Welcome to Week In Review
From new tools transforming creative work, to campaigns reshaped by automation, we track the biggest shifts at the intersection of AI, media, and marketing. This week, WPP to cut more jobs, ChatGPT hits $1 billion ad revenues, and Publicis wins PepsiCo account on AI model.
Top Stories of the Week
WPP to Cut 1,000 More Jobs
Agency group WPP is cutting up to 1,000 more jobs by the end of the year as part of a restructuring programme under new CEO Cindy Rose. The holding company will also offload non-core businesses and surplus properties, according to the FT.
Why it matters:
Advertising agencies have already axed thousands of jobs as clients cut costs and AI tools make tasks more efficient. The report notes that WPP has cut around 11,000 jobs since the start of 2025 amid a wave of AI transformation.
ChatGPT Rolls Out Ads Globally
ChatGPT Ads has reached $1 billion in annualised revenue run rate, OpenAI announced on Monday, less than 200 days after introducing ads to ChatGPT. The company is also expanding the ad offering globally, enabling advertisers to purchase ChatGPT ads across India, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Why it matters:
As agency leaders told Futureweek, the milestone represents an impressive start for the ads product, putting OpenAI on the path to its $2.5 billion target for the year.
Publicis Wins PepsiCo Account on AI Operating Model
PepsiCo has selected Publicis Groupe as its exclusive lead global media partner. The agency is expected to create an AI and data-driven operating model to connect media, identity and technology across the company’s global brand portfolio.
Why it matters:
The news marks a partnership between two businesses heavily focused on AI. PepsiCo is leaning into AI marketing transformation, while Publicis has attributed a series of business wins to its integrated agency model and AI capabilities.
Quote of the Week
Brands & Agencies
Dishoom Appoints Brainlabs for Search and Discovery
UK-based Indian restaurant chain Dishoom has appointed Brainlabs as its search and discovery agency. The media agency said it will lead “organic search and discovery across the UK cafés and Permit Rooms, with international expansion ahead.”
Rouge Care Reports Fivefold ROAS From Agentic Campaign
Rouge Care, a red-light therapy brand, has credited AI agents with a fivefold return on ad spend, according to Adweek. The brand worked with ad agency Klever Programmatic, which built the CTV campaign through PubMatic’s AgenticOS.
Tesco Appoints Agentic AI Director
Tesco has appointed its first Group Customer Experience & Agentic Director in efforts to ramp up its AI strategy. Lucy Cooper joins from THG Ingenuity, and previously led global innovation strategy at Microsoft.
Media
CTS Launches AI-Powered Workflow Applications
Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS) unveiled a suite of end-to-end AI-powered workflow applications for broadcasters, content owners, and operators worldwide. CTS said the new applications can be deployed in creating vertical videos, localisation, advanced advertising, metadata enrichment, quality control and intelligent clip generation.
Google Seeks to License IP From Hollywood Studios for AI Use
Google executives have approached Disney, Universal, Warner Bros. Discovery and other Hollywood studios about licensing intellectual property to be used in AI models, the LA Times reported this week. People familiar with the discussions noted that no agreements have been reached yet, owing in part to sensitivities around how Hollywood talent and unions would react.
Tech
Reddit Rolls Out AI Max Campaigns
Reddit’s AI-powered Max campaigns are now available to all advertisers in the app, the social sharing site announced on Wednesday. Reddit’s Max campaigns provide AI assistance with targeting, creative selection, ad placements and budget allocation.
Brightcove Launches AI Agentic Hub on Updgraded Video Platform
Video tech business Brightcove unveiled Brightcove Gen 2, the next generation of its platform, calling it “the most significant evolution of the Brightcove experience in years.” The updated platform includes a new AI Agentic Hub, which enables AI agents to work across Brightcove’s functionality.
Startup of the Week
Founded in early 2025, Wonderful raised another $550 million this week at a $5 billion valuation, which will reportedly be used to fuel a worldwide hiring spree.
Number of the Week
