Instagram launches Trial Reels: Creators can test content with nonfollowers before sharing it widely to cater to increasingly data-driven influencers.

A recent survey revealed that Gen Xers feel the most financially insecure and need specific banking services before the incoming administration takes office.

Zalando agrees to pay €1.2 billion for German etailer About You: The deal aims to help the retailer garner a larger share of the fashion and lifestyle market.

Google attracts EU scrutiny over advertising to teens: A global crackdown on privacy and teen data is extended to the search giant.

Amazon takes on social media influencers’ product testimonials: If influencers don’t disclose their relationships with sellers, those merchants could find themselves suspended from the platform.

TikTok offers users Shop credits in last-ditch attempt to boost sales, downloads before US ban: The platform is dangling hundreds of dollars in incentives to increase engagement.

WaveForms bets on emotionally aware chatbots to transform customer service, but overcoming widespread user distrust of AI interactions may be its toughest challenge.

AI-powered dubbing comes to YouTube: New feature enables multilingual translations for videos, boosting creators' access to global audiences.

Albertsons blames Kroger for blocked merger: The grocer is seeking billions in damages, claiming the latter failed to make necessary concessions to appease regulators.

Streaming and theaters converge: Hybrid release strategies redefine holiday entertainment, with Amazon and Netflix building awareness through box office hits.

After a slew of technical failures during November's Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing match live stream, advertisers are more aware than ever of what can go wrong during a popular event. And with Netflix's "NFL Christmas Gameday" just around the corner, which will feature Beyoncé performing during the Ravens vs. Texans halftime show, brands can strategize to make the most of a potential broadcast outage.

Roku wants to open the CTV door for small and midsize brands: A partnership will allow brands to repurpose ads designed for social media to run on its platform.

OpenAI’s new video tool promises stunning capabilities but struggles with traffic overload, regional restrictions, and a hefty Plus account price tag.

Claiming anticompetitive behavior, Google asks the FTC to break up the exclusive partnership, arguing that it locks rivals out and entrenches Azure’s dominance.

Apple’s AI update embeds ChatGPT across iPhones and iPads, putting OpenAI’s tech at users’ fingertips and reshaping how genAI fits into daily life.

US digital media publishers and platforms are split on the difficulties they will face in 2025, according to a September 2024 study from Integral Ad Science and YouGov. Almost a third (29%) cited ads delivered alongside risky content, contextual targeting, monetizing with/without social platforms, and scaled audience extension as major challenges.

There's no shortage of lessons for retailers, advertisers, and brands to learn from an eventful 2024, where many sectors of retail thrived even as economic anxiety affected consumer habits.

"In 2025 we are going to see brands think community-first,” according to Jennifer Quigley-Jones, CEO of Digital Voices. One place they will do this is on Instagram Broadcast Channels, the one-to-many messaging feature that allows users to directly engage with followers. As of last week, subscribers of the exclusive direct messaging (DM) channels can now communicate with the creators and brands they follow, similar to how they might use Discord or Patreon.

The ruling effectively kills the cap, as Trump’s CFPB likely won’t fight it. Issuers that preemptively raised APRs in response may start reversing their actions.

The Vipps wallet in Norway is the first to use Apple’s NFC tech, opening the floodgates for more to deploy the tech.