This month’s ad platforms update is all about analytics, with Google, TikTok, and Microsoft announcing improved reporting tools. Plus, Amazon announced on-site and off-site retail media innovations. And we saw some interesting ad network updates from Lyft and Intuit. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new.

Lyft diversifies revenue with in-app ads: User data to optimize targeting while mitigating privacy concerns.

Stripe can benefit from Uber’s global reach, while Uber can cut checkout friction for customers.

This report presents five of the most intriguing and/or under-the-radar positive forecasts for 2023 that clients should be aware of, as compiled by our forecasting team.

Will tech have learned its lesson during economic recovery? A mild recession in 2023 could give rise to tech’s recovery during the second half of the year. Expect industry caution.

Veterans Affairs wants to be ‘best place’ for laid-off tech workers: Tech layoffs increased in November, but other sectors have a window of opportunity to scoop them up.

Big Tech’s real estate addiction cured by downturn: Companies are reversing their office expansion plans to cut costs. Long-term, the move makes more financial sense than layoffs given the rise of remote work.

Activist investor pressures Salesforce to slash staff: A string of tech layoffs last week follows the Fed’s interest rate hike. But tech talent scavengers should keep companies on their toes.

A proposed rule would make it easier to reclassify gig workers as employees: That could have severe repercussions for DoorDash, Amazon, Uber, and countless others that rely on the gig economy.

On today's episode, we discuss who is most likely to win the short-video race, the significance of Lyft's new media division, the potential of Apple's ad business, whether buy now, pay later is too good to be true, Chewy's new insurance and wellness service CarePlus, an unpopular opinion about retail media, who's buying all the electric vehicles, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Ross Benes, Blake Droesch, and Max Willens.

Big Tech post-Roe: As tech giants like Google respond to abortion rights loss, they face a quagmire of choices about strengthening digital privacy, censorship, and where to do business.

Add robotaxis to the list of upcoming Tesla products: Struggles with fully autonomous driving, delivering on schedule, and safety are huge roadblocks to Tesla’s robotaxi flex.

Is it time to rethink the gig worker-based business model?: Amazon alters jobs for grocery-picking gig workers to help meet growing demand for online orders.

Big Tech faces dilemma in Russia-Ukraine conflict: While rushing to get refugees to safety, companies debate remaining neutral, which would seem like compliance with Russia, or leveling sanctions and risking retribution from the Kremlin.

On today's episode, we discuss whether Donald Trump's new "Truth Social" platform can make some noise, Facebook rebranding the News Feed, whether LinkedIn is the best social network, Uber and Lyft's rebound, how Apple changed Facebook, an unpopular opinion about Disney, where Valentine's Day came from, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our director of forecasting Oscar Orozco and analysts Blake Droesch and Peter Vahle.

Connected vehicles are changing the nature of transportation and mobility. Players in the traditional automotive ecosystem—including retailers and marketers—are using the massive amounts of data connected cars produce to enhance brand loyalty, create new revenue streams, and drive business growth.

After a deflated 2020, Uber and Lyft are both poised to see US ride-sharing sales grow for years to come, but the former’s will rise faster and from a higher base.

This report explains the rise of tech-focused SDOH initiatives among US health insurers and hospitals, unpacks how these entities’ heavier focus on SDOH has ushered in opportunities for digital health vendors and tech companies operating at the periphery of healthcare to help address nonclinical health gaps, and lays out the factors driving the prioritization of SDOH and inhibiting these efforts’ growth.

Consumers’ growing willingness to get their financial services from non-FI providers is spurring consumer brands to embed financial elements in their products and services. But this new form of finance will mean dramatic changes for incumbent and startup FIs.