Three Key Points That Will Shake Marketers and Insight Heads in 2025!

Four parts to this newsletter:

1. Three Key Points That Will Shake Marketers and Insight Heads in 2025!
2. System 1: Unlocking Profitable Growth : A MUST READ book for Entrepreneurs. A video review of the book.
3. You have to be in it to win it. A voice note.
4. The Decision Diary for Founder-CEOs: Interested?

Three Key Points That Will Shake Marketers and Insight Heads in 2025!

The AMA Report on Skills Marketers Need in 2025 is Out.

What does this mean for CEOs, Marketers, and Research & Insights professionals?

You can read the full report on the AMA site.?

(But let's be honest—you probably won't. So, here's my TLDR version).

Here's my take on the three things that will change the way we work right now.

TL;DR – "Too Long, Won't Pivot" Edition

For those who prefer their insights like espresso—short, strong, and slightly bitter (USA sample_:

• Marketing jobs are changing, and most marketers aren't ready.

→ 60% of marketing grads aren't even working in marketing five years later.

→ CMOs are hiring—but they want AI, analytics, and strategy skills.

• Data privacy is killing lazy marketing.

→ Sephora got fined. GDPR fines are in the billions. Consumers are opting out.

→ If your strategy still relies on cookies, enjoy your last crumbs.

• AI isn't just a tool—it's changing how people buy.

→ Gen Z is skipping Google and shopping via AI chatbots.

→ If AI isn't part of your marketing strategy, you're the strategy AI will replace.

THE FULL MONTY (well, at least three key points, in detail !)

For even more detail, download the PDF from AMA's site.

(1) The Global Marketing Talent Crisis Is Here—And It's an Insights Opportunity

• Marketing job openings are down.
• 60% of marketing grads aren't even working in marketing five years later.
• CMOs say they can't find 'qualified' marketing talent.

And this isn't just a U.S. problem:

• In the UK, digital marketing roles are booming, but skills gaps persist.

A report by B2B Marketing highlighted that 70% of UK marketing leaders are concerned about the digital skills gap, particularly in areas like paid social media advertising (71%) and paid search advertising (70%). Source: B2B Marketing

• In India, AI-powered automation is replacing entry-level jobs, and marketing is one of them.

According to a report by Business Standard, India has seen a 15-20% drop in entry-level tech jobs, potentially linked to AI automation. Source: Business Standard. I personally believe it is the same with entry level marketing jobs, getting replaced by Gen AI tools.

• In Southeast Asia, 60% of hiring managers struggle to find marketers with AI and analytics skills.

?? For Marketers: The job market isn't shrinking—marketing itself is evolving. If your skillset is still stuck in 2020, you're already behind.

?? For Insights Teams: CMOs need decision support, not just reports. Insights pros who move from data collection to real-time business strategy will be in demand - and I reckon a lot will be insourced.

(2) Data Privacy Will Break Lazy Marketing (and Easy Insights)

Marketers and researchers have been spoiled by easy data collection (: )). That era is over. If you disagree, we can talk!

• Sephora was fined $1.2M in California for selling customer data without consent.
• GDPR fines in the EU have surpassed €4 billion.
• India's DPDP Act, China's PIPL, Brazil's LGPD—every region is tightening its grip on consumer data.
• 49% of consumers globally have stopped using websites/apps due to data concerns.

?? For Marketers: Third-party tracking is dead. Your strategy is already behind if it still relies on cookies, pixels, or opaque data collection.

?? For Insights Teams: You can't just 'track' behavior anymore; we must earn consumer trust.

What can be done?

• Double down on first-party data. Own your audience relationships (This is what SaaS and D2C firms are doing).
• Build trust-based research methodologies. Consumers must voluntarily share insights with you (Haven't we heard this one before!).
• Audit your global data compliance. What's legal in one region may be illegal in another.

(3) AI Will Reshape the Entire Consumer Journey—And Most Marketers Are Behind

90% of marketers use AI. Most are just using it to write LinkedIn posts.

Meanwhile, consumers are using AI to change how they shop, search, and decide.

• Google Search is in trouble. 61% of Gen Z and 53% of Millennials are bypassing Google in favor of AI chatbots for shopping and planning.
• Amazon, Netflix, and TikTok are already AI-first ecosystems. Their recommendation engines are more powerful than traditional advertising.
• Marketing leaders (VPs and above) see AI as a business game-changer. Mid-level marketers? Still playing catch-up.

?? For Marketers: It's not just about automation but how people find and engage with your brand.

?? For Insights Teams: AI isn't just processing data—it's reshaping consumer decision-making. If you're not analyzing AI-driven behavior shifts, you're missing the next big trend.

If Gen Z is skipping Google, where will your brand show up?

Final Thought: Adapt or Be Left Behind.

These shifts aren't "coming." They're already happening.

? Marketing talent is evolving. Are you?

? Data privacy is transforming insights. Are you ready?

? AI is rewriting the consumer journey. Are you ahead of the curve?

What are you going to do about it?

Would love to hear from you (agree/disagree)....

- - - - - - -

Sources:

https://www.b2bmarketing.net/70-of-uk-marketing-leaders-concerned-about-digital-skills-gap/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.horsesforsources.com/jobs-impact-automation_083017/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/entry-level-coders-must-specialise-to-minimise-risk-of-job-loss-experts-124040700239_1.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

TWO: SYSTEM1: For Profitable Growth

System 1: Unlocking Profitable Growth : A MUST READ book for Entrepreneurs

?"How does a mind geared primarily for sex, status, and survival deal with so many options? How do customers decide? How to introduce innovation in the market?”?

Checkout my review at:

https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/pravinshekaroutliermarketer_bookreview-books-readers-activity-7295025035562336256-BGNG?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAABXQRIB9Ij_hS6BZzJ3gsvDxe1WNF5G_P4

THREE: You have to be in it to win it. A voice note.

A two minute audio investment in yourself:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4rsVjTBw9QDZTCAyVwEFk9?si=df09fd6b7d5e44c2

FOUR: The Decision Diary for Founder-CEOs: Interested?

The Founder-CEO journey—it's always chasing growth and moving fast.

Then come the heavier decisions — loaded with self doubt, hesitation and biases.

Break that cycle with outlier thinking and execution. MAKE/TAKE DECISIONS!

This is “The Decision Diary” for founder CEOs.

If you want short audio notes talking about one challenge and one solution, write in to me at [email protected] with TDD as the subject.

Check out other voice notes as well, and share your thoughts.

#outlier #marketing #creativity #different #bookreview #podcast #newsletter #Marketing #AI #Insights #DataPrivacy #Growth

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