Latest Marketing & Advertising News
Global ad spend to exceed $1 trillion in 2026
Global advertising investment will grow 5.1% in 2026, surpassing $1 trillion for the first time, outpacing global economic growth of 3.1% . Digital advertising will account for 68.7% of total spend, growing 6.7% led by retail media, online video, and social media
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Digital dominates with 68.7% of ad investment
Digital channels will represent 68.7% of total global ad spend in 2026, with programmatic making up over 80% of digital investment . Retail media (+14.1%), online video (+11.5%), and social media (+11.4%) are the fastest-growing digital segments
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AI reshapes social media marketing in 2025
AI is transforming social media marketing by enabling hyper-personalized content, real-time optimization, and automated moderation . Around 61% of marketers now use AI for content generation, improving efficiency and engagement
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Technology sector leads ad spend growth
The technology sector is the fastest-growing in advertising, with +10.3% growth in 2026, driven by AI product launches and connected ecosystems . This outpaces other sectors and reflects the increasing role of tech in marketing innovation
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Major global events boost 2026 ad investment
The 2026 Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup, and major election cycles are expected to drive higher ad spend and audience engagement . 42% of CMOs plan to increase investment in original content and sponsorship around these events
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Asia-Pacific leads regional ad growth
Asia-Pacific is the most dynamic ad market with 5.4% growth projected for 2026, led by China (6.1%) and India (8.6%) . Growth is fueled by digital expansion and major sporting events in the region
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Podcast advertising accelerates globally
Global podcast advertising is growing rapidly, with strong opportunities outside the US in markets like Australia, Germany, and the UK . More verticals, including financial services, travel, and retail, are investing in podcasts for their engaged audiences
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Retail media networks mature in 2026
Retail media networks are becoming a core channel, with brands treating stores as prominent media environments . Retailers are restructuring to monetize customer data and in-store spaces more effectively
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AI drives record-breaking Black Friday traffic
AI-generated traffic to websites surged 805% on Black Friday 2025 compared to 2024, highlighting AI’s impact on consumer behavior . Demand Gen Ads with AI enhancements delivered 20% higher conversions and conversion value
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Omnicom-IPG mega-merger reshapes agency landscape
The Omnicom-IPG merger is complete, creating the world’s largest agency with unprecedented buying power and media scale . Legacy brands like MullenLowe, DDB, and FCB are being retired in favor of capability-based divisions
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Agentic AI emerges in marketing workflows
By 2026, specialized AI agents for content creation, campaign management, customer service, analytics, and personalization are becoming mainstream . These autonomous agents can execute complex marketing tasks with minimal human intervention
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Social commerce and shoppable content expand
Social commerce is growing with shoppable posts, live shopping, AR try-ons, and influencer storefronts becoming critical . Platforms are optimizing for direct purchases, turning every piece of content into a potential sales channel
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