AI is raising a lot of questions in marketing, not the least of which is how agencies and brands work together. Will AI replace agency roles? Should clients expect lower costs as workflows become automated? Does AI make it easier for brands to bring work in-house?

Angelina Eng takes a deep look at these and other questions and has solid suggestions for brands and agencies.

Do you ever run polls on LinkedIn? Almost certainly not, as they are used by only 0.00034% of users, according to a new survey. You probably should. Polls achieve the highest reach of any LinkedIn format (206% above average) and the site’s algorithms love them. Find out more in our guide to marketing on everyone’s favorite B2B networking site.

Constantine von Hoffman
Managing Editor

 
Semrush Spotlight event: One-day accelerator for your marketing career on October 29, 2025, in Amsterdam. Buy your €149 pass now.

Marketing artificial intelligence (AI)

What AI means for the future of agency-brand partnerships

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Workflows are changing. Expectations are shifting. But agency value? Still strong — if both sides are ready to evolve.

Connected TV and OTT

How to make CTV ads that stick

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From heartstrings to humor — see what makes CTV creative click in 2025, and how to test and measure what really works.

Customer experience

5 areas where businesses need to improve their customer experience

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Customers lose faith in brands when they feel they're putting in too much effort.

Performance marketing

26 A/B testing ideas

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These 26 A/B test ideas help marketers improve what happens after the click—from landing pages to CTAs and conversion flows.

B2B marketing

Marketing on LinkedIn: What you need to know

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Your guide to LinkedIn's tools, strategies and best practices. Updated with data on the little-used feature that LinkedIn's algorithm loves.

Run more profitable influencer campaigns with Semrush Influencer Analytics. Try it free.

Marketing management

How tariffs impact retail sales and ad spending, and why 2025 might be different

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Advertisers are worried tariffs will take a bite from their budgets. What does recent history have to say?

B2C marketing

Your 2025 Marketing Playbook? Everyone else already has it

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If your strategies still rely on last year’s playbook, you’re already behind. See what’s driving consumer decisions right now.

Marketing artificial intelligence (AI)

AI and marketing: What the stats show

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Here is a collection of the most useful recent data about the impact and use of artificial intelligence on digital marketing.

On-demand marketing training

The complete MarTech spring season is now available!

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Unlock 45+ on-demand discussions on marketing strategy and solutions to overcome your biggest AI, GTM, ABM, and influencer marketing challenges – yours for free.

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What else we're reading

Good reads and conversations to help good marketers get better.
 

MarTech research

Surveys and research reports to make you a more-informed marketer
 

What they're saying

  • “AI is making it easier for brands to manage more marketing functions internally. From personalization to performance dashboards to media automation, user-friendly platforms are reducing friction. But that doesn’t mean agencies are no longer needed.” – Angelina Eng in What AI means for the future of agency-brand partnerships.
  • “CTV allows you to flex your storytelling muscles. Combine some fun ideation with respect for the data, and you can watch your ideas come to life on the big screen — and have a positive, quantitative impact on your business.” – Sean Nowlin in How to make CTV ads that stick.
 

From Search Engine Land