Todd and Kelly kick off 2026 with bold predictions about the state of AI in marketing and advertising. They discuss why many brands will discover they're nowhere near ready to utilize AI effectively, predicting that the year will expose the gap between AI hype and reality.

The duo explore how AI-driven media buying could lead to wasted budgets and poor targeting, why creative fatigue will replace audience fatigue as a major challenge, and how generative AI creative is already facing backlash.

They emphasize that great marketing in 2026 will require more problem-solving and strategic thinking than ever before, as AI tools alone won't deliver the transformational results many expect.

Kelly shares insights from spending over 1,000 hours working with AI systems, revealing the extensive foundational work required for successful implementation. This episode is essential listening for marketing executives, agency professionals, and anyone navigating the AI revolution in advertising.

Chapters:

1. (00:00:00) - Introduction and New Year Greetings
2. (00:01:00) - 2026 Predictions: Is This the Year of AI?
3. (00:03:00) - Prediction #1: Brands Aren't Ready for AI Implementation
4. (00:08:00) - The Hidden Cost: 1,000+ Hours of AI Learning
5. (00:11:00) - Prediction #2: AI Will Make Marketing Worse Before Better
6. (00:18:00) - The Opportunity Cost of "Good Enough" Marketing
7. (00:20:00) - Wasted Ad Spend: AI Media Buying Gone Wrong
8. (00:22:00) - Prediction #3: Creative Fatigue Replaces Audience Fatigue
9. (00:28:00) - Great Marketing Requires Problem Solving, Not Just Platforms
10. (00:33:00) - Looking Ahead: 2027 Will Be Different

Links and Resources:

1. Kelly Maguire on LinkedIn
2. Todd Juneau on LinkedIn
3. Vuja Dé Digital

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Contrary to Popular Opinion? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!