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.
Shield Insurance Broker and VML Thailand Turn Hard Sell Into Binge-Worthy Micro Drama
Shield Insurance Broker, together with VML Thailand, launched an innovative social‑media campaign for its After Shit Happens Service, turning a traditionally hard‑sell insurance proposition into a binge‑worthy micro‑drama series. The series delivers every feature and benefit through fast‑paced, cliff‑hanger storytelling that mirrors popular short‑form video formats. By embracing exaggerated performance and Thailand’s signature humor, the campaign keeps viewers watching and absorbing the sales message. The approach demonstrates that even dense, rational products can succeed when packaged as entertaining content.
King YouTube: Who’s Coming for the Crown—And How | Behind the Numbers
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, hosts Marcus, Ethan Kramer, and analyst Marissa Jones dissect YouTube’s ascent to the top of the media hierarchy, noting its $62 billion revenue haul that now eclipses Disney’s media business. They explore why YouTube’s...
Genius Sports Opens up Real-Time Live Sports Targeting to Brands
Genius Sports unveiled its Moment Engine, a real‑time targeting platform that matches live‑sports data—such as player stats and scorelines—to addressable CTV, display and upcoming social inventory. Partnering with major ad exchanges, the tool lets brands trigger ads during high‑engagement moments...
Inside The Daily Mail’s Creator-Led Content Playbook
DMG Media has hired more than two dozen creators to run its creator‑led social channels, producing ten to twenty original videos daily across topics from football to youth issues. The in‑house model generates 250,000‑350,000 views per video, outpacing the Daily...
Social Media Advertising Examples: 12 Ideas to Inspire You in 2026
The article catalogs twelve standout social‑media ads across Instagram, LinkedIn, Reddit and Facebook, breaking down the tactics that made each piece effective. It highlights how brands like Apple, Notion and Google use pain‑point framing, user‑generated hashtags, bold dollar values and...
TikTok Boasts Of Joint Venture And Improvements For Advertisers
TikTok unveiled a new News Front showcase highlighting its two‑month‑old joint venture with USDS, promising richer storytelling formats and a more secure, creative advertising platform. The partnership is positioned to give advertisers advanced tools and stronger data protection. Meanwhile, Tennessee lawmakers...
Les Mills Teams with Zing Coach to Launch AI‑Powered Group‑Workout App
Les Mills has partnered with Palta‑backed Zing Coach to embed its flagship group‑fitness programs into the AI‑driven app. The deal follows Zing Coach’s $10 million Series A raise and aims to blend human‑led class energy with real‑time AI coaching for millions of...
Jumanji 3 Shifts to Christmas Day, Joins Blockbuster Holiday Showdown
The third Jumanji film, starring Dwayne Johnson, has been moved from Dec 11 to Dec 25, 2026, to capitalize on the holiday window. The shift pits the adventure comedy against Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday, Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Three, and Shah Rukh Khan's...
AI Agents Can Produce Content that Actually Gets Views
Proof that AI agents can generate content that generates real views (X articles, IG Reels, etc.). Steal this: https://t.co/bj10nq5REz
Flex Ads Sunset; New Approach Launching April
This is very true. Unfortunately flex ads are being sunset :/ A “new approach” is rolling out in April and Flex ads will slowly be turned off. Happened to a few clients of ours. Flex ads randomly got turned off and can’t turn...
Blokees Unveils 'Inspire Creativity, Share Joy' Mission at Global Partner Conference
Blokees introduced its refreshed brand mission, "Inspire Creativity, Share Joy," at the 2026 Global Partner Conference in Shanghai. The announcement ties the new tagline to a broader 80/20 product strategy and an expanded creator ecosystem, positioning the toy maker for...
Build a Familiarity Bridge to Enter New Networks Authentically
The “Familiarity” Bridge: How to cross from your current network into a completely new ecosystem without looking like a spammer https://t.co/OJa5Sg1oQj via @DLAIgnite #SocialSelling #DigitalSelling #Sales #SalesTips #SalesLeader #Marketing #MarketingSuccess #MarketingStrategy #ArtificialIntelligence
Macy’s AI Chatbot Quadruples Customer Spending
Macy’s introduced the Ask Macy’s AI shopping assistant on March 23, leveraging Google’s Gemini model to provide outfit‑completion suggestions and virtual try‑on capabilities. Early data show that shoppers who engage with the chatbot spend roughly 4.75 times more than those...
Mango Communications Rebrands to FleishmanHillard Aotearoa
Mango Communications Aotearoa has officially rebranded as FleishmanHillard Aotearoa, joining the global FleishmanHillard network under Omnicom Oceania. The move links the New Zealand agency to more than 250 PR, social and activation specialists across Australia and New Zealand, and provides access to...
TikTok for Business Introduces Campaign to Drive In-App Shopping
TikTok for Business launched the “Watch it. Love it. Want it.” campaign to promote its expanding in‑app shopping experience. The platform reported a 40 % year‑over‑year increase in search activity, with billions of daily queries, and one in four users searching...
Student Rebranding Projects Align Mission, Values, DEI
Today, I had the privilege of listening to students present exceptional organizational rebranding projects. Each framework was anchored in the organization's core mission and values, with deliberate attention to brand identity- reimagining logos, fonts, and slogans; alongside a critical examination...
Automate Content, Multiply Reach, Stop the Hustle
Systems that eliminate unnecessary hustle: - automated content calendar to limit decisions - multi-platform promotion that happens without you - CTAs that turn viewers into customers - repurposing one idea into 10+ pieces of content.
Email Service Providers Use AI To Inspire An Email Functionality Leap
The Forrester Wave™ Q1 2026 reveals that artificial intelligence is reshaping email service providers (ESPs), delivering conversational interfaces, hyper‑personalized one‑to‑one messaging, and smarter inbox optimization. AI now powers data onboarding, automatic compliance checks, and dynamic user‑specific platform interfaces across 12 evaluated...
AI Automates Podcasts, but Loses the Human Spark
"At first I thought you were sick. Not yourself. Low mood. Then I was convinced you were reading a script. By the end I'd already twigged before you even said it was AI." "Your personality is the best thing about your...
ChatGPT Advertising Launches in Australia
OpenAI will introduce advertising within ChatGPT for Australian users in the coming weeks, following positive early signals from its U.S. pilot. Ads will appear only for logged‑in adult users on the free and go tiers, while Plus, Pro, Business and...
100 Money-Losing Red Lobsters Are Eating All the Profit
Red Lobster’s new CEO Damola Adamolekun has been front‑and‑center in media, even earning a TikTok commercial that amassed 9 million views. Behind the publicity, Bloomberg reports the chain posted losses in four of the past five quarters, with sales remaining flat...
Core Brands Powering Expansion
Choice Hotels International’s core brands are powering a rapid expansion, driven by strong conversion rates in the midscale segment. The company’s development team, led by SVP Jason Cowan, highlighted a streamlined renovation process that shortens downtime for property owners. Brand...
Pelican Taps Chris Burkward as Global Ambassador in 50‑Year Anniversary Push
Pelican announced a year‑long global partnership with explorer‑photographer Chris Burkward, unveiling the "Case Chronicles" content series to mark its 50th anniversary. The collaboration will see Burkward test new Pelican gear, including the Aegis 4‑wheel case, in extreme environments and drive...
Mulberry Taps Christopher Kane as Creative Director of Women's Ready‑to‑wear
Mulberry announced that Christopher Kane will lead its women's ready‑to‑wear line as creative director, ending a six‑year hiatus from apparel. The move is part of the brand’s “Back to the Mulberry Spirit” strategy and signals a renewed focus on clothing...
Crocs CMO on Microdramas, TikTok and Gen Z at Shoptalk
Crocs’ chief marketing officer Carly Gomez highlighted the brand’s focus on Gen Z at Shoptalk, showcasing a new micro‑drama series called “Charmed To Meet You” launched on ReelShort. The five‑episode, snackable story has garnered over 10 million views since its February 2026 debut...
Plan Monthly, Film Weekly, Repurpose Daily for Efficiency
My new content workflow... 📆 Monthly: strategy + planning only. No creating. 📆 Weekly: film + edit same day. Done in under 2 hours. 📆 Daily: 1 hour on supplemental content from that video.
Uproxx Makes Play for TV Ad Spend With TikTok-Ready Shows
Uproxx TV debuted at NewFronts, positioning itself as a top‑10 entertainment property on connected TV with over 160 million monthly viewers, more than half of whom watch on traditional TV screens. The company is launching creator‑driven shows like “Love, Songs,” leveraging...
Regain Ad Control, Boost Sales 69% in 10 Days
I spoke with a founder in November who had her sales get cut in half almost immediately after hiring an agency. She had no idea what they had changed or why it was happening, and the agency couldn't give her a...
Taco Bell Puts Two Global Flavors up for a Fan Vote
Taco Bell has launched its inaugural “Global Taco Vote,” inviting Rewards members to decide which international flavor will join the U.S. menu later this year. Voters can choose between Thailand’s Kickin’ Chicken Taco and India’s Butter Chicken Taco by voting...
Instagram to Sell Reels Ads for Viral TV and Movies Content, ‘Cultural Moments’ Like NFL Games and Black Friday
Meta announced that Instagram’s Reels Trending Ads will now include a "TV & movies" category and dedicated line‑ups for cultural moments such as NFL games, Black Friday and Fashion Week. A limited‑alpha reserve‑buy option will let brands secure up to...
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The True Cost of Conversational Analytics: A Guide to Implementing a Phased Approach
Conversational analytics, powered by Google’s Analytics MCP, lets users query GA4 data with natural language, turning dashboards into instant answers. The model introduces layered costs: free GA4 API tokens, BigQuery’s $6.25 per terabyte scan fees, and AI platform subscriptions. Seer...
Spot Real Adoption, Not Just Early Interest
Execution is visible. Adoption is not. Many teams are active in the market, but unclear on where real demand is forming. In AI-driven categories, this becomes harder. Strong demos and early interest can mask a lack of commitment from the...
Stop Marketing Money Leaks with a Deep‑Dive Audit
Hello Thriends- I am gauging interest in a multi-day marketing leak audit. I’d use my investigative journalism skills to find where you’re marketing and comms are bleeding, and map out a plan with you 1-1 to plug said leaks. It’s a...
Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association Debuts In Rebranding to Unite State’s $21B Hospitality Industry
The Connecticut Restaurant Association rebranded as the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association, merging restaurants, bars, caterers, hotels and lodging operators under one umbrella. The new entity now represents roughly 10,000 businesses, about 170,000 employees and generates nearly $21 billion in economic...
Growth Requires New Strategies, Not Past Success Playbooks
It doesn’t matter if you’ve scaled past $5M, $10M, or $20M. You’ll fail if you think the same strategies will get you to your next milestone. • The offer • Creative approach • Targeting • Product lineup • The team All can change at each...
Read Reddit, Build Content, Stop Guessing
Your buyers are on r/marketing, r/entrepreneur, r/startups and a dozen niche subreddits describing their exact problems in their exact words. That is better than any focus group you will ever pay for. Go read it. Then build content around what you find. Invest...
Ferrero Plans Largest Marketing Commitment to Date for World Cup Push
Ferrero North America announced its largest ever marketing spend, a $100 million “Go All In” campaign tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Easter. The promotion, starring Tom Brady, invites shoppers to scan QR codes on Ferrero products for a...
Creator Economy Briefing: Alix Earle Launches Skincare Brand, Unilever Appoints Influencer Agency, Ambassador Marketing Gains Traction
Today's creator‑economy briefing highlights a shift toward long‑term ambassador partnerships, the rise of influencer‑turned‑founders, and enterprise‑level investments in structured influencer programs. Brands are replacing one‑off campaigns with ongoing creator relationships to boost credibility, while Alix Earle launched her skincare line...
This New Perk for Amex’s Business Cards Is a Big Bet on the Future of AI
American Express is rolling out a $300 annual statement credit on its U.S. Business Platinum and Business Gold cards for ChatGPT Business subscriptions, launching this spring. The perk aims to help enterprise customers offset AI software costs and boost productivity....
Align Your Marketing System with Ideal Clients for Automatic Results
When your marketing system is built around your ideal client, everything changes. Your messaging lands. Your offers convert. Your content attracts the right person without you having to shout louder. Alignment is not a feeling. It is a system. And when you build it...
Shift From Expertise to Ideas: Reputation Wins
Old game: → Compete on expertise → Win on competence → Grow on referrals New game: → Compete on ideas → Win on narrative → Grow on a reputation that spreads while you sleep Most experts are still playing the old game
Lowe's Kicks Off SpringFest with Free Same-Day Mulch Delivery
Lowe's launched its SpringFest promotion on March 26, pairing deep discounts with free same‑day mulch delivery for MyLowe's Rewards members on orders over $25. The retailer, which now has more than 30 million loyalty members, aims to capture peak home‑improvement spending...
Create Evergreen Content; Short Posts Fade Fast
A YouTube video you publish today will still be ranking and generating leads three years from now... A LinkedIn post you publish today will probably be gone by Thursday. Build the asset that compounds. The short-term channel will always be there....
Find Your Unique Value Proposition in One Workshop
“We’re the only ones who ___.” “So if I talk to [competitor], they will agree you’re the only ones that ___?” “Well, [tiny detail; no one cares].” Not good enough. At least one thing has to be “yours.” This workshop will help you figure...
Better Content Beats Paid Engagement Boosts
Not sure who needs to hear this but stop paying to boost your engagement. If you want more engagement, post better content. Such a shame. https://t.co/CkHIQoHJLD
Google Revises Shopping Ads Political Policy Worldwide
ICYMI: Google will update its Shopping Ads political content policy in several countries https://t.co/YI3Sj141FI https://t.co/5WbKVkbuZl
Instagram Launches Reels Ads for TV, Movies, Cultural Events
Instagram to Sell Reels Ads for Viral TV and Movies Content, ‘Cultural Moments’ Like NFL Games and Black Friday https://t.co/yxkIQNZSec via @variety
Closing the Incrementality Gap with Northbeam on April 8
The gap between marketers talking about incrementality and marketers actually using it to drive efficient scale is MASSIVE. @northbeam's Brayden Cruz and I are changing that for folks who tune in here on April 8. https://t.co/TwO3b0W6pP
Twitter Leverages AI for Real‑Time SEO, Threads Lags
The difference between Twitter and Threads right now: Threads: AI can’t do SEO research for you it doesn’t have access to real time data. Twitter: I just hooked up Claude to SEMrush MCP and setup 5 skills to handle all my...
Share NYC Billboard Photo, Tag Gemini, Earn BTC
Spot our billboard in NYC? ✅ Post a picture on X ✅ Tag @Gemini ✅ We’ll send BTC to our favorite posts https://t.co/me0e394cbA