Hyundai Motor Company kicked off a new global campaign dubbed “Next Starts Now” at the New York International Auto Show earlier this month, a nod to its focus on innovation in mobility and robotics. And as an official FIFA partner and mobility provider, the brand has several World Cup tie-ins planned for the soccer tournament this June—from a new brand ambassador to youth soccer camps to cameos from its robotics team, Atlas and Spot.

We sat down with Hyundai Motor America CMO Sean Gilpin at the auto show to discuss the FIFA partnership, data-driven marketing strategies, brand versus performance, AI efficiencies in media and more.

We also connected with Genesis Motor America CMO Amy Marentic at the show, who joined us for a video interview sharing her marketing goals while at the event, plans for customer growth, the brand's use of professional golf as a marketing tool and what it takes to be competitive in the CMO role.

AI chat platforms increased their share of referral traffic to retail websites by nearly 269% in March 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to new Adobe data. The report looks at how each page or content section of a retailer’s website stacked up, plus how companies can keep up with AI optimization.

When PNC Bank popped up an orange-bricked barbershop outside the Dallas Stars’ home arena with a giant, perfectly coifed mullet adorning the top of it, hockey fans took notice. We spoke with PNC CMO Jenn Garbach following the launch to get the details of the campaign and how it’s using experiential to attract hockey fans.

Lastly, working on a promotional campaign with what promises to be one of the biggest movies this year would be quite a coup for just about any CPG brand. But for Archer Meat Snacks, how it landed the tie-in with Disney’s "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" adds to the accomplishment.

Until next week,