This week’s Media Briefing looks at the real conversations publishers are having in Cannes – how much of the AI and agentic media buzz will turn into actual money, and what it all means for who pays for the open web.
More publishers package and sell AI visibility – aka GEO – to brand advertisers.
Penske Media acquires remaining assets of Vox Media including Eater, The Verge, The Dodo, Popsugar, and SB Nation.
Croisette conversations: sorting the real from the hype
For publishers, Cannes this year isn’t just about showing up for clients and sponsors. It’s a mid‑year checkpoint on two hard questions: who is going to pay for the open web in an AI world, and whether agentic media buying is a real fix or just a freshly branded ad‑tech tax.The rosé is still flowing, but it feels like a veil over a different set of worries than in previous years. For some, the week is about cutting through the noise that has built up since CES in January.
