Advertising & Marketing

Fintech conferences aren’t what they used to be: Marketers are more pressed to show the business a return on investment from in-person attendance—and that’s taking the form of meaningful interactions and getting business done.

The new year is just around the corner, and it’s a great time for retailers to take stock of what worked and what didn’t in 2023 and stay informed on what consumers will expect in 2024.

A hurting US ad market is showing signs of recovery. Our forecast predicts 3.8% growth in overalUS media ad spend this year, for a total of $353.86 billion. Magna upped its US ad spend forecast for 2023 YoY growth from 4.2% to 5.2% in September. And in August, the US ad market achieved two consecutive months of growth for the first time since last June.

TikTok contests a €345 million data privacy fine in Europe as it faces scrutiny over child privacy and misinformation spread. Mounting lawsuits could dampen growth.

Walmart Connect now offers an ad certification program that helps advertisers understand how the retail media network operates and the types of ad formats it offers.

AI could be a ticking time bomb for the economy: The SEC chair is warning about significant financial fallout from the technology. Regulators and researchers need to act.

Microsoft-owned Minecraft surpasses 300 million copies sold and remains a top-selling game with 175 million monthly users. It could be a template for future gaming success.

On today’s podcast episode, we explore the problematic relationship between credit unions and Gen Z. • In our “Headlines” segment, we discuss an article from PYMNTS.com that revealed only 4% of Gen Z consumers bank with credit unions. • In “Story by Numbers,” we consider what credit unions can do to capture Gen Zers’ attention while working with tight marketing budgets, and which programs have helped Gen Z consumers manage their finances. • In “Actual CEO,” we discuss with our guest CEO what she is currently doing to engage with Gen Zers at her credit union. Listen to the podcast with host Rob Rubin and Tansley Stearns, CEO of Community Financial Credit Union.• 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.

A 2010 federal law prohibiting large FIs from charging excessive fees for basic customer service will now be enforced, raising questions about how much it might hurt profits.

Advertising Week New York kicks off next week. Last year, speakers discussed everything from Web3 to connected TV (CTV) to social media. This year, we’ll be watching for updates related to retail media, AI, and social media’s era of transformation.

It’s still early days. There are signs that point to cars becoming a major new media and advertising venue. But both commerce and media are still developing in cars—and at the moment, neither is completely ready for native ad formats.

The chipmaker is cutting 1,258 roles after revenues and income plunge. The move counters smartphone sales declines and helps fund AI growth.

Finalizing its largest-ever deal after a 21-month regulatory battle will shake up the gaming industry and fuel Microsoft’s mobile and cloud gaming strategies.

Google’s Bard chatbot makes false claim about the Israel-Hamas war: It’s an example of what a group of Googlers are concerned about regarding the company’s genAI direction.

Netflix sees an opportunity to build its brand offline: The company plans to open destinations called Netflix House that mix retail, dining, and live experiences.

GM drives tech evolution with connected car API: With a groundbreaking API, it aims to standardize automotive app development across various vehicle lines for enhanced consumer experiences.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how creators are evolving; why YouTube is white space for many marketers; and how marketers, social platforms, and media companies should shift their strategies. "In Other News," we talk about what freedom of speech actually means on social media and why TikTok and Pinterest are taking different approaches to social commerce. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Jasmine Enberg.

Brands, social platforms, and creators seek the right balance in AI rush: Creators eye opportunities as well as risks for sponsored content.