The news: Google’s new Manage Subscriptions tool is starting to appear in Gmail on web, iOS, and Android, per MarTech. It lets users batch-unsubscribe from promotional emails—now sorted by frequency and sender name. Brands that over-email or deliver low-value content will feel the fallout. Even loyal subscribers may churn if their needs aren’t being met. Our take: Marketers already using segmentation—or dividing large email subscriber lists into smaller, more targeted groups based on shared characteristics—won’t see much fallout. The unsubscribe spike will primarily hit brands with poor targeting and those that are over-mailing. Gmail just turned inboxes into intent filters. Every send must earn its keep.
The news: Amazon’s Prime Video overtook Netflix in Brazil’s streaming market in Q2 2025, leading with 22% of user interest and edging out Netflix at 21%, according to JustWatch, per Meio & Mensagem. Prime Videos’ ascent presents new advertising opportunities in the country, while Netflix’s decline suggests potential audience fragmentation Our take: Brazil’s streaming war is shifting from subscriptions to hybrid models, and Prime Video wins on bundled utility. Netflix can catch up by scaling its ad tier and investing in local hits. The next battleground? Premium reach at a lower cost in a market where cultural relevance drives loyalty.
The news: TV ad-supported viewing time grew 2% overall in Q2 across linear and streaming, reaching 73.6% of total time spent watching TV, per Nielsen—largely driven by streaming. Ad-supported streaming grew 7% to a 45.3% share—but broadcast and cable continued a downward trend. Our take: As streaming solidifies its lead in ad-supported viewership, the smartest advertisers will recognize that success hinges on striking a delicate balance of using streaming’s precision to target key audiences that are shifting to CTV, while leveraging linear’s scale and ability to drive action.
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss what “authentic storytelling” looks like in practice, surprising findings about the authenticity levels between print and digital, and what’s most important when it comes to a “brand’s handshake.” Join our conversation with Senior Director of Podcasts and host, Marcus Johnson, Senior Director of Briefings, Jeremy Goldman, and Vice President of Brand Marketing at Quad, Heidi Waldusky. Listen everywhere you find podcasts and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
YouTube is the top recipient of AI chatbot referral traffic, receiving over three times as much traffic than Facebook or Wikipedia, according to May 2025 data from Similarweb.
Ocado Ads has partnered with data collaboration platform Permutive to make its first-party purchase data available to select UK publishers.
Fandom has partnered with Experian and Audigent to enhance its AI-driven Helix platform, integrating over 2,400 syndicated audience segments to deliver deeper fan insights. The move empowers marketers to combine third-party data with first-party fan behavior, unlocking targeting based on motivations, not just demographics. Early results show significant brand lift in awareness and purchase intent. This partnership marks Fandom’s evolution into a data-rich media platform, aiming to help advertisers tap into emotional fandom signals across CTV, mobile, and digital. Despite criticism over ad clutter, the platform’s scale and Gen Z reach position it as a leader in culture-driven targeting.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri clarified that using “link in bio” in post captions does not affect reach, aiming to dispel creator concerns that the algorithm punishes off-platform engagement. Despite his statement, creators remain skeptical, citing anecdotal dips in engagement when directing followers externally. As creators increasingly monetize through affiliate links, paid communities, and platforms like Substack, visibility control has become a high-stakes issue. Misinformation about Instagram’s algorithm leads to caution and second-guessing, creating friction for entrepreneurs growing businesses across multiple platforms. Real or perceived, lack of clarity undermines trust—and for creators, platform policies directly impact their bottom line.
The news: A US TikTok ban will take effect if a sale isn’t completed by the September 17 deadline, per comments from US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Lutnick said on CNBC that TikTok will “go dark” if China does not agree to sell to a US owner. He also noted that any deal would require the US gaining control over both the app and its algorithms. Our take: Whether or not a full TikTok ban comes to pass, Lutnick’s comments reinforce a troubling trend: Advertisers are increasingly wary of the platform’s stability, accelerating the shift toward cross-platform strategies.
The news: Z.ai’s new open-source GLM-4.5 model is undercutting DeepSeek and US rivals in cost and efficiency and intensifying global AI competition. Our take: For marketers, open-source tools like Z.ai offer affordable alternatives to costly AI platforms, levelling the playing field for smaller agencies looking to compete. But Z.ai (formerly Zhipu) is on the US Entity List due to its Beijing ties after OpenAI flagged its rapid progress. With this in mind, companies piloting open-source options should do so cautiously and consult with compliance teams before integrating.
58% of US adults have viewed a search result page that included an AI-generated summary, per a March Pew Research Center survey.
The contrast: At a time when many big box retailers are struggling, Tractor Supply Co. bucked the trend by delivering its strongest sales growth in two years—up 4.5% YoY to $4.44 billion—driven in part by solid momentum in big-ticket purchases. That performance stands in stark contrast to peers like Target and Home Depot, which have seen consumers pull back on discretionary and high-priced items. Our take: Tractor Supply’s formula is simple: high-quality experience + strong loyalty program + scale = growth. It delights shoppers, rewards them, and keeps expanding its footprint. That approach is helping it outrun the macro headwinds—and its largely US-sourced assortment leaves it better insulated from tariff and supply shocks than many other merchants.
The problem: Young adults don’t see value in life insurance beyond its death benefits, as we explore in “US Life Insurance Trends 2025.” That narrow view also means they overlook the value of estate planning—a space where life insurers have a strong presence, per Insurance News Net. Our take: Many life insurers offer estate planning services. But even when they don’t, insurers that encourage current and prospective clients to make estate plans can demonstrate their commitment to their customers’ financial well-being and strengthen the relationship.
The insights: YouTube isn’t Google Search, and brands need to recognize it as a unique platform. Its algorithm prioritizes clicks, watch time, and retention over keywords. Brands and content marketers that rely on blog-style SEO risk getting buried as YouTube and Netflix battle for attention. Our take: Treating YouTube as a strategic content hub, not a recycling center, gives marketers and brands a competitive edge in reach, trust, and conversion potential. By mastering engagement levers—compelling thumbnails, sharp hooks, and strong retention—brands can turn viewers into loyal subscribers and warm leads.
The news: Over 38,600 residential structures were within the flood zone of the Guadalupe River disaster in Texas over July 4th, per Realtor.com. And the aftermath has revealed alarming gaps in locals’ insurance coverage. Our take: To close the gap, they must help customers understand the value of their services and what affects pricing. Insurers should: Build campaigns around why separate flood insurance is needed, educate consumers on the factors that influence flood insurance premiums, and highlight preventative measures homeowners can take to reduce flood risk.
The news: We’ve covered banking customer anxieties about inflation, tariff chaos, and broader economic warning signs. Banks have been offering products and advice to help customers plan for the future and strengthen their financial standings. But some financial institutions (FIs) may be failing to address customers’ more pressing financial needs. Our take: For customers showing signs of financial stress, banks must pivot from long-term planning advice to addressing immediate financial survival. This requires delivering highly personalized, practical guidance on urgent concerns like budgeting and debt management. To identify customers in need of help, FIs can analyze their financial health, emergency savings, and how often they nearly or completely empty out their accounts to pay their bills. These steps can prove the FI’s value and build trust in the short term.
The news: Nearly four in 10 customers aren’t very satisfied with their auto insurers, according to J.D. Power’s 2025 US Auto Insurance Study. This makes them significantly less likely to renew and more likely to shop for a new provider. Even customers with higher premiums, multiple premiums, and long tenures aren’t locked in: Just 51% of customers in this high-value lifetime group said they will definitely renew. Our take: Auto insurers must prioritize the customer experience or risk attrition. And since almost half of their highest-value customers could be considering a switch, making swift changes can help them prevent financial losses.
EMARKETER
The news: TikTok renewed its Lionel Messi-focused live broadcast deal with Major League Soccer (MLS) after a successful 2024 livestream, per a blog post. TikTok will partner with Apple TV to broadcast four select matches in the current MLS season, with a dedicated camera angle focused on Messi during each match. Our take: TikTok and Apple TV’s newest move is another bid to capitalize on a well-known athlete in a profitable genre, where advertising opportunities are plentiful and success is essentially guaranteed. Sports are one of the most reliable ad environments, offering scale, loyalty, and global reach.
The news: Despite strides in streaming, linear TV still maintains an 86% share of overall ad impressions—nearly 17 billion daily impressions, per iSpot.tv. iSpot estimates that linear TV grew 3.3% in overall ad spend in the first sixth months of 2025, reaching $21.9 billion. Our take: While linear ads may lag behind the precision of CTV, they still command massive reach that drives results. Millions of viewers still watch live TV, preserving linear’s ad potential. A successful ad strategy will tap into its enduring influence while gradually allocating spend toward CTV to align with shifting viewing habits.