From AI-powered newsrooms to chart-topping podcasts, holiday ad pushes, and a surge of blockbuster brand tie-ins, November delivered plenty to talk about. When you need a break from feasting – or that cousin’s political musings – this Thanksgiving, check out the November Marketing Minute.
Fox News Media x Palantir
While some news outlets are wary of AI, questioning its effectiveness and ethics in journalism, Fox News Media is tapping into it. According to Axios, the news organization has partnered with Palantir to build a toolset of custom AI newsroom tools to work in conjunction with its journalists. So far, the partnership has resulted in three new tools to improve efficiency, including a “topic radar” to help reporters quickly debrief on a particular story, a “text editor” that scans copy for style and adherence to Fox News’ style guide and “article insights” to analyze the performance of digital articles. We’re interested to see what other newsrooms, if any, will choose to adopt similar platforms.
Podcasts Reign Supreme
Apple Podcasts announced the top podcasts of 2025. The Joe Rogan Experience, The Daily from The New York Times, and The Mel Robbins Podcast topped the charts with New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce: “The Taylor Swift Episode,” securing a #3 spot on the top episodes of the year.
This comprehensive list of the top shows and creators underscores to marketers that the value of podcasts continues to grow. Pew Research Center data shows that over half of U.S. adults (54%) say they’ve listened to a podcast in the past 12 months, and over a third of U.S. adults (32%) say they get news from podcasts at least sometimes. As we move into 2026, marketers should look for opportunities to capitalize on the popularity of this form of media.
Social Media is All In on Holidays
It’s that time of year again – holiday marketing overload. Understanding how to navigate holiday ad buying is more important than ever, especially as Americans are expected to spend less on gifts this season. With tighter budgets and increased competition, marketers need a clear grasp of platform trends and consumer behavior to make their campaigns stand out. Social platforms are stepping in to help. TikTok, for example, recently released a new holiday marketing guide and launched a holiday hub, to provide marketers with a clear, easy-to-follow strategy. By packaging all of these insights into one guide, TikTok is ensuring that when brands plan their seasonal strategies, the platform is front and center.
Pink and Green Partnerships
Wicked is back for part two, and so are the brand partnerships. Last year’s blockbuster not only dominated the box office, but it also rewrote Hollywood’s marketing playbook, with Universal Pictures securing a record-breaking $350 million in free media value through more than 450 brand collaborations. That momentum hasn’t slowed. New partnerships are rolling out for the second installment, from Crocs to Ruggable, Dunkin’, and Owala. Last year, we discussed the importance of quality > quantity. It seems like Universal has gone the quantity route again.
See you in December.