AGP Executive Report

Canada Digital Safety Push: Canada has introduced legislation to ban social media for kids under 16 unless platforms meet safety standards, with a new digital regulator and penalties up to 3% of global revenue, plus tighter rules for AI chatbots. Australian Media & MarCom: Southern Cross Media is cutting up to 300 jobs and writing down an old TV deal by $70m as it chases $150m in annual savings and doubles down on buying new Australian content. Platform Power & Content Risk: Meta has shut down an LGBTQIA+ hockey club’s Instagram account over “community standards,” forcing Bentstix to rebuild its social presence. Attention Economy Strategy: Antenna’s Henning Tewes urged European media groups to pool resources to compete with US giants, arguing the real battleground is attention and “gravity,” not just more content. World Cup Marketing & Pricing: FIFA World Cup ticket demand is driving wide price gaps, with resale and premium suite pricing highlighted ahead of key matches involving Australia. Security & Online Harms: Counter-terror agencies warn “gig economy terrorism” may involve recruiting children as young as 11 online, including an Australian teen under investigation. Retail & Acquisition Watch: Sigma Healthcare says it’s in preliminary talks to buy UK pharmacy giant Boots, a potential A$14b-scale deal.

Retail Media & Franchising: Vinyl Group is buying Time Out Australia and taking over the Time Out franchise there, with a five-year term and royalties/minimum guarantees—another step in Australia’s push to scale local media brands through global partnerships. Food & Sports Advertising: Uber Eats launches its FIFA World Cup campaign globally (including Australia) with Gordon Ramsay in a “kitchen chaos” concept across CTV, social, digital and OOH for five weeks. Defence Tech & MarCom: Boeing unveils MQ-28 Ghost Bat upgrades at ILA Berlin—bigger wings, more fuel/payload, beyond-line-of-sight and internal weapons stations—positioning the drone for broader global missions. Online Safety Policy: The Dutch government moves to treat child influencers as child labour, aiming to fine parents and restrict commercial activity for under-16s, echoing Australia’s approach and feeding the wider debate on platform responsibility. Media Scrutiny: Bill Gates faces House Oversight questioning over Jeffrey Epstein contacts, with Gates calling the relationship a “grave error in judgment” and denying wrongdoing—another high-profile test for trust in tech leadership. Travel & Audience Impact: WTTC warns Europe’s Entry/Exit System delays could put up to 41m visitor arrivals and $45.4b spending at risk, underlining how queue management can make or break destination marketing. Global Discovery Science (Australia angle): Chinese researchers report the world’s largest whale graveyard off Australia, with nearly 500 skeletons dating back 5.3m years—fuel for science storytelling and documentary-style content.

Media & Marketing Wins: Akcelo lands social AOR for Virgin Australia and Velocity Frequent Flyer after a pitch, tasked with social-first creative and content across both brands. Adland Talent Crunch: Recruiters warn entry-level digital advertising and adtech roles have collapsed to just 1% of the workforce, risking a future skills shortage. Creative Industry Pressure: Young Lions judges split submissions into AI-used vs not, with concerns AI “misses the brief” and drives repetitive work. Media M&A: Vinyl Group buys Time Out Australia to expand its premium publishing stack, following its Pedestrian acquisition. Agency/Client Moves: Zenith wins Coty’s Australian media account, ending Havas’ tenure. Retail & Consumer Marketing: Pet Circle’s EOFY sale pushes discounts up to 50% across pet food, bedding and toys. Brand/Content Licensing: Japan Foundation tenders a $94k PR and marketing brief for the 2026 Japanese Film Festival across five cities. Business/Health Sector: Sigma Healthcare says it’s in preliminary talks to buy UK pharmacy chain Boots, while also weighing integration risk after Chemist Warehouse merger. Policy & Online Safety: Canada’s under-16 social media ban is shaping up around exemptions tied to reducing addictive features and teen-targeted algorithms. Legal & Reputation: Mark Latham loses his defamation appeal over a homophobic social media post targeting Alex Greenwich, with damages upheld. Public Safety: Police charge Bondi Beach alleged gunman Naveed Akram with 19 more offences.

MarCom & Marketing Tech: Deece, an AI-driven campaign brief builder from Dublin agency veterans, is pitching “better clarity” by training on learnings from top campaigns and input from brands like Nestlé, Heineken and Etihad, plus strategists from BBDO, Droga5 and Publicis. Hospitality Loyalty: GoTab has acquired Fishbowl to connect guest ordering data with marketing and loyalty tools, aiming to drive repeat visits via personalised email/SMS and richer guest profiles. Brand Launch: VistaPrint rolls out its global platform “Print Your Possible™” with a “Meaning + Moment” creative philosophy designed to generate modular assets for dynamic, personalised marketing. Travel Disruption: WTTC warns Europe’s Entry/Exit System (EES) border delays could deter up to 41m arrivals and $45.4b in spending, with survey results from UK/US/Canada/Australia showing many travellers would skip Schengen if delays hit 3–4 hours. Media/Policy: Meta is again in the spotlight over Australia’s proposed news funding levy, with reports saying it breaches trade terms—fueling the ongoing fight over who pays for journalism.

Social Media Regulation: UK PM Keir Starmer is expected to announce an under-16s social media ban within 10 days, with a parallel push for tech “device controls” to stop children sending/receiving nude images—while the US warns against broad, one-size-fits-all restrictions. Air Travel & Retail Marketing: Virgin Australia is expanding its “Pets in Cabin” trial, adding Adelaide routes from June 23, after strong demand (about 1,500 pets carried since launch). Media & Entertainment: G Flip says their song “Bed on Fire” got a career “boom” after featuring in Prime Video’s Off Campus, with a second season confirmed. Sports & Culture: Air Supply’s 50-year run lands in New Zealand with a one-night Auckland show in December. Property & Finance: A report argues Australia’s Budget could shift property investing toward income over growth by changing tax settings. Business/MarCom: A new analysis backs the idea that programmatic ads across multiple environments can build brand familiarity and reduce acquisition friction.

UK Online Safety Push: UK PM Keir Starmer is set to announce restrictions on “harmful” social media for under-16s, with discussion around allowing access to safer platforms and targeting risks like children sending/receiving explicit images. Australia Big Tech News Fight: Meta is pushing back hard on Australia’s proposed news levy, arguing it’s “grossly unfair” and breaches trade commitments—keeping the local media funding debate front and centre. Regulation Ripple Effects: The UK move is explicitly being compared to Australia’s own online safety approach, while Ofcom signals it will act against platforms over illegal hate and abuse aimed at sport players and pundits. Sports Media Moment: SBS is lining up World Cup coverage with Nick Mohammed as a champion for Australians’ right to watch—another reminder that broadcast and streaming rights are still shaping marcom headlines. Global Context: Canada’s Carney government is also preparing online safety legislation for minors, reinforcing a wider shift toward age-gating and platform duties.

Social Media Regulation: UK PM Keir Starmer is set to announce a ban on under-16s using social media within 10 days, with ministers weighing Australia’s model and calls to extend protections up to 18. Local Policy & Safety Debate: Australia’s eSafety Commissioner says the goal is “safe by design” access, not cutting kids off—while implementation challenges remain. Political Advertising Backlash: Melbourne’s “Ditch the Witch” truck billboard targeting Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan sparks condemnation from Albanese and Julia Gillard, with Pauline Hanson firing back and escalating the culture-war tone. Media & Platforms: Meta argues Australia’s proposed news levy is “grossly unfair” and breaches trade rules, keeping the big-tech vs publishers fight front and centre. Creative/Production: InnerGroup appoints Neha Bubna to push AI-driven workflow and automation at its InnerStudio offshore content operation. Sports & Audience Culture: A24’s horror hit “Backrooms” breaks the studio’s box office record in its second weekend, while Australian World Cup media rules in the US remind journalists how coverage norms shift abroad. Health & Science: Australia mourns melanoma researcher Richard Scolyer, with tributes and a state funeral planned.

Social Media Regulation: UK debate over an under-16 social media ban is heating up, but reporting suggests it may not cover every platform the same way. Aviation & Brand Marketing: Virgin Australia rolls out a Toy Story 5-themed Boeing 737-800 livery plus onboard games and giveaways, extending the movie tie-in across the journey. Media & Publishing: BizWest expands its digital reach by launching on Apple News, aiming to convert new readers via a mix of free and paywalled content. Health & Science: Australia mourns pioneering melanoma doctor Richard Scolyer, 59, whose world-first brain cancer approach helped shape new immunotherapy pathways. Legal & Accountability: The federal government files what it calls its biggest-ever PFAS lawsuit, targeting 3M over alleged contamination at 28 military bases. Sports Media: FIFA says it will collect World Cup items after every match for future museums, turning on-field moments into long-term marcom assets. Safety & Public Interest: Another shark fatality in WA adds pressure on marine safety messaging and risk awareness.

AVC Beach Volleyball: Alas Pilipinas’ Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons set up an all-important final after beating Thailand in the AVC Beach Tour Pingtung Open, with Australia’s Taliqua Clancy and Stefie Fejes awaiting. Philippines Volleyball (Women’s Cup): Alyssa Valdez returned to the national team to lead Alas Pilipinas to a straight-sets win over Uzbekistan in Pool A, with Niña Ytang and Ces Molina also starring. Workplace & Education: In Victoria, AEU members will vote on whether to accept a state government in-principle deal, as internal opponents accuse union officials of pushing it through too fast. Health Tech: Heartcare Sydney says it has installed Sydney’s first GE Vivid Pioneer for faster, clearer cardiac ultrasound assessments at Westmead. Public Safety: Sydney police investigate a Bondi Road assault after a man was taken to hospital in serious condition. Crime & Security: Sydney’s gang violence escalates again as police hunt a gunman after shots were fired at a funeral venue linked to Lorenzo Lemalu. Sports (World Cup build-up): Australia’s Socceroos face fresh noise ahead of the tournament, while Paraguay’s Julio Enciso is in doubt after injury in a warm-up. Environment: Greater glider nesting boxes are showing early success, with an ecologist reporting tears after a glider used a replacement nest. MarCom/Media Policy: Meta pushes back on Australia’s push to make tech giants pay for news, calling it unfair.

Digital Safety & Policy: Bangladesh’s Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon says digital security now matters more than border security, urging an action plan to tackle AI-driven fake news and cyber risks. Media Regulation Debate: The UK is considering extending under-16 social media restrictions to gaming platforms like Fortnite and Roblox, reigniting the “ban vs parenting” argument. Australian Shark Tragedy: A 35-year-old spearfisher died after a shark attack near Michaelmas Island, the third fatal shark incident in Western Australia in four weeks, prompting renewed caution and closures. Biosecurity & Advertising/Commerce: Australia seized 100,000 illegal exotic cockroaches worth about $140,800 from a breeder in NSW, warning pet owners to use legal alternatives. Sports & Brand Moments: Paraguay sent off its World Cup squad with a fireworks-filled 4-0 win over Nicaragua, but star Julio Enciso was injured ahead of the opener. Sports Media/Cricket: Suryakumar Yadav reacted after being dropped from India’s T20I captaincy, wishing the “highly skilled” squad well.

Trans-Tasman Politics & Business: Prime ministers Christopher Luxon and Anthony Albanese held joint media appearances in Queensland and Noosa, pushing “seamless economic integration” and reforms with business leaders as they respond to a “volatile world.” Defence & Procurement: The US approved a $1.5b sale of five Seahawk maritime helicopters to New Zealand, boosting Wellington’s push to nearly double defence spending. Media, Marketing & Platforms: Meta again attacked Australia’s proposed news bargaining/tax plan as “grossly unfair” and a potential breach of a US free trade deal. Sport & Community: The AFL and Hawthorn condemned “vile and appalling” racist abuse aimed at Mabior Chol, while Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham apologised after an “embarrassing” Super Rugby loss. Tech & AI in Education: China warned about fake “gaokao” question leaks and “AI predicted” exam claims as generative tools enter exam prep. Streaming & Content: Hulu’s new Mindy Kaling comedy “Not Suitable for Work” hit No.1 on Hulu and topped Disney+ in Australia/NZ. Branding in Sport: Melbourne’s new BBL team name debate heats up, with “Rangers,” “Magic” and “Blazers” floated and “Bushrangers” rejected.

Big Tech & News Bargaining: Meta is pushing back hard on Australia’s proposed “news tax”/bargaining model, calling it “grossly unfair” and alleging it breaches a US free-trade deal. Public Sector Procurement: The Albanese government is reviewing KPMG contracts after a whistleblower-driven data misuse scandal; KPMG says its internal probe “fell short,” while regulators move in. Cybersecurity & Telco: SK Telecom joins Anthropic’s Project Glasswing, using Claude Mythos to spot software vulnerabilities ahead of attacks, after a major USIM breach. Media & Entertainment: Married at First Sight Australia faces fresh safety scrutiny as a missing producer is reported missing for two weeks, while former cast and experts warn the format can mainstream harmful misogynistic stereotypes. Sports & Comms: EA SPORTS FC brings back the Socceroos with full licensing after a three-year gap, boosting digital fan engagement. Youth Social Media Rules: Indonesia drafts standardized plain packaging for cigarettes/e-cigarettes to curb youth smoking, while multiple countries tighten under-16 social media access—Japan is considering age verification without a blanket ban. Brand/Trade: The Australian Fashion Council and NSW Government launch a major Paris Fashion Week showroom push for up to 15 designers.

Housing Policy Clarification: One Nation has been forced to walk back comments after Barnaby Joyce initially suggested permanent residents could be forced to sell their homes, then corrected himself following internal checks; Pauline Hanson says the policy targets foreign owners/temporary visa holders, giving them two years to sell. Scam Pressure on Consumers: Scamwatch data shows Australians lost $248.3m in the first three months of 2026, with online scams driving the biggest losses despite a drop in reports and losses year-on-year. Cybersecurity & Devices: A regulatory gap means outbound DDoS traffic from compromised home devices isn’t clearly covered by duties across the access supply chain, leaving a major risk open. Media & Streaming Leadership: BBC Studios appoints Liz Baldwin to lead streaming and channels across Australia and New Zealand, signalling continued expansion of BritBox and linear BBC-branded services. Social Media Safety Fight: eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant calls the under-16s social media ban a “very blunt force approach” and questions whether regulators have the tools to make it work. Trade & Agriculture: China is set to apply a 55% tariff on Australian beef after quotas are reached, threatening margins for exporters.

Meta News Levy Clash: Meta says Australia’s proposed news bargaining tax breaches a US free trade deal, calling it “grossly unfair” as the government pushes big-tech payments for journalism. Five Eyes Security: Australia and allies warn China is using LinkedIn and fake job ads to recruit spies, with AI helping flood platforms. Bondi Hero Charged: Ahmed al-Ahmed, hailed for disarming a Bondi Beach attacker, has been charged with assaulting his father; he denies the claims. Streaming & Rights: UFC and Paramount expand Canada rights so numbered-event main cards move to Paramount+ from 2027, aligning with Australia in the broader multi-territory deal. Sports Media Governance: Football Australia’s AGM is described as a “smoke-and-mirrors” affair amid scrutiny of losses, debts and governance. Entertainment Marketing: Prime Video’s teen romance Off Campus is renewed for Season 2, shifting focus to new lead couple Dean and Allie. Climate & Tourism Messaging: Alpine resorts post early snow hype, but forecasters warn El Niño could mean a drier, warmer winter and thinner snow cover.

Media & Policy Clash: Meta escalated its fight with Australia over the proposed “news bargaining” laws, calling them “grossly unfair” and “indefensible,” and warning the 2.25% revenue levy would breach the US-Australia free trade deal. Streaming & Advertising: Nine’s Stan will launch an ad-supported tier, “Basic with Ads,” at $9.99/month, aiming to broaden brand reach while backing Australian content. Creative Ops in-house: 7-Eleven Australia created an in-house agency, The Corner Shop, led by Hugh Miller, debuting a coffee campaign across POS, OOH and longer-form. Security & Comms: ASIO and Five Eyes warned Chinese spies are using LinkedIn/Indeed-style job ads to recruit targets and steal sensitive defence and government information. Tech Expansion: Anthropic is hiring for a Singapore presence, including finance, product support and an economist role focused on AI’s economic impact. Sports Media Moment: Stan’s rival? Not—cricket: Tim David’s viral cigar celebration at RCB’s IPL win sparked debate, with no clear rule breach. Community Radio Milestone: Canberra’s 2XX marks 50 years with a new CMAG exhibition spotlighting how community broadcasting shaped local voices.

Social Media Rules: Sweden’s public health commission backs a minimum age of 15 for social media, with verification and a proposed start date of Jan 1, 2028—adding to the global push after Australia’s under-16 ban. Platform Safety Debate: The UN and child-safety experts keep warning that age limits alone won’t fix online harms, shifting focus to safer platform design. Cricket Business Fallout: NSW, SA and Queensland have asked Cricket Australia to meet over Cricket Victoria’s plan to merge Melbourne Stars and Renegades and sell a second BBL licence—while the ACA says it’s creating confusion ahead of privatisation. Media & Sports Pay: Wimbledon is preparing for possible player protests over prize-money share, after French Open tensions over revenue splits. Brand/Comms Partnerships: Haier confirms as Official Partner of Roland-Garros 2026, while GreenRow teams with the New York Botanical Garden for a sustainable home textiles collection. Local Media Tech: Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland apologise after app and online banking outages hit customers. Royal Privacy: An Australian man has been banned from approaching Norwegian Princess Ingrid Alexandra for two years after sending a card.