Google Testing New AI-Generated Ad Formats in AI Mode and Standard Search Results, but Not yet in Gemini
Google announced a test of AI‑generated ad formats across standard search and its new AI Mode at I/O 2026. The "conversational discovery" ads are created by Gemini using brand website content, appear below AI‑Mode responses, and are clearly labeled as sponsored. Direct‑offer discount ads are expanding from AI Mode into regular search results, while the Gemini app itself will not yet show these formats. Advertisers can fine‑tune copy with the AI Brief tool.
How AI, Smarter Signals And Omnichannel Strategies Are Reshaping Streaming TV’s Next Chapter
At this year’s POSSIBLE conference, industry leaders shifted conversation from streaming TV growth to execution, emphasizing operational efficiency and integrated workflows. Advertisers are now seeking AI that automates optimization and streamlines creative adaptation rather than broad, hype‑driven solutions. Targeting strategies...
When the Bid Disappears: A Forensic Look at Why Ads Lose the Auction
Programmatic advertisers often see shortfalls in delivery without realizing the loss stems from auction mechanics rather than creative or budget issues. In real‑time bidding, a bid can be the highest yet still lose due to publisher floor prices, bid shading,...
![12M Dollars Lost to an AUC Metric That Ignored Probability Calibration [Edition #9]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!INXp!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F486d4b79-6177-4bf3-b025-c4abbc2aa8c4_944x944.png)
12M Dollars Lost to an AUC Metric That Ignored Probability Calibration [Edition #9]
AdTechFlow, a growth‑stage demand‑side platform, recently surpassed $300 million in annual ad spend and posted 40 percent year‑over‑year growth. Its real‑time bidding engine handles 180,000‑260,000 requests per second, processing roughly 450 billion impressions each month. The company’s pCTR model is retrained weekly and...
TikTok Unveils Ad Updates at TikTok World Including Search Hubs, Branded Buzz, and MCP Integration with Claude and ChatGPT
TikTok announced a suite of ad‑product upgrades at its sixth TikTok World event, merging TopView and TopFeed into a unified TopReach daily reach buy and introducing Search Hubs, a brand‑controlled slot at the top of TikTok Search results. The new...
World Cup, US-Style: Coffee Breaks and Skincare Routines
Dove and Nescafé have launched World Cup‑centric ads that pivot football marketing toward lifestyle habits. Dove, via Lola USA, urges male fans to protect their skin from dirty jerseys and face‑paint, while Nescafé, with Casanova, introduces a “third half” coffee...
How the Shuffle Crypto Trend Is Shaping Streaming, Sponsorship, and Entertainment Coverage
The Shuffle crypto platform has become a touchstone for how streaming services, sponsorship models, and entertainment coverage are evolving. Ad‑supported tiers on major streamers now attract fintech, crypto and esports brands, while writers’ rooms embed Web3 plotlines to keep shows...
TikTok Announces New Ad-Free Subscription for UK Users
TikTok is launching a paid ad‑free tier in the United Kingdom, priced at £3.99 per month (about $5.07). The service will be available to users aged 18 and older over the next few months and promises not to use subscriber...
Metrics Publishers Prioritize May Not Drive Revenue (New Report From Playwire)
Playwire’s “State of Publisher Ad Revenue 2026” report, based on over 113 billion impressions, finds that traditional metrics such as CPM, viewability and session duration are weak predictors of publisher revenue. The strongest levers are ad density, page depth, fill calibration...
How One Brand Made TikTok Shop Their #1 Sales Channel in 6 Months
Clean‑eez, a family‑owned cleaning products brand, turned TikTok Shop into its top sales channel in six months, delivering a 180× revenue surge and capturing 53% of its Shopify earnings. The growth was driven by 600+ affiliate creators, 8,099 new customers,...
Why Display CPMs Fell in 2025 and How Publishers Can Protect Revenues in 2026
In 2025 UK display CPMs fell despite a 10% rise in overall digital ad spend and strong video growth. The slump stemmed from abundant display inventory, static demand, and AI‑driven traffic shifts, even as some publishers posted record display revenue...
How to Buy Podcast Ads: A 2026 Playbook
Podcast advertising has moved from experimental to a core media category, with global ad revenue reaching $4.02 billion in 2024 and U.S. spend at $2.57 billion. The playbook outlines how B2B marketers can treat podcast buys with the same rigor as paid...
Unlock Growth with a Spotify Advertising Agency
Brands increasingly view Spotify as a core growth channel, with advertising revenue projected to hit $2.2 billion by 2027 and delivering five times higher ad recall than other platforms. However, the platform’s fragmented buying paths, ambiguous measurement, and internal priorities make...
OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Ads Pilot to UK, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and Mexico Just Two Days After Launching Self-Serve Ads
OpenAI is expanding its ChatGPT ads pilot to the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and Mexico, following the launch of a self‑serve ad platform in the United States two days earlier. Users in the new regions will encounter sponsored...
How I’d Charge $5k–$10k Selling AI Voice + AI Ads To Local Businesses
A new tutorial video outlines how to sell AI‑powered voice callers bundled with paid advertising to local service businesses. The creator proposes charging $5,000‑$10,000 per client by delivering a complete lead‑generation system that captures prospects, calls them instantly, qualifies them,...