On today’s podcast episode, we discuss what we expect from consumer spending in Q2, the three scenarios we expect for total media (and digital) ad spending, and how marketers are reacting to everything. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Principal Forecasting Writer Ethan Cramer-Flood, and Senior Forecasting Analyst Zach Goldner. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
This generation cares deeply about a brand’s values, and its history with these values.
Private label brands are no longer just the cheaper alternatives sitting on store shelves. They've evolved into strategic assets that build customer loyalty, boost retailer margins, and increasingly compete with national brands on quality and design, not just price.
After a lengthy battle with regulators, banks may be happy to hear these requirements could get another cut.
TikTok is ByteDance’s global engine: Despite slowing growth in China, the platform continues to expand monetization and user base worldwide.
Agentic AI gains momentum: As Amazon, Walmart, eBay and others experiment with AI agents, retailers need to to figure out how to market to bots in addition to humans.
Discounts are a primary motivator for TikTok Shop purchases: But that tactic may not be sustainable for sellers reeling from the impact of China tariffs.
Alibaba and JD.com embark on ambitious expansions despite challenging conditions: Both are making expensive delivery investments that could worsen China’s price wars.
Over half (53%) of US B2B marketers have a growing dedicated budget for influencer marketing, according to September 2024 data from TopRank Marketing and Ascend2.
Ad costs per click show changing consumer priorities: Retail media ad costs rose the sharpest in 2024 for the health category, which could resonate in a market disrupted by tariffs.
Drug developers relocate clinical trials amid Trump’s NIH research and funding cuts: The final damage to research pipelines is still to be determined, but biotech and pharma companies are already reacting, and more may consider doing so given the uncertainty.
Out-of-home ads help pharma reach patients beyond clinical settings: Marketers must keep in mind that it’s not about pressure to convert—it's about creating presence and trust.
Novo Nordisk’s CEO steps down: Investor panic and a slumping stock may have been driving factors. Despite falling behind Eli Lilly in the weight loss drug market, recent moves around oral GLP-1 development put Novo in a strong position.
YouTube introduces new offerings for ads, podcasts: The platform aims to highlight its ability to reach audiences with unmatched versatile content options.
Apple’s Fortnite feud, Amazon’s device division cuts, and Apple Music’s new user lure reveal how tech titans are adjusting strategies in a volatile regulatory and consumer landscape.
Up to half of their user base faces lockout as Asia-Pacific governments impose child safety laws that may set a global precedent for platform governance
Charter Communications and Cox will merge: Though the deal could face regulatory scrutiny, it promises to revitalize the ad landscape, if successful.
A 30% YoY surge in US smartphone imports in March reveals how manufacturers—led by Apple—raced to beat looming Trump-era tariffs.