Bonded Bitesize – Your Midweek Roundup

After a successful beta, Reddit has officially opened up its Dynamic Product Ads to all advertisers. These ads auto-populate using your product catalogue and display relevant items alongside subreddit discussions, based on real-time engagement data. Notably, they allow for both prospecting and retargeting—showing users products they’ve already viewed on your site. Early results look promising, with Reddit reporting a 2x increase in ROAS for brands using dynamic ads vs standard conversion campaigns. The expansion also includes a new integration with Smartly, allowing advertisers to manage Reddit ads alongside other platforms in one place. With users increasingly turning to Reddit for product advice, it’s a strong opportunity for intent-based targeting.

Channel 4 is launching video content on Spotify for the first time, becoming the first UK public-service broadcaster to do so. Shows from its youth-focused Channel 4.0 brand – including Minor Issues, Hear Me Out, and Secret Sauce – will now be available on Spotify’s mobile and desktop apps. The move is part of Channel 4’s digital-first strategy, aiming to reach younger audiences across more platforms and boost future revenue opportunities. The partnership also aligns with Spotify’s growing focus on video, with UK video podcast views nearly doubling in the past year. Distribution via social and streaming platforms offers strong exposure and potential for branded content deals.

Google has begun embedding ads directly within its AI Overviews — the AI-generated summaries that now appear at the top of certain search results. Announced at Marketing Live 2025, this marks a major shift in Google’s approach to monetising generative search. These new ad placements include both Search and Shopping formats, and they blend into the AI content itself, making them highly visible and contextually relevant. Currently rolling out across desktop in the US, with wider availability planned, the move raises questions about transparency and reporting – as it’s unclear what performance data will be available. Still, it offers a valuable opportunity for advertisers to capture attention in this prominent, emerging part of the SERP.

Discord has begun testing unskippable, reward-based video ads – a significant shift from its ad-free roots. The new ‘In-Game Rewards’ format offers users game perks in exchange for watching branded video content, with ads pausing if users look away to guarantee full attention. While all users can see these ads, personalisation is opt-in and based on gaming activity, not personal data. With over 200 million monthly users and a stronghold in interest-based communities, Discord positions itself as a privacy-conscious, high-attention channel for advertisers. This move diversifies Discord’s revenue beyond Nitro subscriptions and opens up new opportunities for brands to reach passionate, niche audiences – but also signals a broader shift as the platform edges closer to mainstream social media territory.

Google has dropped the minimum audience size for Customer Match lists in Search campaigns from 1,000 to just 100 users. This major update gives small and midsize businesses access to precision audience targeting that was previously out of reach. By aligning with YouTube’s recent threshold changes, Google is signaling a shift toward more inclusive, privacy-conscious targeting across its platforms. While this update only applies to Customer Match lists – not remarketing audiences – it’s a big win for SMBs looking to stretch their ad spend and compete with larger brands. Experts see this as part of a broader push toward greater accessibility and transparency in ad targeting.

ISBA and the Influencer Marketing Trade Body (IMTB) have announced that 15 new brands, including John Lewis, Asda, HSBC, Estée Lauder, and Giffgaff, have signed up to the Influencer Marketing Code of Conduct. This brings the total number of brand signatories to 39, marking a 77% increase in just a month. The code, first launched in 2021, aims to promote transparency for consumers, effectiveness for brands, and wellbeing for influencers by setting standards such as banning misleading photo filters and requiring due diligence on influencers. Despite growing support, research from the Advertising Standards Authority shows that ad disclosure in influencer marketing still needs improvement.

Revealed at Google Marketing Live 2025, Smart Bidding Exploration helps advertisers tap into overlooked search queries using AI and flexible ROAS targets. The tool expands reach beyond narrow, high-intent keywords to more exploratory ones — capturing new demand and driving more conversions. According to Google, early tests show an 18% increase in unique converting search query categories and a 19% rise in total conversions. This marks another step in Google’s shift toward AI-driven campaign management, empowering brands to unlock growth without changing core strategies.

The UK government has postponed the introduction of its Less Healthy Foods (LHF) ad restrictions until 5 January 2026, confirming that brand advertising will be explicitly exempt. Originally slated for early 2023, this marks the third delay to the policy. Despite the revised date, advertisers, broadcasters and platforms are expected to voluntarily comply from 1 October 2025, meaning no identifiable LHF product ads on TV (5:30am–9pm) or online at any time. The move follows industry concerns and lobbying over the unclear scope of the legislation. With clarification now promised in law, industry bodies like the Advertising Association, IAB UK, ISBA, IPA, and Thinkbox have welcomed the update as a ‘common-sense’ resolution that balances public health goals with business confidence.

American investment firm RedBird Capital Partners has agreed to acquire The Telegraph Media Group for £500 million, marking a significant move into UK media. RedBird plans to boost The Telegraph’s digital growth by investing in AI and analytics to increase subscriptions, while also expanding the brand’s international presence, particularly in the U.S. This acquisition aligns with RedBird’s broader UK media portfolio, which includes investments across TV, film, gaming, and sports. The deal is pending approval by British authorities amid ongoing discussions about foreign ownership of UK media outlets, with current rules allowing up to 15% foreign ownership.

Google is experimenting with a fresh user interface for Google Shopping by introducing a new menu bar directly under the search bar featuring the distinctive Super G logo. This new tab bar offers quick access to different sections such as Search, Nearby, Deals, and a personalised For You area. The update, spotted by digital experts Brodie Clark and Sachin Patel, aims to streamline navigation and enhance the shopping experience on mobile devices. If rolled out widely, this new menu could make it easier for users to discover deals and nearby shopping options faster within Google Shopping.