AI Didn't Break Marketing—It Exposed It

Scott Snowden
Scott Snowden
Business & Technology Strategy
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Studio Session Recap with John Pehler – January 16

Coming into 2026, digital marketers and eCommerce leaders are facing a hard truth: artificial intelligence hasn’t ruined their strategy—it’s shown them where they never had one.

In this studio session, John Pehler and Scott Snowden dive into how companies are scrambling to adapt to AI-led discovery experiences. As people transition from traditional SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to what they’re calling GEOGenerative Engine Optimization—the flaws in old content strategies are being exposed.

The discussion covers:

  • Why AI referrals are changing user journeys—and why that's not a bad thing.

  • The importance of creating value-driven content that positions your brand as a knowledge expert.

  • How the shift from competing for search page rank to earning credibility changes the entire approach to content strategy.

  • Why content maturity is no longer optional for B2B companies—especially manufacturers and distributors.

  • The risk of seeing AI optimization as a “marketing trick” rather than a measure of strategic depth.

As John puts it: “AI didn’t replace great marketing. It started to reward it.”

Watch the full session and hear why this shift is not only inevitable, but a powerful opportunity for those willing to create better content, for the right audience, at the right time.

 

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