The LEGO Group

AI Book-Destruction Sparks Crisis-Comms Warning

Andy Barr criticizes tech developers who reportedly buy, scan and destroy rare books to create AI training data, calling the practice a major communications and reputational failure. He argues these actions reveal a lack of PR oversight in C-suites and warns the wider advertising and brand industry about the speed at which damaging AI-related stories can spread. The piece notes public reactions, including Elon Musk saying he asked his SpaceXAI team to preserve rare books, and urges companies to apply basic crisis-communications judgment when pursuing technically possible but reputationally risky AI projects.

Adweek Names 2026 Media Plan of the Year Winners

Adweek published its 2026 Media Plan of the Year awards, recognizing media agencies and brand-side planners across 22 categories for campaigns that shifted cultural conversations and delivered measurable results. Winners highlighted creative, cross-channel executions — from Kleenex partnering with PHD UK and artist Mr Doodle to drive sales, to Humana and Spark Foundry building an AI-driven system in the Microsoft Bing ecosystem to boost Medicare enrollments. Campaigns included experiential activations (Oscar Mayer’s Wienie 500), social-first debunking (Unilever’s Vaseline Verified), streamer-driven public safety (Havas Play France and Sapeurs‑Pompiers de France), and inclusive cause marketing (GMF with Havas Play France). The feature lists performance metrics and outcomes for featured campaigns and agencies, illustrating diverse tactics across OOH, streaming, AI, social, experiential, and insight-led work.

Joanna Lazar appointed Marketing VP DACH at Mondelez

Joanna Lazar has been appointed Marketing Vice President DACH at Mondelez International, leading marketing strategy across Germany, Austria and Switzerland for brands including Milka, Oreo and Philadelphia. She began the role on June 1, 2026, and is based in Bremen; the appointment was announced July 29, 2026. Lazar joins Mondelez after senior marketing roles at Unilever, a 2014 move to the LEGO Group as Vice President of Marketing for Central Europe, and about two years as Chief Marketing Officer at Swiss plant-based company Planted Foods AG. The personnel change reshapes Mondelez's regional marketing leadership and will be relevant to agencies, media buyers and partners working on campaigns in the German-speaking market. Mondelez reported approximately $38.5 billion in net revenue for 2025.