Can the CMO ever be replaced by a piece of kit? | The ClickZ Digest (1)

PLUS: How to get ChatGPT to recommend your SaaS Brand—without spending a cent

Follow us on LinkedIn

Hi there!

Highlights from today’s newsletter:
 Why most brands get creatives wrong (and how to fix it)
The most effective influencer campaigns are built on fit, not fame
Visual rules to make you stop scrolling

EDITOR’S PICK

#SEO BEST PRACTICES

Want ChatGPT to recommend your SaaS brand—without spending a cent?

This guide breaks down how to train large language models to associate your brand with high-intent queries. It’s not about gimmicks or keywords. It’s about structured messaging, contextual density, and owning the language your ICPs use.

WHAT WE ARE READING

While AI and automation are transforming marketing leadership, CMOs remain indispensable for defining brand purpose, forging emotional connections, and providing vision that technology cannot replicate.

The role is shifting from execution to orchestration, requiring fluency in data, creativity, and technological systems. Marketers who adapt to these tools gain relevance, but human judgment, insight, and relationship-building remain essential for competitive, differentiated brands.

AI agents are transforming search and advertising by becoming essential intermediaries in digital consumer journeys, prompting marketers to shift from traditional paid ads to optimizing AI-driven content, product feeds, and direct agent integrations.

Marketers must understand evolving search behaviors and prepare foundational strategies to adapt effectively. AI agents present both challenges and opportunities for targeting, personalization, and consumer trust in eCommerce and beyond.

The most effective influencer campaigns hinge on brand-audience fit, not celebrity, integrating macro, mid-tier, and micro-tier creators for targeted reach and higher engagement.

Brands prioritizing audience alignment, authentic storytelling, and deliberate scaling yield stronger business outcomes. Marketers benefit by treating influencer marketing as a core, insight-driven pillar within broader brand strategies.

️ Your Invite to The Lead Summit 2025 — On Us

The Lead Summit is where iconic brands, high-growth disruptors, and cutting-edge tech come together to shape the future of commerce, marketing, and innovation.

As an official partner, ClickZ is excited to extend a special offer to our readers

 Work at a brand or retailer? You can attend for FREE.
Just add our name “ClickZ” in the “how did you hear about us?” field when registering.
 Register Here — Complimentary Brand/Retail Pass

 Not a brand or retailer? We’ve got you covered too.
Use this link to get 25% off your ticket

Want to share your journey — or just chat about what’s next in retail?

See you in NY!

TOP VOICE

INSIGHTS FROM SABENA SURI
INSIGHTS FROM JUAN CAMPDERA

WHAT WE ARE LISTENING TO

ECOM GROWTH INSIDER

Camilo Castaeda discusses the primary creative pitfalls hindering growth for eCommerce brands, emphasizing the need for customer-centric ad messaging and rigorous research rather than brand-focused content.

He explains how AI-generated creatives, while cost-efficient for testing, remain inferior to authentic human-driven content. For founders, adopting a media production mindset is essential to compete effectively in an evolving paid social landscape.

Subscribe to get your daily business insights

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy
Report | Digital Transformation

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy

2y

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Exp...

Customers decide fast, influenced by only 2.5 touchpoints – globally! Make sure your brand shines in those critical moments. Read More...

View resource
Announcement Alert from Lee Arthur
Weekly briefing | Digital Transformation

Announcement Alert from Lee Arthur

2y

Announcement Alert from Lee Arthur

Announcement Alert!! Read More

View resource
The 2023 B2B Superpowers Index
Whitepaper | Digital Transformation

The 2023 B2B Superpowers Index

3y

The 2023 B2B Superpowers Index

The Merkle B2B 2023 Superpowers Index outlines what drives competitive advantage within the business culture and subcultures that are critical to succ...

View resource
Impact of SEO and Content Marketing
Whitepaper | Digital Transformation

Impact of SEO and Content Marketing

3y

Impact of SEO and Content Marketing

Making forecasts and predictions in such a rapidly changing marketing ecosystem is a challenge. Yet, as concerns grow around a looming recession and b...

View resource