DIGIDAY+ MEMBER EXCLUSIVES
Bold Call: OpenAI’s ads pivot may come too little, too late
Advertising is coming to ChatGPT, but not fast enough to outrun incumbent platform giants — one in particular.
Media
‘JG believed that even in a demanding industry, it was possible to lead with both rigor and humanity’
The industry pays respects to OpenX CEO John Gentry, who sadly passed away last week.
The Rundown: Google has drawn its AI payment lines — and publishers’ leverage is narrow
For publishers trying to navigate AI licensing, the message was blunt: Google is willing to pay for access, but not for training – and it remains unwilling to define AI Overviews as a compensable use of journalism.
Media Briefing: Google’s latest core update a reminder that pageviews can’t remain the primary metric
Google’s latest core update signals pageviews can no longer be the primary metric, favoring intent-solving publishers over scale.
Marketing
Avocados From Mexico turns to AI to advertise around the Super Bowl instead of a TV buy
As Super Bowl ad prices climb, Avocados From Mexico is leaning further into an AI activation designed to drive engagement and utility in real time.
In Graphic Detail: Why platforms are turning social video into living room TV
2026 is shaping up to be the year that the rest of the platforms join YouTube in turning the screw on traditional TV.
Beverage brands update Dry January marketing based on changing consumer habits
Today, people generally seek balance when pursuing their personalized wellness goals in a new year.
Future of TV
Future of TV Briefing: Brands are spending more to advertise creators’ content, making usage rights a focal point
This week’s Future of TV Briefing looks at what brands spending more money to promote creators’ content means for creator compensation models.
Future of TV Briefing: 5 ripple effects that will shape the future of TV in 2026
This week’s Future of TV Briefing looks at the trends and developments that will shape the TV, streaming and digital video industry in 2026.
‘A year of loose ends’: Digiday editors share top takeaways from 2025
This year was filled with major developments – from Netflix’s planned WBD deal to Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG to Google’s ultimately cookie reversal – and Digiday editors Sara Jerde and Seb Joseph help to recap the year that was (and wasn’t).
Media Buying
Media Buying Briefing: How Horizon and Havas’ JV aims to distinguish itself in a ‘red ocean’
The joint venture is involved in multiple pitches for businesses with a strong U.S. base and international aspirations, while visiting pitch consultants to make sure it’s part of the consideration set.
The EC further pushes to rein-in Google’s ad tech monopoly
The preliminary findings order billions in damage payments and reserve the right to force a sell-off, echoing regulators across the globe.
Forrester’s principal media report: It’s here to stay, so wise up on how to use it
The report acknowledges that the practice of principal media will only grow, but it offers ways to increase transparency around the opaque process.
Annual research reports
Podcasts
Research
MCo Beauty’s parent company is aiming to repeat the brand’s runaway success in the states. In 2024, Vidacorp acquired the Australian beauty brand Nude by Nature. This week, Nude by Nature launched stateside, at 1,900 Walmart locations.
MCo Beauty’s parent company is aiming to repeat the brand’s runaway success in the states. In 2024, Vidacorp acquired the Australian beauty brand Nude by Nature. This week, Nude by Nature launched stateside, at 1,900 Walmart locations.
Several former Walmart leaders say they expect the big-box retailer to keep a close eye on Amazon’s proposed big-box store near Chicago.
Several former Walmart leaders say they expect the big-box retailer to keep a close eye on Amazon’s proposed big-box store near Chicago.