News•Feb 18, 2026
Top 5 Creator Affiliate Marketing Agencies in 2026
The Influencer Marketing Hub has identified the five leading creator affiliate marketing agencies for 2026, highlighting Hamster Garage, Acceleration Partners, PartnerCentric, Peekabo and Sociablestack. The report underscores a 171% rise in creator acquisition budgets and notes that affiliate marketing now accounts for roughly 16% of U.S. eCommerce sales, with global spend projected over $17 billion. Each agency is evaluated on creator sourcing, affiliate platform integration, compensation flexibility, and reporting transparency. The analysis positions creator‑driven affiliate programs as a core, performance‑based acquisition channel for DTC and enterprise brands.
By Influencer Marketing Hub
News•Feb 18, 2026
Every Trend Looks the Same in a Dashboard (Until You Zoom Out)
The article argues that standard post‑level dashboards flatten very different content behaviors—short‑term spikes, campaign arcs, and compounding formats—into identical metrics, leading marketers to chase fleeting reach. By grouping content by theme, intent, or format and evaluating it over weeks or...
By Later Blog
News•Feb 18, 2026
Potbelly Partners with Flybuy to Elevate Off-Prem Operations
Potbelly is integrating Flybuy’s AI‑powered location platform into its digital ordering system to streamline off‑premise service across more than 450 sandwich shops. The technology provides real‑time order‑time estimates, status updates, and location‑based in‑app messaging, reducing customer wait times by over...
By Food On Demand
News•Feb 18, 2026
Reddit Shares Insight Into Rising World Cup Discussion
Reddit reports that World Cup chatter has already generated over 77 million U.S. views of the term “FIFA World Cup,” with conversation tripling compared to last year. The platform ranks as the fifth‑most‑googled term in the United States and the top‑cited...
By Social Media Today
News•Feb 18, 2026
Williams-Sonoma to Test Ads in ChatGPT
Williams‑Sonoma has joined OpenAI’s ad pilot, becoming one of the first retailers to test sponsored placements inside ChatGPT. The experiment will surface high‑end home‑goods ads to free and Go users as they ask product‑related questions, while paid subscribers remain ad‑free....
By Retail Dive
News•Feb 18, 2026
AppsFlyer Talks Buyer Signals, Player Targeting and Staying Legally Compliant
At Pocket Gamer Connects London 2026, AppsFlyer executives Edik Mitelman and Adam Smart unveiled a data‑collaboration platform that taps consumers' real‑world credit‑card spend to identify high‑value gaming audiences. By partnering with Mastercard and other financial institutions, the firm can segment...
By PocketGamer.biz
News•Feb 18, 2026
Are We Entering an Era in Which Engagement Is As Important as the Promotion Itself?
Promotions are evolving from simple price cuts to interactive experiences that require customer participation. Leading online casinos and e‑commerce giants like Shein and AliExpress now embed daily spin games, resource‑management mini‑games, and scarcity‑driven challenges into their offers. These engagement mechanics...
By Retail Focus (UK)
News•Feb 18, 2026
Zip Launches a Branding Campaign Aimed at Winning Consumers’ Trust
Buy‑now‑pay‑later firm Zip Co. launched a new branding campaign centered on trust, positioning its users as responsible borrowers. The "In You We Trust" message is built on real customer stories and features social‑media strategist Destiny Modeste. The ads run on...
By Digital Transactions
News•Feb 18, 2026
Three CMOs Weigh in on the Power of a Marketing Campaign Tagline
The article gathers insights from three chief marketing officers—True Religion, Rambler and Shutterfly—on why campaign taglines still matter. True Religion’s 2025 holiday tagline “Wrapped in True” doubles as a gifting cue and a brand‑value statement. Rambler’s playful “Chug Life” taps...
By Chief Marketer
News•Feb 18, 2026
5 Ways QR Codes Help Grow Restaurant Catering
QR codes are emerging as low‑cost, trackable tools for restaurant catering growth. Kelly Grogan outlines five intentional placements— in‑store contests, bag stuffer flyers, local leave‑behinds, catering order collateral, and thank‑you cards— each designed to capture leads and drive repeat business....
By Fast Casual
News•Feb 18, 2026
Frosted Flakes Remixes ‘90s Jingle to Reintroduce Tony the Tiger
Kellogg's Frosted Flakes teamed with rap artist JID to remix its classic “Hey Tony” jingle, releasing the track on Spotify and Apple Music. The song launches at the Frosted Flakes Day Ones Bowl Game on Feb. 22, accompanied by limited‑edition apparel and a collectible box sold...
By Marketing Dive
News•Feb 18, 2026
AI Figures Heavily Into CMOs’ Strategic Considerations
Chief marketing officers are increasingly prioritizing emerging media such as entertainment IP and FAST platforms, with Black audiences driving a disproportionate share of streaming time. CMOs expect most of their revenue in five years to stem from products that do...
By MarketingCharts
News•Feb 18, 2026
New Ecommerce Tools: February 18, 2026
This week’s ecommerce rollout spans AI‑driven marketing, new payment options, and expanded livestream shopping. Mailchimp unveiled predictive analytics, ChatGPT‑powered content tools, and an omnichannel dashboard, while Klarna entered Google Pay in the UK and Amazon launched Pay by Bank for...
By Practical Ecommerce
News•Feb 18, 2026
Google AdSense Anchor & Vignette Ads Bug Won't Close Ads
Google AdSense publishers are experiencing a regression where anchor and vignette ads lack functional close buttons, preventing users from dismissing them. The problem surfaced on February 13, 2026 and has spread across multiple sites, with some reports of misaligned display...
By Search Engine Roundtable
News•Feb 18, 2026
Apple Embraces Video Podcasting with New Tools and Video Ads
Apple announced native video podcast support on Apple Podcasts, adding HTTP Live Streaming, full‑screen playback, and offline downloads. The upgrade lets listeners switch between audio and video formats without separate uploads, matching features offered by rivals like Spotify. Apple also...
By VideoWeek (UK/Europe)
News•Feb 18, 2026
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Tunes up New Online Platform
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame unveiled rockhall.com, a new digital hub built with agency Grow, to bring its museum’s archives, performances, and stories online. The site features more than 400 curated inductee pages, a nonstop RRTV stream of...
By DecisionMarketing
![How To Set Up AI Prompt Tracking You Can Trust [Webinar] via @Sejournal, @Lorenbaker](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://cdn.searchenginejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-841.png)
News•Feb 18, 2026
How To Set Up AI Prompt Tracking You Can Trust [Webinar] via @Sejournal, @Lorenbaker
The Search Engine Journal webinar, hosted by Loren Baker, will teach marketers how to reliably track AI prompts across answer engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. Nick Gallagher, Sr. SEO Strategy Director at Conductor, will present a step‑by‑step...
By Search Engine Journal
News•Feb 18, 2026
‘Menacing’ Call of Duty TV Ad Gunned Down by Watchdog
The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned the TV spot for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, deeming its aggressive tone and imagery as trivialising sexual violence. The ad, featuring comedian Nikki Glaser and actor Peter Stormare as “Replacer” security officers, showed...
By DecisionMarketing
News•Feb 18, 2026
New Clutch and Conductor Data Reveals 87% of Content Marketers Increasing Budgets in 2026 as SEO Expands Into AI Search
Clutch and Conductor’s 2026 State of Content Report shows content marketers are boosting investment as SEO expands into AI search. Eighty‑seven percent plan to increase budgets next year, and one‑quarter now write primarily for large language models. The survey of...
By MarTech Series
News•Feb 18, 2026
Spokenote Launches the First Video Platform Built to Scale Authentic Interaction
Spokenote unveiled the first video platform that combines automation speed with authentic, human‑focused interaction. The solution lets marketers generate personalized short‑form videos at infinite scale without manual editing or AI‑generated impersonations. Using modular components, each video adapts to viewer data,...
By MarTech Series
News•Feb 18, 2026
What to Do When Reddit Turns on Your Brand
Reddit’s community‑driven format can quickly amplify brand criticism, forcing fashion houses to confront negative narratives in real time. The article outlines a step‑by‑step playbook: set up listening tools, engage authentically, avoid corporate jargon, and leverage AMAs or moderated threads to...
By The Business of Fashion (BoF)
News•Feb 18, 2026
Macy’s Is Drawing on Events Like the Thanksgiving Day Parade to Grow Its Creator Program
Macy’s is scaling its Style Crew influencer program in 2026, aiming to grow from roughly 600 members to 1,000 by adding more in‑person events tied to marquee assets like the Thanksgiving Day Parade. The creator storefronts have generated a 478%...
By Modern Retail
News•Feb 18, 2026
Media33 Appoints Ex-Spark Foundry Managing Director Pete Butler to Managing Partner Role
Media33 announced the appointment of Pete Butler, former Managing Director of Spark Foundry, as its new Managing Partner effective 1 March 2026. Butler will collaborate with the executive team to drive the agency’s next growth phase, enhance client partnerships, and boost strategic and...
By Campaign Brief
News•Feb 18, 2026
American Eagle Taps Bollywood Talent for India-Led ‘Great Jeans for Everyone’ Campaign
American Eagle has rolled out its ‘Great Jeans for Everyone’ campaign in India, featuring Bollywood newcomers Ananya Panday and Lakshya as global ambassadors. The initiative, crafted by Vayner Media, spotlights the brand’s heritage of comfortable, lived‑in denim tailored to Indian...
By Campaign Brief Asia
News•Feb 18, 2026
Perion Network Ltd (PERI) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Perion Network reported Q4 2025 revenue of $137.1 million, a 6% year‑over‑year increase, while contribution ex‑TAC rose 19% to $65.2 million. Adjusted EBITDA surged 53% to $24.3 million, and operating cash flow jumped over 400% to $21.8 million. The company...
By Motley Fool – Earnings Transcripts
News•Feb 17, 2026
YouTube Reveals the Top Ad Campaigns for Super Bowl 60
YouTube’s AdBlitz showcase for Super Bowl 60 identified the most‑viewed and engaging ad campaigns across the event’s week-long window. e.l.f. Cosmetics topped the list with nearly 40 million views, while Budweiser, Michelob, Jeep, Google and Salesforce also earned top spots. The platform...
By Social Media Today
News•Feb 17, 2026
Reddit Reveals the Latest Trends Driving Brand Engagement
Reddit’s advertising team released a seven‑page guide outlining four emerging trends that are boosting brand engagement on the platform. The trends—nostalgia‑driven storytelling, user‑generated content social proof, niche‑inspired campaigns, and multi‑phase “unfolding” activations—are backed by community data and case studies. Brands...
By Social Media Today
News•Feb 17, 2026
Expand 2026: Decoding Growth, Innovation and the APAC Opportunity
The Marketing‑Interactive team is launching Expand 2026, a one‑day, invitation‑only forum in Sydney on July 29 aimed at senior Australian brand leaders. The event will explore how growth is increasingly driven by Asia‑Pacific trends such as social commerce, super‑apps, and creator‑led retail....
By Marketing-Interactive
News•Feb 17, 2026
Google Launches More Visible Links in AI Overviews and AI Mode
Google has launched a new UI element that places visible link cards in AI Overviews and AI Mode. When users hover over these links on desktop, a pop‑up displays richer icons and descriptions, and the same style appears on mobile....
By Search Engine Land
News•Feb 17, 2026
How To Sell On Social Media: What You Need To Know Before Posting Products
The article outlines a step‑by‑step framework for selling products on social media, emphasizing platform selection, compliance, and visual storytelling. It details how Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube each suit different buyer intents and highlights common pitfalls such as category...
By Retail Insider Canada
News•Feb 17, 2026
Seedtag and IRIS.TV Bring Program-Level AI Targeting to Connected TV
Seedtag and IRIS.TV have partnered to bring privacy‑first, neuro‑contextual AI targeting to Connected TV by integrating IRIS.TV’s program‑level content signals into Seedtag’s Liz engine. The collaboration enhances contextual precision at the program and scene level, allowing media buyers to set...
By Street Fight
News•Feb 17, 2026
Partner Marketing Automation Platform Investment On The Rise
The episode highlights a sharp rise in investment in Partner Marketing Automation Platforms (PMAPs), with 75% of decision‑makers planning to increase tech spend and nearly 60% of non‑users set to adopt a platform within a year. It explains how PMAPs...
By Forrester Blogs
News•Feb 17, 2026
Google Shifts Lookalike to AI Signals in Demand Gen
Google is converting Lookalike audiences in Demand Gen campaigns from strict targeting buckets into AI‑driven optimization signals starting March 2026. The new model lets the system expand beyond the predefined Lookalike pool, using similarity tiers as guidance rather than hard...
By Search Engine Land
News•Feb 17, 2026
Google’s Jeff Dean: AI Search Relies on Classic Ranking and Retrieval
Google’s AI Search still relies on the classic retrieval‑ranking pipeline, with large language models applied only after a multi‑stage filtering process. Jeff Dean describes a "filter‑first, reason‑last" architecture that narrows billions of indexed pages to a few thousand candidates before...
By Search Engine Land
News•Feb 17, 2026
Wakefern Overhauls Legacy Loyalty System
Wakefern Food Corp., the nation’s largest retailer‑owned grocery cooperative, is replacing its legacy point‑of‑sale‑driven loyalty system with Eagle Eye’s AI‑powered platform. The new solution, slated for a mid‑2026 rollout, will process loyalty data faster and allow each of Wakefern’s 400...
By Grocery Dive
News•Feb 17, 2026
Monetisation, Player Retention and Communities on Discord: Top Tips Incoming at PGC San Francisco
Discord will showcase its Social SDK at Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco on March 9, 2026, where senior developer Anthony Tešija will present strategies for acquiring, retaining, and monetising mobile gamers via Discord. He will outline how the platform’s community...
By PocketGamer.biz
News•Feb 17, 2026
12 Content Marketing Conferences to Attend in 2026
The 2026 content marketing conference calendar features twelve flagship events across North America and Asia, ranging from intimate workshops like Content Jam to large‑scale gatherings such as Content Marketing World. Organizers are emphasizing AI‑focused tracks, small‑group interaction, and hybrid formats...
By Ahrefs Blog
News•Feb 17, 2026
25 SEO Conferences to Attend in 2026
The 2026 SEO conference roundup lists 25 events across North America, Europe, Asia‑Pacific and the Middle East, detailing dates, venues, ticket tiers and headline speakers. Highlights include SMX Munich’s AI‑focused sessions, the massive BrightonSEO gatherings, and region‑specific meetups such as...
By Ahrefs Blog
News•Feb 17, 2026
Google Lost Two Antitrust Cases, But Stock Rose 65% – Here’s Why via @Sejournal, @MattGSouthern
Alphabet overtook Apple as the world’s second‑largest company despite losing two federal antitrust cases—one on general search and another on ad‑tech. Judge Amit Mehta rejected structural break‑ups, imposing one‑year caps on default‑search deals and limited data‑sharing obligations, while Judge Leonie...
By Search Engine Journal
News•Feb 17, 2026
Introducing Later 360: One View for All Your Influencer Marketing Data
Later 360 launches as an enterprise‑grade reporting suite that consolidates organic influencer metrics, paid amplification data, and commerce outcomes into a single, real‑time dashboard. Built on a dataset exceeding $2 billion in verified influencer‑driven purchases and 130 billion annual impressions, the platform uses...
By Later Blog
News•Feb 17, 2026
Andrex Account Shifts From FCB London Into McCann
Kimberly‑Clark has transferred the Andrex account from FCB London, which secured the business in 2019, to global agency McCann. The move marks a strategic shift as the consumer‑goods giant looks for fresh creative leadership. McCann will now manage Andrex’s advertising,...
By Campaign UK
News•Feb 17, 2026
“Omnichannel Planning Has Become a Living System.”: Yaron Tomchin, CEO, Mobupps
Mobupps CEO Yaron Tomchin says omnichannel planning has evolved into a living, AI‑driven system. He highlights fragmentation across mobile, web, CTV and emerging formats, and the need to shift from channel‑centric to outcome‑centric management. New ad‑tech advances enable near‑real‑time feedback...
By ExchangeWire
News•Feb 17, 2026
Google Ads Recommendations Doc About The Results Tab
Google has added a Results tab to the Google Ads Recommendations help page, letting advertisers see the actual performance impact after applying bid or budget suggestions. The system evaluates campaign data a week after a recommendation is implemented and contrasts...
By Search Engine Roundtable
News•Feb 17, 2026
A Practical Guide to Indie Comms: How Studios Can Build Visibility without Burning Out
Rebecca Attard‑Phillips, co‑founder of Boost, offers indie studios a practical communications roadmap that replaces noisy, omnichannel marketing with a realistic focus on clarity, consistency, and connection. The guide introduces three messaging pillars—emotional fantasy, signature mechanic, and world tone—and shows how...
By GamesIndustry.biz
News•Feb 17, 2026
WooCommerce May Gain Sidekick-Type AI Through Extensions via @Sejournal, @Martinibuster
WooCommerce is evolving into an AI‑agnostic coordination layer through the open Model Context Protocol (MCP), allowing AI agents such as OpenAI’s ACP and Shopify‑Google’s UCP to plug directly into its ecosystem. Automattic’s James LePage says the platform will support native...
By Search Engine Journal
News•Feb 17, 2026
CASE STUDY: L’ERA Tops £140k in TikTok Live Sales as Livestream Shopping Gains Momentum
London jewellery brand L’ERA recorded over £140,000 in TikTok Live sales in 2025, nearly doubling its livestream revenue since launching in August 2023. The founders host four to six weekly livestreams, securing individual orders above £1,400 and using the channel...
By InternetRetailing
News•Feb 17, 2026
Did Somebody Say VCCP? Agency Takes Away Just Eat
Just Eat Takeaway.com has appointed VCCP to run its global creative account after a four‑way internal pitch, ending McCann’s tenure since 2018. VCCP won by showcasing an integrated model that blends creative, media, production and AI to translate audience insight...
By DecisionMarketing
News•Feb 17, 2026
Silverpush and Epitaph Release Attention Study with Lumen Research to Prove Performance of YouTube and Context
Silverpush and agency Epitaph released the first attention study for YouTube ads, partnering with Lumen Research. Analyzing over 60 million impressions across more than 30 campaigns, the study found contextual video ads delivered via Silverpush generated 37% higher attention per mille,...
By Streaming Media
News•Feb 17, 2026
Unilever Turns to AI for ‘New Era of Shopping for Brands’
Unilever has signed a five‑year partnership with Google Cloud to embed advanced AI, data and platform capabilities across its global operations. Leveraging Google’s Vertex AI and Gemini models, the consumer‑goods giant will build an AI‑first digital backbone that powers faster...
By DecisionMarketing
News•Feb 17, 2026
Snap Inc. Reveals Insights Into Its Users’ Behaviour for Ramadan 2026
Snap Inc. released its Ramadan 2026 consumer insights, highlighting that the holy month will fall in winter for the first time in the Middle East, altering fasting hours and spending patterns. The report shows 40% of GCC Snapchat users plan Ramadan...
By Campaign Middle East