Ad Age Insider

AI is all over earnings calls. AI ROI isn't, with Garett Sloane Aug 21, 2026 28:31 Ad Age senior tech editor Garett Sloane unpacks why AI dominates earnings calls at companies from Meta and Google to Colgate-Palmolive, Amazon and Booking Holdings even if it's not yet moving the bottom line for most. The conversation covers AI search and chatbots reshaping consumer discovery, ChatGPT's ad business outlook, agentic commerce experiments and the slow, standards-limited rollout of ag

Weekly Report: PepsiCo's AI agency review signals a shift from experiments to infrastructure Aug 20, 2026 07:51 This week: PepsiCo is running a global agency review focused on building out AI marketing capabilities, with Omnicom, Accenture, Deloitte, and Publicis Sapient all vying for the assignment. Plus, Google enlists creatives Susan Credle, Tiffany Rolfe and Jayanta Jenkins to make AI-generated ads using Flow and Gemini to shift industry sentiment on AI; OpenAI's CMO for business argues ChatGPT is lett

Weekly Report: Dollar Tree shifts to emotional branding as it eyes $1 billion in untapped sales Aug 13, 2026 07:11 Dollar Tree named independent agency Tombras its first-ever creative agency of record ahead of a September brand campaign—what it reveals about the shift from performance marketing to full-funnel brand building. Plus, Quality Meats co-founders launched cannabis beverage Herb Light, using retro beer nostalgia to help THC drinkers understand dosage before they try it; OpenAI expanded ChatGPT's ad in

The consumer trends marketers can't ignore this fall, with Erika Wheless Aug 7, 2026 30:37 Erika Wheless, consumer culture and brand behavior reporter at Ad Age, breaks down the consumer trends shaping the back half of 2026, and how they connect to the brands gaining the most ground with Gen Z. The conversation covers why credibility is starting to matter more than authenticity, with audiences favoring "frontline authority" voices—actual employees and experts—over traditional influencer

Weekly Report: McDonald's admits its promotional calendar backfired Aug 6, 2026 06:58 This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: McDonald's opens up about how an overloaded promotional calendar, stacking a K-pop Demon Hunters tie-in, value messaging, beverage launches, and a FIFA World Cup push, confused customers and dragged down second-quarter sales, and what it reveals about the real cost of promotional saturation and the discipline brands need to know what to cut. Plus, the M

Weekly Report: Creators are betting on equity over paid partnerships Jul 30, 2026 07:30 This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: creators like Alix Earle are increasingly chasing equity stakes instead of traditional brand deals, and what it reveals about creators becoming long-term business partners rather than just marketing assets. Plus, Popeyes names Stagwell's Anomaly as its new U.S. Creative Agency of Record following a sales decline and roster overhaul; Equinox pulls an AI-

Small Agencies are Winning Business with these 2026 Moves, with Judy Pollack, Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin Jul 24, 2026 28:27 The leaders of the 2026 Ad Age Small Agency Awards—Judy Pollack, Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin—break down what actually separated this year's winners from the pack. They dig into why small shops are ditching billable hours for outcomes-based and equity models and how agencies like Conscious Minds and Zambezi rebuilt their entire structures to compete at scale. They also talk about why social-first

Weekly Report: Taco Bell's trust test during cyclosporiasis crisis Jul 23, 2026 07:26 This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: Taco Bell's Cyclospora outbreak and what it reveals about crisis communications, food safety, and brand trust. Plus, four Madwell alumni launch independent agency Five Cherries; ChatGPT's advertising platform shifts toward conversion-based pricing; creators Grant Gibbs and Ashley Gill talk brand partnerships without sanitizing their content; and Plato's

Weekly Report: Starbucks' Culture Play, Predictive AI Targeting, Emmy-Nominated Ads Jul 16, 2026 06:16 This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: Starbucks leans into culture over explanation with its 'Pink Energy' platform, built around the fan-favorite Pink Drink. Gary Vaynerchuk takes a personal stake in affiliate marketing agency Paul Street. Forward deployed engineers are embedding directly in agencies for AI development. Bayer tests predictive AI targeting that outperforms standard demand-s

2026 ad budget check-in: where media money's moving, with Brandon Doerrer Jul 10, 2026 25:45 Ad Age Media Reporter Brandon Doerrer gives a midyear check-in on 2026 ad spend, and breaks down the insights behind the data. He gets into why budgets are holding steady despite the economic pressure, what's happening in the upfronts (Disney's ask was a lot higher than buyers wanted to pay) and why streaming—not linear—is the thing keeping TV's growth numbers alive. Hear more on growth in gaming

Weekly Report: How 2 indie shops beat larger rivals for a $550M account Jul 9, 2026 06:21 This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: how two indie agencies—Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners and Canvas Worldwide—beat holding company giants Stagwell and Publicis for California Lottery's $550 million account. Plus Meta's marketing shake-up as Chief Marketing Officer Alex Schultz moves into a new chief data officer role and Denise Moreno takes over amid Meta's AI race against Google, Micro

Weekly Report: Alex Cooper says ad agencies are the problem Jul 2, 2026 07:38 In Ad Age Insider's July 2 Weekly Report: inside Alex Cooper's pitch to brands at Cannes Lions; why Mr. Clean is going after beauty creators; how brands are combating conquesting on ChatGPT; how Q3 ad budgets are being spent; and iShowSpeed's collaboration with Expedia. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Read Ad Age's Q&A with Alex Cooper ~Inside Mr. Clean's beauty influen

Cannes Lions takeaways: Lessons for marketers to carry through 2026 Jun 26, 2026 12:07 On this week's episode of Ad Age Insider, host Parker Herren recaps the news, trends and takeaways that have emerged from the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Hear reactions and pitches from companies including Tubi, Microsoft, EA, Google, OpenAI and Anthropic. From how the AI conversation has shifted to how agencies are approaching creator marketing and emerging ad formats,

Cannes Lions pre-brief: indies and creators surge plus key topics, with Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin Jun 19, 2026 26:11 Agency reporters Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin break down the key topics, trends and questions to watch at this year's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. From how industry mergers including Omnicom-IPG will shift agency priorities to the rise of independent agencies, they describe what factors are impacting the awards, events and conversations on the ground this year. Plus, they di

CMOs on CMOs: Hippo and Solo Stove on AI and grassroots marketing tactics Jun 18, 2026 13:53 Watch this episode and see additional resources for marketers at AdAge.com/cmo. In the first episode of the Ad Age CMOs on CMOs series, Andrea Collins, CMO of Hippo, and Liz Vanzura, CMO of Solo Stove, break down how they're implementing AI into team workflows, and how marketers can start discussing AI implementation with teams mindfully. They also dig into grassroots marketing tactics and the pow

Best World Cup campaigns and the new sports marketing playbook, with Tim Nudd and Jon Springer Jun 12, 2026 25:40 For years, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been must-buy media inventory for marketers. But numerous controversies as well as the bigger-than-ever nature of the soccer games have presented new challenges and considerations for brands. Creativity Editor Tim Nudd and Senior Marketing Reporter Jon Springer discuss trends that have emerged across World Cup creative, sports marketing trends on the rise ve

Publicis-LiveRamp deal: what to know and how to react, with Garett Sloane Jun 5, 2026 22:01 Senior Technology and AI editor Garett Sloane breaks down Publicis Groupe's acquisition of LiveRamp, including why it matters for brands and first steps for auditing your ad tech stack. He discusses the impact of data ownership on future AI development, how to leverage greater transparency with ad tech partners and the meaning of a composable ad tech stack. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in th

AI marketing brief: trust, creativity and careers—ICYMI May 29, 2026 13:30 The industry is transforming in real time as AI growth impacts workflows, output and career paths from one moment to the next. Industry leaders are continually refining uses of AI platforms, best practices for prompting and how to communicate new tech initiatives to teams. As Ad Age honors trailblazers in innovation with the 2026 Tech Power List, reporters and editors share their tips for where

CMO Lessons: Brand trust, creative strategy and agency audits—ICYMI May 22, 2026 12:15 The checklist for effective marketing leadership has grown exponentially more complex—balancing trust and efficiency, growing loyalty in an age of skepticism and ensuring transparent agency relationships. Ad Age reporters share advice on all of these topics, and more, in this special edition of Ad Age Insider, which surfaces critical insights for CMOs across recent episodes. This ICYMI roundup f

Winning Gen Z brand loyalty—quality, service and community, with Erika Wheless May 15, 2026 29:16 Consumer Trends Reporter Erika Wheless discusses the top factors that influence brand loyalty with Gen Z—including product quality, sustainability and customer service. Plus, the brands Gen Z considers luxury from Coach, Louis Vuitton and Gucci to Nike, Adidas, Lululemon, Amazon and Target. She breaks down tactics brands are using to translate product quality into marketing, brand missteps that ha

Inside the TV upfronts—winners and losers, measurement and AI, with Brandon Doerrer May 8, 2026 27:40 Media Reporter Brandon Doerrer breaks down the trends defining this year's TV upfronts, including top questions to look out for from NBCUniversal, Disney, Amazon, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery and more. He discusses how factors from outcomes-based measurement to agentic AI buying tech and short-form video formats in streaming will play into negotiations. Plus, how CMOs can ensure transparency ar

Agency hiring in the AI era: What grads need now, with Lindsay Rittenhouse May 1, 2026 26:27 Senior Agency Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse breaks down the complex entry-level job market, with examples of how agency leaders are rethinking junior work as AI automates tasks traditionally done by early-career hires. She digs into what skills recent grads need on their resume right now, the gap employers are finding in formal marketing education and how to stand out as the number of applicants fa

What's driving marketing impact: lessons from award-winning campaigns, with Tim Nudd Apr 24, 2026 27:18 Creativity Editor Tim Nudd breaks down trends and lessons from award-winning campaigns for Nike, The New York Times, ChatGPT, Anthropic and more. From comedy's comeback to experimental experiential and a focus on exceptional craft, he reveals what CMOs need to know from the 2026 Ad Age Creativity Awards. And he shares a few close-calls that led to surprising prizes awarded by this year's juries. P

Testing ChatGPT ads—what brands need to know about AI strategy, with Asa Hiken Apr 17, 2026 28:13 Tech Reporter Asa Hiken gives a vibe check on how advertisers are feeling about OpenAI two months after it launched ads on ChatGPT, and how the AI company is stacking up against competitors Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude. Plus, he gives advice for developing a brand AI strategy as products develop, and reacts to a live test of how paid ads may influence organic chat results. Dig deeper on

Brand community strategy: turning reach into participation, with Mark Fischer and Sabrina Sanchez Apr 10, 2026 28:24 Senior Engagement Editor Mark Fischer interviews Ad Age's communities and Substack strategy leaders Sabrina Sanchez and Parker Herren on how brands are turning consumers into brand builders. Learn how brands are meeting audiences where they are, designing repeatable, low‑lift interactions and choosing platforms that teams can sustain. Sanchez and Herren also outline first steps for marketers and

'Fruit Love Island' brand lessons: skip this viral trend, with Gillian Follett Apr 3, 2026 22:45 Brain rot content has become a staple of virality on TikTok. But brands eager to jump into trending conversations should be wary of "Fruit Love Island" and similar AI-generated posts. Users will be far less kind to corporations than their peers. Influencer and Social Media Marketing Reporter Gillian Follett breaks down the "Fruit Love Island" trend, why it's become so popular and what it reveals a

Identity marketing and how beverage brands are winning Gen Z, with Jon Springer Mar 27, 2026 23:15 Senior Reporter Jon Springer breaks into the rise of identity marketing, including how soda brands like Poppi, Dr. Pepper and Diet Coke are winning with Gen Z. Plus, how all marketers can incorporate better social listening and fan engagement to turn their branding into cultural currency. And why ChatGPT's Instant Checkout ad product flopped, and Apple's plans to bring brands to Maps. Dig deeper

NewFronts 2026 survival guide, with Garett Sloane, Brandon Doerrer and Gillian Follett Mar 20, 2026 24:16 As the industry gears up for a week of presentations from YouTube, Meta, TikTok, Tubi and more, Ad Age reporters break down the topics trending at this year's NewFronts, from AI and agentic tools to creator amplification. Hear how to decipher hype from reality, how digital ad dollars are being spent in 2026 and why these presentations matter to the industry. Plus, why Publicis is calling out the

How to win the Ad Age A-List, with Judann Pollack Mar 13, 2026 25:29 Executive Editor and editorial lead of the Ad Age A-List Judann (Judy) Pollack talks the value of industry awards, and tips for climbing Ad Age's annual list of top agencies. She describes what defines success despite industry challenges, what judges look for in award submissions, the dos and don'ts of a good entry and trends to watch for next year's A-List. Plus, DraftKings' new creative agencie

How to win new business in 2026, with Brian Bonilla Mar 6, 2026 23:29 Senior agency reporter Brian Bonilla goes deep on the current new business marketplace, including how government policy, tech and AI innovation and industry consolidation are impacting agency account reviews. Bonilla shares current brand needs, explains how those are different from recent years, and provides tips for brands to get a leg up in pitches. Plus, tips for marketers overwhelmed by the re

What are media rebates? Agency transparency in the hot seat, with Ewan Larkin Feb 27, 2026 25:16 Agency reporter Ewan Larkin decodes a recent lawsuit against WPP Media that has made agency transparency the industry's buzziest topic. Larkin defines media rebates and principal media buying, explaining how agencies aggregate billions in client ad budgets to negotiate volume deals with platforms such as Google, Meta and Amazon, and how those arrangements can create conflicts over who benefits fro

Your AI ad playbook: red flags, hard lessons and brand wins, with Asa Hiken Feb 20, 2026 27:02 Ad Age Tech Reporter Asa Hiken chronicles the evolution of generative AI use in major brands' advertising, the common mistakes that upset viewers and the checklist every marketer needs to know if they plan to scale generative AI use. Plus, why agencies are rushing to get their clients on ChatGPT, including the benefits they predict will come from being a first mover. And Raymour & Flanigan's new

Your 2027 Super Bowl strategy starts here: Big Game takeaways from Ad Age reporters Feb 13, 2026 27:56 Ad Age reporters and editors share their top Super Bowl takeaways that indicate elements of winning Big-Game strategies. From the downfall of celebrity slop to the best uses of social media and the risks brands take when they play it safe, take notes on what hit and missed last Sunday so that your brand can get ahead on its 2027 plan. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Ad

The Super Bowl ad formula and Olympics marketing trends, with Tim Nudd and Jon Springer Feb 6, 2026 26:59 The countdown to Super Bowl Sunday is on. Creativity Editor Tim Nudd and Senior Marketing Reporter Jon Springer discuss the formula for a timeless Super Bowl ad, how marketers are approaching televised events amid political and cultural upheaval, emerging trends across Olympics and Big Game campaigns and whether AI slop has infiltrated the industry's biggest night. Dig deeper on the topics mention

Going viral in 2026: strategy, subcultures and engagement, with Gillian Follett Jan 30, 2026 26:29 Ad Age's Gillian Follett redefines going viral for 2026, from how to pivot marketing strategies to the new metrics measuring social media success and emerging platforms brands should dig into. Plus, how to win with subcultures, manage fractured virality and avoid cringe. And the chaos behind the scenes of TikTok's ownership transition, why auto brands are skipping the Super Bowl and Home Depot's

Microdramas and ad strategy: Lessons from long-form brand storytelling, with Brandon Doerrer Jan 23, 2026 24:15 Creativity and media innovation reporter Brandon Doerrer breaks down the recent surge of long-form marketing and how brands are tapping into the microdrama surge. From measurement and performance, to platform strategy and this see-what-sticks mentality, learn what branded entertainment means for media strategy, and takeaways for marketers, even if they don't have a Hollywood budget. Also, OpenAI h

Decoding 2026 hype vs. reality for marketers, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli Jan 16, 2026 27:18 After attending CES and NRF's Big Show, Ad Age News Editor E.J. Schultz and Senior Marketing Reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli decipher what industry leaders are saying on stages versus the anxieties they face as the CMO role continues to fundamentally change. From the increasing complexity of AI innovation to how agencies are struggling to differentiate innovation and consumers' hunger for simplicity

2026 marketing predictions: Ad Age reporters on industry trends and pivots Jan 9, 2026 22:17 On Ad Age Insider's first episode of 2026, reporters from across the Ad Age newsroom share the most and least surprising takes from their predictions reporting, and what it all means for the industry. From how changes in the media landscape might impact brands' agency rosters to how consumer crazes around protein and weight loss drugs will influence marketing trends and plenty of AI, hear how this

Laid off from an agency? What to do now and next, with Lindsay Rittenhouse Dec 19, 2025 22:39 Senior Agency Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse breaks down ad industry instability and why agencies are undergoing heavy waves of layoffs, including from the recent Omnicom acquisition of IPG. She provides guidance on what to do when impacted by agency layoffs, how to prepare for the sparse job market and when to consider alternative job paths. Plus, the campaign Ad Age readers voted the best of 2025

How to win Marketer of the Year, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli Dec 12, 2025 25:14 Ad Age News Editor E.J. Schultz and Senior Marketing Reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli go behind the scenes of Ad Age's annual Marketer of the Year list. They share tips on how brands can increase their odds for next year's competition as well as a rundown of takeaways from this year's group of brands that might be useful for your 2026 marketing strategy. Plus, a look inside the Kansas City Chiefs' p

Omnicom-IPG deal: industry ripple effects, with Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin Dec 5, 2025 27:49 Agency reporters Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin dig into Omnicom's acquisition of IPG, and its impact for the advertising industry beyond just agency holding companies. They break down how independent agencies can win, what the deal means for the hold-co hierarchy and key factors to track as the industry's future structure takes shape. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Wat

AI in 2026: What's hype vs. what's real, with Garett Sloane Nov 21, 2025 25:06 Ad Age Chief Technology Reporter Garett Sloane discusses how to separate artificial intelligence noise from real utility, the state of chatbot shopping, AI brand readiness and tools marketers are creating to better their businesses. Plus, put your tech knowledge to the test. In this week's episode, take Ad Age Insider's AI readiness quiz for marketers. Or dig deeper with additional questions here

Starbucks' Bearista cup and viral drop strategy, with Gillian Follett Nov 14, 2025 23:13 Ad Age reporter Gillian Follett breaks down why brands are leaning into the limited-edition strategy, the elements of a successful product drop strategy and more holiday social media trends. Plus, what Unilever's big bet on influencer marketing means for the industry, and the details on Peeps, Mike and Ike's and Hot Tamales' new ad agency. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episod

AI and entry-level ad roles—how marketers, educators and junior talent are adapting, with Lindsay Rittenhouse Nov 7, 2025 22:59 Ad Age Senior Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse explains how AI is automating work typically done by entry-level talent, and how marketers and educators are responding by training students and junior staff to use the technology themselves. Plus, what early career professionals can do to increase employment prospects in a difficult job market. Plus, Omnicom and IPG's joint pitch for health care giant K

Can RFK Jr. ban pharma ads? What it means for marketers, with Jack Neff Oct 31, 2025 24:48 Ad Age Editor-at-Large Jack Neff explains why pharma ads can't be banned, and how the Trump administration is cracking down on marketers. Plus, what stricter regulation would mean for creatives and how a ban would impact media channels including linear TV and social media. And, inside the financial crisis at experiential agency Verb. Read more on how the surging shop grew too fast. Also, the NFL'

Best Halloween ads 2025, with Tim Nudd Oct 24, 2025 25:07 Ad Age creativity editor Tim Nudd crowns the top spooky season marketing campaigns in the first-ever Halloween Marketing Awards. He also digs into the trends behind October's best work, including why brands are bringing energy previously reserved for April Fools' Day to the season of the witch. Plus, Ad Legends is a new agency offering brands access to AI replicas of industry legends. The offerin

Social bots and brand crises—how to fight fake accounts, with Erika Wheless Oct 17, 2025 24:30 Ad Age marketing reporter Erika Wheless describes the growth of AI-generated bot networks that fuel large percentages of current brand controversies. In the episode, Wheless breaks down how to identify fake social media accounts, tools brands can use to measure bot impact and how to prepare for potential fake outrage. Plus, Ad Age's 2025 Brand Report breaks down the numbers behind the world's larg

Bad Bunny and brands: Hispanic engagement lessons, with Adrianne Pasquarelli Oct 10, 2025 21:39 Ad Age senior marketing reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli breaks down takeaways from the controversy surrounding the NFL's Bad Bunny pick for 2026's Super Bowl Halftime Show. Listen to hear data on U.S. Hispanic spending, best practices for building loyalty with multicultural audiences and how brands can prepare for political pushback. Plus, Domino's debuted new branding for the first time in 13 year

Agencies under pressure—who survives, who shifts: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 Oct 3, 2025 14:45 Ad Age reporters go deep on the future of marketing agencies, from consolidation to AI in-housing. Listen to hear more on the potential demise of mid-size agencies, resurgence of social media agencies of record and transformation of capabilities, plus what industry leaders need to know to start strategizing now. This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package

Loyalty, influencers and consumers: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 Sep 30, 2025 15:10 Ad Age reporters break down the transformation of consumer behavior that will impact marketing strategies over the next five years, and how brands can begin preparing now. From changing demographics to revamped loyalty programs and the role of the Super Bowl in 2030, listen for insights into how consumers will interact with brands in 2030. This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advert

Future-proof your marketing career: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 Sep 26, 2025 12:49 Ad Age reporters dig into the evolution of skills needed to climb the ad industry ladder amid industry transformation. From the new responsibilities CMOs will take on as AI automates other C-suite roles to how entry-level marketers should differentiate their expertise, listen to hear insights that will inform your career path strategy. This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertisin

How tech will reshape marketing: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 Sep 23, 2025 13:50 Ad Age reporters discuss AI, and the industry transformation being caused by emerging technology. From influencer clones and shopping agents to contract terms and ad tech tools, listen to hear how marketers can strategize for the industry's AI future. This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies an

AI search ads 101—everything marketers need to know, with Asa Hiken Sep 19, 2025 25:17 Ad Age technology reporter Asa Hiken breaks down the state of AI search advertising, what ads on ChatGPT may look like, how much they'll cost and the different approaches companies including OpenAI, Google, Meta and Perplexity are taking. Plus, how marketers can strategize for consumers' changing AI habits. YouTube announced new ad tools that will give creators more power to curate sponsorships ac

Inside agency hold co power dynamics, with Ewan Larkin Sep 12, 2025 22:16 Ad Age agency reporter Ewan Larkin demystifies the changing power dynamics at agency holding companies such as WPP, Publicis and Omnicom. Global account leads are becoming more important to agency growth, changing the position of regional and agency brand CEOs. Plus, Netflix announced it would make ad inventory available through Amazon's DSP. The partnership is a milestone in both companies' ad jo

Firing your ad agency? Try marriage counseling first, with Lindsay Rittenhouse Sep 5, 2025 21:23 Ad Age senior agency reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse goes inside the growing trend of brand-agency marriage counseling. Rather than jumping straight into a costly and time-intensive agency review, consultancies are increasingly suggesting services that evaluate the existing relationship, and potentially improve both the agency and brand's practices. Plus, Group Black is changing its name to Portrait

Cracker Barrel, American Eagle and surviving social uproar, with Erika Wheless and Gillian Follett Aug 29, 2025 26:23 Ad Age reporters Erika Wheless and Gillian Follett break down the brand lessons from the recent Cracker Barrel and American Eagle dramas: How can marketers better prepare for social pushback, what to know about official brand responses and how the brand-consumer relationship is changing on social media. Plus, AI ad networks are beginning to emerge, which place paid content in chatbots such as Chat

Marketing Trends of 2025 so far, with Tim Nudd Aug 20, 2025 24:55 Ad Age Creativity Editor Tim Nudd reveals the creativity trends of 2025 so far, including the impact of AI on brand marketing, the resurgence of experiential activations and the secret to an effective modern Super Bowl campaign. Plus, data reveals the impact of AI search on brand's website visits—some categories are seeing a lift while others are staying flat. Dig deeper into the differentiators.

Introducing Ad Age Insider Aug 19, 2025 01:12 Ad Age Insider is the weekly podcast for breaking down marketing, advertising and media's biggest stories and trends. Host Parker Herren goes behind the biggest headlines, emerging innovations and brand campaigns—from the rise of AI and streaming ads to the future of ad creativity—with the Ad Age reporters who cover it all.

Why Rick Astley is never gonna give up snacks or drums Dec 16, 2020 39:31 The 80s pop star takes a break from shooting a Frito-Lay commercial to discuss the music industry, becoming a meme, and what he's been up to during the pandemic.

How The Lincoln Project's endless stream of viral ads were actually made (in record time) Dec 11, 2020 41:00 Ben Howe of Howe Creative, one of The Lincoln Project's key video collaborators, on the making of 'Mourning in America'—and what it takes to go viral

Behind Hendrick's Gin's quirky ad approach Dec 3, 2020 29:51 On this week's episode of Ad Lib, E.J. Schultz is joined by Harvey Purchese, senior VP of marketing at liquor marketer William Grant & Sons. We get behind Hendrick's quirky ad approach, which has included stunts like the "Hendrick's High Wheel," a decidedly old-fashioned exercise bike. It's part of the brand's Luddite marketing shtick, which has included the Horatio, a "somewhat smart" speaker and

Behind Calm's unexpected Election Night win Nov 24, 2020 28:49 In this week's episode Ad Age's Jeanine Poggi is joined by Katie Shill, senior director of brand marketing at Calm. The meditation app won election night with its sponsorship of CNN's "Key Race" alerts, encouraging viewers to take a break and find a moment of calm. Shill discusses how the sponsorship came together, results of the buy and how the meditation company plans to sustain the momentum mov

How Activision Blizzard found success amid a global pandemic Nov 19, 2020 32:37 On this week's episode of Ad Age Ad Lib, senior editor Jeanine Poggi speaks with Brandon Snow, senior VP, chief revenue officer, esports, Activision Blizzard. Pandemic lockdowns were a boon for esports, with viewers flocking to gaming as other live sports and entertainment were shut down. Activision Blizzard was one of the benefactors of the pandemic, garnering impressive momentum around its leagu

How streaming news channels made their mark in the 2020 election Nov 12, 2020 22:18 On this week's episode of Ad Age Ad Lib, senior editor Jeanine Poggi speaks with Christy Tanner, executive VP and general manager of CBS News Digital, and Elaine Quijano, anchor, CBSN, about the state of the streaming news marketplace.

How to not miss the mark in multicultural marketing Nov 4, 2020 43:38 Senior editor Jeanine Poggi and agency reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse, speak with industry leaders Jill Kelly, U.S. chief marketing officer, GroupM, Kimberly Paige, exec VP and chief marketing officer, BET Networks, Soon Mee Kim, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer and executive VP at Omnicom Public Relations Group, and Tiffany Edwards, global head of diversity and inclusion, Droga5, on ho

The state of the CMO Oct 1, 2020 31:05 Lisa Mann, a former CPG marketer who recently joined an executive search firm, joins to discuss CMO hiring trends and look at how the role is changing—in some cases for the worse.

How a microbe from Yellowstone could shake up the food industry Sep 24, 2020 28:38 When Karuna Rawal got a call from a recruiter about a marketing gig at a startup using a microbe to make protein-packed, animal-free food, she was intrigued. The lifelong vegetarian joined the company, now called Nature's Fynd, as its chief marketing officer and first marketing hire. Now, she and her Chicago-based team are just starting to get the company's name out in the world while preparing to

LinkedIn's head of global sales on the early pandemic ad panic Sep 10, 2020 33:01 Ad Age spoke with Penry Price, LinkedIn's VP of global sales, to understand how the site managed through the crises that have hit all industries. The pandemic affected digital advertising as sectors like travel pulled back on spending while other industries pulled ads temporarily to make them more appropriate for the national mood.

Omnicom Media Group CEO on how covid has changed the ad landscape Aug 27, 2020 26:58 In a time period when there seems to be little cause for optimism, Ad Age spoke with Omnicom Media Group CEO Scott Hagedorn on where he sees bright spots starting to emerge within his agency and the industry overall.

Marketing a Mexican import Aug 20, 2020 38:01 Oscar Martinez, Senior Brand Director of Tecate, joins the pod to talk about the brand's marketing overhaul, which includes a move away from boxing and into music. We break down the brew's "Mexico is in US" campaign that emphasizes the brand's border-town heritage while seeking to appeal to drinkers who are unapologetically Mexican-American.

Main Street One CEO Curtis Hougland on the launch of a senior political influencer network Aug 14, 2020 32:23 Curtis Hougland, the founder and CEO of communications and strategy shop Main Street One, explains the social and political science behind voter/consumer persuasion, and why the time is right for campaigns and brands to leverage older (55+) influencers.

Defeating D.C. Council's ad and personal information tax Aug 6, 2020 27:50 4A's Executive VP of Government Relations Alison Pepper discusses how she and other industry organizations fought a 3 percent tax on advertising services and the sale of "personal information" proposed by The Washington, D.C. City Council as part of a plan to combat a growing budget deficit, and won. She says the fight isn't over though.

Moving from CMO to CEO Jul 30, 2020 32:42 Pernod Ricard North America CEO Ann Mukherjee describes why the liquor marketer will resume social media spending after pausing it in July. The longtime marketer also describes what it's like moving into the CEO job, and she explains her leadership style, which involves bringing your personal experiences to the job.

Marketing the (delayed) Olympics Jul 23, 2020 33:08 Christopher Carroll, director of digital engagement and marketing for the International Olympic Committee, joins the pod to talk about how the IOC is going about plugging the Tokyo games, which were delayed by a year due to the pandemic.

The latest ad law news Jul 16, 2020 35:54 Ad lawyer Linda Goldstein joins to discuss what brands need to know about sponsorship contract changes during COVID-19, new 'Made in the USA,' ad regulations and what to expect at the FTC if Democrats take over. Plus, she explains how ad lawyers can co-exist with creatives.

Mark Robinson Jul 10, 2020 50:32 The author of "Black on Madison Avenue" talks about what it was like getting a job in advertising 40 years ago and how much the industry has failed to change since that time.

Taking Latin-inspired creative to the mainstream Jul 2, 2020 40:06 Former LatinWorks chief creative Sergio Alcocer joins to talk about his 3-year-old cultural marketing shop Rest of the World and give his take on how brands and agencies should respond to new calls for diversity. He weighs in on other topics, like his love of jazz music and how he would rebrand the Catholic Church.

Publicis CMO Justin Billingsley on the Power of One and what his client-side past brings to his new role Jun 25, 2020 42:01 Justin Billingsley has one hell of a Lego set. Publicis Groupe's first global chief marketing officer used the famed building blocks in an analogy during the Ad Age Ad Lib podcast to explain how the holding company's Power of One works for clients. Billingsley said that for client Mercedes-Benz the company constructed a shop, Publicis Emil, composed of 650 people in 39 countries customized specifi

Behind the AP's new marketing push Jun 18, 2020 39:04 Julie Tucker, global marketing director for the Associated Press, on the news wire service's new marketing and what separates it from the 'Truth' campaign she oversaw at The New York Times. We also discuss newsroom diversity and how the AP is preparing for the 2020 election. Plus, Tucker explains why she left agency life behind.

Episodes

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