Retailers looking to capitalize on retail media’s growth opportunities need to understand the market developments, formats, and challenges shaping ad spending in Latin America.

Half (49%) of people in the US are traveling between Thanksgiving and mid-January, according to Deloitte. With so many people getting on planes, trains, and automobiles, advertisers have increased opportunities to reach consumers across travel media networks, especially those who are younger and higher-income.

With Waymo and Uber scaling operations via partnerships, robotaxis could become a competitive force in global transportation markets.

To keep pace in a complex landscape and meet increasing demands from advertisers, commerce media players need to invest in fresh channels, tools, and innovation.

DoorDash partners with Lyft: The combination should make the delivery service a stronger competitor to Uber, which offers members of its Uber One service free food delivery and discounted rides.

US travel media network (TMN) ad spend will reach $2.13 billion this year and increase to $2.96 billion in 2026, per our September 2024 forecast.

To stand out in a crowded commerce market, Lyft Media is thinking about partnerships and measurement differently. While its current partnerships help Lyft Media navigate “traditional ecosystem of measurement,” the network is also thinking about what the next phase of measurement will be, said Shane Dwyer, head of sales at Lyft Media and Lyft Business.

Travel companies leveraging first-party data to power proprietary ad networks are establishing a presence in the commerce media landscape. Advertisers can enhance their digital strategies by incorporating travel into the commerce media mix.

Block has been working to grow Cash App Pay, but the buy button still trails competitors

While the deal could bring in new revenue, integrating Expedia risks overcomplicating Uber’s app and driving users to competitors.

Self-driving car companies might rely on ride share platforms until consumer accessibility expands and manufacturing costs drop. But this strategy could drive down wages for human drivers.

The Cybercab prototype lacks clarity on timeline and technical details, raising investor concerns about the company’s ability to meet its ambitious autonomous vehicle goals.

DoorDash forgoes gig workers for employees with wages: The delivery platform announced a surprising pilot that would significantly upgrade the worker experience in select markets.

Olive Garden inks delivery partnership with Uber following parent Darden Restaurants’ poor quarter: The company missed sales and earnings expectations as consumers cut back on restaurant visits.

The media model popularized by retailers is now being adapted by companies in other verticals. Financial services and travel companies are among those launching commerce media networks in a bid to monetize their first-party data.

Uber and DoorDash report double-digit growth as customers prioritize convenience: Order frequency rose in Q2 thanks to both companies’ membership programs and growing selections of merchants.

Here are four takeaways and brand examples to guide your full-funnel creative strategy.

Instacart launches new ad formats to help CPGs drive impulse purchases: The delivery platform will roll out shoppable recipes, occasions, and bundles to facilitate discovery and boost brand engagement.

Instacart and Uber team up to keep DoorDash at bay: Instacart hopes the deal will protect its grocery business and widen consumer appeal, while Uber looks for new customers.

Starbucks eliminates global CMO role: Reflecting broader trends, this move showcases a shift toward more localized and specialized marketing strategies.