Issue #23: Top stories from X, TikTok and Channel 4

☕ Good morning adtech champs

Grad yourself a quick tea or coffee, here are the top stories from last week.

🗞️ Top Stories

1. X suffers biggest UK audience drop among top 25 online publishers

   Ipsos data shows X’s monthly UK user base fell 12% YoY to 20.6m, while time spent plunged 34%, the steepest decline of any major publisher. Press Gazette

2. Assembly launches ‘Assembly Control’ for higher-performing programmatic

   The Stagwell agency’s new tool applies proprietary inventory categorisation, tailored inclusion lists and brand filters to boost outcomes. Martechvibe

3. TikTok Shop undergoes third round of layoffs since April

   The e-commerce unit is trimming more staff across product, moderation and support teams as part of an ongoing restructure. TechCrunch

4. Channel 4 begins testing Gen AI ads with Streamr AI

   The UK broadcaster is piloting AI generated commercials built with to help SMEs create cost effective spots for its streaming service. The Times

5. Google’s ‘Option B’ search layout aims to solve EU regulatory challenge

   Google proposes an extra box of free supplier links beneath its vertical search units, giving hotels, airlines and restaurants equal page real estate. Reuters

6. IAB unveils first Gaming Measurement Framework

   The guide standardises in-game ad formats and defines KPIs such as interaction rate and brand recall, offering brands clearer benchmarks. Marketing Dive

7. 7Stars reject principal media trading to maintain impartiality

   The agency claims that shunning principal media deals leaves millions on the table yet preserves true client impartiality, urging rivals to abandon reselling. The Media Leader

8. Netflix in talks with Spotify for live concerts and award show partnership

   The streamer is exploring music focused live formats as part of a broader live events push to encourage advertiser and subscriber growth. Investing.com

9. Seedtag outperforms market with 38% YoY UK growth

   Contextual ads specialist Seedtag reports double digit gains across Europe, fuelled by AI driven targeting and growing CTV investment. ExchangeWire

10. John Lewis launches off-site retail media network offering

    The department store group will offer partners sponsored product listings and off site display and video ads, fuelled by loyalty data. Retail Gazette

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See you next time,

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