"The Guardian" is reporting that more than 820,000 are voluntarily paying the paper for upgraded memberships, charged at GBP5 per month. The paper reveals that half are within the UK, half are split between Australia, Europe and the US.

Google removed 2.7bn "bad" ads last year -- up from 2.3bn the year before, "City A.M" reports.

Which? is calling on Facebook and Twitter to do more to tackle fraud and cyber crime after the consumer rights organisation found personal details for hacked identities available for sale online, as well as fake credit cards and a passport, "BBC News" reports.

COVID-19 is providing an opportunity for some agencies and will see others shut down, according to S4C's Sir Martin Sorrell. "Campaign" reveals that the founder and former boss of WPP says the drive to digital-only advertising will benefit his company but place the large holding companies in what he terms "deep doo-doo."

UK digital ad spend was up 15.4% in 2019, compared to the year before, to reach GBP15.69bn. "Netimperative" reveals IAB UK and PwC figures show 56% of all spending was targeted at smartphones, particularly mobile video.

If you are squeamish, look away now. New AA/Warc figures predict that instead of growing 5% this year, the UK advertising market will contract by 16.7%, "Mediatel" reports.

A trading update from WPP shows that revenue fell by a little over 3% in the first quarter. According to "The Times," underlying revenue was down by a little more than 4% in the UK and just under 2% in the US. China saw a massive decline over 21%.

Staff numbers at IPA members fell in 2018 and 2019, the first time that agency head count has declined for two consecutive years, "Campaign" reports.

Bauer Media is to suspend print publication of some of its magazines in Australia and lay off around 140 staff members. "The Guardian" understands it is likely "Harper's Bazaar," "Elle" and "OK!" are to be among those that carry on for the time being in digital format only.

The NHS is predicting its contact tracing app to help in the fight against OVID-19 is likely to be launched in a fortnight, "BBC News" reports.