Today’s news covers significant developments in retail media partnerships, corporate leadership changes, and the evolving landscape of advertising and technology in the retail sector.
Publicis Media Partners with GoWit to Boost Retail Media in MENAT
Publicis Media has announced a strategic partnership with GoWit to enhance retail and commerce media across the MENAT region, which includes Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, and Türkiye. This collaboration integrates GoWit’s AI-driven retail media technology, GoWit One, with Publicis Media’s extensive regional reach and advertiser demand.
The partnership aims to streamline operational efficiency for retailers, agencies, and brands, creating stronger connections between them and shoppers. Tony Wazen, CEO of Publicis Media Middle East, emphasized the importance of technology combined with robust operational models for long-term success in the retail media landscape.
This initiative is expected to accelerate the growth and maturity of retail media in the MENAT region, which is increasingly becoming a focal point for advertisers looking to engage with local consumers.
Broadsign Expands APAC Team with New Appointments
Broadsign has announced four new appointments in its Asia-Pacific team, aimed at enhancing service delivery, account management, and sales capabilities. The new hires include Adel Dani Kabbara as regional service delivery director and Alec Jeffrey and Alexandra Martin as sales executives, both focusing on increasing platform adoption among media owners and retailers.
These appointments are part of Broadsign’s strategy to strengthen its position in the out-of-home and retail media advertising technology sector. The company’s regional VP of platform sales, Ben Allman, highlighted the importance of their collective experience in driving growth in the APAC market.
With these strategic hires, Broadsign aims to leverage their expertise to unlock new opportunities and enhance service delivery across the region, responding to the growing demand for innovative advertising solutions.
Trade Desk Reports Strong Q4 Earnings Amid Market Challenges
Trade Desk has released its Q4 earnings, reporting a revenue increase of 14% year-over-year, reaching $847 million. The company highlighted that its full-year revenue for 2025 was $2.9 billion, up 18% from the previous year, showcasing its continued growth despite challenges in the consumer packaged goods and automotive advertising sectors.
CEO Jeff Green noted that nearly all clients are utilizing the company’s Koa AI, and new product initiatives are being rolled out to enhance performance and unlock additional data sources. The company is focusing on improving operational efficiency and adaptability in a changing market landscape.
Looking ahead, Trade Desk anticipates Q1 revenue of at least $678 million, reflecting a cautious outlook due to ongoing pressures in key advertising sectors, even as international and digital audio markets continue to thrive.
Kroger Appoints Former Walmart CEO Greg Foran as New Leader
Kroger has appointed Greg Foran, the former CEO of Walmart U.S., as its new CEO, bringing over 40 years of experience in consumer business leadership. Foran is recognized for his successful turnaround efforts at Walmart, where he improved same-store sales and revamped the grocery business during his tenure.
After a stint as CEO of New Zealand Airlines, Foran returns to the U.S. market to lead Kroger amid fierce competition from major retailers like Walmart and Amazon. Analysts believe his expertise will be critical in addressing Kroger’s pricing challenges, where prices are currently 20% higher than Walmart’s.
Foran’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to reinvigorate Kroger’s operations and competitiveness in the grocery sector, especially as the company seeks to close the pricing gap with its rivals.
Urban Outfitters Transitions to a Participation-Focused Influencer Strategy
Urban Outfitters has introduced a new creator program named Me@UO, shifting its influencer strategy from reach-focused campaigns to a model that encourages active participation from micro-creators. The program aims to foster deeper engagement by rewarding creators for their contributions, rather than simply promoting products.
Head of brand marketing Cyntia Leo emphasized that this initiative will not replace traditional influencer marketing but will instead create ongoing opportunities for creators with fewer than 10,000 followers to connect with the brand and their communities.
The program launches with a campaign featuring pop icon Zara Larsson and will culminate in rewards for top contributors, marking a significant pivot in how Urban Outfitters engages with its audience and creator partnerships.
Media and Entertainment M&A: Trends and Insights for 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, the media and entertainment sector has seen a decline in deal volume, down approximately 25% year-to-date compared to the previous year. However, the sector remains ambitious, with strategic consolidation and innovative financing structures being key drivers of ongoing transactions.
FTI Consulting’s analysis indicates that while overall deal counts have dropped, the average deal sizes have increased, suggesting a shift towards larger, more strategic investments in the industry. This trend reflects a classic late-cycle pattern where capital becomes concentrated in high-conviction assets.
Despite the challenges, certain sub-sectors like live events have shown resilience, with growth noted in areas such as music and podcasting, while gaming and advertising sectors have faced significant declines.
AI Revolutionizes Grocery Store Operations
As artificial intelligence continues to gain traction in retail, grocery stores are increasingly adopting AI tools to enhance back-end operations. These technologies promise to streamline processes, improve inventory management, and optimize the customer experience, making grocery shopping more efficient.
Industry experts suggest that AI can help frontline workers by automating routine tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex customer interactions. This shift is expected to improve overall service quality and operational efficiency in grocery stores.
The growing integration of AI in grocery operations indicates a significant transformation in the retail landscape, positioning AI as a key player in the future of grocery shopping and customer engagement.
Digital Channels Become Essential for Convenience Stores
Convenience stores are witnessing a paradigm shift, with nearly 30% of foodservice sales currently generated through digital channels. Experts predict that this figure could surpass 50% in the near future, highlighting the increasing importance of digital engagement for retailers.
During a recent discussion at Convenience Retailing University, Matt Van Gilder from NexChapter emphasized that digital channels are now the primary means by which customers discover and interact with convenience offerings. This trend is reshaping how retailers communicate with their customers.
Retailers who effectively leverage digital strategies are experiencing significant sales growth, with some achieving up to 62% of their total sales through digital channels. This underscores the urgent need for convenience stores to adapt and embrace digital transformation.
New Standards for Media Accountability Emerge
The landscape of media investment is evolving, with a growing emphasis on accountability across various platforms including CTV, social media, and retail media networks. As advertisers seek more transparency and effectiveness, new standards are being established to measure performance and return on investment.
This shift reflects broader changes in consumer behavior and the need for brands to adapt to emerging channels and technologies. Advertisers are now prioritizing platforms that offer clear metrics and accountability in their advertising strategies.
As the industry progresses, these new standards are expected to shape future media investments, driving brands to focus on measurable outcomes and enhanced performance across all advertising channels.
Walmart's Advertising Revenue Surges Past Amazon's Growth Rate
Walmart’s advertising revenue has experienced remarkable growth, increasing by 46% in 2025, compared to Amazon’s 22% growth. This shift narrows the revenue gap between the two retail giants, with Walmart’s advertising revenue reaching $6.4 billion, although it still lags behind Amazon’s $68.6 billion.
The growth in Walmart’s advertising revenue is partly attributed to its acquisition of VIZIO, which has expanded its advertising reach beyond traditional retail media. Walmart Connect, the platform where sellers bid for search placements, also reported a 41% growth in Q4.
Despite these gains, Walmart acknowledges that it has a long way to go in maximizing its advertising potential, particularly in relation to its e-commerce base, where penetration remains relatively low compared to competitors.
