ADWEEK

New month, new us. ADWEEK’s April issue is here. 🌻 @EmmaGrede's rise is all about relentless execution. In 2019, she synced @skims' inventory from the floor of Heathrow ahead of a delayed launch that sold out in 10 minutes and made $2M. From working-class East London to co-founding ITB and helping build @goodamerican and SKIMS, Grede now shares her playbook in her new book "Start With Yourself" and on her renowned Aspire with Emma Grede podcast. Read more on ADWEEK’s April cover star and Brand Genius Creator 👉 adweek.it/3NRv4UN

.@cartographai is a new platform aimed at giving marketing and advertising tech buyers a neutral way to compare, demo, and choose adtech and martech vendors, using a mix of AI and human research to score companies across 43 criteria. adweek.it/3OIh1RD

EXCLUSIVE | @TheTradeDesk is revamping Kokai’s signature “periodic table” interface, nudging advertisers toward a more customizable, spreadsheet-like layout as part of a broader programmatic platform update, according to sources and screenshots seen by ADWEEK. adweek.it/3QrnbGr

The brand–pop star collaboration playbook is shifting from simple celebrity cameos to true co-creation, as @Maybelline's Yasmin Dastmalchi, @Nespresso's Jessica Padula, Croing's Alejandra Salaza and Latin Grammy winner @joaquina explained during an ADWEEK House panel at Possible. adweek.it/4uiAJme

Liz Rutgersson is leaving their role as North America CEO of @dentsu_global's iProspect to pursue a new opportunity. Liz Vance, the agency’s North America chief client officer, will co-lead iProspect with Will Swayne, Dentsu’s global practice president of media and integrated solutions. adweek.it/42ozQNf

This summer, @ESPN Unlimited subscribers will be able to watch @theCW's live coverage of select college football and basketball games, the @NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, @WWENXT, PBA Bowling, PBR Bull Riding, AVP volleyball, and the Arizona Bowl. adweek.it/4t4ZDVk

@Mastercard Listen now 🎧 Apple: adweek.it/3OvxMzG Spotify: adweek.it/4unSXmt

On this week's The Speed of Culture podcast, Rustom Dastoor, EVP, Head of Marketing and Communications, Americas at @Mastercard, joins Matt Britton live from CES 2026 for one of the more thought-provoking marketing conversations of the year so far. Some noteworthy segments from the conversation were: > Rustom explaining why he thinks the industry's current approach to AI is shaped by survivorship bias, focusing on automating what already works rather than asking what is newly possible. > Introducing the idea of technical branding, making a case for why brands will eventually need to think about how they present themselves not just to consumers, but to the AI agents acting on their behalf. > Mastercard's experiential marketing philosophy, > The consolidation happening inside sports while the rest of media fragments, the rise of creators as small businesses, and what curiosity and hustle mean in a world where everyone has access to the same tools. It is a forward-looking discussion from someone who has spent twelve years building one of the world's most recognized brands through data, experience, and genuine strategic conviction.

The FCC has ordered eight ABC-owned stations to file early broadcast license renewals by May 28, 2026, years ahead of their 2028 schedule, citing an ongoing investigation into potential violations of the Communications Act and rules against unlawful discrimination. adweek.it/4dbhYeC

when the @rimowa PR team said there's a fire drill, they were being literal @johnsummit

For its first year as a sponsor of the @PGATour through 2030, @Supergoop launched a campaign this spring featuring professional golfer and brand ambassador @JustinRose99. adweek.it/4mUVDFr

.@Telemundo is heading into upfront week saying it is on track to deliver its biggest World Cup moment yet, with @nbc's May 11 presentation followed by a May 12 client event at Rockefeller Plaza built around “Connect, Elevate, Celebrate." adweek.it/4tBed8d

.@dharmann is trying to spark creator-brand “meet-cutes” by hosting in-person matchmaking events, like a recent speed-dating-style summit in LA that paired 50+ creators with marketers from companies including @Adobe, @ATT, @elfcosmetics, @Meta, and @zillow. adweek.it/4cSGU9k

.@Omnicom is reporting Q1 results based on its “core operations” and, following its late-2025 acquisition of IPG, is shedding or consolidating non-core businesses that do not meet growth and margin goals or client demand. adweek.it/4w2CyFK

.@TheTradeDesk CEO Jeff Green said agencies face tighter budgets, the AI boom, and shifting supply chain dynamics while being asked to deliver more in a complex market at @PossibleEvent. adweek.it/4mSM1ek

.@Omnicom is merging agencies @180_agency and @aandeddb into Lola USA, bringing the Lola brand to the U.S. as it continues streamlining after acquiring IPG and retiring legacy brands DDB, FCB, and MullenLowe. adweek.it/4mYw6vb

Chris Williamson and fitness entrepreneur James Smith's @Neutonic_ has raised $6 million to fund an expansion across the U.S., U.K., and other international markets—and you can see the pitch deck used for the fund expansion 👇 adweek.it/4tLWw68

.@Stagwell's software arm, The Marketing Cloud, announced the latest expansion of its Agent Cloud platform this week, rolling out a 10-agent “marketing toolkit” designed to help lean teams execute campaigns without adding staff. adweek.it/4mYMmfR

.@McCormickCorp and @ParisHilton's media company, 11:11 Media, have announced plans to launch a limited-edition seasoning range co-created by the celebrity in February 2027. adweek.it/4ucUlYK

Starting soon, @Snapchat’s 900 million monthly active users will be able to converse directly with branded Snaps that appear in their messages, thanks to a new agentic ad offering. adweek.it/4t2ljS3

We're less than 50 days away from the @FIFAWorldCup and @Budweiser is looking to get in on the action with a new campaign, “Let It Pour.” adweek.it/4eL69gq