Media agencies’ turmoil and hybrid in-housing surge | AAAI’s WhatsApp exit advisory could backfire | WPP drops DEI language, Ogilvy CEO champions DEI

Rather than a move away, experts foresee a recalibration of expectations, with clients seeking more transparency and agencies responding with stronger governance and accountability from media buying agencies, after the CCI probe into ad firms.

Storyboard18 brings you top five news updates from the world of advertising, marketing and business of brands.

Sports AdEx up 7% in 2024 to reach Rs 7,989 cr: GroupM

The growth signals a steady rise in investments across various sports properties, driven by increasing viewership, brand engagement, and the expanding digital ecosystem. (Image source: GroupM)

GroupM’s latest Sporting Nation report reveals that sports adex in India is on track to surpass $1 billion. While TV media spends on sports remained flat in 2024 due to fewer matches played by India compared to 2023, digital ad spends surged by 25%.

Movie theatres are never coming back, says Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos

Highlighting troubling industry data, Sarandos noted that the theatrical box office remains significantly diminished, down 40-50% from pre-Covid levels, with an additional 8% drop recorded this year alone. (Image: News18)

Netflix’s co-CEO cites weak box office numbers and booming live events as indicators of the permanent shift away from cinemas.