Know What's Happening in Marketing

Today's Marketing Pulse

McKinsey predicts agentic AI will power two‑thirds of marketing activities

McKinsey’s new report forecasts that agentic AI could drive up to two‑thirds of marketing activities, shifting AI from a productivity add‑on to a core campaign engine. Early adopters are already using generative tools, while the next wave will involve autonomous agents that coordinate decisions across workflows. The firm outlines a five‑step roadmap for implementation.

How to Find a BIG Idea (3 Frameworks)
BlogApr 12, 2026

How to Find a BIG Idea (3 Frameworks)

The post uses Claude Hopkins’ 1910s Pepsodent campaign to illustrate how a simple sensory tweak can create a "big idea" that reshapes consumer behavior. By adding a minty, tingling sensation, Pepsodent turned infrequent toothbrushing into a daily ritual for millions...

By Write With AI
Retention, Not Acquisition, Drives Explosive Revenue Growth
SocialApr 12, 2026

Retention, Not Acquisition, Drives Explosive Revenue Growth

Right now, this pattern is repeating itself in real time (D2C Wellness Brand) $1.2M/month… growth flat for the last 120 days “We’ve scaled… but now it just feels stuck” The issue wasn’t acquisition—it was weak retention economics We built LTV systems + repeat purchase...

By Premlata (Meta + Google Ads)
Louis Vuitton Unveils "In My Bag" Campaign, Shifting Luxury Storytelling
NewsApr 12, 2026

Louis Vuitton Unveils "In My Bag" Campaign, Shifting Luxury Storytelling

Louis Vuitton launched its global "In My Bag" campaign, a candid, playful take on luxury storytelling that opens the brand’s iconic bags to everyday life. The move signals a strategic pivot toward authenticity and younger audiences while preserving the house’s...

By Pulse
T‑Mobile Gives Away iPhone 17 on New Experience More Plan
NewsApr 12, 2026

T‑Mobile Gives Away iPhone 17 on New Experience More Plan

T‑Mobile announced that customers who sign up for a 24‑month Experience More plan will receive a free Apple iPhone 17, with the device’s full retail price offset by monthly bill credits. The promotion, which also offers unthrottled 5G, 4K streaming...

By Pulse
BTS’s Hot Ones Debut Fuels Surge in Live‑digital Influencer Marketing
NewsApr 12, 2026

BTS’s Hot Ones Debut Fuels Surge in Live‑digital Influencer Marketing

BTS’s appearance on YouTube’s Hot Ones broke viewership and engagement benchmarks, drawing millions of fans and prompting brands to double down on live‑digital channels. The episode underscores a broader shift as celebrities turn to real‑time streaming to connect directly with...

By Pulse
Unilever Expands Creator Network to 300,000 Influencers for AI‑Powered Search Discovery
NewsApr 12, 2026

Unilever Expands Creator Network to 300,000 Influencers for AI‑Powered Search Discovery

Unilever announced it will scale its creator network to 300,000 influencers, tying their content to emerging LLM‑driven search experiences. The move aims to make brand‑related queries surface creator‑generated media, giving marketers a new channel for discovery. The initiative signals a...

By Pulse
The Inbetweeners to Return via Netflix in Multi‑Million‑Pound Deal
NewsApr 12, 2026

The Inbetweeners to Return via Netflix in Multi‑Million‑Pound Deal

The creators of the cult British sitcom The Inbetweeners have signed a multi‑million‑pound agreement with Netflix to bring the series back to screens after a 16‑year hiatus. The deal, announced on April 10, marks the first new content for the...

By Pulse
Marketing as a Compounding Asset
BlogApr 12, 2026

Marketing as a Compounding Asset

Marketing is being reframed as a compounding asset rather than a pure cost center, especially in the beer sector where brands seek cultural relevance and mindshare beyond the point of purchase. Companies are leveraging unconventional partnerships—such as soccer jerseys, heritage...

By Beer Crunchers
What Marketing Leaders Should Not Miss At CX Forum East
NewsApr 12, 2026

What Marketing Leaders Should Not Miss At CX Forum East

The CX Forum East, hosted by Forrester, spotlights how AI is redefining every stage of the B2C consumer journey—from zero‑click discovery to AI‑mediated commerce—while trust erodes faster than ever. The event’s keynote and new Total Experience Score, now augmented with an...

By Forrester Blogs
‘Ask Maps’ Elevates Local Merchants
NewsApr 12, 2026

‘Ask Maps’ Elevates Local Merchants

Google Maps introduced an AI‑driven "Ask Maps" feature that answers consumer queries with localized shopping and activity suggestions. The tool pulls data from Google Business Profiles and website content, surfacing nearby merchants for low‑intent searches. By providing detailed business information,...

By Practical Ecommerce
Gambling.com: SEO Recovery Appears Underway
NewsApr 12, 2026

Gambling.com: SEO Recovery Appears Underway

Gambling.com Group (GAMB) is trading at distressed levels even though it posted record free cash flow and revenue in FY‑25. Insiders recently purchased roughly 1.5% of the float, hinting at confidence in the turnaround. The company’s marketing arm is wrestling...

By Seeking Alpha — Site feed
AI Can't Fix Bad Targeting; Prioritize Relevance First
SocialApr 12, 2026

AI Can't Fix Bad Targeting; Prioritize Relevance First

The hardest part of AI is not about writing the perfect prompt. The hardest part is knowing who you’re actually talking to. AI won’t fix bad targeting. It just helps you scale it faster. Automated “AI-generated outreach” fails for the same reason this text...

By Louis Bouchard
It's My Birthday And You Get The Gift
BlogApr 12, 2026

It's My Birthday And You Get The Gift

Carrie, a Substack strategist, celebrates her birthday by launching a limited‑time sale on her annual membership. Over the past 15 months she grew her audience to 8,100 readers and now offers tiered discounts—70% off for the first three hours, 60%...

By 9-to-Thrive
Is a Formula One Partnership Worth It?
NewsApr 12, 2026

Is a Formula One Partnership Worth It?

A Formula One partnership demands a sizable investment, but it grants access to an estimated 800 million fans across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Australia and Asia. The article argues that true value comes from aligning the team’s high‑performance image with...

By Fast Company
Kia Unveils $3.7 B Growth Plan and EV2 Campaign to Accelerate Electrified Brand Push
NewsApr 12, 2026

Kia Unveils $3.7 B Growth Plan and EV2 Campaign to Accelerate Electrified Brand Push

Kia announced a KRW 49 trillion ($3.7 billion) five‑year investment and a 4.13 million‑unit global sales goal for 2030 at its 2026 Investor Day, while simultaneously launching the “Power of Firsts” EV2 marketing campaign across Europe. The moves signal a coordinated push to expand...

By Pulse
The Marketing “Mega-Prompt”: How to Replace a Team with One Command
BlogApr 12, 2026

The Marketing “Mega-Prompt”: How to Replace a Team with One Command

The post introduces a “Mega‑Prompt” for Google Gemini 3.1 Pro that lets a single command generate a complete marketing strategy. By filling in product, audience, goal, and tone, the prompt delivers six core workstreams—customer insight, conversion copy, content calendar, email...

By Sifu Yik's Substack
Earn 30% Recurring by Embedding Affiliate Link in Widget
SocialApr 12, 2026

Earn 30% Recurring by Embedding Affiliate Link in Widget

Feedbask has an affiliate program, 30% recurring. And I'm thinking of something interesting: we could plug your affiliate link directly into the “powered by Feedbask” inside the widget. Meaning every visitor who discovers Feedbask thanks to your site = potential referral. Who's interested to...

By Pauline Clavelloux
Google Search Console Impressions Error Causes Image Decline
SocialApr 12, 2026

Google Search Console Impressions Error Causes Image Decline

Update: the fake Google Search Console impressions have started to come crashing down. I'm mostly seeing a clear decline within Image Search for the moment (the original surface I was alerted by), with other surfaces still to follow. Here is a timeline...

By Brodie Clark
Saurabh Sankpal Steps Down as CCO at Wit and Chai, Open to Consulting Opportunities
NewsApr 12, 2026

Saurabh Sankpal Steps Down as CCO at Wit and Chai, Open to Consulting Opportunities

Saurabh Sankpal has resigned as chief creative officer of Wit & Chai, ending a tenure marked by award‑winning brand work and cultural storytelling. In a LinkedIn post he thanked his team and clients for pushing creative boundaries. Sankpal announced he...

By afaqs! (India)
Free Trial vs Product Demo: Which Yields Better Sales?
BlogApr 12, 2026

Free Trial vs Product Demo: Which Yields Better Sales?

The article compares free trials and product demos as lead‑generation tactics, outlining each method’s advantages and drawbacks. Free trials let prospects use subscription‑based software risk‑free, while demos provide hands‑on exposure for hardware or complex solutions. Both approaches can drive sales,...

By Supply Chain Game Changer
LoopMe Unveils Chartboost Direct, Opening Brand Budgets to Mobile Apps
NewsApr 12, 2026

LoopMe Unveils Chartboost Direct, Opening Brand Budgets to Mobile Apps

LoopMe introduced Chartboost Direct, a new marketplace that lets mobile app publishers tap brand advertising budgets without overhauling their tech stack. The platform offers direct pay, private‑deal and marketplace options, aiming to shift spend from web to in‑app environments as...

By Pulse
Canva Acquires Simtheory and Ortto to Bolster AI‑Driven Marketing Suite
NewsApr 12, 2026

Canva Acquires Simtheory and Ortto to Bolster AI‑Driven Marketing Suite

Canva announced the acquisition of Simtheory and Ortto, two AI‑focused firms, to turn its design platform into a full‑stack marketing system. The moves add agentic AI, data infrastructure and automation tools, positioning Canva against established martech players.

By Pulse
Khoros Unveils Aurora AI, Promising $500M Savings and Full Community Automation
NewsApr 12, 2026

Khoros Unveils Aurora AI, Promising $500M Savings and Full Community Automation

Khoros, the IgniteTech‑owned community‑software vendor, launched Aurora AI, an AI‑native platform that aims to eliminate the 30% of unanswered community questions and save brands more than $500 million a year in support costs. The new suite, featuring AI agents for answering,...

By Pulse
AI Drafts Perfect Emails, Freeing Unprecedented Time
SocialApr 12, 2026

AI Drafts Perfect Emails, Freeing Unprecedented Time

I just wrote an email with AI. It said what I wanted to say better than I could’ve said it myself. One click. Subject line written. Automatically loaded up in my email ready to send. We are not ready for how much time...

By Sam (FasterFreedom)
OpenAI Acquires TBPN, Merging AI with Trusted Media Reach
NewsApr 12, 2026

OpenAI Acquires TBPN, Merging AI with Trusted Media Reach

OpenAI announced the acquisition of TBPN, a media‑tech company with a highly engaged audience of founders, investors and operators. The deal bundles AI expertise, content creators and a distribution channel, prompting marketers to reassess how they reach niche audiences. Financial...

By Pulse
Google's March 2026 Spam Update Rolls Out in Record Time, Shaking Global Rankings
NewsApr 12, 2026

Google's March 2026 Spam Update Rolls Out in Record Time, Shaking Global Rankings

Google finished the March 2026 spam update rollout on March 25, completing the global deployment in less than 24 hours. The rapid rollout triggered immediate ranking shifts across all languages and markets, prompting marketers to pivot toward human‑crafted content, with...

By Pulse
Write Daily, Publish Publicly, Turn Content Into Sellable Capital
SocialApr 12, 2026

Write Daily, Publish Publicly, Turn Content Into Sellable Capital

My free guide to building a massive online audience: Write: • 300 words per day • Create with your reader Publish: • Practice in public • Double down on what works Expand: • Turn high-performing topics into longer-form pieces • Turn longer-form pieces into Intellectual Capital you can sell

By Nicolas Cole
Skimmable Pages with 3‑5 Benefits Beat Long Copy
SocialApr 12, 2026

Skimmable Pages with 3‑5 Benefits Beat Long Copy

I've reviewed 100+ product pages. Here's the pattern: Pages with 15 bullet points and long paragraphs failed. Pages with a clear headline, 3-5 core benefits, and strong social proof crushed it. Your customers don't read. They skim. Make it skimmable.

By Kamil Sattar
YouLinc Launches LinkedIn Referral Partner Platform for B2B Growth
NewsApr 12, 2026

YouLinc Launches LinkedIn Referral Partner Platform for B2B Growth

YouLinc Digital LLC rolled out a LinkedIn‑centric referral partner generation platform that lets B2B professionals systematically identify and nurture complementary partners. Early data shows a 21% acceptance rate on connection requests and a 16% reply rate, signaling a shift from...

By Pulse
Button Color Drives Massive CTA Performance Boost
SocialApr 12, 2026

Button Color Drives Massive CTA Performance Boost

Legit - changed the color of a button. We did some analysis and testing on ads of color theory and how their audience responded. We found drastic changes based on color of CTA. So we applied that to the website.

By Kody Nordquist
Assess Your Website’s True Business Impact
SocialApr 12, 2026

Assess Your Website’s True Business Impact

What is your website really doing for you? @TBorreson11 https://t.co/kV19yYMgqF #personalbranding #networking #community #digitaltransformation #digitalmarketing #digitalselling #socialselling #belonging #culture #customerexperience #businessintelligence https://t.co/s9vyLnF8en

By Tim Hughes
How to Get Your First 1000 FB Followers (Without Running Ads)
BlogApr 11, 2026

How to Get Your First 1000 FB Followers (Without Running Ads)

The post outlines a step‑by‑step, ad‑free blueprint for reaching the first 1,000 Facebook followers. It emphasizes daily posting, strategic commenting on viral niche content, and active participation in relevant groups. Additional tactics include list‑style posts, reels, live video, and reciprocal...

By Sifu Yik's Substack
Prioritize Trust Over Reach: Depth Builds Business
SocialApr 12, 2026

Prioritize Trust Over Reach: Depth Builds Business

Everyone assumes the goal of content is reach. It’s not. The goal of content is trust. Reach without trust is noise. But trust without reach can still build businesses. I’d rather have 10K people who deeply trust me than 10M who barely know me. Build...

By dmartell
AI Personalization Will Make Your Business the Top Result
SocialApr 11, 2026

AI Personalization Will Make Your Business the Top Result

Personalization in AI Mode, ChatGPT and other LLMs will solve many headaches for SEOs whose clients are always searching for their money keyword and asking “why aren’t we first?” Now when you ask AI search which company, person, etc. is the...

By Lily Ray
System1 Launches AI‑Driven Instant Insights and Predictive Creative Tool in Test Your Ad Platform
NewsApr 11, 2026

System1 Launches AI‑Driven Instant Insights and Predictive Creative Tool in Test Your Ad Platform

System1 has upgraded its Test Your Ad platform with AI‑assisted Instant Insights and a beta predictive creative measurement tool, leveraging its 100,000‑ad database across 81 markets. The move seeks to give marketers faster, shareable insights without abandoning human‑response testing.

By Pulse
Identify and Fix Drop‑Offs in Your Signup Funnel
SocialApr 11, 2026

Identify and Fix Drop‑Offs in Your Signup Funnel

I built a skill for Claude Code that fixes signup flows when people start registering but never finish. It maps every step of your signup funnel with drop-off percentages so you can see exactly where you're losing people. If 68% start...

By Corey Haines
Prioritize Branding and Community to Drive $60M Growth
SocialApr 11, 2026

Prioritize Branding and Community to Drive $60M Growth

@goodpop grew to over $60 million by prioritizing presentation, branding and community building. If increasing sales and rebranding your strategy is on your 2026 bucket list, we’d make the perfect Mocktale 🍸 #cpg #cpgfounder #websitecopywriter

By Dalji | Mocktale Creative
Keyword Density in SEO: Keyword Optimization Best Practices
BlogApr 11, 2026

Keyword Density in SEO: Keyword Optimization Best Practices

Keyword density, once a core SEO metric, has shifted from a strict ranking formula to a diagnostic guideline as Google’s algorithms prioritize natural language and user intent. Modern search engines understand synonyms and contextual relevance, making excessive repetition counterproductive. Tools...

By eCommerce Fastlane
Greggs Hires On The Beach CMO Zoe Harris as Customer & Marketing Director to Revamp Brand
NewsApr 11, 2026

Greggs Hires On The Beach CMO Zoe Harris as Customer & Marketing Director to Revamp Brand

Greggs announced that Zoe Harris, former CMO of On The Beach, will join as Customer and Marketing Director in May. The hire follows a 9.4% drop in pre‑tax profit to £171.9 m ($218 m) despite a 6.8% sales rise, as the bakery‑chain...

By Pulse
Google Rebrands Looker Studio Back to Data Studio, Adds Pro Tier
SocialApr 11, 2026

Google Rebrands Looker Studio Back to Data Studio, Adds Pro Tier

🤔 Google has rebranded Looker Studio to ... Data Studio (again)! "Users need a single place to curate and analyze their data from the many different sources that impact their business each day... We are sharing the next...

By Aleyda Solis
Content RevOps Unveils System‑Based GTM Model to Turn B2B Content Into Revenue Engine
NewsApr 11, 2026

Content RevOps Unveils System‑Based GTM Model to Turn B2B Content Into Revenue Engine

Content RevOps launched a new go‑to‑market framework that treats content as core revenue infrastructure for B2B firms. The model blends content marketing, automation and revenue operations to create a self‑sustaining pipeline engine, addressing the inefficiencies of traditional campaign‑driven tactics.

By Pulse
Catch the Next E‑commerce Wave Before It Closes
SocialApr 11, 2026

Catch the Next E‑commerce Wave Before It Closes

People I know who made tens of millions in ecom: > Got into dropshipping early > Got into Instagram shout-outs before influencer rates exploded > Got into Facebook ads before iOS 14 > Got into white-label before dropshipping got banned everywhere > Got into AI...

By Davie Fogarty
Growth Comes From Power Users, Not Marketing Tricks
SocialApr 11, 2026

Growth Comes From Power Users, Not Marketing Tricks

I spent four years stuck in the exact same spot…thinking it was a growth problem. But the reality was, no matter how many: - Cold email campaigns - Ads - Clever PR to get people to write about your product - Growth...

By Adam Robinson
Data Proves Social Selling Beats Traditional SEO
SocialApr 11, 2026

Data Proves Social Selling Beats Traditional SEO

Why the data shows that social selling is the new SEO / GEO by @Timothy_Hughes https://t.co/uVT5YMhhva @DLAIgnite #SocialSelling #DigitalSelling #Sales #SalesTips #SalesLeader #Salesforce #SalesEnablement #Marketing #Leadership #SEO #GEO #ArtificialIntelligence #TechNews https://t.co/y0fWJz699p

By Tim Hughes
Social Media Managers Rebranded as Growth Engineers
SocialApr 11, 2026

Social Media Managers Rebranded as Growth Engineers

They’re calling social media managers “growth engineers” now, she’s 100% spot on with this analysis

By Taylor Lorenz
Your First Line Must Hook in 1/8 Second
SocialApr 11, 2026

Your First Line Must Hook in 1/8 Second

You have 1/8th of a second to stop someone from scrolling past your content. That's it. Your first line is everything. If it doesn't create curiosity, tension, or surprise, nobody reads line two. Write your hook like your business depends on it. Because it does.

By Chris Orlob
Expanding Networks May Not Sacrifice Existing Engagement
SocialApr 11, 2026

Expanding Networks May Not Sacrifice Existing Engagement

If I start connecting with a completely new ecosystem of people, will I lose the engagement of my current network? https://t.co/OJa5Sg1oQj via @DLAIgnite #SocialSelling #DigitalSelling #Sales #SalesTips #SalesLeader #Marketing #MarketingSuccess #MarketingStrategy #ArtificialIntelligence

By Tim Hughes
Show Your Results, Create FOMO, Close More Deals
SocialApr 11, 2026

Show Your Results, Create FOMO, Close More Deals

Everyone talks about how to get results. Few actually SHOW their results. Post your client wins. Share your case studies. Screenshot the testimonials. Authority content doesn't just book calls. It makes prospects feel FOMO for not working with you. Show. Don't just tell.

By Chris Orlob
Balancing Fast AI Automation with Human Accountability
SocialApr 11, 2026

Balancing Fast AI Automation with Human Accountability

It’s rare to find another founder as obsessed with AI workflows as I am, so diving into Lars Maat’s approach to team-wide adoption was a total blast. His take on balancing rapid automation with human accountability is exactly what agencies...

By Frederick Vallaeys