The Current Report

This week on The Current Report, we discuss why flexibility has been the name of the game for some marketers this holiday season. With brand awareness and performance media no longer separate operations, Chris Brooklier and Damian Fowler break down why the marketing funnel is collapsing. Plus, podcast companies are starting to advertise like Hollywood studios, and TikTok expanded its partnership with Ticketmaster.

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To read the full stories included in this episode:

• NRF: Holiday Spending Could Top $966B: https://bit.ly/3t8HlcS
• This Cyber Monday showed us how fickle shoppers are, and how TV buyers can woo them: https://bit.ly/3RwHv7o
• Podcast Companies Begin to Advertise Like Hollywood Studios: https://bit.ly/3Ri4Rfs
• Podcast U.S. Ad Revenue Projected to Hit $2.3 Billion in 2023, up 25%: https://bit.ly/3tbLSeQ
• TikTok expands its in-app Ticketmaster ticketing feature to users in 20 countries: https://bit.ly/3GAhtd2

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The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH

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Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/494Xv7w

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this edition of The Current Report, we discuss the future of holiday advertising as advertisers prepare for the impending deprecation of third-party cookies. We break down why first-party and retail data may be the bow on top of future holiday campaigns as advertisers prepare for this change in landscape. In news across the internet, 18 countries have signed an agreement that aims to make AI "secure by design" and The New York Times reports X may lose as much as 75 million in ad revenue by the end of the year.

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To read the full stories included in this episode:

• Cyber Monday spending hits all-time record: https://bit.ly/3T2LHgg
• First-party and retail data will be tested this holiday season as cookie sunsetting approaches: https://bit.ly/3T4Fn88
• North Face Benefits From First-Party Data, Analyzes Consumer Behavior: https://bit.ly/47AdHw1
• U.S., Britain, other countries approve agreement to make AI ‘secure by design’: https://bit.ly/3Tn9iIX
• X May Lose Up to $75 Million in Revenue as More Advertisers Pull Out: https://bit.ly/3T0GbLd
• Requiem for a friend: https://bit.ly/46CLV0W

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The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH

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Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/494Xv7w

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on The Current Report we discuss the emergence of ad-free social media plans. We dive into the events around Meta's introduction of paid plans and how marketers are responding to the news. In other news, Amazon and Snap are partnering to let U.S. Snapchat users purchase products directly from the app.

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To read the full stories included in this episode:

• Social platforms are testing ad-free subscription plans. What does that mean for brand-builders? https://bit.ly/46xZPRW
• Amazon says it will run shopping ads on Snap: https://bit.ly/3szJlL7
• TikTok Shop launches in the U.S. as the company bets big on e-commerce: https://bit.ly/3R3UvBl

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this edition of The Current Report, Damian Fowler and Chris Brooklier break down the importance of retail data and the complexity around retail data strategy. In other news, Walmart and Peacock are teaming up to offer AI-powered shoppable ads and the NBA agreed to a one season deal with regional sports rights partner Diamond Sports.

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To read the full stories included in this episode:

• Data strategy is crucial to crushing the retail media game: https://bit.ly/3FQhvNN
• Walmart and Peacock team up on AI-powered shoppable ads: https://bit.ly/47v38u5
• Diamond Sports reaches deal with NBA: https://bit.ly/3u93WWX

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on The Current Report, we dig into the value of online grocery data and discuss how GenAI is revolutionizing podcasts, with Spotify set to offer AI-translated versions of some of its top shows. In other news, Omnicom bought Flywheel Digital, and Biden released an executive order providing rules around AI.

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To read the full stories included in this episode:

• 'A living, breathing pulse': As Thanksgiving approaches, online grocery data is more valuable than ever: https://bit.ly/3sjzb0V
• One year in, generative AI is quickly reshaping the world of podcasting: https://bit.ly/3MonooU
• Omnicom Buys E-Commerce Shop Flywheel Digital for $835 Million: https://bit.ly/3SqqMU7
• Biden releases AI executive order directing agencies to develop safety guidelines: https://bit.ly/3SpoHIb

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on The Current Report, Damian Fowler and Travis Clark break down the explosion of retail media and explain why retail data and connected TV (CTV) are a dynamic duo. Plus, some major streaming services have introduced "pause ads" and how the iconic McDonald's jingle came to be "one of the most recognizable jingles in the world," according to Marketing Brew.

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To read the full stories included in this episode: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/spotify-subscribers-beat-third-quarter-earnings-1235621581/

Spotify Hits 226M Paying Subs, Swings to Quarterly Profit: 

Is retail media becoming just 'media'?: https://bit.ly/3QkOVZM

'Pause Ads' Creep Onto Hulu, Peacock and Max as Streamers Seek New Revenue: https://bit.ly/408ZDHb

McDonald's jingle, 20 years later: https://bit.ly/3Qgr1hM

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bringing you the biggest news from Advertising Week New York, The Current Report's Damian Fowler discusses the recent formation of VML, which merges Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R, with the new company's Global CEO Jon Cook. Plus, we explore hot topics from the annual event with Butler/Till's Chief Strategy Officer Scott Ensign.

To read the full stories included in this episode:

• WPP Merging VMLY&R With Wunderman Thompson: https://www.wsj.com/articles/wpp-merging-vmly-r-with-wunderman-thompson-37ec147b
• The link between AI and CTV, Netflix's bid for live sports, and more from Advertising Week NY: https://www.thecurrent.com/netflix-advertising-ctv-ai-netflix-sports-streaming-media
• Kroger to measure the carbon emissions impact of its retail media network: https://adage.com/article/marketing-news-strategy/kroger-measure-carbon-emissions-impact-its-retail-media-network/2523146
• The New York Times quietly brought programmatic ad buying back to its app after digital ad revenue declined: https://www.businessinsider.com/the-new-york-times-is-reintroducing-programmatic-app-ads-2023-10

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this edition of The Current Report, we ring in the holiday season early with some shopping. We explore why the holiday shopping season is starting earlier than ever with the help of retail media. Next, big, bold marketing campaigns are evolving into a new form thanks to performance marketing and personalized ads. In other news, State Farm saw huge returns by capturing a viral moment at an Eagles game, further riding the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce momentum and 2024 political ad spending is expected to reach new heights. 

To read the full stories included in this episode:

• Retail media lights up the holiday shopping season earlier than ever: https://bit.ly/3tCuDD1
• What happened to big, bold brand campaigns: https://bit.ly/3PRXsmz
• The Astounding Results of Maximum Effort's NFL Stunt With Jake From State Farm and Taylor Swift: https://bit.ly/3ZUNUf7
• Will 2024 Election Save TV?: https://bit.ly/48KA3w9

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on The Current Report, we examine the growing popularity of Nigerian film and contemporary West African pop music. Plus, Pumpkin Spice Latte season has arrived earlier than ever. We discuss the influence of the seasonal item as more and more retailers capitalize on the opportunity. In other news, multiple Wall Street analysts believe Amazon may introduce an ad model on Prime Video and brands associated Travis Kelce have seen a rise in attention since the NFL star started dating Taylor Swift. 

To read the full stories included in this episode:

• Afrobeats to Nollywood: The next big global trend: https://bit.ly/48E8B2W
• The secret to Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte's success: https://bit.ly/3PFJlAN
• Amazon's potential next push into advertising: https://bit.ly/3LQzXcq
• Brands associated with Travis Kelce see a rise in attention: https://bit.ly/3RU5DBg

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this edition of The Current Report, we explore the key points of the writers' agreement and discuss the potential impact of the double strike on advertisers. Plus, we explore takeaways from DMEXCO, Europe's leading ad conference where AI took center stage. In other news, CNN Max hub launched this week, and Spotify is testing an AI-powered tool that can translate podcasts into other languages. 

To read the full stories included in this episode:

• Hollywood after the writers' strike: https://bit.ly/3REXAIB
• New era of digital advertising takes shape at DMEXCO: https://bit.ly/46sO0fZ
• CNN Max hub launch: https://bit.ly/3LFohco
• Spotify AI-powered translation tool: https://bit.ly/3LEJ1Rw

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.