Marketing

The Modern CMO: Driving Transformation in an Era of Complexity

Adapt or become irrelevant. That's the harsh reality facing today's CMOs. In a marketplace defined by rapid technological shifts, evolving customer expectations, and relentless competition, marketing leaders are no longer just responsible for brand awareness — they're accountable for driving growth, building trust, and transforming their organizations from the inside out.

Marketers Innovation at the Speed of Success

  An ancient Chinese proverb counsels its audience that "when the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills." Innovation thus necessitates the ability to recognize such changes in real time, the courage to eschew defensiveness in the face of them, and, indeed, the wisdom to discern the opportunities lying nascent in them, as well as the creative adaptability to capitalize on those opportunities.

Beyond the Legacy Agency Model: How to Chart the Right Course

Plenty has been said about the current client-agency dynamics. I know, you don't care that much, but those of us who have paid attention for so long know we are sick.

The Future of Marketing in a Multicultural America

The United States is continually growing into one of the most diverse nations in the world. By 2050, the White population is projected to decline to 46%, while Hispanic and Asian populations are expected to rise significantly (Kipnis et al., 2019) . These demographic shifts are fundamentally reshaping society and the marketplace. This challenges marketers to adapt their strategies. In a multicultural society, marketing must no longer just be about selling products; although from a revenue perspective, corporations will have to incorporate inclusivity and diversity to keep up with the dramatic demographic transition (Mueller, 2008). It is important to recognize and embrace the unique identities and needs of diverse populations. Brands or companies that fail to engage with diversity risk the potential of alienating segments of their target audiences and becoming obsolete. A multicultural society is transforming marketing practices in the United States by reshaping consumer identity through diverse demographics, emphasizing the role of cultural values in consumer behavior, and the need for inclusive marketing strategies. These shifts will require marketers to develop a deeper understanding of their audiences.  By Kristina Simon - Florida State University

5 things to know about tariffs

Retailers strive to deliver a wide selection of affordable products every day to their customers. However, they also rely on products imported throughout international supply chains to offer American consumers high quality goods at a variety of price points. As policymakers consider a number of trade proposals, it’s important to know the significant impact tariffs will have on retailers, consumers and the U.S. economy.

How Authenticity Drives Business Growth in Hyper-Aware Markets [PODCAST]

In this episode of The New Mainstream Podcast, Maribel Lara, Founder of Beget Love Consulting, shares insights on her journey into entrepreneurship and how authenticity can help brands thrive, even when faced with challenges.

How Marketers Can Create Wins for the Brand, the Business, and Their Partners [VIDEO]

ANA CEO Bob Liodice shared his thoughts on how marketers can do a better job of crafting and communicating their goals, helping the broader organization and external partners to better understand the objectives and create synergy across the entire function.

AI Plots Path for Measurement in the Coming Creative Explosion

Creative is king. This may sound odd coming from a media person, but data supports this assertion. A 2017 Nielsen study of 500 advertising campaigns across all major media platforms found that the effectiveness of media tactics like targeting, reach and recency have improved over time. However, 56 percent of advertising's contribution to sales is still attributable to creative. A similar (updated) study from Data2Decisions in 2023 revealed that creative is the second biggest multiplier of advertising profitability, second only to brand size, and many times greater than targeting.

To grow your brand, play to win, not for stalemate

I have never understood why marketers who get paid to create growth are so eager to accept recommendations based on a descriptive model that assumes a static marketplace. You cannot learn about growth from static markets, you must examine how things change over time.  By Nigel Hollis

FORBES pays attention to Tajín’s success story in America

FORBES, the world-known American business magazine, is giving its international audience a taste of Tajín. In its upcoming edition, the publication interviews Tajín’s founder Horacio Fernández who tells the interviewer how his authentic Mexican seasoning “has turned into a spice giant — by selling to Americans.”

We’re All Marketers Now: Putting the Customer First

"Is your entire company thinking like a marketer? It should be."

ANA Calls for an Industry-wide Pause to Sharpen Our Skills: The ANA Global Day of Learning — A Collective Reset for Marketers

Four years ago, as the world began to emerge from the Covid pandemic, the ANA launched Marketing's Global Day of Learning to help rebuild the economy. For the first time, marketers from around the world came together to learn from each other and to be inspired by the leading practitioners in our industry. All for free. Since then, over 20,000 marketing professionals, students, and academic leaders from over 100 countries have participated in this annual industry-wide event, driven by the Global CMO Growth Council. This year, we are once again uniting take a collective pause to refuel, recharge, and reimagine the future of marketing.

What Latino Leaders Are Saying: Key Insights from My Listening Tour

For the past few months, I have been on a listening tour, speaking with over 50 leaders across industries while also having daily conversations with companies, brands, and media. But this wasn’t just virtual—I’ve also been on the ground, visiting cities across the country, sitting down with executives, marketers, HR leaders, and decision-makers to hear firsthand how they are navigating the shifting corporate landscape.  By Claudia Romo Edelman - Founder and CEO of the Hispanic Star and Host of A LA LATINA Podcast | Speaker, entrepreneur, media contributor, and activist for Hispanics.

The Great Unbundling – 2025 is the year advertising technology resolves conflicts of interest

For more than a decade, the advertising industry has been defined by a structural tension: Platforms providing buy-side technology have also been deeply entrenched in selling media inventory. Companies like Google leveraged their scale, deep pockets, and technological resources to dominate both sides of the coin. Any capitalist with such advantages would have done the same.

The Artificial Intelligence learning curve. Part 2

By Gonzalo López Martí - Creative Director

• There is a saying in the videogame industry: a successful game must be easy and intuitive so everyone can learn to dabble in it at a glance, yet difficult enough that it takes a very long time to become an expert.
• This logic will most possibly apply to AI.

Yep. We’re Under Attack

Florida is suing Target, claiming the company misled investors by not disclosing the financial risks of its DEI efforts. The lawsuit argues that Target’s Pride merchandise and diversity initiatives triggered a consumer backlash, tanked sales, and wiped out billions in market value. The state, which manages public pension funds invested in Target, says shareholders paid the price for the company’s “ideological” decisions.  By David R. Morse

ANA’s Takeaways from CES 2025

CES 2025 is a wrap and between the major tech announcements (a supercomputer you can hold in your hand) and the integration of AI into everything, it was an inspirational way to kick off the year. The transition of CES from screens to AI-enabled entities is well on its way. Oh, and there were flying cars too.

Marketer & Agency Exec’s guide to the agency visit

You’re considering an agency for a key assignment. You may be well into a competitive agency review or simply are exploring agencies for near term or future efforts.

Five Trends Shaping Media in 2025

Welcome to the media jungle. It’s gnarlier than ever. New platforms and devices create twists and turns. Ever-evolving consumers roam freely, demanding personalized experiences and diverse content. Traditional advertising models struggle to keep pace. Yet, amid these struggles lie exciting opportunities for innovation and growth. To survive in this environment, we all need to adapt and innovate. Let’s take a closer look at five trends that will make the journey in 2025 exciting — and risky unless you’re prepared with the right strategy. In future articles, we will dive into these trends even more.

How Speed and Cultural Alignment Drive 3x Higher Brand Performance [REPORT]

Sightly, a brand intelligence and activation company, partnered with MAGNA, the media intelligence unit within IPG Mediabrands, to conduct groundbreaking research on the impact of aligning brands with real-time trends during media campaigns. The MAGNA Media Trials study highlights how brands can boost performance by targeting culturally relevant content aligned with their brand perspective. The approach tripled purchase intent and doubled search intent compared to traditional advertising methods.