Consumers are using AI for purpose-finding and companionship more than work tasks, pushing brands to think beyond productivity and into emotional, lifestyle-centric experiences
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the many definitions of an “AI agent”, why they’re so hard to build right, and what comes next. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Analyst Jacob Bourne, and Vice President of GenAI Dan Van Dyke. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
Brands face a current environment where consumers are increasingly loosening ties and changing shopping habits due to economic pressures and shifting expectations. Customers are less brand loyal today than they were five years ago, pushing brands to build stronger communities through providing emotional connections and support.
Multi-industry players have the power to redefine the future of commerce media advertising. Unlike in the US, where retailers and FIs typically operate independently, many Latin American retailers act as financial services providers—offering credit lines, digital wallets, and other banking products to unbanked and underbanked consumers.
TikTok-fueled impulse buying is redrawing the affiliate marketing landscape. As shoppers skip the research phase and rely on creator recommendations, brands are rethinking how they build trust, drive conversions, and stay ahead of trends.
Smaller sales can produce big results: Once again, Amazon is using category-specific sales events to drive increasingly cautious consumers to spend.
The deal received conditional regulatory approval, shaking up the card space and larger financial service industry
Brands keep quiet on sustainability this Earth Month: Green initiatives among retailers are few and far between due to anti-ESG campaigns and tariff concerns.
UK marketers cut budgets in Q1: Economic pressures and Trump’s trade moves spark shift to performance-focused tactics and short-term gains.
The Trump administration injects more uncertainty into supply chains with new ship fees: While less stringent than initially proposed, the levies will raise costs and complicate operations.
Travel brands and issuers are pushing premium cards to attract affluent consumers and boost revenues
Tariffs drive ad pullbacks: Temu and Shein reduce US ad spending ahead of policy shift, signaling fallout across ecommerce and social platforms.
Discord facing lawsuit for allegedly harming minors: The case is far from the first time Discord and other platforms have faced similar scrutiny.
Global gains power L’Oréal past expectations as US market cools: CEO Nicolas Hieronimus flagged slowing beauty demand and US retailer constraints but noted the brand is well positioned to handle tariff-driven disruptions.
Anticipated tariffs are speeding up purchasing decisions, revealing a tension between economic caution and the desire to avoid future markups.
RFK Jr.’s MAHA vision receives support in Indiana: Gov. Mike Braun issued nine executive orders aligning with Kennedy’s chronic illness agenda. But cuts to Medicaid funding could prevent these initiatives from having their intended effect.
Lilly notches another win in oral GLP-1 drugs: Eli Lilly’s phase 3 success could put it in a commanding position in diabetes and weight loss if the easy-to-take—and cheaper to manufacture—drug is approved.
The walls are closing in on the largest pharmacy benefit managers: Vertically integrated healthcare conglomerates may soon have to separate their pharmacy operations from their PBM businesses.