Fake news will be investigated by a group of influential MPs following concerns that it could become a threat to democracy. The inquiry, launched by the House of Commons culture, media and sport committee, will seek to determine an industry-standard definition of fake news, identify those susceptible to being misled and investigate how the BBC might halt its proliferation in the UK.

Some 90% of advertisers aren't happy with their current programmatic relationship, while two-thirds are uncomfortable with the conflicts created by principal trading, according to a new WFA report. The findings are based on a survey of 59 WFA members across 18 industry sectors with a total global ad spend in excess of $70bn (GBP55bn). In Europe, 17% of digital ad spend is programmatic.

Mercedes-Benz is targeting a younger audience and responding to rapid technological change by launching a new marketing strategy based on "human-centred innovation" and "customised agencies." The plans were set out at a media event at the company's headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, earlier this week. Mercedes-Benz also provided an exclusive preview of its Super Bowl ad.

The global array of Ogilvy brands is consolidating into "a single, branded, integrated operating company," according to Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide Chairman & CEO John Seifert. Effective immediately, Ogilvy operations in the U.S. will operate as one P&L. The collapsing of brands that is now taking place in the U.S. will be reflected globally over the next year.

Brian Thompson, a shopkeeper from Middlesbrough, has pleaded not guilty in a landmark case, challenging the legality of video-streaming set-top boxes that provide subscription content for free. Mr Thompson is accused of selling "fully loaded" Kodi boxes, modified with software that allowed users to watch pirated content. The trial will begin in May.

At a time when price increases threaten to derail brands' carefully cultivated relationships with consumers, how should marketers respond? A "Marketing Week" poll on Twitter reveals that 44% of marketers currently have primary responsibility for pricing, while 27% say they don't but should. More than a third of respondents (36%) do not think pricing should be a marketer's responsibility.

A petition to stop Donald Trump's UK state visit has gathered more than a million signatures (by 10am GMT/5am EST). Numbers of signatories have been rising rapidly since a US clampdown on immigration came into effect over the weekend. PM Theresa May announced the visit during her recent US trip. Downing Street has rejected calls for it to be cancelled as a "populist gesture."

Publicis Groupe has announced that Arthur Sadoun, head of Publicis Communications, will replace Maurice Levy as chairman and chief executive of Publicis Groupe on 1 June. Levy, who has served as CEO of the Paris-based holding company for 30 years, will now take on the role of chairman of the supervisory board.

Advertising will be "key to the UK's post-Brexit success", culture secretary Karen Bradley told the Advertising Association's LEAD conference in London yesterday morning. However, she gave no specific policy commitments to protect the industry or its talent from new immigration controls or Britain's exit from the European single market.

A fierce dispute between Sky and Discovery Communications could end with Sky TV customers losing access to 13 channels next month. Negotiations over money have broken down, with Discovery -- which is behind Eurosport, Animal Planet and Quest -- claiming that Sky is refusing to pay it "a fair price".