dentsu

The Trade Desk Reports Slow Revenue Growth, CEO Responds

The Trade Desk reported $715 million in Q2 revenue, a 3% year-over-year increase — its slowest growth since 2020 — and issued below-consensus Q3 guidance of $650 million. CEO Jeff Green acknowledged underperformance, citing macroeconomic headwinds and execution issues, while noting stronger growth outside the company’s top 500 accounts (~50% YoY) and EMEA/APAC (both >30%). The company posted $241 million in adjusted EBITDA (34% margin) and more than 95% customer retention. Audio was the fastest-growing media type (7% of spend), and Green defended the firm’s near-20% take rate versus low-fee walled gardens. Shares plunged nearly 25% after hours, dragging market cap sharply lower. The Trade Desk is reorganizing leadership, expanding retail and CTV partnerships (including Dentsu, Booking.com, Netflix and Samsung) and investing in AI-driven and agentic ad innovations.

Ex-Omnicom and IPG Staff Launch Indie Agencies

Former employees of holding companies Omnicom and IPG have launched a wave of independent agencies that reject traditional full-time-equivalent (FTE) commercial models. Examples include This Will Be Good (co‑founded by Bennie Reed, Daniel Beaudoing and Brian Linder), London’s Ace of Hearts (founded by Richard Brim, Martin Beverley and Polly McMorrow) and several small studios such as House of Rabbits, Memory and TightKnit. These indies emphasize lean staffing, freelance talent and alternative commercial arrangements (performance fees, project fees, subscriptions or equity). Some founders say their training at large networks provided valuable experience, but the new agencies aim to be “fitter for the future” by avoiding large overheads and traditional rate-card models.

BMW Group runs global social media agency pitch

The BMW Group has launched a global agency pitch to review and reassign its worldwide social media responsibilities for the BMW and Mini brands. According to media reports, four networks initially entered the review and two have since been eliminated. Existing partners named in reporting include Network Monks (part of S4 Capital) for Europe, London-based Liganova Mash for international social channels, Munich-based Lobeco (which expanded its mandate after winning a 2025 pitch), Jung von Matt as lead agency for brand communication, and iProspect (a Dentsu subsidiary) for international media tasks. The article references previous restructurings such as the acquisition of Eightydots and the creation — now owned by Serviceplan Group — of The Marcom Engine.