Last chance to save on Digiday Publishing Summit passes is February 9
DIGIDAY+ MEMBER EXCLUSIVES
Despite saturated live sports calendar, Super Bowl remains north star for brands
Brands are pouring budget into TV tentpole coverage during a congested live sports calendar. Not all events are equal, however.
Media
A running list of publisher lawsuits targeting Google’s ad tech practices
Digiday has compiled a running list of publishers’ lawsuits against Google for its ad tech practices, seeking compensation for claimed lost revenue.
From vibes to data: Why some brands use predictive tech to vet creators
Brands like TheRealReal and Shark Ninja are turning to predictive models and datasets to guide their strategies.
In Graphic Detail: The puny nature of regulatory fines compared to Big Tech’s financial prowess
Big Tech could pay off over $7 billion in 2025 fines in less than one month, demonstrating the disparity between regulatory bite and corporate wealth.
Marketing
WTF is Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol?
Google launched its UCP last month — a foundational layer which looks to enable agentic shopping within the tech giant’s ecosystem.
In the shadow of Khaby Lame’s deal, marketers face hard questions about influence and value
Anyone in marketing gawking at the near-billion price tag attached to TikTok creator Khaby Lame and his deal with Rich Sparkle Holdings isn’t really looking at innovation
How Tree Hut used AI to turn customer feedback into product insights and quadruple social engagement
Tree Hut is increasingly turning to AI to understand what its customer base wants next.
Future of TV
Inside NBCUniversal’s test to use AI agents to sell ads against a live NFL game
NBCUniversal’s Ryan McConville joined the Digiday Podcast to break down the mechanics of the company’s first-of-its-kind agentic AI ad sales test.
Inside NBCU’s $3 million Peacock Super Bowl pitch
February’s Big Game carries a big price tag for streaming inventory, and buyer need to double down. Still, it hasn’t put marketers off investing.
Future of TV Briefing: The creator’s economy’s ‘very loud, dirty little secret’ of brands’ late, delayed payments
This week’s Future of TV Briefing looks at how lengthening payment windows and late payments from brands continue to roil the creator economy.
Media Buying
Ad Tech Briefing: Amazon launches MCP server for agent-driven advertising
At IAB ALM, Amazon unveils beta program as debate around industry standards heats up.
Gale agency study on emerging media encourages marketers to tap more deeply into communities
The Stagwell agency found that with more social platforms evolving their ad offerings, brands can essentially harness word-of-mouth in a 2.0 manner.
Will Publicis Groupe keep exploring M&A or does it need to focus on what it’s already got?
Sources hint at potentially buying ad tech assets, with data onbarding firm LiveRamp heavily linked to a deal. But it may choose to concentrate on what it’s already bought.
Annual research reports
Podcasts
Research
Celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips’ makeup brand, m.ph by Mary Phillips, launched its first foundation on Thursday — with ambitions to become Sephora’s No. 1 in the category, according to newly appointed CEO Hannah Beals.
Celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips’ makeup brand, m.ph by Mary Phillips, launched its first foundation on Thursday — with ambitions to become Sephora’s No. 1 in the category, according to newly appointed CEO Hannah Beals.
After building up fast-growing e-commerce and advertising businesses, moving its stock to the Nasdaq, and — as of Tuesday — crossing $1 trillion in valuation, Walmart is starting to look a lot more like a big tech company.
After building up fast-growing e-commerce and advertising businesses, moving its stock to the Nasdaq, and — as of Tuesday — crossing $1 trillion in valuation, Walmart is starting to look a lot more like a big tech company.