Ä¢¹½AV

More than just a cloud leader: Microsoft ad revenues surged 21%, gaming stabilized, and LinkedIn grew, too.

AI detection and watermarking could improve the user experience but deter brands and creators from experimenting with the technology.

Visual and audio data will feed Meta AI unless voice commands are disabled—placing an ultimatum between convenience and control.

WhatsApp’s importance to Meta goes well beyond social messaging: A forced divestiture could disrupt customer service, commerce, and loyalty worldwide.

OpenAI introduced product recommendations into ChatGPT on Monday, creating a potential opportunity for advertising—and a threat to affiliate marketing sites.

Whether brands are aligning their product with comfort food, launching fragrances, or prioritizing scent in their retail spaces, marketers are embracing multisensory experiences as another way to stand out in the digital noise.

Wayfair’s US sales rose 1.6% YoY in Q1: Despite growing macroeconomic headwinds and a frozen housing market, demand remained strong.

Pharma gains confidence around threatened Trump administration tariffs on drug imports: Big Pharmas are notching wins with the Trump administration through new US manufacturing and national security commitments, which improves the potential for tariff exemptions or delays.

CVS puts Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (not Lilly’s Zepbound) on commercial drug formularies: Market reaction to the decision affirms how much influence PBMs like CVS Caremark have over prescription drug access. Eli Lilly may need to explore creative pricing strategies to improve access to Zepbound.

Halting US shipments reflects how tariff volatility is driving inventory risk, pressuring supply chains, and prompting a realignment of go-to-market strategies. Read online

Shoppers’ snack budgets are shrinking due to economic uncertainty: With little relief in sight, Mondelez, Kellanova, and Hershey’s are bracing for impact

Epic Games forced Apple to unwind App Store rules, setting a precedent that weakens Apple’s payment monopoly and threatens its fastest-growing services revenue stream.

Experts at Publicis’ HealthFront event recommend partnering with influencers who have smaller followings: Brands and marketers must assess key factors such as target audience, budget, and alignment with a company’s mission.

A flurry of interest and an unexpected announcement from PayPal show where banks see the biggest value of their own stablecoins.

Kohl’s fires its CEO for cause: The move leaves the struggling department store without a clear strategic direction at a challenging time for all retailers.

The tech is dominating recent headlines as retailer and consumer interest explodes

So far, neither network has seen signs of a consumer spending slowdown despite plummeting consumer sentiment

It wants to become a one-stop shop for businesses and consumers alike

Middle- and low-income consumers pulled back on fast food in Q1: That posed a significant challenge for McDonald’s, which reported its US same-store sales fell 3.6%.

Amazon’s earnings follow a familiar pattern: The retailer expects solid sales growth as investments in convenience resonate with shoppers, but profits will be pressured as tariffs take their toll.

Gen Z will be the fastest-growing group of digital buyers in 2025. In addition, they’re more willing than previous generations to switch brands. So, brands and retailers should focus on enticing them while also retaining existing customers.

Amid dizzying policy unpredictability and a grab bag of unpleasant economic possibilities, precise ad spend forecasting is challenging. A scenarios-based approach can help clarify potential outcomes.