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CMO Navigator: Rethinking Marketing in the Age of AI

January 2026
Marketing

BUSINESS GROWTH INSPIRES AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK

Despite consumers’ pessimistic views on the economy, CMOs’ outlook is largely optimistic as a result of positive business performance.

Tariff and trade volatility have not (yet?) impacted brands’ business results, but it is informing slight caution. As a vast majority of businesses report positive business performance, differentiation is sought in increasing investments in brand.

LEANING ON AI TO DELIVER ON A WIDENING MARKETING MANDATE

Redesigning marketing in the age of AI is the new mission of CMOs. The scope of marketing responsibilities keeps growing as business matures. CMOs forecast a radically transformed business landscape and will pursue transformation initiatives to better prepare their organizations to thrive in it.

HOW AI IS RESHAPING CMO STRATEGIES

In a very dynamic environment, CMOs are facing different challenges depending on the contexts in which their brands operate. AI is having a profound impact on all CMOs’ strategies regardless of their specific approaches, and its adoption is the common denominator among them.

The desire to lean into uncharted territories is likely leading CMOs to seek support outside their organization.

PARTNERING WITH SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT IP

CMOs are increasing their investment in a variety of entertainment partnership opportunities to strengthen their connections with consumers.In addition to IP partnerships, CMOs are making sure their brands are present in the spaces and communities where entertainment is adapted and discussed. CMOs are divided on whether entertainment IP, as a means for brands to engender loyalty, will be affected by increasing reliance on AI or not.

MEDIA TRANSFORMATION IN THE ALGORITHMIC ERA

CMOs are turning to media to bridge their brands' worlds and their consumers’ worlds. Artificial intelligence is top of mind for CMOs, but they need guidance to focus on the right opportunities. Despite strong consensus on the importance of attention, its impact across NextGen video has been unclear until now.

A NEW BREED OF GLOBAL CMO: THE PERCEPTIVE CMO

Perceptive CMOs are more aligned with consumers when it comes to how brands should connect with entertainment. Perceptive CMOs drive better business results by living at the intersection of consumer wants and business needs. Perceptive CMOs invest more in innovation, business transformation and net new portfolios of offerings than their peers. Perceptive CMOs are more likely to see media that connects with culture as a way to garner consumer attention and drive growth.

Contents:

  1. Executive Summary
  2. Business Growth Inspires an Optimistic Outlook
  3. Leaning on AI to Deliver on a Widening Marketing Mandate
  4. How AI is Reshaping CMO Strategies
  5. Partnering with Sports & Entertainment IP
  6. Media Transformation in the Algorithmic Era
  7. A New Breed of Global CMO: The Perceptive CMO
  8. Key Takeaways

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CMO Navigator: Rethinking Marketing in the Age of AI

January 2026
Marketing

BUSINESS GROWTH INSPIRES AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK

Despite consumers’ pessimistic views on the economy, CMOs’ outlook is largely optimistic as a result of positive business performance.

Tariff and trade volatility have not (yet?) impacted brands’ business results, but it is informing slight caution. As a vast majority of businesses report positive business performance, differentiation is sought in increasing investments in brand.

LEANING ON AI TO DELIVER ON A WIDENING MARKETING MANDATE

Redesigning marketing in the age of AI is the new mission of CMOs. The scope of marketing responsibilities keeps growing as business matures. CMOs forecast a radically transformed business landscape and will pursue transformation initiatives to better prepare their organizations to thrive in it.

HOW AI IS RESHAPING CMO STRATEGIES

In a very dynamic environment, CMOs are facing different challenges depending on the contexts in which their brands operate. AI is having a profound impact on all CMOs’ strategies regardless of their specific approaches, and its adoption is the common denominator among them.

The desire to lean into uncharted territories is likely leading CMOs to seek support outside their organization.

PARTNERING WITH SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT IP

CMOs are increasing their investment in a variety of entertainment partnership opportunities to strengthen their connections with consumers.In addition to IP partnerships, CMOs are making sure their brands are present in the spaces and communities where entertainment is adapted and discussed. CMOs are divided on whether entertainment IP, as a means for brands to engender loyalty, will be affected by increasing reliance on AI or not.

MEDIA TRANSFORMATION IN THE ALGORITHMIC ERA

CMOs are turning to media to bridge their brands' worlds and their consumers’ worlds. Artificial intelligence is top of mind for CMOs, but they need guidance to focus on the right opportunities. Despite strong consensus on the importance of attention, its impact across NextGen video has been unclear until now.

A NEW BREED OF GLOBAL CMO: THE PERCEPTIVE CMO

Perceptive CMOs are more aligned with consumers when it comes to how brands should connect with entertainment. Perceptive CMOs drive better business results by living at the intersection of consumer wants and business needs. Perceptive CMOs invest more in innovation, business transformation and net new portfolios of offerings than their peers. Perceptive CMOs are more likely to see media that connects with culture as a way to garner consumer attention and drive growth.

Contents:

  1. Executive Summary
  2. Business Growth Inspires an Optimistic Outlook
  3. Leaning on AI to Deliver on a Widening Marketing Mandate
  4. How AI is Reshaping CMO Strategies
  5. Partnering with Sports & Entertainment IP
  6. Media Transformation in the Algorithmic Era
  7. A New Breed of Global CMO: The Perceptive CMO
  8. Key Takeaways