News

Rory Sutherland attended 2015 event mentioned in Epstein files

Ogilvy UK vice-chairman said he "very much hopes that the publication of the documents by the DOJ will help in the long term to achieve justice for Epstein's victims”, after confirming he attended a lunch and dinner, to which Jeffrey Epstein had been invited but may not have been present at.

Saatchi & Saatchi appoints Ben McNaughton as head of design

Campaign

Ben McNaughton joins from Mother London.

How Boll & Branch leverages AI for operational and creative tasks

Boll & Branch first and foremost uses AI to manage workflows across teams.

While holdcos build ‘death stars of content,’ indie creative agencies take alternative routes

Indie agencies and the holding company sector were once bound together. The Super Bowl and WPP’s latest remodeling plans show they’re heading in different directions.

Future of Marketing Briefing: AI’s branding problem is why marketers keep it off the label

The reputational downside is clearer than the branding upside, which makes discretion the safer strategy.

‘A brand trip’: How the creator economy showed up at this year’s Super Bowl

Super Bowl 2026 had more on-the-ground brand activations and creator participation than ever, showcasing how it's become a massive IRL moment for the creator economy.

From feeds to streets: How mega influencer Haley Baylee is diversifying beyond platform algorithms

Kalil is partnering with LinkNYC to take her social media content into the real world and the streets of NYC.

EU Probes Google Over Ad Auction Tactics (Again); Consumers Say Ads Should Pay For The News

The AdExchanger team will be off for Presidents Day on Monday, February 16. We’ll see you back here on Tuesday, February 17, with the next Daily News Roundup. Enjoy the long weekend! Google’s Cozy Couch Google faces yet another EU antitrust probe, this time over allegations that it rigged search ad auctions by “artificially increasing […] The post EU Probes Google Over Ad Auction Tactics (Again); Consumers Say Ads Should Pay For The News appeared first on AdExchanger.

Comic: Love At First Bid

Enjoy this weekly comic strip from AdExchanger.com that highlights the digital advertising ecosystem … The post Comic: Love At First Bid appeared first on AdExchanger.

Roku Uses Its Q4 Earnings Call To Make The Case For AI

Roku has a simple equation for generative AI: cheaper content production leads to more viewing time and engagement which leads to more ad spend. “It’s very clear to me that AI is going to reduce the cost of content significantly over time,” Roku CEO Anthony Wood told investors during the company’s fourth quarter earnings call […] The post Roku Uses Its Q4 Earnings Call To Make The Case For AI appeared first on AdExchanger.

The Chatbot Ad Platform

OpenAI launched its ad platform on Monday, making ChatGPT the newest canvas for advertising. The rollout marks a pivotal moment in generative AI, in which conversational platforms could become a new battleground for ad dollars. But how will the ads affect the chat experience? To head off concerns, OpenAI said ads will only appear after […] The post The Chatbot Ad Platform appeared first on AdExchanger.

I Asked ChatGPT Where My Ads Were – But It Was Wrong, OpenAI Said

It's official: ChatGPT has launched ads and the test will expand in the coming weeks. But don't ask the LLM for details, unless you're looking for misinformation. The post I Asked ChatGPT Where My Ads Were – But It Was Wrong, OpenAI Said appeared first on AdExchanger.

Dentsu is replacing its CEO

Ad Age

Hiroshi Igarashi has been Dentsu’s president and global CEO since 2022.

5 PPC Strategies That Actually Boost Conversions in 2026 via @sejournal, @CallRail

Search Engine Journal

Maximize your online ads with 5 expert PPC tips that will help you drive more traffic from and increase conversions across your ad sets. The post 5 PPC Strategies That Actually Boost Conversions in 2026 appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

Tracking ad agency account reviews—the latest on brand creative, media and more

Ad Age

From the consultants leading them to the incumbents, everything you need to know.

Winter Olympics 2026 Ad Tracker: See the Biggest Commercials From Milano Cortina

The Winter Olympics ad tracker shows ongoing updates of the latest Milano Cortina commercials.

Google Takes a Step Toward an Internet Built for AI Agents

The tech giant unleashes a new protocol called WebMCP, designed to help sites structure how AI agents interact with them.

Trump Tariffs Hit Pinterest’s Ad Revenues

Pinterest hopes that investing in more advanced AI capabilities for merchants and advertisers will help it make up lost ground on revenue.

Why fixing Kraft Heinz will test its new CEO more than splitting Kellogg did

Ad Age

Kraft Heinz’s moves to boost sales of some of its staple products—such as Capri Sun, macaroni and cheese, mayonnaise and Lunchables—have not been enough.

WPP’s Creative Agency Reorg Lands Too Little, Too Late

Insiders weigh the upside of the reported WPP Creative unit against the risks of bureaucracy and disruption

AppLovin Takes On Haters And Doubters As It Lays Out Its Ecommerce Ad Ambitions

AppLovin reported 66% year-over-year growth and almost $1.7 billion in revenue in Q4 2025, on Thursday evening. Its net income (i.e. profit) went from $600 million in Q4 2024 to $1.1 billion in the past quarter. But shares dropped by 20% percent to around $370 as of today, a continuation of the wild ride the […] The post AppLovin Takes On Haters And Doubters As It Lays Out Its Ecommerce Ad Ambitions appeared first on AdExchanger.

Jack Rubins, agency CEO who transformed Dorland, dies

Campaign

'Consummate businessman' who was kind, beneath an 'intimidating exterior', and built one of UK's biggest agencies.

Pitch Update: Waitrose, Essity, Fever-Tree, McVitie's, Weight Watchers, Hyundai, Scottish Govt and more

Campaign

Campaign's weekly round-up of adland's latest account pitches, reviews and wins.