AI & Ads Infrastructure: Microsoft unveiled a redesigned Copilot that leans into agentic, autonomous workflows for marketers—pulling campaign data into Excel, generating PowerPoint recaps, and automating routine tasks—while also adding a secure “vault” for private brand data. Platform Accountability: The FTC moved toward rules that could force online platforms to curb impersonation scams in ads, arguing today’s fraud is powered by the same ad tools platforms sell. AI Avatars for Brands: Google introduced Gemini “Live Avatar,” letting brands create multimodal, talking personas for near real-time conversations, with enterprise allowlisting and safeguards. Meta’s Next Monetization Bet: Meta is positioning its AI agent “Muse” and smart glasses around brand search and transactions, hinting at a shift from screen ads to recommendation and voice-driven discovery. Streaming Marketing Pressure: Converse paused all marketing after an ad sparked outrage tied to the KKK and lynching. Media & Marcom Spotlight: The New York Times launched “175 Years of Advertising,” showcasing classic ads across print and digital to celebrate how advertising supports journalism. Retail Media Alliance: Horizon Commerce and Pacvue expanded their partnership to standardize reporting and connect planning, buying, and measurement across retailers, citing improved sales results for Revlon’s Mitchum. Local Media Shift: A Ring Digital study found only 10% of 18–24-year-olds watched local news in a week, with TikTok driving much of their news consumption.