BFCM

🗓️ Is “Black November” a problem?

🛍️ Study: Consumers want to go shopping IRL.

💸 Times are tough. Brands are playing it safe this Cyber Monday.

AI

⚠️ Advantages and pitfalls of vibe marketing.

🔗 Almost no one is clicking on ChatGPT links.

🎯 Ads are coming to Google’s AI Mode: here’s what they look like.

SOCIAL

⚖️  LinkedIn denies gender bias in determining post reach.

🌀 Merry Glitchmas. Meta’s ad platform is going haywire again.

MERCH

Monday: Google Ads has introduced a new metric, Original Conversion Value (OCV). It reveals the true, unadjusted revenue generated by campaigns. Unlike the standard Conversion Value metric, which incorporates adjustments like Conversion Value Rules or Lifecycle Goals, OCV strips all of these away. It can be tricky to separate real conversion value from Google’s automated adjustments. Here’s what OCV is helpful for.

Tuesday: A good search query tells search engines exactly what someone wants, why they want it, and how urgently they need it. And as SEO shifts toward conversational queries, AI overviews, and intent-driven SERPs, the quality of that signal matters more than ever. Instead of “Coffee,” we want “Best light roast coffee for cold brew under $20.” Great queries consistently share these three traits.

Wednesday: TikTok’s new data suggests creator-led ads outperform traditional brand ads across every meaningful metric. At the same CPM, creator content drives a 70% higher CTR and a 159% higher engagement rate. Why? Because creators are native to TikTok’s rhythms in a way brands rarely are. Here are the three core advantages creators offer campaigns.

Can you solve this puzzle? ⚡

🔥 Trending in The Daily Carnage Facebook group:

“How do I know agency claims are legit? If I’m gonna spend $2-4k a month, how do I verify and make the best decision?”

💬 Our community of experts says…

• “Ask to see samples and data. Portfolios featuring recent work are de rigeur. Ask for references.”
• “True story: you can’t.”
• “Any agency can show anybody they’ve ever worked with. It could’ve been a short term project, a one-time project, doesn’t matter. Their logo will be on the provider’s website.”

Catch up on the conversation with an episode of The Daily Carnage Show:

• Marketer Burnout: A Crisis of Creativity (16:29)
• Unhinged Marketing: The Age of Absurdity (15:07)
• State of Marketing: Pride Month, Neurodivergence, and More (18:40)
• Game-Changers: The Cannes Lions 2025 Shortlist (18:47)
• Brand vs. Planet: The Chilean Sea Bass (9:41)

Answer: American Express.

Very clever. Here’s a little SBS history for you.