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2026 is shaping up to be a pressure-test year for marketers. Not because one big thing is changing, but because everything is shifting at once. Streaming continues to rewrite “TV.” AI is reshaping how consumers discover and evaluate brands (often before they ever hit an actual website). Political and advocacy budgets are gearing up for a noisier, more competitive market. And across it all, one expectation keeps rising: marketing has to feel relevant at the local level: market by market, neighborhood by neighborhood. We’ll be exploring these trends in a three-part 2026 Trends series, inspired by conversations with Simpli.fi’s Chief Product & Technology Officer, Michael Schoen. Each post breaks down the major shifts we see accelerating this upcoming year, along with the operational changes marketers will need to keep up.

In an era of constant distraction, GSTV has found a rare opportunity: uninterrupted attention. Dave Kovall explains how GSTV’s video network reaches 115 million consumers each month with sound-on, full-motion ads at the gas pump. Backed by eye-tracking data, Dave shares why digital out-of-home is a must for modern marketers and how brands can thrive in these hyper-contextual spaces.

Content Title/ Headline:Mastering Programmatic Advertising | Matt BaileyOverview Copy:Matt Bailey, Lead Instructor and Founder at SiteLogic, joins David McBee on Simpli.fi TV to discuss programmatic advertising training, analytics, and industry misconceptions. He shares insights on how his LinkedIn course has helped both new and experienced media buyers better understand the complexities of programmatic advertising. Matt highlights the importance of hands-on optimization, fraud prevention, and leveraging analytics to drive better campaign performance. Packed with real-world success stories, this conversation is essential for agencies, brands, and media buyers looking to refine their programmatic advertising strategies.Meta Description:Discover expert insights from Matt Bailey on Simpli.fi TV. Learn how programmatic advertising training, analytics, and optimization can improve your digital marketing success.Focus Keyphrase:Programmatic advertising training insightsSEO Title:Mastering Programmatic Advertising Training Insights

Hernan Vazquez, CEO and founder of Scale Driven Join Simpli.fi TV host David McBee as he sits down with Hernan Vazquez, CEO and founder of Scale Driven, to discuss the world of connected TV advertising. In this insightful interview, Hernan shares his expertise on leveraging connected TV to reach new audiences and drive business growth. From practical advice for brands new to TV advertising to strategies for effective CTV commercials, Hernan offers valuable insights that can transform your marketing approach. Discover how businesses of all sizes can harness the potential of connected TV advertising to enhance brand visibility, engage with audiences, and drive meaningful results.

Bear Newman, President and Co-founder of Bear Fox Marketing In this episode of Simpli.fi TV, host David McBee interviews Bear Newman, an SEO expert, about strategies for achieving SEO success and staying ahead of the ever-changing digital landscape. Bear shares insights on the importance of asking "what if" in SEO, focusing on ROI, building trust with authoritative content, and adapting to AI-driven changes in search algorithms. Discover how Bear's unique perspective and practical advice can help SEO professionals excel in their field.

Bryant Powell, Associate Director of Social Media Omnichannel Capabilities at Bristol Myers Squibb Join host Ann Kraus for a conversation with Bryant Powell, a marketer and podcaster, about the importance of social audio presence for companies. Bryant shares statistics highlighting the growth of podcasting and its effectiveness in increasing brand awareness. He also discusses how podcasting can help organizations establish an authentic brand voice. Bryant provides insights on how agencies can start their own podcasts, emphasizing the need for client education, persistence, and creating engaging content. He also offers advice on finding compelling stories and the importance of asking "why" in podcast interviews. The conversation wraps with some notes on social listening and its role in shaping brand messaging.

Tommy Walker, author of Mindset Secrets for Entrepreneurs Tommy Walker, the mind behind "Mindset Secrets for Entrepreneurs," talks about the subconscious barriers hindering business growth. With 26 years as an entrepreneur and 14 years as a coach, Walker shares his insights into common roadblocks faced by entrepreneurs, from negative self-images to challenges in communication and ingrained beliefs about money. Delving deeper, Walker discusses the evolving role of AI in business, emphasizing its use as a tool rather than a crutch.

Sam Swirsky, Brand Strategist at Acquisition.com In this insightful interview, Sam Swirsky, a LinkedIn expert, reveals the untapped power of LinkedIn for B2B success. He discusses how the platform, often underestimated, can lead to significant business advantages. Sam emphasizes the importance of personal branding for businesses and shares the strategies employed by industry leaders. Discover how companies can empower their employees to enhance their personal brands, ultimately benefiting the entire organization. Sam also provides valuable tips on generating a hundred pieces of engaging content and highlights the synergy between employee and employer in building a strong online presence.

Angela Marsh, Senior Growth Strategist at Venus et Fleur In this insightful conversation between David McBee and Angela Marsh, the challenges and strategies of modern brand marketing are explored in the context of the shifting digital landscape of 2023. Angela Marsh, an experienced marketer, delves into the evolving complexities of growth marketing, highlighting the need for brands to reevaluate their approach due to changing consumer behaviors and emerging technologies. The discussion emphasizes the significance of a diversified marketing strategy that combines storytelling through a full-funnel approach, leveraging platforms like CTV (Connected TV) for re-targeting, and incorporating attribution tools for informed decision-making. Angela's valuable insights provide a glimpse into the dynamic world of brand marketing in an era of constant change and innovation.

David Forman, Chief Operating Officer at Clarity Creative Group Digital marketing expert David Forman discusses the world of paid media and its continued relevance in the era of social media dominance. With a focus on Google Ads and Microsoft Bing Ads, he delves into the key components of running a successful paid digital advertising campaign. Emphasizing buyer intent keywords and aligning ad content with the target audience's interests, David sheds light on the importance of ad quality scores and landing page relevance. He also explores the latest updates in Google AdWords, including AI-driven dynamic ads and Performance Max campaigns. As a bonus, David shares valuable tips for paid search managers to optimize their strategies and achieve better results.

Tony Guarnaccia, Head of Growth, Castocity Tony Guarnaccia discusses the growing popularity of podcasts and their potential for brand marketing. He explains how podcasting has gained momentum, and how it presents an opportunity for brands to differentiate themselves in an oversaturated and fragmented marketing landscape. He emphasizes the importance of content creation and leveraging podcasts to build influence. Tony highlights successful brand podcasting examples like HubSpot, which has built a network of podcasts to demonstrate thought leadership and engage their target audience. He share’s his “4 P’s” formula for success and suggests that agencies can start by helping executives become guests on relevant podcasts, which can then lead to launching their own branded shows. He introduces his upcoming book series that provides insights for both podcast hosts and guests, offering strategies for maximizing the impact and revenue potential of podcasting.

Joey Lowry, Digital Marketing Specialist at Media Shark In this episode of Simpli.fi TV, David and Joey discuss the world of programmatic advertising and CTV. They dive into the dos and don'ts of working with advertisers using these strategies, emphasizing the importance of not assuming expertise and the critical role of creative artwork. Joey shares success stories of clients who have achieved remarkable results through programmatic advertising, showcasing increased landing page submissions and e-commerce rates. He also discusses the mistakes to avoid and highlights the significance of blending programmatic with other tactics like SEO, paid search, and social media.

Mark Savant, Owner of Mark Savant Media Mark Savant is an advocate for the impact of podcasting on branding. He emphasizes the significance of establishing an online presence in today's digital landscape, where podcasting serves as a powerful tool for businesses and brands to differentiate themselves. He speaks to the value of consistent content creation, ranging from short clips to longer conversations, and how podcasting helps brands stay relevant and engage with their audience. Mark also shares insights on emerging trends, the importance of networking, and how podcasts can generate new leads and sales. Additionally, he highlights the importance of challenging commonly held beliefs and creating moments of tension to captivate listeners. For those new to podcasting, Mark suggests seeking assistance or guidance from experienced professionals while emphasizing the simplicity of starting a podcast with the right systems in place.

Barrett Matthews, Founder of Media Boss Pro Join host David McBee as he interviews media expert Barrett Matthews, who highlights podcasting as a game-changer, allowing individuals to easily start their own shows and reach a wide audience. He emphasizes that businesses can benefit from corporate podcasts to educate and engage their target market, citing research showing podcast listeners' affinity for business-oriented content. Matthews also recommends other multi-media strategies, such as Roku television, YouTube, e-books, audiobooks, newsletters, print media, and corporate documentaries, to effectively reach different segments of the audience.

Armando Yanez, President of Primary Lens Armando Yanez, an expert in using data for marketing campaigns, explains the importance of data in targeting the right audience. He shares examples of campaigns where data-driven approaches led to increased conversions. Armando discusses the use of geo framing to retarget individuals exposed to billboards and emphasizes aligning conversion metrics with actual store sales. Armando also emphasizes the need to align conversion metrics with actual store sales to accurately measure campaign effectiveness, stating that a comprehensive view of all relevant data elements can prove campaign effectiveness.

Kara Rozek, VP of Media at SPM Marketing In this conversation, David McBee interviews Kara Rozek, a healthcare marketing specialist. They discuss the benefits of specializing in a single industry like healthcare, highlighting the ability to understand common challenges and provide tailored solutions. Kara mentions the importance of using digital tactics such as search, programmatic advertising, and Connected TV to reach healthcare audiences effectively. She also addresses privacy concerns, emphasizing the need to comply with regulations and protect consumer data. Kara concludes by advising marketers to stay informed and adapt to the ever-changing media and marketing landscape.

Augie Johnston, CEO of Vidchops In this conversation between David McBee and Augie Johnston, they discuss the importance of video advertising strategies in 2023. Augie emphasizes the ease and affordability of creating videos with today’s technology, making it a powerful tool for growing businesses. He advocates for online video advertising, including pre-roll videos and user-generated content (UGC), which he believes to be highly effective and cost-efficient. Augie mentions that UGC ads, created by customers using their smartphones, tend to have higher conversion rates. He also introduces Vidchops, a video editing service that helps businesses produce and edit professional-looking videos without the need for a large production crew. Augie shares insights into the types of videos Vidchops edits, such as vertical videos for platforms like TikTok and YouTube, as well as horizontal videos for longer content. He concludes by expressing his passion for the video industry and mentioning his own podcast, The Video Creator Podcast, for further inspiration.

Charity Huff, CEO of January Spring Our guest today is Charity Huff, CEO of January Spring, a digital marketing and advertising agency that works exclusively with niche publishers. Charity has designed and delivered multimedia sales programs working alongside 5,000-plus sales professionals from the media and tech industries over her 25-year career. She and her team have built a proven model of third-party vendor offerings to include offsite digital using a combination of geofencing, device targeting, household targeting, paid social and search marketing. Charity sits on the board of several privately held companies, including Questor, previously known as Swift Communications. Charity, thanks for joining us on Simpli.fi TV.

Adam Mark, Area Manager at 2060 Digital David McBee and Adam Mark speak on the topic of combining search engine marketing (SEM) and programmatic media in digital marketing. The conversation highlights the importance of map rankings for local and regional businesses and how SEM and programmatic media can be used together to improve a client’s campaign. Adam discusses how paid search is a valuable tactic but is not a strategy, and therefore programmatic is typically added to provide more visibility and reach for the client. They also discuss how programmatic and SEM have different roles to play in different industries and how programmatic can help increase direct search for clients.

Eric Eden, Co-Founder and CMO of Workverse Eric Eden, host of the "Remarkable Marketing" podcast, discusses key insights from his interviews with top marketing leaders. He highlights how successful marketers leverage diverse strategies, such as combining online advertising with content marketing, influencers, and user-generated content to reduce costs and enhance impact. Eden emphasizes the significance of channels like podcasting and YouTube, noting their cross-generational appeal and effectiveness. He also discusses the transformative potential of AI in marketing, likening its impact to that of the internet boom in the mid-90s.