Creativity Editor Tim Nudd breaks down trends and lessons from award-winning campaigns for Nike, The New York Times, ChatGPT, Anthropic and more. From comedy's comeback to experimental experiential and a focus on exceptional craft, he reveals what CMOs need to know from the 2026 Ad Age Creativity Awards. And he shares a few close-calls that led to surprising prizes awarded by this year's juries.

Plus, why brands like Ugg, Owala and Claude are gaining equity with Gen Z. And how to win Ad Age's new Mid Size Brand Leaders award.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~See Ad Age's 2026 Creativity Award winners

~See Ad Age's 2026 A-List winners

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

Tech Reporter Asa Hiken gives a vibe check on how advertisers are feeling about OpenAI two months after it launched ads on ChatGPT, and how the AI company is stacking up against competitors Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude. Plus, he gives advice for developing a brand AI strategy as products develop, and reacts to a live test of how paid ads may influence organic chat results.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The state of ChatGPT ads post-launch

~Why ChatGPT's Instant Checkout faced challenges

~Lessons from OpenAI sunsetting Sora

~Listen: AI search strategy 101

~Apply for Ad Age's Mid-Size Brand Leaders award

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

Senior Engagement Editor Mark Fischer interviews Ad Age's communities and Substack strategy leaders Sabrina Sanchez and Parker Herren on how brands are turning consumers into brand builders. Learn how brands are meeting audiences where they are, designing repeatable, low‑lift interactions and choosing platforms that teams can sustain.

Sanchez and Herren also outline first steps for marketers and agencies: audit existing audiences, prioritize trust and feedback loops, and treat community as a long‑term distribution and relationship strategy.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Subscribe to Ad Age's Substack

~More on Ad Age's The List community

~If you're an early-career professional and want to sign up for Ad Age's NextGen community, send an email to [email protected]

~Applications for Ad Age's Small Agency Network will reopen this summer. Stay tuned at AdAge.com for more information

~Read Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Playbook

~How brands can help Gen Z find fulfillment beyond curated feeds

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

Brain rot content has become a staple of virality on TikTok. But brands eager to jump into trending conversations should be wary of "Fruit Love Island" and similar AI-generated posts. Users will be far less kind to corporations than their peers. Influencer and Social Media Marketing Reporter Gillian Follett breaks down the "Fruit Love Island" trend, why it's become so popular and what it reveals about brands on social media. Plus, the shift of content toward entertainment and brands that have successfully tapped into emerging formats.

And, what you need to know about Kristen Cavallo's return to the ad industry as well as CVS Health's creative and media agency reviews.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~What brands need to know about "Fruit Love Island"

~Creator takeaways from this year's NewFronts

~Submit for Ad Age's Small Agency Awards

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

Senior Reporter Jon Springer breaks into the rise of identity marketing, including how soda brands like Poppi, Dr. Pepper and Diet Coke are winning with Gen Z. Plus, how all marketers can incorporate better social listening and fan engagement to turn their branding into cultural currency.

And why ChatGPT's Instant Checkout ad product flopped, and Apple's plans to bring brands to Maps.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Why the drinks people carry matter more to marketers now

~Takeaways from Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Playbook

~Behind the rise of alcoholic sports drinks

~Summer alcohol marketing trends to know

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

As the industry gears up for a week of presentations from YouTube, Meta, TikTok, Tubi and more, Ad Age reporters break down the topics trending at this year's NewFronts, from AI and agentic tools to creator amplification. Hear how to decipher hype from reality, how digital ad dollars are being spent in 2026 and why these presentations matter to the industry.

Plus, why Publicis is calling out the Trade Desk.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~2026 NewFronts trends

~2026 NewFronts calendar

~Inside Q2 media budgets

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

Executive Editor and editorial lead of the Ad Age A-List Judann (Judy) Pollack talks the value of industry awards, and tips for climbing Ad Age's annual list of top agencies. She describes what defines success despite industry challenges, what judges look for in award submissions, the dos and don'ts of a good entry and trends to watch for next year's A-List.

Plus, DraftKings' new creative agencies. And what Milan Cortina Winter Olympics marketers learned about brand safety, and how to apply those lessons to the FIFA World Cup.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~See 2026 Ad Age A-List winners

~Attend Ad Age's Editors Roundtable on March 26

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

Senior agency reporter Brian Bonilla goes deep on the current new business marketplace, including how government policy, tech and AI innovation and industry consolidation are impacting agency account reviews. Bonilla shares current brand needs, explains how those are different from recent years, and provides tips for brands to get a leg up in pitches. Plus, tips for marketers overwhelmed by the review process.

Plus, the lesson for brands in McDonald's cringe CEO taste test and what ChatGPT's first third-party ad tech partner means for brands.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~What separates agencies winning 2026 reviews

~How agencies are helping clients become more self-sufficient

~Inside agencies' new self-service platforms

~What are media rebates? Agency transparency in the hot seat

Agency reporter Ewan Larkin decodes a recent lawsuit against WPP Media that has made agency transparency the industry's buzziest topic. Larkin defines media rebates and principal media buying, explaining how agencies aggregate billions in client ad budgets to negotiate volume deals with platforms such as Google, Meta and Amazon, and how those arrangements can create conflicts over who benefits from discounted or proprietary inventory. He describes potential red flags in these practices and lists what questions marketers should be asking their agencies to protect their marketing budgets.

Plus, Estée Lauder's media agency shakeup, and a shocking agency executive exit.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Inside the lawsuit against WPP Media

~Acadia's CEO on media rebate transparency

~Get tickets to Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

Ad Age Tech Reporter Asa Hiken chronicles the evolution of generative AI use in major brands' advertising, the common mistakes that upset viewers and the checklist every marketer needs to know if they plan to scale generative AI use.

Plus, why agencies are rushing to get their clients on ChatGPT, including the benefits they predict will come from being a first mover. And Raymour & Flanigan's new media agency.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Subscribe to Ad Age's Emerging Tech newsletter

~See AI generated work from Coca-Cola, Google, Progressive, Svedka, McDonald's and Kalshi

~Register for Ad Age's AI-focused Editor's Roundtable

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast