The Setup Pulse: Trends CMOs Need to Know Right Now

Welcome to the Setup Pulse for Brands and Agency marketers alike! Every other week, we’ll provide three trending topics in the Marketing industry, as well as a new story that you will want to get your eyes on.

Read about what’s being talked about this week!

On Your Mark…Get Set…SPRINT! 

Agencies are increasingly using sprint models to deliver focused, high-quality work within short timeframes, catering to Clients' demands for speed + agility. These 1-8 week cycles allow Agencies to respond quickly to market shifts + Client needs. For Clients, sprint models offer quicker results, while Agencies benefit from streamlined operations + more continuous project engagement​.

Honey I Shrunk the Client Team

Marketing Agencies are seeing increased budgets as Client-side teams shrink due to the rise of AI + economic pressures. Companies are outsourcing tasks like media buying + content creation, with 78% planning to maintain or boost their Agency spending. This shift lets Agencies handle more operations while Clients focus on strategy.

Pitch Disruption - Lay Off the Layoffs! 

Agency pitches are increasingly disrupted by Client team reorganizations or layoffs mid-process, leading to shifting priorities + new decision-makers. Agencies often have to adjust their strategies on the fly, making it hard to maintain consistency + focus​. To adapt, Agencies are using flexible approaches like "shadow pitch teams" to stay ready for sudden Client changes + keep the pitch on track​.

New + Noteworthy

Small, but Mighty: David Strikes Goliath Again

Brands like GM + Häagen-Dazs are choosing smaller agencies for their specialized expertise + quick turnarounds. This shift reflects the growing demand for flexibility + niche creativity over the broader approach of large agencies.

Ad Of The Week

College Football is back + GameChange is helping fans support their favorite teams with a fresh twist—rounding up everyday purchases to donate to college athletic programs. Created by The Variable, this sustainable giving platform is designed to ease financial pressures on college sports by harnessing the power of micro-donations. This innovative model could inspire other campaigns to build long-term engagement + funding by leveraging fan passion.

Come back soon for the next “Setup Pulse” where we give you quick trend and campaign reports! If you want more in-depth industry content, including interviews by CMOs and Marketing Executives, subscribe to our Newsletter below!