As we close the books on another year, it’s time to take a closer look at the major themes that defined these past 12 months, from the highs to the lows and everything in between.

“The proliferation of ads in previously ad-free environments is a notable trend that kicked into high gear in 2022,” said Richard Yao, senior manager of strategy at IPG Media Lab, UM’s innovation division. “Subscription-based video on demand services Netflix, HBO Max and Disney+ all launched their respective ad-supported services this year, and companies like Uber and Roblox debuted their own turnkey ad solutions to diversify their revenue streams. All this opened new channels for brands to reach consumers and engage with them in different contexts.”

Read more in AdAge.