The advertising world just had its Kodak moment.
Today, WPP — the world's second-largest advertising group — announced a radical restructure to survive the rise of AI. New CEO Cindy Rose is cutting jobs, selling off assets, and merging iconic agencies including Ogilvy, VML, and AKQA under a single umbrella, targeting £500 million in annual savings by 2028.
But this episode isn't just about WPP. It's about what their pain signals for every marketer and agency professional listening right now. If the biggest players in the industry are being forced to rebuild from the ground up, what does that mean for your agency? Your clients? Your career?
We break it all down — and then cover three more signals you need to know this week: Urban Outfitters completely rethinking its influencer strategy with a new micro-creator community program, U.S. Connected TV ad spend surpassing $37 billion as the streaming shift accelerates, and Salesforce doubling down on autonomous AI agents that don't just assist marketers — they execute.
This episode covers:
- What WPP selling assets and cutting jobs actually means for brand marketers and independent agencies
- Why the "Enterprise Solutions" division is the most important part of WPP's announcement
- Urban Outfitters' "Me@UO" program and the shift from influencer reach to community participation
- Why CTV is no longer an emerging channel — and what to do about it
- Salesforce's AI agent bet and the shift from marketing automation to marketing autonomy
- Tool Watch: How CTV advertising is being democratized for smaller brands and agencies
New episodes every week. See you around the campfire.
Marketing Smores Podcast
Welcome to Marketing S'mores, where we ignite the campfire of creativity and innovation in the world of marketing. Hosted by Jacob Campos, this podcast is your go-to guide in the wilderness of today's dynamic marketing landscape.
Each week, we gather around our digital campfire to roast the marshmallows of marketing wisdom. From SEO to social media, content marketing to email strategies, we unpack it all, serving you a delightful mix of insights, tips, and trends. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just setting up your tent, we've got the perfect s'more of knowledge for you.
We also host expert guests who share their unique experiences and strategies, helping you blaze a trail to success. And don't miss our S'mores Q&A, where we answer your burning questions about all things marketing.
So, pull up a log, and join us around the campfire as we explore the world of marketing one s'more at a time.