2024 in review: From AI boom to election frenzy, Digiday editors look back
Dec 24, 2024
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2024 was a whirlwind for marketers, marked by an ad price correction benefiting buyers and a surge in streaming ads. The generative AI boom raised eyebrows, prompting discussions on its real impact. Meanwhile, Google's uncertain relationship with third-party cookies kept everyone guessing. The 2024 presidential election created ripples in media spending, while concerns about TikTok’s future loomed large. Brands experimented with 'unhinged content,' embracing boldness while navigating cultural sensitivities. All this and more shaped a transformative year.
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Quick takeaways
The 2024 election notably influenced media and marketing dynamics, prompting concerns about Trump's media approach and potential shifts in spending.
Content creators faced uncertainty due to the potential TikTok ban, emphasizing the need for diversification across platforms to maintain visibility.
Deep dives
The Impact of the 2024 Election
The 2024 election significantly shaped industry dynamics, especially with Donald Trump's return to power. In the aftermath, industry executives pondered the implications for media, marketing, and technology, with discussions about potential shifts in media spending and tariffs. There was speculation about a ‘Trump bump’ in news engagement as publishers anticipated more traffic from the heightened political discourse. However, concerns remained about how Trump’s aggressive stance towards media could affect coverage and journalist freedom.
Challenges Facing TikTok Creators
The potential ban on TikTok in the U.S. raised significant anxieties among content creators who rely on the platform for their income and visibility. Creators highlighted the importance of diversifying their presence on multiple platforms, such as Instagram and YouTube, to mitigate the risks posed by the ban. Strategies discussed included building email lists to maintain audience engagement across platforms. This situation has compelled creators to find new ways to adapt and thrive despite the uncertainty surrounding TikTok's future.
The Evolution of Streaming Advertising
2024 witnessed a major transformation in the streaming advertisement landscape, characterized by increased competition and a consequent price correction. With platforms like Amazon Prime Video expanding their ad capabilities, advertisers found themselves in a stronger negotiating position, leading to reduced ad rates. Specialists noted that this shift not only benefited advertisers but also required content creators to adapt to new pricing structures. Content and media executives shared the view that the competitive landscape would continue to evolve, particularly regarding advertising strategies across platforms.
Hold on tight. The rollercoaster that was 2024 is finally coming to an end.
Marketers may find themselves dizzy from the many ups and downs the industry experienced this year. 2024 saw more ads on streaming platforms, but also an ad price correction that favored ad buyers’ wallets. There was also the generative AI boom (or bauble, depending on who you ask). Of course, there was Google’s long kiss goodnight with third-party cookies, in which the tech giant decided to keep cookies after all but let users decide if they want to opt in or not. And who could forget the 2024 presidential election, the gift that kept on giving to news publishers.
To help the industry make sense of this past year, this episode of the Digiday Podcast is a vignette-style look back at 2024. Hosts Tim Peterson, executive editor of video and audio at Digiday, and Kimeko McCoy, senior marketing reporter, revisit the biggest moments (and podcast episodes) of 2024.
Here are the full episode interviews that they mention in the podcast: