Microdramas have moved from a Chinese app phenomenon to a mainstream US media habit. This FAQ covers what microdramas are, how big the market is, and where the advertising opportunities sit in 2026.
In today’s podcast episode, we discuss the evolving definition of affiliate marketing, the most interesting areas of the space today, and how improvements in measurement have helped position affiliate as a channel that marketers can confidently invest in. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Principal Analyst Max Willens, AWIN President of North America Adam Weiss, and Higher Dose Chief Marketing and Commercialization Officer Ingrid Milman Cordy. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube or Spotify.
Bringing its analytics platform to Sam’s Club could attract more suppliers and boost high-margin revenue streams.
Shoppers delayed purchases, compared more, and relied on value to decide what makes the basket.
But growing economic pressures will likely weigh on demand in the second half of the year.
Sellers can give patrons targeted offers to boost visits and spend.
As annual fees creep up, members need solid lounge service and experience to justify the cost of cards.
Retailers need to beef up co-brand rewards to secure spending made through card-funded digital wallets.
Financial pressure is holding them back
Microdrama audience growth in China is slowing, but the industry’s biggest opportunity is just beginning. AI, premium storytelling, and branded content are transforming the format into a serious media and marketing platform.
Meta removes advertiser placement exclusions: Automation may simplify campaigns, but brands lose control over where ads run without guaranteed gains.
Secondhand resistance is collapsing on both ends at once. The share of consumers saying they were not at all likely to buy a secondhand gift fell from 68% in 2022 to 51% in 2026, while the share who are "very likely" to do so more than doubled, from 8% to 17%, according to CivicScience.
Its $3T opportunity hinges on turning existing banking ties into deeper investment relationships.
Brands can’t count on China to drive demand until financial markets stabilize and the pressure on affluent consumers eases.
User-built AI features could translate financial habits into unique app experiences—and make rivals rethink personalization.
YouTube is reportedly offering exclusive content deals, limiting creator reach and challenging cross-platform campaigns.
Disconnected systems drain productivity, with SMBs especially exposed to inefficient workflows.
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how advertisers can transition from World Cup storytelling into domestic league campaigns, what makes football audiences unique from an advertising perspective, the number that best encapsulates the advertising opportunity within the English Premier League, what makes America's Major League Soccer attractive compared with established European leagues, and more. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Principal Analyst Bill Fisher, and Senior Forecasting Analyst Oscar Orozco. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube or Spotify.
Netflix’s conventional model is built around binge-watching, where viewers tune in for hours to stream several episodes. But consumer behavior is increasingly fragmented across shorter viewing sessions throughout the day,
YouTube makes creator content look more like TV: Creator-led shows give CTV advertisers another reason to make YouTube core media.