The number one question I hear from home service business owners is “Where do I start with AI agents?” Things are changing so fast, and most people feel overwhelmed. That’s exactly what Dan Leibrandt and I sat down to talk about live at DigiMarCon Chicago.

What are AI agents, really?
If you’re a plumber, pest control company, or any kind of local service business, there’s a good chance you’re not using AI agents yet. Maybe you don’t even have a CRM. Maybe you’re starting to use GoHighLevel or chatting with ChatGPT here and there.

Here’s the difference between what you’ve been doing and what AI agents can do: up until recently, AI was something you talked to. You’d ask ChatGPT for strategy, get some blog copy, maybe brainstorm ideas. But then you were still the one logging into WordPress, posting to social media, and doing the actual work.

AI agents change that. An agent doesn’t just give you advice. It acts on your behalf. It is your worker. It logs in, clicks buttons, opens tabs, and does the implementation for you.

The way I think about it is this: you are no longer an employee in your business. You are now a manager of AI tools and AI agents.

Where to start: Claude and Chrome
Dan and I both agree that the safest and most accessible place to start is Claude with the Chrome extension. For $20 a month, you can download the extension, open your website in the browser, and have Claude work right alongside you in a side panel.

The first thing Dan recommends is simple: tell Claude, “Take a look at my website. Find the biggest issues and opportunities.” It will crawl through your site, catch things like misspelled words, missing internal links, broken elements, and SEO issues that even your agency probably missed.

Dan did exactly this with his mom’s website. After about 10 minutes, Claude produced a four-page audit report in a Google Doc. Things that a human SEO expert might overlook, the AI caught every single one.

That’s the beauty of AI and SEO together. SEO is so granular, with so many moving pieces, that even the best consultants miss things. AI doesn’t get tired and doesn’t skip details.

Connectors and MCPs: giving AI access to your tools
Once you’re comfortable with basic audits, the next step is connectors. If you’ve ever managed a virtual assistant from the Philippines and given them access to your CRM, Gmail, calendar, or booking system, you already know how to manage AI agents.

A connector, sometimes called an MCP (model context protocol), is just a way of giving AI access to another system without any programming. You go into ChatGPT or Grok, click “connect my Gmail” or “connect my calendar,” approve it, and now the AI can check your schedule, draft emails, and take action across your tools.

I stack these connectors all the time. For example, I was recently working with Cort from Rare Breed Plumbing, Heating and Air. In one session, I told Claude to audit his website, email him the results, put together an execution plan, and write a note to his AI agency pointing out what needed to be fixed. It created a checklist and worked through every item.

A word of caution: always separate auditing from acting
Dan shared a story that every business owner needs to hear. He was working with a lawn care company in Reno, building them a new website. Everything was perfect, ready to launch. He had Claude do one final review and casually said, “Sure, go ahead and fix whatever you find.”

A few hours later, his developer texted him: “The whole front end is broken.”

Claude had made changes that broke the Elementor design. The site wasn’t showing properly at all. Thankfully, the site wasn’t live yet and the fix only took about 30 minutes. But the lesson was clear.

Dan now follows a strict rule: never let AI audit and act in the same step. First, have it audit and give you a list of recommendations. Review that list. Pick the safe items. Then let it execute only what you’ve approved.

AI is a multiplier, not a replacement
Here’s the big idea Dan and I kept coming back to: AI is a multiplier. It takes whatever you’re already great at and lets you do 100 times more of it.

Think of it like dropping a pebble in a pond. You start with your niche, the one thing you’re the absolute best at. Maybe you’re the best tankless water heater plumber in Orem, Utah. Super specific. You have the reviews, the customers, the data to prove it.

Feed that into AI and say, “This is where our strength is. Where do we radiate outward?” Now you become the best residential plumber in Orem. Then the best plumber in Salt Lake City. AI helps you expand from that core of expertise.

The mistake I see too many businesses make is trying to do everything at once. They add plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, landscaping, and their vans look like a NASCAR car. That’s the opposite of what works. Chick-fil-A is the chicken sandwich. What’s your chicken sandwich?

You don’t need to be technical, but you need an expert in your corner
You can be a complete beginner with AI agents and still get tremendous value. But you should have someone, an SEO expert, a consultant, someone you trust, who can review the plan and check the work.

Think of it like hiring mid-level freelancers on Upwork. They can do 80 to 90 percent of the work, but you want a senior person to review it. AI agents are the same way. Let them do the heavy lifting. Bring in an expert for strategy and quality checks.

That way you get close to expert-level results at a fraction of the cost.

Your next step
Here’s my challenge to you: take one small step with AI agents today. Install Claude and the Chrome extension. Run an audit on your website. Ask it how to achieve your biggest business goal.

Even if you’re not ready to go all in, start thinking about it. Talk to other people about it. Watch what they’re doing. You don’t have to outrun the bear. You just have to outrun the other guys in your industry.

Five minutes a day. One step at a time. Watch how far you’ll be in a month.

By Seb Joseph Omnicom was already planning to cut LiveRamp loose. Publicis buying it just moved up the date.

Before the deal, the plan was to let the contract with LiveRamp run its course until the first quarter of 2028 and walk away. Publicis changed that. The acquisition is expected to close by year end, and when it does, Omnicom CEO John Wren has made clear so does his holdco’s relationship with LiveRamp.

Because Acxiom, the data business Omnicom inherited when it acquired IPG last year, has spent the last several years building its own identity solution Real ID so that it wouldn’t have to be dependent on a third party for something as fundamental as identity. The Publicis deal didn’t change that plan so much as speed it up.Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV. …read more

Source:: Digiday

By Headlines Team Long-term community involvement is difficult to sustain because it depends on repetition rather than enthusiasm alone. Many people participate in volunteer efforts once or twice, but far fewer maintain the same commitment across multiple years while balancing work, family responsibilities, and changing schedules. Landon Tinker, a resident of College Station, has established that kind of consistency through seven consecutive years of volunteer construction work in Costa Rica with Youth With A Mission.

Since 2017, Landon Tinker has participated in annual service trips focused on building homes for underserved families. The work involves physical construction labor, collaboration with volunteer teams, and direct participation in projects designed to improve housing stability for local communities. Rather than approaching service as an occasional activity, the pattern reflects an ongoing commitment built around reliability, preparation, and follow-through.

Landon Tinker and the Value of Consistency

Community service often receives attention when it is tied to a single major event or public campaign. Long-term participation, however, creates a different type of credibility because it demonstrates sustained action over time. Returning to the same volunteer effort every year requires organization, accountability, and a willingness to continue contributing even after the novelty disappears.

For Landon Tinker, the annual trips to Costa Rica have become part of a recurring personal and family commitment. Each year involves planning travel, coordinating schedules, preparing for physically demanding work, and participating directly in construction projects that depend on volunteer labor to move forward.

That consistency matters because construction-focused volunteer programs rely heavily on dependable participation. Projects operate within limited timelines, and each volunteer contributes to completing structural work that families will ultimately rely upon for safety and stability. Landon Tinker’s long-term volunteer service work reflects an approach centered on steady participation rather than short-term visibility.

Hands-On Construction Work and Community Support

The volunteer work itself involves more than symbolic participation. Construction-based service projects require practical labor, teamwork, and adaptability in changing environments. Teams may work on framing, roofing, material transport, or foundation preparation depending on the needs of the project and the conditions on-site.

Unlike event-based volunteering that focuses primarily on attendance, construction work produces measurable outcomes. A project either advances or it does not. That creates a higher level of responsibility for participants because progress depends directly on the work completed during the trip.

Landon Tinker’s involvement with YWAM reflects this hands-on structure. The organization coordinates volunteer-driven community projects where teams contribute directly to home construction and support initiatives. Working within this environment requires cooperation, communication, and a willingness to perform physically demanding tasks under unfamiliar conditions.

Several characteristics define this type of volunteer commitment:

repeated annual participation,

labor-intensive construction involvement,

collaboration with organized volunteer teams,

focus on practical support for families and communities.

The emphasis throughout the work remains practical rather than promotional. Community involvement connected to Landon Tinker is presented through actions and continuity instead of publicity-focused storytelling.

Family Participation and Shared Values

One of the more distinctive aspects of the service pattern is the role of family participation. Over time, the annual volunteer trips became a shared activity involving multiple family members rather than …read more

Source:: Social Media Explorer

By Sara Guaglione You may not know the name for it, but you’ve probably experienced it: you click on a link to a webpage, hit the “back” button on your browser, but end up on a page you never intentionally visited.

That’s called “back button hijacking,” and Google is cracking down on the practice. Execs warned website owners that they will be penalized starting June 15 if they keep doing it.

Opinions on the tactic remain sharply divided: critics view it as a manipulative tactic that degrades the user experience, while some publishers argue it has become a necessary defensive measure against shrinking referral traffic, tougher monetization conditions and growing pressure on audience acquisition. Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV. …read more

Source:: Digiday

By Krystal Scanlon The Trade Desk has a long history of AI ambition and a more complicated history of AI delivery. Its latest effort is notably smaller in scope and notably harder to argue with.

The ad tech company is currently talking to agency execs about its new agentic capabilities, which it calls Koa Agents, that automate significant chunks of the programmatic workflow. The system is built to connect with whatever AI model a partner is using — including Anthropic’s Claude — through an interoperability layer called Open Agentic Kit.

According to one agency exec familiar with those conversations, a workflow built on Claude that connects to the platform can ingest a media plan, reformat it into a template that’s compatible with the ad tech vendor’s system and then build the campaign. From there, it can troubleshoot creative issues and generate recommendations on what to do next including the reasoning behind such suggestions. Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV. …read more

Source:: Digiday

By Headlines Team There are moments in life that leave a mark. As we navigate our careers, relationships, and personal growth, we inevitably accumulate experiences that we carry long after they’ve passed. In the world of self-improvement and personal development, we spend a massive amount of time trying to optimize our routines, hack our productivity, and cultivate positive mindsets. Yet, despite our best efforts, many of us hit an invisible wall. We find ourselves trapped in cycles of self-sabotage, bad habits, or emotional exhaustion that feel impossible to break.

Why do we get stuck? Because often, we are trying to build a future on top of an unhealed past. We fail to realize that our self-limiting behaviors and coping mechanisms are actually symptoms of a much deeper issue. Often, beneath our bad habits or dependencies, there is something deeper: unresolved trauma, profound emotional pain, and memories the mind has tried to protect us from, yet never fully released.

The Cost of Suppressing the Past

Our minds are incredibly resilient, designed to protect us from emotional overload. When we experience something painful or overwhelming, the brain’s defense mechanism is to bury it. Traditional self-help advice often encourages us to simply “move on” or focus only on the positive. While this can help manage daily symptoms of stress, for some, the root of the struggle remains entirely untouched.

You cannot out-work, out-achieve, or out-meditate unresolved trauma. When the mind holds onto suppressed emotions, it takes a tremendous amount of subconscious energy to keep them buried. This leaves us emotionally drained and highly susceptible to numbing behaviors—whether that means scrolling endlessly on our phones, overworking, or falling into severe substance dependence. Addiction and self-sabotage are not signs that you lack strength; they are signs that your brain has fundamentally changed its wiring to cope with pain.

Carl Jung and the Power of the “Shadow”

To truly unlock our future potential, we must look to the foundational work of the pioneering psychiatrist Carl Jung. Jung argued that every human being has a “Shadow”—the unconscious part of our psyche where we hide our repressed ideas, insecurities, and, most importantly, our unprocessed trauma.

In the self-improvement space, we love to focus on the light, but Jung warned that ignoring the Shadow stunts our growth. He believed that true personal evolution requires a process called “Individuation”—the courage to confront the dark parts of ourselves and integrate them into our conscious awareness.

Jung also understood that overcoming severe negative behaviors and dependencies required more than just rational thought. In his historical correspondence with the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, Jung introduced the concept of spiritus contra spiritum (spirit against spirit). He posited that the “depraving poison” of our deepest behavioral flaws could only be cured by a profound, peak spiritual or introspective experience. We cannot simply think our way out of deep trauma; we must experience a radical shift in consciousness.

Plant Medicines: A Catalyst for Introspection

So, how do we safely access the Shadow to initiate this shift? This is where new approaches are being explored, moving beyond …read more

Source:: Social Media Explorer

By Kimeko McCoy Live sports could be described as one of the last bastions of live television. With so many eyeballs in one place at one time, marketers are desperate to embed their brands — especially in women’s sports.

Ally Bank’s chief marketing and PR officer Andrea Brimmer is one of those marketers. Back in 2022, the bank announced its five-year goal to reach parity in ad spend across men and women’s sports media. This year, Ally claims it met that pledge, but Brimmer did not provide specific spend figures.

Sponsorships have become table stakes as the arena gets more crowded. Women’s sports impressions grew last year, and ad spend rose 69%, according to a recent WPP report. P&G this year struck a multi-year, multi-brand partnership with Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Last year, Publicis Sports created a dedicated women’s sports unit.Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV. …read more

Source:: Digiday

By Headlines Team A growing wave of seismic unrest is sending shockwaves across the United States as earthquake activity intensifies from coast to coast, raising concerns among scientists, emergency agencies, and millions of Americans watching the ground beneath them become increasingly unpredictable.

From Alaska’s volatile tectonic zones to California’s infamous fault systems — and now unexpectedly into the Northeast — the United States is experiencing what many are calling a dramatic escalation in seismic activity. Federal earthquake monitoring systems have documented a surge of earthquakes across multiple states in recent weeks alone, prompting tsunami monitoring alerts, emergency assessments, and renewed scrutiny of long-dormant fault lines. USGS EARTHQUAKE MAP

The United States Geological Survey has tracked significant earthquakes occurring across the country at an alarming pace:• Powerful seismic disturbances in Alaska.• Repeated tremors throughout California.• Reactivating fault systems in New Jersey.• Ongoing earthquake swarms in Nevada and across the western United States.NEVADA EARTHQUAKE INFO: Earthquake 1 & Earthquake 2

One of the most alarming developments involves the increasing number of earthquakes triggering tsunami warning and evaluation systems operated by NOAA and Pacific monitoring centers. While recent tsunami activity has remained minor, officials confirmed that multiple seismic events were significant enough to activate emergency oceanic surveillance systems. TSUNAMI WARNING INFORMATION

In Alaska, earthquakes struck near Nikolski and Anchor Point within days of one another, shaking some of the nation’s most tectonically active regions. Meanwhile, California experienced additional seismic movement near Corona, reigniting fears surrounding the San Andreas Fault and surrounding fault networks.ALASKA EARTHQUAKECORONA, CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE

But perhaps the most unsettling shift is occurring far from the West Coast.

In New Jersey, the Ramapo Fault Line — long believed by many residents to be dormant — has become the focus of mounting scientific attention following a series of earthquakes that rattled the Northeast. The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck the region stunned millions, shaking homes and skyscrapers across several states. USGS researchers later acknowledged that faults in the region can become “reactivated” under tectonic stress conditions.RAMAPO FAULT LINE EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY

The implications are enormous.

Major cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Anchorage, New York City, and surrounding metropolitan regions all sit near active or potentially active fault systems. Aging infrastructure, dense populations, and increasing seismic frequency are fueling fears about whether the nation is adequately prepared for a catastrophic seismic event.

Across social media, earthquake footage is spreading faster than ever:• Buildings swaying in New York.• Security cameras capturing violent shaking in California.• Residents rushing into the streets in Alaska.• Emergency alerts buzzing across mobile phones nationwide.

For many Americans, earthquakes are no longer distant disasters seen only on television. They are becoming increasingly personal.

Scientists continue to caution that earthquake forecasting remains extraordinarily difficult. No agency can precisely predict when or where the next major seismic event will occur. However, the growing number of earthquakes, aftershocks, fault reactivations, and tsunami-triggering events has intensified public concern nationwide.

The question now echoing across the country is no longer whether America is earthquake-prone.

It is whether the nation is entering a new era of seismic instability.

By Bridget Mulroy
The post Americans …read more

Source:: Social Media Explorer

By Kimeko McCoy AI agents are evolving quickly. In theory, agents are autonomous decision makers — automating campaign creation, optimizing ad buys and drafting pitch decks. In reality, marketers aren’t ready to give up control, establishing guardrails to keep agents in check.

Marketers don’t have a lot of trust when it comes to AI agents in ad buying yet. But that mistrust isn’t unfounded. Hallucinations are reason enough for guardrails, per execs. An incorrect CPM could make or break an ad buy, leaving the agency — instead of the agent — holding the bag.

“Would it blow a quarter’s worth of budget in a weekend? All of that’s well-founded, so that’s a fear,” said Henry Webster, svp director of analytics and insight at Kelly Scott Madison (KSM) Media, who spoke onstage during Digiday’s Programmatic Marketing Summit (DPMS), May 6-8 in Palm Springs, Calif. “The process of taking baby steps, testing, putting stringent guardrails and checks on agents that would operate in that way — makes a ton of sense.”Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV. …read more

Source:: Digiday

By Mitchell Parton This article was first published by Digiday sibling Modern Retail.

Target has completely reengineered its creator ecosystem through two distinct new programs.

In April, Target told creators that it would sunset its previous creator program in May, Ad Age reported. The retired program was commission-based and allowed creators to build out digital storefronts.Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV. …read more

Source:: Digiday

By Headlines Team As search rankings become increasingly difficult to maintain amid algorithm volatility, rising agency retainers, and the saturation of low-quality AI-generated content, many businesses are re-evaluating how they build long-term authority online. One approach gaining renewed attention is google drive SEO, where interconnected Google properties are structured to reinforce topical relevance and brand consistency. Platforms such as G-Stacker automate this process by generating organized Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar assets, and Drive folders designed to support a broader SEO asset architecture. Rather than relying on isolated backlinks or fragmented publishing tactics, structured property stacking emphasizes logical hierarchy, consistent interlinking, and unified content ecosystems built around topical authority.

Google property stacking refers to the structured creation and interconnection of Google-owned digital assets designed to reinforce topical relevance and online entity consistency. G-Stacker describes this framework as an “Authority Ecosystem,” where assets such as Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites, and cloud-hosted pages are automatically generated and connected through a unified architecture. The platform’s one-click automation system organizes these assets into a consistent publishing framework intended to support search engine discovery and AI-assisted indexing. Rather than focusing on isolated backlinks, the process centers on building a network of semantically related properties that collectively establish subject relevance, content relationships, and structured entity signals across multiple web layers.

Entity AssociationThe platform structures interconnected web properties intended to reinforce brand identity and entity recognition across Google-owned environments and related cloud assets.

Topical ClusteringLong-form supporting content is organized around specific themes and subject categories to help demonstrate niche relevance and contextual depth.

Interlink ArchitectureAssets within the ecosystem are systematically connected through layered linking structures designed to distribute relevance signals and maintain consistency between properties.

A G-Stacker stack combines several digital asset layers into a unified authority framework. Google Workspace assets—including Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar entries, and Drive folders—serve as foundational content and reference properties within the ecosystem. Google Sites and Blogger posts function as publicly accessible publishing layers that connect supporting content and topical themes. The platform also incorporates cloud-based infrastructure such as Cloudflare and GitHub Pages to expand indexing pathways and diversify hosting environments. Together, these components are organized into a structured network intended to support entity consistency, contextual relevance, and broader discoverability across search and AI-driven indexing systems.

G-Stacker is an automated SEO platform focused on building interconnected authority properties through what it describes as patent-pending stacking technology. The system automates the creation, organization, and deployment of digital assets across Google properties, cloud-hosted environments, and supporting publishing layers. Within this framework, the platform uses multiple large language models specialized for different operational tasks, including research generation, content writing, data processing, and structural organization. According to published platform information, these AI systems work together to assist in building scalable SEO asset architecture while maintaining consistency across connected properties. The platform also emphasizes automation workflows intended to simplify deployment and support ongoing indexing visibility within modern search and AI discovery environments, including applications related to google drive structure SEO.

G-Stacker incorporates several automated content-generation functions designed to organize and structure SEO-focused publishing assets. According to …read more

Source:: Social Media Explorer

By Kimeko McCoy
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts • Spotify

There seems to be two schools of thought when it comes to agentic media buying. There are those who want to be at the so-called cutting edge, embedding AI agents in things like the process of buying ads and optimizing creative. Then, there are those who have drawn a line in the sand, allowing AI agents to brainstorm but leaving the decision making to humans. Duluth Trading Company finds itself square in the middle.

“AI can get you to the finish line and you get to spend all your energy crossing the finish line,” said Ellie Uberto, director of marketing at Duluth. She was speaking during a live recording of the Digiday Podcast hosted during Digiday’s Programmatic Marketing Summit event, which was held May 6-8 in Palm Springs, Calif.Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV. …read more

Source:: Digiday

By Full Editorial Planning a fishing trip usually starts long before you cast your first reel. Years ago, you might have relied on a brochure or a recommendation from a friend of a friend. Today, the very first place prospective anglers go to do their research is social media. They pull up Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok to see what a captain and their crew are really all about.

If you’re looking to book a fishing charter for your next vacation, you probably already know that an official website only tells half the story. The website gives you the rates and the calendar, but the social feed shows the reality of the daily experience. But what exactly are people searching for when they scroll through a captain’s grid? It goes way beyond just looking at a few nice fish.

The Proof is in the Catch

Let’s be honest, the fish are the main attraction. But customers aren’t just looking for one lucky catch from three years ago. They want to see recency and consistency. A feed updated weekly or even daily during the busy season tells prospective clients that the captain is actively on the water and successfully putting clients on the fish right now.

People want to see a variety of catches, not just the same perfectly staged photo repeated over and over. A reliable social media presence shows the reality of the daily haul. Whether it’s a cooler full of fresh salmon, a beautiful catch-and-release halibut, or a tough day where they only managed a few bites, seeing current results builds instant credibility. It proves the captain knows where to go when the tides, temperatures, and seasons change.

The Captain and Crew’s Personality

You aren’t just paying for a boat ride; you’re paying to spend eight to ten hours in a confined space with a captain and their crew. A skilled captain can certainly find fish, but a personable captain makes the day unforgettable, even if the bite happens to be slow. Prospective clients scour social media videos and stories to get a read on the crew’s overall vibe.

Do they seem patient when helping a client reel in a catch? Are they joking around with the guests and making everyone feel welcome? If a feed is strictly static pictures of fish without ever showing the human element, it’s a missed opportunity. People want to feel comfortable with the folks running the trip. A quick behind-the-scenes video of the morning coffee run or a friendly greeting from the helm goes a long way in building trust before the deposit is ever paid.

The Condition of the Boat and Gear

Nobody wants to spend their hard-earned money to board a vessel that looks neglected or unsafe. Social media provides an unfiltered look at the condition of the boat and the equipment. When captains post videos of their morning setup or photos of guests fighting a fish from the stern, eagle-eyed anglers are always looking at the background details.

They check to see if the deck is clean, if the rods …read more

Source:: Social Media Explorer

By Michael Bürgi Ending up your first six weeks as global CEO of an agency holding company that’s been struggling with a major retention of a global client is pretty solid. So it has been for Takeshi Sano, who at the end of March took over Dentsu.

On Friday, Heineken announced the winners of its global media, production and creative review, keeping its global media business parked at Dentsu. (Publicis will handle “global secondary production” as well as creative for the Heineken brand itself, while Publicis, WPP, and Stagwell will handle various creative work for its other brands — Amstel, Birra Moretti, Desperados, and Tiger.) This is a member-exclusive article from Digiday. Continue reading it on digiday.com and subscribe to continue reading content like this. …read more

Source:: Digiday

By Seb Joseph The upfront is no longer just a shop window for content Amazon owns, it’s now one for its ad tech too.

That’s a shift from how this period usually works. The tech pitch used to come after the content deal was done — a separate conversation, often with different people. Not anymore.

“There’s this big shift from these content-first decisions into more of this integrated approach, where you have premium content, deterministic signals and AI-driven technology all activating together,” said Kelly Maclean, vp of Amazon Ads.Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV. …read more

Source:: Digiday

By TopRank Marketing Editor Social media has moved well beyond distribution to become a primary engine for influence, credibility, and discovery in B2B marketing. In our latest research on B2B influencer marketing, social media posts are the most effective content type used in influencer programs, cited by 56% of marketers.
At the same time, nearly half of marketers (49%) identify integrating influencer content across channels as the top trend, which is a sign that social networks are not a silo but a connective layer across campaigns, content, and customer experiences . This aligns with broader shifts in discovery: 32% of buyers now use generative AI tools to find thought leadership, and platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, and peer networks continue to inform how expertise is surfaced, validated, and shared .
Without question, in 2026 social media is where influence is earned, where thought leadership is tested in real time, and where signals that impact SEO, AEO, and AI visibility are created. Best Answer Marketing reflects these changes well, emphasizing multi-channel discovery and the role of credible voices, including influencers and practitioners, in making brands visible and trusted wherever buyers are looking . As AI systems increasingly act as first choice channels of discovery they rely on patterns of authority, engagement, and consistency that are often built and validated on social platforms before being cited elsewhere.

That is why following the right leaders in B2B social media is especially useful. These B2B marketing leaders are not only sharing ideas about social media marketing, they are actively shaping how influence works in modern B2B marketing. The 32 B2B marketers featured here offer a window into what is working now and what is coming next, making them essential voices for anyone looking to stay relevant, credible, findable and trusted.
The Best Answer Marketing Leaders List: B2B Brand Social Media Marketing

Renee D. Edwards
Director, Global Social Media and Digital Communications at Hewlett Packard Enterprise
She builds global brands by turning strategy and creativity into multi-platform stories that drive affinity and measurable growth. With 15+ years across B2B and B2C, she leads teams that connect content, community, and performance into unified digital impact. Known for developing high-performing teams, she brings a forward-looking approach to scaling engagement and loyalty.
/in/reneededwards/

Rob Wolf
Senior Director of Social Media and Influence Marketing at Salesforce
He uses technology to tell stories that actually move buyers and businesses. When he’s not scaling global social programs, he’s riding the emotional rollercoaster of being a loyal Cleveland sports fan.
/in/robhwolf/

Elida Solis
Social Media Director at Vizient
The kind of optimist who sets big goals and hits them. Elida has grown audience reach by over 280% in the B2B healthcare space and isn’t slowing down. A self-described Enneagram 7, she’s always chasing the next tool or tactic that gives brands an edge.
/in/elidasolis/

Marc Meyer
Head of Social Media at Revvity
Marc has spent over 15 years figuring out how to make health science feel human on social. These days that means leaning into AI to build thought leadership that actually resonates.
/in/marctmeyer/

Jackie Ortiz
Social Media Strategist at GeneDx
Jackie turns complex ideas into clear, human stories that …read more

Source:: Top Rank Blog

By Seb Joseph Last month, a U.S. Special Forces soldier was indicted for insider trading — not on stocks, but on a prediction market. He had detailed knowledge of a military operation. He bet on it. The platform where he placed those bets responded to the indictment with something close to a shrug.

That shrug tells you everything about the world marketers are only beginning to understand. It’s one where a meme can move a market, and a market can become a meme. Where the internet’s lingua franca — irony, virality, the shared joke — now has real stakes attached.This is a member-exclusive article from Digiday. Continue reading it on digiday.com and subscribe to continue reading content like this. …read more

Source:: Digiday

By Headlines Team Choosing how to find new customers online is a major decision for any owner. Some people prefer to use Google Ads to get attention from buyers right away. Other leaders feel that building a natural presence is a much better long-term plan. Both choices help you connect with the world in very different ways today. Your final path depends on your budget and your need for quick growth. Learning the details of each style helps you pick the most effective strategy. A balanced plan often brings the most profit to a growing modern company.

Quick Traffic for New Projects

If you need people to see your site today, paid links are the fastest way. Your brand can appear at the top of the page in just a few minutes. Using Google Ads allows you to reach a specific audience based on their needs. You do not have to wait for months to see your first visitor arrive. This speed is perfect for selling a new product or a seasonal offer. Paid campaigns turn your website into a busy shop almost as soon as you start.

Building a Lasting Online Reputation

Earning a top spot without paying for clicks requires a lot of steady work. You can hire SEO services to help your site climb the rankings over time. This path involves writing helpful articles that answer the questions of your fans. While the growth is slow, the benefits stay with you for many years. Your traffic continues even when you are not spending money on daily ads. This method builds a firm foundation for the future of your entire brand.

Controlling Your Marketing Spend

Managing your costs is easy when you set a strict limit on your spending. With Google Ads, you decide exactly how much money to use each morning. You only give money to the platform when a person selects your link. This keeps your costs low while you search for the right type of buyer. You can stop or change your budget if you see a shift in the market. Knowing where every dollar goes helps you make smart choices for your business.

Gaining Trust from Your Audience

Many shoppers believe that natural results are more honest than paid advertisements. They tend to click on sites that have earned their place through hard work. High quality SEO services make your business look like a leader in your industry. Being a top result naturally shows that your information is useful and true. This feeling of trust makes it easier for people to buy your products today. A strong reputation is the best way to keep customers coming back for more.

Organizing Your Site for Success

Search engines prefer websites that load fast and are easy for people to read. Professional SEO services fix the hidden parts of your site to make it better. This work tells the computer systems that your brand is a safe place. Clear writing and a simple layout act as a bridge to your new customers.

Using Information to Improve Results

You can study data to …read more

Source:: Social Media Explorer

By Michael Bürgi Even though Omnicom’s commerce media unit Flywheel has been operating in close proximity to Omnicom Media since the parent company acquired it in 2023, the holdco quietly acknowledged on Monday that Flywheel has formally been moved under control of Omnicom Media global CEO Florian Adamski. Alongside Flywheel, Omni — the holdco’s operating system that connects all units to its data and intelligence gathering — is also moving back into Omnicom Media.

A representative for Omnicom confirmed the move after the holdco put out a release announcing the promotion of Christine Gambino to oversee Omni, replacing Duncan Painter who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. At the same time, Alex McCord, who has been Flywheel’s CEO, was named head of Omnicom Commerce — now that Flywheel is moving under Adamski.

However, no executives were made available to comment or elaborate on the move.Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV. …read more

Source:: Digiday

By TopRank Marketing Editor Innovation in B2B marketing is tough. Actually, innovation in general is tough. The rate of truly disruptive ideas has slowed down, even in marketing. And while the channels themselves haven’t fundamentally changed, the way buyers discover and evaluate across them has. That’s why even the most incremental, novel ideas stand out in today’s crowded marketplace.
We know by now that marketers don’t need to reinvent the wheel to become visible and be the Best Answer for their customers. With that in mind, let’s look at how brands are taking new approaches to being seen and heard by prioritizing human connection over hard sells.
1. Capgemini — Realities Remixed

(Image: Capgemini)
What if I told you there’s a B2B podcast out there with both niche and mass appeal?
After award-winning acclaim in 2025, the team behind Cloud Realities launched a new offshoot, one that focuses on topics designed to catch the attention of both B2B insiders and people who simply enjoy entertaining conversations. It asks a bigger question than most B2B shows: what happens when people, culture, industry, and technology collide?
So, what makes it innovative? At first glance, you wouldn’t know this is a Capgemini-led podcast. It feels exciting, there’s real value, and it avoids generic platitudes or product-led conversations. It’s not over-scripted or overly polished. It feels conversational and fun, with pop culture references and comedic moments.
With episode titles like Leading in the Never Normal and Value Metrics vs. Vanity Metrics, there really is something for everyone. This podcast was made for the B2B marketer who wants an easy listen and who probably was never going to Google “Capgemini services” anyway. Which is critical because buyers are discovering content across podcasts, communities, and multiple touchpoints long before they ever speak to sales.
If B2B brands want to break the stigma of “business to boring” marketing, they’ll have to take a similar approach. Lead with value and entertainment, and let the listener decide whether they want to explore the brand further. That balance between usefulness and subtle brand presence is what makes the format work.
Another good listen is the Beyond B2B Marketing Podcast, if you want another example of B2B content that prioritizes insight over pitch. You’ll get timely B2B insights from leaders at companies like Forrester, The B2B Institute, Cisco, Bain & Company, and more.
2. KPMG — It’s Time For AI-X

(Image: KPMG)
And now for something completely different.
Can AI be used for good? Of course it can. But can it be used for groundbreaking marketing? You’ve probably come across your fair share of AI slop that makes up a significant amount of content, including long-form social posts, blogs, branded images, and even videos, but I can assure you, you’ve never seen anything like this.
AI has changed a lot, but it hasn’t changed our desire for hyper-personalized messaging. This next example shows what happens when AI is used to personalize rather than mass-produce. Last year, KPMG launched its It’s Time For AI-X campaign around the release of its annual Customer Experience Excellence report.
Instead of just distributing the report, …read more

Source:: Top Rank Blog