Streaming ad spending is projected to approach $20 billion by 2029, putting it within striking distance of traditional linear TV advertising, according to estimates cited by The Wall Street Journal. The shift reflects a major change in consumer behavior as viewers move toward lower-cost, ad-supported streaming plans and advertisers follow them into connected-TV environments. For local media sellers and agencies, the opportunity is not to treat streaming as a threat, but to reposition radio, TV, cable, print, outdoor and digital as the local marketing system that builds awareness before the viewer ever picks a platform.

Canva’s 2026 State of Marketing and AI report shows a striking divide: 97% of marketing leaders use AI daily, while 78% of consumers still prefer ads made by people. For local media sellers and agencies, the lesson is not to reject AI, but to use it carefully, transparently and with strong human judgment. Radio, TV, cable, print, outdoor and digital companies can help local advertisers avoid “AI slop” by combining smarter creative tools with local insight, trusted environments and better standards.

Retailers are moving beyond broad discounts and toward AI-powered promotions that can target the right consumer with the right offer at the right moment. For local media companies and ad agencies, this shift creates both a warning and an opportunity: advertisers will expect more proof, sharper targeting and better campaign outcomes. Radio, TV, cable, newspapers, magazines, outdoor and digital sellers can strengthen their value by helping local retailers combine brand awareness, audience data and timely promotional strategy instead of simply selling ad space around another sale.

Kick off the week with high-impact co-op campaigns designed to drive seasonal demand and customer excitement.
• John Deere C F Zero Is Your Hero! — Powerful zero-turn mowers built for precision, speed, and efficiency to help you take control of every cut with ease this season.
• Cooper Tires Spring Savings! — Trusted all-season performance tires designed for safety, durability, and confidence on the road no matter where spring takes you.
• Good Times Start With Great Deals From Kawasaki! — Adventure-ready ATVs and side-by-sides built for power, reliability, and unforgettable outdoor experiences all season long.
• Control Weeds With Roundup! — Effective lawn and garden solutions made to protect your space, eliminate unwanted growth, and keep your yard looking its best.
• Winchester Summer Rebate! — Dependable ammunition and shooting products backed by tradition, precision, and performance you can count on when it matters most.

Kick off the week with high-impact co-op campaigns designed to drive seasonal demand and customer excitement.
• American Standard Set the Standard Sales Event! — Reliable home comfort solutions built for lasting performance, efficiency, and everyday dependability where it matters most.
• Spartan Intimidator Spring UTV Sales Event! — Rugged, high-powered UTVs designed for serious performance, tough terrain, and getting more done outdoors this season.
• Kubota Orange Days Sales Event! — Trusted equipment built for strength, versatility, and productivity—ready to support big projects from the ground up.
• The Lincoln Certified Sales Event! — Premium certified vehicles offering confidence, craftsmanship, and refined performance backed by quality you can trust.
• Browning Summer Rebates! — Reliable outdoor gear and equipment made for durability, precision, and performance as you head into the warmer season.

A new Proton report estimates that the average U.S. Google user represents about $1,605 a year in advertising value, with some high-value profiles worth far more based on age, device, search behavior, geography and advertiser demand. For local media sellers and agencies, the finding is less about Google alone and more about the market’s growing willingness to put a precise dollar value on consumer attention. Radio, TV, cable, print, outdoor and digital sellers can use this as a timely reminder: local audiences are not commodities; properly defined, they are valuable segments advertisers are already paying heavily to reach.

Meta’s reported decline of 20 million daily active users across its family of apps suggests that even the largest digital platforms can lose audience momentum when feeds become cluttered, repetitive or low-value. For local media sellers and agencies, the lesson is clear: advertisers do not simply need impressions; they need attention in environments people still trust, use and value. Radio, TV, cable, print, outdoor and local digital can use this moment to argue that quality content, community relevance and audience loyalty are increasingly valuable alternatives to algorithm-driven clutter.

Local digital advertising is no longer the fast-growth category many media companies built their future around. With digital now representing roughly 72% of local ad spending, the battle is shifting from category growth to market-share capture. For radio, TV, cable, print, outdoor and digital sellers, the opportunity is no longer simply to “sell digital,” but to prove why local advertisers should move more of their money away from Google, Meta and national platforms and into locally accountable media partnerships.

TikTok Shop’s rapid growth in health and beauty shows how quickly product discovery, search, social proof and purchase are collapsing into one consumer journey. For local media companies and ad agencies, the lesson is not simply that TikTok is gaining share, but that advertisers now need searchable, credible, educational content across every medium. Radio, TV, cable, print, outdoor and digital sellers can use this trend to help local advertisers build awareness, validate trust and move consumers from first consideration to repeat purchase.

Kick off the week with strong co-op campaigns built to drive seasonal demand and customer action.
• Spring Into Savings With Michelin! — Trusted tires engineered for safety, durability, and performance you can rely on every day.
• KitchenAid Memorial Day Sale! — Iconic kitchen appliances designed to elevate cooking with premium performance and timeless design.
• Spring Into Action During SuzukiFest! — Dependable vehicles built for adventure, efficiency, and everyday driving confidence.
• Bobcat Zero-Turn Mowers Gift With Purchase! — Powerful, precision mowing equipment made to handle big jobs with speed and control, now with added value.

Kick off the week with strong co-op campaigns built to drive seasonal demand and customer action.
• Dough for a Doughboy Event! — Durable above-ground pools made for easy backyard summer fun, now with seasonal savings.
• May Savings on Firestone Tires! — Trusted all-season tires built for safety, performance, and everyday driving value.
• Get Big Savings This Spring From Lennox! — High-efficiency HVAC systems designed for reliable, year-round home comfort.
• Benjamin Moore Kick Off Summer With Color! — Premium paint for bold color, smooth coverage, and lasting results.
• HEVI-Shot Tom Takedown Rebate! — High-performance hunting loads built for precision and power in the field.
• The Stearns Foster Memorial Day Sale! — Luxury mattresses designed for premium comfort and supportive sleep.
• Honda Marine’s Coverage Plus Sales Event! — Reliable marine engines with strong performance and added coverage benefits.

Major ad agency, Publicis Groupe’s claim that 86% of its first-quarter 2026 revenue was tied to AI-powered capabilities signals that artificial intelligence is no longer an experimental side project in advertising. For local ad agencies and media sellers, the message is clear: AI will increasingly shape planning, targeting, creative, optimization and reporting, but human judgment will still determine whether campaigns actually work. Radio, TV, cable, print, outdoor and digital sellers should use AI to become faster, smarter and more consultative—without surrendering the local knowledge and trust that remain their competitive advantage.

A new study from the American Association of Political Consultants Foundation suggests that AI disclaimers on political ads may be reducing voter trust rather than improving transparency. For local media sellers and ad agencies, the lesson is clear: political advertisers will need more than legal compliance—they will need credible media environments, careful creative execution and voter-sensitive messaging. Radio, TV, cable, print, outdoor and digital platforms can strengthen their value in political campaigns by helping candidates communicate clearly, disclose responsibly and avoid turning transparency into suspicion.

AI Overviews are accelerating a shift toward “Google Zero,” where users get answers without clicking through, weakening the value of organic search traffic. That is a warning sign for publishers and marketers, but also an opening for local media sellers and agencies to reposition radio, TV, cable, print, outdoor, and digital as channels that build top-of-mind awareness, trust, and demand before a search ever happens. In a world where discoverability is increasingly controlled by answer engines, advertisers may place greater value on media that makes brands known, remembered, and hard to ignore.

Kick off the week strong with these must-run co-op campaigns your customers will be excited to promote!
• Larson Spring Sale! — Refresh entryways with stylish, secure storm doors designed for durability, ventilation, and everyday comfort—now available with seasonal savings customers will love.
• May is Maytag Month! — Deliver powerful performance and dependable appliances built to handle real life, backed by special offers that make upgrading easier than ever.
• Broil King Free Cover Offer! — Elevate outdoor cooking with premium grills engineered for performance, paired with a free cover to keep the experience going all season long.
• Polaris Get Ready to Ride Sales Event! — Get adventure-ready with high-performance off-road vehicles built for power, control, and unforgettable outdoor experiences.
• Mercury Marine Catch the Right Deal Promotion! — Help customers hit the water with confidence using reliable, high-quality marine engines and exclusive savings for the season ahead.
• Hustler Spring Sales Event! — Tackle lawn care with ease using durable, high-performance mowers designed for comfort, efficiency, and professional-grade results.
• Karastan Style Meets Savings Event! — Transform any space with beautifully crafted carpets and rugs that combine timeless design, premium quality, and limited-time savings.