Lindsey Giardino
Lindsey Giardino is a freelance writer based in Iowa. She's worked with clients ranging in industries from higher education to healthcare to technology and beyond. She dubs herself a lifelong learner, an avid reader, a sub-par cook, and a tries-her-best mom to two little boys.
The New Middle Class of Creators: Not Viral, Not Small, but Profitable
When people consider “creators,” they often think of extremes: either mega-influencers raking in millions of sponsorships, or hopeful aspirants publishing videos into the void. There is a new class of creators: the middle class. This new cadre of creators is quietly shifting the industry between two extremes. These are not the 20 million TikTok…
Cannes Lions 2025 Controversy: Fraud Ads, Fake Data, and the Fight for Integrity
Cannes Lions controversy surrounding several ad campaigns tainted the award’s legacy and the event. While the agencies are still posting their Lions awards with huge captions and salutations, it has become apparent that scam ads can enter such prestigious award events and even win them. Do ad agencies think only of Cannes Lions while creating…
Digital Ad Spend Growth: How Agencies Can Survive and Thrive in the Boom
For years, global spending on digital advertising has been increasing by double-digit percentages, and the trend appears set to continue. In 2024, digital channels surpassed all traditional media combined in terms of advertising spend, and by 2025, the bulk of global ad spending will be allocated to just a few companies: Google, Meta, Amazon, TikTok,…
September Marketing Rundown: 6 Must-Know Stories That Shaped the Month
The September marketing landscape saw both ups and downs, as evolving AI tools emerged to support creators, marketers, and brands. While the partnerships between marketing firms such as IPG and Omnicom have been forming, the brands face backlash from various fronts. Digital platforms are discovering new ad formats and searchability, and the changing landscape for…
Powerful Holiday Marketing Campaigns to Win Hearts & Loyalty
For many years, the holidays were predictable: a surge in shopping in late November, a climax on Christmas, and a fade in January. But in 2025, this rhythm is gone. Shopping does not erupt on Black Friday and die by New Year’s. It extends over weeks, and it becomes a series of micro-moments, each uniquely…
Inclusive Advertising Metrics: Are Your Campaigns Truly Seen?
When was the last time you scrolled through Instagram, binged-watched a show on Netflix or skimmed through YouTube? How many of the ads really grabbed your attention? More importantly, how many ads invoked a feeling of relevance? I tend to think that many more-than-we-realize simply went right by. Not because the ad wasn’t entertaining or…
Gen Z in Marketing Firms is Disappearing from Workspace
Gen Z in marketing has always been an enigma for corporations. While we always discuss reports and stats on Gen Z consumers, today, we are focusing on their contribution to marketing workspaces. A shocking report from Live Data Technologies revealed that staff-level roles at America’s ad and marketing firms have dropped more than 10 percent…
Advertising Management Tools 2025: Real Results vs. AI Hype
The struggle for attention has never been louder—but in 2025. The smartest advertisers do not turn up the volume; instead, they turn the signal on. A new group of advertising management tools helps embed ads in feeds and streams, anticipating what you want before you want it. Not every promise is kept. Some platforms masquerade…
Cowmaxxing, Real-Food, and Avocado Oil Reform the F&B Marketing
The food and beverage industry is going through a phase where consumers push for ‘real food’ on their plates, and that’s how the Cowmaxxing era is blasting the food aisle. Not just ‘cowmaxxing’ but also the inclusion of avocado oil, removal of food dye, and a wave of “clean label” demands have put marketers in…
AI Personalization: The New Determiner in Holiday Shopping for Gen Z Consumers
The holiday shopping season is usually the retail industry’s comfort blanket—a reliable fourth-quarter surge to cover up weaker months. In 2025, that blanket feels thinner, and retailers are bracing for a chill. Sales are expected to grow just 1.2% during November and December, according to eMarketer’s May forecast—below the year’s 1.5% growth rate. Consumers are…