Google just killed search as we know it
Google's biggest change to their Search box in over 25 years will see it transformed into a dynamically expanding, AI-powered conversational hub, ushering in the zero click era.
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Global brands face a trust test in APAC: Why localisation theatre is no longer enough
As foreign brands lose trust ground across APAC, the winners are the ones giving local teams real power to shape how the brand shows up in market.
Spotify changes logo for 20th anniversary and users aren't impressed
Spotify has swapped its familiar green app icon for a sparkly disco-ball design to mark its 20th anniversary, but the temporary makeover has sparked a wave of backlash.
Japan and EMEA lift Dentsu's Q1 performance, APAC continues to struggle
“We focus on growing clients’ businesses and brands, not just delivering marketing services,” said global CEO Takeshi Sano, as the network reported modest Q1 growth.
Hearts & Science surges to second spot in APAC media rankings on Xiaomi win
EssenceMediacom posts the sharpest rise in the regional monthly league.
‘Programmatic has a trust problem’: StackAdapt’s Yang Han on what comes next
StackAdapt co-founder calls human media trading 'outdated' and positions his platform as programmatic's transparent 'white knight' amid Publicis-Trade Desk fee scandals.
How top beauty brands are racking up regulatory violations in the race for livestream revenue
A Campaign investigation finds that the rapid growth of live commerce is moving faster than compliance and governance practices can keep up, exposing major brands like Aveeno, Glad2Glow, and L'Oreal to regulatory risk.
Pinterest makes a CTV debut amid a performance marketing rebrand
Making the audience addressable through TVScientific is just the “first step in our product roadmap,” says a Pinterest executive, as the platform pushes beyond social.
How owned media has evolved into a must-have strategy for brands
As paid media costs soar and audience attention fragments, brands increasingly rely on owned media to control their narrative and deepen customer relationships.
Thump Media enters April APAC media rankings in second place
Starcom holds the top spot in an indie-heavy table, while WPP continues to lead among holding groups.
'People share more with AI sex therapists than humans': Bryony Cole on AI generated intimacy
From AI partners to sex therapy bots, sextech expert Bryony Cole reveals why people bare their souls to machines more than humans, and what it means for brands eyeing our data.
The $200 billion moral dilemma: Should the ad industry fund healthier social media?
A landmark California ruling and Australia’s under‑16 social media ban have forced the ad industry to confront funding addictive platforms. But will the industry lead the shift to healthier digital spaces?
Starcom tops first APAC 2026 rankings on Flipkart win, independents follow
WPP leads the holding group rankings, buoyed by Jaguar Land Rover and Estée Lauder wins.
Australian company fined for telling influencers to conceal paid posts
In a first-of-its-kind case, Australian authorities have slapped a US$27,608 penalty over undisclosed influencer gifting.
APAC’s livestreaming boom spurs a surge in international brands
As livestream commerce rewires retail across APAC, in-housing is as much about speed and control as cost. When a single Chicjoc stream can generate RMB100 million and Taobao’s strongest live sales now come from store-run channels, the question is no longer whether brands should bring capabilities in-house, but how much.
How Mastercard, Marriott and Miniso define what to keep in-house
From Mastercard to Miniso, APAC brands are betting on in‑housing for speed and customer‑centric clarity, while still relying on agencies for creativity at scale and strategic depth.
APAC's creative power map: what three years of Spikes data shows
Australia, Japan, India and New Zealand still lead but data suggests the balance of creative power is starting to tilt.
How marketers can stop their brand and budget being buried in AI slop
With forecasts suggesting up to 90% of web content could be AI-generated by 2026, media and fraud experts explain why verification tech alone won’t shield advertisers from the rise of convincing synthetic content.
Australian supermarket giant Woolworths' AI bot glitches, talks about its mother
The supermarket giant has pared back its AI assistant’s “personality” after the bot baffled customers with unsolicited tales about its “mother” and “uncle.”
Shein's elusive founder makes first public appearance amid Hong Kong IPO push
Xu Yangtian said support from the Communist Party and Guangdong provincial authorities was critical to Shein’s growth.
How Coca-Cola reimagined 'Share a Coke' to recruit 496,000 Gen Z users via hyper-localised personalisation
CASE STUDY: By trading traditional names for local Gen Z slang, Coca-Cola turned its 14-year-old 'Share a Coke' campaign into a digital success that recruited nearly half a million new users across ASEAN and the South Pacific.
PHD takes crown in preliminary 2025 APAC media league
Omnicom-owned PHD takes the top spot in the final APAC media league of the year, fending off a Publicis-powered top five, while Mindshare claws back into the top 20.
Dentsu reports record loss ahead of CEO transition, suspends dividends
Dentsu reduced headcount by 2,100 roles in 2025 and said a further 1,300 cuts are planned.
Have we reached peak Labubu? Charting the rise and fall of the ugly-cute viral toy
What began as a storybook monster became 2024's $430 million phenomenon via TikTok and celebrity flexes, but counterfeit scandals and market corrections now cast doubt on whether Labubu can evolve beyond a one-cycle craze.
Big Tech’s AI spend in 2026: following the money
A chart-led look at Meta, Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon's $650 billion commitment to AI and what that scale means for advertisers, cloud growth and future revenue models.
Principal Media: Can agencies stay objective while selling inventory?
SOUNDING BOARD: As agencies move closer to owning the media they sell, the debate shifts from whether principal media belongs in the mix to how transparent and responsible it can truly be.
Running against the giants: Can On outpace Nike and Adidas in Asia?
BRAND HEALTH CHECK: Swiss sportswear challenger On is sprinting ahead in Asia with 94% sales growth and flagship expansions, but can its CloudTec innovation and community-driven hype convert into lasting loyalty?
How Vietnam makes influencer marketing work
With some brands allocating up to 40% of digital spend into influencer-led commerce, Vietnam is a useful case study in how social platforms, creators and sales have fully converged.
Meta rolls out ads on Threads globally, introduces new ad formats
We Are Social and Meltwater data show India as Threads’ biggest ad market globally, while Taiwan and Hong Kong lead reach among adults aged 18 and over.
Inside China Speed: how Chinese brands make the world feel slow
In China, factories and feedback move together to create a level of market agility the rest of the world is still chasing.
Dentsu share slide reflects year-long investor caution, not a one-day shock
Campaign Asia tracks last week’s 11% slide against a year of volatile trading and failed recoveries, leaving Dentsu’s shares nearly 18% below their 2024 peak.
Can Heytea blend mass appeal with premium prestige amid China’s tea wars?
BRAND HEALTH CHECK: As the tea market turns into a price war, Heytea pushes back against 'involution' and bets on overseas growth to stay premium.
Why L’Oréal’s CMO is betting on startups to keep the world’s biggest beauty brand ahead in innovation
To maintain its leadership in the rapidly evolving beauty tech space, L’Oreal is partnering with startups to accelerate innovation, deliver personalised beauty experiences, and pioneer new technologies.
The 2025 Wrap: Top M&A deals
Adland’s holding groups went on a 2025 buying spree, with Omnicom forming the world’s largest agency via IPG, while Publicis and Havas scooped up APAC indies amid a martech and AI boom.
Publicis Groupe shines at Campaign’s Southeast Asia Agency of the Year 2025
Leo dominated in the creative categories and Spark Foundry swept the media honours.
Beyond the hype: Why most AI projects fail and how to get it right
AI’s promise in advertising is clear. But with a high failure rate, agencies must move beyond experimentation to strategic integration of AI and human creativity to avoid wasted resources.
Southeast Asia boom markets: How digital wallets are redefining Malaysian consumer behaviour
As e-wallets evolve from simple payment tools to integrated super apps, Malaysian marketers are shifting strategies to embed brand presence within consumers’ daily digital habits.
The Omnicom-IPG merger: Unpacking the future growth potential
The historic merger between IPG and Omnicom sets the stage for a new advertising giant, but what do recent moves by both companies reveal about future growth prospects?
PHD tops November APAC media rankings as Wavemaker, Mindshare rise and Carat tumbles
PHD climbs to the top of the table with major wins, including Marico, while Wavemaker makes the biggest leap, and Carat slides.
How Always Pakistan rebuilt trust in a taboo category and reversed a 20% market-share loss
CASE STUDY: P&G and creative agency And The Nerve crafted a daring activation that restored Always' brand perception in Pakistan.
COP30: Adland’s climate moment, ready or not
COP30 opens amid mounting pressure on sectors like advertising to reconcile their climate responsibilities with ongoing fossil fuel ties, testing the summit’s potential for real progress.
How Shiseido used Uber’s Journey Ads to win Hong Kong’s holiday skincare market
CASE STUDY: By combining Uber’s first-party trip data with The Trade Desk’s programmatic platform, Shiseido successfully cut through the holiday advertising clutter to engage affluent Hong Kong shoppers in real time.
Why AI cannot yet solve advertising’s measurement puzzle
While AI transforms much of advertising, fragmented data ecosystems mean measurement still demands a hybrid of technology and human judgement.
Drones versus traditional OOH: Is the spectacle in the sky worth it?
China has proved drone advertising can scale, with thousands of drones forming logos and animations in the sky. But as the format spreads, marketers must decide whether aerial spectacle belongs in the regular media mix or remain a costly stunt.
Inside the Philippines’ ‘Safe Sound Check’ campaign for autism inclusion
After a 25-year-old autistic man in the Philippines was attacked over noise on a bus, the Jayme HQ has launched a microsite to teach Filipinos about sensory sensitivity and make daily spaces more inclusive.
Will AI avatars boost or challenge the future of live commerce?
AI avatars have the potential to reshape live commerce by offering brands 24/7 multi-platform reach and scalability, but questions remain about authenticity and audience trust.
Spark Foundry reclaims APAC top spot as Initiative soars and OMD slips
Initiative rockets 75 places in a single month, as Dentsu agencies close in on Publicis in the top five.
Rooftop Revival: How Heineken is tackling the loneliness epidemic in cities
Heineken's global head of brand, Nabil Nasser and LePub's global CEO, Bruno Bertelli, talk exclusively to Campaign about Rooftop Revival, a pioneering campaign that reimagines city rooftops to solve the paradox of urban isolation in the digital age.
Why do it, Nike? What makes a good brand logo?
Why do legacy brands rebrand, and what does it take to succeed? Campaign examines whether the investment pays off and the steps behind a successful transformation.
Lush is still choosing brand activism fights while beauty chases influencers
BRAND HEALTH CHECK: In 2025, with most brands ducking controversy, Lush is doubling down on taking stands and making noise—unapologetically outspoken, principled, and expensive. In a polarised world, does courage pay off?
Top 10 fashion brands in Southeast Asia 2025
Adidas edges out Nike to top SEA’s fashion brand rankings for 2025.
Jordan at 40: Can the Jumpman bounce back in a crowded sneaker market?
The brand is still iconic, but 40 years on, a new sneaker culture and regional players like Hoka, Anta, and Li-Ning are nipping at the Jumpman's heels.
Publicis Groupe hires McCann talent for new managing director role in Indonesia
EXCLUSIVE: McCann and FCB Jakarta veteran Chetan Shetty joins Publicis Groupe Indonesia in a newly created role; Leo Indonesia beefs up creative ranks.
Starcom holds APAC crown as Dentsu X records the biggest jump and Zenith slips
Dentsu X leapt 36 places in a single bound, Mediahub muscled its way into the top six.
How cinema advertising is reclaiming its place as a strategic channel for premium brands
As superheroes and dinosaurs pull audiences into theatres, advertisers are weighing cinema’s rare ability to command full attention against the lure of faster, cheaper clicks.
How AI and local insights are shaping Thailand’s ecommerce boom
From billion-baht flash sales to AI personalisation and festival-driven shopping rituals, Thailand’s ecommerce sector is shaping the future of retail in Southeast Asia.
How ‘un-government’ campaigns are changing the public sector
As public sector campaigns modernise across APAC, both in-house and external agencies are navigating new opportunities and challenges to deliver innovative, relatable government messaging.
Top 10 financial brands in Southeast Asia 2025
GCash’s dominance in the Philippines has secured its spot as Southeast Asia’s top financial brand for the second consecutive year.
'People don’t wake up wanting insurance' Manulife's CMO on the art of connecting with Asian consumers
Manulife's Harshal Shah reveals a growing shift among consumers who prioritise quality of life and financial freedom over mere lifespan, prompting new approaches in insurance marketing and education.
Starcom leaps to top spot in August APAC media rankings
Starcom climbs to the top of the table with major wins, including Mars, while Zenith posts the biggest leap, and FCB debuts in the top 20.
Southeast Asia boom markets: How Indonesia is redefining social commerce
TikTok Shop and YouTube run the show in Indonesia, where brands and creators are turning live streams into must-watch cultural events—and a $22 billion growth opportunity by 2028.
Top 10 electronics brands in Southeast Asia 2025
Samsung is still king of Southeast Asia’s electronics scene in 2025, leading with a rising brand score and solid footing in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
What does ethical marketing look like when AI is in the driver’s seat?
With AI systems increasingly involved in sensitive areas like therapy, marketers must balance innovation, scale, and speed with a deep responsibility to protect vulnerable users.
Meta accused of inflating Shops ad performance to offset Apple privacy impact
Whistleblower claims Meta deliberately exaggerated the success of its Shops ads to mitigate revenue losses caused by Apple’s privacy restrictions on iOS tracking.
Live commerce set to hit $2 trillion by 2030, but brands still playing catch-up
Many brands outside China are still missing the point of live commerce. “They think it’s ‘QVC plus Instagram. It’s an entire ecosystem, not a one-off show."
Top 10 beauty brands in Southeast Asia 2025
Indonesian halal beauty brand Wardah retains its crown as Southeast Asia’s top beauty brand in 2025, narrowly beating global giants like Dove and Vaseline.
Dentsu posts revenue dip in H1 2025 as international business struggles continue
Despite solid growth in Japan, Dentsu’s international restructuring failed to bear fruit, leading to a 0.2% H1 organic decline, a lowered full-year forecast, and an 8% global workforce cut.
Top 10 food brands in Southeast Asia 2025
Thai hot pot giant MK Restaurant has surged to the top spot as Southeast Asia’s most beloved food brand in 2025, outpacing global powerhouses like KFC and McDonald’s.
AI is the tool, not the creative: Agency experts reveal how they use GenAI tools to shape modern campaigns
From the first prompt to the final cut, Campaign takes an inside look at how agencies are actually using GenAI tools as they integrate them into their everyday creative processes.
Meet the changemakers who are reshaping disability inclusion in advertising
Despite the persistent underrepresentation of disabled people in advertising, Campaign spotlights four influential champions who are driving urgent and meaningful change in disability inclusion across media.
Singapore's top brands 2025
See why Singapore Airlines continues to soar as Singapore’s most beloved brand in 2025, beating notable favourites such as Shopee and Uniqlo to become local consumers' top brand.
Havas reports solid Q2 growth despite APAC decline
The group grew organically by 2.6% in Q2 2025 but cautioned about ongoing headwinds in the APAC region and geopolitical uncertainties.
How brands can authentically engage with Philippines’ gaming culture
As gaming and esports culture explode across the Philippines, brands are discovering that success comes not from flashy ads, but from genuine integration into the country’s close-knit gaming communities.
Vietnam's top brands 2025
Vietnam’s 2025 brand landscape is dominated by tech giant Samsung, which outperforms rivals across customer service, loyalty, and purchase frequency to take the crown.
The Philippines' top 50 brands 2025
Electronics, digital wallets, tech, and ecommerce giants—discover which brands topped Filipino consumers’ preferences in our latest research with Pureprofile.
ColdplayGate and the ethics of reactive marketing
ColdplayGate had the internet talking—and brands joining in. Campaign asks the industry if this is bold marketing or just a tasteless grab for clicks? Where's the line now?
Spark Foundry races to top spot in July APAC media rankings
Dentsu's Carat moves up to second place as WPP’s EssenceMediacom drops out of the top 20, while Australian independents Avenue C and Ryvalmedia make a debut.
Indonesia's top 50 brands 2025
See why Samsung claims the top spot as Indonesia’s most beloved brand and scores highest on awareness, touchpoints, and CX in Campaign Asia-Pacific’s exclusive Southeast Asia brand ranking.
Red Bull gives you wings but can it keep flying high with a health-conscious generation?
BRAND HEALTH CHECK: As clean-living youth gain buying power, the adrenaline-powered brand must find a way to stay wired to the next generation without losing its edge.
Cannes Lions, AI, and the integrity reckoning
The first ever Cannes Lions Grand Prix withdrawal for AI misuse signals a watershed moment, but is this just the beginning of a much bigger reckoning for marketing in the AI age?
Macau considers full ban on gambling advertising
Macau’s government has opened a 30-day consultation on a proposed law that would ban all gambling advertising citywide.
Malaysia's top 50 brands 2025
See why Watsons topped Malaysia’s favourite brands in 2025, surpassing Uniqlo and Apple through unmatched customer loyalty and a strong nationwide presence.
HSBC celebrates 160 years with vibrant murals across Hong Kong’s 18 districts
INSPIRATION STATION: Hong Kong’s streets are coming alive with 18 colourful murals commissioned by HSBC with Grey Hong Kong, celebrating the city’s heritage and community as part of its 160th anniversary.
Thailand's Top 50 brands 2025
See why Lazada tops the list in Thailand and explore the rising challengers shaking up the rankings in Campaign’s regional research with Pureprofile.
Preparing for the open agentic web: What brands need to know
As AI agents and answer engines reshape how people search and interact online, brands are rethinking web design, SEO, and measurement for a new era of dual human and machine audiences.
EssenceMediacom tops June's APAC media rankings for third straight month
Spark Foundry takes second place, powered by its Shanghai General Motors win, while Accenture Song, Assembly, and Brainlabs make notable new entries.
Inside the first global benchmark for AI creativity in advertising
As AI tools become increasingly essential in creative workflows, an independent initiative backed by Springboards has launched the first benchmark to measure the true creative instincts of large language models.
From loud and proud to lost and quiet? The 'confused adolescence' of Pride 2025
As rainbow logos vanish and corporate sponsorships dwindle, Pride 2025 reveals a new era of caution and introspection for brands navigating political pressure and demands for authenticity.
Omnicom’s $13.5 billion Interpublic deal approved by FTC with restrictions on ad boycotts
The US Federal Trade Commission approved Omnicom’s $13.5 billion acquisition of Interpublic, with restrictions against coordinating ad spending based on political or ideological content.
Why adland pros are becoming creators themselves
As the advertising landscape shifts and job security wanes, a growing number of ad professionals are reinventing themselves as creators to stay relevant and stand out.
Reddit launches two AI advertising tools to usher in new era of community marketing
Unveiled at Cannes Lions 2025, Reddit’s AI-powered tools are designed to help brands tap into the power of community conversations and real-time insights.
WhatsApp officially introduces ads in updates tab
For the first time, WhatsApp will display ads and offer paid subscriptions for exclusive content in its Updates tab, expanding its revenue streams while keeping personal messages ad-free.
Reddit: The social-media dark horse gaining momentum with advertisers
Once overlooked by advertisers, Reddit is rapidly emerging as a powerful and authentic platform that's challenging brands to rethink how they connect with audiences in an increasingly crowded social-media landscape.
Meta's AI advertising takeover: Will it reshape APAC’s diverse ad ecosystem?
As the parent company of Facebook and Instagram plans to let advertisers generate complete AI-crafted ads, experts across APAC weigh in on the potential impact on the region's landscape and what it means for agencies.
Inside Somersby’s ‘no-nonsense’ brand positioning with K-pop’s Yeonjun
Campaign exclusively chats with Carlsberg Asia’s senior director, Rommel Fuentebella, about Somersby’s new tagline and campaign, with a sprawling Asia push that enlists K-pop idol Yeonjun.
Meta aims to fully automate ad creation with AI by 2026
The parent company of Facebook and Instagram plans to let advertisers generate complete, AI-crafted ads with just a product image and budget, automating the entire campaign process across its platforms.
Why Thailand is a shining example of LGBTQIA+ brand leadership
In a year marked by global uncertainty for LGBTQIA+ rights, Thailand’s vibrant Pride celebrations and evolving brand partnerships offer a blueprint for authentic inclusion in Asia.
Southeast Asia’s top 50 brands 2025
After surveying 10,000+ consumers across Southeast Asia, Pureprofile and Campaign crown Samsung and Shopee as the top brands, joined by 48 others leading the region’s market.
Suncorp’s Mim Haysom and Leo Australia’s Andy Fergusson on giving every Australian home a voice
In an exclusive interview with Campaign, Suncorp's Mim Haysom and Leo Australia's Andy Fergusson discuss Haven, the new online tool that offers homeowners a unique way to assess their property’s vulnerability and access practical resilience tips.