FIFA rights draw bidders: Netflix, Disney, and YouTube weigh $1.5B+ World Cup bids as tougher US kickoff times cloud the investment.
Brands are adjusting to a different setting for this year's FIFA World Cup, as fans of the tournament, which runs through July 19, follow the action on a highly fragmented array of channels, forcing brands to come up with creative ways to engage them. “Hosting the tournament in North America, specifically in the States, is pulling fans decisively off traditional broadcast and into digital and connected TV (CTV) to follow along,” said Rod Paolucci, global head of marketing at Channel Factory. In addition to streaming the games on a big screen, many viewers will be checking social media and other feeds on a mobile second screen.
Netflix adds more short-form video offerings: New publisher deals could fill in content gaps and help it compete for daily attention beyond binge viewing.
OpenAI ads open in European markets: OpenAI is seeking proof that ads can fuel revenues before its IPO.
Sony shows digital purchases have limits: Deleting content consumers bought could lead them to question digital bundles, purchases, and media offers.
Cloudflare challenges Google: New crawler defaults give publishers more control over AI scraping and could prompt Google to split search and AI crawling.
Meta lawsuits could alter digital advertising: Four states seek $1.4 trillion from Meta—nearly its market cap—in a case that could prompt marketers to diversify ad spend.
Spotify expands podcast buying: Amazon DSP now reaches Spotify podcasts, making it easier to add high-attention audio to broader media plans.
Show-level data changes CTV buying: Real-time program performance lets marketers compare CPA by show and adjust campaigns before they end.
ActiveCampaign makes martech more autonomous: Its Google Ads tool shows how AI is moving from assistant to hands-on campaign builder.
38.2% of US digital shoppers have not used a retail AI chatbot and aren't interested in doing so, the single biggest response to tools like Amazon Rufus and Walmart Sparky, according to a May survey from Bizrate Insights and EMARKETER.
On today’s podcast, we discuss how infrequent big-ticket brands can stay part of the conversation and maintain relevance between purchases, what separates a partnership that’s simply marketing from one that truly strengthens a brand, and what it means for brands to earn a place in consumers’ initial consideration set as more people discover brands through AI instead of traditional search. Tune in to hear a discussion featuring Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Analyst Rachel Wolff, and Saatva CMO Joe McCambley.
Amazon Prime Day 2026 generated record-breaking sales, but the real story lies beneath the headlines: behaviors that signal what retailers should expect heading into the holiday season.
Soccer Shots, an organization of youth soccer clinics at schools and public spaces in the US and Canada, is giving brands an opportunity to build relationships with new and experienced sports families. National and global brands are connecting with Soccer Shots families on the web, and with the orange Soccer Shots jersey that arrives in the mail. Organizations like Soccer Shots are a way for brands to gain a presence in front of sports parents that is very favorable to businesses that support their children’s athletics.
A payments-first approach ties cards, deposits, and rewards together to build lasting banking relationships.
The anniversary sale emphasizes experiences over endless promotions.
Lower-cost business and first-class fares aim to capture new demand.
The engaging format has enticed nearly 2 in 5 shoppers to make a purchase.
Travel AI earns trust, but only before checkout: Platforms use AI for planning and support while keeping booking in human-led territory.
Global growth is expected to hold up, but fresh Middle East tensions pose a threat.