AGM Futures

NOT DONE

AGM Futures wrapped the year in London with a 2026 Predictions session that explained why next year will break from the familiar cycle. The session showed how exponential shifts in AI, attention, and distribution are reshaping the landscape, and mapping where growth is actually rising or falling across video, gaming, audio, live experiences, publishing, and social. On December 11, AGM will build on this momentum in Los Angeles with a Women in Gaming Brunch ahead of The Game Awards, bringing together industry leaders for conversation, connection, and a look at where opportunity is opening in gaming. Taken together, these events offer a clear, practical view of how 2026 will unfold across industries.

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Jason Vanderwoude, VP, Client Solutions

DONE TL;DR

In a hurry? Here's our pick of the top news items of the week.

TUI introduced new generative-AI tools that cut content-production time by up to 70% and support 30+ languages for personalized travel videos. (The Guardian)
Non Player Combat became the first fully AI-generated reality series, produced with synthetic characters and environments that reduced VFX costs by more than 50%. (People)
Five Nights at Freddy's 2 had the second-biggest opening weekend of the year for a horror movie grossing $63M domestically and $109M worldwide. (Yahoo Entertainment)

Agency updates

Our Partnerships team revved up CSR2’s global presence with two high-impact brand activations that connected the mobile racing franchise to both auto enthusiasts and mainstream consumers. At SEMA 2025, CSR2 teamed with Toyo Tires to let fans select a custom Treadpass vehicle for in-game integration—an effort that drove more than a million impressions and deep on-site engagement. The team also joined McDonald’s Canada’s Double Play Monopoly promotion, offering players a chance to win an exclusive in-game Lamborghini while sparking nationwide visibility and search lift. Together, the programs delivered standout cross-industry reach and fresh momentum for the CSR2 community.

Interesting campaigns / creative

Apple’s 2025 holiday spot “A Critter Carol” leans into handcrafted puppetry and real-world artistry over AI, creating one of the season’s most emotionally resonant campaigns. (Famous Campaigns)
“Play for Peace” by Grupo Purdy, the country’s largest automotive dealership, compiles competitive sports imagery into a cinematic call for non-violence, using emotional contrast to challenge viewers’ assumptions. (Ads of the World)

DONE Audiences

Samba TV secured up to $60M in venture debt to expand AI-powered audience measurement and real-time cross-platform analytics tools. (Axios)
Nielsen’s audience segments from Nielsen Marketing Cloud are now available across the Amazon Ads marketplace (DSP & AMC), letting advertisers target viewers on Prime Video, Twitch, Fire TV, and more. (Marketing Dive)
Uber launched Uber Intelligence, a data insights platform using rides & delivery behavior to give marketers privacy-safe consumer patterns and enhanced targeting opportunities. (Business Insider)

DONE Platforms

Google expanded its AI-powered notification summaries in Android 16 to more non-Pixel devices, condensing long messages and group chats into brief overviews. (The Tech Buzz)
YouTube added paid vs. organic performance splits in Analytics, letting creators compare views, watch time, likes, comments, shares and other metrics by traffic source. (Social Media Today)
TikTok now allows users to repost Live videos and launched new tools — including CapCut AI Lab in the EU — to enhance creator reach and discovery. (Social Bee)

DONE Content

"Die My Love", starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, became available for digital purchase and rental in the U.S. starting December 9, with streaming on Mubi planned for December 23. (Decider)
Taylor Swift’s six-episode docuseries "The End of an Era" — chronicling her record-breaking Eras Tour — premiered on Disney+ December 12, with two episodes dropping weekly through December 26, alongside The Eras Tour: The Final Show concert film. (Deadline)

Tech & (DONE) AI

OpenAI is exploring an always-on AI device powered by small local models and a custom chip to deliver real-time assistance without constant cloud dependency. (Reuters)
Google DeepMind announced plans to build its first automated materials science lab in the UK in 2026, using AI to accelerate discovery of superconductors, solar cells, and semiconductors. (Financial Times)
South Korea will require AI-generated advertising to be clearly labeled starting in 2026 to curb deceptive deepfake and fabricated influencer promotions online. (Associated Press)

Location-based DONE entertainment

Six Flags Magic Mountain filed permits to demolish two historic rides, "Magic Flyer" & "Tweety’s Escape", to make room for future developments at the California park. (Entertainment Weekly)
Disneyland announced multiple major attractions will close for refurbishment in early 2026, including "Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance" and "Haunted Mansion", prompting planning changes for off-season visitors. (The Sun)
LEGOLAND California & Florida revealed “LEGO Galaxy” space-themed zones opening March 6, 2026 with the park’s first new rollercoaster in nearly 20 years and interactive astronaut training experiences. (The Sun)

Travel & DONE hospitality

Frontier Airlines announced 23 new U.S. and Mexico routes launching March–April 2026, with fares starting as low as $39, expanding affordable travel options. (Frontier)
Several U.S. airlines introduced new nonstop Caribbean flights for Winter 2026, including seasonal service to U.S. territories that don’t require a passport for U.S. travelers. (Travel Pulse)
Major carriers confirmed 19 new international routes out of U.S. airports in 2026, including Delta’s historic nonstop Atlanta–Riyadh service and new flights from JFK to Malta and Sardinia. (The Sun)

Gaming

Sony revealed its December 2025 PlayStation Plus game lineup, including "LEGO Horizon Adventures", "Killing Floor 3, The Outlast Trials", "Synduality: Echo of Ada", and "Neon White" for subscribers. (Gaming Instincts)
Fortnite OG Season 7 rolled out this week with classic map features, updated loot, and winter-themed gameplay ahead of the holiday event cycle. (GameSpot)
"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" surpassed 2 million global sales and earned 12 Game Awards nominations, becoming one of 2025’s standout indie hits. (The Guardian)

Mental health

Experts recommend deep breathing exercises during stressful moments to activate your body’s “rest-and-digest” response and reduce cortisol levels. (Woman and Home)
A new guide highlights morning routines — sunlight, hydration, protein, and mindfulness — that support brain function and emotional balance for better mental clarity. (Good Housekeeping)

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