The consumer trends marketers can't ignore this fall, with Erika Wheless
Erika Wheless, consumer culture and brand behavior reporter at Ad Age, breaks down the consumer trends shaping the back half of 2026, and how they connect to the brands gaining the most ground with Ge...
7 Aug 30min
Weekly Report: McDonald's admits its promotional calendar backfired
This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: McDonald's opens up about how an overloaded promotional calendar, stacking a K-pop Demon Hunters tie-in, value messaging, beverage launches, and a FIFA Wor...
6 Aug 6min
Weekly Report: Creators are betting on equity over paid partnerships
This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: creators like Alix Earle are increasingly chasing equity stakes instead of traditional brand deals, and what it reveals about creators becoming long-term b...
30 Jul 7min
Small Agencies are Winning Business with these 2026 Moves, with Judy Pollack, Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin
The leaders of the 2026 Ad Age Small Agency Awards—Judy Pollack, Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin—break down what actually separated this year's winners from the pack. They dig into why small shops are d...
24 Jul 28min
Weekly Report: Taco Bell's trust test during cyclosporiasis crisis
This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: Taco Bell's Cyclospora outbreak and what it reveals about crisis communications, food safety, and brand trust. Plus, four Madwell alumni launch independent...
23 Jul 7min
Weekly Report: Starbucks' Culture Play, Predictive AI Targeting, Emmy-Nominated Ads
This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: Starbucks leans into culture over explanation with its 'Pink Energy' platform, built around the fan-favorite Pink Drink. Gary Vaynerchuk takes a personal s...
16 Jul 6min
2026 ad budget check-in: where media money's moving, with Brandon Doerrer
Ad Age Media Reporter Brandon Doerrer gives a midyear check-in on 2026 ad spend, and breaks down the insights behind the data. He gets into why budgets are holding steady despite the economic pressure...
10 Jul 25min
Weekly Report: How 2 indie shops beat larger rivals for a $550M account
This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: how two indie agencies—Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners and Canvas Worldwide—beat holding company giants Stagwell and Publicis for California Lottery's $550...
9 Jul 6min
