AGP Executive Report

Meta Fraud Crackdown: Meta says it removed 3.1M scam ads targeting Taiwan and disabled 40,000+ fraud-linked accounts, citing tighter screening and faster disruption with local authorities. Local Advertising Disruption: Muntinlupa, Philippines ordered billboard operators to automatically take down ads during PAGASA weather alerts after tarpaulins loosened on SLEX, adding reporting duties for structural damage. Weather Risk Hits Marketing Footing: PAGASA and local governments in the Philippines issued heavy-rain and flooding warnings across Luzon and Metro Manila, with evacuations and dam spill alerts—conditions that can quickly derail outdoor campaigns and event schedules. OFW Support Funding: The Philippines’ Trabaho party-list backed a proposed extra P1B for migrant workers’ social protection in 2027, keeping Aksyon medical and humanitarian assistance funded.

AI & Platforms: Meta pledged to remove harmful AI deepfakes and share subscriber/traffic data with Philippine authorities after suspected online threats. Regulation & Safety: Ukraine approved a strategy to fight gambling addiction through school campaigns, treatment access, and blocking illegal sites and ads. Ad Tech & Policy: Appeals court ruled Meta can’t use an arbitration clause to dodge an ads class action, while Poland urged the EU to fine Meta €250M over scam and false ads. New Ad Surfaces: Apple Maps rolled out ads in the US/Canada, and Google expanded Ads features (including Dreambeans testing and new booking/DM additions). Brand/Creative: Gap’s Hailey Bieber denim collab drew attention for its culture-driven appeal. Media Trust: CBC reversed guidance on calling 9/11 “terrorism” without attribution after criticism from officials. Sports Marketing: US Open ticket prices jumped as star power fuels demand, with Alex Eala highlighted.

AI Advertising Push: OpenAI is rolling out ChatGPT ads in India for Free and Go users, with 50+ brands onboard and claims that chats stay private—another step in AI platforms turning into ad inventory. Regulatory Pressure on Digital Ads: Poland is urging the EU to fine Meta about €250M/€291M over alleged scam and fraudulent ads on Facebook and Instagram, as regulators tighten scrutiny of ad quality and platform responsibility. New Ad Formats & Placement: Google is adding DMs and travel recommendations to Demand Gen ads, while Apple Maps is launching ads on iPhone in the US and Canada—users can’t easily opt out, raising privacy and user-experience questions. Creative/Measurement Governance: The IAB updates AI disclosure guidance as regulators demand clearer labeling for AI-generated advertising, and industry groups push better governance for AI ad measurement. Brand Safety & Backlash: Callaway cut ties with Good Good Golf after ad backlash, while other campaigns face scrutiny over misleading or culturally sensitive messaging. Public-Sector Messaging: In the Philippines, DENR highlights Extended Producer Responsibility to tackle plastic waste in waterways, tying long-term policy to cleaner public spaces.

AI Ads & Platform Push: OpenAI is rolling out ChatGPT ads in India, targeting Free and Go tier users with “chats stay private” messaging, as WPP/Omnicom-linked efforts and brand onboarding expand the push. Regulation & Trust: Poland urges the EU to fine Meta €250M over alleged scam ads, while regulators worldwide keep tightening rules around AI-generated advertising disclosures and ad transparency. New Ad Placements: Apple Maps starts showing ads in the US and Canada, adding another inventory layer for marketers—plus new guidance on how to handle performance and site traffic. Creative Backlash: Callaway ends its partnership with Good Good Golf after a video ad backlash involving violence against women, and donates $1M to domestic-violence prevention. Media/Marketing Governance: The FCC political-ad fight continues as courts block a plan to discount political ads on broadcast TV, keeping election advertising rules in flux.

AI Ads & Platform Shifts: OpenAI is set to show ads to free and Go-tier users in India, and it’s also testing exclusion targeting for ChatGPT ads—another sign that conversational AI is becoming a mainstream ad channel. Search & Social Ad Tech: Google is rolling out more ad tooling (including Gemini-assisted video ad creation and new Ads troubleshooting/experiments), while Snapchat spotlights sportsbook and prediction-market ad opportunities and X revives Twitter Lead Gen Ads. Regulation & Compliance Pressure: Apple Maps ads are live in the US/Canada, with users complaining they can’t easily turn them off; meanwhile, regulators are tightening rules around misleading claims and synthetic performers in ads, and the UK’s ASA bans specific social ads over testosterone claims. Retail Media & Measurement: Perion buys in-store retail media firm PRN, Broadpeak pushes shoppable CTV formats, and the IAB is working on AI advertising measurement frameworks as brands chase better performance without losing control. Political Advertising Scrutiny: Courts block FCC plans to expand discounted political ads, while multiple countries debate transparency and fairness in algorithm-driven ad delivery.

Regulation & Platform Accountability: Nova Scotia moved to tighten income assistance rules, effectively excluding tents, cars and trailers from “home” status after a court fight—an ad-policy-style reminder that definitions can reshape who qualifies. Political Ads & Transparency: A growing push for clearer rules on how algorithms choose who sees political ads is gaining momentum, with calls for transparency as campaigns get more targeted. Big Tech Child Safety: Meta’s $18B settlement to end Instagram/Facebook child-safety claims is set to accelerate scrutiny of social media’s ad and engagement practices. Ad Tech & Measurement: Google expanded booking partners for Local Services Ads and is testing new AI-created product titles, while regulators and industry groups keep debating how to measure AI-driven advertising responsibly. Brand Campaigns: McDonald’s Australia relaunches brekkie nostalgia with Birdie’s Brekkie Meal via Wieden+Kennedy Sydney and partners; Westfield boosts app engagement with AKQA’s gamified “World of Wins.” Scam Warnings: Deepfake investment fraud using public figures’ likenesses is being flagged as scammers target vulnerable communities.

Political Ad Rules Under Scrutiny: In the Philippines, the impeachment court tightened the sub judice line, warning parties off public comments on pending merits and striking “scam/mastermind” language from the record without concrete basis. AI & Media Regulation: Singapore moved to block the game GoreBox after authorities linked it to a school shooting case, while Malaysia Airports launched an RFI to make airport advertising more data-driven and digitally integrated. Ad Standards & Platform Trust: The week also highlighted regulators and platforms reacting to misleading or harmful ads, from social scams to AI-generated formats, as marketers face rising pressure to prove credibility. Brand Safety in Practice: Food and health regulators continued cracking down on misleading claims and ads, reinforcing that compliance is now a core part of campaign planning.

Smart TV Ad Tech: Nexxen is standardising Smart TV home-screen ad inventory specs across OEMs, aiming to make CTV native placements easier to buy and scale. Regulation & Compliance: The UK ASA banned four social media ads about testosterone levels in men, adding pressure on health-claim marketing. AI in Ads: Google Ads is testing sponsored results loading with Gemini animation, while Criteo expands ChatGPT ads integration across Europe. Data & Targeting: A study found nearly 70% of TikTok rental listings raise flags, and another survey asks whether people actually watch “unskippable” ads. Industry Watch: TransUnion plans a major credit rating overhaul next month, expanding scoring inputs—another reminder that “data depth” is reshaping marketing and risk models. Campaigns & Media: Pizza Hut ran ads celebrating quarterbacks as it drops “pizza” from its name, and Virgin Media O2 will fund UK nature recovery via advertising spend.

DOOH & Sponsorships: The Coconut Palace in Pasay City—renovated for the 49th ASEAN Leaders Summit—will reopen to the public in early 2027, with GSIS considering paid entry, a reminder that major events can reshape venue branding and visitor marketing. Regulation & Trust: In the Philippines, lawmakers and regulators are pushing harder on misleading ads and youth targeting—ranging from tobacco/vape excise and school safety concerns to scrutiny of how platforms handle harmful content. Platform Accountability: Senators and officials criticized social media for spreading school-shooting content and for weak enforcement around community standards, while courts and agencies continue to debate what should be allowed to go viral. Ad Tech & Measurement: OpenAI’s ChatGPT ads rollout across Europe and new frameworks for AI ad measurement keep attention on how brands will target and prove performance as generative formats expand. Media Rights: Sony’s lawsuits over influencer ads using copyrighted music highlight growing legal risk for creator-led promotion.

Antitrust & Marketplaces: The FTC has reached a settlement with Zillow and Redfin over an alleged rental-listings deal that suppressed competition, requiring Redfin to restart its standalone rentals business and resolving related state AG litigation. Ad Tech & Measurement: YouTube is changing view counts, raising stakes for creators and brands, while the IAB is developing a framework to tackle AI advertising measurement. AI in Ads (and backlash): Multiple reports flag problems with AI-generated advertising—from misleading auto-generated ads on Shopee/TikTok to concerns that generative ads can backfire on brands. Regulation & Consumer Protection: Doxo will pay a $2.1M FTC settlement for allegedly misleading customers via search ads and adding fees/subscriptions without clear consent. Creative Leadership & Tools: System1 launched an AI screening tool for creative assets, and SuperHeroes added an AI specialist as creative director. Retail Media: Sellers report 34% of Amazon ad spend goes to non-converting keywords, and Instacart’s AI assistant turns chitchat into sales.

AI & Ads Regulation: The Philippine National Police warned that failing to label AI-generated police images could trigger liability, including illegal use of uniforms/insignia and cybercrime rules. Misleading Marketing Crackdown: The Department of Agriculture stepped up enforcement against counterfeit, unregistered, adulterated and illegally made farm inputs, including online sales, after seizing hundreds of fertilizer bags. Food & Consumer Protection: Zambales imposed a 60-day price freeze on basic necessities after a state of calamity, with retailers barred from charging above DTI-set prices. Disaster Tech & Infrastructure: The DBM released P1B for UP’s Project NOAH to expand AI-powered flood forecasting and real-time hazard monitoring. Safety & Public Threats: Police verified school shooting threats after social posts prompted students to go home, while Taguig detained two students over alleged online threats. Sports & Media Tie-ins: Gilas’ Kai Sotto and June Mar Fajardo both signaled high-stakes home games ahead, with Fajardo hinting the FIBA Asian Qualifiers could be his last window.

Regulatory Pressure on Ads: India’s food and consumer regulators issued fresh notices over misleading advertising, while Urban Company faces court action in Delhi over “misleading” water purifier ads—another reminder that ad claims are getting harder to defend. AI in Marketing Under Scrutiny: OpenAI’s plan to roll out ChatGPT ads across Europe is set to expand AI-driven targeting, but experts warn poorly made AI ads can backfire on brands. Platform Trust & Reviews: Naver restored star ratings after earlier “rating attacks,” highlighting how review systems can swing from helpful to harmful for small businesses. Local Brand/Community Campaigns: New Zealand’s councils and agencies are pushing public consultations—from allowing dogs on leads in New Plymouth’s CBD to Whangārei Harbour scallop fishing proposals—showing how community feedback is shaping local messaging. Media & Safety Messaging: Philippine psychiatric groups oppose live-shooter drills as not trauma-informed, adding pressure on how institutions communicate risk and preparedness.

AI in Creative Production: Filipino animated musical “Plump Blossom” opens Sept. 23 and leans on AI-assisted workflow while keeping core storytelling, writing, editing, and voice acting human. Digital Advertising & Policy: India moves to remove a 12-minute TV ad cap, while regulators elsewhere push tighter rules—Sweden orders TikTok and Meta to pull criminal-service ads, and Maryland’s digital ads tax gets struck down. Platform Ads & Safety: OpenAI’s ChatGPT ads roll out across Europe with opt-out controls, as debate grows over relevance and disclosure in AI-driven advertising. Brand/Media Partnerships: Taboola expands its NBC News programmatic display partnership, and new tools target smarter TV home-screen ad delivery. Local Marketing: Charity launches its first Manchester outdoor advertising campaign, and a Polygon self-service platform aims to make digital out-of-home buying easier.

TV Ad Rules Shift: Canada has removed the 12-minute-per-hour cap on TV ads after 17 years, opening more inventory for broadcasters and changing how campaigns pace spend. AI Advertising Rollout: OpenAI is set to start showing ChatGPT ads across Europe in multiple markets, with opt-out controls affecting what users see—raising new questions about relevance and consent. Regulation & Compliance: Sweden’s police ordered TikTok and Meta to remove dozens of criminal-service ads, while multiple jurisdictions keep tightening gambling ad rules and opt-out systems. Fraud & Deepfakes: Reports highlight deepfake ad scams funneling investors into WhatsApp groups, and AI-generated ads outperforming human designs—while critics warn about manipulation and fan backlash. Brand Safety & Measurement: New frameworks and ad-tech updates focus on connected content, CTV home-screen placements, and blocking risky publishers. Local Media/Out-of-Home: Outdoor and transit ad infrastructure continues to expand, including sustainable bus shelters and new DOOH tools. Sports Sponsorships: Stadium advertising is expanding, with major venues adding new on-field and in-stadium placements.

Digital Advertising Policy: Kenya’s KTDA is being pushed to launch a digital “green-leaf” payment system for tea farmers within three months, aiming to cut multi-step deductions and boost transparency from auction to farmers. Platform Safety & Kids Online: Filipino Roblox developers are opposing a total Roblox ban after a Zamboanga school shooting, arguing targeted enforcement is better than shutting the platform. AI Ads & Regulation: OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT ads across Europe in a major rollout, with opt-out controls affecting what users see. Ad Fraud & Misleading Claims: Meta and TikTok face renewed scrutiny over ads tied to criminal services and child-safety concerns, while regulators continue cracking down on deceptive advertising. Media/Tech Business: Google and Microsoft keep rolling out ad-tech updates tied to AI planning, bidding, and measurement, as marketers race to keep up. Local Media & Commerce: Walmart’s ad business growth and TV ad volume shifts underline how budgets keep migrating between screens.

Regulatory Settlement: TikTok and ByteDance agreed to pay $400M to settle a U.S. Justice Department case over alleged COPPA violations, including claims that “Kids Mode” still collected children’s personal data. Platform Safety & Content Controls: PLDT said it will block access to 100+ websites streaming school-shooting footage and other extreme-violence content, aiming to stop glorification from spreading. Consumer Tech Under Fire: Oura faces a class action alleging its sleep-tracking marketing overstates sleep-stage accuracy (95% claimed vs. plaintiffs saying it’s closer to 50%). Retail & Pricing Strategy: Walmart said it will use nearly $3B in tariff refunds to invest in customer experience and price leadership, including thousands of temporary price cuts. Media/Ad Tech Watch: Google is rolling out simplified A/B testing for search ads and expanding AI features across ad products, signaling faster experimentation for marketers. EU Fashion Rule: The EU banned brands from burning, slashing, or burying unsold clothes, pushing brands toward more sustainable inventory practices.