Mark Stenberg

If you follow, work in, or care about the media industry, make sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter, On Background. Every Wednesday, subscribers receive a pleasantly readable email stuffed with scoops, original reporting, and emerging trends. preferences.adweek.com/on-background-…

SCOOP: Three key execs are out at @TheTradeDesk. They include CMO Ian Colley, to be replaced by Anna Sayre, as well as top comms exec Melinda Zurich, and the onetime head of Ventura TV OS Matthew Henick. New for @Adweek: adweek.com/media/exclusiv…

NEW: After cutting deals with CNN and CNBC, the prediction market Kalshi has made arguably its biggest deal yet. It is getting into business with Fox, where its data will be baked into Fox News programming.

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 axios.com/2026/04/06/ap-…

In last night's On Background, my weekly media newsletter, I covered: — (SCOOP): Time CEO Jessica Sibley admitting that more bots than humans visit the Time website — (SCOOP): CBS News 24/7 concluding its union negotiations, the first contract under Weiss + Ellison (1/3)

— My favorite stories of the last week, from Semafor, The WSJ, Inc., and The NYT — A Q&A with podcast executive A.J. Feliciano about his new venture, Companion — And a deep-dive into the frothy world of food media M&A, led by Tasty and Eater For @Adweek: adweek.com/media/feeding-…

— (EXCLUSIVE) The parent company of Essence and Refinery29 hiring Netflix marketing veteran Amanda Butler as its first CMO — The AJC hiring former WaPo social media maven Travis Lyles to lead its social strategy — The real reason behind CNET's return to news-gathering (2/3)

Read the full story, for @Adweek, here: adweek.com/media/complex-…

Through the tie-up, Fanatics will underwrite the cost of launching Complex Bets, which will feature a handful of new content offerings. For Fanatics, the partnership distinguishes it from its competition by focusing on integrating its betting data into cultural stories. (2/3)

New: Complex has partnered with Fanatics Sportsbook and Fanatics Markets — its sports-betting and prediction markets products, respectively — to launch Complex Bets. The new content vertical will incorporate sports-betting and prediction market data into Complex editorial. (1/3)

A fact somewhat lost in TMZ's naming and shaming of Senators and Congresspeople amid the partial government shutdown: It is wholly owned by Fox, a strategic purchase by Lachlan Murdoch.

Scooplet: @Yahoo DSP is hiring a dedicated team to build out new AI-powered tools catering to mid-market, performance-focused advertisers. New features are expected to arrive later this year. For @Adweek: adweek.com/agencies/exclu…

Read my story for @Adweek below: adweek.com/media/amazon-d…

SCOOP: Next month, Amazon plans to unveil a data partnership with the U.K. audio giant Dax, according to documents obtained by ADWEEK. The deal is the latest in a series of such tie-ups from Amazon, but its first with a U.K.-native firm, a testament to its global ambitions.

Read my full story, with more details about pricing, privacy, and the broader Apple Business debut, below for @Adweek: adweek.com/brand-marketin…

The move is part of a broader expansion of Apple's ads business. Last year, the division rebranded from Search Ads to Apple Ads to emphasize its widening scope. It's now expected to generate approximately $8.5 billion this year, more than a quarter of the company’s revenue.

New: Ads are coming to Apple Maps, beginning this summer. Ads will surface in two ways: at the top of search results and within a new “Suggested Places” surface. Businesses don't need ad creative—just photos, copy, and a budget— and there is no minimum budget.

In return, the publisher has seen its subscription numbers and newsroom swell. It has 1.46 million subscribers, having added 300K net new subscriptions and 50 newsroom positions in the last year. Its editorial headcount is now above 200. For @Adweek: adweek.com/media/atlantic…

The tie-up is the latest in a series of creative distribution ventures to come from The Atlantic in recent years. It's currently on a 50-state road tour, has launched a college subscription program, and provides free access to every public high school in the country.

New: The Atlantic has penned a three-year partnership with the cruise company Seabourne. The deal includes advertising elements but is primarily a subscription play, as The Atlantic will curate programming, provide three-month trial subscriptions, and curate the ship's library.