AGP Executive Report

Advertising Under Scrutiny: Researchers say an Israeli ad firm used targeted online ads to deliver zero-click spyware, turning ordinary advertising infrastructure into a surveillance tool. The reports have intensified pressure on the ad industry, with some firms cutting ties. Press Freedom: Turkish authorities’ takeover of opposition broadcaster Halk TV has halted live broadcasts and prompted resignations, arrests and condemnation from press groups. Regional Media: Riyadh will host the Saudi Media Forum on February 1–3, 2027, as the kingdom seeks to expand its media sector. Streaming Deal: MBC Group and South Korea’s CJ ENM have agreed to a long-term partnership to bring more Korean entertainment to Middle East and North African audiences.

Ad-Tech Under Scrutiny: Citizen Lab says Israeli firm Discover-Tech used online ad auctions to deliver zero-click spyware, with at least 45 Al Jazeera devices targeted. The findings raise fresh questions about how digital advertising data can be abused. Press Freedom: Turkey’s takeover of pro-opposition broadcaster Halk TV and detention of a journalist have drawn condemnation from European press monitors, who called it a dark day for media freedom. Regional Media Business: Arqiva has signed a three-year satellite-services deal with Gulfsat, extending its Middle East presence. Industry Events: Riyadh will host the Saudi Media Forum on February 1–3, 2027, as CJ ENM and MBC Group pursue a long-term partnership to bring more Korean entertainment to Middle East and North African audiences.

Ad-Tech and Privacy: Citizen Lab says Israeli firms Discover Tech and Candiru used online ads to install spyware on 45 Al Jazeera devices in 2024 and 2025. IAB Europe suspended Discover Tech, while Google said it confirmed the firm’s involvement. Agency News: Publicis Groupe Africa won Regional Agency Group of the Year at the Loeries for the third year running. Middle East agencies Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis and Leo were among the network’s recognized teams. Media Partnerships: Korea’s CJ ENM and MBC Group have struck a long-term deal to bring more Korean entertainment to the Middle East and North Africa. Media City Qatar says it has completed two drama series and is developing more than 30 creative projects. Industry Events: Riyadh will host the Saudi Media Forum from February 1–3, 2027; WPP Media’s NextM event is set for November. Press Freedom: Turkish authorities’ seizure of opposition broadcaster Halk TV has drawn condemnation from press groups, which are demanding the move be reversed.

Ad-Tech and Privacy: Researchers say Israeli firm Discover-Tech used online ads to track users and deliver spyware, with campaigns reaching more than 120,000 websites and 75,000 apps; 45 Al Jazeera devices were reportedly targeted. Press Freedom: Turkish authorities seized control of opposition broadcaster Halk TV and halted its broadcasts, drawing condemnation from press-freedom groups. Media Ownership: The UK is set to publish long-delayed reports on Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI’s proposed Telegraph takeover; Ofcom reportedly found the deal risked compromising editorial independence. Regional Production: Media City Qatar says it has completed two drama series and now supports more than 30 creative projects. Industry Moves: WPP Media is preparing the third edition of its NextM event, while Aleph has launched a digital marketing and AI certificate for Arabic speakers. Digital Platforms: X says it suspended more than 13,000 accounts in suspected foreign influence operations targeting US political debate. Arabic AI: UAE-developed Jais 3 adds six models aimed at improving Arabic-language performance.

Ad-Tech Security: Researchers say Israeli firm Discover-Tech used online ads to deliver zero-click spyware, reaching more than 120,000 websites and 75,000 apps and infecting 45 devices at Al Jazeera. Google blocked the firm from its ad platforms, and IAB Europe suspended it. Press Freedom: Turkish authorities seized control of opposition broadcaster Halk TV after a police raid halted its live broadcasts, drawing condemnation from press freedom groups. In Iraq, a journalists’ rights group condemned parliament’s decision to bar reporters from a session on cabinet appointments. Regional Media Business: Media City Qatar says it has completed two drama series and expanded its slate to more than 30 creative projects. Aleph is offering Arabic speakers a digital marketing and AI certificate, while WPP Media plans its third NextM event in November. Advertising Innovation: MediaGo has launched a mobile digital-out-of-home advertising platform in Jeddah.

Press Freedom: Turkish authorities raided Halk TV, appointed a government trustee and halted broadcasts at one of the country’s leading opposition channels, prompting fresh warnings over media independence. Production: Media City Qatar says its supported portfolio has grown to more than 30 local projects, with two Arabic drama series completed and documentaries selected for Doha Film Festival. AI in Media: Gulf businesses are moving toward autonomous AI agents, with Google Cloud citing workflows designed for journalists and other professionals. Separately, OpenAI says an Iran-based network used AI and fake journalists to place nearly 100 articles on Western news sites. Advertising Tech: MediaGo has launched a mobile digital-out-of-home advertising platform in Jeddah, while X14 Media and Presight have partnered on AI-powered media intelligence.

Press Freedom: Turkish police raided pro-opposition broadcaster Halk TV, halted its broadcasts and installed a state-appointed trustee as 11 people were detained in a financial investigation. Amnesty International called the takeover a blow to media freedom. AI & Journalism: At a workshop in Algiers, media leaders urged journalists to use AI while safeguarding accuracy and credibility, with particular care around deepfakes, bias and sensitive data. Marketing & Creators: Moburst named Etgar Shpivak VP of marketing as it expands its AI-led offering; Creators HQ and Amazon Ads also launched their first Creators Foundry cohort. Media Technology: X14 Media and Presight teamed up to advance AI-powered media intelligence. MENA Content: South Korea’s CJ ENM and MBC Group agreed a long-term partnership to bring more Korean entertainment to audiences across the Middle East and North Africa.

Production Partnerships: Hungary’s Origo Studios will train Sharjah Media City’s team and support its new production hub, opening the door to cross-border film and TV projects. Streaming Expansion: CJ ENM and MBC Group will bring at least 13 new Korean originals to MBC Shahid in 2026, with simulcasts and Arabic subtitles or dubbing for selected titles. Agency Business: Publicis grew 5% in Q3 and maintained its full-year outlook. Platform Rules: Türkiye’s under-15 social media ban, set to take effect November 1, raises new questions for platforms and advertisers over age checks and teen access. Ad Market Shift: Meta has barred ByteDance advertising across seven national markets, a move that could reshape media buyers’ options. Media Technology: UAE-based Presight and X14 Media are partnering on AI-powered media intelligence.

Agency Business: Publicis Groupe reported 5% organic growth in Q3, with Asia-Pacific up 5.4% and China up 10.6%. Digital Policy: Türkiye’s new youth rules, due Nov. 1, will require age checks and restrict livestreaming and screen recording for users aged 15–18, reshaping how platforms reach younger audiences. PR & Reputation: Israeli media report that a Netanyahu adviser used ChatGPT to develop Qatar-friendly messaging, amid an investigation into alleged paid influence efforts. Newsroom AI: An OSCE media conference in Bishkek explored newsroom uses for AI, including translation and archive searches, alongside concerns about accuracy and audience trust. Online Access: Social media access has been disrupted in Azerbaijan amid student protests over school headscarf rules; authorities have not confirmed a block. Media Freedom: Arrests and pressure on journalists in Egypt and Türkiye keep press freedom and newsroom independence in focus.

Media Integrity: OpenAI says an Iran-linked network used AI-generated fake journalists to place nearly 100 articles on real news sites, highlighting how easily influence campaigns can exploit trusted outlets. MENA Industry: Campaign Middle East’s 2026 Power List spotlights agency and media leaders, including WPP Media MENA’s Ralph Khoury and Amer El Hajj, Rotana Media Services’ Nezar Nagro and Weber Shandwick MENAT’s Ziad Hasbani. Marketing Technology: EgyptAir is adopting Sitecore AI to personalize customer experiences, while Lilly Israel tapped XOLTAR for a digital support program for people with Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Platform Policy: Türkiye’s under-15 social media ban is due to take effect in November, with proposed government age checks raising questions about privacy and platform compliance. Media Careers: Jordan’s JPA and MEU signed a cooperation deal to better align media education with industry needs.

AI & Media Integrity: OpenAI says an Iran-linked influence operation used AI-generated comments and fake journalist identities to pitch articles to news outlets, with some content appearing in mainstream media. Press Freedom: CPJ and 20 partner groups urged Türkiye and social platforms to stop blocking journalists’ and rights groups’ accounts; at least 1,270 X accounts faced blocking orders in September. Platform Rules: Türkiye’s ban on social media access for under-15s takes effect November 1, raising new age-check and compliance questions for platforms. Digital Marketing: EgyptAir is expanding its use of Sitecore AI to personalize passenger experiences, reflecting the growing push to bring AI into customer engagement.

Media and Politics: Hacked messages from a Netanyahu aide appear to show Channel 12’s chief political analyst advising the prime minister’s campaign on videos and messaging, raising fresh questions about the boundaries between journalism and political work. AI and Trust: OpenAI says an Iran-linked network used AI and fake journalists to place articles on news sites, underscoring the risks of fabricated media content. Digital Policy: Türkiye’s under-15 social media ban is set to take effect on November 1, putting age checks and platform compliance in focus. Gulf Media: A Qatar Press Centre seminar urged Gulf outlets to move beyond oil-and-wealth stereotypes and reflect the region’s cultural and social changes. Industry Moves: JioHotstar is expanding into the Middle East and North Africa through partnerships, while EgyptAir is bringing AI tools into its passenger experience.**

AI and Media: OpenAI says Iranian operatives used ChatGPT to prepare nearly 100 articles for news websites under fake Western bylines, and has blocked the accounts involved. Digital Policy: Türkiye’s under-15 social media restrictions are due to take effect Nov. 1, requiring platforms to verify users’ ages and block younger children. Press Freedom: Iranian photojournalist Majid Saeedi has been held without charge for more than a month, the Committee to Protect Journalists says. Media Access: Saudi Arabia is pressing ahead with its global energy summit after the Riyadh airport attack, but access to ministerial proceedings is limited to invited journalists, with no live broadcast pool.

Regional Disruption: A strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed 12 and injured 309, halting operations and disrupting flights ahead of major summits. Digital Policy: Türkiye’s new rules take effect Nov. 1, requiring platforms to block under-15s and add age checks, safeguards and parental controls. Trust & News: OpenAI says it disrupted Russian and Iranian influence operations; the Iran-linked effort used seven fake journalist identities to place nearly 100 articles across about a dozen outlets. MENA Media: JioHotstar is expanding into the region through partnerships, bringing Indian entertainment to MENA audiences. Industry Moves: Tales & Heads has been appointed communications partner for MG Motor Middle East, while Campaign Middle East’s 2026 MENA Power List features Dubai Media’s Mohamed Sulaiman AlMulla and Hills Advertising’s Sami Al Mufleh.

Platform Regulation: Türkiye’s new rules bar social media services for under-15s from Nov. 1, requiring age checks and tighter safeguards for teens. The move comes as platforms face growing scrutiny over children’s online safety. Press Freedom: Turkish courts jailed two journalists and placed two others under house arrest over reporting on an investment-fund scandal, renewing concerns about media independence. AI and Disinformation: OpenAI says it disrupted Iran-linked operations that used AI-generated fake bylines and articles to push war narratives through real media outlets. MENA Media Industry: Campaign Middle East’s 2026 Power List spotlights leaders from Dubai Media and Hills Advertising, while CABSAT 2026 closed with Dubai promoting its role as a hub for media, satellite and space innovation. Streaming Expansion: India’s JioHotstar is pursuing partnerships to bring its entertainment offering to Middle East and North Africa audiences. Advertising Competition: Meta has barred TikTok’s parent ByteDance from advertising on Facebook and Instagram in several markets, adding a new front to the platforms’ rivalry.

Advertising Rivalry: Meta has barred TikTok and ByteDance properties from buying ads on Facebook and Instagram in the US and several other markets, including Egypt, escalating the platforms’ fight for users. MENA Media Leaders: The MENA Power List spotlights Hills Advertising’s Sami Al Mufleh and Dubai Media’s Mohamed Sulaiman AlMulla. Digital Media: ZNAKI FM is expanding its Arabic edition for Middle East readers, while EgyptAir is using Sitecore to bring AI into the passenger experience. Media Trust: OpenAI says Iran-linked operators used ChatGPT to create fake journalist identities and place nearly 100 articles in US outlets, illustrating how AI can be used to manipulate coverage. Press Freedom: At a Central Asia media conference in Bishkek, delegates discussed the risks news outlets face when platforms suspend accounts or restrict content, and the need to strengthen media sustainability.