蘑菇AV

YouTube has more users than Facebook, Netflix, or Spotify. But its advertising revenues do not match its vast reach. This report contextualizes the opportunities and scope for growth in various media spheres.

The news: A Sprout Social report found that 41% of Gen Z turns to social platforms first for finding information, ahead of search engines (32%), AI chatbots (11%), and friends and family (9%). In an exclusive conversation with 蘑菇AV, Thomas Markland, founder of creator company HYDP, discussed the shift and the need for brands to adopt a social-first strategy. Our take: As social media users, especially younger generations, increasingly turn to social for product discovery, brands that are willing to adapt and are strategic with their creator partnerships stand to gain most.

Netflix and BBC team up for new podcast: While Netflix teases video podcasts on its own platform, work needs to be done to win over audiences.

Handhelds rules: Consoles rank much higher than headsets as a preferred device for gaming. 56% of US and UK gamers play on consoles, per Attest, which could bode well for Nintendo鈥檚 upcoming Switch 2. Only 11% primarily use VR headsets, complicating Apple鈥檚 and Meta鈥檚 forays into virtual experiences and the metaverse.

Brazil鈥檚 digital advertising economy continues to thrive, driven by retail media investment, growing video ad spend, and slower social ad spending. This report explores trends shaping Brazil鈥檚 digital advertising landscape in 2025.鈥�

How and where internet users in Brazil spend time with various media. How social media penetration is shaping digital engagement. Other trends, including how video-on-demand (VOD) and genAI usage are evolving in Brazil.

Advertisers now have a growing opportunity to diversify their media mix beyond traditional TV and digital, leveraging streaming as prime real estate for targeted, high-impact storytelling.

A series of major milestones are on tap for total media and digital media ad spending around the world in 2025, although growth will be uneven across countries and regions.

Their time spent on media exceeds the global average in all key digital media categories. And in some areas, they rank at the very top. Saudi Arabia, for example, ranked No. 1 alongside the US among the 49 countries we surveyed for time spent on streaming and online TV. The UAE came in at No. 4 in this category, behind Egypt. Digital engagement, spending, and advertising are all very different.

The news: DoorDash made a $3.6 billion offer to acquire UK-based delivery platform Deliveroo earlier this month, a move that would vastly expand its international business. While discussions between the two companies are ongoing, Deliveroo said it would be inclined to recommend the offer to its shareholders. DoorDash has until May 23 to submit an official bid, per UK rules.

Finally, the UK comes in somewhat under its peers: Its gamer figures have been volatile in recent years, with a pandemic-era spike in 2020 followed by outright declines in 2022 and 2023. The Middle East and Africa will lead in growth in 2025, but at a modest level.

UK marketers cut budgets in Q1: Economic pressures and Trump鈥檚 trade moves spark shift to performance-focused tactics and short-term gains.

The connected TV ad opportunity is growing significantly in scope. The promise of broad yet targeted reach, retail media tie-ins, campaign measurement, and ad interactivity are fueling strong spending growth.

Regulation will disrupt some digital players, while retail media and genAI adoption will create opportunities across advertising and commerce.

Also, Disney+ recently subsumed its OTT service in India under Reliance Industry鈥檚 media umbrella, which could remove nearly 90 million viewers from Disney+鈥檚 global total, depending on how the merger and branding plays out in-country. A plurality of the world鈥檚 digital video and OTT viewership is locked away in China.

GenAI and social are set to heavily influence the UK commerce and advertising landscape in 2025, while thrifty consumer behaviors persist and video viewing shifts to mostly digital.