Digiday Daily

September 07, 2026

For many large publishers, the court’s refusal to force a Google AdX breakup didn’t land as a shock, or even much of a defeat. After years of tough talk about “teaching Google a lesson,” several senior commercial execs say the dominant feeling is more complicated: a mix of relief that the most disruptive scenario was avoided and resignation that, once again, nothing truly structural will change.

TOP STORY

Google on Trial

Google divestiture is dead — and publishers are fine with that

Publishers didn’t get a Google AdX breakup; they got behavioral remedies, promised transparency and a new reminder that Google’s real power lies in controlling demand, not pipes.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW

Time is running out to join the Digiday Publishing Summit, taking place next week in Miami. Connect with publishing leaders from CNBC, USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal and more through one-on-one meetings, dedicated networking opportunities and cocktail hours designed to spark meaningful conversations and connections.
As AI tools become more accessible to both consumers and businesses, they are becoming more ubiquitous across e-commerce sites themselves. Partner insights from Swap.
More organizations are using AI to produce more with fewer resources — but the advantage comes from how creative and technical marketers activate AI, not just add it to their tech stack. Partner insights from Contentful.

MEDIA & PLATFORMS

Member exclusive

Media Buying Briefing: Back-to-school brand spending on TikTok rises

Advertisers increased investment on TikTok, YouTube and search during summer months – but the back-to-school period is becoming a longer and more general sales period.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM NEXXEN

Where CTV’s performance opportunity becomes clearest

CTV’s value lies in its ability to target audiences more precisely, test across more inventory and evaluate performance with the same discipline marketers expect from digital channels.

A MESSAGE FROM AFFINITY

How AI is reshaping media planning and what it means for measurement

AI is changing how media gets planned, but measuring its impact hasn’t caught up — yet.

A recent panel hosted by Affinity Global and Digiday, featuring expert voices from Affinity, M+C Saatchi Performance, Omnicom Media and Razorfish, dug into what’s really shifting in advertising because of AI: smarter briefs, emerging standards like Ad Context Protocol, and inventory that’s finally accessible outside traditional programmatic buying and walled gardens.

So, what does that mean for brands and advertisers, especially when it comes to incrementality? It means getting real insight into what’s actually working — and where AI is changing the equation for marketers.

Watch the panel

MODERN RETAIL

Brands in Culture

Anthropologie is launching Nike as sneaker shoppers increase nearly 30%

The retailer is planning a full digital campaign to accompany the launch. The first of nine styles launched on Monday, with the rest rolling out by September 21.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM IBOTTA

Why CPG brands can’t discount promotion strategies

With the exponential growth of AI and the media landscape’s continued fragmentation, savvy CPG marketers are focused on connecting media, promotions and commerce to drive incremental sales.