Ipsos vs NielsenIQ

Study: AI Chatbots Becoming Personal Advisors

A representative survey published on August 11, 2026, finds that AI chatbots are increasingly used as personal advisors in Germany. Conducted by Ipsos and the Berufliche Schule für Medien und Kommunikation Hamburg (BMK), the survey reports 57% of Germans use chatbots for private matters and 84% usage among 18–34-year-olds. Around one third of users are comfortable sharing personal information with AI; 25% feel better understood by chatbots than by people and 21% assign chatbots a role similar to close friends. Common use cases include physical health, legal questions, nutrition, finance and mental health. The report also highlights persistent concerns about data protection, impacts on human relationships, and users verifying chatbot answers via additional research.

• Survey by Ipsos and the Berufliche Schule für Medien und Kommunikation Hamburg (BMK) published on 2026-08-11.
• 57% of Germans report using AI chatbots for personal/private concerns.
• 84% of respondents aged 18–34 use chatbots for personal issues.

AB InBev Launches 'Cheers to Beer' Campaign as Sales Rise

AB InBev has launched a global creative campaign titled “Cheers to Beer,” created by Wieden+Kennedy, which presents vignettes of people worldwide toasting with the brewer’s beer portfolio ahead of International Beer Day. The campaign accompanies new research commissioned by AB InBev and conducted by Ipsos and IWSR that shows beer’s share of alcohol servings rose from about 46% in 2019 to more than 50% in 2026. AB InBev CEO Michel Doukeris framed beer’s social role as a driver of recent growth: the company reported sales volumes up 0.8% in Q1 (beer sales up 1.2%) and posted a 5.6% revenue increase with 1.1% beer volume growth in Q2. The article notes Bud Light is not featured in the ad and that its sales have been dwindling.

• AB InBev launched the "Cheers to Beer" global campaign created by Wieden+Kennedy.
• The campaign features AB InBev brands including Budweiser, Corona, Michelob, and Stella Artois.
• Research commissioned by AB InBev and conducted by Ipsos and IWSR found the beer and beyond-beer category grew from ~46% of total alcohol servings in 2019 to over 50% in 2026.

Ipsos 2026: AI Advertising Erodes Consumer Trust

The Ipsos AI Monitor 2026 finds growing consumer skepticism toward AI, particularly when used in advertising. In Germany, three in four respondents say products and services should disclose when they use AI, and more than half report reduced trust in results if generative AI is influenced by advertising. While over half of the population already uses AI tools in daily life, overall confidence in AI outputs is declining and only a small minority fully trust them without verification. Acceptance varies by application: everyday uses (search, ordering) see higher approval, but trust falls sharply for sensitive domains such as health, finance or hiring. The article notes that parts of the EU Commission began requiring transparency in August 2026.

• Ipsos published the Ipsos AI Monitor 2026 survey on public attitudes toward AI.
• Three in four Germans believe products and services must disclose when they are based on AI.
• More than half of German consumers would trust results less if generative AI outputs were influenced by advertising; more than half feel uncomfortable with personalized AI-generated ads.

10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for NielsenIQ (2026-08-10)

NIQ Global Intelligence plc reported its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2026. For Q2 2026, consolidated revenue increased 8.0% year-over-year to $1,124.2 million, driven by solid demand across both Intelligence ($905.3 million) and Activation ($218.9 million) solutions and broad geographic growth across the Americas and EMEA. Operating income rose 65.7% to $65.3 million, supported by operating discipline and restructuring initiatives under the 2026 Program, while net loss narrowed to $(28.2) million compared to $(0.8) million in Q2 2025 primarily due to foreign exchange differences and income tax provisions. Interest expense decreased significantly from $95.2 million to $55.1 million following debt repayments funded by the July 2025 IPO proceeds and subsequent debt refinancings.

• Q2 2026 total revenue reached $1,124.2 million, an 8.0% YoY increase (5.8% organic constant currency growth), with six-month revenue reaching $2,196.9 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2026 grew 21.9% YoY to $261.9 million, expanding Adjusted EBITDA margin by 270 basis points to 23.3%.
• Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2026 improved to $76.5 million from $(162.2) million in the prior-year period.

NIQ Brings New AI and Automation Capabilities to Retail Space Planning and Merchandising

NIQ announced new AI and automation capabilities for retail space planning and merchandising, published on October 2, 2026.

NIQ Expands Google Relationship with Meridian Integration into NIQ Cadence

NIQ announces expansion of its Google relationship with the integration of Meridian into NIQ Cadence, as featured in a new press release dated 30 September 2026.