Latest Marketing & Advertising News

📅March 16, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Sports marketing dominates ad spending as brands expand beyond traditional channels, while AI transforms e-commerce search and programmatic advertising experiences significant leadership shifts.

Lay's Extends 'No Lay's, No Game' Campaign to World Cup with WhatsApp Strategy

Lay's is expanding its sports marketing beyond the Super Bowl to the World Cup, leveraging WhatsApp group chats to engage fans in real-time and reach audiences outside traditional social media platforms. The move reflects broader industry trends as live sports is expected to drive global ad spend to $1.04 trillion in 2026. Brands are shifting from passive sponsorship to active participation in fan experiences across multiple channels.

Global E-Commerce Sales Projected to Exceed $7 Trillion as AI Search Reshapes Discovery

E-commerce sales are forecast to surpass $7 trillion in 2026, with Gartner predicting a 25% drop in traditional organic search traffic as AI-driven tools like ChatGPT become the primary product discovery method. Brands investing in AI search optimization are seeing measurable returns, with 47% of companies using GenAI reporting increased revenue in 2024. The shift requires marketers to upskill and meet consumers at the moment they begin their product searches.

Disney Reports 10% Growth in Sports Advertising Operating Income

Disney's sports advertising division experienced 10% growth in operating income during the first quarter of 2026, highlighting the continued strength of live sports as a marketing channel. This growth occurs amid intense competition as major advertisers like Unilever have strategically planned World Cup campaigns well in advance.

Social Commerce Accounts for 17% of Online Sales in 2025

Sales through social networks including TikTok, Instagram Reels, and influencer livestreams accounted for an estimated 17.11% of total online sales in 2025. Thailand, Colombia, and China are leading adoption of this sales channel, with brands increasingly partnering with creators to showcase products within social content.

Creative Labs Appoints Cher Young Wee as Global Marketing Lead

Audio brand Creative Technology appointed Cher Young Wee as global marketing lead, reporting to newly appointed CEO Ernest Sim, with responsibility for building unified global marketing strategy and coordinating product launches. Wee will lead demand generation across YouTube, Meta, Twitch, Reddit, and TikTok, targeting gamers and audio enthusiasts through creator collaborations and performance marketing. He will also oversee global media planning and partnership optimization with retailers like Amazon.

DAX US Taps Jennifer Tang as Senior Vice President of Programmatic

Digital audio advertising firm DAX US named Jennifer Tang as Senior Vice President of Programmatic, bringing over 20 years of agency and publisher experience from roles at Spotify and Yieldmo. Tang will lead programmatic strategy and oversee sales efforts to strengthen relationships with agencies, brands, and technology partners while growing demand across podcasts, streaming platforms, and connected devices. The hire comes as DAX recently integrated brand lift measurement with DISQO and secured a deal with collegiate sports holder Learfield to sell audio ads.

Jaguar Land Rover Splits CMO Duties as Charlotte Blank Transitions to Brand Director Role

Jaguar Land Rover's U.S. CMO Charlotte Blank shifted to Brand Director for Defender and Discovery in North America, with CMO responsibilities divided between Stuart Schorr and Danny Zhu. Schorr will oversee communications and customer relationship management while Zhu leads media, performance marketing, and research. The restructuring occurs as JLR faces significant sales challenges, with North American retail sales falling 37.7% and tariff costs exceeding $520 million.

Razer's Asia Marketing Director Vanessa Tan Joins Stryv as Chief Marketing Officer

Razer's Asia regional marketing director Vanessa Tan has departed her role to join personal care brand Stryv as chief marketing officer. In her new position, Tan will develop regional go-to-market frameworks and oversee brand strategy, marketing, and growth across Stryv's product portfolio.

Shopify Integrates Commerce Inside ChatGPT Through Agentic Storefronts

Shopify is bringing e-commerce purchases directly into ChatGPT conversations through agentic storefronts, allowing merchants' products to appear in AI-driven shopping experiences. Under the updated approach, buyers will typically complete transactions on the merchant's own storefront rather than within ChatGPT, representing a shift in how AI facilitates commerce.

Publishers Diversify Revenue Models Beyond Traditional Advertising

News companies are expanding revenue streams through events, proprietary ad tech, video content, and off-platform distribution strategies to reduce reliance on traditional advertising. This diversification approach reflects broader industry trends as publishers seek sustainable growth beyond ad-dependent business models.

Disney Cruise Line Launches New Marketing Campaign Emphasizing Family Traditions

Disney Cruise Line released a new advertisement celebrating the enduring power of Disney magic and family traditions. The campaign supports the cruise line's expansion efforts, including the recent maiden voyage of the Disney Adventure ship in Asia.

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