Decoding 2026 hype vs. reality for marketers, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli

After attending CES and NRF's Big Show, Ad Age News Editor E.J. Schultz and Senior Marketing Reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli decipher what industry leaders are saying on stages versus the anxieties they face as the CMO role continues to fundamentally change. From the increasing complexity of AI innovation to how agencies are struggling to differentiate innovation and consumers' hunger for simplicity, hear how 2026 predictions are actually taking shape. Also, what Google's new agentic commerce framework means for brands and lessons on how to get the most out of TikTok Shop. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~ Top marketing takeaways from CES 2026 ~ Trending topics at NRF's Big Show 2026 ~ 5 tips for selling on TikTok Shop ~ Track 2026 Super Bowl ads ~ Buy tickets for Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Summit ~ Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

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Decoding 2026 hype vs. reality for marketers, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli is an episode from Ad Age Ad Lib by Ad Age.

This episode is 27:18 long.

This episode was published on Jan 16, 2026.

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