Online audio continues to hold a massive share of attention, with 79% of U.S. respondents tuning in monthly. Spotify and YouTube Music lead the pack. For marketers, audio remains a cost-effective way to reach consumers during passive moments—think workouts, commutes, and household routines—when visual ads can’t reach them.

Roku’s Impressive Hold of Stream Time

Roku now accounts for 47% of U.S. streaming time, and they’re opening up access with a self-serve Ads Manager and no minimum spend. That levels the playing field, especially for brands ready to test connected TV the same way they test Meta or programmatic display. With audience targeting and performance tracking baked in, CTV is becoming more accessible and actionable for growth-minded brands.

Research Shows Brand Preference with Sales Performance

New research shows brand preference has nearly a 90% correlation with sales performance. From home services to higher ed, building preference means better margins, stronger loyalty, and greater long-term returns. Brands that measure and refine their emotional connection to audiences are setting themselves up for sustainable growth.