BuzzFeed plots YouTube rival: Incoming CEO and majority owner Byron Allen, bets free streaming can revive BuzzFeed, but scale favors YouTube.

After years of uncertainty, TikTok is regaining momentum with efforts in commerce, creators, and entertainment. But rising competition, regulatory pressure, and changing user behavior threaten its next phase of growth.

Performance marketing is buzzier than ever: Google’s latest attribution partnership is a reflection of a tightening economy for consumers and brands.

Netflix bets on daily live podcasts: Popular iHeartMedia podcast “The Breakfast Club” will go live daily on Netflix as it swings at YouTube’s lead.

Hispanic consumers are driving digital engagement across video, audio, and social. While their media habits stand out, their shopping largely aligns with the total population—forcing brands to rethink how they connect culture to conversion.

Meta builds creator cadence: New planner and bulk Reels tools steer creators toward steady, original output at scale.

Total media time is plateauing across Asia-Pacific. But mobile and video are driving digital’s continued gains as traditional media declines.

Snapchat courts creators: A new study touts deeper fan ties and longer ad views, but influencer spending still trails rivals by billions.

CTV consolidates around three giants: Google, Amazon, and Netflix will near 50% of global ad dollars by 2030.

Apple-Spotify alliance redraws video podcast playbook: Shared tech and revenues lower barriers for video podcasts, leaving YouTube as the only major the lone silo.

YouTube courts brands with TV-style creators: Upfront pitch pairs stars and CTV scale as linear TV time slips.

Gen Z’s audio habits are rapidly shifting as streaming, social discovery, and multitasking reshape engagement. Music still dominates, but video podcasts and always-on listening are fragmenting attention and redefining how content is found and consumed.

Meta tops $240 billion in ad revenues: AI-fueled gains and Reels lift revenues as the company cements its pull with marketers.

Global ad spending is accelerating again, despite geopolitical shocks. Digital is tightening its grip, even as traditional media gets a temporary boost from major events. The sources of growth are shifting across regions—and among platforms.

Alphabet’s AI stack fuels ad economics: Anthropic’s $200 billion deal boosts Google Cloud, while TPUs and Gemini may lower ad costs.

Instagram pushes into the living room: Long-form CTV plans could pit it head-on with YouTube’s cross-device dominance.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the three big questions surrounding Google right now: If Google is winning at search, where is its ad machine quietly losing? Is its self-driving car unit, Waymo, a sleeping giant for the company? And are its new traditional TV-style “Stations” the right model for YouTube as it tries to take over the living room? And more. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Analyst Marisa Jones and Senior Forecasting Analyst Drew Spink. Listen everywhere, or watch on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

A rebound year is taking shape in Canada’s ad market. Growth is shifting toward CTV, retail media, and social. But tighter budgets and economic pressure are forcing advertisers to rethink channel mix and performance priorities.