Bank of America’s revenues rose 11% YoY to $28.1 billion in its Q2 2025 earnings, outstripping analysts’ expectations at $27.5 billion, per CNBC. While consumers are demonstrating resilience, leaning into flexibility as the holiday season approaches could give issuers more loyalty from consumers who are skittish about holiday shopping. 0% interest holidays and card-linked buy now, pay later offers can help banks compete against fintechs offering similar promotions.
Synchrony reported $1.1 billion in net earnings during Q3 2025—a notable increase from Q4 2024’s $789 million, while net revenues were flat at $2.8 billion YoY, per a press release. Buy now, pay later platforms like Klarna, Affirm, and PayPal have an opportunity to pick off consumers from co-brand and private label issuers as the holiday season approaches. While these cards often boast high interest rates, PayPal’s in-store eligible Pay Monthly offers 5% cashback, and Affirm’s 0% interest days likely connect with Gen Zers trying to avoid revolving credit. As long as these fintechs can offer more competitive interest rates, installment plans, or rewards, co-brand cards are caught on the back foot for securing this consumer segments’ loyalty.
90% or more of consumer goods’ decision-makers are using AI technologies, including generative, predictive, and agentic AI, or plan to use them in the next two years, according to a June 2025 survey from Salesforce.
Healthcare marketing faces unique challenges as skeptical consumers find it hard to trust much of the messaging sent their way.
Hims & Hers and GoodRx each moved into new categories of prescription drug sales. Hims and Hers is now offering care for menopause and perimenopause under its Hers brand, while GoodRx launched a subscription for men’s hair loss treatment. GoodRx is a new player in an expanding market of companies selling prescription drugs, but we think the company has staying power. GoodRx’s vast user base offers a cheaper, more efficient path to converting consumers into subscription members than other D2C healthcare competitors.
Nearly 4 in 10 (38%) US parents consider themselves supporters of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, according to a recent KFF/The Washington Post survey. MAHA supporters and non-supporters hold distinct views on the importance and safety of vaccines and other children’s health issues. Pharma and food marketers should encourage open dialogue around the concerns expressed by MAHA proponents. Marketers need to reach parents who are MAHA supporters with transparent, evidence-based messaging—not lectures—on food and drug safety.
TiVo DVRs, Microsoft’s Windows 10, and Apple’s short-form video app Clips have all reached the end of the line in recent weeks. Each defined a digital moment—or a glimpse of the future—before succumbing to the same inevitable march of progress. The best brands treat change not as loss but as momentum by moving users, data, and goodwill forward before obsolescence arrives. Every innovation carries its own expiration date. Brands that don’t write their ending risk having it written for them.
Premium media delivers measurable value: Ads that integrate smoothly into trusted environments boost purchase intent by 40% and trust by 85%.
Spotify signed a slate of deals with Sony Music Group, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Merlin to develop “responsible AI” tools that ensure fair compensation, respect for copyright, and let artists decide whether they want to allow AI use. The music streamer didn’t clarify what kinds of tools it’s developing. Creative platforms are under pressure to show they can harness AI responsibly without eroding creator economics. Brands should vet creative partners and platform placements for reach, transparency, brand safety, and ethical AI practices.
Spotify is launching a free ad-supported TV (FAST) channel in partnership with Samsung TV Plus, per a Thursday announcement. Marketers now have the opportunity to combine the effectiveness and precision of CTV advertising with the authenticity of podcast advertising to convert passive listeners into active customers.
Interactivity is becoming a key driver of growth for connected TV (CTV) advertising as the format evolves alongside shifting audience preferences. Marketers must recognize that interactivity will become a strategic advantage in CTV advertising as streaming platforms are inundated with standard formats that risk ad fatigue and viewers begin to “expect all ads to be interactive in some way.”
Households may not be tapped out on subscriptions yet, but subscription fatigue is emerging as viewers seek more affordable ways to stream and rethink how much they’re willing to pay. Nine in 10 US households pay for at least one streaming service, per Parks Associates. Nearly half (45%) watched free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) in Q1 2025, up from 42% in Q1 2024. Although viewers may be accepting of ads, overload or irrelevant messaging could turn them away. Advertisers should: diversify placements, invest in creative testing and ad frequency controls, and focus data-driven buying.
AI is rapidly becoming central to retail operations, with 45% of organizations using AI tools daily and nearly all planning to sustain or increase investments next year, according to an Amperity survey. While fears of mass job losses have yet to materialize, ongoing economic pressures—including weak consumer sentiment, rising inflation, and a softening labor market—are driving a surge in layoffs. As companies turn to AI to boost efficiency and manage costs, the challenge lies in balancing automation with the human expertise needed to navigate uncertain times.
United Airlines is forecasting record-breaking Q4 profits as CEO Scott Kirby credits international travel and high-spending passengers for driving growth, with premium cabin and loyalty program revenues up 6% and 9% year over year. The optimism echoes Delta’s positive outlook, but the broader travel market shows strain: only 21% of US adults plan to travel this holiday season, according to Bankrate, down from 27% last year. As costs rise and options shrink, especially for younger travelers, the industry faces a widening divide—prospering at the top while losing price-sensitive consumers it can’t afford to ignore.
Foot traffic to indoor malls surged 6.3% YoY in May, outpacing outlet malls (3.5%) and open-air shopping centers (4.7%), according to a September report from Placer.ai.
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how much of a splash ChatGPT’s new ‘Instant Checkout’ is likely to make, what kinds of things people are most likely to use it to buy, and if Amazon and Google can offer compelling alternatives. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and guest host, Marcus Johnson, and Senior Analysts, Carina Lamb (formerly Perkins) and Zak Stambor.
Small business customers increasingly expect “best-in-class, highly sophisticated digital capabilities” and integrated experiences, according to a Finovate interview with Shruti Patal, chief product officer for business banking at U.S. Bank. But small businesses have historically been underserved digitally by their financial institutions, especially relative to consumers. U.S. Bank’s moves to modernize its small business banking digital experience are crucial to keeping its offering competitive against nonbank software providers, fintechs, and other banks. Its partnerships and all-in-one model for its business banking platform keep it in the running.
Klarna partnered with Qatar Airways, bringing installment plans to checkout for the gulf state airline in 17 European markets. The winning formula for BNPL platforms may be strategic partnerships with airlines without a branded credit card live in certain markets. Qatar holds a branded credit card offering in the US, where it likely encourages US consumers to spend on its card. European consumers, on the other hand, can’t access that credit product, giving Klarna an opportunity to fill that gap for fliers. With this vacuum, BNPL providers can reap the benefit of not having to directly compete against credit cards’ rewards packages.
Storm clouds are rolling in for several of the world’s largest economies. The US, China, and EU are all under pressure due to tariffs, depressed consumer confidence, and economic uncertainty. That is creating serious challenges for retailers, which are struggling to convince shoppers to open their wallets while facing diminishing margins.