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.
Teads & Lumen Research Bring Proven Attention Science to CTV for Omnichannel Impact
Teads announced an expanded partnership with Lumen Research to embed attention‑measurement technology into its connected‑TV (CTV) HomeScreen inventory. Lumen’s eye‑tracking models generate an industry‑first attention prediction for CTV, giving advertisers a quantifiable view of how viewers engage with ads across devices. Teads now holds exclusive rights to Lumen’s CTV attention data in the US, EMEA, APAC and LATAM, and reports average Attention Per Mille (APM) of 5,300—far outpacing outstream video and YouTube benchmarks. The rollout is live in Teads Ad Manager, with in‑stream measurement slated for later this quarter.
How Meat-Snack Marketers Are Meeting the Moment
Archer Jerky secured a high‑profile partnership with Disney’s *The Mandalorian*, using Baby Yoda to launch a limited‑edition jerky tied to the film’s premiere. The meat‑snack category posted 6.6% growth in 2025 and is projected to exceed $22 billion in 2026, driven by...
Presence Platform Unifies Agent Tools; Coaching Integration Launches
Luxury Presence unveiled the Presence Platform, an AI‑powered suite that consolidates CRM, social media, listing ads and a homeowner dashboard for real‑estate agents, following a $37 million funding round to expand its AI capabilities. Inside Real Estate partnered with Buffini to...
How to Use AI to Write Better Meta Ad Copy Without Losing the Human Touch
In this episode, SmartMarketer’s senior paid performance specialist Dominique Noble walks listeners through a repeatable, AI‑driven process for crafting Meta ad copy that retains human insight and brand voice. She emphasizes three core rules: feed AI detailed brand context, be...
StackAdapt Announces AI-Powered Marketing Capabilities Through Ads in ChatGPT Pilot
StackAdapt announced it will serve ads within OpenAI's ChatGPT as part of a pilot program. The AI‑powered placement lets marketers reach users while they research and compare products, with ads clearly labeled and context‑driven. StackAdapt adds vertical expertise, cross‑channel orchestration,...
Papa Johns, Disney Team up for Global 'Toy Story 5' Marketing Campaign
Papa Johns has teamed with Disney and Pixar to launch a global marketing push for the June 19 release of “Toy Story 5.” The partnership introduces three limited‑edition pizzas and a new ranch dip, priced from $6.99, across 42 international markets. A...
Wellbeing Nutrition’s New Ad Focuses on Picky Eating Among Children
Wellbeing Nutrition has rolled out a new advertising campaign for its Kids Superfuel drink mix, aimed at children’s picky‑eating habits. The tagline “Super Nutrition. Zero Negotiation” frames the product as a hassle‑free way for parents to meet daily nutrient needs. The...
No-Code AI Agents Automate My Entire Workflow
Ok this is wild. I just built a team of 5 AI agents in plain English. No code. > Inbox agent replying to emails in my tone 24/7 > Research agent pulling competitor intel every morning > Calendar agent booking and rescheduling meetings > Content...
Howard Tattersall on Why Footasylum’s Marketing Strategy Is the ‘Blueprint’
Footasylum’s entertainment‑first social media strategy, launched in 2018, has become a benchmark for UK retailers. By prioritising TikTok, YouTube and culturally‑relevant influencers, the brand cuts through digital noise and embeds itself in consumers’ daily routines. The approach leverages hyper‑local campaign...
Allego Launches Allego 9 AI Platform to Embed Intelligence in Revenue Workflows
Allego, Inc. introduced Allego 9 at its 10th Annual Sales Success Summit, a new AI‑powered platform that embeds intelligence directly into revenue‑team workflows. The launch aims to close the gap for the 63% of revenue teams still in early AI adoption...
Is Influencer Marketing Still Just a Channel Or Has It Become the System?
Influencer marketing is evolving from a supplemental channel into a system that sits at the core of brand communication. Brands are now auditing campaigns across TV, retail, e‑commerce and press to embed creator‑led content from the outset, rather than tacking...
From Downloads To Daily Use: Rethinking The Value Exchange In App Marketing
App marketers have shifted from focusing solely on downloads to prioritizing sustained user engagement. eMarketer reports that 90% of new users abandon an app within seven days, and by Day 30 churn exceeds 95%. Patrick Callinan of T‑Mobile Advertising Solutions argues...
The 42 Minute Playbook on Live Shopping
In this episode of the Gary Vee Audio Experience, Gary Vaynerchuk and Super Ordinary founder discuss the explosive rise of live shopping, especially on TikTok, and why brands are missing the wave due to corporate inertia and a misunderstanding of...
In-Person Brand Events Are So Back, According to New Report
Launchmetrics’ new "Event Renaissance" report shows a dramatic rebound in fashion, lifestyle and beauty brand events, with a 54% rise in events and a 65% jump in attendance since 2019. The study argues that in‑person activations are the most effective...
The Influencers That Make Men Shop for Beauty
Male beauty consumption is accelerating as Gen‑Z influencers like TikTok star Bach Buquen and Dwayne Johnson’s Papatui brand normalize makeup and premium skincare for men. Wellness clubs such as Remedy Place are rebranding spa experiences to attract male members, while...
Sofa Club Appoints Agency for Digital Marketing Boost
Sofa Club, the fashion‑forward sofa retailer, has hired Verde Digital to lead its organic search strategy. Verde will deliver a full suite of SEO services—including on‑page, technical, local and AI‑search optimization—to increase organic revenue. The brand, founded in 2012 and...
Target Posts Sales Rebound, Launches Creator Revamp as Traffic Climbs
Target Corp. posted a modest sales rebound in Q1 2026 and saw foot traffic rise 5.1% year‑over‑year, the first positive growth in more than a year. At the same time, the retailer is resetting its creator‑driven social commerce strategy, splitting...
Stop Sending Pricing Over Email. You’re Killing Your Deal.
In SaaS sales, sending price details via email often backfires. The article argues that pricing is leverage, not information, and that emailing it gives prospects a bargaining chip, leading to ghosting and commoditization. It advises keeping pricing discussions in live...
Anchor ‘Absolutely Buttered’ for Havas London Ad Debut
Anchor, the butter brand owned by Arla Foods, has unveiled a new brand platform titled “Let’s Get Absolutely Buttered,” rolled out by its creative partner Havas London. The launch centers on a 30‑second film that humorously depicts a woman oblivious...
Google Trials AI Mode Favicons, Citation Links for Higher Clicks
Google tests new AI Mode favicons and citation links - more clickable? https://www.seroundtable.com/google-anchor-links-favicon-ai-mode-41281.html via @SachuPatel53124 and @SERPalerts #google #googleaimode #googleuserinterface
Financial Brands Have an AI Voice Problem
Financial communications teams are grappling with an AI‑generated content problem that produces generic, formulaic copy lacking genuine perspective. Editors notice repetitive framing, empty claims and no counter‑arguments, eroding the trust that financial brands rely on. Companies like J.P. Morgan Payments...
Create Reference Guides, Not Blogs, for Lasting Impact
Stop writing blog posts. Start writing reference documents. The shift: Posts are consumed once. References are bookmarked and revisited 10+ times. I turned one 4,000-word reference guide into $35K in client's revenue bcz pple kept coming back to it. Make...
TripleLift Names Timothy Jasionowski CPTO, Adds Benjamin Felix as CMO to Push Unified Ad Tech
TripleLift announced the appointment of Timothy Jasionowski as Chief Product and Technology Officer and Benjamin Felix as Chief Marketing Officer. The hires are intended to accelerate the company’s TL Spark platform and deliver a more integrated advertising stack across the open...
Ocean Spray Seeks to Revive the Cosmopolitan
Ocean Spray is reviving the iconic Cosmopolitan with two new UK‑focused recipes—a short, bittersweet “Cosmo Hold Up” and a longer, berry‑laden “Cosmo Berry Bush.” The drinks, created by mixologist Ed To and vetted by a focus group that included Table...
AI Now Core to B2B SaaS: Majority Adoption
30 AI adoption insights from B2B SaaS in 2025: > Gen-AI usage among US adults climbed from ~45% in mid-2024 to ~55% in mid-2025. >OpenAI reported roughly 700 million weekly active users in 2025. > Google's Gemini App reached over 400 million monthly...
The HFF Masterclass: Running A Newsletter
Veteran film executive Ted Hope argues that newsletters represent the third major disruption to the cinema business, after the internet and digital capture. In his May 6, 2026 masterclass he explains how easy-to-use platforms let creators build direct, two‑way relationships with audiences....
Haleon Appoints Richard Manso as U.S. CMO to Accelerate Data‑Driven Health Marketing
Haleon has named former Google executive Richard Manso as its U.S. chief marketing officer. Manso will steer an integrated, data‑focused marketing strategy across categories, targeting moments when consumers make health decisions. The move signals Haleon's push to deepen personalization and...
Blue Bite’s Matthew Shay on Connecting Real-World Signals to Digital Engagement: A Demand Gen Report Q&A
Blue Bite’s Director of Media Matthew Shay explains that B2B buyers now interact across a web of channels, devices, and real‑world moments before speaking with sales, forcing marketers to adopt contextual, connected, and measurable omnichannel strategies. He highlights the company’s...
Calibrate AI Use to the Decision at Hand
The article argues that AI must be matched to the type of decision it supports, separating narrow, data‑driven choices from wide, ambiguous, politically charged ones. Misapplying generative tools to narrow problems or analytical engines to wide decisions leads to weak...
Brand Visibility: How to Increase It in the Era of AI
Brand visibility now extends beyond traditional search and social feeds into AI‑generated answers, making it a critical growth lever. Companies that treat visibility as a strategic asset—building AEO‑ready content, dominating branded and category search, and maintaining consistent brand assets—see shorter...
Salt & Stone’s Founder Built a Breakout Brand by Ignoring This 1 Thing
Salt & Stone, founded by former pro‑snowboarder Nima Jalali, has become the top‑selling deodorant on Amazon and one of the fastest‑growing personal‑care brands. Rather than mimicking rivals, Jalali focused on a superior product and a distinct brand voice, allowing the...
Shopify Posts Fourth Straight 30%+ Revenue Surge, Adds Luxury Brands in Q1 2026
Shopify announced a fourth consecutive quarter of at least 30% revenue and GMV growth, bolstered by new contracts with luxury names such as LVMH, Mulberry and BevMo!. The company said AI is now embedded in every product and operation, positioning...
Aldi Pushes Its Low Prices with No Loyalty Scheme ‘Faff’
Aldi has rolled out a “no points, no cards, no faff” advertising campaign to underline that shoppers can access its everyday low prices without joining a loyalty scheme. The German discounter, which holds about 11% of the UK grocery market...
Forget Complex Growth Strategies: There Are Really Only 3 Ways to Scale Your Startup
The article reduces startup scaling to three core levers: acquire new customers, increase purchase frequency, and boost average spend. It dismisses elaborate growth frameworks, urging founders to systematically explore new markets, traffic sources, geographies, and sales tactics. By iterating across...
OpenAI Opens ChatGPT Ads Manager to U.S. Advertisers, Drops $50K Minimum Spend
OpenAI has launched a beta self‑serve Ads Manager for ChatGPT in the United States, removing the $50,000 minimum spend and introducing cost‑per‑click bidding, a conversion pixel and a conversions API. The company also signaled that third‑party measurement and cost‑per‑action bidding...
Teremana Launches Social Connection Campaign
Dwayne Johnson’s Teremana Tequila has teamed with social‑meetup app Timeleft to launch the "Share the Table, Share the Mana" campaign. The initiative debuted with interactive billboards in Los Angeles and will run Thursday‑night events from April through August in 13 U.S....
Advertisers Spent $1 Billion on Criteo in Q1, Up 8% Year-Over-Year
Criteo processed $1 billion in media spend during Q1 2026, marking an 8% year‑over‑year increase and the first time the company crossed the billion‑dollar threshold. Despite the higher spend, total revenue fell 9% to $425 million, reflecting a broader decline in its core...
Retail Stability Hinges on Disciplined Transformation, Deeper Consumer Connection
Retail leaders from VF, Lululemon, Adidas and Ulta said disciplined transformation is essential for stability. They stressed protecting brand equity, resetting cost structures, and using AI while avoiding hype. Immersive, community‑focused experiences and localised assortments were highlighted as ways to...
Santander Likes to Say ‘No’ to TSB as Brand Disappears After 215 Years
Santander completed a £2.65 billion ($3.4 billion) purchase of TSB last week and immediately announced plans to retire the 215‑year‑old brand, rebranding the business as Santander UK. The move ends a long‑standing marketing legacy that included the iconic “yes” jingle and the 1989...
Place Affiliate Links in Navbar and Footer for Conversions
"How can I promote my affiliation program?" Add the affiliate link in both your navbar (see image) and footer. - Affiliate looking to promote some solutions will go straight to your footer to see if you have an affiliate program. - Users who...
Google Ads Adds Automatic Site Visits Metric
Running Google Ads? -> Google Officially Introduces Site Visits Asset "Site visits is an automated asset that shows how many times your website has been visited. This non-clickable text appears directly in your ads, giving potential customers a clear...
Paige Nienaber’s Midweek Idea Dump: Memorial Day Memories
Radio market managers are leveraging the back‑to‑back Victoria Day (May 18) and U.S. Memorial Day (May 25) weekends to run high‑visibility, on‑the‑ground promotions. Jeff Berry’s Cumulus Albuquerque “250 Flags” stunt demonstrated how a community‑focused campaign can generate revenue comparable to a small...
Disney Says Epic Games Partnership Key to Youth Engagement
Amid questions about Disney's commitment to Epic Games, D’Amaro and CFO Hugh Johnston said “our collaboration with Epic Games is central to our efforts" to reach younger consumers: Disney characters are “among the most popular across the Fortnite universe” https://t.co/v57KYoi9Gh
Rethink SEO: Modern Metrics Over Outdated Reporting
Most Old SEO Reporting Metrics Are Outdated... Here's How We SHOULD Be Thinking About Results https://t.co/e2eLme2cQ3
'Forward Deployed AI Accelerator' Is the Latest Job Title of the AI Era. It Pays up to $198k a Year.
Stripe announced a new marketing‑focused role titled “Forward Deployed AI Accelerator,” designed to embed AI expertise directly within its marketing teams. The position will coach marketers to adopt AI as their default workflow and is compensated between $132,000 and $198,000....
Influencer Marketing Spend Nears Tipping Point, Creators Brace
The way advertisers spend money on influencer marketing is heading toward a tipping point. @dwhate & I break down what it means for creators: https://t.co/Iq6mouafEU
Nostalgic for Transparent Website Traffic Sources
I miss the days when you could see where your website traffic came from... https://t.co/jr9lsumvYk
Podcasting Has Already Overtaken TV. Here’s the Proof
The 2026 UK Advertising Landscape Study, funded by Sounds Profitable with a multi‑million‑pound (≈$2.5 million) investment, reveals that podcasting now reaches more 18‑34‑year‑olds (60%) than broadcast TV (57%). While TV still dominates older viewers, podcast reach among 35‑54‑year‑olds is strong, with...
Structure Your Content: Pillars, Clusters, and Internal Links
Stop publishing random blog posts. That's the wrong move. Start here: // Map your content topics // Create pillar pages // Build supporting clusters // Connect everything with internal links Structure matters more than you want to think.
White Stuff Launches Good Stuff – Its First-Ever Loyalty Programme
White Stuff, the British lifestyle retailer owned by TFG London, has introduced Good Stuff, its first loyalty programme. The tier offers personalised discounts, birthday treats, VIP event invitations, free styling sessions, monthly flower‑seed pickups and a spin‑the‑wheel feature that can...