Can Brian Niccol make @Starbucks feel like Starbucks again ADWEEK’s October issue explores how CEO Brian Niccol’s Back to Starbucks plan aims to restore the coffeehouse experience through refurbished stores, a simpler menu, a revamped loyalty program, and more staff during rushes. The turnaround has improved comps and renewed the brand’s focus, but controversies persist. His $96 million pay package and company-jet commute drew criticism. Starbucks has closed hundreds of stores, cut thousands of jobs, and remains locked in a dispute with unionized workers. Rising coffee and tariff costs, along with staffing expenses, add pressure. Starbucks is betting that service and operations can fuel growth without eroding trust among customers, employees, and investors. Read the full cover story 👉 adweek.it/4rMELDg

According to multiple reports, @ElonMusk has invested around $1 billion into @Skydance. Musk has a long history with Skydance co-CEO David Ellison’s father, Larry Ellison, who previously invested in @X and @Tesla. Read more 👉 adweek.it/4izzrQG

Common Interest is expanding its U.S. presence by taking a minority stake in Los Angeles-based agency Mirimar. The deal will see Mirimar’s founders and partners become equity holders in Common Interest, giving the two companies shared ownership. adweek.it/4sftrzK

.@McDonalds is ending its @FIFA World Cup sponsorship after 32 years. The split follows McDonald’s biggest-ever @FIFAWorldCup campaign this summer, which the company said at the time was its largest marketing push of 2026. Read more 👉 adweek.it/47H1rf5

.@Kohls has seen a lot of change in its leadership team over the past couple of years. However, Ellie Kemper remains a consistent voice of the brand. The retailer unveiled its holiday campaign, “The North Kohl’s.” It focuses on coziness, style, home products, and low-price gifts. Kemper has been the face of the brand as “Kohl’s Mom” since March 2025. Read more 👉 adweek.it/4k7QQ4a

BREAKING | @WPP has retained @CocaCola's global media account and @Omnicom has won its North American business after two separate competitive reviews and weeks of speculation. Read more 👉 adweek.it/4Bn57QA

.@99RanchMarket is expanding as Asian food grows in popularity. To connect with shoppers, the chain launched its first cookbook, Did You Eat Yet?, featuring 88 recipes and stories from employees, while also investing in online sales and plans to open stores near Chicago and Phoenix in 2027. adweek.it/4hYRnEd

In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, Angela Voss, CEO at @markarch, and Dale Harrison, chief strategy and innovation officer at @The__IC, challenge conventional marketing wisdom and explore why broad, consistent reach is essential to driving market share growth. adweek.it/4eoJA06

EXCLUSIVE | @DentsuCRTV will lead @Diageo_NA's U.S. trade and shopper marketing. The deal expands a 25-year relationship and brings work from multiple agencies under Dentsu. The agency will help shape strategy, experiences, and build on more than 100,000 events it has already delivered for Diageo. adweek.it/3Uc9E7J

AI can forecast your pipeline. It still can’t tell you how to defuse a toddler’s tantrum. We asked marketers, operators, and execs what data point they wish AI could give them about their life. Presented by Treasure AI.

In this week’s On Background, ADWEEK’s @MarkStenberg3 discusses a live interview with Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated actress created by @Particle6P, at the @ANAmarketers conference in Orlando. The conversation with Norwood and Particle6 executive creative director Sarina Da Costa Gomez explores the technology’s capabilities, limitations, and potential impact on advertising and entertainment. Read more 👉 adweek.it/4iz9fpj

After a long hiatus, daily ratings for @CNN, @FoxNews, and @MSNOWNews are returning to TVNewser today. The updated ratings will use interactive charts to show total viewership and the Adults 25–54 demo in a clearer, more user-friendly format. adweek.it/4jzz7CA

Advertisers have had their issues with @Meta’s AI features for a long time. What appears to be more recent developments are Meta’s AI making enhancements without being asked, and the liability for any inaccuracies landing on the advertiser. adweek.it/488Ta3H

.@Walmart is opening its shopping platform to AI agents through a new portal and beta Agent Gateway, which uses the Model Context Protocol to help agents shop efficiently without accessing customers’ personal information or purchase histories. adweek.it/4k9zNyz

.@Meta reported third-quarter ad revenue of $63.1 billion, up 26% year over year, as impressions rose 10% and average ad prices increased 14%. AI improvements boosted engagement and ad performance, with Meta’s GEM model increasing conversions by 1.7% for off-site campaigns and 9.6% for app ads. adweek.it/4jCiBSf

.@PublicisGroupe has appointed Scott Hagedorn as Marcel’s first CEO as it expands the AI platform into a client-facing tool used by thousands of employees for more than 90 clients. Hagedorn, who joined Publicis in 2022, will lead the effort with Sam Levine Archer, Marcel’s new chief strategy officer. adweek.it/4zHTsu1

Some stories are worth telling twice. Welcome to our new series, where we dig through the archives and share the stories with you! Our first stop is summer 2006 when fans spoofed the Snakes on a Plane trailer, and @NewLineCinema did the smartest thing they could do: nothing.

.@LePub_worldwide has hired Shannon Nunn to lead its New York office as CEO. He will oversee the LePub’s operations across the US, reporting to Susie Nam, CEO of Publicis Creative US, and Bruno Bertelli, global CEO and CCO of LePub Worldwide. Read more 👉 adweek.it/4BmNpgg

.@PPFA has a lot to navigate between defunding, reproductive rights rollbacks, and more. While navigating that, the organization's social team has to share important information while breaking through the feed. Their way in? Ensuring they focus on values-driven content.