In today’s Digest, we cover Omnicom Media merging Hearts & Science and Mediahub into a new global network, a judge approving Anthropic’s $1.5bn settlement, and M+C Saatchi ANZ heading for a management buyout amid steep local losses.

Omnicom merges Hearts & Science and Mediahub

Omnicom Media is combining Hearts & Science and Mediahub into a single global agency network spanning 40 markets, in a move expected to launch next month under a new name and brand identity. The merged business will oversee roughly USD$9.1bn (£7.19bn) in annual billings. An Omnicom Media spokesperson confirmed both agencies will continue operating independently there, describing it as a reflection of the market's "unique" operating model. 

Hearts & Science Australia will still adopt the new global brand identity once unveiled, but clients and staff locally won't see any operational changes. Leadership for the new global entity is also beginning to take shape, with Nicole Estebanell, currently CEO of Mediahub US, expected to lead the combined agency in the United States, and Ross Jenkins, who oversees Mediahub across EMEA, set to become regional CEO there.  

Judge approves Anthropic’s $1.5bn settlement

Anthropic can now begin paying out its landmark USD$1.5bn (£1.19bn) settlement to authors and publishers who sued the AI company over copyright infringement. Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin signed off on the deal, taking over after Judge William Alsup, who had issued preliminary approval . 

Under the settlement, believed to be the largest in US copyright law history, rights holders will receive $3,000 (£2,370) per work across an estimated 500,000 works. Yet many authors and creators remain unconvinced it represents a genuine win, largely because of how the underlying legal question was resolved.

M+C Saatchi ANZ heads for management buyout 

M+C Saatchi has signed heads of terms for a management buyout of its Australia and New Zealand business, with completion expected in October and backing from growth investment firm Parc. The buyout is led by chief executive Dani Bassil, alongside chief strategy officer Simon Wassef, executive creative director Jeremy Hogg, chief client officer Anita Zanesco, Re managing director Remi Couzelas, and head of sport and entertainment Jack Playfair. 

Clients are expected to see no disruption, with the business continuing to operate under its existing brands and leadership structure. Bassil said the deal would let the locally-led management team focus entirely on the opportunities ahead, pointing to strong client relationships and creative talent across the region.