CNN isn’t done with streaming: In a memo announcing layoffs, CEO Mark Thompson said a standalone streaming service is coming.

The Trade Desk bolsters its data by acquiring Sincera: The deal hints at a future for DSPs, which face increased competition from sellers.

MFA sites still plague open web exchanges: AI allows bad actors to rapidly produce fraudulent websites and use bots to drum up fake pageviews, muddying the ad ecosystem.

OpenAI and Axios partner up: The AI firm will fund four local newsrooms in exchange for access to the publisher’s material.

For publishers, genAI is changing everything from search referrals to the way they produce content.

The advertising industry craves standardization in a fragmented landscape shaped by rising privacy expectations and demands for actionable insights. To move beyond aggregate campaign analytics, businesses need user-level insights without adding legal, technical, or governance hurdles.

Apple will manage Apple News inventory itself: Company stands to gain a larger share of spending by deprioritizing third-party vendors.

Affiliate marketing is evolving, driven by diverse partners like influencers and tech providers, broadening its scope beyond traditional ROI and measurability. As marketers move away from big tech, the channel's flexibility and control are increasingly valued for driving growth and customization.

Made for advertising sites still claim 13% of programmatic ad spend: Despite major efforts from exchanges, the MFA problem still hasn’t been solved.

Instagram’s value wanes for publishers: Ad spend and content posting drop as WhatsApp Channels gains traction for direct audience engagement.

Google’s antitrust battle with DOJ: Company should demonstrate market competition, low barriers to entry, and no evidence of consumer harm.

Perplexity enters ad market with focus on user engagement: Rapid growth and commitment to transparency position it as a strong competitor in search.

AI Overviews aren’t meaningfully changing publisher traffic: Q2 results from major publishers show less impact than expected, but it could still be a future threat.

Earlier this year, Best Buy partnered with CNET to expand advertisers’ reach among high-intent shoppers. This is a part of a larger trend where retail media networks (RMNs) team up with outside partners to expand their ad capabilities.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the argument for the NYTimes suing OpenAI, the argument for other publishers (like Vox, the Associated Press, and others) signing content licensing deals with OpenAI, and how this all shakes out. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Daniel Konstantinovic and Gadjo Sevilla.

On today's podcast episode (part 2), we discuss what the end of cookies means for publishers, what new media business models look like, and who's done the best job of pivoting to digital. "In Other News," we talk about when brands should disclose that they have used AI and whether Spotify's new video learning courses can move the needle. Tune in to the discussion with our director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman and analyst Daniel Konstantinovic.

The ad industry is still hyperreliant on cookies: Despite an imminent phaseout, a Wired report found that the most popular websites share data with thousands of companies.

57% of US ad buyers use performance metrics to help determine attention levels, according to an August 2023 survey from Integral Ad Science and YouGov.

Connected TV (CTV)’s growth in reach and audience make it an ideal channel for marketers who want their campaigns to be impactful. Going forward, programmatic ad buying is expected to continue making CTV the perfect performance marketing opportunity.

During the season of giving, one gift that retailers can truly bank on is partnership marketing. Partnerships not only provide a host of benefits like extended reach and enhanced credibility, they can also make the holiday season considerably more profitable.