Tensions have been flaring between publishers and AI companies over content usage in 2024, but some AI-backed startups have emerged to help reconcile these conflicts. From helping publishers navigate AI integration, set optimal prices for their content, and monetize more effectively when AI companies want to license their data, to striking deals with publishers and...

In this special episode of Marketing Vanguard recorded live at Brandweek 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona, host Jenny Rooney moderates a thought-provoking debate between David Lee, chief creative officer at website design platform Squarespace, and Rei Inamoto, founding partner of brand consultancy I&CO. The discussion centers on the theme "To AI or Not to AI," exploring...

As much as the story has generated a lot of buzz, I find the news of Omnicom's acquisition of IPG to be unsurprising and part of the natural order. I am sad for the great agency legacies that will be mothballed. I am sad for the jobs that will be cut. I am sad that...

WPP has named former IPG's McCann Worldgroup head of AI Elav Horwitz as its new evp and global head of strategic partnerships and solutions. Horwitz brings nearly nine years of experience at McCann, where she served as evp, global head of applied innovation and generative AI, integrating AI into creative workflows, as well as working...

On December 13, 1996, Miller Beer pulled all its business out of Leo Burnett, literally overnight. Officially, it was about lackluster sales, but rumors abounded that Miller discovered a subsidiary of Burnett had taken a small project from Anheuser-Busch, and Miller was livid. Now that holding companies own a huge part of the advertising landscape,...

As the artificial intelligence gold rush continues, valuations have soared to dizzying heights. From generative AI models that can write codes to AI-driven search engines that promise smarter answers, U.S. AI startups are raking in billions from investors eager to bet on the next money-making technological revolution. In Q3 2024, venture capitalists poured $3.9 billion...

In light of THE news (do we treat this like the Super Bowl without saying exactly what it is?)--for me, as the CEO of an independent agency, it's an interesting time to reflect. As a former employee of both holding companies, Omnicom and IPG, and truly growing up a child of "Big Advertising," I'm fascinated...

There has never been more ways to incorporate technology into a campaign, from data analytics to generative AI. But the honorees of ADWEEK's inaugural Creative Tech Awards took the use of these advanced tools a step further, embedding technology at the heart of their creative campaigns. These brands, agencies and tech firms found new ways...

The blockbuster tie-up between Omnicom Group and Interpublic Group on Monday offers valuable clues about the future of dealmaking in the ecosystem, and telegraphs what parts of the combined business Omnicom might look to spin-off, according to interviews with five corporate strategy and financial advisors. The acquisition reflects the growing value of data and digitally...

Mastercard wants to help small and midsized businesses harness the power of artificial intelligence. The payments company began a pilot Monday of a generative AI chatbot tool Mastercard Small Business AI, designed to help SMB owners in all categories, regardless of what stage their business has achieved. "AI can't replace the power of human connection,...

Artificial intelligence startup ProRata.ai wants to bring a more equitable compensation model to media companies with the launch of its AI-powered search engine, Gist.ai. The startup uses gen AI to accurately attribute search results and share revenue with content owners. This revenue is generated by subscriptions and ads that run Gist. People can sign up...

Reddit became the latest platform to dip its toes into the artificial-intelligence-powered search waters with its announcement Monday that it is expanding its test of Reddit Answers. The company said people come to its platform for advice, answers, and perspectives, and AI-powered search that surfaces discussions, hot takes, information, and recommendations from communities and conversations...

Puma is giving Manchester City fans the chance to design the team's third kit for the 2026 season, using artificial intelligence to bring their creative visions to life. The initiative lets fans generate custom designs, with the final kit selected through a mix of fan votes and expert judging. The winning design will be worn...

Brands went bonkers for AI this past year, as they increasingly adopted the growing number of tools available to facilitate mundane tasks throughout the creative process and create new kinds of work. While consumers still feel conflicted about brands use of the technology, some marketing departments have found savings by leaning on generative AI in...

With a valuation of $157 billion and a string of strategic moves, OpenAI is setting the stage for what could be a transformative 2025. The company is pushing to dominate the AI landscape by recruiting top advertising talent from Google and Meta, launching a search-integrated ChatGPT, and exploring ad-driven revenue as it refines its for-profit...

Spotify is the latest brand to face criticism for using generative AI in its highly anticipated end-of-year campaign, Wrapped, released yesterday (Dec. 4). Disgruntled users took to TikTok, X, and Reddit to air their grievances with the campaign's AI-powered features, calling the music streamer "lazy" and saying the work "flopped" for its lackluster design and...

Citibank's chief marketing and content officer Alex Craddock believes that despite the power of AI, the magic of great creative still comes from humans. Craddock joined Citi in May from BlackRock after a restructure to oversee its marketing department and set a new strategy for original content and thought leadership, ADWEEK reported at the time....

Perplexity's Publisher Program, which distributes revenue to media outlets when their content appears next to ads on the AI search platform, has recruited its second batch of publisher partners. The San Francisco-based startup now works with over a dozen global media titles, including the Los Angeles Times, Blavity, The Independent, Prisa Media (the leading Spanish-language...

Editor's note: This story was updated after publication with a statement from The New York Times. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took a jab at The New York Times' high-profile lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft while speaking at The New York Times' own DealBook conference. Altman discussed all things artificial intelligence, including the future of artificial...

On the day of the release of ChatGPT 4.0, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman tweeted "her"--a reference to the 2013 science fiction film in which an AI chatbot named Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson, develops an intimate relationship with her human user. The tweet called attention to a new feature for the product: voice mode, allowing...