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 all marketing functions, shifting AI from a productivity add‑on to a core strategic engine. The analysis notes early adopters are using generative tools, while the next wave will involve autonomous agents that orchestrate decisions across workflows, guided by a five‑step implementation roadmap.
Experiential Retail as a Loyalty Driver at a Heritage Brand With Tecovas CEO David Lafitte
Tecovas President and CEO David Lafitte explains how the heritage Western‑wear brand scales through experiential retail, "radical hospitality," and a disciplined omnichannel strategy. By treating cowboy culture as a tailwind rather than a core strategy, Tecovas preserves its authentic voice while expanding into markets like New York. The company’s in‑store experiences, including customization and shoeshine services, drive loyalty, with 25% of transactions featuring personalization. Simultaneously, the brand shifts spend to upper‑funnel storytelling and uses AI for supply‑chain efficiency, not creative output.
90% of Companies Use AI Agents. 6% Have Them Working.
New Martech research shows that while 90.3% of companies say they use AI agents, only 6.3% have fully integrated them into their marketing stacks. The gap mirrors earlier generative AI adoption patterns, where many firms claim usage but rely on...
Add Post‑purchase Upsell, Boost Revenue 36% in 30 Days
1 Today, I was reviewing an account spending $2,200/month with a steady 1.9X ROAS. The founder said, “It’s working… but it doesn’t feel like growth.” There was that subtle doubt — “Is this all it can do?” The gap wasn’t ads — it was...
Victoria’s Secret Launches First Strapless Campaign Featuring WNBA Star Angel Reese
Victoria’s Secret announced its global 'Season of Strapless' campaign on April 7, 2026, starring two‑time WNBA All‑Star Angel Reese. The partnership introduces the Invisible by Victoria’s Secret Strapless Collection, a summer swim line and a new Bombshell Bronze fragrance, positioning...
Podscribe Announces SiriusXM Radio Airchecks, Podcaster Logins, and Automated Pixel Email Scheduling to Enhance Audio Attribution and Reporting
Podscribe unveiled three major upgrades—SiriusXM Radio Airchecks, automated pixel email scheduling, and podcaster‑specific logins—to tighten audio ad attribution and streamline reporting. The SiriusXM aircheck feature delivers verified, timestamped proof of ads on satellite radio, closing a long‑standing measurement gap. Automated...
Ausha Expands Its Growth Suite with Paid Visibility Ads on Spotify and YouTube – Open to All
Ausha announced the beta launch of Ausha Visibility Ads, a paid promotion tool that lets podcasters run campaigns directly on Spotify and YouTube. The solution builds on Ausha’s existing Podcast Search Optimization technology and incorporates Base for Creators’ ad‑tech platform....
Digible Teams with Engrain to Bring All‑In Pricing to Multifamily Ads
Digible, a leading multifamily marketing agency, and Engrain, a data‑visualization platform, announced an integration that feeds all‑in rent and fee data into paid media. The move gives renters clearer cost information and helps operators meet emerging transparency rules while preserving...
AI Is Changing Retail. Here’s How Businesses Can Keep Up.
Retailers must ensure their Google Merchant Center data is clean and complete to unlock AI-driven shopping experiences such as conversational commerce, virtual try‑ons, and shoppable CTV. In a recent Ads Decoded Podcast, Google’s retail product leaders highlighted that messy feeds...
Xbox’s New Era Needs Games Like Forza Horizon 6
Forza Horizon 6, the next open‑world racing entry, arrives with a sprawling Japan‑based map that blends neon‑lit cityscapes and rural backroads. A preview shows the game delivering the series' signature arcade fun while encouraging hours of side‑road exploration. Its launch coincides...
Bold, Athletic Type Brings Waterbird’s RTD Cocktails to Life
Tavern Agency has crafted a bold, typographic identity for Waterbird’s ready‑to‑drink (RTD) cocktail line, drawing on mid‑century Americana and vibrant color palettes. Oversized lettering places the product name front‑and‑center, while each flavor is distinguished by high‑impact hues. The design strikes...
Matter of Fact: The Two Audience Problem
Brands targeting Gen Alpha now face a dual‑gatekeeping challenge: they must appeal to kids while satisfying parental safety concerns. Only 25% of Gen Alpha trust social‑media ads, yet 95% of parents first encounter new brands through their children. Gen Alpha directly controls about...
Vuori Announces Multi-Year Brand Partnership with Tom Holland
Vuori, the California‑based active‑wear label, announced a multi‑year partnership with actor Tom Holland, appointing him as a creative, strategic and financial partner. The collaboration debuts with Vuori’s Spring 2026 “Play It As It Lies” campaign, which includes a short cinematic film...
Walter Kolm’s Blueprint for Latin’s Global Domination
Walter Kolm, CEO of WK Entertainment, is redefining Latin music management by blending data analytics with global touring and brand partnerships. He recently launched a joint‑management deal with Massivo Entertainment to expand Puerto‑Rican star Farruko’s international presence using a 360°...
US Rice Body Launches UK-Wide Campaign to Boost Demand
USA Rice, the trade group for American rice growers and merchants, has launched a UK‑wide promotional campaign to lift demand for US‑origin rice. The effort combines an ambassador panel, trade‑fair appearances, a roadshow and influencer partnerships throughout 2026. US rice...
Ferrari’s 20‑Month Waitlist Keeps Desire High
Ferrari manages desirability by capping availability with a waitlist of about 20-24 months. Ferrari believes that this is the sweet spot between it being too long that clients move on and long enough that they keep desirability high by making...
New Research on How Brand Associations Drive Customer Spending
New research with CVS Health links authentic brand associations to customer surplus value and future spending. By surveying over 9,000 pharmacy shoppers, the study shows that willingness to forgo the brand predicts roughly double future spend, while each positive association...
Slurrp Farm Taps Into the Everyday Struggle Behind School Tiffins
Slurrp Farm, the millet‑based children’s food brand, launched a Back to School campaign featuring a short film that dramatizes parents’ daily worry about unfinished tiffins. The ad follows seven‑year‑old Kabeer’s chaotic morning and shows his mother packing Slurrp Farm Millet...
Simplify Checkout, Double Revenue Faster than More Traffic
Almost every week, I see accounts spending $2,000/month with decent traffic… but flat revenue. There’s always that quiet thought — “Maybe we just need more volume.” But more traffic was only amplifying the leak. The real issue sat in a weak checkout flow. We...
Lemme's Quietly Makes $60M, Coach Is #2, FIFA Is Coming, and McDonald’s Brand Integrity Problem
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to draw millions to North American host cities, brands are eyeing activation beyond stadiums. Kourtney Kardashian Barker’s wellness line Lemme quietly generated $60 million through a TikTok‑driven affiliate program involving over 15,000 creators, illustrating...
Beehiiv Article Links Missing Dofollow Attribute, Why?
I wrote articles on @beehiiv with links but they aren't dofollow backlink. Which is weird as I have seen many websites with dofollow backlink from beehiiv posts. Any idea why? Did I do something wrong?
Why Product Feeds Shouldn’t Be The Most Ignored SEO System In Ecommerce
Many ecommerce brands focus on category pages and backlinks while neglecting product feeds, which have traditionally been managed by PPC teams. Recent changes—Google Search Console’s Shopping report enhancements and OpenAI’s product‑feed specification—bring feed data into the core SEO ecosystem. Optimizing...
What Wendy’s Dunkstakes and Frosty Key Tags Reveal About Food Campaigns That Turn Hype Into Habit
Wendy’s turned two low‑cost programs—its March Madness Dunkstakes and the year‑long Frosty Key Tag—into behavioral engines that drive repeat visits. The Dunkstakes taps an existing cultural frenzy, offering a simple prediction game that keeps users returning for updates and rewards....
Silverpush’s Paul Briggs on Navigating YouTube and Using Contextual to Regain Visibility and Control
Silverpush’s Paul Briggs emphasizes that video now accounts for over 80% of internet traffic, making it a full‑funnel performance driver. He argues that contextual intelligence can map real‑time content intent to deliver ads at the precise moment of user engagement,...
Little Debbie Enters Premium Cookie Segment
McKee Foods has launched Little Debbie Soft Baked Cookies, a new premium, portable snack line under its iconic brand. The 3‑ounce, individually wrapped cookies come in Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter varieties, offering a moist, bakery‑style texture. Positioned as a...
Little Caesars VP of Franchise Development Talks Brand Growth, Solid Operations
Little Caesars’ vice president of franchise and business development, Bryan Ketelhut, discussed the brand’s growth strategy on the Pizza Marketplace Podcast. He highlighted the company’s long‑standing focus on value, quality and convenience, anchored by the Hot‑N‑Ready model launched more than...
The 1970s Craze that Transformed VW Beetles Into Moving Adverts
In the early 1970s Charles E. Bird launched Beetleboards, turning VW Beetles into mobile billboards for brands like Levi's. Owners received roughly one‑sixth of a car’s $3,000 value—about $480 over two years—in exchange for stickered ads. The model expanded to...
Best Way to Segment a Catalog for AI Platforms
In this brief episode of Voices of Search, host Jordan Cooney chats with Katie Morrow, Director of Managed Services at ProductsUp, about the optimal way to segment product catalogs for AI platforms. They discuss how the choice of segmentation depends...
People Are Losing It over 7-Eleven Merch. Welcome to the Surprisingly Cool World of Convenience Store Chic
7‑Eleven’s online‑only apparel line, 7Collection, has turned convenience‑store branding into a streetwear phenomenon. Launched in 2022, the store offers everything from logo tees to limited‑edition collaborations that sell out within minutes. The line taps into music, art and summer culture,...
Sleepyhead Highlights Durability in BITE Sofa with Creator-Led Campaign
Sleepyhead introduced the BITE sofa, a compact, stain‑ and water‑repellent piece built with high‑resilience foam for everyday durability. The launch is supported by a creator‑led campaign featuring a music video starring artist Gandhar and dancer Piyush Gurbhele. Influencers extend the narrative...
Clear, Sourced Content Fuels Traffic From AI Engines
ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude now drive significant traffic. Structure your content with: • Clear definitions • Cite-worthy statistics • Direct answers in the first 100 words These engines prefer well-sourced, clearly organized content.
Desktop AI Mode Launches Directly From AIOs
Jumping from AIOs to AI Mode (but on DESKTOP). Nice find by @brodieseo -> Google Testing Jumping To AI Mode Directly From AIOs ON DESKTOP As Brodie said, "This is as close as we've now come to the "AI Mode as...
Bristol’s Beloved Mocha Mocha Coffee House Announces Nationwide Franchise Launch
Independent Bristol café Mocha Mocha Coffee House announced a nationwide franchise programme, opening its proven concept to entrepreneurs across the UK. The brand will offer comprehensive training, site‑selection assistance and supplier networks to maintain its high‑quality coffee and community‑focused experience....
March Core Update Hits; Easter Traffic Skews Results
The March Core update has finished rolling out. Keep in mind when looking at your traffic that it included the Easter weekend which often causes seasonal changes for sites. I see a few sites with increases and a number with significant hits....
Build New Relationships to Unlock LinkedIn’s Reach
Why “developing new relationships” is the only sustainable way to force the Linkedin algorithm to show you to new audiences https://t.co/OJa5Sg1oQj via @DLAIgnite #SocialSelling #DigitalSelling #Sales #SalesTips #SalesLeader #Marketing #MarketingSuccess #MarketingStrategy #ArtificialIntelligence
ÂJarvis Approachingâ: Google's Sundar Pichai Signals an Agentic, Multi-Threaded Future for Search
Google CEO Sundar Pichai told the Cheeky Pint podcast that Search will evolve into a Jarvis‑like, agent‑centric platform where multiple AI threads operate simultaneously to complete user tasks. He described future Search as an "agent manager" that orchestrates personal assistants...
5 Years of SaaS SEO Secrets Unlocked
Reverse-engineered 5 years of SEO knowledge in the SaaS industry to bring you this article 👇🏼
Mint Mobile's $45 5G Bundle Demands $450 Upfront
D.C. Memo: @Mintmobile Targets 'Big Cable' in Rollout of 5G Home Internet/Mobile Bundle for $45 a Month Owned by @TMobile, Mint requires an upfront payment of $450 to cover the first year of service, plus taxes and fees. https://t.co/r3a3EZTrso https://t.co/PRGJdOnfUe
Mitchell Halliday on Made by Mitchell’s Global Expansion Plans Beyond TikTok Shop
Made by Mitchell, a digitally native makeup brand launched in October 2020, survived early DIY struggles and a shaky wholesale debut with Beauty Bay before turning to TikTok Shop. The hiring of Gabrielle Grierson sparked the brand’s pioneering move into...
Meta's New Attribution Inflates Conversions by 30‑35%
Meta’s over attribution over performance the last 2 weeks has been absolutely horrendous. Some of the worse case brands are showing 30-35% more conversions on Meta than is being shown on Shopify. Truly feels like they broke something when updating the attribution.
Do Chinese OEMs' Gonzo Instagram Reels Actually Convert?
Has anyone written about whether the gonzo marketing tactics of small Chinese contract manufacturers on Instagram Reels “works” or whether it just makes for amusing content. Like that company that sells charging cables.
Stensul’s 2026 MarTech Outlook on AI and Agency Spend: The Demand Gen Report Interview with Rachel Meranus
Stensul’s 2026 MarTech Outlook, shared in a Demand Gen Report interview with Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer Rachel Meranus, highlights a rapid AI‑driven transformation of B2B marketing. The report finds B2B firms are 64% more likely to increase automation spend...
Avoid Manual Triggers That Cause AI Content Spikes
Scaling AI-generated content for AEO/GEO purposes? "Mt. AI" can result from an algorithmic drop or a drop from a manual action. See below what the manual action could look like. You don't want this. You really don't want this. :)...
Google Signals Multi‑Threaded, Agentic Search Future
I brought up Jarvis in early 2023 after ChatGPT launched. It was pretty clear where all of this was headed :) -> New on SER: “Jarvis Approaching”: Google's Sundar Pichai Signals an Agentic, Multi-Threaded Future for Search https://t.co/SdV7iiPKmZ https://t.co/oEYGGNbdvB
Gain Consumer Insight With Generative AI
Generative AI, especially large language models, is reshaping the $153 billion marketing‑research industry by compressing study timelines from months to days. Researchers can create synthetic consumer "digital twins" to simulate responses, enabling rapid concept testing and reducing reliance on costly human...
The Hidden Cost of Bad Emails in Zoho CRM (and How to Prevent Them)
Zoho CRM users often overlook that a sizable portion of their contact lists contain invalid email addresses, which inflates bounce rates and erodes sender reputation. When bounce rates exceed 2% the platform flags the sender, and past 5% the account...
Passion Beats Polish: Community Drives Sales
I spent $500 on a product with 'awful' branding but a cult-like following. It scaled to $20k/month. I spent $10k on a product with 'perfect' branding and zero community. It flopped. The market doesn't care about pretty. It cares about...
From Segments to States: Evolving Audience Modelling for 2026
The article argues that traditional audience segmentation is no longer sufficient for brand experience leaders, who need to shift toward dynamic, state‑based audience models by 2026. It highlights the rise of real‑time data, AI‑driven behavioral signals, and contextual cues that...
Handhold Raises €3M to Replace Fragmented Software Buying Journeys with AI Account Managers
Handhold secured €3 million (≈$3.3 million) seed funding led by Entourage Capital, joined by Inovia Capital, e2vc and prominent angels. The startup’s AI‑agent platform assigns virtual account managers to qualify leads, run demos, onboard users and handle renewals, aiming to replace fragmented...
KitKat Outdoor Ads Put People Taking Breaks Into Logo
KitKat’s latest outdoor campaign, crafted by VML UK, replaces traditional billboard space with silhouettes of people taking a break, seamlessly woven into the brand’s iconic logo. The visual treats commuters on busy UK routes to a literal representation of the...
Thorne Taps Misty Copeland and Lana Condor for Women’s Health Campaign
Thorne, a supplement and health‑solutions brand, announced two new products—Perimenopause Complete and Women’s Libido Boost—targeting under‑served stages of women’s health. The company enlisted ballet star and activist Misty Copeland to front the perimenopause line and actress Lana Condor to promote the libido...