RingCentral Brings Always-On AI to the Front Lines of Customer Engagement
RingCentral announced new capabilities for its AI Receptionist (AIR), extending the service to shared SMS inboxes, call queues and integrations with Shopify, Calendly and WhatsApp. The AI agent now supports multi‑language detection for ten languages and can be deployed in minutes across e‑commerce, scheduling and messaging workflows. More than 11,800 businesses, from retail to financial services, are using AIR to answer calls and texts 24/7, reducing wait times and improving CSAT without adding headcount.
Santoor Lime’s New TVC Turns Freshness Into an ‘Everyday Recharge’
Wipro Consumer Care’s Santoor Lime has launched a new television commercial that spotlights its “3x freshness” claim, built on a blend of lime, aloe vera and menthol. The ad follows a teacher‑mother juggling work and home duties, illustrating a moment...
Organic Tattva’s New Ad Explores How Food Connects Indians Abroad to Home
Organic Tattva has launched a new digital campaign starring chef Vikas Khanna that spotlights how Indian expatriates use familiar meals to stay connected to home. The film showcases dishes such as sambar and chole bhature, positioning the brand’s organic ingredients as...
Gamefam Teams with Borussia Dortmund for FIFA Super Soccer on Roblox
Borussia Dortmund partnered with Gamefam to launch its 2026/27 Puma kits inside Roblox’s FIFA Super Soccer on May 8, 2026. The limited‑time event runs for a week, letting players compete as the German club, complete themed quests, and unlock a unique lightning‑strike...
Malaysia Airlines, Tourism New Zealand to Support Travel Demand
Malaysia Airlines and Tourism New Zealand have signed a two‑year partnership to jointly market New Zealand to Asian travelers, especially Malaysians. The collaboration will promote nature‑based, adventure and cultural experiences to young professionals, groups and experience‑seeking tourists. Malaysia Airlines currently operates ten...
Why Relevance Matters More than Visibility in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s market is evolving from a translation‑focused approach to a transformation‑driven one, demanding culturally grounded insights and integrated execution. Global brands that rely on superficial localization miss the sophisticated, expressive digital audience that shapes content. Clients now expect strategies...
5 Takeaways From Glossy’s Leaders Dinner: Retail’s Growth Playbook Is Getting More Human
At the Glossy and Modern Retail Leaders Dinner hosted with Global Payments, senior brand and retail executives examined the forces shaping growth, including AI, climbing customer‑acquisition costs, wholesale channel volatility, shifting discovery habits, and the changing purpose of physical stores....
Luxury Briefing: Pinterest’s Luxury Pitch Is AI Discovery, Not AI Answers
Pinterest’s latest earnings call revealed a sharpened luxury strategy that pivots the platform toward AI‑driven visual discovery rather than conversational answers. The company aims to become the go‑to engine for shoppers who start with images and want instant, shoppable recommendations....
Praxis Advertising Launches a Specialised Division for High-Impact Education Marketing
Praxis Advertising has unveiled Praxis Edge, a new division focused exclusively on education marketing in the UAE. The unit promises an end‑to‑end solution that blends brand strategy, digital campaigns, enrollment tactics, and campus design. Its launch coincides with Dubai’s Education...
Sorry Millennials, Gen Z Isn’t Reading All that Copy
Brands are increasingly tailoring marketing copy to the distinct communication styles of Millennials and Gen Z, a trend amplified on social media. Millennials favor longer, polished storytelling, while Gen Z responds to brief, emoji‑laden, lowercase captions that convey a “vibe” tone. Companies...
Allianz Debuts Fully Generative AI Campaign
Allianz Australia has launched its first fully generative AI‑created advertising campaign for its car insurance line. The short‑form videos, outdoor and social assets were produced by Howatson and Company’s new Unicorn studio, with every frame generated by AI. The agency...
Confessions of a CMO: Why I’m Opting Out of the 'Mother’s Day Circus'
Chief marketing officer Adora Sarah Chou declares she will stop participating in Mother’s Day promotions, arguing that such campaigns reduce motherhood to a one‑day sales event. She criticizes the industry’s reliance on emotional triggers and short‑term discounts, calling them performative rather...
Video of the Week: From Airlines to Commerce Platforms – Aviation’s Next Profit Engine
Airlines are shifting from pure transport operators to consumer commerce and data platforms to boost thin margins. Ancillary services, loyalty monetisation, digital retailing and AI‑driven personalization now account for a growing share of revenue. The transition pushes carriers toward subscription...
Dentsu Creative Steps Aside as the Iconic Calls Pitch
Australian fashion retailer The Iconic announced a procurement‑led creative pitch, with incumbent agency Dentsu Creative opting not to defend its four‑year account. Dentsu said the decision reflects a natural evolution after launching the “Got You Looking” masterbrand platform that drove...
RC Cola Zero Sugar Film via GIGIL Philippines Shows Zero Doesn’t Mean Less
RC Cola launched its Zero Sugar variant with a cinematic film crafted by GIGIL Philippines. The spot follows a man who discovers a "zero" coin that transforms his surroundings into zeros, culminating in him drinking the new product. The creative...
The Trade Desk Has A Grand Vision, But Needs A New Breed Of CMO To Make It A Reality
The Trade Desk posted Q1 2026 revenue of $689 million, a 12% year‑over‑year increase, while net income slipped to $40 million and profit margin to 6%. Shares tumbled 15% in after‑hours trading as investors reacted to cautious macro‑economic outlooks. CEO Jeff Green outlined...
The Trade Desk Has A Grand Vision, But Needs A New Breed Of CMO To Make It A Reality
The Trade Desk posted Q1 2026 revenue of $689 million, up 12% YoY, while net income fell to $40 million, delivering a 6% profit margin. CEO Jeff Green cited macro headwinds but unveiled a bold forecast that the open internet will become...
PepsiCo Talks Bubly’s Expansion Into Soda Category with Bubly POP
PepsiCo introduced Bubly POP, a low‑sugar soda, in Canada on April 22, positioning it as the brand’s natural next step beyond sparkling water. The beverage contains three grams of sugar or less per 355 ml can, real fruit juice and no artificial colours,...
Ali Wong Dials up the Pressure on Big Telco Pricing in Latest Vodafone Work via Howatson+Co
Vodafone has launched the next phase of its Ali Wong campaign with Howatson+Company, positioning the brand as a cheaper alternative to traditional big‑telco pricing. The ads feature a tongue‑in‑cheek legal‑team skit that underscores the message that a premium telco experience...
TikTok Users Are Motivated by Affiliate Links
TikTok’s shopping ecosystem is accelerating, with affiliate links prompting deeper consumer research. Donte Murry reports that 77 % of viewers who encounter affiliate content immediately search for additional product information. Comments from other users serve as a powerful social‑proof layer, influencing first‑time...
Huggies Heads To NICU With 'Natural Born Fighters'
Kimberly‑Clark’s Huggies has launched the "Natural Born Fighters" campaign, spotlighting newborns who survived extreme prematurity and went on to achieve greatness. The initiative invites parents to share stories on social media, with Huggies donating $1 per eligible post up to...
PR Roundup: Ted Turner’s Lasting Lessons, Gas Prices Surge, and Why LinkedIn Is B2B’s New Stage
Ted Turner, the CNN founder and media pioneer, died at 87, prompting a look at his bold, conversation‑driven PR playbook. At the same time, U.S. gasoline prices surged to $4.48 a gallon—a 50% jump since the Iran war began—pressuring brands...
Google Wants Non-Commodity Content. These B2B Brands Show You What It Looks Like.
Google Search Central highlighted a split between commodity and non‑commodity content, declaring that only the latter thrives in AI‑driven search results. Non‑commodity pieces are defined by uniqueness, specificity, and authenticity—attributes that founder‑led B2B brands like 6Sense, Clarify and Beehiiv already...
The Summer of 1999: How Instacart & Linqia Unlocked Full-Funnel Results via Nostalgic Creator-Led Storytelling
Instacart teamed with performance‑marketing platform Linqia to launch a summer‑1999 nostalgic creator‑led campaign that blended retro storytelling with shoppable video. The initiative leveraged a network of micro‑influencers to produce authentic, era‑specific content that was distributed across TikTok, Instagram Reels, and...
Playing the Long Game: Vitalie Taittinger on Family, FIFA and Building a Brand for the Ages
Vitalie Taittinger explains how the family‑run Champagne house has used a decade‑long partnership with FIFA to reinforce its global brand rather than chase short‑term sales. The collaboration centers on a limited‑edition Brut Réserve that ties the flagship cuvée to the...
Microsoft Ads Expands Custom Columns to Include All Conversion Metrics
Microsoft Ads has upgraded its custom columns feature to accept every conversion metric available on the platform, including both primary and all‑conversion counts. The change lets advertisers construct bespoke columns that combine ratios, blended CPA, cost per qualified lead, and...
Razer Partners with 'P2P for AI' Network to Deliver over 11,000 Unique Images at Just $0.01 per Generation During Its...
Razer launched the AVA Mini April Fool’s campaign, letting users upload pet photos to receive 3‑D AI companions. By partnering with Akash Network’s peer‑to‑peer GPU marketplace, the campaign generated over 11,000 unique images at a cost of $0.01 each, without...
Genesis Launches First-Ever Hispanic Campaign
Genesis Motor America is rolling out its first culturally centered campaign aimed at Hispanic consumers, titled “El Lujo Está en Ti” (“Your Purpose is the Ultimate Luxury”). The campaign spotlights the GV70 SUV and will run 30‑ and 15‑second bilingual...
Accor Takes Roland-Garros Global
Accor’s ALL Accor platform is partnering with Roland‑Garros to launch a hospitality‑driven campaign that blends hotel stays, live match experiences and loyalty rewards. The centerpiece is Raffles Paris, transformed with clay‑court inspired design and collaborations with Lacoste, pastry chef Yazid...
How to Measure Influencer Marketing Success: A Complete Guide for Brands
Influencer Marketing Hub released a comprehensive guide on measuring influencer marketing success, outlining the key performance indicators brands should track. The guide highlights benchmarks such as average engagement rates, cost‑per‑engagement, and a 5.2‑times return on investment reported in the 2026...
The Hidden Cost of Friction
The article reveals that mobile‑first campaigns often stumble after the tap, not because of creative or targeting, but due to hidden after‑click friction such as in‑app browsers, consent prompts, and redirect chains. These micro‑obstacles break session continuity, inflate acquisition costs,...
Cboe, Home of the VIX, Boosts Its Corporate Brand and Sets to Launch Its First Prediction-Market Product
Cboe Global Markets, the exchange best known for the VIX volatility index, announced a comprehensive corporate brand refresh and the upcoming launch of its first prediction‑market product. The rebrand introduces a new logo, visual language, and a tagline emphasizing data‑driven...
ContinuumGlobal Launches Campaign Optimizer to Improve Messaging Performance
ContinuumGlobal introduced Campaign Optimizer, an AI‑driven add‑on to its Smart Marketing Engine that promises to boost email engagement by over 15 %. The tool lets marketers refresh existing copy or draw inspiration from other brands, automatically generating brand‑compliant, production‑ready HTML in...
McDonald’s Made a Strategic Pivot and Introduced a Big New Burger. It’s Paying Off
McDonald’s reported a 9% rise in first‑quarter revenue, crediting a renewed value focus and the debut of the 1,020‑calorie Big Arch burger, which sparked viral social‑media buzz. Comparable sales climbed 3.8% globally as average ticket sizes grew. CEO Chris Kempczinski...
California Avocado Commission Invests in Customized Programs Supporting Retailers
Demand for fresh, nutrient‑dense avocados remains robust, prompting the California Avocado Commission (CAC) to deepen its investment in customized retailer programs for 2026. The commission leverages the FDA’s recent “healthy” designation—granted to only 5% of foods—and the new federal food...
AI Max vs DSA: Advertisers Question Control as Google Responds
Google is transitioning advertisers from legacy Dynamic Search Ads (DSA) to its AI‑driven Max campaigns, sparking concerns over lost URL‑level targeting granularity. Marketers argue that DSA’s ability to align ads with site architecture via categories, URL paths, and page rules...
Gen Z Discovers Apparel Shopping IRL Is Cool
Gen Z, the first fully digital generation, is turning away from online‑only apparel buying and rediscovering brick‑and‑mortar stores for social experiences. Teens now plan mall trips with friends, film TikTok videos, and value the tactile feel of fabrics. Retailers such...
MNTN Wants Its AI Video Ad Generator To Stand Apart From Its CTV Platform
MNTN unveiled QuickFrame AI 3.0, an AI‑driven video ad generator that lets users craft multi‑scene narratives and reuse assets across projects. The tool is sold as a standalone subscription aimed at small‑ and mid‑market advertisers and individual creators, separate from MNTN’s...
Inside Jeans Country: American Eagle’s First-Ever Stagecoach Activation
American Eagle debuted its first Stagecoach activation, "Jeans Country," a denim‑themed desert experience that ran April 24‑26 in Indio, California. The brand attracted roughly 2,000 festivalgoers who explored photo‑worthy touchpoints, including a customization station, an Old West lounge, and a...
Klaviyo Expands Integration with Anthropic
Klaviyo has broadened its integration with Anthropic’s Claude AI, linking its Model Context Protocol (MCP) server across Claude.ai and Claude Cowork. The expanded connector lets marketers query Klaviyo customer and performance data in natural language, generating reports, briefs, and campaign assets...
The Psychology of Beauty Retouching: Why Perfect Images Influence Buyers
The article explains that consumers form trust judgments about a brand within 100 milliseconds of seeing an image, making visual polish a decisive factor before any copy or price is considered. Research from Princeton shows facial cues drive perceived trustworthiness,...
“SEO Expert” Became “AI Search Expert” (Gulp.): How To Control AI Answer Accuracy via @Sejournal, @Lorenbaker
SEO professionals are now expected to manage AI search outcomes as brands increasingly rely on generative models for answers. In a recent webinar, seoClarity executives outlined three tactics—Orchestrator’s Playbook, Answer Certainty Metrics, and Narrative Reclamation—to help marketers ensure AI delivers...
Why Chasing Vanity Metrics Is Killing Your Social Strategy
Viral Nation EVP Richelle Batuigas argues that likes, views and impressions are poor indicators of marketing success. She unveils the Cultural Relevance Score, a framework that measures awareness, affinity and velocity to tie social activity directly to business outcomes. The...
IHG Reports Strong U.S. Demand, a Middle East Hit, and a Bet on AI Content Over Scale
IHG Hotels & Resorts announced a natural‑language search tool for its website and app, covering more than 7,000 properties. The initiative is backed by partnerships with Google, OpenAI and Anthropic, and includes a data‑overhaul to make hotel content AI‑ready. While...
![Keyword Research Has A New Strategy & It’s Getting Local Businesses Into AI Results [Webinar] via @Sejournal, @Hethr_campbell](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://cdn.searchenginejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/3-3-837.png)
Keyword Research Has A New Strategy & It’s Getting Local Businesses Into AI Results [Webinar] via @Sejournal, @Hethr_campbell
The Search Engine Journal webinar reveals that modern local SEO hinges on turning keyword research into "trust signals" that feed AI-driven business recommendations. By embedding keyword‑rich language in Google Business Profile posts, reviews, and responses, agencies can influence the AI...
Google’s Mueller: Vibe Coding Won’t Handle Your SEO For You via @Sejournal, @MattGSouthern
Google Search Relations engineers John Mueller and Martin Splitt explored AI‑driven "vibe‑coding" on the Search Off The Record podcast. They found that while tools like Claude Code, Gemini CLI and Google AI Studio can spin up functional sites quickly, SEO quality still depends...
D&D Beyond Introduces Weekly Content Drops for Subscribers
Wizards of the Coast launched D&D Beyond Drops, a weekly content feed for paid subscribers, on May 7, 2026. The service adds new maps, reveals, spells, and feats each Thursday, with larger monthly drops that include narrative encounters and player options. Both...
This Boxed Wine Brand Grew to Over 8 Figures in Sales. Its Secret Weapon? Italian Nonnas
Gratsi, a Birmingham‑based boxed‑wine startup, has built a $50 premium product around a YouTube series called “Nonna Wisdom,” which showcases Italian grandmothers and grandfathers sharing traditional recipes. The show averages 55,000 views per episode and one installment topped 250,000 views,...
Make CPE Work for You
Sandi Leyva’s article shows tax and accounting professionals how to turn conference attendance into a profit center. It outlines three practical ways to recoup costs—leveraging new client leads, upselling existing services, and applying learned techniques to raise fees. Leyva also...
Ways Moves Beyond Marketing to Position Itself as an Integrated Growth Platform
Ways Marketing Solutions is repositioning itself from a traditional agency to an integrated growth platform in Saudi Arabia. The firm has rolled out proprietary tools—including EasyWays for SMEs and the AI‑driven Tune by Ways—to unify planning, execution, and optimization. It...