ADWEEK vs OMR

OpenAI Tests Exclusion Targeting for ChatGPT Ads

OpenAI is testing exclusion (negative) targeting guidance for its ChatGPT Ads system with a small group of advertisers, a feature confirmed to Adweek by spokesperson Taya Christianson. The option would let advertisers indicate chat contexts where they do not want their ads to appear; it is still in development and no rollout date has been announced. ChatGPT Ads, which launched in February 2026 and expanded to Germany and 30 additional markets on August 24, 2026, display beneath model answers and include image creative, advertiser name, favicon, title, description, and a landing page. Some ad buyers and an AI visibility provider have raised concerns about explaining target audiences to ChatGPT, limited placement controls, and poor visibility into where ads run. OpenAI reports over 900 million weekly users, many on free tiers where ads appear.

• OpenAI is testing an exclusion (negative) targeting option for ChatGPT Ads with a small group of advertisers; testing was confirmed by spokesperson Taya Christianson and no public rollout date has been given.
• The feature would let advertisers block specific chat contexts from ad delivery.
• ChatGPT Ads launched in February 2026 and expanded to Germany and 30 additional markets effective August 24, 2026; ads appear under model answers and include image creative, advertiser name, favicon, title, description, and a landing page.

Redefining UX Processes for the Age of AI

A Medium opinion piece by Patrick Neeman argues that modern UX inherited the rituals and business model of mid‑century advertising agencies — the pitch, the account model, the auteur — and that those habits now undermine outcome‑focused product work in an era where AI changes the cost and nature of execution. The author calls for a reset toward systems, continuous discovery, measurable business outcomes, collaboration over star designers, and loyalty to users rather than the loudest stakeholder. The article cites industry thinkers and research (e.g., McKinsey) to support a shift from deliverables and shows to durable systems and iterative user‑centered measurement.

• Article published on Medium by Patrick Neeman on 2026-08-22.
• The author argues UX inherited agency rituals (the pitch, account model, auteur) that prioritize deliverables and presentation over measurable outcomes and systems.
• McKinsey research is cited showing top design performers posted 32 percentage points higher revenue growth and 56 percentage points higher shareholder returns than peers over five years.

Reddit founder Steve Huffman, entrepreneur Ann-Katrin Schmitz, tech investor Pip Klöckner: These are the first OMR27 speakers

Reddit founder and CEO Steve Huffman, social media expert and entrepreneur Ann-Katrin Schmitz, as well as tech investor and podcaster Philipp Klöckner are coming to the OMR Festival 2027.

AI Compute Costs Driving SaaS Pricing Model Shifts

A joint study by hy Consulting Group, OMR Reviews, and Appinio, based on 4,400 software profiles, 153 surveys, and 23 expert interviews, reveals that AI compute costs are fundamentally reshaping software pricing. 80% of SaaS and AI companies plan to change their pricing models within a year. AI-native companies command a 21.2x revenue multiple versus 5.5x for traditional SaaS. Pricing is shifting towards hybrid and usage-based models, with 63% expecting hybrid to become most relevant within two years. Per-seat pricing is losing ground, though 40% still use it as primary, while outcome-based models rise. The report also highlights AI's growing role in discovery: 85% of brand mentions in AI answers come from external domains, 41% see LLM-based search as the biggest change, and AI Overviews reduce top-result click-through from 27% to 11%. Companies must adapt strategies for machine readability and transparent pricing as AI influences purchasing decisions.

• 80% of SaaS and AI companies plan to change pricing models within 12 months.
• AI-native software commands a 21.2x revenue multiple vs. 5.5x for legacy SaaS.
• 63% expect hybrid billing to become most relevant within two years.

OMR and manager magazin Realign Finance Partnership

OMR and manager magazin are restructuring their joint finance offering: the jointly operated Finance Forward brand will be folded into each publisher’s individual products from mid‑August 2026. From 19 August 2026, recipients of the FFWD newsletter will receive the new "manager magazin Finance Briefing," where the former Finance Forward editorial team will continue to publish investigative finance reporting. OMR will consolidate finance coverage within its existing Finance Journey and continue to link finance topics with digitalization, AI, marketing and entrepreneurship. The two publishers will maintain their collaboration at the OMR Festival, including the annual Executive Dinner side event.

• OMR and manager magazin will discontinue the jointly operated Finance Forward brand and integrate it into their respective offerings from mid‑August 2026.
• From 19 August 2026, all recipients of the FFWD newsletter will receive the new "manager magazin Finance Briefing."
• The editorial team behind Finance Forward will continue to publish key investigative research and industry news (Fintech, banks, private equity, crypto, family offices) in the manager magazin Finance Briefing.