08 May, 2026

Retail Media, Connected Commerce & the New CPG Playbook

A conversation with Mary Katherine “MK” Woltz of Danone on how media is being redefined—from a channel to a growth system. Media Isn’t Supporting Commerce Anymore It’s becoming inseparable from it. For years, retail media was treated as an extension of shopper marketing—a powerful but contained layer focused on conversion. That distinction is disappearing. As […]

6 mins read

Same Industry. Different Experience.

Why Client–Agency Relationships Feel Aligned—Until They Don’t. A new study reveals that the challenge isn’t disagreement—it’s a gap between what’s intended, what’s said, and what’s actually experienced. For years, the industry has told itself the same story. And yet, little seems to change. The question is no longer what people say about these relationships. It’s […]

3 mins read

Media Innovation 2026: From Participation to Impact

The winners of The Internationalist’s 18th Annual Awards for Innovation in Media offer more than a collection of strong ideas—they provide a clear view of how media is evolving. Across categories, markets, and budgets, one theme stands out: media is no longer simply a channel for communication. It is becoming a system for participation, utility, […]

5 mins read

From Performance to Protection: How ROCKWOOL Is Reframing Marketing in a Changing World

In a market defined by pressure on costs, on supply chains, and on expectations, brand performance remains essential. But increasingly, marketing is being asked to do more than communicate performance; it must clarify what it enables and why it matters now. At ROCKWOOL, that shift is taking shape in a deliberate and meaningful way. With […]

8 mins read

Burger King and the Shift from Brand to Participant

Burger King’s latest campaign does something few brands are willing to do. It gives up control. By retiring its long-standing King mascot and placing the crown on its customers, the brand signals a deeper shift—one built over years of operational change, listening, and response. Burger King is putting its guests in the spotlight with a […]

1 min read

Signals of a Changing Media Landscape

Media Innovation Awards 2026 Finalists… This year’s finalists for The Internationalist’s 18th Annual Awards for Innovation in Media reflect more than strong execution—they offer an early read on how media is evolving. If recent years proved that media could perform, this year’s finalists suggest it can participate. Across markets, categories, and approaches, a few clear […]

7 mins read

At 50, Habitat for Humanity Looks Forward: Opening the Door to What Comes Next

Fifty years after its founding, Habitat for Humanity stands at a rare intersection of legacy and urgency. What began as a bold experiment in community-driven housing has grown into a global movement that has helped more than 65 million people access safe, decent, and affordable homes. Yet, as Habitat marks this milestone, the organization is […]

8 mins read

Why Media Excellence Now Means Doing Less — and Doing It Better

Adam Benaroya on strategic simplification, reach plus relevance, and the growing challenge of retail media measurement. In a marketing industry increasingly defined by dashboards, data layers, and expanding channel choices, Adam Benaroya has been advocating something refreshingly counterintuitive: strategic simplification. Over the course of his career — spanning leadership roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Johnson […]

6 mins read

Mr. Clean Comes Out of Retirement: A Lesson in Ageless Brand Advantage

A 68-year-old brand icon briefly retires—then returns with new product ideas and a social media comeback. The message for marketers: longevity and reinvention are not opposites. When Mr. Clean announced his retirement last month, the internet reacted the way it often does when a familiar figure steps away: with nostalgia, curiosity, and a little disbelief. […]

3 mins read

What “Near Me” Search Trends Reveal About Brand Power in Fast-Casual Dining

In marketing, we often look at sales data to understand momentum. But search behavior tells us something earlier. Between November 2023 and December 2025, My Telescope search data shows a dynamic reshuffling of attention in U.S. fast-casual dining — with one brand dominating volume, several surging in growth, and others quietly losing ground. The story […]

3 mins read