AGP Executive Report

Press Freedom: An Egyptian court ordered Mada Masr shut and detained editor Lina Attalah until she pays a $53,400 fine, in a major blow to one of the country’s last independent outlets. Turkish police also detained a columnist over social media posts criticizing school headscarf restrictions in Azerbaijan. AI Marketing: Dubai agency Mutant Media launched SEO and generative engine optimization services to help UAE businesses appear in tools such as ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, as more consumers turn to AI for recommendations. Media Business: CNN is expanding its Qatar presence through a Media City partnership, while Omnicom Media MENA has turned Lebanese humour into a recruitment campaign. Broadcasting: The Netherlands will skip Eurovision 2027, with its public broadcaster citing divisions over Israel’s participation.

AI & Business: Dubai Chambers has launched a chamber-led AI marketplace, aiming to offer 100 specialised agents and help companies put AI to work. Film & Media: Sharjah Film Festival has partnered with the UAE Media Authority to support emerging filmmakers, while Saudi Broadcasting Authority is taking The 1% Club to Arabic-speaking audiences. Marketing & Communications: Campaign Breakfast returns to examine the future of out-of-home advertising, and MESTEC 2026 is focusing on impactful communication. Media Policy: Morocco is planning a social media ban for under-15s, while Iraq has launched a news-verification platform to combat misinformation. Industry Recognition: Winners of the 2026 Media Excellence Competition have been honoured.

Creator Commerce: YouTube Shopping has launched in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, letting eligible creators with 500 subscribers tag Amazon products in videos, Shorts and livestreams and earn commissions. Film Industry: Sharjah’s International Film Festival for Children and Youth opened with 71 films from 38 countries, running through November 1. Press Freedom: Egypt’s government used a conference video to warn against sharing information, a pointed message as six Matsada2sh fact-checkers remain detained. In Israel, Netanyahu’s attacks on critical journalists and election-season AI messaging have renewed scrutiny of political pressure on the press. Media Integrity: Iraq has launched a news-verification platform to combat misinformation. TV Formats: Saudi Arabia’s Broadcasting Authority is taking The 1% Club to Arabic-speaking audiences.

Election Media: Israel’s vote is being fought online as well as at the ballot box: AI clips and suspected foreign influence prompted police to remove accounts on X, while Netanyahu’s AI-generated nuclear blast image drew concern in Washington that it could provoke Tehran. Press Freedom: Thousands protested in Istanbul and Ankara against journalist arrests and media shutdowns, defending the public’s right to know. Creative Industries: Sharjah’s animation forum urged Arab and African studios to pursue co-productions, highlighting demand for cross-regional partnerships. Reputation: Israel’s global image is under growing strain; a Pew survey found a median 67% unfavorable view across 36 countries, amid criticism of its actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

Entertainment Backlash: Marvel’s planned Zodiac series, written by Israeli writers Ron Leshem and Amit Cohen, faced boycott calls and accusations of political messaging before filming begins. Election and Information Wars: As Israel heads to the polls, reports highlight bots, deepfakes and surveillance in the campaign, putting digital influence and media trust in focus. Press Freedom: Thousands of journalists marched across 10 Turkish provinces, protesting arrests, censorship and state control of media outlets. Regional Partnerships: A Sharjah panel called for closer Arab-African animation ties, spotlighting co-production as a growth opportunity for the region’s creative sector.

Press Freedom: Thousands protested in Turkey over journalist arrests and media shutdowns, keeping censorship and newsroom independence in focus. Digital Platforms: Iraq’s media regulator ruled out a proposed Waze ban, backing local app development while leaving drivers free to choose. Campaign Technology: AI-generated clips and personal attacks are shaping Israel’s election push, highlighting social media’s growing role in political messaging. Creative Industries: Sharjah discussions urged stronger ties between Arab and African animation studios, including co-production opportunities. Advertising Business: Nexxen and Brainlabs are expanding smart-TV home-screen advertising, while Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East appointed Ruder Finn Atteline across 106 markets.

Press Freedom: Thousands protested in Istanbul and Ankara against journalist arrests, outlet closures and state control of media, as Turkey’s press union says 11 journalists have been jailed in two months. Digital Safety: Google.org pledged $2.4 million to help teach online safety to more than 2.3 million young people across nine MENA countries; a related family-focused digital literacy event opened in Dubai. Political Campaigns: Israel’s election race is increasingly playing out through AI-generated videos, provocative slogans and personal attacks, underscoring how synthetic content is reshaping political messaging. Creative Industries: African animation studios urged Arab co-productions at SACC 2026, pitching shared audiences and culturally rooted stories as a way to build regional IP and reach global viewers. Media Industry: Harper’s Bazaar Middle East named Lara Akkari editor in chief, while Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East appointed Ruder Finn Atteline across 106 markets.

Press Freedom: The International Federation of Journalists backed Turkish journalists facing censorship, intimidation and prosecutions, as calls for nationwide demonstrations mark a year since a government-appointed trustee took control of broadcaster TELE 1. Platform Power: Reuters reports that US administrations have repeatedly asked Elon Musk’s SpaceX to switch Starlink on or off in countries including Iran and Yemen, highlighting how governments can shape access to satellite communications. Ad Tech: Nexxen and Brainlabs are using smart-TV home-screen advertising to expand audience reach, while Google’s updated rules for crypto ads in the UAE have taken effect. Media Rights: FIFA has opened bidding for US media rights to the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, setting up a new contest for global football audiences.

Branding: Crowd has launched a new brand platform for Sharjah Sustainable City. AI & Ad Tech: Precision Media unveiled an AI-powered platform at its first retail media summit, while HYVE launched an AI-led media model in Dubai and Riyadh. Media Rules: Google’s updated UAE crypto-advertising rules are now in effect. Media Talent: IMI Media Academy and the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation have partnered to develop Arab media talent. Strategy: A new MENA-focused analysis argues AI can produce campaign plans, but strategists still need local cultural insight to make them work.

Political Advertising: AIPAC is ending direct candidate endorsements and contributions, but will continue campaign spending through its super PAC as scrutiny of its political influence grows. Media Investment: Abu Dhabi Capital Group has partnered with React Holding to expand across media, events and communications, with plans for joint ventures and new investment. Adtech: Precision Media unveiled an AI-powered retail media platform, while HYVE launched an AI-led media model in Dubai and Riyadh. Agency Business: Omnicom won Lavazza’s $110 million global media account. Press Freedom: Egypt has referred Mada Masr editor Lina Attalah to trial over an alleged licensing violation, in the latest case against the independent outlet. Media Talent: IMI Media Academy and the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation joined forces to develop the next generation of Arab media talent.

AI in Advertising: A Resemble AI audit of ads on Meta found 8.9% contained AI-generated or manipulated media, while only 0.06% disclosed AI use. Global Media Business: Omnicom Media won Lavazza’s global account, worth about $110 million in 2025 spending, after an eight-month pitch. Media Talent: IMI Media Academy and the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation launched a five-year partnership aiming to reach 29,000 young people and build routes into media careers. Regional Innovation: Precision Media unveiled an AI-powered platform at its first retail media summit, while HYVE launched a new AI-powered media model in Dubai and Riyadh.

Airport Advertising: Emirates, Dubai Airports and JCDecaux have launched a VIP digital media gateway, bringing a new premium advertising platform to Dubai’s airport experience. Brand Campaigns: Allianz Egypt marked 25 years in the market with a campaign by McCann Cairo. Agency News: Social Clinic has rebranded as FRWD, reflecting growth beyond social media. Platform Strategy: TikTok is shifting advertising to YouTube after Meta declined, underscoring the scramble for digital ad spend. Publishing: Harper’s Bazaar Middle East has named Lara Akkari editor-in-chief.

AI Advertising: OpenAI is taking ChatGPT ads to 26 more countries, bringing the total to 89 as it builds revenue ahead of a potential IPO. Ads appear on Free and Go plans; paid tiers remain ad-free. Creator Marketing: A LTK-Northwestern study finds 91% of brands now run always-on creator programs, with the average number of creators used up 275% year over year. Brand Growth: Kantar’s 2026 ranking puts UAE and Saudi Arabia’s top brands at a combined $127bn, up 20%; e& grew 36% to retain the UAE lead. Agency Moves: Saudi agency Social Clinic has rebranded as FRWD to reflect its expansion into strategy, creative, media, technology and production. Monks has also expanded Nirvik Singh’s remit to cover APAC alongside EMEA. Media Buying: TikTok is shifting ad spend to YouTube and Pinterest after Meta barred the rival platform from advertising on its apps. Streaming Ads: Netflix lowered its 2026 advertising revenue target from about $3bn to $2.7bn, citing a slower rollout of ad products, as it restructures its global workforce.

Streaming Ads: Netflix cut its 2026 advertising revenue forecast to $2.7 billion from $3 billion, but plans to launch its ad tier in nine EMEA markets in March 2027. Agency Moves: Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East appointed Ruder Finn Atteline across 106 markets, while ERM named Sophia Sheikh to lead its Middle East communications offering. Ad Tech: Researchers say an Israeli firm used ordinary online ads to deliver spyware, highlighting the risks of ad-based targeting. Media Freedom: Amnesty warned Turkey’s narrowed media landscape fuels disinformation, as authorities step up pressure on journalists and news outlets.

UAE Consumer Trends: Authenticity is overtaking price in the wellness market, Strategy& Middle East finds: 55.2% of UAE respondents say wellness is central to their identity, up from 44.2% three years ago. Marketing Technology: Dubai-based Waslo has added website chat to its AI customer service agent, bringing conversations from websites and social channels into one inbox. Retail Media: Majid Al Futtaim’s Precision Media held its first Retail Media Summit, while a MENA CMO round table examined how brands can make retail media more measurable. Agency News: Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East appointed Ruder Finn Atteline across 106 markets; Innocean’s overseas units collected seven awards at US and Middle East advertising shows. Media & Content: Manga Arabia launched the first official Arabic edition of One Piece, with more than 100 chapters available, and Egypt introduced Chat Egypt, an AI platform for checking claims across text, images and video.

Agency Awards: Innocean’s Africa-Middle East team is set to win its first regional advertising awards, with Kia campaigns recognized for storytelling, influencer marketing and short-form video; the unit was also named Best Digital Agency. Events & Investment: Saudi Arabia postponed its flagship Future Investment Initiative conference until 2027 as Houthi attacks raise security concerns, disrupting a major gathering for global business leaders. CNN’s Global Perspectives event is still scheduled for Doha on October 29, with senior Qatari, Egyptian and international speakers. Retail Media: Majid Al Futtaim’s Precision Media held its inaugural Retail Media Summit, while Dubai Municipality introduced new guidelines for outdoor advertising content. Media Freedom: Turkey’s takeover of pro-opposition broadcaster Halk TV, alongside court-ordered blocks on reports about a financial scandal, deepens concerns over pressure on independent media. Digital Risk: Iran’s reported threats to Gulf data centres and undersea internet cables put the region’s digital infrastructure—and the businesses that rely on it—under renewed scrutiny.