Today's Digital Marketing Pulse
Accenture Song Acquires Whalar to Bolster Influencer Marketing
Accenture Song announced the acquisition of Whalar, adding a 170‑person global creator agency and keeping co‑CEOs Emma Harman and Jo Cronk in place. The deal also includes a three‑year strategic partnership that gives Accenture access to Whalar’s talent‑management, technology and venture assets, integrating the creator network with Accenture’s data and AI capabilities.
WordPress Announces AI Agent Skill For Speeding Up Development via @Sejournal, @Martinibuster
WordPress unveiled wp‑playground, an AI agent skill that integrates with the Playground CLI to spin up a full WordPress sandbox instantly. The skill automatically mounts generated code, launches the site, and provides built‑in scripts that shrink startup time from roughly a minute to a few seconds. Developers can then use tools like curl and Playwright to run repeatable test loops, while the CLI logs into WP‑Admin automatically. A dedicated GitHub repository hosts the skill and outlines future features such as persistent playground instances and blueprint generation.
The Trade Desk Was Priced for Perfection. Then Growth Slowed. Now It’s the Worst Performing Stock in the S&P 500.
The Trade Desk, once the ad‑tech darling, saw its stock plunge 73% as revenue growth slowed from 26% in 2024 to roughly 18% in Q3 2025. The market cap collapsed from $70 billion to under $15 billion, reflecting a sharp multiple contraction...
Creating Trust and Intrigue with App Store Screenshots
App store screenshots are the decisive first‑impression element that can turn a casual browse into a download. Effective screenshots tell a concise story, highlighting core benefits and guiding users through the app’s value proposition. AI‑driven screenshot generators now let developers...
The Infinite Tail
The blog revisits the Long Tail theory, noting how platforms like YouTube and Netflix shifted consumer choice from a few hits to millions of options. It argues that large language models now push this trend further, enabling AI to generate...
How To Increase Sales in the Clothing Business: 14 Proven Ways (2026)
The episode outlines 14 actionable strategies for boosting sales in clothing retailers, emphasizing the need for a unified commerce platform like Shopify to integrate online, in‑store, and international operations. It highlights optimizing checkout with one‑tap payments, leveraging AI for personalized...
Financial Services Lead Generation: Strategies for Wealth Management and Advisory Firms
Financial services lead generation has become a critical growth engine for wealth‑management and advisory firms as investors shift to digital research. The article outlines how compliance‑heavy, trust‑driven environments require a blend of content marketing, SEO, precise paid ads, email nurturing,...
Ignore Noise, Leverage Your Skill, Land First Customer
The longer you focus on all the BS? The longer you're distracted. Quit paying attention to the noise, hatred, anger, divisiveness, outrage, media circus, and all of the other nonsense. Shut that stuff down. Then follow this plan: - Pick...
Community Engagement Marketing: The Ultimate Guide
In this episode Sean Buckley explains why community engagement marketing is the new engine of growth for eCommerce brands, shifting focus from one‑off acquisition to lasting relationships. He outlines the four pillars of a strong brand community—shared identity, authentic connection,...
Top E-Commerce Companies 2026: Influencer & UGC Strategies
The episode breaks down the 2026 landscape of leading U.S. e‑commerce companies, highlighting how giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Apple, as well as niche platforms such as Etsy and Shein, use influencer marketing and user‑generated content (UGC) to stay ahead....
Treat Your Email List Like a Retirement Asset
Your email list is your digital retirement plan, so treat it like an asset, not a hobby.
Create Saveable Content, Not Just Scrollable Noise
Saveable content beats scrollable content. If it’s not worth saving, it’s usually not worth sharing.
How To Improve and Optimise Core Web Vitals on Shopify – Eastside Co
In this episode, Eastside Co breaks down Core Web Vitals (LCP, CLS, and INP) and explains why they’re crucial for Shopify store performance, SEO, and conversions. The host walks listeners through how Google measures these metrics using field data, how...
Short-Term Pipeline Pressure Stifles Long-Term Brand Differentiation
You can't solve differentiation with a 30-day deadline. Everyone knows brand matters. No one has the time (or permission) to build it. We surveyed 50 mid-market B2B marketing leaders. The data reveals a massive trap: 44% say standing out in a crowded...
Kirk Williams Discusses Why Client Fit Is Very Important
Kirk Williams, founder of PPC micro‑agency Zato, warns that taking on mis‑aligned clients is the biggest mistake agencies make. He identifies emotional, time, and financial taxes that accrue when expectations and agency capabilities diverge. By overhauling his discovery process to...
What Is Local Ecommerce? How To Market Your Store Locally
The episode explains local ecommerce—selling online while targeting a defined geographic area—and outlines a six‑step framework for launching and scaling such a business, from market identification to high‑quality local customer service. It highlights the growing consumer preference for supporting local...
Stop Saving Customers; Earn Their Loyalty Continuously
Your "save" playbook is a crutch. Your win-back sequence is a safety net. And they're both giving you permission to fail your customers. What would you do differently now if you weren't allowed to fix it later? No save motion...
Get Practical 8-Flow Blueprint and Segmentation Guide
Most webinars are a waste of time. This one WON'T be. Here's why: - The 8 flows we build for every client, in order - What real segmentation actually looks like - A 90-day build plan so you stop guessing what to do next Tuesday,...
Google Analytics To Become A Growth Engine For Business via @Sejournal, @Brookeosmundson
In the debut episode of Google Ads Decoded, Eleanor Stribling outlined a two‑phase roadmap for GA4. In the short term, Google plans to turn GA4 into a cross‑channel, full‑funnel measurement hub that unifies media data. Over the next three‑plus years,...
Daily Search Forum Recap: January 30, 2026
Google rolled out several product tweaks on January 30, 2026, including a test of third‑party endorsement content in search ads, new one‑click previews for Performance Max campaigns, and official help documentation for Preferred Sources. At the same time, Google Business Profile review appeals...
Best Post-Purchase Survey Questions: 2026 Guide
In this episode, Emily Manley explains why post‑purchase surveys are a critical source of zero‑party data and outlines how to design them for maximum response. She shares best practices—keeping surveys to 1‑3 questions, timing them around checkout and delivery, and...
Intentsify Solidifies Their Vision and Leadership With Salutary Data Acquisition, Second Strategic Deal Following Five by Five
Intentsify, a global B2B intent‑data provider, announced the acquisition of Salutary Data, a specialist in curated contacts and company intelligence. The deal marks Intentsify’s second strategic purchase in two years and follows a 21% overall revenue increase and 50% growth...
Fix Conversion Rates, Not Just Lead Volume
B2B SaaS team: "We need more leads." Me: "Wait, first answer this question:" What's your conversion rate at each stage? Most of the time, they don't know, and that's the real problem that needs to be solved. More leads is...
Marketing Drives the Journey; Sales Overestimates Its Role
Salespeople, you tend to think that you're a lot more important to the customer journey than you actually are. Marketing, you have a larger part in closing deals than you probably give yourself credit for. Now, I know marketers, you're...
7 Custom GPT Ideas to Automate SEO Workflows
Search Engine Land outlines seven custom GPT prompts that let SEO teams automate routine workflows, from annual project planning to technical audits. Each prompt includes setup steps, example inputs, and optional integrations with tools like Google Analytics, Ahrefs, and Slack....
Everyday You’re Already Selling—Now Just Add Checkout
You’re already selling every day. Ideas, perspectives, trust. The only difference now is there’s a checkout link.
Hooks Win in the Three-Second Scroll Economy
Hooks matter because we live in a scroll economy. You get three seconds… if you’re lucky.
Stacker and Scrunch Partner to Bring AI Search Visibility to Earned Media at Scale
Stacker, the earned‑media distribution platform, has announced a strategic partnership with AI analytics firm Scrunch to embed AI search visibility and citation reporting directly into its product. The integration merges Scrunch’s data on prompt responses, brand mentions and citations with...
New Test Suggests ChatGPT May Be Pulling Google Results
Interesting new test by @MalteLandwehr showing how ChatGPT likely uses Google, plus my thoughts: https://t.co/ndqonHJoTq
Add a Trust KPI to Balance AI Visibility
Do you have a TRUST KPI to balance out your AI visibility KPIs? In a world of infinite content, the need for TRUSTED curators goes up. Are you building high AI visibility and low trust building content? https://t.co/YM2Eg6SB8l https://t.co/qg67K7ZwMF
Market My Website Opens Early Access to AI Assistant Built for Founders Who Don’t Have Time for Analytics
Market My Website announced early access to an AI‑powered analytics assistant aimed at founders and solo operators. The tool links directly to Google Analytics 4 and Google Search Console, delivering a concise weekly report that highlights traffic shifts, conversion issues,...
Off‑site Marketing, PR, and Community Crucial for SEO Pre‑AI
Some folks will apparently be very surprised to hear that off-site marketing, digital PR, community management and online reputation management were indeed also important for SEO before AI search got here.
Google Ads Tests Third-Party Endorsement Content On Search Ads
Google is piloting a new feature that places third‑party endorsement content directly within Search ad descriptions. The format will display the endorsing site’s name, logo, and a brief testimonial beneath the ad copy. This test aims to leverage external credibility...
Google Search Adds Preferred Sources Help Docs
Google has published official help documentation for its Preferred Sources feature, which lets users designate trusted news sites in Google Search. The feature, rolled out globally after earlier releases in the US, India, and a beta phase, influences Top Stories...
Schedule Content Creation, Skip the Emotional Rollercoaster
If you want to grow faster, stop making content creation an emotional event. Make it a scheduled session.
4 Reasons Your Google Ads Clicks Are Down & What You Can Do via @Sejournal, @Brookeosmundson
Google Ads click volume can tumble for several reasons, most commonly a dip in Quality Score, reduced impression share, disruptive ad changes, or aggressive competitor bidding. Benchmarks show average CTRs ranging from 1.4 % on Shopify sites to 6.66 % across all...
Google’s SAGE Agentic AI Research: What It Means For SEO via @Sejournal, @Martinibuster
Google released the SAGE research paper, introducing a dual‑agent system that automatically generates complex question‑answer pairs for training AI search agents. Existing datasets like Musique and HotpotQA average fewer than three search steps, leaving a gap for deep‑research tasks. SAGE’s...
Levi Strauss, Walmart, Amazon Lead Brand Keys Loyalty Index
The 28th annual Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index (CLEI) identifies Levi Strauss, Walmart and Amazon as the top loyalty leaders for 2026, alongside sector champions such as Dick’s, Costco and Whole Foods. The study highlights a rapid rise in...
Ad Fraud Is Exploding — Dhiraj Gupta of mFilterIt Explains How Brands Can Respond
Ad fraud is escalating into a systemic threat that undermines the digital economy’s trust. In 2024 mobile ad fraud rose 21% and programmatic scams siphoned nearly $50 billion, while the ad‑fraud detection market is set to exceed $2 billion by 2034. Dhiraj...
Respect Their Budget, Don't Undervalue Your Worth
If someone says, “I can’t afford you,” the response in your head should be: “Totally fair.” Not “I should lower my rate.”
AI Ads Are Neither
The post traces advertising from early display ads and direct‑marketing concepts to today’s searchable, intent‑based model. Google refined paid placement by keeping a clear line between organic results and sponsored listings, turning tiny clicks into multi‑million‑dollar revenues. Amazon, however, blurred...
Special "Ask Us Anything" Episode (517)
In this special "Ask Us Anything" episode, Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose field audience questions covering SEO vs. AEO backlink strategies, the balance of free versus paid content for membership groups, and the future role of human marketers in an...
Xumo Expands Direct Access to Premium Streaming Inventory via The Trade Desk’s OpenPath
Xumo, the Comcast‑Charter streaming joint venture, has linked its premium CTV inventory to The Trade Desk’s OpenPath through FreeWheel, creating the first direct‑supply path of its kind. The integration gives advertisers programmatic access to more than 60 million monthly active users...
Clarity Beats Fancy Design: Simpler Pages Convert Better
I've tested 150+ landing pages. Here's the pattern: Pages I thought were 'too simple' converted at 8%. Pages I 'perfected' for weeks converted at 2%. Your aesthetic doesn't matter. Clarity does. Test everything. Trust nothing.
Reuse Existing Work: Your Simplest Content Creation
The easiest content to create is the content you’ve already created. Please let that sink in.
503: The Framemaking Sale: Building Buyer Decision Confidence
In this episode, Brent Adamson argues that the core challenge in B2B sales is not gaining buyer trust in the supplier, but helping buyers trust themselves to make decisions. He debunks three common assumptions— that supplier trust alone solves the...
Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For January 30, 2026
Canada’s retail sector shows mixed signals as e‑commerce orders surged 20% in 2025 while payroll employment slipped 1.5% in November. Major players are investing heavily: GoodLife Fitness rolled out a year‑long multichannel campaign, Empire Company expects a $95 million operating‑income lift...
GoodLife Fitness Launches National Marketing Campaign as It Expands Canadian Locations
GoodLife Fitness, Canada’s largest fitness‑club chain, unveiled a national marketing campaign titled “Canada’s Gym. Built Here, Built for Everyone.” The rollout coincides with the opening of 14 new locations in 2026, including two clubs focused exclusively on women’s programming. The...
Luxury Briefing: Inside LMVH’s ‘Quiet Opulence’ Jewelry Brand, as Jewelry Outpaces Luxury
Fine jewelry has become the standout performer in luxury, outpacing fashion and leather goods. LVMH’s watches and jewelry division posted an 8% earnings increase in 2025, driven by Bulgari and Tiffany & Co.’s repositioning. Richemont similarly benefits from its jewelry...
Canadian Ecommerce Orders Rose 20% in 2025, with Top Brands Driving Half the Growth: Omnisend
Canadian ecommerce order volume jumped 20% year‑over‑year in 2025, but the surge was unevenly distributed. The top 10% of brands captured half of all order growth, highlighting a widening performance gap. Shoppers engaged with marketing less often, yet those interactions...
How To Measure Email & SMS Incrementality With Klaviyo
In this episode Ben Zettler explains how ecommerce marketers can measure the true incremental impact of email and SMS using Klaviyo, distinguishing incrementality from standard attribution. He walks listeners through setting up controlled holdout groups and program‑level suppression tests, detailing...