Behind the Numbers: an EMARKETER Podcast

Creators Meet Commerce: How They Guide Customers From Inspiration to Checkout | Behind the Numbers Special Edition

In this special edition episode recorded at the EMARKETER Creator Trends 2026 Virtual Summit, you will learn how shoppable video, retail media integrations, storefronts, and affiliate programs are reshaping the journey, and the metrics and org models needed to make always-on creator commerce truly work. Minda Smiley, Senior Analyst at EMARKETER hosts a panel with Cory Weaver, Head of Influence at Gap, Inc. and Alexis Call, Director of Digital Merchandising and Site Experience at Stanley 1913. Listen everywhere you find podcasts and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
 
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For a transcript of this episode, click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-creators-meet-commerce-how-they-guide-customers-inspiration-checkout-behind-numbers-special-edition
 
© 2026 EMARKETER

Growing Up “Constantly Online”: What Teens’ Online Lives Really Look Like | Behind the Numbers

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss teens’ online behavior: which digital activities they engage in on which devices, why this could be the cohort to take social commerce mainstream, what a teen’s life on social media looks like, how these young people use AI, and more. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with analysts Paola Flores-Marquez and Emmy Liederman. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
 
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For a transcript of this episode, click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-growing-up-constantly-online-what-teens-online-lives-really-look-like-behind-numbers
 
© 2026 EMARKETER
Rokt helps marketers reach high-intent customers in the Transaction Moment™—when they’re actively completing a purchase online. Powered by AI and first-party data, Rokt Ads connects your brand with over 400 million global shoppers and delivers outcomes you can count on. Learn more at rokt.com/emarketer to get started today.

What Will Spotify Do About AI Slop? Will Podcasts Catch On in Living Rooms? And More — The 3 Big Questions for Spotify | Behind the Numbers

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the three big questions surrounding Spotify right now: What will the audio giant do about AI slop? Can it generate significant revenue from advertising? Will people sit down in their living rooms and turn on a podcast to watch, en masse? And more. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Senior Analyst Ross Benes and Senior Editor Daniel Konstantinovic. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
 
Get more insights like these with our free, industry-leading newsletters covering advertising, marketing, and commerce. Sign up at emarketer.com/newslettersFollow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.comFor more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com For a transcript of this episode click here:https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-what-will-spotify-do-about-ai-slop-3-big-questions-spotify-behind-numbers© 2026 EMARKETER
 
Rokt helps marketers reach high-intent customers in the Transaction Moment™—when they’re actively completing a purchase online. Powered by AI and first-party data, Rokt Ads connects your brand with over 400 million global shoppers and delivers outcomes you can count on. Learn more at rokt.com/emarketer to get started today.

The Big Creator Breakout in 2026 | Behind the Numbers Special Edition

EMARKETER Principal Analyst Max Willens unveils new forecasts that reveal where creator spending is accelerating, including new category breakouts for 2026. He’ll dig into what’s powering the surge, from shoppable content to CTV’s growing pull, and how brands are moving toward fuller-funnel partnerships that deliver real lift. Listen everywhere you find podcasts and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
 
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For sponsorship opportunities, contact us: advertising@emarketer.com
 
For more information, visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
 
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com 
 
For a transcript of this episode, click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-emarketer-podcast-big-creator-breakout-2026-behind-numbers-special-edition
 
© 2026 EMARKETER

Does Every Retailer Need a Chief Entertainment Officer (Like GAP)? | Reimagining Retail

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss why Gap is introducing a Chief Entertainment Officer, whether this is a bold, transformational move or a distraction from retail fundamentals, and how success should be measured 12 months from now. Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Principal Analyst Sky Canaves, and Senior Analyst Blake Droesch.
 
Get more insights like these with our free, industry-leading newsletters covering advertising, marketing, and commerce. Sign up at emarketer.com/newslettersFollow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.comFor more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com For a transcript of this episode click here:https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-every-retailer-need-chief-entertainment-officer-like-gap-reimagining-retail© 2026 EMARKETER
 
Rokt helps marketers reach high-intent customers in the Transaction Moment™—when they’re actively completing a purchase online. Powered by AI and first-party data, Rokt Ads connects your brand with over 400 million global shoppers and delivers outcomes you can count on. Learn more at rokt.com/emarketer to get started today.

Are We Addicted? Breaking Down the Social Media Trials and America’s Media Habits | Behind the Numbers

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the biggest takeaways from the social media addiction trials so far, what our numbers tell us about social media usage in the US, and where else Americans spend their time consuming media. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Principal Forecasting Writer Ethan Cramer-Flood and Senior Director of Forecasting Oscar Orozco. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
 
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For more information, visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
 
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com 
 
For a transcript of this episode, click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-addicted-breaking-down-social-media-trials-america-s-media-habits-behind-numbers
 
 
© 2026 EMARKETER
 
Rokt helps marketers reach high-intent customers in the Transaction Moment™—when they’re actively completing a purchase online. Powered by AI and first-party data, Rokt Ads connects your brand with over 400 million global shoppers and delivers outcomes you can count on. Learn more at rokt.com/emarketer to get started today.

Inside 2026 Winter Olympics Advertising: Media Fragmentation, Creators & the Brands That Won Gold | Behind the Numbers

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss advertising around the 2026 Winter Olympics: how marketers tackled fragmentation across media channels, how creators were used by Olympic broadcaster NBCUniversal, and which campaign was the best — and why. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Senior Analyst and Editor Peter Allen Clark and Senior Director of Content Jeremy Goldman. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
Get more insights like these with our free, industry-leading newsletters covering advertising, marketing, and commerce. Sign up at emarketer.com/newslettersFollow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.comFor more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com For a transcript of this episode click here:https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-inside-2026-winter-olympics-advertising-media-fragmentation-creators-brands-behind-numbers
 
© 2026 EMARKETER

The Unofficial Monthly Retailer Awards for February: CeraVe Makes KD the 'Face of Legs', H-E-B 'Baby Wants Tortillas', and More | Reimagining Retail

On today’s podcast episode, we present our “Unofficial Monthly Retailer Awards,” or the UMRAs, for February, including “Most Impactful Campaign,” “Best IRL Initiative,” and “Greatest Under-the-Radar Move.” Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Senior Analyst Blake Droesch, Senior Director of Content Becky Schilling, and Principal Analyst Zak Stambor.
 
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For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
 
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com 
 
For a transcript of this episode click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-unofficial-monthly-retailer-awards-february-cerave-makes-kd-face-of-legs-h-e-b-baby-wants-to
 
© 2026 EMARKETER

Will TikTok be battling bias this year? How big can TikTok Shop get? And More — The 3 Big Questions for TikTok | Behind the Numbers

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the three big questions surrounding TikTok right now: Will TikTok spend this year fighting perceptions of bias? Will the new algorithm be as good? How much bigger can TikTok Shop get? And more. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Analyst Emmy Liederman and Principal Analyst Max Willens. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
Get more insights like these with our free, industry-leading newsletters covering advertising, marketing, and commerce. Sign up at emarketer.com/newslettersFollow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.comFor more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com For a transcript of this episode click here:https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-will-tiktok-battling-bias-this-year-3-big-questions-tiktok-behind-numbers
 
© 2026 EMARKETER

Can Amazon Maintain Its Ad Revenue Momentum? Is AI Spending a Problem? And More — The 3 Big Questions for Amazon | Behind the Numbers

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the three big questions surrounding Amazon right now: Can it maintain its ad revenue momentum in 2026? Is AI spending a problem? Is it ready for agentic commerce? And more. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Analysts Marisa Jones and Rachel Wolff. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
 
Subscribe to EMARKETER's newsletters. Go to https://www.emarketer.com/newsletters
 
Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
 
For sponsorship opportunities, contact us: advertising@emarketer.com
 
For more information, visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
 
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com 
 
For a transcript of this episode, click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-amazon-maintain-its-ad-revenue-momentum-ai-spending-problem-more-3-big-questions-amazon-behi
 
© 2026 EMARKETER