28% of B2B buyers worldwide have AI review boards or steering committees review AI products during evaluation, making it the least common internal review method, according to a July 2025 Responsive survey.

Luma AI has secured a $900 million funding round led by Humain, pushing its valuation above $4 billion and marking one of the largest investments to date in AI-generated video. As agencies, studios, and brands increasingly adopt AI for editing, narration, testing, and full video generation, Luma’s raise signals a shift: AI video is becoming the creative backbone for modern advertising, powering faster iteration, scalable personalization, and multi-format production across every screen.

Global ecommerce is tightening as major markets close de minimis loopholes and China increases tax scrutiny, putting fresh pressure on platforms like PDD and its international arm Temu. Nearly 1 in 5 US consumers say shifting trade policies may discourage them from buying internationally, adding to the company’s challenges amid uneven spending in China. PDD delivered mixed Q3 results, with earnings beating expectations but revenue slightly missing. The overall picture suggests the company must transition from relying on duty-free advantages to strengthening marketplace fundamentals, even as improving user trends signal early signs of resilience

Engagement and reach are now top priorities for social marketers as brand awareness sinks to the bottom of the list. Last year, 76% of marketers named brand awareness their No. 1 priority; this year, that number plummeted to 22%, per PhotoShelter. The sharp pivot from brand-building to performance indicators suggests marketers are under growing pressure to prove ROI in fast-moving social environments, even at the expense of longer-term brand health. To balance reach and awareness, brands should build dual-track strategies, measure brand lift, and optimize for both attention and actions.

Global ad spending has steadied after a turbulent year, setting the stage for modest acceleration in 2026. Digital is still the main engine, but traditional media’s rebound will add lift as markets stabilize.

Amazon has launched its low-cost shopping app, Amazon Bazaar, in 14 international markets including Argentina, Hong Kong, and Nigeria, expanding the reach of its Temu-style platform first introduced as Amazon Haul. Offering mostly sub-$10 items and interactive deals, Bazaar targets price-conscious shoppers across fashion and home goods. The move underscores Amazon’s strategy to capture growth in emerging markets while competing with Shein, Temu, and TikTok Shop. However, as nations tighten import rules and close tax loopholes, the company’s discount-driven model may face mounting logistical and regulatory challenges in sustaining profitability.

Global scrutiny of Chinese-linked ecommerce platforms like Shein and Temu is intensifying as governments tighten oversight. France has threatened to suspend Shein’s marketplace over illegal listings, prompting investigations and a temporary sales halt, while Japan and the EU plan to scrap tax exemptions that have long benefited such importers. Similar moves in Brazil and South Africa highlight a growing global push to level the playing field for local retailers. Though consumers flock to Shein and Temu for low prices, regulators and competitors warn that the platforms’ dominance threatens fair competition and domestic industry resilience.

The Middle East and Africa region continues to change as new formats attract younger and older users alike. The GMI report for the region is a deep dive into its shifting habits relating to time spent with media, media adoption, and device ownership.

Recent announcements from Amazon signal its intention to lean on international markets to power growth. The retailer expects to quadruple ecommerce exports from India by 2030 to $80 billion. It is also investing $2.8 billion in Belgium and the Netherlands, and recently launched ultra-fast delivery in the UAE. To achieve international success, Amazon must continue strengthening its local logistics network. Expanding fulfillment capabilities allows it to offer its trademark delivery speed, enabling it to appeal to more shoppers. That makes it a more valuable channel for external vendors, helping to increase product selection (and revenues from third-party seller services) and keep the company’s flywheel turning.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how much TV streaming is really going on around the world, in which countries radio is holding its own, and short-form video’s place in the social media world. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host, Marcus Johnson, Principal Analyst, Paul Briggs, Vice President of Research, Jennifer Pearson, and Chief Insight Officer at GWI, Jason Mander. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.