Advertising is evolving at lightning speed, and keeping up with new tools, platforms, and customer behaviors can feel overwhelming. What worked in 2024 might not carry the same weight in 2025. That's why it's important to look at where advertising is headed—how AI, social commerce, and immersive experiences are reshaping marketing today—and how to prepare your business for 2026 and beyond. In this guide, we'll break down the most effective advertising trends of 2025, future-proof strategies for the coming years, and tried-and-true marketing methods that will maximize your ROI.
1. AI-Powered Advertising and Personalization
Generative AI has become a cornerstone of modern advertising—86% of brands are using or planning to use it for video ad creation, and by 2026, it's projected to account for 40% of all video ads. AI also drives hyper-personalization, real-time segmentation, predictive analytics, and campaign automation. Blend AI tools with a human creative vision for empathy-driven messaging.
2. Affiliate & Social Commerce—Video-First
Affiliate marketing continues evolving—video-first channels are booming. In markets like Europe, social commerce sees annual growth of 30%, with platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram Shopping thriving. Leverage live shopping and interactive affiliate formats for conversion-driven campaigns.
3. Short-Form Video & Immersive Experiences
Short-form video remains powerful, while long-form and immersive content also hold value—Gen Z, for example, are 17% more likely than average to watch long-form video. According to recent predictions, short-form video, AI customer service, and omnichannel immersion strategies are pivotal in 2025. Moreover, immersive brand experiences that blur the line between physical and digital touchpoints are gaining ground.
4. Programmatic & Connected TV (CTV) Advertising
Programmatic display ads are dominant—expected to hit 90% of global display ad spend by 2026, up from ~80% in 2023. Advertisers also lean heavily into CTV; generative AI is driving personalized, interactive CTV campaigns with real-time data and biddable inventory strategies.
5. Performance-Based Marketing & ROI Focus
Performance marketing—paying only for measurable actions such as leads or purchases (CPL/CPA)—continues to be an ROI-centric favorite. Marketers must deliver measurable outcomes or risk cuts in ad spend. Data-driven campaigns guide budget allocations toward winning channels.
6. First-Party Data & Real-World Brand Building
With tracking restrictions and declining digital ad effectiveness, brands are pivoting to first-party data, community initiatives, and IRL activations like pop-ups and print media to forge real connections. Samsung's Olympics phone campaign exemplified high-ROI, real-world engagement—resulting in a 23% increase in sales.
7. Sustainability & Authentic Storytelling
Consumers, especially younger demographics, value authenticity, transparency, and sustainability. Marketers who align campaigns with purpose and ethics cultivate deeper trust.
8. Integrated, Omnichannel Content Marketing
Traditional content marketing—blogs, videos, podcasts, infographics—continues to drive authority and organic growth. But today, these assets should be integrated across multiple channels and touchpoints to create cohesive, immersive experiences.
What to Plan Now for 2026 and Beyond
Invest in Generative AI Tools & Expertise: Build internal capabilities for content automation and personalization ahead of wider adoption in video and CTV.
Expand Immersive & IRL Engagement: Launch live events, pop-ups, print campaigns, or branded physical activations to complement digital.
Harness Social Commerce: Develop shoppable Instagram and TikTok experiences, with affiliate and live-streamed product content.
Augment with Programmatic & CTV: Secure biddable inventory channels, with real-time optimization and AI-enabled targeting.
Build First-Party Ecosystems: Engage audiences via newsletters, loyalty programs, and community events to collect and activate direct data.
Embrace Sustainability Messaging: Amplify campaigns that align with messaging around environmental or social responsibility authentically.
Adopt Performance-Based Budgeting: Shift more spend to measurable CPL/CPA, scaling successful formats and trimming waste.
Maintain Omnichannel Consistency: Ensure your brand narrative is seamless across content, social, video, email, and offline touchpoints.
The advertising landscape in 2025 is more dynamic than ever, with AI, social commerce, and immersive experiences driving the biggest shifts. Businesses that lean into personalization, measurable performance strategies, and authentic storytelling will not only stay competitive today but also set themselves up for long-term success in 2026 and beyond. Whether you're building brand awareness, generating leads, or maximizing every marketing dollar, the future favors businesses that innovate while staying customer-centric.
If you're ready to put these strategies into action, CMG Local Solutions can help. With expert insights, cutting-edge tools, and a proven track record of helping businesses grow, CMG is your partner in making the most of today's trends and tomorrow's opportunities.
