Nielsen and WPP Media struck a new agreement for audience measurement spanning TV, streaming, audio, and cross-platform ad performance via Nielsen ONE. The companies are also planning to integrate Nielsen’s insights to Open Media Studio, an end-to-end media delivery platform within WPP Open, WPP’s intelligent marketing system. “At WPP Media, our priority is equipping clients with the intelligence and tools they need to drive measurable growth,” said Nicolas Grand, Executive Director of Research and Investment Analytics at WPP Media. “By integrating Nielsen’s advanced audiences into WPP Open, we’re building a more seamless, interoperable planning and measurement ecosystem that empowers advertisers to optimize performance and accelerate growth.”

The Emmys Live Variety Special award, originally slated to be presented during the second night of the Creative Arts Emmys celebration, is being bumped up to the big show on September 14. Up for the trophy are the “SNL” 50th anniversary special, “Beyonce Bowl,” the Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show, and the Oscars.

Roku has launched Howdy, an ad-free subscription streaming service for $2.99 a month. Howdy will offer a range of films and series from Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate and more, as well as Roku Originals.

Hidden Pigeon Company has partnered with Little Dot Studios to grow the Mo Willems Workshop YouTube channel. The collaboration kicks off with a Back-to-School Global Takeover on YouTube Kids, running through August 14, featuring a curated playlist of nine videos. As part of the deal, Little Dot Studios will handle strategic and channel management to boost global reach and engagement.

Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars earned nominations in the double digits for MTV’s 2024 VMAs. Other nominees include Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx and Jelly Roll. The Moonmen will be handed out on September 7 at the USB Arena in New York City. CBS and MTV will simulcast the event live.

CuriosityStream reported strong Q2 2025 results, with revenue up 53% year-over-year to $19 million. Adjusted EBITDA reached $3 million, reflecting continued momentum, particularly in AI licensing and global distribution. The company expanded partnerships across Asia, Europe and Latin America, and launched Curiosity.

While e-commerce app installs declined 14% YoY globally in H1 2025, sessions increased 2%, indicating apps are attracting fewer but more engaged users, according to Adjust’s “The Shopping App Insights Report.” How to build engagement? “In today’s mobile commerce landscape, trust is key to lasting growth. The most successful apps create experiences that are relevant, respectful, and consistent across every touchpoint,” said Tiahn Wetzler, Director, Content & Insights at Adjust. “It’s not about speed or better targeting alone, but building real value with every impression, click and session.”’

StackAdapt has launched StackAdapt for Sales Cloud on Salesforce AppExchange, making it easier for marketers to connect their Salesforce data with StackAdapt. This new integration lets users sync their first-party data in real time to run personalized, cross-channel marketing campaigns. By combining Salesforce’s CRM tools with StackAdapt’s marketing and measurement capabilities, the partnership aims to help marketers reach the right audience more effectively.

Vistar Media, part of T-Mobile Advertising Solutions, has announced a new data integration with Acxiom, bringing audience targeting capabilities to its out-of-home demand-side platform. The partnership allows brands and agencies to access over 500 Acxiom audience segments directly within Vistar’s platform. IPG agencies also gain enhanced planning capabilities through access to Acxiom data in Vistar’s Adstruc platform, streamlining campaign workflows and improving precision.

“The Advocates with Sonia Baghdady” has been greenlit for national syndication and will begin airing weekly on major stations, including Fox, CBS and ABC, starting the weekend of September 6. Distributed by Sewee Entertainment and produced by equalpride studios, the half-hour program features inspiring stories of everyday heroes, celebrities and changemakers.

Fred Rogers’ legacy continues on PBS KIDS on August 11 with a special crossover episode of “Donkey Hodie,” where Daniel Tiger and Dad Tiger appear as puppets for the first time. In “Daniel Tiger Visits Someplace Else”, airing this fall, an episode features a reimagined “Look and Listen” song and nods to iconic show elements like Grampy’s clock and the original Trolley tunnel.

Viaplay will premiere a slew of new YA series from Europe over the next month, kicking off with “Live Life ,” a cancer survivor story and Swedish Emmy nominee, on August 28.

Over one million viewers — 1,008,000 to be exact — tuned in to The CW for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Return to Iowa Speedway. Some key highlights from the event include:
· It was the most-watched Xfinity Series race from Iowa since June 2018.
· Viewership was up +23% compared to last year’s 22nd race from Daytona (8/23/24 on US).
· Audience was up +16% compared to last Xfinity Series Iowa race (6/15/24 on US).
· The race peaked at 1,181,000 total viewers from 7:15-7:30p.

Outdoor Sportsman Group is launching Ultimate Season ’25, a multi-platform campaign running August through December, designed to get outdoor enthusiasts ready for the fall hunting season. Featuring brands like Old Trapper, Browning and Can-Am, the initiative showcases new gear, expert tips and content across TV, digital, print and social media.

IAB Tech Lab has released its Live Event Ad Playbook, featuring the new Concurrent Streams API, designed to improve monetization and ad delivery during live-streamed events. Created in collaboration with Amazon, FreeWheel, Index Exchange, and NBCUniversal, the API provides real-time viewership data, allowing faster ad decisions and reducing missed ad opportunities. The initiative addresses the rising demand for reliable, high-impact advertising during major events like the Super Bowl and the Olympics. Future tools, including projected viewership APIs, will further help advertisers and publishers prepare for traffic surges.

The SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show has launched a College Sports Series to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics. Hosted by Wayne Kimmel and co-hosted by sports business expert Ken Shropshire, the series tackles issues including athlete compensation, NIL rights, the House settlement and more.

TV agent Tyler Kroos is making the leap into management with the launch of Kroos Entertainment Group, dedicated to championing documentary filmmakers, non-fiction production houses, format creators and influential cultural voices.

Today’s Trivia Question
Which sitcom followed a family from New York City who relocated to New Mexico to operate a dude ranch? (Email your answer to trivia@cynopsis.com and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four answers per time zone.)