AGP Executive Report

Conservation Policy Shake-Up: New Zealand’s Environmental Defence Society says the Conservation Amendment Bill will be changed after talks, with key fixes to remove proposed exchange/disposal provisions and tighten “economic opportunity” clauses so conservation outcomes stay central. US Politics & Media Attention: Louisiana Republican Julia Letlow won the GOP Senate nomination runoff, setting up a high-profile fall race as Trump backs loyalists. Middle East Escalation: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed missile/drone strikes on US-linked targets in Kuwait and Bahrain, while the US said it carried out retaliatory strikes—raising new uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz. Disaster & Human Impact: Venezuela earthquake survivors described desperate waits under rubble as aid and rescue efforts continue amid a fragile health system. Local Governance & Rights Debate: A school board fight over “released time” laws is reigniting controversy over off-site religious instruction during school hours. Health & Safety: Denmark hit a record heatwave temperature, while researchers continue to unpack why scratching can worsen itch cycles.

Retail Media & Partnerships: iHeartMedia and Amazon Ads expand their partnership, signaling deeper retail-media and audio-ad convergence. Regulation & Consumer Protection: UK watchdog bans Adidas, Uniqlo and Calvin Klein ads over misleading “recycled” claims, while California pushes “quiet ads” rules that cut loud streaming commercials from July 1. AI Advertising Scrutiny: REI faces backlash for an AI-generated bike ad blamed on Meta; meanwhile, OpenAI pitches ChatGPT ads at Cannes as AI search formats move ad placements into answers. Platform & Ad Fraud: Japan’s ad agency fights click fraud with biometric tech, and reports flag rogue website ads and malware delivered via malicious ad setups. Political Ads & Deepfakes: AI deepfake ads invade midterm campaigns, and courts weigh political ad disputes and deceptive targeting. Sports Marketing Moment: Fox’s World Cup broadcast tweaks after showing commercials during hydration breaks, as viewers react to ad placement. Local Enforcement (Ads-Adjacent): Philippines police bust online “sabong” operations tied to e-sabong sites, underscoring how ads and promotions can fuel illegal markets.

Retail Media & Partnerships: iHeartMedia is expanding its Amazon Ads relationship, signaling deeper ad-tech integration as brands chase measurable reach. Platform & Measurement Trends: Omnicom Media warns “bad streaming ads” can hurt brands more than running none, while Meta pushes best practices for AI-generated multimedia ads and WhatsApp’s business tools keep raising questions about ad placement. Regulation & Trust: The UK watchdog banned Adidas, Uniqlo and Calvin Klein ads over misleading “recycled” claims, and Google continues rolling out new Ads features and labels that marketers will need to adapt to. AI in Advertising: OpenAI’s ChatGPT ads push into the UK, and new formats are moving ads into AI answers—raising fresh concerns for political and consumer trust. Sports Marketing Moment: FIFA World Cup coverage keeps driving commercial scrutiny, with broadcasters tweaking ad timing around hydration breaks. Local Public Service Messaging: Ontario is looking at changes to online gambling ads, aiming to reduce harm while keeping compliance tight.

AI Advertising & Platforms: OpenAI’s Dave Dugan says ChatGPT is building a new ad category, while marketers watch “ChatGPT ads” roll out in the UK and debate what counts as a real “ChatGPT ad” versus deepfakes. Retail Media & Streaming: Walmart’s $1.4bn Vibe.co deal signals a bigger push into streaming ads, and Omnicom warns “bad streaming ads” can hurt brands more than no ads at all. Regulation & Trust: UK watchdog bans “recycled” fashion claims (Calvin Klein, Adidas, Uniqlo), and SEBI proposes a common advertisement code for regulated entities, targeting dark patterns and influencer/finfluencer rules. Privacy & Data: A consumer privacy bill edges toward a governor’s desk, and Meta/WhatsApp updates keep raising questions about ads in messaging. Safety & Public Messaging: DepEd launches a nationwide school safety campaign after the Tacloban shooting, tightening bag checks, metal detectors, CCTV, and visitor controls. Scams: World Cup ticket scams target fans, and a Malaysia case shows how Facebook/WhatsApp vehicle ads can drain buyers via staged “loan” payments.

Regulated Ads & Platform Rules: Meta took another hit in Washington after the state Supreme Court backed political ad disclosure rules, with the company previously admitting it violated the law and then opting to stop running political ads in the state to dodge transparency requirements. Retail Media & Measurement: Omnicom warned that “bad streaming ads” can hurt brands more than the platforms themselves, while Meta pushed further into lead ads with integrated booking features. Creative/AI Marketing: OpenAI is moving deeper into ads, with ChatGPT ad formats and pricing guidance drawing marketer attention as AI search and answer-style placements reshape demand. Compliance & Safety: New Zealand Food Safety ordered a recall of NZ Muscle creatine products after an undeclared milk allergen concern. Cause Marketing: Lyre’s and Dry July returned for a fifth year with “Cocktails for a Cause” menus, donating $1 per order to support Kiwis affected by cancer. Brand/OOH Moments: Sky Tower in Auckland opened SkyRide, a new lift-and-descent attraction designed to boost visitor buzz and tourism spend.

AI & Ads in the Spotlight: Meta is pushing new ways to buy and build ads with integrated lead booking and clearer best practices for AI-generated creative, while Google keeps tightening the ad stack with updates to search history/privacy controls and more reporting/controls for AI-powered features. Retail Media Momentum: Walmart’s $1.4B Vibe.co deal signals a bigger streaming-ads push, and partnerships like Asda with Amazon Ads show retail media is still the growth engine. Regulation & Trust: The UK bans “recycled” clothing claims in ads after failing to prove them, and India’s SEBI proposes a common advertisement code for regulated entities—both aimed at cracking down on misleading marketing. Safety, Not Spin: In the Philippines, DepEd is moving to hire more guidance counselors and boost school security after the Tacloban shooting, while authorities also respond to the GoreBox-linked debate with a temporary video-game ban pending investigation.

Retail Media & TV Addressability: Hearst Television is bringing ad addressability to local broadcast TV, signaling more targeted measurement for regional marketers. Retail Media Partnerships: Asda is teaming with Amazon Ads to strengthen its retail media proposition, while Walmart’s Vibe.co deal underlines the race to own retail ad inventory. Platform & Ad Tech Moves: Meta is rolling out an end-to-end suite of AI advertising tools for marketers, and OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT ads business internationally. Regulation & Trust: UK bans “recycled” clothing ads from Adidas, Uniqlo and Calvin Klein after failing to prove claims; SEBI proposes a common advertisement code for regulated entities, including rules around celebrity endorsements and dark patterns. Creator Economy: Kantar says only 6% of creator content hits both strong engagement and brand impact, pushing brands toward better creative briefs and measurement. Safety & Public Messaging: PNP wants more police visibility in schools after recent attacks, a reminder that public trust and brand-safe comms matter.

UK Ad Crackdown: The UK banned “recycled” clothing ads from Adidas, Uniqlo and Calvin Klein after regulators said the brands couldn’t substantiate the claims, adding pressure on greenwashing across retail marketing. Programmatic TV Push: Comcast’s Universal Ads launched in the UK with Channel 4, ITV and Sky, aiming to let smaller buyers buy airtime faster and bring more addressable delivery to broadcast. Platform Monetization: WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart stepped down as the app’s ad push and Business tools move forward, with industry watching how monetization reshapes engagement. AI in Creative Production: Creative Fabrica Studio unveiled Seedance 2.0 for AI video in “True 4K,” signaling continued investment in AI-assisted ad creation. OOH & Retail Media: Drive Your Art launched a 3D simulation platform for outdoor advertising planning, while Walmart expanded retail media with moves around CTV ad tech and Vibe.co. Political Ads Scrutiny: Meta faced fresh legal and regulatory attention tied to political and scam ads, keeping compliance and transparency at the center of ad policy debates.

Regulated-Ads Watch: India’s SEBI has proposed a Common Advertisement Code that would let market intermediaries use celebrity endorsements at the brand level, while banning endorsements of specific investment products—and shifting some ad approvals to a faster post-issuance reporting model. Platform & AI Ads: OpenAI is pitching “ChatGPT ads” to Cannes marketers as it expands paid ad options in more markets, while Google Ads continues rolling out AI-related reporting and interface updates for search campaigns. Retail Media Push: Asda is teaming up with Amazon on a UK-first retail media and ad tech partnership, and Comcast’s Universal Ads platform is expanding in the UK to make TV airtime buying easier. Compliance & Claims Crackdowns: UK regulators have moved against “recycled” clothing ad claims by Adidas, Calvin Klein and Uniqlo, and privacy watchdogs warn many sites still misconfigure Google consent tools. Brand Safety/Scams: Meta faces fresh scrutiny over scam ads targeting seniors, and WhatsApp monetisation plans are under the spotlight as fake job ads spread. Investigations Hit Big Brands: Reports say Nestlé launched an internal investigation after its ads appeared on sanctioned TV Imedi.

School Safety & Youth Violence: The Tacloban City high school shooting that killed three students and wounded 20 has triggered a fresh national debate on the minimum age of criminal responsibility, with President Marcos Jr. saying he’s open to lowering it and the PNP backing a shift to age 12, while Amnesty International warns against “knee-jerk” law changes that ignore root causes. Online Influence: Authorities say one suspect was heavily influenced by online content, and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center temporarily blocked the violent game GoreBox while expanding monitoring of youth online activity. Accountability & Response: The CHR launched motu proprio investigations, families will receive P150,000 each plus psychosocial support, and DepEd ordered tighter campus security and trauma response. Community Impact: Separate stabbing incidents in Negros Occidental and ongoing security moves across regions show the pressure on schools to prevent violence.

School Safety Shock (Philippines): A Tacloban City high school shooting killed three students and left 13 others wounded; authorities say two 14- and 15-year-old students planned the attack weeks ahead, prompting class suspensions, tighter bag checks, and renewed calls for stronger youth protection and online monitoring. Digital Youth Rules: Lawmakers are again pushing proposals to restrict social media access for minors after reports the suspect posted gun-related videos. Impeachment Process (Philippines): Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense rejected “common markings” in pretrial as document volume extended the conference, with trial still set for July 6. Public Health & Education (NZ/Philippines): New Zealand reported continued progress across five health targets, while the Philippines’ DepEd and Jhpiego launched an HPV/cervical cancer prevention booklet for teachers. Critical Comms (NZ): SafetyNet appointed Steve Ferguson as CEO to lead the Public Safety Network rollout for emergency responders. Media/Ads Lens: Floodlight data suggests ChatGPT’s recommended brands rarely match what’s actually being advertised.

In-Game Ads & AI Marketing: Electronic Arts is pushing a new advertising model that places ads directly inside gameplay, reigniting debate over monetization and player experience. Ad Tech & Measurement: Google adds an AI bot to Ad Manager, while Japan’s Nielsen expands YouTube cross-platform measurement—both signals that ad platforms keep leaning harder into automation. Creative & Trust: Getty Images strikes a deal with OpenAI, sending Getty’s stock higher, as brands and publishers race to define how AI content is licensed and measured. Political Ads & Regulation: Meta faces renewed scrutiny over scam ads targeting U.S. seniors, and regulators continue tightening rules around what platforms must disclose. Safety & Youth Messaging: A deadly Tacloban high school shooting puts school safety, mental health, and firearm access back in the spotlight—an issue that will likely shape how public agencies communicate prevention. Local Enforcement & Compliance: The Philippines’ BIR and NBI move against illicit cigarettes at a Manila port, underscoring how enforcement actions can ripple into brand and media spend.

In-Game Ads Backlash: Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa joined the growing chorus against FIFA’s hydration breaks, saying the rule “adds nothing and takes away a lot” as broadcasters lean into commercial time. Regulatory Pressure on Advertising: The ACCC is taking Grill’d to court over its Tree Day Tuesday ads, highlighting how fast food promotions can trigger legal scrutiny. AI Meets Marketing Ops: Google is pushing conversion-based customer lists for advertisers, while OpenAI expands ChatGPT ads in Japan and rolls out an ads manager in the U.K.—a sign the AI-agent era is getting monetized. Creative & Agency Moves: THE ICONIC appoints Emotive after a competitive pitch, and Sunday Gravy/RMIT invites Gen Z creatives for a brand brief, keeping the focus on fresh talent pipelines. Brand Safety & Trust: Meta faces renewed calls for Congress to probe scam ads targeting seniors, as platforms face mounting pressure over misleading campaigns.

Sports & Entertainment Spotlight: Italy closed out the Women’s Volleyball Nations League Philippines leg with a straight-sets win over Japan, while USA swept its VNL week in Pasig, underscoring how big crowds and star power keep sports brands in the conversation. Media & Marketing Angle: Fox’s World Cup “hydration break” commercials and the broader debate over in-game ads are back in focus as fans react to more monetization during broadcasts. Public Policy & Trust: Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal warns that debating impeachment voting thresholds too early could delay Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial, keeping attention on process and transparency. Health & Consumer Safety: PhilHealth benefit expansion is being discussed after reports of long-time paying members denied coverage, and authorities also seized frozen meat products over alleged expired items being repackaged. Local Impact: The PNP is tightening crackdowns after arrests of active-duty officers facing serious crimes, while the Philippine Coast Guard seized P13.4M in smuggled cigarettes in Misamis Oriental.

In-Game Ads & Streaming Monetization: Fox is drawing fresh scrutiny after “hydration break” commercials during the 2026 World Cup, while EA is pushing a new wave of in-game advertising via an “EA Advertising” platform that places ads directly into gameplay. AI Ads Regulation Push: A retail association argues EU AI ad transparency rules shouldn’t apply to routine AI-generated ads, as more countries and lawmakers move toward disclosure requirements for AI in advertising. Platform Moves: Google Ad Manager is rolling out an “Ask Ad Manager” beta with Gemini-powered publisher AI, and Google Ads is expanding features like conversion-based customer lists. Political Ads Under Fire: Meta faces renewed calls for Congress to probe scam ads targeting seniors, and Washington state’s high court upheld a major penalty against Meta tied to ads. Brand/Media Awards: ABS-CBN Studios and Prime Video’s “The Silent Noise” won Best Asian Contents at the 2026 Global OTT Awards, signaling continued cross-border content marketing momentum.

In-Game Ads & World Cup Monetization: FIFA’s hydration breaks are fueling a new wave of commercials and in-match branding, with Fox and other partners reportedly set to cash in as fans complain about ad load. Regulation & Transparency: EU retail groups are pushing to exempt routine AI-generated ads from transparency rules, while regulators and lawmakers keep tightening scrutiny around political and scam ads. Platform Advertising Tech: Google is rolling out more ad targeting and shopping features, including conversion-based customer lists, while Meta expands live video ads and “AI Mode.” Sports Media Impact: US TV ratings surged after the U.S. beat Qatar, and FIFA’s ad-heavy format is reshaping how broadcasters package matches. Local Marketing & Retail Media: Albertsons is adding scripted entertainment to its retail media network, and Uber Eats continues expanding ad inventory across platforms. Public Safety & Consumer Protection: Authorities in the Philippines seized allegedly adulterated cooking oil and smuggled cigarettes, underscoring enforcement pressure on consumer-facing supply chains.