VuePoints - Spring 2025
Welcome to this week's edition of?VuePoints, your go-to source for insights on the latest in tech, business strategy, and the creator economy. I'm John Cobb , CEO and Co-Founder of VuePlanner , and I'm excited to share the stories shaping our world. In this issue, we dive into how Adobe and Zoom are deploying AI agents to revolutionize business operations, Instacart's new AI feature making grocery shopping easier for those with dietary needs, and the ongoing surge of generative AI in search and shopping. Plus, we'll explore why strategy plays such a vital role in employee engagement and highlight this week's must-listen podcasts. Let's dive in!?
Adobe has introduced ten purpose-built AI agents within its Experience Cloud, designed to assist businesses in tasks such as website optimization, audience development, and data management.? These agents are managed through the Adobe Experience Platform Agent Orchestrator, which also supports integration with third-party AI agents, allowing for a customizable and comprehensive AI ecosystem.? Similarly, Zoom is enhancing its AI Companion to perform more advanced tasks like managing calendars and drafting meeting agendas, signaling a broader industry shift towards agentic AI systems capable of executing complex office functions. Learn more.
Instacart has launched an AI-powered feature called Smart Shop to simplify grocery shopping for users with dietary restrictions.?This feature offers enhanced search and personalized recommendations based on 14 dietary preferences, such as gluten-free and vegan, utilizing a proprietary library of 17 million unique products.?Integrated into the Instacart app, Smart Shop provides product carousels, search query buttons, and filter options tailored to individual dietary needs. Learn more.
Despite the rise of generative AI (GenAI) in search, 谷歌 is projected to maintain its dominance, capturing about 70% of US traditional search ad spending through 2026.? In September 2024, ChatGPT surpassed 微软 's Bing in US web visits, indicating a shift in user preferences toward AI-driven search tools.?Additionally, 39% of marketing professionals worldwide are leveraging AI to enhance search relevance and product discovery, reflecting AI's growing role in refining search experiences. Learn more.
Traffic from generative AI sources to U.S. retail sites surged by 1,300% between November 1 and December 31, 2024, compared to the previous year, with a 1,950% year-over-year increase on Cyber Monday. In February 2025, traffic from these sources rose by 1,200% compared to July 2024. While generative AI traffic remains modest compared to traditional channels, it demonstrates higher user engagement, with visitors spending 8% more time on sites, viewing 12% more pages per visit, and having a 23% lower bounce rate. Learn more.
Communicating a clear strategy to employees aligns them with the organization's goals, enhancing engagement and productivity.?This alignment fosters a unified, forward-focused vision, reducing inefficiencies and improving morale. Moreover, when employees understand the strategic plan, they are more likely to contribute effectively, leading to better overall business performance. Learn more.?
This week’s Post of the Week spotlight falls on YouTube Advertisers with their recent post featuring the latest streaming stats showing YouTube at #1 once again! ?In February 2025, YouTube reached an all-time high, capturing 11.6% of TV and streaming viewership, and remains #1 in streaming watch time in the U.S. Check out the full post here.
I would be amiss if I didn’t give a shoutout to the latest episode of Next in Creator Media which we sponsor. Host Michael Shields spoke with Scott Fisher , founder of Select Management Group and creator economy veteran, about whether top creators still want to seek out big streaming deals, given the success they can have on YouTube, and what happens next if TikTok Shop goes away. Watch the full episode here.
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This week, I have also been enjoying 麦肯锡 ’s podcast At the Edge. The episode I have linked for you features tech visionaries Navin Chaddha , managing partner at MAYFIELD FUND, L.L.C ; Kiran Prasad , McKinsey senior adviser and CEO and cofounder of Big Basin Labs ; and Naba Banerjee, McKinsey senior adviser and former director of trust and operations at Airbnb , join guest host and McKinsey Senior Partner Brian Gregg . They talk about the inevitability of an AI-supported world and ways businesses can leverage AI’s astonishing capabilities while managing its risks. Listen here.?
And finally, one more discussion that is worth sharing. Futureproofd say down with Hayley Diamond , President at Publicis Groupe to talk about her experience in the industry, what she deems for a successful sell, and longevity in the business. Check it out here.
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