Retailers pulled out creative stops in July, from Nike's star-studded World Cup campaign to Lego's massive trophy installation in New York City. Here are the brands that broke through the noise, created memorable experiences, and made strategic bets on their future.
Fox is acquiring streaming platform Roku for $22 billion, creating what analysts call the third-largest player in US streaming by share of viewing. The deal gives Fox direct access to Roku's 100 million households worldwide and positions the combined entity to dominate the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) market. "For Fox it really jumpstarts their digital ad revenues," said our analyst Ross Benes on a recent episode of "Behind the Numbers." "Fox is still mostly a legacy company, and what they do have for streaming has largely been acquired, such as Tubi."
38.3% of US digital shoppers have never used virtual or augmented reality to shop and aren't interested in trying it, making outright rejection the single most common response, according to a February survey from Bizrate Insights and EMARKETER.
Kroger is betting that organizational alignment and retail intelligence will transform how brands approach growth strategies, moving beyond siloed advertising campaigns to create sustainable, category-expanding partnerships. "It's more than most publishers or most in kind of a media-focused world are gonna be focused on, you know, the next impression," said Christine Foster, group vice president of commercial strategy and operations at Kroger Precision Marketing, in a conversation at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. "For us, it really is about that next sale."
In July 2026, we analyzed 3,900 ChatGPT recommendations across eight household and cleaning product categories to compile the EMARKETER AI Visibility Index.
The deal adds user behavior data to Visa's fraud tools as banks rank AI-driven scams among their top concerns.
CringeMart highlights convenience and discretion, helping position the app as an everyday shopping destination.
NRF’s latest data suggests retailers can ease broad security as criminal tactics evolve.
A tie-up could create a cancer powerhouse, but regulators would likely require divestitures.
Ad spending rises in June from World Cup demand: Marketers should treat the lift as temporary and keep budgets focused on channels that prove ROI.
Live sports remain advertising's last reliable mass-reach environment, and 2026 is proving the point: the NBA Finals shattered viewership benchmarks, the FIFA World Cup is reaching US audiences across every screen, and leagues are moving content onto streaming channels. This FAQ covers how sports audiences are changing, where the ad dollars flow, and how marketers should plan sports investments in 2026.
On today's podcast episode, we discuss the three biggest questions surrounding Google right now: Is Google spending too much in the AI race? Will the company finally rationalize its AI product naming conventions? And what will the next phase of YouTube's growth look like? Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Principal Analyst Nate Elliott and Analyst Marisa Jones. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
PubMatic, Optable create a workflow for agent-to-agent deals: The automation is already live, syncing campaign briefs to publisher audiences in real time.
Snapchat and LinkedIn curb AI slop: Brands may earn more reach with original reporting than generic AI posts.
ChatGPT sells more ads, but underdeveloped buying tools and limited shopping use may curb its revenue goals.
81% of US Instagram users watched Reels, but only 39% uploaded content to Reels, according to an April report from Morning Consult.
On today's podcast episode, we discuss the biggest gaps between where Americans spend their time and where advertisers spend their money. We explore the disconnect in social media, the imbalance in subscription OTT, and why digital audio continues to be a dark horse. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Principal Forecasting Writer Ethan Cramer-Flood and Senior Director of Forecasting Oscar Orozco. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
Advertisers who block news content are missing opportunities to reach engaged, high-value audiences while inadvertently undermining the financial foundation of quality journalism. “Advertisers are allergic to the news, oftentimes for the wrong reason,” said Michael Weaver, senior vice president of business development and growth at Al Jazeera Media Network during EMARKETER’s Reframing Brand Safety in News Environments event last week. “But it's so neglected as a category, it's easy for a brand to distinguish itself when it really leans into the news.”
Snapchat adds agency tools and HubSpot integration: The company aims to make lead gen, attribution, and ROAS easier for performance marketers.
Short-form video is where social platforms are concentrating their ad innovation in 2026. Instagram is monetizing the moment after a Reel ends, YouTube Shorts earned the industry's first short-form measurement accreditation, and episodic formats are turning casual scrolling into appointment viewing. This FAQ covers the formats, inventory growth, and creative practices shaping short-form video advertising.