TikTok shifts away from free traffic for US merchants: The change will require businesses to pay for ads for visibility, but TikTok remains a critical touchpoint.

Gen Z is driving the vertical video revolution: Platforms and marketers must meet them where they are—on mobile and with creators.

LGBTQ+ influencers note drop in Pride deals: The change, attributed to pressure from the administration, could have consequences for brands.

The ease and novelty of BNPL loans can rapidly snowball into a crisis for already financially fragile consumers.

Pinterest teams with the Liberty to reach Gen Z fans: The focus is lifestyle expression, trend discovery, and community engagement.

YouTube brings side-by-side ads to livestreams: The move could help convince creators and advertisers that YouTube is the go-to livestream choice.

Issuers and POS providers need to offer fast, secure checkout experiences.

Discord tests “Discord Orbs” to reward users for ad interaction: A broader rollout could prove successful at driving action among key demographics.

The issuer’s increased acceptance on multiple Caribbean islands dovetails with its cardholders’ travel preferences.

Millennials and Gen Zers can finance snow sport luxury with BNPL—boosting Affirm’s non-retail volume.

As consumers become increasingly comfortable abandoning brands, marketers and retailers are betting on personalized experiences to keep them around. 81% of Gen Zers and Millennials, and 74% of all shoppers worldwide have switched brands in the past year, per a December 2024 Salesforce survey. Enhancing personalization efforts and building brand trust and loyalty are two of the top priorities among marketing leaders worldwide, according to a December 2024 survey from The Marketing Geeks.

Retailers and brands are racing to deploy AI across the shopping journey, but trust, quality, and execution will define who wins.

TelevisaUnivision is doubling down on young Hispanic audiences: With music festivals, microdramas, and dual-language content built for mobile.

Instacart has launched a new standalone app, Fizz, to help groups plan, purchase, and pay for party snacks and drinks.

Marketers are rediscovering OOH’s power for brand-building: In a post-click world, visibility and trust matter more than ever.

40% of Gen Zers, and 19% of all consumers, have stopped using or purchasing brands who contradicted or reversed DEI efforts, according to a March survey by Ad Age and The Harris Poll.

Gen Zers are most likely to experience a problem with the payment method. These concerns could weaken BNPL transaction growth

Brands launch campaigns for Mental Health Awareness Month: From Kenneth Cole to Calm, brands are recognizing the value of mental health messaging.

Discord’s platform is built for participation, not passive content: Brands face high standards—and high rewards if they succeed.

Nearly three-fourths of Gen Zers discover new media content on social media (72%) and on YouTube (71%), according to December 2024 data from Toluna, Coraly Partners, and Halford Media Advisory.