Leo Hartmann
Advertising & Industry Writer
Leo Hartmann is Film and Pen's Advertising & Industry Writer, specializing in the business side of media. Before joining Film and Pen, Leo spent several years as a market analyst focusing on digital advertising strategies. He accurately predicted the shift towards short-form video advertising in 2021, earning him recognition as a top industry forecaster by 'AdWeek'. Leo's in-depth reporting and trend analysis provide invaluable insights into the forces shaping the entertainment industry's financial future. He holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Columbia University.
Expertise
Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
Platforms Prioritize Data for AI Amidst New Privacy Laws
In a rare unanimous vote, the Massachusetts House passed a sweeping Consumer Data Privacy Act, granting residents new rights over their data.
Jun 10, 2026 · 3 min read
AI Transforms Ad Creative, Boosts ROI by 2026
By 2026, 83% of ad executives will have deployed AI in their creative processes, a dramatic leap from 60% just two years prior, driven primarily by the promise of cost efficiency.
Jun 10, 2026 · 5 min read
What Are Advertising Walled Gardens and How Do They Limit Data?
In 2022, Amazon generated a staggering $38 billion through its Amazon Ads service, revealing the immense financial power of digital advertising's closed ecosystems.
Jun 9, 2026 · 5 min read
AI in Advertising: Transformation, Ethics, and Risks
By the end of 2024, 60% of all digital ad spending is projected to be influenced by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, a market poised for significant expansion.
Jun 9, 2026 · 4 min read
How Streaming Service Revenue Models Beyond Subscriptions Work
Netflix's 'Standard With Ads' plan, launched just two years ago, has already seen its price increase by over 12% to $8.
Jun 8, 2026 · 3 min read
Independent Ad Tech Leverages Cloud Hardware and AI
A small ad tech startup, leveraging only public cloud AI, recently outbid a major agency on a complex programmatic campaign.
Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read
FCC Chairman Carr Criticizes Scott Pelley After Firing
On a Tuesday, veteran journalist Scott Pelley was fired from 60 Minutes after an intense meeting with new executive producer Nick Bilton, a termination that soon drew public criticism from FCC Chairma
Jun 8, 2026 · 2 min read
AdKit Connects AI Agents to Google, Meta Ad Accounts
Despite a decade of rising digital ad costs, with average CPC more than doubling to $5.
Jun 7, 2026 · 3 min read
Programmatic Advertising's Entertainment Marketing Impact in 2026
A major film studio recently cut ad waste by 30% on a blockbuster, not by slashing budgets, but by letting algorithms dictate trailer placement, according to a Studio X Internal Report.
Jun 7, 2026 · 4 min read
Social Media Fatigue Fuels Unexpected Outdoor Advertising Boom
In a surprising reversal, consumers are now 38% more likely to recall an outdoor advertisement than a social media ad, a stark contrast to a decade ago when digital reigned, according to the Global Ad
Jun 6, 2026 · 4 min read
Streaming Services Explore New Revenue Streams Beyond Subscriptions
While the video streaming market is projected to nearly triple in value by 2036, Netflix added approximately 41 million paid subscribers in 2024.
Jun 6, 2026 · 4 min read
OpenAI expands ChatGPT ads pilot program to UK
One client in OpenAI's US ad pilot program recorded a click-through-rate (CTR) of just 0.
Jun 6, 2026 · 3 min read
Digital OOH Advertising Surges with Efficiency
A single new digital billboard on Beyers Naudé Drive in Johannesburg is projected to deliver nearly 320,000 visible audience contacts each month, showcasing the hyper-efficiency of modern out-of-home
Jun 5, 2026 · 2 min read
How Streaming Content Licensing Will Evolve by 2026
For streaming platforms, acquiring content often proves more challenging and critical than developing the underlying technology itself.
Jun 5, 2026 · 3 min read
Global Ad Market Surges Past $471 Billion, Driven by Digital Expansion
By 2028, three-quarters of all ad spend will be algorithm-driven, fundamentally reshaping how brands connect with consumers.
Jun 5, 2026 · 3 min read
Taylor Swift debuts new song on digital platforms
CD and vinyl versions of Taylor Swift's new single, 'I Knew It, I Knew You', sold out on her website well before their 48-hour preorder windows were complete, according to Forbes .
Jun 5, 2026 · 2 min read
What are sustainable practices in green film production?
A single large-scale film production can generate an average carbon footprint of 3,370 metric tons, equivalent to burning over 3.
Jun 5, 2026 · 7 min read
Snapchat India's advertiser base grows tenfold, driven by Gen Z
In India, Snapchat's advertiser base has exploded tenfold in just two years, driven by a user base where over 90% are between 13 and 30 years old, according to Fortune India and BusinessLine .
Jun 4, 2026 · 3 min read
AI Overviews Slash Search Traffic, Sparking Website Revenue Fears
Nearly 60% of Google searches now end without a single click, a direct consequence of the widespread introduction of AI Overviews.
Jun 4, 2026 · 3 min read
Top 4 Gen Z Advertising Strategies for Entertainment Brands in 2026
More than half of Gen Z prefers TikTok to Google for search, yet 60% of them now trust the platform less than they used to.
Jun 4, 2026 · 6 min read