Media Buying

Could Perplexity supplant Google Search? It's getting fresh funding and becoming a go-to AI search engine, putting pressure on Google to launch an airtight, monetized AI strategy.

US political ad spending will hit the 11-figure mark this year, and digital will make up a growing share of the pie.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss what's fueling the social ad spending upswing and what to watch from each of the major social platforms. "In Other News," we talk about advertisers' level of caution in returning to X (formerly Twitter) and why New York City is suing the social media giants. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Minda Smiley and Max Willens.

Study reveals genAI’s impact on Google ad placements: SE Rankings demonstrates shopping ads preferentially placed over SGE snippets, altering digital marketing.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss what comes after the end of search as we know it, what generative AI (genAI) is best at today, who the right partner for Paramount+ is, what Ikea's plans to save the mall entail, the most popular alcoholic drinks in the US, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our director of reports editing Rahul Chadha and analysts Ross Benes and Max Willens.

Are chatbots the next digital billboards? Startup Adzedek is providing a pay-per-click ad system to AI providers. It’s a revenue lifeline that comes with PR baggage due to AI’s mouthiness.

Amazon looks to step into the post-cookie market: Job listings show the company is testing ad solutions for an “identity-restricted world” as Google preps its solution.

Media giants from 17 European countries sue Google for €2.1 billion, claiming ad market manipulation and revenue loss. Intensifying litigation could topple Google’s long-standing practices.

A Google versus OpenAI search engine showdown is taking shape: A race to develop AI search engines raises questions about whether the tech can shake up the market.

Google brings a transparency overhaul to search advertising: Move responds to uproar after report that ads were placed on problematic sites.

Another encouraging sign of ad industry health: US ad spending rose 4.3% last month, marking 10 consecutive months of growth and the best January on record.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the potential audiences for some of the world’s biggest sporting events; how brands and marketers can better monetize these audiences; and how TV and streaming rights might shake out in the near future. Join host Bill Fisher, our analyst Paul Briggs, forecasting writer Ethan Cramer-Flood, and vice president of content Paul Verna for the discussion.

Worldwide retail media spend will hit $140 billion this year, according to our December 2023 forecast.

Amazon debuts at Upfront Week, showcasing its ad-supported streaming services and more: It’s a strategic move to expand its digital advertising reach.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss which app experiences best transfer over to the new Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset, whether instant AI-generated videos will be a hit, department stores' path to relevancy, if folks are ready for shoppable media, how marriage is changing in the US, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Ross Benes, Bill Fisher, and Carina Perkins.

Rising political ad spending amplifies AI concerns: States and industry players respond to the mounting issue.

Media planners should be paying attention to both digital and linear TV, but attention is obviously moving toward the former. When preparing for upfronts, keep in mind that ads are almost everywhere now, which means an expanding menu of options.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss what will influence digital ad spending this year, who's the "dark horse" ad player of 2024, and how the CMO role and marketing departments will change. "In Other News," we talk about what to make of Google's latest AI creation called Gemini and some research explaining how often AI chatbots make things up. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Yory Wurmser.

The New York Times finds a use for AI in advertising: The news publisher is developing AI ad targeting tools in the hopes of solving a longtime industry problem.

Snap launches new brand campaign: Chief creative officer addresses antisocial media stance in the context of Snap’s creator and content push.