On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how banks are adjusting their ad spending in a world with high rates, economic turmoil, and a shift to digital advertising. • In our “Headlines” segment, we dig deep on a recently published Insider Intelligence report covering our forecasts for ad spending by US banks and credit unions. • In “Story by Numbers,” we discuss how fewer mortgages are affecting banks' net interest income and what that means for their marketing budgets. We also examine Ally Bank’s increased ad spending. • In “For Argument’s Sake,” we talk about how large banks are doubling down on digital ad spending while smaller institutions are cutting their spending, which could lead to the eventual demise of smaller traditional banks. Tune in to the discussion with host Rob Rubin and our director of forecasting Oscar Orozco.

TikTok wants to test an ad-free subscription model: It’s a major shift from its traditional ad-driven revenues to capitalize on evolving user preferences.

US Gen Z adults’ top two daily media activities are streaming video (46%) and streaming music (43%), per a May 2023 Morning Consult survey.

The ad fraud problem is getting worse: $84 billion will be wasted on digital ad fraud this year, a new report alleges.

AI marketing company Jasper has been in the news after cutting its valuation and bringing on Dropbox’s former president as CEO. The tech company, which released a new end-to-end marketing tool in June, faces competition from OpenAI’s ChatGPT and the old guard of Microsoft and Google. But Jasper is unique in its ease of use and specific aim as a marketing tool.

Nearly 98% of smartphone users (255.8 million people) will use apps this year. Although all major app categories will continue to gain users—and 11 will surpass 100 million users apiece—the average user will download and regularly open fewer apps as they settle on favorites in each category.

Macy’s pivots away from malls: The retailer plans to open as many as 30 new small-format locations in the next two years.