The news: Mark Read will exit as CEO of WPP at the end of 2025, concluding a three-decade run shaped by AI investment and structural overhauls. While Read launched tools like WPP Open and pushed to streamline operations, the company still posted a 1% organic revenue decline in 2024 and hit a four-year stock price low. Our take: Read’s departure marks a critical inflection point for WPP and the broader agency model. With 56.1% of agency leaders naming inefficiency as their top issue, the next CEO will need to go beyond tech implementation and deliver meaningful workflow clarity and cost discipline—fast.
The news: A CBS investigation discovered hundreds of deepfake ads on Meta platforms promoting “nudify” apps that create sexually explicit content based on images of real people. The analysis of Meta’s ad library found at minimum hundreds of deepfake ads across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Facebook Messenger, and Meta Audience Network. Our take: The rise of deepfakes on major platforms like Meta emphasizes AI’s potential to erode consumer trust and raise brand safety risks—forcing advertisers to navigate a growing gap between innovation and lagging safeguards.
The news: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) plans to split into two separate public companies by 2026, one focused on streaming and studios and the other on global cable networks, the company announced. Its streaming company will include HBO Max and WBD’s movie properties, while the global networks company will include TNT Sports, Discovery, and CNN. Our take: WBD’s move emphasizes that sticking with a one-size-fits-all model is no longer viable given traditional TV declines and the rise of streaming. Managing decline while pursuing growth requires two fundamentally different playbooks.
The news: Apple’s highly anticipated AI enhancements, particularly for Siri, remain unfinished. During WWDC 2025, SVP Craig Federighi confirmed delays, stating Apple needs “more time to reach a high-quality bar.” No major voice assistant upgrades were announced. Apple’s most relevant AI move wasn’t a product—it was a warning: Ahead of its event, Apple published a research paper arguing that top models like OpenAI’s GPT-4o, Anthropic’s Claude 3.7, and Google’s Gemini don’t truly “reason.” Instead, they create an “illusion of thinking.” Our take: Apple is hedging its AI bets by being cautious with core offerings like Siri while quietly enabling developers with on-device LLMs and privacy-first tools. Instead of overpromising, Apple is pointing out potential problems with the latest AI models while exercising restraint.
The news: Generative AI (genAI) has become standard across US enterprises—95% of companies report using it to some extent, up from 83% a year ago, per Bain & Co—but wider enterprise adoption is hitting roadblocks. A lack of robust governance and the need for continuous security validation are getting in the way. Our take: To escape limbo, enterprises must shift from experimentation to disciplined execution. That means building AI governance into the foundation—not as an afterthought. Security, transparency, and trust must be embedded into every AI deployment. Businesses shouldn’t just see AI as a plug-and-play solution without vetting it and aligning it with desired outcomes. For marketers, campaigns built on shaky AI foundations risk brand reputation, compliance failures, and consumer mistrust.
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how advertisers have gone from navigating uncertainty to navigating whiplash, and how they can prioritize and get the most out of ad measurement with a limited budget. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Analysts Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf and Max Willens, and the Director of Product Management at Cint Stephanie Gall. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
employee experience, digital maturity, Alkami report, customer experience, digital tools, AI, data-driven marketing, talent development, upskilling, digital transformation, innovation, service delivery, KPIs, training, banking staff, employee satisfaction
Sixty percent of current and prospective homeowners are unsure whether it’s a good time to buy a home—the highest uncertainty in three years, per Bank of America’s report. Meanwhile, 75% of prospective buyers are waiting for mortgage rates to drop, up from 62% in 2023. Younger generations, especially Gen Z and millennials, are delaying homeownership, with ownership rates flatlining. Stagnant rental prices and economic uncertainty add to the hesitation. Lenders must modernize offerings, streamline processes, and explore alternative financing like crypto and peer-to-peer loans to convert hesitant buyers when the market improves.
The news: Quality control is a growing fear for advertisers as an Adweek investigation found ads from major brands appeared near offensive and inappropriate content. Ads from brands like Amazon and Verizon were found near sexual or racially offensive content on the Android short-form video app XShorts. Our take: Advertisers are increasingly faced with a digital landscape where programmatic ad buying lacks the quality control required to keep up with rapid innovation and demand for ad space—prompting renewed calls for transparency, verification, and human oversight in automated systems.
The news: In-car voice commerce has the potential to unlock a $35 billion annual opportunity for automakers, according to new research by in-car voice technology provider SoundHound AI. The hands-free tech integrates voice ordering, payments, and navigation directly into vehicles—transforming them into mobile commerce hubs that users are already familiar with. Key takeaway: Marketers and advertisers should prepare for a shift in automotive user interface by integrating voice-first campaigns into connected car ecosystems. Opportunities include forging partnerships with automakers and service providers for branded voice experiences, sponsored suggestions, and frictionless ordering while prioritizing transparency to satisfy safety regulators.
While performance marketing satisfies short-term goals, brand marketing supports long-term growth by building trust, credibility, and lasting differentiation in crowded markets. A new report from EMARKETER and StackAdapt shows a clear shift in how brands are approaching their marketing mix in 2025.
The news: This week’s Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will be a critical opportunity for Apple to define its AI transformation after a year of missteps, unfulfilled promises, and user fallout. Our take: Apple must convince users and developers that its platform is where meaningful AI happens. Leaning solely on OS and service updates won’t cut it, and ignoring its AI roadmap risks slowing iPhone and Mac upgrade cycles. The pressure is mounting. Samsung and Google are packing AI into their next phones, and 1 in 5 iPhone users say AI features could drive their next smartphone upgrade, per CNET.
The news: National TV ad revenues will fall 11.4% this year, hitting $35.3 billion, while streamers are expected to rise 26% to $7.8 billion, per a Madison and Wall projection reported by MediaPost. Our take: Advertisers should continue shifting strategies to align with viewing habits and consumer behaviors—but remain cautious about complete CTV adoption, as opaque ad placements and looming economic pressures spell an uncertain future.
Credit unions often market themselves as equal to banks, but they may be undervaluing their unique strengths. Instead of aiming to match competitors, campaigns should spotlight key differentiators like a deep-rooted commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), member ownership and control, and using profits to lower fees and rates. These qualities can build trust and attract younger, value-driven consumers. A strong example is one credit union’s storytelling strategy, which focuses on real member experiences and community impact. By highlighting authentic, mission-driven narratives, credit unions can better showcase their distinct role and value in the financial landscape.
Citibank is undertaking a major brand refresh through a bold new marketing strategy aimed at boosting relevance and customer engagement. Chief Marketing and Content Officer Alex Craddock outlined a comprehensive overhaul, including hiring specialized marketing talent, unifying wealth management services, and building a new brand platform targeting globally minded “change-makers.” The bank is shifting toward a data-driven, personalized approach using genAI and enhanced cross-channel content. Rather than incremental changes, Citi is reimagining its entire strategy to deliver more impactful, client-focused messaging—signaling a major pivot to a modern, cohesive, and insight-led marketing future aligned with its global presence.
The news: Monthly subscription dog toy company BarkBox is under fire for a leaked Slack message showing the company stepping back from its Pride marketing initiatives. The message claimed that promoting its Pride offerings alienates a large portion of BarkBox’s audience. Our take: The BarkBox backlash highlights that companies are at an inflection point where submitting to political pressures and pulling back on Pride is just as risky as staying the course—but those who remain committed are most likely to benefit in the long run.
Brokered deposits at US banks decreased for the fifth consecutive quarter in Q1 2025. This means that banks are reducing their dependence on this generally more expensive funding source in favor of lower-cost options. And targeted marketing efforts helped them achieve this. Banks employ a variety of strategies to attract and retain customers of their lower-cost deposit products such as seamless account opening, free checking accounts, early access to paychecks, and competitive rates.
The news: Newsweek is buying healthcare-focused ad platform Adprime to boost its offerings for pharma and healthcare marketers. Our take: Healthcare and pharma marketers looking for targeted, data-driven ad solutions could find valuable niche audiences tuning into Newsweek’s expanding content and events. We’re not convinced Newsweek’s adtech strategy is a slam dunk competing against much larger players, but we do think doubling down on the resilient healthcare and pharma digital ad industry makes sense.
The news: AMC Theaters has made a deal with National CineMedia (NCM) that will see the biggest US theater chain run additional ads before showings. Beginning July 1, AMC showings will include a “platinum spot” right before a film starts. Our take: AMC’s deal emphasizes that getting moviegoers back in theater seats and boosting ticket sales isn’t enough to keep the industry afloat—theaters need to diversify revenue streams through tactics like expanded advertising to remain competitive.