Livestreaming platform Kick launches ad proposition
Livestreaming platform Kick has formally launched an advertising offering on its platform. The launch follows significant userbase growth, with Kick reporting more than 100 million active users and 1.5 billion hours watched in the second quarter of 2026. This growth includes 39 million new users added in 2025 and a further 27 million added in the first half of 2026.
Younger demographics form a major portion of the platform’s userbase, with 81.7% of users aged between 18 and 34. While gaming accounts for 48% of content on KICK, 37% is comprised of talk shows, podcasts, and real-life livestreams, alongside sports, tournaments, and news content.
A total of 41,000 creators stream across the platform monthly, producing a collective one million hours of live content. Kick’s head of growth and revenue, Ryan Webb, stated that the business has assembled leading ad talent from Google, Spotify, Omnicom and Seven Network in the quest to build an ad platform that will deliver.
Cloudinary releases developer tools for autonomous AI agents
Image and video platform Cloudinary has announced the launch of its Agent Experience layer, designed to let AI agents build, manage, and optimise visual media workflows without requiring manual configuration at every step.
The update introduces “Claimable Cloud,” a self-provisioned environment that lets AI agents evaluate and integrate Cloudinary’s infrastructure automatically. Developers can set application policies and designs while agents will handle implementation and workflow execution.
The platform formats uploaded media into structured objects containing metadata, permissions, and governance rules. This enables agents to analyse asset contents, check for compliance, generate channel-specific formats, and manage publishing schedules.
Heathrow and Avolta bring back ‘Redefine Your Beauty’
Heathrow Airport and travel retailer Avolta have relaunched the ‘Redefine Your Beauty’ retail campaign exclusively at Heathrow. The campaign runs until October 5, 2026, across World Duty Free stores.
The initiative features dedicated brand spaces, skincare consultations, express beauty treatments, and interactive customer activations. It also introduces skincare brand Dr. Barbara Sturm into World Duty Free stores, along with immersive experiences from premium French skincare brand Caudalie.
Visitors to Heathrow’s Personal Shopper Lounge in Terminal 5 will also be able to enjoy a range of complimentary beauty experiences, such as an LED mask treatment from Elemis and ‘Velvet Hands Treatment’ from Augustinus Bader later in the campaign. The campaign reflects Heathrow’s long-term ambition to expand its premium retail and experiential spaces, delivering an even better experience for passengers who pass through its terminals.
AppsFlyer adds mobile app measurement for ChatGPT Ads
AppsFlyer has integrated its Conversion API with ChatGPT Ads, allowing advertisers to measure app installs, app opens, and in-app purchases generated by campaigns on the platform. More than a dozen advertisers are already using the integration to measure ChatGPT ad efficacy across mobile and web.
The integration allows advertisers to view and attribute ChatGPT campaign activity alongside other channels within AppsFlyer’s platform. It also works end-to-end with AppsFlyer’s OneLink deep-linking service to direct users to relevant web or app destinations regardless of whether a customer has the app installed – connecting the ad impression to the complete customer journey.
The new integration is now live for all AppsFlyer customers.
Amazon Ads research finds AI opening up TV advertising to UK SMBs
Research from Amazon Ads suggests AI-powered advertising tools are making streaming TV and other video advertising more accessible to UK small and medium-sized businesses.
The research found that 73% of UK SMBs now believe AI-powered advertising tools have made streaming TV and other video advertising attainable, compared with four in 10 that considered streaming TV viable three years ago. Cost was cited as the biggest barrier by 69% at that time.
Among SMBs interested in TV or streaming TV advertising, 54% said it could help them reach new audiences, while 53% said it could increase brand awareness and 41% said it could improve credibility.
The research also found that 37% of UK respondents who previously considered cross-border campaigns inaccessible now see them as more achievable, with AI helping to reduce the costs and complexity of adapting and managing campaigns across markets.
Pinterest signs four-year sponsorship deal with Brighton & Hove Albion Women
Pinterest has agreed a four-year partnership with Brighton & Hove Albion Women, becoming the first solo sponsor of the women’s team. The Pinterest logo will appear on the back of the team’s shirts from its pre-season friendly against Paris Saint-Germain on 9 August.
The partnership will include matchday activity, creator collaborations, community initiatives and player-focused content.
Ocean Outdoor retains Canary Wharf DOOH contract
Ocean Outdoor UK has retained the contract to manage Canary Wharf Group’s digital out-of-home network in London following a competitive tender. The agreement extends the companies’ existing 15-year commercial partnership.
Under the new contract, Ocean will manage 45 large and small premium DOOH formats across pedestrian, roadside, transport and retail locations, including the landmark Reuters Plaza screen, The Loop, Two Towers Canary Wharf, and Crossrail Place.
The programme will also include immersive audience experiences using technologies including augmented reality, installations and projections, with drone shows among the potential formats.
RWS announces agreement to acquire Acogroup
Global AI solutions company RWS has announced that it has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Acogroup, the parent company of language and content solutions provider Acolad.
The move will strengthen RWS’ position in regulated industries, including life sciences and public institutions, and will broaden strategic client relationships across Europe, particularly in Western Europe. In addition, it will significantly expand the enterprise client base to which RWS can deploy its AI platforms and add interpreting capabilities and create cross-selling opportunities across the enlarged group.
