The Current Report

The return of big stars like Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, Kevin Hart and Reese Witherspoon signaled that this year’s upfront presentations were already different from last year’s, which took place during the actors’ and writers’ strikes. NBCUniversal made a big show of its live sports offerings, from more NFL games on Peacock, to 5,000 hours of Olympics coverage. Chris Brooklier and Travis Clark go inside the presentation, including why one of the company’s ad executives called out walled gardens and transparency. Plus, Netflix officially announced it would carry two NFL games on Christmas for the first time ever. And we cover Fox, Disney and Amazon’s upfronts news. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://www.thecurrent.com/nbcu-transparency-sports-upfrontshttps://www.thecurrent.com/streaming-upfronts-netflix-sports-news-amazonhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/netflix-ad-tier-update-40m-users-shift-from-microsoft-1235900301/https://www.thecurrent.com/appointment-tv-streaming-platformshttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/reese-witherspoon-legally-blonde-series-amazon-upfront-road-house-1235898610/https://deadline.com/2024/05/amazon-upfront-mike-hopkins-paul-kotas-streaming-advertising-1235915381/https://adage.com/article/special-report-tv-upfront/fox-upfront-super-bowl-fox-news-and-tubi-ad-tech-focus/2560281?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D89208624261719825302994803284811687283%7CMCORGID%3D138FFF2554E6E7220A4C98C6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1715759528&CSAuthResp=1%3A%3A5845844%3A150997699%3A24%3Asuccess%3A2BCE6ADF5CE781A1B82431616F540DC8https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tom-brady-jamie-foxx-f-word-fox-upfront-1235898098/https://bit.ly/45HIaXH

It’s upfronts week, with many of the big TV networks, from Fox to Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal hosting their annual presentations. Streaming giants Netflix and Amazon are also joining the festivities. Measurement is emerging as an important part of this upfronts season, as advertisers are searching for more than just scale — they want to tie measurement and attribution data back to business results — meaning there is a bigger focus on the full loop from reach to conversion. Add in Nielsen, Comscore, VideoAmp and ISpot all jockeying to be the dominant measurement currency and there’s a lot to talk about. Blockgraph co-founder and CEO Jason Manningham joins The Current Report to break it all down, plus how identity fits into the conversation and if there will ever be dominant walled gardens within the streaming space. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/3U7a1gYhttps://bit.ly/4biGeZ1https://bit.ly/3UV0EkVhttps://bit.ly/4dCyCCkhttps://bit.ly/4dyoRVD_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

It's an election year in the U.S., meaning ad dollars will be flowing in. Past news just being a cornerstone of our society, news publishers and the IAB are making the case that advertising alongside news has positive business consequences. This week on The Current Report, IAB CEO David Cohen dives into why that message resonates with marketers. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/3WpW0Nfhttps://bit.ly/3JL5ivIhttps://bit.ly/3UMFVQghttps://bit.ly/3yfpoLS_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0w

If journalism isn't around, how will generative A.I. models feed new information? In part two of our interview with former LA Times journalist Matt D Pearce on the future of journalism and the California Journalism Preservation Act, we break down why it makes business sense for A.I. models to keep reporters around. "Google should pay its fair share for the work of journalism, even if only not out of charity. Not because Google needs to feel good about itself. Google needs quality information to continue grounding its A.I. models." _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/49WZhXshttps://bit.ly/4dgOkTlhttps://bit.ly/3UxAEfshttps://bit.ly/49Xrc9Jhttps://bit.ly/3wcPZbY_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH

Big tech is battling journalism over proposed legislation in California that would force companies like Google to pay to carry links to news articles. In response, Google is removing links from news outlets in the state. We break down the consequences this week on The Current Report with journalist Matt Pearce. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/49NA4hYhttps://bit.ly/3Uad3Qshttps://bit.ly/49QBcSchttps://bit.ly/3W8LhGHhttps://bit.ly/4aIspTA

On this edition of The Current Report, Dave Solomon, Ampersand's director of sports partnerships, and Chris Brooklier break down the surging popularity of women's basketball after South Carolina beat Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the national championship. Advertising demand skyrocketed as brands wanted to be a part of the moment. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://www.thecurrent.com/march-madness-womens-sports-advertisers-basketballhttps://adage.com/article/measurement/nielsen-wants-streaming-first-party-data-measurement/2551621https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/paris-olympics-track-hit-nbc-ad-sales-record-after-pandemic-2024-04-09/https://www.thecurrent.com/2024-paris-olympics-programmatic-peacock-nbcuniversalhttps://www.thecurrent.com/b2b-sponsorship-2024-olympics-marketing-live-sportshttps://www.thecurrent.com/streaming-disney-nbcuniversal-paramount-ctv-programmatic

On this edition of The Current Report, we're joined by Brian Mandelbaum, CEO of Attain, to discuss how Attain is harnessing commerce data from 7 million users to help marketers fully leverage being data-driven. Plus, in news across the internet, women's elite sports are projected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue this year. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/3PQQ9fJhttps://bit.ly/3U7a1gYhttps://bit.ly/43Me45Ghttps://bit.ly/4cNUytChttps://bit.ly/3vN5fvOhttps://bit.ly/4aIBqLLhttps://bit.ly/4cL36Bp_______ The Current Report is our weekly news roundup of what’s happening in the world of digital media. We headline topical stories every edition — everything from connected TV to retail media networks to new initiatives around identity — offering our fresh take on why it's relevant for the marketing community. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/45HIaXH _______ Each week, The Current gives you the most critical innovations in advertising that are happening on the open internet — identity, the future of TV, retail media, and beyond. Born inside The Trade Desk, The Current is a news platform dedicated to covering the latest in modern marketing — all from the front lines. Speaking to the marketing world’s most influential players, we explain what these seismic shifts mean, how they are happening, and why they are taking place: https://bit.ly/3SAM0wR

As 2023 marked a year of brands hitting the big screen, brands are seeing the value in streaming partnerships that subvert traditional advertising. In this episode of The Current Report, we're joined by McCall Gridley, Tastemade head of sales & partner experience, to explore why brand-funded shows are getting bigger on streaming. Plus, the NFL is adding more exclusive games on streaming platforms, and why we'll see more B2B company sponsorships for the upcoming 2024 Paris games. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/3xcZIPvhttps://bit.ly/49gfvKHhttps://bit.ly/3PHNdlphttps://bit.ly/3T316vghttps://bit.ly/49hYXCjhttps://bit.ly/4abruuvhttps://bit.ly/3SBaUwmhttps://bit.ly/4atypzv

In this edition of The Current Report, we dive into another way AI is changing our world. Michelle Castillo, a contributor to The Current, joins us to discuss her recent article on how AI has the potential to reduce the time it takes to pick a show to stream. Plus, we explore how ESPN foresees its streaming future playing out. To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/494A4tEhttps://bit.ly/3UA6lFthttps://bit.ly/4ctP8nqhttps://bit.ly/4a9Cjxi

Goodway Group's Mike Wolk, VP of growth and partnerships, breaks down how the media agency is building its strategy around the biggest screen in the house - the TV. Plus, eMarketer projects that retail media CTV ad spend will be approximately 3.6 billion in 2024 with even more growth projected by 2027. To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/43gEJYfhttps://bit.ly/3wVnD64https://bit.ly/3TfKLUshttps://bit.ly/3Pmxb02https://bit.ly/3IzWtEq

Jennifer Lewis, chief client officer at Carat Canada, joins The Current Report to explore how changing demographics in Canada influence advertisers' strategies, and how she's approaching solutions for measurement in the fragmented TV market. In other news, we also highlight Meta's decision to shut down Facebook News in the U.S. and Australia next month. To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/3T5XAR3https://bit.ly/3TpCKxphttps://bit.ly/49ZZ5XKhttps://bit.ly/48NY44fhttps://bit.ly/49G9c4phttps://bit.ly/4cgSuu6https://bit.ly/4c7mXe4https://bit.ly/3VfdeMN

Steve Ellis, COO of Paramount Advertising, joins The Current Report to discuss earnings, advertising opportunities on Paramount + and how Paramount is using live sports as an entryway for other content. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/3ViLkj1https://bit.ly/3T316vg

In this edition of The Current Report, we break down Google's Privacy Sandbox and takeaways from IAB Tech Lab's critical assessment of the initiative. We're joined by digital advertising space veterans John Donahue, partner at up and to the right, and Rob Norman, digital advertising advisor, to discuss their overall thoughts on Privacy Sandbox, platform transparency issues, and what the landscape might look like in a year. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/3SOLADshttps://bit.ly/49Hk1Thhttps://bit.ly/3Ib954Ihttps://bit.ly/3SRob41https://bit.ly/3ST49GA

On this edition of The Current Report we're joined by Snopes' chief revenue officer, Justin Wohl to discuss authentication. In a small test, Snopes saw a 200% increase in CPMs for ads that were served to a logged in, or authenticated, audience compared to readers tracked via third party cookies. As the cookie continues to crumble and publishers search for future identity solutions, experimenting with authentication could provide publishers a better picture of who they're trying to reach. Plus, NFL's Brian Rolapp believes Netflix could have a bigger role in the sports game in the future. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://www.thecurrent.com/reset-button-publishers-cookie-free-futurehttps://www.adexchanger.com/online-advertising/early-tests-of-cookieless-chrome-ads-are-encouraging-but-dont-get-too-excited/https://digiday.com/media/some-publishers-are-starting-to-see-revenue-lift-from-alternative-ids/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/06/nba-can-shift-balance-of-power-in-media-with-rights-deal.htmlhttps://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/Newsletter-Media/2023/11/13.aspxhttps://lightshedtmt.com/ls_live/lightshed-live-chief-media-and-business-officer-at-nfl/

In honor of yesterday's Big Game, we're discussing recent landmarks in live sports streaming. Just last week, Disney, Fox, and Warner Brothers Discovery announced that they're combining forces to create a new sports streaming bundle, and Peacock saw huge success with the first-ever NFL playoff game to be exclusively streamed. These events could mark a change in the fragmentation of streaming sports. In other news, The Athletic's Richard Deitsch explores whether the Big Game will ever be exclusively streamed. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/3UA6lFthttps://bit.ly/49xvaGlhttps://bit.ly/42wvRx2https://bit.ly/3P0IFqfhttps://bit.ly/3SBaUwmhttps://bit.ly/3SypF35https://bit.ly/3HQUbR1

This month on The Current Report we're spotlighting the future of TV. As Upfront season is on the horizon, brands and agencies are preparing their strategies for the U.S. presidential election and the Summer Olympics. We're also joined by Andrea Kwiatek, director of strategic partnerships at Goodway Group, to discuss the future of TV, CTV and the election cycle, and streaming partnerships. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/3SHo4JAhttps://bit.ly/3SEW9dmhttps://bit.ly/42oJLRZhttps://bit.ly/47Y5FN1

This week, we discuss all things privacy and identity-related as Google continues to deprecate cookies and the EU adds to developing data legislation. We sit down with Evan Hills, SVP of strategy and partnerships at Dstillery, to discuss how marketers are navigating this transition. Plus, in news across the internet, Paramount will not return to Upfront Week, and mixed reality devices could be the next technological innovation. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/3vN4rGZhttps://bit.ly/3Uar6axhttps://bit.ly/48MIab4https://bit.ly/48Ktuchhttps://bit.ly/48OdWUThttps://bit.ly/494Gaus

This week, we sit down with Dan Larkman, CEO of the programmatic agency Keynes Digital, to break down the hype around AI. Larkman shares his thoughts on the evolution of AI over the past year and where he thinks the innovation is headed. Plus, we spotlight The Current Podcast's interview with Hilton CMO David Weinstein. _______ To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/41V57Gihttps://bit.ly/48H4WR1https://bit.ly/42kQRHjhttps://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39333324/diamond-amazon-streaming-mlb-nba-nhlhttps://apnews.com/article/bally-sports-amazon-e44313c4491798f1f825a8c4e174f096https://bit.ly/48F2xa7

This week on The Current Report, we explore what topics and trends marketers are gambling on at this year's Consumer Electronics Showcase (CES). We connect with IAB Tech Lab's Anthony Katsur and Full Throttle's Amol Waishampayan to discuss AI and the privacy landscape. Plus, we break down which streaming service is forecasted to have the highest percentage of U.S. viewers on an ad plan. To read the full stories included in this episode: https://bit.ly/41V57Gihttps://bit.ly/3SiSxh3https://bit.ly/3HBlqPr

Google is finally starting to remove third-party cookies from Chrome, a plan four years in the making. Chris Brooklier and Sarah Polli, director of marketing technology at Hearts & Science, break down how this will impact the future of digital advertising. With marketers looking for answers on how to move forward, Polli shares her wisdom, including how first-party data will only become more crucial. Plus, Polli goes in-depth on data privacy, both from a regulatory standpoint and alternative identity solutions.