Digiday Daily

September 04, 2026

As agentic tools developed to aid audience targeting, campaign set-up or media execution proliferate, some agencies are beginning to build tracking or auditing tools. The hope is that they’ll allow staffers to check that AI tools aren’t hallucinating or burning through tokens.

TOP STORY

The Business of AI

Media agencies build audit tools to prevent AI agents from overcharging

Agencies experimenting with agentic buying methods have run into a new problem – estimating the true cost of their agentic systems.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW

Your last chance to save on Digiday Media Awards entries is Sept. 25. Showcase the innovative companies, campaigns and teams modernizing digital media, and join past honorees including The New York Times, People Inc. and PopSugar. Gain recognition for the work moving the industry forward.
Only 18% of CMOs say AI has reduced their reliance on developers or data teams, despite its core promise to free up the modern marketer. The focus is on improving workflows while maintaining the human component of creatives. Partner insights from Contentful.
Mobile gaming loyalty app Mistplay identified mobile gamers who also watched meaningful amounts of streaming content, then leveraged CTV to reach those users beyond the bottom-funnel channels where many app marketers concentrate spend. Partner insights from Nexxen.

MARKETING

The Creator Economy

Future of Marketing: Brands want creators who can win over humans and machines at once

Why creator briefs are starting to look like a map of AI search queries.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM SWAP

The brand guide to the state of agentic commerce

Shoppers are growing more comfortable relying on AI solutions to help them discover and even make purchases. At the center of brands’ emerging strategies to meet these users where they are: the agentic storefront.

THE CREATOR ECONOMY

The Creator Economy

Marketers say usage rights are driving up the price to work with creators

Creator pricing’s biggest hurdle are usage rights, which can create confusion and frustration on every side of the negotiation table.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM TRIPLELIFT

Live session: How brands like Tastemade grow revenue despite platform constraints

On Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. ET, join this webinar to learn how Tastemade, the New York Post and Sports Illustrated are turning audience fragmentation and platform constraints into new revenue opportunities.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM ADOBE

Why marketers need connected insights beyond individual campaigns

Today’s buying journey rarely follows a predictable path. As more buying activity shifts to digital channels, organizations need a clearer understanding of buyer intent across every interaction — not just individual campaigns.

ICYMI

The Creator Economy