September 4, 2025  |  SIGN UP

Jim Cooper
DIGIDAY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

It’s rare that one of our Confessions, in which we trade anonymity for candor, rises to the most-read story of the week.

But an interview with a media exec whose small indie agency’s founder and creative leader hard-helmed the shop into the rocky shoals of AI – to sail clear of business threats – only to sink the ship, really hit home. With all the hype, it’s difficult not to be seduced by the allure of AI sirens for agency execs and to a lesser extent, for now, brand marketers, desperate to stay afloat in these uncertain economic times.

And there are signs that AI may not be the right course to chart. In the intro to the Confessions, we point to an MIT study published last week, which estimates that 95% of organizations implementing AI into their workflows found zero return on their investment.

So, when you hear the siren song of gen AI from an unknown shore, maybe it’s best to have your CHRO tie you to the mast.

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THE CONFESSIONS

Confessions: How an indie agency’s over-reliance on AI drove it out of business

Clients have always wanted more work for less money; now they expect agencies to deliver on that promise through technology. But when tools like ChatGPT aren’t up to the task, it’s up to overworked agency staff to fill in the gaps.

GOOGLE ON TRIAL

Angry and disappointed, if not surprised: The ad industry reacts to the Google search remedies ruling 

“Alphabet’s stock price up 7% after hours — all you need to know about how punitive this is for them,” noted prominent industry consultant Matt Prohaska, who surmised that this decision is reflective of Big Tech overtures toward the current U.S. administration. 

SPONSORED BY CELTRA

How can advertisers help themselves meet the demands of modern marketing?

The real challenge marketing teams face is system-wide: the absence of a connected, end-to-end creative supply chain. Modern marketing demands a system that can support speed, scale and complexity.

ADVERTISING AROUND POLITICS

On Amazon, the ‘Made in USA’ boom fizzles as price wins out

New data from Momentum Commerce, a retail consultancy, shows that searches for “Made in America” products have since collapsed, reverting by July 2025 to nearly identical levels as the prior year. And even at their peak, those searches barely translated into sales.

A MESSAGE FROM DIGIDAY+

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Our monthly virtual editorial sessions give subscribers direct access to Digiday editors and guest insiders unpacking what’s really going on in media and marketing. Subscribe today so you don’t miss the next one.

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THE CREATOR ECONOMY

Three signs the creator economy is at an inflection point for marketers

Creators are breaking out of their role as content partners, showing up across live events, podcasts and more. There’s an ecosystem building around influencer marketing in which marketers are hiring creator agencies of record.

EVOLVING AGENCIES

WPP’s new boss Cindy Rose starts today: Here’s what will be on her to-do list

Her insider-outsider status makes Rose an intriguing pick for the job. She’s seen the holding company giant from within, from without and from the perspective of a client, dating back to her Vodafone and Disney days.

SPONSORED BY FLUENT

How retailers are tapping into non-endemic ad spend

Non-endemic commerce media ads can appear on retailers' sites and apps — in any part of the customer journey where shoppers are engaged. The goal: reaching customers when attention is high and friction is low. Most importantly, these ads don't interfere with a sale.