On today's podcast episode, we discuss how creators are evolving; why YouTube is white space for many marketers; and how marketers, social platforms, and media companies should shift their strategies. "In Other News," we talk about what freedom of speech actually means on social media and why TikTok and Pinterest are taking different approaches to social commerce. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Jasmine Enberg.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss a digital out-of-home (OOH) TikTok initiative, whether OOH ads have actually bounced back, and what we expect to see from in-store retail media. "In Other News," we talk about YouTube experimenting with longer but less frequent ad breaks and whether consumers are finally bumping up against a video streaming ceiling. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Ross Benes.

The range of costs per thousand on major US streaming services is narrowing as new entrants Netflix and Disney+ come down from their initial ad-tier launch highs in late 2022.

Key stat: 53.7% of US marketers will use Instagram Reels for influencer marketing this year, making it the top platform for influencer marketing according to our forecast.

Just over 80% of US Gen Zers ages 15 to 26 use YouTube monthly, and almost the same percentage use Instagram or TikTok, per our July 2023 survey. More than half still visit Facebook. And though BeReal was the trendy app last year, only 15.1% of Gen Z respondents use it.

Netflix’s advertising strategy is evolving as streaming services raise subscription prices to sway users to ad-supported tiers.

YouTube is the most widely used free video service among US internet users of all generations, according to Kagan. Its highest saturation is among Gen Zers (82%) and millennials (78%).

Which platforms are Gen Z’s top choice for key social media activities? Our proprietary survey sheds light on how they spend their social media time.

US Influencer marketing spending will pass $2 billion on Instagram in 2024, while spending on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook will each pass $1 billion, per our forecast.

TikTok continues to attract a lot of attention, both good and bad. The hype around its heavily engaged and coveted Gen Z audience is real. But concerns over alleged privacy violations have made it a target for regulators, and user trust of the platform has suffered as a result.

TikTok Shop became available across the US last week. The social video platform has a lot to gain in retail and ad revenues, but it risks facing the same challenges Meta has had with social commerce on Instagram—users' reluctance to actually complete purchases in app. But with sister app Douyin setting the blueprint for TikTok’s social commerce endeavors, the platform isn’t starting from scratch. Here’s a look at TikTok’s social commerce strategy and potential in five charts.

YouTube will hit $7.36 billion in US ad revenues this year, per our forecast, compared with TikTok’s $6.19 billion. YouTube will have 236.1 million US users this year compared with TikTok’s 102.3 million.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the largest discrepancies in terms of where folks spend their media time versus where advertisers spend their money, and how advertisers should adjust accordingly. "In Other News," we talk about the Comcast-Walt Disney Co. negotiations centered around Hulu's ownership and whether YouTube's new NFL Sunday Ticket features will be enough to attract viewers and advertisers. Tune in to the discussion with our forecasting writer Ethan Cramer-Flood.

The Hollywood strikes are revealing the full power of creators. They’re accelerating the diversification of platforms and revenue streams, and they will lead to more TV-like content and creator-owned media. Here’s how marketers, social platforms, and media companies should respond.

Reels' next frontier: Instagram's strategic play against TikTok's and YouTube's video offerings, maximizing advertising opportunities.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the details and regulatory headaches surrounding Microsoft’s attempts to acquire the video game company Activision Blizzard. "In Other News," we talk about how Meta is allowing EU users to turn off their algorithms, and YouTube’s current issues around violating children’s privacy through tracking-based advertising on "made-for-kids" content. Tune in to the discussion with our guest host Bill Fisher and analysts Daniel Konstantinovic and Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf.

Toy sales growth can be attributed to kids’ shifting interests, the influence of online platforms, and expanding into older audiences. In our recent “Behind the Numbers: Reimagining Retail” podcast episode, we dive into trends impacting toy retail sales and how marketers can reach new consumers.

B2B digital ad spending will continue to grow at a slower pace across key industries in 2023. More B2B buyers are millennials and Gen Zers, shifting ad buys from search to display, from Google to social media, and from desktop to mobile.

Key stat: About 98% of creators use Instagram feed posts, Instagram Stories, and Instagram Reels, putting the platform above TikTok, Facebook, and other popular social networks for creator use, according to Mavrck.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the current state of the affiliate space, bringing new light to influencer activity through "performance branding," the impact of programmatic ads coming to movies theaters, and how retail media aids affiliate marketing. "In Other News," we talk about the impact of programmatic ads coming to the movies and what YouTube's next anti-ad blocking measure will be. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Max Willens and Alexandra Forsch, president of Awin Americas.