Welcome to The Refresh, your weekly download of what actually matters in advertising. Brought to you by Marketecture Media and written by AdTechGod.
Every Thursday, we bring you the latest news, commentary, and memes that speak the truth about this industry. If it's happening in AdTech, media, or marketing and it’s interesting, it’ll be here.
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Accelerate your brand’s growth at the 2026 IAB Annual Leadership Meeting—where AI breakthroughs, commerce media, and cross-channel accountability reshape performance. Connect with industry leaders, uncover new revenue opportunities, and position your company for strategic growth.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan’s Big Ideas for 2026: More Superstar Creators and Transparency, Less AI Slop (Hollywood Reporter)
MINT Appoints Louisa Wong as Chief Executive Officer to Lead New Era of Advertising Resource Management (EIN Presswire)
Netflix slightly beats revenue estimates, shares slide amid bidding war for Warner Bros (Reuters)
WPP Media Lands $102M U.S. Media Account for Norwegian Cruise Line (ADWEEK)
X (Twitter) Now Prevents Grok From Editing “Images of Real People in Revealing Clothing, Such as Bikinis” (Hollywood Reporter)
Paramount Steps Up Its Game With Programmatic Ads in Premium Live Sports (ADWEEK)
From Hype to Reality: AI, Advertising, and What’s Next with David Cohen (IAB, CEO)
David Cohen, CEO of the IAB, is on the pod. We discuss a wide range of topics as we head into IAB ALM in Palm Springs. Learn how AI has moved from hype to real-world application, why the cookie conversation has faded, and what new challenges publishers, brands, and agencies now face as AI becomes the interface for discovery and commerce.
Inside Sweet Suites: CES 2026
Sweet Suites at CES 2026 brought high-energy suite walkthroughs and candid conversations with leaders from Life360, Sojern, LG Ad Solutions, and Affinity Solutions, digging into the latest shifts in data, identity, CTV, commerce, travel, and consumer trust.
Amazon Opens Its Ad Demand to Prebid With APS Adapter Beta
Amazon Publisher Services has released its Prebid adapter in open beta, allowing Amazon Ads demand to compete directly within Prebid.js auctions. The integration eliminates the need for parallel auctions tied to TAM and UAM, giving publishers simpler access to Amazon demand alongside other buyers.
Amazon says the adapter improves flexibility, performance comparisons, and page load times while keeping publishers in control of their auction setups. The APS Prebid adapter is available globally via GitHub to publishers using Prebid.js and working with Amazon Publisher Services.
Netflix Moves to All-Cash Warner Bros. Discovery Deal as Ads and Subscriptions Surge
Netflix updated its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming and studio assets, shifting from a cash-and-stock deal to an all-cash transaction valued at about $82.7 billion to speed approval and reduce uncertainty. The streamer also reported strong growth, reaching 325 million paid memberships and more than $1.5 billion in ad revenue, with advertising expected to double again in 2026.
Bud Light Brings Back Gillis, Manning, and Post Malone for Another Super Bowl Run
If it feels like Bud Light’s last Super Bowl ad aired about a year ago, that is because it did. The brand is once again featuring Shane Gillis, Peyton Manning, and Post Malone in its 2026 Super Bowl commercial, airing Feb. 8 during Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara. This year’s spot moves the trio from a suburban block party to a wedding, where they sing along to Limp Bizkit and carry in a keg of Bud Light.
The repeat casting reflects Bud Light’s continued focus on familiar faces as it works to rebuild momentum after past sales challenges. The commercial also supports a new promotion offering fans $60 off a Bud Light keg through Super Bowl Sunday via a QR code.
Stagwell Launches New Incubator to Accelerate Adtech and AI Innovation
Stagwell has launched Quarter Creek Ventures, a new incubator fund focused on developing adtech and AI-driven marketing products. The fund will take minority stakes in selected startups and provide seed funding to support product development, market entry, and early operations. Participating companies will also receive strategic, design, technology, and go-to-market support, along with access to Stagwell’s clients, infrastructure, and executive mentorship.
Chief Investment Officer Niels Laurberg will oversee the fund alongside senior leadership, including CEO Mark Penn. Stagwell cited Targeted Victory as an example of its incubation approach, pointing to its evolution from early investment to majority ownership.
Accelerate your brand’s growth at the 2026 IAB Annual Leadership Meeting—where AI breakthroughs, commerce media, and cross-channel accountability reshape performance. Connect with industry leaders, uncover new revenue opportunities, and position your company for strategic growth.
Brands and Agencies at Marketecture Live III
If you’re responsible for growth in 2026, this is the room you want to be in. Join brand, agency, publisher, and ad tech decision-makers in NYC to break down:
Where consumer behavior is moving next
What’s changing across channels (and what’s actually working)
How AI is reshaping the ecosystem in real time
What the market is signaling for the year ahead
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