Special Edition: Amazon Ads Agent, DVA+ & What Changed at unBoxed 2026
Amazon used unBoxed 2026 to introduce Amazon Ads Agent, DVA+, Full-Funnel Campaigns and Review Requests. Shaun explores the bigger idea connecting the announcements: AI is moving from helping marketers understand campaigns to helping actually operate them—and that could change what marketers spend their time doing.
Costco’s AI Traffic Is Converting + Retail Media Gets Complicated
Costco says traffic from AI search is growing triple digits and converting at a higher rate than other traffic sources it tracks. Meanwhile, the rapid growth of retail and commerce media networks is creating more complexity for marketers. Episode 12 explores an interesting tension: shopping may be getting simpler for consumers while marketing behind the journey gets more complicated.
Special Edition: Best Buy Ads’ The Drop — CTV, TikTok Shop & What Comes After Sponsored Products
Best Buy Ads made a series of announcements at The Drop spanning CTV, TikTok Shop, creators, in-store media and measurement. Shaun explores what the public announcements reveal about commerce media moving beyond sponsored products—and what happens when audiences, content, shopping experiences and measurement start connecting.
McDonald’s Builds an Ad Business + Citi Enters Commerce Media
McDonald’s is building a media network, Citi is turning transaction insights into a commerce media platform, and DoorDash and Instacart are bringing shelf-level intelligence into the equation. Together, they show how commerce media is expanding beyond traditional retailers—and why valuable commerce signals may be the foundation of the next generation of media networks.
Retail Media Moves From Past Purchases to Predicting What’s Next
Albertsons is pushing retail media measurement toward incrementality, Sam’s Club Connect is using AI to predict what shoppers might need next, and Pinterest is turning visual search into an advertising opportunity. Together, they point toward a commerce media ecosystem increasingly focused on prediction — and proving what actually works.
A MOTU Comic Rumor, Two-Bad & Halloween in Eternia
Could Kevin Smith’s MOTU story continue in comics? Plus, Two-Bad emerges from Mattel’s latest tease, Halloween invades Eternia, a fan brings Sun-Man to life, and PlayMOTU begins experimenting with a new Ram Man game.
Amazon Ads Comes to ChatGPT + Kroger’s Retail Media Profit Jumps 24%
Amazon Ads comes to ChatGPT, Kroger reports 24% growth in retail media profit, and Circana adds Google Meridian to its measurement offering. Three stories pointing to bigger opportunities — and bigger expectations — for commerce media.
MOTUFest, Dragon Pearl & a Second Chance at Orko
MOTUFest is almost here, Dragon Pearl of Destruction reveals more characters and voices, the MOTU comic shelf keeps growing, and collectors get another shot at Chronicles Orko. Plus, is something MOTU-related coming to Knott’s Scary Farm?
Commerce Media Is Growing Up. Now Comes the Hard Part.
Commerce media has built the networks, data, measurement and technology. Now comes the harder question: how do we make the experiences running on top of that infrastructure more creative, useful and valuable?
Masters of the Universe 2 Rumors, Dragon Pearl Gameplay & King Hiss
Sequel rumors, Dragon Pearl gameplay, King Hiss, MOTU x Magic, some 1987 nostalgia, and a playable Gym Bro Skeletor demo. Here’s what caught my attention around Eternia this week.