CMOs are confronting AI fatigue by refocusing on human creativity and trust. As automation accelerates, leaders are rebalancing efficiency with authenticity to restore credibility and performance.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss why investors wanted to bring in an outsider to right the ship, what’s most to blame for Target’s recent struggles, and what should be top of the new CEO’s to-do list. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and guest host, Marcus Johnson, and Senior Analysts, Blake Droesch and Arielle Feger.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss whether advertisers can still create powerful brand narratives in such a fragmented media universe, the best piece of advice for advertisers trying to negotiate a minefield of tariff-related changes, and how AI will impact advertising and marketing over the next 12 months. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Vice President and Principal Analyst Jasmine Enberg, and Principal Analyst Sarah Marzano. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

In this report, CMOs share how they’re transforming influencer strategies to deliver business impact—and what solution providers can do to help.

Lakota Federal Credit Union introduced a mobile banking unit so remote tribal members can participate.

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.

Recently, Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke asked employees requesting more resources to prove they “cannot get what they want done using AI,” according to a memo posted to X. The directive reflects a wave of anxiety among workers that AI will eliminate potential jobs—or their current ones.

CMOs are mastering brand bravery to stand out in competitive markets. Through bold strategies, innovative campaigns, and authentic storytelling, they balance daring moves with trust and integrity. In this report, four leading CMOs share how they transform risks into impactful brand actions.

Retail media was the fastest-growing ad channel we tracked in the US in 2024. While that growth will slow slightly (from 20.4% to 20.2%) in 2025, it’s still primed for innovation—and challenges. Here’s what our analysts and podcast guests had to say about retail media, with insights into what it means for 2025.

CMOs are using AI tools to transform marketing by enhancing creativity, optimizing campaigns, and streamlining operations. AI will shape marketing's future, but strategic implementation, data privacy, and bias remain hurdles for widespread adoption.

Automation and AI are enhancing email marketing with improved personalization and efficiency.

Amid rising fintech and neobank competition, traditional financial institutions are investing in their rivals.

On today's podcast episode, in our "Retail Me This, Retail Me That" segment, we discuss whether TikTok Shop will face the same challenges as Instagram's social commerce efforts, how much Amazon's partnership with Meta's social media platforms will affect TikTok, and if TikTok Shop is ruining TikTok. Then in a newish segment, "Loyalty Point, Counter Point," we discuss whether Instagram or TikTok has a better overall ecommerce experience. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts analysts Sky Canaves and Blake Droesch.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss what's most to blame for X (formerly Twitter) losing half its value in the past year, what the platform has turned into, and the biggest challenges facing it heading into 2024. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Jasmine Enberg and Max Willens.

Inflation is inevitable and its impact is extensive, affecting everything from the cost of goods to consumer behavior and business expenses. To navigate these challenges, ecommerce businesses must be proactive in finding solutions to combat inflation’s effects to emerge stronger and more resilient.

Just as agencies came to terms with the pandemic wave, they were forced to contend with the war in Ukraine, ongoing supply chain disruptions, global political polarization and unrest, soaring inflation, and concerns of a recession

Shopify’s latest product launches promise to help calm the waters for cross-border selling, but it isn’t likely to be entirely smooth sailing. Join our analyst Bill Fisher as he hosts analysts Paul Briggs and Carina Perkins to discuss the opportunities and threats to cross-border trading around the world.