Marketing Measurement · Digital advertising

YouTube passing Disney in ad revenue signals a media power shift

In short YouTube's $37 billion in ad revenue shows digital-first players are overtaking traditional media, and brands that don't adapt with real-time data risk being left behind.

When YouTube eclipses Disney in ad revenue, are we prepared to rethink everything we know about media giants?

This isn’t just a blip on the radar—it's a seismic shift in the power dynamics of media.

By pulling ahead with $37 billion in ad revenue, YouTube signals a changing landscape.

  • Traditional media's grip is loosening; digital-first players are now leading.
  • If brands ignore this trend, they risk being overshadowed by more agile competitors.

In my experience scaling marketing engines, adaptability is the key.
We were never just plugging in the latest tool.
We integrated, pivoted, and, most importantly, learned from data.

There's a lesson here:
- Integration isn't optional—it's essential for survival.
- Without adaptability, even giants can fall.

In this new reality, real-time data and digital-first strategies aren’t just advantages—they're necessities.

The future isn’t waiting for anyone.
Embrace it, or get left behind.

Originally posted on LinkedIn →

Topics Digital advertising · Media industry · Marketing strategy · Adaptability

Anthony Pitts

About the author

Anthony Pitts

Builds attribution and measurement systems for growth at scale

Anthony Pitts is Chief Growth Officer at Speed Labs and formerly VP of Acquisitions at DraftKings, where the business grew from roughly 650 paying customers to more than 2 million in under four years. Anthony's work centers on attribution frameworks, tracking from first conversion through lifetime value, and budget allocation tied to real business impact.

More from Anthony →

Work with Anthony

Send a message through the Index. Anthony replies directly.

Your message is emailed to Anthony. We don't share your address with anyone else.