On today's episode, we discuss why some folks think digital ads are getting worse, whether things are looking up for Uber, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance challenging Meta on VR, why Warner Bros. Discovery will continue Discovery+, the Grammys rebounding from the pandemic's effect on viewership, the surprising most littered plastic item in the US, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our vice president of Briefings Stephanie Taglianetti and analysts Suzy Davidkhanian and Max Willens.

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.

Tech layoffs hit Twilio, LinkedIn, Ford, and Yahoo: We could be facing a secondary wave of cost-cutting in the tech field. The good news is opportunities are open in other industries.

While overall social network user numbers are rising slowly in the UK, there’s much greater movement in terms of the platforms being used.

Meta gained a strong hold over the US social media app rankings last year, with Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Facebook all boasting the highest numbers of downloads, according to Apptopia. Messaging app Telegram broke into the top 10 this year, as did relative newcomer BeReal.

Among the major global platforms, Facebook and Instagram will remain firmly at the top in both total revenues and user base, and TikTok will once again be the fastest-growing platform in both areas

As social media grows more “lean-back” than “lean-in,” it’s settling into an era of more modest growth defined by short-form video consumption, stabilizing time spent, and ongoing challenges with Apple’s AppTrackingTransparency.

The social audience remains massive: This year, for the first time, roughly two-thirds of the US population will use a social network at least monthly, per our estimates

Pinterest’s shopping strategy addresses many social commerce pain points: But sluggish user growth may hinder its ability to increase its share of the market.

TikTok’s future is anything but guaranteed: While the app remains king of video for now, Meta and Google are making strides to steal market share.

Meta’s vow of efficiency marks renewed optimism: Meta shares rally after analysts upgrade stock due to Meta’s new, leaner direction. Meanwhile, the company continues to spend billions on an unrealized metaverse pivot.

After surviving Q4, Meta tries to refocus its business: An emphasis on efficiency all but ensures more cuts will come in 2023.

The number of social network users in Europe is still growing. But the relative strength of major platforms is shifting, as Facebook continues to lose market share. Instagram and Snapchat will be the biggest winners in 2023.

The social media landscape is shifting. Economic challenges, new competition, and governmental scrutiny are pushing the major global platforms in different directions.

Dazzled, dazed, and confused by ChatGPT: Its creators were unsure about releasing a technology they’re now warning about as adoption skyrockets. Legislators respond to alarm bells with mixed messages.

The UK is seeing stagnant social network user growth. But while reach remains huge, marketers should look at how their target markets are spread across platforms because this is where the real change is happening.

Nearly 80% of the world’s internet users are on social media. This landscape is still dominated by Meta in most markets, but use and ad spend is shifting away from Facebook and toward TikTok. Here are five charts capturing the worldwide state of social.

AI as muse or job killer? ChatGPT isn’t yet commercialized but is demonstrating its potential to rock the economy. The tech will affect white-collar jobs but won’t eliminate them—yet.

Shutterstock jumps on AI bandwagon with generative image tool: But considering investment in the technology, it maybecome table stakes faster than anyone predicted.

Facebook and YouTube will still be the top US social media platforms for buying ads or monetizing content this year, though their dominance is eroding, according to October 2022 polling by Integral Ad Science.