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platforms, retailers, and identity partners—WPP is redefining marketing intelligence and helping clients move beyond outdated identity-based solutions.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-Introduction
01:13-Top 25 Media Sellers: Winners and Trends
08:44-Retail Media Deep Dive with Aisha Khan
19:10-YouTube’s TV Takeover and Nielsen Data
24:33-UK Economy, Advertising Insights, and European Media Consumption
30:14-Weekend Plans and Pop Culture Wrap-Up

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 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 Overview

01:10 - 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 Economy

20:40 - 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 Remarks

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/
• 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:

1. Sponsorship Challenges: Sports sponsorships are becoming more critical as traditional ad reach declines, but reliable data on sponsorship deals remains elusive.
2. 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.
3. The 10% Economy: The top 10% of earners now drive nearly 50% of U.S. consumer spending, reshaping retail and advertising strategies.
4. Streaming Growth: Platforms like Paramount+ and Max report strong subscriber growth and narrowing losses, with streaming ad revenue rising significantly.
5. 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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.

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/

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