While Meta’s investments in AI are paying off for advertisers, bets in smart glasses and Reality Labs, as well as higher costs associated with AI infrastructure investment, are leading to cost increases.

Bauer Media will help combat “shockingly common” issues associated with social media, the company’s ad chief has pledged in a blistering attack on online tech.

Jack Benjamin and Omar Oakes discuss the major stories of the past week, including the proposed sale of The Observer to Tortoise Media, scenes from recent Radiocentre, Thinkbox and Who Cares? events, and product updates from Meta and Snap.

Analysis: Bluesky’s user base has grown substantially since X’s operations were suspended in Brazil last week. But publishers and brands have yet to fully embrace the platform and Meta’s microblogging competitor, Threads.

Analysis: Pavel Durov’s laissez-faire approach to content moderation landed him in hot water as governments seek to curtail online harms. But are Silicon Valley CEOs more interested in pursuing their concept of “free speech”?

Influencer CEO Ben Jeffries and chairman Stewart Easterbrook discuss the growth prospects for the independent influencer marketing agency and why influencers are getting looks for both creative and media budgets.

Media companies rebrand often, with widely varying degrees of success. Here are 13 recent rebrands, inclusive of successes and stinkers.

Jack Benjamin and Omar Oakes discuss major stories, including the verdict in Google’s US antitrust case and how social media companies have been implicated in the spread of far-right violence across the UK.

Analysis: The social media giant is leaning in to its AI development as a way to eventually provide all-in-one ad solutions for brands.

Jack Benjamin and Omar Oakes discuss the major media and advertising stories of the week, including YouTube rejoining Barb.