WPP double downs on AI: $400M investment in Google tie‑up (Marketing / Sales)
WPP expands Google partnership with $400 million bet on AI-powered marketing
Advertising giant WPP is investing $400M to deepen its partnership with Google across AI, cloud, and generative technologies in marketing.
They plan to embed real-time personalization, creative automation, and privacy‑first data collaboration into their ad operations.
European SMEs rush into AI while neglecting digital basics (Wildcard / Europe)
European small businesses rush into AI without basic digital tools, study shows
A study finds many European SMEs are adopting AI (ChatGPT, automation tools) before even deploying core digital infrastructure like analytics, document systems, or collaboration platforms.
That mismatch raises risks: tools may underperform, adoption may stall, and the SMEs might lose out to more digitally mature competitors.
Boeing wins EU clearance for Spirit AeroSystems deal after carve‑outs (Industrial / Europe / USA)
Boeing gains EU antitrust nod for $4.7 billion Spirit AeroSystems deal
After agreeing to divest certain Spirit AeroSystems units to satisfy competition concerns, Boeing secured regulatory approval in the EU for its $4.7B acquisition.
That clearance removes a major obstacle to consolidating its component manufacturing chain across transatlantic operations.
U.S. small business optimism dips amid input price pressures (Wildcard / USA)
US small business sentiment ebbs in September; inflation back in focus
The NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index fell by 2.0 points to 98.8 in September—its first drop in three months—with many owners citing rising costs, tariffs, and supply chain disruptions.
Rising uncertainty and inflation concerns suggest that macro risks may begin to weigh on B2B demand and investment.
Salesforce embeds Slack + voice in its AI strategy (Tech / USA)
Salesforce Puts Slack, Voice Tools At Center Of AI Strategy
Salesforce is positioning Slack and integrated voice tools at the heart of its new Agentforce 360 platform—integrating conversational AI across sales, marketing, and support workflows.
The aim: make Slack the default interface for AI bots and automation in enterprise operations, and strengthen competitive posture vs Microsoft and others.
Solstice (Honeywell spin‑off) to lean into M&A post‑split
(Industrial / USA)
Honeywell spinoff Solstice to continue M&A playbook post separation
Solstice, the newly independent materials/chemicals business spun out of Honeywell, plans to execute strategic acquisitions to fuel growth in its core segments (refrigerants, specialty materials).
Its intended M&A playbook mirrors Honeywell’s legacy, signaling a focus on consolidation and capability expansion in adjacent industrial spaces.
AI brands turn to pop‑ups & experiential to build trust
(Marketing / USA)
AI brands are using pop‑ups and events to build awareness and trust
AI firms like Anthropic and Cursor are launching physical pop‑ups (e.g. “Claude Café”) and immersive events to humanize complex tech, engage audiences, and cut through brand distance.
This trend marks an evolution: even B2B / enterprise tech players are borrowing consumer marketing tactics to build emotional connection and brand familiarity.
Canada’s Horizon picks hybrid engine approach for eVTOL
(Wildcard / Canada)
Canada’s Horizon Aircraft picks Pratt & Whitney engine for its hybrid aircraft
Horizon Aircraft in Canada has chosen Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A engine to power its hybrid-electric vertical take-off & landing (eVTOL) craft, enabling on‑flight recharging and better de-icing and heating support.
With a design goal of 800 km range and 7-passenger capacity, this hybrid strategy positions Horizon to compete in markets where pure-electric models struggle on thermal or range constraints.
