Top marketing conferences to attend in 2026

A convenient list of must-attend events for advertising professionals, from trade organization symposiums to expos around innovation and technology.

By Jessica Hammers • Updated Jan. 27, 2026

ChatGPT lets shoppers buy products within the platform

Launching first in partnership with Etsy and Shopify, the Instant Checkout functionality has the potential to rival Amazon and Google, one expert said.

By Dani James • Sept. 30, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Marketing Dive

From the continued rise of artificial intelligence to the emergence of new digital channels, here's a look at key trends driving marketing in 2026.

By Marketing Dive staff

DraftKings bets on NBCU’s wide sports reach with multiyear ad deal

The deal grants the betting platform exclusive integrations and digital sponsorships across sports properties including the NFL and NBA.

By Jessica Hammers • Sept. 30, 2025

Horizon Media, Havas form joint venture to woo global marketers

Horizon Global will focus on U.S.-centric global clients and bring together Horizon’s Blu and Havas’ Converged.AI platforms.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 29, 2025

Sephora cozies up to beauty creators with new affiliate program

My Sephora Storefront allows U.S. influencers to build shoppable digital storefronts and arrives as sales from affiliate marketing continue to grow.

By Jessica Hammers • Sept. 23, 2025

Amazon grants marketing cloud access to any sponsored ad campaigns

With a no-code user interface, more marketers will be able to integrate their first-party data with Amazon’s shopping, browsing and streaming signals.

By Aaron Baar • Sept. 22, 2025

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.

By Kevin Alvero • Sept. 22, 2025

YouTube simplifies brand, creator partnerships with new solutions

A new artificial intelligence feature is designed to help advertisers and agencies find and connect with relevant creators more easily.

By Aaron Baar • Sept. 18, 2025

Best Buy builds retail media chops with in-store takeovers, sports deals

The retailer touted the strength of its advertising services for brand partners during its inaugural Best Buy Ads showcase.

By Jessica Hammers • Sept. 18, 2025

Amazon debuts AI ‘creative partner’ to aid with campaign development

Now in beta, the chat feature draws on Amazon’s retail insights to assist with everything from research to pumping out final creative assets like video.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 17, 2025

How Yum’s AI factory supercharges marketing at Taco Bell and beyond

Executives at the fast-food giant detail an approach to artificial intelligence that is already powering transformation throughout its digitally focused businesses.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 16, 2025

Dentsu grows programmatic know-how with Index Exchange, Chalice AI

The two companies will bolster Dentsu’s NextGen initiative, which is meant to evolve its capabilities through data, artificial intelligence and modularity.

By Aaron Baar • Sept. 15, 2025

Warner Bros. Discovery, Nielsen deepen measurement partnership

Warner Bros. Discovery will continue to lean on Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel and adopt new tools from the firm’s Advanced Audience suite next year.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 15, 2025

Why marketers still struggle to capitalize on in-store retail media

Ad spending on in-store retail media is forecast to top $1 billion by 2029, but experts on an IAB panel cited several lingering barriers to growth.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 15, 2025

Why marketers need to bridge the gap between Martech and Adtech

Unify Martech and Adtech to drive customer intelligence and unlock full-funnel marketing experiences.

By Winnie Shen • Sept. 15, 2025

Meta deepens AI focus for latest suite of brand advertiser solutions

The tech giant is expanding access to its Reels trending ads solution, which has already been utilized by brands including JCPenney and SharkNinja.

By Jessica Hammers • Sept. 11, 2025

Google grows stake in retail media advertising with Criteo partnership

The first phase of the collaboration will integrate Criteo with Google Search Ads 360, opening more demand for retail media networks.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 11, 2025

Why DSW teamed with Epsilon to bring footwear brands to retail media

Front Row Connection is powered by Epsilon Retail Media and comes as the commerce media space continues to evolve and mature.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 10, 2025

Netflix ads come to Amazon DSP as streaming race evolves

Brands using Amazon DSP will be able to directly buy premium Netflix inventory, another sign of the e-commerce giant’s dominant ad-tech stature.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 9, 2025

PubMatic sues Google as challenges to ad-tech dominance mount

The suit, similar to one filed by OpenX last month, comes as the remedy phase of Google’s ad-tech antitrust trial is set to begin later this month.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 8, 2025

More than half of consumers are wary of AI-powered search: Gartner

While consumers admit artificial intelligence is impacting how they search for products and services, 61% wish they could turn off AI summaries.

By Aaron Baar • Sept. 8, 2025

How Shake Shack removes friction between web traffic and app downloads

As it begins to invest in paid media at scale, the fast casual chain teamed with Google to drive more app conversions and return on ad spend.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 8, 2025

Campaign Trail: How a SaaS firm used AI to turn clients into ad stars

Customer experience firm 8x8 transformed real-life clients into action heroes in ads created entirely with generative artificial intelligence tools.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 5, 2025

Keurig Dr. Pepper bets big on college football with help from Disney

Mixed reality elements from the Dr. Pepper “Fansville” episodic campaign will be integrated into live college football broadcasts on ESPN and ABC.

By Aaron Baar • Sept. 2, 2025

Circana acquires Nielsen MMM to grow measurement capabilities

The move enables the data analytics company to address everything from media planning and targeting to optimization and post-campaign analysis.

By Aaron Baar • Aug. 25, 2025