Our first event of 2026 kicked off the year as we mean to go on.
Future Ready: The 2026 Reset, held at Google’s offices was our one-day strategy summit, designed to help brands move into the new year with real growth, not guesswork. With a room full of ambitious, forward-thinking brands, the day was packed with great conversations, valuable insights, and fresh perspectives on what’s coming next in digital marketing.
The energy in the room made one thing clear: brands are not waiting for change to happen - they’re gearing up to lead it.
.jpeg)
One of the highlights of the day was connecting with so many brilliant brands who are already thinking ahead and preparing to make 2026 their most successful year yet. From shared challenges to bold ambitions, the discussions reflected a collective appetite to adapt, experiment, and stay ahead in an increasingly complex landscape.
Across the sessions, three key themes stood out.
Search is already shifting in the US, and if history’s taught us anything, it’s that those changes will land here sooner than you think. So the real question isn’t if search will change, but whether you’ll be ready when it does.
Waiting for “best practice” to be written is a risky move. The real advantage sits with those who are:
First-mover advantage isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore. It’s a genuine competitive edge. And yes, it takes a bit of bravery. But we’d argue it’s worth it.
Affiliates had a bit of a moment at the event - and about time too.
With CSS (Comparison Shopping Services) opening up low-risk, high-return opportunities, we’re seeing affiliates do far more than just sit in a neatly labelled “affiliate pot”.
The most successful brands are rethinking the channel entirely, treating affiliates as a core part of their shopping strategy, not a bolt-on. When it’s done right, affiliates can:
Is 2026 the year of affiliates? We wouldn’t bet against it.
AI is no longer the future, it’s firmly BAU. Rather than chasing the latest shiny tool, the focus has shifted to something far more impactful: intentional, outcome-driven use of AI. The brands that will win are those asking the right questions:
The consensus? AI works best when it’s aligned to clear marketing objectives, not when it’s treated as a distraction.
.jpeg)
Covering AI, affiliates and everything in between, Future Ready: The 2026 Reset was a powerful reminder that success next year will belong to brands who plan smarter, move faster, and stay focused on what really matters.
We left the day inspired by the conversations, energised by the ideas, and excited for what 2026 has in store. Thank you again to everyone who joined us. We can’t wait to see how these insights come to life in your plans for the year ahead.
