Latest Marketing & Advertising News
IAB Forecasts 9.5% Growth in U.S. Ad Spend for 2026
The Interactive Advertising Bureau's 2026 Outlook Study predicts 9.5% year-over-year U.S. ad spend growth, driven by digital channels like social media (+14.6%), CTV (+13.8%), and commerce media (+12.1%). Marketers prioritize agentic AI for planning and optimization, with 73% focusing on AI-optimized content. CEO David Cohen notes optimism despite challenges, emphasizing AI's efficiency gains.
Advertisers Maintain Flexible Spending Amid Uncertainty
U.S. ad spend is projected to grow 9.5% in 2026, mirroring Europe's trend where over two-thirds of marketers plan increases, but with cautious, flexible approaches. Double-digit gains expected in social, CTV, and commerce media reflect shifting priorities.
This cautious optimism balances growth opportunities with persistent uncertainties.
Content Marketing Trends Webinar Unveils 2026 AI Benchmarks
A December 2025 webinar previews 2026 benchmarks for AI referral traffic, Google AI Overview visibility, AEO, and GEO across industries. It highlights leading brands in AI visibility and strategies for securing citations in generative answers.
Experts discuss AI's impact on content, SEO, and marketing evolution.
Brand Marketers Embrace Agentic AI and Data at 2026 Events
2026 event priorities include adopting agentic AI, scalable global programs, and advanced data tools for measuring impact like footfall and consumer reactions. Marketers ditch digital noise for analog experiences and curated networking via AI agents.
Relevance over volume drives tactics like Braindates for actionable connections.
BIA Projects $182 Billion Local Ad Opportunity in 2026
BIA Advisory Services forecasts a $182 billion local ad market, with $3.6 billion in CTV spending up 10% from 2025, amid political and event pressures. Key verticals like real estate (+5.8%), leisure (+4.3%), and restaurants (+3.7%) fuel growth via digital targeting.
Radio must prove results with geotargeting and attribution.
SEO Leaders Predict AI Agents Dominate 2026 Search
AI search evolves into marketplaces with agentic crawlers, paid ads in LLMs, and protocols for agentic payments and shopping, reshaping marketing funnels. Brands need structured data and AI visibility measurement to win citations and recommendations.
Winning requires proprietary data, machine-readable content, and optimizing across AI experiences.
January 2026 Digital Shifts: Gmail AI and Apple Pin
Google's major Gmail update introduces AI Overviews and Help Me Write for 2 billion users, balancing productivity with privacy concerns. Apple's AI Pin signals ambient AI ambitions beyond screens.
Marketers must track AI impressions as visibility decouples from traffic.
State of Digital Content 2026: AI as Core Engine
Digital content volume surges with AI shifting from experiment to essential for efficiency and ROI in marketing workflows. DAM software centralizes high-performing stacks amid asset chaos draining revenue.
Operational priorities determine content success in 2026.
VML Releases Future 100: 2026 Trend Report
VML's Future 100: 2026 covers trends like Truth literacy, Omnisurveillance, Digital intent, and Coded behaviors for marketers and innovators. The report offers actionable insights across 100 trends shaping the year ahead.
It equips leaders to navigate emerging cultural and tech shifts.
Crocs Launches 'Wonderfully Unordinary' Global Brand Narrative
Crocs unveiled its new global campaign 'Wonderfully Unordinary' on January 28, 2026, promoting self-expression in the next era of branding. This narrative refresh targets innovative marketing in consumer goods.
It marks a pivotal shift in Crocs' advertising strategy.
AI Marketing Trends: Video Production and Hyper-Personalization
Top 2026 AI trends include scaled AI-powered video content, predictive analytics for hyper-personalization, and real-time optimization. Marketers gain tips to leverage these for competitive edges.
The focus accelerates AI's role in creative and targeting efficiency.
2026 CPG Preview: AI and Retail Media in Food & Beverage
CPG food and beverage trends emphasize AI, functional nutrition, and retail media networks to drive marketing wins. Marketers adapt to these shifts for growth in competitive categories.
The guide previews strategies shaping the industry outlook.