Madison and Wall Podcast Ep. 52: New Ad Forecasts! + Pharma Ads, Paramount-WBD, CPG Mayhem and More
Sep 12, 2025
Discover the latest advertising trends in the U.S. and Canada, highlighting growth despite economic challenges. Dive into the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical advertising with new regulations on the horizon. Explore the implications of a potential merger between major media players Paramount and Warner Bros. Plus, get insights into the recent upheavals in the consumer packaged goods sector. A fresh take on how these changes impact advertising strategies and corporate dynamics awaits!
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Cross-Continent Travel Highlights Busy Week
- Brian Wieser describes heavy travel across Toronto, San Francisco, New York and Portland during a busy week.
- The travel underlines how production and client work have dominated his schedule recently.
Stagflation Means Bigger Nominal Ad Budgets
- Brian ties recent CPI and jobs revisions to a stagflation-like outlook for the US economy.
- He notes higher nominal spending from inflation will raise advertising budgets even if real growth slows.
Ad Forecasts Show Strong Q2 Growth
- Now Masson's updated ad forecasts show strong Q2 growth with the U.S. up around 10% and Canada up about 8%.
- They remain cautious about timing for an eventual slowdown and keep 2026+ projections conservative.