WhatsApp Hits 3B Users; Meta Rolls Out Ads & Subscriptions After 11 Years
$1 B
Meta is introducing ads and subscriptions on WhatsApp, 11 years after acquiring it for $19 billion. WhatsApp has surpassed 3 billion monthly users, with over 100 million in the U.S., and will begin displaying status ads exclusively in the Updates tab, keeping personal chats ad-free. Meta also plans to generate revenue from the app’s Channels feature through search ads and monthly subscriptions, eventually collecting a 10% share of subscriber payments. This marks a major shift as WhatsApp moves toward becoming Meta’s “next chapter” in business messaging.
4
Amazon Prime Day 2025 is set to run for a record 96 hours from July 8th–11th, offering exclusive deals for Prime members with new drops every 5 minutes on top brands like Samsung and Levi’s. The event features a fresh “Today’s Big Deals” section and a star-powered campaign led by LeBron James. Shoppers aged 18–24 can enjoy 5% cash back and personalized savings. With 84% of last year’s shoppers buying only on Amazon, this year’s extended sale is expected to draw even more attention.
3%
Hasbro has cut approximately 150 jobs, representing 3% of its workforce, as part of its "Playing to Win" strategy, a broader effort to streamline operations and reach $1 billion in cost reductions. The company has faced pressure from recent U.S.–China tariff developments, with 80% of U.S. toy imports coming from China. Despite recent layoffs, Hasbro reported a 17% increase in Q1 revenue, reaching $887 million, fueled by a strong 46% surge in its digital gaming division.
2.8M
Amazon has launched a sprawling 2.8 million-square-foot robotics fulfillment center in Charlton, Massachusetts, marking a major expansion of its automated logistics network. Employing over 1,000 workers and housing 32 million items. Built with a $300 million investment, the high-tech facility is equipped with advanced robots capable of lifting up to 1,500 pounds, enhancing efficiency in processing and shipping orders. This marks Amazon’s largest investment in Massachusetts, contributing to its total investment of $23 billion in the state since 2010.
30%
Younger generations are driving the U.S. wellness boom, 30% of Gen Z and millennials now focus “a lot more” on wellness than a year ago, compared to up to 23% for older generations. Though they make up 36% of the adult population, they account for 41% of annual wellness spend, surpassing the 28% driven by those 58+. Gen Z and millennials are also more likely to buy wearables, mindfulness apps, and self-care tools, while older consumers stick to basics like vitamins and eye care.
54%
Digital platforms have overtaken traditional news sources, with 54% of U.S. adults now getting news from social media, compared to 50% from TV and 48% from news apps, per the 2025 Reuters Digital News Report. Despite this shift, 73% worry about distinguishing real from fake news online. Facebook accounts for 36% and YouTube for 30% of social media news consumption, with TikTok (16%) now overtaking X (formerly Twitter) at 12% in popularity for news. Meanwhile, only 7% of adults use AI tools like ChatGPT weekly for news, and just 30% of Americans trust the news most of the time.
80%
Amazon Ads and Roku have teamed up to create the largest authenticated CTV footprint in the U.S., reaching 80 million households or 80% of the market. Early tests showed advertisers gained 40% more unique viewers and cut ad repetition by 30%, all without increasing budgets. U.S. connected TV ad spending is projected to climb 16.8% in 2025, reaching $33.48 billion, as streaming captures a new high of 44.8% of total television viewership. This partnership enhances targeting across Roku and Fire TV, using Amazon’s DSP and data to reduce media waste and boost campaign results.