The news: AMC Theaters has made a deal with National CineMedia (NCM) that will see the biggest US theater chain run additional ads before showings. Beginning July 1, AMC showings will include a “platinum spot” right before a film starts. Our take: AMC’s deal emphasizes that getting moviegoers back in theater seats and boosting ticket sales isn’t enough to keep the industry afloat—theaters need to diversify revenue streams through tactics like expanded advertising to remain competitive.
LinkedIn doubles down on B2B video and CTV: New tools help marketers capture attention and drive full-funnel impact.
The news: The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) gave a glimpse of the TV (CTV) advertising’s future at its IAB Tech Lab event—and proved that pause ads are leading the way. Advertising leaders said they offer the best user experience, were most likely to scale with standardization, and provided the greatest increase in ad spend. Our take: The future of CTV advertising will rely on whether advertisers can implement non-intrusive formats that capture attention. Pause ads are positioned to drive action—but advertisers must reimagine their creative strategy to capitalize on this potential.
Apple’s appeal against DMA rules frames interoperability as a privacy risk, testing how far regulators can go in dismantling its tightly guarded ecosystem.
e at last: Microsoft’s update kills default Edge and Bing prompts, giving rivals room to breathe—and forcing marketers to rethink how they reach EU users.
Multicultural adtech is becoming essential: Mundial’s privacy-first model helps brands reach a $4 trillion Hispanic market with precision.
Publishers are shifting from ad-driven models to licensing and subscriptions: AI is accelerating the end of traffic-chasing media economics.
Spotify is doubling down on podcast engagement: New features arrive as listenership and advertiser demand both hit record highs.
The New York Times will license its journalism to Amazon: The deal supports AI training while signaling a shift toward paid data partnerships.
Disney introduces perks programs for Disney+, Hulu: The programs aim to entice new subscribers and keep existing subscribers around if budgets tighten.
Most consumers divide their time across gaming, music, podcasts, and social, but streaming remains on top—even as mobile becomes the default for short- and long-form video.
Prime Video offers show-level ad reporting: The move positions it as a testing ground for streaming’s evolution, where transparency matters as much as viewer data.
Fubo debuts biddable pause ads: The move is the first time a CTV platform has offered biddable pause ads, but will require rapid scaling to remain effective.
Discord tests “Discord Orbs” to reward users for ad interaction: A broader rollout could prove successful at driving action among key demographics.
Netflix and BBC team up for new podcast: While Netflix teases video podcasts on its own platform, work needs to be done to win over audiences.
Handheld dominance and low VR adoption signal a reality check for immersive tech as gaming habits shift toward flexible, social experiences.
Shrinking federal cyber teams mean softer defenses for everyone. Businesses must reinforce their own walls and ensure security to maintain trust
“Lilo & Stitch,” “Mission Impossible” shatter Memorial Day weekend records: The box office hits prove that theaters still have a place amid the shift to streaming.
Indy 500 hits viewership record in its first time airing on Fox: The event highlights the ongoing battle for media companies to secure sports rights.
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the potential of Amazon’s new Buy for Me feature, which of its new CTV ads will make the biggest impact, and how much tariffs might slow down the online shopping giant. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman, and Analyst Rachel Wolff. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.