The music giant will benefit from Checkout.com’s AI tools to boost payment efficiency.

The Post’s layoffs show how generative search is accelerating divergence among publishers—and suggests that AI-driven discovery is breaking legacy news.

As Google’s Chrome and DuckDuckGo integrate AI tools into their browsers, Perplexity has launched its own, built with agentic AI capabilities from the ground up—Comet. When perusing products, Comet can take complex natural-language requests and surf review sites, listicles, and news articles to find top options. For users looking for an AI-first experience, Comet is a promising entry that blends active assistance with traditional web functions. However, given Perplexity’s recent scaleback on advertiser initiatives, AI search may not be the next frontier for ad formats. Continuing investments in traditional search options like Google Search is crucial to ensuring visibility.

Gen Zers are avid personal care and beauty shoppers, and their habits often diverge from those of older consumers. While they shop in-store as much as non-Gen Zers, they're more likely to turn to digital channels for research and purchases. This report contrasts Gen Z behaviors with those of non-Gen Z shoppers across the personal care and beauty landscape.

Streaming is outplaying movie theaters for most consumers, despite frustration around streamers’ rising subscription prices. Three-quarters of US adults have streamed a recently released movie in the past year instead of watching it in a theater, per an AP-NORC poll. Brands shouldn’t abandon theaters for streaming or vice versa but should instead focus on approaching each channel with a clear strategy. Streaming, especially ad-free tiers, offers data-driven targeting, while theaters offer cultural impact and immersive experiences. Strong campaigns will employ both, using streaming for precision and theaters for impact.

Nearly half of US adults have changed their streaming subscriptions in the past six months, with cost now serving as the top driver of both cancellations and new signups. Two-thirds of those who dropped a streaming service said it was too expensive, per YouGov. As cost sensitivity rises, building trust through easy trials and frictionless exits will be crucial. The platforms that focus on quality service and diverse content over hype and lock-in systems will make their offerings feel more like essential services.

Major web publishers, including Reddit, Yahoo, Medium, and Quora, are joining forces to push for a new content licensing system for AI publishers. The group is backing Really Simple Licensing (RSL), an open standard that lets publishers dictate how AI bots scrape their content and includes payment and royalty requirements. If publishers’ collective action can successfully enforce licensing terms for content scraping, regulators may follow with broader mandates. Visibility inside generative engines could change, pushing marketers to further prioritize generative engine optimization (GEO) strategies and comprehension of how AI responses source, cite, and surface branded content.

Our exclusive data explores how social commerce and AI are reshaping the beauty path to purchase for US consumers.

The news: Amazon plans to put ads in its AI-powered Alexa+ voice assistant to boost product discovery and profits. Our take: If Amazon rolls out sponsored answers to Alexa+ user queries or in-conversation ads, the voice assistant’s vast trove of personal user data will help marketers target consumers on a micro level. However, if hallucinations arise and lead to irrelevant or inaccurate product recommendations, Amazon risks eroding both user trust and brand confidence.

The news: YouTube is giving connected TV (CTV) users the ability to skip to the most-viewed part of a video, helping them avoid slow moments or sponsored content. The feature was previously available on mobile and web for Premium subscribers and is now rolling out to Premium users who watch YouTube on its CTV app, per Android Authority. Our take: Influencer sponsored content spots are becoming more invisible and avoidable. Brands should pivot toward native product integrations within core content or have creators place sponsorships in pre- and post-roll messaging, which may be less likely to be bypassed by AI. The era of passive viewing is over. Viewers have more control, and brands need to adapt to stay visible.

Ecommerce sales of pet products are expected to rise to nearly $50 billion annually in 2029, as pet owners look for affordable and convenient methods to purchase essentials for their pets.

The news: The Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule that would have simplified canceling subscriptions was rejected by a US federal appeals court on Tuesday, exposing a rift between the priorities of advertisers and digital service providers and those of consumers. Our take: The ruling is seen as a win for companies that use subscriptions for first-party data to strengthen their ad ecosystem, giving protection for those looking to reduce churn and run more effective programmatic and retargeting campaigns. But while advertisers may benefit from the decision, consumers still want an easier process—and simplifying cancellations can benefit businesses in several ways.

The news: Brazil’s central bank rolled out a recurring payments feature to the Pix instant payment system, according to a report from Reuters. Our take: Pix’s use likely can keep growing steadily if it can target new volume opportunities.

The news: Rewards app Fetch and measurement platform Kochava teamed up to offer loyalty rewards to streaming users, per Marketing Brew. Loyalty+ users can earn points from streaming movies or series, watching specific episodes, or downloading streaming apps. Video on demand (SVOD) services can offer incentives based on their chosen KPIs. Our take: Little treats from big streamers can add up and boost loyalty, provided the incentives are worthwhile and requirements aren’t burdensome. Watching TV for several hours for a fraction of a Starbucks drink, for example, won’t likely improve platform stickiness.

Publishers are shifting from ad-driven models to licensing and subscriptions: AI is accelerating the end of traffic-chasing media economics.

Netflix remains a revenue leader in the streaming space, however tariff concerns and tightening budgets for both consumers and advertisers have increased the pressure across all providers to stand out.

Revolut reached over $1 billion in profits with strong subscription and wealth performance.

With device price hikes looming, carriers are betting on their service-first models but may need to fight harder to retain cost-conscious customers.

With training lagging and pressure mounting, businesses risk losing talent and momentum in a workplace increasingly shaped by automation.