Latest Marketing & Advertising News
Retail Media Networks Overtake Search as Top Performance Channel
Retail Media (RMN) is projected to grow 14.1% and surpass paid search by 2028, capturing over 20% of digital ad spend by expanding into CTV and open web with first-party data. This shift positions RMN as the new powerhouse for marketers due to closed-loop measurement and purchase data.
Businesses are advised to prioritize RMN in 2026 strategies amid economic changes.
61% of Marketers to Boost Creator Content Investments in 2026
Global marketers plan a significant increase in creator (influencer) spending, with Unilever aiming for 300,000 creators, a 20x rise. Creator-led storytelling enhanced by AI will drive mobile performance, blending native content with polished production.
The focus shifts from control to collaboration for authentic engagement.
AI Agents Deliver 5x-10x ROI, Revolutionizing Marketing
Organizations report 5x–10x ROI on AI agents, which are going mainstream in B2B marketing for personalized experiences and tasks. AI will enable persona-driven content at scale and elevate affiliate marketing visibility.
In PR, intelligent AI redefines strategies through six key ways combining tech with human insight.
Connected TV Ad Spend Surges to $37 Billion in 2026
CTV advertising grows 13.6% to over $37 billion, outpacing linear TV's 0% growth, driven by social-like discovery feeds. Brands should repurpose creator content for streaming to meet audience formats.
Privacy shifts and rising costs make CTV a twin engine with retail media for ad growth.
Digital Ad Spend Hits 68.7% of Global Total in 2026
Digital advertising will dominate with 68.7% of worldwide ad spend amid mobile growth, where U.S. advertisers allocate 66% of budgets. M-commerce reaches 8.7% of retail sales, emphasizing performance-first mindsets with 54% increasing performance ads.
Overall global ad spend climbs under digital leadership.
Google Pays $68M to Settle Assistant Privacy Lawsuit
Google agrees to $68 million settlement over claims Google Assistant recorded private conversations without consent for personalized targeting, denying wrongdoing. This impacts advertising practices reliant on voice data amid privacy concerns.
Settlement announced January 27, 2026.
Meta Trials Premium Subscriptions on Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp
Meta to test app-specific premium subscriptions with exclusive features, integrating Manus AI while keeping business tools separate. This move aims to monetize platforms further amid ad revenue strategies.
Trials announced January 27, 2026.
OOH Advertising Reaches Global $54.6B in 2025, DOOH Surges
Worldwide OOH spend hits $54.6 billion in 2025 with programmatic DOOH targeting Gen Z via digital integration. Brands like Bayer and Rabanne used pDOOH with influencers for omnichannel impact.
Growth continues into 2026 with physical-digital connections.
WPP Launches Unified Global Production Arm
WPP introduces WPP Production to consolidate global capabilities, streamlining advertising and media production. This addresses evolving needs in a fragmented market.
Announced in top headlines for January 27, 2026.
Super Bowl 2026 Ads Eye AI Breakthrough and Patriotic Themes
Super Bowl ads at $8M per 30 seconds will feature AI-human collaboration, America's 250th anniversary patriotism, and campaign consistency over celebrities. Expert predicts emotional connections and social extensions for success.
Trends shaped by mega-events clustering.
86% of Advertisers to Use Gen AI for Video Creatives
By 2026, 40% of video ads will be Gen AI-created or enhanced, powering content at scale. Short-form video dominates alongside visual search in SEO trends.
Platforms prioritize persona-driven, AI-optimized production for performance.
Databricks Names Jeremy Cooper VP Marketing for APJ
Former AWS, Google, LinkedIn, Salesforce exec appointed to lead marketing as Databricks expands data and AI in Asia Pacific and Japan. Role focuses on regional growth strategies.
Announced January 27, 2026.