Inflation's impact, AppLovin's rise, and China's unsteady growth

Kate Scott-Dawkins is joined by Jeff Foster and Nidhi Shah to break down the latest trends in the economy, media, and advertising. They chat about what lower-than-expected US inflation means for consumers, how Chinese retailers are staying strong despite economic challenges, and some exciting moves in sports streaming and local TV. Plus, they dive into the rapid rise of AppLovin and what it means for advertisers.

00:00 - Introduction
Welcome and overview of inflation, AppLovin, and sports streaming topics.

01:37 - Inflation and Retail Trends
Mixed inflation signals, tariffs, and how advertisers are responding.

08:36 - Global Economic Updates
UK, EU, and China’s growth trends, plus retail spending shifts.

15:49 - Tencent and Mini-Programs
Tencent’s ad growth and the rise of short-form content in China.

20:10 - Sling TV’s $5 Sports Pass
Sling TV’s innovative pricing and its potential impact on streaming.

26:22 - Local TV Consolidation
Nextar and Tegna talks, and what it means for advertisers.

31:14 - AppLovin’s Growth
AppLovin’s 77% growth and its rise as a major advertising player.

34:26 - Wrap-Up and Future Trends
Final thoughts on media shakeups and what’s ahead for advertisers.

Mid-Year Global Advertising Forecast Update: https://www.wppmedia.com/news/tyny-midyear-2025?utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=episode_73_description

EDITOR NOTE: In the episode, we mention that AppLovin’s ad revenue grew 77% in Q2 to $1.3 billion. To clarify, the 77% growth refers to year-over-year performance, not quarter-over-quarter.