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Welcome to The Brief by Kuro House, where we dive deep into the most compelling stories shaping marketing, media, and creativity. Today, we’re unpacking fresh changes in leadership at a major CPG, a bold new retail media innovation, and two opportunities to recognize the industry’s brightest minds. Plus, we’ll take a look at the sweeping trends that are redefining the media landscape. Let’s get right into it.

First up, from Adweek: Charisse Hughes, the Chief Growth Officer at Kellanova—formerly known as Kellogg’s—is stepping down after the company’s recent deal with Mars. Hughes, who joined the company as CMO in 2020, played a pivotal role as Kellanova navigated the pandemic’s economic challenges. She helped steer the brand through plummeting margins and strategic price hikes to manage inflation and maintain sales. In 2022, she took on the role of chief brand and advanced analytics officer, before becoming chief growth officer in 2023. Her departure leaves a notable gap, and a Kellanova spokesperson has declined to specify who will now direct marketing for the company’s brands. Hughes’ exit marks a significant leadership change at a time when Kellanova is still stabilizing post-pandemic, and it will be interesting to see how the company’s marketing direction evolves in the coming months.

Next, also from Adweek: Albertsons is shaking up retail media with a new ad format that aims to simplify the path from ad impression to purchase. The grocery giant is rolling out a beta program for “Add-It”—an offsite ad unit that lets consumers add promoted products directly to their online shopping carts at Albertsons-owned stores, including Safeway, Albertsons Market, and ACME Market. The key innovation? The ads feature a “save to cart” prompt, and clicking the ad drops the product into the shopper’s cart without redirecting them away from the content they’re browsing. Evan Hovorka, VP of product innovation at Albertsons Media Collective, explained that this seamless experience is designed to reduce friction and keep consumers engaged, even as they shop. It’s a clever move that could set a new standard for retail media, blending convenience for shoppers with measurable results for brands.

Turning now to the big picture: Adweek has identified “The 7 Media Trends That Defined 2025,” and the headline is clear—2025 is the year the media industry reorganized itself around artificial intelligence. Through interviews with senior executives at ten major publishers, Adweek reveals that AI didn’t just become a useful tool; it fundamentally restructured workflows, revenue models, and even how content is distributed. Search traffic is down, while live events and commerce media are on the rise. Creator-driven content is becoming more professionalized, and publishers are rethinking their strategies and partnerships to adapt. The consensus? The sector is actively reinventing its foundation, and AI is at the heart of it. For marketers and media professionals, this means staying agile, experimenting with new formats, and keeping a close eye on how AI continues to reshape the industry.

Now, if you’re looking to spotlight creative excellence, nominations are open for the 2026 ADWEEK Creative 100. Back for its 12th year, this prestigious list celebrates the top creative minds across marketing, advertising, media, and entertainment. Past honorees have included luminaries like Jon Chu, Vince Staples, and Zendaya. This year’s categories range from agency creative leaders and rising talent, to brand innovators, media and streaming visionaries, directors, celebrities, creators, and visual artists. The Creative 100 recognizes those who have shaped culture through their work—whether that’s in advertising, social media, filmmaking, or visual art. Nominations are open until February 13, 2026, and there’s a strict no-repeat-winners policy, so check the list before submitting. If you have questions, reach out to awards@adweek.com.

And finally, Adweek has launched a new award: Architects of Culture. This accolade is designed to recognize senior leaders in marketing, advertising, and technology who are actively building environments where emerging talent can thrive from day one. Whether these leaders work in HR, culture, or people departments, or support their company’s culture through ERGs and voluntary efforts, they are the architects of resourceful, thoughtful workplaces that serve as launchpads for long, successful careers. Nominees must have been in their roles for at least 12 months, and winners will be featured in Adweek’s March issue, both in print and online. There’s no entry fee, and the deadline to submit is January 16, 2026. For more information, you can contact pj.bernacki@adweek.com.

That wraps up today’s episode of The Brief by Kuro House. Whether you’re tracking leadership changes, testing new ad formats, or looking to celebrate creative and cultural leadership, there’s plenty to keep you inspired and informed. Stay sharp, stay curious, and we’ll catch you next time.