Ad Age Insider

Weekly Report: Alex Cooper says ad agencies are the problem 02.07.2026 7m

In Ad Age Insider's July 2 Weekly Report: inside Alex Cooper's pitch to brands at Cannes Lions; why Mr. Clean is going after beauty creators; how brands are combating conquesting on ChatGPT; how Q3 ad budgets are being spent; and iShowSpeed's collaboration with Expedia. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Read Ad Age's Q&A with Alex Cooper ~Inside Mr. Clean's beauty influencer campaign ~How conquesting is taking over ChatGPT ads ~What media buyers are prioritizing right now ~IShowSpeed and Expedia's shoppable stream

Cannes Lions takeaways: Lessons for marketers to carry through 2026 26.06.2026 12m

On this week's episode of Ad Age Insider, host Parker Herren recaps the news, trends and takeaways that have emerged from the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Hear reactions and pitches from companies including Tubi, Microsoft, EA, Google, OpenAI and Anthropic. From how the AI conversation has shifted to how agencies are approaching creator marketing and emerging ad formats, catch up on the industry buzz that will set the tone for the rest of the year. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~See all the Cannes Lions winners here ~How AI has shown up at Cannes ~Inside OpenAI's Cannes ad pitch ~Why Microsoft is connecting with creators in Cannes ~What Ad Age's conversations in Cannes reveal about AI, agencies and creators ~Why gaming ad spend still lags ~Listen: Everything marketers need to know about microdramas ~Cannes Lions entries drop more than 25%

Cannes Lions pre-brief: indies and creators surge plus key topics, with Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin 19.06.2026 26m

Agency reporters Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin break down the key topics, trends and questions to watch at this year's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. From how industry mergers including Omnicom-IPG will shift agency priorities to the rise of independent agencies, they describe what factors are impacting the awards, events and conversations on the ground this year. Plus, they discuss why the presence of social media creators is on the rise, how sports marketing is showing up and the top questions they're seeking answers to at Cannes. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Everything to know about Cannes Lions 2026 ~Cannes Lions 2026 schedule ~The Cannes Lions creator playbook ~Enter Ad Age's 40 Under 40 by July 23 ~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

CMOs on CMOs: Hippo and Solo Stove on AI and grassroots marketing tactics 18.06.2026 13m

Watch this episode and see additional resources for marketers at AdAge.com/cmo. In the first episode of the Ad Age CMOs on CMOs series, Andrea Collins, CMO of Hippo, and Liz Vanzura, CMO of Solo Stove, break down how they're implementing AI into team workflows, and how marketers can start discussing AI implementation with teams mindfully. They also dig into grassroots marketing tactics and the power of bringing your brand to consumers. CMOs on CMOs is a new series from Ad Age. Each episode will feature two marketing leaders, discussing the trends, changes and trials of their work. Stay tuned for more episodes in the coming months.

Best World Cup campaigns and the new sports marketing playbook, with Tim Nudd and Jon Springer 12.06.2026 25m

For years, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been must-buy media inventory for marketers. But numerous controversies as well as the bigger-than-ever nature of the soccer games have presented new challenges and considerations for brands. Creativity Editor Tim Nudd and Senior Marketing Reporter Jon Springer discuss trends that have emerged across World Cup creative, sports marketing trends on the rise versus on the outs and how recent fan disruptions from ticket prices to geopolitical disruption have impacted brand plans. Plus, they reveal the first-ever Ad Age Insider World Cup Marketing Award winners, including the most unique work, best brand strategy and best World Cup campaign. Listen to discover which brands took home trophies. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Everything brands need to know about World Cup marketing ~How brands are using access to break through World Cup clutter ~See Coca-Cola's unique AI activation ~See Air Transat's pricing-themed OOH campaign ~Watch Adidas' campaign starring Timothee Chalamet ~Inside Nike's star-studded World Cup spot ~See McDonald's World Cup collectors' cups ~These brands nailed World Cup work this year ~Enter Ad Age's 40 Under 40 by July 23 ~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

Publicis-LiveRamp deal: what to know and how to react, with Garett Sloane 05.06.2026 22m

Senior Technology and AI editor Garett Sloane breaks down Publicis Groupe's acquisition of LiveRamp, including why it matters for brands and first steps for auditing your ad tech stack. He discusses the impact of data ownership on future AI development, how to leverage greater transparency with ad tech partners and the meaning of a composable ad tech stack. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Publicis-LiveRamp deal reshapes data landscape—what it means for rival agencies and the industry ~Publicis-LiveRamp deal sparks agency scramble for alternatives ~How to lock in your ad tech stack before the Publicis-LiveRamp deal closes ~How to submit for the 2026 Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards ~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

AI marketing brief: trust, creativity and careers—ICYMI 29.05.2026 13m

The industry is transforming in real time as AI growth impacts workflows, output and career paths from one moment to the next. Industry leaders are continually refining uses of AI platforms, best practices for prompting and how to communicate new tech initiatives to teams. As Ad Age honors trailblazers in innovation with the 2026 Tech Power List, reporters and editors share their tips for where AI use can go right and wrong in marketing. This ICYMI roundup features Tech Reporter Asa Hiken, News Editor E.J. Schultz, Creativity Editor Tim Nudd, Influencer Reporter Gillian Follett and Senior Agency Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse. They offer tips and tricks for topics ranging from consumers' primary AI fears to worst-case brand scenarios and the new talent pipeline conundrum. Listen to each episode in its entirety: ~Your AI ad playbook: red flags, hard lessons and brand wins, with Asa Hiken ~What's driving marketing impact: lessons from award-winning campaigns, with Tim Nudd ~Decoding 2026 hype vs. reality for marketers, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli ~'Fruit Love Island' brand lessons: skip this viral trend, with Gillian Follett ~Agency hiring in the AI era: What grads need now, with Lindsay Rittenhouse

CMO Lessons: Brand trust, creative strategy and agency audits—ICYMI 22.05.2026 12m

The checklist for effective marketing leadership has grown exponentially more complex—balancing trust and efficiency, growing loyalty in an age of skepticism and ensuring transparent agency relationships. Ad Age reporters share advice on all of these topics, and more, in this special edition of Ad Age Insider, which surfaces critical insights for CMOs across recent episodes. This ICYMI roundup features Creativity Editor Tim Nudd, Reporter Erika Wheless, News Editor E.J. Schultz, Senior Reporter Brian Bonilla, Reporter Ewan Larkin and Executive Editor Judy Pollack. Together, they make the case for why the power of the idea is more important than ever in an AI-saturated market, what Gen Z brand loyalty actually requires from marketers and what questions every CMO should be asking their agency right now. Listen to each episode in its entirety: ~What's driving marketing impact: lessons from award-winning campaigns, with Tim Nudd ~Winning Gen Z brand loyalty—quality, service and community, with Erika Wheless ~Decoding 2026 hype vs. reality for marketers, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli ~How to win new business in 2026, with Brian Bonilla ~What are media rebates? Agency transparency in the hot seat, with Ewan Larkin ~How to win the Ad Age A-List, with Judann Pollack

Winning Gen Z brand loyalty—quality, service and community, with Erika Wheless 15.05.2026 29m

Consumer Trends Reporter Erika Wheless discusses the top factors that influence brand loyalty with Gen Z—including product quality, sustainability and customer service. Plus, the brands Gen Z considers luxury from Coach, Louis Vuitton and Gucci to Nike, Adidas, Lululemon, Amazon and Target. She breaks down tactics brands are using to translate product quality into marketing, brand missteps that have been called out by young consumers and tips for building brand loyalty with Gen Z. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~The data on how brands can build loyalty with Gen Z ~How brands have successfully implemented product quality messaging ~How rising gas prices are impacting brands ~Get tickets to Ad Age's Small Agency Conference ~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

Inside the TV upfronts—winners and losers, measurement and AI, with Brandon Doerrer 08.05.2026 27m

Media Reporter Brandon Doerrer breaks down the trends defining this year's TV upfronts, including top questions to look out for from NBCUniversal, Disney, Amazon, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery and more. He discusses how factors from outcomes-based measurement to agentic AI buying tech and short-form video formats in streaming will play into negotiations. Plus, how CMOs can ensure transparency around principal media buying in dealmaking. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~2026 TV Upfronts calendar ~What agentic AI means for upfront negotiations ~TV measurement changes impacting the upfront ~Magnite's agentic media buying test with Disney ~What to ask about media transparency and the upfront ~Apply for the Ad Age Mid-Size Brand Leaders award ~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

Agency hiring in the AI era: What grads need now, with Lindsay Rittenhouse 01.05.2026 26m

Senior Agency Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse breaks down the complex entry-level job market, with examples of how agency leaders are rethinking junior work as AI automates tasks traditionally done by early-career hires. She digs into what skills recent grads need on their resume right now, the gap employers are finding in formal marketing education and how to stand out as the number of applicants far outweighs opportunities in the current market. Plus, data that shows why the ad industry isn't struggling as much as Wall Street thinks it is, and how the CEO-CMO relationship has evolved. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~How agencies are reshaping junior-level roles and training in the AI era ~How to land a junior ad agency job—what leaders say works as roles change due to AI ~Listen to Ad Age Insider's 2025 episode on AI and entry-level roles to hear how much has changed ~Get tickets to Ad Age's Small Agency Conference ~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

What's driving marketing impact: lessons from award-winning campaigns, with Tim Nudd 24.04.2026 27m

Creativity Editor Tim Nudd breaks down trends and lessons from award-winning campaigns for Nike, The New York Times, ChatGPT, Anthropic and more. From comedy's comeback to experimental experiential and a focus on exceptional craft, he reveals what CMOs need to know from the 2026 Ad Age Creativity Awards. And he shares a few close-calls that led to surprising prizes awarded by this year's juries. Plus, why brands like Ugg, Owala and Claude are gaining equity with Gen Z. And how to win Ad Age's new Mid Size Brand Leaders award. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~See Ad Age's 2026 Creativity Award winners ~See Ad Age's 2026 A-List winners ~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

Testing ChatGPT ads—what brands need to know about AI strategy, with Asa Hiken 17.04.2026 28m

Tech Reporter Asa Hiken gives a vibe check on how advertisers are feeling about OpenAI two months after it launched ads on ChatGPT, and how the AI company is stacking up against competitors Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude. Plus, he gives advice for developing a brand AI strategy as products develop, and reacts to a live test of how paid ads may influence organic chat results. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~The state of ChatGPT ads post-launch ~Why ChatGPT's Instant Checkout faced challenges ~Lessons from OpenAI sunsetting Sora ~Listen: AI search strategy 101 ~Apply for Ad Age's Mid-Size Brand Leaders award ~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

Brand community strategy: turning reach into participation, with Mark Fischer and Sabrina Sanchez 10.04.2026 28m

Senior Engagement Editor Mark Fischer interviews Ad Age's communities and Substack strategy leaders Sabrina Sanchez and Parker Herren on how brands are turning consumers into brand builders. Learn how brands are meeting audiences where they are, designing repeatable, low‑lift interactions and choosing platforms that teams can sustain. Sanchez and Herren also outline first steps for marketers and agencies: audit existing audiences, prioritize trust and feedback loops, and treat community as a long‑term distribution and relationship strategy. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Subscribe to Ad Age's Substack ~More on Ad Age's The List community ~If you're an early-career professional and want to sign up for Ad Age's NextGen community, send an email to nextgen@adage.com ~Applications for Ad Age's Small Agency Network will reopen this summer. Stay tuned at AdAge.com for more information ~Read Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Playbook ~How brands can help Gen Z find fulfillment beyond curated feeds ~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

'Fruit Love Island' brand lessons: skip this viral trend, with Gillian Follett 03.04.2026 22m

Brain rot content has become a staple of virality on TikTok. But brands eager to jump into trending conversations should be wary of "Fruit Love Island" and similar AI-generated posts. Users will be far less kind to corporations than their peers. Influencer and Social Media Marketing Reporter Gillian Follett breaks down the "Fruit Love Island" trend, why it's become so popular and what it reveals about brands on social media. Plus, the shift of content toward entertainment and brands that have successfully tapped into emerging formats. And, what you need to know about Kristen Cavallo's return to the ad industry as well as CVS Health's creative and media agency reviews. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~What brands need to know about "Fruit Love Island" ~Creator takeaways from this year's NewFronts ~Submit for Ad Age's Small Agency Awards ~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

Identity marketing and how beverage brands are winning Gen Z, with Jon Springer 27.03.2026 23m

Senior Reporter Jon Springer breaks into the rise of identity marketing, including how soda brands like Poppi, Dr. Pepper and Diet Coke are winning with Gen Z. Plus, how all marketers can incorporate better social listening and fan engagement to turn their branding into cultural currency. And why ChatGPT's Instant Checkout ad product flopped, and Apple's plans to bring brands to Maps. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Why the drinks people carry matter more to marketers now ~Takeaways from Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Playbook ~Behind the rise of alcoholic sports drinks ~Summer alcohol marketing trends to know ~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

NewFronts 2026 survival guide, with Garett Sloane, Brandon Doerrer and Gillian Follett 20.03.2026 24m

As the industry gears up for a week of presentations from YouTube, Meta, TikTok, Tubi and more, Ad Age reporters break down the topics trending at this year's NewFronts, from AI and agentic tools to creator amplification. Hear how to decipher hype from reality, how digital ad dollars are being spent in 2026 and why these presentations matter to the industry. Plus, why Publicis is calling out the Trade Desk. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~2026 NewFronts trends ~2026 NewFronts calendar ~Inside Q2 media budgets ~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

How to win the Ad Age A-List, with Judann Pollack 13.03.2026 25m

Executive Editor and editorial lead of the Ad Age A-List Judann (Judy) Pollack talks the value of industry awards, and tips for climbing Ad Age's annual list of top agencies. She describes what defines success despite industry challenges, what judges look for in award submissions, the dos and don'ts of a good entry and trends to watch for next year's A-List. Plus, DraftKings' new creative agencies. And what Milan Cortina Winter Olympics marketers learned about brand safety, and how to apply those lessons to the FIFA World Cup. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~See 2026 Ad Age A-List winners ~Attend Ad Age's Editors Roundtable on March 26 ~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

How to win new business in 2026, with Brian Bonilla 06.03.2026 23m

Senior agency reporter Brian Bonilla goes deep on the current new business marketplace, including how government policy, tech and AI innovation and industry consolidation are impacting agency account reviews. Bonilla shares current brand needs, explains how those are different from recent years, and provides tips for brands to get a leg up in pitches. Plus, tips for marketers overwhelmed by the review process. Plus, the lesson for brands in McDonald's cringe CEO taste test and what ChatGPT's first third-party ad tech partner means for brands. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~What separates agencies winning 2026 reviews ~How agencies are helping clients become more self-sufficient ~Inside agencies' new self-service platforms ~What are media rebates? Agency transparency in the hot seat

What are media rebates? Agency transparency in the hot seat, with Ewan Larkin 27.02.2026 25m

Agency reporter Ewan Larkin decodes a recent lawsuit against WPP Media that has made agency transparency the industry's buzziest topic. Larkin defines media rebates and principal media buying, explaining how agencies aggregate billions in client ad budgets to negotiate volume deals with platforms such as Google, Meta and Amazon, and how those arrangements can create conflicts over who benefits from discounted or proprietary inventory. He describes potential red flags in these practices and lists what questions marketers should be asking their agencies to protect their marketing budgets. Plus, Estée Lauder's media agency shakeup, and a shocking agency executive exit. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Inside the lawsuit against WPP Media ~Acadia's CEO on media rebate transparency ~Get tickets to Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Summit ~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast