Why generative AI doesn’t fit into a standard in-housing playbook – yet

The industry has moved functions in-house, establishing playbooks from everything from social to programmatic media buying. But brands are not using the same in-housing play for AI.

Some brands, like U.S. Bank, are taking a hybrid approach, while others, like Adobe, are more fluid, using AI tools both internally and in partnership with external partners. Mostly, brands are still testing and learning where AI can be leveraged in the marketing funnel, and what costs and where time can be saved.

“Over time, AI will likely shake up many brands’ attitudes about in-housing different parts of their advertising and marketing operations. But the ground beneath everyone’s feet needs to firm up a bit first,” said Max Willens, senior analyst at eMarketer.

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Two agencies merge with PE help to grab a larger share of a maturing marketplace

Consolidation among media agencies large and small has been widely expected since Omnicom proposed acquiring Interpublic Group last December. To a large extent, the industry hasn’t disappointed, with Indies merging to form bigger Indies, and holdcos continuing to acquire different specialty shops to grow even bigger.

The latest merger comes in a massive corner of the marketing world, of e-commerce and retail and full-funnel strategy that goes beyond media investment — they’re known as “marketplace” agencies. They serve brands that are plying their sales on Amazon, Walmart, eBay, TikTok Shop and other commerce sites, which collective represent some $525 billion in sales in the U.S. alone.  

Digiday has learned that Podean, which bills itself as a marketplace agency, is acquiring once-competitor now partner Commerce Canal to form what it’s calling the largest independent marketplace agency, strategizing with clients including Mattel, Danone, Colgate-Palmolive, Luxottica, Steve Madden and AB InBev, among others. It will operate under the Podean name.

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