Google is quietly exploring how Gemini could support advertising in 2026, per Adweek, even as the company publicly denies any such plans. Agencies say Google has framed potential Gemini ads as high-intent, conversational opportunities for ecommerce brands—signals emerging alongside rapid user growth. Gemini’s global MAUs have climbed roughly 30% since August, and its US footprint is projected to reach 85.7 million users by 2029. If prompt-level signals become targetable, conversational AI could function as a new, more precise form of intent advertising.

OpenAI is preparing to turn ChatGPT into an advertising platform, posting a new role for an engineer to build systems for ad integration, campaign management, and attribution. The move could position ChatGPT as a new challenger to Google, Meta, and Amazon’s ad businesses. Already a major driver of referral traffic to retailers like Walmart, Etsy, and Target, ChatGPT has clear potential to evolve into a commerce and ad engine. But execution will be critical: Poorly integrated ads risk undermining user trust, even as AI-driven ad formats are projected to grow at triple-digit annual rates in the coming years.

The findings: Banks’ NFL ads did better than other ads on all TV platforms, according to EDO’s NFL TV Outcomes Report. Bank ads that aired during the NFL’s 2024–2025 season programming were 27% more effective than the category average across all broadcast and cable TV platforms, increasing to 47% during the postseason, according to this study. This effectiveness is measured by the ads' ability to drive brand searches and website visits. Our take: Running an ad during an NFL game and featuring a well-known actor or athlete doesn’t come cheap. But if done correctly—leveraging the football platform to tell a compelling, human story—the ROI can make it worthwhile. Financial institutions that haven’t used celebrities or NFL players in their campaigns should consider engaging a third-party agency to make the most of a potential campaign.

Shorts now dominate prime screen space on connected TVs, signaling YouTube’s bid to normalize mobile-first formats in the living room—whether users like it or not.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss Meta’s capacity to weather the tariff climate, how Meta plans to redefine advertising, and what happens if it is forced to sell Instagram and WhatsApp. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Vice President and Principal Analyst Jasmine Enberg, and Senior Analyst Minda Smiley. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss why the new funnel begins at checkout, what kinds of offers customers are most receptive to when getting ready to click the buy button, and how to avoid showing someone something they already have. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Vice President of Content Suzy Davidkhanian, Senior Director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman, and Senior Vice President of Solutions and Operations at Rokt Jon Humphrey. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

95% of women characters in US ads are portrayed in domestic and family roles, while only 3% are in leadership roles, according to a March 2025 CreativeX report. In worldwide ads, 71% of women characters are portrayed in domestic roles and 20% in leadership roles.

It's been a year since the messaging app Discord launched its own reward-based ad format called "Quests" for PC and game console users, and they're ready to celebrate its success.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a fast-growing and lucrative ecommerce market. To tap into growth in the country, retailers and brands need to understand what motivates consumers.

The payments giant is expanding its financial media network to monetize its data and push profitability efforts forward

Reddit lets users block content from specific advertisers: While the change could improve user experience, it may also jeopardize Reddit’s main revenue source.

This week, small businesses express concerns about President Trump’s policies, private label brands gain traction, and Gen Z embraces AI for shopping. Meanwhile, TikTok music influences purchases, and excessive advertising drives cart abandonment.

Firefly AI debuts with IP-safe video generation, aiming to outshine OpenAI’s Sora. Its Premiere Pro integration could make it a go-to for professionals.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how much is too much when it comes to AI-generated ads, the relationship between how much people notice ads versus how intrusive they find them, and the main reason consumers say they feel “ignored” by marketers. Tune in to the conversation with Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Director of Reports Editing Rahul Chadha, and Senior Analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolff. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

A lot happens in a week, so every Friday we're going to analyze all the new data and provide you with some of the key takeaways. Welcome to the Friday 5.

Repetition can make for a successful campaign, like when Temu played the same ad five times during last year’s Super Bowl and saw a 45% spike in app downloads, per Harris Poll. However, overexposure runs the risk of irritating your audience.

Amazon’s new Retail Ad Service, announced last week, is certainly the biggest retail media news of the year so far. In offering its ad-tech to power other retailers' media networks (RMNs), Amazon could disrupt how retail media operates for retailers, advertisers, vendors, and consumers alike.

In 2025, digital advertising will be shaped by connected (CTV) consolidation, stricter data privacy measures, and AI-driven marketing. CTV growth may spark mergers, while privacy regulations push brands to rely on first-party data. AI will continue to enhance campaign performance and creativity, transforming how marketers engage audiences.

With the open-platform Android XR and a more budget-friendly headset, they’re opening the doors to immersive tech for everyone, taking on Apple and Meta’s walled gardens.