Tariffs could add $12,000 to new car prices, drive up costs for electronics, and inflate grocery bills. Marketers must pivot to value-driven messaging as economic uncertainty reshapes spending.

Google, OpenAI, and Opera are embedding AI agents into devices and browsers. These tools can browse, compare, and purchase products with minimal user input.

Honor will invest $10 billion to shift from smartphones to AI devices, betting on agentic AI and industry partnerships to compete with Apple, Google, and Samsung.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how GenAI is changing the customer shopping journey the most, the impact of AI agents, and how to maintain brand messaging in a more conversational universe. Tune in to the episode with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, our Analyst Jacob Bourne, Vice President Suzy Davidkhanian, and Global Digital Commerce Senior Director, Strategy & Execution, Todd Hassenfelt. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

Figure AI shifts into overdrive: Slashing its original timeline, the startup is pushing humanoid robots into homes this year—either a sign of rapid AI progress or a risky bet to stay ahead.

This week, new advertisers enter the podcast space, consumers discourage brand desperation, and brands take notes from Netflix.

The company will lean on AI and stablecoins to maintain its momentum

Customers’ expectations for timely, personalized advice have grown.

64% of US ad buyers expect to focus somewhat or significantly more on cross-platform measurement in 2025, according to a December 2024 IAB survey.

X adds automated, AI-generated ad creation: The move is another attempt for X to win back brands the platform lost.

On today’s special edition podcast, we talk about how brands are rising to the challenge of finding the right influencers and creators for campaigns. Listen to the discussion with Senior Analyst, Minda Smiley, as she hosts N’Yaisha Aziz, Global Social Media Lead at Uber, and Rodney Mason, the Head of Marketing and Brand Partnerships at LTK. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

Online returns growth will outpace overall ecommerce growth through 2028, driving retailers to update their strategies and solutions to manage costs.

68% of US adults think the government and businesses share responsibility over preventing the spread of false information through AI, according to a December 2024 Gallup and Telescope Foundation survey.

As AI agents become more sophisticated and digital twins evolve, marketers have even more to gain from the emerging technology.

B2B ecommerce growth is outpacing B2B product and electronic sales growth. And ecommerce site sales are taking an increasing share of the market. Macroeconomic conditions, buyers’ preferences, and AI use are fueling increased digital transactions, particularly through third-party marketplaces.

How can Spotify grow its advertiser appeal? The music platform must tread carefully to attract advertisers while retaining customers.

As marketers integrate generative AI (genAI) into their creative workflows, they must ensure the technology enhances, rather than replaces, creativity. Creatives must be active in AI policy development, maintain transparency of AI use, and be thoughtful about the way they use genAI. Brands that balance AI efficiency with human insight will stand out.

On today’s special edition podcast, we discuss the evolution of creator content, how content is migrating off social channels, brand partnerships and the implications of AI on content. Join Vice President and Principal Analyst, Jasmine Enberg as she hosts Nicole Weltman, Head of Social from Taco Bell, Bryan Reisberg, Creator, CEO, and Co-Founder of Little Chonk, and Sarah Crockett, Senior Vice President and CMO of DSW. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

AI-powered summaries from OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Perplexity misrepresent facts, yet audiences buy in—fueling misinformation and risking brand reputation