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.
Canyon Bicycles Signs as Official Sponsor for the 2026 Hard MTB League
Canyon Bicycles has been announced as the Official Bike Partner for the 2026 season of the Hard MTB League. The collaboration aligns Canyon’s all‑terrain bike engineering with the league’s unique format that requires riders to master downhill, enduro, cross‑country and freestyle disciplines. Two Canyon‑sponsored athletes, dual‑slalom champion Luca Cometti and slopestyle rider Olivia Silva, will compete in the 2026 qualifier. Beyond race‑day branding, Canyon will provide technical expertise and support as the league expands to North America, Australia and Europe.
Cashfree Payments Celebrates Unique Business Journeys in New Campaign via Talented
Cashfree Payments, India’s leading payments gateway, has unveiled the “One of Your Kind” brand campaign, produced by Talented and At All Odds. The film showcases the distinct growth stories of partners such as BigBasket, Third Wave Coffee and Redbus, positioning...
Why Hourglass Swapped Mecca for Sephora and Embraced DTC
Hourglass Cosmetics has terminated its 16‑year exclusive partnership with Australian retailer Mecca, ending a relationship that began in 2010. Starting February 17, 2026, the brand launched its own Australian direct‑to‑consumer website and, nine days later, entered Sephora Australia’s stores without...
Royal Stag and FCB Neo Decode Rohit Sharma’s Success in ‘Code of Large’ Campaign
Royal Stag, in partnership with FCB Neo, launched the data‑driven "Royal Stag Code of Large" campaign featuring cricketer Rohit Sharma and mental‑conditioning coach Paddy Upton. The initiative uses an AI‑powered RS Code Finder that translates four success traits—Selfless, Driven, Fearless, Inspiring—into personalized video...
Walmart’s Vizio Acquisition Finally Opens Up Retail Advertising’s Growth
Walmart’s purchase of Vizio gives the retailer control of a smart‑TV operating system that blends content discovery, advertising, payments and commerce on the living‑room screen. The move transforms retail media from search‑based placements to first‑screen TV inventory, especially as 2026‑model...
The Leaf Creates Creator-Led Film for OPPO Find X9
The Leaf, a Bengaluru‑based agency, launched a short‑form film for OPPO showcasing the Find X9 through the day of a Gen Z creator. The narrative follows the creator’s multiple roles—from yoga to directing and late‑night art—using rapid cinematic cuts that mirror modern...
EXCLUSIVE: Max Parker Fronts Mytheresa’s Spring 2026 Menswear Ad Campaign
Mytheresa has launched its "Best of Spring" menswear ad campaign for Spring 2026, featuring British actor Max Parker as the face of the collection. The visuals, shot by Zoe Joubert in Spain’s Tabernas Desert, showcase luxury labels such as Prada, Giorgio Armani, Bottega Veneta...
Behind NYT’s First Foray Into In-Game Advertising
New York Times has introduced Crossplay, its first two‑player word game that embeds ads directly within gameplay. The ad‑supported format targets non‑subscribing users, with six‑second mandatory video ads after each turn. JPMorgan Chase partnered for the launch, aiming at financially active, digitally savvy...
Behind NYT’s First Foray Into In-Game Advertising
The New York Times launched Crossplay, its first two‑player word game, as a standalone app that embeds ads directly within gameplay. The ad‑supported model applies to non‑subscribers, while a Games subscription removes the ads. JPMorgan Chase partnered on the launch, using...
From First Deal to Full Home Depot Series
Left pic is me in 2018 with my first "big brand" deal, assembling a Hampton Bay Tipton 34" Steel Deep Bowl Fire Pit for The Home Depot... Right pic is a full build my team designed, installed, filmed, and launched...
Philippines Seeks to Retain South Korea as Leading Overseas Visitor Market
The Philippines is intensifying its tourism outreach to South Korea, its largest inbound market, by expanding joint campaigns with airlines, travel agencies, and digital advertising. The Department of Tourism is promoting flagship destinations such as Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Boracay and...
Why ‘Heartthrob Marketing’ Is Rising in Beauty
Beauty brands are swapping classic influencers for male "heartthrob" ambassadors, a trend highlighted by MAC Cosmetics’ recent Sephora launch featuring reality‑TV star Rob Rausch. Rausch’s Instagram post generated nearly 8 million impressions in three days and was amplified on a Times Square...
Creators Meet Commerce: How They Guide Customers From Inspiration to Checkout | Behind the Numbers Special Edition
In this special edition of the eMarketer "Behind the Numbers" podcast, senior analyst Minda Smiley moderates a panel with Corey Weaver, Head of Influence at Gap Inc., and Alexis Call, Director of Digital Merchandising at Stanley 1913. The discussion explores...
On TikTok Shop, a Brand for the Looksmaxxers Emerges
Based Bodyworks, a digitally native men’s grooming brand founded by influencer‑barber Lance Baker, has become a TikTok Shop sensation, posting roughly $5 million in U.S. sales in February and ranking fourth among beauty brands on the platform. The brand’s product line,...
OpenAI Is B Building the Ad Tech Stack It’s Currently Borrowing
OpenAI is rapidly assembling an internal advertising infrastructure, hiring engineers, product designers, and trust‑and‑safety staff to replace its current reliance on third‑party vendors. In the short term it is partnering with Criteo and The Trade Desk to bring advertisers into...
Every Man Jack Plots a 2026 Refresh as Men’s Personal Care Category Becomes More Saturated
Every Man Jack is positioning 2026 as a breakout year by launching a brand refresh that targets two distinct consumer personas—“Jack,” the seasoned grooming enthusiast, and “Jake,” the sustainability‑focused newcomer. The overhaul includes PET packaging for better recyclability, a sub‑$10...
TikTok After the Legal Fight: Why It’s Coming for Meta’s Ad Dollars
In this episode, Digiday’s Kamiko McCoy and Tim Peterson sit down with TikTok US platform reporter Crystal Scanlan to unpack TikTok’s post‑legal‑battle strategy. With the U.S. ban threat lifted, TikTok is shifting from defensive mode to aggressively courting ad dollars,...
Trio Of APAC IKEA Marketing Leaders To Speak At Cairns Crocodiles
Three senior IKEA marketers – Kirsten Hasler (Australia & New Zealand), Patrizia Rigassi (Japan) and Yuli Park (Korea) – will speak at the Cairns Crocodiles conference on May 14, presented by Pinterest. They will discuss how IKEA balances a unified global brand with...
Foxcatcher Unveils Agentic Workflows To ‘Drive Campaign Performance’
Foxcatcher has launched WorldView Atlas AI, an intelligence layer that embeds agentic workflows into its WorldView platform. The system semi‑automates campaign setup, execution, and reporting, freeing trading specialists to concentrate on strategic optimisation. By keeping humans in the decision loop,...
SEO's Future: AI Summaries Threaten Clicks, Video Gains
As a B2B SaaS this terrifies me: I have basically stopped clicking on google results. The AI summary is good enough, and for other things I just ask ChatGPT. My business relies on SEO, so my own actions are filling me...
Human-Centric B2B Marketing Thrives in AI Era
The Dual Revolution: Why B2B Marketing Needs a Human Heart in an Agentic World by @Timothy_Hughes https://t.co/ypgA3clsup @DLAIgnite #SocialSelling #DigitalSelling #Sales #SalesTips #SalesLeader #Marketing #Leadership #MarketingStrategy #ArtificialIntelligence #Tech #TechNews https://t.co/Kx9eEND4Un
G Flip Reignites ‘All Fired Up’ for Paramount+ X AFC Women’s Asian Cup Campaign via Hello
Paramount+ and creative agency Hello have teamed with ARIA‑winning artist G Flip to relaunch Pat Benatar’s classic “All Fired Up” as the official anthem for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. The reworked track will feature across Paramount+ live coverage, radio play, streaming platforms...
West Coast Eagles Unveils ‘All The Way West’ via Newly Appointed Agencies Carat WA + Hypnosis
West Coast Eagles has appointed Carat and Hypnosis as its agencies of record, launching the new brand platform "All The Way West" across broadcast, out‑of‑home, press and digital channels. The campaign spotlights fans and community members, positioning the "West" identity...
Arsenal F.C. Turns Corner Jokes Into Comedy in a Star-Studded App Ad
Arsenal F.C. turned the long‑standing corner‑kick joke into a star‑studded promotional film for its Arsenal App. The short comedy‑sketch features actors Asa Butterfield and Aaron Pierre alongside players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and women’s stars such as Kim Little. Legends David Seaman and...
‘Strategy without Pain Is Just Cosplay’: What BrewDog’s Decline Teaches Us About Marketing
BrewDog was sold to Tilray Brands, prompting the abrupt termination of 500 staff and closure of 38 pubs. The deal erased the value of the “Equity for Punks” scheme, leaving roughly £75 million invested by fans worthless. The article argues that...
Medium Rare Expands Into Live Events with Flybuys
Medium Rare has launched its first experiential offering, "The Remarkable Show," a live event for Flybuys that gathered 150 of the program’s most active members alongside creators and brand partners. The activation produced more than 200 pieces of content across...
ABC Launches ‘Most Trusted News’ Campaign via Leo – Just Don’t Mention the War
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has launched the "Keep Asking" campaign with Leo Australia, branding itself as the nation’s most trusted news source. The rollout follows a swift correction of an analysis piece that mistakenly claimed the United States bombed...
AI Pinpoints Brand Gaps Even in Elite Companies
Earlier today I shared a SocialBrilliance analysis of a well-known company. Then I ran the same exercise on Palantir. The result was strong. What fascinated me was not weakness. It was precision. Even elite brands can still have small gaps between brand power and message...
Snapchat Adds New Tools to Help Brands Tap Into India’s Cricket Season
Snapchat unveiled a Cricket in a Snap ad suite to let brands ride India’s cricket frenzy, featuring a Live Sports API, AR fan zones, surface‑tracking lenses and sponsored stickers. The platform now exceeds 250 million Indian users, with cricket emerging as...
Howatson Releases In-House AI Creative Platform as ‘a Moat Around Our Core Work’
Australian agency Howatson has launched Unicorn, an in‑house AI platform that automates the rollout of master creative into hundreds of digital and out‑of‑home formats. The service costs $5,000 per campaign—roughly a 95% reduction from traditional $100,000 rollouts—and delivers assets within...
Nestlé USA Enters At-Home Condiments Space with New Sauce Brand
Nestlé USA is launching Minor’s Kitchen, a chef‑inspired sauce line, marking the company’s first consumer culinary brand in the United States. The four‑flavor assortment—Lemon Garlic Aioli, Creamy Korean BBQ, Spicy Chili Truffle, and American Smokehouse—targets the fast‑growing at‑home condiment market,...
An Amish Avatar and an A.I. Monk Are Pitching Supplements on Social Media
An AI‑generated Amish avatar named Melanskia, with over 300,000 Instagram followers, is promoting the dietary supplement Modern Antidote without disclosing her synthetic nature. The avatar is operated by entrepreneur Josemaria Silvestrini, who uses AI tools to create realistic video content...
DemandScience’s Content-IQ Increases AI Visibility for B2B Brands
DemandScience has launched Content‑IQ, a proprietary platform that unifies AI Visibility Optimization, content architecture, and web personalization to transform B2B content into a measurable pipeline engine. The system uses patented content opportunity scoring to build pillar‑based topic networks that boost...
Great Copy Lives in Existing Specs—Just Discover It
The best headline ever written wasn't written. In 1958, David Ogilvy won the Rolls-Royce account. Tiny budget. Two ad placements. It had to work. He spent three weeks doing nothing but research. Engineering reports. Technical reviews. Factory specs. Then he found it. Buried...
3 AI Search Changes Every Marketer Needs A Plan For In Q2 via @Sejournal, @MattGSouthern
AI‑driven search has moved from a simple visibility problem to a complex measurement and budgeting challenge in Q1 2026. Within weeks, three major AI answer platforms began serving ads directly inside AI‑generated answers, reshaping how content is discovered and monetized....
Fame ≠ Clarity: AI Reveals Hidden Brand Value G
Being well known does not mean being clearly understood. 💡 I used SocialBrilliance to run a simple AI test on @ServiceNow messaging. What it surfaced is something many marketing leaders feel but rarely quantify: A brand can be highly respected, widely recognized, and...
Google’s AI Ranking Prioritizes Expertise over Generic Content
Liz Reid on how Google designs ranking algorithms in the age of AI content Wired ⚡️: Personal Perspectives, Expertise, Effort Tired 😴: Content that says what everyone else knows https://t.co/JFS1su3Sha
Labs by Demandbase Publishes New GTM-Centered Report
Demandbase’s new research arm, Labs, released its inaugural B2B AI GTM Report, drawing on more than 24 billion buyer interactions, 429 k ad campaigns and insights from over 1,400 companies. The study shows that deploying four tiers of ad products can lift...
Google Consolidates Entities and Social Profiles in Discover
This is cool. And it fits with the larger trend Google has been implementing across Discover and News for years - highlighting entities, brands, recognized authors, and linking their social profiles all in one place
50 Proven Email Campaigns Power Most Ecommerce Revenue
The same 50 email campaigns drive the majority of ecommerce email revenue. Every time. Across every brand we've worked with. @yojimmykim and I finally put all of them in one place. Real examples, AI prompts, copywriting frameworks, and welcome flows from...
Why Physical Post Outreach Is Useful for Modern Consumer Engagement
Physical post outreach is gaining traction as marketers seek tactile, trustworthy channels amid digital overload. Studies show direct mail achieves a 4.4% response rate—about 37 times higher than email—and delivers a 112% return on investment. Personalization can slash acquisition costs...
ChatGPT Traffic Mirrors Google Organic Rankings
Screenshot 1: Grokipedia - projected organic traffic 2. Grokipedia ChatGPT citations 3. Grokipedia AIO citations 4. Grokipedia AI mode citations Interesting how closely ChatGPT aligns with Google organic traffic 👀 All data from @ahrefs https://t.co/insLf5sN2u
AI Shifts to Execution, Redefining 2026 Martech Budgets
Is AI finally moving from experimentation to execution inside marketing ops? How are martech budgets changing in 2026, and where is that money going? And what does the shift away from agencies mean for marketing leaders? Find those answers and more...
The Best Way To Embrace Convergent TV? Break Down The Silos Between Linear And Streaming
Marketers must dissolve the linear‑vs‑streaming divide and adopt a convergent TV approach, blending programmatic and direct buying. At Convergent TV World, Tatari’s Mike Fogarty highlighted the $70 billion U.S. TV market, noting that only $30 billion is streaming‑focused and still largely direct‑sold....
Big Data Boosts Facebook Ad Campaign Effectiveness
RT @VoxOptima How big data is affecting social media metrics and Facebook ad strategies, Elianna Hyde | https://t.co/LO7kUfX8DB SmartData Collective "Facebook’s own advertising platform allows the marketers to maximize their campaign effectiveness, by utilizing big data analytics indirectly."
Authentic iPhone Shots Boost Conversions, Not Pricey Studio
I spent $8k on a professional product photoshoot. The photos flopped. I took some raw, authentic photos with my iPhone. Conversions went up 30%. The market doesn't care about 'professional'. It cares about 'real'. Test everything.
Web Search Marketing Strategies Online Success TodayPro
Web search marketing combines SEO, paid search, keyword research, local listings and analytics to place brands where consumers are actively searching. By aligning content with user intent, businesses capture qualified traffic, boost conversions and strengthen brand exposure. Real‑world examples—from a...
Analytics + Marketing Ops Drive Accelerated Growth
RT @VisionEdgeMktg 📊 Analytics + marketing operations = growth acceleration. Measure everything. Here's your toolkit: https://t.co/erhl8XtQN3 #Analytics #MarketingOps #DataDriven
An Opera Singer Who’s Made A Name As A Car Salesman
A classically trained opera singer has reinvented his career by becoming a car salesman who films himself belting arias on the dealership lot. He writes original lyrics that describe each vehicle and posts the performances on TikTok and Instagram, where...
Measuring Brand Perception Before and After a Campaign
Marketing teams now track clicks, conversions and ROAS in real time, yet those metrics rarely reveal whether a campaign actually shifts brand perception. Measuring perception—trust, favorability, purchase intent—requires a pre‑campaign baseline built from surveys, social listening and behavioral signals. During...