YouTube unveils new ad innovations at annual Brandcast event

YouTube held its annual Brandcast event last week, where it brings together marketers and creators to explore how brands can make the most of YouTube. This year’s event also acted as a focal point for YouTube’s 20th birthday celebrations.

Key announcements included the launch of Cultural Moments Sponsorships. This brings together a suite of solutions to put advertisers at the heart of live moments they care about, for example the PGA Championship or awards season, with a high share of voice and brand integrations within the content viewers engage with.

Still on live content, YouTube also said that NFL's Friday night game in Brazil during Kickoff Weekend will be available free to fans around the world on YouTube. The September 5 meeting between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs will be available exclusively on the platform

YouTube also announced Peak Points, a new product built with Gemini that identifies the most meaningful, or “peak,” moments within YouTube’s content, to place brands where audiences are the most engaged. The social video platform also talked up Shoppable CTV, which allows viewers to browse and engage with products directly from the big screen.