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Inside the Grok CSAM scandal and how brands have faced ‘weaponised political pressure’ to spend with X

Inside the Grok CSAM scandal and how brands have faced ‘weaponised political pressure’ to spend with X

Even as xAI chatbot Grok continues to create and post nude images and CSAM, advertisers seeking to leave the platform could find themselves in a political and legal bind with Elon Musk and the Trump administration.
World Cup wave: Why 2026 hails a new era for CTV

World Cup wave: Why 2026 hails a new era for CTV

With six billion viewers likely to tune into the FIFA World Cup this summer, brands have a once-in-a-generation chance to showcase CTV’s creative reach. 
What’s that coming over the hill?

What’s that coming over the hill?

What does 2026 have in store for the BBC, Trump and the tech giants? Ray Snoddy offers his forecast. 
A new plateau? 2025 box office revenues surpass £1bn for third year running while advertiser interest soars

A new plateau? 2025 box office revenues surpass £1bn for third year running while advertiser interest soars

Full-year box office revenues for 2025 were comparable to those in 2023 and 2024. However, revenues at the UK’s largest ad sales house jumped 12% year on year amid growing advertiser demand.
Adwanted Media Research Awards 2026 announces finalists

Adwanted Media Research Awards 2026 announces finalists

The Media Leader is excited to reveal the finalists of the 2026 Adwanted Media Research Awards.
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Opinion

World Media Group members on how AI will reshape the media industry in 2026

World Media Group members from The Wall Street Journal, CNN, New York Times and Havas Media Group reflect on how AI is transforming the business of journalism, and why AI must be adopted without sacrificing the importance of trust.

AI optimisation: The new channel brands can’t afford to overlook

Adapting to AI-driven discovery and agentic commerce doesn’t just mean rewriting the rules of SEO; it also means rebuilding marketing strategies.

Dress for the weather you want, not the weather you have

OOH offers multiple ways to connect with audiences, but the many routes to market can make it complex to navigate. Let a specialist be your tour guide, says Posterscope’s planning and buying director.

Industry News

Nigel Clarkson appointed managing director of Adwanted UK

Nigel Clarkson appointed managing director of Adwanted UK

The Brief – Wednesday 7 January – Global’s & The Overlap, Stagwell launches AI system, US Corporation for Public Broadcasting closes

The Brief – Wednesday 7 January – Global’s & The Overlap, Stagwell launches AI system, US Corporation for Public Broadcasting closes

Octave to scale audience segments with Audiomob deal

Octave to scale audience segments with Audiomob deal

2026 will be the year of…

2026 will be the year of…

The Brief – Monday 5 January: ITV media for equity, Grok posts AI nudes, Zootropolis 2 breaks records for Disney

The Brief – Monday 5 January: ITV media for equity, Grok posts AI nudes, Zootropolis 2 breaks records for Disney

The Future 100’s hopes for 2026

The Future 100’s hopes for 2026

2025 in OOH: Strength is starting to shine through

2025 in OOH: Strength is starting to shine through

The Brief – Friday 19 December – TikTok reached a deal in US, Open AI launches an App Directory, Trump’s social platform $6bn merger

The Brief – Friday 19 December – TikTok reached a deal in US, Open AI launches an App Directory, Trump’s social platform $6bn merger

Data Analysis

The brief – Wednesday 17 December – Trump sues BBC for $10bn, WPP considers Pinterest trends, public rejects Labours AI plans and more

The brief – Wednesday 17 December – Trump sues BBC for $10bn, WPP considers Pinterest trends, public rejects Labours AI plans and more

Ad funding for BBC services would be ‘bad for everyone’, Radiocentre says in response to Charter Review

Ad funding for BBC services would be ‘bad for everyone’, Radiocentre says in response to Charter Review

The Brief – Wednesday 10 December – EU investigates Google, Gemini will have ads, WPP wins UK government media account and more

The Brief – Wednesday 10 December – EU investigates Google, Gemini will have ads, WPP wins UK government media account and more

The Brief – Wednesday 3 December – Apple’s Head of AI steps down, a win for journalists at Politico, Warner Bros. Discovery sale nears close and more

The Brief – Wednesday 3 December – Apple’s Head of AI steps down, a win for journalists at Politico, Warner Bros. Discovery sale nears close and more

Data Snapshot

Data-led charts from across the UK media landscape

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