In today’s podcast episode, we discuss what seasonality means today as shopping behaviors and consumer needs become less tied to a single moment on the calendar. How can seasonal moments help brands identify where new growth opportunities may be emerging? And what audience, motivation, or shopping insights can you carry forward into future campaigns and longer-term strategy? Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Senior Analyst Arielle Feger and James Gourde, Senior Director of the Partner Solutions Group at Roundel. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube or Spotify. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Senior Analyst Minda Smiley and Principal Analyst Max Willens. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube or Spotify.
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Some 69% of US consumers plan to use AI while shopping this holiday season, according to Impact. Finding deals, comparing prices, and summarizing promotions tied as the top use cases. Shoppers also plan to use AI for product recommendations, review summaries, and local inventory checks.
"If you do not have a gaming strategy, it's clearly too big to ignore now," Charles Hambro, CEO and co-founder of GEEIQ, said at EMARKETER's Future of Digital summit last week. "But you should not get bamboozled by 'Oh my god, we're gonna build unbelievable worlds.' Be very, very self-disciplined with regards to what are my CPMs for this audience." Nearly 60% of US consumers will be digital gamers this year, according to EMARKETER's forecast, yet only 2.4% of total digital ad spend in 2026 will go to gaming. It's a delta that represents both a significant opportunity and a cautionary tale for marketers who rush in without proper measurement frameworks.
Consumer demand is notable even without insurance coverage, but wider use could add diagnostic work for providers.
Insurers say AI coding raises healthcare costs. Both hospitals and payers are using AI to protect margins, while systemwide savings remain elusive.
Healthcare providers still favor print for patient education, but patients value actionable digital resources they can revisit at home.
Groupwide units captured 26% of reviewed spend, promising tighter integration but fewer specialized partners.
Inflation-adjusted back-to-school spend has fallen to $557 per child in 2026, wiping out the entire pandemic-era run-up and landing just $38 above 2019 levels, according to a May survey from Deloitte.
TikTok Shop's rapid growth is attracting prestige retailers who are now making the leap onto the platform.