Sarah Mahoney

2 days ago | mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney

If you’re a CMO running marathons on a sprinter’s budget, you’ve got company. Two new reports — one from Deloitte Digital and another from Gartner — show that while marketing budgets may be rising on paper, gains are being devoured by inflation, martech costs, and growing pressure to prove ROI. Deloitte Digital’s new "Marketing Benchmarks Report" describes CMOs caught in a “perfect storm” of tech disruption, shifting customer expectations, and increasing scrutiny from finance teams.

2 days ago | mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney

As the wellness and protein boom reshapes grocery aisles, Oikos is stepping out of the dairy case and into glove compartments. With new shelf-stable protein-and-fiber shakes, the Danone-owned brand is chasing growth in the $7 billion ready-to-drink category, tapping into on-the-go lifestyles, center-store expansion, and the rising nutritional needs of GLP-1 users. CMO Linda Bethea tells Marketing Daily why the move marks a new chapter for the brand — and possibly the category.

6 days ago | mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney

Even when prices bite, grocery shopping still sparks joy. Despite several years of food inflation sticker shock, and new economic unease, most Americans say they enjoy buying food. And they are more committed to eating well. That’s one of the standout findings from FMI’s new deep dive on consumer sentiment.

1 week ago | mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney

QVC’s big bet on social commerce isn’t paying off — yet. First-quarter sales at the video shopping giant fell 10% to $2.34 billion. The company chalked the poor performance up to ongoing declines in linear TV viewership and sharp pullbacks in consumers’ discretionary spending.

1 week ago | mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney

Tariffs have many industries on edge, but few feel the pressure like toy makers, with about 80% of toys sold in the U.S. made in China. In an earnings call this week, Mattel reaffirmed plans to raise prices to offset the impact of new tariffs, just in time for the holiday season. President Donald Trump spotlighted the issue in a Cabinet meeting, brushing off concerns. “Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls,” he said.