Ad Age Insider
Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:05:49 +0000
Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:05:49 +0000
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2026-06-16T13:44:40Z
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Ad Age Insider
Ad Age
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Ad Age Podcasts
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Company culture, AI overhype and the workforce gap | Catch Up
Company culture, AI overhype and the workforce gap | Catch Up
Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:02:00 +0000
In the AI era, company culture is the real differentiator. Ad Age's Senior Editor Adrianne Pascarelli breaks down the workforce gap nobody's solved, the AI overhype she's most suspicious of and the influencer disclosure loophole about to blow up in brands' faces. She also shares the three words marketers put in a live word cloud when asked to sum up the moment (humanity, insanity, never-ending change), and the one workforce question she's still trying to get answered. Listen to the full conversation from Ad Age Insider wherever you're currently listening.]]>
In the AI era, company culture is the real differentiator. Ad Age's Senior Editor Adrianne Pascarelli breaks down the workforce gap nobody's solved, the AI overhype she's most suspicious of and the influencer disclosure loophole about to blow up in brands' faces. She also shares the three words marketers put in a live word cloud when asked to sum up the moment (humanity, insanity, never-ending change), and the one workforce question she's still trying to get answered. Listen to the full conversation from Ad Age Insider wherever you're currently listening.]]>
08:20
false
full
43142843
2026-10-02T13:05:48Z
Weekly Report: Rich Silverstein leaves Goodby Silverstein & Partners
Weekly Report: Rich Silverstein leaves Goodby Silverstein & Partners
Thu, 01 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000
Rich Silverstein is stepping down as co-chairman of Goodby Silverstein & Partners after 43 years, with an AI hotline trained on his voice now fielding creative pitches in his place. Plus, Burger King turns its own product failures into ad material; Meta's Muse and Anthropic's Claude Commerce Blueprint push brands toward agentic holiday shopping prep; CampStudios, Pufferfish and StudioB pull creator-led work into agency rosters once reserved for traditional shops. Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating agency succession, AI's expanding role in creative work, transparency as a trust-building strategy and the shift toward agentic commerce. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Rich Silverstein steps away from Goodby Silverstein & Partners—inside the art director's storied career ~Rich Silverstein's unfiltered wisdom lives on in the AI-powered 'GPT Rich' ~Burger King's CMO on why the chain keeps turning failures into ad campaigns ~How brands should prepare for an agentic holiday shopping season ~Where creator-led agencies are winning work from traditional shops]]>
Rich Silverstein is stepping down as co-chairman of Goodby Silverstein & Partners after 43 years, with an AI hotline trained on his voice now fielding creative pitches in his place. Plus, Burger King turns its own product failures into ad material; Meta's Muse and Anthropic's Claude Commerce Blueprint push brands toward agentic holiday shopping prep; CampStudios, Pufferfish and StudioB pull creator-led work into agency rosters once reserved for traditional shops. Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating agency succession, AI's expanding role in creative work, transparency as a trust-building strategy and the shift toward agentic commerce. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Rich Silverstein steps away from Goodby Silverstein & Partners—inside the art director's storied career ~Rich Silverstein's unfiltered wisdom lives on in the AI-powered 'GPT Rich' ~Burger King's CMO on why the chain keeps turning failures into ad campaigns ~How brands should prepare for an agentic holiday shopping season ~Where creator-led agencies are winning work from traditional shops]]>
06:14
false
full
43098293
2026-10-01T09:06:55Z
What mid-size marketer budget strategy teaches every brand, with Adrianne Pasquarelli
What mid-size marketer budget strategy teaches every brand, with Adrianne Pasquarelli
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000
Marketing budgets are tight across the board, but mid-size brands—companies roughly between $50 million and $1 billion in revenue—have been finding ways to make theirs work harder. Adrianne Pasquarelli, senior editor of CMO strategy and commerce at Ad Age, digs into how these brands operate with fewer resources, fewer layers of approval and a lot more speed. She breaks down what's driving bolder creative risks, how AI is showing up in unexpected ways and what bigger brands could actually learn from smaller ones. Parker Herren talks with Pasquarelli about why mid-size CMOs are willing to take creative swings that bigger legal departments would shut down, how one baby food brand built an internal AI tool to keep its marketing on-brand without slowing anyone down and why leaner teams often mean less data and more gut instinct. It's a look at what happens when constraints force creativity instead of killing it. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider so you don't miss the next conversation. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Introducing the 2026 Ad Age Mid Size Brand Leaders ~How mid-size marketers are turning budget constraints into a competitive edge ~What 15 mid-size brand leaders are prioritizing—and cutting—right now]]>
Marketing budgets are tight across the board, but mid-size brands—companies roughly between $50 million and $1 billion in revenue—have been finding ways to make theirs work harder. Adrianne Pasquarelli, senior editor of CMO strategy and commerce at Ad Age, digs into how these brands operate with fewer resources, fewer layers of approval and a lot more speed. She breaks down what's driving bolder creative risks, how AI is showing up in unexpected ways and what bigger brands could actually learn from smaller ones. Parker Herren talks with Pasquarelli about why mid-size CMOs are willing to take creative swings that bigger legal departments would shut down, how one baby food brand built an internal AI tool to keep its marketing on-brand without slowing anyone down and why leaner teams often mean less data and more gut instinct. It's a look at what happens when constraints force creativity instead of killing it. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider so you don't miss the next conversation. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Introducing the 2026 Ad Age Mid Size Brand Leaders ~How mid-size marketers are turning budget constraints into a competitive edge ~What 15 mid-size brand leaders are prioritizing—and cutting—right now]]>
24:29
false
44
full
Ad Age
43022018
2026-10-01T00:00:12Z
Is spec work overrated or underrated, with X&O co-founders | Agencies on Record
Is spec work overrated or underrated, with X&O co-founders | Agencies on Record
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:15:00 +0000
X&O co-founders Brett Banker and Eric Segal play a game of overrated or underrated, dishing on the holding company vs. independents debate, spec work, content creators and more. Check out Ad Age's full conversation with the duo in the first episode of Agencies on Record, a new quarterly podcast from Ad Age. Don't miss the full conversation with Brett Banker and Eric Segal]]>
X&O co-founders Brett Banker and Eric Segal play a game of overrated or underrated, dishing on the holding company vs. independents debate, spec work, content creators and more. Check out Ad Age's full conversation with the duo in the first episode of Agencies on Record, a new quarterly podcast from Ad Age. Don't miss the full conversation with Brett Banker and Eric Segal]]>
11:25
false
bonus
Ad Age
43010898
2026-10-01T00:00:12Z
How splitting vision from execution powers the sprint model, with X&O | Agencies on Record
How splitting vision from execution powers the sprint model, with X&O | Agencies on Record
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000
Develop the strategic idea, then step back—the client can take it in-house, hand it to another agency or bring X&O back to build it themselves. That's the split that co-founders Brett Banker and Eric Segal say powers their sprint model: five-to-six-day timelines, a top-to-top rule that puts C-level talent in the room from day one and a hard "no" on pitching for free, even against a strong prospect. In Agencies on Record, Ad Age's new quarterly podcast, the pair also break down how their model scales into more complex categories, including an eight-week version built for healthcare's regulatory hurdles. Banker and Segal explain why they've stayed deliberately small—capping the agency at roughly 50 people—even as revenue climbed from $4.2 million in 2024 to more than $8 million in 2025, driven by fixed-fee project work with clients including Coca-Cola and Verizon and talent like Heated Rivalry's Connor Storrie. The duo weigh in on Dentsu's move into the sprint space with its relaunched 360i unit, the challenges of maintaining focus inside a holding company, and why they've trademarked their own answer to the traditional agency-of-record model: what they call "answers on repeat." They also explain their hard line against speculative pitching, even when a prospective client all but promises the win. Dig deeper ~Read the Small Agency Playbook ~Why agencies are adopting sprint models and how they work ~How small agencies choose the right pitches—and prepare to win ~Agency reviews in 2030—24 leaders predict what the marketing pitch process will look like ~CMO Survival Guide: What CMOs want from agencies—3 ways to improve relations]]>
Develop the strategic idea, then step back—the client can take it in-house, hand it to another agency or bring X&O back to build it themselves. That's the split that co-founders Brett Banker and Eric Segal say powers their sprint model: five-to-six-day timelines, a top-to-top rule that puts C-level talent in the room from day one and a hard "no" on pitching for free, even against a strong prospect. In Agencies on Record, Ad Age's new quarterly podcast, the pair also break down how their model scales into more complex categories, including an eight-week version built for healthcare's regulatory hurdles. Banker and Segal explain why they've stayed deliberately small—capping the agency at roughly 50 people—even as revenue climbed from $4.2 million in 2024 to more than $8 million in 2025, driven by fixed-fee project work with clients including Coca-Cola and Verizon and talent like Heated Rivalry's Connor Storrie. The duo weigh in on Dentsu's move into the sprint space with its relaunched 360i unit, the challenges of maintaining focus inside a holding company, and why they've trademarked their own answer to the traditional agency-of-record model: what they call "answers on repeat." They also explain their hard line against speculative pitching, even when a prospective client all but promises the win. Dig deeper ~Read the Small Agency Playbook ~Why agencies are adopting sprint models and how they work ~How small agencies choose the right pitches—and prepare to win ~Agency reviews in 2030—24 leaders predict what the marketing pitch process will look like ~CMO Survival Guide: What CMOs want from agencies—3 ways to improve relations]]>
26:46
false
bonus
Ad Age
43005848
2026-10-01T00:00:12Z
Weekly Report: A plushie data center satirizes AI's environmental toll
Weekly Report: A plushie data center satirizes AI's environmental toll
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000
Creative studio Basura's satirical "Adopt a Data Center" campaign imagines AI data centers as rescue animals. Plus, Applebee's names BBDO Chicago its new creative agency as CMO Michelle Chin looks to reverse falling same-store sales; Subway casts Will Arnett as America's tempted subconscious in its first campaign from new AOR Martin; OpenAI rolls out chat-based ad formats, tightening advertising's ties to its enterprise business; Parke offers lessons in community-based brand building. Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating skepticism toward AI infrastructure, legacy brand reinvention and community-first retail growth. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Cuddly toy emits the hum of an AI data center in biting satirical campaign ~Applebee's turns to BBDO Chicago in a bid to regain growth ~Subway casts Will Arnett as your 'SUBconscious'—inside the campaign with CMO Jeff Klein ~How OpenAI is connecting ChatGPT ads to its enterprise business—and what it means for brands ~How DTC brand Parke is turning its social-first community into retail growth]]>
Creative studio Basura's satirical "Adopt a Data Center" campaign imagines AI data centers as rescue animals. Plus, Applebee's names BBDO Chicago its new creative agency as CMO Michelle Chin looks to reverse falling same-store sales; Subway casts Will Arnett as America's tempted subconscious in its first campaign from new AOR Martin; OpenAI rolls out chat-based ad formats, tightening advertising's ties to its enterprise business; Parke offers lessons in community-based brand building. Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating skepticism toward AI infrastructure, legacy brand reinvention and community-first retail growth. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Cuddly toy emits the hum of an AI data center in biting satirical campaign ~Applebee's turns to BBDO Chicago in a bid to regain growth ~Subway casts Will Arnett as your 'SUBconscious'—inside the campaign with CMO Jeff Klein ~How OpenAI is connecting ChatGPT ads to its enterprise business—and what it means for brands ~How DTC brand Parke is turning its social-first community into retail growth]]>
08:21
false
full
43010983
2026-10-01T00:00:12Z
How to bring creators to the brand strategy table | Catch Up
How to bring creators to the brand strategy table | Catch Up
Fri, 18 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000
Creators aren't just making content anymore—they're getting pulled into the actual strategy conversation. Ad Age social and influencer marketing reporter Gillian Follett explains how creators are shaping product decisions and campaign direction with brands, not just showing up in the final cut. She also weighs in on the branded-series gold rush (and why most of it isn't landing), a friend-group content format quietly gaining traction, and the one question about AI companies and creator partnerships she's still trying to get answered. Listen to the full conversation on your favorite podcast platform.]]>
Creators aren't just making content anymore—they're getting pulled into the actual strategy conversation. Ad Age social and influencer marketing reporter Gillian Follett explains how creators are shaping product decisions and campaign direction with brands, not just showing up in the final cut. She also weighs in on the branded-series gold rush (and why most of it isn't landing), a friend-group content format quietly gaining traction, and the one question about AI companies and creator partnerships she's still trying to get answered. Listen to the full conversation on your favorite podcast platform.]]>
06:55
false
full
42945543
2026-10-01T00:00:12Z
Weekly Report: US Open creator backlash exposes brands' event strategy gaps
Weekly Report: US Open creator backlash exposes brands' event strategy gaps
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000
Viral videos of influencers disrupting US Open matches exposed how many brands still lack clear systems for briefing talent, picking the right creators or vetting whether an event even fits their brand. Plus, WPP is set to retain Coca-Cola's global media, data and technology business but won't compete for its North America media pitch; KFC's new Open House concept restaurant joins a wave of experimental formats as quick service chains test menu, pricing and design ideas before rolling them out at scale; Amazon Ads becomes ChatGPT's biggest ad tech partner, letting marketers reserve ad inventory inside the chatbot; and QuikTrip's Home Bun activation drew more than 230 million views. Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating creator accountability, agency fragmentation, experimental innovation and the rise of conversational advertising. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~WPP is set to win Coca-Cola's global agency review ~Inside fast food's big bet on experimental restaurant concepts ~Amazon becomes a new funnel for buying ChatGPT ads ~3 creator event mistakes the US Open exposed—and how to avoid them ~How QuikTrip dreamed up its viral in-stadium MLB hot dog game]]>
Viral videos of influencers disrupting US Open matches exposed how many brands still lack clear systems for briefing talent, picking the right creators or vetting whether an event even fits their brand. Plus, WPP is set to retain Coca-Cola's global media, data and technology business but won't compete for its North America media pitch; KFC's new Open House concept restaurant joins a wave of experimental formats as quick service chains test menu, pricing and design ideas before rolling them out at scale; Amazon Ads becomes ChatGPT's biggest ad tech partner, letting marketers reserve ad inventory inside the chatbot; and QuikTrip's Home Bun activation drew more than 230 million views. Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating creator accountability, agency fragmentation, experimental innovation and the rise of conversational advertising. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~WPP is set to win Coca-Cola's global agency review ~Inside fast food's big bet on experimental restaurant concepts ~Amazon becomes a new funnel for buying ChatGPT ads ~3 creator event mistakes the US Open exposed—and how to avoid them ~How QuikTrip dreamed up its viral in-stadium MLB hot dog game]]>
05:59
false
full
42931952
2026-10-01T00:00:12Z
Creators are now brand strategists, not just talent, with Gillian Follett
Creators are now brand strategists, not just talent, with Gillian Follett
Fri, 11 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000
Gillian Follett, social marketing and influencer reporter at Ad Age, breaks down how brand-creator partnerships have evolved in 2026, from creators taking on strategic roles in product development and marketing decisions to equity deals reshaping the influencer economy. The conversation covers creator advisory boards at holding companies, the rise of creator-founded agencies producing social-first branded content and the growing use of livestreaming creators in brand campaigns. It also gets into an emerging trend: brands working with creators to optimize content for AI search tools. Host Parker Herren digs into where traditional, one-off sponsored posts still fit, why influencer fatigue is pushing brands toward more selective partnerships, and what's overhyped in the scripted branded-content boom right now. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider for more conversations that turn Ad Age's reporting into strategy marketers can implement now. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Subscribe to The Creator Brief by Ad Age! ~A new creator agency with an advisory board model gives talent a seat at the strategy table ~How four friends built a creator business—and landed 30 brand deals in four months ~OpenAI's creator trip fallout—what to do before signing an AI brand deal ~Inside the rise of creator-brand equity deals—and how they're reshaping creator marketing ~4 ways creator-brand partnerships are evolving]]>
Gillian Follett, social marketing and influencer reporter at Ad Age, breaks down how brand-creator partnerships have evolved in 2026, from creators taking on strategic roles in product development and marketing decisions to equity deals reshaping the influencer economy. The conversation covers creator advisory boards at holding companies, the rise of creator-founded agencies producing social-first branded content and the growing use of livestreaming creators in brand campaigns. It also gets into an emerging trend: brands working with creators to optimize content for AI search tools. Host Parker Herren digs into where traditional, one-off sponsored posts still fit, why influencer fatigue is pushing brands toward more selective partnerships, and what's overhyped in the scripted branded-content boom right now. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider for more conversations that turn Ad Age's reporting into strategy marketers can implement now. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Subscribe to The Creator Brief by Ad Age! ~A new creator agency with an advisory board model gives talent a seat at the strategy table ~How four friends built a creator business—and landed 30 brand deals in four months ~OpenAI's creator trip fallout—what to do before signing an AI brand deal ~Inside the rise of creator-brand equity deals—and how they're reshaping creator marketing ~4 ways creator-brand partnerships are evolving]]>
24:55
false
43
full
Ad Age
42826290
2026-10-01T00:00:12Z
Weekly Report: Planters hires Mr. Peanut a fixer without a pitch, and why character-driven branding is back
Weekly Report: Planters hires Mr. Peanut a fixer without a pitch, and why character-driven branding is back
Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000
Planters named Martin, the agency behind the Geico Gecko, its creative agency of record without running a formal review, betting on character-driven branding to sharpen Mr. Peanut's point of view. Plus, Callaway ended its Good Good Golf partnership after a controversial ad, exposing gaps in how brands vet creator-made content; The Trade Desk overhauled Kokai with more visibility into automated ad buying OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, Microsoft and Google are marketing AI to two audiences at once, exposing a marketing dilemma; and new sunscreen brand Pasty Man is targeting men with a an elderly dancer's backside. Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating agency hiring strategy, creator content oversight, ad tech transparency and AI trust building. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Planters hires Martin to help Mr. Peanut win the protein wars ~Callaway controversy reveals gaps in how brands review creator ads ~The Trade Desk is overhauling its ad-buying platform—here's what marketers need to know ~Why AI CMOs have a problem that goes beyond advertising ~Pasty Man uses a 90-year-old butt to make its case for sunscreen]]>
Planters named Martin, the agency behind the Geico Gecko, its creative agency of record without running a formal review, betting on character-driven branding to sharpen Mr. Peanut's point of view. Plus, Callaway ended its Good Good Golf partnership after a controversial ad, exposing gaps in how brands vet creator-made content; The Trade Desk overhauled Kokai with more visibility into automated ad buying OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, Microsoft and Google are marketing AI to two audiences at once, exposing a marketing dilemma; and new sunscreen brand Pasty Man is targeting men with a an elderly dancer's backside. Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating agency hiring strategy, creator content oversight, ad tech transparency and AI trust building. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Planters hires Martin to help Mr. Peanut win the protein wars ~Callaway controversy reveals gaps in how brands review creator ads ~The Trade Desk is overhauling its ad-buying platform—here's what marketers need to know ~Why AI CMOs have a problem that goes beyond advertising ~Pasty Man uses a 90-year-old butt to make its case for sunscreen]]>
06:42
false
full
42718460
2026-10-01T00:00:12Z
Will the AI marketing bubble burst? | Catch Up
Will the AI marketing bubble burst? | Catch Up
Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000
Catch the full conversation: Ad Age's senior tech editor Garett Sloane joins Parker to answer the question everyone's asking: is the AI bubble about to pop, or are we still just getting started? They get into AI search (AEO), the OpenAI-vs-Google power struggle, and why Garett thinks holograms are the next big sleeper trend—plus a chatbot customer service story gone hilariously wrong.]]>
Catch the full conversation: Ad Age's senior tech editor Garett Sloane joins Parker to answer the question everyone's asking: is the AI bubble about to pop, or are we still just getting started? They get into AI search (AEO), the OpenAI-vs-Google power struggle, and why Garett thinks holograms are the next big sleeper trend—plus a chatbot customer service story gone hilariously wrong.]]>
07:36
false
full
42574235
2026-09-01T00:01:32Z
Weekly Report: YouTube raises the bar for creator payouts
Weekly Report: YouTube raises the bar for creator payouts
Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000
YouTube is doubling the watch time and engagement thresholds creators need to qualify for its Partner Program starting February 2027, a shift that matters less than it sounds since brands are already striking direct deals with creators regardless of their eligibility status. Plus, The Variable acquired Gen Z and Gen Alpha-focused agency Carson+Doyle; Athleta launched "My World, My Rules," aiming to reverse a sales decline; Nielsen will begin applying Latency Adjusted DASH Universe Estimates to its Big Data Plus Panel currency, changing how TV and streaming viewing gets weighted; and Spotify and Uncommon New York turned real user playlist titles into outdoor ad headlines across New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating creator partnerships, agency M&A, TV measurement shifts and brand repositioning. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~The Variable acquires a Gen Z marketing agency—behind the move ~Athleta's first campaign with Invisible Dynamics underscores its female-first brand identity ~Nielsen announces latency tweaks for DASH universe estimates ~How YouTube monetization is changing for the platform's smaller creators ~Spotify features users' playlist titles as headlines in witty OOH campaign]]>
YouTube is doubling the watch time and engagement thresholds creators need to qualify for its Partner Program starting February 2027, a shift that matters less than it sounds since brands are already striking direct deals with creators regardless of their eligibility status. Plus, The Variable acquired Gen Z and Gen Alpha-focused agency Carson+Doyle; Athleta launched "My World, My Rules," aiming to reverse a sales decline; Nielsen will begin applying Latency Adjusted DASH Universe Estimates to its Big Data Plus Panel currency, changing how TV and streaming viewing gets weighted; and Spotify and Uncommon New York turned real user playlist titles into outdoor ad headlines across New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating creator partnerships, agency M&A, TV measurement shifts and brand repositioning. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~The Variable acquires a Gen Z marketing agency—behind the move ~Athleta's first campaign with Invisible Dynamics underscores its female-first brand identity ~Nielsen announces latency tweaks for DASH universe estimates ~How YouTube monetization is changing for the platform's smaller creators ~Spotify features users' playlist titles as headlines in witty OOH campaign]]>
06:46
false
full
42562640
2026-09-01T00:01:32Z
AI is all over earnings calls. AI ROI isn't, with Garett Sloane
AI is all over earnings calls. AI ROI isn't, with Garett Sloane
Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000
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 agentic ad buying across PubMatic, Criteo and Magnite. Sloane and host Parker Herren discuss where the AI hype-to-results gap is widest, and why even the companies racing forward are still working with incomplete data on what's actually working. They dig into why ChatGPT ad spend remains experimental, what a real agentic buying breakthrough would take and the state of the "AI bubble" conversation. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider for more conversations that turn Ad Age's reporting into what marketers actually need to know. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~AI is reshaping ad infrastructure but hasn't boosted company results just yet ~ChatGPT beefs up ad measurement, but gaps remain for buyers ~Amazon's AI shelf—what brands must do to compete for visibility]]>
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 agentic ad buying across PubMatic, Criteo and Magnite. Sloane and host Parker Herren discuss where the AI hype-to-results gap is widest, and why even the companies racing forward are still working with incomplete data on what's actually working. They dig into why ChatGPT ad spend remains experimental, what a real agentic buying breakthrough would take and the state of the "AI bubble" conversation. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider for more conversations that turn Ad Age's reporting into what marketers actually need to know. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~AI is reshaping ad infrastructure but hasn't boosted company results just yet ~ChatGPT beefs up ad measurement, but gaps remain for buyers ~Amazon's AI shelf—what brands must do to compete for visibility]]>
28:31
false
42
full
Ad Age
42499640
2026-09-01T00:01:32Z
Weekly Report: PepsiCo's AI agency review signals a shift from experiments to infrastructure
Weekly Report: PepsiCo's AI agency review signals a shift from experiments to infrastructure
Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000
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 letting non-marketers like engineers make ads; Kick launches Kick Ads with tiered brand suitability controls, betting advertisers will trust its content moderation despite past controversy; and Garage Beer and Liquid Death team up on a music video and pee-collection stunt urging fans to help cool AI data centers, with Jason Kelce starring. Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating AI's shift from hype to operational strategy, creative trust in generative tools, platform brand safety and the culture war brewing around AI. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~PepsiCo is conducting an AI marketing transformation review ~3 top creatives made AI spots with Google—will they help ease the stigma? ~OpenAI's business CMO says with ChatGPT everyone's a marketer ~How Kick is addressing brand suitability for cautious buyers ~Garage Beer and Liquid Death want you to cool AI data centers—with your pee]]>
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 letting non-marketers like engineers make ads; Kick launches Kick Ads with tiered brand suitability controls, betting advertisers will trust its content moderation despite past controversy; and Garage Beer and Liquid Death team up on a music video and pee-collection stunt urging fans to help cool AI data centers, with Jason Kelce starring. Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating AI's shift from hype to operational strategy, creative trust in generative tools, platform brand safety and the culture war brewing around AI. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~PepsiCo is conducting an AI marketing transformation review ~3 top creatives made AI spots with Google—will they help ease the stigma? ~OpenAI's business CMO says with ChatGPT everyone's a marketer ~How Kick is addressing brand suitability for cautious buyers ~Garage Beer and Liquid Death want you to cool AI data centers—with your pee]]>
07:51
false
full
42488270
2026-09-01T00:01:32Z
Weekly Report: Dollar Tree shifts to emotional branding as it eyes $1 billion in untapped sales
Weekly Report: Dollar Tree shifts to emotional branding as it eyes $1 billion in untapped sales
Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000
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 infrastructure with new partners including Kochava, though brand safety and