AI Promises Creative Scale. Marketers Discover They Now Need 10 Times More Ads
Marketers are confronting an unprecedented demand for creative assets as AI platforms enable rapid production at scale. A joint Ipsos‑Smartly study finds brands are now creating roughly ten times more ads to stay competitive, yet effectiveness hinges on combining high creativity with strong empathy. The report’s bar chart shows that ads with both high creativity and empathy outperform others by up to 20 percentage points, while low scores on both dimensions can depress performance by 23 points. This shift forces agencies to rethink budgets, talent, and measurement.
How the Portland Fire Marketed a Basketball Team with No Players
The Portland Fire tackled the classic expansion challenge of marketing a team before any players were signed. SVP Kimberly Veale leveraged the jersey launch and a partnership with the NBA Trail Blazers to create visual brand momentum in January. A...
Crossing the Digital Divide: 6 Keys for Marketing to Gen Z
Financial planners face a seismic shift as Gen Z—who will inherit roughly $106 trillion from boomers—enters the market. The cohort, born 1997‑2012, is the first fully digital‑native generation and views wealth‑building through alternative channels like crypto and esports betting. Marketers must adapt...
Influ2 Launches Contact-Level GTM Orchestration
Influ2 unveiled a contact‑level go‑to‑market orchestration platform on May 6, enabling B2B revenue teams to trigger personalized actions for individual buyers rather than relying on account‑wide averages. The new suite includes signal‑to‑topic matching, cross‑platform context sync, omni‑channel orchestration, and automatic Salesforce...
Why This Athlete-Led Agency Is Going All-In On Women's NIL
Learfield is expanding its Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) business by hiring former athletes like Jenna Johnson, who moved from an NIL coordinator role at Alabama to Business Manager at Vanderbilt. Johnson has already brokered 146 NIL deals for 70...
Versuni Launches Philips Airfryer Partnership with Unilever Foods
Versuni, the global licensee for Philips home appliances, announced a multi‑year partnership with Unilever Foods to pair Philips Airfryer technology with Knorr seasoning products. The collaboration launches in the UK this July, starting with a QR‑code giveaway in Tesco stores...
I Heart Wines Builds on Strong Growth with GEN-Z Focused Summer Activations
I heart wines is launching its "I heart kinda Summer" campaign across UK universities and cultural events to deepen engagement with Gen‑Z. The tour begins on May 5 at the University of Liverpool, featuring a pink TukTuk, scratchcards, selfie spots and...
Amedia Ignored Older Subscribers to Attract Younger Ones
Norway’s largest newspaper publisher, Amedia, discovered that its subscriber base skewed heavily toward readers over 80, outnumbering those under 40. To reverse this, the company concealed 90% of older subscribers in its analytics tools and refocused editorial teams on content...
Google Analytics Data API Adds Cross-Channel Conversion Reporting (Alpha)
Google has extended its Analytics Data API to include cross‑channel conversion reporting, now available in an alpha release. The new endpoint mirrors the Conversion performance report in the Analytics UI, delivering paid and organic conversion data via programmatic calls. Developers...
First Watch, Portillo’s and KFC
First Watch’s refreshed menu and a digital push lifted same‑store sales 2.8% despite a 2% dip in traffic, with 75% of locations now running targeted ads. Portillo’s saw a 0.8% rise in transactions but a 0.1% same‑store sales decline as average...
Ted Baker Returns to Physical Retail with Launch at Manchester's Selfridges
Ted Baker has re‑entered physical retail with a shop‑in‑shop boutique inside Selfridges Manchester Trafford Centre. The space showcases a summer‑focused collection that blends hand‑painted florals, park‑toile prints and ’90s‑inspired silhouettes. The launch is part of Authentic Brands Group’s plan to...
Google Flow Music and Believe Bring Next-Gen Tools to Artists
Google has partnered with global artist development firm Believe to roll out its Flow Music platform, powered by the new Lyria 3 Pro AI model, to Believe’s roster of artists, producers and songwriters. Flow Music acts as a collaborative assistant, generating lyrics,...
David North America Casts Jessica Alba In Luna Bar Campaign
Actress Jessica Alba has been signed as the inaugural ambassador for Luna Bar’s new “Easy to Love” campaign, created by David North America and media‑planned by VaynerMedia. The campaign, Luna Bar’s first major creative push in seven years, features four...
Meesho Says 70% of Its Code Is AI-Generated; AI Feeds Drive 75% of Orders
Meesho, the SoftBank‑backed Indian social commerce platform, reports that over 70% of its software code is now generated by AI tools, accelerating product development and testing. AI‑driven personalized feeds account for roughly 75% of all orders, boosting conversion rates by...
Agentic AI for Marketing: Reimagine End-to-End Customer Experiences
Agentic AI is emerging as the next evolution of marketing technology, moving beyond content creation to orchestrate decisions and execution across the customer journey. Adobe positions its unified platform to connect AI agents with real‑time data, governance, and workflow automation,...
Wyndham Introduces Native ChatGPT App
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts unveiled a native ChatGPT app that lets users browse and book from its portfolio of roughly 8,400 hotels directly within OpenAI’s ChatGPT interface. The app features map‑based navigation, amenity filters and natural‑language prompts, and redirects users...
How CPAs Can Build a Trusted Brand That Truly Connects
The article explains how CPAs can transform generic accounting services into a trusted brand by defining a clear niche, crafting a repeatable core message, and aligning every client touchpoint with that promise. It stresses that branding is less about flashy...
Adobe and OpenAI Integrate ChatGPT Ads Into GenStudio for Performance Marketing
Adobe and OpenAI announced that Adobe GenStudio for Performance Marketing now integrates ChatGPT ads, letting marketers create brand‑approved copy and assets and launch them in ChatGPT with a single click. The workflow pulls assets from Adobe Experience Manager or third‑party...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
'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....
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...
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...
The Guardian Draws on Its Past for New Campaign
The Guardian has refreshed its iconic 1980s "Points of View" television spot with a new campaign called "The Whole Picture," released to mark its 205th birthday. The updated ad re‑engages original director Paul Weiland and features veteran actress Kathy Burke, who...
CredSpark Launches Banter: A New Brand Focused on Transforming B2B Marketing and Sales Through Interactive Experiences
CredSpark has launched Banter, a new B2B brand that converts static marketing assets into interactive, data‑driven experiences. The platform leverages over 400 million interaction data points and AI‑enhanced analytics to deliver real‑time lead scoring, segmentation and actionable buyer insights. Banter’s capabilities...
Inside the Modern Beauty Discovery Dilemma and How Brands Can Beat It
Beauty shoppers, especially Gen Z, face a paradox of choice: while product variety has exploded, many struggle to find items that truly match their personal aesthetic. Nearly half of Gen Z say decisions are harder than a year ago, and 48% admit...
VisRank Launches Free SEO and AI Search Visibility Audit Tool
VisRank has launched a free, 30‑second online audit that scores a website’s visibility across SEO, AI readiness, security and local presence. The tool evaluates 49 signals and delivers a 0‑100 Visibility Score along with prioritized fixes. It emphasizes Answer Engine...