DIGIDAY+ MEMBER EXCLUSIVES
Podcast companies turn to live events to capture growing advertiser spend
The surge in the number of live podcast events in 2025 reflects a broader shift: advertisers are betting bigger on podcasts — not just as an audio channel but as a full-fledged creator economy play.
Google keeps cookies in Chrome
The winners and losers of Google’s third-party cookie reversal
Fair warning: the ground is still shifting under this thing so consider this list more “hot take” than holy writ.
At industry conference, Google tries to salvage the Privacy sandbox after U-turn on third-party cookies
Privacy Sandbox reps are attempting to tee up optimism at the Possible conference in Miami, a week after Google’s mic-drop announcement.
Media
WTF is behind the explosion of faceless creators?
Brands are rapidly increasing their spending on faceless creators, showing the unique benefits of working with this type of influencer.
In Graphic Detail: As ‘Grow a Garden’ booms, a new report shows the marketing power of Roblox
The explosive growth of “Grow a Garden” has brought new attention to Roblox — and rejuvenated marketers’ interest in its advertising power.
Brand deals surge for golf creators as the sport’s popularity spikes
Golf is booming, and so is influencer marketing. As a result, golf creators are signing an unprecedented number of brand deals in 2025.
Marketing
TikTok pushes deeper into AI-powered ads amid uncertainty over U.S. ban
TikTok has big plans for Smart+ and search this year, despite its ongoing legal battle.
Sam’s Club sees initial success with digital checkout
Sam’s Club’s CFO said at an investment conference that “if we fast forward into the future,” there will probably be no checkout registers.
How employment is projected to transform in media during the AI era
Experts offer pointers on how to future-proof your career or re-enter the job market in a period of disruption.
Future of TV
YouTube vs. TikTok vs. Instagram: What Gen Z really watches in 2025
At VidCon 2025, more than a dozen Gen Z attendees weighed in on the video apps they are most and least likely to watch.
Future of TV Briefing: YouTube gives a peek at how its recommendation algorithms work
This week’s Future of TV Briefing recaps a VidCon session during which YouTube executives and creators unpacked the video platform’s recommendation engine.
How TikTok’s ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ landed on Hulu, with Select Management Group’s Danielle Pistotnik
The talent manager and executive producer of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” joined the Digiday Podcast to break down the process of the reality show finding a home on Hulu.
Media Buying
As Integral Ad Science marks its fourth anniversary on the Nasdaq, speculation mounts over its future
Efforts are underway to take IAS private but there are varying levels of interest from private equity groups.
Media Buying Briefing: Two years later, media buyers still aren’t fully sold on The Trade Desk’s Kokai platform
Two years after its launch, The Trade Desk’s Kokai tool has acquired a mixed reputation among the agency media buyers it was designed for.
The Rundown: The regulatory hurdles still in the way of the Omnicom-IPG merger
British, Australian and EU regulators are all looking into mega agency merger.
Annual research reports
Podcasts
Research
Recent research from Quad and the Harris Poll reveals a workplace trend that could fundamentally reshape how companies operate.
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TalentWTF is a "keeper test"?
Recent research from Quad and the Harris Poll reveals a workplace trend that could fundamentally reshape how companies operate.
Over the weekend, TikTok was flooded with posts of major influencers partying in Tulum with the electrolytes brand Waterboy. At the same time, dozens of posts criticizing the brand’s social media strategy for the trip began circulating: Why weren’t the influencers showing the products? And don’t electrolytes help thwart hangovers? Why, then, were they posting about how hungover they were? The marketing experts on TikTok (read: everyone) had questions.
Over the weekend, TikTok was flooded with posts of major influencers partying in Tulum with the electrolytes brand Waterboy. At the same time, dozens of posts criticizing the brand’s social media strategy for the trip began circulating: Why weren’t the influencers showing the products? And don’t electrolytes help thwart hangovers? Why, then, were they posting about how hungover they were? The marketing experts on TikTok (read: everyone) had questions.
Pop Mart has become one of the brightest success stories on TikTok Shop in the U.S. this year, thanks to the viral mania surrounding its Labubu collectible figures.
Pop Mart has become one of the brightest success stories on TikTok Shop in the U.S. this year, thanks to the viral mania surrounding its Labubu collectible figures.