Market Update

A homeowner notices water spreading across the ceiling after a storm. Instead of opening Google and typing “roof repair near me,” she asks an AI assistant a more specific question: “Which roofing companies near me handle storm damage, have strong recent reviews, and can work with insurance claims?”  The answer may arrive as a shortlist. […]

A shopper opens Amazon looking for a coffee maker.  A few years ago, that search may have started with two or three words: “espresso machine” or “small coffee maker.”  Now the shopper can describe the whole problem:  “I need a coffee maker for two people. We want espresso, but we have limited counter space and

Social media has given customers a stronger voice in shaping how brands grow. Reviews, comments, and product discussions now reveal what people value, what frustrates them, and what they expect companies to improve.  BÉIS recognized that these conversations were more than public feedback. By listening closely to its customers, the travel lifestyle brand used criticism

A growing trend in digital marketing is the intentional use of emotional conflict to drive engagement. This approach is often called “rage-bait marketing,” where brands use anger, controversy, or disagreement to get people to react and share content. One reason this strategy is growing is that content that makes people angry can generate up to

It starts with a reply.  A customer leaves a comment, a competitor joins a trend, or a conversation begins gaining attention online. While many brands respond with polished language and carefully approved messaging, Wendy’s often takes a different approach. Its replies are quick, humorous, confident, and instantly recognizable.  That distinctive voice has helped Wendy’s become

Spotify Wrapped has become one of the most anticipated annual events for music lovers around the world. It transforms personal listening data into vibrant and shareable stories that often go viral on social media. However, Spotify’s AI-powered features like Wrapped, AI DJ, and personalized playlists are now facing increasing criticism.  Many users find these tools

In 2026, Starbucks Korea faced significant public criticism after a marketing campaign unintentionally touched on a sensitive moment in the country’s history. The promotion referenced “Tank Day,” a phrase that many Koreans associated with the violent suppression of civilians during a national democratic movement.  The campaign was especially controversial because it launched on the anniversary

Executive Summary  Most brands like to focus on their successes. Burger King took a different approach.  As part of its recent brand reset, the company openly acknowledged some of the challenges it had faced, including slow service, older restaurants, and inconsistent customer experiences. Instead of ignoring these issues, Burger King addressed them directly through its “Reclaim

Marmite is a brand that always divides opinion. People either love it or hate it, and the brand has built its identity around that tension. In 2026, Marmite launched its “Love It. Hate It. Cook with It.” campaign in the UK, turning this polarising personality into a bold marketing move.  Let’s break down why this campaign works and what marketers can

AI search is changing how people discover information, compare options, and choose businesses online. Instead of only showing traditional website links, search engines are now using AI-generated summaries to answer questions directly in the results.  This shift is changing what SEO success looks like. Ranking high still matters, but businesses now need content that is

AI-generated influencers and virtual models are quickly moving from novelty to mainstream in digital marketing. Brands are drawn to the promise of total control, faster production cycles, and significantly reduced costs compared to traditional influencer partnerships. On the surface, it looks like a perfect solution for scaling content in an increasingly competitive and algorithm-driven landscape. 

Artificial intelligence is being adopted very quickly across businesses. Companies are using it in marketing, operations, and customer experience to work faster and reduce manual tasks.  At first, this looks like real progress.  But there is a problem behind the scenes. While more companies are using AI, many are not using it effectively. In fact, AI

AI capabilities are evolving at a rapid pace, transforming how businesses create, execute, and scale their marketing efforts. Tasks that once required significant time, resources, and expertise can now be completed quickly using widely accessible AI tools. From content creation to data analysis, AI is becoming deeply embedded in everyday business operations.  As more organizations adopt these technologies, the

Artificial intelligence is now a normal part of marketing. Businesses use it to create content faster, improve ads, and personalize customer experiences. Tasks that once took days or weeks can now be done in just a few hours.  But there is a growing problem. The same AI tools are also being used to create scams just as

AI agents are rapidly changing how customers discover and choose businesses. Instead of searching, clicking, and comparing options, users can now rely on AI to research, filter, and recommend solutions in seconds.  This shift shows that AI agents are replacing websites as the first customer touchpoint. Instead of competing only for website traffic, businesses now need to

Artificial intelligence has entered a new phase where the focus is no longer just on innovation, but on consequences, control, and competition. Recent changes across advertising, SEO, workforce structure, and brand perception show that AI is becoming deeply embedded in how businesses operate and grow.  AI is no longer just a tool used by marketers. It is now a

As more brands use AI in marketing, many are starting to realize that speed and efficiency are not enough. Creating more content faster only works if the message still connects with people. Without strong human input, campaigns can quickly feel off or out of touch.  A recent example is McDonald’s Netherlands holiday campaign. The brand used AI to help

In February 2026, a Vogue Japan cover featuring Ariana Grande sparked a viral debate online. A small visual detail drew widespread attention, and social media users quickly jumped to conclusions about the cause.  This case became a clear example of how people react to new technology. Even before knowing the full story, many assumed AI was

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest advertising opportunities in the United States. Millions of people watch the event, and companies often spend millions of dollars on commercials to promote their products or platforms. In February 2026, AI.com invested about $85 million in a Super Bowl campaign to introduce its AI platform and attract new users.  The commercial gained a lot

In 2025, Coca-Cola revived its beloved “Share a Coke” campaign with a fresh spin that brought together nostalgia and modern digital features. By adding QR codes and personalized video messages, Coca-Cola created a unique experience that went beyond just selling a drink. This new version of the campaign sparked more customer engagement, gave people shareable moments, and

Marketing mistakes can spread quickly. In 2025, American Eagle’s “Great Jeans, Great Genes” campaign, which was intended to be a clever pun, faced intense backlash. What was meant to be playful quickly became a public relations crisis.  The lesson for small and mid-sized businesses? Tone-deaf marketing is a trust issue, not just a PR problem. Trust

Search hasn’t disappeared, but how people find businesses has changed. Google’s AI summaries now appear in search results, which means fewer people are clicking on websites. Studies show that even fewer people are clicking on links within those AI summaries. At the same time, ads are starting to show up in AI chat tools and search results, creating a new

Executive Summary Small and mid‑sized businesses in the U.S. are entering the 2025 holiday season with both an urgent need and a unique opportunity. On the one hand, the shopping season is more compressed than ever, budgets are tighter, and consumer behavior is more deliberate. On the other hand, according to a recent Bank of