The worst might be over for the economy, but the future isn’t so bright either. Let's start with the good news: While ad spending over the last quarter was uneven and fragile, generally it wasn’t as bad as expected. Now for the not so rosy bit: As the latest forecasts show, many economies are essentially registering no growth, or are even shrinking. With private-sector confidence shattered, and the struggle to best the virus far from over, the risks of extensive and long-lasting economic trauma are on the rise. Read more below.

• Free money is being given away through economic stimuluses, but it isn’t being spent. That brings opportunity and danger for an ad industry tied tightly to the economy.
• The success that the Washington Post saw in growing its global subscriptions business came from tactics put in place well before the pandemic.
• For Digiday+ members, 10 advertisers signed upfront deals collectively worth $150 million to be the exclusive launch advertisers for Quibi’s first year. As we all now know, Quibi lasted barely half that time. 
• Also for Digiday+ members, the election isn't the only thing on direct-to-consumer startup executives' minds -- after all, once the election is over, Black Friday is right around the corner.