The Association of National Advertiser’s latest report reveals that over $26.8 billion in programmatic ad spend is wasted due to inefficiencies like inflated metrics, bot traffic, and low-quality ad placements. Despite promises of automation and scale, programmatic advertising continues to struggle with transparency and performance, especially on MFA and AI-generated “slop sites.” In contrast, local media offers verified reach, trusted environments, and community relevance, making it a more reliable and impactful choice for advertisers. Emerging trends like email monetization and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) further highlight the need for direct, human-centered communication. For advertisers seeking real results, local media backed by audited data is not just a safe bet—it’s a strategic advantage.

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Hi, I’m Kevin Eikenberry, answering the questions that new and frontline leaders ask us. Actually, it’s our goal to help all leaders be more productive, successful, and confident. And this video series is just one way we do that. Today, I’m asking the question. How do I get people to follow me?

I’ve seen a series of posts offering tricks and techniques to eliminating objections. Every day, we see experts commenting on objections, “how to overcome them, how to handle them, how to eliminate them.” Objections are often positioned as a battle between sellers and the customer, with our objective to prevail, defeating the customers’ objections

People and, therefore, consumers are complex creatures.  It’s even more the case today, as the world, in general, and the lives we live, specifically, bear little or no resemblance to the world and the lives of our childhood, whether we are Baby Boomers or Millennials. The rapid technological transformations we are experiencing today and those that will overwhelm and amaze us during the remainder

A new study suggests that AI disclaimers on political ads may reduce trust in the message even when the ad itself contains little or no AI-generated content. For local media sellers and agency professionals, that creates a new planning issue: AI may improve speed and efficiency, but required disclosures could weaken credibility and audience receptivity. The takeaway for radio, TV, cable, print, outdoor and digital professionals is that AI use in campaign creative should be evaluated not just for compliance and cost savings, but for its effect on persuasion and trust.

These events below provide excellent opportunities for

• Ad agencies to build campaigns and promotions
• Local media sales professionals to sell advertising to retailers

These events attract large audiences and offer high visibility for brands. By aligning advertising campaigns with these events, retailers can effectively reach and engage their target customers.

Every week, you communicate a variety of messages to your bosses, employees and customers. Many of your ideas are aimed at creating a better future — that’s what leaders do! But will your ideas work? Will they be understood and acted on? You’ve likely witnessed or lived through change initiatives that don’t achieve the desired results. Why is that? In some cases, the leader’s ideas weren’t fully vetted. In other situations, the poor results were due to ineffective communications.

The media has been filled with stories about a so-called “retail apocalypse,” citing the large number of store closings, abandoned and eerily quiet shopping malls and the explosion of the Amazon phenomenon (and online shopping in general) as some of the primary reasons. It’s true that retail has been battered and bruised during the past years, especially 2017, but just as life must evolve to sustain itself, so must retail.

Many rabid sports fans revel in the opportunity to support their favorite teams by wearing their gear to games, fueling their enthusiasm with tailgate parties and cheering wildly from the stands. Attending many sporting events is either prohibited or limited, however. Sports fans are relegated to the safety of their homes and their big-screen TVs – and a much more comfortable seat than any in a stadium or arena.

Organizations, to their detriment, often overlook opportunities to spotlight exemplary behavior—ethical behavior in particular. Increasingly remote workforces, with limited non-essential communication, likely worsen the situation. And the situation as it stands isn’t that great. Most of the time, the focus of employee recognition is not on ethics but on metrics related to the bottom line, or subjective perceptions of overall performance.

Have you ever played the hot and cold guessing game? “You’re freezing cold, you’re thawing out, you’re getting warmer, you’re on fire!” The person in charge of the game hides an object and then gives you feedback based on how close (hot) or far (cold) you are from what they’ve hidden. Now imagine searching for their hidden object without receiving any feedback on how hot or cold you are.

Time is your most valuable resource—how you use it shapes what you create.
At Marketing Insights, we know that success isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter.

In a world where speed and strategy go hand in hand, how we manage our time determines how effectively we show up, deliver results, and stay balanced. Productivity isn’t about being busy—it’s about being intentional. These quotes offer practical wisdom to help professionals focus, prioritize, and protect what matters most.

This collection of quotes highlights:
✨ The power of focus over frenzy
✨ The importance of mindful, organized work habits
✨ How effective time management supports both performance and well-being

Behind every great outcome is a team that chose to build together.
At Marketing Insights, we believe collaboration isn’t just a strategy—it’s the foundation of meaningful progress.

In marketing, sales, and beyond, no one achieves greatness alone. Real success happens when people bring their strengths together, align around shared goals, and lift each other toward something bigger than any one person could create. These quotes celebrate the magic of teamwork and the power of collective energy.

This collection of quotes highlights:
✨ The strength of shared vision and aligned effort
✨ The value of diverse perspectives and mutual trust
✨ How great teams don’t just work together—they grow together

Artificial intelligence and programmatic advertising platforms are dismantling traditional competitive advantages of large agencies by democratizing access to sophisticated tools once exclusive to major players. Boutique agencies are leveraging this technological leveling to outperform larger competitors through specialized expertise and faster decision-making, with some achieving better performance metrics than multinational networks. Specialization allows smaller firms to command premium pricing while delivering personalized service and direct access to senior strategists. Speed has become critical, as boutique agencies pivot strategies within hours compared to weeks of approval processes at larger firms. The trend strongly favors agile specialists who combine technological fluency with deep domain expertise and exceptional client relationships.

These are examples of objections we often hear in the middle to the end of the sales cycle. One thing that hasn’t changed in the wake of COVID-19 is the necessity of sales professionals to respond effectively to buyer objections. Objections are explicit communications from a prospect that they are resisting or not planning to move forward with a purchase, which become a barrier to advancing and closing the sale.