3D is dead.
AI vs 3D artists, a $220M ad scandal, and why brands are suddenly reusing ads.
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Ok now, let’s get into what happened this week. 🚀
🚨 TRENDING TOPICS
**A $220M U.S. government campaign has turned into one of the biggest ad spending controversies in years.**The campaign linked to Kristi Noem is under investigation after $143M reportedly went to a company created just days before landing the contract, with additional concerns about politically connected subcontractors.
The controversy has since resulted in Noem’s removal as United States Secretary of Homeland Security. → Watch the now infamous ad here.
Looks like recycling ads might be the next trend in 2026:
To promote the final season of House of the Dragon, HBO just launched numerous FOOH ads showing massive banners of the show’s rival houses destroyed across global landmarks.
The twist? They already ran almost the exact same placements two years ago — when banners appeared on those same locations to promote the first season.
OpenAI is reportedly in early talks with advertising platform The Trade Desk to sell ads in ChatGPT: That means instead of building a closed ad system from scratch, OpenAI may plug into existing programmatic ad infrastructure. That would let advertisers buy ChatGPT inventory the same way they buy display or connected-TV ads today.
In other words, AI chat could become just another line item in the media plan.
- Several global brands have temporarily closed stores across parts of the Middle East as regional conflict disrupts retail operations and tourism flows. Luxury groups in particular are watching closely. Markets like Dubai, Doha and Riyadh have become critical hubs for high-end retail, meaning geopolitical instability can quickly ripple through global brand revenue.
‼️ REMINDER
💡 INDUSTRY DEEP DIVES
“Your Job Is Next.”
The tone around AI in the 3D and motion design world right now is complicated. On one side, there’s growing anxiety about tools improving at breakneck speed — and what that might mean for creative jobs.
On the other side, many artists aren’t ignoring it. They’re openly experimenting with AI to see where it might fit into their workflow. And for that alone, some are already facing backlash from long-time followers who feel that embracing AI means betraying the craft.
So where does that leave artists?
As Gavin Shapiro recently put it in one of his posts on AI, the shift feels similar to when GPU rendering first entered the industry. A big technological leap, yes — but in the end still another tool added to the pipeline.
One thing that keeps coming up across the community is that years spent mastering a craft don’t suddenly become irrelevant once AI enters the mix. In many cases, the people producing the most interesting AI work right now are the ones who were already artists long before these tools existed.
Go follow them, check out their incredible work, and show some love to the artists behind the renders — talking openly about something a lot of the industry still avoids.
⚡️ LINKS *actually* WORTH CLICKING
💭 ClaudeAI x ChatGPT
Since this week you can now connect your ChatGPT memory with your Claude acc.
🅰️ Infinite typography generator: An interactive tool for exploring endlessly evolving typographic systems and layouts.
→ TRY IT
📅 2026 Marketing calendar tool:
This calendar ranks seasonal, cultural, sports and commercial events by actual marketing potential. Useful if you plan campaigns instead of reacting to trends.
→ GET ALL 2026 EVENTS AS A READY-TO-IMPORT .ICS FILE
🔥 WEEKLY MUST-SEE FOOH DOOH*
Meta Quest
*This week we’re switching things up with a must-see DOOH example that comes with an announcement: Our library is officially expanding also to digital out of home work!
