Advertising & Marketing

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the likelihood that news influencers will replace traditional media, whether in-store sampling can make a comeback, how many ads are enough ads, what the science says about social media being addictive, why more brands don't encourage consumers to recycle, where daylight savings time actually comes from, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our vice president of content Suzy Davidkhanian and analysts Bill Fisher and Carina Perkins.

Knowing and trusting a brand is the top factor influencing purchase decisions for US adults, particularly among those ages 55 and older, per an August 2023 CivicScience survey.

Last week, YouTube announced excluded themes at Brand Safety Summit, providing a way for advertisers to keep their ads from showing up next to news, gaming, health, or political content by checking a box. The updates should help brands looking to avoid unsavory contexts when serving ads, though this relies on YouTube’s ability to classify these categories correctly.

Microsoft’s strategy targets 1 billion users, extending Windows 10 for generative AI use. The move unlocks a vast global user base for AI.

Amazon will offer grocery delivery to non-Prime members nationwide: The retail giant also plans to resume opening Amazon Fresh stores next year.

Hackers’ DDoS attack downs ChatGPT, halting service for millions. The event exposes the fragility of web-based solutions and API-dependent genAI solutions.

The iPhone 16 could be ‘the ultimate virtual assistant’: The latest buzz on Apple is that it plans to integrate a generative AI model into Siri, competing on the voice assistant and on-device AI fronts.

Humane’s Ai Pin will be ready to order this week: The generative AI-focused wearable is creating a buzz, but its value proposition for average consumers is uncertain.

Holiday ads embrace shoppable media: From AI ads to QR codes, major brands like Walmart and Home Depot pair with streamers for a seamless purchase experience.

Its Gauss AI is coming to upcoming Galaxy smartphones—a first for the industry. It could be the beginning of wider AI integration.

Amazon’s Olympus AI could transform ecommerce, Alexa, and the cloud: Amazon is working on improving its generative AI standing. Its online presence and Anthropic partnership could help it stand out.

ChatGPT suffers ‘major outage’ affecting millions globally: A 90-minute outage Wednesday morning raises questions about the reliability of generative AI platforms amid growing enterprise demand.

Gaming giants surpass expectations with robust earnings and increased user engagement by releasing new games and expanding into other forms of entertainment.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how much audiobooks can move the needle for Spotify, how engaging its app is versus Netflix and TikTok, and how much of its podcast success is tied to Joe Rogan. "In Other News," we talk about how badly AI can hurt your company's customer service and why Google has called for a ban on personalized ads for minors. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Daniel Konstantinovic.

Data on troops sold cheaply to marketers: Potential for illicit use of personal vulnerabilities by advertisers

A look at Big Tech’s defense of AI copyright issues: A call for comments on rules reveals the leading AI firms’ strategies to deal with mounting legal challenges.

Record employment for the US ad industry: A labor report shows the industry reached all-time highs, but fears about AI taking jobs loom large.

Walmart will offer sensory-friendly hours at all its stores: The retail giant’s decision to make its stores more inclusive offers a simple template that other merchants can follow.

Google AI-training controversy triggers unionization: More contractors joined the Alphabet Workers Union ranks this week. AI-ethics issues could spur more organizing activity in the US and abroad.

Luminance’s AI proves that it's a bot’s world: Two generative AI models negotiated a contract without human help. It indicates a shift toward automation that could eclipse human contributions.