The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards underscored streaming’s dominance in television, with HBO Max, Apple TV+, and Netflix sweeping major categories. Traditional TV was largely absent from the spotlight, with The Late Show among the few exceptions. The ceremony’s cross-platform broadcast—CBS, Paramount+, Showtime, Hulu—reflected shifting consumption habits, as Emmys remain culturally relevant even as streaming platforms cement their awards clout.
New studies from leading AI labs OpenAI and Anthropic reveal how generative AI (genAI) is being used, painting a picture of rapid adoption. OpenAI’s analysis found that 73% of ChatGPT interactions were personal rather than professional. In stark contrast, Anthropic’s report on its Claude AI software found an overwhelming business focus on automation. For CMOs, the opportunity is to design campaigns and brand experiences that are approachable enough for personal use and scalable enough for enterprise integration. Marketers who frame AI as both empowering and efficient will be best positioned to earn trust across the adoption divide.
Volvo and Mastercard are trialing the US’s first in-car toll payment pilot program, per a press release from the North Carolina Turnpike Authority. Google will supply payments-enabled in-car infotainment systems for the limited 100 Volvo participants. If E-ZPass payment technology gets shifted onto Google’s platform, E-ZPass Group no longer has to worry about the cost of their transponders and can receive payments automatically for those who don’t have a transponder, instead of waiting for a billing period. If Google becomes a permanent partner for toll payments, the tech mammoth stands to reap the windfall of multi-state toll volumes from certain commuters likely loyal to toll routes.
Chime debuted the Chime Card, a secured credit card with no fees or interest. Cardholders can receive 1.5% cash back in rotating categories for groceries, gas, restaurants, and utility bills after placing a qualifying deposit of $200 or more into a Chime checking account. With zero fees or interest, Chime’s ability to make a profit on this card is fairly limited. However, drawing more consumers from underbanked or underprivileged backgrounds into its ecosystem with enticing features could help build loyalty to eventually graduate cardholders to more traditional and profitable financial products as their credit histories improve and mature.
Citi and US Bank cardholders will get first access to Mastercard’s agentic payments technology, per Finextra. Consumers are skittish about the rise of genAI, but their hunger for hyperpersonalized offerings fueled by AI technology may slowly sway more people to the pro-genAI camp. A recent study of 1,000 college-educated US adults showed that 70% participants believed the benefits of AI outweighed the risks, per a KPMG study. Citi and US Bank can increase adoption of the tech—and make sure their cards are the payment methods attached to the new shopping medium—by linking increased rewards for consumer use to kick off new payment behavior.
Black Friday kicks off the holiday season, and standing out takes more than sharp promotions. Marketers are turning to AI-driven personalization and performance tools to deliver faster, smarter experiences that convert.
Two years after its US debut, TikTok Shop has become a dominant force in social commerce by turning discovery into conversion, with nearly half of its American user base expected to make purchases in 2025. While livestream shopping initially gained traction, its appeal quickly faded as US consumers resisted scheduled shopping events, unlike in China. Instead, TikTok Shop’s growth has been fueled by short, authentic creator content, which now drives two-thirds of its revenues and has attracted more than 184,000 sellers. It seems increasingly clear that TikTok Shop’s strength lies in its creator-driven, recommendation-based model rather than putting a fresh spin on QVC-style livestreams.
Elevated interest rates, high prices, and weak consumer confidence are straining the housing market and, by extension, furniture sales. RH CEO Gary Friedman called the current climate the third worst he’s seen in nearly four decades, with industrywide discounting becoming a survival tactic. Tariff uncertainty is adding pressure after Donald Trump threatened new levies on imported furniture, a move Friedman warned could be devastating. RH is mitigating risks by diversifying sourcing and boosting US output, but tariffs are still set to cut $30 million from forecasts and delay Sourcebook shipments, shifting revenues into future quarters.
Amazon’s push into fresh grocery delivery is more of an opportunity than a threat for Instacart, according to CEO Chris Roger. But while Instacart is right to see enterprise opportunities from chains worried about Amazon’s grocery expansion, it is also vulnerable to the retailer’s encroachment on its turf and similar efforts from Uber, DoorDash, and Walmart.
Cracker Barrel and Jaguar faced fierce backlash over recent rebrands, including criticism from Donald Trump, but their responses diverged sharply. Cracker Barrel scrapped its new logo, ended DEI initiatives, and restored traditional elements after customers accused it of abandoning its heritage. Jaguar, however, doubled down, unveiling a bold redesign and luxury EV despite Trump’s attacks, signaling a pivot toward younger, wealthier buyers. The contrast underscores how brand reinventions can either alienate loyalists or attract new audiences, with success hinging on timing, cultural awareness, and a clear long-term strategy.
“If there’s one thing I want my team to get right, it’s the cohesion of messages,” said Minyi Su, head of marketing at Bluemercury. “While personalized messaging is important, we need to make sure that personalization all ladders up to the same theme.” Balancing broader brand identity with customized recommendations was one of many themes Su focused on at EMARKETER’s Future of Digital Summit on Tuesday.
American Express and UPS partnered to help ease the cost of shipping for small and midsize businesses (SMBs), per a press release. Amex and UPS’ partnership can help SMBs save on shipping costs and could make UPS a more attractive logistics partner—especially as other mailing providers, such as Korea Post, Norway and Finland’s carriers, Deutsche Post, and DHL Parcel Germany plan to stop US-bound deliveries due to confusion over duty charges and required data submissions.
Klarna Started trading on the NYSE on Wednesday under the ticker symbol KLAR. Klarna’s stock opened at $52 per share—well above anticipated levels of $35-$37 per share—and closed at $48.82. By the end of the day, the buy now, pay later (BNPL) player was valued at $17.3 billion. Klarna’s IPO outperformance signals investor hunger for major tech listings, following Circle and Figma’s standout public offerings. As Klarna moves deeper into the US BNPL market, Siemiatkowski said that different use cases between the Affirm and Klarna Cards will determine the future of each fintech player.
Leaders in fintech gathered at Finovate Fall in New York City to discuss emerging trends facing the industry. The payments industry is experiencing multiple points of disruption with agentic AI, new modalities of payments, and regulatory changes all placing pressure on ecosystem participants. Players who understand how to leverage their value during this transition period will cement their relevancy in the coming years.
Confidence among higher-income consumers is rising, boosting their desire to spend on premium airline tickets, luxury goods, and everything in between. Retailers are rushing to premiumize, targeting higher-income households with the means and willingness to spend. But these shoppers are discriminating: Companies looking to earn their spending must deliver products and experiences that meet their high standards—and prepare for the possibility of buyer’s remorse.
The digital ad market is shifting fast. In court, Google admitted the “open web is already in rapid decline,” contradicting its public claims, as AI Overviews erode publisher traffic. The Trade Desk’s stock plunged 12% after Netflix’s Amazon DSP deal, with Morgan Stanley citing CTV headwinds and higher fees. Meanwhile, Reddit is positioning itself as a publisher ally, rolling out Reddit Pro to help offset traffic losses from search. Together, these moves underscore a fractured open web ecosystem: Google under pressure, The Trade Desk undercut by Amazon, and Reddit stepping up as publishers seek new discovery sources.
In this podcast episode, we discuss retailers’ priorities this holiday period, how they can stand out from the crowd, and how to balance sharp pricing with creating an emotional connection that lasts beyond the season. Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and guest host, Suzy Davidkhanian, Principal Analyst, Sky Canaves, and Senior Analyst, Zak Stambor.
China’s deflation shows no signs of going away. The consumer price index (CPI) fell 0.4% YoY in August, more than expected, as the country struggles through its third straight year of slumping prices. With US trade talks yet to yield definitive results, Beijing will have to move from lip service to direct action on the country’s economic problems. But in the meantime, retailers must gird themselves for drawn-out, costly price wars—and make sure they stay attuned to the changing needs, preferences, and desires of Chinese consumers.
Google and commerce media company Criteo announced an onsite retail media integration on Tuesday, marking the first of its kind for Google and opening opportunities for brands across digital commerce. Criteo and Google’s integration provides clear direction for advertisers struggling to capitalize on retail media’s potential, offering a seamless ecosystem that will connect brands with customers likely to take action.