Agency Pitch Reality Check: Campaign Asia-Pacific and MediaSense are launching “Inside the Pitch 2026” in Southeast Asia, using anonymous surveys to pressure-test how often pitches pay up, how often ideas leak, and whether AI is a real differentiator or just a checkbox. Marketing Budgets Under Pressure: Telstra cut advertising spend for a second straight year, trimming “promotion and advertising” by 6.6% as it reshuffles marketing leadership. Retail Media Momentum: Wickes is being spotlighted for turning ecommerce into a growth engine, leaning into retail media with its Connected Retail Media push. Digital Publishing Expansion: iGaming.com Group bought and relaunched Spain’s Relevo as a free sports site with a new editorial operating model. Brand Leadership Moves: Levi Strauss & Co. named Ashwini Ramakrishnan as brand lead in India, while Havas Red appointed Joanne Ng to lead social and influencer strategy. Consumer Culture Meets Commerce: Hershey’s “Summerween” research shows Halloween shopping starts early, with parents and Gen Z already in spooky mode. Regulation & Trust: Malta’s MFSA chief says prediction markets need “quality” licensing, while a Labour Court case in South Africa highlights how social media posts can trigger dismissal disputes. Sports Marketing Rights: Qatar Stars League ran a workshop on activating clubs’ marketing rights to attract sponsors and maximize in-stadium assets.