AGP Executive Report

AI Ad Shift: Alphabet lost a record $511 billion in market value after search and advertising revenue missed expectations; Google says AI Mode ads earn less than traditional search, even as it expands AI search ads to more countries. ChatGPT ads are also going live, sharpening the race to monetize AI. Platform Growth: Amazon’s ad business neared $20 billion in quarterly revenue, while LinkedIn reported gains in users, time spent and creator ads. Political Ad Rush: Midterm spending is surging, though PACs are pulling millions in TV buys in North Carolina as Election Day nears. Agency Moves: WPP named Tyler Turnbull CEO of WPP Creative. Ad Oversight: Canada ordered Rogers to pay C$15 million over misleading “unlimited” plan advertising; US regulators warned health-plan marketers over deceptive offers.

AI Search Ads: Google is expanding ads in AI Mode to 10 more countries as Search growth slows, while acknowledging AI search ads currently earn less than traditional placements. Alphabet’s results triggered a more than $500 billion stock selloff, sharpening questions about how AI answers will reshape search advertising. Platform Consolidation: DoorDash’s proposed $17 billion Instacart deal could give consumer brands broader delivery-app ad reach, but would combine two major players and draw antitrust scrutiny. Publisher Pressure: The UK competition watchdog is investigating Meta’s proposed terms for using publisher content in its products, including AI, and whether they unfairly harm publishers and advertisers. Retail Media: UK retail media spending jumped 31% as the ad market heads for a record festive quarter. Campaign Ads: Vivek Ramaswamy dropped a personal attack ad against rival Amy Acton after backlash; meanwhile, political committees are pulling millions of dollars in TV bookings in North Carolina as Election Day nears. Brand Spending: Zee raised ad spending 55% as quarterly revenue grew 13%.

Platform Pressure: Meta has delayed updated commercial terms after advertiser concerns, while small businesses say account suspensions have left them paying for ads they cannot manage. Streaming: Disney+ is adding a cheaper, ad-supported plan in South Korea as it raises prices on existing tiers. AI Search: Google is expanding ads in AI Mode to more countries as search-ad growth slows; its latest results also rattled investors, with Alphabet shares plunging. Privacy: Google’s policy now allows linked Gmail and Photos data to inform ad targeting when Personal Intelligence is enabled, raising fresh questions about consumer data use. Market Trends: UK ad spending rose 11% in the second quarter, led by retail media, cinema and social platforms. Accountability: Rogers was ordered to pay C$15 million over misleading “unlimited” mobile-plan ads.

Google’s Ad Reset: Alphabet shares fell more than 10% after ad revenue growth slowed to 11%, with search growth easing to 12%. Google is expanding ads in AI Mode to more countries and testing multi-turn ad formats in the U.S. Privacy & Trust: Reports allege an Israeli ad-tech firm used online ads to track Starlink users across more than 100 countries. Google also says Gmail and Photos data may inform personalized ads when its Personal Intelligence feature is enabled, while Meta faces fresh scrutiny over scam advertising. Election Spending: Midterm campaigns are flooding airwaves and platforms, leaving voters fed up. A new survey finds political advertisers favor streaming TV for targeting, as Comcast reports record-breaking midterm ad spending. Retail & Regulation: Retail media spend rose nearly a third last quarter. South Korea is set to fine Samsung 20.1 billion won over allegedly misleading gaming-performance ads, while a U.S. judge declined Novo Nordisk’s bid to block Eli Lilly weight-loss drug ads.

Search & AI Ads: Google is expanding ads in AI Mode even as its latest ad sales missed expectations, with heavy AI spending spooking investors. ChatGPT ads have reached 100,000 advertisers and expanded to 26 more markets. Privacy & Safety: Researchers allege an Israeli ad-tech firm used online ads to track Starlink users across more than 100 countries. Google also says Gmail and Photos data may inform ad personalization. CTV & Effectiveness: New research suggests fandom can boost ad effectiveness, while a report highlights gaps between connected-TV ad tech and content information. Political Advertising: AI-generated attack ads are spreading ahead of midterms as voters voice fatigue; rules on disclosure and misleading claims are drawing attention. Regulation: Samsung faces a $15 million U.S. penalty over misleading gaming ads, while the FTC is pressing companies to disclose how consumer data influences prices.

Election Ad Surge: Midterm campaigns are driving record political spending, with Scripps raising its revenue outlook as voters face a flood of ads. AI-generated attack spots are adding to concerns over disclosure and trust. Data and Targeting: Google’s privacy-policy change allows Gmail, Drive and Photos data to inform personalized ads when relevant settings are enabled, putting renewed focus on consent and data use. Platform Accountability: Rhode Island has sued Meta over alleged profits from scam ads, while fresh reports highlight spyware campaigns spread through online advertising. New Ad Channels: ChatGPT ads have reportedly reached 100,000 advertisers and expanded to 26 more countries, as brands and agencies test AI-powered placements. Streaming Pressure: Netflix is confronting a glut of streaming commercials, underscoring the challenge of growing ad revenue without overwhelming viewers. Regulation: Amsterdam has become the first capital to ban billboard advertising for meat and fossil fuels.

World Cup Reach: SBS says its FIFA coverage reached 18 million Australians and delivered 146 million streams, up 155% from 2022, without major technical issues. Out-of-Home Rules: Amsterdam is set to become the first capital to ban billboard ads for meat and fossil fuels. Ad Targeting: Google’s privacy update allows Gmail and Photos data to inform personalized ads when its Personal Intelligence feature is enabled. Platform Accountability: Rhode Island is suing Meta, alleging it profited from scam ads on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. AI Ad Market: ChatGPT advertising has reached 100,000 advertisers and expanded to 26 more countries. Media Revenue: NBCUniversal reported a 15% rise in advertising, driven by Peacock and World Cup coverage. Ad-Tech Privacy: Researchers say an Israeli firm may have used digital ad auctions to track Starlink users across more than 100 countries.

Live Commerce: Meta and AnyMind will let brands use Facebook and Instagram live-video ads to drive audiences into shopping streams. Facebook support is due in Q4 2026, with Instagram to follow in early 2027. Data & Targeting: Google’s policy update allows Gmail and Photos data to inform personalized ads when Personal Intelligence is enabled, putting fresh focus on consent and privacy. Platform Moves: Meta is freezing political ads ahead of Election Day, while Pinterest has added a programmatic-buying partnership and TikTok is promoting premium ad options. Media Business: Stagwell acquired publisher-services firm Freestar, and NBCUniversal reported Q3 ad sales up 15%, powered by Peacock and World Cup demand. AI Advertising: ChatGPT ads have reached 100,000 advertisers and expanded to 26 more countries, as US states move to require disclosure of AI-generated political ads.

Ad-Tech & Privacy: Google’s policy update may let Gmail and Photos data inform personalized ads, putting fresh scrutiny on how user information feeds targeting. Media Deals: Comcast and Viamedia settled their cable-ad antitrust case before trial, while London Gatwick plans to bring airport advertising operations in-house. AI & Campaigns: AI-generated political ads are surging ahead of the US midterms, but rules remain a state-by-state patchwork; Pennsylvania is among the states requiring disclosure labels. Platform Growth: ChatGPT ads are appearing through Amazon DSP as OpenAI expands its advertising push. Brand Safety: Rhode Island is suing Meta, alleging the company profited from scam ads across its platforms.

AI Investment: Meta plans to raise up to $95 billion through stock sales to fund AI infrastructure, saying its AI efforts are already boosting engagement and ad performance. Creator Commerce: YouTube launched its Shopping affiliate programme in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, letting eligible creators with 500 subscribers earn commissions on tagged Amazon products. Ad Targeting: Google’s updated privacy policy says connected Gmail and Photos data may inform personalized ads when Personal Intelligence is enabled, renewing scrutiny of how platforms use personal data. Ad-Tech Expansion: Palantir is moving into marketing through a Stackwell partnership to help brands analyze audiences and optimize campaigns; OpenAI has expanded ChatGPT ads to 26 more countries, with more than 100,000 advertisers now on the platform. Marketing Claims: Charter is seeking dismissal of AT&T’s lawsuit over its “fiber-powered” broadband advertising, arguing the wording is not misleading. Political Ad Scrutiny: AI-generated election ads and voter fatigue are driving calls for greater transparency, with Pennsylvania requiring labels on AI-made ads.

AI Ad Expansion: OpenAI has extended ChatGPT ads to 26 more countries, bringing the service to 89 markets after more than 100,000 advertisers used the platform. Privacy & Trust: Google clarified that connected Gmail and Photos data may shape personalized ads when its Personal Intelligence feature is enabled; Rhode Island is also suing Meta, alleging it profits from scam ads. AI Rules: US midterm campaigns are putting synthetic political ads under scrutiny, with Pennsylvania requiring disclosure labels and California moving to set limits on deepfakes. Meta’s Ad Business: Meta shares have fallen 17% from a recent peak amid concern over AI spending, but advertising remains its main revenue engine and earnings continue to grow. Agency & Creative News: Orange Digital Centre and the DRC’s PICC gathered agencies, brands and creatives to discuss building the country’s creative industries. Former Publicis Australia executive James Ansell has also been named Contiki’s head of digital products. Industry Results: NBCUniversal reported a 15% rise in advertising, driven by Peacock and World Cup demand.

Privacy & Targeting: Google says Gmail and Photos data may inform personalized ads when Personal Intelligence is enabled, putting renewed focus on user consent and data controls. AI Ad Market: OpenAI’s ChatGPT ads have passed 100,000 advertisers and expanded to 26 more countries, as agencies begin building services around the new channel. Election Rules: AI-generated political ads are spreading through the U.S. midterms. Pennsylvania now requires disclosure labels, while California is moving to set boundaries for deepfakes. Platform Accountability: Rhode Island sued Meta, alleging it profits from scam ads and failed to curb them across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Media Business: NBCUniversal reported ad sales up 15%, driven by Peacock and the World Cup; Netflix shares fell after it lowered its advertising outlook. Ad Restrictions: Canada is moving to limit gambling ads, including during hockey games, amid growing concern about exposure.

Agency Growth: Omnicom reported 7.2% Q3 growth, led by media, while NBCUniversal’s advertising revenue rose 15% on Peacock and World Cup demand. AI Ad Boom: ChatGPT ads expanded to 26 more countries as OpenAI said more than 100,000 advertisers had used the platform. Privacy and Trust: Google’s updated policy allows Gmail and Photos data to inform targeted ads when Personal Intelligence is enabled. Rhode Island also sued Meta, alleging it profited from scam ads across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Political Ad Rules: AI-generated campaign ads are drawing fresh scrutiny, with new disclosure requirements advancing in several US states as deepfakes become harder to spot.

Ad Targeting: Google’s updated privacy terms say Gmail and Photos data may be used for ad targeting when Personal Intelligence is enabled, sharpening questions about consent and data use. Measurement: Nexxen and Happydemics are partnering to offer independent brand-lift measurement across 13 media channels in the UK and Australia. Out of Home: The OAAA launched a programmatic and automation center of excellence, while Bauer Media Outdoor marked a decade of its Trees for Cities partnership with a new campaign. Platform Watch: Rhode Island sued Meta, alleging its platforms profit from scam ads. OpenAI, meanwhile, expanded ChatGPT ads to 26 more countries, bringing the total to 89; more than 100,000 advertisers have used the product. Media Business: NBCUniversal reported a 15% rise in ad revenue, driven by Peacock and World Cup demand, while Netflix shares fell after weaker-than-expected advertising guidance. AI in Advertising: California is requiring disclosure of synthetic performers in ads, as scrutiny of AI-generated political campaigns and deepfakes grows.

ChatGPT Ads: OpenAI has expanded advertising to 26 more countries, bringing the service to 89 markets and more than 100,000 advertisers — a rapid build-out of a new channel for brands. Platform Accountability: Rhode Island is suing Meta, alleging it failed to stop scam ads across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp and profited from them. AI and Elections: AI-generated campaign ads are drawing new scrutiny, with Pennsylvania requiring disclosures and Minnesota targeting political deepfakes. Streaming Ad Dollars: NBCUniversal reported a 15% rise in advertising, powered by Peacock and the World Cup, while Netflix’s weaker ad outlook weighed on its results. Ad Rules: Australia has set rules for environmental claims in ads, while Canada is banning behavioral advertising aimed at children. Industry Shake-up: A leaked memo outlines Skydance’s advertising leadership after the Paramount-WBD merger.

AI Ad Rollout: OpenAI says ChatGPT ads have passed 100,000 advertisers and are expanding to 26 more countries, bringing the service to 89 markets. Political Ad Scrutiny: AI-generated campaign ads are proliferating ahead of the U.S. midterms, with spending reported at $137 million. Trump’s endorsement of Vivek Ramaswamy’s attack ad targeting Amy Acton has intensified backlash over personal campaign tactics. Platform Accountability: Rhode Island sued Meta over alleged scam ads on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. A separate report says Facebook and Instagram ran ads featuring AI-generated sexual imagery. Media Business: NBCUniversal’s Q3 ad revenue rose 15%, driven by Peacock and World Cup demand, while Netflix’s lower advertising outlook weighed on shares. Adtech & Regulation: Nexxen and Brainlabs are expanding smart-TV home-screen advertising, as Australia’s regulator issues guidance for a 2027 ban on celebrities and sports stars in gambling ads.