Generative AI now plays a central role in how business buyers research and justify purchases, while buying groups continue to grow and procurement teams gain more control over decisions, according to a new report from Forrester released on January 21, 2026. The findings point to longer, more scrutinized buying cycles that force marketers to adapt … Read more

A new Gartner survey suggests that generative AI tools are changing how people research products and information, but they have not displaced search engines. The data shows that many consumers still lean on Google and social platforms, while AI features often make the research process longer and broader. For marketers, the message is clear. You … Read more

Deal would consolidate major software review platforms under one owner G2 plans to acquire Capterra, Software Advice, and GetApp from Gartner in a deal that would combine four of the most widely used B2B software review platforms. The companies announced the agreement on January 29, 2026, with the transaction expected to close in the first … Read more

New research from LinkedIn shows small business creation is accelerating heading into 2026, defying expectations amid continued economic uncertainty. The professional networking platform reports a 69% year-over-year increase in US members adding “founder” to their profiles, with over half of small business leaders expressing optimism about growth prospects. The data reveals a shift in how … Read more

Global marketers place AI at the center of their plans for 2026, according to new data from the CMO Barometer, a research project from Serviceplan Group, the University of St. Gallen, and Heidrick & Struggles. The study draws on responses from 805 senior marketing leaders across 15 markets and shows how fast AI is moving … Read more

At its annual Adobe MAX conference, Adobe announced the launch of Adobe Firefly Foundry, a service designed to help businesses create proprietary generative AI models trained on their own intellectual property. The company describes the initiative as a way for brands to develop AI tools that reflect their visual identity while maintaining control over data … Read more

The traditional holiday shopping rush is evolving into a longer, more segmented cycle, according to new research from Intuit Mailchimp. The company’s latest report, Holiday Shopping Unwrapped: Marketing Strategies for the Moments That Matter, outlines how the end-of-year sales season now unfolds across seven distinct phases, beginning as early as October and stretching through January. … Read more

Digital channels now account for more than 60% of overall marketing spend, according to new research presented by Gartner at its Marketing Symposium/Xpo this week in Denver. The 2025 CMO Spend Survey, based on responses from over 400 marketing leaders in North America and Europe, found that 61.1% of budgets are now allocated to digital, … Read more

A new report from Intuit Mailchimp, released in collaboration with behavioral research firm Canvas8, suggests that traditional retail calendars are losing relevance as consumer engagement shifts toward a broader and more emotionally driven cycle of shopping. Based on survey responses from over 9,000 consumers across 13 countries, The New E-Commerce Calendar contends that nearly four … Read more