Retail media networks (RMNs) have a lot of data and a healthy amount of inventory. But selling on-site inventory to advertisers can be complicated. Connecting retail media data with off-site ads on places like social networks and connected TV (CTV) is even more complicated. RMNs can’t do everything related to selling and serving ads on their own, especially if they want to capitalize on off-site placements.

Generative AI to drive brands’ social media output: Businesses report efficiency gains but face challenges maintaining authenticity and preventing misinformation.

Amazon’s pricing and returns policies draw complaints from sellers: Merchants flag lost revenues, higher fees, and inadequate seller support as reasons for their discontent.

Chinese consumers rein in spending: That’s a major problem for companies like Swatch Group, which expects its high-end brands to struggle throughout the rest of the year.

LinkedIn AI campaign tool is ready for market: The social platform will roll out Accelerate to all advertisers in the fall, capitalizing on AI ad demand.

Macy’s rejects buyout offer to focus on turnaround: The retailer believes its plans to reduce and revitalize stores will give it the best shot at reversing its decline.

TikTok fuels demand for Hallyu: Korea’s cultural exports are a $76 billion market that could reach $198 billion by the end of the decade.

Industry KPIs highlight advertising’s rising cost per acquisition: Some sectors with elevated CPAs enjoy strong conversion rates, but others are saddled with high costs and low return.

X’s confusing verification system draws regulatory ire: The European Commission could fine X as much as 6% of its global revenues, per a recent complaint.

Charlotte Observer reduces print editions to three days weekly: The move reflects the shift towards digital content and changing consumer demands.

Spotify is restructuring its ad team: The company is laying off 40 employees and focusing on building out its programmatic capabilities to entice smaller brands.

Google’s latest bid to boost AI and cloud security: Alphabet’s potential $23 billion Wiz acquisition aims to boost Google Cloud’s security amid rising AI dependencies and breaches.

AT&T hack raises security flags: The recent breach exposed 100 million customers’ call, text, and location data, posing a significant national security threat and revealing the vulnerability of centralized data networks.

The genAI tool helps non-developers build web apps from natural language descriptions and could help AWS compete with Microsoft’s Azure AI Studio offerings.

Data centers at Microsoft and Google are consuming more energy than many entire countries, spotlighting tension between AI growth goals and sustainability.

Entertaining social media content isn’t just good for brand lift, it drives conversions, said Kate Kenner Archibald, CMO for social media marketing company Dash Hudson.

Retail media ad spending will be increasingly responsible for digital advertising’s double-digit growth. By 2028, the powerhouse channel will grow to represent nearly 1 in every 3 ad dollars spent.

Retailers and brands adopt a less-is-more strategy: Companies ranging from Under Armour and Levi Strauss to Dollar General and McDonald’s narrow their selections to cut costs and boost margins.

Walmart’s retail media network generated 11 billion impressions in Q1: The retailer is chipping away at Amazon’s dominance, despite the latter’s moves to boost non-endemic spend.