Be in The Know
šŖ Behind DoorDashās new social strategy.
š Facebook ad costs jump 21% in 2025, but still beat Google.
š° How The New York Times is betting on a new family plan to grow its digital subscriber base and revenue.
š As Nike tweaks its tagline, a look back at the dark origins of āJust Do It.ā
š Appleās rumored AI search tool for Siri could rely on Google.
š§ The packaging for Boseās SoundLink Plus speaker is inspired by the butter yellow trend.
Over Half of Consumers Distrust AI Search
More than half of consumers donāt fully trust AI-powered search results, according to a new Gartner survey.
Fifty-three percent of U.S. respondents expressed skepticism about the reliability and impartiality of AI-driven summaries, while 41% said these overviews actually make searching more frustrating than traditional methods.
The survey of 377 consumers, conducted in JuneāJuly 2025, also found a strong preference for user control: 61% want the option to toggle AI summaries on or off. This reinforces that consumers donāt just want answersāthey want choice in how they find them.
So, how can we respond?
- Prioritize authority: Publish accurate, in-depth content that demonstrates expertise.
- Be transparent: Make sources and methodologies clear to build trust.
- Optimize for both worlds: Structure content for traditional SEO and AI-driven summaries.
- Diversify channels: Invest in multichannel discoverability beyond search.
- Respect user choice: Provide clear, user-friendly pathways outside of AI-driven experiences.
Q for You
Which Facebook ad types do you have the most success with?
Madgicx

Speaking of Facebook ad costsā¦
Madgicx positions itself as an AI-powered advertising partner that helps you dominate Meta ads without the usual headaches.
Itās a combined dashboard for automation, optimization, creative generation, and analytics.
Basically, Madgicx acts like a personal AI media buyer, auditing accounts, identifying growth opportunities, and guiding your ad strategy with its AI Creative Optimizer.
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āThe Daily Carnage was the newsletter that brought us the most meaningful demo clicks and new trials.āĀ ā Danielle Blanchette, Digital Summit (2025)
Get your content in an issue of The Daily Carnage.
Book a $99 Classified adĀ instantly, or ask us about ourĀ custom sponsorship packagesĀ tailored to your campaign objective.
One, Two-Hoo, Threeā¦

In delightful news, Tootsie Roll has remastered the āHow Many Licksā commercial for a new generation while preserving the original script.
First aired in 1970, the spot featuring Mr. Owl has been lovingly rebuilt for 2025 with brighter animation, high-definition detail, and new voices.
The campaign, led by Schafer Condon Carter and animator Calabash, will run across CTV, YouTube, and social platforms through Halloween.
Ads from the Past

Sony, 1980s

