Media Intelligence

This week, Kate Scott-Dawkins, Nidhi Shah, and Jeff Foster discuss Netflix’s 17% growth and plans to expand its ad business, Spanish-language broadcasters facing declines, political ad trends, luxury sector resilience, and a flood of AI news — from OpenAI’s browser to Samsung’s AI TVs — plus Google’s cancer research breakthrough.Chapters00:00-Introduction01:18-Netflix Q3 earnings and Brazilian tax impact09:25-Legacy broadcasters and Spanish-language media declines13:48-Political advertising trends and brand implications17:42-Luxury sector resilience and market recovery19:06-AI announcements from OpenAI, Samsung, and Google28:23-Next week’s preview and closing remarksEditor note: "How Humans Decide" research will be publicly released on the WPP Media website on Oct 28th 2025 so stay tuned!Links: This Year Next Year MidYear Forecast 2025: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025How Google's Gemma model helped discover a new potential cancer therapy pathway: https://blog.google/technology/ai/google-gemma-ai-cancer-therapy-discovery/

This week on the WPP Media Intelligence Podcast, Kate Scott-Dawkins, Nidhi Shah, and Jeff Foster are diving into the big stories shaping media, marketing, and the economy right now.The IMF has bumped up its global growth forecast, China’s trade numbers are surprising everyone, and luxury brands like LVMH are showing early signs of recovery. Banks are riding high on AI investments, IPO activity is picking up, and connected TV continues to gain traction with advertisers.We also get into some fascinating moves in the AI and commerce space — Walmart teaming up with OpenAI for conversational shopping, Perplexity hitting pause on ads, and Netflix joining forces with Spotify to bring video podcasts to streaming audiences.And with US midterms on the horizon, political ad spend is already looking like it could smash records. Whether you’re in media, marketing, finance, or tech, this episode is packed with insights on where growth is coming from, what’s changing fast, and how brands can stay ahead.00:00-Introduction & Global Economic Outlook02:59-China’s Trade Data and Luxury Sector Recovery06:08-Bank Earnings, AI Investments, and Advertising Trends11:41-Perplexity AI Pauses Ads & Future of AI Search16:13-Walmart Partners with OpenAI for Conversational Commerce23:17-Netflix and Spotify Video Podcast Partnership27:13-Political Advertising Trends & Closing Remarks

How privacy rules, AI growth, and EV competition are reshaping advertisingIn this episode of the Media Intelligence Podcast, the team unpacks the week’s biggest stories in media, marketing, and global business. From Europe’s push toward ad-free social media to AI’s economic boom and the worldwide EV race, they explore how regulation, consumer values, and technology are reshaping advertising strategies. Regional insights from WPP’s global forecast and the impact of major sports events round out a packed agenda.Key Topics DiscussedEurope’s “consent or pay” social media models and regulatory push on privacy, youth safety, and mental health.Global sentiment on banning social media for children under certain ages.Potential long-term advertising impacts if younger generations delay or avoid social media adoption.PepsiCo’s Q3 performance, cost optimization, and brand refresh toward healthier products.Dell’s AI-driven growth, PC sales trends, and the Windows 10 end-of-support upgrade cycle.China’s goal to produce one-third of the world’s cars by 2030 and its EV export strategy.Tesla’s pricing changes and the challenges of EV adoption in the U.S.Economic bifurcation affecting auto sales and marketing messaging.Digital addressable advertising now comprising ~80% of total ad spend.Regional insights from WPP’s “This Year, Next Year” forecast: EMEA, APAC, and LatAm trends.The advertising boost from the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Winter Olympics.Gen Z’s shifting values and what they mean for brands and hiring managers.Chapters00:00 Introduction & Europe’s Ad-Free Social Media Models05:25 PepsiCo Earnings & Healthier Snacking Trends09:50 Dell’s AI Growth & Hardware Market Insights14:55 China’s Auto Ambitions & Global EV Competition19:46 Economic Divide, Auto Marketing & Addressable Ads22:25 Global Ad Forecast Insights: EMEA, APAC & LatAm25:44 Sports Events Driving Future Ad Spend27:13 Closing Thoughts & What’s Next

On this week’s Media Intelligence Podcast, Kate Scott-Dawkins, Jeff Foster, and Nidhi Shah from WPP Media’s Business Intelligence team discuss some of the week’s biggest media and marketing stories. Topics include TikTok’s $14B valuation and what it means for the platform’s future, the latest UK inflation data, rising streaming subscription prices, Netflix’s new partnership with AB InBev, and OpenAI’s plans to introduce advertising. The team looks at how these developments could affect brands and advertisers as we head into Q4.Key TopicsTikTok’s $14B valuation and U.S. ban updateUK inflation trends and global economic signalsNetflix teams up with AB InBev for native advertisingStreaming service price hikes compared to cable costsComcast spinout Versant’s revenue declineAffiliate TV station consolidation in the U.S. and EuropeOpenAI’s push toward ad monetization with PulseChapters00:00 – Introduction & TikTok valuation update02:21 – UK and global economic outlook11:55 – Netflix and AB InBev partnership15:27 – Streaming price hikes vs cable costs20:01 – Comcast spinout Versant revenue trends23:23 – Affiliate TV station ownership and consolidation28:14 – OpenAI moves toward advertisingLinks:WPP Media's Mid-Year Global Advertising Forecast Update: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025

Kate Scott-Dawkins and Jeff Foster break down the Fed’s first rate cut in a year, new US income data, and what a “two-speed” economy means for brands. They cover TikTok’s uncertain US future, the rumored Warner Bros. Discovery–Paramount mega-merger, billion-dollar sports rights, fresh AI usage insights from Anthropic and OpenAI, and the IPOs that could reshape ad spend transparency.Key Topics DiscussedThe Fed’s Big Move – A quarter-point rate cut is here. What does it mean for the economy, the ad market, and the rest of 2025?Two-Speed Economy – Fresh Census data shows income gains for some groups, declines for others, and a widening gender pay gap. How are brands balancing premium products with value options?TikTok’s US Cliffhanger – Another deadline extension, a possible deal with US investors, and the big question: who controls the algorithm?A Media Mega-Merger? – If Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount join forces, they could dominate US TV ad sales, shake up sports rights, and rival Netflix in streaming scale.Sports & Ad Dollars – From the Super Bowl’s billion-dollar day to tech giants eyeing broadcast rights, what’s next for advertisers and networks?AI in the Real World – New data from Anthropic and OpenAI reveals how people are actually using AI — from coding to meal planning — and what it means for marketers.IPO Watchlist – Recent debuts like Klarna and Figma, plus private giants like ByteDance, OpenAI, and Shein that could reshape ad spend transparency.Looking Ahead – Industry events in Japan, upcoming inflation and consumer sentiment reports, and what to watch in Q4.Chapters00:00 - Introduction & Fed Rate Cut Overview03:33 - US Income Data & Two-Speed Economy07:30 - TikTok’s Uncertain US Future11:00 - Warner Bros. Discovery–Paramount Merger Analysis19:53 - Sports Rights, Super Bowl Economics & Media Competition21:12 - AI Adoption Trends from Anthropic & OpenAI28:39 - IPO Trends & Advertising Spend Visibility32:44 - Upcoming Events & Closing RemarksLinks:This Year Next Year MidYear Forecast 2025: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025Anthropic (Claude) Economic Index interactive report: https://www.anthropic.com/economic-indexOpenAI (ChatGPT) "How People Use ChatGPT": https://cdn.openai.com/pdf/a253471f-8260-40c6-a2cc-aa93fe9f142e/economic-research-chatgpt-usage-paper.pdf

Pharma ad crackdown, Murdoch succession, NFL streaming surge, EV ad spend, plus economy, 2030 ad trends, and Apple’s latest showcase.Kate Scott-Dawkins and Jeff Foster unpack a busy week in advertising and media: the Trump administration’s potential crackdown on pharma ads, the Murdoch family’s succession deal, NFL’s streaming surge from Brazil, and aggressive EV ad spending from Lucid, VinFast, and Chinese OEMs. Plus, a U.S. economy update, highlights from WPP’s 2030 Advertising Futures report, and takeaways from Apple’s latest showcase.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction & sports recap01:08 - U.S. economy: Inflation, jobs revisions, Fed outlook03:25 - Pharma ad crackdown & market impact06:00 - Murdoch succession & media strategy10:07 - NFL on YouTube TV: Brazil game success11:00 - Auto ad trends & EV newcomers13:13 - Advertising in 2030: WPP’s extended-cut report17:15 - Apple tech showcase: Incremental updates19:10 - Wrap-up & next week’s previewAdvertising in 2030 report: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/Latest-Advertising-in-2030?utm_source=MediaIntelligence&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=ep75

In this week’s WPP Media Intelligence Podcast, Kate Scott-Dawkins, Jeff Foster, and Nidhi Shah break down the biggest media and advertising stories shaping the global market. From last-minute US carriage deals to the NFL’s free-to-air push in the UK, and a major European media merger, we explore what these moves mean for advertisers. Plus, we look at newspaper ad revenue trends, China’s growing media players, and how AI investment is fueling economic growth.Key takeaways:How Fox and YouTube TV avoided a blackout before football seasonWhy Disney is suing Sling TV over $5/day streaming passesNFL’s new free-to-air deal in the UK and its impact on sports rightsThe MFE + ProSiebenSat.1 merger and European media consolidationNewspaper ad revenue trends in the US and UKXiaomi and ByteDance’s role in the global ad marketHow AI investment is driving ad spend growth into 2026Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & Episode Preview01:25 – Fox & YouTube TV Carriage Dispute and Skinny Sports Bundles05:44 – Disney Sues Sling TV Over Short-Term Streaming Passes08:18 – NFL Goes Free-to-Air in the UK & Sports Rights Landscape11:22 – European Media Consolidation: MFE and ProSiebenSat.1 Deal14:45 – Newspaper Ad Revenue Trends in US and UK17:27 – China-Based Players: Xiaomi, ByteDance & AI Investments20:17 – Closing Thoughts & Upcoming Sports EventsThis Year Next Year Midyear Forecast 2025: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025

Kate Scott-Dawkins is joined by Jeff Foster and Nidhi Shah to break down the latest trends in the economy, media, and advertising. They chat about what lower-than-expected US inflation means for consumers, how Chinese retailers are staying strong despite economic challenges, and some exciting moves in sports streaming and local TV. Plus, they dive into the rapid rise of AppLovin and what it means for advertisers.00:00 - IntroductionWelcome and overview of inflation, AppLovin, and sports streaming topics.01:37 - Inflation and Retail TrendsMixed inflation signals, tariffs, and how advertisers are responding.08:36 - Global Economic UpdatesUK, EU, and China’s growth trends, plus retail spending shifts.15:49 - Tencent and Mini-ProgramsTencent’s ad growth and the rise of short-form content in China.20:10 - Sling TV’s $5 Sports PassSling TV’s innovative pricing and its potential impact on streaming.26:22 - Local TV ConsolidationNextar and Tegna talks, and what it means for advertisers.31:14 - AppLovin’s GrowthAppLovin’s 77% growth and its rise as a major advertising player.34:26 - Wrap-Up and Future TrendsFinal thoughts on media shakeups and what’s ahead for advertisers.Mid-Year Global Advertising Forecast Update: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025?utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=episode_73_descriptionEDITOR NOTE: In the episode, we mention that AppLovin’s ad revenue grew 77% in Q2 to $1.3 billion. To clarify, the 77% growth refers to year-over-year performance, not quarter-over-quarter.

This week, Kate Scott-Dawkins is joined by Jeff Foster, Nidhi Shah, and special guest Aisha Khan to break down the latest Q2 earnings reports from major media and commerce players. They talk about Disney’s NFL-ESPN deal, Fox’s Tubi success, Warner Bros. Discovery’s struggles, and the booming growth of retail media. Plus, they explore how tariffs are affecting businesses, AI’s growing role in advertising, and the blending of streaming and commerce.00:00 - Introduction01:38 - Disney’s NFL-ESPN Deal and Speculation on ESPN’s Future04:36 - Fox’s Tubi Growth and Political Ad Revenue Highlights07:27 - Warner Bros. Discovery’s Struggles with Streaming and Linear Declines10:27 - Retail Media’s Explosive Growth: Mercado Libre, Shopify, and More14:06 - Tariffs and Their Impact on Retailers and Consumers16:14 - AI’s Role in Advertising and Commerce Trends19:22 - Shopify’s Expansion and Success with Larger Clients21:41 - Snap’s Underperformance and Digital Advertising Trends22:12 - Closing Thoughts and Preview of Next Week’s TopicsMid-Year Global Advertising Forecast Update: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025?utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=episode_72_description

Kate Scott-Dawkins, Jeff Foster, and Nidhi Shah break down a whirlwind of economic news. They explore how tariffs and globalization are shaking up industries, dive into mixed earnings from media giants, and celebrate Reddit’s big ad revenue boost.The hosts also discuss AI’s growing role in advertising, challenges for traditional TV networks, and kids’ changing viewing habits from Ofcom’s latest report. Plus, hear how L'Oréal is using AI to innovate in beauty tech and what slowing consumer spending means for luxury brands.00:00 - Economic Whirlwind: Analyzing Recent Trends06:21 - Media Owners Earnings: Insights and Growth13:41 - AI's Impact on Advertising: The Future of Marketing17:06 - Reddit and Meta: Diverging Paths in Digital Advertising23:49 - AI's Impact on Advertising Strategies25:58 - Challenges for Legacy Media in the AI Era27:17 - Earnings Insights from Major Broadcasters28:36 - The Role of Sports in Advertising Revenue31:56 - Paramount's Earnings and Industry Changes35:35 - Ofcom Report: Trends in UK Video Consumption38:42 - L'Oréal's Growth and AI InnovationsMid-Year Global Advertising Forecast Update: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025?utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=episode_71_description