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Welcome to The Brief by Kuro House, your daily shot of marketing insight to keep you sharp and ahead of the curve. Today, we’re diving into some of the most provocative and detailed stories shaping the industry as we close out the year and look to what’s next. From the stubborn persistence of classic marketing tactics, to the CMOs set to define 2026, let’s get you up to speed.
Let’s start with a piece from Adweek titled “Marketing Loves Declaring the End of Things That Still Work.” Sir Martin Sorrell, the legendary ad man, recently sparked debate by declaring, “There is no such thing as PR anymore.” His argument? In the digital age, storytelling is about “flooding the internet with content,” making traditional earned media obsolete. But PR professionals were quick to point out the irony—Sorrell made this claim on a flagship radio program, using classic PR tactics to shape the narrative. This is a pattern in marketing, where industry leaders love to predict the death of their own disciplines. Scott Galloway once declared “the era of brand is over,” Gary Vaynerchuk has been reading TV advertising its last rites for years, and Raja Rajamannar from Mastercard announced that all of advertising “as we know it” was dead. Yet, history shows us these pronouncements rarely stick. Radio was declared finished in 1950, but today, it still generates $18 billion annually in the U.S., having evolved into podcasting and other formats. The VCR was once called the “Boston Strangler” of the film industry, but home video became a revenue mainstay. Email marketing is pronounced dead with each new platform, yet it remains the digital channel with the highest ROI. The lesson? Marketing tactics don’t die—they evolve. As we approach 2026, expect PR, SEO, branding, and advertising to persist, adapt, and thrive. The real story isn’t death, but the discipline’s stubborn resilience and ability to reinvent itself.
Next up, let’s look at the movers and shakers who’ll define the industry in the coming year. Adweek’s “10 CMOs Set To Make Waves in 2026” offers an in-depth look at marketing leaders facing both headwinds and opportunities. Iqbal, the first-ever CMO for Cadillac Formula 1, steps in at a time when global interest in F1 is peaking, partly due to Netflix’s “Drive to Survive.” His challenge? Translating Cadillac’s American heritage into global relevance and earning credibility with die-hard fans. Over at Mastercard, Jill Kramer takes over from Raja Rajamannar, inheriting a brand known for its “Priceless” platform and strong cultural cachet. Her job is to evolve that legacy while keeping Mastercard innovative and relevant. Jon Halvorson faces a different challenge at Kenvue, the Tylenol maker, after a PR crisis involving allegations about acetaminophen and autism. Despite these claims being widely discredited, Halvorson must reassure consumers and navigate a changing pharma advertising landscape. Meanwhile, Kate Rouch at OpenAI is fresh off a Super Bowl spot for ChatGPT and is tasked with building trust in AI, while Marian Lee at Netflix is expanding the brand into live events, gaming, and possibly integrating Warner Bros Discovery’s iconic franchises. AB InBev’s Marcel Marcondes is doubling down on “culture-first” marketing, integrating master brands into Netflix shows and sponsoring major global events like the FIFA World Cup. On the tech and lifestyle front, Duolingo’s Manu Orssaud is scaling AI-driven marketing, Peloton’s Megan Imbres is prepping for a big creative comeback, and Hinge’s Tamika Young is evolving the brand’s “Designed to Be Deleted” positioning as dating app fatigue rises. Finally, Todd Kaplan at Kraft Heinz is redefining the marketing playbook as the company splits into two entities, pushing creative collaborations and preparing for a major organizational shift. Each of these CMOs faces unique challenges, but all are united by the need to adapt, innovate, and lead in a rapidly changing landscape.
If there’s one thing these stories have in common, it’s the lesson that marketing is less about endings and more about evolution. The headlines might scream “the end of PR,” “the death of TV,” or “the extinction of email,” but the reality is far more nuanced. As 2026 approaches, the industry will keep adapting, with new leaders rising to meet the moment and old tactics finding new relevance.
That’s all for today’s Brief. As we wrap up the year, remember: marketing isn’t about funerals, it’s about reinvention. Whether you’re optimizing email, shaping a brand narrative, or prepping your next big campaign, persistence and adaptability are the real secrets to staying ahead. Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you on the other side of the New Year.
