Marketers have a clear idea of what channels deserve their energy, like AI ad spending, retail media, and influencer marketing. So instead of heading into Cannes Lions with concerns on where to invest, they're more focused on how to make those investments work. Some 38.7% of US marketers say that while creative is important, measurement gaps prevent it from meaningfully influencing investment decisions, according to a February EMARKETER and Perion survey.
AI shopping assistants such as Amazon's Alexa for Shopping (formerly Rufus), Walmart's Sparky, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini are reshaping how consumers discover and evaluate products. Retailer-owned assistants are already lifting order values and conversion, while standalone AI platforms struggle to convert recommendations into purchases. This FAQ covers how AI shopping assistants work, what they mean for brand loyalty, and how brands earn a place in AI-generated recommendations.
Buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS) has quietly become the workhorse of omnichannel retail. Pickup now outpaces same-day delivery among grocery shoppers, according to FMI and NielsenIQ. The benefits are clear: Retailers save on last-mile costs while gaining foot traffic and the fee-free economics fit a value-conscious consumer. This FAQ covers how click-and-collect works, why it is winning, and where retailers should invest in 2026.
The company is expanding live shopping capabilities and ad formats on Instagram and Facebook as the format gains traction.
To boost frictionless payments, merchants need to drive consumers to mobile app offerings.
Younger members and digital tools are reshaping the brand.
The hotel chain’s push into the premium co-brand market shows the tension between providing both value and luxury.
Standalone shops offer brands more control over experience and positioning.
Drive-thrus, pickup shops, and in-store cafes turn everyday routines into new growth opportunities.
New funding supports its effort to become a regulated bank and compete more directly for customers.
AI navigation helps customers get things done faster while laying groundwork for agentic banking.
Insurers gain trust when pricing and underwriting insights reach agents and customers in real time.
OpenLoop has a new offering to stand up telehealth brands in just one day, but speed will test patient trust, care quality, and oversight.
Morning Consult found the brand’s trust scores held up despite a wave of negative political and media attention.
General LLMs outperform clinical AI on medical tests, but physicians will still favor specialized tools for high-stakes care.
Disney’s AI ad tool: Disney opens AI-powered TV ad creation to smaller brands as disclosure emerges as a trust advantage.
One voice, global reach: McConaughey's cloned voice speaks six languages, turning a single ad into a World Cup-scale campaign.
Xfinity’s same-day Wi-Fi borrows ecommerce tactics: Fast modem delivery or pickup turns broadband sign-up into near-instant service activation.
Snap’s $3.5 billion Specs gamble reaches consumers: After years of investment, Snap’s AR glasses arrive amid investor scrutiny and in a crowded market.
This FAQ covers how ChatGPT ads work, what they cost, and how marketers should evaluate the channel in 2026.