Advertising industry, public relations, and related services employment decreased by 800 jobs in September, per delayed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The decline underscores mounting pressures across the ad sector. As industry employment declines, ad professionals need to focus on skill development, adaptability, and networking.

TJX is confident its value proposition will resonate with shoppers this holiday season. Q4 is already “off to a strong start,” CEO Ernie Herrman said, following a better-than-expected Q3. As TJX and other retailers have repeatedly pointed out this year, off-price is one of the few retail sectors that thrives in times of uncertainty. Few retailers can compete with TJX’s value proposition—particularly its range of good-better-best merchandise, which appeals to shoppers of all budgets—and its treasure hunt experience. TJX’s continued momentum shows that retailers that can offer a compelling combination of value and fun stand to outperform this holiday season.

Cracks are beginning to appear in the previously resilient beauty category. Coty, e.l.f. Beauty, and L'Oréal all delivered quarterly performances below expectations as US demand softened. Beauty companies must ride out a number of headwinds, including tariffs, growing price sensitivities, changing category preferences, and a shift in where consumers choose to do their beauty shopping. Keeping ahead of those pressures will require flexibility, and an embrace of ecommerce platforms like Amazon and TikTok Shop.

One-third of US adults say prices are noticeably higher on certain products due to tariffs or shipping/import changes, according to a July survey from Omnisend and Cint.

Google parent Alphabet reported strong Q3 earnings on Wednesday, with revenues growing 16% YoY to $102.35 billion, while Google Search & other, YouTube Ads, and Google subscriptions, platforms, and devices all saw double-digit growth. But Google simultaneously experienced a notable loss in an ongoing antitrust case that could carry implications for the future of search advertising. Google will remain a cornerstone of successful ad strategies, at least in the short-term.

Spanish-language media company TelevisaUnivision reported a rocky Q3, with notable downturns in net income, ad revenues, and overall revenues. TelevisaUnivsion and ViX still offer a compelling value proposition for brands seeking smaller, but influential Spanish-language audiences.

Hasbro and Mattel enter the 2025 holiday season on divergent paths after contrasting Q3 results. Hasbro outperformed expectations and raised its outlook, fueled by strong growth in its Wizards of the Coast and digital gaming divisions, while Mattel missed estimates and kept guidance steady amid cautious retailer orders and tariff pressures. Despite broader industry growth, slowing consumer demand and higher costs pose headwinds. With Hasbro’s diversified mix offering resilience if toy sales weaken, Mattel’s reliance on traditional toys could make it more vulnerable to price-sensitive shoppers this holiday season.

The Omnicom-IPG merger is expected to close in November, according to Omnicom CEO John Wren in the company’s Q3 earnings release, which showed organic revenue growth of 2.6% YoY. The merger seems to have crossed its last hurdle—and the new Omnicom-IPG entity stands to benefit marketers in many ways, though brands must keep some considerations in mind.

Tariffs, inflation, and cost pressures are forcing CPG advertisers to tighten budgets and focus on ROI. As traditional media fades, digital—especially social—continues to capture more share despite slower overall growth.

Retail ecommerce sales in Latin America will sustain double-digit growth this year, but momentum will remain uneven across major markets amid mounting geopolitical tensions.

JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup posted solid Q3 2025 earnings but reiterated warnings about Trump’s economic policies. So far, major issuers’ earnings do not telegraph major warning signs about the state of the US consumer, but CEOs like Jamie Dimon are still preparing for “a wide range of scenarios” in the face of stewing geopolitical unrest, possible sticky inflation, increased asset prices, and tariff and trade uncertainty. With worsening economic conditions possibly on the horizon, issuers should consider allocating marketing dollars to promote their popular card-linked installment plans. This could help issuers avoid losing spend as consumers trade down to the debit cards or switching to BNPL providers.

Holding company Publicis Groupe reported a strong Q3 2025, growing organic net revenues 5.7% YoY, above analyst growth expectations of 5.19%. The company now expects 2025 revenues to grow between 5% to 5.5%, up from its previous forecast of 4% to 5%. Publicis’ heavy AI push and performance-driven strategy means it is well-positioned to continue growing while rival agencies struggle to remain competitive amid economic turbulence.

A US-TikTok deal could be on thin ice again amid heightened trade tensions after President Trump threatened a 100% tariff on Chinese imports. Beijing has promised to respond to the tariffs accordingly—putting the popular short-form app’s US future at risk weeks after Trump signed an executive order to keep the app operational. Brands must recognize TikTok’s ongoing strength as a cultural engine among younger demographics, but continue viewing cross-platform strategies as a necessity, not a nice-to-have.

Shein’s US sales fell 8% YoY in September, marking its second-worst month in three years and underscoring the impact of the Trump administration’s decision to end the de minimis trade loophole for Chinese shipments. The policy shift, which ended tariff-free imports under $800, stripped away a key cost advantage that had powered Shein’s $18 billion in sales last year. In response, the retailer has raised prices, refocused on Europe, and launched its Xcelerator program to attract brands. The company’s future now depends on evolving beyond its low-cost model as trade rules tighten.

The Trump administration will opt against imposing tariffs on generic drug imports, according to The Wall Street Journal. Trump’s reprieve for generic drugmakers signals that brand-name medication imports won’t be spared from tariffs. Big Pharma brands that want to avoid Trump tariffs will have to follow Pfizer’s lead in striking deals with the administration. That will include lowering prices and cutting out industry middlemen like PBMs and insurers for some drugs and immediately starting to build more US manufacturing capability.

Performance channels are gaining traction among B2B marketers, with 84% now shifting from traditional, impression-focused approaches, per a Madison Logic survey. Brands should keep investing in performance marketing for its resilience amid economic headwinds. The added flexibility will let them adapt based on rapidly shifting economic signals and consumer behavior changes.

The news: The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) lowered its 2025 US ad spending forecast from 7.3% growth to 5.7%, citing “macroeconomic pressures” and tariffs. What brands can do next: The most effective marketing strategies will vary dramatically across industries. Low-cost, high-ROI channels can squeeze the most out of limited budgets, but marketers shouldn’t underestimate the value of branding and loyalty.

The digital ad market is splitting into a two-speed dynamic. Retail and a few fast-growing sectors are surging, while others are stalling slightly under regulation, weak demand, and economic strain.

Whole Foods has cut prices on more than a quarter of its products in the past year, including over 1,000 private-label items, its chief merchandising and marketing officer said at Groceryshop, per Modern Retail. Weekly promotions and deals tied to specific days reinforce the value push. The retailer needs to prove that “premium” and “value” aren’t mutually exclusive. By doubling down on price investments, amplifying Prime-member discounts, and leaning into convenient, high-quality prepared foods, the grocer can reframe itself as both aspirational and accessible.

Despite its $999.99 price tag, the ROG Xbox Ally X is selling out, showing there’s still strong consumer interest in on-the-go gaming experiences. Preorders for the handheld gaming console sold out Friday, per Xbox. Xbox console prices are inching up at a not-so-subtle rate—with two price bumps this year—undercutting the old adage that waiting to purchase until post-launch leads to lower costs. Companies should bundle experiences, not just hardware, lean into mobility features, amd address price increases head-on.