AI & The CMOs In The ‘Era of Less’

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Let's get started! ­ CMOs In The ‘Era of Less’ The newly released [Gartner’s Annual CMO Spend Survey]( shows marketing budgets shrinking to a mere 7.7% of company revenue in 2024 – a drop to pre-pandemic levels. This translates to a resource crunch, with nearly two-thirds (64%) of marketing leaders surveyed  feeling they lack the tools they need to execute their 2024 strategies.  With traditional resources tightening, many CMOs are pinning their hopes on AI's potential to be a game-changer. Time and cost efficiency gains from generative AI are particularly attractive, with a third of marketers highlighting these benefits. While AI is still young, it presents an exciting opportunity for growth-minded CMOs to navigate this challenging economic landscape and bridge the gap between limited resources and ambitious goals. To get more insights from this research, including impact on martech and advertising budgets, [check out this post](. ­ How Are Marketers Are Benefiting from Generative AI?  New research for the [LinkedIn Global Marketing Jobs Outlook]( sheds light on how B2B marketers are prioritizing their AI skill development: The focus is on using AI to generate content faster, optimize performance, and boost efficiency. This trend is evident with a surge in marketing leaders adding AI skills to their profiles, highlighting its growing importance in the field. ­ AI Dive  Google's AI Overview Stumbles on Reddit Sarcasm. Google's ambitious AI Overview feature, designed to synthesize search answers, is facing a hilarious – and concerning – PR crisis. Launched in beta last year, AI Overviews have [gone viral for generating nonsensical responses](, fueled by misinterpreting sarcastic Reddit comments. Users were treated to "helpful" suggestions like using glue on pizza and consuming rocks, raising questions about the technology's ability to discern real information from online jokes. This incident highlights a core challenge of large language models: achieving true reasoning and critical thinking skills.  OpenAI Gears Up for GPT-5. OpenAI has [started training their next-generation model](, GPT-5 . However, the excitement is tempered by the recent formation of a new OpenAI Safety and Security Committee. This move comes after a key researcher's departure over concerns that safety considerations were being overshadowed by the pursuit of impressive new products. OpenAI's commitment to both groundbreaking research and responsible development will be closely watched as they navigate the path forward with GPT-5.  Musk's AI Startup xAI Secures $6 Billion in Funding Round. Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, has [secured a massive $6 billion in a Series B]( funding round, bolstering its war chest to compete with rivals like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Alphabet. This investment, led by prominent venture capital firms and high-profile individuals, fuels xAI's ambitious goals of developing "truthful" AI systems and bringing its first products to market. ­ Experimentation Dive  Search Ads Coming to US AI Overviews? Google announced it will soon begin [testing Search and Shopping ads within AI Overviews]( for users in the US.  These "sponsored" sections will appear when ads are relevant to both the user's query and the information presented in the AI-generated summary. This move capitalizes on the user engagement with AI Overviews, with Google claiming they lead to more clicks than traditional search results. The test will determine the effectiveness of this new ad placement, with existing Performance Max and Standard Shopping campaigns potentially surfacing in this space.  Instagram Tests Interactive Meme Tools. Instagram is testing a new feature to address a drop in user-created content: [interactive meme templates]( within Reels. This feature would allow users to easily overlay popular meme elements onto their videos, potentially boosting engagement by tapping into trending meme culture.  Could this be the key to reigniting user creativity on the platform, or will it simply become another fad?  Tumblr Gets Social: Testing "Communities" for Interest-Based Groups. Tumblr is venturing into social networking territory with the [beta launch of "Communities.](" This feature offers dedicated spaces for users to connect around shared interests, separate from the main blog dashboard. Inspired by Reddit's subreddits, these "semi-private" communities come with their own moderators, rules, and privacy settings.  Can Tumblr successfully integrate this social layer and attract new user groups, or will it remain primarily a blogging platform? ­  COMMUNITY FORUM 🗨️ "Hello, I'm looking to create a sequence of welcome emails for new followers to my LinkedIn page. What should I do? What tools can you recommend? Any examples you can provide because I can't find a solution. Thank you for your advice! " [Reply](  🗨️ "Does anyone have any recommendations for a book that talks a lot about finding product market-fit?" 🙏 Thank you!" [Reply](  🗨️ "Hi, I am currently working on a YouTube podcast series and it's my first time. Does anyone have any advice on how to handle negative comments about the guest?" [Reply](  🗨️ Got a question for community members? [Post a Question](  ­  COMMUNITY POSTS  [New Resource] AI Prompts for Crafting Killer SaaS Onboarding Emails The struggle of crafting onboarding email sequences that convert free users into paying customers is a familiar one for SaaS marketers. But what if you had a secret weapon – an AI chatbot that analyzes your data, identifies improvement areas, and even helps you write better emails tailored for your specific audience?  This article dives into how AI gen chatbots can become your secret weapon for crafting high-converting onboarding email sequences, ultimately increasing the number of free users who upgrade to paid plans. We'll explore how to engage your AI assistant through a series of prompts designed to uncover valuable insights about your product, target audience, and your current onboarding strategy. [READ MORE]( Experiment: Can "Communities" Spark Social Engagement on Tumblr? In this article, we'll delve into the details of the "Communities" experiment, exploring its mechanics, the waitlist system, and its potential impact on Tumblr's future. By understanding how Tumblr is testing new features, growth professionals can discover strategies to generate new revenue streams and even pivot their products to adapt to evolving user needs.  So, whether you're working with a social media platform, an e-commerce store, or a SaaS company, this experiment offers valuable takeaways for unlocking growth potential. [ LEARN MORE]( 7 Alternatives to Google Analytics 4 Google Analytics 4 has become a successor to Universal Analytics, which was commonly used. Launched in 2022, this analytics software was highly criticized due to numerous issues and struggles users encountered. The good news is that numerous alternatives to Google Analytics with high capabilities offer a wealth of data analytics solutions tailored to various business needs. [ LEARN MORE]( ­  TEAM PICKS 🤓 To Read: Feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of international expansion for your business? [This article by Scott Coleman](, a seasoned expert with experience at Google, Pinterest, and Omaze, offers a data-driven framework to help you choose the right market and navigate the process smoothly.  Drawing on his work in over 50 countries, Coleman shares a practical method for prioritizing international expansion, a valuable resource for any company aiming to scale globally.  🎧 To Listen: Lenny's Podcast just released an [episode featuring Bangaly Kaba](, a tech industry veteran with a proven track record at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Kaba dives deep into unorthodox frameworks.  If you're looking for fresh perspectives to propel your product and career, this episode is a must-listen.  🤝 Share the Love: Got a hidden gem that's transforming your growth game? Share the love! Drop your top recommendations at GrowthHackers Community to help a fellow community member level up. [CREATE A POST  ➡️]( ­ GrowthHackers 388 Market St, 1300, 94111, San Francisco [Unsubscribe](