Who is Jay Penske? The Man Behind Penske Media Corporation Suing Google Over AI Overviews

Penske Media Corporation (PMC), led by media mogul Jay Penske, filed a lawsuit against Google in a federal court in Washington, D.C. The company accused Google of using its journalism in AI-generated summaries without consent and reducing traffic to its websites.

This marks the first major U.S. publisher lawsuit against Google over its new AI Overviews feature, which appears at the top of search results.

Why Penske Media is Suing Google

PMC, which owns top outlets like Rolling Stone, Variety, and Billboard, said that Google’s AI Overviews are damaging publishers. The company claimed that Google includes a publisher’s content in search only if it can also use the articles for AI summaries.

According to PMC, about 20% of Google searches linked to its sites now show AI Overviews. As a result, its affiliate revenue fell by more than a third by the end of 2024.

Jay Penske said in a statement:
“We have a responsibility to fight for the future of digital media and preserve its integrity – all of which is threatened by Google’s actions.”

The lawsuit argues that Google’s near 90% control of the U.S. search market allows it to impose unfair terms on publishers.

Google’s Response

Google dismissed the claims, saying AI Overviews make search more helpful and allow users to discover a wider range of sites. Spokesperson Jose Castaneda said the company would “defend against these meritless claims.”

Earlier this year, Chegg, an online education company, also sued Google, making similar allegations.

Who is Jay Penske?

Jay Penske was born on May 5, 1979, in New York City. He is the son of businessman Roger Penske and one of five siblings. He is the Chairman, Founder, and CEO of Penske Media Corporation, and also CEO of Dick Clark Productions.

He graduated from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in Finance, Management, and Information Systems. Penske has served on several boards, including the Wharton Entrepreneurial School and the University of Pennsylvania Library Board of Directors.

He currently advises companies such as SXSW, Vox Media, and Paley Center for Media. According to reports, Jay Penske’s net worth is around $250 million.

What Does Penske Media Own?

PMC controls a wide list of top brands in entertainment, lifestyle, and culture, including:

• Variety, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard

• WWD, Robb Report, Vibe, Sportico, IndieWire, Deadline

• ARTnews, Artforum, Fairchild Media, SHE Media, Dirt, Gold Derby, Spy.com

• Luminate, a leading music data and analytics company

It also owns Dick Clark Productions, which produces world-famous shows and events like the Golden Globe Awards, Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, and more.

PMC also controls major cultural events such as SXSW, Life is Beautiful, LA3C, Latin Music Week, and the ATX Television Festival. It is also the largest shareholder of Vox Media.

Why This Case Matters

The lawsuit highlights growing tensions between publishers and tech giants over the use of journalism in AI products. Many media companies fear that AI-generated summaries will reduce website traffic, cut ad revenue, and weaken subscriptions.

For Penske, the battle is not just about his company—it’s about the future of digital media in the AI era.