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Digital gaming has become one of the most popular activities in the world, thanks mainly to the proliferation of smartphones and free mobile games. Here is our worldwide forecast for total gamers, with breakouts by region and for 13 countries.

Gen Alpha’s shopping journey starts and ends on digital, with parents facilitating the way.

DECK PENDING - 01/31/2025

CMOs are under increasing pressure to drive measurable business growth. Success requires more than marketing expertise—it takes strategic leadership to build AI-powered ecosystems, align data and technology, and improve consumer experiences for better marketing ROI.

While iPhone and wearables sales slipped, Apple’s services revenues grew 13% YoY to $26.3 billion. Apple Intelligence hasn’t paid off yet, but monetizing Siri could give it a boost.

Its Safety Advisory Council warns that shifting to community notes exposes users to misinformation. Transparency and AI-driven oversight could help rebuild trust.

Rates are hovering around 7% and customers waiting to buy may need some alternative strategies.

Ecommerce will account for nearly a quarter (24.5%) of US beauty retail sales by 2028, according to our October 2024 forecast.

A lot happens in a week, so every Friday we're going to analyze all the new data and provide you with some of the key takeaways. Welcome to the Friday 5.

This week, online reviews convince Gen Zers, Valentine's Day breaks records, and where consumers learn about new products.

The price of its Mississippi data centers jumped 60% as infrastructure expenses rise for AI and cloud computing—costs that may trickle down to businesses and consumers.

Amazon—the largest driver of spending in this channel—has recently seen modest retail media revenue growth relative to its past performance. As a result, we have revised our retail media forecast down from where it was in H1 2024.

Retail workers don’t have the same leverage they did a few years ago: But recent moves by Costco and Starbucks suggest that unions can exert some pull.

Holiday spend, international transactions, and non-card payments boosted growth

Despite growing demand, the ACH Network may struggle to keep up this momentum as real-time competitors advance

Voluntary buyouts in its Platforms and Devices unit suggest a pivot toward AI and cloud as its hardware struggles in a saturated market with slowing upgrade cycles.

Super Bowl LIX ads showcase humor, nostalgia, and star power: Brands like Taco Bell, Budweiser, and Michelob Ultra aim for cultural impact with high-energy, social-driven campaigns.

TikTok’s brief US shutdown rattled creators and brands: With 10% of US traffic lost and uncertainty looming, influencers are reconsidering their reliance on the platform.

Patients like receiving educational health information in medical settings: We explore how advertising at points of care like the doctor’s office can trigger patient behavior while also delivering value to doctors.

How the FDA’s approval of non-opioid pain pill could benefit pharma players: Pharmacies and drugmakers hope that the new treatment will help them avoid opioid-related legal issues in the future.

Study reveals Amazon Pharmacy’s RxPass improves medication adherence: Subscription programs for prescription drugs could be a model worth exploring for struggling retail pharmacy incumbents.

Why Amazon is returning to X: Elon Musk’s growing political importance is attracting spenders back to the platform.