Our Scans · (ZY.4.18) Media Studies · Weekly Summary

• [New] U.S. CTV ad spend is projected to increase from approximately $33.35 billion in 2025 to $38 billion in 2026, representing close to 14% year-over-year growth and firmly positioning Connected TV as a core channel in modern media strategies. AI Digital
• [New] DISPUTES As influencer marketing continues to shape consumer behaviour, particularly in the beauty sector, companies are entering 2026 facing heightened scrutiny of influencer claims, disclosures, and emerging litigation risks tied to social media-driven advertising strategies. / UK JD Supra
• [New] If implemented without careful consideration, the US social media travel policy could unintentionally reduce tourism and economic activity while discouraging international visitors. Travel And Tour World
• [New] By 2026, social media platforms will be the largest shopping mall. Circle Aims
• [New] Strong forward-looking momentum: 98% of respondents plan to add new customer communication channels in the next 12 months, and 62% expect to increase messaging investment in 2026. Cision PR Newswire
• [New] Leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron push back against US threats to retaliate for their attempts to stem the torrent of misinformation from American-owned social media networks. CNN
• [New] In 2026, nine streaming platforms will exceed $1 billion in ad revenue, and CTV will account for 20% of U.S. media consumption. Adtelligent
• [New] Only 30% of agencies, brands, and publishers have fully adopted AI across media campaigns, though half expect to do so by 2026. Adtelligent
• [New] Balanced media plans will outperform channel-heavy strategies in 2026. iHeartMedia
• [New] Media and creative agencies face a range of threats in 2026, from generative AI to media fragmentation and the continued dominance of Meta and Google's platforms. Digiday
• [New] A new report highlights how AI-generated audio could become a meaningful new advertising channel for Google, signaling continued experimentation with generative media formats beyond text and images. Tech Startups - Tech News, Tech Trends & Startup Fundin
• [New] Social commerce revenue is projected to hit $6.2 trillion by 2030, growing at 32% annually between 2023 and 2030, reflecting the rapid expansion of social media retail and its increasing role in consumer behaviour. Los Angeles Times
• [New] By 2035, 73% of global black mass will come from end-of-life battery recycling, compared to 20% in 2024. DGAP
• [New] By 2035, 15% of global critical mineral supplies are forecast to come from recycling black mass, more than double the current 7%. DGAP
• [New] By 2026, the most popular and influential type of content on social media sites like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts & Facebook will be Short Form Videos. Wisconsin Scorpions
• [New] Wildfires in California's Central Valley and wildfire-prone regions of Oregon have triggered mass internal migration, with displaced families relocating to cities like Portland and Reno - a trend projected to intensify over the coming decade. Saint Augustines University
• [New] US social media creator revenue will reach $21.04 billion in 2026, more than doubling since 2022. eMarketer
• [New] The adoption of Generative AI in insurance is expected to reach 40% by 2026 for content creation and personalized communication. Careertrainer.ai
• [New] By the end of 2026, AI visibility will be a core KPI alongside paid media and SEO. Augustine Agency
• [New] A successful social media marketing strategy will not be built around platforms in 2026. Black Marlin Technologies

Last updated: 05 March 2026