Why McDonald's is following Walmart and Amazon into the advertising business

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Financial Intelligence • Markets • World News • Independent Analysis
Published: 2026-09-24 • Permanent link

Fears are growing among investors as McDonald's, Walmart, and Amazon announce plans to enter the advertising business, sparking concerns about the potential disruption to the market. The three giants have partnered with major advertising agencies, with McDonald's teaming up with Omnicom Group and Walmart partnering with WPP. Amazon, meanwhile, has formed a new advertising arm, Amazon Advertising, which is expected to compete directly with established players like Google and Facebook. The move has sent shockwaves through the advertising industry, with shares of major ad firms like WPP and Omnicom Group plummeting in response.

Globally, the advertising market is expected to reach $683 billion by 2025, with the rise of digital advertising driving growth. However, the entry of these three giants is likely to have a significant impact on the market, with many experts predicting a shift towards more personalized and targeted advertising. The result: a potential increase in advertising costs for smaller firms, which may struggle to compete with the resources and scale of the big three. As a result, investors are taking notice, with many predicting a significant impact on the advertising industry's valuation.

Since the 1990s, the advertising industry has undergone significant changes, driven by advances in technology and shifting consumer behavior. The rise of digital advertising has transformed the way companies reach their target audiences, with online platforms and social media now dominating the landscape. However, the entry of these three giants marks a new era of competition, with the potential to disrupt the traditional advertising model. According to industry expert, "This is a seismic shift, one that will have far-reaching consequences for the advertising industry as a whole.

As the advertising landscape continues to evolve, investors are watching closely for signs of disruption and change. With the big three now firmly established in the market, the focus is shifting towards how smaller firms will adapt to the new reality. Will they be able to compete with the resources and scale of the giants, or will they be forced to adapt to a more personalized and targeted advertising model? The answer to this question will have significant implications for the advertising industry's future, and investors are eagerly awaiting signs of what's to come.