#49 AI, Marketing & Content

As ever, plenty going on

Let’s get into it!

?? LinkedIn drops auto-badges: "Top Voices" for Collaborative Articles phased out.

?? YouTube expands AI assistant: Conversational AI gains more ground.

?? AI agents surge: Salesforce and HubSpot go all-in on AI-driven automation.

?? Runway fuels AI films: $5M fund to support 100 AI-powered projects.

LinkedIn Axes Popular "Top Voice" Badges

- LinkedIn is retiring the "Top Voice" badges for users contributing to Collaborative Articles, effective October 8, 2024.

- The decision follows user feedback that the system was rewarding non-experts, diluting the credibility of the badge.

- Without the badge incentive, the future of Collaborative Articles looks uncertain as contributions may decrease.

Takeaway for Marketers:

If your content strategy involves LinkedIn’s Collaborative Articles, brace for a potential dip in engagement.

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YouTube Expands Access to AI Chatbot for Premium Android Users in the U.S.

- YouTube’s conversational AI tool, accessible via an “Ask” button, is expanding to Premium members on Android in the U.S.

- The bot helps users ask questions and explore topics related to video content but is still in limited rollout.

- While usage is low for now, future generations accustomed to AI tools may see higher adoption.

Takeaway for Marketers:

If you’re focused on YouTube, start thinking about how to optimize your content for AI-driven interactions. This tool may be niche for now, but its potential to shape discovery and engagement is only growing.

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Salesforce and HubSpot Double Down on AI Agents to Revolutionize Customer Support

- Salesforce introduced "Agentforce," allowing businesses to create custom AI agents to handle tasks like customer service and sales coaching.

- HubSpot’s new "Breeze" AI engine features over 80 AI-powered tools, including agents to automate social media, content, and customer workflows.

- Both companies are positioning AI agents as essential tools for 24/7 customer and employee support.

Takeaway for Marketers:

Whether it’s automating prospecting or customer support, marketers should be evaluating how AI agents can free up time and streamline operations.

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Runway Puts $5M Behind AI-Generated Films with New Funding Initiative

- Runway’s new $5M fund will support up to 100 films using AI, with up to $1M available per project.

- Filmmakers retain full ownership, with projects ranging from features to experimental formats eligible.

- Industry experts, including Tribeca co-founder Jane Rosenthal, will provide advisory support to the selected filmmakers.

Takeaway for Marketers:

AI is quickly moving from the tech world to the creative space. Marketers should watch for the first wave of AI-driven content in film, which could open new avenues for branded storytelling or content creation powered by generative tools.