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It takes time to learn a new technology and sometimes, along the way, stumbles happen. As the role of AI in marketing grows, brands must be transparent about how, where, and when they are using the technology. Nearly half (49%) of CMOs in North America plan to focus more on using AI in strategy, creative, and content development for media use over the next 12 months, according to an August 2023 Dentsu survey conducted by B2B International. Here are three missteps brands have made with AI and content creation and what brands can learn from them.

Even as it contracts, Snap looks to the future: The company is planning layoffs but has major long-term ambitions.

Brand marketers have to be strategic as a challenging 2023 has taken its toll on marketing budgets. CMOs worldwide expect to spend 9.1% of company revenues on marketing compared with 9.5% in 2022, according to May data from Gartner. And considering revenues are also lower for many companies, that pie is getting even smaller.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss what to expect in 2024, whether Google's new AI search tool will destroy traffic, a new self-checkout machine, loyalty in the age of the "zero consumer," if everyone will soon be creating digital clones of themselves, roads that can wirelessly charge electric vehicles, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our vice president of content Suzy Davidkhanian, analyst Blake Droesch, and vice president of Briefings Stephanie Taglianetti.

From 2014 to 2021, spending on non-video programmatic digital display ads in the US had compound annual growth of 27.3%. In 2022, that screeched to a halt, and spending actually declined 2.7%. In 2023, it will effectively be flat at $58.49 billion.

Another eventful year is on tap for retailers as inflation forces consumers to prioritize basics, supply chain snarls continue, and customer loyalty wanes. Retailers that cut costs or add new revenue streams—and provide frictionless customer experiences—will prevail.

On today's episode, we discuss whether the summer travel boom will last, how the economic climate is influencing how people think about vacations, and the changes in how people choose where they go on vacation. "In Other News," we discuss whether folks want gamified shopping experiences and how brands should—and shouldn't—text you. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Zach Goldner and director of forecasting Oscar Orozco.

The world of retail media is always changing. Here’s what has caught our eye over the past few months.

Gift cards, which historically peaked during the holiday season, are growing year-round as a gift option. And the demand gap between physical and digital gift cards is slim: 73% of US adults wanted physical gift cards while 63% wanted digital ones in a March 2022 survey by Blackhawk Network.

Prime Video gets its first major advertising partner: IPG Mediabrands will get first-look access to new ad formats when Prime Video debuts ads in 2024.

Is AI already replacing ad agency jobs? A new report suggests 33,000 jobs will be replaced by 2030, but there are signs that it’s already happening.

As classrooms fill up, we’re checking the trends on children’s apparel.

Amazon Ads remains the torchbearer for the fast-growing retail media industry. Despite nearly every major retailer launching their own retail media network (RMN) in recent years—with several beginning to scale—Amazon’s No. 1 position will be secure well into the future.

Advertising employment peaks: AI advances may promise potential disruption.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss why prices continue to be such a hot topic, how consumers determine what value means to them, and which retailers performance is representative of the broader retail space. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts senior director of media content Becky Schilling and analyst Zak Stambor.

Turnaround plans aren’t easy: While Abercrombie turned its fortunes around by delivering styles that resonate with Gen Zers and millennials, Foot Locker’s growth strategy remains a work in progress.

Nearly 4 in 5 people in the US own a smartphone, per our March 2023 forecast. US adults check their phones an average of 114 times each day, and usually do so within the first 10 minutes of waking, per a Reviews.org study.

Today’s consumers expect brands to recognize them and anticipate their needs, all while respecting their privacy.

Amazon muscles in on Google and Meta’s ad throne: Retail media and Prime Video propelled the company to a blockbuster 2023—and 2024 looks even brighter.

Inflation forces judicious consumers to get more judicious with streamers: Netflix thrives with strategic moves, while others invest heavily in content.

Klarna will generate $33.38 billion in US buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment value by 2027, pulling ahead of Affirm in a period of massive growth for BNPL providers, per our forecast.

Microsoft is the latest to resort to layoffs: The company is reducing its headcount by 5% as it pivots to plug AI into its key products, subscriptions, and cloud services. But AI still has a lot of hurdles to jump.

Here’s the bad news: Over half (56%) of consumers say they’re more likely to buy from a brand with a loyalty program even though only 36% redeem their rewards more than once a month, according to a study by Salesforce.

TikTok is intent on growing livestream sales: The platform plans to open live studios and is testing ways to make all content shoppable, even as retailers shift focus to shoppable TV.