Matthew Schwartz

Instagram wants to give TikTok and YouTube a run for their money. The Meta-owned social site on Tuesday said it is launching its Instagram for TV app in the U.S., via Amazon Fire TV streaming devices, enabling users to watch Instagram Reels videos produced by Instagram users on bigger screens. The move comes three months after Instagram rolled out a dedicated iPad app.

Pinterest on December 11 announced that it is acquiring tvScientific, a connected TV performance advertising platform. Pinterest will combine its audience signals with the platform, enabling brands to deliver more personalized ads and measure how TV boosts the outcomes of their performance marketing campaigns.

Procter & Gamble's Native on Wednesday announced that it is launching what it calls the first branded feature-length "microsoap" in the U.S. The marketing effort hitches the personal care brand to the rise of so-called "microdramas," or "verticals" that are filmed in portrait orientation and are designed to be viewed on cellphones.

Subway is bringing back its Sub Club loyalty program after a 20-year hiatus, with a twist — every fourth footlong sandwich is free. Fans can sign up to redeem their first free footlong by December 10 and visit SubClubBreadwinner.com for a chance to earn rewards, including an authentic Subway baking oven.

Laura Correnti, founder and CEO of Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment, says the Women's Sports Audio Network could be a boon for the growing number of partnerships between brands and women's sports.

Global advertising spending is forecast to increase by 5.1 percent in 2026, surpassing $1 trillion U.S. dollars for the first time, according to dentsu's advertising forecast released on Wednesday. Ad spending is expected to outpace the projected 3.1 percent expansion of the global economy.

Snapchat is getting into a wintry mix. The social networking app on Monday introduced Snapchat Winter Village, an augmented reality platform that brings together three luxury brands — BOSS, Chopard, and Lancôme — within an immersive digital village.

Despite the dizzying number of media channels — or maybe because of them — radio continues to provide advertisers with effective reach at lower cost per thousand than linear or streaming programming. At the same time, the industry is trying to address some gaps in measurement when it comes to ad buys.

Burger King on Monday announced it is partnering with "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants" to launch the SpongeBob Menu. The new menu, pegged to the holidays, features a limited-edition collection of sea-inspired menu items based on SpongeBob movie characters. "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants" hits theaters December 19.

The marketing industry's approach to the 50-plus crowd is old and in the way, and Edelman wants to do something about it. Edelman's Longevity Lab on Wednesday launched The Power of 55, a list of creators over the age of 55 who will be tasked with developing the most effective ways for brands to engage with the cohort.

Buckle up. Sixty-five percent of CMOs believe advances in artificial intelligence will dramatically transform their role within the next two years, according to a survey released on Monday by marketing research company Gartner. Brand identity will need significant changes to keep up.