In today’s Digest, we cover WPP striking a USD$400m AI deal with Google, Spotify partnering with Netflix on video podcasts, and Google offering search fixes as an EU fine looms.

WPP strikes $400m AI deal with Google

WPP has announced a five-year strategic partnership with Google, committing USD$400m (£296m) to integrate Google’s advanced artificial intelligence technologies across its global operations. The deal, finalised in Mountain View, California, marks the first major initiative under WPP’s new CEO Cindy Rose, formerly head of Microsoft UK.

Under the agreement, WPP will embed Google’s AI tools including the Gemini language model and the Veo video generation platform into its client offerings. These technologies will enable WPP agencies to deliver highly personalised, real-time marketing campaigns at scale. The investment will be channeled into WPP Open, the company’s proprietary AI-powered marketing platform, accelerating its mission to infuse AI across creative, production, media, experience, and commerce. 

The alliance also deepens WPP’s research ties with Google, allowing for preferred access to advanced AI models and datasets. These resources will be integrated directly into WPP Open, empowering the company to build bespoke audience models and activate highly customised campaigns across all media channels, including Google Ad Platforms.

Spotify partners with Netflix on video podcasts

Spotify has announced a multi-year partnership with Netflix to distribute select video podcasts on the streaming giant’s platform beginning in early 2026. The collaboration marks Netflix’s first significant foray into podcasting and reflects Spotify’s deepening investment in video content as part of its evolving media strategy.

The deal will bring 16 curated shows from Spotify Studios and The Ringer to Netflix, spanning genres such as sports, culture, lifestyle, and true crime. The lineup includes nine sports podcasts, five focused on culture and lifestyle, and two true crime series. The partnership arrives amid Spotify’s aggressive push into video podcasting, which began with the rollout of creator tools enabling video uploads and monetisation. 

Google offers search fix as EU line looms

Alphabet’s Google has submitted a fresh round of concessions to European regulators in an effort to sidestep a looming antitrust fine under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The tech giant’s latest proposal, seen by Reuters, outlines significant changes to its search results presentation, aiming to address longstanding concerns from rival vertical search services (VSSs) and price comparison platforms.

The revised offer follows criticism of Google’s July proposal, which was deemed insufficient by specialised search engines operating in sectors such as travel, hospitality, and retail. These competitors accused Google of unfairly prioritising its own services like Google Shopping, Hotels, and Flights over theirs, prompting an investigation by the European Commission that began in March.

In its updated plan, Google pledges to provide equal treatment to third-party VSSs by allowing them to display their own dedicated boxes within search results.