The digital landscape is evolving daily, from Amazon DSP’s partnership with Netflix to redefine streaming commercials, to the explosive growth in new car and EV sales, to TikTok’s fate finally coming together. These are opportunities for brands and dealerships to engage more smartly, sell more, and thrive more.
Netflix ads come to Amazon DSP as streaming competition intensifies
Netflix is teaming up with Amazon’s demand-side platform (DSP), enabling advertisers to purchase high-quality Netflix inventory programmatically in major markets worldwide. Launching in Q4, the partnership enables brands to tap into Netflix’s global audience while leveraging Amazon’s advanced ad-tech and shopper data.
Why is this important? Amazon already possesses one of the most powerful ad stacks in digital, with unmatched targeting and privacy-friendly measurement capabilities. With added reach from Netflix, advertisers now have another avenue for connecting with millions of streaming households – evidence that retail media and streaming are rapidly converging.
New Car Sales Expected to Stay Resilient in Q3
Analysts had predicted headwinds for auto sales in 2025, but buyers defied them. The third quarter was robust, driven by demand for electric vehicles before the $7,500 federal EV tax credit expired on September 30.
EVs accounted for approximately 10% of Q3 sales, with GM, Honda, and Hyundai among the brands experiencing growth. September alone saw retail EV sales more than 12% higher, a 28% year-over-year surge. Affordability remains a barrier – EVs averaged $57,245 compared to $48,179 for gasoline vehicles – but customer demand has proven remarkably durable. For dealerships and automakers, Q3 underscores the importance of digital-first strategies to reach buyers where they are already browsing, scrolling, and streaming.
TikTok Deal Hovers Near Agreement
Following years of uncertainty, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. is almost finalized. President Trump approved an agreement that places TikTok’s U.S. business under the control of a majority-owned U.S. investor joint venture, with Oracle serving as its security partner.
The White House is referring to it as a victory for national security, as it will enable the 170 million U.S. users to continue creating and consuming content without interruption. Although China’s approval is pending, there are high expectations that TikTok will continue to be a solid platform for marketers to reach younger, highly engaged consumers.
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John Paul Strong
John Paul Strong combines his two decades of automotive marketing experience with a team of more than 150 professionals as owner and CEO of Strong Automotive.
