Inside YouTube Neal Mohan on What’s Next

Tired of agency life, more advertising pros are becoming independent creators. With brands cutting ad budgets and leaning into organic content, they see better opportunities in building personal brands and working directly with companies. Digiday explores how this shift is redefining careers in advertising.

What’s next for YouTube? CEO Neal Mohan dives into how AI is shaping the platform, what creators can expect, and how it’s staying ahead of TikTok and streaming rivals. (Ben Smith & Max Tani, Semafor) Plus, he weighs in on content moderation and YouTube’s big-picture goals.

Ever get that creepy, soulless feeling in a corporate office? Severance takes that to the extreme, crafting a workplace so unsettling it feels like a horror movie. The New York Times breaks down how the show’s retro office design isn’t just for aesthetics—it’s a storytelling tool that deepens the eerie divide between work and personal life.

Apple just snagged the 2025 Creative Marketer of the Year award at Cannes Lions—again. Ad Age's Sabrina Sanchez reports that with campaigns like “Shot on iPhone” and its sleek, tech-driven storytelling, it’s no surprise the brand continues to dominate.

Apple’s Hollywood ambitions aren’t about becoming the next Netflix but selling more iPhones. As Puck’s Matthew Belloni explains, with critically acclaimed films like Killers of the Flower Moon, Apple TV+ isn’t chasing subscriber numbers but reinforcing its brand and keeping users loyal to its ecosystem. In the end, it’s all about making sure you stay hooked on Apple’s hardware.

Hip-hop is getting weirder, and Yeat is leading the charge. His hypnotic, futuristic sound is less about street stories and more about digital-age dissociation, resonating with fans who crave a break from reality. The Atlantic breaks down how his rise marks a shift in rap’s evolution.

DraftKings’ gamble on original content didn’t pay off. Puck’s John Ourand reports that the company is shutting down its media division after failing to turn engagement into revenue, proving once again that sports betting and media don’t always mix.

Nike’s turnaround isn’t off to a smooth start—sales are falling faster than expected. The company is slashing costs, adjusting inventory, and rethinking its product strategy to address sluggish demand. The Wall Street Journal notes that while Nike is betting big on new product drops and digital sales, it still has a long road ahead.

Feeling nostalgic? So are brands, and they’re using it to win you over. Nostalgia marketing is making a big comeback, with companies reviving past cultural moments to create emotional connections and drive sales. But as Ad Age’s Dan Pratt warns, these campaigns only work when they feel real—forced nostalgia can backfire.

Ever noticed how every store seems to have a coffee shop now? It’s no accident—brands like RH, Google, and even banks are using coffee to keep customers around longer and boost sales. Fast Company says it’s all about turning shopping into an experience rather than just a transaction.