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Josh Brown Adds Jack Dorsey’s Block to Best Stocks

CNBC Pro contributors Josh Brown and Sean Russo placed Block (formerly Square) on their "Best Stocks" list despite past concerns about Jack Dorsey-led side projects. The column highlights Block's refocus on its core payments businesses (Square and Cash App), recent cost cuts including a ~40% workforce reduction, and improving Q1 results: Cash App gross profit rose 38% year-over-year to $1.91 billion, monthly active users hit 59 million, and hardware gross payment volume grew 13% to $61.2 billion. Management raised full-year 2026 guidance with gross profit of $12.33 billion, adjusted operating income of $3.34 billion, and adjusted EPS of $3.85. The piece also notes Block’s reported earlier involvement with a Stripe/Advent bid for PayPal, which could have strategic implications for the Cash App vs. Venmo competitive landscape.

AI and Automation Reshape Upfront Marketplace

Digiday reports that programmatic automation and AI are increasingly influencing the traditional upfront TV and streaming marketplace. The publisher cites data showing large media owners shifting biddable-demand toward upfront advertisers — Disney attributes 70% of biddable demand to upfront advertisers, while Warner Bros. Discovery reports nearly half. The article highlights industry experiments with AI agents — including a test by NBCUniversal, RPA, Newton Research and FreeWheel that used AI agents to purchase ads during a live NFL playoff game — and notes that platform-level automation from companies like Amazon and Google is accelerating the shift. While efficiency and better targeting drive the change, industry events have focused on guardrails and how much control media buyers will hand to AI agents versus humans.

Coca-Cola Launches AI José Mourinho Digital Twin

Coca-Cola launched a social content series titled “José vs. Mourinho” that uses an AI-powered digital twin of José Mourinho to deliver pre-approved, timely commentary across Footballco’s GOAL network during the FIFA World Cup. The project was developed with Footballco and GRAiL, powered by Google Cloud, and involved new audio and video captured with Mourinho to build the model. More than 200 localized pieces of content (English, Spanish, Portuguese; subtitles in 10 languages) will be produced and distributed beginning June 11. A human 'war room' including representatives from Mourinho’s camp will oversee brand-safety, scripting, approvals and delivery. The campaign highlights growing use of AI digital twins by major brands and raises questions about celebrity value, public perception and disclosure requirements for synthetic performers.