CES 2025: Marketing’s AI Revolution or Just Smoke and Mirrors? Top CMOs Weigh In

Plus: Why is Twitch viewership at a 4 year low?

Author

Ryan Pearson
January 13th, 2025 • Read: 3 minutes

Happy Monday! It’s a bright and chilly morning here in LA, and there’s plenty happening in the world today. From Lil Baby’s chart-topping success with his new single WHAM to the big box office win of Den of Thieves 2, it’s an exciting day in the entertainment world. Plus, CES 2025 is making waves with key takeaways for marketers, while Walmart unveils its biggest update in nearly two decades.

There’s also a lot happening in the world of tech and business, like Meta scaling back its DEI initiatives and Amazon’s similar moves, along with the discussion of whether Twitch viewership has hit a new low. Fashion and luxury also take the spotlight, with The State of Fashion: Luxury report shedding light on shifting trends. From cutting-edge tech to the latest in fashion, let’s dig in!

- Ryan

1. 🏆 Lil Baby earns his fourth No. 1 with 'WHAM'

Lil Baby claims his fourth No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with his new track, "WHAM." The achievement further cements his status as a leading force in contemporary rap music.

2. 🎬 Box Office: ‘Den of Thieves 2’ opens to winning $15.5M; ‘Moana 2’ nears $1B globally

The action-packed sequel to Den of Thieves has earned a solid $15.5M in its opening weekend, led by stars Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr and Disney's Moana 2 is swiftly approaching the $1B mark globally, with fans flocking to see the return of Dwayne Johnson and Auli'i Cravalho. The movie's impressive performance highlights the ongoing appeal of the beloved franchise.

3. 📉 Meta drops DEI initiatives while Amazon scales them back

Meta has significantly scaled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, citing cost-cutting measures. This shift reflects a broader trend in Big Tech, raising concerns about the future of workplace equity.

4. 📉 Is Twitch viewership at its lowest point in four years?

Twitch saw its lowest viewership in over four years in December 2024, with 1.58 billion hours watched—an 11% drop compared to previous years. Despite this, the platform experienced a surge in new streamers and channels going live, indicating a shift in content creation but raising questions about long-term viewer retention.

5. 🤖 CES was a giant exercise in AI gaslighting

At CES, companies presented cutting-edge AI tech, but critics argue it was an exaggerated display designed to create hype rather than real innovation. This event highlights how tech industry players, including major corporations, use the allure of AI to shape perceptions and influence consumer expectations.

6. 🚀 CES 2025—8 CMOs share their favorite tech takeaways from the conference

Eight top CMOs spotlight emerging tech trends from CES 2025, from AI-driven customer experiences to sustainable innovations, shaping the future of marketing. Their insights highlight the strategies brands must embrace to stay ahead in an evolving digital landscape.

7. 🚀 CES 2025—10 key takeaways for marketers

More from CES….X CEO Linda Yaccarino introduced "Trend Genius," an AI-driven tool designed to enhance ad campaigns by automatically linking them to trending topics. This innovation underscores X's commitment to integrating advanced AI technologies into its advertising platform.

8. 🛒 Walmart’s bluer new brand is its biggest update in nearly two decades

Walmart debuted a modernized logo and branding overhaul, incorporating a brighter blue and yelloW palette to signal innovation and adaptability.

9. 🌴 Talk turns to ‘L.A. 2.0’

The article discusses the ambitious plans for Los Angeles as it prepares for the 2028 Olympics. Officials are focused on transforming the city with infrastructure upgrades, including a $1.5 billion renovation of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and sustainable housing projects, aiming to ensure long-term benefits. These efforts aim to reshape L.A.'s global image, balancing modernizing the city while staying mindful of its cultural and economic impacts.

10. 💎 The State of Fashion: Luxury

The luxury fashion market is poised for growth, with key insights from McKinsey & Company and The Business of Fashion, driven by shifting consumer behavior and sustainability concerns.

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