Inflation-adjusted back-to-school spend has fallen to $557 per child in 2026, wiping out the entire pandemic-era run-up and landing just $38 above 2019 levels, according to a May survey from Deloitte.
Many marketing teams are hitting their goals, but far fewer are built to adapt when the market shifts. A more mature partnership strategy can help CMOs diversify growth, reduce channel dependency, and gain a clearer view of what’s driving results.
56% of US GLP-1 users who are trading up to premium food and beverages say it's because they eat less overall, so they can afford higher-quality food, according to a November survey from The New Consumer and Coefficient Capital.
Journey Home moves Alliant earlier in the customer journey to win future borrowers.
More space can ease crowding, while better food and drinks make premium card perks more valuable.
The retailer is meeting shoppers where discovery happens, pairing social commerce with creator content ahead of the holidays.
Multiple financing options can serve sports fans across incomes and credit profiles.
Predictive targeting can uncover sales opportunities, but marketers should account for imperfect AI predictions
Expanded Medicare coverage has brought 700,000+ new users since July—tailored care and support will need to scale just as quickly.
ACA removals add fuel to the midterm healthcare debate, with voter perceptions hinging on whether coverage cancellations over alleged fraud prove accurate.
We attended Fierce Pharma Week, where speakers noted that AI insights that improve patient experiences and content are the next frontier.
Product integrations, creator partnerships, and branded series could turn repeat viewing into sustained engagement.
A patented system favors natural pauses, though Xbox instability may keep brands cautious.
McDonald's tests in-store advertising: A digital menu board pilot could open a new high-margin revenue stream as the chain works to revive sales.
CRM integrations could make targeting and measurement easier, but side-by-side tests will reveal where AI ads add value.
AI will touch every stage of marketing mix modeling (MMM), from cleaning data and building models to translating complex findings into plain English. But speed and automation alone won't make measurement more valuable. The bigger opportunity is using AI to help marketers get from measurement to decisions, and ultimately action, while keeping humans in the loop. ROI is one of the biggest reasons marketers turn to MMM. Focusing too narrowly on it obscures the rest of the value measurement provides.
Even AI enthusiasts, the early adopters, dedicate about 10% of their digital time to AI tools. The finding comes from Triton Digital's latest research on how AI is impacting consumer behavior and what it means for brand strategy, based on quantitative and qualitative studies across the US and UK.
New advertisers are starting small, while brand-awareness spending takes a larger role.
Brands can advertise without an Instagram profile, though Meta’s cross-app data still powers much of its value.
Brands can reach more affluent shoppers but should avoid neglecting broader audiences.