Trends

How CTV Creative Goes from Barrier to Entry to Lever for Optimization

For more than 70 years, TV commercials have been budgeted and produced like short feature films, and this strategy has been working. Millions of people discover and remain loyal to brands because of awesome commercials. It takes a lot of money to make a great TV commercial. Superbowl ads can cost as much as $30 million to produce, and another $8 million to air. Even if it's not for the Superbowl, premium brands consider their TV commercial creative to be the crown jewel of their advertising assets.

Impact of Video On-the-Go in Driving Consumer Action [REPORT]

MAGNA, the media intelligence unit within IPG Mediabrands, and GSTV, a leading, national on-the-go video network, have released “The Power of Video Everywhere”—a new research study that highlights how reaching consumers off the couch and outside the home can significantly influence purchase behavior. By connecting with people at moments of active decision-making, advertisers can drive real action, particularly for brands in verticals like dining and retail seeking to attract customers to their physical locations.

In-Store vs. Online? How 2025 Consumer Shopping Habits Impact Brands

As we navigate a year of economic uncertainty and shifting consumer shopping preferences, ThinkNow’s latest Clicks vs. Carts: 2025 Shoppers Report reveals a nuanced picture of how Americans are shopping in 2025, and what that means for retailers, marketers, and brands looking to stay competitive. The quantitative research report is based on a nationally representative sample of 1,500 consumers from ThinkNow’s market research panels and breaks out the findings by age and ethnicity.

Breaking the Silence: Why Audio Must Catch Up in Programmatic

According to recent data from eMarketer, three in every 10 dollars spent on digital audio is transacted programmatically, compared to nine in 10 for display. So, what's holding marketers back from pushing audio to catch up? Except for legacy radio advertisers, most marketers have a blind spot when it comes to audio; from the initial strategy and concepting through planning, a lack of understanding and prioritization has held investment in audio back. There are three major changes that marketers should adopt to realize the impact of audio: including audio creative, adopting a marketplace approach to buying audio, and leveraging modern audience and measurement tools.

As Penetration of 5G Home Internet Service Grows Among U.S. Households, New Horowitz Study Shows High Satisfaction

Mobile providers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon have been aggressively rolling out 5G home internet (also known as FWA, or fixed wireless access) in more U.S. markets over the past year. Penetration of the service has now reached 12%, and more than half (56%) of non-FWA subscribers are likely to consider the service when it becomes available in their area, according to Horowitz’s latest annual report, State of Media, Entertainment & Tech: Subscriptions 2025.

The Value of In-House Agencies

There are many reasons for companies to bring work in-house, from creating consistency to saving time and money. Blum Consulting, for instance, found that "to staff the same internal resources at an external agency, a brand would pay on average, 60 percent more for the same team," illustrating how in-housing can be a cost-saving measure.

2025 media and entertainment outlook

The economics of digital entertainment are being reshaped by independent creators, global social platforms, and the biggest technology companies. Studios and streamers may need to bulk up to compete.

Homeownership slips further out of reach for all California ethnic groups amid rising mortgage costs

Buying a home in California became less affordable for all ethnic groups last year, as interest rates remained elevated and the typical monthly mortgage payment for a median-priced detached home rose 6 percent compared to the previous year, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.).

Inequities in HCP Training and Practices [REPORT]

Havas Health Network, the largest global health and wellness network, and Republica Havas Health, the award-winning cross-cultural healthcare and pharma marketing agency of Havas, have launched "The Hidden Divide: Examining Inequities in Healthcare Provider Training and Practices."

Lost in Translation: The Cost of Ending Federal Language Access Requirements

On March 1, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14224, officially designating English as the national language of the United States. Some might have found it surprising that the U.S. managed to make it 250 years without a designated national language, but the Founding Fathers didn’t see language as something the federal government should regulate.

Are CMOs Now Entering the Gig Economy? [PODCAST]

On Scope host Mike Berberich and show producer Ryan Dinger react to a story in ANA Magazine on the rise of fractional CMOs. The duo outlined the pros and cons of this new development and speculate on if CMOs will now be entering the gig economy.

What’s behind March’s retail sales spike? [REPORT]

Last week, the Census Bureau released a strong set of retail sales figures. Total retail sales were up 1.4% over February and 4.6% higher than March last year. Of course, this came as no surprise to NRF, as our Retail Monitor data predicted this positive result.

Asian American Audiences Are Reshaping Sports, Digital Media and Beauty Trends [REPORT]

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) consumers are driving major shifts in digital commerce, sports engagement, and beauty trends, according to Nielsen’s latest 2025 report – Breakthrough ROI: Investing in Asian American audiences and media.

A Powerful Brand Story Doesn’t Crumble Under Pressure

We all hate feeling like we’re being sold to (younger generations more than anyone). So, why do studies show that when asked if advertising influences our own decisions, most of us say no—but when asked if advertising influences other people’s decisions, we overwhelmingly say yes?

Teens, Social Media and Mental Health [REPORT]

Most teens credit social media with feeling more connected to friends. Still, roughly 1 in 5 say social media sites hurt their mental health, and growing shares think they harm people their age

AI in Advertising: What AI Means for Advertisers Today

At the WFA’s Global Marketer Week, Ruben Schreurs, Ebiquity’s Group CEO, sat down with Adweek to discuss the growing role of AI in advertising.

We’ve commercialized connection.

We say influencer marketing has evolved from Sponsorship 1.0 to Influence 2.0 to what we now call the Community 3.0 era. But tbh, most brands have just rebranded their audience as a "community" while maintaining the same extractive consumer relationship.  By Lizzy Bilasano - Head of Creative Strategy // Creative Brand Marketer. Social Culture + Creator Economy Nerd. People-First Servant Leader.

From eyeballs to eardrums.

By Gonzalo López Martí - Creative Director

• I never thought I’d say this: super productions are losing steam.
• I love explosions, car chases, and CGI as much as the next guy.
• Problem is, blockbusting, thrill-seeking, pulsating acrobatics &/or sophisticated special effects have become a tired trope.

U.S. Metro Areas Experienced Population Growth Between 2023 and 2024

The population of U.S. metro areas collectively continued to increase in 2024, growing slightly faster than the nation, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.

How Does the ‘Fractional CMO’ Measure Up?

What do a plumbing company in Texas, a construction firm in Colorado, and HVAC and roofing companies in South Carolina have in common? All four have the same CMO or, more accurately, "fractional CMO," who reports to each firm's CEO and manages the marketing team on a part-time basis while working remotely. "I work 10 to 15 hours per client at the beginning, but once we set the strategy and things are moving, my time drops back to four or five hours a week," says Ben Finklea, founder and CEO of Volacci, which places fractional CMOs at organizations in need and who has worked with companies such as e-MDs, Fast Company, and Yeti Coolers. "I'm just there to make sure that the marketing teams are getting done what they're supposed to get done."