Eli Lilly is already manufacturing its not-yet-approved GLP-1 pill for weight loss in anticipation of strong global demand next year. Lilly’s proactive approach puts them in the lead for now, but the GLP-1 and next generation obesity drug market is still in the early stages. Drugmakers need to focus on value-priced messaging and creating accessible weight loss drug brands.
OpenAI detailed new ChatGPT mental health safety measure results on Monday, alongside an internal analysis that shows potentially millions of users’ conversations indicate emotional reliance on the chatbot. Marketers should educate parents of teens and young adults about safe AI use, and emphasize best practices like clinician collaboration, backup safety measures, and transparent data policies to build credibility and trust.
Streaming ad revenues continued a growth trajectory in Q3 while national linear TV spend shrunk, per a recent MoffetNathanson Research forecast. A successful advertising strategy will understand the increasing need to invest in cross-platform campaigns in the digital age.
Spotify is boosting its visual offerings for the big screen with a revamped Apple TV app. Users can now watch music videos and video podcasts on their TVs and get AI DJ recommendations, smarter queue management, a redesigned UX built for tvOS, and remote control via Spotify Connect, per 9to5Mac. As Spotify expands its CTV and broader media consumption offerings, it’s making a bid to claim more space on the biggest screen in the home. CMOs should start building CTV campaigns that merge Spotify’s audio precision with the reach and impact of video.
Paramount+ is entering a new stage—less about rapid subscriber growth and more about profitability. We forecast US monthly viewers will rise to 103.5 million by 2029, but subscription revenue growth will decelerate to 6.4% by 2026. Advertising, however, is on the upswing, with revenues expected to hit $611.5 million by 2027 as hybrid tiers gain traction. Yet the departure of Taylor Sheridan, the creative force behind Yellowstone and Tulsa King, leaves a gap in Paramount’s prestige pipeline.
Streaming music is gaining momentum as radio starts to lose share in the ad-supported audio listening market. Fifteen percent of audio listening time goes to ad-supported streaming audio, per Nielsen’s The Record report, up 36.4% YoY. Radio’s share dropped 5 percentage points YoY to 62%. Marketers should diversify audio spend by incrementally shifting dollars from radio to streaming to follow the ears as listening time shifts platforms. Test creative formats like interactive audio—including shoppable ads or tap-to-engage spots—to boost engagement and brand recall.
Amazon cut 14,000 corporate roles on Tuesday, calling the cuts an effort toward “reducing bureaucracy, removing layers, and shifting resources to ensure we’re investing in our biggest bets,” per Bloomberg. Affected divisions include gaming, cloud computing, logistics, and others. It’s been a challenging year for the workforce with rising inflation and a softening labor market—to say nothing of AI. Whether a company is looking to avoid layoffs or streamline operations, they should experiment with multiple AI tools to find the right solutions for specific roles and companies, even if that means learning that AI isn’t right for them.
"In this world of filters and celebrities and influencers, what I'm seeing is that people are wanting something that feels real," said Patrick Buchanan, SVP of marketing at Lulus on a recent episode of “Behind the Numbers.” "When they hear stories that feel like their own or see people who look like they're in a similar life stage, you see people relating to that."
The FBI arrested the CEO of Evolve Bank & Trust on child pornography charges, per Banking Dive, amid the bank’s deep compliance crisis. A spokesperson told Banking Dive that Hartheimer’s role has been terminated. Evolve’s precarious situation, made more so by the sudden departure of its CEO, underscores how weak internal controls and poor partner oversight can ripple through the business. One lesson is clear: Reforming internal culture, board oversight, and fintech-integration strategies are foundational to banks that want to offer these services.
The P&C insurance sector is pivoting from being driven by premium-driven growth to focusing on operational discipline and digital transformation, according to a Deloitte report. To succeed in 2026 and beyond, insurers should optimize their operations, partner effectively to upgrade their technology, and bring innovative products and services to market–either on their own or working with insurtechs.
Elon Musk’s X has lost another key figure in its advertising business, with ad chief John Nitti announcing his departure last week after joining just ten months ago, per the Financial Times. Another key loss signals that X’s ad strategy remains turbulent—and until its AI-powered ad focus proves valuable, ad investment should be executed with an air of caution.
Recent announcements from Amazon signal its intention to lean on international markets to power growth. The retailer expects to quadruple ecommerce exports from India by 2030 to $80 billion. It is also investing $2.8 billion in Belgium and the Netherlands, and recently launched ultra-fast delivery in the UAE. To achieve international success, Amazon must continue strengthening its local logistics network. Expanding fulfillment capabilities allows it to offer its trademark delivery speed, enabling it to appeal to more shoppers. That makes it a more valuable channel for external vendors, helping to increase product selection (and revenues from third-party seller services) and keep the company’s flywheel turning.
Retailers are accelerating “Holiday Cyber Creep,” launching deep discounts earlier than ever as competition for consumers’ limited holiday budgets intensifies. Ulta, Lowe’s, Best Buy, and Walmart have all unveiled October and early November promotions, extending the traditional Cyber Five into a months-long event. While early deals aim to capture cautious Gen Z and value-conscious shoppers, a new AlixPartners report warns that constant promotions are dulling their impact. That's forcing retailers to shift focus from nonstop discounts to standout experiences and personalized service to sustain engagement through the holiday season.
Klarna debuted a two-tiered membership program, per a press release. larna’s second stab at a rewards membership program may prove more fruitful. This places the onus on competitors like Affirm, Sezzle, Cash App Afterpay, and PayPal to respond in kind. Offering better rewards is one way to stand out: PayPal’s Pay Later offered an untouchable 5% back during a holiday promotional period. While platforms could mimic Klarna’s membership program, BNPL providers could also expand promotional 0% interest windows, like Affirm’s latest offer, to sway young consumers who view installment loans as safer than revolving credit.
Prescription pharmaceuticals accounted for 13.1% of total estimated US linear TV ad spend in Q3 2025, the highest among the top five industries, according to an October report from iSpot.tv.
Grocery shopping is more digital than ever, but the physical store remains the cornerstone of the experience, amplified by digital tools and touchpoints. Shoppers blend in-store visits with online discovery, opening new opportunities for brands and retailers to connect with them at every stage. Here’s what marketers need to know about today’s grocery shoppers and what it means for retail media strategies.
Coca-Cola and Hershey’s are redefining what innovation looks like for century-old brands. Both companies are building repeatable systems for creativity rather than chasing trends. Coca-Cola created a proprietary AI-driven design system that converts brand rules into machine-readable code, allowing global teams to scale creative consistency instantly. Hershey’s built feedback loops that turn employee empathy and standardized KPIs into actionable insights. Together, they illustrate how legacy CPGs can combine data discipline with creative freedom—using structure to accelerate, not stifle, imagination. Innovation, they argue, isn’t chaos; it’s a system you can build.
Thanksgiving dinner costs are set to surge this year as turkey prices climb sharply amid renewed bird flu outbreaks that cut US turkey production nearly 10% YoY, according to the USDA. With demand peaking and supply at a four-decade low, wholesale turkey prices have soared, but some retailers see an opening to highlight value. Aldi, Walmart, and Dollar General are promoting low-cost holiday meal bundles to appeal to price-conscious shoppers. Still, rising grocery costs and broader economic pressures could dampen consumer spending this holiday season.