Brands broadening their appeal outperform, but lower-income exposure is becoming a bigger risk.

Judicious credit strategy helped the co-brand giant power volume growth as cardholders fell.

As the cost of living goes up, legacy players can’t rely on brand loyalty alone—competitive perks win.

AI prep is changing visits, with doctors wary of misinformation but optimistic about patient education.

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.

“To say that anybody has an emotional response to any marketing expression is the highest praise one might receive,” said Nicolas Chidiac, chief strategy officer at Razorfish. “But the reality is it’s a significantly harder reality to materialize.” The gap between belief and consumer behavior is wider than many realize.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss why measurement is harder than it used to be, how the metrics advertisers use to evaluate their spend are changing, and what marketers can—and should—do to navigate this transition effectively. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Principal Analyst Max Willens, Nielsen's Head of Performance Marketing Alison Gensheimer, and SVP and Head of Advertisers and Agencies Matthew Devitt. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the main factors leading marketers to cut spending at the moment, how advertisers are adapting their approach to measurement, and what is happening in the industry as more marketers begin to embrace the opportunity to shift spend at a higher velocity. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Principal Analyst Max Willens, Nielsen's Head of Performance Marketing Alison Gensheimer, and SVP and Head of Advertisers and Agencies Matthew Devitt. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

Early holiday trends from Prime Big Deal Days reveal a more cautious, value-driven shopper, according to PMG’s analysis. Success this season will hinge on brands sustaining visibility and offering deals that feel genuinely worth it.

Tomorrow’s grocery shoppers will expect AI tools that anticipate their needs, faster checkouts, and consistent pricing across channels. In this new era, convenience and technology will shape behavior, but value and trust will remain the deciding factors.

As Primark celebrates its 10-year anniversary in the US, the European retail giant navigates the challenges of building brand awareness in a competitive American market while staying true to its core value proposition that made it a cultural institution in the UK and Ireland.

Consumers are approaching the holiday season with restraint: 27% of US adults expect to spend less from October to December, while 22% spend more, per a July survey from Experian and ad platform GroundTruth. Discounters and value-oriented retailers should be well-positioned to draw holiday sales from consumers. Still, retailers chasing growth during the make-or-break holiday season will need to drive and reward value-seeking behavior. That means their marketing must be aligned with shopping behaviors. Messaging should spotlight value and affordability. Marketing campaigns should be stretched across the extended shopping season, not just concentrated on big events like Black Friday. Promotions and loyalty perks should be used to reward value seekers.

Nearly three-quarters (73.5%) of US adults at least sometimes check prices or inventory online before visiting a store, according to a May survey from Locala and EMARKETER.

Brinker International and Cava Group posted diverging quarterly results, showing the split fortunes in the restaurant industry as consumers eat at home more often and become pickier about where they spend. In the current environment of economic pressure and home-shifted dining, restaurants can stand out from the crowd by making their value clear to cost-conscious consumers. Here’s how underperforming dining chains can improve: Offer value, not just lower prices. Deals like Chili’s “3 for Me” are easy to understand and come across as a genuine bargain. Try limited-time promotions for new items, or lean on nostalgia by resurrecting discontinued items. Invest in operational excellence. Well-trained staff and hospitality can encourage deal seekers to return.

Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) are no longer seen primarily as budget-friendly dining. Just 14% of consumers view them as a good value, while nearly a quarter (23%) now consider them a treat or reward, per consumer insights platform Zappi. That’s a notable shift for a category long associated with affordability. That helps explain why nearly a third (31%) of US adults have cut back spending on fast food. As inflation erodes fast food’s traditional value proposition, QSRs must sharpen their brand strategy or risk alienating diners. Brands that lean into indulgence and novelty can help position meals as a “treat,” while doubling down on affordability with compelling promotions and budget-friendly meal deals can reengage price-sensitive consumers.

B2B social media has evolved from an awareness tool into a central part of how brands build trust, influence buying decisions, and drive business growth. AI, video, and influencer marketing are reshaping strategies and raising expectations for measurable impact.

Holiday shoppers in 2025 aren’t cutting back—they’re prioritizing. According to new research from Inmar Intelligence, 82% of shoppers plan to cut back on everyday essentials to make room for gifts and experiences.

“There are lots of shiny new pennies in marketing, so it's very easy to get distracted,” said Nicklaus Hasselberg, VP of growth marketing and ecommerce at Every Man Jack, at The Lead Summit in New York City last week. “It’s about ‘What do we reasonably believe will have the biggest impact on our business?' And let’s do it as well as we can."

48% of US adults want brands to be clear and thorough about price increases, explaining the reasons, including tariffs, according to March 2025 data from Collage Group.