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.
Comscore and Yahoo DSP Partner to Advance CTV Political Advertising with Proximic Political Audiences
Comscore and Yahoo DSP have launched Proximic Political Audiences, a first‑to‑market solution that merges linear TV exposure data with Connected TV (CTV) targeting for political advertising. The partnership leverages Comscore’s local market measurement, Proximic’s activation platform, and Yahoo’s programmatic inventory to help campaigns reach voters across screens in the 2026 election cycle. Activation partners such as MiQ can operationalize the audience segments at scale for both PAC and candidate ads. The offering promises incremental reach, precision spend, and cross‑platform accountability.
EXTE Joins Forces with HUMAN Security to Protect Ad Inventory Quality & Integrity
EXTE announced a strategic integration with HUMAN Security, embedding the MediaGuard Ad Fraud Defence solution into its programmatic platform. The joint offering combines pre‑bid mitigation and post‑bid reporting to verify impressions, block bots, and curb invalid traffic in real time....
How to Future-Proof Your Business and Win with AI
Gary Vaynerchuk stresses that the era of blindly paying for ads on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok is over; creators should first test content organically and only boost pieces that outperform their norm. He highlights the shift from "social media" to...
10 Steps To Develop A Content Strategy
The article outlines a ten‑step framework for building a data‑driven content strategy that aligns with business objectives and audience needs. It emphasizes defining SMART goals, deep audience research, competitor audits, and selecting the right content formats. Distribution, repurposing, and a...
AppHarbr by GeoEdge Launches the First Index Ranking In-App Ad Networks on Ad Quality & Safety
AppHarbr, GeoEdge’s in‑app ad quality platform, released the first In‑App Network Ad Quality & Safety Performance Index, benchmarking 45 ad networks across 25 billion ads. The study found half of the networks fell short of basic safety standards, with iOS apps...
OpenAI Shifts ChatGPT Purchases to Partner Apps
Wait, nobody is actually buying things in ChatGPT? SHOCKING :) Big advantage Google -> OpenAI is scaling back shopping directly inside ChatGPT via Instant Checkout by having checkouts instead take place in the specific apps that plug into ChatGPT "OpenAI staff...
Accessibility Can’t Stop at the Shelf: An $18 Trillion Lesson for Marketers by AudioEye
Rare Beauty’s new fragrance launch turned its accessible bottle design into the centerpiece of a marketing campaign, generating organic buzz and consumer goodwill. The brand’s inclusive approach illustrates how accessibility can be a growth engine rather than a compliance checkbox....
Guide Dogs Picks Fold7 as Lead Creative Agency
Guide Dogs, the UK’s leading charity that trains guide dogs for the visually impaired, has appointed Fold7 as its lead creative agency. The decision came after a three‑way pitch that also featured Atomic London and VCCP. Fold7 will refresh the...
Review of the Week: TK Maxx Is Paws-Itively Silly
TK Maxx’s latest television spot, produced by Wieden & Kennedy London, features a whimsical cat wearing a Gucci shoe on its head, delivering a tongue‑in‑cheek take on fashion excess. The ad blends high‑end luxury cues with the retailer’s value‑focused positioning,...
How Ford Is Accelerating Its Global Campaign Amid Return to Formula 1
Ford is re‑entering Formula 1 after more than two decades, partnering with Oracle Red Bull Racing and extending its global "Ready Set Ford" campaign. The automaker is abandoning traditional TV spots in favor of Apple TV’s sequential ad format, creating a micro‑docuseries that links F1...
TikTok's 2026 Discover List Spotlights 50 Emerging Creators
TikTok revealed its Discover List 2026, highlighting 50 creators to watch across categories like Educators, Foodies, Icons, Innovators, and Originators. The list acts as both a cultural barometer and a pre-vetted talent pipeline for brands looking to partner with emerging...
Debunking SEO Generative Retrieval Misinformation: Facts Explained
Great post from @dawnieando. And the visuals are killer :) -> Debunking and Demystifying Generative Information Retrieval: Misinformation in The SEO Space Covers 'chunking', information gain, llms.txt, and more. Dawn provides a great breakdown of the misinformation going on today while...
Tinder Jumps Straight Into Bed with VCCP Social Club
Tinder has appointed VCCP Social Club as its UK social and influencer agency of record, following a competitive pitch run by Ingenuity+. The newly launched division, comprising more than 80 specialists, will handle social strategy, creator content, influencer selection and...
Google AI Mode Boosts Recipe Links, Tracking Remains Tough
Finally seeing this live today and I really like it. Much better for recipe publishers... But good luck trying to track that in GSC. Standard rules apply for impressions in AI Mode... I'll see if I can find some data...
Beyond Features: Redefine Value in an AI-Driven Market
Your products are no longer differentiators. Digital is expected. Rates are aligned. AI compares features instantly. Competing on what you offer is a losing game. We discuss a different path with Allison Netzer, founder and CEO of BrandThnk. Watch the...
Orange 142 Launches Ignition+, an Integrated, AI-Enabled Programmatic Media Solution Focused on Transparency and Efficiency
Orange 142, a Direct Digital Holdings division, unveiled Ignition+, an AI‑powered programmatic platform designed for Fortune 1,000 brands and large agencies. The solution consolidates activation, supply access, optimization and measurement into a single stack, promising greater transparency and a flat‑fee pricing...
Google's AI Recipe Widget Serves Frankenstein Dishes
Google testings new AI Mode recipe widget/card that sucks searchers into AI-Frankenstein recipes https://t.co/6X6gqAk77S via @inspiredtaste https://t.co/manqzqxFIa
WPP Faces Steep Path as New Strategy Draws on Familiar Playbook
Global advertising group WPP unveiled its Elevate28 plan, a strategic overhaul aimed at accelerating digital growth and cutting costs. The roadmap promises up to 15% revenue uplift by 2028, £500 million in annual savings, and a shift toward data‑driven creative services....
Vivobarefoot Unveils Sustainable Rewards Programme
Vivobarefoot launched VivoRewards, a sustainability‑focused loyalty scheme powered by Antavo’s AI Loyalty Cloud. Members earn 50‑200 points for actions ranging from profile completion and product reviews to shoe purchases, repairs, recycling, foot scans, and health courses. The program aims to...
ITV Predicts 2% Drop in Ad Revenues for Q1 2026
ITV announced it expects a 2% decline in advertising revenue for the first quarter of 2026, following a 5% year‑on‑year drop in 2025. The broadcaster attributes the slowdown to weaker consumer spending and increased competition from digital platforms. Management signaled...
Give Peas a Chance, Says Birds Eye, in Fresh OOH Push
Birds Eye, the frozen‑food brand owned by Nomad Foods, has launched a new out‑of‑home (OOH) campaign that puts peas at the centre of its messaging. The “Give peas a chance” creative, devised by Havas London, decorates London Underground escalator ribbons...
Model Ashley Graham Joins Stuart Weitzman for ‘Concrete Paradise’
Stuart Weitzman has launched its Spring 2026 "Concrete Paradise" campaign, starring supermodel Ashley Graham. The black‑and‑white visuals, shot by Ned Rogers, place Graham in the historic Westsider Rare & Used Books shop on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The campaign highlights the Vinnie Sculptural heel collection and...
Making Creativity Your Commercial Advantage
Charli Wright argues that Middle East brands suffer from a disconnect between marketing creativity and commercial objectives, not a lack of ideas. Fragmented thinking leads to short‑term, visually impressive campaigns that miss regional buying triggers and fail to deliver sustainable...
SEABOURN INTRODUCES “YOURS TO EXPLORE EVENT,” OFFERING SUITE UPGRADES AND SHIPBOARD CREDIT
Seabourn has launched the “Yours to Explore Event,” a promotion running through May 5 2026 that grants a complimentary two‑category Veranda Suite upgrade and shipboard credit for bookings on 2026 and later voyages. Credits are tiered at $300 for itineraries of 13...
‘Create Your Own Rom-Com Moment’: Fnp.ae Reveals Strategy Behind Valentine’s Campaign
Fnp.ae turned the crowded UAE Valentine’s market into a cultural moment with its “Create Your Own Rom‑Com Moment” campaign. The brand deployed a fully integrated media mix—DOOH billboards, premium digital screens, front‑page print, cultural publishers and live radio—to saturate commuter...
Predatory OTAs Are Hijacking Your Boutique Hotel Bookings
Boutique hotels are losing direct bookings to predatory online travel agencies that purchase paid‑search ads for exact hotel names and pose as official reservation desks. The ads funnel high‑intent guests into opaque checkout flows with hidden fees and non‑refundable terms,...
Study: Advertisers Face a ‘Paradox of Plenty’ in Measurement
The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and the 4As released a study revealing a "Paradox of Plenty" for U.S. advertisers: abundant data and sophisticated tools have not translated into higher confidence in media measurement. Surveying 197 senior marketers, the...
Sallie Has An Ad Business And Meta Is Declining Credit Cards
Meta confirmed it will drop credit‑card payments for ads next month, moving advertisers to invoice‑only billing to curb fraud and the “cashback loophole.” At the same time, student‑loan giant Sallie introduced Backpack Media, a retail‑media network that sells ad inventory...
Personalisation without Paranoia
The marketing industry’s long‑standing belief that more data equals better personalization is being upended by AI and privacy regulation. In the Middle East, the Personal Data Protection Law forces companies to redesign systems around contextual, real‑time signals rather than persistent...
Thailand Tourism Targets Balkans to Expand Longhaul Group Travel
Thailand’s Tourism Authority is targeting the Balkans with a 2026 roadshow to capture long‑haul group travel demand. The initiative, visiting Belgrade, Cluj‑Napoca, Bucharest and Sofia, linked fifteen Thai tourism entrepreneurs with eighteen regional buyers. Rising middle‑class income, improved air connectivity...
The Big Creator Breakout in 2026 | Behind the Numbers Special Edition
In this special edition of the eMarketer podcast, Principal Analyst Max Willins reveals that U.S. creator earnings are projected to hit $21 billion in 2026, nearly doubling since 2022 and outpacing traditional web‑publisher revenues. He explains how creators have moved from...
Sling & Stone Taps We Communications’ Nichole Provatas To Lead Australian Business
Sling & Stone has named Nichole Provatas, formerly of We Communications, as the inaugural Managing Director of its Australian operation. Provatas will steer the agency’s expansion across AI‑driven visibility, strategic insight, social, creative and content services. Her portfolio includes high‑profile...
Marco Nobel - Revolutionizing European Student Housing
In this episode, Marco Noble, founder and CEO of Fuse, discusses his evolution from creating the global student community platform Socials to building Fuse, a vertically integrated flex‑living brand for young people across Central and Eastern Europe. He explains how...
Ogilvy Health’s Plan To Inject Over-The-Counter Brands Into Culture
Ogilvy Health Australia has unveiled OTC Influence, a new service that shifts over‑the‑counter (OTC) brand marketing from pure efficacy messaging to culturally‑driven storytelling. The offering uses social‑media‑first tactics, health influencers, earned media and owned content to embed brands in current...
‘The Brand Has Got To Fit The Show’: As Sportscafe Expands To Aus, Ric Salizzo Explains Winning Partnerships
Sportscafe, the New Zealand‑originated YouTube‑first sports show, has launched an Australian version, extending its podcast and video footprint across Sydney and the broader market. Founder Ric Salizzo stresses that brand partnerships must improve the viewer experience rather than interrupt it, a philosophy...
Foxtel Recruits NBL’s Ted Helliar To Supercharge Its Fan Community
Foxtel Group has appointed former NBL executive Ted Helliar as Director of Engagement, Community and Fandom for its Kayo Sports and Fox Sports brands. In the role, Helliar will oversee all social and creator teams, aiming to deepen fan connections...
Analysis: Premium Content Strategies Attract High-Value Viewers
British streaming platforms are abandoning the traditional subscriber‑growth model in favor of targeting high‑net‑worth viewers. Executives now prioritize Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) by offering premium tiers that promise seamless, personalized experiences. Data‑driven curation, early‑release access, and 8K streaming are...
Ep. 210: Why Authority Now Matters More Than Visibility in B2B Content
In this episode, host Christian Klett talks with award‑winning copywriter Jamie Thompson about why authority now outweighs visibility for B2B marketers, especially as AI tools flood the market with generic content. Thompson argues that true authority comes from consistent, genuinely...
Ecommerce: Your Follow Up Game Is Limp And It’s Killing Your ROAS
In this episode of the Hamasley Brothers e‑commerce podcast, Mark and Ian dissect why weak follow‑up sequences are sabotaging ROAS. They define follow‑up as the communication between a prospect’s ad click and the final purchase, emphasizing email capture and remarketing...
Reclaiming Distribution: A Modern Indie Release Strategy
Gille Klabin, after a traditional distributor release of his debut, chose self‑distribution for his $296,000 horror‑comedy “Weekend at the End of the World.” He partnered with aggregator Bitmax for technical delivery, kept full rights, and used data‑driven micro‑ads, tiered pricing,...
Psychology of Unboxing: Why Customers Remember the Delivery More than the Product
The unboxing moment begins with a delivery notification and culminates when the customer lifts the box, shaping brand perception before the product is seen. Research shows first impressions form in just 0.2 seconds, with 94% of judgments based on packaging...
The Merchandising Calendar Blueprint: Turn Email & SMS Into 30–40% of Your Revenue
In this training episode, Ezra Firestone explains how e‑commerce brands can turn email and SMS into 30‑40% of total revenue by implementing a strategic merchandising calendar. He differentiates major campaigns from micro‑offers, shows how to layer content, product launches, and...
628: The Amazon Listing Mistakes That Are Killing Your Conversions (And How to Fix Them) With Daniela Bolzmann
In this episode, host discusses Amazon listing optimization with Daniela Boltzmann, founder of Mindful Goods, highlighting the costly mistake of repurposing Shopify creatives for Amazon. Daniela shares her journey from a full‑service agency to a project‑based model focused on high‑converting...
Traffic to Top Tech Publications Has Plummeted Since 2024, New Analysis Shows
Organic search traffic to the United States' leading tech publications has plunged 58% since 2024, according to Growtika’s Ahrefs‑based analysis. Combined visits fell from a 2024 peak of 112 million to just 47 million in January 2026. The Verge suffered the steepest...
Tony Bandanza, Uber Technologies
Tony Bandanza has been appointed head of Uber’s US&C Restaurant Advertising business, overseeing strategy and execution for one of the company’s fastest‑growing revenue streams. He rejoined Uber in 2022 to lead the global Yum! Brands partnership, expanding Pizza Hut’s presence across...
Awarded Campaigns: Lucky Yatra, on How a Ticket-Lottery Turned Fare Dodgers Into Paying Passengers
In this episode of Behavioral Science for Brands, Michael Aaron Flicker and Richard Shilton dissect the "Lucky Yatra" campaign by Indian Railways and FCB India, which turned ticket serial numbers into a daily lottery to incentivize fare payment. They explain...
AI Recommends Keeping HubSpot over Costly Rebuild
Turns out HubSpot isn't dead. 💀 I gave Claude Code 30 days of AppSumo software costs ($100,000) total. Asked it to analyze cost, effort, maintenance of replicating all the software we are using. It found ~$500 / month in costs but many of...
Know Your KPI Levers, Not Just Acquisition Numbers
If you can’t explain how to deliberately move a KPI, you don’t understand your growth. High acquisition doesn’t mean high value. The real question: Are you attracting customers you actually want? Curiosity about your data > more dashboards. #KPI #CLV #BusinessStrategy #MarketingStrategy #Leadership
From Skateboarding to 11 Locations: How Neen Williams Built NADC Burger
Neen Williams, a professional skateboarder turned strength coach, turned his online health‑focused content into NADC Burger, a fast‑casual chain now operating 11 locations. He first launched a line of spice blends to build audience trust, then partnered with Michelin‑starred chef...
Introducing PageSense 3.0 - Agency Edition
Zoho unveiled PageSense 3.0 – Agency Edition, a new experimentation platform tailored for digital agencies, CRO consultants, and growth partners. The solution adds a centralized dashboard, isolated data environments, flexible visitor‑quota management, and real‑time usage alerts to simplify multi‑client testing. Core...