Mercedes M. Cardona

New York

Editorial Consultant, OMH Communications at Freelance

If truth is a weapon, I'm an active shooter. Journalist/foodie/cat lady/theater nerd. Ex-USA Today, Ad Age, AP. Opinions are all mine. I block trolls.

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Articles

Retail media networks face growth challenges

1 week ago | brand-innovators.com | Mercedes M. Cardona

Retail media networks continue to grow apace, adding to the issues faced by the retail sector, which is still negotiating the continuing evolution of omnichannel commerce. “In terms of untapped space, I think digital in-store is the biggest opportunity right now,” said Erin Hough, VP of media at Ulta Beauty.
AI is not a strategy & other takeaways from the AI Marketing Summit in NYC

1 week ago | brand-innovators.com | Mercedes M. Cardona

Marketers have now accepted that artificial intelligence is as much a basic need as electricity, and are negotiating the tension of how much to delegate, working through emerging ethical and operational issues.
Luxury automakers offer dining experiences to attract customers to showrooms

2 weeks ago | brand-innovators.com | Mercedes M. Cardona

An old saying argues that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Automobile marketers are betting that holds true, especially when it comes to selling luxury cars. They are using dining experiences to reach consumers who increasingly shop outside a dealership. “Food is a direct connection to lifestyle” and culinary experiences hit many aspirational touch points, said Simon Fletcher, vice president, experience strategy & design at the experiential agency RAPP.
Hollywood makes safe bets on 2025 releases

3 weeks ago | brand-innovators.com | Mercedes M. Cardona

Going to the movies in 2025 will look very familiar. The studio slates for the summer movie season through the holidays are heavy with sequels, franchise reboots and other repurposed intellectual property. In early 2025, when the website IMDB released its list of the most anticipated movies of the year, the names all had a familiar ring to them.
How DigitalOcean Moved Away From Manual Identity Management

1 month ago | darkreading.com | Mercedes M. Cardona

Identity-based attacks remain a favorite tactic of hackers; Verizon’s annual Data Breach Investigations Report found credentials are still the most popular attack vector in breaches. Enterprises continue to fight them by engaging in more robust identity and access management, but the mushrooming number of identities in use makes the effort ever more challenging.
Innovator Insights: Wurl’s Peter Crofut

1 month ago | brand-innovators.com | Mercedes M. Cardona

“Seize the moment” is good life advice, but also a good directive for marketers looking to make an impact. This is especially true in a crowded TV landscape, where free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) is booming; marketers need to pay more attention not only to where and when their ads show up—but also the mood the program puts a viewer into, to make the best use of their TV spend, said Peter Crofut.
Experience marketing bucks the rules at SXSW

2 months ago | brand-innovators.com | Mercedes M. Cardona

Storytelling and experiential marketing can be a secret sauce for marketers at a time when technology and artificial intelligence in particular are taking over many marketing functions. Good storytelling can build brands, but creating memorable experiences and connecting with consumers at a human level requires touching them in real life and obeying the trope of “meeting them where they are,” said speakers at the Leadership in Brand Marketing Summit during the South by Southwest festival.
Innovator Insights: Open Influence’s Bryce Adams

2 months ago | brand-innovators.com | Mercedes M. Cardona

Creator marketing has evolved beyond a one-off “nice to have” addition to media plans into a more integrated, measurable part of brand building. Companies are investing in the creator economy and it’s often based on spotting cultural moments and joining the conversation at a human level,” said Bryce Adams, SVP of partnerships at the influencer marketing agency Open Influence. “You can’t afford to ignore this resource,” said Adams..
AI gets ready for prime time

2 months ago | brand-innovators.com | Mercedes M. Cardona

Artificial intelligence has to move beyond being an efficiency tool for marketing to become a creative enabler, according to speakers at the Brand Innovators AI for Brand Marketers Summit. AI has moved past the early adoption stage, where companies have to be convinced of its potential and the need to invest in it, said speakers.
Black History Month efforts seek relevance & connection

2 months ago | brand-innovators.com | Mercedes M. Cardona

In spite of the fraught political climate, marketers are going forward with Black History Month efforts, partnering with Black-owned brands, creators and influencers to craft deeper connections and tell more relevant stories.