Ad Age's Gillian Follett redefines going viral for 2026, from how to pivot marketing strategies to the new metrics measuring social media success and emerging platforms brands should dig into. Plus, how to win with subcultures, manage fractured virality and avoid cringe.

And the chaos behind the scenes of TikTok's ownership transition, why auto brands are skipping the Super Bowl and Home Depot's agency shakeup.

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

~Universal viral moments are over—what brands need to know

~Inside social trends: Jet2 holiday, 2016 throwback, Brat Summer, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

~Lessons from Taylor Swift's viral engagement

~Buy tickets for the Ad Age NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

Creativity and media innovation reporter Brandon Doerrer breaks down the recent surge of long-form marketing and how brands are tapping into the microdrama surge. From measurement and performance, to platform strategy and this see-what-sticks mentality, learn what branded entertainment means for media strategy, and takeaways for marketers, even if they don't have a Hollywood budget.

Also, OpenAI has begun testing ads in ChatGPT. Hear Ad Age's reporting on how much it costs to be first to market and strategy takeaways. Plus, how to win the Gen Z 2016 social trend.

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

~Inside brands' long-form ad experimentation

~Watch long-form work from Maybelline, Gushers and Doritos

~Buy tickets for Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

After attending CES and NRF's Big Show, Ad Age News Editor E.J. Schultz and Senior Marketing Reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli decipher what industry leaders are saying on stages versus the anxieties they face as the CMO role continues to fundamentally change. From the increasing complexity of AI innovation to how agencies are struggling to differentiate innovation and consumers' hunger for simplicity, hear how 2026 predictions are actually taking shape.

Also, what Google's new agentic commerce framework means for brands and lessons on how to get the most out of TikTok Shop.

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

~Top marketing takeaways from CES 2026

~Trending topics at NRF's Big Show 2026

~5 tips for selling on TikTok Shop

~Track 2026 Super Bowl ads

~Buy tickets for Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

On Ad Age Insider's first episode of 2026, reporters from across the Ad Age newsroom share the most and least surprising takes from their predictions reporting, and what it all means for the industry. From how changes in the media landscape might impact brands' agency rosters to how consumer crazes around protein and weight loss drugs will influence marketing trends and plenty of AI, hear how this year's trending topics will impact your work and the industry.

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

~Media buying and strategy predictions

~100 creativity predictions

~2026 influencer marketing shifts

~AI marketing predictions for 2026

~100 ad leaders predict 2026 marketing trends

~Food and beverage marketing trends to watch

~The future of retail in 2026

~Enter Ad Age's 2026 Tech Power List

~Listen to the Ad Age Marketer's Brief

Senior Agency Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse breaks down ad industry instability and why agencies are undergoing heavy waves of layoffs, including from the recent Omnicom acquisition of IPG. She provides guidance on what to do when impacted by agency layoffs, how to prepare for the sparse job market and when to consider alternative job paths.

Plus, the campaign Ad Age readers voted the best of 2025 versus creativity editor Tim Nudd's top picks from the year.

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

~What to know if you've been laid off

~The latest industry employment stats

~Listen: Why the Omnicom-IPG deal matters for all advertisers

~Agency layoff warning signs

~How agencies are changing their strategies for the AI era

~How AI is changing ad jobs

~Listen: the state of entry-level ad careers

Ad Age News Editor E.J. Schultz and Senior Marketing Reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli go behind the scenes of Ad Age's annual Marketer of the Year list. They share tips on how brands can increase their odds for next year's competition as well as a rundown of takeaways from this year's group of brands that might be useful for your 2026 marketing strategy.

Plus, a look inside the Kansas City Chiefs' play to become the top Christmas NFL team, with key strategy takeaways from CMO Lara Krug. And the latest on Warner Bros. Discovery's sale saga.

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

~Garage Beer is Ad Age's 2025 Marketer of the Year

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

~Vote for 2025's biggest brand fail

~Vote for the best ad campaign of 2025

~Share your 2026 ad industry predictions with Ad Age

Agency reporters Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin dig into Omnicom's acquisition of IPG, and its impact for the advertising industry beyond just agency holding companies. They break down how independent agencies can win, what the deal means for the hold-co hierarchy and key factors to track as the industry's future structure takes shape.

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

~Watch Brian and Ewan's day-one Omnicom takes on Breaking & Entering

~Everything to know about the Omnicom-IPG deal

~Inside Omnicom's new structure

~Top execs to know at new Omnicom

~Omnicom & IPG's joint Kenvue pitch

~The details on Havas and Horizon's joint venture

~Wpromote acquires Giant Spoon

~Inside Just Born's account review

~Recapping Publicis' acquisitions of Captiv8 and Influential

~Rewind: the failed Omnicom-Publicis merger

Ad Age Chief Technology Reporter Garett Sloane discusses how to separate artificial intelligence noise from real utility, the state of chatbot shopping, AI brand readiness and tools marketers are creating to better their businesses.

Plus, put your tech knowledge to the test. In this week's episode, take Ad Age Insider's AI readiness quiz for marketers. Or dig deeper with additional questions here.

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

~All your AI Qs answered in Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook

~The state of AI commerce

~Inside Lavazza's AI persona that says no

~How Amazon is testing ads in Rufus

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief

Ad Age reporter Gillian Follett breaks down why brands are leaning into the limited-edition strategy, the elements of a successful product drop strategy and more holiday social media trends.

Plus, what Unilever's big bet on influencer marketing means for the industry, and the details on Peeps, Mike and Ike's and Hot Tamales' new ad agency.

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

~Dig deeper into Starbucks' Bearista cup strategy

~Catch up on little treat culture and the trinket craze

~Watch holiday ads from Disney, Amazon and Brach's

~Dive into Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook package

~Listen to this week's Marketer's Brief episode

Ad Age Senior Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse explains how AI is automating work typically done by entry-level talent, and how marketers and educators are responding by training students and junior staff to use the technology themselves. Plus, what early career professionals can do to increase employment prospects in a difficult job market.

Plus, Omnicom and IPG's joint pitch for health care giant Kenvue acts as a test for success of the mega-merger, but it may be riddled with complications. And, why Anomaly Co-Founder Jason DeLand decided to depart the agency.

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

~ Inside Kimberly-Clark's bid to buy Kenvue for $40 billion

~ How production companies are coming to terms with AI

~ Vote for the 2025 Ad Age Marketer of the Year