The Trade Desk announces OpenSincera
The Trade Desk has unveiled OpenSincera, a new application designed to enhance transparency in digital advertising by providing comprehensive insights into ad quality and supply chain health. This tool is freely accessible to all participants in the advertising industry and includes an API to facilitate integration into various ad-tech platforms. Read more from BusinessWire.
Amazon is bringing contextual, AI-generated pause ads to Prime Video
Amazon is introducing AI-generated contextual pause ads on Prime Video, set to launch in Q4 2025. These ads will analyze the content being viewed and display relevant advertisements when a viewer pauses a show or movie. This approach aims to integrate advertising seamlessly into the viewing experience, enhancing relevance without disrupting content. Read more from AdExchanger.
Sponsored content spending to surpass $10B in 2025
U.S. sponsored content spending is projected to exceed $10.5 billion in 2025, marking a 15% year-over-year increase, according to eMarketer. While growth has decelerated due to market maturation and uncertainties surrounding platforms like TikTok, brands are increasingly investing in YouTube and expanding influencer partnerships beyond social media to channels like podcasts and television. Read more from eMarketer.
Google search up 49% after AI overviews launch
One year after launching AI Overviews, Google reports a 49% increase in search queries, with a 30% rise in mobile searches and a 19% uptick on desktop. The growth is largely attributed to users engaging with more complex, multi-intent queries, often eight words or longer, which are well-suited to AI-generated summaries. This data suggests that AI Overviews are enhancing user engagement and driving more search activity. Read more from MediaPost.
ESPN unveils branding, pricing scheme for DTC streaming service
ESPN has announced that its new direct-to-consumer streaming service, simply branded as “ESPN,” will launch in early fall 2025. The new service will be available as a standalone offering or bundled with Disney+ and Hulu. ESPN aims to compete more directly with digital-first platforms and adapt to evolving viewer habits, particularly among cord-cutters. Read more from Sportico.
