Media Buying

Advertisers are stepping back from TikTok: CPMs fell significantly YoY, but advertisers should focus on diversification, not total abandonment, for the best results.

Snapchat unlocks prime film, TV ad potential: A new study found that Snapchatters are highly receptive to brands advertising around this content.

LinkedIn expands ad strategy: CTV and event ads are driving 6-7x ROI, helping B2B marketers reach engaged audiences.

US ad spending faces a slowdown: Economic uncertainty, tariffs, and inflation are prompting advertisers to cut budgets, with 2025 ad growth forecasts declining.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the next waves to hit the streaming world: which platform will emerge as the streaming hub, how will “content tiers” change viewer behavior and subscriptions, and can streaming maintain sizeable enough audiences for awards shows and Presidential debates? Tune in to the conversation with Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, our Senior Editor Daniel Konstantinovic, and Vice President Paul Verna. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

Reddit lets users block content from specific advertisers: While the change could improve user experience, it may also jeopardize Reddit’s main revenue source.

Major creators will hold event to vie for YouTube ad dollars: The Spotter Showcase will unveil crucial data and content slates to draw marketers away from traditional TV.

Advertisers are discovering new value in niche women’s sports: NCAA volleyball, gymnastics, and lacrosse offer passionate audiences, low ad clutter, and high engagement, per EDO.

Marketers can use this to recognize high growth areas of investment strategies and acknowledge the uncertainty shown in TikTok investments as a potential nudge to diversify their social ad spend.

Publicis wins Coca-Cola’s US media business: WPP loses the $785 million account as Coca-Cola separates creative and media.

FTC escalates Omnicom-IPG merger review: The $13 billion deal faces regulatory scrutiny over potential impacts on media competition and pricing power.

Unilever invests big in social channels: The company plans to spend half of its media budget on a new strategy that puts influencers front and center of its marketing.

Nearly all marketers are concerned about Trump’s tariffs: The trade war is putting pressure on marketers—but there are some options to mitigate the damage to brands.

Spotify keeps Bill Simmons on board: The Ringer founder extends his contract as Spotify pivots toward video podcasting and sustainable ad-driven content.

FAST streaming is growing fast: The number of active channels has nearly doubled in several key markets, with the US showing the most growth, but user experience remains key.

Women’s sports advertising is thriving: TV viewership is up 140%, ad spend has doubled, and in-game ads drive 40% more engagement than primetime TV.

"Media saturation is here," said our analyst Ethan Cramer-Flood in a new episode of "Behind the Numbers," describing a fundamental shift in how Americans consume content. "We have always been able to count on Americans spending an ever-increasing amount of their day with media… We're basically saying that this is now coming to an end."

Google, OpenAI explore ads: The moves indicate that ads will be a crucial part of how AI search engines generate future revenues.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss why Netflix viewers are spending less time on the platform, how the free ad-supported streaming players are getting on, and how a less discussed social platform has fast become one of the places Americans spend most of their social media time. Tune in to the episode with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Principal Forecasting Writer Ethan Cramer-Flood, Senior Forecasting Analyst Zach Goldner, and Senior Director of Forecasting, Oscar Orozco. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.