YouTube strikes deal to broadcast first game of the NFL season: The move responds to fans embracing digital for sports and presents an opportunity for advertisers.

Amazon debuts three new CTV ad formats: The updates are part of Amazon’s Prime Video ads push and promise to help brands reach highly engaged audiences.

Amazon sees 18% YoY growth in ad services: While economic headwinds could slow growth, maintaining a presence on Amazon will help advertisers emerge stronger.

Returns will pass the trillion dollar mark this year, with US ecommerce returns growth outpacing sales growth, per our forecast. “It’s important for retailers and brands to look at their returns, because those ultimately eat into their margins,” said our analyst Sky Canaves.

Perplexity’s new ad makes Google a target: The company’s biggest ad yet, led by “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae, could continue the push toward a more divided AI market.

Connected TV (CTV) has emerged as the fastest-growing ad channel tracked by EMARKETER. Its ad spend outpaced other digital ads, search, social media, and retail media in 2024.

US paid retail membership fee revenues will be higher than ever before in 2025, reaching $46.39 billion, according to our May 2024 forecast. That’s an increase of 10.8% YoY, with over half (51.8%) of these revenues going to Amazon.

Amazon strengthened its grip on ecommerce in 2024: The retailer warded off growing competition from Temu and Walmart by improving delivery speeds, offering deals, and enhancing Prime benefits.

Video ad spending continues to outpace overall digital ad spending and will power the fastest-growing ad-supported media.

Amazon’s biggest healthcare moves in 2024: Amazon has prioritized connecting Prime members with healthcare and pharmacy services. We examine which of its health-focused developments could be most impactful.

Amazon’s telehealth service offers upfront pricing for Prime members: This puts it in direct competition with companies like Hims & Hers and Ro. Here’s why they should be worried.

The integration is a win for PayPal after Amazon stopped accepting Venmo on its ecommerce site

On today's podcast episode, we discuss if big tech executives will soon be held responsible for what happens on their platforms, whether Walmart+ is now a legitimate threat to Amazon Prime, how much swapping out barcodes for QR codes moves the needle, how early is too early for holiday marketing, why dogs tilt their heads, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our director of reports editing Rahul Chadha, and analysts Sarah Marzano and Carina Perkins.

When it comes to retail memberships, Amazon is the leader, boasting 97.2 million household Amazon Prime members across the US, nearly three-quarters of the country’s total households, per our forecast. Taking a page from Amazon’s playbook, retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target are using their own members-only sales events to build out their retail memberships.

Walmart partners with Burger King to beef up Walmart+ perks: While the retailer focuses on appealing to its core customer base, Amazon makes a move for holiday and grocery sales.

But usage of the payment option remained quite limited compared with the share of buyers who use BNPL at any point during the year

DoorDash is the latest delivery platform to turn to streaming to boost membership sign-ups: The company will offer DashPass subscribers free access to Max’s ad-supported tier in a bid to boost sign-ups and grow sales.

Our forecast for time spent with media has held relatively steady throughout 2024, but several important milestones are on the horizon.

Walmart+ Week member participation rose thanks to popularity with wealthy shoppers: While Amazon’s Prime Day sale attracted twice as many participants, its lead is narrowing.

Prime Day 2024 shatters records yet again as consumers stock up on essentials: Shoppers spent $14.2 billion online, spurred by significant discounts and the chance to get a head start on back-to-school needs.