Best Buy

Magnite Aims to Own Decisioning Layer, Not Be DSP

On its Q2 earnings call, Magnite CEO Michael Barrett described the company expanding into buyer-like decisioning functions while insisting Magnite will not become a DSP. Magnite reported Q2 revenue of $193 million (up 11% YoY), contribution ex-TAC of $190 million (up 17%), and CTV revenue ex-TAC of $97 million (up 36% YoY). Barrett highlighted use cases where Magnite and SpringServe package inventory and audiences, apply optimization and AI-driven routing, and enable commerce media integrations with clients such as Fanatics, CVS Media Exchange, Best Buy, PayPal Ads and Walmart Connect (with Vizio inventory). Magnite launched Magnite Orchestration in June to help coordinate agentic workflows and positions itself as infrastructure for seller-side decisioning and democratized access to supply and data.

Best Buy appoints Anne Bramman as CFO

Best Buy has appointed Anne Bramman, a former Nordstrom finance chief and retail industry veteran, as its next chief financial officer, effective Aug. 19, 2026. She succeeds Matt Bilunas, who left Best Buy on July 31; CEO Corie Barry is serving as interim CFO until Bramman starts. Bramman previously served as CFO of Circana (June 2023–Aug. 2024) and Nordstrom (June 2017–Dec. 2022), and has worked as a senior adviser and executive coach at Boston Consulting Group. Her compensation package at Best Buy includes a $950,000 annual base salary, a $500,000 sign-on cash award and a $1.25 million sign-on equity award, according to an SEC filing. Analysts at Telsey Advisory Group reacted positively, and Best Buy’s incoming CEO Jason Bonfig is expected to focus on small- and medium-format stores and growth through secondary businesses such as advertising.

Microsoft Uses Creator Content to Boost Retail Media

Microsoft has reoriented its retail marketing to place creator-made content at the center of its sales strategy. Led by Emilie Bridon, the team created a program called Creator Connect in partnership with influencer agency Billion Dollar Boy and its FiveTwoNine community, and worked with LinkedIn and retail partners to integrate creator assets into retailer campaigns, product pages, retail media network placements and in-store demo devices. Microsoft reports creator-generated assets can drive click-through rates up to three times higher than traditional brand ads and has built a network of roughly 100 creators to inform and produce retail-focused content.