Media Intelligence

WPP has acquired InfoSum, the world’s leading data collaboration platform, in a major step forward for its AI-driven data capabilities. InfoSum will join GroupM, WPP’s media investment group, to create a new generation of privacy-first, AI-enhanced marketing solutions powered by the industry’s most secure and scalable data infrastructure.This acquisition allows WPP clients to unlock the full potential of their first-party data while connecting securely with data providers and media partners. By integrating InfoSum’s patented cross-cloud technology into WPP Open, clients can build, train, and deploy custom AI models faster than ever—delivering smarter insights, better audience targeting, and measurable campaign improvements across the entire marketing ecosystem.With access to InfoSum’s extensive global data network—including signals from leading media platforms, retailers, and identity partners—WPP is redefining marketing intelligence and helping clients move beyond outdated identity-based solutions.This is “Intelligence Beyond Identity,” where privacy, performance, and innovation come together to shape the future of marketing.Learn more about this exciting partnership and what it means for WPP, GroupM, and their clients with Brian Lesser, Evan Hanlon, and Lauren Wetzel.⁠https://www.groupm.com/newsroom/wpp-acquires-infosum-in-major-investment-in-its-ai-driven-data-offer/⁠

In this episode hosts Kate Scott-Dawkins, Jeff Foster, and Nidhi Shah are joined by special guest Aisha Khan, Head of Client Engagement for GroupM Global Commerce. Their discussion covers advertising trends among the top media sellers, retail media innovation, economic impacts on advertising, and YouTube’s growing dominance in TV viewing. Note: As a group, the top 25 accounted for 72% of total advertising in 2024, up from 68% in 2023. If we exclude China (and the China-based ad sellers) concentration went up from 63% to 66%.00:00-Introduction01:13-Top 25 Media Sellers: Winners and Trends08:44-Retail Media Deep Dive with Aisha Khan19:10-YouTube’s TV Takeover and Nielsen Data24:33-UK Economy, Advertising Insights, and European Media Consumption30:14-Weekend Plans and Pop Culture Wrap-UpSome links:GroupM's This Year Next Year 2024 End of Year Report: https://www.groupm.com/this-year-next-year-2024-global-end-of-year-forecast/Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to hit the follow button, and rate us on your favorite podcast platform. And we’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn.

In this week's episode of This Week, Next Week, Kate Scott-Dawkins, Jeff Foster, and Nidhi Shah dive into the latest developments shaping media, entertainment, commerce, and economics. From the impact of potential U.S. tariffs on European alcohol imports to the evolving creator economy, we break down how these shifts are influencing advertisers and consumers alike.00:00 - Introduction & Topics Overview01:10 - Alcohol Tariffs: Europe vs US Trade Tensions 04:30 - Impact of Tariffs on Alcohol Advertising Budgets 08:15 - Spotify's Loud and Clear Report: Artist Royalties 11:45 - Music Streaming Trends: Growth and Challenges 14:20 - The Creator Economy: MrBeast and Media Upfronts 17:05 - Defining the Creator Economy20:40 - Recommendations: Playground Book, Big Technology Podcast 23:10 - Roblox, AI, and Gaming Innovation Some links:GroupM's This Year Next Year 2024 End of Year Report: https://www.groupm.com/this-year-next-year-2024-global-end-of-year-forecast/Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to hit the follow button, and rate us on your favorite podcast platform. And we’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Kate, Jeff, and Nidhi dive into the latest developments shaping economics, media, technology, and entertainment in 2025. From tariffs impacting trade to the evolution of streaming platforms and AI innovation, we explore how industries are navigating uncertainty and embracing change. Highlights include insights from the US Federal Reserve Beige Book, Oscars viewership trends, YouTube’s app redesign, and updates from the Morgan Stanley TMT Conference.Segments(00:00) Introduction(00:28) Global Economics Overview(01:32) Beige Book Insights(02:45) US Consumer Spending Trends(03:30) Tariffs and Price Increases(05:02) F1 Viewership Insights(07:13) European Media Owners Report(08:55) Linear TV Trends in Europe(09:56) Germany's Cable TV Shift(11:00) Streaming vs. Linear TV(14:52) Out-of-Home Advertising Growth(15:32) Programmatic Advertising in OOH(16:18) YouTube’s Redesign & Aggregation(17:04) The Battle for the Living Room(19:41) Morgan Stanley TMT Conference Highlights(20:10) Fox’s DTC Strategy(22:31) Netflix’s Ad Business Growth(24:00) Disney’s Focus on Advertising(24:34) Warner Bros. Content Strategy(25:55) Weekend Plans & Closing RemarksSome links:GroupM's This Year Next Year 2024 End of Year Report: https://www.groupm.com/this-year-next-year-2024-global-end-of-year-forecast/US Federal Reserve Beige Book: https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/files/BeigeBook_20250305.pdf Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to hit the follow button, and rate us on your favorite podcast platform. And we’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn.

This week, Kate and Jeff tackle the latest in advertising and media, from the challenges of tracking sports sponsorships to the shifting dynamics of CPG spending. They discuss how top earners are driving nearly half of U.S. consumer spending, the growing importance of streaming ad revenue, and why content budgets are skyrocketing. Plus, what does Walmart’s dominance mean for big brands? Dive into the data and trends shaping the industry.5 Key Takeaways:Sponsorship Challenges: Sports sponsorships are becoming more critical as traditional ad reach declines, but reliable data on sponsorship deals remains elusive.CPG Spending Trends: Personal care brands are increasing ad spend faster than food and beverage companies, with a focus on premiumization and value-based strategies.The 10% Economy: The top 10% of earners now drive nearly 50% of U.S. consumer spending, reshaping retail and advertising strategies.Streaming Growth: Platforms like Paramount+ and Max report strong subscriber growth and narrowing losses, with streaming ad revenue rising significantly.Content Budgets Soar: Media giants like Comcast and Disney lead in content spending, while Warner Bros. Discovery shifts focus to leveraging its IP catalog over acquiring costly sports rights.Some links:GroupM's This Year Next Year 2024 End of Year Report: https://www.groupm.com/this-year-next-year-2024-global-end-of-year-forecast/Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to hit the follow button, and rate us on your favorite podcast platform. And we’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn.

This week, Kate, Jeff, and Nidhi dive into the latest trends shaping media, advertising, and entertainment. From retail media’s rapid growth to the integration of AI in sports, and the ongoing battle for dominance in streaming content, the team covers it all. They also explore the critical role of storytelling in building brands and share their weekend viewing plans.NEXT WEEK: Earning seasons continues with eBay, Home Depot, Danone, and more!Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to hit the follow button, and rate us on your favorite podcast platform. And we’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn. --Discover GroupM's latest ⁠⁠⁠This Year Next Year⁠⁠ ⁠ Forecast here:https://www.groupm.com/this-year-next-year-2024-global-end-of-year-forecast/

This week, we dive into the highlights of Super Bowl LIX, which achieved a record-breaking 127.7 million viewers across various platforms, including FOX and Tubi. We analyze the implications of this viewership surge for advertisers and discuss how Tubi's simulcast set new streaming records with 15.5 million peak concurrent viewers.We also explore the growing interest in sports beyond football, focusing on the Rugby Six Nations and its increasing viewership in the UK. Our discussion extends to the performance of European broadcasters, where mixed results reveal shifting dynamics in advertising revenue, particularly in the face of rising digital consumption.On the economic front, we unpack the latest GDP growth figures from the UK and the U.S., highlighting how inflation continues to impact consumer behavior and retail sales.Additionally, we cover Fox's strategic acquisition of Red Seat Ventures, aimed at enhancing its connection with audiences through right-leaning podcasts and live events. Google’s impressive turnaround in ad revenue is also examined, with YouTube emerging as a dominant player in TV consumption.Key Takeaways:Record Super Bowl Viewership: Super Bowl LIX attracted 127.7 million viewers, marking a significant increase in audience engagement.Tubi's Streaming Success: The platform's simulcast reached 15.5 million peak concurrent viewers, setting new streaming records for the event.Rugby Six Nations Growth: Increasing viewership in the UK indicates a broader interest in sports beyond football.Mixed Results for European Broadcasters: Shifting dynamics in advertising revenue highlight the importance of digital consumption.Economic Insights: The UK shows modest GDP growth while inflation impacts consumer behavior and retail sales in the U.S.Fox's Strategic Acquisition: The purchase of Red Seat Ventures aims to connect with audiences through right-leaning podcasts and live events.Google's Ad Revenue Turnaround: YouTube reported record ad revenue, solidifying its position as a leader in TV consumption.NEXT WEEK: Earning seasons continues with Etsy, Cinemark, Booking, Block and more!Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to hit the follow button, and rate us on your favorite podcast platform. And we’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn. --Discover GroupM's latest⁠⁠This Year Next Year⁠⁠ Forecast here:https://www.groupm.com/this-year-next-year-2024-global-end-of-year-forecast/If you are GroupM client or part of WPP, reach out to business.intelligence@GroupM.com for the full report.

This week, we decode the earnings from some of the largest sellers and buyers of advertising including Amazon, Disney, Fox, Snap, Mondelez, and Uber. Plus we look at economic news from Europe and the U.S. and expected implications for advertising growth, including the tariffs now on hold for Canada and Mexico.NOTE: There was simply too much to cover in one podcast, so we'll tackle Google's results along with the Super Bowl next week. Key earnings insights include:Amazon: Continues to thrive with significant advertising growth driven by its streaming services.Fox: Successfully balances traditional cable and streaming, leveraging political and sports advertising.Disney: Faces challenges with a slight dip in Disney+ subscribers but maintains profitability in its streaming segment.We also discuss the performance of major advertisers like Estee Lauder and Capri, who are navigating uneven recovery in the luxury sector, alongside steady growth from CPG giants like Colgate-Palmolive and Mondelez.Digital endemic companies such as PayPal and Uber show robust revenue growth, with PayPal focusing on AI and partnership scaling, while Uber expands its services into less dense areas.Finally, we touch on Shein's strategic re-entry into India, reflecting broader shifts in global trade dynamics, and the evolving advertising landscape that demands innovative strategies for brands to stay relevant.NEXT WEEK: We'll breakdown Google earnings, Super Bowl, earnings from DoorDash, Airbnb, and other CPGs.--Discover GroupM's latest⁠This Year Next Year⁠Forecast here:https://www.groupm.com/this-year-next-year-2024-global-end-of-year-forecast/If you are GroupM client or part of WPP, reach out to business.intelligence@GroupM.com for the full report.

In episode 53, we dive into the latest earnings reports from tech giants like Meta and Microsoft, analyze Comcast's performance amidst industry shifts, and explore the luxury sector's outlook with a focus on China's recovery. Meta is leveraging its massive user base to monetize AI investments, with tools like Advantage+ showing strong growth (70% YoY growth). Microsoft continues to expand, driven by LinkedIn and a booming AI business (175% YoY increase). Comcast faces challenges in broadband but sees potential in mobile and a steady media division. LVMH's performance and advertising spend provide insights into the luxury sector's trajectory. We also discuss the impact of interest rate decisions by the ECB and the Fed, analyzing their potential effects on economic growth and the advertising landscape. Plus, we'll touch on the US GDP's 2.3% annual growth in Q4 2024, driven by a 4.2% increase in consumer spending, and the overall economic outlook for 2025. NEXT WEEK: We'll break down earnings from Spotify, Alphabet, and others, plus share our weekend plans. -- Discover GroupM's latest This Year Next Year Forecast here: https://www.groupm.com/this-year-next-year-2024-global-end-of-year-forecast/ If you are GroupM client or part of WPP, reach out to business.intelligence@GroupM.com for the full report.

In episode 52, we dive into the latest earnings reports from Netflix, luxury brands, and CPG giants like P&G, exploring key takeaways for advertisers and marketers. Netflix had a strong quarter, but is their content spend enough to stay ahead of the competition? The luxury sector shows mixed results, with China's uneven recovery a major concern. CPG companies are shifting focus from pricing to volume growth as inflation falls. Plus, we discuss the impact of AI, with companies like LG betting on "affectionate intelligence" to make AI more user-friendly. NEXT WEEK: We break it all down and preview next week's big earnings from LVMH, Meta, Microsoft, and more! -- View the latest This Year Next Year from GroupM: https://www.groupm.com/this-year-next-year-2024-global-end-of-year-forecast/?utm_source=spotify

GroupM's Amanda Grant sits down with PubMatic's Emma Newman to discuss the importance of realising our responsibility across the supply chain and how we can co-innovate to deliver it. Recorded Live from The GroupM Rooftop on Day 4 of Cannes Lions 2024⁠ Stay connected with GroupM on LinkedIn GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and T&Pm, and cross-channel performance (GroupM Nexus), data (Choreograph), entertainment (GroupM Motion Entertainment) and investment solutions, GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business. Discover more at www.groupm.com.

Product-based strategies are revolutionizing commerce media, bringing it to the masses like never before. GroupM's Sam Bukowski sits down with Michael Balabanov from Criteo to dissect this transformative shift. Recorded Live from The GroupM Rooftop on Day 4 of Cannes Lions 2024 Stay connected with GroupM on LinkedIn GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and T&Pm, and cross-channel performance (GroupM Nexus), data (Choreograph), entertainment (GroupM Motion Entertainment) and investment solutions, GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business. Discover more at www.groupm.com.

The future of marketing is integrated and omnichannel. EssenceMediacom's Kristin Gower sits down with Omar Carrion, Senior Director of Integrated Marketing Communications & Omnichannel at Kellanova LATAM, and Stephanie Stopulos, VP of Media at Target to talk about navigating this new commerce landscape. Recorded Live from The GroupM Rooftop on Day 4 of Cannes Lions 2024 Stay connected with GroupM GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and T&Pm, and cross-channel performance (GroupM Nexus), data (Choreograph), entertainment (GroupM Motion Entertainment) and investment solutions, GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business. Discover more at www.groupm.com.

Navigate the complexities of the tech world with the help of industry giants. GroupM's Rich Ashley sits down with Microsoft's Rukmini Iyer to talk digital innovation and product strategy. Recorded Live from The GroupM Rooftop on Day 4 of Cannes Lions 2024 ⁠Stay connected with GroupM GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and T&Pm, and cross-channel performance (GroupM Nexus), data (Choreograph), entertainment (GroupM Motion Entertainment) and investment solutions, GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business.

Elliot Millard, Chief Strategy & Planning Officer at Wavemaker in the UK talks to Susan Jurevics, Chief Brand & International Officer at Audible, Jaap Tuinman, VP Global Media, Omnichannel & MarTech at PlayStation, and Stephanie Fried, CMO at Fandom, about the power (and responsibility) of representation and inclusivity in entertainment. Recorded Live from The GroupM Rooftop on Day 2 of Cannes Lions Follow GroupM on LinkedIn for more content GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and T&Pm, and cross-channel performance (GroupM Nexus), data (Choreograph), entertainment (GroupM Motion Entertainment) and investment solutions, GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business. Discover more at www.groupm.com.

An opportunity to go a little deeper into The Influenceables, a Wavemaker consumer behaviour research project. From food to beauty, auto to entertainment the research reveals how new media has transformed the decision journey for shoppers and how shared cultural moments have transformed consumption. With Stuart Bowden, Lilia Fuse, Felipe Thomaz and Alex Brownsell. Recorded Live from The GroupM Rooftop on Day 4 of Cannes Lions 2024 ⁠⁠Stay connected with GroupM⁠ GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and T&Pm, and cross-channel performance (GroupM Nexus), data (Choreograph), entertainment (GroupM Motion Entertainment) and investment solutions, GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business.

Live from the GroupM Rooftop on Day 3 of Cannes Lions 2024, GroupM's Chief Operating Officer in the UK Luke Bozeat, Paul Nasser, RVP, Agency Partnerships at IAS in EMEA, and Anja Spielmann, Global Brand Experience Director at Mars, talk strategies for navigating the interplay between advertising on the open web, social platforms, and premium publishers. Recorded Live from The GroupM Rooftop on Day 3 of Cannes Lions 2024 Stay connected with GroupM⁠ GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and T&Pm, and cross-channel performance (GroupM Nexus), data (Choreograph), entertainment (GroupM Motion Entertainment) and investment solutions, GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business. Discover more at www.groupm.com.

Matt Bourn of the Advertising Association joins Kunal Nagpal of InMobi, and Sargi Mann, Global Practices Lead at GroupM to discuss what it takes to build a more responsible future for media. Recorded Live from The GroupM Rooftop on Day 3 of Cannes Lions 2024 ⁠⁠See more content from GroupM⁠ _ GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and T&Pm, and cross-channel performance (GroupM Nexus), data (Choreograph), entertainment (GroupM Motion Entertainment) and investment solutions, GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business. Discover more at www.groupm.com.

GroupM's Global Practices Lead Sargi Mann, Adelaide Metrics Founder and CEO Marc Guldimann, and Mars' Sr Director of Global Media Ron Amram discuss the impact that attention-based approaches to measurement are having on ethical and effective media management. Key takeaways: Attention metrics help advertisers understand the quality of their media buys, leading to more effective campaigns and better return on investment (ROI).GroupM has integrated attention metrics into their performance-centric strategy, evolving with changing times and ensuring maximum value from every marketing and media dollar invested.Mars has found attention metrics to be correlated to business success, improving the effectiveness of their campaigns by understanding the quality of each impression.Adelaide is working to make attention metric data available in whatever way advertisers want, including via GroupM Nexus's custom algorithms.The use of attention metrics has led to responsible media investment, driving better outcomes and creating a positive feedback loop for advertisers, publishers, and consumers.The future of attention metrics includes embedding it in buying systems, scaling it across more digital platforms, and incorporating the data into planning tools.There is a need to evolve measurement models to shift from volume to value, aligning with the long-term effects of attention metrics in creating a shared understanding of quality and driving more trust in the market. Recorded Live from The GroupM Rooftop on Day 3 of Cannes Lions 2024 ⁠See more content from GroupM⁠ GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and T&Pm, and cross-channel performance (GroupM Nexus), data (Choreograph), entertainment (GroupM Motion Entertainment) and investment solutions, GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business. Discover more at www.groupm.com.

Oliver Saunders, Global Head of Addressable Solutions at Wavemaker, interviews Silke Zetsche, commercial director at AudioStack, about the industry implications and impact of AI on effectiveness and efficiency, personalisation, culture, trust, and more. Live from The GroupM Rooftop on Day 3 of Cannes Lions 2024 ⁠See more content from GroupM⁠ GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and T&Pm, and cross-channel performance (GroupM Nexus), data (Choreograph), entertainment (GroupM Motion Entertainment) and investment solutions, GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business. Discover more at www.groupm.com.