Advertise on podcast: The Current Report

Celebrities reigned once again in many commercials for the Big Game, including Glen Powell doing his own version of Goldilocks in a spot for Ram Trucks. Two executives at the agency that created the ad, GSD&M’s Kate Rush Sheehy and Chelsea York Vargas, joined The Current Report to share the inside story of the strategy behind the ad. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: Disney teases ESPN’s expansive sports streaming future: https://bit.ly/3Cvuiap_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

We’re days away from the Big Game, and with that, watch parties full of snacks. Grocery prices are going up, as everything from bird flu to bad weather are hiking up prices at the highest pace in more than a year. The cost of groceries increased nearly 2% in December compared to the year before, according to the Labor Department. A way to help stem those costs? Discounts and cash-back offers, which is where a company like Ibotta comes in. Over 50 million people use Ibotta to save money in exchange for their purchase data. For marketers, Ibotta unlocks real-time transaction data to connect measurement and campaign performance. The company’s founder and CEO, Bryan Leach, joins The Current Report to discuss the CPG environment and share how marketers can unlock results with big data ahead of the game. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: Food Prices Are Rising Again: https://bit.ly/4hJG2F6Super Bowl LIX spending for the big game: https://bit.ly/40LaLKPRetailers, grocers look to score big on Super Bowl sales: https://bit.ly/42GqoFZ_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

Two years after Tubi's ad during football's Big Game stole the attention of millions, the FAST platform is streaming the game itself. It's an incredible turn of events and another landmark moment in the evolution of live sports streaming. Of course, the game will still be broadcast on Fox, but for the first time ever, the Big Game will be shown for free on a FAST platform. Tubi CMO Nicole Parlapiano joins The Current Report to share its strategy for marketing the news. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: Tubi Has Some Momentum. The Super Bowl May Give a Big Boost to the Free Service: https://bit.ly/40ThYdkTubi’s Nicole Parlapiano on sustaining growth after virality: https://bit.ly/4aCBBJPSuper Bowl updates—weight loss drugs, potty breaks and cash giveaways: https://bit.ly/40I4zDoSuper Bowl Ads Hit $8 Million; Expect More AI and Fewer Movies: https://bit.ly/42Diddz_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

The TikTok party didn’t stop in the U.S. as President Trump signed an executive order to keep it active for 75 days. With the clock ticking, marketers are strategizing their next move in case the social media platform does go dark. Michelle Castillo joins The Current Report to discuss the entire industry's realization that even if a platform seems to be the holy grail of marketing, it’s not worth putting all your budget and efforts behind one thing. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: Will they, won’t they ban TikTok? Advertisers mull alternatives: https://bit.ly/40lPaIUU.S. Ban of TikTok Is Set to Deal a Major Blow to ByteDance, Its Chinese Owner: https://bit.ly/40LT0N1TikTok Ban 2025: https://bit.ly/3CnhYZGNielsen Earns Accreditation for ‘Big Data + Panel’ Ratings Measurement: https://bit.ly/4hrfKat_______   The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

To read the full stories included in this episode: US Forecast Trends to Watch in 2025: https://bit.ly/4g5zsHA The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

Still fresh off the news of Omnicom and IPG merging, all the agencies that work within the holding companies are plugging along. IPG’s Initiative is one of those agencies. It counts Amazon, Nike, Unilever and Nintendo among the brands it serves. Initiative U.S. CEO Stacy DeRiso joined The Current Report at CES to talk about retail media networks' emergence at the conference, maximizing clients' dollars and the agency's approach to awareness and performance called fame and flow. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: Beyond the gadgets, ad tech and AI are center stage at CES 2025: https://bit.ly/4j6WdxzComcast to launch Universal Ads in bid to win smaller advertisers over from tech: https://bit.ly/3C6CVrBDisney Brings New Biddable Ad Capabilities to Live Sports and Entertainment: https://bit.ly/42bcOKC_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

Ad tech dominated the CES experience again, with ease as a key tenet of conversations across the week. Making the advertising experience easy for brands and agencies is a top priority for Spotify in 2025. The digital audio giant has opened up programmatic capabilities for advertisers of all sizes by testing its own ad exchange. Still, according to WARC, In 2024, audio will account for 24.5% of ad-supported media consumption in the US but just 8.4% of ad spend. Spotify's VP and global head of advertising, Lee Brown, joins The Current Report to break down why that is. _______  To read the full stories included in this episode:  Beyond the gadgets, ad tech and AI are center stage at CES 2025: https://bit.ly/4j6WdxzThe first TV merger of 2025 could be a sign of things to come: https://bit.ly/3Pyn9sFSpotify launching an ad exchange: https://bit.ly/4fVAEgJAddressing the audio investment gap: https://bit.ly/40DebAR_______  The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______  Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

It’s the final episode of The Current Report for the year, so we’re recapping the biggest stories and topics of 2024 – from streaming to potential fallout with both of Google’s antitrust cases, the state of news advertising and the landmark year for podcasting. To help us get a handle on this dramatic year in ad tech who better than Lou Paskalis. Lou has decades of experience in the advertising industry as an executive for American Express, Bank of America and the trade body MMA Global. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: The power of news advertising: A win-win for marketers and democracy: https://bit.ly/3P9fsZIGroupM 2024 Global End-of-Year Forecast: Open link in new tabhttps://bit.ly/3P5GD7xGlobal ad market to surpass $1 trillion for first time: https://bit.ly/41KeNFpUS streaming revenue to overtake pay TV in 2024: https://bit.ly/3BuexjvWhy experts say this election showed the power of podcasts: https://bit.ly/3P8XeaSRequiem for a friend: https://bit.ly/40fb69XGoogle and the DOJ spar in court on the last day of the ad tech trial: https://bit.ly/3V7KwfW_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

The news of Omnicom and IPG merging lit up the advertising world last week. The holding companies had a combined revenue of more than $25 billion in 2023, and merging could make the new-faced Omnicom the largest holding company in the world. Madison and Wall CEO Brian Wieser joins The Current Report to break down the implications, from the increased scale to how AI plays into the deal. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: Omnicom Makes Play to Become Biggest Holdco After Acquiring Interpublic Group For $13.25 Billion: https://bit.ly/3VFbStTHere are the numbers to know in Omnicom’s potential purchase of IPG: https://bit.ly/4g4LB0lWalgreens’ Caroline Liu on how retail data demystifies the customer experience: https://bit.ly/41DTLZn3 trends reshaping retail media in 2024: Search holds its value, while competition heats up: https://bit.ly/3BhMzaB_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

Walmart finalized its $2.3 billion acquisition of VIZIO. And for for Walmart, this deal is clearly about more than selling TVs. Walmart can match its shopping transaction data with Vizio’s data on who’s watching what to make things like ad targeting much more precise. And that’s a big deal for the retailer, as almost a third of its operating income in the last quarter, about 2 billion dollars, came through advertising. This sets up Walmart’s business of the future. Joel Cox, co-founder and EVP of innovation and strategy at media agency Strategus, breaks down this fusing of retail media and streaming on this week's episode of The Current Report. Cox says this deal is bigger than might initially meet the eye because non-endemic advertisers can connect to Walmart and Vizio's data to leverage their strategies. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: Walmart Completes Acquisition of VIZIO: https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2024/12/03/walmart-completes-acquisition-of-vizioProgrammatic ad platform market projected to hit $117bn by 2034: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/programmatic-advertising-platform-market_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

The landmark adtech trial of the century has now officially come and gone. Google and the Department of Justice wrapped up their cases with closing arguments last week. Next up – a decision in the case from the Judge presiding in the case, Judge Leonie Brinkema. Judge Brinkema said she expects to have a decision by the end of the year, but that could get pushed out to the start of next year. To get a better sense of what the closing arguments were like in person I’m bringing on Jason Kint, who has followed the case closely throughout. Kint is the CEO of Digital Content Next, a trade group for digital content providers. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: Google and the DOJ spar in court on the last day of the ad tech trial: https://www.thecurrent.com/google-doj-court-ad-tech-trial-data-privacyClosing Arguments, November 25: Once, Twice, Three Times a Monopolist: https://www.usvgoogleads.com/trial-updates/closing-arguments-november-25-once-twice-three-times-a-monopolistExclusive: Threads adds 35M new sign-ups this month: https://www.axios.com/2024/11/26/exclusive-threads-adds-35m-new-signups-this-month_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

The Department of Justice is proposing big remedies in the Google antitrust search case, after a landmark ruling in August found Google held a monopoly over search. These remedies could reshape the future of the internet. The headline: the Justice Department wants Google to sell its Chrome browser and share data. Plus it’s leaving the door open for Android to be sold as well. Search advertising accounted for over $49 billion in revenue last quarter in Alphabet’s latest earnings report, 75% of its total ad sales. The DOJ says it aims to level the playing field to correct the search monopoly Google maintains. Google calls the DOJ’s proposal, “unprecedented government overreach.” Ultimately Judge Amit Mehta will rule on the official remedies, which he’s expected to do next summer. There is a lot to talk about with this search case and how it ties into the other Google antitrust trial focused on adtech, where closing arguments begin today. Arielle Garcia, director of intelligence at ad watchdog Check My Ads has been following both cases and joins the show to break down her top takeaways and what the future could hold. _______ To see the full stories included in this episode: DOJ urges Google to sell Chrome and give advertisers more control: https://www.thecurrent.com/doj-google-chrome-advertisers-dataGoogle’s Chrome Worth Up to $20 Billion If Judge Orders Sale: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-18/doj-will-push-google-to-sell-off-chrome-to-break-search-monopolyWhy the US forced sale of Google's Chrome faces legal hurdles: https://www.reuters.com/technology/legal-hurdles-ahead-googles-forced-sale-chrome-2024-11-21/Alphabet shares rise on earnings beats boosted by cloud revenue: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/29/alphabet-to-report-q3-earnings-after-the-bell.htmlDOJ’s staggering proposal would hurt consumers and America’s global technological leadership: https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/public-policy/doj-search-remedies-nov-2024/_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

The holiday season is fast approaching and Americans are ready to spend. Adults in the US plan to spend an average of $2,100 dollars, up 7% from last year, according to Bank of America’s holiday shopping survey. And six figure earners, those who make between $100,000 and $199,000 a year and say they’re gonna spend more, is up 17% from last year. Here’s a number you might not recognize – small businesses make up 99% of all businesses in the U.S., consistently accounting for around 40% of America’s GDP. How should small businesses be approaching the holiday season marketing wise? Choozle CEO Adam Woods joins The Current Podcast to share how brands and agencies can leverage retail data and omnichannel to power their shopping strategies. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: Netflix Says Ad Tier Has Surged to 70M Users, Christmas Day NFL Games Sold Out: https://bit.ly/40Urb5D2024 Consumer Spending and Saving Behaviors:Holiday Shopping Season https://bit.ly/4exzbwtShop Small: Everything You Need to Know About Small Business Saturday: https://bit.ly/3OccwLy_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

Donald Trump was once again elected as the President of the United States last week, becoming the first president since Grover Cleveland in 1892 to win back the presidency after losing a re-election bid.   One tech company is 3 for 3 in successfully predicting who would become the president in the last 3 elections. That company, Resonate, relies on consumer data and intelligence to deliver data-driven insights.   So, what’s the secret to its success? Resonate uses AI modeling to analyze 15,000 data points across 250 million profiles.   Those data points could include anything from what news sources people read to what streaming services they subscribe to or whether they’re in the market for a car.   To dive more into how Resonate made the call, the company’s CEO Bryan Gernert, chief data scientist Daniel Scantlebury and CMO Ericka McCoy joined The Current Report. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: Presidential ads mark a divide as both candidates spend big in battleground states: https://bit.ly/3YJZ7z5Election night is Calm's 'Super Bowl,' so it's buying 30 seconds of silence on CNN and ABC: https://bit.ly/3AAzFUIFans declare Calm ad 'winner of the US election': https://bit.ly/4epewuuThe Calm app's election day TV ad blitz by the numbers: Datacenter weekly: https://bit.ly/4ekkqwN_______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

On the eve of election day in the U.S, the number of news outlets reporting on the races is continuing to dissipate. A recent report from Northwestern University found 127 newspapers across America closed down in 2023, leaving nearly 55 million Americans with limited or no access to local news. This continues the expanding trend of news deserts we’ve seen over the years, as now more than half of counties in the U.S. have one or zero local news outlets. Still, the report finds there is some room for optimism. 81 standalone digital local news sites opened in 2023, increasing the total number of those sites to 740. A persistent challenge for news publishers has been capturing advertisers dollars. Multiple recent studies are hoping to turn that tide, showing it’s safe and valuable to advertise alongside news coverage. The latest success story comes up north in Canada, where Dentsu found some big time results for the effectiveness of local news. The holding company's VP of performance and platforms, Fil Lourenco, shared those results with me during our conversation.  _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: Medill report shows local news deserts expanding: https://bit.ly/48E4LYaMost U.S. counties have little to no local news sources: https://bit.ly/48ygFT4US Sports Streaming 2024. Women’s Sports and Gambling Drive Viewership Gains: https://bit.ly/48zxInP _______The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR