search feature that pairs community recommendations with products from shopping and advertising partners. Selected US users will see interactive carousels showing prices, images and links to buy items mentioned in discussions.

The move builds on Reddit’s push into e-commerce, following the launch of Dynamic Product Ads. The tool aims to keep community perspectives central while making it easier for users to discover and purchase products.

Chief executive Steve Huffman said AI search could become a major revenue driver, with weekly search users rising 30 per cent year on year.

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The NBA wants to embrace content creators without degrading its golden goose of live sports rights, reports CNBC

General

Feb 19, 2026

Sports Marketing

At this year’s All-Star weekend, the NBA highlighted partnerships with more than 200 content creators, signalling a strategy that embraces social media alongside its new $77bn media rights deals with Disney, Amazon and NBCUniversal. The league is targeting younger audiences who prefer highlights and user-generated content over full games.

Regular season NBA audiences lag far behind the NFL, prompting experimentation with creator-led co-streams and alternative broadcasts. Surveys suggest strong Gen Z interest in such formats.

Commissioner Adam Silver also pointed to AI-driven, personalised telecasts, though fragmenting audiences could risk undermining the value of live rights.

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Meta cuts staff stock awards for a second straight year, reports FT

General

Feb 19, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Meta has reduced its annual stock option grants for most employees by about 5 per cent, marking the second consecutive year of cuts, as it channels billions into artificial intelligence. Last year, equity awards were reduced by roughly 10 per cent.

The company is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, forecasting up to $135bn in capital expenditure in 2026 and building large US data centres. Tech groups are collectively set to spend vast sums to compete in AI.

Meta has also cut jobs in its loss-making Reality Labs division while redirecting resources towards AI and wearables.

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Walmart Earnings For FY 2025 Show +4.7% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Up By +10.5% YoY

+ 5% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 19, 2026

FT reports:

Walmart has lost its position as the world’s largest company by sales to Amazon, despite reporting record annual revenues of $713.2bn. Amazon recently posted $716.9bn in annual sales. Walmart’s shares have more than doubled in two years, lifting its market value above $1tn.

Quarterly sales rose 5.6 per cent, driven by strong ecommerce growth, with global online sales surpassing $150bn. Same-store US sales beat expectations, supported by low grocery inflation and demand from higher-income shoppers.

Operating profit increased, though net income fell due to investment revaluations. Walmart forecast moderate sales and profit growth this year.

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Dentsu and WPP Quietly Exited The Trade Desk's OpenPath Over Hidden Fees and Transparency, reports AdWeek

General

Feb 19, 2026

Major holding companies are retreating from The Trade Desk’s OpenPath initiative, designed to let advertisers buy publisher inventory directly and improve performance. Chief executive Jeff Green had predicted 2025 would mark rapid growth for the project.

OpenPath was positioned as a credible alternative to Google in digital advertising, promising greater efficiency and control for buyers.

However, some leading advertisers have reduced their involvement, citing concerns over limited transparency about ad placements and alleged hidden fees, raising doubts about the platform’s future momentum.

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ByteDance Building Out Artificial Intelligence Team in US, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 19, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

ByteDance is recruiting nearly 100 US-based staff for its AI division, Seed, as it seeks to compete with leading American AI firms despite ongoing national security concerns. Roles span large language models, generative tools and scientific research, including drug discovery.

The hiring drive follows a deal to sell parts of TikTok’s US business to non-Chinese owners. ByteDance’s AI advances, including its Doubao chatbot and new video model Seedance, have drawn both attention and copyright complaints from Hollywood studios.

The expansion comes amid wider US concerns over China’s growing AI capabilities and geopolitical influence.

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AppLovin Plans Its Own Social Platform After Failed TikTok Bid, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 19, 2026

AppLovin is planning to build a social networking platform following its failed attempt to acquire TikTok’s overseas assets. The strategy, outlined by a senior executive, would see the company move from placing adverts in third-party apps to owning a consumer-facing platform.

By creating its own network, AppLovin aims to gain greater access to user data and stronger control over mobile advertising, putting it in direct competition with Meta, TikTok and Snap. A recent job listing highlights ambitions around media delivery and real-time interaction.

The move comes as its shares fall amid investor scepticism and wider industry uncertainty.

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OpenAI Funding on Track to Top $100 Billion With Latest Round, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 19, 2026

Investment Rounds

OpenAI is nearing completion of the first phase of a funding round expected to raise more than $100 billion, potentially valuing the company at over $850 billion. Its pre-money valuation will remain $730 billion. The record-breaking deal would support vast investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Strategic investors including Amazon, SoftBank, Nvidia and Microsoft are set to provide most of the initial funding, with commitments likely to be finalised this month.

A second phase, involving venture capital and sovereign wealth funds, is expected later and could significantly increase the total raised. Details remain subject to change.

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Netflix has ample room to increase its offer in battle for Warner Bros, sources say, reports Reuters

M&A

Feb 19, 2026

Netflix has significant cash reserves and could raise its offer for Warner Bros Discovery if rival bidder Paramount Skydance improves its bid, sources say. The companies are competing for Warner Bros’ studio and streaming assets, including major franchises such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and DC Comics.

Warner Bros is proceeding with a 20 March shareholder vote on Netflix’s proposal but has given Paramount a week to submit a stronger offer.

Netflix has bid $82.7 billion for the studio and streaming businesses, while Paramount has offered $108.4 billion for the entire company, including Discovery’s television assets.

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Google Brings Marketing Mix Modeling to the Masses, No Coding Needed, reports AdWeek

General

Feb 19, 2026

Google has launched a code-free interface for its Marketing Mix Model, Meridian, enabling marketers to explore campaign performance data without technical expertise. The new Scenario Planning tool allows users to query models in natural language and test budget scenarios to forecast return on investment.

MMM measures marketing impact across channels, accounting for factors such as seasonality and economic shifts. Traditionally used by data scientists, it is increasingly popular as a privacy-safe measurement method.

Introduced in 2024, Meridian counts Asos and Shopify among its clients. Google says the update will help marketers and data teams collaborate more effectively on future planning.

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TikTok Shop reverses U.S. shipping policy amid merchant concerns over costs and fulfillment challenges, reports Digiday

General

Feb 19, 2026

TikTok Shop has abandoned plans to end seller-fulfilled shipping in the US, telling merchants that previously announced deadlines will not proceed. Sellers can continue operating as usual while the company provides further details.

The original policy would have required most sellers to use TikTok-managed logistics. Brands warned this would raise costs, squeeze margins and complicate inventory planning, particularly given shipping delays and unpredictable viral demand. Some considered reducing ranges or leaving the platform.

The reversal follows reports of brands pulling back and comes amid wider instability, including technical outages and concerns over TikTok’s new ownership, which have dented trust among merchants.

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Meta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance A.I. Agenda, reports NYT

General

Feb 18, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Meta plans to spend $65m this year backing state politicians supportive of artificial intelligence, marking its largest electoral investment. The company is launching two new super PACs, one supporting Republicans and another Democrats, with spending beginning in Texas and Illinois.

The move reflects concern about state-level AI regulation that could hinder development. Meta aims to support incumbents and candidates aligned with its interests, particularly in states where it has data centre projects or energy deals.

The spending forms part of a broader strategy to influence policy amid growing scrutiny of AI and inconsistent state regulations.

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Mark Zuckerberg Grilled on Usage Goals and Underage Users at California Trial, reports WSJ

General

Feb 18, 2026

Advertising To Children

Mark Zuckerberg faced intense questioning at a Los Angeles trial over claims Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to maximise user time and harm young people. He denied seeking to addict users or target children, saying time-spent targets are no longer used.

The case is the first of thousands alleging social media features such as infinite scroll and autoplay damage teenagers’ mental health. One plaintiff claims early use led to body dysmorphia and depression.

Zuckerberg defended Meta’s safety efforts, including policies on under-13s and beauty filters, while arguing some restrictions risk suppressing free expression.

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UK to Force Tech Firms to Take Down Abusive Images in 48 Hours, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 18, 2026

Responsible Media

The UK government has proposed rules requiring tech firms to remove abusive or non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours or face fines of up to 10% of global revenue or blocking. Ofcom is also considering digital tagging to ensure such content is automatically removed.

The move follows outrage after users of X generated and shared sexualised AI images, including of children. The incident intensified calls for tighter social media regulation.

The measures would amend the crime and policing bill, strengthening police powers, amid concerns that platforms are too slow to act despite existing laws.

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Warner Sale’s Impact on Theaters Is Probed by Justice Department, reports Bloomberg

M&A

Feb 18, 2026

The US Justice Department has held private talks with major cinema chains about the proposed sale of Warner Bros Discovery, seeking to assess its impact on cinema releases and competition. Officials are concerned a takeover, particularly by Netflix, could reduce the number of films shown in theatres.

Warner Bros has agreed to sell its studio and HBO Max to Netflix, though Paramount Skydance is pursuing a rival bid. Paramount argues its offer better protects consumers and competition.

Cinema groups fear cultural damage under either deal, but some favour Paramount, citing its theatrical commitments. Netflix has promised a 45-day cinema window, though executives remain cautious.

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Roku Names Patrick Harris SVP of Global Media Revenue, reports Variety

General

Feb 18, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Roku has appointed Patrick Harris, formerly of Snap and Meta, as senior vice president of global media revenue from 9 March. Based in New York and reporting to Roku Media president Charlie Collier, he will lead global ad sales as the company seeks to capitalise on growing interest in connected TV.

Collier describes Harris as a builder who can expand both traditional streaming advertising and performance-driven campaigns that prompt specific consumer actions. Roku, an early player in streaming, has become increasingly influential in the advertising sector.

Harris previously led the Americas business at Snap and spent 12 years at Meta. Roku is boosting programmatic partnerships and tools to attract more advertisers and drive measurable returns.

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Acadia is returning media rebates to its clients, and lighting a fire under other agencies to do so, reports AdAge

General

Feb 18, 2026

Agency Management

A decade after the K2 report exposed undisclosed media rebates, Acadia CEO Jared Belsky says the practice remains widespread, with agencies typically keeping payments from publishers tied to client spend. He argues those funds should be returned to advertisers.

Acadia has distributed a six-figure rebate to 53 clients whose spending qualified, launching a campaign to raise awareness and encourage transparency. Belsky says most clients are unaware rebates exist and urges marketers to demand clearer contracts and audits.

Consultancy Ebiquity confirms rebates persist, often hidden within complex incentive structures. Belsky warns reliance on such income reflects a flawed agency model.

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Omnicom Earnings For CY 2025 Show +10.1% YoY Revenue Growth, Net Income Down By -103.7% YoY

+ 10% YoY Opinions

Earnings

Feb 18, 2026

AdAge reports:

Omnicom outlined plans following its acquisition of Interpublic, doubling its cost-savings target to $1.5bn, with $900m expected in 2026. Savings will come mainly from labour cuts, offshoring, real estate consolidation and efficiencies through automation and AI. The company did not issue a 2026 forecast or organic growth figures due to the recent deal.

Fourth-quarter revenue rose 27.9% to $5.53bn, boosted by one month of IPG revenue, while full-year revenue increased 10.1% to $17.27bn. However, Omnicom reported a quarterly net loss of $941m.

The group also plans to exit smaller and non-strategic businesses, simplifying operations.

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Isba launches guidance to inform decision-making on proprietary media, reports The Media Leader

General

Feb 18, 2026

Agency Management

Isba has issued guidance to help advertisers assess proprietary media, where agencies buy inventory and resell it at a markup without disclosing margins. The practice, increasingly used by major holding groups, can offer benefits such as preferential pricing and exclusive access, but raises concerns over transparency and conflicts of interest.

The guide outlines 10 steps, including upfront transparency agreements, explicit contractual approval and clear labelling of proprietary media. Advertisers are urged to seek performance proof, placement data and consider capping usage.

While the IPA welcomed improvements and fair remuneration principles, critics argue proprietary media undermines impartial advice and risks damaging client trust.

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Consumers ready for broadcast switch-off in 2030s, without a nightlight, reports The Media Leader

General

Feb 18, 2026

A report by Oliver & Ohlbaum, commissioned by Sky, finds strong UK consumer support for a full broadcast switch-off in the 2030s, with limited appetite for a reduced ‘nightlight’ service of core channels. Surveys suggest many would instead move to streaming, and satellite options attract minimal interest.

The study indicates most broadband households would upgrade to connected TV if given a clear deadline, leaving around 330,000 hold-out homes by 2034. Most respondents favour funding digital inclusion over maintaining limited broadcast services.

Public service broadcasters back a managed transition to internet-delivered TV, supported by platforms such as Freely, stressing that no one should be left behind.

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Perplexity drops advertising as it warns it will hurt trust in AI, reports FT

General

Feb 18, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Perplexity has abandoned advertising, citing concerns that it could undermine user trust. The AI start-up, which tested sponsored answers in 2024, began phasing out ads late last year and now has no plans to revive them.

Executives said users must believe they are receiving the best possible answers, warning that ads risk creating doubt, even if clearly labelled and separate from responses.

While rivals including OpenAI and Google are introducing ads to monetise free users, Perplexity relies mainly on subscriptions. Valued at $18bn, it says its focus remains on accuracy rather than advertising revenue.

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Saudi Arabia’s Humain Invests $3 Billion Into Elon Musk’s XAI, reports Bloomberg

General

Feb 18, 2026

Investment Rounds

Saudi-backed AI firm Humain has invested $3bn in Elon Musk’s xAI, becoming a significant minority shareholder before xAI’s recent acquisition by SpaceX. Its stake will convert into SpaceX shares following the $1.25tn merger.

The deal strengthens ties between Musk and Saudi Arabia, with plans to build a 500 megawatt data centre in the kingdom.

Humain, launched in 2025 with backing from the Public Investment Fund, is investing heavily in AI to diversify the economy, including backing Luma AI and partnering with AMD and Cisco on data centre projects.

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German court orders X to grant data access for Hungary election research, reports Reuters

General

Feb 18, 2026

Responsible Media

A German appeals court has ordered X to grant vetted researchers access to public data linked to Hungary’s April 12 election, including post reach and engagement. The ruling takes immediate effect and cannot be appealed.

The decision is seen as a landmark in enforcing the EU’s Digital Services Act, which requires major platforms to share data for research into risks such as disinformation and election interference.

The court said German courts had jurisdiction where local researchers were denied data. NGOs hailed the move as a precedent strengthening digital transparency across the EU.

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Meta's Zuckerberg faces questioning at youth addiction trial, reports Reuters

General

Feb 18, 2026

Advertising To Children

Mark Zuckerberg is due to testify in a Los Angeles jury trial over claims Instagram harmed young users’ mental health. The case centres on a woman who says Instagram and YouTube fuelled her depression and suicidal thoughts, and seeks damages from Meta and Google.

The lawsuit forms part of a wider backlash against social media’s impact on children, with several countries introducing or considering age restrictions.

Meta denies wrongdoing, citing safety features and research disputing harm. Internal documents showing awareness of risks are expected to be examined, in a case seen as a test for thousands of similar claims.

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California builds AI oversight unit and presses on xAI investigation, reports Reuters

General

Feb 18, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is creating an AI accountability programme as his office investigates Elon Musk’s xAI over non-consensual sexual images generated by its Grok chatbot. A cease-and-desist letter was sent last month, and officials are seeking assurances the conduct has stopped.

Bonta said xAI deflected responsibility and still allows some sexualised content for paying users. He warned companies cannot avoid consequences by halting future behaviour.

California is expanding its AI oversight amid calls for federal control. Lawmakers are considering a bill to formalise the programme, while scrutiny of OpenAI and other firms continues.

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