Disney channels, including ESPN and ABC, have officially been removed from leading pay TV platform YouTube TV after Disney and Google failed to resolve a distribution dispute. Even as YouTube TV gives subscribers access to a large number of non-Disney channels, its ad effectiveness could be harmed without as broad of a sports portfolio—necessitating cautious investment.
OpenAI signed a seven-year, $38 billion cloud compute deal with Amazon Web Services (AWS), its first partnership with the cloud market leader. The development effectively ended the startup’s exclusive reliance on Microsoft, its primary backer, per CNBC. OpenAI will use existing AWS data centers, and Amazon will build dedicated infrastructure for OpenAI as part of the ChatGPT maker’s expansion. While hyperscalers like AWS, Microsoft, and Google race to secure workloads, costs for training and inference are expected to decline. For brands, this means reduced outage risks and increased options for deploying AI-driven creative, analytics, and automation systems at scale.
Gen Z’s financial strain is deepening as unemployment rises and wage growth slows, leaving many unable to cover basic needs. With joblessness among 20- to 24-year-olds hitting 9.2% and student loan relief tightening, younger consumers are cutting back—especially on dining out. Chipotle and Shake Shack both report declining sales from this demographic, though each is fighting back with loyalty perks and in-app promotions. Retailers like Urban Outfitters are also adapting through lower-cost private labels and localized assortments. Overall, younger shoppers’ pullback may pressure retail and restaurant sales through the holiday season.
AI is reshaping the future of work at agencies, from reducing junior roles to cutting down on hiring altogether. Nearly all (91%) of US senior agency leaders expect AI to reduce agency headcounts, per Sunup’s AI’s Effect on the Marketing Industry report. Over half (57%) of agencies have slowed or paused entry-level hiring. To maintain value in the AI era, agencies should protect and cultivate talent pipelines and use AI to deepen offerings like audience insights and personalized campaign plans, which automation alone can’t replicate.
When it comes to AI investment, Google CEO Sundar Pichai's mantra that the risk is underspending, not overspending, seems to be holding true at Meta. It forecast roughly $600 billion on AI-related capital expenditure over the next three years, but investors are questioning whether that philosophy has limits. Meta’s heavy focus on AI could aid its ad offerings, especially personalization options and its AI-powered ad suite. At the same time, overspending could lead to uneven focus that leaves other ventures—including its cash-burning Reality Labs and plateauing interest in Facebook—vulnerable.
Meta, Google, and Microsoft are spending at historic rates in the race to secure AI dominance. Each posted record quarterly earnings last week—and warned that even higher capital expenditures are an imperative for growth, per Wired. For marketers, the AI buildout presents both an opportunity and a cautionary tale. As Big Tech chases scale, brands must chase substance—using AI not for hype, but for measurable value today, not in the future. AI’s future isn’t guaranteed by capital—it’s earned through trust, differentiation, and adaptability. Brands that master those traits will thrive no matter how the infrastructure race unfolds.
One-third of US adults say prices are noticeably higher on certain products due to tariffs or shipping/import changes, according to a July survey from Omnisend and Cint.
Reddit’s Q3 earnings confirmed what advertisers have suspected: the platform’s community-driven ad model can scale profitably. Revenue jumped 68% to $585 million, crushing Wall Street estimates, while EPS of $0.80 easily beat forecasts. Global daily actives climbed 19% to 116 million, though US user growth slowed to 7%, down from 12% last quarter. Data licensing revenue rose 7% as Reddit continues to defend its content from unauthorized AI scraping—a fight central to its long-term strategy. For advertisers, Reddit’s results underscore its strength as a high-intent, performance-focused channel—even as slower domestic user growth raises questions about future expansion.
Retail is on the brink of a digital sea change as agentic commerce slowly makes its way onto consumer-facing platforms.
We expect US holiday sales to rise 3.6% in the final two months of the year, a slowdown from last year’s 4.4% gain, but much stronger than our May outlook, when we anticipated just 1.2% growth. The shift stems from consumers’ surprising resilience despite tariffs, inflation, and a softening labor market. Major retailers like Walmart and Amazon have reported steady demand, with tariffs adding only modest price pressures. However, spending remains uneven across income groups as higher earners benefit from wage and wealth gains. Retailers will need to emphasize affordability and value to attract cautious middle- and lower-income shoppers this season.
Walmart unveiled a series of AI-powered tools for its app to help customers with their holiday shopping. The new features, which include an in-store savings function and AI-generated audio summaries, are meant to make Walmart’s app more useful for in-store shoppers and to simplify discovery and purchasing for customers who prefer to transact online. Retailers should follow Walmart’s lead and use AI to make it easier for customers to surface deals and quickly find what they’re looking for, whether in-store or online.
Mobile gaming in-app purchase (IAP) revenues reached $21 billion worldwide in Q3 2025, per Sensor Tower—a number not seen since pandemic quarantines. Strategy, puzzle, RPG, and casino games led the field, with each bringing in over $2 billion. Time and money spent in gaming continues to rise, yet only 5% of media investments around the world go to gaming, per Dentsu. Start considering formats such as in-game ads, interstitial ads, and adjacent ads. Brands can also entertain partnerships for in-game gear and mini games. The time is now to boost advertising budgets for gaming platforms and titles as revenues grow.
Mastercard is reportedly nearing a deal to acquire Zerohash for as much as $2 billion, per Fortune. Zerohash provides infrastructure to connect fiat payment systems with crypto and stablecoins. We can expect Visa to pursue a big crypto acquisition in short order. Whether they see it as an existential threat or not, networks are waking up to the fact that crypto is here to stay—and they need to prove to investors and stakeholders that they’re taking it seriously.
Ascend Federal Credit Union launched a debit card-linked installment offering through a partnership with equipifi, per a press release. It’s difficult for credit unions like Ascend to compete with the top issuers on credit card programs. They lack the necessary funds and resources to launch expansive credit card rewards offerings. But they have a better chance of competing for customers’ business when it comes to debit cards. Offering perks like card-linked installments can set their programs apart and draw in customers who are looking for more flexible financing options without applying for a new credit card.
Southwest Airlines rolled out a rewards debit card, per a press release. The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Debit Card runs on Visa’s network and is issued by Sunrise Bank in partnership with SoFi-owned Galileo’s card issuing platform. Offering a debit card helps Southwest tie customers closer to its loyalty program. But getting consumers to sign up may be a tough sell. Consumers who don’t have the credit scores or means to pay for a Southwest credit card may balk at parking $2,500 a checking account.
Many consumers are opening new bank, credit card, and investment accounts and migrating some financial activities instead of switching entirely, per a J.D. Power study. Chime and SoFi led with conversion rates, and about half of Chime customers are primary, far exceeding large incumbents. FIs should carefully reconsider their approach to efficient customer acquisition and retention. Consumers may appear unwilling to make a clean break with their bank, but they try products offered by other institutions and slowly slip away if they like what they see.
WPP cut its full-year outlook after Q3 organic revenue fell 5.9% to £2.46 billion, its steepest quarterly decline since 2020. New CEO Cindy Rose said the company “hasn’t gone fast enough” to meet client needs and outlined a turnaround focused on AI, operational efficiency, and simplifying its agency network. WPP’s slump reflects broader challenges facing holding groups in the AI era: proving value through speed, integration, and measurable results as brands increasingly turn to self-serve, platform-driven ad solutions.
Quick-service chains are experimenting with beverage-focused spinoffs to tap into evolving consumer tastes and strengthen sales. Chick-fil-A has launched Daybright Coffee, while Taco Bell is expanding its Live Más Café concept to 30 locations by year’s end. With the US nonalcoholic beverage market projected to hit $178.1 billion, the category’s appeal is clear—but success for large brands remains uncertain. McDonald’s ended its CosMc’s test after gleaning key menu insights, choosing to integrate the best-performing items into existing stores, a move that signals a more sustainable approach to beverage innovation.
Kroger and Uber are joining forces to expand their audiences and attract more incremental spending. Kroger customers will be able to order restaurant delivery—fulfilled by Uber—from the grocer’s website and app. Starting next year, Uber Eats users will be able to order groceries from Kroger’s 2,600-plus stores. Partnering with third-party delivery platforms offers pure-play grocers such as Kroger an opportunity to level the playing field with mass competitors like Walmart and Amazon. Deals like the one between Kroger and Uber will likely become more common as retailers look to reach high-intent shoppers and delivery platforms race to keep their competitors at bay.