This week, Kate Scott-Dawkins, Nidhi Shah, and Jeff Foster discuss Netflix’s 17% growth and plans to expand its ad business, Spanish-language broadcasters facing declines, political ad trends, luxury sector resilience, and a flood of AI news — from OpenAI’s browser to Samsung’s AI TVs — plus Google’s cancer research breakthrough.
Chapters
00:00-Introduction
01:18-Netflix Q3 earnings and Brazilian tax impact
09:25-Legacy broadcasters and Spanish-language media declines
13:48-Political advertising trends and brand implications
17:42-Luxury sector resilience and market recovery
19:06-AI announcements from OpenAI, Samsung, and Google
28:23-Next week’s preview and closing remarks
Editor note: "How Humans Decide" research will be publicly released on the WPP Media website on Oct 28th 2025 so stay tuned!
Links:
This week on the WPP Media Intelligence Podcast, Kate Scott-Dawkins, Nidhi Shah, and Jeff Foster are diving into the big stories shaping media, marketing, and the economy right now.
The IMF has bumped up its global growth forecast, China’s trade numbers are surprising everyone, and luxury brands like LVMH are showing early signs of recovery. Banks are riding high on AI investments, IPO activity is picking up, and connected TV continues to gain traction with advertisers.
We also get into some fascinating moves in the AI and commerce space — Walmart teaming up with OpenAI for conversational shopping, Perplexity hitting pause on ads, and Netflix joining forces with Spotify to bring video podcasts to streaming audiences.
And with US midterms on the horizon, political ad spend is already looking like it could smash records. Whether you’re in media, marketing, finance, or tech, this episode is packed with insights on where growth is coming from, what’s changing fast, and how brands can stay ahead.
00:00-Introduction & Global Economic Outlook
02:59-China’s Trade Data and Luxury Sector Recovery
06:08-Bank Earnings, AI Investments, and Advertising Trends
11:41-Perplexity AI Pauses Ads & Future of AI Search
16:13-Walmart Partners with OpenAI for Conversational Commerce
23:17-Netflix and Spotify Video Podcast Partnership
27:13-Political Advertising Trends & Closing Remarks
How privacy rules, AI growth, and EV competition are reshaping advertising
In this episode of the Media Intelligence Podcast, the team unpacks the week’s biggest stories in media, marketing, and global business. From Europe’s push toward ad-free social media to AI’s economic boom and the worldwide EV race, they explore how regulation, consumer values, and technology are reshaping advertising strategies. Regional insights from WPP’s global forecast and the impact of major sports events round out a packed agenda.
Key Topics Discussed
Chapters
00:00 Introduction & Europe’s Ad-Free Social Media Models
05:25 PepsiCo Earnings & Healthier Snacking Trends
09:50 Dell’s AI Growth & Hardware Market Insights
14:55 China’s Auto Ambitions & Global EV Competition
19:46 Economic Divide, Auto Marketing & Addressable Ads
22:25 Global Ad Forecast Insights: EMEA, APAC & LatAm
25:44 Sports Events Driving Future Ad Spend
27:13 Closing Thoughts & What’s Next
On this week’s Media Intelligence Podcast, Kate Scott-Dawkins, Jeff Foster, and Nidhi Shah from WPP Media’s Business Intelligence team discuss some of the week’s biggest media and marketing stories. Topics include TikTok’s $14B valuation and what it means for the platform’s future, the latest UK inflation data, rising streaming subscription prices, Netflix’s new partnership with AB InBev, and OpenAI’s plans to introduce advertising. The team looks at how these developments could affect brands and advertisers as we head into Q4.
Key Topics
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction & TikTok valuation update
02:21 – UK and global economic outlook
11:55 – Netflix and AB InBev partnership
15:27 – Streaming price hikes vs cable costs
20:01 – Comcast spinout Versant revenue trends
23:23 – Affiliate TV station ownership and consolidation
28:14 – OpenAI moves toward advertising
Links:
WPP Media's Mid-Year Global Advertising Forecast Update: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025
Kate Scott-Dawkins and Jeff Foster break down the Fed’s first rate cut in a year, new US income data, and what a “two-speed” economy means for brands. They cover TikTok’s uncertain US future, the rumored Warner Bros. Discovery–Paramount mega-merger, billion-dollar sports rights, fresh AI usage insights from Anthropic and OpenAI, and the IPOs that could reshape ad spend transparency.
Key Topics Discussed
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction & Fed Rate Cut Overview03:33 - US Income Data & Two-Speed Economy07:30 - TikTok’s Uncertain US Future11:00 - Warner Bros. Discovery–Paramount Merger Analysis19:53 - Sports Rights, Super Bowl Economics & Media Competition21:12 - AI Adoption Trends from Anthropic & OpenAI28:39 - IPO Trends & Advertising Spend Visibility32:44 - Upcoming Events & Closing Remarks
Links:
Pharma ad crackdown, Murdoch succession, NFL streaming surge, EV ad spend, plus economy, 2030 ad trends, and Apple’s latest showcase.
Kate Scott-Dawkins and Jeff Foster unpack a busy week in advertising and media: the Trump administration’s potential crackdown on pharma ads, the Murdoch family’s succession deal, NFL’s streaming surge from Brazil, and aggressive EV ad spending from Lucid, VinFast, and Chinese OEMs. Plus, a U.S. economy update, highlights from WPP’s 2030 Advertising Futures report, and takeaways from Apple’s latest showcase.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction & sports recap
01:08 - U.S. economy: Inflation, jobs revisions, Fed outlook
03:25 - Pharma ad crackdown & market impact
06:00 - Murdoch succession & media strategy
10:07 - NFL on YouTube TV: Brazil game success
11:00 - Auto ad trends & EV newcomers
13:13 - Advertising in 2030: WPP’s extended-cut report
17:15 - Apple tech showcase: Incremental updates
19:10 - Wrap-up & next week’s preview
Advertising in 2030 report: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/Latest-Advertising-in-2030?utm_source=MediaIntelligence&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=ep75
In this week’s WPP Media Intelligence Podcast, Kate Scott-Dawkins, Jeff Foster, and Nidhi Shah break down the biggest media and advertising stories shaping the global market. From last-minute US carriage deals to the NFL’s free-to-air push in the UK, and a major European media merger, we explore what these moves mean for advertisers. Plus, we look at newspaper ad revenue trends, China’s growing media players, and how AI investment is fueling economic growth.
Key takeaways:
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction & Episode Preview
01:25 – Fox & YouTube TV Carriage Dispute and Skinny Sports Bundles
05:44 – Disney Sues Sling TV Over Short-Term Streaming Passes
08:18 – NFL Goes Free-to-Air in the UK & Sports Rights Landscape
11:22 – European Media Consolidation: MFE and ProSiebenSat.1 Deal
14:45 – Newspaper Ad Revenue Trends in US and UK
17:27 – China-Based Players: Xiaomi, ByteDance & AI Investments
20:17 – Closing Thoughts & Upcoming Sports Events
This Year Next Year Midyear Forecast 2025: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025
Kate Scott-Dawkins is joined by Jeff Foster and Nidhi Shah to break down the latest trends in the economy, media, and advertising. They chat about what lower-than-expected US inflation means for consumers, how Chinese retailers are staying strong despite economic challenges, and some exciting moves in sports streaming and local TV. Plus, they dive into the rapid rise of AppLovin and what it means for advertisers.
00:00 - Introduction
Welcome and overview of inflation, AppLovin, and sports streaming topics.
01:37 - Inflation and Retail Trends
Mixed inflation signals, tariffs, and how advertisers are responding.
08:36 - Global Economic Updates
UK, EU, and China’s growth trends, plus retail spending shifts.
15:49 - Tencent and Mini-Programs
Tencent’s ad growth and the rise of short-form content in China.
20:10 - Sling TV’s $5 Sports Pass
Sling TV’s innovative pricing and its potential impact on streaming.
26:22 - Local TV Consolidation
Nextar and Tegna talks, and what it means for advertisers.
31:14 - AppLovin’s Growth
AppLovin’s 77% growth and its rise as a major advertising player.
34:26 - Wrap-Up and Future Trends
Final thoughts on media shakeups and what’s ahead for advertisers.
Mid-Year Global Advertising Forecast Update: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025?utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=episode_73_description
This week, Kate Scott-Dawkins is joined by Jeff Foster, Nidhi Shah, and special guest Aisha Khan to break down the latest Q2 earnings reports from major media and commerce players.
They talk about Disney’s NFL-ESPN deal, Fox’s Tubi success, Warner Bros. Discovery’s struggles, and the booming growth of retail media.
Plus, they explore how tariffs are affecting businesses, AI’s growing role in advertising, and the blending of streaming and commerce.
00:00 - Introduction
01:38 - Disney’s NFL-ESPN Deal and Speculation on ESPN’s Future
04:36 - Fox’s Tubi Growth and Political Ad Revenue Highlights
07:27 - Warner Bros. Discovery’s Struggles with Streaming and Linear Declines
10:27 - Retail Media’s Explosive Growth: Mercado Libre, Shopify, and More
14:06 - Tariffs and Their Impact on Retailers and Consumers
16:14 - AI’s Role in Advertising and Commerce Trends
19:22 - Shopify’s Expansion and Success with Larger Clients
21:41 - Snap’s Underperformance and Digital Advertising Trends
22:12 - Closing Thoughts and Preview of Next Week’s Topics
Mid-Year Global Advertising Forecast Update: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025?utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=episode_72_description
Kate Scott-Dawkins, Jeff Foster, and Nidhi Shah break down a whirlwind of economic news. They explore how tariffs and globalization are shaking up industries, dive into mixed earnings from media giants, and celebrate Reddit’s big ad revenue boost.
The hosts also discuss AI’s growing role in advertising, challenges for traditional TV networks, and kids’ changing viewing habits from Ofcom’s latest report. Plus, hear how L'Oréal is using AI to innovate in beauty tech and what slowing consumer spending means for luxury brands.
00:00 - Economic Whirlwind: Analyzing Recent Trends
06:21 - Media Owners Earnings: Insights and Growth
13:41 - AI's Impact on Advertising: The Future of Marketing
17:06 - Reddit and Meta: Diverging Paths in Digital Advertising
23:49 - AI's Impact on Advertising Strategies
25:58 - Challenges for Legacy Media in the AI Era
27:17 - Earnings Insights from Major Broadcasters
28:36 - The Role of Sports in Advertising Revenue
31:56 - Paramount's Earnings and Industry Changes
35:35 - Ofcom Report: Trends in UK Video Consumption
38:42 - L'Oréal's Growth and AI Innovations
Kate, Jeff, and Nidhi chat about the latest earnings from big names like Google, ITV, and Televisa Univision. They dive into how AI is driving ad growth, why digital formats are taking over, and how consumer spending is holding up despite tariffs and other challenges.
They also explore what’s happening in the auto world with EVs, how brands like Coca-Cola and LVMH are staying strong, and why ESPN’s NFL deal could shake things up. Plus, hear how legacy media is juggling linear TV and streaming.
00:00-Introduction
01:25-Google Earnings and AI Investments
07:40-European Media Owners: Challenges and Digital Shifts
12:05-Televisa Univision and Sports Media Updates
18:11-Automotive Industry: GM, EVs, and Tariff Impacts
26:29-Luxury and CPG Trends: LVMH, Nestle, and Coca-Cola
32:08-Looking Ahead: Upcoming Earnings and Economic Signals
Mid-Year Global Advertising Forecast Update: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025
Kate and Jeff dive into the week’s biggest stories in media, marketing, and consumer trends. They explore Netflix’s ambitious $2 billion ad revenue goal, Albertsons’ impressive e-commerce growth, and PepsiCo’s focus on protein-packed strategies. The duo also unpacks key economic updates, including inflation and retail sales data, and reflects on the decline of late-night TV. Packed with insights, this episode offers a fresh look at how brands are adapting to today’s shifting landscape.
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Inflation, Retail Sales, and Economic Trends
07:15 - Albertsons’ E-Commerce Growth and Media Strategy
12:42 - PepsiCo’s Protein Push and Marketing Shifts
15:24 - Netflix’s $2B Ad Goal and Streaming Success
23:43 - Late-Night TV Decline and Industry Trends
Links: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/business/tariffs-recession-economists.html
Hosts Kate and Jeff dive into everything from the U.S. economy to big changes in media and entertainment. They chat about the future of search, how AI is shaking up copyright and content creation, and even affordable robots for learning. It’s all about how tech is reshaping industries and what it means for the future.
Links
Cloudflare blog: https://www.cloudflare.com/press-releases/2025/cloudflare-just-changed-how-ai-crawlers-scrape-the-internet-at-large/
Huggingface robot: https://huggingface.co/blog/reachy-mini
Join Kate, Jeff, and Nidhi as they unpack advertising's evolution in the AI era. The team examines recent ad tech developments and how TV advertising is shifting with new technologies and viewer behaviors.
They discuss content creators' growing influence in advertising and share insights on economic trends affecting consumers. The conversation explores Warner Brothers Discovery's split and its implications for the media landscape.
They also analyze European broadcasting partnerships and the rising valuations of sports content in today's competitive marketplace.
00:00 Introduction & Weather Chat
01:52 AI Revolution in Advertising
05:10 Breaking Down Ad Tech Announcements
08:39 TV Advertising's Transformation
12:10 The Influencer Effect
13:09 Economic Trends & Consumer Pulse
14:40 WBD Split: Media's Big Shakeup
17:16 Media M&A Landscape
20:06 European Broadcasting Alliances
23:24 Sports Content: The New Gold Rush
26:48 Looking Ahead: Industry Forecast
Kate Scott-Dawkins from WPP Media sits down with Brian Berner, Global Head of Ad Sales at Spotify, during Cannes Lions 2025. They discuss the evolution of advertising, Spotify's innovative strategies, and how AI is shaping both consumer experiences and ad creation. The conversation provides insights into global advertising trends, Spotify’s growth in emerging markets, and the future of technology in marketing.
00:00 - Welcome to Cannes: Setting the Stage for Innovation
03:15 - From Campus Ads to Spotify: Brian Berner’s Ad Journey
08:45 - Advertising in Flux: Trends Reshaping the Industry
14:30 - AI at Spotify: Revolutionizing Personalization and Ads
20:10 - Cracking Emerging Markets: India, Brazil, and Beyond
25:50 - The Next Frontier: Voice, Wearables, and Consumer Attention
31:20 - Wrapping Up: Spotify’s Vision for the Future of Advertising
Kate Scott-Dawkins, Jeff Foster, and Nidhi Shah from the WPP Media Intelligence team discuss key highlights from their newly released advertising forecast report, This Year, Next Year, MidYear Forecast. The podcast covers global advertising trends, including market projections, shifts in media consumption, and the transformative impact of AI on the industry.
Check out an interactive overview of the report here: http://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=tyny
Takeaways:
00:00 - Introduction and Rebranding
01:01 - Global Advertising Forecast for 2025
02:16 - U.S. Market Insights: Retail Media vs. TV
04:38 - UK Trends and Digital Growth
06:29 - Introducing the New Media Taxonomy
10:49 - Industry Feedback on the New Framework
13:08 - User-Generated Content Surpasses Professional Content
14:17 - The Creator Economy and Revenue Streams
16:07 - AI’s Transformative Impact on Advertising
19:48 - Marketing to Bots and the Future of Web Traffic
23:20 - Ethical Considerations for AI in Advertising
24:46 - Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Episodes
In this episode, Kate Scott-Dawkins is joined by Jeff Foster and Nidhi Shah to discuss the team’s work on the upcoming This Year, Next Year advertising forecast report, set to release publicly on June 10th. The trio dives into key developments in media, technology, and advertising, including major announcements from Google I/O, Xiaomi's rise as a media owner, and the evolving role of AI in content creation and ad strategies.
They also reflect on industry trends like programmatic buying in legacy media and the growing importance of live sports for streaming platforms.
00:00 - Introduction and Team Updates
01:52 - Paramount’s Rugby Deal and the Value of Live Sports
03:44 - Xiaomi’s Growth, Smart EVs, and Advertising Strategy
07:36 - Google I/O Announcements and AI Innovations
12:58 - AI’s Impact on Advertising and Market Shifts
17:08 - Legacy Media Trends and Programmatic Buying
21:20 - What’s Next? Wrapping Up and Personal Highlights
In this episode, Kate Scott-Dawkins and Jeff Foster discuss the busy earnings season, highlighting key economic trends, advertising growth, and the impact of AI on major companies like Meta, Amazon, and Google. They explore the challenges faced by Snap and Spotify, Comcast's revenue struggles, and the future of subscription models in consumer behavior. The conversation also touches on global market trends and regulatory impacts, concluding with insights into cultural moments that shape media consumption.
Takeaways
00:00 - Introduction & Overview
02:55 - Economic Trends & Consumer Sentiment
05:49 - Earnings Reports: Meta & Amazon
09:14 - Advertising Insights: Snap & Spotify
12:07 - Digital Ad Landscape: Google & Microsoft
14:56 - Future of Media: Subscription Models & Predictions
17:59 - Comcast & Peacock: Performance Analysis
21:07 - Market Trends: Global Insights & Regulations
23:52 - Wrap-Up & Cultural Reflections
In this episode, Kate Scott-Dawkins and Jeff Foster break down Netflix's latest earnings report. They highlight the impressive 13% revenue growth and discuss Netflix's bold ambition to hit a $1 trillion market cap.
They also look at how advertising revenue, a strong market, and smart content investments can help the company grow.
Kate and Jeff discuss the potential of AI to reduce production costs. They take a closer look at the ongoing antitrust trials involving Meta and Google and what these cases could mean for the media world in the future.
00:00 – Introduction & Podcast Preview
• Kate and Jeff welcome listeners and outline the topics for the week.
00:40 – Netflix Earnings Overview
• Discussion of Netflix’s 13% revenue growth, the missing subscriber count, and overall earnings call highlights.
02:00 – Ad Revenue Goals & Forecasting
• They cover the leaked goal of reaching a $1 trillion valuation and $9 billion in ad revenue by 2030, plus initial strategy insights.
03:30 – Live Events & Video Podcasts
• Conversation about Netflix’s strategy around live events (NFL games, Oscars, etc.) and the evolution of video podcasts.
06:00 – Market Trends & Margins
• Analysis of Q1 dynamics, pricing adjustments, margin strength, and resilient consumer behavior in home entertainment.
09:42 – Ad Revenue Modeling Details
• A detailed walkthrough of the modeling assumptions—from a small ad revenue base in 2024 to the ambitious 2030 target.
17:12 – AI & Content Innovation
• Discussion on how AI is reshaping film production (e.g., de-aging effects) and its potential cost-saving impacts.
19:21 – Tech Trials & Antitrust Updates
• Coverage of antitrust trials affecting Meta (Instagram/WhatsApp) and Google’s ad tech practices, plus implications for future strategy.
25:20 – Weekend Recommendations & Wrap-Up
In this episode, Kate Scott-Dawkins, Jeff Foster, and Nidhi Shah explore the escalating US-China tariff situation, its impact on industries like automotive and technology, and how businesses are navigating uncertainty. They also discuss the resilience of the financial services sector, shifts in consumer behavior, and the broader implications for globalization and advertising trends.
Disclaimer: Since recording this episode, a 90-day pause on tariffs has been announced, along with adjustments to tariffs on China. While these developments may temporarily ease tensions, the topics discussed—such as long-term impacts on industries, consumer behavior, and globalization—remain highly relevant.
Key Topics Discussed:
Chapters:
00:00 - Disclaimer: 90-Day Pause on Tariffs
00:16 - Introduction and Episode Overview
02:17 - US-China Tariffs: Impacts and Retaliation
05:45 - Industry-Specific Challenges: Autos, Tech, and Apparel
09:51 - Globalization Under Strain
13:18 - Small vs. Large Business Responses to Tariffs
20:31 - Financial Services Sector Resilience
24:27 - Advertising Trends Amid Economic Uncertainty
25:47 - Sports, Entertainment, and Cultural Commentary
26:39 - Closing Thoughts and Recommendations