TikTok’s recent advances in its ad technology are making it easier for advertisers to plug into the platform and make buys. Since launching its self-serve ad platform in July 2020, TikTok has greatly expanded its targeting, custom content creation, and bidding capabilities.

Tech’s reshuffling makes spending tough for marketers: The industry is refocusing on advertising, which is still shaky from a year of changes.

On today's episode, we discuss whether connected TV (CTV) ads are living up to the hype, what to make of the Twitter deal being put on hold, what Facebook's retirement plan may be, where Big Tech goes from here, the impact of Klarna's new "Virtual Shopping" service, an unpopular opinion about market cap, some stats about American travelers, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our director of forecasting Oscar Orozco and analysts Paul Verna and Blake Droesch.

EU looks to make online platforms safer with sweeping law: Digital Services Act will ban ads to kids and allow regulators to levy big fines against Big Tech violators.

China’s digital ad market will expand in the coming years, but growth pace to slow: Government restrictions on data transfers and collection of personal info to weigh on Big Tech.

Google and Meta head toward another major showdown with Europe’s regulators: A new investigation alleges the two companies made a deal to block competition against Google’s ad system.

Last year brought many surprises for the ad tech industry, along with important learnings about industry growth, the need for interoperable identity solutions, and preparing for a cookieless future.

China’s total media ad spending and digital ad spending will both grow at their lowest rates since we began tracking them in 2012, but the ad industry is nonetheless set for an eventful year in the world’s second-largest market.

Advertisers in Western Europe should invest more in brand-appropriate channels to remain competitive and increase market share. Mobile ad spending is rising faster than any other ad category. Marketers should ensure they keep up with new developments in mobile ad technology and strategy, and make the most of those innovations.

Our global ad spending update also incorporates several factors that led to the recent upheaval and market instability in the technology sector. Those factors include inflation, adjustments to baseline interest rates, shifts in consumer confidence, and fast-changing supply chain conditions.

On today's episode, we discuss whether augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) will rival the smartphone as the next big platform, the impact of 3D advertising, how in-store shopping habits have changed, whether there really is an attention economy slowdown, what to do about inflation, an unpopular opinion about video chats, which way people fold their arms, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our senior director of Briefings Stephanie Taglianetti, director of forecasting Oscar Orozco, and analyst Dave Frankland.

Identity resolution is in a state of flux in the US advertising industry, with third-party browser cookies and mobile IDs being ushered out in the name of consumer privacy.

Soft growth in a big market: Economic and pandemic headwinds restrain ad growth in China as tech crackdown challenges digital publishers.

App usage is strong, but advertisers need to rethink their strategies, thanks to ad tracking and measurement changes.

If passed, the law would likely force Google to spin off a substantial portion of its online ad business, as the regulation would ban major ad exchanges from also operating publishing technology. The bill would likely also affect Meta and may harm Amazon and Apple. The Kids Online Safety Act, proposed this past February, also has the potential to affect time spent with devices.