AI to Reshape the Entire Advertising Workflow
CJ Mezzomedia, one of South Korea’s top digital marketing firms, has released its “2026 Trend Report,” projecting significant transformations in the advertising landscape driven by artificial intelligence. The report identifies four major trends expected to shape the future of marketing: AI-powered marketing, discovery-based commerce, OTT (over-the-top) advertising, and AI-driven digital out-of-home (DOOH) media.
According to the report, AI is expected to automate the entire advertising process, from audience segmentation and bidding strategies to real-time performance monitoring. This automation aims to streamline operations and maximize return on investment for advertisers.
One of the most transformative elements is the predicted rise of hyper-personalized video advertisements. These ads will be dynamically generated using AI, adapting visuals, voiceovers, and messaging to suit individual viewer preferences, enhancing engagement and conversion rates.
The report also anticipates the emergence of AI-exclusive social media platforms. These platforms would focus entirely on AI-generated content, allowing users to create, share, and interact with videos produced by artificial intelligence. This new category of digital space could redefine how consumers interact with brands online.
Discovery Commerce to Eclipse Search-Based Shopping
Another key shift identified in the report is the rise of discovery commerce. This trend marks a departure from traditional search-driven shopping, where consumers actively look for specific products, to a more passive experience where products find the consumer through engaging content and proactive AI recommendations.
CJ Mezzomedia notes that as recommendation algorithms become increasingly sophisticated, they will begin to suggest products to users without any explicit input. This shift will require marketers to rethink their strategies, as influencing AI agents that drive product visibility will become just as important as appealing directly to consumers.
Discovery-based commerce is expected to thrive on platforms that combine content and commerce, such as social media and video-sharing sites. Brands will need to invest in content that not only entertains but also subtly introduces products, creating seamless shopping experiences embedded within the user journey.
OTT Advertising Becomes a New Battleground
As competition heats up in the streaming industry, CJ Mezzomedia predicts a pivot from subscription-based revenue models toward advertising-driven growth. OTT platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and local Korean services are increasingly exploring advertising opportunities as a way to diversify income streams and reduce reliance on subscriber fees.
The report emphasizes the growing synergy between OTT platforms and e-commerce. Interactive and shoppable ads embedded within streaming content are expected to become more prevalent, allowing viewers to make purchases directly through their screens without interrupting their viewing experience.
This trend opens up new opportunities for brands to connect with audiences in a more immersive and immediate way. As OTT platforms enhance their ad targeting capabilities, advertisers will be able to deliver personalized messages that align with viewers’ preferences and behaviors.
AI-Driven DOOH Media Enters a New Era
Digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising is poised for a major evolution, according to the report. CJ Mezzomedia describes this as the “second golden age” for the medium, driven by advancements in AI and more flexible regulatory environments.
Unlike traditional programmatic DOOH, which relies on pre-set rules and data inputs, AI-powered DOOH uses machine learning to optimize ad placement and creative content in real time. This allows for greater responsiveness to environmental variables such as weather, traffic flow, and audience demographics.
AI-enabled DOOH campaigns can dynamically adjust messaging based on contextual data, delivering more relevant and timely ads to passersby. This heightened level of personalization is expected to significantly boost engagement and effectiveness.
The report also highlights how deregulation in certain markets is paving the way for more experimental and high-impact outdoor campaigns. As cities become smarter and more connected, public spaces will increasingly serve as interactive advertising canvases that blend digital media with real-world environments.
Looking Ahead
Overall, CJ Mezzomedia’s forecast suggests that the advertising world is on the cusp of a major transformation. With AI at the center of these changes, marketers must adapt their strategies to remain competitive in an increasingly automated and personalized landscape.
From hyper-personalized video ads and discovery-led commerce to shoppable OTT content and AI-optimized outdoor media, the future of advertising is becoming more intelligent, integrated, and consumer-centric than ever before.
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.