The One Thing You Should Read Before 2026...

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Hey friend,

It’s the last day of 2025, and we’re about to exit the holiday vortex and step into a new year full of opportunities.

For marketers, a new year always marks a chance to reset; to rethink strategies, experiment with new tools, and reconnect with what really drives impact. But it’s hard to move forward without first looking back. Reflecting on what’s changed, what we’ve learned, and what we want to bring with us into 2026.

And in a year unlike any other (though maybe we say that every year?), The Influence Agency has done something genuinely refreshing: they’ve reimagined the year-end trend report as a digital museum. One that explores not just what’s new, but why it matters and how marketers can navigate what’s next.

Table of Contents

• The 2026 Marketing Yearbook You Actually Need to R …

• In Case You Missed It: Quick hits from 2025 to car …

• SocialNext 2025 Conference Recaps

• SocialNext 2025 Snapshot

• Podcast Spotlight: A Human Take on Marketing’s AI …

• Coast-to-Coast Job Opportunities

The 2026 Marketing Yearbook You Actually Need to Read

Before you set your 2026 strategy, take 5 minutes to see what this year’s trends, tools, and audience shifts are telling us.

The Influence Agency’s Unlocked Yearbook 2026 is more than a clever format. It’s a sharp, visual, and surprisingly fun take on what marketers should focus on next, from Gen Alpha discovery habits to AI-powered content strategies to the death of the traditional funnel.

We’ve broken down what matters most, including:

• What each generation really expects from brands now

• How “discovery-first” marketing is changing strategy from the top down

• The AI prompts and tools worth testing in 2026

• Why immersive commerce might reshape how Canadians shop

• A bold take on what’s coming next, and what’s still unknown

Plus, we asked Stephanie Walker, Partner and VP at The Influence Agency, what inspired the museum-like format and what marketers still get wrong heading into the new year.

What You’ll Learn:

• Generational trends (yes, even Gen Alpha)

• Discovery-first strategy in action

• AI tools that actually work

• What’s likely to reshape 2026

In Case You Missed It: Quick hits from 2025 to carry into your 2026 strategy

• 2026 OOH Trends: Why Canada’s Streets Are Becoming the Smartest Screen in the Mix — Billboards and outdoor media are evolving into hyper-targeted, data-rich platforms.

• The New Non-Profit Brand: From Pity Narratives to Consumer-Grade Identity — Nonprofits are building bolder, more modern brand identities that drive real engagement.

• Networking: Don’t Do This. Instead, Do This. — Forget the awkward pitch — here’s how relationship-building actually works now.

• PR Is Entering A New Era And 2026 Will Separate The Reactive From The Ready — Communications teams that plan ahead will win the attention and the narrative.

• 10 Modern Lessons in Brand Trust and Loyalty — What it really takes to earn (and keep) trust in 2026.

• Digital 2026: What Global Trends Mean for Canadian Marketers — A quick download on what’s shifting globally and how to adapt locally.

SocialNext 2025 Conference Recaps

Highlights from this year’s events and more coming your way in 2026.

• SocialEast 2025 Recap: Canada’s Marketing Community, Trends & Takeaways — Real talk, real trends, and big ideas from Atlantic Canada’s marketing leaders.

• SocialPacific 2025 Recap: Insights, Inspiration & the Future of Marketing on the West Coast — AI, creativity, and bold campaigns from the West Coast community.

We’ll be bringing more event recaps to your inbox in 2026, starting with Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal.

SocialNext 2025 Snapshot

And as for 2026? It was SocialNext’s biggest year yet. More cities, more marketers, and more ways to connect across Canada’s marketing community.

As we look ahead to 2026, here’s a look back at what made this year such a standout.

Podcast Spotlight: A Human Take on Marketing’s AI Future

As we head into 2026, one thing is clear: the marketers who stand out won’t just be the fastest adopters of new tools, but the ones who know how to stay human while using them.

In a standout SocialWest conversation, Hiba Amin, Co-Founder of Creative Little Planet, joins the Marketing News Canada podcast to talk candidly about imposter syndrome, authenticity in content, and how to use AI responsibly without losing trust or creativity.

It’s an honest, grounding listen for anyone navigating uncertainty, growth, and the next evolution of marketing.

Listen to Imposter Syndrome, Authentic Content & Responsible AI in Marketing wherever you get your podcasts.

Shoppers are adding to cart for the holidays

Over the next year, Roku predicts that 100% of the streaming audience will see ads. For growth marketers in 2026, CTV will remain an important “safe space” as AI creates widespread disruption in the search and social channels. Plus, easier access to self-serve CTV ad buying tools and targeting options will lead to a surge in locally-targeted streaming campaigns.

Read our guide to find out why growth marketers should make sure CTV is part of their 2026 media mix.

Learn more.

Coast-to-Coast Job Opportunities

• Account Manager, Partnership Marketing - Canucks Sports & Entertainment (CSE) (Vancouver, BC)

• Marketing & Brand Specialist - Oodle Noodle (Edmonton, AB)

• Manager, Customer Community - ServiceTitan (Winnipeg, MB)

• Marketing Communications Manager - Hudson Talent Solutions (Mississauga, ON)

• Campaign Manager - Symphony Halifax (Halifax, NS)

• Digital Marketing Associate - Digital Shift (Remote, Canada)

Happy New Year from the Marketing News Canada Team

We hope this final feature of 2025 leaves you feeling thoughtful, inspired, and ready to take what you’ve learned this year into whatever 2026 brings your way.

Thank you for being part of this community, whether you discovered us this month or have been with us since the beginning. We’ll be back in your inbox next week with more stories, trends, and voices from across the Canadian marketing landscape.

And if you're looking to start the new year with real connections and fresh thinking, we hope to see you at one of our SocialNext conferences in 2026.

Tickets are on sale now for Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal. Stay tuned of ticket launches for Vancouver and Halifax early in the New Year.

Grab a ticket to your closest city through the links above.

Wishing you a healthy, creative, and discovery-filled New Year.

See you in 2026,

Marketing News Canada