Snap is having trouble monetizing because Snapchat is primarily a chat platform, and “messaging apps are notoriously difficult to monetize,” according to our analyst Jasmine Enberg. The company could lean into its software as a service retail offerings, but consumers also aren’t sold on AR for shopping. Just 12.4% of US adults use AR for shopping, according to our forecast.

On today's episode, we discuss what the new normal looks like at Netflix, why its ad-supported tier isn't helping much, and what the first DVD ever mailed by the company was. "In Other News," we talk about Meta, TikTok, and YouTube facing off at this year's NewFronts and whether instant videos could be the next big AI development. Tune in to the discussion with our director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman.

Shorts wants to take ad dollars from TikTok: YouTube uses the NewFronts to tout their short-form video format.

Gen Zers value authenticity; male beauty consumers ask marketers to keep it simple; and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) beauty consumers want representation. Here are tactics to reach three different beauty consumers across #beautytok.

The way advertisers think about TV is changing as it shifts from linear to ad-supported streaming. Here are three developments shaping TV ad measurement, streaming behaviors, and consumer targeting.

Payment service providers competing to serve small and medium-sized businesses have a new opportunity to win them over with cutting-edge payment, cash flow, capital, and marketing tools.

On today's episode, we discuss whether social media in the future will become less social or if it will go away altogether, what the streaming wars' battle royale looks like, how easy it would be to replace Twitter and TikTok, how people think their demographics are portrayed in ads, the fight for the car screen, where Americans have moved in the last 10 years, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our director of reports editing Rahul Chadha, analyst Blake Droesch, and vice president of Briefings Stephanie Taglianetti.

While mid-tier retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond and Kohl’s struggle, discount and luxury retailers are seeing success as some consumers trade down amid inflation while others splurge to treat themselves amid tough times, respectively. But these polar opposites are using the same tools and tactics to attract new customers and retain current ones.

As retail media enters its next phase, marketing efforts are moving up the funnel toward new formats like open web, social, and streaming TV. By leveraging partnerships with social media companies, streaming platforms, and publishers, retail media networks can reach consumers earlier in the buying cycle and build brand awareness.

In March, 37% of US teens called TikTok their favorite social media app, up from 30% the same month two years ago, according to Piper Sandler. Snapchat dropped to second place, falling to 27% from 31% during that period. In the No. 3 spot is Instagram, which 23% of teens named their top choice.

UK consumers have a voracious appetite for digital video content, but the cost-of-living crisis is boosting ad-supported options, particularly broadcaster video-on-demand services. Netflix’s pivot to an ad tier, meanwhile, may have legs.

Moving across the US-Canada border can be the first step toward international expansion for retailers. Canadian brands like lululemon athletica and Aritzia are thriving in the US. Meanwhile, US-based companies Lowe’s, Nordstrom, and Bed Bath & Beyond recently announced they were leaving Canada. And let’s not forget Target’s famous Canadian failure. Here’s a look at how brands on both sides of the border have fared, and the lessons you can learn from them.

On today's episode, we discuss whether there's room in people's streaming lives for the new service "Max," the significance of Montana preparing to become the first state to ban TikTok, why Expedia wants ChatGPT to be your travel advisor, a March Madness finals ratings surprise, YouTube TV launching its multiview feature, where the tradition of sports jersey numbers being retired came from, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our forecasting writer Ethan Cramer-Flood, director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman, and director of forecasting Oscar Orozco.

Citing security concerns, the bill now goes to Gov. Greg Gianforte, who banned TikTok on state-owned devices. TikTok is pushing back, but other states could accelerate all-out bans.

We forecast 90.0 million people will use AR in the US this year, interacting with it in ways that increase retail sales and advertising engagements.

Marketers are on the prowl for the next big social media platform. They’re eyeing names like BeReal, Lemon8, and Zigazoo, but so far, no platform has gained users the way TikTok did. “Understanding why certain apps surge and why some ultimately fizzle is vital to keep up with changing social user trends and behaviors,” said our analyst Jasmine Enberg. We took a closer look at what marketers are watching.

“Consumer acquisition costs have gone up. Data is harder and harder to access. It’s trickier to figure out how to target our consumer in the right way.” That’s Kendra Scott’s CMO Michelle Peterson, summarizing the state of marketing right now. The jeweler has found success both online and in-store by leveraging its D2C roots, pushing a viral TikTok presence, and working with the right influencers.

US consumers are increasingly turning to Walmart.com, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok to start their online shopping searches, according to Jungle Scout. Amazon, search engines, and Facebook have lost share since Q1 2022.

Summer is on the way, and the advertising landscape has already changed significantly since the start of the year. We checked in on data surrounding the biggest trends, including AI search (which is happening whether consumers want it or not), a TikTok ban (no one knows but be prepared), retail media (it’s exploding), and more.

Social media newcomer Lemon8 racked up about 64,000 US downloads per day, on average, in recent weeks, according to Apptopia. The platform, which comes from TikTok owner ByteDance, capitalizes on the shopability of photos and short videos with its Pinterest-meets-Instagram format.