May 18th, 2026 - Austin based Proven ROI is helping brands understand and improve how AI platforms discover and recommend businesses. As consumers increasingly turn to AI powered tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, and other answer engines to discover businesses, products, and services, one Austin marketing founder says many companies face a growing problem: AI may not know they exist. If AI cannot find, understand, or trust your brand, customers may never discover you at all. Visibility now ... [Read More]

May 18th, 2026 - Hundreds of exasperated and unexpected ad industry phone calls were made on Sunday, as agencies and ad tech vendors discussed the fallout of Publicis Groupe's $2.2 billion acquisition of LiveRamp over the weekend. Publicis has roughly doubled its market cap over the past four years, as other agency holdcos and ad tech businesses have struggled. Its acquisition spree of tech and data companies, including often given by investors for LiveRamp's success. And LiveRamp is a relative bargain. It ... [Read More]

May 18th, 2026 - TL;DR: How do I automate ad personalization in 2026? To automate ad personalization in 2026, centralize first-party data in a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) or Customer Data Platform (CDP), use AI to segment users by intent and behavior, create modular ad assets such as headlines, images, CTAs, and offers, and apply dynamic creative optimization to assemble personalized ads in real time.   Then, connect those ads to platforms like Google Ads, Meta Advantage+, LinkedIn Ads, or ... [Read More]

May 17th, 2026 - Smart TVs allow access to multiple streaming services, and they're available for a relatively low price –- like these  reported that in the first quarter of 2015, around 72.4% of American viewers watched TV on ad-supported devices such as smart TVs, cable, or broadcast, while streaming services accounted for 42.2% of total viewership. Advertisers want those numbers to go up with reports that they are spending more on over-the-top ads. Why do you get targeted ads on your smart TV? In ... [Read More]

May 15th, 2026 - ​One of the most watched topics in digital marketing lately has been GEO, or generative engine optimization. In many markets, it has moved into the mainstream business narrative, and I am seeing agencies and consultants positioning it as the next frontier of brand visibility and search growth. Yet, I find that narrative a little simplistic. Yes, generative search's influence is expanding. It is already changing how people discover information, compare options and form their first ... [Read More]

May 15th, 2026 - Businesses can benefit from providing seasonal offers during the summer. Summer often gives local businesses the chance to capture attention. Whether through a limited-time offer or an annual event, many businesses can use summer campaigns to push seasonal offers and entice clients to make a purchase. However, the real value in these promotions comes from capturing customer contact information and encouraging repeat visits after the first purchase. While businesses may see better long-term ... [Read More]

May 15th, 2026 - post, how you show up when things feel heavy and how clearly your audience recognizes who you are and what you stand for. In a digital world where everyone has a platform and opinions travel fast, personal branding etiquette has become just as important as your personal branding strategy. I want to talk about this from a practical place, not a preachy one. So I'd like to share why certain choices can either help or hurt your brand, how to stay credible without alienating your audience, and how ... [Read More]

May 15th, 2026 - Amazon wants to turn creator-led video podcasts into the next generation of TV networks – multiplatform franchises that can soak up TV budgets and spin out into retail, live events and social clips.  That pitch was front and center at Amazon's May 11 Upfront in New York City, where performances from Diplo and Kacey Musgraves bookended appearances from Ice Spice, Shaboozey, and Oprah Winfrey, who unveiled a new podcast deal with Amazon's podcast studio Wondery. Amazon's message to ... [Read More]

May 15th, 2026 - I have worked with brands ranging from 100,000 followers to tens of millions. And across all of them, the question I hear most is the same: How do we get more followers? The number changes. The obsession does not. And I understand the instinct. Follower count is visible; it is the first thing anyone sees when they land on your profile; and it feels like proof of something. LOADING VIDEO PLAYER... FORBES' FEATURED Video [Read More]

May 15th, 2026 - A report from Sprout Social found that while 93% of industry professionals consider social media data collection to be important, just 36% use it to inform decisions outside of marketing. This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback . There is little question about the importance of social media to the marketing playbook. Not only does it allow brands to reach consumers where they are, it also provides marketers with a wealth of consumer insights, such as opinions about ... [Read More]