Hightouch Bids $1.2B for LiveRamp Assets Pre‑deal
Scoop: Hightouch, the $2.75B startup backed by Goldman & Bain, has offered Publicis up to $1.2B to acquire key LiveRamp assets, before that deal has even closed -Comes as industry reckons w Publicis owning what’s traditionally been a neutral vendor https://t.co/898703SXyx
Toy Story Generates $16 Billion in 30 Years
Exclusive: Disney says "Toy Story" franchise has driven $16B in revenue over past 30 years https://t.co/jE7VnSWWBr
Spotify Leverages AI to Transform Into Interactive Multi‑Player Platform
Morning from @Spotify Investor Day 1 Big Thing so far: AI is tailwind to our business of *taste* 🤑Company says it'll get more profitable as it shifts from a passive, single media player to an interactive, multi-player platform 🤖It won't focus on building...
Local News Wins Over One-Third of 2026 Pulitzers
More than one-third of the 2026 @PulitzerPrizes for journalism were awarded to local news outlets yesterday https://t.co/ZFunqqfs9H
Microsoft Launches AI‑focused Premium Content Marketplace to Challenge Google
NEW: @Microsoft saw @Google become the dominant information marketplace over past 20 years. Now, it wants to get ahead for AI era. — The company is building a premium content marketplace for publishers, advertisers and merchants to transact on — It's...
AP Threatens Legal Action as Lee Seeks Contract Exit
Scoop: AP threatens Lee Enterprises over potential contract breach — Lee said last month it wants to terminate its contract w AP. Has suggested it's because of its focus on local coverage — AP says its legally bound to their deal, which...
Meta to Open‑source some AI Models, Not All.
Scoop: Meta will still open-source AI models — just not all of them via @inafried https://t.co/fBELUAG0tj
AP Trims Staff as Big‑tech Revenue Soars, Newspaper Sales Plunge
NEW: AP plans staff cuts, restructuring amid broader business shift - Revenue from newspaper groups has fallen 25% in last 4 years, while revenue from Big Tech has increased 200% - Cuts will impact fewer 5% global staff https://t.co/D60ndpxjPX
OpenAI Buys TBPN, Ends Its Advertising Arm
🚨 OpenAI acquires TBPN "TBPN under OpenAI will wind down its advertising business, which saw co-founders and hosts John Coogan and Jordi Hays read commercials aloud radio-host-style and don racing jackets emblazoned with sponsors’ logos." https://t.co/vXnrhPGD9j
Delta SkyMiles Members Get 24‑hour NYT Access
NEW: @nytimes & @Delta have stuck a unique multi-year distribution deal that gives SkyMiles members access to all of NYT's journalism and products via its via seat-back screens and their personal devices for 24 hours More on @axios: https://t.co/2zH9MnA9Th
Video Spending Stalls; Bundling Needed but Unlikely
NEW: Consumer spending on video has plateaued since the pandemic, and advertising isn't enough to save the industry from stalling out — The market could start to grow again if streamers teamed up and started to bundle services — Analysts don't...
Fox's Red Seat Launches Ultra‑wealthy Live‑event Membership
Scoop: Fox Corp's Red Seat Ventures is building a premium membership for the ultra-wealthy centered around live events — Eyeing concierge services, VIP access, the works — Could be synergies with Fox Sports More in @axios https://t.co/0GyAdBFPsM
Search Decline Hits Small Publishers Hardest
New data suggests small publishers (10k daily pageviews or less) are hit hardest by search traffic declines —Chatbots only drive 1% of all traffic referrals, so they can't make up the gap —News sites get most page views from AI platforms, but...
Food Critic Tom Sietsema Joins Beehiiv, Offers Exclusive Content
🍔 NEW: The legendary food critic @tomsietsema is joining Beehiiv and is cooking up something special for subscribers https://t.co/m6ACgUY6lj #axiosmediatrends
Trump Administration Tightens Grip on Iran War Coverage
Trump Administration ramps up press pressure over Iran war coverage —Broadcaster license threats —Disparaging rhetoric —Tightening grip over Stars and Stripes —Denying photogs Pentagon press briefing access —Using VOA to urge Iranians to rebel @axios https://t.co/kRuCYUk6Uc