Why your next marketing crisis is going to be self-inflicted
2026 marketing must shift from chasing reach and automation to strategic discipline, internal alignment, and building direct customer relationships amid platform monetization and geopolitical risk.
Global advertising growth forecasts rose sharply: 8.8% globally this year and 11% for the U.S. in 2025, driven by political spend and AI-enabled ad growth.
AppLovin transformed into an AI-driven ad platform, launched AXON Ads Manager, driving significant revenue growth, 72% higher free cash flow, and a 270% stock increase.
Meta deepens AI focus for latest suite of brand advertiser solutions
Meta launched AI-driven ad tools including expanded Reels trending ads, new Threads ad formats, and value rules to improve brand relevance and ad delivery.
Rego Interactive H1 2025: revenue +16.8% but gross profit declined and net loss occurred due to weak Chinese demand and AI-driven digital ad disruption.
Microsoft shuttering Xandr Invest suggests Big Tech is shrinking from the open web
Microsoft Advertising is shifting towards AI-driven advertising, resulting in the closure of its demand-side platform and signaling a divide between Big Tech and independents.