In today’s Digest we discuss a leadership shake-up at The Trade Desk as its CMO and other executives depart, BBC Studios rolling out an airline streaming platform, and Tesco Media pushing into video ads to blend storytelling with shoppable moments.

Trade Desk CMO and execs exit in shake-up

A leadership shake-up at The Trade Desk has seen its chief marketing officer and two senior executives depart, marking what insiders describe as a “changing of the guard” at the ad tech firm. The exits of Matthew Henick, Ian Colley, and Melinda Zurich come at a time of heightened scrutiny from major agency partners, with allegations that the company breached contractual terms by charging fees beyond agreed limits and enrolling clients into additional features without consent. 

Against this backdrop, The Trade Desk has moved to stabilise its leadership, appointing Anna Sayre as interim chief marketing officer while Rob Caruso takes charge of the Ventura TV operating system. The company said the changes are designed to reinforce its long-term strategy around transparency and efficiency in the advertising supply chain. 

BBC Studios launches airline streaming

BBC Studios is expanding its commercial footprint with the launch of BBC Player, a new streaming platform designed specifically for airline passengers. Developed in partnership with Panasonic Avionics, the service is being positioned as the first fully rights-cleared streaming platform for in-flight entertainment, addressing longstanding licensing complexities in aviation media.

The platform will feature a curated mix of BBC content, including dedicated sections such as BBC Earth, BBC News, BritBox, BBC Kids, and CBeebies. BBC Studios is aiming to redefine onboard entertainment while unlocking new revenue streams in a competitive media landscape.

Tesco Media launches premium video ads

Tesco Media is expanding its retail media offering with the launch of new video advertising formats across its app and website as it seeks to deepen brand engagement within the online shopping journey. The formats include a video placement on the grocery homepage of the Tesco app, where 65% of shoppers begin their journey, and attracts around 12 million monthly users. Tesco says these environments offer strong engagement, with browsing sessions averaging more than eight minutes and click-through rates reaching 14% to product pages. 

Tesco will measure campaign effectiveness within its own data environment, appealing to advertisers seeking accountability and performance insights. Early testing by major brands including Diageo and PepsiCo highlights demand for formats that combine brand storytelling with proximity to purchase, particularly as research shows 67% of shoppers use supermarket platforms for inspiration and discovery.