The DL: As we approach 2025, the media and commerce landscape is being transformed by the coming together of generational changes, technological progress, and shifting consumer behaviors. Here are 5 statistics you need to know in the new year.

· Over half of Gen Zers (58%) will be in their 20s in 2025. Adapting to the demographic shifts of Gen Zers entering their 20s in 2025 and the emergence of Gen Alpha is crucial for advertisers and marketers to effectively engage with these evolving consumer groups and ensure relevance in the changing market dynamics.

· Connected TV (CTV) will continue accounting for a growing share of US consumers’ media time. Recognizing the rising prominence of Connected TV (CTV) in the media consumption patterns of US adults, where approximately 20% of their media time is expected to be dedicated to CTV by 2025, underscores the importance of aligning advertising investments with the levels of consumer engagement in this evolving digital environment.

· Google search results have been showing AI-generated summaries for some queries since May. The integration of generative AI in search engines and the prevalent skepticism among consumers, with over 70% of US adults showing minimal trust in AI-generated search outcomes, highlights the evolving search landscape and its impact on audience engagement in 2025.

· Short-form videos influence over half of US social shoppers. Recognizing the influence of short-form, live, and long-form videos on social shoppers is crucial for effectively engaging with and influencing this demographic during their purchasing journey in the US.

· 78% of consumers will use a smartphone in 2025. The increasing prevalence of smartphones among consumers and the significant share of ecommerce sales attributed to mobile devices underscores the necessity for marketers and advertisers to prioritize mobile-centric strategies in their campaigns

Read More: e-Marketer

The DL: Netflix Christmas Day NFL games showed some promising growth for the league and the streaming platform. Both games averaged 24.2 million viewers. Netflix passed the live sports test with only some minor interruptions. The game pulled younger viewers as well. Gen Z, ages 20-24, slightly over indexed on both games. In comparison, last year on the major networks Christmas day under indexed in this demo. It was an interesting perspective this year for the players to play the game on a Wednesday, which did not give them much rest. Traditional Sunday games have morphed into Saturday games. Then came Thursday Thanksgiving games and then Monday Night Football. With the incredible sports TV leverage expanding to streaming platforms, could this be another opportunity for the NFL?

Read More: MediaPost

The DL: Television advertising for pharmaceuticals has become a highly lucrative industry, with over $5 billion spent annually on drug commercials, primarily targeting older audiences who tend to use more medications. This has generated substantial revenue for TV networks, but critics like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. argue that such ads drive unnecessary medication consumption, particularly for high-cost drugs with limited benefits. Kennedy has called for a ban on pharmaceutical ads, believing they mislead the public and contribute to overmedication. Efforts to restrict these ads have faced significant legal challenges, often citing First Amendment protections. Despite growing support for a ban from health professionals, the financial influence of pharmaceutical companies makes any restrictions difficult to implement. The continued dominance of drug advertising on TV highlights the tension between media profits and public health concerns.

Read More: The New York Times

The DL: Get ready for the future of digital marketing. Explore the top trends and predictions that will shape the industry in the coming year, from the use of digital data and the importance of SEO to the continuation of content creation and digital PR. This is no ordinary time, and you need to decide if your new digital marketing strategy will enable your organization to weather the coming storm.



Read More: Search Engine Journal