Ad spending forecast: cloudy with a chance of recession

There is clearly some contraction in ad dollars from cautious marketers, but this ad slowdown has been more defined by where ad dollars have gone, rather than what got cut.

Additional coverage:

• Pod bidding allows streaming advertisers to programmatically bid on specific ad slots within a multi-ad break, or pod — an option that has been available to traditional TV advertisers for, well, ever.
• S4 Capital operates under three veins of business according to its balance sheet: content, data and digital media, and technology services. Sorrell expects growth from them all. More in this Digiday+ Media Buying Briefing.
• The Wall Street Journal has joined a number of other legacy publishers looking to reach young news consumers on TikTok.
• YouTube Shorts won't debut its revenue-sharing program until next year, but some publishers like Team Whistle, Betches Media and Vox Media are preparing by building up their audiences now.
• As esports betting companies approach an audience relatively unfamiliar with gambling, they are investing in original content in a bid to educate users and spread the word about their offerings.
• Advertising's diversity efforts have slowed this year. One Digitas executive is continuing that push.
• Shoppers are out in full force this holiday season, but brands are still gearing up for a hit to their bottom lines in the fourth quarter and into next year -- even if they don't plan on increasing their discounts, according to data from Digiday+ Research.
• Deloitte saw the finale of AMC's "The Walking Dead" as an opportunity to boost viewership and recruit potential employees through linear TV. PETA and alcohol brand The Sexton Single Malt also capitalized on the long-running show's finale.