Key Marketing Trends from the AMI Digital Summit
Staying ahead in marketing requires continuous learning, which is why the Callis team recently attended the AMI Digital Summit. Hosted by the Agency Management Institute (AMI), this event brings together marketing experts nationwide to discuss the latest trends, technologies and strategies shaping the industry. This year’s summit highlighted several key trends impacting businesses marketing to rural America.
AI Marketing Trends
AI continues to reshape business and marketing, providing new ways to improve efficiency and results.
- AI-Powered SEO Enhancements – AI is improving content strategy by identifying gaps, streamlining content creation, optimizing metadata and analyzing competitor performance, helping businesses refine their search presence.
- Shifts in Search Behavior – With AI-generated summaries now appearing in search results, businesses should keep knowledge bases updated, continue to provide relevant user content and engage in industry forums and platforms like Reddit. Another area to monitor is Bing’s increasing role as an alternative search engine being leveraged by AI tools.
- CRM Automation – AI tools are making it easier to personalize customer interactions, automate follow-ups and track engagement.
- Ad Creation and Testing – AI-powered design and copywriting solutions are making ad refreshes more efficient and effective. Tools can also support and expedite A/B testing.
- Web Development Support – AI is enhancing development workflows by assisting with troubleshooting, code comments and streamlining repetitive tasks. This allows developers to focus on more complex and strategic work.
- Research – AI research assistants, like NotebookLM and Deep Research, are making it easier to analyze large datasets, conduct competitor analysis and generate insights.
AI is advancing quickly, creating new efficiencies while also raising some concerns. Platforms like DeepSeek have sparked discussions about security, while rapid innovation in AI has even influenced stock markets. As these technologies evolve, businesses must be selective in the tools they adopt, balancing opportunity with security. At Callis, we prioritize staying informed on these rapid changes so we can apply AI in ways that are practical, secure and beneficial.
Other Key Marketing Trends
While AI is a major driver of change, other shifts in marketing are also shaping how businesses connect with their audiences.
- Websites and UX – More businesses are adopting headless website solutions for greater customization and faster load times. Enhancements in user experience (UX), performance and accessibility continue to be a priority for top-performing websites and businesses.
- Rising PPC Costs and Ad Fatigue – Increased competition has led to higher ad costs, particularly in industries like healthcare and finance. To keep campaigns effective, businesses should monitor ad frequency, refresh creative regularly and use A/B testing.
- Expanding OTT and Video Advertising Options – As more viewers turn to a growing number of streaming channels over traditional cable and broadcast TV, new opportunities on streaming television platforms are creating additional ways to engage audiences.
- Social Media Updates and Best Practices – Social media is continuously changing. For example, Instagram’s recent shift from a square (1:1) grid to a 4:5 portrait format. To effectively engage audiences through organic and paid media, businesses and marketers must stay current on app updates and algorithmic changes.
By staying informed and adapting to these changes, businesses can build stronger connections with their audiences and maximize their marketing impact.
Staying Ahead with Marketing
Marketing continues to evolve, and businesses that stay informed will gain a competitive advantage. At Callis, we track industry shifts across AI, SEO, web development, digital advertising and more to help our clients stay ahead. If you need a marketing partner who understands where the industry is headed, we’d love to connect.
