Smarter Media, Better Results: How Marketers Are Rethinking Media ROI

In today’s fragmented media landscape, marketing leaders face more pressure than ever to justify spend, measure impact, and unify strategy across channels and teams. Whether you’re managing campaigns for a national brand, a franchise QSR, or a B2B tech company, the challenge is the same: how do you build smarter media strategies that actually tie back to real business outcomes? We spoke with top experts from Sagepath, Goodway Group, and Look Listen to dig into what’s working, what’s changing, and where media performance and analytics are headed next.

Industry Blogs, Marketing Industry/TrendsSetup - marketing matchmakersJune 30, 2025paid media, brand media, mediaComment

The Top 5 Questions Marketers are Asking in 2025 + How to Find the Answers

At Setup, we don’t just listen, we track patterns, analyze them, and come up with solutions to assist marketers with their challenges. Every year, our Marketing Relationship Survey gathers insights from brand and agency marketers to identify the core challenges, shifts, and opportunities in the client–agency relationship. These aren’t hypotheticals; they’re real-time questions marketing leaders are actively asking. And your answers help drive the industry's evolution.

The Rise of AI in 2025: Leveraging your Tech Stack While Preserving Human Connection

Is AI stripping consumers of excitement? Is there unconscious bias in AI? How can marketers stand out while using the same tech stack?

In conversations with marketing leaders in the high-tech and innovation sector, adopting AI is not the challenge. The future belongs to teams who adapt to AI while investing in human elements like curiosity, connection, and inspiration.

A New Era for Innovation | Navigating the High-Tech Landscape

Advancements in AI over the last few years have shifted customer expectations. With all of this power and access, however, comes more responsibility on marketers to lead with intention and care. Explore the biggest shifts in High-tech + Innovation and how marketing leaders can act accordingly.

Marketing Industry/TrendsSetup - marketing matchmakersMarch 25, 2025high-tech + innovationComment

Why Chemistry Matters When Choosing a Marketing Agency

When it comes to picking an agency, chemistry between brands and agencies is often overlooked in the selection process, but it’s one of the biggest indicators of long-term success. Yes, you need a business partner with the right capabilities and experience, but when it comes down to the final candidates, chemistry is what truly sets long-term partners apart.

Top 5 Growth Strategies for Agencies in 2025

The path to growth for marketing Agencies in 2025 is no longer about simply acquiring new Clients; it’s about scaling effectively. With evolving Client demands, technological advancements, and increasing competition, Agencies must focus on strategies that enable sustainable and efficient expansion.

Based on insights from Setup’s research, expert advice, and industry trends over the last 10 years, here are five key strategies to help Agencies scale effectively in 2025.

Super Bowl LIX: 2025 Marketing Ad Champions + Fumbles

Super Bowl LIX wasn’t just about football—it was a masterclass in marketing. Each year, brands gamble big (to the tune of $8 million per 30-second ad) for a chance to capture the nation’s attention. With such high stakes, the challenge isn’t just making a good ad—it’s making an ad that resonates long after the final whistle blows.

This year, amid a landscape of economic uncertainty and shifting consumer sentiment, many brands leaned away from risk-taking and played it safe. "Nowstalgia"—pairing rising stars with established icons—dominated, while humor, celebrity cameos, and absurdist comedy took center stage. And while some brands nailed it, others flopped despite their star-studded casts.

Overcome Challenges + Master Agency Growth in 2025

As competition intensifies and Clients get more selective about what they want, Agencies must navigate hurdles that directly affect their ability to meet Client expectations and learn to adjust. Let’s dive into the core obstacles Agencies are tackling this year, why they’re critical to address, and practical strategies to stay ahead in an ever-changing industry.

How to Choose the Right Marketing Agency in 2025

Choosing the right marketing Agency in 2025 is about more than finding a vendor—it’s about building a partnership that can adapt to your needs, communicate effectively, and drive long-term results. Start with clear goals, leverage trusted referrals, and prioritize compatibility and communication. Remember, the right Agency won’t just execute campaigns—they’ll act as an extension of your team, helping your Brand navigate challenges and seize opportunities.

Marketing Agency Matchmaking: What Clients Crave in Agency Partnerships

While our previous blogs recapping the Marketing Relationship Survey highlight key communication tactics and needs to sustain and improve the Agency-Client relationships, today we’re simply asking: What kind of work is getting noticed and needed by Clients, and what should Agencies prioritize?

The Breakup Blueprint: Fixing Agency-Client Relationships Before They Fail

In the 6th annual Setup Marketing Relationship Survey, we uncovered that 40% of Clients intended to switch Agencies in the next 6 months. Although this is significantly less from previous years, the sentiment remains the same: Clients desire more from their Agency partners. This blog breaks down exactly what Clients desire from their Agency partners and how the two parties can work together to create harmonious relationships.

The Truth About Agency Breakups: What Clients + Agencies Really Think

The Setup Marketing Relationship Survey revealed that 40% of Clients surveyed will switch Agency partners in the next six months. This is consistent with our 2023 survey results where Ad Age concluded that more reviews may be coming. Why are reviews coming and what could make the Agency-Client relationship stronger?