On today’s podcast, we discuss how Bombas has held onto its purpose as it has scaled, what separates partnerships that last from those that are simply campaigns, and the signals that tell Soles4Souls when a company is genuinely committed versus just checking a box. Tune in for a conversation featuring Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Buddy Teaster, President and CEO of Soles4Souls, and Kelly Cobb, VP of Impact at Bombas.
AI is reshaping search and shopping: Traffic is shifting to chatbots and AI tools, but monetization is still limited for most players.
Retailers and brands need clear savings, bundles, and loyalty offers to win cautious shoppers.
A licensing mandate could force retailers to choose between speed, flexibility, and cost.
Its $250 billion AI infrastructure investment courts Washington, but public backlash over data centers could erode the goodwill.
Its automated insights can help marketers act faster, but it also raises the stakes for maintaining an independent view.
AI adoption outpaces marketer training: 43% of marketers lack formal training, leaving leaders to close skills gaps before AI can deliver meaningful results.
63% of adults ages 30-49 support a ban on under-16s using social media, the highest of any age group and more than triple the 19% who oppose it, according to a June survey from Pew Research Center.
Grocery brands are launching AI shopping assistants that can turn a photo of a handwritten grocery list into a completed cart in seconds, the assistants can pull double duty as new ad spaces for sponsored products.
TikTok advertising works differently than the platforms it competes with: its impact builds slowly, peaks late, and persists after campaigns end. Combined with TikTok Shop's commerce engine and new event-driven surfaces, the platform rewards advertisers who plan for demand-building rather than instant conversion. This FAQ covers TikTok's ad effectiveness evidence, the ownership-transition trust question, and how to buy the platform well in 2026.
Affordability is making age a weaker predictor of spending and life-stage behavior.
Smaller portions may appeal to solo diners and give the chain another way to build visits.
Reddit helps shoppers vet AI advice: Consumers check AI recommendations on Reddit, giving brands purchase influence that clicks may not capture.
Experiences, dining, and Gen Z-focused tenants are increasing visits and time spent at top-tier shopping centers.
Its focus on backend efficiency could help, but delaying consumer-facing AI may leave room for competitors.
Trusted voices assuage price-sensitive consumers, but the effect is far stronger among younger shoppers.
Amex’s pop-ups need to captivate younger consumers’ attention as the cohorts gains buying power.
Capital One’s 20-year renewal ties the bank to a $1 billion rebuild and expands cardholder perks into a loyalty play.
The executive order also targets combined MMR shots, widening the divide between federal policy and medical guidance.
YouTube requirements double: New creators need more views or watch time to be eligible for payouts, concentrating advertising value in larger channels.