Written by Sofia Pizzinato

Where advertising ‘meats’ regulation: Amsterdam’s bold ad crackdown 

Amsterdam has become the  world’s first capital city to ban public advertising for both meat and fossil fuel products, removing ads for burgers, petrol cars and airlines from billboards, tram shelters and metro spaces.

The shift is intentional. It aligns with the city’s climate goals, including becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and reducing meat consumption across the population.

In their place, public spaces are now promoting cultural moments such as museums, concerts and events, subtly reshaping what gets visibility and what does not.

What is interesting is not just the policy, but where it is being applied. Rather than restricting behaviour directly, the city is stepping in earlier by removing the visual prompts that influence everyday choices. The logic is simple. If people do not constantly see something, they are less likely to default to it.

For marketers, this is bigger than a local regulation. It signals that access to paid visibility is becoming values led, not purely commercial. As that tightens, the brands that win will be those that earn attention through relevance, positioning and cultural alignment, not just media spend.

Reddit leans into discovery 

Reddit has released a new small business guide as it continues to position itself as a key player in product discovery.

With strong ad revenue growth and increasing visibility in search and AI results, the platform is highlighting how users rely on community discussion to validate decisions. Trends point to people seeking deeper insights, real experiences and trusted opinions before purchasing.

It is a different dynamic to traditional social platforms. Reddit rewards relevance and authenticity and can quickly push back on anything that feels overly commercial.

For brands, the opportunity is in understanding the conversation, not controlling it. Showing up in the right way matters more than simply showing up.

AI, but with oversight 

Meta is rolling out a feature that allows parents to view the topics their teens are searching through its AI tools across Facebook, Instagram and Messenger.

The update adds another layer to its supervision offering, giving parents insight into categories like school, lifestyle and wellbeing.

It reflects a broader shift as AI becomes embedded in everyday platform use. Transparency is becoming just as important as functionality.

In Australia, though, the impact is slightly different. With evolving regulations and platform policies restricting social media access for users under 16, this kind of feature is likely to be most relevant on Messenger, where younger users are still more active through family-connected accounts.

The balance is delicate. More visibility can build trust and encourage conversations, but it also raises questions about privacy and how much oversight is appropriate.

A familiar name, a new media move 

James Murdoch is reportedly in talks to acquire assets from Vox Media, including New York Magazine and its podcast network, in a deal worth around $418 million AUD.

It signals a clear next chapter post News Corp, with Murdoch continuing to invest in modern media formats through Lupa Systems.

The timing matters. As podcasts and digital titles grow in influence, and platforms like Netflix push into video podcasts, these assets are becoming increasingly valuable.

For the industry, it is a reminder that while formats evolve, strong content brands still hold power.