In today’s ExchangeWire news digest: Publicis says it is taking market share as growth picks up in Q3; The New York Times is among more than 40 new members of the SPUR AI licensing coalition; and YouTube brings its AI assistant to Shorts in limited test

Publicis growth picks up on market share gains

Publicis Groupe has reported faster growth for the third quarter, and says the main reason is new business won from rivals. Net revenue reached €3.81bn (£3.3bn), up 7.9% on the €3.53bn reported a year earlier, with organic growth of 5%. That is an improvement on the 4.5% and 4.8% recorded in Q1 and Q2, taking nine-month organic growth to 4.8%.

Connected Media, which makes up 62% of net revenue, grew at a high-single-digit rate, while Intelligent Creativity, at 25% of net revenue, grew at a low-single-digit rate, helped by new wins and expanded client remits.

New York Times joins publisher AI coalition SPUR

The New York Times has joined SPUR (Standards for Publisher Usage Rights), reports Press Gazette. The coalition wants publishers to agree common standards for AI licensing deals. The NYT is one of more than 40 new members, along with The Atlantic, The Economist, ITV News, The Observer, AFP and trade bodies such as the UK’s News Media Association and INMA. Membership now stands at 80 publishers and associations across more than 20 countries

YouTube brings its AI assistant to Shorts 

YouTube is preparing to put its Ask YouTube AI tool inside Shorts, giving a small group of viewers a way to ask questions about a clip while it plays. The roll-out will be global but English-only and restricted to viewers 18 and over. Participants will see a sparkle icon on selected Shorts. Tapping it opens suggested prompts, or viewers can type a question of their own about what is on screen. The test will run on desktop, TV and mobile.

Alongside the Shorts trial, YouTube said it is introducing new feeds in its Android and iOS apps, designed to point viewers to creators similar to ones they already watch, related Shorts and topics drawn from their viewing history.