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%), connected TV (+13.8%), and commerce media (+12.1%). Agentic AI is reshaping planning and optimization, with 73% of marketers prioritizing AI-optimized content.
Dentsu Report: 9 in 10 CMOs Boost Entertainment IP Investments
A dentsu study reveals 91% of CMOs are increasing spending on entertainment IP like sports, gaming, and anime, with 34% significantly ramping up. This shift positions media as a core growth engine amid $1 trillion global ad spend forecast.
Social Media Marketing Enters Operational Phase with AI Optimization
2026 social platforms prioritize predictable engagement, scalable monetization, creator distribution, and AI-powered ads, shifting human roles to data structuring and direction. Native commerce and long-form content are key for discoverability and loyalty.
Global Ad Spend to Surpass $1 Trillion in 2026, Dentsu Says
Dentsu's CMO Navigator forecasts global advertising exceeding $1 trillion, with 90% of CMOs reporting revenue growth and AI central to strategies. Concerns rise over platform transparency in algorithmic media.
B2B Marketers Embrace Agentic AI and Data Clarity at 2026 Events
Event professionals prioritize agentic AI for personalization, footfall data, and impact measurement, while ditching digital noise for analog connections and curated networking like Braindates.
AI Search Evolves into Marketplace with Agentic Crawlers in 2026
SEO leaders predict AI search handling discovery, transactions, and paid ads via agentic systems; brands must optimize structured data and proprietary insights for visibility across agents and LLMs.
U.S. Creator Spend to Surge 24.2% to $11.3 Billion in 2026
Winterberry Group projects creator economy ad spending as the fastest-growing channel at 24.2% growth, reaching $11.3 billion in the U.S., amid splintering retail strategies beyond social feeds.
Omnicom's Lodestar UM Wins Amazon Music Media Mandate in India
Lodestar UM secured Amazon Music's full-funnel media activation after a competitive review, highlighting agency consolidations in key markets.
Formula 1 Partners with Standard Chartered Starting 2026
Formula 1 announced a multi-year deal with Standard Chartered, integrating global races with banking operations for client engagement at trackside events.
VML Releases The Future 100: 2026 Trend Report for Marketers
VML unveiled 100 trends transforming markets, offering briefs on AI, innovation, and growth strategies for 2026 and beyond.
Crocs Launches 'Wonderfully Unordinary' Global Brand Narrative
Crocs introduced a new self-expression-focused campaign on January 28, 2026, redefining its brand for the next era.
Retailers Shift to Substack and Human-Powered Storytelling in 2026
Marketers expand beyond social feeds to channels like Substack, emphasizing creator content as essential amid $37 billion U.S. creator ad spend trajectory.