Arena Group, BuzzFeed, USA Today Co, Vox Media join RSL’s AI content licensing efforts

November 26, 2025 More publishers, including USA Today Co and Vox Media, joined the Really Simple Licensing (RSL) Collective AI licensing framework, designed to standardize how publishers tell AI systems what content they can use, and how they must pay. “We are evaluating every opportunity to ensure fair value, not just for the USA Today Network, but for the industry at large as we seek to sustain quality reporting and trusted journalism," Lark-Marie Anton, USA Today Co.'s chief communications officer, told Digiday. Advertisement TOP STORY AI Revenue Generation Arena Group, BuzzFeed, USA Today Co, Vox Media join RSL's AI content licensing efforts Arena Group, BuzzFeed, USA Today Co and Vox Media are participating in the RSL Collective’s efforts to license content to AI companies. OTHER THINGS TO KNOW Agencies need to shift how they plan, pitch and prove their value to new and existing clients. Partner insights from Keen Decision Systems. Unlock an edge this Cyber Week and save 50% on a 3-month Digiday+ membership. Early access to this offer ends Dec. 5. Rethinking border segments — adjacent audiences with overlapping motivations — helps brands reach new buyers and capture incremental demand. Partner insights from Urban Science. MEDIA & PLATFORMS Zero-click Future 'The Big Bang has happened': Reach gets proactive on AI-era referrals, starting with subscriptions This week, the publisher of national U.K. titles Daily Mirror, Daily Express and Daily Star, is rolling out its first paid digital subscriptions – a big departure from the free, ad-funded model it's had throughout its 120-year history.  Generative AI How consumers are using AI to shop in 2025 — by the numbers AI is reshaping the 2025 holiday shopping journey, from conversational discovery to commerce. PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM EX.CO The AI traffic cliff is proving why revenue resilience matters Publishers that act like product companies — owning their economics, refining user experience and experimenting with diversified engagement — are poised to succeed as AI rewrites the media playbook. DIGIDAY+ Early Access Offer: Save 50% on 3-month Digiday+ membership From shifting ad budgets to the evolving impact of AI, navigate it all confidently with Digiday+. Save 50% on a 3-month Digiday+ membership — offer ends Dec. 5. Subscribe MARKETING Navigating Economic Instability Amid economic pressure, brands usher in Black Friday by trimming deals While some companies are touting "bigger than ever" discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, others are dialing back deals. PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM PADSQUAD Why advertisers are recentering creative in a precision-driven industry Rather than launching a back-to-school campaign with a single message, delivering experiences for different segments, like budget-focused families and first-time school parents, is more effective. Each experience reflects the same strategy but is tailored to specific motivations.   Advertisement ICYMI Brands in Culture The CMO-CCO split is becoming a corporate fiction The longstanding divide between marketing and communications is eroding — not with a bang but with a slow, steady merging of responsibilities.  PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM BLOCKBOARD How Jersey Mike's tested AI for store-level performance Jersey Mike's, which has more than 3,000 sandwich shops, conducted a pilot campaign to promote the opening of a new franchise location in Cambridge, Mass and drive measurable in-store visits. Generative AI How Reckitt is beating the AI odds with its approach to pilots Most AI pilots fail miserably. Reckitt’s Bastien Parizot explained how the CPG brand has avoided that fate as it deploys gen AI into its global marketing operation. ICYMI FROM DIGIDAY+ Member exclusive Media Buying Briefing: Why Dentsu Japan and the rest of the holdco just don't fit well together It’s no secret Dentsu’s holdings outside of the Japanese market have been an ill fit since the holdco bought Aegis in 2013. But it’s worth understanding why. Written by Jim Cooper and Sara Jerde Were you forwarded this email? Sign up to get it daily. Advertise | Digiday+ | Events | Awards Update your email | Unsubscribe | Privacy policy