News

Instacart has acquired Eversight, an AI-powered pricing and promotion optimization platform, to strengthen its retail media network capabilities. The acquisition will help CPG brands better optimize their advertising spend and promotional strategies across Instacart's platform.

TikTok has launched Symphony Creative Studio, a suite of generative AI tools that help advertisers create video ads, generate scripts, and optimize creative assets specifically for TikTok's platform. The tools include AI avatars, automated video editing, and performance prediction capabilities.

Snap Inc. announced AR Enterprise Services, a new B2B offering that allows brands to integrate Snapchat's augmented reality technology into their own apps and websites. The service includes AR try-on capabilities, virtual product placement, and custom lens creation tools with measurement and attribution features.

Forrester's latest report projects the contextual advertising market will grow to $562 billion by 2028 as third-party cookie deprecation drives advertiser adoption of alternative targeting methods. The report identifies AI-powered semantic analysis and brand safety tools as key growth drivers.

Dentsu and Accenture have announced a joint venture to develop an AI-powered media buying and optimization platform that combines Dentsu's media expertise with Accenture's technology capabilities. The platform will focus on automated campaign optimization, cross-channel attribution, and predictive analytics for enterprise clients.

Reddit has launched expanded API capabilities that enable programmatic buying through real-time bidding integrations with major demand-side platforms. The update includes new targeting parameters based on subreddit engagement, conversation topics, and user intent signals beyond traditional demographic data.

Walmart reported that its advertising business, Walmart Connect, generated over $4.5 billion in revenue in Q4 2024, representing 30% year-over-year growth. The retail media network has become a significant profit driver as Walmart expands its ad tech capabilities and off-site advertising partnerships.

Google announced a revised timeline for deprecating third-party cookies in Chrome, with full phase-out scheduled for Q4 2024. The company also released updated Privacy Sandbox APIs for advertisers to test alternative targeting methods.

European Commission issued €800 million in fines to major tech platforms for failing to comply with Digital Services Act requirements around ad transparency and targeting disclosures. The enforcement action sets precedent for global ad regulation.

The Trade Desk unveiled Kokai, an AI-powered platform that automates media buying decisions and campaign optimization across channels. The platform uses machine learning to predict performance and adjust bids in real-time.

Walmart completed its acquisition of TV manufacturer Vizio to bolster its retail media network with connected TV advertising capabilities and first-party viewing data. The deal positions Walmart to compete more directly with Amazon in streaming ad inventory.

New Forrester research shows 62% of marketers plan to increase retail media network investments in 2025, with spending expected to reach $130 billion globally. The report highlights measurement challenges and fragmentation as key industry concerns.

Snap announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft Advertising to develop B2B advertising solutions on Snapchat, leveraging LinkedIn audience data for professional targeting. The collaboration aims to capture business-to-business ad budgets on social platforms.

Amazon's advertising business crossed $50 billion in annual revenue according to Q4 earnings, solidifying its position as the third-largest digital ad platform behind Google and Meta. Growth was driven by sponsored products and streaming TV ads.

TikTok launched Symphony, an AI-powered creative suite that helps advertisers generate, optimize, and test video ad content at scale. The platform includes AI avatars, script generation, and automated video editing tools.

The pullbacks signal growing friction between the platform and some of the biggest holding companies as The Trade Desk pushes deeper into the supply chain

Google launched an AI Professional Certificate with seven self-paced modules and three months of AI Pro access. Eligible U.S. small businesses can enroll free. The post Google Offers AI Certificate Free For Eligible U.S. Small Businesses appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

Goldfish gets excited about Campbell's soup, NIOD combats the New York City facial and Rimowa does a bizarre photoshoot with "Succession" star Nicholas Braun.

Allstate is providing opportunities to help support tomorrow’s best players.

Why softness, not power, propelled a brand from malls into the digital realm.

Survey data shows AI reshaping agency workflows while most contracts, pricing models, and governance policies remain unchanged.

Analysis of over 500 prompts on ChatGPT found that Open AI is starting with a conservative approach to ads on its platform

Results were neither spectacularly good nor terribly bad, with 2025 revenue up 10%, thanks in part to including one month of revenue from Interpublic Group