Ad tech rebuilt itself around identity resolution and clean rooms once third-party cookies disappeared. Coverage here spans SSAI, programmatic CTV, ad-supported tier economics, frequency capping, and the measurement approaches replacing the old playbook.
Google, Meta, and ByteDance are rapidly expanding AI-driven advertising systems that personalize ads and leverage generative AI for content creation. This development is blurring the lines between ads and organic content, making ad disclosures harder to recognize. The article highlights the public accountability and regulatory challenges this poses, advocating for clearer disclosure obligations.
Amazon Ads showcased new ad formats and AI-powered creative tools for Prime Video, Twitch, and sports viewing at its Canadian Upfront, including the launch of "Complete TV." The company emphasized its DSP's leading CTV reach in Canada and new strategic content integrations to simplify ad-buying for marketers. New features like 'Ads Agent', 'Creative Agent', 'Dynamic TV Creative', and 'Location-based Interactive Video Ads' were introduced.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) launched a new digital ad against Republican Ashley Hinson, airing on connected TV platforms like Hulu, Roku, and Peacock. The ad targets persuadable voters in Iowa regarding political issues. This highlights the use of CTV platforms for political advertising campaigns.
Teads has integrated its Audience Planning API into Havas Media Network's Converged.AI platform, enabling direct, system-to-system audience activation within agency workflows. This allows planners to define audiences in Havas' environment and push them directly to Teads Ad Manager for seamless activation across screens, including connected TV (CTV). The integration aims to streamline workflows, ensure consistency, and maximize match rates in a cookieless, privacy-first manner across global markets.
Assertive Yield, an AI-powered yield management platform, has partnered with The Media Trust, a Digital Trust & Safety leader. This collaboration aims to enhance publishers' ad quality and revenue by combining Assertive Yield's optimization capabilities with The Media Trust's malvertising prevention and digital governance. The partnership is designed to protect audiences from harmful ads while preserving publisher revenue and operational control.
PubMatic has launched "Decision Fabric" on AgenticOS, a containerization layer enabling partners to run decisioning models directly within the programmatic supply path. This move follows Index Exchange's "Index Cloud" and aims to reduce operational costs, lower latency, and improve signal fidelity by moving compute closer to where ad impressions are created. The article highlights an industry trend towards re-architecting the ad tech supply chain to address inefficiencies.
A report by IAB Australia highlights a significant talent shortage in the Australian digital advertising and ad tech industry, with only 1% of open roles being entry-level and nearly half requiring over six years of experience. This talent crunch is exacerbated by a shift towards AI and automation, requiring professionals with both AI fluency and commercial judgment. The report calls for increased investment in early-career talent, leadership development, and AI-for-advertising training pathways to address this issue.
Publicis' acquisition of LiveRamp has sparked widespread skepticism among ad industry leaders in the U.K. and Europe, who argue it compromises LiveRamp's essential neutrality. This concern is leading advertisers and retailers to re-evaluate their ad-tech strategies and seek alternative data solutions. The industry anticipates increased fragmentation and a push for rival agency groups to develop their own identity solutions.
American Home Shield (AHS) reported an 18% increase in cost-per-action efficiency by revamping its programmatic targeting strategy for streaming audio and online video. This improvement resulted from utilizing real-time audience segmentation data from Experian and Audigent, following Experian's acquisition of Audigent in late 2024. The strategy focuses on using purchase behavior and contextual data to optimize bids across fragmented media channels.
StreamGuys has introduced a new AI ad tagging service designed to automate the placement of ad markers in digital audio content. This service aims to increase monetizable ad inventory across back catalogs and new productions for broadcasters and podcasters, while reducing manual effort. It integrates via API and supports multi-language content, building on prior AI workflow innovations from StreamGuys.
Different Minds has announced Equativ, Seedtag, and InMobi as its founding partners ahead of its formal launch. The initiative aims to raise awareness and promote support for neurodiversity within the creative industries, including advertising, marketing, and technology sectors. The partners are backing the launch to highlight the importance of diverse thinking for innovation and problem-solving in ad tech and digital media.
Amazon has contracted outside partners to sell advertising inventory on Twitch and Alexa, a departure from the typical in-house strategy of major tech companies. Separately, Peer39 acquired ad verification specialist Adloox from Scope3, with Scope3 shifting its focus towards agentic AI applications.
Agoda and The Trade Desk have partnered to leverage Agoda's first-party travel data for programmatic advertising across Asia-Pacific. This collaboration enables brands to target travelers across Connected TV, streaming platforms, and mobile before booking, significantly enhancing ad precision and cross-channel marketing. The partnership aims to facilitate cohesive, data-driven ad campaigns for brands operating in APAC's travel and hospitality sectors.
Bell Media is expanding its Connected TV Live offering by integrating TELUS TV+ set-top box inventory, aiming to add over 1 million CTV-enabled households by 2026. This expansion provides advertisers with increased national reach in Canada, particularly in Western markets, utilizing existing buying processes. The new inventory is fully integrated into Bell Media's ad packages, including programmatic options, designed for seamless advertiser access.
Mobile financial service provider bKash has integrated direct subscription capabilities and cashback incentives for South Asian OTT platforms including Chorki, Hoichoi, and Bongo. This initiative aims to enhance the accessibility and affordability of digital entertainment for users in Bangladesh by simplifying mobile payment gateways for subscriptions. Specific cashback offers are detailed for Hoichoi and Chorki until mid-June 2026.
Publishers are increasingly using paid traffic to acquire new readers and offset declining organic referrals, balancing audience growth with the risk of being misclassified as Made-For-Advertising (MFA) sites. This strategy, while crucial for some, can lead to reduced ad revenue due to the negative perception of arbitrage tactics by advertisers and ad tech vendors. The industry is grappling with defining clear lines between legitimate audience building and problematic arbitrage.
Amazon has launched Amazon Music Unlimited in India, introducing premium tiers with HD, Ultra HD, and Spatial Audio, along with a three-tier structure that formalizes ad-supported listening. This move creates new opportunities for programmatic advertising within Amazon's broader ad ecosystem, particularly with the partially ad-supported Prime tier and a forthcoming free tier in India. The launch also impacts the competitive landscape for audio quality in the Indian music streaming market.
Forrester reports on the maturation of creative advertising technology, shifting from fragmented productivity tools to integrated systems focused on performance. This change enables streaming advertisers to link creative decisions to media outcomes and utilize generative AI for automated production, testing, and optimization. The firm notes that while past DCO efforts were limited, GenAI is driving a new phase where value shifts toward creative strategy and intelligence.
NFL ad revenue reached a record $5.9 billion in 2025-2026, marking a 7% year-over-year increase, with streaming-exclusive games contributing 13% of the total revenue. Separately, Peacock is implementing shoppable full-screen Pause Ads for "Love Island U.S.A.," a format it claims leads to increased ad memorability and foot traffic. ESPN also extended its rights deal with the Women's National Football Conference for two years.
YouTube has launched a public directory listing 17 agencies and platforms that are part of its Creator Partnerships program, making third-party firms using verified creator data more visible to advertisers. These partners gain access to creator-consented first-party data like audience demographics and interests via the Creator Partnerships API, ensuring controlled access to enhance advertiser campaign effectiveness. The directory aims to help brands select partners for YouTube creator campaigns, as direct API access is not self-serve.
SiriusXM Podcast Network has partnered with Tubi to distribute its video podcasts, such as "Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend" and "What Now? with Trevor Noah," to Tubi's 100 million monthly active users. This non-exclusive deal includes shared advertising sales, offering new premium ad opportunities for brands across CTV, web, and mobile platforms. The collaboration aims to expand the reach of SiriusXM's video podcasts and provide Tubi audiences with more content, with more shows expected to be added.
Frequency has introduced In-Scene Advertising, a new suite of ad formats (L-shape, double box, picture-in-picture, overlay) designed to place contextually targeted ads directly into streaming content without increasing traditional ad load. This technology uses AI-driven scene intelligence for brand safety and contextual targeting and supports programmatic activation through a partnership with OpenGlass across FAST and vMVPD platforms. The offering aims to create new revenue streams for content owners and distributors, integrating with existing workflows and infrastructure.
Smart TV users are reporting that devices are playing hidden video advertisements in the background, which is significantly impairing device performance. This issue highlights how unwanted ad processes can negatively affect device functionality and user experience on smart TVs.
Spotify and Netflix have reportedly struck a multiyear deal worth up to $100 million for exclusive rights to the video version of Jay Shetty's podcast, "On Purpose." Under the agreement, video episodes of the podcast will move to Netflix and Spotify starting July 13, transferring content exclusivity previously held by iHeartMedia.
Google's Display & Video 360 Help center provides information about co-viewing metrics for Connected TV (CTV) advertising. Co-viewing refers to multiple people watching ads on a CTV device together, leading to increased impressions and reach for video ads, which Google measures using real-time and census-level surveys with statistical methods.
DoubleVerify announced a partnership with TVision to enhance Connected TV (CTV) attention measurement for advertisers. This collaboration combines DV's ad exposure data (viewable time, screen share) with TVision's viewer presence and eyes-on-screen attention signals to offer a holistic and scalable attention measurement solution. The integrated offering is expected to be available for a closed beta in the second half of 2023, with a broader market release to follow.
PubMatic is hiring a Senior Manager for Product Marketing focused on Commerce Media, Data Partnerships, and Curation. The role is described as strategic and builder-oriented, concentrating on rapidly growing capabilities in programmatic advertising.
Comcast is seeking a Senior Product Manager specializing in programmatic ad-decisioning and optimization capabilities. This role involves partnering with Data Science to design and implement advanced machine learning solutions within their advertising technology stack.
The article provides an educational guide detailing what a Demand Side Platform (DSP) is, how it functions within programmatic advertising, and its role in media buying. It also covers the benefits of using a DSP and differentiates it from a Supply Side Platform (SSP).
Carl Lefever explains how programmatic video ads can make advertising accessible for organizations like camps that may not be able to afford traditional TV advertising. The article highlights that programmatic solutions offer a way for these entities to utilize video ads.
The American Prospect has ceased using programmatic advertising. This decision was made one month prior to the reporting, with the article mentioning subsequent changes in user behavior.
The Trade Desk's Edge Academy highlighted how to maintain foundational skills in the evolving advertising technology landscape. The academy's discussion with Lara Koenig from MiQ focused on crucial skills for an AI-driven environment. This content is part of The Trade Desk's educational initiative for its partners and clients.
Walmart Connect is expanding access to its first-party data and closed-loop measurement for advertisers beyond its owned properties. This allows advertisers to activate Walmart audiences and measurement when buying media inventory on third-party platforms, starting with VIZIO inventory through Yahoo DSP via Magnite's supply-side technology.
FreeWheel announced its return to Cannes Lions in 2026, detailing an agenda of content sessions focused on advertising advancements, the future of TV, and the application of AI in advertising technology. The event will feature discussions with executives from major media companies including Comcast Advertising, NBCUniversal, Fox Ad Sales, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, Paramount Global, and Xumo. Topics include building new solutions on the FreeWheel ecosystem, TV leadership panels, AI's impact on media and advertising, and global media campaign execution.
LiftLab is offering a marketing measurement solution for omnichannel brands that addresses the challenges posed by iOS ATT restrictions and cookie deprecation. This solution aims to provide attribution in a post-identity graph environment.
Teads conducted an omnichannel advertising campaign for BYD's Shark 6 pick-up in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, utilizing CTV InStream and InRead placements. The campaign aimed to increase brand awareness and consideration among automotive enthusiasts by highlighting the vehicle's features, resulting in increased interest, attribution, consideration, and purchase intent across screens.
This article states that AI is enabling marketers to predict consumer behavior, optimize ad placements, personalize content delivery, and improve conversion rates. This AI application helps global brands intensify their battle for online consumer reach within the digital advertising market.
Disney's advertising head, Rita Ferro, is focusing on building out Disney's ad tech platform. She is also leveraging Disney's intellectual property and international businesses to enhance advertising efforts.
This YouTube Help article details how creators can manage mid-roll ad breaks in videos 8 minutes or longer, including options for manual, automated, or combined placement methods. It also provides guidance on using ad slot quality feedback to optimize ad placement for better viewer experience and creator earnings. Instructions are provided for both new uploads and existing videos, as well as setting channel-level defaults for mid-roll ads.
Dentsu executives Beth Ann Kaminkow and Will Swayne discussed the integration of AI into their processes and its implications for the upcoming 2020 upfronts. The discussion focused on how AI will adapt and be utilized within their media buying strategies.
The article explains what pause ads are and how they function as a non-disruptive advertising method within streaming video content. It details their appearance during content pauses and their utility for brands to reach viewers without interrupting the viewing experience.
Samba TV shared a prediction from eMarketer indicating that streaming TV ad spend is projected to surpass linear TV ad spend by 2027. The post highlights the critical question of whether measurement technologies can adequately support this shift in ad spending.
Starti AI details how its technology can power shoppable Connected TV (CTV) ads, specifically mentioning application for the World Cup 2026. The company highlights the use of VAST/VPAID protocols for interactive ad rendering and IP-based household-level targeting compliant with GDPR and CCPA/CPRA. This indicates a focus on interactive ad experiences and privacy-compliant targeting within the CTV advertising ecosystem.
Roku is seeking a Sales Planner to join its Revenue Operations team in Chicago. This role focuses on maximizing ad revenue yield through supply optimization and strategic pricing, supporting global advertising growth.
Nexus Clouds describes its unified demand-side, supply-side, and data management solution designed to provide audience intelligence for advertisers and publishers. The platform aims to enable precision targeting, omnichannel reach across devices including CTV, and real-time optimization using AI-powered campaign adjustments.
Amazon Ads defines 'BuyerSeat' as an identifier used to exchange deal information between Supply-Side Platforms (SSPs) and the Amazon DSP in programmatic advertising. This concept is fundamental to how programmatic deals are managed within the Amazon advertising ecosystem.
Evrideo highlights its cloud playout and master control solution to enable cable networks to implement advanced monetization strategies such as dynamic ad insertion (DAI), addressable advertising, and programmatic fill. The company positions these capabilities as out of reach for most traditional cable networks despite being standard on major streaming platforms. This solution aims to bridge that gap for hybrid linear and OTT channels.
Magnite has launched a new media buying agent, a sell-side platform product aimed at advertising clients. This new offering launches with a direct connection to Disney's advertising inventory, allowing buyers to access Disney's ad opportunities through Magnite's platform.
DataCops offers a first-party analytics and conversion-intelligence platform designed to overcome challenges from ad blockers, ITP, and bots by running on a client's subdomain. The platform aims to recover lost session data, validate traffic, filter out bots, and provide clean conversion data to ad platforms and CRMs. DataCops positions itself as a solution to data fragmentation and inaccuracies caused by third-party tracking, aiming to improve attribution and ad spend efficiency for marketers.
Google is hosting a "DV360 Performance Workshop 2026" on June 3, 2026, in London, designed for invited participants to gain hands-on knowledge in Demand Gen and Display campaigns on DV360. The workshop aims to supercharge performance using Gemini.
