The high-end, AI-powered private school Alpha Schools plans to grow from a dozen to roughly 50 campuses in the 2026 school year, its founder tells Axios.
Why it matters: While traditional schools navigate how to adopt AI, Alpha Schools has created an AI-dependent classroom model that the company claims reduces screen time and increases human interaction.
Holding companies are remaking themselves in the AI era, with Omnicom and WPP consolidating their structures, Publicis making big strategic bets and Havas pursuing a steady stream of bolt-ons.
Why it matters: Clients are demanding more specialized work without the high costs and complexities that have traditionally come with it.
Connected TV is becoming a stronger performance advertising channel as streamers, smart TV makers and retailers make improvements to creative, targeting and measurement.
Why it matters: CTV ad spend is expected to surpass linear in 2028, per eMarketer, providing more incentive to prove those ads can drive sales.
U.S. families expect to spend nearly $1,000 on average on back-to-school shopping this year, according to a PwC survey.
Nearly half expect to spend more than they did last year.
State of play: Families in the Northeast, West and Midwest plan to outspend the national average of $922 — which includes clothes, tech, equipment for after-school activities, books, school supplies and other one-time purchases.
