In many ways, decision-making is the quintessential job of a leader. It is also the biggest driver of performance in business and in life. Researchers estimate we make nearly 35,000 decisions each day. Therefore, it’s critical that leaders embrace a decision-making process that reliably results in wise decisions.

Performance is the conversation of the moment. Some leaders are concerned if remote and hybrid workers are getting their work done. The changes to how work gets done in the last several years have also made us question the performance metrics we’re using to gauge success. These are conversations we should have but aren’t the only levers of performance.

What the launch of ChatGPT can teach executives about leading in disruptive times. Measured in numbers, ChatGPT has no rival (yet): The chatbot became the fastest growing consumer app in history only two months after its launch, chalking up 100 million monthly active users in January 2023.

Will 2023 be a boom year or a bust for your cluster or company? Based on its work with 500 local media company clients, technology and digital advertising services company AdCellerant suggests these four things to keep your local media business ahead of a recession. Chief Revenue Officer Melissa Sheehan and VP of New Business Development Ben Bouslog presented these suggestions during the recent Borrell Miami conference.

Local advertising agencies can use AI to improve efficiency and client outcomes. This article covers how agencies can automate routine tasks like email marketing, enhance content creation with AI writing tools, and optimize ad performance using platforms like Google Performance Max. It also explores predictive analytics and personalization strategies that help agencies deliver more targeted, data-driven campaigns. Real-world examples and case studies demonstrate how even small agencies can start using AI today to gain a competitive edge and deliver smarter, more effective marketing solutions.

Follow Sarah, a fictional seasoned local media sales rep, as she explores how AI can help her work smarter and sell more effectively. Through tools like Mailchimp, HubSpot, and Drift, she automates routine tasks, prioritizes high-value leads, and personalizes her outreach. AI also helps her optimize ad performance, manage social media, and generate compelling proposals—freeing up time for strategic selling. Sarah’s journey illustrates how any sales rep can start small with AI, build confidence, and gain a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced media landscape.

This assessment highlights the top 10 AI tools in 2025, including ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini, each offering unique strengths across productivity, creativity, coding, and research. Tools like ChatGPT and Claude excel in conversational versatility and document analysis, while Copilot and Gemini shine in enterprise and productivity integration. Pricing ranges from free tiers to premium plans around $20–$49/month, depending on features and use cases. The comparison also outlines key weaknesses, such as limited customization or ecosystem dependency, helping users choose the right tool based on their goals and workflows.

As advertising agencies and local media sales professionals grow more comfortable with AI, the next step is using it strategically to optimize performance and gain deeper insights. This article explores intermediate applications of AI, including predictive analytics, personalized marketing at scale, smarter media buying, and AI-enhanced sales enablement. It also covers tools for creative optimization, conversational AI, and competitive intelligence, helping teams make data-driven decisions and improve ROI. With a focus on integration and experimentation, the article provides a roadmap for embedding AI into daily workflows and scaling its impact across campaigns and sales efforts.

As advertising agencies and media sales professionals mature in their AI capabilities, the focus shifts to building custom workflows, automating complex processes, and driving innovation. This article explores advanced strategies such as developing proprietary AI models, leveraging real-time data processing, and using AI for deep customer segmentation and creative optimization. It highlights real-world applications from companies like Heinz, Coca-Cola, Netflix, Sephora, and The Trade Desk to illustrate how AI is transforming marketing and sales at scale. With the right tools and integration, AI becomes a strategic partner that enables faster decision-making, greater personalization, and a sustained competitive edge.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how advertising agencies and local media sales reps operate by automating routine tasks, enhancing targeting, and improving campaign performance. This beginner’s guide introduces practical, easy-to-use AI tools that help streamline content creation, email marketing, lead scoring, and social media management. By starting small—like using AI to write emails or analyze audience data—users can quickly boost efficiency and gain a competitive edge. The article also dispels common myths about AI and offers a simple roadmap for getting started, making it accessible even for non-technical professionals.

This glossary provides definitions of key concepts, technologies, and methodologies in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It covers foundational terms from machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and ethical AI practices. It is your quick reference to demystify Al jargon and help understanding and informed discussions in AI-related projects.

Leaders around the world understand the value of a strong culture. My team’s research for my forthcoming book, Culture Rules, confirms this. We talked to, or surveyed, more than 6,000 leaders and frontline associates from 10 countries about the topic of organizational culture and 72% indicated that culture is the most important driver of performance. We also asked leaders to rank their priorities — creating and maintaining culture ranked 12th. This article is not about why this gap exists; it is about how to close it.

Some leaders tend to minimize or sugarcoat the truth during a crisis because they don’t want their employees or customers to worry or too stressed out to function. During a crisis, it’s often necessary for your business to continue to operating, even if on a limited basis. It is also possible, in fact, probable that you are operating with incomplete or conflicting information. “However, the worst thing you can do is deny, deceive, or deflect — this opens the door to rumors and distractions.

One of the most common traps leaders fall into is to dominate, not facilitate. It shows up in meetings. It rears its head when a team is faced with a complicated calamity. And we often see it when assessing the merits of an innovation. This dynamic can even be present when leaders and their direct reports have one-on-one meetings. Why is this pernicious problem so prevalent? I think it mainly comes from common myths and outdated mental models we’ve assimilated about leadership.

With the reality of change fatigue, mental health issues, collaboration overload and the demands of leading in a hybrid environment, today’s leader needs strategies to renew energy and avoid burnout. Here are four simple steps with strategies to take immediately. Before age 61 adults need a minimum of 7 hours sleep each night. Not getting enough sleep has been compared to alcohol impairment, with 24 hours wakefulness to be compared to a blood alcohol level at 0.10%.