Top Advertising Trends to Watch in 2025: What’s Hot, What’s Changing, and What You Need to Know
Rezan Manan
Sales & Marketing Director I Founder I Business & Mindset Coach Building a Women' Pantheon and Talk About: Business Growth, Advertising, AI, Marketing Psychology & Life So Far
The advertising world in 2025? It’s all about AI, social commerce, retail media, and sports taking over streaming. Oh, and did we mention FAST channels and D2C healthcare going big? Whether you’re a marketer, business owner, or just someone who loves staying ahead of trends, this is your ultimate guide to what’s coming next.
So, grab your coffee (or matcha, no judgment), and let’s dive into the biggest advertising trends shaping 2025. ??
1. GenAI Takes the Spotlight (Again!)
If you thought Generative AI (genAI) was just a buzzword, think again. In 2025, AI is not just creating ads—it’s predicting trends, optimizing campaigns, and even handling media buying in real-time.
?? AI + Predictive AI = Smarter Advertising ?? Businesses are now combining genAI with predictive AI to forecast trends and automate creative processes
?? AI-powered search ads are taking over ?? Google still leads, but competitors like ChatGPT and Perplexity are gaining traction
?? Hyper-personalized advertising at scale ?? AI is fine-tuning ad messages in real-time based on audience behavior
What this means for you: AI is here to stay. Use it to your advantage, but don’t forget to keep your brand authentic and human.
2. Retail Media Networks (RMNs) Get a Makeover
Retail media is no longer a side hustle—it’s a billion-dollar ad ecosystem that’s transforming how brands connect with shoppers.
?? Amazon and Walmart continue to dominate, owning 84% of retail media ad spend
?? Advertisers want more transparency ?? As spending grows, brands are demanding better measurement and reporting tools
?? In-store retail media is expanding ?? Expect ads in grocery stores, smart shelf tags, and digital in-store displays
What this means for you: Retail media is here to stay—focus on the platforms that offer transparency and measurable ROI.
3. Social Commerce Gets Real
Shoppable content is finally delivering on its promise—and TikTok Shop is leading the charge.
?? Social commerce sales in the UK will hit ￡8.8 billion ($10.9B) in 2025
?? Shoppable videos, live streaming, and affiliate marketing are growing fast
?? TikTok is challenging Facebook in social shopping
What this means for you: If you’re selling a product, invest in social commerce now. TikTok Shop, Instagram Checkout, and Pinterest Shopping are huge opportunities.
4. Sports Take Over Streaming
With Hollywood’s content slowdown, sports are becoming the next big thing in streaming and advertising.
?? Live sports drive guaranteed viewership ?? Unlike scripted content, sports bring in engaged audiences in real time
?? Streaming platforms are doubling down on sports ?? Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube are investing heavily in live sports coverage
?? More advertisers are shifting budgets to sports ?? Brands are sponsoring teams, events, and even individual athletes for increased.
What this means for you: If you want massive brand exposure, sports streaming is where you need to be.
5. AI-Powered Media Buying Goes Mainstream
Manual media buying? That’s so last year. AI is now handling ad placements, optimization, and targeting with extreme precision.
?? Google’s Performance Max, Meta’s Advantage+, and Amazon’s Performance+ are leading the charge
?? More platforms are joining in ?? Pinterest, LinkedIn, and even TikTok are rolling out AI-powered ad tools
?? Advertisers love the automation, but want more transparency ?? AI is optimizing ad spend, but brands still want creative control
What this means for you: Use AI to scale and optimize your ads, but keep the creativity and human touch intact.
6. Sustainability Takes Center Stage
Consumers are more eco-conscious than ever, and brands are responding.
?? Eco-friendly ads, carbon-neutral shipping, and sustainable packaging will dominate marketing campaigns
?? Greenwashing won’t fly ?? Consumers are quick to call out fake sustainability claims
What this means for you: Be real about your sustainability efforts, or risk losing consumer trust.
7. The Rise of FAST Channels
FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channels are taking over the streaming world, and advertisers are loving them.
?? Amazon’s Freevee is leading the charge ?? Viewers love free content, and brands love the ad opportunities
?? Cord-cutters are moving to FAST platforms ?? With subscription fatigue setting in, more consumers are choosing ad-supported content.
What this means for you: If you’re running video ads, explore FAST channels for high-reach, cost-effective campaigns.
8. D2C Healthcare Goes Big
The direct-to-consumer (D2C) healthcare boom is here, with brands cutting out the middleman.
?? Eli Lilly and Pfizer are selling prescription meds directly to consumers
?? At-home diagnostic tests and digital health services are exploding in popularity
?? Trust is key—consumers are still wary of buying healthcare products online
What this means for you: If you’re marketing healthcare products, focus on credibility and transparency.
9. Creators Become Key Players
Influencers aren’t just brand ambassadors anymore—they’re business partners.
?? More brands are co-creating products with TikTok & YouTube stars
?? Platforms are making it easier for creators to monetize content
?? Live shopping and influencer-driven sales will continue to grow
What this means for you: If you’re not working with creators yet, 2025 is the year to start.
10. Financial Media Networks (FMNs) Are on the Rise
Move over, traditional media—financial institutions are becoming major players in the ad world.
?? Banks and fintech companies are launching their own ad networks ?? Chase, PayPal, and other financial giants are monetizing their first-party data to offer hyper-targeted ads
?? FMN ad spending is growing at a breakneck speed ?? From 2024 to 2026, FMN ad spend is projected to grow at a staggering 106.3% CAGR
?? Retail partnerships are key ?? To strengthen their ad offerings, financial institutions are partnering with retailers to gain deeper consumer insights
What this means for you: If you’re an advertiser, FMNs provide a fresh way to reach highly segmented, high-intent audiences using rich financial data.
11. YouTube and Live Streaming Are Changing the Game
Streaming platforms and YouTube are evolving in unexpected ways, and live streaming is becoming a major battleground for ad dollars.
What this means for you: If you’re in video advertising, live streaming and YouTube’s hybrid evolution are massive opportunities—don’t wait to jump in.
OOOHA —that was a lot! But 2025 ?is packed with opportunities, but staying ahead means taking action now. The brands that move fast, experiment, and adapt will dominate—while those that hesitate risk being left behind.??
?? And before you say, “These aren’t my market stats”—think again. The world is getting smaller, more connected, and trends are moving at scroll speed. What’s happening in one market today could be shaping your industry tomorrow. If it’s not you making the move, it’s your competitor.
So, What Should You Do Next?
? Experiment with AI-driven campaigns ?? Whether it’s AI-generated ad creatives, predictive analytics, or automated media buying, now is the time to test and refine AI-driven strategies.
? Invest in social commerce before your competitors do ?? TikTok Shop, Instagram Checkout, and Pinterest Shopping are exploding—start integrating shoppable content, live shopping, and influencer collaborations before your competitors dominate the space.
? Watch retail media closely—but demand better analytics ?? If you’re advertising on Amazon, Walmart, or other RMNs, focus on networks that offer clear measurement and attribution tools to maximize ROI.
? Don’t sleep on sports streaming—it’s the next big ad playground ?? With live sports dominating streaming platforms, advertisers should look into sponsorships, programmatic CTV ads, and interactive placements during major sporting events.
? Leverage live streaming on YouTube and social platforms ?? Whether it’s YouTube Live, Twitch, or TikTok Live Shopping, brands that engage audiences in real-time with interactive and shoppable experiences will see higher conversions.
? Explore FAST channels and CTV for affordable, high-reach campaigns ?? Traditional TV may be fading, but free ad-supported streaming (FAST) platforms like Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV, and Tubi are gaining millions of engaged viewers—making them a cost-effective alternative for advertisers.
? Strengthen your influencer and creator partnerships ?? Brands that collaborate with TikTokers, YouTubers, and livestream hosts will benefit from authentic, high-engagement marketing that drives real sales.
? Monitor the rise of Financial Media Networks (FMNs) for new ad opportunities ?? Banks and fintech brands are monetizing their customer data to create highly targeted ad placements—a new frontier in digital marketing.
? Double down on sustainability and brand authenticity ?? Consumers are more eco-conscious than ever—make sure your sustainability efforts are real, measurable, and well-communicated.
? Be agile and adaptable ?? 2025 will be a fast-moving year in advertising. The brands that test, optimize, and iterate quickly will stay ahead of the competition.
?? The future of advertising is not about waiting to see if a trend "applies to you." If a shift is happening anywhere in the world, it’s only a matter of time before it impacts your industry. The brands that act first will lead.
?? Which of these trends surprised you the most? Or maybe there’s one you’ve already started exploring? We’d love to hear your take—drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s chat!
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? Stick around for more! If there’s something you’d love to dive into next, drop your ideas—I’d love to hear them.
Success isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about having the mindset to keep searching for them