Many journalists, bloggers, scientists and futurists have described artificial intelligence and robotics as “The Third Industrial Revolution.” It may be more accurate to call it “The Everything Revolution,” because their use has already impacted many industries – and for decades. What AI and robotics are about to impact is virtually every other sector of society and everyone’s life.

Dec 1, 2024 | Media, Retail, Advertising and the Economy, Industry Press Highlights Black Friday 2024 highlighted the shifting dynamics of consumer behavior, with online shopping.

Clarity fuels progress—and growth begins with intention.
At Marketing Insights, we believe that setting bold goals and committing to personal growth isn’t just smart—it’s essential.

Success in today’s world demands more than just talent. It requires vision, discipline, and the willingness to keep evolving. Whether you're leading a team or navigating your own career, growth happens when you set clear, purpose-driven goals and show up for them—day after day.

This collection of quotes celebrates:
✨ The power of intentional goal setting
✨ Growth as a lifelong practice, not a final destination
✨ How reflection, learning, and resilience create lasting momentum

Few retail sectors have suffered as much from the pandemic as restaurants. It doesn’t just affect the cash register till, but also employment (often teens and younger adults), payroll and sales taxes and tourism. Although some major chains may experience significant revenues losses, and even bankruptcy, it’s the independents and mom-and-pop establishments which are experiencing the brunt of state-mandated closures.

US manufacturers allocate approximately $36 billion to $70 billion, annually, as co-op funds for which many (if not most) local SMBs, dealers, retailers and advertisers qualify to add to their advertising budgets. Some brains are obviously not so clear about the value and availability of co-op dollars, and how to use them, because approximately $14 billion to $35 billion are never used.

Local media sales professionals and agency teams face rising operational pressures, making disciplined time management a critical competitive advantage in a fast moving advertising environment. By prioritizing tasks, implementing structured systems such as time blocking, and leveraging digital tools, professionals can convert daily chaos into predictable, high value workflow. A new force—client expectation inflation—has intensified the need for clearer boundaries, faster decision frameworks, and consistent communication rhythms. Those who master time not only improve personal productivity, but gain an edge in responsiveness, strategic insight, and long term client retention. close

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how advertising agencies and local media sales reps operate by automating routine tasks, enhancing targeting, and improving campaign performance. This beginner’s guide introduces practical, easy-to-use AI tools that help streamline content creation, email marketing, lead scoring, and social media management. By starting small—like using AI to write emails or analyze audience data—users can quickly boost efficiency and gain a competitive edge. The article also dispels common myths about AI and offers a simple roadmap for getting started, making it accessible even for non-technical professionals.

I am never without a book, whether it’s a hardcover or an audiobook. If I’m doing anything that allows me to listen to a book, you’ll find me with an audiobook. I used to buy books for my clients, only to see them collect dust, unopened and unread. Right now, the One-Up Book Club is on its second round. The first five books include Nate Silver’s On the Edge, How Migration Works by Hein de Haas, Overruled by Neil Gorsuch and Janie Nitze, Minds Wide Shut by Garry Saul Morson and Morton Schapiro, and Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari.

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The shift from being an individual contributor to leading a sales force isn’t an easy transition. The character traits are different, and so are the required skills. While it’s helpful to have experience in a sales role, by itself, it’s not enough to ensure success. Few sales managers are provided the training and development that would enable them to lead their team and reach their goals. Instead,

As major brands and retailers (and shopping malls) struggle with the so-called “retail apocalypse,” local businesses and retailers, although not entirely invulnerable to the chaos, are benefiting, and discovering new paths to growth and profitability. In some places, Main Street USA is still rebounding from the recession, but local businesses may be entering a new era in which they can leverage localized products and personalized services against big brands and retailers.

Digital Media and Technology, Industry Press Highlights

Gen Z isn’t abandoning online shopping—but they’re showing a clear preference for in-store experiences when discovery, confidence, and social energy matter. Research points to Gen Z using stores as places to browse, validate choices, and turn shopping into an “event,” while still relying on digital tools to research and plan. The winners are retailers who remove friction (fast checkout, preferred payment options, inventory confidence) and make stores worth the trip with curated experiences and moments that feel shareable. For local marketers and media sellers, the opportunity is to shift campaigns toward driving measurable store visits through events, drops, and community-based messaging that turns foot traffic into habit and loyalty.

Ad tech is transforming TV from a simple spot-and-break business into a unified “Total TV” ecosystem where linear, streaming and CTV inventory are sold, targeted and measured together. For local media sellers and agencies, that means shifting from selling GRPs and dayparts to selling audiences and impressions across platforms, using tools like dynamic ad insertion, new streaming ad formats and unified campaign automation. CTV and OTT now deliver real-time, digital-style metrics—reach, frequency, completion rates and attribution—that let local outlets compete more directly with search and social for performance-driven budgets. AI is beginning to power optimization, data onboarding and contextual targeting, creating efficiency and better campaign results, and giving local media a more sophisticated, data-backed story to take into every client meeting.

As a sales leader, it’s your job to analyze the market and make decisions based on the data available. You must then pass your wisdom and experience to your sales team to develop their skills and motivate them toward success. Sales leaders must understand product fit, as well as the company vision, mission, and culture, to lead their teams to success.