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OpenAI to introduce ads to all ChatGPT free and Go users in US, reports Reuters

General

Mar 21, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI will soon begin showing adverts to all users of the free and Go versions of ChatGPT in the United States.

The company has integrated adtech firm Criteo into its advertising pilot, with reports that advertisers are being encouraged to commit significant spend and provide multiple creative variations to improve delivery and performance.

The move reflects OpenAI’s search for new revenue streams as ChatGPT usage grows rapidly and computing costs rise, while competition in generative AI continues to intensify.

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Expert Opinions

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OpenAI to double workforce as business push intensifies, reports FT

General

Mar 21, 2026

OpenAI plans to nearly double its workforce to about 8,000 by year-end as it intensifies efforts to win business customers and counter growing pressure from Anthropic and Google.

Most new hires will support product, engineering, research and sales, alongside specialists helping companies deploy OpenAI tools more effectively. The push reflects a wider strategic reset around enterprise growth and productivity-focused products.

OpenAI is also streamlining its offering, including combining ChatGPT and Codex into one desktop app. The company hopes business customers will account for half its revenue by the end of the year.

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Google confirms AI headline rewrites test in Search results, reports Search Engine Land

General

Mar 20, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Google is testing AI-generated headline rewrites in Search results, including for news articles, in a small experiment designed to better match titles to user queries and improve engagement.

Publishers are concerned because the rewritten headlines can shorten or alter the original wording, potentially changing tone, intent and brand voice at a time when Search is already sending fewer clicks.

Although Google says the trial is limited and not approved for wider launch, the test highlights growing worries that publishers may lose control over how their work is presented and how audiences interpret it.

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Pinterest CEO calls on governments to ban social media for users under 16, reports TechCrunch

General

Mar 20, 2026

Advertising To Children

Pinterest chief executive Bill Ready has urged governments to ban social media for under-16s, arguing that children have been exposed to harmful online environments with too little protection.

In a Time article, he said research links unrestricted social media use to rising depression, anxiety and weaker concentration, and compared the need for regulation to controls on tobacco and alcohol.

Ready praised Australia’s approach and said other governments should follow if tech companies fail to act. He added that Pinterest has still succeeded with Gen Z despite restricting social features for users under 16.

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ChatGPT’s ad pilot has the industry excited, but some insiders are frustrated with the slow rollout, reports CNBC

General

Mar 20, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI’s early ChatGPT ads test has attracted strong interest from major agencies and brands, but the rollout has been slower and more limited than many expected.

Some advertisers committed unusually high test budgets, yet worry they will not spend them fully before the pilot ends, reducing the insights they hoped to gain. OpenAI says the cautious approach is deliberate while it refines the experience.

Despite frustration, partners say OpenAI has responded well to feedback and ad delivery is beginning to accelerate. The longer-term opportunity remains significant, with AI-powered advertising seen as a potentially major new digital channel.

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Publicis Sapient CEO Sees Demand for Consultant AI Projects Picking Up, reports WSJ

General

Mar 20, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Sapient says client interest in artificial intelligence is growing, suggesting more businesses are moving from experimentation towards practical implementation.

Chief executive Nigel Vaz said spending had previously been delayed by leadership changes and broader caution around major transformation programmes. As those internal disruptions settle, clients are becoming more willing to pursue AI-led change.

The consulting arm of Publicis is now discussing active business transformation with clients and has launched AI platforms focused on software development, AI agents and workflow orchestration. Vaz believes AI should support Sapient’s growth rather than threaten its business model.

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Musk Misled Twitter Investors Before 2022 Buyout, Jury Says, reports Bloomberg

M&A

Mar 20, 2026

A jury has found Elon Musk defrauded Twitter investors by making misleading statements in 2022 that helped drive down the company’s share price during his takeover attempt.

Jurors concluded that Musk intentionally misled shareholders when he publicly raised concerns about fake accounts and suggested the deal was on hold, though they rejected two of the four fraud claims.

The amount he must pay has not yet been decided and could be substantial. Musk’s lawyers said they would appeal the verdict.

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Roblox to overhaul ad policies, introduce revenue sharing in 2027, reports Reuters

General

Mar 20, 2026

Gaming / Metaverse

Roblox will start taking a share of revenue from in-game brand deals from January 2027 as part of a wider overhaul of its advertising policies.

The company says the change is intended to bring more standardised pricing and measurement to branded experiences, replacing flat-fee deals that it argues have suppressed creator earnings and brand confidence.

From 4 May, Roblox will also allow age-appropriate advertising formats, with stricter rules on registration, moderation and labelling. Some ad categories and rewarded ads will remain banned for users under 13.

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X Dangles $200K for Advertisers to Return to the Platform, Leaked Deck Shows, reports AdWeek

General

Mar 20, 2026

X is offering some lapsed advertisers incentives worth up to $200,000 in added value to encourage them back to the platform, according to a leaked sales deck.

The pitch appears aimed at rebuilding advertising revenues that fell sharply after Elon Musk’s takeover, with X also stressing its brand safety controls and the role of Grok in reviewing content and profiles for suitability.

X further claims strong ad performance and high user attentiveness, though questions remain over what the incentives specifically involve and whether advertisers will be persuaded amid ongoing concerns about moderation, misinformation and deepfake scandals.

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States challenge broadcast behemoth mega-merger, reports Axios

M&A

Mar 19, 2026

Eight US states have sued to block Nexstar’s proposed $6.2 billion takeover of Tegna, arguing it would create an excessively powerful local broadcast group and reduce competition.

The states say the merger would weaken independent local news operations, reduce diversity in coverage and make it harder for new competitors to enter already concentrated markets. They argue the deal breaches the Clayton Antitrust Act.

The case is also a test of the FCC’s deregulatory approach, because the merger would require loosening current ownership limits. Supporters say the combined group would help preserve and expand local news.

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Tubi and TikTok are partnering to produce long form series, reports The Verge

General

Mar 19, 2026

Influencer Marketing

Tubi and TikTok are launching a Creatorverse Incubator to help popular TikTok creators develop original long-form series for the Fox-owned streaming platform.

Selected creators will work with Tubi on scripted and unscripted formats, including competition, dating and game shows. The first group of participants is due to be announced later this summer.

The initiative reflects a wider push to turn social media success into streaming content, but it also raises questions about whether audiences who enjoy short-form TikTok videos will follow creators into longer television-style formats.

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OpenAI Plans Launch of Desktop Superapp to Refocus, Simplify User Experience, reports WSJ

General

Mar 19, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI plans to combine ChatGPT, Codex and its browser into a single desktop “superapp” to simplify its products and sharpen its focus on engineering and business users.

The overhaul will be led temporarily by president Greg Brockman, while applications chief Fidji Simo will oversee sales. Executives hope the unified app will reduce internal fragmentation and help OpenAI compete more effectively with Anthropic.

The new product is expected to centre on agentic AI, enabling systems to carry out tasks autonomously on a user’s computer, including coding and data analysis.

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Delayed Nielsen Data Will Show Traditional TV Back on Top, for Now, reports WSJ

General

Mar 19, 2026

Nielsen’s latest data suggests streaming no longer exceeds broadcast and cable combined, with linear TV accounting for 47.4% of US viewing in February versus 41.9% for streaming.

The shift appears largely driven by a methodology change, after Nielsen incorporated independent research into its household and technology estimates. Many streaming services saw lower shares, while Peacock rose thanks to the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics.

The figures may complicate the narrative ahead of the upfronts, but they do not alter the longer-term trend: streaming is still expected to keep growing.

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Meta to Reduce Role of Outside Content Moderators in Favor of AI, reports Bloomberg

General

Mar 19, 2026

Responsible Media

Meta plans to reduce its reliance on third-party content moderators and shift more enforcement work to advanced AI systems built on large language models.

The company says these newer tools are better at identifying scams, celebrity impersonation and sexual solicitation, and will now be deployed more widely across Facebook and Instagram. Human reviewers will still handle nuanced and higher-risk decisions.

The transition is expected to take several years. Meta says AI will not replace human judgement entirely, but the move signals a broader effort to strengthen internal systems while cutting back on outside moderation vendors.

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Facebook launches a new monetization program to attract popular creators from TikTok, YouTube, reports TechCrunch

General

Mar 18, 2026

Influencer Marketing

Facebook has launched Creator Fast Track, a programme aimed at attracting creators from rival platforms by offering guaranteed pay and greater reach for eligible Reels.

Creators with large followings on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube can receive up to $3,000 a month for three months, while also gaining early access to Facebook’s monetisation tools without the usual entry requirements.

Facebook said it paid creators nearly $3 billion in 2025, up 35% year on year. It is also adding new metrics to help creators understand which views qualify for earnings and how to improve monetisation.

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New questions arise over TikTok sale, reports Axios

M&A

Mar 18, 2026

Senator Mark Warner is pressing the US Treasury for answers over a reported $10 billion fee linked to the TikTok sale, questioning how it was set, approved and legally handled.

The fee, reportedly paid on top of the $14 billion purchase price, would bring the real cost of the deal closer to $24 billion. That has raised concerns among investors and prompted comparisons with unusually high deal fees.

So far, Treasury, TikTok US and key parties involved have declined to comment. The arrangement appears unprecedented, with the US government accused of extracting billions in exchange for approving a private transaction.

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Walmart wins patents to give algorithms more sway over prices, reports FT

General

Mar 18, 2026

Walmart has secured patents covering automated markdowns and machine-learning tools for forecasting demand and recommending prices, deepening its use of technology in retail pricing.

The developments come amid political concern over dynamic pricing, with several US states considering restrictions on rapidly changing prices for groceries and consumer goods. Walmart insists the patents are not about surge pricing and says pricing decisions remain people-led.

The company argues the tools support efficiency and its everyday low-price strategy. However, critics warn that algorithmic pricing and electronic shelf labels could undermine consumer trust if used opaquely.

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LinkedIn is making a big play for streaming TV ad dollars, reports Insider

General

Mar 18, 2026

LinkedIn has partnered with The Trade Desk to let advertisers use LinkedIn audience data for connected TV campaigns, aiming to strengthen its position in the growing streaming ad market.

The deal allows brands to target business decision-makers on TV using LinkedIn’s professional data, then potentially retarget them later on LinkedIn itself. The partnership is currently being tested with a small group of advertisers.

For LinkedIn, the move expands its CTV ambitions and could attract more advertisers. For The Trade Desk, it provides a valuable endorsement at a time when the company is facing increased scrutiny and competitive pressure.

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News media trusted in theory but not in practice as agencies and advertisers remain wary of brand safety, reports The Media Leader

General

Mar 18, 2026

News Publishing

Advertisers and agencies broadly trust news media, but many still hesitate to use it fully because of brand safety concerns and worries about political sensitivity.

A survey for The News Alliance found most agencies feel confident recommending news environments, and many advertisers see them as valuable for long-term brand building. Even so, around half said news is underused in media plans.

The main barrier remains caution rather than lack of evidence. Despite research suggesting advertising alongside news does not harm campaigns, many buyers still exclude news content or refuse to relax brand safety settings.

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Publishers welcome government walk back on opt-out copyright exception for AI companies, reports The Media Leader

General

Mar 18, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

The UK Government has abandoned its preferred plan to let AI companies train on copyrighted works unless rightsholders opted out, following strong opposition from the creative industries.

Ministers said they no longer have a preferred option and want a more balanced approach that protects both the UK’s valuable creative sector and its fast-growing AI industry.

Publishers welcomed the reversal but want clarity on what comes next. The Government is now backing measures including a Creative Content Exchange, a consultation on digital replicas, AI labelling proposals and new investment to support home-grown AI capability.

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EU lawmakers support ban on AI apps generating explicit images, reports Reuters

General

Mar 18, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

EU lawmakers have backed a ban on AI apps that create sexually explicit images without consent, and want the measure added to the bloc’s AI Act.

The move follows similar support from EU countries and comes amid wider debate over whether parts of the AI Act should be softened to help Europe stay competitive in the global technology race.

Lawmakers also supported delaying certain rules for high-risk AI systems until 2 December next year, citing uncertainty because key technical standards may not be ready in time.

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Google to allow AI opt-out to ease UK competition concerns, reports Reuters

General

Mar 18, 2026

Google says it is developing new search controls that would allow websites to opt out of its generative AI features, in response to concerns from the UK competition regulator.

It has also proposed a less disruptive way for users to change their default search engine, arguing that repeated pop-ups would harm the user experience.

The move follows the CMA’s scrutiny of Google’s dominance in search and its proposals to improve choice and fairness. Google warned some suggested remedies could hurt users, publishers and innovation, but said it would keep working with the regulator.

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Expert Opinions

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Meta vowed to stop illegal financial ads in Britain. It failed 1,000 times in a week, reports Reuters

General

Mar 18, 2026

Responsible Media

Britain’s financial regulator says Meta has repeatedly failed to stop illegal adverts for high-risk financial products, despite promising to block unauthorised promotions.

In one week of checks, the FCA found 1,052 such adverts on Meta’s platforms, with more than half linked to advertisers it had already flagged. A December review found similar repeat problems.

The findings highlight a regulatory gap, as UK authorities cannot yet penalise paid scam adverts under the Online Safety Act. Tests also suggested Meta applied tougher controls in Australia than in Britain, prompting fresh pressure for faster action.

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Disney's new CEO Josh D'Amaro steps up for a wild ride, reports Reuters

General

Mar 18, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Josh D’Amaro formally becomes Disney chief executive at Wednesday’s shareholder meeting, taking charge as the company faces major shifts in media, technology and consumer behaviour.

Best known for leading Disney’s highly profitable parks business, he now inherits wider challenges including AI disruption, a weakening television division, franchise fatigue and fierce competition for attention from platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.

Investors want clarity on his strategy, especially how he will work with content chief Dana Walden and build on Bob Iger’s recovery efforts. They are also watching for early signs of how quickly D’Amaro will put his own stamp on Disney.

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Advertisers aren’t happy about picking up Meta’s European tax tab, reports Digiday

General

Mar 18, 2026

Meta’s decision to pass digital services tax costs on to advertisers from 1 July has been met with concern, particularly among smaller brands and start-ups.

The new “location fees” will add 2% to 5% to ad costs in certain European markets, including the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Austria and Turkey, making budgeting and forecasting more difficult.

Advertisers worry the extra charges will squeeze already pressured budgets and could make some markets less attractive. While Google has done something similar since 2020, Meta’s move is still forcing marketers to reassess spending plans and campaign efficiency.

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OpenAI preps for IPO by end of year, tells employees ChatGPT must be productivity tool, reports CNBC

General

Mar 17, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI is sharpening its focus on enterprise customers as it prepares for a potential stock market listing, possibly by the end of the year.

At a recent staff meeting, applications chief Fidji Simo said the company was aggressively prioritising productivity use cases and aiming to turn ChatGPT’s vast user base into higher-value business users.

The shift comes amid stronger competition from Google and Anthropic. OpenAI is also tightening spending plans, building out its finance team and projecting major long-term growth from both consumer and enterprise revenues.

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Elon Musk and SEC in talks to settle lawsuit over Twitter deal, reports CNBC

M&A

Mar 17, 2026

Elon Musk is in talks with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to settle a lawsuit over his delayed disclosure of a stake in Twitter before buying the company.

The SEC says Musk failed to report passing the 5% ownership threshold on time, allowing him to buy shares at artificially low prices and disadvantaging other investors.

The case, filed in January 2025, is continuing in Washington, while a separate class-action suit from former Twitter investors is nearing a jury decision in San Francisco.

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OpenAI is rethinking ChatGPT pricing, and unlimited plans may not last, its boss says, reports Insider

General

Mar 17, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI says ChatGPT pricing is likely to change as AI becomes more powerful, costly and heavily used, raising doubts about the long-term future of “unlimited” plans.

ChatGPT subscriptions were introduced largely as a practical response to surging demand, but Nick Turley said that model may no longer make sense as computing needs rise sharply.

OpenAI is now exploring ways to align prices more closely with usage while preserving access, potentially through alternatives such as advertising. The shift reflects a broader industry move towards metered or usage-based AI pricing.

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Publicis no longer recommends The Trade Desk to clients following audit, reports AdAge

General

Mar 17, 2026

Publicis Groupe has told clients it will no longer recommend The Trade Desk after an independent audit allegedly found breaches of their agreement.

Publicis claims The Trade Desk applied fees beyond what was allowed, enrolled clients in paid features without consent and failed to prove media and data costs were passed through at cost. The Trade Desk denies failing the audit and says confidentiality limits what it can disclose.

The dispute adds to wider tensions between The Trade Desk and agencies as programmatic buying changes, competition grows and scrutiny increases over its fees, products and agency relationships.

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Tim Cook squashes retirement rumors, says he can’t imagine life without Apple, reports CNBC

General

Mar 17, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Tim Cook has dismissed speculation that he is preparing to retire, saying he loves his role at Apple and cannot imagine life without the company.

His comments come after senior departures at Apple and growing questions over whether his operations-focused leadership is suited to the AI era, especially after delays to Siri and a deal to use Google’s Gemini for some iPhone AI features.

Cook’s reassurance arrives at an important moment as Apple approaches its 50th anniversary and prepares major launches, while still facing pressure to prove it can compete more effectively in artificial intelligence.

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Google adds video visibility to Performance Max reporting, reports Search Engine Land

General

Mar 17, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Google Ads has added a new “Ads using video” segment to Performance Max reporting, giving advertisers clearer insight into how video affects campaign results.

The update lets marketers compare performance between placements that used video assets and those that did not, helping them assess whether video is improving outcomes across Google’s automated inventory.

It offers more transparency in a largely automated environment, especially as video becomes increasingly important across surfaces such as YouTube, and should support better creative and budget decisions.

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Expert Opinions

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Perplexity AI Shopping Bots Can Stay on Amazon for Now, Court Rules, reports Bloomberg

General

Mar 17, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Perplexity AI has won a temporary reprieve from a court order that would have blocked its Comet shopping bots from Amazon this week.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to pause the lower court’s order before it was due to take effect on Tuesday.

The ban will now remain on hold while the appeals court considers Perplexity’s challenge.

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The Trade Desk remains the dominant DSP but its advertisers are starting to shop around, reports Digiday

General

Mar 17, 2026

The Trade Desk remains financially strong, but some advertisers and agencies no longer see it as the automatic programmatic choice it once was as rivals such as Amazon DSP gain ground.

Executives say alternatives now offer cleaner measurement, stronger retail media links and more flexible buying options. Some also point to tougher negotiations, shifting account teams and a more aggressive commercial approach from The Trade Desk.

The wider concern is structural: as AI makes programmatic buying easier through APIs, switching between platforms may become simpler and DSP services more commoditised, raising questions about how durable The Trade Desk’s moat really is.

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Expert Opinions

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OpenAI to Cut Back on Side Projects in Push to Nail Core Business, reports WSJ

General

Mar 16, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI is preparing a strategic reset to focus more tightly on coding and business users after leaders concluded its broad, multi-product approach had diluted attention and resources.

Executives, including Sam Altman and Fidji Simo, are reviewing which areas to deprioritise, with staff expected to be told more soon. The shift reflects growing pressure from Anthropic, whose coding and enterprise tools have gained strong momentum.

OpenAI still leads in consumer AI, but wants to regain ground with developers and companies. It is now aligning products more closely around productivity, while scaling back less central initiatives.

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Expert Opinions

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European publishers, tech firms urge EU to speed up fine on Google over search, reports Reuters

General

Mar 16, 2026

European publishers, tech companies and start-ups have urged EU regulators to conclude their nearly two-year probe into Google’s search practices and impose a fine.

The groups argue Google has favoured its own services in search results, harming European businesses and undermining the Digital Markets Act. They warned the European Commission’s credibility is at stake if the case drags on further.

Google says it has already made significant changes and wants the investigation resolved, but rivals argue those remedies are inadequate. They are calling for a formal non-compliance ruling, a cease-and-desist order and a deterrent penalty.

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Expert Opinions

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ByteDance suspends launch of video AI model after copyright disputes, The Information reports, reports Reuters

General

Mar 14, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

ByteDance has reportedly paused the global launch of its Seedance 2.0 video-generation model after copyright disputes with major Hollywood studios and streaming platforms.

The model, unveiled in February and intended for film, e-commerce and advertising, had drawn praise for generating cinematic content from minimal prompts. However, Disney accused ByteDance of using copyrighted characters without permission and sent a cease-and-desist letter.

According to the report, ByteDance is now reviewing legal risks and adding safeguards to stop further intellectual property violations before any wider release.

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Meta planning sweeping layoffs as AI costs mount, reports Reuters

General

Mar 14, 2026

Meta is planning broad layoffs that could affect 20% or more of staff, according to Reuters sources, as it looks to offset heavy AI infrastructure spending and improve efficiency through AI-assisted work.

No date or final scale has been set, but senior leaders have reportedly been told to prepare for cuts. If confirmed, it would be Meta’s biggest reduction since its earlier “year of efficiency” restructuring.

The move reflects Zuckerberg’s intensified focus on generative AI, despite recent setbacks with Meta’s models. It also mirrors wider tech-sector cuts as companies invest heavily in AI while seeking to operate with smaller teams.

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Expert Opinions

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IAB UK reaffirms Meta’s membership status after tech giant expelled from IAB Sweden, reports The Media Leader

General

Mar 13, 2026

Responsible Media

Meta remains a member of IAB UK, despite IAB Sweden expelling the company over what it called insufficient action against deceptive advertising.

IAB UK said it wants broad membership to help improve digital advertising, while Meta will be able to appeal the Swedish decision in April. The move followed scrutiny of Meta’s revenue from scam-related advertising and its advertiser verification standards.

The issue has added to criticism from some UK agency leaders, who argue trade bodies have not taken a strong enough stance against major tech platforms despite concerns over transparency, fraud and wider digital harms.

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Expert Opinions

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Peacock expands into AI-driven video, mobile-first live sports, and gaming, reports TechCrunch

General

Mar 13, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Peacock is reshaping its app around AI and mobile-first entertainment, adding features that make it look more like a mix of TikTok, gaming and streaming.

Its new “Your Bravoverse” feature uses AI to build personalised Bravo clip playlists, guided by a digital Andy Cohen avatar. Peacock is also introducing vertical live NBA broadcasts and expanding short-form video.

The company is adding more mobile games as it seeks deeper engagement and growth. The strategy reflects pressure to stand out as Peacock grows subscribers but remains loss-making.

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Amazon to hike price of ad-free Prime Video tier by $2 a month, reports CNBC

General

Mar 13, 2026

Amazon is raising the price of its ad-free Prime Video option in the US from $2.99 to $4.99 a month from 10 April.

The tier is also being renamed Prime Video Ultra and will include extra features, including streaming on five devices at once, up to 100 downloads and 4K viewing.

Amazon said the change reflects the cost of offering ad-free streaming with premium features. The move builds on its 2024 introduction of ads on Prime Video, as the company continues to grow its audience and advertising business.

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NFL, Paramount discussing media deal that could mean CBS pays an extra $1 billion or more, reports CNBC

General

Mar 13, 2026

Sports Marketing

NFL and CBS owner Paramount Skydance are negotiating a renewal for Sunday games, with talks centred on a rights-fee increase of roughly 50% to 60%.

CBS currently pays about $2.1 billion a year, so a new deal could exceed $3 billion annually. In return, the NFL would reportedly remove its option to exit after the 2029-30 season.

The talks may shape later negotiations with Fox, NBC, Amazon and Disney, and could influence the wider sports-rights market as broadcasters reassess what they can afford to pay for premium live sport.

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Elon Musk’s $134bn claim against OpenAI rests on numbers out of the air, judge says, reports FT

General

Mar 13, 2026

A judge has cast doubt on Elon Musk’s claim for more than $130bn in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft, saying the figures appeared to be “pulled out of the air”.

However, she refused to block the supporting expert testimony before trial, meaning Musk can still present the case to a jury. Without that evidence, the damages claim would effectively collapse.

Musk alleges OpenAI and Sam Altman abandoned the organisation’s non-profit roots after he helped found and fund it. OpenAI says the lawsuit is commercially motivated. Trial is due to begin on 28 April.

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Elon Musk pushes out more xAI founders as AI coding effort falters, reports FT

General

Mar 13, 2026

Elon Musk has ordered fresh cuts and a leadership overhaul at xAI after frustration over the weak performance of its coding products, with more co-founders leaving and managers from SpaceX and Tesla brought in to review the business.

The shake-up reflects pressure to catch rivals such as OpenAI and Anthropic, whose coding tools have advanced more quickly. Musk has blamed problems including weak training data and has pushed for major internal restructuring.

Despite rapid expansion and heavy investment, xAI’s products have struggled to gain traction. Staff say repeated upheaval is hurting morale, while resignations and lay-offs have left the company scrambling to recruit.

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One-fifth of Australian teens still use TikTok, Snapchat after social media ban, reports Reuters

General

Mar 13, 2026

Advertising To Children

Two months after Australia banned social media access for under-16s, industry data suggests more than one-fifth of 13-to-15-year-olds were still using platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat.

Use did fall after the ban, with sharper declines than the previous year, indicating some effect. However, around 21% still used TikTok and 20% Snapchat, raising doubts about how effective age-checking systems have been.

Regulators said they were monitoring compliance and engaging with platforms. The government said the change would take time, while data showed little evidence that teenagers had shifted in large numbers to unregulated alternatives.

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Win for Amazon as Luxembourg court scraps record $854 million privacy fine, reports Reuters

General

Mar 13, 2026

Amazon has won its appeal against a record €746 million fine imposed by Luxembourg’s privacy regulator over its online behavioural advertising practices.

The court ruled that the watchdog had not properly assessed whether Amazon’s conduct under GDPR was intentional or negligent, and had failed to consider other possible sanctions before issuing the penalty.

As a result, the 2021 decision has been annulled and sent back for a fresh analysis. Amazon welcomed the ruling, while the regulator said its action had nonetheless brought the company’s advertising practices into compliance.

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Trump Administration Set to Receive $10 Billion Fee for Brokering TikTok Deal, reports WSJ

M&A

Mar 13, 2026

Investors in the deal taking control of TikTok’s U.S. business are set to pay the Trump administration about $10 billion, on top of their investments in the new entity.

Backers including Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX have already paid roughly $2.5 billion, with further payments to follow. Officials say the fee reflects the administration’s role in keeping TikTok operating in America and securing the agreement.

The arrangement is highly unusual for government involvement in a corporate transaction. It also comes amid wider efforts by the administration to extract stakes, fees or influence from major business deals.

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OpenAI is Testing An Ads Manager, As Its New Ads Business Fights Growing Pains, reports AdWeek

General

Mar 13, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI has begun testing a ChatGPT Ads Manager with a small group of partners, marking early progress in shaping its advertising programme.

The dashboard allows marketers to run, monitor and optimise campaigns in real time, while testers currently receive weekly CSV performance reports covering metrics such as clicks and impressions.

With some advertisers reportedly being asked to commit at least $200,000, OpenAI will need to show that its ads can deliver meaningful results if it wants broader adoption.

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OMD USA Names Bradley Rogers CEO as Chrissie Hanson Heads to Dentsu, reports AdWeek

General

Mar 13, 2026

Leadership Transitions

OMD USA has appointed Bradley Rogers as chief executive, succeeding Chrissie Hanson, who is leaving after four years to join Dentsu as North America media CEO and global brand president of Carat.

Rogers, who starts on 23 March, joins from Red Ventures and has previously held senior roles at MRM, Ogilvy and Mindshare. Omnicom said his mix of media, creative, commerce and platform experience made him well suited to lead OMD.

His arrival comes as Omnicom integrates IPG following their merger, with media expected to drive much of the enlarged company’s projected revenue growth.

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Social media giants have grand plans for AI. Creators fear they'll be left out, reports Insider

General

Mar 12, 2026

Influencer Marketing

Creators are increasingly worried that social platforms’ focus on AI is reducing their influence and weakening their control over how their content, image and likeness are used.

Recent tests such as Instagram’s AI shopping feature have intensified fears that platforms could profit from creators’ work without consent or compensation. Many also worry AI tools could replace some creator roles and make human content less valuable.

However, the article argues AI need not undermine the creator economy if platforms choose to share revenues and protect trust. Human creators still offer authenticity, which remains valuable to audiences and advertisers alike.

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Musk’s X to Alter Verification System in Europe, Commission Says, reports Bloomberg

General

Mar 12, 2026

Responsible Media

X has agreed to change its verification system in the EU after being fined €120 million under the Digital Services Act, with the European Commission now reviewing the company’s proposed remedies.

The EU argued that selling blue check marks to paying users was deceptive, because the badge had previously signalled accounts at risk of impersonation, such as journalists and public figures, rather than trustworthiness for anyone willing to pay.

The dispute is part of wider scrutiny of X over transparency and researcher access, and has also fuelled political tensions between the EU and allies of Donald Trump, including Vice President JD Vance.

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Meta Delays Rollout of New A.I. Model After Performance Concerns, reports NYT

General

Mar 12, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Meta’s new AI model, Avocado, has reportedly underperformed leading systems from Google, OpenAI and Anthropic in internal tests, making it unlikely Mark Zuckerberg will meet his earlier timeline.

Although Avocado improves on Meta’s previous model and beats an older Gemini version, its release has been delayed until at least May. Executives have even discussed temporarily licensing Google’s Gemini, though no decision has been made.

The setback is significant because Meta has invested heavily in AI, including major spending on data centres and talent. The company is also weighing whether future models should remain open source.

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Amazon Plans to Shift Annual Prime Day Sale to June From July, reports Bloomberg

General

Mar 12, 2026

Amazon is reportedly moving Prime Day to late June rather than July, bringing forward one of the biggest events in online retail.

The shift will affect Amazon, third-party sellers and rival retailers that often time their own promotions around the sale. It also means Prime Day revenue would fall into Amazon’s second-quarter results rather than the third.

Prime Day has grown since launching in 2015, though Amazon has continued to adjust the format to keep it effective. The event is also seen as a gauge of consumer confidence, especially amid economic uncertainty.

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NewsGuard Taps Startup Pangram to Identify AI-Generated News and Misinformation, reports AdWeek

General

Mar 12, 2026

NewsGuard has launched an AI content farm detection tool, built with Pangram Labs, to identify sites that publish large amounts of undisclosed AI-generated news and information.

The system combines automated detection with manual review, assessing whether AI-written content is widespread, misleadingly presented as human-made, and potentially spreading misinformation or propaganda.

After six months of testing, it has helped flag around 3,000 sites, many designed to generate ad revenue while circulating false claims. NewsGuard hopes the tool will help advertisers block such sites and may also extend it to consumers through its browser extension.

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UK watchdogs press Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube to block children, reports Reuters

General

Mar 12, 2026

Advertising To Children

Britain’s media and privacy regulators have warned major social media platforms they are not doing enough to keep children off their services or protect young users from harmful and addictive content.

Ofcom told Meta, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube to show by 30 April how they will improve age checks, limit contact from strangers, make feeds safer and stop testing products on minors.

The ICO urged platforms to use stronger age-assurance technology for under-13s. Companies face heavy fines, while the UK government is considering banning under-16s from social media.

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Eight out of ten PMax advertisers are now running CTV ads, reports Search Engine Land

General

Mar 11, 2026

Connected TV impressions for Performance Max advertisers have risen sharply as Google expands YouTube onto television screens. Around 80% of PMax advertisers now receive CTV impressions, often without actively choosing the channel.

Since Q2 2025, Google has turned standard product-feed images into TV ads, even for advertisers without video assets. In January 2026, it also introduced shoppable CTV ads linked to Merchant Center feeds.

Advertisers are urged to review channel performance, improve feed images and assess whether shoppable CTV is effective. Purpose-built TV creative is likely to outperform automated formats.

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The Trade Desk Says It's Testing AI Campaign Creation With Claude, reports AdWeek

General

Mar 11, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

The Trade Desk is trialling a closed beta that lets some advertisers build campaigns on its platform through Anthropic’s Claude, signalling how generative AI could transform programmatic ad buying.

CEO Jeff Green said programmatic advertising is highly suited to AI because of its speed and scale, and suggested The Trade Desk aims to launch a broader agentic AI framework for partners in 2026.

Green also argued many AI firms may turn to advertising for revenue, questioned Amazon’s long-term role in open-web DSPs because of antitrust risk, and highlighted retail media as a key growth opportunity.

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Nielsen's Gracenote sues OpenAI for copyright infringement, reports Axios

General

Mar 10, 2026

Gracenote, owned by Nielsen, has sued OpenAI for copyright infringement, alleging it used Gracenote’s entertainment metadata and the proprietary relational framework linking that data without permission or payment.

The case is notable because it targets not only copied data but also the structure behind the dataset, which Gracenote says is central to its commercial value and protected by copyright.

Gracenote claims ChatGPT can reproduce near-verbatim programme descriptions, threatening its business by enabling rivals to build competing metadata products. The lawsuit could set an important precedent for protecting structured datasets.

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LinkedIn is becoming a top source for AI chatbots, reports Axios

General

Mar 10, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

LinkedIn has become a leading source for AI chatbots including ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, with citation frequency doubling since November, according to Profound.

Posts, articles and newsletters make up 35% of LinkedIn citations in ChatGPT, while profiles account for 14.5%. Public content only can appear, LinkedIn said, as it continues to guard against unauthorised scraping.

The shift suggests professional visibility now depends increasingly on how machines interpret people and brands. In the era of generative engine optimisation, a clear and active LinkedIn presence may boost reach, authority and trust.

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Meta hires duo behind Moltbook, reports Axios

General

Mar 10, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Meta has bought Moltbook, a social network for AI agents, and will bring its founders, Matt Schlicht and Ben Parr, into Meta Superintelligence Labs in mid-March. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Moltbook launched in January as an experimental space where AI agents could verify their identity, connect and act on behalf of human owners. It was developed alongside the separate OpenClaw project.

Meta says the team could help create new ways for AI agents to work for people and businesses. Existing Moltbook customers can keep using the platform for now, though that appears temporary.

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Amazon Wins Court Order Blocking Perplexity’s AI Shopping Bots, reports Bloomberg

General

Mar 10, 2026

A US judge has temporarily barred Perplexity from using its Comet browser agent to buy goods through Amazon, pending further legal arguments over AI shopping bots.

Amazon alleges Perplexity accessed password-protected customer accounts without its authorisation, despite user permission. The court said Amazon had shown strong evidence and ordered Perplexity to stop and destroy related data.

The case could help define rules for AI agents handling online shopping. Its impact may reach digital advertising, a major market in which Amazon earned $68.6 billion in 2025.

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YouTube expands deepfake detection tool to politicians and journalists, reports Axios

General

Mar 10, 2026

YouTube is extending its likeness-detection tool to some government officials, political candidates and journalists, aiming to curb AI-driven impersonation and protect public debate.

The system scans uploaded videos for facial matches, lets verified individuals review flagged content and request removal, though parody and satire may still remain. Few creator requests so far have involved harmful misuse.

YouTube plans wider access and is exploring voice detection and likeness monetisation. It also backs the NO FAKES Act, while broader US deepfake legislation remains unlikely before the midterms.

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Amazon Looks to Raise at Least $37 Billion Through Bond Sale, reports Bloomberg

General

Mar 10, 2026

Investment Rounds

Amazon is returning to the bond market with a multi-tranche debt sale, ranging from two to 50 years, as major technology groups continue raising funds for heavy artificial intelligence investment.

The offering includes as many as 11 tranches, with initial pricing on the longest 2076 note set at about 1.55 percentage points above US Treasuries. HSBC, Citi, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan are managing the sale.

The deal reflects a wider borrowing surge among hyperscalers, as investors remain willing to back large debt issues tied to AI infrastructure spending.

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Dutch court upholds ruling forcing Meta to offer chronological feeds, reports Reuters

General

Mar 10, 2026

Responsible Media

A Dutch appeals court has upheld a ruling requiring Meta to let Facebook and Instagram users in the Netherlands view posts in chronological order rather than through profiling-based feeds.

The case was brought by digital rights group Bits of Freedom, which argued ahead of a national election that algorithmic feeds can harm public debate by making it unclear why users see certain content.

The court found aspects of Meta’s platform design were not consistent with the EU’s Digital Services Act. Meta said it will challenge the decision in full proceedings.

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Meta Hikes Fees for Advertisers to Cover Europe’s Digital Taxes, reports Bloomberg

General

Mar 10, 2026

Meta will start charging advertisers extra “location fees” from 1 July to cover digital services taxes in countries where ads are shown.

The charges will apply even if the advertiser is based elsewhere, and affect both image and video advertising on Facebook and Instagram. The policy covers Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the UK, with fees matching each country’s tax rate.

Meta said it had previously absorbed these costs. Google and Amazon already levy similar charges, as digital taxes remain a point of tension between European governments and the United States.

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German publishers reject Apple's revised app tracking rules, urge antitrust fine, report Reuters

General

Mar 10, 2026

German publishers, advertisers and media groups have urged the country’s competition authority to fine Apple over proposed changes to its App Tracking Transparency rules, arguing they do not resolve antitrust concerns.

The groups say Apple would remain a gatekeeper for advertising data and continue controlling how companies reach customers. They want regulators to reject Apple’s proposals, stop the tool and impose penalties.

Apple says the framework protects user privacy, has support from most iPhone users and complies with data protection law. The watchdog has been investigating whether the tool abuses Apple’s market power.

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Canada says it will let TikTok continue operations in the country, reports Reuters

General

Mar 10, 2026

Canada will allow TikTok to continue operating after completing a national security review, reversing an earlier order to dissolve its local business.

Approval is conditional on legally binding commitments from TikTok Canada, including stronger protections for user data and enhanced safeguards for minors.

The government said the decision would protect Canadian jobs and ensure the company maintains a physical presence in the country. An independent monitor will oversee compliance with the new security and privacy measures.

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OpenAI is building the ad tech stack it is currently borrowing, reports Digiday

General

Mar 10, 2026

OpenAI is reportedly working with ad tech partners such as Criteo and potentially The Trade Desk to help launch advertising in ChatGPT. These partners provide advertiser relationships, measurement tools and agency integrations that OpenAI currently lacks.

However, job postings suggest OpenAI plans to build its own advertising infrastructure over time, including monetisation systems, measurement tools and ad design within its AI assistant.

Advertising is becoming a key revenue priority as OpenAI scales to around 910 million weekly users, most of whom do not pay. Partnerships may accelerate launch, but the long-term aim appears to be owning the ad tech stack.

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Heading into upfronts, the accreditation of a major TV measurement product remains in limbo, reports Marketing Brew

General

Mar 9, 2026

The accreditation status of Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel measurement system remains unresolved as the Media Rating Council continues its review.

The MRC said Nielsen has made progress addressing concerns about accuracy, demographic representation and modelling, but members still need impact data before reaching a decision.

Because the required data is being released in stages, the evaluation is expected to take longer. Nielsen plans to implement methodological changes by April, though industry groups have criticised the prolonged review process.

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OpenAI updates privacy policy as ads expand in ChatGPT, reports Search Engine Land

General

Mar 9, 2026

OpenAI has updated its privacy policy to explain how advertising will work in ChatGPT while keeping user data protected.

Ads may appear for Free and Go users, but paid tiers will remain ad-free. OpenAI says adverts will be clearly labelled and will not influence chatbot responses. Targeting may use signals such as ad interactions or chat context within ChatGPT.

Advertisers will not be able to access conversations, chat history, memories or personal details. They will receive only aggregated performance data, as OpenAI aims to balance monetisation with user trust and privacy.

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AI assistants now equal 56% of global search engine volume, reports Search Engine Land

General

Mar 9, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity now generate an estimated 45 billion monthly sessions worldwide, equivalent to 56 per cent of search engine volume globally and 34 per cent in the US.

Most AI activity happens in mobile apps rather than on the web, with ChatGPT dominating usage. When focusing only on information-seeking prompts, AI usage equals 28 per cent of search globally and 17 per cent in the US.

The analysis suggests AI is expanding discovery rather than replacing search. Google still leads, but its share of search-related activity is declining.

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Walmart's Flipkart shifts base to India as it prepares for IPO, reports Reuters

General

Mar 9, 2026

Flipkart has moved its holding company from Singapore to India, a step that clears the way for its planned domestic stock market listing.

The Walmart-owned ecommerce group said it had secured Indian government approval for the internal restructuring and described the redomiciliation as a significant milestone. Flipkart is expected to target a Mumbai listing before March 2027.

The move reflects a broader trend of Indian start-ups returning from overseas financial hubs to benefit from stronger IPO prospects at home. Flipkart was last valued at about $37 billion in 2024.

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Amazon’s Biggest Fire TV Redesign in Years Targets Faster Viewing and Better Ads, reports AdWeek

General

Mar 9, 2026

Amazon has unveiled its biggest Fire TV interface redesign in five years, aiming to speed up content discovery while creating new advertising opportunities. The update introduces a cleaner layout, faster performance and improved navigation across movies, TV, live content and sports.

The redesigned home screen features personalised recommendations, a “continue watching” section and the ability to pin up to 20 favourite apps. Amazon says the platform now powers more than 300 million devices globally.

Advertising placements are integrated across the interface and can be bought programmatically through Amazon’s DSP, linking Fire TV with the company’s broader streaming and retail media ecosystem.

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Ebiquity Taps Agency Vet Swaebe For Top Americas Growth Role, reports MediaPost

General

Mar 9, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Ebiquity has appointed former MullenLowe executive David Swaebe as head of growth, Americas, a newly created role focused on expanding the consultancy’s business across the US, Canada and Latin America.

Based in Boston, Swaebe will target growth among Fortune 500 clients seeking to improve marketing effectiveness. He previously held senior leadership roles at MullenLowe, most recently as global chief growth officer.

His appointment forms part of a broader leadership refresh in the Americas, following the earlier appointment of Michele Harrison as managing director for the region.

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Google’s AI Mode is citing Google more than any other site: Study, reports Search Engine Land

General

Mar 6, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

New research from SE Ranking shows Google’s AI answers increasingly cite Google’s own services, with Google.com accounting for 17.42% of all cited sources.

This share has risen sharply from 5.7% in June 2025. When YouTube is included, Google-controlled properties make up about one fifth of all AI citations.

Many links lead users back to additional Google search results rather than external websites, potentially reducing traffic to publishers while keeping users inside Google’s ecosystem where ads and other monetised content appear.

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Google contacts advertisers with a mandatory EU political ads deadline, reports Search Engine Land

General

Mar 6, 2026

Google is requiring advertisers to declare by 31 March 2026 whether their campaigns contain EU political ads, in line with new European rules.

The requirement applies to all active campaigns, and advertisers can confirm status at campaign, multi-campaign or account level. Choosing “No” at account level will automatically apply that setting to current and future campaigns, though it can still be changed for individual campaigns later.

Advertisers targeting EU audiences are being contacted directly by email. Failure to complete the declaration by the deadline could create compliance risks.

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X is testing a new ad format that connects posts with products, reports TechCrunch

General

Mar 6, 2026

X is testing a new advertising format that places product recommendations beneath posts mentioning a brand. In one example, users saw a “Get Starlink” prompt under a post praising the satellite service.

The company says the goal is to create advertising that feels like a recommendation rather than a traditional ad. The feature is currently limited to a small test market.

The experiment accompanies other creator-focused updates, including “Paid Partnership” labels and new monetisation tools, as X seeks to attract marketers and compete more effectively with platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

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TikTok lawsuit: Trump play could cost company billions of dollars, reports Axios

General

Mar 6, 2026

A lawsuit is challenging President Trump’s decision to delay enforcement of a law requiring TikTok to divest from Chinese owner ByteDance or face a US ban.

The suit argues Trump’s executive orders were unlawful and that TikTok U.S.’s licensing of ByteDance’s algorithm violates rules preventing an operational relationship with the Chinese company.

Filed by two shareholders and led by a former Justice Department prosecutor, the case could theoretically trigger massive penalties and even force renegotiation of TikTok’s recent ownership deal, though it is widely viewed as a long shot.

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UK to delay difficult decisions on AI copyright rules, reports FT

General

Mar 6, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

The UK government will delay proposed changes to copyright rules that would have made it easier for AI companies to mine media content, following strong opposition from the creative industries.

Ministers are reconsidering their approach after consultation responses failed to support any proposed model. New legislation is unlikely to appear in May’s King’s Speech and may be pushed to next year.

Publishers, filmmakers and media groups warned that an opt-out system would threaten creators’ livelihoods. Some industry figures favour licensing agreements with AI companies rather than broad copyright exemptions.

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India's tech state Karnataka bans social media for children under 16, reports Reuters

General

Mar 6, 2026

Advertising To Children

Karnataka, the Indian state home to Bengaluru, has announced a ban on social media use for children under 16, citing concerns about addiction and the impact of excessive mobile use.

The move reflects a growing global debate about minors’ digital activity. Australia has already introduced a nationwide ban, while several European countries and other Indian states are considering similar restrictions.

Critics argue age-based bans may be ineffective because children can bypass them using false identification, and suggest focusing instead on promoting healthier and safer online behaviour.

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The Trade Desk CEO Jeff Green Dropped $148M on Company Stock, reports AdWeek

General

Mar 6, 2026

The Trade Desk CEO Jeff Green bought about $148 million of company shares in early March, a rare open-market purchase he said reflects strong confidence in the company’s strategy and growth prospects.

Green highlighted investments in AI and expansion of programmatic inventory, including potential chatbot and sponsored shopping placements that could broaden digital advertising supply.

The purchase comes as The Trade Desk faces industry shifts, including AI search competition, agency tensions over OpenPath transparency and growing competition from Amazon’s advertising platform.

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OpenAI Held Early Talks With The Trade Desk to Sell Ads, reports The Information

General

Mar 5, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI has reportedly held early talks with ad tech company The Trade Desk about supporting advertising sales on ChatGPT.

The discussions suggest OpenAI may initially rely on external partners as it expands ads across ChatGPT’s free and lower-priced tiers as part of a wider monetisation strategy.

However, OpenAI is still said to plan building its own advertising technology over time.

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xAI loses bid to halt California AI data disclosure law, reports Reuters

General

Mar 5, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

A California federal judge has refused xAI’s request to temporarily block a state law requiring AI companies to disclose summary information about the datasets used to train their models.

Judge Jesus Bernal said xAI had not shown it was likely to prove the law unconstitutional or a violation of free speech rights.

The law, in force since 1 January, forms part of California’s wider push to regulate AI. xAI argues it could force disclosure of trade secrets, but the case will continue.

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WPP Elevates Nancy Hall to CEO of WPP Media U.S., reports AdWeek

General

Mar 5, 2026

Leadership Transitions

WPP has appointed Nancy Hall as CEO of WPP Media U.S., replacing interim leadership after the departure of Sharb Farjami. Hall previously served as chief client officer and was North America CEO of Mindshare.

She brings nearly 25 years of experience across major advertising and technology-focused roles and will report to global CEO Brian Lesser, with a focus on innovation, data and technology capabilities.

The appointment comes as WPP restructures into four divisions and pursues cost reductions following financial challenges, while recent client wins signal early signs of recovery.

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Yahoo pauses IAB membership amid a series of quiet cost-saving measures, reports Digiday

General

Mar 5, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Sources say Yahoo has quietly implemented cost-cutting measures, including withdrawing from several IAB boards and suspending global memberships, signalling a strategic shift as its private equity owner Apollo Global Management reassesses priorities.

The company is also reducing international operations, particularly in Asia-Pacific, alongside layoffs and reduced marketing budgets. Observers suggest Yahoo may increasingly focus on its stronger North American market.

At the same time, Yahoo is repositioning its advertising technology as backend infrastructure for AI-driven marketing systems, reflecting a broader move toward an “agentic” advertising model and potential restructuring of its global strategy.

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Online ads just became the internet's biggest malware machine, reports Insider

General

Mar 4, 2026

Online advertising overtook email as the leading channel for malware in 2025, according to The Media Trust. Ads were linked to more than 60 per cent of observed malware and phishing campaigns, with incidents in programmatic advertising rising 45 per cent year on year.

The report says AI is worsening the threat by making it easier to create deceptive ads, including deepfakes, and target vulnerable users. Expansion into connected TV, retail media and other channels has also created new opportunities for criminals.

Researchers say advertisers and regulators must do more to improve consumer safety across the digital advertising ecosystem.

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Google Proposes to Share Play Store Catalog to Resolve Case, reports Bloomberg

General

Mar 4, 2026

Google and Epic have proposed a revised settlement to end their long-running Android antitrust dispute.

Under the plan, Google would share its Play Store app catalogue with rivals and allow alternative app stores on Android phones once registered.

The proposal aims to address concerns from Judge James Donato after he criticised a November 2025 deal as overly favourable to Google, following a 2023 verdict and injunction requiring catalogue sharing, limits on Google preference and more freedom for developers to use external payments.

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Amazon Audiences Are Coming To Netflix, reports AdExchanger

General

Mar 4, 2026

Amazon Ads will allow US advertisers to use Amazon Audiences data when running Netflix campaigns through the Amazon DSP starting next quarter.

The move follows Netflix making its ad inventory available programmatically on Amazon’s platform and aims to connect streaming impressions with Amazon’s commerce and shopping data to improve performance measurement.

Advertisers will be able to target Netflix viewers using Amazon’s audience insights based on browsing, shopping and lifestyle data. Amazon says the approach supports full-funnel measurement by linking ad exposure to consumer behaviour and potential purchases.

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Havas Bets on AI Veteran Sharona Sankar-King to Lead Proprietary Tech Push, reports AdWeek

General

Mar 4, 2026

Leadership Transitions

Havas Media Network North America has named Sharona Sankar-King chief data and product officer. She joins from Harte Hanks and will report to CEO Greg James, overseeing analytics across the US and Canada and the agency’s Converged.AI platform.

Sankar-King brings 25+ years’ experience, including Bain & Company, BBDO and GroupM. She will lead Converged.AI, used across Havas’ global network, and tools such as the no-code workflow builder AVA.

Havas says the hire supports its push to scale AI infrastructure amid data complexity and privacy fragmentation, with a focus on practical, intelligence-led client impact.

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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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