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AI EATS THE WORLD

A 90-slide deck by Benedict Evans exploring macro and strategic trends in AI.

ZOOM REVEALS MAJOR REBRAND—DROPPING VIDEO AS IT GOES ALL-IN ON AI

Zoom has rebranded itself as “Zoom 2.0.” The company is shifting its focus from being primarily a video conferencing solution to an AI-driven work platform. CEO Eric Yuan described this evolution as part of Zoom's goal to enhance workplace efficiency. The company aims to compete with giants like Microsoft and Google.

INFLUENCER HOUSES ARE DEAD. WELCOME TO THE PRODUCTION STUDIO ERA

Influencers are shifting from shared mansions to independent production studios. Previously reliant on "internet-fueled fraternity houses" for collaboration, creators now invest in studio spaces to film and edit content. Studios like Alan Chikin Chow's 10,000-square-foot facility and MrBeast's 50,000-square-foot “Studio C” enable high-quality production. This marks the end of the "influencer house" era as creators prioritize solo ventures and professional setups.

GIMMICKY PRODUCT DISPLAYS BOOST SALES

Using creative and imaginative displays for products in physical stores can significantly increase sales. Research has found that novel arrangements, such as chocolates stacked in a cylinder or tissue boxes in a cone, can boost sales by 189.3% and ROI by 53.02%. Displays that align with a product's identity (e.g. energy drinks arranged as rockets) capture attention and improve customer perception of the product and brand. However, mismatched or visually unappealing designs can backfire, and the approach may not work well for planned purchases or fresh items. This strategy is most effective for impulse buys, like snacks and toiletries.

WIN REPORT: HOW USABILITY IMPROVEMENTS TO A PRODUCT PAGE GREW CONVERSIONS BY 23%

Subtle redesigns of a pet supply store's product page increased sales by 23% and revenue per visitor by 42%. Key changes included removing a confusing second checkout button, consolidating information about returns and payment into a clear section, and simplifying the layout by moving navigation and star ratings for better visibility. These updates reduced clutter and improved usability, addressing user concerns such as unclear navigation and unnecessary elements like an irrelevant SKU code. The adjustments made the page easier to understand and improved the shopping experience, leading to higher conversions.

BODEGA'S MATT ZAREMBA ON HOW TO AVOID EMPTY CALORIE MARKETING

Campaigns like Nike's yearbook-inspired project and ASICS' “Small Wins Add Up” succeeded by focusing on emotional storytelling and consumer relatability. These strategies avoided ego-driven or insecurity-based messaging, instead emphasizing authenticity and confidence-building. For Nike, a nostalgic school photo theme reflected the audience's shared experiences, while ASICS highlighted small daily victories to connect the product with its users' lives.

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CREATING CONSISTENT BRAND EXPERIENCES IN A COMPOSABLE ECOSYSTEM (WEBINAR)

This webinar, on December 10, will look at how a composable tech stack can accelerate growth. It'll share strategies for marketers and tech innovators to move faster and scale effortlessly. The session will feature insights from Netlify, kickstartDS, and Storyblok.

THE FULL GUIDE TO FOLLOW-UP EMAIL SUBJECT LINES AND EXAMPLES

47% of recipients decide to open an email based on its subject line, making it crucial for follow-up emails to be clear and specific. Effective subject lines communicate the email's purpose, add value by addressing pain points, and often include a personal touch to enhance relevance. For example, "Next steps from [meeting subject]" or "Have you reviewed our proposal?" balance professionalism and clarity, encouraging engagement.

HOW “BUY NOW, PAY LATER” IS CHANGING CONSUMER SPENDING

BNPL adoption increases purchase likelihood from 17% to 26% and boosts basket sizes by 10%, with effects lasting for six months. Financially constrained shoppers benefit most, increasing their basket sizes by 14%, compared to 3% for less constrained consumers. BNPL's appeal lies in making costs feel more manageable and trivial, driving sustained consumer spending.

ASPIRING TO AGE

Youth-focused brands are increasingly collaborating with mature icons like Willem Dafoe and Jerry Seinfeld. This move embraces aging as aspirational, blending youthful trends with the confidence and style of older generations. Gen Z, interested in breaking age boundaries, is drawn to the unburdened liberation of older styles, signaling a cultural shift where aging is seen as a symbol of relevance and future potential. Age is now positioned as something to celebrate, not fear.

WHY STORES STILL SPARK JOY AROUND THE HOLIDAYS

Foot traffic has returned to 2019 levels, with nearly half of holiday shoppers planning to visit stores this year for discovery, browsing, and unique experiences. Despite e-commerce growth, in-store shopping remains critical for gift discovery, as 60% of Gen Z shoppers prefer physical stores to find new gifts. Retailers like Macy's and Target are leveraging sensory experiences and holiday events to enhance the joy of shopping during the season.

10 TEXTS TO SEND FOR MORE REVENUE IN DECEMBER

10 content ideas to round out your December SMS campaigns.

BREAKDOWN OF SYNTHESIA'S HOMEPAGE

A visual breakdown of Synthesia's clear homepage hero section.

YOUTUBE LAUNCHES 2024 MUSIC RECAP

YouTube is releasing its own take on Spotify's Wrapped.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM PODSCRIBE'S PODCAST & STREAMING PERFORMANCE REPORT

High-quality podcast ads, particularly those with personal endorsements and clear listener benefits, drive better performance compared to lower-quality ones. Mid-roll ads placed earlier in episodes yield the best visitor rates, outperforming pre- and post-roll spots. Ads longer than 60 seconds show higher conversion rates, and episodic buys, where ads run in a single episode for at least 30 days, perform better than impression-based campaigns. Ad stacking reduces effectiveness. Health, fitness, and education podcasts achieve the highest visitor rates, while fashion and retail excel in cost-per-acquisition efficiency.

2024 KANTAR MEDIA TRENDS & PREDICTIONS REPORT

The media and advertising industry is at an inflection point. With AI transforming content creation, publishers must leverage data-driven strategies and incorporate interactive advertising to avoid spending resources inefficiently due to poor targeting or ad optimization.

HOW TO BECOME A THOUGHT LEADER IN JUST 6 INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT STEPS

Publish frequently to test and refine your ideas based on feedback. Work on hard, original problems and share the lessons learned to establish credibility and create meaningful, unique contributions. Focus on one specific topic to build recognition and benefit from the compounding value of consistent content over time. Borrow credibility from established figures, companies, or platforms to amplify your reach. Distill your ideas into memorable, shareable concepts and continuously promote them.

B2B NEWSLETTER MARKETING: HOW IT DIFFERS FROM EMAIL PROMOTIONS & WHAT BRANDS CAN LEARN FROM INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS

Unlike promotional emails, which focus on urgent calls to action, B2B newsletters should prioritize delivering value over time. Consistency is key, as newsletters build long-term ROI. Hire writers with journalistic backgrounds to prioritize audience needs over self-serving content. Content based on personal opinions and original data also drive higher engagement.

TAPLIO

Taplio is a LinkedIn tool designed to help creators and professionals enhance their personal brands. It generates content ideas, schedules posts, and enables users to interact with relevant accounts, manage contact lists, and send personalized bulk messages.

21 TEXT-ONLY ADS

A collection of B2B paid campaigns from brands like Clockwise, Mural, and Ramp that use short and powerful messaging.

HERE'S WHERE EACH OF THE BIG SOCIAL PLATFORM STANDS ON EXTERNAL LINKS

Social platforms aren't overly keen on driving traffic to your brand's site. Facebook's algorithm doesn't explicitly penalize links, but link posts have declined in visibility and engagement. Instagram restricts links to Stories, limiting broader reach. X explicitly limits link reach, while TikTok and Snapchat minimally support external links, with exceptions for competitors. LinkedIn reduces link preview visibility unless promoted. Bluesky remains an exception, valuing links as integral to its platform.

AI HAS BEEN A BOON FOR MARKETING, BUT THE DARK SIDE OF USING ALGORITHMS TO SELL PRODUCTS AND BRANDS IS LITTLE STUDIED

AI's ethical risks are often overlooked. A review of 290 marketing studies found only 33 addressed AI's negative impacts, which include perpetuating stereotypes, spreading misinformation, and harming mental health through tools like beauty filters. These risks particularly affect vulnerable groups, such as young women. There is a need to study AI's ethical challenges to ensure its responsible use benefits all, not just large companies.

WHY GOOGLE SHOPPING TURNED HOLIDAY GIFT-GIVING INTO A GAME SHOW

Google transformed its shopping data into a game show-style content series called “Can You Gift It?” to humanize its technology in a fun way.

5 REASONS FOR THE RISE OF ECOSYSTEM MARKETING

Startups are shifting efforts to ecosystem marketing due to the increase in outbound spam, event fatigue and cost, and lower marketing budgets.

YOU ARE ALL WRONG ABOUT THE JAGUAR REBRAND

Jaguar's rebrand was a bold move to revive a legacy brand at risk of irrelevance.

WHAT ACTUALLY IS THE ‘CREATOR ECONOMY'? HERE'S WHY WE SHOULD CARE

The creator economy has shifted towards authenticity and creator collaboration over traditional influencer promotion. Trust in influencers has dwindled, with only 2.2% of Americans trusting them for purchase advice. User reviews hold more credibility (over 30%). The lack of trust has caused creators to pivot from mere promotion to focus on high-quality, engaging content. 86% of companies are expected to use creator marketing by 2025.

JAGUAR BOSS DEFENDS NEW AD AND REBRAND AMID ‘VILE HATRED' ONLINE

Jaguar's new ad and rebrand features colorful backdrops and models without showcasing a car. This unconventional approach has garnered over 160 million views. However, the campaign has faced backlash, including criticism from Elon Musk. Managing Director Rawdon Glover defended the ad, calling it a part of a strategy to break away from traditional auto marketing and connect with a more contemporary audience.

HOW I USED 'PRAISE-LED MARKETING' TO GO VIRAL

To leverage praise-led marketing, celebrate industry leaders and emerging voices with genuine, research-backed praise on a well-designed platform. Reach out personally to nominees, ensure transparent criteria, and create shareable content like blog posts or awards. Avoid self-promotion, generic recognition, or overdoing it, and balance established and rising figures to build trust. Add creative touches, like branded visuals or personalized gestures, to increase engagement.

6 OUT-OF-THE-BOX MARKETING CAMPAIGNS BY LOCAL BUSINESSES

This post contains examples of small businesses using creative tactics to engage their communities. Gino's Deli responded to kids' letters to Santa, Paws & Claws offered discounts on black cats for Black Friday, and Five & Dime introduced a "Purple Wildcat" cocktail for graduates. Spotted Leaf Plant Co. created its own anniversary celebration, Maypop Coffee turned vendors into influencers by sharing digital flyers, and Ospina Law Firm reached new clients by networking with Latinx and mompreneur groups.

DECKOCTOPUS

Deckoctopus is a presentation tool that streamlines the creation of professional slides. It offers premade templates, prompt-generated decks, and support for embedded lead forms.

MARKETING TEARDOWN: PROGRAMMATIC SEO

Programmatic SEO (pSEO) uses AI to create large-scale, hyper-specific web pages optimized for long-tail keywords, helping businesses to rank highly in search results. It works well for industries with extensive UGC, large databases, or personalized services. Companies like Yelp and Make.com have used pSEO to generate thousands of pages tailored to specific queries. Beyond content creation, pSEO enhances link-building by automating outreach and enhances reputation management through AI-powered social listening and engagement.

GETTING STARTED WITH AI: GOOD ENOUGH PROMPTING

AI often stumbles in real-world applications when users struggle with prompting or misuse it as a search engine. A practical approach is to treat AI as a patient, forgetful coworker, exploring tasks within your expertise. Key tactics for using AI include giving clear instructions, using step-by-step prompts, providing full context, and leveraging AI's infinite patience for iteration. Spending 10 focused hours with AI can help develop intuition and integrate it effectively into work and life.

THE SECRET SAUCE TO PRODUCT MARKETING INTERVIEWS

MARKETING HAS A MARKETING PROBLEM - AND IT'S HURTING LONG-TERM BUSINESS HEALTH

The influence of CMOs is diminishing as they are increasingly positioned below the C-suite, which limits their ability to shape business strategy. Fragmented marketing functions further hinder the connection between customer insights and growth. CEOs who prioritize marketing in growth strategies are twice as likely to achieve over 5% annual growth. Despite this, only 24% of CMOs are classified as "Unifiers," who collaborate effectively with the C-suite.

WALLET PASSES ARE A MOBILE MARKETING CHANNEL

Mobile wallet passes offer persistent loyalty programs, real-time updates, and push notifications for omnichannel retailers.

7 CREATIVE DESIGN TREND PREDICTIONS FOR 2025

These design trends blend opposites, from clutter core and AI-fueled art to dark aesthetics and sentimental, handcrafted visuals.

APPLE BEGINS SELLING NEWS ADS DIRECTLY AS ITS ADVERTISING AMBITIONS GROW

Apple has begun selling advertising inventory directly within Apple News. It is giving publishers a 70% revenue share and targeting curated content sponsorships like the Met Gala. The move aligns with Apple's growing advertising ambitions, as its global ad revenue is projected to reach $11 billion in 2024, up from $8.9 billion last year. This expansion follows slowing hardware sales and signals a broader strategy to boost revenue streams through its highly engaged audience.

BUSINESS SPENDING ON AI SURGED 500% THIS YEAR TO $13.8 BILLION, SAYS MENLO VENTURES

Business spending on generative AI rose 500% this year, reaching $13.8 billion, up from $2.3 billion in 2023. OpenAI's market share in enterprise AI dropped from 50% to 34%, while Anthropic doubled its share to 24%. Large language models received $6.5 billion in investments, with code generation cited as the top use case. AI agents are emerging as a key trend, with companies like Google and OpenAI advancing technology to handle complex, multi-step tasks.

SEGMENTING PEOPLE VS. OCCASIONS

Segmentation based on occasions, rather than people, is more effective because behavior is often shaped by context. For example, dinner or travel choices vary depending on the situation or companions. Focusing on these contextual factors provides more consistent insights, while people-based segmentation often leads to inconsistencies.

HOW TO WRITE AUTHORITY CONTENT IN 4 STEPS

A structured content copywriting process helps to avoid blank page syndrome and create engaging, action-driven copy. The 4-step method covered in this article involves audience research, content structuring, writing with clear frameworks, and editing for conciseness and readability.

BUILDING A B2B VIDEO MARKETING STRATEGY WITH IMPACT

Total watch time for B2B video content increased by 44% in 2023. 93% of businesses now consider video essential to their marketing strategies. Videos with embedded email sign-up forms see a 23% conversion rate, nearly double that of traditional CTAs. The growth in popularity is enabled by the rise of AI in video creation, which allows marketers to produce personalized, high-quality content at scale.

THE PRIVY SWIPE FILE: BFCM EMAIL EDITION (SWIPE FILE)

A swipe file of 150 BFCM email examples for last-minute creative inspiration.

20 LINKEDIN POST TEMPLATES

20 curated templates that include themes like "Implied Expertise," "Resource Curation," and "Radical Candor," to inspire impactful content. The collection highlights actionable formats like “What To Do vs. What To Avoid” and “Imagine This Scenario” for engaging posts.

WHY BLACK CULTURE-FOCUSED TENTPOLE EVENTS SHOULD BE ON YOUR BRAND'S RADAR

Brands often overlook Black culture-focused tentpole events, missing opportunities to connect with influential Black consumers despite their proven economic power and cultural influence. These events offer unique access to key audiences, yet brands often prioritize mainstream events like Coachella, leaving them out of vital conversations.

WHY BEAUTY BRANDS ARE TURNING TO PODCASTS TO ADVERTISE

Beauty brands are turning to podcasts to build trust with audiences, especially Hispanics, who spend 37% more annually on beauty than the general market. Sonoro Global Media, which caters to multicultural listeners, sees brands like Ulta and Estée Lauder spending $200K on podcast ads. Podcasts influence 60% of men and 62% of listeners aged 18–34, driving US ad spend to $2.28 billion in 2024, up 15.9% YoY.

WHY ‘RISK ON MARKETING INVESTMENT' IS THE NEW ROI

A Fortune 100 CEO redefines ROI as "risk on marketing investment" to emphasize the importance of managing uncertainties and opportunity costs in marketing spend. Traditional ROI metrics are ineffective, he believes, with up to 30% of billion-dollar marketing budgets getting wasted. The CEO advocates reallocating funds to initiatives like talent acquisition and market expansion. He stresses the importance of reputation and brand trust, noting that demand generation often fails to demonstrate tangible results. C-suites increasingly demand precise, data-driven accountability in marketing and other functions, driven by external pressures like economic volatility and shareholder scrutiny.

MIND OVER MARKETING: 2025 MARKETING PREDICTIONS (17 MINUTE PODCAST)

Marketing will center on micro trends in 2025, combating anti-algorithm culture and AI content fatigue.