Consumers warm up to streaming ads: Here’s what the numbers say

Two-thirds of viewers say they don’t mind watching ads as much as they used to, according to data from Hub Entertainment Research.

By Sara Karlovitch • July 24, 2026

Google’s ads biz gets boost from World Cup hype, Gemini improvements

Search and other revenues were up 17% in Q2, but investor skepticism over soaring AI costs cast a shadow over the earnings.

By Peter Adams • July 23, 2026

Hanes embraces risqué marketing in creative shakeup for basics brand

Getting caught with one’s pants down becomes cool in a series of bold new ads from the over 125-year-old marketer.

By Peter Adams • July 22, 2026

Netflix says live events bolster ads but affect viewer engagement

The format, a focus of its current upfront talks, can drive ad revenue and fandom but typically results in lower raw viewing hours.

By Peter Adams • July 17, 2026

Liquid I.V., Samsung swing into ‘Spider-Man’ to spotlight new products

The Unilever hydration brand’s largest entertainment partnership yet includes ads, a pair of co-branded flavors and experiential marketing.

By Peter Adams • July 15, 2026

Advertisers don’t trust CTV inventory despite climbing spend: IAB

Just 41% of buyers are confident in commerce and retail media networks for CTV buying amid a convergence between the channels.

By Peter Adams • July 14, 2026

Mike’s Hard, Genesis take creative swings with custom Netflix campaigns

A pair of efforts for the upcoming Will Ferrell vehicle “The Hawk” show how the streamer is focusing on more bespoke brand partnerships.

By Peter Adams • July 9, 2026

How Aéropostale entertains Gen Alpha with a creator-led mini-series

Marisa Thalberg, chief customer and marketing officer at parent Catalyst Brands, opens up about the “Intern Diaries” and a loyalty tie-up with JCPenney.

By Chris Kelly • July 9, 2026

The best brand campaigns of H1 2026 sold honesty. Are consumers buying?

As fake news, fake feeds and fake AI proliferate, Coca-Cola, Dove, Anthropic and other brands tried to leave a real mark in the first half.

By Chris Kelly • July 7, 2026

Brands see content gold in microdramas. Will they muck up the moment?

Opinions are split on whether brands are serious about the saucy short-form genre, but experts shared ways to dip a toe in the water.

By Peter Adams • July 7, 2026

State Farm enlists IShowSpeed to keep season five of gaming series fresh

Reality-competition series “Gamerhood” will integrate Flowcode technology that uses QR codes to connect the brand with consumers.

By Chris Kelly • July 7, 2026

What Walmart’s Vibe.co deal means for CTV, retail media convergence

The acquisition of the platform designed for small- and mid-sized businesses, reportedly for $1.2 billion, speaks to the evolution of streaming TV advertising.

By Chris Kelly • June 29, 2026

Sprite unites tastemakers and fans to debate hip-hop’s greatest hits

New campaign “The Living Tracklist” seeks to establish a canon for the genre and employs packaging, social content and a digital experience.

By Chris Kelly • June 25, 2026

Target, DirecTV team to track premium video advertising’s sales impact

Danone plans to test a new solution that uses Roundel data and DirecTV audience insights to measure whether ads led to purchases at Target.

By Peter Adams • June 22, 2026

Warner Bros. Discovery revamps ad-tech stack around agentic AI, AWS

Embracing agent-led automation aims to bring linear TV and digital under one roof while preserving flexibility for advertisers.

By Peter Adams • June 18, 2026

P&G’s latest branded microdrama is built on Albertsons retail media data

The CPG giant is the first to use a new branded entertainment offering from the grocer’s retail media network that puts shopper insights first.

By Peter Adams • June 17, 2026

Fox acquires Roku for $22B to accelerate streaming advertising business

The deal would give the broadcaster access to the top connected TV operating system in the U.S. and a wealth of first-party data.

By Chris Kelly • Updated June 15, 2026

Sociable: Google enlists Walmart Connect to enhance YouTube ad insights

Brands can reach Walmart’s U.S. customers through YouTube campaigns and see how those ads impact sales. 

By Andrew Hutchinson • June 12, 2026

L’Oréal Paris helps shape ‘Legally Blonde’ origin story in streaming tie-up

The brand is a sponsor of the new “Legally Blonde” prequel show “Elle” and is running a co-marketing campaign inspired by social content.

By Peter Adams • June 11, 2026

How GSTV steps up audience targeting with Stagwell’s agentic system

Slim Jim maker Conagra Brands is the video network’s first advertiser to incorporate the Stagwell Agentic Targeting System into campaign planning.

By Chris Kelly • June 11, 2026

Nike and Adidas take their rivalry to the World Cup. Who will win?

The brands are both at a crossroads, and their campaign centerpieces play up soccer bona fides alongside the sport’s stars and other pop icons.

By Chris Kelly • June 9, 2026

Fox One pitches itself as home of World Cup viewing for obsessive fans

The DTC service looks to break through in streaming with a campaign that plays up the absurd lengths fans will go to watch the tournament.

By Chris Kelly • June 8, 2026

Indeed addresses job market disconnect with ads that put people first

The “Jobs Need People” campaign depicts moments of peer-to-peer connection that make work fulfilling amid a rise in trends like employer ghosting.

By Peter Adams • June 3, 2026

How McDonald’s is serving up culture as part of its new strategic plan

Activations around a Nike sneaker release and box office smash “Backrooms” demonstrate how the fast-food giant uses social media marketing.

By Chris Kelly • June 3, 2026

NBCU points to premium video’s broad value as social marketing rises

The broadcaster and partner Gain Theory detailed how premium video can boost the middle funnel — and what’s lost in its absence.

By Peter Adams • June 1, 2026