Blogs
The Independence Manifesto: 5 Radical Truths from the Frontlines of the Unfettered Summit
Author’s note: This blog post is based on presentations at the Unfettered conference of independent creative agencies in New York on March 3, 2026 (https://www.theadvertisingclub.org/unfettered/). The advertising industry is currently witnessing a tectonic shift, but it isn’t the one you’ll read about in a holding company’s quarterly earnings report. While global conglomerates grapple with what industry analyst Michael Farmer describes as…
Read MorePrivacy, Trust and AI: What Consumers Expect Now
What do consumers really want from brands today? More relevance, certainly. But also more restraint. New research presented at ARF’s AudiencexScience suggests that privacy is now the baseline expectation, trust is conditional, and AI will only work for brands when consumers feel they still have visibility and control. The data presented here combine findings from two recent U.S.…
Read MoreDanny Robinson’s Inspiration Series
Danny Robinson Inspiration Series Danny Robinson has always followed creativity wherever it leads, building a career defined by curiosity, culture, and impact. Now, he’s stepping into an entirely new chapter. As Danny begins this next phase, he’s returning to the foundations of his craft, enrolling in an art residency program in France to explore, experiment,…
Read MoreANDYs Live Returns 2026 | See How Creative Greatness Is Decided
ANDYs Live Returns 2026 | See How Creative Greatness Is Decided It’s awards season, a time when CCOs, ECDs, strategy directors, and innovation leads gather behind closed doors to debate the year’s best work across extensive categories. The ANDYs do it differently. Instead of category overload, one integrated, peer‑led jury evaluates every entry through four…
Read MoreFast Company Names Code and Theory One of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for Second Consecutive Year
Stagwell’s digital transformation network was recognized in the Advertising and Marketing category for building the infrastructure that turns AI ambition into business transformation. NEW YORK – Code and Theory, the digital transformation network within Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2026, the second…
Read MoreThe Cookieless World Is Here: What’s Working (and What’s Not) in 2026
The cookieless future is no longer theoretical. In 2026, signal loss is an operational reality. Third-party cookies are being phased out and can no longer be treated as a durable foundation for scale. Mobile identifiers are constrained. Consumers expect transparency, and regulators expect accountability. The industry has shifted from contingency planning to performance validation. So…
Read MoreYoung Pro Corner: Derin Ozgul, Account Manager, Client Success, USA Today
Derin Ozgul, Account Manager, Client Success, USA Today Under the Client Success org of USA Today Co., Derin works with small to medium-sized businesses and oversees their paid media strategy, including paid search, programmatic, and social. What first drew you to the advertising/marketing industry? I studied economics in college and took a few marketing classes along…
Read MoreLet’s Ride!!! A New Chapter with Trojan Horse Media
The Year of the Horse feels right. 2025 was the year of clarity for me. The year I stepped fully into my own lane, launching PLR Group Inc. and building it with intention: people and project that matter. And now, we officially announce a new partnership with Trojan Horse Media. This isn’t a vanity collaboration.…
Read MoreBehavior Is Shifting. Measurement Is Not Yet Aligned.
This article is the first in a new monthly column from the ARF highlighting ideas, research, and emerging issues in advertising and marketing research. The ARF is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. We will kick off the celebration at AUDIENCExSCIENCE, our flagship event, by examining the forces shaping advertising’s next era. Ad Club members…
Read MoreBlack History Month | Innovator: Jason Dailey
As a Director, Head of Agency at Meta, Jason partners with agencies to help them navigate the changing digital landscape, drive growth, and deliver meaningful business outcomes for their clients. Prior to joining Meta, he was the SVP of Performance Marketing at Mediavest, where he led the practice and delivery of performance marketing solutions for…
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