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    Why unpaid media is now essential to AI visibility

    Earned media and community discussion generate the authority signals that determine whether a brand gets recommended by AI, writes Abigail Niziankiewicz of Mediassociates.

    Abigail Niziankiewicz • July 9, 2026
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    Patriotism is no longer a campaign — it’s a branding strategy

    Consumers define patriotic brands through a wider lens than marketers, writes Robert Passikoff, founder and president of Brand Keys.

    Robert Passikoff • June 30, 2026
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    Marketing’s next target audience? Co-workers

    When marketing’s mission and value aren’t clear, it can be undervalued by colleagues, writes The Conference Board’s Denise Dahlhoff.

    Denise Dahlhoff • June 25, 2026
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    Why data accuracy matters more than data scale amid the rise of AI

    In an automated world, bad data not only misleads marketing teams but also accelerates mistakes, writes Epsilon’s Gillian MacPherson.

    Gillian MacPherson • June 16, 2026
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    The problem for brands isn’t their marketing strategy — it’s their structure

    Organizations that fail to deliver have often hired great talent into a broken system, writes Edmunds’ Alison Steinlauf Anziska.

    Alison Steinlauf Anziska • June 10, 2026
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    World Cup tests marketers’ ability to prove value of sponsorships

    When every brand shows up in the same way, visibility becomes the baseline rather than the differentiator, writes Gartner’s Nicole Greene. 

    Nicole Greene • June 4, 2026
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    How AI is making ad creative faster — and more fair

    The shift toward AI is not just about producing ads faster, it’s about giving creative capability to everyone, writes Amazon’s Nikhil Nanivadekar.

    Nikhil Nanivadekar • April 22, 2026
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    Will ChatGPT ads become a meaningful part of the performance media mix?

    Questions remain around whether LLM ads can be evaluated with the same rigor as the rest of advertisers’ media plans, writes AppFlyer’s Brian Quinn.

    Brian Quinn • April 9, 2026
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    via Koddi.

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    Creators work, but measurement doesn’t — yet

    While creators deliver impact across the funnel, most campaigns are still evaluated using outdated proxies, writes the IAB’s Zoe Soon.

    Zoe Soon • March 11, 2026
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    AI is accelerating measurement theater and creating ‘ghost ships’

    “Ghost ships” are technically flawless models that never influence real decisions — WPP Media’s Jeffrey Kennedy explains how to avoid them.

    Jeffrey Kennedy • Jan. 15, 2026
  • App icons for generative AI assistants OpenAI ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude, DeepSeek, Meta AI and xAI Grok are pictured on a smartphone screen.
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    How generative AI upends the brand crisis playbook

    A recent Campbell’s controversy demonstrates how brands must respond to negative narratives in the age of AI, writes Terakeet’s Shannon Reedy.

    Shannon Reedy • Dec. 22, 2025
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    Why the advertising industry can’t wait for responsible AI guidelines

    If companies wait for regulation, they will always be behind, says Integral Ad Science Chief Compliance Officer Kevin Alvero.

    Kevin Alvero • Sept. 22, 2025
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    Cracker Barrel: Another case of the blanding of branding

    Restaurants must engage core and growth audiences to understand what they value and which brand equities to protect, evolve or retire, writes Jon Shapiro, chief creative officer of brand experience at PV&COHO.

    Jon Shapiro • Sept. 3, 2025
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    How experiences turn in‑store retail media into real results

    Retail media needs to bridge the gap between physical and digital to create a cohesive media ecosystem, writes Sam’s Club’s Harvey Ma.

    Harvey Ma • Aug. 22, 2025
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    Do the upfronts still matter?

    The annual ad-buying bonanza can’t survive on nostalgia and sports alone and needs to modernize, says Juice Media CEO Mark Zamuner.

    Mark Zamuner • April 23, 2025
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    Why 2025 will be the year for ‘fill-in-the-blank’ media networks

    Organizations in industries as varied as software or travel have or are planning to launch ad networks, and many more will follow, said Upwave’s Chris Kelly.

    Chris Kelly • March 20, 2025
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    Breaking into the big game: Tips for first-time Super Bowl advertisers

    The real winners in big game advertising aren't crowned during the game, but they're revealed in the months that follow, said 5WPR’s Ronn Torossian.

    Ronn Torossian • Feb. 6, 2025
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    What Google Chrome’s potential sale means for the future of advertising

    The pressure is on for marketers to establish data-driven, adaptable strategies, according to Keen Decision Systems’ Bradley Keefer.

    Bradley Keefer • Dec. 2, 2024
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    3 brands that understand Gen Alpha’s humor — and what they’re doing right

    Sour Patch Kids, Crocs and Nutter Butter all tap into the meme-driven humor that the cohort loves, says Movers+Shakers’ CEO Evan Horowitz. 

    Evan Horowitz • Oct. 22, 2024
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    Why marketers should focus on value over price this holiday season

    Beyond affordability, shoppers are hungry for convenience, rewards and an enriching shopping journey, according to Razorfish’s David MacDonald. 

    David MacDonald • Oct. 15, 2024
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    How brands can maximize consumer searches in the age of generative AI

    Marketers must refine their search strategy as consumers, particularly younger cohorts, shift away from traditional search engines, said Captify’s Mike Welch.

    Mike Welch • Sept. 5, 2024
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    What marketers must do to get retail media measurement right

    The rise of first-party IDs offers the promise of closed loop measurement, but carries with it both highs and lows, said CvE’s Paul Frampton.

    Paul Frampton • Aug. 29, 2024
  • A group of young protesters marching fill the frame with signs that read "Planet Over Profit" and "Climate Justice" with a sunflower sprouting bottom to top as the "i" in climate and "t" in justice.
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    How marketers can leverage creative to combat the impacts of fossil fuel

    An essential gap remains in public awareness of the role fossil fuel companies play in the climate crisis, according to WRTHY’s Katie Harrison. 

    Katie Harrison • Aug. 20, 2024
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    What brands can learn about emotion from Olympic ads by Nike and Coke

    How emotions are used often determines whether creative can do more than just connect, but actually predispose viewers to buy, says Kantar’s Jane Ostler.

    Jane Ostler • Aug. 9, 2024
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    How Google’s move to retain cookies will impact digital advertisers

    The recent twist in the Privacy Sandbox saga is a wake-up call for the entire digital advertising ecosystem, according to Upwave’s George London.

    George London • Aug. 8, 2024