Advertising & Marketing

On today’s podcast episode, host Bill Fisher and our analysts Paul Briggs, Matteo Ceurvels, and Man-Chung Cheung each pitch their most dramatic predictions in their coverage regions for 2024, in hopes of securing "investment" from the other sharks. Can you be convinced to "invest" in their 2024 predictions?

Lunar New Year is approaching, providing another opportunity for brands to deliver culturally relevant campaigns. Successful brands can forge meaningful connections with diverse audiences, such as the AAPI community, communicate values of inclusion, and engage consumers in new markets. Unsuccessful brands risk losing equity, loyalty, and, ultimately, sales.

Generative AI’s costs, skill gaps, and infrastructural challenges are slowing enterprise adoption. 2024 could see an uptick as AI investments increase.

iRobot’s CEO exits as the company lays off 350 workers. Tech giants face M&A challenges as regulation reshapes acquisition strategies.

Physical retail sales will grow 2.0% this year: But the value of brick-and-mortar storefronts extends far beyond direct sales, which is why retailers keep opening more stores.

UK consumer confidence is up, as is their disposable income: While that bodes well for retailers, they aren’t out of the woods yet.

Instacart’s genAI recipe tools produce unappetizing results: The grocery platform’s rapid rollout of consumer-facing genAI tools may be hampering revenue growth.

Biden invokes Defense Production Act to rein in AI development: It’s the most significant step by the US government on AI regulation to date, but sparse details mean uncertain enforcement.

Microsoft takes more aggressive measures to boost its AI cloud revenue: It’s using its GitHub Copilot platform to entice new cloud customers, leaving AWS and Google to catch up.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how Walmart plans to use AI to enhance the customer shopping experience, Instacart pushing smart carts into in-store retail media, why consumers are dissatisfied with their in-store shopping experience, how best to reduce clothing returns, the rise—and potential fall—of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our vice president of content Suzy Davidkhanian and analysts Blake Droesch and Carina Perkins.

In 2027, enterprise spending on generative AI solutions worldwide will reach $151.1 billion, growing nearly eightfold from its total in 2023, according to the International Data Corporation.

Not every trend gets the headline it deserves. Our analysts spotted three undervalued ad mediums (in games, shoppable media, and ride-share companies), each holding an opportunity for advertisers to diversify their spend, explore formats, and identify untapped audiences. Here are the ad forecast trends you need to know.

Compliance with the DMA comes with fees and risks. Sideloading is allowed, but unvetted apps increase user risk. The big win for EU regulators could set a global precedent.

Vodafone and Three UK’s proposed £15 billion merger faces opposition by the CMA and could reshape the UK telecom landscape and current consolidation trend.

Microsoft, Amazon, and Google AI startup deals raise red flags at the FTC: The agency is inquiring about potential antitrust practices, but Nvidia’s new strategy could nullify the effort.

Samsung takes on Apple with chatbot smartphone integration: Its Galaxy S24 will use Baidu’s Ernie in an AI-enabled device pivot to take on Apple’s dominance.

Google launches a chatbot for advertisers: The tool lets advertisers generate cheap creative for ads, opening the door to new brands.

With OpenAI’s new GPT Store, an Apple App Store-like interface that opened earlier this month, SEO professionals can share their own custom versions of ChatGPT with premium subscribers. But these collaborative innovations aren’t without their challenges. Generative AI can’t do everything, and it can be hard to vet new tools in the store.