Storytelling is the key driver for viral short-form video success. A proven content model focuses on repeatable structures such as “Two Characters, One Light Bulb,” where creators play both expert and novice to explain complex topics, and “Challenge” videos, where creators take on difficult tasks with dramatic payoffs. The recommended approach to these videos involves studying performance patterns through Gold-Silver-Bronze analysis, tracking key engagement drivers like pacing and reaction shots, and testing formats with single videos before scaling content production.
A recap of Duo's death and how its demise has taken off online.
A comparison of two organic social posts with identical content but different formats, revealing how one outperformed the other by 200x.
Use customer pain points to find top-ranking URLs in Ahrefs, extract keywords, and repeat.
BuzzFeed is launching BF Island, a social media platform designed as an AI-driven alternative to algorithm-heavy networks. CEO Jonah Peretti wants it to be a space for creative expression, especially for women and LGBTQ+ users, in contrast to the "masculine energy" of platforms like X and Meta. The platform will focus on interactive storytelling and self-expression rather than engagement-driven content.
AI-powered website and app builders like Bolt, Lovable, and V0 enable no-code product creation. They replace traditional coding with text and design-based workflows. Some allow code exports, while others lock users in. These tools simplify prototyping but make debugging complex projects challenging.
Old-school marketing tactics still work when adapted to modern channels. Tactics like direct mail, storytelling, and word-of-mouth remain effective by cutting through digital noise. Personalized letters, handwritten notes, and executive-signed messages help brands connect with their audience, while PR stunts and storytelling in press releases drive media engagement. When integrated with digital strategies, these approaches enhance trust, credibility, and brand recall.
AI-powered automation in GTM doesn't have to be a volume game. It can be used to increase precision by using real-time signals to target high-intent prospects. Plays like warm outbound to recent website visitors, product-led outreach to engaged users, and expansion campaigns based on usage data increase efficiency without sacrificing quality. Stacking multiple signals and leveraging AI-driven insights can drive 5–10x higher conversion rates than traditional outbound.
Instagram SEO works by matching searches with profiles, captions, and hashtags while factoring in engagement and past interactions. Brands can improve discoverability by optimizing profiles with relevant keywords, writing alt text, using subtitles, and posting at peak engagement times. Higher engagement signals, such as likes and comments, increase the chances of appearing in search and recommendations.
Sam Altman aims to simplify OpenAI's product lineup. GPT-4.5, internally called Orion, will be OpenAI's last non-chain-of-thought model. The company plans to unify its o-series and GPT-series models, integrating tools for broader usability. GPT-5 will replace o3 as a standalone model, offering different intelligence levels based on user tiers. Altman hinted at a release timeline of weeks or months.
Companies should shift to an account-driven go-to-market (GTM) strategy due to advances in data and technology. This strategy involves mapping your total addressable market (TAM), segmenting accounts by fit and intent, and using intent signals to prioritize outreach and create personalized campaigns. It differs from traditional account-based marketing (ABM) and inbound marketing by integrating broader, proactive engagement across marketing and sales teams. The strategy relies on unifying account data, leveraging new tools for speed, and tailoring marketing tactics to account value. Startups that fail to adopt this approach may struggle against competitors in today's B2B environment.
The debate over whether Product Marketing is a subset of Marketing centers on the need for specialization. While both roles are strategic, Marketing focuses on growth and market presence, whereas Product Marketing drives market fit and category perception. Treating them as interchangeable creates confusion and burnout, particularly in startups. The key is recognizing their distinct roles to improve collaboration, avoid mixed messaging, and scale effectively. Both functions are crucial and deserve their own seat at the table.
Lego's in-store personalization studio replaces standard shelves with interactive spaces where customers design custom Minifigures. By treating physical retail as a media channel, Lego turns stores into immersive experiences, from holiday-themed displays to digital workshops. The company is also leveraging its employees for live streaming, connecting online and in-person shopping.
Over 40% of sales made by direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands on Amazon are influenced by upper-funnel ads on other platforms like TikTok, Meta, and YouTube.
Olipop mocked Poppi's gifting backlash on social media and used the opportunity to promote its own giveaway.
LinkedIn ad inspo that are “scroll-stopping”.
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Brands are reallocating budgets to balance customer acquisition and brand awareness. Paid social and search remain priorities but face increasing costs, algorithm shifts, and new restrictions, pushing teams to diversify. TV advertising is gaining traction alongside influencer marketing. AI is streamlining media buying, ad copy, and audience segmentation. Key tactics include retargeting website visitors via TV ads, leveraging ad-supported streaming platforms, and integrating conversational AI for customer engagement.
TikTok now offers its Android app as a direct download from its website, allowing users to sideload it as an APK file instead of relying on the Google Play Store. This move helps the company bypass the ongoing app store ban while the US government's restrictions remain paused.
Broken sentences and sentence fragments can add impact and emotion to informal writing, despite being frowned upon in traditional style guides. Authors use them to create a modern, conversational tone that enhances flow and precision. Techniques include starting with conjunctions, emphasizing emotion with short sentences, and creating staccato rhythms or quickened pacing. These fragments can mimic thought patterns or present lists for dynamic storytelling. However, overuse can feel forced, so writers should use them intentionally, paying close attention to rhythm and flow.
To build a LinkedIn presence for a CEO from scratch, optimize their profile with a clean headshot, banner, and a headline explaining the company's value. Schedule a meeting to record the conversation for 10 posts, then pair each with relevant media. Review and refine posts, create a list of 15-20 accounts to engage with daily, and connect with 20 new prospects using Sales Navigator. Track profile metrics weekly, respond to comments, and personalize outreach to profile visitors with valuable resources.
A hard paywall, which blocks access to an app unless users start a free trial or subscription, can help focus on high-intent users, improve conversion signals for ad algorithms, and simplify analytics. However, it limits the user base, reduces opportunities for nurturing potential subscribers, and can hurt app store rankings due to higher uninstall rates. To mitigate its downsides, companies can implement tactics like capturing email addresses, using push notifications, offering backup discounts, or providing a preview during onboarding.
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Magic Grab lets you move objects in a photo without affecting the background. Keyboard shortcuts like typing "T" for text or "C" for a circle speed up workflow. The background blur tool helps subjects stand out, while the color picker ensures perfect matches. The Brand Hub saves time by storing logos and fonts. You can also copy and paste between designs, do voiceovers and screen recordings, and upload and edit PDFs.
Writing effective product descriptions requires focusing on customer benefits, optimizing for search engines, and incorporating psychological triggers to increase conversions. Businesses that shift from merely listing features to addressing customer pain points see higher engagement, while structured, mobile-friendly formatting and multimedia elements improve readability.
Tilting text or logos upward (bottom-left to top-right) signals energy and activity, while tilting downward (top-left to bottom-right) conveys calmness and relaxation. Experiments showed people were 44.5% more likely to buy exercise-related products with upward-tilting logos. Resorts marketed as adventurous saw a 20.6% higher likelihood of booking with upward-tilted ads, while relaxing resorts were preferred 17.7% more with downward-tilted text. The effect works for both text and logos but not for images. Horizontally flat logos are best if neither energy nor relaxation is emphasized.
Poppi's Super Bowl vending machine campaign generated over 35M organic views, but generated backlash as consumers criticized it saying it was ‘wasteful'. Experiential gifting, where brands provide influencers with over-the-top experiences instead of traditional sponsorships, makes marketing spend highly visible, potentially sparking negative sentiment. As customer-first marketing gains traction, brands prioritizing real consumer engagement over influencer spectacle may better align with shifting expectations.
Digital products like templates and scripts are quick to create but have lower perceived value, while courses can sell for more but need stronger marketing.
The debate around AI models centers on whether "better" models are truly better or simply more advanced approximations.
Strong customer communications follow the same formula as great ads: hook first, value second, context last.
AI was a major theme in the 2025 Super Bowl ads. OpenAI debuted its first-ever Super Bowl ad with a pointillism animation, while Google showcased its Gemini chatbot but had to edit a previous AI-generated claim about cheese consumption. GoDaddy introduced its AI tool for small businesses, and Cirkul humorously critiqued AI's unpredictability with an ad featuring Adam Devine.
Streaming dominates TV consumption, with 91.9% of internet users watching monthly, while traditional broadcast reaches 87.8%. Streaming accounts for 43.3% of viewing time, led by Saudi Arabia (54.8%), UAE (53.7%), and China (51.5%). Audio streaming is also strong, with 38.2% using music services weekly and younger users averaging nearly two hours daily. Paid subscriptions are rising, with 31.5% paying for video and 22.5% for music, particularly in high-income markets like Norway and Sweden.
To handle tough customer interviews, embrace silence to encourage elaboration. Use "how" instead of "why" to prompt more honest, detailed responses. If an answer feels vague, express your confusion to encourage clarification. Reframe questions to make them easier to answer and help the customer feel comfortable. Trust your preparation - discomfort can lead to deeper insights and more valuable takeaways.
This article shares examples of Shopify brands using content marketing to increase engagement. Gymshark produces long-form workout guides that establish authority and attract fitness enthusiasts. Stanley builds brand loyalty by aligning its blog with adventure-driven storytelling, positioning its products as part of memorable experiences. Ruggable optimizes its content strategy with clear blog categories, SEO-driven interior design advice, and seamless navigation to convert readers into buyers.
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Adweek ranked Super Bowl ads by online chatter, viewer engagement, and emotional response.
This piece lists 20 useful PPC tools for Google Ads users. Some are free while others are paid. The tools include TrueClicks for automated audits, ProfitMetrics for profit tracking, and ProductHero for feed optimization. Other recommendations include Creatopy for design, Microsoft Clarity for conversion optimization, and PowerMyAnalytics for syncing data sources.
Over half of marketing professionals feel overwhelmed and undervalued, with nearly half of teams facing annual restructures driven by cost-cutting rather than strategy. As marketing is increasingly viewed as a discretionary expense, teams are pressured to do more with less. While automation and AI can boost efficiency, without clear strategic direction and leadership support, many will remain in a reactive, high-stress environment.
Using audience insights to focus marketing on niche communities can be more effective than relying solely on Google, Meta, or LinkedIn ads. Identifying where audiences spend time enables more strategic outreach, as seen with podcasters and event organizers leveraging influencer networks over broad paid ads. Zero-click marketing, like Chartr's Reddit engagement, builds trust without requiring direct clicks. Balancing data with qualitative research and exploring underutilized channels can help maximize impact.
Valve updated its Steamworks policy to clarify that in-game ads are allowed if they fit the game's context but banned business models relying on paid advertising. Developers must remove forced ad-watching mechanics before selling on Steam and are encouraged to use single-purchase or microtransaction-based models instead. The policy permits real-world brands in games if they enhance immersion and have the necessary licenses, but prohibits rewarding players for engaging with ads. Past controversies, such as unskippable ads in NBA 2K21, show the challenges of balancing advertising and player experience.
The two food brands made nearly identical Super Bowl ads but turned it into a win with a collaborative IG post.
Use personalized pop-ups based on a customer's history with the brand in order to maximize signups.
Use transactional-style subject lines for abandoned cart emails to double open and click rates.
Branding is no longer just about visuals. It must connect consumers to culture and community. Companies are appointing Chief Brand Officers to work alongside CMOs, leveraging creation, collaboration, and community to drive consumer loyalty. Effective Gen Z marketing requires direct engagement, representation, and co-creation. Creator marketing thrives when brands trust creators, provide clear but flexible guidelines, use diverse influencer types, and align content with consumer journeys.
Sam Altman recently discussed in a new essay on his personal blog about making AI more accessible while addressing potential risks to labor markets, including mass unemployment. He proposed concepts like a "compute budget" to spread AI's benefits. Although Artificial General Intelligence is approaching, Altman warned of its limitations and the importance of scaling it. OpenAI aims to empower individuals while managing the trade-offs between safety and autonomy as AI becomes more integrated into society.
Ranking high for bottom-of-funnel keywords doesn't guarantee conversions if the content isn't optimized for the reader. Content focused on search rankings can lack proper product positioning, leading to low conversions despite high traffic. Improving flow, focus, and product relevance can boost conversions. Strategies include tailoring content to search intent, linking product features to pain points, and structuring articles for engagement. Businesses should prioritize conversions over rankings and update underperforming content to better serve customers.
Brands are reinventing Valentine's Day marketing by combining nostalgia with interactive experiences to boost engagement. LEGO is offering a Botanicals Le Florist Flower Truck Tour, allowing consumers to create custom floral designs. Coca-Cola and Raising Cane's have transformed a drive-thru into a Tunnel of Love featuring an immersive light show and themed giveaways. Princess Cruises is offering a limited-time Love by Britto dining experience in New York City, bringing onboard romance to consumers.