Digiday Daily

December 31, 2025

Now, publishers are watching agentic AI browsers closely because they’re a new kind of middleman: instead of sending readers to sites, they can read, summarize and act on information inside the browser itself. And that could further cut publishers out of both clicks and the audience relationship, just as AI search is already doing.

TOP STORY

No playbook, just pressure: Publishers eye the rise of agentic browsers

For the bulk of publishers, Google is, as ever, the one to watch. It’s already got agentic features within its Chrome browser, but that’s the tip of the iceberg, some say.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW

First-party data offers publishers, commerce media networks and social platforms deeper insight into their audiences for targeting and measurement. Partner insights from Nexxen.
About two-thirds of brands and agencies said their off-site media spend on RMNs has increased since 2023, while 22% said their spend has remained the same, according to a survey-driven State of the Industry report. Partner insights from Instacart Ads.
When marketers treat the holidays as the start of their next cycle — not the end of the last one — they don’t just deliver revenue, they build resilience. Partner insights from Intuit Mailchimp.

MEDIA & PLATFORMS

Marketing in Sports

Cheez-It bets on 'Prince Cheddward' mascot in an overcrowded sports marketing arena

To cut through sports marketing noise, Cheez-It is resurrecting Prince Cheddward and betting on nostalgia.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM URBAN ONE

The ROI impact of representation, inclusivity and cultural fluency

Nearly 80% of U.S. consumers believe Black Americans are influential, while 51% of Gen Z and millennials are more trusting of brands and products when Black consumers are accommodated for.

YEAR IN REVIEW

Retail Revolution

Amazon has abruptly cut its Google Shopping ad spending – cue the speculation

Retail titan Amazon has pulled back from a key Google e-commerce ad channel, opening up opportunity for smaller advertisers.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM NEXXEN

Why publishers should shift from clicks to curation

It’s not clear what form zero-click search will take in the future — how artificial intelligence may continue to reshape the media ecosystem. Still, there’s reason to be confident that curation is part of the solution.

Marketing on Platforms

Fragmentation comes to search advertising as marketers grapple with shifting search behavior

Search ads are changing. Here’s how marketers are preparing for a new search landscape.

The Creator Economy