The most-mentioned topics in the Australian media press headlines over the last week:
AI
The artificial intelligence landscape is defined by tensions between innovation and ethical concerns. Brands face consumer backlash for low-quality content, while publishers struggle with training data disputes and licensing viability. Despite operational cost blowouts for tech firms, industry tools and agentic workflows are expanding to optimize visibility and internal productivity.
- ‘Keep your AI slop away from us’: More than half of Australians punish brands for junk creative and low-quality placements; ads in personal, sad or irrelevant chatbot conversations also backfire
- AI companies accused of buying and destroying books for training data
- AI licensing isn't a life raft for the publishing industry
- AI licensing isn't a life raft for the publishing industry
- Australian consumers dislike brands next to AI slop
- Big week for LinkedIn, but AI not paying for news is now major focus
- Canva Cuts Revenue Forecast Following AI Cost Blowout
- IAB Australia expands AI impact assessment tool to broader industry
- IAB Australia expands free AI impact assessment tool
- More than four in five LinkedIn posts now likely AI-generated
- Pinterest chalks up 18% revenue growth in Q2 2026 off active user, ad impression and AI uplift
- Progress Software Launches AI Agents To ‘Reduce Content Bottlenecks’ In CMS Workflows
- RMIT’s Hungry Talks returns with focus on AI and entry-level talent
- Snap reports 19% revenue growth in Q2 2026, driven by advertising and AI innovations
- The Agentic AI Asymmetry Dilemma — A Wake-Up Call for the Whole Ecosystem
- Thinkerbell introduces Hi-Vis to enhance brand visibility in AI models
- Thinkerbell launches Hi-Vis to audit how AI sees brands
NEWS CORP
News Corp is currently navigating significant financial success alongside aggressive legal and policy posturing. While reporting record-breaking quarterly profits driven by digital strategy and key assets, the organization is simultaneously taking a hard line against AI-driven content scraping and pushing back against proposed government tax changes for tech firms.
- ‘Retrograde step’: Sims warns narrowed tech tax will invite evasion
- Around 50 jobs to go as News Corp offshores customer service operation
- News Corp delivers record quarter on back of Dow Jones, REA
- News Corp posts record results as its pursues 'pilferers'
- News Corp Profit Soars 167% As ‘Digital-First’ Strategy Delivers Record Quarter
- News Corp’s profit machine fires as Thomson declares war on AI ‘pirates’; Promises 'Woo and sue'
- News Corp's Suddenly expands it's leadership by four
OMNICOM
Omnicom is undergoing a period of strategic evolution and high-level personnel changes. The organization is focused on integrating recent assets while simultaneously shaking up its leadership ranks with key appointments. This restructuring activity highlights a push toward unified service offerings and long-term commercial growth within the competitive agency landscape.
- Could Omnicom’s New Media Agency Be Called ‘Hearts United’?
- Omnicom advanced in asset sales as it integrates IPG
- Omnicom Media Australia appoints Tom Kirkham as chief solutions officer
- Omnicom Media Hires Ricky Chanana To Senior Commercial Role
- Omnicom’s GRACosway Unveils New Leadership Group & Senior Hires
- Tom Kirkham returns to Omnicom Media as inaugural chief solutions officer
- WPP’s Tom Kirkham returns to Omnicom Media
SNAP
Snap is showing positive momentum in its advertising business, with recent reports highlighting significant revenue growth and successful monetization strategies. The company is actively refreshing its leadership team, focusing on marketing innovation, and leaning into AI-driven product developments to sustain its financial performance and engagement with a maturing audience base.
- Ex-TikTok Exec Julia Wyatt Joins Snap As Head Of Marketing
- Ex-Tiktok's Julia Wyatt to lead SnapANZ marketing
- Snap Ad Revenue Climbs 9% As Global Q2 Revenue Hits $2.2B
- Snap reports 'better momentum' in advertising
- Snap reports 19% revenue growth in Q2 2026, driven by advertising and AI innovations
- Snapchat ad revenue up as audience 'ages in' to categories
TIKTOK
TikTok is engaging in high-profile content partnerships and facing scrutiny regarding its ad-driven business model. While expanding its platform influence through creative trends and industry collaborations, the platform is also navigating concerns regarding the nature of its advertising ecosystem and the movement of executive talent to competing social platforms.
- Disney and TikTok forge global content-sharing partnership
- Ex-TikTok Exec Julia Wyatt Joins Snap As Head Of Marketing
- Ex-Tiktok's Julia Wyatt to lead Snap ANZ marketing
- Media Analyst Evan Shapiro Says Disney & TikTok Deal Is Really About Selling Ads
- Peptide peddlers using Tiktok ads to reach Australians
- TikTok Trends: My Netflix Doco, Five Things Worth The Money & Yellow Text
- TikTok Trends: My Netflix Doco, Five Things Worth The Money & Yellow Text
WPP
WPP is currently working through a challenging period of financial stabilization and structural transformation. Despite experiencing revenue declines, the agency holding company is aggressively cutting costs and pivoting its operations toward AI integration. Leadership is tasked with driving growth and revitalizing performance as they approach key strategic milestones in 2027.
- Movers & Shakers: Are Media, Principals, Edge, WPP
- WPP Plots Return To Growth Despite 4.4% Revenue Drop
- WPP reports more red ink but sees 'improvement'
- WPP’s £4.7bn stabilisation act: Q2 decline eases to 2.8%, costs fall faster than revenue; Cindy Rose remakes holding company around AI as 2027 growth test looms
- WPP’s Australian slide sharpens Cindy Rose’s turnaround test
- WPP’s IGNIT!ON: Finding The Brightest Sparks
- WPP’s Tom Kirkham returns to Omnicom Media
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