2026 is the New 2016

Why Canadian marketers are borrowing from the past to build what’s next.

January 07, 2026

Hey friend,

Welcome back and happy new year. We’re kicking off 2026 with a sharper format: one big idea shaping Canadian marketing right now, plus three stories worth your time. Less noise, more clarity.

And speaking of clarity, this week’s feature is all about looking back to move forward.

Because even though it's 2026, the trends suggest a little time travel might be in order. Marketers are revisiting what worked in 2016, not to copy it, but to sharpen it. Think print, live experiences, and campaigns built on trust, not just clicks.

Let’s get into it.

Coming up...

The DeLorean from Back to the Future, a nod to revisiting the past to build what’s next.

2026 Is the New 2016: Why Marketers Are Looking Back to Move Forward

After years of AI-first marketing, virtual events, and automation overload, 2026 is seeing a quiet reset. Canadian marketers are reintroducing strategies that worked a decade ago and making them better.

Print media is back in circulation with QR overlays and tactile creativity. Experiential campaigns are showing up not just at big conferences, but in local, high-touch activations. Loyalty is being rebuilt around emotional payoff, not just points. And storytelling is reclaiming its place in strategy.

This isn’t nostalgia. It’s a return to connection, clarity, and campaigns that respect the audience’s time.

We revisited five standout Canadian campaigns from 2016, including Canadian Tire’s WOW Guide and WestJet’s Christmas Miracle, to see why they still resonate in 2026.

There are lessons worth borrowing, and a few tactics that probably deserve to stay in the past. We break down how your brand can tap into what’s working now without getting stuck in rewind.

Person using their phone at SocialNext: Ottawa 2025 - Photo by Mat Higgins-Savidant

Three Smart Reads

The three top stories for Canadian marketers to learn from this week.

1. CMOs Say In-Person Experiences Are Still Worth It
From Taco Bell to Adidas, marketing leaders are doubling down on experiential, not just for reach, but for long-term brand impact. Their advice: start small, make it personal, and measure what actually matters.

2. Canadian Social Platform Gander Raises $15M
Built as a privacy-first, “thoughtful alternative” to traditional social apps, Gander Social just secured major funding to scale. It’s an emerging signal that Canadian-led digital platforms, and trust-first experiences, are gaining real ground. Skip to 1.07 to see Co-Founder and CEO, Ben Waldman’s interview.

3. Thirty Bold Predictions for AI in 2026
From agent-led workflows to AI governance becoming a board-level issue, BetaKit outlines where artificial intelligence is heading next. Paired with this week’s feature, it’s a reminder that while tactics may cycle, the tools keep accelerating. The smartest marketers will know how to balance both.

Watch & Learn

Upcoming live webinars, interviews and conversations in the SocialNext Marketing Alliance.

Our first webinar of 2026 is live next week, and we’re starting with a topic we all feed into, whether we admit it or not: fandom. But how does a brand actually build it?

Mike Tyler, CEO and Founder of War Room, and Jeff Aylen, Director of Marketing & Brand at Vancouver Whitecaps FC, break down how audience modelling, creative strategy, and performance media come together to drive more than just conversions.

They’ll walk through how their partnership started, the thinking behind their campaigns, and what any brand can take away from building loyalty in real time.

Date: Wednesday, Jan 14
Time: 10 AM MST / 12 PM EST

Zain Velji on stage at SocialNext: Ottawa 2025 - Photo by Mat Higgins-Savidant

Save on SocialNext

Upcoming cities, early-bird pricing, and ticket deals you don’t want to miss.

We’re just a couple of weeks out from Ottawa’s second annual SocialNext: Nonprofit & Public Sector. The full speaker lineup and schedule are now live, and this is your last week to save $200 before prices go up Friday.

Optional Workshops – Jan 28
You don’t need a full conference ticket to attend these. Workshops are open to all, and can be purchased on their own or bundled.

  • Meta Media Buying Certification — $99 A hands-on session built for real-world campaign execution. Presented by Jelly Academy

  • Driving Engagement Without Burnout — $99 Practical email and content strategies for lean teams. Presented by Cyberimpact

  • ADVOCATE! 2026 — $199 or $149 with a conference ticket — Build smarter, more effective advocacy campaigns. Presented by Northweather

  • Full day bundle — $249 or $219 with a conference ticket

You can also save on tickets to SocialNext: Toronto (April 9) and SocialWest in Calgary (May 27-29) until Friday. Head to their websites to learn more!

Coast-to-Coast Job Opportunities

Not seeing your province or city? Follow us on LinkedIn for job openings in across every province and territory in Canada every Friday.

Thanks for starting 2026 with us. Whether you're attending an event, tuning in to a webinar, or just catching up over coffee, we’re glad to be in your inbox. Keep reading for big ideas, smart campaigns, and real conversations, all year long.

See you next Tuesday,

Marketing News Canada

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