PayPal rolled out Transaction Graph Insights & Measurement at CES to gives advertisers and merchants a clearer, cross-merchant view of how people actually shop and purchase—and early results suggest meaningful impact.

Netflix will officially acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) streaming and studio assets in an $82.7 billion deal, the company announced Friday morning. Netflix stated it has secured $59 billion in financing from a collection of banks to finalize the deal. This is a coup for Netflix. Acquiring Warner Bros. will provide exclusive control over intellectual property such as DC, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and HBO Originals. Ted Sarandos agreed, framing the acquisition as a rare but necessary shift for Netflix to maintain its leadership.

Netflix is reportedly exploring an acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD)’s studio and streaming operations—its boldest move yet to consolidate the streaming market. The deal would include HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, and HBO Max but exclude cable properties. For Netflix, the acquisition would supercharge its ad-supported tier with premium, long-tail content, expanding both viewership and inventory. The potential combination of HBO’s prestige programming and Netflix’s data-driven ad platform could redefine connected TV advertising, pressuring rivals like Disney+ and Peacock. If successful, the merger would mark streaming’s biggest consolidation since Amazon’s MGM purchase—and a new era for premium video.

Ecommerce growth is slowing as the market matures, but gains will come from mobile commerce, Gen Z buyers, and high-performing categories.

The news: Advertisers are prioritizing interactive video ads to capture users and boost engagement as social media and YouTube consume ad spend. 52% of advertisers expect to use interactive features in at least 26% of their ads this year, per Digiday and PadSquad’s 2025 State of the Industry survey. Only 7% neither use and nor plan to use interactive video features in their ads. Our take: In a saturated media market, getting and keeping consumers’ attention is a difficult endeavor. Integrating gamified features and personalized media elements can help ensure that marketing campaigns are seen and not just scrolled past.

The news: Roblox’s lack of third-party measurement tools is becoming a hurdle for advertisers. The platform has minimal independent insights into standard metrics like reach and performance outcomes, per Digiday. As a result, potential customers are hesitant to start investing in ads on Roblox, which could dampen company growth. Our take: Roblox commands enormous engagement, especially with younger users, and it has a wealth of assets to attract advertisers and bolster its revenue. However, without accessible measurement offerings that meet industry standards, Roblox’s growth as a major ad channel may remain limited.

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

With video ad completion rates topping 80% and new measurement partners onboard, Roblox is positioning itself as a premium ad platform for younger audiences.

Kantar Media is sold for $1 billion as measurement heats up: Private equity sees a big opportunity in the rapidly changing landscape.

NPS keeps losing traction as the primary metric for customer experience: Even its originator, Bain, seems to be wondering whether the Net Promoter Score has outlived its usefulness.

OOH keeps gaining ad spending dollars, but its share of media budgets remains below pre-pandemic levels.

Ad-supported video gains viewership, time spent on digital video surpasses TV, and streaming services pivot from audience growth to profitability.

Inflation in the UK is easing but remains near a 40-year high. That’s tamping down consumer spending across all categories—with total retail sales set to grow by just 1.7% in 2023, versus a pre-pandemic growth rate of around 4%.

Declining TV viewing, tiered streaming, emergent ad businesses, and content spending cutbacks will be among the most prominent 2023 video trends.

Following two tough years, US OOH ad spending will near its pre-pandemic levels in 2022, as advertisers embrace traditional outdoor placements, particularly billboards.

Dozens of digital pharmacies have appeared in recent years, jostling for consumers’ attention alongside the digital twins of national retail chains and mass merchandisers. The threat of recession may send more consumers online, looking for lower prescription prices.

Peacock made audience gains as the streaming space gets more crowded.

TikTok’s new marketing tools focus on customization and commerce: It’s taking steps to make advertisers feel comfortable on the platform and heavily push social commerce.

The outdoor advertising market begins to recoup its losses after a difficult 2020.

By 2023, US adults are expected to spend more than 8 hours a day with digital media. To effectively engage consumers in an increasingly digital world, marketers must have an effective strategy in place.