
What will it take to grow and compete in 2026?
In this high-energy kickoff episode, Molly Pittman and Zach Dampier share the five BIG themes shaping the year ahead – from AI-powered marketing tools to new ad platforms, and the rising importance of raw, real storytelling. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what Smart Marketer is launching (including a dog supplement brand), plus actionable strategies to future-proof your business and cut through the noise in an AI-saturated landscape.
“The more that AI ramps up, the more that we as marketers and business owners need to lean into vulnerability, into being real, into telling long, genuine stories in our marketing message, because that is what’s going to help consumers realize that we are real people, that you can know, like, and trust.” – Molly Pittman

You Will Learn:
- Why vulnerability-driven storytelling is your superpower in an AI world
- How to thrive in a saturated market (yes, even in 2026)
- The new ad channel Smart Marketer is going all-in on (hint: it’s not Meta)
- What AI search ads mean for marketers and what to expect from ChatGPT ads
- The number one way to cut costs (and boost profit) in your eCommerce business this year
- Sneak peek: Smart Marketer’s new AI tool, Meta Ads class, and pet supplement brand
Links & Resources:
- Smart Marketer YouTube – youtube.com/@SmartMarketerYT
- Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com
- Fields of Freedom – fofdogrescue.com
- Molly Pittman – mollypittman.com
- Omnisend – Try our favorite email & SMS platform and get 50% off your first 3 months:smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code: SMART)
Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!
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