AMA in the PM: The Future in Focus: 2026 Trends

As new technologies and consumer behaviors reshape the marketing landscape, the year ahead offers exciting opportunities for marketers to stay ahead of the curve. From AI-powered search to cross-channel personalization and the rise of streaming formats, the future of digital advertising and marketing continues to unfold rapidly.

Media Now's "The Future in Focus: 2026 Trends" presentation explores the six forces redefining marketing in 2026—from the rise of AI-powered search and conversational discovery to the growing importance of first-party data, hyper-personalization, connected TV, and advanced analytics. It highlights how shifting technologies and consumer behaviors are reshaping discovery, targeting, and measurement, offering a clear view of the strategies that will drive the next era of advertising.

In this AMA in the PM session, Aron Caruso, Executive Director, Client Partnerships at Media Now Interactive, will share what marketers can expect to unfold in 2026 in the digital marketing landscape, particularly around advancements in AI and shifts in consumer behavior, and what you can do today to prepare yourself for next year’s trending opportunities.

Key takeaways include:

• How to optimize for contextual, conversational experiences rather than static search terms as consumers rely more on voice, chat, and generative AI tools.
• The importance of delivering hyper-personalized experiences across channels to enhance engagement, conversion, and retention by coupling AI and advanced analytics.
• The need to connect performance data across platforms to understand customer journeys and maximize ad ROI with unified attribution and cross-channel measurement.

Event Details

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Dave & Buster’s | 7000 Arundel Mills Cir | Hanover, MD 21076

Ticket sales will end two hours prior to the event’s start time. Non-members rate will increase 24 hours before the event.

Event Schedule

6:00 – 6:30 pm | Registration and Networking including heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar

6:30 – 7:30 pm | Featured Presentation and Q&A with Aron Caruso

7:30 – 8:00 pm | Networking

Sip, snack, and socialize—what more could you want? Game cards!? We will have that too!

Many thanks to our event partner, Media Now Interactive!

Meet the Speaker

Aron Caruso

Executive Director, Client Partnerships, Media Now Interactive

Aron Caruso is the Executive Director of Client Partnerships, the strategic digital division of Media Now Interactive (MNI). Aron started his marketing career on the creative side and transitioned into the world of media sales over the last decade; first as a magazine specialist and now as an omnichannel media consultant helping our partners execute successful, highly targeted, data-powered digital and magazine marketing campaigns that drive advertising ROI. Working with advertisers and agencies on campaigns across a variety of industries, and across the country, he has seen first-hand the power of omnichannel advertising in impacting his clients’ bottom lines and what it takes to deliver highly efficient and effective advertising campaigns.