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From avatars to real-life purchases: Roblox’s branded worlds deliver deeper consumer interaction and emerging 3D ad standards for marketers.

Major payment players like PayPal and Visa that invested in them are likely celebrating this regulatory movement

59% of US shoppers are most influenced by honest creator reviews that showcase the pros and cons of a product, according to a September 2024 survey by Bazaarvoice and Savanta.

Spanish-language removal serves as a cautionary tale: Brands must embrace inclusivity to tap into Hispanic consumers’ loyalty and $2.8 trillion market.

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.

CNN isn’t done with streaming: In a memo announcing layoffs, CEO Mark Thompson said a standalone streaming service is coming.

In-store, consumers want experiences that engage their senses, while online, they’re interested in generative AI (genAI) tools that can help them research products. Plus, young men in the South lead in fast-food consumption, retail leaders lean on loyalty to boost growth, and holiday spending remained in check (for the most part).

TikTok boosts awareness of apparel: Industry KPI data shows app’s dominance in reaching consumers and raising brand presence.

Viewership of children’s cable programming declined significantly in the past decade. Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network lost more than half of their total viewership between 2016 and 2023, according to Nielsen.

In his first 24 hours as president, Trump set the tone for his second term with dozens of executive orders.

US hospitals use predictive AI tools, but many use biased data: Most AI models make recommendations based on homogenous data samples, which could actually harm many patients. But more regulatory oversight of healthcare AI isn’t guaranteed to happen in the near term.

Deloitte expects retail sales to grow 3.1% this year: That’s slightly ahead of our 2.9% forecast, but those projections could go askew in several ways.

ShopMy gains traction in making creator marketing measurable: The platform, which is used by more than 550 brands, raised $77.5 million at a $410 million valuation.

Netflix’s ad business reaches maturity: The company is launching its own ad tech stack ahead of Upfronts.

Instagram, Facebook suppress content from abortion pill providers: The platforms are walking a tightrope between enforcing their community guidelines and alienating healthcare brands and patients.

Card spend from these factors helped lift revenues 9% YoY

Investments in women’s health startups are alarmingly low: Yet startups addressing conditions such as menopause have seen success when VC funding has gone their way, showing that investments in the space have a high potential for viable returns.

Given the success of its long-standing Sam’s Club card, the issuer could be in the running to restart Walmart’s program

Amid economic uncertainty and trade concerns from abroad, Canada’s digital ecosystem is expected to remain strong, fueled by innovation from publishers, advertisers, and retailers.

Nostalgia meets innovation: Super Bowl advertisers mix legacy campaigns and tech-focused storytelling to connect with diverse demographics.

Burberry’s holiday resurgence is an encouraging sign for luxury brands: The company’s focus on core products won over US shoppers, although a full recovery is a long way off.

Google takes aim at fake reviews: The company will improve detection and impose stricter penalties on UK businesses and individuals.

Nearly three-quarters of Gen Alphas (ages 1 to 12) are online. This means they will likely be more adept than their predecessors at navigating digital spaces and using tech.